All These Perfect Strangers: Review

All These Perfect Strangers is narrated by Penelope Sheppard known as Pen.

Pen is an unreliable narrator and as I’m reading I’m asking myself “is any of this true?” She admits that she lies to her Psychiatrist, Frank, and the Police. I assume she is lying to herself as well.  I couldn’t connect with Pen or really feel anything for the cast of strange characters.

Aoife Clifford’s writing is ethereal as it weaves around events and truths, twisting and turning so we start to doubt what we have just read. Quite often I was questioning myself, “did I get that right?” Pen’s narration manages to twist the readers mind to think her way.  Aoife Clifford, an Australian author, pens her debut psychological thriller All These Perfect Strangers that traces the story of a teenager who wraps herself up in the world of deadly and strange murders in her university life. In this book, this young teenager uncovers herself from being a suspect to a key witness to a victim, while enjoying and experimenting the high and wild road of a university lifestyle.

Yes all throughout the book, the story will arise so many curious questions mainly due to the protagonists confession that she is lying and that she has the power to alter the truth. Sometimes Pen looks like the killer and sometimes everyone other than Pen look like the killer and sometimes someone apart from these characters look like the killer. What is the actual story behind Pen's past will claw and haunt the readers until the big revelation. I've never read anything before that left me thoroughly confused, curious and puzzled as the story developed further with the twists and the suspense.

I’m looking forward to More books by Aoife Clifford.  This would make a WONDERFUL movie or even a mini-series.

Verdict: Here comes an extremely dark, twisted and tantalizing as well as addictive psycho thriller that is an absolute must-read.

I rate this book ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ (8 of 10) and an “A-“grade.  This book is excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it even if it does have a few flaws.

I was selected to be a Chatterbox participant and I received free e-book in order to give an honest review.

Death at a Fixer Upper - A Home Sweet Home Mystery: Review

Real estate agent Sam Turner loves her quaint town of Arlinda, Northern California and is excited to be working at the Home Sweet Home real estate agency. When 13 Aster Lane, an old fixer upper is put on the market, Sam is happy to show it to some interested buyers. There is something hinky going on at 13 Aster Lane, and before long Sam is not only facing eviction, but losing interested buyers as well. Sam is counting on a big sale to help her finance her new home for her and her son Max, now is not the time to be losing buyers or commissions!I read over 600 books a year, but somehow I missed this author Ms. Hobart uses highly descriptive prose, almost to a fault, but she certainly paints vivid pictures, and her dialogues are snappy, quirky and fast paced. Her characters (of which there are almost confusingly many) are complex, and the plot of this delightful tale is fresh and unique. I didn't really feel the love loss between her and her ex (who walked out on her and her young son), nor do I understand the weird supposed relationship with her and her ex-brother-in-law. It wasn't an annoying story, where the main character is a dip, but she clearly makes some odd choices here and there. The son is more of an after thought at times, in my opinion. Death at a Fixer Upper is the first in the Home Sweet Home mystery series. Lastly, there were a few moments in the book where it seemed like it was recapping an earlier book in the series. I was surprised when I found out this was book one. It didn't detract from the story or confuse me however. All in all, I give this book ♥♥♥♥♥♥ (6 of 10) hearts and a "B" grade.  There were some noticeable flaws and I don't know if I'd ever read it again.  However, it was a good one-hit-wonder. I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review

The Skeleton Garden - A Potting Shed Mystery(#4): Review

    This was a solid little cozy mystery! This is the fourth in Marty Wingate's Potting Shed series, and it's a mystery to me why I haven't read the previous three.
    The clues were provided, the characters were interesting and I loved them and I enjoyed the historical background. I adore anything that is set in WWII era or past, as background. The story was entertaining and fun to read.   There is a lot of British history in this book. 
The storyline is fast-paced. It's never gory and there isn't any potty mouth (for those of you who love mystery stories but are faint-of-heart or squeamish). The characters are engaging: smart and interesting and people you'd want to hang out with (except maybe the bad guy!). There is even a very sassy duck. I heartily recommend this to anyone who loves a cozy mystery, especially one set in the lovely English countryside.
Despite it being the fourth, it's so well-written you can read it as a stand-alone. But I won't deprive myself. I plan to read the first three as soon as possible!

All in all, I give this book ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥(9 hearts of 10) and an "A" for effort grade.


   I was selected to be a Chatterbox participant and I received free e-book in order to give an honest review.