by J M Petrick

A Mystery/Thriller, 2026 by Matchbook Press, 285 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

• The bones don’t appear to be connected to anything else and that is a bit frustrating. It sort of gives the book a weird vibe because you aren’t sure how these all come together or what’s happening. Usually this would add to the tension, but instead, they feel like a forgotten component for most of the story.
• The book takes a turn that has the potential to be strong and comes off a little over the top. It’s almost overplayed. The guilty parties come off as caricatures.
• A bit gory there at the end. Call it a content warning if you need one.

What I Did Like:

• The opening introduces a character at their lowest. It’s an interesting way to open. At first I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea but it helps you understand the struggles the character has for the rest of the book quickly, which works!
• The slow unraveling of the mystery works. It sort of grows from something a little odd into something shocking, and that’s fun!
• Morris and Nora are both great narrators. They each add something different to the story and it brings lots of big themes into play.

Who Should Read This One:

• Fans of mysteries that have lots of layers and aren’t always what they seem.

My Rating: 3 Stars