Book Review - The Stowaway; James Murray and Darren Wearmouth

 

The Stowaway; James Murray and Darren Wearmouth

Macmillan Audio - September 2021

Maria Fontana is a Professor of Psychology at Columbia University and single mother to younger twins, she's in a committed relationship with Steve.  Two years early Maria sat on a jury where Wyatt Butler, was on trial for several murders. At the time Butler was portrayed as a brutal, ritualist serial killer.  The evidence however for the most part was circumstantial.  While eleven jurors voted for him to be convicted, one in good conscience could not convict him -- that juror was Maria and as a result Wyatt Butler was set free.  Soon a media circus ensued as well as outraged family members of the victims. It wasn't long before the public knew that Maria was the lone hold out juror.  Maria's  life became a living nightmare and the university made her take a force sabbatical.  

Eventually to get away from her nightmare Maria decides that she, Steven and the children need a family vacation and book a two-week transatlantic cruise.  Just as the family begins to think of having some much deserved fun and relaxation, people begin to go missing onboard and it soon becomes evident that there is a killer on the ship.  When details of the killings are leaked Maria soon realizes that the details of the killings on the ship are eerily similar to evidence shared at the trial of Wyatt Butler.  Is there a copycat on board?  

I couldn't recall reading a book that for the most part takes places on a transatlantic cruise ship but the setting was perfect and, because of the ship's size there were plenty of places for the cat and mouse game of a serial killer.  There wasn't much character development in this book but, it certainly was intense. This was a very addictive story but not a book for all readers as the serial killer targets mostly children and the details are quite specific.  If you're the type of reader who say keep telling yourself "it's not real, it's fiction," we found it to be a riveting thriller. We listened to the audio version in 2-days flat and we were satisfied with the way the story played out.

The audio book was read by Barrie Kreinik who did a fantastic job ramping up the thrills and chills. Thanks go to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing me access to this audio book in exchange for my unbiased review.

Book Review - The Wife Upstairs; Rachel Hawkins

 

TITLE/AUTHOR:  The Wife Upstairs, Rachel Hawkins

PUBLISHER: Macmillan Audio

YEAR PUBLISHED:  2021

GENRE: Fiction / Thriller

FORMAT:  audio / LENGTH: 8 hours 39 minutes

SOURCE: Library download

SETTING(s):  Alabama

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:  A twisted thriller with an ever so slight Jane Eyre familiarity. 

BRIEF REVIEW:  Jane 23,  is new to Birmingham, Alabama and down on her luck. She's had a rough childhood and lives in an unsavory part of town with an annoying roommate.   She's found a job walking dogs in the wealthy neighborhood known as Thornfield Estates and also works in a coffee shop to help pay the rent and, she has clearly run from someone or something.

One day while walking the dogs she is almost run over by the rich, handsome Eddie Rochester, a new widower in the neighborhood -- well sort of.  Eddie is all apologetic, invites her in and before long the two seem to hit it off.  She learns that Eddie's wife Bea and her friend Blanche disappeared after a drunken boat ride at Eddie's lake house.  Blanche's husband seems to be a suspect and, Jane is desperate to learn more about the story and especially about Bea from the chatty women of the neighborhood.   It's rather fast that Jane is engaged to Eddie, moving into his McMansion and planning a wedding.  So what's really going on here?

This is one of those stories that every seems to be talking about. It is a story that quickly sucks you in even though the story itself is far-fetched and has more than its share of unlikeable characters.  When you think you have things figured out something crazy is just around the corner. If you can suspend belief for a bit and if you like stories full of secrets and lies, this one is quite entertaining.  The audio was enjoyable, narrated by: Emily Schaffer, Kirby Heyborne and Lauren Fortgang

RATING: 4/5 stars

Catch Me; Lisa Gardner

 

Title: Catch Me

Author:  Lisa Gardner

Publication Year: 2012

Publisher: Dutton

Edition: eBook

Source: Net Galley
Setting: New England (mostly Mass) 
Date Completed: 2/7/2012
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: yes


In Lisa Gardner's newest novel, released earlier this week, several characters from Gardner's previous novels return, including, Boston Detective DD Warren.  Warren is back to work after the birth of her son, and shes back into action at the scene of a murder.  It is here that she is confronted by a woman who claims that she is going to be murdered in just (4) days. The woman is Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant, and she has reason to believe she is next on a killer's list. Charlene wants to be sure that DD Warren, one of Boston's best investigators will find her killer after she is dead.

Charlene (Charlie) grew up with a psychotic mother, and at an early age she witnessed plenty of violence including the death of (2) siblings.  When her mother is finally put away, Charlie is taken in by an aunt who lives in New Hampshire.  In NH, Charlie has (2) best friends and the girls do everything together. But even with best friends, some secrets are too painful to talk about, so Charlie's friends do not know what she has endured.  After high school the friends start separate lives, but Charlie has no plans for college, so she stays behind to help her aunt run her B&B.  The demons of her childhood, however, are never put to rest. She recalls the vivid details of things she witnessed as a child.

After Charlie learns about the murders of her best friends, (1) year apart, in different states, but on the same day and same time -- 8:00 p.m. on January 21st, she fears she must be the killer's next victim.  There seem to be no clues, no forced entry and no motive.  Not only does Detective DD Warren have this case troubling her and January 21 quickly approaching, but there are pedophiles luring young children via the internet. These pedophiles are turning up dead as well.  As the detective begins to look into Charlies background she has several questions she will need answers to, making DD Warren and the reader wonder if Charlie has something to hide?

This is one of those psychological thrillers that had me guessing until the end, and only toward the very end did I finally figure this one out.  It's the kind of story that if read by parents of young children, it will open their eyes to some of the tactics used by pedophiles to lure young unsuspecting kids, and it might make you think twice about what your children are using the internet for.

Although this book is part of a series, it could be read as a stand alone without confusing the reader. I've read all of this author's work, and Catch Me is certainly a page-turner I think many readers might enjoy.

155 - Evil at Heart; Chelsea Cain

Evil at Heart, by Chelsea Cain, is book #3 of a series which features serial killer, Gretchen Lowell, and Detective Archie Sheridan, who have played a game of cat and mouse in the first two books: Heartsick, and Sweetheart.  Although the author uses flashbacks in each novel, which is helpful for recall, or to those who have not read the prior books, this series is so good, I'd recommend reading the books in order to get the full gruesome effect.

Gretchen is a sexy, serial killer, know as the "Beauty Killer". Sensationalized by the media, there is even a tour bus that visits the sites around Portland, Oregon where her victims were found.  She leaves her trademark on her victims, similar mutilating marks on the body, and removal of various body parts (eyeballs being a specialty).

I don't want to give away any details so just let me say, if you don't mind a gruesome story with lots of graphic detail, this psychological thriller is not to be missed. Fast-paced and extremely creepy, this book did not disappoint.  I can't tell if there will be a book #4 to this series, but I certainly hope so.  ---RECOMMENDED

(This review was based on a library book I borrowed :)

Here is a link to a brief YouTube video about this book (you'll get the feel of it without giving the plot away).....CLICK HERE.