Blood Sugar

Sascha Rothchild

Mystery Thriller

“I could just kill you right now!” It’s something we’ve all thought at one time or another. But Ruby has actually acted on it. Three times, to be exact.

Though she may be a murderer, Ruby is not a sociopath. She is an animal-loving therapist with a thriving practice. She’s felt empathy and sympathy. She’s had long-lasting friendships and relationships, and has a husband, Jason, whom she adores. But the homicide detectives at Miami Beach PD are not convinced of her happy marriage. When we meet Ruby, she is in a police interrogation room, being accused of Jason’s murder. Which, ironically, is one murder that she did not commit, though her vicious mother-in-law and a scandal-obsessed public believe differently. As she undergoes questioning, Ruby’s mind races back to all the details of her life that led her to this exact moment, and to the three dead bodies in her wake. Because though she may not have killed her husband, Ruby certainly isn’t innocent.

Alternating between Ruby’s memories of her past crimes and her present-day fight to clear her name, Blood Sugar is a twisty, clever debut with an unforgettable protagonist who you can’t help but root for—an addicting mixture of sour and sweet.

-Excerpt taken from Goodreads.

Check Goodreads to see the book’s ratings.

My Opinion

(4.5 / 5) Ruby is a complex, thoughtful character. She is a successful therapist with a loving husband and comfortable life. But she has killed before. Three people to be exact.

We are led through Ruby’s memories from her point of view between past and present. We hear details into the murders and what led to them but also how she acted afterward. The justification and explaining away of her evil deeds was done in a way that made sense. Wait, did I just write that?

I’m coming into a bunch of female serial killer books. I can’t say I’m mad about it because they have such a different feel to them than male serial killers. The women seem to be justified because they kill by accident, it was circumstantial or for necessity. This is even if they have killed more than one. It tends to not have that evil that encompasses the acts. This in itself is fascinating to me. Why are women viewed so differently for many things, but with killings? Interesting. And frightening.

“Although I might be a murderer, I was just like everyone else.”

This was so well written. How could I end up rooting for her? But I did. I was torn between loving this character and being disgusted by her. The fact that Rothchild could make me feel such conflicting feelings for one character is phenomenal.

And that end? Brilliant. You need to read this one for yourself!

AUDIO REVIEW: Allyson Ryan was perfect for the character of Ruby. She solidified my conflicting feelings for Ruby because she made it sound so nonchalant or normal. Unbelievable!

General content summary: F words= 20+

C***4

Young child drowns (some details)

Bullying (children, large hair pulled out bloody)

Cocaine (teen, adult, excessive amounts for teen)

Alcohol (multiple, teens)

Teen losing virginity (no details)

Intimacy (referenced, orgasms referenced)

Infidelity 

Racism (brief)

Parental death (body found on floor, bloody)

Man assaults teen (kisses, they fight)

Peanut allergy death 

Murder (2x, some details)

Naked model painting and practicing poses 

Cat was found in trash wrapped in duct tape 

Woman hit and killed by bus (few details)

Shooter (many shots, one person dies when saving another, few details, previous)

F/F marriage and kids 

Dog death (natural causes, grief)

Diabetes and diabetes emergency 

Spousal death (illness)

Mention of woman having had an abortion 

Thank you to PRH Audio for the copy!

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