Bookouture Archives

April 6, 2022April 4, 2022

214 Palmer Street-McQuestion-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

214 Palmer Street (previously The Uninvited Guest) by Karen McQuestion is a cleverly written psych thriller with lots of suspense that actually lives up to the billing.

From the opening chapter when we meet Sarah, the reader knows that something is just off. But it takes a while to figure out what that is.

And then it takes even longer to figure out why that is.

The author does a great job of slowly building the suspense while allowing the reader to question events right along with Sarah. It makes for an engaging and active read, which I appreciate.

I don’t want to talk story too much, because (yeah, I’m repeating myself) I’m not a spoiler type of blogger.

But I will say that due to the awesome writing style and tight plot, I suspected everyone of something at one point or another. Even Sarah, who is supposed to be the victim, does not escape suspicion.

Is there gaslighting going on? Maybe. But between what characters? And what does 214 Palmer Street have to do with any of it?

**Buy link**
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The chapters alternate between “Then” and “Now” and it is helpful to pay attention to each one so you can keep the action straight. Not that it’s confusing, but it does jump around to fill in the gaps of the story as Sarah puts pieces together.

There is also a mysterious “Her” narrator who has occasional chapters. You might guess who it is, but chances are that will happen pretty far into the book. It’s just another engaging aspect of the story.

Actually, in writing this review, I realize that the author does to a certain character exactly what other characters did in the story. I don’t want to say any more than that, but when you read it, you’ll recognize who I mean.

And you should read it.

Even though a couple of my suspicions were correct, I was not expecting the climax to occur the way it did. Talk about a thriller! As that suspense built, I was turning pages late into the night to find out the end result.

And that’s not something I often do.

214 Palmer Street is a solid psych thriller. I always look forward Karen McQuestion’s books. I don’t see that changing.

About the author

Karen McQuestion is an Amazon Charts bestselling author who’s written more than twenty novels and has sold over two million books worldwide. She’s also the co-host, (along with USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson), of the popular podcast, BEHIND THE BOOK.

Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR and she has appeared on ABC’s World News Now and America This Morning. McQuestion’s books share common themes of connection and kindness. She lives in Hartland, Wisconsin.

April 1, 2022April 1, 2022

The Killer’s Family-Smith-Review-Thriller-Available Now

The Killer’s Family by Miranda Smith is another psych thriller that is more like a mystery suspense than what I think of as a psych thriller.

Although now that I think about it, there are elements of psych thriller in it. For example, there are plenty of red herrings and other false leads that keep the reader guessing who is responsible for…well, everything.

But I am getting ahead of myself.

The opening setting is a funeral – and that kind of event definitely sets the tone. Three sisters (Cara, Rachel, and Molly) mourn the loss of their father, a short time after they also lost their mother.

Their parents were essentially pillars of the community.

But, soon, questions arise that make the reader ask “Or were they?”

The sisters find information that casts a decidedly dark shadow on their father. And at that, one might think that the story that follows is low-key, as the “big reveal” happens early on.

Or does it?

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As always, no spoilers here. The author does a great job of balancing the story between the three sisters. Throughout the plot, they each contribute insight to solving the mysteries they are unwittingly thrust into.

Another thing, and I think the parallel is supposed to be made, but I was reminded of the Zodiac killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 60s. I found there to be similarities with the Gemini killer.

The author also cleverly casts doubt on just about everyone at one point or another. And the final reveal is one that you will not see coming. It finally answers who the killer’s family actually is, and it probably isn’t who you think.

Miranda Smith has written other psych thrillers that you should check out as well.

Facebook: MirandaSmithAuthor
Twitter: msmithbooks
Instagram: mirandasmithwriter

Author Bio:

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She now lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.

March 29, 2022March 27, 2022

The Family Holiday-Boland-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

I am a fan of Shalini Boland (see my reviews of some of her other books at the end of this review). A psych thriller from her is usually interesting with good twists. The Family Holiday is one of her best.

It kicks off with a mystery narrator (I love those). The reader knows something bad has happened. But the exact situation and victim are unknown until very late in the book (I love that also).

After the brief prologue, the action jumps to Beth and her husband Niall as they decide to take a family holiday to Italy and decide to try a house swap. That’s really all you need to know at this point.

The action is told mainly from Beth’s point of view. A few chapters are from Amber’s (the owner of the other house in the swap) perspective. Italy for England – it certainly seems like Beth and Niall are getting the better end of the deal.

However, there are several layers moving below the surface of the plot, and this is where the story truly becomes a page-turning psych thriller.

Amber is hiding something, but what? Niall is obnoxious and obviously doesn’t want to be on holiday. Why not, if he was the one to suggest it in the first place?

And who is the mystery narrator who appears in brief, periodic chapters?

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Anyone who has read this blog knows that I read a lot of psych thrillers. It is difficult to get one by me because I often try to “outwit the author” and guess what the motives and twists are.

That is why, when I find one that has me guessing throughout, I’m super excited to talk about it. And The Family Holiday once again fits that description.

Just when you think you know why Niall is being a jerk or what Amber is hiding, the author throws another twist in.

Honestly, I was up late into the night because I just couldn’t put the book down when I got to the last third of the story.

And when everything is wrapped up and the characters have reached their endpoints, the author still has more in store for the reader.

The Family Holiday is one of the most well-crafted, best-paced, layered psych thrillers I have read in a while. Shalini Boland just keeps getting better.

Other psych thrillers from Shalini Boland: The Other Daughter, One of Us is Lying, The Wife, The Couple Upstairs

Instagram: shaboland
Twitter: ShaliniBoland

Author Bio:

Shalini lives in Dorset, England with her husband, two children and Jess, their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer songwriter, but now she spends her days writing suspense thrillers (in between school runs and hanging out endless baskets of laundry).

March 25, 2022March 24, 2022

After the Wedding-Elliot-Review-Thriller-Available Now

After the Wedding by Laura Elliot is a thriller that is better if you know what it’s actually about.

Let me try to explain.

The blurb says it is a psych thriller, so the reader goes in expecting that something happens at a wedding and the rest of the book has to do with the immediate aftermath. It is a logical assumption.

However, this is not that book.

Yes, there is something that occurs at a wedding in the opening chapter. Then the action switches and we are several years in the future (from the wedding). The wedding is barely a blip in the big scheme (for the most part). I suppose the whole thing is after the wedding if you want to look at it that way.

The rest of the book is definitely more thriller than anything else. I did not get a psych thriller vibe from it at all. In fact, it is a detailed and complicated plot that involves much more than meets the eye.

I don’t want to give anything away, but if you want to enjoy After the Wedding, you definitely need to have the mindset that it is NOT a quick and entertaining psych thriller. It is more of a complicated crime thriller with mystery.

The author’s style of writing is sometimes difficult to follow. A scene will be in the present and then within a paragraph of explanation, the action will be days or weeks later. This happens a lot, so the reader does need to pay close attention.

I did not get much of a feel for any of the characters. I think the reader is supposed to feel for Christine because of her past. But for me, her self-destructiveness gets in the way of her being a truly sympathetic character.

And let’s not talk about Jessica and Richard. The less said about them, the better.

As I mentioned at the beginning, Laura Elliot has a good story in After the Wedding. You just need to understand what you are getting into. But trust me, you will still enjoy it.

**Twitter:** **@Elliot_Laura**
**Facebook:** lauraelliotauthor/

Author Bio:
Laura Elliot lives in Malahide, a picturesque, coastal village in Dublin, Ireland. She enjoys writing psychological thrillers — in the UK she is published by Bookouture, Sphere and Avon — and by Grand Central Publishing in the US. Her novels have also been widely translated.

AKA June Considine, she has written twelve books for children and young adults. In her earlier career, she worked as a journalist and magazine editor.

For more details check http://lauraelliotauthor.com/

March 24, 2022March 22, 2022

The Painter’s Girl-Fripp-Review-Historical Fiction-Available Now

I was thoroughly taken by The French House by Helen Fripp. It is historical fiction at its finest. So, you can imagine my excitement when I saw The Painter’s Girl. While I don’t think it quite lives up to her previous novel, there is plenty to like about it.

First of all, Paris. Who doesn’t like a novel set in Paris? Then add a circus. And impressionist painters.

Yes, it might seem like a lot going on, but I promise it all makes sense in the course of the plot. Although, it does seem a bit “busy” at times, with so much going on.

As always, you can read the gist of the plot in the blurb on any number of sites. I will say that as I read, I had mixed vibes. Maybe it was the subject matter, maybe it was the setting. I don’t know.

But at various times, I got vibes that were Les Miserables, Moulin Rouge, and La Boheme. Not sure if that was the intention, or just my personal knowledge seeping in, but it all added an extra level of enjoyment to my reading.

The plot itself is pretty straightforward even as there are twists and turns in Mimi’s life. And she certainly experiences the fickleness and unpredictability of an artist’s personality. Then again, she is an artist as well, soooo…..

The Painter's Girl historical fiction blog tour schedule — Buy: https://geni.us/B09S6WH9N1social

There are a few things that I had difficulty with. It felt a little rushed and complicated where it didn’t need to be. But when I think about it, it seems as if a couple of decades of history are condensed into this story. So that could be part of it.

There are also a lot of characters to keep track of. It’s not an insurmountable amount, but you do have to pay attention.

As with any good historical fiction novel, there is a mixture of historical fact and fiction to tie it all together. In this case, it works for the most part.

I think if a reader goes into this with the knowledge that a lot is going on, but with the eye to being entertained, they will find The Painter’s Girl to be an excellent read. I look forward to reading more from Helen Fripp.

Twitter: helenfripp
Facebook: helen.frippauthor.3

About the author

I love delving into the past and uncovering new stories, and in my writing, the tiniest historical detail can spark an idea for a whole chapter. My female characters rail against the social constraints to which they are subject and often achieve great success, but they are of course flawed and human, like the rest of us. It’s the motivations, flaws, loves and every-day lives of my characters that I love to bring life, against sweeping historical backdrops – and I will find any excuse to take off and research a captivating location or person for my next story.

March 23, 2022March 22, 2022

The Girl in the Shadows-Kummerow-Review-Historical Fiction-Available Now

Following A Light in the Window and From the Dark We Rise, Marion Kummerow continues the story of Margarete in The Girl in the Shadows, another striking historical fiction novel.

The author has done a fantastic job of tracing Margarete’s path as she navigates the perilous times of World War II – with a stolen identity.

(No, that is not a spoiler. It is the conceit of the books and clearly stated in the blurb).

At this point in her journey, Margarete is well-established as Annagret Huber. But even as the identity is a blessing that keeps her alive, it is also a curse as she discovers what she is now responsible for as Annagret.

That blessing/curse dichotomy becomes most prevalent in this installment of the story. In fact, it feels like the previous two books were building to this one. It makes sense because this is a planned trilogy (more on that in a minute).

While the path so far has been rocky and there have been frightening moments for Margarete, this is the closest she comes to full exposure.

There is a lot given away in the blurbs (I hate that). So, you know that this is where Margarete stands up and takes action against the atrocities she is seeing.

The Girl in the Shadows historical fiction blog tour schedule — Amazon: https://geni.us/B09LZX9ZJPsocial
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But she continues to walk a thin line because she strings Thomas along even as she is helping Stefan. This is not a thriller in the typical sense. But there are tense moments that feel like the whole thing will crash down in a horrible way.

That is partly due to the subject matter (naturally) but is more largely due to the author’s talents in telling the story in such a way that whatever Margarete is feeling the reader feels too.

It is more than good description, but it is hard to put my finger on. There is just something real about the way she is written. It is easier to experience right along with her instead of just being told something is happening.

I know that probably doesn’t make sense, but it fits perfectly in my mind.

The author also does a great job of detailing how corrupt the entire German process was at the time. How nobody really emerged with clean hands (even though several claimed to).

Even those who are purportedly helping the Jews don’t always escape cleanly.

It is all a thoughtful exploration into the depths of what people will do when their convictions are tested. The choice is not always black or white. I will also say that given what happens to a few characters, karma has a way of working.

There is so much to this story, in fact, that the author has decided to add a fourth book to the planned trilogy.

After starting another new path in The Girl in the Shadows, I very much look forward to seeing what Marion Kummerow has in store for Margarete in the next book.

Facebook: AutorinKummerow
Instagram: marionkummerow
Twitter: @MarionKummerow

Author Bio:

Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her family.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II.

March 22, 2022March 21, 2022

Stone Broke Heiress-Owen-Jones-Review-Rom-Com-Available Now

After a long list of psych thrillers and family dramas, I was very excited to read a rom-com, and Stone Broke Heiress by Danielle Owen-Jones totally fit the bill.

It had everything a person could want in a romantic comedy.

The heroine, Bella, is a mess. But she is a funny mess. The blurb spells out her downfall, but it doesn’t do justice to just how brilliant and blazingly spectacular the fall is.

Let’s just say that Bella truly has the worst of all days and has to start a new life that is quite literally the polar opposite of what she is used to.

There are times when her ineptness is a bit too much. The author does a good job with the “fish out of water” theme (there is certainly a lot of comedy to fill out the “com” part of rom-com).

And I suppose there truly are some people who are just that clueless.

But there are a few times that it seems over the top. For me, those happen to be the ones where Bella is thinking about things. In a strange way, her thoughts don’t always match her actions.

For example, she is upset when she screws up soup. But also worries about her clothes or where to get sushi. It’s like her brain doesn’t connect at all times.

However, I suppose that she could just be that pampered and isolated. But we do not see it as much as being told it. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t always ring true.

Stone Broke Heiress rom-com blog tour — Amazon: https://geni.us/B09Q3C8MMFsocial

The only other thing that got annoying was the pet names that Bella’s parents have for her. Again, I guess that is her mom’s “French-ness” coming through. But it seemed at times that the author was trying too hard to think of cute names.

There are also a few stilted phrases. And if you are not familiar with Liverpool, you may want to have a search engine handy to look up slang and commonly-used words.

These actually add a level of authenticity that I appreciate.

I like the trajectory of the story. I thought the overall plot was good, the setting was different, and I liked the characters. They were just unique enough to be interesting.

I would have liked a little bit more of Elsie. She needed more scenes. And I think it took Bella waaaay too long to come to the realization of how she could truly help the situation.

Oh, and I asked my son (who is a football expert) the following question: “If you are in Liverpool and someone asks you ‘blue or red,’ what do you say?” He immediately answered: “Hmmm, Everton or Liverpool…..” So, that was kind of funny.

All in all, I really enjoyed Stone Broke Heiress and would recommend it for a quick, pleasant rom-com. I look forward to more from Danielle Owen-Jones.

Facebook: @danniowenjonesauthor
Twitter: @danniowenjones
Instagram: @danniowenjonesauthor

About the author

Danielle Owen-Jones grew up in Merseyside. She started her career as a senior journalist and features writer before launching her own freelance PR and content writing business. Danielle now calls Cumbria home, where she lives with her husband, Tom, and adorable cockapoo, Poppy.

Danielle is represented by Clare Coombes of The Liverpool Literary Agency and published by Bookouture (Hachette UK). To find out more about Danielle, visit her website or follow her on social media

March 19, 2022March 21, 2022

The Villa-Boyd-Review-Family Drama-Available Now

I started The Villa by Clare Boyd with a completely different idea in my head as to the trajectory of the novel. Family drama does not even begin to do this story justice. It went in directions that I completely did not see coming.

The reader knows from the very beginning that secrets are plentiful in this family. But there is no way of knowing just how twisted they can get.

And boy, do they get twisted.

The characters have a depth that is hard to find in family dramas. They are not caricatures.

Emma is prickly. She is difficult to like which makes her character most intriguing. I think we are supposed to think that she has a good reason to be that way, but I didn’t feel that was entirely fleshed out.

It is clear that she is holding a grudge for her childhood. But it doesn’t become clear until much later exactly what she is doing so.

Libby is the peacemaker. In reality, she is the one who should be most upset about…things. I don’t want to say more than that, because that is a twist that I do not want to spoil.

Let’s just say that is one of the biggest “oh my goodness” moments I have experienced in a book in a long time.

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And then we have Nora. The matriarch, the reason for the trip to the villa, the person responsible for everything that occurs.

She struck me as an enigma. We know her history, but I am not sure that it came through in the character itself.

What was absolutely obvious, however, was that she lived her life on her own terms, and she was determined to continue to do so.

Again, no spoiler here. But the author has a perspective that may be shocking to some readers. But people who have parents of a certain age may not be surprised.

I know I have been cagey in this review of The Villa, but that is only because I think a reader should experience the family drama without any preconceived notions.

Clare Boyd has carefully crafted the story, and it deserves to unfold as intended.

Other books by Clare Boyd: The Pretty One; My Perfect Wife

Facebook: clare.boyd.14
Twitter: clareboydclark
Instagram: claresboyd/

Author Bio

Clare lives with her husband and their two daughters in Surrey, where her little green shed at the bottom of the garden provides a haven for her writing life. Before becoming a writer, she enjoyed a career in television, as a researcher in documentaries and then as a script editor in drama at the BBC and Channel Four, where her love of storytelling took hold.

March 15, 2022March 11, 2022

The Stepchild-Trope-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The Stepchild by Nicole Trope is one of those psych thrillers that is good on the surface but has a deeper current of something more sinister.

A psych thriller that can manage both a compelling surface story and underlying tension – and do so effectively – is a winner in my book.

On the surface, it is a simple missing child case. Those parts are fairly straightforward and easy to read. Stepsister is babysitting, little sister goes missing, parents panic, police get involved.

But there is much more to it. I don’t want to give anything away (because you really should enjoy it spoiler-free, like I did), but everyone has secrets.

Where was Leslie (the mom)? Why wasn’t Randall (the dad) around? And what is Shelby (the stepsister) not telling everyone?

The answers to these questions and many more are revealed gradually. I appreciate that, because it is a tactic that allows the action to continue without giving everything away too soon.

The Stepchild psych thriller blog tour schedule — Amazon: https://geni.us/B09NNXBRYTsocial
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Interspersed between Leslie and Shelby’s points of view is Ruth’s story. Ruth is an odd duck – that is apparent from the very beginning.

But as Ruth tells her story in short bursts, you realize that this is where the undercurrent is. This is the heart of the story – and where the twists really come into play.

All of this takes place (as I mentioned) while Millie (the child) is missing. The author does a fantastic job of weaving everything together, keeping the focus on finding Millie, even as character’s secrets and actions threaten to derail the case.

Honestly, it’s a great juggling act and the author handles it deftly with lots of engagement.

I will admit that I guessed at a pretty big twist, but I’ve made no secret about how I like to challenge myself. The author resolves everything to great satisfaction – everyone’s story is realistic.

There should probably be a trigger warning on this book, as it does deal with a pretty serious issue. I really don’t want to say what it is, because that would totally give away big sections of the plot.

You can search other reviews that will most certainly mention specifics. Not here though.

But again, the author handles a very sensitive subject with tact and efficiency, using just enough to get the point across without being heavy-handed or preachy.

Now that I think of it, The Stepchild (and who is the stepchild, really?) is about as close to perfect a psych thriller as a reader could hope for.

Other psych thrillers from Nicole Trope: The Girl Who Never Came Home; The Family Across the Street; The Mother’s Fault; The Nowhere Girl

Facebook: @NicoleTrope
Twitter: @nicoletrope

About the author

Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because-as her professor pointed out- ‘It’s not meant to be a story.’ She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters’ degree in Children’s Literature.

The idea for her first published novel, The Boy under the Table, was so scary that it took a year for her to find the courage to write the emotional story. Nicole went on to publish a further five novels in Australia before joining Bookouture in 2019. She is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS and CAN.

She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children.

March 12, 2022March 7, 2022

The Party at No. 12-Wilkinson-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

I have made no secret of how much I like the way Kerry Wilkinson writes, and The Party at No. 12 is a return to what I like best about a psych thriller.

Hannah, as the main character, is the perfect foil for everything that occurs. She is sort of wishy-washy, but also intelligent enough to notice things. She also tries to see the best in people, especially those who are close to her.

With everything going on in her life, she has decided to go traveling, and her “going away” party is the one in the title. However, a simple, fun, family and friends get together turns…wrong.

How can I say this next part without giving anything away?

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Yes, the action of the book is front-heavy, and a lot happens in the first few chapters. A reader’s inclination may be to think that it is wrapped up and obvious.

But this author is one of the best when it comes to “late-in-the-game” twists. And The Party at No. 12 is the perfect example.

There are several hints along the way, but I didn’t catch many of them until other events occurred, which caused me to look back at things from a different perspective.

I know that is confusing, but I don’t want to give the plot away.

I liked the “mystery” aspect of it because even as the reader knows what happened, there is still a lot to uncover. And having Zach be a catalyst for it is effective.

Again, cagey, I know. But I know of no other way to say it is a great book with lots of twists.

Oh, look at that, I just did!

Seriously, though. Even though the middle dragged just a little bit, The Party at No. 12 is still a great psych thriller. You will not know all of the details and motivations until the very last pages. And that is what makes this latest book from Kerry Wilkinson a must-read.

Check out my review of The Perfect Daughter for a link to other books by Kerry, or type “Kerry Wilkinson” into the search bar! 🙂

Facebook: KerryWilkinsonBooks/
Twitter: kerrywk
https://kerrywilkinson.com/

Author Bio:

Kerry Wilkinson is from the English county of Somerset but has spent far too long living in the north. It’s there that he’s picked up possibly made-up regional words like ‘barm’ and ‘ginnel’. He pretends to know what they mean.

He’s also been busy since turning thirty: his Jessica Daniel crime series has sold more than a million copies in the UK; he has written a fantasy-adventure trilogy for young adults; a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter and the standalone thriller, Down Among The Dead Men.