I fell in love with the characters of Zig and Nola when they first appeared in The Escape Artist and could not wait for this sequel.  

The Lightning Rod gives us a deeper insight into both characters and their backstories.  We learn more about Nola's troubled past and Zig's family.  While The Lightning Rod could easily be read as a standalone, these characters are so unique and compelling that I would recommend starting by reading The Escape Artist and then reading The Lightning Rod.  You won't regret it.  

The Lightning Rod sees Zig and Nola trying to work from opposite angles to unravel the complicated web of who was responsible for the death of Archie Mint.  Zig is called in to assist with preparing Archie Mint's body for his memorial service and soon discovers he might have been summoned for other reasons.  Nola seems to be pursuing this case with a different level of commitment that no one quite understands.  As they examine every lead, it only gets more complicated and more players get introduced into the game.  

Brad Meltzer is one of the best at crafting a page turning novel full of intrigue and suspense.  Fingers crossed that we have more Zig and Nola novels in the future.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Katy's mother Carol was more than just a mother to her.  She was her best friend and Katy doesn't know what her life is supposed to look like without her mother in it.  They had planned a trip together to visit Positano so Carol could show Katy all the beauty that beloved city has to offer, since it was where Carol spent the summer before she met Katy's father.  Still reeling from the her mother's death, Katy decides to embark on the trip alone.  When she arrives, she can certainly see why her mother loved this area so much.  Then, she sees Carol, looking absolutely stunning and 30 years old.  Katy cannot understand what is happening, but if she has the opportunity to spend even one more minute with her mother, she is going to do everything it takes to do so.  

I related to this book on so many levels.  My mom was also my best friend and my everything, so when she passed away suddenly, I felt so many of the emotions that Katy had.  I thought the author did a wonderful job handling that sense of loss and really tapped into those feelings.  I think many of us would love to know our parents as their younger selves and ask all the questions we didn't ask when we had the chance.  The descriptions of the Amalfi coast are so vivid that I felt transported away from the snowy days we have had here.  

One Italian Summer was a beautiful novel that showcased the power of family bond and the love between a mother and daughter.  I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Val is still struggling with the loss of her twin Andy when she receives an unexpected email from Wyatt, his mentor and fellow researcher.  Wyatt needs Val's help immediately at their Arctic research center.  The e-mail has an audio file of a young girl that Wyatt says they found frozen in ice but thawed out alive.  She doesn't speak a language that anyone recognizes.  Val, a talented linguist, is haunted by the sound of the young girl's voice, but is conflicted about visiting the site of her brother's death.  Ultimately, she feels she must go and what she finds in the Arctic is not at all what she expected.  

Girl In Ice takes many twists and turns throughout the book.  It is an action packed novel, but the middle section seemed to lag slightly for me, but it could have been because I was wanting to move the story along more quickly.  I did find the topic of Girl in Ice to be original and unique.  It definitely peaked my interest and was not like any other books I have read.  

It was a strong 3 1/2 star rating for me.  I received this book courtesy of the publisher ​through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.