Fall has officially arrived. Fall foods, mother nature’s beautiful fall scenery but with it the dreaded busy fall schedules. Our three children have me constantly on the go this time of year so finding time to read has been a little tricky. I miss steady reading times when the freedom of summer ends so when I get a spare few minutes you will always find me with a book in my hand (school pick-up line for the win!). These 10 books were all so different – memoirs, love, laughs and of course some spooky thrillers to add to the October feels. One of my favorite books of the year is in this collection. Read on to see if you can guess which one it is!

“The Turn of the Key” by Ruth Ware

A former nanny is writing to a solicitor from prison after being accused of murdering one of her charges. She is writing out of desperation. She is writing in the hopes that someone will listen to her story, so she can finally tell the truth about what she knows. So begins our tale narrated through Rowan’s letters to Mr. Wrexham as she goes into detail about what led up to the night she found the young Elincourt girl dead. After losing several nannies abruptly the Elincourt family needed to find a replacement fast. During their first conversation Sandra Elincourt informs Rowan that the high salary comes with a bit of a warning – the last few nannies left due to a fear that the house might be haunted. Being a non-believer, Rowan immediately shook off the concerns Sandra was sharing and headed north to Scotland something Rowan would regret doing for the rest of her life. I had such high hopes for this one. The build up! The suspense! I had no idea where this was going and sad to say I wish it had gone in another direction. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the book but the ended left something to be desired. Fans of Ruth Ware will enjoy her masterful way of pulling you on a twisty journey. Have you read this? Let me know your thoughts.

“Sophia of Silicon Valley” by Anna Yen

Sophia Young, a recent graduate, has landed a job at one of the tech industries up and coming companies. Her eccentric boss, Steve Kraft, is above and beyond demanding but Sophia thrives in this world. She finds herself riding the successful wave of the animation company Treehouse as its Investor Relations VP and would be completely happy if she could get her overbearing parents off her back, settle down with her boyfriend and finally get her health under control. When life throws her a giant pause button Sophia is forced to reevaluate her life and priorities. I had a hard time getting through this book. It was such a slow read due to the dry story. It seemed to me that the narrator/author were one and the same but she was unable to completely make this story into a work of fiction. Also, the similarities between Jobs/Musk and Kraft/Stark were a little too obvious. This book definitely isn’t for everyone.

“A House of Ghosts” by W.C. Ryan

With England deep into the First World War the Highmounts, like many other families, are reeling from the loss of their two sons. Wishing to hear from them one more time, Lord & Lady Highmount have invited a specially selected group of people to their isolated island off the coast of Devon for a unique gathering. Their home, Blackwater Abbey is unlike any place you have been before. The estate is known to be haunted by ghosts from long ago, a setting perfect for the weekend’s planned seances. Kate Cartwright, a long time friend of the family has been convinced to accept her invitation to attend by her boss in the intelligence service. Accompanying her will be another member of the military, undercover as a manservant. Plans for top secret weapons designed by Lord Highmount’s company have fallen into the German’s hands and Kate’s boss believes that the guilty party will be in attendance this weekend. Kate and Donovan have been tasked to figure out who has betrayed their country. The mediums the Highmounts have hired for the seance aren’t the only ones that are able to contact the spirit world. Kate has a secret gift of her own, one that will come in handy as she attempts to solve the mysteries that Blackwater holds within its walls. W.C. Ryan has written an absolute page-turner! A murder-mystery at its core, “A House of Ghosts”, is told from multi-POVs so the reader doesn’t miss a beat of what is happening while the living are stranded for the weekend in the company of the dead. Be sure to pick up a copy when this book is released on October 1, 2019. A must read for all suspense/mystery fans! A big thanks to Netgalley and Arcade for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

“I Owe You One” by Sophie Kinsella

Fixie Farr has always been a fixer. Have a problem with your coffee maker? Fixie will fix it. Need help convincing your husband of something? Fixie will fix it. Have a crooked vase in your office? Fixie can’t help but fix it. No problem too big or small. Only question is who is helping Fixie sort out the things in her life? A chance encounter at a coffee shop brings a handsome man into Fixie’s life. After she steps in to solve a problem for him he gives Fixie an IOU, something she can cash in at any time for anything. When Ryan, Fixie’s life long crush, returns to London after losing everything he had in Hollywood she is determined to fix things for him and win his heart for good this time. Fixie’s brother Jake suggests she should cash in her IOU to get Ryan’s life back on track but could a small favor in a coffee shop really be equal to getting someone a job? Will Fixie finally learn to put herself before others or is she bound to live by the Farr “family first” motto for life? “I Owe You One” is another fun and refreshing read by Sophie Kinsella. In true Kinsella fashion, Fixie begins as a disheveled heroine but evolves into a stronger, more confident version of herself. Who doesn’t love a feel-good, happy ending? Kinsella fans, this is one for the TBR list.

“Something in the Water” by Catherine Steadman

Someone is dead. Someone is digging a grave. In order to find out what led to this, you are transported back a few months to a time when Erin & Mark are about to walk down the aisle. Erin, a documentary filmmaker is hard at work on her first solo film and Mark, a hot-shot investment banker with big ambitions jet off on their honeymoon to Bora Bora. The newlyweds, having cut their trip short due to Mark recently losing his job, plan on enjoying the sun and each other for two full weeks. After spending the day scuba diving the couple come across an unusual scene in the middle of the ocean. Papers. Pieces of paper are scattered everywhere. Stopping the boat to get a better look the two discover something in the water that will change their lives forever. This debut novel by Catherine Steadman (yay Downton Abbey!) was filled with page-turning suspense and has the reader contemplating what would you do in Erin & Mark’s shoes. The opening chapter has you hooked right from the start. My only issue was that the book ended so abruptly leaving too many unanswered questions. I really hope that Steadman is planning to revisit Erin’s story and give us a sequel. I need to know more! Also, keep your eye out for the movie being produced by Reese Witherspoon’s production company.

