☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: February 4, 2025

The title is what pulled me in... so intriguing.
However, this felt like a poorly written law & order episode but extremely long. Too long. It was very repetitive, especially when using the term "gutter punks".... felt like it was in every other sentence, unnecessarily.

Thank you NetGalley, the authors and Hampton Creek Press for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the Arc in exchange for a honest review.

This book is a very fast paced thriller into a crime that leads to a syndicate.

Pros: fast paced, intricate backstory

Cons: chapters are too short. Not much character development.

I enjoyed this story, but it took me a while to get into it. The characters are mostly unlikeable and hard to root for. The twists ramped up my excitement enough to continue. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy thrillers. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

This story explored the deep, dark side of New Orleans and all the wrongdoings of the wealthy, powerful people in the city. It also wove this together with the seedy, unlawful young people in the city. This created a complex story with many moving parts and types of characters.

I enjoyed the story but nothing really stood out for me. There were a lot of characters to keep track of along with their stories and situations, and there was too much dialogue in my opinion. I think that hindered the flow and pace quite a bit. Nothing about the story was very surprising or exciting and I was pretty underwhelmed with the big “reveal/twist” at the end.

Overall, it was fine but it took me a long time to get through because I just wasn’t super invested in the story or the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

J.D. Barker and E.J. Findorff's "We Don't Talk About Emma" is a chilling descent into the abyss of grief and the destructive power of secrets. This isn't a story of jump scares or gore, but of a pervasive sense of dread that gnaws at the reader's soul.

The novel follows a family grappling with the tragic disappearance of their young daughter, Emma. Years later, the pain of their loss still lingers, a gaping wound in their lives. But when a series of unsettling events begins to unfold, they are forced to confront the possibility that Emma may not be gone forever, but that she may be trapped in a nightmare.

Barker and Findorff masterfully weave a tapestry of suspense. The narrative shifts seamlessly between the present day and the events leading up to Emma's disappearance, revealing a web of family secrets and hidden traumas.

"We Don't Talk About Emma" is a powerful exploration of grief, loss, and the enduring power of family bonds. It's a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of hope.

Recommended for readers who enjoy suspenseful thrillers, emotionally charged narratives, and stories that explore the complexities of family relationships.

This is my first JD Barker read and I really enjoyed it. It made me think of the tv show Castle. I really liked the plot, the characters, the pace. A definite rollercoaster to a great end. Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.

This is a very entertaining novel with a good plot, and I really like the writing style which is light and funny, but still to the point. The characters are very good, with a sharp female main character, and there are a couple of twists in the mystery.

I have read one other book by this author which I did find cleverly plotted and a real rollercoaster. This one not so much - I did not feel engaged by the police officers who were not representative of law and order and I felt the collective of rich businessmen and their nefarious dealings, not explicitly described, left a lot to be desired. It is hard to engage when there are no good guys to balance out the seedy side of life. Having said all that it was a page turner.
Many thanks to Netgalley/J.D.Barker/E.J. Findorff/Hampton Creek Press for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed the pace of this book, there was always something happening, great for an impatient reader like me .The story was good, and the characters were great. I enjoyed the setting too. Terrific read, I recommend it.

New Orleans Detective Nikki Mayeaux has decided it’s when a technicality sets a serial rapist free.
Jaded and frustrated, this latest injustice brings her to a boiling point. She arrives at the monster’s home intending to end his reign of terror, only to find someone else got there first. His throat slit, his lifeless body left in the front seat of his car.

They seem to do a lot of talking about Emma. This is an interesting read with well defined and real characters. A good pacy plot which skips along well and doesn’t get lost in the middle. It’s a great read.

A decent stand alone book from J D Barker. Not his best and maybe that’s because of having two writers. I’m not a fan of these as I feel they never quite flow. I would also liked to have had a preview of Emma in some way as I felt no real empathy towards her, not knowing if she was good or evil, misguided or conniving. Without any real knowledge of her, it took a while to get into this book and understand the relationships between certain characters. Obviously not all could be revealed as that would be to the detriment of the entire book but maybe a chapter of what happened to her in the beginning would have made this story more engaging. However, I did like the atmospheric descriptions of New Orleans and its somewhat unsavory characters, far away from the tourist attractions that welcome visitors, and this added to the dark story that unfolded. I enjoyed the relationship between the police colleagues of Nikki and Keith and would be quite happy to meet them again in a future book. On the whole I enjoyed this book, despite its subject matter of rape, drugs and murder and would recommend.

This is one of the best stories I've read in awhile. It hooked me from the beginning. The characters are complex and interesting. I loved Nikki and Keith. There were so many aspects to the plot that it kept me guessing. And questioning. The ending was perfect. I have to say I wish this wasn't a standalone. These characters would make an excellent series!

A bit different from a typical (if there is one) Barker story. More of a mystery/thriller and less horror. I enjoyed this story, especially our MC Emma. She had a difficult life only made tougher by the powerful men surrounding her.

I would like to know more of Nikki’s backstory. She started fairly psychotic… I’m sure the full story of what happened is intriguing.

Warnings for rape and all things underaged (drugs, drinking, sex trafficking).

Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

I don't know how the title of this book came to be, because the characters in this book are solely focused on Emma. Why?
They believe she killed the man she accused of rape.
Even Detective Nikki Mayeaux, the woman who handled her case, believes she is guilty of the crime. She just needs to find her before more blood is spilled.

Both Nikki and her partner, Keith Teague, should not be on this case, for reasons I won't disclose, other than to say for Nikki, she is too connected to the suspect. However, they don't let their personal issues stop them from doing everything they can to catch Emma. And boy is she one difficult witness to chase down.

This is one of those stories, where I didn't particularly feel sorry for the victims. They treated women like objects to do with as they pleased, so yes, their deaths may be a twisted sense of justice, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over them.

Throughout the story, I grew to admire Nikki. She's got an emotional connection to Emma, wanting to do right by her, but she also shows true grit in chasing down the truth. Given how they honed in on only one suspect, I liked how things ultimately played out. Bit of a twist, although I did have my suspicions as the story progressed.

Overall, this was an action packed police procedural, that will keep you on your toes.

I enjoyed the characters, two ex-lover detectives whose constant banter laced with sexual innuendos made this a worthwhile read. It was a fast paced story with a lot going on, but the dialogue and the unfolding of the mysteries seemed a bit forced and somewhat clunky. Not having read either of the authors' other books, I'm not sure if this is their normal style. Having said that, the characters are worth the read. Strongly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for an advanced reader copy.

New Orleans Detective Nikki Mayeaux attempts to kill a serial rapist who escaped justice on technicality only to find that someone else got there first. Then Nikki and her partner/ex-boyfriend Keith are assigned to the case. The case is not only a conflict of interest considering she was about to kill him, but it also becomes awkward as her and Keith share unresolved feelings and grief in the death of Nikki's younger sister Morgan. The 2 of them suspect the rapist's final victim Emma, but trying to find her becomes tricky.

I really liked Nikki and Keith, they made great partners and there was obviously some chemistry between them. However, there were a lot of other characters and things going on that made the story difficult to grasp. Since it was written by two authors, that may be why it felt a little clunky. Overall, it wasn't a very compelling story that made me want to keep reading. I enjoy J.D. Barker's books as a solo author, so I will gravitate toward those in the future.

I am a huge fan of JD Barkers earlier books. With being said, this one was pretty good. Fast-paced, lots of great characters - loved the setting of New Orleans since I lived there. He did a great job describing the scenery. Would definitely recommend.

Thank you #netgalley and #hamptoncreekpress for the eARC.

This is fast paced and very action packed and it's so good. The pages just fly by and I have a hard time putting it down. Love it and I have new favorite authors! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

If you like a lot of non-stop action and movement in your stories, then you should definitely take a look at this one.

This story does include including rape, sexual assault, and drug use. This especially touches on some power dynamics amongst wealthy families and also racial and family trauma. If these are triggers for you, this may not be the story for you.

We first meet Detective Nikki Mayeaux as she's planning to commit murder. She's in place, hidden, armed, and ready. Until...someone else strikes minutes before her. As she flees the scene and arrives home, she gets the call that the case is hers. Hard to be motivated to find the killer when you planned to kill that person yourself. Everyone assumes Emma Courtland, the young girl who accused the victim (and I use that term loosely) of rape is the killer. Nikki is torn between trying to solve the case, and trying to help Emma at the same time.

This story bounces through several characters: Keith, Nikki's ex-boyfriend and partner on this case, Nikki, and another traveling kid, who goes by Dread. We meet several other folks along the way, but the perspectives primarily come from these three. With the characters and locations, everything flowed well and I never found myself confused as to who each person was in the story.

If you enjoy high intensity procedurals, New Orleans, and a side of corruption and revenge, this may be the book for you.

OMG this book is amazing. The twist and turns just blew your mind. Just when you think you know who did what, you are proven wrong. It gives insight to how the rich and powerful believe they run the world and no one can harm them. The way the story was written had you feeling sorry for Emma and so angry at the people who did her wrong. My emotions were like a roller coaster. I would have liked more of a back story for Dread and Emma, especially how they found out the truth. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries. It was beautifully written and I cannot wait to read more J.D Baker books.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher, for the advance copy for an honest review.