this was such a climatic psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. so well written that its obvious the writer put a lot of thought into the story. it was genuinely amazing!

So many twists and turns in this one! Once you think you've figured it out, you haven't! I did really enjoy this one and look forward to seeing more titles from this author!

This read was 10/5 stars for me. It was a very quick, suspenseful read for me and I finished it in one session because I just could not get enough. From page one, I had absolutely no idea what was going on and felt completely and utterly blindsided by the plot twist. I loved Betts, even though it was clear she had quite the mental health problems and she was an alcoholic. I adore the author’s writing style and will be reading all of her thrillers. I love books where you are confused the whole time and it all comes together in the end. I can definitely see myself reading this one more than once. Thank you NetGalley for graciously providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh wow wow wow, what a BOOK.
I was instantly gripped from the get go, and devoured this book. I just couldn't put it down.
The chapters where short, it was fast paced, and the characters where highly intriguing.
I'm on my way to read the rest of the series!

"Every year, a single black rose lies perfectly centered on the ground in front of my deceased husband's headstone. A rose that I did not place there."

This short but thrilling story is worth the pounding heart, and missed sleep.

Read if you like:
*Suspenseful thrillers
*Small towns
*Unique characters
*Murder mysteries
*Multiple viewpoints

I enjoyed this book. Character development, plot line, wanting to turn the page, and telling myself "just one more chapter" until I fell asleep with the book on my chest is how this went for me..

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and loved it. This is another one of her murder mysteries, but it’s heavier on the intrigue than the gore (unlike Trail of Deception, which was a bit too much for me). This book contains a bunch of truly selfish, unredeemable characters, none of whom deserve any sympathy. Until the very end, there’s the question of whether any of them are the good guys. Or are they all bad?

It’s told entirely from the POV of Betts and occasionally, Nicholas. It’s clear that Betts has some mental problems. I love when she talks about having sex with her fiance and pretending to orgasm, and the only time she really does is when she thinks about other people. “Sometimes the homeless man who sleeps behind the gas station. Not sure why.” It’s Nicholas who reveals that she’s a sociopath. That doesn’t mean he’s much better. Nor does it mean any of the other characters are. As I said, none are redeemable. That said, amazingly, McKinney made me care about what happened. I was invested in these characters because she brought me into their heads and showed me what they were really thinking and feeling. I wouldn’t say they were anti-heroes, but they were somewhat relatable. Overall, I found the story engaging until the very end as I tried to guess what would happen. The characters are realistic and memorable, and the suspense was perfection.

2.5 ⭐️

"Obsession turns deadly in this sleepy little coastal town"

I would like to thank HH Tisevich and NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for writing an honest review!

hmm. Rating this book was tricky and let me tell you why. I loved the historic mansion in a small town (because I would love to live in one) but I seriously don't understand why people seek revenge rather than leave the people who make their life hell. There is no going back from revenge so take the simple and better way out = leave (yes, I am completely aware that in certain situations that leaving is not an option but in this book; it was). I wish it was more than this. You might wonder "Well, Ayesha why did you request this book then?"; I was so drawn toward it by the marvelous and intriguing cover along with the title. The Widow of Weeping Pines; come on, you can't tell me it doesn't sound interesting. Regardless, the plot twist at the end of the book really made me drop my jaw but other than that; I was merely and utterly disgusted by the whole cheating and smut parts.

On a side note, I loved the part where she described the rain since I am a rain lover (written below)

"I close my eyes, feel the cold rain wet my face. Everything feels so vivid, like Mother Nature is sparing nothing on this night. The colors, the smell, the taste, the temperature, everything is turned up to the max."

"We all want simpler. It is in our DNA"

"We are built to solve problems. Recognize them, resolve them, then move on to the next.

Because there is always "the next", isn't there?"

"I have become one of those women who has slowly lost their light"

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Psychological thriller, with a narrator you are not sure you should trust. Very quick read.

Date if for the review, not the reading.

This novel was just an okay read. The storyline was intriguing, but as it evolved it became less and less engaging. My apologies to all the hardwork that was put into this book. The delivery was lacking, but maybe that is more about me than this story.

Loved this wild, short ride of a story! I was actually SO disappointed when it ended, because I was so wrapped into this whirlwind. Betty Lou is clearly mentally unstable, but kind of a badass if I might say :)

I thought this was a fun fast short read that gripped me and had me thrilled as I turned the pages. I liked this plot, characters and ending.

This book is fast paced and had me hooked from the beginning! I really liked the short chapters and differing POVs!

A quick read about a woman whose husband had died a few years earlier. The story is told from her perspective and that of an old scorned of her husbands who is also a cop. The story goes back and forth and trying to figure out who is telling the truth.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy. This is my first book by Amanda McKinney and won't be my last. Intriguing thriller with a twist at the end! I kept wanting to read long into the night.

This was a very good and solid mystery with vivid characters. I think mad means angry and crazy in this instance.
Many thanks to HH Tisevich and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This thriller definitely kept me on my toes. From the get go, readers will know that the narrator is unreliable and that most, if not all, of the characters are unlikable.

I always find dual timelines interesting and appreciated the way this one gave us insight into the present through the past. As you continue reading, you learn more and more about each character’s secrets and what they will do to keep them hidden.

McKinney included so many twists and turns in this novel that it had my head spinning from all the newfound information. The short chapters and overall short novel push the reader to keep going and make the story all the more intense. You’ll be left guessing until the bitter end.

I really enjoyed this and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have read it! What a wonderful book!

The book takes readers on a thrilling journey from start to finish. The captivating novella-length story had me hooked from the first pages, and I couldn’t bring myself to put it down until I reached the end. The constant guessing game kept me on my toes, as each twist and turn left me questioning the characters’ true intentions. This book is a must-read for anyone who craves a suspenseful and unpredictable ride.

I absolutely LOVED this book. The MC is cunning, smart, manipulative and you find yourself sympathizing with her, but also thinking WTF. This definitely kept me guessing until the end. It was a fun, quick read, as I could not put it down. Many thanks to NetGalley and HH Tisevich for the digital ARC.