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Baggage
Over the years, terrible things keep happening to Anna Ray on February 17. First, there was the childhood trauma she’s never been able to speak about. Then, to her horror, her husband killed himself on that date. A year later and a thousand miles away, Anna tries to find solace in the fresh start of a new job in a new place. She takes comfort in her outspoken cousin Jeannie, the confidant and best friend who’s there whenever she needs help. On the day of the dreaded anniversary, Anna and Jeannie hit the town, planning to ease the pain with an alcohol-induced stupor and then sleep… When Anna awakes the next morning, she thinks she can put one more February 17 behind her, but fate is about to intervene in the form of two gruesome murders with eerie similarities to her violent past. This time, however, she won’t be an abandoned daughter or a grieving widow. This time, she’ll be a suspect.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2016
289 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
About the author
S.G. Redling
14 books313 followersS.G. Redling, a graduate of Georgetown University, has spent fifteen years waking up the good folks of Huntington WV and its environs on the WKEE-FM morning radio show. She recently wound up her headphones for the last time and is focusing on thrillers, mysteries and urban fantasy. When S.G. isn't writing, she loves to paint, travel and embarrass herself by speaking wretched Italian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 3, 2019
This was a slow heavy going read at the beginning and I wasn't prepared for how much this would completely turn me around and enjoy it, I am so glad I don't often give up with books at the first hurdle. I have learnt this time and time again that 'I just might miss out on reading a 'good 'un if I did'.
Its completely and utterly well titled. We all have baggage and we just can't escape it no matter how hard we try, not even running to another Town or country.
I think the majority of us have a time in the year we don't like, it could be something tragic that happened, an unhappy event......anything, and this was the case here.
FEBRUARY
Something happened to Anna in February when she was small, she can't face talking about it.
Her husband committed suicide a year ago in February.
I was truly well invested in this read, eagerly anticipating the ending.
I thought it was a superb book alas the ending let it down a little, I was expecting so much more with all that build up.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Net Galley for my copy
March 24, 2016
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
"Welcome to the Fucked Up World of Anna Shuler Ray. There's a small, pissed-off, hand hacking butcher running around the edges of my world, and it's the cop I'm afraid of."
The book started off really great. The dysfunctional life of Anna is portrayed beautifully and her willingness to drown out her sorrows in wine makes her come across as a completely vulnerable lead, which serves just right for the foundation of the story. The initial plot built-up sets a really interesting premise for the mystery that lingers over the alternate chapters like a heavy cloud. These chapters are often mixed with Jeannie's 17-year-old self and Anna's 12-year-old self. The author keeps the book really interesting with these mixed POV chapters and lays a brilliant foundation for a great psychological thriller.
The story build-up was great, and the alternating POVs and the time frames really kept it interesting. I loved reading this book and really enjoyed reading it. The pace of the book was good and I found some or the other interesting bits happening in every chapter which kept me glued to the book.
"Nothing takes the glory out of a victory like passive surrender."
Like a good suspense novel, there were a lot of suspects that the reader could zero in on, but the ending was truly surprising. I only wish that the author would have made the motive of the murderer a little more solid as it felt a little week and it really didn't add up with the blurb's mysterious tone. And the fact that the date mentioned so clearly in the blurb really had no significance was a little disappointing. Nonetheless, I was totally baffled when the killer was revealed as I really liked that character. a lot!
The characterisation is excellent and all the characters have really good depth and layers and layers of traits which make them come across as real people. They are extremely relatable and likable.
"Sometimes all it takes for us to see things the proper way is for someone else to see them wrong."
The writing is also really good. The easy flow made the book a quick as well as an enjoyable read. The pace of the story was great and made it difficult for me to put down the book after every chapter. The author did a fantastic job in keeping the reader busy in the possible-suspect-guessing-game and, at the end, she really nailed it with a surprising ending.
This book is a quick read and the blood and gore were minimal, so it was a good change to read a relatively clean psychological thriller.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud.
"Welcome to the Fucked Up World of Anna Shuler Ray. There's a small, pissed-off, hand hacking butcher running around the edges of my world, and it's the cop I'm afraid of."
The book started off really great. The dysfunctional life of Anna is portrayed beautifully and her willingness to drown out her sorrows in wine makes her come across as a completely vulnerable lead, which serves just right for the foundation of the story. The initial plot built-up sets a really interesting premise for the mystery that lingers over the alternate chapters like a heavy cloud. These chapters are often mixed with Jeannie's 17-year-old self and Anna's 12-year-old self. The author keeps the book really interesting with these mixed POV chapters and lays a brilliant foundation for a great psychological thriller.
The story build-up was great, and the alternating POVs and the time frames really kept it interesting. I loved reading this book and really enjoyed reading it. The pace of the book was good and I found some or the other interesting bits happening in every chapter which kept me glued to the book.
"Nothing takes the glory out of a victory like passive surrender."
Like a good suspense novel, there were a lot of suspects that the reader could zero in on, but the ending was truly surprising. I only wish that the author would have made the motive of the murderer a little more solid as it felt a little week and it really didn't add up with the blurb's mysterious tone. And the fact that the date mentioned so clearly in the blurb really had no significance was a little disappointing. Nonetheless, I was totally baffled when the killer was revealed as I really liked that character. a lot!
The characterisation is excellent and all the characters have really good depth and layers and layers of traits which make them come across as real people. They are extremely relatable and likable.
"Sometimes all it takes for us to see things the proper way is for someone else to see them wrong."
The writing is also really good. The easy flow made the book a quick as well as an enjoyable read. The pace of the story was great and made it difficult for me to put down the book after every chapter. The author did a fantastic job in keeping the reader busy in the possible-suspect-guessing-game and, at the end, she really nailed it with a surprising ending.
This book is a quick read and the blood and gore were minimal, so it was a good change to read a relatively clean psychological thriller.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud.
February 13, 2016
Anna seems to have a black cloud hanging over her head. February 17 is the day she dreads more than any other.
As a child, she experienced a traumatic event that, even now, 15 years later she can't bring herself to talk about it. Her husband even chose to kill himself on this day. And here it is ... February again.
She's moved thousands of miles away trying to outrun the living nightmare that is her life. Working at a college student advisor, she once again feels the darkness swirling around her. A body is found .....
And now the question is .... is she a victim or is she a killer?
This was quite a carnival ride! The story was woven between the layers of past and present. I had read the book blurb and it looked intriguing. But it started out a bit slow. I was all prepared to not like this one at all, but I am so glad I stuck with it.
Anna has so many issues and not until about half way through the book do things really pick up. And from there it's like a sprint to the finish line. And that's when I could understand why it's written the way it is.
BAGGAGE is a solid mystery with characters you won't soon forget, good plot twists, and a very satisfying ending.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
As a child, she experienced a traumatic event that, even now, 15 years later she can't bring herself to talk about it. Her husband even chose to kill himself on this day. And here it is ... February again.
She's moved thousands of miles away trying to outrun the living nightmare that is her life. Working at a college student advisor, she once again feels the darkness swirling around her. A body is found .....
And now the question is .... is she a victim or is she a killer?
This was quite a carnival ride! The story was woven between the layers of past and present. I had read the book blurb and it looked intriguing. But it started out a bit slow. I was all prepared to not like this one at all, but I am so glad I stuck with it.
Anna has so many issues and not until about half way through the book do things really pick up. And from there it's like a sprint to the finish line. And that's when I could understand why it's written the way it is.
BAGGAGE is a solid mystery with characters you won't soon forget, good plot twists, and a very satisfying ending.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
October 13, 2016
Quick review for a quick read. What a wild ride of a read that was. "Baggage" does a great job of keeping the reader in the dark about the "whodunit" for this particular grisly murder mystery. Anna Ray is a young woman who has been through...a number of different things. The date February 17th has much significance - the day her father died, the day her husband died years after the previous death. She tries to put as much distance as she can from the date, though she notably has a drinking problem to forget the pain of her past. Yet, when the date rolls around again - despite being in a new job, new life, with people to support her, yet another person ends up dead with ties to her.
Anna Ray's a hard protagonist to like - an anti-heroine who has a particular coldness and hard demeanor that isn't quick to be sympathetic towards others, even surrounding death (though she has her moments where she has that capability), but her story is compelling as the narrative trades between the past and present to shape the reason why the way she is, alongside showcasing details and revelations from the current mystery. As facts and relationships reveal themselves, I'll admit I was taken into the full thrust of the narrative. The reveals satisfied enough to tie the loose ends that were brought to the forefront of the story, as well as revealing Anna Ray's role in it all. I definitely appreciated the read, and Amy McFadden did a fine job as the audio narrator for the story.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
Anna Ray's a hard protagonist to like - an anti-heroine who has a particular coldness and hard demeanor that isn't quick to be sympathetic towards others, even surrounding death (though she has her moments where she has that capability), but her story is compelling as the narrative trades between the past and present to shape the reason why the way she is, alongside showcasing details and revelations from the current mystery. As facts and relationships reveal themselves, I'll admit I was taken into the full thrust of the narrative. The reveals satisfied enough to tie the loose ends that were brought to the forefront of the story, as well as revealing Anna Ray's role in it all. I definitely appreciated the read, and Amy McFadden did a fine job as the audio narrator for the story.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
February 8, 2016
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer Publisher for an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
We all have dates on the calendar that we dread. And February 17 is the date that Anna Ray not only dreads, but she numbs herself with lots and lots of alcohol.
When she was a child, her mother killed her father on February 17. She has never spoke of it, and she won't. She won't open her mother's letters or accept her mother's calls.
Last year on February 17, her husband killed himself. His lifeless body hanging too close to the secrets of Anna's past.
This February 17 finds Anna in a new town, hundreds of miles from the home she and her husband shared. She has a new job thanks to her cousin, Jeanie. She drinks way too much wine and beer, but she can still function. Jeanie has come to stay with Anna on this February 17, and Anna is grateful. They both drink themselves into a sleep filled stupor, and Anna awakens late on February 18 to a blanket of snow and a small hope that nothing bad has happened this year.
But it does. Two murders, and she's now the suspect rather than the grieving daughter and widow.
I gave this 3 Stars because the ending didn't really resolve the entire story line. A few loose ends were left dangling that I wanted resolved. And Anna's character wasn't as developed as her cousin, Jeanie. I understand that speaking about her mother and husband is difficult, but...And the fact that Anna is a functioning alcoholic got a little old. What was meant to be mysterious and painful about Anna made her, at least to me, somewhat cold and weak. I almost didn't care about her, then the author made me care for Anna again, but not the way I did at the beginning of the novel.
The revelation of the killer's identity surprised me. I thumped my head and thought, "Of course!" And the reason to frame Anna for the murders was delicious.
We all have dates on the calendar that we dread. And February 17 is the date that Anna Ray not only dreads, but she numbs herself with lots and lots of alcohol.
When she was a child, her mother killed her father on February 17. She has never spoke of it, and she won't. She won't open her mother's letters or accept her mother's calls.
Last year on February 17, her husband killed himself. His lifeless body hanging too close to the secrets of Anna's past.
This February 17 finds Anna in a new town, hundreds of miles from the home she and her husband shared. She has a new job thanks to her cousin, Jeanie. She drinks way too much wine and beer, but she can still function. Jeanie has come to stay with Anna on this February 17, and Anna is grateful. They both drink themselves into a sleep filled stupor, and Anna awakens late on February 18 to a blanket of snow and a small hope that nothing bad has happened this year.
But it does. Two murders, and she's now the suspect rather than the grieving daughter and widow.
I gave this 3 Stars because the ending didn't really resolve the entire story line. A few loose ends were left dangling that I wanted resolved. And Anna's character wasn't as developed as her cousin, Jeanie. I understand that speaking about her mother and husband is difficult, but...And the fact that Anna is a functioning alcoholic got a little old. What was meant to be mysterious and painful about Anna made her, at least to me, somewhat cold and weak. I almost didn't care about her, then the author made me care for Anna again, but not the way I did at the beginning of the novel.
The revelation of the killer's identity surprised me. I thumped my head and thought, "Of course!" And the reason to frame Anna for the murders was delicious.
February 2, 2016
February is the month that fills Anna with dread. A year ago, her husband committed suicide in February. As a child, something happened to Anna in February that even now she can't talk about. Living in a mess of an apartment but settled in a new job as a student advisor, Anna is planning to spend the most dreaded day in February with her cousin and best friend Jeannie and lots and lots of alcohol. But then a body is found close to Anna's place of work, and the police soon assume that this murder is somehow linked to Anna.
I really enjoyed this story. Switching between past and present, the plot was really mysterious, and for a long time, I didn't quite know what to make of Anna. All the characters were really well developed. I kept changing my mind about what was actually going on with Anna and with Jeannie, and when it came to the big showdown I had been totally wrong. The author also did a fantastic job of creating quite an eerie atmosphere of a wintry College town. Baggage was a solid mystery with intriguing characters, good plot twists and a very satisfying ending.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I really enjoyed this story. Switching between past and present, the plot was really mysterious, and for a long time, I didn't quite know what to make of Anna. All the characters were really well developed. I kept changing my mind about what was actually going on with Anna and with Jeannie, and when it came to the big showdown I had been totally wrong. The author also did a fantastic job of creating quite an eerie atmosphere of a wintry College town. Baggage was a solid mystery with intriguing characters, good plot twists and a very satisfying ending.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 26, 2016
This book started out a little on the slow side for me. I kept wondering when would we get to what happened and why February 17th was such a day from hell for Anna.
Finally answers start coming! On February 17 when Anna was little her mother killed her father to protect her. Of course Anna never talks about it and is sent to live with her cousin Jeannie and her family. Jeannie has become not only her support system but like her older sister. In the story these two have a great bond.
Now that Anna is an adult she got married but again on February 17 he ended up killing himself. Now a year later Anna is starting over. New apartment, new job and definitely hoping the curse of February 17 is finally over.
This year on that day her cousin Jeannie makes a surprise visit to help her deal with that dreadful day. When Jeannie springs Anna from work they go out for the evening but when they wake up they can't remember what the night entailed. Instead of being faced with things like her past she finds herself the the suspect.
So of course the book finally picks up and I started to like the characters and the mystery of what was happening. Both Jeannie and Anna are so different but they are so close which I loved.
The ending ends in a cliffhanger and I hope there will second part to end the suspense on what happens in the end. When I started this I had no idea that it would end this way. For one I don't like to read stories with cliffhangers because I love knowing there is ending in sight no matter what it is. Hopefully book two will finally put this story to rest.
Finally answers start coming! On February 17 when Anna was little her mother killed her father to protect her. Of course Anna never talks about it and is sent to live with her cousin Jeannie and her family. Jeannie has become not only her support system but like her older sister. In the story these two have a great bond.
Now that Anna is an adult she got married but again on February 17 he ended up killing himself. Now a year later Anna is starting over. New apartment, new job and definitely hoping the curse of February 17 is finally over.
This year on that day her cousin Jeannie makes a surprise visit to help her deal with that dreadful day. When Jeannie springs Anna from work they go out for the evening but when they wake up they can't remember what the night entailed. Instead of being faced with things like her past she finds herself the the suspect.
So of course the book finally picks up and I started to like the characters and the mystery of what was happening. Both Jeannie and Anna are so different but they are so close which I loved.
The ending ends in a cliffhanger and I hope there will second part to end the suspense on what happens in the end. When I started this I had no idea that it would end this way. For one I don't like to read stories with cliffhangers because I love knowing there is ending in sight no matter what it is. Hopefully book two will finally put this story to rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2016
S G Redling is one of those authors who writes in a wide variety of genres - each book being completely different from every one before it. And she's a good writer. I stay totally interested throughout the stories. I think I liked this one least of those I have read but it was still good. I just happened to guess correctly who the "bad guy" was and I'm notoriously bad at doing that. Either I was very lucky or the mystery wasn't done as well as it should have been.
Baggage is an appropriate title for this book - I have never seen anyone with as much baggage as the protagonist Anna. Murder in the family history, mom is in jail, husband killed himself, she's a full-on drunk. How this woman gets up and goes to work in the morning is a mystery to me but she's not doing a great job of it. Half the fun of reading this was learning what a hot mess Anna truly was.
This isn't one I'd recommend to everyone but if you like straight-forward fiction with characters in turmoil, you might want to check this one out.
Baggage is an appropriate title for this book - I have never seen anyone with as much baggage as the protagonist Anna. Murder in the family history, mom is in jail, husband killed himself, she's a full-on drunk. How this woman gets up and goes to work in the morning is a mystery to me but she's not doing a great job of it. Half the fun of reading this was learning what a hot mess Anna truly was.
This isn't one I'd recommend to everyone but if you like straight-forward fiction with characters in turmoil, you might want to check this one out.
February 8, 2016
In An Oyster Shell - A book that I would not recommend for a few reasons. It had a slow start and an unempathetic character that was impossible to connect with.
The Pearls - The suspense built nicely after the first part of the book.
Full Review: Writing Pearls
The Pearls - The suspense built nicely after the first part of the book.
Full Review: Writing Pearls
February 13, 2016
Anna was not a main character I could like. The story was not a story I could like. I can understand why her mother killed her father, but why chop him up and hide him behind the closet when she could justify the killing because he tried to kill Anna? Makes no sense. And I really don't like a character who is drunk for the majority of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2017
Four stars for being able to surprise me with the murderer. All in all, a quick read that kept me turning pages.
March 5, 2016
We all have baggage in our lives. Some just weighs more than others.
I am a huge fan of author Redling's work. I've read most of her books and marvelled at the diversity between them. A post-apocalyptic gem, a series about a trash reader, a quiet sci fi tale focused on communications. And now BAGGAGE - a thriller with a damaged protagonist that is scarier than hell (the book that is).
Redling has a huge talent of bringing her characters to life, showing us the good and bad sides of them.
Anna has had a beyond-tough life and her solution is to drown her sorrows in a wine bottle - or actually bottles plural. She is now working as a Student Development Advocate at Eastern Allegheny College in Gilead, West Virginia. She likes working with the students and keeps in touch with her cousin, Jeannie.
But all the sudden her long-past gorefest of a past rears its ugly head and she doesn't know who to trust any more.
Loved Anna, liked the fully rounded characters, and again Redling surprised me with her mastery of the written word and the word pictures she helped me see.
Do be warned that there are adult situations and violence in the book.
NOTE: I was lucky enough to receive this book through Thomas & Mercer in exchange for my honest review.
I am a huge fan of author Redling's work. I've read most of her books and marvelled at the diversity between them. A post-apocalyptic gem, a series about a trash reader, a quiet sci fi tale focused on communications. And now BAGGAGE - a thriller with a damaged protagonist that is scarier than hell (the book that is).
Redling has a huge talent of bringing her characters to life, showing us the good and bad sides of them.
Anna has had a beyond-tough life and her solution is to drown her sorrows in a wine bottle - or actually bottles plural. She is now working as a Student Development Advocate at Eastern Allegheny College in Gilead, West Virginia. She likes working with the students and keeps in touch with her cousin, Jeannie.
But all the sudden her long-past gorefest of a past rears its ugly head and she doesn't know who to trust any more.
Loved Anna, liked the fully rounded characters, and again Redling surprised me with her mastery of the written word and the word pictures she helped me see.
Do be warned that there are adult situations and violence in the book.
NOTE: I was lucky enough to receive this book through Thomas & Mercer in exchange for my honest review.
August 24, 2016
I found this book to be subtly intense. The thriller genre is well formed now and we have seen the tropes played out in books, television, and movies. This book plays them hard and well.
I am going to go back to my description of this book being subtle. There are gruesome aspects. They, although as downplayed as they can be, are not the writing I love here. It is the warm, real relationships between the characters. All are flawed. All are lovable.
Anna Ray is no stranger to trauma. Thankfully, she has her cousin Jeannie. The shows that one can heal. One can move on without retreating from life.
One final note: this book really affected the nature of my dreams. While I wouldn't want the turmoil of the last few nights all the time, I think it is a clear sign of good writing and a well crafted tale.
P.S. Oh my gosh, I completely forgot to mention the theme of walls. This book turns on this metaphor and I think the author does a good job of handling how walls keep things out and things in depending on how you view the wall. Look for it in the nature of teachers and students, artists and non-artists, the put-together and the hapless, etc. Well done, Ms. Redling!
I am going to go back to my description of this book being subtle. There are gruesome aspects. They, although as downplayed as they can be, are not the writing I love here. It is the warm, real relationships between the characters. All are flawed. All are lovable.
Anna Ray is no stranger to trauma. Thankfully, she has her cousin Jeannie. The shows that one can heal. One can move on without retreating from life.
One final note: this book really affected the nature of my dreams. While I wouldn't want the turmoil of the last few nights all the time, I think it is a clear sign of good writing and a well crafted tale.
P.S. Oh my gosh, I completely forgot to mention the theme of walls. This book turns on this metaphor and I think the author does a good job of handling how walls keep things out and things in depending on how you view the wall. Look for it in the nature of teachers and students, artists and non-artists, the put-together and the hapless, etc. Well done, Ms. Redling!
July 3, 2016
I don't know how I want to feel about this book. It was really slow and boring to get into. It bounced from present to past, and while it warned you of such with little subheadings, it just didn't flow. However, despite the negative-ness of this review - I didn't hate it.
When I did finally start to get into the story, it teased you and then went a different route. I started putting some of the pieces together, and by the end of the book I knew who did what but I wasn't exactly sure why [until the revealing].
I mainly kept reading because I wanted to know what happened to Anna and why she was avoiding her mother for so long. The little bit of action towards the end wasn't even that exciting to me, because at that point I didn't care - I just wanted to hear Anna's backstory in its entirety.
This might be a reason why I'm not that crazy about mysteries/thrillers. They don't do a whole lot for me.
When I did finally start to get into the story, it teased you and then went a different route. I started putting some of the pieces together, and by the end of the book I knew who did what but I wasn't exactly sure why [until the revealing].
I mainly kept reading because I wanted to know what happened to Anna and why she was avoiding her mother for so long. The little bit of action towards the end wasn't even that exciting to me, because at that point I didn't care - I just wanted to hear Anna's backstory in its entirety.
This might be a reason why I'm not that crazy about mysteries/thrillers. They don't do a whole lot for me.
May 11, 2016
Sheila Redling’s BAGGAGE is the perfect blend of rich characterization and page-turning thriller. Though Anna Ray tries to outrun her tragic past, she hauls her literal and psychological baggage with her from town to town, closet to closet. Redling set this novel in her home state of West Virginia (it’s my home state too). I was delighted to see that she focused on its beauty rather than the worn-out stereotypes often present in novels set in Appalachia. BAGGAGE is a dark-humored and smart whodunit that will have readers guessing until the very end.
August 31, 2016
I primarily listened to this while weeding my yard, and for that, it was nearly perfect, an absorbing tale to lose myself in while trimming the crepe myrtles. I really liked Redling's Flowertown, which is the main reason I picked this up, and I enjoyed my time trying to narrow down the murderer. I liked the tension maintained throughout, but all in all, it wasn't a very memorable book in spite of all the gruesome parts.
August 23, 2016
This is my new favorite of Redling's and I have read five of her novels thus far. She builds intrigue, tension and curiosity throughout as Anna's past is slowly revealed, whilst her present events are experienced and investigated. The pace flows beautifully and I thoroughly enjoyed the protagonist's inner monologues. A fantastic "whodunnit," but also a complex tale of tragedy and loss with a climax that I did not see coming. Highly recommended.
February 25, 2016
Wow. Anna Schuler leads a haunting, isolated, alchoholic life. With the looming history of violent tragedy on February 17th she prepares to shut herself in and drink the day and week away but once again tragedy strikes and Anna is forced to face all her old demons and find sone new ones.
I won this novel in a giveaway and found it far more entertaining than I anticipated.
I won this novel in a giveaway and found it far more entertaining than I anticipated.
February 19, 2016
Intense Story
I enjoy SG Redling's books. This one is a good suspense story. I found myself thinking about not only who committed the current crimes, but what happened in Anna's past and how it related to what was happening. Characters were well developed and story was original as well as captivating.
I enjoy SG Redling's books. This one is a good suspense story. I found myself thinking about not only who committed the current crimes, but what happened in Anna's past and how it related to what was happening. Characters were well developed and story was original as well as captivating.
February 22, 2016
Rating this book 6 stars if there's a Sausage Cheese Dip recipe at the end.
Also think I will go brew a batch of that hoppy Pumpkin spice honey chamomile Belgian pale ale.
...OK finished the book and I don't want Sausage Dip anymore. Maybe enchiladas.
Also think I will go brew a batch of that hoppy Pumpkin spice honey chamomile Belgian pale ale.
...OK finished the book and I don't want Sausage Dip anymore. Maybe enchiladas.
February 13, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book and I loved how the suspense continued until the absolute end. I enjoyed the authors style of writing and I look forward to reading more books by her. I highly recommend this book!
November 26, 2016
Two-haiku review:
She works at college
Trying to outrun her past
But murder happens
Backstory takes time
No wonder she has issues
Ending with justice
She works at college
Trying to outrun her past
But murder happens
Backstory takes time
No wonder she has issues
Ending with justice
January 4, 2020
Not bad, actually! In the sea of the similar motives and psychological plots, this one will probably not be as successful as it could be - and what a pity, because this novel is actually better than some works from the famous names. Or I simply like the troubled souls and raw fights for the way out of the hard life, maybe? I think both, honestly.
Anna has had experienced some quite painful and harsh events happening in her life. So she has built some walls around her and her best friends are her cousin and a bottle of wine. So when her male colleague is killed (and her other colleagues say that he was interested in her), Ann is rightly concerned, even if she is trying to bottle her anxiety down. And she is right to do so - but are her concerns valid because there is a killer on the run? Or because of her past?
As I said before, I have enjoyed this book more than some of its more famous book mates. I am not saying that this is a thriller/mystery of the year, because it is not. But it is an interesting novel with motifs plotted well enough to have your interests caught well till the end, and this is some accomplishment!
Anna has had experienced some quite painful and harsh events happening in her life. So she has built some walls around her and her best friends are her cousin and a bottle of wine. So when her male colleague is killed (and her other colleagues say that he was interested in her), Ann is rightly concerned, even if she is trying to bottle her anxiety down. And she is right to do so - but are her concerns valid because there is a killer on the run? Or because of her past?
As I said before, I have enjoyed this book more than some of its more famous book mates. I am not saying that this is a thriller/mystery of the year, because it is not. But it is an interesting novel with motifs plotted well enough to have your interests caught well till the end, and this is some accomplishment!
September 24, 2017
I would say a 3.5
One of the things I really love about this book is the lack of a love story. There is a love relationship at the core of the book, but it is a platonic, sisterly relationship between the main character and her cousin. It's a wonderful, long-lasting, semi-dysfunctional relationship of many, many years and it's wonderfully represented here.
I knew very early on who the baddie was. It was all too obvious for anyone who has read or watched a few whodunits. But it was enjoyable, nonetheless. Perhaps because I enjoyed how Redling wrote her people. I listened while cooking and shopping and felt tucked up in the world she created the whole time. I love that in a book.
One of the things I really love about this book is the lack of a love story. There is a love relationship at the core of the book, but it is a platonic, sisterly relationship between the main character and her cousin. It's a wonderful, long-lasting, semi-dysfunctional relationship of many, many years and it's wonderfully represented here.
I knew very early on who the baddie was. It was all too obvious for anyone who has read or watched a few whodunits. But it was enjoyable, nonetheless. Perhaps because I enjoyed how Redling wrote her people. I listened while cooking and shopping and felt tucked up in the world she created the whole time. I love that in a book.
September 26, 2017
This was very close to being a 4 star book for me. Audio book with a good reader and the writing was very well done. The story easily pulls you in and you get that emotional connection that some writers have a hard time establishing. It just lost me at the end. Seemed like the author rushed the end and failed to explain some key points to the same level that the story began with. I'm going to find another book by Redling because there are just so many things she does right. Just the ending wasn't good enough.
November 23, 2024
Good suspenseful read!
The start was a little bit slow, but once things got going, they really got going, and it’s clear why this title was chosen as we see what happened to Anna Ray in the past and the events happening now. Terrible things have happened on February 17th, and this year will be no different, when there are two murders that resemble her past horrors.
The ending wasn’t entirely believable just because it’s kind of a wild story, but it was a great read that kept me guessing.
Narration by one of my favorite narrators, Amy McFadden, was excellent, as always.
The start was a little bit slow, but once things got going, they really got going, and it’s clear why this title was chosen as we see what happened to Anna Ray in the past and the events happening now. Terrible things have happened on February 17th, and this year will be no different, when there are two murders that resemble her past horrors.
The ending wasn’t entirely believable just because it’s kind of a wild story, but it was a great read that kept me guessing.
Narration by one of my favorite narrators, Amy McFadden, was excellent, as always.
November 3, 2016
Wonderful, completely satisfying story of a young woman suffering every day from childhood trauma that shadows each step of her life. The thrilling mystery concerns several murders, many twisted characters, and troubled, delightful Anna Ray, presented in a fabulous writing style. I totally liked this one.
November 20, 2024
great story.
As always a great story by Redling. This is the 4th book I’ve read by this author and I’m impressed. The characters are always so well developed and even when they’re not perfect you root for them.
I love a story with some smart or snappy comebacks. I like to chuckle while reading and this book did not disappoint. Plus a great storyline and plot.
As always a great story by Redling. This is the 4th book I’ve read by this author and I’m impressed. The characters are always so well developed and even when they’re not perfect you root for them.
I love a story with some smart or snappy comebacks. I like to chuckle while reading and this book did not disappoint. Plus a great storyline and plot.
December 2, 2016
3, maybe 3.5 stars. Good, not great. The dénouement wasn't as twisty or disturbing as I had anticipated. Basically, this is the sad story of a woman who, somehow (unbelievably somehow, if I'm being picky), is always in the wrong place at exactly the same time (February 17, every time).
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June 1, 2022DNF. A somewhat interesting start to this book was quickly followed by lots of drivel about people’s love lives, which is of no interest whatsoever to me. I don’t have any desire to see if there’s possibly more substance to the rest of the book. It’s just not for me.
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