Always With a Book

The End of the World is a Cul de Sac by Louise Kennedy #bookreview

The End of the World is a Cul de Sac by Louise Kennedy #bookreview

I purchased this book for my own personal collection. Publisher: Riverhead Books Published: December 5, 2023   Summary: In The End of the World is a Cul de Sac the political is intertwined with the personal, as Louise Kennedy reveals how ordinary lives can get caught up in a wider, national drama. Sarah, abandoned by her partner, sits alone in their brand new house. Orla, facing the strange revenge of her husband, is…

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Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano #bookreview #series

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano #bookreview #series

Thank you Minotaur Books, #partner, for the advanced e-copy of Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank in exchange for my honest review. Publisher: Minotaur Books Published: November 7, 2023   Summary: From New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano, comes Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank—a hilarious short story diving into Finlay Donovan’s partner-in-crime Vero’s past. Anyone can spot a window of opportunity, but not everyone can manage to fall straight through one. Veronica…

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A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor #bookreview

A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor #bookreview

I purchased this book for my own personal collection. Publisher: Ballantine Books Published: November 8, 2022   Summary: The debut short story collection from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man, featuring ten bone-chilling and mind-bending tales. Timeslips. Doomsday scenarios. Killer butterflies. C. J. Tudor’s novels are widely acclaimed for their dark, twisty suspense plots, but with A Sliver of Darkness, she pulls us even further into her dizzying imagination. In Final Course,…

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The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson #bookreview

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson #bookreview

Thank you to Bibliolifestyle, William Morrow, #partner, for a finished copy of The Christmas Guest in exchange for my honest review. Publisher: William Morrow Published: October 17, 2023   Summary: New York Times bestselling author Peter Swanson pens a spectacularly spine-chilling novella in which an American art student in London is invited to join a classmate for the holidays at Starvewood Hall, her family’s Cotswold manor house. But behind the holly…

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Cleaning the Gold by Karin Slaughter, Lee Child #bookreview #audiobook #bookseries

Cleaning the Gold by Karin Slaughter, Lee Child #bookreview #audiobook #bookseries

I borrowed this audiobook from the library. Publisher: Harper Audio Published: May 9, 2019   Summary: The new short story from Karin Slaughter and Lee Child! Twice the action. Twice the drama. Double the trouble.  Will Trent is undercover at Fort Knox. His assignment: to investigate a 22-year-old murder. His suspect’s name: Jack Reacher. Jack Reacher is in Fort Knox on his own mission: to bring down a dangerous criminal ring…

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Snatched by Karin Slaughter #bookreview #audiobook #bookseries

Snatched by Karin Slaughter #bookreview #audiobook #bookseries

I borrowed this audiobook from the library. Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks Published: July 1, 2013   Summary: While in an airport restroom in Atlanta, Will Trent, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, overhears a girl pleading to go home and knows something is wrong. But he waits too long to act, and now the girl and the angry man she’s with have disappeared into the crowds at the busiest…

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A Show of Faith by Greer Hendricks #bookreview #audiobook

A Show of Faith by Greer Hendricks #bookreview #audiobook

Thank you Brilliance Audio, #partner for the ALC of A Show of Faith in exchange for my honest review. Publisher: Brilliance Audio / Amazon Original Stories Published: April 13, 2o23   Summary: From the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Wife Between Us comes a twisty short story about a chance encounter that tests the boundaries of a mother’s love. Blair Martin’s days rarely vary: she gets up, goes for a run,…

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The Levee by William Kent Krueger #bookreview #audiobook

The Levee by William Kent Krueger #bookreview #audiobook

Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio, #partner for the ALC of The Levee in exchange for my honest review.  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Published: February 28, 2023   Summary: An audio original novella from the bestselling author of Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, The Levee is a powerful, captivating story of a family, a storm, a complicated rescue, and the true cost of survival. It’s 1927, and the…

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Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie #bookreview #series

Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie #bookreview #series

I purchased this book for my own collection. Publisher: William Morrow Published: April 17, 2012 (first published 1929)   Summary: Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are Partners in Crime—or rather partners in crime solving—and must demonstrate their deductive skills in a wide range of confounding cases after agreeing to take over Blunt’s International Detective Agency. Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are restless for adventure, so when they are asked to take over…

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Amazon Original Stories: GETAWAY #bookfeature #bookreview #audiobook

Amazon Original Stories: GETAWAY #bookfeature #bookreview #audiobook

Amazon Original Stories, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, is pleased to present GETAWAY, six psychological fiction stories by six very talented authors. Secrets follow you everywhere Perfect vacation or last resort? In this collection of short psychological thrillers, bestselling authors bring trouble to paradise. Today’s itinerary: surfing, sailing, hiking, facing your worst fears… Most dream vacations never live up to expectations—but few cause this many nightmares. Available now These stories are…

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Amazon Original Stories: A Point in Time #bookfeature #bookreview

Amazon Original Stories: A Point in Time #bookfeature #bookreview

  Amazon Original Stories, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, is pleased to present A POINT IN TIME, seven historical fiction stories by seven very talented authors.   One moment can make history How quickly the ground shifts beneath our feet. We make choices—in the face of love, or violence, or necessity—and the effects ripple outward. In these moving short stories, acclaimed authors examine the foundations of the past, uncovering the irreversible…

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One Night Stand by Patricia Gibney #bookreview #shortstory

One Night Stand by Patricia Gibney #bookreview #shortstory

I received this short story as part of the author’s early reader’s club by subscribing to her newsletter. Publisher: Patricia Gibney / Bookouture Published: 2022   Summary: A short story featuring Boyd and what motivated him to join the Gardai.   My thoughts: Patricia Gibney’s Detective Lottie Parker series is one of my favorite crime fiction series, so I was thrilled to be able to get access to read this…

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A Deadly Affair by Agatha Christie #bookreview #shortstories

A Deadly Affair by Agatha Christie #bookreview #shortstories

Thank you William Morrow, #partner, for the finished copy of A Deadly Affair in exchange for my honest review. Publisher: William Morrow Published: January 4, 2022   Summary: From the Queen of Mystery—this all-new collection of stories about love gone horribly wrong will get your heart racing. Love can propel us to our greatest heights . . . and darkest depths. In this new collection of Agatha Christie short stories,…

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Cold, Cold Heart by Karin Slaughter #bookreview #audiobook #librarybook

Cold, Cold Heart by Karin Slaughter #bookreview #audiobook #librarybook

I borrow this audio from my library via the Libby app. Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Published: January 5, 2015   Summary: Pam is a 52-year-old teacher who has let herself go for the first time in her life. It’s two years since her husband – ex-husband – John died, and she’s heading from Georgia to California for the third and (she hopes) final time. But just what lies in store for…

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Review Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado

Review Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado

Publisher: Graywolf Press Published: October 3, 2017 Source: Personal copy   Summary: In Her Body and Other Parties, Carmen Maria Machado blithely demolishes the arbitrary borders between psychological realism and science fiction, comedy and horror, fantasy and fabulism. While her work has earned her comparisons to Karen Russell and Kelly Link, she has a voice that is all her own. In this electric and provocative debut, Machado bends genre to shape…

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Review: Last One Out Shut Off the Lights by Stephanie Soileau

Review: Last One Out Shut Off the Lights by Stephanie Soileau

Publisher: Little Brown and Company Published: July 7, 2020 Source: Personal copy   Summary: This “outstanding” debut story collection from a rising star reveals Louisiana and its characters with stark honesty and empathy as they grapple with homesickness, desperation, and desire (Peter Orner). Last One Out Shut Off the Lights is a vivid portrait of the last-chance towns of southwest Louisiana, where oil development, industrial pollution, dying wetlands, and the ever-present…

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Review: The Jealousy Man and Other Stories by Jo Nesbo

Review: The Jealousy Man and Other Stories by Jo Nesbo

Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group Published: October 5, 2021 Source: Publisher   Summary: A veritable crime lover’s delight from a true master of mystery and suspense. Experience the #1 New York Times best-selling author as never before in this dark and thrilling short story collection that takes us on a journey of twisted minds and vengeful hearts. Jo Nesbø is known the world over as a consummate mystery/thriller writer. Famed for his deft…

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Review: One Little Mistake by Lucinda Berry (audio)

Review: One Little Mistake by Lucinda Berry (audio)

Publisher: Audible Originals Published: September 9, 2021 Source: Personal copy   Summary: From the best-selling author of The Secrets of Us and The Best of Friends comes a novella of deceit, desperation, and how one little mistake can unravel a life. When overwhelmed stay-at-home mom Alexis finds herself at odds with her husband after she’s charged with a DUI, she is given one chance to get her family back: complete AA and admit her…

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Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid (audio)

Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid (audio)

Publisher: Brilliance Audio Published: January 15, 2019 Source: Personal copy   Summary: The repercussions of an illicit affair unfold in this short story by bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid. Dear stranger… A desperate young woman in Southern California sits down to write a letter to a man she’s never met – a choice that will forever change both their lives. My heart goes out to you, David. Even though I…

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Review: Dear Seraphina by Avery Bisphop (audio)

Review: Dear Seraphina by Avery Bisphop (audio)

Publisher: Audible Original Stories Published: May 20, 2021 Source: Personal copy   Summary: For fans of Pretty Things and The Guest List comes a shocking novella of psychological suspense following a glamorous young actress and an obsessed fan. Dear Seraphina, I hope you’ll write back someday soon. I know I might be asking too much: you, a Hollywood star; me, a cashier at this small-town grocery store. But the thing…

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