Every once in a while I like to take a break from romance and history and jump into a captivating mystery or thriller. I take it as a personal challenge trying to untangle the threads the author weaves into a twisted, complex puzzle. Of the five titles in the header above, I’ve read two, compliments of the publisher: Stranger in the Lake by Kimberly Belle and Someone’s Listening by Seraphina Nova Glass. I just finished the latter and it was a sinuous, beguiling tale – more on that below.
From the Publisher:
You’re not alone. Someone’s waiting. Someone’s watching…
Someone’s listening.
In SOMEONE’S LISTENING (Graydon House Books; July 28; $16.99) Dr. Faith Finley has everything she’s ever wanted: she’s a renowned psychologist, a radio personality—host of the wildly popular “Someone’s Listening with Dr. Faith Finley”—and a soon-to-be bestselling author. She’s young, beautiful, and married to the perfect man, Liam.
Of course Liam was at Faith’s book launch with her. But after her car crashes on the way home and she’s pulled from the wreckage, nobody can confirm that Liam was with her at the party. The police claim she was alone in car, and they don’t believe her when she says otherwise. Perhaps that’s understandable, given the horrible thing Faith was accused of doing a few weeks ago.
And then the notes start arriving—the ones literally ripped from the pages of Faith’s own self-help book on leaving an abusive relationship. Ones like “Secure your new home. Consider new window and door locks, an alarm system, and steel doors…”
Where is Liam? Is his disappearance connected to the scandal that ruined Faith’s life? Who is sending the notes? Faith’s very life will depend on finding the answers.
My Thoughts:
This tale starts with a back and forth perspective after a terrible accident and sabotaged career. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but this title is so much more than just a missing persons whodunit. I was lulled into complacency through the first half of the novel – it wasn’t particularly “thrilling” at that point, but was needed backstory for the big hits in the last half of the book. The author carefully crafts an adversary with just enough detail to make you think you have it figured out but also with just enough vagueness that you may second guess your conclusions. There are a few red herrings that add layers of mystery to the novel, and the elements of suspense are devised to keep you engaged. The novel was easy to read without any overly disturbing scenes or imagery, but includes one high-stakes, possibly triggering sequence as part of the finale.
Someone’s Listening (ISBN 9781525836749) was released today (July 28) by Graydon House Books and can be purchased at your favourite bookseller including popular online retailers:
Author Bio:
Seraphina Nova Glass is a professor and Playwright-in-Residence at the University of Texas-
Arlington, where she teaches Film Studies and Playwriting. She holds an MFA in playwriting
from Smith College, and has optioned multiple screenplays to Hallmark and Lifetime.
Someone’s Listening is her first novel.
Life Love Laughter Linds 