Inside V

by Paula Priamos

Gold medal winner for the Foreword INDIES Award for Best Suspense and Thriller Novel

Inside V is a novel of trust and deception, a dark look inside of a marriage that started as an affair, and the deep distrust that evolves from that initial infidelity. A must read for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train .

When Ava, a former defense lawyer, wakes up in an empty hotel room to find her husband missing days before he is supposed to report to jail for a heinous crime he swears he didn't commit, she takes matters into her own hands. Searching for her husband herself instead of calling the police, “V” is led on a chase that ends up in her own dark past. With grit and determination, she is forced to confront her own misdeeds while coming face-to-face with her husband’s. Inside V is a deep look at trust, marriage, and the secrets we carry. An unputdownable novel that builds to an unforgettable standoff. This is one you don’t want to miss.

Genres: Audiobook, Contemporary

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2017

About the author

Appraise Her is coming out in April 2022. Kirkus Reviews calls it "A twisty and often riveting thriller."

Inside V is the 2017 Gold Foreword Indie Winner for Best Thriller & Suspense.

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 review soon.

[S. Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe this is her debut novel as Priamos writes with such raw intensity and exquisite pacing she seems already a practiced novelist who knows how to keep her audience engaged and turning pages. Halfway through, I simply couldn't put this book down. Clues are scattered in smaller increments than bread crumbs in this thriller, with every thread pulled together tightly when the narrative finally ends--which is when I found myself breathing normally again; "edge of your seat" is an understatement here. This is definitely a grown-up book for those who love gritty, sexy, fast-paced suspense. Highly recommended.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this clever, intelligently-written novel. A savvy female protagonist; lots of twists and turns; and a surprising, oddly satisfying end all put together in one of the best stories I’ve read in a while. Looking forward to more from Paula Priamos. Highly recommended for anyone who likes psychological suspense.

[Joe Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not hard to believe Paula Priamo's first novel not only hit it out of the park, it knocked it into another city. Her debut novel features some of the razor sharp wit found in her previous book, The Shyster's Daughter, but also features a true inside look to how a woman thinks and feels without it feeling forced or cliché. The character Ava (or V) is truly a well-rounded person who is not nearly the damsel in distress, but the dame who takes charge of finding her missing husband after his conviction of supposedly raping a young Latina girl. In the Amazon description, it was called a "must read for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train." The comparisons are good, but hardy accurate. Priamo's prose and narrative cut right down to the chase and tell a finely crafted story devoid of female protagonist and mystery cliches. Here's my final verdict: I won't go into spoiler territory because I want everyone to do themselves a favor and buy this book as soon as possible. You won't regret it.

[Edward Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read this year. I know it is early nut I think at the end of the year this will still be in the top 5.

This book is a fast paced well written thriller of obsession, fidelity, the corruption of power, variations of truth and sacrifice.

I would highly recommend.

[Sara Niezgoda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read, written so well you don't want to put it down!

[Beagle Lover (Avid Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside V

3.50 stars

A fairly well written mystery that just did not live up to what I expected. Too many slow places were I almost lost interest, but fortunately the author managed to draw me back into the plot. The premise was a good one - an ex-defense lawyer who wakes to find her husband has vanished days before having to report to jail for a horrific crime he insists he did not commit. But V wonders, after his disappearance, if perhaps he is guilty.

This leads V on a search for the truth behind her husband's life without going to the police. As she delves into Grant's past, she discovers her own secret past that impacts Grant's as he remains missing.

Will he return prior to his jail time begins? How far is V (Ava) willing to go to prove him innocent? Can she prove him innocent? Further, IS he truly innocent of the crime he is convicted of? Well readers...I suggest you read this good (but not great) mystery/thriller to discover the answers to the above listed. I think you will be pleasantly pleased with this books' outcome.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is long overdue (one year to be exact) but don’t let my tardiness deter you from heeding my advice:

DO NOT start this book if you think you’ll be able to put it down (you won’t). Don’t read it if you don’t like getting caught up in a web of twists and turns (you will). Steer clear if you are not a fan of darkly fun, sexy L.A. noir (which this totally is).

But if you like your crime cold-blooded, your sex scenes juicy, your narrator a bit unreliable, and your writing concise and expressive, this is your book!

