The Last Word by Taylor Adams

After posting a negative book review, a woman living in a remote location begins to wonder if the author is a little touchy—or very, very dangerous—in this pulse-pounding novel of psychological suspense and terror from the critically acclaimed author of No Exit and Hairpin Bridge.

Emma Carpenter lives in isolation with her golden retriever Laika, house-sitting an old beachfront home on the rainy Washington coast. Her only human contact is her enigmatic old neighbor, Deek, and (via text) the house’s owner, Jules.

One day, she reads a poorly written—but gruesome—horror novel by the author H. G. Kane, and posts a one-star review that drags her into an online argument with none other than the author himself. Soon after, disturbing incidents start to occur at night. To Emma, this can’t just be a coincidence. It was strange enough for this author to bicker with her online about a lousy review; could he be stalking her, too?

As Emma digs into Kane’s life and work, she learns he has published sixteen other novels, all similarly sadistic tales of stalking and murder. But who is he? How did he find her? And what else is he capable of?

Hardcover, 340 pages

Published April 25, 2023

 by William Morrow

4.5 stars

This is my first time reading a Taylor Adams book. Because of the bookish theme I made it my May book of the month pick.

The Last Word was an addicting, convoluted story that I read in record time. It’s a story of Emma Carpenter,  house-sitting at a deserted beachfront home on the coast of Washington. She spends her time reading and avoiding the past, the past that she is running away from. The revealing of this past is slowly dispersed throughout.

After reading one particular bad horror novel, Emma leaves a one star review which grabs the attention of the author, needlessly to say he isn't a happy camper. What follows is the author tracking her down and thus begins a game of cat and mouse with dire consequences. If it wasn’t such a deadly game, it could almost be comical as every cliché in horror movies plays out. But the thing is it worked here and I had trouble putting this book down.

I will definetly read more Taylor Adams books, but need to let my nerves calm down a bit.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #36

The Echo Man by Sam Holland

An incredible new thriller from an exciting new talent!

The murders have begun…

Across England, a string of murders is taking place. Each different in method, but each horrifying and brutal.

But the killer is just getting started…

Jess Ambrose is plunged into the investigation when her house is set ablaze. With her husband dead and the police pointing at her, she runs. Her only hope is disgraced detective Nate Griffin, who is convinced Jess is innocent.

And he’s going to shock the world…

Soon, Jess and Griffin discover the unthinkable; this murderer is copying the world’s most notorious serial killers. And now, imitation isn’t enough. The killer dubbed The Echo Man is ready to create his own masterpiece, and it will be more terrifying than anything that has come before… 

Paperback, 464 pages

Published April 14th 2022 

by HarperCollins

4.5/5 stars

This book was not on my radar until a couple reviews on IG stated how addicting this thriller was.  Were they right?  Yup this book lived up to the hype.  For a debut I am stunned and nervous for the author as she pens her next book, these are mighty fine steps to follow in.

Taking place in England The Echo Man starts off with a bang and doesn't let go till the end.  Jess plays centre stage as does a couple other POVs giving this physiological thriller a well rounded view.  The Echo Man has a flawed cast, twist and turns along with a nice fast pace.  It is dark, bloody and based on true crime.  I will say this isn't for the faint of heart, it is graphic in content and description with a whodunit part that doesn't let go.  The ending wraps up quickly with an explosive conclusion, which for me was good as this old brain can only take so much brutality.

 I read it in a couple days, both reading and listening to the audiobook.  Both methods I recommend. 

My copy was obtained from my local library and the audiobook via Scribd.

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she'll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it's not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it's only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she's worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.

Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she's unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris's secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.

Because the only thing worse than a murder charge are two murder charges.

Things We Do in the Dark is a brilliant new thriller from Jennifer Hillier, the award-winning author of the breakout novels Little Secrets and Jar of Hearts. Paris Peralta is suspected of killing her celebrity husband, and her long-hidden past now threatens to destroy her future.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication July 19, 2022

by Minotaur Books

4/5 stars

Canadian author Jennifer Hillier is a go to author for me. Her previous books have been captivating and some of my favourites.

Things We Do in The Dark releases next week and again she has written a captivating story that is a touch grittier and comes with trigger warnings.

After her arrest Paris isn't 100% concerned about the murder charge, well she is but it’s her past that she has worked hard to bury that could come back to haunt her. Told from a couple POV and jumping to the past this book was addicting in its mystery and heartache. There was a diverse cast of characters, some I could barely tolerate and others I wanted to hug.  This is a dark domestic gritty story of despair, hope and strength. There is abuse and violence, so not for the faint of heart. 

On one hand I liked the ending, it was satisfying but it did leave me wondering, well honestly I can't say much more without giving something away.

I did a combo read and listen. Carla Vega was the reader and did a great job bringing Paris's story to life.  She is always a pleasure to listen to.

My thanks to Minotaur Book and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review.

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a taxi with no idea where she is or how she got there. When she’s dropped off at the door of her brownstone, a stranger answers—a stranger who now lives in her apartment and forces her out in the cold. She reaches for her phone to call for help, only to discover it’s missing, and in its place is a bloodstained knife. That’s when she sees that her hands are covered in black pen, scribbled messages like graffiti on her skin: STAY AWAKE.

Two years ago, Liv was living with her best friend, dating a new man, and thriving as a successful writer for a trendy magazine. Now, she’s lost and disoriented in a New York City that looks nothing like what she remembers. Catching a glimpse of the local news, she’s horrified to see reports of a crime scene where the victim’s blood has been used to scrawl a message across a window, the same message that’s inked on her hands. What did she do last night? And why does she remember nothing from the past two years? Liv finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn’t remember committing as she tries to piece together the fragments of her life. But there’s someone who does know exactly what she did, and they’ll do anything to make her forget—permanently.

A complex thriller that unfolds at a breakneck speed, Stay Awake will keep you up all night.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours, 59 minutes

Expected publication August 9, 2022

 by St. Martin's Press

3.5/5 stars

This is my second Megan Goldin book, I loved The Night Swim and eagerly awaited this her new book.

This book sounded familiar as soon as I started reading it with reminders of Before I Go to Sleep, fingers crossed the plot was not similar. This was both an audio and a digital read for me. I was very thankful to have the audio and managed to polish it off in just over a day.

Liv wakes up in a taxi and when arriving home finds it’s 2 years later. Where has she been all this time? That’s the million dollars question.

Stay Awake is told from Liv’s pov as well as a detective. Though I couldn’t connect with Liv this was an intense read.  Taking place over a one day period there were glimpses to the past to bring this story full circle. It was part repetitive not just with the 'stay awake' and other messages written on her hand but in other aspects also which took away from the mystery and intrigue.

The ending was okay and actually I didn't see it coming but it did lack some parts to make it feel authentic. All in all an fun read.

My thanks to  Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review.

First Born by Will Dean

From the acclaimed author of The Last Thing to Burn, a psychological thriller about the dark secrets that emerge when a woman’s twin sister is murdered, with his signature “intense, gripping, taut, terrifying, moving, and brilliant” (Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author) prose.

Sisters. Soulmates. Strangers.

Molly Raven lives a quiet, structured life in London, finding comfort in security and routine. Her identical twin Katie, living in New York, is the exact opposite: outgoing, spontaneous, and adventurous.

But when Molly hears that Katie has died, possibly murdered, she is thrown into unfamiliar territory. As terrifying as it is, she knows she must travel across the ocean and find out what happened. But as she tracks her twin’s final movements, cracks begin to emerge, and she slowly realizes her sister was not who she thought she was and there’s a dangerous web of deceit surrounding the two of them.

Paperback 368 pages

Expected publication July 5, 2022

by Atria/Emily Bestler Books

3.5/5 stars

Will Dean is an author I heard about through his previous book, The Last Thing to Burn.  I haven't read it yet but it does come highly recommended.

First Born might have gotten off to a slow start for me but it was still rather intriguing. I was advised of a twist at the halfway mark which kept me reading. The twist took me totally by surprise which in turn opened the door to more questions and kept me turning the pages.

Ultimately First Born is a story about the relationship between twin sisters. With glimpses into the past one realises the differences between Molly and Katie (KT) and slowly the mystery unravels. There were many times I had to suspend my belief but the author made me genuinely curious about this story.  It had the surprise ending and though I still had questions I was satisfied.   Also I might not have connected with the characters but this still was an entertaining read.

First Born releases today and available for purchase.

My thanks to Atria Books for a print arc in exchange for a honest review.