The Murder Club

FBI Agent Susan Parker #2

by Sam Baron

She walked through the cabin, across the gleaming hardwood floor, past the beautiful fireplace and luxury kitchen. The view overlooking the lake was breathtaking until she stepped outside and saw the lifeless body in the chair – a silk scarf wrapped tightly around his throat, his gray eyes wide open.

FBI Agent Susan Parker’s fun afternoon go-karting with her daughter is interrupted when she’s called to the crime scene of a wealthy local man murdered in his home.

As she delves into his life, she discovers the man belonged to an exclusive yet sinister Murder Club obsessed with the mysterious ‘Clothesline killer.’ The previous victims were all single mothers being investigated for suspected neglect who bore the same chilling hallmark – each was strangled in her bed at night by a masked figure.

But the Murder Club aren’t the only ones who have been tracking his every move…

A local pizza delivery girl has been closely following the cases and building her own investigative report. Though dismissed as isolated crimes before, Susan unravels a shocking trail of clues from the girl’s scrapbook that lead to the forgotten women and orphaned children left in the killer’s wake.

Then another member of the club is found dead in his ranchhouse.

Determined to silence those who get in his way, and with his sights now set on Susan, can she stop him before she and her family fall prey to this elusive killer?

A gripping and heart-racing keep-you-up-all-night thriller that will have fans of Robert Dugoni, Gregg Olsen and Lisa Regan absolutely hooked.

Can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook

324 pages, Paperback

Published March 27, 2024

Reviews

[Bharath · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt the first book started out well with a good character in Susan Parker, an FBI agent. There was the unresolved issue of her husband’s murder in that book, but it had a decent story. That cannot be said about this book.

The action is in Santa Carina valley, California (2 hours from LA). Susan is now fully engaged in her job at the FBI, moving on after husband Amit’s death. Her sister-in-law Lata, continues to help her handle things, including caring for her daughter Natalie. Naved Seth, from local law enforcement continues into this book. He talks to her about what looks like a serial killer on the prowl. The victims are all single mothers, with problems. Urduja, who works at a local pizza place and does a true crime podcast has put together a list of other cases, which she feels are related.

Susan is not sure if she needs to dig further into this, since a lot of this is speculative. She receives an urgent call to investigate the death of Derek Chen, a millionaire. His mother Margaret Chen squarely blames another millionaire Trevor Blackburn, saying a bunch of them had formed a murder club and were obsessed with serial killers. She is of the view that this curiosity led to the death of Derek. As she investigates the murky activities of the murder club and its members, Susan finds that she and her family are also in danger from a dangerous killer. Susan’s husband’s Amit’s murder finds some coverage as well but is still unresolved.

The story is twisted, and I struggled to stay engaged. I found the procedures to be weak, character behaviours unrealistic (Susan for instance at one point offers her gun to the killer to get him to come out) and most new characters to be flat. There is a not so bad twist with a backstory, but it comes after a lot of silly stuff. The story being fast paced is the only positive aspect.

Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and the author for a free electronic review copy.

My rating: 1.5 / 5.

[Tripp · Rating 2 out of 5]

The murder Club
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a brutally honest review
{⭐️⭐️💫 2.5}
{platform: NetGalley 🖥️}
{page count: 284}
{one word review : disappointed}
Okay I’m so torn and what to rate this book because I’m one Hand the story keep me turning, but I’m the other hand the insufferable FMC and constant editing mistakes made me not want to finish reading it.

~hers what I liked~

👍 - the plot was really cool (I keep me up till 1:00 am finishing the book)
👍 - I liked SOME of the characters (most them were easy to root for and enjoyable

~heres what I didn’t like~

👎 - The FMC (she was the worst. It felt like every sentence she reminded us that she was. “Marginalized women of color” no joke and it was just annoying. She missed obvious plot lines in the beginning it took her 80 pages for what I had figured out in 20)
👎 - it was predictable (pretty much speaks for its self)
👎 - violent (there were times I wanted to dnf because the book got to violent)

~📖the writing📚~

So I mean this in a very polite way but I wonder if the author have an editor. There are some very obvious mistakes made in the writing.

