Stephanie DeCarolis

Sisters Alex and Maddie never had an easy life, but at least they had each other. After a rift following their single mother’s death, Maddie supposedly returned to her life as a medical student in New York City. When Alex doesn’t hear from her sister, she goes in search of her in the Hamptons where Maddie had a summer job only to find that she is missing. Prior to her disappearance, Maddie was living in the pool house of a wealthy, but dysfunctional family, the Blackwells. As Alex tries to unravel the mystery, secrets about Maddie and the Blackwells are revealed and danger lurks everywhere.

I had a mixed reaction to this book. Told from different timelines and multiple, POVs, there were red herrings and twists that many might not see coming. But, I think I am tired of reading about wealthy people behaving badly. I tried to read it quickly because I couldn’t wait to get away from these twisted people. I thought the story went on a bit too long, but the last part of the book as things started to come together redeemed it for me.

Those who like thrillers with unseemly characters who will keep you guessing will enjoy this read.

Thanks to #netgalley and @randomhouse #ballantinebooks for the DRC.… (meer)

Review of Uncorrected eBook File

As young children, Alex and Maddie Walker were often mistaken for twins; Maddie was always quick to correct folks, letting them know she was a year older than Alex. But Alex treasured the idea of them being twins . . . two halves of a whole.

But Dad left, Mom died, and Alex and Maddie aren’t speaking to each other. And when Maddie misses her birthday . . . something she’d promised long ago that she would NEVER do . . . Alex is sure something is wrong and goes in search of her sister.

Heading for the Hamptons, Alex searches for Maddie at The Lobster Shack and learns that her sister has not shown up for work for several days.

What happened to Maddie? And can Alex find her before something even more terrible occurs?

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Told from several points of view, the overarching mystery of what happened to Maddie pulls the story together as a variety of viewpoints yield clues to long-held secrets. The plot twists and turns as lies and deceit join the secrets to keep readers guessing. Unpredictable and intriguing, readers are pulled into the telling of the tale from the outset.

With well-developed characters . . . several of whom are truly unlikable . . . and a strong sense of place, the unfolding story moves quickly thanks, in part, to short chapters. Flashbacks fill in the backstory and help give the characters depth.

Readers who enjoy mysteries, stories focused on family and relationships, and stories filled with dark secrets will find much to appreciate in this quick-read, compelling tale.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine/Bantam and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#ThePerfectSister #NetGalley… (meer)

The Guilty Husband by Stephanie DeCarolis is a highly recommended mystery.

Vince Taylor is the CEO of the technology company, Kitztech, located in NYC. When Layla, an intern at the company is found dead and the police question her co-workers, Vince initially denies knowing her well. Soon after this, after talking to his lawyer, he has to admit to police that he was having an affair with her, especially when a salacious news story comes out about his affair that same day. This also means that he has to confess to his wife, Nicole, that he was having an affair, and it also means that news reporters are hovering around them. Through it all Vince adamantly denies murdering Layla, but he is the prime suspect.

This is a well-written and entertaining read that moves along at a quick pace. The chapters are largely told through the point-of-view of Vince or Allison, the lead detective on the murder case. The voices of Layla and Nicole also jump into the mix. All the characters are flawed but believable. Everyone has told lies and has secrets and many of these are gradually exposed. There are numerous elements of suspense and tension throughout which keep the pages flying by, especially as new information is revealed. Perhaps it depends upon how many mysteries you read, but some readers will certainly know the twist ahead of time. This won't hamper the enjoyment of watching it unfold.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/02/the-guilty-husband.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4564918307… (meer)

Based on all the high ratings in readers’ reviews, I must have missed something here. I did like the story, but it took a long time to get there. For a good part of the book, there was a lot of ruminating and whining and I found myself doing a LOT of skimming. Yes, I didn’t want to put it down, but that was because I wanted to get over with it quickly…seems there were a lot of the same thoughts and activities over and over

After about half way through, the book moved along a little better and, for me, improved as it approached the ending. I didn’t really like or empathize or sympathize with the female characters.… (meer)