Review - Judas Kiss

Title:   Judas Kiss

Author:  J. T. Ellison

Publisher:  Thomas & Mercer

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  395

Date of Publication:  June 30, 2026

My Rating:   4 Stars 

*First published December 30, 2008

DESCRIPTION:

It was a murder made for TV: a trail of tiny bloody footprints. An innocent toddler playing beside her mother’s bludgeoned body. Pretty young Corinne Wolff, seven months pregnant, brutally murdered in her own home.

Cameras and questions don’t usually faze Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson, but the media frenzy surrounding the Wolff case is particularly nasty…and thorough. When the seemingly model mommy is linked to an amateur porn Web site with underage actresses and unwitting players, the sharks begin to circle.

The shock is magnified when an old adversary uses the sexy secret footage to implicate Taylor in a murder — an accusation that threatens her career, her reputation and her relationship.

Both cases hinge on the evidence — real or manufactured — of crimes that go beyond passion, into the realm of obsessive vengeance and shocking betrayal. Just what the networks love.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Lieutenant Taylor Jackson and her fiancé, Baldwin, are back from the honeymoon that wasn’t. Their wedding day was interrupted and has yet to be rescheduled, but they desperately needed to get away. Taylor is a homicide detective, while Baldwin is an FBI profiler. Death and darkness always seem to follow them, so the time away was more than necessary.

Unfortunately, they barely have their feet back on solid ground before they are pulled into two very different cases. For Taylor, arriving at her latest murder scene only raises more questions than answers. Before long, she finds herself with her back against the wall in more ways than one, as her reputation as a solid detective, even her career, are called into question. Meanwhile, Baldwin is desperately searching for a killer, one with whom he has a dangerously complicated history. 

The Taylor Jackson series is a nine-book series currently being rereleased, and Judas Kiss is the third installment. The previous titles are All the Pretty Girls and 14. While each book can work well as a standalone, the overarching storyline continues to grow with each installment, making the series even more compelling when read in order. 

Although the original series is nearly two decades old, it is remarkably easy to become invested in Taylor and Baldwin, both in their personal lives and in the cases they investigate. In fact, this series reminds me of a solid police procedural television series - the kind where you become invested not only in the cases but also in the characters who keep bringing you back. 

I am thoroughly enjoying this rerelease, as well as book four, The Cold Room, and am already looking forward to book five, The Immortals.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

J.T. Ellison is the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of more than 20 novels, and the EMMY-award winning co-host of A WORD ON WORDS, Nashville's premier literary show. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 26 countries. Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.

Social Links:

Author website:  https://www.jtellison.com/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/jtellison14

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thrillerchick

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thrillerchick

Review - Great and Unfortunate Things

Title:  Great and Unfortunate Things

Author:  Jason Arday; Eve Clayton

Publisher:  Ink

Genre:   Memoir

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   288

Date of Publication:   August 11, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

With the power of Educated and the emotional sweep of When Breath Becomes Air, Great and Unfortunate Things is the inspiring, underdog story of how an autistic, non-verbal boy who society had all but given up on found his voice, literally and figuratively, became one of the youngest professors in the University of Cambridge’s history and put himself in a position to give back.

Jason Arday was born the second youngest of three boys and grew up in a colorful and lively section of South London. At three years old, he was diagnosed with autism and development delays. Experts told his parents that he would never be able to speak, write, or live independently. An institution would best serve his needs, it was suggested.

His parents would have none of it. Instead, thinking outside the box and drawing on her faith, his extraordinary mother Giff embraced his neurodivergence and fiercely dedicated herself to helping her son realize a potential few others believed was possible. Giff drew on proverbs from her West African culture, popular music by the likes of Enya, and comedic television shows and movies to help Jason make sense of the world.

In Great and Unfortunate Things, we see how Arday went from being nonverbal until he was eleven and illiterate until eighteen to becoming a professor at Cambridge. Without romanticizing the struggle, it’s a story of a son’s determination against insurmountable odds and how his family and a band of ordinary people with extraordinary compassion joined forces to encourage Jason to believe in himself and maximize his capabilities.

This is the story we need right now, and Arday, who believes in paying it forward, is the kind of figure the world can use more of now more than ever.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Jason Arday grew up during a time when autism was still widely misunderstood. Despite what doctors and therapists told his mother, Giff, he defied every expectation placed before him. Raising Jason largely on instinct, Giff understood her nonverbal son in a way no one else could. Jason’s brother is also neurodivergent, and Giff instinctively recognized not only their differences but also their unique gifts. When it came to Jason in particular, she believed in him with a conviction that no one else seemed to share.

It took Jason eleven years to become verbal and another seven years to learn to read and write. Yet this remarkable young man would go on to become the youngest-ever Black academic to hold a professorship at the University of Cambridge, as well as one of the youngest professors to hold a professorial chair at Oxbridge. His achievements are nothing short of extraordinary.

This memoir beautifully illustrates the profound influence Giff had on Jason’s life. It also shines a light on Sandro, a kind Brazilian man who took a chance on Jason and ultimately became both his mentor and his friend. Along the way, others also stepped into Jason’s corner, seeing his potential long before the rest of the world did.

That is not to say Jason’s journey was ever easy. Far from it. Time and again, he faced adversity that could have discouraged even the strongest person. Yet he continued to persevere, overcoming one obstacle after another. This memoir is much more than a recounting of the milestones that brought him to where he is today. It is a story of resilience, determination, and the extraordinary impact of those who believed in him when he needed it most. It is also a testament to how Jason has dedicated his own life to paying that belief forward.

Great and Unfortunate Things has drawn comparisons to Educated by Tara Westover and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Although I have yet to read either of those memoirs, I can certainly understand why the comparisons have been made. Jason Arday’s story of finding his voice, overcoming impossible odds, and becoming the inspiring man he is today is one that will stay with me for a long time.

Many thanks to Ink and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Reviewer’s Note: This is an ARC that I read over a month ago, before I was made aware of any accusations towards Mr. Arday. It is not my place to judge - while it is my place to write a fair and honest review. My thoughts and prayers to to Mr. Arday’s family and friends.

BLOG TOUR - Race to Save Her

DESCRIPTION:

From the dark shadows of the water, a hand appears, pale and cold. Katie locks eyes with the woman she’s been searching for, her once-beautiful face now crusted with salt and etched with pain. "Please…" she whispers, "I'm going to die…”

Working late one evening, Detective Katie Scott crosses the dimly lit parking lot alone to find a small white box left on the passenger seat of her car, a manicured and perfectly preserved finger within. Choked by fear, Katie can’t tell if it’s a dark message, or a deadly threat. But if this twisted individual wanted her attention, they’ve got it.

The next day, an arm is discovered by a runner out on a local nature trail, and Katie’s team are quick to link it to the same innocent female victim. Trawling the scene for any shred of evidence, Katie can only hope that the blood found on a napkin in the shrubs is the lead they so desperately need. But as more body parts belonging to more women start turning up all over Pine Valley, the clock is ticking on one of the most challenging cases of her career.

Then forensics come back to confirm there’s a chance one of the victims, Patricia Kahn, might still be alive. Katie must sacrifice everything to get ahead of the chase. But following the killer to his hunting ground at a local yoga studio, and into the darkest depths of depravity, is she already too late? Will she be the next piece in this deadly monster’s collection?

This nail-biting and totally addictive serial-killer thriller perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh. Another unputdownable page-turner from a USA Today and Amazon bestseller!

 

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MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   Race to Save Her

Author:  Jennifer Chase

Series:  Detective Katie Scott #16
Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   342

Date of Publication:  August 16, 2026

My Rating:  5 Stars

Detective Katie Scott demonstrates once again why she is such a compelling character. Her tenacity is unmatched, whether she’s working a cold case or pursuing a killer, although her determination sometimes leads her into actions that border on recklessness. Fortunately, Katie has a solid partner in Sean McGavin and is living with her love interest, John Blackburn. But they aren’t the only ones in her corner. Her longtime K9 partner, Cisco, is by her side whenever possible.

Katie’s latest case is particularly gruesome - and it quickly becomes clear that this killer may have a personal interest in her. She is horrified to find a small white box left in her car containing a single finger, carefully manicured and preserved. Is it a threat, a message, or something even more sinister? Whatever the reason, Katie immediately jumps right into action.

