Dark Territory by Susan Philpott Review

Full disclaimer: I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for review, but my thoughts are my own, and I was going to read this regardless. 

From the publisher:
Signy Shepherd has spent her career with the Line, a modern underground railroad, shepherding at-risk women out of peril. When Signy takes Lizzy, a young woman desperate to save her infant son, under her protection, the case appears to be like any other. With a severe winter storm on the horizon, Signy drives Lizzy and her son out of the city. Suddenly, she finds the police hot on their tail, and when Lizzy’s erratic behavior propels them into further danger, Signy begins to suspect that her new ward is not the victim she claims to be.

Meanwhile, Signy’s PTSD-stricken mentor, Grace, investigates Lizzy’s husband. But Lizzy’s husband is hiding secrets of his own, and soon Grace finds herself out of her depth. As the treacherous blizzard closes in, the entire operation spirals out of control. Isolated and relying on nothing but her instincts, Signy is confronted with a choice that will force her to risk not only her own life, but those of the people she cares about most.

My thoughts:
Dark Territory is the second book in the Signy Shepherd series by Susan Philpott. The first book, Blown Red, was released last year and it was fantastic! This book was even better, in my opinion.

Signy works for the Line, which is an underground railway of sorts that helps women escape terrible situations, which is as empowering as it sounds. Signy helps transport the women to their new lives, and of course, runs into trouble along the way.

In this book, Signy is tasked with helping Lizzy Stone and her young son, Justin, escape her successful doctor husband, Solomon. Solomon seems like the perfect husband and father with a successful medical career, but he is definitely not the man he appears to be; however, neither is Lizzy. Signy has to decide whether Lizzy is telling her the entire story, and if she's not, how can she help someone who may be more dangerous than Solomon?

What I love about these books is that you don't always know who you can trust. I wavered between trusting and not trusting Lizzy, which made the book more interesting. On the surface, Lizzy seemed like a scared wife/mother, but underneath, she may have been hiding her own demons.

Grace is another character who returns, and I'm glad that we got to see a little bit more about her and her past. I was feeling a little skeptical of her after Blown Red, but she really grew on me throughout this book. I'm excited to see where her character goes next.

Signy is definitely my favourite character. She is tough, resourceful, smart, and not afraid to kick some ass when necessary. She had a rough start in life, but that hasn't stopped her from becoming an absolute necessity for the Line and the women she helps. She's a little more vulnerable in this book, as she needs to ask for help from a person that she doesn't exactly want to. I was pleased to see her more vulnerable, though, as it added more depth to her character. I can't wait to see how else she'll grow as the series continues.

This book is perfectly paced; even when the action stops the story is continuing to move forward. It will leave you flipping the pages as fast as you can, and will never let you stop wondering who to trust. It will make you cheer to see women being portrayed as strong and successful people who can more than handle their own. Philpott is fantastic at crafting characters you'll want to see succeed.

I do have two small gripes. I was a little sad that the book took part mostly in the U.S. I loved that Blown Red took place in Canada, and I hope that Philpott chooses to set the next books back in Canada.

The only other small thing is that at times, there are scenes that are so graphic they had me cringing. This is to be expected in a thriller book, though, so while it didn't bother me a lot, I could see it bothering those who may be a bit more sensitive.

I would recommend reading Blown Red first, because you'll have more background on the characters, but you could probably read this as standalone and still enjoy it. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a heart-pounding thriller with kickass women at the core.

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

I discovered Chevy Stevens about two years ago, and have absolutely devoured each of her books. My mom is also a huge fan, and I literally spend most of the year listening to, "when is the next Chevy book coming out?"

Her newest book, Those Girls, came out July 7th and did not disappoint!

From the publisher: Life has never been easy for the three Campbell sisters. Jess, Courtney, and Dani live on a remote ranch in Western Canada where they work hard and try to stay out of the way of their father's temper. One night, a fight gets out of hand and the sisters are forced to go on the run, only to get caught in an even worse nightmare when their truck breaks down in a small town. As events spiral out of control they find themselves in a horrifying situation and are left with no choice but to change their names and create new lives.
Eighteen years later, they are still trying to forget what happened that summer. But when one of the sisters goes missing, followed closely by her niece, they are pulled back into the past. And this time there's nowhere left to run.

