The perfect beach read thriller, released in the winter
938014
I really enjoyed this book, and found that most of the pre-release hype was justified.  A really interesting concept, married to an excellent plot line and a few interesting twists which aren't telegraphed.  The characters are memorable, if a bit summer action movie thin if you know what I mean.  As for Daniel Suarez's writing, it fits the subject and style well.  He was smart enough not to "over-write" this book, a flaw too many thrillers/sci-fi books as of late have fallen victim to.

A few downsides- some of the technology exposition drags on and on. A little hand-waving is done in spots to put characters and assets in spots to make the next set-piece possible.  One character's demise is followed by a cringe-worthy one-liner (you could almost hear Arnold Schwarzenegger saying it in your head).

But overall, I felt like I was reading the book version of a summer blockbuster movie.  And in this case, that's a good thing.  Recommended!
2388243
As soon as I heard about this book I knew I was destined to read it! I am Sussex born and bred so could easily visualise the scenes and my mother was actually in the Land Army in the relevant time period so I feel I had an advantage. Whether that enhanced my enjoyment Im not sure because it is such an endearing story so from the outset you instinctively go back to that era of the 1940s.

Jans descriptive writing forms the basis for the tension and bleakness of war, the cold sometimes lonely downs and the austerity that was around, Winter Downs is the perfect title and I think you will agree the cover is simply stunning.

Two sisters, totally different in character but with a deep bond .. Bunch and Dodo find themselves in the middle of a mystery. After finding the body of a local man known to them Bunch is determined to prove that he wouldnt/didnt commit suicide and that something more sinister has taken place.

Due to lack of police or suitable funding because of the war, Chief Inspector Wright is adamant it is an open/shut case of suicide and the matter should be dropped.

So begins the search for a possible killer. Bunch and Dodo are already having to adapt to a completely alien way of life after the soldiers took over their house and they had to relocate to grandma, add in rationing, black-outs and the uncertainty of war. Dodo has already lost her husband in the fighting so Bunch is incredibly protective, this all results in the need for an answer. If it was murder then there could be further danger imminent.

I enjoyed finding out about these two women as their individuality emerges, Bunch is the feisty one of the two and I admire her determination to discover the truth. It kept me hooked as the puzzle deepens and I really couldn't see how there was going to be a satisfactory ending.

The setting is beautifully described and for anyone who doesnt have knowledge of Sussex it is a charming county steeped in history, yes I may be biased but it was so refreshing to read and absorb my local dialect which reminds me of my grandparents!

Anyone who likes historical fiction with a strong mix of characters will relish this story. Eerie, chilling and riveting I wholly recommend it.  Im already looking forward to more from Jan. I think this is a book that will stay with me long after finishing it and Im likely to re-read and discover even more from it.

My thanks go to Jan for my copy of Winter Downs and for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. I read and reviewed voluntarily.
4395893
A well written thriller by Jens Amundsen.  You are immediately drawn into a world of intrigue where things are not as they seem.  You won't be able to put this down.  Perfect vacation reading, or the book you read in bed at night to relax before you fall asleep.
3416549
Canadian Rick Mofinas absorbing, fast-paced thrillers have gathered widespread acclaim and popularity internationally for many years now, but theyve only become more readily available downunder in more recent times. THE DYING HOUR, originally published in 2005, was his first book to feature rookie crime reporter Jason Wade, and its an absolute cracker.

Wade is part of an intensely competitive internship at the Seattle Mirror, part of a group in a cut-throat race for the only fulltime job on offer, but hes the only intern not from a high-flying journalism school, and the only one who hasn't had a major article published yet. A loner who grew up in the shadow of a brewery in one of the citys blue-collar neighborhoods before putting himself through community college working as a forklift driver, Wade feels out of his depth, and that his dream is starting to drown.

Stuck with the police beat no-one else wanted, Wade needs a red-hot story if hes going to win the single staff role. He then finds himself investigating the puzzling disappearance of Karen Harding, a likeable college student whose car was found abandoned in the rural Pacific Northwest after having a fight with her boyfriend. When another woman is found murdered in a ritualistic fashion, no-one thinks there is a connection, except Jason, who embarks on a terrifying journey that causes him to examine himself as much as the case.

THE DYING HOUR is a fast-paced, full-throttle, edge-of-your-seat page-turner that will keep you engrossed both intellectually and emotionally as the pages whir, but Mofinas writing and storytelling elevates it far beyond expected airport thriller fare. He weaves texture, layers and depth into the setting, storyline and particularly the characters.

While switching between the perspectives of Jason and Karen is a device that could fall flat in the hands of lesser authors, Mofina balances things brilliantly, building tension and mystery without ever seeming contrived or forced. More importantly, we aren't only gripped in an intellectual curiosity sense, but in a real emotional sense. We really feel what Jason and Karen are going through; they're fully formed people who come alive off the page, sucking us in to whats happening to them. Were not mere observers; we are more fully engaged with the very human interactions  good and bad  the characters go through.

As Jason, a flawed but interesting and authentic hero, continues to dig for answers about what happened to Karen and several other women, he begins to see her not just as a story that could get him attention in the newsroom and make his career  a step towards success in a life that hasn't exactly been littered with it  but something, someone, more real.

Similarly, THE DYING HOUR itself is something more than merely an entertaining and tension-packed thriller with plenty of twists. Compelling and captivating; highly recommended.
2996506
Easy to read and enjoyable, this is one I'd pick to take with me to the beach or on vacation. It's got enough of the chill factor to keep me near the edge of my chair without scaring me out of my wits. Recently separated from her husband and with a small daughter named Joni, Anna Graves has just returned to her successful call-in radio show after several months on maternity leave. She gets along well with her much-loved co-star, Nathan Wheeler, but less so with her new producer, Heather. But all things considered - which includes a psychologically troubled, off-putting mother and a father who committed suicide - Anna is getting it together.

That is, until it comes apart in a dramatic way. One day as she's walking on the beach with Joni, a teenage boy runs toward them with what Anna believes is clear intent to harm her and/or her daughter. Anna pulls a wicked-looking comb from her purse and, in the tussle that ensues, the boy is stabbed with it and dies. The police, and for the most part, Anna's family and friends, believe she acted in self-defense; the family and friends of the victim - who live on the "other side of the tracks" near the docks - believe otherwise.

For the most part, Anna is coping; but then, new details about the boy's death are revealed, followed by text messages she receives from someone who claims to be the "Ophelia Killer" who murdered seven boys in the town some two decades ago. That person, who seemingly was content to stop at seven, was never identified. In fact, Anna's late father, a journalist, was working on the case when he died. Could it be that he or she is back? And could Anna and her daughter be in danger? In trying to sort things out, Anna strikes up a relationship with an unlikely person - one who may or may not be on her side.

Toward the end, the action begins to heat up, as new details come to light that lead to the killer's identity (I suspected who was involved, but wasn't sure exactly how). And I never really warmed up to Anna despite all that was happening to her; some of what happened stretched the limits of my believability, and further, when heroes and heroines do things that are just plain dumb (the movie version is the scared-silly female being chased by a monster who heads not for a crowded street corner but rather into a dark alley), my sympathy factor drops to zero. All in all, though, this is a very good book - and I thank the author and publisher (via NetGalley) for providing me with an advance copy to read and review.
866141
I am so glad I read this book during the winter.  My husband was out and within the first few pages, I had grabbed myself some cocoa and huddled up for a good night's read.

Of course my husband wondered why when he got back from his trip, every light was on in the house!  I simply handed him Plain Jane and said, you'll understand why!

Fast, crisp writing.  Memorable, complex characters and bone-chilling villain.

I really couldn't ask for much more from a mystery/thriller.

The comparisons to James Patterson are not exaggerated.  I maybe even enjoyed Plain Jane more than Patterson's current fare simply because McCray's approach felt so fresh and I had no idea the wild ride she was taking me on!

So, yes.  I can whole-heartily recommend this book!
4550374
OPERATION DOWNFALL is a great read.  It is a perfect book for the winter nights that are on the way.  It makes the time
spent in the Airport, waiting for a delayed flight, go much faster.
MARIAH O'LEARY is the perfect heroine, for this book and hopefully, many more.  She is a Lawyer, Private Investigator, and, last but not least, incredibly beautiful.
Her office is a corner booth in an older, mostly empty Hollywood Restaurant.  The bartender brings her and her guests drinks, and also gets rid of unwanted intruders, for Ms. O'Leary.
In this vast story, we are involved with the President of the U.S., his mistress and possible son.  We are involved with an evil billionaire and a plot, involving Iran, to extinguish many innocent civilians, for a gigantic profit.
Mariah's law degree, military background, use of weapons and electronic devices, mated with her movie star looks......makes for an unbeatable combo.
2352141
Killer Storm is a great book to read on a cold winter night or anytime of year for that matter.  It is a real page-turner with wonderful descriptions of the Duluth area and points North, as well as the relationships between women, as well as the co-workers of probation officer Jo Spence.  You do not have to live in Northern Minnesota to appreciate this first novel from author Jen Wright.  I look forward to the next one!
2025322
Ahhh, summer reading! Perhaps these days are your only chance to read solely for pleasure. You want a novel that instantly pulls you in...a non-taxing, plot-driven page turner populated by characters you recognize and relate to.  Perhaps however, you consider yourself a "reader," not prone to choosing a book just because everyone else is reading it. Most novels placed in the Beach Read category are indeed entertaining, but you want more than mindless fun. You want substance and style AND satisfaction; you want to provoke thought not just read a story. Can a beach read, then, serve as compelling fiction?  Janna McMahan's new novel succeeds at both.

Anonymity is indeed a novel to count on if you're looking for a vacation book.  Clear descriptive prose with realistic dialogue brings its cast of interconnected characters to life. Chapters are short and tell the tale from alternating points-of-view. There's suspense, romance, trouble, and a really satisfying collection of storylines that converge in a natural, unforced manner.  No doubt it's a page turner and accessible in every way.  Yet it's even more.

McMahan's novel stays with us longer than a simple joy-read; no empty calories here. Anonymity has hidden value, offers an intellectual yield that accompanies the entertaining story.  McMahan obviously does her research--and her novel rewards the reader for such diligence.  You come away from Anonymity with a much greater understanding of a growing social problem:  teenage homelessness.  Your awareness is raised, too, to the current culture and practice of tattoo art, to teenage mental illness, as well as to the city of Austin, TX.

This fictional story provoked me to examine and modify my beliefs about several issues, and such raised awareness is what I seek. The fact that McMahan added to my knowledge so effortlessly through the words and actions of her characters compels me to praise this novel.  I enjoyed a well-crafted story while feeding my brain and heart.  Sounds like the perfect summer escape!
3517237
Hurricane Fever by Tobias S. Buckell is a very highly recommended, fast paced thriller that will leave you feeling like you have been through a hurricane of action.

Dreadlocked Prudence "Roo" Jones, a retired operative from the Caribbean Intelligence Group, is trying to live a quiet, retiring life on his catamaran, Spitfire II, while caring for his teenage nephew and watching out for hurricanes. Roo is tracking an approaching hurricane and preparing to sail to a safe harbor when he gets a message from Zee, a former colleague and friend. Zee simply says if Roo gets his message, Zee is dead and Roo needs to extract revenge. Zee's message sends Roo out on a dangerous mission where the approaching storm may not be a destructive as the people now after him. And is the woman, Kit, who claims to be Zee's sister really his sister or could she have other motives for reaching out to Roo?

Set in the Caribbean in the near future, this is a fast paced thrilled that moves with lightning speed from one action packed encounter to another. I love what Publisher's Weekly said in their review rating the climax as "one white cat shy of a Bond movie" a very apt description. This is a perfect summer read since the plot moves along so swiftly it holds your attention and there are no little niggling details to remember as you race to the dramatic climax. (And, not to spoil any plot points, but it showcases two of my favorite subjects: weather and bio-warfare.)

Buckell knows how to write an engrossing thriller in an unequivocal style: clear, concise and captivating while still managing to insert a whole lot of action and interesting plot developments.
There is violence (just like in a Bond movie) but Buckell doesn't revel in showcasing the gore or making it excessive. This is a fun, entertaining read that shouldn't disappoint readers.

Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Tom Doherty Associates via Netgalley for review purposes.
2504346
This book is the perfect combination of an intelligent writing style, a fun romance, and a solid plot. The characters are interesting and engaging and once you start, it is the sort of book you will want to keep reading until you are done. If you are headed to the beach for the day or just want to enjoy a quiet afternoon of reading, pick up a copy and enjoy.
4131492
Described as a romance,this novel is really a thriller with suspense, intrigue, tales of violent revenge  plus romantic character development. For readers familiar with Boston/Cambridge, the author's vivid descriptions of local haunts are an added bonus. Perfect  for the beach or a long flight. After you finish this book you will find yourself looking for Rebecca Scott on crowded city sidewalks.
456849
The 500 is everything you'd hope for in a fast-paced summer thriller: a gripping, tightly-plotted story that twists in one direction and then another, spinning as smoothly as the wheels on a Sargent and Greenleaf safe, and then falls into place with a satisfying click.  Well after you've closed the book -- and your breathing has returned to normal -- you'll find the street-wise, staccato narration of Michael Ford still running in your head.  The first-person delivery of this Harvard-educated son of an ex-con is filled with hilarious meta-commentary that make you feel in the presence of the ultimate dinner-party guest.  He'll also occasionally drop out of the story to fill you in on some of the fascinating details about the tools of the trade for spies and spooks.  Want to learn how to steal a late-model Audi, crack a safe from the inside, bypass the password protection on an iPhone?  Or just hear a great story from someone who does?  Then definitely put this on your list.
175957
The author submitted a copy of the book to me in exchange for a review.

The book is developed gradually, with a lot of detail to provide a sense of a complete world in the story. The characters are ones that the reader will be able to identify with and understand. They are complete personalities that presented unique traits. It almost makes you forget for a moment that you're reading a novel as you are thrust into these carefully constructed interactions.

What I always appreciate in a book is when there are unanswered questions, things that stir up the reader's thought and imagination. This is often very risky for the author as not all readers will enjoy this, but it's something that I like because it's reflective of the real world. In reality, when there are murders and mystery, questions aren't always answered. When an author can capture that and still successfully mix reality with fantasy by adding magic, impossible situations, and excitement, it's something that I really appreciate.

This book is perfect for a quiet night, preferably a cold and stormy one. While you could certainly take this to the beach with you, this is a book better enjoyed at home, curled up on the couch. Mystery lovers won't be disappointed in this book.
2128712
As a person who correctly guesses the end of most books/movies, I was thoroughly surprised when this book kept me guessing til the very last page. This book and its complex characters ensured i got nothing done until i finished it- definitely a snow day/vacation on the beach type of book that will suck you in quickly and keep you turning pages. I love how the characters are realistic, there's no Nancy-Drew-type-do-no-wrong characters here, you can almost imagine them being your neighbor or friend.
Excited to see where Brynn takes us in the upcoming books :)
3759911
Well written novel and great beach read. It's definitely a thriller though. I could not wait to finish the book and find out what would happen.
4396874
When it's winter and cold, and you're under the weather, and you want to stay indoors and then you stumble on delicious reading like "Now That You Mention It" (although I admit, I'm not sure the name does much for the book!) and Kristan Higgins, a new author for me that I'm thrilled to have discovered, and you end up reading all day and night.

This book was such comfort reading, even when it got a bit dark and scary, Higgins did an extremely good job of keeping the shadows in the background of the plot while still showing us a fair picture of the ugliness in this world. I thank her for that. I could only handle so much. The setting of our story is in Maine and funny enough, Stephen King's name is mentioned a few times as a prominent Mainer or 'Mainah' and how I wish I could stomach King's writings more but I digress.

Nora Stuart is one hell of a woman! How she developed the inner strength to take her through a life of abandonment by an adoring father, the brutality of high school, the sheer will that it takes to go to med school and survive, and then the Big Bad Event which I imagine would leave a scar in the best and bravest of us. Then as if she hadn't had quite enough "luck" in her life, she gets hit by a van, dumped by her not-so-great trophy boyfriend, and goes back to Maine to face home, where she hadn't returned in 17 years. There, you meet Nora's mom, who is cold as a rock in Alaska, and wouldn't show affection to anyone except her stupid little bird ;), and Poe, the sullen teenage niece of her trouble sister (who is spending some time in prison), oh and everyone on the island who is far less than thrilled to see the girl who "stole" a scholarship way back when (she didn't! She won it fair and square!). I can't tell you what pulled me into this story so much. Was it Nora's infinite supply of patience and decorum in the face of all the snooty remarks and ugly encounter? Was it the mystery of her father or the Big Bad Event? Or was it just exquisite writing and superb story-telling? I don't know. Maybe I looked at Nora and thought, Oh god! I have the most wonderful MOMMY in the world! I have so much love in my life that I am in awe of those who survive without it. And Nora is funny. She made me laugh and she made me cry. The scene in the closing chapters where all is revealed had me sobbing for both Nora and Sharon (the mom). The ending was perfect.

As one other reviewer said, this book is about what we make of life with the cards that we are dealt. And this message, I for one cannot hear enough, so I'm beyond grateful for Kristan Higgins' story here. Highly recommend.

Some of my favorite quotes:
"And just like that, a wound closed up. People did change. The thing about mean teenage girlsthey were never happy. There was pressure and darkness in being a Popular GirlI knew, because Id watched Lily peel away her soul in exchange for hanging with the in crowd."

"You wonder how much abuse you can take and still love someone. You wonder how long they can treat you like nothing but still want them back. You wonder how many years it will take to forget how things used to be, how long youll burn yourself with that tiny ember of hope before the deluge of their neglect drowns it."

Sometimes, I said, tracing a finger along his cheek, sometimes it takes a few years before you understand what you're worth. And whos worth your time.

"When you found the right person, there was no hiding of flaws...there was just trying to do better. There was the comfort of admitting your weaknesses and trying to get past them. The knowledge that no one needed you to be on all the time, always fun, upbeat, attentive... He only needed you to be yourself. The security in knowing someone loved simply being with you."