Book Title: ALTERED (JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES Book 1) by Rob Kaufman Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 270 pages Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense Publisher: Rob Kaufman Release date: May 2023 Content Rating: PG-13 +M: ALTERED has a few profanities and alludes very subtly to abuse but never gets graphic or says the words. "Trauma" is used by Justin, the psychiatrist.
Book Description:
When Frank Devlin walks into Justin Wright's office, the renowned New York City psychiatrist decides to take on one of the most challenging cases of his career.
Justin is determined to help Frank, a young man with multiple personalities (“alters”), live a happier, more fulfilling life. Little does he know that Frank and his alters are secretly weaving themselves into Justin’s life in ways that will affect the Wright family forever.
A suspense-filled story driven by emotion, angst, and the ultimate revenge, “Altered” takes readers down a twisted path of uncertainty and mind games—leaving them shocked, heartbroken, and questioning what could possibly come next...
Alteredis the first book in the Justin Wright series. Justin is a psychiatrist who takes on a new patient named Frank. He quickly realizes that there is something unusual about Frank and diagnoses him with having multiple personalities.
I listened to the Audible version and I did enjoy the production. I thought the narrator did a really good job of changing voices for Frank and his alters. It really helped me orient myself to which alter was speaking. I did like the aspect of multiple personalities in the story. I found that part fascinating. I also thought the author handled the subject of family grief well.
While I did like the book, I didn't love it. I had a big issue that took away from my total enjoyment. What I could not get behind was one character's decision not to say anything about his boyfriend and the danger he could pose. It just didn't track for me especially when he was studying psychology himself. It took me out of the story because I could not suspend my disbelief. Despite that, I think this is a book worth trying out. I may continue with the series at a later date.
Author: Daniel G. Miller Publisher: Houndstooth Books Publication Date: February 2024 Hazel wants a new life.
She’s thirty years old, single, and her private investigation business is months away from folding.
Her luck takes a turn when Madeline Hemsley, a mysterious socialite, pays Hazel a visit with an offer too enticing to resist. An orphan girl has disappeared from a children’s home—The Orphanage By The Lake, as the locals call it—and Madeline wants Hazel to find her.
At first glance, it appears to be a standard runaway case, but as Hazel plunges into the investigation, she finds signs of something more: unexplained blood stains, cryptic symbols, sinister figures shadowing her every move. The more she digs, the more she realizes that The Orphanage By The Lake holds terrifying secrets, and even worse…
…so does Madeline.
In The Orphanage by the Lake, Hazel is a PI who is hired by Madeline to find her missing goddaughter. She will get a sizable amount of money if she can find the girl within 6 days. I'm having a hard time rating this book. For the most part, I did enjoy it. I liked Hazel's character. She is just a girl trying to go against what her family wants and make a life of her own. Her roommate was also very sweet. There was one twist toward the end that I did not call. So that was good.
My biggest problem with the book was that I had a hard time figuring out what this book was trying to be. It starts out like a cozy mystery and almost comical in spots. But the last quarter got really dark and was not really cozy mystery material and not in any way funny. Even Hazel's past was pretty dark. So it was bit confusing and kind of dampened my enjoyment of the book. I will probably seek out the next book in the series. I just hope that it is more focused this time.
Sonya's fed up with bad internet dates. But she never meant to kill anyone.
After a stressful day at work and a creepy first meetup, Sonya Romano goes on a mission: teach a lesson to the smarmy guys she's meeting on her dating app. But when one of them falls to his death as a result of her confrontation--a married man posing as a single guy--she realizes she's gone too far.
Meanwhile, Jake Parker, former Pulitzer nominee, has hit rock bottom. His boss gives him an assignment: go undercover and produce a click bait story about dating apps. Things start to look up when another married man on the app is murdered, and Jake suspects that there may be a serial killer targeting cheaters.
With Jake hot on her trail, Sonya races to cover her tracks, until they finally meet. Fighting a powerful mutual attraction but suspicious of each other, neither of them know that a deranged psychopath is closer than they think, and much more of a danger than either of them realizes.
Can they figure out what's going on, before one of them is next?
Praise for SWIPE:
"You may think you see it coming--but in Swipe, the final twist is more shocking and explosive than you can imagine." ~ Emily Shiner, Bestselling Author of Meet the Parents
"Swipe is a chilling, taut and twisty psychological thriller that will have you frantically turning pages until its stunning end. Riveting from the very first page, Swipe is a roller coaster ride with complex, intriguing characters who will draw you in and not let you go. Clear your schedule because once you start reading, you won't be able to stop." ~ Lisa Regan, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Josie Quinn Series
"RG Belsky and Bonnie Traymore have teamed up to create a journalistic cat-and-mouse game that's suspenseful, addictive, thoroughly modern and loads of fun. Swipe right on this one -- you'll be glad you did!" ~ Alison Gaylin, USA Today Bestselling author of WE ARE WATCHING
SWIPE Trailer:
Book Details:
Genre: Psychological Thriller Published by: Indie Publication Date: May 1, 2025 Number of Pages: 300 Book Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
My thoughts:
Swipe took me for quite a ride. While the story does take a bit to get going, the pay-off in the end was worth sticking with it. I won't summarize it because it is better to go in blind. There are many twists and turns that will surprise you. I did like the main characters, Jake and Sonya. I have never used a dating app, but from stories I have heard from friends, what Jake discovered was portrayed very realistically. If you like slow burn thrillers, I would recommend this one.
Read an excerpt:
ONE
Sonya
Is he dead?
He must be.
I watched his body fall backward off the jagged Palisades cliffs, bouncing off the rocks like a crash car dummy before plunging into the Hudson River five hundred feet below. Nobody could survive a fall like that.
I’m not a violent person.
I didn’t want him to die.
But who would believe me?
And now what?
Competing thoughts flash through my mind in rapid succession.
Call for help.
Get out of here as fast as I can.
I opt for the latter.
Thankfully, he’s a morning person. It’s early autumn in New York, and there’s a chill in the air. I passed a few other hikers on my way up here. But looking around, I don’t see anyone here now. No one saw us together.
My body starts to tremble as I turn around, nice and easy, and head back down the short, steep path toward the spot where I locked up my bike. I wasn’t stupid enough to bring my car with its GPS and identifiable license plate number. I’ve learned a few things over the last month or so about being stealthy.
Funny. I actually kind of liked this guy. I thought it might go somewhere, and that my string of disaster dates would finally be broken. Then I could retire this little mission of mine and get on with my life. Silly me. I should have known better than to get my hopes up. No one finds love on the internet these days.
We’d been chatting on MetMee for the last few weeks. He called himself Greg. I found out later he was using an alias—but then so was I. At one point, I thought he was a catfisher because he kept saying he wanted to get together, but I couldn’t pin him down. He was average-looking, though, and if one were making a fake profile, wouldn’t they put up the hottest photo they could find? But he was attentive and funny, as much as I could tell over chats, and we were actually getting to know each other. Perhaps he simply liked to take it slow.
Then we made plans to meet up, about a week ago, but he canceled at the last minute. Something about a sick dog. We hadn’t exchanged our real names yet. This seemed to validate my suspicions that something was hinky. By coincidence, earlier this week, I recognized his photo on a real estate website.
Matt Furman.
He worked in White Plains, I discovered, about thirty miles north of Manhattan, but lived over on the other side of the Hudson, in New Jersey.
He’d told me that he was a real estate agent, so at least that much was true. I suppose it wasn’t a complete coincidence that I found him online, because I’d been looking at real estate company websites, trying to figure out if he was stringing me along. And with a first and last name, his life unfolded before me.
I discovered that he liked to hike.
His social media was peppered with scenic vistas, and he revealed that the one he was on this morning was his weekend favorite.
Oh, and I also found out something else.
Something very important.
He’s married.
With two small kids.
I couldn’t let it go.
I needed to teach him a lesson.
My plan was to confront him somewhere where he would least expect it, but secluded enough so I wouldn’t be making a scene. I wanted to record him admitting what he’d done so that I could tell his wife.
It wasn’t that hard to find him. The guy’s a serial poster, providing the world with a play-by-play of his every move, as if we are all waiting on the edge of our seats to see what he’ll do next.
Can’t wait for my Palisades hike tomorrow.
Stopping for a latte.
Heading up the trail now.
I caught up with him as he was stepping out on the rocks to take a selfie, beyond the warning sign, over the railing they put there to stop people from getting themselves killed.
That’s how idiots die.
“Hey, Matt,” I called out, a little out of breath. I had planned to catch him in the parking lot but my timing was off, as it had been all morning. So, I high-tailed it up the trail to try to catch him, but he was fast.
His brow furrowed. “Oh, hi…”
I could see the wheels turning in his head as he struggled to place me. I wore black bike shorts and a tan cycling jersey. Nothing too flashy so I wouldn’t stand out. My hair was in a ponytail and sunglasses covered my eyes and forehead. I was standing a few feet away from him, so it wasn’t too surprising that he didn’t recognize me.
“Gina,” I said, hoping that he wouldn’t notice the phone in the palm of my hand, recording our conversation.
His mouth froze half-opened, until it finally clicked. “From…the app?”
I stared him down, one hand on my hip. “Yes, Matt. Gina. From MetMee.”
“How did you…? Um. Hi!”
I walked toward him.
He took a step back, although he was already dangerously close to the edge.
I smirked. “I decided to take your recommendation. About how nice and peaceful this trail is at this time of day.”
“I don’t remember saying anything about…”
He squinted, his mouth still agape, as if seeing me more sharply would clear the fog in his brain.
Then he shook his head. “Wait. You what?”
“You really should be more careful about what you put on your social media. You never know who might see it.”
Maybe it was my snarky tone, but his attitude shifted. He narrowed his eyes at me. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull here, Gina.”
“What I’m trying to pull? Seems like you’re the one who’s trying to pull something, Matt. You’ve got a wife and two little kids. Is this how you get your kicks? Chat up single women on dating sites and get their hopes up? Or did you actually plan to cheat on your wife at some point?” I struggled to contain my growing outrage, gritting my teeth so hard, I feared I might chip a tooth.
“Look. I’m sorry, okay? My wife and I are having problems. I should’ve told you the truth. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just got carried away.”
“Well, you’re going to have bigger problems when I play this for your wife.” I held up my phone, which was recording our conversation. “Hi, Olivia. Sorry about this. But I thought you deserved to know.”
A hint of fear flashed in his eyes. For a moment, I thought he might bargain with me or beg me not to do it. Then his face contorted like an angry, cornered reptile.
“Are you some kind of psycho?” he barked. “Everyone lies on those sites. Look at you! You must be ten pounds heavier than you were in those photos you sent me. What’re they, from college? Olivia will never be able to handle this. My wife’s unstable. Fragile. If you play that recording for her, I’m warning you, it might be the last thing you ever do.”
“You’re threatening me?”
Fury exploded in me.
I lunged toward him, waving my phone in his face. “You hear that, Olivia? He says you’re crazy. He doesn’t want to take responsibility, just like my—”
Matt reached over the railing and tried to grab the phone out of my hand, but I pulled away. He stumbled but regained his footing, or so I thought. But then a look of confusion washed over his face and he started to wobble. And then he fell backward—and went barreling down the Palisades cliffs, plunging into the river, five hundred feet below.
The ground seemed to shift under my feet as the enormity of what had just happened hit me. My knees went weak. For a moment, I felt dizzy. Maybe it was a touch of vertigo. Expecting a wave of panic, I braced myself, but it didn’t come. Instead, I felt detached, like I was watching a movie. Like this couldn’t possibly be happening for real.
