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Threads #4
Twisted Threads
2018 B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE
Akira Hamada, a beautiful Japanese geisha, failed at killing Kaito Mitsui two years ago, the same yakuza gang leader who destroyed her lover and forced her to become an assassin. Now, with his sister’s murderer traveling to the Caribbean on a cruise ship, Akira has ten days at sea to identify her target and complete her assignment as her penance, or face her own death. But falling in love with her target’s nephew was never part of the plan and may prove to be her undoing.
Akira Hamada, a beautiful Japanese geisha, failed at killing Kaito Mitsui two years ago, the same yakuza gang leader who destroyed her lover and forced her to become an assassin. Now, with his sister’s murderer traveling to the Caribbean on a cruise ship, Akira has ten days at sea to identify her target and complete her assignment as her penance, or face her own death. But falling in love with her target’s nephew was never part of the plan and may prove to be her undoing.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2017
30 people are currently reading
5458 people want to read
About the author
Kaylin McFarren
10 books692 followersKaylin McFarren has received more than 70 national literary awards, in addition to a prestigious RWA Golden Heart Award nomination for FLAHERTY'S CROSSING - a book she and her oldest daughter, New York Times/USA Today best-selling author Kristina McMorris, co-wrote in 2008. Prior to embarking on her writing journey and developing the popular THREADS psychological thriller series, she poured her passion for creativity into her work as the director of a fine art gallery in the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon; she also served as a governor-appointed member of the Oregon Arts Commission.
When she’s not traveling or spoiling her two pups and three grandsons, she enjoys giving back to her community through participation and support of various charitable, medical and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Her award-winning time-travel adventure, HIGH FLYING, asks challenging questions that will linger long after the final twists are revealed. Jumping to the supernatural-horror genre, Kaylin's clever GEHENNA series takes readers into the pit of Hell, through the mechanisms of secret societies, and across the Earth’s crust, ever raising the stakes for this soulmate duo—a roguish, Nephilim creature and beautiful guardian angel presented with mind-boggling challenges.
With each story she writes, this author delivers unexpected twists and turns and keeps her readers on the edge of their seats, leaving them guessing and thoroughly entertained.
FUN TIDBITS
Kaylin is proud of the fact that her great aunt Bessie B. Cordell, an evangelistic missionary during WWII, was instrumental in opening an orphanage in Tientsin, China and also wrote two published novels, Precious Pearl and Blossoms of the Flowery Kingdom, documenting her dangerous, harrowing experiences.
She keeps a glass of wine close by while writing love scenes, Kleenex on her desk while writing heart breakers, and has been known to empty a box of chocolates when she's completely stumped.
A consummate "pantser" and perfectionist, she writes and edits as she goes, and uses photographs of models and actors from tabloid magazines to visualize her characters.
She loves her husband of 48 years dearly, however, if Josh Holloway, Hugh Jackman or Ian Somerhalder came knockin', well... their marriage just might be put to the test.
When she’s not traveling or spoiling her two pups and three grandsons, she enjoys giving back to her community through participation and support of various charitable, medical and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Her award-winning time-travel adventure, HIGH FLYING, asks challenging questions that will linger long after the final twists are revealed. Jumping to the supernatural-horror genre, Kaylin's clever GEHENNA series takes readers into the pit of Hell, through the mechanisms of secret societies, and across the Earth’s crust, ever raising the stakes for this soulmate duo—a roguish, Nephilim creature and beautiful guardian angel presented with mind-boggling challenges.
With each story she writes, this author delivers unexpected twists and turns and keeps her readers on the edge of their seats, leaving them guessing and thoroughly entertained.
FUN TIDBITS
Kaylin is proud of the fact that her great aunt Bessie B. Cordell, an evangelistic missionary during WWII, was instrumental in opening an orphanage in Tientsin, China and also wrote two published novels, Precious Pearl and Blossoms of the Flowery Kingdom, documenting her dangerous, harrowing experiences.
She keeps a glass of wine close by while writing love scenes, Kleenex on her desk while writing heart breakers, and has been known to empty a box of chocolates when she's completely stumped.
A consummate "pantser" and perfectionist, she writes and edits as she goes, and uses photographs of models and actors from tabloid magazines to visualize her characters.
She loves her husband of 48 years dearly, however, if Josh Holloway, Hugh Jackman or Ian Somerhalder came knockin', well... their marriage just might be put to the test.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
March 9, 2018
Twisted Threads,by KAYLIN MCFARREN, is about a gal named Akira. She used to be a geisha but is now an assassin. Her boss orders her to go on a cruise ship to determine who was responsible for his sister's death. She is assigned to investigate a couple, Paul and Sara Lyons, one of whom is the murderer. The couple is accompanied on the trip by their nephew, Devon. Akira uses Devon as her ticket to get information about his aunt and uncle.
There is a lot of action in this book: several murders, romance, and unexpected twists. For me, the pace of the novel was moderate. I think if it were not for the reasons I hate this book—see below—the pace would work better.
I hate this book for several reasons. Akira mentions that the novel Memoirs of a Geisha is a fictional story. Well, not really. It is historical fiction. Yes, the geisha in the book is fictional. However, the author based the character on a former geisha he knows. I also hated the lack of character development in this book.
However, this is book four in the Threads series, and I have not read the previous installments. I am the type of reader who prefers to read a series in order so I can develop relationships with the characters. I did not bond with or like any of the characters in this book. My other reason for hating this book is that there is no history or mention of the kunoichi. A kunoichi is a Japanese assassin.
I am also interested in how Akira was trained. She is described in the book as small, yet she carries two men out into the woods to bury them. On the other hand, she struggles to get her boyfriend on the bed. It was odd to me that a kunoichi would have that problem. Again, this is the fourth book of the series, and I have not read the earlier books, so it's possible that this information was already mentioned.
These are just my personal views. Other readers might like this book. I would recommend it to mystery and romance lovers. The only reason I give this book four stars is because of the author's biography about her dad, who passed away. I am always a daddy's girl. My heart went out to the author. Many folks love this book, so you should read it to see for yourself.
There is a lot of action in this book: several murders, romance, and unexpected twists. For me, the pace of the novel was moderate. I think if it were not for the reasons I hate this book—see below—the pace would work better.
I hate this book for several reasons. Akira mentions that the novel Memoirs of a Geisha is a fictional story. Well, not really. It is historical fiction. Yes, the geisha in the book is fictional. However, the author based the character on a former geisha he knows. I also hated the lack of character development in this book.
However, this is book four in the Threads series, and I have not read the previous installments. I am the type of reader who prefers to read a series in order so I can develop relationships with the characters. I did not bond with or like any of the characters in this book. My other reason for hating this book is that there is no history or mention of the kunoichi. A kunoichi is a Japanese assassin.
I am also interested in how Akira was trained. She is described in the book as small, yet she carries two men out into the woods to bury them. On the other hand, she struggles to get her boyfriend on the bed. It was odd to me that a kunoichi would have that problem. Again, this is the fourth book of the series, and I have not read the earlier books, so it's possible that this information was already mentioned.
These are just my personal views. Other readers might like this book. I would recommend it to mystery and romance lovers. The only reason I give this book four stars is because of the author's biography about her dad, who passed away. I am always a daddy's girl. My heart went out to the author. Many folks love this book, so you should read it to see for yourself.
November 15, 2017
A sexy mystery that brings the timeless themes of murder, revenge and family loyalty to the high seas. A great series for fans of romantic suspense.
In Twisted Threads, assassin Akira Hamada finds herself owing a life debt to Mitsui-san, a powerful member of Zakura-kai, Japan’s notorious yakuza family. And yet at the book’s outset, she is offered a way out. The price of her freedom? Boarding a cruise ship bound for the Caribbean to exact revenge on a married British couple that murdered Mitsui-san’s sister.
If she’s successful, she can start a new life anywhere in the world. If she fails, her own mother will be killed.
Check out the rest of my review on BestThrillers.com.
In Twisted Threads, assassin Akira Hamada finds herself owing a life debt to Mitsui-san, a powerful member of Zakura-kai, Japan’s notorious yakuza family. And yet at the book’s outset, she is offered a way out. The price of her freedom? Boarding a cruise ship bound for the Caribbean to exact revenge on a married British couple that murdered Mitsui-san’s sister.
