Release Day Review: She was the Quiet One
Author: Michele Campbell
Published: Today, July 31, 2018
352 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: July 22-29, 2018
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
When twin sisters Rose and Bel Enright enroll in The Odell School, a prestigious New Hampshire boarding school, it seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. But the sisters could not be more different. The school brings out a rivalry between them that few ever knew existed. And the school itself has a dark underbelly: of privileged kids running unchecked and uninhibited; of rituals and traditions that are more sinister than they seem; of wealth and entitlement that can only lead to disaster.
For Sarah Donovan, wife of an ambitious teacher who is determined to rise through the ranks, Odell also seems like the best thing that could happen to their small family. But how well does she really know her husband? What lengths will he go to to achieve his goals? And when one dark night ends in murder, who is guilty, who knows the truth, and who has been in on it all along? SHE WAS THE QUIET ONE. Because murderers are almost never who you expect.
Jessica’s Review:
She was the Quiet One is Michele Campbell’s second novel. I hope to read her debut It’s Always the Husband. I enjoyed this novel and read it in a week, which is good for me: I tend to get books read in 10-14 days. The chapters were short and the mystery kept me reading wanting to know how the novel was going to end. From page one you know that one of the twin girls is dead due to murder; we just don’t know which one. This was the way to pull you in!
Boarding schools make for great settings: There is always a lack of supervision and the kids always seem to get away with so much and trouble is always lurking somewhere. There was one thing I could not get over throughout the novel: No locks on the bedroom doors at all?!?!? I found that highly unbelievable as that is just asking for trouble (which happens).
Bel and her sister Rose are fraternal twins and very different girls. I liked both of them, and they really are Yin and Yang: Total opposites but still care for each other as they are all they have left…. Until they get to Odell Academy. As I read I was wondering what was going to happen to break that seemingly unbreakable ‘twin bond’.
“I was constantly wondering which twin was going to be murdered; I kept going back and forth between Bel and Rose.” I really had no idea which one it was going to be, as both could have been described as ‘the quiet one’ in their own individual way.
There are many secrets held by many characters throughout the novel. You also see how cruel kids can be to each other.
The mystery of the killer’s identity was a predictable one for me. I was hoping for a twist surprise but it became obvious that was not the direction the novel was going to go. As it was predictable for me, the last act of the novel was anti-climactic. BUT then we have that epilogue…… It brings everything together and everything makes sense.
I enjoyed She was the Quiet One and look forward to reading more by Campbell. Special thanks to St Martin’s Press who sent me an arc copy along with a tote bag for It’s Always the Husband via a Goodreads giveaway.
She was the Quiet One is recommended.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Publication Day Push: The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part Three
Today I am helping get the word out on the final part of a three part novella series that I have really enjoyed. It is bittersweet as the journey is over, but this is a novella series I really do recommend you read! I will be sharing my review for it today.
In case you want to know about the previous novellas in the series before you find out about Part Three, here are the links to my reviews for Part One and Part Two:
Part One
Part Two
Novella Description:
Nothing lasts forever … Gary’s time on earth seems to be coming to an end. His visits are less frequent and his visibility is fading fast. But he still has a mission to accomplish, which involves Hattie and her ability to pass on a heart-rending message.
Best friend Cat’s ex-husband is determined to prove that he deserves another chance, but do leopards really change their spots?
Times are tough for Hattie’s mother Rachel, but where there’s life, there’s hope …
Meanwhile, is there someone already in Hattie’s life who can help her move on when it’s finally time to say goodbye?
Get your tissues at the ready – both for laughter and tears – with the final installment of a trilogy that has been hailed ‘brilliant’, ‘hilarious’, and ‘a great feel-good read’.
The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part Three
Author: Audrey Davis
Published: July 23, 2018
101 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: June 18-22, 2018
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Jessica’s Review:
Haunting of Hattie Hastings is a three part series that has been released little by little since last year. Audrey Davis has done a superb job of bringing this series to us and pulling us into Hattie’s life. And Gary just keeps showing up! He is so entertaining. But what is Gary’s mission and what part will Hattie play in it? I have become attached to all the characters and after Part Two’s cliffhanger I was more than excited to read this final part of Hattie’s story. You MUST read the first and second parts before reading Part Three. It is a complete story that you cannot just drop into.
This whole series will make you laugh. This final part I did shed a few tears. I was sad to see the end of the story, but I was also happy as it is a complete story. In addition to the humor there is also seriousness to the story.
Davis has done a splendid job with this series and I look forward to reading more novels by her.
The Haunting of Hattie Hastings series is highly recommended.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
About the Author:
Audrey Davis survived secondary school on the West coast of Scotland. Rubbish at science but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option. Probably wise. She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.
Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, fewer farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: ‘There’s been a murrrrder!’
After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for ‘artistic’ use of naked men’s bottoms.
Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between them, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn’t bode well …
Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it’s packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we’ll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an online Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Part Two is published on 21 March 2018, with the conclusion following in July. After which she might have a wee lie down …
Contact Audrey:
Facebook
Twitter @audbyname
Promo Blitz: Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer
Today I am on the Promo Blitz for Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer. It is about an ordinary 13 year old girl until something extraordinary happens during her summer holidays. **There is also a giveaway going on!**
Book Description:
Josie James is an ordinary 13 year old until something extraordinary happens during her summer holidays. Whilst staying at her Great Grandmother’s cottage in the country she finds herself swept into the cursed world of Suncroft where it is perpetual winter.
Her new friends believe she could be the Chosen One who it is foretold will lift the curse, but there are more pressing matters.
The Teardrops of Summer – magical crystals that render the owner immortal – have been stolen. Along with her telepathic husky-dog Protector Asher and her new friends, Josie must race to find the Teardrops and prevent catastrophe for their world.
Buy Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer here.
About the Author:
Lily Mae Walters chose her pen name in honour of her beloved grandparents who also star in the Josie James series. She is married with two teenage children, and two huskies that are the inspiration behind Murphy and Asher in the books.
Lily Mae lives in Nuneaton, England and finds herself using local places and even her old school in her stories. Family and friends mean the world to Lily Mae and many will find themselves popping up throughout the series.
Lily Mae also writes for adults under the name of Florence Keeling.
Contact Lily Mae:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter @LilyMaeWalters1
It’s time for a….GIVEAWAY!
1st Prize – Signed copy of Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer (UK Only)
2nd Prize – E-copy of Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer (International- This is us USA)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Terms and Conditions –You are only eligible to win the signed copy if you are in the UK. Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box above. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
[Top]