This was a pretty great sampler; I am interested in 4 out of the 8 books. Mostly writing style stood out to me as a deciding factor as whether to pursue the book or not. With samplers, it's a great time to see if a book can hook you right away, since you only get a taste. The Favor gripped me from the start and the protagonist reads really interesting already. The writing style is easy to read and very intriguing. Things we do in the dark, again, has a very enticing beginning with a questionable female main character that I want to hear more from. Surprisingly, Die Around Sundown seemed good enough to ask for more; despite the historical setting, the writing was 'current' feeling and not dry at all; and I love a good detective to follow around. Lastly, A Rip Through Time was ok, maybe one that I would check out more of. The premise is promising, but I don't love books set in Scotland/Ireland/England that much and also it was hard to tell in the first snippet if the writing was going to be repetitive. I really hope not. The other titles didn't really do it for me; snowy setting, international thriller, 1920's feminist commentary, Sandie Jones, an author I struggled with in the past. Thanks for this great look at a handful of exciting new releases!

All these books are going to be hits. I read a couple and loved them. It left me wanting more!!!! I like that I got to read the start of some books but it made me want to read the whole thing and don’t know when I will get to

These samplers are a great way to introduce readers to authors they might not be familiar with, and I've now added several of the books in The Minotaur Sampler Volume 5 to me to be read list! I'm a sucker for mysteries involving a group of friends or family members stranded in a remote location, so I'm really looking forward to reading Outside, by Ragnar Jonasson. The characters are well-drawn, and the author does a great job of making the reader feel what it's like to be lost in a remote and icy location.

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong is another book I'm really looking forward to reading--I'm not usually a fan of historical mysteries, but this book has a unique twist--the main character lives in the present day but is mysteriously transported into the body of a woman murdered in the 19th century.

And The Blame Game by Sandie Jones is a more traditional domestic thriller and is a definite page-turner. Looking forward to learning more about the protagonist, Naomi, a psychologist who becomes overly involved with her patients and has a mysterious past.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the ARC!

I absolutely love the idea of a sampler- thank you so much for the opportunity! Some excellent reads coming up!

I am especially looking forward to The Favor by Nora Murphy, The Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier, and The Blame Game by Sandie Jones.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher! I really enjoyed looking over the sampler. I'm so excited for so many amazing titles. I can't wait to read the next sampler. Thank you again!

Samples of NetGalley/Minotaur books that are coming out in Spring/Summer of 2022:

• THE FAVOR BY NORA MURPHY 🧡
• OUTSIDE BY RAGNAR ONASSON
• LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTINGALE BY KATHARINE SCHELLMAN
• THE GATEKEEPER BY JAMES BYRNE
• A RIP THROUGH TIME BY KELLEY ARMSTRONG 💚
• THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK BY JENNIFER HILLIER
• DIE AROUND SUNDOWN BY MARK PRYOR
• THE BLAME GAME BY SANDIE JONES 💙

I love this sampler idea! I already had my eye on a few of these titles and having a sampler with all of them is so convenient for getting recommendations for similar books. I'm excited to read the full versions of them soon! Thank you, Minotaur!!

Thank you for the sampler - most interested to read:

The Blame Game
The Gatekeeper
A Rip Through Time
Outside

So many good books coming! I can’t wait! Already requested almost all of these. I was so excited to see new books coming from a couple of my favorite authors.

This sampler of eight mystery/suspense novels releasing this spring or summer will add to your TBR list. As always, the sampler contains covers, summaries, excerpted chapters, and information on author/backlist. This particular sampler includes four standalone and four books that are first in a series. Although the plots and settings differ, all eight are enticing. The sampler also conveniently includes preorder and social media links. #TheMinotaurSamplerVol5 #NetGalley

Wow! Of wow. Now that was a Tease 😈

This was my first time getting a sample of all the new books that are about to come out, and honestly I enjoyed it but now I want them all!

smart move @minotaur_books 😉 and thanks for this sampler. You now have me hooked. I need / want them all !

You guys should really check this Sample Vol. Out … it’s perfect for you thriller lovers.

THE FAVOR:
Reminiscent of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN it begins with mirroring povs which may be confusing at first. But once you get down who is who and who’s drinking what you’ll be ok. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

OUTSIDE:
This scary af and atmospheric as standalone thriller is going to appeal to readers who love chilling settings and visceral details. Much like Jonassons other work, a bit too heavy for me. Nordic Noir lovers, FEAST! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTINGALE:
A speakeasy murder mystery with THE DIVINERS vibes. Stronger on vibes than anything else. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE GATEKEEPER:
Military special ops, hostility, and snipers oh my. A lot here that is not for me. Would appeal to JACK REACHER fans and those who find conversations meaningless. ⭐️⭐️

A RIP THROUGH TIME:
This was fun and adventurous with an interesting setup and even more interesting characters. Historical mystery fans are going to enjoy this one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK:
Hot like fire, this one was dark and unapologetic. Searingly written. I can’t wait to read the entire thing! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DIE AROUND SUNDOWN:
If you enjoy your mystery with a side of jest I recommend this one for you. A murder mystery with a character lineup that will make you smile and writing that will sweeten your tea. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE BLAME GAME:
The sampler for this one is teasing at something that if explored to the fullest would be like a plot line dream come true. Only Sandie Jones and time will tell. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great samples! I’m excited to read the full novels, especially Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Schellman and A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong. The first chapters really grabbed me!

The Minotaur Sample Pack Volume 5 included some of the most anticipated books of the year. Just getting a tease of these books makes me want to add all of them to my TBR. I’m most excited to read ‘Things We Do In The Dark’ by Jennifer Hillier.

Thanks to Minortaur for giving us such a good tease and reeling us in!

I love these sampler editions issued by Minotaur Books. They’re like a charcuterie board for readers' appetites. You get a short but action-packed peak into novels that will be released in the not-too-distant future. This issue has eight flavors to choose from and promises something for almost any palette.
There’s my favorite category, mystery & thrillers: Nora Murphy’s “The Favor”, where we meet Leah, a well-skilled alcoholic, who sees someone that reminds her of herself nine months previous, and decides to step in and “help”. “The Outside” by Ragnar Jonasson, four friends are stranded in a vicious snowstorm; I love these books that take me to new continents. “The Things We Do in the Dark” by Jennifer Hillier- I LOVED “Little Secrets” and “Jar of Hearts”, so this is definitely on my must-read list. And “The Blame Game”, by Sandie Jones, is about a psychologist who may be falling victim to the very people she’s trying to help.
There are two historical fictions: Mark Pryor’s “Die Around Sundown”, which takes place in Paris and is perfect for any WWII fan, and Katharine Schellman’s “Last Call at the Nightingale”, an eloquent mystery from the days (or should I say nights) of the speakeasy.
The military and action aficionados will enjoy “The Gatekeeper”, the new novel by James Byrne, about a mercenary, Dez Limerick (now retired), who throws a big wrench in what was supposed to be an easy hit at a hotel he’s plinking cords at.
Last but not least there’s “A Rip Through Time” by Kelley Armstrong, for those lovers of “The Outlander”, about a homicide detective that wakes up in the wrong era.
These sampler books are a great way to help you decide what to add to your “to-read” list. The snippets are so good, though, you’ll end up adding them all.
Sincere thanks to St. Martin’s Press- Minotaur for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is March 8, 2022.

With The Minotaur Sampler by Nora Murphy; Ragnar Jonasson; Katherine Schellman; Kelley Armstrong; James Byrne; JenniferHillier; Mark Pryor and Sandie Jones, gives us all a bite of each individual story by each individual author. Just enough to reel us in and have us clicking on our favorite book seller to buy their book.
It is a true showcase of each author’s abilities and we get to see if they mesh with our stories that we enjoy.

Wow! I don’t know how Minotaur releases these small samples and every time I’m left wanting MORE for each book. I found myself mostly invested/interested in finding out what is going to happen in Things We Do In The Dark, The Blame Game, The Favor and Outside. These sample packs always get me so excited for upcoming books so I can get my hands on them to find out what happens!

Ahh, this sample pack made me even more excited for so many of these titles coming soon from Minotaur!

I love that they do this, because they give you just enough to get hooked and invested and then leave you hanging until release day! But to be honest, the first line on most of these would have hooked me! I mean, seriously, go read som of these opening lines.

I'm most excited for Things We Do in the Dark and the Blame Game but will probably end up reading them all eventually!

Thanks so much Minotaur for putting this together and getting me so excited for what's to come!

My biggest complaint is that there wasn’t more! I am so excited for so many of these books to come out, especially things we do in the dark!

Looking for a new mystery to read? This sampler has 8 mystery excerpts of books that will be published soon. I love reading samplers as I often discover a new author. To read. The excerpts in this sampler are excellent! I enjoyed all of them. I found two books I know I will buy as soon as they are published. ( Yes, I want to buy all of them but my to be read books are way too big as it is.). I don’t want to influence you. Read the sampler and decide for yourself.