I think my students will like this more than I did. I liked the relationship between the two women, who were investigating death of social media stars. My students are very into influencers so I think that will appeal to them as well as the mystery/suspense of it. It got less and less believable as it went on, which didn't work for me

Not a favorite but still a good entry in the series, the sharacters are starting to work well together

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for providing the copy of Imposter Syndrome by Andrew Mayne. I love Mayne’s books and how the characters cross over from different series. I especially love Jessica Blackwood, because she’s knowledgeable about magic tricks, and who doesn’t love magic? Her relationship with Sloane was great. The twisty story incorporated a cult, which was realistic and kind of gross. I liked reading about the underground tunnels because they were creepy, and I‘ll never walk in Las Vegas again without thinking about the people beneath me. If you want an ending that is action-packed and surprising, this is the book for you. You don’t have to have read the previous books, but after this one, you will want to! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Impostor Syndrome was the first book I read that was written by Andrew Mayne. I’d heard a lot about the author — both as a magician and someone involved in AI training — so when I received the ARC, I thought it was the perfect place to start. Unfortunately, it was disappointing.

Despite the presence of multiple law enforcement agencies — FBI, police, and more — it’s Jessica and Sloan who somehow always get to the witnesses first and jump to baffling conclusions. Their access and deductions felt implausible, and as the suspect list grew more far-fetched, I found myself skim-reading just to get through it.

The last 30% of the book I read purely to finish, not out of interest. The plot lacked coherence, and the resolution didn’t offer any satisfying payoff. This will likely be my first and last Andrew Mayne novel.

Imposter Syndrome has everything I’ve come to expect in an Andrew Mayne book including action and a great cast of characters. It is fast paced with a good mystery that included twists that I didn’t see coming.

I absolutely loved this book, and can’t wait for the next one in the series!

This is a way stronger book than the first one in this series. This felt like a true andrew mayne book and not so disjointed. The first one just felt thrown together to see how many characters could be added whereas this one gave us true interweaving and a stronger base.

I zoomed through this book, like i always do with maynes books, its compulsively readable and you want to know what is going to happen next. I love both Sloan and Jessica they work well together and there different personalities are still highlighted well.
The mystery in this one was great, good analytical thinking, and i appreciate that despite the characters being well trained and intellegent there are still moments that they mess up or reflecting and seeing that they shoudl have done something instead. Nice they actually have flaws.

If you haven't read a mayne book i don't know what you're doing!

I didn't realize that this author has interconnected characters. I found it hard to concentrate on details because it seemed like he was just writing for a TV script. I didn't care about any of the characters (enough that I removed the rest of his books from my to read list), and the action seemed way too sensationialized to be believable.

I LOVE this series and was so excited to see this one pop up. It was amazing...as are the rest of the books in this series! I definitely thing Andrew Mayne is a super talented author that writes original mysteries that keep my attention. I am never disappointed when I pick one of his books. This book follows Sloan and Jessica on another wild adventure...this one involving cults and religious groups. Very interesting!! Hope there are more in this series. Thanks!!!

Former FBI agent Jessica is asked to take a look at a crime scene that was discovered by a conservation officer.
When it turns out to be the body of a YouTube influencer and then, a second body of another youtube star is found in a similar way, she is off on the hunt.
I love a good mystery but just could not get in to this.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The 2nd book in Andrew Mayne's The Specialists series has Jessica Blackwood, with the help of Floridian underwater investigator Sloan McPherson, return to investigate another unique series of murders with a specific set of victims in scope.

I enjoy all of Andrew Mayne's books, but his Jessica Blackwood series is my favorite (closely followed by his underwater investigation series) I found this one especially enjoyable. If you are a mystery fan and you haven't yet read this author, jump in anywhere, just . For fans of Jessica Blackwood, Mayne delivers another stellar thriller.

Excellent continuation of the series.. This character-driven story does have a good plot as Jessica and Sloan join forces to find a bad guy.

This is a great series that combines characters from his other series. I love it when the characters can cross over and work together and use their unique skills. This time it's just Jessica and Sloan, but you never know when Theo or Trasker will show up in these books. I'll keep reading them as long as Andrew Mayne keeps worrying them.

A smart, fast-paced techno-thriller with two unforgettable leads

Imposter Syndrome by Andrew Mayne is a gripping, high-octane thriller that brings together ex-FBI agent Jessica and underwater investigator Sloan in a tense, twisty case involving the elaborate murders of social media stars.

The story moves quickly, with just enough complexity to keep things interesting without slowing the pace. Mayne’s writing is sharp, efficient, and filled with the kind of procedural detail that fans of investigative thrillers will enjoy.

Jessica and Sloan are the heart of this book—well-developed, compelling, and very different from each other in ways that complement the story.

Highly readable and suspenseful, this is a solid 4-star read for anyone who enjoys clever thrillers with strong female leads and a touch of tech intrigue.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced reader copy

3.5 stars

When the body of a former YouTube star is found dead, encased in a column of salt, in a wildlife refuge, the FBI calls in Jessica Blackwood, a former FBI agent. When the second body they find is buried underwater, Jessica calls in her friend and colleague, Sloan McPherson. Together the two women sift through the clues being left behind (by the killer? by someone close to the killer?) to solve the mystery of why these social media stars are being killed and figure out how to stop the killer's endgame.

Jessica Blackwood and Sloan McPherson are captivating characters (which makes me want to go back into Andrew Mayne's backlist to read their other stories). With Jessica's family background in creating spectacular magic shows and her marriage to Theo, another character from Mayne's books, along with Sloan's job as an underwater investigator in Florida, I found myself fully engaged with the story. The plot itself of IMPOSTER SYNDROME, starts off as engaging and unique, but by the time the two women are pulling apart the threads of what's happening, and figuring out who's behind the killings, things started to get a bit too convoluted for me. This was still a fun ride and now I have a new author to try out.

Imposter Syndrome is out October 21, 2025.

The Impostor Syndrome by Andrew Mayne, published by Thomas & Mercer, is book 2 in The Specialists Series.
I read book one, liked it just fine and gave book 2 a try. Glad I did.
A fast paced, complex, complicated, very suspenseful thriller, excellent written, high octane, literally unputdownable, 4,5 stars.

“Imposter Syndrome” is a sharp, fast-paced techno-thriller that delivers high-stakes suspense. Andrew Mayne’s writing is clever and efficient and engaging. The plot keeps you guessing, and I definitely didn’t have it all figured out. A solid thriller, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

A dead body inside a salt obelisk prompts the FBI to contact Jessica Blackwood for advice.
In this installment of ‘The Specialists’ the absolute protagonists are Jessica and Sloan, both of whom we know from previous series.
The plot is really good and involves you from the beginning. Clearly Mayne knows how to tell a story and keep you engaged without ever letting your interest wane.
It's not necessary to have read the previous ones but the richness of the characters will surely make you read them if you haven't already.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I read The Naturalist several years back and then lost track of the author and his characters. My loss, and I plan to do some catchup reading. Theo Cray was only an off a screen reference here but the same tight writing style is unmistakable. I want to pick up the threads of how we got to these characters.

Plotwise, you have two confusing murders. The FBI and other law enforcement ask for consulting help from ex-agent Jessica Blackwood and we see her and Sloan's unique perspectives as they assist. Everything leads through to an exciting conclusion with an acceptable number of twists.

I get the feeling Andrew Mayne has notebooks full of background information on each of these characters. Jessica, from Vegas magic family. Distanced from parents but loves dad who raised her. On down to hates cornflakes. Sloan and her longtime boyfriend turned husband. Rarely wears socks. I'm making those up but that detailed, so there is never a missing backstop.

On the whole, well-written, plot-driven, and highly recommended. Even as your first step into his world.

Dr. Valerie Young’s book, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, dives deep into the complex world of impostor syndrome—the pesky inner voice that tells you you're a fraud, even when you're achieving great things.

Drawing from years of research and her own coaching experiences, Young reveals how both high-achieving women and men often chalk up their successes to luck, timing, or trickery, rather than their own talents or hard work. The book introduces readers to various impostor types, such as the Perfectionist, the Superwoman, and the Expert, providing tailored insights into the specific ways self-doubt can manifest.

💡 What Works:

Relatable Stories: Real-life anecdotes from executives, academics, and creatives make the ideas feel accessible and real.

Practical Tools: Worksheets, reflective questions, and actionable steps empower readers to shift their negative thinking.

Supportive Tone: Young writes with compassion, reassuring readers that these feelings are common and can be overcome.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

Success and self-doubt can coexist, and often do.

Identifying your "impostor type" is a crucial first step in overcoming it.

Shifting your mindset isn’t about being arrogant; it’s about being realistic.

⚠️ Minor Critiques:

Some chapters can feel a bit repetitive, especially when reiterating certain thought patterns.

The emphasis on women might make it seem less relevant to men unless they’re already invested in the topic.

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✅ Final Thoughts:

This book serves as a fantastic resource for anyone grappling with self-doubt, even in the face of success. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or an entrepreneur, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women will help you realize that you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not a fraud.

Recommended for: High achievers, perfectionists, early-career professionals, and anyone eager to quiet their inner critic.