Meredith G. reviewed on 3/21/2025 + 13 more book reviews

Fascinating book with less than perfect female lead characters. Explores our culture's fascination with serial killers and the forgotten victims; the families and friends of the deceased. Their trauma is carried with them the rest of their lives. I previously read Jessica Knoll's first novel and it was outstanding. I could not put this book down, yet didn't want it to end. There are many characters and the plot jumps back and forth in time, so my only advice is that this is not a book you want to start and then pick up a few weeks later.
I feel this is a must read for anyone who has "enjoyed" a book about a serial killer. I am not saying that you need to examine your conscience or feel guilty. But this book should be a mandatory companion piece.

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Suzette M. reviewed on 3/21/2025 + 3 more book reviews

Excellent devotional book.

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Regina C. (flyinggems) reviewed on 3/21/2025 + 467 more book reviews

Who is using Who?

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Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 27 more book reviews

My first comment is, who decided to use this iconic picture of Sophia Loren and Jayne Mansfield for the cover of this book?  To be honest. I thought the subject of the book was concerning Hollywood, female sexuality, and jealousy among the actresses back in the 1950s. 

Boy, was I shocked to learn that this is actually a memoir written by a transgender!  But then I thought this would be a great opportunity to broaden my education regarding transgender lifestyle. 

Unfortunately, I stopped reading at 105 because the book is so dull and slow paced that I soon lost interest. 

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 917 more book reviews

Murder Movie Club: Murder on a Monday by Marcy Blesy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fun new murder movie club cozy mystery series where the members try their hand at solving a real murder!

Murder Movie Club: Murder On a Monday is the debut novel in veteran author Marcy Blesy's fun new cozy mystery series, the Monthly Murder Movie Club, featuring movie club members who try to solve a murder in real life. Fun, diverse characters, spirited dialogue, and an intriguing murder all combine for an entertaining story.

The characters are engaging and comprise quite a diverse group of individuals. The story unfolds from multiple perspectives and is really an ensemble effort to solve the case. While I had a favorite character, that changed as the story progressed, and each one got their turn to present their point of view. I enjoyed the participants bickering and their banter.

The victim is discovered early on, and a major piece of evidence goes missing soon after, so the story is off and running almost from the beginning. Plot twists kept things interesting and me guessing!

I recommend MURDER MOVIE CLUB: MURDER ON A MONDAY to cozy mystery fans.

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Alice B. reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 3643 more book reviews

A heartwarming story of a stray dog and a U.S. Marine who met under the unlikeliest circumstances in Afghanistanâand who changed each other's lives forever.

As part of an elite team of Marines, Craig Grossi was sent on his most dangerous assignment to the Sangin District of Afghanistan. He expected to face harsh conditions and violence from Taliban fighters.

What he didn't expect was to meet a stray dog, with a big goofy head and little legsâa dog all on his own, filthy and covered in bugs, in a bomb-ridden district, but who carried himself with confidence. And even though the Marines have a rule against approaching strays, Craig couldn't help but offer some food and a patâand was shocked when the dog wagged his tail.

From that moment on, they were inseparable; whether out on missions or back at the base, the dog named Fred went along. When the time came for Craig to leave Afghanistan, he knew that Fred had to leave with him no matter what. And as Craig tried to get acclimated to civilian life, Fred was there for him.

This book tells the inspiring story of two friends who ultimately rescued each other, and the stubborn positivity and love that continue to shape their world.

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Alice B. reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 3643 more book reviews

Welcome to The Great Smoky Mountains
Hike on the mother of all footpaths, the Appalachian Trail, cycle through the beautiful, historic valley of Cades Cove, and learn how early settlers made ends meet at the Mountain Farm Museum â all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and begin your journey now!

Includes:

Top Activities
Detailed Hikes
Travel with Children
Itineraries
On the Road Regional Guides
And so much more!

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Alice B. reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 3643 more book reviews

The Luscious Los Angeles Times And USA Today Bestseller!

Early summer brings plenty of work for baker Hannah Swensen, even before Mayor Bascomb's wife drops by The Cookie Jar to place an order for her charity event. . .for eleven-hundred cookies! And Hannah almost flips when her business partner, Lisa, suggests setting up an apple turnover stand. But she places her faith in Lisa and agrees to be a magician's assistant in the fundraiser's talent show. . .

The only snag is the show's host, college professor Bradford Ramsey. Hannah and her sister, Michelle, each had unfortunate romances with Ramsey, and when the cad comes sniffing around between acts, Hannah tells him off. But when the curtain doesn't go up, she discovers Ramsey backstage--dead, with a turnover in his hand. Now Hannah must find a killer who's flakier than puff pastry--and far more dangerous. . .

Includes Over Ten Cookie and Dessert Recipes From The Cookie Jar, Including Chocolate Sugar Cookies and Breakfast in a Muffin!

"The ever popular Fluke writes engaging cozies with one part great characters, one part gentle story, and three parts the best recipes in the genre." âLibrary Journal

"Catch up with the gang in this delightful, thoroughly entertaining series that keeps readers coming back for more."

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Alice B. reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 3643 more book reviews

The author of the New York Times bestselling Cat in the Stacks series is back with more Southern charm and beguiling mystery as Charlie Harris and his cat Diesel must find a killer in a room full of librarians...

Charlie is stressed out. The Southern Academic Libraries Association is holding this year's annual meeting at Athena College. Since Charlie is the interim library director, he must deliver the welcome speech to all the visiting librarians. And as if that weren't bad enough, the keynote address will be delivered by Charlie's old nemesis from library school.

It's been thirty years since Charlie has seen Gavin Fong, and he's still an insufferable know-it-all capable of getting under everyone's skin. In his keynote, Gavin puts forth a most unpopular opinion: that degreed librarians will be obsolete in the academic libraries of the future. So when Gavin drops dead, no one seems too upset...

But Charlie, who was seen having a heated argument with Gavin the day before, has jumped to the top of the suspect list. Now Charlie and Diesel must check out every clue to refine their search for the real killer among them before the next book Charlie reads comes from a prison library...

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Alice B. reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 3643 more book reviews

Librarian Charlie Harris and his cat Diesel must content with some spirited southern ladies when a feud ends in murder in this mystery in the New York Times bestselling series.

The Ducote sisters are in a tiff with Vera Cassity over the location of Athena, Mississippi's annual library fundraising gala, and Charlie would rather curl up in a corner than get into the fray. It seems everyoneâeven his housekeeper Azaleaâhas it in for Vera. And at the gala, she gives them good reason, with a public display of rancor aimed at anyone who gets in her way.

But those bitter words wind up being her last. When Charlie discovers Azalea standing over Vera's dead body, it's up to himâwith a little help from Dieselâto clear Azalea's name, and catch a killer before his last chapter is finished.

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Alice B. reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 3643 more book reviews

Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, are embroiled in a new mystery when a cold case suddenly heats up in the latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

Charlie Harris is busy enjoying his new grandson when a mysterious man with a connection to Charlie's family starts visiting the library, bringing with him troubling questions about an unsolved murder...

Charlie may be a proud new grandfather, but he and Diesel still have work to do at Athena College and the small Mississippi town's public library. He's too busy to deal with true-crime writer Jack Pemberton, who wants Charlie as the subject of his latest book--and who won't take no for an answer.

A more appealing proposition for Charlie is spending time helping a kind, elderly man navigate the library's genealogical database. But he's shocked when he learns that the visitor's search is focused on a member of his own family: his late aunt's husband.

Charlie befriends the man and considers inviting him to stay in his home, but he's soon given reason to question that notion. Jack is certain that Charlie's new houseguest was involved in a shocking homicide that took place years ago in a small town near Athena. As this cold case heats up, Charlie and Diesel have to uncover a killer who may already be too close to home...

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Alice B. reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 3643 more book reviews

Thousands have become acquainted with Jesus through this little book, Steps to Chris&t. And it has helped many more, including those who have walked with Him for years, to know Him better. Available in English and Spanish, the Illustrated Edition of Steps to Christ reveals Jesus as Savior to the world through beautiful photos. Jesus is the Friend of all, and this Illustrated Edition validates that message visually as well as in the words of this inspirational best seller.

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Lenka S. reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 842 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This book Started with interesting premise, another dystopian world, whew America is dominating England though economic enslavement. A total Economic Collapse in Britain causing debt to USA and crisis so large as to destroy the very structure od the country is build on. Little by little USA is providing food and basic necessities but dictates how they will be used. And GB becomes another third world country with camps providing survival necessities to people in exchange for obedience. Disobedience is not tolerated. Into this we have our Narator telling her story of her brave departure on there dream of a society that might not exist, but that turns out to be equally manipulative, abusive and despotic in its own way. And our "Sister" as the narrator is now when she joins the independent group in the north is quite bling to it. (Not totally blind, but quite blind). It took a bit long to get to the meat of the story, to the actual plot. And just as things started to get good, when we were hitting what should have been the climax of the book, the author employs "data lost", and sums up the results of the climax in 1 paragraph. Terrible choice. At first I thought there would be a sequel, but no. That's it. The journey is the story, not the rebellion. which is unusual. As the rebellion should have been the conclusion, though its added more like an afterthought. Im not sure if that's intentional (brilliant) or not (the author was not going to write a sequel, so they slammed the reader with some obvious ending). There was sgreat ome potential for interesting exploration to happen in this book, including when does resistance to tyranny become tyranny itself, but the book never got itself to that point. Though it does raises interesting questions. And is a worthy read.

A note to reader: This book contains coarse offensive sexual language. (NO... It is not erotica) Quite the opposite. And describes the placement of UTI medical contraceptive device that is very traumatic. Also it includes military training style, very graphic torture sessions, described in extremely vivid detail. Should have a warning on the cover. It is not suitable for younger readers.

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R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 1458 more book reviews

Will calls the police When his wife, Rachel who is a doctor, fails to come home. Her car is discovered on a desert highway, a broken window and no Rachel. He cannot join the search because their nine year old daughter has a fibrosis and cannot be left alone. The police suspect Will. Terrified of what could happen to Devlin the two relocate. Years later an FBI agent finds him, stating she believes he is not responsible for his wife's disappearance.

The story is about human trafficing focusing on disappearing women. The three follow a trail across the U.S., Canada and into Alaska searching for Rachel and the agent's sister who likewise disappeared. They take an exciting trek through lonely ioslated forest in wintery cold winter to a hidden lodge. What they find is not just those they search for but trained wolves who protect the property and wealthy men who have paid to do what they wish with women locked in rooms until their favors are required. The two groups meet for an exciting climax.

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Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 1247 more book reviews

This is the second book I have read by McFadden. The first, NEVER LIE, was a really good thriller that I enjoyed a lot. The Teacher was another fast-paced story that kept me turning the pages. It is told from three different perspectives: Eve, a high school math teacher who is obsessed with shoes; Nate, her husband who also teaches English at the same school and is very attractive especially to the female students; and Addie, a troubled 16-year-old student who has been accused of a scandal involving a prior teacher who was fired from the school. When Addie returns to school at the start of the following school year, she is instantly bullied by another young student named Kenzie who is also one of the most popular students there. Eve's marriage to Nate is falling apart and Eve always has a frown on her face. Addie is assigned to Eve's math class where she struggles but she also is assigned to Nate's English class where she is taken under his wing and excels at writing poetry. But is there more going on between Nate and Addie?

McFadden does a good job of building up the suspense in this novel and changing the reader's mind about which characters to sympathize with, if any. This all builds up to an unexpected climax and the very ending of the novel was really a surprise although I'm not sure how it was even possible. (I may need to reread some of what happened earlier.) Overall, this did keep me interested but the subject matter of the plot was very disturbing and I would only mildly recommend this one.

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Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) - reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 681 more book reviews

Thank you to author Becky Wade for providing me access to the audiobook of Uneasy Street narrated by Reba Buhr and Ryan Hudson. It's the third/final novel in the Sons of Scandal but the first I've read; now I want to read books 1 and 2!

It's an enemies-to-lovers forced-proximity romance, two of my favorite tropes. However, the forced proximity details felt manipulative, especially when Max used passive aggressive means to require Sloane to talk with him. Also, the extent to which Sloane allowed her niece to pursue an important goal without her parents' active involvement felt unbelievable.

Aside from these issues, I enjoyed Uneasy Street. It had the elements I expect from a Becky Wade novel: contemporary setting, subplots of faith and romance, characters dealing with deeper personal issues, and many notes of fashion. Sloane's career of instructing others in using proper manners was very interesting as was her past history with Max and the book-related business they created.

I've been cheering on Ms. Wade since she transitioned from traditionally publishing her novels to independently publishing the Sons of Scandal series. I suspect one factor for this change was because some aspects of Uneasy Street (and the series) are beyond the comfort level of Christian publishers. I'm curious to see the future direction of the author's writing career and wish her continued success.

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Kelly O. (KellyWilloughby) reviewed on 3/20/2025 + 219 more book reviews

Such a heart warming story! From tragedy to friendship to learning that God is always open to everyone!

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Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) - , reviewed on 3/19/2025 + 370 more book reviews

I would have given this more stars but I couldn't stand the main characters narrative, for me it just threw the whole story off. Started off good but grew irritating very quickly. I love southern fiction but I didn't love this book. I had serious hopes but they were dashed.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 3/19/2025 + 2772 more book reviews

Due to my almost compulsive interest in World War II, I have read a large number of books about resistance organizations and activities in countries under Axis control. I also enjoy novels which take place during this period.