I didn’t push him, I swear.
But who would believe me?
It’s still my fault that he fell, and even if I could convince the cops that I didn’t shove him off that cliff, I would probably end up in prison. Involuntary manslaughter, isn’t that what it’s called?
Especially if they find out what else I’ve been up to on that dating app.
This was an impulsive move.
What was I thinking?
He could have grabbed me and hurled me off that cliff. I try to remain calm as I make my way down the trail, passing a few other hikers heading up. I replay the events in my mind, thinking of how I can spin this if someone sees me, but hoping to reach the end of this trail without being spotted. This little mission of mine has gone way too far. On the plus side, Matt Furman will never cheat on his wife again.
That’s probably not a normal thought to have at a time like this, and I wonder for a moment if I’m some kind of sociopath. But if I’m worried about being a sociopath, I’m probably not one. I’m in shock, I decide. Anyone would be in my position. I’m in self-preservation mode, and I’m sure the guilt will hit me at some point.
But not right now.
Now, I need to focus on getting out of here, unseen.
I reach the end of the trail, hop on my bike, and pedal like my life depends on it—hoping that he hasn’t, by some miracle, survived the fall.
***
Excerpt from SWIPE by R.G. Belsky & Bonnie Traymore. Copyright 2025 by R.G. Belsky & Bonnie Traymore. Reproduced with permission from R.G. Belsky & Bonnie Traymore. All rights reserved.
R.G. Belsky Author Bio:
R.G. Belsky is an award-winning author of crime fiction and a journalist in New York City. His newest mystery, BROADCAST BLUES, was published by Oceanview. It is the sixth in a series featuring Clare Carlson, the news director for a New York City TV station. The first book, Yesterday’s News, was named Best Mystery of 2018 at Deadly Ink. The second, Below the Fold, won the Foreward INDIES award for Best Mystery of 2019. Belsky has published 24 novels—all set in the New York city media world where he has had a long career as a top editor at the New York Post, New York Daily News, Star magazine and NBC News. He also writes thrillers under the name Dana Perry. And he is a contributing writer for The Big Thrill magazine and BookTrib.
Bonnie Traymore is the Amazon International Bestselling author of nine domestic/psychological thrillers. Her "popcorn thrillers" feature strong but relatable female protagonists who peel back the layers of suburban American life and give readers a peek inside. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She's an active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for R.G. Belsky & Bonnie Traymore. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
Author: Hannah Richell Publisher: Atria Books Publication date: January 2024
A spellbinding locked-room mystery about a glamping trip gone horribly wrong when a powerful storm leaves the participants stranded and forced to confront long-held secrets and a shocking disappearance.
Max and Annie Kingsley have left the London rat race with their twelve-year-old son to set up a glamping site in the wilds of Cornwall. Eager for a dry run ahead of their opening, they invite three old university friends and their families for a long-needed reunion. But the festivities soon go awry as tensions arise between the children (and subsequently their parents), explosive secrets come to light, and a sudden storm moves in, cutting them off from help as one in the group disappears.
Moving between the police investigation, a hospital room, and the catastrophic weekend, The Search Party is a propulsive and twisty destination thriller about the tenuous bonds of friendship and the lengths parents will go to protect their children—perfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley.
In The Search Party, a group of old college friends set out to a new "glamping" site to have a mini reunion and support their mutual friends in their new business. Over the weekend, secrets will be revealed and someone goes missing.
I guess my good luck with thrillers is once again on hiatus. I definitely wouldn't say this was a locked room mystery. There were a couple of surprise and a few red herrings. So I did like that part. However, I really couldn't find a single person to root for in this one. Every character was a horrible person. Maybe the 6YO was OK, but then again she was a little annoying too. The pacing was also off here. The story goes between the events of the weekend and present day. We spend most of the present time not knowing who is missing. It dragged in places. The ending was also kind of underwhelming. It's OK and kept me mildly entertained. It was just not the thrilling ride I was hoping for.
Author: Nalini Singh Publisher: Berkeley Publication Date: November 2023
They met when they were teenagers. Now they’re adults, and time has been kind to some and unkind to others—none more so than to Bea, the one they lost nine long years ago.
They’ve gathered to reminisce at Bea’s family’s estate, a once-glorious mansion straight out of a gothic novel. Best friends, old flames, secret enemies, and new lovers are all under one roof. But when the weather turns and they’re snowed in at the edge of eternity, there’s nowhere left to hide from their shared history.
As the walls close in, the pretense of normality gives way to long-buried grief, bitterness, and rage. Underneath it all, there’s the nagging feeling that Bea’s shocking death wasn’t what it was claimed to be. And before the weekend is through, the truth will be unleashed—no matter the cost. . . .
There Should Have Been Eight is an isolated, closed circle thriller. Told through the perspective of Luna, seven friends come together for a weekend get-away to reminisce about their friend Bea. Everyone has a secret and people start disappearing and dying. Honestly, there should have been a thriller here somewhere, but sadly there just wasn't.
I really wanted to love this one. But I just thought it was meh. I was honestly bored thorough most of it. I never really felt a sense of danger or urgency. The characters were insufferable. I couldn't find a character to root for. They are all supposed to be best friend, yet I never felt like they were. Luna was going blind, but she refused to tell her friends? Why? I know she was still coming to terms with it, but why wouldn't you clue in your "best friends"? I also got tired of her complaining about the way Bea's sister handled Bea's funeral. We get it, you are mad. Move on. The ending was predictable. I think fans of this author will like it, but it just wasn't thrilling enough for me.
Author: Megan Miranda Publisher: Marysue Rucci Books Publication Date: April 2023
Seven hours in the past. Seven days in the present. Seven survivors remaining. Who would you save?
A decade ago, two vans filled with high school seniors on a school service trip crashed into a Tennessee ravine—a tragedy that claimed the lives of multiple classmates and teachers. The nine students who managed to escape the river that night were irrevocably changed. A year later, after one of the survivors dies by suicide on the anniversary of the crash, the rest of them make a pact: to come together each year to commemorate that terrible night.
To keep one another safe. To hold one another accountable. Or both.
Their annual meeting place, a house on the Outer Banks, has long been a refuge. But by the tenth anniversary, Cassidy Bent has worked to distance herself from the tragedy and from the other survivors. She’s changed her mobile number. She’s blocked the others’ email addresses. This year, she is determined to finally break ties once and for all. But on the day of the reunion, she receives a text with an obituary attached: another survivor is gone. Now they are seven—and Cassidy finds herself hurling back toward the group, wild with grief—and suspicion.
Almost immediately, something feels off this year. Cassidy is the first to notice when Amaya, the annual organizer, slips away, overwhelmed. This wouldn’t raise alarm except for the impending storm. Suddenly, they’re facing the threat of closed roads and surging waters…again. Then Amaya stops responding to her phone. After all they’ve been through, she wouldn’t willfully make them worry. Would she?
And—as they promised long ago—each survivor will do whatever he or she can do to save one another. Won’t they
The Only Survivors is a thriller involving 7 survivors. Years before, seven teens were the only survivors of a tragic accident. Every year they get together to remember those who were lost. This year, Cassidy has had enough of that and wants to move on. She reluctantly goes to the reunion. But things quickly turn out to be more than she bargained for.
I really enjoyed this one right up until the ending. I wasn't s fan of that. It's definitely a story that you are better off not knowing much about. It goes between the present and years before on the day of the accident. Those parts are told through each survivor's point of view. I did like how the author chose to tell the story this way. It kept up the suspense. I was surprised at the reveals. I justdidn't love the ending. Still , I do recommend giving it a try.
A book deal to die for. Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled.
Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s long-extinguished dream now seems within reach.
But then the women begin to die.
Trapped, terrified yet still desperately writing, it is clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake at Blackbriar Estate. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to save herself.
This unhinged, propulsive, claustrophobic closed-door thriller will pull you in and spit you out…
The Writing Retreat is a isolation, closed door story about five women who are invited to a month long writing retreat with their favorite female horror author. The writers each have their own reason for being there and they all hold secrets. I ended up really enjoying this one.
This is definitely not what I was expecting, but in a good way. About halfway through the story, it took a very dark turn with a twist that I didn't see coming. It's kind of hard to describe without giving anything away. The story is told through Alex's perspective. I really liked her character and where she ended up at the end of the book. This is a book where you are better off not knowing much about it before going in, so give it a try. I highly recommend it. This is the author's debut novel and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Author: Phoebe Morgan Publisher: William Morrow & Company Publication Date: April 2022
FOUR FRIENDS. A LUXURY RETREAT. IT'S GOING TO BE MURDER.
It's been years since Grace, Felicity, Alice, and Hannah were together. The "Wild Girls," as they were once called, are no longer so wild. Alice is a teacher. Hannah has a new baby. Grace is a homebody. Only Felicity seems to have retained her former spark.
Then Felicity invites them all on the weekend of a lifetime--a birthday bash in Botswana. It will be a chance to have fun and rekindle their once bomb-proof friendship... and finally put that one horrible night, all those years ago, behind them for good.
But soon after arriving at the luxury safari lodge, a feeling of unease settles over them. There's no sign of the party that was promised. There's no phone signal. They are on their own... and things start to go very, very wrong
The Wild Girls is another closed room mystery that ended up on my TBR recently. This one follows four friends who have kind of lost touch the past couple of years. One of them, Felicity, invites the other three to Botswana for a birthday celebration. When they get there, Felicity isn't around and things aren't what they seem. Can they make it out alive?
Author: Catherine Steadman Publisher: Ballantine Books Publication date: October 2022
Harry is a novelist on the brink of stardom; Edward, her husband-to-be, is seemingly perfect. In love and freshly engaged, their bliss is interrupted by the reemergence of the Holbecks, Edward's eminent family and the embodiment of American old money. For years, they've dominated headlines and pulled society's strings, and Edward left them all behind to forge his own path. But there are eyes and ears everywhere. It was only a matter of time before they were pulled back in . . .
After all, even though he's long severed ties with his family, Edward is set to inherit it all. Harriet is drawn to the glamour and sophistication of the Holbecks, who seem to welcome her with open arms, but everything changes when she meets Robert, the inescapably magnetic head of the family. At their first meeting, Robert slips Harry a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion.
What is it about Harry that made him give her that tape? A thing that has the power to destroy everything? As she ramps up her quest for the truth, she must endure the Holbecks' savage Christmas traditions all the while knowing that losing this game could be deadly.
In The Family Game, novelist "Harry" has been dating Edward, yet has never met his family. When they get engaged and she finds out she is pregnant, the family insists on meeting her. Becoming part of the family also means engaging in bizarre holiday traditions and games. After thinking on this one for a bit, I have definite mixed feelings about it.
Author: Freida McFadden Publisher: Hollywood Upstairs Press Publication Date: September 2022
Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are searching for the house of their dreams.
But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace four years earlier, a violent winter storm traps them at the estate… with no chance of escape until the blizzard comes to an end.
In search of a book to keep her entertained until the snow abates, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr. Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance.
Tricia plays the tapes one by one, late into the night. With each one, another shocking piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Dr. Adrienne Hale’s web of lies slowly unravels.
And then Tricia reaches the final cassette.
The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth.
Never Lie is a closed room thriller that took me by surprise. It involves newlyweds, Tricia and Ethan. They end up being stranded in a house that belongs to a missing psychiatrist. Tricia finds a secret room full of Dr. Hales taped sessions. As she listens, Tricia begins to uncover what really happened to Dr. Hale.
