All Day And A Night: A Novel by Alafair Burke

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The latest story dominating the tabloids - the murder of psychotherapist Helen Brunswick - couldn't be further from Carrie Blank's world handling federal appeals at an elite Manhattan law firm.  But then a hard-charging celebrity trial lawyer calls Carrie with an offer she can't refuse: Anthony Amaro, the serial killer police blamed for the murder of Carrie's older sister, Donna, has new evidence related to Brunswick's murder that he believes can exonerate him.  Determined to force the government to catch Donna's real killer, Carrie takes on Amaro's wrongful conviction claim.

On the other side of Amaro's case in NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher, who, along with her partner, JJ Rogan, is tapped as the "fresh look" team to reassess the investigation that led to Amaro's conviction.  The case is personal for them, too:  Ellie wonders whether they got the assignment because of her relationship with the lead prosecutor, and Rogan has his own reasons to distrust Amaro's defense team.

As the NYPD and Amaro's lawyers search for certainty among years of conflicting evidence, their investigations take them back to Carrie's hometown and secrets left behind there.  And when Carrie falls victim to a brutal attack, it becomes clear that the young attorney got too close to the truth.

my thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of Burke's books, especially those involving Ellie Hatcher. They are the perfect go-to novels for anyone wanting a quick, thrilling read.  I love the familiarity of the characters, the predictability of the story, and the unexpected twists and turns that do pop up now and again throughout the story.  Plus, I love how Burke is able to make each story feel so relevant - so now (as if its a story you would hear about on the 11pm news).

In All Day And A Night, Burke has brought back Ellie Hatcher and JJ Rogan to solve a new crime.  They are chosen to re-investigate an old solved murder case in conjunction with a currently unsolved murder case (well, the husband is suspected, but its not certain he's the killer) - all thanks to Hatcher's boyfriend who picked them for this job.  Rogan is not a happy camper and neither is Hatcher.  Least of all because they will have to reassess their fellow detectives' work and that is not something cops enjoy doing - questioning each others' work.  Burke has written another fast-paced story filled with murder, intrigue, suspense, tons of red herrings, and the usual tying up of loose ends.  We also get a peek inside Hatcher's relationships with her boyfriend (she's still holding him at a distance, but by the end of the story has made a leap towards moving forward with him), her partner (they butt heads on this case in so many ways, but remain strong partners), and her family (her brother is still there for her in personal and professional ways, whilst her mother fills her old answering machine with one missed call too many).  I love getting to know Hatcher better with each new book and enjoy getting caught up in whatever new murder-mystery her and Rogan get called to solve.  Burke's writing always draws me in and keeps me hooked from start to finish and this book is no exception.

I would most definitely recommend All Day And A Night to fans of Alafair Burke's novels and anyone looking for a great new mystery to read. 

Here's the TLC Book Tour schedule for: All Day And A Night

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: The Stranger You Know: A Forensic Instincts Novel by Andrea Kane

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

It begins with a chilling phone call to Casey Woods. And ends with another girl dead.
College-age girls with long red hair. Brutally murdered, they’re posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial offender now serving thirty years to life—a criminal brought to justice with the help of Forensic Instincts.

Call. Kill. Repeat. But the similarities are more than one psychopath’s desire to outdo another. As more red-haired victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey—a connection that grows closer and closer to her.
Now the Forensic Instincts team must race to uncover the identity of a serial killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey as the ultimate target. As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make one thing clear: he knows everything about Casey. And Casey realizes that this psychopath won’t stop until he makes sure she’s dead.

my thoughts:

A murderer who is raping and killing redheads - yikes! Sounds like a job for Casey Woods and her Forensics's Instincts team.  The third book in the series, The Stranger You Know, is a quick-paced, suspense-filled thriller of a read by Andrea Kane.  Well written, engaging, and extremely descriptive, this book will have you gasping out loud and cringing in horror. 

Casey Wood's latest case is like a blast from the past.  A killer whose focus is redheads - sounds familiar to her.   Like familiar in the sense that she is reminded of a case from the past that follows the same patterns - the same case that led her to form Forensic Instincts.  Except it can't be the same killer, because he's in jail and this murderer is out on the prowl looking for his next victim, right?  Or is Glen (the convicted killer) doling out orders to someone and leading Casey on a wild goose chase - after all, he's had plenty of time to figure out a plan of revenge against Casey.  Hmm.  Armed with a team that includes a psychic, Casey is determined to find the culprit sooner rather later - at any cost!

Kane has written a terrific book that will keep you on the edge of your seat!  I found myself biting my nails the whole time I read this book - it was riveting!  I couldn't help but get mad when my kindle button would get stuck (its old and I need a new one!) and the page wouldn't turn!  I was HOOKED on this book!!  So, yes, I would most definitely recommend Andrea Kane's The Stranger You Know to fans of Andrea Kane's books, suspense-mystery novels, and crime-thriller books. 

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Stranger You Know


GIVEAWAY:    Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of Andrea Kane's amazing new novel The Stranger You Know to give away.  All you have to do is leave me a comment and include your email address.  Open to US/Canada residents only.  Last date to enter is November 20th!  Good Luck!!!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Never Tell by Alafair Burke

About book:

Sixteen-year-old Julia Whitmire appeared to have everything: a famous father, a luxurious Manhattan town house, a coveted spot at the elite Casden prep school.  When she is found dead in her bathtub, a handwritten suicide note left on her bed, her parents insist that their daughter would never take her own life.

But Julia's enviable life was more complicated than it seemed.  The pressure to excel at Casden was enormous.  Abuse of prescription antidepressants and drugs for attention-deficit hyperactivity ran rampant among students; an unlabeled bottle of pills in Julia's purse suggests she had succumbed to the trend.  And a search of Julia's computer reveals that in the days leading up to her death she was engaged in a dangerous game of cyber-bullying against an unlikely victim.

NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher is convinced the case is a suicide, but she knows from personal experience that a loving family can be the last to accept the truth.  When the Whitmires use their power to force a criminal investigation, Ellie's resistance causes trouble for her both at work and in her personal life.

As she is pressured to pursue a case she doesn't believe in, she is pulled into Julia's inner circle - an eclectic mix of overly precocious teenagers from Manhattan's most privileged families as well as street kids from Greenwich Village.  But when the target of Julia's harassment continues to receive death threats, Ellie is forced to acknowledge that Julia may have learned the hard way that some secrets should never be told.

My thoughts:

Riveting!  That is the word to describe this novel.  It was absolutely unputdownable and I loved it!  This past rainy weekend I wanted something with suspense and lo and behold that is exactly what I got with Alafair Burke's, latest book, Never Tell. 

A young girl named Julia is found dead in her bathtub with a suicide note nearby and that leads detective Ellie Hatcher to believe that the kid committed suicide - its an open and shut case.  However,  the girl's family doesn't agree and after some phone calls are made, Hatcher and her partner Rogan are canvassing the streets and meeting up with Julia's friends to find out more about their supposed victim.  And the information they find out is interesting and unbelievable at times - its pretty crazy actually.  Quite frankly, Never Tell, kept me on my toes the whole way through.  Usually, I'm pretty good at figuring out who the murderer is and what really happened, but this time round, my guesses were way off and I didn't find out what really happened until the end.  I actually liked the revelations that were made throughout the book and being surprised in the end - definitely made for a fun read. 

Never Tell is a well written mystery/suspense novel that has some pretty crazy twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat.  The story lines are interesting and dotted with references to everyday trends and news stories; which make for a rather authentic and gripping reading experience.  As for the characters, they are very flawed and relatable - which I loved.  All in all, this was definitely a fun book to read.  I was hooked from the beginning and didn't put the book down until I got to the end and found out "who done it."

I'm definitely recommending this book to anyone and everyone who loves a good mystery/suspense read - you will not be disappointed!

And for fans of Alafair Burke, here's a  link to her site detailing the Duffer Awards that she recently hosted (again) - check it out!

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this terrific book!

Our Man In The Dark: A Novel by Rashad Harrison

About book:

A stunning debut historical noir novel about a worker in the civil rights movement who became an informant for the FBI during the months leading up to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Feeling underappreciated and overlooked, John Estem, a bookkeeper for Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), steals ten thousand dollars from the organization.  Originally planning to use the money to seed a new civil rights initiative in Chicago, he squanders the stolen funds.

To the bookkeeper's dismay, the FBI has been keeping close tabs on Dr. King and his fellow activists - including Estem - for years.  FBI agents tell Estem that it is his duty, as an American and as a civil rights supporter, to protect the SCLC from communist infiltration.  The FBI offers Estem a stipend, but in case he has any thoughts about refusing the assignment, they also warn him that they know about the stolen money.

Playing informant empowers Estem, but he soon learns that his job is not simply to relay information on the organization.  Once the FBI discovers evidence of King's sexual infidelities, they set out to confirm the facts to undermine King's credibility as a moral leader and bring down the movement.

This timely novel comes in light of recent revelations that government informants had infiltrated numerous black movement organizations.  With historical facts at the core of Our Man in the Dark, Harrison uses real life as a great inspiration for his drama-filled art.

My thoughts: (I haven't finished the book, but here are my thoughts so far)

I am loving this noir style of historical fiction.  It is truly making for an enjoyable read.  I am so caught up in Estem's story that I simply can't put the book down.  From his flawed character to the imperfections of Dr. King, I am riveted by how this story is unfolding.

Harrison has written the story of a man named John Estem.  Working as the bookkeeper for the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,   Estem often finds himself being ignored by his colleagues and his ideas overlooked by his boss, Gant.  He simply wants for Dr. King to be aware of him and his ideas and know that he is someone who should be a part of their closed door meetings and that he can help with promoting their civil rights movement agenda.  Instead, Estem is left with picking up Gant's dry cleaning and going over the accounts.  With regards to his personal life, it mirrors his work life - ignored and overlooked.  In love with Candy, this woman he has known for ages, Estem is frequently showing up at her place of work only to be told by Candy and her boss/boyfriend to leave her alone.  At the end of the day, Estem is left with his leg brace and the occasional hangover.  Did I mention he wears a leg brace - its due to his bout with polio as a child.

However, one day, Estem decides to take action.  He steals some money from the SCLC and uses it to buy some fancy clothes and a car - all in the hopes of finally getting Candy's attention.  Once again rebuffed, he finds himself outside in the alley getting beat on by some of Candy's boyfriend's hired thugs.  Except, the beating stops when headlights shine down on them and two men with guns tell the thugs to back off and leave Estem alone.  Suddenly, things are about to get seriously turned around in Estem's world.  Turns out the two men are from the FBI and they have been watching Estem, the SCLC and Dr. King and have decided that it was time to call on Estem for some help.  Aware of the money he has stolen, they use that information as leverage to make Estem an informant for the FBI in the investigation of the SCLC and Dr. King.  They want to make sure that neither party has been infiltrated by the communist party as they have proof that Gant has communist ties from his past.  Shocked by the facts that are laid out before him, but also wanting to prove himself, Estem agrees to become an informant for the FBI.  Plus, he realizes that in order to pay back the money he stole, he will need the weekly earnings that the FBI is promising him.  And so, the story really begins as we read on to see how Estem will handle being an informant and the ways in which this new line of work will affect him personally and professionally.  Estem will soon learn that the FBI expects more than he is willing to give and that people are not all what they seem.  He will need to learn to stand up for himself and for what he believes in - the only question is, will he be able to do so.

Written with such vivid detail and compelling characters, Harrison has created a must-read book.  The story is engaging and keeps you on your toes as you keep on reading to find out what will happen next to Estem.  Plus, the fact that Dr. King is one of the characters, well, that alone makes for some fascinating reading.  You will not be disappointed!  I would definitely recommend this fantastic debut novel, Our Man In The Dark, by Rashad Harrison to everyone interested in history, noir and fiction - you will get the best combination of all three in this one book.  Enjoy! ( I know I'm enjoying the book! And now I'm off to finish it!)

Thank you TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Grief of Others: A Novel by Leah Hager Cohen

About book:

It begins with loss.  John ad Ricky Ryrie are stricken by the death of their third child only fifty-seven hours after his birth.  Struggling to regain a semblance of normalcy, they find themselves pretending not only that little has changed, but that nothing was wrong before this baby came so briefly into their lives.  Yet in the aftermath of his death, long-suppressed uncertainties about their relationship come roiling to the surface.  A terrible secret emerges concerning what Ricky knew about her pregnancy and concealed from everyone, even John.  And the couple's two older children, struggling to understand the tensions around them, begin to act out in their own idiosyncratic ways.  Ultimately, though, the grief that was initially so isolating allows the four family members to connect powerfully with the sadness and burdens of others - to the grief that is part of every human life and has within it the power to draw us together.

My thoughts:

This is a sad and rather depressing book.  It tells the story of the Ryrie's difficult and heartbreaking loss of their third child - a son who lived for 57 hours after being born with anencephaly.  Reeling from this devastating loss, the family find themselves grieving individually and disconnecting from one another.  Ricky and John (the parents) try to pretend to move forward with their lives by continuing to work and presenting a united front to those around them.  Meanwhile, their children, Paul and Biscuit, are having to deal with this loss all on their own.  They don't truly comprehend what happened to their baby brother, but have no one to talk with about it.  And they can't help but notice the mounting tension growing bigger and bigger every day between their parents.  You see, Ricky has been keeping a huge secret and when it finally comes to light, John can no longer look at her the same way.  And soon, we are privy to a set of lies that has been looming over this family for years and has finally come out to either break them apart or bring them closer. 

This is definitely a difficult book to get through, because you don't care for any of the characters.  Well, except for Paul and Biscuit.  Kids shouldn't be left to deal with grief all on their own, especially when they are unable to fully understand what has even happened.   I suppose it just goes to show how selfish Ricky and John could be - ignorant of the pain and sadness enveloping their children's lives. 
Overall, this was a well written book about the topic of grief and how it is handled within a family.  I felt that Cohen explored the different ways people deal with loss superbly.  She created characters that were unlikeable, but fully developed and quite realistically flawed.  The tone and flow of the story was slow and depressing, which fit in perfectly with the story lines.  And the fact that the book was difficult to get through shows just how engaging it was to read, even though it took a toll on your emotions.  Definitely a book I would recommend.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book!

212: A Novel by Alafair Burker

From back of book:

A celebrity mogul's bodyguard is slain in his boss's luxurious penthouse at an exclusive Manhattan address.  At NYU, a sophomore is menaced on the Internet, stalked...and murdered.

The two cases, equally sordid and shocking, end up falling to NYPD homicide detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner - who soon find out that this is just the tip of the terrifying iceberg.

Because in the city that never sleeps, death doesn't either. 

My thoughts:

I don't normally read crime thriller fiction, but have read enough of them to know what to expect.  And 212 did not disappoint on that front - it was exactly what I expected - solid writing; somewhat likeable characters; formulaic storyline; and, that description of the dark, gritty reality surrounding cops and their jobs (the kind you see on those L&O TV shows). 

The book consists of five parts that are made up of short chapters, some are merely one or two pages long.  Each chapter begins with either a time or date on it, letting the reader know the breakdown in the days throughout Ellie's investigation.  I suppose it helps the reader keep track of how long it takes for Ellie and Rogan (Ellie's partner) to figure it all out - of course, being that its pretty obvious early on who did what, the reader already has an idea of what's about to happen next.  So, no, this book didn't really have that element of surprise that I enjoy in a good thriller, but it still provided an engaging tone that made it easy for me to keep reading.

As for Rogan and Ellie, they are cops through and through- always working to get the job done.  Albeit, they do take breaks now and again to either go out on dates; call their mom; and hang out with their brother.  Afterall, you have to have some light relief in between all those crime scenes, right?  Oh,and don't forget they also need a boss who comes down hard on them when need be - which they have in Robin, who of course winds up dating one of the killers.  Oops, did I forget to mention that there are two killers in the book?

Now as far as the homicides within the book, well, one revolves around a young college co-ed who was being stalked on a college gossip website that posts salacious details about everyone and anyone at NYU; the other murder involves a bodyguard who happens to be a part of one NYC's most elite resident's security detail.  Both victims are connected by a very tenuous thread, which Ellie and Rogan quickly piece together with the help of google and twitter.  Oh, and also with the information they gather via their interrogations of suspects and witnesses - both of whom are always readily available to talk (not very realistic, eh?).  And, yes, Burke was inspired by the headlines when she wrote this book - can we say, Eliot Spitzer and Craigslist killer? 

Don't get me wrong, the book is a solid read.  Its great for airplane reading, the beach, long car rides and when you want something quick to read.  It kept me entertained for the day - yes, it only takes a day to read.  Overall, the book was okay.  I'm not sure I would read Burke again, but I'm glad I gave her book a go - it was a nice change of pace for me and my usual reading fare.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book!

So Close the Hand of Death by J. T. Ellison

From back of book:

TALENT BORROWS.  GENIUS STEALS. EVIL DELEGATES.
It's a hideous echo of a violent past.  Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam.  The media frenzy explodes and Nashville lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that the Pretender is back...and he's got helpers.

As the Pretender's disciples perpetrate their sick homages - stretching police and the FBI dangerously thin - Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown.  And she must do it alone.  To be close to her is to be in motal danger, and she won't risk losing anyone she loves.  But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll - she's tripwire tense and ready to snap.

The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close.  Close enough to touch...

My thoughts:

This is your basic crime thriller filled with suspense and nail-biting scenes.  I don't usually read these types of books (truthfully, I'm not even sure why), but I wanted something different to read and so I agreed to read Ellison's book.  Let me just say that I'm glad I read it - not only did I enjoy reading this book, but it also pushed me to consider reading more books in this genre (books that I would usually consider fluff, beach/airport reads).  I enjoyed the quick pace of the story and the casual way it trapped you into a world of cops, crime bloggers and secrets - a world that is scary, but captivating.  I was immediately taken in with the characters of Taylor and Baldwin - I wanted to find out what would happen to them and their relationship as they found themselves being pushed further and further along in their search for the Pretender.  The writing was solid and the plot was interesting.  There were some predictable revelations in the book, but there were also plenty of twists along the way that kept me on my toes.  Overall, it was a satisfying read.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading crime thrillers (think James Patterson).