REVIEW – Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake #3) by Rachel Caine

Published: April 23, 2019 by Thomas & Mercer

 

**If you plan on reading the first two books in the “Stillhouse Lake” series, you might want to hold off on reading this review.

I will tell you that this is a series that I highly recommend.

I have been looking forward to reading this since finishing “Killman Creek“, the previous book in the series.

The book starts with the shocking kidnapping of a six-year-old girl. I was pulled right in.

The story then turns to Gwen Proctor. Gwen is staring into the dark eye of a TV camera. The camera reminds her of very bad things. It reminds her of her ex-husband, serial killer Melvin Royal.   “I see my ex and his horrible smile. I see blood.”  

The newspapers are still reporting what happened months earlier. “Shootout in murder house!”  The newspaper always mentions that Gwen was once arrested as Melvin Royal’s accomplice, but they almost never remember to say that she was acquitted. She has decided she wants to set the record straight. She chose “The Howie Hamlin Show” because Howie appeared to have a good reputation.

Unfortunately, the interview does NOT go as planned. It’s more like an interrogation. Then Howie asks Gwen if she knows about the documentary…

What documentary?

When he introduces his next guest, things go from bad to worse.

All Gwen wants is for her family to be happy and safe. But the normal life she craves seems so far out of reach. Then there’s Sam.  There’s so much they need to talk about.

When the landline rings one night, Gwen is hesitant to pick it up. Most of the calls she gets are people making threats and yelling abuse.  But she also gets calls from people asking for advice or help.

“Please, I’m begging you. Please answer me. I don’t know where else I’m supposed to turn.”

Gwen listens as the woman leaves a message. Just as the woman is about to hang up, Gwen picks up. The woman, Marlene Crockett is from a small town called Wolfhunter. She sounds terrified but she’s vague when answering Gwen’s questions. When Marlene suddenly hangs up, Gwen wonders if she was trying to lure her to Wolfhunter.

Gwen tries to put the call out of her mind. But a few days later, the phone rings again. What Gwen hears shocks her. Soon she’s heading for Wolfhunter. She wants to help.

“You can’t take on trouble in a strange town. You don’t know the players or the people. And you’ve got no stake in this thing”

Will Gwen be able to help and keep herself and her family safe?

I really enjoyed this book! It has a great plot with a lot of excellent characters (old and new). Quite a few of the characters from books one and two make an appearance.

The majority of the storyline is told from Gwen’s point of view but there are also a few chapters from other characters. I thought that the multiple storylines were interesting. Some very intense moments had me holding my breath.

I think the book could be read as a standalone. However, a lot happened in books one and two so readers might enjoy it more if they read the entire series.

This was another great chapter in the “Stillhouse Lake” series. I can’t wait to read more!

 

I’d like to thank Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

 

Goodreads Monday – May 27, 2019

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren’s Page Turners . To take part, simply choose a random book from your TBR and show it off.  Be sure to check out Lauren’s blog too!!

Today the book I’m going to show off is :

Worst Case Scenario by Helen Fitzgerald

Published May 16, 2019 by Orenda Books

 Goodreads Description:

 A delicious dark, relentless and chilling psychological thriller by the international bestselling author of The Cry

‘The harrowing plot keeps you gripped until the final, devastating revelation’ Sunday Mirror

Mary Shields is a moody, acerbic probation offer, dealing with some of Glasgow’s worst cases, and her job is on the line.

Liam Macdowall was imprisoned for murdering his wife, and he’s published a series of letters to the dead woman, in a book that makes him an unlikely hero – and a poster boy for Men’s Rights activists.

Liam is released on licence into Mary’s care, but things are far from simple. Mary develops a poisonous obsession with Liam and his world, and when her son and Liam’s daughter form a relationship, Mary will stop at nothing to impose her own brand of justice … with devastating consequences.

A heart-pounding, relentless and chilling psychological thriller, rich with deliciously dark and unapologetic humour, Worst Case Scenario is also a perceptive, tragic and hugely relevant book by one of the most exciting names in crime fiction.

 

My Thoughts:

I’ve read a few books from Helen Fitzgerald and really liked them. I especially enjoyed “The Cry”.  I’ve read some great reviews for “Worst Case Scenario” and the description was intriguing. I had to add this to my Goodreads “to be read” list right away.

I am hoping to read it soon!

