Category Archives: Nalini Singh

Review: Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

Title: Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Domestic Mystery, Suspense
Length: 383 pages
Book Rating:

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this gripping thriller set in New Zealand, New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes you into the twisted world of an exclusive cul-de-sac located on the edge of a sprawling forest.
 
My mother vanished ten years ago.
So did a quarter of a million dollars in cash.
Thief. Bitch. Criminal.
Now, she’s back.
Her bones clothed in scarlet silk.

When socialite Nina Rai disappeared without a trace, everyone wrote it off as another trophy wife tired of her wealthy husband. But now her bones have turned up in the shadowed green of the forest that surrounds her elite neighborhood, a haven of privilege and secrets that’s housed the same influential families for decades.

The rich live here, along with those whose job it is to make their lives easier. And somebody knows what happened to Nina one rainy night ten years ago. Her son Aarav heard a chilling scream that night, and he’s determined to uncover the ugly truth that lives beneath the moneyed elegance…but  no one is ready for the murderous secrets about to crawl out of the dark.

Even the dead aren’t allowed to break the rules in this cul-de-sac.

Review:

Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh is a spellbinding domestic mystery.

Aarav Rai has spent the last several years hoping he would hear from his missing mum, Nina. She, along with $250,000, inexplicably disappeared without a trace on a stormy night ten years ago. Not long after returning to his childhood home following a serious car accident, Aarav and his father Ishaan are notified by Senior Sergeant Oliver Regan and Constable Serafina Neri that Nina’s car has been found. A mystery writer, Aarav recognizes they are not telling them everything. Regan and Neri soon relay the distressing news that a skeleton has been discovered as well. Aarav has flashes of memories from the night his mum went missing, but he has been unable to decipher what, if anything, they have to do with his mum’s disappearance. And with a recent head injury, can Aarav trust what he remembers about the night she vanished?

Despite his broken leg and residual issues from the head injury, Aarav is determined to uncover the truth about Nina’s death. There is no love lost between him and his father, so he knows he won’t find answers from him. Instead, he begins analyzing their friends and neighbors to see  if one of them might be involved in his mother’s death. Aarav quickly deduces there are plenty of secrets hiding behind the closed doors of the wealthy enclave.

Aarav rushes headlong into his investigation and he risks his recovery in the process. His eating habits are unhealthy and he is awake long into the night pouring over his suspicions. Aarav is also suffering from debilitating migraines and his recent memories are not always clear. But considering his recent accident, Aarav puts these unexpected health issues down to his injuries. Making sure to keep a written record of the details he uncovers, will Aarav unmask a killer?

Quiet in Her Bones is a riveting mystery with a beautiful setting and an intriguing storyline. Aarav judges himself harshly as he undergoes therapy to quell his anger. The cul-de-sac where his father lives appears serene but what secrets are lurking within the walls of their neighbors’ homes? With the police closing in on a viable suspect, Nalini Singh brings this thrilling domestic mystery to a twist-filled conclusion. Highly recommend to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Berkley, Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Mystery, Nalini Singh, Quiet in Her Bones, Rated B+, Review, Suspense

Review: A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh

Title: A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 353 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh welcomes you to a remote town on the edge of the world where even the blinding brightness of the sun can’t mask the darkness that lies deep within a killer.…

On the rugged West Coast of New Zealand, Golden Cove is more than just a town where people live. The adults are more than neighbors; the children, more than schoolmates.

That is until one fateful summer—and several vanished bodies—shatters the trust holding Golden Cove together. All that’s left are whispers behind closed doors, broken friendships, and a silent agreement to not look back. But they can’t run from the past forever.

Eight years later, a beautiful young woman disappears without a trace, and the residents of Golden Cove wonder if their home shelters something far more dangerous than an unforgiving landscape.

It’s not long before the dark past collides with the haunting present and deadly secrets come to light.

Review:

A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh is an atmospheric mystery that is absolutely spellbinding.

Anahera “Ana” Spencer-Ashby  returns to her isolated hometown on the coast of New Zealand following her husband’s death.  Troubled by childhood memories, she uneasily settles into the cabin she shared with her mom who died several years earlier.   Ana soon reconnects with best friend, Josie Taufa, Nikau “Nik” Martin and Vincent Baker.  She also meets newcomer, Detective Will Gallagher, the town’s lone police officer.

Immediately after her arrival, Ana and the rest of the town are devastated when Miriama “Miri” goes missing. Most of the residents turn out to search for the missing young woman, but she has vanished into thin air. With eerie similarities to the still unsolved cases of three hikers who disappeared years earlier, Will works around the clock to try to locate Miri and determine whether her case is linked to the hikers.

Ana is hardened by her life experiences and she is emotionally closed off. She is holding back a lot of grief and anger over her late husband’s death and her abusive childhood.  Ana holds her secrets close and not even her dear friend Josie knows much about Ana’s life in England. Ana is just as shaken as the rest of the town when Miri vanishes and she reluctantly joins forces with Will in order to find the young woman.

Will is also battered and tormented by his past. His last case before transferring to Golden Cove almost ended his career and he remains haunted by how it ended. Will takes his job seriously and despite his outsider status, he is well-liked and respected by the townspeople. His instincts remain sharp and although  he knows that something horrible has happened to Miri, he still hopes for the best.  Will finds Ana intriguing and he is surprised by how much he likes her.  He finds her assistance invaluable as he tries to find Miri.

Gold Cove is an insular town and everyone knows everyone else’s secrets. They are also fiercely loyal to one another and they are quick to offer assistance when needed. The surrounding landscape is beautiful but harsh and unforgiving.

A Madness of Sunshine is a riveting mystery that is foreboding and full of secrets. Will and Ana are compelling, intense characters who are quite likeable. Miri is happy, beloved by everyone and looking forward to a promising future. Will and Ana are determined to figure out who would have wanted to harm such a wonderful young woman.  With stunning twists and shocking revelations, Nalini Singh brings this mesmerizing mystery to a dramatic conclusion.  I highly recommend this captivating mystery to fans of the genre.

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Filed under A Madness of Sunshine, Berkley, Contemporary, Mystery, Nalini Singh, Rated B+, Review, Suspense