Pheadra's Updates

Pheadra added 'Killer Crush: A Thriller'

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 08:22:20 -0700

Pheadra gave 4 stars to Killer Crush: A Thriller (Kindle Edition) by Brooke Montoya
bookshelves: book-sirens-2025
The premise of this story was good,cwhich is what earned it my rating. Miranda is obsessed with her friend Macy's death years earlier and intent on rehashing and investigating every detail again andxmagain. At the same time she suspects her husband Jarred of being unfaithful. Per chance, while watching Dateline one night, she makes the decision to contact a serial killer in prison. She believes the evidence against him is scratchy. Thus unfolds this story.
I found the character of Miranda frustrating and the ending unfulfilling but I would read this author again. I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.4 stars

Pheadra is 10% done with Killer Crush

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 01:06:31 -0700

Pheadra is 10% done with Killer Crush.

Pheadra started reading 'Death Beneath the Covers'

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 04:53:25 -0700

Pheadra started reading Death Beneath the Covers by Fiona Tarr

Pheadra added 'All Grown Up'

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:40:00 -0700

Pheadra gave 5 stars to All Grown Up (Paperback) by Catherine Evans
bookshelves: pigeon-books
I read this riveting tale in my online book club, Pigeonhole. It is so well written and believable that the characterisation ranks amongst the best I've ever read. It is also sad and disturbing and had me spitting vitriol regularly. It deals with statutory rape, teenager stupidity, poor parenting, poor choices, the law, and how we judge people differently for committing similar crimes. Catherine Evans is a gifted storyteller! A fantastic example of history repeating itself and not learning from their mistakes or the mistakes of others. A fantastic 5-STARS.

Pheadra added 'The Trial of Lotta Rae'

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:34:40 -0700

Pheadra gave 5 stars to The Trial of Lotta Rae (Hardcover) by Siobhan MacGowan
bookshelves: pigeon-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Pheadra started reading 'Killer Crush: A Thriller'

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:55:06 -0700

Pheadra started reading Killer Crush: A Thriller by Brooke Montoya

Pheadra added 'Right of Return'

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 04:19:39 -0700

Pheadra gave 5 stars to Right of Return (Paperback) by Donna L. Taylor
This beautifully written tale is based on historical facts about displaced Palestinians, in particular the main character, Hassan, who later meets and marries British-born Donna. Born in Palestine, and after studying in England, Hassan's heart remains in Palestine. "The idea of return was not just about physically going back to Palestine; it was about ensuring that Palestine remained alive in our hearts, in our minds, and in our collective actions. It was about preserving our culture, our traditions, and our sense of identity, no matter where we were in the world. And so, as I continued my studies and carved out a life in the West, I remained deeply rooted in the belief that one day, I would return to a free and prosperous Palestine and that my education would play a role in making that dream a reality".

This book is not another case of pointing fingers or casting aspersions on those whose policies and actions displaced thousands of Palestinians. It is a narrative of how events such as the 'Nakba' of 1948, the 6-Day, War, and the Balfour Declaration altered the socio-political landscape of Palestine forever. Specifically, the Balfour Declaration didn’t just promise a homeland for one people; it inadvertently began the process of erasing another’s, with economic impacts and shifts in demographics on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides that continue today in the Middle East. Add to this the Gulf War, involvement and decisions of the PLO, and a people already dealing with displacement, are once again pariahs with 'new' enemies.

This is a sad but factual summary of many Palestinians. It is real. It deserves to be recognised by the Palestinian Book Awards for its balanced account of what to many people is a confused mess in the Middle East, particularly the Gaza Strip.

Best summarized in the words of Hassan, "It is a testament to the belief that no matter how far we are from our homeland, the ties that bind us remain strong. The values of respect, equality, and justice that have been instilled in me are the foundation upon which this dream is built. As I continue my journey, I carry with me the lessons learned, the memories of loved ones, and the hope for a better future. The dream of returning to Palestine is a beacon of hope, a reminder of the power of dreams, and a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. It is a dream that I will continue to pursue, with the hope that one day it will become a reality...... To the future generations, I say this: Embrace the values of fairness, justice, honesty, and empathy. Be the voice for the voiceless, the champion for the powerless. Work together to create a society where everyone is valued and respected. This is the legacy we must strive to build, a legacy of social justice and equality that will endure for generations to come.... And so, as I conclude this journey of reflection, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose. Our story is not yet finished, and our fight is far from over. But we will continue because the dream of justice—the dream of return—lives on in each of us. And one day, when the world is ready, we will return—not just to our homes, but to a world that is just, equitable, and free for all."

5 stars.

Pheadra is currently reading 'Death Beneath the Covers'

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 08:35:34 -0700

Pheadra is currently reading Death Beneath the Covers by Fiona Tarr

Pheadra added 'I Don't Like Mondays'

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 05:31:54 -0700

Pheadra gave 5 stars to I Don't Like Mondays (Kindle Edition) by Maria Frankland
I've been told I'm a tough reviewer with high standards because I don't give 5 stars often. It's not that I'm a tough reviewer or unwilling to give 5 stars because I certainly do give 5 stars when deserved. It's that the book or story needs to be deserving.
This credible story is a page-turner about Cathy, who works for a book publisher. She is pushed or jumps in front of an oncoming train one Monday morning.
Her injuries are substantial, particularly in terms of skull damage resulting in amnesia which sees her waking in ICU with no recollection of what happened. Equally concerning is her inability to recognize her husband, Daniel, and her two sons, not to mention her obsession with her ex-husband, Brad.
A lot of dialogue fills the pages of this story, which I enjoyed and found most revealing, unlike many psychological thrillers, which become implausible and far-fetched with long descriptions that reveal little. Dialogue paints a very clear picture of each of the characters, with lots of tell, not just show!
In all honesty, I had guessed who the perpetrator was early on, but this didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. A blend of family saga, whodunnit, and thriller, this is the type of book you'll enjoy whether at the beach or filling me-time. I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. 5 stars. Congratulations to the author.

Pheadra added '9-1-1: A Peter Andrassy crime thriller'

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:38:45 -0700

Pheadra gave 4 stars to 9-1-1: A Peter Andrassy crime thriller (Kindle Edition) by D.J. Maughan
bookshelves: book-sirens-2025
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
First things first. I love the title of this book and its connection to September 11th as well as the number one dials in an emergency in the US 9-1-1!
Told from three different perspectives- the thief on the run, the former NYPD detective pursuing him, and, the Detective's new wife, it was an interesting way of presenting the story.
A few twists elevated the story from 4 to 4.5 stars