Take Hart: A Thriller

by Jaime Parker Stickle

301 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 4, 2026

About the author

Jaime Parker Stickle is an actor and writer and holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of California, Riverside. She is the creator and co-host of the hilarious and poignant podcast, Make That Paper, and is also the creator and host of the new storytelling series “Okay, You Guys…” in Los Angeles. Her published work can be seen in the 2018 and 2019 Adelaide Literary Anthology among other places. She has worked as the managing editor for the literary journal The Coachella Review and is currently co-editor of the literary journal – GXRL. She is the recipient of a Virginia G. Piper Desert Nights Rising Stars Fellowship.

Reviews

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve read the first book, you’ll definitely want to dive into the second to uncover what Corey is up to next!

Corey Tracey-Lieberman, dealing with postpartum panic disorder, navigates her job with the LAPD and her indie news blog. When local mother Sonja Hart goes missing, Corey stops her anxiety medication to investigate, straining her marriage and deepening her partnership with a colleague. As she links a house fire to gentrification, Corey nears a breaking point, realizing the killer has been watching her closely.

As we continue following her investigative journey, we meet her baby, Jacob, who’s a bit older now. With the arrival of this new character, the narrative shifts, and the dynamics of Corey’s days change quite a bit. While she remains the spirited Corey we adore, becoming a mom brings about some inevitable changes. She grapples with her mental health more than before but is actively seeking the help she needs. Meanwhile, her situation with Evan becomes increasingly complicated, with hints of someone else entering the mix. Talk about a tangled web!

Corey’s quest to find the missing mom, Sonja Hart, leads her to uncover unsettling details that the police have overlooked. Just when things seem manageable, some mysterious newcomers settle across the street, causing everything to unravel.

This installment takes on a more serious tone, delving into relatable issues that first-time moms face. If you have any triggers, make sure to check the warnings, so you’re not caught off guard and tempted to toss this book across the room. Yet, it aligns perfectly with what I expected: a fun, carefree character navigating the challenges of motherhood while growing up and taking on more responsibilities. The author does a commendable job of weaving this transition into the story while keeping it enjoyable and upbeat.

I loved the first book, and I found this one just as captivating. The character evolution feels realistic. After all, taking care of another human being necessitates change. This aspect adds a refreshing touch as nothing remains the same. The transition flows smoothly, and I’m excited to see Corey take on the mystery of Ben's disappearance!

This read is perfect for fans of Stephanie Plum or Finlay Donovan’s shenanigans, particularly those who appreciate deeper character development over time. It’s also ideal for anyone looking to unwind, close the door, and enjoy solving a murder mystery alongside Corey and Jacob. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to investigate what’s happened to my peculiar neighbor, who has been MIA lately! But I’ve noticed a curious stray kitten hanging around! Ha!

Thank you, Thomas&Mercer and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Corey in LA series is a procedural thriller with action and heart. Not having read the first book, I felt this could be read as a stand alone.

Former TV reporter Corey Tracey-Lieberman is searching for her neighbor, Sonja Hart. She’s still subject to postpartum depression after the birth of her 15-month old son, Jacob. She’s now working PT for the LA police and as a spin instructor. She’s also experiencing the dissolution of her marriage and maybe having feelings for Chris, a former TV colleague she works with on cases. Corey knows something is wrong with Sonja’s disappearance such that she takes herself off her medication and pursues an investigation finding out that there are secrets in the Highland Park neighborhood where she lives.

This is linear story with fine pacing and great character development. I appreciated the mental health aspects of Corey’s character. Though never having experienced postpartum depression, I do know how frightening it can be to be a first time mother. I think it was good to have this showcased in the book and show how a character dealt with it.

This was a fun read. I was hooked from the first sentence. I think lovers of realistic crime procedural novels should like this one.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this ARC.
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[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corey has a lot going on here, new baby, a strained relationship, her own mental health, and on top of that she can’t let go of a missing woman’s case that no one else seems too concerned about. That tension between everything in her personal life and her need to keep digging is what really drives the story.

She’s still a really strong character, imperfect, overwhelmed, but determined—and that’s what kept me invested. I like that the book doesn’t shy away from how messy things feel for her at times.

The central mystery is interesting, especially as it starts to open up into something a bit wider within the community. It definitely kept me reading, even if it didn’t fully hook me throughout.

It does feel quite slow in the middle, and at times the focus on her personal life takes over a bit, which means the investigation loses some of its momentum.

That said, it’s still a solid read. More character-driven than your typical thriller, and worth sticking with, even if it didn’t completely land for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[J Kromrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this eARC.

I am conflicted regarding my feelings about this book, I enjoyed the mystery storyline and the protagonist's background and her work finding missing persons.

However, what I found fault with is that the protagonist is a woman dealing with mental illness who refuses to leave her emotionally abusive spouse - she fears if she stands up to him he will take her son away from her. Ultimately, the protagonist never really develops or grows as a person, other than switching her meds which dull her mental acuity.

That said, I enjoyed the story, and it's a well written, entertaining read. I just kept waiting for the protagonist to regain dignity, to wrestle it back for herself from a bad situation and grow as a person - and that never really happened.

[Saloni Porwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of this book isn't anything special, but it's the characters that hooked me. Corey's depiction as a toddler's mother still dealing with postpartum panic disorder and working through her job investigating cases felt so raw and honest to me. I don't relate to her in any personal capacity, yet here I could find myself agreeing to how she thought and felt- the mundanities in her life, and her situation. Seeing the circumstances in her marriage, her neighborhood, and her tackling motherhood was interesting. I was captivated by the author's writing and how real she made the emotions feel and bought Corey to life. I haven't read the previous book, but given the segue into the sequel it gives, I don't think I can resist grabbing it when it's out.

[Avril Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book more than the first!
The intrigue with Evan & the neighbors was like an itch you can't scratch. Evan definitely comes across as a manipulative person in this one -vs the first book where he seems to be supportive.
The real-life attention to detail of the NELA area made it feel as if I could run into Corey at the local coffee shop.
I appreciate that Corey looks into the stories that get dismissed as inconsequential & love that she tapped into the YouTube video to get answers from the community.
Do we have to wait another year for the next in the series?

[Monique Tutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book even more than the first! The intrigue surrounding Evan and the neighbors was impossible to put down, and Evan came across as far more manipulative here compared to how supportive he seemed in the first book. The detailed portrayal of the NELA area made the story feel incredibly real—like I could run into Corey at a local coffee shop. I also appreciated how Corey investigates stories others dismiss as unimportant, and I loved the way she used the YouTube video to involve the community in finding answers.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think this was for me, but I think someone with a few more similarities to the main character would enjoy it. I liked the mystery element and the thriller vibes, but it was too focused on her and her husband/baby. I don’t know I wanted a little more growth with the main character instead of just popping pills? I don’t know I can’t put my finger on it, just not for me especially as someone who doesn’t have kids. Sorry!

[Petra ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from netgalley

it was a good book but not for me. it didn't immerse me like I would like.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this more. I think I misunderstood what kind of book it was going to be and that is on me. I thought it was going to be a funny zany murder mystery like a Finlay Donovan. The cover certainly implies that. It’s not. Not one bit. This character is quite dark. She is struggling and bless her heart but it just felt tedious. Between the endless diaper changes, kid smoothie packs, and side effects of medication and discussion of medication, I’d had enough. The mystery was not tight enough to get me past that dreariness. I realize these are real issues and extremely hard to manage and I pray for anyone in real life who is coping with them. Was the author just trying to make a statement? For me, this character just didn’t work. I did not read the first book and that could be why I found this book challenging. This is book two in the series.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC for review. This book comes out in August.