Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

 A psychological study of grief and loss.

When Laurel Mack loses her favorite daughter, Ellie, a gifted 15-year-old who was the light of her life,  she drowns in grief that destroys the family that includes two older children, Hanna and Jake. Some believe she ran away but no sightings or trace of Ellie were ever found. Although the police investigated and countless appeals were made, the case went cold. 

Now, it’s 10 years gone and not much has changed as Laurel has never moved on. Then she meets a man, Floyd, and tentatively begins a relationship. It’s a shock, however, when Laurel first meets his nine-year-old daughter, Poppy, who looks a lot like Ellie. (I think you can guess where this might be going). Laurel gets close to Poppy and Floyd with some disturbing questions that bring her back again to what happened to Ellie. 

Told in a then and now format with alternating viewpoints, this is not a typical twist heavy psychological thriller as it is more a slow burn study of a mother’s trauma and grief. I can’t say as that I liked Laurel very much because her obsession with Ellie also estranged her other two children because of the favoritism. Part of the uniqueness of the plot is due to the structure when the central mystery of Ellie’s fate is revealed about halfway through. This shifts the focus from “what happened” to the more sinister “how and why” and was far more disturbing. Some extremely fractured and damaged other characters, Laurel’s new focus on Poppy as perhaps a substitute daughter, sociopathic delusion and the desperate obsession of those seeking love all combine to create a chilling, if a bit melodramatic, picture of broken lives. I found the conclusion to be overwhelmingly sad on many levels. Haunting is a good word to describe the tone of this book. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Helen Duff and Gabrielle Glaister, did a decent job of bringing most of the characters to life but were sadly lacking with the male voices. At times there seemed a bit of a miss with the accents as well. Overall, however, the production did enhance my enjoyment of the book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags - psychological fiction, mystery, missing teen, family drama, sociopathy and obsession

Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill

 A clever homage to classic locked-room mysteries.

Fraternal twins Joe (a fiction writer) and Meredith (a lawyer) board the infamous Orient Express after he's finally cleared by his medical team after treatment for cancer. Almost immediately, things go awry and a bloody, body-less crime scene appears in the cabin next door. An interesting group of passengers form an alliance to search for the missing person who is presumed dead. The cohort just happens to included former police, detectives, spies and other investigators that make the effort seem more like an ensemble event taking place in the bar car. 

There are lots of red herrings and so many characters to keep track of that make the pacing a bit convoluted. It was an entertaining and cozy type read despite the number of dead bodies (five) and the twists did require suspension of disbelief. I had to read the ending a couple of times to make sure I actually understood what had happened. 

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because the audio book was just that good. I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Katherine Littrell and Eden Gabay, did an amazing job voicing the characters with great dramatic effect and all the right accents. Their performance definitely enhanced the book and provided a fun immersive reading experience.

This is a standalone that might actually make a good series if further developed.

Tags and genre - cozy crime thriller, mystery, setting is Orient Express, murder, con man 

The Widow by John Grisham

 Satisfying legal suspense that is also a captivating slow burn mystery.

Small-town lawyer Simon Latch is barely keeping his Main Street office open dealing with bankruptcies, divorces, and simple wills. When elderly Eleanor Barnett hires him to draft a new will, claiming that she and her late husband had accumulated a multimillion dollar fortune that she controls, Simon gets dollar signs in his eyes. He’s already financially desperate and between his gambling and his own impending divorce, sees a way to take on his richest client ever to make bank. Then Eleanor gets injured in a car crash she caused and ends up hospitalized. Simon scrambles to maintain control of the vast estate with power of attorney and other legal instruments that he executes when the worst happens. Now Simon is fighting in the courts to clear his name and save himself from a miscarriage of justice.

A very satisfying and dramatic drama that is more whodunit than high octane corporate courtroom thriller. It’s more centered on a small town attorney’s moral decay and questionable ethics so is more character driven than usual for this author. As Simon tries desperately to track down the real killer, he comes into contact with some interesting people. He makes a wonderfully ambivalent protagonist as he comes off as a greedy and desperate shyster while also retaining enough humanity to garner empathy despite his poor choices. I always enjoy the courtroom scenes and the behind the scenes trial preparation and legal maneuverings. The book points out how corruptible the legal system can be and also the high temptation to sacrifice the high road for ambition and money. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. The narrator, Michael Beck, did an excellent job using a Southern drawl to lend authenticity to the locale and the different characters. The only thing that would have made it better would be to use a female voice for those roles. The production provided an immersive experience that enhanced the story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - legal thriller, crime thriller, mystery, murder, serial killer, poison

Final Descent by Audrey J. Cole

 Divorced pilot Claire Winslow, battling a mental health crisis with a diversion, faces a chilling nightmare when her blind date turns into a stalker. She goes to the police, but reporting him fails. Then, the ultimate shock —  he boards her flight as a pilot in the jump seat. 

This is like high altitude fatal attraction as this thriller straps you into the cockpit watching Claire unravel as nothing makes sense and she feels powerless. Along with her best friend doubting her and the copilot experiencing a health emergency, Claire sees no way out. The frustration of not being believed and her sanity doubted, Claire has to pull herself together like never before and get the plane back onto the ground. 

I typically don’t read novellas or short stories, but this was so fast paced I barely got into it before it was over. Not a lot of character development with the old sanity gaslighting trope, but it was entertaining even if predictable. I’m a sucker for an airplane story and I did race through it in a matter of minutes.

It was made even more fun by listening to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Zura Johnson, did a great job voicing the characters and the production created a dramatic and immersive reading experience. The pacing was good and I enjoyed it. 

This is a standalone novella of 90 pages. Not part of any series.

Genre and tags : thriller, pilot, stalker, custody, gaslighting 

Poison Wood (#2) by Jennifer Moorhead

 Atmospheric mystery thriller and family drama.

Ambitious and successful crime reporter, Rita Meade, goes home when a skull is found in the Louisiana forest on the grounds of the now-shuttered Poison Wood Therapeutic Academy for girls, where she was once a student. That discovery coincides with Rita flaming out in her job because she didn’t disclose her association with a woman who had contacted her for an interview related to the school and was subsequently found deceased on the beach in Florida. In addition, as secrets about Poison Wood and its troubled former students and staff are revealed, the corrosive nature of lies is revealed. 

Rita Meade is a strong protagonist and her personal connections to the murder and likely killer increase the tension and suspense as she relentlessly pursues answers while no longer allowed to be a reporter on the story. There are lots of little mysteries that need to be addressed and I liked the detail and hints provided in the diary entries of journals found on the grounds. There are lots of characters and many suggestions of impropriety in the school and in what looks like a coverup and false imprisonment because of entitlement, privilege, and wealth. Definitely kept me guessing until a satisfying conclusion. This is the second book featuring this character but it can be read as a standalone without any difficulty. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also reading along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Sophie Amoss, did an excellent job of maintaining a good pace and enhancing the atmosphere of the psychological thriller. She gave distinctive voices to all the characters including appropriate accents. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story and created an immersive experience. 

This is the second in a series featuring Rita Meade. It can be read as a standalone without any issue. I may go back and find Broken Bayou. More a companion book. 

Genre and tags: mystery thriller and family drama, murder, girls’ school

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

 Two women try to work together to discover what happened to their sisters who disappeared years ago, several weeks apart, along a stretch of deserted road.

This book was a huge disappointment solely due to its appalling characters, their acations, and the utterly horrible ending. I was engaged and guessing my way through this mystery and, even though I really didn’t like Nic and felt sorry for Jenna, I was stunned at the conclusion. You’ve got to be kidding me! Upon reflection, the whole narrative now appears contrived and senseless. The relationships and the information that the two found out about their sisters became meaningless and moot. I don’t mind a crazy twist now and again, but this one destroyed my emotional investment in the plot

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Saskia Maaleveld who voiced the main characters, and the author herself did some special sections, did a decent job of dramatizing the story. Unfortunately, their performance was unable to save the book and give me a reason to recommend it.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - mystery, missing sisters, sexual assault, murder, alcoholism, drama

The Devil’s Advocate (Eddie Flynn #6) by Steve Cavanagh

 An adrenaline shot of social commentary makes this legal thriller sizzle.

The author delivers a searing and unflinching look at the danger that is white supremacist terrorist groups — which the FBI and Homeland Security deem the biggest national security threat in the USA. In this 6th book of the series, Eddie Flynn and his team are sent into a small Alabama town in an attempt to stop the execution of a young black man who has been railroaded into a confession of murder. 

The action was nonstop and the legal maneuvers almost gave me whiplash as Eddie tries to figure out how to save Andy Dubois from a prosecuting attorney known as the king of death row because he always gets a guilty verdict and a death penalty sentence. Sunville Country, Alabama, is a cesspool of corruption with a clear and present evil that threatens to consume Eddie and his client. Andy’s sentence is a foregone conclusion and nobody is safe from those determined to convict him no matter the cost. Bodies drop because those in power won’t take no for an answer. Eddie, Kate, Henry and Bloch are trying to find one good man strong enough to stand up against shadowy group controlling the fate of the people in the town. When you can’t trust the cops or the lawyers or the judge, things look hopeless. 

