True crime podcaster, Ben Owens, is looking into the unsolved murder of Savannah Harper. His investigation brings Lucy Chase, the prime suspect, back to her hometown of Plumpton, Texas. It's the last place she wants to be, but Savvy was her best friend and Lucy was with her the night she died. Everyone thinks she did it, but no one can prove it. And Lucy can't remember what really happened that night. But it's time for her to find out the truth...even if the truth points to her.
What a gripping twisty thriller! I loved the format and how each of Ben's podcast interviews brings out another piece of the truth. Then there's all the lies and contradictions and Lucy's own unreliable memories. It's great storytelling that kept me guessing until the very end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Birds are easy; people are utterly bewildering."
Set in England in 1890, this captivating historical fantasy has wild avian magic, cutthroat ornithologists, and a ruthless competition to capture the rare and magical Caladrius bird. At stake? Being named Best Birder of the Year...and winning tenure! Beth, a serious, smart, and shy professor from Oxford reluctantly teams up with Devon, an irreverent, good looking, and intelligent professor from Cambridge who finds out his competitor is not only spunky, but sassy, too.
"Who knew that racing across the country, being attacked by deadly magical birds and kissed by a handsome rogue, would be so transformative to one's character."
I loved Beth and Devon and their competitiveness, their love of birds, their wit and banter, and their enchanting romance. Holton writes with a tongue-in-cheek humor that I thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, I loved everything about this book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"All any of us want, bird and birder, is the freedom to find our own skies, our own magic."
Happy Reading!
Listen for the Lie sounds so good - right up my alley! Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good summer thriller! :D
DeleteWell, you probably won't be surprised to hear that The Ornithologist's Guide book is now on my Kindle. Oddly, I see I already have the next book - The Geographer's Map etc. - on there. Oh, well. :-D
ReplyDeleteI just checked out The Geographer's Map to Romance and am planning to read it in the next week or two. It looks equally fun. I like the mix of history and fantasy and romance. :D And the first book was so funny.
DeleteGood to hear your thoughts on Listen For The Lie. One of our mystery book group members read it for our last meeting and her description made all of us interested. Plus, the author grew up in Austin. She lives in LA now I believe.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very well-crafted mystery. I really liked it.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed both of these. The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love sounds great!
ReplyDeleteIt was so much fun. A little silly. But very humorous. I can't wait to read her next one.
DeleteSo glad you liked Listen For The Lie. I really liked it too. And the whole world of true crime podcasters is so fascinating. Ben was a good guy and I am so glad things turned out well for Lucy so that she isn't haunted anymore by guilt and can move on.
ReplyDeleteBen was a good buy. And the whole podcast part of this book was really interesting and fun.
DeleteI really enjoyed Listen for the Lie, too. If I remember correctly, I listened to the audio, and that really brought it all to life.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I bet listening to this one was a lot of fun. I like that podcast element in books.
DeleteHa! What a coincidence! I have Listen for the Lie on audio from the library right now! Hopefully I have time to squeeze it in. I have so many review books to get through right now. It sounds so fun and like the perfect summer thriller. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to read/listen to Listen for the Lie. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. :D
DeleteI'm so glad to see your thought Listen for the Lie! I've been intrigued by it but have seen some mixed reviews. The Ornithologist's Guide looks so good too! Great reviews!
ReplyDeleteI liked Listen for the Lie...the characters, the mystery, the little twists along the way, and how it all wraps up at the end. It's a fun summer thriller.
DeleteTwo more for the "to be read" list...
ReplyDeleteI like the descriptions of both of these books. More for the reading list, I think.
ReplyDeleteGlad to add to your TBR list. ;D
DeleteThank you for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mary! Thanks for all of your comments. :D
DeleteBoth of these books sound good. The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love especially, for the birds.
ReplyDeleteI loved the birding aspect in this one...and all those magical birds were very fun!
DeleteUgh, I need to bring home a copy of the Ornithologist's Guide! Every time I see it, I know I'll love it, but I keep forgetting to add it to my TBR. I guess we know what I'll be buying at the store today!
ReplyDelete:D It's one I wouldn't mind owning now myself.
DeleteThank you for the recommendation! I am interested to The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun one! Thanks for commenting. :D
DeleteSounds like ‘Listen for the Lie’ is just my type of story
ReplyDeleteIt's a very engaging mystery.
DeleteBoth of these books sound so good! I'm adding them to my list. Great reviews, Lark! :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to check them out. :D
DeleteI'll be adding both books to my reading wishlist!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
DeleteThe Ornithologist's Field Guide sounds like so much fun! I hadn't heard of it before... off to add to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteThere's a sequel to it that looks equally fun.
DeleteI've had both of these out on Libby before and never got to them. I still want to now and even more after reading your thoughts. Are you planning on reading the sequel soon?
ReplyDeleteI have The Geographer's Map checked out right now and hope to read it next week. :D
DeleteI also LOVED Listen for the Lie. SO SO GOOD!!
ReplyDeleteIt really was! Finally a thriller that didn't disappoint. :D
DeleteThe bird novel sounds good. I had to look up the Caladrius bird ... it sounds white and mythical. What a fun & adventurous plot.
ReplyDeleteI loved all the magical birds in this one! Very fun. :D
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