reecaspieces

Overview

This riveting psychological thriller from master of twists Steve Cavanagh, author of the “unguessable and unputdownable” (Alex Michaelides, #1 New York Times bestselling author) Kill For Me, Kill for You, asks: What if the witness was more twisted than the killer?

Something is wrong with Ruby Johnson.

A former resident of the ultra-elite Manhattan upper class, Ruby now works as a maid in the type of houses she used to live in. Unassuming, she sees everyone’s dirty secrets from the inside of their beautiful, renovated brownstones. But when Ruby witnesses a murder, she has wicked plans in mind that don’t involve telling the authorities the truth.

Eddie Flynn, streetwise ex con-artist-turned-defense attorney, is the only lawyer in New York City willing to take on hopeless cases. And none is more hopeless than John Jackson’s—the gun that killed his neighbor found, with Jackson’s DNA, in his own home. Flynn and his unconventional team will need to use every trick they know to keep an innocent man from being locked up. But to save his client’s life, Eddie must first protect his own, as the scariest organized criminals in the city are out for his head.

Review

When Ruby witnesses a murder, she has wicked plans in mind that don’t involve telling the authorities the truth.

Eddie Flynn, streetwise ex con-artist-turned-defense attorney, is the only lawyer in New York City willing to take on hopeless cases. And none is more hopeless than John Jackson’s—the gun that killed his neighbor found, with Jackson’s DNA, in his own home. But to save his client’s life, Eddie must first protect his own, as the scariest organized criminals in the city are out for his head.

Well, I am in the minority on this one. I do have to say, it is full of diversity. I enjoyed that it is part organized crime, law thriller and psychological thriller. But, since the story is ALL THIS, it felt a bit disjointed in places.

I loved Eddie and his intellect. He is one smart lawyer and he takes no prisoners. Now, Ruby, I could have done without. And yes, I know she is a main part of the story. And yes, she is elemental to this tale. I just had a bit of issue with her part of this novel. I think I would have loved this story much better if it was just a law thriller…I know, I know! Like I always say, read this for yourself.

Need a story with a variety of crimes…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

1956, Malibu, California: Something is not right on Paradise Circle.

With her name on the Hollywood blacklist and her life on hold, starlet Melanie Cole has little choice in company. There is her next-door neighbor, Elwood, but the screenwriter’s agoraphobia allows for just short chats through open windows. He’s her sole confidante, though, as she and her housekeeper, Eva, an immigrant from war-torn Europe, rarely make conversation.

Then one early morning Melanie and Eva spot Elwood’s sister-in-law and caretaker, June, digging in his beloved rose garden. After that they don’t see Elwood at all anymore. Where could a man who never leaves the house possibly have gone?

As they try to find out if something has happened to him, unexpected secrets are revealed among all three women, leading to an alliance that seems the only way for any of them to hold on to what they can still call their own. But it’s a fragile pact and one little spark could send it all up in smoke…

Review

Melanie Cole is on the blacklist in Hollywood, through no fault of her own. Everyone thinks since she is “dating” her costar that she is a communist. So, she has very few friends at the present time, except for her maid, Eva, and her next door neighbor, Elmwood.

Elmwood has agoraphobia and refuses to leave his house. So, when he goes radio silent and his sister-in-law has some strange behavior, it sends up warning signals to Melanie. And she does not take this sitting down…She is all up in June’s business.

This is not your typical Susan Meissner book. This one is missing her emotional kick. But y’all! I still enjoyed it. I loved the characters and I enjoyed the setting of the McCarthy era.

And don’t think that Melanie is just a dumb starlet. She has her moments! Add in Eva’s secrets and June’s lies…and you have a pretty entertaining read!

Need a novel full of secrets and friendships…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

Indie Next April 2025 Pick • LibraryReads March 2025 Pick

“Brilliant, riveting, so beautifully written, impossible to put down.” —Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.

Review

Y’all! This book is pure magic!

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District.

This story captivated me. It has a little bit of everything…history, mystery, great characters and drama.

I loved Clara! She has great hope even though she fights this hope every day. This is the reason she sails to Europe to hunt for her mother one last time. She has hope!

Now, I don’t want to give anything away. Did I guess it? Yes and no! You will need to read this to find out. But, I swear, every time a new female character was introduced, I was sure it was going to be Clara’s mother.

Need a tale which will have you engrossed from start to finish…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion.

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Overview

The Light Between Oceans meets The Snow Child in this novel set in a Scottish village in the weeks after a young boy mysteriously washes up on shore, causing the buried secrets of the insular community to come to light and rekindling an old love story.

It’s 1900 and Skerry, a small Scottish fishing village, is destined for an unyielding winter. During a storm, a young boy washes up on the shore. He bears an uncanny resemblance to teacher Dorothy’s son, lost to the sea at the same age many years before, his body never found.

The village is soon snowed in, and Dorothy agrees to look after the child until they can uncover the mystery of his origins. But over time, the lines between reality and desperate hope start to blur as the boy reminds Dorothy more and more of her own lost child.

The boy’s arrival also finally forces Dorothy to face the truth about her brief but passionate love affair with Joseph, the fisherman who found the boy on the shore and who has been the subject of whispers connecting him to the drowning of Dorothy’s son years earlier.

As the past rises to meet the present, long-buried secrets are unearthed within this tight-knit community, and the child’s arrival becomes a catalyst for something far greater than any of them could imagine.

Review

It’s 1900 and Skerry, a small Scottish fishing village, is destined for an unyielding winter. During a storm, a young boy washes up on the shore. He bears an uncanny resemblance to teacher Dorothy’s son, lost to the sea at the same age many years before, his body never found.

Dorothy is an enigma. She is a character which tugs at your heart strings. But she is also stubborn, refuses help and also makes some bad decisions. So in other words, very true to life.

As much as I loved this setting of a small Scottish fishing village, this story fell completely apart for me about 50 percent into this book. This novel had such a strong start and I was loving it. But then it just got so boring and repetitive. I did finish it and it rebounded a bit at the ending. Now, as I always say, read this for yourself. It has quite a few 5 star reviews. It is emotional and it is unique, so I would read it and form my own opinion.

If you need a story about love, loss and overcoming tragedy…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

A college professor is offered a chance at redemption—if he can figure out the right thing to do in this thoughtful psychological thriller from the author of The Surrogate.

Sociology professor Matthew Larkin is barely holding on. After the death of his toddler son, his wife divorced him, his teenage daughter abandoned him, and he lost a job he loved. Landing a rare tenure track position at a small college in southern Minnesota, he’s trying to cope with the disaster his life has become.

While driving down an empty highway in the middle of nowhere one gloomy Sunday evening, Matthew gets caught in a hailstorm. Pulling off the road to find shelter, he spies a disturbing sight. Caught in the car’s headlights is a child curled up beneath a plastic tarp. The boy is alive but unconscious, soaked to the bone and possibly hypothermic. Knowing an ambulance would take too long to reach them, Matthew impulsively puts the boy in his car, intending to get medical help.

On the way, the boy awakens and becomes agitated, begging Matthew not to take him to a hospital or to call the police. Matthew sympathizes with the panicked boy, who looks to be the same age his son would have been. Overcome by longing, grief, and a need to make sense of everything that’s happened to him, Matthew makes a dangerous choice—risking everything for a chance to face his past, move on from the pain, and forgive both his family and himself. 

Review

Well, this book was not exactly what I expected. I almost didn’t read it because I hate when a good deed gets punished and I thought that is what this book was about! Boy…was I wrong!

What would you do if you found a young boy under a tarp? This happened to Professor Matthew Larkin. Matthew puts this boy into his car with the intention of taking him to the hospital. But when the boy wakes up…things are not as they seem.

There are quite a few moving parts to this novel and several different narrators. But the author does a pretty good job weaving this tale together. But all of the plot lines do not come together until the end. So, as the reader, you are wondering where this story is going. But let me tell you…it is worth the wait.

I loved the intensity, the family drama and the characters. Just trust the author will get you there. It is a different read!

Need a tale which is engaging and will make you think about your next good deed…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Overview

In this Civil War love story, inspired by a real-life friendship across enemy lines, the wife of a missing Confederate soldier discovers a wounded Yankee officer and must decide what she’s willing to risk for the life of a stranger, from the New York Times bestselling author of such acclaimed historical fiction as Hour of the Witch and The Sandcastle Girls.

Virginia, 1864—Libby Steadman’s husband has been away for so long that she can barely conjure his voice in her dreams. While she longs for him in the night, fearing him dead in a Union prison camp, her days are spent running a gristmill with her teenage niece, a hired hand, and his wife, all the grain they can produce requisitioned by the Confederate Army. It’s an uneasy life in the Shenandoah Valley, the territory frequently changing hands, control swinging back and forth like a pendulum between North and South, and Libby awakens every morning expecting to see her land a battlefield. 

And then she finds a gravely injured Union officer left for dead in a neighbor’s house, the bones of his hand and leg shattered. Captain Jonathan Weybridge of the Vermont Brigade is her enemy—but he’s also a human being, and Libby must make a terrible decision: Does she leave him to die alone? Or does she risk treason and try to nurse him back to health? And if she succeeds, does she try to secretly bring him across Union lines, where she might negotiate a trade for news of her own husband? 

A vivid and sweeping story of two people navigating the boundaries of love and humanity in a landscape of brutal violence, The Jackal’s Mistress is a heart-stopping new novel, based on a largely unknown piece of American history, from one of our greatest storytellers.

Review

This novel is full of rich details, and in true Chris Bohjalian fashion, great prose.

This story is set in Virginia surrounded by battles of the Civil War. Libby, whose husband is a captured confederate soldier, rescues an officer of the Union Army, Captain Jonathan Weybridge of the Vermont Brigade. These two are mortal enemies but as time goes on, a friendship develops. But because of the ever changing landscape of the Civil War, life altering decisions have to be made.

These characters are amazing but my favorite is 12 year old Jubilee. Jubilee is Libby’s niece and she does not cut this Yankee any slack. She gives “The Jackal” trouble every time she is in his presence.

This story will captivate your heart. It is full of intensity and drama from start to finish! It also is filled with love and honor!

Need an all around fantastic novel…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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