Tag: Suspense

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His Loving Wife (Smith)-BoT-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

I love it when a book starts with a scene that draws me in and makes me wonder where the rest of the story is going to go. This one absolutely succeeds in this regard.

After a terrifying event, the reader is immediately taken to a family vacation nearly a year after the initial incident. It’s apparent from the very start that the family is struggling to heal – but just how bad it has gotten remains unseen.

The rest of the book jumps between current time (usually Kate, sometimes Andrew) on the vacation and various points over the past year. In other words, there is a lot of switching perspectives.

It sounds like that might make it confusing, but it doesn’t. It’s always very clear where the reader is in the narrative. I actually liked this method, because it felt like there was an outline of the big picture and the author was filling in the areas with color, building to the overall view.

The tension also grows as Kate not only relives the incident and worries about her family’s safety but as she realizes that things are happening that are beyond her control – and that might be an even more imminent danger than what she is worried about.

I will openly admit that I thought the story was going in a plausible direction and would have been happy with it had it turned out the way I thought it was going to.

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However, and I need to choose my words carefully here, the author throws in a gigantic twist that I did NOT see coming. Once the thread on that storyline is pulled, the whole thing unravels and reforms into a gonzo, what-the-heck-just-happened crazy ride.

It was a great way to turn something good into something memorable and unique. I don’t think I’ve read a story with this particular “crime” as a focus in a very long time.

And no, I’m not going to say what it is or what the other book was, because that would give it away.

I do want to be clear. The author didn’t do this in a way that made it implausible. There was suspicious behavior by characters that could have been chalked up to coping with the incident from the beginning.

But instead, the behavior was actually something much worse. It actually gave insight to the psyche of one of the characters and illustrated how events throughout one’s life could permanently damage confidence…and cause a misplaced sense of what is right or wrong.

I’m starting to say too much.

There were a few times that Kate irritated me because it seemed as if she should have been more aware. But then I remembered that she was still dealing with the incident from the beginning and her own dose of guilt (which was being played upon), so I was able to get over it.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the twist, and I definitely recommend it.

Facebook: MirandaSmithAuthor
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Twitter: msmithbooks

Author Bio:
Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.

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The Woman in the Water (Heard)-BoT-Mystery Suspense-Available Now

This is the second book I have read in as many days that has a character “returning home” in search of the truth about what happened to her sister. Interesting how reading sometimes goes in genres and themes like that.

Anyway, this book is a mystery thriller that verges on the spooky at times. It is atmospheric, the writing is evocative and very descriptive, and there are multi-layered incidents and relationships that are unraveled.

Due to a tragedy, Felicity has to return to the home that she left as a teenager. Her reasons for leaving are slowly revealed throughout the story via flashbacks. The chapters were clearly labeled, and I was never confused as to whether the action was occurring in the past or the present.

I thought she was a complex character. She obviously has a chip (or several of them) on her shoulder due to past events. She felt that her family betrayed her just as her friends did, so she has chosen to forge through life pretty much on her own.

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But how much of that is reality and how much of that is her perception – or her self-fulfilling prophecy – is what really makes this story so interesting. There were times that it was difficult to feel sorry for her because she was sometimes her own worst enemy when it came to doing the right thing.

Admittedly, she doesn’t have the easiest time of it. She feels guilty for not being able to talk to her sister more (due to past events) and when she arrives home, it soon becomes apparent that somebody (or more than one person) doesn’t want her there.

Is it because of the current events, or does it have something to do with the past that she ran away from several years prior?

Yeah….no. Not going to tell you.

But her realization about the people who have remained in or returned to town is believable and natural. The author does a fantastic job of dropping hints here and there keeping both Felicity and the reader guessing – and very off balance.

I thought the imagery of water and what a big part it plays in the plot was particularly effective. Whether it is murky and used to hide secrets or a violent but cleansing storm, a placid lake, or a swamp, it is used to great effect throughout the story.

I highly recommend this taut, atmospheric mystery thriller.

Twitter: @kheardbooks
Facebook: kellyheardbooks

Author Bio: Kelly Heard is a novelist from Afton, Virginia. She published poetry in literary magazines before signing her debut novel, Before You Go, with Bookouture.

Kelly prefers writing to most other pastimes, but you’ll occasionally find her in the garden, hiking, or exploring antique shops.

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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.

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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.

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The Vatican Secret-Books On Tour (Review)- Action Thriller-Available Now

I really enjoyed the first book (The Vatican Conspiracy) and was looking forward to this one.

I was not disappointed. In fact, I think this one was even better than the first.

I liked how the author jumped right into the action. It felt more like a continuation of the previous book rather than the same characters in a different plot.

That continuity allowed for a direct start. The first chapter sets the groundwork for all the events to come. There’s no need to have long, drawn out descriptions or tedious backstory.

If you read the first book, you pretty much know the players and why things are happening.

Now, that’s not to say that you can’t read this as a standalone as well. Because I know someone who read this one without having read the first one.

She really enjoyed this (said it reminded her of Dan Brown, but better) and didn’t feel lost at all. The only thing she mentioned was that she could tell that previous incidents had occurred by the way the characters referenced them. But that didn’t take away or distract from the plot at hand.

And what a plot it is. Once again, the Vatican is at the center of a global power move by internal and external forces.

That’s not a spoiler. It’s essentially in the title.

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I continue to be intrigued by Marco. To me, he is both a conundrum and a Renaissance Man, a little bit good at a lot of things and a lot good at other things. That makes for interesting reading because I’m never quite sure how he will react to a situation.

I don’t want to give any plot points away, but it is a quintessential thriller with secrets, betrayals, and lots of page-turning action.

As I mentioned, I think this could be read alone, but you will definitely enjoy it more if you read the first book in the series. You’ll have a better feeling for Marco, and you’ll understand the motivations of the characters that carry into this book.

TWITTER:  phogenkampVT
FACEBOOK:   peterhogenkampbooks

Author Bio:

Peter Hogenkamp was born in upstate New York and attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Go Crusaders!) He graduated in 1986 and was exiled to Europe for three years by his premedical adviser, for which he will be grateful the rest of his days. Spending the next three years – supposedly – teaching chemistry and algebra in Salzburg, Austria, he traveled extensively, drank a lot of beer and made many a lifelong friend. In his travels, he found dozens of great places for scenes in a thriller: castles perched on cliffs; monasteries tucked away in alpine valleys; villages built above rocky coastlines; cities soaked in history. When he isn’t writing or hiking with his strong-willed Cairn Terrier, Hermione, Peter practices medicine with his lovely wife, Lisa (who does most of the heavy lifting), hosts Your Health Matters, which airs on cable television, streams on YouTube and sounds off on podcast, and tends to the needs of his four children.

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The Silent Girl-Books On Tour (Review)-Mystery Thriller-Available Now

I thought the description of this book was intriguing and it has one of the best catch lines of any I’ve read recently.

It also ended up being totally unlike any book I have read in recent memory.

Part mystery, part mysticism, part crime equals totally enthralling.

Right from the beginning, the author puts the reader into the frame of mind of the heroine, Sophie. She has no memory of her past, and the reader discovers it with her as things slowly start to come back to her.

I thought this was extremely effective. If there had been hints that the reader knew but Sophie didn’t, I don’t think that it would have been nearly as interesting. It put Sophie and the reader on equal footing and made her more relatable.

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I liked the mysticism that went along with the “haunted house.” It contributed to Sophie’s spotty memory: were there visions of the former owner or real people who showed up? Was Sophie being guided or was it simpler than that?

I also liked how she and Nathaniel related to each other. And the whole dynamic with the people involved with both of them was real and made sense.

There is a lot of imagery (some mystical) in this book at well, which I really enjoyed. The author certainly did the necessary homework to make it believable and not “out there.”

About two-thirds through, things started to crystallize and what had happened to Sophie became clear. I thought this was also well-done. I don’t want to give anything away, because (as I mentioned at the outset) the reader really does get to take the journey along with her.

To say anymore will probably reveal spoilers. Suffice to say that this is a good mystery with current topics and a compelling narrative that had me reading late into the night to reach the resolution.

Thoroughly satisfying and highly recommended.

@KHeardBooks

Author Bio:

Kelly Heard is a novelist from Afton, Virginia. She published poetry in literary magazines before signing her debut novel, Before You Go, with Bookouture.

Kelly prefers writing to most other pastimes, but you’ll occasionally find her in the garden, hiking, or exploring antique shops.

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Somebody Out There-Blog Tour (Review)-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

What could have been a run-of-the-mill psych thriller is elevated by atmosphere.

I know that sounds a little convoluted, but in the case of this book, I truly felt that the location played a huge part in making this a better than average story.

It was easy to be sympathetic to the family at the center of this story. Anybody who has ever moved knows how difficult it can be to adjust to a new location.

When you move from the city to the countryside, it becomes even more difficult. There’s a different attitude, different way of thinking, and (often) the locals have a commonly-held opinion about “city people.”

(I’ve been on both ends of this stick, so it all seemed familiar).

Fortunately, I’ve never had someone actively try to terrorize me or my family as happens to Ben and Deborah.

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I thought the author did a great job of weaving the story so that it was never quite clear if there was a personal vendetta (due to Deborah’s job) or if it was a crazy townsperson.

Some of the tactics made me cringe, as I could imagine the horror that they would produce in real life. I’m not going to give details, because they could be considered spoilers. But the tactics do get VERY personal.

As I mentioned at the beginning, the location adds to the atmosphere. It’s not that they’re totally remote because they’re close to town but going from a city to that can be jarring and put someone on the defensive.

I also think that with the Irish countryside there’s an added level of remoteness. That could be my memory of a visit decades ago, but with the history and mysticism that are connected to the land, there’s an additional level of eeriness.

The book was a page-turner and the whole plot wraps up satisfyingly. I know this review seems vague, but I really can’t share what the family goes through and how they deal with it without giving stuff away.

And I hate doing that. So, I’m just going to say that this is a good psych thriller that plays up atmosphere in a most effective way.

About Kevin Lynch:

Kevin is a Guidance Counselor by day and a thriller author during his off hours. He puts an original slant on some common experiences and creates engaging stories with a personal twist. Kevin lives in Ireland with three great kids and a wife who makes him laugh, which is really all he could ask for. 

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The Secret Sister-Blog Tour (Review)-Suspense-Available Now

It took me a while to figure out where this book was going. Once I understood the author’s purpose, I was able to better grasp the points that were being made.

Although this novel was suspenseful, as the cover states, I actually felt it was more a stinging indictment of the foster care system.

Large sections of the story were devoted to how the system failed Anna and Birdie. These were written with apparent agony and were very realistic.

As Anna’s past began to take shape, her choices became clearer. It soon became apparent that she did have an overall plan, but it didn’t crystalize until the very end.

In that regard, it was a good suspense novel, because it kept me guessing pretty much up until the last pages.

However, there were times that it felt unfocused. Anna would be in the present and then all of a sudden, she would start relating a memory of her sister.

I understand why the author chose this method of telling the story, because it put the reader into Anna’s mind and allowed the reader to cast the same doubt on Anna’s memories that other characters insinuated.

There were times that it was quite jarring, though, and more than once I had to stop reading and back up to re-read to make sure I understood what timeframe we were in.

There was also clever plotting in Anna’s choice of profession and the parallels between people in her life currently and who had influence over her in the past.

Some of the plot points required a leap of faith (would Guy be that quick to move the relationship forward, what was so mistrustful about Nancy or the social worker, etc.). But I was willing to ride along with the author to see where it all went.

There was also a connection that I did not put together and my jaw dropped at it – this is when everything picked up for me.

The second half of the book moved much faster as all of the pieces began to fall into place. While there were some dips in the action, overall, I would say this was a decent suspense story.

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Her Dark Lies-Blog Tour (Review)-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

Part mystery, part suspense, part psychological thriller, part Gothic Agatha Christie and all crazy, this was one page-turner of a book.

The haunting atmosphere was set in the prologue and the author did a great job of maintaining it throughout the entire twisty plot.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I think I’ll refer to the notes that I made as I read.

I liked how the author emphasized Claire’s artist background in the narration, specifically giving names to the colors that she was seeing. It was done with an artist’s eye which was impactful and helped me get a better feeling for Claire.

I do wish they had continued, but as the plot became more complicated, Claire’s descriptions became less embellished. I guess that does make sense for her character – she no longer had the time or inclination to notice the details.

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I also liked how the author set the tone for how the Compton family dealt with things. The repeating of statements, mantras to remind themselves, etc. were all consistent and added to the mystery surrounding the family.

I did think that the family business got short shrift. I wish there had been a bit more detail about it, as it certainly was a unique prospect – and not all that unbelievable given the current state of affairs worldwide.

But as it was it served more as a mechanic to illustrate the family’s wealth and need for privacy without elaborating and giving it a lot of depth. I think this is why another aspect didn’t completely come together for me.

I don’t know how to address that without giving anything away, but the motivations of a main character seem to spring from what the family can offer, but that was never made crystal clear to me.

Or maybe the character was just supposed to be a total sociopath and none of that matters.

I guessed early on what was really going on so there was no mystery there for me at all. Other readers may not make the connections. The author did have me second guessing a few times, and I have notes speculating that other characters were to blame (when they had nothing to do with the incidents in question).

The plot also took an Agatha Christie-like turn, where multiple people were under suspicion but just as quickly were proven to not be responsible (for various reasons).

That last third of the book was pretty gonzo. There was a lot of build-up, but then things really started happening quickly. In some ways it felt almost too frantic because it was all rapid-fire events and revelations.

There are times when I will skim parts of a book to get through because of repetition or just not holding my interest. This is NOT one of those books. I read every single part – it definitely kept me engaged.

I would certainly recommend this one. It’s an excellent brain break from reality and you’ll enjoy trying to figure out who is reliable and who isn’t.

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Twitter:  thrillerchick
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About the Author:

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.

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The Lake House-Books On Tour (Review)-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

I have recently read and enjoyed two of this author’s books (She Lies Alone and Two Widows), so I was looking forward to this one. While I did like this story, I will be honest in saying I thought it could have been better. The atmosphere was perfect, but the relating of the plot was spotty.

First the good. It doesn’t get much better than a secluded house by a lake, where old friends gather to catch up. Throw in dark woods, no cell service, and miles from civilization and you have the perfect creep-inducing atmosphere.

There were times where I felt claustrophobic while reading. I think that was because the author did a good job of relating Megan’s feelings about the whole situation. There are several reasons that she feels off about this reunion. Some are obvious and others are only revealed late in the book.

That was also done well. There were twists right up to the very end (and I mean quite literally the last lines) of the book. I like when an author can produce that very last gasp of surprise.

The aforementioned atmosphere was also effective. While the women in the book were a bit younger than me, I could relate to the milestone birthdays and feeling of recapturing what they thought were good times. Turns out, not so much.

What worked for me is that because I am of a certain age, the whole setting reminded me of the Friday the 13th movies, which were pivotal in building my list of “scary locations” for books and movies. This obviously fit right in.

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While the author did have me guessing at who was really behind everything (there were a couple of good red herrings) I thought the reasoning for the real perpetrator was flimsy and not fully developed.

If there had been more flashbacks or a few more hints, I think it would have played better. As mentioned, the red herrings were almost more plausible than the actual reasoning.

There was also quite a bit of repetitiveness, especially when it came to “placing blame” for who was responsible for the predicament the ladies were in. After finishing the book, I now know why that was important, but during the reading, it was a bit tedious.

The same goes for Megan’s thoughts about her family. I get now that it was to build her background and up to those last pages, but over the course of the book, it was just sort of “oh, she said that again.”

Lastly, I thought the owner of the Lake House and everything surrounding him, was an easy out that played along current political lines. It seemed clumsy, and more to appease a point of view than really have impact on the plot.

That being said, I did think the story was good and the creepy camp/location was enough to make a note to myself to always check out vacation places thoroughly. I would still recommend this book for those reasons.

Facebook: LauraWolfeBooks/
Twitter: @LauraWolfeBooks

Author Bio:

Laura Wolfe writes fast-paced and twisty mystery and suspense novels. Her new and upcoming releases include TWO WIDOWS (Bookouture, August 2020), SHE LIES ALONE (Bookouture, November 2020), and THE LAKE HOUSE (Bookouture, March 2021.) Her equestrian-themed YA mystery books have been shortlisted for multiple indie book awards. Laura is a lover of animals and nature. When she is not writing, she can be found hanging out with her highly-energetic kids, growing vegetables in her garden, or spoiling her rescue dog. She enjoys living in Ann Arbor, Michigan

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