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danadoesbooks's Reviews (954)
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and the author for the review copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
Checked Out For Murder is the fourth book in the Haunted Library Series. In a small town in Connecticut, Carrie Singleton is the events coordinator at her local library and has been able to solve a few murders in the past. When new people begin to arrive in Clover Ridge, one is found murdered in her apartment. Carrie wonders if this murder could be tied to a cold case from 20 years ago.
I have not read the other books in this series, but do not think it is necessary to do so in order to read this book. I found the mystery of this book to be just okay. Although the plot progressed, few clues were given to the reader. This made the reveal of the murderer anticlimactic. That being said, I liked this book for the setting and the main characters. I would consider reading another book in the series simply because of the town of Clover Ridge and Carrie.
Checked Out For Murder is the fourth book in the Haunted Library Series. In a small town in Connecticut, Carrie Singleton is the events coordinator at her local library and has been able to solve a few murders in the past. When new people begin to arrive in Clover Ridge, one is found murdered in her apartment. Carrie wonders if this murder could be tied to a cold case from 20 years ago.
I have not read the other books in this series, but do not think it is necessary to do so in order to read this book. I found the mystery of this book to be just okay. Although the plot progressed, few clues were given to the reader. This made the reveal of the murderer anticlimactic. That being said, I liked this book for the setting and the main characters. I would consider reading another book in the series simply because of the town of Clover Ridge and Carrie.
On Libby's 25th birthday, she learns that she inherited a house from her biological parents. While Libby learns more about the tragedy that took place there, people connected to it are traveling back to the house. Will Libby see this new house as a gift or a curse?
The Family Upstairs is weird and twisted but incredibly gripping. I almost abandoned it after the first few chapters because the opening of the story is very strange. It is told from three perspectives and it is difficult to determine how all the characters are connected at first. Once I got about 50 pages into it, I could not put it down!
The Family Upstairs is weird and twisted but incredibly gripping. I almost abandoned it after the first few chapters because the opening of the story is very strange. It is told from three perspectives and it is difficult to determine how all the characters are connected at first. Once I got about 50 pages into it, I could not put it down!
Deirdre Mask travels the world to study the importance of addresses and the significance of street names. In each chapter of The Address Book, Mask focuses on a different location and an aspect of its cartography.
This book is absolutely fascinating! As the subtitle notes, street addresses can reveal so much more than just where you live. I never realized how lucky I am to have an address and how many things are barred to you if you do not.
This book is absolutely fascinating! As the subtitle notes, street addresses can reveal so much more than just where you live. I never realized how lucky I am to have an address and how many things are barred to you if you do not.
The Vanishing Stair is the second book in the Truly Devious series. Set in a private academy located in Vermont, Stevie Bell continues to try to solve the cold case of the Ellingham murders, while sinister things keep happening to her own classmates.
I read Truly Devious on my Kindle but decided to listen to The Vanishing Stair audiobook. There is a lot of build up in the first half of the book as Stevie returns to Ellingham Academy, loose ends from the first novel are tied up, and new characters are introduced. The second half makes up for it as many realizations and events happen. Just like Truly Devious, The Vanishing Stair ends with some questions still being unanswered and I can't wait to start The Hand on the Wall!
I read Truly Devious on my Kindle but decided to listen to The Vanishing Stair audiobook. There is a lot of build up in the first half of the book as Stevie returns to Ellingham Academy, loose ends from the first novel are tied up, and new characters are introduced. The second half makes up for it as many realizations and events happen. Just like Truly Devious, The Vanishing Stair ends with some questions still being unanswered and I can't wait to start The Hand on the Wall!
I accidentally saw about twenty minutes of the movie before reading Gone Girl. Since it was towards the end of the movie, I thought I had spoiled the ending for myself. Although something major was revealed, the story was still really interesting. It was absolutely crazy how someone could plan everything out like that! I read Dark Places by Gillian Flynn first so I knew how dark and twisted her writing can be, but I think Gone Girl is crazier. If you haven't picked it up yet and love thrillers, I highly recommend!
When Feyre inadvertently kills a faerie, she must pay for it with her own life. Instead of killing her, Tamlin offers her an alternative. She can leave the poverty of her family behind and live with him in the Spring Court for the rest of her life.
I like the concept of the world in A Court of Thorns and Roses. Although the structure of the world is explained in this first book, Feyre only visits a few places. I look forward to being able to explore the other courts in the rest of the series.
I am not a huge fan of Feyre and Tamlin's relationship. It developed way too quickly to be believable and that she was willing to die for him seems exaggerated. However, Feyre's devotion drove the action of the second half of the book and made it really exciting.
Lucien was by far my favorite character because he was so snarky. I am also very intrigued by Rhysand and I look forward to learning more about him in future books!
I have heard that the second book is a lot better than the first so I can't wait to start reading it!
I like the concept of the world in A Court of Thorns and Roses. Although the structure of the world is explained in this first book, Feyre only visits a few places. I look forward to being able to explore the other courts in the rest of the series.