If she’s successful, she can start a new life anywhere in the world. If she fails, her own mother will be killed.
Check out the rest of my review on BestThrillers.com.
December 16, 2018
Akira Hamada has an enemy ... Kaito Mitsui. Kaito is also her employer ... he's turned her into an assassin.
Kaito had a sister who was murdered. He wants Akira to be on the cruise ship where his sister's murderer will be. There are two suspects ... so who murdered Maito's sister ... and who will Akira turn her gun sights on?
Twisted Threads is the fourth and the last book in Threads series. I have not read the previous three books, and I most likely would have liked this one better if I had. There is a bit of romance involved, some suspense, even a bit of comedy here and there.
Many thanks to the author / Creative Edge Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of TWISTED THREADS. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 13, 2017
"Twisted Threads" is the fourth book in the Threads series, however, it truly stands alone. In this fun, twisted, romantic adventure, Akira (a beautiful geisha turned assassin) continues her tale from Buried Threads and meets up with Devon Lyons (a troublesome treasure seeker), originally introduced in Severed Threads, book one. Together they work to resolve the mystery of unsolved murders on board the Starfish cruise ship, while honoring the promises they've made to "family" members. Secondary characters take center stage as this tale unfolds, leaving readers with twists and turns they never see coming and a conclusion that is guaranteed to surprise loyal readers of the Threads series.
December 8, 2017
An assassin searches for a killer amongst the passengers on a cruise ship trying to identify.
This book is packed with action, both bloody and romantic, with a central character looking for a target but also redemption. The violence is quite graphic in nature and some of the sex scenes are a bit racy, but the twists and turns of the plot make it a satisfyingly chilling mystery. I understand this book is part of a series, but it still worked well as a stand alone story.
Worth a look if you enjoy steamy / adult, and bloody, thrillers.
This book is packed with action, both bloody and romantic, with a central character looking for a target but also redemption. The violence is quite graphic in nature and some of the sex scenes are a bit racy, but the twists and turns of the plot make it a satisfyingly chilling mystery. I understand this book is part of a series, but it still worked well as a stand alone story.
Worth a look if you enjoy steamy / adult, and bloody, thrillers.
June 6, 2018
I didn't realize when I started to read this book that it was a part of a series, so now I wish I would have read all of them. It can definitely be read as a standalone though, and I would highly encourage you to pick it up.
Twisted Threads was so well written, structured and developed. It definitely made me use my brain to keep up with everything and try to solve the puzzle, so if you are looking for a "lose yourself" sort of book this is not for you! It is suspensful from the get go, and sucks you in so that you have to finish it and know the whole story.
This is the story of Akira Sota and how she is a total bad ass! Even the first few chapters showed just how much of a bad ass she is and it just got more fast paced from there. I loved the setting of the story, I loved all of the characters, and I loved how it had every single type of thing I could want in a book. It had the romance (although at times I was a little confused by the side conversations and realized some things might have been explained in previous books but it definitely made me want to go back from the very beginning and them all), it has mystery an intrigue, and a murder!
In order to rid herself of the life that she knows - a geisha- she must complete one last task and that is to find out who killed her masters sister. In order to do that, she must go on a cruise (how fun!) and meet with the people who have been identified as the murderer's. It is when she becomes close - well too close if you want to keep it real- to the couples nephew Devon that she might not accomplish what she has been tasked with. But could it lead to other things? You will have to red to find out!
I give this book 4 stars because while it can be read as a standalone, it might have been all the better if I had started from the beginning. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend you picking up a copy and meeting everyone!
Twisted Threads was so well written, structured and developed. It definitely made me use my brain to keep up with everything and try to solve the puzzle, so if you are looking for a "lose yourself" sort of book this is not for you! It is suspensful from the get go, and sucks you in so that you have to finish it and know the whole story.
This is the story of Akira Sota and how she is a total bad ass! Even the first few chapters showed just how much of a bad ass she is and it just got more fast paced from there. I loved the setting of the story, I loved all of the characters, and I loved how it had every single type of thing I could want in a book. It had the romance (although at times I was a little confused by the side conversations and realized some things might have been explained in previous books but it definitely made me want to go back from the very beginning and them all), it has mystery an intrigue, and a murder!
In order to rid herself of the life that she knows - a geisha- she must complete one last task and that is to find out who killed her masters sister. In order to do that, she must go on a cruise (how fun!) and meet with the people who have been identified as the murderer's. It is when she becomes close - well too close if you want to keep it real- to the couples nephew Devon that she might not accomplish what she has been tasked with. But could it lead to other things? You will have to red to find out!
I give this book 4 stars because while it can be read as a standalone, it might have been all the better if I had started from the beginning. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend you picking up a copy and meeting everyone!
December 6, 2017
MY REVIEW OF 'TWISTED THREADS' BY KAYLIN MCFARREN
I was captivated and intrigued by "Twisted Threads" by Author Kaylin McFarren. This is the fourth book in the "THREAD" series and I did feel an a disadvantage. I would suggest that you read the other books to understand the characters and plot in a better way. There are twists and turns, and adventure. The genres of this book are Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, and Psychological Thriller. There is murder, secrets, and revenge. There are also some erotic scenes for those readers that are sensitive to that. This book is high-packed with tension, and I appreciate that Kaylin McFarren has many layers in her books. Is anything the way it seems?
San Francisco Book Review states," A tantalizing glimpse into a secret world of desire. Dive deep in to the layers to this intoxicating blend to twisted pleasure and intricate mystery. Edgy, fierce and undeniably stimulating"
The author describes the characters as complicated and complex. There are many characters that could be suspect to the various murders on a cruise ship. A family on board the cruise ship becomes the assassin's target after a Japanese Crime lord's sister has been killed. Akira Hamada, a former Japanese geisha is assigned to be the assassin, or else her. life is in danger. There are many dimensions to Akira's personality, and at times she appears courageous and brave, and at other times she appears to need protecting.
Who really is the murderer? What is the motivation? Can Akira leave this life behind and find true happiness? I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy suspense, a thriller, mystery and intense events. I received an Arc of this book from Kaylin McFarren, and Creative Edge Publishing for my honest review.
I was captivated and intrigued by "Twisted Threads" by Author Kaylin McFarren. This is the fourth book in the "THREAD" series and I did feel an a disadvantage. I would suggest that you read the other books to understand the characters and plot in a better way. There are twists and turns, and adventure. The genres of this book are Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, and Psychological Thriller. There is murder, secrets, and revenge. There are also some erotic scenes for those readers that are sensitive to that. This book is high-packed with tension, and I appreciate that Kaylin McFarren has many layers in her books. Is anything the way it seems?
San Francisco Book Review states," A tantalizing glimpse into a secret world of desire. Dive deep in to the layers to this intoxicating blend to twisted pleasure and intricate mystery. Edgy, fierce and undeniably stimulating"
The author describes the characters as complicated and complex. There are many characters that could be suspect to the various murders on a cruise ship. A family on board the cruise ship becomes the assassin's target after a Japanese Crime lord's sister has been killed. Akira Hamada, a former Japanese geisha is assigned to be the assassin, or else her. life is in danger. There are many dimensions to Akira's personality, and at times she appears courageous and brave, and at other times she appears to need protecting.
Who really is the murderer? What is the motivation? Can Akira leave this life behind and find true happiness? I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy suspense, a thriller, mystery and intense events. I received an Arc of this book from Kaylin McFarren, and Creative Edge Publishing for my honest review.
December 16, 2017
I have enjoyed this series! I have become involved with the characters and feel as if I know them. I was so excited that Devin and Mariko got their own stories. It was even better that they were combined.
Devin Lyons is the Brother of Rachel Lyons, or Cohen as she is most likely known now. He has a shady past and has had no real luck in relationships. Devin has agreed to go on a cruise with his aunt and uncle, Paul and Sarah Lyons. Paul and Sarah are not the postcard picture-perfect couple. Devin has agreed to attend the cruise to mend his broken relationship with his uncle. Mariko is a former geisha turned assassin. She is attending the cruise under the guise of a father-daughter getaway. She was assigned the task of assassinating Paul or Sarah or Sarah's doctor. One of the three is believed to have committed the murder of someone who mattered deeply to Mariko, Akira's, boss. Mariko has since been known as Akira.
Upon meeting, Devin and Akira experience a magnetic attraction. Akira is seemingly playing Devin and is reluctant to fall for this plain American who could never please her sexually. I enjoyed watching their progress throughout the story. The suspense was great. You could never be too sure of who was committing the crime. The more intimate scenes were awesome as well. I found several of the characters and their actions truly twisted and demented. Hence, the title I suppose.
I hope the series continues. I would like to see the characters progress in their current endeavors. The author has great talent.
January 6, 2018
I did not know this book was part of a series. Yet, I was able to read it as a stand alone novel. Instantly, I connected with Akira as a human being and not just an assassin. The conflict that Akira endured under her boss's rule is real; especially when she met Devon. I felt Akira growing weary of being an assassin and craving a "normal" life and companionship.
Part of the classification of this novel is erotic. When it came to this aspect, it was tasteful without being overly assertive. Devon and Akira were not just about the sex. They both had emotions thrown into the ring and thus making what they felt for each other real. Yet, my only slight complaint would be that it felt like the story moved a little slowly in revealing Akira's mission. The vibe of the story did not pick up under more then half way through the story. Overall, through I enjoyed this book a lot and want to go back and read the prior novels to see Akira's journey from the beginning.
Part of the classification of this novel is erotic. When it came to this aspect, it was tasteful without being overly assertive. Devon and Akira were not just about the sex. They both had emotions thrown into the ring and thus making what they felt for each other real. Yet, my only slight complaint would be that it felt like the story moved a little slowly in revealing Akira's mission. The vibe of the story did not pick up under more then half way through the story. Overall, through I enjoyed this book a lot and want to go back and read the prior novels to see Akira's journey from the beginning.
March 14, 2018
A Steamy Mystery
A geisha, a cruise ship, and a chain of mysterious assassinations. These intriguing elements sum up the action in this 4th installment of the Threads series. Akira is trained in the art of deception, so when she boards the Starfish Cruise ship with a fictitious father in tow, no one suspects she is an assassin on a mission. She’s beautiful and personable, and her brief—identify the targets, eliminate them, and disembark in Florida—seems as clear-cut and simple as an evening with a gullible client in Kyoto.
As a professional killer, she feels the need to examine all possible contingencies, and love, not surprisingly, is not a factor she even remotely considers. But that is until she meets Devon. Then the sudden appearance of the one individual who should never have boarded the cruise ship transforms the scenario into a survival of the fittest.
A geisha, a cruise ship, and a chain of mysterious assassinations. These intriguing elements sum up the action in this 4th installment of the Threads series. Akira is trained in the art of deception, so when she boards the Starfish Cruise ship with a fictitious father in tow, no one suspects she is an assassin on a mission. She’s beautiful and personable, and her brief—identify the targets, eliminate them, and disembark in Florida—seems as clear-cut and simple as an evening with a gullible client in Kyoto.
As a professional killer, she feels the need to examine all possible contingencies, and love, not surprisingly, is not a factor she even remotely considers. But that is until she meets Devon. Then the sudden appearance of the one individual who should never have boarded the cruise ship transforms the scenario into a survival of the fittest.
February 10, 2018
This was such a wild ride! I loved the setting of this book...I'm always on the lookout for "cruise" books as cruise ships are such exciting and fun environments with so much to do. This was by far the best "cruise" book I've ever read. It's full of twists and turns, action, and adventure.
This is the fourth book in a series and there were a few times that I was a bit confused due to lack of background knowledge but for the most part, this would definitely work as a standalone. I wasn't expecting the erotic parts of the book and they were the only thing I disliked about the book as erotica isn't my cup of tea (but I think that those that enjoy erotica would enjoy them).
Overall, this was a very well written book with great characters and a very fun setting. I would definitely pick up more books by this author.
This is the fourth book in a series and there were a few times that I was a bit confused due to lack of background knowledge but for the most part, this would definitely work as a standalone. I wasn't expecting the erotic parts of the book and they were the only thing I disliked about the book as erotica isn't my cup of tea (but I think that those that enjoy erotica would enjoy them).
Overall, this was a very well written book with great characters and a very fun setting. I would definitely pick up more books by this author.
December 7, 2017
McFarren’s Twisted Thread is a remarkable novel of intrigue and murder. The main character, Akira Sato, is bound by her duties to avenge the death of her clan leader’s sister in order to free herself from further commitment to this ruthless Japanese organization. However, her quest for revenge turns unexpectedly when she falls in love with her victims’ nephew. Love, honor, and survival all climax in this exciting page turner that will keep you on edge until the very last page. It is a must read.
January 29, 2018
Although I am no stranger to mysteries and psychological thrillers, Twisted Threads went far beyond most. It not only grabbed me intellectually -- because I love solving crimes -- but it also tugged at my emotions. McFarren's characters are well developed and multi-dimensional. No one is the proverbial good guy or bad guy. Each character possesses a believable mix of traits that leaves you guessing what they will do next. Since I grew up watching action packed Asian movies with martial arts, this was fun to read. By the way, many of the romantic scenes would have made Bruce Lee blush!
December 29, 2017
I haven't read a quality thriller/mystery in a long time but I'm so glad I didn't shelf this. I try not to ever do spoilers, but I will say this was so well written and the author gave nothing away, so every twist and surprise was just that. Being the first book I've read in the series and I wish I had read them in order, but this is so good that I will definitely be reading the others.
I was given an ARC for my honest opinion.
I was given an ARC for my honest opinion.
January 24, 2018
“No one disappears from a cruise ship.”
Twisted Threads, the fourth installment of the popular action/adventure romance Threads series by Kaylin McFarren, delivers suspense, action, and steamy scenes as promised. Akira is a seasoned assassin for the Zakura-kai Yakuza family, known for being just as lethal as she is beautiful. The next in line for the leadership of the clan, Akira only wants her freedom, to leave this bloodied life of hers behind and start anew. However, her boss requires one last job in exchange for her retirement: find the murderer of a family member aboard a cruise liner, deliver justice, and leave undetected.
Accompanied by an unlikely ally, Akira begins her mission of investigating the Lyonses, a wealthy, English couple who appear to be in all the wrong places at the wrong time, making at least one of them the prime suspect. Although purely for informational purposes at first, Akira starts engaging with the Lyonses' handsome treasure hunter nephew, Devon, and in turn, both start to have strong feelings for the other that neither expected. While the ship's crew starts winding up dead in mysterious fashions and their suspects turn to innocent bystanders, Akira and Devon are running out of options. They are falling for each other, but once Devon learns the truth about Akira, will he still love her? And if Akira tells the truth, will she lose the only chance she could have at love, freedom, and a normal life?
McFarren does a good job of giving the reader a thrilling mystery with enough love, romance, and provocative sex to quench any thirst. The plot follows Akira and Devon as buds of heated romance begin, but each has their concerns: Devon's is with how much he doesn't know Akira, and hers is trying to find the murderer in their midst. As bodies start to pile up or go missing, the key suspects include Devon's aunt and uncle, Sara and Paul Lyons. However, as Akira gets closer to the family, she unravels layer upon layer in the relationship of a mentally-unstable Sara and her attached-at-the-hip physician, Dr. Bradshaw. Are they a devious, murderous pair or just the perfect scapegoats for framing?
Though the story is well-described and evenly-paced, the ending could leave readers disappointed and wanting more, though not in a sought-after way. The deep mystery may have taken one too many turns in the end and the author wraps it up in too much of a nice-and-neat, throw-away fashion that it garners confusion among storylines and last second discoveries appear haphazard and not well executed. Sudden appearances of unknown characters to save the day diminished what could have been a great resolution, instead, it turned out to be more of a Soap Opera twist than a thrilling discovery.
