Visit My Previous Blog for More Ideas: TBDTEACHER

http://tbdteacher.tumblr.com/

TBD Teacher

Teaching By Design...Teaching Buttheads Daily...Tortured But Determined...Tiny Bit Dorky...Totally Brain Dead...Too-busy Disorder. You can decide what the TBD stands for.

You are here: Home / Archives for mystery

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham

by // Leave a Comment

As a teacher, each school year brings about hope. There is nothing like meeting your students for the first time. What you don’t picture is a mixture of Mean Girls and Gossip Girl all rolled into one. The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter, Shelby Cunningham, takes a fun look at not only working at a boarding school, but the chaos that can happen as a student.

Book cover of 'The Academy' by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham, featuring a young woman sitting on a lawn in front of a boarding school during autumn.

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published on: September 16, 2025

From the publisher: From #1 bestselling author of The Perfect Couple Elin Hilderbrand, and her daughter, Shelby Cunningham: the irresistible, deliciously scandalous story of one drama-filled year at a New England boarding school.

To read more about the book: https://amzn.to/4h8KDBm

What I Liked About The Academy:

The mixture of a mother/daughter writer is genius. I felt that both authors could do a great job of bringing their own expertise into this novel based on where they are in life: one offering the authentic teen perspective, the other, the mature, adult faculty perspective.

As a teacher, I could just feel those feelings of a new school year. Simone is a new, young teacher who wants to take on the world and relate to her students. Audre is the head of the school and you could feel the pressure that she was under throughout the book. “Audre thinks of each new school year as a blank composition book, a fresh box of sharpened pencils – but this reveals her age. To these kids, it’s…what? An empty Google doc, the cursor blinking at the top of a laptop screen?”

Charley, a student, reminded me of so many of my past students that loved to read and was every teacher’s dream. Andrew “East” Eastmen reminded me of John Bender in The Breakfast Club, who defied authority, but had a soft side as well. Davi is the “queen bee” on campus, but there is more to her than just her beauty. All of the characters seemed true to life, and this is why I enjoyed the book so much.

It made my heart happy, as an English teacher, that great vocabulary words were introduced, but then there were explanations to go along with them. Just think of the vocabulary that young adults could learn if this was included in all of their books.

I also had to laugh about all of the food that is mentioned in this book. It constantly made me hungry, and it made me wish I could go back to college and eat whatever, whenever I wanted.

Themes Dealt With In The Book:

There are issues introduced in this book that you might want to be aware of ahead of time: bulimia, teacher/student sex, bullying, suicide, and romance. Of course, these issues makes me hope that there is a sequel; I would definitely sign up for next semester!

Final Thoughts on The Academy:

This is an easy read, and the book keeps your attention throughout the story. I found the newly developed app in the story called, “Zip Zap” downright frightening. It exposes the dark secrets of the staff and students on campus. Can you imagine learning THAT lesson? My favorite part was the setting and characters. I think boarding schools are intriguing, and I would love to visit one someday. I’m a big fan of Elin Hildebrand and this book did not disappoint!

Where To Buy The Academy and More:

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown & Co, Elin Hildebrand, and Shelby Cunningham for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Now, I’d love to hear from you: Would you or have you ever attended a boarding school? What was your experience?

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards

by // Leave a Comment

Imagine meeting for dinner with 6 of your friends twenty plus years after seeing each other. Sounds like a fun reunion, right? Well, it would be unless you are one of the guests in The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards. Lies. Secrets. Deception. It all comes out. Knowing this, would you still want to attend this little party?

Cover of 'The Wasp Trap' by Mark Edwards featuring an elegantly set dining table and splattered wine, implying tension and secrets.

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published on: September 16, 2025

From the publisher: “A dinner party in a beautiful Notting Hill townhouse turns into a sinister game, as six old friends are forced to spill their darkest secrets…or else.“

What I Liked About The Wasp Trap:

In a dual timeline with different point of views, the reader is drawn into the inner workings of the friendship that were brought together by their employer, Sebastian. In 1999, Sebastian wanted to be one of the first to create an online dating app. It is now 2024, and Sebastian is dead. I loved how the book went back and forth between the friendship of these six people (and brought back memories for me), and the tense moments of 2024 where they are forced into playing a game at the dinner party. Is there a psychopath among them?

