Category Archives: Thriller

September 4, 2023 · 12:02 am

Review: Deadlock by James Byrne

Title: Deadlock by James Byrne
Dez Limerick Book Two
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Length: 359 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

In this sequel to the highly praised The Gatekeeper, Dez Limerick, one of the best new thriller heroes returns.

Desmond Aloysius Limerick (“Dez” to his friends and close personal enemies) is a man with a shadowy past, certain useful hard-won skills, and, if one digs deep enough, a reputation as a good man to have at your back. Now retired from his previous life, Dez is just a bloke with a winning smile, a bass guitar, and bullet wounds that paint a road map of past lives.

Jaleh Swann, a business journalist hot on the trail of an auditor who was mugged and killed, lands in the hospital just one day after her Portland apartment is ransacked. When Jaleh’s sister, Raziah, reaches out to an old friend for help, Dez has no choice but to answer. The Swann sisters have been pulled into a dizzying web of cover-ups and danger. At the center lies an insidious Oregon-based tech corporation, Clockjack, which has enough money and hired guns to silence just about anyone—including this rag-tag trio. Luckily, Dez’s speciality is not just to open doors, but keep them open—and protect those working to expose Clockjack’s secrets.

More stands in the way of the truth than just one corporation. When hired thugs come to the finish the job and attack the Swann sisters at the hospital, Dez does what he does best. Now, the two captured men (and the corpse Dez left behind) attract the attention of not just Clockjack, but of the Portland police, the D.E.A, and the U.S. Marshalls. Dez and the Swann sisters are on the run from powers beyond their control and means. Outnumbered, under resourced and outgunned, Dez must use all his skills to keep his friends safe and stand up to corporate conniving. After all, the one thing Clockjack didn’t count on? A good man with a simple job to do.

Review:

Deadlock by James Byrne is an edge of the seat, suspense-laden thriller.

Dez Limerick is unique, likeable, and very easy to under estimate. He is charming but deadly and fiercely loyal with a strong moral compass. But Dez will do whatever it takes to protect his friends and by extension, their family.

When his friend, singer Raziah Swann, asks him to protect her sister, Laleh, Dez moves quickly to help them.  In order to ensure the sisters’ safety, he must figure out why Laleh has become a target. His quest for answers takes him to Clockjack Solutions, a tech company that, on the surface, seems on the up and up. However, appearances can be deceiving and Dez comes up against ruthless people who will do anything and everything to protect their shocking plans.

Deadlock is an adrenaline-filled mystery that moves at a blistering pace. Dez is a larger-than-life hero that is very easy root for. The storyline is well-developed with breath-taking twists and turns. With a jaw-dropping epilogue, James Byrne brings this second installment in the Dez Limerick series to a very intriguing conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Deadlock, Dez Limerick Series, Jack Byrne, Minotaur Books, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense, Thriller

March 29, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: The Secrets We Share by Edwin Hill

Title: The Secrets We Share by Edwin Hill
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Length: 323 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A mesmerizing, twisty suspense novel perfect for fans of Mary Kubica and Riley Sager from an acclaimed author! Explore the deep bonds—and deadly secrets—between two very different sisters haunted by the crimes of their father murdered nearly twenty years earlier…

At first glance, Natalie Cavanaugh and Glenn Abbott hardly look like sisters. Even off-duty, Natalie dresses like a Boston cop, preferring practical clothes and unfussy, pinned-up hair. Her younger sister, Glenn, seems tailor-made for the spotlight, from her signature red mane to her camera-ready smile. Glenn has spent years cultivating her brand through her baking blog, and with the publication of her new book, that hard work seems about to pay off. But her fans have no idea about the nightmare in Glenn and Natalie’s past.

Twenty years ago, their father’s body was discovered in the woods behind their house. A trauma like that doesn’t fit with Glenn’s public image. Yet, maybe someone reading her blog does know something. There have been anonymous online messages, vague yet ominous, hinting that she’s being watched. And with unsettling coincidences hitting ever closer to home, both Glenn and Natalie soon have more pressing matters to worry about, especially when a dead body is found in an abandoned building . . .

Natalie is starting to wonder how much Glenn really knows about the people closest to her. But are there also secrets Natalie has yet to uncover about those she herself trusts? For two decades, she’s believed their father was murdered by their neighbor, with whom he was having an affair. But if those events are connected to what’s happening now, maybe there’s much more that Natalie doesn’t know. About their father. About their neighbors. About her friends. Maybe even about herself.

But there are no secrets between sisters . . . are there?

Review:

The Secrets We Share by Edwin Hill is a complex, suspense-laden thriller.

Forty-four-year-old Boston Detective Natalie Cavanaugh and her sister, Glenn Abbott, have never quite left behind the ghosts of their past. Their father was murdered when they were teenagers and the case still remains unsolved. Suspicion first fell on their mother but after rumors began spreading that he was having an affair with their neighbor, Diane Sykes, police changed their focus to her instead. As adults, Glenn and Natalie both deal with their childhood in very different ways.

Natalie drinks too much in an effort to tamp down her memories. She also keeps a tight rein on her emotions and eschews personal relationships. Natalie keeps a low profile at work and shies away from cases that would put her in the spotlight. Glenn, on the other hand, is a popular food blogger with a book that is on the verge of release. Her once happy marriage has hit a rough spot that she and her husband may or may not recover from. Her daughter Mavis is more observant than either or her parents believe. She is also very smart and thinks on her feet.

Natalie has many conflicts of interest in the case she is working with her partner Detective Zane Perez. A beloved member of her family discovered the body of a murdered man in an abandoned building. And the investigation leads straight to someone else she knows, Bennet Jones. He is the business partner of her brother-in-law, Jake. Her boss, Lieutenant Angela White, orders her off the case but she and Zane know that Natalie is most likely going to poke around on her own. Of course, they are right but will they be grateful for her help when the investigation takes many unexpected detours?

The Secrets We Share is an edge of the seat thriller with a multi-layered storyline. Natalie is a highly intelligent and very clever detective. She is not without flaws but she is a sympathetic, likable woman. The secondary characters are realistically developed with relatable human foibles. Lt. White is an outstanding boss who is fair with those who work for her. The investigation is intriguing and moves at an even pace.  With stunning twists and diabolical turns, Edwin Hill brings this cunning thriller to a jaw-dropping conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Edwin Hill, Kensington Books, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense, The Secrets We Share, Thriller

March 28, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan

Title: The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Thriller
Length: 350 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

In this pulse-pounding thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny, a group of women travel to the most remote place in England for a weekend escape, only to discover a startling note that one of their husbands will be killed before they return home—perfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley.

Three couples

Two bodies

One secret

Dark Fell Barn is a “perfectly isolated” retreat, or so says its website when Jayne books a reservation for her friends. A quiet place, far removed from the rest of the world, is exactly what they need.

The women arrive for a girls’ night ahead of their husbands. There’s ex-Army Jayne, hardened and serious, but also damaged. Ruth, the driven doctor and new mother who is battling demons of her own. Young Emily, just wed and insecure, the newest addition of this tight-knit band. Missing this year is Edie, who was the glue holding them together, until her husband died suddenly.

But what they hoped would be a relaxing break soon turns to horror. Upon arrival at Dark Fell Barn, the women find a devastating note claiming one of their husbands will be murdered. There are no phones, no cell service to check on their men. Friendships fracture as the situation spins wildly out of control. Betrayal can come in many forms.

This group has kept each other’s secrets for far too long.

Review:

The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan is a riveting thriller.

For this year’s couple’s weekend, Jayne, Ruth and Emily arrive at Dark Fell Barn just ahead of a ferocious storm. Their husbands, Mark, Toby and Paul, will be arriving the next day when they are detained at the last minute.  Also missing this year is Edie, whose husband Rob died six months earlier.  The women are spooked by a shocking note they are uncertain whether or not should be taken seriously. Jayne tries to quell each other’s fears but Emily is determined to phone her husband, Paul. With the storm still raging outside, Jayne agrees to accompany Emily as she attempts to find a cell signal. As the night wears on, Jayne, Emily and Ruth become increasingly suspicious of each other.  After only one of their husbands arrive in the morning, the other two women are desperate to learn if their worst fears will come true.

Jayne is a former Army intelligence officer so she puts her rusty skills to use at various points throughout the evening. She suffers from PTSD but it is much better controlled than it used to be. Ruth is a new mother juggling her career as a doctor with taking care of her six-month-old son. It soon becomes apparent to Jayne and Emily that their friend has a problem with alcohol. Emily is much younger than her husband Paul and she has nothing in common with the other two women. She will not be deterred from trying to reach her husband and she takes an unnecessary risk that takes a troubling turn.

The Long Weekend is a compelling thriller that is incredibly atmospheric. The characters are well-drawn and their fear permeates the unfolding story. Dark Fell Barn is very isolated and the brutal weather adds another layer of tension to the women’s growing anxiety. Chapters detailing the chilling events back in town alternate with the events taking place at the Dark Fell Barn. With absolutely shocking twists and turns, Gilly Macmillan brings this fast-paced thriller to a suspense-laden conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Gilly Macmillan, Rated B+, Review, The Long Weekend, Thriller, William Morrow

March 26, 2022 · 12:02 am

Review: These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

Title: These Deadly Games by Diana Urban
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Suspense, Thriller
Length: 407 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Let’s play a game.

You have 24 hours to win. If you break my rules, she dies. If you call the police, she dies. If you tell your parents or anyone else, she dies.

Are you ready?

When Crystal Donavan gets a message on a mysterious app with a video of her little sister gagged and bound, she agrees to play the kidnapper’s game. At first, they make her complete bizarre tasks: steal a test and stuff it in a locker, bake brownies, make a prank call.

But then Crystal realizes each task is meant to hurt–and kill–her friends, one by one. But if she refuses to play, the kidnapper will kill her sister. Is someone trying to take her team out of the running for a gaming tournament? Or have they uncovered a secret from their past, and wants them to pay for what they did…

As Crystal makes the impossible choices between her friends and her sister, she must uncover the truth and find a way to outplay the kidnapper… before it’s too late.

Author of All Your Twisted Secrets, Diana Urban’s explosive sophomore novel, These Deadly Games, will keep you riveted until the final twist is revealed.

Review:

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban is a spellbinding young adult thriller.

Crystal Donovan desperately needs the prize money from an upcoming egames tournament. The teams need to be five players so she and her friends are currently pitting their skills against each other for the coveted spots. But Crystal is soon consumed with fulfilling the demands of an anonymous person who has kidnapped her younger sister, Caelyn. Having proved the kidnapper knows her every move, she cannot reveal to anyone (and especially not the police) what she is being forced to do. When it becomes obvious the kidnapper is targeting her friends, Crystal must figure out why in hopes of outsmarting this dangerous person.

Crystal is frantic as she races against time to complete the tasks assigned to her. It is not until later in the day that realizes the kidnapper is setting her up to take the fall for the outcome of these dark deeds. Despite her desire to tell her best friends about what is happening to her, Crystal remains quiet as she tries to keep anyone from realizing something is drastically wrong. Even when things turn deadly, Crystal continues following the increasingly dangerous orders from the clearly disturbed kidnapper.

These Deadly Games is a suspense-laden thriller that is incredibly compelling. Crystal is a clever young woman whose gaming skills come in very handy while trying to outwit the kidnapper and save Caelyn. The supporting cast of characters is diverse and well-developed. The storyline is engrossing and moves at a blistering pace. With outstanding plot twists, Diana Urban brings this captivating young adult thriller to an edge of the seat conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Diana Urban, Rated B, Review, Suspense, These Deadly Games, Thriller, Wednesday Books, Young Adult

February 10, 2022 · 12:03 am

Review: The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler

Title: The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler
Killer Instinct Series Book Eight
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 481 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

#1 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLER • Detective Joona Linna is on the trail of a kidnapper who targets teenage girls and makes their worst nightmares a reality.

Sixteen-year-old Jenny Lind is kidnapped in broad daylight on her way home from school and thrown into the back of a truck. She’s taken to a dilapidated house, where she and other girls face horrors far beyond their worst nightmares. Though they’re desperate to escape, their captor foils everyone of their attempts.

Five years later, Jenny’s body is found hanging in a playground, strung up with a winch on a rainy night. As the police are scrambling to find a lead in the scant evidence, Detective Joona Linna recognizes an eerie connection between Jenny’s murder and a death declared a suicide years before. And when another teenage girl goes missing, it becomes clear to Joona that they’re dealing with a serial killer—and his murderous rampage may have just begun.

Review:

The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler is a chilling mystery. Although this latest novel starring Detective Joona Linna is the eighth installment in the Killer Instinct series, it can be read as a standalone. However, I HIGHLY recommend all of the books in this outstanding series.

Detective Joona Linna and his daughter Lumi are still on delicate footing when he is begins working on his newest case. Sixteen year old Jenny Lind was kidnapped five years earlier and there has been no trace of her in the intervening years. That is until her body is discovered in a macabre tableau in a local playground. Linna is unconvinced she is the killer’s first (or only) victim, and he soon uncovers a victim whose death is eerily similar to Jenny’s murder. When Mia Andersson goes missing, Joona turns to his friend, psychologist Erik Maria Bark to work with the lone witness to Jenny’s murder.

Joona has to work hard to convince his new boss Margot Silverman to allow him to work the Jenny Lind case. Due to unsurprising (to Linna) circumstances, he soon takes over the case. He is frustrated by their lack of evidence but Joona will go to dangerous lengths to track down anyone who might have information about Jenny’s killer. When Mia vanishes, he and Erik continue working with the witness whose mental illness makes it difficult for him to recall important details about Jenny’s murder.

The Mirror Man is a compelling mystery that is incredibly suspenseful. Joona trusts his instincts as he works tirelessly to uncover the murderer’s identity. Chapters depicting the horrific and violent conditions under which the kidnapped women live provided added tension and urgency to the unfolding storyline. With a truly jaw-dropping plot twist, Lars Kepler brings this grisly thriller to a high-octane conclusion. The final scene of this brilliant mystery will leave old and new fans of the Killer Instinct series breathlessly awaiting the next novel in the series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Killer Instinct Series, Knopf, Lars Kepler, Mystery, Review, Suspense, The Mirror Man, Thriller

· 12:02 am

Review: The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf

Title: The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf
Publisher: Park Row
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense, Thriller
Length: 337 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A woman receives an unexpected visitor during a deadly snowstorm in this chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf.

True crime writer Wylie Lark doesn’t mind being snowed in at the isolated farmhouse where she’s retreated to write her new book. A cozy fire, complete silence. It would be perfect, if not for the fact that decades earlier, at this very house, two people were murdered in cold blood and a girl disappeared without a trace.

As the storm worsens, Wylie finds herself trapped inside the house, haunted by the secrets contained within its walls—haunted by secrets of her own. Then she discovers a small child in the snow just outside. After bringing the child inside for warmth and safety, she begins to search for answers. But soon it becomes clear that the farmhouse isn’t as isolated as she thought, and someone is willing to do anything to find them.

Review:

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf is a mesmerizing mystery.

True crime writer Wylie Lark is working on her latest book at an isolated farmhouse in Burden, Iowa. She is prepared for an oncoming blizzard but she is surprised when she finds a young child in the front yard. Wylie finally gets the child to trust her but she cannot any information from him. Certain he is not alone, Wylie braves the white-out conditions and frigid temperature to find the boy’s parents. She finds the wrecked vehicle but where is the driver?

Wylie regrets how she left things with her son so she knows she needs to return to Oregon soon. She is enjoying this time by herself and she does not expect anything out of the ordinary to occur during her stay. That is until her unexpected visitor. She is frustrated by her brusqueness with the little boy, but she is very worried about him and his missing parent(s). When the electricity goes out, she begins to experience the first vestiges of fear. Wylie is committed to keeping the child safe until morning, but will she be able to keep her commitment?

In the summer of 2000, a shocking murder rocks the small farming community in Burden. Sheriff John Butler, Department of Criminal Investigations Agents Camila Santos and John Randolph work tireless in the oppressive heat and humidity to find the killer. Who would have reason to kill the well-liked family? They zero in on a suspect, but will find the evidence they need to make an arrest?

The Overnight Guest is a well-executed thriller with an atmospheric setting. The storyline is fast-paced with chapters that alternate between three different events. In the past, the murders are unsettling and the investigation is intriguing. In the present, the blizzard is claustrophobic and the tension is disquieting. The third perspective offers a haunting glimpse into an abusive and volatile relationship. With explosive plot-twists, Heather Gudenkauf brings this riveting mystery to an action-packed dénouement.

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Filed under Contemporary, Heather Gudenkauf, Park Row Books, Rated B+, Review, Suspense, The Overnight Guest, Thriller