What do you think?
Rate this book
When Provoked
I'm your husband's biggest fan and your worst nightmare...
Quinn Cole's life is falling apart. After her child is murdered, she's become fixated on punishing the killer. But when she intercepts communications meant for her crime-writer husband, she's unnerved at what secrets he's hiding.
When she begins digging for the truth, the letters start to arrive, and she understands this person is not only desperate but deadly. While the sender's messages become more wrath-filled, an ultimatum is issued, dragging Quinn further into a dangerous game of kill or be killed. Can she make the impossible choice of who will live and who will die?
Quinn Cole's life is falling apart. After her child is murdered, she's become fixated on punishing the killer. But when she intercepts communications meant for her crime-writer husband, she's unnerved at what secrets he's hiding.
When she begins digging for the truth, the letters start to arrive, and she understands this person is not only desperate but deadly. While the sender's messages become more wrath-filled, an ultimatum is issued, dragging Quinn further into a dangerous game of kill or be killed. Can she make the impossible choice of who will live and who will die?
- GenresThriller
286 pages, ebook
Published June 26, 2025
5 people are currently reading
4561 people want to read
About the author
Eva MacKenzie
6 books124 followersEva Mackenzie writes psychological thrillers and suspense novels about good people who do bad things for complicated reasons. Originally from New York, she now lives somewhere else on the east coast with her husband and children. You can connect with her at Evamackenzie.site or email Evamackenzie.thriller@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 30, 2025
Quinn is a grieving mother who wants revenge for her daughter’s murder. Soon after her daughter’s death, she realizes that her husband has been blackmailed by someone else who wants revenge for other reasons. Her husband was hiding something from her that led her closer to the killer.
I love revenge driven characters so I winded up loving Quinn’s character and the character that was sending the blackmail. It was fascinating seeing how multiple characters were at some point or another a suspect. I loved the way Quinn did her own research on everyone she suspected and the methods she used to uncover her husband’s secrets. I desperately wanted to know the full extent of what he was hiding and it blew my mind when Quinn figured out what Pete’s audios revealed. Pete’s interview audio revelations kept getting more and more twisted. I liked how freighting the blackmail letters were. I was not expecting it to end the way it did. It took a huge turn that I hadn’t seen coming. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the rest of this series. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it definitely won’t be my last.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love revenge driven characters so I winded up loving Quinn’s character and the character that was sending the blackmail. It was fascinating seeing how multiple characters were at some point or another a suspect. I loved the way Quinn did her own research on everyone she suspected and the methods she used to uncover her husband’s secrets. I desperately wanted to know the full extent of what he was hiding and it blew my mind when Quinn figured out what Pete’s audios revealed. Pete’s interview audio revelations kept getting more and more twisted. I liked how freighting the blackmail letters were. I was not expecting it to end the way it did. It took a huge turn that I hadn’t seen coming. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the rest of this series. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it definitely won’t be my last.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2025
This electrifying thriller plunges you into a mother's waking nightmare.
When Quinn’s daughter is killed by a deliberate morphine overdose in hospital, she embarks on a desperate, high-stakes quest for answers.
The pace is relentless, ratcheting up the tension as Quinn battles gaslighting and terrifying threats, convinced she's losing her mind. When she starts intercepting letters to her husband, she wonders if he is guilty of having an affair, or even worse, being a sinister accomplice with dark secrets.
Every twist and turn will leave you racing through the pages, making you question everyone and everything.
A masterclass in psychological suspense, I can’t wait for the sequel to unravel the remaining mysteries!
When Quinn’s daughter is killed by a deliberate morphine overdose in hospital, she embarks on a desperate, high-stakes quest for answers.
The pace is relentless, ratcheting up the tension as Quinn battles gaslighting and terrifying threats, convinced she's losing her mind. When she starts intercepting letters to her husband, she wonders if he is guilty of having an affair, or even worse, being a sinister accomplice with dark secrets.
Every twist and turn will leave you racing through the pages, making you question everyone and everything.
A masterclass in psychological suspense, I can’t wait for the sequel to unravel the remaining mysteries!
