Alice and Gerald - A True Crime Review

Goodreads:  Alice and Gerald: A Homicidal Love Story by Ron Franscell

Rating:  Very Good
Source: Publicist

Description: Would you kill for love?
After Alice, a desperate young mother in a gritty Wyoming boomtown, kills her husband in 1974 and dumps his body where it will never be found, she slips away and starts a new life with a new love. But when her new love's ex-wife and two kids start demanding more of him, Alice delivers an ultimatum: Fix the problem or lose her forever. With Alice's help, he "fixes" the problem in an extraordinarily ghastly way ... and they live happily ever after. That is, until 2013, almost forty years later, when somebody finds a dead man's skeleton in a place where Alice thought he'd never be found.

Featuring a femme fatale whose manipulative, cold-blooded character rivals Lady Macbeth, this page-turner by bestselling true-crime author Ron Franscell revisits a shocking cold case that was finally solved just when the murderers thought they'd never be caught.

Genre: Nonfiction - True Crime

Why I Picked This Book:  The blurb really caught my attention and I wanted to know how the story played out.

My Impression:  Somehow I've never read any true crime.  I mean I've watched hours and hours (and hours) of true crime on TV and I've read a few books on Jack the Ripper which is technically true crime but more historical and heavy on the theorizing.  There was no real theorizing here.  We find out pretty early the ins and outs of at least one of the crimes and the bulk of the book focuses on the investigation. 

As someone who has experienced a lot of true crime through television I found this look at the evolution of the investigation.  On TV there's a brief mention of previous investigators but here the reader was right next to each investigator hearing there victories and failures, the progress and heartbreaking disappointment.  Each and everyone of them knew the whodunnit but the how do we catch them proved a little more elusive and completely fascinating.

The writer's style took a little getting used to.  There's an easy familiarity and casualness to his tone that I didn't quite expect but as the book progressed I really came to enjoy it.  I ended up being completely hooked by this book even before I realized it.  I had meant to split my reading time between this and another book but I found myself really only reading this one. 

This was a fascinating read and one that made me want to explore the genre a bit more.  I expected it to be all gore and violence but instead found an intriguing look at the progress of an investigation where the evidence is hard to find but the killers are known. 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would!  I'm intrigued to look into his other books.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy the story of an investigation than this is definitely worth reading - even if you aren't a reader of true crime.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

3 x 3 - Contemporary Romance Authors

Today I'm taking a lot at 3 of my favorite books by 3 of my favorite contemporary romance authors.  I've been loving contemporary romance lately and am really enjoying mixing it in with my usual mysteries.  I will warn you though that I tend to favor the low heat more women's fiction type romance versus the super spicy kind.  I love the evolution of the relationship and the characters as well as the community feel that frequently occurs in my favorites.

RaeAnn Thayne

Thayne is definitely the lowest on the heat scale with stories that tend to run to the sweet and heartfelt.  There's a lot of single parents and always a small town feel.  There's a certain sameness to Thayne's books which is why they're very rarely 5 star reads for me.  However, they're always a total feel good delight.

 Snow Angel Cove - This was the first Thayne I ever read and I completely fell in love.  It was sweet with wonderful characters and still makes me smile to think about it.

Sugar Pine Trail - One of the main characters in this one is a librarian and I can never resist a librarian.  There are also two boys looking for stability and a cynic who isn't looking for romance. 

Snowfall on Haven Point - A grumpy sheriff recovering from an injury and a no nonsense single mother who is determined to fulfill her promise to her friend.  Throw in two sweet kids and some Christmas magic and this was a fabulous read.

Nora Roberts

I don't think anything needs to say about Nora Roberts.  The woman knows how to tell a story and can create characters like no one else.   Plus I don't think there's a sub genre under the romance category that she hasn't tackled.

The Next Always - This is the first in a trilogy about three brothers and three friends in a small town.  It's one of the few high school crush carried into adulthood that really worked for me.  There's a bit of suspense and even a ghost but for the most part this is a fairly straight forward romance.  I reread it recently and enjoyed it as much if not more than I did the first time.

The Obsession - This is essentially a less graphic episode of Criminal Minds with a good romance plot and is one of my favorite romantic suspense titles from Roberts.

Key of Light - This is one of her paranormal suspense titles and it's a favorite.  Like many of her books it's the beginning of a trilogy and involves a quest with all kinds of supernatural craziness.  This one is about Malory who is an art lover and Flynn, a newspaper editor.  The second one in this trilogy is probably my favorite as it involves bookish characters but you simply must start with this one.

Jill Shalvis

Shalvis is on the higher end of the spice spectrum for me but also at the top of the fun spectrum.  There's always at least one laugh out loud moment in all of her books.  

Forever and a Day - Oh this was a good one!  I loved the combination of uptight doctor and relaxed live for the moment Grace.  

About That Kiss - I love a quest and this investigation was so fun.  Plus I really liked both characters and it made me want to dive into this whole series.

Lost and Found Sisters - I may be in the minority for this more women's fiction novel but I really loved it.  I loved the sister situation and watching the main character find her footing while figuring out just who she really is.

Have you read any of these authors?  What are some of your favorites?

Death Waits in the Dark - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death Waits in the Dark (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery #4)

Rating: Very Good
Source:  Publisher

Description: It's summertime, and Lena and Camilla are busy working away while a town vandal runs amok. Things get even more complicated when Jane Wyland pays Camilla a not-so-friendly visit and gives her an ultimatum: reveal Camilla's husband James's family secret, or she will. Lena assures Camilla that nothing will come of the woman's threats, since the family has no secrets to hide.
When Jane Wyland is later found dead, they're convinced that whatever secret she was planning to expose led to her death. With Lena's assistance, Camilla is determined to solve the case before the finger points at her...

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  To be honest, I thought this series looked intriguing but I didn't love the last book.  I thought I'd give the series one more chance with this one and I"m so glad I did!

My Impression:  Like I said above I didn't love the last book but I thought the premise was intriguing enough that I just had to give the series one more try.  And I finished in two sittings after thoroughly enjoying every page.  I'm not sure what didn't click with me in the last book but this one made up for it in spades.  I really liked the characters.  Lena and Camille have a sweet almost mother daughter relationship and I loved all their friends and other relationships.  Plus, there's a cat named Lestrade so that's pretty great too. 

The mystery was all about past secrets which is perhaps my favorite thing ever.  Yes, there's a modern day murder but the mystery itself is all about something that happened in the past.  There is all kinds of digging through letters and sifting through memories and I was completely on board for it.  I really wasn't sure how it was all going to work out and I didn't want to put the book down until I found out.

I'm so glad I gave this series another chance.  This was one of my favorite cozy mysteries so far this year and I'm looking forward to continuing the series!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am looking forward to going back and reading the first book and will be keeping an eye out for the next book.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozies I definitely recommend this series.  Don't worry if you're new to the series.  Since most of the action takes place way in the past this is a great place to jump in.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

This Week in Reading - April 7

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

Ten Years a Nomad by Matthew Kepnes - It's been awhile since I read a travel memoir and this one looked like a lot of fun. (Publisher)

The Scent of Murder by Kylie Logan - I've enjoyed cozies by this author so I'm looking forward
to seeing a thriller by her and this involves a cadaver dog which is an interesting twist.  (Publisher)

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger - I thought this one might be fun on audio and it was on sale so I couldn't pass it up.  (Purchased - Audible)

Blood Magick by Nora Roberts - I was kind of meh on the first book when I read it originally but I listened to it a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I'm planning on listening to the next two in the trilogy as well. (Purchased - Audible)

Crime on the Fens by Joy Ellis - I've been wanting to read this series since I first saw someone mention it.  I had an extra credit and thought I had to get it. (Purchased - Audible)

Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart - I've been wanting to read this one since it came out so when I saw it on sale on Audible I couldn't pass it up.  (Purchased - Audible)

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Pretty much the same as above!  (Purchased - Audible)

Currently:

Reading:  The Missing Years by Lexie Elliott and Meet Me in Atlantis by Mark Adams

Listening:  Untraceable by Laura Griffin.  I'm almost done with that and am not sure what's up next.  Either a Middle Grade or another romantic suspense.

Watching:  I"m hitting the Hallmark movies hard.  They have a checklist app and it has me completely addicted.  Plus, they're predictable enough that I don't really have to pay attention.  They're like the perfect background shows.

Off the Blog:

Today is the day I have to make our dining reservations for our Disney trip!  I go full ham on all the planning a Disney trip involves but it's a bit difficult to decide in April where you want to eat in October.  Luckily I only have to make the reservations for the super hard to get into restaurants (Be Our Guest at Magic Kingdom specifically) and can be a little more relaxed about the rest of it.  Well until Fast Pass day in August.  Dining Reservations 6 months out have NOTHING on deciding what rides you're going to feel like doing when two months from now.  This year we're ramping up the experiences a bit so I'm throwing in a couple of dessert parties where you get to eat themed desserts and then have special seating for the fireworks show.  I'm super excited!

Allergies have hit us hard here and everything is covered in yellow pollen.  The Tornado especially is feeling awful and we've started the Zyrtec regimen for him.  He always has two or three weeks a year when he's a wreck and this seems to be one of them!  But on the plus side spring is definitely here and things are blooming!  My tulips are gorgeous this year and I"m loving seeing their happy flowers.  

On the Blog:

What Happened:

Monday:  Ten Middle Grade Books I Have My Eye On
Tuesday:  Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book
Wednesday:  An Artless Demise - Historical Mystery Review
Thursday:  Mother's Day Mayhem - Cozy Mystery Review
Friday:  Friday Five - My April Reads
Saturday:  I Found You - Mystery Review

What's Coming Up:

Monday:  Death Waits in the Dark - Cozy Mystery Review

Tuesday:  3 x 3 - 3 Books by 3 Contemporary Romance Authors

Wednesday:  Alice and Gerald: A Homicidal Love Story - True Crime Review

Thursday: Books from the Backlog

Friday: Friday Fives

Saturday: The Pioneer Woman Come and Get It - Cookbook Review

Have a great week and happy reading!

I Found You - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  I Found You by Lisa Jewell

Rating:  Very Good
Source:  Library (Audio)

Description:  'How long have you been sitting out here?''I got here yesterday.'
'Where did you come from?'
'I have no idea.'

East Yorkshire: Single mum Alice Lake finds a man on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, no idea what he is doing there. Against her better judgement she invites him in to her home.

Surrey: Twenty-one-year-old Lily Monrose has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. Then the police tell her that her husband never existed.

Two women, twenty years of secrets and a man who can't remember lie at the heart of Lisa Jewell's brilliant new novel.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: I've been wanting to read this author for ages and this one sounded especially intriguing.

My Impression:  There are 3 story lines here.

One in 1993 featuring the very ordinary Ross family.  Two very ordinary parents and two ordinary kids - 18 year old Gray and 15 year old Kirsty.  They're on an ordinary summer vacation until things take a not so ordinary turn.

The second is present day Yorkshire in a little town on the bay where 40 something single mother, Alice, notices a man standing on the beach for hours.  A man with no memory other than occasional disturbing flashes.

And in Surrey 21 year old Lily Monrose, newly married and new to the country, is anxiously waiting for her husband to come home.  Except he doesn't.

All three of these storylines are connected though I changed my mind about how several times.    Of the three stories I liked Alice's the most.  She has a history of making bad decisions and she's got a bit of a chip on her shoulder but she's so honest and loves her children dearly and is just doing the best she can.  The fact that her relationship with the stranger isn't the best decision but I can't help but sympathize with her motivations.

I didn't really like Lily but I felt very sorry for her.  She finds herself completely alone with no resources in a country where she doesn't understand the culture.  She is abrasive and demanding but the thread of terror underlying all her actions kept her sympathetic.

The 1993 story was the hardest for me to listen to because there was such a sense of dread surrounding these perfectly nice people.

Watching everything slowly come together kept me enthralled and as dysfunctional as these characters were I was sad when the book ended because my time with them was over.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author

Would I Recommend this Book?

Friday Fives - April Reads

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  Michelle over at Because Reading is Better Than Real Life   used to do a Five on Fridays that I always enjoyed and I've seen a few other variations on the theme.  As well I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd give start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.  Since this is the first Friday in April I'm looking at 5 books I'd like to read in April.  This month's theme is gardening - especially flowers and I pulled 5 books from my TBR that fit in that category.

1.  The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio - I love camellias and had just finished a novel by Sarah Jio that I loved when I picked this one up.  It looks gorgeous.

2.  Flowerbed of State by Dorothy St. James - Not only is the main character a gardener but she's a gardener at the White House.  I used to read a series that focused on the chef at the White House so this seems fun too!

3.  No Farm, No Foul by Peg Cochran - This takes place on a farm so the focus is probably more food than flowers but the main character is a blogger and there are gardening tips so I think this fits nicely. 

4.  Vanish with the Rose by Barbara Michaels - This is a reread for me and every time I read it I decide I simply must start a rose garden - full of the old fashioned roses of course.

5.  Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts - Another reread and while gardening isn't the main character's focus it is something she finds enjoyment it in. 

What are you hoping to read in April?

Mother's Day Mayhem - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Mother's Day Mayhem (Tourist Trap Mystery #10.5) by Lynn Cahoon

Rating: Just Okay
Source: NetGalley

Description: Picturesque South Cove, California, is the perfect place to celebrate Mother’s Day, but not everyone is feeling motherly...
Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More is almost out of Mother’s Day cards. She has a few more in stock, but she’s set them aside because she needs Greg’s help choosing one for his mother. It’ll be Jill’s first time meeting her boyfriend’s mother, and she’s understandably nervous.

Turns out Jill isn’t the only one having feelings about mothers. Kyle, who works at the antiques store next door, needs to find the perfect card for a mother he hasn’t seen since he was five—when she went away to jail. But her arrival in South Cove isn’t exactly celebratory, her behavior toward her son unexpectedly restrained. Piqued, Jill discovers that a mother can never be replaced...

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  This is one of my favorite series so I couldn't pass this one up.

My Impression:  I love this series and always enjoy seeing more from Jill, Greg, Jackie and everyone else in South Cove.  This was no exception.  I enjoyed this read and it was definitely a one sitting novella.  I also liked seeing more of Greg's family than his cranky brother and there was a softer side of Josh that was nice to see.  I also really loved the family aspect be it blood or community.

However, I found this a bit unsatisfying.  Jill's mood seemed off for most of the book.  While she did mention feeling grumpy several times the tone of the book itself felt off somehow.  The mystery was definitely not the typical murder mystery which didn't bother me.  What did bother me is that there seemed to be a lack of focus of the story itself.  There's a lot crammed into 75 pages and none of it seemed to really get the attention it deserved.  While I love this series this novella just didn't quite work for me.  I waffled a bit on how to rate this one.  I did enjoy it but at the same time the story just didn't feel quite complete.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would.  Despite this one not quite working I did enjoy it and I'm hoping for more from this series.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries I'd definitely recommend this series though I wouldn't start with this book.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *