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| Fun Game: Spot four reasons in this picture that I will not be permitted to babysit future grandchildren. |
Anyone who reads in the tub knows that, as a rule, three things happen. The pages of the book will eventually need ironed. (No. I do NOT use my Kindle while immersed in a body of water, thank you very much.) Someone will Facetime you. (Do NOT answer.) You will need to occasionally add hot water to ward off hypothermia. As the number of times I top off the tub is in direct proportion to how involved I am in the book, I decided to use it as my ratings system. So, get out your bath salts, candles, and terry cloth robe and get ready to go on a binge of mystery novels!
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One Tap Turn (Not bad, but I've read better)
All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda
Traumatized by the mysterious disappearance of her best friend, Nicolette left home immediately after high school for the big city. Now, she has returned to her small town to help her brother care for their elderly father, who is suffering from dementia. Not long after she arrives, another girl goes missing - one who happens to be dating Nic's ex. Meanwhile, Nic's father keeps dropping hints that he knows something about the first disappearance, her brother is acting strangely, and, before we know it, we have enough red herrings to feed a multitude! The chief suspect is Nic's high school boyfriend who has never gotten over her. Because, of course! Isn't it always the way that high school beaus pine, well into adulthood, for their first loves? And when said first-love returns home, (wearing a huge engagement ring from a handsome, successful, fiance) former high school boyfriend must swagger around town with his tool belt drooping from his manly hips and his face in a constant scowl of discontent brought on by the proximity of the girl he dated almost a decade ago. Despite this triteness, the author did bring the intrigue, and the plot was solid. However, the tale was told in reverse, which meant that, at my advanced age, I had trouble keeping it all straight!
A Stranger In the House by Shari Lapena.
This novel had a surprise ending, which is always a plus, since, lately, the biggest surprise I get is good cholesterol readings. Shari Lapena tells the tale of a happily married couple, Tom and Karen, whose world is turned upside down when the Karen suffers from amnesia following a car accident in a sketchy part of town. Worse still, the body of a dead man, shot in the chest, is found near the site of Karen's accident. While the story takes some intriguing twists, there were times I found it a challenge to suspend my disbelief. For example: There's a loony, stalkerish neighbor across the street who spends her days spying on Tom and Karen while knitting, like some sort of boundary-adverse Madame DeFarge. Yet, I found myself turning those pages, which meant I got to enjoy the huge payoff in the end.
Two Tapper (Page Turner)
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine.
I loved this novel about the beautiful power couple, Daphne and Jackson Parrish, and the woman who aspires to break up their marriage. Amber Patterson, narcissist extraordinaire, feels she is entitled to the life the lovely Daphne shares with handsome, wealthy Jackson, and she decides to go after it. Amber befriends Daphne by playing the role of a mousy newcomer who needs the guidance of the popular Mrs. Parrish to fit into the town's charity scene. Daphne takes the bait and takes Amber under her wing. Meanwhile, Amber manufactures opportunities to get close to Jackson, including having Daphne insist Jackson hire Amber as his new assistant. Soon enough, Amber's plan begins to play out, leaving innocent Daphne out in the cold! But, things are not all as they seem. The question is, will everyone get their just desserts in the end?
A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell
This mystery involves widowed, stay-at home mother, Stephanie, and married, high-powered publicist, Emily. The two form an unexpected friendship when they meet picking up their sons, Miles and Nicky, from kindergarten. Stephanie is happy to help out by bringing Nicky to her house after school until either Emily or her husband, Sean, can retrieve him. She is thrilled to finally have a friend in the snobby Connecticut town where her only interaction had been with her son and the women who comment on her Mommy Blog. Soon, she finds herself sharing secrets with Emily that she never told another soul. Then, Emily asks her a last-minute favor. She's been sent out-of-town for her job, and her husband is in London on business. Could Stephanie pick up Nicky and feed him dinner until Emily arrives home? Simple! Except Emily never returns. Nor does she answer phone calls or texts. After Stephanie gets ahold of Sean in London, he flies home immediately and the pair call the police. As time passes, and Emily is still missing, Stephanie takes on the role of being a second mother to Nicky, and she and Sean begin to fall in love. What has happened to Emily? Has she run off with another man? Has she fled the country for legal reasons? Or, worse still, has she been murdered? All will be revealed in time!
Moved Into Tub For Weekend (Can't Put Down)
Mia Dennett is waiting at a bar to meet her boyfriend, who cancels at the last minute. As this is becoming more and more of a common occurrence, Mia has a few drinks. Soon, she finds herself flirting with Colin Thatcher, who charms her into going home with him for a one-night stand. The next thing she knows, he is kidnapping her. She learns that she was set up. Her boyfriend was paid to cancel the date, leaving Colin to step in and play the knight in shining armor so he could get her into his truck and deliver her to the men who are paying him. These men plan to hold her hostage, collecting ransom from her well-connected father, a prominent Chicago judge. But, Colin has second thoughts. He has deep concerns about what the men will actually do with Mia. He no longer believes they will return her safely once they receive the ransom. He decides to take her to a remote cabin in Minnesota to buy him time while he thinks of a plan. Colin knows, if they find him, the men who hired him will kill him for failing to follow through on the "delivery." He also knows they will kill Mia. Mia's shock, fear, and eventual numbness are conveyed with great skill, as are Colin's sense of panic and despair. Of course, there are twists and turns! Would I recommend it, otherwise?
Enjoy these mysteries on the beach, by the pool, or even in a van down by the river as we move into the light-reading season of Summer! There won't be a quiz!
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