Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

 

This was the 9th book in the Mystery Puzzle that I did over the winter. It was very interesting and kept me reading. I don't know that it was much of a mystery story, but it was entertaining and kept me invested in it because the characters were interesting. Small town, mean mom's, lots of secrets and a death. And honestly the person that died didn't generate a lot of sympathy from me. Eeep! Anyway, an interesting and fast read even though it was almost 500 pages long. 

THE PUZZLE

Shadow of Doubt by Susan Sleeman

 

Brooklyn is being hunted by a hacker that she used to be in love with. That is until he turned greedy and she had to turn him in. Now is is seeking revenge and will stop at nothing to find her. Colin works for the Maddox brothers teaching survival classes and caring for his mother who has lupus. Now he is protecting Brooklyn from an unknown evil. Of course neither Brooklyn nor Colin have time for a relationship. Brooklyn's life is not her own with the hacker still on the loose and Colin is dedicated to the care of his mother. But neither can stop the attraction they have for each other. 

Book 5 I think was my favorite so far. I loved the characters Brooklyn and Colin. Their story moved quickly and excitingly. I loved how both of the characters cared for Colin's mother and her health. The scene when Brooklyn is finally confronted by the person/s after her was creative and exciting and had my heart pounding and my nerves on edge! An exciting read as are the rest of the Shadow Lake Survival books. I highly recommend!

The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth

 

This is the 8th book in the mystery book puzzle that I did over the winter:

I have to say this is a case where I liked the movie better than the book. The book plodded along and I couldn't see much mystery in it so don't understand why it was considered a great mystery story. But it did have its interesting parts and I finally finished it so I feel accomplished! I liked the movie version with Richard Gere and Bruce Willis, but my husband watched a different version that sounds like it covered the book better. 

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown

 

This is the first book in the Lord Edgington Investigates series. Christopher goes to his ancestral home and his grandfather, Lord Edgington, assigns him the job of planning a spring ball. Lord Edgington has been a recluse for 10 years since his wife passed away. He is now ready to re-enter society. To celebrate he serves a champagne that he has been saving for years. His daughter drinks the champagne before the toast is over and dies before their eyes. Now Lord Edgington calls on Christopher to help him solve who murdered his daughter. 

The beginning of the series we are introduced to Lord Edgington and his grandson Christopher. Christopher makes a good sounding board for his grandfather while also coming up with some wild ideas of his own. I enjoyed the fun wit displayed by Christopher and Lord Edgington along with the mystery of who the killer was. I was kept guessing to the very end and was definitely surprised in who the murderer was. A fun yet cozy mystery with a bit of sobriety thrown in as murder is never fun. I'm definitely a fan and am going to enjoy this series.

  

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

 

Marshal's Teddy and Chuck arrive on Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of one of the patients from the psychiatric hospital. Now stuck on the island with a hurricane coming Teddy and Chuck are finding that nothing on the island is as it seems. 

This one was a bit of a mind bender. An interesting read and yes, by the end I pretty much had it figured out, but that didn't take away from what an engrossing story it was. 

This is the 7th mystery book from the puzzle I did this past winter:

For all of my Christian Fiction readers, this definitely is not the book for you unless you don't mind foul language and sexual descriptives. The mystery was good, the other was not necessary. 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

 

This is the 6th book of 38 that I have read from the mystery puzzle that I put together over Christmas. 

I really enjoy psychological thrillers and this one was pretty good. A woman is accused of killing her husband and she refuses to speak after the event. A psychotherapist becomes fixated with her case and works at trying to help her. There is quite a twist at the end that is thought-provoking and made me say, "Well that makes sense!" A good read and one more book down on the goal I set for reading all of these books this year!

Marple by Various Authors

 

I enjoyed the 12 stories in this book! I think all of the authors stuck to the true character of Miss Marple and also stuck to the era in which she was originally written. I was very impressed. I also enjoyed that I read this in large print and felt that it was a quick and easy read. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie's character Miss Marple then I think you will truly enjoy this new set of short stories.