The Perfect Stranger

The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2017. 267 pages. ****

When ex-college roommate Emmy suggests that she and Leah start over in a small town in Pennsylvania, Leah jumps at the chance. Leah has burned her bridges in Boston as a journalist when an article she has written puts her career and the newspaper in jeopardy. When Emmy disappears and a local woman is attacked, Leah's boring life as a teacher comes under scrutiny. Does Emmy even exist and what proof does Leah have that someone is stalking her? Sleeping with the detective on the case is probably another bad decision, but Leah is determined to convince him that she is the victim and not the liar that he suspects she is.

I received an ecopy for review.

I loved the book, All the Missing Girls, and couldn't wait until this new book was released. I started it and was immediately drawn in and couldn't stop thinking about it and wonder where the story would take me. I had some initial insights and thought I had figured it out. I was so wrong and I didn't guess the outcome. My only hesitation in reviewing this book is that the story seemed to fizzle out for me. Initially, I couldn't put it down and then it seemed to lose its momentum. Towards the end, as she is wrapping up the mystery, I am "what?" Maybe it is me, but I am disappointed.

Megan Miranda is the author of several books for young adults, including Fracture, Hysteria, Vengeance, and Soulprint. She grew up in New Jersey, attended MIT, and lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children. Her novels for adults include All the Missing Girls and The Perfect Stranger. Follow @MeganLMiranda on Twitter, or visit MeganMiranda.com.

#allthemissinggirls #psychologicalthriller

Quilt Retreat March 2017

Quilt Retreat, don't know what to take? Checkout my Quilt Retreat Checklist!

No matter how hard I try to cut back on what I take with me to Retreat, the "what if I need it?" mentality kicks in. My sister and I did share some tools; a cutting mat and rulers, iron and ironing surface. My pillow is an absolute must have!

 My sister and I had a very nice room, two queen size beds, and a huge bathroom. I always bring my own quilt and pillow, sometimes I coordinate with the season or just bring my Betty Boop Quilt.

The View from the room through the window. 

Blackrock Retreat Center is in a wooded area

 and is so peaceful.

Our rooms are located in the Main Building and couldn't be nicer!

 

The Main area has two working fireplaces, comfortable chairs, puzzles, and chess.

The Dining Hall has tables reserved for our group:  it is clean and inviting.

The food is served buffet style with salads, fresh fruit, entree, and vegetables. Dessert is always yummy and there is coffee, tea, lemonade, water available 24/7. Picnic Tables and a grill are on an outside deck.

 

Our sewing room was very spacious, we each had our own table with extra tables for cutting stations and snacks!

A few of the projects I worked on...

A mug rug for a friend from Cheryl Lynch's Philly Love pattern. I shrunk it 50% to make it a mug rug size.

I am participating in Pat Sloan's Summer Solstice Challenge!

I took a class last month with Erin Underwood at the Blue Hen Quilt Shop. Erin is a fantastic teacher and I love these "Fantastic Flying Geese!"

I also did a demo on making Easy Nine Patch Blocks based on Barb Vedder's method. My Quilt Guild is doing a nine patch block swap in July.

My Sister and I had a great time!

There were many fun activities planned:

• Scavenger Hunt - who thought quilters could be so competitive?
• Mystery Table Runner
• Ice Cream Social
• Demos
• Door Prizes
• Guess my Secret Game

There were many laughs and it definitely was a fun weekend!

#quiltretreat #summersolsticechallenge #phillylove #quiltretreatchecklist