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453 ratings | 184 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.

Go to A.J.’s 2025 Year in Books

A.J. McCarthy’s Followers (178)

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A.J.’s Friends (562)

Dominic

1,181 books | 61 friends

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194,300 books | 1,085 friends

Jennifer Lessard

42,105 books | 1,524 friends

April

18,642 books | 32 friends

Karen Holding

7,741 books | 286 friends

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22,326 books | 235 friends

HarperOne (an imprint of HarperCollins)

629 books | 791 friends

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2026 Reading Challenge

2026

READING

CHALLENGE

A.J. McCarthy has read 45 of 50 books.

90%

A.J. McCarthy

Goodreads Author

Born

in Quebec City, Canada

August 31

Website

http://www.ajmccarthyauthor.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: 4.19 · 2,885 ratings · 391 reviews · 14 distinct works • Similar authors

	Sins of the Fathers (Charlie and Simm Mystery #1) 4.21 avg rating — 1,413 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 4.06 avg rating — 498 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 — 186 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) 4.40 avg rating — 144 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
	Faux Friends 4.19 avg rating — 147 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
	Legacy of Fear 4.15 avg rating — 136 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
	Smoke and Secrets (Charlie and Simm Mystery #4) 4.25 avg rating — 126 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
	A Stranger in the Family (Charlie and Simm Mystery #3) 4.24 avg rating — 123 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
	The Boy on the Dock: A Psychological Thriller 4.34 avg rating — 86 ratings — 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
	A Rock (Charlie and Simm Mystery #0.5) 4.62 avg rating — 13 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 — 1,819 ratings

A.J.’s Recent Updates

A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was amazing Book of the Witch: A Dystopian Science Fantasy (Neon and Old Magic 1) by Ross Hightower (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
Honestly, it’s writers like this who have made me appreciate dystopian fantasy novels. I marvel at the worlds they create and can only guess at how their minds work to flesh out characters and plot lines so intense and multi-layered. The protagonist, ...more
3 hours, 27 min ago · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book Not My Blood (Joe Sandilands #10) by Barbara Cleverly	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
To start, I listened to the audiobook version, which was very well done. This was my first novel by this author, and I didn't realize it was the 10th in a series, not that it really mattered. I was drawn in immediately, but there were times where the ...more
3 hours, 57 min ago · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Not My Blood by Barbara Cleverly. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Not My Blood by Barbara Cleverly <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was amazing Westwind: The WWII Adventures of MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen by Karen K. Brees (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 loved this story! What’s not to love? Action, spies, WWII history, romance, and intrigue. All the things I enjoy reading. I read an advanced copy of this novel without realizing it was book #4 in the series until after I started it. And once I star ...more
Oct 22, 2026 05:59AM · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was amazing Crosswind (The World War II Adventures of MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen #1) by Karen K. Brees (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
After reading and absolutely loving the 4th book in this series, I knew I needed to go back to the beginning. Although it isn’t necessary to read them in order, I will at least respect the order of 1, 2, and 3. Whether you’re a history buff or not, t ...more
Oct 22, 2026 05:57AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Crosswind by Karen K. Brees. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Crosswind by Karen K. Brees <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
A.J. McCarthy rated a book The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager (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
This is my first book by this author, which I listened to in audiobook form. The narrator did a great job. The storyline held my attention until it took a twist I wasn't expecting and didn't particularly enjoy. I don't know if all his books include t ...more
Oct 21, 2026 07:29AM · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was amazing Sirens and Shenanigans: A Dumbass Hero's Guide to Surviving EMS by Jesse Roder	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
Sirens and Shenanigans is a memoir like no other. It’s unfiltered, often hilarious, and at times, offers a harrowing look at life on the front lines of emergency medical services. Drawing from his career as an EMT, the author shares capsules, in no p ...more
Oct 01, 2026 06:17PM · 1 like · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book really liked it The Girl in the Woods by Camilla Läckberg (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 really enjoyed this novel, the first I've read by this author. I see that it's the 10th in the series. I felt I was missing a bit of background but not too much. It was suspenseful and the last half made it particularly hard to put down. I will exp ...more
Sep 28, 2026 03:31PM · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was ok Pieces of Her (Andrea Oliver, #1) by Karin Slaughter (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
(Audiobook version) I bought this audiobook because I had listened to Girl Forgotten and had enjoyed it. I wanted more of Andrea Oliver, but the character in Pieces of Her was so different from the character in the sequel I thought I had made a mista ...more
Sep 16, 2026 06:00AM · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book liked it After You (Me Before You, #2) by Jojo Moyes (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 loved the first book, and I guess I had high expectations for the second one. It is still a good read, but it doesn't reach the level of Me Before You. I listened to the audiobook, and at times I caught my mind wandering, something that definitely ...more
Sep 04, 2026 05:26PM · like · see review
A.J. McCarthy rated a book it was ok Never Lie by Freida McFadden (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
Not my favorite McFadden book. Knowing the ending, much of the beginning doesn't hang together and neither does the obligatory twist. ...more
Aug 11, 2026 10:50AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Never Lie by Freida McFadden. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Never Lie by Freida McFadden <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">