Book Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

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The Escape Game  by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss  opens on the set of a reality television show called "The Escape Room" where one of the season four contestants, Alicia Angelos, is found in a coffin on set ... dead. Fast forward to season five where Sierra Angelos, the murder victim's younger sister and suspected killer, has been brought back to the show and paired up with Beck, Adi, and Carter. Sierra wants to find justice for her sister, but when Sierra and her teammates start uncovering clues about the true killer, they must figure out how to survive the game. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for approving my request and providing me with a digital copy of The Escape Game  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was immediately drawn to the title and cover of the young adult novel. Throw in the plot being about an escape room, and I was completely sold on the story before even reading it. The story is told from the perspective of fou...
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Book Review: A Cryptic Clue (Hunter and Clewe, #1) by Victoria Gilbert

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Cozy Mystery Book Review of A Cryptic Clue (Hunter and Clewe, #1) by Victoria Gilbert
A Cryptic Clue (Hunter and Clewe, #1) by Victoria Gilbert was published on July 11, 2023. This engaging mystery novel introduces sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, who starts a new job with Cameron “Cam” Clewe after being forced to retire from her long-time librarian career. On her very first day, Jane discovers a dead body, and Cam turns to her for help to clear his name, setting the stage for a suspenseful and twisty mystery.

I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of A Cryptic Clue (Hunter and Clewe, #1). I was immediately drawn to the intriguing cover and synopsis and was thrilled to receive a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Initially, I struggled to get into the story, so I set it aside and returned to it later. Changing my mindset made all the difference, and I ended up really enjoying the plot. Jane Hunter is a strong and relatable main character, while Cameron Clewe took a little longer to grow on me, but I warmed up to him as the story progressed.

The novel features a wide array of suspects, keeping me guessing about the killer’s identity until the very end. When the truth was finally revealed, it felt completely unexpected, which added to the suspense. There were also a couple of underlying mysteries involving certain characters’ identities that weren’t resolved. While this was a bit frustrating, it seems likely that these storylines may continue in a sequel, which I’m looking forward to.

Overall, I enjoyed A Cryptic Clue (Hunter and Clewe, #1) by Victoria Gilbert, and I gave it four out of five stars. If you enjoy mystery novels with unexpected twists, engaging characters, and a hint of suspense, this book is definitely worth checking out.

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