I found myself a bit confused when I started this book and I realized towards the end that it's because this is the second book in a series/duology. You will enjoy this more than I did if you read book 1!

Okay, Minka Kent…I see you!!! What a FABULOUS follow up to Imaginary Strangers!!! When the last book ends, Camille and Will need a new start. So…gated community they go! But things aren’t always what they seem and, behind closed doors, the neighbors are a bit cray cray. I LOVED this one and was held in suspense the whole time!!

You know, one day I'll wise up and completely read a description and notice when I'm requesting the second book in a series. However, the day I requested Circle of Strangers was not that day, unfortunately.

That's ok though. I think. I didn't go back and read book one, so my thoughts below are on Circle of Strangers on its own. I was a LITTLE lost with his mother being in prison and her mother being estranged, but I figured I would learn why as I read. Spoiler - I didn't. But I did pick up enough to follow the story.

The book starts off with a bang - Camille finds a dead body in her garage! The story then backs up to tell the events that lead to the body in the garage. If I'm being honest, the whole thing read like an episode of Desperate Housewives. There was a lot of misdirection and it worked at times. But, overall, the whole plot just felt unbelievable - again, like something you'd enjoy on TV but couldn't "buy" in real life. It also felt very perfunctory in its pacing - this happened, so this happened, then this, and this. Camille being a sociopath was interesting, but it also felt like an excuse for some very disconnected writing, emotionally.

Maybe I wasn't the audience for this. Maybe it was because I didn't read book one, or maybe it's because domestic thrillers are very hit or miss for me, but this one wasn't my jam.

This is book two in this series and you really need to read book one for this to make sense. Will and Camille move to Arizona to start over. They think they found the perfect gated community to keep them safe. This neighborhood has nosy neighbors who insert themselves into your lives. The neighbors have secrets. Camille is trying to figure out which one of her neighbors is telling the truth and which ones lying as things aren’t adding up. Will and Camille look like they have the perfect marriage but things unravel quickly and each will try and outmaneuver the other. I was bummed that this was left on a cliffhanger so now you must wait for next book to come out. Camille is one person I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Yet another Excellent thriller from Minka Kent. She's become an auto buy aitjor me me and anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers needs to grab her books.

I love Minka Kent! I will always be ready for anything she writes!

This read was a little different than her normal. I wasn't sure how I felt about the FMC, Camille. I didn't feel like I knew her until the very end and I liked her! I was guessing the entire read on who was doing what!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC for my review!

#NetGalley #MinkaKent #CircleOfStrangers

Always here to support a great writer and storyteller. The storyline was intriguing and kept you engaged throughout. There were parts that made me react out loud and say, "Why?" or "She should have...". I even suspected somethings to be true and was pleasantly surprised when others were not. A really great thriller to read. As with all cliffhangers, if I don't have the conclusion right away, I feel lost. There was so much back and forth, and misdirection involved with the characters it will have you picking sides and second guessing your own mind just as our main character. Can't wait to find out if help will finally be given to these vulnerable souls.

The follow up book to Imaginary Strangers, finds Camille and her perfect family relocated and starting over. They survived so much and now that her husband knows she's a sociopath and unable to feel - they're starting over with trust and honest communication. Or are they?

In their safe and very private neighborhood, it doesn't take long for things to go wrong. Nosey, intrusive neighbors, whispers of affairs, and letters from her monster of a mother soon have Camille distrusting her usually on point intuition and ability to read people. Now she's not sure who she can trust and it only gets worse when she discovers a dead body in her garage. Camille is used to winning and she finds herself losing everything she's worked so hard to achieve and hold onto.

I had high hopes for Circle of Strangers because I absolutely loved the first book Imaginary Strangers. The book was a fun read and the story line kept me turning pages; however, about half way through I found that I honestly didn't care for any of the characters nor did I really care what happened to them. I'm no quitter so I finished the book and while the twist was somewhat surprising my dislike of the characters watered down how much I was able to enjoy it.

After relocating to a new neighborhood, Camille is hoping for a fresh start, putting the past behind her. Her marriage to Will seems to be better, her neighbours are friendly and she soon finds herself making new friends. But then a body turns up in her garage...

Minka is a master at writing storylines that make your jaw drop. Imaginary Strangers, the book prior to this one, was one of my favourites so you can imagine my excitement when I heard about this book and it did not disappoint. With short chapters and twists galore, this one had me flying through the pages, it was THAT good. And with the ending the way it is, I am hopeful we might be getting another installment - please, please, please!

Ok, I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. The story is packed with suspense and intriguing character dynamics, pulling you in from the very beginning. The author does a great job of creating a tense, unsettling atmosphere that keeps you hooked, and I loved how the different characters’ stories intertwine in unexpected ways. It’s a compelling read that makes you think about trust, secrets, and the complexities of human nature. The only this is I was confused at times, the multiple perspectives and plotlines made it a bit tricky to keep track of everything, especially in the middle sections. It’s still a perfect read if you’re into psychological thrillers with lots of twists and a dark edge.

Book number 2 in the Dangerous Strangers series. I would definitely recommend reading the first book, Imaginary Strangers, prior to reading this. There is a lot of building on what happens in the first book and references back that will not make sense if you haven't read it. Some authors will summarize the previous book enough for it to make sense if you haven't read it, but that isn't the case here.

Camille is in her new gated community in Phoenix after relocating from San Diego for a fresh start. The story starts out with a bang and then the next chapter takes us back a month with events leading up the now. It never ceases to amaze me just how twisted things can get. The ending leads me to believe there will be a follow up book, which I really hope for!


Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the ARC!
I honestly didn’t realize this was book 2 before diving in, but the author did a great job weaving in backstory and updating us on the MC’s current situation. It was more of a slow burn than I expected. I would’ve liked the thrills and twists to kick in a bit sooner. That said, I’m definitely invested and hoping for news on a book 3 soon because I need to know what happens next!

MINKA KENT THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE. ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL, and I am so glad we are probably getting one more in this series? I twist had my head reeling though I was a little curious about the one neighbor who had a similar upbringing. The fact that the prologue too was just so chilling but yet all was not what it appeared to be? And the fact that her mother finally will get added to the pot come the next book? I crave more, this is just an excellent cat and mouse game.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is the 2nd book in the Dangerous Strangers Thrillers. You can read this book without reading the first book. However, this book does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger.
Camille and Will will do anything to protect their family. So, after the last threat they decided to move to a gated community. As they are settling in, they meet their new neighbors. The nosy Sozi and the bickering couple Mara and Oscar. Camille and Will want to friend them both but things just aren't adding up. While focusing on one neighbor the other is closing in without her noticing.
With all the twist and turns I so didn't see that ending/epilogue coming! Definitely can't wait for the next book to come out.

Absolutely loved this follow up. The twists were something else. great job - looking forward to the next one! Thanks Minka.

I am so happy I was able to read this shortly after reading Imaginary Strangers because I felt like I had just discovered a new show & wanted to see binging until I was done. When is book 3 coming out because I am on the edge of my seat, salivating for more. The most unlikeable group of characters and yet my love to hate feelings towards them made it all that much better.

Another phenomenal fast paced thriller by Minka Kent. Such an amazing talent. but really....when is book 3 coming out??

Circle of Strangers
by Minka Kent
Book 2 of Dangerous Strangers Thrillers

Minka Kent is my go to author for thrillers and I’m was so excited to read part 2 of this series.

I love a book that begins with a dead body. Camille and Will Prescott have just relocated to Arizona. Camille is reluctant to make friends with her neighbors but soon she finds herself wrapped up in the lies and drama her fresh, gated community has to offer.

The ending was chefs kiss! I can’t wait to read what happens next.

Book 2 of Dangerous Strangers Thrillers, Circle of Strangers did not disappoint! It kept me guessing until the very end!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion!

A binge-worthy suburban thriller that trades on gossip, secrets, and neighborhood paranoia. If you love messy small-town (or -suburb) dynamics and don’t mind a cliffhanger, this one is a speedy, satisfying ride. Just go in ready for a wild ending—and maybe the next book.

I enjoyed the first in the series, but this one was disappointing. There was a serious lack of action in it, and if I’m being brutally honest, not a lot happens in it at all - the story seemed to really ramp up in the last quarter, but it was very slow going and I found it to be quite dull overall 🤷🏻‍♀️