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shari_russell's reviews
406 reviews
The Best of Friends by Lucinda Berry
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Set in an idealistic community in California, the story begins as gunshots ring out on a perfect evening. In the aftermath you find out that one teenage boy is dead, one unconscious, and one too traumatized to speak.
The story focuses on the mothers of the 3 best friends as chapters alternate between points of view from Kendra, Sawyers mother, Lindsey, Jacobs mother, and Dani, Caleb’s mother. The mothers have been Best friends for 30 years. As they struggle to find the truth about what happened that fateful night they question how well do they really know their children. They are forced to deal with the unraveling of close friendships and marriages when years of secrets are revealed. Trust in loved ones is shattered as they each want to blame each other.
This is such a compelling plot that is dark and emotional and draws you in immediately. You are enthralled with suspense and tense filled moments and questions that aren’t resolved until the end. The focus on friendship and loss is something that everyone can relate too, which makes the story and themes especially significant.
The storytelling Is beautiful and raw and puts you in the heart of the story. With such a heartbreaking tale, it’s easy to become emotionally invested especially with such powerful and skilled writing.
The characters are believable and realistic and you see how each one handles grief and tragedy differently. Guilt exposes flaws which can give the real insight to a person. One of the characteristics that really stood out was that each one of them is in denial. They were so quick to deny what was said about their son because in their eyes their son could do no wrong. You are reminded time and again that they have the perfect life and nothing can touch that. However, the development of the characters is brilliant as you clearly see the personality change from one of privilege and confidence to someone who is broken and in some cases, mentally unstable.
I found this book to be an addictive and memorable read. It takes ahold of your emotions from the very beginning and doesn’t let go. As heart breaking as the story is, you’re too invested in finding out the truth to put it down. The truth about that night is revealed at the end and it was surprising as it was something I hadn’t considered.
The thing that really stood out to me is how intense and sometimes heartbreaking friendship can be. In a case with three best friends there are times when the 3rd friend is left out of the bond of the other 2. This came full circle in the book as it was experienced first in the friendship between the mothers, and then again between the 3 sons. I disliked most of the characters mainly due to negative traits that were apparent early on. However, I had so much empathy, especially for the women, that my initial impression quickly was put aside.
I’ve read 7 of Lucinda Berry’s novels. I have enjoyed each one so much that I rated the majority of them 5 stars, and nothing ever less than 4. I think that makes me a pretty big Lucinda Berry fan. Well, I am even more so now and if there were more stars they would all go to this big. The skill that Lucinda put in the writing of this compelling novel is definitely deserving of the highest rating of 5 stars.
My Recommendation
This book is so unforgettable for me, that my first thought is to tell every reader that they have to read this. However, the drawback is that it has quite a few trigger warnings⚠️ If you can get past the triggers and love a read that is not only suspenseful, but also emotional and thought-provoking, I highly recommend “The Best Of Friends.” And I urge you to read some of Lucinda Berry’s other books if you enjoy a good psychological thriller.
Trigger alerts⚠️
Child death, gun violence, suicide, domestic abuse- physical and mental, teen drug use and alcohol, mental illness, panic attacks/disorder, homophobia
The story focuses on the mothers of the 3 best friends as chapters alternate between points of view from Kendra, Sawyers mother, Lindsey, Jacobs mother, and Dani, Caleb’s mother. The mothers have been Best friends for 30 years. As they struggle to find the truth about what happened that fateful night they question how well do they really know their children. They are forced to deal with the unraveling of close friendships and marriages when years of secrets are revealed. Trust in loved ones is shattered as they each want to blame each other.
This is such a compelling plot that is dark and emotional and draws you in immediately. You are enthralled with suspense and tense filled moments and questions that aren’t resolved until the end. The focus on friendship and loss is something that everyone can relate too, which makes the story and themes especially significant.
The storytelling Is beautiful and raw and puts you in the heart of the story. With such a heartbreaking tale, it’s easy to become emotionally invested especially with such powerful and skilled writing.
The characters are believable and realistic and you see how each one handles grief and tragedy differently. Guilt exposes flaws which can give the real insight to a person. One of the characteristics that really stood out was that each one of them is in denial. They were so quick to deny what was said about their son because in their eyes their son could do no wrong. You are reminded time and again that they have the perfect life and nothing can touch that. However, the development of the characters is brilliant as you clearly see the personality change from one of privilege and confidence to someone who is broken and in some cases, mentally unstable.
I found this book to be an addictive and memorable read. It takes ahold of your emotions from the very beginning and doesn’t let go. As heart breaking as the story is, you’re too invested in finding out the truth to put it down. The truth about that night is revealed at the end and it was surprising as it was something I hadn’t considered.
The thing that really stood out to me is how intense and sometimes heartbreaking friendship can be. In a case with three best friends there are times when the 3rd friend is left out of the bond of the other 2. This came full circle in the book as it was experienced first in the friendship between the mothers, and then again between the 3 sons. I disliked most of the characters mainly due to negative traits that were apparent early on. However, I had so much empathy, especially for the women, that my initial impression quickly was put aside.
I’ve read 7 of Lucinda Berry’s novels. I have enjoyed each one so much that I rated the majority of them 5 stars, and nothing ever less than 4. I think that makes me a pretty big Lucinda Berry fan. Well, I am even more so now and if there were more stars they would all go to this big. The skill that Lucinda put in the writing of this compelling novel is definitely deserving of the highest rating of 5 stars.
My Recommendation
This book is so unforgettable for me, that my first thought is to tell every reader that they have to read this. However, the drawback is that it has quite a few trigger warnings⚠️ If you can get past the triggers and love a read that is not only suspenseful, but also emotional and thought-provoking, I highly recommend “The Best Of Friends.” And I urge you to read some of Lucinda Berry’s other books if you enjoy a good psychological thriller.
Trigger alerts⚠️
Child death, gun violence, suicide, domestic abuse- physical and mental, teen drug use and alcohol, mental illness, panic attacks/disorder, homophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Child death, Mental illness, Murder, and Suicide
Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
The Lies She Told by N.L. Hinkens
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An addictive tale by a must-read author. The debut thriller by Teresa Driscoll. The story weaves between two timelines starting in London in July 2015 and then jumping to one year later in July 2016. In London, the book begins with a first person account, told through the eyes of Ella, of the events leading up to Anna’s disappearance. This is where Ella Longfield crosses paths with Anna and Sarah and overhears disturbing conversation between them and two young men. It turns out the men were just released from prison and are flirting it up with the girls. Ella is concerned and wonders if she should intervene somehow, even going so far as to try to figure out how to contact the girls mother. Something stops her from getting involved only to wake up the next morning to devastating news. Anna Ballard, the green eyed beauty from the train has disappeared.
One year later Anna is still missing with no clues or suspects. Ella has never forgiven herself for not stepping in that day and blames herself for the disappearance. She has also had a lot of harsh and negative reaction from the entire community when it was leaked that she was the witness on the train. Now she’s getting threatening notes and feels strongly that someone is watching her. Is this related to Anna’s disappearance? She is so frightened that she hires a private investigator to look into it. The one year anniversary appeal brings the unsolved case back to the forefront of the community and the police. Secrets and lies are uncovered that were missed in the original investigation , which reveals that Anna’s friends and family could be involved. Each chapter is better than the last with twists and turns that only confuse and heighten the suspense. With most of the characters feeling guilty about something that points to the night Anna went missing, it’s a guessing game of what really happened. When the pieces start to fall into place, and the suspect is identified, it’s absolutely mind-blowing how they were able to figure it out. It never once entered my mind that the person responsible could have done it. The end of the book goes back one more time to that fateful night and the events that unfold are shocking and unbelievable. Just what every suspense thriller ought to be.
There are four characters that alternate points of view. Ella is the main character identified as the Witness with a believable 1st person narrative. The other 3 points of view come from the Father, Henry Ballard, who is Anna’s father, the Friend, which is Sarah, Anna’s best friend, and the Private Investigator, Matthew Hill, who plays a key role. Their accounts are told in 3rd person through their eyes. There is one final 1st person point of view from an unknown character that says creepy, scary comments about watching someone.
The characters are well-crafted and realistic but some of them come off as unreliable narrators once you find out that they lied to the police. I found Ella’s character very likable and wanting to do the right thing. Even though Sarah was not upfront with police at first, I still felt sympathetic towards her. Her character grows throughout the story as does her relationship with her sister, Lily.
