Written like true crime but truly fiction, I fell for this book quite a few times while I was reading it and I could’ve sworn that what I was reading had actually occurred.  With the addition of the photographs, it was hard not to lean towards true crime as the authorities tried to find their serial killer and the body count kept creeping up.

I enjoyed the concept behind how the author put the book together.  I liked how the author put the book together so it read like a true crime novel. I know that I checked the genre on this book at least a couple times just like I checked Daisy Jones and the Six when I read that book.  These stories play tricks with us, they want us to believe them but then, where is the memory of such events in our heads?

I was looking forward to some impressive reading when I picked up this book after looking at the title and the synopsis, as it sounded scary and intense. After reading this book though, I felt disappointed.  I enjoyed the book but I guess with all the glowing reviews, the title and the synopsis, I was expecting something grander.  I guess I was expecting it to be a I-can’t-stop-thinking-about-this-book, with me sitting on the edge-of-my-seat and the words just flying across the page.  There were also moments where I felt the author gave me information just to give me information, where I grew bored.   I wanted to be scared and I wanted to devour this book. There were moments of mystery, intense and bizarre activity but nothing that frightened or alarmed me.

I wanted to know who was killing these young girls.  I needed to know what sick individual would then, take the time to pose their victim’s mutilated dead bodies for others to find.  Why? What was the purpose? With a fantastic cover and a unique style of writing, this book is by an author who has some amazing talent.  4 stars

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

This was an interesting concept for a book, however the way it was carried out was frustrated for me.

The plot is set out as if the reader is meant to be able to help solve it, but for me, the solution came out of nowhere and I couldn't engage with the clues. This style was mirrored in A Challenge to the Reader. I was very excited by this idea of finding a hidden message in the illustrations, however I didn't even come close to solving it. I had no idea what I was doing. It was only until I looked at the answer that I figured out the pattern and then was able to solve it. (Also, I struggled to find the supposed answer on the provided website in the book, but was finally able to locate it on Scholastic's Teacher's Activity Guide under Downloads near the bottom.)

The concept was clever and cool, but a lot of the clues were horribly hard to find. There were three that I could not find for the life of me until I looked up what I was supposed to be searching for. Only then was I able to see them. I do think finding the clues gets easier as you go, because you learn where Helquist is likely to hide them (space on walls, panes in windows). I'd recommend looking for all of the clues once you finish the book rather than as you read. It really pulls you out of the story and was just frustrating to me until I figured out what I was supposed to do. It may have been more successful if the prompt had been clearer. For instance, I understood the prompt for odd versus even but interpreted it in a different way than was meant and therefore was very frustrated.

Besides that frustration, I thought the book was good. It was written in an interesting way, had an unique premise, and was a cool way to raise interest in controversies in the art world. I didn't necessarily relate to either of the main characters and they felt pretty flat, but I think you can get away with that in a book meant for younger audiences. The plot itself was okay, a bit slow at times. There were times of suspense, but usually it didn't really pull me in because I couldn't engage with the mystery. It was written as though the reader was supposed to solve the crime with the characters, but there was too much hidden behind the scenes that I couldn't catch on to. Maybe I'm just not great at mysteries, but I mostly felt along for the ride on this one.

Interesting ideas about coincidences and such, but it did feel pretty random once the mystery was solved. I don't really put much faith in coincidences so maybe that just didn't resonate with me, but the final reveal was a bit of a let down and I felt there should have been more to it.

Good attempt with the puzzles and clues, but for me, it was too difficult. The pattern felt nearly impossible to solve until I looked up what I was supposed to be doing. I really enjoy books that allow the reader to solve puzzles such as Emily Rodda's Deltora books, which is geared toward a younger audience, but these ones felt a bit too difficult. You really had to be in the author and illustrator's heads to know what to do, which was frustrating. Fun once I knew what to do, but at the start, I had no hope.

Overall, an okay read. Had good potential, but was a bit flat at the end for me. I'm kind of intrigued that it is a series. May or may not continue if my library has the rest of the books.

From classy to sassy, St. Claire proves that she can do it all. Chasing Tail is a seduction that is not to be missed. Connor and Sadie are a powder keg of emotion that refuses to be denied. From humor to heartache they bring on the heat. The battle lines are drawn rather quickly, but the thrill lies in the meddling that goes on behind the scenes. From cuddly matchmakers to busybody grandmas, it's hard not to love The Dogmothers series. One taste is never enough of this irresistible family.

Chasing the Ripper by Patricia Cornwell is a disturbing book with great research. I gave it four stars.

I received a complimentary Kindle copy in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.

Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Ripper-Kindle-Patricia-Cornwell-ebook/dp/B00PKOPENE

This is the 6th book in the 7 Brides For 7 Blackthornes series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  Be aware this series is meant to be read in order and can be enjoyed by doing so.  Keep in mind there may be spoilers, should you read this prior to previous books.

Logan comes back to the fold, in order to give a vacation to an employee.  The family owns many ventures and he is being pushed to choose where he might be involved with just one.  What if he wants to run them all?

Piper has known Logan for a long time.  They grew up together and even had been friends some time back.  As they get to know each other again - they learn they have more in common than they first thought.  Also, that it is good to have an opposite to attract.

This story just had a steady pace and the heat between the characters built.  I truly think this is a terrific series, and this story was a great addition to it.  The characters seem meant for one another from the start, and as the story grew, I could not wait to see where their arc would take me.  I give this a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.