Triple Cross by James Patterson (Alex Cross #30)

 Synopsis

Detective Alex Cross hunts down a serial killer who’s murdering entire families—and who will next be coming for Cross.

A methodical killer is targeting multigenerational families in and around Washington, DC—striking under cover of darkness, triggering no alarms, leaving no physical evidence of any kind.  

Alex isn’t the only one investigating. Also on the case is a charismatic true-crime author who sees patterns the detectives miss. 

The writer calls “The Family Man” a perfect crime story. Alex knows there is no perfect crime—the investigation should never become the story. Unless the ending falls somewhere between fact and fiction.

PHEW! If you read my review of the previous book in this series, 'Fear No Evil', you saw that I was disappointed in not fully enjoying an Alex Cross novel. 

In comes Triple Cross! And it more than made up for the poor experience I had with #29. 

Around DC, Alex Cross and his long-time partner John Sampson are trying to solve "The Family Man" murders. A ruthless killer is slipping into family homes at night, murdering them all, and slipping out while leaving zero evidence or trace of his existence (outside of the crime scene) behind. 

Bree is spending time in New York City on contract to figure out the secrets behind a large fashion company and trying to dig up the skeletons they've left behind. 

While all of this is going on, a big-name true-crime writer contacts Alex and John trying to get the scoop on the Family Man for his next novel. They have to deal with this distraction and figure out if this energetic author is responsible in some way. He HAS gotten super close to many criminal investigations and always seems to find new clues. 

'Triple Cross' was a wild ride from start to finish and had notes of the wonderful family dynamic that we have all come to love about the Cross Family. This book was fast-paced and remained interesting until the last page. 

5/5 Stars

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Over the Edge by Jonathan Kellerman (Alex Delaware #3)

 Synopsis:

When six young prostitutes are found strangled in Los Angeles, an investigation begins that takes the reader on a wild ride involving powerful families and close friends. Child-psychologist Alex Delaware has received a garbled, middle-of-the-night crisis call from an ex-patient. As Dr. Delaware becomes involved, he stumbles on a deep secret, one that has existed for over forty years. Along with detective Milo Sturgis, Delaware is about to find himself on a journey into an unforgettably brutal world of madness and murderous passion.

The Alex Delaware series is a great mystery series because it gives readers a new perspective. Alex is a psychologist. So these books dig into what makes the bad characters act the way they do or commit the crimes that they do. 

This can sometimes be extremely brutal, because a lot of crime stems from childhood trauma. So, while it's interesting, it can be tough to read. The first two books delivered a high level of intrigue and the story moved at a good pace. This third novel, "Over the Edge", moved at an absolute snail pace to me. 

I was interested in the core story of Alex's ex-patient, Jamey Cadmus. He seemingly went from a troubled genius to a babbling serial murderer who was drugged into the stratosphere despite no drugs showing up on any tests. Sounds interesting, right?

I thought so too until I was actually reading the book and it went nowhere fast. There could have been so much cut out of this to make it a much more fast-paced and engaging book. Thankfully the end of it ramped it up a bit and it was a good conclusion to the story. 

But it was so slow to me that it put me in a mini reading slump. 

2/5 Stars

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Color Blind by Jonathan Santlofer (Kate McKinnon #2)

 Synopsis:

Kate McKinnon is back -- and this time it's personal. When two hideously eviscerated bodies are discovered and the only link between them is a bizarre painting left at each crime scene, the NYPD turns to former cop Kate McKinnon, the woman who brought the serial killer the Death Artist to justice. Having settled back into her satisfying life as art historian, published author, host of a weekly PBS television series, and wife of one of New York's top lawyers, Kate wants no part of it. But Kate's sense of tranquillity is shattered when this new sequence of murders strikes too close to home. With grief and fury to fuel her, she rejoins her former partner, detective Floyd Brown, and his elite homicide squad on the hunt for a vicious psychopath known as the Color-Blind Killer. In her rage and desperation, Kate allows herself to be drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse. She abandons her glamorous life for the gritty streets of Manhattan, immersing herself in a world where brutality and madness appear to be the norm, where those closest to her may have betrayed her -- and where, in the end, nothing is what it seems.

After greatly enjoying the first book in this series, 'The Death Artist', I was excited to find the sequel and jump into it. 

Kate McKinnon is a great protagonist. A former NYPD cop, not a big shot in the NYC art scene. Her experience brings a unique perspective to the cases she gets involved in, as they all revolve around art. 

In this second book, there are people all around New York City being brutally murdered. At each crime scene, the killer leaves a bizarre painting in which the color schemes make no sense. 

As if a deranged killer on the loose wasn't a big enough problem for Kate to get involved in . . . a murder with seemingly the same M.O. targets her own family. Suddenly, it all becomes personal and she has to try to push her emotions to the side so she can analyze these paintings hoping to find clues. 

The story is intriguing. Kate remains a great protagonist. The book pulls you in and makes you keep turning the page. Even the killer was interesting and I wanted to know what the full story was. 

In other words, it was a great read that keeps your attention until the end. 

5/5 Stars

Memorable Quotes: "Well, you could try one of the merchants who deal in this stuff." He plucked the glasses off his beak and peered at the ceiling. There's that little shop that's recently relocated to Chelsea, the Gallery of Outsider Art, though, if you ask me, it's not nearly outside enough - perhaps New Jersey would be best- and naturally I have never, nor will I ever, step foot inside it.”

"Kate stared past the traffic and passerby, lost in thought. She believed that every artist was searching for something, often trying to understand the world more clearly through their artwork."

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And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Britt-Marie Was Here comes an exquisitely moving portrait of an elderly man’s struggle to hold on to his most precious memories, and his family’s efforts to care for him even as they must find a way to let go.

With all the same charm of his bestselling full-length novels, here Fredrik Backman once again reveals his unrivaled understanding of human nature and deep compassion for people in difficult circumstances. This is a tiny gem with a message you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

I'm kicking off 2023 with a beautiful novella by Fredrik Backman. 'And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer' is super short, but it really packs a big punch in its few pages. 

It tells the story of love, loss, and a lifetime of beautiful memories that you desperately want to hold on to. I think anyone who picks up this story could get something wonderful, heartwarming, and meaningful out of it. 

Due to the subject, it does have an aura of sadness, but it's written in a beautiful way that brings a sense of peace to the heartache. 

I highly recommend this for a rainy weekend afternoon when you want to get in touch with your feelings. I'd recommend most of Backman's work in the same way though. 

5/5 Stars

Memorable Quotes: 

"Isn't that the best of all life's ages, an old man thinks as he looks at his grandchild. When a boy is just big enough to know how the world works but still young enough to refuse to accept it. Noah's feet don't touch the ground when his legs dangle over the edge of the bench, but his head reaches all the way to space, because he hasn't been alive long enough to allow anyone to keep his thoughts on Earth. His grandpa is next to him and is incredibly old, of course, so old now that people have given up and no longer nag him to start acting like an adult. So old that it's too late to grow up. It's not so bad either, that age.

“A great brain can never be kept on Earth.”

“It’s a big universe to be angry at but a long life to have company in.” 

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First Degree by David Rosenfelt (Andy Carpenter #2)

Synopsis

No one can separate defense attorney Andy Carpenter from his golden retriever, Tara, who stands loyally beside him through every investigation, no matter how dangerous or puzzling-and he is about to be confronted with one of his most difficult cases yet.

When a cop's body is found burned and decapitated, the last thing Andy expects is for a stranger to waltz into his office and confess to the crime. For the wisecracking millionaire attorney suffering from "lawyer's block," the case looks like a no-brainer, that is until the cops pick up another suspect: Andy's lead P.I., Laurie Collins, who happens to be the love of his life. Soon Laurie's case is looking bleak and Andy is becoming increasingly desperate. All he had wanted was a case to sink his teeth into. Now he gets one that's a kick in the head . . . and the heart.

First of all, one of the main characters is a golden retriever. I automatically love it. 

More than that, it was interesting to read a mystery book from the POV of a defense attorney. Most of the books I read are mysteries, and a good deal of them are from the POV of a detective or investigator. I enjoyed the change of pace. 

To add another layer, said attorney is faced with the task of getting his girlfriend found not-guilty of a brutal murder. 

'First Degree provided an interesting story with fun characters PLUS a golden retriever. 

I haven't decided if I want to give the rest of the series a shot or just appreciate this book for what it is alone. I didn't realize it was the second book in a series when I started it, oops. 

