"Our Last Wild Days" by Anna Bailey

 

The Labasques aren’t like other families.

Living in a shack out in the swamps, they made do by hunting down alligators and other animals. To the good people of Jacknife, Louisiana, they are troublemakers and outcasts, the kind of people you wouldn’t want in your community.

So, when Cutter Labasque is found face down in the muddy swamp, no one seems to care, not even her two brothers. The only person who questions the official verdict of suicide is Cutter’s childhood friend, Loyal May, who has just returned home to care for her mother. When she left town at eighteen years old, she betrayed Cutter. Now with a ragtag group from the local paper where she works, Loyal goes in search of answers, uncovering a web of deceit and corruption that implicates those in town. It may be too late to apologize to Cutter, but Loyal has restitution in mind.

Weaving through the swamps and bayous of rural Louisiana, Our Last Wild Days is an atmospheric, smoldering suspense about our darker impulses—and how to set things right. ~taken from Goodreads

4 years! I have been waiting 4 years for author Anna Bailey to release her next novel. Ever since I had the honor of feasting my eyes on her debut, "Where The Truth Lies", back in summer 2021 I have been impatiently waiting. It was a a dark, heavy, physiological thriller that was filled with emotions and left a lasting impact. I gave it a 5 star rating and I encourage everyone to read it, but I do issue a trigger warning of drug abuse, physical abuse, alcohol abuse and homophobia along with it. 

That being said, Bailey's latest novel is also a dark, atmospheric read, but with a southern gothic feel. The Deep South seeps through the printed words in this story, and in true southern fashion this book is a slow burn. 

The characters are well thought out, very well developed, and all unique. The reality of small town life is brought to the forefront and the flaws, embarrassments, and unseen friendships that go along with that life are told along the way. 

Once again Bailey does a stand up job with writing an atmospheric novel with a unique plot, full of unique characters. The pure perfection that was written creating the southern scenery left me in awe. This story sticks to you like the oppressive southern humidity. 

The scenes are set so perfectly. The swamps, the alligators, the Cyprus trees, mosquitos, even the thick humidity were all felt with ever word read. This is a poor, rural town full of gossip, drugs, corrupt politics, and not-so-hidden classism and racism. I felt like I was there, investigating along the way. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for allowing me an advanced e-copy to read and give my honest review. It was a 5 star read. 

"Our Last Wild Days" is out today, May 20, 2025 here in the U.S. so get your copy now! It is the perfect read to take you into the Memorial Day weekend! 

Happy Reading! 

"The Ghost Woods" by C.J. Cooke

 

In the midst of the woods stands a house called Lichen Hall.

This place is shrouded in folklore—old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who was not quite a child.

Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.

Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.

Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live in the grounds—and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place. 

As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew—and risk what she holds most dear. ~taken from Goodreads

This is not the first C.J. Cooke novel I have sunk my teeth into. I absolutely loved "The Nesting" and you can read my reviews on previous books here.

"The Ghost Woods" is an eerie, creepy, atmospheric read. A gothic novel set in Scotland told in two different timelines. This started off intriguing and I could tell the two stories would eventually intertwine. The problem was that it took so long for them to connect that I lost interest. 

Chapters alternate between timelines, which at times left me confused as the two stories are very similar. This is labeled as a gothic horror and although it has its frightful moments, I wouldn't call it horror. The Scottish Folklore gave it a spooky element. Once the two storylines did connect, it was less than satisfying. 

I think it would be wrong of me if I didn't mention the possible trigger warnings of rape, familial rape, sexual assault, and loss of a child. 

Overall, I think this has great potential, but it never really captured my full attention. There seemed to be too much fluff in the middle. It was enjoyable up to a point, but then I just couldn't wait to finish it. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me an advanced digital copy to read and give my honest review. I give it 3.5 stars! 

"The Ghost Woods" is set to be released here in the U.S. on April 29, 2025. You can pre-order now! I give it 3.5 stars! 

Happy Reading! 

"Then She Vanished" by Carla Kovach

 

Thirty years ago, Ruth Pritchard’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Elissa, went missing. Police were called, neighbours were interviewed, and even Ruth’s own husband was investigated, but the case went unsolved. Elissa disappeared forever.

Now, Ruth watches the local news and hears about another girl gone from the same streets where her beloved daughter was last seen, and her heart races. A distinctive red scarf was found at a crime scene, and she recognises it instantly. It belonged to Elissa.

After Ruth alerts the police, they rush to speak to her, but nobody answers the door. Her small home stands eerily quiet. Just like her daughter before her, Ruth has vanished into thin air. 

Friends say that Ruth suspected someone close to home took Elissa. Others say she never trusted her husband again after he was questioned by police. Did she finally discover the truth behind her daughter’s disappearance? And will her friends and family ever see her again? ~taken from Goodreads

Here we are at book 17 of Carla Kovach's Gina Harte Series

and this book might be the best one yet! 

We once again are are swept up in the private life drama of Detective Gina Harte. Her past still haunts her, but recently someone is threatening to expose her secrets to her friends and coworkers. She is sure this will be the downfall of her career.  Her head needs to be in this very complicated and urgent case, but this life matter can't seem to wait and keeps her preoccupied and distracted. 

This storyline has so many characters and elements to it, it is a bit hard to keep sorted but believe me- it's worth it in the end! Told from multiple points of view makes this even more complex and gripping. Kovach has a way with words and this story flows nicely and easily. I read the majority of it in just 24 hours. 

When you think you might have it all figured out you realize you aren't even close to the end of the book. Then the author throws a twist you didn't even see coming. It's truly a one-of-a-kind storyline. It kept me guessing to the end and surprised me even after I thought it was all wrapped up. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me an advanced digital copy to read and give my honest review. This was a 5+ star read!

"Then She Vanished is set to be released March 17, 2025 here in the U.S. so reorder you copy today! 

Happy Reading! 

"Gothictown" by Emily Carpenter

 

The email message that lands in Billie Hope’s inbox seems like a gift from the universe. For $100 she can purchase a spacious Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia, a small town eager to boost its economy in the wake of the pandemic. She can leave behind her cramped New York City rental and some painful memories. Plus she’ll get a business grant to open a new restaurant in a charming riverside community laden with opportunity.

After some phone calls and one hurried visit, Billie and her husband and daughter are officially part of the "Juliana Initiative." The town is everything promised, and between settling into her lavish home and starting a new restaurant, Billie is busy enough to dismiss misgivings.

Yet those misgivings grow. There’s something about Juliana, something off-kilter and menacing beneath its famous Southern hospitality. No matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she’s starting to wonder how, and whether, they’ll ever leave. ~taken from Goodreads

I first fell in love with author, Emily Carpenter, back in 2016 with her debut book, "Burying The Honeysuckle Girls", which I cannot recommend enough. I also enjoyed reading "Until The Day I Die" and have other novels of hers on my TBR list. 

This latest one caught my eye because I love a good southern gothic story. When I saw it was by the author I couldn't say no. The premise for this book was truly unique and one of a kind: a family offered a chance to restart their life in an idealistic town for practically nothing. A chance for them to own a house and get a loan to start a business seemed like a dream come true. 

Right away, something seems off about the people of this town. On the outside they are all so friendly and eager to help their new neighbors and friends. What secrets are they hiding about this town? Why is it so perfect? How are they able to offer houses so cheap and give out money to fund new businesses on town? 

This was labeled southern gothic mystery/horror and I think that is wholly incorrect. This is a mild thriller and cozy mystery at best. It has a slight paranormal aspect to it, maybe? 

While I was disappointed in the genre, I did enjoy the story as a whole. The characters, although plentiful & at times confusing, where all unique and unforgettable. There were also times where the plot seemed to drag on and move too slowly, and I think the ending came a bit too swift and wrapped up a bit too neatly. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me an advanced digital copy to read and give my honest review. It was a 4 star read for me, as I am still thinking about it days later. 

"Gothictown" by Emily Carpenter is set to be released on March 25, 2025 here in the U.S. so pre-order your copy now! 

Happy Reading! 

"The Memory Ward" by Jon Bassoff

 

They say it’s always beautiful in Bethlam, Nevada. No place you’d rather live. The people are friendly, if a little nosy, and there’s no crime to speak of. Life is pretty perfect.

But postal worker Hank Davies has started to suspect something is off in this idyllic little town. And he’s certain of that when he realizes the letters he’s been delivering are just blank pages.

Hank isn’t the only one who’s noticed the oddities in Bethlam. One such person knocks on his window in the middle of the night, urging him to investigate his bedroom wall. When Hank pulls back the wallpaper, he discovers dozens of sheets of paper, full of a story that is either complete madness or unbelievable truth. As he begins looking beyond the veneer of his smiling neighbors and their white picket fences, Hank is drawn further and further into a disturbing new reality …

Told in Bassoff’s lyrical and evocative style, The Memory Ward is a disquieting page-turner that examines the nature of identity, trauma, and what it means to be human. ~taken from Goodreads

This was my first introduction to author Jon Bassoff. The premise sounded so intriguing and truly one of a kind. It will be hard to give this review without spoilers, so this will be short and sweet. 

