micasreads's reviews
988 reviews

 

Author: Janet Evanovich 

Narrator: Lorelai King 

Started: November 19, 2024 

Finished: November 19, 2024 

Genre: Mystery 

Format: Audio 

 

After accepting proposals from Morelli and Ranger, Stephanie Plum must make a decision. As she keeps both men at a distance, she is also on the hunt for a young man who may be a YouTube star, another who is a possible human trafficker, and a man who thinks he is a vampire. With assistance from her usual cohorts, Stephanie gets the job done. 

 

This has been one of the best Stephanie Plum novels in some time. I love watching her grow as a bounty hunter and a person. I never thought the series would get to the point where Stephanie finally makes a choice between the two men in her life and moves forward. As always, Lorelai King is exceptional as the narrator. There is no one else who could ever voice Lula or Grandma Mazur better. This book was a fun read and I can't wait for the next novel. 

 Author: Stacy Willingham 

Narrator: Karissa Vacker 

Started: November 17, 2024 

Finished: November 18, 2024 

Genre: Thriller 

Format: Audio 

 

When Chloe Davis was 12, her father was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of six teenage girls. With the 20th anniversary of the event of her father's arrest coming up, three girls have been abducted and two of their bodies found. These murderers all use her father's signature of keeping a piece of their jewelry as trophies. So many possible suspects emerge but when the truth comes out, nothing will be the same. 

 

This was a good story except for the fact that I guessed the twist before the half way mark in the book. It was pretty obvious because it is a common trope in thrillers, but the ride there was interesting at least. The narrator did a good job of bringing the characters to life and making the story enjoyable. I'm interested in reading other books by this author in hopes that she can stump me. 

Author: Jason Rekulak
Narrator: John Pirhalla
Started: November 14, 2024
Finished: November 15, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Thriller

Frank Szatowski receives an out-of-the-blue call from his daughter stating that she is getting married. When he arrives at the wedding, which is taking place on a private estate, Frank immediately feels as if something is wrong. When he hears that an ex-girlfriend of the groom has gone missing, he is determined to find out what happened and save his daughter. 

The first thing that must be known is that this is not like Hidden Pictures. There are no creepy kids drawings but there is an annoying father. Frank crosses the line between being a protective father & and an overbearing know-it-all all father. I did not like him at all. I wasn't a fan of his daughter either. I really wanted to enjoy this story but I sped up the book just to get through it.

 Authors: Elliot Ackerman & Adm. James Stavridis 

Narrators: Junior Nyong'o et al 

Started: November 13, 2024 

Finished: November 14, 2024 

Format: Audio 

Genre: Speculative Fiction 

 

Twenty years after the war between China and the US, the presidency has resided with one party for over a decade. After a healthy President dies of a sudden heart attack, it slowly becomes clear that he was the victim of a remote assassination. Science, business, and intelligence leaders must find out who did it and why. 

 

This is a book that defines speculative fiction for me. It explores the idea that AI can become deadly in the hands of those who know what it is capable of. This book made me think but towards the middle, it became bogged down in the science instead of the plot. I had to go back to try and understand what was happening. I think 2034 was a better and more interesting read but believe those interested in AI will find this a good read 

Author: A.R. Torre
Started: November 13, 2024
Finished: Novemver 14, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Thriller

Perla Wultz, her husband Grant, and their daughter Sophie live a fantastic life, but there is one problem...Perla is obsessed with a decades old murder and the convicted killer. She devises a devious plan to get the killer freed so that they can be together. The problem is the convicted killer has been holding onto a secret for a long time, and when it finally comes out; everything will change.

The premise of this book sounded interesting and delivered on my expectations. The author did a great job making Perla as ethically repuslive as possible - she defines sociopath. The author ensures that the audience understands how terrible a person she is from the start. The story is told from five perspectives: Perla, Grant, Sophie, the nanny, and the killer. I thought that it would be hard to manage, but each perspective flows into the next seamlessly. This is a thriller that will keep you guessing and entertained.

Author: Elizabeth Luly
Started: November 10, 2024
Finished: November 10, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Sapphic Romance

Jenny is an influencer who has been 'canceled' due to a sponsor acting badly. She takes a break and heads home to Sapphire Springs for a friend's wedding. While there, she interacts with a former classmate, Blake, who she thought did not like her. The more time they spend together, the more their chemistry becomes apparent. When they finally admit their feelings for each other, everything changes.

I've been in such a reading slump that a sweet sapphic rom-com was exactly what I needed. The story takes place in autumn, and the setting mentions the changing of the leaves and going into corn mazes, so it is perfect for the current weather I am in. The spice was decent, and the characters had tough conversations that most romance doesn't. It was nice to see the characters talk about their issues and realize that they could help each other heal. There are currently two books in this series, and I can not wait to read more about Jenny, Blake, and their friends in Sapphic Springs.

 

Author: Blake Crouch 

Narrator: Scott Brick 

Started: November 6, 2024 

Finished: November 7, 2024 

Format: Audio 

Genre: Thriller 

 

An epidemic has struck America - but only those who saw unusual lights one night. Now, the affected are murdering the unaffected in large numbers. Jack Colcough has heard his name being called over the Emergency Broadcast System which means he and his family had to run…because they're next on the list. 

 

Blake Crouch has quickly become a favorite author. No one tells a sci-fi based thriller better. This audiobook kept me interested from beginning to end. The story starts off fast and rarely stops. This book will definitely make you think - could you take the life of another person if it meant your family's survival? I realized that while I am normally a non-violent person, I could do it if something like this happened. This was a fantastic read and I'm so glad I took the time for it. 

 

Author: Andrea Mara 

Started: November 1, 2024 

Finished: November 1, 2024 

Format: Audio 

Genre: Thriller 

 

Julia has moved her family to Ireland after an incident with her daughter, as her old friend passes away. When at home with her children, her daughter shows her a video that appears to have been filmed in her house. As more videos are posted, Julia hears strange noises in the attic and can't help but wonder if someone is watching her. 

 

I've heard a lot about this story but just found it okay. It seemed a bit slow, and I had trouble staying interested. The author lays out a few plausible suspects but then explains them away. The back-and-forth was frustrating, but I had spent so much time listening that I had to get to the end. The ending was a little disappointing, and I felt it could have been better. 

 

Author: Richard Chizmar 

Started: October 28, 2024 

Finished: October 31, 2024 

Format: Digital 

Genre: Horror 

 

Three students go on a week-long trip to document the memorials left on the side of the road after an accident. As they travel deeper into the Appalachian forest, there is a shift in the atmosphere, and they begin to believe that they are being followed. They also find strange symbols on all the memorials they visit. Something is very wrong, and they need to figure out what it is. 

 

The author notes that this is his longest book to date and it feels that way.  I have devoured the Boogeyman duo and love Chizmar's writing but I found this one clunky and overdone. The storyline is intriguing but becomes bogged down in the middle. Taking place in the 80s, the author includes some well-known frights which are fun. The second to last chapter is where the action is and then goes directly to dialogue. Not a disappointing book but I expected more. 

 

Author: Steve Cavanagh 

Narrator: Adam Sims 

Started: October 24, 2024 

Finished: October 25, 2024 

Format: Audio 

Genre: Legal Thriller 

 

Eddie Flynn hasn't been in a courtroom in over a year but now he has no choice - his ten-year-old daughter has been kidnapped and he has a bomb strapped to his body thanks to the head of the Russian mafia. Eddie must represent the mafia boss and win or he and his daughter will lose their lives. 

 

This was Cavanagh's first book in the Eddie Flynn series which gives a background on Flynn and why he is the way he is. Eddie will do some crazy things to get out of whatever jam he and his clients get into but he will go overboard when his daughter is involved. Unlike other books in the series, you could tell that the author was still trying to find out who Flynn was as a character. It was interesting to see where Eddie came from and how he developed.