BLOG TOUR - She Made Me Do It

DESCRIPTION:

I trusted her. I shouldn’t have… 

Samantha Valentine didn’t drift into my life, she collided with it. Soon it was like we had been friends forever. She told me everything about her perfect life, but I always felt there was something she was leaving out.

Then one night, I get a frantic call from Samantha, hysterical and begging me to protect her from her boyfriend. Rushing to her house, instinct takes over and soon my heart is hammering out of my chest as I stand over the body of a man I had never met before this evening.

But by the time the police arrive, Samantha has vanished. The officers tell me that there is no record of her anywhere. The woman I thought was my friend has tricked me into killing a perfect stranger. 

As the police slip the handcuffs on my wrists, I know I’ve made a terrible mistake. By protecting a woman I never really knew, I’ve destroyed my life. Who is Samantha really, and why did she make me do this? She’s taken everything from me, but she has no idea how far I will go to get the truth…

A gripping and page-turning psychological thriller absolutely packed with twists. Perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, Frieda McFadden and Daniel Hurst.

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Title:  She Made Me Do It

Author:  Anna-Lou Weatherley

Series:   Dan Riley Book 9

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   343

Date of Publication:   January 12, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

She Made Me Do It, the ninth book in the Dan Riley series, is a complex and intricate read, much like an elaborately twisted pretzel. While it may not be as straightforward as a typical police procedural, it’s easy to connect with Dan, learn about his family, and understand his unique approach to connecting with victims.

Even without having read the earlier books in the series, I found it effortless to step into this world and fully engage with both the story and its characters.

Brevity is key with this one, so I’ll keep it simple: this is an excellent, relentlessly twisty novel that holds your attention from the very first page to the last.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anna-Lou began her award-winning career in women’s journalism, becoming the editor of two national titles and contributing to a host of magazines and newspapers before writing novels full-time.

Obsessed with all things crime related, her adult fiction titles include Chelsea Wives and Wicked Wives, both published by Avon in the UK and Bookouture in the US and Canada, Pleasure Island published by Bookouture, and Black Heart, The Couple on Cedar Close and The Stranger’s Wife (featuring DI Dan Riley) published by Bookouture.

She lives in London with her partner, her two sons and her beloved dachshund, Iggy.

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Inside Man

Title:  Inside Man

Author:  John McMahon

Series:   Head Cases #2

Publisher:  Macmillan Audio

Genre:   Mystery &Thrillers

Format: Audio ALC and Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Will Darron

Length:  10 hrs 20 mins

No. of Pages:   400

Date of Publication:   January 13, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

In this sequel to McMahon's electrifying series debut, Head Cases, Gardner Camden and the PAR team return to investigate potentially connected cases.

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius with an affinity for puzzles. He and his squad of brilliant yet quirky agents make up the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit, the FBI’s hidden edge, brought in for cases that no one else can solve.

PAR’s latest case involves a militia group stockpiling weapons. When their confidential informant in the case is killed, it quickly becomes clear that the militia did not kill him.

As the squad looks into the evidence surrounding his murder, an unidentified man is caught on camera with their informant. This mystery man’s picture is connected to another case at the FBI, an unsolved series of murdered women, buried in the ground in north Florida. Could they have uncovered a serial killer? And if so, what is his connection to their C.I.?

As PAR juggles an investigation into both the dead women and the militia, they enroll a new informant, only to find the case escalating in dangerous ways. How will PAR handle a case that increasingly looks like a terrorist plot? And in the serial case, with no puzzles or witnesses, and few leads, how will a group set up to decode riddles be successful?

Link to shop this series

MY THOUGHTS:

Sometimes it’s the cover, or even a single line in a blurb, that tells me I’m about to read a book I’ll love. In the case of Inside Man by John McMahon, it was instant recognition. Gardner Camden immediately brought to mind one of my all-time favorite television characters—Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds. When I read, “FBI agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius with an affinity for puzzles,” I was sold.

I also learned from the blurb that Inside Man is a sequel to Head Cases, so I headed straight to Libby and downloaded the audiobook before starting this one. While this series isn’t about Spencer Reid or the BAU, it centers on Gardner Camden and the fictional PAR unit—Patterns and Recognition. The differences are there, but the similarities were enough that I inhaled both books in a single day.

