Park Row | June 2020 | 352 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

I've enjoyed Kimberly Belle's previous novel "Dear Wife" so much so that I knew I couldn't miss this latest release by her. 

Charlotte used to work as an attendant at a gas station where she met Paul and they fell in love. Paul is an architect who had lost his ex-wife to a drowning accident four years ago. Charlotte's marriage to Paul had caused a ripple of gossip in their small lakeside town; aside that Paul is eleven years her senior, there are also talks about her humble past and his late wife's mysterious drowning which has made people wonder considering she was a skilled swimmer. Charlotte has chose to believe in Paul and ignore the others and of course, it'd absolutely do no good to her baby after she finds out that she is pregnant. 

But her inner peace is shattered after she found a woman's body floating around the same spot where Paul's late wife was tragically drowned. Charlotte didn't know the woman since she didn't see her around, but she recognised her talking to Paul the day before. When she questioned Paul about her, he claimed that he didn't know her even though he told the police he's never met the woman, which Charlotte knew was a lie. As much as she wants to cover for Paul and give him the benefit of the doubt, she couldn't help but to wonder about his lie and the reason behind it. How well does she know Paul? And why did Paul travel all the way to an isolated cove to find an old childhood friend, Jax? As Charlotte unravels the mystery upon mystery, she didn't know if she should trust Paul or worse, is he a murderer? 

I suppose I'd high expectations of this book after reading Dear Wife and despite the author's writing remains engaging, this story failed to captivate my attention as much as Dear Wife. For starters, I didn't feel connected with Charlotte. The plot was all right, though I felt it'd been done several times and the feel of suspense lessened after I'd a sense where the story is going. Though it was narrated between Charlotte's present and some flashbacks of the teenage past of Paul's and his friends, the development of the latter felt rather rushed. That said, the author's writing is good and I'll look forward to her future releases and reading her older books as well.

Synopsis: (from KoreanDrama.org)

This drama is about a married couple whose betrayal of one another leads to a whirlwind of revenge.

Ji Sun Woo (Kim Hee Ae) is a family medicine doctor. She is married to Lee Tae Oh (Park Hae Joon) and they have a son. She seems to have everything, including a successful career and a happy family, but she is betrayed by her husband and others. Meanwhile, Lee Tae Oh dreams of becoming a famous movie director. He runs an entertainment business with the support of his wife Ji Sun Woo. Even though he loves his wife, Lee Tae Oh falls into a dangerous relationship.

My thoughts:

This drama was actually based on BBC's drama series Doctor Foster and has received the highest viewership and ratings in Korean cable television history to-date. Since I didn't watch Doctor Foster, I couldn't compare the two but I've to say watching The World of Married Couple was as exciting as reading a domestic thriller; the only difference is your dislike for the characters intensify since we are seeing all the actions on screen rather than using our imaginations; and not to mention it easily evokes our emotions, too. 

To begin with, I've to say the first half of the story was very good. It'd me at the edge of my seat (and gritting my teeth) most of the time. Sun Woo didn't seem to be a woman who's unreasonable or one who would act rashly; after all she gave Tae Oh a chance to admit his infidelity but the latter denied and lied. After she'd found further proof of his infidelity, Tae Oh didn't seem to be remorseful and even retorted that there's no wrong in loving and that he loves her and his mistress at the same time. (Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too, right?) To protect her son and her career, Sun Woo decided that divorcing him and gaining the custody of her son are the options, but alas Tae Oh decided to return to their hometown even after he'd married his mistress and has a young daughter. You'd think that he must have gotten over his ex-wife at this stage but unfortunately that wasn't the case. And this is when things start to get heated up and the start of their revenge. 

(Source)

It was easy to feel empathy towards Sun Woo despite everything, afterall she was the victim and actress Kim Hee Ae has portrayed her role wonderfully through her superb acting skills. Likewise to Park Hae Joon who played Tae Oh; a selfish, despicable man who has no bounds when his own benefits are concerned. And above all, my heart went out to their poor teenage son, who felt like he was a pawn between them, or a "tool" to get to the other. 

As much as this story was centred around the complex (obsessive?) relationship between Sun Woo and Tae Oh, there was also a subplot about another couple (who's their friends and neighbours) with trust issue. Overall, this story depicts the complicated relationship between Sun Woo and Tae Oh, the challenges of a single working mother and at the same time allows the viewers some discussions about the aspect of marriage and how divorce are being looked upon depending on one's culture and the society. I enjoyed the drama, but it could be dramatic at times and again, I loathed Tae Oh for all his doings yet I couldn't help but to pity him towards the end. And speaking of the ending, I was deeply disappointed and it left me feeling baffled. That said, it was still an intense and an entertaining drama with a good acting cast.

Abacus | November 2019 | 336 pgs

Source: Library 

Translated from the Japanese by Giles Murray 

Keigo Higashino has written two series featuring Detective Galileo and Detective Kaga respectively, as well as a few other stand-alones. Although I've only read three of his books (including this) so far, I've enjoyed his writing style, the riddle-like mysteries and the well crafted plots. This is the second appearance of Detective Kaga after the previous book, Malice. 

Detective Kyochiro Kaga of the Tokyo Police Department has just been transferred to a new precinct in Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. A newcomer himself, he is assigned to investigate the murder case of a woman who was strangled to death. Although Kaga gives people the impression of down-to-earth and easy-going, deep down he is a meticulous man who has a sharp eye in details and logic, and most of all he knows how to get people to talk through his gentle and cordial demeanour. 

The victim was a 45-year-old divorced woman named Mineko Mitsui who moved to Nihonbashi a few months ago. Upon initial interview and investigation, Kaga understand from a friend of Mitsui that she was supposed to meet at Mitsui's house at 7pm but had last minute pushed their appointment to an hour later due to an unforeseen circumstances. When she reached Mitsui's house, she found the door unlocked and Mitsui was sprawled dead in the living room. The police couldn't find any forensic evidence but Kaga did notice a few interesting items in the house which spurs him into looking at some of the businesses at the Nihonbashi area. As Kaga visits the shops and interviews the owners subsequently, he comes to learn a bit of their stories even if some appear to be unrelated to the case. In the end, Kaga succeeded not only in solving the case but also impressing the reader with his patience and his scrupulous attention and methods applied during his investigations.

As much as this is a crime fiction, it has an intriguing array of characters which would make an interesting study of human behaviorism. Each segment in the book tells the story of a character and although they are rather short and some may appear unconnected to the case, the reader will soon understand about the linkage and the actual role they play towards the end. This wasn't a fast-paced read in terms of actions and thrills but it was an intriguing whodunit and a clever detective whose perspective is very different from his peers. 

Hodder & Stoughton | October 2019 | 304 pgs 

Source: Library 

Since young, author Lindsay McCrae has the passion for the natural world. Having grown up in Cumbria on the edge of the Lake District National Park was a privilege to him; and he'd take every opportunity as he could to explore the local woodland and riverbank. By age eight, he had already decided he wanted a career filming wildlife. His obsession with wildlife led him to write a letter to the BBC's British wildlife programme Springwatch when he was fourteen. Springwatch is a series that annually showcases the best of British wildlife and young Lindsay had wrote to them detailing how perfect the Lake District would be for a part of their series. The location was basically his back garden; which was home to badger setts, fox dens, birds' nests and a large pond. His letter even included a map detailing the locations of all the wildlife he'd discovered. Lindsay didn't expect a reply from them and imagine his surprise and glee when they replied to say they wanted to make a little film with him that'd appear on the programme. This experience has further fueled his passion and ambition of filming the wildlife.  

Even in his last few years at school, Lindsay would spend every spare moment filming. After leaving school at eighteen, he'd lost his academic motivation and all he wanted to do is watching the outside natural world. Due to his making his Springwatch film and his name had been mentioned so frequently within the BBC Springwatch office, he got a job as a runner. His stint thereafter led to camera-assisting jobs where he gets hands-on experience with professional gear. His career kicked off after a few years and by then he'd travelled all over the UK and had started spending more time filming abroad. 

His dream and the opportunity to film in Antarctica came when he received an email from a producer at BBC Natural History Unit. But it wasn't an easy decision for him initially given the eleven-month duration being living in the harsh environment and being apart from his new wife and she being pregnant. But she was supportive although it gave him second thoughts. Then again, he'd already committed prior to the news so there was no option other than to be apart for the birth and the baby's first seven months. 

After this introduction of Lindsay's dreams and the various obstacles he'd to overcome before he set foot on the other end of the world, the adventure begins when he recounts his experience filming alongside the lines of emperor penguins and in blizzards at times, as well as the amazing things he'd seen through his work. His musings and observations have made me learned many things about our cute and resilient birds, their habitats and their extraordinary lifecycle, such as they will trek up to 100 miles over solid ice to reach their breeding grounds (and there are breeding colonies which can contain up to several thousand individuals). As many of us know, they've an unusual reversal role whereby the males will incubate the eggs for over two months while the females return to the sea to feed. Aside from the many fascinating sights and experiences mingling with the emperors, Lindsay also shares with the reader about his living base station, the interactions with a few of his colleagues and of course, the technical details and difficulties filming the birds. I've always fascinated by emperor penguins and their lives in the Antarctic so this nonfiction/memoir was a joy to read. 

(Here are some pictures I took from the book.) 

__________

* This is one of the few library books I'd borrowed before the government declared all non essential businesses to be closed and to stay home, practise social distancing and mandatory mask wearing when outdoors. The circuit breaker measures have extended till 1st June given the numbers have not been going down these past few days and we can only hope for the best and that things will get better soon. How are you coping with the current circumstances? Is the place where you're staying reopen already? Take care and stay well and safe. 

Park Row | May 2020 | 336 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss 

Custom House | May 2020 | 320 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss 

Catherine House -- an elite school with a strict selective admission and policy hidden deep in the woods of rural Pennsylvania. Each year, they select the extraordinary pupils and these lucky selected ones will be given free tuition, room and board. However, all these come with a price and the students will have to leave their materialistic values and disconnect with the outside world for three years but they can earn points to "buy" the things they want and most of all, they're assured that in return they'll graduate from Catherine with a bright future of sublime power and prestige. 

Our protagonist, Ines, enter Catherine with a hope that the school will reform her into a better person than what she was in the past. There, she meets her roommate, Barbara Pearce (a.k.a. Baby) and the two become friends quickly. Baby is the polar opposite of Ines; she's studious and she's also obsessed in getting into a specialty concentration class for their study of a certain material they called plasm. As Ines continues her life at Catherine with indifference, Baby's sudden death hit her and soon she learns that there's something more than meets the eye behind the school's strange protocols but what most intrigue her is the tightly knit group of pupils they called the concentrators and their mysterious curriculum. She knew that the concentrators are carefully selected pupils and their projects in their respective labs are kept under locks at all times. What lurks behind these closed doors and is Baby's death connected to them?

William Morrow | May 2020 | 320 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss 

Lucy Foley's previous psychological thriller, The Hunting Party, was an absorbing read and a reminiscent of Agatha Christie's and I'm glad to report that this book is no exception. The story is set in an island off the coast of Ireland and it depicts the secrets and resentment within a group of acquaintances and how their past deeds are later revealed and justified amid a wedding reception. 

Julia "Jules" Keegan is the publisher of a successful online magazine and she is set to marry the handsome Will Slater, who is the rising star of TV show, Survivor. Given their status and the intention of an extraordinary wedding, they decided to hold it in an island and all preparations will be organised by a local couple, Aoife and Freddy, who have the necessary skills to meet their expectations. But what everyone expected to be a perfect wedding will become a nightmare as the weather turn nasty but that's only the beginning. As they mingle around and drink more champagne, some of them will soon realise that secrets can't be hidden forever and their ugly past will quickly catch up on them no matter how hard they've tried to keep it covered. 

This book was compelling in a way that you know you've no one to root for but yet you're anxious to know where the story will lead and how the characters are going to meet their fate. Aside from the suspense, I think this story gives the reader a good look of humans behaviorism under various circumstances through the eyes of a few narrators here (the new couple, the bridesmaid and the best man, as well as a plus-one and the wedding planner). The switching between the past and the present usually work for me as I enjoy that thrilling anticipation during my reading journey and it's always fun to guess the perpetrator(s). Lucy Foley has once again written a riveting and an atmospheric read which had my full attention from the beginning till the end and I'm glad to say her name is now added onto my favourite authors list. 

I'd like to thank a few overseas friends who had emailed or messaged me and asked me how I'm doing and coping with the number of coronavirus cases escalating daily and the recent implementation of "circuit breaker" measures here. Well, I've to say it is hard not to feel anxious and worried but I'm trying to keep a positive mind and I'm hoping that we'll all win this battle soon. Whether if it's anxiety or a reading slump, I find myself reading lesser nowadays since there's always cooking to do (I'm sure many of you are able to relate but I've to say my cooking skills have definitely improved a lot!) and some (good) distractions at home since the schools and tuition centres have closed and all lessons have now been moved online. There are pros and cons, that's for sure, but if all these measures will help to flatten the curve, then let's all do our part and stay home. 

So aside from reading a bit, I'm also slowly catching up on K-dramas which I haven't been doing for a while. I'd finished watching Crash Landing on You (which I loved) and am currently watching another drama hit, Itaewon Class, which is based on a webtoon of the same name and I'm enjoying watching this, too. I'm not sure if I'd share my thoughts on these two dramas later (we shall see) but I do have a book review coming up soon. 

Meanwhile, I hope you stay well and safe! Here's some cartoons to make you laugh in this stressed situation. 

Penguin  Publishing Group | September 2019 | 336 pgs

Source: Library 

Emily is heartbroken after her boyfriend decided to end their relationship. They'd been through some financial hardship and Emily had helped to support her then boyfriend through law school until the ungrateful brute decided he'd be better off without her after he'd become successful in his career. With no job and nowhere to live, Emily moves to a small town in Willow Creek, Maryland, to help her older sister recover from an accident. 

Emily enjoys her time at Willow Creek but she didn't expect she'd get roped into volunteering for the local annual Renaissance Faire as a tavern wench alongside with her teenage neice, who is already one of their acting participants. While Emily is sceptical with her acting skills and some other things, she feels encouraged by the other participants and the enthusiastic residents except for a man who played a pirate and he is supposed to be the love of her life in their fictitious world. 

Right from the beginning Emily has get off on the wrong foot with Simon, who's also in-charge of the fair. She thinks he is too uptight and lacks flexibility; and finding faults with her unreasonably. Simon, on the other hand, has no time with Emily's lightheartedness approach towards the faire. It is no wonder he is serious in his work since he is continuing the family legacy and as much as he finds it tiresome at times, there is a reason for him to get through this annually as the reader would find out eventually. And as much as Emily finds Simon annoying, she finds herself attracted by his pirate persona -- a man who's passionate not only in his life but towards her as well. But what confuses Emily is, Simon continues his pirate-like charm outside the faire grounds sometimes and this makes her wonder if he is continuing with their act or if his feelings towards her has changed? 

I really enjoyed this light and fun romcom which had me laughing at times (I've to say Simon's pirate persona was quite swoon-worthy. I don't know why, but the image of Captain Jack Sparrow kept popping into my mind while reading this. Go figure.) With the gloom surrounding us lately, this book managed to distract me from reality for a while and made me think of all the wonderful things and not to mention the power of love and family. And I loved it that Emily and Simon, this two sworn enemies, who had had their fair share of unhappiness and unfairness in life, managed to walk out of their gloom and find love again through understanding and respect. Another thing I loved is the (small community) atmosphere of Willow Creek, the Renaissance Faire element and even the supporting cast which all contributed to this delightful read. The next book, Well Played, will feature Emily's newfound friend in Willow Creek and I hope it'd be another fun, romantic read like this book.

Little, Brown and Company | September 2018 (Reprint) | 352 pgs

Source: Library 

This second installment of Joe Ide's IQ series was packed with more actions and intensity as we follow Isaiah Quintabe's investigation of a new case as well as unraveling the mystery of his older brother's death. 

For ten years, Isaiah still hasn't really let go of the news of Marcus's death. How could he when Marcus was a perfect role model and the only family he had had? He's never stopped his search for the driver who was responsible for Marcus's death; and the feelings of rage and despair nearly drove him to an edge until he received a call from Sarita. Isaiah has had a crush on Marcus's girlfriend since he was a teenager. But knowing that she's out of bounds and their expectations differ, Isaiah could only admire her from afar. She has not contacted him since Marcus's death until now and it seems she needs his help. 

Janine is Sarita's half sister and they aren't really close. Partly due to physical distance and the difference of mindset, Janine is often portrayed as the "wild" girl of the family. She's given up her studies to become a DJ, but given it's more of a gig so she's been running around clubs and having the best of her time. Her boyfriend, Benny, is a gambling addict and he has owed the loan sharks a number of debts and it seems Janine is in trouble too since she's also into it. There's a saying that love is blind, and this describes Janine's current relationship perfectly as she'd go along with Benny despite the dangers, even if it means going against the gangsters and blackmailing them. 

Once again, Isaiah finds himself partnering with Dodson, who is now into food truck business and a father-to-be. Isaiah and Dodson have come a long way and while Dodson has some reservations, he gave in eventually. So their search for Janine lead them to Vegas where they'll deal with various mobs and amid the mayhem Isaiah will unravel the mystery surrounding Marcus's death. 

I read the first book and find it enjoyable. This second installment was a lot more fast paced and there were more actions given the plot and the mob theme. While they were entertaining to read, I was more intrigued by the diverse cast of characters and their interactions which made this book such an interesting read. Isaiah continues to intrigue me; and I'm glad to see there's closure and justice pertaining to his older brother's death as this is what troubled Isaiah the most since the first book. I'll continue to follow this series with anticipation. 

William Morrow | March 2020 | 288 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss 

I always look forward to a new Peter Swanson book. Aside from being suspenseful and unputdownable, most often his characters intrigue me and this book is no exception. 

Our protagonist, Malcolm Kershaw, is a bookseller and he loves mystery books, although he hasn't read them for a while now. He's lived by himself ever since his wife passed from an accident and it seems his life only revolves around the bookshop. But distraction comes when an FBI agent, Gwen Mulvey, comes knocking on his door one day and question him about a list of book titles which he'd compiled on his blog years ago. Titled "Eight Perfect Murders", Malcolm had chosen eight books featuring various crime acts which he thought were clever and seamlessly executed. There's nothing wrong about the list, but it seems someone has started using Malcolm's list to commit murders. While they don't mirror the original acts from the books, it isn't hard to pinpoint the hints and the similarities. 

(To the inquiring mind, the titles are: Agatha Christie's A.B.C. Murders, Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train, Ira Levin's Death Trap, A. A. Milne's Red House Mystery, Anthony Berkeley Cox's Malice Aforethought, James M. Cain's Double Indemnity, John D. Macdonald's The Drowner, and Donna Tartt's A Secret History. There's also a reason for naming these titles because they contain some spoilers and if you intend to read those titles, then perhaps you should do so before picking up this book.)

