Chrysalis by Lincoln Child

 Chrysalis by Lincoln Child, 313 pages

6th in the Jeremy Logan series.  Pits an enigmatologist against high tech evil.  It was alright, but a little too far fetched for me.

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Sadie by Courtney Summers, narrated by full cast, 308 p.

CW: pedophilia, abuse, murder, sibling loss, drug abuse

"A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she's left behind. And an ending you won't be able to stop talking about.

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.

Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page." -- Goodreads

I needed an audiobook to read quickly (was going to be spending 4+ hours in the car!) and this came highly recommended as an audiobook. The way it was done was intriguing: half story, half podcast, it follows Sadie and her quest to find a killer. I'm not going to lie, while this book was very good, it was also a difficult read. This subject is always tough and it's hard to find pockets of joy while reading something like this. And no, there wasn't much joy in this story at all. It's a dark story about a dark subject. However, it was still a very good read, well-written, and very character-driven. 
 

Born Scared by Kevin Brooks

Born Scared by Kevin Brooks - 247 pages

Elliot's whole entire life has been governed by fear, or the "beast" as he calls it.  The beast can be kept at bay by pills but it has made Elliot view his bedroom as the only safe place in the world.  On Christmas Eve a mix up at the Pharmacy causes a delay in his mother being able to get his pills which leads to a nightmare series of events for all involved.  This sounds like a horrible book of darkness that no one would want to dive into but its not.  Brooks takes us into Elliot's psyche so we understand his view of the world and the demons he is fighting to just try and make it through the night.  At times poignant and at times horrifying, this teen book reads like the best adult suspense novels.  I highly recommend it. 

Day Shift by Charlaine Harris

Day Shift by Charlaine Harris - 307 pages
Midnight, Texas - #2

Manfred has a problem -- one of his clients died during a consult and now the family is accusing him of stealing the client's jewels.  This would be problem enough, but the publicity isn't good for the town of Midnight.  Especially now when the Reverend is taking care of a young boy with unusual abilities.

This is the second book in the Midnight, Texas series by Charlaine Harris.  I found I liked this book more than the first one -- probably because it gave more background info on the various characters.  I'm looking forward to reading the final book in the series.

Yotsuba&!, v. 6-12 by Kiyohiko Azuma

Yotsuba&!, v. 6 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 208 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 7 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 208 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 8 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 224 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 9 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 224 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 10 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 224 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 11 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 224 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 12 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 224 pages

Yotsuba's adventures continue with getting a bike, going to a ranch, blowing bubbles, going camping and more.

Tactics, v.5 by Sakura Kinoshita

Tactics, v.5 by Sakura Kinoshita & Kazuko Higashimaya - 184 pages

In this volume we finally discover who is after Haruka.  Another plot fails to expose the demon eater as well as a plot to steal Rosalie, the young girl being raised by Hasumi.
I'm eager to continue reading the series now that the mastermind is finally exposed.  I'm waiting to discover exactly "what" he is.

Bunny Drop, v.2 by Yumi Unita

Bunny Drop, v.2 by Yumi Unita - 204 pages

This continues the story of Daikichi and his "aunt" Rin.  He decided to take care of Rin after his grandfather's death.  No one in the family knew  of his grandfather's love child and he is the only one willing to take care of her.  It completely changes his life.
This volume deals with the discovery of Rin's mother, Rin starting school, and Daikichi's workplace.
I am really enjoying this series and can't wait to continue reading it.

January First by Michael Schofield

January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her by Michael Schofield, 304 pages

When his daughter January has imaginary friends Michael doesn't think too much of it, but then those imaginary friends turn out to be the first symptom of a huge struggle facing their family.  At first he sees Jani as just a misunderstood genius but then is forced to come to grips with the realization that his daughter is suffering from severe mental illness and spends most of her time in a world only she can see.  It's stunning to think that a child doesn't know the voices and people she sees aren't real since they've been there all her life.    

Battles with the insurance company, the school system and even his wife soon take over Michael's life.  I feared the worst for how this story would end but there is a resolution that leaves the reader believing that there is a place in the world for those who may have two feet firmly in a world of their own making.