The Wasp Trap reminded me a little of an Agatha Christie book where you are trying to guess what is actually going to happen at the dinner party. This sense of not knowing whom to trust is exactly what makes the book so enjoyable.

The perfect title, The Wasp Trap, baffled me initially, only to reveal its powerful meaning about halfway through the story. It creates an eerie feeling for the reader. You realize becoming trapped isn’t the worst that can happen to you.

A close-up of a yellow wasp trap filled with captured wasps, set against a blurred background. This reminded me of the book The Wasp Trap.

Where To Buy As A Last Resort and More:

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Mark Edwards for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Now, I’d love to hear from you: What’s the worst party you’ve ever been to?

What’s Yours Is Mine by Jennifer Jabaley

by // 1 Comment

Have you ever met a mom who is obsessed with her daughter’s achievements in sports? We’re talking a level of Dance Moms obsessed. Jennifer Jabaley’s What’s Yours Is Mine offers a fun take on this dynamic, featuring two teenage best friends who are dancers, one over-the-top mom, and another mom simply trying to reconnect with her daughter.

Book cover of 'What's Yours Is Mine' by Jennifer Jabaley featuring the title in bold red letters and a pair of scissors on a gray background.

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

You can read the synopsis of the book: https://amzn.to/4l1uqhX

Published on: August 5, 2025

From the publisher: “Determined daughters. Controlling mothers. There’s no such thing as friendly competition in a twisty novel of suspense about ambition, revenge, and unrealized dreams.”

What I Liked About What’s Yours Is Mine:

I really enjoyed the characterization in Jabaley’s book. The story is told from the different perspectives of the four characters: Elise, Colette, Valerie, and Kate. We get a look into the life of dancers and their moms. Elise is the manic mom of Colette’s achievement in dance. Colette is doing everything she can to make her mom happy. Kate is Colette’s best friend, and a dancer herself. Valerie is Kate’s mom. She struggles because she doesn’t understand Kate’s love of dance. She also doesn’t understand why Kate would rather be at Colette’s house all of the time.

My favorite character was Kate. I admire someone who has grit and determination to achieve her goals. She persists even if she doesn’t have the means to make it happen. In order to pay for her dance lessons, Kate even cleans the dance studio to help offset the fees.

My least favorite character was Elise. You aren’t supposed to love her, but I think a lot of parents will relate to her, especially if you have a child involved in sports.

This was an easy read, and I definitely wanted to find out how it ended. I gave this four out of five stars because I enjoyed reading it. The ending seemed a little rushed, but I thought it wrapped up nicely. Middle school readers and young adults would enjoy this book as well.

Two teenage girls in dance attire stand side by side, with serious expressions, while two women, presumably their mothers, watch from behind in a dance studio setting. This is what they looked like in What's Yours Is Mine by Jennifer Jabaley.

Where To Buy The Book and More:

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Jennifer Jabaley for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Now, I’d love to hear from you: Have you ever met a parent that is obsessed with their child’s achievement in sports? I’d love to hear the stories.

Michael Connelly’s Nightshade: His Thrilling New Mystery

by // Leave a Comment

Reading a Michael Connelly book is like tasting your grandma’s cooking. You know it’s going to be good before you even start! His newest novel, Nightshade, didn’t disappoint.

Book cover of 'Nightshade' by Michael Connelly featuring a picturesque view of a harbor and mountains at sunset. The title and author's name are prominently displayed.

Read what it’s about and buy it at: https://amzn.to/4jHBLCw

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published May 20, 2025

What I Liked About Nightshade:

I am a huge fan of Michael Connelly, especially of his Bosch series, so I was excited to see that he started a new character to enjoy.

