The Murmurings by Carly Anne West Sophie's older sister Nell hears voices and sees shadows. This causes her to be institutionalized at Oakside Behavioral Institution. A few weeks later Nell is found hanging by her toe from a tree. It is ruled suicide. Sophie doesn't buy it. She decides to investigate her sister's death. Armed with her sister's journal and her one friend Evan, they try to solve the puzzle of her death and the secrets of Oakside. Time is of the essence. Sophie is starting to hear voices and see things out the corner of her eye. She soon realizes things are not what they seem at Oakside. This is a first class supernatural thriller. You will not look gaze into mirrors quite as long after reading this book. Just in case you couldn't tell I really liked this book. It is fast paced and creepy!
Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allie was in a terrible car accident. Not only is her boyfriend, Trip, killed but she loses her memory. As Allie starts to regain her memory she realizes things were not perfect with Trip. In fact they were far from it, he was an abusive and manipulative boyfriend. As her memories start to come back, she begins to wonder what really happened that night. Could the people who loved her the most be responsible for the accident? As Allie gets closer to the truth the town starts to turn against her.
This is an incredible story about the ugly side of an abusive relationship but it also is about healing and learning to trust. Sound like a Nicholas Sparks novel? Trust me it is not. If you like the edgy side of romance with a little mystery you will definitely like this book.
The Bat by Jo Nesbo This is the first in the Inspector Harry Hole series. Harry is sent to Australia to monitor the progress of the murder investigation of a Norwegian citizen. He soon realizes that this is the work of a serial killer who is murdering their way across the country. I liked this book because it is true to the Harry Hole character. We finally learn some of Harry 's story. I will say however, this is not as suspenseful as the other books in the series, nor is it as graphic. If you are a Harry Hole fan you will not be disappointed.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas Eighteen year old Celaena is an assassin feared by all. She is imprisoned in the salt mines of Endovier. Celaena grabs the attention of the King who is a cruel and evil ruler. He has offered her freedom if she becomes his champion. Celaena must fight for 4 years a total of 23 battles. The king is not the only evil presence in the castle. There is something evil and forgotten in the walls of the castle and killing off the other competitors. I think you will either love or hate this book. I really liked it. Celaena is a strong female character but she is a girly girl. She is a smart aleck with a diva personality and she kicks butt.
Far Far Away by Tom McNeal Jeremy Johnson Johnson is just like any other 14 year old boy except he can hear the voice of Jacob Grimm. Jacob has been dead for many years and is unable to cross over. He has attached himself to Jeremy. He feels there is something evil stalking Jeremy and the other children of Never Better. Jacob feels the only way to join his brother, Wilhelm, is to protect them. Far Far Away is narrated by the ghost of Jacob Grimm and is told in the typical Grimm Fairy Tale style, dark and twisted. There are many likeable characters but my favorites were Jeremy and Jacob. Jeremy is a nerd who gets into trouble when a fiery red head named Ginger convinces him to pull a prank. The prank goes horribly wrong and the town turns on them. Jacob is stuffy and tries to keep Jeremy out of trouble and safe. You are drawn into their story right from the start. This has something for everyone a ghost, a love story and magic. If you like a dark and twisted tale then this is for you.
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison This is a love story gone horribly wrong. Jodi and Todd have been together for 20 years although they are not married Jodi is the perfect "wife". She caters to Todd's every need. Both have successful careers and appear to be happy, Jodi is a part time psychologist and Todd is an architect. Jodi loves to stay home and play the happy homemaker while Todd likes to step out and doesn't care who knows it. Jodi turns a blind eye to Todd's philandering- that is, until she kills him. What would make Jodi do such an awful thing? Did she snap or just say enough. The characters are not very likeable but you're not supposed to like them. They are materialistic and shallow. We learn of Todd's murder at the beginning of the book and both Jodi and Todd alternate telling their story. This is a quick read and I found it entertaining although Jodi did get on my nerves.
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown I loved this book!! It was inspirational, after I finished reading it I felt like I could do anything.
It follows nine poor boys from the University of Washington on a journey that will change their lives forever and gives a country hope at a time where there wasn't a lot to be found. There is not more I can say but watch the book trailer and be inspired.
