Psychological thriller

Book SynopsisOne family. Two missing children. A lifetime of secrets. Ten-year-old Ethan Clarke’s disappearance gripped the nation. Just as his parents are starting to piece together a life ‘after Ethan’, their world is ripped apart once more when their daughter, Robin, disappears in almost identical circumstances. They’ve lost two children within a decade … and now doubts about their innocence are setting in. Detective Sam Maguire’s obsession with the first case cost him his own family, but he has unfinished business with the Clarkes. He is convinced that discovering what happened to Ethan holds the key to finding Robin. But what if the Clarkes know more than they’re letting on? With the world watching eagerly, the clock is ticking for Sam as he embarks on an investigation that forces him to confront his own demons. To uncover the truth, he must follow a trail of devastating deception—but the truth always comes at a cost …

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fast-paced, page-turning thriller that contemplates the consequences of motherhood, memory, and crime as a commodity. Black ops specialist Aubrey Sentro may be one concussion away from death. But when pirates seize the cargo ship she’s on, she must decide whether to risk her life to save her fellow passengers. Sentro’s training takes over, and she’s able to elude her captors, leaving bodies in her wake. But her problems are just getting started. Her memory lapses are getting more frequent, symptoms of serial-concussion syndrome. As she plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with the pirates, she pushes herself to survive by focusing on thoughts of her children. She’s never told them what she really does for a living, and now she might not get the chance. While her memories make her vulnerable, motherhood makes her dangerous.Trade Review“Pyne keeps expertly mixing up his pitches long after you’ve stopped expecting anything but blazing fastballs.” —Kirkus Reviews “Fans of action flicks will enjoy.” —Publishers Weekly “A flash-bang actioner, limned in rich, organic prose…a classy read.” —Booklist “A must-read for any thriller fan looking for a different angle into the black-ops world.” —Mystery & Suspense Magazine “A deftly crafted and simply riveting read, Water Memory effectively showcases author Daniel Pyne’s impressively entertaining narrative storytelling style as a novelist.” —Midwest Book Review “It is refreshing to see, in a genre prone to impossible super-heroic feats…, a protagonist whose injuries leave real scars…Water Memory is elevated from its genre moorings by the parallels it draws to classic seafaring literature, including Lord Jim (whose title character’s journey is echoed here) and even Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,’ excerpted for the novel’s epigraph. But neither that nor the well-placed and succinct flashbacks, illuminating the flash points in Sentro’s past that led her to this fateful moment, can distract a reader from the ripping good yarn Pyne has spun—or the prickly, endearing Aubrey Sentro, ugly scars and all.” —Los Angeles Times “A refreshing, pulse-pounding structure…Think Die Hard on a cargo ship as shell-shocked special operator Audrey Sentro finds safe passage that turns out not to be so safe at all when pirates seize the vessel…Water Memory is original, wondrously paced, and, well, memorable.” —Providence Journal “Water Memory is a speedboat on steroids and Pyne’s use of the present tense and blind narrative turns fuels the propulsion. Tackle this one while you’re wide awake, hang tight until the end, and wait for Vital Signs, book two in the Sentro series, due out a year from now.” —Mountain Times “Since screenwriter and author Daniel Pyne has been involved in the writing of some of my favorite movies and TV shows, from Miami Vice to Bosch, it should have come as no surprise that I would thoroughly enjoy Water Memory. I did not realize, however, just how intense and exciting it would be, from start to finish. It is without a doubt one of those the-world-goes-away-while-I-am-reading-this type of books.” —The Nerd Daily “Deceptively explosive, Water Memory pairs the cleverness and precision timing of Daniel Pyne’s riveting storytelling with his addictive, action-packed plotting and unforgettably vivid cast of characters.” —Karin Slaughter, New York Times and international bestselling author “Water Memory blew me away. It’s the kind of rare character-driven, adrenaline-charged action-thriller readers crave and writers dare to emulate. Aubrey Sentro is an iconic, kick-ass heroine—deeply flawed, exceptionally skilled, and exceedingly motivated. Lara Craft on steroids. A brilliant page-turner.” —Robert Dugoni, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of A Cold Trail “A deftly crafted thriller with a captivatingly complex lead character, Pyne’s action-packed novel builds with each surprise twist and will keep you up late turning the pages.” —Chad Zunker, Amazon Charts bestselling author of An Equal Justice “Mother knows best, even when her memory is short-circuiting. Water Memory has everything you want in a modern-day thriller: pirates, propulsive action, and an unforgettable female lead. Pyne’s prose is elegant, evocative, extraordinary. Best book I’ve read in ages. Addictive.” —K. J. Howe, international bestselling author of Skyjack “Water Memory moves like Die Hard but with a tragic family backstory as its heart—and with an indelible, three-dimensional action heroine, Aubrey Sentro, as the muscle and sinew. I loved it.” —Barry Eisler, New York Times bestselling author “Daniel Pyne’s Water Memory is a stylish and addictive thriller propelled by gritty action, sublime intrigue, and a brilliantly executed character twist.” —Steven Konkoly, Wall Street Journal bestselling author “A mysterious woman on a mysterious path, danger in the future and from the past—Water Memory holds a hypnotic grip on you from the very first page. This is Daniel Pyne at his very best.” —Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Read more less

Book SynopsisA dead man’s secrets put a family in peril in a twisting novel of suspense by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of the David Adams series. Alex Mahan is married to his high school sweetheart, Taylor. They have two daughters and a beautiful home, and Alex’s startup business is about to explode thanks to massive private funding from his compassionate and supportive father-in-law, Joe. With millions more to come, all is perfect—until Joe is abducted and murdered during a family trip in Mexico. Alex’s world is about to be turned upside down. He can’t bear to tell his grieving wife why. The man they’ve both idolized has been keeping secrets. The pledged millions are nowhere to be found. The source of the original investment is a mystery, even to Joe’s financial adviser. No one, it seems, has any idea who the man they knew, loved, and trusted really was. As Alex digs deeper into Joe’s shadowy life, the most shocking surprises are yet to come. Deadly ones, too, because every lie that Alex uncovers in Joe’s dark past puts his family in more danger.Trade Review“The action barrels along to a shocking conclusion…Zunker knows how to keep the reader hooked.” —Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisA shocking crime draws accused and accuser into a complex web of secrets and lies in a twisting novel of suspense by the bestselling author of The Golden Child.When eighteen-year-old Ellie Canning is discovered wandering the countryside, dazed and traumatized, she tells a harrowing story of abduction, captivity, and escape. An overnight symbol of survival and empowerment, Ellie enthralls an outraged nation.Then authorities zero in on an unlikely suspect: high school teacher Suzannah Wells, identified by Ellie as the woman who kept her drugged and bound in a basement. The evidence against Suzannah is damning?vilified by the media, Suzannah?s only defense is that not a single word Ellie says is true. Suzannah has no reason to lie. But then again, neither does Ellie.The nightmare spins out of control as disturbing details about Suzannah?s past emerge, and the court of public opinion wants blood. Even those closest to Suzannah begin to doubt her. But how innocent is she? How innocent is Ellie? And which one has more to hide?Revised edition: This edition of The Accusation includes editorial revisions.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA woman’s suspicions about her ex-boyfriend become a dangerous obsession in a twisting novel of psychological suspense by Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Minka Kent. Eight years ago, Grace McMullen broke Sutton Whitlock’s heart when she walked away. But it was only to save him from the baggage of her own troubled past. Now all she wants is to make sure he’s okay. Only everything she learns about him online says otherwise. According to his social media accounts, he placed roots in her hometown, married a look-alike, and even named his daughter Grace. He clearly hasn’t moved on. In fact, it’s creepy. So Grace does what any concerned ex-girlfriend would do: she moves home…and watches him. But when Grace crosses paths with Sutton’s wife, Campbell, an unexpected friendship develops. Campbell has no idea whom she’s inviting into her life. As the women grow closer, it becomes clear to Grace that Sutton is not the sentimental man she once knew. He seems controlling, unstable, and threatening. And what a broken man like Sutton is capable of, Grace can only imagine. It’s up to her to save Campbell and her baby now—but while she’s been watching them, who’s been watching her?Trade Review“Kent piles on enough domestic complications to make you avoid your own next family reunion before she brings down the curtain with a thud.” —Publishers Weekly “Kent’s psychological suspense thriller delivers with an interesting premise, captivating characters, and unexpected twists.” —Library Journal

Read more less

Book SynopsisA terrified voice on the phone. The line goes dead. The mystery begins. During a superstorm, Holly Boswell receives a panicked call from her sister, Vivian: Come get me…There’s somebody coming. But when Holly arrives at a Long Island marina, there’s only her sister’s abandoned car. Vivian is gone. It’s all eerily familiar. Holly and Vivian used to play hide-and-seek as children. It was a reprieve from the mental abuses of their parents, psychology professors who raised the siblings as if it were research. Decades later, Holly is reminded of their childhood games. In her relentless search for the answers, Holly is reading between the lines in Vivian’s journals. She’s untangling clues in their mother’s diary and discovering secrets from her sister’s private world that are casting a dangerous shadow. Maybe Vivian has reasons for wanting to disappear from her well-to-do life. Or is it something more sinister? As Holly follows Vivian’s trail, she can’t shake the feeling that someone might be following her.Trade Review“…one wild ride.” —Kirkus Reviews “[In] this spellbinding psychological thriller from Reinard (Sweet Water)…Reinard keeps the suspense high through to the surprise ending. Readers will have trouble putting this one down.” —Publishers Weekly “Into the Sound is an atmospheric, character-driven thriller about how far a woman will go to save her sister. With propulsive, evocative prose, Reinard delves into family secrets and lies—and the reliability of memory. It doesn’t get much better than this!” —Melissa Colasanti, author of Call Me Elizabeth Lark “A missing sister, a bad marriage, a woman broken and trapped—Into the Sound will have readers under its spell from the first word until the final, shocking pages. The tension is explosive as past and present collide in this intense, fast-paced, and twisty thriller; and Reinard’s in-depth understanding of the ways in which childhood trauma follows into adulthood adds a deep and unforgettable layer to one woman’s hunt for her sister and the long-buried secrets of their difficult upbringing.” —Danielle Girard, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author of Far Gone “In Into the Sound, Cara Reinard crafts a world of secrets that will leave you breathless as you scour the pages for answers.” —Dea Poirier, Amazon bestselling author “I’m always a sucker for a sister book and Into the Sound delivers in spades. The pace is electric, and the twists are completely unpredictable, but underneath the high-tension story is a fraught, but very real and complicated bond forged in childhood trauma. Reinard includes a tangle with the mob, and a delve into the psychology of false memories, all without letting up the pace. Harlan Coben fans will love Into the Sound, especially if they’re looking for a female protagonist and some deeper meaning. Highly recommended!” —Kate Moretti, New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Year and Girls of Brackenhill

Read more less

Book SynopsisHer old schoolfriends are dead. She might be next. When Ruby hears from her best friend Elizabeth that two of their old classmates have been murdered, Ruby is more certain than ever that leaving her hometown was the right decision. But after Elizabeth suddenly stops responding to texts, and Ruby hears a third classmate has been killed, she knows in her heart what has happened. Elizabeth is dead too. Missbrook Bay is a place haunted by memories Ruby wanted to forget, and people she never wanted to see again, but Ruby has no choice but to go back to investigate. While staying with her ex-boyfriend, she notices a pattern in their full school year photo—the killer seems to be working through victims in a specific order. And after her ex’s house is broken into, Ruby realises nowhere and no one is safe. There are still many faces left in that photo. Any one of them could be the next victim—and any one of them could be the killer. And with each death, the killer is getting closer to Ruby.

Read more less

Book Synopsis“Susi Holliday is one of our best and most original creators of tense and twisty tales.” —Ian Rankin Four hikers enter the mountains. Only two return. But is it tragedy? Or treachery? When sisters Cat and Ginny travel with their husbands to the idyllic Swiss Alps for a hiking holiday, it’s not just a chance to take in the stunning scenery. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with each other after years of drifting apart—and patch up marriages that are straining at the seams. As they head into the mountains, morale is high, but as the terrain turns treacherous, cracks in the relationships start to show. With worrying signs that someone might be following them, the sun begins to set and exhaustion kicks in. Suddenly, lost high on a terrifying ridge, tensions spill over—with disastrous consequences. When only two of the four hikers make it down from the mountain, the police press them for their story—but soon become suspicious when their accounts just don’t add up. What really happened up on that ridge? Who are the survivors? And what secrets are they trying to hide?Trade Review“A real gulp-it-down-in-one thriller.” —Heat Magazine “We inhaled this galloping, twisty read in a single sitting.” —Crime Monthly “An edge-of-your seat thriller where the sense of menace ratchets higher with every step along the hiking path. Utterly immersive with brilliant storytelling, it’s smart, scary and ingeniously moreish.” —Steph Broadribb, author of Death in the Sunshine “A deliciously dark mystery about warring sisters, their duplicitous husbands, and a hike that ends in murder. With a cast of gloriously unlikeable characters, any one of them could be the murderer, and any of them could be dead. Chock full of secrets, lies, resentment and revenge, The Hike kept me guessing until the last page.” —C. L. Taylor, author of The Guilty Couple “I devoured The Hike in a couple of days. Smart, pacy, and packed full of twists that’ll keep you guessing. A really fantastic read.” —Lisa Gray, author of the Jessica Shaw series “Susi Holliday transports us to an engrossing, vertigo-inducing alpine setting with a deliciously remorseless cast of characters that will have you constantly watching your back!” —Heleen Kist, author of What I Hid From You “I finished this at 5.30am, and could barely tear myself away from this thriller about two couples who go on a deadly hike. Congratulations on this cast of thoroughly nasty characters, a fascinating detective and a drop-dead gorgeous setting. My favourite Susi Holliday book so far.” —Fiona Cummins, author of Into the Dark “Dark and devious, with an ending that completely wrong-footed me!” —Fergus McNeill, author of Up Close and Fatal “The Hike is a dark journey into the past and the future. Full of twists and shocking reveals, I loved the beautifully evocative landscape and the well-drawn characters.” —Ed James, author of Lost Cause “Dark and twisty, suffused with smouldering tension and deceit.” —Emma Haughton, author of The Dark “As twisty as a bag full of snakes and with just as much bite.” —C. S. Green, author of The Whisper House “An expertly paced, relentless thriller. Love the red herrings and it genuinely kept me guessing right up until the last page.” —John Marrs, author of What Lies Between Us “So pacy and compelling, and a great twist that I totally didn’t see coming. It deserves to be huge.” —Louise Voss, author of His Other Woman “A dark and gripping tale about toxic sisters and marital disharmony, set on an alpine hike. It’s a wonder these people chose to go on holiday together and by the end most of them will have wished they hadn’t. With more twists and turns than a mountain path, this story will have you turning the pages at breakneck speed and keep you guessing every step of the way.” —Amanda Jennings, author of The Haven “Pacy, addictive and filled with suspense, The Hike kept me guessing until the final page. Each treacherous stride along the mountain trail led me deeper into a tangled web of deception, among unscrupulous characters hiding dark secrets. A twisty tale of revenge, lies and murder! Highly recommended!” —Victoria Goldman, author of The Redeemer “Creepy, atmospheric and absolutely gripping, The Hike kept me guessing until the last page! Highly recommended!” —Jane Isaac, author of One Fatal Secret “Such unpleasant people, yet Holliday still somehow has us caring what happens to them. Cat is one of the biggest literary pieces of work since Amy in Gone Girl.” —Julia Crouch, author of The Daughters “The Hike is one of the most gripping and darkest thrillers I’ve read in years and I adored it. Think Highsmith, Hitchcock & Gillian Flynn in a blender.” —Derek Farrell, author of The Danny Bird Mysteries “Wild meets Gone Girl in this breathlessly entertaining thriller, featuring toxic characters doing terrible things in a beautiful setting. Loved it.” —Mark Edwards, author of No Place to Run “What a ride! I barely breathed reading this. The novel sets up the action quickly and never lets up. Twists and turns like a rollercoaster. You think you’re on solid ground, then bam! Loved it!” —Rachael Blok, author of The Fall “The Hike is exactly what you expect from Susi Holiday. The characters are complex and well-written, the setting is picture perfect and so well described you feel like you are there. The twists and turns are endless and wind their way to a ferocious climax! I love Susi’s writing, and already cannot wait for what comes next!” —Chris McDonald, author of The Stonebridge Mysteries “Wow! Just finished this corker by Susi Holliday. The Hike is the definition of a page-turner with enough twists to leave you giddy. Be warned—you’ll want to read this in one sitting.” —Teresa Driscoll, author of Her Perfect Family “Incredible pace and twist after twist will keep you hooked.” —Claire McGowan, author of Are You Awake? “Absolutely loved this glorious account of horrid people spatting murderously in the Alps!” —Alex Marwood, author of The Island of Lost Girls

Read more less

Book SynopsisAll’s fair in love and revenge in this taut thriller from bestselling author Lisa Gray. Ex–crime reporter Leonard Blaylock spends his days on an unusual hobby, developing strangers’ forgotten and discarded rolls of film. He loves the small mysteries the photographs reveal to him. Then Leonard finds something no one would ever expect, or want, to see captured on film—the murder of a young woman. But that’s impossible, because the woman is already dead. Leonard was there when it happened five years earlier. He has never been able to shake his guilt from that terrible night. It cost Leonard everything: his career, his fiancée, his future. But if the woman didn’t really die, then what actually happened?Trade Review“Revenge piled on revenge, all of it served ice cold.” —Kirkus Reviews “This taut, twisty standalone from [Lisa] Gray is dense with buried motives and betrayals…Fans of Colleen Hoover’s Verity will find much to enjoy.” —Publishers Weekly “The Dark Room is all kinds of brilliant! Super suspenseful, packed with escalating tension, and a double twist ending that floors you with a one-two punch. Utterly compulsive!” —Steph Broadribb, author of Death in the Sunshine “The Dark Room is smart, sexy and a totally twisted mystery minefield - I loved it! Five stars!” —Susi Holliday, author of The Hike

Read more less

Book SynopsisA journalist begins to question everything she knows about her mother’s murder in a startling novel of suspense by the New York Times bestselling author of The Body Reader. Culpable in an exposé gone tragically wrong, investigative journalist Jupiter Bellarose takes her boss’s advice: head back to her hometown for a fluff piece and get her world in balance. But in Savannah, the past is waiting. Twenty years ago Jupiter’s mother, actress and celebrated beauty Marie Nova, was murdered, leaving many in her wake: Jupiter’s father, who has erased memories of his wife’s murder with alcohol. The matriarch of the cosmetics company who helped make Marie a star—and who takes every opportunity to reopen old wounds. Then there’s the fragile cop with blood on his hands, and the killer whose confession no longer seems convincing. With so many lingering questions, Jupiter must revisit the grisly event that has influenced every decision in her life. Maybe her homecoming will bring closure. Or maybe the worst is yet to come.Trade Review“[An] unsettling tale of murder, intrigue, and family secrets...Frasier neatly ties up each loose end with plausible answers. Psychological thriller fans will be satisfied.” —Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA family estate is to die for in a gripping novel of psychological suspense by the author of Into the Sound. Nothing brings the four Fox siblings together like their detestable father’s heart attack—and a hefty inheritance to be divided equally. At his deathbed is his oldest daughter, Valerie; her irresponsible sister, Lucy; and their two embattled brothers, Christian and Jeremy. Even the former housekeeper, Marian, who’s been with the family for forty years, is on watch. All Valerie hopes for is an amicable reunion, despite the damages of the past. By punishing means, Stefan Fox raised his children to be competitors. The cruel lessons now serve them well in a game of life and death. When it comes to the family fortune, the rules are simple: fewer siblings means a bigger share. After a suspicious accident, Valerie knows the worst is yet to come—and confiding in the wrong person could be the most dangerous thing she’s ever done.Trade Review“Reinard juggles suspects, motives, and family skeletons with such dexterity that it’s hard to imagine any of the Fox clan actually being innocent. A heartburning family tell-all just in time to gladden your Thanksgiving.” —Kirkus Reviews “The explosive plot, told through alternating narrators with wildly divergent viewpoints, creates a tense, Machiavellian atmosphere. Readers won’t soon forget this deep dive into twisted family dynamics.” —Publishers Weekly “A deftly crafted novel of psychological suspense by an author with a genuine mastery of the genre, as well as having an impressive flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling talents that keep the reader's compulsive and riveted attention from first page to last, The Den by Cara Reinard is an especially recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.” —Midwest Book Review “Cara Reinard hooks you from the start with breathtaking and heart-pounding scenes bound tight, where fleeting passion and nightmarish memories take centerstage.” —Chris Miller, Best Thriller Books “Succession meets The Guest List when the patriarch of a dysfunctional family has a sudden heart attack and stroke. With his life hanging in the balance, the Fox children learn of their father’s recently revised will and find their own lives in danger—but which one is behind the mayhem? And which ones will survive to inherit the family dynasty? Twists and clever reveals abound in The Den—and Reinard keeps us guessing to the very end!” —Wendy Walker, national bestselling author of Don’t Look For Me “Think your family has drama? Wait until you meet the Foxes, who have enough skeletons in their closet to fill a cemetery. Cara Reinard deftly combines twisted family dynamics, escalating tension, and suspicious characters to make The Den a juicy, binge-worthy thriller.” —Megan Collins, author of The Family Plot “Succession meets Knives Out in this clever, fast-paced, and fun whodunnit thriller!” —Jeneva Rose, Amazon #1 bestselling author of The Perfect Marriage

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this unforgettable psychological thriller, the dark is a terrifying mystery for a woman on the edge. Seven hard-won months into her sobriety, sociology professor Maris Heilman has her first blackout. She chalks it up to exhaustion, though she fears that her husband and daughter will suspect she’s drinking again. Whatever their cause, the glitches start becoming more frequent. Sometimes minutes, sometimes longer, but always leaving Maris with the same disorienting question: Where have I been? Then another blackout lands Maris in the ER, where she makes an alarming discovery. A network of women is battling the same inexplicable malady. Is it a bizarre coincidence or something more sinister? What do all the women have in common besides missing time? Or is it who they have in common? In a desperate search for answers, Maris has no idea what’s coming next—just the escalating paranoia that her memories may be beyond her control, and that everything she knows could disappear in the blink of an eye.Trade Review“Flanagan keeps the reader guessing to the surprising climax. She remains a writer to watch.” —Publishers Weekly “Intense and creepy, Blackout is a slow-burn thriller that explores the intersection of cutting-edge technology and the Me Too movement. You won’t be able to put Blackout down until you find out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together!” —Aggie Blum Thompson, author of I Don’t Forgive You

Read more less

Book SynopsisRachel’s dead and she’s never coming back. Or is she? As she prepares for her wedding to Dominic, Catherine has never been happier or more excited about her future. But when she receives an anonymous package—a familiar snow globe with a very grisly addition—that happiness is abruptly threatened by secrets from her past. Her older sister, Rachel, died on a skiing holiday as a child. But Rachel was no angel: she was vicious and highly disturbed, and she made Catherine’s life a misery. Catherine has spent years trying to forget her dead sister’s cruel tricks. Now someone has sent her Rachel’s snow globe—the first in a series of ominous messages… While Catherine struggles to focus on her new life with Dominic, someone out there seems intent on tormenting her. But who? And why now? She doesn't have the answers — and in one final question lies her greatest fear. Is Rachel still alive?

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn the day Nora discovered that her husband, Hugh, had gotten another woman pregnant, she made a vow: I will come back to life no matter how long it takes… It’s taken Nora three years. With the help of her best friend, she fled New York City for a small resort town, snagged a job as the advice columnist for the local paper, and is cautiously letting a new man into her life. But when Hugh and his perfect new family move into a house nearby, Nora backslides. Coping with jealousy, humiliation, and resentment again is as hard as she feared. It’s harder still when Hugh and his wife are shot to death in their home. If only Nora could account for the night of the murders. Unfortunately, her memories have gone as dark as her fantasies of revenge. But Nora’s not the only one with a reason to kill—and as prime suspect in the crime, she’d better be able to prove it.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisNamed a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and Crime ReadsAn intense literary thriller that tears through the interlocked histories of fascism and communism in Europe without pausing for breath. Gonzalo Gil is a disaffected lawyer stuck in a failed career and a strained marriage, dodging the never-ending manipulation of his powerful father-in-law. The fragile balance of Gonzalo’s life as a father and husband is pushed to the limit when he learns, after years without news of his estranged sister, Laura, that she has committed suicide under suspicious circumstances. Resolutely investigating the steps that led to her death, Gonzalo discovers that Laura is believed to have murdered a Russian gangster who kidnapped and killed her young son. What seems to be revenge is just the beginning of a tortuous path that will take Gonzalo through the untold annals of his family’s past. He will examine the fascinating story of his father, Elías Gil, the great hero of the antifascist resistance. As a young engineer Elías traveled to the USSR committed to the ideals of the revolution, but was betrayed, arrested, and confined on the infamous Nazino Island, ultimately becoming a key figure, admired and feared, during Spain’s darkest years. Suspenseful and utterly absorbing, A Million Drops is a visceral story of enduring love and revenge postponed that introduces a master of international crime fiction to American readers.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFour classic novels of psychologically-driven horror from the author of The Haunting of Hill House include her 1948 debut tale of the secrets lurking beneath suburbia to the 1958 story of a mourning family convinced the world is ending .

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA frantic race against the clock, against death, against inner demons Since the tragic accident that brutally ended her childhood, Alice O’Farrell has been haunted by her past. Unable to bear the guilt of negligence that led to the death of her younger brother, fifteen-year-old Alice runs away from home. She lives on the streets, makes one bad decision after another, and drowns her guilt in alcohol. But, everything changes when she stumbles upon a startling scene: a dead drug dealer and a duffel bag full of ninety-one thousand dollars in cash. Recognizing this as an opportunity for a fresh start, Alice takes the money and runs. However, she soon finds herself fleeing from more than her own past—the dead dealer’s drug supplier wants his money back and will destroy her to get it. A merciless manhunt ensues, headed by Sinclair—a formidable opponent—relentless, shrewd, and brutal. As blood is spilled all around her, Alice is eventually faced with her day of reckoning. In the end, The Guilt We Carry is a story about redemption and forgiveness—but at what cost?Perfect for readers of The Girl on the Train and The Woman in the WindowTrade Review"This book is an RCR and a BBEa Roller Coaster Ride and a Best Book Ever. Relish in the reading of it, take your time even through the breathless parts, and enjoy every word. It's the Breaking Bad of the book world. A delish read with surprises to the very last page." New York Journal of Books"Samuel Gailey's The Guilt We Carry is heartbreaking, hopeful, and touching. Gritty, dark, yet tender. Gailey lyrically weaves a story of loss and guilt into one of redemption. Never has misery been so elegantly written." Matt Coyle, Anthony Award-winning author"An extraordinary thriller, The Guilt We Carry is driven by a plot that is both economic and subtly complicated. Samuel W. Gailey propels his characters into one another with a tough empathy. The result is a tense, scintillating read that is also human and ultimately satisfying as the book hurtles toward its unexpected but well-earned conclusion." Bruce Holbert, author of Whiskey"The Guilt We Carry , Alice O'Farrell, kept me up until five a.m. She is tragic, flawed, beaten down, but tough enough and resilient enough to survive. Gailey has delivered one of my favorite characters in recent memory. A nonstop burner of a novel." Willy Vlautin award-winning author of Don't Skip Out on Me"Fans of country noir will be right at home as Gailey builds the grit-soaked suspense." Booklist"[A] gripping tale of redemption . . . Gailey does a superior job of making his flawed lead sympathetic." Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisInternationally bestselling author of the “gripping” (Lisa Jewell) Three Perfect Liars, Heidi Perks is back with a thrilling new novel. Dark secrets are revealed when a therapist becomes obsessed with her troubled new patients, for fans of Alex Michaelides and The Golden Couple.When Erin and Will walk into Maggie’s office for a marriage counseling session, Maggie believes they are an ordinary couple with ordinary problems: communication, intimacy, the usual. But as Maggie struggles to get the couple to open up about what brought them here, she begins to sense that not all is as it seems. When Erin mentions something connected to Maggie’s past that she couldn’t possibly know, Maggie is disturbed and confused. Why does Erin know anything about Maggie’s long-missing sister? Erin is connected to her somehow, and Maggie is no longer trying to fix the couple’s marriage–she’s trying to uncover her own truth. Maggie knows her code of ethics as a therapist should immediately stop her working with this couple, but she’s desperate for answers about her sister’s disappearance, and she can’t resist using her position to delve deeper into Erin’s memories and what she might know. Erin and Will might not be what they seem–but neither is Maggie. This dual-perspective psychological thriller will keep readers turning pages until every last secret comes to light.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor fans of Harlan Coben and “Mindhunter,” Sam Holland’s chilling debut draws inspiration from infamous serial killer cases, culminating in the ultimate, heart-pounding copycat tale.Detectives Cara Elliott and Noah Deakin are on the case of a series of seemingly unconnected murders, each different in method, but each shocking and brutal. As the body count increases, they can’t ignore the details that echo famous cases of the past—Manson, Kemper, Dahmer, and more. As Elliott and Deakin get closer to unmasking the killer, the murders are moving closer to home. Meanwhile, Jessica Ambrose is on the run. She’s been implicated as the arsonist who killed her neglectful husband and injured her young daughter. With the help of disgraced and suspended detective Nate Griffin, Jess discovers a shocking link between her case and that of the ultimate copycat killer working on his horrifying masterpiece.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Mrs. Rochester’s Ghost comes the chilling story of a young woman who returns to her haunted childhood home to unravel the deadly mysteries of her family’s past. Ava grew up in a haunted mansion, envied by all her friends. But when her mother died mysteriously there, the thrills of Blackworth Mansion became nightmares. Ava never accepted that her mother perished from natural causes, but no one would believe her. Seventeen years later, Ava returns home to unravel the truth of her mother’s death—and her own demons quickly follow. Her estranged and vindictive father may be stalking her. Her secretive new sister-in-law lands on her doorstep with troubles of her own. And then there’s the strange girl who may or may not be haunting the grounds. Even Ava’s romance with her first crush is shadowed by her suspicions. When Ava makes a terrifying discovery on the property, she must decide just how far into the past she’s willing to go. Some secrets can be deadly—especially the ones Ava’s kept hidden in the dark.Trade Review“Marcott keeps the reader guessing to the very end. Gothic suspense fans won’t want to miss this one.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Read more less

Book SynopsisA riveting novel of psychological suspense about perfect lives and hidden secrets by New York Times bestselling author T.R. Ragan. Nora Harmon has a lot to be thankful for: two great kids, a stable marriage, and now, a dream career. Software consultant Jane Bell wants Nora on her team. She’s offering a fantastic salary, flexible hours, and a chance to travel the world. It sounds too good to be true, but Jane won’t take no for an answer. Jane acts more like a friend than a boss, and Nora’s personal and professional boundaries begin to blur. Jane is smitten with Nora’s perfect family—particularly her daughter—and far too attentive to Nora’s husband. Nora can’t help but feel insecure and unsettled. Maybe Jane is everything she says she is: a lonely woman in need of feeling the love of a kind and decent family. Maybe Nora is just being paranoid. Maybe not.Trade Review“Readers will keep turning the pages to see what happens next. Ragan consistently delivers the goods.” —Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom author J. Todd Scott comes a haunting thriller about a young plane crash survivor and a mysterious hiker who venture into the wilderness to escape a dark and vengeful force. A small white plane hurtles from the sky, vanishing into the wilderness. Hiker Maggie Roby watches its final descent, certain that no one could have survived. But to her shock, a fifteen-year-old girl emerges from the wreckage, wounded but miraculously, impossibly alive. Maggie approaches with trepidation; she has secrets of her own, a past she can’t escape. Saving the girl means risking her future, but she can’t just abandon her, can she? With the young survivor, Maggie embarks on a dangerous trek through the remote Appalachian backcountry, joining up with two veterans from the local sheriff’s department who know the land better than anyone. But even as Maggie charts their course through the mountains, she can sense someone—or something—else watching and waiting. Their journey is about more than enduring the elements. It’s about escaping a sinister presence that makes a vast wilderness feel like it’s closing in.Trade Review“J. Todd Scott's Call the Dark is that rarest of things—a cross-genre thriller that is as original as it is entertaining. An equal mix of wilderness adventure, coming-of-age story, and supernatural chiller, this is a richly detailed, highly propulsive, and completely captivating book that will have you turning the pages late into the night. Don't miss this one!” —David Bell, New York Times bestselling author of Try Not to Breathe and She's Gone

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt’s murder in paradise as a woman uncovers a host of secrets off the rocky California coast in a gripping novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall. Colette “Coco” Weber has relocated to her Catalina Island home, where, twenty years before, she was the sole survivor of a deadly home invasion. All Coco wants is to see her aunt Gwen, get as far away from her ex as possible, and get back to her craft—writing obituaries. Thankfully, her college best friend, Maddy, owns the local paper and has a job sure to keep Coco busy, considering the number of elderly folks who are dying on the island. But as Coco learns more about these deaths, she quickly realizes that the circumstances surrounding them are remarkably similar…and not natural. Then Coco receives a sinister threat in the mail: her own obituary. As Coco begins to draw connections between a serial killer’s crimes and her own family tragedy, she fears that the secrets on Catalina Island might be too deep to survive. Because whoever is watching her is hell-bent on finally putting her past to rest.Trade Review“Original, compelling, memorable, What Never Happened by novelist Rachel Howzell Hall will have a very special interest for fans of crime fiction in general, and deftly crafted murder mysteries in particular.” —Midwest Book Review “Howzell Hall specializes in complex, realistic characters…What Never Happened gives a unique look at the domestic thriller.” —Florida Sun Sentinel “Rachel Howzell Hall does it again. What Never Happened blends blade-sharp writing and indelible characters with a suspenseful story that pulls you in and won’t let go, as a seeming paradise grows dark with storms, suspicion, and murder. I couldn’t put it down.” —Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author “What Never Happened opens with a gut punch and doesn’t let up from there. Rachel Howzell Hall’s twist on the you-can’t-go-home-again story is smart, dizzying, and thrilling. She not only handles the mystery elements expertly, but she honors the grief and rage of our past and present.” —Paul Tremblay, bestselling author of The Cabin at the End of the World and The Pallbearers Club “Rachel Howzell Hall has crafted her own genre of slow-boiling, powerfully emotional thrillers. Her realistic characters are ordinary people, haunted by past horrors that won’t stay buried, forcing them to face pure evil to find their own redemption.” —Lee Goldberg, #1 New York Times bestselling author “In What Never Happened, Rachel Howzell Hall seamlessly weaves together the past and the present, decorating her breakneck plot with dark secrets and unexpected reveals that glitter like jewels. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” —Jess Lourey, Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Quarry Girls “What Never Happened is superb. Beautifully and smartly written, it is an engrossing thriller with an ending that will leave your head spinning. It is deliciously creepy and perfectly crafted. In a word, stunning! Don’t miss this one!” —Lisa Regan, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author “Rachel Howzell Hall’s What Never Happened is a spine-tingling twist of a roller coaster that keeps you on the edge of your seat to the very last page and will have you saying ‘Thanks a lot, Rachel, for my lack of sleep.’” —Yasmin Angoe, award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Nena Knight series, Her Name Is Knight and They Come at Knight

Read more less

Book Synopsis“Amina Akhtar’s Almost Surely Dead is a witty, fresh psychological thriller that’s part stalker thriller, part ghost story. This book took turns I never saw coming. I was up all night, tearing through the pages as the mysterious pieces came together, leading to an explosive conclusion.” —Mindy Kaling A psychological thriller with a twist, Almost Surely Dead is a chilling account of how one woman’s life spins out of control after a terrifying—and seemingly random—attempt on her life. Dunia Ahmed lives an ordinary life—or she definitely used to. Now she’s the subject of a true crime podcast. She’s been missing for over a year, and no one knows if she’s dead or alive. But her story has listeners obsessed, and people everywhere are sporting merch that demands “Find Dunia!” In the days before her disappearance, Dunia is a successful pharmacist living in New York. The daughter of Pakistani immigrants, she’s coping with a broken engagement and the death of her mother. But then something happens that really shakes up her world: someone tries to murder her. When her would-be killer winds up dead, Dunia figures the worst is over. But then there’s another attempt on her life…and another. And police suspect someone close to her may be the culprit. Dunia struggles to make sense of what’s happening. And as childhood superstitions seep into her reality, she becomes convinced that someone—or something—is truly after her.Trade ReviewPraise for Amina Akhtar Almost Surely Dead “Akhtar’s novel has one foot set firmly in folklore and the other in fast-paced action as Dunia questions whom she can trust and what she will have to do to survive. Though the suspense is real, Akhtar deftly weaves in levity with the campiness of the podcast, and the earnestness of Dunia’s voice keeps the reader rooting for her to outrun her demons. A nimble and eerie thriller.” —Kirkus Reviews “Amina Akhtar delivers a surprising and suspenseful ride. This is a winner.” —Publishers Weekly “Twisty, chilling, and original, Almost Surely Dead is an absolutely addictive page-turner. I couldn’t put it down.” —Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author “A shocking act of violence opens the door to a terrifying mystery in this eerie, addictive thriller from Amina Akhtar.” —Chuck Wendig, bestselling author of The Book of Accidents “I didn’t think Amina Akhtar could get better, but she has—crafting a wholly unique and mesmerizing novel that is impossible to categorize or forget. Part thriller, part family saga, part supernatural horror, Almost Surely Dead will surprise you in the best way possible and leave you thinking about this magnificent book for a long time after you’re done. A powerhouse.” —Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret Identity “Full of energy, suspense, and the frightening possibility of the supernatural, Almost Surely Dead is a spine-chilling thrill of a book that will grip you from the very first page and refuse to let go. A gripping gothic of the true crime podcasting era.” —S. C. Lalli, international bestselling author of Are You Sara? “What’s a girl to do when the universe seems to want you dead? The answer is nothing you’d expect—but everything you’d want from one of the most exciting thriller writers in the business. Almost Surely Dead is a sparkling, twisted gem of a book, a riotously funny and deeply unsettling examination of the ways in which we are—and in which we refuse to be—defined by our pasts. This is Akhtar’s best work yet, and I loved every word.” —Elizabeth Little, bestselling author of Dear Daughter “Amina Akhtar isn’t a writer; she’s a word magician, a wonderful comedian who juggles the darkest themes and the ugly things that make us human, the young, smart, fashion-savvy auntie who knows where the bodies are buried and reminds you to call your mom. And she keeps getting better with every book. Almost Surely Dead is a witty, wildly entertaining novel that dips its toes in the supernatural while delivering social commentary, highlighting the realities of the Pakistani diaspora, and dancing with the ghosts and superstitions we all carry in our blood. Don’t miss it.” —Gabino Iglesias, Bram Stoker Award–winning author of The Devil Takes You Home “Akhtar coils constant paranoia, flash-forward dread, and family tragedy into an electric threat of a novel. This book will have you glancing over your shoulder. A unique thriller.” —Hailey Piper, Bram Stoker Award–winning author of No Gods for Drowning “Almost Surely Dead is such a masterful slow burn of a mystery it’ll singe your fingertips. Amina Akhtar creeps you out, keeps you guessing, and forces you to the edge of your seat, constructing a story that, in the end, is as surprising as it is deeply human.” —Rob Hart, author of Paradox Hotel Kismet “An amusing takedown of influencer culture.” —Kirkus Reviews “Akhtar turns her sharp wit on the wellness community and its dark secrets in a thriller [that is] equal parts vicious and funny.” —USA Today “Akhtar brings to her second novel…a gimlet-eyed view of Sedona, Arizona’s wellness pretensions and a wicked way with one-liners…the surprises Akhtar has in store upend assumptions about trauma, healing, and the motivations of those who helicopter into lands they claim to hold sacred.” —Los Angeles Times “Twisty, sardonic.” —Oprah Daily “The alluring world of wellness gets a fatal awakening in Amina Akhtar’s darkly humorous thriller Kismet.” —PopSugar “[Kismet] skewers the wellness industry of Sedona (Amina Akhtar is now based in Arizona) and also includes a light supernatural touch that’s perfectly integrated into the thriller arc as a whole.” —CrimeReads “Amina Akhtar weaves a wickedly smart tale.” —Desi News “With Kismet, Amina Akhtar invites us into the foxhole with Ronnie Khan, a New Yorker stationed in Sedona, just in time for Wellness World War. I loved this book—the claustrophobia of wide ‘open’ exclusive spaces. Amina teleports us to the passive-aggressive front lines in this dry landscape where caftans and corpses are equally foreboding. You want Ronnie to make a run for it, but she’s a real hero—she wants to make a go for it. Lucky for us, she stays. Kismet is wicked and smart, a fly-on-the-wall humdinger where a light social gathering spikes your blood pressure. Amina deftly intertwines the earthly with the otherworldly. Read it now so you can be the one telling your friends about Kismet.” —Caroline Kepnes, New York Times bestselling author of You “Amina Akhtar had me at ravens! Then she kept me turning the pages with her colorful cast of characters, keen insights, and layered, engaging heroine. Kismet is darkly funny, sharply observant, and full of surprises. Don’t miss this utterly original and wildly entertaining thriller.” —Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Last Girl Ghosted “The twists just keep coming in Kismet, Amina Akhtar’s dark and delicious thriller. I can’t imagine a better companion around these nail-biting curves than the novel’s protagonist, Ronnie Khan, who is wide eyed yet smarter than she lets on, naive yet world weary. In a nutshell: she’s the perfect heroine. I’d follow her anywhere.” —Jess Lourey, Amazon Charts bestselling author of Unspeakable Things “Dead bodies are turning up in Sedona’s upscale wellness community? Sign me up! I loved everything about Kismet, Amina Akhtar’s sharply observant, funny thriller. Gleeful and gripping, Akhtar has knocked it out of the park with this wickedly entertaining, twisty novel.” —Jennifer Hillier, bestselling author of Little Secrets “A chilling tale that lures in the reader with a seductive blend of friendship and tranquility, then transforms it into something evil and deliciously twisted.” —A. R. Torre, New York Times bestselling author of Every Last Secret “Kismet is funny, sharp, twisty, and spot on. Whether she’s dealing with toxic relationships or everyday racism, Ronnie Khan is a character that you can’t help but root for. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun reading a novel. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is going to be talking about those ravens.” —Kellye Garrett, Agatha, Anthony, and Lefty Award–winning author of Like a Sister “Wickedly smart and outrageously entertaining, Kismet grabs hold and doesn’t let go until a final twist that will have even the savviest readers gasping. Just like the clever, scene-stealing ravens, Akhtar skewers those who deserve it with her trademark wit while also layering in emotional nuance as compelling as the captivating mystery. At once atmospheric, chilling, and thought provoking, Kismet will surely be this summer’s must-read thriller.” —Brianna Labuskes, bestselling author of A Familiar Sight “Gaspingly original. Kismet is brilliant and twisty—a knockout page-turner about guilt, revenge, and the toxicity of family and friendships. The oh-so-talented Amina Akhtar unleashes her keen eye and mordant wit—and exquisite understanding of human emotions—to reveal the dark side of the wellness industry and the terrifying reality behind the glam exteriors. Wow! This gripping, heartbreaking, and constantly surprising thriller is not to be missed!” —Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life “Amina Akhtar yet again brings her wickedly wicked style to this twisty thriller about a woman who’s finally taken charge of her life—only to find dead bodies piling up around her in the wellness community where she’s starting over. Kismet is a page-turner populated by eerie ravens and people who aren’t what they seem in a perfectly unsettling desert setting.” —Gigi Pandian, USA Today bestselling author of Under Lock and Skeleton Key “Kismet is the twistiest, most delicious take on wellness and self-care gone wrong. With a cast of unforgettable characters, a point of view you’ll never guess, and an ending that leaves you breathless, you’ll be busting down doors to join me as copresident of the Amina Akhtar fan club!” —Yasmin Angoe, author of Her Name Is Knight “Kismet is a gleeful (and at times literal) skewering of influencer culture and clout chasing, as well as a deeply relevant look at how easily and often the white wellness world intersects with racism and cultural appropriation—and how blind we can be to that and to the stain it leaves on the world around us. A bold and insightful whodunnit that ensures you’ll never look at ravens the same way again.” —Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, bestselling authors of The Royal We and The Heir Affair “Unsettling from the very first page, Kismet takes its readers on a wild ride set in Sedona’s wellness community, featuring a serial killer, crystals, and kick-ass ravens. It’s strange and smart and spellbinding, with sharp social commentary and huge surprises. Another eerie gem from Amina Akhtar.” —Megan Collins, author of The Family Plot “A mystery thriller just the way I like them—full of secrets and karma. Amina Akhtar creeps us out and keeps us guessing all the way!” —Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Road of Bones and Ararat “Kismet is as atmospheric as it is dark and twisted. An unsettling read with wholly original protagonists, this is one thrilling story I won’t be forgetting soon.” —Hannah Mary McKinnon, international bestselling author of Never Coming Home “A remarkably original, terrifying read that seized me from the first line. Kismet is an astonishing, expertly structured thriller. Akhtar’s signature creepy tone, suffused with dread and laced with wicked humor, is riveting. Her characters make you blur the lines of morality and justice. With brilliantly shifting points of view, a touch of magic, and a jaw-dropping ending, this is a stand-out suspense.” —Samantha M. Bailey, international bestselling author of Woman on the Edge and Watch Out for Her “A desert setting, crystals to ward off evil, cunning ravens, and murder. Amina Akhtar has whipped up a creepy mystery that will have you second-guessing what you know about the wellness industry, not to mention what to think the next time you see ravens!” —Wanda Morris, Lefty-nominated author of All Her Little Secrets “One of the most original, chilling, and startlingly honest thrillers I’ve ever read, Amina Akhtar plunges readers into an altogether fresh flavor of hell in Kismet. Balancing nail-biting terror with razor-sharp wit, Akhtar interrogates the feral side of the human heart with a rare fearlessness that is certain to make Kismet one of the year’s hottest titles and an absolute must-read. Period.” —P. J. Vernon, acclaimed author of Bath Haus

Read more less

The murder of an influencer’s family exposes the disturbing secrets behind the facade in a haunting novel of suspense by Joe Hart, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Or Else. Family is content for Kaylee Volk. Her vlogs celebrate a happy home with her husband and their three foster children, Bethany, Mason, and Andrea. Everything is perfect until the day the family’s private plane plummets into the ocean. Only Kaylee manages to survive—with a shocking revelation: Andrea did it. This is particularly devastating for Nora McTavish, a child protective services agent who is already familiar with Andrea’s troubled history. Given Nora’s own traumatic childhood, how could she not have sensed the profound darkness festering within the girl? What did she miss? Could she have stopped Andrea? As Kaylee struggles to cope with the crushing loss, Nora’s investigation begins. But her guilt soon turns to unease. Secret by secret, Nora pieces together a Volk family puzzle that’s more twisted than anyone saw—one far from the picture-perfect life Kaylee sold to the public. And the closer Nora looks, the more disturbing it gets.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn a small Appalachian town, an amateur detective unearths a dark conspiracy and his own haunted past, in a chilling novel about sacrifice, art, and revenge. Med school dropout Harlan Winter returns to his impoverished West Virginia hometown, where the law is scarce, arsonists are turning everything to ash, and his family’s turbulent history lingers. All he wants is to keep the peace in a community cowering from the Lighthouse, a local cult preying on people’s fears. Harlan’s own fears, too, when he’s hired to play detective and find a young couple gone missing. The vanished artist and his girlfriend have left behind a series of paintings that enrage the Lighthouse’s Pastor Logan, who believes art can have divine power. It’s not easy to believe for a rational man like Harlan. And impossible to ignore when his investigation is haunted by visions of the dead lurking in the shadows of his own violent past. Revelations about the disappearances are being unearthed. The Lighthouse’s grip on the community is tightening. And Harlan fears he’s losing control. As the threats against his town, his sanity, and his life begin to mount, Harlan doesn’t know which is more terrifying: what’s real, or what’s in his mind.Trade ReviewPraise for Jordan Farmer The Poison Flood “A near-Shakespearean snarl, a mad, seven-day action crucible set in the West Virginia wild…The Poison Flood is an ambitious saga, cockamamie and passionate. Through Hollis, Farmer produces a pocket Hillbilly manifesto.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Hollis himself is vivid…When the novel focuses on a musician’s creative struggles, it sings.” —Kirkus Reviews “Affecting…[It] combines an unconventional lead with a sobering portrayal of an environmental disaster’s impact on a small community. Readers who like their fiction to have a social conscience will want to take a look.” —Publishers Weekly “[A] bizarre and fascinating read that proves that anything is possible in the capable hands of author Jordan Farmer. The novel is immediately engrossing, its characters uniquely memorable, its prose both heartfelt and stunning. The novel takes a number of unexpected and thrilling turns…[and is] rich in compassion and empathy.” —BookPage “Darkly brilliant and beautifully written…[Farmer’s] similes, metaphors, and turns of phrase are worth underlining and rereading over and over. They are equaled, if not exceeded, by his sharply drawn characters, who you will remember long after you finish this book.” —Bookreporter “[The Poison Flood] had one of the most satisfying endings I’ve read in a while, capping what was overall one of the best novels I’ve ever read of modern-day rural America.” —Criminal Element “In his narrator, Hollis Bragg, Jordan Farmer has created a compelling character whose personal story and damaged body become emblematic of a whole region devastated by environmental destruction. The Poison Flood is a timely and important novel.” —Ron Rash, PEN/Faulkner finalist and New York Times bestselling author of Serena “The Poison Flood is thrilling, poignant, and full of music, a forceful counterpunch to the usual expectations about poverty, trauma, and physical difference.” —James A. McLaughlin, author of Bearskin “Jordan Farmer’s novel is both a gripping page-turner and a stunning meditation on body and place. The Poison Flood will punch you right in the throat with its honesty and its heart. Farmer is a singular talent, with a voice I won’t soon forget.” —Nick White, author of Sweet and Low “Once again, Jordan Farmer has written a darkly urgent book. The Poison Flood is not only a story about the redemptive power of art—it is itself a redeeming and beautiful work.” —Smith Henderson, author of Fourth of July Creek “Jordan Farmer’s immense talent shines with the creation of Hollis Bragg, an indelible character at the heart of this perfect ballad to rural West Virginia.” —Devin Murphy, author of The Boat Runner and Tiny Americans “Once in a great while, a book appears that gives voice to multitudes living just beyond our everyday scope. The Poison Flood establishes Jordan Farmer as a writer whose lyricism and unflinching search for truth place him among those artists who carry our deepest concerns and very best possibilities across time. This is a profoundly good book.” —Jonis Agee, author of The Bones of Paradise “A fascinating exploration of character, with a story that captivates with suspense and heart, The Poison Flood is a book about the influence of music, the power of art, and the complexities of luck. Irresistible and original.” —Timothy Schaffert, author of The Swan Gondola

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author Rebecca Hanover comes an emotional thrill ride about two women whose lives take a dangerous turn in the high-stakes arena of private school admissions. Audrey Singer revels in her position as the admissions director of an exclusive Manhattan private school. Parents cater to her whims and desires, desperate to give their children an edge. Audrey’s power is undeniable; privilege comes with the territory. Her perfect marriage completes the glossy picture of her life. Until the arrival of the neurotic, vulnerable Sarah Price. Determined to get her son into the city’s most coveted kindergarten class, Sarah inserts herself into Audrey’s world, testing boundaries at every turn. For Sarah, everything Audrey has is a potential target: her job, her friends…even her marriage. But what seems to be another ploy by an overachieving mother takes a dark and ominous turn. Sarah seems to be hiding secrets of her own. Are her designs on Audrey’s life purely about getting what she wants for her son? Or is there something more sinister at play in this cutthroat game?Trade Review“There’s a refreshing frankness about sex and attraction that drives the personal side of the drama, as well as a thoughtful recognition of how grief and loss break people down in different ways…Deliciously thrilling—and thrillingly extra.” —Kirkus Reviews Hanover’s book is dark, ominous, and oppressive from the very beginning, filled with heart-stopping, headspinning twists, bizarre characters, and a spiraling sense of impending doom. This book is for those who enjoy something very dark and very different.” —Booklist “Fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries will lap up the tense moments created by the power imbalance between Audrey and Sarah; emotional ups and downs that stem from the women’s private lives add to the roller coaster effect. As the novel is episodic, cliffhangers will thrill readers at points, and there’s a completely unpredictable ending twist. Pick up this one if you enjoyed Chandler Baker’s Cutting Teeth or Sylvie Perry’s The Hawthorne School.” —Henrietta Verma, FirstCLUE “Sharply written and deftly plotted, The Last Applicant is the best sort of psychological suspense. It hooked me from the first page and kept me guessing until its surprising, satisfying conclusion.” —Cristina Alger, New York Times bestselling author of Girls Like Us Praise for Rebecca Hanover “A fast-paced thriller about identity and love.” —Publishers Weekly “Episodic and fast moving with plenty of twists and one very big turn that will delight mystery readers.” —Booklist “An engaging ride…the novel calls attention to larger questions of identity, selfhood, and what it means to be human.” —Kirkus Reviews “Fascinating. I was captivated.” —Francine Pascal, bestselling author of the Sweet Valley High and Fearless series “As immersive and fast paced as it is shrewd, compelling, and heartbreaking.” —Ray Kurzweil, inventor, futurist, and New York Times bestselling author “A page-turner that more than delivers on its premise.” —Allison Raskin, New York Times bestselling author of I Hate Everyone but You

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less