Obsession, abduction and murder are the order of the day.
She senses the impending danger with nowhere to hide. Fear has frozen her, sapped her of her will.
She hears something…
Is there a killer on the loose?
Someone savoring the moments in their mind . . .
Planning, Scheming, Plotting to kill.
Is there a serial killer lurking?
Will she be his first victim?
Don't miss this edge-of-your-seat thrill ride consisting of thirteen brand new, psychological suspense thrillers penned by Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon best-selling authors.
Books by: Edwin Dasso - Edge of Reality Judith Lucci - Her Biloxi Brute Kevin Tumlinson - The Man Below Chris Patchell - Find Her Suzanne Jenkins - Christmas in Greektown Casi McLean - Fatal Obsession Mark David Abbott - The Devil Inside Inge-Lise Goss - Silent Walker Eric J. Gates - ONE Tim Chapman - With Best Intentions Tanya R. Taylor - Headstone Lucinda E. Clarke - Play Rehearsal Eric Blumensen - The Beauty of Being Anonymous
A collection full of suspense, drama, danger, and action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. So many twists and turns it will have your head spinning! Here are reviews for two of these awesome stories: This review is for Fatal Obsession by Casi McLean -- WOW! the author certainly knows how to weave a story to suck you right in. Very fast paced, intense, and suspenseful. I definitely was intrigue thoroughout the story. .And OMG, I absolutely fell in love with Jasper. This review is for Find Her by Chris Patchell -- very intense and suspenseful -- So well written I felt I was right there with the very determine officer in pursuit of the pyscopath.
In this review, I am giving a quick impression for each story without many details because it is fun to discover them for one’s self. I am also listing the things that left a lasting impression on me for each, as well as my rating for each story.
Each book is rated by the author for language, sexual content, and violence for reader reference, so I am not going to list them here.
These are also Full-length stories, complete and engaging! I have read a few of these authors before and am always excited when they have new stories out, but I also discovered a few new authors that I look forward to checking out in more depth. This is an excellent anthology as I have rarely found an anthology with so many quality and complete stories. I recommend this to all mystery readers who are looking for a way to escape into some extremely exciting worlds. Here are the stories in order:
Edge of Reality by Edwin Dasso (44 chapters + Epilogue): The mystery and the way the author unfolded the story really enhanced the story. The characters all came to live for me, and I really loved the human feel within as well as the action. This story had a great mix of medical, psychological, action and emotions, all mixed together to create an edge of your seat story; also aptly titled. 4.5 stars.
Her Biloxi Brute by Judith Lucci (22 chapters + epilogue): the author does a wonderful job of creating a mysterious atmosphere and brings the mystery/crime to life. I was right there with the main character and along for the ride and there were moments of surprise. I enjoyed the storyline and was engaged. 4.25 stars.
The Man Below by Kevin Tumlinson (14 chapters + epilogue): this is an intense story with action and grit. I loved the action, mystery the psychological moments throughout. I needed to know what happened in this story; I devoured it in no time. 4.5 stars.
Find Her by Chris Patchell (34 chapters): The characters really come to life in this story. I felt like I could have known them in my life at some point. This read like a really great small town mystery/thriller. I really enjoyed it. Also shout out for the Oregon setting (fellow Oregonian here.) 4.5 stars.
Christmas in Greektown by Suzanne Jenkins (34 chapters): this is a very intense story; it is packed full of grit and even a bit of darkness. I loved the realistic, graphic way the story was told and presented. I was shocked at time and talking back at the characters; very engaging. 4.25 stars.
Fatal Obsession by Casi McLean (21 chapters + epilogue): a part football, definite revenge meet in this beautifully written and unique story. Great character development and fast paced, this story was exciting! 4 stars.
Silent Walker by Inge-Lise Goss (17 chapters): the story stars out strong (and it doesn’t dissipate) and there is a specific atmosphere that one can only get from this trope. I was interested in the why’s and how’s and I thought the author did an amazing job at creating tension and breathe holding moments. 4 stars.
One by Eric J. Gates (33 chapters): what a fascinating story and a great way to introduce different psychological aspects I love a good old fashioned serial killer mystery. This story has twists and turns and leaves the reader guessing and excited to find out more. 4.25 stars.
With Best intentions by Tim Chapman (21 chapters): this was a difficult read at times because if felt real. There are well developed characters and the issues that the story covers are really brought to life for the reader. The tensions and mystery really created a scary story and it ended perfectly for the content. 4 stars.
Headstone by Tanya R Taylor (12 chapters): and intense story with what might be a hint of supernatural… it is mentioned that this is book 15 in a series, but I didn’t feel too lost, so I think it is fine as a standalone. The added psychological aspects (real or not) really added to the feeling of the story. 4.25 stars.
The Devil Inside by Mark David Abbott (31 chapters): this story was one that feels like a true crime coverage. The intensity of the characters, the choices made and the reasons behind them. Ooh and that ending… 4 stars.
Play Rehearsal by Lucinda E Clarke (17 chapters): the scary aspects of crime, life and, well you must read it to find out more! I loved the mystery of this story and the trial aspect. It read well and kept my interest, and maybe a little bit heartbreaking. 4 stars.
The Beauty of Being Anonymous by Eric Blumensen (12 chapters): character driven story that really pulls no punches and is a mysterious and engaging. I loved the phobia aspects; it really anchored the story nicely. 4.25 stars.
This was my first read from Casi McLean. Fatal Obsession kept me glued to read all in one sitting. This is full of suspense and lots of thriller moments. I really enjoyed this read and I highly recommend it.
Find her by Chris Patchell had me wanting more. This was well written and a fast paced read. I highly recommend this read.
This is an amazing set of suspense thrillers.So many multi talented authors.Edge of Reality by Edwin Basis.the story will draw you in andoRutkeep you on the edge of your seat an the characters will captivate you.Her her Biloxi brute by Judith Luck,this story will grab your attention from page one the characters will captivate you.A strong storyline excellent characters.The man below by Kevin Tomlinson this story of a missing civilian FBI agent missing an the search below the earth to find her.There are so many unexpected twists to this story will scare the neck out of you.Find Her by Chris Patchell a spell binding thriller that will stretch your imagination an serial killer on the lose when Eden disappear an security guard obsessed .Story will rivet you an the characters will captivate you.Christmas in Greek town by Suzanne Jenkins Detroit homicide detective Jill Zannos is being threatened because of an arrest she help with.She doesn't want protection but Swat officer Mark Castros volunteers to be her bodyguard.He's instantly attracted to the beautiful fiery detective.As their attraction builds she only hopes her crazy Greek family doesn't scare him off.Fatal Obsession by Casi McLean this story is such a intense thriller you will be on the edge of your seat.The strong characters will captivate you.The story will keep you guess until the very end.I can't wait to see what's next by this multi talented author. The devil inside by Mark David Abbott.When he first laid eyes on her he thought she was an Angel but as time went on his marriage she just was a devil inside.This story will open eyes to the fact men can be abused by women too.A great story with amazing characters .Silent Walker by Inge lise Goss.She's been through so much .Tori is being tormented but by who.This story will have you addicted from the very first page an keeping you guessing til the very last page.the characters are captivating this is a must read multi talented author.One by Eric J Gates this suspense filled thriller will have you on the edge of your seats an the characters will keep you spellbound the ending will shock you.with best intentions by Tim Chapman when three people are trapped in a collapsed parking garage they find out what they are really made of.One beautiful woman,one drunk with the idea he can rape a woman who says no and a muscle bound hunk who protects her from the drunk.What happens when you're fighting for your life and what kind of human being you really are comes out.Headstone by Tanya R.Taylor,this story is heartbreaking it shows the deep hurt of some of the characters an the greed an selfishness of others.Toby an his wife changed there lives to take care of his disabled father.His brother an sisters did nothing to help.this is a moral story that shows the ugly side of greedy relatives left behind.Play Rehearsal by Lucinda E.Clarke this story is a shocking story of how far people are willing to go to get what they want.there are so many twists an turns to this story will keep you riveted until the very last page.The Beauty of being Anonymous by Eric Bound been.this is a spine tingling thriller.you will be trying to figure out what's happening with a unreal ending you didn't see coming .The story will capture your attention an have you riveted until the very end.
A magnificent collection at a superb bargain price, Her Silent Shadow contains a pantheon of scary, romantic, spookily entertaining stories, by writers both new or familiar, each including one shadowy character!
The Man Below: Dan Kotler's girlfriend, Dr Liz Ludlum, is Director of Historic Crimes and she sends Dan, accompanied by a 'rogue' CI, Alex Kayne, (a fugitive from justice, with the powerful AI system, called QuIEK, that she's developed), Agent Symons, Agent Denzel, (Kotler's frequent sidekick) and Agent Barr, to a rural New Mexican village. They're on the hunt for Agent Clara Rivers, who's been missing, with no contact for some time. Where is she trapped? Who's Michael Jesup? Who's the eponymous Man Below? Who's murdered by the reclusive, psychopathic killer known as the Comrade? A desperate cat-and-mouse battle, both physical and psychological, plays out underground between Kotler, Denzel, Kayne and the Comrade, enabling Agent Rivers to progress her escape. A great all-action story, with character-driven plot and a storyline that's not to be missed!
Christmas in Greektown: Detroit Homicide Detective, Jill Zannos, (part of a very large Greek family in Detroit) is stalked by a serial killer, Jacob Parker, after she helped catch him initially and Officer Mark Castro is assigned to protect Jill. When another woman is shot and dumped in the snow, Jill is called in, only to be targeted once other CSIs have left and knocked unconscious by Jacob Parker.As she's taken off the case due to her (now-ended), relationship with a suspect, Jill is attacked a second time, when she foolishly goes out alone. More characters and plot twists follow, but sadly the book ends with a cliffhanger and many unresolved questions. Try it - you might like it!
Headstone: The Curse: Queen of the Supernatural Suspense-Thriller, Tanya R Taylor's entry in the Her Silent Shadow collection, is Headstone: The Curse. When their father sadly dies, it seems that only Toby really cared about the man himself - the other siblings are only interested in the amount of their inheritance...until things start to go 'bump in the night's and paranoia and guilt start to take a toll on them - with serious consequences. The trigger for all the family's troubles, seems to relate to the wealthier siblings' refusal to help pay for a headstone for their father's grave, that Toby can't afford by himself.
How does a visit to the family home by Dr Mira Cullen change the siblings' perspective of themselves? What changes after Toby visits Dr Cullen alone? An intriguing and thought-provoking what-if? tale, that's eminently possible, Headstone The Curse should be taken seriously - or is it an urban myth?
With these three great novels and many more, by wonderful authors known and worth discovering, Have We Silent Shadow is a fantastic treasure trove for any eager fan of mystery and suspense tales you're sure to enjoy. Get it today and prepare to have shivers down your spine and goosebumps on your arms - and in a good cause too - what's not to love? Go now!
I read Fatal Obsession by Casi McLean, and this is my review for it. I can’t wait to read the other thrillers in Her Silent Shadow.
Daryl Quinn leaves his childhood home where he lived with his Mother till she succumbed to her cancer, which robbed her of her life and in a way also robbed Daryl of his. On her deathbed, she imparts with a secret that ends up being half of the truth. The other half will be revealed by the end of the thriller. That secret would Daryl him to obsession with the man who lives the life he, Daryl, thinks he deserves.
At present, Deke Madigan lives a charmed life, or so it seems to Daryl. Having won the Heisman trophy, Deke has a good chance to become a first-round draft pick for the NFL football. When he is attacked and later disappears, his wife, Elise, suspects that perhaps, one of the competitors or the football coaches want him out of the game. She calls Britt, DNA crime scene analyst, trying to gather any clues.
Add Elise’s golden retriever Jaz (Jasper) to the mix and the mystery Fatal Obsession is about despair brought on by jealousy and how it can drive us to extremes. A quote from Emily Dickinson says it all. “We grow accustomed to the dark when the light is cut away.”
Five stars for Fatal Obsession.
Disclosure: I learned of the author, Casi McLean, when we were both invited to take part in another boxed set, Do No Harm, and since them have read several of her books.
3.5 A thrilling suspense that had me on the edge of my seat till the end. I enjoyed the chills and thrills. Overall a great suspenseful short.
Find Her:
4/4.5 Loved it! Full of danger and suspense this was a perfect balance of mystery and suspense. I enjoyed the characters and loved how the story all came together in the end.
This review is for Headstone: The Curse by Tanya R. Taylor
A father’s death should unite children in their grief but years of their mother’s preference and manipulations have left John and Belinda emotionally remote and self-centered, and Rachelle insecure and needy. Toby genuinely loved their father. He is angered, but not surprised, by his siblings’ dismissive treatment of their father’s death and refusal to contribute to a headstone. Can Harvey Reed’s spirit rest in peace surrounded by this emotional miasma? Apparently not and their hopes are pinned on the psychic skills of Dr. Mira Cullen to unravel the resulting mayhem in this fractured family.
This is a tightly written psychic thriller. It would not let me stop reading until the end. Tanya Taylor’s stories always leave me wanting more, and more, and more!
Two of the stories in this boxset was part of a event. (2021 Winter Games) so I have not finish reading all of the stories in this boxset so this review will be finished at a later date but for now here's my thought on 2 of the stories
Fatal Obsession By Casi Mclean -Amazing story to read, legit couldn't put it down kept me pulled into. loved it. recommend her books. five star book. cover to the story fit to what the story was about. Not sure if the story is gonna be longer but im down if it is. because their is so much that could happen in it. i freaking loved it
Find Her By Chris Patchell -New to me author and I really liked his work. Kept me pulled into his book. Cover seemed to fit into what his book is about. five star book.
This review is for Headstone: The Curse by Tanya R. Taylor. This is a short story that will keep you turning pages to the end. I found myself comparing the story with some written by O. Henry or Poe. The story has mystery, suspense, surprises, snakes, likeable characters and some very unlikable ones. Oh, and there is a doctor who is also clairvoyant! All these ingredients make a wonderful, haunting story that will keep you in suspense to the end.
I received an advance reader copy of this story and I always review every book that I read.
Outstanding. What a collection of stories to keep you intrigued. The suspense alone will have you binge reading. One story by Tanya Taylor, Headstone The Curse was so enjoyable.
This is a collection of 13 separate stories. All of these authors have presented stories that are enjoyable and will draw you in and turning pages. With each being a separate story it's easy to puck up and read in segments.
Edge of Reality by Edwin Dasso 5 STARS
The first book in this set starts strong. It is Book 1 is the Amanda Bass No Safe Place series but the focus is actually on her father Jack. I guess it's the end of the Jack Bass series as well as the start of the Amanda Bass one. I would advise there may be some trigger warnings for the subject matter. We get to see an insider view of PTSD and the struggle one goes through. You can also know it's set in the present day due to references for Covid, I know some people don't want any reminders.
Amanda has grown up used to danger, she knows there are no truly safe places. Amanda also knows how to take care of herself. Once again she's in danger because of her father.
This is a fast pace engaging story. The characters come to life and you get invested in their safety. The story is a psychological thriller that will have you wondering what the truth is.
Her Biloxi Brute by Judith Lucci 3.5 STARS
This story has some overall story flow issues. We jump around a bit which makes it a little hard to follow the story. Lida is an undercover agent (without the proper training) at The Magnolia Casino. She's dating Joey Minelli, who is drawn into the mob that is run by his father and older brother. Joey isn't a bad guy and readers will be sympathetic towards him.
Lida's old college friends are visiting her and her one friend Kat is particularly observant. She knows right away that things are not as they seem but she also doesn't realize just how dangerous it all is. This is a mafia thriller with human trafficking, physical abuse and violent murder.
