The young nanny for a prominent political family gets drawn into a web of deadly lies—including her own—in this stunning debut thriller with the menacing twists of Megan Abbott and the exquisite suspense of Laura Lippman.

“An exciting, intoxicating debut, it will hold you until its startling final pages.”
—Megan Abbott, bestselling author of Dare Me and Give Me Your Hand

They are Phoenix’s First Family: handsome Philip Martin, son of the sitting Senator, an ex-football player who carries himself with an easy grace and appears destined to step into his father’s seat when the time is right; his wife Marina, the stylish and elegant director of Phoenix’s fine arts museum; and their four-year-old daughter Amabel, beautiful and precocious and beloved.

Finn Hunt is working a dull office job to pay off her college debt when she meets Philip and charms Amabel. She eagerly agrees to nanny, thinking she’s lucked into the job of a lifetime. Though the glamour of the Martins’ lifestyle undeniably dazzles Finn, her real pleasure comes from being part of the family: sharing quick jokes with Philip in the kitchen before he leaves for work; staying late when Marina needs a last-minute sitter; and spending long days with Amabel, who is often treated more like a photo op than a child.

But behind every façade lurks a less attractive truth. When a young woman approaches Finn, claiming a connection with Philip and asking Finn to pass on a message, Finn becomes caught up in a web of deceit with the senate seat at its center. And Finn isn’t exactly innocent herself: she too has a background she has kept hidden, and under the hot Phoenix sun, everything is about to be laid bare. . . .

This debut novel had me turning pages as fast as I could read!! A thrilling three hundred and eighty-four pages of entertainment!

After graduating from college Finn, as she likes to be called, leaves Illinois and her secrets behind and doesn’t look back in her rearview mirror as she drives on to Arizona. She is the new Finn, mature, reserved and artistic.

As fate has it, she meets Philip Martin, son of Senator James Martin. As their relationship grows, Philip hires her to be a nanny to his and his wife’s, Marina, daughter Amabel. She falls in love with the little girl.

Then one day her perfect life is interrupted when a stranger, Iris, tells her that she is pregnant with Philip’s child and needs Finn’s help.

Then the absolute tragedy happens. Finn feels responsible and will not let up trying to find out the answers.

Every character has dark and disturbing secrets that lie beneath the superficial facades.

The author supplies the reader with tiny tidbits of the characters, like bread crumbs, that keeps the suspense at a fast paced speed. And those bread crumbs will have you reading long into the night to find the answers.

It all comes together in the last few pages. Even though I was surprised at the ending, I felt that I needed more, which is why I gave it 4 stars.

If you are a psychological thriller junkie like me, then pick this book up. I am putting Ms. Dimberg on my “authors to read” list and hope her next book is in the works.

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

From the bestselling author of The Marriage Lie and Three Days Missing comes a riveting new novel of suspense about a woman who, in a fight for survival, must decide just how far she’ll go to escape the person she once loved

Beth Murphy is on the run…

For nearly a year, Beth has been planning for this day. A day some people might call any other Wednesday, but Beth prefers to see it as her new beginning–one with a new look, new name and new city. Beth has given her plan significant thought, because one small slip and her violent husband will find her.

Sabine Hardison is missing…

A couple hundred miles away, Jeffrey returns home from a work trip to find his wife, Sabine, is missing. Wherever she is, she’s taken almost nothing with her. Her abandoned car is the only evidence the police have, and all signs point to foul play.

As the police search for leads, the case becomes more and more convoluted. Sabine’s carefully laid plans for her future indicate trouble at home, and a husband who would be better off with her gone. The detective on the case will stop at nothing to find out what happened and bring this missing woman home. Where is Sabine? And who is Beth? The only thing that’s certain is that someone is lying and the truth won’t stay buried for long.

I became a fan of Kimberly Belle after reading THE MARRIAGE LIE  and then her subsequent books THREE DAYS MISSING  and THE LAST BREATH. I wasn’t taking any chances of not receiving an ARC of her upcoming book, DEAR WIFE, so I was delighted when I received a copy via NetGalley and then surprise book mail in a print format.

As the synopsis states, Beth Murphy, her new identity, is on the run from her abusive husband. She has planned for this day for 10 months.

On the same day another woman, Sabine Hardison, goes missing. Her husband becomes the sole suspect when details of their marriage are brought to light.

Detective Marcus Durand, a veteran on the force, is determined to find out what happened to Sabine but is “gut feeling” is that she is deceased.

Following Beth’s journey of her planned escape is tense and page turning. The suspense is thrilling throughout the book.

Without giving any spoilers, could these 2 women be one in the same?

The story is captivating and immensely engrossing! How it all comes together is mind-blowing! The ending is jaw-dropping and the reader will not see it coming!

If you haven’t read a Kimberly Belle book and you enjoy thrillers, this is the author for you. Highly recommend this book and all of her previous books.

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

• This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
• I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
• I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

From Sandie Jones, the author of the Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller The Other Woman, comes an addictively readable new domestic suspense about a wife, her husband, and the woman who is supposedly her best friend.

THE WIFE: For Alice, life has never been better. With her second husband, she has a successful business, two children, and a beautiful house.

HER HUSBAND: Alice knows that life could have been different if her first husband had lived, but Nathan’s arrival into her life gave her back the happiness she craved.

HER BEST FRIEND: Through the ups and downs of life, from celebratory nights out to comforting each other through loss, Alice knows that with her best friend Beth by her side, they can survive anything together. So when Nathan starts acting strangely, Alice turns to Beth for help. But soon, Alice begins to wonder whether her trust has been misplaced . . .

The first mistake could be her last.

Without reiterating the synopsis, I will say what made me choose this book to read and what I thought.

Once again, from the FB book groups I follow, I saw a lot of “buzz” about it so knew I wanted to read it. Before I started reading it, I did see some reviews, some that stated that had a slow start. However, I didn’t feel that was the case or it was because the Prologue pulled me right in and I wanted to know “who it was” from the Prologue (sorry..no spoiler…you will just have to read it).

This year I have been reading mostly Psychological Thrillers and trying so hard to figure them out. I thought that with this book that I had solved the “who”, which I was partly right but the motive, what and why eluded me.

But then, with the intense conclusion of the book, I realized I had been partially right but that was just a smidgen of the story.

The suspense was fluid. The characters believable, but at the same time, I was leery of each of the cast because the Prologue was always at the forefront of my mind. Many twists and turns!

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Jones but will be checking out her previous books.

Another great Psychological read!!!

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**Stop by tomorrow for a Guest Post by Charles Salzberg**

When Henry Swann is asked by his quirky partner, Goldblatt, to find a missing psychic who’s swindled his ex-wife out of a small fortune, he just can’t say no. Although he doesn’t actually expect to get paid, he figures it might give him a chance to finally learn more about his partner’s mysterious past. His search takes him into the controversial, arcane world of psychics, fortunetellers, and charlatans, while raising questions in his own mind about whether or not there is an after-life.

While working his partner’s case, he’s approached by a former employer, attorney Paul Rudder, to track down a missing witness who might be able to provide an alibi for his client, Nicky Diamond, a notorious mob hitman who’s scheduled to go on trial for murder he claims he didn’t commit in a week. Swann’s search for the missing witness, who happens to be the defendant’s girlfriend, takes him from Brooklyn to a small beach town across the Bay from Mobile, Ala. But what does she really know and will she even come back with him to testify for her boyfriend?

I have read other books by Mr. Salzberg, which I enjoyed, so I was hoping that this read would also entertain me.

Henry Swann is working on two cases. The first request is from his “partner” Goldblatt, to locate a psychic who swindled his ex-wife of thousands of dollars. The second case is from a previous employer, Attorney Paul Rudder, to locate a witness that has gone missing, since she just might be the alibi to exonerate a known hitman, Nicky Diamond, since he feels that he was framed for a murder he didn’t commit. Swann, even though most people think of him as a P.I., he considers himself a “people locator”.

The mysteries were intriguing but what I liked more were the characters. And what a cast they were! The dialogue between the individuals gave me the ability to conger up their personalities and what they looked like through the narrative.

Swann and his partner hold their meetings at a restaurant since Goldblatt loved to eat and while reading this book, I felt as if I was also sitting at the table listening to their banter.

Goldblatt, a disbarred lawyer, considers himself to be Swann’s partner, however, Swann isn’t too keen on this arrangement.

Henry Swann’s personality made me chuckle at times due to his dry sense of humor with an undercurrent bit of sarcasm.

Now to answer my question, did Swann’s Down, entertain me? The answer is a resounding yes! If you like mysteries with well developed, quirky characters, I’m sure you will enjoy this book!

Read my reviews for previous books by Charles Salzberg: Devil In The Hole and Three Strikes

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Giveaway:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Charles Salzberg. There will be 6 giveaway winners. There will be 1 Grand Prize winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card. There will be five (5) 2nd Prize winners of one (1) Print Edition of Swann’s Down (U.S. Mailing Addresses only). The giveaway begins on May 1, 2019 and runs through July 2, 2019. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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A gripping thriller about three young girlfriends, a dark obsession and a chilling crime that shakes up a quiet Iowa town, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Weight of Silence.

For twelve-year-old Cora Landry and her friends Violet and Jordyn, it was supposed to be an ordinary sleepover—movies and Ouija and talking about boys. But when they decide to sneak out to go to the abandoned rail yard on the outskirts of town, little do they know that their innocent games will have dangerous consequences.

Later that night, Cora Landry is discovered on the tracks, bloody and clinging to life, her friends nowhere to be found. Soon their small rural town is thrust into a maelstrom. Who would want to hurt a young girl like Cora—and why? In an investigation that leaves no stone unturned, everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted—not even those closest to Cora.

Before She Was Found is a timely and gripping thriller about friendship and betrayal, about the power of social pressure and the price of needing to fit in. It is about the great lengths a parent will go to protect their child and keep them safe—even if that means burying the truth, no matter the cost.

WARNING!!!! Major book hangover!!

I have read and enjoyed, other books by this author but this one was phenomenal!

See my reviews of THESE THINGS HIDDEN  and LITTLE MERCIES.

In the small town of Pitch, Iowa a 12-year-old girl is brutally stabbed and injured and the suspect has not been apprehended. Could a Social Studies project about urban legends be the catalyst for this attempted murder?

Three twelve-year-old girls, Cora, Jordyn, and Violet decide their subject is going to be about Joseph Wither. Wither, a 17-year-old resident of Pitch in the 1940s was said to be that he killed and kidnapped young females.

During the research of their project, one night they sneak to the old train depot where the killings and kidnappings supposedly took place. The three girls enter the area but something spooks them. Jordyn runs one way, Cora is found stabbed and clinging to life and Violet walks out of the woods covered in blood.

What happened that night? Who stabbed Cora? Many of the residents are hiding facts and/or evidence and the police are no closer to finding the suspect days after the incident. It could be anyone. Everyone in Pitch is a suspect.

This book will pull you in and eat you alive! The suspense grabs the reader and doesn’t let go until the frightful ending, which is when the reader finds out how this story comes to an end Or does it? The final pages will give you whiplash!!

I read this book in 2 sittings because I just couldn’t put it down!! A bone-chilling read!!

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

• This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
• I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
• I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

Riveting and compulsive, national bestselling author Wendy Walker’s The Night Before “takes you to deep, dark places few thrillers dare to go” as two sisters uncover long-buried secrets when an internet date spirals out of control.

Laura Lochner has never been lucky in love. She falls too hard and too fast, always choosing the wrong men. Devastated by the end of her last relationship, she fled her Wall Street job and New York City apartment for her sister’s home in the Connecticut suburb where they both grew up. Though still haunted by the tragedy that’s defined her entire life, Laura is determined to take one more chance on love with a man she’s met on an Internet dating site.

Rosie Ferro has spent most of her life worrying about her troubled sister. Fearless but fragile, Laura has always walked an emotional tightrope, and Rosie has always been there to catch her. Laura’s return, under mysterious circumstances, has cast a shadow over Rosie’s peaceful life with her husband and young son – a shadow that grows darker as Laura leaves the house for her blind date.

When Laura does not return home the following morning, Rosie fears the worst. She’s not responding to calls or texts, and she’s left no information about the man she planned to meet. As Rosie begins a desperate search to find her sister, she is not just worried about what this man might have done to Laura. She’s worried about what Laura may have done to him…

THE NIGHT BEFORE will have you gasping at every twist and turn.

Laura Lochner, after a bad break up, has returned to her home town, which she ran away from 10 years ago after a tragic murder of her High School “boyfriend” where she was found standing over his body and holding a bat.

As a child, she always felt unloved by her father and overheard her mother tell a friend that she had fists as hands and was hard to love. After her father left the family for another woman, Laura became a very angry child. And as an adult, she tended to have poor choices in men, always trying to make them love her but then the relationship would end.

After returning to her home town, and living with her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, she tries her hand again at dating via an online site. Borrowing her sister’s car to meet her date, she promises she will return it no later than early the next morning. However, she never returns.

Feeling that something is very wrong, her sister Rosie, husband Joe and another childhood friend Gabe, begin searching for her as the hours and days go by and still they can’t find her. Secrets and betrayals come to light from so many years ago. With too many days that Laura has been missing, Rosie finally decides to contact the police, something she didn’t want to do because of that tragic night as teenagers in the woods. But can they find her? Secrets and betrayals come to light from so many years ago.

This is the first book I read by this author but she is now on my “authors to read list”.

The story will pull you in from the first page and won’t let go until the end. I did have a suspicion, or at least a guess, as to who the murderer was, but then, I also kept going back and forth between the characters thinking that maybe they could also be the killer. However, I didn’t even come close to the “why” until the explosive last chapters.

If you like psychological thrillers, then this book is for you! It will have you guessing until the last word. Highly recommend!

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

From the author of the page-turning domestic suspense Best Day Ever, comes another gripping novel of psychological suspense set in an upscale Southern California community, for fans of B.A. Paris and Shari Lapena.

The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect lie.

Jane Harris lives in a sparkling home in an oceanfront gated community in Orange County. It’s a place that seems too beautiful to be touched by sadness. But exactly one year ago, Jane’s oldest daughter, Mary, died in a tragic accident and Jane has been grief-stricken ever since. Lost in a haze of anti-depressants, she’s barely even left the house. Now that’s all about to change.

It’s time for Jane to reclaim her life and her family. Jane’s husband, David, has planned a memorial service for Mary and three days later, their youngest daughter, Betsy, graduates high school. Yet as Jane reemerges into the world, it’s clear her family has changed without her. Her husband has been working long days—and nights—at the office. Her daughter seems distant, even secretive. And her beloved Mary was always such a good girl—dutiful and loving. But does someone know more about Mary, and about her last day, than they’ve revealed?

The bonds between mothers and daughters, and husbands and wives should never be broken. But you never know how far someone will go to keep a family together…

This will definitely be one of the books on 2019 Top Reads list.

This is the first book that I have read by this author but will be reading more work by her.

The narrative is written in the first person point of view of Jane Harris.

Jane had it all. A loving husband, two daughters, a beautiful house until that tragic day 1 year ago when her oldest daughter fell to her death. Since that time, Jane has been suffering from “complicated” depression, which has pulled her emotionally from her family.

But this week is big and she plans on making a comeback. The memorial for the celebration of her daughter and in days, her youngest daughter will be graduating High School. She has waited for this day and has BIG plans for the celebrations.

A bone chilling read! I didn’t know if I should have compassion for Jane or be afraid of her. Were her husband and living daughter just not understanding and compassionate towards her or were they the true victims?

Twists and turns galore! This book was riveting and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!

If you like psychological thrillers, you HAVE to read this one!!!

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

A mother’s chance decision leads to a twist of fate that is every parent’s worst nightmare.

Claire Rawlings, mother of two and medical resident, will not let the troubling signs of an allergic reaction prevent her from making it in for rounds. But when Claire’s symptoms overpower her while she’s driving into work, her two children in tow, she must pull over. Moments later she wakes up on the floor of a gas station bathroom-her car, and her precious girls have vanished.

The police have no leads and the weight of guilt presses down on Claire as each hour passes with no trace of her girls. All she has to hold on to are her strained marriage, a potentially unreliable witness who emerges days later, and the desperate but unquenchable belief that her daughters are out there somewhere.

Little Lovely Things is the story of a family shattered by an unthinkable tragedy. Played out in multiple narrative voices, the novel explores how the lives of those affected fatefully intersect, and highlights the potential catastrophe of the small decisions we make every day.

An incredible debut novel!!!

I had seen many positive comments on this book and knew I had to see what all the buzz was about. Did it live up to those rave reviews?

It’s 1991 and Dr. Claire Rawlings, on her way to work, with her 2 daughters in the back seat, is having a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine she received and has no choice but to stop due to her severe symptoms. After passing out in a gas station’s bathroom, she comes to but realizes that her car has been stolen with the 2 girls inside.

With feelings of extreme guilt, Claire and her husband Glen, try getting through each day in the hopes that their children will be returned.

The writing was fluid and so descriptive that I was pulled in from the first page. The type of book that had me so engrossed that I became one with the story. At times, the suspense was so taut that I found myself holding my breath. I could create vivid imagery of both the characters and scenes and feel the emotions of each member of the cast from the amazing descriptive narrative.

Was all the buzz about this book correct? Absolutely and then some!!! Putting this author on my radar!

A book that was hard to put down!!! Compelling and captivating that left me breathless! A story that will stay with me for a very long time!

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