{I've Been Reading} Breathe in, Bleed Out

 Breathe in, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley

An isolated new age healing retreat provides the perfect backdrop for this fast-paced horror novel, especially when the author throws in an old legend about a murderous miner's ghost. Hannah's friends convince her that the getaway is going to be a perfect escape from the nightmares that plague her. The yoga and hot springs seem to be helping...until the grisly murders start. The author is a fan of slasher films and that's exactly what this book feels like, with more character development. It was a quick, entertaining read  and I look forward to tracking down his other titles. 

 Watching Evil Dead by Josh Malerman

I haven't read Bird Box (or even seen the movie), but I've read and enjoyed several of the author's other horror novels. I love most of the Evil Dead franchise. And I really loved the beginning of this book. The author's ideas about creativitiy and filling in gaps in your knowledge really struck a chord with me. Then, somewhere between Evil Dead 2 and the remake, it became more about smoking weed and the relationships between friends and whatever phenomenological psychology is and I wasn't nearly as interested in that. 

Please Don't Lie by Christina Baker 

When Hayley moves with her husband to a small town in the Adirondacks, she's escaping her past. He's returning to the place he grew up. They're both keeping things hidden. This is an straightforward, enjoyable domestic thriller without any really crazy twists or flashbacks or shifts between narrators. I picked it up for the setting, but I this book could have taken place in any small community in the mountains. 

Disclosure -- The publishers provided me with advance review copies.    

{I've Been Reading} Don't Go Downstairs

 The Stranger at No. 6 by Gemma Rogers 

Before moving into the house on Church Road, Molly spent time watching the family who lived there, learning their routines and calculating the odds of her living there without them noticing. It's her third attempt at "phrogging" and this time she plans on documenting the entire process for her anonymous blog.  It's risky by nature, but she's saving her money for future goals and relying on unwitting strangers for food and shelter is how she's decided to make it happen. Too bad she doesn't suspect that her perfect hosts are hiding some pretty awful secrets. This one isn't nearly as fast paced as The Night Shift and I found myself wanting to yell at the protagonist for constantly finding new ways to potentially expose herself. I never  fully warmed up to Molly, but it's an interesting read with some unexpected reveals along the way. 

Don't Go Downstairs by Jack Dane

I absolutely flew through this short thriller! It begins with a note from the property owner, assuring the couple that he's agreed to swap houses with that even if it sounds like someone is in the seaside cottage wtih them, it's just the old house settling. He wants them to enjoy their stay, to use whatever they'd like -- just not to go down into the basement (which isn't even locked.) The whole story is told from Deb's point of view as she tries to get closer to her husband of thirty years and drag her marriage out of the rut they've fallen into. Her enthusiasm for her plan is contagious and I found myself immediately liking her. This was a quick, entertaining read, perfect for an afternoon on the couch. 

Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander 

I can see the long running Bakeshop Mysteries becoming one of my favorite series. This is the twenty-second book and I've only read a couple of others, but I enjoy the author's writing style and the great way she immerses the reader in the varied settings. This time it's Costa Rica, where Jules, her husband, and their favorite barista have travelled to visit an old friend and research possibilities for their coffee shop. There's tension on the coffee farm even before the tragic death occurs, which means there are plenty of potential suspects. I enjoyed the mystery and the way that Jules stays in contact with her friends and employees back home so none of my favorite characters were totally left out of the story. 

Disclosure -- The publishers provided me with advance review copies.