Reviewed by Peggy Kurkowski

The diabolical machinations of a twisted mind target a family with shocking repercussions in this fast-paced thriller.

An “innocent” office affair drags one man’s family down a torturous road of deceit, manipulation, and white-collar crime in Gypsy McKnight’s thrilling novella Torment.

The Wingarts are an average American family. Doug is the breadwinner, working late and on weekends to get a promotion. Stacy, meanwhile, is hoping to see more of him as she deals with the demands of four children, including young twins. But Doug has his eye on his assistant, Kelley, whose pouting lips and self-assured sexuality threaten to derail his already checkered fidelity to his wife.

When a fiery explosion destroys the company office from which they barely escape alive, Kelley has the wherewithal to set up temporary office space at a local hotel. Their affair rises from the ashes of the company’s destroyed building, in conjunction with Kelley’s admission to Doug that the ten million dollars from the insurance settlement is now in a private account offshore and untraceable. Doug’s sense of right and wrong is lost in Kelley’s green eyes. His “skin tingled at the thought of Kelley’s touch. Everything about her was perfect, the way her eyes burned straight through to his soul.”

But there are hints at home that Stacy’s addiction issues are returning, which the elder children, Adrian and Charlotte, wrestle with in their own ways: Adrian loses himself in a new relationship with a French exchange student, and Charlotte channels her passion for ballet into an obsession.

Doug takes Kelley’s advice to help Stacy by hiring a nanny, who wins over the twins at the expense of their mother. Another suggestion from his paramour convinces Doug to install home security cameras to observe Margaret, the nanny, with the twins. As Stacy begins to suspect Doug, her mental health takes a nosedive…and the security cameras capture something horrifying.

In spare prose, the novella chronicles the Wingart clan’s decline and fall in the aftermath of Doug’s selfish decisions. Stacy is convinced the nanny is not who she claims to be and begins her own search for answers before succumbing to the siren song of opiates and marijuana.

Charlotte’s new ballet instructor pushes her beyond the limits of a twelve-year-old, triggering anxiety and suppressed memories from when her mother was in her first throes of addiction, prior to rehab. Adrian, an eighteen-year-old high schooler, guards a precious secret about his relationship with Elodie, the French exchange student, from his troubled parents.

The story is a taut and tightly paced thriller that examines the impact of adultery and addiction in sharp, realistic dialogue. The “mystery” of the family’s torment is easy to glean, but the extent of it is a creative and twisty surprise. The narrative drops the reader immediately into a family fully sprung from Zeus’s head, i.e., their past is unknown except for what McKnight reveals. Stacy’s experiences with drugs and rehab are a painful memory, as is Doug’s first act of adultery, but these engaging and provocative plot elements are given short shrift. The story has enough fuel to go from a novella to a novel, if only we were given deeper backstories and character development.

Torment is a quick, twisty read that dials up the mayhem and relishes the ride over the destination.

Thank you for reading Peggy Kurkowski’s book review of Torment by Gypsy McKnight! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Chelsey Tucker

A captivating exploration of the psyche of a serial killer

Francis Fleming is a pastor from Iowa with a dark secret: he is a serial killer. His victims are those who he sees as living deplorable lifestyles, many of them prostitutes. But this commonality puts the FBI on his trail.

Special Agent Nate Bedford and his partner Chris Bennett head to the Midwest to confer with the local agencies about the potential serial killer in their area. After briefing the Chicago PD on the situation, they set up an undercover operation in hopes of identifying and apprehending their perpetrator. Unfortunately, Francis is able to swipe their undercover officer, Patricia Sutton, right from under their noses.

Back in Iowa, Francis decides to tell Patricia how it all started for him. He wanted her to understand that it wasn’t him truly at fault for all the murders. “It all began after I finished college for engineering and joined the Marines after receiving a draft notice…”

While he was stationed in Vietnam, he was blown up. This left him with shrapnel buried in his back that the doctors say is inoperable and a permanent memory of the horrors that were committed. “…war is hell.”

When he returns home, Francis is unsure of his next move. “I see a lost soul trying to find a way out of the gloom.” But there is a demon inside of him, arguing with him to the point of looking insane. Is this demonic power truly to blame for the pile of bodies he soon leaves in his wake?

The Demonic Savior is written from the serial killer’s point of view, and it illuminates the humanity within a character who has done unspeakable deeds. As Francis recounts the last sixteen years, his story evokes sympathy within the reader which is reflected in Patricia’s reaction: “Her empathy is starting to shine as she realizes the full scope of the trauma this man has endured through life. It does not give him the right to kill, but she is starting to understand that his plight is not of his own doing.”

You’re going to get some unsavory details in The Demonic Savior, but for those seeking fear, these details only enhance the creepiness that lingers around the protagonist. This novel strikes a delicate balance; it invokes disgust in the main character’s actions while still inserting enough doubt to try to convince us that he might actually be the victim.

Anyone who loves a good thriller from the perspective of the bad guy will thoroughly enjoy The Demonic Savior. This book also ties in religious themes, like demons and God from a Christian lens, which will add appeal for those already invested in those stories. The best part about this novel, however, is him. I was captivated by—and simultaneously unsure of—Francis all the way up to the end.

Thank you for reading Chelsey Tucker’s book review of The Demonic Savior by Lawrence Newton! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Lauren Hayataka

Where secrets unravel and memories haunt—a compelling novel of the vibrant chaos of 1980s Manhattan

R.E. Rutledge’s debut novel, Skin In The Game, drops readers into the vibrant and tumultuous landscape of 1980s Manhattan, where bold fashion, loud music, and an atmosphere charged with excitement and excess act as the background for a psychological thriller. 

Set against the backdrop of a shocking murder that rocks the city’s elite, the novel follows protagonist Sheila Ross, a copywriter by day and aspiring stand-up comic by night, as she grapples with painful memories and unearths disturbing connections to her past.

The narrative unfolds with the discovery of a scion of finance murdered in his elegant high-rise, sending shockwaves through the city and triggering painful recollections for Sheila. The victim’s funeral reunites Sheila with her high school friends, now scattered across New York, and sets the stage for a harrowing journey into their shared history. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover unsettling parallels to Sheila’s brother Sam’s unsolved murder a decade earlier in Iowa, drawing them into a deadly game with a serial killer whose motives remain shrouded in mystery.

Central to the novel is the theme of confronting one’s past, as Sheila and her companions are forced to confront the trauma of their youth and secrets, which they thought long buried. Through alternating perspectives of Sheila and NYPD detective Mike Sloan, Rutledge explores the complexities of their intertwined history, delving into themes of unresolved grief, unrequited love, and familial ties. 

Sheila’s tumultuous relationship with her brother Sam, as well as Mike’s connection to him, serves as a focal point of the narrative, delving into events from the past. Growing up in a traditional Jewish household, Sheila deeply resented Sam, who was showered with attention as their parents’ firstborn son. 

However, the dynamics shifted dramatically with Sam’s passing, leaving Sheila grappling with survivor’s guilt and the weight of unresolved emotions. Similarly, Mike, once Sam’s closest friend, was secretly in love with him, his sexuality stifled by the confines of their upbringing in a small Iowa town. 

Skin In The Game features almost 60 chapters; each one short and concise, making it easy to follow the narrative as it switches between the past and the present, and introduces new characters that have intricate relationships with one another. Among these characters is Billy, Sheila’s devoted high school friend who followed her to New York, and Jane Brown, a former classmate who was teased and misunderstood by many, including Sheila. There is also Sheila’s love interest, Marcus, a psychologist with a passion for forensic psychology, which was a rapidly growing field at the time. 

The abundance of characters and the exploration of their backstories contribute to a slow-paced narrative, one that follows a straight-forward path without huge twists and turns. This is a novel tailored for readers who want to immerse themselves in the life of the characters first, before turning to solve the case. Rutledge excels at creating distinct, interesting characters and leaves no question about their motivations. These people are captivating to follow.

Skin In The Game is a character-driven thriller that thoughtfully examines trauma, identity, and the complexities of confronting our past. With its vivid portrayal of 1980s Manhattan and its diverse cast of characters, Rutledge’s debut immerses readers in a realistic world tinged with nostalgia and authenticity.

Thank you for reading Lauren Haytaka’s book review of Skin In the Game by E.G. Rutledge! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Tomi Alo

Justice comes late in this fascinating psychological novel. 

