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leandrathetbrzero's reviews
199 reviews
Past Crimes by Jason Pinter
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was definitely an all-vibes audiobook that came into my life at the perfect time. I was so invested in the high-tech near future world that Pinter created. I fully believed that our society's obsession with true crime and virtual reality could culminate into true crime simulations. This setting allowed for intriguing questions surrounding the price tag of one's life and, more on the nose, one's life story. The opening events immediately drew me in; The Blight and our protagonist's connection to it, as well as her need to clear her husband's name or come to terms with what he did. I really liked Cassie, and I think she had the perfect POV position for this narrative. She straddled the two "sides" of this world, starting off as an active participant in putting a price on families' tragedies and then suddenly becoming a victim or target, being exploited herself.
The biggest element that is holding Past Crimes back is its marketing label as a thriller. Yes, there are twists...in fact, there was a major twist that totally took me off guard! And that rarely happens these days. However, I would describe this as more of a mystery/suspense. There was a great balance of science fiction and mystery/suspense elements. At this point, one of my favorite genre blends this year has been the sci-fi mystery, and I have already recommended this book to numerous people. Highly recommended for those fascinated by humanity's historical obsession with true crime, social commentary on corruption, and depictions of societal progress in the wrong direction,
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Original Pub Date: 6 Feb 2024
Reading Format: audio
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review! Print edition published by Severn House.
The biggest element that is holding Past Crimes back is its marketing label as a thriller. Yes, there are twists...in fact, there was a major twist that totally took me off guard! And that rarely happens these days. However, I would describe this as more of a mystery/suspense. There was a great balance of science fiction and mystery/suspense elements. At this point, one of my favorite genre blends this year has been the sci-fi mystery, and I have already recommended this book to numerous people. Highly recommended for those fascinated by humanity's historical obsession with true crime, social commentary on corruption, and depictions of societal progress in the wrong direction,
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Original Pub Date: 6 Feb 2024
Reading Format: audio
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review! Print edition published by Severn House.
The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
When a ghostwriter is hired to write the memoir of Former Senator Dorothy Gibson, the last thing she expected was to be mixed up in a murder investigation. Setting her own work aside, she teams up with America’s most loved/hated woman (after losing the latest presidential election) to find the truth.
As Donovan is the podcast host of All About Agatha, it is not surprising that he would take inspiration from the Queen of Crime. I was also pleased to see a reference to Brides in the Bath, a true crime case that the Shedunnit Show podcast dedicated an entire episode to! While some reviewers didn’t find the sleuthing duo realistic, I did find myself enjoying their banter and investigative teamwork. And the reveal was dramatic…and kind of glorious in its melodrama.
With that said, some of the character depictions kept taking me out of the story and frustrated me, leaving a sour taste in my mouth. Fatphobia is present as is the sexual objectification of men, and these elements definitely brought my rating down.
Without the problematic content: 4⭐️
With the problematic content: 2⭐️
Original Pub Date: 23 Jan 2024
Reading Format: print + audio
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC of THE BUSY BODY by Kemper Donovan in exchange for this honest review!
As Donovan is the podcast host of All About Agatha, it is not surprising that he would take inspiration from the Queen of Crime. I was also pleased to see a reference to Brides in the Bath, a true crime case that the Shedunnit Show podcast dedicated an entire episode to! While some reviewers didn’t find the sleuthing duo realistic, I did find myself enjoying their banter and investigative teamwork. And the reveal was dramatic…and kind of glorious in its melodrama.
With that said, some of the character depictions kept taking me out of the story and frustrated me, leaving a sour taste in my mouth. Fatphobia is present as is the sexual objectification of men, and these elements definitely brought my rating down.
Without the problematic content: 4⭐️
With the problematic content: 2⭐️
Original Pub Date: 23 Jan 2024
Reading Format: print + audio
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC of THE BUSY BODY by Kemper Donovan in exchange for this honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Classism
The Last to Pie by Misha Popp
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What would you do if you were Daisy Ellery, baking extraordinaire and killer of bad men, and your most recent murder pie order was requested for a local police officer?
After the Great British Bake Off-esque backdrop of book 2, Misha Popp thrusts Daisy Ellery and her readers into a tense narrative, in which a young woman is abused by her boyfriend and then disappears without a trace. No one is looking for her except Daisy, and she is driven by guilt. She hesitated when the woman's murder pie order came in, seeing the intended target was a cop. Daisy knows the statistic; domestic violence perpetrated by cops is rampant. However, she also must protect herself, her past clients, and the future women she intends to help. Uncertain if this was a ruse by the authorities to catch her, Daisy waits. Now, with the woman missing, the time for waiting is over, but when the cop boyfriend turns his attention onto her, it seems that neither Daisy nor those she cares about are safe until this man is stopped.
This was a powerful narrative. At times the intensity of the mystery was fueled by the themes of domestic violence as well as police corruption and abuse of power. I appreciate Misha Popp's willingness to address these issues in the Pies Before Guys series, and it's one of the reasons why this series is an Auto-Preorder for me every year. While this is the first book in the series not to receive a 5 star from me, it's not because this is a sub-par storyline. I was gripped by Daisy's struggle to find this missing woman, the ticking clock making this narrative time sensitive, and the continued depiction of a community that supports Daisy. This book lost points from me for the awkward love triangle that the author seemed to include, as Melly continues to hang around and undermine Daisy's relationship with Noel, even if that isn't Melly's intent. With that said, I did like the Daisy is a woman character who doesn't want children, and I hope that continues to be her character arc.
Actual Rating: 4.25 stars
Original Pub Date: 21 May 2024
Reading Format: print + audio
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies—5 stars
A Good Day to Pie—5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
After the Great British Bake Off-esque backdrop of book 2, Misha Popp thrusts Daisy Ellery and her readers into a tense narrative, in which a young woman is abused by her boyfriend and then disappears without a trace. No one is looking for her except Daisy, and she is driven by guilt. She hesitated when the woman's murder pie order came in, seeing the intended target was a cop. Daisy knows the statistic; domestic violence perpetrated by cops is rampant. However, she also must protect herself, her past clients, and the future women she intends to help. Uncertain if this was a ruse by the authorities to catch her, Daisy waits. Now, with the woman missing, the time for waiting is over, but when the cop boyfriend turns his attention onto her, it seems that neither Daisy nor those she cares about are safe until this man is stopped.
This was a powerful narrative. At times the intensity of the mystery was fueled by the themes of domestic violence as well as police corruption and abuse of power. I appreciate Misha Popp's willingness to address these issues in the Pies Before Guys series, and it's one of the reasons why this series is an Auto-Preorder for me every year. While this is the first book in the series not to receive a 5 star from me, it's not because this is a sub-par storyline. I was gripped by Daisy's struggle to find this missing woman, the ticking clock making this narrative time sensitive, and the continued depiction of a community that supports Daisy. This book lost points from me for the awkward love triangle that the author seemed to include, as Melly continues to hang around and undermine Daisy's relationship with Noel, even if that isn't Melly's intent. With that said, I did like the Daisy is a woman character who doesn't want children, and I hope that continues to be her character arc.
Actual Rating: 4.25 stars
Original Pub Date: 21 May 2024
Reading Format: print + audio
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies—5 stars
A Good Day to Pie—5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
After a small exploration crew loses one of its members under mysterious circumstances, psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray is assigned to join them on their next trip. Phe has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—a space-based condition that can lead one to experience paranoia and hallucinations, and they may become a threat to themselves and others, among other symptoms. The crew is less than happy to have Phe with them as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, but that should be the least of their worries when it becomes clear that this planet has some secrets of its own...
