"The Lightning Girl", by Sam Ripley

 Sarah returns to her hometown after her father’s death only to find that old memories of thirty years ago will haunt her. Her best friend Genevieve survived being struck by lightning had proclaimed to be a witch and that this event had given her power.

Till one night Genevieve slipped and fell of a cliff to the sea and met her end…she has never been recovered or seen since…..Where is she…..

Returning home, Sarah thinks more and more about her friend especially the last night she was alive. She begins to question the story she’s believed for many years …. Then Genevieve reached out…..and as readers we fall in a psychological tug of war…what is real and what is not……..

My thoughts:

I admit that after the first 5 chapters I didn’t think I would push on. Not really my style but lo and behold a was struck by a magical spell and from then on, I was hooked.

What a mystery this turn out to be. Gen keeps popping up and talking to Sarah. Not frightening but definitely disconcerting. What happened to Gen, was she murdered and by whom…. Gen will divulge tidbits to Sarah just enough to push her to uncover the truth and this goes on and on, a teaser well done till the very end. This uncertainty kept me engaged and questioning Sarah’s interpretations of events. I enjoyed this and played along.

Some may say there is a supernatural element here but I think it is more a psychological brain game. Guilty conscience plays tricks on you: Sarah sees and hears her friend and talks to her….but is she really there talking back.

The pacing is steady giving us enough twists and clues for us to keep turning the pages. Sarah is a good character as is the ghost Gen….

If you like a mystery with originality you may like this one. I know I did.

My thanks to Atria Books as well as Netgalley for this ARC

"Nightmare in Summerset", by Melinda Woodhall

A Bailey Flynn FBI Mystery book# 11

When a book from Melinda comes out, I can’t resist. Even if this is the 11th book in the series the story is fresh and as expected filled with suspense and many unexpected twists that will derail us and keep us on our toes. This fine plot inevitably played out by charming and villain characters has a way to hook us and keep us captive till the closing chapter. As always, I was immersed in the story and I enjoyed every moment I spent reading it.

Well said and well done and most of all entertaining

The story in a few words:

Special Agent baily Flynn is investigating a horrific murder of a would-be actress who had vanished without a trace from the Scorched Pine Studios. Bailey while on the task finds chilling clues to the murderer’s twisted motive and is soon lured into his nightmarish fantasy.

Enjoy.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review

"The Alias Conspiracy", by Simon Gervais

Caspian Anderson #3

As usual Simson Gervais’ storyline is fantastic and absorbing and this one is as usual tension-filled and adrenaline fueled. This latest delivers a compelling story with lots of action, emotion and most of all intrigue. Lots in going on, so this tale demands our full attention from the very beginning through the excitement till we reach the surprising finish.

The story in a few words;

The abduction of an investigative journalist unravels an intricate conspiracy of corruption—both deadly and deeply personal.

My thoughts:

The top-notch characters make this story fantastic. The two main players Caspian and his German agent/girlfriend Liesel Bergman are well developed and complex.

When a journalist was abducted before their eyes, they were pulled into action and chased the truth across Europe, uncovering a network of corruption…As the pieces of the puzzle came together, more players entered the game, and the tension peaked…..This story is well-written and well done for our entertainment.

“The Elias Conspiracy”, is the 3rd book in the trilogy what a shame with it comes the end of excellent storyline. Maybe Mr. Gervais will reconsider and keep Caspian going…..

In a few words:

This story is suspenseful, riveting, fast-paced and pulse-pounding words reflecting many reviewers’ point of view.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer as well as Netgalley for providing this ARC