Suspense Thriller Archives

July 9, 2022July 14, 2022

The Betrayal-Baxter-Psych Thriller-Available Now

How can I describe The Betrayal, the new “psych thriller” from Cole Baxter?

Sometimes you go into a book expecting one thing and it is actually different. So, you might be disappointed in what you didn’t get. But if you see it as something else, it is pretty good.

That probably doesn’t clear things up too much.

I put psych thriller in quotes above because that is how the publisher describes it. However, I did not get much “psych” from it. I did get lots of slow-burn thriller.

Erin is on the run. We find out why fairly early on, but it really isn’t a surprise – the hints are there. She establishes a new life in a new place, thinking that she has done everything she can to protect herself.

But has she?

There is a bit of psych here and there in the book, especially as events start to happen on the island and she decides to solve the “mystery” herself.

However, there are long descriptions of her life as a pet groomer, which verge on tedious at times. Although, I suppose if you are interested in becoming a groomer, there are some good tips here.

I had a little bit of a problem with Erin’s reactions and that could have been character-driven or just in the writing. For example, her ex-husband who is out of prison (not a spoiler, it’s in the blurb) starts to re-enter her life.

She is meant to be terrified of that. It’s partly why she ran. But she goes on tv (not exactly “hiding”) and makes other questionable moves that seem to indicate a lack of sense, putting herself out in the public eye.

For one example, she receives a package from her ex, and she rolls her eyes at the card like it’s no big deal, even though it is clearly controlling. Not a page later, however, she is cowering in terror. And then she is smiling at the card again.

It is just uneven and that’s where the “psych” part falls short.

But the thriller part is strong, as it winds through the rest of the plot. You probably won’t guess the big twist and reveal. They’re unique and took me by surprise mainly because a lot of authors would not “go there.” But Cole Baxter did.

So, to return to my first paragraph, The Betrayal is not exactly a psych thriller in the classic sense, but if you approach the book from a domestic thriller point of view, you will find a decent plot with some good twists.

Also from Cole Baxter: The Perfect Suitor

AUTHOR BIO

Cole Baxter loves writing psychological suspense thrillers. It’s all about that last reveal that he loves shocking readers with.

He grew up in New York, where there, crime was all around. He decided to turn that into something positive with his fiction.

His stories will have you reading through the night—they are very addictive!

May 22, 2022August 14, 2022

Never Coming Home-McKinnon-Review-Thriller-Available Now

Never Coming Home by Hannah Mary McKinnon is that delicious type of thriller that has you inexplicably rooting for the villain even as you hope he gets what he deserves.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

First, let me say how much I love this author’s writing style. Her descriptions are so full of detail that I feel like I am watching a movie in my head as I read. In fact, I don’t have to do any real imagining of a place or a scene, because it is all right there on the page to paint the picture.

Because of that, it is much easier to drop right into the action, which makes it a fun and active read. Add to that the depth of character, and you have a winning thriller!

It is not a spoiler to say that Lucas is not what he appears to be – the blurb tells you as much. What I did not expect, however, was for him to be someone I was actually rooting for in light of his serious transgression.

I mean, taking a hit out on your wife is not usually something to cheer about.

But Lucas has an incredible backstory that actually makes the reader feel sorry for him – a little bit. And if not feel sorry, at least understand his motivations. He’s not necessarily evil for the sake of it – he has reasons.

Because of the importance of the backstory, there are times when it seems as if it is actually unnecessary because you WILL want to get back to the plot at hand. But trust me, it is all very relevant. So, don’t skip anything.

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Lucas’s personality is wry and matter of fact. Even as his plans seem to go awry, he still thinks that he can figure his way out of it with charm. But can he? (Not going to say). I will say that the thriller aspect truly kicks in rather early, making it very engaging.

Another thing that I give the author kudos for is that there is a definite vibe of feminist girl power that builds throughout the book. However, she never goes preachy or over the top with the commentary. It’s a touchy subject, and I have been known to put down books that are “too much.”

The author’s skill is that she does just enough to get the point across and then moves on. It’s not ALL about that – it’s a vital part that has its time and place. And that’s it. Yay for that!

Anyway, by the time you get to the climax, you may think you have guessed what is going on, but you probably are at least a little bit wrong. Because the author still has a few twists up to the very end.

I am a huge fan of Hannah Mary McKinnon. Check out my reviews of You Will Remember Me and Sister Dear. Her thrillers are dark, witty, and thoroughly entertaining. Never Coming Home is another great addition. I can’t wait for her next one!

**Social Links:**
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Twitter: @HannahMMcKinnon
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Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. After a successful career in recruitment, she quit the corporate world in favor of writing, and is now the author of The Neighbors, Her Secret Son, Sister Dear and You Will Remember Me. She lives in Oakville, Ontario, with her husband and three sons, and is delighted by her twenty-second commute.

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?

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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.

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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 26, 2022April 7, 2022

The Perfect Suitor-Baxter-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The Perfect Suitor by Cole Baxter is the second psych thriller I have read in the past week that bills itself as one thing but turns out to be more like something else.

Still good, just not what I expected. It is certainly more suspense than psych.

Many psych thrillers have prologues as a way of setting the scene for what occurs later in the book. Sometimes it is completely in the past, sometimes it is a point that is midway through the plot.

In The Perfect Suitor, the prologue is solidly in the former category. In fact, the prologue is pretty much a completely separate event that only serves to set the frame of mind for Charlene.

Of course, like a good psych thriller, there are additional questions and influences, and there may (or may not) be another reason for the prologue. You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Because of the situation she finds herself in, I believe that we are supposed to feel sorry for Charlene. Sympathy is the emotion that was evoked.

But I didn’t feel it.

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Not because the author didn’t do a good job of painting her as a sympathetic character because she absolutely was. If anything, though, she is almost too pathetic to feel sympathy for her. I found the passages of her self-pity, uncertainty, and hopelessness to be long and tiresome.

Now, fortunately, I have never been in her position, so that may have something to do with it. And other readers may find her to be instantly relatable. It isn’t a complete deal-breaker within the story either.

I just wanted to get through the long inner-monologues to the plot at hand, because that is the heart of the story and it’s a really good one.

As my mantra goes, I’m not dropping plot spoilers here. But suffice to say if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

There are quite a few twists, including a few toward the very end that I did not see coming at all. And Charlene’s growth as she becomes stronger and more aware is very well done.

For me, the push through the beginning was the hardest part of the book. Once Charlene meets the perfect suitor, the action picks up and it is a solid psych thriller from there.

Author Bio

Cole Baxter loves writing psychological suspense thrillers. It’s all about that last reveal that he loves shocking readers with.

He grew up in New York, where there, crime was all around. He decided to turn that into something positive with his fiction.

His stories will have you reading through the night—they are very addictive!

The Perfect Suitor is his first psychological thriller with Inkubator Books.

December 28, 2021December 20, 2021

My Darling Husband-Review-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

My Darling Husband is one of those cleverly plotted books that a reader lives for.

First, it starts with an interview where the interviewer lays the groundwork for the story to come and then the author drops the reader into the events that precipitate the “main event.”

And it’s off to the races we go.

The action takes place over the course of one day. One horrific day for Jade and her kids. I suppose for Cam as well (the “My Darling Husband” in question). But as he is the one in the interview that opens the story, the reader knows that he survives the incident, whatever that may be.

Even though the reader goes through Jade’s day along with her in “real-time,” there is a nebulous feeling surrounding the interview. This is because there are no real context clues.

Do Jade and her kids survive? Where are they? Where is Cam giving this interview?

We know he feels remorse for how “it” all happened. But other than that, the reader just has to take his word for it as to how things went down – and what precipitated it all.

It is almost like watching a tv show containing flashbacks. The commentary from the interview sets up the action from the past.

It’s effective and requires the reader to actively pay attention.

Along the way, the author drops several hints that cast doubt on Cam’s reliability as a narrator of the past event. That’s another reason the interview format works so well.

And then there are Jade’s parts of the story. This is where the real action takes place. They have excellent pace and palpable tension. Her desperation, along with her disbelief that something like “that” could happen, is relatable and not overly dramatic.

In fact, she is much stronger than she thinks she is, and more than how the author sets her up in the beginning. I really liked her character arc and growth.

Because of this, it feels like two books. There’s the detached interview where the reader gains insights, but then there’s the “smack dab in the middle” tension of Jade’s experiences.

What it boils down to is a roller coaster of a ride where the reader is eager to attack each chapter to discern exactly what happened and why. There are surprises, twists, and more than a few gotcha moments.

And I loved the ending. Authors have a tendency to wrap things up neatly, and there are books where that is appropriate. Not to give it away, but let’s just say that it fits the uncertain feeling of the rest of the book.

In other words, you’re still left with questions. It’s a bold choice and it works for the story.

I highly recommend My Darling Husband as a good suspense thriller.

Here is another review for this author: Stranger in the Lake

Facebook: @KimberlyBelleBooks
Twitter: @KimberlySBelle
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About the Author: Kimberly Belle is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of seven novels, including her latest, My Darling Husband (December 2021). Her third novel, The Marriage Lie, was a semifinalist in the 2017 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Mystery & Thriller, and a #1 e-book bestseller in the UK and Italy. She’s sold rights to her books in a dozen languages as well as film and television options. A graduate of Agnes Scott College, Belle divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam.

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November 23, 2021November 15, 2021

Suspense-Nanny Dearest-Available Now

Today is informational. So, read on for details of a new suspense book releasing at the end of November.

COVER

ABOUT THE SUSPENSE BOOK:

This is a novel of domestic suspense. Fans of THE TURN OF THE KEY and THE PERFECT NANNY should read on.

NANNY DEAREST is the story of 25-year-old Sue Keller, a young woman reeling from the recent death of her father. This is a particularly painful loss given that Sue’s mother died of cancer when she was only three.

At this time of vulnerability, Anneliese Whitaker reappears. She is Sue’s former nanny from her childhood days in upstate New York.

Sue is craving connection and mothering. Therefore, she is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life. However, as they become inseparable once again, Sue begins to uncover the truth about Annie’s unsettling time in the Keller house.

Why is that important? Of particular concern is the manner of Annie’s departure. Or was it a dismissal? At the same time, Sue grows increasingly worried about the safety of the two children currently in Annie’s care.

Told in alternating points of view and switching eras, this is a taut novel of suspense with a shocking ending.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Flora Collins was born and raised in New York City and has never left, except for a four-year stint at Vassar College. When she’s not writing, she can be found watching reality shows that were canceled after one season. Or maybe attempting to eat soft-serve ice cream in bed. Sometimes simultaneously. Nanny Dearest is her first novel and draws upon personal experiences from her own family history.

November 8, 2021November 5, 2021

Psychological Thriller-We Live Next Door-Available Now

I’m not sure that I classify this solely as a psychological thriller. I think it is more suspense thriller with mystery and maybe a hint of the psychological.

Maybe that is splitting hairs. What it is, without a doubt, is a page-turning read with twists that I did not see coming.

But why do I like it so much?

First and foremost, the plotting is superb. The action moves enough to be interesting without speeding over things. It isn’t bogged down by details either.

Second, Jessica is a sympathetic character. She is relatable as a woman who used to have a career, got sidelined by having a child, and is trying to find her new niche. I think many women experience that.

Third, I just like how Jessica puts everything together. She is no super-sleuth or busybody. She uses her instincts, knows when something isn’t right, and wants to figure it out. It’s not just curiosity…especially when things start to affect her family.

Actually, this is another aspect of the book that is well-done. The little things that pop up make Jessica question what is real and what she is imagining are realistic – her thought process makes sense throughout the story.

And beware of a tenacious mom when her child becomes the victim of unexplained accidents. Because Jessica shows that once her daughter is threatened she will stop at nothing to figure everything out.

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Strangely, the parts with Jessica’s mom were familiar to me and it gave me a perspective on my own mom’s recent move. So, thanks to the author for that!

Most of all, the author perfectly captures neighborhood intrigue, especially the aspect of everybody being in everybody else’s business while hiding secrets of their own.

Regarding that, I wish that there had been more of the Neighbor List entries. From what I have seen, that is a growing trend in books (including social media messages), and I think more of them in this case could have added to the story.

However, it remains a well-written psychological thriller with relatable characters, a page-turning plot, and a twist I only partly saw coming. I highly recommend it.

Others by this author:

Facebook: LauraWolfeBooks/
Twitter: @LauraWolfeBooks
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Author Bio

Laura Wolfe’s fascination with things that go bump in the night probably stems from having watched too many scary movies when she was younger. She is an active member of multiple writing groups, including Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. Laura enjoys living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with her husband, son, and daughter.

July 18, 2021July 18, 2021

Her Sister’s Secret (Lynes)-BoT-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

What a twisted story this was. Part psychological thriller, part family drama, with mystery and a bit of courtroom drama added in, it definitely had me enthralled – especially as it picked up speed toward the middle.

The first thing that jumped out at me about this book was the atmosphere that the author managed to create. Usually, that is done through descriptions of places, seasons, etc.

But in this case, I felt it was more through the characters’ actions and stories that related. Ultimately, what was revealed was a multi-layered web of lies created by several different people.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of Isla. In some ways, she stayed a little bit of a mystery throughout, because it really wasn’t her story. She was trying to get to the bottom of what had happened to her sister, Annie.

That thread unravels through flashbacks to Annie’s story as told from Annie’s own perspective. The chapters were clearly marked, so there was never any confusion as to whose perspective I was reading or where in time the action was taking place.

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As Isla asks questions of the people who knew her sister best, what at first seemed to be a straightforward domestic incident soon appears to be much more complicated. I said that she was a bit of a mystery, but I think she was off-balance, not knowing who to believe and not even trusting herself.

I think this was purposeful to keep the reader just as off-balance. It was well-done and a very effective way to relate the story.

For example, Isla constantly wonders how she and her sister could have drifted so far apart from each other, and she struggles with townspeople knowing more about Annie than she does.

However, in Annie’s flashbacks, the reader learns that it’s not just Isla who became distant (physically) but also Annie who became distant because if she talked to Isla about one thing, she would have to admit to other things. And Annie didn’t want to do that.

I’ve said in several past reviews that I am a firm believer in NOT giving spoilers or relating too much as to spoil the experience for other readers. This is certainly the case in point for this book.

I will say that by the time I got to the end of it, I was amazed at the author’s ability to craft a story of love and betrayal, what people put up with to hold on to what they see as love (even if it’s not) and the lengths that people will go to in efforts to protect those who they love.

It was a well-crafted book that held my interest from beginning to end and I highly recommend it.

May 29, 2021May 29, 2021

The Vacation (Chouinard)-BoT-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

The author had me from “Jamaican holiday” but kept me for a thrilling story that kept me guessing right up to the very end.

I love this author’s writing style. It’s easy to read with just enough detail to make things interesting without lots of exposition.

In other words, her books are full of “doing” and not just “telling.”

There are also great layers to the stories, with overlapping motivations, ulterior goals, and a lot going on – but it’s never confusing. This is just a great story with interesting characters told in a forthright manner.

The plot is carried from the points of view of three women, Rose, Bree, and Anabelle, as they plan and embark on a tropical vacation with their families. There are also chapters entitled “now” interspersed throughout.

Without giving the plot away, everything hinges on one event, with the ladies’ perspective occurring prior and the “now” chapters occurring in the “present” time. Everything moves seamlessly between the chapters, and nothing is ever jarring as it switches. In the latter part, some backstory is filled in via “news articles.” That was effective.

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I almost instantly empathized with Rose. It seems that sometimes “overprotective moms” get a bad rap, but mom instincts cannot be denied. I liked her even more as her backstory came out (more on that in a second).

Annabelle was less clear to me. I thought out of all of the women, she was the least fleshed out. Bree was more so, but still not as clear as Rose. It also took me a few chapters to fully grasp how all three couples were connected.

Once the connections were made, however, it was interesting to watch the dynamics. The author did a great job of dropping hints throughout. Some of them were such that they only became clear when later revelations occurred.

As I mentioned earlier, the plot kept me guessing. There were a few red herrings thrown in that were natural – not just there to distract but made perfect sense in the context of the story. And the climax was not what I thought at all. I didn’t guess that part accurately.

I also liked how just when you thought the book was over, there was one more chapter…and then one more…and then one more. It was a great way to wrap up the book even after the main thrust of the story was complete.

And a word about Rose’s background. Being a Bay Area girl myself. I have many fond memories of days spent at Children’s Fairyland and Lake Merritt. So, that part of Rose’s history made me able to relate to her – not through her actions, but as I could see the location in my mind.

There’s also a mention of the Polly Klaas foundation. I was in college by then, but both Michaela Garecht and Polly Klaas were high profile missing children cases when I was a teenager. Even though it wasn’t a pivotal part of the story (for the most part) it still made it feel personal to me because I remember the times.

Even if you don’t have that frame of reference, this is an excellent book that will lull you in with an idyllic tropical vacation before pulling the rug out from underneath you. Great beach read.

Facebook: mmchouinardauthor/
Twitter: m_m_chouinard

Author Bio:

M.M. Chouinard writes crime fiction (including suspense, procedurals, and cozies), and women’s fiction. M.M. Chouinard’s first fiction story was published in her local paper when she was eight, and she fell in love with Agatha Christie novels not long after. While pursuing a Ph.D in psychology and helping to found the first U.S. research university of the new millenium, the stories kept rattling around inside her skull, demanding to come out. For sanity’s sake, she released them.