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No Prisoners
A riveting neo-crime thriller in the vein of A Simple Plan, about a brilliant physicist searching for her missing husband, and the beleaguered detective in her way
Hannah Lyon is a brilliant, celebrated physicist, employed by a think tank outside of Albuquerque to question the very nature of how the world works.
And her husband is missing.
But not only is she struggling to cope with his sudden, baffling disappearance, no one believes her when she insists that Adam would never just leave. He was a loving husband, but more than that, a devoted father. He would never leave their young son Joe behind.
Detective Aloysius Hunt assures Hannah they’re doing everything they can to find Adam, but Hannah doesn’t trust him. Lou Hunt has done nothing but stonewall her at every turn.
With no help from the authorities, Hannah is on her own to find Adam and bring him home, but uncovering the truth means revealing dark secrets in her husband’s past, and her own. Secrets better left buried.
When Hannah notices a red SUV stalking her every move, she takes matters into her own hands and sets No Prisoners speeding towards its shocking conclusion.
Twisty, gritty and evocative, No Prisoners by Ellis Blake blends heart-pounding suspense with an emotionally resonant, razor-sharp exploration of grief, set against an unforgiving, icy landscape.
Hannah Lyon is a brilliant, celebrated physicist, employed by a think tank outside of Albuquerque to question the very nature of how the world works.
And her husband is missing.
But not only is she struggling to cope with his sudden, baffling disappearance, no one believes her when she insists that Adam would never just leave. He was a loving husband, but more than that, a devoted father. He would never leave their young son Joe behind.
Detective Aloysius Hunt assures Hannah they’re doing everything they can to find Adam, but Hannah doesn’t trust him. Lou Hunt has done nothing but stonewall her at every turn.
With no help from the authorities, Hannah is on her own to find Adam and bring him home, but uncovering the truth means revealing dark secrets in her husband’s past, and her own. Secrets better left buried.
When Hannah notices a red SUV stalking her every move, she takes matters into her own hands and sets No Prisoners speeding towards its shocking conclusion.
Twisty, gritty and evocative, No Prisoners by Ellis Blake blends heart-pounding suspense with an emotionally resonant, razor-sharp exploration of grief, set against an unforgiving, icy landscape.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 21, 2026
I found this to be a very absorbing “disappearance mystery” filled with engaging characters and more than a few surprises.
Physicist Hannah Lyons, her husband Adam, and their son Joe seem to have an almost idyllic family life, living on a forested hillside overlooking Santa Fe, New Mexico. She’s employed by a think tank and he works construction, that’s when he’s not attending to their son or attempting to solve one of the trickiest mysteries of the universe.
And then, Adam disappears without a trace. Is he dead? Was he kidnapped? Or did he simply just desert Hannah and Joe?
Santa Fe, P.D. detective Lou Hunt is assigned to the case. Five weeks in and he’s made no progress. At least, that’s how Hannah sees it. In her eyes, Hunt’s been dragging his heels, either because he thinks Hannah had something to do with the disappearance or because he just doesn’t care about the case. What Hunt thinks makes no difference to Hannah. She wants her husband found … NOW! And if Hunt can't or won't do that, she will.
What unfolds is a story filled with danger and suspense driven by very well-drawn, realistic, and oh-so-human characters. Author Ellis Blake has devised a plot filled with conflict and tension, making sure to keep his protagonists perpetually “under the gun.” And, he’s a master of misdirection. You’ll think you know what’s going on and how everything’s going to play out, only to find that you don’t.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Ellis Blake, and publisher Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Physicist Hannah Lyons, her husband Adam, and their son Joe seem to have an almost idyllic family life, living on a forested hillside overlooking Santa Fe, New Mexico. She’s employed by a think tank and he works construction, that’s when he’s not attending to their son or attempting to solve one of the trickiest mysteries of the universe.
And then, Adam disappears without a trace. Is he dead? Was he kidnapped? Or did he simply just desert Hannah and Joe?
Santa Fe, P.D. detective Lou Hunt is assigned to the case. Five weeks in and he’s made no progress. At least, that’s how Hannah sees it. In her eyes, Hunt’s been dragging his heels, either because he thinks Hannah had something to do with the disappearance or because he just doesn’t care about the case. What Hunt thinks makes no difference to Hannah. She wants her husband found … NOW! And if Hunt can't or won't do that, she will.
What unfolds is a story filled with danger and suspense driven by very well-drawn, realistic, and oh-so-human characters. Author Ellis Blake has devised a plot filled with conflict and tension, making sure to keep his protagonists perpetually “under the gun.” And, he’s a master of misdirection. You’ll think you know what’s going on and how everything’s going to play out, only to find that you don’t.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Ellis Blake, and publisher Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Did Not Finish
March 13, 2026~thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review ~
Dnf…. At 111 pages. Nothing exciting was happening and I gave up. I’m so sorry.
Dnf…. At 111 pages. Nothing exciting was happening and I gave up. I’m so sorry.
July 22, 2026
4 ⭐️ 2 🔪
This was a tense, twist-filled thriller with an icy setting that added so much to the atmosphere. The mystery kept me guessing, and while I saw a couple of twists coming, there were still plenty of surprises that made the journey worthwhile. The pacing builds steadily, and once it takes off, it’s hard to put down.
Missing person mystery, morally complex characters, and suspense that balances emotional depth with nonstop tension. 🔥
This was a tense, twist-filled thriller with an icy setting that added so much to the atmosphere. The mystery kept me guessing, and while I saw a couple of twists coming, there were still plenty of surprises that made the journey worthwhile. The pacing builds steadily, and once it takes off, it’s hard to put down.
Missing person mystery, morally complex characters, and suspense that balances emotional depth with nonstop tension. 🔥
November 10, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “No Prisoners” is scheduled for release on July 21, 2026.
I have a lot of issues with this novel from Ellis Blake, and I’ll get into the specifics shortly.
The setting is New Mexico, just outside Albuquerque in 2008. Hannah Lyon, a brilliant physicist with a 10-year-old son, Joe, works at the New Mexico Institute. Her husband, Adam, is missing. And not just recently missing, as in a few days ago, but 4-5 weeks ago. Just disappeared off the face of the earth. This is on top of her father who also disappeared into thin air just two years prior.
Working the case is Detective Aloysius (Lou) Hunt. The verb working might be misleading as it doesn’t seem Hunt has accomplished much since Adam’s disappearance. Hannah, who insists her husband would never just leave, is frustrated by the lack of progress Hunt has made. In fact, Hunt has his own heavy baggage that seems to bog down any possible headway he might make in the case.
Snippets of breadcrumbs are periodically dropped, including Adam’s possible involvement in drug trafficking, but the pieces of the puzzle don’t come together smoothly. By that I mean there are almost as many questions raised as answered. Like why is Hunt’s teenage daughter confined to a wheelchair (the subject matter is barely touched on)? Or how do you calculate the weight of a pickup truck from a security camera?
Perhaps most frustrating is the lack of interest or empathy that is generated for either Hannah or Hunt. Little backstory is provided, so we really don’t understand who they are or what makes them tick. For example, when Hunt regularly experiences shortness of breath and his wife asks if he took his medication, it’s hard to really care whether he took the meds or not. Similarly, a red SUV has begun following Hannah, and she becomes ruthless in her pursuit of finding what happened to her husband. But nothing happened for 4-5 weeks? Why now?
The ending is anticlimactic. But more than that, it leaves behind a lot of loose ends. And in a narrative that often feels convoluted, that’s a very unsettling feeling after trekking through 400 pages.
Just two stars for “No Prisoners.”
And you can read all of my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.
I have a lot of issues with this novel from Ellis Blake, and I’ll get into the specifics shortly.
The setting is New Mexico, just outside Albuquerque in 2008. Hannah Lyon, a brilliant physicist with a 10-year-old son, Joe, works at the New Mexico Institute. Her husband, Adam, is missing. And not just recently missing, as in a few days ago, but 4-5 weeks ago. Just disappeared off the face of the earth. This is on top of her father who also disappeared into thin air just two years prior.
Working the case is Detective Aloysius (Lou) Hunt. The verb working might be misleading as it doesn’t seem Hunt has accomplished much since Adam’s disappearance. Hannah, who insists her husband would never just leave, is frustrated by the lack of progress Hunt has made. In fact, Hunt has his own heavy baggage that seems to bog down any possible headway he might make in the case.
Snippets of breadcrumbs are periodically dropped, including Adam’s possible involvement in drug trafficking, but the pieces of the puzzle don’t come together smoothly. By that I mean there are almost as many questions raised as answered. Like why is Hunt’s teenage daughter confined to a wheelchair (the subject matter is barely touched on)? Or how do you calculate the weight of a pickup truck from a security camera?
Perhaps most frustrating is the lack of interest or empathy that is generated for either Hannah or Hunt. Little backstory is provided, so we really don’t understand who they are or what makes them tick. For example, when Hunt regularly experiences shortness of breath and his wife asks if he took his medication, it’s hard to really care whether he took the meds or not. Similarly, a red SUV has begun following Hannah, and she becomes ruthless in her pursuit of finding what happened to her husband. But nothing happened for 4-5 weeks? Why now?
The ending is anticlimactic. But more than that, it leaves behind a lot of loose ends. And in a narrative that often feels convoluted, that’s a very unsettling feeling after trekking through 400 pages.
Just two stars for “No Prisoners.”
And you can read all of my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.
November 3, 2025
What a ride this was, definitely a lot of twists and turns.
The book started off a bit slow, but the overall pacing was great. The author does a fantastic job building tension, delivering on that tension, then giving you a brief moment to catch your breath before ratcheting things up again. I predicted a few of the curve balls, but there was enough going on here that seeing a few things coming early didn't diminish the overall experience. Definitely enjoyed this one, and I liked Detective Hunt a lot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the review copy!
The book started off a bit slow, but the overall pacing was great. The author does a fantastic job building tension, delivering on that tension, then giving you a brief moment to catch your breath before ratcheting things up again. I predicted a few of the curve balls, but there was enough going on here that seeing a few things coming early didn't diminish the overall experience. Definitely enjoyed this one, and I liked Detective Hunt a lot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the review copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twisty and suspenseful “neo-crime” thriller about survival and “the stories people tell themselves.”
Hannah Lyons is hiding a secret from her son, Joe, because even though she’s saying his father, Adam, and her husband, will be home soon, she’s not so sure. While he’s been a devoted father and husband, he’s been gone five weeks and the police have no information. Detective Aloysius “Lou” Hunt keeps assuring Hannah they are investigating, but she didn’t trust him, so sets out to investigate herself. When she finds a tracker in her car and she survives a home invasion, Hannah knows something is not right. Because of Hannah’s father’s disappearance (and, of course, she’s the wife), the police see Hannah as the prime suspect. The further Hannah’s search goes, the more secrets she uncovers and she knows there is a target on her. The ending is surprise for the reader - you have to read the book to find out what this is; it’s a good one.
This is a slow burn thriller - so be patient - when it picks up speed you’ll not want to put the book down. The prose is precise, not flowery - this is not a descriptive heavy novel, more atmospheric - and the twists flow nicely (though faster near the end). I also described it as “neo-crime” in my introductory paragraph because its storytelling and tempo harken back to noir era of the 40s where there is darkness and terse storytelling - think Robert Montgomery in Lady in the Lake.
I enjoyed this read. Considering the author is from New Zealand and set this novel in New Mexico, he did a great job as I didn’t find this out until I was done with the novel - also he wrote the book under a pen name.
My thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam & Sons for allowing me access to this ARC.
Hannah Lyons is hiding a secret from her son, Joe, because even though she’s saying his father, Adam, and her husband, will be home soon, she’s not so sure. While he’s been a devoted father and husband, he’s been gone five weeks and the police have no information. Detective Aloysius “Lou” Hunt keeps assuring Hannah they are investigating, but she didn’t trust him, so sets out to investigate herself. When she finds a tracker in her car and she survives a home invasion, Hannah knows something is not right. Because of Hannah’s father’s disappearance (and, of course, she’s the wife), the police see Hannah as the prime suspect. The further Hannah’s search goes, the more secrets she uncovers and she knows there is a target on her. The ending is surprise for the reader - you have to read the book to find out what this is; it’s a good one.
This is a slow burn thriller - so be patient - when it picks up speed you’ll not want to put the book down. The prose is precise, not flowery - this is not a descriptive heavy novel, more atmospheric - and the twists flow nicely (though faster near the end). I also described it as “neo-crime” in my introductory paragraph because its storytelling and tempo harken back to noir era of the 40s where there is darkness and terse storytelling - think Robert Montgomery in Lady in the Lake.
I enjoyed this read. Considering the author is from New Zealand and set this novel in New Mexico, he did a great job as I didn’t find this out until I was done with the novel - also he wrote the book under a pen name.
My thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam & Sons for allowing me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was a solid 3.5 ⭐️ book for me. I will be honest, it started off a little sluggish and I struggled to stay in the zone trying to read. But ultimately, I was invested more in the plot as it started moving.
Hannah is a stoic mom to one son and her husband has been mysteriously missing for a bit. The weird thing? Her husband went missing in the same exact way her father once did so many years ago. Coincidence? Could be. Maybe not.
I liked that Hannah was resolute in solving her husband’s disappearance when she feels let down by the detective in charge of his case. She is a fierce mom who wants to protect her son at all costs. But I had a little beef with the ending. First- it was a little rushed and I felt needed some more wrapping up. I still had unanswered questions in the end. Also- I found it difficult to believe that Hannah and Hunt suddenly came to the conclusions they came to at the end based on little information (I don’t want to give spoilers, so I will just say that a few mysteries are figured out with virtually no hints given). Specifically, I found myself going back through chapters to see where the characters put some things together and really thought wow- hard to believe they just thought of that now based on virtually….nothing. Maybe it’ll make sense once you read because I probably sound odd here. I just don’t want to give anything away. Overall, I think this is a solid read.
Thank you to #netgalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s sons for the ARC!
Hannah is a stoic mom to one son and her husband has been mysteriously missing for a bit. The weird thing? Her husband went missing in the same exact way her father once did so many years ago. Coincidence? Could be. Maybe not.
I liked that Hannah was resolute in solving her husband’s disappearance when she feels let down by the detective in charge of his case. She is a fierce mom who wants to protect her son at all costs. But I had a little beef with the ending. First- it was a little rushed and I felt needed some more wrapping up. I still had unanswered questions in the end. Also- I found it difficult to believe that Hannah and Hunt suddenly came to the conclusions they came to at the end based on little information (I don’t want to give spoilers, so I will just say that a few mysteries are figured out with virtually no hints given). Specifically, I found myself going back through chapters to see where the characters put some things together and really thought wow- hard to believe they just thought of that now based on virtually….nothing. Maybe it’ll make sense once you read because I probably sound odd here. I just don’t want to give anything away. Overall, I think this is a solid read.
Thank you to #netgalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s sons for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC
I'd like to thank Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for the chance to give "No Prisoners" an early read in return for an honest review.
One thing that always irks me about thrillers is predictability. Far too often I read a novel and I can tell exactly what will happen next, which takes away from the enjoyment of getting to read a story. Unfortunately, "No Prisoners" fell into that category with me, as I pieced together the story fairly quickly, much quicker than the story was actually going. There was a lot of buildup, but the payoff in the end, for me at least, was not worth the effort put in. The effort may have felt worth it if I enjoyed the characters, but again, I was not a fan of the characterization. Hannah felt like a character that was the husk of a character; the outside was there, but there was nothing on the inside. She felt like a pawn being moved around, rather than a realized character that was actually in the story. You get a basic understanding of her character and motives and don't get much else, which made me not want to invest into knowing what was going on with her story, being more interested in the story of the side characters more. That being said, it's entertaining, for the most part, and reads pretty easy. I just wanted so much more out of the story and characters, which left me a bit disappointed in the end.
Be sure to give "No Prisoners" a read when it is published on July 21, 2026.
I'd like to thank Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for the chance to give "No Prisoners" an early read in return for an honest review.
One thing that always irks me about thrillers is predictability. Far too often I read a novel and I can tell exactly what will happen next, which takes away from the enjoyment of getting to read a story. Unfortunately, "No Prisoners" fell into that category with me, as I pieced together the story fairly quickly, much quicker than the story was actually going. There was a lot of buildup, but the payoff in the end, for me at least, was not worth the effort put in. The effort may have felt worth it if I enjoyed the characters, but again, I was not a fan of the characterization. Hannah felt like a character that was the husk of a character; the outside was there, but there was nothing on the inside. She felt like a pawn being moved around, rather than a realized character that was actually in the story. You get a basic understanding of her character and motives and don't get much else, which made me not want to invest into knowing what was going on with her story, being more interested in the story of the side characters more. That being said, it's entertaining, for the most part, and reads pretty easy. I just wanted so much more out of the story and characters, which left me a bit disappointed in the end.
Be sure to give "No Prisoners" a read when it is published on July 21, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 ⭐️
I went into this one really hoping to connect with the characters, and from the opening chapters I could tell it was aiming for a slower, more character-focused thriller, but I still found myself struggling to feel invested. The setup is intriguing, but there were stretches where the pacing slowed down, especially in the middle when Hannah keeps second-guessing herself, and those moments started to feel repetitive. The chapters from the villain’s perspective add tension, but they can get pretty dark and uncomfortable. And while the story leans heavily into the psychological side of things, it isn’t packed with big twists, making it a quieter and more straightforward thriller overall. There were also quite a few unanswered questions that left me feeling a bit unfulfilled with the narrative. I also struggled to connect with the characters because we don’t get enough backstory to understand their deeper motivations, which made some of their choices feel underdeveloped.
Ultimately, the story had potential, but without stronger character development and clearer motives, it didn’t hit as hard as I hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review — even though this one wasn’t quite to my liking, I appreciate the opportunity to read it.
I went into this one really hoping to connect with the characters, and from the opening chapters I could tell it was aiming for a slower, more character-focused thriller, but I still found myself struggling to feel invested. The setup is intriguing, but there were stretches where the pacing slowed down, especially in the middle when Hannah keeps second-guessing herself, and those moments started to feel repetitive. The chapters from the villain’s perspective add tension, but they can get pretty dark and uncomfortable. And while the story leans heavily into the psychological side of things, it isn’t packed with big twists, making it a quieter and more straightforward thriller overall. There were also quite a few unanswered questions that left me feeling a bit unfulfilled with the narrative. I also struggled to connect with the characters because we don’t get enough backstory to understand their deeper motivations, which made some of their choices feel underdeveloped.
Ultimately, the story had potential, but without stronger character development and clearer motives, it didn’t hit as hard as I hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review — even though this one wasn’t quite to my liking, I appreciate the opportunity to read it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is Ben Sanders’ first book under the Ellis Blake pseudonym for and it’s a good one. I gave the book the following SCORE:
Setting: Present day, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Characters: Hannah Lyon, physicist, her husband and son, Aloysius “Lou” Hunt, dogged detective, and the required cast of potential villains
Overview of plot: Hannah is a think tank scientist and her husband, a brilliant mathematician, is missing. While maintaining her career and an ailing young son, Hannah tries to enlist the authorities to help and relentlessly puts pieces together, trying to establish what caused her husband to vanish. Lou has his own family and career complications as he tries to figure out how to get out of a dangerous commitment and do the right thing.
Recommendation: 4 stars
Extras:. The science in this story is interesting and key to the plot. The dialogue in a restaurant where Hannah and Lou are trying to figure out if they are friend or foe – if they will help each other or not - is particularly realistic and engaging. And the series of suspenseful twists and nontraditional resolutions contribute to making this a recommended book.
Thanx to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to provide this candid review.
Setting: Present day, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Characters: Hannah Lyon, physicist, her husband and son, Aloysius “Lou” Hunt, dogged detective, and the required cast of potential villains
Overview of plot: Hannah is a think tank scientist and her husband, a brilliant mathematician, is missing. While maintaining her career and an ailing young son, Hannah tries to enlist the authorities to help and relentlessly puts pieces together, trying to establish what caused her husband to vanish. Lou has his own family and career complications as he tries to figure out how to get out of a dangerous commitment and do the right thing.
Recommendation: 4 stars
Extras:. The science in this story is interesting and key to the plot. The dialogue in a restaurant where Hannah and Lou are trying to figure out if they are friend or foe – if they will help each other or not - is particularly realistic and engaging. And the series of suspenseful twists and nontraditional resolutions contribute to making this a recommended book.
Thanx to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to provide this candid review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No Prisoners
Ellis Blake,
July 21, 2026
Hannah Lyon and her son are living alone. Her Husband, Adam left one day seemingly to run an errand and never returned. Joe wonders when his dad will return. Hannah is running out of things to tell him. She wants to assure him that he will come home but there have been no messages from him. She calls Detective Hunt frequently. He works with the Santa Fe Police department and he is not able to help much. It is not unusual circumstances and there has been no word that something harmful has happened. In the interim, Hunt is following two suspects who may be drug dealers as well as involved in two men’s death.
No Prisoners will be published on July 21,2026 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons. I was able to read and review Blake’s latest novel via NetGalley. What drew me to this mystery is the place where all the suspense happens - New Mexico. The Lyon’s live outside of Santa Fe. Hannah is a physicist for the university. Adam is a mathematician. It’s an interesting suspense theme with odd characters involved in the local genre. It took a bit to really fall into the storyline but it should grip most readers.
Ellis Blake,
July 21, 2026
Hannah Lyon and her son are living alone. Her Husband, Adam left one day seemingly to run an errand and never returned. Joe wonders when his dad will return. Hannah is running out of things to tell him. She wants to assure him that he will come home but there have been no messages from him. She calls Detective Hunt frequently. He works with the Santa Fe Police department and he is not able to help much. It is not unusual circumstances and there has been no word that something harmful has happened. In the interim, Hunt is following two suspects who may be drug dealers as well as involved in two men’s death.
No Prisoners will be published on July 21,2026 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons. I was able to read and review Blake’s latest novel via NetGalley. What drew me to this mystery is the place where all the suspense happens - New Mexico. The Lyon’s live outside of Santa Fe. Hannah is a physicist for the university. Adam is a mathematician. It’s an interesting suspense theme with odd characters involved in the local genre. It took a bit to really fall into the storyline but it should grip most readers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Solid 3 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah's husband is missing, and she is concerned that she is being followed. The police are ignoring her requests for more updates, so she begins digging into Adam's past to find out what was happening before he went missing. She finds more than she bargained for. Meanwhile, Detective Lou Hunt is up to his neck in problems with local criminals and has his own health to take care of.
The book starts out slow: Hannah is a smart, capable physics professor-type so it seems random that she also is a capable gun owner and mountaineering woman? As she unravels what her husband was involved in, we get to see her brain working overtime and it's fun to follow all of the twists and turns alongside her. Detective Hunt's POV did not warrant my empathy at all, and I found myself skimming his chapters to get back to Hannah.
I would say this is like a cross between The Last Thing He Ever Told Me and a police crime thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah's husband is missing, and she is concerned that she is being followed. The police are ignoring her requests for more updates, so she begins digging into Adam's past to find out what was happening before he went missing. She finds more than she bargained for. Meanwhile, Detective Lou Hunt is up to his neck in problems with local criminals and has his own health to take care of.
The book starts out slow: Hannah is a smart, capable physics professor-type so it seems random that she also is a capable gun owner and mountaineering woman? As she unravels what her husband was involved in, we get to see her brain working overtime and it's fun to follow all of the twists and turns alongside her. Detective Hunt's POV did not warrant my empathy at all, and I found myself skimming his chapters to get back to Hannah.
I would say this is like a cross between The Last Thing He Ever Told Me and a police crime thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Hannah's husband Adam is missing and Hunt, the police officer with the case has problems of his own in this thriller set in New Mexico. Hannah's a physicist, which Blake has incorporated into the novel, as she uses some of her knowledge (and you learn a bit) in her effort to find Adam. Hunt has a heart condition, a dog, a loving family (including a daughter in a wheelchair) and he's got a drug dealer on his back. Adam was a mathematician but he had recently burned his work and turned to carpentry. This is one where to review it fully would be a spoiler because the twists are relevant. That said, not all of them make sense (and the ending is convoluted). I liked this for the characters, for Hannah in particular but also for her small son Joe, a type one diabetic who is written, unlike some children in novels, in an age appropriate way. Hunt is interesting, with all his conflicts. Who should Hannah trust? Not telling but there's an old mystery that's resolved as well. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. It's a page turner.
November 24, 2025
The first couple chapters were slow and disorienting for me. Some of the things left unsaid for the sake of mystery made it hard for me to connect with the story. However, once I hit 25% I was locked in and invested. I really liked the placement of the four parts. The right amount of reveal or suspense happened that kept my interest peaked and the pace moving. The icy and remote setting is perfect for the story, adding to the desperation and isolation of Hannah’s experience. Hannah is badass, tough and driven to find the truth while protecting her family. I’m curious about where it all came from though. Being able to wield a rifle confidently comes from experience and not just because a husband goes missing and suspect behavior from an SUV. Sometimes that part of Hannah’s character felt like a reach to me. But then again I wouldn’t doubt the strength or the lengths a mom would go to protect her family.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
No Prisoners starts quietly, almost deceptively so. Hannah’s husband has been missing for three weeks. There are no solid leads, no dramatic breakthroughs, and the detective assigned to the case has essentially stalled out. At first, it feels like a straightforward missing persons investigation ... sad, frustrating, but contained.
Then Hannah realizes someone is following her.
From that moment on, the story tightens its grip and refuses to let go. What unfolds is a steadily escalating thriller where nothing is quite what it seems, and every new detail subtly shifts your understanding of what’s really happening. This book doesn’t rely on shock for shock’s sake; instead, it builds tension brick by brick until you suddenly realize you’re reading way past your bedtime.
One of the strongest aspects of this novel is how precise it is. There’s nothing superfluous here. Every scene, every detail serves a purpose. Ellis Blake trusts the reader to pay attention, and that trust pays off in a twisty, deeply satisfying way. The moment I read that Hannah was being followed, I was all in. Sleep became optional. Regrets were minimal.
There is mention of domestic violence. It is not a recurring or graphic theme, but it is present and may be difficult for some readers.
As for critiques, this is one of those rare cases where I don’t have much to nitpick. The pacing is deliberate rather than flashy, which may not work for readers who want nonstop action right out of the gate, but for me, that slow, creeping tension is exactly what made the payoff so effective.
This is absolutely a book for readers who love psychological thrillers, unreliable situations, and stories where the unease grows quietly until it’s impossible to ignore. If you enjoy thrillers that reward close reading and leave you thinking long after you close the book, this one is for you.
Five out of five stars. I only hand out my highest praise when a book costs me sleep. No Prisoners definitely did.
A special thank you to Penguin Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Then Hannah realizes someone is following her.
From that moment on, the story tightens its grip and refuses to let go. What unfolds is a steadily escalating thriller where nothing is quite what it seems, and every new detail subtly shifts your understanding of what’s really happening. This book doesn’t rely on shock for shock’s sake; instead, it builds tension brick by brick until you suddenly realize you’re reading way past your bedtime.
One of the strongest aspects of this novel is how precise it is. There’s nothing superfluous here. Every scene, every detail serves a purpose. Ellis Blake trusts the reader to pay attention, and that trust pays off in a twisty, deeply satisfying way. The moment I read that Hannah was being followed, I was all in. Sleep became optional. Regrets were minimal.
There is mention of domestic violence. It is not a recurring or graphic theme, but it is present and may be difficult for some readers.
As for critiques, this is one of those rare cases where I don’t have much to nitpick. The pacing is deliberate rather than flashy, which may not work for readers who want nonstop action right out of the gate, but for me, that slow, creeping tension is exactly what made the payoff so effective.
This is absolutely a book for readers who love psychological thrillers, unreliable situations, and stories where the unease grows quietly until it’s impossible to ignore. If you enjoy thrillers that reward close reading and leave you thinking long after you close the book, this one is for you.
Five out of five stars. I only hand out my highest praise when a book costs me sleep. No Prisoners definitely did.
A special thank you to Penguin Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hannah was living a comfortable life. Her son has a serious problem with diabetes, but they have that under control. She has a good job in a research institution, and her husband she thinks, is happy doing construction since he gave up trying to solve an impossible math problem. Then her life falls apart, because her husband disappears and she is being followed. The police do not take her seriously--she cannot get a license number for the red suv that follows her, and maybe her husband just decided to leave like her father did. Hannah is a well written character, and the plot will keep you interested. There were a couple of issues left unfinished, but I would recommend to someone who likes a mystery. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a positive review.
July 14, 2026
Thanks Netgalley for the arc!
Unfortunately this book fell a little flat for me. I thought the premise sounded really interesting though. A woman's husband disappears and she begins to suspect she is being followed. The story progresses slowly and I personally was not a fan of some of the writing structure being used, sometimes felt like it was difficult to follow what was going on. We got the most minuscule crumbs throughout untangling the mystery that didn't really make the ending enjoyable for me. Then the entire other side plot (won't share any spoilers) felt pretty random?
If you like a slow burn with family drama though, this will be for you.
Unfortunately this book fell a little flat for me. I thought the premise sounded really interesting though. A woman's husband disappears and she begins to suspect she is being followed. The story progresses slowly and I personally was not a fan of some of the writing structure being used, sometimes felt like it was difficult to follow what was going on. We got the most minuscule crumbs throughout untangling the mystery that didn't really make the ending enjoyable for me. Then the entire other side plot (won't share any spoilers) felt pretty random?
If you like a slow burn with family drama though, this will be for you.
July 23, 2026
This is a 4.5 rounded up for me. The only reason is because something I felt or sensed while reading seemed off with a character and it was never fully addressed and I'm left with this lingering feeling of well...I did get about 80% of the way through this book and thought that it might be a series because there seemed to be a lot of story left to tell but it was wrapped up nicely without feeling rushed. It had me at the edge of my seat and shifting around at times because the author does an amazing job building the suspense and tension!
Full review on my website on 7.28.26.
www.mommodeloading.com
Full review on my website on 7.28.26.
www.mommodeloading.com
November 27, 2025
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Hannah’s husband is missing—- she said he would never leave her or their son. Shes beginning to feel the cops aren’t taking her serious. She sets out to find him herself. In the process she begins to notice a red car following her. Who could it be? What do they want? The mystery she uncovers involving her husband leads to more questions and danger the closer she gets to answers. What is he involved in? Where is he? Is he alive?
Hannah’s husband is missing—- she said he would never leave her or their son. Shes beginning to feel the cops aren’t taking her serious. She sets out to find him herself. In the process she begins to notice a red car following her. Who could it be? What do they want? The mystery she uncovers involving her husband leads to more questions and danger the closer she gets to answers. What is he involved in? Where is he? Is he alive?
February 11, 2026
This book started out really slow, the finishing touches wrapped up nicely, but the suspense in the beginning was lackluster. I loved the ending, however, I felt the author could have amped up the intensity of the thrill in the beginning a little more. I also love when people bring awareness to people who struggle with TD1 and how this was informal on the upkeep and knowledge from both the mother and son. Giving this full read a 3.6/5⭐️
November 21, 2025
I struggled to connect with both the characters and plot in NO PRISONERS. The plot felt jumbled, and Hannah and Detective Hunt were difficult to like. The plot was a bit twisty—which I usually like—but I wasn’t a fan overall of the ending.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
December 10, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
The story had a good overall plot with great tension, although it started slowly. I found it confusing at times when the point of view changed without any indication. There were also parts in the beginning that felt dragged on, and the ending felt rushed, leaving gaps that I wish I had more information on throughout but overall a good and suspenseful read.
The story had a good overall plot with great tension, although it started slowly. I found it confusing at times when the point of view changed without any indication. There were also parts in the beginning that felt dragged on, and the ending felt rushed, leaving gaps that I wish I had more information on throughout but overall a good and suspenseful read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A physicist who can't solve the one mystery that matters.
Hannah Lyon's entire job is to question how the world works. She's a physicist. So why can't she figure out what happened to her own husband?
Ellis Blake’s No Prisoners is set in New Mexico in 2008. Adam goes out one night to run an errand and that's the last anyone sees of him. Five weeks later the police think he just walked out of his life and into a new one. Hannah knows better, so she starts digging, while Detective Lou Hunt does the bare minimum on the case.
Here's where I have to be honest with you. I'm an action oriented reader. I like a fast pace, and this is a slow burn that tested my patience. The first two-thirds is a lot of Hannah driving around and a lot of Hannah trying to get someone, anyone, to take her seriously. I had to power through.
Then she notices a red SUV following her every move, and that's the moment the whole story starts to pick up a bit. Once it does, the mystery gets twisty and I did not see all of it coming. That's what saved it for me.
I'll be straight about the rest too. I didn't click with these characters. Hannah's under enormous stress and she's the only one fighting for Adam, but she reads as brittle the whole way through. Lou Hunt starts out sympathetic and then loses me, and I can't tell you why without spoiling it. Same with Adam.
Three stars from me, almost entirely about the pace. But I know plenty of readers live for a slow-building thriller, and if you're a patient reader who loves a family drama that takes its time, you are going to feel very differently than I did. This one's for you.
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
Hannah Lyon's entire job is to question how the world works. She's a physicist. So why can't she figure out what happened to her own husband?
Ellis Blake’s No Prisoners is set in New Mexico in 2008. Adam goes out one night to run an errand and that's the last anyone sees of him. Five weeks later the police think he just walked out of his life and into a new one. Hannah knows better, so she starts digging, while Detective Lou Hunt does the bare minimum on the case.
Here's where I have to be honest with you. I'm an action oriented reader. I like a fast pace, and this is a slow burn that tested my patience. The first two-thirds is a lot of Hannah driving around and a lot of Hannah trying to get someone, anyone, to take her seriously. I had to power through.
Then she notices a red SUV following her every move, and that's the moment the whole story starts to pick up a bit. Once it does, the mystery gets twisty and I did not see all of it coming. That's what saved it for me.
I'll be straight about the rest too. I didn't click with these characters. Hannah's under enormous stress and she's the only one fighting for Adam, but she reads as brittle the whole way through. Lou Hunt starts out sympathetic and then loses me, and I can't tell you why without spoiling it. Same with Adam.
Three stars from me, almost entirely about the pace. But I know plenty of readers live for a slow-building thriller, and if you're a patient reader who loves a family drama that takes its time, you are going to feel very differently than I did. This one's for you.
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hannah Lyon’s husband has been missing for several weeks and her discovery of mysterious packages under the floorboards of their home causes her even more trepidation. A bonus to this story was that it takes place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and surrounding locales – a favorite place. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was really intrigued by the premise of No Prisoners. I thought it started really strong. But then the pacing started to lag. There were some really action packed moments that brought things back. But I ultimately didn't love how it resolved.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The book has great twists and turns. It will keep you guessing and surprise you. This book was a good book to keep you guessing what happened and who could have done it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank-you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This one started out slow, picked up speed midway through, then fell off a cliff at the end. A lot of loose ends were either skipped or glazed over at the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The book took an unexpected turn there at the end. Wtf, Adam? The story definitely held my attention and kept me guessing.
Thank you, NetGalley and Putnam, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you, NetGalley and Putnam, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.
July 29, 2026
I didn’t really think this book was anything special. It felt like the typical missing person mystery book and was just kind of boring in my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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