The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer by Liz Rodman & Jennifer Jordan

 

Book: The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer

Author: Liz Rodman & Jennifer Jordan

Narration: Andi Arndt & Aida Reluzco

Release date (if applicable): Published

Synopsis: Part true crime and part memoir, The Babysitter is the story of Liza Rodman. Liza Rodman was an abused child who had serial killer, Tony Costas, as her babysitter and companion, during her summer months on Cape Cod. 

My rating: A VERY rare 10/5 Stars

My opinion: Normally, I am not a fan of memoirs. Authors normally feel they have an interesting story to tell, but memoirs come across as legends in their own mind leaving me cold in their wake. This book broke that mold. 

 The Babysitter was unique and different. 

I had so many WTH moments in this book it wasn't funny. 

Let's talk about the juxtaposition of a viscous serial killer being a place of safe haven for an abused child. A person she looked forward to seeing every summer. A person who purchased orange popsicles for both her and her sister after abusive episodes by the hands of her evil mother. The serial killer's mother being a soft place for this child to get acceptance and comfort, particularly after a dismissal by her mother. This had frequent jaw dropping moments for me. 

How about the juxtaposition of  two children being raised in broken homes? The one who was doted on becomes a serial killer. The one who was abused becomes the author of a dynamic book. 

The authors balanced the writing between true crime and memoir masterfully. Telling the story of serial killer, Tony Costas, it was very clear the story was researched well. 

Now...on a final note, and one that gave me oodles of glee as a mother. Be forewarned, the abuse discussed in this book was heartbreaking and angering at the same time. I wanted to take this child in my arms the whole time I was listening to this book. I thought the author's alcoholic mother must have passed with how openly the author discussed the abuse. There was a tinge of glee when I learned the mother was still alive. Now (and normally I wouldn't say this) hopefully Hollywood will make a movie of this fascinating story and her mother will be alive to see her behaviors on the big screen because MA'AM...THAT WAS NOT HOW THE 70'S WERE! Quit blaming a period of time for your failures and addiction!

Source: Purchased Audible 

Would I recommend? Absolutely and have done so several times during my listening period. Here is the thing, my readers, while the paper back version of this book is getting ready to hit bookshelves, go for the audiobook version. This is probably one of the best audiobooks I have listened to. The narrators did a phenomenal job in narration. Their narration of this book sucked me in immediately. To be totally honest, with the number of books I can be reading at a time, it probably would have been a book I would have missed a lot on had I read it versus listening to it. 

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone

Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens

 

Book: Dark Roads

Author: Chevy Stevens

Release date (if applicable): August 3, 2021

Synopsis: Hailey McBride lives in Cold Creek, a place where women have been disappearing off the major highway for decades. When tragedy strikes, Hailey is forced to move in with her aunt and police officer, uncle, who uses his badge to bully the town and Hailey.

After her uncle threatens her life, Hailey chooses to live in the woods as a survivalist like her father had taught her to do. 

Following the death of her sister, Amber, Beth moves to Cold Creek to get to the bottom of her sister's murder. Will the killer get to Beth before she can solve it? Will Hailey be able protect Beth since she was unable to protect Amber.

My rating: 4 Stars

My opinion: Another excellent release from Chevy Stevens. While this book is very well written, it definitely isn't my favorite work by this talented author. Unlike a chunk of her books, I felt this one wrapped up with a nice little red ribbon, which simply left me unsatisfied at the end. 

It did have a number of twists and "wow" moments, but not enough to boost my rating up to five stars for me.

Source: St. Martin's via Netgalley

Would I recommend? I always recommend Chevy Stevens's books. Dark Roads is no exception.

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand alone

Murder at the Lakeside Library (A Lakeside Library Mystery #1) by Holly Danvers

 

Book: Murder at the Lakeside Library (A Lakeside Library Mystery #1)

Author: Holly Danvers

Release date (if applicable): July 13, 2021

Synopsis: Following the death of her not so faithful husband, Rain Wilmot has returned to her childhood home of Lofty Pines, Wisconsin to run the family library. All Rain wants to do is lay low and recover from what she has lived through. Unfortunately, the town has other plans for her. 

When real estate mogul, Thornton Hughes is found dead on the property of the library, eyes point to Rain's mother, Willow, with whom Thornton had spent a significant time with. 

As Rain digs deeper into the case, will she become the killer's next victim?

My rating: 4 Stars

My opinion: This was a light, but highly enjoyable read. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a cozy, but it is on that spectrum.. It is definitely the perfect beach read. While this is normally not my style of read, I do believe this is a series I would definitely continue when looking for something a bit lighter. 

The author developed her characters beautifully and the story flowed smoothly. I found it to be atmospheric perfect for a mystery without going overboard. 

This is the type of book that IndiePicks Magazine and Patomi Media Group was developed to highlight. 

Source: Crooked Lane Publishers via Netgalley

Would I recommend? Absolutely

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: First in Series

Book Vs Movie: Who Wore It Better? All Things Cease to Appear (Book) Vs. Things Seen and Heard (Movie/Netflix)

 

Things Heard & Seen

Netflix

April 29, 2021

Starring: Amanda Seyfried & James Norton

Director: 

All Things Cease to Appear

Elizabeth Brundage

March 8, 2016

Alfred A Knopf 

Oh dear readers....where do I even begin on this one? 

First let me tell you, I LOVE A GREAT GHOST STORY, so when I saw the trailer for this on my weekly Netflix email, I set out to investigating. The bonus for me was it had one of my "actors that make me actually pay attention" in it. Yup, James Norton is in it. Ya know James Norton, that freaking DYNAMIC actor of Grantchester, McMafia, Happy Valley fame. I could go on. This guy is just that big of an acting genius to me.  

When the Netflix trailer included that it was based on a best selling novel, being the bibliophile I am, I set out to research and quickly learned it was based off ALL THINGS CEASE TO APPEAR by Elizabeth Brundage. It would be read by the time the movie hit Netflix and I easily hit that goal. 

So, now...who wore it better. Hands down, in typical Hollywood fashion, the book far surpassed the movie in quality. From here on, we go deep into spoiler territory. Just a warning. 

There were critical elements to the backstory of this ghost story that the movie leaves out. Instead of focusing on those elements, the movie focuses on the backstory to the Clares. I could not figure this out. The backstory to the Hales was CRITICAL to the understanding of the book and movie. It was critical to understanding the attachment of the Hale boys to the home, as well as the reason for the haunting by their mother. The screenwriters not only all but ignored it, they changed it into something just plain goofy. 

Due to starting with the backstory of the Clares, the movie was unable to start with a mystery like was done in the book. As the story unfolded, several people could have killed Catherine Clare. Could it have been George? Could it have been one of George's lovers? Could it have been Eddy Hale? The list could go on. Because the movie opened with Catherine Clare very much alive, we were not afforded the ability to experience this movie as the mystery that it was written. We were left with a ghost story and a poor one at that.

Let me tell you, one of the biggest disappointments that I had in this movie was that it failed to show George in just the evil "pigamuffin" that the book captured. In some ways, I thought the book was light on George and heavier on Catherine as a whack job. 

There were also scenes in this movie that I felt were left hanging. For example, the shower masturbation scene was a very important scene in the book that was left hanging in the movie. It was such an important scene that it was brought up at least one other time in the book. 

The special effects on this movie, particularly at the end, were just laughable. I can't even expound on that one.

Now, Netflix, I'd like the two hours it took me to watch this movie back, please! It is because of movies like this that we cannot have nice things, and I'd love Hollywood to just keep their hands off great books. 

So, my final ratings:

Book: 4 Stars

Movie: 1 Star

Skip the movie...READ THE BOOK!

So, now you'll please excuse me while I go watch James in the she THE NEVERS on HBO and forget this experience with him ever happened. As the saying goes...they all can't be winners.

Audiobook: Sleeping Dogs Lie by Samantha Downing (Audible Original)

 

Book: Sleeping Dogs Lie

Author: Samantha Downing

Narrators: Melanie Nicholls-King; Lindsey Dorcus

Release date (if applicable): April 1, 2021

Synopsis: When Todd Burke is found shot to death in his bathroom by his dog walker Shelby, his soon to be ex-wife with a grudge becomes the number one suspect in a line of potential suspects. But be careful, people aren't always who they appear to be and not seeing that can be deadly. 

