Nova Glass is an auto read author for me so I was so excited when Nothing Ever Happens Here became available! It was definitely a DROP EVERYTHING momeNova Glass is an auto read author for me so I was so excited when Nothing Ever Happens Here became available! It was definitely a DROP EVERYTHING moment!
When I say Nothing Ever Happens Here opens with a bang, wow, am I not kidding. My jaw hit the floor. As a mother, I could honestly feel Shelby's distress as she realized her babies were trapped the car while she was completely helpless. It made a catastrophic situation all the more traumatic and emotional!
From there, Nova Glass weaves a tale of mystery and suspense. Shelby may have narrowly escaped with her life, but someone is not done with her. Meanwhile, her best friend's husband went missing on the same night of the attack, making it hard to believe the two incidents weren't related -- and maybe in the worst way. I appreciated that Mack and Shelby were able to maintain their friendship and trust in one another as they grappled with the unimaginable. It was a nice depiction of female friendship and resiliency.
I loved the crew at the Oleander and how invested in their community they were. The podcast bit added a nice touch and I liked how they each played detective in their own ways. There were quite a few characters but once we got to know them better, it was easier to keep track and everyone added something to the story.
This one kept me guessing and I bet it will fool a lot of readers! There were some good red herrings and I liked that the killer didn't feel obvious.
If you like a well-rounded cast of characters, mysteries with a true crime podcast spin, and a book that keeps you on your toes, I definitely recommend!
Thank you to THE PULSE for the advanced copy. Nothing Ever Happens Here releases February 11, 2025 and you don't want to miss it!...more
I absolutely loved this book and it is one of the best depictions of mental illness I have read.... maybe ever!
Maddy was a wonderful protagonist. I loI absolutely loved this book and it is one of the best depictions of mental illness I have read.... maybe ever!
Maddy was a wonderful protagonist. I loved reading her story and learning of her struggles. Her experience with bipolar disorder felt so authentic and genuine and I appreciated the unfiltered honesty Genova pushed forward. I felt for Maddy as she grappled with questioning what was real, what was the bipolar disorder, and how she would navigate this new normal.
More or Less Maddy also raised really strong points about how we treat people with mental illness. I particularly liked Maddy's insight into having bipolar disorder, not being bipolar. Just because you have a disorder, it does not make you that disorder. The analogy to eating a mushroom pizza not making you a mushroom pizza hit home and will stick with me.
I also really loved the comedy aspect of this novel. Recently I've read some books about female comics that didn't quite make the mark for me. I loved learning of Maddy's process, hearing her jokes (the good and bad ones!), and seeing her gain her footing and grow her confidence in a male dominated industry.
This was a quick read and one that was very powerful. It felt well-researched and gave so much insight into the bipolar disorder. There is so much to digest and discuss - it would definitely make a great book club read.
Thank you to THE BUZZ for putting this one on my radar. Highly, highly recommend!...more
Every Fall came in with a (graphic and shocking) bang and didn't let up! It was unputdownable and gave me so many emotions!
Douglas did a great job setEvery Fall came in with a (graphic and shocking) bang and didn't let up! It was unputdownable and gave me so many emotions!
Douglas did a great job setting the plot and deepening the emotions. Bree and Jake felt like real people to me and I felt so connected to them. I related to Bree on a mom-to-mom level and it broke my heart reading her struggles and isolation. Her fear of Jake's job and the horrors he brought home with him were hard to read about and I was angry on her behalf for being kept in the dark by her husband.
I kept having mixed reactions to Jake and wanted so badly to root for him but he kept disappointing me over and over! I don't know many police officers but his unit and neighborhood seemed particularly frightening and challenging and I couldn't imagine what they were both going through.
The pacing of this novel is really great and kept me flipping me pages. It's a fairly quick read though some parts were a little graphic and tough to read.
All in all, this was a great book and I'm excited to read more by Douglas.
Thank you to THE PULSE for putting this one on my radar!
