An AI chatbot, bitcoin, and a mystery to solve. This collaboration between Colleen Coble and Rick Acker is quite the page turner.

Katrina Berg is a widow and a lawyer for Talk, Inc. Her deceased husband Jason converses with her regularly via a chatbot app pioneered by her employer. When the Feds descend upon the company, Katrina heads home to New Haven, CA to regroup and mourn another loss -- her Bestemor. I loved the setting in the redwoods and the Norwegian family connections. The food at Bestemor's restaurant sounds fabulous -- waffles and lignonberries on a cloud, for example. Best friend Liv soon joins Katrina and so does a heightening element of danger. If Jason was murdered, is that same person or group now targetting Katrina? Old high school friend Seb Wallace is a welcome partner in investigation and as a restaurant resource. He also has family complications including a dad with Parkinson's and a new brother who has come out of the woodwork.

There is a lot going on in this book. The authors did do a good job of tying up the loose ends by the conclusion. I am not a huge Colleen Coble fan, but if you are then you will also love this new cutting edge mystery. Karen Peakes does a fine job narrating if you choose the audio version.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a digital ARC and to HarperCollins for an audio ARC. All opinions are my own.

I did not care for this book. The premise was intriguing and the story started off strong, but after the prologue, I just couldn’t get into it. The characters were flat, sappy (in chapter one, literally everyone was crying), and unrealistic (a grown man whose first thought at finding out he has a long-lost half brother from his father’s affair is “I’m so glad I have someone to eat Thanksgiving dinner with” is not believable as a human being). Based on this book, I would not pick up another by either of these authors.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for this e-arc!

I'll preface this by saying this one was not for me. The writing is there.e I was intrigued by the title and the synopsis. However, when I started reading, I wasn't being drawn into the story. It really didn't start to pick up until around 44% and it was short lived for me. It just started to fall flat again for me.

I was drawn in by the AI element. With the emergence of AI, I think this is a hot topic, and I haven't seen a ton of books coming out on the market that involve AI. But honestly, I don't really get what it added to this story, and the whole AI bot says her husband was murdered. Why would that make you think that the bot has any semblance of being accurate?

Then, the romance subplots also felt so unnecessary. They don't really add to the story. It feels forced to me. The one character is repeatedly mentioned to be pregnant, but again, her being pregnant is not important to the story. It felt weird to just keep bringing it up and it not having an actual role in the plot. Like good for her I guess?

Overall, this was my first Colleen Coble book. I can't say that I would never read another book by them, but I can't really see myself seeking one out either.

A fast paced suspense that will leave you guessing until the end. Unexpected twists keep the adrenaline pounding through the entire wild ride. With hits of sweet romance and dealing with grief and loss, there is something for everyone. It was so fun with the AI tech that added a new edge to it all. Character development was so great, it felt like making new friends. They have a depth to them that pulls the reader deeper into the story. The backdrop to the book sprang off the page, filling in all around the story. From towering trees to restaurant chatter, I could easily picture it all.
Colleen Coble and Rick Acker have seamlessly woven a twisting tale that will keep you fully engaged from start to finish. They combine into one voice that crafts suspense to a whole new level. I can't wait for the next book, it is sure to ensnare once again! I also can't recommend this book more, it's worth more that 5 stars! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The authors have come up with a clean mystery that covers so much more. Family relationships play a large part in the lives of the characters. Overcoming the odds to become all you can be and handling loss are big parts of their story. The characters are likable and themes involving AI advances, chatbots, and bitcoin all add to the adventure. I felt it was a little slow when it came to spending time on the apt. but Chinese triads, crooked FBI agents and betrayal make this a good read.
I received this book from Netgalley and wish to thank them,the author and publisher for making it available.

OH MY GOODNESS! This is one of the best suspenseful books I’ve read in a long time!

Katrina works as a lawyer consult for a big tech Chatbox company in California. When her CEO gets indicted for fraud, she finds herself out of a job and approached by the FBI. Chatbox has become her lifeline to the past since her husband, Jason, died a year ago. After she uploaded all of his phone messages and emails to the app, it’s as if she’s talking to him again. She happily talks to “him” daily until she receives a disturbing text from him saying, “I think I was murdered.”

Katrina’s grandmother unexpectedly passes away around this time and she thinks maybe getting out of the city will help with all of the stress. She’ll quickly find she has some unfinished business back in the town she grew up in and a friend from her past.

It starts out a bit slow, but it works well because of the plot. Once I got through about 60% of the book, it really picked up its pace and I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the development of all of the characters, and even though I thought I knew what was coming at the end, I definitely didn’t! It was one plot twist followed by another!

There is a little bit of romance mixed into the story, but I definitely wouldn’t consider it a romance book. The female main character is a strong, independent woman but also not afraid to ask a man for help. The male main character is swoony and I won’t say anything more than that as to not give away spoilers! 😊

I think this duo does a fantastic job of writing together and I hope I see many more books written by them!

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion. I rate this book as five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😊

Wow this book was different from what I normally read, but it was so good! It's a gripping, fast-paced techno-thriller, it explores grief, loss, and the ethics of technology in a highly engaging way. The AI chatbot as a central character made for a fascinating concept, and there was a plot twist I never saw coming.

"I Think I Was Murdered" by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker is an enthralling blend of mystery, AI intrigue, and the charm of a small-town reunion. Katrina Berg, once at the height of her career, has her world unravel after a series of devastating events. Her husband's tragic car crash, her company's legal troubles, and the loss of her grandmother leave her reeling. But Katrina finds solace in the sophisticated chatbot developed by her company that mimics her late husband, Jason, with eerie accuracy—until it responds with a chilling message: "I think I was murdered."

This twist propels Katrina back to her picturesque hometown in the Northern California redwoods, a place rich with both Norwegian charm and complicated memories. Partnering with Seb Wallace, an old acquaintance and local restaurateur, she embarks on a quest to unravel the mystery behind Jason's death. As they navigate the dangers ahead, they must also face old wounds, rekindle lost connections, and wrestle with the increasing influence of technology over human lives.

The story captivated me from the start, especially with its seamless blend of mystery and AI, set against the stunning backdrop of Yosemite—one of my favorite places. The evolving relationship between Katrina and Seb was heartwarming, especially given their shared history. It added a beautiful layer of redemption to the storyline, giving depth to the characters amidst the twists and turns of their investigation.

The influence of AI in the plot was fascinating and thought-provoking. Seeing how Katrina used the chatbot to cope with her grief added an emotional depth that made the story hit home. I appreciated how the authors handled this delicate balance between the allure of technology and its potential dangers, especially as Katrina faced the temptation to live in a virtual memory rather than face reality.

I found myself getting suspicious of certain characters as the story developed, but I loved how the authors unfolded the truth at just the right pace, keeping the suspense alive throughout. It might be a bit challenging for readers who aren't familiar with artificial intelligence, but for anyone who loves technology—like me—this book was a definite winner. Coble and Acker have created another compelling story that combines innovation with timeless human emotions.

I did receive this copy from Netgalley, but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book had me hooked at page one. I Think I Was Murdered, by Colleen Coble, and Rick Acker is a chilling thriller that has it all. This story pulled me in after the first page, and I stayed up all night because I couldn't put it down.

Good intrigue:
I thought the plot was good and I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue. However, I found the writing style to be a bit choppy and it took me a while to get into it. I also unfortunately never really felt as if I connected with the characters and whilst I was curious to see how things were going to play out, it was more of as an outsider looking in. Katrina and Seb were both likeable and whilst there was a light romantic thread, the emphasis of the story was definitely on the mystery aspects.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

A thriller set mostly in North Haven, Northern California in the present time. Lots of action and twists and turns. Katrina Foster has found a way to talk to her husband who died in an accident 12 months earlier. She uses a chatbot that makes use of Artificial Intelligence. All of Jason’s emails and messages have been downloaded into a chatbot and when Katrina asks a question the chatbot replies using words and phrases that Jason used to use.

When Katrina’s husband died, he had knowledge of a code to unlock a bitcoin. Jason was afraid for his life, so he hid the code and left cryptic messages for Katrina to find it.

Katrina moves to her hometown of North Haven and an old friend helps keep her safe when her life is in danger.

I loved the use of technology and the way Jason left clues for Katrina.

Lots of descriptions of delicious food. This was an action-packed thriller about families, friendships, identity, grief and romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a chance to read this E-Book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

This was a fun story: a bit mystery, a bit romance, and a bit murder "who dunnit", all rolled in to one with a Christian flavor. The authors write Christian fiction, so don't read it you don't want to hear them talk about God, faith, and prayer.
Katrina works as a lawyer for a start-up tech company called Talk, that specializes in AI chatbots. A year ago her beloved husband Jason died, and her co-worker/friend put the company chatbot on her phone - loaded with all of Jason's info (emails, texts, social media, etc.) so Katrina can still "talk" to him. One day she asks Jason-bot to tell her something she doesn't know. His reply, of course, is "I think I was murdered", which starts of the mystery. Katrina moves back to her small Northern California hometown, and with the help of an old friend she begins to investigate the circumstances of Jason's death. Sure enough, he was murdered!
This story will keep you wondering and guessing at who is behind it. You may figure it out before it's revealed in the book - I did, but it didn't make it any less fun to read when it all came out.

This was a very interesting book. I'm definitely feeling some type of way with AI. I feel like we are going to see a lot of these kinds of books in the future

I think there is no way you could predict the story or the villain. Actually I do not think, I know! Lol! Expertly written, unexpected twists and turns, believe me this story will keep you on the tip of your toes!
Katrina is challenged with heartbreaking loss, not only her husband but also her grandmother. Upheavel, betrayal, loss, new hope, suspense, drama, possible romance, this book truly has it all!

3.5/5
Katrina’s husband died in a car accident a year ago and now her grandmother has died as well. She heads back to her hometown and learns her grandmother left her restaurant to her. Not knowing if she plans to keep it, she stays.

Katrina’s job has created an AI chatbot called The Talk. She downloaded all her husband’s texts, social media, emails, etc. to the app and is now able to “chat” with him to help with her grief. Until he texts her he thinks he was murdered and she goes down a rabbit hole trying to find out what really happened.

This book started off slow, but it picked up! The technology research put into this book was amazing! It was one of the most interesting parts. There was a shocking twist, and I really started to feel empathy for Katrina throughout the book. This writing duo works flawlessly together!

I Think I Was Murderer is a psychological thriller with some sweet romance and a lot of intrigue. And it includes some science fiction. For those who like to ponder the use of new technology and how far it will go to impact someone’s life, this book will be a hit. The Norwegian flare was interesting. The novel starts off fairly slow.
The premise of I Think I Was Murdered is a young widow who uses AI to alleviate some of her grief after losing her husband. A program is created to allow her to “talk” to her husband. And during one of these conversations, AI indicated that he thought he had been murdered. The idea of someone using AI to mimic a conversation with someone dead really was challenging for me to accept especially when the person is an educated intelligent lawyer. In some instances, Katrina almost seemed to forget she was not really talking to Jason. The plot just turned out to be one that didn’t keep my interest. However, the ending really caught me by surprise. And I think this book will be well enjoyed by those who like suspense. This is a great team of authors who have written other books which I couldn’t put down. I received a copy of I Think I was Murdered from NetGalley with no requirement to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I Think I Was Murdered is the second book I’ve read by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. I loved that there was a mix of AI, mystery, a treasure hunt and romance! It was a bit slow at times, but all in all it was a good book that kept me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

After that intriguing title, here's a fast-paced, adventurous novel with lots of unexpected twists and turns, surprises galore, romance and heart, lifelong love and long-term friendship, familial conflicts and sibling rivalry. Toss in danger [both off-stage and present) and twisty mysteries (even reported Bigfoot sightings) in a beautifully scenic locale. The result is an engrossing story to keep readers riveted late into the night.

Man, this started off promising. The real-life treasure hunt that is the background. The uses of AI and the future it could bring (basically the plot of a much better episode of Black Mirror). But the knowledge of Bitcoin, AI, all of it really, was exceptionally shallow. The characters were sappy and this would have scored incredibly low on the Bechdel test. How can you be this worried about your livelihood, freedom, and life and talk almost exclusively about men? And the men! Toxic masculinity is so bad it feels almost like a parody of old romance novels. Two men physically fight over a woman they have literally just met. Men are constantly protecting and saving women. There was more, but that's enough. The over the top plots and predictable "twist" just made the whole thing unbearable.

This is a fast-paced techno thriller with a character that is an AI chat bot. It is different and has a twist you might not see coming.