It’s still winter, and I’m still here.  That’s about the extent of what’s been going on in my little corner of the world!  😀

On the plus side, after a slow start to the new year, I broke out of my reading slump and haven’t looked back!  Which is a good thing since I’m a bit behind on my NetGalley reviews.

Feel free to drop me a line and let me know your current reads, past favorites, or whatever other bookish topic you want to chat about!  Let’s talk books!

The Week in Books

Malevolent by Jana Deleon — 4 out of 5 stars

I must say, this fast-paced thriller lifted me out of my recent reading slump!  Shaye Archer was found in an alley, bloody and abused, with no memory of how she got there.  Nine years later she opens her own private investigation office where her first client is a woman who is convinced she is being stalked by her husband.  The only problem?  She had killed her husband a few weeks earlier!   I was immediately drawn into this story, and Deleon kept me guessing right up to the end!  Great start to a series I hope to read more of in the very  near future.

Atlin: Where Everyone Knows Your Dog’s Name by Bradford Smith — 4 out of 5 stars

Look for my full review coming here and at MrPinkInk the weekend of January 28-30.

The Whale Tattoo by Jon Ransom — 4 out of 5 stars

An amazing debut novel!  Our MC Joe believes that death follows him and that the river speaks to him.  Through vivid dreamscapes and backstories, Joe’s story emerges as one of love, lust, and loss, and a personal journey that ultimately leads to the path of acceptance and redemption.  I’m already looking forward to Jon Ransom’s future works.

Hell in the Heartland: Murder, Meth, and the Case of Two Missing Girls by Jax Miller — 3.5 out of 5 stars

In the wee hours of December 30, 1999, flames consumed a mobile home in rural Oklahoma.  In the rubble, the bodies of Danny and Kathy Freeman were found, and their teen daughter, Ashley, and her best friend, Lauria, were missing.  In the months and years following the murders and disappearances, rumors swirled, hinting at drug deals and police corruption, while grieving families searched for the truth.    Jax Miller did a lot of research and reached out to a lot of people in the attempt to bring clarification (and perhaps closure) to these horrific crimes.  And while Miller does have a gift for descriptions that bring the places and people to life, I think this actually brings the book down a bit.  This is not the type of story that needs flowery embellishments and the author’s introspection that I feel ultimately bog down the narrative.  I would still recommend this for true crime fans, just be prepared for a lot of unanswered questions.

---

Stay safe and Happy Reading!