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138 Main
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Expected 2 Jun 26Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 08:12:53
50 copies available
U.S. only
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…
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
19 people are currently reading
10894 people want to read
About the author
Gavin Bell
1 book41 followersGavin 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
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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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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December 21, 2025Superb 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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A genuine page turner from beginning to end. I loved 138 Main Street to the extent that I even cut an evening out short so I could come home and keep reading it (I know that's a ridiculous thing to admit, but it's true).
The story goes that Officer Zoe Hill is at a crime scene where the resident has been brutally murdered. Simultaneously, FBI Agent Walker is at a different 3-day-old scene when he gets the call that it has happened again. For the fourth time.
What is the 'again'? That another murder has occurred, in a different city, a different state, a completely different victim, and that the only thing tying them together is the address - 138 Main Street.
A serial killer is on the loose, and any one of the more than 7000 138 Main Street addresses in the US could be his next target.
Agent Walker quickly realises that Officer Hill could be an asset on his task force, and along with Brodie (the techie guy), the trio must try to figure out not only who is next but who the killer is...
Interwoven in the book are chapters from the perspective of various 138 Main Street residents, as well as the killer, so suspense is rife throughout the book, keeping me hooked from the start.
While I figured out one or two of the threads, I completely missed the big twist, which was great.
If you want a page-turner, this is 5 stars all the way, but saying that, I really, really wish that some of the choices made by Zoe Hill didn't have me shouting at the Kindle, particularly towards the end.
Overall, a big thumbs up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Everyone in 138 Main Street by Gavin Bell in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story goes that Officer Zoe Hill is at a crime scene where the resident has been brutally murdered. Simultaneously, FBI Agent Walker is at a different 3-day-old scene when he gets the call that it has happened again. For the fourth time.
What is the 'again'? That another murder has occurred, in a different city, a different state, a completely different victim, and that the only thing tying them together is the address - 138 Main Street.
A serial killer is on the loose, and any one of the more than 7000 138 Main Street addresses in the US could be his next target.
Agent Walker quickly realises that Officer Hill could be an asset on his task force, and along with Brodie (the techie guy), the trio must try to figure out not only who is next but who the killer is...
Interwoven in the book are chapters from the perspective of various 138 Main Street residents, as well as the killer, so suspense is rife throughout the book, keeping me hooked from the start.
While I figured out one or two of the threads, I completely missed the big twist, which was great.
If you want a page-turner, this is 5 stars all the way, but saying that, I really, really wish that some of the choices made by Zoe Hill didn't have me shouting at the Kindle, particularly towards the end.
Overall, a big thumbs up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Everyone in 138 Main Street by Gavin Bell in exchange for my honest opinion.
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
Hoping there will be a second book for Hill.
4 stars
Review of advance copy
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
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!"
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I was given this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
Definitely a thriller I couldn’t put down. It keeps you on your toes hoping they get to the next 138 Main before it happens.
I wanted to see how they found the professor at Gehenna! Plot twist…what is a thriller when you meet the nemesis right out of the gate!
Did I see the ending coming…nope! Was it something you wouldn’t say…sure that makes sense which is why it was a 4 .5 and not a 5
Definitely recommend reading this book.
Definitely a thriller I couldn’t put down. It keeps you on your toes hoping they get to the next 138 Main before it happens.
I wanted to see how they found the professor at Gehenna! Plot twist…what is a thriller when you meet the nemesis right out of the gate!
Did I see the ending coming…nope! Was it something you wouldn’t say…sure that makes sense which is why it was a 4 .5 and not a 5
Definitely recommend reading this book.
Review of advance copy
Received and read as an advanced reader copy
What can I say to do this book justice. It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat until the very end. I loved the authors style of writing and the character of Zoe who is brought in by the FBI to help with their investigation is a fantastic character who I was really rooting for. Full of twists, turns and plenty of oh no moments I thoroughly enjoyed this must read book!
What can I say to do this book justice. It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat until the very end. I loved the authors style of writing and the character of Zoe who is brought in by the FBI to help with their investigation is a fantastic character who I was really rooting for. Full of twists, turns and plenty of oh no moments I thoroughly enjoyed this must read book!
Review of advance copy
What a clever, chilling ,totally intriguing idea, one address common to many towns and cities , and a series of supposedly unconnected deaths. A determined police officer , Zoe , is brought in by the FBI to help track down the perpetrator. The killer always seems two steps ahead. Action packed , lots of twists and a hair raising conclusion. Breathtakingly good.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a tense read, set out in to 5 parts and set over certain days and told from multiple POV.
In the beginning, I thought it could get confusing with the amount of characters and places, but it all falls into place and makes sense.
The story flowed well and I thought it was well written with an interesting plot.
Loved the way it ended, and have a feeling. Its not the end.
In the beginning, I thought it could get confusing with the amount of characters and places, but it all falls into place and makes sense.
The story flowed well and I thought it was well written with an interesting plot.
Loved the way it ended, and have a feeling. Its not the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A great book loved reading it.
A serial killer has hit 4 times in a month but he only kills at one address that is 138 main street.
Zoe is asked to help in the invesigation.
I didnt guess what was going on at all, the book is well thought out.
Recommened.
A serial killer has hit 4 times in a month but he only kills at one address that is 138 main street.
Zoe is asked to help in the invesigation.
I didnt guess what was going on at all, the book is well thought out.
Recommened.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A great book concept! Reading through this you'll question random patterns but specific targets in this gripping mystery. Likeable characters and quick moving story-telling make this a book you don't want to put down!
April 12, 2026
This book had me hooked from the first page and on the edge of my seat. I had to keep reading to find out if and how the FBI was going to catch the Main Street killer. This was a great book to read while I was on spring break!
April 12, 2026
I received 138 Main in a giveaway on Goodreads. I really enjoyed it. The story kept moving. I think my favorites character was Brodie. I hope there are more to come in this series and they bring Walker and Brodie back to work with Zoe.#Goodreads giveaway.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A really enjoyable read, with plenty of twist along the way.
I did get lost at times about who was who but it all made sense at the end! Hopefully there will be more to come from the main characters especially Zoe
I did get lost at times about who was who but it all made sense at the end! Hopefully there will be more to come from the main characters especially Zoe
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder mysteries are a dime a dozen, but every now and then you come across a plot so fiendishly clever that you can only admire the creativity of the author... This is one such #story!
A serial killer is making his presence felt by striking 4 times within a month. How is he able to be quite so prolific whilst easily outsmarting the authorities?
The answer lies in his devilishly simple but unusual modus operandi. He only kills at one address - but it is the most common address in towns across the United States...
So, don't expect to sleep at night if you happen to reside at 138 Main Street anywhere in the US!
This is a clever, slick, and original piece of story telling, which is also enormously entertaining. It will keep readers fully engaged throughout.
My only complaint was one element of the motive which features a little too frequently in stories about nutjobs of this variety, but that was a minor point in the scheme of things, so the book gets 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
A serial killer is making his presence felt by striking 4 times within a month. How is he able to be quite so prolific whilst easily outsmarting the authorities?
The answer lies in his devilishly simple but unusual modus operandi. He only kills at one address - but it is the most common address in towns across the United States...
So, don't expect to sleep at night if you happen to reside at 138 Main Street anywhere in the US!
This is a clever, slick, and original piece of story telling, which is also enormously entertaining. It will keep readers fully engaged throughout.
My only complaint was one element of the motive which features a little too frequently in stories about nutjobs of this variety, but that was a minor point in the scheme of things, so the book gets 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy
I couldn’t put this book down.
An excellent read with plenty of suspense to keep me gripped.
I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
An excellent read with plenty of suspense to keep me gripped.
I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
Review of advance copy
Absolutely riveting read. Amazing idea in that each murder is at the same address but where. Full of suspense and cleverly written. I think this was brilliant!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A very good idea that was well executed!
April 30, 2026
"138 Main" was a riveting story that kept me engaged, rapidly turning the pages. The unease for the homeowners' safety was palpable, sending shivers down my spine. Would they become the next casualties at 138 Main?
Although the story was slightly predictable, the author's writing skills were noteworthy. The author skillfully conveyed the residents' fear, crafting a chilling atmosphere. I highly recommend this story for your next riveting story!!
Although the story was slightly predictable, the author's writing skills were noteworthy. The author skillfully conveyed the residents' fear, crafting a chilling atmosphere. I highly recommend this story for your next riveting story!!
Review of advance copy
Similar to other thrillers. Nothing new under the sun.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews