OYENTE

Jonetta

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Nerve Wracking!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-17-25

the setup…
Detective Josie Quinn is babysitting her friend Misty’s two-year old son Harris and they’re having fun in the park. Her attention is drawn to a seven-year old little girl named Lucy who is heading for a collision with Harris on the slides until Josie and the child’s mother, Amy Ross, intervene. Amy collects her and they go take a ride on the carousel. When the ride stops, Amy calls for Lucy and she’s vanished in plain sight. Josie assists along with father Colin but soon she realizes the need to call in reinforcements.

the heart of the story…
There is nothing worse than a child going missing. Lucy has a love a butterflies and even her backpack is shaped like one. She had it on the carousel and was wearing distinctive clothes but no one saw her leave. Josie, her team and the FBI worked round the clock to find her before it was too late. But it’s Amy who’s a consternation, clearly not opening up about something. And the kidnapper is focused on her…with deadly consequences to people in her orbit.

the narration…
Kate Handford is a skilled storyteller and she was particularly so here, bringing all the tension and suspense. Loved her performance.

the bottom line…
It was akin to peeling an onion trying to unravel the who and why of Amy’s life and figure out the same with Lucy’s kidnapper. There’s an anonymous narrator as well and who gave me some clues but not enough. This was a real puzzler and wracked my nerves as Lucy’s fate was in the balance. It helped that all law enforcement groups checked their egos at the door. Be prepared to be unsettled. 4.5 stars

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A Darling Romance

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-15-25

the setup…
Emmaline (Emmy) Darling runs a bookstore and helps take care of her younger sister, brother and niece. But she’s now in a desperate situation in a seedy motel called the Iguana somewhere in the Arizona desert. She’s running from her abusive ex-boyfriend Kian and now is being threatened by an over amorous motel guest. When another man called “G” rounds the corner, she uses him as her “fake” boyfriend for escape. Later when she realizes Kian has tracked her, she grabs “G’s” car keys and flees, leaving him a note. Turns out that “G” is Graham Harlan, the most famous tight-end in the country who plays for the New York Pythons and won them the Super Bowl. And that car? A Lamborghini.

the heart of the story…
While Emmy left Graham a note where he could find his car, things got really complicated about that Lamborghini. She returns to New York fearing she’d be arrested any day. But when he contacts her, Graham has a whole new proposition. He needs to marry in order to get his portion of the inheritance left by his grandmother. There’s a whole backstory there, too. I loved the banter between these two and both had good hearts, wanting to do the best for their siblings. While their attraction is real, Emmy’s not ready to give her heart away again given her history and Graham’s been burned too. They vow to keep the marriage platonic until they divorce. Yeah, right.

the narration…
I’m a longtime fan of Sebastian York and he again proves why here. Savannah Peachwood was equally wonderful as she was the perfect Emmy. I loved everything about their performances.

the bottom line…
I was looking for a nice romance and got a really great story. There’s a lot of substance here and the fake marriage romance was unconventional in a lot of ways. The secondary characters weren’t just background but vital aspects of the story. This was a lovely surprise and reading experience.

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Stellar Police Procedurals

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-20-25

the setup…
Detectives Josie Quinn and Noah Fraley have dated now for a year and it’s brought out the best in both. They arrive at his mother’s house for their monthly dinner and find a horrific scene with Colette Fraley face down in her back yard and non responsive. As Josie begins CPR, she discovers that Colette’s mouth is stuffed with soil. She continues the chest compressions until paramedics arrive and pull her away, pronouncing her death. This woman didn’t have a known enemy in the world so it’s already confounding. But when Josie later discovers a curious set of objects hidden away in the house, it sets her on a puzzling and dangerous path towards astonishing revelations.

the heart of the story…
The police procedurals here were excellent as starting only with an obscure set of clues around those objects was akin to working in complete darkness. With Detective Gretchen Palmer sidelined to desk duty, Josie is on her own with a partner who’s being groomed for promotion to detective. Noah is in shock and is resentful of Josie want to work the case. It’s another thorny situation for the department with a prickly new chief.

the narration…
Kate Handford is handily managing this series and I’m loving everything about her performance.

the bottom line…
I enjoy trying to solve these mysteries but had to admit defeat on this one. There was a plethora of suspects, all viable, but motive was elusive. Finally, I just relaxed and followed the procedurals, a satisfying consolation as Josie is clever and skilled despite the many obstacles. And Gretchen deftly worked the sidelines, staying inbounds to avoid trouble. The conclusion was riveting and plausible, taking a toll on Noah and Josie’s fledgling relationship. Still loving this series!

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Outstanding on Every Level

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-27-25

the setup…
Detectives Josie Quinn and Noah Farley are dispatched to a murder scene where a young man is dead in the driveway of a private home. Josie recognizes the address…it belongs to Detective Gretchen Palmer, a colleague she hired and highly respects. There’s no identification on the body and it’s soon clear that Gretchen is missing. Evidence is pointing in her direction and the new chief issues a demand for her arrest. But Gretchen later shows up on her own and demands to be taken into custody.

the heart of the story…
As Josie dives into the investigation, it becomes clear that Gretchen has a lot of secrets related to her past and she’s not forthcoming with details, nor is she doing anything to help clear herself. Josie’s instincts tell her she’s innocent and there’s a bigger mystery and threat at hand. I was with her on this because Gretchen has proven herself in the past, even though things look grim. The journey to the truth was more shocking than I’d imagined…a serial killer, undercover agents, outlaw bikers…it was head spinning.

the narration…
Kate Handford has taken the reins of the series and I loved everything about her performance. She’s got a great tone and wonderful storytelling skills.

the bottom line…
It’s an unpredictable story with lots of twists and bends, enough that I decided to just go with the flow and not force myself into attempting to solve it early. Good thing because I’d never have guessed this one, even though I was on the right track. Another excellent bonus was the update on Josie’s reunion with her “new” family after the last book’s revelations and a budding love interest. This was an outstanding story on several level

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It’s Complicated

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-27-25

the setup…
Joseph O’Loughlin is a highly respected and well known psychologist with a successful practice and a wonderful wife and daughter. When he’s diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it throws everything off kilter. He’s later called in as a consultant on a murder investigation that takes a turn when he not only recognizes the victim but the potential killer…one of his patients.

the heart of the story…
Nothing about this feels like a debut novel with its intricate plotting and well defined characterizations. O’Loughlin is an enigma since we’re meeting him following his diagnosis. The decisions he makes are sometimes curious and even I began to question his judgment, especially when it leads him into the trap set by a shrewd detective and he becomes the primary suspect. Yikes!

the narration…
Simon Prebble was at his finest with this story and his voice distinctions for the major characters seemed to fit them perfectly. The storytelling was off the charts riveting.

the bottom line…
I started reading the author’s later series and became a fan, fully expecting this earlier work to be “less than.” This is one time I’m thrilled to be wrong as the psychological entanglements kept me off balance from start to finish. I wasn’t a fan of O’Loughlin for much of the story but he redeemed himself (with me) by the astonishing end. I’m definitely continuing this series.

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Fascinating journey through lies and deception

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-23-25

the setup…
Police Chief Josie Quinn is called to a familiar site where two young boys discovered human bones buried in a trailer park. It’s the same park where Josie played growing up and her sense of unease deepens when the identity of the teen is disclosed…Belinda Rose. It’s her estranged mother’s name but the body clearly isn’t hers as the girl has been buried there for approximately thirty years. The past that Josie has fought hard to push aside is now crashing into the present.

the heart of the story…
Fragments of Josie’s childhood were revealed in the earlier books and now the whole story is presented in transitions between the past and present. I figured it would be bad but never imagined the true horror. Labeling her mother as abusive is an extreme understatement and what was inflicted on Josie was beyond horrid. It just makes me admire her even more having come out of this somewhat whole. But the investigation into how the real Belinda Rose came to be buried in Denton and the true identity of Josie’s mother was a fascinating journey through a barrel full of lies and deceptions.

the narration…
Despite the many mispronunciations, Eilidh Beaton is still a very good storyteller. However, I’m looking forward to the change of narrators with the next book.

the bottom line…
I needed a flow chart to keep up with all the twists and turns of this story as it was a rocky path that Josie’s mother and Belinda Rose took to Denton. This was a compelling story that I didn’t even try to solve, giving in to just enjoy wherever it led. The conclusions were shocking and will continue to resonate going forward as Josie’s world is forever changed. I was mesmerized by it all.

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A Really Tangled Web of Lies

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 11-14-24

the setup…
Interim Police Chief Josie Quinn is called to a house where the young woman was viciously beaten and in serious condition. The address is familiar to her as well as the woman. But when it becomes clear that she had recently given birth, Josie and her team get in high gear to search for the missing baby boy. The investigation leads them to Luke Creighton, Josie’s fiancé, but they find another crime scene at his home…and a woman who can’t remember how she got there or her name.

the heart of the story…
Everything about the investigation is personal for Josie and she straddles the ethical lines as she continues to take lead. There are so many tentacles, some that reach the mayor’s office and a man of significant influence and power. Around every corner was another clue that magnified the mystery. All the while, I was wondering how Luke was involved and whether Josie should continue to trust him. Nothing was clear and the suspect list kept changing.

the narration…
The narrator continues to be a challenge despite her strong storytelling skills. Her mispronunciations of common words reflect her unfamiliarity with American versions of the language.

the bottom line…
This was a pretty tangled mystery that raised lots of questions beyond the missing baby and Luke. My theories panned out somewhat but not entirely with the stunning conclusion. I was just as worried as to whether Josie’s relationship with Luke would survive. I enjoyed the story despite my issues with the narration. Fortunately this gets resolved by the fourth book. 3.5 stars

