A deft mix of chilling psychological suspense and thought-provoking drama, Two Good Men had me reevaluating right versus wrong, justice versus revengeA deft mix of chilling psychological suspense and thought-provoking drama, Two Good Men had me reevaluating right versus wrong, justice versus revenge, and good versus evil. A trigger heavy premise, it nevertheless was far from graphic—even if the topic itself was hard to stomach at times. And within this slow burn game of cat-and-mouse, I was quickly absorbed by the moral debate that this heartrending tale shrewdly brought to light. When the law is incapable of protecting the innocent, what is to be done? And is the answer obvious, or is there a whole assortment of shades of gray?
The shining stars in this intoxicating read, however, were easily the characters. Well-developed, nuanced, and with clear cut identities, the two primary POVs were beyond true-to-life—they walked right off of the page. With seemingly strong ethical codes and brilliant character arcs, their individual journeys quickly pulled me deep. What Dick and Steve illustrated the best, though, were the opposing viewpoints for some troubling real-world concerns. And by the end of the book, they had me questioning my own thoughts and beliefs. Who was right? Who was wrong? Or could it ever truly be as black and white as I original thought?
All said and done, Ms. Redfearn managed to deliver an intense, compelling story with short addictive chapters, emotionally rich characters, and plenty of surprises. Was it as action-packed and propulsive as I was expecting? No, not really. At the same time, however, the pacing felt fitting as the well-plotted storyline unfurled smoothly before me. Poignant and gritty, it definitely made me think. This alone would make it perfect for any book club’s monthly selection. After all, from the ratcheting suspense to the questions it raised, there simply wasn’t much missing from these finely tuned pages. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Dick Raynes feared this day would come. Otis Parsons, a violent felon, has been released from prison, and Dick’s sister, Dee, is the one who helped put him there. Dick’s marriage is over, and his career is in shambles, so with nothing to lose, he sets out to do whatever it takes to keep Dee and her son safe. But Otis is just the beginning. Using his knowledge as a scientist to develop a formula able to predict those offenders most likely to strike again, he sets out to protect future victims the law is powerless to defend.
FBI agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against those who have paid their dues for past mistakes, running a department he created after his son was killed by a vigilante mother who targeted the wrong person. Recognizing a disturbing pattern of untimely deaths in recently released felons, he sets out to discover who’s behind it. What he doesn’t expect is to find another chance at love—with the sister of the man he is chasing.
Dick’s sense of right and wrong is tested as he pursues and neutralizes the most dangerous threats, while Steve makes it his mission to stop this vigilante serial killer before he is labeled a hero. Both men pursue a noble cause, but only one can prevail.
Thank you to S.E. Redfearn and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
From the superb setting to the rising claustrophobia, The Chamber offered glimpses of pure, unadulterated fear. I mean, just imagine being stuck in a From the superb setting to the rising claustrophobia, The Chamber offered glimpses of pure, unadulterated fear. I mean, just imagine being stuck in a small room as your friends and colleagues start dropping like flies one after the other. The strongest piece to this one, though, was the mood that Dean managed to invoke. I could feel the thick “air” and stifling heat. The panic of who to trust and who to try and avoid in a room the size of a small SUV. Even the brief look inside of the what has to be one of the worst of the worst jobs was hard to imagine. All told, it was an enticing premise to be sure.
Due to all of the above, I tried to love this book. I really, really did. After all, the premise of a pressure-packed locked room mystery was utterly intoxicating. Unfortunately, though, the plot just didn’t live up to my expectations. A long slow burn from beginning to end, the exciting moments were few and far between. From the dense, detailed info about saturation diving to the many stories about disastrous prior jobs, it all simply took away from the whodunnit plot. What clinched it for me, though, was the conclusion. Or, rather, the lack of one as I’m still not entirely sure what happened in that compression chamber all said and done.
Despite my frustrations with this supposed psychological thriller, there was still plenty of gripping paranoia and dread. And the exploration of the psychological ramifications of trauma for these six damaged characters was also exceptionally well done. Sadly, though, that just didn’t make up for the dawdling plot or the lack of any hard and fast answers. Perhaps, though, you should take my opinion with a large grain of salt. After all, plenty of people loved this novel far more than I. So if you enjoy a book with a strong psychological edge and a gradually unfurling plot, give this one a try. It definitely fit that bill to a T. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Six experienced saturation divers are locked inside a hyperbaric chamber. Calm and professional, they know that rapid decompression would be fatal and so they work in shifts, breathing helium, and surviving in hot, close quarters.
Then one of them is found dead in his bunk.
With four days of decompression to go before the locked hatch to the chamber can be safely opened, the group must watch one another’s backs at all times. And when another diver is discovered unresponsive, everyone is on edge. What…or who…is taking them out one by one? And will any of them still be alive by the time the four days is up or will paranoia, exhaustion, suspicion, and pressure destroy them all?
Thank you to Will Dean and Emily Bestler/Atria Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 6, 2024
Trigger warning: death of friends and family, intrusive thoughts...more
Packed to the brim with suspicious characters, dastardly deeds, and a slowly unrolling plot, The House on Cold Creek Lanefilled me with dread. And whPacked to the brim with suspicious characters, dastardly deeds, and a slowly unrolling plot, The House on Cold Creek Lanefilled me with dread. And while this tale of domestic suspense mixed nicely with a neighborhood drama, it was the gaslighting and misdirection that utterly turned my head. Step by step, I reveled in how this storyline had them all walking toward an unthinkable end.
As for the characters, they were all thoroughly unlikeable. Two, in fact, had me itching to shake them good and hard. From a belittling husband to his spineless wife, both of them hit the mark with their irritating behavior. That’s not to say that I was turned off of this book in the slightest. Oh no. Their action—or inaction—totally got my blood boiling and, IYKYK, but only the best authors seem to manage to pull that feat off.
The only fly in the ointment was my ability to see through the twists. Now how much of that was merely down to my insatiable love of all things thriller and suspense, I’ll never know. Despite that, however, the multiple mysteries and unreliable narrators kept my fingers flying. So while I managed to work it all out, it just might be perfect for anyone looking for an utterly chilling novel. Especially if you’re new to the genre.
By the end of this slow burning plot, I was delighted by the eventually cascade of dead bodies. With plenty of foreboding and just enough suspense to whet my appetite, it’s clear as can be that Ms. Alterman nailed it in one. It’s also unsurprising why all of my colleagues at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been raving about this dark and twisted tale. After all, I did inhale it in just a single night. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Who was I? What had I become? Breathe, I commanded. You're doing this for your family.
When Laurel and Rob West move into their new home in New Jersey, it seems too good to be true. But Laurel can't shake off her old feelings of anxiety. The neighbor who pays far too much attention to the Wests' two young children…Rob watching her every misstep…and there's something people aren't telling her about this house...
I promised myself I wouldn't go to that neighborhood again. Not that street. Not so soon. But I couldn't help it. They made it too easy.
Corey Sutton is trying to outrun her past. Recently divorced and reeling from a devastating loss, she moves into her widowed mother's retirement condo in Florida. Everyone says she just needs some time to recover and rebuild…but is Corey beyond saving? She wants answers. And there's very little she won't do to get them.
Though Laurel and Corey have never met, the women have something in common, and if they're not careful, it may just destroy them both…
Thank you to Liz Alterman, Severn House, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 6, 2024
Trigger warning: death of a child, mention of: infidelity...more
With quite the intriguing premise, What You Made Me Do introduced me to one truly dysfunctional family. With dark secrets and a multitude of long-buriWith quite the intriguing premise, What You Made Me Do introduced me to one truly dysfunctional family. With dark secrets and a multitude of long-buried lies, the story had a wealth of mysteries to uncover throughout the deftly layered plot. Told via multiple POVs and dual timelines, it was a pleasure to see each revelation from all sides. And let me tell you, the twists and turns were plentiful to be sure.
There were, unfortunately, some aspects that didn’t entirely win me over, however. Narrated in a somewhat dry manner, it was hard to become fully invested. And while nearly all of the characters had deliciously deep backstories that illustrated fully fleshed out personas, I just couldn’t connect with nary a one. Well, except for Anneliese, perhaps. After all, her difficult life and complex history drew quite the captivating picture.
The biggest hang up for me, though, was the biggest twist of them all. I can’t reveal what it was, but just know that it mixed shocking with nausea-inducing. Even worse, the conclusion seemed to double down on the twist with the off-putting level dialed up to a ten. I do have to say, however, that it was a finely spun bombshell. Despite seeing through several other reveals, this one was 100% unguessable even to this armchair sleuth master.
All in all, I do have to say that there were plenty of winning attributes to this slow burn tale of domestic suspense. Thanks to various subplots and constant unease, I finished this debut novel in just a matter of hours. So as long as you don’t mind a book that almost felt as though it was a work of translation or the many disturbing topics at play, give this one a go. For me, it might’ve been a step too far here or there, but it still managed to keep me hooked, all things considered. Rating of 3 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After surviving a nightmarish childhood, Anneliese Bakker is on the mend and searching for her birth mother. But when she meets Willem, she falls madly in love and finally finds a safe place to land. Engaged and expecting her first child, she moves into the Veldkamp mansion on a stately, tree-lined avenue in Amsterdam. And yet, nothing about Willem’s family is as it seems. Instead of the loving home she has longed for her entire life, she’s confronted with a cold and hostile household.
Increasingly isolated, Anneliese is drawn to a creepy basement shrine to Louisa, Willem’s mother. Louisa Veldkamp was a legendary Dutch pianist who presumably drowned–but whose body has never been found. Though still revered by her fans, Louisa is a taboo subject in the family home. Haunted by her own demons, Anneliese must dig into the family’s past to untangle a dark web of secrets, inadvertently putting herself and her unborn child in grave danger.
Not knowing who to trust, Anneliese has to decide just how far she is willing to go to safeguard the family life she so desperately seeks.
Thank you to Barbara Gayle Austin and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 20, 2024
Scroll down for a potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
When all of my friends started gushing about Between Lies and Revenge, I had some serious FOMO hit me hard. Needless to say, they were 100% right. BotWhen all of my friends started gushing about Between Lies and Revenge, I had some serious FOMO hit me hard. Needless to say, they were 100% right. Both a thought-provoking premise and a twisty, riveting tale of domestic suspense, this little revenge story debut was beyond great—it was utterly stunning. From the onion-like plot that featured layers of mysteries to the cleverly crafted lies piled upon dark unexpected secrets, my head was spinning until the final timely reveal.
As for the characters, they couldn’t have been better. On top of two dynamite female main characters featured in the distinct identities of the dual POVs, there were plenty of individuals who I absolutely loved to hate on top of a few choice others who got my side-eye for sure. Olivia and Elle, however, were easily my favorites. Fully fleshed out and with depth to their personas, I was rooting for both as the plot rolled along. Okay. I do have to admit, I was slightly more Team Elle, but as the page count grew, so did my bond to Olivia as well.
The out-and-out best piece to the puzzle, however, were the jaw-dropping twists that set me back on my heels. At one point, I actually thought that my armchair sleuthing self had figured out a gigantic reveal. Boy, was I wrong. Shifting the story first in one direction and then another, the ground wobbled under my feet in the most delightful of ways. Added to the much loved scheming and well-hidden lies, it all gave a definite Hitchcockian slant to this multiple-sided con artist tale.
All in all, this mesmerizing rollercoaster ride won me over hook, line, and sinker. With an ever ratcheting pace and deliciously short chapters, the combination of all that I’ve listed was simply sublime. After all, it was an addictive, unforgettable trip into this author’s talented mind—one that had me flying through the pages from the tantalizing start until the perfectly plotted finale. I just hope that this was only the first voyage with Ms. Sharpe as my guide. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Years after the death of her brother and the theft of her heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run...until she spots a stranger wearing a signature piece. Determined to take back what is hers, Elle stalks and befriends the woman, using her gemology skills as a ruse. Elle offers to appraise and clean the jewelry, replicating and replacing the pieces instead.
Olivia is drowning. She maxes out credit cards behind her financially-strict husband's back in order to pay for fertility treatments, keep her blackmailing father at bay, and maintain appearances with her wealthy friends and their cultist MLM social circles. When Olivia meets Elle, she finally feels understood...and inspired.
With Elle’s expertise and Olivia’s connections, the two start a side-hustle by way of home jewelry appraisal parties. When this isn't lucrative enough, they develop the perfect con: switching rich housewives’ gems with fakes. But their hidden truths get in the way of their success, and each other. Before their secrets bury them, they must confess their lies to one another and trust their final con will exact the revenge that’ll secure their freedom, and their lives.
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
If you haven’t read The Plot yet, STOP READING NOW! While I’ve done my best to avoid any spoilers, there will inevitably be a few substantial hints thIf you haven’t read The Plot yet, STOP READING NOW! While I’ve done my best to avoid any spoilers, there will inevitably be a few substantial hints that would ruin the first book in this series.
A masterful follow-up to The Plot, The Sequel happily took me back into the twisty world of Ms. Korelitz’s mind. This time, however, the main character was even more compelling, addictive, and utterly all-consuming. Picking up pretty much right after the conclusion of book one, I was over the moon to finally get Anna’s much wanted perspective. After all, the epitome of an anti-heroine, her viewpoint was the one piece of the puzzle that I had missed the last time around.
Let me back up just a bit, though. I mean, this story had all of the winning attributes that I look for in a book. And the fact that it was yet another work of metafiction with book within a book additions? It just couldn’t have been better. Granted, it was somewhat of a long, slow burn until the last one hundred thrilling pages. A brilliantly combined mix of drama and suspense, the slow buildup nevertheless led to high stakes and a tense game of cat-and-mouse that won me over hook, line, and sinker by the perfectly plotted conclusion.
As much as I loved this second book in the series, though, I do have to say that it didn’t quite blow me away as much as The Plot. That’s not to say that there weren’t plenty of twists that had my jaw on the floor here as well, because there unquestionably were. What was done better, however, was Anna. One truly villainous protagonist, her fully fleshed out persona and deep background pulled me in deep. All told, I rallied behind her—despite (or because of) some truly despicable deeds.
All in all, I was duly impressed. Original and yet oddly realistic, I never would have guessed where this one was heading. From the adrenaline-fueled climax to the well-written satire, my only hope is that there’s still room for a third book in the series. Perhaps The Epilogue would be fitting? After all, I would revel in another finely layered plot with more deftly obscured clues and morally gray characters. All I know is that this is not one to be missed. Just don’t go into it before first reading The Plot. In my estimation, that would be one doozy of a mistake. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Anna Williams-Bonner has taken care of business. That is to say, she’s taken care of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, and laid to rest those anonymous accusations of plagiarism that so tormented him. Now she is living the contented life of a literary widow, enjoying her husband’s royalty checks in perpetuity, but for the second time in her life, a work of fiction intercedes, and this time it’s her own debut novel, The Afterword. After all, how hard can it really be to write a universally lauded bestseller?
But when Anna publishes her book and indulges in her own literary acclaim, she begins to receive excerpts of a novel she never expected to see again, a novel that should no longer exist. That it does means something has gone very wrong, and someone out there knows far too much: about her late brother, her late husband, and just possibly... Anna, herself. What does this person want and what are they prepared to do? She has come too far, and worked too hard, to lose what she values most: the sole and uncontested right to her own story. And she is, by any standard, a master storyteller.
Thank you to Jean Hanff Korelitz and Celadon Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 1, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
A powerful tale of motherhood and marriage, Till Death Do Us Part made it evident that there was a virtuoso at work behind the intoxicating words. FroA powerful tale of motherhood and marriage, Till Death Do Us Part made it evident that there was a virtuoso at work behind the intoxicating words. From the evocative setting to the onion-like plot, I was immediately immersed in the Napa Valley vineyards and the many dark lies. I do have to say, however, that this poignant story was far more domestic suspense/family drama than thriller. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of downright jaw-dropping twists, but the slow burn nature of the ever evolving plot meant that it didn’t quite meet the threshold of thrills and chills for me.
That’s not to say that I wasn’t riveted. With dual distinct POVs that narrated from two decades apart, I couldn’t imagine how they could ever connect. But when they did finally converge, the resolution to the multiple mysteries held within these pages was utterly spellbinding. Complex and ultimately sadder than expected, the last bombshell reveal quite literally made me gasp. Even that, though, wasn’t the strongest piece to the puzzle. Those were the characters themselves. Genuine and finely layered, they all had me in the palm of their hands—up to and including both June and Bev.
All said and done, while this book wasn’t quite what I was expecting, it was everything that I wanted. With depth to the characters and secrets upon secrets to be revealed, my eyes never wavered from the pages. In fact, I was so swept up in this story that I read it in just a single sitting. I do have say, though, that it felt quite different from Flynn’s prior novel. But despite the more women’s fiction leaning, this premise nevertheless delivered in spades. So if you like suspense with a soft touch or a low-key thriller, give this book a try. I absolutely inhaled it and I think you will as well. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon, his body never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to finally begin a new chapter in her life and start a family.
But out of the blue, she sees him—Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?
June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t quite left her past behind, June secretly flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.
Thank you to Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
While I normally provide a synopsis at either the beginning or end of my reviews, this is one book that I firmly believe you need to go into blind. ItWhile I normally provide a synopsis at either the beginning or end of my reviews, this is one book that I firmly believe you need to go into blind. It’s not that the publisher provided blurb reveals to much. Well, not really. It’s that this is one plot that you’re going to want to experience all of the thrills and the chills without even a hint at the many surprises.
Unbridled suspense. Well-rounded characters. A twisty, twisty plot. Palpable fear. All of the above describes The Stepdaughter to a T. But it was the deftly plotted storyline that was the true shining star to this slam dunk success. Told in six parts by multiple POVs, the tension only ratcheted higher and higher right along with the page count. Turning the events first one way and then another, there was simply no way that I could’ve seen behind the deftly woven curtain before each jaw-dropping reveal.
The dazzling aspects of the plot, however, were easily matched step for step by the characters themselves. From a fraught family dynamic to perfectly crafted teenage behavior, each and every persona simply sang from the pages. And oh the secrets that they were all hiding. Somehow, though, Cross managed to make it all seem perfectly genuine and true-to-life. With, of course, plenty of fictional flair to make it all deliciously dramatic.
The only teeny, tiny flaw in this magical novel was the conclusion. Altogether too brief for my liking, I would have loved to know more about the resulting demolition to each of the characters’ lives. While everything was certainly wrapped up with a nice, pretty, little bow, I wanted…well…more. But then, maybe I’m just greedy. After all, this was one truly impressive book and I’m not surprised in the least that it has been optioned by Netflix.
A dynamite tale of domestic suspense, it was a downright page-turner from beginning to end. So, naturally, it’s no surprise that I finished it in just a matter of hours. A quick, easy read that kept me on the edge of my seat, the hefty dose of red herrings and suspicious individuals meant that I was utterly spellbound. What’s truly shocking, however, is that this was Cross’s debut novel. Having inhaled plenty of her ensuing works, I promise that this one was no fluke. She is a seriously talented writer with a knack for spinning non-stop suspense. Rating of 4.5 stars (upgraded).
Thank you to Georgina Cross, Bookouture, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: Out now!
Trigger warning: missing child, house fire, infidelity, dementia, mention of: death of a parent...more
Emlyn doesn't let herself think about the past. How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the love of her life, left her Emlyn doesn't let herself think about the past. How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the love of her life, left her half dead on the side of the road three years ago.
Her new life is simple and safe. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer and works as a fishing and hunting guide in scenic Idaho. Her closest friends are the community's makeshift reverend and a handsome Forest Service ranger who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged boyfriend. She hasn't posted lately, though, and when Emlyn realizes the most recent photo doesn't match up with its caption, she reluctantly joins Tyler to find her old friend.
As the two trace Janessa's path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can't deny the chemistry still crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn't the only one in danger.
Gut-wrenching emotion. Evocative descriptions. Fully fleshed out characters. All of the above describes The Nature of Disappearing to a T. From the dual mysteries presented in the past and present timelines to the immersive atmosphere of the Idaho wilderness, each and every scene came alive before my eyes. Seriously, I felt like I was there, hiking alongside Emlyn and Tyler. Whether it was the well-illustrated setting or the realistic feel, I was utterly blown away by how vivid it all seemed.
Speaking of the characters, they were easily the strongest piece to this novel. Wholly true-to-life with genuine foibles and flaws, Emlyn in particular had a startlingly powerful character arc. Starting off as a somewhat broken persona with severe self-worth problems, her path throughout this story was truly intoxicating. More so, however, was Varden and Rev. Between the two of them, color was added through deliciously eccentric personas.
The plot, though, was rather more of a long, slow burn than I had anticipated. Despite being billed as suspense, I’d classify it as more of a drama. Was there foreboding and tension? Well, yes—but not quite enough in my book to describe it as such. At the same time, I was spellbound by this tale. Full of mysterious secrets and dirty lies, as the truth came to light everything fell perfectly into place. I just wish that the reveals had felt alive and not just explained.
My biggest hang up, however, was how long it took to get to the action and climax. I’m not joking when I say that not much really happened until the 80% mark. And when it did, it was somewhat anticlimactic and not quite fully explored. At the same time, it didn’t necessarily distract from the huge pluses to this poignant tale.
All in all, from the exploration of friendship and romance—albeit dysfunctional—to the character growth, there was just so much to love. While the plot may have left something to be desired, the characterizations and setting were a slam dunk success. Along the way, Grant also dove realistically into the tragic waters of addiction and the heartbreak that can result. Tied all together, this was still a smash hit—as long as you don’t expect a straightforward tale of suspense. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Kimi Cunningham Grant, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 18, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: addiction, animal death, poisoning, mention of: drug dealing...more
From the very first page, The Sororityhad me intrigued. With an intrepid, well-developed female main character and a complex friend group dynamic, thFrom the very first page, The Sororityhad me intrigued. With an intrepid, well-developed female main character and a complex friend group dynamic, the storyline pulled me right in. As it progressed, an exploration of this circle of friends’ truly toxic history revealed despicable individuals and suspects galore. Once the puzzle pieces started to come together, however, the explosive climax and unguessable twists were what kept my eyes firmly glued to the pages.
There were some aspects that didn’t quite work for me, though. With a hugely long list of characters and tons of hints at largely unexplained subplots, it was a shock to learn that this was part of a series. So instead of simply sitting back and enjoying its many winning features, I felt as though I had to play catch up for much of the novel. Needless to say, I wouldn’t recommend trying to approach this as a standalone, all things considered.
That wasn’t the only issue, though. Narrated via omniscient perspective, there were almost too many POVs to keep straight. As for the bulk of the novel, there could have been some editing down. After all, I didn’t need to know many of the unnecessary details provided. My last issue was the cliffhanger conclusion. IYKYK, but I’m generally not a fan and, sadly, this ending fit into that category no ifs, ands, or buts.
Despite all of the above, however, I eagerly inhaled all 370+ pages of this slow burn crime thriller. With a touch of romance and an intricate web of multiple plot lines, I was seriously impressed with how they were all eventually interwoven. At the same time, I did find myself confused more times than I care to admit. Whether that was down to my ignorance about what happened in prior books or not, I couldn’t say. All in all, though, I did enjoy it enough that I’m planning to read the rest of the series. So the ball’s in your court. Read it or not, but I suggest starting at the beginning like I plan to do soon. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Every school has its cool girls, and at River Glen High, they’re known as The Sorority. The name began as a joke, but it holds a grain of truth. Because they’ve made a pledge to protect one another…no matter what the cost may be.
The pledge to kill Ethan Stanhope—that was a joke too. But then Ethan died in a car crash on the night of graduation, along with his little sister. A tragic accident, they said.
Private investigator Mackenzie Laughlin remembers the girls of The Sorority, though as a cop’s daughter, she was an outsider. Now, nearly ten years later, one of them is missing, and Mac is hired to find her. The accidents have started again too—if that’s what they are. Because Mac is beginning to realize just how much the Sorority sisters have to hide—and how far they’ll go to keep their secrets…
Thank you to Nancy Bush and Kensington Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 20, 2024
Trigger warning: stalking, hit-and-run car accident, controlling relationship, drug overdose...more
Peter Greene spends his days taking care of his toddler, Luke; staying on the right side of The Moms in his local beach town; and hanging out with hisPeter Greene spends his days taking care of his toddler, Luke; staying on the right side of The Moms in his local beach town; and hanging out with his surf buddy, Frank. Isolated from his former life in finance, and frustrated by his current “out of work” existence, he worries that if he sits around the house for much longer, his workaholic wife might start to lose patience with him. He has few escapes aside from surfing and the love he has for his son.
But when the body of wealthy Wall Street investor Robert Townsend washes up on shore one morning, nothing about the incident makes sense to Pete, and he’s completely bewildered when the death is ruled an accidental drowning. But when he takes his concerns to the police, they ignore him—so he decides to investigate on his own. Sustained only by the unquestioning devotion of his three-year-old sidekick, Pete starts looking into Townsend’s eccentric relatives and employer, the ruthless and secretive private equity firm GDR. But has Pete deluded himself with this misguided quest for redemption? Or has he uncovered something sinister enough to risk his life, and even his family?
I wanted to love A Rough Way to Go. I really did. Unfortunately for me, though, with eighty percent of the book feeling like nothing but filler, this book was tough to get through for most of the 350+ pages. I mean, I’m not kidding when I say that this was some serious stream of consciousness writing. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the endearing relationship between Peter and Luke and Garonzik’s ability to keep me utterly in the dark. Ultimately, though, I did skim much of the first two-thirds of the book.
That’s not to say that there wasn’t anything redeemable within these pages. Thanks to a captivating conclusion and true-to-life final twist, I got won over in the end. Well, for the most part, that is. In the beginning, I absolutely loved Peter’s first-person narration. Cocky, chock-full of sarcasm, and startlingly genuine, I wondered to myself more times than I care to admit whether this is how men really think. By the end, however, his droning monologue became a bit much. Still, out of all of the characters (excluding Luke, of course), he definitely was my favorite.