Most of the plot is built around the different aspects that are happening in the different relationships and family dynamics. You’ve got Anna’s family that have been mourning her loss for a year. Her mother has lost any life that she once had inside. Her husband Henry feels nothing but guilt about something that isn’t revealed until later. Even her sister Jenny is suffering from regret for not going to London with her sister like originally planned.
There are also cracks in Sarah’s relationships with her mom and dad and she knows they are lying about why her sister took off and never came back home. Sarah finds Lily and they end up having a bittersweet reunion joining together to overcome the past childhood trauma they both suffered.
Ella is also dealing with problems on the home front revolving around her son. She had been so focused on her part in relation to Anna, and now worrying about the letters, that she had not been giving her son her full attention. They have some tragedy happen in their lives too but Ella is finally able to get back on track with her son.
This is what the author said in the notes at the end of the book. “I knew that I wanted to shine a light not just on Anna’s family but on Ella’s, too.” She did an excellent job in portraying the complex nature of both families with equal attention given to Anna’s disappearance.
The numerous points of view and so much going on in these characters lives only add to the energy and suspense. Each chapter introduces new information with twists and turns that get you so engaged that you are hooked until the end.
The conclusion was so unexpected and shocking and reminded me why this author is on my must-read list.
I am giving this a 5 star rating because it grabbed my attention and didn’t let go until the explosive conclusion. I recommend it to serious psychological and domestic thriller fans that enjoy a fast-paced suspenseful plot and a shocking twist you don’t see coming.
One year later Anna is still missing with no clues or suspects. Ella has never forgiven herself for not stepping in that day and blames herself for the disappearance. She has also had a lot of harsh and negative reaction from the entire community when it was leaked that she was the witness on the train. Now she’s getting threatening notes and feels strongly that someone is watching her. Is this related to Anna’s disappearance? She is so frightened that she hires a private investigator to look into it. The one year anniversary appeal brings the unsolved case back to the forefront of the community and the police. Secrets and lies are uncovered that were missed in the original investigation , which reveals that Anna’s friends and family could be involved. Each chapter is better than the last with twists and turns that only confuse and heighten the suspense. With most of the characters feeling guilty about something that points to the night Anna went missing, it’s a guessing game of what really happened. When the pieces start to fall into place, and the suspect is identified, it’s absolutely mind-blowing how they were able to figure it out. It never once entered my mind that the person responsible could have done it. The end of the book goes back one more time to that fateful night and the events that unfold are shocking and unbelievable. Just what every suspense thriller ought to be.
There are four characters that alternate points of view. Ella is the main character identified as the Witness with a believable 1st person narrative. The other 3 points of view come from the Father, Henry Ballard, who is Anna’s father, the Friend, which is Sarah, Anna’s best friend, and the Private Investigator, Matthew Hill, who plays a key role. Their accounts are told in 3rd person through their eyes. There is one final 1st person point of view from an unknown character that says creepy, scary comments about watching someone.
The characters are well-crafted and realistic but some of them come off as unreliable narrators once you find out that they lied to the police. I found Ella’s character very likable and wanting to do the right thing. Even though Sarah was not upfront with police at first, I still felt sympathetic towards her. Her character grows throughout the story as does her relationship with her sister, Lily.
Most of the plot is built around the different aspects that are happening in the different relationships and family dynamics. You’ve got Anna’s family that have been mourning her loss for a year. Her mother has lost any life that she once had inside. Her husband Henry feels nothing but guilt about something that isn’t revealed until later. Even her sister Jenny is suffering from regret for not going to London with her sister like originally planned.
There are also cracks in Sarah’s relationships with her mom and dad and she knows they are lying about why her sister took off and never came back home. Sarah finds Lily and they end up having a bittersweet reunion joining together to overcome the past childhood trauma they both suffered.
Ella is also dealing with problems on the home front revolving around her son. She had been so focused on her part in relation to Anna, and now worrying about the letters, that she had not been giving her son her full attention. They have some tragedy happen in their lives too but Ella is finally able to get back on track with her son.
This is what the author said in the notes at the end of the book. “I knew that I wanted to shine a light not just on Anna’s family but on Ella’s, too.” She did an excellent job in portraying the complex nature of both families with equal attention given to Anna’s disappearance.
