Vicious Cycle is a trip! With mental health being a main point of the book it makes the story even more scary and complex. The main character, who’s a first time mom, also goes through mental health struggles. Reading this brought me a different perspective, as someone who also lives with anxiety the overthinking could be the worst or the best! From the perspective of the character it makes the journey even more realistic. There are shocking twists and turns in this book and I couldn’t help but enjoy the ride!

4.5 stars!!

This read is exactly what you’d expect from its vibrant, eye-catching cover. If you’re a fan of Stephanie Plum or Finlay Donovan, then you’re in for a treat—because we could all use more independent, kickass women in our lives!

The story follows new mother Corey Tracey-Lieberman, who is shaken by the news of two teenage girls found hanged in a local park. Disturbed by the media's casual framing of the tragedy as a result of rising street crime, Corey feels compelled to investigate, drawing on her background as a former reporter and her experience teaching spin classes. As she navigates motherhood and her own postpartum anxiety, Corey uncovers deeper truths when a third murder occurs, pushing her quest for answers.

Meet Corey, a new mom navigating the wild waters of motherhood with a fierce work ethic and impressive problem-solving skills. She’s fun, relatable, and a joy to follow on the page. Honestly, I could picture myself in her shoes—if I had a child, that is! Corey is the quintessential nurturer: no drama queen here, just a straight-talking gal grappling with post-tantrum OCD and anxiety. The situations and descriptions are so authentic that you might just think this story is based on a real person. It adds a layer of realism that makes it all the more engaging.

The writing flows effortlessly, with short chapters that allow you to kick back and enjoy the ride with this charming character. Sure, you could nitpick all you want, but at the end of the day, this woman is simply trying to adjust to life with a newborn, cope with the loss of her recent job, and navigate the blues that many of us face more often than we’d like to admit.

If you enjoy murder mysteries, upbeat narratives, and a sprinkle of emotional or dark humorous moments, then this book is tailor-made for you. The ending is fantastic, and I loved every bit of it. I’m already eager to see more of Corey and hope for a sequel or another mystery to unravel soon! This debut is a delightful romp, and I can’t wait to dive into more works by this author. So, pour yourself a glass of wine, kick your feet up, and lose yourself in a book that will help you forget your troubles for a few hours. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In Vicious Cycle, Jaime Parker Stickle delivers a debut as emotionally raw as it is sharply observant—a psychological thriller that dares to blend postpartum anxiety, gentrification, and murder into a single, breathless narrative.

The result is a novel that doesn’t just entertain—it interrogates.

Corey Tracey-Lieberman, a former broadcast journalist turned spin instructor and new mother, is the kind of protagonist we don’t see enough of: flawed, funny, and fiercely perceptive. When two Latina teens are found hanged in a local park and the media shrugs it off as gang-related, Corey’s instincts kick in. What follows is a gripping amateur investigation—baby strapped to her chest, intrusive thoughts in tow—that exposes not only a chilling pattern of violence but also the systemic apathy that allows it to fester.

Stickle’s prose is brisk and biting, laced with gallows humor and moments of startling tenderness. She captures the disorientation of early motherhood with unflinching honesty, and her portrayal of mental health—particularly postpartum OCD and anxiety—is both nuanced and necessary. The mystery itself is compelling, though it’s the emotional terrain that truly elevates the novel. Corey’s sleuthing is less about solving a crime and more about reclaiming agency in a world that keeps trying to write her off.

Vicious Cycle refuses to separate the personal from the political. Stickle threads commentary on gentrification, media bias, and the invisibility of marginalized victims through every twist and turn. It’s a thriller with teeth—and a heart.

The second I started to read this book, I wanted to binge read it! Immediately I was hooked. When I had to set the book down because “life” kept going, I felt a little resentful. This book touches on multiple stigmas that plague every woman, our communities, and mental health. Most books only cover or touch on a couple and many times don’t cover it as real and raw as it is covered in this book through the main character. The main character is incredible. I felt like I was a close confidant that she allowed to know every intimate detail of her, her feelings and her life. So close that she held NOTHING back. She is just real, unfiltered in a way that is insanely refreshing. Nothing absolutely nothing was held back. I admire the strength it took for the author to develop such a character and to allow her to be real. That had to be scary. What if people don’t accept her….again… that’s the whole point isn’t it? For us to love, accept and support the reality of what is for a woman in this world going through mental health? Any person for that matter. Just f-ing awesome. As a women who has faced sooo many of these stigmas on a daily basis, I feel so seen! It is so refreshing! Thank you!

Absolutely DEVOURED this book. I will say it was going super slow in the beginning BUT the more I read it, the more I loved it.

Review: Vicious Cycle by Jaime Parker Stickle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)
Genre: Thriller | Mystery | Psychological Fiction

Vicious Cycle is a dark, layered thriller that dives into the fragile intersections of motherhood, mental health, and murder. Jaime Parker Stickle takes readers on a suspenseful ride with a protagonist who’s not only trying to hold her life together—but is also pulled into the unraveling threads of multiple murder cases.

What I appreciated most about this book is how it balances the psychological aspects with the mystery. The main character—a mother battling mental health struggles—feels real, raw, and unpredictable in the best way. Her emotional instability isn’t just a subplot; it’s woven directly into the suspense, making every twist hit harder and every decision feel riskier.

The plot kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another layer unfolded. While some thrillers lean heavily on shocking moments, this one builds tension steadily, keeping you locked in with character-driven intrigue.

One thing I personally enjoy is reading work from lesser-known or emerging authors. With fewer expectations going in, I find myself more open to the experience—and often more impressed. Jaime Parker Stickle is one of those authors who deserves more attention. Her voice is distinct, her characters are flawed and believable, and her storytelling is compelling.

If you’re looking for a thriller with emotional depth, morally gray characters, and plenty of suspense, Vicious Cycle is worth adding to your TBR. It’s perfect for fans of domestic thrillers with a psychological edge.

I like the mental health rep of this book, not a lot of books go as in depth with it as this one did - which made this book completely unique. It added a layer to the many you will note as you read through and get pulled into this story. This isn't my usual read but it sounded interesting and I'm glad I gave it a chance. The story was amazing, as were the characters. I also really liked the author's writing style, and plan on adding any other works of hers onto my TBR.

I'm giving this book a 3.5 star rating, since I see a LOT of potential in this author's writing.

This book approaches something I hadn't quite seen in any other book, which is postpartum OCD and anxiety, and it was portrayed in this very raw manner, which I appreciated.

I did find it hard to delve into this book at first, since the writing style isn't my usual type (it had a lot of "breaks" in the same chapter, a lot of going back and forward in her thoughts and the present scene, which broke my train of thought and made the text seem chopped up). But, once I got halfway through it, it got a lot more interesting and the writing seemed to just flow.

The characters aren't one-dimensional, and the storyline is compelling, I couldn't wait to figure out what had happened to these characters. The only thing I'll say about it, is that the "descovering" parts were a bit anti-climatic but I still enjoyed it.

I want to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It was honestly, my pleasure!! Curious to see new books from this author :)

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of Vicious Cycle, all thoughts and reviews are solely my own.

Vicious Cycle breaks away from the standard thriller and you can't help falling in love with Corey, a new mom who is not only dealing with post partum and OCD but who also newly lost her job. She decides to take it on herself to start investigating a series of women's murders after the second body is found in her neighborhood.
Corey is startling real, gravitational, and a character you empathize with.

What a great book from start to finish, easy pacing, and perfect ending!
Make sure to pick a copy of this one up when it hits the shelves!

Jaime Parker Stickle writes from the heart, blending motherhood and murder into a tight, moving mystery. For anyone who loves smart, emotional, character-driven suspense with a twist, this is a must-read.

This book had topics of mental health which i think were portrayed really well, i didnt know what i was expecting with the book themes but it was really refreshing while talking about difficult topics.

I don't normally read these types of books as its not my favourite genres but this one i enjoyed!

Corey is a new mother struggling with post partum, and she see news of two teenage girls found hanged in a nearby park. Sadly, the news reports are fleeting and casual, blaming an increase in crime in the area. Corey is aware of the gentrification in the area, but she's seen no increase in crime, and she should know--she's a former broadcast journalist. Now she teach spin classes with her baby in tow because she's terrified to be away from him. She resigned herself to her new life when another death occurs, this time one far too close to home. She knows she has to launch her own investigation. I enjoyed the mystery in the book, kept me reading.

𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧? 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧.

Judging from the cover, you would think this would be a darkly comedic read--and you would be wrong. While marketed as a thriller, there are some really deep themes in this one, particularly postpartum issues, gentrification, crimes against minorities, and more. There is definitely a mystery at play here, but the other issues take center stage, as they rightfully should.

Corey is a new mother struggling with intrusive thoughts that are worsened by the horrific news of two teenage girls found hanged in a nearby park. Sadly, the news reports are fleeting and casual, blaming an increase in crime in the area. Corey is aware of the gentrification in the area, but she's seen no increase in crime, and she should know--she's a former broadcast journalist.

But now her days are spent teaching spin classes with her nine-month-old baby in tow because she's terrified to be away from him. Instead of chasing a story, she's cleaning spit-up. She's resigned herself to her new life when another death occurs, this time one far too close to home. Her inner journalist awakens, and she knows she has to launch her own investigation.

I really felt for Corey and her situation while also being angry at the real-life issues the author brought to life. Fair and accurate investigations for all crime victims is something sorely lacking in all parts of the globe. The loss of identity a woman feels when she becomes a mother was brilliantly explored as well. I'm glad to see this is the beginning of a series. I can't wait to see what Corey investigates next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer Publishing for the early copy. Look for this one October 21, 2025.

really interesting and captivating plot. it kept me hooked throughout --i finished it in 2 days! also love the voice of the narrator.

Vicious Cycle is a clever title indeed. I enjoyed this read; it kept me hooked. It was a great insight into how the messiness of mental illness mixes so insidiously with the systemic issues that women face as they balance careers, relationships, parenthood and above all their relationship with themselves. I appreciate the broader commentary on gentrification and the inequitable ways in which crimes against minorities are brushed away, but I did feel that the "mystery" component didn't stand as strongly in the plot. This book shines when I take it as a journey with Corey's tryst with postpartum anxiety, psychosis and realisations on what she wants for herself; the mystery pieces were a bit predictable though.

All in all, definitely an exhilarating read, never felt like a drag!

Vicious Cycle caught me off guard — in the best way.

It’s a gripping mix of murder mystery and raw, honest portrayal of postpartum mental health, without sugarcoating or romanticizing the real struggles of motherhood.

The main character, Corey, is a former investigative journalist turned stay-at-home mom dealing with anxiety, OCD, and intrusive thoughts. The way these issues are portrayed feels brutally real — sometimes even uncomfortable — but powerful and important.

The mystery starts when two Latina girls are found dead, quickly dismissed by police as gang-related suicides. Corey can’t accept that explanation and starts her own investigation. Things escalate when a woman from her spin class is also found dead in the same location.

This is an intense psychological thriller with well-developed characters, strong emotional representation, and a message that lingers.
I flew through it. Highly recommend — especially if you’re into dark, reflective, emotionally layered reads.

Book was fresh air. I loved it. It was a Page Turner. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but I’m glad that I kept going and I enjoyed it very much and I will recommend.

Viscous Cycle

Confession: it took me far too long to realize the main characters worked at a spin studio, and I couldn’t grasp the reasoning for the title of the book. Once that became clear, the book made so much more sense.

It reminded me slightly of Little Voices by Vanessa Lilley, but without the psychosis.

As a two time mom, both times with intrusive thoughts but only once treated for post-partum depression, I found myself both relating to Corey’s struggles and also angry and her for not seeking help. There is no shame in needing help, needing medicine, or needing to speak to someone. Post partum blues clear up, both post partum depression and anxiety and OCD linger. Ya need to talk to someone.

All this to say, this book was lovely. It had me hooked, and touched so many different parts of motherhood and murder mystery.

CAWPILE score: 60
Rating: 4.25

The story follows Corey, a former investigative journalist turned stay-at-home mom, who is battling postpartum mental health struggles when two Latina girls are found dead in her town. Dismissed as gang-related suicides by police and media, Corey feels compelled to investigate the truth—especially when a woman from her spin class turns up dead in the same spot. As she digs deeper, her investigation begins to mirror her own unraveling mind. This book handles tough subjects without flinching. But if you’re up for something dark, thought-provoking, and emotionally intense, this one’s worth it. Absolutely loved it!

This was terrific! The main character genuinely manoeuvres through postpartum anxiety in such an authentic way. The mental illness rep is so honest, it’s almost painful but in a good way. There’s that overhanging unsettled feeling because this is a thriller but it’s got a great message – and is an outstanding murder mystery.