Spasm (Jack Stapleton #15) by Robin Cook

 A vacation turns deadly in this scary medical thriller.

Seeking a reprieve from NYC politics, Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery head to the Adirondack town of Essex Falls to help Jack's old medical school classmate investigate a cluster of rapid onset Alzheimer's cases and the sudden death of a formerly healthy pest control worker. Comfortably situated in a huge historic mansion for their summer getaway, things start to go awry for Jack when one of the bodies they planned to autopsy goes missing from the morgue. Instantly, Jack is pulled into a situation involving white extremist militia and a terrifying prion bio-weapon designed to trigger lethal neurological collapse. 

This is definitely a relevant plot that pits forensic science against domestic radicalization and terrorism. While the pacing is slow at first, with a lot of minute and banal detail, the tension builds as the cause of the spasms and the neurological deterioration is revealed. There's a lot of interesting scientific detail about prions and the medical sequelae. The bad guys were very stereotypical Russians, the homegrown terrorists were portrayed as losers for the most part, and the other characters are basically friends of Jack and Laurie that are more or less well known by readers of this series.  I read this author because I love books written about medical conditions or diseases and epidemics, etc. Chemical and biological threats are serious possibilities that need to be monitored to safeguard citizens of all countries. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Will Damron, has done all the other books in this series. He has a great style that handles both the clinical jargon and the emotional range of the various characters. He also has the ability to keep in character with the various accents. His performance helps to overcome the slower parts of the book to keep readers engaged.

This is the 15th book in the series and installments should be read in order from the beginning.

Genre - tags medical thriller, Russian terrorists, prion bioweapon, domestic militia, right wing  

MASH by Richard Hooker

 This was a nostalgic gem of a read for me. 

Originally published in 1968, Richard Hooker's (a pseudonym) debut novel is a semi-autobiographical account of one aspect of the Korean War. It introduces us to the "Swamp" -- a tent inhabited by 3 (and then 4) surgeons assigned to the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Hawkeye Pierce, John McIntyre (Trapper), and Duke Forrest deal with the horrors of war through dry martinis, golf, and elaborate (junior high type) pranks aimed at incompetent superiors. 

Fans of the television series will enjoy reading this source material as a fond trip down memory lane. It's genuinely funny in some parts that made me laugh out loud, and captures a definite type of wit that helped make the show so popular. 

One thing you'll notice is the writing quality. Given that Hooker was a surgeon and not a novelist, the prose often seemed clunky and not well put together. The characters meander from one antic to another and there is no real emotion or much more aside from describing the crazy, often immature, shenanigans that I found hard to believe would truly be tolerated in any sort of military installation even in those times. Despite this, however, I really enjoyed the book for the nostalgic escape and it was a fun, quick read that reminded me of times in my life long ago when this movie and TV series made such an impact on my future. 

I was able to listen to the newly released audio book provided by the publisher while also following along in the e-book. The narrator, Scott Brick, is one of my favorites. He does an excellent job of voicing all the characters, giving them unique accents, and definitely captures the dry and irreverent tone which works well with the text. One thing that struck hard was that there are many politically correct edits and specific word changes from the rough, unfiltered language typical of military life at that time. These changes were mostly done to eliminate racial and ethnic slurs, remove the descriptions that were offensive to women, and altered some stereotypical portrayals of certain characters. The production was well done and enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This was a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre and tags - military, Korean war, surgeons, prostitution, suicide, medical, humor

 Basis for movie and television series. Original pub date 1968 

She Didn't See it Coming by Shari Lapena

 A closed circle psychological and domestic thriller showcasing the thin line between public personas and private rot.

Sam and Bryden Frost live in a luxury condominium with their 3-year-old daughter, Clara. Their outwardly perfect life explodes when Bryden vanishes from their home in the middle of a work day. When Sam receives the call that Bryden has failed to pick up Clara from daycare, it's the beginning of the end for them all. Nothing on security cameras throughout the building. Bryden's phone and purse are still there. No signs of an altercation. No evidence that this is anything other than a woman walking out of her own free will. But, yet.

Detective Jane Salter is the pragmatic, meticulous investigator who must weed through conflicting stories and sort out multiple suspects who are increasingly unhinged. There's no shortage of red herrings but the final twists and revelations are genuinely chilling. 

This was fast paced and kept me guessing and I couldn't put it down so read it all in one sitting. The short chapters and the alternating points of view kept me on my toes and fully invested. The addition of the metaplot involving a true crime Facebook group that Lizzie (Bryden's sister) is obsessed with  added another fun dimension showing how tragedy is often consumed as entertainment. I was convinced I knew what had happened. Alas. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator is the absolutely amazing January LaVoy. She provides a distinct vocal range for the various characters and makes them come alive creating a fully immersive production. Her dramatic flair is spot on. I'm always so impressed with her performance and talent which definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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

Genre and tags - psychological and domestic thriller, murder, jealousy, obsession, infidelity, domestic abuse 

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards

 You’re invited to a nightmare dinner party on Notting Hill. Don’t be late!

Mark Edwards masterfully reconstructs the locked room thriller within a high-security Notting Hill townhouse. Twenty-five years after a dot.com project ended abruptly, 6 former colleagues reunite to honor their late mentor, Sebastian Marlowe, at a dinner party given by two of the cohort who are now married and who’ve achieved great wealth and success. The team hasn’t had any contact for decades. What begins as an awkward trip down memory and quickly turns into a lethal psychological interrogation when the group is held at gunpoint by home invaders.

One of the group’s assignments while working for Marlowe happened to be a program called The Wasp Trap. It was an algorithm they designed and tested to identify psychopaths. The invaders are demanding that the guests reveal their secrets from that summer or face execution. The guests are fighting for their lives as the ghosts of the past are dredged up and served with a side of bloodshed.

This was intriguing and entertaining. I’ve read other books by this author and like this new direction. He writes well and the characters were believable and multidimensional. Definitely felt claustrophobic and threatening. There are several surprising twists along the way. Kept me fully engaged. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The two narrators, John Hopkins’s and Anna Burnett did an admirable job of voicing the characters and creating a menacing atmosphere that led to my enjoyment of he production. 

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

Genre and tags: psychological drama, old friends, murder, psychopaths, secrets and lies 

In Vitro by M.J. Kuhar

 This medical thriller follows Dr. Joyce Porter at the prestigious McArthur Fertility Institute, a place where couples grappling with the anguish of infertility seek a miracle. The highly ethical and hard working Joyce finds her professional world collapsing while her marriage is also suffering due to her husband's doctoral program requiring that he live in a different city. 

Joyce is facing two distinct threats: sexual harassment from the powerful Dr. Hicks who is her mentor as well as the director of the institute and a parallel discovery concerning the clinic's insemination procedures. All along, she must also counsel and provide care to those couples undergoing in vitro fertilization. 

The novel deals with the emotional issues surrounding infertility and the anguish of the couples as well as Joyce facing off with a sexual predator who happens to control her advancement and could sabotage her career if the secrets about the lab come out and blame is laid at her feet. The topic is timely and sometimes controversial always begging the question about whether or not we should do something even though we can. 

I really enjoy novels that deal with medical situations, ethics, and science. Although not a thriller in the true sense of chills and suspense, there's enough action and plenty of disturbing scenes that elevate it beyond standard women's fiction. Moral dilemmas, workplace issues, ethical and criminal elements, and the emotional toll of infertility all make this appealing. 

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

This is a standalone and is not part of any series

Genre and tags: sexual harassment, donor sperm, in vitro fertilization, relationships 

Evil Bones (#24 Temperance Brennan) by Kathy Reichs

 This 24th installment in the Dr. Temperance Brennan series finds the forensic anthropologist in Charlotte, North Caroline where she works for the MCME due to her expertise in the human skeleton. She’s asked to consult when a grim series of animal mutilations is discovered. Alongside her old ally, semi-retired homicide detective Skinny Slidell, Tempe quickly finds that the perpetrator is escalating and possibly signaling a dangerous rehearsal for a human victim.

While there is some forensic detail, most of the story is focused on the discovery of the corpses that are missing a part, the letters PE etched onto the bodies, and with Tempe and Skinny talking to people who might be suspects. In addition, Reichs injects a dose of psychological discourse on the nature of evil and those who perpetrate it. Although there are lots of possible bad actors, the case seems to ricochet from one discovery of death and murder to another. The core mystery is meant to be about finding out who is killing these animals and humans and dressing up their bodies in a macabre collection of feathers and paint, but it digresses often to unrelated things such as Tempe’s boyfriend and the antics of a teenaged great niece staying with her daughter, Katy. 

The killer is bad and with no shortage of possible suspects — bam, out of nowhere, a crazy twist that is not normally found in the template for this kind of thriller. The payoff is undermined by a deeply unsatisfying resolution and ending. Yes, a nonsensical and ambiguous final chapter. Although I’ve read all the books in this series from the beginning, this one just didn’t meet my expectations. Hopefully the next book will be more like all the previous stories.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Linda Emond, did a great job of voicing all the characters giving them unique accents and vocal identity. She does great with shifts in register and emotion using excellent pacing and tonal nuance. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the 24th in a series that is best read in order.

Genre and tags: crime thriller, anthropology, BONES television series, murder, animal mutilation

Head Cases (#1) by John McMahon

 This is less a standard procedural and more a study of unique characters operating in a sort of shadow unit to solve a mystifying string of murders. 

The FBIs Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit is a task for of intellectual misfits or genius outcasts who are assigned unusual cases because of their unusual approach.  FBI Agent Gardner Camden, an analytical savant with an eidetic memory and a talent for puzzles and patterns, leads the team. He often has difficulty with human empathy, emotions and social graces. Other team members have their own skills and abilities. 

In this book, the unit, which is usually relegated to solving cold cases, is thrust tiny the field when a notorious serial killer, long presumed dead, is found murder in a particularly horrendous manner. It seems that there is a vigilante who is targeting other serial killers and who is leaving behind clues and riddles meant for Gardner and his team. 

I enjoyed the way that the author rose above the trope of damaged geniuses and introduces a PAR team that is authentic and quirky without just a bunch of eccentrically skilled law enforcement agents. Yes, Camden is clearly neurodivergent even though his analytical prowess is both a professional superpower and a personal disability. He does have emotional struggles as he deals with his beloved mother, his daughter and an exwife in prison. Two other characters, Casssie Pardo (a mathematician) and the weapons expert and sharpshooter, Joanne Harris, add intriguing depth to the team. 

Good, complicated plot and a somewhat slow pacing as the killer leads the team with increasing challenges. Then the adrenaline infused action sequences when the reader is reminded that the agents aren’t just cerebral. This is the start of a new series and perfect for fans of character driven crime thrillers who appreciate a complex hero. I look forward to the next book.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-ebook provided by the publisher. The narrator, Will Damron, excelled at portraying the main character as well as being able to give distinct voices to the other characters in the book. His timing and intonation do well to build the suspense and definitely creates an atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged. I really like his voice and this production enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This is the debut of a new series. Two books have been contracted. Read in order.

Genre - police procedural, crime thrillers, psychological, murder, serial killers, neurodivergent 

Murder on a Frosty Night (Lady Eleanor Swift #24) by Verity Bright

 

The client was dead before they even arrived!

This delightful cozy, set in England in 1925, finds Lady Eleanor Swift and husband Hugh Seldon ready to celebrate their first Christmas together at Henley Hall. When an unexpected telegram arrives on Christmas Eve with a curt and mysterious message asking them to travel to a remote hamlet by midnight to earn their fees, they decide that their fledgling detective agency needs some income, so they drive off with Gladstone in tow. Upon tardy arrival to the client's estate, they find an empty office and a recording that starts to give them a few details before being abruptly cut off. Hearing music from the local church, they pass a graveyard where a dead man rests across a tombstone. Alas, it's the body of Inigo Osmund Unwin, their client.

This immediately turns the investigation into a game of retroactive deduction, forcing the Byron Detective Agency to solve a case that they were technically too late for. The inhabitants of the village didn't know or care much for Unwin and they seem to have a lot of secrets. As the snow falls and temperatures drop, Eleanor, Hugh, and Clifford begin a heated interrogation of the locals. Christmas this year will be nothing like they expected. 

This was complex and fun with lots of wonderful historical details that the author is known for. I love the time period and the setting with the Christmas theme. The characters are what drives this series, however, and I always enjoy returning to catch their latest whodunit. From Lady Eleanor and Hugh to Clifford, their butler, who is a walking encyclopedia, to the "aprons" who cook and clean, everyone is part of the crew. Their camaraderie and witty repartee are part of each book's charm. Although there is always a mystery to solve, it's really the sense of team and family that carries this beyond the typical cozy. 

After 24 books, I still very much enjoy this series and recommend any interested readers start with the first installment for maximum enjoyment.

Book Blog Tour for Bookouture 12-9-25
ARC provided for review.

 

This is part of a series. 

Tags and Genre - cozy historical mystery, England, 1925, murder 

Forget You Saw Her (Ask for Andrea prequel) by Noelle Ihli

 A hauntingly emotional thriller that masterfully blends a desperate mother's search for her missing daughter with paranormal influences. 

This prequel to the brilliant "Ask for Andrea" introduces Sabina, who gave up the eponymous Andrea for adoption as an infant over 17 years ago. When a police inquiry states that Andrea is missing and believed to be a runaway, Sabina immediately heads to Ogden, Utah, where Andrea had lived with her adoptive parents. As she meets those who knew her daughter, she feels an inexplicable sense that Andrea s right there with her, guiding her, and helping to give her mother the answers that justice demands. 

Sabina is driven by a combination of guilt and fierce maternal love for the daughter she never knew. The plot is tense and fast-paced, but the supernatural element uniquely infuses the thriller with sorrow and an otherworldly quest for the truth to be revealed. The book offers a poignant tone emphasizing the mother-daughter bond that seems to have transcended even death. 

Although I typically avoid books with these preternatural ingredients, I was captivated by this novel and encourage any reader to choose to read this one first as I wish I could have. It sets the stage for the next story and pulls everything together. I hate leaving Andrea and, though I have no idea how much  more the author could make of the premise, I'd love to see another installment. I like the writing and how quickly I was drawn back into the world and how Ihli makes it all so believable. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also reading along with the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Andi Arndt, Carlotta Brentan, and Brittany Pressley. The trio provided distinct and emotional portrayals of the main characters and captured the desperation and love as well as the eerie essence of those no longer alive. The voices definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book and created an immersive atmosphere that kept me gripped until the very end. 

Highly recommend.

This is the prequel to Ask for Andrea. Read first if you can.

Tags and genre - paranormal thriller, dead helping living, murder, sexual assault, rape 

The Luxury Orphanage by Grant Finnegan

 Set in London in 1990, this combination of horror and paranormal thriller centers on Ravenstone House for the Less Privileged, an early 1800s building with a dark past. Once a majestic home and then an orphanage until 1956, it was derelict for decades with a local reputation for being haunted. Its renovation into lavish, modern flats, attempts to bury its history but this rebirth disturbs more than just dust. As the new residents move in, unexplained phenomena -- cold drafts, whispers, shrieks, visions of ghosts, and inexplicable movement of furnishings, suggest the tortured souls of the children who perished there are not at peace. The spirits of the past, particularly two children, Finley and Heather, demand justice and the ability to move on to their rightful resting place. The narrative follows the residents as they unravel the house's dark secrets, leading to a series of chilling confrontations. 

This is not a typical ghost story because of the strong character-driven intensity and involvement in the quest for justice for the orphans. There are no jump scare tropes here as the author uses the personalities and stories of the tenants who come to the aid of the children with steely resolve and clear consciences. Next door flat mates Quentin (Q), his fiancee Mary, and husband wife David and Christine, join an upstairs forensic investigator, Yukiko, in securing the names of any living evil perpetrators from the past. Finnegan handles the extremely dark subject matter of child abuse and sexual exploitation with a careful yet unflinching eye, ensuring the horrors are rooted in human depravity rather than cheaper supernatural theatrics. The conclusion, along with a few surprises, was remarkably fulfilling. 

Definitely recommend this chilling story layered with social commentary on historical trauma and buried secrets. 

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

Tags and genre - child abuse, sexual abuse, orphans, gentrification, revenge, justice, secrets 

A Particularly Nasty Case by Adam Kay

 Requested this because I thought it would be a medical thriller typical of the genre with a practicing doctor investigating the death of a colleague. I was wrong. 

I should have just deleted this from my e-reader after the first couple of chapters but I held on until the completely underwhelming conclusion. I am trying to come up with some positive thoughts about the book but it wasn't funny, the characters were all quite horrible people, and the mystery was very predictable. It was also heavily into gay relationships and a skewed presentation of bipolar mental illness. The outlandish things that the main character did ranged from horrendous to criminal.  I haven't read any other of this author's books and now I know I never will.

I tried to listen to the audio book but did not like the narrator's voice at all so I returned it to the library. 

Do not recommend this at all. 

This is a standalone and not part of any series.

Genre and tags - meant to be witty but it's not. Heavy gay relationships. Mental illness. Not a medical thriller or even a mystery. Murder. Revenge.