This is a hard book to review without spoilers. There were a lot of twists and the ending was surprising. I found the atmosphere of the house very creepy. I loved not knowing who or what to trust. Events happen that have you wondering if they are a part of reality or the delusion of the characters. I'm going to leave it there. It's be not really knowing more than that. I definitely recommend this one.
Author: Jamie Millen Publisher: Kindle Unlmited Publication date: January 2021
Everybody loves Claire’s little sister, Tina. But only Claire sees the twisted psychopath hiding behind her sister’s angelic face. When Tina is brutally murdered on her fourteenth birthday, the day Claire failed to walk her home from school, Claire never forgives herself. And neither does their mother.
Twelve years later, more girls turn up dead in Newburgh exactly like Tina. Claire, now a police detective, suspects that her sister’s murderer is still on the prowl. But the serial killer stumps the FBI forensic profiler assisting the case and Special Agent Robert Cline—Claire’s old flame.
When Claire becomes the lead suspect in the murder investigation, the system turns against her. Unable to trust anyone—not even herself—Claire must break every rule in the book to save the next girl.
With time running out in this nerve-shredding psychological thriller and harrowing family drama, a shocking discovery changes everything. Is Claire’s sister truly dead—or is she playing one final lethal prank?
You DidThis is a thriller featuring detective Claire Wolfe whose sister was murdered when she was 14. It was never solved. After years away, she is back in town, new to the police department, to try to solve the murder once and for all.
I thought this was a really good thriller. I was kept guessing for the entire book. There are a lot of twists. The ending was very surprising. What I liked the most was not knowing if Claire was a reliable narrator or not. Signs kept pointing to her being her sister's killer. It also started to look like she could be responsible for the recent deaths of teen girls. I'll be honest I was not really sure for most of the book. I am very interested in continuing with the series. I liked Claire's character as well as her old flame, Robert. I highly recommend this one.
When Sloane takes a job at the infamous whitewater rafting camp, Widow Falls, she quickly learns that the camp has a reputation for more than just summer fun.
People go missing at Widow Falls.
The guide she’s replacing was just one of many. As Sloane settles into her new home—a one-room apartment she’ll be sharing with the five other guides—she can’t help asking questions and digging into the disappearances she’s heard about. Her new roommates tell her stories of dark legends and dangerous folklore surrounding the secluded camp but assure her there’s nothing to worry about. It’s all just superstition.
When Sloane stumbles upon a clue and a secret message hidden beneath the floorboards of their loft, she begins to realize there may be more to the myths than she’s been told.
The message gets her attention: Don’t trust anyone at Widow Falls.
Widow Falls follows Sloane as she starts a new job as a river guide. She stumbles into a mystery of missing tour guides, including the one she is replacing mid-season. A hidden diary may hold the clue to what happened. I thought this was a fairly enjoyable thriller. It kept my interest throughout and was well paced.
The story is told through Sloane's point of view. She is kind of an unreliable narrator. She has some secrets herself. So, I wasn't sure if I could trust her. I liked the mystery and the couple of twists. I was definitely kept guessing. The final twist was completely unexpected. What I didn't love was the truth of what was happening at the camp. I really had to suspend my disbelief to believe that it would ever happen. Still I would pick this one up. It's a quick read. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator.
When Amaya is invited to Kaavi’s over-the-top wedding in Sri Lanka, she is surprised and a little hurt to hear from her former best friend after so many years of radio silence. But when Amaya learns that the groom is her very own ex-boyfriend, she is consumed by a single thought: She must stop the wedding from happening, no matter the cost.
But as the weeklong wedding celebrations begin and rumors about Amaya’s past begin to swirl, she can’t help but feel like she also has a target on her back. When Kaavi goes missing and is presumed dead, all evidence points to Amaya.
However, nothing is as it seems as Jayatissa expertly unravels that each wedding guest has their own dark secret and agenda, and Amaya may not be the only one with a plan to keep the bride from getting her happily ever after…
I listened to the audio version of You're Invited on my 6 hour drive back from vacation. I thought it was a bit slow in the beginning, but after about 15%, I got sucked into the story. It made the drive fly by. This is a book that is best going into it not knowing a lot. The synopsis doesn't begin to cover everything. There are so many surprises and twists.
The story is told through Amaya's eyes and goes back and forth in time. Amaya is kind of an unreliable character. I spent the entire book changing my mind about whether I could trust her or not. I don't know a lot about Sri Lanka or its culture, but having the book take place in this setting was a nice change of pace. I really enjoyed this one. It's the first I have read by this author. I know I'll be seeking out other works in the future. I highly recommend this one.
Author: Catherine McKenzie Publisher: Atria Books Publication Date: August 2022
At thirty-nine, Nicole Mueller’s life is on the rocks. Her once brilliant law career is falling apart. She and her husband, Dan, are soon to be forced out of the apartment they love. After a warning from her firm’s senior partners, she receives an invitation from an exclusive women’s networking group,
Panthera Leo. Membership is anonymous, but every member is a successful professional. It sounds like the perfect solution to help Nicole revive her career. So, despite Dan’s concerns that the group might be a cult, Nicole signs up for their retreat in Colorado.
Once there, she meets the other women who will make up her Pride. A CEO, an actress, a finance whiz, a congresswoman: Nicole can’t believe her luck. The founders of Panthera Leo are equally as impressive. They explain the group’s core philosophy: they’re a girl’s club in a boy’s club world.
Nicole is all in. And when she gets home, she soon sees dividends. Her new network quickly provides her with clients that help her relaunch her career, and a great new apartment too. The favors she has to provide in return seem benign. But then she’s called to the congresswoman’s apartment late at night where she’s pressed into helping her cover up a crime. And suddenly, Dan’s concerns that something more sinister is at play seem all too relevant. Can Nicole extricate herself from the group before it’s too late? Or will joining Panthera Leo be the biggest mistake of her life?
Please Join Us had elements that reminded me of the NXIVM cult. Panthera Leo is a lot like that inner circle within that cult, DOS. The women form a group and they are all tasked to help each other at any time and with any request. If they do so, great things will happen in their lives. I wish I could say that I liked this book more than I did.
None of the characters are very likable. Especially the main character. Nicole was kind of whiny and boring. Nothing is her fault. I felt like she just had excuse after excuse. She was also kind of elitist. I really couldn't relate to her. She was looking for an easy way around life and then was surprised when everything falls apart. I was surprised in the end, so it has that going for it. But it was overall just a miss for me.
Author: Riley Sager Publisher: Dutton Publication Date: June 2022
Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of liquor, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple who live in the house across the lake. They make for good viewing—a tech innovator, Tom is rich; and a former model, Katherine is gorgeous.
One day on the lake, Casey saves Katherine from drowning, and the two strike up a budding friendship. But the more they get to know each other—and the longer Casey watches—it becomes clear that Katherine and Tom’s marriage is not as perfect and placid as it appears. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey becomes consumed with finding out what happened to her. In the process, she uncovers eerie, darker truths that turn a tale of voyeurism and suspicion into a story of guilt, obsession and how looks can be very deceiving.
I wish I could say that I liked House Across the Lake. But, I have to be honest. It was merely OK. I mean not awful, but not what I was expecting. The story was a bit slow and dull in the first two-thirds. It definitely took a weird turn in the last third of the book. Like out into left field. There were some twists that I didn't see coming. I'll give it that. I justdidn't love the storyline.
I also didn'tlove the characters. Casey was a drunk. I'm just not a fan of excessive drinking, especially in main characters. She wasn't a very likable person either. I listened to the audiobook and I didn't like the narrator choice. She made Casey sound much older than she was supposed to be in the book. Lastly, I wasn't a fan of the pop culture references. Casey is an actress and hearing she was in certain real-life movies pulled me out of the story. I am usually a fan of this author, but this one didn't do it for me. I say skip it. He has better books.
