The Resort-Watson-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The Resort by Sue Watson is a psych thriller that has some Agatha Christie elements and is mostly a good read.

I’ll explain that in a bit.

I liked the setup of a luxury hotel on an island. Not being familiar with the area, however, I wasn’t sure if I believed how “tropical” it could be. It sometimes feels like the descriptions stick between “old school glamour” and tropical.

I also liked the whodunit aspect of the plot. In an isolated place, there are theoretically a finite number of suspects, so anyone could have been the culprit for the horrible events.

This feeling was especially strong when the police announced that nobody was going to be able to leave the island. You could almost feel the gate come down around the resort.

However, there were a couple of things that could have been a bit better.

Because the author focuses on the three couples, for the most part, the reader doesn’t get the feeling that anyone else is actually a suspect. So, that seems like a wasted opportunity. Suspicion of one employee seems to dissipate and go unresolved.

There are also a lot of inner monologues of characters thinking about things (sometimes to the point of tedium) and then later explaining that something happened.

I would have preferred there to be more action. The important events should take place “in time” where we can see them happening – not just read about them. This happens a few times, and it is a little disappointing. It also makes the characters slightly boring.

Also, noting whose perspective we are reading from would be helpful. It just felt muddied. And don’t get me started on the investigation by the police. (Ugh).

All that being said, I did guess a few of the twists. But, I did not catch one of the main whodunits, so the author did surprise me on that one.

The Resort has good bones. I didn’t get a lot of “psych” from the psych thriller, but there is a tension that builds throughout. I still like this author and will continue to look forward to her books.

Twitter: @suewatsonbooks
Instagram: @suewatsonbooks

Author Bio:

Sue Watson was a journalist on national magazines and newspapers before becoming a TV producer with the BBC.

Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists. Originally from Manchester, she now lives with her family in leafy Worcestershire.

The Girl from Jonestown-Maas-Historical Fiction-Available Now

Sharon Maas has a knack for writing compelling historical fiction involving famous events that people actually know very few details about. The Girl from Jonestown is no exception.

People have heard of Jonestown. And if they don’t know exactly what happened there, they have a general idea. Even if they know nothing, they have probably heard the mainstream phrase about drinking the Kool-Aid.

It is odd to think that there are people who say that but probably have zero knowledge about its origin. But I digress.

The story is equally Lucy and Zoe. Lucy is writing from inside Jonestown. From her, we get the entire backstory of how it came to be and what is currently happening in the camp.

Zoe gives us the “outsider” point of view. She has family in the area, so we learn about traditions and how people view the area they live in.

Jonestown is the lurid hook to the story. But I found myself more intrigued by learning about Guyana, the Amerindian people, and their beliefs. The parallel points of view dovetail nicely into a lush, disturbing narrative.

The author’s writing has improved over her books. The chapters flow seamlessly into each other, looping around to include other characters, before moving back to the main plot lines. It all works to draw the reader into an immersive experience.

There are a few scenes toward the end that I know are present to advance the plot, but one involving Zoe and “Dad” felt gratuitous. His power, influence, and insanity are already perfectly clear by this point.

The Girl from Jonestown is memorable historical fiction. Sharon Maas has written another unique story, and I look forward to more from her.

Instagram: sharonmaaswriter
Twitter: sharon_maas

Author Bio:

Sharon Maas was born to politically active parents in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1951. She was educated in England, Guyana, and, later, Germany. She now lives in Ireland. Her books include The Violin Maker’s Daughter, The Soldier’s Girl, Her Darkest Hour, and many other novels.

Here for the Drama-Bromley-Rom Com-Available Now

I. Loved. This. Book. From the witty writing to the clever plot, and everything in between, Here for the Drama by Kate Bromley has everything I could ask for in a rom com.

The fact that it centers around theater people? Well, that’s icing on the cake.

I related to Winnie right away. I know she is a bit older, but the theater geek I was in my 20s totally saw her as a familiar character. If I’m being honest, I probably saw myself in her. Why?

