Kait Layton Reviews The Only One Left : A Novel

altTextKait Layton checking in with a review of The Only One Left : A Novel by Riley Sager, which released this past Tuesday.

“The Only One Left” is a fast-paced thriller with a gothic feel. There is an old house that is atop a cliff that will eventually fall into the sea and the two main characters have family pasts trying to catch up to them.

You get pieces of the past through Lenora’s typed correspondence with Kit, who is the new caregiver from Lenora. Lenora was accused of killing her entire family in the late 20’s when she was a teenager, and Kit was accused of negligence due to leaving medication out while caring for her mother. Her mother took all of the pills and committed suicide. Both of these women have been accused of killing their own families and are brought together towards the end of Lenora’s life. They quickly bond over each other’s pasts and try to uncover the hidden truths of Lenora’s past together.

The first quarter of the book, I burned through. The second quarter began to drop off when Kit and Lenora were building a relationship and beginning to trust each other. But I understand as a caregiver with a new client you need to build rapport, especially one who is unable to speak. Then, you find out what happened to the last caregiver before Kit and things start taking off after that! There was a part when the fourth quarter of the book began and I just thought to myself, “Twist on twist on twist, Sager!”

This is my favorite Sager book since “Home Before Dark”! Thank you to the publishers for the digital ARC!

Official Burb

Bestselling author Riley Sager returns with a Gothic chiller about a young caregiver assigned to work for a woman accused of a Lizzie Borden-like massacre decades earlier.

At seventeen, Lenora Hope
Hung her sister with a rope

Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume 17-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hope’s End, the cliffside mansion where her family lived.

Stabbed her father with a knife
Took her mother’s happy life

It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offer—I want to tell you everything.

Author Bio:
Riley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels, most recently Survive the Night and The House Across the Lake. A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

Interested in buying a copy? Visit our website and choose whether to have it ready for pickup, shipped, or delivered!

Candice Conner Reviews The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

Candice Conner checking in with a review of The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln, which released on Feb 07.

My review in one word:
Awesome
adjective
Extremely impressive; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear

This book had me at the Author Note. Combine etymology, a twisty whodunnit with secret passages, attempted murder, a very large Family with a fascinating dictionary fixation, a very gothicy House, an absolutely delightful main character and you have the Swifts. It’s Lemony Snicket meets the Addams Family, crossbows and house fires in all!

Location: Kids: Middle Grade / Mysteries & Suspense

About The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

Instant New York Times Bestseller!

“Knives Out feel by way of Lemony Snicket…This archly told, never muddled debut whodunit reveals a roster of distinct characters, a labyrinthine setting and plot, and a mystery that is as clever as its heroine.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The suspenseful denouement is positively writhing with twists.” —Booklist, starred review

On the day they are born, every Swift child is brought before the sacred Family Dictionary. They are given a name, and a definition. A definition it is assumed they will grow up to match.
Meet Shenanigan Swift: Little sister. Risk-taker. Mischief-maker.

Shenanigan is getting ready for the big Swift Family Reunion and plotting her next great scheme: hunting for Grand-Uncle Vile’s long-lost treasure. She’s excited to finally meet her arriving relatives—until one of them gives Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude a deadly shove down the stairs.

So what if everyone thinks she’ll never be more than a troublemaker, just because of her name? Shenanigan knows she can become whatever she wants, even a detective. And she’s determined to follow the twisty clues and catch the killer.

Deliciously suspenseful and delightfully clever, The Swifts is a remarkable debut that is both brilliantly contemporary and instantly classic. A celebration of words and individuality, it’s packed with games, wordplay, and lots and lots of mischief as Shenanigan sets out to save her family and define herself in a world where definitions are so important.

Author Bio:

Beth Lincoln was raised in a former Victorian railway station in the North of England. Her childhood fears included porcelain dolls, the Durham panther, and wardrobes that looked at her funny. She grew neither tall nor wise, and never learned to play an instrument—but she did write stories, a bad habit that has persisted to this day. When she isn’t writing, Beth is woodcarving, or making a mess of her flat, or talking the nearest ear off about unexplained occurrences. Her favorite things include ghosts, crisps, and weird old words like bumbershoot and zounderkite.

The Swifts is Beth’s debut novel. It grew out of her love of etymology, the gleeful gothic, and classic murder mysteries. She lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with her partner and hopefully, by the time you are reading this, a dog.

Interested in buying a copy? Visit our website and choose whether to have it ready for pickup, shipped, or delivered!

Kelly McLeod Reviews The House with Good Bones

Kelly McLeod checking in with a review of The House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher, which released on Mar 28. You can find it in our Horror New Releases section.

Kingfisher writes another excellent, absolutely terrifying horror that will have you looking suspicious at some very ordinary objects. Sam comes to stay with her mother when her archaeological dig is put on hold (after she already arranged for a sublet, of course). She arrives to find that her mothers home, normally bright and cheery, has been returned to the sterility and decor that her grandmother preferred when she was alive. Sam’s mother is also exhibiting behavior that is quite unlike her.