Stevens knows how to write a book that will leave you tense with anticipation. Within a few pages, you are sucked into the story and it won't let you go. I found myself all tensed up during a lot of the story, but I could not stop reading. The setting is fantastic because it's set during the hot summer days, but what happens is so dark and horrible. The contrast between the two really adds to the feeling of the book. I should mention that there are some scenes of violence that may be triggering or difficult to read.

I really liked all the characters and just wanted to protect them, especially Skylar (the niece). She was a bit naïve, but that is no surprise considering how protective her mother was. Though naïve, she was also stubborn and strong. Courtney absolutely broke my heart, and watching her struggle to rid herself of the past was difficult. I wish I'd gotten more of Dani's story because I felt like I barely got to know her.

I can barely write this review because I loved the book so much, and I don't want to give away any spoilers. It was visceral and suspenseful and Stevens is a master at writing thrillers that will leave you breathless. I could not turn the pages fast enough, and I actually had to stop myself from reading so quickly because I was missing things.

While this is incredibly intense, the bond between the sisters and the niece is actually heartwarming. I was so emotionally spent by the end, but also so moved and almost happy. Sounds weird for a thriller, right? But it totally worked.

Stevens' books are terrifying because they are situations that can happen to anyone. They aren't hugely fabricated tales, but simple things we all do everyday that lead to terror. These books mess with my head because I find myself wondering what I would do in the same situation and they always make me a little edgy for a few days. I kind of love that, though. Maybe I'm just weird.

Not sure it's for you? There's an excerpt on St. Martin's Press page here that you should check out if you're unsure.  If that doesn't hook you, then well, I don't know what else will.

I can't say enough about how great this book was. If you want a good thriller, pick this up. Still searching for that elusive book after reading Gone Girl? Pick up ANY of Steven's books. I dislike book/author comparisons, but I am willing to make one in this case.

5 out of 5 incredible stars for sure and my favourite thriller this year! I can't wait to pass this onto my mom and go back to listening to "when is the next Chevy book coming out?" I want to know, too, mom.

The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango

From Goodreads: On the surface, Henry Hayden seems like someone you could like, or even admire. A famous bestselling author who appears a modest everyman. A loving, devoted husband even though he could have any woman he desires. A generous friend and coworker. But Henry Hayden is a construction, a mask. His past is a secret, his methods more so. No one besides him and his wife know that she is the actual writer of the novels that made him famous.

For most of Henry’s life, it hasn’t been a problem. But when his hidden-in-plain-sight mistress becomes pregnant and his carefully constructed facade is about to crumble, he tries to find a permanent solution, only to make a terrible mistake.

Now not only are the police after Henry, but his past—which he has painstakingly kept hidden—threatens to catch up with him as well. Henry is an ingenious man and he works out an ingenious plan. He weaves lies, truths, and half-truths into a story that might help him survive. But bit by bit the noose still tightens.

The Truth and Other Lies has me confused. It's one of those books that I'm not sure I either a.) liked or b.) understood. The book opens and you are thrown right into the plot, which I liked. It was so easy to get sucked into this story and into Henry's mind. I disagree about Henry being someone you could like, because I absolutely did not like him. He was manipulative, conniving, and sociopathic. I liked the ride through his mind, though, because his way of thinking is so different than my own (non-sociopathic, that is!). While I didn't like him, I did find him a bit fascinating. He may not have been an author himself, but he could definitely wind together a good story!

I can't say much about the plot without spoiling anything, so I'll just say that it's a little complicated. This is a fairly short book, so you really have to be paying attention because things happen quickly. I did not like a single character in this book as everyone seems shady. Whether they were or not, you can decide for yourself, but I felt like they were. It seemed like nobody truly knew anyone in this book, but I guess that's true life. Can we ever really know someone? Know what they're capable of?

I just finished this book, so I'm still sorting out my feelings. It left a little to be desired, especially the unsatisfying ending. I have questions that I want answers to. I didn't dislike the book, as it did leave me thinking and questioning, which is always a good thing in my mind. I will say, though, that it is pretty literary and descriptive and some of the situations are a bit gory and hard to read.

This has the potential to be a big summer hit, and I think it's the perfect book to read on a dark, rainy night, preferably at an old cabin, to really ramp up the atmosphere.

Overall, it was not my favourite book, but it was still a really interesting story that had me questioning Henry and everyone else the whole time. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars based on Goodreads rating system. It's on sale now, so check it out if you're into unreliable, twisty stories.

*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, so thank you so much!*

Waiting on Wednesday: The Blue by Lucy Clarke

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and is a weekly spotlight on upcoming releases.

I discovered Lucy Clarke last year, and absolutely fell in love. Both of her books were favourite reads for me in 2014. I also passed them along to my mom and sister-in-law, who both really enjoyed them as well.

I reviewed A Single Breath here and Swimming at Night here. I absolutely loved both and can not rave about them enough.

Clarke has definitely become an auto-buy author for me, and I cannot wait for her next book, The Blue. Her covers are always beautiful, too.

Goodreads synopsis: In the tradition of Alex Garland's The Beach, a spine-tingling adventure novel about a group of friends whose journey around the world on a yacht turns from a trip to paradise into a chilling nightmare when one of them disappears at sea.

Lana and her best friend Kitty leave home looking for freedom and that's exactly what they find when they are invited onto The Blue, a fifty-foot yacht making its way from the Philippines to New Zealand. Manned by a young crew of wanderers, The Blue is exactly the escape they are looking for and the two quickly fall under The Blue's spell spending their days exploring remote islands, and their rum-filled nights relaxing on deck beneath the stars.

Yet paradise found can just as quickly become lost. Lana and Kitty begin to discover that they aren't the only ones with secrets they'd rather run from than reveal. And when one of their new friends disappears overboard after an argument with the other crew members, the dark secrets that brought each of them aboard start to unravel.

Yes, please! This sounds like more of a thriller than her previous two novels, but that is absolutely okay with me. It looks like it's set to release August 4th, and I am already counting down the days (103)!

Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight

Disclaimer: I did receive an ARC of this novel (as part of HarperCollins Canada's newly relaunched HCC First Look program) in exchange for a review, but that has not altered my opinion at all.

Synopsis:
At the end of a long winter in well-to-do Ridgedale, New Jersey, the body of an infant is discovered in the woods near the town's prestigious university campus. No one knows who the baby is, or how her body ended up out there. But there is no shortage of opinions.

When freelance journalist, and recent Ridgedale transplant, Molly Anderson is unexpectedly called upon to cover the story for the Ridgedale Reader, it's a risk, given the severe depression that followed the loss of her own baby. But the bigger threat comes when Molly unearths some of Ridgedale's darkest secrets, including a string of unreported sexual assaults going back twenty years. Meanwhile, Sandy, a high school dropout, searches for her volatile and now missing mother, and PTA president Barbara struggles to help her young son, who's suddenly having disturbing outbursts.

Told from the perspectives of Molly, Barbara, and Sandy, Kimberly McCreight's taut and profoundly moving novel unwinds the tangled truth about the baby's death, revealing that these three women have far more in common than they realized. That the very worst crimes are committed against those we love. And that—sooner or later—the past catches up to all of us.

My thoughts:
I've said it before, but I love thrillers, especially those that are a little psychological and play with your mind. If you've read Kimberly McCreight's massively popular Reconstructing Amelia than you're familiar with how fantastic McCreight's writing is. She is able to weave a fascinatingly creepy story about a small, wealthy town and the secrets surrounding it. This book had me up beyond my bedtime.

Where They Found Her kept me guessing. I hate 'thriller's that are easy to figure out. That was not a problem with this book at all. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has some sort of motive. While this book was creepy, it was also sad. Molly is still struggling with the loss of her own infant daughter, Sandy can't find her mother and assumes the worst, and Barbara is trying to cope with her son who everyone thinks is becoming crazy. I liked this aspect of the book, though, because it's far from that notion of the idyllic college town. It's real life, and real life is scary.

The pacing was excellent. It gripped me right away and kept me interested the whole time, without any major lack. The characters were creepy because they were both relatable and different. You can probably find yourself in one of the characters, and that always makes a thriller seem more real and scary. Like I said, real life is scary.

I rated this a 4 out of 5 because I did have a very slight issue with the ending. I won't say what it is because it's a spoiler, but I just felt like the resolution to one issue was inconsistent with the characters previous actions, and it made me sad for that character.

Where They Found Her is on sale today, and is definitely the perfect book to curl up on the couch with during a rainy April.

Book Comparisons: Not Always Accurate

You know that book that suddenly pops up EVERYWHERE? Everywhere you turn, there it is; on TV, in magazines, on the Internet. Once I see a book everywhere, I always need to read it (good job, marketing people!) and lately, this book is The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Sometimes these books are worth the hype, and sometimes they're not. The Girl on the Train fell into both categories for me.

Goodreads says this about the book, "Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

A compulsively readable, emotionally immersive, Hitchcockian thriller that draws comparisons to Gone Girl, The Silent Wife, or Before I Go to Sleep, this is an electrifying debut embraced by readers across markets and categories."

Clearly you can see the comparison to Gone Girl, The Silent Wife, and Before I Go to Sleep; all novels that I've read. Do I think that The Girl on the Train can be lumped with those other books? No. Book comparisons are tricky. I loved Gone Girl and Before I Go to Sleep. The Silent Wife was 'meh' for me, and I liked The Girl on the Train much more than that. I failed to see many (if any) comparisons to those books, which isn't a bad thing, but going into the book, I expected it to be like Gone Girl, and it wasn't.

I did really enjoy the book. It kept me reading past my bedtime, and I was suspicious of all three main characters, which is what a good thriller is supposed to do. I do think, however, that I would have enjoyed it more if it hadn't had all those comparisons to other books. Had I gone into this book by just reading the synopsis, I think it would have been a 5/5 rating for me. Since my expectations of it being the next Gone Girl were not met, I rated it 4/5. This is not a flaw on the book itself, but rather the marketing.

Sometimes comparisons are accurate, but sometimes they're not. I understand that they can be used to drum up interest for a book, but I think The Girl on the Train would have done great even without the comparison. If you're looking for a great thriller, read The Girl on the Train because it's a great book, not because it's been compared to other, different great books.

Blown Red by Susan Philpott

When I heard that there was a Canadian author releasing a book that takes place in and around the Toronto area, I knew I had to read it. I received a signed copy of the book from the author, Susan Philpott, but that did not affect my review in the slightest. I would have read this book free copy, or not.

From Goodreads: Like a runaway train, Signy Shepherd has been blowing through danger signals all her life.
Recruited to the Line, a shadowy underground railroad dedicated to helping women in peril, Signy has no idea that her first solo case will set her on a a collision course with a renowned photographer concealing a murderous past; a relentless tracker with an explosive secret; and her own violent demons.
Set during the height of a brutal heat wave, the pressure mounts as Signy and her young passenger race across Canada toward a sanctuary that proves to be a deadly illusion.

My thoughts: This book was a road trip across Canada, beginning in Vancouver and ending in the Toronto area, and you can tell how much love Philpott has for her country. As a Canadian, I especially appreciated this.

Signy Shepherd is a bad ass, who can handle anything thrown at her, and I loved her. Found in a dumpster on Yonge St. in Toronto at the age of two, Signy has had a life that has hardened her, but not defeated her. She is tough, sharp, witty, and the exact kind of person who is perfect for the Line.

The Line is an underground 'railway' of sorts to help women and children escape bad situations. We meet Elena when Signy is assigned to drive her from Calgary to the Toronto area. Elena is in a tough spot, and one that becomes even more tough the closer they get to the safe house.

I enjoyed the way the story progressed. It was fast-paced, and left me wondering what was going on and who could be trusted, even when I wasn't reading. I found myself flipping through the pages as quickly as the girls were racing across Canada. I appreciated the relationship developing between Signy and Elena, and loved both of their spirits. Life has knocked them both down, but they're both strong females.

There were a few scenes that I found hard to read, but they're short scenes and did not detract from my enjoyment of the rest of the book. I expect those type of scenes in thrillers, so it wasn't that shocking.

Pick this one up if you're looking for a fast-paced thriller with strong female characters. You won't be disappointed.

You by Caroline Kepnes - Review

It's been forever, again. My husband and I recently moved into a bigger apartment, so much of August/September has been all about moving. I hate moving with a passion, but I love this place so much, so I guess it all balances out.

Before the moving craziness started, this showed up in my inbox from Simon & Schuster Canada:

 

 

I was instantly intrigued. How creepy does that sound?! It's called You and it's Caroline Kepnes' debut release. The book showed up, and I regret not reading it right away because oh my, it was so good!

 

Guinevere Beck (she prefers Beck) is an aspiring writer who happens to catch the glance of Joe, who is one of the creepiest characters I've read. Beck is an attention-seeking, lazy girl who has daddy issues and comes across very naïve. Joe quickly becomes obsessed with Beck and will stop at nothing in order to make her his, including stealing her phone after she leaves it in a cab.

 

It's told entirely from Joe's perspective, and much of it is his internal thoughts, which I think made it all the more creepy and disturbing. It was scary because Joe doesn't come off as crazy in his everyday life. He's just that guy you pass on the street and don't give a second thought to. He, on the other hand, is thinking about you. You'd never know that he has a cage in his book store where he sometimes keeps more than just rare books.

 

I loved the parts where Joe was reading Beck's emails because you got a better glimpse of how messed up Beck was. Joe is a crazy stalker, but Beck definitely her issues as well. She's so wrapped up in herself that she doesn't even really notice when people around her begin disappearing for long periods of time.

 

I spent a lot of time reading this book with this expression on my face:

 

It was almost uncomfortable to read, but I could not put this book down. I'm trying not to give anything away because this book is best to go into blind (most books are), but if you like disturbing, uncomfortable reads, then this is a great book for you. This is the perfect fall read, and definitely perfect for Halloween.

 

This may be Kepnes debut release, but you wouldn't know it by her writing style. She has definitely been added to my auto-read list of authors.

 

5 out of 5 stars. This book is available September 30th from Simon & Schuster Canada. Definitely add it to your to-read list!

 

 

 

what I've read lately.

I am a terrible blogger, and I have no excuses other than the usual (work, husband time, etc.). I am still constantly reading, though, so I guess there's that. There's a difference between reading and blogging about reading, and blogging is where I suck.

Anyway, I thought I'd talk a bit about the books I've read since my last post. There have been some good ones lately!

 

This was an emotional book written by what I expect will be a future bestselling author. This book makes you reflect on what you would do if you found out you were dying. Would you pull your loved ones closer, or push them away and retreat into yourself? 

 

I felt myself getting teary eyed, frustrated, downright angry, and then happy. I felt emotionally spent reading this book, but in a good way. Oftentimes, I almost forgot I wasn't reading a fiction book. It reads as a non-fiction, which I think makes it better. 

 

The characters are frustrating and real, and flawed. Pamela annoyed me, and I kind of wish we'd gotten more of her story. I won't say much, but I couldn't help but be suspicious of Pamela's motivations. I would have been just as suspicious, if not more, as Daisy was. 

 

 I loved the Jack part at the end. I really liked learning how it ended, and getting to read some of his perspective.

A must-read for fans of beautifully written fiction - not JUST woman's fiction, but fiction.

 

 

 

If you know me really well, you know I love a good psychological thriller, and Chevy Stevens never disappoints. I discovered her last summer when I won a copy of Always Watching and I've been hooked ever since, devouring all her books in a matter of weeks. I even got my mom hooked! For months all I heard was, "when is the new Chevy book coming out?" (my mom doesn't do the internet).

Toni and her boyfriend, Ryan, have been accused of murdering Toni's younger sister, Nicole, because they were the last to be seen with her. One thing I loved (among many) about this book was that it shifted time frames. It switched between when Toni was in high school (when the murder occurred), when Toni was in jail, and after she's out of jail. I loved feeling like I was in Toni's head throughout the entire story.

