The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor is set up as an anxiety inducing thriller. The very beginning has the reader in the midst of an assassination attempt. Then immediately we are thrown into Fighter Pilot Cadet Sophie Allard learning her adopted father has been killed in an explosion n his lab. Unfortunately, there were only a few thrilling moments and the rest left us wanting something to happen. The storyline and it's pacing seemed all or nothing, just felt uneven to me.

In a gripping debut thriller, D.R. Berlin delivers a tense, high anxiety opening of an assassin preparing for his mission. There’s limited context, but he must find and kill his target.

When we meet Sophie Allard, the story really takes off. Sophie is a promising fighter pilot cadet and her future crumbles when a lab explosion takes the life of her adoptive father and she’s forced to return home.

Berlin produces impressive flight sequences and descriptions in the opening chapters. It is clear that she has some expertise in the intricacies of flying. The characters are well developed with deep emotional ties and complex relationships.

The main settings of the book are highly contrasted from the Stockton Military Institute to the gothic and maze like Grand Lake Manor. As Sophie returns home to the manor, she uncovers various secrets and deceptions that will not only change her life, but put it at risk.

A fast paced thriller with a strong female protagonist, this was filled with deception, betrayal, danger and adrenaline. This is not my typical genre but I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed it!

Thank you to @netgalley @d.r.berlinauthor and @outskirtspress for the arc in exchange for my honest thoughts!

The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor is one of the most thrilling books I've read in a while! From the very first pages, I was hooked. Sophie Allard is a fantastic protagonist—brave, smart, and driven, and I loved following her journey as she uncovers dark secrets about her father’s death. The plot blends espionage, mystery, and suspense so seamlessly that I couldn't put it down. The tension builds with every chapter, especially with the assassin on her tail and the looming shadow of the Third Estate.

The twists are unpredictable, and just when I thought I had figured things out, another layer of deception was revealed. The pacing was perfect, keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time. If you’re into fast-paced thrillers with complex conspiracies and strong female leads, this one is a must-read.
*Rounded up from 4.5 stars*

What did I just read and how can I get more of it? This was amazing and I am just speechless. Wow. Just incredible.

A contract killer recognises his target. A shadowy, mysterious group. A cadet’s goal to become a fighter pilot in jeopardy. The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor has twists and turns that keep you guessing right to the end.

I felt that this book had promise and with just a few tweaks could have been a higher rating.

The pacing was off for me. I felt that this was far too rushed and as a result parts felt a little far fetched. Whilst some parts were over described, others were glossed over completely and I felt that had certain parts been delved into further, this would have benefited the story hugely.

The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor is a high-octane thriller packed with espionage, deadly secrets, and a determined heroine who refuses to back down. When military cadet Sophie Allard learns of her estranged father’s mysterious death, she’s thrown into a labyrinth of lies, secret organizations, and a relentless assassin hunting her every move. The book does an incredible job of keeping the tension high, blending action and mystery seamlessly. I loved how Sophie’s resilience and sharp instincts made her a character worth rooting for, and every twist kept me flipping pages late into the night. If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads and conspiracy-laden intrigue, this one is for you!

Hold on to your reading glasses, folks, because The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor is a full-throttle thrill ride, and I was not ready! Sophie Allard goes from jet cadet to full-blown detective-slash-survivor, unraveling a mystery so deep it makes government cover-ups look like playground gossip. Secret organizations? Check. A mysterious puppet master? Oh, you bet. A relentless assassin lurking in the shadows? Yep, and he’s terrifying. This book is pure chaotic brilliance, and I devoured it like a bag of popcorn at an action flick. Do yourself a favor—read it, love it, and then yell at your friends to do the same. 🔥📖