Cynthia Rice’s debut, The Last Broken Girl, is a riveting psychological mystery with a complex, multifaceted protagonist. Erin Moore-Jackson, a woman haunted by a traumatic past, will do anything to protect her loved ones in this novel of justice, resilience, lies, betrayals, drug addiction, and mental health.

Twenty years ago, Erin Moore was kidnapped from her hometown in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Only 14 years old at the time, Erin spent five months in incarceration before she was rescued by the police. Her kidnapper, Stanley Duggan III, was arrested and convicted of first-degree kidnapping with twenty-five years imprisonment.

Though Duggan was captured, Erin insisted he didn’t act alone and that he had a far more cruel female accomplice named Veronica. However, the police were never able to find any evidence of a second perpetrator, and thus the case was never fully solved. 

Twenty years later, Erin Moore-Jackson is now married with two children, holds a PhD in psychology, and works as a clinical psychologist in Lake Delton, a small town in south-central Wisconsin. Life is going well, and Erin has managed to rebuild and lead a successful life despite her past trauma. 

However, Duggan’s early release from prison threatens the life Erin had carefully pieced together over the years as she is forced to revisit her painful past. 

Will Duggan become a threat to Erin and her family once again? Will Veronica—the second accomplice and the one Erin fears the most—come out of hiding now that Duggan is free? And, most of all, will Erin ever get to live a normal life without paranoia and fear? 

Erin is strong and brave, vulnerable and flawed. After Duggan’s release from prison, we see her grapple with her mental health and struggle to maintain the normalcy she once had. She deals with a lot of anxiety, fear, and insecurity, especially with the looming threat of Veronica’s return. The pressure and stress of the situation affect her job, her marriage, and her sanity. Despite her internal struggles and flaws, Erin goes to great lengths to protect her family from harm and seek justice.

However, not all the characters are as likable or even as well-developed. Richard Fitzpatrick is a notable one, the opportunistic journalist hell-bent on exploiting Erin’s trauma for personal gain. He is the embodiment of everything that is wrong with modern journalism. He doesn’t care if he hurts Erin by making her relive her trauma, and he’s constantly infringing on her privacy with every article he writes. As long as he makes a profit and gets views on his website, he is ready to go to any length for his story. He is frustrating and tiring to read.

The stories of Duggan and the elusive Veronica are fascinating and engaging; I was eager to uncover the whole truth. Is Veronica real? Why did Duggan kidnap Erin twenty years ago? Will Erin be able to get the closure and justice she deserves? Through careful pacing and a subtle build-up of tension, Rice delivers with a thrilling atmosphere that’ll have readers’ minds swirling deep into the mystery.

A strong debut with a good mystery and a good ending. You’ll have a field day unraveling the twists and turns of the plot.

Thank you for reading Tomi Alo’s book review of The Last Broken Girl by Cynthia Rice! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Genevieve Hartman

A mindbending novel about how a mysteriously untranslatable manuscript forever changes one man’s life

Leonard Stavros wakes up penniless, unsure of the events of the last few days. His friend, Ed, a crook and good-for-nothing, assures Leonard that he wasted his money on night on the town, but that doesn’t sound like Leonard, who is an introverted world-renowned linguist and cypher-breaker. 

He is haunted by the Paisley Codex, an encoded medieval manuscript that he has wasted years trying to break. Before Leonard knows it, he and Ed are breaking open the safe of a cryptic man known only as the Judge, only to find the Paisley Codex itself. 

Fleeing with the manuscript, Leonard takes refuge with a beautiful woman named Nina, with whom he forms an instant connection. Nina quickly becomes fascinated with cracking the Codex, too, but strangely, Leonard feels that he has met Nina before, in a recurring dream he has about breaking the Paisley Codex…

As reality, memory, and dreams become indecipherable from one another, Leonard must face some difficult questions: why is the Codex even here? Why does Nina appear in his dreams? Why does he have no idea what city he is in, or what the date is? And most importantly, will he ever read the secret message hidden within the Paisley Codex?

Fast-paced and deeply cerebral, Vince Wheeler’s The Stavros Manuscript is a thriller that will keep readers guessing. The goalposts are constantly shifting; the innocuous and the mundane transform as Leonard grapples with his past failure and tries to puzzle out the truth of his reality. As Leonard works to break the unbreakable cypher, readers will work alongside him to solve the mysteries of Leonard’s circumstances. What results is an engrossing plot and a story that is as unique as Leonard is unhinged. 

The Stavros Manuscript is the kind of book that keeps readers anxious to find out what happens next, but there are a few scenes that break the flow of the narrative, particularly concerning Leonard’s objectification of Nina and women in general. Other female readers could experience a similar frustration with these moments.

In this sophomore novel, Wheeler’s writing is adept and entrancing, fashioning a narrative that is always in flux and always more than it seems. Leonard’s world is wholly unexpected, and the build-up of excitement and danger makes The Stavros Manuscript an excellent addition to any mystery and thriller-lovers’ bookshelf.

Thank you for reading Genevieve Hartman’s book review of The Stavros Manuscript by Vince Wheeler! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Akram Herrak

A tale that blends the real with the nightmarish as a protagonist aims to overcome trauma and tragedy

David Spaugh’s Here in the Not Yet might be a psychological thriller, but the genre denomination doesn’t exactly do it justice. The thriller elements make up perhaps 30 percent of the story, and while they are crafted masterfully (more on that later!), it’s the other parts of the book that make it unique and worth your time. 

I would not declare Here in the Not Yet an easy or casual read. It has strong themes, can be graphic, and often instills feelings of deep unease–not that I’m complaining! I like a book that can give me strong emotions, but it is definitely something to keep in mind for those seeking out breezy mystery-thriller fiction.

The story opens as our protagonist (Ben) and his father (Mr. Knight) are departing on a road trip like they used to do when Ben was a child. A wholesome and thoughtful conversation is tragically cut short as a car accident in the middle of the rain puts the trip to a sudden stop, claiming Mr. Knight’s life and traumatizing Ben for life, seeing his father dying in front of him and being unable to do anything to help. The story resumes with Ben trying to find a new job in New England, living with his supportive wife and expecting their firstborn in a few months. 

A morning jog is the last thing one would expect to disturb the fates, but that is exactly what happens, and the result is a thrilling journey that beautifully combines what is real with what is imaginary. Traumas from the past resurface and take form. How Ben reacts to them will define not only his fate, but his loved ones’ as well. This constant blend between two worlds lends the story an incredible sense of danger. It doesn’t care for reality or emulating it; it emerges out of the dark and makes its presence known, and with it comes everything that Ben has underneath. 

David Spaugh writes about trauma, death, separation, fears, and more in a way that makes them your own. I’m struggling to think of a book that I’ve read in the last few years that resonated with me quite as much as Here in the Not Yet did. Ben’s traumas and fears register even for those who can’t relate to it on a personal level; it’s quite an achievement. After this, I’ll gladly read anything David Spaugh writes.

Thank you for reading Akram Herrak’s book review of Here In the Not Yet by David Spaugh! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Erin Britton

Did karma finally catch up to Kate O’Brien’s gaslighting ex-husband or did someone lend a helping hand?

Disturbing and disorientating in equal measures, Eleanor Kelley’s Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is a twisting psychological thriller in which fractured family relationships and deep-rooted personal demons have the potential to upend flawed main character Kate O’Brien’s fragile reality. 

As the confusions, lies, and double-crosses mount up, the truth behind Kate’s situation proves to be just as elusive as in Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train, and it all makes for an action-packed and unsettling read.

Almost three years after her mother Betty’s death, Kate O’Brien and best friend Molly are traveling to Ireland to spread some of her ashes off the Dingle coast. They’re also intending to make something of a road trip of it, visiting many of the places, sights, and pubs that Kate and various family members frequented on previous visits and sending home “Betty-in-a-box pictures” of her mother’s temporary urn in such locations. While the melancholic nature of their purpose is counterbalanced by the hilarity associated with two best friends having fun in a foreign country, the pair experience a number of odd occurrences during their trip that lend an air of unease to the proceedings.

What’s more, an unfortunate turn of events sees them mislay Betty’s ashes, meaning that Kate has to rely on an unknown priest to scatter them on the River Liffey rather than taking the ashes to the intended resting place. This cements the slowly building perception that Kate is perhaps not the most reliable of characters, which it turns out is something she has been struggling with since her divorce from Harry Johnson: “Kate suspected Harry had gaslighted her with a series of strange events and odd   happenstances. From hang-up calls in the middle of the night, to doors unlocked in the morning when she’d locked them in the evening, to her wedding album suddenly appearing in her book case, Kate began to doubt her own sanity.”

In fact, given such strange events, uncertain recollections, and disputed circumstances, it is constantly questionable whether Kate is really seeing and telling the truth, even to herself. Still, it seems that her former husband did quite the number on her, including alienating her from her children and many former friends. Despite this, it’s not clear how much of her misfortune is down to Harry and how much to her own volatile personality, although it’s undeniable that she bears considerable animosity toward him. Kate herself notes that the divorce “took a lot out of me. It was bad enough I was thrown aside as a wife, but being thrown aside by my kids made it worse. I hate Harry for turning the kids against me, and not a day goes by that I don’t want to get even.” 

The fact that Kate makes her hatred of Harry and desire for revenge plain proves particularly problematic when she and Molly return from Ireland and begin to hear rumors that Harry died suddenly while in rehab recovering from a stroke. Kate’s children still aren’t speaking to her and Harry’s friends and family seem strangely reticent to discuss his death, which makes Kate suspicious that there might be something off about the situation. After all, “Harry rarely did anything without great fanfare and his going to the dry-cleaning store in the sky on the QT was unimaginable.” As Kate attempts to find out how Harry died, a series of sightings of her former husband suggest that he may not really be dead. But why would Harry fake his death? What reason could friends and family have to cover for him? And how does Kate’s strange and strangely familiar new acquaintance Ettie fit into it all?

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is an intriguing thriller rendered even more complex by the fact that very few of the characters seem to be truly aware, honest, and above board. Kate herself is a polarizing character; she remains sympathetic throughout but it would be difficult to say that she is a likable person. Her volatile personality, quick temper, and apparent tendency to drink too much all mean that her behavior and motivation indicate that she’s holding something back, never quite being fully truthful in terms of her and Harry’s relationship, whether during their marriage or after their divorce. 

Yet, it is undeniable that people are keeping information from her and doing their best to thwart her investigation into Harry’s apparent death. From the couple’s children, to Harry’s brother and sister-in-law, to his best friend George and even the police, it seems as if those in the know are doing their best to hush things up at the same time as making the death appear mysterious. While such behavior does establish Kate as something of an outsider in her own life and draw some sympathy toward her, it’s not really clear why all these individuals would independently decide to make things as difficult as possible.

Moreover, Kate’s few allies, particularly her sister Sue and best friend Molly, also behave slightly strangely with regard to Harry’s death and Kate’s subsequent suspicions. Sue is actually the person who informs Kate about his passing, having heard about it from an old neighbor, but she doesn’t seek out or provide any details, nor does she seem to take seriously Kate’s concerns about other characters gaslighting her or setting her up.

In true The Lady Vanishes style, several characters—such as Kate’s neighbor Elsa and some of the staff at the Holy Trinity assisted living facility—become aware of information that would help Kate’s cause but choose, for reasons known only to themselves, to keep quiet about it. Kate clearly rubs people the wrong way and doesn’t inspire them to want to help her, but a bit of extra backstory explaining the reasons for the mass reticence might have been useful.

Still, this psych-thriller has enough mystery to keep readers guessing and then some. Fans of Gillian Flynn will be pleased with Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.

Thank you for reading Erin Britton’s book review of Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead by Eleanor Kelley! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Akram Herrak

A powerful tale spanning generations about abuse, mental illness, and the influence of societal norms

Leslie Kain’s first novel is a potent, deep, and thorough psychological investigation of one family through generations.

Two identical twins, Devon and Gavin, and their little suburban family fulfill an idea of the American dream, yet the feeling of comfort that comes with it is never present, not even in the start. Something is wrong and one can feel it, and that something will prove to be deadlier than expected. 

Secrets in the Mirror opens with Devon and Gavin playing in their yard shortly before their 16th birthday. Devon jokes with his brother about the fact that he is ten minutes older, and this makes him superior, smarter. What is first seen as playful jostling between twins proves to be a superiority complex that is rooted in deep psychological issues, aided by a father, Tony, who clearly has a favorite, taking every chance he can get to praise Devon as the better twin and belittling Gavin in the process. 

What might have begun as a superiority complex is soon revealed to be a Narcissistic Personality Disorder, leading Devon from one problem to the other, and dragging his family alongside him, his father justifying and encouraging his behavior, and his twin and mother suffering deeply in the process. 

The problems grow with the twins’ age and deepen in seriousness and repercussions. As Gavin attempts to escape the destructive nature of his family, its tides pull him back into the midst of its turmoil, challenging every bit of progress he makes with the strong bond of family that keeps him tied to generations-long issues that range from anger issues and toxic models of masculinity to serious abuse, addiction, and involvement in organized crime. 

The novel opens strong, casting a powerful spell on its reader with two brilliantly written characters and a visible conflict in their dynamic, a hook that keeps one reading until Secrets in the Mirror throws the first of its many punches, amplifying its spell to keep you turning pages to find out just what else is wrong with this family. 

It doesn’t only instill feelings of pity and concern for the family but also genuine interest and fascination with a destructive dynamic that is explored through chapters that narrate the two different points of view of Devon and Gavin,. One gets sucked into his narcissistic delusions and the catastrophic problems they give birth to, and the other fights against the quicksand that is his family to break free and find himself, struggling with his love for them and his twin specifically, which proves to be a challenge to his journey. 

As his counselor tells him, “you’re so focused on saving your twin, but he has to want to be saved, for himself. In the end, you have to save yourself.”

Leslie Kain gives special attention to building her characters thoroughly to the point that even the most dysfunctional of them seems relatable to a certain degree, giving a threatening presence to the issues they face, insisting on the fact that this is not “something that only happens to others.” It is very much present, a lot more commonly than one might think. The story is laid out in such a way that there are periods of high tension, what I previously referred to as the punches, and periods of relief, where we see life get back to seemingly normal order, but there is always a feeling of unease and impending doom; the issue is never fixed, only buried until it resurfaces again. 

Secrets in the Mirror can occasionally feel drawn out, especially in these segments of relief, but expectancy keeps one on their toes with the knowledge that there is more to be unveiled. It maintains this pattern and concludes it with a powerful ending that answers all the important questions the novel asks throughout its long journey, leaving the reader with a deep feeling of satisfaction, amplified by the highly emotional ride that manages to earn deep investment in its ups and downs.

Thank you for reading Akram Herrak’s book review of Secrets in the Mirror by Leslie Kain! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Toni Woodruff

 A hauntingly realistic horror-fantasy that reflects more than just terrifying monsters

S.R. Hughes pulls out all the stops in this terror-inducing mystical horror novel about two loving and brave witch sisters who must escape secret societies, overcome their anxieties and fears, and defeat grotesque monsters. 

Told in parallel timelines—1997, 2006, & 2017—this  psych-horror story is, at its heart, a story about sisters sticking together, no matter how many years it’s been since they’ve seen each other. 

Zoe Briar, the novel’s protagonist, is a monster-hunter backed by a secret society. This is intriguing all on its own—we’d happily follow this badass lead through any number of monster-slaying activities for its plot—but Maze of Glass complicates her job.

Jill, Zoe’s sister, is a former addict with a past (and present) that haunts her. But she’s found a new purpose—a school for children with sixth-sense abilities just like her and her sister. Only problem? This kind of school is illegal, and Zoe is part of the secret society charged with shutting her down.

But Zoe knows this is a dangerous path, and she’ll do whatever she can to help her sister evade the clearly sinister company. From there comes an onslaught of dark magical action. From deformed monsters to misguided villains, the sisters use their years of practiced magic to show us the pains they’ve been hiding and to do whatever it takes to get them and others out alive.

This magic might not be what you’re picturing though. 

They practice a learned form of slow-burn magic—one that needs hours and sometimes days to complete spells. With Omar, a character who Zoe brings into her circle after a monster attack, we see what civilians can see—or don’t often see; we find out what humans need to do in order to see and use the magic that Zoe and the others use. Magic is a sort of occupation in this world—a thing that can be learned, that hard-workers can get better at, that some don’t get better at—so it’s cool to see the ways in which they improve over time. 

Jill, Zoe’s sister, may be my favorite character of the bunch. A former addict, she’s always just a couple steps away from making another mistake, and she wears her past mistakes in her blood. She is flawed and strong. I love the academic in her sitting around a swirl of floating books when she isn’t allowed to.

The primary downside here is that it’s all a lot to take in, perhaps too much at times. The timelines weave in and out of each other, and they don’t always feel separate—settings blend together, characters are often the same in different timelines. It can be difficult to get in tune with what exactly the stakes are and even what is standing in the way in each particular scene. The slow-burn magic really is an interesting companion, but it can also feel at times like we too are slowing down when maybe we could have reached a peak earlier on.

Maze of Glass is a dizzying psychological horror novel with shards poking out from the edges, threatening to slice. If you like slow-burn magic and gross gangly monsters, look no further than this.

Genre: Fantasy / Horror / Psychological

Print Length: 359 pages

ISBN: 978-0986317514

Thank you for reading Toni Woodruff’s book review of A Maze of Glass by S.R. Hughes! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt

A gut-wrenching and poignant exploration of trauma, grief, and impossible choices

Content warnings: endangered children, abortion

Eleanor Clay is a police consultant for the Bristlecone Springs PD, and for the last 10 years she has been invaluable due to her unique gift: a particularly good knack for finding things. In this case, the dead bodies of missing children. 

However, as new terrifying acts of horror are inflicted upon her small Colorado town, Eleanor’s gift suddenly shifts and she finds 3-year-old Lizzie alive…barely.

This moment sets off an intense chain of events for Eleanor and those in her orbit, involving gruesome kidnappings and attempted murders of more children. Suddenly, still grieving the loss of her daughter 10 years before and grappling with her failure as a mother to her still-living son, she is swept up in a storm of prejudice and harassment when news of her morbid talent is leaked. 

An impassioned preacher, John Yearling, the head of a megachurch, begins what can only be described as a modern-day witch hunt on social media.

Eleanor must navigate the upending of her world once again, while also trying to protect her family and her town from a monster. But will she be able to find what is lost without succumbing to the darkness surrounding and consuming her?

This is a heavy book. Some readers may find it hard to push through, but if you can, push through it. Because this book matters.

The most notable theme weaving its way through the narrative is abortion—an unexpected but incredibly timely topic. It is important and powerful and exactly what we need at this moment.

It speaks volumes about Irene Cooper’s talent that the worst part of the novel is the conversation surrounding abortion, not the abduction and attempted murders of young children. The writing is done in a way that handles it all with a grace and finesse that isn’t easily achieved. 

While the novel has a female-driven focus, it also handles and explores the emotions of men who are put in an impossible position. It is fascinating to see the exploration of what a man’s perspective might be while supporting their partners through such a traumatic experience. The inclusivity of the topic is a breath of fresh air, and men and women alike can find a reason to relate to the characters in this story.

One of the most intriguing things about Eleanor is her uncanny ability to find. For years, she has struggled with her gift. Is it intuition? Is it a superpower? Or has grief unlocked something within her to save others the way she could never save her daughter? 

While we never quite get an answer to how Eleanor is able to find the children, it doesn’t matter. This woman, reminiscent of a female Sherlock Holmes, gets the job done despite living under an immense cloud of darkness and grief. There is an almost imperceptible air of magic around her that keeps the reader engrossed in her story and sitting in her corner for the entirety of the novel. 

Women across the world are silenced every day. What Cooper has done with Found is given them a voice. Not only has she created a piece of fiction reflective of the turmoil of today’s society, but in the end, it is an incredibly compelling murder mystery that will have you racing to figure it all out.

Have tissues ready for this one. Tears of sadness, rage, hope. And be sure to leave time to ruminate after you put it down. It is the type of narrative that will burrow itself in your soul and leave you changed—I certainly hope for the better. I cannot recommend this book enough. 

This is exactly the conversation we need to be having in an overturned-Roe V Wade world. Fans of strong female-led mysteries will not want to miss Found.

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Psychological

Print Length: 294 pages

ISBN: 978-1639885497

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