At this stage, Malcolm knew perhaps there's someone who's watching his every moves since the hints of targeting begins to get a bit too personal. To protect himself and to avoid being suspected, he decides to investigate on his own but is he ready for the truth? 

I thought this story was clever; and it'd definitely makes a bibliophile (or at least readers of the thrillers genre) very happy of the bookish references and yes, more titles to explore if you haven't read those eight books. Malcolm was an intriguing character; and it makes it more interesting to read because he's the narrator and at times you wouldn't know if you could trust their words. I'd fun following Malcolm's journey into his investigations; and I'd say the conclusion would leave many readers itching for a discussion. I wouldn't say more so I'd leave you with a favourite quote from this book: 

Little, Brown and Company | October 2016 | 336 pgs

Source: Library 

Isaiah Quintabe a.k.a. IQ, is an intelligent young black man who wouldn't mind helping his neighbourhood at East Long Beach in solving cases which the police wouldn't take for a small token of gifts, or whatever his "clients" could offer him. He lives with his older brother, Marcus, and their relationship is close considering they only have each other. But that bond is shattered after Marcus passed due to a hit-and-run and his death leave Isaiah devastated and determined in finding the driver. With this mindset, Isaiah drop out of high school and continues with his investigation gig despite he is good in his studies.  

His sidekick, Dodson, is on another different league and it is through chance that bring them together. Their characteristic or moral standards may differ, but funnily they complement each other in a way that makes their so-called investigations work. It is also through Dodson that Isaiah is given his latest case -- a rap mogul who is being targeted and someone wants him assassinated. This won't be an easy case for both Isaiah and Dodson, especially if it involves the hit man's monstrous attack dog alongside with other suspects like a vengeful ex-wife and a few other notorious characters. 

Isaiah is an interesting character and he's dependable and straightforward, the boy next door. He's proficient in observing people and things, and together with his logical reasoning he's the remake of the modern Sherlock Holmes, but of course Isaiah is very much on his own and though he's not perfect, he still easily catches a reader's attention through his demeanour and his perspective of seeing things differently. There are two timelines in this story -- 2005 and 2013 in which we'll learn about Isaiah's younger past and his encounter with Dodson while the later year will portray more of his investigations into the rap mogul case. Both timelines are equally satisfying to read and the language used fits the authentic mood amid the tough neighbourhood. This is Joe Ide's debut novel and I'll be sure to check out the rest of this series.

Montlake Romance | May 2019 | 444 pgs

Source: Library 

I started this book without knowing that this is book 2 of the Dark Lure series. That said, it works fine as a standalone and I'm glad to report that Loreth Anne White's books will be added to my "books-to-look-out-for" list after having read and enjoyed her latest release, In the Dark, and now this book which was published last year. 

Penguin Publishing Group | March 2020 | 432 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss 

Alma Katsu's previous novel, The Hunger, was an absorbing read mixed with true historical event and fiction of the Donner Party during the 1800s and I liked it that it has a horror twist aside from the historical facts. In this latest release, the author takes readers on board the Titanic and her sister ship, Britannic, set in 1912 and 1916 respectively. 

Annie Hebbley has been spending four years in an asylum after surviving from the Titanic tragedy. She isn't mentally challenged, but the place deems like a safe place given the traumatic experience she'd suffered from her past. When she receives a letter from her friend, Violet Jessop, to work with her as a nurse on Britannic, a hospital ship, she knew her days at the asylum is up and also she couldn't turn Violet down. After all, Violet is one of the survivors from the Titanic tragedy, too. 

But Britannic isn't a smooth sailing ride for Annie either; and to top it off, she meets Mark Fletcher again - a man whom she knew when she worked as a stewardess on the Titanic. Seeing him has conjured some memories during their days on the Titanic, her interactions with his wife and their little daughter as well as the strange occurrences that happened before the ship sunk. 

Alternate between two different timelines, Alma Katsu weaves a foreboding and a haunting tale (with a dash of supernatural element) about the dynamics and the complexity of a few key characters and how their acts and decisions would lead to unexpected consequences. I've to confess the first part took me some time to be immersed in the story. This is neither a flaw nor a complaint as the author took her time in introducing the characters and constructing the background settings. Once the pace pick up and there's a shift of directions, I was eager to find out what happened. Once again, Alma Katsu has proven that she's a wonderful storyteller and she could expertly blend historical events with supernatural elements and give readers something unique and refreshing from a new perspective. While I'd still choose The Hunger over this one as my favourite, overall it was still an enjoyable read. I wonder which historical event would the author feature for her next book, if she intends to do so, that is. 

Note: Violet Jessop may be a supporting character in this book, but she was truly one of the Titanic and Britannic survivors. 

Click the following links for more info on - 

1) RMS Titanic

2) HMHS Britannic

3) Violet Jessop

4) 12 Titanic survivors whose stories reveal the tragedy's true scope

William Morrow | March 2020 | 320 pgs

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Set at a prestigious boarding school on the Maine coast, Carol Goodman's latest release depicts a woman's carefully hidden past and how a death would unleash all the secrets and lies amid the peaceful community. 

Tess is a teacher and the wife to a respected professor and both of them teach at the same boarding school -- Haywood. She has a 17-year-old son, Rudy, whom she worries a lot due to his erratic moods partly due to his complicated childhood. There's been some history about Tess and Rudy when they were younger so I'll leave it to the readers to find out themselves, considering they play a crucial part to the story. 

Tess's constant worrying and her protectiveness about Rudy becomes a nightmare come true when she receives Rudy's text one early morning, asking for help. When Tess picks him up she finds him drenched and is in a dark mood. Thinking he had a fight with his girlfriend,  Lila, Tess didn't ask but she does notice a dark stain on his sweatshirt. Hours later, Tess receives a call from the school that Lila has been found dead at the coast. It may be an accidental death, but speculations point to Rudy and even Tess's husband, since Tess isn't sure if he was in their house as he claims to be during those hours. 

As suspense mounts, the story is also infused with an old folklore surrounding the drowning of the Abenaki sisters and how their stones could be seen lined from the peninsula to the island. The history of Haywood (formerly a school for wayward girls) and the mysteries of the death of a few school girls back then further add intrigue to the story. Tess was an interesting character, but she came across as a helicopter parent and one couldn't help but to wonder if her overly protectiveness meant more harm than love towards Rudy but that'll be another topic for discussion. Suspense-wise, it was a grabbing one as each turning point had me wondering about the suspect and where the direction would go. All in all, it was an enjoyable read. 

Park Row Books | June 2019 | 336 pgs

Source: Library 

With so many psychological thrillers flooding the books market, it takes good writing, good execution and an intriguing plot to stand out from the rest and I'm glad to report that Dear Wife is such a case. 

Beth Murphy is on the run. She's been planning for a day to escape from home and that day has come. She has everything planned - a new identity and a place far away from Pine Bluff Arkansas, and she'd do anything just to escape from her abusive husband. 

On the other end, Jeffrey returns home from his business trip to find his wife, Sabine, missing. There's nothing amiss in the house and her car has been left behind. Sabine is a successful realtor with good working ethics so it's perplexing to everyone. Her sister, Ingrid, insists that Sabine wouldn't leave without a word although she is aware that Sabine has some marital issues with Jeffrey. Detective Marcus Durand is assigned to look into Sabine's disappearance and as he investigates, he finds that the case isn't what it appears to be. 

As the story progresses, the mystery surrounding Beth's story and Sabine's disappearance become convoluted and suspense mounts. I'll be vague by not disclosing more about this story but I've to say this is one of the best psychological suspense I read in a while as it ticked all my expectations of a good suspense thriller. But don't just take my word for it, go read it yourself and then we can discuss about it.