The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
Kindle freebie on December 2, 2022 (currently free at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
Overall rating 3.99 with 97 ratings and 12 reviews
Lost Girl by Melinda Colt Series: Irish Garda Squad #3
on May 25, 2021
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 115
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Detective Finola ‘Finn’ McGregor enjoys her job at An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s police force. In a country with a low crime rate, a cop’s job isn’t as exciting as people might think—until Finn becomes part of a team that uncovers a network of human traffickers, specializing in kidnapping children and forcing them to beg on the streets.
Finn’s sense of justice would’ve compelled her to solve the case anyway, but when she meets one of the trafficker’s victims, her resolve strengthens. One look into the little girl’s sad, blue eyes, and Finn would willingly give her life to save Maddie.
3.5 hearts
I’ve been enjoying the series. Lost Girl was a heartwarming story set during the holiday. I enjoyed the main character and her initiative in trying to help the children being trafficked. The children were extraordinarily brave in spite of a difficult situation.
It’s just longer than what I consider a novella with a happy ending for the children. There are nice personal details about the officer and her partner. The police and legal system are competent which I like.
Kindle freebie on January 11, 2021 (currently $4.99 and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.26 with 1,771 ratings and 88 reviews
The Watched by Casey Hill Narrator: Caroline Lennon
Series: CSI Reilly Steel #4
on November 10, 2019
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 344
Length: 9 hours, 47 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eBook
Source: Library, Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Quantico-trained forensic investigator Reilly Steel is back in the country of her birth. Unsure about both her future and her position within the Dublin police force, Reilly hopes that a relaxing stay at the Florida beach home of her old FBI mentor Daniel Forrest will help get her thoughts together.
When Daniel's son, policeman Todd, is called to the scene of a gruesome murder where the body of a beautiful woman has literally been torn in two, he is stopped in his tracks. Not just because of the grotesque and theatrical nature of the crime but because he recognizes the victim. In an attempt to find swift resolution on her old friend's behalf, Reilly finds herself drawn into the investigation.
This is an interesting series with an American FBI trained forensic specialist working in Ireland. The Watched is the fourth book in the Reilly Steel series. I got the Kindle book as a freebie and the audio was available on Hoopla for a read-listen. It’s a bit out of the genre since Riley is back in America for a visit, but oddly the narration still has the Irish accent.
Since Riley is waiting to be cleared from a previous action, she goes to Florida to visit her old mentor. Her father and his new girlfriend are there and she might visit them also. She expects peace & quiet. But because her friend’s son, Todd has a horror filled case, both Riley and his father, Daniel get involved. I found the plot very intriguing., and maybe the best in the series so far.
The personal side also has some interesting issues. Riley is missing the sun and sand in the gloomy rain of Ireland, so she is basking in the Florida sun. She is also muddling over her role at the GFU and if she should consider returning to the states. Todd has some issues with her because his father has always mentored Riley and he felt somewhat ignored at times, or lacking when compared to Riley. The case is shattering with people they know being killed.
The killings are gruesome and it is hard to get any leads to pin down the culprit. Eventually, the FBI comes in to take over the case. They will work with the local team and Riley. But they don’t listen to Riley, who is the one who eventually solves the case. I found The Watched very exciting.
Narration:
This narrator was new to me with The Hidden, the previous book in this series. I don’t know if the accent is accurate but it was comfortable. In The Watched, having all the main narration (not dialogue) with the sound of Ireland, but a US setting, was a little odd. To me, even the Americans seemed to have picked up an accent. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Kindle freebie on June 3, 2022 (currently free and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.10 with 2,425 ratings and 150 reviews
Knife's Edge by Kerry Buchanan Narrator: Ester Wane
Series: Harvey and Birch #1
Published by Joffe Books, Tantor Audio on April 15, 2021; January 31, 2023
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 231
Length: 8 hours, 23 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eBook
Source: Library, Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Nic always hated clubbing. She only went out that night because she’d promised a friend.
She wakes up, naked and bound in an abandoned cottage in the middle of nowhere. Dappled light comes in through a dirty window. Her body is covered in cuts. Across the room her friend groans in pain. A shadow passes the window. He’s back.
He picks up a knife. He begins to cut her friend. In that moment of bloody frenzy, Nic wrenches free and runs.
She’s finally safe. But this is only just beginning.
Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch arrive at the scene hours later. There is no body, there is no sign of the killer. It’s as if it never happened.
I really enjoy this sort of book. I got the Kindle book as a freebie and the audio was just released by Tantor and I was able to check it out on Hoopla.
Initially, it was a little confusing, because our view to the story, Nic, is a captive of a serial killer. She’s been drugged among other things so a few things are vague. Nic is a college student. While she has some great ideas and her heart is in the right place, she does suffer from a limited experience in life, so some of her decisions could be better.
Nic is allowed access o the police investigation and is even used as bait to a degree. They are also protecting her and her family. I find it inconceivable that the police would handle things this way. The police in general do not seem too bright in some aspects. Definitely, they make some mistakes.
Still it was an interesting read with some smart investigation and action. You may enjoy it more than me. I have to wonder if the next book will be from one of the detectives point of view, or if this victim or a new victim will provide the point of view.
Narration:
This narrator was new to me and I enjoyed her performance. I don’t know if the accent is accurate but it was comfortable and felt right. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
These are only Kindle freebies I get, or ones through author newsletters which anyone can sign up and get for free. I don’t include things like Kindle Unlimited or Prime Free Reading (I do have it). Both Tantor and Audible have occasional free audios (to anyone) and I do include those. Since I one-click on 1-2 freebies a day or probably at least 5 a week, I came up with this feature to make sure I start reading them.
FYI – My Thrifty Thursday post with my reviews and the linkups and giveaway will normally post on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Sometimes though, due to blog tours, mood reading, and other personal problems, it will be moved around. There WILL be one each month on some Thursday. You can post your reviews any Thursday though on your own site. The linkup will be open until the next month’s post is published. You can easily find all the Thrifty Thursday posts under the Features tab on my top menu.
(Reminder – If I get more than 10 linkups in a month, I will randomly pick one to select a prize from a list I send them which may include gift cards or giveaway books I have. (Open International))
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Giveaway:
The prize will be an Amazon Gift card of $25 or $25 worth of Books on Book Depository. Open International. Runs January 1, 2023 to January 7, 2024.
You can sign up for the 2023 Thrifty Thursday Challenge HERE
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Great selections and great reviews, Anne! I’ve not heard of the Irish Garda Squad series and I’m eager to check it out!
Sophia may have put me onto the Irish Garda Squad although I have some freebies from years ago. But I know she has read the whole series and also had a review of one of the books here.
I’ve kept up with the Irish Garda Series releases, but I still need to go back for the Lost Girl novella. The Casey Hill books sound pretty good so I’ll have to watch for the first one. Way to go knocking out three freebies!
Thanks Sophia. I’ve been enjoying the Casey Hill ones and got about half of them free. They are in KU right now. I’ve got 2 left.
I just got a good bundle of books from Bookbub
I hope you enjoy them.
Oh they’re all new to me
I enjoy trying books in different setting and careers.
Nice reviews. I’ve enjoyed all the Harvey and Birch mysteries on audio.
I’ll have to try some beyond the first one. I think the audios is on Hoopla.
The Watched sounds like one I’d like even with the odd accent situation. I like an Irish accent, though so I probably wouldn’t care, lol.
I really enjoyed the book a lot. I’ve read the next 2 and have 2 left.
Ireland used to be the place I wanted to go next, before I got hooked on Outlander and ended up setting a trip to Scotland instead. But I still love a good book set in Ireland.
I love reading books in different settings and learning more about their cultures, even a tiny bit.