If you liked Harlan Coben's Netflix hit, 'Fool Me Once' then you'll love 'No Way Out'An unputdownable psychological thriller with twists that keep you guessing to the very last breath.In a world where artificial intelligence can sift through the veils of reality to expose deep fakes, the human heart remains an enigma, riddled with secrets far more complex than any algorithm.
VeriScan AI stands at the forefront of the battle against digital deceit, led by CEO Abigail Elsher. Yet, beneath the surface of groundbreaking innovation, the fabric of trust within her executive team is frayed to its breaking point.
In a desperate bid to mend what's been torn, a team bonding weekend is arranged with the hope of rebuilding unity. Little do they know it will become a crucible of suspense, betrayal, and murder.
As the retreat spirals into a chilling game of survival, the veil of professional courtesies is torn away, revealing the raw, unvarnished truths of those who once claimed loyalty. Every twist and turn delves deeper into the psyche of its characters, peeling back layers to expose the dark heart of ambition and the perilous edge of human frailty.
When one of their own is found dead, the line between ally and adversary blurs, leaving every whispered secret and shared memory suspect. In this high-stakes game of shadows, the participants must confront the most harrowing when the bonds of trust are severed, how do you discern the truth from the lies?
For fans of Harlan Coben, this novel promises a journey through the labyrinth of the mind, where the only certainty is the inexorable force of Karma.
No Way Out is a smart, entertaining thriller from Ruby Scott and Susie Fleming, enticing me with some possibly dysfunctional characters—until I learned that maybe that the one I was told was bad, wasn’t! Was it really that person, or perhaps another? I was convinced by so many reasons to believe something, and was constantly kept guessing, not knowing who or what to believe. I was left on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The characters were all employed by the same company, including some spouses, finger-pointing, having opinions concerning conspiracies, honesty, power and possible embezzlement. This book was very well organized, with chapters switching back and forth in time, all related to the occurrence of a murder. I felt this was a brilliant strategy by the author, as it constantly had me trying to think in advance of the impending murder, who may possibly be murdered and/or identifying potential motives that the different characters could have for murder, or why they could be deserving of becoming the actual victim. Mind-blowing!
Ruby Scott is such a talented writer who proved with this book that she can write mystery thrillers just as well as sapphic romances. This wasn’t a sexy romance novel, although it did have lesbian characters and romance. I heartily recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Oh. My. God. Where to begin. My head is still spinning from the elaborate and intriguing tale this author has spun. Twists and turns around every corner, when I thought I had figured it out, something happened that made me doubt and second-guess everything I thought I knew and thought to have figured out.
This book is a psychological thriller about a murder, but it’s unlike any other thriller I have read so far. It starts with someone talking about a murder, but how, what, who, why, when, and just about everything is unclear at that point, except for someone committing a murder.
You have to keep paying attention because you jump to and from different times in the story. I think that’s very cool and makes you think back to what you read before and how that fits in with what you are reading at that moment.
This is a must-read, the prologue alone will suck readers in. I should know, it happened to me. I just wanted to read the prologue to see the style of the writing, and I couldn’t stop on my own. Sadly, real life butted in here and there.
The characters, every single one, have been written out expertly, you love one character one minute, and a few pages later, you despise that same character. But with Jayne, I have to say, I never wavered in my fondness for her. This Author spins her tale and you have no choice but to ride the, sometimes, wild waves of events that are unfolding on the pages.
This part made me laugh out loud so abruptly that my wife almost dropped her coffee in sheer shock. “I wiggle in an attempt to pull down the zip on the sleeping bag, as I imagine David Attenborough’s husky commentary, ‘And here we have a rare example of the metamorphosis of the flavus femina urbana. She needs to break out of her pupa, or risk uncontrolled urination, creating a scent that will alienate her to the rest of her species, making her the butt of jokes at all future dinner parties.’”
Please, write more stories like this. The world will be all the better for it!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This sapphic thriller captivated me and cost me a few nerves and fingernails! The story is completely branching with many unexpected twists. It starts out a bit confusing with lots of names, but a good overview or sketch at the beginning of the book helps a lot. However, the book also makes jumps in time and then you have to rethink the story in your head and reset it. Of course, these are just small points why it is and remains so exciting and unexpected. I knew it's about murder, but who, how, where, when??? Like I said, it's exciting!! In between I thought: “Ah yes, it must be her.” and then a few chapters later: “What??? This can’t be true”… Confusing? Sure. Addictive? Definitely!! If you like books that remain exciting and unresolved almost until the end, you definitely have to read this book! It's difficult to describe the content, but it's about intrigue, lies, misunderstandings, rumors and of course murder. This isn't a book you read to relax, but maybe that's just me 😁 It was a very exciting few hours! I recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers and I haven't read sapphic thrillers very often! That’s a huge bonus 😉 Thanks to the Author Ruby Scott for the ARC!
No Way Out is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time. Kudos to Susie Fleming /Ruby Scott for keeping me on thin ice with each page turn. Even though the main characters are sapphic, this is a book for anyone that enjoys thrillers. For those familiar with Alfred Hitchcock, he would have had great fun creating a film with this one.
Jaw dropped and trying to find words! I’ve just finished reading this great sapphic mystery thriller! I was enjoying getting to know the characters in the early chapters as the author does a great job in unpacking each one’s story and I formed opinions about each and then the twists begin! By ch 63 my jaw dropped! The roller coaster ride of thrills was in full swing until the last page. Brava!
It’s difficult to talk about this book without inadvertently giving away spoilers. Suffice to say, there are several character storylines to enjoy unpacking. The main protagonists, Abigail, Karma (name appropriate on so many levels!), Sam and Jayne carry the story and were so well written. Abigail and Sam are friends from college that now run a company, Veriscan AI, together and are the best of friends. Sam is married to Jayne and Abigail to Karma. They end up on a team building weekend with several other management members where they are dropped off, by helicopter, in the wilderness of Scotland. The build up to this is so intriguing and sets the scene so well that when the suspense and thrills escalated I was unable to put the book down! That’s all I’m going to say except, as the saying goes, Karma is a b*tch! Go get this book, read it and buckle up for the ride. Enjoy 😊
I was given an arc by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The book is truly impressive and captivating from the very beginning. It draws you in from the first sentence and it is impossible to put down. The writing style is exceptional, and the plot development is flawless. The intricacies of the plot are very intriguing and undoubtedly a masterpiece. The story is so well-written that it's hard to describe its brilliance in words. The book has kept me on the edge of my seat from the first lines to the very end.
It is undeniably one of the best in this genre. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of literature, and if I could, I would give it 10 stars.
"Sometimes we just need someone to stir the pot so we can truly see what lies at the bottom"
A murder A monster A hidden past A corporate team building trip And all the secrets will slowly unravel the deeper you get into reading the sapphic psychological thriller: No Way Out.
I can't give this book enough praise! There is truly no way out once you start reading because it just keeps getting more and more intriguing. The first part has great character introductions and setting the stage but it really kicks it into high gear the next half of the book. I genuinely had such a hard time putting it down.
All the twists and turns will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. You'll hold your breath as you flip the pages wondering if anyone or anything is actually as it seems. Such amazing writing, great plot and loved the character development throughout. I hope we're able to get more of these kinds of books from the author because I'm so impressed and eager for more.
I was a bit sceptical when I started this book but boy did it book me right in. The start is a little slow, introducing you to each character but once the action starts you won't be able to put it down.
Each character is well written and it's difficult to hold an opinion on them as more and more is revealed throughout the tale. Totally worth the five stars the best suspense story I have read in a very long time!
I received this ARC copy in exchange for an honest reveiw.
I received this book as an ARC. I was pleasanty surprised about the turns and twists in the book and there was no way I could guess how it would end prematurely. If some more romance had been added to the mix it would have been a 5 star read for me but for sure worth the time speant reading.
Wow! What an amazingly detailed and suspense-filled story this is.
Set within the bounds of an AI Tech company, No Way Out tells an intricate story of secrets, treachery, and deception at the hands of its employees and by default, their partners. Abigail, the CEO and founder, presents as a somewhat submissive character to her headstrong wife Karma, who has a habit of bulldozing her way through everyone to get what she wants. Just who is running the company? That’s a question the management team would like answered.
With a very impressive list of characters, that are each robust and comprehensive enough to star in their own stories, the author takes us on a wild ride as Abigail’s team seeks to uncover the truth, and in doing so, protect Abigail, and themselves, from the malicious Karma who everyone is sure is out to steal the company from under Abigail’s nose.
Each chapter is written from the pov of a different character. This adds depth to the story, as each person’s reasons for finding the truth vary. Sam, Abigail’s long-term friend and business partner, wants to protect her friend, as well as her own financial interest in the company. Mark, the COO, is trying to use what he can against Karma in an attempt to recover his reputation that was sullied from accusations of corruption in a previous role. Then there’s Pete, Abigail’s ex and Karma’s previous friend who just wants to exact revenge against Karma who he feels is responsible for not only taking his woman but seeing him summarily dismissed from the company.
This book is so well written it will keep you guessing right to the very end. The fact that the author can so cohesively weave such an intricate web of characters and subplots to a convincing conclusion is evidence of her true talent and writing ability.
A must read
(I received an ARC copy of this book from the author)
I've always been a fan of Ruby Scott's novels, so when I heard that she was writing a thriller under the name Susie Fleming, I couldn’t wait to read it.
As a fan of thrillers and mysteries, I like to think I’m pretty adept at unraveling plots and identifying suspects, but Fleming kept me on my toes with this one! Just when I was sure I knew what was going on, a twist had me reassessing everything!
The high stress world of tech executives can often feel like a fight for survival—within the company, and within the tech world. For the three friends who formed VeriScan AI and their co-executives, this becomes all too real when a team building retreat turns into a literal fight for survival.
When the opening of a book tells me there’s going to be a murder, my senses immediately kick into high gear, and my mind begins to scrutinize every detail. This is my favorite type of beginning because it immediately immerses me in the unfolding drama.
The author takes her time introducing us to the characters one by one, and it is clear that all is not well at VeriScan AI. As grievances surface and bonds begin to fray, a retreat is organized to bring the team back together. This is where the novel shines.
The isolated atmosphere of the retreat and the out-of-their-element stress has everyone on edge. Truths and secrets spill, but when one their own winds up dead, all bets are off, and the twists just keep on coming!
Suspense and revelations keep this psychological thriller moving along, and heading into the big finale, I couldn’t put it down. If this is the type of thriller Susie Fleming is going to write, sign me up!
The twists in this book will absolutely blindside you! This story sucked me in from page one and is excellently written! Ruby is a genius and this book is amazing!
No Way Out is the newest release from Susie Fleming/Ruby Scott, and it had me hooked from the first page. It’s a hard book to describe, with numerable main characters, but each one has their spot. There is Abigail, the CEO. Sam, her best friend and CMO. Sam’s wife, Jayne. Karma, Abagail’s new wife, who seems to be doing nothing but throwing spanners into the works. Pete, Abagail’s ex-husband, Mark, the CFO, and his wife Barrett. I’m not sure when I have ever read a book with this many MCs, but it works. The characters are introduced slowly, and the time frames cut between now and before, but it is seamless. By the time the real action begins, it’s impossible not to be invested and clinging to the edge of your seat. No Way Out is a character driven, suspenseful story that will keep you guessing until the very end. Make sure you check it out.
I received an ARC via the author and am leaving a voluntary review
No Way Out, written by Susan Fleming and Ruby Scott, is a heart-pounding psychological thriller that will make you reconsider joining any team building activities recommended by HR.
The twists in the story were relentless, constantly keeping you on your toes. Just when you thought you had it all figured out, another curveball would come hurtling towards you. I was on the edge of my seat throughout this action-packed book, which is also laced with humour that had me laughing out loud.
The author skilfully weaves intricate character backstories into this snapshot of time, resulting in a truly fantastic read. The attention to detail in the world building is exceptional, making it easy for you to visualize and imagine yourself in that setting. This is not a romance book, so don’t expect it. I received an ARC for my honest review.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this is the book for you. There are so many twists and turns you could use a road map. You do need to look at the jigsaw puzzle pieces at the beginning of the book. I am a fast reader, but I had to slow down for this book. But I didn't mind because it is so good. The further I got into the book, the more I wasn't sure who the villain was. And how many villains there might be. Or were there just good people driven to do wrong. I know I will reread this book several times. And I can't recommend this book enough. Try to start it when you have plenty of time. You will not want to put it down.
I am a little dizzy from all the twists and turns In this psychological thriller. Fleming has you speculating the whole way through not only WHO was killed but WHO did the deed & WHY. She manipulated this reader chapter by chapter and quite frankly I am happy that she did. Brilliantly written and I am tickled that she has taken on this genre to add to this bibliophile’s choices of potential reads. As a side note, if Karma is coming for me, I hope her last name is Knox.
'No Way Out' instantly introduces you to a complex web of secrets and suspense. Ruby Scott’s masterful storytelling skillfully kept me guessing at every turn, much like the suspenseful thrill of playing Clue. Each character was carefully crafted, with their own secrets, motives, and vulnerabilities, making them all credible suspects in the unfolding drama. Tensions grew as the plot unfolded, and I began to wonder about each character’s involvement.
What truly captivated me was the way Ruby seamlessly intertwined the personal struggles and dynamics of the characters with the overarching mystery. The emotional depth and complexity of the relationships added layers of intrigue to the story, keeping me invested in every twist and revelation.
'No Way Out' is a gripping and thoroughly engaging mystery that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Ruby's skillful plotting, compelling characters, and atmospheric writing style make it a standout read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling mystery novel.
Have you ever read a book where you wanted to read it again immediately to see the actions unfold after knowing how it all came together? This is one of those books.
A psychological thriller that should be number 1 for a very long time! You won't be able to put it down! Just when you think you have it figured out ...you're wrong. The roller coaster starts off slowly with you getting to know the characters (or so you think) then the twists and turns begin! Who's the villain? Who's the victim? You'll just have to hang on tight until the end to find out! Ruby added a touch of Sci-fi to the lesbian romance books we're used to from her with the Velvet Storm Series and now she's gone and grabbed the psychological thriller genre by the throat and I hope she doesn't let go! This is the beginning of something special!
A book where the villain changes at every turn. A psychopath is manipulating everyone in every way. The motives are leaping from character to character and the conclusion is a total surprise.
NWO is more than just a psychological thriller; it's a rollercoaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This book will haunt your thoughts long after you've turned the final page, and it lives up to its promise of being "unputdownable."
With skillful writing, author Ruby Scott has crafted a story that demands your full attention. Each character is meticulously developed, but it's the ruthless antagonist that steals the show. Ruby has created a truly remarkable villain that readers will love to hate.
NWO is not a simple read; it's complex and deliberately crafted to keep readers guessing. With its "Hitchcock-esque" premise, we witness a murder at the beginning and are then taken on a journey through various perspectives and angles until the shocking climax. Just when you think you have it all figured out, the truth will leave you reeling in disbelief.
The unique aspect of this story is how it presents 8 parallel pictures through 8 different POVs, causing readers to constantly shift their focus and form new assumptions as they try to solve the mystery alongside the characters. When you finally get to know the mastermind in Part III, you will be stunned in disbelief and question all your previous assumptions. Finally, in Part IV, when you get to know the perpetrator, you will be dumbfounded.
This technique of switching between POVs and revealing crucial details at key moments keeps readers on edge, creating a sense of unpredictability and tension that is hard to shake off. It also serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes the truth is right in front of us, but we choose to ignore it.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this riveting story is the message that our true character is revealed when no one is watching. And as readers will discover, the truth can be more twisted and chilling than any fiction.
In short, NWO is a gripping tale filled with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. Beyond the suspense, there are thought-provoking themes about humanity and self-discovery. A must-read for any fan of thrillers or anyone who enjoys being kept up past their bedtime.
(I received this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review)
Wow, how do you write a review when a book is phenomenal? This book blew me away & gave a new meaning to psychological thriller!
All of the characters worked in the same company and so did a few of their spouses.
It started out with the author giving you the story of each character in the beginning and you had a chance to decide good from bad, or so you thought. Some characters appeared dysfunctional, and some were clueless, or were they? I thought I had a handle on who the good and bad characters were and then in the next chapter I questioned my assumptions.
There was a lot of finger pointing as to who was the bad character, but then in the next chapter, the scenario changed and I questioned everything I thought I had figured out. There were a lot of accusations, attempted power grabs, possible embezzlement and whispering about what each employee was the villain and what could be done about it.
Each chapter flips back and forth between characters and if you’re not paying attention, you miss important pieces of the plot. The characters were written expertly to give you a feeling of both loving them and then hating them in another chapter.
Before I give any spoilers, I’m going to tell you that Susie Fleming/Ruby Scott has written a psychological thriller that out does any book I’ve ever read. You will keep turning the pages to see what happens next and you will never guess the ending.
I would love to see this author write more of these.
Usually I am a reader who cannot stand books that jump from POV to POV, from past to present and back again. Usually I am the reader who gives up the moment I see that happening in a book, and I make no apologies for it.
Boy, am I glad I didn't give up on this book!
Something about this book kept me invested even when I had to navigate the twists and turns of POV and timeline, and I am so grateful that it did.
No Way Out is the twistiest turniest psychological thriller I have read in a long, long time. Every time I thought I had worked out a piece of the puzzle, one of the characters would come along and shift it again, and the authors played with my emotions like they were nothing... but they were not nothing!
As the story progresses, it is impossible not to feel an entire range of emotions, from sadness to anger, empathy to disgust, and then to actual glee (does that make the reader the psychopath, rather than the antagonist?!) when the tower comes crashing down and the truth is revealed in the rubble.
While there are sapphic characters involved in the plot, there is an almost singular focus on the psychological thriller aspect of this story throughout, and the result is exceptional. This book is an excellent foray into the darkness from an author I had previously only read lighter romances from, and I sincerely hope there are many more where this book came from!!
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed every one of Ruby Scott’s books, I had high hopes for this one. Susie Fleming, Ruby Scott’s first book in the Psychological Thriller Genre, and wow, did it deliver. “When bonds break the truth bleeds” couldn’t sum up this storyline more perfectly in my opinion. Characters who are friends, coworkers, bosses, employees, significant others, all brought together in a remote location for a team building exercise like no other as the cracks begin to appear and they literally have No Way Out!
The authors managed to keep me on tenterhooks, very cleverly going from various stages in the past, to the present and back again, telling the story from the point of view of each of the characters in turn. I was convinced on numerous occasions I knew ‘who done it’, only to have my theory blown out of the water soon after. One of my favourite things about the authors writing, is the ability to build drama in one scene and humour in the next, keeping me entertained and gripped by the story the whole way through. Bravo. I cannot wait for the next Psychological Thriller from these authors.
Anyone who reads my reviews will know that I rarely give out 5 stars - usually a book has to ‘punch me in the heart’ to get that rating. In this case though, I’ve given a five because this is the best sapphic thriller I’ve EVER read! I like some straight thrillers now and again (I’ve read Harlen Coben, Tess Gerritsen and Michael Connelly) and some of those writers are famous and successful because they’re good. This deserves to be plauded in the same way. Things start slowly with the story being told from the perspectives of multiple people. You gradually work out who is who and think you get to know the characters, but this has surprises aplenty tucked up in its pages! By about halfway through I was fully invested and thought I knew who was going to die, but was still unsure who would be the killer. It turns out I was completely wrong! I’m so glad I didn’t look ahead as it would really have spoiled the ending. My only tiny reservation was with regard to one couple who are together in the Epilogue - they didn’t really ring true to me. But apart from that, this was great. If you want a really good thriller with a sapphic twist then give this a try…I doubt you’ll be disappointed!
This book was everything that I didn’t know I needed! I delved into ‘No Way Out’ on the back of a book hangover which demanded that I read something gripping and gritty, and this book delivered on both fronts! 👏🏼
It is bursting at the seams with tension, drama, intrigue, suspense, and more twists than a damn corkscrew! I was pretty much frustrated for the majority of this book, happy to stew in my anger towards specific characters, only for Susie Fleming&Ruby Scott to flip the script once more! I felt utterly manipulated, chapter by chapter, until the very last page, and I bloody loved it! 🙌🏼
‘No Way Out’ is like riding a wild rollercoaster, all the adrenaline, emotions, the ups and the downs. And just when you think you’ve worked it out and sit there smiling smugly half way through, the damn thing jolts and takes the return journey backwards, leaving you screaming WT actual F?!
Lastly, I have to give a shout-out to the dark humour in this book, it was entirely genius! I mean… ‘Her face cracks open wider than a porn star on heat as she beams at him adoringly.’ Just glorious. 🤣
This is the first sapphic domestic thriller that I have read and it was fabulous! From the beginning you learn someone has been murdered and the journey to finding out who was killed and of course the "who done it" is a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
The story revolves around a group of directors of an AI company that are working toward going public with their company. A chance meeting with one Ms. Karma Knox turns everything upside down. Soon, Karma has worked her way into the lives of the circle of directors/friends and before they know it, she is running the show and their company. When some shady transactions begin to occur, it seems Karma is up to no good, and leaves the others in the company (and the reader) wondering just what is Karma's endgame? You'll have to read the book to find out.
I highly recommend giving No Way Out a read, as it was a book I couldn't put down once I started it.