Kingfisher managed another book where she transitions from a mundane horror, in this case the horror of an aging parent and the concern over changes in their mental state, and slides right into a more supernatural horror of the most hair-raising variety. I got a little more frustrated with Sam compared to Kingfisher’s previous horror protagonists, but the writing overall is excellent and, just. the HORROR. THE HORROR. Kingfisher just casually sneaks in these monsters that will haunt your dreams. Highly recommended!

About The House with Good Bones

A contemporary Southern Gothic from a master of modern horror that explores the deep, dark roots of family and in which grandma’s ghost haunting your house may be the least of your worries.
Sam Montgomery is worried about her mother. She seems anxious, jumpy, and she’s begun making mystifying changes to the family home on Lammergeier Lane. Sam figures it has something to do with her mother’s relationship to Sam’s late, unlamented grandmother.

She’s not wrong.

As vultures gather around the house and frightful family secrets are unearthed under the rosebushes, Sam struggles to unravel the truth about the house on Lammergeier Lane before it consumes her and everyone else who stands in its way . . .

Author Bio:
T. KINGFISHER writes fantasy, horror, and occasional oddities, most recently including Nettle & Bone and What Moves the Dead. Under a pen name, she also writes bestselling children’s books. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, dogs, and a garden with several rose bushes that she keeps a very careful eye on.

Interested in buying a copy? Visit our website and choose whether to have it ready for pickup, shipped, or delivered!

Kelly McLeod Reviews The Lies of the Ajungo

Kelly McLeod checking in with a review of The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi, which released on Mar 21. This debut novella is just an excellent political allegory about a city of lies wrapped in fairy-tale-like trappings. It felt a little too short in that I wanted more, but long enough for character development and some excellent fighting scenes. I definitely look forward to more from Utomi.

About The Lies of the Ajungo

Moses Ose Utomi’s debut novella, The Lies of the Ajungo, follows one boy’s epic quest to bring water back to his city and save his mother’s life. Prepare to enter the Forever Desert. They say there is no water in the City of Lies. They say there are no heroes in the City of Lies. They say there are no friends beyond the City of Lies. But would you believe what they say in the City of Lies? In the City of Lies, they cut out your tongue when you turn thirteen, to appease the terrifying Ajungo Empire and make sure it continues sending water. Tutu will be thirteen in three days, but his parched mother won’t last that long. So Tutu goes to his oba and makes a deal: she provides water for his mother, and in exchange he will travel out into the desert and bring back water for the city. Thus begins Tutu’s quest for the salvation of his mother, his city, and himself. The Lies of the Ajungo opens the curtains on a tremendous world, and begins the epic fable of the Forever Desert. With every word, Moses Ose Utomi weaves magic. Contributor Bio(s) Moses Ose Utomi is a Nigerian-American fantasy writer and nomad currently based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. He has an MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and short fiction publications in Fireside Fiction, Fantasy Magazine, and more. His debut YA fantasy novel, Daughters of Oduma, will be coming out in early 2023. When he’s not writing, he’s traveling, training martial arts, or doing karaoke—with or without a backing track.

Kait Layton Reviews How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix – Also we have signed copies left!

Kait Layton reporting in with a review of How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix which released this past Tuesday!

how%20to%20sell%20a%20haunted%20house.jpgThis is my fourth Hendrix novel and I am a huge fan. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s note at the beginning that states the inspiration behind the story was to get far away from the pandemic and dive into something else. I actually read this book in three days while being in quarantine, so it was exactly the distraction I needed!

I thought it was going to be a ghost story just after reading the title. Then, the main character’s family is very religious and talks about demons and I had just finished “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” and thought, “Oh no, not this story again!” However, that is not how the story ends and I was extremely surprised. It’s one of those stories where you are like, “WTF!” but you keep reading to find out what happens to the family and the house.

My only complaint is that I wish it had more gore. There are tons of creepy moments, but there is only one big scene where the main character and her brother are getting attacked and it was grisly. I just wanted more.

Puppets are creepy, especially when they move around the house independently, leave notes for you, turn the tv on, and start talking. I haven’t read a horror novel that includes puppets before, so thank you, Hendrix, for writing such a creative story that kept me entertained and distracted!

Kait Layton Reviews All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

This book ripped me apart over and over. Stacy Willingham has a way of twisting a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end!

Everyone should read this to find out what happens to Isabelle and her missing son, Mason, but also read this because Isabelle is a strong mamma jamma who deserves some recognition!

all%20the%20dangerous%20things.jpgKait Layton reporting in with a review of All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham which released on January 10th!

This book ripped me apart over and over. Stacy Willingham has a way of twisting a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end!

Isabelle Drake’s toddler son goes missing from his bed in the middle of the night while she and her husband are sleeping. A whole year has gone by and Mason is still missing, Isabelle’s husband has left her, she has not slept a full night since Mason’s disappearance, there has not been a break in the case, and Isabelle’s ex has started a new relationship and seems to have moved on from her and Mason all together.

Isabelle doesn’t give up, though. Even when everyone suspects her, blames her, shames her, and pities her.

Everyone should read this to find out what happens to Isabelle and Mason, but also read this because Isabelle is a strong mama jama how deserves some respect!

Kelly Reviews Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Baldree wrote a coffeeshop AU (alternate universe) within the same universe, giving Viv a chance at the peaceful life of a business owner in a world of swords and sorcery. I sincerely hope this book opens the door to more cozy fantasy novels about retired heroes….This book is made for every person who has ever wished for their long-suffering hero to have a peaceful, happy ending.

Kelly McLeod reporting in with a review of Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree which released November 8th.

LegendLattes.jpgThis book is made for every person who has ever wished for their long-suffering hero to have a peaceful, happy ending. The heroine, an orc woman Viv, has been adventuring for years and is ready to retire. After slaying one last deadly foe, she takes her prize and travels to the city Thune to open a coffeeshop, the first the city has ever seen. The book follows her as she braves the trials of entrepreneurship and the problems of establishing a market for a product no one has seen before, as well as problems with the local mob and a previous colleague that comes to visit with ill-intent in his heart.
The book is just a delight. Baldree wrote a coffeeshop AU (alternate universe) within the same universe, giving Viv a chance at the peaceful life of a business owner in a world of swords and sorcery. I sincerely hope this book opens the door to more cozy fantasy novels about retired heroes.

About This Book

A delightful fantasy debut for fans of TJ Klune and T Kingfisher, about a retired orc who trades the warrior life for the quiet life. Or so she planned…
The much-beloved BookTok sensation, Travis Baldree’s novel of high fantasy and low stakes.

This new edition includes a very special, never-before-seen bonus story, ‘Pages to Fill.’

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

“Take a break from epic battles and saving the world. Legends & Lattes is a low-stakes fantasy that delivers exactly what’s advertised: a wholesome, cozy novel that feels like a warm hug. This is my new comfort read.”—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart

Kelly Reviews Breakable Things by Cassandra Khaw

Kelly reporting in with a review of Breakable Things by Cassandra Khaw which released Tuesday, October 03 2022

Cover of Breakable ThingsHave you ever tried to describe your dream to someone else and had them respond, “Sounds like a nightmare.”? And you respond, “Oh, no, it was beautiful and strange, yes, but….well, actually….no, that does sound horrific, huh?”

That’s what this collection of short stories feels like. Beautiful, captivating, and plumbing the darkest wells of humanity with lyrical prose. It makes you appreciate how the word “viscera” slides off the tongue, makes you hungry for a bowl of brains, and then sick with anger for what torture our dear protagonists experienced. Lots of gore, body horror, and excellent, eloquent prose. There was no one story I wanted to skip through and I devoured the whole collection in a night. Highly recommended.

About Breakable Things

Cassandra Khaw’s dynamic and vibrant debut collection, Breakable Things, explores the fragile and nebulous bonds that weave love and grief into our existence. This exquisite and cutting collection of stories showcases a bloody fusion of horrors from cosmic to psychological to body traumas.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store

Kait Reviews The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

Kait reporting in with a review of The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson which released Tuesday, September 06 2022

Cover of The Weight of BloodTiffany Jackson’s newest novel, ‘The Weight of Blood’, is a retelling of the King novel, ‘Carrie’. I have not read ‘Carrie’, but I have seen the movies, so I had that as a base to go off of when I was reading ‘The Weight of Blood’.

I really enjoyed the modern take on how race is still an issue in our communities and schools. I was interested to see how Jackson tied in dumping a bucket of something on the Maddy’s head, and I was not disappointed to find out what it was and what it symbolized. The whole scene where Kenny is trying to get the police officers involved and how they react….it was beautifully written and heartbreaking. I also enjoyed the writing style where it would break away from the telling of Maddy’s story and show pieces of interviews from different witnesses of Maddy’s destruction.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I read the entire ARC in about 3 days. It isn’t necessarily an original story (being that it is a retelling), but the references to race and police brutality are incredible. It is also just a dang good horror! There are grisly parts that make you want to keep turning the pages and you are drawn in to Maddy’s character.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store

Kelly Reviews A Dreadful Splendor by B. R. Myers

Kelly reporting in with a review of A Dreadful Splendor by B. R. Myers which released Tuesday, August 23 2022

Cover of A Dreadful SplendorA con-artist who pretends to speak to ghosts is brought to a “haunted” mansion to soothe the lord, whose fiancee died the night before their wedding. However, he insists that his fiancee was murdered and wants our heroine to fake a seance so well the murderer confesses. As she prepares and gathers information about the dead fiancee, it starts to feel as those a real ghost is haunting her.

As a gothic mystery, the book is excellent and while I did figure out some parts of the mystery, I was utterly surprised by others (but the clues were there!). The romance in the book felt like a forced, minor subplot, like the whole thing could have been cut entirely without affecting the rest of the book. However, this is my only criticism of the book and it was a fun, captivating read regardless.

Interested in a copy? You can order it on our website to ship, deliver (local only) or pick up in store