SCREAM CATCHER by Vincent Zandri

Published by StoneGate Ink

  Now, in the wake of his literary success, the ever anxious Jude is hoping to lead a quiet, peaceful life in the idyllic Adirondack vacation town of Lake George, New York with his new pregnant wife, Rosie, and Jack, his young son from a previous marriage. But when Jude becomes the accidental witness to a bizarre “kill game” in which the killer, video game designer and master of disguise, Hector “the Black Dragon” Lennox, insists on recording the screams of his victims prior to shooting them dead, the ex-cop’s life is turned upside down.
  When Lennox is arrested by the L.G.P.D. and Jude is asked to act as the state’s “star witness,” he has no choice but to fight his demon-fear and take on the role. But what he doesn’t realize at the time is that the killer’s arrest is actually the first chapter in what is a carefully designed and scripted kill game that will involve Jude’s entire family.
  How will the kill game end?
  It will end not with a whimper, but a scream.

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  Where do I begin?  I’m thinking that I should apologize in advance as this is not going to be like my typical reviews where I attempt to make them short, concise, and to the point but this book has me reeling.  It all started in May of 2010 when I read a debut novel, Moonlight Falls, by an unknown author to me, Vincent Zandri and I was hooked.  Since that time I have read every one of his books and he doesn’t disappoint.
  I wrote a pre review last week when I was quite surprised when I received this galley in my email.  So I will start this review there.
(written on 07/28/11)  If you are a reader of mystery’s, thrillers, non stop action filled novels, mark your calendar for the release of this book!!!  Vinzent Zandri has IT!!!  Vincent Zandri is IT!!!  Vincent Zandri is brillIanT!!!  Just when you thought he reached the pinnacle in writing, he has found a higher mountain!!!  He has raised the bar with Scream Catcher!!  My heart was pounding at warp speed!!!  And that’s from reading 1/2 the book. It can only get better!!!  In ten days…plan on spending the day reading….it’s a page turning, can’t put down novel.
  Now that I have read the book in it’s entirety, I can give a full review.  Fantastic!!!!  Zandri is a genius at story telling.  Why does this book have me reeling?  His inventiveness of writing style.  I noticed a deviation immediately.  It has the classic Zandri flair, short chapters, cliff hanging chapters, twists and turns, non stop action and page turning suspense.  However, this had more drama, less quirky, quip dialogue and more of a psychological thriller plot.  Masterful!!!!
  In my pre review, I stated “it could only get better”…It did!!!  Exceptional!!!  His creative talent is phenomenal!!!  Vincent Zandri and Scream Catcher are Champions!!!!

THE GOOD SISTER by Drusilla Campbell

  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Roxanne Callahan has always been her younger sister’s caretaker. Now married, her happiness is threatened when beautiful and emotionally unstable Simone, suffering from crippling postpartum depression, commits an unforgivable crime for which Roxanne comes to believe she is partially responsible. In the glare of national media attention brought on her sister, Roxanne fights to hold her marriage together as she is drawn back into the pain of her troubled past and relives the fraught relationship she and Simone shared with their narcissistic mother. At the same time, only she can help Simone’s nine year old daughter, Merell, make sense of the family’s tragedy. Cathartic, lyrical, and unflinchingly honest, THE GOOD SISTER is a novel of four generations of women struggling to overcome a legacy of violence, lies and secrecy, ultimately finding strength and courage in their love for each other.

  My Thoughts and Opinion: Ms. Campbell was able to take a real life , often misunderstood, disease, and with her sensitive, personal experience and masterful writing style, to create a fictional story that was poignant, emotional and heart wrenching. The family dynamics profound, psyches formed from childhood make one wonder of their own family dynamics. This book, at times was very personal and hard for me to read, especially because I could relate to the character of Roxanne. With this book, comes a “Reading Book Guide”, and after reading it, I agree, this novel would make an excellent Book Club Choice. If you enjoy books where relationships are woven together, then this is a must read.

THE GOOD SISTER by Drusilla Campbell

  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Roxanne Callahan has always been her younger sister’s caretaker. Now married, her happiness is threatened when beautiful and emotionally unstable Simone, suffering from crippling postpartum depression, commits an unforgivable crime for which Roxanne comes to believe she is partially responsible. In the glare of national media attention brought on her sister, Roxanne fights to hold her marriage together as she is drawn back into the pain of her troubled past and relives the fraught relationship she and Simone shared with their narcissistic mother. At the same time, only she can help Simone’s nine year old daughter, Merell, make sense of the family’s tragedy. Cathartic, lyrical, and unflinchingly honest, THE GOOD SISTER is a novel of four generations of women struggling to overcome a legacy of violence, lies and secrecy, ultimately finding strength and courage in their love for each other.

  My Thoughts and Opinion: Ms. Campbell was able to take a real life , often misunderstood, disease, and with her sensitive, personal experience and masterful writing style, to create a fictional story that was poignant, emotional and heart wrenching. The family dynamics profound, psyches formed from childhood make one wonder of their own family dynamics. This book, at times was very personal and hard for me to read, especially because I could relate to the character of Roxanne. With this book, comes a “Reading Book Guide”, and after reading it, I agree, this novel would make an excellent Book Club Choice. If you enjoy books where relationships are woven together, then this is a must read.

NEVER KNOWING by Chevy Stevens

ISBN 978-0-312-59568-5
At the request of St. Martin’s Press, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara did not have an ideal home life. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and to find closure.
  But some questions are better left unanswered.
  After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother — only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: Her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her.
  What if murder is in your blood?
 Never Knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand herself, her origins, and her family. That is, if she can survive….

  My Thoughts and Opinion: For those bloggers who were around, right around this time last year, you may remember there was a lot of buzz about debut author Chevy Stevens and her chilling novel Still Missing. A few months ago I was approached to read and review her newest book and since I was one of the bloggers blown away by her debut novel, I accepted. However, I tend to have a bit of apprehension when the first book is outstanding. Can the second book compare? Or was the author and first book a “one hit wonder”? My opinion…..Chevy Stevens is pure talent…..brilliant!!!!

As in her first novel, the main character Sara, starts each chapter with a session with her psychiatrist but I found in this book that there was much more dialogue and interaction between the characters. Her writing style is fluid and so descriptive, which allowed me to visualize and create vivid imagery. I felt that I was easily transported into the story line. (Vague….due to not wanting to include spoilers) Example: when Sara’s cell phone kept ringing, I realized I was holding my breath waiting for her to answer the phone. Engrossing! A definite page turner! The characters came to life whereas even their emotions were felt. At times terrifying!! The ending, just when I thought it ended, another surprise!! Sara learns “be careful what you wish for”. Am hoping that this time next year, I will be reading her third novel!!! Chevy Stevens delivers again!!

NEVER KNOWING by Chevy Stevens

ISBN 978-0-312-59568-5
At the request of St. Martin’s Press, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara did not have an ideal home life. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and to find closure.
  But some questions are better left unanswered.
  After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother — only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: Her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her.
  What if murder is in your blood?
 Never Knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand herself, her origins, and her family. That is, if she can survive….

  My Thoughts and Opinion: For those bloggers who were around, right around this time last year, you may remember there was a lot of buzz about debut author Chevy Stevens and her chilling novel Still Missing. A few months ago I was approached to read and review her newest book and since I was one of the bloggers blown away by her debut novel, I accepted. However, I tend to have a bit of apprehension when the first book is outstanding. Can the second book compare? Or was the author and first book a “one hit wonder”? My opinion…..Chevy Stevens is pure talent…..brilliant!!!!

As in her first novel, the main character Sara, starts each chapter with a session with her psychiatrist but I found in this book that there was much more dialogue and interaction between the characters. Her writing style is fluid and so descriptive, which allowed me to visualize and create vivid imagery. I felt that I was easily transported into the story line. (Vague….due to not wanting to include spoilers) Example: when Sara’s cell phone kept ringing, I realized I was holding my breath waiting for her to answer the phone. Engrossing! A definite page turner! The characters came to life whereas even their emotions were felt. At times terrifying!! The ending, just when I thought it ended, another surprise!! Sara learns “be careful what you wish for”. Am hoping that this time next year, I will be reading her third novel!!! Chevy Stevens delivers again!!

THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES by Marcus Sakey
Published by Dutton, member of Penguin Group, Inc.

At the request of Kaye Publicity, a HC was sent, at no charge to me, for my honest opinion.

  A man wakes up naked and cold, half-drowned on an abandoned beach. The only sign of life for miles is an empty BMW. Inside the expensive car he finds clothes that fit perfectly, shoes for his tattered feet, a Rolex, and a bank envelope stuffed with cash and an auto registration in the name of Daniel Hayes, resident of Malibu, California.
  None of it is familiar.
  What is he doing here? How did he get into the ocean? Is he Daniel Hayes, and if so, why doesn’t he remember? While he searches for answers, the world searches for him-beginning with the police that kick in the door of his dingy motel, with guns drawn. Lost, alone, and on the run, the man who might be Daniel Hayes flees into the night.
  All he remembers is a woman’s face, so he sets off for the only place he might find her. The fantasy of her becomes his home, his world, his hope. And maybe, just maybe, the way back to himself.
  But that raises the most chilling question of all: What will he find when he gets there?

  My Thoughts and Opinion: I feel that I need to begin this review with a caveat in fairness to the author. It took me longer than usual for me to read this book, not because of the author or plot but because of real life issues that needed to take a priority. If not for that, this novel would most definitely be a can’t put down read. I did have a bit of difficulty focusing in on the characters and plot the first 1/3 of the book but again, my mindset. Once, I was able to focus, the ride was unstoppable. The characters appeared life like, however, I kept going back and forth in my mind as to who was actually the victim or victims. The plot, action packed. (Vague-do not want to include spoilers) What was real? What was the truth? After reading the last paragraph, I literally sat there, stunned, with how it ended. Will there be a sequel? I hope so!!

ISBN-13: 9780316190428
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Desperate and facing homelessness, Meredith receives a call from her old best friend, Constance Flute. Connie’s had recent worries of her own, and the two depart for a summer on Nantucket in an attempt to heal. But the island can’t offer complete escape, and they’re plagued by new and old troubles alike. When Connie’s brother Toby – Meredith’s high school boyfriend – arrives, Meredith must reconcile the differences between the life she is leading and the life she could have had.
  Set against the backdrop of a Nantucket summer, Elin Hilderbrand delivers a suspenseful story of the power of friendship, the pull of love, and the beauty of forgiveness.
 
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I would like to first start with 2 caveats. This was the first book I had read by this author. After posting that it was my current read, I received mixed comments about her previous books, so quite honestly, was a bit skeptical. The second, in fairness to the author, was the length of time it took me to read the book. It had nothing to do with the writing style, it holding my interest, the characters and/or the story line. Matter of fact, quite the opposite. I really enjoyed all of the above. It was because at the present time, I am also caught up in a televised trial that has taken away from my reading time.

  As far as the novel, it is the type of read where you become part of the story. I felt that the author brought the characters to life, whereas I could feel their emotions. I enjoyed the dynamics of the relationships between the characters, including their flaws. At times, I wanted to comfort them and at times, reprimand them. The story covered a 40 year friendship and at certain times of reflection, would alternate between the present with memories of past. The setting of Nantucket was vivid. A moving novel of friendship, love, pain, forgiveness, loss, desperation, life and hope. My favorite quote in the book, which I feel is so true, was on page 313, “God, human beings were resilient, Connie thought. They were resilient!” A perfect summer read!!

THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES by Marcus Sakey
Published by Dutton, member of Penguin Group, Inc.

At the request of Kaye Publicity, a HC was sent, at no charge to me, for my honest opinion.

  A man wakes up naked and cold, half-drowned on an abandoned beach. The only sign of life for miles is an empty BMW. Inside the expensive car he finds clothes that fit perfectly, shoes for his tattered feet, a Rolex, and a bank envelope stuffed with cash and an auto registration in the name of Daniel Hayes, resident of Malibu, California.
  None of it is familiar.
  What is he doing here? How did he get into the ocean? Is he Daniel Hayes, and if so, why doesn’t he remember? While he searches for answers, the world searches for him-beginning with the police that kick in the door of his dingy motel, with guns drawn. Lost, alone, and on the run, the man who might be Daniel Hayes flees into the night.
  All he remembers is a woman’s face, so he sets off for the only place he might find her. The fantasy of her becomes his home, his world, his hope. And maybe, just maybe, the way back to himself.
  But that raises the most chilling question of all: What will he find when he gets there?

  My Thoughts and Opinion: I feel that I need to begin this review with a caveat in fairness to the author. It took me longer than usual for me to read this book, not because of the author or plot but because of real life issues that needed to take a priority. If not for that, this novel would most definitely be a can’t put down read. I did have a bit of difficulty focusing in on the characters and plot the first 1/3 of the book but again, my mindset. Once, I was able to focus, the ride was unstoppable. The characters appeared life like, however, I kept going back and forth in my mind as to who was actually the victim or victims. The plot, action packed. (Vague-do not want to include spoilers) What was real? What was the truth? After reading the last paragraph, I literally sat there, stunned, with how it ended. Will there be a sequel? I hope so!!