Tag: Thriller

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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.

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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
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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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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!

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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.

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The Woman in My Home-Fisher-Review-Thriller-Available Now

The Woman in My Home by Kerry Fisher is a thriller that takes a few twists and turns before arriving at a fairly satisfying conclusion.

It is also a story that starts off as one thing before morphing and becoming something much more. Ultimately, I think the author wants us to understand that men are awful. And women need to stick together to be able to defeat their machinations.

That probably seems simplistic, but considering the twists that occur, I don’t think it is inaccurate.

Cath is excited to have a new beau. So, she moves him into the house quicker than her son and mother would like. The move is complicated by the son’s family situation as well.

Rebecca is at loose ends due to her husband’s bad business deals. She happens to be around when Cath’s mother needs assistance, which leads to her working for Cath.

You really don’t need more detail than that.

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I found Cath to be unlikeable, and somewhat of a snob. Like she couldn’t possibly have made a bad decision and everyone else around her just didn’t understand. Honestly, she sometimes came across as a petulant teen.

I think that is why I had a difficult time feeling bad for her when everything started to unravel.

Rebecca was a little bit easier to support because she had her heart in the right place. Plus, it seemed as if she was a little more astute than Cath.

Perhaps the author was also trying to illustrate that money can’t solve all problems and doesn’t necessarily make someone better or smarter?

Anyway, eventually the women do get it together. I don’t want to give away the climax, but I will say that I wished there had been more oomph behind the comeuppance of the character who deserved it.

After everything else, that fell decidedly flat for me. I expected more “thriller” from the ending – like how would the person react?

But it was still a good read, and I liked how Rebecca stayed true to herself, even as she questioned why she was even bothering to try to help.

The Woman in My Home by Kerry Fisher lacks a bit of focus, but it is still a good thriller that illustrates how the heart can overrule common sense.

Twitter: @KerryFSwayne
Facebook: kerryfisherauthor
Instagram: @kerryfisherwrites

About the author:

Kerry Fisher is an internationally bestselling author of women’s contemporary fiction, including The Woman I Was Before, The Silent Wife (USA Today bestseller) and Other People’s Marriages, as well as a non-fiction memoir, Take My Hand. She now lives in Surrey with her husband, with an intermittent empty nest as her two young adult children come and go.

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The Girl Before Me-Wolfe-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

The Girl Before Me by Laura Wolfe has all the hallmarks of a good psych thriller.

Rachel is a likable heroine. It is easy to root for her because she is not a caricature. She is realistic, and her actions and thoughts are understandable. It is easy to see where the reader could make the same decisions she does.

There is a “locked room” vibe to the plot. It is obvious from the prologue that Annie is (probably) “the girl before me” – with the “me” being Rachel. But most of the important action occurs within a few apartments in one building.

This allows for a finite number of suspects when things start to go a little strange for Rachel. The author does a great job of casting each person who Rachel comes in contact with as a potential villain.

It also allows for a sense of claustrophobia to permeate through several scenes. I got a definite “Rosemary’s Baby” feeling from the people and the building.

And that’s all I have to say about that point.

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A good psych thriller has red herrings. Part of that is which characters are suspicious. But part of it is also not allowing the red herrings to be unbelievable. This is another area where the author largely succeeds.

I did think that Rachel’s situation that led her to be in the apartment wasn’t quite as fleshed out as it could have been. It served as a good option for the events but could have used a little more oomph to be completely believable. The same goes for Rachel’s mom.

Some of the characters, however, were more like caricatures (kindly old couple, hot single guy, trendy girl, weirdo guy) – but I like to think that is by design. They didn’t bother me, they just felt familiar.

It is also a little strange that after the prologue, everyone is sort of like, “yeah, the person is gone” and…that’s it. On the surface, it seems odd that nobody would mention the police or offer more solid theories on where the person went.

However, in today’s transitory culture, especially in big cities, I don’t think it is unusual for people to adopt an “Oh well” type of attitude toward their neighbors. Especially when there are plausible excuses given for the person’s absence.

I know that sounds confusing, but I promise it makes sense in the context of the plot.

What I did like most about the book was that it all just made sense. Once the plot is revealed and the secrets are uncovered, it was possible to look back and see how everything was clearly laid out. It’s a good story when the author makes a clear path for the reader but then leads them astray.

Again, I know that is cryptic, but I don’t want to give anything away. Especially as there are a few final twists even after you think everything is wrapped up.

The Girl Before Me is another solid psych thriller from Laura Wolfe.

Facebook: LauraWolfeBooks/
Twitter: LauraWolfeBooks
Instagram: lwolfe.writes/

Author Bio

Laura Wolfe is an Amazon charts bestselling author who writes fast-paced and twisty psychological thrillers and suspense novels. Her recent titles published by Bookouture include WE LIVE NEXT DOOR, HER BEST FRIEND’S LIE, SHE LIES ALONE, and TWO WIDOWS. Laura is a lover of animals and nature. When she is not writing, she is hanging out with her husband and two kids, growing vegetables in her garden, or spoiling her rescue dog. She enjoys living in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Website: https://www.laurawolfebooks.com/

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

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

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

But I am getting ahead of myself.

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

Their parents were essentially pillars of the community.

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

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

Or does it?

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

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

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

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

Facebook: MirandaSmithAuthor
Twitter: msmithbooks
Instagram: mirandasmithwriter

Author Bio:

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

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If She Wakes-Therme-Review-Thriller-Available Now

If She Wakes by Erik Therme is billed as a standalone, and as a thriller, I will say that is mostly accurate.

However, I will also say that you absolutely want to read the first book in the series if you have any hope of understanding all of the twists, turns, and relationships.

I understand that the author needs to “lay the scene” so to speak so that anyone who didn’t read the first book has an inkling about where this is starting.

But I will be honest and say that my head was spinning trying to keep everything in the first chapter straight. It was a bit of a push to get through it, but I am glad that I did.

This is a very strongly plotted book that has plenty of interesting moments. It finally did catch my attention and held it.

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It really made me wish I had read the first book first. So, don’t make my mistake – definitely check them out in order.

One thing that I gather is the theme throughout (so far) is the question of how far a person would be willing to go to protect their family. Tess has to answer this question several times.

There is plenty of well-written action. In fact, sometimes it almost seems fraught.

I like a bit of realism with my thrillers, but I kept thinking that no way would a woman (or anyone) be able to handle everything Tess goes through without needing serious therapy – or a drink or seven. There were times that it felt a bit much.

However, once I realized the author’s goal, I was able to just sit back and go along for the ride. And that is definitely the best way to approach this book.

So, definitely read the first one and then read If She Wakes.  Erik Therme is obviously building something, and your enjoyment will be multiplied by reading it the way it is crafted.

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Author Bio
Erik Therme has thrashed in garage bands, inadvertently harbored runaways, and met Darth Vader. When he’s not at his computer, he is cheering on his youngest daughter’s volleyball team, or watching horror movies with his oldest. He currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa—one of only twenty-eight places in the world that UNESCO has certified as a City of Literature.

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Beach Wedding-Ledwidge-Review-Thriller-Available Now

Beach Wedding by Michael Ledwidge is one of those thriller books that reads like a movie. It’s the perfect way to tell this story.

Terry Rourke and his family return to the rich playground of Long Island for older brother Tom’s fancy wedding. It’s part family reunion, part celebration, and all excess and fun.

But Tom has an ulterior motive. As soon as Terry catches on to it, the perspective shifts. There is still fun to be had, but the undercurrent sweeping below the action is quick and dark.

I will put a side note in here. Michael Ledwidge is a co-writer with James Patterson on several books. The style is very similar, so if you know James Patterson, you know what to expect here.

The chapters are short, the cast of characters is interesting, and the action is linear (except for a few “memory” sections, so it moves along quickly.

Really, there isn’t time to think too much. It is best to just let the story take you along for the ride.

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Although I enjoyed the book immensely and finished it in one sitting I feel like there are some missing parts.

A few characters serve a purpose in a singular scene and then disappear forever. I think the biggest thing for me is that the wedding, the reason they are all on the island, fades into the background as soon as Terry gets wind of updates in “the case.”

No, I’m not going to tell you what “the case” is – you can read it for yourself. No spoilers here.

But I wanted more from the wedding of excess. It is almost like the author started with the intention of the book going one way and then decided to veer in another direction to get the “thriller” points.

I will say, however, that if you think you have it figured out before Terry, you don’t. The author saves a couple of pretty good twists for the last third of the book. I guess that makes it a good thriller.

In other words, just sit back and enjoy the beach wedding.

