Anything for You by Saul Black
This book was different, there was quite a bit of sex, murder, and a twist that being said it was an interesting read if you don't mind the sex and can get around some of the language, which I did and the mystery underneath it was something I didn't see coming at first but I feel as I should have! Story flows and characters are interesting even if I didn't like some of them. Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

Anything for You by Saul Black is all about gratuitous sex in the beginning of the book, and doesn't get much better from there. I couldn't finish this story, but others may enjoy it more.

Saul. Black is a pseudonym for British author Glen Cooper and this is third novel in this crime series. These are outstanding psychological crime thrillers- with well written scenes of violence and sexuality that rival Thomas Harris. And his villains are great. I sped through this one in a few days. Give this book a try-it’s different and exciting.

A smart and robust thriller from Saul Black, Anything For You is the third novel in his Valerie Hart series. My favourite of these – by far – is his debut, The Killing Lessons, which was creepy, atmospheric and crazy good at building tension.

In Anything For You, Valerie is investigating what, at first glance, is your standard issue home invasion. High flying attorney Adam Grant is found – stabbed and bludgeoned in his bed. On the floor next to him is his wife, Rachel, clinging to life after a stab wound to the chest. Their daughter Elspeth, who was at a sleepover, narrowly escaped being the third victim. Fingerprints found all over the scene belong to convicted felon, Dwight Jenner, who’s disappeared in the bloody aftermath.

Through her search for Jenner, Valerie turns up photos and sightings of his mysterious girlfriend, blonde and beautiful Sophia, a known prostitute and seeming accessory to murder. Black flips back and forth between Sophia and Valerie’s perspectives, giving us glimpses of both women – on dark but opposite paths.

Though I appreciate Black’s gritty and sensual writing, I think there is a certain element to his portrayal of Valerie that just doesn’t ring true. Constantly thinking about and fantasizing about sex, one step away from flinging herself on most men she meets – Valerie reads to me, as a male fantasy of what men hope women are truly like. Her thoughts are stereo-typically masculine, and she’s also annoyingly aware of her own beauty, and seems to measure other women (and their worth as human beings) against it. Ick.

That aside, Black’s portrayal of Valerie’s alcohol consumption – and the refreshing change to see an author building a portrait of someone who chooses moderation rather than abstinence – is very well done. Valerie is always hovering on the avalanche of bad decisions, just a whisper away from plunging her life into chaos. While I think her character could use a female editor, I still enjoy reading about her.

The book is an electrifying race to find out whodunit, and there is a wham-bam shocker that hit me like a punch. Wow. Saul Black is an extremely talented author, and I look forward to more of Valerie Hart – or perhaps a male detective? I’d love to see Black conquer his own gender in that way – just my opinion, but I think his writing style would produce a fantastic male lead.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciated it, as always!

On a hot summer night, a watchful neighbor locks eyes with an intruder and unwittingly alerts the police to a vicious crime scene next door: a lavish master bedroom where a man lies dead. His wife is bleeding out onto the hardwood floor, clinging to life.

The victim, Adam Grant, was a well-known San Francisco prosecutor—a man whose connection to Homicide detective Valerie Hart brings her face-to-face with a life she’s long since left behind. Adam’s career made him an easy target, and forensic evidence points towards an ex-con he put behind bars years ago. But while Adam’s wife and daughter grapple with their tragic loss, Valerie uncovers devastating clues that point in a more ominous direction. Lurking in the shadows of the Grants’ pristine life is a mysterious blonde who holds the key to a dangerous past.

As Valerie struggles to forge a new path for herself, the investigation forces her to confront the question: can we ever really leave our pasts behind?

Anything for You was a good read. Many twist and turns. I could have enjoyed the book with less sexual conversations. But, a dark and gripping thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy for review.

This was a well crafted thriller by Sail Black. Dective Valerie Harts past and present come together leaving her wondering what her future holds. Valerie is a very strong female lead in this story and I found myself really enjoying reading about her navigating through this case. I thought the plot was very original and found the writing fast paced. I could not put this book down. I was holding my breath waiting to find out what was going to happen next. The story was overall dynamite and very well done. I can't wait to see what Saul Black does next!
Thank you netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

This is the third book in the Valerie Hart series and can be read as a stand-alone. Saul Black creates a storyline that can easily be followed by new readers and deeply appreciated by veteran fans. The narrative is intense, full of an assemblage of sex, lies, and betrayal. Main character and homicide detective, Valerie Hart, is called to the scene of a gruesome murder but when she arrives she suddenly faced with a past she has tried to forget. The plot is enigmatic, holding the reader’s attention with engaging characters and unpredictable scenes. It is everything this genre deserves. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

A tense chilling thriller a book with so many twists and turns. A dark story a book I could not put down an author I will be following recommending.#netgalley #st.martinspress.

This book had a twist that I was not expecting at the end! The book starts with a neighbor seeing an intruder in his backyard. While the police are checking out his house a murder call comes in for the house next door. The victim was Adam Grant, a well known prosecutor who has put many people behind bars making him a prime target.

As Valerie, the homicide detective, looks into Adams work, family and past several secrets come to life. The more she digs the more a mysterious blonde keeps turning up in the investigation. Even the most pristine looking families hold their dirty secrets.

I liked the book and enjoyed the ending. At times I got the multiple characters confused but managed to figure it all out!

An intense and suspenseful murder mystery that delves into the darkest parts of the human psyche.
A violent murder is not what it seems with lots of surprising secrets, twists, and betrayals.

The plot is gripping unpredictable with engaging characters, and I didn't see the end coming
I highly recommend this novel for all who enjoy high quality psychological thrillers.
Thanks Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thsi did not end like I was expecting. This was a pretty intense book that had me questioning who and what led to the murders. This book had several twists that surprised me. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

A riveting tale of suspense, intrigue and betrayal, and of personal memories that haunt forever. A horribly violent spree of massacre that left one man dead and his wife gravely injured is not what it seems at first glance. And it will take dedicated pursuit and investigation into the darkest corners of the human psyche before the mystery will be solved. A must-read for fans of intelligently-written suspense. Highly recommended!

*My sincerest thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reviewing an ARC at no charge.*

Holy 💩 where has Saul Black been all my life! How is the my first book from Saul Black? Let me just say it def won't be my last!
Anything For You was amazing! The twist and turns kept me on my toes and glued to my kindle. I love how the women in this book are so incredibly strong and independent, it was so empowering. All around a good thriller to get that heart racing!
I look forward to read more from Saul Black

This is the first book by Saul Black that I have read and I enjoyed it very much. This is a dark mystery that is full of twists and turns but it was not hard to figure out who did it. I will be reading more of his books in the future

Thanks to NetGalley and St.Martins Press for the review copy.

A well written thriller with strong multidimensional female roles. Although, it is fairly quickly evident whodunit and pretty much why, I found the way the detective unravels the crime, tracing it back, using her own background to forge understanding to be very well crafted. I was not entirely sure what the final result would be.

This was my second Valerie Hart novel, having listened to an audible version of The Killing Lessons. Looking forward to more.

While I enjoyed this book I did have a hard time staying engaged. It could have been just me, as this does happen sometimes, but I felt that the author had a few different storylines going and they took a long time for me to really become invested in how the intersected.

I also felt that when they author was writing from a female perspective you could tell as it just didn't flow as smoothly as i would have liked.

I will try another book by this author to see if this is a common thread.

Sorry this book was not my cup of tea. I DNF at 1/3 of the way through. I think it was all the gratuitous sex talk thrown in. Distracting from the story

Anything for You is a super who-done-it thriller that weavers together past present and future in an unforgettable murder mystery. As the story unwinds, there are many surprises, twists and turns that make this an enjoyable read. This heart pounding novel was so captivating, so detailed and intense with strong and intriguing characters that I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved and highly recommend it. My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Dark and with a pounding suspense heartbeat, this thriller shines with wonderfully realized characters and a relentless heartbeat. It's impossible to see where it's headed and it delivers all the surprises it promises.

The story begins with the murder of a prominent attorney - Adam Grant. His wife is also harmed in the incident, but she is able to call 911. Detective Valerie Hart is on the case. Valerie is back with her husband, Nick., and her personal life and professional life are not totally meshing at the time. Nick is wanting to try for a baby and Valerie is (in her mind) not quite as certain as is Nick.

Careless, the murderer leaves his DNA all over the scene. He is Dwight Jenner, who was released from prison after 6 years and has been on "the straight and narrow" according to his parole officer and half brother, Kyle. (Hmmm.. do we see sparks between Valerie and Kyle?) At Dwight's place of work, they say he was going out with a gorgeous blonde (Sophia) who made Dwight VERY happy. When Dwight does not return to work after his 6 day break - his employers become concerned.

Then the police go on an all out search for Dwight and the elusive Sophia....

A superb story with great character definition and plotline. Just when you think you have it "all figured out" there is a twist. This book has MANY twists.

This is definitely a MUST READ!

Many Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a superb read!