Category: mystery

The Curse of Eelgrass Bog

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Mary Averling

Kess Pedrock lives with her brother in a fascinating old museum filled with all sorts of natural and unnatural curiosities. With her scientist parents far away on the other side of the world conducting research, Kess has only her neglectful, somewhat abusive brother for company. Kess spends most of her time alone with her only friend being Jim (I don’t want to say who or what Jim is…but he is one of my favourite characters). Kess and Jim spend their time on the periphery of Eelgrass Bog on the hunt for unique artefacts for the museum, hoping to draw enough crowds to keep the museum afloat. One day, a young girl, Lilou, arrives, eager to use her birthday money to see all the exhibits the museum has to offer. Lilou brings with her not only the potential for friendship but also a quest to find the answers to mysteries surrounding not only the museum itself,  but also Kess’s family.

I am so excited about this book for several reasons: First of all, as a reader- what a wonderfully engaging story with a fast-paced and thrilling plot and an engaging, sympathetic young protagonist. Canadian author Mary Averlying’s writing style is beautiful and sophisticated for a middle school book. I mean, “ bats fly hither thither like tiny black comets”…come on, how wonderful is that! Secondly, I’m excited about this book as an educator. This book would make an excellent read-aloud, individual book study and/or class study. It also lends itself as a mentor text for writing! Teachers can use a plethora of paragraphs as small mentor texts to teach literary elements, syntax, and vocabulary. 

Excellent squishy parts, several moments of creepy suspense, a  relatable main character, and strong themes of identity, friendship, family, and courage make this a perfect addition to any middle school classroom.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the free copy.

The Clinic

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Cate Quinn

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that takes place almost entirely in an additional rehab clinic appropriately situated out in the boonies, of course (so that if something goes awry and, believe me, something DOES go awry), this is the book for you. 

Our main character is Meg, an interesting woman with an exciting job and an unhinged backstory. Meg is a professional poker player, and because she can “read” people, she works with law enforcement to combat cheaters and organized crime. Unfortunately, one consequence of her job is an oxycontin addiction. 

When Meg’s famous sister Haley dies at “the clinic”, everyone says it’s suicide; however, Meg knows her sister, and Haley would never kill herself. Instead, Megs believes Haley has been murdered. So, of course, Meg goes undercover to find the truth…and maybe in the battle her own addiction and defeat the demons from her past.

The Clinic is a novel filled with crazy patients and even crazier staff. Chapters alternate from Meg’s point of view to the point of view of Cara, the clinic’s administrator. I think Cara serves as the one character who presents the events of the plot from the most reliable point of view…or does she?

An engaging, intriguing read with twists and turns I didn’t see coming. An excellent, solid suspense story to add to your 2024 TBR list. 

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the Advanced Copy.

The Mystery Guest

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Nina Prose

Well, Nina Prose has done it again! If you loved her novel The Maid, you’ll love The Mystery Guest. We are back at the Regency Grand Hotel with Molly, now “Head Maid”. As Head Maid, Molly is responsible for preparing the tea room for the world-renowned, best-selling murder mystery writer J.D. Grimthorpe. As per Molly’s propensity, everything is perfect, that is until Mr Grimthorpe drops dead just as soon as he is about to make a news-shattering announcement. This time, Molly knows what to expect when a death occurs in her hotel, and she uses her acute observational skills to gather as much evidence as she can, not just because she wants to solve the case but because she doesn’t want the wrong person to get accused of the crime…like last time.
I absolutely loved being back with Molly. Nina Prose writes a good mystery rife with numerous suspects. In this novel, we also get a portion of Molly’s backstory when she was a little girl living with her Gran. Prose skillfully weaves this backstory and the present-day crime together so that I was engaged in both storylines. I also loved the plot developments that happened in the last third of the novel that lend themselves wonderfully to a third novel that I absolutely cannot wait to read!

You can pre-order The Mystery Guest which will in stores November 28th.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the free copy!

None of This is True

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Lisa Jewell

This book ruined my plans for the day. Once I started it, I could not do anything else until I was finished. It was creeeeeeeeepy!!! A perfectly paced plot that created a crazy sense of suspense. In fact, he plot immediately sucks you in, and you can’t escape until you reach the “wtf” conclusion.

The story is about Alix Summers and Josie Fair. Two women, strangers to each other, who just happen to be “birthday twins”. But having the same day of birth is the only thing these two women have in common. They meet by chance at a restaurant whilst celebrating their birthdays! Alix is a beautiful, vibrant woman with a podcast celebrating the accomplishments of women who have overcome adversity. Josie is an unassuming part-time seamstress who is in want of a life different from her own. When Josie discovers who Alix is, she approaches her with a proposition; to tell the story of her life, a life she is determined to change.

However, Josie’s life has been anything but normal. Soon Alix uncovers uncomfortable truths about this birthday twin of hers (little objects are beginning to disappear from her house, and Josie is spotted on her home’s security camera rifling through recycling). Is Josie a victim? Or is she a psychopath?

Loved this novel. Perfect if you are looking for a quick-absorbing read.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the free copy.

The Spider

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Lars Kepler

Lars Kepler scared the crap out of me over ten years ago when I first read The Hypnotist. Since then, Kepler has published several Nordic murder mystery novels with detective Joona Linna as the central investigator. In The Spider, however, our focus is on another investigator Saga Bauer who has been on leave from the department with PTSD. Saga has been receiving little figurines of people, people who have a resemblance to people she knows. The killer has sent her a note saying that she will receive 9 figures, meaning 9 deaths, and it is up to Saga to find the murderer before the subsequent killing. Upon receiving a figurine, the person it represents is murdered in an incredibly gruesome manner. Kepler writes from various viewpoints, Joona, Saga, and the victims. It is by putting us in the shoes of the victims that creates an incredible sense of dread in the reader. A fast-paced, incredibly creepy crime novel that will keep you awake at night. A perfect summer or weekend read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin House Canada for the free copy.