Review: The Closed Case

Author: Amay Saxena. 

Genre: Mystery Thriller, Novella. 

Rating: 🍫🍫🍬

Hilda’s case was unfathomable. Mystery in itself. A case no one had control over. What one could do was – gape, act, and regret, or die.

Roy, a retired detective, discovers that his helper is abducted by a psychopath, who claims to be an admirer of his work. To save his helper, Detective Roy must travel to Mumbai, where he has some horrendous memories associated with his past, which he has been trying to shun. As Detective Roy arrives in Mumbai, he discovers that it is not just a kidnapping case, but this case is strongly connected to his dark past. A past – he never wish to revisit.

Created from one of the darkest secrets of the most ferocious periods in the world’s history, The Closed Case, is Detective Roy’s journey of unearthing the truth behind something instructable, darkling, and facinorous that might leave you mystified.

The cover is really basic and looks like a template cover. It's clear that the author did not really pay attention to the cover. 

The Closed Case sounded really interesting when I read the synopsis, and though the storyline was pretty good, the execution wasn't. 

I think it could've been a pretty great read if the author had splurged a bit and gotten a professional editor to look over the manuscript before publishing. 

I really liked the storyline, but it was a pain to read redundant sentences, some of which were also riddled with grammatical errors. 

So yeah, I'd give the author a thumbs up for the effort, but also advise him to work on the editing a bit more. 

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Review: The Man In The Mist

Author: T.A. Pilkington.

Genre: Mystery, Crime Thriller, Suspense. 

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍬

Blurb:

Following the death of her parents, journalist, Lilly, moves from San Francisco to write a novel at foggy Lawson's Landing. Unhappy with her boyfriend, she moves into her parent's magnificent Art Deco mansion overlooking the sea where she notices a man often walking in the evening mist along the shore.

Local store owner, Jeb, informs her of the area's famous shipwreck history and is keen to win Lilly's heart. She discovers a letter in an old cupboard written by a man to his lover, who once lived there, about a dangerous secret. Old newspaper articles reveal two murders at the house before her parents moved in twenty years earlier.

Noises around the house begin to unnerve Lilly, and she notices movement at night in the fog. Researching the area's shipwreck history, she discovers the possibility of valuable cargo lying on the sea floor. But who is the man walking in the mist at night? Why won't he answer her calls? Lilly begins to unravel a complex mystery routed in the past, and soon discovers something unexpected about her family that affects her life and future.

Cover Review:

The cover was what made me request the book in the first place. Coupled with the title, it looks absolutely intriguing.

Book Review: 

The Man In The Mist is a really intriguing mystery thriller and the author did a great job at portraying all the characters. 

I loved how, every mystery unfurled one by one throughout the story. It wasn't all bunched up in the end, it was spread all through the second half of the story, for which I'm glad. 

Lilly was a really relatable character. She moved to her parents old home to find some peace in order to write. And she does everything except actually writing. And that, I think, every writer can relate with! 

The reason I had so much fun reading this book was just how many mysteries overlapped each other. Almost everyone except for Lilly seemed like a suspect at one time or another. It was very engaging, trying to figure out who the actual culprit was. 

All in all, The Man In The Mist was a thrilling and engaging read. I'd definitely recommend it to all the mystery lovers out there! 

Thanks to Pegasus Publishers for sending a review copy all the way to India!

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Review: Ceremony In Death

Author: J.D. Robb.

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍬

Blurb:

Even in an age of cutting-edge technology, old beliefs die hard...

Conducting a top secret investigation into the death of a fellow police officer has Lieutenant Eve Dallas treading on dangerous ground. She must put professional ethics before personal loyalties. But when a dead body is placed outside her home, Eve takes the warning personally. With her husband, Roarke, watching her every move, Eve is drawn into the most dangerous case of her career. Every step she takes makes her question her own beliefs of right and wrong - and brings her closer to a confrontation with humanity's most seductive form of evil...

Cover Review:

The cover is dark, mysterious and perfectly reflects the storyline. Plus it has a black background, so I love it all the more!

Book Review:

I borrowed this one from my best friend months ago, and only got to reading it now. And I'm glad I did. 

I stayed up late last night to finish it, because I just couldn't sleep without knowing the end. So yeah, it's one of those books. 

I loved Every Dallas and I'm so excited to know that her story continues on in all the books of the In Death series. I'm eager to read more about her. And her husband Roarke too. This book didn't give me much on him, but I guess that's because it's the fifth one in the series. I'll have to hunt for the others!

The story itself was perfect, full of murders, suspense and with a tinge of romance that only Nora Roberts can do so well.

All in all, Ceremony In Death was an exciting, and totally unputdownable book!

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Which In Death book should I read next? Let me know in the comments!

Review: VanishIng Girls

Author: Lisa Regan.

Genre: Mystery Thriller.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

She was close enough to see that the girl had written a word on the wall in bright, warm red blood. Not a word, actually. A name…

Everyone in the small American town of Denton is searching for Isabelle Coleman, a missing seventeen-year-old girl. All they’ve found so far is her phone and another girl they didn’t even know was missing.

Mute and completely unresponsive to the world around her, it’s clear this mysterious girl has been damaged beyond repair. All Detective Josie Quinn can get from her is a name: Ramona.

Currently suspended from the force for misconduct, Josie takes matters into her own hands as the name leads her to evidence linking the two girls. She knows the race is on to find Isabelle alive, and she fears there may be others…

The trail leads Josie to another victim, a girl who escaped but whose case was labelled a hoax by authorities. To catch this monster, Josie must confront her own nightmares and follow her instinct to the darkest of places. But can she make it out alive?

Fans of Angela Marsons, Helen Fields and Robert Dugoni will be utterly gripped and sleeping with the lights on once they discover the first in this unputdownable new crime thriller series.

Cover Review:

It's dark, dangerous and perfectly befitting to the storyline.

Book Review: 

VanishIng Girls is definitely one of the best mystery novels I've ever read. The characters, the suspense, everything was just perfect. 

Usually, when you read a mystery novel, it usually connects with the brain, right? You try to figure out what'll happen next. You rack your brain about it. 

But this book managed to stir both my head and my heart. It made me cry and smile proudly. It made me laugh and it made me scream 'yes!' (Which made my mom think I was crazy, as usual.)

I loved Detective Josie Quinn for her determination and her badass character. I salute that woman. 

There's another character I loved but I can't reveal his name because that's part of a suspense, but he's the good guy playing the bad guy role. 

All in all, VanishIng Girls was a shocking, goosebumps raising read and I'm excited to read more of Josie Quinn's cases! 

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Which was the most touching mystery novel you ever read?

Review: The Matter Of The Crown

Author: Linda Ferreri.

Genre: Crime Thriller.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

The Crown of the Andes, one of the world's most precious and beautiful sacred objects, has been stolen right off the stage at Satterling's Auction House in New York City. Five pounds of magnificent baroque gold that ransomed the Inca Ruler Atahaulpa, and hundreds of perfect Colombian emeralds, all gone without a trace! Will this legendary treasure be destroyed for its gold and emeralds? Claire, the heroine from "One Sacred Crown," braving danger and emotional turmoil, is in hot pursuit.

Cover Review:

To be honest, I don't like the cover at all. Though the story behind it is pretty good, so I guess it's okay.

Book Review:

The Matter Of The Crown was so full of twists, revelations and even more twists that it left me confused at times! I couldn't read it in one sitting, because well life. Though whenever I wasn't reading or sleeping, my mind would go back to the book and I'd be wondering about the whys and the whos. 

I'm trying really hard to keep this review spoiler free, it's such a difficult task!

Who stole the crown was pretty easy to guess right from the moment it got stolen, yet there were many other mysteries that needed to be solved. And that's what kept me hooked. (I'd tell you more but it'd be a major spoiler, so sorry can't do!)

A mere glittering hoard serves no Godly purpose and thus would only blind those who do no more than see it sparkle.

At times, I had to skip a few pages, a chapter even because of too much description! I'm not a history lover. I mean, I enjoy reading about places and history but I don't want chapters of that stuff! Especially not in a mystery novel!

Other than that though, it was a pretty good read and I'm glad I got to read this book.

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I also got a chance to have an awesome chat with the author! To read the interview, you can click here.

Review: The Company of Demons

Author: Michael Jordan.

Genre: Crime-Thriller, Mystery.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

The brutal murder of a friend leaves lawyer John Coleman stunned and sends shockwaves through the city of Cleveland. The technique of the killing recalls memories of the Torso Murderer, who dismembered at least twelve people decades ago and then vanished—eluding even legendary crime fighter Eliot Ness. Jennifer, the victim’s beautiful daughter, hires John to handle her father’s estate, and romantic feelings for her soon complicate his already troubled marriage. When John finds himself entangled with a cold-blooded biker gang, an ex-cop with a fuzzy past, and the drug-addicted son of the dead man, he struggles to make sense of it all.

But there is no escaping a growing sense of dread.

Cover Review:

The cover is simple, yet is the first thing that attracted my attention towards it, and it looks kinda fitting with the storyline, so I love it. 

Book Review:

Serial Killer mysteries are my favorite type of thrillers. I've said this again and again. And it still holds true. 