This was an enjoyable locked-room mystery that kept me guessing. I appreciated the alternating timelines as I don't always love the locked-room style.This was an enjoyable locked-room mystery that kept me guessing. I appreciated the alternating timelines as I don't always love the locked-room style. With the past flashbacks, it felt more fresh and suspenseful.
It's been a decade since a group of close friends have seen or spoken to one another. The last time they did, someone died. Declared a suicide, William's death has had ramifications on the friends' lives in ways that couldn't be predicted. Now, together again, one of the friends is convinced that William's death wasn't a suicide and even more, wasn't an accident. Presented in an escape room format with clues and no way out, Ava forces the friends to confront their demons and admit to their transgressions from a decade ago.
I enjoyed this story and it surprised me. I didn't predict the killer until close to the end which I really appreciated. I also loved the juicy gossip and drama amongst the friends. They seemed so close but there was so much nastiness simmering below the surface.
It was hard to keep the characters straight and often I couldn't tell who was speaking as the book had a ton of dialogue and didn't identify the speakers frequently enough for my take. This might be solved with the audio and I bet this would be a great book for that format.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It was a quick read and fast-paced. It kept me guessing and held my interest. I definitely recommend!
The Pulse put this one on my radar and I'm excited to read more by Wahlgren!!...more
I always love a juicy neighborhood drama and this had elements of contemporary fiction and thrillers that always hit the mark for me. I loved the multI always love a juicy neighborhood drama and this had elements of contemporary fiction and thrillers that always hit the mark for me. I loved the multiple narrators, endless drama, and interesting deaths of some pretty terrible people.
The characters in this book were great. If you love to hate people in novels, this is definitely the book for you. Reida cast some truly horrendous people and it was fun not only seeing what she came up with next, but how she got rid of them too!
The killer felt pretty obvious to me from the jump but that didn't detract from the enjoyment of the story at all. I appreciated the red herrings and also questioning myself.
The use of multiple narrators makes this a quick read I didn't want to put down. It was wildly entertaining, well written, and paced perfectly. Really, it would translate so well to a mini series!
The Pulse has been chatting about this one for a few weeks now and the hype is definitely real! I joined a buddy read and read ahead almost immediately because I just had to ensure my suspicions were correct! Make sure you grab a copy today!...more
The House on Cold Creek Lane is a dark thriller about motherhood, grief and loss, and the lengths we will go to protect our own. Told in dual points oThe House on Cold Creek Lane is a dark thriller about motherhood, grief and loss, and the lengths we will go to protect our own. Told in dual points of view, it was a quick read that made my anxiety spike and kept me flipping pages.
I was so angry for Laurel and frustrated that her husband Rob kept undermining and belittling her. So much falls on a mom's shoulders and I could feel Laurel's burdens through the pages. She so desperately wanted to make her family happy and to just be enough and it was at times heartbreaking to read.
Corey's grief also emanated from this novel. I couldn't fathom the loss she had endured and her anger and devastation were palpable.
Though I found the novel fairly predictable, I did really enjoy the story and the writing was excellent. The characters were well developed, easy to relate to, and some were really fun to dislike!
This is a quick read and definitely one I recommend!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse, Severn House, and NetGalley for the copy....more
Darby Kane is an auto read author for me so when THE PULSE got its hands on her next release extra early, I jumped at the chance to grab a copy! What Darby Kane is an auto read author for me so when THE PULSE got its hands on her next release extra early, I jumped at the chance to grab a copy! What the Wife Knew was a total ride. I had absolutely no idea where it was going, what the heck was going on, or if any single character wasn’t a terrible person and total liar! I couldn’t get enough!
Richmond's death felt shady and convenient from the jump, but I couldn’t figure out if (or more importantly HOW) Addison was involved. The short marriage, immediate disdain for one another, fear on both sides, and suspicious death felt like 2 plus 2 equals chair and I loved how Kane unfolded the mystery for us.
Addison’s backstory was gripping and I liked the added layers of having her mother back in her life. The dynamics with Ezra and the investigator also kept me intrigued and totally confused!
There were moments this book gave me The Housemaid vibes and I was so here for it. Twists, turns, and so many “what the heck” moments kept me flipping pages faster and faster.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the copy. This one releases December 10th and it’s not one you’re going to want to miss!...more
Do you ever start a book and less than a page in you're saying to yourself, "yup, this is going to be good". Well tAHHHHH I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you ever start a book and less than a page in you're saying to yourself, "yup, this is going to be good". Well that was me with The Last Party. From page 1 Torre had me hook, line, and sinker.
Such a unique plot, the multiple narrators, interjections of bystander opinions, a podcast, and the general sense of "wtf is going on here?!" that permeated every page was absolute perfection.
Perla's character was remarkable and Torre gave me the best mental images. I could see this woman so vividly scrutinizing her every move, manipulating and controlling every detail in her environment, and just being so darned pleased with herself! She absolutely captivated me and as the pages unfolded, her character became more and more intriguing to me.
This book was so layered. Between the podcast coverage, visits to the prison, and such strong and dynamic characters, it really had everything for me.
This was a very easy five stars and the best introduction to A. R. Torre. I'm super excited to check out more of her work and it's very obvious to me why everyone at THE PULSE has been talking about this one non-stop for weeks. This is a book for your shelves so definitely pre-order now!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for sharing this stellar novel with me....more
Everyone at THE PULSE is raving about My Perfect Husband and the hype is certainly real. I couldn't put this one down. It was filled with surprises, aEveryone at THE PULSE is raving about My Perfect Husband and the hype is certainly real. I couldn't put this one down. It was filled with surprises, a setting that felt like a character in and of itself, and a mystery that kept me guessing.
I loved the New Orleans scenery and setting, Lauren and Ellie's backstories, and the parallels between Lauren and Alex and their missing siblings.
The dual timelines worked so well here and really made it hard for me to figure out what was going on and who I could trust! The pacing was spot on - it kept me flipping pages and needing to know what would happen next.
The characters were well developed and at some point, I think I suspected every single person of something!
Overall, this was a really fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I can't wait to check out more by Cross.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the copy....more
First off, this cover is to die for. I absolutely love it! Second, On the Surface has so many elements I absolutely love in a thriller: social media iFirst off, this cover is to die for. I absolutely love it! Second, On the Surface has so many elements I absolutely love in a thriller: social media influencer, unreliable narrator, multiple narrators, police investigation, and cyber sleuths. I couldn’t put it down! It’s obvious why we here at The Pulse are all checking this one out and it’s safe to say it’s going to be a summer hit!
I loved the setting of this novel and the details surrounding the cruisers and their lifestyle. I can’t imagine living on a boat anchored off the Bahamas, catching my dinner every night, and not putting in the typical grind of a 9-5. McGuire did a great job painting a picture without bogging us down in unnecessary nuance.
I’m always intrigued by social media influencer stories and On the Surface really hit the mark for me. I liked that this was different from your typical influencer and had the cruising aspect. Some of the mystery and suspense in the first part felt a little obvious to me but I was glad with how quickly things were revealed and how bigger mysteries and thrills unfolded.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick and super fun read and I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Crooked Lane for the copy. On the Surface releases July 9th!...more
This book was so unique and I absolutely loved it! A little spice, a lot of drama, some super unique and quirky characters, and a just a pervasive feeThis book was so unique and I absolutely loved it! A little spice, a lot of drama, some super unique and quirky characters, and a just a pervasive feeling of "what the heck?" was a combination I didn't know I wanted but absolutely needed. I couldn't flip the pages fast enough and even more compelling was that I couldn't quite put my finger on if this book was a thriller or not!
Kate writes best selling erotica novels under a pseudonym, but her daily life couldn't be further from the steamy scenes in her books. Totally in love with her husband but wholly uninterested in a physical relationship (with anyone), Kate and Matt have rewritten the rules of marriage. While unconventional, it works for them - and helps Kate produce totally tantalizing and scandalous novels that seem to keep even the most critical spicy romance lovers happy.
When Annie and her daughter Terra move to town, the dynamics between Kate and Matt shift. I couldn't put my finger on whether or not Kate was being paranoid, what possible attraction Matt might have to Annie, or what the play would be if Annie was trying steal Kate's husband while also befriending her. How everything played out was so fun and definitely not how I predicted!
If you're looking for a novel that bends genres, has steam but isn't graphic (I maybe even wanted a little bit more!), and is wholly and utterly unique and compelling, look no further! The Widow on Dwyer Court checks all the boxes and more. Super excited for more by Kusel!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers - The Pulse for connecting me with this author and stellar novel. Thank you also to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the copy....more
Original Twin is described as a "twisty crossover thriller" and honestly that couldn't be a better description. The complex characters, strong plot, mOriginal Twin is described as a "twisty crossover thriller" and honestly that couldn't be a better description. The complex characters, strong plot, multiple timelines and narrators, red herrings, and intentional misinformation had my head spinning and kept me questioning everything.
The characters were really well developed and kept surprising me. With June missing and May trying to unravel the mystery surrounding not only her lost twin but also her deceased mother from 20 years prior, I felt like I was right alongside her discovering her family's secrets. The parallels between June and Diana added an element to the story that was unexpected and exciting. For both June and Diana, I couldn't decide whether they had been taken or faked their abductions. Gleeson kept me on the edge of my seat not knowing who I could trust or what to believe.
I really liked the format of the novel with the multiple narrators and timelines. Each narrator gave me breadcrumbs that helped me find pieces of the puzzle but I was never really able to fit them all together. How everything ties together in the end was wild and totally unique and I think my jaw is still hanging!
All in all, this was super entertaining, thrilling, and totally bingeworthy. I highly recommend. Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers - The Pulse and Thomas & Mercer for the copy....more
I couldn’t get enough of this delicious thriller. A bit of a locked room (but not too much which was fine by me), dual timelines, unreliable narrator,I couldn’t get enough of this delicious thriller. A bit of a locked room (but not too much which was fine by me), dual timelines, unreliable narrator, mixed media, and centered around a band rising in fame this book had it all.
One thing I loved most about this book is that it didn’t end where I would’ve expected it to. So often books give a big reveal in the final pages and were left jaw dropped and asking but what happens next? Only One Survives answered that exact question and I freaking loved it.
The music aspect of this book was a bonus for me. I haven’t read a ton of books centered around a band and I liked the dynamics, details on the rise to fame, and the struggles.
Both Madison and Vienna were incredibly interesting, dynamic, and complex characters. I loved their depth, back stories, and family dynamics. I had no idea what I could believe and what I couldn’t and I was happy to enjoy the ride!
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved that it kept surprising me and that I didn’t really know where it was going. It was unique, fun, and superbly entertaining. I absolutely recommend!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions and MIRA for the copy....more
After loving An Unthinkable Thing, I was quick to pick up Lundrigan's latest A Man Downstairs. I was quickly enraptured by the dual timeline and conviAfter loving An Unthinkable Thing, I was quick to pick up Lundrigan's latest A Man Downstairs. I was quickly enraptured by the dual timeline and convinced that nothing was as it seemed.
Molly's story was fascinating - being the star witness at three years old in her mother's murder trial was sensational and horrifying. She was a complex character and I liked that her return to her hometown to take care of her father sparked new memories. The small town felt almost like a character in and of itself with the intertwining characters and storylines.
The dual timeline was done really well. Molly's present-day story was interesting and I liked the added layer of her troubled teenage son. The past timeline focusing on Molly's parents Gil and Edie really developed into something I wasn't expecting and I really enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded. The mystery narrator was also exciting and totally surprised me. I thought I had it figured out halfway through and was pleasantly surprised when the rug was pulled out from under me!
All in all, I really enjoyed this one. It was a bit of a slow burn but I often found myself devouring 100 pages in a sitting and not wanting to put it down. If you enjoy a complex mystery with multiple narrators and dual timelines, this is definitely for you!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions for the copy!...more
Never Come Back is the second in the Nora McTavish series but can totally be read as a standalone. Granted, I haven't read the first book so I don't kNever Come Back is the second in the Nora McTavish series but can totally be read as a standalone. Granted, I haven't read the first book so I don't know what I don't know, however, I didn't feel like I was missing any information that kept me from enjoying this story or getting completely invested in this series. In fact, I'm eager to pick up book one to see if I can learn more about Nora and her complex and heartbreaking past.
I devoured this book. It kept me up WAY past my bedtime because around 60% in I just could not put it down. It kept me guessing from page 1 and it was so fun to repeatedly have everything figured out, only to find out I was completely wrong! This one really did surprise me in all the best ways and I am completely enthralled with Nora and NEED more of her in my life!
Never Come Back had me seeing red flags left and right. I didn't trust most of the characters and with the plot repeatedly surprising me, I finally buckled up about half way through and let it take me for the ride!
If you're looking for a quick read that's fairly unique, totally thrilling, and completely unputdownable, Never Come Back is it!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions and Thomas & Mercer for putting this series on my radar. Excited for more Nora McTavish in my life!...more
This was a fun novel with a layered plot, complex characters, and devil in the detail. It was surprising and a total page turner!
When Ruby finds a bodThis was a fun novel with a layered plot, complex characters, and devil in the detail. It was surprising and a total page turner!
When Ruby finds a body in the lake and everyone but her seems to think it's her estranged husband, I knew this one would be a head scratcher. There was so much going on under the surface and the use of multiple narrators and varying timelines kept me guessing while also creating (and sometimes answering!) more questions.
It was really hard to know who to trust. I couldn't decide if Ruby was a reliable narrator or not or whether or not her memories were truth. References to time gaps and blackouts had me confused and on edge about what happened to her missing daughter and who the man in the lake really was.
The tie in to the community was a fun plot twist and I enjoyed the forum chat as an alternative method of moving the story forward. Clues were hidden on every page and within every interaction, I just didn't always know to look for them!
I listened to this book on audio and while it was good and highly entertaining, I didn't love the narrator. Her voice was great for audio but the cadence felt really mechanical and was often distracting.
Overall, this one kept me guessing and eager to learn more. I loved how everything played out and that there were surprises at every turn!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions, Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Audio for the copy. This one releases March 1st and is even an Amazon First Read so DO NOT MISS OUT!!!...more
This book was AWESOME! It was my first by McKinney and wow did she deliver!
I loved the use of multiple narrators, flashbacks, and some bits of mixed This book was AWESOME! It was my first by McKinney and wow did she deliver!
I loved the use of multiple narrators, flashbacks, and some bits of mixed media. Rowan was a complex character with a troubled past and sordid relationships. She was an excellent detective and I could feel her exhaustion and stress as she worked her investigation, tried to salvage her marriage, and take care of her ailing aunt. Her therapy sessions with Amber sometimes made me chuckle and sometimes made me cringe but every page brought something new and something important to the story.
I loved that this book kept me guessing, even when I had some pieces figured out. It starts out with a bang and the thrill doesn't let up! One twist had me saying "wait, what?" while another made me think "there it is!" and I absolutely loved how everything played out.
Based on the title, I expected this to be a domestic thriller and while there are elements of that, there's also so much more. I could totally see this spinning off into a series and I would be so here for it!
If you're like me and new to McKinney, this is certainly a stellar place to start! I'm excited to check out her other work! Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions and Storm Publishing for the copy. This one releases March 28, 2024....more
What Lies in Darkness is the second of the Jess Lambert series and after reading and loving These Still Black Waters last year, I was very excited forWhat Lies in Darkness is the second of the Jess Lambert series and after reading and loving These Still Black Waters last year, I was very excited for the next installment.
Jess Lambert is stellar protagonist - disabled after an accident the year prior that killed her daughter, her marriage is in shambles and she's clinging on for dear life trying to keep her career and life from spiraling out of control. What Lies in Darkness features a Jess on the mend. She's cleaning up her act and is a month sober, but still needing to prove to herself and to her job that she can handle it. Because of her grief and mistakes and recklessness, Lambert is sidelined as lead detective for Black Waters' latest case - one in which an entire family except one daughter has gone missing.
Working under a much more junior detective, Lambert has to re-learn what it means to be part of a team and not the lead dog.
Like her last case, Jess immediately gets overinvested and over emotional with the current case in hand. I loved the parallels between Jess and the survivor, Alice. Both grief stricken, both sensitive and able to see the dead.
If you're a lover of thrillers with a touch of horror, McDonald absolutely delivers with the Jess Lambert series. There were a few parts in this latest installment where I worried McDonald's images would haunt my dreams! She takes the creepiness to the next level and I was totally here for it.
This novel had other elements I love in a good thriller too - multiple narrators, dual timelines, and a complex plot. The ending gave me whiplash and I'm still trying to wrap my head around what I learned, what was truth for the series, and where Lambert may go from here! It's safe to say McDonald has me totally hooked!
What Lies in Darkness can absolutely be read as a standalone. One thing I really loved about this second book in the series is that McDonald didn't bore us with a recap of These Still Black Waters. Details from the first book were inserted when and where as needed, but the reader was inundated or rereading the first book.
A huge thanks to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for putting this series on my radar and to Thomas & Mercer for the copy....more
I love books that take place present day but flashback and teach us that our past is never truly behind us. A Lovely Lie kept me guessing and had me cI love books that take place present day but flashback and teach us that our past is never truly behind us. A Lovely Lie kept me guessing and had me completely enthralled. The characters were complex and the relationships even more so! I had no idea who I could trust, who was reliable, and who (if anyone) I even liked!
The dynamics among Pepper, Scarlett, and Vince were baffling and made for stellar reading. How Vince went from Pepper's first love and high school sweetheart to Scarlett's husband was nothing short of thrilling. It made me sad for Scarlett that her life was built in Pepper's shadow and that besides her son, she didn't have much fulfillment or happiness in life. These deeper seeded emotions and character depths really drew me into the story and kept me guessing about what was really going on.
Zoey was a conundrum to me. There were chapters she annoyed the heck out of me and other times when I was cheering her on, loving her tenacity. She was an integral part of the story, and ultimately she won me over.
Hendricks wove so much detail and nuance into her characters that admittedly, I overlooked things I normally wouldn't. I loved hopping on board for the ride and allowing myself to be surprised with every turn. I got totally swept up in this read and enjoyed every minute!
This was my first novel by Hendricks and let me tell you, the hype is real! I've heard nothing but glowing reviews for Finding Tessa and I'll be excited to check that one out next!
A huge thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions for getting me to finally read Hendricks and a thank you to Scarlet for the copy....more
I could not put this book down. It resonated with me on so many levels and I was so invested in Jo and her struggles with new motherhood.
As a new mom I could not put this book down. It resonated with me on so many levels and I was so invested in Jo and her struggles with new motherhood.
As a new mom not so long ago myself, Sommerville's novel transported me to those early days when sleep was scarce and days (and nights) were consumed with nursing and diaper changes. Everything felt foreign, all consuming, and overwhelming. Sommerville eloquently and expertly detailed those anxieties, emotions, and all the insecurities and guilt that came with them. After reading this novel, it was easy to tell that Sommerville is a mother herself and I appreciated her vulnerability and experience in detailing Jo's successes and failures as a mother.
This book had me questioning everything. There were so many red herrings and it was hard to trust my gut on what was really going on. It was really fun disliking some characters and my heart broke for Jo and the lack of support from her partner.
While I did guess part of the twist about halfway through, I still questioned myself and definitely didn't put all the pieces together. I loved how everything unfolded and how Sommerville kept me guessing to the very last line.
All in all, this book was a knockout. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end. This is an incredibly impressive debut and I'm eager to get my hands on anything and everything Sommerville writes!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions, Rising Action Publishing Collective, and NetGalley for the copy....more
Chelsey (a_novel_idea11)
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