"The Trip" by Audrey J. Cole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Trip" by Audrey J. Cole is an exciting locked-room thriller at sea—two of my favorite tropes—following a group of friends haunted by their past. Told in first-person POV from Palmer’s perspective, the story quickly turns dark: a storm, deaths, and a long-buried secret transform what begins as a luxurious cruise for four friends into a deadly ordeal.

Five friends went on a rafting trip twenty years ago during their senior year. Only four returned. Volleyball captain Courtney’s body was never found, which impacted all their lives. In the present day, Palmer—struggling with a broken marriage and the only one with kids—joins her best friend Beth, a newly appointed university president, and home renovator Emma on a voyage. They are invited by former friend, mega-influencer Gigi, to an all-expenses-paid trip along the Pacific Coast in remembrance of Courtney.

The plot thickens when a storm hits, the captain goes missing, and a mysterious note accuses them of murdering Courtney. As events unfold, it becomes clear that Courtney wasn’t so pure of heart—she could be cruel at times. In fact, each of the gang has a secret and a reason to want her dead. Then someone disappears, and it’s only the beginning. What was supposed to be a relaxing cruise turns into a fight for their lives. Palmer must navigate a rocky sea of secrets and lies if she wants to make it out alive.

The book was thoroughly absorbing and kept me hooked from start to finish. The trope is familiar, but the execution is compelling, and the writing is smooth and atmospheric. The pace starts off slow but quickly accelerates, maintaining suspense throughout. The transitions between timelines are seamless. None of the characters are very likeable—each behaved badly at some point—but I was still invested in their fate, at least in some of them.

The storytelling is intense: full of tension, unease, claustrophobia, and atmosphere. I could feel the rocking of the ship during the storm, the claustrophobic vibes, and the fear. The group dynamic was well drawn, with all the drama, fighting, and high emotions. I couldn't understand why the characters let Courtney step on them in their youth without breaking free, though.

It’s a book about image, influence, guilty secrets, infidelity, revenge, and lies. In the end, every lie comes to light, and no one can escape their past. One minor issue I noticed: Courtney’s diary mentions a traitor, but the identity is never revealed.

Overall, I enjoyed the story immensely. I didn’t guess who was behind all the incidents, which is a good thing. I rated the book 4.5 stars out of 5, rounded up to 5. It’s a light read, but sometimes that’s exactly what we need to breathe between heavier books. I recommend it to fans of atmospheric, suspenseful locked-room thrillers at sea, or anyone who enjoys a story where secrets from the past refuse to stay buried.
 
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Trip" by Audrey J. Cole

 

"Beneath the Poet’s House" by Christa Carmen

 

As a fan of "The Daughters of Block Island", the author's former book, and someone familiar with Poe's work, the premise of "Beneath the Poet’s House" by Christa Carmen immediately piqued my interest. A book inspired by Poe? Count me in! This atmospheric, slow-paced psychological suspense novel nods to Edgar Allan Poe and his former fiancée, Sarah Helen Whitman.

The story follows Saoirse White, a novelist with a traumatic past who is struggling with writer’s block, among other issues. To escape her demons, she relocates to Providence shortly after the death of her husband, unwittingly renting the historic home of Sarah Helen Whitman, the nineteenth-century poet and spiritualist once courted by Edgar Allan Poe. Soon, the turbulent courtship of Poe and Whitman begins to mirror Saoirse’s own life.

Saoirse starts experiencing a series of Poe-themed coincidences: strange noises in her house, a tackle with a trio of eccentric occultists obsessed with Whitman who become her friends, and stumbling upon a Poe display at the local library. A chance meeting with the famous author Emmit Powell, who bears an eerie resemblance to both her late husband and Poe, pulls her deeper into the lives of Poe and Whitman and the mystery surrounding Whitman’s house. As her relationship with Emmit rapidly deepens, she finds herself entangled in a web of mystery, secrets, and lies.

In the tradition of atmospheric gothic novels, this book offers a mystery rich in period detail and sinister intrigue. I enjoyed learning about the history of Sarah Whitman and Edgar Allan Poe and appreciated the parallels the author drew between them and Saoirse. The inclusion of poems and the voice of Saoirse’s late husband in her head added to the eerie atmosphere.

There's a solid cast of supporting characters, and Saoirse is a well-rounded protagonist. However, there were moments when I wanted to shake her. She fell in love too quickly, made poor choices - such as neglecting her health by drinking - and was too easily swayed by others. Despite her flaws, her vulnerability touched me, and I rooted for her throughout. The novel explores several serious themes, including drugs, abuse, toxic relationships, depression, life and death, and, of course, Poe-inspired elements.

While I enjoyed the book, a few things irritated me. A character was given LSD without her knowledge or consent, and this was brushed off with a mere slap on the wrist. Additionally, Saoirse’s neglect of her diabetic cat was troubling, and despite warnings from her friends, she continued to make poor decisions.

The book had all the elements of a great story - ghosts, catacombs, secret passages, séances, chanting voices, residual hauntings, and a forgotten cemetery - but these elements were somewhat muddled by the slow pacing, meandering plot, and excessive introspection. The first two-thirds of the book focuses on character development and setting the stage for the various themes and mystery, and the pace only picks up toward the last third.

The final third was its saving grace. It was intense, keeping me on the edge of my seat and reading into the wee hours. I had to know what would become of our heroine. I decided to rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s a good book, but it could benefit from some refining. Tightening up the plot would make it a better read. I recommend it to fans of gothic novels and Poe’s work.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book:  "Beneath the Poet’s House" by Christa Carmen

"Best House on the Block" by T.R. Ragan

 

"Best House on the Block" by T.R. Ragan is an intriguing psychological suspense novel following aspiring investigative journalist Shannon Gibbons as she tries to untangle the web of lies and secrets around her. This was my first book by the author, but it will not be my last.

Told in the third person, the book starts with a bang - a kidnapping of a toddler - and then jumps forward four years. Shannon Gibbons is an orphan, a mother, and a housewife who has dabbled in true crime stories online for years. When 65-year-old renowned journalist Rosella Marlow offers to be her mentor, she eagerly agrees and moves with her family to Rosella's neighborhood, the Fab-Forties of East Sacramento.

She quickly befriends her new neighbors and feels at home there, but Rosella is another kettle of fish. Rosella is bitter, resentful, and hated by all, and she is sure someone is after her. She asks for Shannon's help with this. The plot thickens when someone is found murdered, and that's when things get interesting.

The start of the book is very slow, and it took me a while to get into it. Things liven up after the murder, and from that point on, I was engrossed in the book. There are several plotlines woven into a mostly consistent whole. While I guessed early on the identity of the culprit, other twists caught me by surprise. There may have been one or two loose ends, but they weren't significant to the plot.

There is a large cast of characters, but I had no problem differentiating between them or keeping up with the story. With themes of trauma, loneliness, grief, infidelity, and the need for belonging, the author has woven a tale that I enjoyed reading.

I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars due to the slow start and some predictable and far-fetched turns. A tighter edit would have given the book a more polished look, but I still enjoyed it. It is a delightful read with engaging, multifaceted characters that will keep you enthralled. Despite the minor flaws, it is still worth reading. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense novels with a punch and a satisfying conclusion.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "Best House on the Block" by T.R. Ragan

"The Honeymoon" by Shalini Boland

 

"The Honeymoon" by Shalini Boland is a unique psychological thriller told in dual timelines from the first-person perspective of newlywed Stella. The story alternates between past and present, before and after the honeymoon of Stella and her husband Austin.".

Stella, a dance instructor, and Austin, a successful business owner, have been together for four years before finally taking the next step and getting married. Austin appears to be the perfect husband—attentive, loving, and caring. However, their bliss is disrupted by his ex's attempts to drive a wedge between them and Austin's troubles with his business partner, adding to their stress.

After their marriage, they embark on their honeymoon in Italy, hoping to relax and leave their troubles behind. However, what was supposed to be the perfect time of their lives turns into a nightmare. On the first night of their honeymoon, Austin goes out to retrieve a credit card he forgot at a restaurant they dined at earlier and has not seen since. Stella's stress intensifies as she frantically searches for him to no avail. The plot thickens as curious tidbits emerge, and we delve deeper into the characters' lives

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. While I initially expected a typical disappearance plot, it was anything but. The suspense was expertly crafted, slowly creeping up on the reader. The author skillfully builds tension and atmosphere throughout the book. The ending was intense, keeping me on the edge of my seat, and the epilogue managed to shock me, despite suspecting some plot twists.

The story is mostly character-driven, focusing more on the traits and emotions of the characters. I found Stella likable to a certain extent. There is enough action that the reader is immediately drawn into the story with further details of past events dropped like breadcrumbs along the way. As I felt that some characters got away too easily with their actions, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. Nonetheless, I loved the book and highly recommend it to fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers with a bite.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Honeymoon" by Shalini Boland

"The Wedding Party" by L.R. Jones

 

"The Wedding Party" by L.R. Jones is a psychological thriller revolving around a pre-wedding party gone wrong. The premise sounded promising, so I decided to give it a shot.

Carrie, a nurse, is engaged to Oliver, a successful businessman. They decided to combine their bachelor/bachelorette party and host it at the Historic Stanley Hotel located in Estes Park, Colorado. Lana, a good friend of the bride, invites FBI profiler Andi to come with her as her plus one, and after much hesitation, Andi accepts. She needs a break after all from her last case and from the constant references to her father, who was kicked out of the police force and opened his own agency. He is called Frank Castle, no less (is taking the name of the character Punisher even legal?). The plot thickens when a murder is committed at that weekend getaway. As Andi starts digging, curious tidbits pop up, befuddling the investigation.

The book opens with a bang, a murder that took place six months previously, then fast-forwards to the present. The book is written in the first-person POV, alternating between Carrie and Andi. I didn't connect to any of the characters, and some of Andi's methods of investigation made me raise an eyebrow. I liked the wink to the Punisher, but it seems odd to name a character after a TV series character. Also, to nickname a serial murderer 'Spiderman' seems a bit too much.

While this story has a lot of potential and is certainly entertaining, it does have its flaws. There were some plot holes - it wasn't clear why Oliver was bothered by Andy's presence at the party, for example, and the ending felt a bit abrupt, leaving me wishing for more closure.

I liked the dynamics between Andi and her father, but him calling her "daughter" all the time seems a bit strange. No one calls his daughter "daughter" while conversing with her. It doesn't ring true. Also, the repeated references to her father's conduct and to her being an FBI agent were redundant. We got it, she is an FBI agent, and he is like the Punisher. No need to rub it in our faces. Also, the writing was a bit stilted at times, and some of the dialogue didn't flow or feel natural.

Overall, I enjoyed the book despite it all. The execution of it was perhaps a bit lax in places, but I still enjoyed the journey and can forgive its flaws. I didn't guess the identity of the murderer, although I had my suspicions, and there were some interesting twists to the story I didn't see coming.

While I wasn't completely captivated by the tale, I wasn't bored by it either. I think the book does have potential, and straightening out its kinks will make this a better read. Until then, I rate the book 3.5 out of 4 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for some light reading in this genre. Just don't come with high expectations.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Wedding Party" by L.R. Jones

"Truth Truth Lie" by Claire McGowan

 

"Truth Truth Lie" by Claire McGowan centers around a group of university friends who go to a Scottish private island to celebrate the fortieth birthdays of two of their friends, the twins Vicky and Jonathan. I love the vacation-gone-wrong trope, so the premise caught my eye. The book had me poring over the pages from start to finish.

