Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: Dearly Departed by Tristi Pinkston

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I was so excited to read the latest Secret Sisters mystery. Pinkston is a stellar author and this book was so much fun! I devoured it quickly, laughed at the delightful wit used by these Sister detectives, and enjoyed the page-turning twists in the plotline. I have found it difficult to find mysteries that are clean and enjoyable to read, so this is why I’m thrilled to recommend Dearly Departed to you. You’ll enjoy the fun characters and the brain-itching mystery they set out to solve.

Here’s more about the book:

Ida Mae Babbit has done her community service and is a reformed woman – no more law-breaking for her. But when Arlette’s granddaughter Eden discovers a mystery in a fancy nursing home, Ida Mae – with the perfect excuse of a broken wrist and a broken ankle – checks herself into the place. After all, it is for the greater good. Soon she’s buzzing around in her motorized wheelchair, questioning the residents and swiping files from the office. She’s bound and determined to get to the bottom of this case. But can she solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim?

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Book Review: Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I have to start off by saying the cover of Double Deceit is great and it made me curious to know what would happen. Humphreys did a good job of planting seeds of doubt and questions that kept me guessing about each of the characters and their motivations. The emotional turmoil Elaina is going through is described in great detail so that I felt real sympathy for her and anger at her creepy husband, Spencer.

At some points, the story dragged a bit as I read about Elaina going through mundane tasks. I realize this is a tricky area of writing, you want life to appear normal for the character and still keep it exciting and realistic. For writers, I would suggest summarizing some of the day to day activities and don’t feel like you have to narrate every single moment of the day.

The twist was well-executed and Humphreys did a great job of foreshadowing. I guessed part of the reveal so it was fun for me to be in the know and see when the rest of the characters would figure it out and what would happen.

Here’s more about the book:

Elaina soon accepts a job working at a small bookstore owned by the handsome Ryan Hill and his mother. Despite her reluctance to become romantically involved with anyone, she is drawn to Ryan and finds herself falling in love.

But someone isn’t happy with Elaina’s new life and is watching her every move. Her tormentor seems determined to destroy her sanity and her future, but Elaina can’t convince anyone the threat is real. Natalie is preoccupied with her own blossoming romance, and Ryan and Elaina’s friend Peter seem to believe the threat has been manufactured in her own mind—a result of her guilt and grief.

Now Elaina’s plans for a new start are crashing down around her. She knows she will have to find the answers on her own before she can ever overcome the past and enjoy love and happiness again. But how can she protect those she loves when she doesn’t know whom to trust?

Other books you may enjoy:

Finding Rose by [Stephanie Humphreys]

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Book Review: Targets in Ties by Tristi Pinkston

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

If you love hilarious whodunits with a side of refried beans while wearing a Panama hat, then Targets in Ties is your next read. Tristi Pinkston has written yet another Secret Sisters Mystery that will have you chuckling and scratching your head to figure out who is the mastermind behind the plot–of course, you’ll have to remove your Panama hat to scratch your head.

Set in Mexico, Targets in Ties brings an international crime into the mix as the Secret Sisters set off for a vacation and the long-awaited reunion with Ida Mae’s missionary nephew, Ren.

Here’s more about the book:

After two long years, Ren’s mission is finally over, and it’s time for Ida Mae, Arlette, and Tansy to travel to Mexico to pick him up. They have their itinerary all planned out – visiting the ruins in the Yucatan, shopping, playing in the sand and surf, and then they’ll head to Ren’s mission home and be reunited with that dear boy. But a wanted antiquities thief crosses their path, and soon the ladies find themselves tangled up in a web of lies, intrigue, and costly jewelry. Held hostage by men desperate for riches, they do what only they can do – keep their heads about them, plan their escape, and discuss the proper making of tortillas. Will they survive their most harrowing adventure yet?

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Book Review: Pumpkin Roll by Josi S. Kilpack

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Josi S. Kilpack bakes up another scrumptious mystery in Pumpkin Roll that will ignite your taste buds with delicious recipes and your curiosity with every cryptic bit of circumstance. Sadie’s sleuthing is downright scary in this book and it was fun to read during the Halloween season. I enjoyed the details she added as Sadie and Pete travel to the Boston area to babysit and end up in the middle of another mystery.

