Review: People to Follow

People to Follow by Olivia Worley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

"In Real Life" is the hottest new reality show that dares to challenge social media's biggest influencers to disconnect from the virtual world and live without filters for three intense weeks. With legions of loyal followers eagerly watching, IRL promises to be the opportunity of a lifetime for its contestants. The cast includes Elody, an impulsive Instagram model; Kira, a former child star turned fitness influencer; Logan, a disgraced TikTok celebrity with a hidden past; and Max, a YouTuber known for exposing fellow creators.

However, what was meant to be a golden opportunity quickly turns into a nightmare. When the production crew mysteriously vanishes, and one of their own meets a tragic end, these nine budding influencers find themselves stranded in an isolated location with a lifeless body and no way to contact the outside world. As if that weren't enough, they begin receiving ominous messages from an enigmatic Sponsor, who threatens to reveal their darkest secrets. It becomes chillingly clear that they've been drawn into a deadly game, and one of their fellow contestants might be the puppeteer pulling the strings.

I have a soft spot for whodunnit murder mysteries, and this one had me hooked from the start. What stood out were the characters, each bringing their unique quirks and personalities to the table. Among them, Kira and Corrine struck me as the most grounded and relatable, while Max appeared to be genuinely trying, even if he couldn't fully escape his documentary-maker persona. Logan, on the other hand, came across as somewhat adrift.

Kira Lyons, the fitness influencer, impressed me with her down-to-earth nature, a breath of fresh air amidst the online fame frenzy. However, Elody Hart's excessive use of "likes" grated on my nerves at times.

Despite these quirks, the storytelling was top-notch. The author kept me guessing, and I found myself oscillating between different theories about the identity of the murderer. The element of suspense was expertly woven into the narrative, making this murder mystery a compelling and enjoyable read.

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Review: The Crew

The Crew by J.M. Hewitt
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley.

Ella finds solace in her nomadic life, working on a luxurious superyacht, which allows her to escape her past and embrace a fresh start among like-minded individuals. Each summer, she returns to her chosen family, the crew of the Ananke. However, the previous summer was marred by tragedy when a deckhand, Ashley, met a fatal accident. Ashley had been charismatic, skilled, and beloved by all, making her loss particularly devastating.

Despite the crew's grief, the Captain believes the best way to heal is to reunite the team on the Ananke once more. However, they soon discover that Ashley had been harboring secrets and living a double life. As they set sail again, it becomes evident that the events of the previous summer were shrouded in deception. The crew must unravel the truth, as they suspect that someone may have gotten away with murder. This thrilling and suspenseful story keeps readers on the edge of their seats and is ideal for fans of Catherine Cooper and Cameron Ward.

As a devoted fan of the hit TV series "Below Deck," my excitement for this yacht-themed thriller was palpable. The initial chapters seemed promising, with a female captain who had years of sobriety under her belt, reminiscent of the show's captivating dynamics, I thought the author was a fan of the show too. However, my enthusiasm quickly deflated as I delved deeper into the story.

First and foremost, the glaring contradictions in the crew composition left me perplexed. With a potential guest capacity of twelve onboard, having only two deckhands raised immediate questions about the yacht's operation. Moreover, their inexplicable intoxication hindering anchor work during a charter contradicted the professional standards expected in the yachting industry. Charter guests are typically served with utmost care, and crew members are expected to maintain their focus and sobriety during charters.

The misalignment continued as a green/third stewardess was tasked with anchor duties, an unlikely scenario on a real superyacht. In reality, a green stewardess would predominantly handle tasks such as laundry and cabin cleaning rather than crucial deck responsibilities. The inexperienced stewardess accompanying guests on an excursion, especially in her first week on the job, was another departure from reality. Also, how does a foster child acquire a diving certification and expertise?

Furthermore, the crew's behavior during the ongoing charter struck me as implausible. The crew engaging in romantic relationships and neglecting their duties seemed inconceivable in a professional yachting setting. Especially since they were excessively drinking WHILE on charter?!?!

Ashley's excessive paranoia added another layer of incredulity to the narrative. AND the Captain calling herself captain in the third person was just annoying!

While I hoped for an authentic yacht thriller inspired by "Below Deck," the story's deviations from the reality of the industry left me wanting more consistency and believability. Nevertheless, the book offered some suspense and intrigue, but it struggled to capture the essence of the world it sought to portray. If you know nothing about the yachting industry then this is the book for you.

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Review: Velvet Night

Velvet Night by Jo Goodman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas by Alex Pine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley.

In this chilling Christmas thriller set in the fells of Cumbria, the usual hunters become the hunted. On Christmas Eve, four trail hunters mysteriously vanish, prompting a frantic race against time to locate them before nightfall, when the plummeting temperatures could prove fatal. The search efforts yield a grim discovery: the first body is not merely frozen in the snow but brutally murdered, signaling that a sinister hunt has begun. As a snowstorm descends, the lives of three individuals hang precariously in the balance. The pressing question remains: can the killer be apprehended before the trail goes cold?

This marks the fourth installment in the series, I missed out on the third book but I have read all of the other ones. I didn't feel like I missed anything by not reading the third book though.

DCI Walker continues to shine as a compelling character, possessing the invaluable qualities of level-headedness and composure, especially in the face of crisis. These attributes contribute significantly to his appeal and the narrative's coherence.

The storyline wasted no time in grabbing my attention right from the outset, immersing me in the investigation surrounding the disappearance of these men. As the plot unfolds, a striking revelation emerges: all the missing individuals are fox hunters. This adds a compelling layer to the investigation, raising questions about whether they were specifically targeted. The narrative maintains a fluid momentum, navigating a path replete with twists, turns, and an abundance of potential suspects. While I had my suspicions, Alex Pine managed to outmaneuver me again, leaving me delightfully baffled by who the killer was.

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Review: Good Bad Girl

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Write to Review

Note: I received an advanced copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.

In this gripping tale, a disturbing connection emerges between a decades-old crime and a recent murder in a care home. The narrative unfolds twenty years after a baby was abducted from a stroller, when an elderly woman named Edith finds herself confined to a nursing home, albeit with plans to escape. Within this facility, Patience works tirelessly, forming a unique bond with Edith, despite harboring numerous secrets.

Patience, however, isn't forthcoming with the truth, even as she forges a connection with Edith, who is grappling with her own estranged daughter, Clio. Meanwhile, a new, ominous presence is about to intrude upon Clio's life, and their intentions appear far from benevolent.

With mutual distrust simmering between the characters, these women are thrust into a perplexing mystery that involves three suspects, two murders, and one victim. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their shared predicament, they must untangle the enigma surrounding the vanished baby, the grief-stricken mother, and the intricate connections that bind them all together.

I typically haven't been one to embrace the world of audiobooks; something about them just never quite clicked with me, often leading to irritation with the narrator's voice. Nevertheless, I've made several attempts over the years to bridge the gap, and I find myself doing so once more. In this particular case, I must admit that the narrator proved to be an exception—clear in articulation and less annoying than some of my previous encounters.

However, my struggle with this audiobook primarily stemmed from its plot, which felt like a tangled web of confusion throughout. While the storyline remained somewhat decipherable, the intricate interconnections among its elements left my head spinning. It seemed that the author didn't provide a clear and tactful roadmap for readers to navigate this narrative landscape. While I wouldn't categorize the overall story as unpleasant, it leaned more toward the uneventful and, at times, bordered on the mundane.

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Review: Thin Air

Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group via NetGalley.

A suspenseful locked-door young adult thriller, twelve contestants embark on a flight to Paris, seeking opportunities that may change their lives forever. However, this seemingly promising journey takes a deadly turn.

Among the passengers is seventeen-year-old Emily Walters, a boarding school student who's been granted the chance of a lifetime. She's competing for a substantial cash prize that could not only cover her college tuition but also rescue her family from poverty. Yet, as soon as they board the private jet bound for Europe, Emily senses a sinister undercurrent. It becomes apparent that someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to claim victory.

Emily's challenges multiply as she grapples with keeping an eye on her best friend's flirtatious boyfriend while guarding her own dark secrets. The contest takes a chilling turn when contestants start losing their lives.

With shifting loyalties and concealed truths emerging, Emily must navigate a web of deception to identify who to trust and who might be orchestrating their demise. Her survival hinges on uncovering the deadly secrets hidden among the passengers before she becomes the next victim.

The journey through this book was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled to the brim with angst that could be felt on every page. The depth and complexity behind the characters' motivations and the execution of their plans were nothing short of overwhelming, but surprisingly, the story remained incredibly entertaining. Amidst the chaos, there was a labyrinth of twists and turns that kept me perpetually on edge. Trying to pinpoint the true villain in the narrative was like navigating a maze, and I relished the suspense it created. The final twist added a satisfying layer to the tale, even though I couldn't help but feel that the ending arrived a little abruptly, given the intense buildup that preceded it.

As a curious side note, I couldn't help but compare the foundation president's voice to the narrator who delivers the safety announcement at the onset of Disneyland's Indiana Jones ride.

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Review: Saving the Schindler's Daughter: How Courageous Women Rescued an Orphaned Girl from French Concentration Camps

Saving the Schindler's Daughter: How Courageous Women Rescued an Orphaned Girl from French Concentration Camps by Douglas Boyd
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword History via NetGalley.

Lore Schindler's harrowing journey began at the age of ten when her father, a dentist named Harry, was arrested by the Gestapo in Berlin and sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Her mother, Grete, secured his release by forfeiting all their possessions to the Nazi regime, leaving the family with a mere 10 Marks each. Crossing the border, they endured degrading strip searches.

Lore's ordeal unfolded in French concentration camps, where her mother and father tragically succumbed to the harsh conditions. Orphaned and ailing in the vast Gurs camp, she was saved by prisoner-nurse Schwester Käte. However, had it not been for the compassion of two sisters, Elsie and Marthe Liefmann, who "adopted" her, found sustenance, and ensured she ate, Lore might have perished from starvation. Elsbeth Kasser, a Swiss-German social worker, also played a vital role by offering her milk and Swiss cheese to help nurse "the thinnest girl in the camp" back to health. Elisabeth Hirsch, another social worker, used a forged identity card to facilitate Lore's escape from the camp, ultimately taking her to La Maison de Moissac, a sanctuary for refugee children in southwestern France, overseen by her sister Shatta Simon.

In Moissac, Lore was among several hundred children hidden from Nazi occupiers and French fascists who sought to send them to Polish death camps. When danger loomed in Moissac, Lore found refuge with pianist Hélène Gribenski in a remote village. As circumstances grew perilous once again, they relocated to a primitive forest-dwelling, awaiting the Allied victory.

The remarkable tale of Lore's survival owes its debt to these courageous women who risked their lives to safeguard hers. After the war, she found love in an Israeli kibbutz and eventually settled in New York with her American husband, where she worked as a librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library. Her borrowers never suspected the terrifying ordeals she had endured during her adolescence and the challenges of her formative years in a foreign land whose language she could not even speak.

The sheer resilience and unyielding spirit with which Lore navigates the unfathomable hardships and atrocities that beset her are nothing short of inspirational. Beyond Lore's remarkable journey, the book also illuminates the unsung heroes who emerged from the shadows, risking everything to save countless lives. Their acts of valor and compassion, detailed within these pages, serve as a poignant reminder of the incredible capacity for humanity's nobility, even amidst the darkest of times.

It's essential to clarify that the book isn't connected to the Schindler of 'Schindler's List.' Nonetheless, this book offers a powerful and emotionally resonant journey through a lesser-known but equally important chapter in history.

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