Welcome to what I hope will become a regular series! I’m going to break down what I read each month (or season) and let you know what was good, what was bad and how reading is helping me – because it is in a big way.
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How could I not love a historical thriller? This novel weaves courtroom intrigue and the personal account of a servant and former slave accused of murdering her employers.
This was an emotional read, but thrilling and unexpected all at once. This is one I’ve been recommending to friends lately. Also worth checking out is this interview with the author, Sara Collins.
Girl in the Rearview Mirror by Kelsey Rae Dimberg • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Girl in the Rearview Mirror was written by Taste of Home alum. The entire office was looking forward to the release of this thriller. And I’m so happy to say that it was a totally satisfying read.
Basics here: A nanny is drawn into the goings-ons of the high power political family for which she works, only to find it’s not all flashy fundraisers and handshakes. There were plenty of surprising twists in this one and I can’t recommend it enough.
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager • ⭐️⭐️
I was so excited to get this book from the library. I had pitched it to my book club (who wisely selected Girl in the Rearview Mirror instead) and it generated significant interest.
But it was kind of a flop for me. The characters were woefully boring. And the plot lacked the sort of shocking twists that I’d expect from this sort of book. I found it unoriginal and kind of a dud.
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott • ⭐️⭐️
I rented this book as an audiobook to fill some time on a long drive. It was an impulse rental, but historical fiction about a dressmaker aboard the Titanic checked enough boxes for me.
But it didn’t deliver. The characters felt flat. There were so many familiar tropes. Also, some of the details were off for me. At one point there’s a scene where the titular dressmaker stitches together an entire coat by hand in an afternoon. Yes, by hand. I just can’t get over the fact that this book is about a dressmaker but all the sewing details were imprecise.
All of this on top of a voice actor I just didn’t gel with.
• • •
With these four under my belt, I’ve moved onto The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams. Spoiler: I’m really liking a relaxing summer read like this.
In all, reading a bit more than usual (usual being over lunch and occasionally before bed) has really helped tame some of my anxious energy. A little extra quiet, some slower activities and less screen time is getting me to a better place.
But enough about that. You can follow me on Goodreads and see what’s on my list.
Oh, I’m so interested in your take on Lock Every Door! There were a few things I expected of it along the way (like who the bad guy was), but the overall plot ending had me reeling. I know that Riley Sager’s books seem to be hit-or-miss for most readers, though – love one, hate the next – so I’m not surprised, I suppose, to hear that this one felt like a dud even from someone who’d been excited about it. I enjoyed it a lot, but I can see not feeling the same!
Yes! Totally saw the bad guy coming. I think I’ve just seen too many X-Files and bad horror movies for the true purpose of the Bartholomew to shock me. But like you said, the next one might be a hit for me (and I’m willing to give another I haven’t read a shot).