Book Review | Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent

June 21, 2018 by Christen Moore

I hear by declare Liz Nugent, the master creator of gripping and ominous opening lines. With one sentence Nugent poses many questions. Who is the voice behind the opening line? What happened to them? What happened to the person they are referring to? Nugent’s ability to grab the readers attention is nothing short of amazing. What is even more amazing is Nugent’s ability to keep the reader’s attention. Lying in Wait had me racing to the end because I just had to know the conclusion, yet wanting to dive even deeper into the minds of these fascinating and complicated characters.

Event | Ruth Ware | Third Place Books Seattle WA

June 18, 2018 by Christen Moore

Last week I had the incredible opportunity to meet Ruth Ware. Ware is the author of some of my favorite crime fiction books, In a Dark Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game, and her newest release The Death of Mrs. Westaway. All of Ware’s books are the best examples of classic crime fiction mixed with modern elements. Ware’s books consistently rejuvenate my love of crime fiction.

Book Review | The Council of Twelve by Oliver Potzsch

June 16, 2018 by Christen Moore

Each time I read the newest installment of The Hangman’s Daughter series, I feel as if I am reconnecting with old friends. To me this is the mark of an excellent series. With every new book readers feel welcomed, eager to catch up on the recent life events, and happy to reflect on times gone by. In The Council of Twelve, book seven of the series, Potzsch continues this cheerful trend bringing readers along on the latest adventures of the Kuisl family.

Book Review | Splinter in the Blood by Ashley Dyer

June 12, 2018 by Christen Moore

2018 has been a great year for the strong female lead character in crime fiction. At least every other book I have read this year features a new intriguing leading lady. From police officers, FBI agents, to tarot card readers and nannies, the list just keeps growing and I am loving it. Splinter in the Blood continues this wonderful trend. Dyer takes everything crime fiction readers love about serial killer thrillers and adds a refreshing twist.

Book Review | The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

June 08, 2018 by Christen Moore

My love of crime fiction and my inspiration for starting Murder and Moore is linked to my eternal admiration of Daphne du Maurier. Du Maurier is the author of what I consider to be best psychological thriller of all time, Rebecca. So it is not shocking that I am drawn to books which feature spooky houses and unassuming lead characters.

Book Review | Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

June 04, 2018 by Christen Moore

This is honestly one of the hardest reviews I have written. With Paris’ 2017 release Behind Closed Doors, Paris quickly became one of my favorite authors. To read Paris’ newest release and to not have completely and utterly love it, makes this review especially difficult. While Bring Me Back has a creepy and haunting feel, the lack of character development caused the story to miss the mark for me.

Book Review | The Summer Children by Dot Hutchison

May 28, 2018 by Christen Moore

Discovering a new series is always exciting for me. I am always on the lookout for my new

favorite lead character. More than likely, the character is a troubled, disgruntled, and disliked

detective. The Collector trilogy offered me not one, not two, not three, but several new favorite

lead characters. In the final book of the trilogy, The Summer Children, Hutchison concludes the

story of a group of damaged and heart broken people who have been dealt some the cruelest of

circumstances. In spite of each characters troubled background they have survived, found each

other, and are dedicated to supporting one another and every victim of a tragedy they meet.

Book Review | Our Kind of Cruelty by Araminta Hall

May 21, 2018 by Christen Moore

We have all heard the phrase it’s a thin line between love and hate. After reading Our Kind of Cruelty, I think this statement can be amended just a bit to there is a thin line between love and obsession. Our Kind of Cruelty is a disturbing tale of a man, who refuses to accept any form of reality except his own.

Book Review | Dying Truth by Angela Marsons

May 15, 2018 by Christen Moore

My discovery of the Detective Inspector Kim Stone series was completely accidental. The series popped up on my Amazon account as a recommendation. After reading the synopsis and a few reviews on Goodreads, I knew I had to give the series a try. Once I got about a quarter of the way through Silent Scream, the first book in the series, I knew I had just been introduced to one of my favorite protagonists of all time, Detective Inspector Kim Stone.

Blog Tour | Book Review | The Old You by Louise Voss

May 11, 2018 by Christen Moore

Every now and then, I come across a very special book. One that makes me think about things I have never pondered, makes me look at things from a different perspective, and stays with me long after I have finished reading the book. I am sure other readers can relate to this feeling. If you have not experienced this from your past reads, then I urge you to pick up The Old You.

Blog Tour | Book Review | This Dark Place by Claire Kittridge

May 04, 2018 by Christen Moore

I love a female police officer as a lead character. I do enjoy a male police officer as the lead character but I find the story of a female detective much more compelling. Usually both are driven by a tragedy in their past, but the female police officer is usually motivated by emotions of sadness and grief, while the male police officer is motivated by rage and revenge. I am always on the look out for a new series featuring a female protagonist, so when the opportunity to read the first book in the Detective Kelly Moore series was offered, I could not resist.

Book Review | Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

May 02, 2018 by Christen Moore

When I started this blog, I assumed I would have difficulty writing reviews for books I did not enjoy. Surprisingly, the reviews I struggle with are actually for the books I love. I struggle because many of the aspects I enjoyed cannot be shared for fear of giving away the plot, thus ruining for the story for those who have not read the book. I found myself in this exact situation after reading Sometimes I Lie.

GIVEAWAY | The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

April 30, 2018 by Christen Moore

My first giveaway!!! So excited. The Perfect Mother is one of the most highly anticipated books of the summer and will soon hit the big screen with Kerry Washington in the starring role! Check out the synopsis below and the link below for my full review! One lucky winner will receive a finished copy of The Perfect Mother mailed to them. Giveaway rules are listed at the bottom of this post. You can also enter here on murderandmoore.com. Simply comment on this post with "The Perfect Mother" and your Instagram handle as well so I can notify you via DM if you are the lucky winner. GOOD LUCK!

They call themselves the May Mothers—a collection of new moms who gave birth in the same month. Twice a week, with strollers in tow, they get together in Prospect Park, seeking refuge from the isolation of new motherhood; sharing the fears, joys, and anxieties of their new child-centered lives.

When the group’s members agree to meet for drinks at a hip local bar, they have in mind a casual evening of fun, a brief break from their daily routine. But on this sultry Fourth of July night during the hottest summer in Brooklyn’s history, something goes terrifyingly wrong: one of the babies is abducted from his crib. Winnie, a single mom, was reluctant to leave six-week-old Midas with a babysitter, but the May Mothers insisted that everything would be fine. Now Midas is missing, the police are asking disturbing questions, and Winnie’s very private life has become fodder for a ravenous media.

Though none of the other members in the group are close to the reserved Winnie, three of them will go to increasingly risky lengths to help her find her son. And as the police bungle the investigation and the media begin to scrutinize the mothers in the days that follow, damaging secrets are exposed, marriages are tested, and friendships are formed and fractured.

Murder and Moore Review | The Perfect Mother

Giveaway Rules (Instagram Entries):

1. Follow Murder and Moore @murderandmoore and @harperbooks on Instagram.

2. Tag 3 friends in the comments.

3. US entries only.

4. Giveaway closes on 5/8.

5. The winner will be contacted via DM on Instagram.

Book Review | The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

April 25, 2018 by Christen Moore

The amateur sleuth/detective is one of my favorite protagonists. This type of protagonist is usually a perfectly normal person going about their life. Suddenly they or someone they love is thrust into a dangerous situation - they must choose fight or flight. I find this protagonist the most relatable. I try to put myself their situation, wondering what I would do in their shoes. More often than not, I can understand the choices they made during their investigation. I can relate to their motivations for inserting themselves into a potentially dangerous situation. The Perfect Mother featured multiple amateur detectives, but unfortunately I could not find a way to connect with any of the characters.

Book Review | All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson

April 20, 2018 by Christen Moore

I have always found the dynamics of the stepparent and stepchild relationship interesting. In the best of situations, the stepparent wants to take an active parenting role with their partner’s child, but does not want to be overwhelming. The stepchild is perhaps struggling with feelings of disloyalty to their parent. In All the Beautiful Lies Swanson expounds on this dynamic by adding in a new element, obsession and lust.

Blog Blitz | Book Review | Another Mother by Amanda James

April 11, 2018 by Christen Moore

The impact of a loved one’s death can bring out many emotions. Grief, despair, hopelessness, just to name a few. In some cases, death makes those left behind more determined to live life to its fullest and not waste a single day. I have always admired those who choose to seize the day, but I also feel a little concerned. Are they really in the right state of mind to make rational decisions? Will someone try to take advantage of their vulnerable state? Another Mother, is the story of young woman who has chosen to seize the day, after losing her mother. She embarks on a journey full of secrets, betrayals, and danger.

Blog Tour | Book Review | Keeper by Johana Gustawsson

April 04, 2018 by Christen Moore

I usually steer clear of crime fiction novels with a historic element. However I could not resist reading a story about a criminal profiler and a true crime author joining forces to solve crimes that have links to the past. After reading the synopsis, I realized there were too many things knew I would enjoy to not give Keeper a try.

Book Review | Tangerine by Christine Mangan

March 27, 2018 by Christen Moore

When I started Tangerine, I had no expectations. I read some reviews, one in particular comparing the author Christine Mangan to Daphne du Maurier (author of Rebecca, one of my favorite books of all time and the inspiration behind my book blog), so I was very curious. After reading Tangerine, I understand the comparison and I agree completely. Tangerine is a chilling and haunting tale of obsession and manipulation, which will thrill and delight fans of Daphne du Maurier and readers searching for a classic suspense read.

Book Review | Let Me Lie | Clare Mackintosh

March 20, 2018 by Christen Moore

Clare Mackintosh is an author I would follow anywhere. If Mackintosh wrote a book about drying paint, I would read it. Mackintosh consistently delivers stories which are compelling, thrilling, and leave you impatiently awaiting her next release. Let Me Lie has done what I thought impossible. It has dethroned I Let You Go as my favorite novel by Mackintosh.

Event | Lars Kepler | Elliott Bay Book Co. | Seattle WA

March 19, 2018 by Christen Moore

The Joona Linna series by Lars Kepler has been on my radar for some time. The series contains two of my favorite things, a police procedural featuring a damaged/troubled detective and a story based in Sweden. With Kepler’s newest release, The Sandman (released 3/6/18), the name Lars Kepler was all over my Instagram and Twitter feeds. However, I could not allow myself to begin the Joona Linna series with The Sandman, book four in the series, I had to start at the beginning with The Hypnotist.