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Out of His Zone

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 06-30-24

the setup…
The careful investigating and planning for the capture of Michael Bekker, the insane pathologist who slowly killed his victims and then removed their eyes, was the successful end to Detective Lucas Davenport’s career in the last story. Even though he lost his job in the process, he was satisfied that he brought this evil man down. But then as Bekker is waiting for his sentencing, he escapes his jailers and is tracked to New York where he wreaks havoc upon that city. Lucas is asked to assist the NYPD as a consultant to finally end this man.

the heart of the story…
It’s not all Bekker thought most of it is. Lucas is reunited with Lily Rothenburg who now works for the Deputy Commissioner and is in another relationship. They have another issue to contend with as a vigilante group is out there and believed to be connected to cops. Lucas is out of his element as he doesn’t have relationships with anyone, even Lily, and it always felt like he was some kind of pawn but to what purpose. The moments in Bekker’s drugged brain were again awful and the investigations were just convoluted.

the narration…
Ferrone brings his best to a difficult story and he saved it for me.

the bottom line…
I was hoping for a more interesting angle to the recapture of Bekker but it was bogged down by the second case and Lucas was out of his comfort zone. He still brought his unique skills and keen insights into people but it often felt like he was just one in a sea of political blue. Even though there were a couple of surprising twists near the end, it wasn’t enough to balance what came before. It did, however, bring me closure about Lily. I’m looking forward to returning to Minnesota. 3.5 stars

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Mothers Behaving Badly

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 06-17-24

the setup…
DI Kim Stone and DS Bryant are called to the home of Sheryl Hawne where she lies dead, covered in blood and her daughter Katie found holding the knife. It initially looks like an open and shut case, even with Katie almost catatonic and unresponsive. But later that evening, Kim’s called to the site of another murder that’s very similar. What ties the two victims together is their history with beauty pageants. Both had immersed their daughters in that competitive world for years and it appears to not only be the link but the reason behind their murders. Meanwhile Constable Tiffany (Tiff) Moore responds to a call with her sergeant where the significantly decomposed body of James Nixon has been found in a lake. He was reported missing two years ago by his girlfriend Olivia Dench. But when she does the notification, Tiff senses something’s “off” between the woman and her son Logan.

the heart of the story…
I’ve known these little girl pageants were competitive, particularly between the mothers, but never would I have imagined it to be this bad. As Kim and her team explore these murders, it’s clear someone wants to get retribution for mothers behaving badly and it’s not necessarily their abused daughters. Someone is on a mission after the third murder and the list of suspects isn’t short. The secondary storyline was equally compelling as Tiff turns to Kim’s team to share her misgivings and they take her seriously. We get Olivia’s point of view so it’s that kind of mystery where you’re twisting in your seat, hoping the team figures out what you already know.

the narration…
I will only listen to this series because of Cramer and she delivers another outstanding storytelling performance.

the bottom line…
I was completely taken in by this story, equally for both investigations. Not all mothers navigating their daughters through the pageant world were abusive in their approach and not all of the daughters were emotionally damaged as a result so it reshaped my opinion somewhat. The contrast between the pageant mothers and Olivia Dench were remarkable as the situation was reversed. Guilty mothers indeed and it all made for a fascinating exploration, a complex mystery and excellent police procedurals.

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Who are the heroes?

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-27-24

the setup…
It begins with the brutal murder of a slumlord in Minneapolis who targets the Native American community. The next is an Oklahoma City judge followed by a New York agency head with a brilliant political career path. All were murdered in the same way, their throats slashed. Since it started in Minneapolis, they take the lead on the investigation and Lucas Davenport, detective lieutenant in the Office of Special Intelligence, heads the team. He’s fresh off the maddog case he brought to a successful conclusion and is teamed with Lieutenant Lily Rothenburg, an NYPD detective dispatched by the family of the murdered politician.

the heart of the story…
I got a clue where this might be headed from the tragic opening and know from the start who is leading the team of Native assassins on this killing spree. Their rage is justified and there’s a part of me that understood the why but I just couldn’t condone their method of retribution. Lucas and Lily were smart about their investigative approach but there were times the process crossed too many ethical lines, adding further fuel to the maltreatment of those in the Native communities. And then there’s Lucas who doesn’t seem to be able to keep a commitment even though he’s sharing a child with a woman he claims to want to marry. For me, the jury is still out on him.

the narration…
I made the right decision to listen to this series as Ferrone is an exceptional storyteller. His pacing and tone is well suited for this kind of story.

the bottom line…
There were times when I questioned whether this was a thriller or a moral commentary about society’s bigotry towards the Native communities. Based on the author’s afterword it was originally intended to be both but in the end he had to pick one and left it to the reader to choose a side. I certainly was conflicted, having little sympathy for the victims but could never condone vigilante violence. Lucas paid a big price here, both personally and professionally, and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here. And, I found the ending brilliant, making the mission’s objective chillingly clear.

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