The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz

 I enjoyed The Plot and its peek into the world of writing, agents, and publishers. Its surprise ending was haunting. When I saw the author had written another book with many of the same characters, I was elated: maybe she would explore what motivated Anna to do what she did. My prayers were answered. This book focuses on Jake's widow, Anna, who has much to account for.

It's two years after bestselling author Jake Finch Bonner's death, and his widow, Anna Williams-Bonner, lives off his royalties while she decides what to do with her life. Anna writes a book at a writer's retreat, drawing on Jake's death for inspiration. The book becomes a bestseller, and the spotlight is now on her. With the notoriety comes scrutiny of her life, and someone out there knows too much. Anna receives an excerpt from a novel written by a person who is long dead, which could upset the success Anna now enjoys. Needing to know who the anonymous person is, Anna begins digging into Jake's past to see if she can find and neutralize the threat.

As I watched Anna wreak destruction in her quest to preserve her identity, I wondered how I could be rooting for her—yet I did. Korelitz does an excellent job of portraying cold-blooded Anna as a victim. The book starts slowly, but once Anna goes on the offensive, it picks up, and the suspense is palpable. I recommend reading The Plot before attempting this second book in the series; both are worthwhile. 

4/5 stars.

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The Last Ranger by Peter Heller

 I always enjoy Peter Heller's books. I've read almost all of them, and each has been engaging. Nature plays a big part in his stories, usually along the man versus nature line, and The Last Ranger is no exception.

Ren Hopper is an enforcement ranger in Yellowstone National Park. The highlight of his days usually involves unsnarling traffic jams and trying to keep stupid people from being killed or maimed by wildlife. He enjoys flyfishing in remote parts of the Park on his days off. On one such day, Ren encounters a suspected poacher chasing a bear with his dog. Ren can't prove the poaching or that he meant to kill the bear, but the man is on his radar. When a wildlife biologist studying the wolves in Yellowstone almost dies after being caught in a poacher's trap, Ren begins a full-scale investigation of the man. What he uncovers is both larger in scale and more organized than he thought.

Heller does an excellent job of exploring wolves' ecological impact and the challenges they face, both in nature and in man's presence. He highlights what a treasure our national parks are and how they are also in peril.

This is a wonderfully written novel with well-developed characters and realistic situations. It is suspenseful and well-plotted. Having been lucky enough to grow up near Yellowstone, this book tugged at my heartstrings. I loved the setting and the various storylines. 

5/5 stars.

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The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve

Time travel is one of my favorite genres. I have my favorite authors, standalone books, and time travel series. I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the genre, so although I was intrigued by this book, I was not prepared to be blown away by The Memory Collectors--but I was. This book is an interesting take that still has me wondering what I'd do if I were in a similar situation as the four characters in this book.

In 2028, Aeon Expeditions develops technology that allows people to spend an hour in their past without changing the future. The company says a person cannot travel to a specific point in time, but four strangers find themselves together four days before August 25, 2025--a date that changed each of their lives. Something goes wrong, and the four find themselves trapped in the past. As their lives intersect, they realize that if they work together, they may be able to change the events of that fateful day.

I read this book in record time. It was thought-provoking, and while it was a bit overly sentimental toward the end, it was still an excellent story. I was caught in the characters' lives and rooted for them to change the events of that August day. Alternating between each character's POV, the author did an excellent job of weaving the lives together and tying the story together. If you want a different take on time travel without the usual hard science that accompanies it, I highly recommend this book. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 20, 2025.

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Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben

 I discovered Harlan Coben when I saw some of his books adapted into movies on Netflix. I loved what I saw and decided to try his books. This is the third book I've read, and I can safely say I've become a fan. This is the second book featuring Sami Kierce, Fool Me Once is the first. This book is classic Coben, fast-moving and twisty.

A young Sami Kierce is backpacking with friends in Europe when he becomes enamored with Anna, a woman he meets in Spain. Their brief affair ends when Sami wakes up one morning and discovers Anna dead and his hands covered in blood. A panicked Sami flees the scene.

Flash forward twenty-two years. Sami is now married with a newborn son, working as an investigator for a law firm and teaching night classes. When a woman briefly appears in his classroom, Sami is sure that the woman is Anna. Sami follows her and discovers her name is Victoria, and she is a member of the wealthy Belmond family. Victoria has a mysterious past, and as Sami begins digging, he uncovers secrets the family would rather not have revealed. Determined to solve the Anna/Victoria mystery, Sami soon endangers his own life and that of his wife and child.

This is an excellently plotted thriller with twists I did not see coming. The characters are interesting, and the mystery surrounding Anna and Victoria is compelling. Although one does not need to read Fool Me Once to enjoy this book, I recommend it. Not only is it a good book, but it contributes to Sami's backstory. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.

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Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger

Thunder Bay is the best of the Cork O'Connor mystery series so far. Rich in characters and atmosphere, the complicated plot reveals much of the old medicine man Henry Meloux's past.

Henry Meloux is in the hospital on death's doorstep. When Henry gives Cork O'Connor a watch containing a woman's picture and pleads with him to find a son he has never seen, Cork heads to Thunder Bay, Ontario, to search for the reclusive, wealthy man Henry Wellington. Cork is granted an interview with Wellington and finds the rumors that the recluse is unhinged true. Wellington wants no part of his father, and when an attempt is made on Meloux's life, it is apparent that Wellington is behind it. But why?

Miraculously recovered, Henry calls on Cork to help him get to Canada to meet his son. It's not an easy task, but Cork's ties to the older man make it a request he cannot deny. Despite the dangers, Henry is determined to right a wrong in his past.

I've always liked the character Henry Meloux, and Krueger uses this book to explore his past. Combining Henry's story with the present-day adventures makes for an interesting read with some good plot twists. The plot is complicated, but Krueger does an excellent job of propelling the story forward with insightful looks at Henry and Cork. 

5/5 stars.

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Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade

 

I wasn't sure what to expect of this book. Initially, it seemed like a crime noir book with quirky characters, but it became a good police procedural with quirky characters.

Jeep Mullane has switched from being a New York City cop to the police chief of a wealthy community where he had grown up, far from the "haves" who populate the community. When the body of his wealthy friend, Johnny Chambliss, aka Johnny Careless, because of his "care less" attitude, is found, Jeep suspects foul play. Because of his connection, the case is taken away, and he is forced to concentrate on a gang stealing high-end vehicles. Not to be deterred, he keeps tabs on the investigation and often steps on the toes of the officer in charge. When the cause of Johnny's death comes back as undetermined, Jeep decides it is up to him to figure out what happened to Johnny.

Written with a touch of humor, this is a fast-moving story with great characters. Johnny's mysterious death and secret past add to a mix of loose ends Jeep is determined to tie up. Overall, it's a good story but failed to capture my attention fully. I'm a mood reader, so maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Celadon Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 28, 2025.

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Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow

 

Scott Turow is one of my go-to authors for a good legal thriller. In this third book featuring Rusty Sabich, Turow does an excellent job entertaining and educating about the legal system.

First introduced in "Presumed Innocent," Rusty is now 77, retired, and engaged to Bea, a white woman with an adopted Black son, Aaron. Aaron has had run-ins with the law and is now on probation under the supervision of Rusty and Bea. Aaron goes on a camping trip with his troubled girlfriend, Mae, to work on their relationship; Aaron returns without Mae. When Mae is later found dead, Aaron is charged with first-degree murder. and at Bea's request, Rusty agrees to represent him at trial. With the evidence stacked against Aaron, Rusty must use his legal experience to see that Aaron gets a fair trial.

Although it is a long book, more than 500 pages, it is a quick read. The story is compelling, fast-paced, and excellently written. The moral dilemmas facing Rusty and the legal minefield he had to negotiate make for an excellent legal thriller. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy courtroom drama with interesting characters. 

4.5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 14, 2025.

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Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

 

I loved the premise of this book: a stranger predicts the cause and age of your death. Assuming you believed her, what would you do? Live life to the fullest or try and cheat the death sentence? That is the dilemma facing the characters in this book.

On a packed flight, a woman stands up and goes down the aisle, pointing at each person in turn and telling them how and when they will die. She is so convincing that the passengers take her revelations seriously. Just who is this woman? Is she a psychic or a mentally deranged person? As deaths begin to occur, the hunt is on to find the woman and find answers to these questions. What follows is how a handful of the passengers take the news and a look at what provoked the woman to share the information.

This is excellently plotted, and the characters face interesting problems—some are moral dilemmas, and others involve life-changing decisions. I especially liked how the author revealed why the woman, Cherry, came to make the predictions. I also wondered how I would react to the news as I read the book. If I were told I'd live a long life, would I take life-threatening chances with the knowledge I'd survive? Would I be more frugal and more kind to those around me? This book both entertained and gave me reason to pause. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger

 

I'm doing it! I am finally accomplishing what I promised myself I'd do many years ago when I first discovered William Kent Krueger: I'm making progress reading his Cork O'Connor series. I just finished this fantastic second book, and book three is in the queue.

Trying to get her life in order, country music star Shiloh finds herself stranded in a remote cabin in Minnesota's Boundary Waters wilderness area when her friend Wendell Two Knives fails to return to guide her out. What she doesn't know is that men have killed Wendell and are now out to find and kill her as well. But why?

Meanwhile, her father has engaged Cork O'Connor to help him find her. They join a search party comprised of two FBI agents, Wendell's nephew, Stormy, and led by Stormy's ten-year-old nephew, Louis.

As both factions search for Shiloh, she attempts to escape the wilderness area, armed with only a crudely drawn map Wendell left for her. With winter setting in, Shiloh is now in a race against time while trying to evade those who want her dead.

I love Krueger's writing. His Cork O'Connor books expertly capture the wilds of Northern Minnesota and the people who live there. As with his standalone books, this series has memorable characters and excellent plots. The Native Americans who populate this book series add richness to the stories with explanations of their ancient and modern culture. All of these elements combine to form an engaging, entertaining story. 

5/5 stars.

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Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson

I thought Kate Atkinson retired her Jackson Brodie character, so I was delighted to see this book featuring him. He's older, more tired, and funnier than ever.

Business isn't booming at Jackson Brodie's detective agency, so he readily takes the assignment to find a stolen painting. It isn't long before he finds two other art thefts and an elusive woman who may be behind them. One of the thefts, at Burton Makepeace manor house, whose owners have been selling off valuables and now are hosting murder mystery weekends to keep up with repairs, has also caught the attention of the police. Much to her chagrin, Brodie tries to partner with Detective Constable Reggie Chase- an uneasy partnership, but one proving fruitful. When a snowstorm isolates many of the characters at Burton Makepeace, can murder be far behind?

I love Atkinson's humor. The back-and-forth between Brodie and Reggie is laugh-out-loud funny. The characters and situations are similar to an Agatha Christie book, only humorously written. Atkinson is at the top of her game with this book. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is September 3, 2024.

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Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

The premise of this book sounded promising, and although I didn't know what the tag "Women's Fiction" meant, it didn't say "Romance," so I thought I was safe. Nope. I think women's fiction is another way of saying this is a romance story. I'm not fond of romance, but based on the popularity of authors specializing in this genre, I think I'm a minority. That was one of the reasons I was disappointed in this book, but just one.

After a whirlwind courtship, Josh and June quickly marry, much to the dismay of those closest to them. Wedded bliss quickly turns to horror when Josh is presumed drowned on their honeymoon. Flash forward ten years to 2022: June is now engaged to Kyle, and while photographing engagement pictures, she sure spots Josh in a crowd. Once June spotted him, she seemed to see him everywhere, including on a winery website in Napa, California. Could he still be alive?

The story then shifts to a winery in Napa in 1999. Bev discovers her husband has cheated on her. She struggles with his unfaithfulness, but not wanting to harm the reputation of their winery, she tries to overcome her feeling of betrayal.

I don't want to spoil the plot, and I've never discussed an ending, so I won't go into details, but I will say I found it hard to swallow. There are twists galore, and even though I wasn't invested in either June or Bev, I kept reading to see what would happen. I love wine, but I got tired of the explanations of the ins and outs of wine-making. I'd say this book was not my cup of tea, but saying it's not my glass of wine is more appropriate.

2/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 13, 2024. 

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Don't Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins

 I agree that this book compares favorably to the works of S.A. Cosby and Don Winslow. This noir crime novel bursting with colorful characters, intrigue, and action.

Addison McKeller has a beautiful home in an exclusive Memphis suburb, two beautiful children, and a husband with a flourishing international construction company. However, everything is in peril when her husband, Dean, disappears. Getting no response from the local police to her missing person report, Addison hires renowned private investigator Porter Hayes to find Dean. When Hayes begins digging, he uncovers some troubling details about Dean that will rock Addison's world. Not only is Dean living a lie, but he is also associated with some shady dealings involving dangerous figures that put all their lives in danger. Can Hayes find Dean and untangle the lies he has woven in time to save the family? It's a race against time, and lives are at stake.

This is an atmospheric novel that is fast-paced and contains a complex plot. The writing is crisp, and the dialogue is snappy. The subplots tie in nicely with the main storyline, and although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. If you enjoy Southern noir stories, I think you will enjoy this book. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 25, 2024.

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Horror Movie by Paul Trembla;y

 I loved Paul Tremblay's "The Cabin at the End of the World" and "Survivor Song" and liked "A Head Full of Ghosts" but didn't care for "The Pallbearers Club." So, I didn't know what to expect going into "Horror Movie." The premise sounded intriguing, but unfortunately, the execution didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Thirty years ago, a small group of twenty-something filmmakers decided to make a horror movie on a shoestring budget. Although the film was completed, it was never fully released--only parts were uploaded to YouTube, just enough to gain a cult following. Now, Hollywood has decided to "reboot" the film on a much bigger scale. Only one of the original cast members is still alive, and he has been recruited as a consultant and to reprise parts of his role as "The Thin Kid.” Will this version successfully live up to the fanbase's expectations? And, what is more important, will the cast members survive the filming?

Spanning two timelines and incorporating the original script into the storyline, Tremblay does a tightrope walk between the filming of both versions of the "Horror Movie." The book slowly reveals what happened to the original cast members—sometimes a bit too slowly. Told in the first person by "The Thin Kid," there are times when the level of detail is overwhelming, spanning multiple pages. I skimmed parts because they didn't seem to move the story forward. The story also bogged down in the middle, but the ending was satisfying enough to overcome both problems. I liked this book, but it doesn't rank up there with some of Tremblay's other novels. 

3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 11, 2024.

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Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate

 

Lisa Wingate has done it again! After her best-selling book “Before We Were Yours," comes another fascinating story of greed, corruption, and the children who were the victims. This time, the setting is Oklahoma, where children are being exploited for their land and mineral rights. This is another sad chapter in American history that is now being revealed.

It's 1909, and eleven-year-old Ollie Radley and two Choctaw girls, Hazel and Nessa, orphan wards of her parents, are at the mercy of their pedophile stepfather. When Hazel disappears, Ollie, fearing for their safety, flees with six-year-old Nessa into the wilds of the Oklahoma mountains and the safety she seeks at an old homestead.

In 1990, park law enforcement ranger Valerie Boren-Odell was appointed to the newly created Horsethief Trail National Park. She was met with a missing person, a mysterious death, an old burial site, and local resistance to the freshly minted park. Still grieving over her husband's death and adjusting to being a single parent, Val must prove herself to her fellow rangers and the local community. Her only allies are the twelve-year-old sister of the missing person, who has a history of "telling tall tales," and a fellow law enforcement officer from the Choctaw Tribal Police. Facing adversity at every turn, they unite to try and find answers.

This story is rich in historical information about the early days of the Oklahoma land grab and the injustices done to the native tribes. This topic was also explored in "Killers of the Flower Moon,” but Wingate's fictional characters show how the exploitation occurred on a large scale and zeroes in on the plight of the children. Using the two timelines and two strong females, Wingate adeptly weaves a historical fiction and a mystery novel that both informs and entertains. The story is told with empathy and hard facts that tugged at my heart and kept me wanting to know more. I highly recommend this book. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 4, 2024.

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Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

 

This is my first time reading this author, although she is a familiar name with a proven track record for writing good thrillers. If this book is any indication, I will read her again.

Tweens Jessica, Norah, and Alicia form a sisterly bond over the abuse they suffer at the hands of Miss Fairchild in foster care. Afraid of being separated if they report psychological abuse, they cope as best they can instead of trying to fight a broken social services system. Would anyone believe them or do anything?

Flash forward to the present: bones have been found under the house where they were in care, and the trauma the three suffered and dealt with in different ways comes rushing back. Now, as adults, they have another chance to address the wrongs they were dealt in their childhoods. But will they be believed even now?

This fast-paced book, which travels back and forth in time and is told from multiple points of view, is gripping and poignant. I rooted for the three and was saddened by their helpless position. This is a psychological thriller with a couple of twists,  but it is more of a look at the problems of children stuck in social services and how powerless they feel. I also found myself relating to their situation and remembering my dysfunctional childhood more than I would have liked. Overall, this is a satisfying read. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 23, 2024.

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The Hunter by Tana French

 This is the second book featuring Cal Hooper and Trey Reddy. The first book, "The Searcher," was a twisty mystery that brought rural Ireland to life in a gritty, engaging story. This second book delves even deeper into the people of Ardnakelty, Ireland, and the vigilante justice they mete out to those who don't abide by their rules.

A heat wave has engulfed Western Ireland, bringing fears of selling off land or sheep to make ends meet. On top of this, scoundrel Johnny Reddy returns with Englishman Cillian Rushborough and tales of gold just waiting to be claimed. This news is a Godsend to those facing financial ruin, and even though Johnny isn't the most reliable man, the citizens of Ardnakelty see a possible out for their economic woes. Thinking they are pulling a con of Rushborough, they fall in line, not realizing there is a more significant con in play--one that will ruin them financially faster than the drought.

Retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper has taken fatherless Trey Reddy under his wing and is teaching her some skills to help her support her family. When Trey's father suddenly reappears, she is far from happy to see him. After Cal meets Johnny, he spots him for what he is: a charming grifter who is up to no good. Each develops a plan to stop Johnny, not realizing they are at cross purposes. Figuring out Cal's and Trey's plans, motives, and what Johnny is up to moves this story along.

I loved French's Dublin Murder Squad series—they were dark and compelling—but she outdoes herself with the characters Cal and Trey and their small Irish village. This is a moralistic story of revenge and the ties that bind; it sometimes left me wondering about my own moral compass. Loyalties are tested, and secrets are revealed in this raw, fast-paced novel. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric. I recommend reading "The Searcher" first, as events in that novel are referenced here. 

5/5 stars.

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Lost Colony: The Hennepin Island Murders by Steve Berg

I love it when I try a new author and am rewarded with an excellent read. Such is the case with this book and its author.

In 1986, Sweden's Prime Minister Olaf Palme was assassinated; his killer was never found. Flash forward to 2016 on a small island in the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul and the shocking murders of a Lutheran minister and the church custodian. Island residents, Reverend Maggie Lindberg and journalist Span Lokken are caught up in the investigation and quickly become allies, pooling their information and investigative skills to try and determine who would want to kill these men and why. Early indicators point to another island resident, wealthy and eccentric businessman, Jonas Kron, who has been very public in his feud with the late Reverend Hammar. It is apparent professionals carried out the killings and Kron is just the man with the money to orchestrate such a killing. But would he go that far?

Told from the points of view of Maggie and Span as well as the killers, this is an engaging story that captured my interest from the beginning. It is fast-paced, excellently plotted, and ties into the assassination of Palme with a surprising twist. This is Berg's first venture into writing fiction and he does an outstanding job. 5/5 stars.

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Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

 

This book came highly recommended to me and I'm happy to say it lived up to my expectations.

Billie, Natalie, Mary Alice, and Helen were recruited by the Museum, a shadow organization of assassins who only killed people who needed killing. Now after forty years of service, they are given a retirement gift of a luxury cruise, but all is not what it seems when they spot another Museum operative who appears to be out to assassinate them. Barely escaping, they must find out who is behind the order to kill them and why. Coming together one last time, the foursome targets high-ranking members of their organization in order to save themselves.

This is a fast-paced, engaging read with wonderful characters I rooted for. The plot is twisty and action-packed and kept me up late to see how this fearsome foursome would prevail. The writing is excellent and the dialogue witty despite the danger the women are in. Seeing four strong women who work well together in an otherwise male-dominated genre is a treat. I recommend this book if you like a good action-packed mystery/thriller. 5/5 stars.

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The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

William Kent Krueger has to be one of the best storytellers out there. Although I haven't gotten far in his Cork O'Connor series--something I am determined to fix--I love all of his standalone books. They are expertly crafted with prose that begs to be highlighted.

It's Memorial Day, 1958, in Jewel, Minnesota, a small town that is the seat of Black Earth County. Not much happens around there so when the body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found in the Alabaster River with a gunshot wound in his side, the town immediately begins to speculate: was it murder? An accident? Suicide? That's up to Sheriff Brody Dern to determine.

Tensions are high and gossipers are sure Noah Bluestone is involved. Noah is a decorated WWII veteran who is Native American and who brought home a Japanese bride after the war. Both his ethnicity and that of his wife don't sit well in Jewell. With all the righteousness of small-town bigots everywhere, Bluestone is tried in the court of public opinion and found guilty. It's up to Brody to protect Noah and his wife and still get to the bottom of what happened to Quinn.

This is an atmospheric, absorbing read that transports the reader to the years when The Great War, WWII, and the Korean conflict were still fresh in people's minds. There is a strong sense of place and time, rich with characters that make this a must-read book, especially in today's political climate when hatred of those considered different is once again on the rise. 5/5 stars.

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One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni

 

I can't believe this is the tenth book in the Tracy Crosswhite series and that I've been a fan since the beginning, eagerly awaiting each new installment. The series just keeps getting better and better.

Detective Tracy Crosswhite is still the sole member of Seattle's cold case department and often clashes with Chief of Police Marcella Weber as to what direction she should take. She is blindsided when Weber orders her to reopen the decades-old Route 99 serial killer cases in advance of a series of newspaper articles on them beginning on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the last killing. Not only that, Weber orders her to partner with her nemesis and boss, Captain Johnny Nolasco, who was head of the task force investigating the crimes when they first occurred. Nolasco and Crosswhite immediately disagree on their approach to solving the cases and things go downhill from there. 

As the investigation proceeds, Tracy begins to see connections between these cases and another case she just solved involving the disappearance of an investigative reporter that occurred at the same time as the serial killings. The more Tracy and Nolasco dig, the more the evidence leads them to powerful people, both past and present, who may not want the duo to solve the murders or continue at a cost they may not be willing to pay.

This book can be read as a standalone, but the reader is missing out on some excellent books by not reading the series. I especially liked how this book dovetailed with the storyline from Dugoni's last book, What She Found, and I can see where characters from both books could feature in future books. As usual, Dugoni's plotting, pacing, and writing are exceptional. The reader is also treated to perhaps the thawing of the relationship between Nolasco and Crosswhite, or at least an uneasy truce in their working relationship that is promising. I highly recommend this book and this series in general if you enjoy character-driven police procedurals. 4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is October 3, 2023

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