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138 Main

Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26

Win a free print copy of this book!

5 days and 19:49:29

40 copies available
U.S. only
Rate this book
AN ADDRESS TO DIE FOR…

There’s a killer on the loose. And he’s targeting one specific address—138 Main Street. The problem? There are over 7,000 Main Streets in the USA. And the police and FBI have no clue which one will be next.


For FBI Special Agent Ben Walker and his rookie colleague, Officer Zoe Hill, the pressure to solve the case is unimaginable. There aren’t enough police officers to cover every house, and vigilante residents are attacking anyone who rings their doorbell. Main Street might be one of America’s most popular addresses, but for those living at number 138, it comes down to fight or flight.

Then a manuscript is sent to the New York Times, purporting to be the manifesto of the “Main Street Killer” and demanding radical social change. As the effect of the terror campaign takes hold across the nation, Walker and Hill find themselves in a race against time to stop the killer. But with their target always several steps ahead, and almost 3,800,000 square miles of ground to cover, they’ll have to find him first…

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 2, 2026

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About the author

Gavin Bell

1 book46 followers
Gavin Bell is the author of 138 Main, published in 2026 by Simon & Schuster.

Under the pseudonym of Mason Cross, Gavin wrote the Carter Blake series of thrillers published by Orion. The first, The Killing Season, was published in 2014 and was longlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. It was followed by four further novels in the series, including the Richard and Judy Book Club selection, The Samaritan. He has also written standalone thrillers as Alex Knight, including Hunted and Darkness Falls.

He lives in Glasgow with his wife and three children.

Sign up for the Gavin Bell Readers Club for news and updates, and a free short story https://gavinbell.net/readers-club

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Caitlin Bunting.
348 reviews14 followers
May 7, 2026
I really enjoyed this one and was immediately hooked with the premise. A new author for me and I loved the writing style and short chapters, I am excited to see what more this author has in store. If you like a fast paced thriller give this one a read.
Profile Image for Holly.
182 reviews9 followers
May 10, 2026
138 Main Street follows FBI Special Agent Ben Walker and rookie Officer Zoe Hill on a case unlike any they’ve seen before. There is a killer on the loose. He has committed four murders in four weeks, with only one thing in common: the victims’ address. But there are over 7,000 Main Streets in the USA. And they have no clue which one will be next. With their target always several steps ahead, and every town in the country at imminent risk, the pressure is on Ben and Zoe to find him…

138 Main Street delivers chilling, unpredictable suspense from start to finish, and I was completely gripped throughout. Every chapter intensified the tension, leaving me constantly on edge and desperate to know what would happen next.

The concept itself is unique, but what elevated this book was how well-written and thrilling it was to read. The short chapters and multiple perspectives created an addictive momentum that made it almost impossible to put down, and I flew through it. Gavin Bell balances a relentless pace with intricate plotting perfectly, delivering twists that constantly exceeded my expectations. I genuinely never saw the biggest twist coming, which made the ending even more satisfying.

Although this is a very plot-driven story, the character work was exceptional. I was particularly invested in Zoe from the very beginning, but the entire team was compelling enough that I would happily follow them again if this were to become a series.

Cleverly plotted, frightening, tense, and genuinely exhilarating to read, 138 Main Street is the kind of thriller that reminds you why the genre is so addictive in the first place.

Thank you so much to Likely Suspects and Gavin Bell for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Charlie Morris (Read, Watch & Drink Coffee).
1,533 reviews68 followers
May 18, 2026
The premise of this book is really fun, and it's what made me so excited to read it. What could possibly lead someone to kill people purely because of their address? Surely there can't be a link between them other than the street they live on.

I found it really interesting that the author is actually British, so I wondered why he decided to set the book in America. But as one of the characters questions: What would our alternative to Main Street be? High Street? I doubt we have many of those. Maybe we could have a pub version! I'm sure there are hundreds of The King's Head.

The characters are really likeable, and I like how they brought them together to create a task force. I would definitely be interested in seeing them work together again in the future.

Overall, a fun concept, well developed characters, and a mystery that takes you on a nationwide cat and mouse chase.
Profile Image for Shona.
581 reviews19 followers
May 18, 2026
3.75⭐️💫 Four murders. Four weeks. One impossible connection: every victim lived at 138 Main Street. FBI Special Agent Ben Walker and rookie officer Zoe Hill know the killer’s next address. But with more than seven thousand Main Streets across America, they have no idea where he’ll strike. Then the Main Street Killer releases his manifesto - and the murders become a warning. His threat is nationwide. His deadline is closing in. And unless Ben and Zoe can find him, the heart of every town in America will become a killing ground.

This is a fast paced read, right from the offset the action starts, the hunt for a serial killer taking them across the whole of America.

The balance of the chapters being split between the two main detectives, some of the potential victims inhabiting the address of 138 Main Street, and our mystery killer, perfectly built up the tension throughout. Despite quite a large cast of characters it was still easy to follow, the clues leading the reader to reach their conclusions as the story progressed.

I must admit I did figure out the culprit about halfway through but I wasn’t sure of the motive so the intrigue definitely kept me turning the pages to find out. I also really enjoyed the emphasis on Zoe’s character, her shrewdness helping to ensure that the underdog inviestigator can solve the crime - I did want to scream at her naivety though for certain decisions made though!!

It probably wasn’t the best idea to have read this book almost one sitting at night and alone, I must admit I had to triple check all the doors and windows before I went to bed that night after reading this - despite not living on Main Street! A clever, intelligent and enthralling crime thriller that can easily be devoured in one sitting.
202 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2026
Wow! What a thriller! This book was so good. It had twists and turns and was well written. Kept me guessing until the end. Really made me think throughout. One of the best books I’ve read this year!

Thanks to the publisher for the early access ARC. Put this one on your list folks! Comes out June 2, 2026!
Profile Image for Cat Plummer.
22 reviews5 followers
May 8, 2026
Great fast-paced crime thriller! Drew me in from page 1.
Profile Image for Fizz McBay.
9 reviews2 followers
May 4, 2026
ARC - 4.5 stars
The premise of this book intrigued me. A serial killer who only targets people who reside at 138 Main Street? Brilliant concept.

The pace of this book was perfect. I loved how the story was also told from the people who live at 138 Main Street. It reminded me of watching Casualty in the 90s, when it opens to a dad doing DIY or some other mundane activity and you think to yourself “oh no, I know something terrible’s going to happen to you”. I felt on edge throughout.

The mystery of who and why was really well thought out, with the thought process from the characters being delivered well and made easy for the reader to follow, whilst being eked out at the perfect level.

The main characters were really likeable and so I am hopeful this becomes a series and we can meet at least some of them again.

Half a star knocked off for a couple of uses of “they released the breath they didn’t know they were holding” only joking! But they are there; is Gavin trolling us?!
Profile Image for Julie .
733 reviews15 followers
Read
December 21, 2025
Superb suspense!
Residents of the address 138 Main St, in cities across America are suddenly being murdered in their homes and no one knows why.
When Officer Zoe Hill investigates the murder of the homeowner in her home town, she catches the eye of FBI agent Walker who is also there on the scene. He recognizes some untapped potential and invites her to join his task force dealing with the murders. She accepts and is off to NYC.
The chase begins in earnest as,the murders continue with no clues to link them except the streets address where they all occur. As,the killings continue, the task force goes from crime scene to crime scene, looking for clues to help them find this ruthless maniac
The suspense is riveting, the action non-stop and the mystery surrounding the case is simply fascinating.
Great characters in an engrossing story.
Great read.
Profile Image for Anne.
2,477 reviews1,173 followers
May 18, 2026
I read a lot of thrillers, and I always wonder how on earth authors can come up with something original and thrilling. It's a massively crowded market, with everything from the cosiest of cosy crime to the darkest of dark on offer. It's always joy to find a novel that both surprises and entertains at the same time. A plot that is clever, characters that you can cheer for and a couple of twists to make you spin.

Imagine being on a killer's hit list purely because of your address. Not the colour of your skin, or your gender, or your political beliefs, but just because you happen to live at 138 Main Street.

Imagine then actually living at that address, and there are over seven thousand of them in the United States. Imagine wondering if you are next. Imagine the fear.

