I really like a good psychological thriller book and this was one. I had never read Natalie Barelli, but I will again.

Rachel Holloway is a bookkeeper for a local newspaper but the paper is in trouble financially. To save the paper, the editor decides to run a podcast about young Molly Forster who disappeared 15 years ago after her parents and sister were brutally murdered in their own home. The podcast is called Missing Molly and the staff is investigating what happened to her after that night. The alleged murderer was arrested but committed suicide before the trial. But was the accused really the guilty person?

Rachel fights to keep the podcast from happening, but she is consistently overruled. As the investigation continues, the reporters suspect that the townspeople have many secrets and no one is talking. But the townspeople are not the only ones with secrets. Rachel has a secret too and she is horrified it will be discovered and put her and her loved ones in terrible danger. Rachel has been running from her secret for years.

This book is a page turner and a very quick read. 

Reviewed by Terri

Available as an ebook via Hoopla HERE and as a digital audiobook HERE

Julia Alvarez is from the Domincan Republic and this is her 6th novel. AFTERLIFE  is her first adult novel in 15 years. She is also the acclaimed author of TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES and HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS LOST THEIR ACCENT.
The main character, Antonia Vega, has just retired from the college where she taught English when her doctor  husband Sam suddenly dies. To add to this trauma, her big-hearted but unstable sister disappears which causes her and her other two sisters to hire a detective to find her. Antonia is part of a hilarious sisterhood —she has three sisters scattered across the U.S all  in their 60’s.Of course Antonia leaves for Chicago to help find the missing sister.
Also, living next door to Antonia is a Vermont farmer employing immigrants,who are actually hiding out. When Antonia returns to her home, she finds a very young pregnant girl who is a girlfriend of one of the immigrants next door. Antonia thought widowhood would be lonely and quiet, but it has turned out to be just the opposite!
AFTERLIFE is a fairly short novel showing the bonds of family and the power of being needed and loved. Alvarez has written a gem and I really liked it. 

Reviewed by Terri

Available via Hoopla HERE