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An Almost True Crime Story #1
The Cliff House
Welcome to Murders Under the Sun,
a podcast that takes a trip to the dark side of sunny Southern California. I’m Molly Shure, your host.
Our journey begins on the stunning cliffs of Laguna Beach, the bright sun shining on the turquoise water below. But this idyllic setting quickly becomes a nightmare for real estate agent Gwen Bishop.
She has just landed her dream listing, a multimillion-dollar beachfront property. The home has a dark past, however. Three months ago, another agent was found dead in one of the upstairs bedrooms.
Gwen believes the unsolved murder was random. When unsettling things occur, she tells herself the menace she feels is her imagination. When even stranger things happen—things that throw a wrench in her plans to get the home on the market—she brushes off the icy dread creeping through her.
The house itself couldn’t be evil…could it?
Gwen’s story is the first of seven linked by an almost invisible thread across five years. A thread I noticed while working as a crime journalist. In Season One, I pull that thread to see what unravels.
Travel with me to The Cliff House to learn what lay beyond its door.
**Portions of this story previously appeared in A Margin of Lust by Greta Boris**
Our journey begins on the stunning cliffs of Laguna Beach, the bright sun shining on the turquoise water below. But this idyllic setting quickly becomes a nightmare for real estate agent Gwen Bishop.
She has just landed her dream listing, a multimillion-dollar beachfront property. The home has a dark past, however. Three months ago, another agent was found dead in one of the upstairs bedrooms.
Gwen believes the unsolved murder was random. When unsettling things occur, she tells herself the menace she feels is her imagination. When even stranger things happen—things that throw a wrench in her plans to get the home on the market—she brushes off the icy dread creeping through her.
The house itself couldn’t be evil…could it?
Gwen’s story is the first of seven linked by an almost invisible thread across five years. A thread I noticed while working as a crime journalist. In Season One, I pull that thread to see what unravels.
Travel with me to The Cliff House to learn what lay beyond its door.
**Portions of this story previously appeared in A Margin of Lust by Greta Boris**
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2024
341 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Greta Boris
40 books228 followersGreta Boris is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Mortician Murders, a paranormal suspense series, and The Almost True Crime Series, a psychological suspense series.
She’s also co-founder of The Author Wheel -
https://www.authorwheel.com - publishers of books, courses, and a podcast dedicated to helping authors overcome their roadblocks and keep their stories rolling.
She’s also co-founder of The Author Wheel -
https://www.authorwheel.com - publishers of books, courses, and a podcast dedicated to helping authors overcome their roadblocks and keep their stories rolling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 23, 2024
Greta Boris has written her latest in a new format. One I thoroughly enjoyed. The Cliff House reads like a true crime podcast titled Murders Under the Sun. It is quite a different voice for her and works wonderfully. We receive the story from three perspectives. The host of the podcast, Marsha Shure; The ultimate victim of the crime, Gwen Bishop; and excerpts from the never released memoirs of the actual killer. This was a great read. Very fresh concept (at least I have never come across one like it). What a page turner this was. What fun.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
September 1, 2024
This is the first book in An Almost True Crime Story series. It’s a very exciting and intriguing mystery. It had me guessing all the way through. The plot is intriguing and engrossing. It’s full of chilling suspense. It’s a great read.
Want to read
December 5, 2025i have yet to read this one however, this one is free today! so duh i bought it
edited to read thiis one
muahaha
edited to read thiis one
muahaha
August 7, 2024
Southern California realtors are assaulted by a deranged killer - 4 stars
A real estate salesperson is murdered when an older, uncared for beachfront house goes on the market. The police have no clues even when a second murder occurs nearby. The story is told as if it were a live online post; the reason for the murders becomes clear as the real estate killer (REK) is allowed to make his case (from his memoirs) after he is convicted.
The presentation of the case is done in an intriguing fashion with chapters ending at critical moments. Not a cliffhanger, the book flows to a complete conclusion keeping the REK 's identity reserved until near the end. Readers will meet real estate agents, families, and the killer early on. Some stress is introduced when Gwen, a scrappy real estate agent, has to deal with her husband's job and her own neuroses brought on in a difficult childhood. The killer gets introduced as an unacknowledged illegitimate son with all of the baggage of rejection.
A bit of sexual tension is added when Gwen sparks an interest with a building contractor (Lance) hired to make the old house more appealing. Gwen has been trying to spark some response from her husband (Art). Art, a school administrator, seems to be spending most of his energy to help a woman whose son was injured after he sent the boy home for discipline reasons. The tug on heartstrings ranges wide -- a bit more than necessary for a thriller.
Weaving high priced real estate, the pressures of life after several years of a quiet marriage, and competitive real estate salespeople, there were plenty of incidents to keep the story moving in addition to the murders. Gwen's ability to face her fears was the standout part of this adventure. Gwen is a great example of a strong woman who wants to succeed while keeping true to almost all of her values.
A real estate salesperson is murdered when an older, uncared for beachfront house goes on the market. The police have no clues even when a second murder occurs nearby. The story is told as if it were a live online post; the reason for the murders becomes clear as the real estate killer (REK) is allowed to make his case (from his memoirs) after he is convicted.
The presentation of the case is done in an intriguing fashion with chapters ending at critical moments. Not a cliffhanger, the book flows to a complete conclusion keeping the REK 's identity reserved until near the end. Readers will meet real estate agents, families, and the killer early on. Some stress is introduced when Gwen, a scrappy real estate agent, has to deal with her husband's job and her own neuroses brought on in a difficult childhood. The killer gets introduced as an unacknowledged illegitimate son with all of the baggage of rejection.
A bit of sexual tension is added when Gwen sparks an interest with a building contractor (Lance) hired to make the old house more appealing. Gwen has been trying to spark some response from her husband (Art). Art, a school administrator, seems to be spending most of his energy to help a woman whose son was injured after he sent the boy home for discipline reasons. The tug on heartstrings ranges wide -- a bit more than necessary for a thriller.
Weaving high priced real estate, the pressures of life after several years of a quiet marriage, and competitive real estate salespeople, there were plenty of incidents to keep the story moving in addition to the murders. Gwen's ability to face her fears was the standout part of this adventure. Gwen is a great example of a strong woman who wants to succeed while keeping true to almost all of her values.
September 6, 2024
This was a very different way of writing as it made it feel like it was written by three different people. And it make to feel as if it was a show on a Podcast. The show was Called Murder Under the Sun and hosted by Molly Shure.
There were three different people who where writing this book. There was Molly Shure as the show host, Reator Gwen Bishop and the serial Killer called the Real Estate Killer (RSK).
The author was able to give Gwen Bishop alot of character with stuff from her pass as a child and a married woman with three children. Even the serial killer as given alot of info about his life as he was growing up to give you better understanding out him as well.
Gwen Bishop was given the opportunity to list the house on the cliff after the orginal realtor was murdered the house about three month before. As Gwen was not sure that she wanted to listed the house she had to do alot of thinking about it but it would have help her career so much if she sold the property. It need some work to be done before it could on the market so the owner hired a contractor to find it up. But the serial killer felt that he should have inherited the house not is half sister when their father passed away. And he would do anything to keep it from being sold. There were lots of twist and turn going on in Gwen family life as well as her realtor job as eveyone wnated to be the realtor of that house as it would have put a big paycheque in their hands and may of brought more large house to them. Gwen was learning to stand on her own and fight for what she wanted. But I was really shocked at who the serial killer was I had not even thought of him as a possible murder.
Greta Boris had differently step up her writting on this one and I really enjoyed it once I got into it. It was very hard to put down. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoy reading about true crimes.
There were three different people who where writing this book. There was Molly Shure as the show host, Reator Gwen Bishop and the serial Killer called the Real Estate Killer (RSK).
The author was able to give Gwen Bishop alot of character with stuff from her pass as a child and a married woman with three children. Even the serial killer as given alot of info about his life as he was growing up to give you better understanding out him as well.
Gwen Bishop was given the opportunity to list the house on the cliff after the orginal realtor was murdered the house about three month before. As Gwen was not sure that she wanted to listed the house she had to do alot of thinking about it but it would have help her career so much if she sold the property. It need some work to be done before it could on the market so the owner hired a contractor to find it up. But the serial killer felt that he should have inherited the house not is half sister when their father passed away. And he would do anything to keep it from being sold. There were lots of twist and turn going on in Gwen family life as well as her realtor job as eveyone wnated to be the realtor of that house as it would have put a big paycheque in their hands and may of brought more large house to them. Gwen was learning to stand on her own and fight for what she wanted. But I was really shocked at who the serial killer was I had not even thought of him as a possible murder.
Greta Boris had differently step up her writting on this one and I really enjoyed it once I got into it. It was very hard to put down. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoy reading about true crimes.
August 26, 2024
‘Sometimes it’s best to leave a door closed’
LUV that opening line! I’ve read another series by this author and this one is a wee bit darker with some additional twists: a podcaster’s narration, supporting characters weaving their way through the series, and this wee treat: ‘It’s not often we hear about a murder from the point of view of the killer’. Well done!
There’s also an underlying current about relationships between females. Gwen works in a competitive industry, yet there’s no cat-fighting amongst her co-workers. The women take safety seriously with mentions of “Stranger Danger” and having a Buddy System in place when showing properties. They are there for each other in other ways as well:
‘Nothing like uniting over a common enemy to heal a rift.’
‘I need to get rid of my fears, but not by giving them to my friends.’
‘The-worst-thing-I’ve-ever-seen-in-a-house’ game that the realtors play remind me of my days in the foreclosure department of a mortgage company. For us, we only saw pictures of vandalized homes. I can’t even imagine experiencing even a little bit what these characters do first-hand.
I read the author’s series for her writing, but I love them for the nostalgia of my childhood and young adulthood in The OC.
‘Not often you find a tub with an ocean view.’
When I was in high school, my boyfriend’s mom flipped houses in Laguna Beach. We all spent many an hour… And yes, the bathtub in one of the houses had a floor-to-ceiling window facing the Pacific. Needless to say, I spent many an hour…
I’m getting the heebie-jeebies just thinking about all the possibilities coming up in the upcoming tales (‘The Garden’, ‘The Hiding Place’, ‘The Tower’, ‘The Keep’, ‘The Manor’, ‘The Cabin’). Perhaps a bottle of Red Ravish will help calm my nerves. Better make it a case…
LUV that opening line! I’ve read another series by this author and this one is a wee bit darker with some additional twists: a podcaster’s narration, supporting characters weaving their way through the series, and this wee treat: ‘It’s not often we hear about a murder from the point of view of the killer’. Well done!
There’s also an underlying current about relationships between females. Gwen works in a competitive industry, yet there’s no cat-fighting amongst her co-workers. The women take safety seriously with mentions of “Stranger Danger” and having a Buddy System in place when showing properties. They are there for each other in other ways as well:
‘Nothing like uniting over a common enemy to heal a rift.’
‘I need to get rid of my fears, but not by giving them to my friends.’
‘The-worst-thing-I’ve-ever-seen-in-a-house’ game that the realtors play remind me of my days in the foreclosure department of a mortgage company. For us, we only saw pictures of vandalized homes. I can’t even imagine experiencing even a little bit what these characters do first-hand.
I read the author’s series for her writing, but I love them for the nostalgia of my childhood and young adulthood in The OC.
‘Not often you find a tub with an ocean view.’
When I was in high school, my boyfriend’s mom flipped houses in Laguna Beach. We all spent many an hour… And yes, the bathtub in one of the houses had a floor-to-ceiling window facing the Pacific. Needless to say, I spent many an hour…
I’m getting the heebie-jeebies just thinking about all the possibilities coming up in the upcoming tales (‘The Garden’, ‘The Hiding Place’, ‘The Tower’, ‘The Keep’, ‘The Manor’, ‘The Cabin’). Perhaps a bottle of Red Ravish will help calm my nerves. Better make it a case…
August 28, 2024
A journalist creates a true crime podcast where the premier show focus is on a serial Real Estate killer. The podcaster shares her observations and opinions while she facilitates the individual telling of what happened through both the voice of the serial killer and through the voice of the victim who survived. Initially I found the story telling format a little disjointed however I think it was more me not being used to this - a story told by 3 VERY different people. But this is an awesome writer so I stuck with it and was happily surprised that the storyline actually began to flow and I realized that this really was a very creative writing style which provides the reader with a break between the characters and it gave me a chance to take a deep breath and shake off the creepies from the killer’s evil. The primary setting an old home built on a series of caves converted to storage rooms and set on a cliff above the sea adds to the mystery and seems almost like a fourth character which added a intriguing dimension. Each characters telling their story was so well done, I really got a sense of their experience - but mostly the threat of the killer eclipsed the storyline for me as it was always there and innocent people kept on with their daily life, just innocently going through their days. I look forward to the next book in this series and highly recommend this read.
August 15, 2024
Gwen Bishop has it all: a loving husband, a beautiful and healthy family, and a complex yet rewarding real estate agent career. But her perfect life is upended when she accepts a commission for a multi-million dollar property. The beachfront house has a dark past as the site of a murder. Told via a series of podcast episodes, the show follows Gwen and the murderer to their chilling confrontation.
With the meticulous plotting I've come to expect from Greta Boris, this new series begins with a BANG. The mystery's twists and turns had me baffled and, until the culprit was revealed, his identity remained obscured.
The characters were well described and quickly became both life-like and familiar. Given a line-up, I could easily pick out each one as they were so carefully crafted. Indeed, I found I had strong emotions concerning some of the story's events due to my attachment to the characters.
I very much enjoyed this introduction to the new series and looked forward to Season 2!
Thank you to Greta Boris and BookFunnel for the opportunity to read this eARC. My opinions are my own, honest and true.
With the meticulous plotting I've come to expect from Greta Boris, this new series begins with a BANG. The mystery's twists and turns had me baffled and, until the culprit was revealed, his identity remained obscured.
The characters were well described and quickly became both life-like and familiar. Given a line-up, I could easily pick out each one as they were so carefully crafted. Indeed, I found I had strong emotions concerning some of the story's events due to my attachment to the characters.
I very much enjoyed this introduction to the new series and looked forward to Season 2!
Thank you to Greta Boris and BookFunnel for the opportunity to read this eARC. My opinions are my own, honest and true.
August 16, 2024
The Cliff House, the first episode of the Almost True Crime Series, is a well-crafted and suspenseful psychological thriller. The story is told in a new (to me) format. Almost True Crime is a podcast, and the chapters of the story are episodes in the podcast. The story alternates between the podcaster’s narration, giving an introduction to the next episode, a chapter of the mystery/thriller. Each chapter is told from a different point of view, so we are inside the head of the Read Estate Killer (REK) from the beginning. As a reader you know how and mostly why the REK is murdering people, but it’s not until later you learn who he is, and the true depth of his anger.
Gwen Bishop is a strong, brave woman, and we root for her as she faces disaster in multiple phases of her life.
I’m familiar with Greta Boris’s novels from her Cozy Mystery Series, The Mortician Murders. This new series is definitely grittier and scarier than her cozy series, but there is no explicit sex, language or violence on the page.
I enjoyed this thriller, and recommend it without reservation.
Gwen Bishop is a strong, brave woman, and we root for her as she faces disaster in multiple phases of her life.
I’m familiar with Greta Boris’s novels from her Cozy Mystery Series, The Mortician Murders. This new series is definitely grittier and scarier than her cozy series, but there is no explicit sex, language or violence on the page.
I enjoyed this thriller, and recommend it without reservation.
August 25, 2024
Greta Boris's newest offering is in a totally different, to me at least, format. It is written as the first episode of a true crime podcast called Murders Under the Sun, "a podcast that takes a trip to the dark side of sunny Southern California" It is set in a beautiful old house on a cliff above the ocean. It is the dream listing for real estate agent Gwen. Just one problem-the last realtor to list it was killed in the house, or by the house perhaps. The story starts with the podcast host narrating as good hosts do and giving us background on each chapter. Then we hear the story from Gwen's point of view, and finally we get insights from the killer's memoir(never before published). All that's missing is the dramatic music. You will have to imagine that yourself. The chapters end on cliffhangers, keeping the reader interested but the book itself is not a cliffhanger. This series is a bit of a departure for Ms Boris, less cozy mystery but still without explicit sex, violence and language. I enjoyed the format and the story and anxiously await the next episode of the podcast.
August 27, 2024
I have read all of Greta Boris's books and have loved all of them. The Cliff House is completely different to anything else that Greta has written and boy does it pack a punch.
Who doesn't love a true crime podcast? And the fictional one in the book 'Murders Under the Sun' had me completely hooked.
Real-Estate agent Gwen has the opportunity to list the most expensive house on the market and secure a huge bonus for selling it. But there's a slight problem, the last person who put the house on the market was murdered there!
The book reads as a podcast and at the end of each episode the reader is left wanting more. The podcast show host Molly Shure introduces you to all of the characters in the story including the killer talking from their point of view.
This has to be one of the most intriguing and 'visual ' books that I have ever read.
It reads as a podcast and I imagined myself listening to every single episode.
Brilliantly written by Greta and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
Who doesn't love a true crime podcast? And the fictional one in the book 'Murders Under the Sun' had me completely hooked.
Real-Estate agent Gwen has the opportunity to list the most expensive house on the market and secure a huge bonus for selling it. But there's a slight problem, the last person who put the house on the market was murdered there!
The book reads as a podcast and at the end of each episode the reader is left wanting more. The podcast show host Molly Shure introduces you to all of the characters in the story including the killer talking from their point of view.
This has to be one of the most intriguing and 'visual ' books that I have ever read.
It reads as a podcast and I imagined myself listening to every single episode.
Brilliantly written by Greta and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
August 14, 2024
Gwen, a real estate agent, is given the opportunity to list a house on the cliff in a very affluent neighborhood. The only drawback is another real estate agent was murdered in the house a couple months ago. Should she take the offering or pass? At the same time she is dealing with her family and her job. Her husband is the interim principal at the school, which could lead to full time. But a student, who was on suspension for fighting, has been hit by a car. He blames himself, because the single mother works during school hours. This just adds more tension for Gwen. Other real estate agents would love the chance to sell the house and get the commission. She accepts the job and hires a contractor to fix up the house. Weird things happen that lead her to believe someone is sabotaging the listing. The story is broken up as a podcast with commentary from the host. While I enjoyed the story, I’m not a fan of the podcast format.
August 27, 2024
Greta Boris can do no wrong in my mind, and The Cliff House is another captivating, twisty mystery, done just right! The podcast format lends the story a big dose of realism, as the story is related incrementally, from the POV of the perp and potential victims. Fiona is the owner of an ocean-view, clifftop house that needs a lot of TLC. Oh, and the house has a spooky reputation, and was recently the scene of a real estare agent’s murder. So, Gwen, who inherits the challenge of fixing up and selling the place, also has a lot to think about - should she take this challenge, or walk away from the Cliff House? Boris (aka the podcast host) takes us on a twisty mystery ride with known facts, interspersed with bits and pieces from central casting - Gwen and the killer. This book is the start of a new series for Greta Boris - if all the rest are as deliciously captivating, oh my! I enjoyed an ARC of The Cliff House, and this is my honest review.
August 29, 2024
The Cliff House is a new series by a great mystery writer that will definitely be a success. Written in a different format from the author's previous books, it keeps you turning pages. This book is written as though we were watching a pod cast called, Murders Under the Sun hosted by Marsha Shure. We are told about Gwen Bishop, a real estate agent who got the winner of a listing or so she thought. The realtor before her was murdered in an upstairs bedroom. We are given the pod casts of the ultimate victim of the crime, Gwen Bishop herself as well as the pod cast of the murderer, through his memoirs. This is an amazing style, totally unusual, that keeps you turning pages. I should say, once I started the book, I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to see what the author will come up with in the next book in this series! I wholeheartedly recommend this first book of this series. Totally a page turner! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
August 16, 2024
Do you have what it takes to be a realtor? Being in a house by yourself with strangers coming in has to be a bit unnerving. Now add on the fact that people have been killed in the house you’re showing. Still feel safe? That’s the reality real estate agent Gwen Bishop is facing. But if she can sell this house on Laguna Beach, it would be quite a feather in her cap - not to mention the commission she’d earn.
But the house needs work - and a lot of it. Strange things keep happening. It’s almost like someone - or something - doesn’t want her to succeed in her mission.
Hang on as you read this almost-true mystery. Who is behind all the mysterious happenings at the house? Or is the house actually haunted? Will Gwen escape with her life? It’s a harrowing read that you won’t be able to put down.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
But the house needs work - and a lot of it. Strange things keep happening. It’s almost like someone - or something - doesn’t want her to succeed in her mission.
Hang on as you read this almost-true mystery. Who is behind all the mysterious happenings at the house? Or is the house actually haunted? Will Gwen escape with her life? It’s a harrowing read that you won’t be able to put down.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
August 27, 2024
Who is killing real estate agents, and why? The podcast Murders Under the Sun is telling this story one episode at a time. If you ever watched the TV show Only Murders in The Building you’ll feel a reminiscence of it by reading the podcast story in this book, at least it remind me of it. And I loved it.
The story will have you guessing since the beginning as who is the REK (real estate killer), not so much the motive, this is being disclosed since the start of the book. The many twists and turns will keep you engaged in the book.
Being a fan of Greta Boris since the beginning, and have read all of her books from her Cozy Mystery Series and The Mortician Murders Series, I’m very happy to read this book, the beginning of her new series An Almost True Crime Stories which has all the elements to become one-off my new favorite ones. Can’t wait to read the next book.
The story will have you guessing since the beginning as who is the REK (real estate killer), not so much the motive, this is being disclosed since the start of the book. The many twists and turns will keep you engaged in the book.
Being a fan of Greta Boris since the beginning, and have read all of her books from her Cozy Mystery Series and The Mortician Murders Series, I’m very happy to read this book, the beginning of her new series An Almost True Crime Stories which has all the elements to become one-off my new favorite ones. Can’t wait to read the next book.
January 18, 2025
Better than expected!
I'll be honest, I went into this book expecting to dislike it. The whole 'podcast' bit seemed like a weird concept and I didn't think it would work... but it somehow did. Made it feel like a book club even lol. The story was told via multi-person narration (the protagonist and killer) and the text changed when we got to the short podcast chapters, so you could easily identify and skip them if they weren't your thing, without it affecting the storyline. I think the plot and characters were pretty good and most importantly, believable. A bit of a spoiler - though this book teases paranormal activity, there never is any. Just a lot of musing and people wondering if the house is evil really. All in all, a well written story and a start to what looks to be a good series.
I'll be honest, I went into this book expecting to dislike it. The whole 'podcast' bit seemed like a weird concept and I didn't think it would work... but it somehow did. Made it feel like a book club even lol. The story was told via multi-person narration (the protagonist and killer) and the text changed when we got to the short podcast chapters, so you could easily identify and skip them if they weren't your thing, without it affecting the storyline. I think the plot and characters were pretty good and most importantly, believable. A bit of a spoiler - though this book teases paranormal activity, there never is any. Just a lot of musing and people wondering if the house is evil really. All in all, a well written story and a start to what looks to be a good series.
August 28, 2024
This is evidently the first book in a new series about linked crimes, and I’m thrilled about that, because this is a well-written book about a realtor, Gwen, who is overseeing the sprucing up of a neglected but fabulous home that has an unfortunate history—the first realtor who listed it was murdered in a horrible manner in the home. The book is written in the style of podcast episodes and some of it is from the view of the killer in his memoir, while the rest is from interviews, primarily with Gwen. She is victimized in some minor but increasingly creepy ways as the renovation progresses and the mystery is very good. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series; I was provided an arc, but these opinions are my own.
August 4, 2024
The Cliff House is the first in the Almost True Crime Stories series. In this great series starter, we are reading about a fictional podcast “Murders Under the Sun”. A beachfront property is for sale and Gwen will do what she can to make sure this baby sells. Unfortunately, bad luck seems to be part of the property: murder, strange occurrences, creepy basement. A great suspenseful mystery filled with twists and turns which makes it a great read. It would also make for a great podcast or audiobook. I can’t wait to read the next one in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 27, 2024
The Cliff House is an almost True Crime book. Gwen is a real estate agent who was just handed the listing of a lifetime... or not. However, the house has secrets.
I was granted permission to read a pre-publication copy of this book to review for readers. Thank you, Greta, for allowing me this opportunity.
I thought that the setup of the book was interesting, being in three different viewpoints, a podcast, the suspect's personal diary/POV, and Gwen's POV. However, this book takes a while to warm up and get going.
This book is suspenseful, full of surprises, and in a cool format! I enjoyed reading it, and I hope that you do, too!
I was granted permission to read a pre-publication copy of this book to review for readers. Thank you, Greta, for allowing me this opportunity.
I thought that the setup of the book was interesting, being in three different viewpoints, a podcast, the suspect's personal diary/POV, and Gwen's POV. However, this book takes a while to warm up and get going.
This book is suspenseful, full of surprises, and in a cool format! I enjoyed reading it, and I hope that you do, too!
July 31, 2024
The author documents a fictional podcast. It’s a very interesting way to bring people outside the story into the book. She uses this technique to bring interesting commentary into the history of a particularly vile sequence of events.
This also allows the author to bring the POV of all significant characters to the reader. The story itself is told by the main characters in a very compelling fashion. You will be pulled into the very real but very normal life of these people.
An extremely well told mystery that brings you in through the eyes and experiences of the characters.
This also allows the author to bring the POV of all significant characters to the reader. The story itself is told by the main characters in a very compelling fashion. You will be pulled into the very real but very normal life of these people.
An extremely well told mystery that brings you in through the eyes and experiences of the characters.
August 14, 2024
A new series written as a podcast. It took me a bit to adjust to this style of writing but it didn't take long to get sucked into the story.
Someone(s) murdering real estate agents. The story is told by Gwen, a real estate agent who has more than just a murderer to worry about in her life. It is also told by REK Real Estate Like) who also has his own baggage. The two are woven together by the Podcaster.
Lots of suspense and twists and turns which make this book hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the next podcast in this series.
Someone(s) murdering real estate agents. The story is told by Gwen, a real estate agent who has more than just a murderer to worry about in her life. It is also told by REK Real Estate Like) who also has his own baggage. The two are woven together by the Podcaster.
Lots of suspense and twists and turns which make this book hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the next podcast in this series.
August 27, 2024
This story totally creeped me out - and I mean that in the best possible way. It's billed as an "almost true" crime story. I don't know which parts were based on truth and which were fictionalized, but I can tell you it was realistic. It's a compelling story and I didn't want to put it down. The podcast format worked well for me. It allowed for a natural way to fill in details and bring up questions. I am already looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Well done!
I received an ARC, but this is my honest opinion.
I received an ARC, but this is my honest opinion.
August 28, 2024
I received a copy of this for an honest review.
This was my first experience of Greta Boris and I really enjoyed it.
I liked the fact that the podcast sections were written in a different font to the main story so you could keep track of where you are in the story.
It's an interesting concept of having the podcast, the killer's memoir and also the victims point of view all woven together.
There was some great twists and turns, some obvious and some not so.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, got through it quickly and will definitely look out for future works by this author
This was my first experience of Greta Boris and I really enjoyed it.
I liked the fact that the podcast sections were written in a different font to the main story so you could keep track of where you are in the story.
It's an interesting concept of having the podcast, the killer's memoir and also the victims point of view all woven together.
There was some great twists and turns, some obvious and some not so.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, got through it quickly and will definitely look out for future works by this author
August 30, 2024
I’m not familiar with podcasts, so the story format threw me for a bit, but then I got used to it, and enjoyed that approach. Each episode began with a brief restating of previous key historical points, which helped reinforce the salient points in the plot. The story was easy to follow, as it alternated between the points of view of the killer and the other characters. This series is significantly different from the Mortician Murders series, so this gives me two intriguing series to enjoy! I’m eager to read more of Ms. Boris’ work.
October 10, 2024
The Cliff House (An Almost True Crime Story Book 1), my third read from author Greta Boris. After reading Mortuary School: A Mortician Mystery & then To Dye For: A Ghostly Mortician Murder Mystery (The Mortician Murders Book 1), I knew I had to read more from her and this read did not disappoint. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with The Garden: An Almost True Crime Story already on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.
August 15, 2024
This kept me on the edge of my seat. I could have read it all in one sitting if life didn't happen :-) In spite of the dark nature of the plot, there isn't any profanity, nor anything too explicit. The author was familiar to me from a cozier series, and I didn't even think about the cozier series when I was reading this. I look forward to other books in this series. I'm not an eloquent reviewer, but I very much enjoyed this book and can't wait for more.
August 27, 2024
This is a novel way of telling a story.
The Podcast angle is different and adds the extra perspective of the podcaster and their audience. Depending on if, and how long ago you read the original series, you will be able to reconnect with the characters' feelings and actions as the story progresses.
I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Cliff House through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.
The Podcast angle is different and adds the extra perspective of the podcaster and their audience. Depending on if, and how long ago you read the original series, you will be able to reconnect with the characters' feelings and actions as the story progresses.
I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Cliff House through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.
August 27, 2024
A true crime podcast describes a murder of a realtor in the infamous Cliff House. Now, another realtor, Gwen Bishop is involved in the sale of the house. Gwen has some strange experiences while the renovation is going on. Is someone trying to sabotage her work? Then another realtor is murdered and Gwen fears she may be next. An enthralling page turner which is heart stopping as the suspense escalates. I thank the author for this brilliantly written book and I am happy to review it.
August 27, 2024
This is a great start to a new series by Greta Boris. Set in Laguna Beach, California, the story is full of complicated characters whose lives intertwine through episodes of the Murders Under the Sun podcast. Tensions build with each episode as podcaster Molly Shure quite literally takes us into the mind of the killer. Molly's reassuring voice guides reader into and through dark and scary places. I highly recommend this series and look forward to the next book.
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