Come Sundown Nora Roberts

Published: Piatkus
Date: 30th May 2017
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Source: Thank you to Hachette Australia
Rating:
                 

Love. Lies. Murder. A lot can happen... COME SUNDOWN

Bodine Longbow loves to rise with the dawn. As the resort manager of her family's resort in Western Montana, there just aren't enough hours in the day - for life, for work, for loved ones. She certainly doesn't have time for love, not even in the gorgeous shape of her childhood crush Callen Skinner, all grown up and returned to the ranch. Then again, maybe Callen can change her mind, given time...

But when a young woman's body is discovered on resort land, everything changes. Callen falls under the suspicion of a deputy sheriff with a grudge. And for Bodine's family, the murder is a shocking reminder of an old loss. Twenty-five years ago, Bodine's Aunt Alice vanished, never to be heard of again. Could this new tragedy be connected to Alice's mysterious disappearance?

As events take a dramatic and deadly turn, Bodine and Callen must race to uncover the truth - before the sun sets on their future together.

All I can say is Nora Roberts does it again with Come Sundown. There is mystery and crime, strong women, a beautiful ranch and resort in Montana, family and friends, romance - all of which combine into making a downright good read.

Bodine - the heroine is a strong, feisty woman and boss, she runs the resort side of the family business really well. She comes from a strong line of women - there's Miss Fancy her great grandmother of 89 years, Cora her grandmother and Maureen her mother. And don't think Miss Fancy sits all day in a rocking chair, don't offend her with that. She can still ride out when she wants over the ranch.  One of the laughs I got from this book was a tee shirt she turned out in one time with a really apt and clever slogan on the front. Not going to spoil it for you though, you just need to come across it.

There is darkness in this novel, Bodine's Aunt Alice went missing, she was a little of the black sheep of the family and had left home to do her thing. However she is taken hostage by a very bad guy and lost to the family. Bodine and her two brothers have never met her or seen her. At times we get the viewpoint of this evil, ugly man and for some that could be off putting. But so far one thing I can say is, Nora Roberts never lets the bad guy win - so hang in there.

These dark spots are juxtaposed against family, life on the ranch and resort. Family bonds are so strong and when Callen rides in on his amazing horse life gets even better. He is a long time friend of Bodine's brother Chase, returning to his place of birth after time in Hollywood training horses. Soon he is very much involved in life on the ranch and resort. And dang it. That horse of his, there is something magical about it.

I love the title of this book and how it relates to the story, won't give it away, but its perfect. At times during the reading I shied away from the ugly, caught my breath at the very emotional points and chuckled at some of the humour that sprang out in places.  

Echoes in Death. J. D. Robb

Published:  Hachette NZ
Date: February 7th 2017
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages:371
Genre: Suspense
Source:Thank you to Hachette NZ
Rating:
                   

New York at night. A young woman stumbles out on to a busy street - right in front of Lieutenant Eve Dallas and husband Roarke. Her name is Daphne Strazza, and she has been brutally assaulted. Confused and traumatised, she manages to tell them one thing. Her attacker wore a devil's mask.

As Eve investigates this shocking case, she soon discovers a disturbing pattern. Someone is preying on wealthy couples, subjecting them to a cruel and terrifying ordeal. Worse still, the attacks are escalating in violence and depraved theatricality. Eve and her team are now in a race against time to find the man behind the mask - before he strikes again. But for Eve, this case in particular has unsettling echoes of her own troubled past...

Echoes in Death is #44 in the series. It seems an awful lot but every book is excellent as we watch Eve Dallas, Roarke and Eve's team go in to bat for those who have been murdered.

Every story is different, yet there is often a very egotistical killer, and this one has an ego the size of a city. Yet he in the end is no match for Eve as she carefully builds the details to bring him down. The young woman Eve and Roarke find  - Daphne - awakens in Eve memories of her own experiences and it seems to me that she is learning to deal and move on. She has the love of Roarke, her main support. And of course she is a strong woman. However her past experience helps her walk in the shoes of Daphne and understand her like no other cop would be able to.  

There is the usual banter between friends, the fun of the others on the team seeing Eve's new work space at home and Eve's own enjoyment of it. Somerset is a little in the background this time but he's there and so is the cat, another little bulwark for Eve.

