RoroblusMumReadsReviews/Rants

4* Excellent intro to this author, just a pity it ends before we see what gets dished out to the killer, and see his mindset. This is fast-paced, creepy, and had me thinking the worse would happen to more than one innocent - I'm including the lovely dogs here - and it was a brilliant intro to this author. I'd have liked to know more about Kate Marino and her relationship with her estranged-of-sorts dad. About her marriage and being widowed. About her life since both events. About her relationship with her daughter and MIL. Maybe there'll be tidbits in future tales? This was an excellent tale although I did wonder why no one thought that the killer might well be someone trusted and known. It kind of seemed a bit obvious despite the few plants at red herrings. Still, it's very readable and though animals were hurt, they didn't die, which is a huge plus in my book, no pun intended.

4* Unlikable protags, but very readable. She's a firestarter. Twisted firestarter. And a liar. And in need of psychotherapy. And a good(ish) little sister. And a better daughter at the end than I'd ever be to someone like her dad. And someone not likeable. This is a complex book if you think about Red' issues. Her twin's death. Her part in saud death. Scarlett who lives in her head. Her deliberate distance from her brother that she maybe feels some affection for, if indeed she's capable of any. Her understandable estrangement from her father. Her losses. Her actions. Her dishonesty. Her lack of conscience. Her Teflon coating, it seems. But, it's a twisted book. But it's not a nice book, just one that draws you in. In my case it was because I wanted to see her caught, or if not, learn a lesson and make some changes. I don't think she did, cos she's a firestarter, a twisted firestarter. ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Headline for my reading pleasure. 

4* Sweet, if not needing the tiniest suspension of disbelief that something like this could happen in 2026 USA. I've not read the previous books in this series as ice hockey isn't my thing. I think I grabbed this as one of the leads is Russian and I anticipated lots of fighting his feelings, maybe some toxic masculinity, maybe some in-rink fighting masquerading as foreplay and romancing, but instead I got a sweet read without most of the aforementioned.  I think the tale flowed because there are 2 previous ones focused on linked characters in the same sport. Not all are fully out but their teammates and family support them, and these leads' story fits in nicely without faux angst, drama or a not-believable outing.  I'm not sure if it ends on a HEA or a HFN, as the ending is (realistically) abrupt. That's not a complaint as the final scenes and chapter added tension that was maybe a bit missing from the storyline. I think I liked the lower-angst aspect, and I definit...

4.5* Not the heavy-duty danger I'm used to from Bree and team, but still a good read. This is a very 'Hollywood' book, based in Bree's hometown. There's a celeb, a bona fide one; her kid; her team of agents; her nightmare of an ex, who's her kid's father; paparazzi; obsessed fans; and, sadly haters, as well as 'Christians' of levels of (a lack of) intelligence that we see from the current maga crowd. There's also DA of someone too scared, too powerless and too indoctrinated to help herself and her two kids under 2/3. The storyline starts with a death on her premises and where Bree comes in, of course. So, there's a known target here and there's a good few potential suspects. Unfortunately with just one mention of a timeline, I narrowed the killer down to one of 2 people, then to the actual killer from the mention of an aside, plus an eye roll, and yep, game over. Mental health seems to be a huge problem in the US and I'm in shock how ...

4.85* Great, other than the attempt-at-a-romance ending that felt inorganic. I was a fan of Reacher in seasons 1 and 2, was caught in the trap by season 3, but found season 4 a bit hard to believe, especially in the finale when despite lacerations and bleeding out to the point of losing consciousness, he's up and out of hospital within a few hours, not even limping, no surgery,  barely any bandages. I think that may be the last episode I watch. Then comes along Neagly, releasing all 8 episodes at the same time and WOW. She blew Reacher out of the water.  The things we find out about her make her believable and make her strong and a little vulnerable. They make her human. And, her takes-no-prisoners female character is more believable than Reacher. Not as strong physically but mentally and with cold, detached logic and female intuition, she wins the day. Maria Sten is tall and well-built, believable in the role as a former soldier who's not lost her skills nor techniques. ...

5* Another excellent book in this series.  This book can be read as a standalone. It jumps straight into the death and there's enough given of Leo and Shan's histories that you're not lost in what gets mentioned about her dad - sad - and his son - also sad, but tinged with the son needing the lesson. I'm not sure that there's redemption for the boy - he's too up his own arse and too blinkered -  as he's been ridiculously stupid, of the Andrew Tate type, but there's hope where Shan's dad's concerned. And it sounds like Shan may end up needing therapy because of her fears and recurring nightmares, but she's not the type to open up. Thankfully, Leo does to Angie, his wife.  The murder in itself? Not sad for me, but there's sadness for many because of the murder. Sadness that outs, bad things that happen, bad things that happened getting revealed, 2 little kids losing parents. I felt for the killer. I think I'd have lashed out myself. An ...