Book Review: Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams (Echo Falls Mystery Book 1)

 

    Young, aspiring actress, Ingrid left her shoes at the house of Cracked-Up Katie when she got lost in her home town on her way to soccer practice. The next day Katie is found dead and in an attempt to get her shoes back Ingrid finds herself deep in a web of secrets and town history. Can a 13 year old really solve the truth behind the murder while going to school, soccer, and starring in the town's production of Alice in Wonderland? 

    As I am currently out of physical books from indie authors on my TBR list this is a book I've picked up at one or another thrift store over the years. It had two things that drew me to it: Alice in Wonderland related and a ringing endorsement by Stephen King on the cover. 

    After I read the book I tried, and failed, to track down the full endorsement from King. It said "My all time favorite...astonishing." Trust me when I say I would never use any of those words to describe this book. It is a young adult murder mystery. She gets into things she shouldn't and almost gets herself killed in the process. It is interesting and about what you'd expect out of a young adult book. There is a lot of slang and petty girl fights in it. Unless King was talking about other works by this author, which I will go ahead and state that I haven't personally read any of, I don't know what he was talking about. 

    I'm not saying the book was bad. It wasn't. It was just predictable and didn't meet my hopes for it with the props it was boasting. This book is book one in a series of mysteries featuring this sleepy little town, but at the close of this book everything is tied up with a nice little bow. We know who did it, we know what happened, and all issues presented in the book are resolved. It could easily be a stand-alone book for "Griddie" and her missing cleats. In my mind, I think I will be keeping it as a stand-alone instead of adding the next in the series to my list of books to buy. 

    While I enjoyed the book it wasn't enough to buy the next. On to the other point that drew me to this book: features Alice in Wonderland. It is true that she is in a play and that she has the lead role. Normally, I wouldn't just tell you that since it is a minor spoiler, but considering the author already put it in the blurb it is a non-factor. The production takes many twists and turns and how people actually managed to learn their lines with all of the changes is truly beyond me. Especially in the time-frame. But, I know nothing of acting so I suppose it is possible. Even though the story itself didn't feel as if it were getting "curiouser and curiouser" the familiar setting of the hatter's table brought a smile to my face. 

    My favorite character in this book was Ingrid's grandfather. His take-no-shit attitude and proving that he will truly do whatever he pleases to keep things just how he wants them made me love him. My own grandfather is just the same and no one will ever be able to change that man's mind on anything he doesn't want it changed on. Even now in the end stages of lung cancer he is determined to do house repairs and tend to his doves (literal fan-tails). No matter how many offers to help he receives it's brushed away. Although he won't stop me if I just start doing something. I can be as stubborn as he is. I have to get it from somewhere. Why not the man who raised me? 

    The biggest suspense factor in this book was the underlying family drama in Ingrid's house. She and her brother have so much pressure on them by their parents to be the best at everything just so they can "keep up with the Jonses" or in this case it would be the Findley's. Maybe Farleys. Something with an F. I finished this book almost 2 weeks ago and between covid and other things am only now getting to the review. Then there is what I am certain her father is doing. See if you can spot what I mean when you read the book. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Cold Winter: Call to Arms by Chris Underwood (The Cold Winter Book 2)

 

    After waking up in the hospital Thom, his wife, and their team must make their way back home. In order to do so they must pay their way, but this never-ending winter has more issues in store for them beyond a feel-up in a parking lot. In fact, things beyond the black-out area are getting worse. Riots. A strange new sickness. To top it off anyone who has a gun outside of their homes are subject to a fine as well as having their guns taken away. The short is that no help is coming to Central Ohio. They are on their own and the only hope they have is from themselves. Are they ready to stand at arms and try to restore order? 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the other two books I have read by this author already and was excited to start this book. Substance abuse is touched on a bit more in this book than previously and I can honestly attest that there wasn't much sailing talk in this one. Although, from how the characters spoke there will be sailing in book 3. I don't know that book 3 has been written yet. I haven't seen anything about it on Amazon at least and as this book was published in 2019 I'm not sure when we'd be getting the next part in this series. 

    As with book one I liked the characters and felt the situation plausible. I would like to say I couldn't see our government acting like they did in this book, but with current events in the real world I wouldn't put anything past the bastards. I hope the militia wins in this book. I'm rooting for them. 

    While this book does end on a cliffhanger we receive plenty more details to the overall puzzle that is this story. I initially didn't see this as an apocalyptic book as the author had described it to me when first reaching out. The more I get into this story the more it is turning into an apocalypse. No longer one event that kind of sucks in the grand scheme that will be bounced back from it is spiraling fast and who knows what will be left when everything is said and done. 

    I do hope that I am able to read book 3. I hope the best for the characters and wish them luck in their plights. 

     This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here. This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Books by this author: 

The Cold Winter (The Cold Winter Book 1)

The Creatures of Holden Beach and the Murder they Did NOT Commit

Book Review: His Devil's Desire by Linzi Basset (Club Devil's Cove Book 1)

     Samantha was an "Ace" sniper for an elite undercover team of the CIA for years after the brutal murder of her parents and older sister. When she felt her handler, Bulldog, was using her for his own personal vendettas she left and opened her own woodworking shop. Three years and a new name later she is working on the woodwork for a new BDSM club, Devil's Cove, when she meets Rhone. Rhone is hot one minute and cold the next but his dom nature calls to the sub in her and this is one challenge she doesn't want to back down from. Especially not with lives and her heart on the line. Just how far will she go to maintain the life she has built or is a secret from her past worth losing everything?

    This was an impulse buy book from BookBub at one point in time or another. I don't know exactly when. I have a habit of randomly getting books suggested to me on there when I go to browse. It's a dangerous game that generally results in 5 more books than I had before. 

    I love BDSM. Books and otherwise. So I was excited to find that this was a BDSM book. Pushing limits is one thing, but limits shouldn't be crossed. I felt like Rhone crossed some of hers. I wouldn't have been able to do the multiple partners as anyone who has read my romance reviews for any length of time already knows. To each their own. 

    This is a book that does end on a cliffhanger with no real resolution to the romance. We solved the issue of Bulldog, but everything else is still up in the air. I enjoyed the book, but I don't know if I will be continuing since I'm not a huge fan of cliffhangers without anything really resolved. While it doesn't feel like it stopped at an arbitrary point in the book there was just so much left in the air. 

    There is hope for the series, don't get me wrong. There are a lot of feels presented in this book and there are lots of sexy scenes. All great things when it comes to a smut book. I loved both main characters, even when Rhone annoyed me. I hope everything works out with Keon. I can't say more than that without giving away things in the book. 

    This book is available on Amazon for free by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Letters of a Stranger by Cathy Hopkins

 

    All her life Rebecca has received letters from a mysterious stranger controlling her life. Her life was already riddled with sadness from the loss of her parents, her sister, and both her aunt and cousin getting hurt. Now in order to save her family from this man she must leave her home. Homeless and alone she doesn't think her life could get any worse, but the stranger isn't done yet. 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoy stalker type books, especially when there is a murder element so I was intrigued with this one. I didn't really have any big surprises during it. There were a few twists during the pages, but I expected them. I don't know if I just read too much -ha!- or if it's been done a lot but there is that. 

    I don't feel like knowing detracted. It's kind of like watching a movie you've seen before. You know what is going to happen. You can see where it is leading, but you're just along for the ride. That's how I felt with this. There are some really sad parts in the book and people die. Multiple people. And the guy is completely insane. The thing is is that he's a believable insane. 

    This is something that could realistically happen and those are probably the most frightening books. Realistic books have a scare factor that sci-fi and apocalyptic books can't hope to achieve because yeah they're great. Don't get me wrong, I love those books immensely. At the same time I don't think of that as something right around the corner that could happen at any time. Books like this is. 

    I don't know that I had a favorite character in this book. I will say that there is a lot of hope for this book. It's not perfect. It needs attacked by an editor. But, once it is cleaned up it is a good story that has a lot of potential. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Book Review: Totem of Terror by Robert Herold (The Eidola Project Book 3)

     When Professor James' old friend who works with local Indians in Washington asks for a personal favor the group heads out. Something strange is targeting the community, leaving those affected a dead, dry, withered husk. While local governments consider it a strange illness befalling the population they aren't very worried considering it is just Indians who are perishing. The natives, however, believe it is a supernatural shapeshifter called the Bakbakbalidooskiwae. The team is determined to find if this is a supernatural occurrence and help in any way they can. However, when they arrive a husk informs a member that it has been awaiting them and things get worse quickly. With the threat of Sarah's vision of someone dying looming over them it's hard to determine if they will have any other projects after this. 

    I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to have it done in time for launch, which was June 1, but due to personal issues which I've made mention of in my newsletters (if you are subscribed) you know what I'm referring to. I am very sorry I wasn't able to get this review up sooner, but is was definitely not due to the book. This book was actually finished by the 6th and I am only now able to sit and focus enough to write a review. 