A rating of 4 out of 5 stars is well-deserved for this mystery romance. Although the novel is the fourth in the series, it can surely stand on its own as McFarren's main characters are fully-formed creatures, filled with quirks, sins, fears, and ambitions. The dynamic of Akira and Devon's relationship is spontaneous and care-free, though well-thought out and planned, leaving the reader wanting more to the story once the final page has been turned. Akira appears to begin to fall for her target, but she must finish her task so she can collect her freedom. But at what cost? The reader will ask themselves the questions: Does she really love him or is she just using him for her mission? Does Akira even know the answer? Will both make it off of the ship alive? The author teasingly taunts you with the answers until the very end. Twisted Threads is an enjoyable-enough read and after the final page you will ask yourself “What's next?”
Twisted Threads, the fourth installment of the popular action/adventure romance Threads series by Kaylin McFarren, delivers suspense, action, and steamy scenes as promised. Akira is a seasoned assassin for the Zakura-kai Yakuza family, known for being just as lethal as she is beautiful. The next in line for the leadership of the clan, Akira only wants her freedom, to leave this bloodied life of hers behind and start anew. However, her boss requires one last job in exchange for her retirement: find the murderer of a family member aboard a cruise liner, deliver justice, and leave undetected.
Accompanied by an unlikely ally, Akira begins her mission of investigating the Lyonses, a wealthy, English couple who appear to be in all the wrong places at the wrong time, making at least one of them the prime suspect. Although purely for informational purposes at first, Akira starts engaging with the Lyonses' handsome treasure hunter nephew, Devon, and in turn, both start to have strong feelings for the other that neither expected. While the ship's crew starts winding up dead in mysterious fashions and their suspects turn to innocent bystanders, Akira and Devon are running out of options. They are falling for each other, but once Devon learns the truth about Akira, will he still love her? And if Akira tells the truth, will she lose the only chance she could have at love, freedom, and a normal life?
McFarren does a good job of giving the reader a thrilling mystery with enough love, romance, and provocative sex to quench any thirst. The plot follows Akira and Devon as buds of heated romance begin, but each has their concerns: Devon's is with how much he doesn't know Akira, and hers is trying to find the murderer in their midst. As bodies start to pile up or go missing, the key suspects include Devon's aunt and uncle, Sara and Paul Lyons. However, as Akira gets closer to the family, she unravels layer upon layer in the relationship of a mentally-unstable Sara and her attached-at-the-hip physician, Dr. Bradshaw. Are they a devious, murderous pair or just the perfect scapegoats for framing?
Though the story is well-described and evenly-paced, the ending could leave readers disappointed and wanting more, though not in a sought-after way. The deep mystery may have taken one too many turns in the end and the author wraps it up in too much of a nice-and-neat, throw-away fashion that it garners confusion among storylines and last second discoveries appear haphazard and not well executed. Sudden appearances of unknown characters to save the day diminished what could have been a great resolution, instead, it turned out to be more of a Soap Opera twist than a thrilling discovery.
A rating of 4 out of 5 stars is well-deserved for this mystery romance. Although the novel is the fourth in the series, it can surely stand on its own as McFarren's main characters are fully-formed creatures, filled with quirks, sins, fears, and ambitions. The dynamic of Akira and Devon's relationship is spontaneous and care-free, though well-thought out and planned, leaving the reader wanting more to the story once the final page has been turned. Akira appears to begin to fall for her target, but she must finish her task so she can collect her freedom. But at what cost? The reader will ask themselves the questions: Does she really love him or is she just using him for her mission? Does Akira even know the answer? Will both make it off of the ship alive? The author teasingly taunts you with the answers until the very end. Twisted Threads is an enjoyable-enough read and after the final page you will ask yourself “What's next?”
November 10, 2017
Twisted Threads
Kaylin McFarren
The latest addition to her adventure/romance series shows award-winning author Kaylin McFarren once again mixing sensuous love and bloody terror.
The anti-heroine of Twisted Thread is Akira, a Japanese woman whose checkered past as geisha and gangster has led her down a path to murder, intrigue and the loss of all feeling for others, her only goal to free herself from the web of vengeance she is trapped in. She is given a last chance by mobster mogul Mitsui, who promises that the completion of just one more job will relieve her of her indebtedness to him and allow her to begin a new life—anywhere but in Japan. All she has to do is take a cruise and identify a killer.
Someone murdered Keiko, a female relative of Mitsui, on a previous cruise. That someone may be British art dealer Paul Lyons or Paul's wife Sara, both of whom were known to have quarreled who Keiko who died mysteriously soon afterwards. Akira will travel "chaperoned" by Mitsui’s man Takashi who will pose as Akira’s father, observe her actions, "clean" the scene once Keiko’s killer is known, and give Akira the tools she will need to start life over. But Mitsui, Akira and her faux-father do not count on the appearance of Devon. Traveling with the Lyons, he is a handsome thirty-something ne'er do well, disenchanted with life and definitely, like Akira herself, not looking for love. But Devon will find it with her. Using him at first to probe the Lyons' secrets, Akira slowly falls in love, their relationship clouding her purpose and causing Takashi to worry for the outcome of their mission.
The shipboard intrigue increases as we meet Peter Bradshaw, Sara's long-time physician, the two of them presenting an image of unfaithfulness right before her husband's eyes. Ship’s Captain Brice is another suspicious character, willing to do anything to keep scandal away from his vessel. Bradshaw disappears, to return under the shadow of an onshore crime, thus becoming the focus of Akira’s speculations. Meanwhile she and Devon begin to recognize that they are linked by deep, all-consuming passion. But when Takashi is found brutally slaughtered, Akira’s focus shifts from the Lyons and her love for Devon, to old hatreds that scream for her vindication, no matter what is lost in the process.
Fans of McFarren's fiction will be well satisfied with this spellbinding tale with its lush, lengthy scenes of tantalizing eroticism evolving into an apparently hopeless love, and murderous villainy that changes name and shape in nearly every chapter. The author deftly spins her tale: she shifts scenes swiftly; challenges motivations; provides, then transmutes, clues; reveals multiple possible perpetrators delineated in gory, sometimes salacious detail; and, throughout, explores the tormented conscience of a woman whose cold heart is just beginning to thaw.
Barbara Bamberger Scott
Kaylin McFarren
The latest addition to her adventure/romance series shows award-winning author Kaylin McFarren once again mixing sensuous love and bloody terror.
The anti-heroine of Twisted Thread is Akira, a Japanese woman whose checkered past as geisha and gangster has led her down a path to murder, intrigue and the loss of all feeling for others, her only goal to free herself from the web of vengeance she is trapped in. She is given a last chance by mobster mogul Mitsui, who promises that the completion of just one more job will relieve her of her indebtedness to him and allow her to begin a new life—anywhere but in Japan. All she has to do is take a cruise and identify a killer.
Someone murdered Keiko, a female relative of Mitsui, on a previous cruise. That someone may be British art dealer Paul Lyons or Paul's wife Sara, both of whom were known to have quarreled who Keiko who died mysteriously soon afterwards. Akira will travel "chaperoned" by Mitsui’s man Takashi who will pose as Akira’s father, observe her actions, "clean" the scene once Keiko’s killer is known, and give Akira the tools she will need to start life over. But Mitsui, Akira and her faux-father do not count on the appearance of Devon. Traveling with the Lyons, he is a handsome thirty-something ne'er do well, disenchanted with life and definitely, like Akira herself, not looking for love. But Devon will find it with her. Using him at first to probe the Lyons' secrets, Akira slowly falls in love, their relationship clouding her purpose and causing Takashi to worry for the outcome of their mission.
The shipboard intrigue increases as we meet Peter Bradshaw, Sara's long-time physician, the two of them presenting an image of unfaithfulness right before her husband's eyes. Ship’s Captain Brice is another suspicious character, willing to do anything to keep scandal away from his vessel. Bradshaw disappears, to return under the shadow of an onshore crime, thus becoming the focus of Akira’s speculations. Meanwhile she and Devon begin to recognize that they are linked by deep, all-consuming passion. But when Takashi is found brutally slaughtered, Akira’s focus shifts from the Lyons and her love for Devon, to old hatreds that scream for her vindication, no matter what is lost in the process.
Fans of McFarren's fiction will be well satisfied with this spellbinding tale with its lush, lengthy scenes of tantalizing eroticism evolving into an apparently hopeless love, and murderous villainy that changes name and shape in nearly every chapter. The author deftly spins her tale: she shifts scenes swiftly; challenges motivations; provides, then transmutes, clues; reveals multiple possible perpetrators delineated in gory, sometimes salacious detail; and, throughout, explores the tormented conscience of a woman whose cold heart is just beginning to thaw.
Barbara Bamberger Scott
February 6, 2018
Cruising Caper, Full Steam Ahead
Geisha-turned assassin, Akira, has one last assignment to please her boss, Mitsui-san, and the freedom to live her life as she chooses will be granted. All for vengeance and gaining independence, her conscience doesn't like killing errors or being under the crowded eyes of a cruise, but she reluctantly boards the ship Starfish with her "cleaner" posing as her father. She is to oft a suspected couple named Paul and Sara Lyons, believed killers of Mitsui's sister Keiko. Akira is confident in her abilities but doesn't factor falling in love with the couple's nephew Devon.
Set up to play naive and sweet, she hopes spending time with him will seduce juicy secrets about his uncle and aunt, which will give her the green light to eliminate the guilty party.
Akira and Devon hit it off immediately, spending every sunscreen slathering second arousing each other on excursions, teasing dinner table touches, and bold balcony bonking. Hot and bothered alert!
When the sex-crazed chapters subside, we are reminded that alleged murderers are running amok as cruise staff members begin to disappear. Things turn grisly before Akira can achieve her operative, and she realizes there is far more danger on board than she originally perceived.
I happened to be on a cruise as I read this, which made it all the more fun as the fictional characters hit the same ports at the same time our ship docked in Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The descriptions of the islands' excursions and choppy tenders were accurate and had me feeling like I was along for the ride.
The story has several elements to keep readers on their toes. The opening chapter gives the illusion of a hardcore murder tale but once on the ship, the array of characters provide comic relief, mystery, and romance. The dynamic between Paul, his brash wife Sara, and her traveling psychiatrist--the braggart Dr. Bradshaw--reads like an enjoyable play because of Paul's funny quips as he banters with the boorish doc. Also, there is a comical condom purchase that had me laughing out loud. I loved the Japanese culture McFarren mixed in. The language exchange between Akira and her posing "father" are in Japanese but with a dab of English to make sense for us.
To be honest, at first, the numerous casualties among the crew seemed absurd, but then it seemed more likely as our cruise had numerous medical emergencies, including a medic helicopter rescue!
I didn't care for the twisted direction the surprise villain took but loved how the story wrapped up. Still, the book was entertaining and the idea of a flirting handsome captain made me laugh since ours was friendly and mingled among guests as well.
If you and your imagination are due for a trip, Twisted Threads is your next destination!
Geisha-turned assassin, Akira, has one last assignment to please her boss, Mitsui-san, and the freedom to live her life as she chooses will be granted. All for vengeance and gaining independence, her conscience doesn't like killing errors or being under the crowded eyes of a cruise, but she reluctantly boards the ship Starfish with her "cleaner" posing as her father. She is to oft a suspected couple named Paul and Sara Lyons, believed killers of Mitsui's sister Keiko. Akira is confident in her abilities but doesn't factor falling in love with the couple's nephew Devon.
Set up to play naive and sweet, she hopes spending time with him will seduce juicy secrets about his uncle and aunt, which will give her the green light to eliminate the guilty party.
Akira and Devon hit it off immediately, spending every sunscreen slathering second arousing each other on excursions, teasing dinner table touches, and bold balcony bonking. Hot and bothered alert!
When the sex-crazed chapters subside, we are reminded that alleged murderers are running amok as cruise staff members begin to disappear. Things turn grisly before Akira can achieve her operative, and she realizes there is far more danger on board than she originally perceived.
I happened to be on a cruise as I read this, which made it all the more fun as the fictional characters hit the same ports at the same time our ship docked in Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The descriptions of the islands' excursions and choppy tenders were accurate and had me feeling like I was along for the ride.
The story has several elements to keep readers on their toes. The opening chapter gives the illusion of a hardcore murder tale but once on the ship, the array of characters provide comic relief, mystery, and romance. The dynamic between Paul, his brash wife Sara, and her traveling psychiatrist--the braggart Dr. Bradshaw--reads like an enjoyable play because of Paul's funny quips as he banters with the boorish doc. Also, there is a comical condom purchase that had me laughing out loud. I loved the Japanese culture McFarren mixed in. The language exchange between Akira and her posing "father" are in Japanese but with a dab of English to make sense for us.
To be honest, at first, the numerous casualties among the crew seemed absurd, but then it seemed more likely as our cruise had numerous medical emergencies, including a medic helicopter rescue!
I didn't care for the twisted direction the surprise villain took but loved how the story wrapped up. Still, the book was entertaining and the idea of a flirting handsome captain made me laugh since ours was friendly and mingled among guests as well.
If you and your imagination are due for a trip, Twisted Threads is your next destination!
December 13, 2017
Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (10/17)
“Twisted Threads” by Kaylin McFarren is an action-packed, psychological romantic mystery/thriller readers will simply devour. This multifaceted adventure is the fourth novel in the Threads Series, this time set on a Caribbean cruise ship. True to its name, “Twisted Threads” is full of twisty drama threaded together with manipulative plot spins, shadowy characters, heartfelt romantic entanglements, and even a bit of sensual erotica.
Taking the lead in the story is Akira Hamada, a beautiful Japanese geisha who unwillingly relinquishes all hope of a normal life when she is forced to work as an assassin for the crime lord that destroyed her lover. Her mission is to avenge the brutal murder of the crime lord’s sister–or face her own certain death.
When Akira meets Devon Lyons, the walls around her outwardly impenetrable façade soften and for the first time in a very long time, she dares to dream. The couple fall fast and hard for each other, yet Devon is unaware his aunt and uncle are the targets of Akira’s assignment. Nothing and no one are as they seem, and with a string of mysterious deaths aboard the ship, plus a killer on the loose, secrets that are best kept buried threaten to rise to the surface and take down everyone in the way.
From the very start, McFarren hooks the reader with an enigmatic mystery character who is ready for vengeance, then swiftly moves to a grisly scene revealing a ferocious protagonist who takes down the enemy as if merely swatting flies. That’s just the first few pages, and the action never stops. The beauty is in the author’s seemingly unfailing ability to write enthralling, convincing scenes, be it a bloody battle to the death or a hot and steamy love scene. The detail in her writing propels the reader forward, as she drops bits and pieces of clues along the way, only to insert twists that leave you guessing and wanting more.
Well developed characters provide authenticity to the overall tone of the story. There’s the one guy everyone loves to hate, the nagging wife, the doting, unhappy husband who only tolerates his wife because she has loads of money (and he is afraid of her), the self-important captain of the ship, the star-crossed lovers of course, and plenty of well-rounded extras who help take the story to the next level. Readers will definitely experience a range of emotions as they follow the travails and triumphs of these feisty characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Twisted Threads” by Kaylin McFarren from cover to cover. The layers of deliciousness never ends, and the seamless writing that incorporates multiple genres into one engrossing story, truly provides non-stop action and entertainment for all tastes!
“Twisted Threads” by Kaylin McFarren is an action-packed, psychological romantic mystery/thriller readers will simply devour. This multifaceted adventure is the fourth novel in the Threads Series, this time set on a Caribbean cruise ship. True to its name, “Twisted Threads” is full of twisty drama threaded together with manipulative plot spins, shadowy characters, heartfelt romantic entanglements, and even a bit of sensual erotica.
Taking the lead in the story is Akira Hamada, a beautiful Japanese geisha who unwillingly relinquishes all hope of a normal life when she is forced to work as an assassin for the crime lord that destroyed her lover. Her mission is to avenge the brutal murder of the crime lord’s sister–or face her own certain death.
When Akira meets Devon Lyons, the walls around her outwardly impenetrable façade soften and for the first time in a very long time, she dares to dream. The couple fall fast and hard for each other, yet Devon is unaware his aunt and uncle are the targets of Akira’s assignment. Nothing and no one are as they seem, and with a string of mysterious deaths aboard the ship, plus a killer on the loose, secrets that are best kept buried threaten to rise to the surface and take down everyone in the way.
From the very start, McFarren hooks the reader with an enigmatic mystery character who is ready for vengeance, then swiftly moves to a grisly scene revealing a ferocious protagonist who takes down the enemy as if merely swatting flies. That’s just the first few pages, and the action never stops. The beauty is in the author’s seemingly unfailing ability to write enthralling, convincing scenes, be it a bloody battle to the death or a hot and steamy love scene. The detail in her writing propels the reader forward, as she drops bits and pieces of clues along the way, only to insert twists that leave you guessing and wanting more.
Well developed characters provide authenticity to the overall tone of the story. There’s the one guy everyone loves to hate, the nagging wife, the doting, unhappy husband who only tolerates his wife because she has loads of money (and he is afraid of her), the self-important captain of the ship, the star-crossed lovers of course, and plenty of well-rounded extras who help take the story to the next level. Readers will definitely experience a range of emotions as they follow the travails and triumphs of these feisty characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Twisted Threads” by Kaylin McFarren from cover to cover. The layers of deliciousness never ends, and the seamless writing that incorporates multiple genres into one engrossing story, truly provides non-stop action and entertainment for all tastes!
December 3, 2018
At the start of the book the author's note forewarned that this book was “twisted” when compared to traditional modern literature; that while being pulled into the story there's no way of knowing where the next rise will occur or how many twists will happen.
I was both intrigued and somewhat skeptical of such a promise.
But now having read it, I must say it was accurate.
This is the fourth installment of this series and as such this one does a fairly decent job of retaking up the story of Akira Sato and how her journey now takes her to her final assignment. But whether this will actually BE her last one is one of the many things you are left to wonder about until the very end. A whole other bunch of points are part of the mystery of this story, like who is the watcher? Who is committing murders and why? Not to mention a fair bit of suspicion is cast on just about all the characters but just enough to keep you on your toes and not enough to actually feel sure you know who did it and all to keep you reading till the last page.
Personally I enjoyed all the hints and clues and overall my favorite thing was that Devon and Akira found their way to each other. That Akira even did so mostly as a deception during the first stages of their relationship seemed fitting to the plot and her as a character, but the ending itself was heartwarming and lovely. I was also very glad that it didn't have a cliffhanger.
Overall I really liked the many subplots and story points presented. I would really call this book a fascinating mystery sprinkled with romance with more than a few moments of adventure. My only quote unquote complaint would be that there was some written japanese in it, but it's not really so much a complaint as that I wanted to know what the exchange was about instead of only getting the gist of it from Akira's comments, but this doesn't take away from the plot in any way shape or form, it's more a pet peeve. Also there were a few moments when the description was verging on gore, but if you've read the other books of this series you'll hardly be surprised and it's kind of part of it all so I can tolerate it. Aside from that, I really don't have any other negative points that I could write about.
Finally, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries or thrillers with a touch of romance and a HEA. This was truly an enjoyable book and I would gladly rate it a 4.5 out of 5 if that were an option though I'm afraid I can't give it a five simply because when speaking of books read for pleasure I reserve that "gold star" for only my absolute favorite books and though I really liked this one, I didn't love it.
I was both intrigued and somewhat skeptical of such a promise.
But now having read it, I must say it was accurate.
This is the fourth installment of this series and as such this one does a fairly decent job of retaking up the story of Akira Sato and how her journey now takes her to her final assignment. But whether this will actually BE her last one is one of the many things you are left to wonder about until the very end. A whole other bunch of points are part of the mystery of this story, like who is the watcher? Who is committing murders and why? Not to mention a fair bit of suspicion is cast on just about all the characters but just enough to keep you on your toes and not enough to actually feel sure you know who did it and all to keep you reading till the last page.
Personally I enjoyed all the hints and clues and overall my favorite thing was that Devon and Akira found their way to each other. That Akira even did so mostly as a deception during the first stages of their relationship seemed fitting to the plot and her as a character, but the ending itself was heartwarming and lovely. I was also very glad that it didn't have a cliffhanger.
Overall I really liked the many subplots and story points presented. I would really call this book a fascinating mystery sprinkled with romance with more than a few moments of adventure. My only quote unquote complaint would be that there was some written japanese in it, but it's not really so much a complaint as that I wanted to know what the exchange was about instead of only getting the gist of it from Akira's comments, but this doesn't take away from the plot in any way shape or form, it's more a pet peeve. Also there were a few moments when the description was verging on gore, but if you've read the other books of this series you'll hardly be surprised and it's kind of part of it all so I can tolerate it. Aside from that, I really don't have any other negative points that I could write about.
Finally, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries or thrillers with a touch of romance and a HEA. This was truly an enjoyable book and I would gladly rate it a 4.5 out of 5 if that were an option though I'm afraid I can't give it a five simply because when speaking of books read for pleasure I reserve that "gold star" for only my absolute favorite books and though I really liked this one, I didn't love it.
April 11, 2018
This book starts off straight in the deep end: the very first chapter contains a skilled Japanese assassin, a murder mission and a beheading. Straightaway I was hooked; McFarren was able to capture my attention instantly and then held it for the duration of the book. Twisted Threads is the fourth book in the Threads series by Kaylin McFarren but it is the only one I have read. This book follows a ten-day cruise ship from the point of view of both Akira and Devon. Akira is a beautiful assassin who has been sent on the cruise, as part of an assignment to target the person who murdered her gang leader’s sister. Akira owes a life debt to her leader and she only became an assassin to prevent the killing of her mother. Once Akira has completed this last assignment she will be free. So when she falls in love with the target’s nephew (a handsome treasure hunter called Devon) Akira starts struggling to complete her mission. Does she choose love or freedom?
I would class this book as a romantic suspense novel that touches on the themes of love, murder and lies. There were some (very, very) racy scenes and some action scenes that wove into each other very well. The action includes many more murders, violence and plenty of unexpected twists. Some of the scenes made me cringe and feel squeamish (which was the author’s intent) but these were balanced well with more light-hearted moments (such as taking part in cooking lessons on board the ship), making the book both an easy and quick read.
The characters in the book were also well developed. All of them had both positive and negative traits, which were revealed during the book. No one was a typical “bad guy” and even the heroes had negative qualities, much like they would in real life. By doing this, McFarren made her characters more relatable, greatly increasing how much I liked the book.
I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars because McFarren has an excellent writing style and the amount of twists kept me guessing. However, some parts of the novel felt a bit rushed so I had to reread it a couple of times to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. The end in particular confused me and I felt it finished with many questions left unanswered. Perhaps, McFarren was leaving them open to lead into another book and if that is the case then I would be very interested in reading it.
I would class this book as a romantic suspense novel that touches on the themes of love, murder and lies. There were some (very, very) racy scenes and some action scenes that wove into each other very well. The action includes many more murders, violence and plenty of unexpected twists. Some of the scenes made me cringe and feel squeamish (which was the author’s intent) but these were balanced well with more light-hearted moments (such as taking part in cooking lessons on board the ship), making the book both an easy and quick read.
The characters in the book were also well developed. All of them had both positive and negative traits, which were revealed during the book. No one was a typical “bad guy” and even the heroes had negative qualities, much like they would in real life. By doing this, McFarren made her characters more relatable, greatly increasing how much I liked the book.
I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars because McFarren has an excellent writing style and the amount of twists kept me guessing. However, some parts of the novel felt a bit rushed so I had to reread it a couple of times to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. The end in particular confused me and I felt it finished with many questions left unanswered. Perhaps, McFarren was leaving them open to lead into another book and if that is the case then I would be very interested in reading it.
February 23, 2018
I didn't realize when I started to read this book that it was a part of a series, so now I wish I would have read all of them. It can definitely be read as a standalone though, and I would highly encourage you to pick it up.
Twisted Threads was so well written, structured and developed. It definitely made me use my brain to keep up with everything and try to solve the puzzle, so if you are looking for a "lose yourself" sort of book this is not for you! It is suspensful from the get go, and sucks you in so that you have to finish it and know the whole story.
This is the story of Akira Sota and how she is a total bad ass! Even the first few chapters showed just how much of a bad ass she is and it just got more fast paced from there. I loved the setting of the story, I loved all of the characters, and I loved how it had every single type of thing I could want in a book. It had the romance (although at times I was a little confused by the side conversations and realized some things might have been explained in previous books but it definitely made me want to go back from the very beginning and them all), it has mystery an intrigue, and a murder!
In order to rid herself of the life that she knows - a geisha- she must complete one last task and that is to find out who killed her masters sister. In order to do that, she must go on a cruise (how fun!) and meet with the people who have been identified as the murderer's. It is when she becomes close - well too close if you want to keep it real- to the couples nephew Devon that she might not accomplish what she has been tasked with. But could it lead to other things? You will have to red to find out!
I give this book 4 stars because while it can be read as a standalone, it might have been all the better if I had started from the beginning. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend you picking up a copy and meeting everyone!
Twisted Threads was so well written, structured and developed. It definitely made me use my brain to keep up with everything and try to solve the puzzle, so if you are looking for a "lose yourself" sort of book this is not for you! It is suspensful from the get go, and sucks you in so that you have to finish it and know the whole story.
This is the story of Akira Sota and how she is a total bad ass! Even the first few chapters showed just how much of a bad ass she is and it just got more fast paced from there. I loved the setting of the story, I loved all of the characters, and I loved how it had every single type of thing I could want in a book. It had the romance (although at times I was a little confused by the side conversations and realized some things might have been explained in previous books but it definitely made me want to go back from the very beginning and them all), it has mystery an intrigue, and a murder!
In order to rid herself of the life that she knows - a geisha- she must complete one last task and that is to find out who killed her masters sister. In order to do that, she must go on a cruise (how fun!) and meet with the people who have been identified as the murderer's. It is when she becomes close - well too close if you want to keep it real- to the couples nephew Devon that she might not accomplish what she has been tasked with. But could it lead to other things? You will have to red to find out!
I give this book 4 stars because while it can be read as a standalone, it might have been all the better if I had started from the beginning. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend you picking up a copy and meeting everyone!
December 19, 2017
Twisted Threads by Kaylin McFarren is volume four in her Threads series. In this book, we are immediately thrown into the deep with Akira. She has just completed another mission and is cleaning up the aftermath of the job. Soon she is tasked with a new mission. She is to kill her boss's sister's murderer or her life will be the penance that she pays for her failure. First, she must figure out who is the murderer, but she will need to get close to the nephew of Sara and Paul to learn who the killer possibly is. Now the question remains, will she be able to succeed or will new path open for her to take?
Twisted Threads by Kaylin McFarren is the first book that I have read by this author. I have at least one of the books in this series but have not had the time to read it yet. After reading this book, however, I intend to go back and start from the beginning. Right from the beginning, the author hooks me into the story. This book immediately becomes hard to put down. It is fast paced, very well balanced and with characters who pull you in.
There honestly isn't anything that I don't like about this book. Despite not having read any of the books previously in this series I was able to follow along with what is going on in the story and I really appreciate that.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. For those who have read the series to this point, I recommend reading this book. If you are new to the series, I still suggest you pick this book up. It's engaging and interesting.
Twisted Threads by Kaylin McFarren is the first book that I have read by this author. I have at least one of the books in this series but have not had the time to read it yet. After reading this book, however, I intend to go back and start from the beginning. Right from the beginning, the author hooks me into the story. This book immediately becomes hard to put down. It is fast paced, very well balanced and with characters who pull you in.
There honestly isn't anything that I don't like about this book. Despite not having read any of the books previously in this series I was able to follow along with what is going on in the story and I really appreciate that.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. For those who have read the series to this point, I recommend reading this book. If you are new to the series, I still suggest you pick this book up. It's engaging and interesting.
April 29, 2018
Akira Hamada has a debt. It is one she fears will never be paid, and one she dare not run away from. So when she is offered the chance at one final assassination to balance the books, and earn her freedom, she is both optimistic and suspicious. More so because, for this job, she will not be travelling alone. Her targets are suspects in murder, and her task is simple, if she can’t identify the killer, she is to erase the whole family. The job didn’t sit right with her. She wanted to be sure of their guilt, and to isolate the guilty she needed to get close to them. The easiest way in was Devon, the handsome young nephew, or at least she had thought it would be. Akira was used to being in control, but there is nothing more unpredictable than love.
Kaylin McFarren spins a complex tale at a suitable pace to keep the reader engrossed from beginning to end. Whilst on a cruise give access to a some great settings along with a wide cast of characters, the plot focuses mainly on those integral, and by doing so gives them great depth and personality, while filler characters are used to flush out events, but are written in a way that does not seem two dimensional. An extra string of suspicious deaths and missing people bring more to the already tense scene that causes Akira’s mission. Then enters the mysterious watcher, you’ll enjoy trying to figure out this person’s identity. If you’re looking for an engrossing read that has action, thrills, romance and intrigue then Twisted Threads may very well be the book for you.
Kaylin McFarren spins a complex tale at a suitable pace to keep the reader engrossed from beginning to end. Whilst on a cruise give access to a some great settings along with a wide cast of characters, the plot focuses mainly on those integral, and by doing so gives them great depth and personality, while filler characters are used to flush out events, but are written in a way that does not seem two dimensional. An extra string of suspicious deaths and missing people bring more to the already tense scene that causes Akira’s mission. Then enters the mysterious watcher, you’ll enjoy trying to figure out this person’s identity. If you’re looking for an engrossing read that has action, thrills, romance and intrigue then Twisted Threads may very well be the book for you.
October 20, 2017
Another awesome addition to the Threads series! I really enjoyed this book, especially since one of my favorite characters from Buried Threads might have finally gotten her happy ending. I felt sorry for Akira during the Epilogue of Buried Threads; she was all set for a happily ever after with the Japanese priest, but that silver lining just wasn’t in the cards for her. Anyway, I liked that this new tale took place aboard a cruise ship, how fun! Devon, Paul and his wife are back for another fascinating adventure, but this time upon the high seas. Kaylin’s description of the ship was so good that I kind of wished I could be sailing with some of my favorite characters. I am completely blind and I love her incredible ability to describe scenes, people and action so well that I feel like I am apart of the story. I have to admit that I am a sucker for a good mystery and romance adventure tale and Twisted Threads definitely didn’t disappoint. I think it is wonderful that McFarren decided to write this book about A few minor supporting characters from Severed Threads, Buried Threads, and Banished Threads. What I absolutely love about all four of her stories is how she draws the reader in from the very beginning of the prologue and keeps their attention throughout her entire story. Warning: descriptions of sex, keep up the awesome work, and I can't wait for the next addition to the Threads series!
January 1, 2018
What a fun, suspenseful book! Kaylin is an expert at blending genres, with fast-paced thriller writing combined with a sexy romance (and with a touch of family drama, as well!)
Akira, our protagonist, is an intriguing character to follow as her motives are not always clear, and her targets are not always in sight. She is chasing a murderer with an unknown identity, which keeps the stakes high - especially when all characters involved are on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean! The setting definitely adds to the mystery and intrigue, and this "locked door" scenario allows for some dastardly acts to occur behind the unsuspecting doors of the cruise ship's inhabitants.
Overall, the romantic portions of the book kept my interest, which is a compliment considering romance books are not normally my cup of tea. My only complaint is that though I found these portions of the book enjoyable, they sometimes took too much attention away from the suspense parts of the story, especially in the middle, and at times I forgot what Akira's mission was really about.
The suspense amps up in the final act, however, and boy do things get interesting! In the end I found Twisted Threads to be a satisfying and fun read. I would recommend it to fans of steamy romances, exciting thrillers, or both!
Akira, our protagonist, is an intriguing character to follow as her motives are not always clear, and her targets are not always in sight. She is chasing a murderer with an unknown identity, which keeps the stakes high - especially when all characters involved are on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean! The setting definitely adds to the mystery and intrigue, and this "locked door" scenario allows for some dastardly acts to occur behind the unsuspecting doors of the cruise ship's inhabitants.
Overall, the romantic portions of the book kept my interest, which is a compliment considering romance books are not normally my cup of tea. My only complaint is that though I found these portions of the book enjoyable, they sometimes took too much attention away from the suspense parts of the story, especially in the middle, and at times I forgot what Akira's mission was really about.
The suspense amps up in the final act, however, and boy do things get interesting! In the end I found Twisted Threads to be a satisfying and fun read. I would recommend it to fans of steamy romances, exciting thrillers, or both!
February 28, 2018
I received this audiobook for free from the author / narrator / publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
There are currently four books in the series and I received all four together. Thus I was able to listen to them one after the other, in chronological order and didn't feel like I was missing out on any part of the story. Actually, you can enjoy of the books on their own too. All four books of the series are almost equally good, maybe some slightly better than the other. Hence, I will be posting the a collective review of all four books together.
I read a book based on treasure hunting theme after a very long time. Even though I was skeptical at first, as I listened to more n more of it, I got addicted to this spell-bounding storytelling. The characters are so well written and multi-faceted that you can't point a finger at any of them and say "that's pretty bland". And the storyline is equally intriguing. There's action, suspense, thrill; there's dollops of romance. Best thing about this series is that there's no dull moment. All 4 books are constantly fast-paced. You won't be bored.
The narration is another positive point of this series. Four books are narrated by different narrators, and it's amazing that all of them did a splendid job. All the characters have their own distinct and clear voice. Emotions are portrayed elegantly. And audio quality is good.
There are currently four books in the series and I received all four together. Thus I was able to listen to them one after the other, in chronological order and didn't feel like I was missing out on any part of the story. Actually, you can enjoy of the books on their own too. All four books of the series are almost equally good, maybe some slightly better than the other. Hence, I will be posting the a collective review of all four books together.
I read a book based on treasure hunting theme after a very long time. Even though I was skeptical at first, as I listened to more n more of it, I got addicted to this spell-bounding storytelling. The characters are so well written and multi-faceted that you can't point a finger at any of them and say "that's pretty bland". And the storyline is equally intriguing. There's action, suspense, thrill; there's dollops of romance. Best thing about this series is that there's no dull moment. All 4 books are constantly fast-paced. You won't be bored.
The narration is another positive point of this series. Four books are narrated by different narrators, and it's amazing that all of them did a splendid job. All the characters have their own distinct and clear voice. Emotions are portrayed elegantly. And audio quality is good.
July 2, 2019
A Sexy Psychological Action Thriller on a Cruise Ship!
Kaylin McFarren has done it again! While I only read the 2nd book in the “Threads” series, I was still able to link many of its main characters and their conflicts to those in this novel. That being said, I would still highly recommend reading all three of her previous novels beforehand.
In “Twisted Threads,” this is the very last mission for the exotic antihero and trained assassin extraordinaire, Akira (aka/ Mariko). Once accomplished, her ruthless Yakuza boss, Mitsui-san, has finally guaranteed her a life of freedom. Or so she thinks. But once she meets super wealthy and hunky Devon, sparks fly and libidos throb. The problem being, she been ordered to take out his aunt and uncle. One of the two are cold-blooded killers. Or are they? It’s anyone’s guess. I can usually figure out the identity of a mystery villain by page 50 in a novel (page 25-30 in a screenplay), but I wasn’t able to until nearly the end of this novel.
I especially liked how contained the story is. Other than dock-stops in Jamaica and Grand Cayman, the story takes place almost entirely on a Caribbean cruise ship. And it’s obvious that the author is well traveled and knows every detail firsthand, even down to a bodyguard’s Yamizaki single malt whisky. Do yourself a favor and read it and the entire series!
December 22, 2017
A geisha turned assassin? A treasure seeker? Murder on a cruise ship? If you've ever read any of Kaylin McFarren's stories, then you'll realize that these are the best ingredients for her erotic psychological thriller, TWISTED THREADS.
Oh boy! This story was amazing! I'm not sure where to begin.
Loves: How the story begins is completely unexpected but perfect. The use of language and description is positively enthralling. As one example, "She shifted her attention toward the stranger in their midst and shook the storm from her thin arched brows with a dead smile—undoubtedly the best piece of serenity she could put on for public wear." Do I have your attention yet? I loved that while yes, Akira is an assassin, she also has scruples vs say your typical sociopath. The characters are amazing. Not only Akira and Devon but all of them. They are as unique as they are compelling and I adored all the little details Ms. McFarren fed to us about each of them.
TWISTED THREADS is exactly that. Filled with twists and turns that will keep you tapping those pages to see what happens next. And oh boy, you will not be disappointed.
This review was originally posted on The Romance Reviews.
Oh boy! This story was amazing! I'm not sure where to begin.
Loves: How the story begins is completely unexpected but perfect. The use of language and description is positively enthralling. As one example, "She shifted her attention toward the stranger in their midst and shook the storm from her thin arched brows with a dead smile—undoubtedly the best piece of serenity she could put on for public wear." Do I have your attention yet? I loved that while yes, Akira is an assassin, she also has scruples vs say your typical sociopath. The characters are amazing. Not only Akira and Devon but all of them. They are as unique as they are compelling and I adored all the little details Ms. McFarren fed to us about each of them.
TWISTED THREADS is exactly that. Filled with twists and turns that will keep you tapping those pages to see what happens next. And oh boy, you will not be disappointed.
This review was originally posted on The Romance Reviews.
April 2, 2018
Twisted Threads - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Akira Sato's a woman on a mission. The feisty former geiko, (geisha) has been removed from the
charmed but artificial life she led. When Matasui-san head of a Yakuza clan's son and a woman are murdered, the now deadly female assassin is told to to hunt and eliminate the culprit or pay the ultimate price in their place!
Where do Akira and another Yakuza member go to seek evidence and revenge?
What part is Akira to play and who does she choose as her way of getting to the truth?
Why did the Lloyds go on holiday to Mexico and what happened there?
Who is Yuri-san and how does this person feel towards Akira?
When forced to choose, who does Akira decide to save?
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book so that I could give an honest review, which I'm happy to do as I really enjoyed this unusual book by Kaylin McFarren, set as it is in Japan and on a luxury cruise ship to America. The variety of characters adds to the tense, action-packed tale with just the right amount of background details to pull the plot together and keep the fan of murder mystery-thrillers fully engaged to the very end.
Akira Sato's a woman on a mission. The feisty former geiko, (geisha) has been removed from the
charmed but artificial life she led. When Matasui-san head of a Yakuza clan's son and a woman are murdered, the now deadly female assassin is told to to hunt and eliminate the culprit or pay the ultimate price in their place!
Where do Akira and another Yakuza member go to seek evidence and revenge?
What part is Akira to play and who does she choose as her way of getting to the truth?
Why did the Lloyds go on holiday to Mexico and what happened there?
Who is Yuri-san and how does this person feel towards Akira?
When forced to choose, who does Akira decide to save?
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book so that I could give an honest review, which I'm happy to do as I really enjoyed this unusual book by Kaylin McFarren, set as it is in Japan and on a luxury cruise ship to America. The variety of characters adds to the tense, action-packed tale with just the right amount of background details to pull the plot together and keep the fan of murder mystery-thrillers fully engaged to the very end.
December 5, 2017
The Thread Series is one of those series that you could read individually or straight through 1-4. I have had the opportunity to ready all of the Thread Series and have enjoyed and re-read each one.
Kaylin makes you look at all of her characters, all of them! The minor characters from the previous books have been brought together for revenge, freedom, family, and mystery. Murder surrounds this cruise and each act is different from the others. You think of the small clues that she is giving you as you read through the chapters. Someone made a remark in chapter one that you picked up on in chapter six. She teases you throughout the book. You think you have it almost solved and then there is another mysterious death. Twisted Threads is sexy, funny, serious, intense, mysterious and keeps you on your toes. I highly recommend all of Kaylin McFarren's books and look forward to reading more from this wonderful Author!
Kaylin makes you look at all of her characters, all of them! The minor characters from the previous books have been brought together for revenge, freedom, family, and mystery. Murder surrounds this cruise and each act is different from the others. You think of the small clues that she is giving you as you read through the chapters. Someone made a remark in chapter one that you picked up on in chapter six. She teases you throughout the book. You think you have it almost solved and then there is another mysterious death. Twisted Threads is sexy, funny, serious, intense, mysterious and keeps you on your toes. I highly recommend all of Kaylin McFarren's books and look forward to reading more from this wonderful Author!
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