Unfortunately, the finger is only the beginning. The very next day, an arm is discovered, and Katie can’t help but wonder if it belongs to the same victim. As she begins her search, more body parts are found, and it soon becomes clear that there are multiple victims. When investigators learn that one of the victims may still be alive, Katie ramps up her efforts, knowing she is in a race against time to find her. All the while, that disturbing finger left in her car remains firmly in the back of her mind.

In this fast-paced 16th book in the series, Jennifer Chase keeps readers on the edge of their seats with exciting twists and turns that never lose their way. The final scenes are breathtaking and filled with suspense, while Katie’s emotions are portrayed with remarkable authenticity.

If you’re looking for an edge-of-your-seat thriller filled with suspense, danger, and plenty of twists, look no further than Race to Save Her. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Katie Scott!

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells.

In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.

https://www.instagram.com/jenchaseauthor/

https://twitter.com/JChaseNovelist

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Review - Escape to Lighthouse Cove

Title:   Escape to Lighthouse Cove

Author:  Kate Hewitt

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Genre:   Women’s Fiction; Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  288

Date of Publication:  August 12, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Grace longs only to hide away. Fleeing both a traumatic marriage and a scandal-laden divorce, she needs to disappear somewhere safe with her six-year-old son Jacob.

Finding the job running a small nature reserve on the remote, beautiful island of Lighthouse Cove off the rugged Maine coast feels like a miracle. It’s a tiny slice of land with a population of exactly twelve—about as much peace and solitude as a person could possibly dream of. But Grace isn’t the only one looking to hide away.

No sooner has she arrived than she has a run-in with Noah Lawrence, the reclusive, fiercely unfriendly but dangerously attractive billionaire owner of the island, when she attempts to rescue a seal on the desolate shoreline of his magnificent gated property.

Noah ends up having to rescue her and Jacob, but his arrogant remoteness infuriates Grace because it reminds her so much of her ex-husband— privileged, wealthy, and without morals. Even if Noah is totally gorgeous, there’s no way she wants to get involved with a man like that.

But Noah has just as many secrets as she does, and he has reasons to want to hide away, too. Grace is about to find out that even when you try to hide from the world, you can’t hide from your feelings…

This novel is the first in the Lighthouse Cove series, but is a standalone with a HEA.

Link to shop the series

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Grace Wyatt is a marine biologist who travels from New York City to Lighthouse Cove Island with her six-year-old son, Jacob. She has taken a job as a warden at a nature reserve there on the sparsely populated island. After years in an unhappy and controlling marriage, Grace has finally had enough and is determined to build a new life for herself and her son. Grace loves Jacob without abandon, and since he has become selectively mute after she left his father, her love and concern for him know no bounds.

Noah, a man who lives in complete seclusion on an island, returns home after a successful career in New York and a devastating tragedy. The only person he has allowed into his life is Isaiah, an older man who has known Noah and his family since childhood and has taken on a protective, fatherly role. When Grace arrives, Isaiah immediately imagines a potential romantic relationship between her and Noah, but Noah refuses to entertain the possibility. Haunted by tremendous loss, he believes he is broken and unworthy of love. Grace, who has endured a terrible marriage, is unsure if she can ever trust a man again.

What a compelling story! I devoured this book in just a few hours. While it has all the sweetness of a story promising a happily-ever-after, it also delves into guilt, devastating grief, and the heartbreaking reasons behind Jacob’s silence. But this book offers more than the promise of a warm and happy ending. It does more than that by offering a path toward healing and a reminder that sometimes, love really does find a way. Every Kate Hewitt book I’ve read has been an emotional and rewarding experience, and Escape to Lighthouse Cove is no exception.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.

https://www.kate-hewitt.com/
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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Murder in Blackfriars

Title:   A Silence in Belgrave Square

Author:   Jennifer Ashley

Series:  Below Stairs Mystery #9
Publisher:  Berkley

Genre:   Cozy Mystery 

Format:  ALC and Kindle ARC 

Narrator:  Kymerley Cochrane

Length:  11 hrs 23 mins

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   August 11, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

In Victorian London, valiant cook and amateur sleuth Kat Holloway must help the man she loves solve the murder that will finally uncover his mysterious past, from the New York Times bestselling author of A Silence in Belgrave Square.

Kat Holloway’s beau, Daniel McAdam, has always had a past shrouded in mystery. He knows nothing about his origins, only that a kind man rescued him from the streets all those years ago. So when a man claiming he knows where Daniel comes from turns up dead moments before meeting with them, Daniel goes on the hunt for the killer. It soon becomes clear that to see justice served, Daniel will have to figure out who he truly is and where he came from. When Daniel asks Kat for her assistance, she readily complies, knowing she’ll do whatever it takes to protect the man she’s come to love.

The quest takes Kat and Daniel deep into the East End, where they face dangerous foes from Daniel’s rugged past, many of whom aren’t happy that Daniel now works with the police and will stop at nothing to keep Kat and Daniel from uncovering their secrets. As Kat begins to learn things about Daniel’s history she’s not certain she wants to know, she fears that the darkest secret—his true name and lineage—will tear apart the tender bonds they’ve begun to form.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

It is Victorian London, and Kat Holloway is struggling to navigate an uncertain future. She is increasingly worried about the fact that the family raising her daughter, Grace, will be moving away from the city. At the same time, Kat’s fiancé, Daniel McAdam, has been arrested for murder. Kat immediately sets out to clear his name.

Daniel has been looking for answers about his past for years. That opportunity is lost when the man that might have had information is the man that Daniel is accused of murdering. That murder leaves more questions than answers. Both Kat and Daniel are surprised that the murder may be connected to Daniel’s mysterious past. Although he is released from custody fairly quickly, Kat is determined to solve the murder - not only to clear Daniel’s name, but also to finally uncover the truth about his past and why he knows so little about his own origins.

Kat and Daniel are both resolute when it comes to finding answers, but Kat has other things weighing on her mind. As an accomplished cook in a busy household, she dreams of using her exceptional baking skills to work for herself. If she can make that dream a reality, she may finally have a way to bring Grace back into her life on a permanent basis.

Throughout the story, there is also an underlying fear surrounding what might happen if Daniel discovers the truth about his early beginnings. As Kat searches for answers, she must contend with the possibility that some secrets are better left buried.

I enjoyed the combination of mystery, family, and personal revelations in this latest installment featuring Kat Holloway. The Victorian London setting adds another layer to the story, and I especially enjoyed seeing Kat continue to work toward a better future for her and Grace.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this book for review. This is my honest opinion. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Ashley is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Below Stairs Mysteries, the Shifters Unbound paranormal romances, and the Mackenzies historical romances. She also writes as USA Today bestselling mystery author Ashley Gardner.

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Review - The One Who Walked Away

Title:  The One Who Walked Away

Author:  Karen Rose

Series:  Romantic Suspense #34
Publisher:  Berkley Books

Genre:   Romantic Suspense

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   528

Date of Publication:   August 11, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A bounty hunter must outrun her past before it catches up to her in this pulse-pounding new standalone thriller 

Bounty hunter Elle Randolph takes on every case she can, in an effort to outrun herself. Three years ago, she was the only one who walked away from a car crash that killed her husband and two others. Although she was cleared of any wrongdoing, she is fueled by guilt and dedicated to solving other people’s problems. But her running is over when she’s identified as a person of interest in a murder investigation.

Detective Ronan Clarke, a single dad for fifteen years, has been laser-focused on raising his daughter and serving the people of Mendocino County, California. He’s got everything under control—until a bounty hunter enters his jurisdiction, keeping secrets and bringing murder to his quiet town. The hunter is definitely involved in his current case, but exactly how is his question. Could she be his killer? As he unravels her secrets, he becomes increasingly troubled by what he finds. While Elle is forced to reexamine every painful memory of the life she left behind, Ronan grows more and more sure of her innocence. But can he trust himself to uncover the truth amid their growing attraction?

Link to shop this series

MY THOUGHTS:

Escaping from an abusive marriage did not happen the way Elle Randolph imagined it would. Now widowed, Elle is a busy bounty hunter who doesn’t shy away from dangerous cases. Outrunning not only her past but also the harsh and critical judgment of others is something that never strays far from her mind. So, becoming a person of interest in a murder investigation is definitely not what she expected. Even so, Elle remains focused on her current case, and part of that means determining whether she can trust the police - especially one police officer in particular, Detective Ronan Clarke.

Elle doesn’t work alone. She is part of a small bounty-hunting operation run by Sara, who is both her boss and her friend. Sara’s experiences have taught her not to trust the police, and she becomes increasingly unsettled as Elle grows closer to Ronan. But Elle has more than just a murder investigation to worry about. As she works to clear her name, she also can’t help but think about her future. She once had a successful career as a lawyer, and she often finds herself questioning her decision to leave that life behind.

Meanwhile, several murders begin to look as though they could be connected, forcing Elle to dig deeper despite the very real danger surrounding her. Fortunately, she and Ronan soon realize that if they are going to work together, they will have to learn to trust each other.

Built on suspense, The One Who Walked Away delivers plenty of action while also weaving in the growing feelings between Elle and Ronan. Karen Rose keeps the tension high as the mystery unfolds, making this an engaging addition to her impressive body of work.

Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Internationally bestselling author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”

Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published more than fifteen novels and two novellas. Her twenty-sixth novel, QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT, will be released in 2022.

Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa(#1) and Australia! To date, her books have been translated into more than twenty languages.

A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than thirty years. 

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Review - Delusional

In brief: Michael Bennett is an NYPD detective. Widowed for years, he’s been raising his ten adopted children with the help of the family’s nanny, Mary Catherine, and his grandfather, Seamus, a retired Irish priest.

Michael takes on tough cases, but as the series has matured, so has his relationship with Mary Catherine. The two are now married (as of book 13, The Russian). Theirs was a slow-burn romance, built gradually over several books — and it’s a great example of why this series rewards reading in order. While each book works as a standalone case, following the series lets you watch that relationship develop naturally toward marriage. The later books also introduce Rob Trilling, another recurring character and Michael’s current NYPD partner.

 

Link to shop the series

Title:  Paranoia

Author:  James Patterson; James O. Born

Publisher:  Little, Brown and Company

Series:  Michael Bennet #17

Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   3f84

Date of Publication:   February 10, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

NYPD Detective Michael Bennett will stop at nothing to protect family: his wife, his kids—and his fellow officers—in the latest psychological thriller from bestselling author James Patterson.

At every death scene, Bennett says a prayer over the victim. 

But recently, too many of the departed have been fellow cops. 

“I want you to look at these deaths on special assignment,” NYPD Inspector Celeste Cantor says. “Report only to me.”

Bennett excels as a solo investigator. But he’s chasing a killer who feeds on isolation… and paranoia.

MY THOUGHTS:

In the 17th book in the Michael Bennett series, Paranoia, Michael has been tasked with finding out why there is a sudden spate of deaths among former police officers. The request was made by Inspector Celeste Cantor and Michael is only to report to her in his solo investigation.

On the home front, Michael is the loving father - and now husband to Mary Catherine - and together, they are expecting what will be their eleventh child. Mary Catherine’s pregnancy is at risk, and as has been shown throughout the series, Michael’s loving and close relationship with his family shines through. They all rally around Mary Catherine and provide endearing support, especially as this new assignment of Michael’s requires his nearly undivided attention. 

Title:  Delusional

Author:  James Patterson; James O. Born

Publisher:  Little, Brown and Company

Series:  Michael Bennet #18

Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   374

Date of Publication:   August 18, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Detective Michael Bennett and army-sniper-turned-NYPD-officer Rob Trilling travel to Montana to investigate a case that crosses state borders and family lines in this thriller from the world's bestselling author.

In New York City, a series of deadly bombs explodes. Across the river, a military base is burglarized for munitions. In Montana, violence and arson rock a small town outside of Bozeman. Are the incidents related?

Bennett, Trilling, and the ATF investigate. A single-minded group angry with the government keep turning up in unexpected places, insisting that they’re only trying to make the world a better place. To law enforcement, their claims seem delusional.

Will words or gunpowder light the next fuse?

