I’ve always been a fan of Robin Carroll, and Stratagem did not disappoint. The main storyline centers around a psychological game/escape room created by Grayson Thibodeaux. A game in which his ex-wife is murdered, and all signs point towards the ex-husband. The plot develops with police interviews of all of the participants in the house during the game. It creates a “who-dunnit” feel as I found it intriguing to see a crime scene through the various character’s accounts of the same event. Several characters had the motivation to commit the crime, and the reader gets caught up in putting the pieces together along side the detectives on the case.

This is a different style from some of author’s romantic suspense novels. This seems to fall more into the mystery/police procedural category. I rather enjoyed the departure from the traditional girl-meets-boy-on-the-first-page type of scenario, and if you’re a fan of romance, this might not be your favorite plotline. But it worked for me. While not action-packed suspense, this story dives into the psychology and motivations behind the crime. I’d recommend this book anyone looking for an intriguing mystery.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Have any of you played the new reality games here you have to solve a series of clues to get out of a locked room? This book is about one of these puzzles, but it involves a group of people that are trying to leave a room in a haunted house to gain a much - coveted job and one of these people is murdered!
Grayson is the co founder of a company that devises games for companies that want to test out their employees’ worthiness for a job or build their team building skills. But this time, a murderer uses the game to kill Grayson’s ex-wife, Anna Belle, and the police suspect that Grayson killed his ex wife because of her unfaithfulness.
You will keep guessing “who killed her” until the end of the book!

The perfect police drama!! I could not put this book down! This story is told in flashbacks, police interviews, present, and it builds and builds with every page. I never would have guessed who the murderer actually was! it was pleasant to read a book and not know right away who the culprit was and to be kept on my toes trying to figure it out. This beefy story was fleshed out nicely and I really appreciate it!

Fast paced book with plenty of clearly written dialogue. Events occur quickly and keep you wondering who the culprit may be. There is no profanity. There are several examples of people learning to trust others and follow Christian beliefs of forgiveness and redemption without being 'preachy'. Good Christian mystery. I read this book as a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

This book was an mystery involving a murder committed during an Escape Room type of experience. The novel kept me guessing all the way through, but the tempo plodded. Many of the main characters seemed one-dimensional, but I really liked Monique and her gift of a Saint Jude medallion. I debated giving this book 4 stars because it gave a fresh look at feelings experienced upon the loss (through divorce or death) of a person that you once loved. We don't often have a chance to read fiction about missing an ex-spouse, even when the relationship was difficult and the divorce was painful. Even less frequently do we read about these emotions from the man's point of view. I enjoyed the faith aspects and insights. In the end though, I decided that three stars was what I could offer -- it was ok.

This was a tense read and a page turner for me, full of twists and turns. The setting was New Orleans and I loved that! This will keep you guessing til the end. Thanks to Shiloh Run Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Deets PR hired an outside agency to help them with a project so that they could choose the next Senior Account Rep for their company. This involved selecting the final four individuals, and informing them that they would spending a weekend at a house, completing various projects. This would enable the company to see how they operated, both as individuals and as a team. It would also give the company enough information to make the correct choice for the promotion of Senior Account Rep. Little did the group know that they were actually going to be playing a game. The four individuals were to complete packets of information pertaining to their medical and financial histories. All of this information would me utilized to complete all of the parameters of the game. However, Grayson, Colton’s partner of Game’s On You, is the brains behind the actual setup and customization of the game. There’s just one problem. Grayson’s ex-wife, Anna Belle, works for Deets PR. During one of the rest periods between the game, Anna Belle is found dead, on the floor, in her room. She died due to anaphylactic-shock. Apparently, there was cherry juice in her energy drink. There are so many hidden secrets with everyone of the people involved in the game. Of course, since Grayson is the ex-husband, he’s on the top of the list of suspects. Did Grayson murder her? Who murdered Anna Belle? Where were all of her EpiPens? Grayson knew that she was a fanatic about her EpiPens, and she never went anywhere without them. Who knew about her cherry allergy? Why would anyone want to murder her? Did the game have anything to do with her death? The plot was very detailed and keeps the reader constantly guessing who the murderer is. Just when the reader thinks they know who murdered Anna Belle, another suspect seems to be on the horizon. The character development was great. The mystery and intrigue keeps the reader on their toes until the very end of the book. I also lived the location, which was in New Orleans. I really enjoyed this book. The only issue I had was that the formatting was really horrible and it detracted from the actual flow of the book. I had to read sentences over again on quite a few occasions. I realize that this was a review copy, but the formatting was a huge issue for me. This should be corrected for further books reviews.

Stratagem is a very well laid out murder mystery that Robin Carroll will keep you guessing as to who the real murderer is. This story will keep your attention and keep you wanting to read until you find out who is at fault. I thought all the characters were very well developed and fit together perfectly. Very well done by Robin Carroll for sure!

Grayson is part owner of the company Game's On You. This company devises games for other companies to encourage team building among its employees. When they get a contract for his now ex-wife's company, Grayson questions it all at first. Colton, Grayson's business partner assures him it will all be ok and they should go ahead with the contract. What Grayson wasn't expecting was for Anna Belle, his ex-wife, to come up murdered while she was at the game house. Who are the police going to point fingers at from the get go on this one? You got it, Grayson, even though he was out of town when it all happened.

Woven into this story is the life lesson of learning to forgive someone for what they have done to you, preferably before it is too late. You also learn how some people can keep things from you that you would never guess they would. I love how Robin Carroll keeps us guessing with the clues she throws at us as to who really murdered Anna Belle. This is a good Christian mystery that all adults can appreciate.

Stratagem has a pretty cool concept but ends up falling on cliche events.
Grayson sets up Escape Rooms and other team building type games for a living. After his partner gets him to agree to take on the firm his ex-wife works for, Grayson takes a much-needed vacation. But when he comes home he finds his ex-wife has died during the game and that is the police's number one suspect.
I figured out the killer less than a third of a way through but Robin Caroll fascinates readers with the game set up. I wanted to know what was next and why the game was set up a certain way. I loved reading the psychology behind it and enjoyed the character interactions and responses.
There are good Christian themes that are worked in. For nonreligious people, they don't overpower until the last chapter. For Christians, the discussion of forgiveness and allowing others to have choices continues a dialogue that is rooted in our ideals.
Overall, I was disappointed in the overall mystery. It was easy to see what was coming and what would happen next. There is nothing bad about this other than it's predictable.
I enjoyed the psychological aspects and I look forward to seeing how Caroll develops her stories as she grows as an author.

This is a different kind of book than I normally read. I usually read romantic suspense thrillers or anything with a bit of a romance. This book is totally mystery with no romance. But, with that said, I'm a big fan of this author..So I thought I'd check it out. This book reminded me of cop movies or tv shows with a cast of characters and you get to guess who done it. That was fun because I really didn't guess until it was revealed. If you are a huge fan of murder mysteries, you will enjoy this book.
3 and a half stars.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A great thriller with plenty of twists. Anna Belle was not a likeable person. It was no real surprise she ended up dead, but who did it? Naturally the ex husband is top on the list. Really enjoyed this one. A very quick read too.

A romantic suspense or suspense novel for that matter should have the characters running for their life and trying to solve the crime that has occurred near the beginning of the novel. Robin Carroll's Stratagem is a hunt against the clock to solve the murder that occurred in the first chapter to Grayson's wife, Anna Belle. The murder happens, and then the rest of the novel is interview after interview after interview. After completing the whole novel, I would have liked to see the actual action leading up to the murder instead of hearing it second hand from the characters. This novel would have been more enticing to me if it was laid out like the movie from the eighties Clue. I see the guest arrive, then we see the action leading up to the interview, then we end up with the aftermath. It felt like I was getting everything second hand, and it didn't satisfy my suspense loving mind. The ending with the layout of what happened was the most interesting part of the novel. I enjoyed seeing who murdered Anna Belle and why. No I didn't figure it out early enough. The person who I thought did it, didn't do it. Overall, Stratagem by Robin Carroll didn't hit out of the park for me. I wish I could have seen the actual murder instead of learning the story from interview after interview.

I received a complimentary copy of Stratagem by Robin Carroll from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Stratagem by Robin Carroll is a mystery that is hard to put down. Full of suspense and surprises as you turn each page it will keep you reading to the end. Grayson Thibodeau is a psychologist who creates mind games for corporations, generally for team building exercises. He uses detailed information from participants to use their fears and previous failings create the opportunity for them to deal with and sometimes heal from them. When the company his ex-wife, Anna Belle, works for wants a game he is very hesitant but convinced by his partner. The participants in this game will not know it is a game as they compete for a promotion. Tragically, Anna Belle dies during the game and Grayson becomes the prime suspect. Can he clear his name or will his life be destroyed?
I was unsure about reading this book when I received the offer from Barbour Publishing. I am so glad I did; I could not put this book down. I was drawn into the story line from page one by the characters and the mysterious situation. The characters are multi-faceted people and have many underlying motives for their feelings and reactions. Some I didn’t care for at first are redeemed when I learned issues they were dealing with at the time or limited information they had. The characters are very well written in this respect. This is a page turner that will appeal to a broad audience. I give this book 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book was very intriguing. I love escape room games and I like psychological thrillers. However, the execution of this plot was a little bit tedious. While I liked Grayson quite a bit, every other character was flat. I guessed the answer to the mystery by chapter 4. Instead of action scenes, page after page was dialogue between the investigators and each of the six or so suspects. I only got about 49% through the book before I gave up. I’ve never read Robin Carroll, but from what I’ve seen her plots sound interesting. But this book didn’t deliver, I’m sorry to say. :(

I was provided a free copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

Oh this book is fabulous with all the twists and turns. Yes, the guilty one is not hard to figure out but the why and how is amazing. The whole twisted idea of the games is fascinating. and I thought the team building I have been part of was bad..just imagine being put into the game. Pam was an amazing character with her sass and in your face ways. Anna Belle was a stinker, Tim was a whim and then there is Grayson. Never in a minute did I think he was involved. But he sure does some crazy things. Okay, got a little wrapped up in the story and characters. This book was an attention grabber. If I could give it more than 5 stars I sure would!
Thanks for letting me read this one!

There were so many things I liked about this book! For one, the plot was quite unique, a psychologist who, after years in private practice, now designs psychological games for his own company. Grayson was such a likable guy, even as an ex-husband with a shrew of an embittered ex. So it feels so unfair when he is accused of the murder of someone he loves. In fact, I believe one reason I did enjoy the story so much was because of his wholesome character. You may or may not guess who did the killing but will love the ride along the way, regardless.

This was an great read. It fast-paced and interesting the entire book, and it kept you guessing. This was my first book by this author and I’ll be on the look out for more. Great plot, well written, and all around a wonderful read. Two thumbs up.

I quite enjoyed this book. The fast-paced storyline was very cinematic at times and I was surprised at who the villain was. I thought some of the conflict was a bit forced, but the author explained it well All in all, a good story.

Wait, you mean I didn't have to finish this until the end of the month? Wull, shoot. Why am I still up at 11 pm?

I certainly got up in the thread of the story and wanted to read it through to the end. It's not the thickest plot. Even *I* spotted the villain about midway through the book, and I'm not great at that. That can be a good thing.

The style degenerates into a number of spots into infomercials about New Orleans or whatnot, or occasional preachy passages. Occasional, but they're there. I'm not sure which abuse of literary style bothers me more...I mean, the man (man? Robin?) capitalizes "Realtor," for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

I'd give it 2.4 stars, but I can't punch it to 3. "It was ok" sounds just right.

Stratagem is a very timely murder mystery that centers around the currently trending escape room theme. Grayson is a former psychologist who now works at his own company, Game's on You, where he develops personalized escape rooms that use clues from each participant's personal life. Unfortunately for him, his ex-wife, Anna Belle, is murdered during a game she was attending with work colleagues.
Caroll layers on new clues and information, keeping the compass point spinning from suspect to suspect. Each character is well developed with their own unique personality, with even the supporting characters feeling fleshed out with unique motives and possible secrets. Throughout it all, Grayson acts realistically, ever the good guy without coming across as perfect or sanctimonious.
If you're looking for a new, cozy thriller to read during the weekend while snuggled up in bed, this is the perfect pick. The quick pacing and introduction of new clues and hints keeps the book moving along. The end is satisfying without being too predictable.