Stratagem

STRATAGEM BY ROBIN CAROLL is a fascinating read, full of suspense and hard to put down. The story takes place in New Orleans where a psychologist, Grayson Thibodeaux, makes games for corporate companies, mostly as team building excercises. These games often show up people's fears and failures, in many cases making them deal with them and leading to healing in those areas.
Recently divorced, his wife Anna Belle takes part in a game that he has specially designed for the company she works for, in order to choose the best candidate for a big promotion.
When she is murdered during the game, Grayson, being the ex husband, is the number one suspect. We can feel his emotions as he tries to make sense out of a senseless murder and also as so much is revealed about the woman he thought he knew, and who he still seems to love in spite of everything.
It is a most enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by Barbour Publishing Inc from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

If you love mysteries and suspense stories, you will love this book. If you enjoy escape rooms, you will also love reading this modern suspenseful story. I loved the background and plot of this story. The main character, Grayson, creates adventure games for businesses to have team building activities. However, he uses the employee’s backgrounds, strengths, and especially weaknesses to plan these games. He plans a game for his ex-wife’s company so that the company can determine who to promote. However, he did not plan for his ex-wife to be murdered. This is a Christian suspense book and includes topics of forgiveness and how to get through difficult times. There are several characters you meet during the book who could be the murderer. The book leaves you guessing throughout on who could have killed her. I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

Fans of police dramas will enjoy this one set in New Orleans. A company who creates elaborate live game challenges with escape rooms has a surprise feature: a murder. Things get complicated as the victim is the ex-wife of the game creator.

This story was an interesting one, with a complex plot gradually building the suspense and drama through police interviews, some flashbacks, and eventually an action filled climax. There were so many people who could be the murderer that it surprised me when finally revealed. It was well written, creating a lot of character depth with meaningful dialogue and some heavy topics, with added faith. Grayson is a man who struggles with forgiveness understandably, and shows a lot of grace to others though the circumstances are difficult. Loved the conversation he had with Monique, as he wrestles with the "what-ifs" of his failed relationship; I found a lot of wisdom and encouragement in that. Others who care to "speak the truth in love" to him, like his colorful assistant Pam, were sources of inspiration too. Ultimately knowing that God can create something good out of our mistakes is a comforting thought.

Recommend to readers who enjoy crime mysteries with some action and faith elements. No romance here though the topics of marital problems and divorce are discussed.
4.5 stars

"Stratagem" by Robin Caroll is a suspense-filled read. If you enjoy clean, mysteries, you will enjoy this book. This book has a slight twist in solving the mystery.

This book takes place in New Orleans. A company is having a team building exercise involving an escape room. During the time of the game, someone is murdered. The ex-husband, who helped plan the game, is the main suspect. This book had some twists and turns in solving this mystery.

Robin Caroll is one of my favorite inspirational suspense authors. I do recommend this book and all of her books.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

This book is well written with mystery and suspense. It holds your attention from beginning to end. If you have never read any of Robin Caroll"s books you are missing out on a really good author.. Thank you Barbour Publishing Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. I really enjoyed the book and finding a new author. This is my honest opinion.

Genre : Christian Fiction, suspense, mystery, thriller
My rating: 4.5 stars!
Language: Clean!
Age Range (my opinion): 16+
Content: To put it bluntly - An affair, an abortion and some kissing. Nothing was "dirty" in my perspective, they mostly just talked about how so and so had an affair and how one had an abortion. Nothing was cringe worthy and so, I would consider this "clean" for adults. Perhaps not for children under the age of 13...
Favorite Character: Grayson, Brandon and Pam

Conclusion:
That was an amazing thriller! Personally, I spotted who did it three chapters in, but why the person did it, blew away my mind. It was fast paced, action packed and very good! This was my first time reading anything by this author and I am impressed. The writing was very well done, character developments were great, and the story had some plot twists that I was not expecting. All in all, this was a fantastic book and I highly recommend it.

*I received a free copy of this novel from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley for my honest review*

I love getting absorbed into a good murder mystery and trying to solve the story before the ending. And this one has all the makings of a great read.

The depth of the character's enhanced every aspect of the story. Seeing the main character, Grayson, a Christian who struggles with forgiveness, gives that extra reality to the story.

It's a great mystery that I highly recommend.

In this novel, the murder happens right away. The rest of the book unfolds who did it and why. As I typed those two sentences, it occurred to me that's how all mysteries start out. But this one was different. It seemed to me that the author put the challenge out front rather quickly for the reader to figure out who the murderer was. The book was not a page turner for me, but it was one that was a comfortable read and one that I wanted to return to and enjoy. Grayson and his partner, Colin, run a company that develops adventure games for corporations to use as team building experiences. Grayson's ex-wife is killed in a game he designed. Of course, the "ex" is the prime suspect. A hot shot detective is after Grayson, but her partner, who is Grayson's friend, tries to keep her reeled in and focus more on the facts. I enjoyed how this book revealed the complications of relationships and how the mind works. In my opinion, if a company like this were to exist, I think I'd pass on this type of game. But wait, the participants don't know they're in a game.. I will look for more books by this author.

