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It’s Not What You Think
Read more: It’s Not What You ThinkMy rating: 5/5 stars. It’s Not What You Think is the latest standalone crime fiction novel from Clare Mackintosh. Wow! This is one of the best crime fiction novels I’ve read recently. As a former police officer, Mackintosh brings authenticity and precision to the police procedural elements, crafting a story that feels both believable and…
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The Shadow Carver
Read more: The Shadow CarverMy rating: 4/5 stars. Nadine Matheson returns with the fourth installment in the Angelica Henley series, The Shadow Carver, another complex, twisty crime thriller that firmly cements this series as one of my favorites in crime fiction. Matheson blends intricate plotting with strong police procedural elements, crafting a story that is both layered and expertly…
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A Neighbor’s Guide To Murder
Read more: A Neighbor’s Guide To MurderMy rating: 3/5 stars. A Neighbor’s Guide To Murder by Louise Candlish is a mystery novel that leans more towards a he-said/she-said domestic drama than a traditional thriller. The story explores the unsettling premise of a rent-for-sex arrangement, adding a layer of tension and discomfort that runs throughout the narrative. Most of the novel is…
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Not A Word
Read more: Not A WordMy rating: 4/5 stars. Not A Word is a strong crime thriller from Linwood Barclay. This is the first novel I’ve read by Barclay and I’m impressed with his clean, accessible writing, compelling storyline, and skill at maintaining tension throughout. I was completely drawn into the characters and enjoyed the twisty, chaotic journey to uncover…
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Keep Them Close
Read more: Keep Them CloseMy rating: 4/5 stars. Keep Them Close is another knockout thriller from David Ellis. He’s known for writing crime fiction filled with twists, secrets, lies, and deception and this is no exception. I’m always excited to pick up a novel from Ellis because I know I’ll be thoroughly entertained. Somehow he always seems to surprise…
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Three Reasons For Revenge
Read more: Three Reasons For RevengeMy rating: 4/5 stars. Three Reasons For Revenge is a standout crime thriller from Dervla McTiernan. After reading What Happened to Nina?, the brilliant standalone that launched her into my top tier of must-read authors, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. It absolutely delivered and is the kind of crime thriller…
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Under Story
Read more: Under StoryMy rating: 5/5 stars. Under Story by Chloe Benjamin completely swept me away. It’s an emotional, captivating novel that I truly couldn’t put down. While it lives firmly in the realm of speculative fiction, it’s also a profound love story between two people, between parents and their child, and between humanity and the natural world.…
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The Women In White
Read more: The Women In WhiteMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Women In White is an intriguing mystery thriller from Sarah Pekkanen built around a unique and interesting premise. The story unfolds across two timelines, one set in the present day, and the other in the 1960s. The strongest aspect of the novel lies in the past timeline, where Pekkanen skillfully…
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Dead In The Water
Read more: Dead In The WaterMy rating: 5 stars. Dead In The Water is a dark, immersive thriller from John Marrs, and I was counting down the days to publication. I downloaded it to my Kindle the moment it was released, and wow, this bleak, character-driven story exceeded my expectations. While Marrs’ speculative fiction novels are my personal favorites, he…
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Adrift
Read more: AdriftMy rating: 5/5 stars. Adrift by Will Dean is an emotional experience I won’t soon forget. Dean’s writing is sharp, but his real strength lies in creating deeply human characters whose pain and confusion felt completely real. Their struggles resonate on every page. This isn’t a novel I’d call entertaining. Rather, it’s a dark, unsettling…
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How To Get Away With Murder
Read more: How To Get Away With MurderMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. How To Get Away With Murder is an impressive debut from Rebecca Philipson, built around a clever and compelling premise that offers a fresh spin on the detective genre. I’ve always liked a book-within-a-book structure, and this novel makes effective use of that device. I’ll also say upfront that didn’t see…
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Everyone In This Bank Is A Thief
Read more: Everyone In This Bank Is A ThiefMy rating: 4/5 stars. Everyone In This Bank Is A Thief by Benjamin Stevenson is a clever, witty, and wildly entertaining thriller. As the fourth installment in the Ernest Cunningham series, it delivers the same chaotic antics that made the earlier books so much fun to read.
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When I Kill You
Read more: When I Kill YouMy rating: 3/5 stars. When I Kill You by B.A. Paris is a quick, entertaining read that’s perfect for an afternoon escape. At just over 300 pages, it’s easy to finish in one sitting, and the straightforward writing and simple plot make it ideal for travel or a relaxed day at your favorite coffee shop.…
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Wolf Hour
Read more: Wolf HourMy rating: 4/5 stars. Wolf Hour is a solid, hard-hitting police procedural and crime thriller from Jo Nesbø. Best known for his Harry Hole series (which I’ve read in full), Nesbø crafts a twisty tale as only he can, and I was eager to dive into this standalone thriller over the weekend. His signature taut,…
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Inside Man – PAR Unit #2
Read more: Inside Man – PAR Unit #2My rating: 4/5 stars. Inside Man by John McMahon is the second installment in the PAR series, following Head Cases. I read the first book last year and was immediately drawn in by McMahon’s sharp writing and the incredibly likable FBI team at its core. Naturally, I couldn’t help but compare Inside Man to its…
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Served Him Right
Read more: Served Him RightMy rating: 4/5 stars. Served Him Right is a dynamic, women-centered psychological thriller that hooked me from the first page. This was my first time reading Unger, and I was immediately drawn in by her smooth, engaging writing style. For me, strong storytelling and well-built characters always come first, and I was pleased to find…
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Two Kinds Of Stranger (Eddie Flynn #9)
Read more: Two Kinds Of Stranger (Eddie Flynn #9)My rating: 4/5 stars. Steve Cavanagh returns with the latest Eddie Flynn legal thriller, Two Kinds of Stranger. I’ve read most of this series, and Cavanagh never disappoints. This installment was an absolute blast: fast-paced, entertaining, packed with twists and turns. I’ve really grown attached to Flynn and his crew – Kate Brooks, Bloch, Gabriel…
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Caller Unknown
Read more: Caller UnknownMy rating: 3/5 stars. Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister is a psychological thriller with a promising setup but, for me, a frustrating execution. I really enjoyed McAllister’s Wrong Place Wrong Time and Famous Last Words, so I was excited to pick up this advanced copy. She usually delivers creative, fast-paced thrillers with protagonists I can…
Mugs & Manuscripts 