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The Valet: A Twisty Domestic Thriller
In this twisty domestic suspense novel with a touch of dark humor, a struggling valet driver with a shady side hustle and a soft spot for the ladies suspects that one of his targets might be a serial killer.
You never know what hides behind a smile.
It’s tough to get by in Honolulu these days. Prices are high. Salaries are low. Which is why Johnny Silva tells himself he’s not doing anything that bad. The people he and his girlfriend target have a lot of insurance—and a lot of jewelry.
But when not one, but two guests from the resort where he works turn up murdered in a similar manner, Johnny starts to suspect that one of his targets, a regular at The Grand Royal Hotel, is the serial killer terrorizing Honolulu.
When the cops start questioning him, Johnny suspects that someone is trying to frame him. Does his girlfriend know he's been chatting up his ex? Does his co-worker know his dark secrets? Are there other enemies out to get him?
Then Johnny becomes a person of interest in the case, and he’ll stop at nothing to find the real murderer, even if a stone-cold killer might be a little too close for comfort.
And even if it might cost him his life.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Kaira Rouda, Daniel Hurst, Emily Shiner, and Shari Lapena.
You never know what hides behind a smile.
It’s tough to get by in Honolulu these days. Prices are high. Salaries are low. Which is why Johnny Silva tells himself he’s not doing anything that bad. The people he and his girlfriend target have a lot of insurance—and a lot of jewelry.
But when not one, but two guests from the resort where he works turn up murdered in a similar manner, Johnny starts to suspect that one of his targets, a regular at The Grand Royal Hotel, is the serial killer terrorizing Honolulu.
When the cops start questioning him, Johnny suspects that someone is trying to frame him. Does his girlfriend know he's been chatting up his ex? Does his co-worker know his dark secrets? Are there other enemies out to get him?
Then Johnny becomes a person of interest in the case, and he’ll stop at nothing to find the real murderer, even if a stone-cold killer might be a little too close for comfort.
And even if it might cost him his life.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Kaira Rouda, Daniel Hurst, Emily Shiner, and Shari Lapena.
270 pages, Paperback
Published February 12, 2026
31 people are currently reading
5600 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Traymore
17 books307 followersBonnie Traymore is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling author of domestic and psychological thrillers that expose the dark truths beneath seemingly perfect lives. Her novels explore jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders.
Bonnie loves Hitchcock movies, psychological thriller novels, coffee, and dark chocolate, not necessarily in that order and sometimes simultaneously. She's a member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America, and she resides in Honolulu with her family.
Bonnie loves Hitchcock movies, psychological thriller novels, coffee, and dark chocolate, not necessarily in that order and sometimes simultaneously. She's a member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America, and she resides in Honolulu with her family.
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December 25, 2025This is my first novel set in Honolulu, where I live, and I hope to give you an insider look at one of my favorite cities in the world, and the place I choose to call home. I stopped over here decades ago on my way back from a trip around the world, and decided to stay awhile!
Johnny Silva is one of my favorite characters, and I hope you will enjoy the ride with him as he attempts to solve a murder, clear his name, and turn his life around. And don't worry, I valet my car all over town without hesitation. The book is pure fiction, except the part about the cost of living, unfortunately. The price of paradise is steep and getting steeper, and there are no easy answers.
Still, many people work two or three jobs to stay here, either because of family, friends, or just because they love it so much. So I hope you enjoy solving this twisty mystery with Johnny, and if you do come visit, sorry but you can't stay at The Grand Royal. It's fictional, but hit me up for recommendations!
Johnny Silva is one of my favorite characters, and I hope you will enjoy the ride with him as he attempts to solve a murder, clear his name, and turn his life around. And don't worry, I valet my car all over town without hesitation. The book is pure fiction, except the part about the cost of living, unfortunately. The price of paradise is steep and getting steeper, and there are no easy answers.
Still, many people work two or three jobs to stay here, either because of family, friends, or just because they love it so much. So I hope you enjoy solving this twisty mystery with Johnny, and if you do come visit, sorry but you can't stay at The Grand Royal. It's fictional, but hit me up for recommendations!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a suspenseful and humorous read this turned out to be! I had no idea cars come with valet settings—so clever!
In this suspense novel, Johnny Silva, a valet driver in Honolulu with a shady side hustle, suspects that a guest at The Grand Royal Hotel may be a serial killer after two murders occur. As he faces police scrutiny and complications in his personal life, Johnny becomes determined to find the real killer, risking his own life in the process.
The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Johnny, Lani, and Tina, which allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the story. The characters undergo significant development as the story unfolds, and I particularly appreciated the lighthearted banter between Johnny and Janice, along with the dark humor intricately woven into the plot. Johnny's immaturity makes him even more relatable and endearing.
There are numerous hints scattered throughout that cleverly mislead you, so well done! I felt completely taken by surprise when the big reveal came. And that ending! It was tense and totally unexpected—was it, though? I think Johnny could use some new friends and more mature romantic interests, as he seems indecisive until things spiral out of control. What a character he is! Funny and quirky! I found myself laughing quite a bit, which only added to my enjoyment of the story. I really appreciate a good laugh!
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a gripping domestic thriller that hooks you from the start, filled with hints designed to baffle your detective instincts. I never anticipated the perpetrator would turn out to be who it was—that twist was skillfully concealed. As I’m new to this author, I had no idea what to expect. You might chuckle, and you might feel some frustration, too. But for now, I need to tidy up my car and figure out that valet setting, so I don’t find myself in a tricky situation! Ha!
Thank you, ThrillerBookLoversThePulse and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this suspense novel, Johnny Silva, a valet driver in Honolulu with a shady side hustle, suspects that a guest at The Grand Royal Hotel may be a serial killer after two murders occur. As he faces police scrutiny and complications in his personal life, Johnny becomes determined to find the real killer, risking his own life in the process.
The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Johnny, Lani, and Tina, which allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the story. The characters undergo significant development as the story unfolds, and I particularly appreciated the lighthearted banter between Johnny and Janice, along with the dark humor intricately woven into the plot. Johnny's immaturity makes him even more relatable and endearing.
There are numerous hints scattered throughout that cleverly mislead you, so well done! I felt completely taken by surprise when the big reveal came. And that ending! It was tense and totally unexpected—was it, though? I think Johnny could use some new friends and more mature romantic interests, as he seems indecisive until things spiral out of control. What a character he is! Funny and quirky! I found myself laughing quite a bit, which only added to my enjoyment of the story. I really appreciate a good laugh!
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a gripping domestic thriller that hooks you from the start, filled with hints designed to baffle your detective instincts. I never anticipated the perpetrator would turn out to be who it was—that twist was skillfully concealed. As I’m new to this author, I had no idea what to expect. You might chuckle, and you might feel some frustration, too. But for now, I need to tidy up my car and figure out that valet setting, so I don’t find myself in a tricky situation! Ha!
Thank you, ThrillerBookLoversThePulse and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 17, 2026
Engaging story about Johnny Silva, a hotel valet driver in Honolulu who struggles financially and feels trapped in a dead-end job working for wealthy clients.
He and his girlfriend Maya hatch a plan for him to steal information from his customers, things like addresses, schedules, security details, and when he and Maya discuss it, she can then break into their homes and steal from them.
All goes smoothly at first and Johnny is never connected to the burglaries. However, the murder of a couple occurs after Johnny has targeted them, and the police start investigating employees of the hotel. Johnny is very afraid he’ll be identified and he starts his own investigation and discovers way more than he bargained for!
This one is a good mystery and there are definitely twists. The ending was strong and confronted the crimes without sloughing over penalties. I liked it!
Four strong stars!
I received a copy of the digital ARC via the publisher, the author, and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
He and his girlfriend Maya hatch a plan for him to steal information from his customers, things like addresses, schedules, security details, and when he and Maya discuss it, she can then break into their homes and steal from them.
All goes smoothly at first and Johnny is never connected to the burglaries. However, the murder of a couple occurs after Johnny has targeted them, and the police start investigating employees of the hotel. Johnny is very afraid he’ll be identified and he starts his own investigation and discovers way more than he bargained for!
This one is a good mystery and there are definitely twists. The ending was strong and confronted the crimes without sloughing over penalties. I liked it!
Four strong stars!
I received a copy of the digital ARC via the publisher, the author, and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
January 25, 2026
The Valet has a genuinely intriguing premise and opens with a strong hook, but for me it didn’t quite maintain that momentum all the way through.
Johnny is a morally grey lead I wanted to root for — a struggling valet scraping by in Honolulu, making questionable choices that slowly come back to bite him. The hotel setting works well, and I liked the idea of a killer potentially hiding in plain sight among wealthy guests who all have secrets of their own.
Where this one lost me slightly was the pacing. After that sharp opening, the middle stretches felt a little uneven and repetitive, and while the tension does pick up again toward the end, some of the twists were easier to spot than I’d hoped. There are surprises — just not quite enough to fully elevate the payoff.
That said, I appreciated the dark humour threaded throughout and the way paranoia slowly creeps in as Johnny becomes a person of interest. A solid, readable domestic thriller — just one that didn’t quite deliver the punch I was hoping for.