Before entering this novel, it is important to know that this read is a slow burn. The tension and suspense come from atmospheric tension, environmental stressers, and strained relationship dynamics among the crew members. The novel eventually barrels you to the end once the true threat is established, but the book is far slower in pace compared to SA Barnes's Dead Silence. Elements I loved include the social commentary on corporate greed, the moments in which Phe feels she is being watched, and the bread crumbs we got surrounding Phe's life before she and her mother moved back on Earth in her childhood. With that said, I did find the depiction and development of interpersonal relationships to be weak and surface level in this narrative. This may be rooted in Phe acting as outsider, so she has only known the crew for this single brief trip. I found the romantic subplot in these pages to be forced and unnecessary; it was a bit awkward at times. While I appreciated the uniqueness of the threat the crew faced, I think I would have liked more answers/explanation surrounding that threat by the story's close. I also just wanted these characters to have more common sense. I would certainly try this author again, because I loved Dead Silence and ultimately liked Ghost Station for what it was. NOTE: I buddy read this with two friends who only had access to the audio, and we seemed to agree that I was the best one off with the ebook, as there are some information heavy passages.
Actual Rating: 3.25 stars
Original Pub Date: 9 April 2024
Reading Format: ebook
PREVIOUS BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:
Dead Silence—5 stars
Thank you NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Tor Publishing Group for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Self harm and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
Death and Fromage by Ian Moore
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I can't help but continue to find this series delightful. These mysteries set in France's Follet Valley have become the perfect laugh-out-loud popcorn reads for me. Even though I found the mystery more sophisticated in Death and Croissants, this series remains a solid 4 stars all around. The relationship dynamic between Richard and Valérie reminds me of Death in Paradise's Richard Poole and Camille Bordeaux, and not simply because we have a British man and French woman working alongside each other. Valérie is good for Richard, and she encourages him to get outside his comfort zone while appreciating him for who he is.
In this second installment, the two return to stick their noses where they likely shouldn't be. When a famous restaurant is downgraded from three Michelin stars to two, the incident reeks with scandal and family drama. Coincidentally, or possibly linked, the leading goat cheese supplier is discovered drowned in one of his own pasteurization tanks. Valérie is convinced that the initial declaration of suicide is wrong, and she recruits Richard to help her uncover the truth. Full of humorous mishaps and witty dialogue, a return of many enjoyable characters from book 1, and the introduction to Richard's estranged wife...this book is just good fun.
Actual Rating: 4.0 stars
Original Pub Date: 5 March 2023
Reading Format: audio
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Death and Croissants—4 stars
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Sourcebooks for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
In this second installment, the two return to stick their noses where they likely shouldn't be. When a famous restaurant is downgraded from three Michelin stars to two, the incident reeks with scandal and family drama. Coincidentally, or possibly linked, the leading goat cheese supplier is discovered drowned in one of his own pasteurization tanks. Valérie is convinced that the initial declaration of suicide is wrong, and she recruits Richard to help her uncover the truth. Full of humorous mishaps and witty dialogue, a return of many enjoyable characters from book 1, and the introduction to Richard's estranged wife...this book is just good fun.
Actual Rating: 4.0 stars
Original Pub Date: 5 March 2023
Reading Format: audio
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Death and Croissants—4 stars
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Sourcebooks for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
Viviana Valentine and the Ticking Clock by Emily J. Edwards
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
New York City, 1950, New Year's Eve.
Recently engaged, Viviana and Tommy make their way to Times Square to celebrate 1951's arrival when the sleuthing duo witness a brutal stabbing. As Viv attempts to save the dying man, she hears his final words: a whispered apology to an unknown friend.
This is admittedly my lowest rated book in the series, and I have some theories about why. But first, would I continue this series? 100% yes, no question about it! My theories as to why this book was as spectacular as books 1 and 2 include that fact that it was long before picking this up that I gave book 2 five stars. It can be dangerous reading through a series so quickly. This book also shows the signs for middle-series syndrome, that dreaded disease that many series suffer from. Either the author is shifting characters into position in preparation for the plotting of future books, or they are trying to figure out where to take these characters next so some experimentation take places. I'm not fully sure if any or all of these reasons fully explain my 3.25-star rating, but I'll acknowledge they are possibility!
I loved the opening scene with New Year's Eve, I still love Viviana Valentine as our eyes and ears, and the audiobooks remain high quality. My issues with the book were that there may have been too many mysteries be juggled at once in this narrative, and I disliked the turbulence within Viv and Tommy's relationship. I'd prefer them to be stable, working through conflicts openly and support each other. It's too common that we see a coupling take place and then it's disrupted immediately after to cause drama. I like Viv and Tommy's dynamic too much to accept that they would lose faith in their relationship so quickly.
Actual Rating: 3.25 stars
Original Pub Date: 7 November 2023
Reading Format: audio
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man—4 stars
Viviana Valentine Goes Up River—5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
Recently engaged, Viviana and Tommy make their way to Times Square to celebrate 1951's arrival when the sleuthing duo witness a brutal stabbing. As Viv attempts to save the dying man, she hears his final words: a whispered apology to an unknown friend.
This is admittedly my lowest rated book in the series, and I have some theories about why. But first, would I continue this series? 100% yes, no question about it! My theories as to why this book was as spectacular as books 1 and 2 include that fact that it was long before picking this up that I gave book 2 five stars. It can be dangerous reading through a series so quickly. This book also shows the signs for middle-series syndrome, that dreaded disease that many series suffer from. Either the author is shifting characters into position in preparation for the plotting of future books, or they are trying to figure out where to take these characters next so some experimentation take places. I'm not fully sure if any or all of these reasons fully explain my 3.25-star rating, but I'll acknowledge they are possibility!
I loved the opening scene with New Year's Eve, I still love Viviana Valentine as our eyes and ears, and the audiobooks remain high quality. My issues with the book were that there may have been too many mysteries be juggled at once in this narrative, and I disliked the turbulence within Viv and Tommy's relationship. I'd prefer them to be stable, working through conflicts openly and support each other. It's too common that we see a coupling take place and then it's disrupted immediately after to cause drama. I like Viv and Tommy's dynamic too much to accept that they would lose faith in their relationship so quickly.
Actual Rating: 3.25 stars
Original Pub Date: 7 November 2023
Reading Format: audio
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man—4 stars
Viviana Valentine Goes Up River—5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
One Puzzling Afternoon by Emily Critchley
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
1951: Fifteen-year-old Edie Green's life changes forever when she becomes friends with the popular Lucy Theddle. Suddenly her loneliness dulls, and the weight of her father's death and her eccentric mother's seances for the local community becomes more manageable. However, friendship comes with secrets. And the secret Edie is keeping for Lucy might do more harm than good.
2018: Edie is now eighty-four, and she's kept her promise all these years. That is, until she glimpses her best friend just as she was at fifteen while popping out to the shops. Edie's family has long grown used to Edie's mix ups, her moments of confusion, and the memories that have started to bleed. Everyone else may write off Edie's glimpse of Lucy, but Edie herself refuses to do so. In fact, she is determined to find out what actually happened to Lucy back in 1951...
I was so impressed by the dual timeline in this cold case mystery. I entered the book blindly without much investment, but by the book's close, my heart went out to Edie and her family in the present while my brain puzzled away at the mystery piecing itself together in 1951. For full transparency, I do my best to avoid books with heavy depictions of alzheimer's or dementia because those topics bring on the waterworks. Did I cry a few times? Yes. Was it worth it? Also yes. In my opinion, the author did an excellent job balancing the intrigue of the mystery while tastefully and artfully giving her readers a full view into Edie's day-to-day struggle and the terrifying reality of one's past memories and present life becoming ever more warped and blurred.
If this author decides to write more mysteries, I want to read them.
Content Warning: dementia, abortion, death of a parent, SA, and adult/minor relationship
Actual Rating: 4.0 stars
Original Pub Date: 3 October 2023
Reading Format: ebook paired with the audio
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
2018: Edie is now eighty-four, and she's kept her promise all these years. That is, until she glimpses her best friend just as she was at fifteen while popping out to the shops. Edie's family has long grown used to Edie's mix ups, her moments of confusion, and the memories that have started to bleed. Everyone else may write off Edie's glimpse of Lucy, but Edie herself refuses to do so. In fact, she is determined to find out what actually happened to Lucy back in 1951...
