Book Review: The Perfect Place to Die by Bryce Moore
The Perfect Place to Die
Author: Bryce Moore
Published: August 3, 2021
320 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 3 stars
Book Description:
Zuretta never thought she’d encounter a monster—one of the world’s most notorious serial killers. She had resigned herself to a quiet life in Utah. But when her younger sister, Ruby, travels to Chicago during the World’s Fair, and disappears, Zuretta leaves home to find her.
But 1890s Chicago is more dangerous and chaotic than she imagined. She doesn’t know where to start until she learns of her sister’s last place of employment…a mysterious hotel known as The Castle.
Zuretta takes a job there hoping to learn more. And before long she realizes the hotel isn’t what it seems. Women disappear at an alarming rate, she hears crying from the walls, and terrifying whispers follow her at night. In the end, she finds herself up against one of the most infamous mass murderers in American history—and his custom-built death trap.
Kim’s Review:
This is simply a murder mystery with a tiny paranormal element. Unfortunately, it turns predictable relatively quickly. It’s also rather slow. I mostly enjoyed it so I’m glad I read it. But I’m not sure I can recommend it. However, that cover though. That cover almost pushed it up to 4 stars. Unfortunately, the “twist” which was actually obvious to everyone but the main character, brought it back down to 3. I just thought that Etta was so unrealistic. Too afraid to stand up to her abusive father, too scared to run away with her sister, too dumb to avoid the con woman her first day in Chicago, but then all of a sudden confident enough to stand up to Pinkertons, cops, the suspected killers … just not believable. So I can’t recommend it. I’m glad I read it, but the pros don’t outweigh the cons.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Book Review: The Therapist by B.A. Paris
The Therapist
Author: B.A. Paris
Published: July 13, 2021
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: August 25 -31, 2021
Jessica’s Rating: 2 stars
Book Description:
When Alice and Leo move into a newly renovated house in The Circle, a gated community of exclusive houses, it is everything they’ve dreamed of. But appearances can be deceptive…
As Alice is getting to know her neighbours, she discovers a devastating secret about her new home, and begins to feel a strong connection with Nina, the therapist who lived there before.
Alice becomes obsessed with trying to piece together what happened two years before. But no one wants to talk about it. Her neighbors are keeping secrets and things are not as perfect as they seem…
Jessica’s Review:
**Minor spoilers**
I am a B.A. Paris fan and have really enjoyed all her other books, until The Therapist. This one was just lackluster as it moved very slowly for me. I also did not connect with Alice and she just seemed too caught up in trying to figure out what really happened to the former resident Nina, who was murdered in the apartment. Once Alice found out about Nina’s murder after moving in, she stayed?!?!?! Leo didn’t bother to tell her when he bought the house!?!?! WHAT!?!?!? Yeah, they totally don’t have a good relationship.
Maybe it was that I listened to the audiobook on this one and have actually read the others. Sometimes audiobooks are hit or miss. I just had no feeling of suspense listening to The Therapist and by the time we got to the ending I wasn’t shocked or really cared with this one.
Since I have enjoyed all of her other novels, I will continue to read anything else she writes. I highly recommend her first novel: Behind Closed Doors. Read that one!
Purchase Links
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Book Review: Falling by T.J. Newman
Falling
Author: T.J. Newman
Published: July 6, 2021
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: July 26-29, 2021
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
You just boarded a flight to New York.
There are one hundred and forty-three other passengers onboard.
What you don’t know is that thirty minutes before the flight your pilot’s family was kidnapped.
For his family to live, everyone on your plane must die.
The only way the family will survive is if the pilot follows his orders and crashes the plane.
Enjoy the flight.
Jessica’s Review:
Falling sets you up for an extremely fast paced read from the very beginning and you don’t know what will ultimately happen at the end! Bill Hoffman is a pilot and will be flying a plane from LA to NYC and just 30 minutes ago his family was kidnapped. He is told that if he does not crash the plane that his family will die. What will Bill do?
This is not a book I would recommend reading on a flight! It is nonstop suspense that is driven the whole novel! The author was a flight attendant for 10 years and even wrote it while on the job. She faced 41 rejections until it was finally accepted, and Falling is now a published novel!
Falling is all about family: First, is the pilot’s family being held hostage. Second, is the flight crew and their closeness. You can really see how Newman brought her experiences as a flight attendant into the novel.
I give Falling 4 stars as a few things did not really work for me: How the FBI became involved and some of their actions were too convenient and the motives of the villain just did not really work for me. I was still intensely involved as to what was going to happen with a hijacked plane in a post 9/11 world. And then we have a flight attendant whose nickname was “Daddy” /”Big Daddy”? If that was meant as some comic relief, it did not work for me.
Will Hoffman save his family by crashing the plane or will something else happen to the plane?
Get ready for a wild ride as you read Falling.
Falling is recommended.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK