Beautiful Ugly

Uk thriller writer, Alice Feeney, pens another propulsive page turner that will stump even the most dedicated armchair detectives. Author Grady Green just received the best news of his life; he is finally a New York Times Bestselling author. When he calls his wife, Abby, to tell her his amazing news, things take an unexpected turn. He hears screeching tires, and his wife tells him there is a body in the road. He warns her not to leave the car and to call the police, but of course his wife doesn’t listen. Abby is never seen again, and his best day has just turned into his worst nightmare. The story picks up a year later; Grady can no longer write, he’s lost his house, his dignity, and he can barely function. When his agent offers him use of a small writing cottage on a secluded Scottish island he jumps at the chance, maybe he can get his life back on track? Once he’s on the island however, he keeps seeing unexplainable things, namely, his missing wife. Brilliantly narrated by Richard Armitage, who expertly ramps up the tension in this twisty thriller with his slick cadence and excellent pacing. Verdict - Feeney fans and thriller lovers will love this ominous mystery where nothing and no one are who they appear to be. 

Nightbitch

As a mom, I get this. I get it mostly. But I resent that this book is considered funny or humorous. It's not. It's bizarre and upsetting and uncomfortable and so much more. But it is not a laugh a minute. A mother to a toddler is convinced that she is turning into a dog. Her canines seem to be longer and sharper, she has a weird hairy patch on her neck and there appears to be a tail growing on the base of her spine. She tells her husband, but he tells her not too worry, it's all in her head. Then he goes on his merry way and is gone on work trips five nights of the week. The mother dubs herself, the nightbitch. She starts leaning in to her baser animal instincts, she has to do something to restore her sanity! She used to be an artist for crying out loud, now she is bossed about by her toddler and all she wants to do is sleep. So what if she starts nibbling raw meat, and so what if she and her boy take to howling at the moon. Bizarre, bizarre, bizarre. I get it and I don't. How on earth is this going to be a movie?!

Murder in the Dressing Room

Famed UK drag queen, playwright, and comedian, Holly Stars, can add author to her more than impressive resume. Her debut novel, Murder in the Dressing Room, introduces readers to Misty Divine, a fabulous drag queen and amateur sleuth. When Misty’s beloved mentor and boss, Lady Lady, is found poisoned to death after a performance at her nightclub; Misty takes it upon herself to track down the killer. Besides being nosey, indignant, and angry, she needs to clear her own name because it is starting to look like she is the police’s number one suspect. It also appears that the detectives are more focused on what Lady Lady was wearing (a stolen dress that once belonged to Judy Garland) rather than finding who murdered her, and that doesn’t sit right with Misty, not at all. Superbly narrated by the author herself, Holly Stars brings her years of drag queen experience to the microphone with terrific results. Her vivacious narration is spirited, witty, and a delight to listen to. Verdict: This cozy mystery promises to be the start of a fabulous new series, readers will find themselves cheering on Misty and her clumsy detecting. Filled with more than just laughs, this mystery has some good twists and some truly heartfelt moments. For fans of witty and diverse cozy mysteries. 

Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams

This teen novel in verse does a wonderful job showing the impact that music can have socially and politically. This historical novel is set in 1989 in East Germany and is one girl's call to action as she sees how corrupt the government is becoming. The stasi are watching everywhere so she is used to keeping her head down, but as peaceful protestors continue to get arrested, something in her stirs. When she meets a young man at her piano lessons she opens up her heart and her aspirations, she should be able to dream and hope, but maybe her music will help her and her country find a way. Moving and wonderfully written in verse! 

The Guncle Abroad

I am so thrilled that the Guncle lives on and I hope we get a few more books out of him. This follow up takes place five years after the first book. The kids are a little older and wiser, BUT they are up in arms. Their father is going to marry an Italian noblewoman and they are not ok with it. Patrick agrees to take the kids on a whirlwind European vacation and then escorting them to the Italian wedding. Grant and Maisie are trying their hardest to convince Patrick to intervene and stop the wedding. Their guncle wants them to learn about love and what better way then a trip through London, Venice, and the Alps?! Witty, funny, and not nearly so heartbreaking as the first one.

The Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage

Author, Asia Mackay, pens a witty, off the wall dark comedy thriller about two serial killers trying to find normalcy in parenthood. Hazel and Fox used to have it all; lavish European vacations, luxury meals, late night parties, and some light murder for pleasure. Killing bad men was exciting and fun and helped make the world a better place. When Hazel unexpectedly ends up pregnant, Fox insists they put their life of crime behind them and become normal parents. It’s much easier said than done, however. Hazel is itching to take someone out and Fox secretly joins AA and starts gambling to keep himself in check. When Hazel “accidentally” kills someone, she doesn’t want Fox to know she cheated on him and their new safe existence. But the secrets keep piling up. Why does having a baby have to complicate everything? Expertly narrated by both Georgia Tennant and Kyle Soller, who effuse wit, annoyance, and charm into the dual narrative. Georgia’s posh London accent and Kyle’s annoyed American demeanor are distinct and very on point with the characters thy are portraying. Witty, unique, and thrilling; readers will find themselves relating to parenthood struggles and repelled by the murder. For fans of Butcher & Blackbird and other dark romance. 

The Librarian Spy

Told through dual storylines, this novel of World War II will tug at reader's heartstrings. It's tragic and tearful and yet ultimately filled with so much hope. Ava is an American Librarian sent overseas to Lisbon to help gather foreign publications and catalog them for the war effort. Helene is is a Frenchwoman who is determined to help the resistance in any way that she can. Her husband has been taken by the Nazis and she is determined to do what she can for her people. The two women find themselves in different countries but their enemy is the same. They both know that words have power and though they are merely women they can help wield that power to do good. Inspiring and heartbreaking.