Welcome to Litsy!

The weather is super crappy so my track meet got canceled and we decided not to have practice either so I have an unexpected evening off… bring on the pjs and book!

#motivationalmonday @Cupcake12

1. Track meets and a book club
2. I am in my classroom which has no window ☹️
3. Wisconsin and it is warm and sunny
4. Done

I am looking forward to these…#bkclubread #springskies @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Gah! There‘s a reason I don‘t read thrillers. Too many twists, not enough characterization, I rolled my eyes so many times. And, of course, it leaned heavily on my pet peeve of the character knowing something without revealing it to the reader. I only read this because I like Crime Junkie—I‘ll know better in the future!

I waited to take this picture until I had a different cat in my lap. Magrat was not a fan of being used as a Kindle prop 😹

📖 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🔍

I enjoyed the 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 of 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 by 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬, a fast-paced, clever, twisty mystery told from the perspectives of a reporter convinced cases of murdered children are connected & the mother of one. The action shifts between 2019 & 1994 with shocking clues & several suspects. The conclusion is controversial.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Enjoyed this on audio. It was a decent little thriller. A debut novel from the host of the Crime Junkie podcast. The ending was pretty frustrating though and left some things hanging that I thought ought to have been tied up.

📖 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 📖

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 of 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 is underway over on Instagram. The debut novel by 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 focuses on a journalist who uncovers her hometown‘s dark secrets she becomes obsessed with 2 crimes. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 to grab a copy of the book & read this twisty thriller with us!

This is an easy read, and not without its moments, but the ending feels really rushed. The sort of weird nods to JonBenet also end up feeling largely pointless, and takes away from what could be a really interesting commentary on life in the rural Midwest.

Work bookclub selection.

First half was okay and was building toward what seemed to be an intriguing mystery, but then the multiple plot twists became a little much. I lost reader faith and finished just to see how it came out.

I am concluding intelligent thrillers are difficult to write, ala Fremlin. @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen 😉

I liked the first half of this, but the rest was terrible. Unrealistic motives and reactions, cardboard characters, bad writing, and inaccurate details about small town/rural setting.

So I live in a town mentioned in this book. I waited a good while until a lot of the hype wore off to dive in and it was a decent mystery that kept me guessing. Felt a lot like the Good Girl's Guide to Murder trilogy with an older protagonist that was a journalist instead of a podcaster. Slipping back and forth in a cold case and modern case and amongst various suspects, interviews etc. But I think my proximity to the setting had me nitpicking 🤷

I enjoyed this mystery, more than I imagined because I went looking for spoilers and found a slew of bad reviews. The ending, oh that ending…Just when you think you have the answers, you find out MORE. Book #37 in 2023

I am a huge Crime Junkie fan and really excited to start this.

#BookMail always makes me feel better ❤️‍🩹 I finally caved and bought a used copy of ACOTAR… I probably won‘t start it anytime soon because I‘m reading 2 for bookclubs on fable! I love the way it‘s set up! If you are on there give me a follow!

I bought these from Nicole‘s Bookshop! She is awesome and ships really fast!

#LitsyLove
#LitsyLoveReads

https://m.facebook.com/groups/531098465363076/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF

If you are looking for a great place to buy books check out Nicole‘s Bookshop on Facebook! I have been buying from her for a while and I‘ve never been disappointed! The prices are great and the books are always like new! She ships fast and is honest AND you would be supporting a woman/small business owner!! Win win!

#LitsyLove

https://m.facebook.com/groups/531098465363076/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF

I got this one off in the mail today. It was good!

#LMPBC @sweetpealsd @gencmichael @ConfessionofaBookaholic

I really enjoyed the complexities of this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thought this was great!! I‘m surprised it has so many “meh” reviews. There was only one loose end that I didn‘t love, and I thought the end of the book made perfect sense. Great book!
⭐️: 4/5

As a true crime junkie and fan, I was excited about the book. It's about a series of murders of little girls and whether they are related or not. And obviously, who did it? I was generally hooked but it was a lil bland here and there. Also, I felt that some details were missing. I liked Margot as a character. Definitely disappointed with the ending.
3.5/5🌟

Book 6🎧 3⭐️

Filled with twists and accusations, just didn‘t have me on the edge of my seat.

The final scene is a doozy. Poor little January☹️

Anyone else reading this in Ashley‘s voice?? #crimejunkies

#1
Even though I have figured out who donnit, I must say this was a very good book to listen to, while sick

The ending has ruined the book for me; I need more closure!!! The journey was an interesting one and kept me engaged. I agree with some of the reviews that it ran long in parts. All I could think of while reading this was the Ramsay case (like @swishandflick has mentioned), it makes sense the author has woven in aspects of that case given they are a true crime podcaster.

3¼⭐
I didn‘t realize this was by another (having listened to the Butcher and the Wren recently) True-Crime Podcaster until I was about halfway through. I might‘ve passed on this book altogether if I had. Although this one was marginally better…instead of a total cliffhanger ending, it had an ending that just needed more closure. While I found the story overall to be kinda meh, I still feel she has potential as a writer.

Pretty good mystery written by the Crime Junkie podcaster. I feel like it could have used more editing, seemed to run long in places but was an interesting debut and I will give her next one a try. Good on #audio , kept my whole family engaged while holiday traveling by car (my kids are adults) #BookspinBingo #WinterReadathon @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

I've been a big fan of the true crime podcasts that Ashley Flowers produces for a long time so I was stoked to read her fiction debut and was not disappointed! Holy moly, I inhaled it (like, "drop your Kindle on your face bc you're exhausted but don't want to go to sleep" inhaled it). And that shock twist at the end?! Definitely felt like it was inspired by the JonBenét Ramsey case and I was here for it??

December 20, 2022 First of all, i did not see that ending coming!!! I am not going to spoil the story because I believe everyone should read it. I was thinking Jace, Elliot Wallace, or Luke killed January Jacobs but the real killer was __________. Sorry, you have to read it yourself. Bye 🤣

December 20, 2022 GUESS WHAT LISTERS!! Progress has been made but im still not sure who killed January Jacobs. I am on page 260 out of 309 and I have learned more about Luke (Margot's uncle) and Jodie (Krissy's true lover that she kept a secret from Billy and Dave). So many secrets within this town

December 20, 2022 Tbh this book is beginning to creep me out! I am close to the end (page 225 out of 309) and I am starting to feel myself scrunching and frowning while staring at the pages in the book. Sigh Ugh Why is this book making me feel this way IDK but I do know that I need to finish it to find out WHO killed January Jacobs: Jace, Elliot Wallace (January's imaginary friend) or Luke (Margot's Uncle)???

December 20, 2022 Halfway through the book. I am now on the part where Krissy (the mother) is swamped by a bunch of news reporters and is trying to save her son Jace from all the commotion. There is so much suspense WOW

1. Yes! Currently on the road, headed to Colorado to spend time with family, including @Ireadkidlit . #audio listening to the tagged book on the way 😄
2. Hope so! Will definitely be cold!
#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

December 19, 2022 The story is picking up pace. However, I am still on the part where Margot is trying to figure out the kind of person Jace is and who in town knows about him. Eli Blum is the only one who sort of knew him but doesn't talk with him anymore

December 18, 2022 Chilling! Chilling I tell you!! The book is suspenseful in a good way. The potential killers could be either Krissy Jacobs (mother of January Jacobs) or Jace Jacobs (the twin brother). Who is it? Still reading to find out...

December 18, 2022 Finally able to set aside time to read more of this book! I like how fast paced the book is and how the author goes back and forth from 1994 to 2019. These type of books are very interesting because the reader gets to envision what happened in the past versus the future. So far Margot is trying to figure out who the killer is that killed January Jacobs and if it was the same one that kidnapped Natalie Clark

December 7, 2022 Started reading this book last week and it is a THRILLER!!! No shocker there. Who knew I would pick another thriller?! I'll update you all when I have read more. Don't worry haha

@sweetpealsd About halfway through the book and LOVING it so far. Great choice :)

4/5 ⭐
I really like this book. It would make a great movie. Books with a murder mystery trying to be resolved by a reporter or podcaster always pulls me right into the story.
The story reminded me a little bit of JonBenét Ramsey.
The ending wasn't what I expected but I hope this possibly means a sequel?

This mystery/thriller was riveting throughout. I was really attached to the reporter. The ending was excellent. I highly recommend it.

Thank you for the tag @PageShifter . Wanna play @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego , @TheKidUpstairs ?

1. Warm cookies- yum
2. Slippers during the day. I sleep in cozy socks.
3. Fireplace
4. Rain (I don't have to shovel it)
5. I wear scarfs with my sweaters
6. Snowshoe
7. Depends on activity and weather
8. Bridget Jones
9. Board games

Thank you for the tag @KateReadsYA . Wanna play @DebbieGrillo , @DinoMom , @TheLudicReader

I do not have any official reading challenges planned for December but I do have 3 chunky Christmas books lined up to read.

Christmas eve - In my youth my parents always had an open door Christmas eve and we'd be surrounded by company. As parent, I love how excited my daughter is and spending the evening with her, my husband and parents. ♡

I forgot to take a picture before I sealed the envelope.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well written but flawed. The plot is interesting and there is a twist at the end. I figured that out pretty early on but it didn‘t take away from the story. The way it ended left me a bit surprised. All in all a good book. @gencmichael the book is on it‘s way to you. #LMPBC #GroupE

11-29-22: My 119th finished book of 2022! Lots of surprises but the ending left me hanging. Margot has moved back to her hometown of Wakarusa, Indiana to help her uncle Luke who was diagnosed with early onset dementia. She is a reporter who has been obsessed with the case of her childhood friend, January, who was murdered when they were 5. When she arrives, another little girl is taken and Margot is positive it‘s the same person who killed January

I absolutely love listening to the podcast by Ashley Flowers called The Deck and this episode happens to be set in my home state of SC...so of course I can't wait to read the book she wrote!!!😍

This book pulled me in immediately. I was interested and I loved it a lot. I love cold case/crime books. But that ending.. I cannot stand open endings like that, leaves me with too many questions. 4 5/5

I had a hard time with this one, especially because of the cliff hanger, it left too many loose ends and that's a pet peeve of mine. Also, the writing was a little novice but I would sample a book from this author again. I think she has a lot of potential.

This is the book that I‘m thinking of. How do you guys feel about it? #LMPBC #GroupE

Even though this was a pretty obvious JonBenét Ramsey case retelling, it was still enjoyable! A little predictable in some parts and I did get annoyed with how often the MC left her uncle (who has dementia) alone, but the storytelling was good and there were even a couple twists I didn't see coming. 3.75/5

I‘m giving this a pick because it was a good story. However, there was something about the writing that felt….unpolished. And I don‘t think it‘s a spoiler to say the ending was open-ended, leaving me to wonder what exactly happened to the main character. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I was left with a big question mark.❓🤷🏼‍♀️

A whodunnit loosely based on Jon Benet Ramsay‘s death and a journalist working to solve a series of murders. Quick read, some twists and a fast paced ending makes this novel entertaining. It‘s not perfect and I have a few complaints, but I devoured it quickly which does say something about its engagement factor.

Enjoyed this one. At about three quarters in, I was very nervous with all the new suspects and Margot's investigating. I also liked the subtle cliffhanger (pre epilogue).