Tag Archives: Thriller

RIVER’S EDGE (River Collins FBI Mystery Thriller 1) by Kate Gable

Posted on by
14

RIVER’S EDGE (River Collins FBI Mystery Thriller 1) by Kate Gable-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 22025

FBI Agent River Collins knows firsthand the terror of being taken. Twenty years after escaping her own abductor, she still carries the scars—and he was never caught. Now, in the quiet college town of Charlottesville, Virginia, two mothers have vanished on their way to pick up their children from school, leaving behind empty cars and unanswered questions.
While her sister enjoys the picture-perfect life River could never achieve—marriage, children, a beautiful home—River throws herself into the investigation, recognizing patterns that only someone with her traumatic past could see. But as the case intensifies, so do her nightmares, forcing River to confront the darkness she’s spent two decades trying to outrun.
With time running out for the missing women and her own past threatening to derail the investigation, River must decide if facing her demons will be the key to solving the case—or her ultimate undoing.

••••••

REVIEW: RIVER’S EDGE is the first instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary, adult RIVER COLLINS FBI mystery thriller series focusing on thirty four year old, FBI Agent Rebecca ‘River’ Collins.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from three first person perspectives including River Collins, RIVER’S EDGE follows in the wake of the abduction of two local women, stay at home mothers, with only their children’s school to connect them. Remembering her own kidnapping twenty years earlier, Agent River Collins struggles to face the possibilities of what is happening to the missing women. As River, and fellow Agent Emma Bertinelli begin a deep dive into the possible whereabouts of the missing women, a pattern begins to emerge, with the discovery of several other women missing in the surrounding area…but all is not well in the FBI office when one of their own suffers the ultimate betrayal.

Meanwhile, River’s sister Leslie is desperate to see River happily married, but the blind dates are failures, and only one man has caught the eye of our story line heroine.

The world building is familiar to fans of Kate Gable as there are many similarities with backstories and premises, including the betrayals directed at the heroine, and the people with whom she works.

RIVER’S EDGE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, friendships and relationships. The character driven premise is intriguing, dramatic and gripping; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

TWO YEARS DEAD by Alan Cupp-Review & Guest Post

Posted on by
13

TWO YEARS DEAD by Alan Cupp-review & guest post

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 14, 2025

After a near-fatal assassination attempt, Jay Fields wakes from a coma with a chance to rewrite his life. Once the key witness against a crime boss, he now faces the fallout of his past as the FBI is eager to cut him loose. Burdened by guilt over the death of Agent Shawn Harper, Jay anonymously helps Harper’s widow, Megan, only for her to discover his identity and connection to her husband’s fate. As they navigate their complicated feelings and seek the truth behind that fateful night, Jay must confront his old demons while protecting Megan from the dangers lurking in the shadows. Will their unexpected bond lead to redemption or drag them both back into darkness?

•••••••

REVIEW: TWO YEARS DEAD by Alan Cupp is a contemporary, adult, slightly romantic, suspense thriller focusing on thirty year of Jay Fields, and widow/single mother Megan Harper.

Told from omniscient third person perspective TWO YEARS DEAD follows in the aftermath of a twenty-two month coma in which former gang-banger Jay Fields was left for dead while in the custody of the FBI. Now thirty years old, awake, and hoping to start a new life, Jay sets out to appease his guilt, helping out the widow of the FBI agent who died saving his life but from the outset bodies begin to amass, and our struggling hero finds himself the prime suspect for everything that went wrong.

The world building focuses on Jay Fields’ attempts to get his life under control but someone is targeting our story line couple. Megan Harper is willing to give Jay a chance but the past refuses to forgive and forget.

We are introduced to Jay’s mother Olivia Fields, cousin Tabitha; questionable FBI agents as well as an assortment of law enforcement personnel, gang members and affiliates.

TWO YEARS DEAD is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and murder, friendships and forgiveness. The premise is dramatic and intriguing; the characters are determined, dynamic and compelling

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Liking The Cover

by

Alan Cupp

 

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. And I’m even more certain that you’ve heard repeatedly throughout your life, that you can’t just a book by its cover. While I do believe the initial statement about first impressions, I find the latter one to be a load of crap. It may be true that you can’t always “accurately” judge a book by its cover, that doesn’t prevent all of us from drawing certain conclusions, right or wrong, based solely on the collective artwork and title of any book we see. It’s a natural human response to immediately and without intentional effort, assess the value of a piece of literature by merely casting our discerning gaze upon the cover.

