Daylight – David Baldacci | A Book Review

Title: Daylight

Author: David Baldacci

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s the third novel in the Atlee Pine series that follows an FBI agent as she searches for her missing twin sister, Mercy. When the girls were six years old, Mercy was kidnapped, and Atlee’s search takes her to New Jersey. She accidentally stumbles into military investigator John Puller’s case. They work together to uncover a shocking scheme while Atlee discovers the truth about what happened to her sister.

First impressions: I’m a big fan of the author, so I was excited. I didn’t know that John Puller who is the main character in another one of Baldacci’s series would play such an important role in this novel, but I’m happy he did.

Characters: Pine and Puller are great individually, so I enjoyed their interactions. We see a different side of Atlee Pine, especially as the story goes on, which made her even more relatable in my opinion. There are many different characters, so it helps to have read the previous books.

Quote:

“And sometimes dredging up the past can be more devastating than people realize.”

Writing: It’s a little over 475 pages, but the pacing doesn’t feel slow or dragged out. I found myself wanting to turn the pages. Some scenes are quite sad and mature.

Final thoughts: I can’t often predict exactly how Baldacci’s books will end, and this time was no exception. The ending answers some questions while setting the stage for the next novel. If you’re a fan of fast-paced crime thrillers about family and conspiracy, check out Daylight.

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The Messy Lives of Book People – Phaedra Patrick | A Book Review

Title: The Messy Lives of Book People

Author: Phaedra Patrick

Genre: Contemporary

About the book: It’s a standalone about Liv Green, a mother of two, who works as a cleaner but dreams of being a writer. She works for a famous and reclusive author, Essie Starling who passes away shortly after. Liv learns that Essie wants her to finish the author’s novel. As Liv starts to write, she uncovers a secret, revealing a connection between the two women.

I received an advanced reader copy from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

First impressions: I love writing, so I was interested in reading this novel. In my opinion, the title and cover encapsulate the story well. I was curious to see how it would end.

Characters: The book is mainly about Liv and Essie, but there are several secondary characters as well. They’re different in their own way, which made it interesting to learn more about them. It was easy for me to relate to Liv and Essie.

Quote:

“Success didn’t feel very big when you had no one to share it with.”

Writing: It’s about 350 pages with chapter titles. The pacing is slower in the middle as we learn more about Liv and Essie. I liked the references to different books and the parts about writing.

Final thoughts: I predicted the mystery connection between the women, but I still enjoyed how everything came together because the ending ties up loose ends. It’s a fun, easy escape read about books and family. If you’re a writer or like books about writing, consider checking out The Messy Lives of Book People.

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Never Coming Home – Hannah Mary McKinnon | A Book Review

Title: Never Coming Home

Author: Hannah Mary McKinnon

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s a standalone that follows Lucas Forester who hires a hitman to kill his wife because he wants to inherit her fortune. He thinks his plan is perfect, but when Lucas gets a cryptic note and photo on his doorstep, he realizes someone knows what he’s done.

I received an advanced reader copy from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

First impressions: The premise piqued my interest because the story is told from the antagonist’s point of view. I wanted to know what would happen, and the beginning does a good job of setting the stage for what’s to come.

Characters: Lucas is a villain but also the main character with an interesting backstory. The story is told in first person, and it was fun to follow Lucas as he tries to get away with his crime. There are more likeable characters who I enjoyed learning more about as well.

Quote:

“Good things come to those who make them happen…and then wait for the payoff.”

Writing: The book is a little over 350 pages, and it didn’t feel too long or short to me. I could easily keep track of the timeline as the story is broken up into days of the week. The the pacing is slower in the middle but picks up at the end. Some scenes are more graphic and violent in nature.

Final thoughts: I did predict some events, but I enjoyed how everything comes together at the end. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers that explore how dark and deceiving people can be, consider picking up Never Coming Home.

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Stay Close – Harlan Coben | A Book Review

Title: Stay Close

Author: Harlan Coben

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s a standalone that follows Ray, a talented photographer now working as a paparazzi, Megan, a mom of two who used to walk on the wild side, and Broome, a police detective trying to solve a cold case. They find themselves hiding secrets from everyone around them. The three are haunted by the disappearance of a man seventeen years ago, and when another person disappears on the same date, they have to confront their pasts.

First impressions: I’ve read another novel by Coben before and enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to this one. The premise sounded promising, which made me curious to see how things would play out.

Characters: Ray, Megan, and Broome grew on me as I learned more about their lives. I found them to be complex characters with messy pasts. The secondary characters also added another layer to the story.

Quote:

“You can find joy and be happy—but you don’t get to have everything.”

Writing: The book is almost 450 pages with short chapter breaks. There are multiple points of view, but I didn’t find myself struggling to follow along. Coben explores some mature topics and difficult issues.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed the ending because it answers lingering questions. I couldn’t predict everything, so the twists and turns kept me turning the pages. In my opinion, this book is a fun thrilling read with a satisfying epilogue. If you’re a fan of funny yet dark murder mysteries, check out Stay Close.

