Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd

Happy September 17!  It is a big day for me.  I was born on this day in 1969.  A fun fact is that I have two male cousins born this same year.  One two months before me and one two months after me.  New books that are out today are A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier and Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd.  Strangers She Knows is the final novel in the Cape Charade series which includes Dead Girl Running and What Doesn't Kill Her.  The novellas in the series are Hard to Kill, Families and Other Enemies, and Hidden Truths.  

Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd returns us to the Yearning Sands Resort in Washington.  Kellen Adams Di Luca married the man of her dreams, Max Di Luca and then collapsed after her wedding.  That pesky little bullet in her brain needed to be removed.  She has finally returned home to find her ten year old daughter, Rae turning into an adolescent with temperamental outbursts (Verona feels Max deserves every single bit of it after what he put her through).  Before life can return to normal, they learn that Mara Philippi was in Cape Charade and left a witness alive to give Kellen a deadly message.  Max decides to have the three of them decamp to Isla Paraiso.  It is an island that can only be accessed by boat or helicopter with no electricity, no wi-fi and, much to Rae’s dismay, no cell phone tower.  While exploring the attic one rainy day, Kellen and Rae uncover the diary of Ruby Morgade.  Ruby’s father built the elaborate home they are living in on Isla Paraiso.  Reading the diary proves to be a bonding experience for the Di Luca’s family.  Unfortunately, there family time comes at an end when the psychotic Mara finds their isle paradise.  Mara has a game she wants to play with Kellen and there can only be one winner.

Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd is the third book in Cape Charade series.  Each book in this fast paced series can be read on its own since the author provides a recap (just enough to catch you up, but not too much as to spoil the other books in the series for new readers).  Kellen Adams Di Luca has gone through so much in the last few years.  She is denied her wedding night and honeymoon when the bullet in her brain shifts requiring immediate surgery.  Kellen does survive the surgery, but she has a long recovery.  She returns home still weak and with one hand that is refusing to cooperate.  The therapist recommends piano lessons which is torture for Kellen and everyone else in the family including Luna, Rae’s dog (everyone’s a critic).  When Mara resurfaces and is determined to get revenge, Kellen is not strong enough to go after her on her own.  The family moves to the remote Isla Paraiso with a cook, Olympia Paolerio and the two islands caretakers, Jamie and Dylan Conkle.  The family explores the island thanks to the three bikes Max had shipped in for them and they get reacquainted.  The pacing in the first half is more laid back (feel the island vibe) with the second half ramped up like a person after drinking three espressos in a row.  Kellen is trying to survive a maniacal killer.  You can feel the suspense, tension and pain. Rae is still her fearless and intelligent self but now puberty is hitting (her poor parents).  She manages to get into scrapes even on an island.  I like how Rae is still a young girl at times who needs her parents.  Max and Kellen are just beginning their marriage and they have no privacy. They are learning each other’s quirks and foibles.   It was interesting to learn more about Mara.  She is a complex woman and her upbringing explains a lot.  I really enjoyed the addition of Ruby’s diary.  I thought it enhanced the story as added depth and interest plus gives us a second mystery.  I enjoyed the various references to Harry Potter and Hogwarts.  Strangers She Knows is one of those books that you will not be able to put down. I am sorry to see the Cape Charade series come to an end.  Strangers She Knows is a riveting suspense with a mad murderer, a temperamental tween, a remote refuge, panicked parents and an explosive ending.

Strangers She Knows is out today and available through Amazon (Amazon UK) and other major retailers.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am off to relax and enjoy the day.  Tomorrow I am sharing my review of Listening to Love by Beth Wiseman.  May you have a joyous day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader  

That's my nightmare!

What Doesn't Kill Her by Christina Dodd

Welcome!  Delighting in Your Company by Blair McDowell comes out on February 4.  On February 5 there are a plethora of new books which include Mending Fences by Suzanne Woods Fisher, The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin, The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Corned Beef and Casualties by Lynn Cahoon, A Faithful Gathering by Leslie Gould and A Rebel at Pennington's by Rachel Brimble (I will feature on February 6).  These are just a few of the new books coming out.

What Doesn’t Kill Her by Christina Dodd takes us to Willamette Valley in Oregon where the Di Luca Winery is located.  Kellen Adams (aka Cecilia Adams) is adjusting to living at the Di Luca Winery with Max Di Luca, their seven year old daughter, Rae and Max’s mother, Verona.  Kellen lost a year of her life while in a coma from a gunshot wound and she then disappeared upon awakening.  She is now the mother the precocious Rae and no clue how to relate to her.  Kellen misses working and Max finds her a job that will give her time away to think about the future.  Nils Brooks hires Kellen along with Richart Movers to transport a mummy head into the Olympic mountains to a reclusive man for authentication.  Kellen can tell something is off as soon as they pick up the artifact.  Her suspicions are soon confirmed, and Kellen finds herself in the mountains without a vehicle or a phone.  However, Kellen does find a stowaway.  Rae decided to join Kellen on the trip so they can bond.  Thankfully, she did leave a note behind (of sorts) for Max and Verona.  Kellen must get the artifact along with Rae and herself up the mountain to the Restorer (as the man is called) without being killed by the armed men following her.  Come along for Kellen’s adventure in What Doesn’t Kill Her.

 

What Doesn’t Kill Her is a well-written and engaging romantic suspense novel.  It is fast-paced with plenty of action.  While What Doesn’t Kill Her can be read alone, but I highly recommend reading Dead Girl Running first (first book in Cape Charade series).  The summary just does not do Kellen’s situation justice.  Rae is the highlight of What Doesn’t Kill Her.  She is an active, intelligent and sassy little girl.  Her witty dialogue will have you chuckling along with her obsession for pink, purple, heroes and her princess dolls (the poor dolls).  Rae has just found her mommy and she has no intention of a lack of bonding get in the way. These parents are going to have their hands full with the spunky and mischievous Rae.  Kellen should have known not to take a job from Nils Brooks.  He deserves everything Rae, Max and Kellen dish out.  I started reading What Doesn’t Kill Her and just kept going until I reached the end.  The book is character driven with plenty of action. Christina Dodd created developed characters that suit the story.  I can understand why Kellen hid under the bushes to avoid Rae at times as well as the large Di Luca clan.  There is a funny scene where an event is planned under the same bushes. Avid mystery readers will be able to pinpoint the evildoer, but I loved the chase.  I like that when bad things happen it is not described in gory detail.  There is foul language sprinkled throughout the book (just letting you know).  I do want to warn readers that we are left with a cliffhanger at the end of What Doesn’t Kill Her (and we must wait until October).  I am giving What Doesn’t Kill Her 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it).  I enjoyed the suspense, action, intrigue, humor, mystery and romance in this thrilling adventure.  Not many writers can create a book that makes a reader feel a range of emotions.  I cannot wait to read Stranger She Knows when it releases on October 8.  Buckle in for another exciting adventure with Kellen and her sidekick, Rae in What Doesn’t Kill Her. 

Thank you for visiting today.  I am showcasing Murder, She Meowed by Liz Mugavero tomorrow as part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour.  I hope you will stop by (there might be a giveaway).  May you have a rapturous day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Dead Girl Running: Cape Charade Novel

Welcome!  Crime and Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett comes out on May 29.  It is the first book Deadly Edits series.  Dying Truth by Angela Marsons will be available on May 18.  It is the eighth book in DI Kim Stone series.

Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd is the first novel in Cape Charade series.  Kellen Adams does not remember a year of her life, and she has a gunshot wound on her forehead with no clue how she received it.  Kellen is a United States Army veteran who is the assistant resort manager at Yearning Sands on the coast of Washington.  Leo and Annie Di Luca, the owners of the resort, are going away for a holiday and leaving Kellen in charge.  Kellen notices some bones in the yard as she arrives with guests and goes to inspect them believing they are that of a wild animal.  She is shocked to discover that they are human bones.  The victim is identified from her ring as Priscilla Carter, the previous assistant manager who left unexpectedly. Lloyd Magnuson is responsible for transporting the victim to the morgue, but he disappears along with the bones.  Kellen uses her skills to investigate the crime.  She does not know who she can trust and anyone on the estate could be guilty. 

Dead Girl Running is well-written and has a steady pace.  The book captured my attention from the very first page, and I was captivated until the very end.  The story is complex with many twists and turns (which I love).  There are three major storylines in the book and, in the end, they all come together.  There is the murder of Priscilla, smuggling, and Kellen’s missing year.  The setting sounded beautiful yet haunting.  It is the perfect locale for nefarious activities.  The resort sounds like a lovely place to spend a relaxing few days (when they are not finding dead bodies).  The mystery was well-crafted, and many readers will be surprised when the solution is revealed.  I could feel the suspense as it built up and the tension as it increased.  There is some romance sprinkled throughout the story and it blended nicely into the book. I discovered after reading Dead Girl Running that it ties into the Virtue Falls and Bella Terra series.  I had no problem, though, with reading Dead Girl Running as a standalone.  Dead Girl Running is a gripping tale that will have you on the edge of your seat (and hoping you will not fall off).  Be prepared to stay up late to finish Dead Girl Running.  My rating for Dead Girl Running is 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it).   I am eager for the next book in the Cape Charade series (What Doesn't Kill Me) to find out what happens next.  

Dead Girl Running will be out on Tuesday, April 24.  For a printable list of Christina Dodd's book, click here.  You can also sign up to receive her newsletter.  I appreciate you stopping by and reading my review.  Tomorrow I share my thoughts on Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams.  May you have a day filled with joy.  See you next time and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader