Tag: mysteries & thrillers

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A Life of Death (A Life of Death #1) by Weston Kincade Book Review

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!

It’s rare that a YA novel that deals with supernatural elements is outshone by the emotional core of it’s characters and story, and yet that is
the case in Weston Kincade’s A Life of Death, the first in the A Life of Death series. This book is very well written, and does a marvelous job
of exploring the themes of life, death, and family. Here is the description:

Alex Drummond is a troubled high school senior with a checkered past, a broken home, and a surprising ability. When he touches items that murder
victims held in their final moments, Alex relives the events in gruesome detail, seeing what they saw, thinking their thoughts, and even feeling
what they felt. But who will believe a troubled teen, especially when the murders are so close to home and might reveal skeletons hidden for
hundreds of years? Join Alex as he struggles to find his destiny, understand love, solve the mysterious murders within his small home town, and
speak for victims who can no longer speak for themselves.

The novel does a great job of implementing the supernatural elements in a very real and natural way. While the prospect of this protagonist being
able to connect with the dead is fascinating, what draws readers in more and what a lot of people will be able to identify with is Alex’s struggle
with his home life and the loss of a loved one. Elements of abuse, alcoholism and death are the core of this powerful story, while the emotional
struggle Alex goes through in every chapter of this story make this novel a heartbreaking read that is impossible to put down. The grounded
reality of the characters does a great job of mixing with the surreal nature of Alex’s newfound abilities, and by the end of the book you are left
wanting more from Alex Drummond and his life. This is a must read novel and I hope to see more from Weston Kincade and this series in the future.
Be sure to check out A Life of Death by Weston Kincade today!

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Don’t You Cry by Mary Kubica Book Review:

A dark, twisted tale that takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions with every twist and turn. That’s how this writer would describe author Mary Kubica’s thriller, Don’t You Cry. Secrets and lies lead to a mysterious disappearance and a strange encounter for the two protagonists of this incredible story.

When a young woman living in downtown Chicago named Esther Vaughn disappears without a trace, her roommate and friend Quinn is left to figure out what happened to her friend after she discovers a mysterious note left behind and signed “My Dearest.” Meanwhile a young man named Alex Gallo living in a small Michigan town outside of Chicago meets a mysterious woman, and he is immediately drawn to her. Yet soon his infatuation leads him onto a dark path that he never thought he’d be on. Will Quinn discover what happened to Esther, or are there dark secrets that will have her questioning who her roommate really is? Will Alex discover that his crush will come with unintended consequences?

The themes explored in this novel are the biggest draw of this incredible new thriller. Obsession and deception drive this amazing plot, while the characters themselves embody these themes to the point where anyone can be involved in the disappearance, and by the time the book ends the connection between Alex and Quinn, two strangers, will have readers on the edge of their seat. This is a must read thriller in 2016, so be sure to pick up your copies of Mary Kubica’s Don’t You Cry, available now!

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The Wharf Butcher by Michael K. Foster Review

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!

Have you ever wanted to find a book that perfectly embodied the spirit and format of such great shows as Broadchurch and Sherlock? Then look
no further than author Michael K. Foster’s incredible novel, The Wharf Butcher. An intense crime thriller that does an excellent job of analyzing
character growth and showcasing the deep emotional scars that make a monster in our society, this is a fantastic read!

A serial killer is stalking Tyneside. But there is a pattern to his killings, his choice of victims, his method of slaughter. David Carlisle, a
criminal profiler, is brought in to assist DCI Jack Mason with his task of identifying the killer and stopping him in his tracks. The Wharf
Butcher is a fast-paced thriller that shines a light on the dark forces at work within the corridors of power, in the board room and the police
force itself. The clock is ticking to catch the monster that has been unleashed. But first Carlisle must get inside the killer’s head…

Combining the intrigue of a whodunit with the disturbing nature of serial killers and the emotional core of a great television drama, the first
novel in the building series focused on two intriguing new investigators is a smash hit from the opening pages all the way to the shocking
conclusion. The depth for which the author explores each side of a murder investigation is phenomenal to read, and not only do we get glimpses
into the personal lives of the investigators and how their lives affect their work, but readers will love to get into the gritty dark side of
the mentality of this serial killer. Will the investigators be able to stop this killer before it’s too late? Be sure to pick up your copies of
The Wharf Butcher by Michael K. Foster today to find out!

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Resthaven by Erik Therme:

The struggles of the teenage years mix with heart pounding terror in this 2016 Kindle Scout Winner by author Erik Therme, titled Resthaven.

In this thriller, young Kaylee finds herself forced into a childish game when she meets up with a group of girls in the new town she recently moved to. When the girls are taken to an abandoned retirement home to take part in a scavenger hunt, Kaylee soon discovers a bruised young boy in the building, but when she tries to lead him to safety, she discovers the doors are locked and her friends are nowhere to be found. Soon she’ll learn that there are real terrors in the world, and ghosts are the least of her worries in this night of scares and tears.

The blend of YA character development and adult thriller plot line are a perfect combination in this novel. It does a wonderful job of highlighting some of the very real life struggles young teens go through while also giving a much needed boost of female driven story in a genre filled with male driven action by making the majority of the characters female, including an amazingly strong female protagonist like Kaylee. Overall this is a fantastic novel that bridges the gap between YA and adult fiction and showcases the immense talent of breakout author Erik Therme. Be sure to pick up your copy of Resthaven today!

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The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Review:

Not since reading Gone Girl have I read such an addictive narrative surrounding a murder-mystery and a roster of characters that all hold possible
motives for being the killer. That’s what you’ll feel when you begin reading The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. The thriller showcases a
complicated story involving three women, each tied to one another in unexpected ways.

Rachel rides the same train every day. She passes the same stretch of homes day and night, and she always watches a young couple, whom she’s
fantasized about and created this perfect relationship in her head, one which mirrors the one she recently had before it collapsed before her
eyes. However, one day she witnesses something shocking for a brief minute while on the train, and what she sees propels her into a whirlwind
investigation that will have the police questioning her reliability. When this wields no results, she’ll immerse herself into the lives of
everyone involved, and she will discover not everything is what she thought it was as the mystery grows.

Getting to witness the story from multiple perspectives, from the view of the missing woman and a young housewife to Rachel herself, makes this
one of the most interesting reads in the thriller genre. Everyone is a suspect at one point or another, and the complicated history that Rachel
takes with her into the investigation makes it a tantalizing tale. This is a mystery that everyone will be clamoring to solve, so be sure to pick
up your copies of The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins today!

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Don’t Say a Word (Strangers Series)  by Jennifer Jaynes Review:

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!

Before I get into how amazing a story this book is, I feel I must make to notes at the beginning of this review. First of all, I love the work
of author Jennifer Jaynes and thought this was a fantastic book. Secondly, as I’m sensitive to how people can be triggered by reading certain
storylines, I feel I must say that if you find you are susceptible to being triggered by storylines involving mental health and plots involving
cutting, then be warned that this book delves into both these topics wholly. The book doesn’t use these topics haphazardly or force them into
the story without precedent, but I wanted to put that warning out there before anyone decided to read this book. Now that that’s done, let’s get
into the review.

This is the third book in the Strangers series by Jennifer Jaynes, and yet Don’t Say a Word can easily work as a stand-alone novel, doing a
phenomenal job of integrating the events of the first two books as a backstory in the character of Allie Callahan, a single mother who’s haunted
by her past, with both her mother and brother suffering from mental illnesses and made them into serial killers. Now with her son Sammy to keep
her focused, she finds herself with a fragile form of happiness living with her son and adoptive mother in East Texas. However, her world will be
put to the test when 12-year old twins Zoe and Carrie arrive on her doorstep, traumatized by the murders of their mother and father. When mysterious
phone calls and a rising body count come to light, and the girls remain troubled by what they witnessed, Allie must face her fears as she hopes
she won’t succumb to insanity and loose her happiness once and for all.

The book has a phenomenal mystery that does a wonderful job of delving deep into the true nature of mental health, and sheds the misconceptions
that mental disease equals bad or evil, which is something that has been distastefully used in popular media in recent years. The twisted thriller
explores some great themes, from family and genetic disposition to self-worth and motherhood. Fans of the series will enjoy getting this new
glimpse at protagonist Allie, while newcomers will enjoy the heart-pounding adventure as the truth behind the murders of the girl’s parents comes
to light slowly. This is a must-read novel that has phenomenal and real character development, and makes this writer excited to see more from
author Jennifer Jaynes in the future! Be sure to pick up your copies of Don’t Say a Word today!

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Finders Keepers by Stephen King Review

A deranged fan breaks into the home of his once favorite author, hellbent on making the writer pay for refusing to publish more of his work and
for making his favorite character, Jimmy Gold, into a sellout. After he kills the writer and takes his money and unpublished notebooks, he hides
his treasure before being sent to prison for another horrific crime. Thirty-five years later, the criminal returns to society, ready to collect
his prize he’s spent his life waiting to claim. Yet he soon learns a teenage boy discovered his loot, and took it to help his family. With the
deranged killer hellbent on reclaiming his prize at any cost, only retired police detective Bill Hodges, along with his most trusted associates,
Jerome Robinson and Holly Gibney, can stop the murderer before the boy pays a terrible price. This is the plot for Stephen King’s Finders Keepers,
the sequel to the highly praised Mr. Mercedes.

This book is a phenomenal read and a great return to the life of Bill Hodges. The new characters of murderer Morris Bellamy and teenager Peter
Saubers is a welcome addition to the series, and the way the past and present collide is so fun to read. The way Mr. King explores the way
passionate readers interpret and absorb a writer’s work brings a new spin on the detective series, while the return of an old foe teases an
explosive and deadly concluding chapter in book three of the series, End of Watch. This is a great sequel that is not to be missed, so make sure
to pick up your copies today!

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Hellbound by David McCaffrey Review

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks

Evil has a new face in author David McCaffrey’s sensational novel, “Hellbound.” This book is a thrilling tale that explores both the complex mind
of a serial killer and the effects he has on the world.

The story follows Obadiah Stark, aka “The Tally Man”, a ruthless serial killer who is facing execution at ADX Absolom, a desolate prison similar
to Alcatraz. With the witnesses present and an eager journalist who’s followed The Tally Man’s long career as a killer, Stark is put to death,
but journalist Joe O Connell finds some odd things that make the execution come into question. Soon he begins to uncover secrets while looking
into the mind of the killer that will bring the execution into a whole new light. Meanwhile, Stark awakens to find himself in a whole new world.
Expecting oblivion after his death, he learns he’s back in his childhood hometown, with a wife and child and a whole new life he has no memory
of. After rejecting this life and going on a viscous killing spree, (ending with a police shootout that claimed his life), Stark reawakens to
find the day has reset, and this new life has restarted for Stark again. After the day repeats over and over again, Stark is forced to examine
himself and face the grim reality of the dormant emotions that reside within him.

This is a unique thriller that takes readers on a exciting journey to discover the true meaning of justice, morality, and evil. Part horror
story, part conspiracy thriller, the alternating POV’s between Joe and Obadiah offer a great view on both sides of the story, from both the
eyes of the journalist fighting to learn the truth to the eyes of a demented killer getting in touch with his humanity. The author has created
a fun world that easily conjured up a cinematic feeling, like this was something I could watch on television today. With a twist ending that
leaves readers wanting to delve deeper into the world of this story, Hellbound is a fantastic read that everyone should read today. Be sure to
pick up your copy of David McCaffrey’s “Hellbound” today!