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Reviews

Reviews

by Tom Mead - Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery

An apparent suicide in a London townhouse uncannily mirrors a similar incident from 25 years ago, prompting Scotland Yard's George Flint to delve deep into the past in search of the solution to a long-forgotten mystery. Meanwhile, Joseph Spector travels with a coach party through the rainy English countryside to visit an allegedly haunted house on a lonely island called Devil’s Neck. The visitors hold a seance to conjure the spirit of a long-dead soldier, but a storm causes them to be stranded in the haunted house. Before long, the guests begin to die one by one, and it seems that the only possible culprit is the phantom soldier. Flint's and Spector's investigations are in fact closely linked, but it is only when the duo are reunited at the storm-lashed Devil's Neck that the truth is finally revealed.

by J.D. Barker and Kyle Dunn - Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller, Suspense, Thriller

In the shadows of 1950s New York, a brilliant mind teeters on the edge of madness. Edgar Maguire's sculptures are taking the art world by storm, but behind each masterpiece lies a horrifying secret. When Fiona, the object of Edgar's lifelong obsession, reenters his life, it ignites a passion that blurs the lines between creation and destruction. As his art evolves into something terrifyingly beautiful, a trail of bodies begins to surface across the city. Detective George Snyder is closing in, but can he unravel the connection between the murders and Edgar's rising star before it's too late? 

by Martin Cruz Smith - Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

In the final installment of Martin Cruz Smith’s celebrated Arkady Renko series, the legendary Moscow investigator seeks to solve the murder of a diplomat as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine wears on and the effects of Arkady’s Parkinson’s disease worsen. Helped by his lover, journalist Tatiana Petrovna, Arkady traces the murder to a Russian paramilitary group aided by a government official who also used to be a romantic partner of Arkady. Before long, those responsible for the killing look to similarly dispatch Arkady and Tatiana --- all of it leading to a thrilling and action-packed climax. 

by Linda Castillo - Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder arrives on scene to find the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Eicher, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. The investigation has barely begun when, miles away, a second body is found. The deceased is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel’s best friend. What could these two young Amish men have been involved in that led to such violent ends? Kate learns quickly that, for reasons she doesn’t understand, no one is willing to talk about what happened to the men. Just as she begins to fear the case may be hopeless, a mystery woman comes forward and reveals that fun-loving Aaron and Samuel had recently befriended some very unsavory characters --- individuals who may have ties to a larger, more sinister, black market.

by Elly Griffiths - Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery

Ali Dawson and her cold case team investigate crimes so old, they're frozen --- or so their inside joke goes. Nobody knows that her team has a secret: they can travel back in time to look for evidence. The latest assignment sees Ali venture back farther than they have dared before: to 1850s London to clear the name of Cain Templeton, an eccentric patron of the arts. Rumor has it that Cain is part of a sinister group called The Collectors. Ali arrives in the Victorian era to another dead woman at her feet and far too many unanswered questions. As the clock counts down, Ali becomes more entangled in the mystery, yet danger lurks around every corner. She soon finds herself trapped, unable to make her way back to her beloved son, Finn, who is battling his own accusations in the present day. Could the two cases be connected?

by Mark Billingham - Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

The targeted murder of four officers is only the first in a series of attacks that leaves police scared, angry and, most disturbingly of all, vengeful. As Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner dig into the reasons for the violence, a deeper darkness begins to emerge: the possibility that these murders are payback. The price paid for an unspeakable betrayal. To uncover the truth, Thorne will be forced to question everything he stands for. He can trust nobody, and the shocking secrets revealed by one terrible night will fracture his entire world.

by Caitlin Starling - Fantasy, Fiction, Horror

Aymar Castle has been under siege for six months. Food is running low, and there has been no sign of rescue. But just as the survivors consider deliberately thinning their number, the castle stores are replenished. The sick are healed. And the divine figures of the Constant Lady and her Saints have arrived. Soon, the entire castle is under the sway of their saviors, partaking in intoxicating feasts of terrible origin. The war hero Ser Voyne gives her allegiance to the Constant Lady. Phosyne, a disorganized, paranoid nun-turned-sorceress, races to unravel the mystery of these new visitors and exonerate her experiments as their source. And in the bowels of the castle, a serving girl, Treila, is torn between her thirst for a secret vengeance against Voyne and the desperate need to escape from the horrors that are unfolding within Aymar’s walls.

by Lori Roy - Domestic Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Jennifer Jones and her best friends spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp, and this summer, Jennifer finally will turn 11. She hopes to gain the “second sight” foretold by family legend and fulfill her destiny. Instead, the swamp serves up dangers greater than the gators lurking on Halfway Creek. Little Francie Farrow vanishes --- and Jennifer’s father goes to prison. Twenty years later, Jennifer has almost shed the label of Paul Jones’ daughter when her past comes barreling back. “Inspired by True Events,” a TV series that solves the unsolvable, is recreating that fateful summer. As the series plays out, Jennifer wonders: Did the show finally find Francie Farrow? And is Jennifer’s father truly guilty? Someone else wants answers even more than Jennifer does, and they won’t let her forget it.

by Brad Thor - Fiction, Political Thriller, Suspense, Thriller

After six months abroad, America’s top spy returns to a new administration, a new set of global priorities, and a power struggle --- the likes of which the United States has never experienced. Drawn into a web of deceit and deadly politics, Scot Harvath is thrust into a high-stakes conspiracy that could change the course of history. A cabal of shadowy elites is maneuvering for control, and if they succeed, they will bring the country to its knees. When trust is fleeting and survival means making impossible decisions, Harvath finds himself at the precipice. The actions he takes will shape the future of America --- and might cost him everything he holds dear. With enemies at every turn, one wrong move could push the nation over the edge.

by Ruth Ware - Fiction, Psychological Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller

When the invitation to attend the press opening of a luxury Swiss hotel --- owned by reclusive billionaire Marcus Leidmann --- arrives, it’s like the answer to a prayer. Three years after the birth of her youngest child, Lo Blacklock is ready to reestablish her journalism career and hopes she can snag an interview with Marcus. Unfortunately, he proves to be even more difficult to pin down than his reputation suggests. When Lo gets a late-night call asking her to come to Marcus’ hotel room, she agrees despite her own misgivings. She’s greeted, however, by a woman claiming to be Marcus’ mistress, and in life-or-death jeopardy. What follows is a thrilling cat-and-mouse pursuit across Europe, forcing Lo to ask herself just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to save this woman…and if she can even trust her.