And what's even better? When there are two different killers, and another person who's arrested for the murder (who by the way, has not commited it).

And that's what happens in The Company of Demons. It's full of action, murders, encounter with serial killers, courtroom drama, a lot of bad and good characters, and a whole lot of goosebumps. 

Overall, it was an exciting read, and I'm looking forward to reading some mellow YA, or maybe a rom-com Manga. Because, The Company of Demons was intense. So totally in keeping with the title. 

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Which is the best Serial Killer novel you've read till date?

Review: I Can See You

Author: Michael Leese.

Genre: Mystery Thriller. 

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

A serial killer dubbed the “Face Ripper” is taunting police. His victims are businessmen with links to the military and with no clues to work on, pressure is mounting on police.

Sounds like the perfect job for autistic detective Jonathan Roper, but he’s been snapped up by the bosses at GCHQ. They want to find out if his unique method of analysis can make the difference in the war on terror. The spy chiefs have even dragged in Roper’s old boss Brian Hooley, and the veteran Detective Chief Inspector is the perfect foil for the enigmatic younger man.They soon realise that, in the secret world, nothing is as it seems. It doesn’t take long for Hooley to start pining for a nice, simple, murder inquiry. As his mother used to warn him. ‘Be careful what you wish for.’

If you like gritty thrillers with a twist of Holmes and Watson then this is the book for you

Cover Review: 

As I always say, mystery novels have the best covers. So does this one. I love how colorful it is and I especially love the subtitle, Psychopaths hide in plain sight. It gave me the chills!

Book Review:

The blurb of this book sounds really awesome and that's why I requested this ARC from StoryCartel. 

I loved the idea of a lead character who wasn't perfect. And I loved Jonathan Roper. His character was intriguing, he made me laugh at times with his bluntness, and to be absolutely honest, he was adorable. 

Jonathan Roper and Brian Hooley were my favorites from the novel. 

Though the novel itself, I found a bit lacking. I had to struggle through it a lot. I try to not give up on a book, and that's why I tried my best and finished reading this book. 

I must admit the ending was really good, but there were many chapters where o was so confused I had no idea what was happening. At times, the conversations between characters got so technical that they were hard to understand. 

Despite that, I did finish it because quite frankly, I wanted to know what happens next and also if my guess about the killer was correct. And it was. 

So yes, even though it wasn't an easy read, I had fun reading it (half of the time) and I'm happy that I made it to the end. 

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If you've already read this book, I'd love to know what you thought about it! 

Review: Dying Breath

Author: Helen Phifer

Genre: Mystery & Suspense.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

Take a breath. Pray it’s not your last.
Just a few months after a terrifying case that nearly took her life, Detective Lucy Harwin is back with her squad in the coastal town of Brooklyn Bay – and this time, she’s faced with a case more horrifying than anything she’s encountered.

Along with her partner, Detective Mattie Jackson, Lucy is investigating what appears to be a vicious but isolated murder; a woman found bludgeoned to death on a lonely patch of wasteland.

But when a second victim is discovered strangled in an alleyway, then a young family shot in their own home, Lucy and the team must face the unthinkable reality - a killer is walking the streets of their town.

While Lucy and the team try to find the link between these seemingly unconnected murders, they uncover a disturbing truth – these murders are replicating those carried out by infamous serial killers.

Lucy must get to the killer before he strikes again. But he’s got his sights on her, and is getting ever closer… Can she save herself, before she becomes the final piece in his twisted game?

Cover Review:

The cover is spooky, silent, kinda gives the feeling as if something is lurking just beneath the surface (or am I reading too much into it?!) and I love it! 

Book Review:

First of all, thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me a chance to read and review this awesome book!

Dying Breath was chilling, exciting and so very awesome. 

I love psychological thrillers and especially the ones with serial killers. I love trying to figure out a killer's pattern, and who he/she might be. 

Dying Breath was everything the blurb promised and more! It was exciting, it was full of suspense and just plain awesome.

Lucy Harwin was a strong and real character. I loved her for her dedication to her job, and because she wasn't a super-human ;) 

Dying Breath kept me on my toes, gave me goosebumps and made me look twice at everyone I saw for a whole day (seriously, you could turn into a serial killer's next target by just being in the same shopping center with him!) 

Basically, I loved it. 

Review: Gone Missing

Author: T.J. Brearton

Genre: Mystery & Suspense

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

It was a normal day. Then they took her.

Katie Calumet is on an early-morning run when she hears a baby crying. The park is deserted, and there’s no one in the street. She follows the cries, but then everything goes black. When Katie wakes up, she’s blindfolded and her hands and feet are bound.

Detective Justin Cross takes on the case, but with the trail leading into endless dense forest, and a failing marriage weighing on his mind, finding Katie is his most challenging case yet – not least because the Calumet family are keeping secrets of their own.

Justin and Katie face a race against time that will push them both to their very limits. As Justin works day and night to discover who took her and why, Katie fights desperately to escape from her kidnappers and the forest that surrounds her…

Can Justin find her before it’s too late?

A gripping and breath-taking thriller you won’t be able to put down. Perfect for fans of Tom Bale, Rachel Abbott and Robert Dugoni.

Cover Review:

Mystery novels have the best covers. This book proves my statement. The cover is so effing beautiful! I love love love it!

Book Review:

First of all, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for introducing me to this awesome book! 

The thing that made me request this book was it's absolutely awesome cover, fused with an interesting and catchy title. I read half of the blurb before clicking on the request button. 

I had high hopes for this book and it did not let me down. 

My favorite thing about this book was that half of the book focused on Katie's struggles. Usually, similar books focus on the investigator and the victim's family and even the kidnapper but rarely on the victim. 

Gone Missing shows Katie not as the victim but the hero. The way she survived more than 2 weeks in the woods, and also managed to keep her baby safe, was awe-inspiring! 

Gone Missing showcased some awesome characters, like Justin Cross who wouldn't give up and David Brennan who had enough faith on Katie to know she'd survive.

And as David said, I too was there just to give them company through this journey of their and every step was full of suspense and intrigue.

Review: Kansa

Author: Prassant Kevin

Genre: Mystery & Suspense.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

Maher was found unconscious in the middle of the highway and later, in the hospital, she revealed that she had escaped from a killer's house. All the details and patterns matched the serial killer 'Kansa,' who had disappeared five years ago after murdering forty pregnant women. ACP Saargi Desai was assigned to the case. She appealed to her department to bring back Professor Black to help her catch the killer. The Professor, who had a haunting past that had kept him away from the world of crime and investigation for several years, was not willing to take on this case. But the ACP managed to convince him to get on board just for this one last time. Soon after agreeing to help, the Professor realized that for the first time in his life, he had met his match. As he dug deeper into the case, everything got dirtier, the stakes went higher, and nothing was what it seemed.

Cover Review:

The cover is just the perfect fit for the book, and I really like it! 

Book Review:

To be totally honest, I didn't expect much from Kansa. 

I actually loved the cover, but I was wary about the plot. I haven't found very many good mystery thrillers by authors from India. Most of the Indian novelists focus on Romance, don't they? 

Anyway, I'm glad that I did give it a shot. I know I shouldn't have judged it before reading it, and am glad that I read it despite that. 

Kansa was gripping, unputdownable and everything that a good thriller needs to be. 

Full of suspense, shocking plot twists and the Sherlock Holmes of today, Professor Black, Kansa was an exciting and enticing read! 

So yeah, I'm glad that I read Kansa and am super excited to read the next book in the trilogy! 

Review: Her Last Day

Author: T.R. Ragan

Genre: Mystery & Suspense

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

Ten years ago, PI Jessie Cole and reporter Ben Morrison each suffered a tragedy that changed their lives—and now these two strangers are about to share a nightmare.

For Jessie, who makes her living finding missing persons, no case has consumed her more than the disappearance of her younger sister, Sophie. But left alone to raise Sophie’s daughter, she realizes that solving the case has become an unhealthy obsession.

For Ben, a horrific car accident resulted in scars both physical and emotional—and amnesia that has made his life a mystery. But curiously, out of his shattered memories, there’s one person he recognizes without a doubt: Jessie’s sister. He just doesn’t know why. Yet.

But Sophie isn’t the only phantom drawing Jessie and Ben together. An elusive serial murderer known as the Heartless Killer has reemerged from the shadows. His next move will cut even deeper into Jessie’s worst fears. And for Ben, what happens this time is going to be unforgettable.

Cover Review:

All I wanna say about the cover is that it's perfect and I absolutely love it! 💝

Book Review:

Oh My God! 

First of all, thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review! Thank you NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this utterly awesome book!

I was hooked right from the beginning. I must admit it was a bit gory, the whole escaping from the burning car bit but it hooked me right in!

My favorite thing about this book was that it didn't focus on just one incident. It started with Sophie's missing case, and later the peeping Tom case, then the Heartless Killer and the missing person case of Zee Gatley, the Schizophrenic girl. The author wove all of these various incidents so intricately that it blew me. She's so awesome. There's no other word to describe it. 

Her Last Day was full of suspense, mystery, blood-lots of blood! & a whole lot of craziness and I absolutely loved it!