414 ratings | 145 reviews | avg rating:4.09

A.J.’s Year In Books

A.J.’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at A.J.’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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A.J. McCarthy’s Followers (168)

A.J.’s Bookshelves

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A.J.’s Friends (563)

L.R.W. Lee

835 books | 4,955 friends

Vanessa Wester

761 books | 2,371 friends

KelseyDiane

1,495 books | 332 friends

Elizabeth

11,347 books | 1,080 friends

Margaret Chadwick

27,732 books | 164 friends

Karen

33,450 books | 33 friends

Anahit Arustamyan

325 books | 569 friends

Molly O'Keefe

1,012 books | 1,069 friends

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2026 Reading Challenge

2026

READING

CHALLENGE

A.J. McCarthy has read 6 of 30 books.

20%

A.J. McCarthy

Goodreads Author

Born

in Quebec City, Canada

August 31

Website

http://www.ajackmccarthy.com

Twitter

ajackmccarthy

Genre

Suspense, Thriller, Mystery

Member Since

March 2015

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/ajmccarthy

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As an author of mystery suspense novels, A.J. McCarthy is always on the lookout for new ideas. Her friends and family are cautious, concerned they may become a victim in her next novel. Those who are more adventurous offer up ideas and are willing to sacrifice certain family members for the cause. A.J. bides her time, waiting for the right moment and the perfect victim. She hides behind a quiet façade, and few know what she’s really thinking.
A.J. grew up reading Agatha Christie, Sidney Sheldon, and many other masters of mystery and suspense. A lifelong love of the genre evolved. She’s a member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. When she isn’t writing, chances are she is reading.

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Combine Editions
A.J. McCarthy’s books

Average rating: 4.18 · 2,564 ratings · 362 reviews · 12 distinct works • Similar authors

	Sins of the Fathers (Charlie and Simm Mystery #1) 4.20 avg rating — 1,306 ratings — published 2017 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Cold Betrayal 4.04 avg rating — 487 ratings — published 2018 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	By the Book 4.12 avg rating — 164 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Other Side (Charlie and Simm Mystery #2) 4.41 avg rating — 132 ratings — published 2022 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Legacy of Fear 4.14 avg rating — 135 ratings — published 2019 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Faux Friends 4.18 avg rating — 133 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Stranger in the Family (Charlie and Simm Mystery #3) 4.23 avg rating — 113 ratings — published 2023 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Smoke and Secrets (Charlie and Simm Mystery #4) 4.43 avg rating — 65 ratings — published 2025 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Betrayal 4.69 avg rating — 13 ratings — published 2015 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Rock (Charlie and Simm Mystery #0.5) 4.60 avg rating — 10 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by A.J. McCarthy…

4.23 avg rating — 1,626 ratings

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A.J.’s Recent Updates

A.J. McCarthy rated a book really liked it Search for Her by Rick Mofina (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I've read and greatly enjoyed a few Rick Mofina books and I will continue to do so. But this time I went with the audio version and I won't make that mistake again. The mother's high-pitched voice screaming in my ear almost made me quit a few times. ...more
Feb 01, 2026 02:27PM · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was amazing Smoky Blue Sunrise (The Elizabeth's Mountain Series #2) by Lucille Guarino (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
In this compelling novel, we’re introduced to Jolie-Mae Buckley and Brody Webster, who join characters we met in Elizabeth’s Mountain, Amanda and Jesse, back in the beautiful setting of North Carolina’s mountains. The author pulls us into Jolie’s pai ...more
Jan 31, 2026 07:27AM · 1 like · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy liked Lucille Guarino's review of The Boy on the Dock: A Psychological Thriller: "One of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time, and one that had a profound impact. Calculated manipulation, gaslighting, mental uncertainty, suspense…it was all there, recurrent and worsening with each page that I turned. Thrill-se" Read more of this review »
Jan 28, 2026 11:33AM · see review
A.J. McCarthy liked Ruth Stevens's review of The Boy on the Dock: A Psychological Thriller: "A masterful psychological thriller! The suspense is nonstop, and the twists and turns in this well-paced novel will keep you pivoting and wondering where the truth lies. What is real and what is imagined? Who is an ally and who is a threat? The narra" Read more of this review »
Jan 28, 2026 11:33AM · see review
A.J. McCarthy liked Michelle Caffrey's review of The Boy on the Dock: A Psychological Thriller: "Julie, still grieving her daughter’s death, retreats to a lake cabin to heal and resumes kayaking. When she sees a terrified boy on a dock who then vanishes, her need to confirm his existence spirals into a tense psychological mystery. As neighbors r" Read more of this review »
Jan 28, 2026 11:32AM · see review
A.J. McCarthy wants to read The Family Remains (The Family Upstairs, #2) by Lisa Jewell (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 22, 2026 06:46AM · like
A.J. McCarthy wants to read Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 12, 2026 05:27PM · like
A.J. McCarthy wants to read Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 12, 2026 05:27PM · like
A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was amazing Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel and I soaked up every word. This is the first novel I've read by this author, and I'll be reading the other as well. Loved the writing, the setting, and the character development. Well done. ...more
Jan 12, 2026 05:26PM · 1 like · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was amazing Dream a Little Dream (The Kiss Chronicles Book 2) by G.A. Anderson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What a great follow-up novel! Katy Kiss is back in all her brilliant, klutzy, funny, dramatic glory. I love this character and her snarky, well-meaning, best friend Jesse. Anderson has created another engaging novel that combines serious topics with ...more
Jan 08, 2026 06:49AM · 1 like · like · see review