Review: The Devil's Work by Mark Edwards

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For a while now, I've been hearing about Mark Edwards' books and how amazing they are, but I've never read one.. until now. And all I can say is wow, I've been missing out! Why have I waited so long to read any of his work? 

The Devil's Work was a great introduction for me to Edwards' novels, and although it was the first I've read, it definitely will NOT be the last! I was so absorbed in the story, 

I had to finish it in one day. 

A riveting psychological thriller with plenty of twists and Oh! My! Gosh! moments, I felt myself getting so involved in the story I started reading faster as I felt the tension Sophie was feeling. I'd realize how involved I was and would have to sit and take a breath. Fantastic! 

The book goes back and forth between the past and the present and normally I don't like this since many times it comes across as disjointed and bumpy. However, Edwards' has written it in a way that it is smooth and transitions well consistently throughout without interrupting the pace of the increasingly frantic and gripping tale.

I honestly can't praise this book enough! If you are looking for an 'oh-my-gosh-frantic-page-turning-nail-biting-mind-messing-with-I-just-can't-put-this-down!!' kind of book, this is it! Mark Edwards, you have a new fan! 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for an honest and unbiased review, to Mark Edwards for writing such a gripping story, and to the members of THE Book Club on Facebook (TBC; #TBConFB) for introducing me to some truly awesome writers! 

I Finally Caught Up!

It's been a busy couple of weeks! Between getting some things organized, getting some crafts done for a few craft fairs, watching hockey tryouts (not mine! haha) and other day to day boring things... I finally did it, I am actually 4 books ahead of my Goodreads Challenge to read 100 books this year! From being behind to getting ahead.. well I'm pretty excited! I've read some pretty great books, and a few not so great, but that comes with the territory. The good thing is, that means I have some great reviews to post! 

So in the coming days, watch for reviews of books by some great authors, including H.Y. Hanna's "Muffins and Mourning Tea",  Mark Edwards' "The Devil's Work", M.A. Comley and Tara Lyons "The Caller" just to name a few! 

And now that summer is officially over and done with (boooo!) it's time to get back to the grindstone and get back down to a regular schedule.  So, I'm off to get more reading done, and get some more reviews ready to go.  

Happy reading! 

Review: Clever Deception by M.A. Comley and Linda Prather

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Absolutely brilliant novella! Right from the get go, we are drawn into the world of the serial killer known as the Escape Artist who is abducting, torturing and murdering women.. ten of them so far this year! He enjoys contacting the families, many of them police officers, and letting them hear the screams of terror and pain he is inflicting upon them.  The main character, Sergeant Alexandra Fox,  is on the hunt for justice, and is determined to bring an end to the Escape Artist's spree.  But when she gets a warning to back off and doesn't, she couldn't even begin to imagine what he could possibly do to punish her...

From the moment I started reading this book I was hooked. The Escape Artist is evil, and sadistic.. and I think is really going to be a fantastic villain. He brings to mind another of Mel Comley's villains (The Unicorn).  I love the character of Alex Fox. She is immediately likable, as is her colleague Bob.  They work well together, she is impulsive and Bob (does his best) to really keep her grounded and thinking before acting.  I'm very... leery about the lead on the case, Inspector Jordan. There's just something that doesn't sit right with me. I know this was a novella but I wish it was longer! I am just dying to find out what happens next, which is just what you want in a book like this, bravo!

I've never read any of Linda Prather's books, but I have read quite a few of Mel Comley's and have never read one that I haven't loved!  I'm looking forward to book 1 in this series, as well as looking up some of Prather's novels.  If I could have rated this more than 5 stars I would have!

Review: Murder Most Fowl (Local Foods Mystery Series Book 4) by Edith Maxwell

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I received this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you Netgalley! 

Murder Most Fowl is the 4th book in the Local Foods Mystery Series.  I hadn't previously read the other books in the series, but it didn't matter; I was able to follow along and not feel like I was missing something, and I went back to the beginning to read the others once I finished this one, I enjoyed it so much! 

Cam Flaherty is a local organic farmer who just can't seem to stay away from trouble! When one of her fellow chicken farmers is found dead, Cam is ready to jump in and solve the case. But can she balance her daily life, dealing with vandalism on the farm, and a murder investigation? 

Definitely a page turner, I would have read this all in one sitting had I not started it late in the evening. The characters in this book are really great and it's fun to read and learn about life on an organic farm.  The mystery is well done and there are lots of twists and turns. I wasn't able to figure out the 'whodunnit' right away which is something that I like.  If you are looking for a well written cozy mystery, look no further! 

Review: Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

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I received an ARC of this book for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you NetGalley.

I think this is one of my favourite reads for this year, it's definitely in my Top 5! 

Britt-Marie is a quirky character.  She knows how she wants things, and that's just the way things have to be. She's a lady that firstly just seems to be quite passive-aggressive, suffering from OCD and very set in her ways.  But, she's much more than what is showing on the surface. Throughout the course of the novel, we see just why she's left her husband, what has made her the way that she is today, learn why she has no self esteem and why she is so obsessed with cleaning.  Suddenly she's not the annoying lady we first meet looking for a job at the employment office (that poor girl!) she is someone who finds herself, who becomes important to those around her, and is finally seen.  I don't want to give anything away with this review. It's such a wonderful story that I think you really need to read it for yourself.  If I could give it more than a 5 star rating, I certainly would!