Believe Me by Tahereh Mafi

Believe Me by Tahereh Mafi -- 177 pages

Juliette and Warner fought hard to take down the Reestablishment once and for all. Life in the aftermath isn’t easy, as they and their friends at the Sanctuary work with their limited resources to stabilize the world.

Warner has his sights set on more than just politics. Since he proposed to Juliette two weeks ago, he’s been eager to finally marry her, the person he loves more than anything and has endured so much to be with. But with so much chaos around them, it’s been nearly impossible for them to have a wedding. And even Juliette has been distracted by everything they need to do. At long last, Warner and Juliette’s future together is within reach, but the world continues to try to pull them apart. Will they finally be able to be happily, officially, together?

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

 

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher, 176 p.

"When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruravia.

What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.

Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all."--Amazon blurb

I've read a Kingfisher book before and described it as "cozy horror" which seems a total oxymoron, but there you have it. This book, however, was much more "horror-y." Turns out that's not really my jam. Writing cadence was interesting, but this retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher was a bit much for me. However, if you are a horror fan, I would absolutely recommend it.

Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb and more

Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb and more - 425 pages

This book contains five short novellas that all contain some elements of Alice in Wonderland.

Wonderment in Death by J.D. Robb - Eve Dallas investigates with an apparent murder-suicide seems to include hallucinogenic drugs.
Alice and the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney - Earl Weston and Alice are transported to the future in a time travel tale.
iLove by Elaine Fox - A man is trapped inside his cell phone after getting addicted to it.
A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas - A mysterious costume shop shows a woman how her actions and emotions affect others.
Fallen by R.C. Ryan - A lawyer travels through time and must save the Beast of the Highlands who is under a curse.

I really did't care for most of these stories.  There was not nearly enough time to develop characters.  They were very rushed.