I could feel the eerie vision this plot was trying to put off, but the writing style and overall delivery was so repetitive and boring that I lost interest and checked out of the story before the "explanation".

Honestly I was left confused and questioning if I missed important elements of the story, but it honestly wasn't even worth re-reading to double check my misgivings. The reveal was so anticlimactic I thought I missed it. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing my an advanced e-copy to read and give my honest review. It was a 3 star read. 

"The Memory Ward" is currently available for purchase. It has plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews, so clearly many people enjoyed it. 

Happy Reading!    

"Cross My Heart: by Megan Collins

 

She has his dead wife’s heart; the one she wants is his. The author of The Family Plot brings her signature prose to a twisty novel about a heart transplant patient who becomes romantically obsessed with her donor’s husband.

Rosie Lachlan wants nothing more than to find The One.

A year after she was dumped in her wedding dress, she’s working at her parents’ bridal salon, anxious for a happy ending that can’t come soon enough. After receiving a life-saving heart transplant, Rosie knows her health is precious and precarious. She suspects her heart donor is Daphne Thorne, the wife of local celebrity author Morgan Thorne, who she begins messaging via an anonymous service called DonorConnect, ostensibly to learn more about Daphne. But Rosie has a secret: She’s convinced that now that she has his wife’s heart, she and Morgan are meant to be together.

As she and Morgan correspond, the pretense of avoiding personal details soon disappears, even if Rosie’s keeping some cards close to her chest. But as she digs deeper into Morgan’s previous marriage, she discovers disturbing rumors about the man she’s falling for. Could Morgan have had something to do with his late wife’s death? And can Rosie’s heart sustain another break—or is she next? ~taken from Goodreads

This is the third book I've read from author, Megan Collins and like the other two, this one had it's thrilling moments. "Behind The Red Door" and "The Family Plot" were previous books I read and enjoyed, so I was excited about this latest novel. 

I will admit this started out a bit slow for me. The chapters are told in a weird, alternating perspective that I didn't quite understand until almost halfway through. Once I realized what was happening and the twist "clicked" I was completely hooked! 

This is a story about obsession and secrets, and is full of twists. It is full of characters, each one more mysterious than the next. Every single character could be a suspect and it wasn't until the very end that I knew who the killer was. 

I am glad I went into this book knowing very little about it, and I think every reader should too.  It made for a fun and exciting read. 

Thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, and Atria books for the advanced digital copies to read and give my honest review. It was a 4 star read!

"Cross My Heart" is available today, January 14, 2025 here in the U.S. so get your copy today!  

Happy Reading! 

"The Lake Of Lost Girls" by Katherine Greene

 

Using suspenseful podcast clips to weave a twisty tale of a missing student and her sister who is desperate for answers, The Lake of Lost Girls is perfect for fans of I Have Some Questions for You.

It's 1998, and female students are going missing at Southern State University in North Carolina. But freshman Jessica Fadley, once a bright and responsible student, is going through her own struggles. Just as her life seems to be careening dangerously out of control, she suddenly disappears.

Twenty-four years later, Jessica's sister Lindsey is desperately searching for answers and uses the momentum of a new chart-topping true crime podcast, Ten Seconds to Vanish, that focuses on the cold cases, to guide her own investigation. Soon, interest reaches fever pitch when the bodies of the long-missing women begin turning up at a local lake, which leads Lindsey down a disturbing road of discovery.

In the present, one sister seeks to untangle a complicated web of lies.
In the past, the other descends ever deeper into a darkness that will lead to her ultimate fate.

This propulsive and chilling suspense is a sharp examination of sisterhood and the culture of true crime. ~taken from Goodreads

Told in alternating timelines and dual points of views, The Lake of Lost Girls had so much potential. I think it started out lackluster from the get-go by being labeled a thriller because a thriller it is not. This is a murder mystery. A slow moving one. 

Remains are found near a lake, 24 years after Jessica went missing. Could it be her? Her family never got any answers and feel like the police botched the whole investigation. 

Her sister, Lindsey, starts learning about her sister's past thanks to a new Podcast that is shedding light on similar murders that happened in the same area around that time and also via a very weird and shady reporter who is poking around.

I figured out the suspect pretty early on in the book. It was very clear. The writing style of this story is very choppy. I couldn't get into the flow. The characters are all sad and angry; there wasn't a single person I liked.  

Despite the negatives, it was a fast read. Given the podcast aspect it is a modern-type mystery. 

The Lake Of Lost Girls is set to be released November 5, 2024 here in the U.S. so pre-order your copy now. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me an advanced digital copy to read and give my honest review. It was a 3 star read. 

Happy Reading!