Johnny is a morally grey lead I wanted to root for — a struggling valet scraping by in Honolulu, making questionable choices that slowly come back to bite him. The hotel setting works well, and I liked the idea of a killer potentially hiding in plain sight among wealthy guests who all have secrets of their own.
Where this one lost me slightly was the pacing. After that sharp opening, the middle stretches felt a little uneven and repetitive, and while the tension does pick up again toward the end, some of the twists were easier to spot than I’d hoped. There are surprises — just not quite enough to fully elevate the payoff.
That said, I appreciated the dark humour threaded throughout and the way paranoia slowly creeps in as Johnny becomes a person of interest. A solid, readable domestic thriller — just one that didn’t quite deliver the punch I was hoping for.
January 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
The Valet by Bonnie Traymore is a suspenseful thriller set against the glamorous backdrop of an elite hotel in Honolulu. The story follows Johnny, a valet driver who becomes entangled in the mystery of a serial killer and takes it upon himself to uncover the killer’s identity.
The novel starts off strong with an intriguing premise and a fast-paced opening that immediately pulls you in. Johnny is an interesting main character, and the hotel setting adds an appealing atmosphere to the story.
While the buildup is solid, the ending is somewhat predictable, which took away from the final impact.
The Valet by Bonnie Traymore is a suspenseful thriller set against the glamorous backdrop of an elite hotel in Honolulu. The story follows Johnny, a valet driver who becomes entangled in the mystery of a serial killer and takes it upon himself to uncover the killer’s identity.
The novel starts off strong with an intriguing premise and a fast-paced opening that immediately pulls you in. Johnny is an interesting main character, and the hotel setting adds an appealing atmosphere to the story.
While the buildup is solid, the ending is somewhat predictable, which took away from the final impact.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Johnny works as a valet at a hotel in Honolulu, but the pay is far from glamorous. While parking luxury cars for wealthy guests, he quietly notes their addresses, information he later uses with his girlfriend to break into their homes and rob them. When two hotel guests are murdered, Johnny begins to suspect a regular patron. Soon after, he’s brought in for questioning himself and realizes he must uncover the real killer, before the police pin the crimes on him.
3.5* rounded up
The book opens strongly with a gripping first chapter that follows the initial victim just before her death. Unfortunately, the pace slows right down after that, only picking up again near the end. I did consider giving up and moving on to another book, but I stuck with it. The final chapters deliver several twists, some predictable, others not. Johnny’s final revelation, in particular, was unexpected and the reason I rounded my rating up to four stars.
3.5* rounded up
The book opens strongly with a gripping first chapter that follows the initial victim just before her death. Unfortunately, the pace slows right down after that, only picking up again near the end. I did consider giving up and moving on to another book, but I stuck with it. The final chapters deliver several twists, some predictable, others not. Johnny’s final revelation, in particular, was unexpected and the reason I rounded my rating up to four stars.
January 24, 2026
This book is a fluent and fast read.
The setting in Honolulu, gives it a holiday vibe. But beneath the relaxing “ exotic athmosphere” a great danger is lurking.
The Valet was a book that I read without taking a break, I was dragged in and the thriller serial killer vibes, made me hold my breath. While the story was very mysterious, the ending was rather predictable.
This book will appeal to readers who like Frieda McFadden’s style.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The setting in Honolulu, gives it a holiday vibe. But beneath the relaxing “ exotic athmosphere” a great danger is lurking.
The Valet was a book that I read without taking a break, I was dragged in and the thriller serial killer vibes, made me hold my breath. While the story was very mysterious, the ending was rather predictable.
This book will appeal to readers who like Frieda McFadden’s style.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 3, 2026
The book was ok, but it was confusing at times. Not my absolute favorite.
January 8, 2026
“The Valet” by Bonnie Traymore is a suspenseful, twisty thriller that kept me hooked. The tension is intense, the twists keep coming, and you’re never quite sure who to trust. This story is a sharp reminder of how far someone will go when they’re desperate. A gripping, fast-paced read I couldn’t put down.
February 20, 2026
While The Valet was a quick read it was a bit underwhelming for me. It lacked the tension that makes a good thriller but it does include some twists. The main character was unlikable, seemingly just wandering around interviewing people and sticking his nose where it didn't belong. It just wasn't enjoyable and I wouldn't recommend it. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 6, 2026
I liked this domestic thriller book for its rather unique protagonist, Jonny Silva, a struggling valet at an Hawaiian resort, with side hustles in petty theft (he reforms) and sleuthing. At times the writing atmosphere reminded me of old TV crime shows like Mannix, Burke’s Law and Dragnet - I could almost heard those actors’s voices as Jonny talked. I also liked the plot, the twists - especially the chapter from Tina’s voice (the others are in Jonny’s) - and the suspense. This is definitely a good read for lovers of good domestic suspense book. Enjoyed the read. While I read the book after it was published, I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm not sure I'm comfortable when the title includes "A Twisty Domestic Thriller". Can't the reader figure that out? But I guess this book did turn out to be just what it was advertised to be so I guess someone knew what they were doing.
Im big on character development, especially from a deep psychological standpoint. I'd give Joey a big thumbs up. But his supporting cast fell flat. You kind of got a foretaste of that when you see the Table of Contents, and Joey's chapters are 99%.
The story is primarily about Joey who is struggling to make ends meet in expensive Honolulu. He is a valet at a posh hotel, and is running some extracurricular activity that gets him in over his head, or twists and turns his future so to speak.
The book progresses through a lot of antics, players. locations as Joey and his cohorts try to right their wrongs, only to have something more sinister fall into their path. The outcome and the final scene was unexpected.
The book was good. Some of the characters were not developed enough so that their involvement did not make sense. I would have liked to see Joey's actions make more sense at times.
4 stars. Recommended reading especially for you Traymore readers. 🙂
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my unbiased review.
Im big on character development, especially from a deep psychological standpoint. I'd give Joey a big thumbs up. But his supporting cast fell flat. You kind of got a foretaste of that when you see the Table of Contents, and Joey's chapters are 99%.
The story is primarily about Joey who is struggling to make ends meet in expensive Honolulu. He is a valet at a posh hotel, and is running some extracurricular activity that gets him in over his head, or twists and turns his future so to speak.
The book progresses through a lot of antics, players. locations as Joey and his cohorts try to right their wrongs, only to have something more sinister fall into their path. The outcome and the final scene was unexpected.
The book was good. Some of the characters were not developed enough so that their involvement did not make sense. I would have liked to see Joey's actions make more sense at times.
4 stars. Recommended reading especially for you Traymore readers. 🙂
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my unbiased review.
January 24, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! This book will be released in Feb! 🫶🏻
3.75 ⭐️
Johnny is a valet at a hotel, who finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation as two of the victims were guests at that same hotel. He has a bit of a dodgy background with his girlfriend Janice, and works to solve the investigation whilst avoiding suspicion on himself.
This book gripped me initially, but I felt the pace dropped during the middle segment of the book before ramping right up again towards the end. There were a number of twists towards the end - some predictable, some definitely not. And the ending was certainly unexpected! I really wasn’t sure where this was going. It felt like you couldn’t trust anyone. I didn’t overly warm to Johnny in the first half of this book, but really started to like him as the book progressed.
This is the first Bonnie Traymore book I’ve picked up, and I definitely am intrigued to read more of her works. This is a fun and quick thriller, so if you like that sort of book this will be right up your street.
3.75 ⭐️
Johnny is a valet at a hotel, who finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation as two of the victims were guests at that same hotel. He has a bit of a dodgy background with his girlfriend Janice, and works to solve the investigation whilst avoiding suspicion on himself.
This book gripped me initially, but I felt the pace dropped during the middle segment of the book before ramping right up again towards the end. There were a number of twists towards the end - some predictable, some definitely not. And the ending was certainly unexpected! I really wasn’t sure where this was going. It felt like you couldn’t trust anyone. I didn’t overly warm to Johnny in the first half of this book, but really started to like him as the book progressed.
This is the first Bonnie Traymore book I’ve picked up, and I definitely am intrigued to read more of her works. This is a fun and quick thriller, so if you like that sort of book this will be right up your street.
February 9, 2026
The Valet by Bonnie Traymore. Thanks to @thrillerbookspulse for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Johnny Silva is a valet at a resort in Honolulu. It’s expensive living though, so he supplements by robbing guests at times. When a few guests end up murdered, he begins to wonder if his recent target is a serial killer.
My favorite part of this was that it was a male narrator. I don’t see that a lot in thrillers lately. He was fun to read from his perspective because at times he was just a typical male, but he was also so involved in the investigation. He knew he was making bad decisions, but he had his own motives. There were some twists and I was not expecting how it turned out at all. He definitely made it funny at times, which is also not common for a thriller. I loved the Hawaiian setting as well.
“Don’t blame us. Blame wealth inequality. We’re just trying to get by.”
Read if you like:
-Con men narrators
-Tropical settings
-Amateur investigations
-Podcast investigations
The Valet comes out 2/12.
Johnny Silva is a valet at a resort in Honolulu. It’s expensive living though, so he supplements by robbing guests at times. When a few guests end up murdered, he begins to wonder if his recent target is a serial killer.
My favorite part of this was that it was a male narrator. I don’t see that a lot in thrillers lately. He was fun to read from his perspective because at times he was just a typical male, but he was also so involved in the investigation. He knew he was making bad decisions, but he had his own motives. There were some twists and I was not expecting how it turned out at all. He definitely made it funny at times, which is also not common for a thriller. I loved the Hawaiian setting as well.
“Don’t blame us. Blame wealth inequality. We’re just trying to get by.”
Read if you like:
-Con men narrators
-Tropical settings
-Amateur investigations
-Podcast investigations
The Valet comes out 2/12.
February 6, 2026
Thank you to Pathways Publishing and Bonnie Traymore for the ARC!
My friends and I at Thriller Lovers the Pulse really enjoyed this fast-paced psychological thriller! The first few pages drew me in, as I honestly haven’t really ever used valet service so I didn’t know much about that job and all it entails. It was clear from the beginning that our MMC character Johnny had a unique side hustle along with his valet job - I found myself laughing at some of the situations he found himself in. I also adored the Hawaiian setting! The idea of a killer hiding in plain sight, in such a beautiful atmosphere was fun as well.
“The Valet” is out February 12, 2026! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
My friends and I at Thriller Lovers the Pulse really enjoyed this fast-paced psychological thriller! The first few pages drew me in, as I honestly haven’t really ever used valet service so I didn’t know much about that job and all it entails. It was clear from the beginning that our MMC character Johnny had a unique side hustle along with his valet job - I found myself laughing at some of the situations he found himself in. I also adored the Hawaiian setting! The idea of a killer hiding in plain sight, in such a beautiful atmosphere was fun as well.
“The Valet” is out February 12, 2026! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
Review of advance copy
Story 4.5 ⭐
Spice 1 🌶️
The Valet is a psychological domestic thriller full of suspense. Johnny finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation as a valet who had brief contact with, or been near, the victims. He feels he needs to find the actual murderer before he gets charged with murder. This one will keep you hooked until the end!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Spice 1 🌶️
The Valet is a psychological domestic thriller full of suspense. Johnny finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation as a valet who had brief contact with, or been near, the victims. He feels he needs to find the actual murderer before he gets charged with murder. This one will keep you hooked until the end!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This was an easy thriller read that I couldn’t put down. Johnny was a great MC and his grit and determination to clear his name was top notch. There were a few twists that were revealed and I have to say, I didn’t see any of them coming!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This was an easy thriller read that I couldn’t put down. Johnny was a great MC and his grit and determination to clear his name was top notch. There were a few twists that were revealed and I have to say, I didn’t see any of them coming!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
April 3, 2026
I enjoyed this one, a little twisty and a few possible suspects to keep you guessing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Valet is without a doubt a twisty thriller. I finished it within 24 hours because I simply couldn’t stop reading and wanted to solve the case along with Johnny.
Personally, I missed some character development in the main character, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with him or understand the choices he made. That said, the main mystery of the story still managed to surprise me: I didn’t piece it together until the final confrontation. Interestingly, some of the smaller twists felt more predictable and I saw those coming much earlier.
This book will especially appeal to readers who enjoy fast-paced thrillers where the focus lies more on plot and twists than on deep character exploration.
Personally, I missed some character development in the main character, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with him or understand the choices he made. That said, the main mystery of the story still managed to surprise me: I didn’t piece it together until the final confrontation. Interestingly, some of the smaller twists felt more predictable and I saw those coming much earlier.
This book will especially appeal to readers who enjoy fast-paced thrillers where the focus lies more on plot and twists than on deep character exploration.
January 24, 2026
Set in the beautiful state of Hawaii this thriller will make you wish you were there. As women start to disappear the police and locals suspect a serial killer. Being set in an island added tension for me because the potential suspect list is smaller. If you enjoy multiple storylines that intersect this is a good book for you.
March 18, 2026
How much trust do people put into their valet driver(s)? ...As Johnny steals from his wealthy hotel guests/customers, grudges from high school lead to deaths. Johnny quickly becomes a person of interest due to his background/opportunities that his job gives him a long with his fingerprints being found at a crime scene. Johnny proves that he is not guilty and helps to revel the culprit. Set in Honolulu, the book gave off an exotic/exciting atmosphere. It was a very quick read that held my attention.
March 16, 2026
Was good….not on edge of seat though.
LOVE that took place on Oahu and knew everyplace they talked about !!
LOVE that took place on Oahu and knew everyplace they talked about !!
March 11, 2026
This book followed Johnny, a struggling valet driver in Honolulu whose questionable side hustle spiraled into something far more dangerous when murders at the hotel where he worked placed him under suspicion. The premise and hotel setting were intriguing, but the pacing felt uneven in the middle and some twists were easier to predict than expected. Overall, it was still a solid domestic thriller!
March 7, 2026
Great read! Enjoyed following the life of Johnny and all the twists and turns! You had to hope for the best for him. Kept you guessing until the end!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Valet is a deliciously tense domestic suspense novel that blends danger, dark humor, and a wonderfully flawed narrator into a story that keeps you guessing right up to the final pages. Johnny Silva is the kind of character you can’t help but root for, even as you cringe at some of his choices. He’s struggling to make ends meet in Honolulu, juggling a low‑paying valet job, a morally questionable side hustle, and a complicated love life — and somehow, he still manages to be oddly charming.
The setup is irresistible: two guests from the luxury resort where Johnny works turn up murdered, and the similarities between the crimes are impossible to ignore. When Johnny starts to suspect that one of his own “targets” might be the serial killer terrorizing the island, the tension ramps up beautifully. Suddenly, every smile looks suspicious, every conversation feels loaded, and Johnny’s own secrets begin to close in on him.
What makes this book so engaging is the way it balances suspense with sly humor. Johnny’s inner monologue is sharp and self‑aware, and watching him try to stay one step ahead of the police, his girlfriend, his ex, and possibly a murderer gives the story a propulsive, almost chaotic energy. The paranoia is contagious — you’re never quite sure who to trust, and the author leans into that uncertainty with great skill.
As Johnny becomes a person of interest, the stakes rise quickly. The twists land, the red herrings are clever, and the final stretch is genuinely gripping. It’s a story about bad decisions, worse luck, and the terrifying possibility that the killer you’re hunting might be closer than you ever imagined.
Fast‑paced, darkly funny, and full of sharp turns, The Valet is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Kaira Rouda, Daniel Hurst, Emily Shiner, and Shari Lapena. A thoroughly entertaining ride from start to finish.
With thanks to Bonnie Traymore, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The setup is irresistible: two guests from the luxury resort where Johnny works turn up murdered, and the similarities between the crimes are impossible to ignore. When Johnny starts to suspect that one of his own “targets” might be the serial killer terrorizing the island, the tension ramps up beautifully. Suddenly, every smile looks suspicious, every conversation feels loaded, and Johnny’s own secrets begin to close in on him.
What makes this book so engaging is the way it balances suspense with sly humor. Johnny’s inner monologue is sharp and self‑aware, and watching him try to stay one step ahead of the police, his girlfriend, his ex, and possibly a murderer gives the story a propulsive, almost chaotic energy. The paranoia is contagious — you’re never quite sure who to trust, and the author leans into that uncertainty with great skill.
As Johnny becomes a person of interest, the stakes rise quickly. The twists land, the red herrings are clever, and the final stretch is genuinely gripping. It’s a story about bad decisions, worse luck, and the terrifying possibility that the killer you’re hunting might be closer than you ever imagined.
Fast‑paced, darkly funny, and full of sharp turns, The Valet is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Kaira Rouda, Daniel Hurst, Emily Shiner, and Shari Lapena. A thoroughly entertaining ride from start to finish.
With thanks to Bonnie Traymore, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s tough to get by in Honolulu these days.
Prices are high and salaries are low.
Which is why Johnny Silva tells himself he’s not doing anything that bad.
The people he and his girlfriend target have a lot of insurance—and a lot of jewelry.
But when not one, but two guests from the resort where he works turn up murdered in a similar manner, Johnny starts to suspect that one of his targets, a regular at The Grand Royal Hotel, is the serial killer terrorizing Honolulu.
When the cops start questioning him, Johnny suspects that someone is trying to frame him.
Does his girlfriend know he's been chatting up his ex?
Does his co-worker know his dark secrets?
Are there other enemies out to get him?
Then Johnny becomes a person of interest in the case, and he’ll stop at nothing to find the real murderer, even if a stone-cold killer might be a little too close for comfort.
And even if it might cost him his life.
This was a fun and fast read.
I read 75% of it in one day, and when I do that with a book it’s because I’m engaged and want to keep finding out what happens next.
It’s comprised of several short chapters, so I kept telling myself, “I’ll read one more chapter”, which would turn into ten.
There also wasn’t any part of this book where I felt like things were dragging on or feeling slow, which I appreciated.
If you enjoyed the true crime podcast theme in Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera, you’ll probably enjoy this.
I can also say that the last two pages of this book made me grateful to be gay.
Not that gay men don’t have our own drama, but wow, Johnny, I hope that you just decide to embrace the single life for awhile!
This was my first book by Bonnie Traymore, but I noticed that she’s written several others, which I’d like to check out based on my enjoyment of this one.
Many thanks to Pathways Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review!
Prices are high and salaries are low.
Which is why Johnny Silva tells himself he’s not doing anything that bad.
The people he and his girlfriend target have a lot of insurance—and a lot of jewelry.
But when not one, but two guests from the resort where he works turn up murdered in a similar manner, Johnny starts to suspect that one of his targets, a regular at The Grand Royal Hotel, is the serial killer terrorizing Honolulu.
When the cops start questioning him, Johnny suspects that someone is trying to frame him.
Does his girlfriend know he's been chatting up his ex?
Does his co-worker know his dark secrets?
Are there other enemies out to get him?
Then Johnny becomes a person of interest in the case, and he’ll stop at nothing to find the real murderer, even if a stone-cold killer might be a little too close for comfort.
And even if it might cost him his life.
This was a fun and fast read.
I read 75% of it in one day, and when I do that with a book it’s because I’m engaged and want to keep finding out what happens next.
It’s comprised of several short chapters, so I kept telling myself, “I’ll read one more chapter”, which would turn into ten.
There also wasn’t any part of this book where I felt like things were dragging on or feeling slow, which I appreciated.
If you enjoyed the true crime podcast theme in Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera, you’ll probably enjoy this.
I can also say that the last two pages of this book made me grateful to be gay.
Not that gay men don’t have our own drama, but wow, Johnny, I hope that you just decide to embrace the single life for awhile!
This was my first book by Bonnie Traymore, but I noticed that she’s written several others, which I’d like to check out based on my enjoyment of this one.
Many thanks to Pathways Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review!
February 26, 2026
'"We need to talk." Probably the four worst words a guy can hear coming out of a woman's mouth. Right up there with, "I poisoned your dinner," but at least in the latter case, you could run out the door and get your stomach pumped. Right now, I'm a captive.'
Meet Johnny. Johnny the valet driver of a luxury hotel in Hawaii. Johnny who is convinced he is not doing to bad in life. And that the sidehustle him and his girlfriend Janice have engaged in is not too bad... they are only targeting rich folks who will have good insurance pay-outs anyway. Life is good...ish. That is, until two people associated with the hotel Johnny works at end up murdered and Johnny, trying to cover up his side hustle tracks, becomes one of the suspects in this (serial) killer investigation. Attempting to clear his name, he starts his own dangerous search for the killer.
Okay, maybe it is me, but I just have a harder time finding a thriller book told in first-person narrative actually full of suspence (perhaps unless it is clearly a cuckoo unreliable narrator). So, unfortunately, The Valet didn't quite have me on the edge of my seat like I want when I pick up a thriller. There were also some pacing issues, most pronounced towards the end, where I felt the story was done and there were still a couple more chapters to go. All of that being said, The Valet was a quick enough read with a main character that I could, if not relate to, learn to root for. There is plenty of (dark) humor in the book, and there were a few twisty (albeit nothing ground-breaking) things.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing a Digital Advanced Reader Copy of the book. This review is entirely my own.
Meet Johnny. Johnny the valet driver of a luxury hotel in Hawaii. Johnny who is convinced he is not doing to bad in life. And that the sidehustle him and his girlfriend Janice have engaged in is not too bad... they are only targeting rich folks who will have good insurance pay-outs anyway. Life is good...ish. That is, until two people associated with the hotel Johnny works at end up murdered and Johnny, trying to cover up his side hustle tracks, becomes one of the suspects in this (serial) killer investigation. Attempting to clear his name, he starts his own dangerous search for the killer.
Okay, maybe it is me, but I just have a harder time finding a thriller book told in first-person narrative actually full of suspence (perhaps unless it is clearly a cuckoo unreliable narrator). So, unfortunately, The Valet didn't quite have me on the edge of my seat like I want when I pick up a thriller. There were also some pacing issues, most pronounced towards the end, where I felt the story was done and there were still a couple more chapters to go. All of that being said, The Valet was a quick enough read with a main character that I could, if not relate to, learn to root for. There is plenty of (dark) humor in the book, and there were a few twisty (albeit nothing ground-breaking) things.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing a Digital Advanced Reader Copy of the book. This review is entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Valet is my first read by Bonnie Traymore, and I’m glad NetGalley granted me an advance copy because this one hooked me quickly. The author builds a tense, layered story around Rachel, a woman trying to regain her footing after past trauma, and Ethan, the valet who seems a little too tuned in to her movements and moods. Their interactions start off innocently enough, but the way their lives begin to overlap almost too neatly creates a steady undercurrent of unease. The supporting cast adds to the tension: Rachel’s husband, her coworkers, and even the people she thinks she can trust all play into the question of who’s truly looking out for her and who might be manipulating the situation. The author uses these relationships well, letting small moments of doubt accumulate until you realize you’re not sure whose version of events to believe. For me, the plot moved with a slow-burn intensity, dropping clues that feel harmless at first but take on new meaning later. There’s a twist that shifts the entire perspective, one of those reveals where you suddenly rethink earlier scenes and realize the truth was hiding in plain sight. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say this: pay attention to the moments where characters “just happen” to be in the right place at the right time. Overall, The Valet delivers a compelling mix of psychological tension, character complexity, and a twist that lands with impact. A solid four-star read that makes me want to explore more of Bonnie Traymore’s work. #netgalley #thevalet
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Johnny Silva is a modern day Robinhood... sort of. He takes from the rich and gives to the poor; the poor being himself and his girlfriend Janice. When a guest at the hotel where he works turns up dead, he doesn't think much of it. When a second guest also turns up dead, he quickly becomes obsessed with finding the killer, believing it to be his most recent target. But when the cops turn their attention to Johnny, he has a new reason to want to find the killer... he needs to save himself!
Let's start with the setting. Honolulu was the perfect setting for this book. While I've never been, the descriptions were beautiful and I really appreciated the author for weaving in Hawaiian culture throughout the book. There was also the feeling (whether intended or unintended) of Johnny being trapped, both in life and on the island.
When it comes to the characters, I can't say I loved Johnny. I understood why he made many of the choices he made, but he was a deeply flawed individual... and he didn't have the charisma to overcome his flaws like some morally gray characters that I've fallen in love with in the past. That being said, while I didn't particularly care for Johnny, I cared about the mystery, and that kept me turning the pages.
The Valet was a fast-paced twisty thriller with short chapters, wry humor, and a setting to die for! Grab some popcorn, throw on some Hawaiian music to set the mood, and Read It!
Note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Let's start with the setting. Honolulu was the perfect setting for this book. While I've never been, the descriptions were beautiful and I really appreciated the author for weaving in Hawaiian culture throughout the book. There was also the feeling (whether intended or unintended) of Johnny being trapped, both in life and on the island.
When it comes to the characters, I can't say I loved Johnny. I understood why he made many of the choices he made, but he was a deeply flawed individual... and he didn't have the charisma to overcome his flaws like some morally gray characters that I've fallen in love with in the past. That being said, while I didn't particularly care for Johnny, I cared about the mystery, and that kept me turning the pages.
The Valet was a fast-paced twisty thriller with short chapters, wry humor, and a setting to die for! Grab some popcorn, throw on some Hawaiian music to set the mood, and Read It!
Note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Valet was such a fun and addictive read. It’s fast-paced, clever, and surprisingly layered for a book you can easily fly through in a sitting. From the start, it pulled me in and kept me entertained the whole way through.
Johnny is a standout main character, flawed, relatable, and morally complicated in the best way. He walks that fine line between hero and suspect, which makes it impossible to fully trust him. As a valet in Honolulu who suddenly finds himself tangled up in a murder investigation, his situation escalates quickly, and the tension never lets up.
The Hawaii setting adds a great backdrop to the story and gives it that perfect vacation-read vibe. Bright scenery paired with dark subject matter works really well here, especially with the author’s sharp wit and subtle dark humor sprinkled throughout. The serial killer angle was especially intriguing, and I loved how the story constantly nudged me to second-guess my assumptions.
There were plenty of twists along the way, but the final reveal truly surprised me. I had suspicions early on, but the truth didn’t fully click until the very end. Watching Johnny uncover secrets (including his own) was both shocking and satisfying.
If you’re looking for a witty, suspenseful page-turner that’s perfect for the beach or a quick getaway read, this one delivers. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Bonnie Traymore.
Thank you so much to thrillerbookloversthepulse and the author Bonnie Traymore for the complimentary copy of this!
Johnny is a standout main character, flawed, relatable, and morally complicated in the best way. He walks that fine line between hero and suspect, which makes it impossible to fully trust him. As a valet in Honolulu who suddenly finds himself tangled up in a murder investigation, his situation escalates quickly, and the tension never lets up.
The Hawaii setting adds a great backdrop to the story and gives it that perfect vacation-read vibe. Bright scenery paired with dark subject matter works really well here, especially with the author’s sharp wit and subtle dark humor sprinkled throughout. The serial killer angle was especially intriguing, and I loved how the story constantly nudged me to second-guess my assumptions.
There were plenty of twists along the way, but the final reveal truly surprised me. I had suspicions early on, but the truth didn’t fully click until the very end. Watching Johnny uncover secrets (including his own) was both shocking and satisfying.
If you’re looking for a witty, suspenseful page-turner that’s perfect for the beach or a quick getaway read, this one delivers. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Bonnie Traymore.
Thank you so much to thrillerbookloversthepulse and the author Bonnie Traymore for the complimentary copy of this!
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