    I will admit that I did google the shapeshifting creature to see if this was a word solely from the author's mind or one actually found in northern native American mythos. It is only in the author's mind, at least so far as in this exact spelling. Furthermore I will admit that every time I read Bakbakbalidooskiwae my brain decided it was the Babadook, which also has shape-shifting qualities and was a very weird movie. I enjoyed this book far more than Babadook and the creature within it's pages. 

    As with the last two books the author provides a full story from start to finish while leaving just enough strings untied that you want to continue reading to find out more. I am very sorry for what happened to Edgar in this book, although for details you will have to dive in yourself. The Nigel and Annabelle details were both expected and honestly so was the one that died. Sad, but I expected it. 

    I will warn you if you are the type that cannot handle children dying you will have problems with this one. There are multiple child deaths in this book. Personally I've never been a fan of child deaths, but it made sense in the story and it would look odd if something was only targeting a certain generation. I liked Annabelle a bit more in this book since she wasn't trying to get with a married man. I still can't say that she is my favorite character by any stretch of the imagination, however. Sarah probably takes that place, although she seems so weak and frail. 

    Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses and both are tested throughout. The author makes you feel like you are in Washington watching as the Chinese are forced out of their makeshift communities or as the Indian's stand their ground to retain their ancestral home. I can't say that I agree with the practices in this book, but they are, as always, historically accurate. This author pulls no punches when highlighting the terrible things this country has done to those within it's borders during this time period. 

    I loved this book and look forward to more to come from this author in the future. This book is available on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

The Eidola Project (The Eidola Project Book 1)

Moonlight Becomes You (The Eidola Project Book 2)

Book Review: Rise of a Dungeon House by John Stovall (City of Masks Book 2)

     After rescuing his sister and obtaining the dungeon core following the death and betrayal of his family James has set sail to fulfill his grandfather's plan. All he has to do is travel to another continent, meet with the guide, travel across the burning sands to Felgoth, complete the bargain with the Abomination that his grandfather put in place, travel home, and establish his Dungeon House. Simple, right? Except the Gods of the Dark want nothing more than to intervene and cause The Gods of Light's champion to fail. 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I received it along with his wife's book, the Nexus Games, and you already know how much I loved that book. Just like with that book I started and finished this book in 4 days, although that isn't the same level of achievement with this book as it is shorter. However, it is just as entertaining as his book 1, Fall of a Dungeon House. 

    With some books the further you get in the series the worse they get or they simply get repetitive. That isn't something you have to worry about with this one. It ends in a good stopping place while still leaving you wanting to know what happens next. I don't know if book 3 of this is out yet, but if I am given the option to read and review it I will and let you know what I think. 

    This is a fun LitRPG that you are sure to enjoy if you like Dungeons and Dragons. While this is book 2 in the series and reading book 1 first would be helpful, there are enough details in the book where you could read just this one without being completely lost. You'd be missing details and background, but you would still be able to enjoy the story. I can't wait to see how this series continues!

        This book is available on Amazon for $5.99 by clicking here. This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Book Review: Renegades by Marissa Meyer (Renegades Book 1)

 

    After Nova's parents and baby sister are killed by a gang during the age of anarchy she is taken in by her uncle, Ace. Although her parents had been promised the protection of the Renegades they weren't there when they needed them the most. Since then she lived with the Anarchists who just wanted everyone to live in the open and be able to do what they wanted. In order to do this the Renegades and the council must fall. After a failed assassination attempt new extremes must be taken. The biggest risk is a change in perspective. 

    I impulse started this book on the Libby app. I was looking for a young adult superhero like book and I found it here. I thought the entire book was going to be a anti-hero theme. We follow a typical bad "guy", who in this case is a teenage girl, through her origin story and going undercover to take down the good guys. I enjoyed this book and will likely read the other books in the series at some point. This is one of those audiobooks that are read by both male and female narrator as it switches between Anarchist, Nova, and Renegade, Aiden. 

     There were twists in the book that I expected and that I didn't expect. Personally, the more unexpected a book is the more exciting. Especially when you read a lot some things seem consistent even if they are intended as surprises. I can understand the main character's point of view and they are relatable instead of just being someone to be locked up and put away. All of the "bad" guys in this book have a soft side that makes them more human. 

    I don't have any complaints with this book and wonder how Nova will continue to develop as the series continues. 

    This book is available on Amazon for $9.99 by clicking here. This book is available on Kindle Unlimited.