Review: Beastly Bones by William Ritter

Beastly Bones by William Ritter 
Series: Jackaby #2
Published: September 22nd, 2016
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
296 pages (ebook)
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Mystery
Acquired this book: Won
Warning: May contain spoilers
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 In 1892, New Fiddleham, New England, things are never quite what they seem, especially when Abigail Rook and her eccentric employer, R. F. Jackaby, are called upon to investigate the supernatural. First, members of a particularly vicious species of shape-shifters disguise themselves as a litter of kittens. A day later, their owner is found murdered, with a single mysterious puncture wound to her neck. Then, in nearby Gad's Valley, dinosaur bones from a recent dig go missing, and an unidentifiable beast attacks animals and people, leaving their mangled bodies behind. Policeman Charlie Cane, exiled from New Fiddleham to the valley, calls on Abigail for help, and soon Abigail and Jackaby are on the hunt for a thief, a monster, and a murderer.

 

Two years ago when Jackaby came out, it was being promoted as 'Sherlock meets Doctor Who'. Now, for someone who loves both those things, that was setting the bar pretty high. From my experience, comparing a book to another book/TV show/movie is rarely a good idea because it often sets impossibly high expectations for diehard fans. I was relieved and thrilled when I read Jackaby and discovered it was very much Sherlock meets Doctor Who, with its own unique and fun premise and characters. I was excited to carry on with the series and went into Beastly Bones with high hopes. While the book was mostly entertaining and had quite a bit going for it, I was disappointed.

Where Jackaby was fun, quirky, and fast paced, I found Beastly Bones dragged quite a bit. It started out well; the story picked up right where the last one left off, and we’re thrown into a world - Jackaby’s world - where paranormal happenings are commonplace. Abigail was getting used to her boss’s peculiarities and to the fact the world holds much more than most people are aware of. I still enjoyed Abigail’s voice and her observations, and thought she was a great match for Jackaby. There were some new character additions too, and they added a lot to the story.

There was nothing ‘wrong’ with Beastly Bones. The characters, plot, and premise were all great. There was just something about it that was underwhelming. The entire middle of the book dragged. Things happened at a very...slow...rate. There was too much technical talk. I kept thinking of it as ‘dino talk’ or ‘science talk’ - either way, it had my eyes glazing over more than once. There was also something lacking when it came to Jackaby himself. As I said before, as a huge fan of both Sherlock and Doctor Who, Jackaby appealed to me because he was a mixture of the two, with his own special, unique quirks thrown in. His social awkwardness and chaotic energy made for some hilarious dialogue, and I liked that he was a bit of a mystery. Those things were still the same, and while he did have some amusing remarks and observations, I didn’t find myself laughing as much or feeling as engaged or curious.

Overall, Beastly Bones was good but not great. With a bit more action, the book could have been great, but the sluggish pace affected my overall enjoyment. This could be solely a ‘me’ thing though, so I’d recommend reading it if you enjoyed Jackaby, and I’ll definitely be reading the third book, Ghostly Echoes. There was fantastic set-up for the third book throughout Beastly Bones, so I’m hopeful that it’ll have the magic and that special something that made me love Jackaby.  

 

{My review of Jackaby by William Ritter}

Have you read Jackaby or Beastly Bones? What did you think? If you haven't read them, do you plan to? How do you feel about books being compared to other books/movies/TV shows? Can you think of any examples where the comparisons were warranted?

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Review: Sweet Madness by Trisha Leaver and Lindsay Currie

Sweet Madness by Trisha Leaver and Lindsay Currie
Series: Standalone
Published: September 15th, 2015
Publisher: Merit Press
223 pages (eARC)
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction/Mystery/Retelling/Horror
Acquired this book: Via Edelweiss in exchange for honest consideration
Warning: May contain spoilers
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Seventeen-year-old Bridget Sullivan is alone in Fall River, a city that sees Irish immigrants as nothing more than a drunken drain on society. To make matters worse, she's taken employment with the city’s most peculiar and gossip-laden family—the Bordens. But Bridget can’t afford to be picky—the pay surpasses any other job Bridget could ever secure and she desperately needs the money to buy her little sister, Cara, passage to the states. It doesn’t hurt that the job location is also close to her beau, Liam. As she enters the disturbing inner workings of the Borden household, Bridget clings to these advantages.

