Not Just Another Book on Our Shelf, Reviews, witches words reads, Word Witches

Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera (Word Witch)

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

Amy Tintera has a way with words that casted a spell upon me, weaving enchantments with every turn of the story. She has undoubtedly earned the title of a Word Witch in my grimoire of literary wonders.

Amy Tintera offers a captivating twist on the true crime genre, incorporating the popular podcast trope and casting a fascinating light on feminist themes.  Departing from the typical narrative, Tintera casts women as the “villains” instead of men, disrupting traditional roles, expectations, and tropes with a magical flourish. Her entertaining prickly narrative crackles with energy, punctuated by sharp comebacks, and commentary with a hint of satire.

Years ago, whispers swirled through Lucy’s small town, accusing her of conjuring the demise of her best friend, Savvy. Yet Lucy’s memory remains as foggy as a misty cauldron. Now, drawn back to her hometown after years of exile, Lucy finds herself haunted by the shadows of her past as she unravels the threads of truth, as to what happened that fateful night. Tintera uniquely navigates the dual narrative of past and present, unraveling layers of secrets and lies with each twist and turn. Lucy’s quest for answers is further heightened by the investigation of a true crime podcast and its charismatic host, Ben Owens.

As the final pages come to a thrilling unique close and rewarding payoff, Amy Tintera sealed her fate as a word witch. With the flick of her pen, she deftly flips through those tired and predictable true crime podcast tropes, leaving behind a trail of magic and mystery long after the final page is turned.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley

0
Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend, Not Just Another Book on Our Shelf, Reviews, witches words reads

Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

Heather Gudenkauf has embraced the popular trend of the locked room mystery, but her latest novel takes a thrilling departure from the conventional trope. By intertwining the high-stakes drama of a reality show with a captivating mystery, she navigates the complex dynamics of a cast of characters competing for a jaw-dropping cash prize, each harboring their own secrets and motivations.

Much like Heather Gudenkauf’s other books, it’s the execution of suspense, that drives the pace, keeping me on the edge of my seat. What starts as a quest for the coveted cash prize soon morphs into a gripping battle for survival. With escalating tensions and long-held secrets, we are pulled further into a complex web of intrigue. The characters come to life, brimming with their own secrets, desires, and unwavering determination to triumph. As the plot unwinds, she unveils layers of deception, secrets, and concealed motives, delving deeper into a web of intrigue.

While the premise may verge on the extravagant and over the top, Heather Gudenkauf’s storytelling has undeniable entertainment value, making for a thrilling and satisfying read. The fusion of reality TV drama and compelling mystery elements creates a unique and exhilarating reading experience that had me eagerly turning pages until the final revelation.

I received a copy from the publisher through Edelweiss.

Reviews

The Guest by B.A. Paris

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

B.A. Paris’ domestic suspense novels are like a comforting, familiar sweater you can reach for when craving an easy yet thrilling read. She weaves suspenseful stories that are effortless to delve into, providing entertainment without demanding too much from the reader. I prefer to listen to her books, finding that even when my mind wanders, I don’t miss much, making it easy to stay engaged with the story. It’s almost like having a suspenseful soundtrack accompanying my daily activities, ensuring I never miss a beat, even when my mind takes a detour.

The guest trope might have you thinking you’ve heard it all before, but Paris doesn’t stop there. She throws in unexpected twists adding a fresh spin to the trope. The pacing has some ups and downs, much like a witch’s broomstick ride with a few twists and turns, to make the ride thrilling. 

The characters may not be the most likable bunch and lack depth in their motivation and actions. However, their web of secrets and lies are engaging enough to draw me into the narrative.

That final twist is unexpected in so many ways and I don’t think anyone will see that coming. But to be honest I am not sure it was all that rewarding after all the suspense but I was entertained.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley!!

1
Another Book On Our Shelf We Recommend, Reviews, witches words reads

Murder Road by Simone St. James

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

Murder Road is a road best avoided, especially when the moon hangs low and shadows dance with secrets. April and Eric unwittingly journey down this ominous path and stumble upon a young woman, isolated and injured. As they become stranded in a small town brimming with untold secrets, they realize that leaving may not be an option when they become suspects of foul play.

Simone St. James crafts a bewitching, tense, and eerie haunting ambiance that propelled me to eagerly turn the pages in anticipation of each ghostly encounter. Known for her captivating blending of mystery, atmosphere, and supernatural elements, she offers a fresh perspective on familiar plot devices, that adds an extra layer of allure to her storytelling, drawing me into a journey filled with suspense, and fascination.

BUT and I always have one: I felt slightly let down when the motivation was unveiled, and the unresolved conflict surrounding the ghost’s motives seemed unclear. 

However, The character development is yet another spellbinding aspect of the story, with intricate personalities that are as flawed as resilient. The dynamics between the characters are well-crafted, unveiling their hidden secrets, which adds intricate layers to the narrative and enriches the dynamics of their relationships. My perception of one character underwent a fascinating transformation when their unexpected actions and motivations were revealed, adding an intriguing twist to the storyline.

Despite its flaws, Murder Road is a journey I enjoyed with its suspense, mystery, and supernatural allure that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish providing a thrilling ride.

A Witches Word Read

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

4
Not Just Another Book on Our Shelf, Reviews

Kill for Me Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

Hot Diggity Dang, I love a good revenge thriller, and Steve Cavanagh delivers one that’s hot, intense, and emotionally messy, just the way I like one to be. While I’m not always a fan of the ‘stranger on the train’ trope, Cavanagh proves himself to be the right author to handle it, crafting a unique, unpredictable, and thrilling page-turner with his explosive, game-changing reveals.

BUT Steve Cavanagh does push the believability element by complicating things for a few pages, which almost lost me until he tightened up the narrative and got back on track.

From start to finish, this revenge thriller had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating each twist and turn. The climax is particularly exhilarating, with tension mounting until the jaw-dropping reveal that caught me completely off guard, making the ending a truly satisfying payoff.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley

2
Not Just Another Book on Our Shelf, Reviews, witches words reads, Word Witches

Face Her Fear (Detective Josie Quinn #19) by Lisa Regan

Posted on by Brenda~Book Witch

Lisa Regan surprises and delights me yet again and continues to defy expectations, leaving me in awe once more. In a departure from her well-known “missing girl” trope, she delivers a thrilling locked-room mystery, showcasing her versatility as a storyteller, woven with themes of trauma, earning the title of a word witch.

Through the 18 books Detective Josie Quinn has experienced plenty of loss and Josie is taking some time to address the losses in her life as well as her childhood trauma. In the refreshing shift in focus takes Detective Josie Quinn to a hunting Lodge in the mountains used as a trauma retreat. However, once again, a dead body finds Josie, presenting her with another mystery to solve. This time, it’s not just about the dynamics between the characters that I love so much. Josie is on her own with a few suspects and must navigate the investigation without Noah and her team by her side.

Joined by a cast of characters, each harboring their own haunting scars, the retreat transforms into a gripping crime scene, where secrets are brought to light, intensifying the suspense. Lisa Regan intricately weaves together elements of suspense, psychological depth, and atmospheric tension, focusing on the intricate dynamics of the cast of characters, the unexpected twists and turns, and the enthralling journey of unraveling the truth and motives behind their presence at the retreat. The isolated and eerie setting of the retreat, added layers of complexity to the unfolding drama. Each startling revelation, had me captivated right up to the climactic and riveting conclusion. It’s one not to be missed!

Check out my post for all the books in the series here here