Echoes of Darkness by Darlene Turner is a riveting, fast-paced story filled with all kinds of twists and turns. Oaklynn Brock is a constable and while she might work in a small town, she carries a big secret. A copy cat serial killer is on the loose and is targeting Oaklynn because the killer knows her secret – that she’s the daughter of the infamous Suicide Slayer. Caleb Green is part of a group called the Canadian Watchers Squad, and he’s called in to help with the case. But he finds himself facing off with the past he thought he’d left behind.

This book ticks all the marks for me to be a thriller. I didn’t know who the culprit was until the very end, and the story kept me guessing the whole way through. Oaklynn faced so many dangerous moments throughout the story as the killer stalked her. I will admit that I don’t like stories involving cults (just one of the topics/tropes I don’t prefer), and while Echoes of Darkness involves a cult, I still completely enjoyed the story and the cult added another dimension to the danger. I like the budding romance between Oaklynn and Caleb and that they helped each other deal with their past traumas. Also, I love the concept of the Canadian Watchers Squad and I hope to see other characters from the team have their own story lines.

If you are looking for a fast-paced thrilling read, look no further than Echoes of Darkness. This is one of my top favorites for my summer time must-read list!

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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I read a lot, and I also read across a wide range of genres. Psychological thrillers aren’t always my favorite, mainly because if a book is labeled “psychological” I expect certain things in that genre – an unreliable narrator, crazy plot twists, and not knowing what’s happening at any given point in the story until the end when the pieces fall into place. Most seem to fall short for me – maybe it’s a great story, but it doesn’t seem to have that edge that gets in my head and makes me question my own sanity along with the characters’. But Jessica R. Patch nails the psychological thriller with The Other Sister. This is what a psychological thriller should be!

We have Charlotte, and she’s a bit unreliable. We know she tries to be good, but has a dark past and is known for pretending to be someone she isn’t. When she discovers that she has a twin sister, rich socialite Acelynn, Charlotte winds up assuming her life. But what she finds is that Aceylynn’s life is complicated and very dark.

We also have lots of plot twists. The story took me down several paths only to leave me with whip lash. I couldn’t possibly guess the ending. The characters are all a bit unhinged and any one of them could be the bad guys of the story. I love Jessica’s story telling abilities and they way she reveals just enough information to string me along until the payoff at the end. And it’s a fantastic ending. This isn’t a traditional romantic suspense where everything is wrapped up neatly with a bow by the end. This thriller will have you thinking about the story long after you’ve put the book down. Get ready to binge read in one sitting!

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch is not for the faint of heart. The story is intense and gritty, sometimes terrifying, yet filled with hope and redemption. The Garden Girls follows Tiberius Granger, agent with the FBI Strange Crimes Unit, as he faces the demons of his past. A serial killer is kidnapping and tattooing his victims, and has ties to Ty’s past life in a cult. He reunites with his past love, that he thought had died, and discovers quite a few secrets as he tries to stop a killer from striking again.

I’ll admit that I’m not a fan of stories involving cults, but these characters and the storyline sucked me in. Ty’s heart is decimated over and over again, and he picks himself up and fights to save the ones he loves. I’ve loved Ty from some of the other books (Her Darkest Secret and A Cry in the Dark), and his humor and sarcasm bring some light to the dark storyline. Despite the evil and darkness, Jessica Patch paints a portrait of love, redemption, and sacrifice. I’m still thinking about the ending long after putting the book down. I was practically in tears, and I don’t cry easily. But that’s how emotionally invested I was in the story and characters.

If you love dark, gritty, and emotional stories, put this on your must read list. I’m a huge Jessica Patch fan, and you won’t want to miss The Garden Girls.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own

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Trapped in Yosemite by Dana Mentink is everything you’d expect from the name…peril, earthquakes, and run-for-your life danger. Stella Rivers is attacked, while at the same time an earthquake wreaks havoc in the mountains of Yosemite. But an unlikely hero steps in—her ex-boyfriend, Von Sharp. Together they help rescue people trapped in the snow-covered mountains while dodging bullets from someone intent on killing Stella.

This book has everything for suspense fans. Lots of drama and danger. Anyone who reads Love Inspired Suspense will love this trade book, which is a longer version of a Love Inspired Suspense. There’s lots of time to fall in love the characters, and so many characters have big secrets to hide. I love a good “who-dun-it” story, and with everyone being trapped on the mountain, you know that one of them has to be behind the death threats. Everyone is a suspect, and the author did a great job of weaving in secrets and betrayals to keep readers guessing to the very end.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own

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A Cry in the Dark by Jessica Patch kept me up all night reading. Talk about a suspense story!  Violet Rainwater (readers met her in Her Darkest Secret) is working a case with the Strange Crimes Unit and the team winds up in a middle of nowhere mountain town. A serial killer is targeting women, and no one in the town will talk. But Violet has secrets of her own and has been on the hunt for her own father. When the two cases intersect, Violet turns to detective John Orlando. Together they try to find out the truth and stop a serial killer as more women keep disappearing.

Jessica Patch knows how to write intense and twisted stories. I love the fast-paced nature of the story, but readers get to dive deep into Violet’s past with her. She comes face to face with her own demons and her growing feelings for John. He’s an amazing character too! Strong enough to stand by Violet and not tell her what to do but help her come to her own conclusions about her issues.

The crimes in this story are intense (read: might not be for the faint of heart readers), and there’s plenty of plot twists that kept me guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book for suspense fans who like psychological thrillers.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Her Darkest Secret by Jessica Patch definitely brings the creep-factor. Fiona Kelly has made it her life’s priority to catch a serial killer dubbed Rhyme, based on the nursery rhymes he leaves with his victims. Fiona, a former victim, became an FBI Special Agent to catch this killer, and has given up everything in pursuit of justice – including her relationship with colleague Asa Kodiak. But Rhyme has an obsession of his own: Fiona.

This is a must read for thriller fans. Fiona hunts a serial killer while he hunts her. The intensity is high and the plot twists are endless. But readers will also find Fiona and Asa’s relationship an emotional rollercoaster as they both have past secrets they are hiding. The rest of the team of agents also make an impact on the pages. Tiberius Granger and Owen Berkley add a bit of comic relief with their camaraderie. Violet Rainwater is a mysterious and serious character – I have no idea what to think about her. It looks like Violet’s story is next in the series.

If you are a fan of intense and even a bit creepy stories, this book is for you. Definitely a fast-paced and intriguing read with characters readers will fall in love with.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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