Imagine you are FBI Special Agent Ben Walker and rookie Officer Zoe Hill and you are assigned to this case. There have been four murders so far and they know there will be another, they even know the street address, but which town or city?

This is a fast paced and intricately plotted crime thriller that keeps the reader on their toes throughout. The premise is so brilliantly thought out with characters who are utterly believable.

When the author introduces the killer's manifesto to the reader we realise that there could quite possibly be far more to come and following Ben and Zoe, accompanied by IT guy Brodie, on their desperate quest to track him down is just a great ride.

The author also deals with some really socially relevant themes within his story, but these never bog down the plot or the action, it all feels so natural and incredibly realistic.

An expertly woven mystery, with a clever, compelling plot and a great cast of characters, that I couldn't put down. A great premise, with assured prose. 138 Main Street is an absolute cracker of a novel.
1,208 reviews51 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 23, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I normally make notes as I read an ARC so it's easier when it comes to typing up my review, but I was so engrossed in this that I had hardly anything to go on. But also, it's hard to review it without giving spoilers so I'm not going to try to go into too much detail and it will be a shorter review than I normally do. This is a book you have to read for yourself.

I worried it might be a bit too long and bogged down in details but it wasn't and I flew through it in matter of hours. I mean, it probably wasn't the nice calming, relaxing book I should have started reading before bed when I was alone in the house but hey ho.

It had everything I expected from a thriller but it still felt unique and fresh and exciting.

The characters aren't morally black or white, goodies or baddies, heroes vs villains. Everyone could have a good reason for sitting on either side of the fence - although some lean heavily more towards one side. I would say you don't get much in term of character in the book but that's not a negative. The characters are crucial to progressing the story and I don't think it really needs a whole lot of backstory. There are quite a few characters with a handful of main players, and they all work well and have their own place in the story. Zoe is probably our lead protagonist and she is wonderful and I'd see her becoming a literary hero.

It's tense and uncomfortable and frightening and very clever. I am notoriously awful at working out whodunnits and thrillers etc. so it shouldn't be a surprise that I was clueless here, but I would guess that most people, no matter their skill at working things out, would be clueless here.
Profile Image for Rustic_Reads_ Donna.
134 reviews4 followers
May 14, 2026
This is such a tense, unsettling thriller - and one that completely delivers on its brilliant concept.

The idea of a killer targeting people connected only by their address is creepy enough but the way the story expands across America makes it even more disturbing. It stops feeling like a standard serial killer case and starts edging into domestic terrorism territory, especially with the manifesto and political themes woven throughout. Using Main Streets across the country to spread fear and manipulate people politically was such a clever way to raise the stakes. It genuinely makes ordinary places feel dangerous - and aren’t I glad I don’t live on Main Street.

Zoe Hill was the standout for me. Watching her relationships with both Brodie and Ben develop added such a strong emotional layer to the story, especially with Ben recognising her potential from the beginning. Seeing Zoe continually prove herself - and ultimately be recognised for it - was incredibly satisfying. It was also refreshing to see a male author subtly explore toxic masculinity, internalised misogyny, and power struggles within without losing momentum in the plot.

I suspected pretty early on that someone had more to hide, but the way it unfolded was so well executed. The reveals never felt forced, and the tension was built so carefully that I still found myself second-guessing everything.

The use of “Gehenna,” with its associations of punishment, destruction, and something almost apocalyptic simmering beneath the investigation, was such a clever touch.

And Barbs’ unread books? Unexpectedly absolutely broke me 😭

Dark, gripping, clever, and genuinely hard to put down. If real life hadn’t interrupted me, this would have been a one-sitting read. Truly unputdownable.
Profile Image for Lynsey.
790 reviews36 followers
May 19, 2026

‘138 Main Street’ is something that rarely happens anymore in a saturated crime fiction market - it is an original idea! There truly is nothing else out there with this hook, and I loved every minute of it! Gavin has previously written under the pen name ‘Mason Cross’, and I hadn't read any of them, despite my book bestie Suze raving about them. This will be rectified. This is a standalone story but could easily be turned into a series… I would definitely read more about these characters!

Someone is on a mission, and there is no reasoning behind it apart from the fact that they live at the address 138 Main Street. The victims are located all across the US, and nothing links them apart from their address. But when there are over 7,000 homes with this address, the authorities are unable to predict which one comes next. And it is clear there will be another one…

This story was addictive, instantly gripping you by the baws, and there it remains until the final word has been read! The plot is clever - what would cause the most terror? The anticipation alone could kill you if you resided at that address. Officer Zoe Hill was at one of the crime scenes and impressed FBI Special Agent Ben Walker so much that she was assigned to the task force searching for the killer. They know another murder will happen, but where do they send their limited resources? Both of these characters are faced with hard choices, but they are determined to catch the killer.

This is a deftly and intricately plotted mystery that draws you in. It is one of those books that you inhale. The mystery may be cracking, but the down-to-earth and realistic characters are what helps to create its magic! Hopefully, there will be more to come from this world…

Let me know if you pick this one up.
Profile Image for beckys_book_blog .
611 reviews39 followers
May 22, 2026
I don’t always gravitate towards serial killer thrillers, usually preferring psychological suspense, but this one completely hooked me from the start. I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I also listened to much of the audiobook on BookBeat while travelling this week, and I’d highly recommend that format too - it really heightened the tension and atmosphere.

The premise is brilliantly simple yet incredibly original. The only link between the last four murders is that each victim lived at 138 Main Street. With more than seven thousand Main Streets scattered across America, predicting where the killer will strike next becomes almost impossible. It’s a chilling concept that immediately raises the stakes and creates a gripping sense of urgency throughout the novel.

The story follows FBI Special Agent Ben Walker and rookie officer Zoe Hill as they race against time to stop a killer whose crimes could happen anywhere in the country. I really liked both characters; they felt believable, relatable, and easy to invest in emotionally. I also loved how the author introduced a range of characters living in different 138 Main Street locations, which added depth and variety to the story while constantly building suspense.

The pacing is excellent, the tension remains high from beginning to end, and there were some good twists. It’s one of those thrillers that keeps you guessing while making it impossible to stop reading.

This is easily one of my favourite thrillers of the year so far. I’ve also just discovered that the author previously wrote under the name Mason Cross, so I’ll definitely be checking out those books next.
Profile Image for Joanna Park.
638 reviews35 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
May 13, 2026
4.5 stars

138 Main Street is a gripping, fast paced and intriguing read that is very hard to put down. It’s going to be a hard book to review as I don’t want to give anything away!

In this book we follow the FBI as they trace a killer targeting people who live at 138 Main Street one of the most popular addresses in the United States. Told from multiple points of view we follow the FBI and the potential victims as they try to solve why someone is targeting the residents of this address and why they are doing it.

I really enjoyed this one and I raced through it in a couple of days as I was really invested in the case so I wanted to see how it was going to resolve. What quickly unfolds is a fascinating cat and mouse game across America with the killer seemingly playing with the FBI agents as they try to find them. The book is full of lots of twists that kept me guessing which I always enjoy and just when I thought I had figured everything out something would happen to move the story in a completely different direction. I absolutely loved the main FBI characters of Walter, Zoe and Brodie who I thought made a great team together. Their discoveries throughout the case where realistically done and I loved trying to solve the murders along side them.

The ending was brilliant and while I had been able to guess one of the twists, I hadn’t worked out the other one which was very exciting. The ending hints at a possible sequel which I hope is true as I’d love to read more about the fabulous FBI agents.
Profile Image for Louise.
160 reviews4 followers
May 15, 2026
This novel is a deceptively simple high-concept chase thriller: There's a killer on the loose in America and he chooses his victims by their address, murdering people who live at 138 Main Street in towns and cities all over the country. It's an intriguing and unsettling idea from the off.
First, we meet FBI agent Ben Walker, called out to a murder scene at a gated community in Long Island, New York. This is case number three. As he deals with the local cops, a call comes in: case number four has been discovered in Granton, Illinois.
Granton is home and beat to young police officer Zoe Hill, whose attention to detail and perpetual probing at the facts of the case lands her a place on the taskforce Walker is putting together. She soon finds herself in New York - a newbie to the city and to how the FBI handles such a case; she is the outsider taking the reader with her into this unfamiliar world.
Then the New York Times takes delivery of a manuscript. A Manifesto For True Living In America is exactly the long, rambling tirade you imagine it to be. But things aren't quite adding up for Walker's team... But eventually they make the final connections and resolve the case.
You can feel the summer cinema blockbuster power in every page of 138 Main Street - a Jerry Bruckheimer production, perhaps Michael Bay directing; showcasing America with a huge variety of locations, and plenty of action plus heart-in-mouth moments. It's a cracking read.
Profile Image for Sherry Moyer.
759 reviews26 followers
April 11, 2026
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
It quickly becomes evident that a spit of recent murders are connected, but not by anything the FBI has seen before.

No, this serial killer is targeting the most American of all addresses, Main Street. Specifically the houses at 138.

Unfortunately there are over 7,000 of these homes and Agent Walker and his rookie partner, Zoe Hill, have no way of protecting all of those homes, no way of knowing where he will strike next.

When a manifesto is released and a demand is made, time is quickly running out.

𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
Thrillers love to bull themselves are exploring new territory, and for once, it feels like this has hit on something fresh.

Bell was able to ground the enormous scope of the case by creating incredibly likable and den to earth detectives and residents of the doomed address.

Clocking in at 400 pages, this one was faced paced with a lot of action and short chapters and feels like it propels you forward.

I always worry about the satisfaction I will (or will not) feel at the conclusion of a book like this, and I’m happy to say this was gripping right up until the end. Bell knows how to craft a story with tension and suspense.

𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
Old school race against time stories like The Fugitive or Grisham’s Pelican Brief.

𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
If you like FBI/detective set novels that explore serial killers with religious aspects, this will be a hit. It was for me!
167 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
May 15, 2026
I love a high concept thriller and what an amazing premise this book has - a serial killer but the link isn’t the victim, the MO or even the same location - it’s the address.

There is a fantastic set of characters working the case - FBI Special Agent Ben Walker, rookie Officer Zoe Hill and analyst Matthew Brodie - it’s their job to attempt to work through over 7000 addresses in the USA to find any links or way to narrow down the options and work out which of the ‘138 Main Street’ residents are most at risk. It’s a massive task, looking for a needle in a haystack and they’re running out of time as more and more attacks are added to the total.

The tension is brilliant - the creaky stairs got me - it’s just so compelling and unique. I loved the thought processes of some of the potential victims, thinking back to buying their homes and having no idea at the time that their address would one day put them at risk. Plus, you’ve got this amazing juxtaposition between the possible victims thinking that the odds of it being their home targeted next are slim, and them suddenly realising that their time is up!

Unusual but perfectly executed, this is a fast-paced cat-and-mouse chase thriller that will have you reading into the night!
Profile Image for Jess.
120 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2026
I was hooked all the way through this! It's a typical cat and mouse crime thriller packed full of suspense & fast paced action, it was difficult to put this down.

I loved the writing style, the chapters were perfectly short so everytime I finished one, I'd be excited to start the next & I found myself not even realising how many pages I'd read. I thought Bell did brilliantly at building tension in some scenes, it never felt overdone & I was kept on the edge of my seat during the more action filled chapters. I also really liked how fleshed out & well developed each character was, even the villain in the plot was so well written, I was desperate to see him get what he deserved. The whole police procedural side of the story was also so fun to read, I could imagine it all so clearly, it was like an episode of Law & Order or Line of Duty, I loved that.

This is definitely one of my favs this year & I'd recommend it to anybody who enjoys crime thrillers full of twists that'll have your head spinning, fast paced action that'll keep you gripped & an overarching mystery that'll have you itching to figure out. I would love to see this as a book series & a tv show!

Thank you Likely Suspects for my gifted copy!
Profile Image for Jeff.
452 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 2, 2026
There are so many books that promise a fresh spin on an old premise or even better, a brand-new premise and then they fail to deliver. When I first read the summary for “138 Main”, I thought to myself, “Oh man, that is brilliant!”. People are being killed at 138 Main Street across the country. Almost every town and major city has a Main Street. The possibilities for a next strike are almost impossible to figure out.