MY THOUGHTS:

In Delusional, Detective Michael Bennett’s latest case revolves around investigating a series of deadly bombings. It appears that they have a highly sophisticated bomber on their hands, one who seems to have little regard for human life. Simultaneously, Mike’s new partner, Rob Trilling, is tasked with handling a family matter in Montana. This unexpected situation ultimately pulls Mike away from the bombing case to assist Trilling. 

Although his visit to Montana is brief, it appears that Mike has made yet another enemy - something he has dealt with many times in his career. Meanwhile, Mike is juggling the responsibilities of husband and father. This dynamic adds a refreshing balance to this fast-paced installment in the exciting series. The situation is precarious as the bombings initially seem random. Regardless of whether Mike is excelling as a brilliant detective, a loving husband and father, or navigating a new partnership on the job, this series continues to improve and captivate readers.

Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

James Patterson has created more enduring fictional characters than any other novelist writing today with his Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women’s Murder Club, Private, NYPD Red, Daniel X, Maximum Ride, and Middle School series. As of January 2016, he has sold over 350 million books worldwide and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers. In addition to writing the thriller novels for which he is best known, he also writes children’s, middle-grade, and young-adult fiction and is also the first author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on the New York Times adult and children’s bestseller lists.

The son of an insurance salesman and a schoolteacher, Patterson grew up in Newburgh, New York, and began casually writing at the age of nineteen. In 1969, he graduated from Manhattan College. He was given a full ride to Vanderbilt University’s graduate program in English but dropped out after a year, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to continue reading and writing for pleasure if he became a college professor.

Instead, he moved to New York to become a junior copywriter for the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson, eventually becoming CEO of its North American company.

In 1976, while still working for J. Walter Thompson, Patterson published his first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, with Little, Brown and Company. After being turned down by thirty-one publishers, it won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Patterson’s 1993 novel, Along Came a Spider, his first novel to feature Alex Cross, was also his first New York Times bestseller in fiction.

In 2001, Morgan Freeman starred as Alex Cross in a film adaptation of Along Came a Spider, and Tyler Perry also played the character in the 2012 film Alex Cross. A film adaptation of Patterson’s middle-grade novel Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life was released in theaters in October 2016.

For his initiatives to help kids become passionate readers and for his philanthropic efforts, Patterson was awarded the National Book Foundation’s 2015 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community.

James Patterson has donated more than one million books to students, emphasizing some of the most under-resourced schools and youth programs in the country. In 2015, Patterson donated $1.75 million to public school libraries throughout the United States, $1 million to independent bookstores, and a further $250,000 in holiday bonuses to individual bookstore employees. He also gave $1 million to independent bookstores in 2014.

Patterson has recently donated over $26 million to his and his wife’s alma maters—the University of Wisconsin, Vanderbilt University, and Manhattan College—and he has established over four hundred Teacher Education Scholarships at twenty-four colleges and universities throughout the country. Patterson has also donated over 650,000 books to U.S. soldiers at home and overseas.

In May 2015, Patterson launched a new children’s book imprint at Little, Brown, called JIMMY Patterson, that is unwaveringly focused on one goal: turning kids into lifelong readers. This imprint also provides resources, strategies, and programs to serve teachers, parents, librarians, and booksellers. Patterson invests proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books in pro-reading initiatives.

Patterson has also founded ReadKiddoRead.com, a website designed to help parents, teachers, and librarians ignite a new generation’s excitement for reading. Awarded the National Book Foundation’s Innovations in Reading Prize and the American Library Association’s Great Websites for Kids, the site features thoughtful book reviews from a variety of genres and age ranges, a large and lively Facebook community, and contributions from other authors.

Mr. Patterson’s awards for adult and children’s literature include the Edgar Award, the International Thriller of the Year Award, and the Children’s Choice Award for Author of the Year.

He lives in Palm Beach with his wife, Sue, and his son, Jack.

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James O. Born is a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). He has been involved in investigations in such areas as organized crime, violent crimes, economic crimes, drug cartels, and public corruption. It has now been fourteen years since Born started writing, and ironically, he has the same editor as W E B Griffin and Tom Clancy - the very authors he spent his time reading during those long surveillances years ago. Born currently lives in suburban Palm Beach County with his wife Donna, and two children, John and Emily.

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