[4] The Coworker by Freida McFadden
Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological, recommendation from Sandra, audio
Synopsis: At Vixed, a nutritional supplement company, Dawn Schiff is the odd, friendless accountant who never misses a day at her desk, until one morning, she doesn’t show up. Popular sales rep Natalie Farrell is unsettled by Dawn’s absence, and an anonymous phone call only heightens her concerns. When she visits Dawn’s house in search of answers, she finds herself becoming more entangled into the mystery than she ever anticipated.
Review: I gave this 5 stars on Goodreads because it kept me so damn entertained on my drive home from Iowa. It starts with a long email Dawn sends her boss at Vixed, and I could instantly tell how freaking bizarre she was just from the way she formatted a simple meeting request. I was hooked from the beginning and sad I had to pause it when I arrived home. I finished it the next day! The twists in this one felt natural and not overly outlandish, which I appreciated.
Recommend? Yes
[5] The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy, green light from Jamie on The Popcast, hard copy
Synopsis: After a year of hiding out post-divorce, cozy mystery author Maggie Chase reluctantly accepts an offer from her publisher to spend Christmas in Europe meeting a devoted fan. The catch? Her workplace rival, thriller writer Ethan Wyatt, is tagging along – a detail she discovers only after boarding the plane. Upon arriving at a remote, grand estate, Maggie gets the surprise of her life about their mysterious host. Soon, she and Ethan find themselves forced to work together to solve a baffling mystery, leading to revelations, danger, and unexpected romance.
Review: This was well written but dang, it took me so long to get into it. It turns out cozy mysteries* aren’t my jam. Who knew? Actually me – I had a suspicion, ha ha. I thought Maggie and Ethan were really interesting characters and wanted a lot more of their backstories. The story picked up at the end, but it took me forever to get there. It was kind of annoying there were a zillion different characters, but I eventually figured them out. Meh.
*I think it’s really odd Edelweiss+ doesn’t even classify this as mystery! I’d put that before romance! (I knew it was a mystery going into it – that wasn’t a surprise)
Recommend? No
[6] Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Fiction / Thrillers / Domestic, saw in “Available Now” on Libby, audio
Synopsis: Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were raised in foster care by the seemingly loving but controlling Miss Fairchild. Their childhood appeared idyllic, but was shaped by rigid rules and fear. Years after breaking free from Miss Fairchild, a body is discovered beneath their former home, forcing the sisters back to where it all happened.
Review: This was another I liked so much that I started and finished it in a few days time. I was immediately intrigued by the three sisters and enjoyed how the story alternated between their present lives and their time in foster care (with the sisters getting their own chapters). It was fascinating to see how their upbringing shaped who they are today and how they continue to cope with it. And I loved their unwavering devotion and loyalty to one another, and how the people in their lives were affected by it. That Australian narrator (it’s set in Australia) added to the listening fun.
Recommend? Yes
