A Good Thriller discussion

Here is my 4.18 rounded to 4 stars review of The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman:

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

Historical Mystery with a bit of romance.

It's funny, dark, and highlights some of the social issues of the Regency period in England. It features financially independent 42-year-old twin sisters Lady Augusta (Gus) Colebrook and Lady Julia Colebrook who decide to help women in need. This often requires some amateur sleuthing and some danger.

Here is my 4.46 rounded to 4 stars review of The Book Spy by Alan Hlad:

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

Overall, this story is intriguing, thought-provoking, suspenseful, and exciting. The author delivers a heartfelt story of love, loss, sacrifice, and duty. It's is a captivating and fascinating historical thriller with some romance.

bookcover:The Fall|62084692] The Fall by Gilly Macmillan ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read Split: A Novel by Alida Bremer It is a historical fiction mystery, set in Split, Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished The Good Doctor by Jessica PayneJessica Payne.

Here's my 4* review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished my last NetGalley book for May. This month has some really great 4star reads.


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


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


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


And some so-so 3star reads.


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


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

Donne wrote: "Just finished my last NetGalley book for May. This month has some really great 4star reads.

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

[bookcover:Killing Me|6019679..."

Donne, for some reason, none of your links are working.

Liz wrote: "Donne wrote: "Just finished my last NetGalley book for May. This month has some really great 4star reads.

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

[bookcover:Kill..."

Hmmm....I will go back and see what I did wrong. Thx for the heads up Liz.

Liz wrote: "Donne wrote: "Just finished my last NetGalley book for May. This month has some really great 4star reads.

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

[bookcover:Kill..."

Ok, they're fixed now😊

Here's my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo:

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

Mystery / police procedural

Overall, this book was briskly paced, suspenseful, and gripping. This novel should delight those readers who enjoy police procedurals and mysteries that have a strong female lead character.

Lest We Forgive by Phillipa Nefri Clark is a good murder mystery in a new Australian police procedural series

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

I can't pass up a good sampler, and the latest Buzz Books 2023: Fall/Winter is full of tempting excerpts. I've picked some I like the look of and included many short quotes to tempt you too. These are always available for free online from Publishers Lunch as well. Check the GR blurb for more info.
5★ My review of Buzz Books Fall/Winter 2023

Finished The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.23 rounded to 3 stars review of Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier:

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

This mystery was a slow-burn suspenseful read with plenty of drama as well as great characterization and world-building. However, the book moved back and forth in time and switched points of view between five characters and nine interviews with a police detective. For me, this adversely affected the flow of the novel as well as my overall enjoyment.

I read The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman It is literary fiction with a paranormal element. I rate it 3.5 stars rounded up. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review of A Cornish Seaside Murder by Fiona Leitch:

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

Cozy mystery - sixth in the series.

Twisty plot, humor, great characters, solid mystery

Here is my 3.28 rounded to 3 stars review of Her Dangerous Journey Home by Lee Swanson:

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

Historical fiction

Overall, it was entertaining with great characterization and world-building. However, the pacing in the first half was slow and the ending left too many threads open for me. Despite this, it's still an enjoyable read that is entertaining.

Here is my 4.21 rounded to 4 stars review of Ancient Guardian by Katie Reus:

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

Paranormal romantic suspense

Great characterization and world-building
Fun and entertaining

Tennis fanatics might love this book: Althea: The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson

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

Here is my 3.78 rounded to 4 stars review of The Bone Riddle by Sara E. Johnson:

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

Forensics Mystery, Police Procedural

Phenomenal world-building and diverse characterization blended with a well-written narrative making this a novel that I advanced through effortlessly. The storyline is compelling in this unsettling thriller that has some alarming moments. The author did a great job of building suspense throughout the story and weaving the threads together.

I finished After That Night by Karin Slaughter. After That Night is a gripping, tautly plotted, gut wrenching story. Again, I find myself in awe of Slaughter's brilliant story telling skills especially her ability to finesse weary, storm battered characters through insanely entangled plot lines with the shock factor.
5 Stars My Review

The Rush, by Aussie author Michelle Prak, is a scary outback, backpacker thriller! Storm, blackout, body lying at the side of the road in torrential downpour ... do you stop or get the heck out of there?

4★ My review of The Rush

Here is my 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review of Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold:

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

Gripping police procedural and crime thriller
Book 8 in the Detective Amanda Steele series

The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.54 rounded up to 5 stars review of Dead Man's Wake by Paul Doiron:

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

crime thriller and police investigation

Overall, this fast-paced novel was engaging, gripping, and atmospheric with good characterization and great world-building details.

Here is my 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review of The Last Sinner by Lisa Jackson:

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

Crime Thriller / Police Procedural

The book has an intensity that hooked me with a good plot and strong characters. The author also does a great job of incorporating real-world issues into the story that add depth. The author did a great job of building suspense throughout the story, providing action, and giving readers a lot to contemplate as they try to solve the crimes.

The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard by Kate Robards ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Mother at Number 5 by Jill Childs ⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review of Try Not to Breathe by David Bell:

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

The author brings suspense, action, and intense moments to this fast-paced novel that is full of a sense of urgency and prose that flows well. It’s thought-provoking as family relationships, aging parents, friendships, bullying, crimes, and more are explored.

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 9: New Books to Make Your Heart Race

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

Here is my 4.31 rounded to 4 stars review of The Shark by Mary Burton:

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

This appears to be a re-release.
Crime Thriller/Police Procedural

The author is a great storyteller with gripping scenes and a disturbing story that depicts the devastating risks to runaways and the effects of human trafficking on them. The plot moves at a fast pace with some twists and turns. However, the antagonist was a little too predictable.

Here is my 4 star review of Best Served Cold by David P. Wagner:

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

Overall, I enjoyed this engaging, fun, and entertaining mystery full of ambience.

Here is my 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review of Break of Day by Colleen Coble:

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

Romantic Suspense
Christian Fiction
Third book in the trilogy

Overall, I loved the tension and the intensity of the story. It was engaging, atmospheric, and suspenseful with some chilling scenes. It did a great job of keeping me hooked and having compassion for the characters through their struggles.

Here is my 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review of Implacable by Jack Campbell:

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

Science Fiction Thriller

The plot is twisty with harrowing scenes, plenty of layers, thought-provoking instances, and a larger-than-life protagonist. The multiple conflicts and the diplomatic challenges move the story forward rapidly. Overall, this is a tense and exciting science fiction thriller that kept me on an emotional rollercoaster.

Ok, here are my end of month NetGalley stats:

All pretty good reads. How to Kill Men was funny and kept me laughing. The Shark is a great read from one of my long-time fave authors. Lost Little Angels was a disturbing book that had me thinking throughout the whole book "some people just need killing" .


How to Kill Men and Get Away with It by Katy Brent https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Shark (The Forgotten Files, #1) by Mary Burton https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Lost Little Angels (Detective Eve Bennet #2) by Holly S. Roberts https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Last Dance by Mark Billingham ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I was looking forward to this book, but mostly, it was disappointing and a struggle to finish.
North Woods
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review of Blind Fear by Brandon Webb and John David Mann:

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

A beautiful setting, the threat of a hurricane, fantastic characters, and plenty of action and danger are combined for another hair-raising and dramatic novel featuring Finn.

I read Season of the Gods by Robert Matzen It is an excellent reconstruction of the making of Casablanca. Highly recommended to movie buffs. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

So The Ghost Ship is a fascinating historical story, with a mostly seafaring background. There are murders, pirates, romances, trials and so much more! Truly a thriller.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.36 rounded to 4 stars review of Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams:

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

Cozy Mystery
9th in the Book Retreat Mysteries series

Overall, this entertaining story immediately grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the book. The plot is twisty, the story is well-written, the settings were easy to visualize, and the characters were memorable.

Here's my 1 star review of vanishing bodies



Vanishing Bodies

Here is my 3.77 rounded to 4 stars review of The Witch Hitch by Elizabeth Bass:

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

Delightful, Light, and Fun Paranormal RomCom
Witches

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining novel that I advanced through effortlessly.

The Room with Eight Windows by Jane A. Adams ⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.41 rounded to 4 stars review of The Shadow Girls by Alice Blanchard:

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

Overall, this has a riveting and dynamic plot and is a well-crafted story. It is a page-turner with its complex characters, twisty story line, and fantastic writing that keep me coming back to this series for more.

Here is my 4.38 rounded to 4 stars review of You Can Die by Rebecca Zanetti:

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

Overall, this was a riveting story with intense scenes as well as compelling and complex characters that kept me fully engaged. It’s skillfully written and will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and police procedurals involving serial killers. The intricacy of the plot plus attention to detail in the world-building made this a definite winner for me.

Killer Traitor Spy is a very current Aussie thriller in former journalist Tim Ayliffe's Greater Good series. It's not just Reds under the bed anymore! It's a big world and it's full of spies

I love the series, but this would be just as good as a standalone.
My review of Killer Traitor Spy

Here is my 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review of What Harms You by Lisa Black:

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

Mystery

Overall, this riveting story arc immediately grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the book. Readers interested in all aspects of forensics ranging from fingerprinting to genealogical tracing and much more will find something of interest in this book. I found it fascinating, but a little too detailed at times.

As the title suggests, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is an amusing historical fiction about the daring adventures of twin aristocratic sisters who risk more than their reputations to rescue women living in desperately awful circumstances. Fun, but also dark.
My review of ...ill-mannered Ladies

Here is my 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review of A Troubling Tail by Laurie Cass:

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

Overall, this entertaining story immediately grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the book. It’s filled with warmth and humor which balances the darker events that occur in the novel. The authentic characters with believable relationships and motivations made it even more enjoyable.