Book Review - The Caretakers; Eliza Maxwell

The Caretakers; Eliza Maxwell

Lake Union Publishing - 2020

Tessa Shepherd once was a well respected filmmaker but, now she's disgraced after helping to free a man she believe was wrongly imprisoned for murder.  When he kills again shortly after being set free, her reputation has been ruined.  If things are not bad enough, her mother has died unexpectedly and her twin sister is still angry at her over something that occurred when they were younger.

As part of her mother's estate the sisters learn that their late mother has left them property which they were not aware of.  Located in rural PA, is an isolated, rundown estate called Fallbrook, complete with "caretakers" cottage and two elderly sisters who still live in the cottage and receive a monthly stipend from a family trust.  The elderly sisters, Kitty and Deidre Donnelly, hold the key to their late mother's unspoken past.  Tessa sees Fallbrook as an opportunity to escape the media but, she has no idea about Fallbrook's dark, horrific past, a reason it has been vacant for years.

Although this story started out a bit slow, once it got going I couldn't wait to find out more.  I liked the mystery surrounding Fallbrook's unsettling history and the story of the prior inhabitants.  I liked the way the story played out.  The unraveling of the late mother's past, the incident that separated the sisters as well as the surprise ending were satisfying and in the end I was glad I stuck with this one.

Rating - 4/5 stars

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Caretakers; Eliza Maxwell

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, now hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews. . Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book they are reading or that they plan to read soon.

The Caretakers; Eliza Maxwell

Lake Union Publishing - 2020

Prologue

"The screams have long since died away.  The bloodstains, like the memories, have faded brown with time, obscured beneath a fine layer of dust.  Mildew creeps along the the peeling floral wallpaper. The window frames are soft with rot.

A skylight of colored glass softly illuminates the slow and steady decay.

Once, laughter filled the spaces between the tired walls.  Running feet and mother's hugs and whispers under covers at night.  Hearts beat, as hearts do, then broke, then beat again. Until they didn't"

What do you think - read more or pass?

I started this one yesterday and liked the writing so far (first 50 pages thus far).

Happy 4th of July and a few short book reviews

Wishing everyone a peaceful day!

Right Behind You; Lisa Gardner

(Book #7 of the Quincy and Rainie Series)

Brilliance Audio - 2017

The story begins with when Sharlah May Nash was just 5 years old and living with her older brother Telly Ray and their alcoholic and drug abusing parents.  One terrible night, in an attempt to protect his little sister, the parents end up dead and the siblings separated in foster care.

Now 13, Sharlah is about to be adopted by FBI profilers Quincy & wife Raine, and the brother Sharlah hasn't seen is 8 years is on the run after he is wanted for questioning for the deaths of his foster parents and some store clerks.

While Quincy & Rainie try to protect Sharlah from harm, they try to piece together what has happened in the last 8 years to Telly.

Although this was book #7 of a series, it wasn't necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this one. There were good plot twists and it was a fun story to listen to on a recent road trip.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

 The Banker's Wife; Christina Alger

GP Putnam & Sons - 2018

(eGalley)

A private plane carrying Swiss United banker, Matthew Weiner and his assistant crashes as they fly to Geneva.  He leaves behind his young widow, Annabel whose life soon turns chaotic when it appears she is being followed.  As Annabel delves deeper into Michael's business she soon realizes that that her life might just be in danger.

Back in New York, Marina is engaged to the grandson of a presidential candidate and, although she planned to stop working as a journalist, the unexpected death of her mentor makes her want to find out more.

Readers who enjoy political intrigue, international conspiracy and mystery might want to try this one.

Rating - 3.5/5 stars

The Waiting Room; Emily Bleeker

Lake Union Publishing - 2018

(eGalley)

Veronica Shelton is a children's book illustrator now suffering from postpartum depression. She hasn't even been able to hold her baby for the last 6 months so her mother has taken on that role.  She's in therapy as she's also dealing with the loss of her husband.

As things seem to be improving slightly, her infant daughter goes missing and Veronica becomes the prime suspect.

This is a story that hooked me immediately but, soon began to feel like just another story with an unstable, unreliable narrator.  I do think that readers who like twisty, psychological fiction might want to try this as it was a very quick read.

Rating - 3.5/5 stars

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Waiting Room; Emily Bleeker

Each Tuesday, Vicki, from I’d Rather Be At The Beach hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where  readers post the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book that they are reading or plan to read. Here's my current eBook:

The Waiting Room; Emily Bleeker

Lake Union Press - 2018

Chapter One

"Nick, the baby is crying again." Veronica half turned over in her bed and slapped to the left, trying to wake her husband. "Nick," she called again, this time a little louder.

The room was dark, and colder than usual for November in North Carolina.  Half-awake, she sat up and checked the alarm clock on her side of the bed, her e-book reader falling to the floor with a thump. 12:23a.m. Her eyes burned, and the invisible arms of sleep pulled her back toward the bed.  She patted his spot just in case her eyes deceived her.  The bed was cold and empty.  Where the hell was he?

What are your thoughts about the intro?  I'm at the 70% mark on my Kindle and I'm still not sure what to make of Veronica.

Mailbox Monday - New Books

It felt like Christmas everyday last week and the mail lady was none too pleased as I also had several large boxes arrive from a few different places. (Hey, she gets a gift at Christmas and it is her job so she should suck it up and smile --right?)

Here's the book loot that arrived by mail. I'm anxious to get started.

• Among the Ten Thousand Things; Julia Pierpont (Random House)
• 100 Days of Happiness; Fausto Brizzi (Pamela Dorman Books)
• The Dressmaker; Rosalie Ham (Penguin)
• The Language of Hoofbeats; Catherine Ryan Hyde (purchase - Lake Union Pub)
• A Remarkable Kindness; Diana Bletter (William Morrow)
• Rainy Day Sisters; Kate Hewette (NAL)

• Wind/Pinball; Hakuri Murakami (Random House Audio)
• Saint Mazie; Jami Attenberg (Hachette Audio)
• The Night Sisters; Jennifer McMahon (Random House Audio)

above books sent by 

author/illustrators Wendell & Florence Minor

(inscribed as well)

• This is the Earth;  Shore & Alexander with Wendell Minor (illustrator)
• Trapped; Robert Burleigh with Wendell Minor (illustrator)

The Minor's were very kind to have sent me inscribed copies of these 2 books for my 3 grand daughters after they read my reviews last week.