August 11, 2025
Loved the premise of When Provoked — secrets, danger, and a mother caught in a deadly game — but for some reason, it just didn’t pull me in. Quinn, still grieving her child’s murder, stumbles on disturbing letters meant for her crime-writer husband and soon realizes someone is willing to kill to get her attention. The setup had potential, but the tension never fully hooked me. Other readers who enjoy a slower-burn suspense might click with it more than I did.
June 16, 2025
The central storyline holds attention with strong character development and some well-crafted tension. However, some of the subplots feel a bit undercooked or unnecessary, occasionally pulling focus from the more compelling main narrative.
All in all, When Provoked is an enjoyable read with solid moments, but could have benefited from tighter plotting and a more concise finish.
3.5 stars
All in all, When Provoked is an enjoyable read with solid moments, but could have benefited from tighter plotting and a more concise finish.
3.5 stars
July 16, 2025
I was hooked instantly and that rarely happens for me!! When provoked was fast paced with a twisty storyline from the get go and throughout!!
November 22, 2025
Thanks to Craven Ink Press and Netgalley for this eARC.
Eva Mackenzie’s When Provoked launches the Quinn Cole Series with a taut, emotionally charged thriller that blends psychological suspense with the grit of a police procedural. It’s a novel that thrives on tension, moral ambiguity, and the resilience of its lead character.
At the heart of When Provoked is Quinn Cole, a detective whose sharp instincts and unflinching drive make her formidable yet deeply human. The book opens with a crime that seems straightforward but quickly spirals into a web of secrets, manipulation, and escalating danger. Mackenzie uses Quinn’s perspective to anchor the narrative, showing how professional duty collides with personal vulnerability.
Quinn is not portrayed as flawless; she carries scars, doubts, and a fierce determination that makes her compelling. Her complexity sets the tone for a series that promises depth beyond the typical crime thriller
The novel balances procedural detail with psychological intensity. The settings—whether crime scenes, interrogation rooms, or Quinn’s private spaces—are charged with unease, reflecting the blurred line between justice and obsession.
Mackenzie explores how trauma shapes identity, how truth can be weaponized, and how far someone will go when provoked. The title itself becomes a motif, reminding the reader that every character has a breaking point.
The story unfolds with deliberate tension, layering clues and misdirection. The suspense builds steadily, rewarding readers who enjoy intricate plotting rather than quick resolutions.
Mackenzie’s prose is lean and direct, heightening the immediacy of the investigation. Dialogue carries weight, often revealing more than action, and the psychological undercurrents keep the reader questioning motives until the final pages.
When Provoked succeeds as a gripping thriller and a character study. It introduces Quinn Cole as a detective worth following—strong, flawed, and unafraid to confront darkness. The book sets the stage for a series that promises not just crime-solving but explorations of resilience, morality, and the human cost of justice.
For readers who value strong female leads with no distracting romance subplots, this first installment delivers exactly that, while laying the groundwork for a series rich in psychological and procedural depth.
Eva Mackenzie’s When Provoked launches the Quinn Cole Series with a taut, emotionally charged thriller that blends psychological suspense with the grit of a police procedural. It’s a novel that thrives on tension, moral ambiguity, and the resilience of its lead character.
At the heart of When Provoked is Quinn Cole, a detective whose sharp instincts and unflinching drive make her formidable yet deeply human. The book opens with a crime that seems straightforward but quickly spirals into a web of secrets, manipulation, and escalating danger. Mackenzie uses Quinn’s perspective to anchor the narrative, showing how professional duty collides with personal vulnerability.
Quinn is not portrayed as flawless; she carries scars, doubts, and a fierce determination that makes her compelling. Her complexity sets the tone for a series that promises depth beyond the typical crime thriller
The novel balances procedural detail with psychological intensity. The settings—whether crime scenes, interrogation rooms, or Quinn’s private spaces—are charged with unease, reflecting the blurred line between justice and obsession.
Mackenzie explores how trauma shapes identity, how truth can be weaponized, and how far someone will go when provoked. The title itself becomes a motif, reminding the reader that every character has a breaking point.
The story unfolds with deliberate tension, layering clues and misdirection. The suspense builds steadily, rewarding readers who enjoy intricate plotting rather than quick resolutions.
Mackenzie’s prose is lean and direct, heightening the immediacy of the investigation. Dialogue carries weight, often revealing more than action, and the psychological undercurrents keep the reader questioning motives until the final pages.
When Provoked succeeds as a gripping thriller and a character study. It introduces Quinn Cole as a detective worth following—strong, flawed, and unafraid to confront darkness. The book sets the stage for a series that promises not just crime-solving but explorations of resilience, morality, and the human cost of justice.
For readers who value strong female leads with no distracting romance subplots, this first installment delivers exactly that, while laying the groundwork for a series rich in psychological and procedural depth.
December 10, 2025
This marks the first book by the author Eva Mackenzie that I have had the pleasure of reading. My literary preferences typically include works by Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Tom Clancy, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen, Clive Cussler, Preston W. Child, C.L. Sutton, Joe Talon, and Judah Lamb— the last four of whom I recently discovered. I am particularly drawn to narratives that captivate me quickly and tend to shy away from those with slow beginnings.
Eva Mackenzie’s When Provoked is a captivating psychological thriller that swiftly immerses readers in a tumultuous landscape of secrets, lies, and unsettling revelations. From the outset, the narrative commands attention with its frenetic energy and progressively intensifying tension.
Central to the story is a haunting question: who is accountable for the death of a child? As the plot unfolds, readers are ensnared in a state of perpetual uncertainty, grappling with whom to trust and what to believe. The characters are richly developed and multifaceted, each harboring their own motivations and concealed truths, which complicates the task of discerning fact from deceit. Mackenzie presents a compelling narrative that explores profound themes, ensuring engagement from the very first page. Mackenzie expertly weaves a tapestry of suspense that tightens with each chapter, culminating in a dark and unexpected climax. Just when you believe you’ve unraveled the mystery, the plot twists once more, delivering a conclusion that is both shocking and satisfying.
When Provoked is an engrossing read for enthusiasts of domestic thrillers and psychological suspense, offering a thought-provoking examination of guilt, trauma, and the repercussions of concealed secrets.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Eva Mackenzie’s When Provoked is a captivating psychological thriller that swiftly immerses readers in a tumultuous landscape of secrets, lies, and unsettling revelations. From the outset, the narrative commands attention with its frenetic energy and progressively intensifying tension.
Central to the story is a haunting question: who is accountable for the death of a child? As the plot unfolds, readers are ensnared in a state of perpetual uncertainty, grappling with whom to trust and what to believe. The characters are richly developed and multifaceted, each harboring their own motivations and concealed truths, which complicates the task of discerning fact from deceit. Mackenzie presents a compelling narrative that explores profound themes, ensuring engagement from the very first page. Mackenzie expertly weaves a tapestry of suspense that tightens with each chapter, culminating in a dark and unexpected climax. Just when you believe you’ve unraveled the mystery, the plot twists once more, delivering a conclusion that is both shocking and satisfying.
When Provoked is an engrossing read for enthusiasts of domestic thrillers and psychological suspense, offering a thought-provoking examination of guilt, trauma, and the repercussions of concealed secrets.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 9, 2025
3.5 stars
“When Provoked” is book one in Eva Mackenzie’s new series, and it kicks things off with a compelling premise and strong character work. This psychological thriller leans into suspense and tension, drawing readers into a story built on secrets, survival, and the consequences of pushing someone too far.
Mackenzie introduces us to a cast of well-developed characters, each carrying their own baggage, and the emotional stakes feel real throughout. The writing is confident and engaging, with a steady pace that keeps the pages turning.
While the plot doesn’t deliver the level of twists I typically crave, the storyline is still solid and satisfying, with enough surprises to keep me invested. It’s more of a slow burn than a shock fest, but the tension builds well, especially toward the end.
Overall, When Provoked is a promising start to a new series. It may not be the twistiest thriller out there, but it has enough grit, intrigue, and character depth to make me want to continue. I’m definitely on board to see where Eva Mackenzie takes things next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“When Provoked” is book one in Eva Mackenzie’s new series, and it kicks things off with a compelling premise and strong character work. This psychological thriller leans into suspense and tension, drawing readers into a story built on secrets, survival, and the consequences of pushing someone too far.
Mackenzie introduces us to a cast of well-developed characters, each carrying their own baggage, and the emotional stakes feel real throughout. The writing is confident and engaging, with a steady pace that keeps the pages turning.