The numerous points of view and so much going on in these characters lives only add to the energy and suspense. Each chapter introduces new information with twists and turns that get you so engaged that you are hooked until the end.
The conclusion was so unexpected and shocking and reminded me why this author is on my must-read list.
I am giving this a 5 star rating because it grabbed my attention and didn’t let go until the explosive conclusion. I recommend it to serious psychological and domestic thriller fans that enjoy a fast-paced suspenseful plot and a shocking twist you don’t see coming.
After Dark by Minka Kent
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Everything she knows to be real is just a figment of her imagination and her life is unraveling fast. Who can she trust?
This story unfolds in Shelter Rock, an isolated Midwestern hamlet where everyone knows everyone else’s business while also being obsessed with their high school football team
There are two points of view between Afton Teachout and Sydney Carson in first person narrative. Other characters are Cynthia, Sydney’s mom and Drew, Sydney’s high school sweetheart now husband. They have 3 boys. She runs a Spa and he has his own business. Sydney also works as a nurse some nights because they need the money.
We see two timelines alternating between present day and their memories of 2003. Afton was 17 and was on trial for killing her mom’s boyfriend, who just happened to be Sydney’s dad, Rick Carson, Shelter Rock High School football coach, and Cynthia’s husband. Afton always claimed her innocence, but the entire town treated her like a pariah then and still to this day. Cynthia and Sydney always believed in her innocence.
Present Day and things aren’t so good for either one of them .Afton is on a large regimen of pills for her mental health and Sydney and her cheating husband are close to filing bankruptcy. Afton knows she’s innocent of Rick Carson’s murder 20 years ago, but can not remember anything that happened that night. Now, she is having blackouts, hallucinations, and paranoia. Everything that she knows to be real is just a figment of her imagination and her life is unraveling fast. The development of the two characters, Afton and Sydney, is a big focus in the story. They go from being best friends as teenagers to a rather strange and complicated relationship that adds to the mystery of what happened. I liked Afton and felt like she was trustworthy and too kindhearted to have killed someone. I had mixed feelings about Sydney, but as things transpired, my feelings about them changed.
I have read every thriller that Minka Kent has written and she is always a “must read” for me. In “After Dark” she has written a riveting, fast-paced psychological thriller with perfect timing and pacing to draw you in and keep you engaged with the characters and the storyline. There are a few different twists and surprises throughout the book that keep you intrigued but I definitely was not prepared for the final reveal.
Overall, I can only say good things about this book. It gave me everything I love in a suspense thriller from the easy, fast-paced storyline, to the intriguing plot and unexpected twists. I’m giving After Dark a well-deserved rating of 5 stars. I recommend this book and Minka’s other thrillers to serious psychological thriller fans that like a fast-paced, suspenseful, and well-written story.
This story unfolds in Shelter Rock, an isolated Midwestern hamlet where everyone knows everyone else’s business while also being obsessed with their high school football team
There are two points of view between Afton Teachout and Sydney Carson in first person narrative. Other characters are Cynthia, Sydney’s mom and Drew, Sydney’s high school sweetheart now husband. They have 3 boys. She runs a Spa and he has his own business. Sydney also works as a nurse some nights because they need the money.
We see two timelines alternating between present day and their memories of 2003. Afton was 17 and was on trial for killing her mom’s boyfriend, who just happened to be Sydney’s dad, Rick Carson, Shelter Rock High School football coach, and Cynthia’s husband. Afton always claimed her innocence, but the entire town treated her like a pariah then and still to this day. Cynthia and Sydney always believed in her innocence.
Present Day and things aren’t so good for either one of them .Afton is on a large regimen of pills for her mental health and Sydney and her cheating husband are close to filing bankruptcy. Afton knows she’s innocent of Rick Carson’s murder 20 years ago, but can not remember anything that happened that night. Now, she is having blackouts, hallucinations, and paranoia. Everything that she knows to be real is just a figment of her imagination and her life is unraveling fast. The development of the two characters, Afton and Sydney, is a big focus in the story. They go from being best friends as teenagers to a rather strange and complicated relationship that adds to the mystery of what happened. I liked Afton and felt like she was trustworthy and too kindhearted to have killed someone. I had mixed feelings about Sydney, but as things transpired, my feelings about them changed.
I have read every thriller that Minka Kent has written and she is always a “must read” for me. In “After Dark” she has written a riveting, fast-paced psychological thriller with perfect timing and pacing to draw you in and keep you engaged with the characters and the storyline. There are a few different twists and surprises throughout the book that keep you intrigued but I definitely was not prepared for the final reveal.
Overall, I can only say good things about this book. It gave me everything I love in a suspense thriller from the easy, fast-paced storyline, to the intriguing plot and unexpected twists. I’m giving After Dark a well-deserved rating of 5 stars. I recommend this book and Minka’s other thrillers to serious psychological thriller fans that like a fast-paced, suspenseful, and well-written story.
The Stepmother by Sally Rigby
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Another gripping, well-written page-turner from the writing duo of Sally Rigby and Amanda Ashby. It kept me engrossed in the story from cover to cover with an unexpected twist that made for the perfect ending.
Libby Curtis is the stepmother, who loves her husband and children like they were her own. Nathan married Libby 10 years ago when the twins were 7 and their natural mother died in childbirth. They are 17 now. The book starts with Libby, who is a paramedic, attending a call of an injured female in a drug induced stupor. Her partner Jonathan notices that Libby is not looking well and kind of stumbling. He is worried, but the issue is that Libby recognizes the girl as Hayley, a friend of her daughter, Sienna. Hayley is a mess and confused but says she had been locked up but she escaped. Things only get worse when Libby discovers some unsettling information that seem to point to her children being involved in whatever happened to Hayley. Sam is being secretive and Libby finds evidence in his car that makes her suspect him of something to do with Hayley, but what exactly? Sienna is going through a goth phase, dressing in all black, and staying in her room alone not hanging out with friends. She is being insolent and very disrespectful to Libby and has her own secrets. We can’t forget about Nathan’s frail, elderly mom. She seems too sweet and endearing What’s really going on? What is she hiding? The trouble that happened with Hayley created a snowball effect. Their lives are going to change when secrets from the past start to unravel. It starts when an unknown blogger comes to Bournemouth and approaches Libby with startling accusations about her family’s past. Gemma, the blogger, seems a little bit quirky but in a good way. She has a blog dedicated to Colin Wallace, a killer suspected of killing missing boys years ago. She is determined to uncover the mystery of her brother’s kidnapping from back then and something about Hayley’s abduction reminds her of the murder that Colin was convicted of. She does some digging and the clues lead her to Libby and Nathan in Bournemouth. Once Gemma puts herself in the middle of it all, the story takes a drastic turn, and everything you thought you had figured out goes in another direction.
This is a psychological/domestic thriller that explores themes of how far a mother would go to protect her children, even if they aren’t her own. It also provides insight into complicated family relationships when deception and lies creep in.
The characters are believable and well-rounded with unique personalities that keep the story fresh and exciting. The more you get to know them you realize that you don’t know who you can trust because everyone has some kind of secret or hidden agenda.
The writer’s voice Is captivating and realistic. The prose is lyrical, powerful, and flows effortlessly.
A thrilling and suspenseful plot paired with well-paced twists and turns made this book a delightful read. It was a mystery clear to the end when everything came together in an explosive conclusion.
Throughout the entire story, we are reminded that Libby will always protect her family. It makes me question how far would I go to protect my family? Does that include illegal activities or even worse, killing someone? Very thought-provoking.