When I first began reading this novel I felt it was a rather light depiction of the resistance in the Netherlands, and thought about passing it up. But I continued reading and did enjoy it.

I think it has value as an introduction to young people, or even adults who don't know much about the war, about those men and women who, on a daily basis, risked their lives to save the lives of others and to fight Fascism.

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Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 3/19/2025 + 27 more book reviews

This book was chosen for my monthly book club. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in the Thursday Murder Club series. 

At the Coopers Chase Retirement Village, four elders form The Thursday Murder Club and meet every Thursday to resolve old murder investigations. The members of this club are Elizabeth Best (retired spy), Joyce Meadowcroft  (a retired nurse), Ron Ritchie (a retired famous trade union leader), and Ibrahim Arif (a retired psychiatrist).

Suddenly, Tony Curran, the lead builder of Coopers Chase, is blugeoned to death in his own kitchen, and an old photograph is left laying beside the victim. The Thursday Murder Club (led by Elizabeth) decide to investigate and discover the killer with help from both Police Constable Donna De Freitas and Detective Chief Inspector Chris Hudson. 

Soon after Ian Ventham, the unscrupulous owner of Coopers Chase, is killed by an fentanyl overdose injected into the muscle of his upper arm. 

I truly enjoyed the twists and turns throughout this novel. Additionally, Joyce's diary entries mixed in with the central story provided an intimate access to the character's thoughts and feelings. 

Finally, I love the quote found in the acknowledgements:


"You must live your life as you choose. "

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 3/19/2025 + 917 more book reviews

Essence of Foul Play by Daryl Wood Gerber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An excellent debut for what promises to be a charming, fun, and magical new cozy mystery series.

Essence of Foul Play is the first book in veteran author Daryl Wood Gerber's charming, fun, and magical new Aroma Wellness Mystery series and introduces readers to the quirky but often contentious residents of Carmel while solving a puzzling and ugly murder. Emma Brennan opens her new spa with its intriguing lineup of alternative self-care treatments in her hometown. Still, she encounters some surprising resistance to her business model, especially from her own mother and her college friend, Willow Shafer, a fellow spa owner who offers only traditional spa services. When Willow is found murdered the morning of Emma's grand opening, Emma immediately becomes âa person of interestâ in her death because a witness reported she saw Emma entering Willow's business the night before.

The main character, Emma Brennan, is not only a new spa owner but now an amateur sleuth as well in order to clear her name as a suspect in the death of her old friend. She continually keeps a tight rein on her emotions, uses calming techniques, and always tries to redirect her frustrations with others in a positive direction. In addition to the mystery, I really enjoyed reading about all the different methods she employed to stay grounded and in control, and the descriptions of the variety of services her spa offered were fascinating. I was ready to book an appointment myself.

As the first book in a new series, the author must build an entire community of people who live there but do it in such a manner as not to overload the reader. Ms. Gerber does just this with a subtle and natural hand and even lends further assistance to the reader by providing a cast of characters at the front of the book. Readers familiar with the author's Fairy Garden Mystery series, also set in Carmel, may recognize some cross-over characters who make an appearance. Emma's world is full of quirky individuals and like-minded souls, such as her grandmother, town librarian, and fairy-friendly Lissa Reade. Yet, there are also quite a few cranky, rude, and downright mean-spirited folks among her acquaintances. One publicly proclaims to Emma's face, "We hope your business goes poof." I was shocked but also compelled to keep reading to see if that one would get her comeuppance!

The plot moves quickly, first with all the preparations for the spa's Grand Opening, and as the murder is discovered early in the story, the action and suspense never let up. With all the high emotions in Emma's circle, there were plenty of possible murder suspects along the way to check off the list. But as the story progresses and the red herrings drop off, there is a satisfying final resolution.

I recommend ESSENCE OF FOUL PLAY to cozy mystery readers, especially those who would enjoy a spa setting and cool, alternative self-care services.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Jan S. reviewed on 3/19/2025 + 391 more book reviews

Good read

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Linda C. (Osha341) - reviewed on 3/19/2025

Not a bad start to the first book in a new series. It started out slow I almost gave up but then it picked up and now I can't wait for the next one!! All about a girl / woman learning that she's a witch while working in New Mexico. A different take on the urban fantasy world with a little bit of paranormal thrown in. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

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Marsha W S. (shasha1002) reviewed on 3/19/2025

Just plain awful. I gave it half a star because you can't give zero stars!

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Cynthia G. reviewed on 3/19/2025 + 5 more book reviews

This book is a great resource for methods as well supplies you will need to the projects. Directions direct and east to follow. A good place to start.

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