Book Review: Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden

 Do Not Disturb

by

Freida McFadden

psychological thriller/crime/mystery

Library Audiobook/8 hours

Quote: 

" Then I have to decide if I'll forgive him. I probably will. It gets easier each time, and I have to admit, I don't know what I'd do without him."

From the cover:

Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime.

To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job, and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she's done. 

But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night.

Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn't the quiet, safe haven it seemed to be. The motel has a dark, and disturbing past. And, in the dilapidated house across the way, the silhouette of Nick's ailing wife, is always at the window. Always watching.

In the morning, Quinn must leave the motel. She'll pack up her belongings and get back on the road to freedom.

But first, she must survive the night.

Do Not Disturb is a Hitchcock-style thriller, that will keep you tearing through the pages until you reach the shocking conclusion!

My Review:

After reading, and reviewing The Perfect Son, I knew I would be reading more of Freida McFadden's books.

I'm a sucker for an excellent thriller. McFadden is quickly moving up the ranks on my favorite authors list.

Do Not Disturb grabs you from the very beginning, right in the grips of the action. Sometimes,...usually, I prefer a little backstory, or leading up; this story does not have or need that aspect. You'll get all that later on, just when you need it. Details of the before sprinkled throughout. Again, this is only my second book by Freida Mcfadden , but this seems to be her writing style. Honestly, I've really enjoyed the way she can jump from one character, or time frame, and then to another without losing the reader. The story is easy to keep up with, and full of details.

After reading/listening to this book, I did hop over to Goodreads and read a few reviews on this one. I don't know if this is a habit I should break. I want to give my opinion solely based off my experience of the book, and what I personally took away from it, not tainted by other's opinions. Although there were several people who caught a few things just as I did.

There were some serious inconsistencies in a character that couldn't be ignored. I'm not sure if McFadden had intended readers to see something else, maybe we missed. Either way, it left a lot of us baffled.

I wasn't triggered about the excuse/explanation why the character did what they did, but it seemed to be an issue for other readers.

There were a couple small things, I wish had been explained or concluded a bit more, but nothing to frown on the book about.

Throughout reading this twisted thriller, I had a few ideas on the whodunnits and whys. I got a few right, and a couple wrong. I'd say suspense was a 8/10, shock/plot twist 7/10

My favorite character had to be Rob, or Nick, which doesn't happen often. I usually find one of the female characters that stick with me most.

I think weird Greta or maybe even hot/cold Rosalie were my least favorites. But, you'll have to read Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden for yourself to see why, or if you agree.

I'm giving this one 4 stars!

Have you read this one? I'd love to know what you thought!

Any fans of McFadden's? What should I read next?

Memoirs of Southern Women :Celebrity Edition

 My Top 4

Southern Celebrity Women's Memoirs

One of my favorite genres is memoirs, and biographies. As I've mentioned several times,  I love reading about people. I love hearing their stories. People fascinate and intrigue me.

Especially, good, old-fashion southern women. They truly are a whole special breed. They will make you laugh, scold you, pray for you, give you their last biscuit, pour you a cup, and bless your heart all in the same day.

For me, there is a great respect and comfort for those people. It's almost like a sure thing. They've always been that way, and probably always will. 

These 4 memoirs I have chosen, in no particular order, are a few of my favorites.

(Don't come at me. Loretta will get a whole post of her own!)

She's A 1 at the top, top of my favorites.

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics

I was raised listening to Dolly. I would bet, I knew lyrics to whole songs of hers, before I could recite my address and phone number. Yes, Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, and 9 to 5 are still some of my favorites.

In this book, Dolly takes you through the stages of her life, through lyrics. She tells how so many of the songs she has written came to be.

{Jolene has two parts. First, the name came from a little girl (fan) asking for an autograph. Dolly asked her name, and she replied, "Jolene". Apparently, Dolly didn't want to forget it, so she claims to have repeated it over and over until she could write it down. Jolene, Jolene, Jolene...

The story of the song, is about a red-headed woman at the bank who seemed to have a serious crush on Dolly's new husband.}

The book is full of these stories and so much more.

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook edition, and I'm so glad I did. Dolly does the narration, so it truly is like sitting around listening to her tell you all her stories.

Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon

Reese quotes her grandmother, Dorthea "A combination of beauty and strength made Southern women "Whiskey in a teacup." We may be delicate and ornamental, on the outside, she said, but inside, we're strong and fiery."

From the beginning of this book, you'll see how Reese truly embraces her roots.

She talks about her love of wallpaper, her collection of handmade quilts, and even her flea market frog soap dish she displays.

Each one of these, to me, says southern home.

Would you agree?

There are also a few recipes in the physical book.

This one I also had the audiobook, and again I feel the author being the narrator created a wonderful experience to hearing the story.

 

My Extraordinary Ordinary Life by Sissy Spacek

Sissy Spacek will forever be "Coal Miner's Daughter, Loretta Lynn" to me. That is where my love for her began. Through the years I've come to admire her and enjoy so many more of her roles, in films such as, Carrie, The Straight Story, and The Help.

Her book covers everything from growing up in rural Texas, to going to New York as a seventeen-year old with two guitars on her back, off to California, and finally to Virginia with her husband and daughters. She has been East, West, North, and South. 

This book, for me, shows no matter how small you feel, or how ordinary; you can achieve big dreams and still be you.

Knee Deep in Paradise by Brett Butler

As a teen, I remember watching Grace Under Fire. I loved her 'take no crap' attitude, and her nurturing love through all the struggles. She was hilarious, and always seemed so real to me. I had no idea how much her character had in common with her real life. Born in Alabama, and moving at least two more times by early childhood, she not only grew up around alcoholism, abuse, and mental health issues, sadly she began repeating the cycle. Her book takes you through all of it in true Brett fashion. She's never been one to sugar coat things, and she keeps true to that. This was one of those that you have to say "I loved it, but it was so sad." kind of books.

Writing this review has made me want to go back and re-read these. Ah, but which one first?

Have you read any of these or looking forward to? Leave me a comment.

The reviews may be short, but I do recommend all four of these.

 I'm trying to get back into writing and blogging. I hope you'll watch for more to come.

You can always go back and read some of my older reviews and recommendations also.

Happy Reading!

Audiobook Mini Reviews: Crime, Suspense, and Mystery

I'm super excited to get these audiobook reviews finally done!
I know y'all have been waiting patiently and I really appreciate it!
For the most part, I can get these audios "read" much faster than actual books, so I decided to try and do a round-up 3.
These are the three that fell into the category of crime, suspense, and mystery.
I'm hoping to have a theme similar with each set of mini reviews I do.
That may mean larger gaps between reviews, depending on what I read and how I can categorize them. Just bear with me.

*This post contains affiliate links.

1. The Life We Bury~ Allen Eskens

(Detective Max Rupert #1)

mystery/fiction/thriller

College student Joe Talbert has the modest goal of completing a writing assignment for English class. His task is to interview a stranger and write a brief biography of the person. With deadlines looming, Joe heads to a nearby nursing home to find a willing suspect. There he meets Carl Iverson, and soon nothing in Joe's life is ever the same. Iverson is a Vietnam veteran- and a convicted murderer.

My Review:

This book had so much going for it. Joe has enough of his own issues going on, home life, a dysfunctional mother, college, an autistic brother, a crush on his neighbor. The last thing he needs is a murder mystery to solve. Yet, that is exactly where this story takes us.

Joe wonders how this respected veteran with his loyal friend and stories of heroism can be convicted of such a violent crime.

Joe, with the help from his girl neighbor, are determined to find the truth. Will it be too late?

A must read.

2. Adam~ Ted Dekker

Christian fiction, mystery, horror, thriller

FBI Behavioral psychologist Daniel Clark has been made famous by his arguments that religion is one of society's greatest antagonists. What Daniel doesn't know is that his obsessive pursuit of a serial killer known only as "Eve" will end in his own death at Eve's hand. Twenty minutes later, Daniel is resuscitated, only to be haunted by those twenty missing minutes of life.

My Review:

Dekker! (swoon)

I truly do love all of his books. I love his writing style and how he combines his Christianity and beliefs into real scenarios. Real stories that will not only grip you from the beginning but also give you tons of food for thought.

Adam is a twisted mix of obsession, pursuit, capture, release, mind altering, abuse, trauma, consequences, and beliefs. It truly has a little something for everyone.

For myself, this books real question...the real "take-away" is; Which is better or right. Facing our demons and finding release to heal. Or hiding them, hoping they go away from fear of what happens when they are revealed?

3. Harvest~ Tess Gerritsen

mystery, thriller, crime, suspense

Medical resident Dr. Abby Matteo is elated when the elite cardiac transplant team at Boston's Bayside Hospital taps her as a potential recruit. But faced with a tormenting life-and-death decision, Abby helps direct a crash victim's harvested heart to a dying teenager -- instead of a wealthy older woman who was supposed to receive it. The repercussions leave Abby shaken and plagued with self-doubt.

My Review:

I fell in love with Gerritsen's writings through her Rizzoli and Isles series. I have continued to enjoy many more of her books.

Harvest is a stand alone book. It was such a great book without the commitment of getting sucked into another series.(I just don't have time at the moment).

This story very much could be true. I'm sure it has happened to some degree, somewhere. Greed is everywhere and the fight to live only fuels that. What would you be willing to pay to save a loved one?

Would you be willing to look the other way in order to save one of your own?...For the right price.

Dive into this twisted mystery and find out how it plays out.

I just checked the website, Thriftbooks,  This Link Here! All three of these books are now available in copies for $3.79 and up depending on condition!

Go, buy the book!

Seriously, you can also join their amazing awards program and earn points towards FREE books!

Audiobook Mini Reviews and other book business

Where are all my book reviews?
I know I haven't done one in a bit, but I promise there are more to come soon.
I definitely have been reading a ton and endlessly trying to get my To Be Read list shortened, rather than continuously growing!
It's a real challenge not to add 4 or 5 books every time I'm logged onto my GOODREADS account.
I've also been obsessed with Thriftbooks.com lately. They've changed up there rewards program and not only do you get free shipping; now you also earn points with each purchase towards a free book!
I know! I know, so cool!
I've also recently added The Libby App to my phone. This is the sister app for Overdrive(amazing also). It has 10,000+ books to choose from...for FREE!
I only use it for audio books, but they do have ebooks available. I'm so much of a paper, ink and bindings kind of girl but I recently realized how far behind I am on my challenge for the year, sooo I'm a sorta-cheater and using audiobooks to play catch up. That is one of the reasons that my reviews have been lacking. I just don't feel the same when it is an audio. I mean, I have gotten some good books, but they don't make me want to write like the actual books do.
Does that sound weird?
It is also hard to get my quotes, notes, etc that I normally add into my book reviews.
I don't want these books to get pushed completely aside or forgotten.  I am going to give this a try and see where and how it goes.
Here is my first...

Audiobook mini reviews:

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
An English nurse brought to a small Irish village to observe what appears to be a miracle-a girl said to have survived without food for months-soon finds herself fighting to save the child's life.

I started this book solely because I read ROOM years ago and fell in love with it!
The Wonder pretty much crushed my love for Donoghue.
Sadly it was not what I had expected. It was very drawn out and repetitive. I felt like the characters were annoying with all the half secrets and a lot of the tale was just not believable.
I wasn't impressed. Also the audio made it into a 12 1/2 hour long book.

Frog Music by Emma Donoghue
Summer of 1876: San Francisco is in the fierce grip of a record-breaking heat wave and a smallpox epidemic. Through the window of a railroad saloon, a young woman named Jenny Bonnet is shot dead. 

Ms. Donoghue can redeem herself quite well! I have to say I enjoyed this book much, much more. The narrator~.Khristine Hvam was perfect for this book. She had just the right twang and spunk to make the characters come to life. I would even say, if they made this into a mini movie; I would buy it!
Who doesn't love a good western struggle story?

Matched(Matched #1) and Crossed(Matched #2) by Ally Condie
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe.
So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. 

Okay, now I don't know any of the actual legalities of plagiarism but if there ever was a case...these books scream it!
The Giver, The 100, Taken just to name a few.
I'm all for a great dystopian read but when you take three amazing ones and try to cram them into a new series,....you get Matched!
Nope, not for me.

Well, I hope this keeps you reading until I get more to write.
Always happy reading!
Do you prefer book, ebook, audio?
Please share which you like best and why!