Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Good story, with very real emotions that you can feel through the pages. Love how it draws you in to want to what is going to happen next. Like all the twist and turns. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery)
By Merissa Racine
4-stars
Shadows of Doubt is the 2nd book in the Crawford Mystery series, a series that I recommend reading in order as this book follows the same characters as the previous book.
Just like the first book we get to follow along with Lauren and the current case she is working on as a stenographer. I found reading all the ins and outs of the courtroom to be really interesting, however, I prefer a more fast paced read with a bit more excitement. In saying that though this story is quite realistic compared to others of this genre and that is truly a nice change.
This is a book I would recommend reading, it’s entertaining and mysterious enough to keep you wanting more!
Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 2nd book in the series and it is just as enjoyable as the first book. Even though the books can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading them in order so you get a proper sense for the characters and how they are linked.
Lauren is back as the court reporter. Forced to take whatever jobs come her way she has to take a job as a court reporter for a murder trail that her ex husband is the judge on.
With the feelings between the running high can she focus on her job?
This murder trial has a difference. Lauren knows the victim and she knows that the chances of the person who is on trail for her murder actually commiting this murder are very slim.
With other suspects with a stronger motive for this murder not being looked into Lauren finds herself trying to solve the case and bring the real murderer to justice. However things aren’t that straight forward and the story takes you on so many twists as it unfolds that you won’t know who the killer is until the end.
Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Shadows of Doubt: A Crawford Mystery by Merissa Racine is a detailed and interesting story. I thought that it has a fresh twist on it given the main characters profession. I thought that it gave the story and authentic feel to it.
I was slowly pulled more and more into this story, wanting to see how things would turn out. I thought Lauren was such a good man character. For me she brought the story to life and added so much to it. She was engaging throughout and just a likeable character.
The book is full of twists and turns, which rg keeps you involved in the book. This is a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was so excited to read this book, and join Lauren on her next trial and case. I loved her character in the previous novel. The previous novel held me at the edge of the seat with suspense, and this one up held very much to my enjoyment with the first, though this one I seemed more and more intrigued!
Lauren is a tough cookie from my past readings about her and her growth as a character. She has always been a girl that will do or die to survive. She has to take a job she doesn’t want, but hey it pays the bills at the end of the day right? Doing her job leads to other things perhaps of the cognitive mind though? Lauren has a strong lust for the truth always. For those of us who read the first novel, we can speak that Lauren can get a hunch and you can basically know she may be onto something! I loved the murder trial and how Lauren went against better judgment to seek out the truth!
For me what really made my intrigue and wonder of this novel, is when Lauren is hunting for evidence and facts what she finds. Sometimes when you dig with questions you do not like the answers you find in your search. After all we all have secrets do we not? Not all those skeletons can stay hidden forever, or can they? As I read on things tied together, and I was blown away at moments leading up to the ending and conclusion! I really need to have a conversation about this book! It was more than good, the mystery and hunt for justice as well as the truth was descriptive and very well done. I was very much impressed as I was with the first, and even more this round! This author is amazing with her writing, seriously!
So again read this book, especially if you have read the prior, you will be holding your breath with suspense and intrigue as you read through this book. There was a lot of moments where even you question things in the book, that lead to another. Well done and very well written! Loved it entirely!
Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in this series which I enjoyed by this author. I highly suggest you read the previous book as it is just as great. One of my favorite things with this author is her ability to pull me into her stories from the beginning. Her use of details and her writing skills make her stories realistic and engaging. This book is no different. I really enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is a story about Lauren who is a reporter for the court. Her need of money forces her to take on a job for her ex husband, a new judge. This is where the story gets hard to put down. She is faced with lies from her past and determined to find the real killer. Sometimes things are not who or what they seem. I enjoyed the growth of the plot and characters throughout the story. The characters are connectable and bring the story to life on each page. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next and you will want to see what happens next. This is a great story that I highly recommend. It is worth the pick up.
Review by @bjwagner
Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I do love the Crawford Mysteries. They are entertaining because the town is full of characters that are just like people you might find in a small town. Lauren is usually the one in the middle of the mystery. It’s funny how families are always causing such chaos around money. This installment of the mysteries lived up to its expectations. It was funny, had challenges with some twists you weren’t expecting and just fun to solve. Well worth the cost and I promise you’ll get a kick out of it.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great story that grabbed my attention from the start! I absolutely loved it! It’s compelling, tricky and full of great characters. This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last! I really fell into the life with these characters and followed them all the way on their journey.
What I love about this most is that it is told mostly without a lot of back and forth in years. My favorite is that I couldn’t figure it out even when a few tidbits were thrown my way. A downside is that it does have some “filler”(plots that don’t move the story forward) and a couple subplots that just stopped.
This author has a wonderful style. She has a talent…I would call her a magician of words. She led me down a merry trail and I wasn’t sure where I would come out until I got there.
Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Drama and intrigue
Another great legal mystery in Crawford. I found myself hooked into the drama of the court case. This had a very different feel to the first book but just as intriguing. Lauren finds herself right in the middle of a tangled web of lies, greed and corruption. The authors does a great job in delivering a balance between the legal terminology and a creative plot line that kept me turning the pages.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, just wow! Browne Kabongo has blown me away with this novel. If you like the thriller genre and a fast paced read, then I highly recommend this one!
I was hooked as soon as I started reading, Browne Kabongo has a beautifully unique writing style and has done very well with this novel. Anytime I had to put the book down to do something I couldn’t get it off of my mind, definitely a page turner!
Very few novels I’ve read have had a character who shares my name, I believe it added an extra layer to the psychological element for me with this one.
I plan to go read Browne Kabongo’s other works, and I’m sure they will be as unique and captivating as this one is.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Merissa Racine is originally from Long Island, New York. Life took her to Miami, Florida, and then to Cheyenne, Wyoming, which she now calls home. Merissa is a court stenographer by trade. Working in the court system has enabled her to give the Crawford Mystery Series its unique authenticity. When she’s not reporting a case Merissa can be found outdoors taking photos of the scenery around her – unless it’s snowing. Then she’s either enjoying a cup of coffee while reading a good book or in the kitchen cooking. Being a dog lover, you will always find a four-legged friend in her stories. Her second in the Crawford Mystery Series, Shadows of Doubt, will be out in the fall of 2021.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a thrilling 4 star read. Once you start you will get pulled in.
In just one evening Shelby’s life takes a twisted turn, she finds herself getting arrested for a murder she didn’t committ. Things get even more complicated when Shelby’s past comes back to haunt her. When her loved ones are threatened things get more serious.
Will Shelby be able to keep her family safe? Will she find out who her stalker is?
There is so much in this book. We get danger, mystery, suspense and so much more. The author pulls you right in with her writing and we get several twists and turns and lots of secrets. All of the characters added a great element to the story. I loved Shelby’s strength and determination. If you’re looking for a read that pulls you right in this is the one for you. 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
View all my reviews
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow just wow! This book was amazing and is a real page turner! I drank a cup of coffee at 9 at night just to keep reading to see what happened next. This story is so intense and the writing is on point. Shelby is amazing and has such amazing resilience. Honestly I love all the Cooper’s. I don’t want to give any spoilers but I will say this story will keep you guessing and when you think you have it figured out, think again. I’ve read one other book by this author and will be reading all the others she has written! I cannot speak highly enough about this author or book!
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fool Me Twice was a really good read! It was a great story and I enjoyed going on this thrilling ride. However, I feel like the story was drug out. I felt like it could have met the same ending with less fluff in the middle. I found it dragging for me throughout the novel. And the characters. I loved seeing the different dynamics of each person, but I really wish the author could have had all of them in the third person narratives instead of all of them third person except for Shelby, and have her first person. I didn’t enjoy that and it made the story a little confusing when it switched between the characters. Overall this was a great read that I enjoyed but I felt I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t so prolonged.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was something else in a good way. Setting up someone for murder. Luckily she proves herself innocent with the help of her husband and his private investigator. There should be a trigger warning for mental health because I believe its realistic that you don’t know what a person is capable of in their mindset. Especially if they have mental issues.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! I am more of a Romance person so I took a chance on this book and it did not disappoint. I just couldn’t put it down, I had to keep reading it. The mystery, danger, drama, crime, and of course the suspense was just insane. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Engaging, fast-paced, and full of twists and turns. Fool Me Twice by Gledé Browne Kabongo didn’t let me down. Honestly, it took several chapters to really get going, but once the stage was set in the first 10% of the book, things really picked up and I couldn’t put it down!
Shelby has hidden her past from everyone, but it may be catching up with her—then she is accused of murder! Fearing for herself and her loved ones she sits in jail wondering if her name will ever be cleared.
Browne Kabongo creates an addicting story, as usual. I love the intricate details that bring the story together and keeps surprising the reader. Not my first by this author and certainly won’t be my last!
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fool Me Twice by Gledé Browne Kabongo is definitely a thrilling read if your need a good one for this weekend. This book is filled with so much drama, mystery, danger, suspense and more that I really found myself not being able to put it down. This particular thriller is not a good novel to start if you have errands to run, this book gripped me from the very first page and took me on a roller coaster ride with so many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. You think that it’s just going to be a another normal day, but what happens when someone is accused of murder? Will the suspicions be cleared and the real killer caught? You’ll have to read Fool Me Twice by Gledé Browne Kabongo to find out for yourself.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fool Me Twice is a gripping novel by Gledé Browne Kabongo. It’s a psychological thriller, following a seemingly normal woman as her life completely unravels. Framed for a murder she hasn’t committed, and with a stalker determined to get revenge, Shelby has to work hard to prove her innocence and protect her family.
This is a real page-turner – once you get started you will need to know why Shelby is being targeted, and if/how she will make it through this onslaught. Changes of narrative perspective drip-feed information to the reader, whilst keeping us in suspense.
One thing I particularly like about this book is the highlighting of women, in particular women of colour, in STEM. Shelby is involved in some really cool scientific research, and is committed to encouraging other women and girls to get into STEM. It’s really great to get this sort of thing in books that aren’t specifically about women in STEM, but that will still get readers interested and raise awareness of some of the difficulties they face.
For me, this is a five-star read. It isn’t a genre I read much but I was absolutely hooked and will definitely look to read more of Browne Kabongo’s work in the future. I would recommend it to any readers looking for something that will have them on the edge of their seats.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great psychological thriller that drew me in from the start.
Every character seems to have secrets, but Shelbys are the darkest. When her physical therapist has been murdered, she is convinced someone from her past is setting her up. I was on the edge throughout the whole book, it really keeps you guessing on who the real murderer is.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fool Me Twice is a fast paced read, as well as a fast read. I really didn’t want to put it down! There are multiple stories to follow in this book, but it is easy to follow. Not all of the subplots come to a satisfactory conclusion, but overall I enjoyed the writing as well as the story.
Shelby Cooper is a scientist, mom of 2, and wife living with her family in a suburb near Boston – and she has secrets. When she starts gets strange messages and being pursued by vehicles, she knows her secrets are going to be revealed soon. Shelby isn’t the only person with secrets in this book – Will Shelby find out who knows her secrets and is framing her for murder? Will she and Jason be able to trust each other again? Will her family stay together? Stay safe?
If you like psychological thrillers, crime, etc – carve out a day or 2 and read this book. I really enjoyed it!
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Gledé Browne Kabongo is a talented author. At first, though, I didn’t like this story. I was confused and struggled to keep up. I kept going, because I know how much I’ve loved her stories. I was so glad I did! Shelby Cooper is being harassed by a stalker and then is wrongly arrested for murder. Shelby does not want her hidden past to come out and is terrified that her stalker will hurt her family. There were several twists in the story that I did not see coming. It was a fantastic story. Once it got going, I couldn’t put it down!
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fool Me Twice by Glede Brown Kabongo is a great thriller. It caught my attention and kept me wanting to know the truth. Shelby Cooper is a wife and mother who is arrested for the murder of her physical therapist. Shelby is hiding her past from her family and friends and they have no idea until their lives are turned upside down by Shelby’s arrest and a stalkers threats. I never saw the twists and turns coming.
Stand Your Ground by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Stand Your Ground was a good book! It takes on current issues that we see on the news every day. The ending did shock me. Characters who I thought were one way turned out to actually be another way and it really surprised me. The only thing I didn’t like was that it seemed like the language of the characters that lived in the hood was exaggerated.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was hooked from the start by this suspenseful, psychological crime thriller and it kept me gripped until the last page. Shelby Cooper seemingly has the perfect life, a successful career as a leading scientist in bioinformatics, a mother to two wonderful children, and a happy marriage to a successful man, but not even her family know who she really is. Shelby has a past which she has worked hard to hide and she has managed to start a new life, but now someone who hates her knows who she is. When Shelby is stopped by the police for a broken taillight this leads to her being arrested for the murder of her physical therapist. Shelby soon realises that whoever the killer is, they are out for revenge and seem intent on ruining her life by framing her for murder. This is a fast paced story with an intriguing storyline and plenty of plot twists that kept me guessing until the end.
The Guardian’s Legacy by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Can I just say Wow! The Guardian’s Legacy was so much fun to read and get lost into its world. If you are a big fan of mythology, history, mystery, then this book is just perfect for you. Nik our main character is tasked with becoming the guardian of an ancient mysterious coin with untold powers that his traditionally his family has protected for many, many years. In order to become the guardian and taking possession of the coin from his grandfather, Nik must train in many different defense arts and even weapons that have not been seen or used for thousands of years! How cool is that?! The mystery you ask: Where did the coin come from, who gave it to the family to safeguard, and where is Grandfather? Read the book but beware, the ending is not as it seems. Cavallaro does a wonderful job of bringing the history aspects to life and the importance of history in our world today. The characters are amazing and believable, and it was so easy to get lost in their world. Join me in reading this wonderful book and relish in the fun of ancient history and mythology.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don’t read many suspense books, but this book has inspired me to try to read more of them. I was on my toes at all times and constantly found myself getting goosebumps. The story was really well developed and completely worth the read. Read this book if you like anticipation, guessing what is going to happen next, and constant suspense!
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the concept was interesting and the details were woven well. There were some parts that I did not really find were necessary particularly the relationship between Abbie and Ty. Also, I felt the ending was abrupt. While I understood the need for closure in that scene, I felt like the book just ended. I even went back because I thought I was missing something.
Overall, the story kept moving and held my attention. I would definitely read more by the author.
Fool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fool Me Twice by Gledé Browne Kabongo. I LOVED this book .Its my favorite genre so I was excited to read it and I was not disappointed! Its the story of Shelby Cooper who is a very successful Bioinformatic Scientist, mom and wife. Problem is her own family doesn’t know about Shelby’s past and when it comes back to haunt her it can destroy her entire life. One traffic stop later for a minor traffic infraction and she’s arrested for murder and her whole life is turned upside down. She is being accused of murdering her physical therapist and she knows she’s being set up from someone in her past. Will she be able to figure out who is trying to sabotage the life she has now and will she be able to prove her innocence before the wonderful life she’s built is ruined? This book kept me turning pages as fast as I could and kept me guessing til the very end. I can’t wait to read the next great read by this incredible author!
The Guardian’s Legacy by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Nik Zosimos is a history teacher in a local high school where his love of history is passed down to his students as it was passed down to him by his grandfather Iasos, over the years, they have shared many a conversation over food and wine, but when his grandfather calls him in the middle of the day and asks him to come over to his house, Nik is a little worried because it isn’t something that his grandfather would usually do. When he arrives at his grandfathers house, nothing is amiss, he is his usual healthy self and in good spirits as they enjoy a meal and some beers together, that is until his grandfather reveals something to Nik which is about to blow his whole world wide open.
As Nik leaves his grandfathers house in a state of astonishment, the first thing he does is get straight onto the internet and do some research to try and verify what his grandfather has told him, but although some things are confirmed, some of the most vital parts aren’t, but he continues to dig and even asks a colleague for some hints about where to look as well. As he researches, more of his grandfathers revelation makes sense, but now he has to make a decision as to whether he wants to find out more.
Nik takes a couple of days to think about this decision and how serious his grandfather had become while telling him the little he was able to confide in him and it set Nik, it is this and the intrigue his grandfathers words caused him which leads to his final choice. As Nik finds out more about the history of his grandfathers responsibilities and what it means for his future, he also discovers how deep the mystery truly goes and to what lengths people have gone to acquire the knowledge he now has. Will Nik be able to rise to the challenge his grandfather has set him and become the latest guardian, or will time be against him? This is a gripping story which transcends time and which you will become engrossed in the twists and turns within it as the characters themselves.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