My rating: 5 Stars

My opinion: So...before I begin my opinion because you know I have one, let me just say that some of these audible originals justify the subscription fees to audible. I thought Brian Freeman's The Deep, Deep Snow was a one and done and that most books were just mediocre listens. This book throws that belief right out the window.

Now onto my review:

Few full length novelists can grasp the ability to be able to write high quality novellas. Not a slam. They just can't. Most feel like full length books that the author did a quick wrap up on or that half the story is missing. I can count on my ONE hand the number of authors that I feel can pull off a quality novella and Samantha Downing is one of them.

This was a GREAT listen. Ms. Downing managed to tell a complete story in two hours that left me wondering who the killer was and did a fantastic job in throwing in a plot twist that I didn't see coming.

There are so many ways I could see this series continuing...not only from the detective's perspective, but from that of the killer.

Bravo, Ms. Downing....Bravo. Gotta say that I haven't had a chance to read a full length novel from this author, but if she can pound something this high quality out of a novella, I'll be picking up a full length novel pretty soon.

Source: Audible Original Subscription

Would I recommend? HELL YES! Grab a subscription and listen to this book. It was a fun 2 hours. 

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone

The Diabolical Bones (A Bronte Sisters Mystery) by Bella Ellis

 

Book: The Diabolical Bones (A Bronte Sisters Mystery)

Author: Bella Ellis (Rowan Coleman)

Release date (if applicable): 02/16/2021

Synopsis: The Bronte Sisters are back with another mystery to solve. A child's bones are found in a local landowners' fireplace. Whose bones are they? Who is trying to stop the Bronte sisters from finding out the story behind them by any means possible, including murder? 

My rating: 5 Stars

My opinion: I have read both books in the series and have several thoughts on these books. 

First, I have started many a series only to be disappointed by the next books in the series. The first book is fantastic, but then the writing becomes weaker with each passing release. Ms. Coleman's novels shows none of these issues. I found The Diabolical Bones to be as well written and inviting as The Vanished Bride. The Diabolical Bones comes out swinging with a unique storyline partnered with an inviting writing style. I absolutely loved this book setting and Ms. Coleman does a phenomenal job at conveying it. It is apparent everything about this book from setting, time period and main characters have been well researched. 

Second, normally I am a stickler about reading series in order. Especially in strong character driven series, it a must if the reader wants to enjoy the full experience of the book and/or character. In my opinion, Ms. Coleman has written these books to be able to stand on their own if the reader so desires. While the Bronte sisters are present in the novel, I don't find their character development to be so strong that one must read the books in order to enjoy the series or not feel lost. 

Third, the author does a fantastic job of writing a painting a dark atmospheric story, she ensures that some light attached to it. While the story was sad and dark, the author didn't beat the reader down with it. Ms. Coleman was able to maintain a story that kept moving without being depressing to the reader.

Source: Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley

Would I recommend? Absolutely! If you like historical fiction mysteries, this new series is not one to miss. I know I am eagerly awaiting the next in series. 

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Second in series

Killer Triggers: Murder Comes Down to Sex, Drugs, or Money by Joe Kenda

 

Book: Killer Triggers: Murder Comes Down to Sex, Drugs, or Money

Author: Joe Kenda

Release date (if applicable): March 9, 2021

Synopsis: Kenda is back with stories from his career. This title focused on murders which occurred due to what Kenda calls the three causes of murder...sex, drugs or money. 

My rating: 4.5 Stars

My opinion: I found I didn't enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed Kenda's first book I Will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime. As I did a deeper dive into the book, I figured out why I wasn't warming up to it like I did his first work. 

First, anyone who is a Homicide Hunter fan and has watched the episodes several times (hangs head) will recognize most (if not all) of the cases from the show. Do we get a deeper understanding of what was going through Kenda's mind? Yes, we do, but it still felt like a "been there-heard that". 

Second, we didn't get as much Kenda/Kathy as we did in the first book and I missed that. Kenda/Kathy stories are as hysterical as the tidbits of sarcasm Kenda gives from his cases. Let me give an example. Kenda has been doing a lot of publicity for his new Discovery+ show, AMERICAN DETECTIVE. A fantastic show that Kenda fans will go gaga over, by the way, but I digress. He recently did the podcast Small Town Dicks and told a story about Kathy making him go out with friends from her job. Kenda realizes the stepfather of Kathy's friend from work is sexually abusing the daughter of the friend and ends up having to arrest the guy. As I was reading the book at the time, I said to myself this would be a perfect story for the book! 

