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Recommend this book:
If She Dies (Harlow Book 1)
Erik Therme
2022 Finalist
264 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
It has been nine very long and miserable months for Tess whose five-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident. Brady was the man responsible and he is sitting in jail for the crime. Tess can only find a strange sense of peace when she sits in her car and waits for Eve, a twelve-year-old girl, and follows her to school and waits in the park for her to leave school and return home. Eve is the daughter of Brady and Meg and has no idea that Tess is out there watching her. When Eve disappears, Tess becomes the prime suspect, and only through her own wits and guts do we learn the hows and whys of the missing child. We learn of the trials and tribulations that Tess is going through and I cried and cheered by her side. In addition, Tess and her husband find themselves growing further and further apart; her twin brother appears and disappears, adding to her heartache. Tess is riding an emotional roller coaster and until the very end I had no idea where it would lead her or any of the other participants.
Thrilling, heart-wrenching, exciting, sad, happy, and so much more were present as I read If She Dies. If She Dies is mainly a psychological thriller loaded with twists and surprises. It is also the story of how far a mother’s love can be pushed and pulled as we witness the actions of Tess and Meg repeatedly. I was very quickly drawn into If She Dies and found it hard to stop reading. Author Erik Therme created real-life characters in a very compelling story that is a must-read. I have not read any of Erik Therme’s other books yet, but I will in the very near future. I truly believe that If She Dies would make an awesome made-for-TV movie and can even imagine several actors I would like to see starring in it. I urge you to read If She Dies; you will not be disappointed.
It has been nine very long and miserable months for Tess whose five-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident. Brady was the man responsible and he is sitting in jail for the crime. Tess can only find a strange sense of peace when she sits in her car and waits for Eve, a twelve-year-old girl, and follows her to school and waits in the park for her to leave school and return home. Eve is the daughter of Brady and Meg and has no idea that Tess is out there watching her. When Eve disappears, Tess becomes the prime suspect, and only through her own wits and guts do we learn the hows and whys of the missing child. We learn of the trials and tribulations that Tess is going through and I cried and cheered by her side. In addition, Tess and her husband find themselves growing further and further apart; her twin brother appears and disappears, adding to her heartache. Tess is riding an emotional roller coaster and until the very end I had no idea where it would lead her or any of the other participants.
Thrilling, heart-wrenching, exciting, sad, happy, and so much more were present as I read If She Dies. If She Dies is mainly a psychological thriller loaded with twists and surprises. It is also the story of how far a mother’s love can be pushed and pulled as we witness the actions of Tess and Meg repeatedly. I was very quickly drawn into If She Dies and found it hard to stop reading. Author Erik Therme created real-life characters in a very compelling story that is a must-read. I have not read any of Erik Therme’s other books yet, but I will in the very near future. I truly believe that If She Dies would make an awesome made-for-TV movie and can even imagine several actors I would like to see starring in it. I urge you to read If She Dies; you will not be disappointed.
Recommend this book:
Free From Sin
A Possum Gap Novel Book 1
Karen Ann Hopkins
2022 Honorable Mention
266 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Free From Sin is a work of fiction in the mystery, suspense, and psychological thriller sub-genres. It is intended for the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Karen Ann Hopkins as the opening novel to the Possum Gap series. In this truly gripping story set in the Kentucky countryside, we encounter three central female protagonists as their lives collide in the most unpredictable way. As one troubled new adult seeks happiness at any cost, another woman falls prey to dangerous manipulative influences. And it’s all left the local sheriff Sadie Mills to pick up the pieces before it’s too late.
It is always so refreshing to read a strong female-led work of crime fiction, especially when the cast of characters is as rich and varied as those that author Karen Ann Hopkins has so lovingly crafted. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the good-natured Lucinda Coblentz, a character I would not typically be drawn to, because the depth of psychology and empathy behind her characterization really drew me into her plot and made me care deeply for her welfare and that of her family. Every character in Free From Sin is given this vivid and well-considered developmental treatment and, when combined with the tense and exciting events of the plot, it makes for a mystery read that’s impossible to put down. Overall, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Free From Sin to fans of well-penned crime, thriller, and mystery fiction. A truly unmissable read.
Free From Sin is a work of fiction in the mystery, suspense, and psychological thriller sub-genres. It is intended for the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Karen Ann Hopkins as the opening novel to the Possum Gap series. In this truly gripping story set in the Kentucky countryside, we encounter three central female protagonists as their lives collide in the most unpredictable way. As one troubled new adult seeks happiness at any cost, another woman falls prey to dangerous manipulative influences. And it’s all left the local sheriff Sadie Mills to pick up the pieces before it’s too late.
It is always so refreshing to read a strong female-led work of crime fiction, especially when the cast of characters is as rich and varied as those that author Karen Ann Hopkins has so lovingly crafted. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the good-natured Lucinda Coblentz, a character I would not typically be drawn to, because the depth of psychology and empathy behind her characterization really drew me into her plot and made me care deeply for her welfare and that of her family. Every character in Free From Sin is given this vivid and well-considered developmental treatment and, when combined with the tense and exciting events of the plot, it makes for a mystery read that’s impossible to put down. Overall, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Free From Sin to fans of well-penned crime, thriller, and mystery fiction. A truly unmissable read.
Recommend this book:
Ladies of the Canyon
Douglas Wood
2022 Bronze Medal
204 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by Heather Osborne for Readers' Favorite
Ladies of the Canyon by Douglas Wood is a tense psychological thriller set in modern-day Hollywood. Actress Devon O’Keefe is a recovering addict, struggling to keep herself in work on the popular TV show, Beverly Hills Banshee, while grappling with her own personal demons involving her starstruck mother/manager. Through chance or coincidence (I’ll let you be the judge), she encounters Nikki Barnes, a former child star and addict, at one of her NA meetings. Devon, on the brink of losing her home due to debts she’s incurred after being in rehab, agrees to move in with the aging starlet, and thus embarks on a series of strange events. Devon is convinced someone is trying to sabotage her rehab efforts, but is it Nikki or is it all in her imagination?
Rarely have I been captivated by a thriller as I was with Ladies of the Canyon by Douglas Wood. Akin to Hollywood favorites like Misery and recent TV movies, such as The Act, this novel captures a desperate woman’s attempt to find her way to stardom after having fallen from the echelons of fame. I could feel Devon’s struggle and desire to be believed, and the tension was palpable as it grew with each page. I read this book in one sitting, and can certainly see it as a Netflix series or movie in the future (which one can only hope will happen with Mr. Wood's resume). I would definitely recommend this to thriller fans who enjoy a little sojourn into the darker side of Hollywood stardom.
Ladies of the Canyon by Douglas Wood is a tense psychological thriller set in modern-day Hollywood. Actress Devon O’Keefe is a recovering addict, struggling to keep herself in work on the popular TV show, Beverly Hills Banshee, while grappling with her own personal demons involving her starstruck mother/manager. Through chance or coincidence (I’ll let you be the judge), she encounters Nikki Barnes, a former child star and addict, at one of her NA meetings. Devon, on the brink of losing her home due to debts she’s incurred after being in rehab, agrees to move in with the aging starlet, and thus embarks on a series of strange events. Devon is convinced someone is trying to sabotage her rehab efforts, but is it Nikki or is it all in her imagination?
Rarely have I been captivated by a thriller as I was with Ladies of the Canyon by Douglas Wood. Akin to Hollywood favorites like Misery and recent TV movies, such as The Act, this novel captures a desperate woman’s attempt to find her way to stardom after having fallen from the echelons of fame. I could feel Devon’s struggle and desire to be believed, and the tension was palpable as it grew with each page. I read this book in one sitting, and can certainly see it as a Netflix series or movie in the future (which one can only hope will happen with Mr. Wood's resume). I would definitely recommend this to thriller fans who enjoy a little sojourn into the darker side of Hollywood stardom.
Recommend this book:
Headcase
Book 1: Shock & Denial
Chris K. Jones
2022 Silver Medal
388 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Headcase: Shock and Denial by Chris K Jones is the first book in the Headcase series. Andrew Beck is a well-respected doctor and sports psychologist, the first port of call for pro athletes with troubles that need fixing. In fact, the only person whose head he can’t get into and fix is himself. While he has a life many would kill for, he has his own demons to fight. His father was a Masters Golf champion and taught Beck everything he knew about being number one, about getting to the top of his game and staying there. Add to that the physical and emotional abuse Ted Beck dished out to his son, and it’s no wonder Andrew Beck turned his back on his father and golf. The drive to succeed is still deeply embedded in him and he gets drawn into high-stakes gambling and a relationship with an underground club operator. His latest wager leads to murder and blackmail, risking everything he holds dear. Can he win the ultimate mind game or will he lose everything? He is, after all, the best at his game but is his best good enough?
Set in an alternate reality, Headcase: Shock and Denial by Chris K Jones is a suspenseful, exciting story. The prologue sets the scene for what the main protagonist becomes, giving us some insight into Andrew Beck’s mind as we read all about how he gets into other people’s minds. This story is well-written, descriptive, and makes you feel as though you are part of the story. Each chapter leads you neatly onto the next and makes you want to keep reading. There is plenty of action in the story and some twists and turns that will lead you down many dark alleyways before you find the right one. The characters are exciting and well-developed, people you either love or hate, and you will feel every emotion our main character feels. This is an excellent choice for anyone who likes stories full of suspense and is quite a unique take on the genre. Thoroughly enjoyed this, looking forward to book 2.
Headcase: Shock and Denial by Chris K Jones is the first book in the Headcase series. Andrew Beck is a well-respected doctor and sports psychologist, the first port of call for pro athletes with troubles that need fixing. In fact, the only person whose head he can’t get into and fix is himself. While he has a life many would kill for, he has his own demons to fight. His father was a Masters Golf champion and taught Beck everything he knew about being number one, about getting to the top of his game and staying there. Add to that the physical and emotional abuse Ted Beck dished out to his son, and it’s no wonder Andrew Beck turned his back on his father and golf. The drive to succeed is still deeply embedded in him and he gets drawn into high-stakes gambling and a relationship with an underground club operator. His latest wager leads to murder and blackmail, risking everything he holds dear. Can he win the ultimate mind game or will he lose everything? He is, after all, the best at his game but is his best good enough?
Set in an alternate reality, Headcase: Shock and Denial by Chris K Jones is a suspenseful, exciting story. The prologue sets the scene for what the main protagonist becomes, giving us some insight into Andrew Beck’s mind as we read all about how he gets into other people’s minds. This story is well-written, descriptive, and makes you feel as though you are part of the story. Each chapter leads you neatly onto the next and makes you want to keep reading. There is plenty of action in the story and some twists and turns that will lead you down many dark alleyways before you find the right one. The characters are exciting and well-developed, people you either love or hate, and you will feel every emotion our main character feels. This is an excellent choice for anyone who likes stories full of suspense and is quite a unique take on the genre. Thoroughly enjoyed this, looking forward to book 2.
Recommend this book:
She Fell
Wendy Weiss
2022 Gold Medal
248 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
While on vacation, a young Harvard student is arrested for the murder of her twin sister in the astounding psychological thriller, She Fell by Wendy Weiss. Twin sisters Emily and Jessica possess different personalities, to the point of being opposites. After their thirteenth birthdays, their diversity became more glaringly obvious. Where Jess was beautiful, sweet, and outgoing, Em was androgynous, temperamental, and introverted. During college break, the two sisters traveled to the Grand Canyon, and while taking selfies, Jess disappeared. Arrested for Jess's murder and held without bail, Em is encouraged by her parents, legal counsel, and her psychiatrist to plead guilty by insanity. Despite her compliance, Em is found guilty of murder and sent to federal prison. Unable to convince anyone of her innocence and having nothing better to do, Em records her story in notebooks. While in solitary confinement, she begins to experience hallucinations that shake her to her core. With the combination of her faulty memories, psychiatrist, and ghostly visitations, Em feels as if she is cracking up. Were the prosecutor and jury correct? Did she murder her sister?
A chilling view into a young woman's tortured mind is vividly portrayed in the gripping psychological thriller, She Fell by Wendy Weiss. Rivaling an Alfred Hitchcock tale, the story contains a psychologically complex protagonist and a suspenseful and disturbing plot with an unexpected twist. It is a thrilling story where the tension and suspense evolve and build into a surprising and unanticipated conclusion. Written in the form of a memoir, ascertaining and understanding the main character, Em's troubled psyche is fascinating. The further I got into the book, the more unsettling and heart-breaking Em's story became. Once my interest was captured, I couldn't put the story aside until I knew Em's final outcome. It is an extraordinary book that will thrill those who enjoy novels with the elements of mystery, drama, and a questionable sense of reality.
While on vacation, a young Harvard student is arrested for the murder of her twin sister in the astounding psychological thriller, She Fell by Wendy Weiss. Twin sisters Emily and Jessica possess different personalities, to the point of being opposites. After their thirteenth birthdays, their diversity became more glaringly obvious. Where Jess was beautiful, sweet, and outgoing, Em was androgynous, temperamental, and introverted. During college break, the two sisters traveled to the Grand Canyon, and while taking selfies, Jess disappeared. Arrested for Jess's murder and held without bail, Em is encouraged by her parents, legal counsel, and her psychiatrist to plead guilty by insanity. Despite her compliance, Em is found guilty of murder and sent to federal prison. Unable to convince anyone of her innocence and having nothing better to do, Em records her story in notebooks. While in solitary confinement, she begins to experience hallucinations that shake her to her core. With the combination of her faulty memories, psychiatrist, and ghostly visitations, Em feels as if she is cracking up. Were the prosecutor and jury correct? Did she murder her sister?
A chilling view into a young woman's tortured mind is vividly portrayed in the gripping psychological thriller, She Fell by Wendy Weiss. Rivaling an Alfred Hitchcock tale, the story contains a psychologically complex protagonist and a suspenseful and disturbing plot with an unexpected twist. It is a thrilling story where the tension and suspense evolve and build into a surprising and unanticipated conclusion. Written in the form of a memoir, ascertaining and understanding the main character, Em's troubled psyche is fascinating. The further I got into the book, the more unsettling and heart-breaking Em's story became. Once my interest was captured, I couldn't put the story aside until I knew Em's final outcome. It is an extraordinary book that will thrill those who enjoy novels with the elements of mystery, drama, and a questionable sense of reality.
Recommend this book:
 by Thomas Benigno. When his sister Peggy vanished on her way to a dance, Charli...){kind=link}
The Criminal Mind
A Psychological Thriller (The Good Lawyer Series Book 3)
Thomas Benigno
2021 Gold Medal
329 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
When local authorities are apathetic regarding a kidnapping and the recent discoveries of children's bodies, three retirees start an investigation of their own in the intriguing suspense novel, The Criminal Mind: A Psychological Thriller (The Good Lawyer Series: Book 3) by Thomas Benigno. When his sister Peggy vanished on her way to a dance, Charlie Malone left home and joined the Marines. More than fifty years later, Charlie meets eighteen-year-old Mia, who has ties to his hometown. Sadly, as a result of childhood trauma, Mia has multiple personalities. When the bodies of small boys uncovered at a construction site coincide with Mia's traumatic memories, Charlie believes there is a connection between the boys, Mia, and Peggy. Convincing retired lawyer Nick Mannino and Former Secret Service agent Paul Tarantino to investigate, the three men travel to the crime scenes. Shocked by local law enforcement's dispassionate attitude regarding the recent grisly discoveries and the current kidnapping of a local boy, they become suspicious. Is it possible the police are involved in a cover-up? If so, how long has it been going on?
Superbly written, The Criminal Mind by Thomas Benigno is a sensational novel in the Nick Mannino series. Filled with mystery and suspense, it is a riveting story with an intricate plot, complex storyline, and intriguing characters. Spellbinding twists coil throughout, coming to a horrifying and heart-stopping conclusion. Distinctive characters who have acute moral, physical, emotional, and mental issues add context to the storyline. Their contrasting personalities, challenges, and attitudes give the plot definition and balance. Although this is the third book in the series, the book does well as a standalone. Nick's previous exploits that are relevant to the plot ease into the storyline without interrupting the flow of the story. Engaging and intense, it is a gripping novel with a compelling and suspenseful plot that promises to thrill fans of mystery, thrillers, and suspense.
When local authorities are apathetic regarding a kidnapping and the recent discoveries of children's bodies, three retirees start an investigation of their own in the intriguing suspense novel, The Criminal Mind: A Psychological Thriller (The Good Lawyer Series: Book 3) by Thomas Benigno. When his sister Peggy vanished on her way to a dance, Charlie Malone left home and joined the Marines. More than fifty years later, Charlie meets eighteen-year-old Mia, who has ties to his hometown. Sadly, as a result of childhood trauma, Mia has multiple personalities. When the bodies of small boys uncovered at a construction site coincide with Mia's traumatic memories, Charlie believes there is a connection between the boys, Mia, and Peggy. Convincing retired lawyer Nick Mannino and Former Secret Service agent Paul Tarantino to investigate, the three men travel to the crime scenes. Shocked by local law enforcement's dispassionate attitude regarding the recent grisly discoveries and the current kidnapping of a local boy, they become suspicious. Is it possible the police are involved in a cover-up? If so, how long has it been going on?
Superbly written, The Criminal Mind by Thomas Benigno is a sensational novel in the Nick Mannino series. Filled with mystery and suspense, it is a riveting story with an intricate plot, complex storyline, and intriguing characters. Spellbinding twists coil throughout, coming to a horrifying and heart-stopping conclusion. Distinctive characters who have acute moral, physical, emotional, and mental issues add context to the storyline. Their contrasting personalities, challenges, and attitudes give the plot definition and balance. Although this is the third book in the series, the book does well as a standalone. Nick's previous exploits that are relevant to the plot ease into the storyline without interrupting the flow of the story. Engaging and intense, it is a gripping novel with a compelling and suspenseful plot that promises to thrill fans of mystery, thrillers, and suspense.
Recommend this book:
The Roach
A Dark Vigilante Thriller
Rhett C. Bruno
2021 Silver Medal
306 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
The Roach by Rhett C. Bruno is proof that there is always room for a great story that features a comic-book type character. Make way for Reese Roberts, a vigilante that strikes fear in the hearts of criminals operating in Iron City. Known by his vigilante persona as The Roach, Roberts is an antihero who does not operate under a strict moral code. He will not hesitate to inflict extreme force, even kill if necessary. But keeping Iron City clean from criminal elements is a high-risk undertaking, and it got to him when a bullet in his spine left him in a wheelchair after saving Laura Garrity, the mayor’s daughter. As a paraplegic, he lost all sense of rhyme and reason, evidenced by the story’s tragic opening. A new Roach vigilante appears in Iron City after his armored suit is stolen from his lair. At the same time, a rogue killer arrives in the city, leaving brutal personal messages used to taunt the Roach. Roberts will have to postpone his suicide plans because he is the only one who can fix the whole mess—and he will have to do it this time not in an armored suit but in a wheelchair.
Being a big fan of the superhero genre, I seriously enjoyed what this story is all about. But The Roach shouldn’t be taken as one of those fantastical superhero stories. It is more about a city and how it can potentially break a man’s soul, and out of that brokenness, a man selects a choice that feeds his feelings of helplessness. As a writer, Rhett C. Bruno has an intelligent understanding of his theme, much like Alan Moore and Frank Miller. He has written a novel where the setting and character are inseparably linked to each other in that Roberts takes care of the city and pays the price for it. It appears that Bruno finds the misery of Roberts more painful than the scourge he has inflicted on criminals. This is fascinating because it helps explain how far a man could take his conflict against himself and against others—and you know that the Roach has to hit back somehow. The Roach is a brilliant antihero novel. I highly recommend this to anyone who is into cutting-edge and intelligent action hero stories.
The Roach by Rhett C. Bruno is proof that there is always room for a great story that features a comic-book type character. Make way for Reese Roberts, a vigilante that strikes fear in the hearts of criminals operating in Iron City. Known by his vigilante persona as The Roach, Roberts is an antihero who does not operate under a strict moral code. He will not hesitate to inflict extreme force, even kill if necessary. But keeping Iron City clean from criminal elements is a high-risk undertaking, and it got to him when a bullet in his spine left him in a wheelchair after saving Laura Garrity, the mayor’s daughter. As a paraplegic, he lost all sense of rhyme and reason, evidenced by the story’s tragic opening. A new Roach vigilante appears in Iron City after his armored suit is stolen from his lair. At the same time, a rogue killer arrives in the city, leaving brutal personal messages used to taunt the Roach. Roberts will have to postpone his suicide plans because he is the only one who can fix the whole mess—and he will have to do it this time not in an armored suit but in a wheelchair.
Being a big fan of the superhero genre, I seriously enjoyed what this story is all about. But The Roach shouldn’t be taken as one of those fantastical superhero stories. It is more about a city and how it can potentially break a man’s soul, and out of that brokenness, a man selects a choice that feeds his feelings of helplessness. As a writer, Rhett C. Bruno has an intelligent understanding of his theme, much like Alan Moore and Frank Miller. He has written a novel where the setting and character are inseparably linked to each other in that Roberts takes care of the city and pays the price for it. It appears that Bruno finds the misery of Roberts more painful than the scourge he has inflicted on criminals. This is fascinating because it helps explain how far a man could take his conflict against himself and against others—and you know that the Roach has to hit back somehow. The Roach is a brilliant antihero novel. I highly recommend this to anyone who is into cutting-edge and intelligent action hero stories.
Recommend this book:
Saving Grace
A Psychological Thriller
D.M. Barr
2021 Bronze Medal
255 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Saving Grace by D.M. Barr is an intriguing, deftly written psychological thriller that follows one woman’s struggle with the fear of being murdered for her inheritance. The only child of a billionaire, Grace Pierrepoint Rendell knows that her life is in danger from the moment her sick father dies, and she suspects that her husband will kill her so he can inherit the wealth. From childhood, she’s suffered from paranoia, but this time she knows she has to do something to stay alive. So, to thwart her husband’s plan to murder her, she devises an elaborate plan to expose him. She plans to write a novel in which the heroine will be in the same predicament as herself, a powerful message should anything happen to her. But her plan goes south when her editor, the reputable author Lynn Andrews, is murdered and Grace becomes the prime suspect. Can she successfully work on her plan and save herself or will she go down for murder or be killed?
The driving idea behind this book, the originality in plot development, and the depth of character are just a few of the elements that got me interested in the story. The author creates a compelling character in Grace, a woman powerful by virtue of her family’s wealth, yet so flawed and vulnerable. Her fear of murder feels real and the reader quickly learns to like her. But her plan leads her to an even more complicated juncture. It is so well-plotted and written that the cinematic style of writing is evident. D.M. Barr weaves a yarn with strong themes and characters that are real and fascinating. I couldn’t put it down. Saving Grace: A Psychological Thriller was a wonderful companion for the night.
Saving Grace by D.M. Barr is an intriguing, deftly written psychological thriller that follows one woman’s struggle with the fear of being murdered for her inheritance. The only child of a billionaire, Grace Pierrepoint Rendell knows that her life is in danger from the moment her sick father dies, and she suspects that her husband will kill her so he can inherit the wealth. From childhood, she’s suffered from paranoia, but this time she knows she has to do something to stay alive. So, to thwart her husband’s plan to murder her, she devises an elaborate plan to expose him. She plans to write a novel in which the heroine will be in the same predicament as herself, a powerful message should anything happen to her. But her plan goes south when her editor, the reputable author Lynn Andrews, is murdered and Grace becomes the prime suspect. Can she successfully work on her plan and save herself or will she go down for murder or be killed?
The driving idea behind this book, the originality in plot development, and the depth of character are just a few of the elements that got me interested in the story. The author creates a compelling character in Grace, a woman powerful by virtue of her family’s wealth, yet so flawed and vulnerable. Her fear of murder feels real and the reader quickly learns to like her. But her plan leads her to an even more complicated juncture. It is so well-plotted and written that the cinematic style of writing is evident. D.M. Barr weaves a yarn with strong themes and characters that are real and fascinating. I couldn’t put it down. Saving Grace: A Psychological Thriller was a wonderful companion for the night.
Recommend this book:
They Will Be Coming for Us
Kim Catanzarite
2021 Honorable Mention
360 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
They Will Be Coming for Us is a work of fiction in the psychological thriller, interpersonal drama, and mystery sub-genres, and was penned by author Kim Catanzarite. The work is intended for the general adult reading audience and contains mild use of explicit language throughout and two moderate scenes of a sexual nature. Our protagonist is Svetlana Peterman, a young woman who finds herself in strange circumstances when she meets the family of her new husband, astronomer Andrew Jovian. Intimidated and afraid of the strange powers and effects of those around her in the bizarre little town of Kirksberg, Pennsylvania, what results is a highly engrossing mystery and suspense tale that is sure to keep readers turning the pages from cover to cover.
Author Kim Catanzarite has crafted a very engrossing and atmospheric work of fiction with plenty of suspense, interesting characters, and sudden sharp plot twists to offer readers. The work reads almost like a modern gothic mystery, but with other smatterings of horror influences, thriller, and layers of gorgeous science fiction cinematic touches, making it a perfect melting pot of pace, plot, and problems for our dear Svetlana. I especially enjoyed the way the author links little clues and moments from very early on in the story to later plot elements, making this the kind of mystery that gives you a satisfied (if a little creeped out) smile by the end of it. Overall, I would highly recommend They Will Be Coming for Us to fans of accurately developed psychological characters, compelling plots that leave no stone unturned, and for fans of genre-melding mystery works everywhere.
They Will Be Coming for Us is a work of fiction in the psychological thriller, interpersonal drama, and mystery sub-genres, and was penned by author Kim Catanzarite. The work is intended for the general adult reading audience and contains mild use of explicit language throughout and two moderate scenes of a sexual nature. Our protagonist is Svetlana Peterman, a young woman who finds herself in strange circumstances when she meets the family of her new husband, astronomer Andrew Jovian. Intimidated and afraid of the strange powers and effects of those around her in the bizarre little town of Kirksberg, Pennsylvania, what results is a highly engrossing mystery and suspense tale that is sure to keep readers turning the pages from cover to cover.
Author Kim Catanzarite has crafted a very engrossing and atmospheric work of fiction with plenty of suspense, interesting characters, and sudden sharp plot twists to offer readers. The work reads almost like a modern gothic mystery, but with other smatterings of horror influences, thriller, and layers of gorgeous science fiction cinematic touches, making it a perfect melting pot of pace, plot, and problems for our dear Svetlana. I especially enjoyed the way the author links little clues and moments from very early on in the story to later plot elements, making this the kind of mystery that gives you a satisfied (if a little creeped out) smile by the end of it. Overall, I would highly recommend They Will Be Coming for Us to fans of accurately developed psychological characters, compelling plots that leave no stone unturned, and for fans of genre-melding mystery works everywhere.
Recommend this book:
Overboard
Ivy Ngeow
2021 Finalist
382 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Overboard: A psychological suspense thriller is a compelling work of fiction by Ivy Ngeow. It is suitable for the adult reading audience and contains some mature and psychologically challenging subject matter. Our central protagonist Greg finds himself in dire straits when he barely escapes from a deadly shipwreck. Washed up on the Thai coast with no memory, a woman arrives to take him home to London: a wife he doesn’t recall marrying. Soon Greg realizes that the new situation he finds himself in isn’t right at all, but with extensive injuries, disfigurements, and no voice, how will he escape and reclaim his identity and freedom?
Ivy Ngeow brings such an original concept to the psychological thriller with this low-key masterpiece of suspense, danger, and fear. As someone who lives with physical limitations, I thought the presentation of Greg’s injuries and adjusting to the loss of many abilities was poignantly put and highly relatable for those who have had similar experiences and educational for those who haven’t. This internal struggle intensified the drama and fear for readers, who are locked in and trapped with Greg as he struggles for freedom. The plot is perfectly paced to match the beats of the drama, with excellent peaks and troughs for silent, fearful contemplation before the next round of action wrenches the drama upward. The dialogue was also realistic, and Greg’s own narration and forms of communication were inventive and effective in a story format. Overall, I’d certainly recommend Overboard to fans of emotionally resonant drama and genuinely thrilling suspense fiction.
Overboard: A psychological suspense thriller is a compelling work of fiction by Ivy Ngeow. It is suitable for the adult reading audience and contains some mature and psychologically challenging subject matter. Our central protagonist Greg finds himself in dire straits when he barely escapes from a deadly shipwreck. Washed up on the Thai coast with no memory, a woman arrives to take him home to London: a wife he doesn’t recall marrying. Soon Greg realizes that the new situation he finds himself in isn’t right at all, but with extensive injuries, disfigurements, and no voice, how will he escape and reclaim his identity and freedom?
Ivy Ngeow brings such an original concept to the psychological thriller with this low-key masterpiece of suspense, danger, and fear. As someone who lives with physical limitations, I thought the presentation of Greg’s injuries and adjusting to the loss of many abilities was poignantly put and highly relatable for those who have had similar experiences and educational for those who haven’t. This internal struggle intensified the drama and fear for readers, who are locked in and trapped with Greg as he struggles for freedom. The plot is perfectly paced to match the beats of the drama, with excellent peaks and troughs for silent, fearful contemplation before the next round of action wrenches the drama upward. The dialogue was also realistic, and Greg’s own narration and forms of communication were inventive and effective in a story format. Overall, I’d certainly recommend Overboard to fans of emotionally resonant drama and genuinely thrilling suspense fiction.
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