Category: Suspense

TITLE: Missing
CHARACTERS: Rowan Quaide
AUTHOR: Randa Flannery
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/15/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Haunted by her best friend’s disappearance, always practical Rowan Quaide lives a life of cold logic. As an intelligence analyst, her world is ruled by who has the best strategy and Ro’s reasoned control makes her Queen.

A Chance encounter with a man from her past stretches the bounds of reason and throws her into a game of dark deception and danger. With the past creeping from her nightmares into her reality, Ro pits herself against the monster determined to destroy the new love she’s found.

As the intel gets more and more disturbing and events begin to spin out of control, she must rely on her instincts and cling to an unreasonable truth, or allow logic to tear her apart.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts What a shock this book turned out to be. Having not read this author before and to be honest not even sure if this is the first book by the author I was unsure what to expect but I have to say this really surprised me.

The story was interesting and suspenseful but wasn’t dark like so many thrillers are these days. It seems the stories are fluff romances (which is my favorite so that is a compliment) or dark to the bone and there is no in between but this one had the perfect amount of thrill and romance to keep me interested.

I found the story to be a quick read with really well written characters. Give this book a try. I do not think you will be disappointed. And I look forward to more from this author.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Three Truths and A Lie
SERIES #: Detective D.D. Warren #7.5
CHARACTERS: Det. Warren
AUTHOR: Lisa Gardner
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/05/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Boston Detective D.D. Warren faces her most brutal adversaries yet—a class of jaded thriller writers—in New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Gardner’s exclusive e-Book short story

In Lisa Gardner’s second short story, after the New York Times bestseller The 7th Month, Detective D.D. Warren takes on her most intimidating assignment yet: a fifty-minute class meant to educate a horde of bloodthirsty thriller writers on the ways of actual police work. Yet sometimes life really does imitate fiction, as D.D. takes the writers through the reality of one of her most twisted cases—a case that involves a seedy motel room, drugs, prostitution . . . and a severed leg.

With Gardner’s trademark suspense, sharp observations, and thrilling storytelling, Three Truths and a Lie is a fascinating chapter in D.D.’s storied career. Includes an early look at Lisa Gardner’s next novel of suspense, Find Her, coming February 9, 2016.

REVIEW:
This is a short story in the series. I will say I did not realize it was a series when I requested it from NetGalley and it was a bit hard to walk into the story 7 books in and understand but it was still a really good story.

What is interesting is this is a class that D.D. is teaching and she is explaining about a case she had prior. It really kept my attention and wished I could attend a real class like this one day. I can’t say too much about the crime she discusses because of it being such a short story it would give too much away but it was well worth the read and one day hope I can go back and start at the beginning to understand D.D. better.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: The Cruelest Cut
CHARACTERS: Jack Murphy
AUTHOR: Rick Reed
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/10
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When a killer plays mind games with a cop, There Are No Rules.
The first victim is attacked in her home. Tied to her bed. Forced to watch every unspeakable act of cruelty–but unable to scream. The second murder is even more twisted. Signed, sealed, and delivered with a message for the police, stuffed in the victim’s throat. A fractured nursery rhyme that ends with a warning: “There will be more.” For detective Jack Murphy, it’s more than a threat. It’s a personal invitation to play. And no one plays rougher than Jack. Especially when the killer’s pawns are the people he loves. . .

REVIEW:
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

First let me say if you don’t like evil personified do not pick up this book. This is not for the light hearted. It can be hard to read in some spots but the thrill part of it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Some of it is light like the play between Jack and Liddell so it breaks up a bit of the harshness but it is still something you need to be in the mood to read. And ready to have a dark cloud around you when you do.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Cold-Blooded
CHARACTERS: Augustus & Jocelyn
AUTHOR: Lisa Regan
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/10/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Fourteen years ago, high school track star Sydney Adams was gunned down in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. The investigation yielded useless clues, and the case went cold. But homicide detective Augustus Knox never gave up on finding Sydney’s killer. Now, retired from the police force and with only months to live, he enlists the help of private investigator Jocelyn Rush to clear the case once and for all.

Armed with little more than a theory as to who murdered Sydney, Jocelyn tries to lure a killer into the open. But unraveling the mystery means facing off against a cunning psychopath whose ruthlessness knows no bounds. When more bodies start to pile up, Jocelyn has to decide just how far she’s willing to go to catch a cold-blooded killer.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts WOW! What a great story. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. I haven’t read any of the other books by Regan and my understanding is Joelyn was introduced in an earlier story but this story was read as a stand alone and was fine.

I enjoyed the characters very much. They are real down-to-earth people. They aren’t written to be the people the reader wants to become. They are written to let the reader know there are real people in this world that all have stories. I know that sounds weird but it is the way I felt about these fascinating characters.

The thriller part of this story was just that… a thrill. It was a ride that I didn’t want to stop. And while I couldn’t wait to read more I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend this book and I am assuming the whole series to anyone who enjoys a good suspense with a bit of romance thrown in.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Now That She’s Gone
SERIES #: Waterman & Stark #2
CHARACTERS: Birdy Waterman & Kendall Stark
AUTHOR: Gregg Olsen
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/24/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Notorious serial killer Brenda Nevins has cajoled, seduced, blackmailed, and left a trail of bodies all across Washington State. Now, after a daring prison escape, she is free to carry out her ultimate act of revenge. The targets: forensic pathologist Birdy Waterman and sheriff’s detective Kendall Stark. The pawn: a television psychic hungry for fame, ratings, and blood. There’s only way to stop a killer as brutal, brilliant, and twisted as this: beat her at her own game…

REVIEW:
While this is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed the story very much. There are some parts that were a bit odd to me. I thought it really odd that the serial killer didn’t have much of a role in the story this time. I did enjoy the reality tv part and the psychics.

Saying too much about this story can give a lot of it away and because there are a lot of twist and turns I think saying too much would be a bad thing.

The writing is really good and like I said with all the suspense it really keeps your attention. Highly recommended.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Eeny Meeny
SERIES #: Helen Grace #1
CHARACTERS: Helen Grace
AUTHOR: MJ Arlidge
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/02/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The “dark, twisted, thought-provoking” (#1 New York Times bestseller Tami Hoag) international bestseller—first in the new series featuring Detective Helen Grace.

Two people are abducted, imprisoned, and left with a gun. As hunger and thirst set in, only one walks away alive.

It’s a game more twisted than any Detective Helen Grace has ever seen. If she hadn’t spoken with the shattered survivors herself, she almost wouldn’t believe them.

Helen is familiar with the dark sides of human nature, including her own, but this case—with its seemingly random victims—has her baffled. But as more people go missing, nothing will be more terrifying than when it all starts making sense….

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts So let me say I am kind of on the fence with this one. First I am not one for British Suspense. Is that a term? Well it is now. Unless I am reading a historical I am not really into the British thing. And second while reading this I wasn’t really invested in the characters. I do not think the author did a great job of explain them. I actually wondered if this was not the first in the series and I should have already known them but it is the first.

While somewhat interesting the story was a little mind numbing and that can be good and bad. If you want to be steeped in a mystery then it is bad but if you want to read a story and get your mind off your real life then it can be good. So again I am on the fence.

And finally it was a little dark for me. I was interested in a suspenseful story but it just was too dark. Will I pick up the next one in the series… well again I am on the fence. We will see.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Salvage
CHARACTERS: Owen Saddler
AUTHOR: Duncan Ralston
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/10/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Something is Lurking Under the Lake…

When Owen Saddler’s little sister mysteriously drowns, Owen is determined to uncover the circumstances by following in her footsteps, even if it means diving into the murky–some would say haunted–waters of Chapel Lake.

Thirty years earlier, the town of Peace Falls had been flooded to build a hydroelectric dam, and its ruins remain below the surface of Chapel Lake. The strange disappearance of the town Pastor, along with many of the parishioners, still haunts the citizens of Chapel Lake. But does the church haunt the lake itself? Is Owen really seeing ghosts… or has he descended into the depths of madness?

Salvage is the debut horror novel of author Duncan Ralston (Gristle & Bone). A darkly disturbing story of depression, religious fanaticism, and the afterlife, Salvage seeks to illuminate the evil within us all.

REVIEW:
2.75 Heart This was not what I expected. First off the “ghost” story had very little ghost at all. The horror was not exactly scary. The suspense didn’t have me on the edge of my seat and the storyline just wasn’t very believable and I am not talking about the paranormal part I am talking the actions of the characters.

The story is very slow and never really builds to the climax I wanted from the story. I kept hoping but nothing.

I am not sure why this story is getting so much high praise everywhere but I just can’t add any praise from my end. I will say the author sure knows how to write a great synopsis. If only the book was as good.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Crimson Shore
SERIES #: Agent Pendergast #15
CHARACTERS: Pendergast & Greene
AUTHOR: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/10/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A secret chamber.
A mysterious shipwreck.
A murder in the desolate salt marshes.
A seemingly straightforward private case turns out to be much more complicated-and sinister-than Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast ever could have anticipated.
Pendergast, together with his ward Constance Greene, travels to the quaint seaside village of Exmouth, Massachusetts, to investigate the theft of a priceless wine collection. But inside the wine cellar, they find something considerably more disturbing: a bricked-up niche that once held a crumbling skeleton.

REVIEW:
This is the 15th in the series and that alone should tell you how great this series is. I mean 15 of them in a relatively short people of time and they are all (or mostly) best sellers. The Preston-Child combination is truly one that can not be beat and this story goes back to the feel of the beginning of the series.

Pendergast is well odd… to me he is a modern day Sherlock Holmes. He investigates in a way that most don’t. He sees little things that most would miss and he is just odd in a good kind of way. In this one Pendergast goes back to his roots of being a P.I. when he finds something more is going on than just a theft of expensive wines.

I love this series. If you haven’t read this series I have one question… WHY NOT?

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Someone To Save You
CHARACTERS: Sam Becker
AUTHOR: Paul Pilkington
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/03/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A car astride the railway track as an express train approaches at high speed. In the front seat, a woman seemingly determined to end her life. In the back, her two young children are oblivious to the impending disaster.

For talented young heart surgeon, Sam Becker, his heroic actions to save the family mark the beginning of a nightmare. A nightmare that will rip open old wounds, bring him face to face with ghosts from the past, and endanger those he cares for the most.

A nightmare linked to the brutal murder of his sister, fifteen years ago.

A fast-paced suspense thriller, Someone to Save You follows in the tradition of writers such as Linwood Barclay, Harlan Coben and Nicci French.

REVIEW:
This is a quick read that isn’t a real brain teaser but at the same time keeps your interest. This is a re-release from recently. I am not sure if it just didn’t do as well as the publisher wanted but it seems weird to re-release already. Now that being said this would make a good quick read for someone who enjoys thrillers without a lot of suspense.

The writing style is a bit different for me. While I enjoy thrillers I want to be absorbed in it and hopefully not figure it out until the end. I can’t say that is what happened with this one and yet I would recommend it. However if you are looking for deep-thinking and edge of your seat suspense this might not be what you want to pick up.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: The Last Good Place
CHARACTERS: Sgt Al Krug & Casey Kellog
AUTHOR: Robin Burcell
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/03/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Robin Burcell has worked as a cop, hostage negotiator, and as an FBI-trained, forensic artist . She’s also the author of award-winning thrillers. Now she uses that unparalleled experience to continue Carolyn Weston’s groundbreaking series of books, which were the basis for the hit TV show “The Streets of San Francisco.”

Sgt. Al Krug and his younger, college-educated partner Casey Kellog are investigating a string of strangulation killings when another victim is found at the Presidio…but a surprising, violent incident at the crime scene makes them wonder if everything is what it seems. The two miss-matched cops, with sharply conflicting approaches to detective work, are under intense pressure to get results. It’s a race-against-the-clock investigation that propels them into the deadly intersection of politics, real estate, media and vice… the fertile, fog-shrouded killing field of a ruthless murderer.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Al and Casey are polar opposites. Al is older and street smart. Casey is younger and book smart. They do about their work with different approaches and yet somehow get the job done.

Everyone has heard about The Streets Of San Francisco, mostly from the TV show but there were also books written but the author, Carolyn Weston, but she passed away and Burcell has taken over the series. I never read the original books so I can’t say if they stand up to them but this was well written and kept me interested.

I will say that you really shouldn’t plan on comparing this novel to the old show. The really just don’t mess and that is ok. The show was done decades ago and this story is more up to date that a cop show set in the 70’s.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: I’ll Never Let You Go
SERIES #: Morgans of Nashville #3
CHARACTERS: Leah & Alex
AUTHOR: Mary Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/27/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
LOVE HURTS
He promised to kill her. One night four years ago, Leah Carson’s husband almost succeeded. Philip stabbed her twenty-three times before fleeing. The police are sure he’s dead. But fear won’t let Leah believe it.

AND SOMETIMES
It starts with little things. Missing keys. A flat tire. Mysterious flowers. All easily explained away if the pattern wasn’t so terrifyingly familiar. Leah has a new veterinary practice and a new life with no ties to her nightmare. But Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent Alex Morgan suspects something. And when another woman’s body is found, stabbed twenty-three times, Leah knows her past has found her.

IT KILLS
As Leah and Alex untangle the horrifying truth, he watches her, ready for the perfect moment. Until death—that was the vow they made. And a killer always keeps his word…

REVIEW:
This is the 3rd in the series that I have not read but all in all it was fine as a stand alone you just get the feeling that some things have happened before this book, which obviously it has.

This is a very interesting and suspenseful thriller. I found I continued to be interested throughout the entire book. What I think I liked best about the romance part of the story is that is wasn’t love at first site, now I must protect you. This was gradually finding that sometimes good things come out of bad situations. Alex is a little rough around the edges but seems to be a good guy. Leah really proves she has the strength she needs and is no longer a victim.

I found the story really good and look forward to more in the series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.