REVIEW: Dead as a Doornail

 Dead As a Doornail
Author: Charlaine Harris

Dead as a Doornail is the 5th book in the Southern Vampire/Sookie Stackhouse series. 

Sookie finds herself pulled further into were/shifter concerns when someone starts shooting shifters. As the attacks multiply, Sookie works to uncover the identity of the sniper. 

This is another book in the series that really isn't my favorite. I'm glad the story lines expanded into more than just vampire culture/politics/events, but the shifter stories just aren't my favorites. I think that's mainly because I don't like how the weres/shifters treat Sookie. They continually seek out her help, and then treat her poorly when the outcome isn't exactly what they wanted. But I guess that makes sense....pack mentality and all that. 

I read my paperback copy of this book while listening to the audio book [Recorded Books, 2005, 9 hours 34 minutes, narrated by Johanna Parker] 

I first read this series as each book came out starting back in the early 2000s. I've had the full series on my bookshelf for years and have re-visited Bon Temps and Sookie multiple times over the years. I like the characters, the setting and story. The subplots keep things from getting stale. 

This time, I'm reading all the books again and the short stories too. First time I've read the short stories. Most of them were printed in fantasy/urban fantasy story anthologies along with tales by other authors. I found a reading order list online, and I'm stopping to read stories as they pop up in the order. So far, I've read Fairy Dust and Dracula Night. Both were enjoyable! 

I enjoyed re-reading this book, despite not really liking the more shifter-centric story lines. I'm glad I decided to re-read this series. It's like visiting old friends. :) 

I'm re-reading my physical copies of the series one last time and will donate the books when I'm finished. Shelf space is at a premium and I need to downsize over the next year before I move into a smaller apartment.  Next time I want to revisit these books, I will just get them from the library. :) 

Moving on to the next book!  

 

REVIEW: The Museum of Unusual Occurence

 The Museum of Unusual Occurrence
Author: Erica Wright

This is a book of unusual and bizarre occurrence.......and I loved every word! 

I was totally intrigued when I read the blurb for this story, and just had to read it. I'm always up for a suspenseful, spooky and weird tale! This story definitely hit the mark!

Aly is raising her teenage sister and running a business -- a museum where the exhibits are odd curiosities. Imagine her surprise when the museum suddenly has a new, unexpected exhibit -- a murdered woman's body. Aly is determined to discover who killed the young woman and find out why they put the body in her museum. 

I love it when I read a book by a new-to-me author who surprises me with a book that is spooky, bizarre and something totally unexpected and unique. And, the cover art is perfect. 

This is the first book in the Psychic City series. I can't wait to read more!! 

 

REVIEW: Only Spell Deep

 Only Spell Deep
Author: Ava Morgyn

Judeth Cole was born with abilities.....magical abilities. And it made her childhood dark and traumatic. Much as she tries, she can't escape her past, or her magic.....   Just as she's giving up on life, magic comes back to pull her onto a new path. 

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. But, the gothic spooky feel grabbed my attention from the start and I got sucked right into the story. The book blurb called this story a mix of The Craft and Rebecca....but I'm not sure that really fits. The story is definitely dark and magical, but I didn't get a vibe like The Craft from it. 

The first half of the book is a bit slow, but as soon as the second half hit, I understood that the mood, setting and characters needed that set up for the story to end the way that it did. Perfect! 

The plot and characters definitely kept my interest from start to finish. Very entertaining read!  

I'm definitely going to read more by this author. I enjoyed this story and from other reviews I have read she has written more with the same vibe.  

REVIEW: First Sign of Danger

 First Sign of Danger
Author: Kelley Armstrong

The Rockton series and its spinoff, Haven's Rock, are two of my favorite suspense/thriller book series! I've been reading each book since the Rockton series started, and enjoy each new adventure. 

Casey and Eric run Haven's Rock, a settlement hidden in the deep woods of Canada where people in trouble can disappear for awhile. A sanctuary in the middle of nowhere.  Right now, the two have much more than the daily troubles in town to worry about -- they are new parents. Their baby is just six months old. 

This time, a pair of hikers get too close to town for comfort. They don't want their secret sanctuary exposed. Unfortunately, one of the hikers is soon found dead and the situation escalates quickly. Who killed the hiker? And why were the two so close to town? 

Loved this newest story in the series! I was a bit concerned this book would be all baby, baby, baby, new parent problems, baby .... but it really wasn't. The story was just as suspenseful and exciting with just a little bit of new parent problems lamented.  :) 

I can't wait for the next book in this series!!  I recently recommended the Rockton series to a good friend. She has quickly become just as big a fan of the stories as I am! 

 

REVIEW: Operation Bounce House

 Operation Bounce House
Author: Matt Dinniman

I am a huge, huge fan of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman. I've read my way through that series several times as I just enjoy it so much! 

When this new book came out -- a standalone book -- of course I snapped it up! Had to be done! 

Oliver is a rancher on New Sonora. He just wants to live his life - run the ranch, play some music, repair his agriculture bots, and just have peace. But......   [there's always a but, isn't there!]

The government from Earth decides to break a treaty and evict settlers from New Sonora. Since profits are their main motivation, they find a way to wage the war cheaply -- they make it into a game: Operation Bounce House.  Soon Oliver and others find themselves fighting against war machines designed by gamers from Earth who are attacking them remotely -- probably while sipping soda and eating cheetos. 

What a fun book!!! I enjoyed every word! My hardback copy sits on my shelf with my 7 Dungeon Crawler Carl books. And I just picked up the audio book. I'm going to read this again. It will tide me over until the 8th DCC book comes out in May!! 

 

REVIEW: Night Terror

 Night Terror
Author: Vincent Ralph

Night Terror is the second book in the Bleak Haven series. I enjoyed the first book in this spooky YA series, Dead Fake, so much that I jumped right into the second book. 

This story goes back in time a bit to the late 1980s. Noah works at the bookstore in the mall. One night a gang of masked robbers comes into the bookshop. They demand a book -- a cursed book that has a bit of a legend behind it in Bleak Haven. Then they use the book to unleash something horrific.....

This book was great spooky fun and I have to say I enjoyed it even more than the first book in this series. This one brought back some nostalgic memories as I was in high school in the late 80s, and I remember bookshops in the mall! 

This series has a Goosebumps / Are You Afraid of the Dark vibe, but just more scary and gory. Like Goosebumps grew up... ha ha And the cover art is amazing! 

 Love this series! I am definitely going to read more by this author!   

REVIEW: Dead Fake

 Dead Fake
Author: Vincent Ralph

I'm a sucker for a good, entertaining spooky story. This YA book series definitely fits the bill! 

Dead Fake is the first book in the Bleak Haven series.

I sat and binge read this book one evening after work curled up on my couch with my dog, and had to get up and turn more lights on......creeped me out!  I only meant to read a chapter or two, but several hours later I realized I had read most of the book. Then I couldn't stop because I wanted to know how it ended! 

A new craze hits the local high school -- an app produces AI generated gory death scenes for students. Everyone is having fun.....until students actually begin dying. 

Fans of old school slasher movies will love this book! This book reminded me of a more grown up and gory Goosebumps story -- definitely had that YA vibe, but it was incredibly entertaining!  And, the cover art is awesome!