Book Review: Monday's Lie by Jamie Mason

This is a gripping thriller written with wonderful rich, surprising prose.
Monday's Lie
by Jamie Mason

• File Size: 1197 KB
• Print Length: 305 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1476774455
• Publisher: Gallery Books (February 3, 2015)
• Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
• ASIN: B00LD1OOW0

Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
From the acclaimed author of the “ripping good” (The New York Times) debut novel Three Graves Full comes a new thriller about a woman who digs into her unconventional past to confirm what she suspects: her husband isn't what she thought he was.
Dee Aldrich rebelled against her off-center upbringing when she married the most conventional man she could imagine: Patrick, her college sweetheart. But now, years later, her marriage is falling apart and she’s starting to believe that her husband has his eye on a new life...a life without her, one way or another.
Haunted by memories of her late mother Annette, a former covert operations asset, Dee reaches back into her childhood to resurrect her mother’s lessons and the “spy games” they played together, in which Dee learned memory tricks and, most importantly, how and when to lie. But just as she begins determining the course of the future, she makes a discovery that will change her life: her mother left her a lot of money and her own husband seems to know more about it than Dee does. Now, before it’s too late, she must investigate her suspicions and untangle conspiracy from coincidence, using her mother’s advice to steer her through the blind spots. The trick, in the end, will be in deciding if a “normal life” is really what she wants at all.
With pulse-pounding prose and atmospheric settings, Monday’s Lie is a thriller that delivers more of the “Hitchcockian menace” (Peter Straub) that made Three Graves Full a critical hit. For fans of the Coen brothers or Gillian Flynn, this is a book you won’t want to miss.

Review:
Dee had an interesting childhood being raised by a mother, Annette, who had a mysterious career. Annette taught Dee and her brother, Simon, life lessons through “spy games" including observation, memory tricks, defensive training and puzzle solving. Dee’s character and future were impacted by an event when she was 13 and strangers appeared in the middle of night. Annette sent Dee and Simon outside with specific instructions to either return or run, depending on the signals. Dee and Simon watched their mother leave that night as their aunt and mother’s friend, “Uncle” Paul, stepped in to care for the kids for months.

Dee was intent on leading a “normal” life and she married Paul right after college. They began their normal life with a small apartment and two regular careers. Dee and Paul were in their own home when Annette moved in during the last months of her battle with cancer. Paul seemed to love Annette and the stories and mystery that were her forte.

After a few more years Paul and Dee are growing apart when Dee learns she has inherited a significant fortune from her mother. Dee isn’t sure what the problem is with her marriage but she is certain there is one. Betrayal and secrets lead to suspicions. The problems and evidence compel Dee to search out the full extent of the secrets before it is too late. She realizes that she must use the skills her mother taught her, with her own strong instincts, also realizing that maybe “normal” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

The first thing I noticed in this story is the wonderfully rich prose of the writing which is not the normal for a mystery novel. I liked the technique of moving in time to fill in back-story and arrive at present events. Dee and Simon are both unusual characters with distinct features, and the author provides rather strange thought processes for Dee. ("I stalk myself through the flashing memory of my life.") As the story developed, the suspense and mystery were gripping. Initially the tension built slowly, but as the end drew nearer I did not want to put the book down. I noted that the story was simpler, but also more clever, than at first it seemed. There is just a hint at a new interest for Dee which might be developed if this is the beginning of a series.

I highly recommend this to readers who like a good suspense thriller. I would like to read more by Ms. Mason.

I picked this up on Netgalley. It qualifies for NetGalley Challenge and M on Alphabet Soup.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 27, 2015

Happy Friday. I hope everyone has had a nice week. We are enjoying RV vacationing in Orlando with our kids and grandkids. DH and I have stayed in the RV while the younger crowd chase around the Disney Parks.

TO ENTER:

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up to late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks.

Thank you to all who entered the March 20 Pick. There were two automatic wins this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There were no titles blocked.
Sue F gets S is for Silence
Anita gets The Undertaker's Widow

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 20 Pick:
(two lucky first week picks)
rubynreba gets Death at Play

Natasha gets Ain't Myth Behaving

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I wanted an image for RV and books this week.

I don't usually feature actual books but since most of us are familiar with

*** for Dummies books this doesn't seem like a real promo. :-)

Image found at Google Images from Amazon.

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Dick Francis: A Jockey's Life and Proof (spine creases)
Catherine Lanigan: Tender Malice and Elusive Love (spine creases)
Parent Trap Anthology, Dallas Schulze, Lisa Jackson, Kasey Michaels
Madison Avenue Marriage (Silhouette Desire #129) by Cassandra Bishop
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Ain't Myth-Behaving by Kate MacAlister
Death at Play by Nancy Gotter Gates
Where is He Now? by Jennifer Greene
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
Aphrodite's Secret by Julie Kenner
Virtually His by Gennita Low
Dead Even by Brad Metzger
Mommy Midwife by Cassie Miles
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks


New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Pirate and the Pagan (spine creases) and The Falcon and the Flower
James Patterson: London Bridges and Roses are Red (both spine creases)
SINGLES:
Pale Kings and Princes by Robert Parker Audio Cassette Tapes
Hour Game by David Baldacci (spine creases)
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Girl With the Golden Spurs by Ann Major
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Kasey Michaels
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
Daisy's Back in Town by Rachel Gibson
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
The Last Two Bachelors by Debbie Macomber
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun
Duets Romantic Comedy: Lady and the Scamp by Candy Halliday & The Doctor Dilemma by Dianne Drake

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

PAIRS:
Lisa Gardner: Alone and Gone
Janet Evanovich: Eleven on Top and Twelve Sharp
Stuart Wood: L.A. Dead and Fresh Disasters
SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes
New Blood by Gail Dayton
Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings
To Collar a Killer by Lee Charles Kelley
Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty
‘Til There Was You by Elizabeth Ann Michaels
The Ladies’ Lunch by Patricia O’Brien
Wild Winds by Janelle Taylor
Shrink Rap by Robert B. Parker - Tape Cassettes
Rescue Me Anthology by Cherry Adair, Lora Leigh and Cindy Gerard


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Catherine Anderson PAIR: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Mariah Stewart PAIR: Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Fulfillment by Barbara Delinsky
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Diana Palmer PAIR: Diamond Spur, Long Tall Texan
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Mary Higgins Clark PAIR: Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You (SC)
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr
The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
The Elusive Flame by Kathleen Woodwiss
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mystery)
Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 790+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

MBS 2015 Audiobook Challenge -- Update #1

MBS 2015 AUDIOBOOK CHALLENGE
First Update Giveaway hosted by Jennifer @ The Book Nympho

My Goal (to beat 63 listens in 2014): Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I need a little more than 5 a month to make 64 this year. 15 of 64 = 23.4%. I'm just barely on track so I guess I better pep it up the listening!

JANUARY

1. Audible Book Review: 25 Perfect Days by Mark Tullius; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 3.75. (This one might be better in text.)
2. Audible Book Review: FREE: The Jester (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) Written by Michael J. Sullivan; Fantasy;  my rating 4.5.
3. Audio Book Review: The Eighth Day by Michael O'Neal; Thriller, Action Adventure, YA; my rating 4.0. 
4. AudioBook Review: Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series by Deborah Heal; Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
5. Book Review: Immortality by Kevin Bohacz; Sci Fi, Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
6. Audio Book Review: Enchanted by Alethea Kontis; Fantasy, Highlander; my rating 4.25. 
FEBRUARY
7. Audio Book Review: Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12 by J. D. Robb Crime Thriller; my rating 4.75.
8. Audio Book Review: Heart of Stone: Irish Angel Series by Jill Marie Landis; Historical Romance, Christian; my rating 4.0.
9. AudioBook Review: Cleansed by Fire: A Father Frank Mystery by James R. Callan; Mystery, Christian; my rating 4.0.
10. Audible Book Review: Contingency: Sage Hannigan Time Warper, Book 1 by Peggy Martinez; Fantasy; my rating 3.75. 
11. Audible Book Review: Dead Reckoning: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #11 by Charlaine Harris; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
12. Audible Book Review: Review: The Beast Master by Andre Norton; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
MARCH
13. Audio Book Review: The Keeper's Calling: The Keeper's Saga, Book 1 by Kelly Nelson; Time Travel, YA Romance; my rating 4.0.
14. Audible Book Review: Finding Mr. Right by Emily Carmichael ; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
15. Quitter by Jon Acuff - Review to be posted 

Book Review and Giveaway: Interlude In Death: In Death, Book 12.5 by J. D. Robb

This is a quick novella that shows true Eve Dallas intensity.

Interlude In Death: In Death, Book 12.5
by J. D. Robb

• Publisher: Berkley (2006)
• ASIN: B000J1BO82

Genre: Futuristic, Crime Thriller
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 29, 2006
Publisher's Summary
In early spring of 2059, Lieutenant Eve Dallas is called off planet to face a grueling ordeal - giving a seminar at the largest police conference of the year, to be held in a swanky resort. A resort which just happens to be owned by her husband, Roarke, of course.
Even though Eve can't quite see it that way, it's supposed to be at least partly a vacation. But work intrudes in the form of a bloody homicide, and Eve is off and running. The case is complicated by Eve's personal history with the victim - and by the killer's history with Roarke. As danger closes in and the body count rises, Eve must find a way to stop the cycle of violence and revenge, and shove the past back where it belongs.

