read: Cinderwich by Cherie Priest ★★★★

Cinderwich by Cherie Priest
My rating: ★★★★

A moody, creepy, Southern gothic road-trip mystery story. At less than 200 pages, it's right-sized reading for an autumn evening to get into the Halloween spirit.

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read: Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni ★★★★

Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni
My rating: ★★★★

Keera Duggan deserves a break after the tough case she just cracked and won (read 'Her Deadly Game'). But her staycation will have to wait because she's called back into the office to hear about a new situation involving long-time clients and family friends and their daughter, Jenna, Keera's childhood nemesis. There's been a murder, the second one involving Jenna's tech company, and what little circumstantial evidence there is points to Jenna as the murder, again. Can Keera cut through Jenna's crap and get to the truth? Is she actually guilty this time? Was she last time? If not, can they uncover the real killer? Or will Keera have to rely on reasonable doubt, again, to keep Jenna out of prison?

When it comes to courtrooms and legal drama, Dugoni knows his stuff. I didn't feel as much tension in this story as I do in most of his other books. But events and discoveries and interpersonal issues keep things moving along to a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to Keera's next case.

Disclosure: Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to preview this book.

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read: A Cold, Cold World by Elena Taylor ★★★★★

A Cold, Cold World by Elena Taylor
My rating: ★★★★★

I really liked the first book in this series, from the new sheriff to the setting to twisty plot to the writing itself. This new story is quite different from that one, except in the ways it is the same. There is still the feisty sheriff who's good at her job, but full of self-doubt. Still the small town where everyone knows everyone. Yet another dead body that's discovered in a remote area under mysterious circumstances. And still the relentless police work to get to the truth.

The big change is that this time everything is happening in the middle of winter and in the middle of one of the largest, most dangerous snow storms ever. The small town of Collier hunkers down and pulls together to ride out the storm. But there's a murderer in their midst. Add a missing person or two and another possible murder and the reader feels the walls closing in on a classic locked room mystery. Who can Sheriff Bet Rivers trust? And where are her suspects?

It all builds slowly as the characters all step onto the stage and questions are raised. For every answer there are two or three more mysteries. The reader is kept guessing right until the end.

Disclosure: Thank you to Netgalley and Severn House for providing a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.

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read: Rumor Has It by Cat Rambo ★★★★

Rumor Has It by Cat Rambo
My rating: ★★★★

I thought of the previous story in this series as "The Continuing Adventures of the Crew of 'You Sexy Thing'". That would make this book "The Still Ongoing Adventures of the Crew of 'You Sexy Thing'". It picks up immediately following the 'To Be Continued' ending of the other book with Captain Niko and crew putting in at Coralind station to regroup, recoup, and plan their next move. There is much pairing off for adventures on the station, many opportunities for self-discovery and growth, some tension about how to keep paying for the crew to stay together, and encounters with new and old antagonists that may help or hinder. And then a few subplots are resolved before we again fade to 'To Be Continued."

As usual, the characters and situations are fun and easy to read about. The story continues to play fast and loose with science fiction and fantasy tropes, untroubled by actual physics or comprehendible magic. It's all lighthearted nonsense with likable characters to root for. I liked the first book of the series more. The plot had more drive. But I'm still on board and enjoying the ride on this sentient spaceship and look forward to the next volume.

Disclosure: Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Books for allowing me to preview this book.

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read: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie ★★★★

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
My rating: ★★★★

A very classic whodunit story almost worthy of 5 stars. But knock off a star for a somewhat convoluted setup and undeniably outdated and clunky style (lots of head-hopping). Knock off another star for the overly long and talky appendices. But add another star because this is a classic story and she kept this reader guessing until the very last page.

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read: Malibu Burning by Lee Goldberg ★★★★

Malibu Burning by Lee Goldberg
My rating: ★★★★

Engaging heist story with a little Backdraft and Fugitive thrown in.

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read: The Women by Kristin Hannah ★★★★★

The Women by Kristin Hannah
My rating: ★★★★★

I am so glad I read this book. The historical subject matter appealed to me and I knew Kristin Hannah could write a good story. But I was a little apprehensive that a story set during the Vietnam War years might be as crushing as I found The Four Winds made the Great Depression. This turns out not to be the case.

Frankie, the protagonist of this book, isn't without her faults and challenges. She goes through some very dark times. But her story contains enough spirit, comradery and joy to help the reader power through the challenging sections. And it contains enough grit and realism to keep everything grounded. This book is a powerful statement about the Viet Nam War, the women and men that served there and the horrible way they were treated when they returned. Recommended.

Disclosure: Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a free copy of this book for review.

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