Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Didn't manage to get to this book before it was published, and then it fell through the cracks.

This is not the type of book I typically read. I have, however, been seeking out books with Asian and queer main characters lately, so it did fit that bill. The main theme of the story involved dating apps and those who keep track of the people using them--especially after one of the clients turns up dead. As a mystery, it had plenty of twists and and anxious moments when our protagonist found herself in peril. I was kept guessing about what was accidental and what was intentional. But I was actually more interested in Claudia's family--the dynamics of this Asian family were almost as dramatic as the mystery!

I see that a sequel is listed--I will keep an eye out for it.

A quirky story that I would most likely recommend to mystery readers looking for something outside of the standard procedurals or those in search of stories of unlikely crime solvers. Could possibly be appealing to readers of Nina Prose’s The Maid, especially if they’re generally new to the mystery genre.

Title: "The Verifiers" by Jane Pek - A Disjointed Exploration of Identity

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

I had the privilege of reading an advanced reader copy of "The Verifiers" by Jane Pek, but, unfortunately, the novel didn't quite meet my expectations. While the premise held potential for an intriguing exploration of identity and the complexities of modern life, the execution left much to be desired.

The story follows a group of fact-checkers who work for an online platform, tasked with verifying the authenticity of users' accounts. While the concept was intriguing, the narrative often felt disjointed, making it challenging to engage with the characters and their stories. Pek's writing style was at times overly complex, detracting from the overall readability of the novel.

The characters themselves lacked depth, and their motivations remained unclear, leaving me struggling to connect with their experiences. The central theme of identity and authenticity, while timely and relevant, failed to reach its full potential in the book. Overall, "The Verifiers" felt like a missed opportunity, with a promising concept that didn't quite translate into a cohesive and engaging narrative.

I'd like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to explore this advanced reader copy, even though my reading experience was not as satisfying as I had hoped.

"The Verifiers" by Jane Pek is a captivating novel that weaves a tale of mystery and self-discovery. The story follows "The Verifiers," a group tasked with uncovering hidden truths and seeking redemption. With a diverse set of characters, the novel delves into their personal growth, emphasizing the power of forgiveness and second chances. Pek's enchanting prose and timely themes make this a relevant and uplifting read. Balancing thrilling mystery with emotional depth, the book leaves a lasting impact, reminding us of the significance of staying true to ourselves and seeking truth in a world that needs it more than ever.

This was an interesting concept for a story. I did not finish it, but it was not because of the book. It is one that I would consider picking up again in the future

Claudia Lin is a keeper of secrets which is ironic since her job entails uncovering the secrets of others. The Verifiers by Jane Pek involves an online dating agency that gets to the bottom of who people really are. When one of their clients go missing, it is Claudia’s job to find out what happened no matter the cost.

#net galley, #The Verifiers, #Mystery and intrigue, #dating apps

A very modern day mystery, with just the right touch of wit, intrigue, and danger. Claudia Lin is is recruited to join Verifiers, an online dating detective agency. When a client goes missing, she investigates (on her own) and begins to uncover layers of fraud and deceit that puts her in danger. Well written, clever, and well developed characters make for an entertaining and intelligent read.

I had heard good things about The Verifiers, but it was still a delightful surprise. The main character is smart, headstrong, and thoughtful, and she's determined to approach life like her favorite detective. The mystery itself is also very timely and conceptually interesting. Claudia works for a company that verifies whether people are telling the truth in their dating profiles, and this gets her investigating and thinking about data collection and privacy. Pek gives the reader a satisfying mystery with a fully developed main character dealing with her own complicated family dynamics and personal life.

I'd give it a 4.5 if I could. My only small quibble with the book was that the ending got overcomplicated.

The uniqueness of this book was refreshing. An online dating detective agency??? Sign me up.

That said, the execution was a bit lacking. The premise was there, the characters were there, but the drama was not. I'm bummed about it.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was on the 2023 shortlist. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2023/01/2023-reading-list-announced-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

I loved the layers of this, the meta of it being a mystery book with a main character obsessed with a fictional mystery detective. It also felt very relevant to see exactly how much tech companies can know about someone at any given moment. One of my favorite parts was also the relationships with the family.

I liked the protagonist and her family, and I kept reading because of the intriguing plot. I wanted to know what happened. Not my favorite book of the year, but an interesting one.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a good book that keeps your attention. I will definitely be recommending it to my friends and family.

Oh, how I wanted to love The Verifiers by Jane Pek. The synopsis of this one truly drew me in, but I ultimately could not connect with this one. Perhaps, I'll try again at some point, as I generally love female investigator stories.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

I thought that The Verifiers was an okay read. Some good mystery and conflict between characters, but I wasn't all that taken with the story. The characters were fine, the lead was okay, but a little boring and delving into the current social aspects of dating and whatnot. This was just not my jam. Big pass for me.

Claudia has a lot of secrets and is also good at finding out what others are hiding. She works for a top-secret company as a detective with an online dating site. Really good premise for a story but didn't deliver.

It wasn't entirely what I had hoped. It led with "sapphic love story in a murder mystery" energy in the description, but it didn't quite deliver. I mean, it did with the murder mystery, but the sapphic love story was very, very brief... annoyingly brief. I also felt like the book didn't have to be so long and include quite as many dinners with her family... I got the gist 100 pages back.

clever book about all things techy. Not meant for my age group but I enjoyed it none the less! Very good debut and looking forward to more from this author,.

I tried to separate times to get into this book, but ultimately the writing style and story just aren't for me.

DNF

*I received an eARC via NetGalley, which is the only reason I'm posting this not-really-a-review review.*