[Book Tour- Review] A Time for Monsters by Gareth Worthington [GIVEAWAY]

 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08XQY1XVY
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vesuvian Books (September 28, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 28, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English

Praise for A TIME FOR MONSTERS

"Gareth Worthington delves into the mind of a female serial killer that is moved only by music as she tries to get away with murder. A tale of cat and mouse has the reader ask what she is trying to hide. An epic thriller and a fantastic read!" —Tanya Roberts @bookswihtanya, CER at Indigo Books, Québec Canada

"Engaging, stomach twisting, breathtaking, heart breaking, mind bending! Worthington pushes you relentlessly down a path of redemption and off the rough edges of unpaid dues--wherever they are hiding. All the way throwing society's complicity in your face. Not only craftily written but intelligently crafted, he ensnares all your senses while keeping you guessing. A must read for fans of Nordic crime and lovers of twisting storylines." —Dalilah Kőnig, bookseller at Orell Füssli, Switzerland

"A masterfully built story of abuse, pain, and possible redemption unfolds. Every twist and turn was unexpected and kept me wanting to know more. Can understanding the "Monsters" make you accept or condemn them? How Worthington made me actually love and understand a serial killer is beyond me." —Erin E. Forys, Barnes and Noble, Williamsburg, VA

"A hell-raising revenge tale for fans of Gillian Flynn, Stieg Larsson, and Karin Slaughter that forces readers down a dark road with an unexpected twist." —Bram Stoker Awards Nominee, Monique Snyman

A Nordic thriller in the vein of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Death Wish, in which a female serial killer, who only feels emotion when listening to music, is hell-bent on revenge and must outwit a disgraced detective determined to redeem himself if she is to complete her carefully orchestrated plan and cover up the ultimate secret.

ONLY A MONSTER CAN DO THE WRONG THINGS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Do you remember the first tape or CD you ever bought? Perhaps you waited for the local station to play the top forty songs on a Sunday so you could record your favorite band. Maybe you downloaded a certain track that reminded you of your wedding day or a graduation.

Reyna Blackburn remembers.

Every single song for every horrific event in her life. She remembers what song was playing on the radio the first time he hurt her. And she remembers what was playing through her headphones the first time she killed.

I've read a lot of suspense/mystery novels recently, and I have to say that this one was very unique. From the start, we are given a point of view from the serial killer. But, the killer is a she and she's bald? Throughout the story, the viewpoint shifts from Reyna to the detective. It also shifts from Reyna's childhood back to present day, 2016. Reyna is a British woman with a past and Detective Arne Huakaas is a detective with a lot of baggage. Together, they play a cat and mouse game till the very end.

There is a lot of mentions of domestic violence in this book, so please check your triggers. Reyna Blackburn is a vigilante serial killer, and she only targets a select group of men. It was so interesting to read from a killers POV, especially one that knows what they're doing. I was more interested in the present day chapters, but I understood why the past chapters were needed. Also, there are twists and turns within the past POV chapters that I never saw coming. I was rooting for Reyna from the start even though she was the serial killer. Don't come for me, I felt like she had legitimate reasons. I wanted her to have her own happily ever after. Unfortunately, the ending is very open ended, so who knows who really won in the end. 

Overall, I was captivated by this suspense novel. There are so many unexpected twists that it keeps you ensnared within it's pages from beginning to end. I would recommend this to any fan of suspense. It's unique and bewitching.

Thank you to the Jean Book Nerd Tours for providing a copy of this book. These opinions are my own, and were not influenced in any way. I was not obligated to provide a review. 

You can purchase A Time For Monsters at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Gareth Worthington

Gareth Worthington holds a degree in marine biology, a PhD in Endocrinology, an executive MBA, is Board Certified in Medical Affairs, and currently works for the Pharmaceutical industry.

Gareth is an authority in ancient history, has hand-tagged sharks in California, and trained in various martial arts, including Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai at the EVOLVE MMA gym in Singapore and 2FIGHT in Switzerland. His work has won multiple awards, including Dragon Award Finalist and an IPPY award for Science Fiction.

He is a member of the International Thriller Writers Association, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and the British Science Fiction Association.

Born in England, Gareth has lived around the world from Asia, to Europe to the USA. Wherever he goes, he endeavors to continue his philanthropic work with various charities.

Gareth is represented by Gandolfo Helin Fountain Literary Agency, NYC, USA.

        

WEEK ONE

NOVEMBER 15th MONDAY Movies, Shows, & Books INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 16th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 17th WEDNESDAY BookHounds GUEST POST

NOVEMBER 18th THURSDAY Coffee and Wander Book Reviews REVIEW

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NOVEMBER 22nd MONDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

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[Book Tour- Blast] The Hideaway by Pam Smy [GIVEAWAY]

 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pavilion Children's (October 5, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1843654792
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1843654797

Praise for THE HIDEAWAY

"Love, loneliness, and grief are portrayed in grayscale illustrations...that expertly use light and shadow to convey mood...Atmospherically heartfelt and cathartic." —Kirkus Reviews

"The new book by the amazingly gifted Pam Smy ... What an exquisite and beguiling interweaving of word and image" —Anthony McGowan

"An original, haunting story" —The Bookseller

"Heartbreaking yet heartwarming … Smy’s artwork lends the book a wintry, dramatic feel, but when it comes time for the spirits of the graveyard to be reunited, her spreads are full of joy" —BookTrust

A haunting illustrated novel from the author of the highly acclaimed Thornhill.

Told in two alternating narratives, The Hideaway tells the story of Billy McKenna, who runs away from home and takes refuge in an overgrown graveyard. The first narrative is told from his perspective, whereas the second thread tells of the situation at home and the police search for Billy. Covering themes of domestic violence, families, childhood, being separated and reunited, this is an important and beautifully illustrated book for middle grade readers right up to adults.

The Hideaway is illustrated throughout with tonal and textured black and white drawings. The atmospheric illustrations seep into the edge of the pages before they give way to a series of double-page spreads as the story reaches its climax.

You can purchase The Hideaway at the following Retailers:

 

Photo Credit: Zulfiya Wilde

Pam Smy studied Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, where she now lectures part-time. Pam has illustrated books by Conan Doyle (The Hound of the Baskervilles), Julia Donaldson (Follow the Swallow) and Kathy Henderson (Hush, Baby, Hush!), among others. She lives in Cambridge. Her first novel, Thornhill was a critical and commercial success, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the UKLA Book Awards, and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 and winning the 2018 British Book Design & Production Award for Graphic Novels.

WEBSITE: https://www.pamsmy.com/

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3362008.Pam_Smy

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pamsmyillustrator/

      

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

- 5 Winners will receive a Copy of THE HIDEAWAY with Bookplates by Pam Smy.

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[Book Tour-Review] Have You Seen Me? by Alexandrea Weis [GIVEAWAY] Storytellers Box and $20 Amazon GC

 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vesuvian Books (August 17, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1645480755
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1645480754

Praise for HAVE YOU SEEN ME?

"Every five or ten years you'll read a book that'll grip you from start to end and you'll find you're up at 3am in the morning bewitched by the plot, the characters, and the setting. Have You Seen Me? is one such book, the pace is frenetic, urgent, and comes across as vividly telegenic. It takes a truly talented and masterful author to craft a novel which creates a three-dimensional drama inside your mind. Alexandrea Weis is one of the most talented authors around, she straddles several genres, and in a short time her novels are destined to stand along with authors such as Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, Joyce Carol Oates, and Jeffery Deaver." —The Strand Magazine

"With atmosphere, mercurial threats, and intrigue, Alexandrea Weis excels in probing the psychological undertones of the prep school and a new teacher's return to her past. She also does a fine job of evolving the plot that connects students and teachers to an unpredictable truth. As school and local history are revealed by the determined team, readers receive an eerie feel of inevitable disaster much in the manner of the classic film 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'. The buildup that leads to the truth about the killer's identity makes for a fine story that will reach from young adult to adult audiences with a winning exploration of prep school pressures, politics, and the special interests that lead to murder. Very nicely done." —D. Donovan, Senior Editor, Midwest Book Review

