bookshelfbytori's Reviews (66)

 Our Last Resort by Clemence Michallon 

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Michallon at the Hamptons Whodunit. I talked to her about how wild our imaginations can be to come up with these stories about some of the most unhinged things. I was specifically talking about her last novel, The Quiet Tenant, but she’s done it again. 

Fifteen years prior, Frida and Gabriel escaped a secluded cult. Now, they are looking to reconnect at the gorgeous Ara Hotel in the isolated desert of Escalante, Utah. To Frida, it feels like heaven, until the body of a young woman turns up and both of them saw her alive the previous day. Now, a local police investigation is underway, and Gabriel is the prime suspect due to the mysterious death of his wife, 9 year earlier. 

Our Last Resort explores Frida and Gabriel’s life growing up in a cult, the aftermath, and how it shaped their lives now. You can clearly tell the bond between Frida and Gabriel is that of siblings: they become frustrated with each other but would do anything to protect the other. The story progresses through dual timelines, slowly unveiling secrets and deceptions making you question everything surrounding these two. The building tension had me ravenous for the climax and satiated with the ending. I would highly recommend grabbing this book for one of your first summer reads that will have your heart in throat during the wild ride. 

Thank you Netgally and Knopf for my eARC! 

 Retreat by Krysten Ritter 

Thank you Book of the Month for my copy! 

Liz Dawson moves through the circles of the elite and wealthy with confidence, making her life as a con-artist easy. Without so much as meeting Liz, Isabelle Beresford hires Liz to manage an art installation at her Mexican villa in Punta Minta. Once there, Liz can’t resist the allure of the beach. When she’s mistaken for Isabelle, she slides seamlessly into Isabelle’s life only to discover that being Isabelle isn’t what she imagined. 

This is a dark and twisty tale of deceit that will have you quickly turning the page to find out what happens next. This is the perfect cat-and-mouse game with morally gray wealthy characters, obviously, behaving badly. Despite the unlikeable characters, I found myself rooting for Liz. The plot was propulsive, with a build up to an absolutely unhinged climax (even if it was a little predictable). 

Ritter writes an addictive, sexy story in an exotic location, which is ideal for an escapist read. This book is perfect for reading in one sitting avoiding all responsibility. I highly recommend skipping all your other books on your TBR to read this one! 

Bury The Lead by Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Thank you @tandemcollectiveglobal and @houseofanansi for allowing me to participate in the Bury the Lead Readalong!

This was an entertaining, well-written cozy mystery. In the small town of Port Ellis, Cat Conway finds herself trying to rebuild her career as a journalist. She’s tasked with writing profiles on the actors in the new production of ‘Inherit the Wind’ at the local theatre. On opening night, the lead, Eliot Fraser, unexpectedly dies and the police suspect foul play. Due to Eliot Fraser’s popularity, reporters from all over the world come to the sleepy town of Port Ellis to get the scoop. Cat finds getting information with other journalists in the area is tough, but she is no stranger to investigating. 

Renzetti and Hilton create a story with clever and enriched prose with pacing that keeps you turning the page. There are quite a few mystery tropes, such as red herrings, villainous victim, and amateur sleuths. It was also a novel where everyone had the motive and opportunity to commit the crime, but who actually did? All of this was so well done, it added richness to the story. Some other themes that were touched upon included life after divorce, being a working mother, #MeToo, and white privilege. I highly recommend reading Bury the Lead! It will definitely be a fun, spring read!

This is the first installment in the Quill and Packet series. To see what else Cat is up to in Port Ellis pick up Widows and Orphans, Book 2, on May 1, 2025. 

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten 

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC! 

Ten years ago, four childhood friends meet for one night at a remote island off the coast of Sweden. The next day they disappeared, presumed to have drowned. Now they are known as the Nacka Four and no one knows what truly happened. 

Now, six friends gather on the same island for Annelise’s bachelorette party at a yoga retreat/wellness resort. Tessa is in attendance and more planned than just celebrating her friend. She wants to uncover the truth about what happened to the Naka Four and revive her career that is currently in ruins. The island will also consist of Irene, the owner, and Adam, the chef. When Annelise, Tessa, Caroline, Lena, Mikaela, and Natalie arrive on the island, they are asked to turn in their phones for a digital detox. What happens next is exactly what you would expect: secrets revealed, and chaos ensues. 

