Review: The Reappearance of Rachel Price

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bel was 2 years old when she was found in the backseat of her mother’s car with the heat running and a juice box.  The disappearance of her mother has never been solved.  She is now eighteen years old and her mother has reappeared.  Rachel’s story has too many flaws and Bel begins to wonder if her mother was taken or if she left.  What happened to Rachel sixteen years ago?  Is the Price family still in danger?

The Reappearance of Rachel Price is a standalone mystery that had me turning the pages and wondering where it was going next.  Jackson included several twists and turns throughout and when the reveal begins, readers will soon discover that inconsequential nuggets were important.  The answers to the mystery are revealed a few chapters before the ending, but that gives the story the space to wrap up nicely.  A thoroughly enjoyable mystery read.

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Review: The Cemetery of Untold Stories

The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alma is a successful, published writer, but she has many stories that she never finished.  After inheriting land in her homeland, the Dominican Republic, she decides that is the perfect place to bury these stories … literally.  Alma hopes this will give her characters and stories a place to rest.  Her stories have other plans, and the cemetery becomes a place for these untold tales to finally be heard.  Some of her characters talk back to Alma (or each other) and a few even revise themselves. 

The Cemetery of Untold Stories is a twisting story that is not an easy read and those who choose to explore these pages need to know that it is complicated yet satisfying.  Alvarez has taken a few different storylines and crafted a narrative that blends them together.  I thought this was going to be a collection of stories, but it ended up delivering so much more.  A fulfilling read even if it wasn’t a fun one.

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Review: She's Not Sorry

She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meghan is recently divorced and learning how to juggle raising a teenage girl alone and working to support her family.  She is a nurse and has seen the good and bad in the world.  When a new patient arrives in a coma and a witness says she was pushed, Meghan gets a little too close to the patient and the drama that is her family.  What happened to Caitlin on the bridge?  What is going on with Meghan’s daughter?

She’s Not Sorry is a stand-alone mystery that does start a little slow, but then the last third of the book twists and turns and goes in many unexpected ways.  Events that seem trivial when introduced turn out to be important to the plot and Kubica brings everything together seamlessly.  The book ended up being an exciting read and I suggest not starting the last few chapters at night, otherwise, you might end up staying up to finish the book.

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Review: Royal Scandal

Royal Scandal by Aimee Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Evan is finally getting used to all the media attention since the world discovered she is the illegitimate daughter of the King of England.  Almost all of the clickbait is false news, but Evan has been receiving threats of another story … one that is all too true.  As more and more information is leaked about her, she wonders if she will always be hated by the people of Britain.  Then there is an assassination attempt … and another.  Does someone really want Evan dead or is there another motive?

Royal Scandal is the second book in the Royal Blood series.  This mystery had enough clues at the beginning to nudge my memory about events in the first book without feeling that the author was trying to recap everything for readers.  I will say that I was constantly running scenarios in my head as I was working my way through the novel and was happy that it wasn’t completely predictable.  Goodreads has an untitled third book listed and I hope that Carter can continue this series past three books.  

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Review: Under This Red Rock

Under This Red Rock by Mindy McGinnis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Neely has always been haunted by monsters.  The only place she can get away from them is in the caverns near her home.  She thinks she will finally have some quiet when she lands a job at this cavern and the added perk is Mila.  Mila is everything Neely wishes to be, but when a staff party has her using drugs … her monsters get worse.  Soon, Mila is found dead, and Neely can’t trust her memories of that night.  Who killed Mila? 

Under This Red Rock is a supernatural story with a mystery twist.  Readers will easily be able to suspend disbelief as they uncover hidden truths above and below ground.  McGinnis has once again stretched into a new genre and proven that she will not be contained by one type of writing.  This book is a fast-paced mystery with some interesting supernatural components to keep the reader on their toes.  Under This Red Rock is a wonderful read for everyone.

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