Blessed Be: An International Crime Thriller

by Julie Mann

She came to India with a global NGO to help save lives—but asking the wrong questions might cost her own.

The body of a teenage girl is delivered to Dr. Perry Roslyn’s clinic with no name—and no baby. Yet the evidence is undeniable: she gave birth only hours before she died.

When Perry notifies the police, her complaint is buried. Tracing the girl to Sacred Mercy Orphanage, Perry finds only evasions and outright lies. Within hours, witnesses vanish, files disappear—and Perry realizes someone is watching her.

Running out of allies, Perry calls on her best friend, New York-based journalist Joy Luk. Together they dig deeper—and uncover a stronghold of secrets far darker than either imagined. Official records are being fraudulently doctored. Orphanage funding flows from shadowy international sources. And whispers on the street connect Sacred Mercy to organized crime gangs and an illicit trade in human beings.

The more Perry and Joy press for truth, the clearer it becomes: behind Sacred Mercy lies a far-reaching network of corruption, trafficking, and blood money.

At the center of the web sits someone powerful, connected, and incalculably ruthless… and Perry has just pulled the first thread.

A devastating thriller about courage, the value of human life, and the price of doing what’s right. Perfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen and Lisa Gardner.

Genres: Fiction

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2026

About the author

Julie Mann is an award-winning author of stories that highlight global concerns. Two of her novels—BACKSHADOW and BLESSED BE—have been optioned for film. In a previous life, she worked at wrangling words for varied interests in the corporate and international non-profit sectors. A native of Vancouver, Canada, she’s a mom, animal lover, and sporadic fitness enthusiast.

For more information about Julie, her upcoming releases, or the issues portrayed in her books, please visit www.juliemann.net.

Reviews

[Denise]

This may not be a thriller in an action packed sense, but it certainly holds your attention and is at turns both heartbreaking and horrifying. This book’s ripped from the headlines topic shines an unflinching light at the brutality of the unscrupulous people who target, manipulate and exploit the poor, vulnerable and innocent. When a dead teenage girl is brought to the clinic where Dr. Perry Roslyn works, her examination shows that the girl has just given birth, but there’s no sign of the baby. Dr. Roslyn’s simple questioning of the death and whereabouts of the child, is the beginning of uncovering an international network of sex trafficking, organ harvesting, corruption and money laundering all seemingly tied to wealthy, powerful individuals who hide behind shell companies, ruthless enforcers and organized criminal gangs. A well written and researched thriller!

[Maya]

Julie Mann has done it again.

I was fortunate enough to have received an ARC copy of this novel. A big thanks to BookFunnel and the folks at Severn River Publishing. Since it hit my inbox, I must admit I was glued to it for the better part of a week.

Blessed Be is a scathingly honest depiction of the dark truths surrounding human trafficking, the organ trade, and the corruption and perversion of society’s global elite. It comes at a time when this discussion is at the forefront of our minds, and it tells us not to look away. Not to forget.

Mann weaves a masterful big picture with palpable tension, seamless pacing, and unforgettable characters. Blessed Be pulls back the curtain on issues that were once considered to be nothing more than far-fetched conspiracy, and does so in a way that showcases Mann’s passion for the subject as well as her skills as a creative. In the story, each step forward is methodically thought out and pulls on real-life inspiration to paint a frighteningly realistic portrait—with people and places you may recognize from recent news headlines.

An absolute must-read for thriller fans, but also for those with a real interest in global issues and injustices. Five stars.

[Dorkst3r]

I received Blessed Be by Julie Mann through a Goodreads giveaway sponsored by the author and publisher.

This was a difficult book to read at times, not because of the writing, but because of the subject matter. The story begins when Dr. Perry Roslyn examines the body of a teenage girl and discovers that she had recently given birth—but there is no baby. When Perry starts asking questions, instead of getting answers, she quickly realizes that there are people who would much rather she stop looking.

From there, the story gets bigger and darker as Perry and her journalist friend Joy begin uncovering connections involving trafficking, corruption, money, and people with enough power to make problems disappear.

What I liked most was that the book gave me a reason to care about what Perry was uncovering rather than relying only on nonstop action. There is a real sense of danger as she gets closer to the truth, and I found myself wanting to know just how far everything went and who could actually be trusted.

The topics in this book are extremely heavy, especially because they involve the exploitation of vulnerable people and children. I appreciated that Julie Mann didn't need to make every scene graphic for the story to have an impact. Sometimes simply understanding what was happening was disturbing enough.

Blessed Be is one of those thrillers that entertains you while also leaving you thinking about the subject long after you've finished it. Dark, unsettling, and very hard to put down.

I would definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy international crime thrillers with a serious side to them.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the giveaway copy!

[Victor Paul]

Julie Mann has crafted a dark, pulse-pounding, and devastatingly realistic international crime thriller that grabs you from the very first page. Set against the vibrant yet dangerous backdrop of India, Blessed Be takes readers on a terrifying journey behind the closed doors of a seemingly charitable NGO.

What Makes This Book a must-read is the atmosphere & setting, the Dynamic Duo, and the Urgency.
Dr. Perry Roslyn is a fantastic protagonist, principled, brave, and deeply human. Watching her team up with her New York journalist best friend, Joy Luk, brings a perfect blend of medical forensics and gritty investigative journalism to the table. Their dynamic anchors the emotional weight of the story.
The plot moves like a bullet train. From missing files and vanishing witnesses to the realization that Perry is being hunted, the tension never lets up.

If you love the medical mysteries of Tess Gerritsen combined with the raw, emotional suspense of Lisa Gardner, this book belongs on your TBR list.

[Jaskaran Ghag]

Wow what a book!

The first words grip you in and doesn't let go until it has already captured your attention and enraptured your curiosity. The intensity and somberness of the opening, prepares for the heaviness of the difficulties of the very real and present stories happing in today's world. This book sheds a light in very relevant topic that needs to discussed even more, the profiting and exploitation of humans by those in power, who answer to no-one. Julie Mann, is willing to drag this discussion to limelight, in an enticing yet sincere way.

[Claudete Takahashi]

Blessed Be is not an easy story to read. It's about human/children exploitation, people and organ trafficking, and the saddest of all the use of very young children in the most grotesque ways. It's a work of fiction but it could be reality happening just under our noses involving poor and rich countries. It made me do a lot of thinking about what can we do regarding these abominable acts and how to not allow them to happen in our communities. Every small step matters.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Doreen Fernandes]

This book tore at my heart strings. It depicts the harsh truths about a corrupt system. It portrays the world of children caught in the web of child and human trafficking - children who are used and abused and the heartless and inhumane behaviour of the people who are supposed to protect them. Those who oppose such atrocities are quickly taken care of and they are never seen again. The book describes the courage of a social worker who fought and found justice for the victims against all odds.

[Nathaniel R]

Best book I’ve read in a long time. A page-turner that is eerily relevant. Plot and characters are engaging and relatable. The international settings really add to the intrigue. And I am guessing there is a sequel coming, which I am totally here for! Compulsively readable — I am hooked. There were definitely twists I did not see coming. Thanks to Severn River for the advance copy.

[alison o]

Pulled my head out of the sand

Ok so I knew this stuff goes on but horridness of it all,I could get through of it all without my anxiety rocketing. Thank you MS Mann for presenting very ugly topics without the graphics. I also appreciate all the sources listed

[Reader]

A fast paced thriller that spans the globe dealing with the issue of human trafficking. An excellent and well researched piece by the Julie Mann.

[Kim]

OMG! This was an awesome story about the bad and eye opening life of human trafficking!

[Halls]

Blessed Be had me hooked from start to finish! This fiction thriller did an excellent job at creating a compelling story while still tackling real life issues that exist in our society today.

Julie did such an excellent job at tying in small details throughout the book that made the story come together. There were many moments where I was surprised and in awe that the details reappeared later on.

I truly appreciated reading this novel as it tackled a very dark but raw truth sex trafficking, organ harvesting, corruption, adoption of children, kidnapping and more. The book highlighted and uncovered a web that we may not be aware of in our everyday lives but is happening right around us. Julie did an excellent at painting this picture without making the reader uncomfortable but perhaps more aware of this life.

This was an excellent read and switch from my daily books and looking forward to seeing what she continues with next!