Book Nook: Thrill this summer with new books
(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)
Since there is nothing to do this summer, why shouldn’t we all read more? And there’s plenty of mysteries and thrillers!
It looks as though the Quinn Colson series is ending in “The Revelators” by Ace Atkins.
When we last left our intrepid hero, he had been shot and was barely hanging on. Now it’s summer again (it’s always summer in Mississippi in this series) and Quinn is recovering and his wife, Maggie, is expecting a baby. But the man who replaced Quinn as sheriff during his injury and recovery is corrupt, bought by you-know-who, Fannie Hathcock, the owner of Vienna’s Place and all things dirty in Tibbeleh County. But there is no rest for the wicked, and no rest for former Rangers either, as Quinn and his friends seem to be headed to a final showdown with Fannie and her cronies as human trafficking, gun running, corrupt officials and murder all come to light.
This has been an addictive series with plenty of colorful characters, Southern fried charm and plenty of action and crime to go around. While everyone seems to get their fitting end (including my favorite character) I can’t help but wish this would continue on.
“The Revelators” is published by G.P. Putnam Son’s. It is $27.
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A couple who are living the perfect life finds their past catch up after the death of a neighbor in “Never Ask Me” by Jeff Abbott.
When the body of Danielle is found in their exclusive neighborhood, the Politt family wants to believe it has nothing to do with them. But soon each of them is targetted. Father Kyle is beaten by a stranger after disposing of some evidence. Son Grant gets some mysterious emails and packages indictating that his parents have lied about his adoption. Daughter Julia tries to help the dead woman’s son, and is pulled into a drug deal. And mother Iris just wants to protect her whole family as they seem to be soon fighting murder charges. Is someone trying to set them up?
There’s twists, turns, national intrigue and more in this thriller that brings it all to your neighborhood.
“Never Ask Me” is published by Grand Central Publishing . It is $27.
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Four friends go on a vacation with their family and murder and secrets follow in “The Vacation” by T.M. Logan.
Kate and her three best friends are supposed to be relaxing together in a villa in France. It seems picture perfect, but then she begins to worry that her husband is having an affair with one of her friends, based on a text she intercepted. In trying to figure out which one it is, she soon discovers everyone seems to have something they are hiding.
This is one of those stories where everything would be easily solved if people would just talk to each other, but it still delivers. The final twist was one I didn’t see coming.
“The Vacation” is published by St. Martin’s Press. It is “$28.99.
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On the heels of her previous book, an even more twisted story comes from Samantha Dowling in “He Started It.”
Just like in “My Lovely Wife” this story takes suburban noir up a notch. Three siblings are taking a cross-country trip with their spouses to despose of their grandfather’s ashes, as per his wishes. If they do what he says, they will get an inheritance, even if it means reenacting an old family trip. Except with this family, nothing is as it seems. Beth, Portia and Eddie weren’t exactly willing participants the first time around on this trip, and someone is missing… Will anyone make it to the end of the road trip, and even more so with this family, out of it alive?
This story just kicks off and won’t stop until the very last page. Just when you think it can’t get any stranger… it does. It is twisted perfection.
“He Started It” is published by Berkley. It is $26.
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Three generations of women face off against a madman in “Survival Instincts” by Jen Waite.
Rose, Anne and Thea are all going on a weekend trip to a remote cabin when a man appears out of nowhere with a gun and a sinister plan. The three women are soon held captive and under his control – or are they? The story looks back at both Rose, Anne and Thea’s lives, how they got where they are now and how they have dealt with violent men in the past.
Rose the grandmother is my favorite character, for reasons that will be apparent once you read the book, and the whole thing is a dark treat that will resonate with many and is a page burner.
“Survival Instincts” is published by Dutton. It is $26.