I am not a huge fan of Feyre and Tamlin's relationship. It developed way too quickly to be believable and that she was willing to die for him seems exaggerated. However, Feyre's devotion drove the action of the second half of the book and made it really exciting.
Lucien was by far my favorite character because he was so snarky. I am also very intrigued by Rhysand and I look forward to learning more about him in future books!
I have heard that the second book is a lot better than the first so I can't wait to start reading it!
Red, White, and Royal Blue was definitely another "Bookstagram made me do it" read and I'm so happy about it!
The President of the United State's son, Alex, does not get along with Prince Henry of England. When they accidentally ruin the Royal Wedding, Alex and Henry are forced to pretend that they are best friends. The more time Alex spends with Henry, the more he realizes Henry's public persona may not be who he actually is.
I could go on and on about how much I love this book. It's funny but is also incredibly emotional (both happy and sad) at times. I love Henry and Alex's relationship growth over the course of the book. Alex's sister, June, and their friend, Nora, are amazing support characters. I don't normally say this about standalone books, but I would read a sequel of Red, White, and Royal Blue just to be able to spend a little more time with these characters.
The President of the United State's son, Alex, does not get along with Prince Henry of England. When they accidentally ruin the Royal Wedding, Alex and Henry are forced to pretend that they are best friends. The more time Alex spends with Henry, the more he realizes Henry's public persona may not be who he actually is.
I could go on and on about how much I love this book. It's funny but is also incredibly emotional (both happy and sad) at times. I love Henry and Alex's relationship growth over the course of the book. Alex's sister, June, and their friend, Nora, are amazing support characters. I don't normally say this about standalone books, but I would read a sequel of Red, White, and Royal Blue just to be able to spend a little more time with these characters.
Rose returns home to Egypt in order to mourn her sister's death. While back in her childhood bedroom, she unearths mysterious items that belonged to her sister. Gameela struggles to reconcile grieving for her sister she was not close with and anger at her husband for his involvement in her death. A Pure Heart begins as a mystery, but explores the pain and healing of grief by the end.
A Pure Heart gripped me from the first chapter. The objects that Rose finds reveal that she did not know her sister, Gameela, at all. The chapters are interspersed with some of the documents that Rose found. As the narration jumps between Rose in the present and Gameela in the past, the reader learns of the circumstances that led to Gameela's death. Although Rose never learns the full story, her story of grieving for a sister she hardly knew is beautiful and emotional. By the end of the book, solving the mystery is not what is important anymore because you truly care about these characters and their pain.
A Pure Heart gripped me from the first chapter. The objects that Rose finds reveal that she did not know her sister, Gameela, at all. The chapters are interspersed with some of the documents that Rose found. As the narration jumps between Rose in the present and Gameela in the past, the reader learns of the circumstances that led to Gameela's death. Although Rose never learns the full story, her story of grieving for a sister she hardly knew is beautiful and emotional. By the end of the book, solving the mystery is not what is important anymore because you truly care about these characters and their pain.
The Hand on the Wall is the third book in the Truly Devious series. The cold case at Ellingham Academy will finally be solved!
When a mystery has been stretched over three books, there is a lot of pressure on the final one to solve it. Because there was so much tension already built up, I finished this audiobook pretty quickly. Although you learn important clues in the first two books, the prospect of finally learning what happened to Alice Ellingham is exciting.
My favorite part of this series was definitely the setting. Ellingham Academy sounds like an awesome school to attend (aside from all the murders). I love Burlington, VT. I am a little disappointed that the next book will not take place there but I am still excited to read it!
When a mystery has been stretched over three books, there is a lot of pressure on the final one to solve it. Because there was so much tension already built up, I finished this audiobook pretty quickly. Although you learn important clues in the first two books, the prospect of finally learning what happened to Alice Ellingham is exciting.
My favorite part of this series was definitely the setting. Ellingham Academy sounds like an awesome school to attend (aside from all the murders). I love Burlington, VT. I am a little disappointed that the next book will not take place there but I am still excited to read it!
When Alice follows her new husband Bennett to Kentucky from England, she expects her life to change for the better. With an oppressive father-in-law dictating her life, Alice quickly realizes that this life may not be what she wants. However, when she volunteers to help the Packhorse Librarians bring books to the rural parts of the mountain, Alice finds a group of women who help make her life in America better.
My feelings for The Giver of Stars are complicated. By the end of the book, I really liked it. I loved learning about the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, even if the story is fictionalized. However, the first half of the book was too slow. The story does pick up about 60% of the way through but it takes commitment to get there.
After reading this book, I learned of the accusations of plagiarism against the author. Although I would need to read The Book Women of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson to fully form my own opinion, what I have seen so far is pretty alarming.
My feelings for The Giver of Stars are complicated. By the end of the book, I really liked it. I loved learning about the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, even if the story is fictionalized. However, the first half of the book was too slow. The story does pick up about 60% of the way through but it takes commitment to get there.
After reading this book, I learned of the accusations of plagiarism against the author. Although I would need to read The Book Women of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson to fully form my own opinion, what I have seen so far is pretty alarming.