5/5 stars

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Nearly Gone by Elle Casimano (Nearly Boswell #1)

Synopsis

Keeping secrets is second nature to Nearly Boswell. Living in a trailer park outside Washington, DC, with a mom who works as an exotic dancer, she knows better than to share anything that would make her a target with her classmates. Only her best friends know about her obsession with the personal ads, and Nearly hasn't told anyone about the emotions she can taste when she brushes against someone's skin.

Then a serial killer goes on a murder spree and starts attacking students, leaving cryptic ads in the newspaper. Nearly might be the one person who can put all the clues together, and if she doesn't figure it out soon - she'll be next.

'Nearly Gone' is one of those stories that grabs you and pulls you in until you finish it. Just imagine being able to feel people's emotions and thoughts if you touch them! With this book you get to follow a main character who has that very blessing/curse. 

It goes from a quirky YA novel to a mystery with lives on the line. I enjoyed it, and I just found out there is a second one. I hope to pick that one up as well. 

3.5/5 stars

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Slated by Teri Terry (Slated #1)

Synopsis

KYLA HAS BEEN SLATED - her memory erased, her personality wiped blank. This is the government's way of dealing with teen terrorists: give them a fresh start as a new person. They teach Kyla how to walk and talk again, give her a new identity and a new family, and tell her to be grateful for this second chance.

It's also her last chance, and to ensure that she plays by their rules, Kyla is fitted with a Levo, a bracelet that monitors her mood and will stun - or even kill - her if her levels of anger or violence rise too high.

As she adjusts to her new life, Kyla can see she is different from the other Slateds. She asks too many questions and is plagued by nightmares that feel like memories - even though she shouldn't have memories. Who is she, really? Has her Slating gone wrong? And if only criminals are Slated, why are innocent people disappearing? Torn between the need to understand more and her instinct for self-peservation, Kyla knows a dangerous game is being played with her life, and she's determined not to let anyone see her make the wrong move...

Slated presents a really intriguing, yet exceptionally terrifying concept. The government outfits kids they consider terrorists with devices called Levos. If their mood sways in a way that is considered unacceptable, it can shock them or potentially kill them. 

This book follows the main character, Kyla, as she attempts to adjust to the slated life while still having too many questions for her own good, according to those in charge. She wants to remember who she is, or was. But, another rule is that their memory must be wiped and they aren't supposed to remember anything. 

Eventually, things get a bit out of hand. Is the slated life really worthwhile?

I really enjoyed the story because it was new and interesting. I found the characters intriguing as well which made me want to know what happens to them. 'Slated' is an easy book to get into and get lost in for a little bit. 

It's a super easy read. So if you're looking to escape to a weird, different version of the world we live in - give it a shot. 

4/5 stars

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Blood Test (Alex Delaware #2) by Jonathan Kellerman

Synopsis

It is a case unlike any psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware has ever encountered. Five-year-old Woody Swope is ill, but the real problem is his parents. They refuse to agree to the one treatment that could save this boy's life. Alex sets out to convince Mr. and Mrs. Swope--only to find that the parents have left the hospital and taken their son with them. Worse, the sleazy motel room where the Swopes were staying is empty--except for the ominous bloodstain. The Swopes and their son have vanished into the sordid shadows of the city. Now Alex and his friend, homocide detective Milo Sturgis, have no choice but to push the law to the breaking point. They've entered an amoral underworld where drugs, dreams, and sex are all for sale...where fantasies are fulfilled at any price--even at the cost of a young boy's life.

Book number two in the Alex Delaware series, and it was definitely another thriller.  

There were a lot of complicated and layered characters, but it was easy to keep there straight and interested to uncover different parts of them. And, once again, Alex had to do some traveling in his attempt to get answers to a case he was interested in. 

Yet, the whole book, there is the underlying worry for the kid - Woody - because he's suffering from cancer and needs to be found so he can get treatment. 

I think this was a quicker read than the first book was, but it still dealt with a lot of rough topics. That seems to be the theme in this series. There are a lot of sex crimes. That wasn't what I was expecting going in. 

Overall, I enjoyed the read. I look forward to #3. 

4/5 Stars

Memorable Quotes: "I'd long thought that a surfeit of sensitivity could be a killing thing, too much insight malignant in its own right. The best survivors -- there are studies that show it -- are those blessed with an inordinate ability to deny. And keep on marching."

"To trust someone is to take the greatest risk of all. Without trust nothing ever happens."

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Compulsion (Max Revere #2) by Allison Brennan

Synopsis

Investigative reporter Maxine Revere has a theory: that the five New York City murders for which Adam Bachman is being tried are just part of his killing spree. In probing the disappearance of a retired couple who vanished the prior summer, Max uncovers striking similarities to Bachman's MO and develops a theory that Bachman wasn't working alone.

Max wins a coveted pre-trial interview with the killer, whose disarming composure in the face of her questions is combined with uncomfortable knowledge of Max's own past. She leaves the room convinced, but unable to prove, that Bachman knows exactly what happened to the missing couple. The D.A. wants nothing to jeopardize his case against Bachman and refuses to consider Max's theory. With no physical evidence, Max has to rely on her own wits and investigative prowess to dig deep into Bachman's past. The picture that Max puts together is far darker and more deadly than she ever imagined.

As Max gets closer to the truth, she doesn't realize that she's walking down a road that has been paved just for her. That every step she takes brings her one step closer to a brilliant, methodical sociopath who has been waiting for her to make just one small mistake.

And when she does, he'll be there waiting.

When I started this book, I had no idea it was the second book in a series. That was unfortunate to me, because I hadn't read the first one. I don't like jumping into a series without reading the first book or reading them out of order in general. 

But, since I did it without knowing, I had to get over it and just pretend it was a standalone book. 

I will say, not having read the first book, I didn't feel like I had missed anything or that I was severely out of the know. So, Allison Brennan did a great job of welcoming new readers into the series if they were knew to her work like I was. 

I also found it interesting to read a crime novel from the POV of an investigative reporter. Usually they come from the POV of the detectives investigating the case. So this was a fresh change of pace to me. It was an interesting story, and it kept me hanging on until I finished it. 

I think I'll definitely be on the lookout for the other books in the series. I should probably read the first one so I can be all caught up. 

4/5 Stars

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When the Bough Breaks (Alex Delaware #1) by Jonathan Kellerman

Synopsis

In the first Alex Delaware novel, Dr. Morton Handler practiced a strange brand of psychiatry. Among his specialties were fraud, extortion, and sexual manipulation. Handler paid for his sins when he was brutally murdered in his luxurious Pacific Palisades apartment. The police have no leads, but they do have one possible witness: seven-year-old Melody Quinn.

It's psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware's job to try to unlock the terrible secret buried in Melody's memory. But as the sinister shadows in the girl's mind begin to take shape, Alex discovers that the mystery touches a shocking incident in his own past.

This connection is only the beginning, a single link in a forty-year-old conspiracy. And behind it lies an unspeakable evil that Alex Delaware must expose before it claims another innocent victim: Melody Quinn.

I read my first Jonathan Kellerman book awhile ago now, and I've had When the Bough Breaks sitting in my TBR pile for nearly as long. After finding a good chunk of the series at various book sales, it was finally time for me to dig in and read my way through it!

The good news is that I enjoyed the book. It'd be rather unfortunate if I had quite a few books In the series and ended up hating the first one. As someone who, obviously, enjoys mysteries and thrillers but is also a psychology nerd, this series appears to be a wonderful blend of those two interests. For those unfamiliar with the Alex Delaware series - Alex was a child psychologist. After being retired for a few, he becomes a consultant to the police. 

All of this was great and intriguing. What I wasn't expecting was just how graphic and vulgar some of the language was - especially since this novel deals with sexual abuse of children - another thing I was not prepared for. I usually keep my reviews as spoiler-free as possible. But, I feel like that needed to be mentioned. Because it was rough. 

There are also some things about the writing that make it obvious this series was started in the 80's. It's not specific to the 80's, per se, but some of the racial words and phrases used to describe people are now very out of date. I had to keep reminding myself that this was written decades  ago as I was reading it. I can only hope that as the series goes along, the vocabulary becomes more modern. 

Sidenote - as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I absolutely love that Milos is gay. That warmed my little heart. 

4/5 Stars. I've already started the 2nd book, and I look forward to seeing how the series progresses. 

Memorable Quote: “It was shaping up as a beautiful morning. The last thing I wanted to hear about was murder.”

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