HOW I'LL KILL YOU (2023) - Review

How I'll Kill You by Ren DeStefano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On sale: March 21, 2023

The idea of triplets choosing and killing men they have made love them was fascinating. This is the author's debut and early readers seem to like it. For me, it was disturbing, although I have to admit that I read it in just a couple of days curious to find out what would happen.

FIRST SENTENCE: "What about that one?"

THE STORY: Raised in mostly unpleasant foster homes, identical sisters Iris, Moody, and Sissy now stay together to protect each other. They have rules. They choose vulnerable men, make their lives wonderful, kill them, and move on undetected.

WHAT I THOUGHT: Tension is high throughout the story but new information keeps the action moving forward. Sentences are short and sometimes repetitive. Hoping for a good thriller, it was surprising how much of a love story it was.

BOTTOM LINE: RECOMMENDED with reservations.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "How I'll Kill You" by Ren DeStefano from NetGalley/Berkley Publishing Group for an honest review.

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MAUREEN (2023) - Review

Maureen by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On sale: February 7, 2023

After reading and reviewing "The Devil You Know" by P.J. Tracy, which turned out to be #3 in a series, I was discouraged to realize that my next assignment was "Maureen" by Rachel Joyce, also a third book in a trilogy I had not read. Reviewers claimed that the book could stand alone.

The first book was "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" and was continued in "The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy", and ends with "Maureen", in what each is now referred to as 'A Harold Fry Novel'.

FIRST SENTENCE: "It was too early for birdsong."

THE STORY: There is a Preface where the author explains how readers who met Harold Fry in her first book kept insisting she continue the story. Eventually she wrote the second and thought once again that she was finished, but Maureen needed her own closure, her own journey, her own life.

WHAT I THOUGHT: "Maureen" by Rachel Joyce is a beautifully written, emotionally charged novella that serves as the conclusion following the journey of Harold and Maureen as they come to terms with their past and present.

Throughout the book, Joyce masterfully explores the complexities of love and loss, and the power of human connection. The author's writing is poignant and touching, capturing the deep emotions and relationships of the richly drawn characters, and their stories are interwoven in a way that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

One of the standout features of "Maureen" is its exploration of the themes of hope, resilience, and redemption. Despite the challenges that Harold and Maureen face, the book is ultimately a testament to the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity. The characters are relatable, and their journeys are both inspiring and heartwarming.

In addition to its emotional impact, "Maureen" is also a well-written, engaging book. The writing is clear and concise, and the narrative is both compelling and easy to follow. The book is a quick read, but its themes and messages will stay with readers long after they have finished it.

The descriptions of the English countryside are particularly evocative, and the book has a sense of timelessness that gives it a classic feel.

However, one of the weaknesses of the book is its brevity. The story feels somewhat rushed and underdeveloped in places. There are many intriguing characters and plot threads that are introduced but never fully explored, leaving the reader wanting more.

BOTTOM LINE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED While the brevity of the book may leave some readers feeling unsatisfied, it is nonetheless a beautifully written and deeply affecting story that is well worth reading. Rachel Joyce is a talented author who has created a character that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "Maureen" by Rachel Joyce from NetGalley/Random House Publishing Group for an honest review.

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THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (2023) - Review

The Devil You Know by P.J. Tracy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On Sale: January 17, 2023

P. J.Tracy's "The Devil You Know" introduces Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Detective Margaret Nolan to a death that threatens the foundation of Hollywood and its upper echelon. The book is #3 in The Detective Margaret Nolan Series ("Desolation Canyon" #1 and "Deep into the Dark" #2) It is recommended that you read the books in order.

FIRST SENTENCE: "The ocean was singing in the hushed, undulating tones of low tide on this still, damp night."

THE STORY: Well-known actor Evan Hobbes is found dead in the rubble of a Malibu rock slide a day after a fake video ruins his career. 'Is it an accident, a suicide; or a murder?' With more deaths, Detective Nolan has a difficult case to solve.

WHAT I THOUGHT: P. J. Tracy is a good mystery writer with lots of readers, but don't start with "The Devil You Know" without reading the first two books. There are lots of characters to try to keep straight and bits and pieces of past stories revealed but not explained.

Descriptive words accentuate every thought and every event, seeming too pretty for a police procedural. If you are more interested in a story than in the fancy writing and if you aren't comfortable with wordy writing, this might not be a book for you.

BOTTOM LINE: RECOMMENDED If you are a fan of the Monkeewrench Series, you need to read copies of the first two books in The Detective Margaret Nolan Series and then read "The Devil You Know". P. J. Tracy is a pseudonym for the American mother-daughter writing team Patricia and Traci Lambrecht. They became New York Times bestselling authors in the process. Patricia died in 2016.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "The Devil You Know" by P. J. Tracy from NetGalley/St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for my honest review.

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