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Kari Sharpe Thrillers #2
Undertow
From the author of Adrift comes a taut, emotionally charged legal thriller about confronting old enemies, unleashing hidden dangers, and fighting against the pull of small-town secrets.
Attorney Kari Sharpe knew it wouldn’t be easy, leaving her life in New York and returning home to Portland, Maine. But she never imagined it would mean defending her former bully—even if only in court.
Stacy and Greg Stadt made Kari’s childhood miserable. So, when Greg dies in a boating accident and Stacy is charged with his murder, she’s reluctant to take the case. But as Kari faces the demons of her past, she is confronted by more than she bargained for. Greg had been the last obstacle to a contentious casino plan, proposed by a shady consortium wielding power from the shadows.
When another town board member goes missing, Kari realizes the players in this conspiracy may not be what they seem. Meanwhile, she reconnects with her first real love—possibly the last person she should trust. If she can free her former tormentor, she might free herself from old fears. But strong currents of hidden influence keep threatening to pull her under.
Attorney Kari Sharpe knew it wouldn’t be easy, leaving her life in New York and returning home to Portland, Maine. But she never imagined it would mean defending her former bully—even if only in court.
Stacy and Greg Stadt made Kari’s childhood miserable. So, when Greg dies in a boating accident and Stacy is charged with his murder, she’s reluctant to take the case. But as Kari faces the demons of her past, she is confronted by more than she bargained for. Greg had been the last obstacle to a contentious casino plan, proposed by a shady consortium wielding power from the shadows.
When another town board member goes missing, Kari realizes the players in this conspiracy may not be what they seem. Meanwhile, she reconnects with her first real love—possibly the last person she should trust. If she can free her former tormentor, she might free herself from old fears. But strong currents of hidden influence keep threatening to pull her under.
285 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 22, 2026
Thank you K. T. Konkoly and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
First, I have to note that I did not read the first book in the series (I wasn't aware of it until I had already gotten into this one).
I will say I don't think I have ever read a story from a defense attorney's perspective. The MCs main prerogative is to gather enough information to ensure she could create reasonable doubt so that the case will never be brought to trial. So the way the case was investigated was not neat or followed every lead as she is not trying to "solve" anything. Because of this I feel like the ending is very fitting.
I will definitely circle around and read the first one but I don't feel that missing the first one hindered my understanding of the characters.
Good read.
First, I have to note that I did not read the first book in the series (I wasn't aware of it until I had already gotten into this one).
I will say I don't think I have ever read a story from a defense attorney's perspective. The MCs main prerogative is to gather enough information to ensure she could create reasonable doubt so that the case will never be brought to trial. So the way the case was investigated was not neat or followed every lead as she is not trying to "solve" anything. Because of this I feel like the ending is very fitting.
I will definitely circle around and read the first one but I don't feel that missing the first one hindered my understanding of the characters.
Good read.
July 26, 2026
A fine example of greed turning deadly.
This is the second story in the Kari Sharpe Thrillers series. I have book 1 (Adrift) but just haven't gotten around to it. I need to check it out soon though because I really enjoyed Kari specifically. I feel like book 1 would have probably helped me understand her situation better though. I still feel like it could be read as a stand alone if you're not interested in checking out the first book.
Kari Sharpe is a pretty hot shot attorney and she has left NY and moved home to Maine. Things weren't always great for her back home growing up. She health with a lot of bullying. The case she takes on directly involves a few of the key players in her torment.
The story does a great job of balancing the mystery with Karis internal struggle overcoming her own personal demons. Emotional baggage left over from childhood can be so heavy! This isn't the only deep topic in explorer though.
The story also focuses heavily on greed corruption and conspiracies.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is the second story in the Kari Sharpe Thrillers series. I have book 1 (Adrift) but just haven't gotten around to it. I need to check it out soon though because I really enjoyed Kari specifically. I feel like book 1 would have probably helped me understand her situation better though. I still feel like it could be read as a stand alone if you're not interested in checking out the first book.
Kari Sharpe is a pretty hot shot attorney and she has left NY and moved home to Maine. Things weren't always great for her back home growing up. She health with a lot of bullying. The case she takes on directly involves a few of the key players in her torment.
The story does a great job of balancing the mystery with Karis internal struggle overcoming her own personal demons. Emotional baggage left over from childhood can be so heavy! This isn't the only deep topic in explorer though.
The story also focuses heavily on greed corruption and conspiracies.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this highly anticipated installment!
Kari moved back to Maine from The Big Apple a year ago and skyrocketed to local fame after getting a second generation citizen acquitted. She's reconnected with her remaining family and started working through childhood trauma. She is well established but still struggles with navigating the person she had become, what standards she was accustomed to in the city, and this third version of herself that adapts to the local speed.
Her attempts to reforge herself take an unexpected blow when a ghost from her childhood comes waltzing in. Scratch that. Comes in kicking and screaming. Demanding obeisance just as she did throughout their teenage years. One of her childhood tormentors has been murdered. Another prominent antagonist of yesteryear, now his wife, is the prime suspect.
Asking Kari to represent her is the last thing either of them expected or wanted. Does she accept and use this as an opportunity to get her own form of revenge? Prove she made something of herself to those that called her trash? Can Kari handle the memories stirred up along with her own general anxiety, her concern for her brother, and her lack luster personal life? All signs point at this being an open and shut case for the prosecution. How deep into the community will she have dig to find that vital element of doubt required to earn the jury's favor?
“Undertow” returns us to familiar characters but has a very different tone than the series introduction. Kari's is confronting personal ghosts. Her relationship with her brother is still rocky. There's a budding romance between two people dear to her. On top of running into a person who made her adolescence terrible, now someone who hurt her in a completely different way has shown up. The murder didn't seem to be the more dramatic element.
You could say that makes the book and pacing a lot like the actual legal practice. Though, thankfully, more entertaining in general. As in the first, Kari goes only where her paperwork and allowances of profession take her. I appreciate the legitimacy this lends the tale. It makes it stand out from a fistful of mystery-thrillers that make the law part more a trope or device than a core aspect.
Unfortuantely, this second entry didn't engage me as much as the first. To be fair, it had big shoes to fill for me. The pace, premise, and environment were fine. The backbone issue brought to the forefront is something Maine and similar states are familiar with. Shifting industries, non-resident influence, power imbalances that can come along with 'small town politics, ' and the struggle of maintaining generational businesses are very relevant. Other things such as the local haunts, weather, existing in a summer tourist destination, and the sort of off-the-book favors people do for one another add to the feel of a genuine atmosphere.
What didn't work for me was Kari's relationships. There's a third element that's introduced about well into the book. A reintroduction from a person from her college days has a place, but felt awkward from the start. Not even for the most obvious reasons of suspicion. It was about timing. It started as being heavily focused on Kari and her brother. I assumed that and dealing with things in her youth were going to be much bigger factors.
The second reintroduction seemed to push all of that aside. It also lead to almost a crowding of characters and plot lines. There was already a lot to connect and wrap up. It may have worked better if it had also happened early on. Possibly alluded to before the case began. Or as the source of tension itself in a different work.
It didn't make the work a failure. I did enjoy it. I like the tactics Kari use in getting to the bottom of things. As a Maine resident myself, I like how she expands the usual depiction of the area. I just think a little character weeding or timeline rearrangement could have lead to better overall flow of the mystery, a tighter ending, and fully flushed out earlier established dynamics and personal conflicts. Here's to hoping there's more of Kari to come!
Kari moved back to Maine from The Big Apple a year ago and skyrocketed to local fame after getting a second generation citizen acquitted. She's reconnected with her remaining family and started working through childhood trauma. She is well established but still struggles with navigating the person she had become, what standards she was accustomed to in the city, and this third version of herself that adapts to the local speed.
Her attempts to reforge herself take an unexpected blow when a ghost from her childhood comes waltzing in. Scratch that. Comes in kicking and screaming. Demanding obeisance just as she did throughout their teenage years. One of her childhood tormentors has been murdered. Another prominent antagonist of yesteryear, now his wife, is the prime suspect.
Asking Kari to represent her is the last thing either of them expected or wanted. Does she accept and use this as an opportunity to get her own form of revenge? Prove she made something of herself to those that called her trash? Can Kari handle the memories stirred up along with her own general anxiety, her concern for her brother, and her lack luster personal life? All signs point at this being an open and shut case for the prosecution. How deep into the community will she have dig to find that vital element of doubt required to earn the jury's favor?
“Undertow” returns us to familiar characters but has a very different tone than the series introduction. Kari's is confronting personal ghosts. Her relationship with her brother is still rocky. There's a budding romance between two people dear to her. On top of running into a person who made her adolescence terrible, now someone who hurt her in a completely different way has shown up. The murder didn't seem to be the more dramatic element.
You could say that makes the book and pacing a lot like the actual legal practice. Though, thankfully, more entertaining in general. As in the first, Kari goes only where her paperwork and allowances of profession take her. I appreciate the legitimacy this lends the tale. It makes it stand out from a fistful of mystery-thrillers that make the law part more a trope or device than a core aspect.
Unfortuantely, this second entry didn't engage me as much as the first. To be fair, it had big shoes to fill for me. The pace, premise, and environment were fine. The backbone issue brought to the forefront is something Maine and similar states are familiar with. Shifting industries, non-resident influence, power imbalances that can come along with 'small town politics, ' and the struggle of maintaining generational businesses are very relevant. Other things such as the local haunts, weather, existing in a summer tourist destination, and the sort of off-the-book favors people do for one another add to the feel of a genuine atmosphere.
What didn't work for me was Kari's relationships. There's a third element that's introduced about well into the book. A reintroduction from a person from her college days has a place, but felt awkward from the start. Not even for the most obvious reasons of suspicion. It was about timing. It started as being heavily focused on Kari and her brother. I assumed that and dealing with things in her youth were going to be much bigger factors.
The second reintroduction seemed to push all of that aside. It also lead to almost a crowding of characters and plot lines. There was already a lot to connect and wrap up. It may have worked better if it had also happened early on. Possibly alluded to before the case began. Or as the source of tension itself in a different work.
It didn't make the work a failure. I did enjoy it. I like the tactics Kari use in getting to the bottom of things. As a Maine resident myself, I like how she expands the usual depiction of the area. I just think a little character weeding or timeline rearrangement could have lead to better overall flow of the mystery, a tighter ending, and fully flushed out earlier established dynamics and personal conflicts. Here's to hoping there's more of Kari to come!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While I did enjoy this book, it wasn't what I was expecting for a book that is billed as a legal thriller. Kari might be an Attorney but we didn't actually make it to court and there was no courtroom drama. Instead Kari solved the case before it got that far by doing her own investigating.
The story is told by multiple characters and I did wonder a number of times what that had to do with the investigation, especially as the story is very character driven and we had a lot of background information that took a while to become relevant. It does eventually come together and you do discover what the connections are but at the time I was uncertain if we need so much information. I didn't see the ending coming in a number of ways and it has set it up to get even more interesting in the next book.
I liked the characters, well except for Kari's client. I am not sure how Kari could have worked for her but I guess it takes all sorts and it did give the story spice. The homelife drama from a number of characters made up for the missing courtroom action. I would listen to another book by this author and might even have to check out the first book.
Kari has given up her partnership in a New York law firm to return home and help her struggling alcoholic brother. She knew it would be challenging building up a new practice but even she didn't expect how hard it would be When her high school bully demands help. Stacy and Greg were both the stuff of nightmares at school and now Stacy has been accused of killing Grey her husband. Kari is reluctant to take the case but it she wants to put the past behind her, she needs to face it and Stacy can afford a well padded expense account. Kari just had no idea that Stacy would make her earn every penny because she hasn't changed much since there school days together and Greg wasn't much better. He had a number of people who hated him and it's up to Kari to find the one with the biggest motive.
I liked the narrator. She helped the story develop by keeping it interesting and the tension high.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
The story is told by multiple characters and I did wonder a number of times what that had to do with the investigation, especially as the story is very character driven and we had a lot of background information that took a while to become relevant. It does eventually come together and you do discover what the connections are but at the time I was uncertain if we need so much information. I didn't see the ending coming in a number of ways and it has set it up to get even more interesting in the next book.
I liked the characters, well except for Kari's client. I am not sure how Kari could have worked for her but I guess it takes all sorts and it did give the story spice. The homelife drama from a number of characters made up for the missing courtroom action. I would listen to another book by this author and might even have to check out the first book.
Kari has given up her partnership in a New York law firm to return home and help her struggling alcoholic brother. She knew it would be challenging building up a new practice but even she didn't expect how hard it would be When her high school bully demands help. Stacy and Greg were both the stuff of nightmares at school and now Stacy has been accused of killing Grey her husband. Kari is reluctant to take the case but it she wants to put the past behind her, she needs to face it and Stacy can afford a well padded expense account. Kari just had no idea that Stacy would make her earn every penny because she hasn't changed much since there school days together and Greg wasn't much better. He had a number of people who hated him and it's up to Kari to find the one with the biggest motive.
I liked the narrator. She helped the story develop by keeping it interesting and the tension high.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 17, 2026
🚨 If you love small-town thrillers packed with secrets, twists, and endings that leave you questioning EVERYTHING…add Under Tow by K.T. Konkoly to your TBR! 🌊🔍
I just finished my ARC, and wow—this was such a fun ride! This was my first book by K.T. Konkoly, and it definitely won’t be my last.
The story follows attorney Kari Sharpe as she returns to her hometown of Portland, Maine, to defend her former bully, Stacy Stadt, who is accused of killing her husband, Greg. But what starts as a murder trial quickly turns into something much bigger when Kari uncovers secrets tied to a controversial casino proposal and the people determined to protect it.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of at first, but stick with it because everything comes together in a satisfying way. And those twists? I definitely didn’t see all of them coming!
Now let’s talk about that ending… 🤯 It completely had me saying, “WAIT…WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!” And yes…it ends on a cliffhanger, which I both love and hate because now I need the next book immediately! 😂
⭐️ 3.75/5 stars
Thank you so much to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and listen to this ARC! The audiobook made this story even more immersive.
📅 Releases July 21! If you’re a thriller fan, don’t sleep on this one—go add it to your TBR! 📚✨
I just finished my ARC, and wow—this was such a fun ride! This was my first book by K.T. Konkoly, and it definitely won’t be my last.
The story follows attorney Kari Sharpe as she returns to her hometown of Portland, Maine, to defend her former bully, Stacy Stadt, who is accused of killing her husband, Greg. But what starts as a murder trial quickly turns into something much bigger when Kari uncovers secrets tied to a controversial casino proposal and the people determined to protect it.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of at first, but stick with it because everything comes together in a satisfying way. And those twists? I definitely didn’t see all of them coming!
Now let’s talk about that ending… 🤯 It completely had me saying, “WAIT…WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!” And yes…it ends on a cliffhanger, which I both love and hate because now I need the next book immediately! 😂
⭐️ 3.75/5 stars
Thank you so much to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and listen to this ARC! The audiobook made this story even more immersive.
📅 Releases July 21! If you’re a thriller fan, don’t sleep on this one—go add it to your TBR! 📚✨
July 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy.
Undertow is a gripping legal thriller that kept me hooked from the start. Returning to her hometown in Maine is difficult enough for attorney Kari Sharpe, but defending her former bully, Stacy, after she’s accused of murdering her husband forces Kari to confront a past she’d rather leave behind.
I really liked Kari as the central character. She’s intelligent and determined, but also vulnerable, and the history she shares with the people around her added an emotional depth that made the story more than just a murder mystery. As the investigation unfolded, the links between the suspicious death, local politics and a proposed casino development gradually came together, with plenty of secrets and shifting loyalties along the way.
The narration was excellent, giving each character a distinct voice and capturing both the tension of the investigation and the more personal moments. It made it very easy to become immersed in the story.
A well-paced thriller with an engaging lead, believable characters and enough twists to keep me listening right through to the end. I’ll definitely be looking out for the next instalment.
Undertow is a gripping legal thriller that kept me hooked from the start. Returning to her hometown in Maine is difficult enough for attorney Kari Sharpe, but defending her former bully, Stacy, after she’s accused of murdering her husband forces Kari to confront a past she’d rather leave behind.
I really liked Kari as the central character. She’s intelligent and determined, but also vulnerable, and the history she shares with the people around her added an emotional depth that made the story more than just a murder mystery. As the investigation unfolded, the links between the suspicious death, local politics and a proposed casino development gradually came together, with plenty of secrets and shifting loyalties along the way.
The narration was excellent, giving each character a distinct voice and capturing both the tension of the investigation and the more personal moments. It made it very easy to become immersed in the story.
A well-paced thriller with an engaging lead, believable characters and enough twists to keep me listening right through to the end. I’ll definitely be looking out for the next instalment.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars rounded up.
This is the second book in the series and I’ve enjoyed this main character and her cast of supporting characters that include her brother, Mack who is like an uncle and Ruth her secretary for her law office.
Kari is a strong and smart lawyer but book 1 showed her as less dramatic and emotionally unstable than book 2. There were scenes that seemed out of character where she flies off the handle and gets completely triggered. The audiobook narration gives a few of the scenes between Kari and her childhood tormentor Stacy a deeply cringing feeling. Also her scenes with the new guy in her life. I also think the lack of any romance on page felt disjointed. We are only told that the couple gets romantic without any real build up to the encounter.
Simply put, the drama of the story held me to want to discover the outcome but there are some moments that were hard to wade through.
The story ends eluding to more to the story continuing so I will check out the next book. The good parts outweigh the few things that were annoying.
This is the second book in the series and I’ve enjoyed this main character and her cast of supporting characters that include her brother, Mack who is like an uncle and Ruth her secretary for her law office.
Kari is a strong and smart lawyer but book 1 showed her as less dramatic and emotionally unstable than book 2. There were scenes that seemed out of character where she flies off the handle and gets completely triggered. The audiobook narration gives a few of the scenes between Kari and her childhood tormentor Stacy a deeply cringing feeling. Also her scenes with the new guy in her life. I also think the lack of any romance on page felt disjointed. We are only told that the couple gets romantic without any real build up to the encounter.
Simply put, the drama of the story held me to want to discover the outcome but there are some moments that were hard to wade through.
The story ends eluding to more to the story continuing so I will check out the next book. The good parts outweigh the few things that were annoying.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After her successful defense of a Navy seaman, Kari Sharpe has been flooded with representation requests. Her practice consists of just her and her assistant, Ruth, so she has a full plate. When a murder takes place and a prominent resident/member of the town board is the victim, Kari has no interest in getting involved. The victim Greg, and his wife, Stacy were schoolmates of Kari's and she suffered their bullying for many years. Despite all that, Kari takes the high road and begins representation.
I flew through this story, it is very well-written and kept my interest. I appreciated Kari's reluctance to work for her bully, it would take a lot for me to agree to work with mine. Kari and her brother Jimmy had a rough childhood, providing even more fuel for Stacy and Greg, but she's overcome it by now and proud of what she has become. This was a great book, I am already looking forward to the next.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
I flew through this story, it is very well-written and kept my interest. I appreciated Kari's reluctance to work for her bully, it would take a lot for me to agree to work with mine. Kari and her brother Jimmy had a rough childhood, providing even more fuel for Stacy and Greg, but she's overcome it by now and proud of what she has become. This was a great book, I am already looking forward to the next.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
July 25, 2026
Generally a pretty good book. The protagonist, Kari Sharpe, an attorney who recently left a high-powered position as a partner in a big New York City law firm, moved back to Maine and is hired to defend her childhood nemesis on murder charges. So the storyline was interesting, becoming more and more complicated and involving lots of characters. (Hint: if you read this book keep track of everyone’s names from the beginning, as there are a lot of them.) The character development was way too overdrawn in several instances; it would have been more believable if the author had scaled back a bit in that department. The writing was fine, though there were times when more context was needed or things just didn’t quite add up (at least for me). I didn’t realize initially this was the second book in a series. I didn’t read the first but I honestly don’t think I missed anything critical. The book ended with a bit of a cliffhanger which is both good and bad.
I won this book on Goodreads and appreciate the opportunity to rate and review it.
I won this book on Goodreads and appreciate the opportunity to rate and review it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Undertow” is the second book in the Kari Sharpe series. Kari has left her posh lifestyle as a lawyer at a prestigious firm in New York to move back to Maine where she grew up. Once she got back, she took on a case and has started making a name for herself (see “Adrift”).
This time, she has a task that no one would ever want. Defending her high school bully. And the bully hasn’t exactly grown as a person. She’s still making people miserable. However, the tables are turned and Stacy (the bully) needs Kari. But that doesn’t mean Stacy is going to make it easy on Kari.
The dynamics of the relationships are so good in this novel. Konkoly has written the dream of every school kid that was bullied. They have finally grown up and they now have the upper hand.
The mystery is good and a fun follow. Adding to all of this is Gail Shalan, the narrator of the audiobook. Overall, this was a fun summer listen while on vacation.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
This time, she has a task that no one would ever want. Defending her high school bully. And the bully hasn’t exactly grown as a person. She’s still making people miserable. However, the tables are turned and Stacy (the bully) needs Kari. But that doesn’t mean Stacy is going to make it easy on Kari.
The dynamics of the relationships are so good in this novel. Konkoly has written the dream of every school kid that was bullied. They have finally grown up and they now have the upper hand.
The mystery is good and a fun follow. Adding to all of this is Gail Shalan, the narrator of the audiobook. Overall, this was a fun summer listen while on vacation.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Read
July 18, 2026I read an advanced copy before publication date! This is a great series for suspense and mystery lovers! I was drawn into the atmosphere immediately and felt transported to a different world. I love the protagonist Kari Sharpe and now, after finishing the 2nd book, can't wait for more of her as she navigates the challenges, dangers and promises of her new life, as a hot shot attorney, back home in Maine. The scenes around the historic waterfront in Portland, the lives of the fishermen and the colorful characters that emerge, make me long for more books in this series. I love the main character because she is a strong, intelligent, resilient woman but also vulnerable and self aware. This author K.T. Konkoly has penned a heroine for the ages. I don't want to give anything away, but this book is a page-turner! I give it 5 stars!
July 26, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to preview K.T. Konkoly's 2nd volume in the Kari Sharpe thriller series. I was anxiously awaiting its arrival after thoroughly enjoying Adrift, the first volume.
Kari Sharpe is hired to defend a nemesis from her childhood for murder, and as the plot develops, she's forced to relive some of her anguished past. She soon discovers something more nefarious is going on behind the scenes, and rekindling a long-lost love only complicates matters further. In the end, her determination and grit win out and justice prevails.
While the plot itself had lots of interesting elements, compared to Adrift, I found the pace at times felt a bit uneven and the pages turned a little slower because of that.
That said, this sophomore effort from Konkoly bears checking out, and I look forward to seeing what comes next for Kari Sharpe in future volumes.
Kari Sharpe is hired to defend a nemesis from her childhood for murder, and as the plot develops, she's forced to relive some of her anguished past. She soon discovers something more nefarious is going on behind the scenes, and rekindling a long-lost love only complicates matters further. In the end, her determination and grit win out and justice prevails.
While the plot itself had lots of interesting elements, compared to Adrift, I found the pace at times felt a bit uneven and the pages turned a little slower because of that.
That said, this sophomore effort from Konkoly bears checking out, and I look forward to seeing what comes next for Kari Sharpe in future volumes.
July 18, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the ALC of this novel.
I was really looking forward to the story, following an attorney having to defend her ex bully, however, I did not realize that this was the second book in a series so I feel like I was missing some background on our main character (this does not affect my rating of the book, just a note for people who are thinking of picking this up). While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt like some of the chapters and perspectives were not super relevant to the story and pulled me out of the narrative.
As for the audiobook itself, I did not vibe with this narrator, and the extensive pauses between chapters made me think that my app was glitching.
This is a fast paced, interesting story overall, just not a standout novel to me.
I was really looking forward to the story, following an attorney having to defend her ex bully, however, I did not realize that this was the second book in a series so I feel like I was missing some background on our main character (this does not affect my rating of the book, just a note for people who are thinking of picking this up). While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt like some of the chapters and perspectives were not super relevant to the story and pulled me out of the narrative.
As for the audiobook itself, I did not vibe with this narrator, and the extensive pauses between chapters made me think that my app was glitching.
This is a fast paced, interesting story overall, just not a standout novel to me.
July 27, 2026
Legal thrillers usually mean courtroom drama. Undertow takes a different route, and I honestly liked it more because of it. The focus is on everything that happens before a case ever reaches trial, which made the investigation feel fresh instead of predictable.
The narration was fantastic. Gail Shalan gave each character a distinct voice, kept the tension high, and made it easy to stay invested through every twist. This is absolutely a story I'd recommend experiencing in audio.
Kari is such an easy character to root for. Watching her defend the woman who bullied her throughout high school while confronting her own past added so much emotional weight to the mystery. Add in small-town politics, corruption, greed, and plenty of secrets, and I was hooked.
I hadn't read the first book, but I never felt completely lost. It just made me want to go back and read Adrift because I'm invested in Kari now. The ending left me excited to see where this series goes next.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.
The narration was fantastic. Gail Shalan gave each character a distinct voice, kept the tension high, and made it easy to stay invested through every twist. This is absolutely a story I'd recommend experiencing in audio.
Kari is such an easy character to root for. Watching her defend the woman who bullied her throughout high school while confronting her own past added so much emotional weight to the mystery. Add in small-town politics, corruption, greed, and plenty of secrets, and I was hooked.
I hadn't read the first book, but I never felt completely lost. It just made me want to go back and read Adrift because I'm invested in Kari now. The ending left me excited to see where this series goes next.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley for an ALC of Undertow. Undertow follows attorney Kari Sharpe as she defends her high school bully who is accused of murdering her husband. Kari was bullied relentlessly in high school and is now manipulated into defending her bully. Set in a small town, it has the feel of everyone knows everyone which brought an interesting aspect to the book. When I requested this book, I thought the synopsis sounded good and did not realize that this is the second book in the series. I do think it was fine as a standalone but more background into our main character may have been helpful. This story was fast paced and twisty and I enjoyed it, however I probably wont continue with the series on audio as the narrator was flat in tone for me.
July 27, 2026
Recommended with reservations.
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Undertow follows attorney Kari Sharpe, a former Navy JAG officer who has left her fast-paced life in New York City to return home to Portland, Maine. Kari faces the ghosts of her past when she is asked to defend her childhood bully, Stacy Stadt. Stacy is accused of murdering her husband, Greg, who died in a suspicious drowning accident.
I think I spent the first half of the book wondering if there was a single well-adjusted person living in Portland, Maine. It seemed a bit as though every character had something to hide or was downright evil. I ended up liking the book better as I kept reading, although I wish there had been some segues. The plot had a few too many abrupt changes for me.
I really liked Ruth, who worked in Kari's office, and I absolutely loved the way Kari stood up to her nemesis! I definitely liked Undertow although I didn't love it.
Thank you, #ThomasAndMercer, for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Undertow has an expected publication date of July 21, 2026.
#Crime #Mystery #Romance #StrongFemaleProtagonist
I think I spent the first half of the book wondering if there was a single well-adjusted person living in Portland, Maine. It seemed a bit as though every character had something to hide or was downright evil. I ended up liking the book better as I kept reading, although I wish there had been some segues. The plot had a few too many abrupt changes for me.
I really liked Ruth, who worked in Kari's office, and I absolutely loved the way Kari stood up to her nemesis! I definitely liked Undertow although I didn't love it.
Thank you, #ThomasAndMercer, for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Undertow has an expected publication date of July 21, 2026.
#Crime #Mystery #Romance #StrongFemaleProtagonist
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The last thing anyone expects is to have to defend their one time bully, the person who made that childhood immissory. Yet that is exactly the position that Kari Sharpe finds herself in when she returns to her hometown after a long time away.
Greg and Stacy bullied Kari, when they were all kids together, and then married each other as adults. But now Greg is dead, and Stacy is accused of killing him. But this story is not as straightforward as would want you to believe - not when Greg was the one standing in the way of a shady commercial deal in the area - and Kari finds herself in the distinctly uncomfortable situation of needing to prove that Stacy is innocent...
Fast-paced and entertaining, this is a story with plenty of twists.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Greg and Stacy bullied Kari, when they were all kids together, and then married each other as adults. But now Greg is dead, and Stacy is accused of killing him. But this story is not as straightforward as would want you to believe - not when Greg was the one standing in the way of a shady commercial deal in the area - and Kari finds herself in the distinctly uncomfortable situation of needing to prove that Stacy is innocent...
Fast-paced and entertaining, this is a story with plenty of twists.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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May 7, 2026Undertow by new to me author K. T. Konkoly is the second book in the Kari Sharpe Series. The books are published by Thomas & Mercer.
The previous book is Adrift and for best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.
Kari Sharpe is an attorney who left New York to return to Portland Maine. And in this second book she meets her childhood nemesis. And nothing much has changed.
I started reading and soon I took a break only to buy Adrift and read the books in order. Recommended!
A thriller of its finest with twists and turns I never saw coming.
I recommend the books, 5 stars.
The previous book is Adrift and for best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.
Kari Sharpe is an attorney who left New York to return to Portland Maine. And in this second book she meets her childhood nemesis. And nothing much has changed.
I started reading and soon I took a break only to buy Adrift and read the books in order. Recommended!
A thriller of its finest with twists and turns I never saw coming.
I recommend the books, 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Suspenseful with characters that are intriguing in their deceptive lives and cunning business
maneuvers.
Kari is a successful, respected lawyer who finds herself in the midst of a defense of a high school bully who , together with the husband she is now accused of murdering, made Kari's life miserable.
Initially reluctant to take her on as a client, she finds herself manipulated into it.
Good story with twists that help unravel the mystery in many directions.
Good read.
maneuvers.
Kari is a successful, respected lawyer who finds herself in the midst of a defense of a high school bully who , together with the husband she is now accused of murdering, made Kari's life miserable.
Initially reluctant to take her on as a client, she finds herself manipulated into it.
Good story with twists that help unravel the mystery in many directions.
Good read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Under Tow was tale of who done it following allow attorney Kari Sharpe a no non-sense woman. Set in a small town in Maine it allowed for many connections of characters. The epilogue had my jaw drop and I hope it will for you too. I wanted more! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.
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