Tag: fiction mystery

Review: Driftless Spirits by Karen Ringel

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Charlotte Burke can’t shake her recurring dream. Over and over again she dreams of finding a mysterious journal on a candlelit desk while wandering through a strange house in the middle of the night. Every dream has shown her a framed picture of an old woman sitting at the same desk, except the latest version. Last night, the woman stood and offered Charlotte a keyring. In the morning, Charlotte woke up with her car keys in her hand.

Her best friend is worried but skeptical when Charlotte insists the house is real. The dream is metaphorical, Ivy says, reflecting Charlotte’s restless state. Ivy gifts her a journal and urges her to take the trip her subconscious is demanding before she wakes up behind the wheel. A roadtrip of self-discovery will help Charlotte figure out what she really wants.

Charlotte agrees to the trip but not for Ivy’s reasons. To her, the house, the journal and the woman in her dream are all too real. She sets off to do the impossible. She doesn’t know it yet, but if she can find the house and uncover its secrets in time, she might save far more than her driftless life.

Favorite Lines:

“It’s the kind of place that passerby barely notice and would never stop. It’s also the kind of place that’s cherished if you live there.”

“The internet has everything if you look hard enough.”

“Sometimes you just have to take a chance and jump.”

“Drifting through some days was fine but drifting through her years without intention squandered a precious gift.

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

From the opening dream sequence, Driftless Spirits establishes an atmosphere rooted in intuition, restlessness, and the slow pull of something unnamed. Charlotte’s story feels immediately familiar in the best way. She is not running from tragedy or danger but from stagnation, from the unsettling realization that her life has begun to feel paused. That emotional starting point gives the book a gentle but persistent momentum.

What Ringel does especially well is treat place as both setting and catalyst. Wisconsin’s Driftless region is not just where the story happens, it is part of what the story is about. The landscape mirrors Charlotte’s internal state: winding roads, unexpected valleys, quiet towns that seem easy to overlook unless you stop and really look. Casten’s Horn feels lived in rather than constructed, and its routines, celebrations, and peculiar rhythms give the town a sense of layered history without overwhelming the narrative.

Charlotte herself is an easy protagonist to root for because her doubts feel honest and unembellished. Her curiosity outweighs her fear, but just barely, and that balance keeps the tension grounded. The mystery elements arrive slowly and organically, never disrupting the cozy tone but gently complicating it. The supernatural aspects are understated and feel more like an extension of intuition and memory than something overtly threatening, which makes them more intriguing than alarming.

At its core, Driftless Spirits is a story about listening. Listening to instincts, to forgotten history, to places that seem to call quietly rather than loudly. The novel resists neat answers and dramatic twists, opting instead for gradual revelation and emotional payoff. It invites the reader to slow down, pay attention, and trust that small moments can still carry significance. The result is a story that feels comforting without being predictable, and reflective without losing narrative direction.

Summary:

Overall, Driftless Spirits may appeal to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, gentle supernatural elements, and character-driven stories set in small towns. It is well suited for those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling, introspective journeys, and mysteries that unfold through mood and discovery rather than danger. Readers who enjoy themes of self-rediscovery, intuition, and place-based storytelling will likely find this a satisfying and quietly engaging read. Happy reading!

Check out Driftless Spirits here!

 

Review: The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Nobody’s safe when the inner beast awakens…

Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But he soon discovers that something foul is festering under the veneer of leisure. Deep in the bowels of the ship, a vile affliction pits loved ones against each other and shatters the bonds of civil society. The brig fills with felons, the morgue with bodies, and the vacation becomes a nightmare.

One by one, the chaos claims Peter’s allies. His mentor spirals into madness and the security chief fights a losing battle against anarchy. No help comes from the captain, who has an ego bigger than the ocean.

With the ship racing toward an unprepared New York, the fate of humanity hinges on Peter’s deteriorating judgment. But he’s hallucinating and delirious…and sometimes primal urges are impossible to resist.

The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller laced with psychological suspense, perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch.

Favorite Lines:

“Right back into it, then. He was a kid on a roller coaster cresting the first big incline—the moment before the bottom fell out. He opened the closet and confronted his uniform. Sure, he’d paid for the ride, but that didn’t make it any less stomach-churning.”

“Funny how standards eroded in the face of devastation.”

“The holes in his memory were filling in like groundwater welling up in the paw prints of a rabid raccoon. Muddy and random.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

What starts as a slow simmer quickly boils over in The Regression Strain, Kevin Hwang’s debut that’s equal parts medical mystery, psychological spiral, and pandemic-era existential horror. It’s not a long book, but it’s the kind that lingers—creeping into your thoughts days after you’ve closed it.

The story follows Dr. Peter Palma caught in the chaos of a rapidly spreading fungal pandemic. But Hwang doesn’t just want to tell a virus-outbreak story. He wants to pick at your nerves. The plot slips between sanity, and reality in a way that’s deliberately disorienting. Think fever dream with a med school vocabulary. And I mean that as a compliment.

What makes this novel hum is the way Hwang blends scientific precision with narrative messiness. There’s an almost surgical attention to detail in the clinical scenes—no surprise, given Hwang’s background in medicine—but it never feels like a lecture. Instead, the book immerses you in the  high-stakes environment of a cruise ship in the midst of a mysterious illness, only to pull the rug out with unsettling shifts in tone and perception. At times, I questioned whether what I was reading was happening at all—much like the narrator himself. It’s a risky move, but it works.

Stylistically, it won’t be for everyone. The prose can be clipped and clinical one moment, then rush into sensory overload the next. It’s intentional and immersive, but it can make for a slightly uneven reading experience. That said, if you’re the kind of reader who doesn’t mind being dropped into the deep end—without floaties—there’s a lot to appreciate here.

Emotionally, The Regression Strain taps into something very now. The anxiety of being overeducated but powerless. The loneliness of a pandemic. The slow erosion of certainty. It’s not a comforting read, but it’s a relatable one, especially if you’ve ever tried to logic your way through a crisis and come out the other side more confused than when you started.

Summary:

Overall, is it horror? Sci-fi? Psychological drama? Honestly, it’s all of the above and then some. Hwang doesn’t seem interested in coloring within genre lines, and that’s part of the fun. The Regression Strain is sharp, strange, and surprisingly affecting. It’s not your typical outbreak story—It’s weirder (in a good way), smarter, and a bit sadder.

Can we also take a minute to acknowledge that Hwang is a whole father and doctor and still somehow found time to write this masterpiece, I am in awe! If you like horror, suspense, action, medical mysteries, sci-fi, and/or thrillers then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Regression Strain here!

 

Review: Lost Grove: Part One by Charlotte Zang and Alex J. Knudsen

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

For fans of Twin Peaks and Stranger Things, Lost Grove is the first in a paranormal mystery duology that explores the twisted legends and mysteries in one small town.

In the eerie, enigmatic town of Lost Grove, where secrets whispered among the rustling pines are as thick as the fog rolling in from the sea, the discovery of Sarah Elizabeth Grahams’ lifeless body on the windswept beach is but the first note in a haunting symphony of mysteries.

Sergeant Seth Wolfe, the town’s tenacious lawman, penetrates the cryptic and labyrinthine secrets veiled beneath the town’s cheerful facade. A connection to Sarah Elizabeth, one he could never have fathomed, begins to take shape, blurring the lines between his own existence and the mysteries that enshroud the town. Suspects multiply like whispers in a haunted forest, but each lead unravels, and the mysteries of the case deepen.

Meanwhile, a group of local teenagers embark on their own harrowing mission, driven by a relentless desire to answer the riddle of their friend’s vanished brother and expose the sinister secrets harbored by an affluent institute nestled in the heart of Lost Grove. Further complicating matters, one teen’s father left town the morning Sarah Elizabeth’s body was found. With ties to a similar case seven years prior, he has become a prime suspect in the case.

As Seth dives deeper into the abyss of darkness gripping Lost Grove, an unsettling discovery threatens to derail his investigation and shatter the illusions of safety the town has harbored for far too long. A chilling web of malevolence begins to tighten its grip, ensnaring them all in a nightmarish dance that will test the limits of their resolve.

Readers who love the eerie, unsettling mystery of Stephen King’s The Outsider and the monstrous legends of Brian McGreevy’s Hemlock Grove will enjoy this twisty, taut thriller.

Favorite Lines:

“If it’s cold, Zoe likes it. The weather, food, water, you name it.”

“The angel’s wings stretched out against the inky night sky like a graceful paintbrush, his feathers rich with a hue of grapefruit and perfectly symmetrical.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story starts off with the body of Sarah Elizabeth Grahams being found on an empty beach in Lost Grove. Sergeant Seth Wolfe is put on the case and finds himself falling down a rabbit hole full of mysteriously forgotten memories and haunting dreams. While word of Sarah’s death spreads around town, two psychic siblings attempt to escape their past and start over at a new high school and a group of teenagers set out on their own dangerous mission to find a missing brother which leads them to question if changelings exist. That’s all to say that there are several strange things going on in Lost Grove and readers get to buckle in for the ride.

The story alternates between a present day storyline and flashbacks from multiple characters’ pasts which gives an inside perspective to a variety of events and only lends to the notes of mystery throughout this book. I found that the authors did a great job at setting the stage for Lost Grove to be what seems like a normal small town only for readers to quickly realize that there are a lot of unexplainable, and sometimes downright creepy, undercurrents that create a shroud of suspense and mystery around the town. I applaud the authors for being able to spin such a tangled web of secrets and connect them all together to become the town of Lost Grove. 

In addition to a deliciously creepy setting and plot, I also enjoyed the character writing throughout this book. The authors create a diverse cast of characters with their own personality quirks, secrets, and mysterious backstories that only add to the intrigue of this story. I thought the balancing of these characters, especially because there are several of them, was very skillfully done and there were several times while I was reading this that I thought there had to be some type of detective-esque board with strings attaching points together; how else were they able to keep everything so straight to write this story? I almost felt like I needed to make one a few times while reading this… This story is definitely something I could see being made into a TV show and, if you’re like me, you’ll be binge watching it in one sitting (maybe with a light or two on).

I also wanted to quickly highlight how cool I think it is that Knudson and Zang  are a husband/wife duo. I always love when spouses create something special like this together. Talk about a power couple!

Summary:

Full of horror elements, suspense, the paranormal, mystery, and much more, Lost Grove leaves no rock unturned while taking readers on an addicting dark and thrilling journey that will have them turning page after page desperate answers. If you’re a fan of Twin Peaks, and want to read something similar with a bit more of the supernatural and paranormal, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Lost Grove: Part One here!

 

Review: Mr. Bingley: Just As A Gentleman Ought To Be by Brandon Dragan

~ likelystory18 ~ 3 Comments

Synopsis:

“Finally, a novel that reveals the true Bingley! Heartily recommend to all Bingley-philes!” — Crispin Bonham-Carter, Mr. Bingley in the BBC Miniseries, Pride & Prejudice

For centuries Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, has been dearly loved he world over. However, few people know the hidden truth about Mr. Darcy’s closest friend, the affable Mr. Bingley—who is much more than he appears on first impression.

Mr. Bingley: Just as a Gentleman Ought to Be is the previously untold story of a young man who unwittingly uncovers an evil cabal among the British Empire’s aristocracy. Bingley finds himself confronting an enterprise so nefarious, he cannot help but act to redress it, even if it costs him his own reputation and the love of his life, the angelic Miss Jane Bennet.

Follow Mr. Bingley down a rabbit hole of intrigue and corruption, as he fights to protect the country’s most vulnerable alongside friends old and new. Can he set things right before he loses Jane forever?

Favorite Lines:

“She is undoubtedly the most handsome creature I have ever beheld, but more than her beauty, it is her serenity, or rather, the effect her serenity has had on me that gives me cause to ponder my own feelings.”

“In her presence, and in her presence alone, I seem able to be at peace with the world.”

“There is no defense for the fixed state of vanity in which you at times operate, Darcy.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

As someone who watches Pride and Prejudice at least once a year, I was very excited to review this book. This story follows the Charles Bingley we know and love while giving new depth to his character like we have never seen before.  I would like to imagine that this story is happening in parallel to Pride and Prejudice giving new perspective to Mr. Bingley’s life outside of the P&P storyline.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this book but I can say I wasn’t expecting such a creative blend of Pride and Prejudice meets James Bond meets Sherlock Holmes; especially coming from a character like Mr. Bingley. Dragan does an excellent job at creating a plot that is entirely his own in a world that many literary fans are already familiar with and love.

As mentioned above, the Pride and Prejudice world is one many are already familiar with but I think Dragan did an excellent job at expanding upon that world and building one that is unique for this story. I also really enjoyed the character development and conversation writing. Dragan added hidden depths to several characters featured in the Pride and Prejudice story beyond just Mr. Bingley and introduced some new ones too.

If I had to complain about one thing, it would be out of pure selfishness coming from my inner romantic – I wish there had been more in the plot to feature interactions with Jane from Mr. Bingley’s perspective. I am a sucker for split POVs and seeing what the male love interest thinks of their counterparts and I would have loved to see more of that here. We do get some behind the scenes thoughts but not very many direct interactions seen from Mr. Bingley’s eyes. However, this is almost made up for by hearing Mr. Darcy tell Bingley about Elizabeth. I would like to emphasize that this is nitpicky and understand that the point of this book wasn’t necessarily the romance – I still enjoyed the book immensely. 

Summary:

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a creative and unique twist to the familiar Pride and Prejudice world. I would recommend to anyone who is a P&P fan who wants a new take on a familiar character, and even those who are less familiar with P&P but love literature set in the 19th century that feature action, mystery, comradery, and a touch of romance. Happy reading!

Check out Mr. Bingley: Just As A Gentleman Ought To Be here!

 

Review: For Your Benefit by Patrick Canning

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Teddy Lint is the kindest private investigator on the planet, committed to seeing the best in everyone he meets. The detective agency he runs out of a Los Angeles strip mall with his brother Ralph has seen a strange case or two before, but never anything like this.

A man claiming to work for the CIA hires the Lints to find a shipping container of radioactive Agent Orange that vanished over fifty years ago. He insists someone is planning on using an army of drones to drench L.A. with the deadly chemicals before the week is out.

The Lint Brothers enter a maze of bizarre suspects, from nefarious ad executives, to anarchistic Boy Scouts, to a toga-clad militia fighting for exclusive rule by women. The propaganda-obsessed society that seems to be running the world is probably worth looking into as well.

The power of empathy collides with the dangers of disinformation as Teddy fights to save the people he loves. Our beloved detective doesn’t give up easily, but any Angelenos with an aversion to death by herbicide might want to dust off that umbrella, just in case . .

Favorite Lines:

“Several times a year, Teddy tries to change Ms. Beauchamp’s job title to Partner and rename the business to Lint, Lint, & Beauchamp Detective Agency. And, several times a year, Ms. Beauchamp refuses, saying the proposed name sounds like an abortion of a law firm no one in their right mind would hire and that she could give a damn about job titles.”

“Nothing more American than a second job, I’ve got three myself.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Teddy and Ralph Lint, adopted twin brothers who run a detective agency. The brothers find themselves wrapped up in a bizarre case involving an individual named Mr. Woodbine who claims that he works for the CIA. The Lints are hired to find a barrel of deadly herbicide that is unaccounted for before it ends up in the wrong hands and is used in disastrous ways. Why would the CIA need to hire a private detective agency you may ask. You’ll just have to read on to find out.

While I have read my fair share of detective stories, Canning puts a unique and quirky twist on the genre by including overly ridiculous characters and situations while utilizing satirical humor throughout. From cannibalistic movie stars to anarchist boy scouts, this book seems to have it all. Canning weaves together multiple plot lines in a unique and entertaining way while still managing to keep true to the detective-mystery genres.

While I found the story to be a bit fast paced, I felt that this only added to the overall excitement and tone of the story. Readers are swept along on an almost unbelievable journey with the Lint brothers and the introduction from one sub-plot to the next seemed to enhance the overall narrative.

Summary:

Overall, I found this to be a delightfully entertaining read and would recommend to anyone who enjoys satire, mysteries, and detective stories. Happy reading!

Check out For Your Benefit here!

 

Review: Captives by Travis Tougaw

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

A child disappears, leaving behind a broken and grieving family. With no witnesses, no motives, and no evidence, Hadley, Vince, and Eddie must delve deep into the past to piece together what really happened, unaware of the powerful enemies they’re about to make.

Two-year-old Jonah Davidson disappeared from his family’s front yard 15 years ago. While most people believe he’s dead or will never be found, his desperate sister turns to the Fleck, Collins, and Marcotte Agency for help. As the detectives dig up clues from the past, they uncover a web of secrets, including some of Hadley’s own. As she struggles to come to terms with her past, the team confronts present-day adversaries who will do anything to keep their deceit from coming to light. The case takes the team on a chase across Colorado, where one misstep could prove deadly.

Captives is an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Well-crafted and surprising, Travis Tougaw’s latest novel will keep you turning pages until the end. Don’t miss Vince and Hadley’s new adventure!

Favorite Lines:

“A flock of Canada geese flew overhead, squawking their way south. The air held a chill like it could snow any moment, and Hadley smelled a wood-burning fireplace nearby. She loved fall in Colorado.”

“We have way too many cases that end with one of us in a hospital bed.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was racking my brain trying to come up with the last time I read a true detective novel and the only thing that came up was Nancy Drew….Suffice to say it has been quite some time but after this book, I know I’ll be reading more in this genre in the near future.

This is book two in the series – you can find book one here – but I don’t think it is a requirement to read book one before this. Each book follows the same group of detectives but features a separate case. In this one, the detective agency doesn’t usually take on this type of case – a missing child cold case – but Hadley Collins has personal reasons for wanting to get involved. Readers follow along with the detective team through a suspenseful mystery as they try to solve the case.

This was suspenseful, a thriller, mysterious, captivating, and addicting! I couldn’t put it down and ended up staying up until 2am to finish it!  It had me on the edge of my seat and threw me for a loop with a plot twist that I didn’t see coming. I thought Tougaw did an excellent job with this one and I will definitely be going back to read the first book in the series after this!

Summary:

Overall, if you like mysteries, investigative thrillers, and/or detective stories, then this book could be for you. Word of advice, start it earlier in the day so you aren’t up until 2am trying to finish it because you can’t put it down! Happy reading!

Check out Captives here!