Judi Holst, Author at TBD Teacher

Fifty Fifty By Steve Cavanagh: Unraveling a Murder Mystery

06.03.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

911 receives two different calls from two sisters in the same house. Their father has been murdered and each one claimed that their sister did it. Who are we to believe?

As a teacher, I always had to remember that there are two sides to every story. Then it was my job to try to figure out who was telling the truth. Sometimes, I had to realize that there were just two different perspectives to the same event. Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is fast-paced. It is an adventure ride of trying to figure out who is telling the truth.

https://amzn.to/432L9fb

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published: June 3rd, 2025

What is Fifty Fifty About?

Fifty Fifty is part of the Eddie Flynn series, but this is a stand-alone book. It’s like watching another episode, if Eddie Flynn had his own tv series (which I think he should).

Eddie Flynn, a lawyer, is hired by one of the two Avellino sisters who is on trial for murder. He is convinced that his client is innocent. The other sister hires her own lawyer, Kate, who is also convinced her client is innocent. Which one is telling the truth?

“How do you represent someone you know is guilty? How do you stand there and tell a jury that they’re innocent?”

What I Liked About Fifty Fifty:

I like how this story is told through different points of view. You have Eddie’s, Kate’s, and then there is a “She.” She is one of the sisters, but you don’t know which one until the very end. I thought this was a great way to write the story because it added suspense. I kept changing my mind on who “She” really is; of course, I had a fifty-fifty chance on whether I was correct or not.

My favorite parts of the book happened in the courtroom. I like reading how lawyers try to outwit each other, especially while questioning the witnesses. The questions were strategic, and as a reader, you wanted to figure out where the lawyer was headed. You can tell that Cavanagh is a former lawyer, and he uses his expertise to profile legal maneuvering.

I gave this four out of five stars. While I wasn’t totally blindsided by the plot twists, they were cleverly woven into the narrative and kept me engaged. The journey of uncovering the truth, especially in the last half of the book as the pieces started to fall into place, was thoroughly enjoyable, and I absolutely needed to know the identity of ‘She’ by the final page.

Extras:

Here are some books that reminded me of this one because they are mysteries or courtroom dramas. If you liked these, then you will also like this book.

The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker: https://amzn.to/4mgPP8O
- Blog Post Review: https://judiholst.com/the-writer-by-james-patterson-and-j-d-barker-a-thriller-you-wont-want-to-miss/
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano: https://amzn.to/3GKvfgN
- Blog Post Review: https://judiholst.com/finlay-donovan-is-killing-it-by-elle-cosimano/
Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni: https://amzn.to/4kyvf23
- Blog Post Review: https://judiholst.com/beyond-reasonable-doubt-by-robert-dugoni-a-courtroom-thriller/

You can buy Fifty Fifty at: https://amzn.to/4kbPkuB

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Steve Cavanagh for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Julie Clark’s The Ghostwriter: A Gripping Tale of Suspense

06.01.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

Julie Clark’s latest, The Ghostwriter, delivers on all fronts: tension, unsolved mysteries, family drama, unexpected twists, and deeply complex characters. I read it in two days because I needed to know the ending. It was THAT good.

5/5 stars ★★★★★

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/43Fl3h1

Publication Date: June 3, 2025

About The Ghostwriter:

Here is the trailer that was sent to me by the publishing company. It does a great job of setting up the storyline, without giving too much away.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n6jiexb70x6at4lxuy4td/The-Ghostwriter-Book-Trailer.mp4?rlkey=xcn2ysjqhouh4xjpm1di2r63c&st=zfhz4hp9&dl=0

The story unfolds through alternating timelines in 1975 and 2025, told from the perspectives of Olivia, Vincent, and Poppy. This multi-POV structure not only immerses the reader in the culture of each era but also skillfully pieces together the complex mystery.

Central to the mystery are two teenage siblings found dead in 1975, with their middle brother, Vincent, appearing guilty. Decades later, his estranged daughter, Olivia, agrees to ghostwrite Vincent’s memoir because she needs the money. She is also hoping to uncover the truth about that tragic day while keeping her family’s dark past a secret. Will she succeed?

What I Liked About The Ghostwriter:

I loved this book, especially the second half. Clark did a great job of creating complex characters and interesting storylines. As a reader, I kept second-guessing myself of who killed the two siblings. The different subplots added to the suspense, and I enjoyed the different points of view.

The author in the book, Vincent, has Lewy Body Dementia, which is similar to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It is a form of dementia where a person has hallucinations, and memory and movement loss. It was interesting to do a little research about it on my own, and I loved learning something new. It also made me question Vince’s side of the story.

The storyline is a slow burn as Clark throws little tidbits of information to the reader, and makes you second guess your previous thinking. I love when authors do this in a book. My favorite point of view was that of Poppy, Vince’s sister. You knew you were going to learn important information each time her chapter popped up.

Once you reach the second half of the book, I suggest you carve out some hours to just sit and read. You are going to want to find out what happens at the end.

Would you be able to be a ghostwriter for your estranged father? What if it meant you could help solve the mystery of who killed two of these teenagers – your aunt and uncle?

Extras:

Here is another book by Julie Clark that I recommend:

The Last Flight – https://amzn.to/3FIO97g – “Two women. Two flights. One last chance to disappear.“

You can buy The Ghostwriter at: https://amzn.to/43Fl3h1

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Julie Clark for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Kristy Woodson Harvey’s Beach House Rules: Your Next Summer Read

05.27.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

I have learned in life that family doesn’t always have to come from blood. Sometimes, best friends and their own kids feel more like family than your own. Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey definitely proves that point. In the perfect beach house, with imperfect people, the “mommune” was created.

https://amzn.to/4dCdrkl

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published: May 27th, 2025

What Is Beach House Rules About?

It’s a perfect blend of friendship, family, mystery, humor, romance, and drama. In the truest sense, it shows how a small-town community can come together when times are tough.

Charlotte, and her daughter, Iris, are caught without a home nor money to spend. Charlotte’s husband has been arrested for fraud, and now they have no where to go. That is, until Alice, a random woman, offers them a place to stay at the “mommune.”

The mommune is at a beautiful beach house, and consists of women and children living together as a family. The rest of the community thinks it is strange. However, they are helping each other to survive in a world that is difficult for them at the moment.

It doesn’t help that there is a gossipy Instagram account that throws the town’s dirty laundry out like it’s feeding time for the wolves, and the writer seems to have it out for the mommune.

Will they be able to survive this time in their life or will the small town talk take them down?

My Thoughts on The Beach House Rules:

I love when books blend many different genres and themes together. While showing the drama of four different women in their lives, almost any reader can connect to some part of the story line. My favorite character in the story, though, was Iris, Charlotte’s teen daughter. I love a good coming-of-age romance, and her wit and intelligence just added more depth to her character.

There’s a good mystery of whether Charlotte’s husband committed the fraud or whether he is innocent. As a reader, you also try to figure out who is behind the snarky Instagram account. I cracked up each time the author of the account signed off a different way.

It is fun to read about female relationships. I wanted to wrap myself up with a quilt on the beach, and drink a glass of wine with these four women. They each have their own drama that brought them to the mommune, but they always have each other’s backs.

The book had a satisfying resolution, which I appreciate. It is going to make a great summer book for the beach.

Would you be able to live in a house like the “mommune”? I definitely would! I could help with the children’s homework, if someone else is willing to do the cooking and cleaning. 🙂

Extras:

Here are some other books by Kristy Woodson Harvey that I recommend:

Slightly South of Simple – https://amzn.to/4dib2Lf (I loved this whole series about a mom and her daughters)
A Happier Life – https://amzn.to/4mlKs8k (“A touching novel about eternal love and the places we call home”)
Under the Southern Sky – https://amzn.to/43xcTbO (“Two childhood friends discover that love–and family–can be found in unconventional ways”)

You can buy Beach House Rules at: https://amzn.to/4dCdrkl

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Kristy Woodson Harvey for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Katherine Center’s The Love Haters: A Must-Read Rom-Com

05.19.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

If you are a fan of rom-com books, then you are probably already a fan of Katherine Center. Her newest book, The Love Haters, didn’t disappoint. It is a heartwarming and witty story. As usual, her characters are relatable, and you can’t help cheering them on as they navigate their love life.

You can buy it at: https://amzn.to/448e95P

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Publication: 5/20/25

About The Love Haters:

This is a rom-com about falling in love with someone else. The real story, though, is about Katie Vaughn learning to love herself first. Her negative self-image has affected her life in many ways.

Most recently, on a job to video a promotional commercial for the US Coast Guard, Katie struggles. She worries about not knowing how to swim; she has to pass a swim test in order to ride in the Coast Guard helicopter. She also worries about how she will look in her bathing suit. How can she do her job when it involves wearing a bathing suit? In her eyes, Hutch, a member of the Coast Guard, is an anatomical god. He is not only the main character in her promotional video, but he is the estranged brother of her boss, Cole.

Can Katie prove her worth and keep her job? Can she also learn to love herself enough to fall in love with someone else? Read The Love Haters to find out.

My Thoughts On The Love Haters:

If you have ever struggled with your own body image, you will relate to this book. As others see Katie as beautiful, she hides behind her jeans and black t-shirts. I loved this part of the book. It made her character very relatable for so many women.

I haven’t discussed my two favorite characters yet, though. Of course, George Bailey, the Great Dane, is one of the characters I fell in love with throughout the story. I could relate to owning a pet that is terrified of thunder and lightening. That part isn’t fun. However, George Bailey is also extremely lovable, and is owned by Hutch. The other character is Hutch and Cole’s Aunt Rue. Her colorful clothes and personality truly stand out in the story. I know I would have wanted her in my life also. She and her friends showed that friendship in your older years is an important part of life.

If you’re looking for a charming and relatable rom-com with surprising depth, The Love Haters is a must-read. I learned a lot about the Coast Guard from this book. I tend to remember books more when I learn something from them. It was fun to read a romance book that dealt with an occupation that I don’t know much about.

I gave this book four out of five stars. It was a fun read, and I’m glad I saved it to read on vacation. It just put a smile on my face. I looked forward to getting back to the characters when I read at night.

What is your favorite rom-com book?

You can buy this book at: https://amzn.to/4ciiqpF

EXTRAS:

If you are looking for other rom-com books to read after this one, I recommend:

The Rom-Commers (my favorite one by Katherine Center)
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

The Marriage Rules By Samatha Hayes: Surprising Twists & Complex Characters

05.08.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

If someone said that you would have to follow ten rules in order to marry them, would you do it? The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes is a psychological thriller that will have you stunned at the end.

https://amzn.to/4ddEn9I

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published: April 4th, 2025

What is The Marriage Rules About?

The Marriage Rules is told in three parts. The first part is told through the perspective of Fiona, who marries Jason, a doctor and father of two girls. Before they married, Jason set up 10 rules that everyone had to abide by in order to keep “the family safe.” For example, everyone has to be in bed by 8:00. No leaving the house unless it’s for a good reason. There will be a family confessional every day at 6 pm. No watching the news or using social media. Could you live with these rules so far?

The second part is told through the perspective of Jason. You begin to learn more about the rules and why they were set. The third part? Well, we won’t even talk about the ending. You have to read it to find out.

My Thoughts on The Marriage Rules:

This is definitely a book about damaged characters! Each time I read about the rules, I cringed. Who would agree to such a thing? Samantha Hayes does a good job of setting up the story, so you are surprised throughout the book. I didn’t love the adult characters, but I liked reading about the girls and their strength throughout the story. I didn’t know whether to trust Jason or Fiona’s part of the story. Both of them were unsettling. When the rules start getting broken, that is when the story really becomes interesting.

I had so many questions about certain details throughout the book. The ending answered my questions. It tied them up nicely. If you enjoy stories about mental institutions, dysfunctional families, or childhood trauma, you will enjoy this story. You will also enjoy it if you like stories about the loss of a spouse.

I gave this book four out of five stars. I wanted to keep reading and there were some surprises along the way. It also made me wonder what I would tolerate to marry someone I loved.

Would you be able to abide by these rules in your marriage?

Extras:

Here are some books that reminded me of this one because they are psychological thrillers. If you liked these, then you will also like this book.

Lies He Told Me by James Patterson – https://amzn.to/43o16MM
- Blog post: https://judiholst.com/why-lies-he-told-me-is-a-must-read-thriller-by-james-patterson-and-david-ellis/
House of Glass by Sarah Pekannen – https://amzn.to/43k0Iiq
- Blog Post: https://judiholst.com/house-of-glass-a-compelling-thriller-by-sarah-pekkanen-book-review/
I Let Her In by Maria Frankland – https://amzn.to/4m8IUOy

You can buy this book at: https://amzn.to/4ddEn9I

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Samantha Hayes for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

The Sister Switch by Charlotte Butterfield: A Heartwarming Tale

04.29.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

Would you ever want to trade places with your sister? What if you made a bet with a sibling – could you last longer than your sibling if you switched places? Who would win? Charlotte Butterfield explores this concept in the funny and heartwarming book called The Sister Switch. It’s like The Parent Trap version for adults!

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

https://amzn.to/3YlepLc

About The Sister Switch:

Alice and Edie are identical twins who definitely don’t get along. It’s hard to imagine that they even share some of the same genes! As one argument after another escalates, even on their morning talk show, their lives start to unravel. When they were young, their mom would tell them to try putting yourself in the other’s shoes. This is how the bet started.

Whoever lasts the longest, living the life of the other twin, would be able to stay on the talk show. The loser would have to leave. Is the winner Alice, the detailed-oriented woman, with the perfectly-groomed family and controlling husband? Or is it Edie, who doesn’t let the small things bother her but lives in chaos, lets her children be more care-free, and has a boyfriend who dotes on her?

My Thoughts on The Sister Switch:

This book made me think a lot about my two older sisters. We all live very different lives. One’s life experiences is not better than the other, they are just different. Fortunately, we get along great. I’m glad we lead different lives. It gives us a chance to cheer each other on, and it’s fun to hear their stories and experiences. Would I want to switch lives with them like Edie and Alice? Well, maybe just for one day.

I enjoyed this book because it made me think. I could see parts of Edie in my sisters, and parts of Alice too. Charlotte Butterfield does a nice job of truly showing the characteristics of both characters. The book comes with a life lesson, but if you have ever seen The Parent Trap movie, then you can probably figure it out.

Another reason I enjoyed this book was because it was a light read. Sometimes, it’s nice to get away from the psychological thrillers, true crimes, the drama, and just read a fun book. This one would be great to read on vacation.

If I had to choose the life of one of those characters, I would definitely choose Edie’s. I’d take the doting boyfriend and wacko-jacko family life over the “picture-perfect on the outside” family any day of the week. But it was their sister relationship that truly stood out. No matter how hard things get in life, you should still be able to count on your sister in the end.

So, would you want to trade places with one of your siblings? Let me know.

Extra Info:

Here are some books that reminded me of this one because of the family life and characterization:

You can buy this book at: https://amzn.to/4jSoWpt

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Charlotte Butterfield for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

In The Beautiful Dark: A Review of Melissa Payne’s Novel

04.22.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

Ever since my parents have died, I’m fascinated with the thought that they are looking down on me and helping me through life. It is what attracted me to this book. In The Beautiful Dark by Melissa Payne is a mysterious and moving story at the same time. Sometimes my heart was racing. Other times, I wanted to reach out and hug the seniors that live at Sunny Pines Retirement Community.

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

https://amzn.to/3E4LVhk

About In The Beautiful Dark:

Birdie fell in love with another woman, Allison, who was murdered at an early time in their relationship. Birdie ended up raising Alison’s son. This happens early in the book. The majority of the story takes place at the retirement community where a host of lovable characters live. Birdie is struggling with being retired and spends most of her time trying to solve the murder of Allison.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “…retirement is hard. You go from being important and needed to…” She swallowed. “Adrift.” I think many people that are retired can relate to this. Birdie struggles to find new friends and would rather spend her time trying to track down a serial killer. However, the people in the community finally break down Birdie’s walls. She learns to become an important part of their group. They set out on helping Birdie to solve the case of the serial killer.

Another point of view is the story of Allison, who watches Birdie “from above.” I found this part interesting as well. It was a great way to add in a third person point of view. She could give some background on the other characters in the story. A quote from Allison that I loved was, “Funny thing about promises and the dead: we don’t have the same attachment to them as the living.” Have you ever made a promise to someone that has passed away?

My Thoughts On In The Beautiful Dark:

I loved so many parts of this book. I wish I had a Birdie in my life that I could visit weekly. I loved how spunky she was, and she had a heart of gold. I spent a lot of time thinking about how that later stage in life affects people. But this book was also a mystery. I thought I had the serial killer figured out early on, but I needed to keep reading to see if I was right. I was never totally sure.

Melissa Payne does a wonderful job of characterization. I felt like I knew the characters well. I had wondered, while reading, if she had a lot of experience at a retirement community. So many events and dialogue made me laugh out loud. Her author’s notes does answer my question. Make sure you don’t skip this section at the end of the book.

In The Beautiful Dark deals with a lot of real-life issues. Payne deals with these issues well. I like how she crossed realistic fiction with mystery throughout the story. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. I loved the book. However, I gave it a four star because I felt the story was a little repetitive in the middle. Don’t let this stop you, though. It is worth reading!

Extra Info:

Here are some books that reminded me of this one:

You can buy this book at: https://amzn.to/3E4LVhk

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Melissa Payne for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Product of the Week That I Recommend – The LitBear Sleep Mask and Scrunchie

I have tried all different sleep masks, and this one is definitely my favorite. There are two reasons:

The whole sleep mask is silk. Most of the sleep masks I have tried are silky around your face, but not on the band. The band parts fits perfectly; it is not too snug, but it stays in place all night.
There is a nose rest! I found I can breathe so much better with this band. With the nose rest, it blocks out all of the light without pressing too hard on my nose. This is my favorite part.

It’s nice that it also comes with a silky scrunchie, which I use during my workouts. If you are giving it as a gift, it comes in a pretty box for presentation. It also comes with a travel bag to store it.

You can buy it at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLNZVZ5V?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2Q15CUMVXV7Q6&linkCode=tr1&tag=tbdteacher-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2Q15CUMVXV7Q6_1745353149033

Promise Me Sunshine By Cara Bastone: A Story About Healing Through Love

04.20.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

I don’t handle grief well. Let’s just put that out there. I’m terrified of losing anyone that I love. When I saw that Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone was about a woman getting over the death of her best friend, I knew I had to read it. This was such a beautiful story. It isn’t just a romance book. It’s also about learning to live again. I am so glad that I read it!

5/5 stars ★★★★★

You can buy it at: https://amzn.to/4iuGpDs

What Promise Me Sunshine Is About:

Lenny’s best friend/soul-mate/confidante/roommate just died from cancer. She isn’t sure how to go on living. She can’t return to her apartment because of the memories, and she doesn’t know where to turn. She agrees to a temporary babysitting job, and her whole world changes when she meets Miles, Ainsley, and Reese.

My Thoughts on Promise Me Sunshine:

The romance genre generally isn’t my favorite to read, but I loved this book. I instantly liked all of the characters. Do you know someone who says whatever she thinks, goes to the extreme in what she does, and loves with her whole heart? That’s Lenny. Do you know someone who comes across as gruff, but is a big teddy bear? That’s Miles. Ainsley is a crack-up and a lovable kid. Reese, her mom, is working through the grief of losing her own dad. All of the characters are well-developed in the story, and you can’t help but cheer each of them on.

I love that Lenny made up stories about the people she meets, especially if she feels they could be a love interest. How her future looks with that person always made me laugh. I like doing that about people also.

The Story Line:

It is the story line that truly grabbed me, though. I, too, have a best friend that I met when I was five, just like Lenny and Lou. I can’t imagine life without her. I cried so many times as Lenny learns to deal with her grief. Bastone, the author, does a wonderful job of showing how someone works through the grieving process. It was a list that was created when Lou was sick that takes Lenny on a wonderful adventure, and it’s Miles that shows her how to love life again.

I did have a question about one part of the story. At one point, Lenny and Miles don’t have any electricity, and they have to search for things in the dark. Why didn’t they just use the flashlight on their phone? A minor point, I know, but it made me curious.

I gave this book five out of five stars. I couldn’t wait to get back to the story each time, and that tells me how much I like a book. I like when a book makes me laugh, cry, think, and wish I knew the characters. I definitely recommend it.

This was just published in March, 2025, so it would make a great Mother’s Day gift. You wouldn’t have to worry if she has read it or not. https://amzn.to/44AgM0t

My Favorite Quotes:

By Miles, “Something good for you, something bad for you, and a change in scenery. That’s the winning formula.” It was how he dealt with his own grief.

From Lenny, “I’ve just cracked the code. How to live a perfect existence: just embrace it all, every lovely excruciating color.”

Thank You:

Thank you to NetGalley, Cara Barstone, and Random House Publishers for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Extras:

If you enjoyed this book, I would also recommend because of they are drama/romance books too:

My New Favorite Product:

My Kindle died recently, so I had to get a new one. Of course, this also meant a new cover. I love my new Vori cover because you can hold it with the strap if you are laying down, or use the stand if you are sitting in a chair. You can hold it with either hand. Plus, they have a lot of great designs to choose from. It is absolutely perfect, and I highly recommend it.

https://amzn.to/3RlP684

The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy

04.16.2025 by Judi Holst // Leave a Comment

It’s no surprise that a murder case is never the way it seems in a book. The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy is no different. Denny, a neurodivergent man with an IQ of 72, is charged with the murder of a mayoral candidate when he is found after crashing a sled full of guns into a tree. Can he prove to the police why this happened?

https://amzn.to/42MWL5x

3/5 stars ★★★☆☆

My Thoughts On The Sideways Life of Denny Voss:

This story was a sweet but slow-moving burn for me. I enjoyed the characters that are in Denny’s life. Of course, the dog, George, a deaf and blind Saint Bernard, won my heart over. But it was Denny’s cousin, Argus, that was my favorite. He was always so loving toward Denny, even when he had to be tough with him. I also love a funny t-shirt, so I enjoyed that each time Argus showed up in the story, he was wearing a different funny shirt.

Neurodivergent people hold a special place in my heart, so maybe this is why this story was a little difficult for me to read. Denny was leading a good life, and yet, he was misunderstood, and that was frustrating to me. I saw so many of my past students in Denny. It just made me want to hug him.

This book has high ratings from so many readers, so I hope that you will still give it a try. I am definitely the oddball with my rating. It repeated a little too much for me, and I wanted to hurry the story along. I do love the cover, though. It was a perfect choice for this story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Kennedy, and Lake Union Publishing for my free copy. This is my honest review.

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

My New Favorite Product This Week:

My Kindle died this week, so I had to get a new one. Of course, this also meant a new cover. I love my new Vori cover because you can hold it with the strap if you are laying down, or use the stand if you are sitting in a chair. Plus, they have a lot of great designs to choose from. It is absolutely perfect, and I highly recommend it.

https://amzn.to/3RlP684

The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker: A Thriller You Won’t Want To Miss!

04.10.2025 by Judi Holst // 1 Comment

Best ending ever! The cover says, “You’ll never forget the ending…” Whoa, they weren’t kidding. The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker was extremely suspenseful, especially during the second half. In true Patterson fashion, The Writer keeps you on your toes as you try to figure out the mystery.

https://amzn.to/3G3K6Cw

5/5 stars ★★★★★

What Is The Writer About?

This thriller is about a true-crime writer, Denise Morrow, who is found next to her dead husband. She is covered in blood and holding a knife. NYPD Detective, Declan Shaw, finds her behavior odd and starts to delve deeper into the mystery. As he dives into her past, he begins to see that things are more sinister than he thought.

My Thoughts on The Writer:

I loved this book. I’m a big fan of James Patterson and his thriller books, but combine that with the talents of J.D. Barker, and this book is a hit! Just like in other Patterson books, he takes some time to set up the mystery. BUT, you know something great and suspenseful is coming. This book didn’t disappoint.

Declan Shaw is a likable and relatable character. I like how the character’s flaws are shown throughout the story. He doesn’t dress nicely, like his partner, Jarod Cordova. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Harry Bosch in the Michael Connelly series. He takes his job seriously, but he can definitely get in trouble while doing his best work.

I couldn’t stand Denise Morrow, but I was intrigued by her talents as a true-crime writer. It makes me wonder if true-crime writers have more of a criminal mind than criminals themselves. Ha. They research crimes extensively. Detectives should talk to them in real life to hear their thoughts on a case.

My favorite part of the book is all of the twists. They were brilliant and added to the story. I had to process the ending when I finished. I sat there and thought, “What did I just read???”

This is now one of my favorite Patterson books. Which one is your favorite?

I gave this book five out of five stars. It should definitely be made into a movie. I didn’t want to stop reading, and I will remember the ending for a while.

You can buy this book at: https://amzn.to/3G3K6Cw. This is a great gift for someone who is a Patterson fan. Since it was just published, you won’t need to worry if they have already read it.

EXTRAS:

If you love James Patterson books, here are some of my favorites and recommend:

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, James Patterson, J.D. Barker, and Little, Brown & Co for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Want To Know My Favorite Product of the Week at Amazon?

Amazon will send me products in order to give them a review. Some are big hits with me, and others are true bombs. Here is my latest fave:

If you love fruit preserves, I recommend the Just Spread Fruit Preserve. These preserves are made with real fruit pieces. I tried three different kinds, but the apricot is my favorite. There were huge chunks of fruit in them. I also like that it only had four ingredients. Check it out: https://amzn.to/43Jqi12