The murders are different to any others J. D. Robb has come up with, she has an amazing ability to set up a murderer and his motives, reveal his warped mind and then unravel them all through Eve. This murderer like all the other ones really, is very very unlikeable. There is a little twist at the end, I should have seen it coming but I didn't and loved how that was dealt with.

Peabody and Eve continue to work as a team and there are little indications that Peabody is growing more and more in stature and Eve is the best of leaders and teachers. She gives to Peabody before Peabody even realises she is taking a new step. 

Verdict: Thoroughly great yarn.

Apprentice in Death. J. D. Robb

Published: Hachette NZ
Date: 6th September 2016
Format: Paperback
Pages: 375
Genre: Crime
Source: Thanks to Hachette NZ
Rating:
                           

The shots came quickly, silently, and with deadly accuracy. Within seconds, three people were dead at Central Park’s ice skating rink. There's a sniper loose on the streets of New York City, and Lieutenant Eve Dallas is about to face one of the toughest and most unsettling cases of her career.

Eve knows tha tonly a handfuul of people could have carried out such an audacious but professional hit. Even more disturbing: this expert in death has an accomplice. Someone is being trained in the science of killing - and they have a terrifying agenda of their own. With a city shaken to its core, Eve and her team are forced to hunt not one but two killers. Worse still - the talented young apprentice has developed an insatiable taste for murder....

In #43 of the In Death series we find Eve and her team dealing with a long range laser rifle murderer. The book opens with a chilling killing at a ice skating rink. Soon Eve is asking why, who was the target among those who are dead and where did the shots come from?  And knowing Eve we know she is going to hunt down the answers and the murderer. However will she do it before that laser rifle is used again?

The story is all the more chilling because of the shootings we have seen on our TV screens in our world of today. In this science fiction story there is a deadly killer at work. It turns out it is an apprentice, and Eve is thrown into thinking about her own teachers and those she has mentored. However there is good and bad in the world and there is choice. Some choose to learn to foster good and some are so twisted and evil. 

With ruthlessness and objectivity Eve follows up on every detail, ready to put her own body on the line when necessary. She has her usual team there for support - especially Peabody and Roarke. She sets traps, makes wily use of some of her friends... and of course she gets her target. In a way it is formulaic, but each time it is clever and entertaining as we watch Eve at work.

I enjoyed seeing Eve being really aware of how important friendships have become for her, and when some of them are put in a little jeopardy it cuts to her heart. I also loved how the development of her new office at home rounds out and the continuing love of Roarke.

A little light relief is provided by little one year old Bella who totally adores her birthday gift from Eve and Roarke and who shows even as a one year old the goodness that can abide in a heart, in contrast to the deadly killer. 

Ah yes, J. D. Robb does it again.

The Beekeeper's Secret. Josephine Moon

Published:Allen & Unwin
Date:April 2016
Format: Paperback
Pages:362
Genre: Fiction
Source: Own purchase
Rating:
            

Maria Lindsey has secrets to hide. Living on top of a secluded mountain is a good way to hide from the world... until her past begins to track her down. The surprising and intriguing new novel about the astounding secrets we keep from those we love.

Maria knew about guilt. It was a stubborn, pervasive and toxic emotion, and incredibly difficult to shake. Especially if really, deep down, you didn't think you deserved to let it go.

Maria Lindsey is content. She spends her solitary days tending her bees and creating delicious honey products to fund orphaned children. A former nun, her life at Honeybee Haven has long been shaped by her self-imposed penance for terrible past events. But the arrival of two letters heralds the shattering of Maria's peaceful existence.

Pushing aside the misgivings of her family and friends, Tansy Butterfield, on the eve of her marriage, made a serious deal with her adored husband, Dougal. A deal she'd intended to honour. But, seven years on, Tansy is finding her current feelings difficult to ignore. And on top of those not-really-there feelings, Dougal wants to move to Canada!

I first heard about The Beekeeper's Secret from Deborah over at the Debbish blog. Her review catapulted me into wanting to read it. Not long after I was down at our local bookshop to buy it and I must say there are no regrets!

Australian author Josephine Moon has written a wonderful book that touched me on many levels. 

