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Nerd Girl Loves Books

Book recommendations and short reviews just for you!

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Mystery

Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro

Rating: 3 out of 5.

This was our February book club pick. The book is not something that I would have chosen myself to read, but it was fine. It’s a character driven story, which are not my favorites, so read this review with that in mind. The story is centered on two families and one tragic accident that happens in 1985 that links the families forever. The book focuses on big feelings like grief, betrayal, and depression. So it’s about so much, but also about nothing. That’s what frustrates me about character driven books, BUT, if you like them, then I think you will love this book. It’s beautifully written and definitely makes you feel all the feels. I’ll give you fair warning, though, it’s a very sad book.

A Noble Scheme ( The Imposters, #2) by Roseanna M. White

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I’m excited to be a part of AustenProse PR’s tour. This is book 2 of the Imposters historical mystery/romance book series, but can be read as a stand-alone. I loved the first book in the series, so was excited when I got the chance to read and review this one.

Continue reading “A Noble Scheme ( The Imposters, #2) by Roseanna M. White” →

Divinely Dramatic (Divine Vintage Series, #2) by Sandra L. Young

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I’m happy to be a part of Kate Rock Book Tours tour of this book published by Wild Road Press. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. This grumpy-sunshine romance with a supernatural ghostly mystery is set in the perfect location – an old community theater building.

Vintage fashionista Marcy Alexander agrees to costume a period-era play to help a friend out and finds herself not only in charge of picking out the costumes, but with a starring role in the play. While looking for costumes in the attic of the building, her ability to read auras is tested when she sees a bright light that appears to seeking her help. Along with her friends and co-workers, who also have paranormal abilities, Marcy seeks to solve the mystery of the “cursed” play, as well as deal with her feelings for the grumpy play director.

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Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I really enjoyed this contemporary cozy mystery that focuses on 25 year old Kat who had a terrible childhood, never stays in one place long, and doesn’t let anyone into her life, and 77 year old Dorothy, who has lived in Shelley House over 30 years and has appointed herself caretaker and watchman of the building and her neighbors. Neither woman is liked much, but underneath the crankiness and contempt, is a world of hurt, grief, and pain.

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Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander

Rating: 4 out of 5.

3.5 stars rounded up.

This is a solid debut thriller than held my attention and was a quick and easy read. The book is told in present day and nine years prior while the MC, Charlie, was in an elite journalism graduate school. She was a witness to a terrible incident at her school dubbed “Scarlet Christmas”, and has spent the intervening years rebuilding her life and reputation. Now one of her former schoolmates plans to release a buzzy film about the events and she’s determined to stop it so it doesn’t derail her life again.

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Umbrate by A.D. Jones

Rating: 4 out of 5.

While dwarves and elves are common in fantasy, I’ve never read a book with shadowy Umbral characters. I had to look up what umbral meant so that I could get a picture in my mind what we were talking about, and trust me, they are creepy characters. Take a look at the cover and you’ll see what I mean.

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Village in the Dark (Cara Kennedy #2) by Iris Yamashita

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is the second book in this fast paced mystery/thriller that can be read as a stand alone. I haven’t read the first book, and while I probably would have enjoyed the book even more had I read it first, I don’t feel like I missed out on anything or had trouble following the story. There was plenty of backstory in the book to fill me in on what happened in book 1.

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The Lace Widow (An Eliza Hamilton Mystery #1) by Mollie Ann Cox

Rating: 3 out of 5.

This is a wonderful historical mystery centered around the death of Alexander Hamilton after his duel with Aaron Burr. His wife Eliza is grieving and being comforted by her sister Angelica. She then learns that her son is accused of murdering a man that witnessed Hamilton’s duel. Stunned by this news, and determined to clear her son’s name, she is told of another man’s death, apparently by suicide. This man also witnessed Hamilton’s duel. Something’s not right, and Eliza is determined to figure it out. Is there be a plot to kill Hamilton and all the witnesses? If so, why? She must also face the fact that Hamilton left her with a pile of debts and almost no money. This leads her to sell her handmade lace, and get connected with a mysterious group of widow lacemakers who have the inside knowledge of what’s going on with high society.

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Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is an exciting psychological thriller set at a liberal arts college in South Carolina. Margot’s best friend Eliza died 3 weeks after graduation and Margo blames Eliza’s boyfriend for her death. Margot goes into a deep funk, but ultimately decides to attend the college she and Eliza planned to attend together. Margo spends her freshman year cloistered with her plain jane roommate, never making other friends or participating in social events. The only thing she does notice is Lucy, who is bold and dangerous – and reminds her so much of Eliza.

Continue reading “Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham” →

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