Review: One Wrong Word

One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent fast paced thriller!
I listened to this as an audio book and really enjoyed it.

About: "One wrong word can ruin your life. And no one knows that better than savvy crisis management expert Arden Ward. Problem is, she's now forced to handle a shocking crisis of her own. Unfairly accused of having an affair with a powerful client, Arden’s life and dreams are about to crash and burn. Then, Arden is given an ultimatum. She has just two weeks to save her career and her reputation.

Is Cordelia Bannister the answer to her prayers?

Cordelia needs Arden’s help for her husband Ned, a Boston real estate mogul. Though he was recently acquitted in a fatal drunk driving accident, his reputation is ruined, and the fallout is devastating not only to the Bannisters' lives, but the lives of their two adorable children.

Arden devotes her skill and determination—and maybe her final days on the job—to helping this shattered family, but soon, revelations begin to emerge about what really happened the night of the accident. And then—another car crash throws Ned back into the spotlight.

This case is Arden’s final chance to protect her own future and clear her name. But the more she tries to untangle the truth, the more she’s haunted by one disturbing question—what if she’s also protecting a killer?

Gossip. Lies. Rumors. Words like that can hurt you. And Arden knows the reality. Sometimes one wrong word can kill.

The story begins with Arden being "let go" by her boss Warren because an important client thinks Arden is having an affair with her husband. But to help Arden out, he will give her one more assignment and a great reference. She is to help Ned and his wife Cordelia to get back in the good graces of society after Ned is found not guilty of a hit and wrong. Arden agrees.

Then begins the desperate texts from Cordelia, the casual behavior of Ned and another hit and run. This time Ned's attorney is seriously injured and may not survive. Is Ned actually guilty and his has committed another crime and why? Arden takes Ned and his two children to Ned's mother (he is not to drive). There she and his son are followed and scared out of their wits in the woods near the house. Who is following her? People she thought were on the same side as her, begin acting strange and very suspicious. While you might think you know what is going on, there is so much more. You will be very surprised at the ending. There are definitely some out loud "what???" moments.

I found myself hoping this was going to be a series with more stories about Arden.

I highly recommend it and this author. (And yes Hank Phillip Ryan, I read the acknowledgements. 😊 )

About the author: https://hankphillippiryan.com/

"HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the USA Today bestselling author of 15 psychological thrillers, winning the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, five Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, with 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. National book critics call her “a superb and gifted storyteller” and “master of suspense.” She’s the only author to win the Agatha in four categories: Best First, Best Novel, Best Short Story and Best Non-Fiction. Her newest is the page-turning standalone thriller One Wrong Word—a twisty non-stop story of gaslighting, manipulation, and murder. David Baldacci says, “A story with all the goods… Buckle up and read.” B.A. Paris says, “A gripping rollercoaster of a read… This is Hank at her very best!” And James Patterson says, “If you’re looking for riveting suspense that keeps you up late—in One Wrong Word you get your wish.”

Hank is a founder of MWA University, host of CRIME TIME on A Mighty Blaze, and co-host of First Chapter Fun and The Back Room. Visit Hank online at HankPhillippiRyan.com, on Twitter @HankPRyan, on Instagram @hankpryan and Facebook at HankPhillippiRyanAuthor."       

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Review: Under the Paper Moon

Under the Paper Moon by Shaina Steinberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I am a fan of film noir and historical fiction/WWII era so this book interested me from the beginning.

About: "Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets The Thin Man ’s Nick and Nora Charles in this intrigue-filled debut from film and television writer Shaina Steinberg, as two former spies who shared more than just missions during WWII reunite in 1948 Los Angeles. Can they let go of heartbreak long enough to team up for one last operation?

A tightly-plotted, emotionally rich postwar mystery for fans of The Rose Code by Kate Quinn and The Lost Letter by Jillian Cantor, as well as readers of mysteries by Ashley Weaver, Allison Montclair, and Jacqueline Winspear.

It’s 1942, and as far as her father knows, Evelyn Bishop, heiress to an aeronautics fortune, is working as a translator in London. In truth, Evelyn—daring, beautiful, and as adept with a rifle as she is in five languages—has joined the Office of Strategic Services as a spy. Her goal is to find her brother, who is being held as a POW in a Nazi labor camp. Through one high-risk mission after another she is paired with the reckless and rebellious Nick Gallagher, growing ever close to him until the war’s end brings with it an act of deep betrayal.

Six years later, Evelyn is back home in Los Angeles, working as a private investigator. The war was supposed to change everything, yet Evelyn, contemplating marriage to her childhood sweetheart, feels stifled by convention. Then the suspected cheating husband she’s tailing is murdered, and suddenly Evelyn is back in Nick’s orbit again.

Teaming up for a final mission, Evelyn and Nick begin to uncover the true nature of her case— and realize that the war has followed them home. For beyond the public horrors waged by nations there are countless secret, desperate acts that still reverberate on both continents, and threaten everything Evelyn holds dear... "

Evelyn is a strong woman defying the norm in for women in the 1940's. As WWII ended and is to return to daily life, she finds she isn't interested in the usual spot in society for a woman and continues her "spy" lifestyle as a private detective. She is living with her father who owns a major corporation that makes aircraft. Her current case to spy on a woman's husband that she suspects is having an affair, starts the ball rolling back to her life in WWII. She finds Nick, who she thought she left in Germany, is working for LAPD and is working security for the same man Evelyn is trailing. Also Carl another "co-spy" from the war is a policeman. They web starts to tangle all their lives back together. Meanwhile, Evelyn has been dating James, a "regular guy", with money, a good family and is set on marrying Evelyn and turning her into a socialite housewife. Things really heat up as the story goes and things become dangerous for all. All of the twists unravel at the end making for a really good read.

I was happy to see that this is book one of three! This book sets the characters and the stage for the next two books. I look forward to reading them.

About Shaina Steinberg: "Originally from Chicago, Shaina Steinberg graduated from Vassar College with a BA in English Literature.  During and after college, she traveled extensively, including living abroad in Scotland and working in Colorado as a horse wrangler.  She received her master’s degree from New York University where she studied the representation of war in art and literature, culminating in a thesis on photojournalism and the Vietnam anti-war movement.

Shaina began her career working on Malcolm In The Middle, before joining the WB show Everwood.  At the end of the series, she moved on to Cold Case, Bionic Woman and the Starz show Spartacus.  She also wrote two episodes of Chase for NBC.

Additionally, Shaina has developed pitches, pilots and features with companies such as Temple Hill, Endgame Entertainment, Fremantle, eOne, Blondie Girl, Josephson Entertainment and Alcon.  She was named to the Young and Hungry List in 2013 and to the WriteHer List in 2017. 

Her most recent project, Bride Hard starring Rebel Wilson, was shot in Georgia in July 2023

I won this book and voluntarily provided this review.

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Mystery Award Winners and Nominees

I wanted to share a few of the mystery books that our Mystery Book Club read for our June meeting. These are books that either have won an award or are nominated for an award this year. We all choose a book or books from this list and share at the meeting. Sounds strange? Everyone actually loves it and looks forward to the list we compile for easy reference.

Have you seen this website? Stop You're Killing Me 

http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/

In the index on the left of the website, you will see Book Awards. There are several categories of mysteries. You will find five or six books that have been nominated for the sub categories such as best contemporary, best historical, best first novel for example. Good way to find your next book.

Here are some of the books our book club members read and recommended. I have inserted a few of the cover pictures but not all. 

City Under One Roof by Iris Yamoshita: Nominated for and Anthony Best First Mystery and a Barry Best First Novel

The Bones of the Story by Carol Goodman: Nominated for a Mary Higgins Clark award.

It's One of us by J.T. Ellison: Nominated for Thriller Best Novel award

The Drift by C.J. Tudor: Nominated for Thriller Best Novel

An Honest Man by Michael Koryta: nominated for an Edgar Best Mystery

The River We Remember by William Krueger Kent: nominated for an Edgar Best Mystery

Mother Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon: nominated for an Anthony Best First Novel and Agatha Best First Novel

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman: nominated for Anthony Best Mystery

A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor: nominated for Sue Grafton Memorial Award

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo: nominated for an Edgar and a Sue Grafton Memorial Award

I Heard a Fly Buzz By When I Died by Amanda Flower: nominated for an Agatha Best Historical

The Mystery of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey: winner of an Agatha Best Historical award

There are many more which you can find at Stop You're Killing Me. Each book listed has a link so you can go read more about the books. Lots to look at. Have fun with it.

Currently reading: Under The Paper Moon by Shaina Steinberg and One Wrong Word by Hank Phillipi Ryan.

I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died by Amanda Flower

 Gosh I didn't realize it has been a month since I posted here. Not a very good blogger lately. Had a lot going on in May and June and time flew by. (oh, not meant to be a pun)

I wanted to show you what I got in my Strand Bookstore subscription box this week.

You always get two books with the quarterly subscription, a bonus item and a snack. I am excited about these two books. I have two Book Buddies that have read The Bones of the Story and liked it. I have heard of The Unwedding and have looked at it a couple of times. Looks good. The bonus is a small personal fan. (Need that in Texas) Where's the snack you say? Chocolate bar. Which was melty so I put it in the fridge (don't want to waste chocolate) and then I ate it. 

Our June Mystery Book Club read books that won Awards or were nominated for awards this year. 

My book that I  read was I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died (Emily Dickinson Mystery #2) by Amanda Flower. Yes, that Emily Dickinson. 

This book was nominated for an Agatha Best Historical Novel award. The first Emily Dickinson mystery, Because I Could Not Stop For Death, won an Agatha for Best Historical Novel in 2023.

About: 

"When a literary icon stays with the Dickinson family, Emily and her housemaid Willa find themselves embroiled in a shocking murder in this new mystery from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.

August 1856. The Dickinson family is comfortably settled in their homestead on Main Street. Emily’s brother, Austin Dickinson, and his new wife are delighted when famous thinker and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson comes to Amherst to speak at a local literary society and decides he and his young secretary, Luther Howard, will stay with the newlyweds. Emily has been a longtime admirer of Emerson’s writing and is thrilled at the chance to meet her idol. She is determined to impress him with her quick wit, and if she can gather the courage, a poem. Willa Noble, the second maid in the Dickinson home and Emily's friend, encourages her to speak to the famous but stern man. But his secretary, Luther, intrigues Willa more because of his clear fondness for the Dickinson sisters.

Willa does not know if Luther truly cares for one of the Dickinson girls or if he just sees marrying one of them as a way to raise himself up in society. After a few days in his company, Willa starts to believe it’s the latter. Miss Lavinia, Emily’s sister, appears to be enchanted by Luther; a fact that bothers Emily greatly. However, Emily’s fears are squashed when Luther turns up dead in the Dickinson’s garden. It seems that he was poisoned. Emerson, aghast at the death of his secretary, demands answers. Emily and Willa set out to find them in order to save the Dickinson family reputation and stop a cold-blooded fiend from killing again."

In the books, Emily considers Willa, the maid, more of a friend than a maid. They are about the same age, Willa is smart and independent. Emily looks to Willa to talk things out, be her escort when going out of the house and assist in solving this latest mystery.

Besides being a good mystery, I like the Emily Dickinson books for their historical aspect. I have always like biographies, especially about people that lived in the 1800's, early 1900's. Even as a child. 

When comparing the information about the Dickinson family, to Wikipedia, it is accurate. Emily, her sister Lavinia, her brother Austin and his wife, Emily's parents. Amanda Flower has captured their personalities also as written down in Emily's biographical information. I also like that the two books capture and discuss issues of the time. 

In this book, one of the topics is immigrants and how they are treated, the prejudice against them. (hmmm sound familiar) In the late 1800's, people were immigrating from Italy and Ireland to name a few. This books shows how people thought they could only do manual labor, drank too much, and couldn't be trusted. Several of the characters are Abolitionists, as was Mr. Dickinson in real life. The Dickinson's are sympathetic to the immigrants and freed slaves of the time, in the book.

The women's issues are another topic. In the book, Emerson tells Emily her poetry is very good, but she should write under a man's name or it will never get published. 

Emily Dickinson's personality and her real life "quirks" are also captured. Willa describes observing Emily staring and going into herself more and more. She does not socialize or seem interested in finding a husband. The title of the book, A Fly Buzzed by When I Died, is the informal title of a poem Emily wrote on her deathbed. 

Amanda Flower has also written the first in a mystery series with Katherine Wright, sister of the Wright brothers, as the main character. It is called, To Slip the Bonds of Earth.

Amanda and her husband have a farm and have rescued several cats. Two of the most recent rescues are named Willa and Katherine. 

http://www.amandaflower.com/

I plan to write a post with some of the award winners and nominees from our MBC, next.