The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas
Lady Sherlock, #3
Historical Fiction/Mystery
October 2, 2018
Berkley

Charlotte Holmes is back and her latest case hits very close to home when her best friend, Lord Ingram, and Charlotte’s sister, Livie, find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery. At the end of book two, Charlotte discovered that Lady Ingram was an agent of Moriarty’s and that she had disappeared in the dead of night. Now she has turned up dead on the estate and all fingers are pointing to her husband. While Charlotte and her assistant, Mrs. Watson work the case, she is also maneuvering all the pieces in place to bring her sisters into her home and keep her stepbrother safe from Moriarty’s clutches. Can she beat Scotland Yard at their own game or will she have to sacrifice more than her virtue this time?

I thoroughly enjoy this series though this one failed to connect with me as the other two did. I found my attention wandering more then once while reading and I’m not sure why. Charlotte is Charlotte, intelligent, cunning, and focused but the tiny things this go around bothered me. She was much more secretive in here and as she is not the narrator, it was hard to get into her head. I found myself much more enchanted with Lord Ingram and Livvie. Ingram voices his regret over the tantrum that led him to marry his wife and enlightens us to the reasons why. Livvie continues to bloom and her love for her sisters is quite fierce when push comes to shove. The mystery flows in and out with a smoothness that belays Thomas’ talent though I felt lost at times and felt like I was missing something. The ending is quite explosive as Charlotte plays her hand and once again shows her skill to the world. Though I fear the romance remains far in the future, I look forward to book four.

Grade: C+

The Other Woman By Sandie Jones
Psychological Thriller
August 21, 2018
Minotaur Books

Emily loves Adam and Adma loves Emily but Adam’s mother isn’t so sure. What Pammie wants…Pammie gets. And Pammie wants Emily gone. But Emily isn’t going down without a fight and when she suddenly finds herself trapped with no way out, help comes from an unexpected source.

Sandie Jones’ debut thriller takes readers on a diabolical journey when a young woman must face down her soon to be mother in law. Along the same vein as The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train, things are not what they seem as a young woman finds herself caught up in a web of lies, deceit, and madness. Jones’ keeps the story fresh and flowing with bold narrative, captivating twists and turns, and a cast of unreliable characters. I never saw the ending coming.

Grade: B

*****

I have been riding Hailey Edwards’ Beginners Guide to Necromancy series and loving!! A unique urban fantasy with a witty underdog heroine and a hero whose own vulnerability tugs at your heart.

Thea Harrison’s Lionheart was an enjoyable ending to this trilogy. Review to come.

Kill The Queen by Jennifer Estep is the start to another fun action-packed adventure Estep is famous for with a strong reluctant heroine who must rise to the occasion if she wants to save her people. Review to come.

Up this week is Fall by Kristen Callihan and Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh.