Simply Lies by David Baldacci

March 26, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Simply Lies by David Baldacci
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Mickey Gibson, single mother and former detective, leads a hectic life similar to that of many moms: juggling the demands of her two small children with the tasks of her job working remotely for ProEye, a global investigation company that hunts down wealthy tax and credit cheats.

When Mickey gets a call from a colleague named Arlene Robinson, she thinks nothing of Arlene’s unusual request for her to go inventory the vacant home of an arms dealer who cheated ProEye’s clients and fled. That is, until she arrives at the mansion and discovers a dead body in a secret room—and nothing is as it seems.

Not only does the arms dealer not exist, but the murder victim turns out to be Harry Langhorne, a man with mob ties who used to be in Witness Protection. What’s more, no one named Arlene Robinson works at ProEye.

In the blink of an eye, Gibson has become a prime suspect in a murder investigation—and now her job is on the line until she proves that she was set up. Before long, Gibson is locked in a battle of wits with a brilliant woman with no name, a hidden past, and unknown motives—whose end game is as mysterious as it is deadly.

Former detective Mickey Gibson now works from home for a global investigations company. While she misses the field and action of her former police days, her two young children usually make up for the lack of action in her days now. When a colleague calls with a simple task for Mickey she doesn’t think twice about heading out to check over a house. Discovering a dead body inside, Mickey’s life is immediately turned upside down and she finds herself unwillingly drawn into a dangerous and fast paced world.

I’ve always enjoyed David Baldacci’s books, and this standalone novel didn’t disappoint. I found Mickey to be a modern, relatable and thoroughly enjoyable character. Much of her character and situation should strike a chord with many people and I thought she was an excellent hook into the story. I also thought Baldacci did an excellent job keeping the pace of the story fast but not so quick that I couldn’t keep up. There is a lot going on in this book and quite a few plots and sub-plots interweaving together and this could have easily turned into a mess where there was just too much going on. I feel Baldacci really is exceptional (in this and others of his works) with keeping that balance.

I thought the villain was also an excellent character, though I do admit the different layers and complications of the plot got quite a bit at times. I found I did need to suspend a little bit of my disbelief – there were just so many layers and twists I found myself at a few points pausing to wonder if this really was believable. Baldacci’s skill, however, had me so caught up in the plot and action that overall I did find it logical and while upon reflection I’m not certain that parts are realistic, there is ample evidence with enough planning and foresight everything is potentially possible and I did find myself caught up in the book and pacing it was quite easy to suspend a little disbelief and keep going with the action. I’m not sure all readers will feel this way – but if you enjoy Baldacci’s style and other works then this is absolutely along a similar vein and is admittedly very well thought out.

With a complicated plot, plenty of moving parts and a very solid pace readers should find this action orientated murder mystery a good read. I’m happy with this book and at the moment it stands alone so there’s no history or prior books in the series that need reading. I’d also pick up a second book about this character and read another one of her adventures.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Team Of Three by Brad Lee

March 25, 2025 By Leave a Comment


A Team Of Three by Brad Lee
Publisher: Simply Sensible Entertainment
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Action/Adventure
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Freedom isn’t free.

America’s newest enemy launches an audacious plan to incapacitate the country. A never-before-seen danger is about to be unleashed on an unsuspecting public. And the world faces a crisis unlike any before.
Can intelligence analyst Haley put the puzzle together in time from the safety of her office – or is she meant to risk it all as a field asset?

Is Axe, a former Navy SEAL, capable of overcoming a foe with nothing to lose?
The clues are cleverly hidden. The threats are terrifying.

And the stakes have never been higher. For the USA, the world, Axe, and Haley.
They are on their own, in deep, and desperate.

All they have is each other, their dedication, and their skills… but will that be enough to prevent death and destruction?
Join them for their most dangerous mission yet.

It was meant to be a fairly simple – albeit covert – missions. Axe would break into a Mexican cartel’s mansion, rescue the American nurse being held kidnapped there and with Kelton driving the getaway boat the three of them would return to America, safe and undiscovered. As Axe and Hayley know all too well – the only easy day was yesterday.

I have absolutely loved the first two books in this series – A Team Of One and A Team Of Two – and so I had very high expectations for this third book. I was not disappointed. This is quickly growing to be both my new favourite author and series.

While I do feel this book can be read by itself, I admit to having a stronger and quicker emotional connection to the team members and small cast of characters because of the previous installments. I don’t feel they would be necessary to read to thoroughly enjoy this book, though I can see sooner or later the weight of these life altering situations and the shared history will mean readers will need some of the background knowledge and not simply be able to pick up anywhere in the series. We’re not there yet – but I can see that might occur sometime soon.

Similarly to the previous two books I loved that this is a fast paced, action oriented adventure and mystery story. There is a giant plot going on overhead, with a number of working parts and links. I was pleased this time – unlike in the second book – we learn more about the big picture as Haley and Axe do and I think this helped give the plot and momentum of the story a more linear feel to it. I admit I prefer this style of storytelling and while the back and forth of the second novel is still good, my preference is the style shown in this and the first book.

The characters are believable and relatable. While Hayley is almost preternaturally smart and Axe unbelievably brave and focused, I could relax and just go with the flow on these points when really I don’t necessarily need a real-life type of person in my adventure and espionage style stories. We want our heroes to be larger than life. Axe was certainly in dangerous situations and Hayley had to work hard to analyse her data and put the puzzle together, but we do want them to get there in the end before the bad guy wins.

I feel readers who are happy with action paced, fast moving and addictive stories where it’s clear from the beginning that the good guy will win – they’ll just need to work for it – then this should be a book right up your alley. With plenty of action and adventure, a solid plot that grows and expands and some very memorable characters this was a brilliant read and one I will happily be adding to my keeper shelf. I can’t wait for more of this series and author. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Back of Beyond by C.J. Box

March 24, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Back of Beyond by C.J. Box
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Cody Hoyt, although a brilliant cop, is an alcoholic struggling with two months of sobriety when his friend Hank Winters is found burned to death in a remote mountain cabin. At first it looks like the suicide of a man who’s fallen off the wagon, but Cody knows Hank better than that. As Cody digs deeper into the case, all roads lead to foul play. After years of bad behavior with his department, Cody is in no position to be investigating a homicide, but he will stop at nothing to find Hank’s killer.

When clues found at the scene link the murderer to an outfitter leading tourists on a multiday wilderness horseback trip into the remote corners of Yellowstone National Park—a pack trip that includes his son Justin—Cody is desperate to get on their trail and stop the killer before the group heads into the wild. In a fatal cat-and-mouse game, where it becomes apparent the murderer is somehow aware of Cody’s every move, Cody treks into the wilderness to stop a killer hell-bent on destroying the only important thing left in his life.

Back of Beyond is C.J. Box’s first book in the Cody Hoyt series. Cody is a cop with a past littered with hard liquor and a reputation as an alcoholic. But he’s a good cop and most everyone knows it. One of the people who believed in him was his AA sponsor Hank, and Hank is found dead in an old burned-out cabin. While it might look like carelessness to some, Cody knows in his heart Hank was killed.

C.J. Box has created one of his believable, interesting characters in Cody Hoyt. In every book I have read by Box, there is a character that you grow to care about and want to succeed, one that makes your heart hurt to see them struggle. He’s simply great at creating them. This series is set in Yellowstone and Cody thinks his killer is mixed in with a group that is taking a rough camping tour. A tour with plenty of dangers, but none more so than the realization that Cody’s own son is on the tour.

This is a big book. I don’t think the author ever wrote anything else. It might move a little slow occasionally, but it is worth reading every word.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis

March 21, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Avon, Harper Collins Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.

As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.

So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?

I decided to read this novel based on the synopsis, the front cover, and the author. The synopsis immediately hooked me, leaving me with questions I knew only the book could answer. The cover, a picturesque snowy mountain scene featuring a cozy cabin, a campfire, and a dog with a cat drew me in. I could almost feel the crisp mountain air and smell the smoke from the campfire. Plus, I’ve enjoyed Jill Shalvis’ storytelling in the past, so I was eager to dive into this one.

Sometimes, a synopsis gives away all the best parts of a book, leaving little to discover, but that wasn’t the case here. There were plenty of details left to unravel, and I was pleased with the well-developed cast of characters. Their relationships felt relatable and charismatic, and the plot was both contemporary and captivating, making the story flow effortlessly from beginning to end.

The heroine, Olive Porter, became the strong, successful woman she is thanks to the challenges and circumstances of her childhood. The hero, Noah Turner, carries his own emotional baggage from his past. They grew up in the same small town and once shared a young love that was abruptly cut short. As their past and present unfolded, I found myself completely invested in their journey. Their chemistry was heartfelt and undeniable, and it was touching to watch them learn to trust–themselves and each–other again. Most of the other characters could see they were meant to be together; it was only a matter of time before Olive and Noah admitted it to themselves.

If you’re looking for a fun, engaging romance, I highly recommend this book. I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end, and Olive and Noah’s happily ever after left me completely satisfied.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Anomaly by Jennifer Milne

March 20, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Anomaly by Jennifer Milne
Publisher: Auctor Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Inspirational, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What if every day you woke up as someone new?

Every day a new past, every day a new life.

Then what if one day you woke up and you were no one at all?

Ellie Coleman has been erased from existence and now she must fight for the love that no longer knows her and the life that is no longer her own.

What if you had to choose: to be erased and save the world…or to live and let it burn.

The world wouldn’t be the same if you, I, or anyone else weren’t in it.

Making the right decision isn’t always clear cut. What sounds good in the moment might turn out to have negative consequences in the future, and vice versa. I was intrigued by the many different factors Ellie and the other characters had to consider when deciding which choice made the most sense not only for themselves but also for the rest of humanity. There’s something to be said for embracing the nuances of life.

I struggled with the plot holes in this novella. For example, it was hard for me to understand how Ellie could continue to exist when she had been erased from existence. The reason given for this never made sense to me, and I found myself wishing more time had been spent explaining how it worked and why nobody expected it to occur. The ending, too, didn’t seem to fit what I’d learned earlier about the rules in this universe about what should happen to someone who exists despite every attempt to prevent that from happening. If only I could have had more information about how it all worked.

Time travel is one of those topics I automatically gravitate towards when I read speculative fiction. Even a small change in the past can have major repercussions in the future, and I appreciated how much time and effort the author put into extrapolating how her characters’ earlier decisions could logically affect what happened to them next. She clearly put a lot of thought into these passages!

One of the interesting changes I’ve seen in the inspirational genre over the past few years has been how often books do not mention this in their blurbs or other descriptions of their content. I did not go into this novella expecting to find religious themes and messages, so I thought I’d let other readers know in advance that it does have them. It’s important for readers to be able to find tales from the genres they love.

Anomaly was thought provoking.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Boy In The Headlights by Samuel Bjork

March 19, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Boy In The Headlights by Samuel Bjork
Publisher: Penguin, Random House
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Mindless killer? Or do they know exactly what they’re doing?

Winter 1996. An old man is driving home when his headlights catch an animal on the empty road up ahead. He stamps hard on the brakes. But it is not an animal at all. It is a young boy, frightened and alone, with a set of deer antlers strapped firmly to his head.

Fourteen years later, a body is found in a mountain lake. Within weeks, three people have died. Each time, the killer has left a clue, inviting Special Investigations Detectives Munch and Krüger to play a deadly game – a game they cannot possibly win. Against the most dangerous and terrifying kind of serial killer. One who chooses their victims completely at random.

To find the killer they must look deep within their own dark pasts, but how can you stop a murderer when you cannot begin to predict their next move?

Once again the Special Investigations team has been disbanded – only to be called together when three young people are murdered all in quick succession. Munch and Kruger are reunited again to solve the hardest cases Norway has to offer. The victims are random, baffling the team, and when they realise all sorts of distractions and misleading clues are being peppered throughout the series of cases they all struggle to figure out what is helpful and what is part of this killers game. A game the team isn’t sure they can win.

I have greatly enjoyed the other two books in this Scandinavian Noir series and this book is absolutely no exception. Slightly darker and grittier than many British and other police murder mysteries I really love how complicated and interwoven the plot is. With plenty of short, sharp chapters this author draws all sorts of characters and seemingly random scenes and skillfully weaves them into one giant plotline that all comes together at the end. Plenty of these scenes truly appear random – or potentially meaningless distractions – but I know from previous experience that it will all slot together somehow, I just can’t possibly see how until it’s all revealed.

While the tone and setting is certainly darker than many other books that I read, this story is not gory and nor does it use violence or the crimes as titillation. This is solidly a suspenseful murder mystery, but the feel and tone of the book is darker and grittier than plenty of others out there. Readers who like a bit more edge in their mysteries should find this style very appealing. I also really enjoy the fact that the police team really do work well together – but unlike many British police procedurals each character works quite solidly alone and not just as a cohesive part of the full team. I found that quite different to many other books where the style is more each character is a fully integrated part of a whole, whereas in this style of book many of the members work quite independently of each other, though they do all collaborate and freely share details and seek help from each other when needed.

There were quite a few sub-plots going on as well, Mia and her baggage from her dead twin sister, Munch and his daughter’s recovery, and I especially liked getting to know Curry a bit better in this book – his plotline was very well handled as well.

Readers who enjoy a slightly darker and stronger murder mystery should definitely give this a try. I have greatly enjoyed the two previous books in this series by this author and am eager to try the next one along.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

At the Island’s Edge by C. I. Jerez

March 18, 2025 By Leave a Comment


At the Island’s Edge by C. I. Jerez
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

An Iraq War veteran returns to Puerto Rico to reconnect with―and confront―the past in a heart-wrenching novel about duty, motherhood, and the healing power of home.

As a combat medic, Lina LaSalle went to Iraq to save the lives of fellow soldiers. But when her convoy is attacked, she must set aside her identity as a healer and take a life herself.

Although she is honored as a hero when she returns to the US, Lina cannot find her footing. She is stricken with PTSD and unsure of how to support her young son, Teó, a little boy with Tourette’s. As her attempts to self-medicate become harder to hide, Lina realizes she must do the toughest thing yet: ask for help.

She retreats to her parents’ house in Puerto Rico, where Teó thrives under her family’s care. Lina finds kinship, too―with a cousin whose dreams were also shattered by the war and with a handsome and caring veteran who sought refuge on the island and runs a neighborhood bar.

But amid the magic of the island are secrets and years of misunderstandings that could erode the very stability she’s fighting for. Hope lies on the horizon, but can she keep her gaze steady?

Combat medic Sergeant Catalina (Lina) LaSalle-Rivera returns from Iraq a hero but struggles with the moral implications of having taken a life during an attack. Lina moves back to Puerto Rico with her son, Matteo (Teó), who has Tourette’s syndrome, to be with her family. However, hidden family secrets and past misunderstandings threaten to further drive her into a downward spiral, leaving her to question whether she can truly find healing and hope.

The early parts of the novel are engaging and emotional, particularly as Lina navigates the growing tension between her personal turmoil and her family. Lina’s journey is compelling and heart-wrenching, but it seems her life has always been overshadowed by sadness. She has faced pressure from her family, feeling inadequate as a female. She later grappled with feelings of disappointment after becoming pregnant and joining the Army. The family dynamic, which aimed to ensure that Lina had a better life, is understandable; however, after her return, it seems the pressure then turned to her being a good parent. Lina holds in a lot of her emotions, yet her family remains unaware of her struggles. Though I empathize with Lina, I believe she needed counseling long before the incident in Iraq.

**Warning**: For readers struggling with depression or low self-esteem, Lina’s story may be triggering.

I enjoyed the author’s story; the pacing was consistent, and there were a few twists that I did not see coming. I appreciated the cultural history and visual details of Puerto Rico, and I especially liked the inclusion of Spanish phrases throughout the book. Since I can read Spanish better than I can speak it, this was a real treat.

Lina’s story is one that many military and medical professionals can relate to. They take an oath to heal and treat those in medical need, but it can be traumatic for them if they are involved in causing someone to lose their life. Processing that experience can be heavy and difficult.

Lina was very shut off from others, trapped in her own thoughts, which were overwhelming her. Her despair led her to seek escape in alcohol. I was glad to see her courage to recognize that her drinking was problematic and to accept therapy—not only for her own well-being but also for Teo’s sake.

Although I was captivated by the story, it felt like some phrases were repeated several times throughout the book. The supporting characters, especially Tia Lisandra and Papi, often seemed one-dimensional. Tia Lisandra was very vocal and took charge of the family, but I did not fully understand her motivations. I was hoping for more details and closure between Lina and her Tia, as well as between Tia Lisandra and her daughter Dolores. It appeared that Tia Lisandra was alone and bitter, driven by pride rather than love and compassion. Papi had chauvinistic opinions, but there were conversations with Lina that revealed a loving and softer side to him. I was grateful that Lina found support from her niece Dolores and a fellow veteran, Elijah Montgomery, who helped Lina through her healing process.

The shocking revelation regarding the misunderstanding with Leonardo, Teo’s dad, seemed to indicate that the author did not want to portray Leonardo as a villain, but rather this created a family secret. Nevertheless, I was pleased that things were resolved in the end. The resolution and Lina’s redemption brought her back to feeling like a healer, enabling her to serve her country again.

The author wrote from a sensitive perspective, and I appreciated that. At the Island’s Edge is a touching exploration of trauma, healing, and the enduring power of family. Jerez crafts a compelling narrative that resonates with raw emotion, inviting readers to connect with Lina’s struggles and celebrate her resilience. This is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The First Avocado by Greg Schindler

March 17, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The First Avocado by Greg Schindler
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

This is the true story of a family’s 1927 move from Michigan to Florida and the two years they live near Tampa. They move because the oldest boy breathed mustard gas in WWI and his lungs worsen each winter. During the eventful, seven week trip they camp nightly by the road and bathe in nearby streams. Near Tampa they live on a farm.

Flyers in Michigan promise warm winters, beautiful beaches, and a plethora of oranges in Florida. Those flyers don’t lie, but fail to mention the dreadfully hot summers, snakes, hurricanes, and the KKK.

The coming-of-age narrator of the story, Annie asks her mother some of life’s difficult questions and receives the wisest of answers. Annie and her niece, Doris, are baseball playing tomboys who insist on barging into a boys’ sport before the term “women’s lib” was ever coined. And her Dad, Fred, gets their beloved farm manager, Thaddeus, in trouble by being too nice to him.

Family is forever.

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored difficult topics from a child’s point of view. For example, Annie had a lot of questions about how babies are made, what causes hurricanes, why grownups make so many decisions that kids don’t always understand, and why some people are prejudiced against other races. Adults have explanations for these things that a kid can’t always wrap their minds around right away, and I enjoyed comparing Annie’s understanding of how they worked versus how her parents and adult siblings would describe them.

It would have been helpful to have more character development. Annie was a tomboy who loved baseball, but I would struggle to describe her personality beyond saying that she was a kind kid who tried to see the best in everyone. This was a pattern that was even stronger for her various family members who travelled with her as there wasn’t a lot of information about whether they were introverted or extroverted, grumpy or cheerful, creative or practical, or anything else like that. As much as I wanted to give this a full five-star rating, I needed more information about the characters as people to justify that.

I loved the humor in this book. Annie and her family faced all sorts of problems on their trip to Florida and during the time they needed to adjust to southern culture once they arrived there. There were multiple times when I chuckled as I read about how they fixed their car with limited supplies, what they thought of avocados, and how they adjusted to the heat and humidity down south. Finding the funny side in the surprises of life is so important!

The First Avocado was full of adventure.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Movie Review: The Christmas Quest Directed by: Dustin Rikert

March 17, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Christmas Quest
Directed by: Dustin Rikert
Writers: Andrew Gernhard, Marcy Holland, Dustin Rikert
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Kristoffer Polaha, and Derek Ridell
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars (8 on IMDB)
Reviewed by Dicentra

An archaeologist, her ex-husband who is a Norse language expert, search for legendary treasure in Iceland during Christmas. Others join the hunt, leading to a thrilling race to secure the treasure before the wrong people obtain it.

Lacey Chabert is one of the unquestioned queens of holiday movies, and her newest Hallmark release, The Christmas Quest, was a charming holiday tale that meshed the best of cozy movies and the Indiana Jones style mystery dynamic. The movie, which also stars Kristoffer Polaha and Derek Ridell, takes the characters on a trip to Iceland to find a hidden treasure before Christmas day.

This is the first time I’ve heard of the legend of the Yule Lads, and it’s such a fun tale. Each of the lads comes down from the mountain on their specific day to enact mischief and collect what they love most (i.e. candles, milk, etc.). They also drop off a potato to children who misbehave (I’m not sure if that’s better or worse than coal, haha) The Yule Lads story such a playful tale compared to some of the other holiday stories around the world, and I loved how the history bridged the gap between Lacey Chabert’s character and her mother (both archaeologists).

I also loved the setting of the story. A lot of Hallmark movies in the past have featured New England settings, but this has Chabert and Polaha traveling to an Icelandic locale. They make their way through the mountains, traverse caves, and even set off booby traps a la Temple of Doom. The Indiana Jones references were not lost on the writers, as the map detailing their travels mirrored the one from the movies and they subtly nodded at some of the most famous scenes.

Overall, The Christmas Quest was an entertaining and exciting movie. I’m excited to see the new creative direction Hallmark seems to be going in, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of their new movies as they release. Check out this movie if you like adventure and romance complete with mystery and folktales.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings, Movie Review, Television Show Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

DEATH: Friend or Enemy?: Views from the Other Side by Ann Merivale

March 14, 2025 By Leave a Comment


DEATH: Friend or Enemy?: Views from the Other Side by Ann Merivale
Publisher: 6th Books
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Death, as the saying goes, is the great leveler, and though many fear it, while others view it as a blessed release, its inescapability affects us all in some way. The author of this unusual book makes use both of her spiritual reading and of the knowledge she gained from 20-plus years’ experience of taking her Deep Memory Process clients back to deaths in their previous lives, thus giving a broad spectrum of possible post-death scenarios. These she illustrates with a combination of famous and fictional characters, drawn both from accounts that came from the ‘other side’ through her figurative pen and from factual research. Part of the book’s aim is to dispel all fears of death itself and to demonstrate that the notion of eternal damnation is mistaken. At the same time, it shows the reader that whether a lifetime lasts 10 years (as did Annie Darwin’s) or 97 (like Bertrand Russell’s), it has a clear purpose and value. The stories’ precise truth is, however, immaterial, as you will find them enjoyable, educational, and reassuring.

Ann Merivale’s DEATH: Friend or Enemy?: Views from the Other Side offers a fascinating and ultimately comforting exploration of death and the afterlife, viewed through a unique lens. This book offers a captivating blend of anecdotal evidence, historical context, and spiritual insight, all aimed at demystifying our ultimate fate.

Merivale’s 20+ years of experience with Deep Memory Process, guiding clients through purported past life regressions, provides a compelling foundation for the narratives within. The author cleverly weaves together accounts purportedly channeled from the “other side” through her “figurative pen” with factual research and historical figures like Annie Darwin and Bertrand Russell. This combination lends a sense of groundedness to the more ethereal aspects of the book, making it accessible to a wider audience.

The book’s strength lies in its storytelling. The promise of personal and up-close narratives from individuals who have passed is inherently intriguing. While the review acknowledges the “precise truth” of these stories may be immaterial, the reviewer emphasizes their enjoyable, educational, and reassuring nature. This suggests that Merivale has crafted compelling narratives that resonate on an emotional and intellectual level, offering a fresh perspective on the often-feared subject of death.

The inclusion of historical context adds another layer of intrigue, suggesting a blend of personal narratives and broader philosophical exploration.

Overall, DEATH: Friend or Enemy? is a unique read. It caters to those interested in exploring the mysteries of the afterlife, past life regression, and spiritual perspectives on death. While the book’s reliance on channeled accounts might not appeal to everyone, the combination of historical figures, personal stories, and the author’s extensive experience in Deep Memory Process makes it a compelling and potentially comforting exploration of life’s ultimate question. The promise of entertainment, education, and reassurance makes this book one to pick up this year.

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