Tag: Suspense

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The Fragile Ones-Books On Tour (Review)-Mystery/Suspense Series-Available Now

Detective Katie Scott and her trusty sidekick Cisco are back for another case. I can honestly say that while this was the most heartbreaking of the five cases (so far), it was also the one I had the hardest time getting into.

It is altogether possible that it’s solely on me for that (and probably is) but it might also be Katie herself.

I’ve enjoyed this series. However, in re-reading my review of the last one (Last Girls Alive) I see that I mentioned that the plot seemed to meander a bit and wasn’t as tight as the previous book. I would have to say the same about this book.

Katie is still sharp and working hard to keep her PTSD at bay. I would have liked to see a little more progress on this front, but I understand why the author keeps it at the particular level.

It’s a condition that can resurface at any time with any trigger – and for many, it never goes away even if the person thinks it has been combatted.

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I do still like the camaraderie between Katie and McGaven. They work well together. I do get a bit annoyed at how Katie’s reputation seems to be that of being wonderful. Nobody is that perfect.

That being said, I guess it could be because of her PTSD that people are amazed at how well she does? But that doesn’t make a lot of sense in the bigger picture, and certainly doesn’t fit with the characters.

One disappointment for me is that it seemed from the last book that the author was setting up for a good showdown of wills between Katie and the new undersheriff, Dorothy Sullivan. But unless I just plain ol’ missed it, there was virtually nothing involving the two of them.

I had high hopes for that, but even a search of the undersheriff’s name in the book gave one return. So I’m not exactly sure if I misread the interactions in the previous book, or if the author just decided to go a different direction.

I will say that I got a chill when it came to the description of Rock Creek (roughly ¾ of the way through the book). That was a nice bit of atmosphere that added to the mood.

Anyway, I did like the book, although this is the second in a row where I kind of felt something was missing. I’ll still read the series though because I like Cisco and I like the cold case aspect.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells.

In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.

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

I’m a fan of this author and have read several of his books. One of my all-time favorites is still After the Accident. I always look forward to his new releases, because it seems as if he likes to challenge himself to approach stories in different ways.

This time out, we get the perspective of Harry Curtis. Originally from England, now living in Canada, he is phoned by an old school friend when Harry’s former best friend (Richard) is arrested for murder. Harry returns to the village he grew up in to help figure out what really happened.

Or does he have other reasons for returning, namely the friend who called him, Paige? Is there something more to that friendship?

The author does a fine job of keeping the lines between Harry and Paige murky. I was never quite sure if what they were saying, or if what Harry was thinking, was accurate or if they were just fooling themselves.

Or worse, lying to themselves and everyone else around them.

Essentially, Paige and Harry (believing their friend to be innocent) set out to find the real killer. Oh, and this murder brings up another one that occurred when the three were still in school.

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I thought the author captured the potential bleakness of small-town life. Whether it was through Paige’s actions or the attitudes of the townspeople, there was a despair that illustrated the lack of hope that can set in.

The author also touched on a number of “current” issues including different types of addiction, organized crime and family dynamics.

It’s this last one that makes up a good part of the plot. The relationships between Harry and his sister Evie and between Paige, her mom, and her estranged husband, were especially interesting and well described.

Overall, though, I think the theme of “What does ‘friends forever’ really mean” was strong and thoroughly explored.

I did think that the plot meandered a bit. I know that it was to build tension and to keep the reader off balance like Harry seemed to be. Probably to build more background for the characters as well.

But there were times that I wished the action moved a little bit faster and was more concise. And I have mixed feelings about the final revelation.

On the one hand, it would have been nice to have a few more hints or obvious signs regarding the situation so that events or memories earlier in the book all of a sudden made more sense. On the other hand, sometimes realization of the truth just smacks a person in the face.

I suppose in that regard, the latter was a good choice for this book, as Harry seemed to be at loose ends about pretty much everything throughout the story.

Anyway, I still enjoyed the story and will continue to look forward to what the author comes up with next.

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.

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Lost Souls-Books On Tour (Review)-Crime Thriller-Available Now

This series features one of the most unique pairings in all of the crime/mystery books that I read, and I think that it is one that enhances the investigations they undertake.

I know that sounds convoluted, but instead of two detectives, or two people with similar backgrounds, Lexi and Dan have very different perspectives. This allows them to come at an investigation from a holistic point of view, which in turn enables them to each see things that the other might have missed.

This is the third book in the series, and their roles are clearly defined. At least, they are to each other.

However, when the investigation of the case at hand (this time around it’s a child killer, so possible trigger there) hits potentially close to home for one of them, the other is forced to evaluate how much information to share regarding the investigation.

Yeah, yeah…it’s vague. But y’all should be used to my “no spoilers if I can help it” mantra.

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This issue causes a tangle in the overall investigation because Dan and Lexi aren’t able to share information as freely with each other as in the past. Now, of course, this doesn’t last long, because they do have to get the bad guy.

I like how the author also allows us to get into the mind of the killer. It doesn’t exactly evoke sympathy, but it does shine light on motive. This gives the reader a leg up on the investigators which in turn makes for active reading (which I appreciate).

There are also multiple layers to the investigation which (again) keeps it true to life. One never knows what might pop up over the course of interviews as the depths of the case are revealed.

I also appreciate how the characters are fallible. Dan gets reamed a couple of times by his superiors and Lexi has self-doubts (as well as being judged by others for her choices).

Even Lucy is forced to make a choice that some might find unethical. But that’s the questions posed throughout – is it okay to break rules if it means stopping evil?

The answer should be yes. Fortunately for these characters, it is.

Author Bio:

Chris Merritt is a British author whose crime thrillers combine psychology, suspense, and characters you care about.

All his novels are set in London, where he lives. He began writing fiction in 2014, after previous careers as a diplomat, based in Iraq and Jerusalem, and later as a psychologist working with victims and perpetrators of crime. He specialised in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which sparked his interest in telling stories about how people cope when faced with extreme adversity.

Now he spends most of his time writing novels and drinking coffee while *thinking* about writing novels. When he’s not writing, he loves climbing and playing basketball.

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A Killer’s Daughter-Books On Tour (Review)-Mystery Suspense-Available Now

This book started with a gruesome scene, but it immediately set the stage for the rest of the book.

The author astutely gives the reader a bit of insight into the perpetrator’s frame of mind as they constantly refer to catching “her” attention.

It quickly becomes clear that the “her” in question is the protagonist of this new series, Agent Nadine Finch.

Or is it someone close to Nadine? Hmmmm…..

As you can see from blurbs (and even the cover) Nadine has an interesting background. She’s the daughter of a notorious serial killer. She’s also a forensic psychologist.

Side note: it is sometimes said in police circles that those who have a sketchy background or family history can go one of two ways – they can follow the bad or become the polar opposite and fight against the bad.

In that regard, Nadine was interesting to me because she obviously was deeply affected by her mother’s actions and chose a profession that would not only help catch other people but might also help her understand her mother’s motives.

Great choice to make a complex character.

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I liked how everything seemed natural in the book. I’ve mentioned in other reviews that the first in a series can either be tedious with backstory or natural in the introductions. This falls firmly in the latter category.

I also appreciated how the author made certain characters just murky enough that it was plausible to follow Nadine’s suspicions, regardless of if they were correct or not.

News flash: investigators do often have thoughts and intuitions that may not be entirely correct. Good investigators follow each one to see if they’re right or not. This is what Nadine does, even when it hits close to home.

The plot itself was certainly action packed and had me engrossed from beginning to end. I’d say that I would be worried that the author would be able to sustain the breakneck pace of this book through others, but I would certainly be in for reading them to find out.

I liked the characters, I liked the relationships that were formed, and I liked the twistiness of the plot. I think there is a lot to work with going forward and I can’t wait to see where the next investigation takes Nadine and her co-workers.

Last side note: we just moved to Florida, so it was personally neat to read about places that are nearby…not that I’d want to experience what happened in them, but to recognize locations gave it an extra kick for me.

Twitter: @JennaKernan

Author Bio:
Publishers Weekly bestselling author Jenna Kernan is a two-time RITA nominee and winner of the Book Buyers’ Best award. Prior to signing with Bookouture, she published over thirty novels including her popular APACHE PROTECTOR series, and is a member of numerous writing groups, including International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Florida Mystery Writers and Novelists, Inc. and frequently attends conferences on police procedure at the Writers Police Academy and MurderCon. Jenna currently lives on Florida’s Gulf Coast with her husband. A natural redhead, she has recently increased her sunblock to SPF 50.

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Silent Voices-Books On Tour (Review)-Crime Thriller-Available Now

I’ve been a pretty big fan of Lottie Parker for a few books now (you can read my reviews by searching “Lottie Parker” in the search bar on this blog).

This author creates some of the most intricate plots I have ever read, and there are always surprises and connections that are unexpected. This latest book (#9!) is no exception.

One thing I found particularly entertaining is how Lottie and Boyd’s personal life has progressed. To me, that is almost as interesting as the cases at hand.

Maybe it’s because I have a law enforcement connection, maybe because I just like the human interest, but I’m always invested in how an author addresses the personal lives of the characters.

I’m happy to say that Lottie and Boyd have indeed progressed, but not without more drama (of course). And once again, Lottie needs to think quick and solve an extremely convoluted case before she can find happiness with Boyd.

Or can she find it at all?

Like I’m going to give that part away.

You can read blurbs and recaps elsewhere. The author does the usual fine job of introducing characters at just the right moments so that everything seems natural and organic. There is no forced realization.

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That’s one of the things I like most about this series – I can count on it to be intriguing and page-turning, but rarely do I say “Oh, come on! That wouldn’t happen that way!”

Yeah, I get that way about crime novels.

I think it is also a testament to the author’s prowess that this is indeed book nine in the series, and there are no real signs of slowing down. In fact, I think each book gets more intricate (that word again).

I’d love to see this author’s mind maps or idea boards, I’ll bet they’re works of art.

I will say, however, at this point if you want the full impact of the book, you would be best to start at the beginning of the series and read them in order.

While this could be read as a stand-alone, due to Lottie and Boyd’s relationship, I would suggest reading the trajectory of it. You’ll get so much more out of the book. I promise.

Oh, and the title in relation to the crimes? Well done. I love that connection.

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Twitter: @trisha460

Author Bio:

Patricia is the million-copy bestselling author of the DI Lottie Parker series. She yearned to be a writer after reading Enid Blyton and Carolyn Keene and even wanted to be Nancy Drew when she grew up. She has now grown up (she thinks) but the closest she’s come to Nancy Drew is writing crime!

In 2009, after her husband died, she retired from her job and started writing seriously. Fascinated by people and their quirky characteristics, she always carries a notebook to scribble down observations.

Patricia also loves to paint in watercolour and lives in the Irish midlands with her children.

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Cry for Mercy-Books On Tour (Review)-Crime Thriller-Available Now

It is apparent from the very start that Eleanor Raven is not going to be your typical heroine. The opening scene makes it obvious that this woman walks a different path – the question is, why? It’s a heck of an introduction to the main character, but it doesn’t stop there. Eleanor quickly finds herself in the middle of quite the investigation.

That’s just one of the appealing things in this series from Karen Long. The book starts strong and doesn’t really let up. The author does a good job of introducing the characters and relating them all to each other.

I will say that Eleanor is a tricky character. On the one hand, she is a cool character. Her analytical sense comes through loud and clear, and her methodology is logical. This is good for policework, because it enables her to work through the case efficiently.

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However, her reserve also makes it difficult to really “get to know” her, which in turn made it a little bit difficult to really get behind her. The aloofness worked on one hand but was a hindrance on another.

The subject matter itself is not for the faint of heart. A killer is on the loose and is playing a very dangerous game. Eleanor figures out that there is a connection to a cold case…but just how cold is it? And are the victims random, or is there a pattern?

I thought the investigation and the attitudes of the entire team were realistic. Yes, there’s swearing and it’s gritty, but that’s simply policework. It’s realistic (from my experience).

This book was originally released under a different title a few years ago. I don’t know if there were any changes made between the original publication and this one. I do know that it was a good read, and I look forward to more investigations with Eleanor.

Author Bio:

Karen Long was born in Wolverhampton but has spent the last few years living in California. She worked as an English and Drama teacher for many years, before becoming a full-time writer.

She has written screenplays and articles, but primarily dedicates her time to writing crime fiction and observing wildlife. She loves to travel, which is a great source of inspiration; Toronto became the backdrop to the Eleanor Raven series of thrillers after Karen spent several months there.

A passionate conservationist and lover of the crow family in particular, she has rehabilitated and adopted ravens, crows, magpies and rooks, many of whom became integrated into family life, much to the distress of household members and soft furnishings. She now volunteers regularly at Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care Centre.

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She Lies Alone-Books On Tour (Review)-Psychological Suspense-Available Now

It is difficult to classify this book. The cover says that it is a psychological suspense novel, but there’s also mystery involved. Frankly, I didn’t get much of a “typical” psych suspense from it…more straight-up suspense. But maybe that’s just me.  

The book starts with a jogger finding a body on a high school soccer field. The plot then skips back to the weeks prior to the discovery. Most of the book relates the events leading up to the tragic death.

Told through alternating points of view, the story unfolds from the eyes of a teacher, Jane, and a parent, Amy. We get very different perspectives from each of them, but put together, the full picture emerges.

An interesting note: as I read, I was sure that there were other narrators. But in writing this review, I went back to verify, and every other chapter was either Jane or Amy. There were a few exceptions where one or the other had a couple of chapters in a row.  

I think it’s a sign of good writing that an author can use two characters to paint such a complete picture that it seems like there are more people telling the story. I didn’t realize that until going back and checking, so very well done there.

I was able to relate to this book because I am a former high school teacher. Both the characters (administration, teachers, parents, students) and the setting were familiar. I recognized people I have worked with, especially among the teachers.

The attitudes were also familiar: the admin who only cares about test scores, the secretary who thinks she controls everything, the differing approaches of teachers…I’ve experienced them all.

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I will say that Jane annoyed the heck out of me, and I spent most of the book rooting against her. Maybe it was due to personal experience with teachers like her or maybe she was just unlikeable. But her attitude, assumptions, and barbed comments and thoughts got on my nerves.

I had a difficult time discerning whether she was written that way on purpose to counteract Elena’s more positive approach, or to highlight the differences between an English teacher and a Chemistry teacher, or just to be the vessel that the revelations of the events come through.

Regardless, she did have the longest journey and it seemed by the end that she had seen the error of her approach and was determined to do better in memory of her friend.

I don’t want to say much else, because there were a few surprises along the way. I did guess a few of them (I figured out early on who was leaving the envelopes in Amy’s mailbox). I liked how the end wrapped up the earlier premise that teenagers go through phases – not saying more than that, but it was subtle yet effective.

Less successful, however, was the reveal as to “whodunit.” In hindsight, I see how it was all plotted, but the connections seemed tenuous. I’m not sure it was altogether “believable,” especially in light of the character’s other actions.

Likewise, there was a subplot that seemed to be used solely as a manipulation. I kept expecting a shoe to drop on that case (would have been an even more interesting twist), but it essentially went nowhere.  

That being said, it was still an interesting story and there was enough to keep me interested that I read it mostly in one sitting. You won’t be disappointed with this one.

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Twitter: @LauraWolfeBooks
Website:  https://www.laurawolfebooks.com/

Author Bio:

Laura Wolfe is a lover of animals and nature. When she is not writing, she can be found playing games with her highly-energetic kids, riding horses, growing vegetables in her garden, or spoiling her rescue dog. She lives in her home state of Michigan with her husband, son, and daughter. Laura’s YA mystery, Trail of Secrets, was named as a Finalist in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Laura holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan and a JD from DePaul University. She is an active member of multiple writing groups, including Sisters in Crime and the SCBWI.  

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The One Before-Books On Tour (Review)-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

I’ve been on another psych/suspense thriller kick lately. Fortunately, most of them have been pretty good, and each one has had something unique that makes them stand out.

For The One Before, I’d have to say that the author pulls a switch that I absolutely did not see coming, and it changed my perspective on the story completely.

Well done for that.

I did feel like the story started slowly.  I’ll admit that I wasn’t entirely sure that I was going to like the book. It felt very methodical and almost formulaic. Outsider engaged to rich golden boy; they move to boy’s hometown where his family rules the roost; town members are divided about past events.

Only once you reach a particular point in the book (you’ll know it when you read it), you realize that everything was put in place exactly this way to lull the reader into a sense of familiarity and maybe even complacency.

And the purpose all along is to be able to slap the reader in the face with a twist. Or four.

Truly, this book totally picked up in the second half. Once I got to the turning point, I couldn’t put it down.

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To me, Cooper was the most complex character. In some ways, he was an enigma as he had escaped Whisper – only to return and become more like his family. It was an interesting switch for him.

I didn’t care for Madison that much at first. I thought the author maybe injected Madison with some of her personal perspectives on feminism. There were also a couple of relatively throwaway political comments that served no purpose to the plot and only seemed to be inserted for “points.” That annoyed me, and me unsympathetic towards Madison.

However, I think that Madison realized the error of her past choices and was on a path to redemption.  Her journey was tough, but she did better herself – at least a little bit.  

I will admit that I did guess one of the more major twists – but that was only because I play a game with myself that I try to think of the most “out there” twist and then see if I’m right. This time I was – but not about all of them.

I would definitely recommend picking up and sticking with this one. You’ll be glad you did. And while you’re at it, check out this author’s other books Some Days are Dark and What I Know.

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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My Sister’s Husband-Books On Tour (Review)-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

Buy this book. Now. Don’t wait.

I mean, read this review if you want to, but seriously, if you are a fan of suspenseful stories, this is the book for you.

I’m not even sure where to start with the twists in this one.

When you think you know what is happening.

You don’t.

When you think you’ve learned all of the secrets.

You haven’t.

When you think you’ve figured out all of the lies.

You’re not even close.

This book had layers upon layers of secrets, parallel story lines with similarities in timelines, and intricate relationships that may or may not be what they seem.

I can’t say enough good things about it.

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However, that being said, I also am struggling to figure out how to write this review without giving away any of the plot points, because it would be a shame if readers had a heads up. This is definitely one to read without any hints.

To say that Freya and Brooke have a shaky sisterhood is an understatement. I loved the way that their issues mirrored Alice and Diana’s. It was interesting to see how the author drew the parallels but not as clearly as one would imagine.

There was also great emphasis on family loyalties and how they can be misconstrued or misplaced. The question of “does history repeat itself” came to mind a few times, but with the caveat of “do we create our own destiny by our actions.”

I know that sounds heavy, and this book is anything but that. It is crisply written, with a tight plot, and lots of twists (literally up until the very last page).

I didn’t say a lot about the plot – you can get a synopsis elsewhere. But seriously: Do. Not. Miss. This. Book.

It just rocketed towards the top of my best reads of the year.

Website: https://www.nicolamarsh.com/
Twitter: @NicolaMarsh
Facebook: NicolaMarshAuthor

Author Bio:
USA TODAY bestselling & multi-award winning author Nicola Marsh writes feel-good fiction with a twist! She has published 68 books with Harlequin, Amazon and indie, and sold over 8 million copies worldwide. She currently writes women’s fiction/rural romance for Harper Collins Australia Mira imprint, emotional domestic suspense for Bookouture and contemporary romance for Harlequin Dare.

She’s also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a RBY and National
Readers’ Choice Award winner, is a multiple finalist for awards including the Romantic Times
Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath,
More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards. 

A physiotherapist for 13 years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two dashing
young heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, barracking loudly for her beloved
North Melbourne Kangaroos footy team, and her favourite, curling up with a good book!

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Close to the Bone by Susan Wilkins – Books On Tour (Review)

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Buried Deep, so I was looking forward to this one. I’m pleased to say that Detective Megan Thomas is still in fine form.

She’s still somewhat of a mess, but she is trying to work through it. It helps that she has not one, but two seemingly disparate investigations – are they somehow linked or is that just a reflection of normal casework. And is her past making her too jaded to be objective?

Megan herself wonders this more than once, which adds an interesting dimension to her character. Her self-doubt comes close to making her an unreliable investigator. She knows that she should be trusting her gut and just “going with it,” but she constantly second-guesses herself.

It doesn’t help that she’s still living with her sister, Debbie, and Debbie’s family. This adds to her sense of loss from the past traumas. I’m not going to rehash that, but I stand by what I said in my previous review (see link above).

The author writes about her past as if the reader experienced it with Megan, but we didn’t; it’s all been exposition. It still feels more manipulative than character driven. Even actual flashbacks would be beneficial to a greater understanding of Megan’s current state.

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As to the investigations, Megan has a lot to deal with here as well. The team, whose personalities were established in book one, continue to work well together in spite of the conflicts they have. I think these are the most real parts of the story.

No unit gets along 100% of the time. They snipe at each other, get angry, disagree with next steps…but ultimately work together to solve the case(s). However, sometimes it’s difficult to see behind the façade of a person, especially when you work closely. Megan has to face this a couple of times.

We do get the addition of a couple of interesting characters from the National Crime Agency (NCA). I liked these two, as I think they both had a positive impact on Megan…although for very different reasons. It will be interesting to see if those connections continue in future books.

The action was well-plotted and retained my interest for the most part. It did drag a little bit in the middle, but that’s typical of an investigation…sometimes there’s just a brick wall in the way until another piece chips away and the whole thing comes tumbling down, breaking the case wide open. That was certainly what happened with this investigation.  

I did have a suspicion about a character fairly early on that proved to be true, although not exactly in the way that I thought. I liked that the author surprised me with that. She also handled the timely topic of human trafficking (no spoiler) with sensitivity and insight.

All in all, it’s another solid investigation from Megan and the team. I’ll be interested to see where she goes from here.     

Website: https://susanwilkins.co.uk
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Author Bio:

Susan Wilkins also writes as S.J. Wilkins. Susan worked for years in television drama, wrote for shows including Casualty, Heartbeat, Coronation Street, and Eastenders, and created the London-based detective drama South of the Border.

Her gritty, Essex-based gangster trilogy – THE INFORMANT, THE MOURNER and THE KILLER – has been compared to Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers and described as “blazingly brilliant” (Sunday Mirror). IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME, her fourth book, is a twisty psychological thriller, featuring police detective Jo Boden, an ambitious cop still grieving for a murdered sister.

For 2020 a completely gripping new series from Susan introduces the tough and determined Detective Megan Thomas. For fans of Ann Cleeves, LJ Ross and Mari Hannah, this will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. Writing as S.J. Wilkins, A KILLER’S HEART – a tense and timely political thriller, is now available on Kindle.

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