The Other Mrs. Miller by Allison Dickson

Domestic drama with an implausible plot and extremely unlikeable characters.

Phoebe and Wyatt Miller live in an exclusive suburb of Chicago. She's a wealthy heiress and he's a therapist. Phoebe has become a sort of recluse since the bad press about her jerk of a father has been on the news after his death. A few interesting things start happening in the quiet neighborhood, however, and she's all about new beginnings. First, there's the blue car that sits in front of her house on a daily basis. Then, there are the new neighbors -- a woman who wants to be Phoebe's BFF, her husband, who seems like a bit of an abusive jerk, and their 18-year-old son. Nothing goes well on the cul-de-sac as events and emotions spiral out of control. NO SPOILERS.

This novel is divided into two parts with different narrators. You will enjoy this if you have the ability to completely suspend disbelief and just go with the improbabilities of the story. I wasn't expecting it to go the way it did and I found myself rooting for all the wrong people. The characters are all just totally nasty and I couldn't find any redeeming characteristics in any of them nor did I find their actions and reactions understandable at all. It just made no sense, but I can't say more without giving it all away. I'm sure others will enjoy this one much more than I did -- think soap opera of the bizarre. Some reviewers said the book was "fun" so perhaps I just didn't approach it with the right attitude!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Publishers for th e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- domestic drama

The Sixth Wicked Child (#3 in the 4MK trilogy) by J. D. Barker

I've had to take a few moments to restore my normal respiratory rate after finishing this amazing thriller. I've done absolutely nothing all day but race through the pages, each chapter ending in such a way as to taunt me with the potential for upcoming revelations and new information. Let me say that this was a most fitting conclusion to one of the best trilogies I can remember. If it's true that this is going to be a film or a miniseries, I promise I'll be one of the first in line for a ticket!

There is no way I can possibly give a better synopsis than the one described on this page without giving away spoilers or trying to pretend that I can reduce the totality of this incredible story down to a few descriptive paragraphs. There are so many characters and so much going on within the narrative that, not only do you need to have read the other two books prior to starting this one, you also practically need a flowchart or a whiteboard next to you! The plotting was truly masterful and this is a very complicated tale. Most of the time, I had no clue what I believed and for once, I had no idea how this was all going to come out in the end. Usually I have no problem finding the red herrings and anticipating the twists, but, hey - -J.D. Barker, you caught me napping!

The characters described within this trilogy are so well-drawn that they seem real. The words that come out of their mouths make you first believe one thing, and then the doubts creep in. Whose lines can you trust? What's real and what is not. The horrendous experiences of the foster children and the huge net of law enforcement trying to figure out if Detective Sam Porter is on the level. And is Anson Bishop telling the truth? What about that diary? The different viewpoints and the flip back and forth in time add to the suspense and tension as new details come to light. There are so many names to try to remember and track, but in the hands of the author, it all comes together. This is a serial killer novel that you won't soon forget. The ending blew me away.

So, if you want to read a series that begs to be read back to back, then lock your doors, turn off your phone and prepare for a wild ride on the very dark side. I had to wait between each book and I think I would have enjoyed this even more had I read them one after the other. Lucky folks out there who can do just that! Highly recommended. I think I'm going to give this trilogy a 4.5 star rating.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the e-book ARC to read and. Review.

This is the 3rd and final book in the 4MK trilogy and these must be read in order. Best if you can read them back to back!
Genre - serial killer thriller chiller

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

A thrill ride of psychological warfare between two women who are matching wits and perfecting their lies in a game of "chicken" that has ever escalating stakes.

It's never a great idea to combine lots of alcohol and a group of women getting together away from husbands and kids for an evening of book club. The group is usually kept on track by Charlotte who prints the questions and runs the discussion. On a particular night, however, the usual meet and chat is interrupted and thrown off course by a new neighbor, the bewitching Roux. Instead of the typical lackluster discussion on a book that few have actually read, on this evening, Roux takes control and soon has the members drunk and revealing their secrets. Secrets are the currency that Roux uses to manipulate and control and she has set her mark onto Amy Whey. And the secrets Amy has been keeping for years can't be revealed, but what will it cost her to keep Roux quiet? NO SPOILERS.

This was a slow build of tension leading to quite a few interesting revelations, and a surprising turn of events at the end made the conclusion quite satisfactory. I was really unable to anticipate where this was going to go and it took me places I never expected. I really enjoyed the information and description of the deep sea diving in particular. The characters were quite well developed and the writing was excellent. The premise was quite intriguing and, though you'd never catch me out playing a game such as that one, I know that others like that sort of thing for some reason. I like my privacy too much! "There was such solace hidden in confession." Thank you, but no, I think there is nothing that could compel me, but Amy has no choice as Roux already knows Amy's secrets. It's definitely a new twist on blackmail technique! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did -- it's a very quick read and hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- psychological fiction, domestic drama

Singapore Sapphire (Harriet Gordon #1) by A.M. Stuart

Are you in the mood for historical fiction that features a very interesting cast of characters faced with solving a series of murders and what appears to be a gem smuggling operation in colonial Singapore? If so, then this is the book for you!

First in a new series featuring Harriet Gordon, a young widow who is staying with her brother, Reverend Julian Edwards, headmaster at St. Thomas School for English Boys. Harriet has a past in England that she was most eager to escape and came to Singapore to help out at the school. She's intelligent and rebellious, a former suffragette, and has some secretarial skills. Indeed, it is those abilities that lead her to finding the body of her new employer, Sir Oswald Newbold, a former famous explorer of Burma and who is credited with finding mines there that produce beautiful rubies and sapphires. She was meant to transcribe his memoirs for publication when he winds up dead in his ransacked home. Enter Inspector Robert Curran of the Straits Settlements Police Force Detective Branch. And thus starts the unraveling of the crime and surrounding mystery. NO SPOILERS.

Set in the tropical environment of 1910 Singapore, the sights, sounds and smell of the settlement come alive. The descriptions make you feel as if you are there suffering the humidity and heat along with the characters as they investigate the case. The writing is excellent and the pace of the story is perfectly matched to the climate and the time period. I enjoyed the development and the backstory of each of the people who inhabit the story and can't wait to learn more about them as I look forward to reading the next installment -- which, darn it, is probably quite some time away. I loved reading about this particular part of the world and am now finding myself doing a little research about Colonial Singapore and Burma and the Dutch East India Company. I loved the glossary and always find those translations helpful in really getting into a book set in a foreign locale.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for this e-book ARC to read and review. Hurry up, A. M. Stuart as I am eager to visit Harriet again!

This is the first in a new series featuring Harriet Gordon.
Genre -- historical fiction, mystery

Blind Spot (Evelyn Talbot #4) by Brenda Novak

 This is the 4th book in the series featuring psychiatrist Dr. Evelyn Talbot. Although not quite as suspenseful as the previous ones, it was fast-paced and dramatic as Amarok (Sergeant Benjamin Murphy) races against time to find the kidnapped Evelyn. Since Evelyn is a captive for almost the entire book, the nature and scope of her work at Hanover House was absent. No new demons were introduced, and it seems Evelyn's story has come full circle, so I can imagine that this might serve as the conclusion if that's meant to be.

I don't feel that there were any surprises in this novel as everything turned out as one might expect given the set-up and the story arc. I didn't find the plot and the narrative as compelling as in the previous books. Most of the action focused on Amarok and his attempts to find the pregnant Evelyn before the bad guy finished her off. I think most readers assumed that he would be successful, right? Since I had already invested myself in the saga having read 2 other books in this series, I already knew what Evelyn was like and nothing new was revealed. You could easily read this as a standalone as there is a huge amount of historical background given that provides all the details about Evelyn's past, the romance between Evelyn and Amarok, and Evelyn's previous encounters with the psychopaths mentioned in this installment. I hope we are done with most of the serial killers on whom the previous books have focused and, if this is to continue, that there is more about Evelyn's work. It's hard to keep up my interest rehashing the same old thing with Evelyn constantly being in peril because a sociopath has fixated on her. Surely every sick man in the world isn't obsessed with Evelyn? Anyway, I enjoyed this for what it was and probably will read more books by this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the 4th book in a series and probably best to read in order, but so much background that you could read as a standalone.
Genre - crime thriller, drama, romance

Face Off (Evelyn Talbot #3) by Brenda Novak

In this third thrilling installment of the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, she comes face to face with the man who terrorized her over 20 years ago. He's been hiding in plain sight and he's been planning to take his ultimate prize.

I ordinarily don't care all that much for damsel in distress stories and definitely Evelyn has some serious problems considering that Jasper Moore (now Andy Smith) hasn't ever stopped coming for her. But she has her boyfriend, Sergeant Benjamin Murphy, AKA Amarok, to protect her. Since I didn't get a chance to read books #1 and #2 in the series, I was worried that I might have missed something important, but the reader gets plenty of historical background so, in a way, I'm glad I didn't have to go through two other books focused on Jasper Moore. How Evelyn manages to miss being kidnapped and murdered is a surprise given how devious and resourceful Jasper is. But, meanwhile, there are many other heinous murders committed and Amarok is kept quite busy in his duties as the only law enforcement presence in Hilltop. Evelyn's work at the psychiatric facility, Hanover House, is coming along and she's as involved as ever in trying to research psychopaths. There's enough blood and guts for any crime fiction reader and definitely more than enough romance.

Although Evelyn seems quite weak to me at times, it's obvious she's meant to seem the opposite. She surely needs some therapy herself, but mostly cowers at home or at work since she knows Jasper is still at large. Apparently she and Amarok have worked through Evelyn's intimacy issues (thank heavens I didn't have to read all that) and are in love. Will it last? Regardless, I do really like the pace and action in the story and really wonder what's in store in book #4 - which I intend to read next. This is definitely a book that is easy to read in a single sitting and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the third book in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles and I was not able to get copies of #1 or #2 and I didn't feel that I missed too much.
Genre - crime thriller, romance

Hanover House (intro to Evelyn Talbot series) by Brenda Novak

Short and full of information and action, this novella introduces psychiatrist Evelyn Talbot; she specializes in the criminal mind. Most specifically male psychopathic serial killers. She's been a victim herself -- she suffered at the hands of her own boyfriend when she was just 16 -- so she knows how sick these sadistic killers can be. In order to further her study, she has established Hanover House, a maximum security facility located in Hilltop, Alaska, a small town located an hour away from Anchorage. She is in the process of setting up the facility and selecting the first prisoners when she visits there to check on the progress and finds vandalism. It seems that many of the townspeople do not want Hanover House there, but there's one person who she might be able to win over and she needs all the support she can get. Benjamin Murphy, AKA Sergeant Amarok, is an Alaskan State Trooper and the only police presence in the town. Unbeknownst to Evelyn, she's going to need him because something evil has followed her to Alaska and his name is Jasper Moore. NO SPOILERS.

Despite the excess amount of romance (which I don't really like), I am quite interested to see where this series is going to go and what obstacles Evelyn is going to face in both her professional and person life as she adjusts to Alaska and her job duties. Alas, I don't have access to books #1 and #2, so I will be jumping back in at #3 shortly. I think this premise has a lot of potential especially if the author focuses more on the psychiatric aspect and less on the love interest. Evelyn is quite damaged, no doubt both physically and mentally from her ordeal, but she has worked hard to gain a sort of recovery. I think the setting will also prove interesting.

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

This is labeled as book #0.5 and serves as an introduction to the series. Read in order if you can!
Genre - crime fiction, psychiatry, serial killers

Perfect Stranger by Jake Cross

Chris Redfern met Eve Levine 18 years ago and had a fling. Little did he know that he'd left her pregnant. Now, that daughter, Katie, has shown up and wants to get to know him, his family, and to be a part of his life. Although Chris, his wife, Rose, and their own 18-year-old daughter, Julia, are waiting on paternity/DNA tests to confirm the relationship, they invite Katie to stay with them. That turns out to be a very bad decision.

I finished this only because I promised, by requesting, that I would read and write a review. I found it very difficult to get through as it was tedious, overly long, repetitive, and not very exciting despite the author's attempts to try some surprises and twists. Since I didn't like any of the characters, I didn't even really care how it all turned out but finish it, I did. I didn't find any of the plot believable because of the behavior and reactions of the characters. They didn't question anything or do their own covert investigation into this person who has just appeared into their lives. Call me a skeptic, but, honestly, I sure would have done a deep background check no matter the cost before I allowed someone to move into my home. But, I'm from Missouri, USA, where the motto is, "SHOW ME." Since I couldn't buy into the story line, I tried to follow the narrative and get something from it, but, sadly, I couldn't get past some of the ridiculous -- for example, Katie claiming that her paresthesias were caused by her swallowing a rubber ball that "went into her body and lived inside her, still bouncing." I mean really? Chris is supposed to be a scientist, a microbiologist, and he says nothing. Anyway, I don't know what more to say. I didn't find this book my cup of tea.

I'm still grateful to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- domestic drama

Death at Mariners Hotel (DC Sukey Reynolds #8) by Betty Rowlands

Short, quick and entertaining mystery as Sukey Reynolds, now a full-fledged DC with Bristol CID, gets involved with antiquities theft and murder. This is the 8th book in series and I feel that it's best to read them, from the beginning, in order.

Sukey has left Gloucester and her previous job as a scene of crime investigator to pursue her original dream of being a detective. She's moved to Bristol and just starting out in her new job after getting the necessary qualifications. Her social life and romance with DI Jim Castle has taken a huge step back and her son, Fergus, is busy at university so she doesn't see him often. I really missed that aspect of the book -- Sukey's interactions with her son and Jim -- and hope that is resumed in the next book. I do like the character of Sukey and hope that she can settle down and perform her job well since she's now a real member of the police and doesn't have to do her amateur sleuthing any longer. Her SOCO experience has helped make her a good observer and she has a very companionate nature which assists greatly in her ability to get information from others. I like the writing style and the descriptions of the setting and will continue on with this series.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the 8th book in the series. Read in order.
Genre -- mystery, police procedural, female detective

Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #4)

A legal thriller that pits an ex con turned lawyer against a cunning serial killer. But, this time, the killer isn't on trial -- he's on the jury. This is the 4th in a series but can be read as a standalone.

The first thing you must do when reading this is to suspend disbelief and just go with the flow. The premise is good, the writing is excellent, the case is quite complicated but there were many times I just had to shake my head and say, "SERIOUSLY???" I kept reading.

Film star Robert (Bobby) Solomon is on trial for the murders of his wife and co-star, Ariella Bloom, and their chief of security, Carl Tozer. Eddie Flynn is asked by Solomon's high-powered legal eagle, Rudy Carp, to sit second chair in the "Trial of the Century." Carp wants Flynn on the team to discredit the NYPD cops who rushed to arrest Bobby and offers a lucrative proposition that may be just what Flynn needs to get his life back on track. Flynn agrees, but only because he believes that Bobby Solomon is innocent. If Bobby didn't do it, however, who did? The reader knows. A nasty piece of work, Joshua Kane, is on a mission that makes sense only to him. NO SPOILERS.

I really wanted to love this book given all the hype and stellar reviews I've seen on social media. I even considered reading books 1-3 as I don't like to come in at the 4th book in a series, but I'm glad I just went ahead as I doubt, now, that I'll read those. I just didn't buy into the character of Eddie Flynn, crusader for the good guys, nor did I care for the excessive amount of gratuitous violence in the story. The psychopath, Joshua Kane, wasn't even interesting for his pathology, and I definitely had difficulty imagining that he could manage to manipulate so many things the way he did. Yeah, definitely legal fiction. Sure it was an interesting premise to consider how a killer could get himself seated on a murder trial jury, but having served on them myself over 7 times (and once as foreperson on a murder trial), I can't see it being possible in even the remotest way despite all the dead bodies littered along the way. I love a good legal thriller but, like the law itself, it has to follow the rules. Lots of convent coincidences and a killer who can outsmart everyone with incredible forethought and masterful long range planning with a vendetta that seemed quite lame, but then again, he's just another total whack job of a serial killer.

Should you read it? As I said, I'm a fan of legal thrillers and I like the parry and thrust of good courtroom drama. This has plenty of that. Just absorb it all without questioning if any of it would actually be even remotely possible in a US court. I know I'm in the minority with my lackluster praise for this novel, so I'll leave it here. I don't think I care enough about Eddie Flynn to read more of his adventures in lawyering. It wasn't even that somehow Eddie managed to live through all his near death experiences, it was just, ultimately, that I didn't relate to this whole story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the 4th book in the Eddie Flynn series but it can be read as a standalone.
Genre - Legal thriller, courtroom drama, murder trial

The Perfect Wife by J.P. Daleney

I opened this without having read any reviews and that turned out to be a good thing as this started out quite different to anything I was expecting given the initial premise of a woman waking up and having amnesia (done to death) and making the obvious connections as to what probably happened.
Although I thought this was going to be spectacular, it ended up going the same route trod upon so many times before. Sure there were some exceptions given the sci Fi tech aspect, but, in the end, I ended up being so disappointed at the unfulfilled potential to be truly out of the ordinary. Thus, I am having a hard time giving this a star rating, so let me think awhile.

The problem in describing the plot is that I don't want to give away spoilers. I enjoyed being caught out and surprised so I'm not going to tell you anything more than to just read the synopsis. I definitely enjoyed the technological and scientific information in the book and even gave much thought while reading to the moral and ethical aspects. I surely felt that the author must have a child with autism or some other spectrum disorder in order to be able to describe it so well. The writing was excellent, it was just the resolution of the novel that felt so pre-destined and expected. The characters were exactly what I knew I'd find -- the oh so wonderful Abbie and the whack job husband. That was a let down given the possibilities that could have brought the conclusion to a whole new level.

Some reviewers have remarked that the second person point of view was distracting but I didn't have any issues with that and don't mind. The omniscient voice giving some background wasn't a problem for me either. My biggest complaint is that I didn't want this to be the usual domestic drama arc but it was. If you asked me what I had hoped for the story, I'd be happy to tell you...So, all in all, it was an entertaining read that I raced through in a single sitting but I wish it had really gone out there on a limb and shocked me with an atypical approach. The subject of AI and robotics was extremely fascinating and the applications for the future are immense in scope even as they are frightening. For, after all, what is it that makes us truly HUMAN?

This would be a great novel for a book club as there is so much to debate and discuss. Please share your thoughts!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - Domestic drama with futuristic overtones, robotics, AI

Silent Night (DS Iris Locke #1) by Geraldine Hogan

A crime thriller that will keep you frantically turning the pages as you race toward a most unexpected resolution.

What it's about: DS Iris Locke returns to her childhood home, Limerick, after a failed undercover operation in Dublin. Her first assignment in the Murder Team is to attend the scene of a burnt out cottage in the forest with 3 dead bodies inside. A mother and her two children. "Anna Crowe had died tragically and violently but she had died and it was down to Iris to find out why." A complicated police procedural with many suspects but no motive. A clash of personalities, not the least of which is how Iris feels working in the squad where her father, former Superintendant Jack Locke, had reigned supreme. The case is complicated by what Iris feels is a link to a vanished baby 30 years ago, but no one wants to talk about it and the files are missing. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it. What a great new series with so much going on it's hard to get your head around. There are many details that provide important information and clues and the descriptions of the setting make you feel like you are right there. The character of Iris is definitely strong and I could relate to her immediately. A daughter following in her revered father's footsteps in the station he commanded is not an easy road. The other players are equally interesting and I can't wait for the next installment so as to get to know them even better. The writing is excellent and the plot is well down, and hey, Geraldine Hogan, you surprised me! I love it when that happens!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I hope the next book in the series is coming soon!

This is the first book in a new series.
Genre- police procedural/crime thriller

The Murder List by Hank Phillippi Ryan

A legal thriller that examines both sides of justice. "The law is all about analysis. About knowing the rules and, more important, how to use them." But when a determined prosecutor faces off against an equally adamant defense attorney, only one side can win.

What it's about: Rachel North is on her way to having it all. A former Chief of Staff for Senator Thomas Rafferty, she's now enrolled in law school and about to do an internship. She's married to a hotshot defense attorney, Jack Kirkland, and will one day be his partner, but she chooses to apprentice herself to Assistant District Attorney Martha Gardiner so she can surreptitiously get some inside information about how the prosecutor works, especially since Gardiner and Kirkland are often on opposite sides in murder cases. Rachel sees plenty of action while with the DA's office and, even though her husband is not happy about her summer experience, Rachel knows that she's finding out exactly how the DA wins her cases. Rachel is a crusader for justice, and she's going to go all in. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it: Well done Ms Ryan -- you caught me out on this one! The story builds slowly with the narrative shifting between different points of view and time periods. The writing is on point with vivid descriptions of what goes on in court, in the jury room, and behind closed doors. The passion for the purity of right and wrong despite the lawyers machinations and evasions -- is the person on trial guilty or not guilty? It's not always so simple. The 3 main characters were very well-drawn and I found myself often agreeing with one or identifying more with another depending on the circumstances of the events. I was totally sucked in and went willingly on my errant path. Loved the conclusion. I definitely want to read more books written by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forge/Macmillan Publishing Group for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- legal thriller

Flight 19 by Grant Finnegan

Note: I have read comparisons of this book to Manifest (the TV series) and 4400 (another TV series) but I think this is quite different and that anyone who loves a mystery with some weird stuff going on will like this one!

What it's about: An Airbus 380 (Flight 19) takes off from Hawaii in January of 2019 bound for Los Angeles and never makes it. Lost on radar. Massive expensive fruitless search. Five years later, the plane again appears on radar and is directed to land at a local Air Force Base. Everyone is in shock. The 210 passengers and crew are handled gently when they disembark but life has changed for them since they'd been declared dead. This novel explores the various ways in which the main characters' lives have been totally altered and the consequences of their absence. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it. First of all, this is a fun read that ticks all the boxes. Characters are compelling, writing is good, situation is fraught. Who doesn't love a novel that addresses the question -- what would you do if your loved one was "lost" for 5 years? How would you feel getting off that plane having missed 5 years of your life? You haven't aged a bit, but nothing is the same. Everyone is trying to move on and come to terms but definitely things have changed for the passengers and for those left behind. Five years is a long time! I enjoyed the stories of the featured "passengers" and could definitely identify with the crisis and the aftermath. I certainly wondered, "How could this even happen?" And can't wait to read the sequel as this ends on a cliffhanger -- darn you Grant Finnegan. When is the next book due out? I must have the rest of the story.

I saw mention of this book on a Facebook post and had to have it! I love a good "disaster" story and this definitely hit the spot.

I believe this is the first book which MUST have a sequel as it ends on a cliffhanger. Perhaps a series?
Genre -- mystery, drama, sci Fi

A Predator and a Psychopath by Jay Kerk

Note: aspects of this novel can be very disturbing. The following are mentioned, discussed, described in detail, or hinted at -- pedophilia, abuse, incest, rape, stalking, invasion of privacy, and sexual activity both on and off page. Much of it was extremely distasteful.

What it's about: This book is divided into narratives by two main characters, Jason and Jerry. Both speak in the first person so be sure to check which one is speaking. Jason Stankovic is confined to Jackson's Psychiatric Functional Rehabilitation Center for treatment after being found "not guilty by reason of insanity" after being accused of murdering his wife and incestuous relations with his daughter. He has a good lawyer, his best friend, Luke. The problem with Jason is that he can't remember anything about the crime and therapy and medication hasn't helped. He starts to make progress with a psychiatrist, Dr. Gary Thompson. Jerry is the worst of sexual predators and especially loves little girls. He's a stalker and is quite clever with his manipulation and covert activity. He's writing a manifesto explaining how superior men like him are and just how they will take over and transform the world. He intends to do his part to spread his seed. He's currently looking for a special alpha female to join him in creating this paradise.  If I say too much more, it will be obvious and spoil the book for you so I'll have to stop here and wonder if you will come to the same conclusion as I did. In any event, at a point in the book, the story converges.

Should you read it? I don't know. It's quite long and drawn out and full of disgusting thoughts and behaviors. Jason and Jerry are repugnant and I detested both of them. But...oh, I can't say more except to tell you to look at the title. Read carefully for the clues, hints, claims. The thing is, the ending is so abrupt and leaves you hanging so you aren't even going to know for sure if you "got it" after all. I can't face the thought of a sequel as I wouldn't want to read more. I hope that the author's point for writing this was to provide a caution to parents to protect and monitor their children's interaction with other adults. All of them. There is depravity in this world and vigilance is a must.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for providing this e-book ARC to read and review. I need to go take a shower and find my happy place to get rid of the thoughts and images and worry in my head.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series. Author's first published work.
Genre - psychological thriller

Date Night by Samantha Hayes

This is one seriously messed up psychological thriller/domestic drama -- and I mean that in the nicest way.

What it's about: A marriage doesn't sour overnight, but when Libby finds a note on her car windshield stating that her husband of 5 years, veterinarian Sean Randell is cheating on her, things start to fall apart quickly. She doesn't mean to be a jealous shrew. But that happens. He can't reassure her enough that it isn't true. In an effort to get themselves back on track, because Libby really does love him, they plan an evening out at a local restaurant. Sean's mom, Marion, typically babysits their four-year-old daughter, Alice, but she has a meeting at church so they ask Sasha, a 17-year-old girl who sometimes works with Libby in her catering business, to come over for the evening. The "date night" doesn't go quite as hoped. They argue, Libby accuses, Sean is checking his phone constantly. They call an end and head home only to find that Sasha is missing and Alice has been left alone in the house. What follows is the epitome of unreliable narration as the police get involved and question Libby and Sean. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it: There is so much going on in this book that it's hard to make any kind of determination as to what has happened to Sasha. Libby is a catastrophic mess and is either crying or blabbering on about this or that and can't seem to answer any questions. Since she's the main character and the one who's telling the story in different time shifts, it takes awhile to figure out what's gone on. Without giving it all away, I really can't say too much about the other characters in the book but there are many, some more likeable than others. I like the writing even as the style made it a bit more difficult to read but I think that was purposeful in that it is probably meant to prevent the reader from making the leap necessary for the conclusion to work and be a surprise twist. I like guessing games with psychological thrillers and enjoy them more if I'm made to work for it. This one strung me along longer than others!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I've read other books by this author and will definitely keep an eye out for future releases.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic drama/psychological thriller

The Night Caller (DS Carrie Flynn #1) by J.M. Hewitt

Although identified as a crime thriller, this is so much more than that. This narrative speaks of bonds, whether familial or otherwise, and the connections between people that allow for secrets even kept from ourselves.

What it's about: There is a serial killer afoot in Manchester. He (or she) pushes unwitting males into the canal. There have been 12 such deaths over the last six years. DS Carrie Flynn and her partner, DC Paul Harper, have the notion that the original "Pusher" has been replaced by a new killer as the victimology has changed. They are getting nowhere when Emma's son, Jordan, goes missing. Although he appears to be another victim of "the Pusher", his body is not recovered. His mother, Emma, and her best friend and next door neighbor, Jade, walk the canals and are desperate to find his body. But the two women are holding some very close secrets and the police cannot penetrate their silence nor find any clues to solve the crime. Bit by bit the revelations come and it is obvious that no one really knew Jordan at all. NO SPOILERS

Why you should read it: This is a most unusual police procedural as the titular main character of DS Carrie Flynn does not have the most major role in the book. Emma and Jade are the focus of the story and their relationship  with Jordan propels the plot. I am not sure who Carrie is really or what she's about but I understand that something bad happened to her that has affected her life. I'd definitely like to have future books in this series focus more on her and less on other characters as she's an enigma and virtually unknown at this point. Although the narrative meanders and the clues are dropped at specific points, I knew where this was going long before the big reveal. That wasn't a problem for me in that I enjoy seeing how the author reaches the conclusion. All in all, though, I found this to be a very sad story and I felt quite a bit of empathy for their loss in that mothers tend to see the best in their children while ignoring the serious red flags. "Take the blinders off!" I yelled to no avail. I'm wondering where this series will go next and definitely want to read the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
Note: Despite the synopsis given, there is really NOTHING in this book about the disappearance of Carrie's sister or anything from her past.

This is the first in a new series.
Genre -- police procedural but also psychological thriller

A Dangerous Collaboration (Veronica Speedwell #4) by Deanna Raybourn

A true delight -- it's historical fiction with all the essentials: a spunky, adventurous heroine, a dashing, hunky partner, and a great mystery to solve. If you haven't started this series yet, I urge you to begin at once, and read them from the beginning, in order!

What it's about: It is late 1888 when, after a long absence, Veronica Speedwell returns to London and Stoker. Even though she's just come home, it seems that Stoker's brother, the Lord Tiberius Templeton-Vane, wants Veronica to accompany him on a voyage to St. Madden, a tidal island off of Cornwall. He tempts her by appealing to her lepidopterist passions, telling her that he has secured permission for her to secure larvae for the vivarium she is building. She agrees to go and pose as his fiancée during the visit. Stoker, in a rage at Veronica's departure, has his own plans and ends up at the castle on St. Madden. It seems they've all been lured there under false pretenses -- the owner and master of the island, Malcolm Romilly (Tiberius's oldest friend) wants them to find out once and for all what happened to his bride, Rosamund, who disappeared on their wedding day. No trace of her has ever been found. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it: The characters are so much fun! I love the interaction between Veronica and Stoker and often laugh out loud at their repartee. Their unusual relationship that is obviously an unconsummated passion is quite appealing to watch. The interaction between all the parties at the castle and their personalities were quite well developed as was the setting. The writing is excellent and the narrative flows easily in a linear fashion. The unraveling of the mystery was on point and the conclusion quite fitting. Very enjoyable and quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for this 4th book in the Veronica Speedwell series. I can't wait for #5.

This is part of a series and should be read from the beginning, in order.
Genre -- historical fiction, mystery

The Passengers By John Marrs

 A chilling examination of the effects of technology on the moral and ethical behavior of those in control of it and those who unwittingly use it. This is sort of a dramatic treatise of AI, autonomous cars, social media, class and race, and decision-making under stress. Even though this description might sound a little clinical, this fast-paced and heart-pounding thriller is one that you won't soon forget -- even as you pick up your cell phone, strap on your smart watch or power up your tablet.

Think for a moment about what is known about you from your internet search history, medical records, online purchases, level of education, GPS location services, average and projected earnings, relationships, size of your mortgage, criminal record and who you associate with on social media. "...it's like a constantly evolving biography...that can change daily." What if decisions about your life and death were made by people just viewing that information? Sound preposterous and way too "big brother"? That's the premise of this book.

Eight people get into their autonomous (completely out of the driver's control) cars one morning. Within minutes, the vehicle has been taken over by an entity identified as "the Hacker" who delivers this terrifying message: "The only thing you need to know at this point is that two hours and thirty minutes from now, it is highly likely that you will be dead."

In a secret room, meeting #3121 of the Vehicle Inquest Jury is about to begin. But today's usually forgone conclusions are going to be interrupted by "the Hacker" and the new role he has assigned them. These 5 people (4 government appointed individuals and a random member of the public) will be given the impossible task of choosing which ONE of those 8 people in the controlled vehicles gets to live.

In addition, the entire world will be watching -- and VOTING -- on social media using hashtags and providing visual feed as the events transpire. As everyone is glued to their devices, the jurors are given the chance to interview each of the "Passengers" in the locked autonomous cars to allow them to explain why they should be the one chosen to live. NO SPOILERS.

This was a great read that actually almost makes me want to disconnect from the online world and hole up in my house with the shades drawn. Although set a few years into the future, anyone can see that technology is driving innovation that will put way too much of our personal information in the hands of others to use as they see fit. Lack of privacy is already a concern for many and justly so. Who knows how your data could be used and for what purpose. The writing was excellent and I was racing through the pages, unable to put this book down from the moment I opened it, speeding to the explosive conclusion and left pondering all the ramifications. Scary? Very. Although there are quite a few characters, it was easy to identify with them, despise some and empathize with others. And I can't wait to hear what others think of it once they've read this. What a great movie or miniseries this would make!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Books for this e-book ARC to read and review. I'm going to be thinking about this one for a long time.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - suspense thriller, technology, futuristic,

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

"I am the nanny in the Elincourt case, Mr. Wrexham. And I didn't kill that child."

What it's about: This gothic suspense novel is told in first person via a letter format. The 27-year-old nanny has been remanded to HMP Charnworth (in Scotland) awaiting her murder trial and is trying to get Wrexham to agree to represent her as her solicitor advocate. She's not been happy with her present solicitor, Mr. Gates, as she perceives that he hasn't listened to a word she's said. So she decides to lay out the full story, from the beginning, for Wrexham. She admits to many misdeeds and mistakes during the duration of her employment with the Elincourt family, but insists that she is innocent. Yes, she applied for the position as live-in nanny for the family - Bill and Sandra (the parents, both architects with their own firm necessitating a lot of time away from the home) a 14-year-old daughter, Rhiannon, 8-year-old Maddie, 5-year-old Ellie and the baby, Petra, is 18 months. Despite the nanny's desperation to get the job at the beautiful renovated SMART home, Heatherbrae House, Carn Bridge, things start going wrong almost immediately. Her dream job turned into a nightmare and it ends with one of the children dead. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it: I love a slow build gothic suspense novel and this one is most definitely that. As you read about the nanny's experiences, the superstitions and tales of haunting and ghosts, the isolated setting, the sense of menace increases even though it's hard to tell what might be going on. The characters add to the foreboding with the young, handsome handyman, Jack Grant, who just happens to show up when she needs him most. The housekeeper who seems to hate her on sight. The children, who are obstinate and difficult. She's alone and scared. I liked her and felt for her predicament. I believed her story. I wonder if you will too? The writing is excellent and I liked the first person narrator style though the ending came a bit abruptly and was quite surprising. I'm sure that you'll want to discuss this title with friends who have read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-book ARC to read and review. I've read most of the books written by this author and will definitely be waiting for her next one.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre-- gothic thriller

Her Silent Cry (Det Josie Quinn #6) by Lisa Regan

Detective Josie Quinn is part of the huge team searching for an abducted child in this thriller that kept me turning the pages fast and furiously.

What it's about: Lucy is a seven-year-old girl who loves butterflies and who lives with her well-to-do parents, Colin and Amy Ross in Denton, Pennsylvania. When at a local park, Lucy gets off the carousel and vanishes. Soon the FBI is called in to help with the search but they have no leads and things are very bleak. Then, they hear a message from the abductor. There's another message as well -- a body. Then another. It seems the kidnapper has an agenda but Josie can't wrangle any information from Amy about who might have taken her child. Although there is a half-hearted ransom demand, the kidnapping doesn't seem to be about the money. It turns out that Amy has some huge secrets. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it: This is a great series that has really grown on me as I've come to know Josie, her boyfriend, Lieutenant Noah Fraley, the other police officers under her command, and her family and friends. All of their collective history makes each book like a family reunion as you get updates and new information about them. But the focus is also on this complicated child abduction case. There are some interesting twists and turns as the narrative plays out and the procedural details of the investigation are described. Some very tense moments and lots of drama surround this missing child scenario. The writing is excellent and the pacing is perfect to keep your tension high. I have read all of the installments, in order, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the 6th book in a series that should be read from beginning in order.

Genre -- police procedural, detectives, family drama, kidnapping

Death Under the Apple Tree (Sukey Reynolds #7) by Betty Rowlands

CSI Sukey Reynolds is called to Muckleton Manor to process the scene of a murder. The owner, wealthy businessman, Sir Digby Kirtling, had been entertaining a party after the unveiling of a commissioned copy of a famous painting. The dead woman, Una May, works for Digby and had been out in the garden when she was strangled. All the party guests are questioned and it appears that Digby Kirtling is the most obvious suspect, especially after forensic examination reveals a motive. Sukey, of course, isn't buying the simple solution and has her own ideas -- especially when the housekeeper, Miranda Keene asks Sukey to do what she does best -- a little snooping on her own.
There's more to come as secrets are alliances come to light. NO SPOILERS.

I love this series and this was another good one that focuses on Sukey's job and amateur sleuthing as well as on the investigation aspects performed by the Gloucester police, specifically her boyfriend, DI Jim Castle and his team. These characters are all well known the the reader who has started this series from the beginning and it's always a treat to revisit them as each has a fully developed personality and story line of their own. I love their interactions and the detail about the setting so beautifully described in each book. I can't wait to read the next one to see how Sukey develops in her personal and professional life. The writing is excellent and this is a very fast read with some surprises along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is #7 in a series that should be read in order for best enjoyment. Sukey Reynolds
Genre -- cozy mystery, police procedural, amateur sleuth

Fear in the Lakes (DC Beth Young #3) by Graham Smith

This is a police procedural featuring DC Beth Young of the FMIT out of Cumbria.

What it's about: A man, James Sinclair, has been found, barely alive, after surviving a horrendous attack that has resulting in all the bones of his lower legs and arms being systematically broken. The team first runs into a problem when James is found to have no past, no history. Who is he and why would someone do this to him? Even as the baffled team at FMIT tries to trace a clever killer, a pair of local hoodlums is killed with intricate carvings left on their heads. Did "the Sculptor" do that too, and how are they related to the James Sinclair case? Even as they race to identify future possible victims, the codes in email, the lack of evidence, and the frustration is about to do them all in. Will this serial killer escape? NO SPOILERS

Do you want to read? Well, first things first. I don't like the main character, Beth Young. Everything about her irritates me. Her "sideways thinking brain" is a joke and her personality is as flat as a pancake. There's nothing about her that makes me relate and her stupid obsession with finding the man who wielded the broken bottle to cause her scar has gotten really old here in book #3. At least she's gotten some information and answers in this outing, but I'm over it. Apparently, however, she's the DI Zoe Dowd's pet and she gets special treatment because she's oh so smart. There is also way too much narrative fluff that does nothing to move the plot forward so this story could have definitely been shortened. I found myself putting the book down many times and delayed picking it back up again and that's never a good sign for me. So, slow read. There's little to be said about the other members of the team as they are virtually only names on a page in this particular installment. What did I like? Well I do like police procedural novels where clues are found and suspects are detained and questioned. Unfortunately, since we heard the "voice" of the killer, we had a little motive there. I like the setting, but endless descriptions of snow don't do anything for me. All I can say is that this isn't my favorite. The whole plot really wasn't that interesting to be honest. And of course the worst part was when Beth ends up in the killer's clutches. I mean, really????

Anyway, I'm sorry this didn't do it for me. I did finish it and I'm not saying it's a bad book, and I figure anyone who's started the series will probably pick it up anyway. Overall, just disappointed in the thin story and in Beth as a character. I need a lot more to find a story gripping or thrilling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. Will I be interested in reading #4? Well, it depends.

This is the third in a series and the books should be read in order.
Genre -- police procedural

One Little Secret by Cate Holahan

This is a tautly constructed domestic drama/psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages and begs to be read in a single sitting.

What it's about: Three couples, neighbors, rent a beach house in the Hamptons for some adult fun while their children are away at camp. As they settle in, enjoy some dinner and have several drinks, tensions escalate between them and alcohol loosens their inhibitions. Secrets are revealed and tempers flare. When one of them is found dead on the beach the next day, it is clear that one is a murderer. Detective Sargeant Gabriella Watkins of the East Hampton Police Department has a monumental task -- to sift through the lies, possible motives, and the scant evidence to find the truth. Compounded by accusations of spousal abuse and infidelity, it's clear that each had a possible reason to commit the crime. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it: I am a sucker for a narrative that has multiple points of view and a shifting timeline. I really enjoyed the writing and the different perspectives. As I tried to analyze the relationships, I found that I had to make a chart just to keep track of the characters. Since it's known that one of the remaining 5 at the beach house is the killer, I tried to guess which one as revelations were dangled in dabs that finally were connected into the big picture. The story reminded me of BIG LITTLE LIES because of the small suspect pool and all the undercurrents that existed in the group. I must admit that I didn't really like any of the characters at the beach house but I could definitely understand some of their reactions to their situations. I can definitely see this as a television miniseries and urge any of you who enjoy this type of book to grab it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic drama, mystery, psychological thriller

Death on a Summer Morning (Sukey Reynolds #6) by Betty Rowlands

Another entertaining cozy mystery featuring Sukey Reynolds, a Scene of Crime Officer attached to the Gloucestershire Constabulary. I've read the prior books in the series, in order, and can't wait for more!

What it's about: Sukey is called to a Victorian house in Rosemount Villas to photograph and gather evidence to rule out a crime in the case of what appears to be an accidental death. The owner was found at the bottom of some wrought-iron steps leading down from the kitchen. DI Jim Castle also attends the scene and the police find nothing suspicious. The dead man was discovered by his much younger fiancée, Elspeth Maddox, and is identified as Arthur Soames. When Elspeth is questioned, she also tells police that Soames had an estranged daughter named Sabrina. The notification is made to Sabrina, and she insinuates that the fiancée killed Arthur for his money and that this was murder. She insists on further investigation, but the police find nothing suspicious at the inquest and close the case. Well, that's not going to work for Sukey, especially after the daughter and fiancée each beg her to do further snooping around. And you know Sukey, she's always done sleuthing on the side as she once had aspirations of being in CID herself. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read this series: It's extremely entertaining to see Sukey doing her job by day as SOCO and doing her detective work on her off hours. She has good theories and instincts that are often not taken seriously by her cohort at the police station. Her romance, a secret, with her boss, DI Castle, always complicates and confounds Sukey because she's so often right. I like the writing style, the police procedural details and the typically complex cases that ensue. Sukey, as the main character, is completely believable and easy to relate to. I like her relationships with her son and with Castle but two things I'm wondering about. When are Sukey and Jim going to make their liaison public and why doesn't she just go back and pick up her derailed police career? I enjoy, however, hearing about a murder investigation from the viewpoint of one who's not a detective for a change!

I'm working my way through the series as I get them and I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. On to the next!

This is the 6th book (of 8) in a series. I believe they should be read in order.
Genre - cosy mystery, amateur sleuth, police procedural

The Marriage Betrayal by Shalini Boland

Looks can be deceiving...

This psychological thriller surprised me! It's not often that I don't have the whole plot sussed out after the first couple of chapters. I can usually anticipate the twists especially when warned that one is imminent (e.g. With the tagline on the cover "brilliant twist"). Shalini, you got me this time!

What it's about: Faye Townsend plans a seaside trip to Swanage for the family as a birthday surprise for her husband, Jake. Her brother-and sister-in-law, Tom and Lainy are also along. Included are the children, Faye's 7-year-old son Dylan and Tom and Lainy's girls, Annabel and Poppy. The location has been selected specifically because Jake and Lainy grew up in Swanage and Faye thinks they will enjoy a return. The first hint that this vacation isn't going to be so great is when they arrive at the run down Gothic Victorian that's meant to be their lodgings. Still, they initially try to make the best of it with outings to the beach and an art gallery. It becomes obvious that neither Jake nor Lainy are enjoying their homecoming and they decide to leave early. Jake wants to take Dylan on one last activity, dolphin watching, and they intend to take off back to London after. Well, Jake and Dylan never come home. The police are alerted, searching begins, and Faye and her in-laws are frantic with worry. What in the world has happened to them and where are they? NO SPOILERS

Why you should read it: it's great domestic drama with a true surprise. You will have to wade through a lot of angst because emotions are high and that's my least favorite prose to read, but other than that, it was fast forward movement of the narrative and quite entertaining as I jumped to one conclusion after another. I did appreciate the character development and the shift in time perspective in the voices of Faye and Lainy. It's a fun, quick read that I devoured in a couple of hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - psychological thriller - domestic drama

Gretchen by Shannon Kirk

Gretchen may be a little strange, but she's harmless -- right?

 If you haven't yet seen buzz about this book, believe me, you will. It's one of those that you go into without any preparation or expectation so that you can be properly blown away by it. It's not often that a book surprises me, but this was masterful writing and incredibly entertaining. I was hooked immediately and couldn't put it down until I had finished. Let my breath go. And read the supplemental material that is best saved for last. Go on, get it now!

What it's about: Lucy is "fifteen, living in (our) tenth state, in (my) third high school already." She and her mom have been moving from place to place for the past thirteen years. There's always a trigger that makes them run -- someone gets too close or asks too many questions. Mom has told Lucy why -- Lucy's dad tried to steal her when she was 2 and mom got her back. Now they have to stay hidden from him. Lucy has no other information about her powerful, connected father, nor does she know her real name as they use fake IDs. They are very careful, but when someone slips up, they have to leave in the dead of night. Lucy is devatated to leave her latest home and her new best friend, Jenny, but Lucy makes a mistake and off they go again. The mother and daughter arrive in Milberg, New Hampshire, and fall in love with their rented one-story ranch house that's situated on a huge property with the owners living just up the hill in a colossal brick mansion. The father and daughter who own the place are a bit strange, but the girl is Lucy's age and wants to be immediate friends. Her name is Gretchen. Lucy is determined to stay and will do whatever it takes. She, however, did not plan for Gretchen. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read this: First of all, the writing is simply masterful. The setting is well-described and the sense of menace and a creepy vibe is lurking in the background. Great material for quoting, but I couldn't highlight every sentence! I could picture it all so vividly. The depth of the characterization was amazing as I fell in love with Lucy immediately. She had so much personality and was totally believable. The narrative shifts a bit between characters allowing glimpses into their perspectives and thoughts which adds to the overall tone and forward movement of the story. The plot, well, it is quite complex and I didn't see a thing coming -- a refreshing surprise. I could say a lot more, but won't because I don't want to give any hints. Believe me, you'd never expect this engrossing tale from the synopsis. Plus, you want to read this so you'll be able to talk about it with other folks who've read it and cackle gleefully cause you know all the answers! Who wants to be first to buy a ticket for the big screen version?

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to read and review. I'm definitely going to be following this author!

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- thriller with some horror aspects

The Dead Wife by Sue Fortin

Psychological thriller with a large measure of romance featuring an amateur sleuth who works for a travel agency as a features writer.

What it's about: Stephanie Durham wanted to be a big-time journalist, but that hasn't quite panned out yet so she indulges in her passion for photography while working for the website and magazine "Vacation Staycation." When she's offered the opportunity to cover the reopening of Conmere Resort Center in the Cumbria Lake District, she's pleased to attend and perhaps will have a chance to visit her mom who lives nearby. While researching the resort she reviews the articles surrounding the accidental drowning death of Elizabeth Sinclair, the young wife of one of the 3 sons who run the place. To her surprise, she's contacted by Elizabeth's mother, Sonia, who asks Steph to investigate the incident because she doesn't believe that there was anything accidental about it. So off Steph goes and gets much more than she bargained for. NO SPOILERS.

Should you read it? If you like a mystery that's fairly predictable with a huge dose of romance (hard to buy into it actually), then this is the book for you. You may also need a strong ability to suspend disbelief because of the way everything goes down. Stephanie is meant to be a strong, sympathetic character, but her emotions definitely win over her brain given what she does. A large amount of coincidence and improbability made me roll my eyes at times. I never felt the tension or suspense despite the situations Steph gets herself into, and I certainly didn't like any of the other messed up characters, especially Steph's mom or any of the Sinclair family. I knew early on "who did it" so it seemed that it took a long while to get there and the conclusion was anticlimactic. I'm finding it hard to rate as I really enjoyed the description of the setting while not really liking the plot or the characters. Without the instant romance, I'd probably have rated it higher.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I'll likely give her another go somewhere down the line despite the fact that I was a bit disappointed with this one. I admit I have really high expectations for psychological thrillers especially as I'm looking for something truly original where I can be surprised.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- domestic drama, mystery, amateur sleuth

Death at Ivy House (Sukey Reynolds #5) by Betty Rowlands

A police procedural and cozy mystery involving SOCO Sukey Reynolds of the Gloucester Police.

What it's about: A woman, known to be a former prostitute, is found bludgeoned to death at Ivy House. She'd been set up as mistress there by Trevor Blackton whose had a couple of run-ins with police in the past. Did he kill Evie Stanton in a jealous rage? The police can't seem to find Blackton nor any evidence that he committed the crime. There are some other factors that lead DI Jim Castle to believe that someone else may be behind the murder. Then another victim is found, one with some strange links to the Ivy House murder. And how is a homeless man, a magazine street vendor, connected -- but they can't find him either. The bodies pile up, there are multiple suspects, and wouldn't you know, it's Sukey who starts piecing it all together. NO SPOILERS.

Should you read it? If you like detective novels that are complicated and require them to chase down a lot of leads, interview many different people, and put all the information together to close a case, then this is a series for you. You have to accept that Sukey Reynolds, divorced mom to teenage Fergus, secret girlfriend of Jim Castle, was meant to be a detective but due to circumstances, ended up being a SOCO, a civilian, instead. Given her interest in helping to solve the crimes, which is definitely beyond her remit, she often goes off and makes discoveries on her own. I like her as a character but she needs to stop listening to her boyfriend and get herself qualified as a police officer or detective in her own right. DI Castle is quite protective and patronizing and Sukey is always getting put down for her efforts even though they always result in her finding something important. I've read all of this series, in order, to date and will continue on with the rest of them as they come available as I like the writing style and the interesting cases. In fact, I'd love to have her job!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC to read and review. Keep them coming! I know these were published years ago, some with different titles, but they are still timely and I'm sure that other readers will love discovering these gems.

This is the 5th book in a long running series. I suggest you read them in order!
Genre -- police procedural, cozy mystery with amateur sleuth

The Divorce by Victoria Jenkins

Psychological thriller with domestic drama that leaves a relationship counsellor reeling when she attempts to help a married couple whose situation reminds her just a bit too much of her own past.

What it's about: Karen Fisher, a 56-year-old widow, is a psychotherapist whose specialty is marriage counseling. Her newest clients, Josh and Lydia Green have been married for 14 years and have two young children. As the couple returns in repeat sessions, Karen starts to feel a vibe that indicates that Lydia may be in danger. As her concern mounts, Karen elicits more revelations from the two and she is unconvinced that she can save the marriage. She's reluctant to make any suggestions and is starting to wonder if they are telling her the truth. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it: The narrative shifts between the 3 voices of Karen, Josh and Lydia. As might be expected, each has a different perspective and take-away from the sessions. Karen is also dealing with her own personal issues and bad memories and the reader senses that she's attuned to what might be going on in the Green's marriage that may mirror her own experience. The reader is well aware that something isn't quite right and the anticipation of finding out the big reveal creates some good tension. If you're a fan of this genre -- the unreliable narrator, secrets, lies, revenge -- then this is the story for you.

I've read the police procedural series by this author and liked those books but this is a departure for Victoria Jenkins writing a psychological thriller. Personally I prefer a police procedural to bad marriage stories, but that's just me!  More science, less emotional drama. I'd give this a solid 3.5 stars though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - psychological thriller/domestic drama

Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger

Exceptional writing, a unique setting, and a strong female protagonist combine to make this crime thriller one to savor though it's more fun to devour it in a single sitting!

What it's about: Nell Flynn, a 28-year old FBI agent who works in the BAU, returns to Long Island to scatter her father's ashes. Martin Flynn was a Suffolk County detective and only 52 years old when he skidded off the highway while riding his motorcycle. Though they were estranged and Nell hadn't been back for over 10 years, she is there to settle his debts, sell his house, and relive the memories of her childhood near Hamptom Bays. After she and her father's fellow detectives take care of putting Martin to rest, her father's partner, Lee Davis asks Nell for her help with an investigation he and Martin were conducting. Two young Latina women have been found, dismembered and buried in shallow graves in public preserve parks and they've not had any luck finding the perpetrator. When they start talking to various local people and run down some clues, they find surprising information that has Nell worried. Was her father the killer? NO SPOILERS

Why you should read it: Nell Flynn is a great character. She's full of contradictions and it's quite easy to like her and find her believable. The narrative is filled with descriptive prose that captures the feeling of the landscape and the area so well that it makes me want to visit that place. There's a great build of tension as Nell makes her discoveries and starts piecing things together. It was very hard to put this book down as I wanted answers just as much as she did! The backstory about Nell's mother was intriguing and the resolution was appropriate and rewarding. Here's another book that would make a great miniseries and I hope I haven't seen the last of Nell as I think this could be the start of a great series. This is the first book by this author that I've read, but it won't be the last!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series -- though I wish it would be start of one!
Genre - crime thriller featuring FBI Agent, female protagonist

The School Friend (The Friendship Pact) by Alison James

A standalone domestic thriller that didn't go exactly where I was expecting and I liked it for that reason.

What it's about: Lucy (Lucinda Katherine Mary) is married to the eminent cardiac surgeon Marcus Wheedon. She's his second wife and has two stepchildren. Unfortunately, the union is not a happy one for Lucy. Marcus is a controlling jerk and, after 5 years of his dominance, she is determined to leave his abusive household. Marcus has no intention of letting her go. When Lucy goes on the run and is brought back home by Marcus time and again, she knows she needs some help to escape. Who can assist? She has an old friend from childhood, Adele Watts, and they share a secret that might make Adele willing to aid and abet... But that's only part of the story. NO SPOILERS.

Why I liked it: The writing and pace of the story made this a really fast read. I enjoyed how the story was able to surprise me by veering a bit off the typical psych thriller plot line. I expected Lucy to be successful, of course, but not exactly in the ways in which it all happened. I found Lucy to be relatable and, though she definitely makes some stupid choices, I did find myself liking her. It was easy to get through this in a single sitting and despite the conclusion being a bit unbelievable, it was fitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. It has since been retitled as the copy I read was "The Friendship Pact."

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- domestic drama/psychological thriller

The Marriage Trap by Sheryl Browne

Domestic drama that focuses on a family with so many secrets and lies that it will make your head spin!

What it's about: Jason and Karla Connelly have been married for 12 years. They have two young children, 11-year old Holly and 10-year-old Josh. Jason's business is failing and Karla keeps nagging him to get a loan from her father, wealthy businessman Robert Fenton. Now, Robert is, as the author tells us every other page, a real sleazeball -- a "bully, womanizer, misogynist" -- so Jason really doesn't want his money. When Jason finally has no other choice and goes to talk to Robert about a business deal, Robert rocks Jason's world with a bombshell of a secret he's revealed only to finally break up Jason and Karla's marriage -- a goal he's had since the two got together. And things go completely awry from there. NO SPOILERS.

My thoughts about this book: I had a really hard time with this one. It was way too full of redundancy and angst with the same old song on eternal repeat. Thus it seemed to drag on far too long and the dangled hints about the "secrets" got on my nerves since I'd long figured out the big thing. It's told in alternating points of view, Jason and Karla narrating the chapters, so that you're inside both of their heads. I honestly didn't like any of the characters in this drama and didn't feel empathy nor could I manage to relate to anything they were thinking or feeling. What a collection of pathetic losers! OK maybe that's a bit harsh but that sappy love stuff doesn't go too far for me and I couldn't buy it no matter how hard it was being sold.

Should you read it? If you like a plot line that focuses on despicable people hiding important information from their families and if you enjoy meandering around a straight line plot while having a lot of feelings, this would be for you. If you prefer lots of emotional drama, this will be your cup of tea. You may or may not find a twist or surprise, just depends on how many books in this particular genre niche that you read. The characters are paper thin and stereotypical meaning they are either "good" or "bad" and those labels are beat home. And any #metoo supporters will get their validation that lecherous and sexual harassment perpetrators get their just due.

I've read other books by this author and I'll try another one in the future but I just wish for more depth than the usual secrets and lies, bad marriages, poor communication, typical dysfunctional families and I hope for something new in the psychological thriller vein.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- domestic drama featuring secrets and lies

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

PSA:  Clear your schedule, turn off your mobile, lock the door and settle in for one very intense reading session! This is a book that demands to be read in a single sitting without distractions.

I was wondering what all the recent hype was about, and wow did I find out. I can see why this one is getting so much buzz and it's definitely well-deserved. Someone please tell me that this is another summer blockbuster that will be optioned for the big screen?!

What it's about: Rachel Klein, divorced and age 35,  is driving to see her oncologist when she gets the first call. A distorted voice tells her "two things you must remember...you are not the first and you will certainly not be the last...it's not about the money -- it's about The Chain." In a follow up call, Rachel receives awful news -- her 13-year-old daughter, Kylie, has been kidnapped. The person at the other end of the phone is very clear. All Rachel has to do do is follow the rules and then she'll get her daughter back, unharmed. There's a ransom demand, and, unbelievably, Rachel learns that she is also going to have to kidnap someone to replace her daughter on The Chain. Any deviations and Kylie will die. No one can break The Chain or everyone pays. NO SPOILERS.

Why you should read it: The writing is excellent; there are so many good quotes I couldn't pick one to start off my review as I normally do. The plot is original and well-paced creating tension and suspense from the very start. The characters are multi-dimensional and elicit empathy and relatabiililty. You root for them, as unlikely a duo as are Rachel and Pete, and even if you have to suspend some disbelief, you go there willingly. It's pure entertainment and kind of scary in many ways. I really enjoyed it and I think you will too!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the e-book ARC to read and review. I'll be recommending this one to every reader I know!

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

Genre -- suspense drama 

The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater

"We're all caught up in our own little worlds of denial and dread."

The unimaginable happens when two 10 year-old cousins are detained after an assault on an elderly woman, Bessie Wilford, whom they'd been visiting. The parents of Maddy are Juliet and Tom Fletcher and single mom, Chloe Voce's daughter's name is Brianna. Juliet and Chloe are sisters and have grown to adulthood in a quite dysfunctional family. When Maddy and Brianna are interviewed, neither of them will say a word. A child therapist, Dana Sewell, is brought in to help with getting the two cousins to talk. The townspeople and press are going wild with vitriol and disgust as the news goes out about the attack by these two ten-year-olds. Juliet and Chloe each try to support their daughters but the whole incident is bringing the entire family to the breaking point. Secrets and lies are revealed and the truth comes out with a shocking betrayal. NO SPOILERS.

This is domestic drama at heart and moves at a fairly slow pace with some flashbacks to the childhood of Juliet and Chloe where we learn a little about their family unit including Mum and Dad. It won't surprise anyone that there were problems there that would ultimately lead to what's meant to be a shocking revelation. I did not like any of the characters in this novel as they all had some issues and behaved in ways that I found irritating or repugnant. I believe we're supposed to feel some empathy for Juliet, but she was annoying in making excuses for herself and her self pity. I felt that the cousins were just a sidebar in a plot that should have featured them a bit more as they were very one-dimensional in the narrative. I think I was expecting more of a crime thriller plot because of the "murder" -- even though it's clearly marketed as a psychological thriller. I've read previous novels by this author that I liked more, and I'll read future books by K.L. Slater -- it's just that sometimes I find the synopsis misleading or it doesn't give me an accurate expectation for what the book is about. I guess I thought I was going to read a book about child killers...my mistake.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- family drama, psychological

A Stranger on the Beach by Michele Campbell

"We are only as blind as we want to be."

When Aidan meets Caroline...it's not a love story for one of them!

Caroline has been married to Jason Stark for over 20 years. They're quite well-off and have recently built a lavish beach house on a lovely property on a bluff overlooking the ocean miles outside the city. Their daughter, Hannah, has just gone off to college and it's time for the two empty nesters to enjoy the spoils of all their labor. But things go off the rails the night of Caroline's housewarming party. For one thing, her husband is a no show -- until he turns up late with a woman. Is Jason having an affair? The guests are lapping up the drama and Caroline is humiliated. When confronted, Jason leaves and Caroline can't get in touch with him. The topic of divorce is raised. Meanwhile, she takes herself down to a local watering hole, recognizes the bartender as a guy she'd met outside her beach house earlier on, and proceeds to get drunk with him. One thing leads to another and the 43-year-old Caroline has what she believes will be a one night stand with 27-year-old Aidan Callahan. And that's when it all begins...NO SPOILERS

This domestic suspense thriller really takes off and is immediately confounding as the story is told in two voices -- that of Caroline and that of Aidan. It's difficult to assess reliability because the way each describes events is completely different. Is this a torrid love affair or an obsession? The characters are well-developed and given comprehensive backstory, but it's hard to know who is telling the truth. Neither of them is particularly likeable, but the reader is drawn in quickly to all the drama and it became impossible to put this book down so I read it in a single sitting. Absorbing and confusing, the narrative continues with twists and turns that you may or may not see coming. Just go with it, suspend any disbelief, and ride along for the final revelations that make complete sense in retrospect. I really liked the writing style and the shifting points of view, especially when the police become involved and interject their own commentary.

I heard recently that this is to be made into a movie and I can't wait to see it! I enjoyed this one and see "Summer Blockbuster" written all over it. If you like your charcters honest and straight forward, this is not the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre -- domestic suspense/drama

The Arrangement by Robyn Harding

 They agreed -- no strings attached. So how did "The Arrangement" end in murder?

Natalie Murphy leaves her stifling hometown of Blaine, Washington, for the glamorous life as a student attending the Manhattan School of Visual Arts. She's talented and naive but broke -- with annoying roommates who are just about ready to kick her out of the shared apartment. Then she gets to know a fellow student, Ava, who is living in a penthouse in Chelsea and who has lots of nice things. What she learns -- Ava is a "Sugar Baby" and goes on "dates" with rich men. That's how she gets her money. It's not long before Natalie sets up her profile and agrees to her first "meeting" with a prospective "Daddy." Of course she doesn't intend to have sex with one of those decrepit, gross old men. There are rules! But then she meets Gabe Turnmill and everything changes. Natalie is loving her new lifestyle even if she sometimes feels that she is little better than a prostitute. After all, Gabe really cares about her and they are developing a "relationship."  What Natalie doesn't know is that Gabe is very married and intends to stay that way. When he tries to break it off, Natalie's fuse is blown and things spiral completely out of control. NO SPOILERS.

This was a very compelling book that kept me glued to the pages as I rapidly raced to the end without leaving my chair. The writing is good, the story is chilling and the tension immense as the reader anticipates the very bad thing that is probably going to happen. Along the way, I found myself almost yelling at Natalie to "GET REAL" and had to remind myself she's barely 20 something and remembering what girls of that age are like -- otherwise I would have found some of the events a bit more implausible and unrealistic. Not knowing anything myself about the world of paid escorts, I could see how a young innocent could be drawn in through their own ignorance and naïveté. I very much enjoyed the book though I'm not sure I was all that pleased with the last couple of chapters and the resolution after all. Regardless, I will be recommending this intense suspense novel with all of its angst and drama. It's a sordid, sorry tale with a warning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - domestic suspense

Two Victims (DCI Rachel King #2) by Helen Durrant

Two women are found murdered in the trench of a building site. Both were killed by a single gun shot. One of them is identified as a local nurse, Agnes Moore. She's said to have been an angel to young women from the streets who were in distress. The other body is about 2 months older and the police have no leads on who she is or why she was killed. In addition, a teenaged girl on the run is hiding from some very bad people and she may have vital information for DCI Rachel King and her team. There's some evidence of people trafficking through a local seedy club and additional violence ensues as detectives start getting closer to the black heart at the source. NO SPOILERS.

I am really enjoying this fast-paced police procedural/crime thriller series. In this second book, we see more of the same Rachel King with her incredible work ethic and her continued personal issues involving her family life and her past history with local criminal turned profitable businessman, Jed McAteer. Not much more has come out to let us get to know the various other characters any better but this case was quite complicated and interesting. I like when the details and clues are painstakingly found through tedious investigation along with forensic examination and are slowly revealed as they'd be in a real police case. Some of the revelations were surprising. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in this compelling series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the second book in the series that I suggest be read in order.
Genre -- police procedural, crime thriller, female detective

Next Victim (DCI Rachel King #1) by Helen H. Durrant

Rachel King is a DCI with the serious crime squad based in Ancoats. She commands a team for east Manchester CID and this is the first in a new crime thriller series.

A young gay man is found tortured to death in the canal. He was young, blonde and beautiful. When he's identified as Oliver Frodshom, some connections are made to a local hardware supplier and leads to questions about the nearby land. In addition, Oliver is known to a friend of Rachel's daughter. Alice Brough was angry with Oliver after a prank he played on her -- pretended to be her long lost twin brother, Alfie. Is Alice somehow responsible for Oliver's death? As Rachel King and her team investigate the associations indicated by forensics, another body is found and the two murders seem to be the work of a serial psychopath. The motive remains unclear and the detectives are convinced that the hardware supplier must be involved somehow -- until... But wait, there's even more -- it seems that Rachel King has a past lover, Jed McAteer, whose name is synonymous with local crime boss. Rachel's association with this man could ruin her career but it seems that his criminal history keeps coming up. And Jed knows Rachel's secret. Lots going on in this book, but NO SPOILERS.

I think I'm really going to enjoy this fast-paced series as the characters develop. Rachel King is a workaholic with little time for her teenaged daughters and her ex husband, Alan. Her relationship with Jed will definitely prove complicating and interesting since she's in the police and he's a villain. The other team members have been introduced and I'm looking forward to learning more about each of them as well. I'm luck to have the second book queued up to read next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the first in a new series featuring DCI Rachel King and I plan to read in order.
Genre - crime thriller, detectives, police procedural

Hideaway by Nicole Lundrigan

We all want the same thing -- "to be out in the open. To be regarded. To be seen."

Gloria and her two children live together alone in the house on Pinchkiss Circle ever since Telly, husband and father, took off to live with another woman. Rowan is nearly 13 and is big brother to seven-year-old Maisy when events in their home and lives turn from bad to worse. Gloria Janes likes to keep things up for appearance sake, and goes to great lengths to make sure that her children understand that she is in control -- of them, of their daily existence, and of the truth they tell. Manipulative and narcissistic, Gloria uses praise and punishment to create an atmosphere of total subjugation in her children. Or else. When Rowan vanishes after being locked out of the house one night, the repercussions of his time away with the mentally ill Carl have far-reaching detrimental effects that no one could have foreseen for the family. NO SPOILERS.

I had a very hard time writing this review. Did I enjoy this book? No, not really. It was a difficult read because of the subject matter (abuse of children) and also because of the severity of Gloria's psychiatric issues. The relentless despair was palpable and frustrating. The tone was depressing and only partially relieved by the somewhat hopeful conclusion. I think readers will need to be in a certain frame of mind to read this and I hope the novel doesn't haunt my dreams. I realize that there is a significant issue socially in our world with how mental illness is recognized and addressed. I have no answers but don't feel confident at all that we are headed in the right direction for protection and treatment. I was tempted a time or two to mark this as DNF, but I kept going and I'm glad I finished. The imagination and quality of the writing in the book was excellent and rang true as the voices of Rowan and Maisy alternately narrated their story. I did read it in one sitting and am now taking a deep cleansing breath.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - dark and deeply disturbing novel of a family in crisis

Someone We Know by Shari Lapena

"We all wear masks. We all have something to hide at one point or another."

Aylesford, a charming city in New York's Hudson Valley -- close to the Catskill Mountains -- is a "congenial place to live." Until a quiet neighborhood is rocked by the news of a murder of one of the residents. In addition, a teenager has confessed to sneaking into homes and hacking into owners' computers. What secrets lie hidden behind the charming facade of this sleepy suburbia?

The dead woman, Amanda Pierce, was reported missing by her husband. We all know the police usually figure him to be the number one suspect. But in this particular case there is no shortage of possible perpetrators as more shady information is discovered by Detectives Webb and Moen. In this hotbed enclave that sounds more like Peyton Place (I'm dating myself here) than idyllic haven, the neighbors seem to have a lot to hide. As tension mounts and suspicions simmer and details are confirmed, the truth is revealed. It always comes out in the end. NO SPOILERS.

This was a very fast-paced and entertaining book that I could not put down until I read it, in one sitting, cover to cover. The characters are a fascinating mix and their believability is compelling as each is put under a microscope. I could not wait to find out the surprising conclusion as I analyzed the clues while the narrative perspective shifted between the characters in this drama. Excellent writing propelled me forward as the focus narrowed. Who did what? Another summer blockbuster no doubt and again, one that should be slated for a television deal for sure. I enjoy novels by this author as she does a wonderful job examining what appears to be a nice little neighborhood, but isn't.

Thank you to the publisher, Pamela Dorman Books/Viking for the e-book ARC to read and review. This is another absorbing and fun novel of domestic suspense and I can't wait to read Shari Lapena's next book!

This is a standalone and not part of any series.
Genre - domestic suspense

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

What happens when you lose everything -- self-worth, friends, good name, career and livelihood?

A last minute mandatory meeting has been called for the four investment bankers from Standhope and Sons, a top tier firm in New York. It's meant to be a team building exercise as the four face possible retrenchment or perhaps a promotion. When they gather in the lobby of the building lobby -- Vincent de Vries (the boss), Sylvie, Jules and Sam have no idea that they are about to participate in what's meant to be an escape room scenario. But this exercise isn't like any they could have imagined as soon they are locked into an elevator and can only hope to get out alive! With the temperature alternating between stifling heat and extreme cold, with no water or food, no cell service and dwindling batteries, the 4 members of this elite group find some clues that hint at the reason for their imprisonment. Tempers rise, secrets are spilled, and their alliance comes to the breaking point.
NO SPOILERS.

This was a great way to spend an evening. Pure entertainment and a clever plot kept me racing through the pages so that I could read this in one sitting. The characters were intriguing and quite complex giving the narrative a relentless focus as it shifted back and forth in time and perspective. I enjoyed the writing style and the story which kept me guessing as I patted myself on the back for figuring out where it was going while still loving the ride. The conclusion was forgone at one point but highly satisfying. I think this would make a great miniseries or movie! Fast and fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book ARC to read and review. Definitely an author whose work I'll look forward to reading in the future.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - suspense thriller

The Girl in the Grave (Beth Adams #1) by Helen Phifer

The body of a young woman is found underneath the coffin of another deceased person during an exhumation. The girl had been dead for weeks and was never reported as missing. Dr. Beth Adams, a forensic pathologist (former A&E physician) is called to do the postmortem. Who used this particular grave as a dumping ground and why? Then, another young woman goes missing and is presumed to be in danger. The police frantically search for clues of where she could have been taken before time runs out and they have another body on their hands.

There are many characters in this introductory novel, but Beth Adams is the main focus. She was damaged both physically and psychologically in a previous assault by a man she trusted and has become quite reclusive and prefers isolation at her highly secure home on the lakefront. Her best friend, DS Josh Walker, rescued Beth during the attack that changed her life, and he's leading the investigation into the missing women. Despite the attempt to dangle extraneous clues and red herrings, I suspected the identity of the perpetrator early on. I didn't really get too attached to Beth and the "romance" angle seemed so obvious. The reader may learn to like the characters as the series develops, so I'd give this another chance with a second book read. I just don't see some of the events, and Beth's participation in the police investigation, as realistic or believable. The author has left quite a few loose ends in the plot with development potential.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the first in a new series.
Genre - police and detectives, murder, crime thriller

Child's Play (DI Kim Stone #11) by Angela Marsons

DI Kim Stone is back in this 11th book of the series. She and her team are investigating a set of murders that seems to relate to child geniuses. In each case, the victims were killed by a knife while propped against the backdrop of some sort of child's game -- a swing, a hopscotch grid, and a board game. What twisted soul has conceived of this and why? Meanwhile, Penn is back with his old colleagues as the court date for a murder is set on the docket. With witness testimony evaporating, Penn becomes convinced that they may not have arrested the real killer. Can the detectives of the West Midland Police find the answers they seek?

This series just keeps getting better and I'm always happy to return to the scene with these characters who are so well known and loved. I enjoy the police procedural aspects as much as I do learning more about each of the characters as individuals apart from their jobs. The writing is excellent and the pace keeps me turning the pages to a satisfying conclusion. There are still some loose plot ends from previous books and I'm always glad to see one resolved. Can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. Keep them coming!

This is book #11 in a series and I feel that the books should be read, from the beginning, in order.
Genre - detectives, crime thriller, police procedural

The Unlucky Ones (DI Jessica Daniel #14) by Kerry Wilkinson

As Easter approaches in Manchester, DI Jessica Daniel and her fellow detectives are busy investigating a series of deaths. At first glance, these don't appear to be murders, but Jessica finds an unexpected angle -- all of the victims had previously survived life-threatening situations. Henry Taylor was hit by a car, Mark Stanley drowned, Lucy fell, and Tiffany McDonnell died in a fire. The deaths don't seem to be connected until Jessica finds out about a woman, Francine, who hands out flyers talking about "God's will." Is Francine somehow responsible for seeing that these men and women aren't allowed a second chance? It seems a far reach, but the investigation proceeds. Although Jessica is focused on Francine, she's also busy trying to figure out why the formerly crime-ridden Lees Estate has suddenly become a model community.  NO SPOILERS

Another complicated case with Jessica following her instincts and getting the job done with the help of her colleagues and friends. Jessica still has some issues in her personal life that are ongoing and Caroline makes an appearance along with a surprising reveal. The whole "team" thing wasn't as strong as usual in this book, but it's the 14th in series, so the reader is familiar with each member though I enjoy a lot more detail about them than was present here. The writing is good as always and I'm looking forward to the next installment. I firmly believe that these books should be read from the beginning, in order.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is #14 in a series and should be read in order.
Genre - police procedural, crime thriller