While the plot doesn’t deliver the level of twists I typically crave, the storyline is still solid and satisfying, with enough surprises to keep me invested. It’s more of a slow burn than a shock fest, but the tension builds well, especially toward the end.
Overall, When Provoked is a promising start to a new series. It may not be the twistiest thriller out there, but it has enough grit, intrigue, and character depth to make me want to continue. I’m definitely on board to see where Eva Mackenzie takes things next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 27, 2025
Quinn Cole's life is spiraling after the murder of her daughter. Obsessed with finding the killer, Quinn will stop at nothing to get vengeance. When she finds some hate mail addressed to her crime writer husband, Quinn begins to investigate who could possibly want to seek revenge. As she tries to figure out her husband's secrets, Quinn gets pulled into a deadly web of secrets, lies, and danger.
I really love a good revenge driven character so I was intrigued right away with the summary. When I first started to read it, I was hooked right away and couldn't stop reading. But somewhere around the halfway point, I just lost interest. Some parts were repetitive, and it felt like there were so many sub-plots that weren't really integral to the story. I'm also a little bit iffy about our MC, she isn't as emotionally developed as I would have liked to see which made it hard to connect with and root for her. This is the first book in the Quinn Cole series so maybe the unresolved issues will be more clear moving forward.
Thank you to NetGalley, Eva MacKenzie and Craven Ink Press for this ARC!! Publication date was June 26th 2025.
I really love a good revenge driven character so I was intrigued right away with the summary. When I first started to read it, I was hooked right away and couldn't stop reading. But somewhere around the halfway point, I just lost interest. Some parts were repetitive, and it felt like there were so many sub-plots that weren't really integral to the story. I'm also a little bit iffy about our MC, she isn't as emotionally developed as I would have liked to see which made it hard to connect with and root for her. This is the first book in the Quinn Cole series so maybe the unresolved issues will be more clear moving forward.
Thank you to NetGalley, Eva MacKenzie and Craven Ink Press for this ARC!! Publication date was June 26th 2025.
June 26, 2025
Eva Mackenzie’s When Provoked is a gripping psychological thriller that wastes no time plunging readers into a whirlwind of secrets, lies, and chilling revelations. From the very beginning, the story commands attention with its chaotic energy and steadily escalating tension.
At the heart of the novel lies a devastating question: who is responsible for the death of a child? As the narrative unfolds, readers are kept in a constant state of doubt, unsure of who to trust or believe. The characters are layered and complex, each with their own motivations and buried truths, making it difficult to separate fact from deception.
Mackenzie skillfully crafts a web of suspense that tightens with each chapter, leading to a dark and unexpected climax. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story twists again, delivering a finale that is both shocking and satisfying.
When Provoked is a compelling read for fans of domestic thrillers and psychological suspense, offering a thought-provoking exploration of guilt, trauma, and the consequences of buried secrets.
At the heart of the novel lies a devastating question: who is responsible for the death of a child? As the narrative unfolds, readers are kept in a constant state of doubt, unsure of who to trust or believe. The characters are layered and complex, each with their own motivations and buried truths, making it difficult to separate fact from deception.
Mackenzie skillfully crafts a web of suspense that tightens with each chapter, leading to a dark and unexpected climax. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story twists again, delivering a finale that is both shocking and satisfying.
When Provoked is a compelling read for fans of domestic thrillers and psychological suspense, offering a thought-provoking exploration of guilt, trauma, and the consequences of buried secrets.
July 9, 2025
The premise drew me in straight away and as I got stuck into the book, I was fully invested in Quinn’s life and her battles to find out who killed her young daughter. Threatening letters sent to her writer husband add an extra layer of intrigue and there was a creepy, sinister vibe that kept my heart rate up!
Around halfway through, I felt like the story lost it’s way a little, became repetitive and I found I was getting bored with the sub plots that weren’t going anywhere. The ending left me confused, but I have since discovered that this is book one in a series, but it was quite a disappointing anticlimax for me.
3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Eva Mackenzie and Craven Ink Press for an ARC of this book.
