🟣 :::READING THREAD::: Week of June 16

I read The Devil and Mrs. Davenport by Paulette Kennedy 3.5 stars.


The first day of autumn brought the fever, and with the fever came the voices.

Missouri, 1955. Loretta Davenport has led an isolated life as a young mother and a wife to Pete, an ambitious assistant professor at a Bible college. They’re the picture of domestic tranquillity—until a local girl is murdered and Loretta begins receiving messages from beyond. Pete dismisses them as delusions of a fevered female imagination. Loretta knows they’re real—and frightening. Defying Pete’s demands, Loretta finds an encouraging supporter in parapsychologist Dr. Curtis Hansen. He sees a woman with a rare gift, more blessing than curse.

Most recent reads have been Tom Selleck’s memoir. I have adored him since Magnum. My first crush. So, buying it was a no brainer. Had little idea of who the actors were through the first half of the book. LOL! Fun fact: Sam Elliot was in his beginning acting class.

Next was The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Depressing as hell. Well written story built on the Dust Bowl years. Though, it ended a bit abruptly.

Present read is Child 44 by Tom Robb Smith. Read it years ago. Can’t find the book, so bought an e-book. Prompted by discovering there are 2 follow up books.

I read two books this past week and both were good.

First up was The Housemaid is Watching by Frieda McFadden .This is her 3rd book in this series and was pretty eventful mystery, 4/5

Next was First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was very clever although it was challenging to keep up with all of the personas. 5/5

Two for me last week ……….



HOME IS WHERE THE BODIES ARE (‘24 - 4 STARS) BY JENEVA ROSE
DESCRIPTION : After their mother passes, three estranged siblings reunite to sort out her estate. Beth, the oldest, never left home. She stayed with her mom, caring for her until the very end. Nicole, the middle child, has been kept at arm’s length due to her ongoing battle with a serious drug addiction. Michael, the youngest, lives out of state and hasn’t been back to their small Wisconsin town since their father ran out on them seven years before. While going through their parent’s belongings, the siblings stumble upon a collection of home videos and decide to revisit those happier memories. However, the nostalgia is cut short when one of the VHS tapes reveals a night back in 1999 that none of them have any recollection of. On screen, their father appears covered in blood. What follows is a dead body and a pact between their parents to get rid of it, before the video abruptly ends. Beth, Nicole, and Michael must now decide whether to leave the past in the past or uncover the dark secret their mother took to her grave.

REVIEW :
First three books by this author for me were You Shouldn’t Have Come Here (‘23 - 3 Stars), The Perfect Marriage (‘20 - Read ‘22 - 4 Stars) and One of Us is Dead (‘22 - Read ‘23 - 4 Stars). Karen Dionne, whose books I love (The Wicked Sister ‘20 - 5 Stars and The Marsh King’s Daughter ‘19 - 5 Stars) LOVED this book; “author’s deep insight into the complexities of human nature and her gorgeous prose carried me along in a single breathless read. Deeply moving and utterly engaging”.
@epeajymous read and liked it.

This authors writing has a certain flow I just love. I think the relationships of the three siblings was well thought-out. An interesting mystery that touches on loss, grief, hurt, addiction and relationships, both siblings and friends. My favorite book by this author so far.



THE HOUSEMAID IS WATCHING (BK 3of3 THE HOUSEMAID SERIES) (‘24 - 4 STARS) BY FREIDA MCFADDEN
DESCRIPTION : I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve. Even though I’m wary of our new neighbor Mrs. Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it’s our chance to make friends. Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes. But her cold stare gives me chills…
The Lowells’ maid isn’t the only strange thing on our street. I’m sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone: Be careful of your neighbors. Did I make a terrible mistake moving my family here? I thought I’d left my darkest secrets behind. But could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all?

REVIEW :
New author for me in late 2022 and I’ve read 9 books so far: The Teacher (‘24 - 3 Stars), The CoWorker (‘23 - 3 Stars), One by One (‘20 - Read ‘23 - 4 Stars), The Perfect Son (‘19 - Read ‘23 - 4 Stars), Ward D (‘23 - 5 Stars), The Housemaid’s Secret (‘23 - 5 Stars), The Inmate (‘22 - 3 Stars) and The Housemaid (‘22 - 5 Stars) and Never Lie (‘22 - 4 Stars).

I do love how this authors writing moves along so quickly. I’m about half way and I’m hoping Suzette gets what’s coming to her. I sure wouldn’t have been friends with her; one meeting/outing with her would have been enough. This book didn’t feel like the other “maid” books in the series. I guess because the maid in this one played a minor role thru most of the book. Entertaining read for me.



Wishing everyone a GREAT reading week ahead !

I hate horror so think I might really like this. Thanks!
It's currently available on Kindle Unlimited. 

DEFINITELY going on my TBR List !  Sounds like such an original plot !  THANKS !

What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

Well this was a page turner. 4.5 stars.


I realize that I put no real information about the books I read. You probably get the idea from the title. Don't let the cover throw you off - it is weird and quite a few people on goodreads commented on it. I read reviews usually after I finish a book and that was something people mentioned.

Email mistakes seem to be a current theme! Funny that my book was very similar.

Glad I'm not the only one.  I DNF'd this book and I'm glad I did.

Hi friends! I'm still working on the same book I started last month... I try to read a bit each night before bed, but find myself falling asleep after only a few pages (I'll attribute that to a slight case of sinusitis and hope to get back to at least 1/2 chapter each day). Anyhow. I am reading David Dary's Frontier Medicine. It is fascinating. I only wish I could read and cross-stitch at the same time!

I have the Graphic Audiobook of Fourth Wing checked out currently. I love the book too, but I’ve been dragging my feet on starting it because it is pretty long, but you’ve convinced me that I need to read it next!

I didn’t know either until I read about it. It is an audiobook with a full cast of voice actors. There are also sound effects. It’s supposed to really create the movie in your mind. I started it after I posted and I’m already obsessed.

I haven't heard of these. Usually I can't keep my mind from wandering with audiobooks so maybe a graphic one would help with that problem! I'm going to give it a try. 

And yes about Fourth Wing..I don't read fantasy except Lord of the Rings and Narnia. But I was sucked right into Fourth Wing from the very first pages. lol

I listened to one of the ACOTAR books read this way. Background noises, different character voices, music. It really did add to the listening. Another same on Fourth Wing. I have the 2nd one but I won't be reading it until I am done with the Throne of Glass series.