Bantam - June-2022
(eGalley - NetGalley - free download)
Laina Landers is a respected marriage and family therapist. She has even become somewhat of a media buzz name after she helps police talk one of her troubled clients into freeing his wife who he was holding at gunpoint. Her notoriety suddenly makes her and her clients a target when it becomes clear someone has gained access to Laina's files and begins sending disturbing messages and gifts and signing "I am watching you".
The book started out creepy and had me quickly reading but, then Laina started to grate on my nerves, as she doesn't seem to follow a code of ethics and, there is romantic relationship with a television journalist added to the plot line. I thought her clients and their issues made for some interesting reading but overall this book wasn't as satisfying as I anticipated. The story itself may be too creepy for some readers especially if anyone has ever been a victim of stalking.
Rating - 3.5/5 stars
Deadly Summer Nights; Vicki Delany
Catskill Summer Resort Series Mystery - Book 1)
(Narrated by Jennifer Van Dyck - very good)
(8 hrs. 36 min.)
(Berkley/Edelweiss and Penguin Random House audio free downloads)
Set in the 1950s at a Catskill Mountain's resort, Elizabeth Grady, a bookkeeper in New York City is convinced by her mother to run the Haggerman's Catskill Resort that Olivia recently inherited. When a college professor working on a novel turns up dead the rumors begin to fly. The man kept to himself and, who according to his nephew, didn't know how to swim, yet is found floating in the lake. Some even suspect he was a communist as he had The Communist Manifesto on the desk in his room. Of course Elizabeth is anxious to solve this mystery as soon as possible so that the resort's reputation does not suffer.
There was a lot I liked about this book: the 1950s setting where middle and upper class NY families gathered for a summer of relaxation and entertainment. The dress -- women wore girdles and silk stocking and full skirts, the entertainment factor itself was a hit with me. What disappointed me was that I wanted to know more about some of the guests staying there. It seemed like a lot of time was spent going over the same things and that made the story feel a bit bogged down at times. I did think the ending was satisfying and although I'm curious about what Book #2 is about, I'm not sure I'll read it --at least not right away. Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a fun setting might want to give this book/series a try.
Rating - 3.5/5 stars
I've read just a couple of books from another series by Vicki Delany but didn't go any further. I did read about a series of hers with a Sherlock Holmes connection which I thought I might try at some stage. Sorry this one was a little bit of a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteYes, I hadn't realized when I started this that she had other books published. I was quite surprised.
DeleteThanks for the reviews. Neither of these books really sounds like something I would be interested in so you've saved me from potentially wasting my time reading one of them.
ReplyDeleteYes, can't always go by publisher descriptions, but, that's okay.
DeleteYes, not every book can be a winner but, that's okay.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like Deadly Summer Nights more than Privacy, but neither one feels like a top priority when I have so many other books on my TBR list right now. You know how that goes. :)
ReplyDeleteI know, I want all 5 star reads but you have to take some chances.
DeleteI liked Deadly Summer Nights a little more than you did but I do think #2 was better. It involves a film crew and it does focus a bit more on them. Privacy looks good but may be too creepy for me!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm glad to read that you liked the 2nd book Katherine.
DeleteToo bad neither of these books was stellar.
ReplyDeleteNo, not really but, we can't always have winners.
DeleteDeadly Summer Nights was one I meant to read last summer but time got away from me. I was intrigued by the Catskills/1950s setting. Too bad it was repetitive in parts! Maybe I can get to it this summer.
ReplyDeleteThe setting and time period was the best part IMO.
DeleteWell, I thought I commented here, maybe you can find to better ones to read.
ReplyDeleteI hope so - pretty confident I will, so many choices.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are on my TBR stack and now I want to read them even more. Love your mini reviews Diane!
ReplyDeleteElza Reads