The characters are well thought out and are given depth throughout the story. But even though they are on every page, they don’t seem to be the main point. The mystery is the point. And that, to me, was refreshing. The temptation would be to make this “The Introduction to an Unputdownable Page Turning Series”. However, Gavin Bell, the author, instead focuses on what is truly the heart of the story, the mystery. Who knows if a series is being born, well, I guess maybe the author and publisher, but for now, learn the characters, enjoy the characters, and be engrossed in this mystery/thriller.

Gavin Bell, you have a new fan.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Anne.
788 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 24, 2026
138 Main Street is a very good and thrilling read. Zoe Hill, a police officer, is asked to assist the FBI on a murder investigation where the victims all have the same address - 138 Main Street - but who is targeting them and why? I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it started off really well and grabbed my attention and interest straightaway and held it all the way through. The authors writing is good, the story flows easily and the plot is well thought out and believeable. I enjoyed following Hill and Walker as they try to get one step ahead of the killer and identify the next location. The story is told through different characters which I liked and the cliff hanger chapter endings kept me guessing and wanting to know more. The author certainly knows how to increase the tension and suspense in his writing and engage with readers. 138 Main Street is exactly my type of read and I would recommend it if you like police/FBI thrillers.

Hoping there will be a second book for Hill.

4 stars
Profile Image for andshe.reads.
746 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
May 5, 2026
Do you live at 138 Main? Because if you do this book is gonna have you installing extra security, bodyguards even, in fact maybe just move. My door number is 10 & not on Main & this gave me the chills. Hair stood on end the lot. 

& I went & devoured it in one sitting because yes it's that compelling. 

The characters felt more like a side part to the story rather than the main focus & there wasn't much backstory for any of them but honestly it wasn't needed for this as really they are imperative for the flow of the narrative. 

If anyone was going to be the MC I'd say it was Zoe & it would be exciting to read more with her bad ass policing skills. 

Im a sucker for a thriller & I loved how unique this was. 138 Main is scary, full of tension & has a superb twisty whodunit that I never guessed. 

Thank you to Randomthingstours, the publisher & author for a gifted digital copy of the book. 
Profile Image for Jasmine Martin.
98 reviews
May 16, 2026
A series of murders gain the interest of the FBI when a pattern emerges - 3 murders, all at 138 Main Street. The problem - aside from the address there's no link between the victims.

Agent Ben Walker is sent to the scene of the 3rd crime. There, he meets Officer Zoe Hill, whose sharp eye for detail draws his attention. What follows is a high stakes nationwide hunt to find a killer whose motive is anything but clear, and whose target could be any Main Street!

This certainly had me staying up late for "just one more chapter". A fast paced thriller, with enjoyable characters and nice short chapters that keep you wanting more. Safe to say, it's given me serious pause for thought on ever living on a road with a commonly shared name!

138 Main Street is an excellent debut thriller from Gavin Bell. Thank you to The Likely Suspects - Simon & Schuster publisher for sending me an advanced copy for review.
146 reviews
Review of advance copy
April 8, 2026
I was totally and absolutely absorbed in this most excellent crime thriller.

Not only did the author pull together a fast-paced plot that was so well presented that I found myself completely taken in with it, but his lead characters were fully formed and real in my imagination. On top of all that, he was pitch perfect in articulating the idiosyncrasies and characteristics of both small-town and major City life across America.

I am that inspired by my first experience of this writer, that he has now been added to my trusted author list of which there are not an overwhelming number of names.

If your reading preference is to turn to books that keep you on the edge of your seat, grip you from start to finish, and are just so good that your left disappointed when it ends, then I cannot recommend 138 Main Street more highly.
58 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2026
We were absolutely over the moon to receive a proof copy of this one ahead of its release on Thursday 7th May—and wow, what a great read.

From the very first page, this story pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s completely gripping, packed with adrenaline, and keeps the tension high all the way through.

We especially loved following Police Officer Zoe, who is drafted in by the FBI to help track down a killer. She’s a brilliant lead—determined, sharp, and easy to root for. The premise itself is incredibly clever and gave us strong Chris Carter vibes (though a little less gory), which we really enjoyed.

The pacing felt spot on throughout, with just the right balance of action and suspense. And the best part? We didn’t guess the killer at all 🙌

If you’re a fan of fast-paced crime thrillers with twists that genuinely surprise you, this is definitely one to add to your list.
Profile Image for Lauren.
274 reviews4 followers
May 23, 2026
Thank you Goodreads and Gallery/Scout Press for the physical ARC!! 🤗

I’m a huge thriller fan so this book was right up my alley. It was fast paced, suspenseful, and unpredictable. Zoe was a very strong female character who came into her own and I loved her characters arc honestly.

I really enjoyed how the scenes shifted all over the country because it didn’t give readers a chance to get too comfortable. It provided a sense of a adventure, in my opinion. (Although given the premise of serial murders, I’m not sure it’s good adventures necessarily 😂)

By the end of the story, I was still confused about how/why the Main Street Killer chose his targets. It was somehow related to money, but I still couldn’t piece it all together.

Overall though this book kept me on the edge of my seat! If you like thrillers you need to add this to your TBR!

138 Main is out on 6/2! 📍
Profile Image for Janice.
371 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy
May 8, 2026
Suspense and twists don't let up in this unique, twisty thriller from Gavin Bell.
A series of unconnected murders with nothing more in common than an address - 138 Main Street - have the FBI baffled. What could the possible reason be?
Officer Zoe Hill is a bright, young cop with enormous potential, and when she shows her initiative at one of the murder scenes in her own neighbourhood, she's spotted by FBI agent Walker. He co-opts her onto the task force investigating the murders and she suddenly finds herself transferred from small-town America to the fast-moving, action-packed headquarters in New York.
Except that they're never in one place for very long as the murderer remains one step ahead of the FBI, and the killings continue. Despite in-depth research, a lot of desperate guessing, and even more far-out speculation, the team are still at a loss as to who is committing the crimes or why.
With a tightly written plot, fully rounded characters and plenty of well-planted red herrings, this one will keep you guessing right up until the reveal.
This is a must-read for lovers of intricately woven, cleverly plotted thrillers. One of the best thrillers I've read in a long time.
Profile Image for Martina May Trower.
15 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 28, 2026
Loved this book! It keeps you wanting more and you feel like you are a detective on the team and trying to uncover the truth of the story and why this location is key to the killings! Detective walker and detective zoe are great characters and definitely are talented and think outside the box. Can they stop the next killing? Where do they even start? Who is behind it? This is based in America and it uncovers that this crime is a lot bigger than they originally thought. Well done to Gavin bell the author very well written and enjoyable! Hope there is another book continuing with detective Zoe.
102 reviews7 followers
May 25, 2026
What a brilliant concept for a book, I have never read one like it before. A serial killer targeting random people across the US, however their address is definitely not random - they all reside at 138 Main Street. The FBI call in Agent Walker who in turn calls upon rookie cop Zoe Hill, they make the perfect pairing and I am really hoping we see more of them🤞 This book grips you from page one and it doesn’t let go! The perfect cat and mouse chase to not only catch the killer but also work out where the next target is. I particularly liked the FBI Analyst Brodie, although at one point I did suspect him, how wrong I was! 😂 This book is pacy, intricately woven and unique, and I loved it!
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Author 23 books194 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 10, 2026
Absolutely loved this FBI serial killer novel with a huge difference.
With a sharp as a tack small town police officer attached to the FBI after a serial killer hits in her small town, a complex series of killings with the address 138 Main Street as the only common denominator and a killer with an unidentified motive this is as complex as it gets.
The multiple POV and timelines adds to the mystery and keeps the tension building as the FBI task force tries to work out where the killer will hit next.
Brilliantly woven plot and great characters, I hope we see more of this series
5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
March 25, 2026

Brilliant from beginning to end! The characters and the storyline were well thought out and easy to follow. The author made each scene come alive and kept me invested throughout. While reading, I found myself right there in the middle of the storyline and could feel all of the emotions and actions playing out from each character and scene. This is now a new favorite of mine and I cannot wait to read more from Gavin Bell. I did not want to put it down! Yes, it’s that good! Highly recommended!"
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