I was also blown away by the insight Garonzik had about being a stay-at-home dad after being laid off. The probable sense of feeling less then while also soaking up every enviable moment with a young child read as wholly authentic. Yet the minute details of Peter’s mostly boring life came off as—well—boring. For the plot of a mystery/thriller, I was simply expecting a bit more all said and done.
But the time I flipped the last page, though, I could feel the mixed emotions as they leaked from the pages. Not exactly wrapped up with a neat, little bow, I could nevertheless understand the conundrum that Peter found himself in. Sadly, however, it also felt somewhat anticlimactic. Especially after the buildup of the last 300 pages. Just the same, with short chapters, easy to read prose, an unexpected twist, and quite the revelation on society’s norms, I did enjoy it in the end and will definitely try whatever Garonzik writes next. Rating of 3 stars.
Thank you to Sam Garonzik and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 21, 2024
Trigger warning: drinking and driving, infidelity, gaslighting...more
As kids, Amelia and Kylee were found unharmed in their upstairs bedroom the night their teenage cousin Grace, who was babysitting them, vanished from As kids, Amelia and Kylee were found unharmed in their upstairs bedroom the night their teenage cousin Grace, who was babysitting them, vanished from the farmhouse in Beaumont, Missouri, leaving blood all over the kitchen. Scrappy and driven, Grace, the first in their family to go to college instead of getting married and working at the meatpacking plant, had been on the verge of escaping their dead-end town. Her disappearance is a warning to any local girl who dared hope for better.
Now, as their own high school graduation looms, Amelia and Kylee dream about fleeing Beaumont, but the likelihood of that happening seems as low as that of Grace being found. When human remains are discovered in town, the sisters think they finally know who took Grace—but as they dig deeper into her past, they unearth long-buried secrets and a growing list of suspects.
Amelia and Kylee vow to find Grace, dead or alive. But as they draw closer to the truth and slip further into danger, they question how far someone would go to put a woman in her place, or to cover up a crime. The answer is worse than they could have imagined, and in the end, it won’t just be Grace they’re trying to save—they’ll have to fight for their lives.
A poignant, gritty novel much deeper than I expected, Safe and Sound brought discomfort as well as unbridled awe. From the well-written charactersbewitching, powerful setting, the story came alive as the plot unfolded before me. And while it was a slow burn for a good two-thirds of the book, that last 30% took me on the ride of my life. It even included one jaw-dropping, shock-inducing, cringe-worthy twist. Quite frankly, it alone managed to demonstrate the haunting darkness that simply oozed from the pages.
The characters were the special sauce in this stirring tale, however. From the two sisters who couldn’t be more different to their cousin living through a gut-wrenching nightmare, the dual POVs were charged with authenticity and emotion. Adding to the mix were some truly despicable individuals that made my skin crawl. Together they drew a picture of a small town where the very worst can happen and no one can escape. Filled with desperation and just a little bit of forcefully fostered hope, I simply can’t explain how utterly thought-provoking it all was.
The was one big “but” for this ardent admirer, though. As I raced through the pages yearning to know what was to become of these three spellbinding women, I looked forward to a finale that gave me some answers. Unfortunately, that’s not what I got. With that left the door open for a sequel, there wasn’t a final resolution in sight. Granted, it will remain in my thoughts for quite some time, but still…I’m all about those nice, pretty, little bows to my endings.
All in all, despite the bittersweet last few pagesan immersive, nuanced tale of suspense. With an almost overwhelmingly claustrophobic atmosphere and characters with crystal clear identities, there wasn’t a thing not to love for most of the book. Unflinchingly taking < b>a deep dive into repressed trauma and abuse, there were some deeply uncomfortable topics, but, through them, a sense of < b>hope was left smoldering instead of despair. I’m not quite sure how McHugh managed to stoke that feeling, but it was truly impressive. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to Laura McHugh and Random House for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: Out now!
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: sexual harassment, molestation, forced captivity...more
Fiona and Violet Seng were just children when their family’s Cessna crash-landed in the Washington wilderness, claiming the lives of their parents. FoFiona and Violet Seng were just children when their family’s Cessna crash-landed in the Washington wilderness, claiming the lives of their parents. For twelve harrowing weeks, the girls fended for themselves before being rescued.
Twenty-five years later, they’re still trying to move on from the trauma. Fiona repurposes it into controversial works of art. Violet has battled addiction and failed relationships to finally progress toward normalcy as a writer. The estranged sisters never speak about what they call their Alone Time in the wild. They wouldn’t dare—until they become the subject of a documentary that renews public fascination with the “girl survivors” and questions their version of the events.
When disturbing details about the Seng family are exposed, a strange woman claims to know the crash was deliberate. Fiona and Violet must come together to face the horrifying truth of what happened out there and what they learned about their parents and themselves. Before any other secrets emerge from the woods.
Despite a slow burn start, The Alone Time was the epitome of a psychological thriller. With compelling characters, dark truths, and a twisty twisty plot, once I endured the lengthy first half, I held on tight for the ride of my life. That’s not to say it was all sunbeams and rainbows. No, there was at least one very real flaw, but, for the most part, I had a good time. After all, I inhaled it in just one sitting during a very late night.
With a decidedly dysfunctional relationship between Fiona and Violet, I sensed there was so much more to their time in the wild. About halfway through, these sinister secrets started to come out. At that point, there was a definite Stephen King vibe. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t horror per se. Just a piece of what you might find in The Shining or Carrie. Unsettling and creepy, the truth was one of the more over-the-top aspects. Sadly, it also didn’t quite work for me in the end.
The only other major flaw that I noticed had to do with the portrayal of a specific mental illness. While I can’t go into without spoiling the plot, let me just say that it made light of a legitimate condition and at the same time was somewhat off-putting. Still, it didn’t ruin the book for me, so take my opinion with a rather large grain of salt.
All said and done, however, the dual timelines and multiple POVs achieved an impressive exploration of trauma on top of providing a shocking tale of suspense. Thought-provoking but also utterly disturbing, this twisted storyline will make me second guess getting on my next flight as much of it felt decidedly realistic. Well, except for that conclusion, which was the only other irksome bi. Despite that, though, much of this was the definition of a popcorn thriller and I’m already eager for Ms. Marr’s next book. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Elle Marr and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: Out now!
Trigger warning: plane crash, PTSD in a veteran, dissociative identity disorder, mention of: infidelity...more
Wow. Just wow. Both a gripping tale about the lasting damage of childhood trauma and a nuanced, acute, suspense-filled novel, The Truth You Told was jWow. Just wow. Both a gripping tale about the lasting damage of childhood trauma and a nuanced, acute, suspense-filled novel, The Truth You Told was just another example of Brianna Labuskes’s virtuoso-like skill. With a finely layered, complex plot and twists that legitimately caused my jaw to drop, there was no getting away from the fact that this newest addition to the Raisa Susanto series was an utter home run. Quite frankly, it managed to outshine the first book, which is saying something as it too was simply sublime.
While the plot was everything that I wanted and more, the characters easily got my gold star for the day. Multi-dimensional, flawed, and beyond realistic, they both pulled at my heartstrings and also helped drive unbridled suspense. I especially loved how we got to know Callum Kilkenny even better. Poignant and revealing, I’m already eagerly awaiting what this impressive character combo will be doing next. I mean, it’s just so rare to find personalities that are so real that they could walk right off of the page.
Okay. Now onto the best bit by far. I know what I said above, but this plot was downright addictive. Told from dual alternating timelines and POVs, the cliffhanger chapters and explosive revelations had me repeatedly shouting “Wait, what?!” as I was shocked yet again. Of course, much like the first book in the series, I had to pay close attention to what was going on. Without that, I could’ve easily gotten lost, but when the last puzzle piece was revealed it just didn’t matter. After all, my mind was 100% blown.
I do have to warn you that this is hardly an action-packed thriller. More of a slow burn suspense novel mixed judiciously with crime fiction, it had surprising depth that doubled down on Raisa’s recent trials. I also wouldn’t recommend reading this as a standalone. While it’s certainly possible to understand what was going on, there are continuing sagas and overlapping characters that weren’t thoroughly explained. Additionally, of course, you’d miss out on one heck of a spellbinding tale filled with delicious drama, tantalizing intrigue, and in-your-face deceit.
All in all, already one of my auto-buy authors, Ms. Labuskes has clearly done it again. Her last series easily ranked among my favorites, but this one is quickly catching up with this newest addition. Thanks to an intricate plot, binge-worthy characters, and an unputdownable premise, it easily hit all of the sweet spots for me. Needless to say, I’m in love with the book in all of its serial killer focused glory. So if it wasn’t already obvious, I wholeheartedly recommend grabbing both this and The Lies You Wrote now. A dynamite duo, they undeniably had me from hello. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny lost his wife, Shay, to the very serial killer he’d hunted for five years. When Nathaniel Conrad—known as the Alphabet Man, for his love of tattooing codes onto his victims’ bodies—was condemned to death row, Callum thought the game of cat and mouse was over. But just before execution, Nathaniel drops a bombshell: he’s not the one who murdered Shay.
After analyzing the killer’s taunting, coded letters to authorities—one for each victim—FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto believes him. The discrepancies bear it out. So was it a copycat? A partner in crime? Or something more sinister? If Nathaniel knows the answer, Raisa fears he’ll be taking that closely guarded secret to his grave.
As Raisa and Callum are pulled into an investigation to solve Shay’s murder, it reopens old traumas that cut deeper than they could imagine. Before someone else dies, Raisa must decipher the unbelievable truth in an ever-twisting case built on a foundation of lies.
Thank you to Brianna Labuskes and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Brooklyn psychiatrist Dr. Caroline Strange is certain she knows what's best for her patients, her family, and pretty much everyone else, but that all Brooklyn psychiatrist Dr. Caroline Strange is certain she knows what's best for her patients, her family, and pretty much everyone else, but that all changes when a troubled young man arrives for his appointment and makes a pair of alarming confessions: I am going to kill someone, and I know who you really are.
Dr. Caroline is accustomed to hearing her patients’ deepest, darkest secrets, but it seems Nelson Schack may be one step ahead when detectives show up later that day, inquiring about a missing woman. It looks like Nelson has made good on his threat―yet somehow it’s Dr. Caroline who becomes the prime suspect.
Convinced the police are incompetent, Dr. Caroline takes matters into her own hands, chasing down the elusive Nelson and running headlong into a past she has spent her entire life trying to forget. As she closes in on her target, all the polished pieces of her manicured life splinter when people begin to question who she really is.
What in all that is holy did I just read? From the characters who I loved to hate to the twisty, twisty plot, Tell Me Who You Are screwed with my head in the best possible way. Pulling me in with a slow burn start, the dark humor and thoroughly unlikeable characters kept my eyes pinned to the pages. But it was Dr. Caroline who was the true star. With a compelling yet thoroughly twisted character arc and a mysterious past, she was an utter home run.
The storyline itself came a close second to the characters, however. Told via multiple POVs, the shrewd plotting lined up the puzzle pieces just so with false leads and plenty of second guessing. I can’t tell you how many times I suspected each in the three narrators as the plot progressed. But it was the arrival of the perfectly devised climax that had my jaw on the floor. A scene easily straight out of the best thriller film, I think I forgot to breathe until the final brilliant reveal.
I do have to say, however, that to enjoy this one, you must suspend all disbelief. Filled with unhinged behaviors, less than nice individuals, and unrivaled suspense, even the excessive facts and details in the first few chapters didn’t bother me in the least. Besides, this was probably one of the most original premises that I’ve read in a while. So despite plenty of drama mixed in with this psychological thriller, it still managed to deliver plenty of chills.
All said and done, from the cliffhanger chapters to well—written unreliable narrators, there was very little not to love in this novel. After all, not only was there a killer plot, but there were some intense observations concerning identity, mental heath, and the weight of the past. Even better, though, was that—thanks to dual timelines—this plot doubled down on the whos, the whats, and the whys. Not once could I see behind the deftly woven curtain, which made my enjoyment skyrocket for sure. Thank you, Ms. Luna, for one heck of a ride. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Louisa Luna and MCD x Farrar, Straus and Giroux for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Rachel Matthews is used to stress—from the cutthroat world of the district attorney’s office to her escalating clashes with her teenage daughter. So wRachel Matthews is used to stress—from the cutthroat world of the district attorney’s office to her escalating clashes with her teenage daughter. So when a stranger sends a lavish bouquet with a macabre message and leaves a disturbing video on her doorstep, she’s quick to act. Teaming up with an old classmate turned private investigator, she wades through old case files, searching for someone harboring a grudge against her.
But before she has time to pinpoint a suspect, her stalker issues a demand—he wants money, lots of it, or he’ll hurt her daughter. In a dangerous gamble, Rachel agrees to meet her stalker on an isolated beach, only to find herself fleeing from a shocking crime scene. Can she solve the puzzle of who wants to destroy her before she loses her family, her career, and her freedom?
OHHHEMMMGEEE! When I first read the synopsis for Blindspot, I knew I was going to be in for quite a ride. What I didn’t realize was that it was going to be an edge of your seat, nerve-tingling thriller from beginning to end. From its fast pace and complex plot to a truly dynamite narrator, there wasn’t a thing not to love. And the twists! What can I say? They redirected my sleuthing time and time again. That’s not to say that I didn’t figure out a few little pieces to the puzzle. Even that, though, couldn’t stop my ardent admiration for both the book and Ms. Smith herself.
Speaking of those characters, each of them were thoughtfully constructed and played an important role in a plot that had definite Hitchcockian and Agatha Christie-esque vibes. True-to-life despite a few somewhat melodramatic moments, I connected with Rachel right off the bat. Even her character arc was simply sublime. But the hairpin turns and deftly laid red herrings were what really made this book sing. They turned what could have been a straight forward tale of revenge into one heck of a rollicking good time filled to the brim with foreboding and suspense.
All in all, Maggie Smith utterly knocked this one out of the park. If you loved Kill for Me, Kill for You or just want a propulsive thriller to sink yourself into, this is your book. With a mind-blowing game of cat-and-mouse, short chapters, and a flawlessly played climax, I read this one cover to cover in just a single sitting. After all, it was everything I wanted and more. Addictive, unputdownable, and binge-worthy in the extreme, you simply have to add Bindspot to your TBR now. I guarantee that you won’t regret it in the least. Rating of 4.5 stars (upgraded).
Thank you to Maggie Smith, Puzzle Box Press, Partners in Crime Tours, NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 21, 2024
Trigger warning: threatening phone calls and notes, stalking, blackmail, a fatal shooting, mention of: infidelity, suicide...more
Imbued with emotion, Talking to Strangers was a well-written tale of suspense mixed heavily with crime fiction. From the richly layered character studImbued with emotion, Talking to Strangers was a well-written tale of suspense mixed heavily with crime fiction. From the richly layered character studies to the even pace and deftly obscured clues, I was 100% swept up by the finely plotted storyline as it twisted and turned. What I loved the most, however, were the three compelling POVs who illustrated a heartbreaking story in a way that kept me fully intrigued.
The characters behind those perspectives were easily the winning piece to this multi-pronged mystery. Centering around three skillfully drawn women—a detective, a reporter, and a mother seeming to be loosely attached to the case—I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how their individual stories were eventually going to interweave. Genuine and true, their experiences brought the plot to life in an immersive way as I flew through the pages.
The underlying premise hit all the right cords even if it was somewhat chocked full of triggers. With a sharp look at victim blaming as well as the many dangers that women often wade through in life and love, the plot especially touched on dating in our modern internet-focused world. So much so, in fact, that it would make me second guess adding my name to a site anytime soon.
The only piece to this winning plot that wasn’t quite a home run was the somewhat predictable nature of the twists and turns. Sadly for me, I managed to work out the biggest one of all. That’s not to say that I there weren’t plenty that totally missed my sleuthing, but I did figure out the who in this brilliant whodunnit. But then, I’m far from a newbie, so maybe it will happily evade your suspicions.
All in all, thanks to short chapters, raw storytelling, and palpable tension, I raced through novel from beginning to end. The second book in series, it worked just as well as a standalone for this uninitiated reader. I loved it so much, in fact, that I’m already planning on reading book one, Local Gone Missing, ASAP. A suspenseful, emotionally charged tale, I can’t recommend this one enough. So go on, grab a copy. You’ll definitely thank me. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When Karen Simmons is murdered on Valentine’s Day, Detective Elise King wonders if she was killed by a man she met online. Karen was all over the dating apps, leading some townspeople to blame her for her own death, while others band together to protest society’s violence against women. Into the divide comes Kiki Nunn, whose aggressive newsgathering once again antagonizes Elise.
A single mother of a young daughter, Kiki is struggling to make a living in the diminished news landscape. Getting a scoop in the Simmons murder would do a lot for her career, and she’s willing to go up against not just Elise but the killer himself to do it.
Thank you to Fiona Barton, Berkley Publishing, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 27, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: memory loss, controlling relationship, getting roofied, rape, mention of: death of a son, stalking, molestation, cancer...more
Hazel Davis is drifting: she’s stalled in her career, living in a city she hates, and less successful than her younger sister, @evelyn, a mega-popularHazel Davis is drifting: she’s stalled in her career, living in a city she hates, and less successful than her younger sister, @evelyn, a mega-popular lifestyle influencer. Evie came of age online, having gone viral at five years old for a heart-tugging daddy-daughter dance. Ten years older and spotlight-averse, Hazel managed to dodge the family YouTube channel—so although she can barely afford her apartment, at least she made her own way.
Evie is eighteen now, with a multimillion-dollar career and unlimited opportunities, but Hazel is still protective of her little sister and skeptical of the way everyone seems to want a piece of her: Evie’s followers, her YouTuber boyfriend and influencer frenemies, and their opportunistic mother. So when Evie disappears one day—during an unsettling live stream that cuts out midsentence—Hazel is horrified to have her worst instincts proven right.
As theories about Evie’s disappearance tear through the internet, inspiring hashtags, Reddit threads, podcast episodes, and scorn, Hazel throws herself into the darkest parts of her sister’s world to untangle the threads of truth. After all, Hazel knows Evie better than anyone else…doesn’t she?
Such a Bad Influence is so hard to describe. From the character-driven plot to the constant low-level suspense, I was wrapped up in the mystery of it all from the start. At the same time, however, this was a very long, slow burn for most of the novel. Much more family drama, mystery, or suspense than thriller (which is how it was billed), the pluses were many—even though there were some downsides as well.
Starting with the positives, the characters were pure gold. Fully fleshed out and authentically real, each had their own foibles and flaws that came alive on the page. From the down-on-her-luck narrator to the manipulative mother, the glimpses of not only this family—but the missing influencer as well—felt genuine as could be. Along with that was a juicy dysfunctional family dynamic that kept the plot charged and aimed perfectly for maximum drama.
Speaking of the plot, I absolutely loved the format. Sprinkled with podcast transcripts, Reddit posts, and the like, it brought the storyline utterly to life. I don’t know about you, however, but I expect a thriller to have propulsive writing and unending foreboding. This book, while filled to the brim with an enthralling mystery, was missing much of that pull. But maybe it was just my expectations that hampered my enjoyment a bit.
The biggest success of this book, though, was how brilliantly it critiqued social media, our reliance on it, and the damage it may be doing in the long run. On top of that it touched on topics such as ownership, autonomy, and the right to privacy. For that reason alone, it would make a dynamite book club pick. Add in the finely layered plot and surprising twists and turns, and it would be quite the conversation starter for all those concerned.
Now for the bad news, however. Unfortunately, I just expected so much more. More shocks. More thrills and chills. More moving parts. To be frank, most of the action occurred in just the last 100 or so pages—and even that wasn’t extensive. But it was the big reveal and irritating conclusion that bugged me the most. I can’t say much more, but on one hand they felt anticlimactic and the other they were just displeasing.
All in all, however, I still flew through this one all things considered. Thought-provoking but not missing even an iota of entertainment, I got spellbound by the characters including one I quite loved to hate. I mean, there was even a deftly drawn sense of humor. So if you like a book with a somewhat slower pace and themes that make you think, this one’s for you. Just don’t go by the thriller label. At least for me, that just wasn’t there. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Olivia Muenter and Quirk Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 4, 2024
Trigger warning: disappearance of a sibling, eating disorder, trolling, gaslighting...more
If you could see me right now, you’d notice a big, old grin on my face. After racing through Pieces of You in only a matter of hours, I am awe-struck If you could see me right now, you’d notice a big, old grin on my face. After racing through Pieces of You in only a matter of hours, I am awe-struck by the sheer awesomeness held within this debut novel’s pages. From the natural, free-flowing prose to the vivid, evocative descriptions, it was well-written, compelling, and downright addictive. But it was the perfectly plotted storyline which told a dark, twisted tale that won me over hook, line, and sinker. Gripping and all too real despite some much appreciated fictional flare, it was everything I wanted and more, no doubt about it.
The serial killer premise was just the start of the gold star attributes, though. Intermingled with this nightmarish plot was a heart-rending exploration of the mother and child relationship, mental health, and unrelenting grief. I mean, it was so touching and poignant that I quite literally cried. That, of course, didn’t detract in the slightest from the ratcheting pace and edge-of-your-seat chills, which provided for plenty of spine-tingling fear in this unforgettable thriller.
My only teeny, tiny issue was with the conclusion. I just wanted a bit, well, more. Not so much with how it all ended, but I would have loved to follow the characters along in their journey for a bit longer. So perhaps it wasn’t a hang up per se, but a wishlist instead.
All said and done, with an eerie small town setting, realistic characters, and a heart-pounding climax, I was absolutely over the moon. While I haven’t read The Quiet Tenant just yet, I can only imagine that this would be a perfect follow up to that. Deeply unsettling while also bingeable in the extreme, even the omniscient perspective was an utter home run. After all, it allowed me to see the plot from all sides—up to and including the murderer himself. All told, this book had it all, so be sure to grab your own copy ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Nora Aberdeen has been a mess since her mother died. Once a promising young journalism student, she's dropped out of school, stopped taking care of herself, and cut off most of her friendships. On a whim, she ventures out of her comfort zone to the deteriorating small town of Woodbridge, Pennsylvania, to meet a blind date, where she is embarrassingly stood up. Nora finds herself on edge on her desolate trek back home, and before she understands what's happened, a visibly distressed—and bloody—young woman darts in front of her car, causing Nora to veer off the road and headfirst into a tree. When Nora regains consciousness, the woman is gone.
Nora's estranged uncle, a Sheriff's Deputy, comes calling with information about a growing list of young women turning up dead in Woodbridge, including the woman who caused Nora's accident—whose death has been, to Nora's shock, declared a suicide. His colleagues have written the women off as drug overdoses, but suspicious circumstances and the department's ineptitude point to something more nefarious. Unsure if she can trust the only family she has left, Nora finds renewed purpose as she dusts off old journalism skills to uncover the secrets of the missing women. As she discovers her connection to them, a strange motive unfurls.
Thank you to Jessica Gomez for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 1, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: kidnapping, forced captivity, drug use, knife violence, mention of: death of a parent, suicide, drug addiction...more
My mind is blown. Like it properly exploded. I knew going into The Swimmer that I was in for a treat. After all, Loreth Anne White is not only a virtuMy mind is blown. Like it properly exploded. I knew going into The Swimmer that I was in for a treat. After all, Loreth Anne White is not only a virtuoso of the written word, but her dynamic characters, killer twists, and unforgettable plots have easily made her one of my auto-buy authors. Unsurprisingly, this novel not only delivered in spades, but it also raised the stakes for whatever White comes up with next. Finely layered, twisty in the extreme, and thoroughly unguessable, it was easily my favorite by White…at least so far.
The storyline was downright sublime. Fast-paced right off the bat, there wasn’t a slow moment throughout the onion-like plot. Told via multiple POVs and dual timelines, it unfurled genuinely as dirty schemes were concocted and well-hidden lies were revealed. But the twists were what took this from great to utter mind f*** level status. Quite literally jaw-dropping, they delivered one gasp-inducing shock after the other right up until the perfectly plotted conclusion.
And then there was the format. I mean, how brilliant was it of White to intersperse true crime podcast transcripts into the plot? Through them she let clues drop left, right, and center. At first I thought it was going to give the whole shebang away before I was ready. Boy was I wrong! After all, when it came down to that final reveal, I was 100% floored. Even better, it returned Trinity Scott to the scene who we were originally introduced to in the awe-inspiring Beneath Devil’s Bridge.
As for the characters, I was duly impressed. Complex, expertly honed, and with depth to their personas, they each felt completely original yet also utterly realistic. Between an eccentric stalker and the unlikeable duo who were the focus of her attention, the plot came alive as their situation unraveled. By the gripping finale, I was wholeheartedly sold on the fallout from all that occurred even if I could’ve done with a bit more of a ruinous solution.
All in all, White most certainly did it again. With short cliffhanger chapters, addictive misdirection, and plot charging drama, there wasn’t a thing not to love. Thanks to a creepy stalker vibe and a devious atmosphere you could cut with a knife, I was over the moon to find White’s characteristic relentless suspense page after page. Needless to say, I recommend this with every fiber of my heart, body, and soul. So go on. Order this book now. Yes, right now. I’m waiting... Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Socially awkward Chloe Cooper divides her time between dog walking, bartending, caring for her ailing mother, and at a safe distance, watching people and inventing the stories of their lives. Like Chloe’s new neighbors: glamorous influencer Jemma Spengler and Jemma’s husband, Adam, a renowned surgeon. They’re attractive, wealthy, and in a house of open windows, so exposed.
A move to the Pacific Northwest is supposed to be a fresh start for Jemma and Adam. It’s a renewed commitment to a marriage fractured by secrets. A chance to work through the tragic losses in their past. For Jemma, however, this new beginning also comes with an unnerving sensation that she’s being watched.
Then, on a fog-shrouded beach early in the morning, Chloe witnesses the murder of a swimmer. Her suspicions aroused, she suddenly sees her neighbors in a sinister new light. But as a detective and her partner close in, nothing is quite as it seems. Because the Spenglers are not the only ones with secrets. And Chloe isn’t the only one who’s been watching.
Thank you to Loreth Anne White and Montlake for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 10, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: hit-and-run, stalking, cancer, infidelity, death of a parent, alcoholism, knife violence...more
Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme)
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Books:
suspense
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