Book Review: "Dive Bar at the End of the Road" by Kelley Armstrong

“It’s pitch dark, pouring rain, and I have no idea where I’m going, which is also the perfect analogy for my life.”

It was a dark and stormy night…literally. Ellie is driving home to her parents in Michigan in the middle of a torrential rain storm. Her GPS had her take a detour a while back, but she hasn’t seen another car in quite some time. Suddenly in a flash of lightning, she sees a woman inexplicably standing in the middle of the road. As she swerves to avoid hitting the woman, she crashes into a fallen tree. But was there even a woman there?

Shortly thereafter, a pickup truck crashes into Ellie’s car. The truck is driven by Henry, a paramedic who was traveling to a cabin for a fishing weekend with his friends. Henry helps treat Ellie’s wounds and with no cell service, they go looking for shelter. They soon discover a dilapidated-looking bar, which is surprisingly nice on the inside.

Not long after their arrival at the bar, a young couple crashes into Henry’s truck. This same thing happens a few more times. But the crashes aren’t even the worst of it—strange things seem to be happening to each of the victims. One thinks they see zombies, one is being chased by wild animals, and no one is sure whether these things are really happening or if they’re hallucinating.

The tension definitely keeps rising as the paranormal occurrences keep happening. It seems like they’re each caught up in their own nightmare. But can they break out of these horrors, or are they doomed to repeat them forever?

This was a quick, eerie read. There was too much going on at once, however, with too many characters’ perspectives to keep track of. At one point things felt repetitive, but the story picks up speed as it barrels toward the conclusion. This is my first Kelley Armstrong book, but it won’t be my last!

Book Review: "The Trip" by Audrey J. Cole

In the immortal words of Keanu Reeves, “Whoa!” This fast-moving book was wild. This is now the second book of Audrey J. Cole’s that I’ve read and I can say one thing unequivocally: her books should come with a defibrillator!!

In high school, Palmer, Beth, Courtney, Gigi, and Emma were inseparable. Sure, Courtney was a bit of a mean girl at times, but she was kind and generous at others. Before they graduated, Courtney suggested they go on a weekend camping trip, with hiking and rafting. Yet only four of them returned. Courtney fell into the river and could not be rescued.

Questions about what happened on the camping trip followed the girls everywhere. They couldn’t seem to shake the cloud of suspicion they were under. While Palmer and Beth kept in touch, for the most part they all drifted apart.

Twenty years later, Gigi is a popular influencer, married to a hotel mogul. She invites the others on a yacht trip on the Pacific, to end in San Diego. Palmer’s marriage has just ended and she’s struggling emotionally, so Beth convinces her to come on the fully paid trip. And then the four of them can pay tribute to Courtney.

It’s not long before they’re sailing directly into a storm. The power and radio go down and the captain is missing, so they’re left with the first mate, who doesn’t seem to know the first thing about sailing. And then they find a note which brings the memories—and the secrets—from that camping trip back into the light. What really happened that weekend? Who was responsible? No one is above suspicion, and they all could be at risk.

The book shifts between high school and the yacht trip. None of the characters appears particularly sympathetic, and I had no idea whom to trust or root for. The twists came as fast as the waves and the storm! I needed a reminder of why I never want to go on a cruise, so thanks, Audrey!!

Book Review: "One Perfect Couple" by Ruth Ware

I was today years old when I read my first Ruth Ware book. I’ve been meaning to read her for a long while, but thanks to my book club’s selection of this one, I finally can check her off my list of authors I’ve yet to try.

Lyla is a virologist whose research isn’t going the way she or her boss had hoped. Now she’s in danger of her contract not getting renewed. That would make life difficult for her, since her boyfriend Nico, who lives with her, is a struggling actor who keeps searching for his big break.

Then he thinks he’s found it: his agent is recommending that he and Lyla be contestants on One Perfect Couple, a new reality show that will launch an all-reality show streaming channel. Nico is convinced that simply appearing on the show will give him the notoriety he needs to get to the next level, and he begs Lyla to participate with him, since it’s a show for couples.

Lyla reluctantly agrees but keeps waiting for the whole thing to fall apart. But before she knows it, they’re off to a secluded island in the Indian Ocean, to stay at a brand-new resort, where the show will be filmed. They’ll compete against four other couples for a cash prize of undetermined value, although Lyla doesn’t expect she’ll get very far.

Shortly after they arrive, things start going awry. It appears the challenges haven’t been thought through, which leaves everyone tense, and then (of course) a massive storm is headed for their island. They’re unable to get back to the mainland or communicate with anyone, and supplies—and patience—start running low. And then the contestants start dying…

Much like the true crime podcast, I’ve seen enough books centered around a reality show on a deserted island. The main problem I had beyond disliking every character was that this book was billed as an homage to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, and I didn’t get the comparison at all. I’ve been told to try another of Ware’s books, but I don’t know if I'm up for giving her a second chance.