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It was a slow start to the year in regards to reading for me – hence there hasn’t been a book review post since January. Not only did my Kindle app decide to delete all my downloads, but I have just struggled to get my teeth into anything. They say it only takes one book and when I’ found it, I have been right back at it! Audible has also been a savior – as you will see from the many Audible books reviews in this post! Hope you enjoy my musings on these few recent reads – I am excited to hear your thoughts on them too if you have read them – let me know in the comments below!
Hidden Pictures
by Jason Rekulak
The Blurb
AN AMAZON.COM BEST MYSTERY/THRILLER OF THE YEAR
Mallory is delighted to have a new job looking after gorgeous four-year-old Teddy. She’s been sober for a year and a half, and she’s sure her new nannying role in the affluent suburbs will help keep her on the straight and narrow.
That is until Teddy starts to draw disturbing pictures of his imaginary friend, Anya. It is quite clear to Mallory and to Teddy’s parents, even in his crude childlike style, that the woman Teddy is drawing in his pictures is dead.
Teddy’s crayons are confiscated and his paper locked away. But the drawings somehow keep coming, telling a frightening story of a woman murdered…and they’re getting more sophisticated. But if Teddy isn’t drawing the pictures anymore, who is? And what are they trying to tell Mallory about her new home?
What I Thought
I listened to this on Audible and LOVED it! I had seen it recommended by a couple of my favourite thriller BookTokers and so decided to give it a try and am really glad I did.
As with ‘It All Started With A Lie’ this one kept me guessing till the end with plenty of plot twists thrown in that I didn’t see coming. I usually pride myself on my good guessing skills but this one kept me going!
It was really interesting and different, with a slight supernatural spin. I was worried this would take the book into the realms if the impossible but it didn’t and I still enjoyed the main story-line. I really liked the main character and felt her sobriety journey was well handled by the author.
I was really pleased I listened to the fellow reviewers on this one. I had it on Audible and enjoyed the narration and flew through the story – I couldn’t stop listening and switched on at any moment I could!
Where To Buy
Amanda Knox*
Crime, Trial, Release and Controversy
by Helen Saxton
The Blurb
In November 2007 the body of British student Meredith Kercher was discovered in her bedroom in Perugia, Italy. She had been brutally killed. Over the course of the next eight years one man, Rudy Guede, would be convicted of her murder and two other suspects, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, would be convicted, acquitted and convicted again for their part in the crime, before having their convictions overturned for the final time in 2015.
Almost two decades on from this horrific event Rudy Guede is now a free man, released in 2021 after spending 13 years in jail. Amanda Knox is married with a daughter and Raffaele Sollecito has slipped into relative obscurity.
For many, Amanda was, and remains, the central character in this story. Why? And why the controversy? Through piecing together a timeline of events and investigating the conflicting opinions found in the countless books, articles, films, documentaries, and discussions which have emerged over the years, the author takes the reader on a journey to find out.
Including interviews with often unwavering web forum users where posters pit allegations of corruption, coerced confessions, and flawed procedures against those of wilful deceit, callous disregard for life, damning forensics and inappropriate behaviour, Helen investigates if confirmation bias plays a part and asks the ultimate question; can any of us who weren’t there that fateful night ever really claim to know what happened?
What I Thought
As a huge true crime fan I couldn’t turn down this one. Being a similar age to Meredith at the time she was murdered, this was a crime that really resonated with me. I also think the following circus of trials and media coverage lost sight of her – this beautiful, intelligent girl who was brutally murdered. While this book focuses on Knox, Meredith is not forgotten by the author.
I have read a lot about this crime and still go backwards and forwards with what I think may have happened or who was involved. This book won’t give you those answers – at this point I am not sure there ever will be any. However, it is brilliantly written with a good coverage of both sides of the argument surrounding Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito’s involvement. I thought it was well researched and despite the amount I have read previously, I found some new and more interesting things to read about the case in this book.
A very well covered case by this great author and one I’d recommend to true crime fans for sure.
Where To Buy
The Family Upstairs
by Lisa Jewell
The Blurb
PREPARE TO BE HOOKED
FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF INVISIBLE GIRL
In a large house in London’s fashionable Chelsea, a baby is awake in her cot. Well-fed and cared for, she is happily waiting for someone to pick her up.
In the kitchen lie three decomposing corpses. Close to them is a hastily scrawled note.
They’ve been dead for several days.
Who has been looking after the baby?
And where did they go?
Two entangled families.
A house with the darkest of secrets.
A compulsive thriller from Lisa Jewell.
What I Thought
Lisa Jewell has done it again! I really enjoyed this book. However, I did have a couple of issues that just niggled me enough to make it a five star read!
This was another Audible listen and I enjoyed the narration on this one. The chapters skip both through different characters and different times, but it was not difficult to keep on top of the story.
It was beautifully written again by this brilliant author, atmospheric, descriptive and full of twists and turns. There were a few elements of the story I struggled to believe in, hence why it it didn’t make the 5 star list, however, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I know a few people were not satisfied by the ending, however, when I picked it up I knew The Family Remains had been written and the story continues.
Needless to say, I have my copy of The Family Remains and I am looking forward to reading more about these characters!
Where To Buy
Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny
by Holly Madison
The Blurb
The shocking, never-before-told story of the bizarre world inside the legendary Playboy Mansion – and, finally, the secret truth about the man who holds the key – from one of the few people who truly knows: Hef’s former number-one girlfriend and star of The Girls Next Door.
A spontaneous decision at age 21 transformed small-town Oregon girl Holly Sue Cullen into Holly Madison, Hugh Hefner’s number-one girlfriend. But like Alice’s journey into Wonderland, after Holly plunged down the rabbit hole, what seemed like a fairytale life inside the Playboy Mansion – including A-list celebrity parties and her own number-one-rated television show for four years – quickly devolved into an oppressive routine of strict rules, manipulation, and battles with ambitious, backstabbing bunnies. Life inside the notorious Mansion wasn’t a dream at all – and quickly became her nightmare. After losing her identity, her sense of self-worth, and her hope for the future, Holly found herself sitting alone in a bathtub contemplating suicide.
But instead of ending her life, Holly chose to take charge of it.
In this shockingly candid and surprisingly moving memoir, this thoughtful and introspective woman opens up about life inside the Mansion, the drugs, the sex, the abuse, the infamous parties, and her real behind-the-scenes life with Bridget, Kendra, and, of course, Mr. Playboy himself.
With great courage, Holly shares the details of her subsequent troubled relationship, landing her own successful television series, and the hard work of healing, including her turn on Dancing with the Stars. A cautionary tale and a celebration of personal empowerment, Down the Rabbit Hole reminds us of the importance of fighting for our dreams – and finding the life we deserve
What I Thought
As a huge fan of The Girls Of The Playboy Mansion when I was younger, I can’t believe it has taken me so long to read this book! Holly and Bridget were two of my favourites and I am loving listening to their re-watch podcast, The Girls Next Level.
Holly reads the book which I think is always great when it comes to personal stories shared on Audible. Itr makes a huge difference to hear the author’s words in their own voice.
There wasn’t a huge amount of new information I picked up that I hadn’t already heard on the podcast or seen in the news over the years but as a fan, I enjoyed the book. I think if, like me, you grew up watching the series and especially if you haven’t listened to the new podcast, it is worth a read!
Where To Buy
I hope you have enjoyed this month’s reviews and recommendations. Let me know in the comments which one you are looking to read first!
Take care and happy reading,
The Spoonie Mummy 
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