[Jillian Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thriller with a smart, strong protagonist. Don't mess with AVA or V as her husband Grant calls her. The author manages to keep the reader guessing page after page, up to the very last page. It's a strange kind of love story too. So refreshing not to read the same bloated women's historical fiction and clunky cliched mysteries. Yo go, Priamos!!!!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ava and her husband Grant have been married for 3 years. They have a passionate marriage with no need for children or anyone else except for the two of them. Then Grant is accused of raping a 17 year old girl and he is found guilty at the trial. The two of them head out for one last vacation before Grant has to report to prison. The next morning, Grant is missing.

This book details Ava's journey during the trial and immediate aftermath as she comes to terms with what has happened in their lives. The writing is very good. It's an easy and fast read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK, which I picked up from my local library on a whim before a trip a few months ago. I read this when I was vacationing in Dominican Republic and of course, what is the point of travelling unless you have a fat stack of books with you? I mostly read this in the shade of an umbrella by the pool after being sunburned. This completely isolated me from my friends because I could not put it down!

Beautifully written. After every chapter I gave my boyfriend an update because it was all just so exciting! The protagonist is intelligent, composed, but still seething with emotion at the thought of her husband being guilty.

The moment I was done I googled to check Priamos' other mystery books but saw none. Paula, please write more!

[Tara Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Priamos has again written a page turner.  'Inside V' is fast paced, brutally honest, and is full of interesting and intelligent characters. The pyschological thriller examines the secrets between lovers, friends, and foes. These secrets can bind them together or destroy what once was intense relationship. The sentences are clean, crisp, and sometimes cutting. The fearless way Ava examines her world and herself is refreshing and unapologetic. As a mother of four small children I didn't expect to be pulled into the sometimes gritty world after bedtime. Before I knew it, I had stayed up all night turning the pages of this hauntingly beautiful book.

[Danielle Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely loved this book. Usually when I read a book I can kind of tell how it will end. With this book I had no idea what was going to happen next and I loved it! The book is extremely well written. The author has wonderful descriptions to make you feel like you are there. I could not put this book down. I would love to see this made into a movie.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This needed some serious editing. The haphazard commas, weird word order and outright grammatical errors were a constant distraction.

There were also some (to me) glaring plot holes. How was it that the defense attorney was so incompetent? And our brilliant lawyer heroine, who was so quick to investigate when her husband appears to have left her, doesn't do ANY work on his case? And the husband purposefully doesn't lift a finger to defend himself in court? Not to mention all the plot happens in like the last 10 pages, and the rest of the book is Ava gushing about her awesome marriage...to a guy she immediately doubts as soon as he's arrested and continues to doubt for the rest of the book.

I see the argument that the husband does all this do he can get a chance to kill the evil judge, but wouldn't ruining his life have been safer and easier?

[Leah Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book at my local B & N and picked it up. The first couple pages intrigued me. Here is a female writer who is lean with her prose. The first few chapters begin in a courtroom. I thought she might've been a lawyer by all that she knew about the law and courtroom procedures.

Long story short, I read this book in one day - it's lean, well-written and the plot moves fast. Lightning fast. I loved her flawed characters, the risks she took at being politically incorrect but true to the characters and their circumstances and the ending was absolutely unpredictable. READ IT!

[Landon Ridgefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off - congrats to the author for winning the award for Best Indie Suspense Book! That's how I first found out about it. I primarily read books that make lists for top reads. The plot itself is very intriguing, a real page turner. The protagonist is NO shrinking violet. She's tough, takes no prisoners, literally. The male characters are secondary. That's the point! How is it a guy knows this more than some female readers?

I was fascinated by what the author knows about the courtroom, but what I enjoyed most about his book was the fearless nature of the prose itself. It's a clever plot and I think it deserved the praise it's gotten. Hope she writes more thrillers please.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, one thing that stood out to me was the author's ability to create an interesting story without a protagonist. There are no redeeming characters in the story. V's father was a good guy but he was not a pivotal character. I was not rooting for either character I just wanted to know, who done it.

[Siel Ju · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Matching the right emotion with the right words is a difficult task for me lately.”
*
A husband gets convicted of statutory rape — then disappears a couple days before he’s supposed to go to jail — and the wife tries to find him while unraveling other mysteries on her own. Check it out if you’re looking for a psychological mystery set in LA.

[Victoria Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A legal and emotional drama that takes the reader on a fascinating journey.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Quite far fetched but fast and engaging read. Listened to audiobook in just a couple days after seeing on Scribd and gave it a try. Only at one point did i start to lose interest, toward the end when the story seemingly pauses to enlighten us on Martin’s various shenanigans.

Struck me as odd how the rape accuser/alleged victim was literally referred to as “the latina girl” for the entire book. the only time they used her name i think was during court. that was strange and i’m not sure what the intention is for that. that was off putting. was this intended to make us read into the feelings Ava has toward the girl, how Ava is trying to make her less in a way, or to put distance between them by not using her name? or is there nothing to read into. her name might have been said literally 2 times but no one else in the book was referred to like that except her. so it was just odd.

A lot of the book simply felt beyond the reach of reality to imagine a well practiced former DA would behave as she did, casually evading law enforcement to go on her own little hunt. And Martin, she made it seem like she never told her husband or anyone else the extent of his behavior which can only be described as pure harassment and basically relationship extortion. Even if he’s a judge clearly he had a reputation as a sick bastard so seems absurd that went on.

The various storylines of the husbands rape trial, her mothers crimes and her own secrets with that, her relationship with psychopath martin, and her marriage with Grant that casually began AT HIS WEDDING seemed to all exist separately and then tie together a little too deliberately. The ex wife honestly didn’t add much to the story/made no sense.



SPOILERS…..



In the end Grant was in fact set up and totally innocent (of the rape charges at least…) and as head over heels as ever for his wife. So the ending felt sweet and they are clearly so in love and you want to love the guy. He’s willing to kill for his wife and their life. Yet…. the entire book were reminded he’s obsessed w his appearance, and goes to a sketchy dr for testosterone shots etc. Oh, and he literally picked up a woman at his own wedding and he pursued HER, casually fucking her just a couple weeks later. umm…. what?!?!? that part was just out of control. because it just makes you hate the narrator/Ava since aside from making it clear she and Grant were some sort of star crossed lovers and the first wife/marriage was probably a mistake… we didn’t get any more back story or info that makes you want to root for these two cheaters. She never even talked about it in a way of feeling bad or torn. that was just odd. Oh and they made sure to mention a couple times too that Grant cut his family out of his life. None of what we are told about this guy seems reassuring yet I think in the end we’re left thinking he’s a loving husband. ?????????

I don’t love when books end with a literal explanation of all of the tangled webs but in this case some of the webs could have been untangled further. As in, would have liked to hear how and why Grant pulled off what he did. The drugging, the table and flowers at home, etc. When did he know it was Martin, when and why did he decide to do it like this, etc. Why go this route instead of trying to turn him in, when and why did he go to the drug dealer kid and hit him, how did he figure it all out.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy to finish mystery that is fairly wrapped up at the end. While it was nice to read outside my preferred genres, I felt the story and the characters were a bit too unbelievable to be honest. The protagonist just cannot help men becoming utterly obsessed with her and all she talks about is sex act after sex act when she should be noticing the red flags of a partner that expects sex all over the house every single day. This is framed as empowering but honestly it’s actually a form of domestic abuse due to gender inequality. Imagine being too jealous to even have a baby with your partner - that sounds creepy. So already I was disliking the couple, let alone all the other stuff about sweeping men off their feet at their own weddings and getting oral sex in the car…what? Even thinking a movie star in a carpark wants her… conceited much? It just made for an unbelievable character in my opinion, plus she’s Sherlock Holmes with a silencer(?) I don’t know… felt a bit Mary Sue to me 🤷🏻‍♀️ Let alone how easy it is to conduct and unearth major corruption in the judicial system? Still, it was more fun than not, I suppose. Not a bad book for a plane trip or holiday read at all. Wish I’d liked the characters more and I could have invested more but still… 3 stars

[Mai G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a long book. Read it in over 6 hours as per Libby. It's not bad at the details and turns but ultimately half disappointed that there wasn't a huge reveal or twist in the end. Californians love to talk about the weather on SNL and apparently in this book too lol. I was hoping for more of a thrill since I read this in recommendation to its similarities to other books that were thrilling but that's prob why I just gave it 3 stars.

[Rhiannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate quitting a book halfway through, but the writing in this one is so damn bad. The story was almost interesting enough to keep me going, but after one more “then” that should have been “than,” I just couldn’t do it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh.

[Divya D'souza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and easy read. Enough suspense to keep you hooked but not too much that makes you want to stop and collect your breath.

[Karren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be better. The writing was mediocre and full of cliches and overused phrases. Maybe with more editing and polishing, this could be a book I would recommend.

[Fiona Bramzell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just kept waiting for the story to start...and then realised I was nearly at the end. Meh.

[Esmeralda Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Masterpiece!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I really enjoyed this clever novel! I am looking forward to read more books by Paula Priamos! Highly recommended!!

[Haddie Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars