A locked room murder mystery with some dark, unguessable twists, You Are Fatally Invited turned the Agatha Christie-esque motif on its head. With an eA locked room murder mystery with some dark, unguessable twists, You Are Fatally Invited turned the Agatha Christie-esque motif on its head. With an enigmatic host and an isolated setting, it had an underlying mystery core that blended beautifully with a twisted thriller vibe. From the somewhat gorier deaths to themes that made me sit and think, Pliego took Christie’s building blocks and elevated them to outdo even the Grand Dame herself. The best piece of the puzzle, however, was easily the metafiction premise. After all, the cast was packed full of writers along with snippets from their stories. Along with the handful of my most adored tropes, it was an undeniable home run no ifs, ands, or buts.
The plot was—in no uncertain terms—a demonstration in how to construct a winning novel. With short chapters, ever-ratcheting foreboding, and a storyline plotted to perfection, it kept me on the edge of my seat and frantically turning the pages. You see, Pliego took the generic Golden Age framework and added her own subtle flair. From the explosive, adrenaline-fueled climax to the two-part dénouement, there wasn’t a chance of me putting the pieces together in time to outpace the timely reveals. And let me tell you, I tried my best at the whole armchair sleuthing thing. Sadly—or should I say happily—for me, despite plenty of well-disguised hints, the red herrings ultimately did me in.
The characters themselves were simply sublime. Running the gamut from utterly suspicious to root-for-able in the extreme, I reveled in the one I loved to hate just as much as I delighted in the ultimate heroine. Realistic, easily envisioned, and complete with true-to-life flaws, despite the fact that the book required a definite need to suspend all disbelief, this cast came alive more with each page. So much so, in fact, that I’ll be shocked to my core if this book doesn’t become the next blockbuster movie. Thought-provoking, clever, and deliciously crafty, this debut novel is sure to be one of the most binge-worthy, buzzed about mystery/thrillers of the year.
The only teeny, tiny fly in the ointment was how complex and intricate the plot became as it rolled along. Despite the small cast of characters, their various hidden personas meant that notes were required to keep track of them all. On top of the many veiled secrets that were obscured from not only the other characters but the reader as well, the well-layered plot was beyond cryptic at times. Just the same, I ate up every word and flew through the nearly 400 pages in under twenty-four hours. After all, I just had to know the whos, hows, whats, and whys.
All said and done, Pliego has certainly made a name for herself with this masterful whodunnit in no time at all. With well-developed plot lines, a mixed media format, and distinct identities told through multiple POVs, even the complexity couldn’t turn me off in the end. And thanks to complex group dynamics and long-buried secrets, this compulsively readable novel spun tales within tales. So if you are a fan of Knives Out, Agatha Christie, or Clue, this is one novel you don’t want to miss. I’m not exaggerating. You need to make this your next read no matter what. If you need to pre-order it, so be it. It’s a definite must read. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When renowned anonymous author J. R. Alastor hires former aspiring writer Mila del Angél to host a writing retreat at his private manor off the coast of Maine, she jumps at the chance—particularly since she has an axe to grind with one of the invitees. The guest list? Six thriller authors, all masters of deceit, misdirection, and mayhem.
Confess the crimes, survive the tropes.
Alastor and Mila have masterminded a week of games, trope-fueled riddles, and maybe a jump scare or two—the perfect cover for Mila to plot a murder of her own. But when a guest turns up dead—and it’s not the murder she planned—Mila finds herself trapped in a different narrative altogether.
One by one, you’ll lose your turn.
With a storm isolating the island, and the body count rising, Mila must outwit a killer who knows literally every trick in the book.
Until only one of us remains…
Thank you to Ande Pliego, Random House - Bantam, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 11, 2025
Content warning: murder, gun and knife violence, house fire...more
If you haven’t yet, don’t read the synopsis! One of the smartest things that I did after my friend recommended this novel (other than read it, of courIf you haven’t yet, don’t read the synopsis! One of the smartest things that I did after my friend recommended this novel (other than read it, of course) was to skip the blurb. All you need to know is that the estranged children of a wealthy matriarch are invited to a murder-themed costume dinner at the family mansion. Once there, bodies start to drop and siblings must battle each other and a few other choice individuals to avoid going to jail. Now onto my review…
From the dysfunctional family dynamics to the pack of morally gray characters, Family Murder Night was one heck of an addictive thriller from beginning to end. How exactly to describe it? An Agatha Christie-esque locked room mystery paired with a crazy train ride straight out of a Kaira Rouda novel, all I could do was hold on for dear life. But the twists were what really drew me in. After all, no matter how many times I tried, I just couldn’t put the pieces together before each mind-blowing reveal.
As for the characters, they were a motley crew of thoroughly—and deliciously—unlikeable yet root-for-able personas. Filled to the brim with flaws and over-the-top behaviors, it was like watching the Real Housewives of Murderville mixed with Clue. With the brilliant posh murder mystery setting and bodies dropping like flies, you’ve got everything you need for an utter slam dunk. And that was before the explosive climax and shocking conclusion arrived on the scene.
Speaking of the conclusion, it was one of the few pieces of this fun, wild ride that missed the mark for me just a bit. In fact, it made me want to hurl my book across the room when I saw the inevitable phrase “The End” as I wanted MORE! Hopefully, there’s a sequel in the works. Tell me it’s so, dear author? My only other issue was how I had some trouble following the action here or there. But then, I also raced through this novel in just a handful of hours, so maybe my speed was really the problem…
All in all, from the satirical slant to the plot to the dynamite character arcs, Ms. Fournier utterly knocked it out of the park. The epitome of a classic whodunnit but with a wonderfully unhinged twist to the storyline, I was delighted to also find the two part finale thoroughly beyond my guessing ability. So if you like ratcheting suspense, screwed-up families, or just a plain old good book—grab this one now as it fits that bill to a T. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to B.E. Fournier for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
The last thing I’d ever want to do is marry into the Agarwal family, but boy did I love being a fly on the wall. In The Inheritance, dysfunctional famThe last thing I’d ever want to do is marry into the Agarwal family, but boy did I love being a fly on the wall. In The Inheritance, dysfunctional family dynamics mixed brilliantly with a Succession-type vibe. Add in a violent storm making landfall on the remote island setting, and you’ve got yourself an out-and-out stunner that impressed me but good. But the last 100 pages were what won me over hook, line, and sinker. From the rising crescendo that accompanied the storm to the final twist that literally arrived with the very last page, Ms. Sakhlecha not only impressed me, she blew me away.
This family easily won the award for truly messed up. With a controlling mother, multiple siblings hiding mysterious secrets, and a father willing to play them all off of one another, the dynamics between them were beyond good—they were utter perfection. Realistic and true-to-life, I shudder just thinking about whether there are really people out there that behave as they did. Sad to say, though, I’m sure that there are. And thanks to a small cast of suspicious characters and the eerie, isolated setting of a small Scottish island, it all came together to create a superb locked room mystery plot that I sped through in no time at all.
I do have to mention, however, that while the storyline did toe the line of being a mystery/thriller, the bulk of it was much more of a family drama drenched in suspense. That’s not to say that the expertly employed gaslighting, complex relationships, and long-buried secrets didn’t strike the right chord and create a thoroughly addictive read for this thriller lover. After all, it not only did all of that and more, but it also made me think long and hard.
All in all, I am duly impressed by this compelling, unpredictable novel. With palpable tension, precise plotting, and dual POVs that showed two sides of the story, this slow burning storyline was an utter slam dunk. You see, this family reunion gone wrong not only had me raising my eyebrows in the best possible way, but it also had my fingers flying at speed—and that was even BEFORE the fast-paced last third arrived on the scene. So if you love a good messy saga mixed with plenty of heart-pumping thrills, grab this book ASAP. After all, the well-developed plot downright sizzled from page one. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Meet the Agarwals, who have gathered on a private, luxury island off the west coast of Scotland for a much-anticipated family reunion.
Raj, the patriarch and a business tycoon, is about to announce to his wife and three children the succession plan for his multimillon-dollar Delhi-based company. Shalini, the fragile matriarch, is ready to have her husband to herself after years of sacrifice to the family business. Myra, the golden child, owner of the island and host of the reunion, is, unbeknownst to her family, on the brink of bankruptcy. Aseem, the son and supposed heir, is torn between his love for his wife and his duty to family. Aisha, the youngest, a party girl whose antics are legendary, can’t pass up an opportunity to wreak havoc. And then there’s Zoe, Aseem’s wife, the outsider whose #InstaPerfect life is built on a foundation of lies.
They’ve all got secrets they would die to protect. Who will survive this high-stakes reunion, and who will become a victim of their own greed? One thing is certain: this family gathering will shatter more than just their illusions of unity.
Thank you to Trisha Sakhlecha and Pamela Dorman Books/Viking for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 21, 2025
Content warning: pregnancy, miscarriage, mention of: death of a sibling/child, infertility...more
Yet again, Leah Konen hit it out of the park. From the isolated, wintry setting to the perfectly drawn unreliable narrator, The Last Room on the LeftYet again, Leah Konen hit it out of the park. From the isolated, wintry setting to the perfectly drawn unreliable narrator, The Last Room on the Left had me eagerly inhaling page after page. After all, I’ve always been a sucker for a well-played locked room mystery premise. Add in a tension-filled blizzard that raised the stakes over and over? I’m a goner for sure. You see, with decidedly suspicious characters—including both of the narrators—and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat, I was utterly riveted from the thrilling first word until the authentic and chilling conclusion that provided one altogether brilliant twist right there at the end.
While I was an avid admirer of both dual POVs, Kerry easily won me over hook, line, and sinker. A seemingly true-to-life portrayal of an alcoholic who has wholly given in to her urges, I wanted to shake her but good all while giving her a serious side-eye through each and every scene. Was she losing her mind? Or was she stuck in a horror movie that could rival The Shining? I questioned it all right up until the perfectly timed climax and shocking, two-part reveal. Did I anticipate a twist here and there? Well, yes—but that was likely down to my insatiable appetite for all things suspense and not a bit due Ms. Konen’s sharp, clever writing.
All in all, I had a blast riding shotgun with Kerry and Siobhan. With an iconic locale of a roadside motel, a dynamic character arc, and a scenario that had me thinking “What would I do?”, I sped through this quick, easy read in no time at all. Was it a bit more of a slow burn at times than I was expecting? Maybe. But I wouldn’t have changed a thing in this psychological thriller. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of paranoia and a horror-esque feel? Have no fear, though, as this was most definitely a suspense/thriller and not an out-and-out horror tale. So definitely check this one out if you love a popcorn thriller that will keep you spellbound from beginning to end. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Kerry’s life is in shambles: Her husband has left her, her drinking habit has officially become a problem, and though the deadline for her big book deal—the one that was supposed to change everything—is looming, she can’t write a word. When she sees an ad for a caretaker position at a revitalized roadside motel in the Catskills, she jumps at the chance. It’s the perfect getaway to finish her book and start fresh.
But as she hunkers down in a blizzard, she spots something through the window: a pale arm peeking out from a heap of snow. Trapped in the mountains and alone with a dead, frozen body, Kerry must keep her head and make it out before the killer comes for her too. But is the deadly game of cat-and-mouse all in her mind? The body count begs to differ…
Thank you to Leah Konen and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Secrets, twists, and lies, oh my! A complex tale filled with jaw-dropping reveals and ratcheting suspense, A Killing Cold was a clear demonstration ofSecrets, twists, and lies, oh my! A complex tale filled with jaw-dropping reveals and ratcheting suspense, A Killing Cold was a clear demonstration of Ms. Marshall’s storytelling prowess. From the endearing love story between Theo and Connor to the isolated setting that felt atmospheric in the extreme, there simply wasn’t a moment where this plot let me down. Starting off somewhat slow, there was a constant, underlying sense of foreboding as an IV drip of revelations pushed the plot into a fast-paced explosion of spine-chilling action. Throughout this dynamite read, though, there wasn’t a moment where I had even an inkling of what was going to happen. After all, the last one hundred pages had me spinning in the best possible way.
At first glance this über-wealthy family seemed to have it all. The enigmatic newcomer, however, quickly showed their true colors. Both unlikeable and suspicious, I intermittently distrusted each and every member of the close-knit Dalton clan—up to and including Connor himself. And while they and some of the events that transpired weren’t necessarily always realistic, the scenarios played out perfectly for this thriller snob. So much so, in fact, that it just couldn’t have been better. You see, via first-person narration and plenty of flashbacks, the mystery of what happened years ago at the Daltons’ winter retreat was unwound layer by layer until the pulse-pounding last third utterly blew me away.
All in all, I couldn’t have loved this novel more if I tried. With rich people behaving badly, a naïve newcomer stepping into the fold, and a deep, dark, mysterious past, there simply wasn’t anything there not to love. Throw in the fact that it all revolved around my absolute favorite trope of the locked room mystery variety, and it just couldn’t go wrong. It even had a contemporary Agatha Christie-esque vibe in all of her expertly plotted whodunnit glory. Yet the best piece of the puzzle was the conclusion. Sure to divide readers, it nevertheless had me grinning with glee. So if you love palpable tension, relentless pacing, and nerve-shredding dread, be sure to grab this one ASAP! Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A whirlwind romance. When Theodora Scott met Connor―wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family―she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.
Stay away from Connor Dalton. Theo has tried to ignore the threatening messages on her phone, but she can’t ignore the footprints in the snow outside the cabin window or the strange sense of familiarity she has about this place. Then, in a disused cabin, Theo finds something impossible: a photo of herself as a child. A photo taken at Idlewood.
I’ve been here before. Theo has almost no recollection of her earliest years, but now she begins to piece together the fragments of her memories. Someone here has a shocking secret that they will do anything to keep hidden, and Theo is in terrible danger. Because the Daltons do not lose, and discovering what happened at Idlewood may cost Theo everything.
Thank you to Kate Alice Marshall and Flatiron Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Taking place on an enigma of an island with a plot that undeniably matched the setting step for step, Beautiful Ugly was quite possibly Alice Feeney’sTaking place on an enigma of an island with a plot that undeniably matched the setting step for step, Beautiful Ugly was quite possibly Alice Feeney’s most mind-blowing novel yet. From the twistiest of twists to the deliciously eccentric characters, I was thoroughly immersed in a book that will easily be one of my favorites of the year. It wasn’t until I closed the gorgeous cover, however, that I was hit with the clever, thought-provoking message. Seemingly much deeper than any of this author’s prior works, it made me feel all of the feels while also delivering one altogether beautifully written tale.
With dual timelines and dual POVs, the characters gleamed with all of their wacky, oddball behavior. Along with an unreliable narrator caught in a locked room mystery plot, the inevitable twists and turns kept me spellbound until the last shocking word. But it was the island itself that made those very words come alive. So intensely evocative that the Isle of Amberly seemed like yet another character in the story, the vivid descriptions brought the smell of salt water to my nose and the sight of misty fog to my eyes. When I say that this was a truly special novel, I’m not exaggerating in the slightest. It was Feeney at her finest, no doubt about it.
Then there was the underlying feel of the novel. Ringing with foreboding and an ever present sinister vibe, I just knew that something wasn’t quite right—even if I was happily blind to what exactly it was. Twist after brilliant twist was laid at my feet until the truth was finally revealed in all of its perfectly timed glory. And through ever present tension and suspense, this often hard to find thriller double-act delivered in spades. Even better, however, it was all rounded off with a truly unguessable conclusion that had me smiling with glee. After all, there’s a reason why Alice Feeney’s known as the queen of unforgettable twists.
All said and done, I’m utterly blown away. From the riveting start to the somewhat open ending, I was glued to the pages as this book was 100% unputdownable for this thriller lover. So if you love a good jaw-dropping twist or sublime character study that packs quite the punch, this is most definitely a book you need to read. I mean, half of the time I was unsure what I could believe. Was Grady seeing things? Or was it all real? I promise that I won’t say another word other than that you need to order this one ASAP. Flawlessly crafted and plotted to perfection, be prepared to second guess everything within these awe-inspiring pages. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life.
Grady calls his wife to share some exciting news as she is driving home. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by the cliff edge the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there…but his wife has disappeared.
A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible—a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.
Thank you to Alice Feeney and Flatiron Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 14, 2024
Trigger warning: missing person, mention of: sexual abuse, drowning...more
Yet again, Tessa Wegert knocked it out of the park with her newest book, The Coldest Case. The sixth novel in the Shana Merchant series, this one feltYet again, Tessa Wegert knocked it out of the park with her newest book, The Coldest Case. The sixth novel in the Shana Merchant series, this one felt just a little bit different than books one through five. Less police procedural and more mystery/thriller, I was yet again blown away with the evocative setting and well-developed characters. This time around, though, the underlying locked room mystery was what took center stage. Taking place primarily on an eerie, isolated island, I was instantly hooked as the stunning twists kept me flying through the pages in just a matter of hours. I promise that you too won’t be able to put this one down.
As expected, the characters were the sweetest of sweet spots once again, however. Growing and deepening with each additional book, this is one series you really need to read in full in order to get the full appreciation of each fully fleshed out persona. Shana, in particular, has undergone quite the character arc since the start of the series. Now a confident, brave, quick-witted woman, she’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a female main character. And while I loved Tim and Val almost as much, it was the motley crew of Running Pine locals who were as eccentric as they were suspicious that made the storyline brilliant with a capital B.
All in all, with short addictive chapters, an action-packed plot, and one heck of an unguessable finale, I reveled in my annual dose of Ms. Wegert’s masterful storytelling. Equal parts chilling and thrilling, this book was the epitome of atmospheric if I do say so myself. It was, though, the perfectly timed reveals and precise plotting that made this one an utter masterclass in suspense. Fast-paced, compelling, and binge-worthy in the extreme, this quick, easy read was everything I wanted and more. As for anyone reading this review, if you haven’t read this series just yet, please start at the beginning. After all, you’re not going to want to miss a minute with Shana. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
It's February in the Thousand Islands and, cut off from civilization by endless ice, eight people are overwintering on tiny, remote Running Pine. Six year-rounders, used to the hard work, isolation and freezing temperatures…and two newcomers: social media stars Cary and Sylvie, whose account documenting their year on the island is garnering thousands of followers, and thousands of dollars' worth of luxury gifts.
The long-term islanders will tell you Running Pine can be perilous—especially for city slickers who'll do anything to get the perfect shot. So when Cary doesn't return from ice fishing one morning, his neighbors fear the worst.
With the clock ticking to find the missing influencer, a police team is dispatched to take the dangerous journey to the island…but Sylvie, his frantic partner, will only talk to one person: newlywed Senior Investigator Shana Merchant.
Where is Cary—and what is it that Sylvie's not sharing? With aspects of the case reminding Shana of an unsolved homicide from her past that haunts her still, she risks her own safety to help. But little does she know that a storm is coming—and if she doesn't solve both crimes soon, she may become the island's next victim…
Thank you to Tessa Wegert and Severn House for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme)
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