Sten wrote a popcorn thriller that was fast-paced and entertaining. She easily intertwined the past with the present to create a gripping plot. I struggled to connect with the characters, but Sten still deserves credit for creating a cast of diverse characters and keeping me guessing. I honestly didn’t see the ending coming. 

If you’re a fan of locked room mysteries, I recommend picking up a copy on June 10th! 

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay 

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillion Audio for my ALC! 

I met Alex Finlay and his wife at Hamptons Whodunit and was so excited when I got home to have this on my bookshelf! I had the best time talking with them about his books as well as listening to the panel where he discussed how he got the idea for Parents Weekend. 

Santa Clara University is hosting parents’ weekend for the freshmen class. These parents include a federal State Department official with her security detail, a plastic surgeon with his wife, a well-known Superior Court Judge and his wife, and a single mom that works at the university. Unfortunately, on day one, their kids fail to show up to the dinner. At first, everyone believes it’s just college kids being college kids; except these parents find that hard to believe, especially the same day that another student was found dead. 

Immediately, the college security team and the police are notified of the five missing students. Also, the FBI is notified and Special Agent Sarah Keller, from Finlay’s previous books, is determined to find these kids. Once it is determined the kids are in danger, it becomes a race against time to get them home safely. 

Finlay produced a fast-paced domestic thriller with a large cast of characters that was well-thought out and entertaining. I loved how there were so many reveals of hidden family secrets that had you guessing what truly happened. My biggest critique is the ending felt a bit rushed and left me wanting more. I listened to the audio book, narrated by Brittany Pressley (a fav!), and she did an excellent job of immersing me in the story. 

I highly recommend grabbing a copy when it is released on May 6th! 

 Every Sweet Thing is Bitter by Samantha Crewson 

Thank you Book of the Month, Netgalley, and Crooked Lane Books for my advanced copies! 

Providence Byrd hasn’t been back to her hometown since she was sent to prison thirteen years ago. Her crime? Running her mother, Elissa, over with the car. Even though it was an accident, and her mother survived, Providence is now a felon. Though when her mother goes missing, she returns to help search and to be there for her estranged sisters, Harmony and Grace. Providence’s return is not welcome – she is met with resistance and apprehension from the people around town as well as her family. 

This story is heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time. Each character was fleshed out and you could feel their emotions through the page. Something that resonated with me was how the Byrd sisters dealt with their parents’ addictions and shortcomings all at different points in life and how the community did very little to help them as they didn’t want to interfere with the family dynamics in the name of “justice” or “God”. Though the ending was predictable, I will not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone. 

Crewson tells a story of family dynamics, small towns communities, trauma, love, and perseverance through beautiful and poignant writing. A debut novel unlike any other. 

 Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox 

Release Date: July 1, 2025 

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and MacMillian Audio for my eARC and ALC! 

Sophie Matthew’s is turning Sweet Sixteen and her father, Ethan, is throwing her a lavish, black-tie party at his mansion in the heart of Texas. The mansion, newly renovated by Ethan and his ex-wife, Kim, has always been thought to be haunted for the last 100 years by “The Mother”. By the end of the party, a body falls from the balcony, giving credibility to the folklore. 

Cox tells this story through multiple POVs; specifically, through Dani, Sophie’s step-mother and new mom to Charlotte, Orlaith, the Irish Nanny, Mikayla, Sophie’s best friend, and Kim, the ex-wife. This book explores themes of motherhood, friendships, first love, deception, and abusive relationships through the female POVs. Some characters you’ll love, some you’ll find unreliable, and others you’ll question their life choices. 

Party of Liars has a complex plot with several twists you never saw coming. I was hooked after the first chapter. The narrators did a great job making each character distinct and enhanced my ALC experience when I was listening. Since I was also provided an e-book copy, I was able to seamlessly pick up my kindle when I could take a minute to read. 

Narrators: Dan Bittner, Kate Handford, Pearl Hewitt, Saskia Maarleveld, Suzy Jackson 

I highly recommend checking out Kelsey Cox’s debut novel when it is released in July!