Review of PLEASE JOIN US by Catherine Mackenzie

On August 17, 2022 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

Twisted does not even begin to describe the plot of this book! It’s more like driving on a curvy mountain road with all kinds of switchbacks that you weren’t expecting and a tractor trailer tailgating you. There were so many unexpected surprises that I just sat back and decided to enjoy the ride instead of trying to figure it all out. Not only was the plotting phenomenal, but the characters were completely fleshed out, with their flaws and weaknesses on display for all to see. Nicole is the lawyer in a large firm, but her job may be ending because the powers that be in her organization are no longer standing behind her. Desperate for that elusive success, Nicole receives an email from an organization called Panthera Leo inviting her to join a group of powerful women who make things happen in their lives and in their careers. Thinking she has nothing to lose, Nicole attends their weekend getaway. And that’s what happens next. Her life gets away from her, out of her control, bouncing to places and events that she never dreamed would happen. The sub-plot of her relationship with Dan was also mesmerizing as he just came across as a good guy who wanted whatever would make Nicole happy. Meanwhile, Nicole has a whole set of new lady friends and something weird is going on in her career, something remarkably unexplainable. Without giving the twists away, I cannot tell you much more about the plot except that this book captivated my imagination like no other book has lately. Told with real emotion and some evil manipulations that are somewhere in another stratosphere, this book is one that no one who loves suspense thrillers should miss. In fact, it’s a good thing that the book is listed as fiction or I would be trying to join Panthera Leo myself. Realistic book with so many wow factors and including so many details that demonstrated excellent research. Creativity and imagination combine to make this story one of the best fiction books that I have ever read!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon and Schuster via Netgalley and also a hard copy from them via mail. I was not required to write a positive review, but I was absolutely delighted to do so for such an amazing book. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This book is a hard PG-13 for me because of subject matter. It deals with a secret society that has a lot of weirdness going on in it and some cult-like aspects.

Catherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. A graduate of McGill in History and Law, Catherine practiced law for twenty years before leaving the practice to write full time. An avid runner, skier and tennis player, she’s the author of numerous bestsellers including HIDDEN, FRACTURED, THE GOOD LIAR and I’LL NEVER TELL. Her works have been translated into multiple languages and THE GOOD LIAR, YOU CAN’T CATCH ME and I’LL NEVER TELL have all been optioned for development into television series. **Photo and bio are from the author’s website at**
http://www.catherinemackenzie.com

Pre-order now! This book releases on August 23, 2022. Here are purchase links for your convenience:

Review of THE APPEAL by Janice Hallett

On January 20, 2022 By vickleaIn Book Review4 Comments

What an intriguing, captivating way to write a novel! Told via emails and what’s app messages between the characters, this is a whodunit murder mystery without equal. The main characters are many, but throughout the book, I felt like I got to know them well as they revealed things about themselves and each other via their correspondence. Thus, in a very creative way, the characters were fully developed and the plot raced to a stunning conclusion. I was guessing all the way through about who would die and who would be responsible, and I must admit I kept guessing incorrectly. I really enjoyed the riddles established by the investigator, with people not being who they seemed and one person not existing. Wow! Mind-blowing and so totally engaging! I could not get through this book fast enough to satisfy my own curiosity and since this is a debut novel, I sincerely look forward to more from this author. The winning combination of mystery and deep revelations of character was a perfect way to entice me to keep reading until the very end. It was like reading an Agatha Christie novel in epistolary form, so good and such a welcome respite from the same mysteries that I usually read. Loved it and highly recommend it to mystery lovers everywhere!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*This is a mystery with a twist since it is told in epistolary form. I would rate it PG because of the murder, but there is no* *graphic violence described nor expletives* used.

Information about the author can be found at Sheiland. She is a British author and this is her debut novel. Promises to be a real blockbuster and has already been optioned for a TV series.

Available on January 25th at your favorite bookstore. Here are some links to help you find this delicious murder mystery:

Many thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC to read and review! This is one of the best mystery books that I have read in a very long time!

Review of INVISIBLE GIRL by Lisa Jewell

On October 12, 2020 By vickleaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Lisa Jewell’s latest book is the story of misfits in society, the story of desiring acceptance and love, the story of betrayal and lies and deception, and the story of secrets. It is a multi-layered story told from the point of view of three main characters. Cat Fours, the wife of Roan and mother of self-centered Georgia and spoiled Josh, is a woman who knows something is wrong but chooses to ignore it rather than confront. Saffyre Maddox is a teen who was abused as a young child and is still suffering from that physical assault. She sat under the therapy of Roan Fours, but since he didn’t cure her, she has decided to stalk him. The final narrator was the most unreliable but also the most interesting. Owen Pick is a complete misfit, a thirty something who has yet to find his place in the world. Fired from his job as a geography professor, Owen lives with Tessie, a relative who seldom interacts with him. Owen is part of an online group known as the incels, a group of involuntary celibates, something that I had never heard of before and I’m not sure that I want to know more about them now. Dark! Very dark! When Saffyre disappears, Owen is naturally the first suspect and is picked up, questioned and finally charged. Owen continues to declare his innocence, Cat continues to turn the other way and refuse to acknowledge that evil may exist under her roof, and Saffyre is still missing. This is not really what I would call a thriller, but rather a psychological family drama. It was thought-provoking throughout, especially at the end, when I closed the book and continued to reflect on the deceptive appearances that are a central theme. Who is in my life who wears one face and hides the real person inside? I really enjoyed this book, but not with a happy feeling at the end. The book is too dark with multi-faceted themes to leave me with contentment at the end. However, it left me with a lot to ponder. Fans of Lisa Jewell and psychological mysteries will really enjoy this fast-paced book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

*Very entertaining but extremely dark content and themes, so not recommended for teens. Mature audiences only!*

*Photo from the author*’*s website at* Lisa Jewell

Available tomorrow, October 13th! Purchase Links:

Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner

Tag: Atria Books

Review of PLEASE JOIN US by Catherine Mackenzie

Pre-order now! This book releases on August 23, 2022. Here are purchase links for your convenience:

Review of THE APPEAL by Janice Hallett

Information about the author can be found at Sheiland. She is a British author and this is her debut novel. Promises to be a real blockbuster and has already been optioned for a TV series.

Available on January 25th at your favorite bookstore. Here are some links to help you find this delicious murder mystery:

Many thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC to read and review! This is one of the best mystery books that I have read in a very long time!

Review of INVISIBLE GIRL by Lisa Jewell

Available tomorrow, October 13th! Purchase Links:

A blockbuster novel from Atria Books that you can pre-order today!