Month: January 2022

It’s 2010 and architect Kayla Carter is seated in her office when she has a strange visitor show up, asking for a meeting. The woman is odd, hiding behind her mirrored sunglasses, asking Kayla about some work she’d like done on her house. But when she starts asking pointed questions, alluding to events in Kayla’s life she should have no knowledge of, Kayla escorts her to the door. But not before the old woman utters words that make Kayla’s blood run cold. 

The year is 1965 and there is political unrest across the land as Martin Luther King Jr is slowly paving the way for black citizens’ push for equality. In rural North Carolina, young, impressionable Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Hockley learns of local attempts to canvas and educate black families on voting registration and yearns to join them. Being from a respected, white, well-to-do family, she is forbidden to join the group. Angered at her family’s refusal to support her, she forges her father’s signature on her permission slip, and joins SCOPE, the Summer Community Organization & Political Education Project, leaving her family and boyfriend behind.  

As Ellie begins her journey, she works alongside of and meets many black individuals, receiving an eye-opening education about inequality and mistreatment in the process. As days turn into weeks and she befriends black families and children, she learns of the horror of white supremacy and the KKK, recognizing faces in these crowds that she never expected to see. 

Meanwhile, 45 years in the future, Kayla is putting the finishing touches on a home she and her husband had designed – the same home he recently died in, after falling off a ladder. As she struggles with her perceptions that the house killed her husband, she senses a sadness and foreboding to the property, which she attributes to his death.  Anxious to meet some neighbors, she stops to assist a woman, who is struggling to carry some groceries into her home. Her name is Ellie. These two women from different eras begin to develop a friendship, having no idea how inextricably bound they are by past events…

Told from the perspectives of Ellie in 1965 and Kayla in 2010, this is a beautifully written, but haunting story of the horrors of 1960’s racial inequality, hate, forbidden love, loss and perseverance in the face of untold tragedy.  I was immediately drawn into these women’s stories and read late into the night with a desperate need to know the whole story. This one will remain in my heart for a long time to come. A wonderfully written, touching story and a history lesson rolled into one. 

Oh – and have Kleenex on hand for this one… 

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from #Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press, in exchange for an objective review. 

It’s been a minute since I’ve read a book by Kay Hooper – I first discovered her in 2000 or so – but she never disappoints! If you love a good mystery with a bit of paranormal tossed in, this is the book – and the series – for you! 

Noah Bishop is the leader of an elite group of FBI investigators that call themselves the Special Crimes Unit, or SCU for short – but what makes these investigators special?? Each possesses some form of paranormal talent, and each agent is showcased as the novels progress, with new faces joining the team regularly.  This is the 20^th book in the series – and if you lover a new series, this is as good a place to start as any! Curse of Salem is the second of what appears to be a trilogy within the Bishop series (there are several) – I have not read the first, but I will be soon!

Special Agent Hollis Templeton awakens abruptly to find herself in the gray time – a one dimensional place where spirits reportedly roam. As Hollis is a medium – able to communicate with spirits – she can be drawn into the gray space, but usually only at the bidding of another agent, Diana, who has had similar abilities for most of her life. She soon finds Diana in the space, and they both learn that they’ve been drawn to the space by Daniel – a young child who warns them that a new menace has taken up residence in Salem and shows them images of the carnage to come if they don’t stop a very real killer. 

A meeting with Bishop at Quantico the next day, followed by a phone call from the sheriff of Salem ensures the team’s timely return to the area, as certain Salem residents are also sensing the unrest to come. Salem is a small town that was founded by several families all with psychic talent who accept Bishop’s agents for their abilities. It is also home to a unique murder of crows. Soon after the arrival of Hollis and her team, the first person goes missing…  Soon, Hollis receives a visit from the spirit of a young woman, who explains that she was actually the killer’s first victim from last summer– and now he’s taken another…she also tells Hollis that the crows can help… As the team throws themselves into the investigation, they quickly learn that their nemesis has his own psychic abilities…can Bishop’s unit prevail? 

I had forgotten how good these books are! This is yet another novel that will grab you from the very first page and keep you turning pages well into the night. Far-fetched, perhaps but awesome nonetheless!! For sheer reading pleasure, with great plots, intrigue & memorable characters, you just can’t beat this series – 20 books strong with no end in sight! 

Josie Quinn and her family are gathered together to watch the premiere of her sister, Trinity Payne’s new Unsolved Crimes television special, when fellow detective, Finn Mettner, comes to the door looking for Joisie. It seems that Finn’s girlfriend of a year or so, Denton Police’s Press Liaison Amer Watts, may be missing, and Finn is asking for Josie’s assistance. Finn tells Josie that he last saw Amber two days ago, and that a visit to her home revealed some strange things.

As they head to her residence, Finn explains that all of her her belongings, including her cell and purse are in the home, and the phone carries missed messages and call over the two day time period. When they arrive, Josie notices that the batteries are gone from her security camera. Her possible disappearance is complicated by the fact that Finn essentially broke in to her home to check on her. He further explains to Josie that they had fought prior to this apparent disappearance.  Additionally, a strange message was left on her car’s windshield – “Russell Haven 5A”. 

Josie recognizes the reference and immediately assembles the team of detectives, including her husband Noah & Gretchen Palmer. They head for Russell Haven Dam to begin a search of the area, only to have the alarms for a dam opening sounding upon their arrival. A frantic search reveals a head of curls, just before the dam opens. Despite a herculean effort by Josie to free the victim, the young woman drowns. When the body is retrieved, they learn it’s not their missing colleague, but the woman bears a close resemblance. 

As the team goes into high gear, Finn Mettner is sidelined because of his involvement with Amber and his reluctance to share information pertinent to the investigation.  As Josie digs into Amber’s past, she learns that Amber has siblings, with childhoods rife with abuse – is the past a clue to the present?  Can Josie and her team put the pieces together and find Amber before it’s too late?? 

I know I’ve said it before, but I have to say it again – I just love, love, LOVE the Josie Quinn series! When Lisa Regan’s the author, I know I’m in for a long night of reading, because I just can’t put these books down before the final page is turned!  This is yet another suspenseful and captivating read, from a favorite! The series is going strong, and now I once again begin the wait for the next in the series!