You Killed Me First

 

You Killed Me First  by John Marrs. Seattle : Thomas & Mercer, 2025. 381 pages. ***

Told in the alternating voices of three women, neighbors with secrets that include each other's families. It's November and one of the women wakes up tied and gagged in the middle of a wood pile for the neighborhood bonfire. The events leading up to her confinement set the stage for why there is a killer in their midst and how she has changed her identity to hide her past killings. No one is who they seem to be, and alliances are formed to protect their misdeeds. 

I really enjoy psychological thrillers and this is a complicated story with many twists and turns. At times, there were a few subplots that seemed to intentionally confuse the main plot. Fans of B. A. Paris will enjoy the psychology of the killer's intentions. 

John Marrs is an author and former journalist based in Northamtonshire, England. After spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time author. 

For more info, https://www.johnmarrsauthor.com. 

Follow me on Instagram at flaming_books.

#bookstagram, #psychologicalthriller 

Skylark

 

Skylark by Paula McLain. New York: Atria Books, 2026. 464 pages. Good Morning America January Book Club pick.

I received two copies from the Publisher, Atria books, through the Little Free Library to share in my LFL. Stop by and claim one or check out the latest books. 

To watch this morning's GMA interview with the Paula McLain, click Here.

From Amazon - "1664: Alouette Voland is the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, who secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances and creating her own masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, Alouette's efforts to save him lead to her own confinement in the notorious Salpêtrière asylum, where thousands of women are held captive and cruelly treated. But within its grim walls, she discovers a small group of brave allies, and the possibility of a life bigger than she ever imagined.

1939: Kristof Larson is a medical student beginning his psychiatric residency in Paris, whose neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family who have fled Poland. When Nazi forces descend on the city, Kristof becomes their only hope for survival, even as his work as a doctor is jeopardized."

Ratings are 4.4 out of 5. 

Paula McLain is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels, including The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin, as well as two collections of poetry and a memoir. For more info on her, here.

Follow me on IG at flaming_ books

#bookstagram @paula_maclain @atriabooks @littlefreelibrary @gmabookclub

If you read Skylark, please leave a comment and let us know what you think!

One Word 2026 - Trust

 

(Jennifer Wagner at Inspitivity)

Choosing my "One Word" instead of a resolution for the next year sometimes comes easily and other years I must work at it. Grace was my word for 2025, and it was the perfect word for a challenging year. I learned that extending grace to myself as well as others provided calmer interactions with others. I will continue this practice. 

I seem to be overthinking everything I say or do lately and whining about life in general. Needing cataract surgery on my 'good" eye didn't help especially since the challenging eye still requires Eylea shots every 3 months. Losing any eyesight is frightening especially since my favorite activities are reading and quilting. Surgery went well and vision is good.

I started looking in the One Word 365 Community on Facebook for ideas and came across this post from 3 years ago:

My response jumped out at me,  and it seemed to fit. Sometimes I like to control situations and people instead of Trusting that everything will work out. As I age more things seem to be beyond my ability to change them. In my 70s everything seems to ache, hurt, interfere with sleep and cause me to worry. Is this the beginning of the end? Friends pass away (good people) who leave a large hole in my life and I am humbled by their impact on the lives around them. Their legacy is huge!

I am beginning to understand that the biggest things are the small actions in life - the kind gestures, promises kept, caring and sharing. I started keeping a list on my iPhone - "Good Things Are Always Happening to Me" as a reminder of the daily positive things that occur.

Trust is buying this Amaryllis encased in wax, knowing that it will grow and bloom!

This Pulitzer Prize Winner Trust by Herman Diaz will be my first read for 2026.

I love this quote attributed to John Lennon  " Everything's going to be okay in the end and if it's not okay then it's not the end." If I were going to get a tattoo, this might be it. Of course, it would have to have a flamingo with it. I'll pass at this time. 

Follow me on Instagram at kathy_nester or my book reviews at flaming_books. (now that my vision has improved, I hope to read and write more often.)

#trust #oneword2026 

Previous year's words: https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogspot.com/2024/

Holy Crap

 Holy Crap by John J. Jessop.  JJJJJessop LLC, 2025. 978-1-7358178-9-7.  454p. ***

From Amazon...

"The private eye duo of Dr. Jason Longfellow and his nurse wife Chelsea are a hilarious hot mess. As a PI he's inept, while she's the real deal. In HOLY CRAP, Chelsea moves the family to the safety of the small city of Intoxication Junction where they open 'Chelsea Longfellow, PI, and Associate'. Chelsea sets up the PI office in their home so they can be there for their daughters. She even registers their girls in a private Christian school. What could possibly go wrong?" especially with a school named The Holy School of Purity and Goodness for Devout Young'uns, or HSPGDY.

In the course of their investigation into the death of a client's husband who was the accountant at their daughters' school, Chelsea and Jason are drawn into an illegal drug ring, Booze&Views bar, and the escapades of an escaped gorilla. Working with Deputy Dan Harbinger, Chelsea and her inept husband/associate, manage to uncover the murderer. 

The author sent me a copy to review.

While there are many funny episodes throughout the story, Chelsea smacking Jason in the head and Jason's addiction to chocolate donuts were a distraction for me. Slapstick, three Stooges type of humor has not been a favorite of mine, maybe my sense of humor is lacking. Some of the humorous attempts seemed forced and in your face. However, the book provides a respite from everyday life and the current political news climate. Jessop is very original in his pharmacological inventions - Sluggeroo (super -anabolic steroid for the purpose of increasing strength and endurance of the patient) and Permabooze (treatment of people with a drinking problem) developed by DrugsRGreat4U located in Intoxication Junction. Definitely worth a read if humor is your jam. 

From his website...John J Jessop, Ph.D., pharmacology, worked in pharmaceutical and medical biotechnology development (20 years at the FDA, 20 years on the industry side). Always an avid reader of mysteries, in retirement he has redirected his knowledge and experience towards writing the perfect murder mystery. For more info, click here.

Follow me on Instagram at flamazing_books

#holycrap #comedymystery #comedydetective #bookstagram #comedyfiction

Kathleen's Story Quilt

 

Kathleen's Story 

Marcus Fabrics is pleased to present its first Chunk-of-the-Month program, a fresh take on the BOM concept by Chris Schulte of Green Light Quilts. https://www.marcusfabrics.com/category/2-241474/kathleen-s-story/#link-item-241523

There are many Quilt Shops offering this "Chunk Of the Month Program"  All are not the same - some include backing; a discount for completing a "chunk" prior to the next month's release, etc.

A few that I have found:

Blue Hen Quilt - I preordered here, it's about an hour from my house

Keepsake Quilting

Sitchin Heaven

My Favorite Quilt Store 

The Quilted Boutique - very good explanation of the project

I have pre-ordered mine and the first payment is due on February 21st, 2026. I will blog as I go and I am still looking for a buddy to keep me motivated and sewing. Comment if you are interested....

Wait until you see the gorgeous fabrics included with the kit! I keep looking at them and can't decide which is my favorite. 

Follow me on Instagram at flamazing_books and Facebook at Kathy Morton Nester. 

#kathleensstory #chunkofthemonthprogram #marcusfabrics 

Quilting Penpal

 I'm looking for a Quilting Penpal

About me --- mid 70s, Mother of two, Grandmother of 5. Retired librarian who reads and writes book reviews. I'm a member of two Quilt Guilds and make 1 or 2 quilts a year. I love Shop Hops and collecting fabric. I also love flamingos and Highland Coos. I've been married to the same man for 52 years and we still like each other! (he's a great guy)

Possible Requirements - must be in the USA (due to postal costs) 

• Someone who is looking for a quilting/sewing connection - can communicate through electronic or snail mail. 
• Some days I need motivation and a nudge to get me going
• Share tips and tricks
• Occasional FaceTime or Zoom meeting
• Likes to read and share book suggestions - I once belonged to a Group on Instagram where we shared a book and chose a fat quarter that related to the book and passed it on. Always a nice surprise when it came in the mail. (none of the books were quilt related) 
• No politics or social issues for this connection.  (not due to a lack of interest, just needing a break from reality) 
• Not a lifetime commitment, just an informal friendship to encourage each other! 

If this is something that speaks to you or that you will be interested in....comment and let me know...

Small Things Like These

 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. New York:Grove Press, 2021. 118 pages . ****

It is 1985 in the small Irish town of New Ross. The weather is changing and the winds are picking up and the townspeople are reminded that winter is coming with Christmas not far behind. It is the busiest time of the year for Bill Furlong, the coal and timber merchant. While delivering coal to the local convent, Bill encounters a young woman locked in a coal house, no food, no water, no toilet, no heat. One of her first questions is to ask him to take her away so she can drown and where is her baby? Looking at her filth while  questioning what he sees and knows, haunts Bill. He reminisces about his childhood with his single mother and not knowing his father.  When does one step up or look the other way? 

Honestly, I picked up this book because the author's name was "Keegan" and that is one of my ancestor's names. This Novella of 114 pages packs a punch. How could this have happened in 1985? Keegan in her quiet style brings forth an understated horrific time in the misogynistic Irish Catholic Church. Bill knows that the choice he makes will have consequences for him and his family. Does he have a choice? 

Recommended for Book Clubs with many points for discussion. 

Claire Keegan was raised on a farm in Ireland. Her stories have won numerous awards and translated into thirty languages. In the interview, Keegan remarked that she made the story and the characters up - she didn't interview coal merchants, etc.

"One of the New York Times' 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.

For more info:

Claire Keegan

I highly recommend this interview with the author - An Oprah Book Club Choice

"Your feet never lie."

Justice for Magdalenes Research

How Ireland turned Fallen Women into Slaves

Follow me on IG at flamazing_books

#magdalenlaundries  #bookstagram #oprah bookclubpick