However, what seemed like a straightforward situation soon turns into one that is untenable. Of course Bridget has heard the gossip around town about the Bordens, but what she encounters is far more unsettling. The erratic, paranoid behavior of Mr. Borden, the fearful silence of his wife, and worse still…the nightly whisperings Bridget hears that seem to come from the walls themselves.

The unexpected bright spot of the position is that Lizzie Borden is so friendly. At first, Bridget is surprised at how Lizzie seems to look out for her, how she takes a strong interest in Bridget’s life. Over time, a friendship grows between them. But when Mr. Borden’s behavior goes from paranoid to cruel, and the eerie occurrences in the house seem to be building momentum, Bridget makes the tough decision that she must leave the house—even if it means leaving behind Lizzie, her closest friend, alone with the madness. Something she swore she would not do.

But when Bridget makes a horrifying discovery in the home, all that she thought she knew about the Bordens is called into question…including if Lizzie is dangerous. And the choice she must make about Lizzie’s character could mean Bridget’s life or death.

 

I’ve always been aware of who the Borden family were and that Lizzie Borden had supposedly killed her parents with an axe, but I didn’t know much beyond that. I was intrigued when I heard about Sweet Madness, a retelling of the Borden murders from the perspective of their seventeen-year-old Irish maid, Bridget.

Sweet Madness is a fascinating and creepy look inside the madness of the Borden house, the motives for a brutal murder, and the darkness that lives within some people. For anyone who knows a lot about the Borden murders, and even for those who know little to nothing, I think it’s important to remember this is a fictional retelling of real events. The authors used creative license to put forth their own theories and put a creative spin on what happened, since nothing was ever really proven. The reason I’m mentioning this is because I saw a few reviews that complained about how many inaccuracies the book had, but for me personally, going into a book like this I try to have an open mind and enjoy it for what it is, even knowing some things will be changed and the ending is pure fiction. 
                                       
Rumours about the Bordens had been circulating Fall River for years. People in town talked about how odd they were, especially Lizzie and Emma, homely spinster sisters with strange habits. Mr. Borden was a wealthy, successful businessman and yet his family lived in poor conditions and went without things. Bridget had been working for the Bordens for the past year and had stuck around, despite the rumours and despite the family’s strange behavior and demands, partly because the pay was good, partly because it allowed her to be closer to her boyfriend, and partly because she’d befriended Lizzie.

Sweet Madness had so many fascinating elements to it. Bridget had her own interesting story - coming over from Ireland, wanting to bring her sister over eventually, being in love with an Irishman and being part of his family, plus the whole ‘outsider view’ element of her being in the Borden house and being privy to certain things while still feeling this aura of mystery, tension, danger, and madness. Because Bridget had access to a lot of the house and spent most of her time there, she saw and heard a lot of what went on - the odd behavior, but also the cruelty and mind games. It was hard to know who to trust since things weren’t always as they seemed. While I was reading, I kept thinking this book would make a fantastically creepy movie.   

After I finished reading Sweet Madness, I pulled up Wikipedia and read about the Bordens and was impressed with a lot of the details, both big and small, that the authors worked into the story. They built up so much mystery and tension in the book that the spin they put on the murders seemed completely believable. That house was filled with madness - whether it was cursed or haunted, or whether the darkness and demons came from within its inhabitants, it all came together to make for something dark, disturbing, and thrilling. I would highly recommend Sweet Madness to fans of horror, historical fiction, and mystery.

Have you read Sweet Madness? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Are you familiar with the Borden murders? Do you think Lizzie killed her parents?

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Review: A Little Taste of Poison by RJ Anderson

A Little Taste of Poison by RJ Anderson 
Series: Uncommon Magic #2
Published: September 27th, 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
368 pages (ARC)
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy/Mystery
Acquired this book: From the publisher in exchange for honest consideration
Warning: May contain spoilers
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Twelve-year-old Isaveth tries to take down the man who framed her father for murder in this lively follow-up to A Pocket Full of Murder, which Kirkus Reviews called “thoroughly entertaining.”

The city of Tarreton is powered by magic, from simple tablets that light lamps to advanced Sagery that can murder a man from afar. Isaveth has a talent for spell-making, but as a girl from a poor neighborhood she never dreamed she could study at the most exclusive magical school in the city. So when she’s offered a chance to attend, she eagerly accepts.

The school is wonderful, but old and new enemies confront Isaveth at every turn, and she begins to suspect her scholarship might be more a trap than a gift. Even her secret meetings with Esmond, her best friend and partner in crime-solving, prove risky—especially once he hatches a plan to sneak her into the biggest society event of the season. It’s their last chance to catch the corrupt politician who once framed her father for murder. How can Isaveth refuse?

A Little Taste of Poison is a fantastic follow-up to A Pocket Full of Murder. I was amazed by the creativity and world-building in the first book and those elements carried into this book as well.

Even though the book picks up shortly after where the first book left off, a lot has changed for Isaveth and her family. With the money she made from her invention, her family has a slightly better quality of life, and on top of that, Isaveth has been offered a scholarship at a school where she’ll be able to learn a higher level of magic - one it’s clear she’d have an aptitude for. I loved Isaveth as much in this book as the first. She’s smart, resourceful, determined, but she’s also realistically flawed. She’s someone I’d love to have as a friend - someone you know you could count on and who would do anything for you. Isaveth wasn’t the only stand-out character; I still thoroughly enjoyed Esmond and I liked getting to see a completely different side of him. I though the addition of his POV was an interesting choice and it worked well. I loved the theme of strong women in this book, from Isaveth to her sisters to a teacher and a new friend at school to Esmond’s sister. Some of these girls were underestimated for various reasons but came out showing how resilient and resourceful they were.

There are so many true-to-life themes in this book, especially considering it’s fantasy. There are the continued themes of poverty, religion, and bullying, which are relevant in a timeless way and teach so many valuable lessons. I have to give Anderson major credit for working in such complex elements and doing it in a way that felt natural.

Full of action, intrigue, magic, and a hint of romance, A Little Taste of Poison is entertaining, exciting, and memorable. I know Isavath and Quiz will stick with me for a long time.

 

{Read my review of A Pocket Full of Murder}

{Read my review of Ultraviolet || Quicksilver}

Have you read A Pocket Full of Murder or A Little Taste of Poison? What did you think? If you haven't read them, do you plan to?

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Review: A Pocket Full of Murder by RJ Anderson

A Pocket Full of Murder by RJ Anderson
Series: Uncommon Magic #1
Published: September 8th, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
252 pages (ARC)
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy/Mystery
Acquired this book: Via Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for honest consideration
Warning: May contain spoilers
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In the spell-powered city of Tarreton, the wealthy have all the magic they desire while the working class can barely afford a simple spell to heat their homes. Twelve-year-old Isaveth is poor, but she’s also brave, loyal, and zealous in the pursuit of justice—which is lucky, because her father has just been wrongfully arrested for murder.

Isaveth is determined to prove her innocence. Quiz, the eccentric eyepatch-wearing street boy who befriends her, swears he can’t resist a good mystery. Together they set out to solve the magical murder of one of Tarreton’s most influential citizens and save Isaveth’s beloved Papa from execution.

But each clue is more perplexing than the next. Was the victim truly killed by Common Magic—the kind of crude, cheap spell that only an unschooled magician would use—or was his death merely arranged to appear that way? And is Quiz truly helping her out of friendship, or does he have hidden motives of his own? Isaveth must figure out who she can trust if she’s to have any hope of proving her Papa’s innocence in time. . .

I haven’t read much Middle Grade, but since I’ve been trying to branch out in the last couple years, I’ve picked up a few and have really enjoyed them. I was intrigued by the concept (and the cover) of A Pocket Full of Murder, plus I enjoyed Anderson’s science fiction YA duology, Ultraviolet and Quicksilver, so jumped at the chance to receive an ARC from Simon & Schuster Canada.

A Pocket Full of Murder is a creative, clever, and fun read. The setting made me feel like I was reading a story set in Victoria era England with magic and other fantastical elements. Think Charles Dickens but with magic and murder. There were so many elements of the book that made it unique - the names, some of the language, the religion, and the magic. The world building itself reminded me of Harry Potter in a way - wonderfully unique and exciting, something you’ve never seen before. A world that’s completely fantastical and yet believable, something you can picture yourself in and immerse yourself in.

Isaveth, our independent and plucky heroine, was a great main character. She was smart, resourceful, and wise beyond her years. She’d been forced to grow up quickly because of her family’s circumstances, and she amazed me with her strength and resilience. I loved Quiz. He was an interesting mixture of mystery and humour and tough street kid.

There were so many great elements that set this book apart. Don’t get me wrong - just because I’ve mentioned Dickens and Harry Potter doesn’t mean I’m comparing the actual story to either. A Pocket Full of Murder had so many things that set it apart. The magical elements were really cool. I liked the concept that there were different kinds of magic for the different classes. There was spell baking, which is what Isaveth did, but then rich people could buy mass-produced magic and the sages could create their own magic. It was fascinating. I also liked the religious element. It was ever-present without being in your face. It added to the story, especially when it came to Isaveth’s family’s misfortunes - they were discriminated against not just because they were poor, but also because they were a different religion, one that was seen as troublemakers and the cause of a lot of problems. It was something real, relatable, and timeless in an otherwise fantasy world.

While there were so many things I loved about A Pocket Full of Murder, I did have a few minor complaints. I think the book would have worked better as a young adult novel than middle grade. I kept forgetting Isaveth was only twelve because she seemed much older. The ‘romance’ between her and Quiz also felt kind of weird since she was so young. At times when Quiz made me giggle and start to swoon, I’d be jarred from the story with a thought like, “GAH, but he’s only thirteen!” I have a nephew that age and the last thing I want to think about is him involved in a romantic relationship. My mind and heart warred over rooting for any sort of romance between Isaveth and Quiz because of their ages. Personally I think the story would have worked better if Isaveth and Quiz had been sixteen or seventeen. Besides that, I found the ending abrupt. There was all this build up and then suddenly it was over and there was an epilogue that wrapped things up but not in a very satisfying way. The overall outcome was satisfying, but the execution was lacking and felt hurried. I’m curious to see what happens in the sequel, A Little Taste of Poison.

A Pocket Full of Murder is full of great characters, magic, and a mystery that will keep you guessing with its twists and turns. I highly recommend this one!

{Read my review of Ultraviolet || Quicksilver}

Have you read A Pocket Full of Murder? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you read middle grade? If you haven't, would you be willing to give it a try if you found something that appealed to you?

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Review: A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Series: Charlotte Holmes #1
Published: March 1st, 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
336 pages (eARC)
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary/Mystery
Acquired this book: Via Edelweiss in exchange for honest consideration
Warning: May contain spoilers
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The last thing sixteen-year-old Jamie Watson–writer and great-great-grandson of the John Watson–wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s enigmatic, fiercely independent great-great-granddaughter, who’s inherited not just his genius but also his vices, volatile temperament, and expertly hidden vulnerability. Charlotte has been the object of his fascination for as long as he can remember–but from the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else.

Then a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Holmes stories, and Jamie and Charlotte become the prime suspects. Convinced they’re being framed, they must race against the police to conduct their own investigation. As danger mounts, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe and the only people they can trust are each other.

Equal parts tender, thrilling, and hilarious, A Study in Charlotte is the first in a trilogy brimming with wit and edge-of-the-seat suspense.

If you read my reviews regularly, I know what you’re probably thinking: Another Sherlock book? Yes, another Sherlock book. I can’t get enough of them, and luckily authors keep feeding my love of (read: obsession with) all things Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. It’s no secret I love Sherlock, and it’s also no secret I’ve read a ton of Sherlock-inspired books. They’ve ranged from good to great, and A Study in Charlotte falls squarely in the ‘great’ category. So great, in fact, it’s a new favourite.

This book has the perfect blend of classic Sherlock elements and wonderfully original content. It’s clear the author has an extensive knowledge of the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories, and it shone through on the pages, making the characters familiar and yet unique. Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are the descendants of the infamous Dr. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes, who, for the purpose of this book were real people. Over the last hundred-plus years, the descendants of this famous duo have stayed pretty true to type, especially the Holmeses, who are known for being clever, analytical, and eccentric, with definite sociopathic tendencies. Charlotte Holmes is no exception. She was raised to observe, make deductions, solve problems, and possibly above all else, not let her emotions get in the way of what needs to be done. Don’t make attachments, keep a safe distance, don’t feel. She does a pretty good job of this until Jamie Watson enters her life.

I loved Jamie. He had a great voice, making him one of my new favourite narrators. Being inside his head was absolutely fascinating. It’s been awhile since I got completely sucked into a story, but I got sucked into A Study in Charlotte. There were several scenes I was so engrossed in, I had trouble coming back to reality. As a reader, this is one of the best feelings, but it’s become incredibly rare for me, which is part of why I loved this book so much. It was so compelling, so intriguing, and so well written, I didn’t want to do anything else but sit and read.

Charlotte was very much a modern-day Sherlock. She was cold, harsh, blunt, and incredibly independent. She was used to doing things on her own and in a specific way, so she tended to boss Jamie around and disregard his opinions, and for the most part, he let her. She was a chameleon, able to adapt to her surroundings, be what she needed to be when she needed to be it, and it was absolutely fascinating watching Jamie watch her. He was captivated by her, but not blind to her faults. Their relationship was far from a typical contemporary YA romance, but that’s kind of the point. It was exactly how a relationship between a Holmes and a Watson should be: begrudging acceptance of friendship on Holmes part, Watson keeping Holmes from spiraling into the oblivion of her own dark mind, complete trust, and chemistry that simmers quietly and makes you yearn for something to happen between them.

I am so impressed with Brittany Cavallaro’s debut. A Study in Charlotte is compelling, engaging, suspenseful, and basically everything I could hope for in a Sherlock book. The characters and their relationships are complex, the plot is full of twists and turns, and the writing is absolutely gorgeous (I lost count of the number of passages I highlighted in my Kindle). I can’t wait for more of these characters, and I kinda want to cry thinking that I’ll likely have to wait over a year for more. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, but I’ll definitely buy a copy, because I know this will be one of those rare books I take the time to reread.

Have you read A Study in Charlotte? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you enjoy Sherlockian stories? What was your last 5-star read?

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Review: Jewel of the Thames by Angela Misri

Jewel of the Thames by Angela Misri
Series: Portia Adams Adventures #1
Published: March 25th, 2014
Publisher: Fierce Ink Press
254 pages (ebook)
Genre: Young Adult Historic Fiction/Mystery
Acquired this book: Bought
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}
 

There’s a new detective at 221 Baker Street

Set against the background of 1930s England, Jewel of the Thames introduces Portia Adams, a budding detective with an interesting — and somewhat mysterious — heritage.

Nineteen-year-old Portia Adams has always been inquisitive. There’s nothing she likes better than working her way through a mystery. When her mother dies, Portia puzzles over why she was left in the care of the extravagant Mrs. Jones but doesn’t have long to dwell on it before she is promptly whisked from Toronto to London by her new guardian. Once there Portia discovers that she has inherited 221 Baker Street — the former offices of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Portia settles into her new home and gets to know her downstairs tenants, including the handsome and charming Brian Dawes. She also finds herself entangled in three cases: the first involving stolen jewelry, the second a sick judge and the final case revolving around a kidnapped child. But the greatest mystery of all is her own. How did she come to inherit this townhouse? And why did her mother keep her heritage from her? Portia has a feeling Mrs. Jones knows more than she is letting on. In fact, she thinks her new guardian may be the biggest clue of all.

If you regularly visit my blog, read my reviews, or follow me on social media, you’ll know I love all things Sherlock. I’ll read any book with a Sherlockian premise, and luckily I’ve enjoyed all the ones I’ve read, including Angela Misri's debut, Jewel of the Thames.

What makes Jewel of the Thames so wonderfully different is that it’s not a retelling of the original Holmes stories. 19-year-old Portia discovers she’s inherited the famed 221 Baker Street, so she moves from Toronto to London to live there. Her mother’s death has left her on her own except for a mysterious new guardian who seems intent on keeping Portia’s heritage a secret.

Portia is an interesting combination of Watson and Holmes - clever, intuitive, and observant - so she fits in well in their former home and office. I enjoyed the unique premise in a familiar setting, and thought the period - 1930s London - was a nice touch. Portia has to fight to be taken seriously a lot of the time, between her age and her gender, and I liked that she stood her ground and used her intelligence to overcome problems. The mysteries she helped solve were all interesting, as was the on-going mystery of Portia’s extended family and why she had inherited 221 Baker Street.

I could easily see Jewel of the Thames as a period drama on the BBC. The mysteries are well thought out, the plot and characters were interesting, and there's a lot of potential for further stories and character growth. Between that and the fantastic twist at the end, I'm eager to read the next book, Thrice Burned.

Have you read Jewel of the Thames? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you enjoy Sherlockian stories?

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Review: Every Breath by Ellie Marney

Every Breath by Ellie Marney

Series: Every #1

Published: October 14th, 2014

Publisher: Tundra Books

350 pages (hardcover)

Genre: Young Adult Crime Thriller/Romance

Acquired this book: From the library

Warning: May contain spoilers

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When James Mycroft drags Rachel Watts off on a night mission to the Melbourne Zoo, the last thing she expects to find is the mutilated body of Homeless Dave, one of Mycroft's numerous eccentric friends. But Mycroft's passion for forensics leads him to realize that something about the scene isn't right--and he wants Watts to help him investigate the murder.

While Watts battles her attraction to bad-boy Mycroft, he's busy getting himself expelled and clashing with the police, becoming murder suspect number one. When Watts and Mycroft unknowingly reveal too much to the cold-blooded killer, they find themselves in the lion's den--literally. A trip to the zoo will never have quite the same meaning to Rachel Watts again...

I wanted to read Every Breath from the moment I heard about it, especially after I saw the tagline: “What if Sherlock Holmes was the boy next door?” I will read or watch anything even remotely Sherlockian, so I knew this was a book I needed to read.

Rachel Watts is miserable living in Melbourne. She’s a country girl, and she didn’t want to leave the only home she’d ever known to move to the city, but her family didn’t have much of a choice. She’s made the best of it for the most part, but she’s becoming more resentful and bitter by the day, and the only thing keeping her relatively grounded is Mycroft. Eccentric, brilliant Mycroft, who lives two doors down and needs reminders to eat, and someone to take care of him and keep him from getting into too much trouble…or since that’s a fairly tall order, at least help him in the aftermath of the trouble he gets himself into.

Rachel had a great voice - snarky and sarcastic and smart. I loved her strength, but also her vulnerability. She had to grow up quickly and was thrust into the role of caregiver while her parents and older brother worked long hours to keep the family going. It seemed natural for her to take care of Mycroft. Oh Mycroft. *sigh* I loved him so much. It was easy to see him as a young Sherlock - intense, brilliant, socially awkward, easily consumed by things - but he was different, too. He didn’t have that cold distance that Sherlock sometimes exhibits, and while he was socially awkward, he wasn’t as anti-social as Sherlock. He spent a lot of time by himself and lived in his own little world, but he was also genuinely kind to people and made connections with people.

Together, these two were magic. Their interactions were my favourite parts of the book, whether they were being silly or serious or SWOONY oh my god so swoony. I was hoping there would be a romance, but with the Sherlock spin to the book, I worried it would be Rachel secretly longing for Mycroft while he was completely oblivious. Not so - thank god! The chemistry between them was electric, and I felt it from the very first chapter. There were a few scenes that were so ridiculously sexy while actually being quite innocent, and I loved them. LOVED THEM. I wished there were more, but I get that they wouldn’t really have fit in the story, so I’ll just have to imagine it myself…I mean, hope there’s more sexy-swooniness in the next book.

Rachel and Mycroft weren’t the only great characters. The side characters were equally well fleshed out, especially Rachel’s brother Mike, who reminded me of my own big brother - very protective and would do anything for the people he loves. Mai and Gus (Rachel and Mycroft’s school friends) were nice additions, and there were a few other characters that really stood out. All of the characters, whether they made a brief appearance or several appearances, were vivid and had a purpose, which I appreciated.

I suppose I should mention the mystery and not just gush and fangirl over Mycroft and Rachel, right? ;-) The whole thing was really well done - gruesome, exciting, chilling. There were parts that had me on the edge of my seat, wondering how things could possible turn out okay. Lots of twists and turns and surprises, and I loved how the mystery, while being a big part of the book, was seamlessly woven through the contemporary aspects like the romance and real life family/friend/school issues. 

Every Breath is simply fantastic. It gave me the giggles, made my heart alternately ache and race, and it also made my stomach turn a time or two. Rachel and Mycroft practically leapt off the pages, and were wonderful separately and together. I loved their friendship, and I loved it even more when their relationship started to evolve. If you enjoy books with mystery, swoony romance, great friendships, strong characters, tons of chemistry, and lots of action, I highly recommend Every Breath. 

    

Have you read Every Breath? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you like books that have a Sherlock-type character? Or the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes? Let's talk here or on Twitter!

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