Murder? Accident? Who did what? This one’s got it all. If you enjoyed the plot twists of Liane Moriarty’s best selling page turner, take a peek at these indie high speed adventures:
Sylvia and Tommy Garland and their five-year-old daughter Grace have moved from the bright lights of New York City to the peaceful wilderness of the Wyoming countryside. But with the recession on their heels, Tommy leaves for LA for a job interview, and Ruth, a friend of Sylvia’s comes to stay. In an unexpected turn of events, a family tragedy forces Sylvia to leave Ruth in charge of little Grace for just one day. A decision that will tear their lives apart. Stolen Grace is a roller coaster of emotions with twists and turns, a tale of lies and deception, of redemption and forgiveness. AND it’s a USA Today Bestseller.
Life gets in the way as upstate New York sisters, Marley and Abigail cling to each other and their young children.
But a babysitter introduces them both to Jay Malik, a medical student from India who becomes their lifeline to happiness, forgiveness and healing. “Another tear-jerker from Jenkins. Have the tissue ready.”
Who can resist when there’s recommended Kleenex?
Josie Kane is a “difficult” woman, a pure enigma – one who survives her abusive husband by honing her unnerving talent for playing mind games: she knows exactly how to manipulate a bully. Finally divorced, she thinks the abuse is over, and she’s free. Josie works with battered women, trying to rescue them from a fate similar to hers. But on the night that yet another battered woman is murdered by her husband, pining for a hero as she dies in Josie’s arms, her cynicism becomes a quiet, simmering hatred. Her one remaining refuge is in her bond with Maxine and Samantha, the two friends whom she loves like sisters. When Samantha becomes pregnant by abusive Jack, Josie’s hatred ripens to a vengeful fury.
Some skeletons in the closet are real. Just ask Grace McKinney, who is haunted, quite literally, by the sins of her past. A boy with wavy brown hair and vacant dark eyes would pop up unannounced to frightfully remind her that no matter where she went in this life, her dirty little secrets always rode shotgun. This ghost bore gleeful witness to her slow suicide. At nineteen, Grace had already succumbed to alcohol and drug addiction, thanks mostly to her other, more human, tormentor, Mike Beyer. Mike, too, was haunted by the past. Instead of turning his abuse inward, he spread it to his wife, their children and of course, to Grace.
A story of survival and 10% of all sales will be donated to RAINN.org.
In the fall of 1999, psychologist Sophia Beckman is compelled by the court to give testimony on behalf of a death row inmate that results in his sentence being overturned. Haunted by secrets from her past, she avoids the media spotlight as much as possible, but soon, other prisoners’ families come seeking her assistance. One family in particular, the wife, children, and brother of Jarrett Capshaw, is especially insistent. Forty-one days ago Jarrett’s request to die was granted by the State of Texas, and he became a dead man walking, a man they call a volunteer. Psychological, satisfying and emotional—keep those tissues out.
The Scale (Martha’s Way Book 1) by Mika Jolie
Twenty-seven year old, African-American, Minka Greene has to endure watching her twin sister marry the man she loves. Her weight is up, and her confidence is down. Not exactly the ideal time to meet the real man of her dreams. The Scale opens in Martha’s Vineyard with Minka attending Keely and Blake’s engagement party at Martha’s Way, the beautiful inn owned and operated by the tall, blond, tattooed man with the piercing blue eyes. It just so happens Jason Montgomery is also Blake’s childhood friend and the best man. Dealing with a whirl of emotions, Minka faints in Jason’s arms and wakes up in his bed. Read on, you know you want to!
When Olivia Mayfield first arrived in Florida, hoping to escape her rich, powerful father and her controlling ex-boyfriend, the attraction between her and Anders Erickson was immediate and mutual. But after the two are involved in a horrific motorcycle accident, Anders finds himself plunged into a terrible nightmare. The severely injured Olivia disappears from the hospital, and her father will stop at nothing to prevent Anders from discovering the truth. When he embarks on a quest to find answers, Anders uncovers not only Olivia’s traumatic past, but evidence that her very life could be in danger.
These seven indie stunners have twisty plots, curvy story lines and plenty of scandal. Take a look here for your next great read if you enjoyed Big Little Lies. You may want to glance over your shoulder, watch out for duplicity, be discerning in your choice of reading buddy, but definitely bring a snack—these will keep you turning pages into the wee hours.