The characters are great, the writing is excellent and I did not want to put this book down so finished it in a couple of hours. I felt a slot burn building as the lies and manipulations brought Andy’s situation so close to injustice. It reminds everyone that if something that is happening is not right nor fair nor just, and you see it, you must speak up. Hard to do when faced with threats to life or liberty and that’s why evil prevailed in that small town for so long and one man got away with his bloodlust and systemic racism to persecute Black defendants. 

I was fortunate to be able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. The narrator, Adam Sims, did an excellent job of bringing this to life with a measured dramatic flair that really enhanced the story. His range and ability made the characters sound distinct and believable. I love the immersive experience of simultaneous listening and reading.

Thoroughly recommend. I’ve read most all of the Eddie Flynn books and though this one works as a standalone, I think you’ll enjoy more if you start from the beginning.

This is the 6th in a series.

Genre - legal thriller, white supremacists, racism, injustice, courtroom drama, action

You’ll Never Find Me (Angelhart Investigations #1) by Allison Brennan

 First in the Angelhart Investigations series is an intriguing crime thriller that was hard to put down.

Margo Angelhart is a private investigator working solo after a falling out with her family’s similar company when they disagreed about an issue with her father. She’s concentrating on two cases — one involving a possible cheating spouse and the other is helping a female victim of domestic violence escape her abusive husband. Even though they are estranged, Margo is forced to work with her family’s company when her infidelity case intersects with a corporate espionage investigation that her brother and sister are looking into. 

This was fast paced and I really enjoyed the writing style and the family interaction. I liked the Angelhart family members and even Margo who is headstrong, stubborn, impetuous, and who doesn’t mind bending or breaking the rules. The disparate plots that wove together were interesting as were the family’s methods of tracking, tracking, and figuring things out. I’ll definitely want to check out future installments in this series as there were a lot of unresolved family problems that will need to be dealt with. Also look forward to more character development and I did like the setting of Phoenix, Arizona. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Hillary Huber, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters though a male voice would have made it even better. The pacing was good and her performance definitely enhanced my appreciation of the book.

This is the first in a series.

Genre - crime thriller, family, abuse, murder, embezzlement, infidelity, private investigators 

The Tourists (Mac Dekker #2) by Christopher Reich

 Fast paced espionage thriller kept me engaged.

A romantic Paris getaway turns into an espionage nightmare when retired CIA agent Mac Dekker’s lover, Ava Attal, a former Mossad operative, vanishes mid proposal. Of course he is forced to plunge back into the spy world to find her and avert a massive terror plot hatched by a prince of Qatar. 

Lots of action and a frantic race through some of the most beloved landmarks in Paris as Mac tries to find Ava and thwart the disruption of a unique peace accord. These spies are quite clever and handy with weapons as they hack into computers and interrogate those who have information. I liked both Mac and Ava, but as always, some of the ancillary characters fall dead by the wayside the closer the good guys get to their objective. I liked the detail about the city and the luxury that the truly rich prince enjoyed. The love story between Mac and Ava is secondary to their high stakes pursuit to preclude a terrible disaster. Seems like the spy world is a cold hearted world and we may see another installment featuring these characters given the conclusion. The writing is excellent.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Paul Michael, had a fantastic voice and excellent command of French with the accent to match. His fluency, flow, and rhythm enhanced the story along with his.dramatic flair. Listening made the novel so much more of an immersive experience.

This is the second in the series but the first I have read. No issue.

Genre and tags - Paris, spy thriller, Qatar prince, nuclear bomb, Mossad, CIA 

The Compound by Aisling Rawle

 Survivor/reality show thriller falls flat.

In the near future, a group of 20 contestants is taken to a remote desert compound where they will compete to be the last person remaining there for a reality television show. To win, the young adults must outlast each other in a series of group and personal challenges. They have to do tasks or manipulative performances to get basic necessities such as water along with special luxury items. The relationships of the contestants is fraught as they jockey to avoid banishment. It's survival versus spectacle in the worst way. 

The main character is Lily, who is about the dumbest in the compound. I should have DNF but I kept going hoping that things would speed up but this was very slow moving and quite boring. The premise was good but the execution missed the mark and never brought the thrills. The rest of the characters were so over the top ridiculous at times and the emotional attachments so superficial but perhaps that's down to their ages as most were barely out of their teens. This was like bad YA as I didn't identify with or like any of the female or male competitors. The pacing was off and the things that went on in the compound between the contenders seemed overly cruel at times as well as exploitative. Once the majority of the players were eliminated, the way that the remaining participants carried on trying to win just left me shaking my head in disgust. It was astounding (and not in a good way) what these young people were willing to do and say to be the last one in the compound. Materialistic and immature, left to their own devices, they became quite unpleasant. The conclusion left no doubt that this was a book I should have left unread. 

I listened to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. It was OK. I finally had to just stop and finish as I read much faster than the narrator. I wanted it to be over.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags and genre - young adult feel, reality show, romance, manipulation, sex, survivor thriller 

We Are All Guilty Here (North Falls #1) by Karin Slaughter

 Tense, exciting, and suspenseful southern gothic crime thriller. 

Two teenaged girls vanished during the North Falls Independence Day fireworks celebration. The small town in Georgia erupted and things eventually settled down when two men were convicted and put in prison. Twelve years later, another young girl disappears under similar circumstances just when the jailed man is released. Surely he’s not doing it again so that means that perhaps they put away the wrong man for the crimes. Deputy Sheriff Emmy Clifton is haunted by her missteps during the original investigation and now must work with a retired FBI consultant to unpack more than a decade of buried secrets and lies to solve the abduction and bring the latest missing girl home. 

This was so good, I couldn’t bear to step away from it. Other than annoying repetition of some statistics here and there, the writing was excellent and the fast pace kept me glued to the pages. The characters were also quite interesting and well-developed with depth and vulnerablitilies. The small town atmosphere where everyone knows each other and where there is a lot of history with the families, past crimes, and unresolved guilt makes it all a bit haunting. The evil in the bad guys is palpable. The innocence of the victims tainted by their desire to grow up too soon is heart wrenching. The blaming. Oh and did I mention the twists and surprises? It really is a well plotted story and I understand this is the first in a new series. I definitely will look for the next installment. 

There was a time when I swore I’d never read another one of this author’s books. I think many readers know why and which book. But, this one reminds me of why I liked the previous titles by Karin Slaughter. Fingers crossed she doesn’t cross my line again! 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Kathleen Early, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters and giving this novel the appropriate dramatic flair. The pacing was good and I enjoyed the immersive experience of this production. 

Don’t miss out on this new series.

This is the first in a new series.

Tags and genre - this book was a lot of things: crime thriller, southern gothic, secrets and lies, murder, rape, kidnapping, abduction, family drama, pedophilia 

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

 A suspenseful thriller that kept me on edge.

Don’t pick up strangers or help people if you’re on a road trip as no good deed goes unpunished. 

3.5 stars rounded up.

The year is 1976 when Alice Bell and her husband, Tom, take off in their new Winnebago for a road trip east across Canada. They are in recovery after a trauma and want to regain closeness and intimacy in their marriage. They’re nice people. And they are certainly not prepared for the terrible events that transpire when they meet a young hitching couple, Blue and Ocean, in an RV park and campground. He’s 21 and she’s 18 and pregnant. They don’t look dangerous, but looks can be deceiving and Alice and Tom find this out when Alice discovers that the couple, whose names are really Simon and Jenny, are murderers on the run. The killers take Alice and Tom hostage and force Alice to drive as Simon continues his brutal actions at every stop on this terrible journey. 

This was a real nail biter and I was sickened by the brutality and violence and despised the two young adults who were terrorizing Alice and Tom as well as others they encounter on this trip. The psychological drama exacerbates as the story is told in dual perspectives of Alice and Jenny as they both are trying to survive. The line between victim and villain blurs at times in a Stockholm Syndrome way as it becomes clear that Simon will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Definitely dark and tense as Alice and Tom are held captive facing increasingly dangerous situations. It was even more compelling set in this time before cell phones and the internet which made escape and getting help even more difficult especially along the isolated stretches of highway and small towns along the way. It was very frustrating at times for this reader who wanted Alice and Tom to get away even though every attempt was thwarted, not to mention Tom being so severely injured and incapable. Alice was very strong and I rooted for her to overcome. I know I am meant to feel sorry for Jenny but I probably didn’t get to that level of emotional empathy for her despite her backstory.

And yeah, people talk about the ending. I thought it was somewhat contrived, yes, but not unexpected. I was glad it concluded on that note. There was just a lot of violence and cruelty in the book that bothered me quite a bit and I wished the worst for Simon.  This was definitely an emotional read. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators, Lindsey Dorcas (Alice) and Moniqua Plante (Jenny) did a fabulous job of voicing the characters. Their dramatic flair, tone, believability and speaking styles definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Tags and Genre - some triggers include rape, sexual assault, infant loss, lots of violence, murder, parental murder, cross country road trip, Canada, psychological, thriller 

Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason

 Locked room cozy mystery with a humorous edge.

At her work leaving party, Detective Midge McGowan is gifted what she thinks is a truly terrible retirement present: a weekend getaway with Haunting Holiday Excursions. Along with a small group of eccentric strangers, Midge is taken to an old, purportedly haunted mansion. Of course the weather worsens and the party is snowed in. The owner of the tour has taken their phones and when someone is found murdered, they are unable to call for help. The guests are also teased by the appearance of a ghost whose sighting is meant to indicate that a death will occur. Sheltering in the house with no outside support, Midge comes into her own as she uses her long unused detective skills to uncover the killer. 

The characters in this group of misfits were well drawn and indeed interesting. Along with Midge, there’s a paranormal investigator who is recording interviews for his podcast, a doctor and his wife, a pop star just out of rehab, and the bus driver, as well as the owner of the tour. Another character is Bridie who is Midge’s wife. Midge is in her mid fifties and has a bad knee. She was never an actual case investigator but spent her career in the property room. None of them were very likable and Midge is a very odd duck, quite antisocial and probably neurodivergent. She has a tragedy in her past that has also probably affected her personality. There’s some wit and humor with the interactions. Definitely some extreme coincidence going on here with the plot. The pace is rather slow and the ultimate reveal kind of came out of nowhere which I don’t appreciate. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by he publishers. The production was a full cast recording with different voices for all the main characters. This really brought the book to life and provided an entertaining and immersive experience that definitely enhanced my overall enjoyment of the book. Definitely recommend. 

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags: locked room mystery, murder, cozy, incidental LGBT

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle

 Slow burn mystery and psychological fiction.

Rayna Dumont, an American expat who fled to Amsterdam after a messy divorce, has a one-night stand with a Tinder date. When she wakes up the next morning, she finds Xander dead in the shower and hears that millions of dollars worth of diamonds were stolen from his safe. Soon Rayna finds herself stalked and followed as dangerous criminals think she knows more than she does. Her life becomes entangled with the Prins family who have huge generational wealth with their diamond house because Xander happens to have been their employee. The wife of Thomas Prins, Willow, befriends Rayna and soon the two of them are evading bad actors and trying to uncover the truth about the murder and the missing gems. 

Although the premise sounded promising, the story didn’t quite deliver the excitement, thrills, and suspense that I expected. I wasn’t really very attached to either of the two main characters who switch off point of view in the narrative. Both Rayna and Willow seemed suspect to me as both were unreliable, told lies, and kept secrets. Their decisions were questionable. Much of the action and events strained credulity and, after awhile, the whole convoluted mess of what happened with Xander and what was going on in the family and with the diamonds went on far too long. Perhaps if you’re really interested in the whole diamond industry you might find it more fascinating than I did.  I definitely appreciated the Amsterdam setting and enjoyed learning more about the city and the life of expats there. The conclusion was unsurprising.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both  provided by the publishers. There were two narrators, one of whom whose voice I much preferred over the other, but neither really were that great, especially when doing the accents — oh my. Jennifer Jill Anaya voices Willow and Marni Penning voices Rayna. There were other characters they did as well and there was not enough distinction for my satisfaction. The males fared the worst. Despite this annoyance, I like listening while reading as it enhances my appreciation for a book.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Genre and tags: mystery, psychological fiction, murder, diamond industry, family drama

Murder at the Royal Palace (Lady Eleanor Swift #23) by Verity Bright

 

Another hit in this long running historical cozy mystery series.

Come along with Lady Eleanor Swift and her new husband, Detective Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, as they travel to Buckingham Palace to see him knighted. As their usual luck would have it, a royal guard, Dilly Dalrymple, collapses and is carted off to the hospital where he later dies. 

If you read the previous book, you’ll remember that Hugh is resigning his position with Scotland Yard, and he, Eleanor, and Clifford are going to establish their own detective agency. Well, they get their first case when Dalrymple’s brother, Sir Leonard, head of the royal police, asks them to find out if Dilly was murdered. And they’re off with the whole household joining them in London as members of the new agency. As they all unofficially snoop around the Tower of London to find answers, they uncover palace gossip, adultery, secrets, and a hint of a long lost treasure. 

As always, the descriptions and history that surround the mystery are well researched and quite interesting. Learning about the Beefeaters was fascinating as were the facts about the Tower and its Hill by the Thames. I enjoy the characters and their interactions which are often quite witty and droll. I’m glad that Hugh and Eleanor are finally married and that their new agency seems to be taking off. The next books in the series should be quite entertaining.

Bookouture Blog Tour October 1, 2025

Thank you for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. 

This is definitely a series that begs to be read in order from the beginning for full appreciation. 

Tags and Genre - cozy historical mystery, London, Tower of London, murder, detective agency