I’m way behind on reviews but luckily I’ve been good at keeping my reading journal so bear with me while I try to catch up. Here are two books you may want to try if you are in the mood for mysteries.

“Something wrong, I can feel it: a sting pricking the skin and stitching inward. A dream, maybe. Memory. Both have brought me their share of grief. I force open my eyes, the slightest tinge of gray seeping through the curtains. Not yet day. But light enough that I can make out the silhouette of her curled on the little bed beside mine, planet tucked to her chin and wrapped tight around her small legs. Finch, sleeping. Safe.”

These Silent Woods
By Kimi Cunningham Grant
Source: Advance review copy

Cooper and his daughter, Finch, live in a remote cabin in the woods. They have no electricity or phone. They are totally off grid and have been in isolation for 8 years. Finch is starting to show signs of wanting to know more about the outside world but Cooper is determined to keep her safe.

One day though the only friend Cooper has relied on to bring them supplies doesn’t show up and they will be forced to go out. Each stop is fraught with tension as Cooper doesn’t want anyone to pay attention to Finch but the little girl is so desperate for human interaction. As the story develops the reader learns about Cooper’s time in Afghanistan, his relationship with Finch’s mother and family and of course what brought them to the woods.

Ultimately a disappearance of a girl in the woods will have serious repercussions for them. Who can they trust and will they be able to stay together. Really found the descriptions of nature and Finch’s connection to them so sweet and of course she’s a reader so it was easy to love her character. A very different mystery but very good.

“That July night seemed full of possibility, with the empty highway stretching out before us. I had just woken up from a nap in the passenger seat, my head foggy as I remembered where we were. I took off my flip-flops and pulled my bare legs up, crossing them and running my hands through my hair. The digital clock on the dash said it was two in the morning, and the road didn’t look like the same road we’d been on when I fell asleep.”

Murder Road
By Simone St. James
Source: Advance review copy

April and Eddie are on their way to spend their honeymoon at a small town resort but they take a wrong turn onto a deserted road and when they spot a young woman hitchhiking they stop to help her. Despite Eddie’s hesitancy to help, they can’t leave this girl alone at night.

Once inside the car, it’s evident the girl has been seriously hurt and they rush to find help. At the same time they become aware of taillights gaining up behind them. It’s a tense ride and unfortunately things don’t get any better once at the hospital as they become primary suspects and are told not to leave town.

As they spend their first days of what was supposed to be their honeymoon at Rose’s inn, the couple starts to find out more about the story behind Atticus Lane and why it’s called the Murder Road. They get involved with some other local town characters and in true Simone St. James fashion there are supernatural elements surrounding the happenings. This was very atmospheric and overall another great read from this author.