Third, I read a digital ARC. There is NOTHING like a Joe Kenda narration. Hands down, my absolutely favorite narrator. While I could hear him narrating in my mind, there is nothing like the real deal.   

Source: Blackstone Audio via Netgalley 

Would I recommend? Duh. Of course! Following my opinion, though, I recommend investment in the audiobook version. Blackstone Audio is one of the largest publishers of audiobooks, so I'll bet dollars to donuts there will be an audiobook version with our favorite Lt. narrating. 

I will say this will more than likely be the last Kenda book I request to review. I will wait to purchase an audio copy and review from that. While I realize I only marked it down a half star, I don't feel I walked into the reviewing process with what I felt I needed to do to give the review all that it needed. For that, I am to blame. 

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone

Pioneering the Vote: The Untold Story of Suffragists in Utah and the West by Neylan McBaine

 

Book: Pioneering the Vote: The Untold Story of Suffragists in Utah and the West

Author: Neylan McBaine

Release date (if applicable): Published

Synopsis: Pioneering the Vote takes a deep look at the Suffragette movement in the Western states, but particularly in Utah, the center of the Mormon religion. How would the home of a religion that practiced polygamy and preached a woman's subservience to her husband respond and react to a movement that demanded differently?

My rating: 5 Stars

My opinion: This book was BRILLIANT! Forget that it was chock full of well researched history that is little known to those who do high level research on the women's path to voting rights. The author took what could be considered a dry non-fiction writing and partnered it with fiction. This gave the figures much more "life" than simply writing about their accomplishments. At first, I wondered how it would work out and would it be cheesy. The author pulled it off masterfully.  

Source: Publisher for review through Netgalley

Would I recommend? Absolutely. Pioneering the Vote gave readers interesting insight into the movement from a specific region and the struggles they needed to work through. For those of us who have really focused on reading high level books on the movement, this book gave a nice deeper, bird's eye view to what was happening in a specific region, particularly one that could have been very difficult to convince . 

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone

Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned about Ghosts by Amy Bruni

 

Book: Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned about Ghosts

Author: Amy Bruni

Release date (if applicable): October 27, 2020

Synopsis: Ms. Bruni, who any fan recognizes from her work on Ghost Hunters (the original) and Kindred Spirits or even paranormal research conventions, brings thirteen lessons she learned about ghosts in her decades of ghost hunting. Chapters are done in sections based on paranormal research and her own experiences in ghost hunting. Ms. Bruni also throws in tidbits about the go behinds of the shows Ghost Hunters and Kindred Spirits, as well as personal accounts in Amy's life that fueled her passion for the field. 

My rating: 4 Stars

My opinion: This book captured my attention IMMEDIATELY. I enjoyed the format of weaving in paranormal research, show accounts and personal experience. In my humble opinion, it gave the book a bit more personality rather than straight research or straight personal account, which comes off to me as more "one man syndrome" vs. a respectable scientific source. To me, it made the book very warm, approachable and readable. 

I have to say, personally, I enjoyed the "behind the scenes" of Ghost Hunters most. I absolutely loved the show Ghost Hunters and was obsessed with being at my television to watch it faithfully until the departure of Grant Wilson. I continued to watch it until about season 9 as I could, but really enjoyed Amy's involvement with the team as highly professional. Each year, Ghost Hunters Live achieved the same level of celebration as Chicago Bears Sofa Tailgating Sunday. 

What I loved most of this book was Ms. Bruni's skepticism and criticism of the field, including some major names such as the Warrens (whom I have my own issues with) and not accepting findings as gospel. Her final chapter even addresses the topic of question everything and embrace skepticism, even from her. There was a sense of humility in that for me. 

One criticism I would have for the book is that I would have enjoyed photos included in the book. Now, I was given an egalley to review, so these may be included in the published book, but I did not see them in my galley. 

Source: Grand Central Publishing for honest review

Would I recommend? Yep! How much did I enjoy this read? I read it in 2 days and a girl has gotta work! I would read this book before I went into work, after I went into work and even during my lunch hours. It was just a good, inviting reading that read quickly. 

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone

The Vanished Bride (A Bronte Sisters Mystery #1) by Bella Ellis

      

Book: The Vanished Bride (Bronte Sisters Mystery #1)

Author: Bella Ellis

Release date (if applicable): Published

Synopsis: Did you know before the Bronte sisters were authors they were brilliant detectors? When the new bride of a wealthy landowner goes missing in a room full of blood, the sisters are on the case! Did her husband kill her or was there something much deeper from the past that caused the disappearance of this young bride?

My rating: 4 Stars

My opinion: Bella Ellis, the pseudonym for author Rowan Coleman Bronte Sisters Mystery series, has woven a delightful story that is laid out masterfully to give excellent twists and turns. The book is welcoming from the first page and Rowan has placed hooks into the story to really keep the reader guessing. I will say that I saw the possibility for the ending, but wasn't sure. The ride to the end was definitely worth it and it was accompanied with other little twists that added enjoyment to the story. As a massive fan of the Bronte sisters, this author has clearly done her research on the Bronte family to weave in known fact about their lives. 

Source: Library

Would I recommend? Normally, unless I was chosen to review the book, I would never do a blog review for a book that has been out for this long. As a historical fiction mystery, this book was definitely my cup of tea with a scone as a bonus. This book is excellent and one I will be looking forward to each new release. So, yes, I would highly recommend.

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Part of Series. Book 2, THE DIABOLICAL BONES, is due for release on February 16, 2021, and just look at this beautiful cover! 

A Libertarian Walks Into A Bear by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling

 

Book: A Libertarian Walks Into A Bear: The Utopian Plot to Liberate an American Town (and Some Bears)

Author: Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling

Release date (if applicable): 09/15/2020

Synopsis: Grafton, NH becomes a truly run Libertarian city. This story shows the impact both positive and negative to a city run as a "free state" where its citizens basically do, pay and act as they feel. 

My rating: 3.5 Stars

My opinion: I enjoyed this read. Quirky characters, bears and a will to live in a "free state" and the lasting consequences made this a really unique read. The writing was inviting and fun. 

Source: Netgalley for Publisher

Would I recommend? Yes. Overall, I felt this was a cute read. Beware of the underlying bias, but read for the unique story. If you are a political junkie or enjoyed non-formulaic books, be sure to check this one out. 

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone

Funeral for a Friend (Jonathan Stride #10) by Brian Freeman

 

Book: Funeral for a Friend (Jonathan Stride #10)

Author: Brian Freeman

Release date (if applicable): September 22, 2020

Synopsis: Stride’s friend is dying. He has one last secret to tell Stride before he goes. The body of a reporter who was tormenting Stride’s former wife is buried in his yard with a bullet in his head. Who killed him and why are all eyes on Jonathan Stride? While Stride is trying to clear his name, his ward, Cat finds herself with a stalker who wants her dead. 

My rating: Oh so 5 Stars!

My opinion: So, while 2020 has been a stressful year, I have had numerous great things happen. One of those has been the release of a Jonathan Stride novel two years in the making. Brian Freeman is tops on my list for favorite living American mystery writers and one of the top authors I recommend, so when I saw a Jonathan Stride novel in the works, I became giddy. Brian writes stories and characters that suck the reader in almost immediately. Funeral for a Friend was no exception. I found myself having to make myself stop reading it to make time to continue with other books I am currently reading. 

Source: Netgalley for review

Would I recommend? Hell yes! Brian Freeman is my number one recommended living American mystery writer and for good reason. I love reviewing his books because every time I do, I get to introduce new readers to a GREAT mystery writer. Mr. Freeman is fantastic about throwing in great twists and turns that throw readers off until the very end. Funeral for a Friend was no different. 

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Funeral for a Friend is number 10 in the Stride series. Now, authors and publishers hate when I do this, but, particularly with this series, give yourself an extra treat and read the series prior to reading this book. Brian Freeman is one of the most character driven authors I read and he remained true to process in this book. This book has a lot of reference to his past books, so a reader may find themselves lost. Can this book be read as a standalone? Sure, but why not give yourself that little extra treat and meet a great new series?!?!