• It is set on the Sunshine coast of Queensland and it was evocative of all that is beautiful there. While I have only visited  for a short few days, this book brought it all back to me. The flora and fauna, the coast. It breathes Australia.
• I loved all the characters. They are varied yet all dealing with very human challenges and life events. There are a number of secrets, family not speaking to each other for years, marital disagreement and disappointment. There are some who want to change their path.
• One aspect of this book (gently related) is about the abuse of certain supposed men of God and the abuse and cover up in the Catholic church. It was really well done, and the aspect of secrecy well explored. While I personally have never come up against this, I know it has gone on in many parts of the world. Not just in the church of course.
• In the book one character makes a decision about his participation in the church and I liked that. While the wife is very miffed to put it mildly I liked the stand he took. In fact I loved this aspect of the book from the very dedication...                                                                                        For my sister Amanda, who in 1981 was adamant she would wear a lolly-pink dress to her first Holy Communion, rather than a white dress, thereby forever being the pink sheep in the formal group photo. I so love her individual spirit.
•  Maria one of, if not the main character, is a strong and dedicated woman. A nun for many years, she has left her order and she now runs a business that keeps an orphanage in Cambodia running. Throughout the story her past is told - mainly to Tansy her niece, who finds her and wants to reconnect her with the family. And what a story!
• As I was brought up in the Catholic church I identified with so much in this book and really liked the firm but respectful tone that the author takes in relation to it. It is balanced, positive, yet recognises some of it needs change. Not least in attitude - and to Finlay I say "I salute you". Such courage of conviction.
• Bees. I loved all the bee facts, they weren't boring, they were informative and heartwarming. I already liked them, have lavender planted all about my place for them, but in this story I found them so delightful as well. There final salute had me swallowing hard.
• I loved Tansy - she was determined to bring her family back together, had challenges to face and was a good friend and step mother. Look - I totally felt for 99% of the characters. You can guess the 1% I didn't!

I could go on and on. I know this book is published in Australia, the UK and NZ, but I am not sure about elsewhere. A pity if its not, it should be.

 

And I highly recommend Deborah's review of The Beekeeper's Secret. You were right Deb it is my kinda book.

I Found You. Lisa Jewell

Published: Random House UK
Date: 14th July 2016
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 448
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Rating:
                      

Single mum Alice Lake finds a man on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, no idea what he is doing there. Against her better judgement she invites him in to her home.

Twenty-one-year-old Lily Monrose has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. Then the police tell her that her husband never existed.

In I Found You Lisa Jewell has written an interesting story of a number of people. While at the beginning their lives are distinct, various turns of events mean that they all converge.

Alice is the kind, compassionate somewhat on the fringe woman who takes Frank in when she finds him just sitting on the beach with no idea of who he is and where he came from. He doesn't know his name - it is Alice's younger daughter who names him Frank.

Lily is a young woman from the Ukraine, very much in love with her husband and waiting for him to come home but one evening he doesn't. It soon turns out there may be a lot she doesn't know about the man she married. I liked her, her persistence and resilience in the face of shock and disbelief.

We are also taken back to a family on a seaside holiday in 1993, parents and two children Kirsty and Grey. While there they meet a young man who takes a shine to Kirsty but when she starts to turn from him because she doesn't find she likes him things turn somewhat sour and then dark.

As the story switches from each time and viewpoint, steadily the facts are built up. The links are surmised and then ratified. It is a mystery, but one the reader can unravel along with characters in the story. In places it is dark and twisted but very well balanced by the down to earth, likeable people that help out Lily and Frank to find out the whole story. And in the finding of and facing the whole story there is a chance for a new and wholesome life.

The Obsession. Nora Roberts

Published: Hachette NZ
Date: 12 April 2016
Format: Paperback
Pages: 453
Genre:Romantic Suspense
Source: Thanks to Hachette NZ
Rating:
             

Naomi Carson is a survivor. As a child, her family was torn apart by a shocking crime. It could have destroyed her, but Naomi has grown up strong, with a passion for photography that has taken her all around the world.

Now, at last, she has decided to put down roots. The beautiful old house on Point Bluff needs work, but Naomi has new friends in town who are willing to help, including Xander Keaton - gorgeous, infuriating and determined to win her heart.

But as Naomi plans for the future, her past is catching up with her. Someone in town knows her terrifying secret - and won't let her forget it. As her new home is rocked by violence, Naomi must discover her persecutor's identity, before it's too late.

