Call Off The Dark: A Novel by Hallie Shepherd

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

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A haunting, atmospheric debut thriller with a love story at its heart, following a feisty young woman caught between her husband and a mysterious stranger who disturbs their off-grid life in rural Washington.

Helen and Tyler were soulmates, a couple with a storybook beginning and an enduring bond, until Tyler’s sudden murder shattered her world. Numb with grief and desperate for escape, Helen impulsively marries Wade—a near stranger—and goes off-grid with him to a farmhouse in rural Washington, far from her polished Seattle existence.

By day, Helen, who definitely wasn’t built for canning food and sewing dresses, contemplates setting her garden on fire. By night, she faces down insomnia and PTSD with her collection of poems by Plath and Poe—and daydreaming about her past with Tyler. But the routine of her “trad wife” life is broken when an unexpected traveler Isaac, Wade’s broodingly mysterious brother.

Wade is stunned—Isaac died in a horrific farm accident years ago—and he quietly insists to Helen they are in danger. Helen isn’t sure what to believe. Has Isaac truly come back from the dead? Is Wade manipulating her fragile grip on reality? Or is her mind turning against her? As her suspicions close in from every side, Helen must navigate a maze of secrets, grief, and uncertainty—where trusting the wrong person could be fatal.

A stunningly original debut, Call Off the Dark blends a heart-piercing love story, immersive psychological drama, and spine-tingling thriller, resulting in a multilayered, transportive narrative that reminds us of the magic in human connection and that our truest partners in life can keep us tethered to the world, even from the grave.

my thoughts:

Okay, so when I first started reading this book I had an idea of where the story was going and was not sure I wanted to keep reading, but then somewhere along the way I got hooked and could not put it down for anything. I fell in love with Call Off The Dark and wound up enjoying the book so much in the end.

Shepherd's debut novel is about a haunting love story. Helen and Tyler are true love and then something horrifying ends that love. Now, Helen is married to Wade and living off-grid. She's trying out the #tradwife lifestyle and hating every second of it. Plus, Wade is isolating her more and more when he doesn't bring her along on his trips into town for supplies. And, Helen's only friend is a young woman who visits once in a while, but never for long. Oh, and now Isaac has shown up - a man claiming to be Wade's brother, except Wade has revealed to Helen that Isaac is dead. So, yeah, life off-grid isn't turning out to be the escape that Helen was looking for after all. And, that is all I will share, because you MUST read this book to find out what is really going on and what will become of Helen in the end. 

I would happily recommend Call Off The Dark to anyone and everyone looking for their next Fall read - you are going to fall in deep with this one. The writing is terrific, the story is unputdownable, and the characters are unforgettable. This is a definite must-read! Make sure to check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Unsolvable Case: An Undetectables Mystery by Courtney Smyth

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

Smyth's last book in her popular Undetectables Mystery series has been released and I am so excited to have my hands on a copy. I'm a huge fan of the series and I can't wait to dive right in and find out what Mallory, Diana, and Cornelia are up to this time round. However, I know it's going to be a bitter sweet reading experience, since this is the final story. I just know I'll be sad to say goodbye. 

So, what is this final book about? Well...

'It's three days until Samhain, and the Undetectables are going to die. No longer taking magical cases (not that anyone would hire them), they've well and truly given up the ghost.

Meanwhile, Theodore (the relinquished ghost in question) is on the run. Wanted in connection with the Undetectables' last case, he's hiding in the last place anyone would think to look, keeping secrets (badly) and forming unlikely alliances (slightly less badly).

When a copycat killer emerges and history appears to be repeating itself, the Undetectables are called up for one last case. Mallory, Diana and Cornelia find themselves in a final race against the clock – but this time, the whole of Occulture is at stake.'

Sounds exciting, eh? So much going on - Theodore is on the run, the Undetectables have one last case to solve, plus time is of the essence - lives are on the line! Whoa! I mean, how awesome does that sound? I know that I definitely can't wait to get lost in this book and plan on hunkering down with it this weekend. My plans will be - a huge cuppa, a cozy spot, and The Unsolvable Case. 

I would recommend to fans of the series - grab you copy and start reading. Find out how Smyth says goodbye to our favorite Undetectables. I'm sure we are going to LOVE it!

Thank you to the Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

My Friday Five...

1. Still not sleeping well. Ugh.

2. Ordered a Halloween journal box from Archer and Olive, because I needed something to cheer me up. Also, I wanted a Halloween journal this year. 

3. Cronuts are seriously delicious. Yum!

4. I think I might watch the new American Horror Story since The Shards is over.

5. Still not sure what to read. Although I did order a new book, because I wanted something fall-ish:

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Happy reading!

Monday Musings...

Anxiety is hitting me hard at night. So many intrusive thoughts invading my headspace and leaving me thrumming with nerves. I eventually fall asleep for a few hours and wake up exhausted. I feel like I am yawning my way through each day. It's getting old. 

My reading is at a standstill. I was engrossed in my last Shari Lapena novel, but can't seem to find any interest lately. I have other books sitting on my nightstand that I started and stopped. It's frustrating me, because I do want to be enmeshed in something. The question is what do I want to be reading? Hmm...

I have a routine that I follow in the morning- a journaling routine, to be specific. Except, I can't be bothered with it at the moment. So, my journals just sit on my desk mocking me. And all of those blank pages are depressing me. I need to get back no track with writing it out. 

The only show I can seem to stomach lately is Psych. So, I am rewatching it for the second time and laughing out loud each episode. 

Oh, I've been walking in the morning and that is good. I enjoy watching the sky wake up and being outside. I just need to make sure I keep it up. 

And now, I will go and figure out what to eat for dinner and hopefully I'll read a little bit. Wishing you all a lovely week. Hopefully you are gobbling up books and enjoying the idea that fall is near. Take care!

My Friday Five...

1. It's raining, it's pouring. Yep, rainy season is here and doesn't seem to want to let up any time soon. 

2. I've been walking every morning lately and it's nice to see the waking sky with blue and pink hues. 

3. I'm still reading the last Shari Lapena book on my list, but I'm already thinking about what to read next. Hmm...not sure what I'm in the mood for. I'm still reading Ghost Stories by Siri Hustvedt - it's a book to savor, not devour. I do have another Gwendoline Riley, First Love. Or should I re-read something, an old favorite? 

4. Smythson planners. I've bought the Soho weekly one for a few years now, but decided to use a different brand for 2027. Especially, since I bought the daily for this year and haven't been using it like I thought I would. And yet, I keep checking their website to see what colors they are using for 2027. Ack! What is wrong with me? 

5. Everyone seems to have started decorating for Halloween already. It's cheering me up, but also making me think I need to start decorating, too. Eek!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Happy reading!