A Good Thriller discussion

Next up in the Kate Marshall series by Robert Bryndza, Devil's Way
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read a historical fiction book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The Night Travelers by Armando Lucas Correa
My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Maureen
by Rachel Joyce. Comes out early 2023.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished All The Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce.

My 2.9 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is a historical fiction novel based on a real family of serial killers known at the Bloody Benders. Overall, this story is startling, violent, horrifying, thought provoking, and emotional, with great world-building and characterization. It was a hair-raising and chilling read. So why only 3 stars? The alternating points of view occasionally disrupted the flow. Additionally, the writing was fluent at times and felt stilted and stylistic at other times.

I finished Still Waters by Sara Driscoll.

My 4.6 rounded to 5 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Overall, this tense, engaging, action-packed, and exciting crime thriller gripped me from the beginning. It has a deeply involved and multi-layered plot and an incredible setting.

I read The Marriage Act by John Marrs
Sadly still no cover available on GR.

I was completely blown away! Here is my five star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Blast Wave by Leo J. Maloney.

My 4.31 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Overall, this novella was fast-paced, tense, and exciting from the beginning. The high stakes made it a page-turner. Maloney is great at building tension and suspense as he delivers exciting outcomes.

I've finished The Forever Witness: How Genetic Genealogy Solved a Cold Case Double Murder by Edward Humes.

My 4.56 rounded to 5 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It is a suspenseful, riveting true crime book that combines great storytelling, cold case investigations, technological advances, and genetic genealogy in a captivating crime read. Additionally, the author does a great job of explaining the science and the controversies in terms that can be easily understood.

I finished reading Witcha Gonna Do by Avery Flynn.

My 3.07 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This light and humorous paranormal rom-com was entertaining. The main characters are better defined than I initially expected, and the physical world-building was well done. It also tackled some profound themes that added to its energy and depth.

I finished One Last Chance by Kat Martin.

My 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The story captivated me from the first page to the last. The deeply involved and multi-layered plot has some unpredictable moments that add suspense and danger. The world-building is excellent. Overall, this action-packed romantic suspense has great characterization, a little spice, and plenty of action.

I finished reading Leopard's Scar by Christine Feehan.

My 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

As always, Feehan does an incredible job of bringing the main characters to life. The story grabbed my attention immediately and didn’t let up as I rapidly turned the pages. Overall, this action-packed romantic suspense has great characterization, several spicy and sizzling scenes, and plenty of action. I have read more than seventy books by this author across multiple series. This one has the right mix of romance, tension, action, and thrilling storyline.

I read The Last Orphan by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz
I enjoyed it and recommend it to thriller fans. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Will by Rebecca Reid ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

House on Fire


Just completed this graphic novel. Received an ARC from Net Galley. 3.5 star effort for this story.
Post-Apocalyptic story.

Please check out the detailed review here -
https://sanjibsblogreads.blogspot.com...

Review -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold.

My 3.84 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which was suspenseful, engaging, entertaining, and humorous. While it’s very different from the other books I have read by this author, I still found the writing style relatable, vivid, and irresistible. This was an excellent start to the series.

I finished The Lost Witch by Paige Crutcher.

My 3.26 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The author did a great job of transporting me to this community in both timelines. The imagery was extraordinary. Overall, this was an entertaining story that kept me engaged. The rich storyline with its layered plot, several interesting characters, and plenty of action made this a pleasurable read.

However, the pacing in the middle section of the book was slow. I believe this was partially due to Brigid’s memory gaps. The readers were struggling along with her to determine what had happened. My other quibble is that there were times when the writing was more telling than showing. This also affected the novel’s pacing.

Not a thriller or mystery, but a book about current affairs in the US.
Responding to the Right: Brief Replies to 25 Conservative Arguments by Nathan J. Robinson
My review, 3.5 stars rounded up, with a personal note at the end
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nonfiction, not a mystery, but a very worthwhile read:
Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O'Connell's Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished reading All the Dark Places by Terri Parlato.

My 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This debut novel is well crafted and hooked me in the first chapter.

Hidden Crimes by Michael Hambling ⭐⭐⭐.8 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmDotd2Lt...

Third book in this cozy series comes out in January, Cheddar Late Than Dead Cheddar Late Than Dead
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished reading A Noble Cunning: The Countess and the Tower by Patricia Bernstein.

My 3.19 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Patricia Bernstein brings to life the political and religious situation in Scotland and England. This novel is historical fiction set in the early 1700’s, but based on real events with names changed and fictional individuals added. Overall, the book was atmospheric and full of suspense. It is also very descriptive, which does a great job of giving readers a feeling of the time and place. However, it also slows the pace and adds to the instances of telling versus showing. Additionally, at the 95% point in the book, there is a fast jump in time with no transition.

Here is my 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review of The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is the thirteenth book in the SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team paranormal romantic suspense series. As always, this author does a great job of bringing action, romance, and suspense to the story line.

I read Wreck Bay: An Amanda Doucette Mystery
I recommend it to cozy mystery fans. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished Five Will Die.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just started The Monsters in our Shadows

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict ⭐⭐⭐.6 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

Here is my 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review of Wicked Dreams by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The authors brought suspense, interesting characters, and an exciting story line together in a thrilling novel. This writing duo brings a twisty and chilling tale to readers with excellent characterization and terrific. world-building that fits well with the story line.

I finished Back in a Spell by Lana Harper.

My 3.7 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Lana Harper knows how to draw readers into a story with great characterization and world-building. This is the third book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series.

Who Are You? I just finished a binge read on the last two thirds of Who Are You by R.T Lund, absolutely superb. Books like Who Are You is why I follow the authors that I do. I particularly like the first person, only the facts, sir, presentation. It was reminiscent if Joe Friday in the ventage TV show Dragnet. Lund did it so well. The story centers around Detective Lincoln Barnes and her cerebral partner, Warren, as they investigate an unusual murder connected to Lincoln’s personal life. Whereas Dragnet only presented the facts and investigation of the crime, Who Are You explores the personal life of Detective Barnes in a way that becomes more apparent as the investigation progresses. And, oh such a good twist at the end. I highly recommend all of R.T. Lund’s books. Five stars yet again for R.T. Lund. Jeff Bailey, author of the conspiracy thriller Not On My Watch.

Take Down

Logan Ryles

Just finished this ARC. 3.5 stars for this book. Drugs, mafia thriller.

https://sanjibsblogreads.blogspot.com...

I can now post my 3.13 rounded to 3 stars review of The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is an atmospheric psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator.

Best book of 2023! (We'll see, won't we!) I loved this book, which comes out this spring.
Hello Beautiful
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Last Seen in Santorini by Vivian Conroy.

My 3.44 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical cozy mystery - book 2 in the series
IT was entertaining with several twists, but lacked the historical feel of 1930.

I finished my review of Son of the Poison Rose by Jonathan Maberry.

My 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is the second book in Maberry's foray into his epic dark fantasy series featuring Kagen Vale. Fantastic world-building, compelling characters, and lots of action and suspense made this one a page turner.

I finished The Doctor’s Wife by Daniel Hurst


A fast, easy and entertaining read: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also finished The Cabinet of Dr. Leng by Preston & Child


Very cleverly done: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This book is also available on NetGalley though my copy was from EW

My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I actually read this book in 2022, but couldn't post my review until early 2023.
City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita

My 3.79 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The author blends a unique setting with diverse characters in this atmospheric debut mystery novel. Overall, this story is gripping, thought-provoking, and emotional, with great world-building.

I finished The Devil You Know by P.J. Tracy.

My 3.86 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Overall, this was a complex police procedural with compelling characters. With the several sub-plots, it kept me turning the pages. It's the third book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series.

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

No Place Like Home by James Bird https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

5* for Durgoni's latest legal thriller

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.58 rounded to 5 stars review of Recovery Road by Christine Feehan:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Overall, this heart-wrenching paranormal romantic suspense novel has great characterization, several sizzling scenes, and plenty of action.

I read 2 books: Collateral Damage by J.A. Jance It is a fast paced thriller. with a satisfying ending. My 3.5 star review, rounded up https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2nd book The Body Falls by Andrea Carter This book is set in rural Donegal, Ireland. I rate it 4 stars and plan to continue reading the series. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review of Critical Mass by Daniel Suarez:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I recommend this novel if you enjoy hard science fiction techno-thrillers.

I read Who Cries for the Lost by C.S. Harris It is a historical fiction mystery, set in Regency London, England. It is book 18 in the series and I recommend the series. While it would work as a stand alone, I have read the previous 17 books in the series and there are continuing events that progress throughout the series, My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Unnatural History by Jonathan Kellerman.

My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#38 in this police procedural / mystery / crime thriller

I finished Wolf Takes the Lead by Terry Spear.

My 4.20 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is a fun and enjoyable paranormal romance with some suspense and surprises along the way.

So many readers have loved Barbara Kingsolver's important novel, Demon Copperhead that I'm sorry I didn't (probably because I'm already familiar with the subjects). But I'm glad she felt compelled to write it.
3★My review of Demon Copperhead

What an amazing woman! Helen Keller, deaf and blind from a childhood disease, travelled the world, inspiring leaders and the public. This children's picture book by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is all the better for the wonderful artwork by Sam Rudd.
5★ My review of Helen Keller with several illustrations

Proximity


ARC received & reviewed
Releasing 9th Feb

My review -
https://sanjibsblogreads.blogspot.com...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Second in a series by Samantha Jayne Allen,
Hard Rain
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...