Again with The Obsession  Nora Roberts has aced another book out of the park. Once I started it I didn't want to stop. It begins with a ghastly crime, that Naomi - the heroine, comes upon by accident and curiosity.  She is only twelve years old. She and her brother go to live with her uncle Seth and his partner Harry, who surround them with love and give them the security they need.

Now Naomi is settling down into one place in the Washington State, she has fallen in love with an old house, in need of renovation. As the story progresses we hear about the renovation, and as a reader I really enjoy a good renovation! The house sounds totally gorgeous.  Naomi is adopted by a stray dog - she names him Tag because he insists on tagging along. 

Zander is a local car mechanic, plays in a band, and before long he is making a move on Naomi. Along with him, his friend Kevin and wife Jenny become good friends. Naomi does what she loves best, photography. She soon finds oodles of things to photograph, not least of all the hot men working on her renovation!

Everything goes along so well, until.... A killer is in the midst of the town, and the crime has such a similarity to the one that Naomi walked in on years back - there just has to be a link. Mason turns up, everyone is on the look out, but will they find the killer before he gets to Naomi? For once I knew who the killer was from the start of the second spate of crimes, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book and seeing it out to the final denouement.

Classic Nora Roberts!

Brotherhood in Death. J. D. Robb

Brotherhood in Death
J.D.Robb
Published: Piatkus/Hachette NZ
Date: 9th February 2016
Format: Paperback
Pages: 388
Genre: Crime
Source: Thank you to Hachette NZ

Dennis Mira just had two unpleasant surprises. First he learned that his cousin Edward was secretly meeting with a real estate agent about their late grandfather’s magnificent West Village brownstone, despite the promise they both made to keep it in the family. Then, when he went to the house to confront Edward about it, he got a blunt object to the back of the head.

Luckily Dennis is married to Charlotte Mira, the NYPSD’s top profiler and a good friend of Lieutenant Eve Dallas. When the two arrive on the scene, he explains that the last thing he saw was Edward in a chair, bruised and bloody. When he came to, his cousin was gone. With the mess cleaned up and the security disks removed, there’s nothing left behind but a few traces for forensics to analyze.

Brotherhood in Death is #42 in the In Death series. You'd think it would be slightly jaded by now, but no way! As always with this series, Brotherhood in Death entertains and enthralls and at times managed to totally disgust me! Brotherhood has such friendly connotations, but it turns out in this case, it is totally chilling. Now I know that in this world of Dallas and company, the word used to mark something totally great is 'iced' or 'frosty'. Nope this book is chilling in a whole different sense.

Eve has a special affection for Dennis Mira. Who among us who reads this series with fanaticism doesn't? This absent minded, gentle and loving husband of  Dr. Mira (whom we love too), the guy who generally has his cardigan buttons mismatched - is to the centre left of this drama. He might be a little absent minded but his mind is sharp where it matters, so is his eye and heart. So it is with dismay that we learn that all this has not rubbed off on his cousin Edward, who is something of a totally different ilk.

Eve goes to work when  Edward Mira goes missing. And when she finds him - well not a pretty picture. As she delves deeper into the case she finds some very unpalatable facts. With her trusty team - and of course that includes Roarke she begins the long mission to investigate and of course solve the case. As so often happens it connects into some of her personal history and leaves her somewhat shattered at times. 

I am not going to expand on the plot any further, as always the best part is following along one step at a time with Eve and Peabody and the team. The crime is abhorrent and the supposed justice meted out equally so. Yikes I think, why do I read this?

It's because of the relationships, the next step for Trueheart, the dialogue between the likes of Eve and Peabody. The fear Eve has of change or the mention that Peabody and McNabb might engage in sex. There is humour, there is healing, there is friendship and love. The Miras and Eve and Roarke such loving couples. There is Eve standing for those who can't. Look - I know this is a long series, I own I sneaked up about ten in the series to read this one, but I will go back and catch up, I have it planned!

And by the way if you have never listened to any of this series on audiobook, then you must. I have listened to some and I hear the voices in my head as I read.

About The Author:

Nora Roberts published her first novel using the pseudonym J. D. Robb in 1995, introducing to readers the tough as nails but emotionally damaged homicide cop Eve Dallas and billionaire Irish rogue, Roarke. With the In Death series, Robb has become one of the biggest thriller writers on earth, with each new novel reaching number one on bestseller charts the world over.