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A Nearly Normal Family – M. T. Edvardsson | A Book Review

Title: A Nearly Normal Family

Author: M. T. Edvardsson

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: Stella Sandell, an 18-year-old teenager, is accused of murdering an older businessman. Her father, Adam, is a pastor and her mother, Ulrika, is a defense attorney. As the trial unfolds, the family learns that it isn’t love that will keep them together but rather lies.

First impressions: I was intrigued after reading the synopsis. The noel starts off with a prologue followed by the father’s point of view, then the daughter’s, and lastly the mother’s.

Characters: It follows the family before and during the trial where they’re faced with difficult decisions. I found them to be complex with their own strengths and shortcomings. Although Adam, Stella, and Ulrika aren’t the most likeable, there are reasons behind their choices.

Quote:

“Two people who have gone through everything we have together, who have come through an ordeal like ours in one piece, belong together in a way that is hard for others to comprehend.”

Writing: The book is over 500 pages, so it’s longer and more in-depth. Some parts felt a little repetitive to me, especially in the middle. That being said, the pacing picks up at the end. I couldn’t predict everything, but some events were easier to foresee. The novel explores several mature and tough topics.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed seeing the story unfold at the end as it wraps up loose ends. The epilogue also makes everything clearer without going into too much detail. If you’re a fan of long legal thrillers that explore family relationships, you might enjoy A Nearly Normal Family.

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Before She Disappeared – Lisa Gardner | A Book Review

Title: Before She Disappeared

Author: Lisa Gardner

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s the first in the Frankie Elkin series that follows a recovering alcoholic as she tries to find missing persons. She searches for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager, who disappeared months ago from a Boston neighbourhood. When Frankie starts asking questions, she realizes someone doesn’t want them answered.

First impressions: I’ve read another book by Gardener and enjoyed it, so I was excited to read this one. The premise sounded right up my alley. I liked how the story started.

Characters: I think Gardner does a great job weaving Frankie’s backstory with her current life where she’s trying to find Angelique. I found myself invested in both narratives, and everything made sense in the end. There are several different characters but not too many that it’s hard to keep track of everyone. I also appreciated the representation because it made the events feel more real and relatable.

Quote:

“Resolve to do better, because that’s the best any of us can do.”

Writing: It’s a little over 400 pages and told in first person point of view. In my opinion, the pacing is good as it’s not too fast or too slow. I couldn’t predict most of the twists and turns, so the plot kept me guessing.

Final thoughts: I’m happy with the ending, and I’m curious to check out the next book in the series. If you’re looking for a thrilling read about an everyday person who searches for people who go missing, I recommend Before She Disappeared.

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Every Last Fear – Alex Finlay | A Book Review

Title: Every Last Fear

Author: Alex Finlay

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s a standalone about Matt Pine, a university student, who finds out his family died from an apparent gas leak while on vacation in Mexico. Meanwhile Matt’s older brother, Danny, is in jail for the murder of his girlfriend Charlotte; however, some people think he was wrongfully convicted. The local police think it’s an accident, but the FBI take on the case, and Matt has to uncover the truth behind the night Danny was sent to prison.

First impressions: The premise sounded interesting, so I was looking forward to reading this novel. I like the title and cover.

Characters: It took some time for the Pine family to grow on me, but I found myself more invested in everyone halfway through. I enjoyed how they had different personalities and problems.

Quote:

“Memories formed under intense emotions are seared into our thoughts, branded by the hot iron of trauma.”

Writing: It’s over 400 pages with short chapters and alternating points of view, but I could follow along no problem. The book covers some mature issues, which may be difficult for some readers. It also reads like a movie as Finlay writes in a way that makes it easy to visualize what’s happening.

Final thoughts: The pacing is slower in the middle but picks up at the end. It was fun to see all the pieces coming together as I couldn’t predict everything. If you’re a fan of mystery thrillers with developed characters and layered storylines, pick up Every Last Fear.

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The Boy from the Woods – Harlan Coben | A Book Review

Title: The Boy from the Woods

Author: Harlan Coben

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s the first book in the Wilde series where he tries to find a local girl who goes missing. As a boy, he was found living in the woods with no memory of the past. He’s content with being an outcast, but in order to find Naomi Pine, he returns to a community where powerful people have secrets with dangerous consequences.

First impressions: I’ve never read anything by Coben before, but I’ve wanted to for a long time. The premise piqued my curiosity. Although the story started out differently than I expected, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Even from the beginning, I found the characters to be intriguing and the plot to be interesting.

Characters: Wilde is a complex individual with a mysterious past, so I think the author will continue to explore his backstory in the rest of the series. There are morally grey characters who do questionable things but have good reasons for doing so. I liked the depth of the interactions and conversations as well.

Quote:

“Memory is faulty because it insists on filling in the blanks.”

Writing: It’s a little over 400 pages with short chapter breaks. In my opinion, Coben did a great job in regards to the pacing of the novel. Some of the twists and turns surprised me.

Final thoughts: The ending wraps up loose ends while also setting the stage for the second book. Overall, it’s a solid read that weaves character development with a layered plot. If you enjoy a novel with multiple storylines about power and politics, check out The Boy from the Woods.

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