Amira and her husband Paddy are invited to the party along with their friends, more accurately, Paddy's friends. Amira always felt like an outsider and wasn't really accepted by the group. Among the group are Vicky, her husband Daniel, and their five-year-old twins, Fiona (Vicky's best friend and Jonathan's ex), 15-year-old Darcy (their daughter), Jonathan's new girlfriend Rachel, a media influencer, and last but not least, Louise.

On the island, they decide to play the game ‘Two Truths and a Lie’. Each has to anonymously post three statements, two truths and one false, and they need to discern which is the lie and who wrote the note. The plot thickens when an extra note appears, stating: "Everyone here has killed someone. There is no way off this island. You will all either kill or be killed here." An innocent parlor game then turns deadly when secrets are revealed, and one of them turns up dead. It is just the beginning. With no Wi-Fi reception or a reliable boat, they are trapped on the island until the end of the weekend and have to figure out what's going on fast.

The book is written in the third person, each chapter focusing on a different character. The chapters alternate between the main characters and some other characters. The book has strong vibes of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," a book that I loved. The premise isn't original; this trope has been done many times, but I enjoyed it.

Each one of the group has some dark secret in his past and a motive to kill. The characters were well-etched, but I didn't like any of them. I didn't figure out who the guilty party was. They did sound self-righteous. I thought they were hypocrites, as they weren't faultless either. It was interesting to note how quickly the group turned on each other once things got out of hand.

I loved the setting, the atmosphere, and the simmering tension in the air. The end of the story was intense, and I liked how the author wrapped up all the loose ends. As the secrets are revealed, the reader is left wondering who will make it out alive. I did feel it was a bit too much that each of the characters had some ties, directly or indirectly, to death.

Good plotting, judiciously dropped clues, and twists make this a thrilling and suspenseful novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As the book did spark my interest, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to those who enjoy the locked room trope or just a good book with a distinctive setting.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "Truth Truth Lie" by Claire McGowan

"The Guests" by Margot Hunt

 

"The Guests" by Margot Hunt is a story of poor choices, vengeance, and betrayal. A family besieged by a storm has to deal with the consequences of their actions.

Celeste, a Category 5 hurricane, is headed toward the small coastal town of Shoreham. The Davies family (Lee, Marlowe, and their 17-year-old twins, Tom and June) decide to brave the storm in their waterfront mansion. They invite Zack, Tom's best friend, and Isabel, Marlowe's assistant, to stay with them during the storm. With the help of their handyman, Mike, they are in the middle of putting storm shutters when a strange boat docks on their shore.

The strangers in the boat are the Brothers Jason and Bo, and Bo’s girlfriend, Darcy. With no other alternative, the trio is invited to join the family during the storm. However, something feels off about them, nor does their reason for sailing forth ring true. As the storm advances and tensions increase, it is clear the trio has a hidden agenda. Thus, a worsening situation rapidly spins out of control, endangering them all.

The book is written in the third person, but each chapter focuses on a different character. It explores issues of family interactions, food disorders, infidelity, and survival. Overall, I enjoyed the book despite some issues that required the suspension of belief. People staying at home despite evacuation warnings, inviting strangers in, or acting foolishly. Another thing that didn't make sense was a killer that wasn't incarcerated, fear of dealing with an anorexic girl, or a boy faulted for the action of another.

While the book has its flaws, it did capture my interest. I will give it that. I was invested in the plot and cared about a few of the characters. A couple of twists caught me by surprise, and I loved the ending. I also enjoyed the setting and the descriptions of the weather. Luckily, I never lived through hurricanes, so I don't know how accurate its description is, but it convinced me.

To conclude, I enjoyed the book, flaws and all. I loved the pace of the book. It was a quick read with an interesting scenario that drew me in. Hence, I decided to rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4. This is my first read by this author, and certainly not the last. I recommend the book to those who enjoy a quick thriller and don't mind an implausible plot.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Guests" by Margot Hunt