“much but yes, i not think that” (page 197)

“He know lot more attention be focus on their murders” (page 200)

“He unable to” (page 200)

and I’m no picky grammar person (clearly read half my reviews) but like that’s pretty obvious other then that the story flowed really well and was easy to read.

~🎶playlist🎶~

🎵 backstabber - Kesha
🎵 toxic - Britney Spears
🎵 money money money - Abba
🎵 stone cold crazy -Queen

~iffy content~

- Cussing 🤬🤬/5 (I don’t remember anything bad)
- S*xuall content 🚨/5 (nothing bad)
- Violence 🔫🔫🔫🔫/5 (not only does it describe how he kills but also why and that’s gets really disturbing)

pre review (3/19) a very conflicted 2.5 stars 🚓💨

pre read 1/2 (3/12) sooooo uhhh u may have requested this in net galley before learning it was a series SO I’m just gonna read book 2 (this will be interesting ngl)

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.



I must say, I had high hopes for this book based off the premise, but I was quickly (and frequently) turned off by some of the content. What could have been a dark, twisty thriller was actually a very predictable story in which the FMC was insufferable. (In all honesty, the FMC is supposed to be a Special Agent in Charge working with the FBI, and it took her forever to put together basic things regarding the unsub that were super obvious from the opening pages.) She spent the entire book talking about how she's a "marginalized woman of color", and she and others continuously pat her on the back for being born only half Caucasian. She complains about everything around her, and comes off as a bit of a hypocrite. "I'm starting to get sick of the sight of these ridiculously expensive luxury cars around our middle-class suburb." Meanwhile, she's only seen two of them, and one belongs to her husband's uncle. (And btw, her husband's family are all Indian multi-billionaires.) The outright disdain for Caucasian people is apparent throughout. It's absurd how the FMC continuously tries to elevate herself by droning on about how amazing she is and how much everyone around her loves her (with the exception of her male, Caucasian boss, of course), while at the same time trying to come across as a victim. It was just really tiresome, overdone, and a total turnoff and detractor from the story itself. It honestly made me want to stop reading several times. You shouldn't have to put others down in order to elevate yourself. It just seemed like this book had an agenda, and it wasn't to tell a compelling, entertaining story.

[Tara Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story we follow Susan Parker and her team as they try to figure out who is killing members of a Billionaire Murder Club. With the help of an unlikely group of Podcasters, the team begins to piece together a gruesome picture that will definitely have you on the edge of your seat.

I loved the diverse group of likeable characters and I look forward to finding out more about them in future books.

I enjoyed this book so much, I was kicking myself for not reading Book 1 first. Thankfully this book works as a standalone, but I'm definitely going to go back and read the first book. Very much looking forward to more of this series!

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic story that was action packed and had me listening one chapter after the next! I’m excited for the next book based on the cliff hanger at the end!

If you enjoy fast paced stories with FBI agents hunting down serial killers and also enjoy empowered women kicking ass and taking names, I highly recommend this series!

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK: THE MURDER CLUB
AUTHOR: SAM BARON
PUB DATE: 22 MARCH 2024
👮🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♀️
REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
👮🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♀️
My favorite part of this book was the diverse characters. I've never read a thriller with so many POC as cops and it was new and refreshing. I liked it.
👮🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♀️
The book started with two unseemingly connected murders. I liked discovering their connection and I liked the crime solving. It was engaging and kept me guessing till the last page. I liked that the perp got the punishment he rightly deserved.
👮🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♀️
I liked our FMC, Susan Parker, she was alright. I liked reading about her personal life and her deaf daughter, Natalie. Although I didn't read the previous books in the series, I had an idea of what happened, and I'm really curious about what happened with Amit, Susan's dead husband. I also liked Susan's team they had a wonderful synergy and they were all very good at their jobs.
👮🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♀️
All in all, this book was good with wonderful characters and setting. You should definitely read it.
👮🏼‍♀️👮🏼‍♀️

[Milena Loves Books❤️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Murder Club by Sam Baron is a mystery-thriller FBI crime story.

The plot should focus on solving crimes, not on hating men or playing the victim. or even being inclusive.

