#bookseries – Page 4 – Rosepoint Publishing

Nightshade by Michael Connelly #AudiobookReview #ThrowbackThursday #policeprocedurals

Catalina #1

Editors’ pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Book Blurb:

AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Introducing Detective Stilwell: a cop relentlessly following his mission in the seemingly idyllic setting of Catalina Island.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell has been “exiled” to a low-key post policing rustic Catalina Island, after department politics drove him off a homicide desk on the mainland. But while following up the usual drunk-and-disorderlies and petty thefts that come with his new territory, Detective Stilwell gets a report of a body found weighed down at the bottom of the harbor—a Jane Doe identifiable at first only by a streak of purple dye in her hair. At the same time, a report of poaching on a protected reserve turns into a case fraught with violence and danger as Stilwell digs into the shady past of an island bigwig.

Crossing all lines of protocol and jurisdiction, Stilwell doggedly works both cases. Though hampered by an old beef with an ex-colleague determined to thwart him at every turn, he is convinced he is the only one who can bring justice to the woman known as “Nightshade.” Soon, his investigation uncovers closely guarded secrets and a dark heart to the serene island that was meant to be his escape from the evils of the big city.

My Review:

Of course, my favorite books by this author are the Ballard, Bosch, or Haller stories, but, hey, it’s Michael Connelly and he’s a go-to author for me no matter the book, in this case, number one of a new series.

This one centers around Santa Catalina Island, one of California’s Channel Islands twenty-six miles off the Los Angeles coastline. I’m most familiar with Avalon, located on the south end. It’s the storied stuff of an old song. (Yeah, a long time ago, oh the nostalgia.)

Anyway, one of those quiet little island paradises that holds tourist interest but probably not the ideal location where LA Detective Stilwell would have wanted. It’s a low-key assignment, drunk and disorderlies, not exactly the exciting homicide department he’s used to, so it’s extremely unusual when a body is found at the bottom of the harbor. About the same time, a poaching on the island reserve is a no-no, which investigation takes him into the dark territory of an old island despot.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly — Nightshade cover – US

He tackles both, sometimes creating conflict with an ex-colleague left on unfriendly terms. In the meantime, the reader enjoys an armchair visit with the island and the people, the little town of Avalon, a unique location.

Underneath that bucolic sea air and picturesque setting lies a cloudy layer of subterfuge. Secrets never meant to surface. It doesn’t take long before the twists and turns have you flipping pages.

Stilwell is richly drawn, the storyline gritty, and the setting atmospheric. Connelly fans get a hook at the beginning as it sets up and establishes the setting and the characters (quite a few of them). There is a budding romance (seems like there always is) and as usual the MC’s fierce dedication to his job may cause a bit of friction. We’ll see.

I waited quite a while for this audiobook to come up on the wait list. It was worth it. Narration was smooth and nuanced. The CE read and reviewed the book when it first came out, offered by NetGalley. He quite enjoyed and gave it five stars last year.

Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedurals, Murder Thrillers
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Narrator: Will Damron

Title Links:

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Michael Connelly is the bestselling author of more than forty novels and one work of nonfiction. With over eighty-nine million copies of his books sold worldwide and translated into forty-five foreign languages, he is one of the most successful writers working today. A former newspaper reporter who worked the crime beat at the Los Angeles Times and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Connelly has won numerous awards for his journalism and his fiction. His very first novel, The Black Echo, won the prestigious Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 1992. In 2002, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in the movie adaptation of Connelly’s 1998 novel, Blood Work. In March 2011, the movie adaptation of his #1 bestselling novel, The Lincoln Lawyer, hit theaters worldwide starring Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller. His most recent New York Times bestsellers include The Waiting (2024), Resurrection Walk (2023), Desert Star (2022), The Dark Hours (2021), The Law Of Innocence (2020), Fair Warning (2020), and The Night Fire (2019). Michael is the executive producer of Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, Amazon Studios original drama series based on his bestselling character Harry Bosch, starring Titus Welliver and streaming on Amazon Prime/Amazon Freevee. He is the executive producer of The Lincoln Lawyer, streaming on Netflix, starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. He is also the executive producer of the documentary films, “Sound Of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story’ and ‘Tales Of the American.’ He spends his time in California and Florida.

Audiobooks with headphones — Graphic books and coffee courtesy Freepik.com

Reverse by Steven F Havill – #BookReview #policeprocedurals #NetGalley

A Posadas County Mystery Book 28

Book Blurb:

A road to nowhere . . .

Recovering from a near-death collision with a giant elk, Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman is back to finish her last month at the Posadas County sheriff’s office. It’s supposed to be a quiet road to retirement, until a body is found at the bottom of a water-filled quarry. The barely alive figure of the grandson of the wealthiest man in town also lies further down the ravine.

Figuring out what really happened is going to take everything that Estelle and her understaffed, overworked team have. Especially when there’s a vandal on the loose targeting the local airfield and the department has its own internal issues wreaking havoc.

Plunged into another tricky investigation, one Estelle hopes will be her last, she can’t help but think her retirement can’t come soon enough . . .

His Review:

She is a lovely 16-year-old girl and has the chance to drive a vintage Corvette. The opportunity is overwhelming. Sure, the car is a stick shift but she knows she is a quick learner. The key is handy and the ride up to the quarry will be fun on this warm and breezy night. What could possibly go wrong?

Young Martin Chavez is smitten with her and would like to ride along. However, he does not have access to the car or the garage where it is stored. So, he takes his motorcycle up to the quarry to keep an eye on her and her escort. The quarry is deep and filled with water but many young couples use the area as a quiet place for a tryst. A little night petting after a joy ride is not unusual, but Martin is very jealous of the guy with her.

She backs up the car expecting the photo shoot to give her lifelong memories. When things go awry, what follows is a very extensive investigation that attempts to pin the blame on young Martin.

C E Williams The MC is Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman who is looking forward to retirement and counting the days. This tragedy, however, takes most of her focus as she is also wrestling with a vandal wreaking chaos and confusion. The MC appeared to me to be quick to judge, no one’s fool, seen it-been there, and had no patience for anyone she suspected of wrong doing. You wouldn’t want to cross her. This along with the usual internal issues of the department spells some slow time for the plot. 3.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Three point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedurals, Women Sleuths
Publisher: Severn House
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Steven F. Havill is an American author of mysteries and westerns.

Havill lives in Raton, New Mexico, with his wife Kathleen. He has written two series of police procedurals set in the fictional Posadas County, New Mexico; along with other works. [Goodreads]

#SundayRead

Hard Time by Logan Ryles #BookReview #MilitaryThrillers #NetGalley

Mason Sharpe Thrillers Book 13

Book Blurb:

Everyone wants him caught. Someone wants him dead.

On the frozen backroads of upstate New York, Army veteran Mason Sharpe picks up a hitchhiker stranded in the cold.

Minutes later, a sheriff’s deputy pulls them over. Three gunshots ring out, the deputy collapses into the snow, and the hitchhiker disappears into the woods.

Joining local cops on the manhunt, Mason learns the truth: the hitchhiker is Shane Hagan, an escaped federal inmate and fellow special forces veteran.

But when a second encounter erupts into a gunfight in the winter forest, Mason sees what the cops are missing – someone wants Hagan silenced.

Caught in the middle of a deadly web, Mason must choose—trust the system that convicted Hagan or believe a fellow veteran’s desperate story and help him save his family. Make the wrong call, and Mason could end up in prison.

But some bonds are worth any risk. And Mason Sharpe has never been afraid of Hard Time.

His Review:

Shane Hogan has escaped from a secured hospital room and is running loose. Set up by a mafia lord, Shane pleads not guilty to protect his family. A freezing New York winter is nowhere to be escaping to, but Shane is not an ordinary prisoner. He is obviously well trained in military evasion tactics.

Mason Sharpe is another ex-military special operative. Together, they are in constant evasion of the Stefano Crime family. The syndicate is a much closer threat than the New York state police. Their objective is to silence Shane. He has stumbled into their covert drug smuggling method and they would rather kill him and his family than allow the evidence to reach law enforcement.

Logan Ryles keeps this book moving at a brisk pace while building appreciation and admiration for these two ex-special forces operatives. There is no lack of intrigue and excitement as the story progresses. Enjoy! 4.5 stars CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Publisher: Inkubator Books
Publication Date: February 22, 2026
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK

The Author: Logan Ryles was born in small-town USA and knew from an early age he wanted to be a writer. After working as a pizza delivery driver, sawmill operator, and banker, he finally embraced the dream and has been writing ever since. With a passion for action-packed and mystery-laced stories, Logan’s work has ranged from global-scale political thrillers to small-town vigilante hero fiction.

Beyond writing, Logan enjoys saltwater fishing, road trips, sports, and fast cars. He’s married to psychological thriller writer Annie Harlow, and together with their two fun-loving dogs they enjoy a happy life of crafting suspense and mayhem from their suburban home in Alabama.

Visit Logan’s website at http://www.loganryles.com.

Bookshelf

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts #BookReview #GeneralHumorousFiction #TuesdayBookBlog

The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series

Book Blurb:

Everyone Has a Hidden Talent

For Lucky O’Toole it’s murder…solving it.

Surviving in Sin City takes cunning, a pair of five-inch heels, and a wiseass attitude. Lucky has mastered them all and has a pair of legs she uses to kick butt and turn heads.

As the Chief Problem Solver for the Babylon, Las Vegas’s most over-the-top destination, mischief is in her job description.

She’s good at her job.

She’s less good at life. But who has time for a life when there’s a killer on the loose?

WANNA GET LUCKY?

A woman falls from a tour helicopter to the horror of the 8:30 Pirate show crowd.

Was it suicide? An accident? Could she have been pushed?

Lucky’s day began with the invasion of the Adult Video Awards and Trade show convention.

It got more hectic when the spouse-swapping annual event checked in.

And if adding a body to the mix wasn’t enough, Lucky’s got a new suitor. Her best friend, Teddie, a female impersonator who is pressing to take their relationship to the next level.

Can she really date a man who looks better in a dress?

What happened to the woman over the pirate show?

Will her sleuthing skills catch the killer and save her job?

A light, funny, romantic mystery providing a Vegas escape appropriate for anyone looking for a good laugh. Pick up a copy now and start your adventure.

My Review:

Oh good grief! In my bid to find a romance book that wasn’t too gooey, graphic, or musical level corny, I downloaded this one. Gees, can I pick’em or what?! No suggestions, on my own, so this is what happens.

You know that old saw about “what happens in Vegas…” In case you haven’t been, you might be aware that this is actually pretty close, especially if you still wear an apron while cooking (with nothing underneath the apron). Vegas is crazy and I’ll grant you, could spin a whole boatload of off-the-wall stories. This could be one of them.

So, yes, it might start off with an interesting hook and look for all the world like a standard crime thriller. But don’t be fooled.

Lucky is a unique MC. She is the head of customer relations at the Babylon megacasino. She’s young but street smart and can handle herself very well. Mentored under the tutelage of The Big Boss, she’s made a few mistakes, but knows everyone, who they are, what they do, and what is going on in the city.

“Vegas rule number one—you can’t make any money if you can’t keep it in the house.”

Busy dealing with the upcoming adult film industry’s annual awards, spouse-swapping convention, and ElectroniCon, she’s distracted by the death of a young woman who took a header into the Pirate Lagoon of Treasure Island. Circumstances link to the Babylon and maybe not a suicide—something she’ll look into.

So why would you like this one? Is it really a romance? Well, sorta. As the blurb says, she’s got feelings for the female impersonator that tends to short-circuit her brain and spark like a dying bulb. He is quite engaging as a support character.

The overall feel of the book is one of snarky attitude (think the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano). It’s rife with innuendo, this side of explicit, bordering on raunchy, particularly nearing the end of the narrative. I’m one who was surprised at the graphic nature of the last Robyn Carr novel I ventured into, so will say this one doesn’t get that visual. It’s chock full of familiar analogies though.

“She feasted on men like a lioness on baby gazelles—hungry, but indifferent.”

The descriptions of Las Vegas depict “the Strip” pretty well. It’s bright, flashy, loud 24 hours/day and easy to lose your shirt and the horse you rode in on pretty quick. Not my thing, but readers who enjoy non-stop action, mystery, and romance may very well find this a fun Valentine’s read.

This is Book 1 of what looks like an eleven-book series. I could see where it might be heading, as Lucky set herself up for a hit (no doubt) in Book 2.