“Against the Rules” by Laura Heffernan

Holly has hit rock bottom in her life. Her ex-fiance has stolen all of their client’s money, as well has her own personal savings, and is possibly heading to jail. Holly thankfully had no knowledge of the scam he was running allowing her to gain immunity by testifying against Lucas. Holly is lucky enough to secure a job at a local game store (no, not video games…actual games) while she waits out her probation which bans her from working as a programmer. One of the perks of this new job is getting to play-test new games that are being created and Holly gets to enjoy this with her closest friends. Gwen and Holly have been best friends for the last 5 years, saving her after things blew up with Lucas by moving her into a spare room at her childhood home. Nathan, Gwen’s dad is 43 years young and single after Gwen’s mother left them when she was young but what Gwen doesn’t realize is that this act of kindness is about to cause the flood gates to open on a secret Nathan & Holly have been trying hard to keep hidden. In my opinion, “Against the Rules” will appeal to a specific kind of reader but will miss the broader audience. The “gamer” theme of the book didn’t really catch my interest but I can see how it would for those that are interested in this hobby. Laura Heffernan has another book in the “Gamer Girl” series but “Against the Rules” felt like it was a stand-alone book without having read the first. I really wanted to like this book but struggled at times with the surface-level relationships and the constant overthinking inner monologue of Holly. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” by Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show, takes you back to his childhood while growing up as a biracial child in South Africa during apartheid. Being born a literal crime, Trevor had to live most of his young life in the shadows away from questioning eyes. The comedian uses his witty voice to share his family’s story including his mother’s upbringing, her strong-willed approach of raising Trevor alone and her survival through the most extreme domestic violence. Though Noah has a strong political voice on his television show, this book does not delve into American politics or his rise to fame in comedy. “Born a Crime” is a lighthearted first-hand account of a nation’s dark history as well as a master class in making your way in a world that is against your very existence. Noah’s ability to meet extreme challenges with humor and positivity is a lesson to us all. This memoir can also be purchased in a “junior” version adapted for a younger audience. Be sure to add this one to your TBR list.

“The Good Liar” by Catherine McKenzie

On October 10th at 10:00am a building in downtown Chicago exploded killing over 500 people. Teo was working as a photographer on 10/10 and took a picture in the aftermath of the explosion that accidentally made Cecily the face of Triple Ten, across the world. Cecily was supposed to be in the building at 10am, instead she had just climbed up the subway stairs when she witnessed the building her husband Tom was waiting for her in burst into flames. As the one year anniversary approaches Teo is working on a documentary that follows three families affected by Triple Ten. As the poster child of the disaster Cecily was convinced to participate as well as the Ring family who lost their wife/mother Kaitlyn and Franny Maycombe whose unique life story couldn’t have been scripted better if Teo had written it himself. As the story unfolds, the truth becomes more clear as to how intertwined the women’s lives are and the lengths they will go to keep their lies buried. “The Good Liar” is a multiple POV read that will leave even the best armchair detectives guessing at its twist to the very end.

“Bringing Down the Duke” by Evie Dunmore

Annabelle Archer is destitute and has been taken in to work in her awful cousin’s home as a maid. Though Annabelle has already been highly educated, she craves more for herself and has been accepted to study at Oxford with some of their first female students. In return for her scholarship, she is expected to join the women’s suffrage movement and attempt to sway the men in power to support their cause. On her first outing with the group she bumps into the dashing yet arrogant Duke of Montgomery, a political advisor to the Queen of England. Earning the ear of the Duke’s brother, Annabelle and two of her friends receive an invitation to a house party at the Duke’s home. After a miscommunication Annabelle and the Duke begin dancing around each other’s mutual attractions. In 1879 there is no way the two could be together without causing the scandal of the century. Will Annabelle be able to keep the Duke at arms length, keep in good standings at Oxford as well as help bring justice for the oppressed British women? I don’t normally read the romance genre but when Book of the Month club had this as one of their choices it looked too fun to not give it a try. “Bringing Down the Duke” gives the reader all of the passion of Outlander mixed with the sophistication of Downton Abbey. Now who can resist that combination? Fair warning for my more modest followers, this book does have some graphic scenes that may not be for all. I hear that Evie Dunmore is hard at work on the second book in this League of Extraordinary Women series. “Bringing Down the Duke” is a wickedly delightful book for your TBR list!

“A Nearly Normal Family” by M.T. Edvardsson

32 year old Christopher Olsen has been found dead on a playground and 18 year old Stella Sandell has been arrested on suspicion of his murder. Her parents Adam & Ulrika quickly set into action to defend their daughter providing her with an alibi and working closely with her lawyer, Ulrika’s former boss. Only Adam & Ulrika aren’t completely convinced she is innocent. Stella has always been a tough child, nothing like her perfect best friend, Amina. Why couldn’t Stella have been more like Amina? When her pastor father provides her alibi it seems as if Stella has everything she needs to be released from police custody but evidence of her guilt keeps piling up. Told in three parts from three different POVs as Adam, Stella & Ulrika put together the puzzle of what really happened to Christopher on the night he died. The narrative swaps between present day and glimpses into the family’s past revealing how the Sandell family became a (nearly) normal family on the verge of collapse. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy a good suspenseful read without too many twists and turns. Be sure to read on to the Epilogue for one last piece of Stella’s puzzle.

Til next time,

E

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