ChaosHappinessBookMama

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'm hoping with this newly edited series a third book will be announced!  Olivia, an exchange student from London, is brutally murdered in Brianna's bed. During Brianna's amazing Halloween party.   Brianna does yoga in the hallway after giving her statement.  Her boyfriend, Drew, watched TV while Brianna determined Olivia was dead. Not the classic responses.   Hayley and Taylor attempt to use their gifts,  hoping Olivia will send them a clue. What they are the events leading up to the tragic bus accident killing their friends.   Which mystery is most important to solve?  Great suspense.  I love these characters. The transitions are enjoyable, helps move the story forward.  Photo courtesy of Goodreads 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Twins have the ability to sense memories using water, objects,  dreams and other mediums. They know Katelyn didn't kill herself.  Using their skill,  they delve deeper, trying to solve their sad friend's death.  Katelyn dies in the bathtub- electrocuted when the family espresso machine falls in. Her death is ruled accidental.  Though no one can ignore the scares from cutting, the lingering depression,  isolation.   Taylor and Hayley are determined to find out what really happened.   Photo courtesy of Goodreads 

Ms. Austen would be thrilled with this modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility.   So many quotes to love! An absolutely well needed story of women,  strong women, determined to their lives without shame. Senator Gregory Richardson died from a massive heart attack.  Months later his family holds his funeral - a must attend for those in DC. In the middle of the eulogy,  a news release reports Gregory did not doe alone at the family lake cottage. His mistress has stepped forward.  Daisy and her family return to their home - where her best friend, Atlas, gives them much needed support. Wallis,  Daisy's sister, and Cricket, her mother, revel in his attention.  While Daisy yet again attempts to squash her love for Atlas.  Then the truth is revealed - Gregory stole funds to keep up their lifestyle.   Daisy struggles with her identity- she is her father's daughter after all.   Unrequited love. Whirlwind romance.  Coping wit...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thursday is wife number two of three. Wife one is Regina, third Hannah. They live in Portland,  Thursday Seattle. Seth spends time with each, working his way around.  Curiosity. Thursday just can't help but look up Hannah's information when she finds a medical bill receipt.  After scouring the internet, Thursday drives to Portland.  And so it begins. Obsession.  Violence.  What is really going on with Seth and his three wives?  It was a guilty pleasure - I loved Thursday digging up dirt, chasing down information,  working her husband for details.  Somewhat predictable but enjoyable.  

⭐⭐ I have not read the previous books in this series. Though I was able to understand backstory, I feel it hindered my enjoyment. However,  if I had read the previous books, the amount of time and detail for the backstory would have irritated me.  Casey and Dalton are checking on friends - a bonfire on a warm spring night in the Yukon. A woman stumbles out of the bushes, in shock.  She has a serious abdominal wound, shrieking in a foreign tongue.  Casey and Dalton search and find her camp - with two other bodies.   Was it hostiles? A small community of settlers who often partake in a hallucinogenic tea.  Casey and Dalton search for additional evidence while questioning the real creation of the hostiles. What is Rocton's governing council hiding?  Slow and little excitement. 

⭐⭐⭐ Nice intro to a cozy mystery series.  Odessa is apartment sitting for her aunt - she has a super cute cat, Rufus, who requires livein care.  After a few weeks, Odessa lands a waitress job at a local cafe specializing in craft bear, a lazy senior dog,  hypster menu and eclectic staff. Bethany leaves mid shift to visit a local park - emergency situation.  While watching the YouTube video of a flash mob proposal,  Odessa catches a glimpse of the cafe's neon green uniform shirt. Running to the park,  she discovers it is Bethany- on a gurney,  in a body bag.  No one else but Osessa thinks murder.   Odessa delves into Bethany's life to prove foul play. She also gains a roommate- Izzy, who helps Odessa become more outgoing.  A steamy detective, clumsy Odessa searching through a dumpster, Izzy and her vegan recipes - book with humor and heart. 

⭐ DNF at 52%.  I really wanted to finish this book - I was intrigued by the murder of Elise. There just wasn't enough to interest me enough to finish it.  A young woman is found on a bench - posed as sleeping,  wrapped in a blanket.  Mahler has been haunted for years by a series of related murders - not enough evidence to prove the suspect was even at site let alone a conviction.   Somers is a new hire - from the FBI BAU.  Elise has been dating a rich older man for a few months- her roommate barely knows Elise. Her previous roommate has some information to share. Suffering from bipolar,  Elise was all over the place - drugs, men, alcohol.   I appreciated Mahler as a realistic character.  Suffering from migraines,  haunted by a victim,  losing his patience at work and yelling at his staff - all relatable. Somers broke a cold case - finding a detail overlooked. Now she's haunted and terrified the killer will come for her - S...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great start to a new series.  Frankie travels from town to town - after researching missing persons.  She helps solve cold cases, as a civilian and volunteer.  The police, communities and even families aren't willingnto work with her. Angelique brings Frankie to Boston,  a Haitian immigrant who moved with her brother. She's been missing for almost a year - no new leads, little activity.  After speaking with friends and family,  Frankie uncovers a new friendship,  Livia. She may the real target.  At risk teens,  gangs, immigrants with temporary visas - pulled at my heart.  Fast paced with a surprise twist- great read. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book was like driving past a car crash - you know something went very wrong but you have to know.   Julia left her previous job at a hospital after reporting a male colleague's dangerous and unethical practices.  After the trial forcing the hospital to reinstate her, Julia quits.  She takes a surgical position thus sharing an office with three men - Tan, Hamish and Nathan. Julia hopes this will be a new start - new school for her children, new jobs for her and her husband.  Until Nathan begins his pursuit.   Chilling.  Fast paced,  messed up lives and people. Ridiculously realistic. Slow at times but I had to know.   This book does an amazing job focusing on women in a male dominated world.  Patients at their Dr's mercy. Staff abuse. Women's repercussions for reporting men in powerful positions.  Well done.

⭐⭐ Predictable.   I truly appreciate the attention this book brings to at risk youth - those who runaway, homeless,  victims of abuse, all of them. This group deserves our attention,  compassion and protection. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoyable, hilarious and tragic. What a book!  Felix is an Exiteer - a small group of people who help those in pain and suffering terminal illnesses die with little pain and dignity.  He has no issues until Mr Cann and his new partner, Amanda. They flee the house after Skipper Cann informs them the wrong man is dead. Felix and Amanda killed Albert Cann.   Felix returns to the scene of the crime to find their housekeeper watching tv. Hayley sobs she is pregnant and tired. So Felix helps her tidy up. Afterwards he repairs the fence he broke to escape.   Calvin Bridges helps the police investigation- tracking down witnesses, CCTV and interviewing the coordinator of Exiteer.  One lead turns into another as the characters bumble through life- theft of a tulip, a maniacal vending machine, nosey neighbors and horse betting.  Dark humor keeps this book lively through some serious depressing reality - dying alone,  after your friends and loved o...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ten years ago, Nina disappeared after a vicious argument with her husband. Aarav remembers hearing her scream. And the front door closing.  Twice.  His mother's remains are found in her Jaguar - a tomb in the bush. Still healing from a recent car accident- Aarav has a broken leg and a hard hit on his house.  Living with his dad to aid his recovery,  Aarav becomes obsessed with solving his mother's murder. Vague memories emerge,  Aarav begins to question the events of that night. Wealthy families live in the Cul-de-sac. What are they hiding? Gambling issues. Infidelity.  Domestic violence.   This plot is a slow build.  Amazingly lyrical descriptions of the New Zealand bush - plants taking over, lush foliage,  black beaches. Neighborhoods and their dark secrets. Traditional family roles. This is a very complex look at those we trust and love. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have a book hangover.  Wow.  I haven't read the previous books on this series- the author did a great job giving backstory without slowing the book.  Chloe is at a Boston festival with her nannie, Mimi. She goes to get an ice cream - and is gone.   FBI agent Reed and BCP Detective Ellery happen to be at the same festival- Ellery quickly gets BCP on it with a description.  Then she finds Chloe's abandoned cell phone.  The parents do all they can to help- but with their busy professions, Mimi is the main caregiver.  Martin may be having an affair.  Teresa's first child, Trevor, had been murdered - still unsolved.  Ellery and Reed struggle with their own relationship as Ellery and her partner Dorie sift through leads. Ellery is the only surviving victim of Coben - a serial killer who snatched Ellery on her 14th birthday.  Reed saved her - forging a massive connection.  Great plot. Fast paced. Intense suspense.  And th...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great twists,  shocking ending!  The tragic death of eight year old Kelly Doherty is about to reach the 25th anniversary.  Ingrid and her classmates carry the affects every day.  1994 in Derry, Ireland a young girl goes missing Halloween night. Children no longer allowed to play in the neighborhood,  free to roam - parents strictly telling their kids to come home right after school.   Twins Declan and Niall are restless - they head into the woods to their fort to let go of some energy.  They trail the reservoir- and stumble upon Kelly's body.   The 25th anniversary is looming - journalist Ingrid wants to write a story, about her neighbor Kelly, her parents. Her editor insists she keep it short- but Ingrid wants to talk to convicted killer, Jamesy, who is still crying his innocence.   As Ingrid attempts to write her story,  she becomes a target- her car window smashed, her apartment broken into.  What really happe...

