The Night Watcher

Callie Munro Thriller #1

by Tariq Ashkanani

In this tense thriller from the winner of the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, PI Callie Munro is hunting a serial killer on the streets of Edinburgh. But he’s already found her…

As private investigators go, Callie Munro is tougher than most. She’s had to be. Abandoned as a baby and raised by a succession of strangers, she knows a thing or two about surviving…

…but she never expected to find herself hunting a serial killer.

After uncovering a string of missing women―women no one seems to care about―Callie refuses to look away. With police ignoring the evidence, her only ally is an organised crime boss with his own agenda.

The deeper Callie digs, the more dangerous the hunt becomes. Every clue exposes another lie. Every step brings the killer closer.

She’s fighting for the forgotten. But if she’s not careful, she’ll be next.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Scotland, Ebooks, Audiobook

304 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2025

Reviews

[Watchdogg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, this is a thriller all right. No lapses in action, nor any filler to speak of. Not my favorite genre as I usually reach for a good police procedural and I'm not a big fan of guts or gore if you know what I mean. For thriller fans this will deliver. For me, however, I found Callie Munro just a little too much of a renegade - throwing caution to the wind, putting herself in harm's way, and taking the law into her own hands. I'm going to pass on future releases in this series.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so the kindle First Reads are usually, shall we say, crap. But this one was excellent. I actually don’t particularly like thrillers, but I really liked this one. And my friend who loves thrillers, loved this. The twists weren’t broadcast in neon lights, the characters were interesting and fleshed out, and I didn’t get bored. I would definitely read other books by this author and in this series.

[William de_Rham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, “The Night Watcher” is a well-written mystery/police procedural about the hunt for a serial killer who has tortured and then murdered a number of women. It is the first in a series starring private investigator Callie Munro. I enjoyed it and look forward to author Tariq Ashkanani’s next offering.

Callie Munro was orphaned early in life and grew up in Scotland’s foster care system. She knows little about her beginnings, but remembers a lot about her unpleasant experiences as a foster child—experiences which helped to make her strong and independent, but also aloof and mistrustful. After a series of unsuccessful employments, she’s found her calling as a P.I.

Hired by a husband to investigate and document his wife’s possible infidelity, Callie uncovers evidence that several murders may be the work of one person. It’s a theory that Edinburgh police are reluctant to look into, leaving Callie to investigate on her own. The story of that investigation is filled with twists and turns, not to mention several red herrings, and ends with a surprise. You'll think you know who the killer is, but you won't.

Mr. Ashkanani has given us a solidly constructed, believable mystery, a main character we can root for and care about, and well-drawn supporting characters, all portrayed through clear prose and credible dialogue that can be read quickly. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more about the city of Edinburgh and Scottish life, but maybe there will be time and space for that in future Callie Munro thrillers.

A solid 4-star performance.

[Leorah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmm…

Wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel, but all I can say is that I didn’t care for the writing. The characters did not engage me, and the violence was over the top.

[Mary Doherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was decent and I would have rated it a 4 star, but a few things about the story drove me crazy. I don't need to know about every time Callie Munro lights a cigarette or has no time to eat. It adds nothing to the story, it's just filler.

[Mj · Rating 2 out of 5]

An exceptionally unlikable character

I want back the few hours I spent on this book. The PI, Callie, is an unlikable rogue. She is hired by a man to find out if his wife is having an affair (she is) but refuses to pay Callie because his wife confessed before Callie gave him the report. They get into a fight which Callie wins although he's professional security and twice her size. And we're off to one improbable plot point after another. I really tried to follow along but at 50% I simply skipped to the last 2 chapters. Low and behold, a cliffhanger.
I knew going in I would probably give this at most 3 stars when Callie bemoans how broke she is and might not make the rent, has paying jobs to finish, but goes off following a serial killer for no credible reason or remuneration. This is a very poorly written woman PI.

[Paul Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite thrilling with lots of suspense. Loved it.

The US military “inadvertently” shot-down an alien vessel. Now the government must cover-up the incident even if it means erasing a rural Missouri town.

Living in MO, it was rather fun to see KCMO and WAFB in a story. I’m fairly certain this was written by a young adult for the YA community. Lots of typos, spelling errors, incorrect homonyms, capitalization, etc. A criminal level overuse of the exclamation mark and the word “ruinous” makes the text distracting from the story, but even so, this is a fantastic book and worthy of the time.

Can recommend.

[Jo Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had such a lucky little run with my ALC’s and to think I was getting so fed up of samey detective series. This isn’t samey at all. Smart, fast paced jammed with twists that weren’t glaringly obvious, I really enjoyed this to the point i was fuming when my listening was interrupted.

A great start to a Scottish PI story, the type that has you wondering if you might like to take a quick career change. Callie Munro has had a tough past but it’s left her with the dogged determination that’s needed to always uncover the truth. This is a series I’ll watch out for, gritty, punchy and smart.

Excellent dual narration, available now and you’ll want it on your reading list!

Huge thanks to Brilliance publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook 🎧

[Kittykorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved this book via Amazon first reads

This book has everything going for it, tension and suspense, which kept me turning the pages, just couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking for a good read

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The lamb was dry as f**k, you silly, stupid c*:t!" - This quote early on made me laugh so hard and it gives an early insight to the no bullshit attitude Callie has.

Wow what a bloody book! This is the first book I have read by the author and I already have another lined up. I love his style of writing and the pace of the book is exactly what I go for.

The Blurb....
"As private investigators go, Callie Munro is tougher than most. She’s had to be. Abandoned as a baby and raised by a succession of strangers, she knows a thing or two about surviving…
…but she never expected to find herself hunting a serial killer.
After uncovering a string of missing women—women no one seems to care about—Callie refuses to look away. With police ignoring the evidence, her only ally is an organised crime boss with his own agenda.
The deeper Callie digs, the more dangerous the hunt becomes. Every clue exposes another lie. Every step brings the killer closer.
She’s fighting for the forgotten. But if she’s not careful, she’ll be next."

I thought I had this one figured out early on but then I was floored with twist after twist.

Callie's character is amazing and I hope to learn more about her in upcoming books (I really hope there is more. We need more).

I started this book then had to put it down due to other commitment's but then I pretty much read the last 80% in a few hours last night. It’s one of those books you pick up “just for a chapter” and suddenly you’re done. If you’re into mysterious, slightly dark stories about serial killers, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

The ending had me like 😳😳

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

As many have said, this is a decent First reads offering from Amazon. The triller genre is like a guilty pleasure for me. I keep reading them but tend to regret it when I'm finished. Authors, this one included, tend to put too much that just don't seem believable.

Here you have short chapters, lots of action (perhaps too much), a main character that I don't really understand, and lots of hints as to what to wait for in future books in the series. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be continuing the series.

[Bill Philibin · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 Stars)

Thank you #NetGalley for making this book available to read and review

I really liked this book. There were great characters, and the story was easy to follow. The author does a good job giving insight into the character's motivations, and lets you feel their emotions with them.

There are enough clues and hints to keep you guessing, and enough misdirection to make you feel frustrated... at least as frustrated as the main character :)

While the story ties up nicely, there is a definite cliff-hanger at the end. So, I am looking forward to more from this author/series.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for The Night Watcher by Tariq Ashkanani in exchange for an honest review. I randomly chose this book after looking at the cover, yes, I judged it by it's cover, and it was as good as it looked! Ashkanani sets up a mysterious and captivating story about a serial killer who is torturing and killing women. There is almost constant pulse pounding events happening throughout the whole book in the search for the killer. This was a fun read.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Amazon First Reads. A serial killer is terrorizing Edinburgh. Women are disappearing, but no one seems to be overly concerned. One of the missing women is connected to a case that Callie Munro has been investigating and she’s compelled to find what’s happened to those missing women. This is a quick, action packed, tense thriller that keeps your interest until the end.

[April Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!

[yazzyvb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 or 4

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent thriller. A couple good twists in the plot.

[Lyndsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a delightful thriller that kept me intrigued, though sometimes I did get annoyed with how much Callie was willing to throw herself into danger

[Dani Brooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this thriller! Bit of a slow start but I was hooked after the first few chapters. Will definitely read the sequel when it's published

[Tina Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suspense but dragged out in a few places.

Loved the suspense but I felt it slowed down in a few spots. I thought it was done halfway through when the “killer” was revealed. Great twist in the plot. It really led me to believe it was an early suspect. Then I kind of figured out who it was and how all the pieces fit together. The ending was a little abrupt but good setup for the next book.
A solid 4 stars for this ARC review from Amazon Prime First Reads.

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading: December 11th 2025


*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***

REVIEW

It's no secret that I have a weak spot for a good serial killer thriller and I can never resist a Scottish setting either, so it's easy to understand why I wanted to read The Night Watcher as soon as I first heard about it. Then I realized that this was the same author that was previously highly recommended to me (The Midnight King), and I was even more excited to start listening to this first book of a new series... And I have to say that I've become an instant fan of Tariq Ashkanani's writing. What an absolutely fantastic Scottish crime thriller!

Our new lead character is Callie Munro, who is a private investigator. I always enjoy a PI angle in a crime thriller; they never have the same resources as the police and as a result they have to get creative to get to the truth. Callie also has an interesting background, and while some cliches are involved, as a whole I enjoyed spending time with her character. The main focus is on the missing women case itself though, and I could appreciate how we got to see both Callie's unofficial investigation and parts of the police investigation itself.

The story is mainly told through Callie's POV, although we also get short chapters from the killer's POV as well. While I usually love to get a glimpse inside a killer's mind, I wasn't too big of a fan of this POV this time around. This had everything to do with the use of the second person perspective, which is a narrative style I somehow always clash with. The content itself was interesting though and also provided a couple clues along the way.

The audiobook itself without a doubt enhanced the experience with this book for me. The narrator Elle Newlands really brought Callie to life and I admit that I fell in love with her Scottish accent (anyone else have a weak spot for certain accents?). Despite this accent, I had no issues following the story whatsoever and the pace was just right for me. The other narrator Maxim Reston did a great job with the killer's POV as well; the fact that I enjoyed this POV less had nothing to do with his narration skills and everything with the second person perspective used.

As for the plot itself: there are plenty of twists and turns introduced along the way, along with suspects and new angles to contemplate. This means that the pace never slows down and I had a hard time convincing myself to stop listening... The author had me completely hooked, and this was exactly the fast-paced, engaging and dark serial killer that I was craving. I can see why Tariq Ashkanani's work was first recommended to me, and I will definitely be giving priority to The Midnight King. In the mean time, I cannot recommend The Night Watcher enough if you are a fan of the genre! The same goes for the audiobook if you enjoy that format.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something delightfully unhinged about an audiobook that opens with a PI cussing out a client over lamb and adultery, then casually pivots into serial murder. The Night Watcher by Tariq Ashkanani doesn’t ask if you’re ready. It throws you in the back of a sketchy car in the rain and floors it. You’ll white-knuckle your way through Edinburgh’s back alleys, puffing metaphorical cigarettes right alongside Callie Munro, who is absolutely a chaos demon of a protagonist... and I loved every second of it.

Callie is what happens when trauma gets bored and decides to start a detective agency. Abandoned at birth, bounced around the foster system like a cursed ping-pong ball, and now eking out a living tracking cheaters and liars, Callie is not exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type. She's abrasive, reckless, allergic to authority, and so street-smart she probably makes Google Maps feel insecure. And yet, somehow, when women start going missing and the police shrug like it’s not that many bodies, she’s the only one willing to follow the trail.

What starts as a garden-variety cheating scandal spirals into a grim hunt for a serial killer who’s been quietly preying on Edinburgh’s invisible women. And listen, I love me a grizzled police procedural as much as the next True Crime™️ gremlin, but the fact that this story is told through a PI’s lens? Chef’s kiss. The danger feels more personal. The stakes are raw. No badge, no backup, just vibes and very questionable life choices. Honestly, I respect the hell out of it.

Let’s talk about the audiobook for a second, because Elle Newlands and Maxim Reston absolutely ate. Newlands’ Scottish accent is so good it made me want to dig out a trench coat and start solving cold cases in Leith. Her Callie is sharp, weary, and weirdly magnetic. Reston, who voices the killer’s POV, delivers that second-person narration with such icy menace that I had to pause the audiobook at one point just to go turn on more lights. It’s creepy. It works. And it makes the tension in this story feel like a rubber band stretched to its limit.

Now, is the plot a bit overstuffed? Yes. Did I sometimes scream “WHY WOULD YOU GO THERE ALONE?!” at my headphones? Also yes. Callie makes reckless decisions like it’s her love language. She forms an alliance with an actual crime boss, which is either brilliant or deeply stupid (maybe both?). And every time she lights another cigarette instead of calling for help, you can practically hear the Final Girl gods placing bets on her survival.

Still, there’s something wildly compelling about her. She’s the definition of a walking contradiction: brutal but empathetic, guarded but emotionally raw in these little knife-sharp glimpses. You don’t like her, necessarily, but you get her. And when the final twist hit, and I mean twist, like the book reached out and smacked me with a crowbar, I was fully sold on sticking around for book two. Even if Callie probably won’t.

This one isn’t for the cozy crowd. It’s dark, gritty, and soaked in atmosphere. But if you like your thrillers mean, fast, and narrated by a protagonist who fights dirty and drinks her feelings, you’ll be chain-smoking chapters too. Solid 4 stars.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Trust Absolutely No One, Including the Narrator, the Police, and My Own Judgment

Oh and shoutout to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for slipping this grimy little Scottish fever dream into my earbuds. Thank you for the access to the audiobook. My blood pressure and trust issues will never recover, but I regret nothing.

[UKDana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private investigator Callie Munro has been hired by Grant Miller to find out if his wife is having an affair. Shortly after providing the evidence, Grant's wife disappears, and everyone assumes he's responsible. Callie isn't so sure and soon uncovers a possible serial killer lurking around the streets of Edinburgh.

I first heard about Tariq Ashkanani in 2024 when absolutely everyone was talking about The Midnight King, a twisted tale about an author who is a serial killer. When I saw that his latest novel, The Night Watcher, was available as part of the Amazon First Reads program, I didn't hesitate in downloading it.

The Night Watcher is the first book in the Callie Munro series, and I'll certainly be reading the rest of the series as they are published. Callie is such a likeable figure, despite her flaws. Being raised in the foster system has moulded Callie into a loner, she's tough and independent, she has no regard for authority and hates being told what to do. Woe betide anyone who thinks she's a pushover because she's female.

The story moves at a brisk pace. The writing is sparse, which adds to the momentum and reinforces the fact that Callie is a woman of action; she'll worry about the consequences later. This impulsive nature does cause problems as Callie finds herself straddling two very distinct worlds as she hunts for a serial killer. Finding an ally in the police force proves to be extremely beneficial, but this has to be carefully balanced with the support she gets from the leader of Edinburgh's largest criminal gang, support that Callie knows will, eventually, carry a cost.

Throughout the novel, we hear from the killer; these sections are chilling and haunting. When it becomes obvious that he knows that Callie is hunting him, you begin to worry for her safety, and begin to question who he is. I was surprised by the final reveal in this hard-hitting, gritty thriller, and it has left me wanting more.

If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/

or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
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[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Callie Munro is a private investigator, working the usual icky jobs like stalking cheating spouses and taking pictures of them doing the dirty. One husband doesn't take the news all that well, and when this particular person's wife goes missing, alarm bells go off in Callie's head. Especially when she realises this woman isn't the first one to just disappear from one moment to the next. There are others, but the police don't seem to be all that interested in figuring out what happened to them.

Shall we get the bad out of the way first? Main character, Callie. She was somewhat of a struggle for me. Having had a childhood that saw her move from foster home to foster home, you obviously expect her to have a truckload of baggage. I would also expect her to be a lot better at reading people and situations. But more often than not, she tends to jump to conclusions and point fingers in the wrong direction, putting people - and herself - in danger. She seems a bit of a loose canon, to be honest, and I couldn't warm to her at all.