You can always expect a twist in Steven's novels, and this one was no exception. Around the middle of the book, I had my suspicions about whodunit, and I was right, however, I had no idea what the motive was and it blew me away.

This book has characters you'll love, and many that you'll hate. At times, I found myself loving and hating the exact same character, which plays with your head and makes the story even more compelling.

The Canadian in me appreciates that her stories take place in Canada, and I love the Canadian references in it (Tim Hortons!).

 

 



Diane Chamberlain is another of my favourite authors, but this was not my favourite. It was definitely engrossing, but I just felt like something was off. Riley and Lisa both annoyed me for different reasons, and I think that affected my perspective. I have a hard time enjoying a book when I feel absolutely no connection to any of the characters.

 

Another issue I had was that some things seemed too perfect, such as the ending. Everything was wrapped up in a pretty little bow, and nothing was left for me to imagine on my own.

 

I did enjoy the book, and think it will do very well when it's released (October 7th), and I would recommend it to people who like a good dysfunctional family thriller.

 

This was a cute read, and one I've been hearing about for years. I especially loved reading about Anna exploring Paris, as (like many) I would love to go to Paris one day.

I liked Anna, but at times I felt a little annoyed at her. Some of her 'problems' didn't seem like problems at all. Also, St. Clair annoyed me a bit, too. If you're unhappy, end your relationship, don't just stay in it because you don't want to be alone. I didn't really like what Anna and St. Clair did to Meredith. Anna seemed to try and justify her actions a lot throughout the book, and I felt myself sympathising with Mere, rather than Anna.

That being said, I did enjoy the book. I was looking for a sweet, quick read and that's what I got. I enjoyed the friendship between the 5 of them, and felt like their conflicts were pretty accurate (albeit, a bit predictable).

 

I didn't LOVE it like many others did (perhaps I would have if I was younger?), but I do intend to read about Lola and Isla soon.

 

I've also read Outlander lately, but it deserves its very own entry soon because I loved it so much!

 

Let's chat! What has been your favourite book you've read lately?



Book Review: The Never List by Koethi Zan

I have a weird fascination with stories that are a little disturbing or creepy. A thriller with a vicious killer? A story about missing people and murders galore? Count me in & see you when I'm finished! I'd like to think there's some intellectual reason for this, but I don't think there is. I just like a good messed up story, which is why I liked 'The Never List' by Koethi Zan so much.

For years, Jennifer and Sarah have kept what they call the Never List. A list of things to absolutely avoid in order to stay as safe as possible On their list? Do not get into a car with a stranger. Believing they can trust the car service they order in college, they break their own rules. While the list may be a bit extreme, that is one rule that should not be broken. The girls are kidnapped and held hostage in a cellar for more than three years by a sadistic man with his own agenda. Jennifer does not make it out of the cellar, and after her release, Sarah spends the next ten years once again avoiding the world as best she can. A letter from her captor forces her to break her own rules again, and reunites her with her fellow captives. Like the first time she broke her own rules and found herself in trouble, Sarah once again finds herself in less than desirable situations.

The book is fast-paced with twists and turns, and explores things like BDSM, crazy cults, and a scary torture device called the 'rack' (Google it if you want to have nightmares). I read this book in two sittings, but could have easily done it in one if, you know, I didn't have to work. Though, the break was probably good for my overactive imagination!

With most psychological thrillers, there's a big twist/reveal at the end. I won't say what it is, but I did have my suspicions about it throughout most of the book. The book is so well-written that you're never really sure if that's what's' going to happen, though. I like to be kept guessing the whole time. I hate reading obvious books with cookie cutter plots. This is not one of those books at all.

I rated this 4 out of 5 stars because I did have a slight issue with the ending. I liked the way it ended, but after the twist, it just seemed like things wrapped up too quickly. I wanted more closure, and more details about what happened AFTER. I feel like Zan could write another book if certain things played out in a specific way.

I would definitely recommend this for people who like books that play with your mind. What is most creepy about it is that this does happen. People are kidnapped and held captive every single day. This is the perfect book to read on one of the long winter nights we're having lately. Be prepared to think about this book, and probably dream about it, for days after finishing it.