Review of THE LAST WIFE by Karen Hamilton

On July 10, 2020 By vickleaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

This is a domestic drama with some hints of psychological thriller and suspense, but the latter two elements never really got there for me. The domestic drama was well-written with a narrator who is self-centered and who tells the story from her own point of view, without noticing her own weaknesses. Marie, Camilla, Charlie and Nina go on vacation together and one of them dies there. That’s the beginning of the mystery, but it really isn’t one for long as Marie tells us quickly what she surmises had happened. Marie is extremely jealous of Nina and her life as a mom with a perfect family. That obsession is the foundation of the story. I really didn’t sympathize with any of the characters unless it was the children who had to put up with such nonsense from the adults. Nevertheless, the plot was cleverly written with just enough twists to keep me reading. Fans of domestic drama with a hint of mystery and thriller will enjoy this new book by Karen Hamilton.
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.”

*I would consider this book for mature audiences only because of its subject matter and content.*

Author Bio:

Karen Hamilton spent her childhood in Angola, Zimbabwe, Belgium and Italy and worked as a flight attendant for many years. Karen is a recent graduate of the Faber Academy and, having now put down roots in Hampshire to raise her young family with her husband, she satisfies her wanderlust by exploring the world through her writing. She is also the author of the international bestseller The Perfect Girlfriend.

THE LAST WIFE

Author: Karen Hamilton

ISBN: 9781525831744

Publication Date: July 7, 2020

Publisher: Graydon House Books

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Social Links:

Twitter: @KJHAuthor

Instagram: @karenhamiltonauthor

Facebook: @KarenHamiltonWriter

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Review of SISTER DEAR by Hannah Mary McKinnon

On June 1, 2020 By vickleaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

What a twisted story of love, loss, secrets, greed and revenge! At the beginning of the story, the main character, Eleanor, is in jail. The rest of the story is a look at how and why she got there. Nothing is as it seems in this novel! Each time I thought that I had figured out a plot twist, it jack-knifed and went the opposite direction. Fascinating plot! This book was edgy, dark suspense and an intense psychological thriller. I was taken inside the mind of poor Eleanor, an overweight, shy young woman who has been ridiculed her entire life by her mother and her Hollywood-bound sister Amy. Eleanor’s only advocate is her father who is dying of cancer. In the hospice, Eleanor discovers that he is not her real biological father, so becomes determined to find her family. Stan Gallinger, her biological father, is not in the running for father of the year since he flatly tells Eleanor to get lost! So Eleanor decides that she wants a relationship with her sister Victoria Gallinger. What a turn in the plot that was! The twists and turns continue all the way to the shocking ending! I enjoyed the plot twists and the characters, but sometimes I felt like I was getting whiplash from the quick turn-arounds from the deceit that is a part of the plot. A really enjoyable read for fans of suspense and thrillers!
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.”

*My rating is based on the entertainment value to me, but I must warn my readers that this book deals with dark suspense, so it may not be suitable for all readers.*

Author Bio: Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. After a successful career in recruitment, she quit the corporate world in favor of writing, and is now the author of The Neighbors and Her Secret Son. She lives in Oakville, Ontario, with her husband and three sons, and is delighted by her twenty-second commute

SISTER DEAR

Author: Hannah Mary McKinnon

ISBN: 9780778309550

Publication Date: May 26, 2020

Publisher: MIRA Books

Buy Links:

Social Links:

Twitter: @HannahMMcKinnon

Instagram: @hannahmarymckinnon

Facebook: @HannahMaryMcKinnon

Goodreads

Review of THE MOTHER IN LAW by Sally Hepworth

On April 24, 2019April 24, 2019 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

This was an absolutely perfectly written book that drew me into the story from the beginning! It is told from the viewpoints of Diana, the mother-in=law, and Lucy, the daughter-in-law. Since the novel is told from the time of the current and the past, the reader needs to pay attention to the title of each chapter which tells you when the action takes place. It is the story of a dysfunctional family into which a young motherless girl, Lucy, marries. She really loves Ollie and wants to have a great future with him, but the problem seems to be Diana who doesn’t seem to like Lucy at all. From the time Diana meets Lucy, Diana seems to be withdrawn from her, hiding her feelings behind her aristocratic demeanor and speech. The family relationships also include Nettie, Ollie’s sister, and her overbearing husband Patrick. The only character that seemed likable was Lucy, but I did applaud Diana for her work with charities. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its portrayal of a broken family and the results that affect all of them forever. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense. I can’t really characterize it as a thriller, but definitely a suspense! This was the second book that I have read by this author, and she certainly does not disappoint her readers!

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.”