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Home A Misfit with
Stacks of Books Genres Thriller Noir

Category Archive

Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Noir”

Review: THE BRIGHT LANDS by John Fram

Janelle August 7, 2020 Advance Copy, Book Reviews, Book Spotlight, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Hanover Square Press, Horror, Mystery, Noir, Paranormal, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller Leave a Comment

Thank you to Hanover Square Press for my free copy.  If you haven’t read my interview with John Fram on Tor Nightfire, click here – he’s the cat’s pajamas! Description:  The town of Bentley holds two things dear: its football, …

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Review: TANGERINE by Christine Mangan

Janelle March 25, 2018 Advance Copy, Book Reviews, Ecco Press, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Mystery, Noir, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller Leave a Comment

Thank you so much to Ecco Press for providing my free copy – all opinions are my own.  “Tangier and Lucy were the same, I thought. Both unsolvable riddles that refused to leave me in peace. And I had tired …

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EPIC Book Mail: THE SANDMAN by Lars Kepler

Janelle March 7, 2018 Alfred Knopf, Book Mail, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Mystery, Noir, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller Leave a Comment

BIG thank you to Abby from Alfred Knopf for sending me this free copy! OMG I have never been so excited to read a book in my entire life! I suggest you order yourself a copy today! SYNOPSIS:  “Sensational … …

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Review: SUNBURN by Laura Lippman

Janelle February 21, 2018 Advance Copy, Book Reviews, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Mystery, Noir, Psychological Thriller, Thriller, William Morrow 1 Comment

Thank you so much to William Morrow for providing my free copy – all opinions are my own. “Sometimes, he used to wake up in the middle of the night and find her looking at him. The light from that …

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Today’s #FaceFriday is brought to you by @chuckp Today’s #FaceFriday is brought to you by @chuckpalahniuk! Actually this is my first time participating in @holo.reader’s #photochallenge but I liked that intro 🤣 But seriously folks, I’m a big #ChuckPalahniuk fan! The last book I read was ADJUSTMENT DAY with my pal @jenabrownwrites and the last book of his I purchased was CONSIDERED THIS which I accidentally left out of this photo. His style is super weird, and often offensive, but I love him. He’s an original! And he creates some damn good cult classics! THE INVENTION OF SOUND is set to come out September 8th so mark your calendar! 🍉🥂 It comes highly recommended by yours truly💋 Also, if you can’t tell I am obsessed with @vintagebooks - the designs always have a cool artistic, and yes, vintage look. What are you up to this weekend? I’ve never been so excited to take a walk in my life 😂
THE BRIGHT LANDS by @john.fram Firstly, if you’re not following @john.fram I don’t even understand what you’re doing with your life. He is the sweetest person, and he wrote a wildly fantastic debut. It’s perfect for summer reading and will take your mind off the world around us. There is a full cast of characters to follow, and the book itself is nearly 500 pages, but don’t let that intimidate you. The story moves along quickly, and there is never a dull moment. THE BRIGHT LANDS utilizes a slew of fantastic components such as horror, noir, suspense, and thriller, while also incorporating social commentary, strong and intriguing characters, and many of the all too important *gasp* worthy moments. Can you tell how much I love this book?! My advice is to go in blind, but I’ll leave you with a brief description. In the small rural Texas town of Bentley, the star quarterback on the high school football team, Dylan Whitely, goes missing. Shortly before, Dylan’s older brother, Joel, receives several alarming texts from his brother, so he reluctantly decides to return home to help him. Joel left town ten years ago after a traumatic experience of being outed in high school. He lives a satisfying life in New York City with a successful career, but he cannot ignore his brother’s distress call for help. Football is no joke in Texas, so when the star quarterback goes missing, it shakes the town up. As you can imagine, homophobia, racism, and misogyny run rampant, so I love how John writes his characters. The female Sheriff’s Deputy, Starsha Clark, is working the case and handles herself like a pro in a town full of toxic masculinity. I have a soft spot for Joel, but I loved every primary character in this book. Mind you, it’s not because they are magically perfect; it’s because they are sympathetic characters filled with complexity and depth. John is not only a talented writer, but he wrote an emotional story with unique twists and original characters. I’ve never read a story with queer characters written in this way - he executed it perfectly. It’s a novel that keeps on giving - I think about this book constantly, and it keeps getting better with every thought.
Happy Thursday, folks! Today’s book feature is @ Happy Thursday, folks! Today’s book feature is @cherie.dimaline’s EMPIRE OF WILD! As always, I’m drawn to beautiful cover art but when I saw blurbs from Margaret Atwood and Tommy Orange I knew with absolute certainty that I needed to read this! “Deftly written, gripping and informative. Empire of Wild is a rip-roaring read!”— @therealmargaretatwood “Empire of Wild is doing everything I love in a contemporary novel and more. It is tough, funny, beautiful, honest and propulsive—all the while telling a story that needs to be told by a person who needs to be telling it.”—Tommy Orange Quick Blurb: bold and brilliant new indigenous voice in contemporary literature makes her American debut with this kinetic, imaginative, and sensuous fable inspired by the traditional Canadian Métis legend of the Rogarou—a werewolf-like creature that haunts the roads and woods of native people’s communities.” Are there certain author’s who’s blurbs on a book that you always trust?! Thank you to @tlcbooktours and @williammorrowbooks for this #gifted copy. Full synopsis in the comments.
Hey all! Happy Wednesday! The only book I’ve rea Hey all! Happy Wednesday! The only book I’ve read in this #bookpic is HOW MUCH OF THESE HILLS IS GOLD (psst...READ IT). Tell me, which book or books should I read this weekend?! #bookrecommendations #tbr #bookstagram #booklover #currentlyreading #amreading #bookaholic #fiction #newrelease #booknerd #shereadswithcats
Happy #BookBirthday to HARROW THE NINTH by Tamsyn Happy #BookBirthday to HARROW THE NINTH by Tamsyn Muir 💀 — Y’all this is THE book I’ve been waiting for! Of course I couldn’t wait so I read my advance copy many many months ago. BUT I am here to say, it’s even better than the first! GIDEON THE NINTH is one of my favorite books from last year, so that is saying a lot. Everything from the concept, to the dialogue, to the characters, make this series so cool. PLUS, have you noticed the pretty, pretty cover art?! *swoon* 💀 — Q?: What’s your new favorite obsession?!! — I have to especially thank @tordotcompub @torbooks for being so kind sending me this #gifted copy AND Liberty over at @franzencomesalive for shoving this trilogy down our throats! I am forever grateful to both of you. 💀 — Also really kicking myself for missing out in the @subpress special edition 💀 #HarrowtheNinth #GideontheNinth #TorBooks
#BookReview LUSTER by @raven_leilani “It's that #BookReview LUSTER by @raven_leilani “It's that there are gray, anonymous hours like this. Hours when I am desperate, when I am ravenous, when I know how a star becomes a void.” A young Black woman, Edie, an aspiring artist just fired from a publishing job, is living day-to-day, and now she’s lost her apartment too. She meets Eric online, a man who is much older than her and more successful, but has an open marriage and is white. After not hearing from Eric for awhile, Edie straight up enters the couple’s unlocked house, without permission. She pokes around, but accidentally runs into the wife, Rebecca, who bizarrely invites her to stay. Interesting right? Rebecca takes charge, inviting Edie to stay permanently if she is willing to help her adopted teenage daughter, Akila. Edie also helps with random things around the house and gets paid under the table. It’s a wild situation that I’ve never encountered it in a book before. LUSTER not only has a breathtakingly beautiful cover, it’s an enthralling, intoxicating debut. I couldn’t tear myself away until I finished the last page. Reading Edie’s narrative is evocative, eye opening, and mesmerizing. Her keen observations do not go unnoticed and the relationship between the two women is brilliant. Leilani’s writing is sharp, lyrical, dark in nature, and beautiful. Trust me, you will mark up your book, calling out all of the exceptional passages. No matter where you turn you can learn something from this book - LUSTER is just plain extraordinary. ✨ BELLETRIST AUGUST SELECTION ✨ . . . Thank you to @fsgbooks for my copy ✨ #BelletristBabe #Luster #Belletrist #NewRelease @belletrist
Happy Pub Day to THE LIVING DEAD by George A. Rome Happy Pub Day to THE LIVING DEAD by George A. Romero and @kraus_author! I read this book about a month ago and absolutely loved it! It’s a hefty tome with lots of detail and I enjoyed every minute of it. George A. Romero passed away in 2017 before he finished the book. It’s impressive that @kraus_author was able to finish complete Romero’s work with so much success. I’m writing up a full review now which will be featured on @scifiandscary very soon #watchthisspace. Thanks again to @torbooks and @tornightfire for my copy! Do you enjoy zombie or apocalyptic stories?! I love to read and watch them 🧟‍♀️🔥 . . . See this article on @cemeterydancepub for detail: https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/reviews/
(#sponsored) HAPPY MONDAY Y’ALL! Tomorrow is one (#sponsored) HAPPY MONDAY Y’ALL! Tomorrow is one of the biggest publication days of the year. Here is a list of the books I’m most excited for... Harrow the Ninth The Living Dead The Death of Vivek Oji True Story Luster Caste The First Time I Lie A Furious Sky Tender is the Flesh What Happens at Night Eliot Ness and the Mad Butcher Imperfect Women The Black Kids Behind the Red Door The Eighth Detective The Hollow Ones The Space Between Worlds In Case of Emergency The Night Swim Midnight Sun Which #book or #books did you preorder?!! Also, SPECIAL THANKS TO @outofprint FOR MY NEW FAVORITE SHIRT. If you can’t tell it looks exactly like my first edition of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary which happens to be my favorite book, well next to IT of course. Scroll ⇦ for the full view! They also have The Stand, IT, and The Shining which of course I’m going to purchase. I’m wearing a size small in women’s relaxed fit which is super soft and comfortable. Highly recommended! Gold stars and #booknerd approved! P.S. please excuse the Mylar cover which I refuse to remove 🤓
Check it out folks, I’m a @pageonebooks ambassad Check it out folks, I’m a @pageonebooks ambassador! So the thoughtful people behind @pageonebooks chose @seananmcguire’s EVERY HEART A DOORWAY for my first rep package! How cool is that?! This is the first book in the #WaywardChildren series put out by @torbooks (a Janelle favorite 💁🏼‍♀️). You might be thinking...”hmm, why does she have the entire series already?” Well folks, I bought the whole series earlier this year when @torbooks sent me an ARC for the latest release. Plus @holo.reader can’t stop raving about it. I KNOW I KNOW...I already have the book but LOOK, LISTEN...I’ve never posted these books on #Bookstagram and I own a million #books so I’m not your normal customer. PLUS @pageonebooks will happily send out a replacement book - EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, am I right?! Let’s just think about this a moment: @pageonebooks was actually spot on with their pick. This is the most recent #series I’ve purchased and out of all the books, they chose this one. That’s some wizardry right there! If you are interested in trying this @pageonebooks out, you’ll find the #linkinbio. All you need to do is fill out a questionnaire as detailed as you like and VOILÀ you are on your way to another #bookish adventure! I’d love to see how you all do with this experiment - let’s put them to the test! QOTD: I’ve eaten everything and need food inspiration - what has been your go-to meal or snack?!
#BuddyReadsToDieFor Giveaway! 💋💋💋 We hav #BuddyReadsToDieFor Giveaway! 💋💋💋 We have TWO copies of @marypaulinelowry’s THE ROXY LETTERS to give away to TWO lucky readers! This is our August buddy read and we could not be more excited to dive in! Oh and guess what?! It’s international! Oh, and one other thing. #MaryPaulineLowry is joining us at the end of the month for the discussion! Woop! Woop! To enter: 1. Like and save this post 2. Please follow @shereadswithcats @wherethereadergrows & @jessicamap 3. Tag some friends in the comments and tell us your favorite summer read thus far! 4. Be sure to enter on all 3 accounts 5. Please share in your Insta stories and be sure to tag us 💋💋💋 . Not affiliated with Instagram. Giveaway winners will be announced on August 7th. Be safe and good luck! 😘😘😘 . . . . . #internationalgiveaway #freebooks #bookclub #bookstagram #readalong #shereadswithcats #jessicamap #wherethereadergrows #buddyread #bookgiveaway #bookclubsofinstagram
“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all tho “All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.” — J.R.R. Tolkien This shelf holds the majority of my special editions. It’s hard to see how beautiful they all are from this photo, but they give me all the warm and fuzzies. It started with collecting Stephen King, Joe Hill, Shirley Jackson and all the beautiful @foliosociety editions and just kept growing from there. BUT as soon as I discovered some of my now favorite publishers (thank you @mother.horror) it just blew up. The covers and artwork of these editions are just simply stunning. My copies of Frankenstein, Dracula, NOS4A2, Brother, The Shining, Horns, and Sleeping Beauties take my breath away. However to be honest anything from @cemeterydancepub, @darkregionspress, @suntupeditions, @pspublishinguk, @sstpublications, #ThunderstormBooks, @flametreepress @letterpresspublications, @subpress , and @idwpublishing are phenomenal. #ThisIsMyHappyPlace Do you collect anything? I also collect mugs, pins, and bookmarks like any #booknerd 😉
🐈✨ Happy #Caturday! Today’s feature is abo 🐈✨ Happy #Caturday! Today’s feature is about my #readingbuddy, best friend, and baby, ABBY. This little creature is my world and I am not ashamed to admit it. She definitely owns both Marcus and me - she’s queen 👑. We have our routines: I say “ready for beds?” and she pops up meerkat style, meows at least 3 times and runs off the couch; then I get my phone, turn out the lights, etc. but if I lollygag she returns to escort me out of the room. THEN, I wash my face and when I return she’s perked up in the spot where I sleep. I get into bed then she leaves all feline-style, but eventually returns to jump across my face (of course 😼😹) I lift the covers, she circles around, lays down, and then scoots up to my neck and falls asleep while purring super loudly #purrbox. Marcus always looks at us and says “this can’t be healthy”. - Of course he’s putty in her paws too 😻 #catobsessed Anyway, what are you reading this weekend?!! I am #currentlyreading @danielletrussoni’s THE ANCESTOR (psst...it’s so good) 🐈✨
Two BOOK REVIEWS for the price of one post. Read ‘em both and tell me which one tickles your fancy ⁉️ . THE AUCTIONEER by Joan Samson - The cool thing about this cult classic is it’s been reintroduced back into the mainstream by @valancourtbooks. Originally written in 1975, it’s now in a snazzy paperback with an introduction by one of my favorite authors, Grady Hendrix (@paperbacksfromhell). Set in Harlowe, New Hampshire in a farm community, we meet an intriguing kind of evil. Perly Dunsmore is the town’s auctioneer and recently inquired an old mansion to set up shop. The auctions are funded by the residents’ donations and are meant to benefit the community, but instead he bleeds them dry. Things really take a turn in this atmospheric, dreadful, suspenseful tale. AWAKE by @lrera - At first I was drawn to the cover and so I immediately said “hell yes” when the author offered up a copy. Plus he’s a writer in @thehorrorwritersassociation which is solid gold in my book. What we have here is a stellar collection of stories. They are all sharply written, chilling, and downright clever. There’s not a dull one in the mix and I never found myself getting distracted. Visitation Rights, The Facts in the Case of Dr. Blackwell, Awake, Clown on a Segway, The Cemetery, Reunion, Artist in Residence, and Scarecrow are my favorite stories but honestly, you can’t go wrong. I especially enjoyed Rera’s The Facts in the Case of Dr. Backwell because it always fun to read a reimagined Poe story. His stories play around with murder, obsession, paranoia, supernaturalism, and revenge. Sounds amazing, right? Perfect score! #bookreview #reviews #read #readersofinstagram #shelfie #horrorobsessed #bookstagram #bookshelf #library #currentlyreading #shereadswithcats
In the words of the lovely Lin-Manuel Miranda “G In the words of the lovely Lin-Manuel Miranda “Gmorning” or “Gnight” depending on where you are in your day. This month basically flew by and I’m trying to catch my breath! How are you all doing this week? I took a quick photo of this fancy finished copy of @riley.sager’s HOME BEFORE DARK. Courtesy of the kind people at @duttonbooks ahem, Katie. Scroll ← to see it glow ✨✨
✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ Thank you to the tagged publishe ✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ Thank you to the tagged publishers for the #gifted copies. Which book should I read next?! Full disclosure, I’ve read THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS (review, 5⭐️). Also, I just finished AWAKE and BAD PEOPLE - watch this space for reviews! Not gonna lie... I screamed when @torbooks sent me @veschwab’s THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE (most anticipated book). Also, I love love love Lisa Jewell so obviously I need to read INVISIBLE GIRL very soon. But really though, which book should I read next?! Also, thank you to @jen4444 for sending me a copy of SURVIVAL INSTINCTS (I’ve heard it’s a page-turner). And from what I understand there are some necessary revisions to be made for future copies of the book. See @thereadingchemist’s review for details ✨
This is the third and final drunk #selfie as you c This is the third and final drunk #selfie as you can tell from the dress I’m wearing. Let’s just say it was a fun day LMAO. ✨ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ✨ The lovely and gracious @emilyliebert has agreed to do an interview with me regarding her new book PERFECTLY FAMOUS. She recorded her answers to make it fun for y’all so tune in this week when it drops right here! PERFECTLY FAMOUS is a page-turner with a controversial ending! Oh did I mention it’s a book where the main character is a writer?! Who doesn’t love that?! #watchthisspace Now onto my favorite question to ask #Bookstagram - what are YOU reading this week?! ✨✨
THE HOUSE THAT FELL FROM THE SKY by @patrickrdelan THE HOUSE THAT FELL FROM THE SKY by @patrickrdelaney is another party with the @night_worms crew #NightWormsBookParty Isn’t this cover so cool?! It comes out September 1st! Check out my review on Goodreads #linkinbio - 👀 at the synopsis is in the comments. How was your weekend?! Do anything relaxing? Thank you to the author and @gowsy33 for this #gifted copy 🔥🔥
‼️ GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED ‼️ EDITED: THIS GIVE ‼️ GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED ‼️ EDITED: THIS GIVEAWAY IS FOR A BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE! 🙀 . GIVEAWAY (@canterburyclassics #sponsored) Who’s ready for a giveaway?! I teamed up with CANTERBURY CLASSICS to give away one of their gorgeous books! Isn’t that just a #bookstagram dream?! All you have to do is follow the entry rules below and you are entered 🎉 . Rules of entry: 1. Like and save this post 2. Please follow @shereadswithcats & @canterburyclassics 3. Tell me your favorite classic novel 4. Tag your friends and also be sure to share in your stories for 24 hours (be sure to tag me). BROWSE CANTERBURY CLASSICS BOOKS - #linkinbio International giveaway. Not affiliated with Instagram. Winner will be announced July 31st. Good luck 🎉 . . . . #bookcommunity #canterburyclassics #canterburyclassicsambassador #booksbooksbooks #freebooks #bookaddict #bookaholic #shereadswithcats
HAPPY FRIDAY LOVELIES... Today I want to show my HAPPY FRIDAY LOVELIES... Today I want to show my love and support for our bookish friend @thegreeneyedreader with a pink stack #FightPinkWithPerry 🎀 . Jess has stage 3 breast cancer and her dear friends @literaturewithlylan & @compulsivereadersblog put this challenge together - feel free to participate! Also, be sure to follow Jess’ Insta page to follow along on her brave journey 🎀 . Can you guess which book in this stack I’ve read multiple times? Special thanks to @avidreaderpress for this gorgeous copy of Tana Wojczuk’s LADY ROMEO - I cannot wait to read it! 🎀
I am a steadfast fan of @alicewriterland’s thril I am a steadfast fan of @alicewriterland’s thrillers. I’ve read them all! I can always depend on her books to have a captivating psychological component, exciting twists, and intriguing characters. She also has a way of sneaking in clever details and astute observations of the human condition. It’s always a wildly fantastic ride. The story of HIS & HERS is told through three alternating narratives: HIS, HERS, and our killer. The HERS chapters are those of Anna Andrews, a BBC reporter who finally has her dream job as a news anchor. In her hometown of Blackdown, her childhood friend is brutally murdered, and she has been asked to cover it. There are old friends she doesn’t want to run into, so the last thing Anna wants to do is go back to Blackdown. Does she go anyway?...of course. The HIS chapters are those of DCI Jack Harper, head of the major crimes unit, and investigating the case. For his own reasons, Jack fled London to start anew and work in this small countryside town, but he can’t escape the fact that he knows the victim. Or that Anna is his ex-wife. ADDICTIVE is the word of the day. Feeney is the master of psychological suspense, chilling characters, and creative plot twists. I loved every minute of it. Both Anna and Jack have interesting backstories, and like with any small town, everyone is too close to everyone else. The dueling viewpoints had me on the edge of my seat, desperately trying to figure out this obscure, puzzling battle of who’s lying. HIS & HERS is nothing short of compulsive brain candy. Once again, Feeney delivers her signature style of short chapters, sharp pacing, and outright craziness that I’ve come to enjoy. Side note: I read my physical copy provided by @flatiron_books about three months ago, and then recently, when @librofm provided me with the audiobook, I gave it a listen. Both formats are excellent! I breezed right through my copy, and then when I listened to the audiobook, I was obsessed. Stephanie Racine and Richard Armitage are fantastic. And kudos for the use of the voice changer for the killer’s voice. Have you read any of Feeney’s books?! #BookReview #Audiobook #LibroFM
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