LOCAL GONE MISSING BY: FIONA BARTON PUB DATE JUNE 14, 2022 @BERKLEYPUB @BERKLEYMYSTERY

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (June 14, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1984803042

Detective Elise King investigates a man's disappearance in a seaside town where the locals and weekenders are at odds with each other in this rich and captivating new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Widow.


Elise King is a successful and ambitious detective--or she was before a medical leave left her unsure if she'd ever return to work. She now spends most days watching the growing tensions in her small seaside town of Ebbing--the weekenders renovating old bungalows into luxury homes, and the locals resentful of the changes.

Elise can only guess what really happens behind closed doors. But Dee Eastwood, her house cleaner, often knows. She's an invisible presence in many of the houses in town, but she sees and hears everything.

The conflicts boil over when a newcomer wants to put the town on the map with a giant music festival, and two teenagers overdose on drugs. When a man disappears the first night of the festival, Elise is drawn back into her detective work and starts digging for answers. Ebbing is a small town, but it's full of secrets and hidden connections that run deeper and darker than Elise could have ever imagined.


Praise for LOCAL GONE MISSING

"In the community of Ebbing, Fiona Barton has created a town full of suspense and a cast of characters with so many reasons to keep secrets buried deep. A dark and twisty read."--Nita Prose, New York Times bestselling author of The Maid

"Tense and full of reveals and twists. This compulsively dark mystery is a joy to read. Fiona Barton never disappoints!"--Lesley Kara, international bestselling author of The Rumor

"[F]inds all the right twists and turns...Barton successfully spins and weaves the novel's various storylines with ease....As in any good thriller, there's more to the story than meets the eye....[R]eaders will savor untangling the intricate web Barton weaves."--USA Today

“Fiona Barton does it again in her new novel Local Gone Missing....an excellent read for fans of the mystery and suspense genre. Perfect for fans of Kerry Wilkinson, Harlen Coben, and Karin Slaughter.” --Seattle Book Review

“Barton presents such an embarrassment of riches that the tale has almost run its course before the coppers have a chance to sit down with Stuart Bennett, the just-freed burglar...Layers and layers of unlovely revelations about people who seemed perfectly nice.”--Kirkus Reviews

"Barton’s facility at creating plausible characters makes emotional involvement with them easy. Minette Walters fans will be pleased."--Publishers Weekly

“Barton skillfully pivots here from the globe-trotting reporting that drives her Kate Waters series toward domestic crime awash in village secrets. Readers drawn in by Elise's hawk-eyed detecting and hard-edged vulnerability won’t see the final twist coming.”--Booklist

"Fans of Barton’s mysteries will enjoy identifying Ebbing’s bad actors and figuring out how the characters’ backstories weave together to allow Elise and her team to solve the crime."--Library Journal

“Barton writes with the pacing, plotting and richly drawn characters of the best English dramas on PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery. Cue this one up.”--Minneapolis Star Tribune

“A cleverly crafted puzzle that has emotional heft and social commentary as well as an intriguing web of mysteries.”--St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“[A] compulsive mystery that will have you pushing your bedtime, promising to read just one more chapter.”--E! Online

"Local Gone Missing follows a variety of residents in the tiny English seaside town, from an inquisitive cleaning lady with a dark past to vacationers with a secret agenda. It all comes to a head during a musical festival that ends with dual overdoses, a possible murder and a host of spilled secrets. New York Times best­selling author Fiona Barton spins a tangled web of dirty money, bloodshed and deceit. Though Local Gone Missing’s plot is wonderfully twisty with a sur­prising and satisfying conclusion, it’s the characters who stand out. Foremost among them is the compelling and well-drawn Elise, who’s struggling to adjust to life back on the force after returning from medical leave. Thanks to Barton’s airtight plotting and impeccable characteri­zation, a minibreak by the sea will never seem relaxing again."--BookPage

“A captivating read. A first-grade suspense novel and highly recommended….Barton demonstrates, one more time, why she is considered a master of the craft.”--Mystery Tribune

REVIEW:

Small Town

Big Secrets


I love a murder mystery and police procedural, especially with female detectives. In Local Gone Missing we get just that – we follow Detective Elise King who is recovering from an illness in small town of Ebbing. Hoping to keep things low key, she is drawn to an investigation when a well-known local goes missing, after a very controversial music festival takes place in town. With the help of her house cleaner Dee Eastwood and amateur sleuth Ronnie, she helps with the investigation.


I enjoyed the writing with its intricately weaved plot and sub plots. I enjoyed reading about multiple point of views and timelines, as well as some red herring thrown in that adds to the twists of the story, this was a fun read for me.


Part cozy, part police procedural, but wholly entertaining, I enjoyed Local Gone Missing a lot.

Thank you @Berkleypub for the gifted book - review is voluntary and my opinions.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:

Fiona Barton's debut, The Widow, was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and has been published in 36 countries and optioned for television. Her second novel, The Child, was a Sunday Times bestseller. Born in Cambridge, Fiona currently lives in Sussex and south-west France.

Previously, she was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday, where she won Reporter of the Year at the British Press Awards.

While working as a journalist, Fiona reported on many high-profile criminal cases and she developed a fascination with watching those involved, their body language and verbal tics. Fiona interviewed people at the heart of these crimes, from the guilty to their families, as well as those on the periphery, and found it was those just outside the spotlight who interested her most . . .

Sadie On A Plate By Amanda Elliot

 

Thank you Berkley Pub for the free book

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (March 15, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593335716


SYNOPSIS:

A chef's journey to success leads to discovering the perfect recipe for love in this delicious romantic comedy.

Sadie is a rising star in the trendy Seattle restaurant scene. Her dream is to create unique, modern, and mouthwatering takes on traditional Jewish recipes. But after a public breakup with her boss, a famous chef, she is sure her career is over--until she lands a coveted spot on the next season of her favorite TV show, Chef Supreme.

On the plane to New York, Sadie has sizzling chemistry with her seatmate, Luke, but tells him that she won't be able to contact him for the next six weeks. They prolong their night with a spontaneous, magical dinner before parting ways. Or so she thinks. When she turns up to set the next day, she makes a shocking discovery about who Luke is....

If Sadie wants to save her career by winning Chef Supreme, she's going to have to ignore the simmering heat between her and Luke. But how long can she do that before the pot boils over?



Review:

“Sadie on a Plate is a joyful, satisfying romp. I loved it—and I'm still hungry!”—KJ Dell’Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters

“Sadie on a Plate reads like the ultimate cooking show comfort-watch—with the added spice of a forbidden romance. A delicious love story and heartfelt ode to Jewish cuisine.”—Rachel Lynn Solomon, national bestselling author of The Ex Talk

“My goodness—Amanda Elliot knows how to write swoon-worthy food! Amidst all the inventive dishes and luscious food descriptions, Sadie on a Plate mixes the drama of a culinary competition, a slow-burn forbidden romance, and a salty-sweet cast of characters into the perfect bookish bite.”—Amy E. Reichert, author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club

“Amanda Elliot’s debut Sadie on a Plate is a foodie delight. Fans of Top Chef will cheer on Sadie Rosen as she blazes through the Chef Supreme competition. The Jewish meals Sadie cooks are from the heart as is her steamy romance with chef Luke Weston. This sweet sufganiyot of a novel is deliciously delectable.”—Roselle Lim, author of Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop

“Sadie on a Plate is a delectable mix of humor, reality show drama, foodie vibes, and heart-fluttering love story. Amanda Elliot has crafted an endearingly imperfect heroine whose hot mess-ness and tenacity will resonate with readers. You'll swoon, laugh, and cheer as you watch Sadie earn the happily ever after she so deserves.”—Sarah Echavarre Smith, author of On Location

“Foodies with a hunger for juicy cooking-show competitions will eagerly lap up every last drop of Sadie on a Plate, Amanda Elliot’s delicious rom-com…detailed food descriptions, recipes and kitchen culture—along with a diverse cast—spice up a well-plotted story warmed with romance, humor and heart.”—Shelf Awareness

"Luke and Sadie are likable characters with magnetic, slow-building chemistry and sympathetic, realistic backstories. The fast-paced, delicious plot is as much about food as romance...Readers, especially those who enjoy shows like Top Chef, won’t be able to put down this fast-paced romantic comedy."—Library Journal (starred review)

“Elliot’s first adult novel has the perfect amount of reality show hijinks and food innuendos that help dial up the heat… A satisfying debut for foodies and romance lovers alike.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

MY REVIEW:

I love books that I can devour in one sitting and Sadie On A Plate was just that perfect read I needed that made me swoon over.

I love reading about food and life in the food service industry. Elliot really brought this exciting cooking show to life, and all the while adding a few sprinkling of drama and diverse characters – this was a feast for the senses.

Sadie On A Plate by Amanda Elliot was the romance read I enjoyed that brought out the foodie in me. I highly recommend this funny and light hearted read.

About the Author

Amanda Elliot is the author of several young adult and middle grade books as Amanda Panitch. Sadie on a Plate is her first adult novel. She lives in New York City, where she owns way too many cookbooks for her tiny kitchen.

3/15/22 THE BOOK OF COLD CASES @BERKLEYPUB

Thank you Berkley Pub for the free book

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (March 15, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages

A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.
In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect--a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion.

Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases--a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea's surprise, Beth says yes.

They meet regularly at Beth's mansion, though Shea is never comfortable there. Items move when she's not looking, and she could swear she's seen a girl outside the window. The allure of learning the truth about the case from the smart, charming Beth is too much to resist, but even as they grow closer, Shea senses something isn't right. Is she making friends with a manipulative murderer, or are there other dangers lurking in the darkness of the Greer house?

MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric
Haunting
Fast Paced

I absolutely enjoyed this book and read it in two sittings. Once I started I could not stop – this is the best gauge for me that this is certainly a five star read.

I love that this seemed to me two stories in one, both in Oregon, one set in 1977 and the other in 2017.

In 1977, a reclusive wealthy woman named Beth was suspected and then acquitted for the murders of two men using the same gun.
In 2017, Shea a true crime aficionado gets the chance of her life by getting to interview Beth Greer, The Lady Killer.

The writing is so well done with just the right amount of ghostly presence – yes it still scared me a lot but it had the right balance that was propelled by the incredible characters, the twists in the plot and the murder investigation that is being conducted by Shea as an amateur sleuth.

The story was told in alternate perspectives of Shea’s in the first person and Beth’s in the third person, with some chapters for Other in between. I love the cozy mystery vibe this story was told, with just the right amount of ghostly apparitions, and that gothic thriller element.

Overall, I really enjoyed this mystery and cannot wait for more books by Simone St. James.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:

Simone St. James is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel, The Broken Girls and The Haunting of Maddy Clare, which won two RITA awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada. She wrote her first ghost story, about a haunted library, when she was in high school, and spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time. She lives outside Toronto, Canada with her husband and a spoiled cat.