I was so impressed by the dual timeline in this cold case mystery. I entered the book blindly without much investment, but by the book's close, my heart went out to Edie and her family in the present while my brain puzzled away at the mystery piecing itself together in 1951. For full transparency, I do my best to avoid books with heavy depictions of alzheimer's or dementia because those topics bring on the waterworks. Did I cry a few times? Yes. Was it worth it? Also yes. In my opinion, the author did an excellent job balancing the intrigue of the mystery while tastefully and artfully giving her readers a full view into Edie's day-to-day struggle and the terrifying reality of one's past memories and present life becoming ever more warped and blurred.
If this author decides to write more mysteries, I want to read them.
Content Warning: dementia, abortion, death of a parent, SA, and adult/minor relationship
Actual Rating: 4.0 stars
Original Pub Date: 3 October 2023
Reading Format: ebook paired with the audio
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Abortion
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
Deephaven by Ethan M. Aldridge
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
CALLING ALL LOVERS OF:
- Gothic Atmosphere
- Dark Academic Settings
- Queer Rep in Middle Grade
- Horror-Mystery Genre Blends
This gothic middle grade—the first in a newer series—is perfect for those looking for spooky atmospheric reads with the classic boarding school setting! Our protagonist is a nonbinary student named Guinevere “Nev” Tallow. Almost as soon as they arrive at the highly-esteemed, exclusive Deephaven Academy, Nev is warned to steer clear of the boarding school’s forbidden east wing...A dark creature with sharp claws stalks the corridors. And it wants out.
I loved how casual Nev’s nonbinary identity was for the adults and fellow classmates they interacted with. Nev certainly faces internal and external conflicts within this narrative, but their identity isn’t one of them, and it was so refreshing! I also appreciated Nev’s backstory, taking care of themselves alone and in need of a fresh start. I enjoyed rooting for them to make new friends and find a place for them to call home, all while they investigated the east wing and the creature trapped within it.
My criticisms lie in the inclusion of a romantic coupling between two middle grade-aged characters. It doesn’t take up much space on the page, and the romance is obviously not physical. I just found it unnecessary when deep love between two characters at that age could have been friendship. I imagine the inclusion was to depict additional forms of queer identity, but these kids do not need to be in love to be queer. I also wanted the explanation for the creature in the forbidden corridor to be more in depth, regarding its connection to certain supernatural activities performed by other residents at the academy. I would still 100% recommend this to any middle grade dark academia lover!!
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars / NetGalley Rating: 4 stars
Original Pub Date: 5 September 2023
Reading Format: ebook paired with the audio
Thank you NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
- Gothic Atmosphere
- Dark Academic Settings
- Queer Rep in Middle Grade
- Horror-Mystery Genre Blends
This gothic middle grade—the first in a newer series—is perfect for those looking for spooky atmospheric reads with the classic boarding school setting! Our protagonist is a nonbinary student named Guinevere “Nev” Tallow. Almost as soon as they arrive at the highly-esteemed, exclusive Deephaven Academy, Nev is warned to steer clear of the boarding school’s forbidden east wing...A dark creature with sharp claws stalks the corridors. And it wants out.
I loved how casual Nev’s nonbinary identity was for the adults and fellow classmates they interacted with. Nev certainly faces internal and external conflicts within this narrative, but their identity isn’t one of them, and it was so refreshing! I also appreciated Nev’s backstory, taking care of themselves alone and in need of a fresh start. I enjoyed rooting for them to make new friends and find a place for them to call home, all while they investigated the east wing and the creature trapped within it.
My criticisms lie in the inclusion of a romantic coupling between two middle grade-aged characters. It doesn’t take up much space on the page, and the romance is obviously not physical. I just found it unnecessary when deep love between two characters at that age could have been friendship. I imagine the inclusion was to depict additional forms of queer identity, but these kids do not need to be in love to be queer. I also wanted the explanation for the creature in the forbidden corridor to be more in depth, regarding its connection to certain supernatural activities performed by other residents at the academy. I would still 100% recommend this to any middle grade dark academia lover!!
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars / NetGalley Rating: 4 stars
Original Pub Date: 5 September 2023
Reading Format: ebook paired with the audio
Thank you NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Night House by Jo Nesbø
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0