If you’ve read this or are planning to read this, I would love to hear your thoughts.

 

Happy reading everyone!!!

 

 

I can’t wait for : Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle (Can’t-Wait Wednesday)

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a meme hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we are excited about that we have yet to read.

I came across this meme recently and thought it sounded like a lot of fun. There are so many books that I can’t wait to read…

My choice for this week is:

Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle

Expected publication: June 25, 2019 by Park Row

 

Goodreads Description:

From the bestselling author of The Marriage Lie and Three Days Missing comes a riveting new novel of suspense about a woman who, in a fight for survival, must decide just how far she’ll go to escape the person she once loved

Beth Murphy is on the run…

For nearly a year, Beth has been planning for this day. A day some people might call any other Wednesday, but Beth prefers to see it as her new beginning–one with a new look, new name and new city. Beth has given her plan significant thought, because one small slip and her violent husband will find her.

Sabine Hardison is missing…

A couple hundred miles away, Jeffrey returns home from a work trip to find his wife, Sabine, is missing. Wherever she is, she’s taken almost nothing with her. Her abandoned car is the only evidence the police have, and all signs point to foul play.

As the police search for leads, the case becomes more and more convoluted. Sabine’s carefully laid plans for her future indicate trouble at home, and a husband who would be better off with her gone. The detective on the case will stop at nothing to find out what happened and bring this missing woman home. Where is Sabine? And who is Beth? The only thing that’s certain is that someone is lying and the truth won’t stay buried for long.

 

My Thoughts:

I read “Three Days Missing” by Kimberly Belle last year and really enjoyed it. The description for this novel has me gripped already.

I can’t wait to read it!

 

I’d love to hear what books you are excited to read. Is this one on your list too?

 

Happy Reading Everyone!!

 

 

REVIEW – The Favorite Daughter by Kaira Rouda

Expected publication: May 21, 2019 by Graydon House

 

I have been looking forward to reading more from Kaira Rouda since reading and enjoying her previous novel, “Best Day Ever”.

“The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect lie“.

Meet Jane Harris.

Jane spent the last year grieving the death of her daughter, Mary. She stayed in bed lost in her “haze of grief”.

But Jane is now ready to step back into her life and family. Jane’s therapist suggested that the family should eat together to reconnect.  So Jane is putting together a special dinner.

“I’m the perfect vision of a happy homemaker”

She waits for her husband, David to come home. He’ll be surprised. Jane says David has some surprises of his own.  Jane accidentally found out about a big one.  David’s surprise snapped her out of her haze.

Nothing had been right after Mary left them. David was never home, always busy with work. It felt like he was avoiding her.

“Your husband should love you and worship the ground you walk on. He doesn’t just now, I know, but he will again. I’m back. He’ll see.”

Jane’s other daughter, Betsy is about to graduate. Jane tries to ignore the voice in her head (it sounds a lot like her mother) that tells her Betsy is going to leave her.  But Betsy needs Jane. She would never leave her.

Jane is happy that everyone seems to be getting in line. Now that she’s back and better than ever.  She’s even been secretly working out.  On her few recent outings she’s noticed admiring glances from men. Not that that’s anything new. She’s always turned heads.

There is an upcoming memorial for her daughter, Mary. Jane’s psychologist, Dr. Rosenthal tries to prepare her for it. Jane often says what she thinks the psychologist wants to hear. She talks about the things her mother taught her. Jane’s mother loved bringing people down, Jane included. But Jane is winning…just look at her lavish life.

Jane used to have a group of friends but they’ve drifted away. She knows it’s because they were jealous. Jane used to win at everything; tennis, Bunko, etc.  And it wasn’t her fault their husbands found Jane attractive.

After the memorial, Jane suddenly starts receiving anonymous notes. The notes say that there’s more to Mary’s death than they know. Could this be true?

As graduation nears, we learn more about the Harris family. It seems like everyone is keeping secrets and/or has something to hide.

With a riveting storyline, some jaw-dropping moments, and a wicked ending, this was another hit for me.

The story is told from Jane’s point of view. Jane Harris is a character that many will love to hate (some will just hate). She is definitely one of a kind. The author’s sense of humor really comes across. This psychological suspense novel had me laughing out loud a few times.

Clever, entertaining, and delightfully insane, “The Favorite Daughter” was the perfect escape.

 

I’d like to thank Graydon House for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.