Here’s more about the book:

Sadie Hoffmiller is looking forward to spending her favorite baking season of the year making delicious New England recipes in Boston, Massachusetts, with her favorite leading man, Pete Cunningham, as they babysit his three young grandsons. But when the boys insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such Halloween-induced ideas. However, it gets harder and harder to explain the strange things that keep happening, particularly after Sadie learns the eccentric Mrs. Wapple has been attacked in her home. As the unexplained occurrences escalate, Sadie finds herself embroiled in yet another mystery with life-or-death consequences. Can Sadie discover whoever—or whatever—is behind the mystery before anyone else gets hurt? Or will this be Sadie’s last case?

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Book Review: Under Oath by Margaret McLean

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

If you’re a fan of John Grisham novels, then you need to take note of the sophomore efforts of author Margaret McLean.

Under Oath is the thrilling story of young prosecutor, Annie Fitzgerald and a high profile murder case with trial law scenes at their best. I felt like I was sitting in the courtroom hearing testimony and I loved how McLean showed both sides of the case so well, that at times I wasn’t sure who was innocent and who was really guilty. I definitely couldn’t predict how the case would pan out. Only a former prosecutor could write scenes like these with such accuracy, and McLean’s experience shines through.

I also liked how McLean took me along the ride for behind the scenes investigative action with Annie–this chick is smart and incredibly courageous–definitely a heroine to root for.

McLean possesses a great writing style with a knack for using triggers to place the reader right in the scene so you experience the story with all of its anxiety-riddled plot twists.

Here’s more about the book:

The “code of silence” remains sacred in Charlestown, one of the most historic yet insular neighborhoods of Boston. Gangster Billy Malone stand accused of killing Trevor Shea, a suspected FBI informant, with a potent dose of heroin.

Prosecutor Annie Fitzgerald must crack the infamous code of silence and battle seasoned criminal defense attorney Buddy Clancy, who unleashes reasonable doubt with his penetrating cross-examinations.

The trial explodes into a high-energy race to justice when Annie’s chief witness is killed, jurors defy their instructions, and FBI cover-ups obscure the truth. While the jurors are deliberating, Annie discovers incriminating evidence against the Malones.

Time is of the essence…but will justice prevail? Former prosecutor Margaret McLean combines the best of John Grisham’s legal thrillers and Dennis Lehane’s Boston crime novels in Under Oath.

Other books you may enjoy:

Under Fire: A Novel by [Margaret McLean]   

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Book Review: Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Josi Kilpack’s Sadie Hoffmiller culinary mystery series is a great cozy mystery set. Baked Alaska was another tasteful experience in sleuthing and culinary delight! I’ve read almost all of this series and I’ve been pleased with the level of Kilpack’s writing–it just keeps getting better. Sadie is a well-loved character with plenty of genuine issues which add depth to her personality. After reading so many of her experiences, I feel like I know Sadie and can’t wait to read her happy ending. I also love Kilpack’s books because they are clean and well-rounded with a bit of humor, plenty of mystery, and nail-biting suspense.

If you haven’t read Josi Kilpack yet, then you’re definitely missing out!

Here’s more about the book:

Sadie Hoffmiller is looking forward to an entire week cruising the Alaskan wilderness with her two grown children, Shawn and Breanna, and her boyfriend, Pete. Not only will they all have the chance to get to know one another better, but Sadie will finally be able to help Breanna plan her upcoming wedding. They board the ship with high expectations of a well-deserved vacation.

And except for the mysterious woman on the ship that Shawn seems to know but will not discuss, and the fact that Breanna’s future mother-in-law has already hijacked the wedding plans, and the unexpected death of a passenger in the middle of the buffet line, Sadie’s vacation would have been perfect.

As it is, Sadie will need all her investigative skills to navigate the deep waters of the mystery that is soon swirling around her family. Amid her growing fears for the future, Sadie must also come to terms with the fact that her role in the lives of her children is changing and that even the best laid plans can go awry when a secret gets thrown into the mix.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Grab these free tips from a bestselling and award-winning author HERE

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