A Good Thriller discussion

Here is my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of The Burning by Linda Castillo:

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

Crime Thriller / Police Procedural
Darker than usual - The novel is graphic in places and the murder descriptions are brutal at times.
Excellent Characterization, Briskly Paced, Suspenseful, Gripping

My review of A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson

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

Here is my 2.8 rounded to 3 stars review of The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville:

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

Military Thriller / Science Fiction
This one didn't quite work for me. Stylistically different, the writing style felt uneven and unfocused at times which adversely affected the flow. It's also non-linear.
Despite this, it has a great premise and is thought-provoking.
This may appeal more to those familiar with the world of the BRZRKR comic books.

I finished Passions in Death, In Death #59, by J.D. Robb and found it to be another compelling, highly addictive addition to the series. 4 Stars My Review


Highly visual, inventive masterpiece exploring the many intricacies of friendship & family - both good & bad

Karin Slaughter!!! I had a hard time putting this one down! One of her best, IMO. Comes out August 20.
This Is Why We Lied

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

I am a such a sucker for a great doggie story. This one not only made me laugh, it made my cry. Great doggie story.

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

A good historical drama/murder mystery about a small town in Vermont back 1965.

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

There are so many moving parts, so many players, so much I don’t know. It’s gonna be a wild ride.

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

Here is my 4.23 rounded to 4 stars review of Ancient Magic by Alexandra Ivy:

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

Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Action, suspense, and drama
Fast-paced and entertaining
Great characterization

Here is my 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review of Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos:

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

Crime Thriller / Police Procedural
Intriguing, Gritty, Suspenseful, Action-Packed
Great World-Building, Compelling Characters

Some favorite Elizabeth Strout characters in this book, but Bob Burgess is the lead character, along with Lucy Barton.
Tell Me Everything

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

Just finished The Wrong Hands by Mark Billingham

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

Here is my 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review of Bad River by Marc Cameron:

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

Crime Thriller
6th book in the Arliss Cutter series
Great worldbuilding and characterization
Tense, gripping, and has plenty of action

Ashes Never Lie

4 stars
Releases September 24, 2024
Read as an ARC. NetGalley
Arson. Homicide. Murder. Perfect for a movie.

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

Here's my review of One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day. 3 Stars My Review. Recommended to fans of locked room style mysteries and domestic thrillers.

I've come across some really good stories from a couple of my fave authors.

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

This is a new author I've discovered that I will be definitely be checking out more of.

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

Last, and most certainly not least, another wonderful, tear-jerking story about an amazing doggie.

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

My review of Liars by James O'Loghlin

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

Here is my 3.71 rounded to 4 stars review of The Lost Coast by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman:

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

The story has a deeply involved plot, fantastic worldbuilding, and a remarkable set of characters.

In a Place of Darkness by Stuart MacBride ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg It is an arson mystery set in Los Angeles County, California. I liked the 2 main characters and the humor in the book. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 2.63 rounded to 3 stars review of Red Dead's History: A Video Game, an Obsession, and America's Violent Past by Tore C. Olsson:

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

Nonfiction - American History
Creative, Well-researched, Well-organized
Too slow for my tastes.
I was expecting history to come alive and learn something new, but that didn't happen.
It may appeal more to those who pay the video game or isn't as familiar with US history during this time period.

Here is my 3.55 rounded to 4 stars review of Burn by Peter Heller:

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

Dystopian
Overall, this is an entertaining, tense, and thought-provoking novel with excellent world-building and engaging characters. However, I was expecting more action and information surrounding the dystopian events and less introspection. Additionally, the ending felt incomplete and abrupt.

Here is my 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review of Agony Hill by Sarah Stewart Taylor:

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

Historical Mystery / Historical Detective
This is more of a historical police procedural that is heavy on characterization and world-building, but has a well-developed and intricate plot as well as some occasional action. While somewhat slower paced than many police procedurals set in modern times, the pace felt appropriate to the setting and time of the novel.

Overall, this is an excellent historical crime novel that introduces readers to a wonderful new character in Warren as well as a fascinating town on the cusp of change. The great and vivid storytelling and fantastic characterization have made this novel a winner for me. If you enjoy old-fashioned detective work prior to cell phones, the internet, and DNA testing, then this is a series to consider.

Here is my 4.47 rounded to 4 stars review of Betrayal Road by Christine Feehan:

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

Romantic Suspense with a hint of Paranormal
Great Characterization
Several Sizzling scenes
An action packed ending

I read The President's Lawyer by Lawrence S. Robbins It is a US legal mystery with a surprise ending. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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

A quietly magical and emotional mystery. Memories of the Lost by Barbara O'Neal ⭐⭐⭐.6 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

New author for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...The Antique Store Detective


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Here is my 4.66 rounded to 5 stars review of Buried Too Deep by Karen Rose:

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

Romantic Suspense
Great Characterization
Largely set in New Orleans
Great Prologue to hook you
A service dog named SodaPop
Emotional Epilogue

I read Celestina's House by Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez It is literary fiction, set in the Philippines. I rated it 3.5 stars rounded up. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

An entertaining read! A Class Act by Julie Houston ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I feel shattered in the best possible way after finishing Swimming to Lundy by Amanda Prowse ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review of All the Way Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen:

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

Mystery / Crime Novel
Overall, this was a tense, emotional, and suspenseful novel with an unusual and riveting story arc that kept me engaged throughout.

Here is my 4.22 rounded to 4 stars review of Zero Sum by John Gilstrap:

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

Action Thriller
Intense, Suspenseful
Gripping Scenes
Plenty of Action

Here is my 4.59 rounded to 5 stars review of Passions in Death by J.D. Robb:

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

Police Procedural - near-future - some romance

Robb is an excellent storyteller who combines a clever plot with gripping scenes, lots of solid police investigation, and engaging characters with depth.

This one was a little slower paced than some, but still great.

The Gage

4 STARS
A good political thriller in the sci-fi space. The story is closer to 3.5 stars for me.
Read as a NetGalley review copy.
Released March 2024

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

An absorbing historical mystery The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A dual reality concept that works really well! The Other Year by Rea Frey ⭐⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Deep Cover
4 stars
Read as a review copy. Netgalley.
2nd reading.
Action thriller.

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

Confusing, disappointing. Only the Guilty Survive by Kate Robards ⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

An edge of your seat mystery/thriller The Girl in the Dark by Zoë Sharp ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.88 rounded to 4 stars review of City of Secrets by P.J. Tracy:

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

Police Procedural / Crime Novel
4th book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series
Great characterization, complex plot, plenty of suspense and action

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 for Talking to Strangers by Fiona Barton https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

⭐⭐⭐.5 for The End of Tennessee: A Memoir by Rachel M. Hanson https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of The Broken Truth: A Thriller by Reavis Z. Wortham:

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

Contemporary western crime thriller
Great characterization
Tense with plenty of action
Fantastic world-building

This was another great installment from the Mike Gannon series.

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

Really odd for me to be reading a Christmas story in the hottest part of the summer, but I am really enjoying this series.

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

New installment on one of my fave series. The best installment of the series.

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

⭐⭐⭐.8 for Interpretations of Love by Jane Campbell https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Both plot and cast of characters will remain with me for a long time to come and I will probably revise my rating upwards when I have thought more about it. 💖📚

Here is my 4.32 rounded to 4 stars review of French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron:

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

Cozy Mystery
Third book in the Vintage Cookbook Cozy Mystery series
Great World-building and Characterization
Plenty of Humor
Well-Plotted

Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of The Solstice by Matt Brolly:

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

Police Procedural / British Crime Novel
7th book in the DI Louise Blackwell series
Good characterization
Multi-layered plot
Atmospheric

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 for this heartwarming and entrancing mystery The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Return to Midnight


3.5 Stars
Read as a Review copy. NetGalley.
Thriller. Female author. Nice story.

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

Finished Songs for the Brokenhearted


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