Recommendation
Sally Rigby and Amanda Ashby have given us a psychological thriller that is written with precision and detailed observations. Like the last book of theirs that I read, it has everything that I want in a psychological thriller. I highly recommend not only this book, but all of the books that this power duo have written together. They are on my must-read list. I applaud Sally and Amanda for their talent of grabbing a readers attention and keeping it with perfectly written stories. I give The Stepmother a Goodreads rating 4 and a job well done
Libby Curtis is the stepmother, who loves her husband and children like they were her own. Nathan married Libby 10 years ago when the twins were 7 and their natural mother died in childbirth. They are 17 now. The book starts with Libby, who is a paramedic, attending a call of an injured female in a drug induced stupor. Her partner Jonathan notices that Libby is not looking well and kind of stumbling. He is worried, but the issue is that Libby recognizes the girl as Hayley, a friend of her daughter, Sienna. Hayley is a mess and confused but says she had been locked up but she escaped. Things only get worse when Libby discovers some unsettling information that seem to point to her children being involved in whatever happened to Hayley. Sam is being secretive and Libby finds evidence in his car that makes her suspect him of something to do with Hayley, but what exactly? Sienna is going through a goth phase, dressing in all black, and staying in her room alone not hanging out with friends. She is being insolent and very disrespectful to Libby and has her own secrets. We can’t forget about Nathan’s frail, elderly mom. She seems too sweet and endearing What’s really going on? What is she hiding? The trouble that happened with Hayley created a snowball effect. Their lives are going to change when secrets from the past start to unravel. It starts when an unknown blogger comes to Bournemouth and approaches Libby with startling accusations about her family’s past. Gemma, the blogger, seems a little bit quirky but in a good way. She has a blog dedicated to Colin Wallace, a killer suspected of killing missing boys years ago. She is determined to uncover the mystery of her brother’s kidnapping from back then and something about Hayley’s abduction reminds her of the murder that Colin was convicted of. She does some digging and the clues lead her to Libby and Nathan in Bournemouth. Once Gemma puts herself in the middle of it all, the story takes a drastic turn, and everything you thought you had figured out goes in another direction.
This is a psychological/domestic thriller that explores themes of how far a mother would go to protect her children, even if they aren’t her own. It also provides insight into complicated family relationships when deception and lies creep in.
The characters are believable and well-rounded with unique personalities that keep the story fresh and exciting. The more you get to know them you realize that you don’t know who you can trust because everyone has some kind of secret or hidden agenda.
The writer’s voice Is captivating and realistic. The prose is lyrical, powerful, and flows effortlessly.
A thrilling and suspenseful plot paired with well-paced twists and turns made this book a delightful read. It was a mystery clear to the end when everything came together in an explosive conclusion.
Throughout the entire story, we are reminded that Libby will always protect her family. It makes me question how far would I go to protect my family? Does that include illegal activities or even worse, killing someone? Very thought-provoking.
Recommendation
Sally Rigby and Amanda Ashby have given us a psychological thriller that is written with precision and detailed observations. Like the last book of theirs that I read, it has everything that I want in a psychological thriller. I highly recommend not only this book, but all of the books that this power duo have written together. They are on my must-read list. I applaud Sally and Amanda for their talent of grabbing a readers attention and keeping it with perfectly written stories. I give The Stepmother a Goodreads rating 4 and a job well done
We All Keep Secrets by Sheryl Browne, Sheryl Browne
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
“We All Keep Secrets” by Sheryl Browne is a dark journey into the world of secrets, relationships, and the twists life throws at us. Sheryl Browne, the creative mind behind this engaging tale, has once again proven herself as a must-read author for me.
Sheryl Browne’s writing style is like a breeze – easy, accessible, and incredibly engaging. The narrative effortlessly pulls you in, making it a page-turner from start to finish. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down. There are hidden secrets and dark undertones with a compelling twist at the end. Browne’s ability to tell a suspenseful story that keeps you on the edge of your seat with the exploration of deeper emotions makes it a perfect escape for any reader.
The story flows seamlessly, and the well-timed revelations maintain a sense of anticipation. The pacing ensures that the book is not only entertaining but also allows for a deeper connection with the characters who tell this story through multiple points of view.
I enthusiastically give “We All Keep Secrets” by Sheryl Browne a solid 4 stars. For fans of gripping domestic thrillers, Sheryl Browne’s latest release lives up to expectations, and her consistent ability to craft engaging narratives makes her a go-to author for those seeking a perfect blend of entertainment and emotion. Don’t miss out on this delightful journey into the world of secrets and shattered relationships.
Sheryl Browne’s writing style is like a breeze – easy, accessible, and incredibly engaging. The narrative effortlessly pulls you in, making it a page-turner from start to finish. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down. There are hidden secrets and dark undertones with a compelling twist at the end. Browne’s ability to tell a suspenseful story that keeps you on the edge of your seat with the exploration of deeper emotions makes it a perfect escape for any reader.
The story flows seamlessly, and the well-timed revelations maintain a sense of anticipation. The pacing ensures that the book is not only entertaining but also allows for a deeper connection with the characters who tell this story through multiple points of view.
