Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

Slipper Girl by Adele Royce is about Skylar Van Ness, a 27-year-old woman who discovers that her dark past has returned to torment her. Right before her father's wedding, Skylar reads a shocking email, and she learns that her mother knows everything about her and is coming to Las Vegas to visit her. Skylar hasn't seen or heard from her mother in years and plans to never see her again, especially since her life has changed for the better because of her father. However, she is afraid that the awful things she saw and experienced during childhood and early adolescence while living with her mother in Amsterdam will come to light and that everyone will find out about her darkest secrets. Yet Skylar isn't the only one who wants to get rid of her mother. Her father, now married to another woman, also feels threatened by her. Soon, Skylar realizes she is being stalked and suspects it's her mother, but over time, other suspects emerge. 

Slipper Girl by Adele Royce is a page-turning thriller that delivers everything that makes a book worthwhile: thought-provoking plot twists, intriguing characters and family dynamics, a touch of romance, nail-biting suspense, huge stakes, and themes of deception, blackmail, trust, identity, resilience, and redemption. The novel is so well-crafted and compelling that it really sparked my interest in the author's other works. This story is a must-read for all thriller and suspense fans, as it follows a smart, resilient woman who, after building a new life despite the terrible trauma and challenges she faced, is now forced to fight on her own so that the depth and enormity of her dirty past won't be exposed.

Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite

Set in Augusta, Maine’s harsh landscape, Born on Monday by Richard R. Becker follows the story of Billy Stevens, a rugged quarry worker and struggling artist, whose life unravels after the brutal murder of his girlfriend Autumn Larkstrom. Once suspected of the crime himself, Billy sets out to uncover the truth, finding links between Autumn’s death and a corrupt network of powerful men, including Kyle Brondi, a violent ex-cop and disgraced football player Dustin Fields. Aided by the unconditional friendship he has with journalist Andrea Kearney, Billy investigates. He reconnects with Jessica Michaud, his high school sweetheart, whose own life is endangered by the same predator stalking her family. They face a storm, both literal and emotional, that exposes buried secrets, corruption, and the lasting scars of abuse and loss. Will risking everything be worth it in ending the reign of harassment, terror, and suffering to usher in the much-needed restoration of justice, safety, and healing?

Born on Monday by Richard R. Becker is a gripping small-town crime drama that weaves love, trauma, and revenge into a darkly emotional mystery. It blends suspense and humanity into a haunting tale of endurance and justice. The atmospheric, visual, and highly symbolic writing style creates vivid, immersive scenarios, authentic dialogue, and backdrops that mirror the characters’ and the setting’s desolation, cleansing, and reckoning. The character-driven story explores trauma, guilt, and survival through flawed yet human characters. It reflects how individuals are shaped by the circumstances they inherit and how easily innocence, fate, beauty, and promise can be corrupted. The author often shifts perspectives between them, allowing readers to experience their private struggles and conflicts that lead to either redemption or decay. The measured but steadily intensifying pace starts as a quiet story of lost love and small-town reunion before transforming into a tense thriller. The action is realistic and visceral with dangerous, explosive confrontations and brutal, cathartic scenes. The author reveals inner emotional and psychological clashes and dilemmas, portraying how true battles are often fought within the mind and ourselves, and not by mere fists or weapons. The book explores themes of moral depravity, righteousness, rebirth, recovery, and communal healing in the aftermath of injustice. Recommended for readers who like thrillers and mysteries, the emotional depth of literary fiction, and the ethical complexity of a noir drama.

Reviewed by Danelle Petersen for Readers' Favorite

Crushing Little Things by Amy Meitz centers on two pivotal characters, Juliette and Jonathon, who are very different but share one thing in common: ambition. The two have tumultuous relationships with their parents and have had to pay a heavy price for being born to tyrannical, manipulative parents. There is one person in their corner, though: Elizabeth Johnson. Childless and widowed, Elizabeth has made it her life’s mission to be the support structure neglected kids need. Juliette and Jonathon were two of those children. Elizabeth sensed a kinship between the two, and because she recognized the potential the children had, she just knew they would thrive one day. Unfortunately, Elizabeth’s gentle nudges don’t stop fate from bringing disaster into their lives, and things don’t run as smoothly as Elizabeth had hoped. Will Elizabeth’s prediction come true, or are they destined to follow in the footsteps of their evil parents?

Crushing Little Things is one of those books that not only makes a good first impression but gets better the deeper you delve into the storyline. Amy Meitz does a masterful job of drawing the reader in with a well-rounded plot and realistic characters. She paints a vivid picture for her readers, climbing into the minds of both the victim and the aggressor. Emotional abuse and physical abuse may seem different from each other, but they both inflict the same amount of trauma on their victims. Jonathan and Juliette suffer their own personal hell, and you can’t help but root for their love. Manipulation and abuse take many forms, and when it is one’s own parents who are responsible for that pain, it is hard to recover. I loved Amy Meitz’s writing style and look forward to reading more of her works. I recommend Crushing Little Things to those who have suffered abuse or even those just trying to understand the complex relationship between a victim and their abuser.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

The Ragman by Don Lehmkuhl introduces Joey Schatz, who became an orphan after witnessing the murders of his parents. He was raised in the same home that gave shelter to his father, Our Lady of Providence Children’s Home. Here, he becomes friends with Tony Rosetti, the bastard son of a mob boss, who has a strong influence on Joey. Soon, he finds himself in the world of violence where The Hill Gang dictates the rules. Joey quickly gains the reputation of a ruthless killer as he matures, but what has become of the educated young man he was? Does he kill to protect his family, or does he find pleasure in it? Is there a way of getting out of this life of violence?

Don Lehmkuhl has crafted a psychological thriller that had me turning the pages nonstop, and the portrait of Joey is so vividly drawn that I found myself following him as layer after layer of his personality was peeled away. I found myself asking “why?” many times, trying to understand what motivates this young man. The author makes it even more compelling by developing the themes of multigenerational trauma, showing how broken families raise broken men. The setting in 1970s St. Louis offers a grim world to navigate, a time and place where crime is rife and infested by gangs that pit themselves against each other. The Ragman both entertains and prompts you to ask serious moral questions about the nature of evil. The riveting plot is powered by gorgeous prose and engaging dialogue, elements I always look for in a good read.

Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite

In Boardroom Assassin, RL Hare presents an intriguing scenario. What if a top, successful executive plans to murder an unknown victim just because he can? Rick Frown has everything: CEO of a Fortune 1,000 company, a beautiful wife, lots of travel, and the ability to purchase anything he wants. He’s also unfaithful, but with no-strings-attached prostitutes in distant cities. Why then does he plan the perfect murder? Just because, with his supreme ego, confidence, and his overwhelming sense of self-importance, he can. He is utterly ruthless. Hours of research, studying police procedure, his Project Clean Slate covers every possible angle. The weapon, clothing, appearance, evidence planting, alibi, and location. Every detail is perfect to ensure he presents the police with an unsolvable case. He even associates it with a similar cold case murder two years earlier. The clues are deliberately scattered to lead the police anywhere but to Rick Frown.

What a great book! RL Hare had me hooked from the first page. Rick Frown is in no way likable. He’s a bully, self-opinionated, almost sadistic, but he hides this beneath charming and manipulative behavior. Who would ever think he could murder a random innocent person for no other reason than because he can. At some time, we may have thought of disposing of someone who has really upset us, but would we? No. This is the difference with Rick. His planning is meticulous, with attention to every single last detail, a complete playbook for a successful and undetected murder. With clues scattered across the globe, he leaves an impossible trail for the detectives. As they attempt to unpick the clues, their task takes them from one dead end to the next. Like every other character in Boardroom Assassin, Detective Elena Kolonik and her partner are realistic, and the reader can only applaud their painstaking work in following each clue deliberately left by Rick to mislead them. I eagerly await the second book in the series.

Reviewed by Mimie Odigwe for Readers' Favorite

Before the Lights Go Out by Jafe Danbury is a sweeping domestic thriller that weaves mystery and family drama together. Reagan Dunkel, a photographer living in Washington State, receives a devastating diagnosis: she has retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited genetic disorder that will render her completely blind within two to three years. Her teenage daughter, Steffi, has already shown early signs of the same disease. Rather than succumb to despair, Reagan decides to take Steffi on a trip to Germany to create memories. However, this journey becomes much more than a mother-daughter bonding getaway. Reagan makes a haunting discovery in one of her photographs, and she must defend herself and her daughter before her world turns dark.

The novel highlights themes of motherly love, betrayal, resilience, and, finally, spiritual awakening as Reagan learns to find the light in the darkness. The narrative moves quickly as Reagan discovers the truth about her husband, and it culminates in a cinematic showdown. Jafe Danbury excels at creating vivid sensory details: the smell of the Hamburg fish market, the taste of German pastries, and the texture of rope lighting guides in a dark house. I look forward to seeing Before the Lights Go Out adapted for the screen. Danbury has crafted a compelling protagonist in Reagan Dunkel and well-written supporting characters. The mother-daughter dynamic is the heart of the novel, and the friendship with Ames is written in its purest sense: one of loyalty, support, and banter. The dialogue and the characters are realistic.

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

Bless Me Father FOR YOU Have Sinned by Bruce Lewis is a thrilling drama that follows Chuck Grayson, a crime reporter who has just been told that he only has a few more months to live. He begins to reminisce about his childhood, especially about his late father, who died under mysterious circumstances. He stumbles across a letter from someone who claims Chuck's dad was murdered during an arrest. Not long after, a retired cop admits he helped cover it up. Digging deeper, Chuck realizes the killer is a former policeman with serious anger issues, now living as Father Luke, a Catholic priest Chuck has actually praised in his writing. That hits Chuck hard. He is obsessed with revenge and wants a real confession, so he taunts Father Luke right in the confessional booth. But Chuck doesn’t know Father Luke is barely holding himself together. Pushing him like that starts to crack him apart.

Bless Me Father FOR YOU Have Sinned is an emotional read that delves into the effects of trauma, domestic abuse, and alcoholism on individuals. The story is inspired by real events, and Bruce Lewis did his homework, adding elements about Catholic doctrines and police experiences. The book covers topics like mental health, cancer, suicide, and assisted death. It is well written with flashbacks to both Chuck's and Luke’s childhoods, showing what shaped the characters into who they are. Father Luke is one of the most complicated characters I have ever come across. His pain, anger, and regret could be felt through the pages, and Chuck’s development was great to witness. He is clearly a good guy, but his unresolved trauma, fueled by his quest for justice, sent him into an emotional tailspin. I really loved the ending because it highlights the importance of understanding and showing compassion to people going through tough times and wanting to heal. Overall, this is a story about the gray areas of morality, penance, redemption, and faith. I enjoyed this book. I would love to read more from this author.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

In The Client by Kat Goss, Natalie Kemp earned a good income for three years while working as an editor for Alan Peckin. However, Natalie suddenly stopped hearing from Alan entirely, without any explanation or new assignments. Natalie quickly began questioning her abilities, feeling that perhaps she had not performed well enough. Since Alan's projects constituted the bulk of her income, losing this caused her and her husband, David, to almost lose everything. As a freelancer, Natalie sought other job prospects, only to discover that none of the work she had completed for Alan had ever been published, leaving her without an official portfolio. One day, she received an email from Alan’s wife stating that he was missing and that she and her private investigator wanted to meet with Natalie. Despite David's objections, Natalie agreed to the meeting and soon found herself entangled in a situation that could jeopardize both her career and her marriage.

The Client by Kat Goss has all the elements of an exceptional psychological thriller. The story began with such a calm, almost serene tone that it was easy to overlook the tension simmering beneath the surface. As the story unfolded, that tension steadily built, making it harder and harder to put the book down. The characters were vivid and convincingly realistic. Most of the plot centered around Natalie and David, with Amanda and a private investigator joining in later. Despite the small cast, the story never felt lacking—in fact, it was gripping from start to finish. The writing was superb; I found myself flying through the pages. The ending was mind-blowing. I had imagined plenty of possibilities surrounding Allan’s disappearance, but nothing prepared me for the twist that came. It was a perfect, shocking conclusion that left a lasting impression.

Reviewed by Eric Ferrar for Readers' Favorite

The Third Girl by S.C. Shannon tells the harrowing story of three teenage friends—Christina, Penelope, and Emily—whose lives are devastated by a dreadful kidnapping. The story commences on the day before Christina's seventeenth birthday in their idyllic little town of Tranquility Ridge. The girls are invited to a house party, and that's when everything goes wrong. That night, Christina wakes up in an unknown house, bound to a rusty bed. Emily is missing, but Christina manages to escape with Penelope's help, leaving the latter behind. Upon returning to the house with police assistance, Penelope is nowhere to be found. Twenty-five years later, Emily mysteriously winds up dead, and Christina receives a note hinting that Penelope is still alive. The message prompts Christina to return to her hometown to uncover what happened on that fateful night.

The Third Girl by S.C. Shannon is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into themes of PTSD, trust, and resilience. It masterfully intertwines dual timelines, revealing secrets and startling mysteries that have been buried for twenty-five years. The storyline is pulsating, well-executed, and will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The narrative is full of plot twists and dramatic moments, leaving readers intrigued and guessing. Christina's, Penelope's, and Emily's characters are well-written and intricately portrayed. The author provides just enough details to give readers a vivid sense of their personas and possible motives. The secondary characters are also well-crafted and nuanced, making the book hard to put down for too long. If you enjoy complex mysteries with realistic characters, riveting tension, and profound psychological depth, this novel is designed to satisfy your literary curiosity.

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Almost Perfect by Deandre Kralevic is a chilling psychological thriller that explores the dark, twisted world of Marcus Saint-Claude, a therapist whose charm and intellect mask his sinister double life. This gripping tale explores the themes of manipulation, obsession, and the thin line between healing and destruction. The novel opens with Marcus in what appears to be a normal, albeit slightly unorthodox, counseling session. However, he is far from an ordinary therapist. Through his calculated actions and thoughts, Marcus reveals his predatory nature, making him a fascinating yet deeply disturbing protagonist. His interactions with patients and meticulous diligence in extracurricular “hobbies” create a duality that keeps readers on edge throughout the story.

Deandre Kralevic's writing is masterful in creating tension and intrigue. The narrative oscillates between the clinical detachment of Marcus’s professional life and the unnerving intimacy of his private endeavors. The psychological depth immerses the reader in Marcus’s world, making his dark thoughts and actions disturbingly tangible. Kralevic’s ability to maintain a consistent level of tension while also exploring Marcus’s psyche is masterfully done. The plot twists are shocking and inevitable, and the narrative is unpredictable. Almost Perfect studies the human mind’s darker recesses and the masks people wear to hide their true selves. It challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, control, and the complexities of human relationships. Kralevic warns readers who may be sensitive to specific content that can be disturbing. Almost Perfect is a haunting and compelling story that leaves readers questioning the nature of perfection and the price of pursuing it.