Goodreads

Release date: August 26, 2025

Publisher: Minotaur

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A pulse-pounding new Southern thriller from the author of the runaway bestseller A Flicker in the Dark.

Twenty-two years ago, Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, disappeared shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Days later, her blood was found in a car, a man was arrested, and the case was swiftly closed. In the decades since, Claire has attempted to forget her traumatic past by moving to the city and climbing the ranks as an investigative journalist… until an unexpected call from her father forces her to come back home and face it all anew.

With the entire summer now looming ahead—a summer spent with nothing to do in her childhood home, with her estranged mother—Claire decides on a whim to accept a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, a muscadine vineyard in coastal South Carolina less than an hour away from where she grew up. At first glance, Galloway is an idyllic escape for Claire. A scenic retreat full of slow-paced nostalgia, as well as a place where her sister seemed truly happy in that last summer before she vanished, it feels like the perfect plan to pass the time. However, as soon as Claire starts to settle in, she stumbles across an old diary written by one of the vineyard’s owners, and what at first seems like a story of young rebellion and love turns into something much more sinister as it begins to describe details of various unsolved crimes. As the days stretch on, Claire finds herself becoming more and more secluded as she starts to obsess over the diary’s contents… as well as the lingering feeling that her own sister’s disappearance may be somehow tied to it all.

Galloway was supposed to be a place to help her move forward, but instead, Claire quickly finds herself immersed in her own dark and dangerous past.

Review:

Forget Me Not is an atmospheric slow burn thriller steeped in Southern charm, with just enough bite to keep you on your toes. Think “bless your heart,” but with a razor sharp edge. Claire’s life has long been overshadowed by the disappearance of her sister, Natalie, twenty two years ago. When eerie parallels emerge in the present day, the old wound is ripped wide open. The slower pace may not be for everyone, but it’s deliberate—building a quiet, steady sense of dread that seeps into every page.

Willingham layers the story with a compelling cold case, simmering tension, and rich Southern detail. The discovery of an old diary adds a voyeuristic edge, pulling the reader into the past as it intertwines with the present. While some of the bigger twists were easy to see coming, it was the smaller, sharper surprises that made this an especially engaging read.

If you’re drawn to atmospheric mysteries that balance character depth with suspense, Forget Me Not delivers. It’s worth picking up if you enjoy slow burn Southern thrillers with an undercurrent of menace, family secrets, and a touch of true crime intrigue.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads Amazon

Release date: August 12, 2025

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

The boy keeps walking, his curl-covered head down and his arms folded protectively across his body. The arcade is full of happy families but he is all alone. It’s the last time he is ever seen… Can Detective Kim Stone bring him home again?

Twelve-year-old Lewis Stephens walks out of a seafront arcade and disappears. A week later, eleven-year-old Noah Reid vanishes from the pier stretching out over the beach. There are no leads and no clues.

Detective Kim Stone doesn’t play well with others. But she has been sent halfway across the country to Blackpool, to join the hunt for the two children – and to find out if the dark whispers about corruption in the local force are justified. Her boss insists it must be he knows she won’t stop searching for the truth no matter who gets in her way. Kim just wants to find these lost children before it’s too late.

On arrival, she knows instantly something isn’t right. Why is everyone so convinced Lewis ran away? Why don’t his family seem to care that he’s missing? With time running out, she and her team work tirelessly to prove the abductions are linked – a job made harder when a list of cases is left for them in secret. The list proves one of their fellow cops is rotten to the core… but who?

And when another boy turns up dead back home, his body bruised and broken, Kim learns that the criminals she’s facing are more ruthless than she could have ever imagined. She and her team must solve the case before more children are taken. But the closer they get, the greater the danger – and they cannot trust a single soul…

A completely gripping page-turning crime thriller from no.1 multi-million-copy bestseller Angela Marsons. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Karin Slaughter and Robert Dugoni.