I enthusiastically give “We All Keep Secrets” by Sheryl Browne a solid 4 stars. For fans of gripping domestic thrillers, Sheryl Browne’s latest release lives up to expectations, and her consistent ability to craft engaging narratives makes her a go-to author for those seeking a perfect blend of entertainment and emotion. Don’t miss out on this delightful journey into the world of secrets and shattered relationships.
The Ex-Wife by Sally Rigby
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Ex–Wife is a gripping psychological and domestic thriller. The tension and family dynamic issues reel you in on page one and it’s a fast page-turner all the way to the end.
There are quite a few different characters that are key to the developing plot. There were secrets and hidden pasts attached to each of them. I wanted to like Alice, the ex-wife, but she made some bad choices that led to her being the main suspect and arrested for Norah’s murder. Her secrets from the past gave her the motive to need Norah out of the picture. At the same time I felt sorry for her and wanted to believe in her innocence. I was very impressed with the main detective on the case, DI Belinda Day. She was actually my favorite character and is the reason that justice prevailed in the end and the actual killer was caught. I also had a soft spot for Cassie, the teenage daughter of Alice and Mark Hargraves. Even though she had a typical teen attitude and built up angst, it was understandable with the family drama that she was dealing with. The story impacted me in a way where I felt the tension and suspense and was able to imagine what the characters were feeling, good and bad.
Marriage and divorce, family, innocence lost, betrayal, and revenge are some themes explored in this compelling read. Even with so much going on and the number of characters, the writing was very clear and concise and easy to follow.
The Ex-Wife is a fast-paced page-turner filled with secrets and lies, past mistakes, and guilt. The pacing was perfect for the storyline, creating intrigue at the beginning and consistently throwing in new twists and turns to keep the momentum. With so many twists when you least expect them, it becomes an addictive read that you can’t put down.
In my opinion, the writing is phenomenal. I say that because it kept my attention from page one until the end. There was no confusion or vagueness, and I connected with the story and the characters on every page. What I really liked was that I was surprised at every twist and turn because I figured it out wrong every time. The best part was the anticipation of getting all the questions answered with a shocking ending that I never saw coming.
I am giving The Ex-Wife a perfect 5 rating on Goodreads. I can’t say enough good things about this book and the phenomenal writing duo of Sally Rigby and Amanda Ashby. It is everything I look for in a suspense thriller. I highly recommend this “must read “ to readers and fans of psychological and domestic thrillers, mystery, and suspense.
There are quite a few different characters that are key to the developing plot. There were secrets and hidden pasts attached to each of them. I wanted to like Alice, the ex-wife, but she made some bad choices that led to her being the main suspect and arrested for Norah’s murder. Her secrets from the past gave her the motive to need Norah out of the picture. At the same time I felt sorry for her and wanted to believe in her innocence. I was very impressed with the main detective on the case, DI Belinda Day. She was actually my favorite character and is the reason that justice prevailed in the end and the actual killer was caught. I also had a soft spot for Cassie, the teenage daughter of Alice and Mark Hargraves. Even though she had a typical teen attitude and built up angst, it was understandable with the family drama that she was dealing with. The story impacted me in a way where I felt the tension and suspense and was able to imagine what the characters were feeling, good and bad.
Marriage and divorce, family, innocence lost, betrayal, and revenge are some themes explored in this compelling read. Even with so much going on and the number of characters, the writing was very clear and concise and easy to follow.
The Ex-Wife is a fast-paced page-turner filled with secrets and lies, past mistakes, and guilt. The pacing was perfect for the storyline, creating intrigue at the beginning and consistently throwing in new twists and turns to keep the momentum. With so many twists when you least expect them, it becomes an addictive read that you can’t put down.
In my opinion, the writing is phenomenal. I say that because it kept my attention from page one until the end. There was no confusion or vagueness, and I connected with the story and the characters on every page. What I really liked was that I was surprised at every twist and turn because I figured it out wrong every time. The best part was the anticipation of getting all the questions answered with a shocking ending that I never saw coming.
I am giving The Ex-Wife a perfect 5 rating on Goodreads. I can’t say enough good things about this book and the phenomenal writing duo of Sally Rigby and Amanda Ashby. It is everything I look for in a suspense thriller. I highly recommend this “must read “ to readers and fans of psychological and domestic thrillers, mystery, and suspense.