Around halfway through, I felt like the story lost it’s way a little, became repetitive and I found I was getting bored with the sub plots that weren’t going anywhere. The ending left me confused, but I have since discovered that this is book one in a series, but it was quite a disappointing anticlimax for me.
3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Eva Mackenzie and Craven Ink Press for an ARC of this book.
July 14, 2025
3.5 stars
I enjoyed reading When Provoked. The story had a good pace overall, though I felt it lost direction a bit in the middle.
The storyline around Kayla was really sad, and it made me like Quinn for her strength and resilience. I'm still not really sure how I felt about Peter.
I noticed a few spelling mistakes and felt that some parts of the storyline could have been edited more clearly. That said, it held my interest, and I liked the characters enough to want to continue with the series. I think there’s a lot of potential, and I’m keen to see where the story goes next.
I received an ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed reading When Provoked. The story had a good pace overall, though I felt it lost direction a bit in the middle.
The storyline around Kayla was really sad, and it made me like Quinn for her strength and resilience. I'm still not really sure how I felt about Peter.
I noticed a few spelling mistakes and felt that some parts of the storyline could have been edited more clearly. That said, it held my interest, and I liked the characters enough to want to continue with the series. I think there’s a lot of potential, and I’m keen to see where the story goes next.
I received an ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 27, 2025
I enjoyed reading the book; it's entertaining from start to finish. It's a thriller, and at times, I got a little stressed while reading about everything that's happening with Quinne and her husband Peter. It's bad when your child is murdered in a place that's supposed to be safe, and then to suspect that your husband may be involved. I'll go crazy if something like that happens to my family. The book is a page-turner, and I recommend it to all fans of this genre.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 30, 2025
The premise of this book is really good and I was excited to read it…. A well known author who is being stalked and his wife has intercepted his hate mail. But I found some of the sub plots were unnecessary and dragged out and it didn’t draw me in, in the same way as other books in this genre would. Thanks to the author & publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 17, 2025
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise of this story is a good one. Quinn, is a mother on a mission to find her daughter's murderer. Her husband Peter, presents as an interest character who is being blackmailed. What secrets is he hiding?
Unfortunately the end left me wanting. 3 and a half stars.
The premise of this story is a good one. Quinn, is a mother on a mission to find her daughter's murderer. Her husband Peter, presents as an interest character who is being blackmailed. What secrets is he hiding?
Unfortunately the end left me wanting. 3 and a half stars.
Read
June 27, 2025I want to thank everyone who read and reviewed this book. I know there are a lot of books available, I'am grateful that you chose one of mine. When Provoked is the first in a two-book series. Trigger warnings include: human trafficking, infidelity, off-page sexual violence (not depicted but told) and violence.
July 27, 2025
This was a super quick paced thriller, my favorite. Loved the characters, love when the main in driven my some sort of revenge. Twists were spot on. This is a first read for this author but I will absolutely be looking for more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 1, 2025
I was interested in the beginning however the additional subplots did not go anywhere and seemed unnecessary. I can see that there could possibly be a sequel and those subplots would unfold. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this novel, thank you.
June 24, 2025
A woman loses her husband and daughter to forces more powerful and ingrained than she imagined. It is a gritty and compelling novel of revenge and dangerous pursuit.
The intertwined characters and plots finally resolve, though not in a well defined sequence.
The intertwined characters and plots finally resolve, though not in a well defined sequence.
Read
July 5, 2025A mother's waking nightmare. Quinn’s daughter is killed by a deliberate morphine overdose in hospital. But why? The pace is relentless, the fear palpable. You will question everyone and everything. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
July 14, 2025
Wow, wow, wow!!! When Provoked is a vigilante thriller, and I am obsessed! After Quinn's child is murdered, she's out for revenge, but the secrets she's learning change some things!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2025
This was a wild ride. Really held my interest but I did think there might have been a little too much going on. I read to the end in hopes of finding out all the secrets. The end wasn't quite as satisfying as I would have liked. Ok book
May 25, 2025
All I have to say is.. I CANNOT wait for the second book!!
August 21, 2025
Very good domestic thriller. Towards the end I started to get frustrated with the characters choices. But the ending was good.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
August 24, 2025
This was a good read! It really showed how much you'd do for someone you love to find the truth in life.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews