Catch Me by Lisa Gardner, 466 pages

Catch me is the 6th book in the Detective D.D. Warren series. This is probably one of my favorites that I've read so far, and the twist at the end was so surprising to me. I've really come to love D.D. and she's a character that I'll be sad to let go when the series ends. It's also really fun to read about a female detective that kicks butt.

Disappearance at Devil's Rock by Paul Tremblay, 341 pages

Paul Tremblay is my favorite author, and I'd been saving this book to read because it's one of the only ones that he's written that I hadn't read yet. Disappearance at Devil's Rock is about a group of young boys who venture out to the woods one night, and only 2 of the 3 return. There is a lot of mystery around Devil's Rock and it is a fictional urban legend. I really enjoyed this read, although I didn't enjoy it as much as his other books. I still would recommend this for thriller/horror lovers like myself!

Love You More by Lisa Gardner, 418 pages

Love You More was the 5th book in the Detective D.D. Warren series. I'm really enjoying this series and it's just the right amount of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book also introduced Tessa who later becomes a frequent character.

The Big Kahuna by Janet Evanovich and Peter Evanovich, 303 pages

"The Big Kahuna" is book #6 in the Fox and O'Hare series by Evanovich.  As far as I am aware this is the first time Peter Evanovich, the son of Janet  Evanovich, has gotten a writing credit.

The story has the same zany, mad cap feeling of the rest of Janet Evanovich's books but the characters have changed from past books.  Kate O'Hare, straight arrow FBI agent, has been the lead on the adventures in the past while ex-con man, turned FBI helper Nicholas Fox has been her sidekick.  Their leading and supporting roles were switched in "The Big Kahuna."

It was still a fun, yet forgettable, crazy ride of a story but I missed have Kate in the lead and the role reversal was a little strange.

Dracula by Bram Stoker, 454 pages

First published in 1897, Dracula is gothic horror at its best.  The story is told through the letters and diary entries of several of the characters.

The novel begins when a young English lawyer, Jonathan Harker, visits Count Dracula at his castle in Transylvania in order to complete a real estate transaction.  While there he discovers the diabolical intent of the Count.

Back in England, it falls to Professor Van Helsing, along with a handful of other heroes, including Jonathon and his fiancée, Mina, to stop the vampire.

I listened to the book and enjoyed this very proper Victorian horror story.  I am not typically of fan of horror but the story is told in such flowery and proper English that I couldn't help but get a kick out of it.

The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve, 272 pages

 

This is a fiction book based on a real event, the largest fire in Maine's history.  Set in 1947, Grace is a young wife with a toddler and a baby.  She is struggling in her marriage to a WWII veteran when a fire destroys her home and devastates her hometown.

The story begins in earnest in the aftermath of the fire as Grace works to rebuild her life.  This was an engrossing story that shed light on what it would have been like to be an American woman in the late 1940's.

Redemption by David Baldacci, 432 pages

Redemption is book #5 in Baldacci's Amos Decker series.  Amos, who has a perfect memory due to a brain injury, is a consultant for the FBI.  In this book, he has returned to his hometown to visit family graves.  While in the cemetery he is confronted by the first murder suspect of his career.  The man asks Decker to look at the case again.  Decker begins digging into the old case and more people start to die.

This was a typical David Baldacci suspense thriller.  And there is not one thing wrong with that.

Shell Game by Sara Paretsky, 304 pages

Shell Game is #19 in Sara Paretsky's  V.I. Warshawski series.  Victoria, VI Warshwaski, is a no nonsense private investigator based in Chicago.

In this story she is back in Chicago and trying to find a missing niece, Reno, she didn't even know was in Chicago, along with trying to keep Felix, the great nephew of a dear friend out of jail.

Sara Paretsky comes through once again with a smart, fast paced, and gritty mystery.  I enjoyed every minute of it.

Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner, 449 pages

Live to Tell was the 4th book in the Detective D.D. Warren series and thankfully, I liked it better than the last one. This book had a really creepy feel to it, which I love. I've really started to like main character D.D. and like the little hints of humor in the writing which breaks up the heavy topics that Gardner seems to include in this series.

This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps, 321 pages

I know Busy Philipps from her talk show that was previously airing on E!, although it's since been cancelled. I really fell in love with her honest, witty and too the point attitude. Busy was recently very outspoken in regards to some things that I felt strongly about, which made me admire her more. I picked up her book and honestly, it's the best book I've read so far this year. This Will Only Hurt a Little was heartbreaking, hilarious and honest. I feel that Busy is a celebrity that you can relate with even just on paper. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good memoir.

The Neigbor by Lisa Gardner, 434 pages

The Neighbor is the 3rd book in Lisa Gardner's Detective D.D. Warren series. So far, this has been my least favorite of the series. I found it to be a little too unrealistic and something about the plot just didn't do it for me. I'm hoping the rest of the series holds up like the first two did.