ARC Review: I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie

*I received an advance readers copy of this book from the publisher for review.  Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing for this review copy!  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.  I am an Amazon affiliate and I may receive a small compensation if you make a purchase through one of my links.

I'll Never Tell

by Catherine McKenzie

Publication Date:  June 1, 2019

by Lake Union Publishing

Genre:  Mystery, Thriller

Pages: 368

Source:  ARC from publisher

What happened to Amanda Holmes?
Twenty years ago, she was found bludgeoned in a rowboat at the MacAllister family’s Camp Macaw. No one was ever charged with the crime.
Now, after their parents’ sudden deaths, the MacAllister siblings return to camp to read the will and decide what to do with the prime real estate the camp occupies. Ryan needs to sell. Margaux hasn’t made up her mind. Mary believes in leaving well enough alone. Kate and Liddie—the twins—have opposing views. And Sean Booth, the groundskeeper, just hopes he still has a home when all is said and done.
But it’s more complicated than a simple vote. The will stipulates that until they unravel the mystery of what happened to Amanda, they can’t settle the estate. Any one of them could have done it, and each one is holding a piece of the puzzle. Will they work together to finally discover the truth, or will their secrets finally tear the family apart?

An intriguing mystery, a summer camp setting, and plenty of dysfunctional family dynamics make I'll Never Tell an enjoyable and entertaining read.

I knew I wanted to read I'll Never Tell when I read the synopsis and it mentioned the story was set in a summer camp. Summer camp settings just seem to add a creepy environment to a story.  While this story isn't really too creepy, it's definitely a great mystery/thriller.     

This story is told from several perspectives, those of: the MacAllister siblings, Sean (the groundskeeper), and certain chapters are told from Amanda's perspective twenty years prior.  Multiple perspectives usually tend to confuse and overwhelm me, but I had no problem following along with the many narratives in this book.  I loved reading from all of these point of views, especially Amanda's perspective.  I also loved the short chapters in this book which I think made this a much faster read for me.

I really liked Catherine McKenzie's writing style, and I thought all the characters were pretty well fleshed out, with some being more relatable and likeable than others. My favorite character was Margeaux, who seemed to be the most reasonable and grounded of the MacAllister siblings.    

I'll Never Tell was a really good mystery with interesting characters and and an intriguing plot.  The mystery in this book kept me guessing, but I was just hoping for a little more from the ending.  It felt a little rushed to me.  

Overall, I'll Never Tell was a good mystery/thriller that I would recommend, and I look forward to reading more from Catherine McKenzie.  

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ARC Review: The Dark Game by Jonathan Janz

*I received this arc from the publisher via NetGalley for review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Many thanks to the publisher for granting me access to this ARC!

The Dark Game

by Jonathan Janz

Publication Date:  April 11, 2019

by Flame Tree Press

Genre:  Horror, Mystery

Pages: 304

Source:  ARC from publisher via NetGalley

Ten writers are selected for a summer-long writing retreat with the most celebrated and reclusive author in the world. Their host is the legendary Roderick Wells. Handsome, enigmatic, and fiendishly talented, Wells promises to teach his pupils about writing, about magic, about the untapped potential that each of them possesses. Most of all, he plans to teach them about the darkness in their hearts. The writers think they are signing up for a chance at riches and literary prestige. But they are really entering the twisted imagination of a deranged genius, a lethal contest pitting them against one another in a struggle for their sanity and their lives. They have entered into Roderick Wells's most brilliant and horrible creation.

Ten writers go to a writing retreat and stay at a creepy mansion with a strange reclusive author in the middle of nowhere.  What could possibly go wrong?

One of my favorite genres is horror.  I love to be scared and The Dark Game definitely had it's scary moments.  There's also plenty of gore and gruesomeness that is sure to please any horror fan. This is the first book that I've read by Janz.  I've heard great things about his horror novels, so I was very eager to read his latest.  I enjoyed his writing style and this book was a pretty fast-paced read.  I loved the creepy old house setting and the overall eerie feel of the story.  

The main problem I had with the story was the numerous main characters.  I had a difficult time trying to keep all the writers straight, and it got a little confusing, especially in the beginning.  The chapters were short (which I tend to like), but each chapter switched to a different perspective, and there were so many narrators that it became overwhelming.  I also had a hard time connecting to any of the characters, and by the end I really didn't care who survived.  I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth.  I found the characters to be rather annoying.  

I do look forward to reading Janz's other horror novels, even though I wasn't blown away by this one.  If you love horror stories featuring plenty of characters and plenty of gruesome moments, I definitely recommend checking this book out. 

⭐⭐⭐1/2

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ARC Love of the Week! How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow

I was so excited to receive an advance reading copy of How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow.  Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy for review! This sounds like a tearjerker.  I'm definitely going to keep tissues nearby while I'm reading this one.  Kathleen Glasgow also wrote Girl In Pieces (which I haven't read yet).  I look forward to reading that one, too!

How To Make Friends With The Dark

by Kathleen Glasgow

Publication Date: April 9, 2019

by Delacorte Press

(Many thanks to Delacorte Press for letting me read and review this book!)

Here is what happens when your mother dies.
It’s the brightest day of summer and it’s dark outside. It’s dark in your house, dark in your room, and dark in your heart. You feel like the darkness is going to split you apart.
That’s how it feels for Tiger. It’s always been Tiger and her mother against the world. Then, on a day like any other, Tiger’s mother dies. And now it’s Tiger, alone.
Here is how you learn to make friends with the dark.

What upcoming releases are you most excited for? 

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ARC Love of the Week! The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman

Hi Everyone!

I've decided that every Saturday I'm going to feature a favorite ARC (advance reading copy) that I have requested to review.  I'll post about the book and you can decide if you want to add it to your TBR!

The first ARC that I'm loving so far is The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman.  I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley for review.  I am really enjoying this one.  

The Devouring Gray

by Christine Lynn Herman

Publication Date: April 2, 2019

by Disney Hyperion

(Many thanks to Disney Hyperion for letting me read and review this book!)

Branches and stones, daggers and bones,
They locked the Beast away.
After the death of her sister, seventeen-year-old Violet Saunders finds herself dragged to Four Paths, New York. Violet may be a newcomer, but she soon learns her mother isn't: They belong to one of the revered founding families of the town, where stone bells hang above every doorway and danger lurks in the depths of the woods.
Justin Hawthorne's bloodline has protected Four Paths for generations from the Gray—a lifeless dimension that imprisons a brutal monster. After Justin fails to inherit his family's powers, his mother is determined to keep this humiliation a secret. But Justin can't let go of the future he was promised and the town he swore to protect.
Ever since Harper Carlisle lost her hand to an accident that left her stranded in the Gray for days, she has vowed revenge on the person who abandoned her: Justin Hawthorne. There are ripples of dissent in Four Paths, and Harper seizes an opportunity to take down the Hawthornes and change her destiny-to what extent, even she doesn't yet know.
The Gray is growing stronger every day, and its victims are piling up. When Violet accidentally unleashes the monster, all three must band together with the other Founders to unearth the dark truths behind their families' abilities—before the Gray devours them all.

 What upcoming book releases are you excited for?

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Book Review: Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson