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.

For more information:

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The Fury by Alex Michaelides

 

I liked Michaelides's two previous books, "The Silent Patient" and "The Maidens," and was set to be entertained by yet another twisty thriller--"The Fury" certainly lives up to that.

Elliott Chase had a rotten childhood, bullied by his peers and neglected by his parents; he escaped by falling in love with film star Lana Farrar. Years later, he met Lana at a party, and their friendship was cemented. When Lana invited Elliott and her best friend Kate to spend the Easter holiday with her, her husband, and her son on her private Greek island, he jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, a windstorm, known as the Fury, isolates them on the island, and when one of the group gets murdered, all are suspects. Will the killer strike again?

This was a fast read that was engrossing and kept me guessing. Most of the story is a first-person narration by Elliott that sometimes diverges from the storyline with asides and speculations that I felt didn't move the story along. This was a minor annoyance, but overall, this was a satisfying read. I think fans of his previous books will find this an excellent addition to Michaelides's works. 

3.5/5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble

Baby X by Kira Peikoff

The premise of this book intrigued me--in the not-too-distant future, there is an illegal dark web company specializing in stealing DNA from high-profile individuals. It targets a renowned singer who hires a bio-security person to thwart them. In this cat-and-mouse thriller, future lives are at stake--literally.

Trace Thorne is tired of being blackmailed by the Vault, a dark website that keeps stealing his DNA and selling it to the highest bidder. He hires Ember Ryan, a bioengineer now specializing in eliminating DNA left by famous people. One year later, Thorne and Ember are confronted by a pregnant woman, Quinn Corrigan, a professional surrogate, who claims to be carrying Thorne's child. Are Ember's efforts ineffective, or has the Vault found a way around her methods? And, for that matter, is Quinn really carrying Thorne's baby?

Meanwhile, an aspiring journalist, Lily has garnered a fellowship at a premiere magazine. She competes for one coveted spot, so the story she pitches must be a hard-hitting piece. Drawing on her background, she pitches the idea of how reproductive facilities hold power to decide who can and cannot have a baby. In this age, when children are Selected based on desirable traits and conceiving a child naturally is frowned upon, the agencies that specialize in the selection process are all but playing God.

This is an engaging story following the lives of Ember, Quinn, and Lily and the reproductive rights of parents. It is both a plausible and frightening futuristic cautionary tale. The characters are well-drawn, with the details of their lives carefully meted out. It is fast-paced with a startling twist I thought I figured out, but it was way off. the mark. If you enjoy a good Robin Cook book, I think you'll enjoy this medical thriller. by Kira Peikoff. 

4.5/5 stars

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 5, 2024.

For more information:

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What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

Apparently, this book's plot was inspired by the Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie case. Still, the author does an excellent job of expanding and developing the fictionalized main characters and digging into what the parents went through.

Simon and Nina, together since high school, decide to go climbing at Simon's family home outside Stowe, Vermont, during a college break. Unfortunately, only Simon returns home, and the hunt is on to find out what happened to Nina. Simon's account of the events has holes in it, and Nina's parents enlist the help of the Vermont state police to find her. Meanwhile, Simon's parents, knowing Simon will be the prime suspect, hire a firm to focus on Nina and discredit Nina's family on social media. What follows is a story of what desperate parents will do to find/protect their children.

I thoroughly enjoyed McTiernan's book, "The Murder Rule," so I eagerly anticipated this book. Both are psychological thrillers that deal with family, especially between parents and their children and while both are good, "What Happened to Nina?" didn't quite measure up. The pacing and story are good and kept me turning pages, but this book fell apart at the end. The ending felt rushed, and some storylines weren't adequately addressed to my liking. Overall, it's a good, engaging read. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 26, 2024.

For more information:

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The Guest by B. A. Paris

This is the first book by this author I've read, and based on it, I will certainly read more.

Iris and Gabriel are going through a rocky spot in their marriage. The tension between them isn't helped when they return home from a vacation and find their friend Laure has left her husband Pierre and moved into their house. Laure is constantly underfoot and knows no boundaries, and as her stay doesn't seem to be ending any time soon, both fragile marriages are put to the test. Iris turns to her new neighbors for emotional support, but they, too, have a guest in the form of a mysterious gardener whose secrets Iris and Gabriel try to unravel. The tension continues to mount as the couple's lives become more intertwined.

Although not particularly fast-paced, this is an interesting story with secrets abounding. There are twists, but mostly, this is about the delicate nature of relationships. There are deaths, some of which I didn't find especially plausible. Overall, I found this to be a satisfying psychological thriller. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is February 20, 2024.

For more information:

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Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate

 Ashley Tate delivers the goods in this excellent debut novel. She teases the reader with bits of information to piece together the puzzle about what happened the night of a horrific accident, but what is accurate, and what is misdirection? Tate surprises right up to the end.

Phoebe Dean has it all: brains, personality, and looks. All of that is wiped away one night in an automobile accident with her brother Grant at the wheel and neighbor Becca on board. It's a tragedy that affects the small town of West Wilmer for years and creates gossip about what happened during those twenty-seven minutes between when the accident occurred and when Grant called for an ambulance. Perhaps Phoebe could have been saved had help arrived sooner. On that same night, another teenager, troublemaker Wyatt, disappears and is all but forgotten over the town's grief for the beloved Phoebe.

Ten years after the accident, Phoebe's mother, who has never forgiven Grant for the accident, decides to hold a memorial service for her daughter., thus ripping off the scabs on the wounds that have never healed for either Grant, Becca, or West Wilmer. It is also the anniversary of Wyatt's disappearance, and his sister June, who is grieving for her recently deceased mother, again wonders what happened to Wyatt and if there is a connection between his disappearance and the accident. As the memorial approaches, emotions are ratcheted up, setting the scene for a big reveal about what happened that night.

The story takes place over three days and is told from the perspectives of those closest to Phoebe and Wyatt. The relationship between Grant and Becca is also explored. Both are suffering from survivor's guilt, and Becca's reliance on Grant's account of what happened that night results in a toxic ten-year relationship that is coming to a head. The fast-paced story, combined with well-developed characters, results in a dark psychological thriller that is suspenseful and engrossing. I loved how the author meted out the clues to the accident and the disappearance along the way. The tension built from the first page and never let up. I loved it! 

4.5 stars.

For more information:

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The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

 This is the first book by Rachel Hawkins that I have read, but the premise piqued my interest, so I decided to try this book; I'm glad I did. It grabbed me from the start and didn't let go.

Ruby McTavish, the heir to the vast McTavish fortune, was abducted when she was a child, survived four sketchy marriages, and childless, adopted Camden when he was a child. Ten years after Ruby's death, Cam married and a teacher in Colorado, is summoned back to North Carolina to face his remaining relatives, who feel he has no right to his inheritance. While there, questions about Ruby's past, as well as the untimely deaths of her four husbands, surface. What happened when she was abducted, and were the circumstances of her husband's deaths honestly as reported?

Told from the point of view of Cam and his wife, Jules, and unsent letters written by Ruby, the answers to the above questions are teasingly revealed. This is a fast-paced psychological thriller with twists that are excellently plotted. I rooted for Cam to stay true to himself despite the Siren song of wealth and power.

 4.5 stars. 

The publication date is January 9, 2024.

For more information:

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Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby

 I love S.A. Cosby's books. Each is gritty, fast-paced, and has memorable characters.

Beauregard "Bug" Montage is struggling to be an honest man. His auto repair business competes with another business that undercuts his prices and drains away his customers. His bills are overdue, and he sees no way out. His one prized asset, a souped-up car inherited from his long-absent father, is something he won't sell despite his wife's pleadings. Considered the best wheelman on the East Coast, he is drawn in on a scheme to rob a jewelry store by an old acquaintance. Beauregard sees it as a chance to get ahead of his bills and obligations until he can get his business profitable again. Just one last get-away driving job, and he swears he will leave that life behind.

This is a character-driven thriller that is peppered with a cast of both good and disreputable people. I rooted for Beauregard to succeed in getting back on track and leaving the gangster life. Unfortunately, Bug was never sure he could, and, as a reader, I was also doubtful. Cosby is an excellent writer with a voice that is often overlooked. I've read all of his books and am continually amazed at the depth of his characters, both good and bad. I highly recommend this author. 4.5 stars.

For more information:

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These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs

I love a good sci-fi space opera and I especially like finding new authors in the genre. With These Burning Stars, the first in a planned trilogy, I have found both.

The Hand, the governing body of the Kindom consists of three branches: Clerics, Secretaries, and Cloaks When Esek Nightfoot, a prominent Cleric and member of a powerful First Family, discovers two students at a school, she ends up mentoring one, Chono, and challenging the other, Six, to "...do something extraordinary". Little does Esek know what she has unleashed on the Kindom with her challenge.

Meanwhile, con artist Jun Ironway has come into possession of evidence that threatens the very existence of The Hand and the Nightfoot family empire. As Esek and Chono search for Jun, Six is playing her own game of cat-and-mouse with them--always one step ahead and taunting Esek.

This is a complex world-building novel with subplots and twists that form a tapestry of a star system fraught with political intrigue. The characters are well-developed with excellent writing and pacing that moves the story forward. However, I had a problem with the gender-neutral pronouns used for Six. It was confusing when the word "they" would be used for both Six and multiple characters in the same sentence. I understand why the author chose this for the character, it was just hard to follow sometimes. This is an excellent debut novel from Bethany Jacobs and I look forward to the next installment in the series. 4 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is October 17, 2023.

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Flags on the Bayou by James Lee Burke

 This book brought back all of the reasons why I don't like to read books set during wars--mostly because of the violence and man's inhumanity to man. That said, I did enjoy this book because of the characters and its evocative prose.

The Civil War is winding down. It's 1863, the Union army is winning and wreaking destruction along the way. Much of Louisiana has already fallen and opened the door for Red Legs, irregulars from the fleeing Confederate army, to step in and fight for what is left.

When slave Hannah Laveau is accused of murdering a neighboring plantation owner, abolitionist Florence Milton goes on the run with her trying to escape constable Pierre Cauchon and a vile Union army commander out to capture them. They end up being apprehended by Red Legs Colonel Charleton Hayes and wonder if they have gone from the frying pan into the fire. Cauchon ends up befriending another enslaved woman, Darla Babineaux, and tries to help her get free from the clutches of a Union army colonel who has taken over the plantation she lives on. The three women must fight for their freedom and try to distinguish friend from foe.

This is an atmospheric novel that captures the horror of war by focusing on characters caught up in the turmoil. The voices of the characters are wonderfully rendered as is their plight. It's good versus evil when even the good do despicable acts to survive. Overall, I enjoyed this book but didn't care for the violence that is war.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Atlantic Monthly Press

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.

For more information:

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble  | Berkley

Holly by Stephen King

First introduced in his book Mr. Mercedes, King returns Holly Gibney at her most appealing best. She has grown as a character and is much more relatable in this outing.

Set during the Covid-19 pandemic, Holly's partner at the Finders Keepers detective agency has contracted the virus and the agency is all but shut down. Holly's mother--a Covid denier--has just died of the virus so between her grief and her hyper-awareness of the virus, Holly is looking for something to distract herself when Penny Dahl calls and begs her to find her missing daughter, Bonnie; she takes the case.

Professors Emeritus Rodney and Emily Harris are not going gently into old age. Indeed, they have a theory to prevent their maladies that involves Bonnie and perhaps others who have gone missing. With the police relinquishing control of the missing persons cases, Holly steps in to try and solve them, but at what cost?

Although this can be categorized as a horror novel, to me it was more of a suspense read. Sure, there are the expected King gruesome elements, but this is more an exploration of pure evil rather than anything supernatural. Holly herself emerges as a character with stronger metal than her shy, introverted self as depicted in earlier novels and much more likable. There is also a tease that there may be more books featuring Holly ahead to which I say, bring it on! 5/5 stars.

Related books: Mr. Mercedes; Finders Keepers; End of Watch; The Outsider.

 For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Scribner

The Last Exchange by Charles Martin

I wasn't familiar with Charles Martin but this novel sounded intriguing so I thought I'd try him. After a few chapters, I was so caught up in the story and characters that I researched Martin and found he's a very popular author; now I know why.

Maybe Joe Sue's career is skyrocketing. She took the acting world by storm with her first movies and won awards and accolades. This, coupled with her powerful marriage to fellow actor Syd Painter, makes it appear as if she has it all. But scratch the surface and you'll find everything is not quite so stellar. Joe's early childhood was anything but storybook, she's been in rehab several times for her pill addiction, and her one unattainable thing is a child of her own.

Enter MacThomas Pockets. A former member of the Scottish Special Forces who, after a chance encounter with a director, finds himself a consultant in the Hollywood filmmaking industry and eventually ends up becoming Joe's bodyguard. Talk about oil and water. Pockets is reserved and professional while Joe is always trying to get him to loosen up. Joe comes to rely on Pockets but there is always a line they do not cross., even when Pockets ends up saving Joe from herself on more than one occasion. Can their relationship continue this way as Joe continues to spiral downward? 

This is an engrossing story that is excellently plotted. The reader is taken on the rollercoaster ride that is Joe's life with the ever-present Pockets ready to pick her up each time she falls. It is about love, friendship, and trust in a fellow human being. At times suspenseful and always emotionally charged, this is an excellent book that gives the reader two good characters to root for. 4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The publication date is October 3, 2023.

For more information:

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble | Thomas Nelson Fiction

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin

 I'm always searching for new authors and finding this debut novel by an Australian author piqued my interest even more. Based on this promising book, I will add Matlin to my list of authors to follow.

Sarah Slade is a therapist and best-selling self-help author whose own marriage is in shambles. When she and her husband buy a run-down Victorian house where a gruesome murder occurred 40 years ago, Sarah hopes to restore it and flip it for a profit. She doesn't count on the hostile neighbors who want the house demolished, not restored, and the creepy feeling the house emanates. When odd things begin happening both to her and the contractors working on her house, she begins to wonder if the stories about the house are true: is it haunted?

I found the story a bit uneven at times, but overall this was a satisfying read. Although Sarah increasingly is captivated, if not captured by the house, her personality begins to change--or maybe it's revealing her true self. In any event, she becomes an increasingly unlikeable character whose decisions become poorer as events spiral out of her control. I think this is a good atmospheric novel and I look forward to more from Matlin.

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam publishers for an advance copy of this book n exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. The publication date is September 12, 2023.

For more information:

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble | Bantam

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

After reading Razorblade Tears, I became a fan of S.A. Cosby. In this latest book, he again creates an atmospheric character-driven novel that sucked me in, loving every minute of the story.

Former FBI agent Titus Crown returns to his roots in Charon County, Virginia, is elected the first Black sheriff, and within a year his law enforcement skills are tested when a former Black student kills a much beloved white school teacher, who Titus's deputies then kill. His first task is to make sure the shooting was justified in what could prove to be a racially-charged killing. During his investigation, he uncovers damning evidence against the teacher that threatens the already uneasy environment surrounding the shooting with links to two local churches and a serial killer on the prowl. When the body count begins to mount up Titus finds himself racing against time to catch the killer and still keep the lid on the racial pressure cooker that is Charon County.

This book deserves all the praise it has been getting. It is an engrossing story that lays bare racial politics and small-town prejudices. Being a Black sheriff is a balancing act for Titus in a bible-belt, gun-toting town with Civil War reenactors lighting a fuse in an already tense racial situation. Cosby is a gem of a writer whose books only keep getting better. He is a new go-to author for me.

For more information:

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble  | Flatiron Books

Judgement Prey by John Sandford

 

There's one thing I hate about every novel in John Sandford's Prey series: they end and I'm left waiting longingly for the next one. This book is no different. I just finished it and feel bereft knowing it will be at least a year before Lucas and Virgil are back.

When federal judge Alex Sand and his two sons are brutally murdered in a seemingly evidence-free killing, Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers are called in as a last resort to help try and solve the case. After interviewing the widow, Maggie Cooper, they come away feeling she has her own agenda and knows too much about the details of the case, which she could only get from an inside source. But just what is the grieving widow up to and how is the charity Heart/Twin Cities connected to the case? To find answers to these questions, Lucas and Virgil do what they do best:: play off of each other to develop theories and scenarios about the case. 

Once again, Sandford demonstrates why this series is such a long-running best-seller. The plot is intricate, the characters are well-developed, and the pacing is spot-on. Don't get me started on the snappy, often witty dialogue, especially between Lucas and Virgil. Both are characters I've loved, even when Virgil had his own series, but together, they are magic. Now if only Sandford could produce another book in this series in the next six months, I'd be a happy camper.

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons 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.

For more information:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  | G. P. Putnam’s Sons