Review:

Angela Marsons has done it again with Little Children, the 22nd installment in her phenomenal DI Kim Stone series. While jumping in at book twenty two might sound daunting, rest assured it’s possible—and even rewarding—to do so. That said, this is truly a series worth starting from the beginning if you love compelling police procedurals, page turning thrillers, and character driven storytelling. Marsons has a gift for keeping this long running series fresh, unique, and emotionally resonant. Her books never feel like filler; each new installment adds depth and richness to an already exceptional body of work. For readers who love sinking deep into a cast of characters until they feel like family, this series delivers every single time.

In Little Children, Kim and her team are temporarily sent outside their usual jurisdiction to assist in the heartbreaking investigation of two missing boys. At the same time, they’re covertly digging into anonymous corruption allegations, adding a layer of tension and secrecy to the case. As if that weren’t enough, Kim is also being pulled back into another investigation closer to home, stacking the pressure in a way that makes the pacing absolutely relentless. Yet despite the layered plot, the writing never feels rushed or chaotic. Marsons maintains total control, balancing urgency with emotional depth and ensuring every subplot feels essential. The missing persons case leads the team, and the reader, down some dark and emotionally devastating paths, but the author’s sensitive and thoughtful approach to difficult subject matter ensures nothing feels gratuitous.

One of the most compelling aspects of this book is how it pushes familiar characters into new dynamics. Because the team is working with unfamiliar officers, we see them shifting their behavior slightly, adapting to the unfamiliar environment and navigating interpersonal politics in new ways. I found myself especially captivated by Bryant in this installment, his actions and decisions revealed sides of him we haven’t seen before, and it was genuinely fascinating to watch unfold. The plot is gripping, the emotional stakes are high, and the writing is sharp and assured. Little Children is exactly what I’m always hoping to find when I pick up a thriller: fast paced, emotionally resonant, and expertly executed. Truly, no notes.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Author bio:

Angela Marsons is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the D.I. Kim Stone series. Her books have sold more than six million copies, and have been translated into over thirty languages.

She lives in Worcestershire with her wife, two cheeky Golden Retrievers, and a Bernedoodle.

Goodreads

Release date: August 12, 2025

Publisher: Bantam

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Four friends became three. Only murder will set things right. 

An emotional “what would you do?” thriller debut about revenge, the bonds of friendship, the reverberations of a small-town crime, the limits of justice.

Peter Miles has to die. And Dylan Darcy, Priyanka Shah, and Isabel Guerrero—a bartender, a nurse, and a student—have to be the ones to kill him. As they see it, this local cop deserves death for murdering their best friend and getting away with it. All they need to do to pull off the perfect crime is stick to their carefully prepared plan.

So that’s exactly what they do. Murder, it turns out, is surprisingly easy when you’re fueled by revenge. What comes after is the hard part.

As the dry Texas heat gives way to cooler weather, their blazing rage is replaced by a chill fear. Because there’s a fallout that comes from settling the score against someone like Peter, and it could cost them more than they’ve bargained for. When the lead investigator on the case starts sniffing around for a cop-killer, the three friends are not feeling as confident as they did on that fateful night. And when they start receiving death threats, it weakens their resolve even further . . . but it’s too little too late.

What they don’t realize is that this detective has her own reasons for wanting to get to the bottom of Peter’s murder. Reasons that don’t involve them at all. The investigation ramps up, and so does the pressure, leaving Dylan, Priya, and Isabel to wonder if ending his life may end up costing them theirs. 

As the guilt of what they’ve done settles in their bones, they realize there’s no going back. Someone is going to have to take the fall.

Review:

This hooked me right away with a strong  premise, three women banding together to avenge their friend’s death by taking down the man responsible. Add in a mid 90s setting (with another timeline in the late 90s) and a secret narrator twist, and I was intrigued from the start. It definitely gave me John Tucker Must Die vibes, only darker and with a revenge driven, suspenseful edge. 

The story’s multiple POVs helped keep things dynamic, but the pacing did feel a little uneven. Some stretches flew by with tension and reveals, while others lingered longer than needed. Still, the different perspectives added layers to the mystery, especially once the narrator’s identity was revealed. The blend of friendship drama, vengeance, and shifting alliances kept me turning the pages, even when the momentum dipped a bit.

Overall, I’d give this one a 3.75. It’s twisty, nostalgic, and offers a few genuine surprises. If you enjoy revenge plots with a strong female ensemble and a throwback feel, it’s worth picking up. Just be ready for a few pacing hiccups along the way, but you might forgive them for the sake of the satisfying reveals and the 90s vibe.

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 19, 2025

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

The lengths neighbors will go to protect their secrets become downright frightening in a gripping novel of suspense by Minka Kent, the Edgar-nominated author of Unmissing.

Camille and Will Prescott have relocated from San Diego to Phoenix for a fresh start in a quiet gated community. After the traumas Camille’s marriage survived, it’s just the sanctuary she needs. As for her new neighbors, there’s Sozi, seemingly well intentioned if not for her invasive meddling and her desperate overtures to make a friend. And Mara and Oscar, an unstable couple around whom troubling rumors swirl.

Patiently listening to Sozi’s gossip and watching Mara and Oscar ever so closely has become something of a hobby for Camille. But while she obsesses about the cracks in everyone else’s lives, she begins to see the cracks in her own. And when a monster from her past reaches out to reconnect, it’s all Camille can do not to snap. Then one day she finds a dead body in her garage lying in a pool of blood.

Camille is about to discover what’s really going on behind the closed doors of this cozy cul-de-sac. And the worst is yet to come.

Review:

This is the second book in a twisty domestic suspense series, and you absolutely need to read book one first. This sequel picks up right where the first left off, dropping us back into Camille’s unsettling world. Both books are fast paced, bingeable reads that you can tear through in an afternoon, but this one takes the tension up a notch. The Arizona gated community setting adds a fresh layer of creepiness, with its manicured streets hiding shady neighbors, whispered secrets, and the constant sense that something is about to go very, very wrong.

What makes this installment stand out is how much deeper we get into Camille’s mind. She’s such a fascinating character, a sociopath who’s both unsettling and oddly compelling. Being inside her head again was an experience in itself, as she navigates family dynamics, neighborhood drama, and her own unpredictable impulses. The atmosphere is thick with dread, yet Kent’s pacing keeps you flipping pages without ever feeling weighed down.

As for the twists, most were unpredictable, which is always a win for me in this genre. The ending in particular took me by surprise and has me crossing my fingers for a third book. If you like domestic suspense with a smart, sharp edge, and you’re not afraid to spend some time in the mind of a morally complex character, this series is well worth starting from the beginning.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 5, 2025

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

She has the recipe for the perfect murder…

Maria Capello is a celebrity chef like no other. A household name, an inspiration, an icon. Her dozens of cookbooks and weekly television show, broadcast from her beautiful Italian-style kitchen, not to mention her line of bestselling supermarket sauces. And of course there’s her history. Once just the timid wife of famous chef Damien Capello, she stepped into the spotlight after Damien’s mysterious disappearance twenty years before. An event she’s never spoken about publicly until now, when it is announced that she is looking for a publisher for her memoirs.

