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Nightwatching
Read more: NightwatchingMy rating: 3/5 stars. Nightwatching is Tracy Sierra’s debut thriller, and it kicks off with a chilling premise. From the first page, the tension is palpable – you could cut it with a knife. A mother, snowed in with her two children during a blizzard, hears footsteps on the stairs. After countless sleepless nights, she…
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The Family Experiment
Read more: The Family ExperimentMy rating: 4/5 stars. The Family Experiment is another fast-paced, thought-provoking thriller from John Marrs that blends speculative fiction with his signature twisty plotting. Set in the same near-future universe as The One and The Passengers, this story explores the dark edges of technological advancement, where AI appears to be improving lives, but beneath the…
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The Death Watcher – Robert Hunter Series #13
Read more: The Death Watcher – Robert Hunter Series #13My rating: 4/5 stars. The Death Watcher by Chris Carter marks the 13th entry in the Robert Hunter series, and once again, Carter proves he’s a master of dark, graphic, and psychologically intense serial killer thrillers. I tend to reach for these books when I want something chilling yet oddly comforting thanks to Carter’s reliably…
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The Cracked Mirror
Read more: The Cracked MirrorMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and action thriller, and I absolutely loved it! Brookmyre’s sharp wit and clever storytelling were completely addictive, and I breezed through this hefty novel in just two days. In the hands of a less capable writer, this multi-layered…
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The Puppet Master – Major Crimes Series #3
Read more: The Puppet Master – Major Crimes Series #3My rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Puppet Master by Sam Holland is the third installment in the Major Crimes series. While I was captivated by The Echo Man and thoroughly enjoyed The Twenty, this entry didn’t quite deliver the same level of thrills or intricate police procedural elements I’ve come to expect. It felt more like…
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The Swimmer
Read more: The SwimmerMy rating: 3/5 stars. Loreth Anne White’s The Swimmer is a psychological thriller that, while entertaining, didn’t quite hit the mark for me. My favorite novel by White remains The Patient’s Secret, and I’ve yet to find another work of hers that matches its depth of character and story development.
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The Mountain King – Asker Series #1
Read more: The Mountain King – Asker Series #1My rating: 4/5 stars. The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte is a Nordic Noir crime novel and the first book in the Asker series. This was my first time reading de la Motte, and I’m already excited for the next installment coming later this year. The story is expertly crafted – there’s a…
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Redemption
Read more: RedemptionMy rating: 4/5 stars. Redemption by Jack Jordan is an emotional rollercoaster of a crime thriller, packed with nonstop action from start to finish. It’s a moving story that begins with loss, grief, and retribution but gradually shifts into one of resilience and redemption. I’ll admit, I had mixed feelings about it at first, but…
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What Happened To Nina?
Read more: What Happened To Nina?My rating: 4.5/5 stars. What Happened To Nina? by Dervla McTiernan is a gripping thriller that I found almost impossible to put down. It immediately grabbed my attention, and I cleared my calendar for the day so I could read it in one sitting. This isn’t your typical whodunit thriller or police procedural. Rather, it’s…
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Long Time Gone
Read more: Long Time GoneMy rating: 3/5 stars. Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea is a mystery thriller that immediately captured my attention. The premise is compelling, blending forensic pathology, familial genealogy, a missing child, and a likable protagonist, setting the stage for a promising start. While the novel is a fast-paced read, I felt the storyline and characters…
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Ten Seconds – Ben Harper #3
Read more: Ten Seconds – Ben Harper #3My rating: 4/5 stars. Ten Seconds by Robert Gold is the 3rd installment in the Ben Harper series, and though it’s my first time diving into this series, I found it easy to enjoy as a standalone. The opening chapters skillfully introduce the characters and weave together multiple subplots that later intertwine to form the…
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The Unquiet Bones
Read more: The Unquiet BonesMy rating: 3/5 stars. The Unquiet Bones is a crime fiction/mystery novel by Loreth Anne White. The true highlight of the story lies in its intricate forensic anthropology details, centered around the discovery of a body during the excavation of a site in a small community near Vancouver, British Columbia. From the moment the body…
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Close to Death – Hawthorne & Horowitz #5
Read more: Close to Death – Hawthorne & Horowitz #5My rating: 3.5/5 stars. Close to Death is the fifth installment in the Hawthorne & Horowitz series by Anthony Horowitz. Since I haven’t read the earlier books, my review focuses on this novel as a standalone. Horowitz has been on my list of authors to read for a while, and I was eager to dive…
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Who To Believe
Read more: Who To BelieveMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. Who To Believe is an entertaining and fun psychological thriller. At just 320 pages, it’s a quick and engrossing read that’s easy to finish in one sitting. The story unfolds through multiple points of view, including a unique perspective from a dog in the final chapter. But who among them is…
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The Last Murder At The End Of The World
Read more: The Last Murder At The End Of The WorldMy rating: 4/5 stars. The Last Murder At The End Of The World is the first book I’ve read by Stuart Turton. This novel blends post-apocalyptic science fiction with a crime thriller – a cross-genre mix I absolutely love – and after reading the synopsis, I couldn’t wait to dive in. The story is a…
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This Is Why We Lied- Will Trent Series #12
Read more: This Is Why We Lied- Will Trent Series #12My rating: 4.5/5 stars. This Is Why We Lied is the 12th installment in the Will Trent series from Karin Slaughter. Reading it was a bittersweet experience—I was thrilled to immerse myself in another story, yet a bit wistful knowing it’s the latest novel in the series. Give me a story set in a remote…
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The Best Lies
Read more: The Best LiesMy rating: 4/5 stars.The Best Lies by David Ellis is an engaging and entertaining psychological thriller. If you enjoy stories about spies, undercover agents, corporate espionage, national security, the black market, and characters with questionable ethics yet unwavering loyalty, this twist-filled novel will be right up your alley. Though the plot has its imperfections, it…
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Lies He Told Me
Read more: Lies He Told MeMy rating: 4/5 stars. Lies He Told Me is a psychological thriller by David Ellis and James Patterson. I haven’t read many of Patterson’s books, but Ellis is on my list of must-read authors. I was excited to dive into this book over the weekend and it absolutely did not disappoint. Ellis and Patterson are…
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The Return Of Ellie Black
Read more: The Return Of Ellie BlackMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Return Of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean is a blend of police procedural and psychological thriller. This character-driven story explores themes of exploitation and victimization of women. Although the plot didn’t align entirely with my expectations based on the synopsis, it was a compelling read and Jean’s writing is straightforward…
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Nuclear War
Read more: Nuclear WarMy rating: 5/5 stars. Nuclear War is absolutely terrifying! Jacobsen makes it clear—there’s no such thing as a limited or winnable nuclear war. Just one misunderstanding, one malfunction, one madman, or one mistake could trigger the end. While I’m glad I read it, this is a story that will haunt me for a long time.
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We Used To Live Here
Read more: We Used To Live HereMy rating: 3.75/5 stars. We Used To Live Here is Marcus Kliewer’s debut psychological horror thriller. Since horror isn’t my usual genre, keep that in mind as you read my review. The premise intrigued me, so I was eager to dive into it over the weekend. It’s a short read, and Kliewer’s straightforward, accessible writing…
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All The Colors Of The Dark
Read more: All The Colors Of The DarkMy rating: 5/5 stars. All The Colors Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker is a remarkable and beautifully crafted story that spans decades. It weaves a tale of love, loss, courage, determination, sacrifice, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of passion and justice. Rather than delivering a high-octane, edge-of-your-seat experience, this novel offers a nuanced, character-driven…
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The God Of The Woods
Read more: The God Of The WoodsMy rating: 5/5 stars. God Of The Woods by Liz Moore is an exceptional, emotionally charged, character-driven story that masterfully weaves elements of crime fiction and police procedural into the narrative. While the plot revolves around two central mysteries, it’s not what I’d categorize as a thriller. If you’re expecting an intense, edge-of-your-seat experience, you…
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Witness 8 – Eddie Flynn Series #8
Read more: Witness 8 – Eddie Flynn Series #8My rating: 4/5 stars. Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh is an engaging addition to the Eddie Flynn series! The plot is packed with action, as Flynn and his team juggle defending their client, solving a murder, and dodging hitmen at every turn due to the contract on Flynn’s life. This series is perfect to keep…
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Listen for The Lie
Read more: Listen for The LieMy rating: 4/5 stars. Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera is an incredibly entertaining psychological thriller! While I usually gravitate toward dark crime fiction, there are times when I crave something lighter, and this book was just the right choice. It’s a straightforward, engaging, and delightfully fun read, with enough human elements to keep…
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The Kill List – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #3
Read more: The Kill List – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #3My rating: 4/5 stars. The Kill List is a fantastic police procedural crime thriller from an author I’ve eagerly recommended to my friends. The three books in the series are complex, featuring dark and compelling crimes. Matheson’s attention to detail adds depth and authenticity to the investigative process, making her books both engaging and thrilling.…
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City In Ruins, Danny Ryan Trilogy #3
Read more: City In Ruins, Danny Ryan Trilogy #3My rating: 4/5 stars. City in Ruins by Don Winslow is a gritty, engrossing, and captivating finale to the Danny Ryan trilogy, written by one of America’s most compelling storytellers. Reading this book was a bittersweet experience for me. Winslow, known for his exceptional crime fiction, delivers a solid conclusion to the trilogy, marking the…
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Kill For Me Kill For You
Read more: Kill For Me Kill For YouMy rating: 4/5 stars. Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh is a rollercoaster ride of a book! This psychological thriller starts strong and never lets up. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I’d like the story, but I was captivated from the beginning and couldn’t put this book down. I easily finished it…
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The Mercy Chair – Washington Poe Series Book #6
Read more: The Mercy Chair – Washington Poe Series Book #6My rating: 4.5/5 stars. M. W. Craven is one of my favorite British crime fiction writers. I’ve been following Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw for years and this series is always at the top of my reading list. I couldn’t wait for the hardback release in September, so I happily paid for the ebook. Craven’s…
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Death at the Sanatorium
Read more: Death at the SanatoriumMy rating: 3/5 stars. Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jónasson was a fast-paced and somewhat engaging read for me. Jónasson skillfully navigated between characters and timelines and it was extremely easy to follow. The storyline built nicely but I thought the frequent references to the main character’s interest in classic detective fiction and whodunnits…
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One Perfect Couple
Read more: One Perfect CoupleMy rating: 3/5 stars. One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware was a fast and entertaining book! It’s not what I was expecting after reading the plot summary – I would describe this as part survival, part reality show, rather than a psychological thriller, but it was entertaining and a nice change of pace for me.…
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Nobody’s Hero – Ben Koenig Series Book #2
Read more: Nobody’s Hero – Ben Koenig Series Book #2My rating: 4/5 stars. Nobody’s Hero by M.W. Craven is an gripping and adrenaline-pumping thriller that captivated me right from the start. Having been introduced to Craven’s writing through the Washington Poe series years ago, I was excited to dive into another one of his series for review. Craven consistently delivers with his intelligent, intricate,…
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The Woman on the Ledge
Read more: The Woman on the LedgeMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini was a quick and enjoyable read! The novel presents a creative and captivating plot propelled by suspense and a quest for answers, intertwining themes of obsession and revenge. I thoroughly enjoy thrillers when I’m challenged to solve the mystery, and The Woman on…
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Murder Road
Read more: Murder RoadMy rating: 3/5 stars. Murder Road by Simone St. James falls somewhere in the middle for me. This was my first experience with St. James’ work, and I had high hopes after reading numerous reviews suggesting a chilling, supernatural element. Unfortunately, for me the story failed to deliver on that front. While the premise showed…
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The Profiler
Read more: The ProfilerMy rating: 4/5 stars. I’ve been a devoted fan of Helen Fields’ work since I devoured all seven books in the DI Callanach/DCI Ava Turner series. Naturally, I was eagerly anticipating Profile K, and it did not disappoint! This thrilling, dark, and intense novel delivers with its horrific, violent, and gruesome murders, presenting a gripping…
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The Mermaid – Detectives Von Klint and Berg Series Book #2
Read more: The Mermaid – Detectives Von Klint and Berg Series Book #2My rating: 4/5 stars. The Mermaid by Anki Edvinsson is a standout Nordic Noir thriller and the 2nd installment in the Detectives von Klint and Berg series. The novel’s gripping prologue sets the tone for the entire book and the story delivers on its promise of a thrilling ride! Swedish author Edvinsson’s storytelling prowess shines…
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The First Cut
Read more: The First CutMy rating: 3/5 stars. The First Cut by Trevor Negus is the 12th installment in the DCI Danny Flint series. This police procedural is quite robust in its use of dialogue, and swiftly drew me into its setting through the interactions between characters. It’s the first book in the series I’ve delved into, and the…
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First Lie Wins
Read more: First Lie WinsMy rating: 2.5/5 stars. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston was a mediocre read for me. It started slow, but I was interested enough in the premise, I stayed with it. I’m sure my review will be in the minority since most readers rated this book much higher, but for me it ultimately falls short…
Mugs & Manuscripts 