This feature is for short reviews, reviews of books in a series where it might feel repetitive, or (as Michelle suggested) books I was too lazy to write a “real” review for. Today’s books are the last 3 books I wrote reviews for in the past few years and didn’t get around to publishing on the blog. I’m so excited to have finally cleared that backlog! They have nothing else in common really though lol!
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware Narrator: Imogen Church
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio on May 29, 2018
Genres: Suspense & Thriller
Length: 14 hours 14 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
-- From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, and The Lying Game comes Ruth Ware’s highly anticipated fourth novel.
On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person—but also that the cold-reading skills she’s honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money.
Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the deceased…where it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and the inheritance at the center of it.
Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, this is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.
Ruth Ware is quickly working her way up my list of favorite authors. I’m not much for being scared, but her ability to weave suspense and mystery is enough to get me over that. And it’s not screaming scary, just very tense and anxious as I wrack my brain trying to figure out what the hell is happening. Every time I thought I had figured out all the players, something changed and I had to start over. A great mystery with fascinating characters and a unique story. The narration added to it I think, as Imogen Church did a good job really pulling out the characters. It’s fun to read a book that’s not part of a series, and yet, I wish there were more!
From Twinkle, with Love by Sandhya Menon Published by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers on May 22, 2018
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 330
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Goodreads
An aspiring teen filmmaker finds her voice and falls in love in this delightful romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi.
Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy-a.k.a. Sahil's twin brother? Dream come true x 2.
When mystery man N begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it's Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she's fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.
Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she's got is not the one she's scripted. But will it be enough?
Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, with Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you.
Overall, I enjoyed this. I liked the cultural perspective and the unique style of a story told through diary entries – kind of epistolary, which I always seem to enjoy. My one frustration was that the main character bugged me a bit. She just still had a bit of that teenage self-absorbed, angsty attitude. I did enjoy that she grows through the novel and becomes aware of the way she is being basically super immature – it made for great character development. And I liked how the story ended for sure, it was sweet and the family aspect was heartwarming.
Lullaby by Jonathan Maberry Narrator: Scott Brick
Published by Audible Studios on October 4, 2018
Genres: Horror
Length: 37 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible
Goodreads
The fears and horrors of being a new parent take on a shocking dimension in in this heart-stopping original story, only from Audible. A young married couple, Matt and Gillian have just bought a gorgeous house located next to a lake in the Catskills. They want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to raise their baby girl, Hope, in relative peace and quiet. When night falls, however, their dream home becomes a house of nightmares. Matt and Gillian soon learn that darkness takes many forms. And sometimes, darkness is hungry.
New York Times best-selling author and Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry delivers a haunting Audible Original that will give listeners the Halloween creeps all year round. Scott Brick, the man with the golden voice, perfectly captures the experience of hearing a classic ghost story told around the campfire.
This product features adult language and themes.
Listening Length: 37 minutes
©2018 Jonathan Maberry (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.
So I grabbed this as an audible freebie, thinking it would be perfect for #Fraterfest read-a-thon, which it was, but I was disappointed by how short it was! Just 37 minutes, so glad I got it for free. Very creepy, very sad, and definitely left me with chills. Quite a lot of punch for such a short story, that’s for sure. And at least I can say I’ve managed to finish one “book” for #Fraterfest!
They all sound pretty good but I haven’t read any of them.
I felt about the same with Twinkle. It was cute but not my favorite.
P.S. I love your holiday blog look!
Karen @For What It’s Worth
I love Ruth Ware!
Ruth Ware is a new-to-me author but seems worth to check out her books! Sandhya Menon I have read before, although never a book that I really loved, unfortunately. Lullaby sounds like an okay read too. Sometimes a short audio is really nice!