Why is Maria willing to finally break her silence? Why does she turn down seven-figure offers from large publishing houses and sign up with a small press? And why does she do so on the condition that it is edited by Thea Woods? Thea is a lifelong fan but has never met Maria and can’t figure it out, plus she had been planning to hand in her notice that very day. But when she is invited to Maria’s remote farm to work on the manuscript, she can’t resist. After all, she may finally learn whether the rumours are that Maria killed Damien for his recipes and the legendary ‘secret ingredient’…

A deliciously rich thriller, perfect for readers of Bella Mackie’s How To Kill Your Family and Alexia Casale’s The Best Way to Bury Your Husband

Review:

If you’re hungry for a thriller that’s equal parts delicious and disturbing, The Dead Husband Cookbook serves it up with flair. This addictive page turner blends a cold case mystery, a twisted psychological undercurrent, and mouthwatering culinary details into one unforgettable read. Maria, a celebrity chef with a glossy public persona and a past full of secrets, finally agrees to write the memoir her fans, and the public, have been desperate for. But she’ll only work with one editor, Thea, setting the stage for a tense collaboration that peels back layers of both women’s pasts.

At the heart of the novel is Damien, Maria’s husband who vanished years ago without a trace. As Thea digs into the memoir process, it becomes clear that Maria’s cookbook is far more than a collection of recipes, it’s a breadcrumb trail of clues. The “book within a book” structure is brilliantly executed, with excerpts from Maria’s writing adding depth, intrigue, and a creeping sense of dread. Every chapter is laced with recipes and food descriptions so vivid you’ll crave a snack, and possibly question what’s in it.

Smart, suspenseful, and infused with shades of horror, this novel keeps the tension simmering until it boils over. Danielle Valentine delivers sharp twists, complex female leads, and a deliciously dark premise that’s both unsettling and impossible to look away from. The Dead Husband Cookbook is a feast for thriller lovers, just maybe don’t read it before dinner.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 5, 2025

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

It’s the duet of a lifetime when a rock star and his backup singer find a new kind of harmony off stage in this sensational contemporary romance.

Clementine Clark isn’t looking for love. Growing up with a single mom who weeps over a new guy each week tends to have that effect on a girl. But Clementine doesn’t mind being the rational one—she’s even buried her musical dreams so deeply within herself that she hardly notices the hole it’s left in her life.

That is until her best friend calls her with a life-changing opportunity: to join Irish megastar Halloran on his first US tour as a backing vocalist. Clementine wants to reject the offer, but the pay is enough to change her and her mom’s life. Overnight, Clementine goes from serving enchiladas at the Happy Tortilla to belting high notes before a cheering crowd.

But the whiplash of trading small-town Texas for sold-out stadiums is nothing compared to the rush of performing with the enigmatic Thomas Patrick Halloran. Poet, introvert, and lyrical genius, Halloran quickly gets under Clementine’s skin. The two couldn’t see the world more differently. And yet, over the course of the next eight weeks on tour, the romantic rockstar might just strike an unforgettable chord in Clementine. But will it be enough for an encore?

Review:

Kate Golden delivers a moody, emotionally immersive romance in If Not for My Baby, a story that perfectly blends angst and intimacy with the raw allure of a rockstar romance. Tom, the brooding Irish lead singer of a popular band, is magnetic both onstage and off, but it’s Clem, she’s sharp, grounded, and unexpectedly vulnerable, who steals the spotlight. When Clem gets the chance to join the tour as a backup singer, she’s pulled into a world that’s equal parts glamorous and lonely, and her connection with Tom starts simmering from the very first harmony.

Golden’s writing shines with a lyrical, introspective quality that feels especially poignant in a story centered around music. The song lyrics scattered throughout aren’t just filler, they’re emotional anchors, offering insight into Tom and Clem’s inner lives. Their chemistry is undeniable, especially when they sing together, the kind of electricity that makes your chest ache. The tension is slow burn and packed with longing, Tom falls hard and early, but Clem has her reasons for keeping him at arm’s length. This push and pull creates a beautifully frustrating rhythm that keeps you fully invested.

Despite the emotional weight, the book also feels surprisingly soft at times, (cozy even)with quiet moments of connection that balance the yearning. It’s opposites attract done right, layered with vulnerability and that achey “what if” energy that lingers even after the final page. Whether you’re in it for the rockstar romance, the introspective character arcs, or simply the musical backdrop, this one delivers on all fronts.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 5, 2025

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Synopsis:

Determined daughters. Controlling mothers. There’s no such thing as friendly competition in a twisty novel of suspense about ambition, revenge, and unrealized dreams.

Valerie Yarnell is a hardworking single mother who’d do anything for her daughter, Kate. Kate is a dancer with dreams of stardom, just like her talented best friend, Colette. Despite Valerie’s sacrifices, it’s Colette’s mother, former prima ballerina Elise, whom Kate adores. And Colette has become like the practically perfect sister Kate never had. How can Valerie not feel frustrated, ineffectual, and a little jealous of the queen bee of dance moms? Not only has she hijacked her daughter, but Elise is married to the man Valerie pines for.

Rivalries are forming. Tension is mounting. In preparation for an elite dance competition, Kate outshines the more promising Colette onstage, and the pressure is on for Colette to keep her position in the spotlight—and especially to keep her demanding mother happy. Who could have foreseen the violent attack that sabotages everything? Anyone who’s been watching closely.

As ruthless and sinister ambitions are exposed, a media firestorm and an explosive town scandal erupt. Before it’s over, two mothers and two daughters will learn just how fierce and dangerous a rivalry can still get.

Review:

What’s Yours is Mine is an emotionally layered domestic suspense that taps into every parent’s worst fear while delivering a compelling story of obsession, identity, and what it means to be truly seen. What makes this novel so effective is the way Jabaley explores the psychology of mothers and daughters. There’s an authenticity to these womens inner worlds, there’s vulnerability, guilt, and desperate need to protect their daughters and that grounds the more chilling elements of the plot. The suspense feels rooted in emotional truth rather than just plot mechanics. This is a slow burn with a payoff, perfect for fans of You by Caroline Kepnes or The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine.

With sharp writing, an escalating sense of dread, and a chilling exploration of rivalry, What’s Yours is Mine is a standout in the psych suspense genre as it explores how far mothers will go for their children.

Overall rating: 4/5

Goodreads

Release date: August 12, 2025

Publisher: Grand Central

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A young mother haunted by war, determined to make a fresh start. But sometimes, the sins of the past aren’t so easy to escape. 

Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera’s closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three‑year old daughter. At her insistence, missing persons expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson. Just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder. 

Frankie quickly realizes there’s much more to the Ahmadi family than meets the eye. The father Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, Sabera a gifted linguist, and their little girl Zahra—she has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. Which given everything that has happened during the girl’s short life, may be a terrible curse. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra’s life, Frankie realizes she must quickly crack the code of this family’s horrific past. 

Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option. When everything is on the line, how far would you go to protect the ones you love? 

Frankie is about to find out.

Review:

Lisa Gardner continues to deliver with Kiss Her Goodbye, the fourth installment in the Frankie Elkin series—and honestly, I think I’m enjoying each book more than the last. This series is best read in order, as each installment builds beautifully on Frankie’s emotional and personal journey. Gardner has done such a fantastic job developing Frankie over time, and by this point, I’m fully invested in her. She’s a fascinating, complex character, she’s flawed, determined, and endlessly compelling.

In this installment, Frankie is in Tucson, Arizona (a fun detail for me as an AZ native!), searching for Sabera, a missing Afghan refugee. The narrative alternates between Frankie’s present day investigation and Sabera’s own story from the past, a structure that added a lot of depth and emotional weight. One of Gardner’s greatest strengths is creating fresh, original situations for Frankie to navigate, and this one is no exception. Each book feels distinct, and that keeps the series sharp and unpredictable.

The pacing here starts off more methodical, laying the groundwork for a case that grows more intense with each chapter. The final stretch is especially gripping, it’s full of emotional revelations, clever twists, and high stakes moments. It’s smart, layered, and packed with tension. If you’re already a fan of the series, you’ll be satisfied and maybe even surprised. If you’re new, I highly recommend starting from the beginning. Frankie Elkin is one of the most memorable characters I’ve followed in recent years, and her journey is absolutely worth taking.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 22, 2025

Publisher: Gallery

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in this enchanting novel about estranged lovers reconnecting over mysterious tapes found in an attic and the old Hollywood secret hidden within them.

After her grandmother’s death, thirty-something Margot DuBois prepares to sell the house quickly so she can go back to her predictable life in Santa Barbara. There, no one knows she used to write and that her lack of success wrecked her confidence. But while cleaning out the attic, she comes across eight unlabeled cassette tapes. Unable to use the damaged tape player, she calls in a favor from Leo—her first love and first epic heartbreak—and they strike a deal: he’ll fix the player if he can hear what’s on the tapes. When they manage to listen, the two are shocked to hear the voice of comedic legend Vivian Stone. Why did she record these tapes and how did Margot’s grandmother get them?

Between listening to Vivian recount everything from her forbidden love for Hollywood’s leading actor, to working under a misogynistic exec, to her chemistry with her costar-turned-husband on TV, Margot and Leo fall down a memory lane of their own. Margot is inspired by Vivian’s tenacity and courage to keep fighting for the life she wants, but everything changes when Vivian reveals a secret from her past in this moving exploration of how it’s never too late to start over.

Review:

This was a dazzling and emotional dual timeline historical fiction that swept me away from the very first page. Set against the glittering backdrop of old Hollywood, the story explores the life of Vivian Stone, a fierce and groundbreaking actress who refuses to let the era’s limitations define her. Flashing forward to the present day, we follow Margot, a writer piecing together Vivian’s legacy, and in doing so, begins to find her own purpose and truth.

What sets this novel apart is its captivating character work. Vivian has the bold charisma and charm of a screen legend, with shades of Lucille Ball’s comedic brilliance and emotional depth. While the book is being compared to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I found Vivian Stone to have its own unique sparkle. Margot’s journey intertwines beautifully with Vivian’s, and both women felt fully fleshed out, complex, and deeply relatable. The shifting timelines never felt disjointed—instead, they enriched each other, revealing secrets, strength, and resilience.

This story truly has it all: romance, family drama, historical richness, and an undercurrent of mystery that kept me emotionally hooked. I was thoroughly invested in both timelines and all the supporting characters. It’s a love letter to ambitious women, untold stories, and the golden age of film. Whether you’re here for the Hollywood glam, the heart tugging emotion, or the slow burn uncovering of a life well lived, you’ll find something to love in this unforgettable read.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 12, 2025

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A retired serial killer’s quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secret, there’s only one option left—what’s another murder? From bestselling author Samantha Downing.

Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her.

Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exciting nights are the weekly bingo games at the local church and gossiping with her friends. 

When investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her…

Review:

This is a fresh and whip smart thriller that stands out in a crowded genre. The concept alone, a retired serial killer pulled back into the game, feels like it shouldn’t work, but Downing pulls it off brilliantly. At the center of the story is Lottie, a sharp, cynical woman who’s equal parts terrifying and oddly relatable. Her internal monologue is razor edged and biting, but also full of the kind of real world frustrations that will have you nodding along (and maybe laughing inappropriately). Despite her dark past, she’s the kind of anti hero you can’t help but root for.

Lottie’s character is the real engine of this story, her observations on aging, invisibility, and how society treats older women are quietly powerful, layered beneath a slick and tightly plotted thriller. Downing doesn’t ask you to forgive Lottie, just to listen to her. And in doing so, the novel becomes more than just a clever cat and mouse game; it becomes a reflection on identity, reinvention, and the cost of disappearing from the world without ever actually dying.

With its addictive pacing, sly twists, and an unforgettable lead, this is a must read for thriller fans craving something truly original. It’s gripping, thought provoking, and unapologetically smart. Downing once again proves she knows exactly how to play with reader expectations—and win.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.