I wanted to like this book. due to its intriguing title, attractive cover, and promising description... but unfortunately, some of the content quickly put me off. What could have been a thrilling and unpredictable story turned out to be quite predictable, and the main character's attitude was unbearable. She spent the entire book talking about how she's a "marginalized woman of color"... Throughout the book, the female main character's disdain for Caucasian people is evident. Her hatred towards men was overwhelming, and it was absurd how she constantly praised herself and how much everyone around her loved her (except for her male, Caucasian boss, of course).

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I think this might be the most terrifying and delicious serial murder
story I have read. The continuation of our SAC / FBI leads us from more
bone chilling, buried deep in historical lies than one would likely find in
an entire series. Having discovered this new series has me keeping open
reading time after the wild ride of Susan and her family when
her connections and her talent leave her family in a terrible mess of
violence and destruction. I must be first in to read the next book just
to allow me to sleep at night. My thanks to Storm Publishing via
Net Galley for the download of this book for review purposes.

[Lezlie The Nerdy Narrative · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested a copy of the ARC from the publisher, Storm Publishing, on NetGalley and was approved in exchange for consideration of a review. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader.

After reading - and loving THE THERAPY ROOM in January, I was checking NetGalley *every* week, hoping to see the second book in the FBI Agent Susan Parker series pop up.

It was worth the wait!

Sam Baron delivered another scintillating crime thriller with THE MURDER CLUB. In my opinion, this author combines great pacing and a writing style that suits this genre to perfection. Just as it was for THE THERAPY ROOM, I was unable to put this one down once I started reading it.

While it is entirely possible to read and enjoy this book as a standalone, I do recommend that you start at the beginning of the series.

In THE MURDER CLUB, it's not local law enforcement - or even the FBI - who discovers that Santa Carina Valley is the hunting ground of a serial killer - it's a group of billionaires! This "murder club" somehow managed to identify and stalk a serial killer by hacking into the killer's camera network. The problem is - well, the killer knows. And now he's coming for them.

What made this book in particular so thrilling to me is that Sam Baron used factual information regarding serial killers to flesh out the methodology of this case, as well as the behavior of the killer. I'm telling you - after the first few chapters, I moved to a chair that was in a corner of the room so my back was to the wall. I also went and checked my shower head. Thoroughly.

I loved being back with Susan Parker and her team as they worked their newest high profile case. (Except Ramon, for some reason, that character annoys me.) There were several nuanced developments in a few character arcs that I enjoyed - though I'm dying for more than just a few crumbs!! These developments, while small and explained, are part of the reason I recommend starting with the first book in the series. The other part of that reasoning is because it's just as good as this one.

So even though I was uncomfortably reminded that almost all of us come in contact with one or more serial killers in the course of our day to day lives, I rode that wave of chills with wild abandon as I flew through this book. Once again, I will find myself combing through the new titles added to NetGalley each week as I wait for the third installment in this series.

If you prefer watching video reviews, I do have a BookTube Channel

A heartfelt thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for their support towards my enthusiasm for reading and reviewing!

Special thanks to my highest level Patrons: Ev, Amanda L., Sharon, Andrew, Star, Kate, Gail, Amanda F., Lourdes, Tara, John, Ann, Chad K., Ashley E., & Jennifer M.

[Curt Dunnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Murder Club” by Sam Baron proved to be a solid 4-star read. As the second installment in the FBI Agent Susan Parker series, it kicks off with Parker once again torn from her family by a mysterious phone call, leading her to a compelling crime scene. This time, the case revolves around the murder of a local billionaire, who also happened to be a member of a secretive Billionaire Murder Club. Along the way, Parker discovers potential connections between the murder and a group of podcasters, adding layers of intrigue to the investigation. Can she unravel the truth behind the crime before it's too late?

Having had mixed feelings about the first book in the series, I approached this one with an open mind. While I found the story more engaging this time around, the quality of writing still left something to be desired. The interactions between the agents felt contrived, and there were noticeable inaccuracies regarding law enforcement procedures. However, the storyline itself proved to be captivating. If you're able to overlook these flaws and simply enjoy the story for what it is, then this book is worth your time.

It's worth noting that "The Murder Club" delves into some contentious themes, including strong viewpoints on gender, race, and the challenges faced by women within the FBI. If such themes are likely to unsettle you, it might be best to steer clear of this book. However, if you're comfortable with these discussions, then "The Murder Club" is certainly worth considering.

Thanks to Storm Publishing, Sam Baron, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Murder Club by Sam Baron is a gripping thriller. This is Book 2 in the Susan Parker series, but it can be read as a standalone. I would recommend reading Book 1 to get familiar with the characters and why some things are discussed in this book.

FBI Agent Susan Parker’s fun afternoon with her daughter is interrupted when she’s called to the crime scene of a wealthy local man murdered in his home. As she delves into his life, she discovers the man belonged to an exclusive yet sinister Murder Club obsessed with the mysterious ‘Clothesline killer.’

Susan encounters some rich and powerful people who are not cooperating in the investigation, some friends, and many foes.

I really like Susan's daughter Natalie. She seems sweet and says cute things. Susan continues to be a strong character, determined to find the truth.

The culprit was a surprise. There is sort of a cliffhanger at the end. The main story wraps up, but Susan and her family are left in an obscure predicament. During this story, Susan's home life was invaded, her family was put at risk, and there were other things I won't mention so as not to spoil anything. Also, the mystery surrounding her husband Amit's death is still unresolved. What is going to happen? Will she finally find out what truly happened to Amit in the next installment? Let's hope so.

I would recommend this book and this author.

#TheMurderClub #NetGalley @Stormbooks_co

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Susan Parker, FBI SAC, is called to the murder of a billionaire. But all is not as it seems and she slowly starts to uncover a far larger case than it first appeared to be. Great characters, a story full of twists, and a surprising ending. There is the underlying case of the death of Susan's husband from the previous book, but the case featured in the story is solved and the book can definitely be read as a standalone. However, I'm going to go and read the first book too. I really enjoyed this one.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Nurse Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really struggled to get through this book. I feel like it had enough information to work as a stand-alone, and the author painfully referenced the previous book so many times it felt like book number 2 was envious of book one.

One aspect of this book that I agonized over was the over abundance of cultural inclusion. I found it distracting from the story that every character had a different race or ethnicity, that each person was so set into their own stereotypes, etc. I also struggled with understanding interactions with the deaf daughter who could read lips but also “says” (p134, 138, etc) vs. signs. It gave the impression that the author wanted to be inclusive by having a deaf character, but lacked the ASL culture that is different from just using signing for words. In all honesty, it came across as if the author was in a competition to be as inclusive as possible to the point of ridiculousness (bi-sexual, Spanish, Indian, Black, Chinese, Marisol with her broken English after years of being in the states, deaf, wheelchair bound, rich, poor, middle-class,…). I found myself so distracted by the over abundance of attention of all of the above that I often lost track of what was actually happening in the plot.

Overall, I found the main character cliche and annoying. The plot was super predictable and drawn out. Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Murder Club by Sam Baron is a heart-pounding and fast-paced novel that will keep readers at the edge of their seats. In this third installment, we follow the story of Susan Parker, an FBI agent, as she pursues a group of billionaires tracking the notorious "Clothesline Killer" online. This killer targets young, impoverished, and struggling mothers who are unable to care for their children. Calling themselves The Murder Club, the billionaires aim to solve the crimes before Susan can. Now, one of the billionaires has come up dead, and more may follow.

In the gripping narrative, Susan fearlessly immerses herself in the intricate and malevolent psyche of the murderer, placing not only herself but also her daughter in grave danger. Through chilling revelations, she painstakingly unravels a complex network of sinister connections, ensuring that readers remain on tenterhooks throughout. As the suspense escalates, the burning question persists: will Susan and her daughter fall prey to the killer's sinister intentions? Furthermore, the extent to which the killer is willing to go to intimidate Susan remains a haunting mystery. Whether you are just starting the series or have been a devoted fan for years, this book promises to enthrall you from the first page to the final, climactic conclusion.

I just reviewed The Murder Club by Sam Baron. #TheMurderClub #NetGalley

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was definitely hard to put down. If you're looking for a read where you don't have to think too much and enjoy thrillers, then this is your book. I love the idea of a female special agent as a woman of color and the inclusion of an LBGTQ and deaf character.

However, there developed some serious problems with those inclusions. A white male trying to write about the experiences of a woman of color, a lesbian, and a deaf female child does not work. Susan Parker's white-sounding name left the author to tell the reader countless times in the book that she was a marginalized person. There are times in the book when Susan Parker's actions and thoughts simply don't match those of a woman - it was clear they were perceptions from a male perspective. For instance, you know the only group of people who care that a woman hasn't been on a date only one year after her husband has died? A white male. And, of course, the lesbian character was a former Marine. Stereotypical.

The premise of the primary plot was creepy and novel but the follow through was weak and predictable. It Too many subplots were left untied (otherwise, why would anyone read the next novel?), I didn't read the first book, and this one read fine without the background.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the overall story. A lot of it felt like filler though and I found myself skimming a majority of it. The ending tied together pretty well.

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The Murder Club by Sam Baron is the second in the FBI Agent Susan Parker series. 

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

Series Background: (Warning - May contain spoilers from previous books) 
FBI Agent Susan Parker has been with the bureau over 10 years.  Her team consists of Special agents Ramon Diaz, Kayla Regis, and David Moskovitch, with Trainee agent Brine Thomas.  Their boss is Deputy Director Connor Gentry.  They work with Chief Evidence Investigator Marisol Mancini.  Recently, Detective Naved Seth has been working with the group.  Susan is a single mother to 7 year-old Natalie, and they are living with her sister-in-law Lata, who stepped up after Susan's husband died.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Susan is called to investigate the death of a wealthy business man.  He, and other very wealthy men belonged to a group who were following a serial killer.  Dubbed the Murder Club, they were obsessed with a man who has been strangling women in their beds with a clothesline, while their children slept in adjacent rooms.  None of this group want to discuss anything with Susan.

But this wealthy group is not the only one tracking this serial killer.  A local podcaster has been following the case as well, and has finally got enough information that she has brought it forward to Naved.   She has a whole scrapbook filled with information showing a number of women who have been killed, leaving behind a number of orphaned children.

Soon Susan, herself, will be targeted.  She will be putting her own life, and that of her family, on the line.

 

My Opinions:
I enjoyed this one even more than the first in the series.  It was a fast-paced, gripping, and entertaining read.

Susan's team is great, and her sister-in-law is priceless.  I've gotten over the fact that the author combined so many different ethnicities, sexual orientations, and people with disabilities within the pages.  I thought he was trying too hard to be inclusive, but now...it is what it is. 

The plot was very good,  and although there seems to be never-ending questions as to what happened with Susan's dead husband,  I'm trying to ignore it, as I hate when things drag on from book to book.  I think the dialogue was much better in this one....except Marisol's....whose grammar for highly educated woman is atrocious!

In the acknowledgement, the author provided a few clues as to what was coming next, and that's fine, but I was not thrilled that he is going to be writing so frequently.  I doubt very much I will keep up.

However, I am looking forward to the next book..


For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[Karen Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this is the second in a series I didn’t feel that not having read the first impeded me during it. I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
The Murder Club is a thriller where we have a lot of the pieces in front of us from the outset, but it takes time for them to all come together.
Thanks to the sleuthing of a pizza delivery girl and her friends, who all have a vested interest in the work they’re doing, our team come to learn that there has been a serial killer working in their county for some years. Though the method of killing and the victims are all similar, they are not attributed to the same person as the police investigating make some assumptions about each of the victims. The Clothesline Killer as he is nicknamed also seems to be branching out, killing members of a very exclusive club.
As our lead character Susan Parker heads up the FBI investigation, she comes to learn that some of her personal life is impacting on the current case. She too is at risk, but doesn’t learn why until very late on.
Things escalated in a way that made little sense, and the closing revelations really did come out of nowhere. However, the story was an entertaining one though it offered little out of the ordinary.

[Kayla Lambert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The title was intriguing, the cover was attractive, and the description sounded like a great read, however; I just could not get into it. It's not often that I don't finish a book - even if I am not liking a book, I will still stick it out - but I just couldn't with this one.. I read 20% of the book and then I decided I couldn't go forward anymore, for a few reasons:

1. I don't feel like the author properly introduced the characters. By the 12th chapter, there were a lot of characters mentioned but really hard to keep track of.

2. The author mentioned that the main character was a woman of color and bashed men a lot in this book. I am all for describing characters but it was repeated so much. And, the hate for men was a bit much. The topic of the book is solving murders, not berating men. It was off-putting. In just the 20% I read, it was repeated a lot.

3. The storyline had so much potential, I just feel the writing didn't give the storyline justice. Because I liked the story line (what was described in the section about the book) I rounded up to a 2 in rating.

[Jacquelyn Dohoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book in this series and really liked the unique storyline for that particular killer. Susan was an easy character to root for, and I really liked all the other characters as well. Those relationships are what made me so eager to pick this one up. I loved seeing where everything is going and how Susan and Naved are forming this wonderful friendship. The other thing I really liked is how diverse the cast is without seeming like the author was trying to fill some quota. In this book, we get to see a little more about Amit’s death and the inner working of Susan’s in-laws. Just like Susan suspected, they’re not as innocent as they would like to appear. Just how guilty they are, we still don’t know. But I have my suspicions, and I will honestly fall over if I’m right, because that would be crazy pants! All in all, a very entertaining story and I’m definitely looking forward to the next one!

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Was a page turner for me. Loved the characters and the story behind it, loved the twist. Really great crime mystery read.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.5.

[sian.reads.books · Rating 2 out of 5]

As was the case with book one in the Susan Parker series (The Therapy Room) there is a main storyline surrounding a serial killer, and a sub-plot around Amit’s (Parker's husband) death - suicide or murder? And just like in book one, very little progress is made on the sub-plot which I'm finding quite irritating. It just isn't moving at an engaging pace, but is still intriguing enough that I want to know the outcome!

The Murder Club revolves around a group of wealthy people who form a "club" and, by throwing money at what they want, manage to hack into the feed of a serial killer who records his kills, and watch him. Do they go to the police with this video evidence? No. Do they continue to watch it until the killer realises they've seen him and starts picking them off one by one? Yes.

As the FBI investigates, the group close ranks, enforce their lawyers and hinder Parker's hunt for the killer. For fear of their actions becoming public knowledge (and affecting their big, fat bank accounts), they do nothing to aid the FBI and, in turn, ensure their club-mates safety. It probably goes without saying, but none of the characters were likeable at all, which made me struggle to empathise with them. Frankly, the killer could pick them all off, as far as I was concerned!

In terms of the writing, just like book one Parker and her team took a long time to figure out what was fairly obvious to me from quite early on. As an elite FBI team and a high ranking SAC (Special Agent in Charge), it didn't feel very realistic and didn't have the sense of urgency you'd think a serial killer would bring to the Santa Carina Valley.

There were a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes as well as the need for some general editing. A few sentences didn't make sense, with words missing, singulars used instead of plural etc.

In book one, I was a big fan of SAC Parker and the way the book focused on "minority groups" and made them the forefront of the story. In book two, this doesn't come across quite so naturally and feels somewhat forced down the readers throat at times, with Parker reiterating that she's a "marginalized woman of color" A LOT. 

The twist and ending of the book was well written and made continuing with the book worthwhile. I will also continue with the rest of the series and hope that, in book three, SAC Parker becomes a bit more likeable again, that the team get to the point a bit quicker and that the ongoing (painfully slow) mystery of Amit’s suicide/murder is unravelled a bit more.

[June Walters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several months after the high profile events of The Splinter, a dark disturbing case which FBI agent Susan Parker was responsible for drawing to a dramatic conclusion, her main focus has been on getting over those traumatic days. Out in Santa Carina Valley enjoying life with her daughter Natalie and sislaw Lata, Susan receives a call from friend and colleague Naved Seth, who is an officer with SCVPD. After arranging to meet, Susan gets another call, this time from her boss, a call she can’t ignore. With two cases on the go Susan is being put to the test once again and has to prioritise.

The second book in the Susan Parker series, and in the first half there is improvement. Whereas the first book, The Therapy Room, was a good story but full of repetitive phrasing and badly drawn characters, this one is more cohesive, a more engaging read, and, thankfully, the dreaded copacetic only makes a very. The plot is good until halfway through, then the story is so silly and incredulous that all the good work before it fades away.

There are few odd moments that a good copy editor would have picked up on immediately. Just a couple of examples , Parker noting that almost all of us come into contact with one or more serial killers in the course of our daily lives. If the world’s population is in excess of eight billion, then that’s a hell of a lot of serial killers or a few very well travelled ones 🤣. Nothing like a little hyperbole to ease the storyline along. Also, the man was clad all in black like his car. Black cardigan over white T-shirt and black jeans??? All in black, but white T-shirt? Then there are issues with events in the wrong order, plus characters in two places at once.

The story ends with yet another cliffhanger, hoping to keep readers hooked.

A better book that number one but still needs a lot of work.

2.5*

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

[Linsey Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me this ARC for my honest opinion of the book.

I think this is an excellent book I would absolutely recommend to others! It held my attention, and made it so hard for me to put down! It has so many details, and twists that make you wanna keep reading to find out who is behind the murders.

A little about the book:

FBI agent Susan Parker gets called to a crime scene at a millionaires house. As she investigates, she finds out he is a part of a murder club that is tracking a serial killer. The murder club isn't the only one's whhasve been tracking the cases's but also a young girl and her friends.

Omg, I just realized this is actually book 2 in the series but it definitely can be read as a stand alone! I'll definitely be reading book one now that I know it exists!

This author is new to me and I love this books so much I can't wait to get my hand on more of his books!

[Linz_loves_books (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Sam Baron, and Storm Publishing for granting me access to an e-Arc of this book in exchange for a honest review.

3.5 ⭐️s
In this story we follow our FMC, Susan Parker, a special agent of the FBI, as she embarks on a twisted journey of mind games. Susan Parker is introduced to a teen podcaster, who brings her attention to a serial killer, who is killing single moms over a span of eight years. At the same time, our FBI agent is put on a case following the murder of a billionaire, and member of The Murder Club. The Murder Club is a group of billionaires who are stalking and watching a local serial killer, until the tables turn and now the serial killer is killing off the members one by one. Is Susan Parker searching for two serial killers now or are the serial killers somehow intertwined?

[Deanna Loves to Read!!:) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is met voluntary honest review.

I really appreciate anted to like this. The description sounded right up my alley. I won’t give a synopsis because many others already have.

I think the premise of this book was unique. However, I never connected with the FMC. She seemed to hate men, have a huge chip on her shoulder, and this was repeated over and over.
I did like some of the other characters and wish they had played a bigger role.

I also got confused because there were so many characters, and the FMC had other problems going on, so in the end I felt like I was trying to find the important parts in the story.

The ending was tied up nicely, so I guess there will be a sequel. I don’t think I will read it.

[Kera’s Always Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am LOVING this series. I have a feeling that it’s going to get better with each book and I already can’t wait for more!

Seeing Susan and her team again was like meeting up with friends. I was happy to be back in their world again, even if they had to deal with some terrible criminals. This time around, she winds up investigating a terrible serial killer who strangled a series of single mothers, and the group of Uber rich who are obsessed with the killer.

When the members of this murder club start winding up strangled, it’s a race against time to find the person responsible.

Things is Susan’s personal life are amplifying, too. She refuses to quit asking questions about the death of her husband and I am so hopeful that we get some answers soon.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. The Murder Club had great potential and while some of the story was good, I was just not thrilled with the execution. The premise sold me and I wanted to read it right away but unfortunately it just didn't deliver imo.

While the plot was intriguing I just couldn't get over all of the stereotypes, the constant in your face use of person of color (border line hypocrisy on the FMC) and the over explanation of everything (think Michael Scott saying "explain it to me like I'm five" and that's how I felt like I was treated during the whole book).

It was paced very well, the plot captured my attention, and I liked *most* of the characters. The dual POV from the serial killer and the FMC was also interesting and added depth to the story.

It was an interesting and fast-paced read but the overall execution of the plot and the writing style just wasn't for me but that doesn't mean it won't be for you :)

2.5 stars (rounded to 3 for GR)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy of an e-arc in exchange for my honest review, all thoughts are my own :)

[Lisa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An FBI serial killer thriller is right up my alley! I went in with my hopes high, which was a mistake, because right away the book read like a typical series type thriller (which, really, it is), But halfway through it had me completely hooked, despite the fact that I was fairly confident I had figured out the twist (which turns out, I had) But overall, I truly enjoyed the ride! It is a gripping story, with some really likeable characters that I'd love to learn more about. Although I'm not a fan of reading series, I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read The Murder Club by Sam Baron. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review. I may even check out the first book in this series!