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About the Author:

MICHAEL LEDWIDGE is the writer of seventeen novels, the last dozen being New York Times bestsellers cowritten with one of the world’s bestselling authors, James Patterson. With twenty million copies in print, their Michael Bennett series is the highest-selling New York City detective series of all time. One of their novels, Zoo, became a three-season CBS television series. He lives in Connecticut.

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The Family Upstairs-Review-Thriller-Available Now

The Family Upstairs is one of those books that doesn’t make its intention obvious. Instead, the author allows the winding plot to draw the reader in before getting to the point. And what a thrilling point it is. I did not see the climax of this story coming at all.

It initially unfolds from three perspectives. Libby finds out she has come into a big inheritance, which kicks off the chain of events for the rest of the book. Lucy is down on her luck in France. And Henry…well, Henry almost seems like an omniscient being for a good part of the story.

Henry tells the story of the past. We get everything that occurred from his point of view. I am not giving anything away to say that he is an odd duck from the beginning.

The last pages indicate that this continues into adulthood.

More insidious is the story of the family upstairs and how Henry’s entire life changes due to one person’s weakness. Whether that is the intention of the author I don’t know – but that’s what I got from it.

Without saying too much, the question of repetitive psychological abuse and its long-reaching influences weighs heavily in the story.

I can’t stress enough that this is not a book to be read with the intention of getting to the point. The reader must take in everything that is happening, allowing the author to tell the story in its own time.

It is a better read if you allow yourself to be drawn in. That sounds odd. But immersing yourself in the different points of view allows for a greater feeling of the horror suffered by the three main characters.

It takes a while, but when the relationships become clear, it feels like the entire story was building to that point – even as it didn’t feel that way while actually reading it.

I know this all sounds convoluted, and I don’t mean for it to be. This book is different from many others I have read. It is a memorable story. And certainly worth the time to fully embrace the entire atmosphere.

Surprisingly, The Family Upstairs is apparently the first book I have read by this author. Don’t know how that is possible. But I certainly will be looking forward to reading the others in short order.

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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.

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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
Instagram: @kimberlysbelle

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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The Mother Next Door (Laskowski)-Blog Tour-Thriller-Available Now

If you’re a seasonal reader looking for a spooky novel with just enough gossip and drama to keep you interested, look no further. This is the book for you.

Set on and around Halloween, the author creates an eerie atmosphere and serves up a couple of chills along the way. There isn’t a whole lot of depth or deep thinking, but that’s okay. The plot skims along and keeps the reader entertained from beginning to end.

Theresa is happy to have moved into her idea of a perfect house – but there is an undercurrent of unease in the neighborhood. It could just be the season because the annual Halloween block party is coming up. Or there could be past events coming back to haunt the residents of Ivy Woods.

Maybe it’s both.

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I thought that the author set the tone in an excellent manner, introducing the story with a mystery narrator. It was atmospheric, and the continued narration scattered throughout the chapters was eerie.

I keep using those words (creepy and eerie). Honestly, I typed them in my notes several times as I was reading. I can’t stress enough how atmospheric the story was.

And that attention to making it spooky and creating doubt as to what was going on and who was responsible is what absolutely makes this novel.

There are plot points that seemed thin and a few things that just didn’t ring true. For example, Kendra’s attitude toward younger women seemed to be thrown in merely for motivation – there wasn’t a lot of backup or other examples of why she felt that way. The same could be said for the rest of the Ivies…there wasn’t a lot of depth or follow up to their characters.

But once again, that didn’t matter to me, because that’s not how I was reading the book. I took it for a fun October read with a few surprises and I thoroughly enjoyed it for that.

So just let yourself skate along with the narrative. Don’t think too much or expect deep revelations. Think of it as a favorite scary movie that you watch every year.

If you do that, you’ll definitely enjoy this book.

Facebook: tara.laskowski.9
Twitter: @TaraLWrites
Instagram: @taralwrites

AUTHOR BIO

TARA LASKOWSKI is the author of One Night Gone, which won an Agatha Award, Macavity Award, and Anthony Award, and was a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, Left Coast Crime Award, Strand Critics’ Award, and Library of Virginia Literary Award. She is also the author of two short story collections, Modern Manners for Your Inner Demons and Bystanders, has published stories in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and Mid-American Review, among others, and is the former editor of SmokeLong Quarterly. Tara earned a BA in English from Susquehanna University and an MFA from George Mason University and currently lives in Virginia. Find her on Twitter and Instagram, @TaraLWrites.

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