I think the story might have been better if there was a more definitive way to show when the author is switching between different character's POVs. That may have helped with the flow and continuity.
The Man Below by Kevin Tumlinson 5 STARS
If you are familiar with this author you will recognize some of the characters, if not, don't worry it stands by itself quite well.
This is a shorter story. Clara is trapped, she has no way out and someone trying to get in. This story is very descriptive. We even are treated with a part told from the POV of Clara's cell phone. Then there's Dan, the archaeologist who works with the FBI, we get a comparison to Indiana Jones and that helps his character come to life. An FBI team is assembled to locate and rescue Clara but each has their own agenda. Alex was a treat, she is super quick and brings inventive reasoning, by far my favourite character. I don't often see those who are on the most wanted list infiltrate special is missions. I would love to see more of her!
Find Her by Chris Patchell 5 STARS
This book is written in three parts.
Officer Sadie has no idea what she's being dragged into when she responds to a burglary at a hardware store. Why would someone who's gone through so much trouble as to switch licence plates and avoid cameras risk it all to steal a hammer from a store?
Noah is the mall's head security guard. He applied to the police but they saw something they didn't like so he was rejected. Maybe they saw he tends to be possessive, sees reality a bit differently, or that he would colour outside the lines? Eden is the inject of his obsession and in his mind, they are destined to live a happy life together.
Part three brings it all together. The story is a little emotional and beautifully ties together. I didn't mind that the parts overlapped. I felt the sequence worked nicely for the third part tie-in reveal.
Christmas in Greektiwn by Suzanne Jenkins 4 STARS
I feel like this is part of another story. The preface sets it all up so that readers don't feel like they are missing anything. This has parts that make it a thriller but it had a lot of family drama! I do mean A LOT!
Jill Zannos is a homicide detective and has made some enemies. At least one to the point of obsession. Mark is happy to take the OT to watch over Jill and make sure she's safe. They are attracted to one another from their first meeting and it only gets more intense as they spend more time together. We get to see the POV of a couple of characters which brings the rest of the family to life. It didn't make things seem out of place to me and all went nicely together.
Fatal Obsession by Casi McLean 4 STARS
Someone is watching Elise. This story holds no mystery as readers are let into her stalker's mind early on. We get front row seats in his descent from watching to acting. He's already acting when we meet him but we need to keep reading to get the whole story.
Readers may not expect the twist that happens, which is the best kind.
Silent Walker by Inge-Lise Goss 5 STARS
We seem to have a stalker theme going on here with this series. After the pipes burst at Tori's house she agrees to stay at her ex-husband's apartment while the repairs are done since he's away in England. Even though there's great building security Tori can't help but feel uneasy there, like someone is watching her. Soon a few things happen that make her convinced she's not safe there. Is the person after her, or using her to get to her ex-husband?
One by Eric J. Gates 4.5 STARS
Do you like watching crime dramas? Since this book is about a serial killer it played out to me almost like an episode of one of my favourite shows. Agent Carter is a strong female character, she seems to have a quick wit and is driven. Her partner Brandt isn't shabby either, he's older, wiser and a bit more cautious, also close to retirement. Noah Adams is the behaviouralist/psychologist paired with them and at times is much more focused on Carter than the case.
We step in with the fourth body, no pattern that the agents can see. How long will it take them to make a connection and where will it lead them? This story was entertaining and action-packed. There are a few twists and turns but you'll catch on quickly as more pieces of the puzzle fit into place. Readers will probably figure it out before the characters do.
With Best Intentions by Tim Chapman 4 STARS
This is a gritty story. Three people are trapped in a collapsed parking garage. Could be an earthquake or maybe a terrorist attack, the people don't know, so we don't know. Hercule is there because his marriage counsellor's office is in the building. Both Jax and Sandra work there, know one another and have a history. It can be hard to work together without trust. The story is told from Hercule's view and he jumps around a bit between his work, wife and reason for seeing the counsellor.
Headstone (The Curse) by Tanya R. Taylor 5 STARS
This is book 15 in The Cornelius Saga Series. You do not need to have read other books in this series as it stands alone. Many books in this series are psychological thrillers, this is more paranormal. It's a cautionary tale about respecting our loved ones and following their wishes instead of being selfish.
The Devil Inside by Mark David Abbott 5 STARS
Love turned to hate. Relationships can break down over time as people change. We can lose patience and little things become so big we can no longer ignore them. Matthew Wilson sees only one way out, he needs to kill his wife.
Not all toxic relationships look the same, not everyone sees things the same way either. The Devil Inside is not one of those high-action hold on tight journeys. That doesn't stop it from digging its hooks in anyway.
Play Rehearsal by Lucinda E. Clarke 4.5 STARS
Helen has twin 4 yr olds who are a handful. Having one would be hard, but her son Jason is especially energetic. There's a killer hunting single mothers and their children. Are they targets?
I was blindsided by this one. Can't say much without spoiling it, but well worth the read.
The Beauty of Bring Anonymous by Eric Blumensen 4 STARS
This was the first time I've heard of a phobia support group which wasn't specific to one type. It was an interesting group of leoe and I felt each got their own time to shine in the spotlight. We learned just enough about each person to become invested in their story. When someone from the group does will there be more to follow? Is there a killer among them?
Of course the whole collection is a fantastic bargain, but in particular I liked Eric J. Gates' novel, 'One'. Extremely clever, knowledgeable about his subject, and very well-structured. Gates cleverly drops clues - or are they red herrings? - here and there but you're never quite sure until the ending that you've identified the killer. The characters are well-defined and separated from each other - difficult to do when you're talking about dedicated officers who are all following the same clues to the destination - and Gates manages to capture the atmosphere, the sights and sounds of his US locations.
And did I say it was exciting, too? Well it is, very! Well done, Mr Gates, for a compelling and fascinating read.
Just finished reading Her Biloxi Brute by Judith Lucci!. Just blown away! Nail biting suspense! Lida is working undercover for the FBI at the Magnolia Casino in Biloxi. The casino is run by the Minnelli family and the Dixie Mafia. A very dangerous job especially if you don’t do exactly what they want. Add to that the romance between Lida and Joey Minnelli, the youngest son in the family and the only good one. When Lida’s college friends come to town for a class reunion, things ramp up exponentially. You’ll be on the edge of your seat to the very end! As exciting as this book is, I can’t wait to read the rest in this collection! You won’t regret making this purchase!
Declaration: I downloaded this boxset to get my hands on Casi Mclean's book 'Fatal Obsession' and I was not disappointed! I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this boxset. Fatal Obsession by Casi Mclean was the reason I downloaded this boxed set. The author's natural ability to write details effortlessly impressed me. This psychological thriller certainly has an unpredictable twist I never saw coming. Elise is a journalist dating an NFL player called Deke. They take a much-needed trip out of the city for a few days to pay some attention to their relationship. Unbeknownst to them, their worlds are about to be upended in ways they cannot fathom! I cannot emphasise enough how surprised I was when the true scale of this story unfolded. What a delight this was. Elise reaches the holiday locale first as Deke is running late. Elise and her dog settle in and go shopping for dinner in preparation for Deke's arrival. Meanwhile. When Deke does arrive, he is different. Elise senses something is wrong. She brushes it off telling herself she is being paranoid. But is she??? I don't want to give anything away as it will ruin the impact of the twist. I highly recommend this great read by Casie Mclean. There are also many other stories in the boxset which I will read eventually.
Each author offers a content advisory about such things as language, sexuality, and violence. I received a free copy for an honest review. I got a copy from Mr. Abbott right away so was able to read it then. The bookset did not come till much later so have not been able to finish all the stories at this time but will post my reviews when I finish. *Edge of Reality by Edwin Dasso Jack Bass is a doctor who had been deployed and has had problems with PTSD (most of this was due to him seeing his wife who was a nurse) seeing his wife killed in front of him. Amanda Bass his daughter is getting ready to go to college and then one night she gets a text when she opens it see sees a photo of her mother with a bullet hole in her forehead. She goes to her dad about it and he freaks out. He doesn’t know why someone would do this but feels Amanda should go stay at her dorm for safety reasons. Things get worse and Jack starts having more problems with his PTSD so calls his doctor. Turns out his doctor is moving and has found a new doctor to take his place. Jack is not happy about this but goes along. Jack starts seeing people who he knows are dead but they really feel real to him. Lots of twist, turns and action in this story. Will the new doctor be able to help Jack or will things just keep getting worse and worse. If you enjoy books that keep you reading and on the edge of your seat this is a must read. *Her Brute by Judith Lucci Lida Dewey a forensic accountant with the FBI is asked to go undercover to get information on the Dixie mob run by the Minelli family. She will be the chief accountant for the Magnolia Casino, and she’ll gain access to all of the accounting files and, hopefully, other stuff as well. Lida and 3 of her collage friends get together for a week long trip every year. This year it is in Biloxi, Mississippi where Lida got them discounts at the Magnolia Casino. The gals all go out to eat and then, Lida heads back to work and two of the friends want to go for a walk while the other wants to go to the hotel to nap. While on their walk one of the friends states she doesn’t feel well. She figured she just ate too much so they continued on their walk. The see a small boat that has a colorful flag or something so they want to go check it out. Turns out there is a body in the boat covered with a tarp. Then the friend really get sick and they have to call an ambulance for her, as well as the police for the body. Lots of twist, turns, and action along with a kidnapping. Will the mob figure out what is going on, will there be any more bodies and if so who’s. This story really kept me on the edge of my seat so if you enjoy a good read that keeps you involved this is a must read. *The Man Below by Kevin Tumlinson This book was hard for me to get into. So will get back with a review when I finish the others. *The Devil Inside Mark David Abbott This story will keep you reading from start to finish. There are a lot of twists and turns and you are kept on the edge of your seat. The end is such a surprise. Another great story by Mark David Abbott
This is a review of Headstone: The Curse by Tanya R. Taylor. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book. I was surprised to find it was a mystery. . I enjoyed reading it very much. I recommend this book to anyone. You won't be disappointed. I received a copy of this book.
So far I’ve read 2 stories in this anthology - Find Her by Chris Patchell and Fatal Obsession by Casi McLean. Both were excellent and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the collection! And just to note, I really liked that there is a content advisory for each story in the collection based on language, sexual content and violence, so it’s very easy for the reader to pick if a particular story is right for them or not. Now on to my reviews:
Find Her by Chris Patchell 5/5 stars This is a gripping tale of murder and abduction that gives great insight into the minds of the law enforcement officers, the killer, and the abductee. It’s very well written and I read it in one day because I had to find out what would happen! I was impressed by the character development in the story and I definitely will look to read more by this author in the future.
Fatal Obsession by Casi McLean 4.5/5 stars This was another very suspenseful story that I didn’t want to put down. It’s really well written and I really liked the main character Elise and especially her dog Jasper. When she’s shaken by a murder close to home, Elise decides that she and her fiancée, the #1 NFL draft pick, need and weekend getaway to rest and relax, but things are definitely not what they seem. There’s a lot of mystery and intrigue in this story and it’s very well done! This is another author I definitely will read more by.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Two stories that stick out for me are Find Her by Chris Patchell and Fatal Obsession by Casi McLean. I learned something from these stories. I learned to look for red flags and that persistence pays from Find her.. I learned that even a killer has emotions and a decent-enough motive from Fatal Obsession. From all of these stories, I learned that anyone has the potential for violence. I am so glad I read this anthology.
This review is for Headstone: The Curse by Tanya R. Taylor...it’s the tale of one Toby Reed ...his wife, Jonie....and his three siblings. Their Father .. Harvey Reed was recently deceased ...their Mother ...Marilyn... having passed on ...years earlier. Sadly ...soon after their Father’s passing ...the subject of paying for a headstone to mark their Father’s grave presented itself....as their Mother’s insurance had already paid for hers. Toby and his siblings ...sisters Rachelle & Belinda ..& older brother John...disagreed concerning the urgency of a headstone for their Father....and paying the expense for it. This is the tale of what transpired to place a proper memorial stone at the head of the elder Reed’s grave....and how the lives of the remaining Reeds were “altered”in the process. Read and see. Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy.
This is a great collection of mysteries and thrillers from great authors. Mark David Abbott, The Devil Inside, is one of my favorite stories. A husband and wife married with no children. The wife is in control and has violent outbursts that are always his fault. He needs a solution, but good plans do not always work. Chris Patchell, Find Her, all starts with a stolen hammer, an abduction that office Lacey James will not stop. All of these are page turning thrillers.
This great new collection features suspense stories with a wide variety themes and characters and provided me with a great opportunity to get to know some new authors. I love anthologies because they contain so many offerings it's hard not to find something you'll like and the prices are much cheaper than buying individual stories. I certainly had no problem finding some good ones in this collection, so I'll tell you about just two of them. The first story in the book is Edwin Dasso's Edge of Reality. It's about a former medic with PTSD and a history of flashbacks and nightmares have suddenly started up again. When he and his daughter also begin receiving strange e-mail having to do with his past he begins to question exactly what is real. The second story I loved was Casi McLean's Fatal Obsession where the lives of a top NFL quarterbacking prospect and his sports reporter fiancée are turned upside after a mysterious event which leaves him wandering around the sports facility where he's been going through tryouts. I loved this twisted tale with its surprise ending that blew me away. Hopefully one or the other of these tales will have tweaked your interest and that you'll find several more you love as much as I did.
Find Her – Chris Patchell in Her Silent Shadow: A Gripping Psychological Suspense Collection
If the other books in this collection are like Find Her, then this is a collection that’s not to be missed!
I’ve never read anything by Chris Patchell before; an oversight that will soon be corrected. Find Her has all the earmarks of a top-notch psychological thriller. The peek into the mind of the perpetrator, the challenges that the Investigators face – some of which have nothing to do with the case. The resultant tapestry that emerges from the skillful weaving of the various threads in this piece brings forth a narrative that really couldn’t be any less shocking while at the same time being supremely fitting.
Patchell draws her characters with a sympathy and understanding that draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout. Find Her is a page-turner. Another book that kept me awake till it was done, I cannot wait to read the others in this collection.
[I was fortunate to receive a copy of Find Her from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review. The opinions contained herein are entirely my own and are given freely.]
What a wonderful box set. These authors never disappoint and to have them all in one set is such a treat. Thirteen gripping thrillers––thirteen bestselling authors and every story will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This review is for a particular story in this collection (although I want to read each and every one): Tanya R Taylor's "Headstone: the Curse"
After Harvey Reed's death, the remaining family is divided not over emotional memories, but how much they might inherit! In this the 15th story in Taylor's Cornelius Saga (which is able to be read as a stand alone) only Toby, who had taken his father in after his illness, feels the need for the headstone for the grave but he can't afford it on his own. Will the dysfunction rule, or will the family finally agree that the memorial be done? This is a "what if" story for any curious reader.
[disclaimer: I received this story from the author and chose to read and review it]
Declaration: I bought this collection to get my hands on Eric J. Gates’ latest oeuvre, ‘One’. I have to-date read all of Gates’ books, and wanted to see how smoothly he would make the transition from the action genre to crime/psychology. The answer is: brilliantly. “The game is never incidental. It’s the vehicle of life and death.” Female corpses are showing up in body bags, and the unhelpful standard serial killer profile – white, male, late thirties – isn’t helping much. With a dash of ‘Psycho’ and ‘Silence of the Lambs’ thrown in for good measure, ‘One’ is a fast-moving psychological thriller. I read it in one sitting. "There is beauty to behold in the moves, deceit, hidden traps, direct attacks, distractions."’ Highly recommended. Now to read the rest of the box set…
This was a really enjoyable read. This book has you hooked and on the edge of your seat the whole time. The author has done well to set the scene for the storyline and it is very well written.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.