If you think you know suspense, think again! Violets Are Blue is a high-voltage thriller that will leave your heart racing and your mind reeling. Imagine stepping into a picture-perfect neighborhood, only to have its secrets explode like a thunderstorm. That’s exactly what awaits you on Violet Lane.

Laila is desperate for a fresh start, and Max, her devilishly charming neighbor, seems to be the answer to her prayers. But just as their chemistry reaches its peak, a young mother’s disappearance casts an ominous shadow. The twists come thick and fast, and with every revelation, you’ll find yourself questioning everyone’s motives—even your own instincts.

Miranda doesn’t just write thrillers—she orchestrates them, pushing every nerve to its breaking point. The tension is so sharp, you’ll feel it in your bones. And that ending? A knockout punch you’ll never see coming.

Brace yourself, because Violets Are Blue is electrifying, unrelenting, and utterly unforgettable. Do you dare to uncover the secrets of Violet Lane?

I enjoy books by Miranda Rijks and this one did not disappoint. This one was a bit different than her others in that there were some steamy scenes. There is a warning at the beginning of the book so this will not come as a surprise to folks who want to avoid this. The scenes were relevant to the book and were not over the top graphic. I actually found them to be a little silly if I'm being honest. I found myself wishing the main character would make better choices many times while reading. There was also a detail at the end that I found more convenient than logical but I don't want to get into any spoilers! Overall though I enjoyed this book and appreciated that everything was wrapped up in the end. Fans of Miranda Rijks will not be disappointed!

After a bitter divorce, criminal solicitor Laila moves to idyllic Violet Lane where she quickly falls for Max—her charming, piano-playing neighbor. They begin a wildly passionate affair and Laila feels she is really starting to live again.
But the tranquility of this close-knit community is shattered when Jackie, a young mother from across the street, goes missing. Her husband is the chief suspect and Laila agrees to act as his lawyer.
As she investigates Jackie’s disappearance, Laila discovers that this quiet street hides deadly secrets, and someone is watching her every move. Anonymous threats pull her ever deeper into a twisted web of deception.
Meanwhile, her intense relationship with Max is starting to feel like a runaway train. And Laila begins to wonder if her gorgeous new man may have a hidden dark side.
She desperately needs to uncover the truth. And when she does, Laila realises that she’s put herself in terrible danger, that she may lose everything – including her life.

This was a great quick read which I raced through

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this arc

4 stars

Yes! Finally! My first 6-star* book this month!
Violets Are Blue by Miranda Rijks is an unbelievably yummy mystery, suspense, and psychological thriller with some spark of romance and sprinkles of spice.
What I loved was spice scenes were tasteful and enjoyable without extreme repetition and it didn't take away my focus from the main storyline.
This is that thriller where the twist will beat the twist and add one more twist on top of that!
I LOVED IT!
Seriously, this book grabbed my attention straight away and my little neurons were trying to calculate the twist but I didn't succeed because the story was cleverly folded and gave out small details at the time making the guessing impossible.

After a complex divorce, Laila is looking for a fresh start. She moves to Violet Lane, a peaceful neighbourhood where she is made welcome from day one. As a criminal solicitor, she quickly gets a place in the local law firm. As a cherry on the top comes to her neighbour, Max, piano piano-playing paramedic who fires the spark she forgot exists.
Everything changes when her neighbour, a young mother, Jackie, disappears and Laila takes on her husband's case...

Thank you, NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this copy.

*6 stars I reserve for the books that are absolute 5 stars but there is something else that screams they deserve a little bit more. It could be 5+ but I think 6 stars sounds better!

Always trust your gut. If something seems too good to be true, chances are it probably is.

This fast-paced, spicy thriller follows a middle-aged woman who has just bought her first house after a messy divorce. She moves into a small town where the neighbours appear to be very friendly and welcoming. However, are things truly as idyllic as they seem?

She suddenly falls for the hot, single man next door. But then, a neighbour is found murdered, and the neighbourhood is turned upside down. Strange things start happening, and she begins to wonder if the hot neighbour is as good as he seems. Is her life about to change for the worse?

Miranda Rijks is one of my favourite authors so I knew when I see this I was going to love it and wow it did not disappoint I loved everything about it. It was one of those book that once you start you can’t put it down so clear your diary you are going to be in for a rollercoaster of a thriller. I loved the pace of the book there was such a claustrophobic atmosphere throughout which I also love in a thriller. I will definitely be recommending this awesome book to everyone. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this great book.

This story is mainly told from Laila's perspective. She has just divorced and is now moving to a new street. Everyone seems friendly and she immediately clicks with her neighbor.

The developments between Laila and her neighbor Max were interesting and a passionate relationship follows.

From the moment Jackie goes missing, the tension increases and you wonder who is behind this. In the meantime, Max is behaving increasingly strangely. Does he have something to do with it?

I thought this story was nice and smoothly written. You think you know how the plot is going to work, but you still have doubts regularly.

Eventually, the surprising plot comes and everything falls into place. 'Violets are blue' was interesting and I enjoyed this story!

Rating: 3,5/4,0*

Miranda Rijks crafts an intriguing premise in "Violets Are Blue", blending mystery, suspense, and psychological tension. The story follows Laila, a criminal solicitor trying to rebuild her life, only to get entangled in a dark web of secrets when her neighbor disappears.

The book starts strong, drawing me into the eerie setting of Violet Lane and the seemingly perfect neighborhood hiding unsettling truths. The pacing keeps the tension high, and there are some well-placed twists along the way.

That said, I had mixed feelings about the execution. While the plot had potential, some parts felt predictable, and I struggled to connect deeply with the characters. Laila’s decisions at times felt frustrating, and a few moments stretched believability. I also found the ending a bit rushed—it wrapped up quickly after so much buildup.

Overall, "Violets Are Blue" is a decent thriller with an engaging premise, but it didn’t fully deliver on its suspenseful setup. Fans of Rijks’ previous books might still enjoy it, but for me, it was just an okay read.

Violets Are Blue is another unputdownable offering from the always compelling Miranda Rijks.

Laila has moved to the quiet cul de sac that is Violet Lane following a less than amicable divorce. It is here where she meets Max, her handsome new neighbour, and the attraction is instant and mutual. But as things really start to heat up, Laila starts to wonder if Max is just too good to be true, and her suspucions mount when a female neighbour goes missing. Has evil found its way to the idyllic neighbourhood, and is the biggest threat the one that is closest to home?

I cannot pass up a Miranda Rijks novel, and this latest kept me reading long into the night. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC.

Well this was sure a doozie!!! Laila is ready to start a new life in a new place as a newly single woman! When she moves to Violet Lane, she never dreams of the life that is heading her way! Murders and a new man were not on her agenda, but here they are! This was a thrilling read, and I loved it!

3 stars
Expected publication date - April 6, 2025

Thank you, NetGalley and Inkubator Books, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

Laila is finally getting her life back together after a bitter divorce. She moves to a new house in a new village with a new job. Her neighbors graciously welcome her, especially the man next door who she has instant chemistry with, and starts a passionate relationship. Then, neighbors begin being murdered and there is a serial rapist in surrounding towns. Can Laila really trust any of her new neighbors?

I read this quickly, so it kept me entertained. But, as they say, if something is too good to be true, it usually is....so, I wasn't really surprised by any of the twists.

Plenty of twitsts, some steamy romance and a great mystery to solve. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and Miranda's writing style!

Fast paced and twisty, I finished it in a couple of hours. It had me on the edge of my seat pretty much the whole time

This book was so good that I could hardly put it down.
It kept me engrossed and guessing all the way through.
Best Miranda Rijks book I have ever read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Violets Are Blue is hands down my favourite book by Miranda Rijks! I've read several of her thrillers and always enjoy her gripping writing style, but this one takes it to another level with its intense twists and psychological depth. Just when I thought I had all the characters figured out, the tables were turned again and again, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

This is a slow-burn mystery that masterfully weaves suspense with a passion-filled romance. Laila is such a compelling protagonist—complex, determined, and easy to root for. The atmospheric tension and intricate plot make this an absolute must-read for thriller lovers. I highly recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Violets are Blue by Miranda Rijks due to be published April 6, 2025.

Also recommended by Miranda Rijks: Roses Are Red, The Arrangement, The Homemaker, The Lodge, The Second Wife, Deserve to Die, What She Knew, The Other Mother, The Godchild, Every Breath You Take, The House Swap, Forget Me Not, and the Dr. Pippa Durrant series!

After a bitter divorce, criminal solicitor Laila moves to idyllic Violet Lane where she quickly falls for Max—her charming, piano-playing neighbor. They begin a wildly passionate affair and Laila feels she is really starting to live again. Is Max who he says he is or is Laila in danger?
This was another great thriller by Miranda Rijks – I read it in two days and could not put it down. Just when I thought I had all the characters figured out – nope – another twist. One of my favorite authors!
#NetGalley #MirandaRijks #InkubatorBooks #VioletsAreBlue

violets are blue is a gripping psychological thriller that combines a slow-burn mystery with an intense, passion-filled romance. From the very first page, the novel plunges the reader into a world of secrets, betrayal, and hidden danger, all set against the seemingly peaceful backdrop of a picturesque street.
The novel does an excellent job of blending a tantalizing romance with a deeply suspenseful mystery.
Overall, " violets are blue is a captivating read that deftly intertwines romance and mystery. With strong character development, a nail-biting plot, and a tense atmosphere, this book is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a dash of romance with their suspense. It’s a thrilling ride that will have you questioning trust, love, and the dangers that lie just beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect life.

This just became my favorite book by Miranda Rijks! What a wild ride! I've read several of her thrillers and love her writing style, but this one? Even more intense and twist-filled than the rest.

If you’re new to Miranda Rijks, this is the perfect place to start.

Fast-paced, packed with twists, and utterly unputdownable—I devoured it in one sitting! There’s constant tension, and you’ll be second-guessing every character until the very last page.

Another great thriller with a surprise ending (it was a surprise to me!) by Miranda Rijks. I love all her books. If you want a book you can’t put down, this is it! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. To be published April 6, 2025.

I love Miranda Rijks novels - fast paced thrillers with multiple twists, always a reliable read.

Lawyer Laila and her husband have recently divorced, with Laila moving to the quiet street of Violet Lane, ready to start fresh. New job, new house, new man on the scene, until things start getting freaky - with a young mum across the road going missing....

Great story, great characters, loved the criminal law aspect of Laila's work coming into play. I enjoyed the mystery and the twists and turns. I loved Laila as a character but she could have been more suspicious of those around her. I also enjoyed the steaminess of the relationship between her and Max, and while not necessary to the story, I think it did add an extra layer, which becomes creepier as the book goes on. Well tied up ending and overall a really great read.