So this is a spin-off of a series written by this author. I didn't know that when I started it. The book was amazing, and makes me want to read the original series! This was a slow burn, but definitely a page turner!

Story started out a little slow. Told from Alice's point of view, the story bounces back and forth. I had trouble keeping up with some of the bouncing. As the story moved along things pick up and things begin falling into place. Some laugh out loud moments and a few dogs keeps it interesting.

I loved the Brigid Quinn books and was beyond excited to see there was a new one featuring the fearless retired ex FBI agent. That being said this book was not in the same league as the earlier ones— it was almost as if someone else had written it.
It took me ages to get into the story and I found the plot overly complicated with a denouement that was distinctly underwhelming.
I nearly put the book down several times but in the end decided to finish it as I was curious how it would all end. Indeed it did pick up a bit towards the end.
Alice and Liesl Einstein are two sisters who live together- Alice is an author who writes greetings card verses as she has had little success with her novels in recent years and Liesl devotes herself to good causes after her husband left her 10 years earlier. However as he was well off she has plenty of money and a lovely house.
When one day he turns up, claiming a fatal illness and wanting to move back in, Liesl accepts him. However, Alice is deeply suspicious of his motives.
She employs Brigid Quinn to investigate him and in the process discovers that all is not as it seems.
The premise of the plot is good but I just didn’t find the story engaging. I wasn’t particularly drawn to Alice who narrates the story and the sisters’ connection to Albert Einstein was not especially interesting.
That being said, I enjoyed meeting Brigid Quinn again and wouldn’t be averse to reading more about her, perhaps in a book written in the same way as the earlier ones with Brigid as the main character as she has a great self deprecating sense of humour which I enjoyed reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

This book was a good read, but it was a slow read for me. I did enjoy it and I did finish it. I would like to read more by this author because the writing was good!

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publisher for this ARC. The views below are my own.

Plot

Haunted by a childhood tragedy that gave birth to the cruel nickname "Lethal", Liesl now specialises in saving things: dogs, children, sisters. Telling herself it's time she returned the favor, Alice engages the services of Brigid Quinn, a hardboiled local private investigator with a shady past, to help her get rid of Sam for good.

Sam, Liesl's wealthy ex-husband, vanished ten years ago, leaving her a chunk of money but no explanation. Sam is handsome, charming, manipulative . . . and now he claims he's sick. But Alice, with her experience of spinning tales, knows a liar when she sees one.

Review

Perhaps because this was a spin-off of a series I haven’t read, I don’t have the full history of Quinn, but I really struggled to get through this book. It was well written, it was twisty and confusing in all the right parts but I just couldn’t get to grips with it. Overall, I was left a little underwhelmed but I didn’t hate it, it’s just not for me.

This book was a tough read for me. It was very slow and never really picked up. It felt very anti climatic. Quinn was the only interesting character. I think digging into her past/career would’ve made for a much better book. The main character in this book was annoying and self absorbed. It just felt like nothing really happened through out the book. I usually finish books within a few days and this one took me a few weeks.

As for the actual writing, I found that there were many run on sentences. I didn’t like that it was just from the main characters point of view I think having Sam’s point of view also would’ve helped a bit.

Not even the presence of Brigid Quinn (main character in books by the same author that I enjoyed) could push this one up for me - the main character was difficult to engage with. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - book publishes 1/7/25

This book was good but I did struggle to get into it as it was very wordy and focuses a lot on current events. This is good as the events discusses are relevant at the moment and brings light to problems in society but it just meant the plot of the book took a while to come through.

Second time trying this cant pinpoint what it is but didnt captivate me, found myself wanting to race through but not with interest. Not for me.

Two sisters, and the husband that comes back.

Honestly, I wasn't sure about it. I struggled at first, and found myself rolling my eyes at the main characters POV. It added to her character though and I liked it.

Very up to date in current events which made for an interesting read. I don't think it was necessarily my cup of tea, but I can respect that it was a good premise.

This was such a great book! There was so much secrecy, mystery, lies, scandals, and horror! This was a very fast paced book, and I read through it very quickly. I really like the twist and turns and how I did not see them coming.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!