A Good Thriller discussion

Here is my 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review of Murder at the Lake by Carolyn Arnold:

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

Police Procedural / Crime Thriller
Good mix of suspense and investigation
A couple of action-filled scenes
Strong female lead character

The Ghost Writer by bestselling author Loreth Anne White is an entertaining short story with a good creepy atmosphere. It's another of Amazon's Original Stories.
My review of The Ghost Writer

I love Jo Spain and The Trial doesn't disappoint! ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

If you like a slightly creepy, suspenseful read then I recommend The Intruders by Louise Jensen ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.04 rounded to 4 stars review of Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra:

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

Cozy Mystery
moving, charming and enjoyable
great characterization as well as some pivotal stressful and emotional moments

Here is my 4.48 rounded to 4 stars review of Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong:

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

Historical Mystery with a time travel element
Great Characterization
Great World-Building
Victorian Scotland
Moving, well-written, suspenseful, and entertaining

Kelsey is bubbly when they move into their new (to them) house, but Lauren is freaking out about being watched from The Other Side of the Road. I enjoyed thriller writer Andrea Bartz's suspenseful story and the ending I didn't expect.
My review of The Other Side of the Road

An average read for me (⭐⭐.5) but others have loved it . . . The Baby by A.J. McDine https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review of Double Tap by Cindy Dees:

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

Action Thriller / Espionage Thriller
Strong, Mature Female Main Character
Shocking, Pulse-pounding, Impactful
This series should be read in order.

From my 2018 NetGalley shelves - Probably the weakest book in an otherwise good series - Die Last by Tony Parsons ⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finally got around to reading a book that had been on my to-read list since Nov2022. When I saw it as a NetGalley read now, I figured now was good a time as ever. There was also another Catherine Ryan Hyde book that was such a joy to read. I REALLY like Hyde's work; she's such a good writer and wonderful storyteller. Lastly, was a really sweet story about two doggies and their hooman Grandma, that had me cracking up through most of it only to leave me in tears at the end.

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

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

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

I recently finished two books by Emily Shiner.

Three Drowned Girls
Rating: 3.88

One Liar Left
Rating: 3.98

Books 1 and 2 in the Detective Freya Sinclair series
Police Procedural
Chilling Prologue, dark and disturbing
Powerful Page-Turner

Ah - a couple of goodies from the #NeverTell short story collection.

Both are about women in the desert in very different, life-threatening circumstances. Deserts lend themselves to mystery, I think. One woman is a crook, while one is a tattooist.

This one is the crook:
Scorpions by Rachel Howzell Hall

My review of Scorpions
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This one is the tattooist
Jackrabbit Skin by Ivy Pochoda

My review of Jackrabbit Skin

A really good historical fiction about two feisty woman making a name for themselves in Prohibition LA.

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

A realistic and nostalgic read - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 The Radio Hour by Victoria Purman https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review of The Last Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal:

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

Historical Mystery / Espionage
WW II
11th and final book in the Maggie Hope series
Well-researched
Good characterization and atmosphere
Strong and Impactful tale

I read Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate It is a historical fiction mystery with 2 timelines, 1905 and 1990. My 3.5 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Another great installment of the Hana Westerman series. I'm really enjoying this series about a New Zealand Maori woman and her life and the people in it.

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

Caroline Kepnes woke up The Bad Friend with a satisfying (to me) surprise in her short story from the #NeverTell collection.
My review of The Bad Friend

First time reading this author. Book is #15 in the series, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone. Pitch Dark
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A touching, heartwarming and humorous read - One Long Weekend by Shari Low ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ for The Birds and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Such a Good Family by Caitlin Weaver A domestic drama rather than a thriller. The story shows how everyone is complex, and even good people can end up doing bad things... I believe this is a book that's worth reading, especially in today's day and age.

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

If you only read one thriller this year, make it JD Barker's Behind a Closed Door. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ doesn't do it justice! Behind a Closed Door by J.D. Barker https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Takedown

3 stars and above.
Thriller. Female author. Netgalley. ARC.
Nice racy story.

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

While this one can be labeled as a crime thriller, it was actually a little light on the thrills, but was actually really funny.

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

Here is my 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review of Liar's Point by Laura Griffin:

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

Police Procedural / Crime Novel with some Romance
Engaging characters
2nd half had plenty of tension, suspense, and intense action
Good balance between mystery, investigation, and romance

I finished The Cuckoo by Camilla Läckberg


Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Five Bad Deeds by Caz Frear


Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef by Tom Straw


Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

First released as audio book. Now coming out on Kindle in July: Vengeance Is Mine

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

I recently finished Jack's Boys by John Katzenbach

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

Another really good read from Kimi Cunningham Grant. This is only the second book I've read by her, but it won't be the last!

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

I read Ladykiller by Katherine Wood It is a romantic mystery set on a Greek island. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Not a thriller, but a good read.

L'Air du Temps by Diane Greco Josefowicz opens with a murder and becomes a thoughtful insight into a 13-year-old in 1985 who starts to question what's going on with her parents.

My review of L'Air du Temps (1985)

Buzz Books 2024: Fall/Winter is another huge collection of chapters and excerpts from upcoming books. Great resource - I selected a few that interested me.
My notes with quotes on Buzz Books 2024 Fall/Winter and a link where else you can get this free

Here is my 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review of Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron:

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

Crime Thriller
Main Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch series book 15
Fast paced, engaging, gripping, atmospheric, suspenseful

Here is my 4.77 rounded to 5 stars review of Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs

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

Urban Fantasy
Action, Suspense, A Little Romance
Strong Female Lead Character
Great characterization and Fantastic World-building
Book 14 in the Mercy Thompson series

Another pretty good read from Allison Brennan. I like Brennan; she's a good writer and storyteller. I will definitely continue with the series.

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

The Lifeline


5 stars
Ian Fleming's mentor
Spy Thriller
Read as an ARC. Netgalley
Nazis adventure.

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

Here is my 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review of The Wildfire Girl by Carolyn Arnold:

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

Crime Thriller / Police Procedural
Detective Amanda Steele series Book 11
Dark and chilling prologue
Writing style that draws you in
Solid Police Procedural

Storm Child by Aussie author Michael Robotham is the latest in his always excellent Cyrus Haven series. The action is in Scotland this time. I wish this unsettling, timely story weren't so believable.
My review of Storm Child

Here is my 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review of The Cornish Campsite Murder by Fiona Leitch

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

Cozy Mystery and Police Investigation
7th book in the series
Overall, this is an entertaining story that quickly drew me into Jodie’s world. It was a fun, appealing, and delightful read with a solid mystery to unravel and humor sprinkled throughout.

My review of Storm Child by Michael Robotham

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

Here is my 4.5 rounded to 5 stars review of Sentinel by Mark Greaney:

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

Political Thriller / Action Thriller
Riveting, Intense, and Violent
Disquieting and Unsettling at times
Excellent World-building, Good Characterization

Rebirth of the Gangster: The Complete Collection

4 stars
Graphic novel. NetGalley ARC
Gangster tale. Mammoth edition.
Black and White art. Nice tale.

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

Another great read from Linda Castillo in the Kate Burkholder series. Painter's Mill has another murderer running around stirring up a lot of mayhem for Kate and the gang.

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

This one was a crazy ride, by one of my fave authors.

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

Finished The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia


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

Here is my 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review of A Clean Kill by Steven Konkoly

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

Crime Thriller
Riveting, Intense, & Violent
Disquieting and Unsettling at times
Action scenes combined with Great characterization
Well-written plot
First book in the Garrett Mann series
Publication Date: July 1, 2024

Book #20 in the Cork O'Connor series by one of my very favorite authors, William Kent Krueger, Spirit Crossing. It takes place in Northern Minnesota, which is an area near where I was raised. This book contains some somber themes, but Krueger handles them with sensitivity and respect, as always.

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

I was glad to hear Aussie author and former journo Tim Ayliffe say he plans to continue his John Bailey series in and around Sydney. I just enjoyed the latest, #5, The Wrong Man. I know those parts of Sydney but luckily not the dangerous kinds of people Bailey gets mixed up with.
My review of The Wrong Man