Book Club 40/52 - Last of the Archie Sheridan Series

I truly didn't want this series to end and this I can see myself coming back to read them again one day but alas this book was the last in the physiological thriller series - a series that I really cannot recommend highly enough.

Detective Archie Sheridan is about to receive a birthday present from the last person he ever wants to see again: Gretchen Lowell.

The investigation into Jack Reynolds's drug enterprise is heating up and has Archie heading off to attend a masked Halloween party on Jack Reynolds's island, where Susan is a reluctant guest. But the next morning one of the guests is found murdered, and Archie quickly realizes that nothing is what it seems. Only one thing is clear: Gretchen is back, and she's been closer than anyone thinks. On Halloween Eve, with time running out, Archie will have to risk everything, and choose wisely whom to trust, if he and his loved ones are going to live through the night

Horticultural show

One of my fave September events has to be the local horticultural show. I've been entering with the kids for many a year now and actively involved on the committee side for the last 3 or 4.

Both my sons did well again this year with an array of certificates between them and I was rather chuffed both my cooking apples from my tree in the garden and my succulent cupcakes won me first prize.

Time to start researching what I can create to grb the judges attention next year!

Book Club 39/52 - Even more Chelsea Cain

Nothing makes Portland detective Archie Sheridan happier than knowing that Gretchen Lowell—the serial killer whose stunning beauty is belied by the gruesome murders she's committed—is locked away in a psych ward. Archie can finally heal from the near-fatal physical and emotional wounds she's inflicted on him and start moving on with his life.

To this end, Archie throws himself into the latest case to come across his desk: A cyclist has discovered a corpse in Mount Tabor Park on the eastern side of Portland. Archie gets a message he can't ignore—Gretchen claims to have inside knowledge about this grisly murder. Archie finally agrees to visit Gretchen, because he can't risk losing his only lead in the case. At least, that's what he tells himself . . . but the ties between Archie and Gretchen have always been stronger, deeper, and more complex than he's willing to admit, even to himself. What game is she playing this time? And even more frightening, what long-hidden secrets from Gretchen's past have been dredged up that someone would kill to protect?

Vicki Boutin with Birds of a Feather

An afternoon of mixed media lessons with the Queen of MM herself Vicki B was on the cards today. Tracy and I made a day of it with a road trip up North which included a pit stop for afternoon tea.

Demonstrating whilst we played along Vicki taught us an array of techniques using her art crayons with paintbrushes, accetate and masks to achieve different looks.

Whilst we didn't complete any pages on the day we did make four backgrounds which we could then add photos, elements, a title and journaling to.

Hey little Maggie were the on site shop selling some Vicki branded products where I treated myself to all three sets of the art crayons as well as some lush mini alphabets and papers from Pinkfresh Studios. Just a wonderful day with the fabulous team who are Birds of a Feather who never fail to put on a carefully thought out day with lots of special little touches.

Lots learned and confidence built with the crayons which I can making lots of regular appearances on future layouts.

Book Club 38/52 - More Chelsea Cain

Portland police detective Archie Sheridan faces a different kind of killer - a brutal rain season that has flooded the Willamette River, claiming several lives. As water levels rise, so does the fear. Because some of the victims didn't drown;they were murdered.

The first body contains a rare poison. Three others prove to be murders as well. And with each gruesome discovery the medical examiner uncovers, Archie begins to realise he has not escaped his nightmares, even with his deadliest enemy behind bars. The flood has washed up old skeletons from the past. And a ruthless new serial killer rules the night...

Continues to be a brilliant series - what more can I say?!

Book Club 37/52 - More Chelsea Cain

Gretchen Lowell is still on the loose. These days, she’s more of a cause célèbre than a feared killer, thanks to sensationalist news coverage that has made her a star. Her face graces magazine covers weekly and there have been sightings of her around the world. Most shocking of all, Portland Herald reporter Susan Ward has uncovered a bizarre kind of fan club, which celebrates the number of days she’s been free.

Archie Sheridan hunted her for a decade, and after his last ploy to catch her went spectacularly wrong, remains hospitalised months later. When they last spoke Archie agreed not to kill himself if she agreed not to kill anyone else. But when a new body is found accompanied by Gretchen’s trademark heart, all bets are off and Archie is forced back into action. Has the Beauty Killer returned to her gruesome ways, or has the cult surrounding her created a whole new evil?

I seriously love this series and am afraid my #BookClub52 posts until it ends will all be about these books so if Thrillers are your thing get downloading these!! 

Book Club 34/52 and 35/52 by Chelsea Cain

 

Back to my Thrillers and what a discovery this series has been. Book 1 (my 34th read of the year) is Heartsick and here's the blurb...

Damaged Portland detective Archie Sheridan spent ten years tracking Gretchen Lowell, a beautiful serial killer, but in the end she was the one who caught him. Two years ago, Gretchen kidnapped Archie and tortured him for ten days, but instead of killing him, she mysteriously decided to let him go. She turned herself in, and now Gretchen has been locked away for the rest of her life, while Archie is in a prison of another kind---addicted to pain pills, unable to return to his old life, powerless to get those ten horrific days off his mind. Archie's a different person, his estranged wife says, and he knows she's right. He continues to visit Gretchen in prison once a week, saying that only he can get her to confess as to the whereabouts of more of her victims, but even he knows the truth---he can't stay away

I devoured this book which was honestly one of the best books I have ever read so it was straight on to book 2 (book 35 of the year for me) and I fully intend on reading book 3 straight after!

Archie is finally piecing his life back together. He's returned home to his ex-wife and their two children. But no matter how hard Archie tries, he just can't stop thinking about Gretchen!

When the body of a young woman is discovered in Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the first corpse he discovered there a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer's first victim, and Archie's first case. Then, the unthinkable happens: Gretchen escapes from prison, and once the news breaks, all of Portland goes on high alert; but secretly, Archie is relieved. He knows he's the only one who can capture Gretchen and now he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all. Even if it means becoming her last victim!