April Reading Challenge Discussion

April’s Reading Challenge was to read a book you won in a contest, borrowed or received free of charge.

My first selection is I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie which is a mystery I won in a Goodreads giveaway. I have read a few of Ms. McKenzie’s previous releases, so I had no doubt I would like this mystery. And I was right!

I’ll Never Tell takes place at a family owned summer camp. Siblings Margaux, Ryan, Mary, Kate and Liddie have gathered at the camp to learn the terms of their father’s will. Camp handyman Sean Booth and camp cook Amy are also on the grounds. Everyone (except Amy) is shocked by the conditions of the will since they are tasked with uncovering the truth about Ryan’s guilt or innocence in a still unsolved twenty year old case.

While on an overnight camping trip with Margaux, Mary and a group of campers, Amanda Holmes was attacked. Kate and Liddie found her in a canoe that washed up on the shore of the summer camp. The investigation quickly zeroed in on Ryan, but the case against him was abruptly dropped a short time later. With these suspicions still hanging over his head, Ryan is now married with three daughters of his own. He is stunned by his father’s accusation and he is uncertain what decision his sisters will make about his guilt or innocence.

Unfolding over just a couple of days, everyone goes back over their movements on that fateful day. With three guilty votes, Ryan is hoping the sister who voted not guilty will convince the others that there is no way he harmed Amanda. As they revisit old memories, the siblings uncover startling secrets about one another. But will they unearth the truth about who is responsible for attacking Amanda? Well, in one final shocking plot twist, the answer to this question is revealed and I have to admit, this person was NEVER on my suspect list.

I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie is a clever, multi-layered mystery. The cast of characters are well-drawn and none of the siblings escaped their dysfunctional childhood without scars. This twisty-turny mystery is well-written and will keep readers guessing until the novel’s stunning conclusion. Highly recommend to readers who enjoy complex family relationships, secrets and a puzzling mystery.

Please click HERE to learn more about I’ll Never Tell.

My second selection is The Fall which is written by new to me author May Archer. This first novel in the Love in O’Leary series is set in a small town in New York.

Local police officer and renowned commitment-phobe Silas “Si” Sloane cannot hide nor deny his attraction to newcomer Everett “Ev” Maior. Ev is still grieving the loss of his husband who passed away sixteen months earlier. He has temporarily moved to O’Leary because his curmudgeonly grandfather, Henry, has recently broken his leg and could use help around the house and in his hardware store.

At thirty-eight years old, Si has never been involved in a relationship nor does he feel the need to hitch himself to one man. Which is why he is somewhat mystified when he cannot get Ev out of his mind. Si is surprised to find himself actively seeking out the handsome art teacher but Ev is very adept at avoiding the popular police officer.

Ev is not at all prepared for his unexpected interest in Si. He is afraid of losing memories of his beloved husband, Adrian, and he finds it very awkward to talk about his late husband. Ev runs hot and cold toward Si as he attempts to work through his very complicated feelings about beginning a new relationship.

While I loved Si, it did not take long for Ev to get on my nerves. He cries at the drop of a hat (which I find annoying in both gay and mainstream novels). It is also extremely frustrating watching him draw close to Si, only to then push him away. Even when Ev agrees to give Si a chance, he still holds back from the relationship and finds it nearly impossible to discuss his issues.

While the premise of The Fall is interesting, the novel is rather slow-paced and a bit repetitive. The story tends to drag because of the LONG passages of internal monologues (which sometimes occur right in the middle of conversations). The secondary characters are interesting but there are so many faces it is difficult to keep up with who’s who. There is a slight suspense element but the final reveal is easy to predict. Although the novel ends on a upbeat note, I am on the fence about whether or not I’ll continue with May Archer’s Love in O’Leary series.

Please click HERE to learn more about The Fall.

Did you enjoy the book you selected for this month’s challenge?

***

Check out May’s challenge HERE.