Many thanks to my favorite library for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: General Humorous Fiction, Mystery Romance, Women Sleuths
Publisher: Chestnut Street Press
Publication Date: June 14, 2015

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Deborah Coonts swears she was switched at birth. Coming from a family of homebodies, Deborah is the odd woman out, happiest with a passport, a high-limit credit card, her computer, and changing scenery outside her window. Goaded by an insatiable curiosity, she flies airplanes, rides motorcycles, travels the world, and pretends to be more of a badass than she probably is. Deborah is the author of the Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure series, a romantic mystery romp through Sin City. Wanna Get Lucky?, the first in the series, was a New York Times Notable Crime Novel and a double RITA™ Award Finalist. She has also penned the Kate Sawyer Medical Thriller series, the Brinda Rose Humorous Mystery series, as well as a couple of standalones. Although often on an adventure, you can always track her down at www.deborahcoonts.com or https://www.goodreads.com/deborahcoonts

AN INTERVIEW WITH DEBORAH COONTS

Why did you decide to write humor?

I’m not sure I decided to add snark to the Lucky books, specifically to Lucky’s own voice, it just happened that way. When I was a kid, my mouth always got me into trouble. Finally, I’ve found a way to harness the sarcasm for the Forces of Good—or at least in a way not to anger my grandmother. And when Lucky started talking to me, she had a strong dose of sass in her.

The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure series is hard to categorize. Is that by design?

When I set out to write Wanna Get Lucky?, I knew I wanted to write a romp through Las Vegas. I had the characters and the setting but no real understanding of narrative drive. So, I threw a young woman out of a tour helicopter into the middle of the Pirate Show and let the story unfold. A bit of murder to keep the plot moving, some wisecracking and Vegas mischief to make you laugh, and some romance to keep it interesting. A bit of a mash up, but it works.

The Mediator by Robert Bailey – #BookReview #legalthrillers #NetGalley

Max Ringo Book 1

Book Blurb:

From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Rich Justice and The Boomerang comes a gripping thriller about a disgraced lawyer facing the legal battle of her life as she tries to redeem herself—and save her son.

Max Ringo was once a courtroom star at an elite law firm. Then a car accident left her addicted to painkillers, and her life dissolved into shambles. Now fresh out of rehab and making a comeback as a mediator, she gets her shot at redemption when she is appointed to handle a high-stakes divorce.

But as Max begins negotiations between the two notorious power players, the trap is already sprung. The husband kidnaps her teenage son, Nathan, and gives her a chilling ultimatum: settle the case on his terms…or the boy dies.

Over three relentless days, Max must resolve a cutthroat legal battle while pursuing a covert mission to rescue Nathan. She’ll risk everything—her career, her freedom, her life—to beat a ruthless adversary at his own game. Even when a shadowy syndicate enters the fray and bodies start to drop, only one thing matters. She must bring her son home, whatever the cost.

His Review:

Max Ringo has been a top negotiator while working with litigators and others to settle estates and other businesses. This story points out the difficulty of settlement as the estates become larger and the stakes for the parties’ life-changing outcomes are impacted. The amounts are enormous and those who have the largest stake are the ones least willing to give up their position.

A multi-billion-dollar estate is the key issue in this story. Drugs and crime take center stage as the participants balance personal problems with financial greed. Winning and losing may mean a castle or a shack. None of the litigants in this conflict is willing to concede! The most recalcitrant is Dagger Richardson who helped to take a fledgling company into a multi-billion-dollar concern. Can there be a meeting of the minds and a resolution to this issue?

My last novel by this author, Rich Justice, is the third in the Jason Rich series read and reviewed last year. This book kicks off the new Max Ringo series and is well-paced action with a somewhat lower body count. The story is a prime example of how the wealthy keep their wealth. Read and try to understand the dynamics of the situation. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Legal Thrillers, Conspiracy Thrillers
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication Date: May 12, 2026
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

The Author: Robert Bailey is the bestselling author of the McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers series, which includes The Final Reckoning, The Last Trial, Between Black and White, and The Professor. The first two novels in the series were Beverly Hills Book Awards legal thriller of the year winners, and Between Black and White was a finalist for the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year.

For the past nineteen years, Bailey has been a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, where he lives with his wife and three children. For more information, please visit http://www.robertbaileybooks.com.

Have a great Week! — Graphic by Canva templates

Phoenix Rising by Michael Reit #BookReview #HistoricalBiographicalFiction #NetGalley

The Covert War Chronicles Book 2

Book Blurb:

As Hitler’s armies pour across the Polish border, three lives are forever changed.

Jewish refugee Felix Wolff believes he has found safety in England, but he is arrested and thrown into a British internment camp as a suspected Nazi spy. To clear his name and join the fight against Hitler, he must break free of a system that mistakes him for the very evil he fled.

Fresh off his ruthless campaign in Poland, Sicherheitsdienst agent Karl Vogt is sent on a chilling mission: to devise a system for controlling the growing Jewish population within the Reich. His cold efficiency lays the groundwork for a coming horror the world has yet to comprehend.

In Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, Adela Beran risks everything to pass secrets from a weapons factory to the Czech resistance. When she’s asked to help assassinate Heinrich Himmler in Berlin, she faces a terrifying choice: stay in the shadows or strike a deadly blow against tyranny.

His Review:

The Nazi war machine has the whole European continent in chaos. Poland and its army had weapons woefully inadequate against the German war machine. As the Germans advance, the Poles are pushed back quickly. The choice was total destruction of their country or surrender. There was no real option. The Jewish people were then systematically rounded up and placed into restricted areas or simply killed outright.

This book follows three individuals who are followed through the conflict. Some in Poland and others in Czechoslovakia where a giant munitions factory is working twenty-four hours a day to produce weapons for the Third Reich. Those who do not meet quotas of production are simply taken out and eliminated. One of the factory supervisors is a brother of Herman Goering. Goering is not as fanatic as is his brother; however, his connections help to protect his workers.

This story is very well thought through and challenges some of the impressions other writers have developed regarding German factory efficiency. Ever present is the threat of torture at the hands of the Gestapo. Some of the patriots in the factory work on ways to hamper production. The results are weapons or bombs that do not function properly. This book is a true mind-awakening journey. 4 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction, Historical German Fiction, Biographical Historical Fiction
Publisher: 700 Miles Publishing
ASIN: B0FW59K17F
Print Length: 424 pages
Publication Date: January 8, 2026
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK

The Author: Michael Reit writes page-turning historical fiction. His books focus on lesser-known events and people in World War II Europe.

He writes his books from the Netherlands, where he lives with his family.

#SundayRead

The Last Post:The Knocknashee Series – Book 7 by Jean Grainer #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog – #historicalfiction

The Knocknashee Story

in Historical Irish Fiction

Book Blurb:

As the dark clouds of war finally begin to break, Grace Fitzgerald and Richard Lewis glimpse the possibility of a future together after years of turmoil. Their hard-won love has withstood so much already.

Now, as the Allies launch their final assault on the European continent—determined to rid the world of Nazi terror at whatever cost—Grace must say goodbye once again. Richard has a dual mission: to witness and report on the invasion that will decide the world’s fate, and to fulfil a promise to find someone who vanished without a trace.

But in Richard’s absence, Grace faces her own reckoning. Drawn back to an old adversary, she must fight one final battle. Will their love survive not just the war, but the ghosts of their past?

My Review:

Hard to believe the journey that began with the toss of a bottle by distraught Grace Fitzgerald. Then the bottle with the note in it was found by the dog belonging to an equally disquieted Richard Lewis on one of his solitary walks along the coast.

Tis a long journey that belonged to the pen pals of nations across the pond from each other, one the victim of childhood polio in a small Irish village in Ireland, the other a man of family means and money.

The Last Post by Jean Grainger — The Knocknashee Story – Book 7

It’s only the spellbinding Irish storytelling pen of the author that the following years would be chronicled in a tale that would see Grace outliving her tyrannical older sister to find the strong, intelligent, and resourceful woman she becomes. Richard with his own pen, along with his Jewish buddy and rabid photographer, finds redemption as well as life-shattering journalistic experiences during the horrors of WWII.

It’s in this installment that Grace and Richard finally manage a short-celebrated wedding when he’s called immediately back to France to fulfill his last life-threatening assignment. There is egregious loss. The war conditions and the evil incarnate that Hitler ascribed to especially near the end when it became apparent of the German loss of the war painted gruesome scenes in the mind.

Grace, hampered by the mores of the time and the church, has learned how to deal with the church and Canon Rafferty specifically to achieve the safe custody of another victim. (The country and continent may change, but it’s remarkable how the people confront the same issues.)

The novel beautifully describes both locations, Savannah, Georgia, and the little town of Knocknashee—so like any little town in the US with the varied characters from scalawags to saintly. The characters are engaging and getting to know them a joy. It’s a deeply emotional narrative, pulling all the strings.

Can Richard safely return to Knocknashee? Can they ever settle into a real married life? What becomes of your favorite support characters? Can there be a happy ever after here?

Many thanks to the author for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Historical British & Irish Literature, Historical Irish Fiction, #Women’s Historical Fiction
ASIN: B0FQ8SJL1R
Print Length: 290 pages
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Source: Author

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK

The Author: Jean Grainger is a USA Today bestselling author with over 100,000 5* reviews of historical and contemporary Irish fiction. She is acclaimed for her authentic portrayal of Irish life and history. Born in Cork, she draws from her experience as a history lecturer, teacher, and tour guide to craft characters that feel like friends, and sometimes foes. Grainger’s works span multiple series and standalone novels, covering significant periods in recent Irish history, but told from the perspective of families, the humans behind the headlines. Her stories often intertwine historical events with personal journeys, exploring themes of family, friendship, and human resilience. Grainger’s writing style, characterized by its warmth and authenticity, has earned her comparisons to renowned Irish authors like Maeve Binchy. Her dedication to research and character development has resulted in a loyal readership who feel deeply connected to her stories and characters.

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

A Chilling Psychological Thriller Where Secrets Lead to Deadly Consequences

A North Falls Thriller Book 1

Best Books of the Year 2025

Book Blurb:

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!

The first thrilling mystery in the new North Falls series from Karin Slaughter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Girls and the Will Trent Series.

Welcome to North Falls—a small town where everyone knows everyone. Or so they think.

Until the night of the fireworks. When two teenage girls vanish, and the town ignites.

For Officer Emmy Clifton, it’s personal. She turned away when her best friend’s daughter needed help—and now she must bring her home.

But as Emmy combs through the puzzle the girls left behind, she realizes she never really knew them. Nobody did.

Every teenage girl has secrets. But who would kill for them? And what else is the town hiding?

My Review:

Well, okay. More than read the blurb, I really should research my own reviews to see how much I enjoyed (or didn’t) the last book I read by this author, Pretty Girls.

I’ve no doubt Ms. Slaughter has a way with words; she can get downright poetic at times. Unfortunately, this is a book regarding two teens who go missing during fourth of July celebrations. Since I’m not a big fan of plots regarding missing kids and torture, I accept it’s a book I should not have requested nor attempted to read.

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter — We Are All Guilty Here–UK cover

Ms. Slaughter has some heavy fingers when it comes to her writing style and length of narratives. This is Book 1 of a new series and introduces Officer Emmy Clifton who has a number of personal issues she’s grappling with. Her issues shut down a teen in trouble looking for a responsible, trustworthy adult. That’s a big mistake and leads to the entire plot while also setting up the development of a new protagonist.

The novel also introduces a number of support characters, some we get to know ad nauseum while others we can’t muster up any kind of engagement. I’m not sure I’m supposed to like the FBI gal—she being family and all—but I found Jude most interesting. Of course, there are the whispers of a romance dancing in and out of scenes.

The hook at the beginning provided initial engagement, but then came the long tedious investigation, often punctuated with interpersonal relationship drama. I thought too long in the tooth on the personal side, too short on the police procedural side, and it sagged for me quite a while before the last twist that may or may not come as a surprise. Well, not one surprise, perhaps a couple.

In the meantime, the graphic descriptions the girls suffered was too much, the chapters too long, the plot undergoes a distracting timeline change, the pacing slows, and it tends to repetition.

This is not a book for me, nor could I recommend.

Many thanks to our local library for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Three Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedurals, Psychological Thrillers, Suspense Thrillers
Publisher: William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0063336803
ASIN: B0DN6K594T
Print Length: 448 pages
Publication Date: August 12, 2025
Source: Local Library

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Karin Slaughter is the author of more than twenty instant NEW YORK TIMES bestselling novels, including the Edgar–nominated COP TOWN and standalone novels THE GOOD DAUGHTER, PRETTY GIRLS, and GIRL, FORGOTTEN. She is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. PIECES OF HER is a #1 Netflix original series starring Toni Collette. The Will Trent Series is on ABC (and streaming on Hulu in the U.S, and Disney+ internationally). THE GOOD DAUGHTER and FALSE WITNESS are in development for film/tv. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.