"Riveting, fast paced thriller wrapped up in a mystery. Is history repeating itself or is it a coincidence? Alexandrea Weis slowly peels away layer after layer to reveal the truth. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it even if you don't usually read thrillers." —Erin E. Forys, Barnes and Noble, Williamsburg, VA

"Alexandrea Weis addresses cultural issues such as class systems, race, and bullying all the while providing chilling and spooky imagery that is sure to have all readers begging the question: "Who will be next?" A thrilling spine-tingling novel Have You Seen Me? had my heart racing on every page." —Tanya Roberts @bookswihtanya, CER at Indigo Books, Québec Canada

"A fast-paced thriller that will engage readers with great characters and a chilling mystery! I was sucked in and fully invested in finding the killer!!" —Gretchen Hall, Barnes and Noble, Houston, TX

"A dark, complex tale of psychological suspense that will captivate and thrill readers, especially those who love slashers!" —Monique Snyman, Bram Stoker Awards Nominee

"...capably written with a vibrant setting that feels lived-in and starts off with an intriguing mystery ... that leads to a shocking revelation." —IndieReader

Lindsey Gillett is missing.

And she’s not the first girl at Waverly High to vanish without a trace.

To help cope with the tragedy, new history teacher Aubrey LaRoux organizes a student investigation team. But when the project’s key members start turning up dead across campus, Aubrey suspects there’s more going on than anyone is willing to admit.

*I received a copy of Have You Seen Me? in exchange for an honest review.* 

All I can say is that was an intense ride from start to finish! I was so engrossed in the book, that by the end I was just suspicious of everyone. Aubrey? Sheriff? Bella? Sara? Samuel? IT COULD BE ANYONE. I trusted no one and everyone could be the killer.

 I was pleasantly surprised by the slasher aspects of the novel. When it showed the persons dying POV I was shocked. Usually when you get a POV like that, the person survives. But, nope. You get a pretty detailed, and graphic account of their last few seconds of life and dying thoughts. It created a powerful and unique aspect to this novel that actually upped the rating from 4 to 5 stars. Another aspect that created a five star experience was the emotional roller-coaster that I went through as a reader. Usually I suspect someone from the get go (which I did this time and was actually right), BUT in this novel I was constantly questioning every single character. I had my main suspect, but by the end I didn't trust a soul. 

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel and how they were all together as a mosh up of all different types of personalities. I also enjoyed that Aubrey was believable as a teacher, but as a mentor to the kids. She had to hold back at first because she was primarily their teacher, but throughout the investigation she had some slip ups into friend territory. And, which everything they had going on, I felt like this made her feel more real. I didn't get too attached to any of the characters, because I knew after the first death that most of them were going to die, I could just feel it in my bones. I was right. But, I still was sad after each of their deaths. I felt like I was there with them during the investigation and their deaths. I was invested and was always sad when another one was picked off. 

This book gave me "I know what you did last Summer" vibes, except they did nothing wrong. The killer is just a literal psycho with an entirely skewed moral compass. Those poor kids. If I had one critique, it would be that the big reveal was too short. The killer got their just desserts, but I wish I would have gotten more of their perspective as to why they thought they HAD to do this, rather than them just being crazy and thinking the kids knew their secret. I just wanted a little more of their viewpoint.

Overall, this is an excellent mystery novel. The writing is skillful and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are great, and I am looking forward to reading more novels by Alexandrea Weis. 

The murdered students all had something in common with Lindsey. They shared a secret. And what they uncovered could threaten the future of the historic school.

At Waverly High, someone wants to keep the past buried—and you don’t want to get in their way.

You can purchase Have You Seen Me? at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Alexandrea Weis

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, advanced practice registered nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable.

A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes supernatural, horror, mystery, and thrillers. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.

WEEK ONE

OCTOBER 11th MONDAY JeanBookNerd GUEST POST

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OCTOBER 18th MONDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

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