⭐⭐⭐.5 A group of friends come together 10 years after Saskia disappearance, recently  legally declared legally dead. Milla was sent an email from Curtis - Saskia's brother. They had flirted but Milla ended up with Brent.  Brent, Heather and Dale join Milla and Curtis for a reunion weekend - at the ski lodge where their friendships formed. And the last sighting of Saskia.  The narrative is both present- as well as 10 years ago.  They were young, competitive snowboarding.  The world of sponsorships, accidents,  harsh falls and hope to nail the perfect ride.   The Ice Breaker reveals dark secrets - who is lying? Who was the last to Saskia?  Great plot, moved along smoothly and some good twists at the end. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 Whoa. This book has it all. Creative horror.  Perfect length - grabs you, keeps you, freaks you out, the epilogue - Firelight Inncin the Colorado Rockies -- chills. Done.  Now I'm looking around my house for what can get me.  A hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands has recently opened and is hosting a classic Scottish Highland Christmas for their guests. Alan dies first- choking on a quail bone.  But he hadn't eaten his quail.  Andrew recently graduated from police training and requests an assignment in the Highlands. He receives the call as an epic snow storm is about to start.  Andrew, the guests and lodge owners are all stuck until the weather clears.  The animals start getting restless. And by animals - I mean the taxidermy animals, the kill trophies decorating the lodge.  I had with Elena, the young woman who assisted the owners.  Yeah.  Great story. Great suspense and horror.  

⭐ DNF at 15%. Fawn is harsh and pompous. A bookstore opens near Fawn's store - though she is presenting an unconcerned front.  The narrative told by email exchanges, reivews written by customers and Fawn elaborating as needed.  I just couldn't get past Fawn and her unlikable character to care about the story.

⭐⭐⭐ Creepy.  Eleanor returns to work after leave to recover from kidnapping and torture at the hands of a killer. Whitefoot, her partner, requested a transfer - he found her, unable to cope with his guilt.  A man found a well preserved corpse in the landfill and brought her to his home on the outskirts.  Eleanor and Whitefoot are assigned the case.   Toby has worked for ROM, a Toronto museum,  for decades. Over the past few years, he has been slipping newly acquired pieces to his home. He also preserves women of a certain type afternoon killing them.   Told from Toby and Eleanor's perspectives,  this plot is a slow build. I was very interested in the characters, held my attention but felt too long. Details were slow. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ A heart wrenching family history.   Present Day - Harper has dreamed of owning a dress shop since she was a little girl taught to sew by Mrs Millie. About to graduate from design school, her senior project is rejected by her advisor.  Lost without her dream, Harper returns to Mrs. Millie. Mrs Millie convinces Harper to take her to Charleston to fulfill her own dream decades old- owning a dress shop.  After WWII, many families struggled to fin work. One family struggles with finding peace as a biracial family. Millie is sent from home by her mothet as a teenager,  passing as white to fulfill her dream of owning a dress shop.  Emotional.  Amazing family history. Loved the perspectives of both time periods. Loved the characters- especially Millie. Oh to have such a love,  such strength.   Great story. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thrilling Rollercoaster.  Fergus thinks Angela is his angel, his perfect wife. When her husband takes their kids camping,  Fergus makes his move. But Angela dies.  Weeks later, he tries again with Elspeth.  Connie is brought to assist Detective Inspector Gaard of Scotland Police with the kidnapping of Elsbeth,  daughter in law of a wealthy man. Connie uses her forensic psychology background to compile a profile  - visiting the abduction scene, past events. And then a 12 year old is kidnapped from her school's parking lot.   Meggy sparks Elsbeth's drive to survive - together trying fo find a way to escape. Then Fergus falls down the stairs - he's convinced he's dying. And that's 25% in the book.  What a chilling tale. Told from various perspectives- Connie,  Elsbeth and Fergus, gives the plot an insight into all the key characters.   I loved these characters- the humanity,  humor, tragedy.  Highly recommend....

⭐⭐⭐ A young child is killed on her school's playground surrounded by children and two adult monitors.  How does that happen? Jo returns a day early from her short leave of absence- dealing with her past loves and their sudden, violent deaths as well as a miscarriage.   Jo and her partner,  Arnett are at a total loss - after scouring video tape, key card access, albis, etc, they have nothing.  Just three close women- Karen, Gia, and Molly. Jo just needs to figure out who is lying and why.   Great suspense.  Little long but moved quickly.