(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Eleven years ago, Rebecca "Bec" Winter went missing during her summer break in Canbera.  After working her shift at the local McDonald's, the 16-year-old never came home.  She'd been experiencing some odd things, including the feeling of being watched, but Bec never thought much of it.  Then, she disappeared without a trace.

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the infamous Bec Winter, a 24-year-old homeless woman seizes a chance to avoid police trouble by claiming to be the missing Bec.  Although the lead detective is suspicious of her admission, the imposter is soon living in Bec's home, wearing her clothes, and hanging out with her friends.  The more Bec's doppleganger learns about the woman she's replaced, however, the more worried she becomes.  It appears that Bec's tormentor is still at large.  Will the person who harmed Bec come for her replacement as well?

I love me a good psychological thriller.  You all know that.  When I heard about Only Daughter, a debut novel by Australian author Anna Snoekstra, I knew I wanted to give it a go.  The premise is intriguing, if not wholly original, so I picked it up.  What did I think?  Well ... the story has promise, it really does.  It just doesn't live up to its potential.  First of all, the characters are almost entirely unlikable, especially the two women at the center of the novel.  The plot is tense and suspenseful, true, but it also gets weird—just really bizarre—and far-fetched.  The big reveal seemed improbable, which made the ending unsatisfying for me.  I wanted to like this one, but overall, I just didn't.  Bummer.

(Readalikes:  Never Missing, Never Found by Amanda Panitch and The Stranger Game by Cylin Busby)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for language, violence, sexual content, depictions of underage drinking, and disturbing subject matter

To the FTC, with love:  Another library fine find

I haven't done a Top Ten Tuesday in a long time, but I liked today's topic so I decided to join in.  If you're not aware of this super fun weekly meme, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? click on over to The Broke and the Bookish to read all about it.  Then, create your own TTT list and share it.  It's a great way to find new book blogs, add exciting titles to your TBR mountain chains, and share your love of books/reading.  Join in, won't you?  It's a good time, I promise!

You might remember back in December when TTTers were prompted to list the Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2016.  You can see my list here.  I guess I wasn't anticipating them too much because I've only read one of the books I listed.  Oh well.  Anticipation is half the fun, right?  In that spirit, let's talk about my Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2016:  

1.  The Trespasser by Tana French — French is one of my very favorite mystery/suspense writers.  I've loved all the books in her Dublin Murder Squad series.  My only complaint is that it takes two years for a new one to come out.  Patience is a virtue but not one I have when waiting for new books from my favorite authors!  The Trespasser (the 6th installment in French's popular series) makes its debut on October 4.  Guess who's counting down the days?

2.  Daisy in Chains by Sharon Bolton — After devouring Little Black Lies, I binge read the rest of this English author's mystery novels.  All of them kept me totally and completely mesmerized.  Even though I just barely finished reading them all, I've still been having Bolton withdrawals.  Lucky for me, her newest comes out on September 20.

3.  Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult — I mentioned this one in my post about releases for the first half of the year, but Picoult's newest will actually not come out until October 11.  This one concerns an African-American labor and delivery nurse and a decision she makes which leads to a court case that shakes up her life.  I love me some Picoult, so I'm excited for this one.

4.  I Will Send Rain by Rae Meadows — As compelling as I find stories about people struggling to survive during difficult times, especially in a historical context, I haven't read many books about the Dust Bowl.  The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck might be the only one.  At any rate, this one sounds really intriguing to me.  It comes out on August 9.

5.  By Gaslight by Steven Price — As I said above, I've been big into British mystery/thrillers this year.  Naturally, then, this book caught my eye.  It's not written by a Brit (Price is a Canadian poet, actually), but the novel is set in London, 1885.  Sounds grisly but good.  It's available October 4.

6.  Only Daughter by Anna Snoekstra — This psychological thriller about a teen who goes missing only to be "replaced" eleven years later sounds intriguing.  Comes out September 27.

7.  We Are Unprepared by Meg Little Reilly — I know most people are so over dystopian novels, but I'm not.  As long as it tells a compelling yarn, I'm still game for a post-apocalyptic tale.  This debut novel by a former White House employee sounds like it fits the bill.  I'll be eager to find myself a copy when it comes out on August 30.

8.  Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz — This YA novel about a high schooler whose bright future is shattered when it's discovered that she—and her whole family—are illegal immigrants sounds timely and interesting.  It will appear on October 4.

9.  The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron — I enjoyed Cameron's Dark Unwinding series, so I'm anxious to see what she's up to this time around.  The synopsis of this book reminds me of Don't You Forget About Me by Kate Karyus Quinn.  Every 12 years, the safe, rule-bound town of Canaan undergoes a bloody ritual that erases everyone's memories.  One teen girl is determined not to forget.  Sounds interesting.  I'll look for it on September 16.

10.  The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis — I enjoy this author's books, so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for her newest YA novel.  I'm not sure how to describe this one exactly, but it looks intriguing.  Comes out September 20. 

There are so many amazing-sounding books still to come out in 2016!  Which ones are you most looking forward to?  What do you think of my selections?  Do we have any in common?  Which others should I be popping onto ye ole TBR mountain chain?  Leave me a comment and I will gladly return the favor.  

Happy TTT!