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Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this title.

A Christmas setting can add an extra layer of tension to a thriller, but this one never came together for me. The story moves between Marguerite’s perspective in the past and multiple perspectives in the present, gradually revealing how the past connects to the events unfolding at the house. There were a few well-executed twists along the way, and I appreciated how the different timelines slowly filled in the bigger picture.
My biggest issue was that the story was slow from beginning to end. I also struggled to connect with the characters. None of them were particularly likable, and the triplets were so unpleasant, even toward each other, that it was difficult to become invested in their relationships. Noah came across as awkward and bumbling throughout, while Cliff was an especially difficult character for me. Although he is thirty-one, the way he was written often made him seem much younger, and I found that characterization distracting.
I also felt like several subplots didn’t add much to the overall story. Noah’s relationship with his stepsister, Ruby, along with the smaller storylines involving Alistair and Dylan, felt more like filler than meaningful additions to the mystery. Instead of building tension or developing the characters in a satisfying way, they slowed the story even further.
There were moments where the mystery pulled me back in, particularly when some of the twists were revealed, but they weren’t enough to overcome the slow pacing or my lack of investment in the characters. The ending also felt rushed and ultimately unsatisfying, leaving me wishing the story had spent less time on unnecessary detours and more time delivering a stronger payoff.
If you like dual timelines, dysfunctional families, and Christmas-set thrillers, then you may enjoy this book. #NetGalley #TheChristmasGuest

'The Devil’s Harvest' by Becca Lynne delivers a dark and spooky narrative centered on the manipulation of vulnerable people. The story is told from the point of view of Darius, the detective investigating a string of murders. This perspective grounds the darker themes and turns the procedural elements into a surprisingly emotional read. The spookiness comes from the unsettling nature of the crimes and the psychological manipulation rather than the physical setting itself. Even though the chapters are medium in length, the pacing felt a bit slow given the shorter format of the story. The grim atmosphere carries the momentum instead of relying on big twists, leading to an ending that is executed quite well. I appreciated that the motives unfolded naturally without relying on a massive information dump to explain everything at the climax. A few unanswered questions do linger, which detracts a little from the overall experience by leaving the case feeling slightly unsolved.
If you like dark psychological manipulation, slow-burn mysteries, and detective-focused investigations, then you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to BookSirens for an advanced copy of this book.

The premise pulled me in right away, and the short chapters kept the pacing brisk early on but a promising setup can only carry a story so far when the focus shifts so drastically mid-plot. The writing itself is decent, and the first half delivers an entertaining mystery that had me speculating about where the narrative was headed.
But instead of doubling down on the suspense, the story takes a sharp detour. By the time I reached part three, the momentum ground to a halt. I was expecting a deep dive into the investigation, but the plot shifted heavily to Lydia and Vladislav. It is not that their dynamic feels out of place, but the sheer volume of their romantic scenes drags everything down. There is far more romantic tension and sex here than actual sleuthing. I steer clear of romance, so watching what was supposed to be a thriller morph into one was a frustrating pivot.
After so much early build-up, the lack of an investigative payoff makes the ending very unsatisfying. I can’t say specifics without verging into spoilers but I did not get the decent ending I was hoping for after struggling to finish this book.
If you like a messy romance with your mystery then you may enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this book.
I really love this Christmas novella for its clever structure and depth. The inclusion of a "cast list" at the very beginning is a brilliant move; by identifying the characters before the first chapter starts, the narrative never gets bogged down in clunky introductions, allowing the tension to remain front and center. Despite the shorter length, the story offers a surprising amount of depth, unfolding in layers that make the narrative feel far larger than its page count suggests.
The book consists of only three long chapters, which helps it read like a full-length novel. The constant sense of mystery is captivating and kept me turning pages until the end. Nicholas is an exceptionally well-developed protagonist for a novella, and the "story-within-a-story" approach—written from his perspective as he writes his own account—is a particularly engaging way to reveal the plot.
#DoYouSeeWhatISee #NetGalley

Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with a copy for review.

The idea of a thriller that combines Tiger King with Jonestown immediately caught my attention, and I thought the unique premise was one of the book’s biggest strengths. The story does a good job balancing suspense with the psychological side of cult dynamics, showing the manipulation, control, and desperation that can keep people trapped in dangerous situations.
The tension builds steadily throughout the book, and I always had the feeling that something was about to go wrong. I found myself wanting to know how everything would unfold, especially as the pressure within the compound continued to increase.
I did notice a few plot points and characters that were introduced but never really went anywhere, which left me wondering why they had been included in the first place. There were also a few minor plot holes, but they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. While I wasn’t deeply invested in the characters themselves, the premise, suspense, and exploration of cult psychology were enough to keep me interested.
This book does come with a lot of heavy triggers, so readers should check those beforehand if they are sensitive to difficult subject matter. Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and memorable thriller because of its unusual concept and the constant sense of unease it creates.
If you like cults and psychological manipulation then you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this title.
The blurb promises a high-stakes standoff with five people held hostage inside a cafe, and while that is the central event, the story takes a much different angle. Instead of getting a tense survival scenario from the hostages' point of view, the narrative stays on the outside, focusing on the detective running the investigation and the loved ones waiting for news. Hannah’s point of view was particularly interesting to follow and provided a strong anchor for this outside perspective.
Because of this structure, the pacing is noticeably slow and the middle sections dragged for me. The author leans heavily into deep character development, but there are also a few side stories that feel like completely irrelevant filler. Certain details are brought up several times, making it seem like they will be an integral part of the plot, but they never amount to anything - not even red herrings or meaningful backstory. When the twist finally drops, it isn't particularly shocking or unique. I did appreciate how well the loose ends were tied up, though. The resolution makes sense and wraps up the plot neatly without leaving any glaring holes.
If you like deep character studies, shifting perspectives, and slow-burn mysteries, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #ItEndsHere

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
The story centers around an isolated home in the countryside, providing a perfectly remote backdrop for the events that follow. The core of the narrative unfolds mostly through Seren’s perspective, with a handful of chapters from Henry stepping in to provide crucial context. Seren makes for a fantastic main character. She is a genuinely good person, which makes her very easy to root for as she settles into her new home. Henry's role as the tenant living in the cottage on the property adds an engaging dynamic between them as the plot develops.
This book has short chapters and a steady, medium pace, which kept things moving smoothly without feeling rushed. Even though the direction of the story was predictable, it was still a highly entertaining and easy read. The character development is strong across the board. While Seren and Henry are the only narrators, the rest of the main cast is given just as much depth by the time the author delivers a satisfying ending that brings the story to a solid close.
If you like isolated atmospheric settings, character-driven suspense, and dual perspectives, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #TheDreamHouse

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this book.
What Mother Knows opens with a sharp focus on character development, laying out the complicated family dynamics that drive the narrative. I found myself quickly rooting for the main character, Josh, as he navigates the constant struggle between fiercely looking out for his sister, Kinsey, and his deep reluctance to have anything to do with their mother.
The short chapters give the medium pacing a steady momentum. Despite the large cast of characters and deep web of connections, the author's clear writing makes it easy to keep track of who is who. A story with this many threads can quickly get tangled, but the execution here is beautiful, making the story flow seamlessly. I loved how every piece of the puzzle fit together perfectly by the final page. If you love a good mystery with lots of moving pieces and wonderful writing, you must pick up this book.
#NetGalley #WhatMotherKnows

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this title.
The momentum in this story kicks into high gear immediately and never takes a breath. What caught my eye right away were the small sketches scattered throughout the text, adding a great visual layer to the suspense. The structure relies on rapid-fire, short chapters that jump between Riven and Annie’s perspectives, keeping the tension tight.
We experience the unfolding events primarily in the present day, with just enough brief flashbacks from both narrators to flesh out their backgrounds. I found both Riven and Annie easy to sympathize with. They both end up stuck in bad situations that feel difficult to escape, and are dealing with the consequences of the choices they made on the path that got them to the present day.
This book was hard to put down, and that is something I do not say lightly. Just when I thought I had the trajectory figured out, a massive twist dropped near the end that was so well done that I did not see it even though it was there all along! It fit seamlessly into the plot rather than feeling tacked on, leading right into a satisfying and tight wrap-up. If you want a book that will suck you in and keep you entertained, then you will love When They Find Me.
#NetGalley #WhenTheyFindMe

Possession Island by Sarah McCarry is a deeply moving exploration of love, life, and friendship that relies on emotional resonance. The chapters are long and the timeline jumps around frequently between the past and present, which can get a bit confusing at times and makes the present-day plot feel like a slow burn. However, the gorgeous writing and depth of feeling more than make up for the slower pacing. Even though the overarching mystery takes a backseat to the character dynamics for most of the journey, it remains an underlying thread that pays off beautifully in the end. When all the pieces finally come together, the book delivers a great, high-stakes twist that feels much more akin to a traditional thriller. It is a beautifully crafted, thoughtful read that succeeds because it takes its time building history before delivering a highly satisfying conclusion. #NetGalley #SaturdayBooks