I enjoyed reading about Stillwell, the new character and Los Angeles police detective. His character portrayed what police work would look like on a small island. Even though he was “exiled” to Catalina and told to stay out of the mainland’s jurisdiction, Stillwell must solve who killed the woman found at the bottom of the harbor.

His side interest/romance added a nice subplot, but it didn’t detract from the story line. As Stillwell tries to solve the murder mystery, you can see how police politics happen even in small towns. It was an interesting murder mystery, and I would love to read more books in the series about Stillwell.

The best part is that it mainly takes place on Catalina Island. I loved being able to picture the different places around the island, especially in the town of Avalon. If you have never been to Catalina Island, Connelly talks a little about the story and shows video of Catalina in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvlt4U6Fe1w

traditional movie theater in harbor in california for book Nightshade
Photo by MICHAEL MCGARRY on Pexels.com

What Could Be Better in Nightshade:

Since Stillwell is a new character in the series, I wish Connelly had described him in a little more detail. Since I wasn’t sure what to picture in my head, I just pictured…you guessed it…Bosch. I know Stillwell isn’t like him, but I wanted more detail about who he is.

Otherwise, it is a slow-burn mystery, mixed in with some romance, and a fun, easy read. What book have you read that takes place in one of your favorite vacation spots?

Extras:

Here are my two favorite books also by Michael Connelly:

  1. The Waiting: https://amzn.to/4kBGR4L
  2. Resurrection Walk: https://amzn.to/45Wjw94
    • It has Lincoln Lawyer AND Bosch in it.

You can buy Nightshade at: https://amzn.to/4jHBLCw

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown, and Company, and Michael Connelly for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Fifty Fifty By Steve Cavanagh: Unraveling a Murder Mystery

by // 1 Comment

911 receives two different calls from two sisters in the same house. Their father has been murdered and each one claimed that their sister did it. Who are we to believe?

As a teacher, I always had to remember that there are two sides to every story. Then it was my job to try to figure out who was telling the truth. Sometimes, I had to realize that there were just two different perspectives to the same event. Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is fast-paced. It is an adventure ride of trying to figure out who is telling the truth.

https://amzn.to/432L9fb

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published: June 3rd, 2025

What is Fifty Fifty About?

Fifty Fifty is part of the Eddie Flynn series, but this is a stand-alone book. It’s like watching another episode, if Eddie Flynn had his own tv series (which I think he should).

Eddie Flynn, a lawyer, is hired by one of the two Avellino sisters who is on trial for murder. He is convinced that his client is innocent. The other sister hires her own lawyer, Kate, who is also convinced her client is innocent. Which one is telling the truth?

“How do you represent someone you know is guilty? How do you stand there and tell a jury that they’re innocent?”

What I Liked About Fifty Fifty:

I like how this story is told through different points of view. You have Eddie’s, Kate’s, and then there is a “She.” She is one of the sisters, but you don’t know which one until the very end. I thought this was a great way to write the story because it added suspense. I kept changing my mind on who “She” really is; of course, I had a fifty-fifty chance on whether I was correct or not.

My favorite parts of the book happened in the courtroom. I like reading how lawyers try to outwit each other, especially while questioning the witnesses. The questions were strategic, and as a reader, you wanted to figure out where the lawyer was headed. You can tell that Cavanagh is a former lawyer, and he uses his expertise to profile legal maneuvering.

I gave this four out of five stars. While I wasn’t totally blindsided by the plot twists, they were cleverly woven into the narrative and kept me engaged. The journey of uncovering the truth, especially in the last half of the book as the pieces started to fall into place, was thoroughly enjoyable, and I absolutely needed to know the identity of ‘She’ by the final page.

Extras:

Here are some books that reminded me of this one because they are mysteries or courtroom dramas. If you liked these, then you will also like this book.

  1. The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker: https://amzn.to/4mgPP8O
  2. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano: https://amzn.to/3GKvfgN
  3. Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni: https://amzn.to/4kyvf23

You can buy Fifty Fifty at: https://amzn.to/4kbPkuB

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Steve Cavanagh for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Julie Clark’s The Ghostwriter: A Gripping Tale of Suspense

by // 1 Comment

Julie Clark’s latest, The Ghostwriter, delivers on all fronts: tension, unsolved mysteries, family drama, unexpected twists, and deeply complex characters. I read it in two days because I needed to know the ending. It was THAT good.

The Ghostwriter

5/5 stars ★★★★★

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/43Fl3h1

Publication Date: June 3, 2025

About The Ghostwriter:

Here is the trailer that was sent to me by the publishing company. It does a great job of setting up the storyline, without giving too much away.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n6jiexb70x6at4lxuy4td/The-Ghostwriter-Book-Trailer.mp4?rlkey=xcn2ysjqhouh4xjpm1di2r63c&st=zfhz4hp9&dl=0

The story unfolds through alternating timelines in 1975 and 2025, told from the perspectives of Olivia, Vincent, and Poppy. This multi-POV structure not only immerses the reader in the culture of each era but also skillfully pieces together the complex mystery.

Central to the mystery are two teenage siblings found dead in 1975, with their middle brother, Vincent, appearing guilty. Decades later, his estranged daughter, Olivia, agrees to ghostwrite Vincent’s memoir because she needs the money. She is also hoping to uncover the truth about that tragic day while keeping her family’s dark past a secret. Will she succeed?

What I Liked About The Ghostwriter:

I loved this book, especially the second half. Clark did a great job of creating complex characters and interesting storylines. As a reader, I kept second-guessing myself of who killed the two siblings. The different subplots added to the suspense, and I enjoyed the different points of view.

The author in the book, Vincent, has Lewy Body Dementia, which is similar to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It is a form of dementia where a person has hallucinations, and memory and movement loss. It was interesting to do a little research about it on my own, and I loved learning something new. It also made me question Vince’s side of the story.

The storyline is a slow burn as Clark throws little tidbits of information to the reader, and makes you second guess your previous thinking. I love when authors do this in a book. My favorite point of view was that of Poppy, Vince’s sister. You knew you were going to learn important information each time her chapter popped up.

Once you reach the second half of the book, I suggest you carve out some hours to just sit and read. You are going to want to find out what happens at the end.

Would you be able to be a ghostwriter for your estranged father? What if it meant you could help solve the mystery of who killed two of these teenagers – your aunt and uncle?

Vince, Danny, and Poppy

Extras:

Here is another book by Julie Clark that I recommend:

  1. The Last Flight – https://amzn.to/3FIO97g – “Two women. Two flights. One last chance to disappear.“

You can buy The Ghostwriter at: https://amzn.to/43Fl3h1

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Julie Clark for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Kristy Woodson Harvey’s Beach House Rules: Your Next Summer Read

by // 1 Comment

I have learned in life that family doesn’t always have to come from blood. Sometimes, best friends and their own kids feel more like family than your own. Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey definitely proves that point. In the perfect beach house, with imperfect people, the “mommune” was created.

https://amzn.to/4dCdrkl

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published: May 27th, 2025

What Is Beach House Rules About?

It’s a perfect blend of friendship, family, mystery, humor, romance, and drama. In the truest sense, it shows how a small-town community can come together when times are tough.

Charlotte, and her daughter, Iris, are caught without a home nor money to spend. Charlotte’s husband has been arrested for fraud, and now they have no where to go. That is, until Alice, a random woman, offers them a place to stay at the “mommune.”

The mommune is at a beautiful beach house, and consists of women and children living together as a family. The rest of the community thinks it is strange. However, they are helping each other to survive in a world that is difficult for them at the moment.

It doesn’t help that there is a gossipy Instagram account that throws the town’s dirty laundry out like it’s feeding time for the wolves, and the writer seems to have it out for the mommune.

Will they be able to survive this time in their life or will the small town talk take them down?

My Thoughts on The Beach House Rules:

I love when books blend many different genres and themes together. While showing the drama of four different women in their lives, almost any reader can connect to some part of the story line. My favorite character in the story, though, was Iris, Charlotte’s teen daughter. I love a good coming-of-age romance, and her wit and intelligence just added more depth to her character.