Just like the story inside the pages of a book, the cover is also trying to convey a message to potential readers. That cover needs to communicate in a matter of seconds that the content inside is worth the time and money that the author, publisher, and book seller are asking the customer to part with in exchange for a unique and pleasant reading experience. When an author publishes a book, they should always make sure they’re happy with the cover. The level of confidence an author has in promoting their book may be diminished. As an author, you need to be involved in the process.

I remember when I published one of my earlier novels, the publisher designed a cover and sent it to me to review. When I looked at it, my heart sank. I hated it. I understood the idea behind it, but nothing about it was an accurate reflection of me or the story. This was my first book with that particular publisher, so I was a little apprehensive to push back. But I knew if I didn’t, I would be hating myself and spending my energy trying to explain away or apologize for the cover. This is not the vibe you want to have when trying to generate interest in your work. So I communicated my objections regarding the cover and the publisher went back to the drawing board, creating a cover a liked more, but didn’t love. I settled. Maybe because I was excited about my first book with that publisher and I was growing impatient to get my story out to the public. It was an okay experience, but not great. When I signed a contract for a follow up book featuring the same main character, the publisher did another redesign of the first book and matched it up with the cover for the second book. I was much happier with the fresh new look.

Eventually, my contract with that publisher expired and I chose not to re-sign with them for the two books they had published. That’s when I decided I would self-publish both books. But since the publisher owned the cover art, I had to come up with new covers. I approached a talented friend of mine (Anne) who is quite the artists, and she designed two covers that I absolutely love. They are by far, much more intriguing and dynamic than anything my former publisher provided.

When I needed a cover for my latest novel, Two Years Dead, I went back to Anne. But even with my extremely talented friend, she initially presented me with some cover concepts, based on ideas and direction I had provided, that didn’t really stoke my enthusiasm. So we explored another idea and tweaked it along the way, until she had created the perfect cover I had envisioned. It’s good to have talented friends.

The point is that as an author, you need to be involved with all aspects of your book and like the end product. If you can’t be excited and compelled by your cover, how can you expect a reader to be?

Share

Hera’s Scream (American Noir Trilogy 2) by Shaun Griffin-review

Posted on by
13

Hera’s Scream (American Noir Trilogy 2) by Shaun Griffin-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 4, 2024

You reap what you sow—the old proverb will prove no less true for Anastasiya, self-styled vampire Goddess. She allowed Faith, the young woman turned vampire, to live. But as Faith’s powers continue to evolve Anastasiya must decide—is the girl a potential ally or a rival to her position of power?

As Anastasiya contemplates her next move she is unaware of a deadlier threat. Goran, professional assassin and brother to Dragan, the man she killed, is out for revenge. His hunt will lead him to Anastasiya and her acolytes. Will they survive the deadly retribution he has planned?

Throw into the mix a corrupt biologist on the trail of the alien vampire virus, two FBI agents moonlighting as guns for hire, a cop investigating the suspicious death of his friend, and you have the ingredients for an explosive showdown.

••••

REVIEW:⚠️ TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️ Please be advised to read the triggers before reading the book.

Book one needs to be read before book two, as it continues from where book one left us.

Anastasiya isn’t our heroine in this story, she isn’t even really a nice character. A vampire who doesn’t sparkle or give off nice vibes. A killer when she feeds, and doesn’t care about the humans she feeds from! But she does care about the vampires being found out and exterminated! It’s her fault that Faith is killing and exposing herself and the vampires to the humans, she really should have ended her when she had the chance. (She turned Faith into the vampire)

And now that Faith is becoming even stronger than Anastasiya herself, she’s worried that Faith will want her position of top vampire!

Faith herself is still struggling with both being a vampire and obtaining strengths and other powers. All she wanted was to be left alone, but being hunted by humans/vampires and her “maker”, Faith is now turning the tables on the hunters! She’s making her own followers.

We also have Goran, a professional assassin out to 💀 Anastasiya, she took his brother from him, and now he seeks revenge! And I have to admit he’s come close a few times. But if he does come face to face with Anastasiya, what exactly does he have planned?

I liked this book a lot better than the first. It answered a lot of questions from the first book, and sets up book three nicely.

And the ending?!?! Well….. Nope…. 🤐

A little more SciFi than Noir I felt. But still really well written.

If you like your vampires that don’t have redeeming qualities, if you want a book that will have you on the edge of your seat, then I highly recommend both book one and two. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait long for the third one.

Click HERE for Julie’s review of book one HERA’S CURSE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

Share

AGENT VS ASSASSIN (Lilah Love 10) by LR Jones -review

Posted on by
13

AGENT VS ASSASSIN (Lilah Love 10) by LR Jones-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 27, 2024

Lilah’s enemies love to taunt her. For some reason, they don’t seem to understand how much such things amuse her.

For the first time, she faces an opponent just as cold, and highly calculated.

Lilah. Ghost. A battle between killers.

•••

REVIEW: AGENT VS ASSASSIN is the tenth instalment in LR Jones aka Lisa Renee Jones’s contemporary, adult LILAH LOVE romantic, suspense series focusing on foul-mouthed, aggressive, contentious and prickly FBI agent Lilah Love-Mendez, and her husband, businessman /Cartel heir Kane Mendez. AGENT VS ASSASSIN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of book nine THE GHOST ASSASSIN. If you have not read the previous instalments, there may be spoilers in my review.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Throughout the series, Lilah Love has been looking into an organization known as The Society, a powerful group that controls many of the politicians, law enforcement personnel, and the rich and famous, and it is this group that may or may not be targeting the people at the top, one of which is her estranged father, a man running for Governor, a man with connections to the people in control.

Told from first person perspective (Lilah) AGENT VS ASSASSIN picks up shortly after the events of THE GHOST ASSASSIN. Lilah has been struggling with the memories from her past, yet the assassin known as Ghost has offered to take down the ghosts that continue to haunt her dreams but there is more than one assassin on the horizon, and Lilah may be the target of both. With her father running for governor, and her brother working alongside, Lilah begins to focus on the who, how and why, as another high profile murder grabs the attention of FBI agent Lilah Love-Mendez.

The world building continues to follow Lilah as she battles the incompetent yet determined law enforcement, and her team of rag tag specialists with the ability to uncover other people’s secrets and lies. As Kane must come to terms with the reappearance of a man long thought dead, Lilah will come face to face an interesting foe.

There is another large ensemble of secondary and supporting characters including Lilah’s bodyguard Jay, Kane’s bodyguard Kit; Lilah’s brother Andrew; hacker Lucas Davenport; and Lilah’s IT guru Jeff ‘TicTac’ Landers, most of whom are the hunter/gatherers of Lilah’s investigations. We are introduced to an assassin who goes by Ghost, who is always one step ahead of our story line heroine; and the return of someone long thought buried and gone, a return that barely merits a few paragraphs of text.

AGENT VS ASSASSIN is a story of power and control, betrayal and obsession, dysfunctional family dynamics, relationships and love. The premise is detailed and dramatic yet barely advances the story line but a couple of days; the characters are charismatic yet guarded. AGENT VS ASSASSIN ends on a cliff hanger, you have been warned.

READING ORDER and Previous Reviews
Murder Notes
Murder Girl
Love Me Dead
Love Kills
Bloody Vows
Bloody Love
Happy Death Day
The Party is Over
The Ghost Assassin

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t read book one MURDER NOTES? It’s currently FREE

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Apple /

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling the bestselling DIRTY MONEY and WHITE LIES series. And will be publishing the first book in her Lilah Love suspense series with Amazon Publishing in March 2018.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

 

 

Share

Green Bank by Kyle Conroy-a review & guest post

Posted on by
14

Green Bank by Kyle Conroy-a review & guest post

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /B&N Paper/

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 27, 2024

Catching lightning will make you. Its thunder may break you.

Colin Brook exists in a life of contrived solitude, especially for a man in his late twenties. He leaves little wake as he meanders between school and a quiet home life in Virginia with his father and sister. However, during a trip to the heart of the National Radio Quiet Zone in Green Bank, West Virginia, he becomes the epicenter for a quake that ripples beyond comprehension. In a matter of days, Colin goes from unremarkable to the opaque target of powerful players in the defense industry. As dire as this attention is, Colin has also caught the interest of two Green Bank residents who may possess far more powerful and destructive capabilities.

Green Bank is a sci-fi thriller that explores the boundaries and vulnerabilities of consciousness. With captivating but often conflicted characters, the story navigates the consequences of imbalanced relationships, the foundations of the cosmos, and how altruism can go severely wrong even with the best of intentions.

••••

REVIEW:GREEN BANK by Kyle Conroy is an adult sci-fi, dystopian stand alone story line focusing on soon to be thirty year old, reclusive college student Colin Brook, and an ensemble cast of doctors, professionals, specialists and otherworldly beings.

Approximately ten years earlier, Navy corpsman Aidan and John disappeared through a black hole in a secret government facility in Hawaii. Fast forward to present day, thirty year old college student Colin Brook, while on a bike ride in Green Bank, West Virginia finds himself in the National Radio Quiet Zone where his life will alter into something more but Colin’s journey into the forests of Green Bank did not go unnoticed- the US military and a defense company contracted by the government vie for control of Colin Brook.

The world building is detailed, complex and comprehensive. From the physical and the metaphysical, sociological, philosophical, and psychological constructs of the here and now; to the understanding of the consciousness, all based in theory and conjecture, as to the vulnerability of a weakened or susceptible mind. Explanations defy the justifications; reality and fact give way to illusions and imagination, where the mind may or may not conceive of the impossible.

There is a large ensemble cast of questionable and colorful characters including brother and sister Colin and Vera Brook, and their adopted father Mike; Dr. Claudia Bessel, CTO of Valence Dr. Hetuwa Fernandez; Dieter Randolph, Rainer Cameron, lady in the woods Faiza, and former Navy corpsmen Aidan and John. Not everyone is who they appear to be.

GREEN BANK is a science fiction story of power and control, secrets and lies, imagination and determination, acceptance and assent. The premise is twisted, haunting and edgy; the characters are dynamic, tragic, animated and startling. Kyle Conroy pulls the reader into a story of what if? Or how?

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

For more on Kyle and Green Bank: https://bio.site/kyleconroy

From Black Holes to Broken Hearts: The Journey of Writing My Debut Sci-Fi Novel

Over ten years ago, I had the inkling to write a book—sci-fi, specifically. This inkling was melded together with push and pull factors. The push factors were 1) nurturing a drive to finish what I start and 2) getting out of my 9-to-5 headspace, finding a creative outlet. The pull factors were 1) deep interests in black holes, dark matter, and consciousness and 2) wonder with the complexity of relationships.

Push Factor 1: Finish What You Start

Whether it is a book, a house project, marathon, or some other goal, we often confront milestones that we truly want—or need—to achieve. As with many things in life, it’s easier said than done. Well, writing a sci-fi novel was my milestone. I thought of the idea of this book over a decade ago and started actually writing it eight years ago. Several times I thought of abandoning it, fearing it was not worthwhile. But with each page completed, that path became clearer. Anytime I needed a boost, I just looked back at what I had done thus far. You can always assure yourself that you are that much closer once you’ve made the slightest progress.

Push Factor 2: Get out of Your Headspace

I may never be able to support myself purely as an author, and that is perfectly fine. I enjoy my career, but there are times when I just need a blank slate upon which I can just create. In my orderly, time-bound jobs, I rarely get the opportunity to just create art. But it is an extremely important outlet for anyone. Music, sculpting, woodworking, and more all provide an outlet for people, sharing their views of and experiences in our collective world. Given how impactful storytelling has been for me as a reader, I felt a certain level of obligation to return the favor in the best way possible.

Pull Factor 1: Black Holes, Dark Matter, and Consciousness

Sci-fi begins right where our current understanding of the universe ends. That’s why it is my favorite genre—you get to take that step into the unknown, letting creativity grow from theories and accepted truths. Black holes and dark matter arguably fascinate (perhaps terrify, too) anyone that really dwells on them. And they have appeared heavily throughout books and movies, but I wanted to take a different approach to them both. Weaving in consciousness allowed me to explore another opaque field of science and create a delicate bridge between the deep mysteries of the universe and everyday people.

Pull Factor 2: Complexity of Relationships

The core of any good story is the impact of the characters. Regardless of wild, exotic concepts, action, themes, etc., the characters usher the story along. I wanted Green Bank to fascinate a reader while keeping them grounded with plausible characters navigating life in fathomable ways. Specifically, I wanted to explore relations amongst the characters, showing how the experiences that they have with one another readily impact decisions they make in the future. And as complex as relationships may be, you can distill them down to basic drivers. These drivers also serve as key inputs to surveillance technology present in Green Bank.

I hope this post serves not just as a catalyst to read Green Bank but also as motivation for anything you have been seeking to do in your life. At one point in time, my story was just neurons firing off in my head. But with patience and consistency, it became a published book. Never has holding a book in my hand felt so meaningful, let alone people actually reading it and, hopefully, liking it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Stay curious. Keep exploring the magic you still have to share with the world.

All the best,

Kyle

SOCIAL MEDIA: Amazon Author / Goodreads/ 

Kyle Conroy is an exciting new voice in the world of science fiction, blending real-world expertise with vivid imagination. With a background in space exploration, defense, cybersecurity, and research, Kyle brings an authentic and technical edge to the stories he crafts. His passion for astrophysics—particularly the mysteries of black holes and dark matter—shapes the thrilling and mind-bending worlds he creates.

When not delving into cosmic wonders, Kyle enjoys spending time in national parks, visiting/supporting animal sanctuaries, and unwinding with a good thriller novel. His unique combination of scientific knowledge and love for storytelling promises to captivate and inspire readers on a journey beyond the stars.

Share

The Mirror by Nora Roberts – a Review

Posted on by
16

The Mirror by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
When Sonya MacTavish inherits the huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she has no idea that the house is haunted. The footsteps she hears at night, the doors slamming, the music playing, are not figments of her imagination. In her dreams she sees glimpses of the past. In the present she finds portraits of brides. And when she has visions of an antique mirror, she is drawn to it, sensing it holds dark family secrets.

Then one night the mirror appears and Sonya glides through this looking glass, into the past—and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold torn from her finger. It is a scene that will play out again and again—a centuries-old curse that must be broken—and a puzzle she must solve if there is any hope of breaking the curse.

 

 

Review:

The Mirror by Nora Roberts is the 2nd book in her The Lost Bride Trilogy. The Mirror picks up immediately after the ending of the first book, Inheritance. Sonya MacTavish, our heroine, begins to settle into her daily life with her best friend Cleo; as they both adjust to the ghosts of brides, as well as the evil murderer Hester Dobb, who murdered all 7 brides.

Trey and Sonya are even more romantic now, as their relationship become more serious.   Cleo and Owen also became a couple; especially with all four of them constantly together. The Lost Bride Manor includes many deaths, with all the brides killed on their wedding day, centuries ago.  Now in present time, Sonya is determined to find a way stop Dobbs, and find all the missing rings from each bride, to force the end of the curse.  Other than Dobbs, the other ghosts are always helpful with both Sonya and Cleo; one sings songs, someone else makes the beds, cleans the kitchen, and even a young boy ghost, loves to play with Sonya’s dog.  Dobbs was always causing temper tantrums, with slamming doors, loud noises, her evil laughter and flying objects.

Sonya will learn more about the history of each bride, especially when she gets to enter into the mirror, finding herself decades in the past, witnessing live the happy days of each bride, before it ends in tragedy at the murderous hands of Dobbs.  Sonya also got to see Dobbs ripping off each of the wedding rings from each of the brides.

Sonya and Cleo were both strong and independent women; I loved their friendship, as they were always, they’re for each other.  I also loved both Trey and Owen, as they made wonderful couples, with the men both sweet and supportive. I adored the dogs that played a major part of the story, with Yoda, Mookie, Jones and Pye, Cleo’s kitten who became part of the group.   

The Mirror was another fantastic addition to this trilogy, with suspense, paranormal, romance, ghosts, supernatural, and an evil murderer. The Mirror was so very well written by Nora Roberts.  I loved the book, and cannot wait for the final book in the Lost Bride series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

What The Nanny Saw (Family Secrets 2) by Kaira Rouda-review

Posted on by
14

What The Nanny Saw (Family Secrets 2) by Kaira Rouda-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N paper/

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 13, 2024

I keep all her secrets. She thinks she can trust me…

Cecilia has it all. The house on the beach. The cute figure. The beautiful baby. But she’s a long way from perfect.

She’s let me into her gorgeous house as her nanny because now she’s on her own, she needs a little help with her baby daughter Peyton. She barely notices me. But I see everything.

While Peyton naps, I rifle through her drawers and discover the dark secrets in her past, the threatening letter from her ex-husband.

It’s a shame that Cecilia doesn’t have my powers of observation. If she took some time, she might just recognise me. I’ve been following her for a while, after all.

If she knew who I was then I don’t think I’d be so invisible. And she wouldn’t be so surprised one morning when little Peyton’s cot is found empty…

••••••

REVIEW: WHAT THE NANNY SAW is the second instalment in Kaira Rouda’s contemporary, adult FAMILY SECRETS suspense thriller set in the author’s BEST DAY EVER world. WHAT THE NANNY SAW focuses on Cecilia Strom, her estranged husband Paul; ex baby daddy Evan, and the nanny Lizzie.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cecila and Lizzie) WHAT THE NANNY SAW pulls the reader back into the life of Cecilia Strom. At the end of THE SECOND MRS STROM, Cecilia found herself struggling to heal in the wake of a near death experience. Starting anew, Cecilia is now a mother but her most recent significant other is often absent or in the arms of someone else. Battling her own demons, Cecilia will meet her neighbor’s nanny Lizzie, who offers her expertise to Cecilia in the face of Cecilia’s own apparent inabilities to do it all but Cecilia finds herself at odds with the new nanny, and begins to realize, all is not as it appears to be.

WHAT THE NANNY SAW is another dark and dramatic thriller of secrets and lies, obsession and madness, betrayal and vengeance, power and control. We learn a little bit about Lizzie’s history, and the who and what that is the local nanny. Kaira Rouda pulls the reader into a tragic and melodramatic saga with characters as unlikable as they are deceiving and disturbing, conniving and conspiratorial.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE SECOND MRS. STROM

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

YOU CAN KILL (Laurel Snow Thriller 4) by Rebecca Zanetti-review

Posted on by
13

YOU CAN KILL (Laurel Snow Thriller 4) by Rebecca Zanetti-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 22, 2024

A string of brutal murders is leaving a grisly trail across the Pacific Northwest—and drawing rising star FBI profiler Laurel Snow back into a treacherous case and a twisted personal drama she can’t escape . . .

The first body is torn apart, blood and flesh discovered across both state and federal lands. As the victims multiply, a pattern emerges—each is related to past cases investigated by Laurel Snow, with the assist of Huck Rivers, Washington Fish and Wildlife captain. When friends and loved ones are targeted, things become even more chillingly personal.

As Laurel and Huck team up again to navigate the gruesome and increasingly bizarre killings, they must also keep a safe distance from Laurel’s half-sister, Abigail, a dangerously clever sociopath. Ever since their father reappeared in town, Abigail has been convinced she must protect Laurel from his malignant narcissism—a scourge she’s sure they’ve both inherited. Huck is not spared either as a shocking development in the case touches his own life.

With the murders, and the suspects, multiplying around them, and the lives of everyone in their orbit at stake, only Laurel’s sharp analytic skills, Huck’s deep gut instincts, and their growing bond will enable them to face the demons within and the threats without—before they’re next on an elusive killer’s hit list .

•••••

REVIEW:  YOU CAN KILL is the fourth instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult LAUREL SNOW suspense thriller focusing on FBI Special Profiler Laurel Snow. YOU CAN KILL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing plot line throughout.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Laurel, following several interconnected pathways, YOU CAN KILL continues to focus on Laurel Snow’s investigation into the father she never knew, and a half sister whose proclivities are questionable and dark. Someone is taking aim at the women of Genesis Valley, and Laurel begins to suspect an escaped serial killer is purposely making her life difficult. All of the victims are blonde, and may or may not have a connection to our story line heroine, and as the numbers increase, so too do the accusations against Laurel and the man that she loves. Meanwhile a social media journalist, one who has a past with Huck Rivers, fuels the accusations with her attempts at revenge, revenge that make her a target of a crazed serial killer.

The world building is complex and detailed as we are up close and personal with Laurel and Huck, victims and killers, suspects and madness. Laurel Snow believes she knows the people responsible but outside interference and a need for vengeance threaten Laurel’s investigation when the people at the top, take over.

The relationship between Captain Huck Rivers and FBI profiler Laurel Snow continues to be both professional and personal. Laurel and Huck’s romance is more than a passing, as they begin to make plans for a future together in Genesis Valley.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and questionable secondary and supporting characters including many of whom we met in the previous story lines: Laurel’s half sister Dr. Abigail Caine, their father Pastor Zeke Caine; Laurel’s mom Deidre, podcaster Rachel Raprenzi, as well as several locals, victims, and survivors.

YOU CAN KILL is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, social and pathological behaviors. The premise is thrilling, dramatic, haunting and twisted; the characters are animated, tragic and brutal.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

You Can Run
You Can Hide
You Can Die

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Website  * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

Share