The murders she's investigating, on the other hand, held my full attention. I was worried the outcome would be unforgivably predictable but I was wrong about that. There are twists and turns, red herrings, and well, some parts where you really just have to go with the flow and not overthink things. I'm sure not everyone is just randomly approached by a crime boss in the middle of Edinburgh.

'The Night Watcher' was a quickie read with an interesting serial killer angle. But in all honesty, if you're familiar with Ashkanini's previous book "The Midnight King', then like myself you might find yourself slightly disappointed. While enjoyable, 'The Night Watcher' feels somewhat mediocre in comparison. It's the beginning of a new series so there are a questions that will probably not be answered any time soon, and I'm afraid the cliffhanger ending didn't quite entice me enough to continue this series so the answers will always remain a mystery to me. A fast paced story with a decent plot, but unfortunately also with a main character who couldn't convince me at all.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* Callie's coarse, uncouth, unladylike, unlikeable, and not that well educated, but she's got good instincts and street smarts. And courage and balls. And, yeah, this book wrongfooted me quite a few times.

I wasn't expecting this, in the best of ways. I expected a stop-start novel because the cover didn't do much to hint at the contents, and maybe that's a good thing, as it didn't spoil the surprise. Though I didn't like Callie, I had to admire her strength, her grit and determination and knowing what she wanted and didn't. She treated Richard like shit, tbh, and I don't know what he saw in her. He wasn't a good guy but I think he genuinely cared about her in his own possessive way. Not a healthy way and tbh, good on her for breaking things off.

A bit of it wasn't a shocker - Callie made a jump and the right connection very quickly although it got shut down, and the reveal was kind of 'erm, not sure I believe this', especially when an 'accomplice' killed themselves, but then the author took it further and added an extra twist. That I didn't see coming, and unfortunately explanations got cut short when someone got offed.

Tbh I'm a bit stumped for reviewing this without spoilers, but I didn't expect the twist towards the end, nor did I (or Callie) trust the lone cop who came to her roadside rescue by then. I don't think I can be blamed, and I dont think she'll be in their good books going forward. But who cares when she's so good at what she does?

The tale ends with a couple of shockers. Callie's now on a bit of a murky edge, associating with someone who wouldn't hesitate to off her if she displeased him. And I think she owes him, and he's keeping count. And, her...go-to guy gets offed. Not sure how or why with his paranoia and precautions, but it certainly makes for a good cliffhanger. There's a wait but at least book 2 is coming in 2026.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my reading pleasure.

[Shoni Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book drops you into Edinburgh without warning. Wet streets. Bad lighting. Worse intentions. The story centers on Callie Munro, a private investigator who survives on surveillance jobs and stubbornness. A simple case involving a cheating partner cracks open something far more violent.

Synopsis

Callie accepts routine work following an unfaithful spouse. The trail connects to missing women the police dismiss. As the pattern grows harder to ignore, Callie pushes forward alone. She moves through criminal circles, damaged relationships, and her own unresolved past. Every step raises the risk. Walking away stops being an option.

Why it stands out
   •   Callie feels raw and unfiltered. She is impatient, sharp-tongued, and driven by instinct.
   •   The PI angle keeps the focus tight. No institutional safety. No clean exits.
   •   Edinburgh adds weight. The setting feels claustrophobic and unforgiving.
   •   The story highlights how easily certain victims get overlooked. That theme stays front and center.

Audiobook notes

Elle Newlands brings grit and fatigue to Callie’s voice. Her delivery sells the character’s edge and exhaustion. Maxim Reston handles the alternate chapters with chilling control. Those sections raise tension without leaning on shock.

Weak spots
   •   The plot stacks multiple elements at once. Some threads crowd each other.
   •   Callie’s risk tolerance borders on reckless. Her choices test credibility.
   •   A few reveals arrive fast and would benefit from more buildup.

Overall take

This is a dark, fast-moving crime story anchored by a difficult lead. Callie is not written to be likable. She is written to be honest. The final stretch hits hard and leaves enough unanswered to support a follow-up.

Best for readers who want sharp characters, uncomfortable themes, and momentum over polish.

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for providing access to the audiobook.

[Davena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night Watcher by Tariq Ashkanani
Tariq Ashkanani's first book, Welcome to Cooper, won the Bloody Scotland Debut Award in 2022.
In the first book in a new series, PI Callie Munro is hunting a serial killer (and 'smoking' unlit cigarettes) as she hunts a serial killer on the streets and back alleys in Edinburgh.

Callie Munro is tougher than most. Abandoned as a baby and raised by the foster system, she is as tough as nails, gritty, and a touch unhinged.
If you follow me for my cosy book recommendations, this one isn't for you. It's far from comfortable; it's grimy and atmospheric. Callie makes some very questionable life choices, and we aren't talking 'sell my house and go and live by the seaside' style choices either.

I was gifted the audiobook of The Night Watcher, which is narrated by Elle Newlands and Maxim Reston. The narration adds to the book's already layered atmosphere; Elle Newlands' Scottish accent gives Callie a world-weary, tired-of-your-nonsense edge, and Maxim Reston voices the killer's POV with such... creepiness? Gah. Much like Night Watching by Tracy Seira, this is not for bedtime reading; this is a daytime book only.

Body count: So. Many.

I'm going to call it 'Scottish Noir', and if you like your Noir pitch-black-dark, but with a charming accent, this one is for you. The Night Watcher by Tariq Ashkanani is out now.

Thumbs up. #thumbsup👍

#NetGalley @NetGalley
@brilliancepublishing #brillianceaudio

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[Jen James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tariq Ashkanani is a new author to me, The Night Watcher is the first book in the new Callie Munro series. Callie is a private investigator, her life isn’t quite as she would like it to be. Her career isn’t covering her bills, and her casual relationship with Richard, is not working well for either of them. Her latest assignment inadvertently leads her into a missing persons investigation, very quickly, we learn this isn’t an isolated case.

The author drew me in to the story instantly, so much so that I had read and listened from cover to cover in under 36 hours. The plot is packed with twists and turns, and I genuinely felt anxious for the characters at times. The characters felt well rounded, and I look forward to meeting some of them in future books.

Elle Newlands provides the main narration, with menacing excerpts from Maxim Reston. Both voices add further tension to the already gripping storyline. I have developed a huge love for Scottish narrators, whether the voice is soft and lilting, or hard and gritty, I think the accent conveys so much.

The author liberally sprinkled misdirection through the pages, I suspected virtually everyone intermittently, which I adore. I hate knowing “whodunnit” before the author reveals it. That constant questioning of everyone in my mind, heightened my concern and nervousness, keeping me engrossed.

If you are looking for a new series, and love Scottish crime fiction as I do, I highly recommend this first book, The Night Watcher. The cliffhanger we are left on, will ensure that I will be reading book 2 as soon as it is published. I really hope Tariq has it well under way. I know that this series will become a firm favourite for me, and many others too.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Night Watcher by Tariq Ashkanani was a solid, fast-paced read that I finished in two days. The story itself was interesting enough to keep me turning pages, even if it didn’t fully grip me in the way I expect a thriller to.

Callie was… slightly annoying(?) at times, mostly because of how reckless she could be, but I suppose that’s to be expected with her background and career choice. That being said, overall I really enjoyed her as a character. In fact, the strongest part of this book for me wasn’t the mystery or the crime, but rather Callie herself and her drama. I guess that’s the best way I can explain this book to be honest— less like a typical thriller and more like a character-driven drama that just happens to have crime woven through it.

Because of that, I found myself surprisingly indifferent about the actual mystery. By the end, I didn’t really care who the killer was, and I wasn’t particularly shocked by or invested in the reveal. The crimes felt secondary to Callie’s relationships, personal struggles, and overall arc, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just wasn’t what I was expecting going in.

The book does end on a cliffhanger, which definitely intrigues me enough to pick up the next book in the series. That being said, I’m mostly interested in continuing the series because I want to keep following Callie’s life, not because I’m deeply invested in the crimes she’s solving.

Overall, an enjoyable and quick read, but one that leans more toward drama than thriller for me which is why I give it 3 stars.

Thank you to Net Galley and Brilliance Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.