For readers unfamiliar with Criminal Minds, the BAU is the Behavioral Analysis Unit. In McMahon’s series, PAR fills a similar role, and reading these books transported me right back to those years of watching the show. Gardner often works through the complexities of cases largely on his own, though he’s paired with other like-minded agents when needed. This contrasts with the BAU’s team-based dynamic, but the analytical depth and intensity are just as compelling.

The PAR’s latest case all but blew up when Gardner and his current partner arrive at the home of one of his confidential informants. They discover that the informant has been murdered, and Gardner immediately jumps into damage control. The situation was delicate. The FBI was investigating a militia group and the very real danger that the group was stockpiling weapons. Gardner is certain there is a connection. 

What truly sets this series apart is Gardner Camden himself. He is undeniably brilliant, yet emotionally stilted in a way that makes him fascinating. To many in the agency, he comes across as robotic, but beneath that exterior is someone deeply human: a devoted single father to a precocious eight-year-old daughter, and a man acutely aware of the devastating consequences of violence, even referencing the reality of school shootings. Gardner’s mind works like that of a master chess player, and that analytical brilliance is exactly what’s needed to stop the killer at the center of this case.

Brilliant protagonist. Brilliant book. And sadly, an all-too-familiar real-life scenario. I hope that we see Gardner again in future installments of this series.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John McMahon is the author of THE GOOD DETECTIVE and THE EVIL MEN DO, both featuring Georgia detective P.T. Marsh.

The New York Times Book Review called McMahon “one of those rare writers who seems to have sprung out of nowhere” and whose debut novel is “pretty much perfect.”

In his role as an ad agency creative director, he has won a Gold Clio for his work on Fiat, and he’s written a Super Bowl spot for Alfa Romeo.

He currently lives in Southern California with his family and two rescue animals.

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - The Bookbinder’s Secret

Title: The Bookbinder’s Secret

Author:  A. D. Bell   

Publisher:  Macmillan Audio

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers/

  Fantasy

Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Olivia Vinall

Length:  12 hrs 10 mins

No. of Pages:   400

Date of Publication:   January 13, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Every book tells a story. This one tells a secret.

A young bookbinder begins a hunt for the truth when a confession hidden beneath the binding of a burned book reveals a story of forbidden love, lost fortune, and murder.

Lilian ("Lily") Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life. She is trapped between the oppressiveness of her father’s failing bookshop and still being an apprentice in a man’s profession. But when she’s given a burned book during a visit to a collector, she finds, hidden beneath the binding, a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune, and murder.

Lily is pulled into the mystery of the young lovers, a story of forbidden love, and discovers there are more books and more hidden pages telling their story. Lilian becomes obsessed with the story but she is not the only one looking for the remaining books and what began as a diverting intrigue quickly becomes a very dangerous pursuit.

Lily's search leads her from the eccentric booksellers of London to the private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, deep into the heart of the mystery. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything for the books, Lilian’s world begins to fall apart and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth the risk to her own life.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Set in 1901 Oxford, The Bookbinder’s Secret introduces Lillian “Lily” Delaney, whose love for rare books borders on obsession. As an apprentice bookbinder, Lily is privileged to work with precious tomes, yet she is deeply unhappy laboring in her father’s struggling bookshop. Her true passion lies in the art of bookbinding, where she feels most alive and fulfilled.

Lily’s world takes a dangerous turn when she is given a burned book containing an ancient letter hidden underneath its binding. The letter reveals a haunting story of love and murder, and what begins as a tantalizing mystery soon becomes a very real threat to Lily’s safety. Is the danger rooted in the books she treasures, or in the people willing to kill to protect their secrets?

The mystery surrounding the young lovers mentioned in the letter is only the beginning. Possessing both the damaged book and the incomplete letter places Lily squarely in harm’s way. To uncover the full truth, she must track down other copies of the book, each one potentially holding another piece of the puzzle. As her search deepens, Lily’s passion for old books intensifies, and the stakes grow ever higher.

The Bookbinder’s Secret is an outstanding novel that seamlessly weaves together history, romance, secrets, and adventure. For me, the story’s deep reverence for books was an irresistible draw, making this a richly satisfying and immersive read. This grossing read was made even better by an excellent job at narration by Olivia Vinall.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A. D. Bell lives in Oxford, haunting the city’s bookshops of a weekend, writing in their cafes and walking the winding paths of her characters. Their debut, The Bookbinder’s Secret, will be released in the UK by HQ in November 2025 and in the US by St Martin’s Press in January 2026.

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BLOG TOUR - The Lie She Told

DESCRIPTION:

‘Natalie, it’s Mum. You need to come home. It’s your father…’ Clutching the phone, my hands shaking, my entire world tilts. For years I’ve run from a family secret which threatened to devastate us all. But with my darling father’s life on the line, I have to face the truth, whatever the cost.

Bursting through the hospital doors, I see my mother and sister waiting in the corridor, worry etched on their faces. Over the years I’ve grown apart from my sister Victoria. She married young and started a family. I chose a different path. I had no choice but to leave so that the rest of my family could be happy.

Gathering at my father’s bedside, I clutch Victoria’s hand like we’re little again. As we start to share our memories of the fun and loving home he created, he leans towards us, uttering words which will turn our world upside ‘You mustn’t blame your mother. It was never her fault.’

Victoria reassures me that it must be the medication, that he doesn’t know what he is saying. But I do. Years ago, I thought our mother had betrayed us in the worst possible way. But looking at the stranger now standing next to her, I know they are part of the lie my parents were so desperate to hide. The lie I ran from. But if I tell the truth, will it destroy our lives forever?

A totally gripping and heartbreaking read about devastating family secrets with the power to change everything you thought you knew. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Kate Hewitt and Diane Chamberlain.

 

BUY LINK:

•  https://geni.us/B0G1Z7M7CPsocial

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MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Lie She Told

Author:  Emma Robinson

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Women’s Fiction

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  295

Date of Publication:  January 9, 2026

My Rating:   5 Stars

When you pick up a book by Emma Robinson, you know you’re in for an engrossing read, and The Lie She Told is no exception. Centered on the complicated relationship between two sisters, Victoria and Natalie, this story had me reflecting on my own relationships with my sisters. At its heart, this is a novel about family. Love is the foundation, but conflict, miscommunication, and long-buried feelings are never far behind.

The family is shaken when their father, Marcus, is suddenly hospitalized. As the family patriarch lies gravely ill, the sisters are called home to sit at their father’a bedside with their mother. Victoria lives nearby and arrives immediately, while Natalie is thousands of miles away in Munich, forced to make a long and emotional journey home. That physical distance mirrors the emotional space that has quietly grown between them over the years.

But illness isn’t the only strain on this family. Secrets begin to surface. Secrets long held and carefully guarded, thus chipping away at what once seemed like an unbreakable bond. Who has been hiding the truth, and how many secrets are there? With each chapter, more is revealed, and the tension builds in a way that kept me turning pages late into the night. In fact, even the physical distance that separated the family is explored. Emma Robinson expertly peels back each layer, delivering revelations at just the right moments.

What I loved most was the way those reveals were handled. As the family drama unfolds and a stranger is introduced into their lives, the tension spikes immediately. I felt like a nosy neighbor, one who desperately wanted every last detail of what was really going on. Compelling, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down, The Lie She Told is another strong and satisfying read from Emma Robinson and celebrates my tenth read by this author and I have no intention of making this the last.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Emma Robinson is the author of several women’s fiction novels. She also blogs about the funny side of parenting and has contributed to podcasts such as Funny Women. Whilst her early novels are humorous, her recent work focuses on emotional themes and these novels are both heart-breaking and life affirming. Emma enjoys writing stories which explore the power of family and friendship in the most challenging circumstances.

Emma currently lives in Essex with a husband, two children and a small black dog.

https://motherhoodforslackers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodforslackers/

https://www.instagram.com/emmarobinsonuk/

https://twitter.com/emmarobinsonuk

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Review - The Last Witness

Title:  The Last Witness

Author:  Natasha Boydell   

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   256

Date of Publication:   January 9, 2026

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Ellie can’t stop having nightmares. It’s been the same ever since she saw the car accident, where a man lost his life.

Awaiting the trial of the dangerous driver, where she’s the primary witness, she finds herself befriending Samantha, the widow of the man who died. And – as their children also become friends – their lives become intrinsically entangled.

But then Ellie starts thinking she’s being followed. She wants to believe it’s paranoia. But then she receives a note – written in red ink, like blood – it says just one word ‘LIAR’…

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

After witnessing a horrific car accident that left a man dead, Ellie has gone beyond being shocked.  She becomes involved with the victim’s wife. Before long, the two become quite close. The driver of the vehicle that hit the man is up for trial, and with Ellie being the only witness, she has to testify. Ellie gets a threatening note that shakes her to the core. There are other happenings, all growing in intensity. 

As Ellie’s story is told, there is another POV in this story. This is where the twists come in, and then this book will hold you captive with shocking twists after twists. I am new to Natasha Boydell’s writings, but am so glad that she is now on my radar. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Natasha is an internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her books have featured in the top 100 charts in the UK, Canada and Australia, and include the top 10 bestseller The Fortune Teller. 

Natasha's novels are available around the world in ebook, paperback and audiobook and have been translated into several languages. She lives in North London with her husband, two daughters and two rescue cats. 

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BLOG TOUR - The Housewife Next Door

DESCRIPTION:

I thought she was perfect. Until her daughter told me about the little girl in the garden… 

I was jealous of my perfect new neighbor SarahBeth. Six tow-headed children, blackberry pies bubbling in the oven, married to and still holding hands with her high-school sweetheart Burt. She was the perfect housewife, the best mom.

Until I found out the truth. When tragedy strikes and SarahBeth’s dying daughter tells me about the little girl buried in their garden my heart freezes. Now I understand why SarahBeth has been so unfriendly to me. Why her kids have been kept out of school. Why nobody has seen the family in town for two years.

I must learn the truth, to keep her children safe. But I’ve met people like SarahBeth in my own dark past. I’ve told lies, kept secrets, buried bodies. And I know SarahBeth will do whatever it takes to keep her secret hidden…

A completely addictive and unputdownable read that will have you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose and Gone Girl.

BUY LINK:
: https://geni.us/B0FQPMHYN3social

Title:  The Housewife Next Door 

Author:  LynDee Walker

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   401

Date of Publication:   January 7, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

The Housewife Next Door is a cleverly constructed, multi-POV story that skillfully weaves together the. perspectives of Meg, Ainsley and SarahBeth while steadily building tension and intrigue. This is also a dual-timeline story that does hit some sensitive subjects. I should also mention that this book is the sequel to The Pastor’s Wife. Both covers to these two books would definitely look great side by side.

The Housewife Next Door has a riveting opening, and this book favors both characterization and atmosphere. Who were Meg, Ainsley and SarahBeth? This book starts off with a bang - the murder of one of the characters that we get to know in the story. 

When Meg, a young mother settling into a new neighborhood, meets Ainsley, the two form an easy connection. Meg soon becomes fascinated by Ainsley’s mother, SarahBeth, a woman who appears to be living a flawless life. Yet Meg’s instincts tell her something is off. As she digs deeper, she uncovers troubling secrets tied not only to SarahBeth but also to the house Meg has recently moved into—a home with a dark history of its own. At the same time, Meg is far from blameless, harboring secrets that could unravel everything.

LynDee Walker delivers a tense and compelling story that lingers well after the final page, making this an easy recommendation for fans of suburban psychological thrillers.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

LynDee Walker writes about strong women who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Her books have appeared on finalist lists for the Agatha and International Thriller awards—and once, on a major US national bestsellers list smack in between two of her writing heroes. An award winning journalist, LynDee has covered everything from ribbon cuttings and high school football to capital murder trials and high level police corruption. She’s the author of more than 20 novels, as well as several novellas and short stories, so she’s usually writing when she’s not juggling laundry and children’s sports schedules. Find her online at www.lyndeewalker.com, or on Facebook and Instagram at lyndeewalkerbooks.

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