Let’s just say that the first time my mom and I went to London and toured the Globe theater, I was in the middle of rehearsals for A Midsummer Night’s Dream back home at college. The role of Titania.

So, when the guide gave us the opportunity to go up on stage to test the acoustics, guess who went and what I recited?

Yeah, absolutely. Winnie and I would get along great.

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I also like Roshni. At first, I thought she was going to be a third wheel, non-important character. But her wit is sharp, and the banter between her and Winnie is thoroughly entertaining.

Juliette is more of an enigma, and I think that is purposeful. Older playwright, mysterious, broken heart…almost Norma Desmond-like. And jaded. Very jaded. Which is also typical of theater people.

To me, the rom com aspect almost took a backseat to the drama of rehearsals. I kept wanting to get back to the pop-up performance of Juliette’s play.

That being said, the rom com is fun too. I really enjoyed Liam because he’s more than just the “cute Brit” character. His interactions with Winnie are genuine.

And I think that’s the thing that I love most about the book. Yes, it’s a rom com, so yes, there are certain points that have to be hit.

But the conversations are relatable, the characters feel like actual people, and the entire story is plausible. It is just…real.

I adored Talk Bookish to Me, and with Here for the Drama, Kate Bromley has once again hit personal notes for me but also written a rom com that everyone will love. Do not miss this one.

Author Bio: 

KATE BROMLEY lives in New York City with her husband, son, and her somewhat excessive collection of romance novels (It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?). She was a preschool teacher for seven years and is now focusing full-time on combining her two great passions – writing swoon-worthy love stories and making people laugh. She is also the author of Talk Bookish to Me.

His Other Wife-Trope-Psych Thriller-Available Now

Nicole Trope has become one of my favorite psych thriller authors. I know that I’m going to get a solid story that will probably keep me guessing. His Other Wife is a great example of what she does so well.

I like it when a psych thriller starts out with a scene that actually occurs somewhere later in the story. It makes me actively read, looking for that scene, or for clues that might lead up to that scene.

It is an effective storytelling device because it builds tension, and this author uses it perfectly.

I could tell from the very beginning that there was more to Charlotte than meets the eye. She was too perfect. And anyone that “understanding” usually isn’t.

Sarah, on the other hand, is instantly a sympathetic character. Any mom will be able to relate to her instincts to protect her child at any cost. Coupled with grief, it is easy to see how that could wreak havoc on one’s mental health.

Frankly, I found Gideon to be an idiot and a catalyst for all that happens in the book. If he loved Sarah as much as he said he did (and this is not a spoiler) he wouldn’t have moved on so quickly or easily. Just sayin’.

And then there is Charlotte’s mother, Carol. I have mentioned before how I sometimes get flashed of other characters that I am reminded of, especially when they are vivid.

For me, every time Carol appeared in the book, I pictured the grandmother from Kindergarten Cop. You know, the bad guy’s mom who was constantly telling him what to do? Perfectly dressed, perfect hair, very proper…but a sociopath.

Yeah, got that vibe from Carol.

As for the plot, I did guess part of “psych” part of the psych thriller. I just “had a feeling.” But the author went deeper with it than I expected, so there were aspects that surprised me, which isn’t easy to do.

I particularly liked the endings. And yes, that’s plural, because even though it wraps up in a single epilogue, there are a few different endings to be found. It was actually one of the most satisfying epilogues in recent memory.

If you’re looking for a solid psych thriller for a beach read, pick up His Other Wife. Or, actually, any other Nicole Trope book, like The Stepchild.

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.

She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children.

The Angel of Vienna-Hewitt-Historical Fiction-Available Now

Kate Hewitt is a masterful storyteller. Her historical fiction novels are full of nuance and impeccably researched details. She also has a keen eye for human nature in the face of adversity. The Angel of Vienna is a perfect example of all of this.

As always, no book report retelling of the plot here. Suffice to say that as you read this book, you will gain an even greater understanding of the depths of evil perpetrated against innocents during WWII.

Hannah sees this firsthand when her half-brother asks her to work at a hospital where he is sending his son. It’s slightly more complicated than that, but I don’t want to give plot points away.

She soon realizes that to hold on to her own humanity, she needs to sacrifice her safety to save others. It is a daring choice at any time, but in the heart of Nazi Germany, it could be a deadly one as well.

I thought the author did a great job of character development. She doesn’t hit the reader over the head with obvious statements but rather lets the reader draw conclusions from the characters’ actions. I appreciate that.

It is difficult to say that you “like” something with a topic such as this one, but I did like how the author chose something other than the usual German camp settings. For one, it gives the reader a new perspective on the breadth of evil.

It also allows for learning more about history. In light of recent events, this particular focus seems even more vital. Treating humans as cattle or lab rats is never acceptable. Ever.

But treating children as such and calling it “research” is beyond vile. In a time when medical decisions are being made with little to no scientific background, and certainly no long-term studies, it sometimes feels as if we are dangerously close to a precipice. Who will save the children then?

Another thing that the author is successful at is the pacing. She builds the dread and tension slowly so that as the horror grows on Hannah, so it does on the reader. It may seem slow at times, but there is a methodical logic to it that works for the story.

I know I dance around the details of The Angel of Vienna. But this historical fiction novel by Kate Hewitt is emotional and thought-provoking and needs to be experienced to receive the full impact of the atrocities perpetrated in the name of science.

Facebook: KateHewittAuthor/
Twitter: author_kate

Author Bio:

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.

The Boyfriend-Wilkinson-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The Boyfriend by Kerry Wilkinson feels like a bit of a departure from past psych thriller stories.

There is a lot of character-building and introspection from Jodie. The story is solely hers. As such, the reader only experiences things from her perspective. Period.

This is good and bad.

It is good because the reader gets to really deep dive into Jodie’s frame of mind and how she deals with everything. But it’s bad because it makes a lot of things one-dimensional. At times it also slows down the action.

You can read the plot points in the blurb and other reviews. Suffice to say that after Jodie’s dad dies, she is left with the responsibility of cleaning out his house. In the process, she finds something that brings past events in her life into question.

It’s a great premise, and it does deliver in many ways. There are plenty of suspects for each of the events, and as Jodie looks at people with a side-eye, so does the reader. The author definitely keeps the reader guessing.

However, there are also characters and events that have promise but lack follow through. Jodie’s mom is kind of a non-entity, conflict with the sister-in-law starts strong but fizzles, and her supposed best friend is just kind of…meh.

And then there is Jodie’s son, Owen. I don’t even know where to start with him. He plays a major part in the story. But it is all odd, really.

Because however you think the story is going to end, you are absolutely wrong. I guarantee it. Not only is the culprit of the main event not who you think, but the author saves one last gigantic “What the heck” moment that will probably drop your jaw to the floor.

Honestly, I am not quite sure of the purpose of it. It doesn’t exactly fit with the rest of the story, and almost seems like it’s gratuitous.

In fact, overall, it feels like this is an early attempt at writing because more recent books have been much more evenly plotted.

Regardless, I still enjoy Kerry Wilkinson’s writing, and The Boyfriend is a good psych thriller if solely for the shock factor.

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

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.

The House Sitter-Kane-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The House Sitter by Ellery Kane is a clever psych thriller. It makes you think the story is going in one direction before completely pulling the rug out from underneath you.

It took a bit of time for me to get a feel for the characters. And it also takes a while to figure out where the author is going. As a result, the first third felt a little bit slow.

However, it soon becomes apparent that it is all by design. The reader needs that time before things start really falling into place.

Think of it like the climb of a roller coaster. You have to get to the top before you start plunging down into the loops and swirls.

I don’t want to give anything away, and if I discuss the plot too much, I most definitely will. So, the characters it is.

Iris is a wily one. She seems like a feisty person and probably will remind readers of women they know in their personal lives.

I think that is why her character trajectory was the most personal. The reader experiences a roller coaster of emotions to go along with the psych thriller plot.

Seth and Lydia – hmmmm. I like how the author let their story come out little by little. It smartly made them enigmas, and it added to the tension. Do they each have an angle? Who is calling the shots? Is either of them sincere?

I really enjoyed Maureen’s character. Her backstory was interesting and just different enough to make her NOT a run-of-the-mill cop.

I will say one thing about the story. Just when you think the author is wrapping up and everyone has their due, there are still a few more twists.

Oh, and I LOVE that it takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area, so landmarks and locations are familiar to me. That is a refreshing break from the number of books I read set in the UK.

The House Sitter is the very definition of a psych thriller, with a tense plot and interesting characters. I will eagerly look forward to the next Ellery Kane book.

FACEBOOK: TheLegacyBooks
TWITTER: ElleryKane

Author Bio:

Forensic psychologist by day, novelist by night, Ellery Kane has been writing–professionally and creatively–for as long as she can remember. Just like many of her main characters, Ellery loves to ask why, which is the reason she became a psychologist in the first place. Real life really is stranger than fiction, and Ellery’s writing is often inspired by her day job. Evaluating violent criminals and treating trauma victims, she has gained a unique perspective on the past and its indelible influence on the individual. And she’s heard her fair share of real life thrillers.

Ellery lives in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, a picturesque setting that provides the backdrop for many of her novels. If you don’t find Ellery interviewing murderers behind prison walls or pecking away at her latest novel, she is probably at the gym landing a solid jab-cross to a punching bag; riding bicycles with her special someone; or enjoying a movie the old-fashioned way–at the theater with popcorn and Milk Duds.

Just One Lie-Harrow-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

Just One Lie by Ruth Harrow is the kind of psych thriller that leaves me with mixed feelings. There is a decent plot, but the writing style is more confusing than it needs to be.

I’ll also start with a warning that the whole thing revolves around kids. I mean, a LOT is about kids. I don’t know, some people just don’t like kids, right? So, they may not like this book.

Anyway, we know right off the bat that something bad happened at a beach – but we don’t know to who or when it actually figures in the bigger picture.

We then hop to Alison, who is dealing with a tragic loss. At first, you might think that it is the loss from the prologue, but it’s not (no spoiler).

In short order, she hires Rebecca to help in her photo studio. Is Rebecca too perfect? Does she have an ulterior motive?

When bad things start to happen to Alison, of course Rebecca is a suspect. But is she guilty? If so, what is her angle? Or is someone else to blame?

I’d like to say that these questions are answered succinctly, but it isn’t as simple as that.

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-One-Lie-psychological-nail-biting-
ebook/dp/B0B297TGJM
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Just-One-Lie-psychological-nail-biting-
ebook/dp/B0B297TGJM

The story is told from two different points of view (at least as far as I could tell) but one of them is very ambiguous. As a result, I spent a lot of the book in a state of confusion, trying to figure out what was happening to who and when.

I suppose that this could be solved if you are paying close attention as you read? Maybe this just isn’t a book that you can catch here or there; it needs your full attention.

I think also that the author, in trying to be cagey and sustain the psych suspense, didn’t provide enough information for the reader to easily follow along.

Holding secrets and not being overly explanatory is a good technique, especially for a psych thriller. But as a reader, I like to be able to connect some dots. I wasn’t able to do that here.

I guess where that leaves me is Just One Lie has a good plot that suffered a bit from execution issues. But again, if you focus on the story, maybe you will have better luck figuring it out than I did.

I’ll still look forward to the next psych thriller from Ruth Harrow.

Ruth Harrow psych thriller author headshot

Author Bio
Ruth Harrow was born and raised in England and graduated from university before embarking on an unfulfilling career in an office job. Following the success of her first novel, her second and third books followed shortly afterward. She lives in the UK with her husband, two children, and chocolate Labrador, Rolo.

Marriage Unarranged-Bhathal-Review-Rom-Com-Available Now

Marriage Unarranged by Ritu Bhathal is part rom-com, part travelogue, and mostly entertaining.

You can read the setup in the blurb or other reviews. It is typical romantic comedy fare. A cheater, a break-up, a re-awakening of self by the heroine…it’s all here.

What makes this book unique, however, is that the heroine is Indian. All the usual rom-com bits come with a healthy dose of traditional Indian expectations and responsibilities.

For example, Aashi makes the (not-so-) difficult decision to end her relationship (no spoiler). But her parents seem more embarrassed and concerned for her future, rather than her current situation. It’s a cultural thing.

The book became more interesting when Aashi, and her “entourage” arrived in India so she could “find herself.” (My words, not hers). I thought the author did a great job of describing the landscape and atmosphere.

However, there were moments that felt odd. Some of the descriptions of the people seemed to verge on stereotypes. And I mean both the UK and Indian perspectives.

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Amazon UK –  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marriage-Unarranged-Rishtay-Book-ebook/dp/B09SBSSD67
Amazon US –  https://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Unarranged-Rishtay-Book-ebook/dp/B09SBSSD67/

The UK characters seemed very whiny. Frankly, they were obnoxious when they got to India. It’s almost as if they had no clue what they were walking into. This is strange because the parents and families seemed traditional. So, they should have known what to expect?

Additionally, there were times when the people of India seemed more like caricatures than real people. Again, I don’t have a frame of reference. So, this is a complete outside point of view on it.

Stereotypes are born from reality, so maybe this is an accurate depiction? I can’t tell.

The writing is good, but the chapters are confusing at times. Instead of alternating views in different chapters, we would often get two or three narrators within a chapter. It seemed too busy.

This looks to be the first in a series from Ritu Bhathal. Hopefully, the writing evens out a little. Otherwise, Marriage Unarranged was a good rom-com. It could be interesting to see where the author goes next.    

Ritu Bhathal rom-com author headshot
Facebook : RituBhathal/
Instagram : ritubhathalwrites/
Twitter:  RituBhathal
TikTok :   @ritubhathalauthor

Author Bio 

Ritu Bhathal was born in Birmingham in the mid-1970s to migrant parents, hailing from Kenya but of Indian origin. This colourful background has been a constant source of inspiration to her.

As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and teacher, she has drawn inspiration from many avenues to create the poems that she writes.

Ritu is happily married and living in Kent, with her Hubby Dearest, and two children, not forgetting the fur baby Sonu Singh.

Good Husbands-Ray-Review-Thriller-Available Now

Good Husbands by Cate Ray is the type of thriller that makes you feel like giving your partner the side-eye while wondering how well you really know them.

Three women, who don’t know each other, all receive identical letters that throw their lives into chaos. The story unfolds in alternating chapters from each of them. The reader gets a holistic look at the impact the letter has.

I found the differences in the reaction of the women, Jess, Priyanka, and Stephanie, to be extremely interesting. It was a great character study on how individuals deal with the same news, and it highlighted the pros and cons of each of their approaches.

For example, (no spoilers) Jess is very gung-ho “let’s find out the truth” while Stephanie is the opposite and Priyanka is somewhere in between.

The real kicker is that each of their approaches also compliments the others…although it takes them a lot of time to realize that.

The action moves along at a decent pace, but you know that the author is building toward something explosive. With the subject matter, that is obvious from the beginning.

I really liked that the author could have gone any number of ways with the story, and it still would have been a good book.

The way the climax eventually goes, however, is very satisfying and fits in with the rest of the plot. It also explains a lot about some of the characters’ behaviors (I’m not saying who or why).

There are some moments that feel a little forced, and the message about “men do bad things” feels heavy-handed at times. But for the most part, the author lets the husbands’ own actions do the explaining for them.

Cate Ray has written a thriller that explores relationships and loyalty. Good Husbands is one that will leave you with a lot to think about.

Cate Ray thriller author
Twitter: @cateraywriter
Instagram: @cateraywriter
Facebook: CateRayWriter/

About the Author

Cate Ray is an author of four previous novels of suspense published in the UK under the name Cath Weeks. She was named an Author to Watch by Elle magazine. She lives in Bath with her family.

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