There’s a good mystery of whether Charlotte’s husband committed the fraud or whether he is innocent. As a reader, you also try to figure out who is behind the snarky Instagram account. I cracked up each time the author of the account signed off a different way.

It is fun to read about female relationships. I wanted to wrap myself up with a quilt on the beach, and drink a glass of wine with these four women. They each have their own drama that brought them to the mommune, but they always have each other’s backs.

The book had a satisfying resolution, which I appreciate. It is going to make a great summer book for the beach.

Would you be able to live in a house like the “mommune”? I definitely would! I could help with the children’s homework, if someone else is willing to do the cooking and cleaning. 🙂

Extras:

Here are some other books by Kristy Woodson Harvey that I recommend:

  1. Slightly South of Simple – https://amzn.to/4dib2Lf (I loved this whole series about a mom and her daughters)
  2. A Happier Life – https://amzn.to/4mlKs8k (“A touching novel about eternal love and the places we call home”)
  3. Under the Southern Sky – https://amzn.to/43xcTbO (“Two childhood friends discover that love–and family–can be found in unconventional ways”)

You can buy Beach House Rules at: https://amzn.to/4dCdrkl

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Kristy Woodson Harvey for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

The Marriage Rules By Samatha Hayes: Surprising Twists & Complex Characters

by // Leave a Comment

If someone said that you would have to follow ten rules in order to marry them, would you do it? The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes is a psychological thriller that will have you stunned at the end.

https://amzn.to/4ddEn9I

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published: April 4th, 2025

What is The Marriage Rules About?

The Marriage Rules is told in three parts. The first part is told through the perspective of Fiona, who marries Jason, a doctor and father of two girls. Before they married, Jason set up 10 rules that everyone had to abide by in order to keep “the family safe.” For example, everyone has to be in bed by 8:00. No leaving the house unless it’s for a good reason. There will be a family confessional every day at 6 pm. No watching the news or using social media. Could you live with these rules so far?

The second part is told through the perspective of Jason. You begin to learn more about the rules and why they were set. The third part? Well, we won’t even talk about the ending. You have to read it to find out.

My Thoughts on The Marriage Rules:

This is definitely a book about damaged characters! Each time I read about the rules, I cringed. Who would agree to such a thing? Samantha Hayes does a good job of setting up the story, so you are surprised throughout the book. I didn’t love the adult characters, but I liked reading about the girls and their strength throughout the story. I didn’t know whether to trust Jason or Fiona’s part of the story. Both of them were unsettling. When the rules start getting broken, that is when the story really becomes interesting.

I had so many questions about certain details throughout the book. The ending answered my questions. It tied them up nicely. If you enjoy stories about mental institutions, dysfunctional families, or childhood trauma, you will enjoy this story. You will also enjoy it if you like stories about the loss of a spouse.

I gave this book four out of five stars. I wanted to keep reading and there were some surprises along the way. It also made me wonder what I would tolerate to marry someone I loved.

Would you be able to abide by these rules in your marriage?

Extras:

Here are some books that reminded me of this one because they are psychological thrillers. If you liked these, then you will also like this book.

  1. Lies He Told Me by James Patterson – https://amzn.to/43o16MM
  2. House of Glass by Sarah Pekannen – https://amzn.to/43k0Iiq
  3. I Let Her In by Maria Frankland – https://amzn.to/4m8IUOy

You can buy this book at: https://amzn.to/4ddEn9I

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Samantha Hayes for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy

by // Leave a Comment

It’s no surprise that a murder case is never the way it seems in a book. The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy is no different. Denny, a neurodivergent man with an IQ of 72, is charged with the murder of a mayoral candidate when he is found after crashing a sled full of guns into a tree. Can he prove to the police why this happened?

https://amzn.to/42MWL5x

3/5 stars ★★★☆☆

My Thoughts On The Sideways Life of Denny Voss:

This story was a sweet but slow-moving burn for me. I enjoyed the characters that are in Denny’s life. Of course, the dog, George, a deaf and blind Saint Bernard, won my heart over. But it was Denny’s cousin, Argus, that was my favorite. He was always so loving toward Denny, even when he had to be tough with him. I also love a funny t-shirt, so I enjoyed that each time Argus showed up in the story, he was wearing a different funny shirt.

Neurodivergent people hold a special place in my heart, so maybe this is why this story was a little difficult for me to read. Denny was leading a good life, and yet, he was misunderstood, and that was frustrating to me. I saw so many of my past students in Denny. It just made me want to hug him.

This book has high ratings from so many readers, so I hope that you will still give it a try. I am definitely the oddball with my rating. It repeated a little too much for me, and I wanted to hurry the story along. I do love the cover, though. It was a perfect choice for this story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Kennedy, and Lake Union Publishing for my free copy. This is my honest review.

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

My New Favorite Product This Week:

My Kindle died this week, so I had to get a new one. Of course, this also meant a new cover. I love my new Vori cover because you can hold it with the strap if you are laying down, or use the stand if you are sitting in a chair. Plus, they have a lot of great designs to choose from. It is absolutely perfect, and I highly recommend it.

https://amzn.to/3RlP684

The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker: A Thriller You Won’t Want To Miss!

by // 2 Comments

Best ending ever! The cover says, “You’ll never forget the ending…” Whoa, they weren’t kidding. The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker was extremely suspenseful, especially during the second half. In true Patterson fashion, The Writer keeps you on your toes as you try to figure out the mystery.

https://amzn.to/3G3K6Cw

5/5 stars ★★★★★

What Is The Writer About?

This thriller is about a true-crime writer, Denise Morrow, who is found next to her dead husband. She is covered in blood and holding a knife. NYPD Detective, Declan Shaw, finds her behavior odd and starts to delve deeper into the mystery. As he dives into her past, he begins to see that things are more sinister than he thought.

My Thoughts on The Writer:

I loved this book. I’m a big fan of James Patterson and his thriller books, but combine that with the talents of J.D. Barker, and this book is a hit! Just like in other Patterson books, he takes some time to set up the mystery. BUT, you know something great and suspenseful is coming. This book didn’t disappoint.

Declan Shaw is a likable and relatable character. I like how the character’s flaws are shown throughout the story. He doesn’t dress nicely, like his partner, Jarod Cordova. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Harry Bosch in the Michael Connelly series. He takes his job seriously, but he can definitely get in trouble while doing his best work.

I couldn’t stand Denise Morrow, but I was intrigued by her talents as a true-crime writer. It makes me wonder if true-crime writers have more of a criminal mind than criminals themselves. Ha. They research crimes extensively. Detectives should talk to them in real life to hear their thoughts on a case.

My favorite part of the book is all of the twists. They were brilliant and added to the story. I had to process the ending when I finished. I sat there and thought, “What did I just read???”

This is now one of my favorite Patterson books. Which one is your favorite?

I gave this book five out of five stars. It should definitely be made into a movie. I didn’t want to stop reading, and I will remember the ending for a while.

You can buy this book at: https://amzn.to/3G3K6Cw. This is a great gift for someone who is a Patterson fan. Since it was just published, you won’t need to worry if they have already read it.

EXTRAS:

If you love James Patterson books, here are some of my favorites and recommend:

  1. Lies He Told Me
  2. The #1 Lawyer
  3. The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride #1)

*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, James Patterson, J.D. Barker, and Little, Brown & Co for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Want To Know My Favorite Product of the Week at Amazon?

Amazon will send me products in order to give them a review. Some are big hits with me, and others are true bombs. Here is my latest fave:

If you love fruit preserves, I recommend the Just Spread Fruit Preserve. These preserves are made with real fruit pieces. I tried three different kinds, but the apricot is my favorite. There were huge chunks of fruit in them. I also like that it only had four ingredients. Check it out: https://amzn.to/43Jqi12

Recent Posts

Use the Code While You Can!

https://amzn.to/3YW7KXd Get great deals on Amazon Prime today. I have already saved over $3,000 this year.