Split Second – David Baldacci | A Book Review

Title: Split Second

Author: David Baldacci

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s the first book in the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series. Eight years ago, Sean looked away for a moment, and the candidate he was protecting got killed. When Michelle, a Secret Service agent, lets a presidential candidate out of her sight, he vanishes. The two discredited agents come to realize that these separate acts of violence that shattered their lives are connected.

First impressions: I’m a big fan of Baldacci, so I was excited to read this book. There’s a short prologue, and the beginning sets up the rest of the story.

Characters: I enjoyed the interactions and conversations between Sean and Michelle. I liked their characters as well as some of the secondary ones. There are enough people in play that it’s tough to guess the main villain.

Quote:

“I figure if you think too much about things, life sometimes just passes you by.”

Writing: It’s about 400 pages with short chapters. Some moments aren’t the most realistic, but I didn’t mind suspending disbelief. I tried to predict how the plot would unfold, but the red herrings threw me off.

Final thoughts: It was fun and satisfying to see how all the pieces fit together. The ending is wild but wraps up loose ends well. I’m curious to check out the rest of the series. If you’re a fan of action-packed and fast-paced thrillers with suspenseful plot twists, I would recommend Split Second.

The Housemaid – Freida McFadden | A Book Review

Title: The Housemaid

Author: Freida McFadden

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s the first in a series that follows Millie, a young woman, who gets a job as a live-in maid for the Winchester family. Over time, she learns that Nina and Andrew have dark, dangerous secrets. But Mille also has secrets of her own. The Winchesters don’t know who she is or what she’s capable of.

First impressions: I’ve heard a lot about this novel, so I was curious to check it out. The beginning is a little slow, but the pacing picks up.

Characters: The book revolves around Millie and the Winchester family, so there aren’t too many people involved. Millie is a complex person with a tough past. We learn more about her as the story unfolds. I wasn’t as invested in the characters at first, as they aren’t meant to be likeable.

Quote:

“You make one mistake in life, and nobody ever trusts you again.”

Writing: The book is about 325 pages with short chapters and some mature scenes. Some parts are predictable, but a few of the twists are interesting and unexpected. I found the second half of the book more interesting than the first half.

Final thoughts: I think the ending is satisfying and suits the story. I enjoyed the epilogue because it adds another layer to the novel. I’m on the fence about reading the rest of the series. The Housemaid isn’t my favourite psychological suspense thriller, but it’s a fast, entertaining read.

The Final Gambit – Jennifer Lynn Barnes | A Book Review

Title: The Final Gambit

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Genre: Mystery (Young Adult)

About the book: It’s the third book in the series that follows a young teenager named Avery Kylie Grambs. When a visitor arrives at Hawthorne House who needs her help, Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are drawn into a dangerous game against an unknown but powerful player. Before Avery can inherit billions of dollars, they have one last puzzle to solve.

First impressions: I’ve recently enjoyed the first two books in the series, so I was excited to see how everything would play out. The pacing at the beginning is slower, but it picks up.

Characters: I liked the juxtaposition of Avery and the Hawthorne brothers. This book contains more characters and relationships, so I had to focus to follow along. I think the author did a good job with the character development as well.

Quote:

“You have to learn to take what you want—and never, ever let someone take what you don’t want to give.”

Writing: It’s about 370 pages with short chapters and simple writing. I found myself more invested in the characters than the plot. Some parts are easy to predict, but I liked the puzzles and plot twists.

Final thoughts: I was a fan of the ending. It provides closure and wraps up the story in a way that feels complete while leaving room for a spinoff series or other books. It’s a fun, fast-paced read that combines mystery, suspense, and romance. The three books are similar but different in a good way. I would recommend The Final Gambit and the series as a whole.

Simply Lies – David Baldacci | A Book Review

Title: Simply Lies

Author: David Baldacci

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s a psychological thriller that follows Mickey Gibson, a single mother and former detective, who now works for a company that hunts down wealthy tax cheaters. After Mickey gets a call with an unusual request to inventory a vacant home, she arrives at the mansion and discovers a dead body. Mickey becomes a suspect, and she finds herself in a battle of wits with a con artist who has a hidden past.

First impressions: I’ve read a lot of Baldacci, and I was looking forward to this novel. The premise sounded intriguing and different from his other books.

Characters: Mickey Gibson is a likeable and relatable protagonist. I enjoyed her conversations and interactions with others. I wasn’t as invested in the secondary characters until later on in the story. The people involved are complex and interesting. In my opinion, the story felt more character-driven than plot-driven.

Quote:

“But if the motivation is strong enough, people can accomplish anything.”

Writing: It’s around 415 pages with short chapters. The writing is simple and easy to follow. There are some mature themes and scenes. The pacing is slower in the middle, but it picks up towards the end.

Final thoughts: The ending wraps up the story well. If you’re a fan of cat-and-mouse murder mysteries, I would recommend Simply Lies. I think it’s the first book in a new series, and if so, I would check out the next one.

Oculta – Maya Motayne | A Book Review

Title: Oculta

Author: Maya Motayne

Genre: Fantasy (Young Adult)

About the book: It’s the second book in the A Forgery of Magic series that follows Alfie, a risk-taking prince, and Finn, a face-changing thief. Alfie is preparing for an international peace summit while Finn is installed as the leader of a crime syndicate. They must work together to protect their kingdom from a new threat.

First impressions: I enjoyed Nocturna, the first book in the series, when I read it years ago. I was excited to see what would happen next. The beginning sets the stage for the rest of the story.

Characters: I like Alfie and Finn, especially their interactions with each other. At times, I cared more about them than the plot itself. There are enough characters to make it harder to guess who some of the antagonists are until the end.

Quote:

“A brave person is not ready and does it anyway.”

Writing: It’s about 535 pages with long chapters. The pacing in the middle slows down, but it picks up towards the end. I didn’t see some of the twists coming until they happened, so it was interesting to see how all the pieces fit together.

Final thoughts: In my opinion, the ending is the best part of this book. Some questions are resolved, but it ends on a cliffhanger. I may read the third and final novel in the series at some point. If you’re a fan of fantasy mixed with magic, mystery, and romance, I would recommend Oculta.

The Edge – David Baldacci | A Book Review

Title: The Edge

Author: David Baldacci

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s the second book in The 6:20 Man series that follows ex-Army Ranger Travis Devine who has to solve the murder of a CIA agent in rural Maine. It’s a small town with big secrets, so he has no idea who he can trust and who wants him dead.

First impressions: I read The 6:20 Man and enjoyed it, so I was excited Baldacci got to continue Devine’s story. Even though The Edge is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Characters: I enjoyed getting to learn more about the different characters. Some are more likeable than others. I think there are just enough people involved, not too many that it’s hard to keep track and not too few that it’s easy to guess the guilty party. Some of the conversations and interactions weren’t the most realistic, but they were entertaining.

Quote:

“Ain’t none of us guaranteed another hour of living, don’t care who you are or how much you got. ”

Writing: It’s a little over 400 pages with short chapters. The story explores some difficult matters like rape and trauma. It’s fast-paced and action-packed with some interesting red herrings and surprises. I predicted the antagonist and some parts of the plot halfway through.

Final thoughts: I like the full-circle moment at the end. The ending provides closure but also foreshadows what may happen in a future book. If you’re a fan of suspenseful crime thrillers set in a small town full of secrets, I highly recommend The Edge.

The Hawthorne Legacy – Jennifer Lynn Barnes | A Book Review

Title: The Hawthorne Legacy

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Genre: Mystery (Young Adult)

About the book: It’s the second book in The Inheritance Games series that follows Avery Grambs who went from sleeping in her car to billionaire heiress. She’s searching for the one person who might be able to answer all of her questions like why Tobias Hawthorne left his fortune to her, a virtual stranger, instead of to his daughters or grandsons. While a DNA test proves she’s not a Hawthorne by blood, cryptic clues hint at a deeper connection to the family.

First impressions: I enjoyed the first book in the series, so I was excited to continue it. Since I recently read The Inheritance Games, I remembered what had happened, and it was easy to immerse myself in this story.

Characters: I liked the development of the characters and their interactions with each other. I found myself more invested in the puzzles and riddles of the plot than the romance subplot with a love triangle between Avery and two of the grandsons.

Quote:

“What gives you the right to deceive the people who love you?”

Writing: It’s a little over 350 pages, and I love the short chapters. The writing is simple and easy to follow. It’s an entertaining story with some surprising events that unfold at the end.

Final thoughts: The ending is fast-paced and provides more closure than I expected while setting the stage for what’s to come. I plan to read the third book in the series at some point. If you’re interested in a contemporary thriller with mystery and romance elements, I’d recommend The Hawthorne Legacy.

The Christmas Train – David Baldacci | A Book Review

Title: The Christmas Train

Author: David Baldacci

Genre: Holiday Fiction

About the book: It’s a standalone that follows a journalist named Tom Langdon who travels by train to get from Washington to LA for Christmas. He embarks on a journey of rude awakenings, thrilling adventures, and holiday magic. During the trip, he gets a second chance with someone special. The book was also adapted into a Hallmark movie.

First impressions: I’m a big fan of David Baldacci, so I was excited to read The Christmas Train over the holidays. I didn’t go in with high expectations because it’s not his usual mystery thriller.

Characters: I didn’t care for Tom right away. I’m glad he develops, and his development makes sense. I like that the characters are different, complex, and interesting. Some of them grew on me as the story unfolded.

Quote:

“Two people can care for each other but not want the same things.”

Writing: The book is a little over 250 pages long with short chapters written in third person point of view. It’s a quick and easy read with some twists and turns that took me by surprise. I don’t typically reach for heartwarming holiday stories, but I enjoyed the plot. I didn’t mind the cheesy, cliche scenes.

Final thoughts: It’s a light-hearted, feel-good holiday story about strangers travelling together on a train with some mystery and romance elements. If you’re looking for a fun and entertaining book to read over the holidays, I would recommend The Christmas Train.