BookishDramas

My Sister's Downfall by S.M. Thomas My rating: 3 of 5 stars My thanks to the team for this ARC. This is a story of sisters and their relationship with an exploration of the familial bonds, secrets, and the dark paths we sometimes tread. Sisters whose relationship is tested by jealousy, betrayal, and the weight of their past. The tension builds steadily, pulling readers into the sisters' world as they navigate love, loss, and the consequences of their choices. The themes of redemption and the search for identity resonates while prompting the reader to reflect on their own relationships. My first book from the author, SM Thomas, provided me with an interesting story that she skillfully weaves with a narrative that delves deep into the complexities of sisterhood, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate emotional depth and psychological nuance. It was the thriller portion which for me was a letdown with uneven pacing and a predictab...

The Whisper by Warren Greer My rating: 3 of 5 stars 3.5 stars I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This review based on my reading is a phased review with points written as I progressed with the story. An appreciation for the author's gripping psychological thriller that immersed me in a world of suspense and intrigue that unfolds through the eyes of its characters, each of whom seem to harboring layers of secrets that propel the plot forward. The writing is sharp and succeeds in creating an atmosphere filled with tension and uncertainty with the dark and dangerous world of the illegal drug trade as its backdrop. The story follows Jasper, a youngster who is taken under the wing by a hardboiled drug dealer Glen after he lost his parents in an accident. His obligations to Glen and his attraction to Jane the wife of a drug overlord, form conflicted emotions as the story pan out. The narrative delves i...

Keep The Doctor Away by James Caine My rating: 4 of 5 stars My thanks to the BookSirens team, the publishers and the author for this review copy. This is my first book from the author. I like thrillers so this book was right in that alley. This is a well paced story, a psychological thriller with a disturbing topic. It has its share of shocks and twists with a good bouquet of character both primary and secondary. The island with the clinic is a creepy location and creates paranoia with its pre-determination for security and secrecy. It is understandable when its caters for the uber rich but still leaves a metallic taste in the mouth especially after the enticing book blurb. Lily as the primary protagonist comes across as a vulnerable but likable character with David an exact opposite. Although you can feel for the guy as he gets what is possibly a big break for his career. The way things spiral out of control with haunting vies and psycholigal tale i...

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐   Stars DEBUT NOVEL Book First published August 27, 2024 Blurb Never Forget. Memory is Copeland-Stark’s business. Yet after months of reconsolidation treatments at their sleek new flagship facility, Hope Nakano still has no idea what happened to her lost year, or the life she was just beginning to build with her one great love. Each procedure surfaces fragmented clues which erode Hope’s trust in her own memories, especially the ones of Luke. As inconsistencies mount, her search for answers reveals a much larger secret Copeland-Stark is determined to protect. But everyone has secrets, including Hope. The Mechanics of Memory Book Review I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy. All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the initial comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contig...

  Stars Blurb Memories Can Kill Did I kill him? Jesse David, professional travel writer, can’t shake the past she doesn’t remember. With her blackouts growing worse at the approach of the anniversary of her father’s death, she’s convinced that this trip is her last chance to find answers. But then Momma tags along and brings her special brand of abuse and a suitcase full of secrets. Gabriel Gutierrez, cruise ship director, doesn’t perform the job—he is the job. For the past two decades, he has avoided his home and the destruction he brought upon his family, yet he cannot escape the heavy anchor of guilt. When Jesse steps on board, old shame renews and compounds as not one, but two deaths rise from troubled waters. With a clock ticking and lives at stake, Jesse and Gabriel must decide whether the dangerous truth should rise to the surface or remain drowned in the deep. Down Down Deep Christina's novel packs a nice punch. The story is nice and this is a tough psychological drama whi...

  ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐  Stars Book Blurb She's a tool in his deception, sculpting twisted beliefs of life beyond death. Kidnapped by Volga County’s serial killer, Emily “Mills” Ellis finds herself trapped in a luxury building with everything she needs: art supplies, the time to create, and the support of a budding family. Everything, that is, except for food and rest. While her best friend Livvy searches to find her hiding place, Mills battles with her beliefs in art and her purpose within a creative universe. Falling deeper into the faith of artists around her, Mills has to choose to either participate in events to move on to the next realm where artists are revered, or fall back to the realm of reality, where she and the world will never be saved. Paper Machete  Book Review  I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy. All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. ...

Book Blurb Liddy Bell shot her husband - or did she? In the middle of a party she's giving with her guests just feet away? Liddy's sister Kim, a true crime writer, struggles to prove her sister innocent - and avoid falling for a man who might be dangerous...while trapped with five people in a house at night, without power in a hurricane. Wyatt Bell was a powerful tech CEO; the party was to celebrate the purchase and restoration of his and Liddy's 1920s mansion. No one heard the shots that killed him and wounded Liddy. The band was loud and guests were scattered. When the police declare the crime a failed murder-suicide attempt and Liddy as their suspect, her sister Kim is devastated and insists it's a setup. Wyatt's handsome brother David and Liddy's closest friends try to help Kim investigate...but questions arise. Could Liddy have only pretended to be happy, snapped, and shot her husband? Above all, Kim's worst anguish is wondering if she ever really knew ...