The wreckage of my past keeps haunting me: NOWHERE.

Nowhere by Allison Gunn
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Not entirely sure how I feel about this one. It seemed to have some trouble finding itself, mixing Appalachia folklore/horror with a depressed and messed up grieving family. Rachel Kennan is the police chief of a small Virginian town--she and her family are outsiders to the locals, even with the death of their young son, Aiden. Aiden died in a car accident while his father, Finn, was driving drunk. Younger daughter Lucy survived, and Rachel and Finn are making it day-to-day for their daughters, even though Rachel resents Finn so completely for the loss of their son.

Gunn mixes Rachel and Finn's grief with a story rooted in local folklore: a terrifying thing/spirit in the woods, luring children into the forest, igniting hatred and violence throughout the town.

This is a truly horrible and dark story--it does not commit fully to horror or its character-driven plot, but either way, it's violent and awful, full of blood and gore. The characters are pretty mean and terrible, too. Even with the loss of her son, it's impossible to sympathize with Rachel, who comes across as a cheater and a mean, hateful person. She and Finn are terrible parents; honestly, it's not surprising their children want to turn into demons.

This story made me cringe many times and not because of its creepiness. It would have benefited from committing to a character-driven tale, focusing on Rachel and Finn's grief and outsider status in town and deeper points about exclusion of what is different leading to hate. Or, it could have gone fully into the horror story, really embracing the kids and demons. Blending both is a lot, making the plot feel choppy, uneven, and long.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review.

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Tearing all these walls down, made from my mistakes: WITNESS 8.

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've never read an Eddie Flynn book before, but it was easy to follow, even though this was the eighth book in the series. It gave off a very Lincoln Lawyer-type vibe -- a lawyer too cool and smart for the law, with a con man angle.

We have Ruby Jackson, a young woman from a once wealthy past who now works as a maid and babysitter for rich people in NYC. This gives her plenty of opportunity to spy and snoop on her employers. One night, Ruby witnesses the murder of Margaret Jackson; instead of calling the police, she files the information away for her own use.

Meanwhile, Eddie's new client is John Jackson, accused of murdering his wife Margaret, with the gun found in his possession, DNA evidence and all. Flynn is convinced John Jackson is innocent, but it is going to be tough to prove it.

This is a wild and crazy tale, filled with corrupt cops, hitmen, and all sorts of killing and blood! It's certainly a dark and violent story, with plenty of murder. I am always impressed when the author can make you interested in the bad guys, though.

There are plenty of moving plot threads in WITNESS 8 but they weave together well. So many of the characters have dark pasts, and some are rather evil, but certainly intriguing. The book has a courtroom aspect and a mystery side, as well as learning more about Ruby and her past.

This is a great page-turner that keeps you reading. I'd definitely like to go back and read more about Eddie.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review.


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I'm here again, but I'm all alone: MORE OR LESS MADDY.

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Oh this book is so well-done, but so hard to read. College student Maddy has always felt different from her posh Connecticut family. The college clinic puts Maddy on an anti-depressant, which unknowingly triggers her, spinning her into mania. Maddy soon learns that she has bipolar disorder, which will require strict management for the rest of her life.

This book is incredibly stressful, but very accurate, making you feel as if you're a part of Maddy's brain. It's an outstanding portrait of bipolar disorder and the depression associated with it. You can feel Maddy's moods as she cycles through the highs and lows and how difficult her bipolar makes her life. Genova captures Maddy's despair and how it affects both her and her family, as well as the stigma, embarrassment, and illness that comes with the illness.

We follow Maddy through several manic and depressive episodes and hospitalizations. It is of note that while they place high expectations on her, her monied family also means Maddy has access to care and treatment that others might not. Maddy's story is painful and sad, but also hopeful. This is an insightful and realistic look into mental illness. Please note a major trigger warning for multiple things such as cutting, depression, mania, and suicidal thoughts. It can also be very hard to read if you, or someone you love, has suffered from mental illness.


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There's a weight on my shoulders: FOR BETTER AND WORSE.

For Better and Worse by Margot Hunt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a fast read that pulls you in with the tension and "what ifs."

In law school, on their first date, Will and Natalie joke about committing the perfect crime.

Who knew that once married, with a ten-year-old son Charlie, they'd find themselves needing to carry out said ideal crime. Their son's principal--a friend of theirs--has been accused of child molestation. Natalie makes plans to kill him, but when things go awry, Will gets involved too. Suddenly, Natalie must rely on her criminal defense law skills to keep them from being suspects, while Will finds himself breaking down out of fear and guilt.

In some ways, not a lot happens in this story beyond Will and Natalie's bickering and cover-up, but it's a tense and suspenseful story nonetheless. Neither character is likable; their marriage is falling apart and you can't really feel much sympathy for them (just their son, truly). But it's easy to get caught up in the story and wanting to know what will happen--will they be caught? Hunt makes the reader ask what they would do in such a situation and has you wondering if you ever truly know someone... There is a lot of focus on marital issues and family problems. Please note a large trigger for sexual assault.

This is a quick read for thriller fans that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

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