Review:
I have to admit that I am pleasantly surprised that each book in this series brings its own complete mystery event as well as the growing relationships among the characters.
Roarke has accompanied Eve, and many of her NY team, to one of his off planet resorts for a police conference. It’s a toss up which Eve likes least: space travel or leading a seminar. Roarke is hoping they can enjoy some of the luxuries of the resort as a bit of a vacation after her seminar.

Eve’s strong personality–sometimes popular, sometimes no–is shadowed by the attendance of a legendary 50 year icon in the police world, retired Commander Douglas Skinner. Even Peabody is awestruck. Eve is summoned by Skinner only to learn that he is a chauvinist and has it in for Roarke. He thinks he can bribe her to assist in taking Roarke down. As if! When Eve moves to step away she is blocked by one of Skinner’s security guards.

Next thing you now, fortunately– or not– for Eve, the guard shows up dead with Roarke as a prime suspect. At least the murder takes Eve’s attention away from her other issues, even though she is not in jurisdiction and has to share command with local authority. Peabody, Feeney and Dr. Mira get to assist in helping to profile and track the killer.

Once again there is wonderful interaction in the team, including Roarke. The mystery is well thought out even, or especially, for a quick novella. The action is fast paced and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Reading this alone would give the reader a good sense of the formula of this engaging series. However, I do recommend reading the books in order to get the full character development and interaction. Now I am ready for the next one on audio!

I checked the list and this came before the next one I was preparing to listen to on audio. It just so happens this was in my TBR box. :-)

ONE PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY

Since it is small I am including US and Canada.

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries  (a) comment on the review, OR

(b) tell me a favorite character in the series and why

OR

(c) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to US/CANADA only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 7 PM (Central) March 31, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after March 31, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Audible Book Review: Legendarium by Kevin G. Summers, Michael Bunker

This ended up being a crazy fun listen!
Legendarium
Written by: Kevin G. Summers, Michael Bunker
Narrated by: Robert Rossmann

Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-20-14
Publisher: Kevin G. Summers
Genre: Humor, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In every generatioen, certain writers are chosen to be protectors of The Legendarium, a metaphysical library that exists at the nexus of the multiverse. Inside this library are doorways that lead to every world ever created in literature. There are forces of evil constantly at work to destroy the library and send the world back into an age of darkness. Now, in a time of growing illiteracy, two heroes are chosen to defend The Legendarium. Bombo Dawson, newly published author and the hero of Michael Bunker's novella Hugh Howey Must Die!, and Alistair Foley, aspiring author and Bombo's harshest critic, become unlikely partners in a mission to protect The Legendarium. Their adventures will take them across the worlds of literature, but will hostile enemies learn to work together before the accumulated knowledge of all of humanity is lost forever?
©2014 Michael Bunker and Kevin G. Summers (P)2014 Michael Bunker and Kevin G. Summers

Review:
When I started this I was a bit startled by the opening strangeness with post-zombie-apocalypse comments. Bombo Dawson is a heavy set, doughnut loving author who has released his first novel to reasonably good reviews. Unfortunately the book received a one star, scathing review from Alistair Foley, a professor and maybe aspiring author. These two odd characters are chosen as ‘heroes’ to protect the secret Legendarium where all books are protected as any work may have influenced someone along the way. Though hostile toward one another, Bombo and Alistair have to work through their animosity if they want to save the multiverse of publishing works that have impacted people and thereby history throughout time. If they don’t work together then the world they have known will never exist.

Once you get beyond the strange beginning the irony and timeliness of the story became very amusing. I enjoyed the forays into several classic stories like Through the Looking Glass and Moby Dick and a few others that I was not familiar with. There are snide comments about current electronic publishing and classics that might never have been published in today’s industry.

This turned out to be a fun listen, especially while attending an EPIC (electronic publishing industry coalition) conference. Anyone who loves literature and has interest in the reviewing world should enjoy the irony.

Audio Notes: Robert Rossmann does a really good job of adding to the fun of this story. He gives good portrayals for the unlikely heroes and for author legends like Tolstoy, Hemingway, Twain and more. The narration enhanced the story for me.

This was a free audible I downloaded in Dec 2014. It qualifies for Audio Challenge and TBR Double Dare, plus L on Alphabet Soup.