I received a free e-book from NetGalley for an honest review.

This one was hard to put down! I loved the escape room style games and the mystery that came from playing it. This is a well written mystery that I enjoyed.

This was an interesting concept and it does seem "escape houses" for team development are becoming the thing to do for team building. Grayson Thibodeaux designs simulation adventures and his current design is used in a corporation to determine who should be promoted, the catch, his ex-wife is one of the contestants and she dies during the simulation so he is the prime suspect in her murder. The plot twists and turns as the investigators discover more to the story for each suspect that they interview. A rapid paced who dunnit!

Stratagem by Robin Caroll, a well written mystery with several twists. Grayson has set up an intricate weekend for the company his ex-wife works for and when she dies during that weekend the blame falls on him. He knows he didn't do it but the evidence starts to stack up against him...

Stratagem is a very timely murder mystery that centers around the currently trending escape room theme. Grayson is a former psychologist who now works at his own company, Game's on You, where he develops personalized escape rooms that use clues from each participant's personal life. Unfortunately for him, his ex-wife, Anna Belle, is murdered during a game she was attending with work colleagues.
Caroll layers on new clues and information, keeping the compass point spinning from suspect to suspect. Each character is well developed with their own unique personality, with even the supporting characters feeling fleshed out with unique motives and possible secrets. Throughout it all, Grayson acts realistically, ever the good guy without coming across as perfect or sanctimonious.
If you're looking for a new, cozy thriller to read during the weekend while snuggled up in bed, this is the perfect pick. The quick pacing and introduction of new clues and hints keeps the book moving along. The end is satisfying without being too predictable.

Robin Carol has a winner in Strategem, a murder mystery that focuses on a game designer whose ex-wife is found dead while taking part in a game he designed. The author has designed an excellent game of her own as clues are dropped throughout the story to confuse and/or guide the reader to a satisfactory conclusion.

There were so many things I liked about this book! For one, the plot was quite unique, a psychologist who, after years in private practice, now designs psychological games for his own company. Grayson was such a likable guy, even as an ex-husband with a shrew of an embittered ex. So it feels so unfair when he is accused of the murder of someone he loves. In fact, I believe one reason I did enjoy the story so much was because of his wholesome character. You may or may not guess who did the killing but will love the ride along the way, regardless.

Oh this book is fabulous with all the twists and turns. Yes, the guilty one is not hard to figure out but the why and how is amazing. The whole twisted idea of the games is fascinating. and I thought the team building I have been part of was bad..just imagine being put into the game. Pam was an amazing character with her sass and in your face ways. Anna Belle was a stinker, Tim was a whim and then there is Grayson. Never in a minute did I think he was involved. But he sure does some crazy things. Okay, got a little wrapped up in the story and characters. This book was an attention grabber. If I could give it more than 5 stars I sure would!
Thanks for letting me read this one!

Stratagem by Robin Carroll is a mystery that is hard to put down. Full of suspense and surprises as you turn each page it will keep you reading to the end. Grayson Thibodeau is a psychologist who creates mind games for corporations, generally for team building exercises. He uses detailed information from participants to use their fears and previous failings create the opportunity for them to deal with and sometimes heal from them. When the company his ex-wife, Anna Belle, works for wants a game he is very hesitant but convinced by his partner. The participants in this game will not know it is a game as they compete for a promotion. Tragically, Anna Belle dies during the game and Grayson becomes the prime suspect. Can he clear his name or will his life be destroyed?
I was unsure about reading this book when I received the offer from Barbour Publishing. I am so glad I did; I could not put this book down. I was drawn into the story line from page one by the characters and the mysterious situation. The characters are multi-faceted people and have many underlying motives for their feelings and reactions. Some I didn’t care for at first are redeemed when I learned issues they were dealing with at the time or limited information they had. The characters are very well written in this respect. This is a page turner that will appeal to a broad audience. I give this book 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is a different kind of book than I normally read. I usually read romantic suspense thrillers or anything with a bit of a romance. This book is totally mystery with no romance. But, with that said, I'm a big fan of this author..So I thought I'd check it out. This book reminded me of cop movies or tv shows with a cast of characters and you get to guess who done it. That was fun because I really didn't guess until it was revealed. If you are a huge fan of murder mysteries, you will enjoy this book.
3 and a half stars.

Stratagem is a very well laid out murder mystery that Robin Carroll will keep you guessing as to who the real murderer is. This story will keep your attention and keep you wanting to read until you find out who is at fault. I thought all the characters were very well developed and fit together perfectly. Very well done by Robin Carroll for sure!

Grayson is part owner of the company Game's On You. This company devises games for other companies to encourage team building among its employees. When they get a contract for his now ex-wife's company, Grayson questions it all at first. Colton, Grayson's business partner assures him it will all be ok and they should go ahead with the contract. What Grayson wasn't expecting was for Anna Belle, his ex-wife, to come up murdered while she was at the game house. Who are the police going to point fingers at from the get go on this one? You got it, Grayson, even though he was out of town when it all happened.

Woven into this story is the life lesson of learning to forgive someone for what they have done to you, preferably before it is too late. You also learn how some people can keep things from you that you would never guess they would. I love how Robin Carroll keeps us guessing with the clues she throws at us as to who really murdered Anna Belle. This is a good Christian mystery that all adults can appreciate.

Fast paced book with plenty of clearly written dialogue. Events occur quickly and keep you wondering who the culprit may be. There is no profanity. There are several examples of people learning to trust others and follow Christian beliefs of forgiveness and redemption without being 'preachy'. Good Christian mystery. I read this book as a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

The perfect police drama!! I could not put this book down! This story is told in flashbacks, police interviews, present, and it builds and builds with every page. I never would have guessed who the murderer actually was! it was pleasant to read a book and not know right away who the culprit was and to be kept on my toes trying to figure it out. This beefy story was fleshed out nicely and I really appreciate it!

I’ve always been a fan of Robin Carroll, and Stratagem did not disappoint. The main storyline centers around a psychological game/escape room created by Grayson Thibodeaux. A game in which his ex-wife is murdered, and all signs point towards the ex-husband. The plot develops with police interviews of all of the participants in the house during the game. It creates a “who-dunnit” feel as I found it intriguing to see a crime scene through the various character’s accounts of the same event. Several characters had the motivation to commit the crime, and the reader gets caught up in putting the pieces together along side the detectives on the case.

This is a different style from some of author’s romantic suspense novels. This seems to fall more into the mystery/police procedural category. I rather enjoyed the departure from the traditional girl-meets-boy-on-the-first-page type of scenario, and if you’re a fan of romance, this might not be your favorite plotline. But it worked for me. While not action-packed suspense, this story dives into the psychology and motivations behind the crime. I’d recommend this book anyone looking for an intriguing mystery.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Have any of you played the new reality games here you have to solve a series of clues to get out of a locked room? This book is about one of these puzzles, but it involves a group of people that are trying to leave a room in a haunted house to gain a much - coveted job and one of these people is murdered!
Grayson is the co founder of a company that devises games for companies that want to test out their employees’ worthiness for a job or build their team building skills. But this time, a murderer uses the game to kill Grayson’s ex-wife, Anna Belle, and the police suspect that Grayson killed his ex wife because of her unfaithfulness.
You will keep guessing “who killed her” until the end of the book!

I just finished Strategem by Robin Caroll. It was a good book, but not great. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 solid stars.

The book centers around a game (don't all books, in one sense or another?) created by a doctor for the company he owns. His company, you see, creates games for companies who want to see team building, or who would be better at using certain skills, or in this case, who would be best suited for a promotion. This game centers around four people...one of whom is recently divorced from the game's creator. Which normally would be a minor detail...until she turns up dead.

I must admit, I pegged a certain person from the beginning based on very little except a certain vibe I got. Much to my enjoyment, the person I pegged was not the killer - but the person it was had a great, well thought-out motive, and had just rewards coming to them as well. The book definitely had a Christian slant, but didn't go overboard with the religious overtones; it was a good ratio of religious /crime elements. All in all a very well-done book and I look forward to trying more from this author!

Robin Carroll's Stratagem was a good read. Gray Thibodeaux's ex-wife is murdered and he is the number one suspect. Gray is grief-stricken but doesn't have time to grieve now as he works to clear his name. He and his friend own a company that specializes in customized games that promote team building for their employees. Unfortunately, his ex-wife Anna Belle dies during one of these games that his company created. As the story unfolds the reader becomes aware of other possible suspects but one of the detectives only has eyes for Gray as the killer. Definitely a twisted mystery.

What a clever, mysterious, thriller Stratagem ending up being!! This author kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. My mind kept jumping from one suspect to another every chapter. Robin kept throwing twists after twist so I had no clue what was happening. Stratagem was so much more than I expected and a definite must read!
I can't wait to read more from Robin Caroll!

I was hooked on this book from the first page. I flipped the pages from one to another, completely engrossed in this imaginative, unique, original crime thriller. I was engrossed in the whodunit until the very end.

I think part of what makes this book so fantastic is the characters. You don't always know who exactly the good guy or the bad guy, but either way you feel connected to them and their part in the overall story. There is no unnecessary character in this book.

The plot of this book is intriguing, at best. I enjoy a good mystery. And this one sure is. I found myself trying to put the pieces together from the start. Every time I thought I had it nailed down, the author would make me second guess myself. I definitely was not disappointed.

This author is new to me. I see she has many other books out already. I will definitely be looking into her other books soon after getting a taste of her writing and story telling in this one.

After returning home, Grayson is surprised to find that his ex-wife, Anna Belle, has been murdered. Her death from an anaphylactic shock reaction surprises Grayson since he knew Anna Belle was extremely careful. Due to being the ex and the creator of the corporate game where his ex-wife died, Grayson is assumed to be the prime suspect by the lead detective. His friend and assistant Pam will help him unravel the mystery. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgallery. This was an intriguing mystery as the clues are slowly unraveled. I personally would not want to be a participant in a game designed by Grayson. Throughout the book, Grayson struggles with trying to forgive his ex-wife. I enjoyed reading this Christian mystery, I would like to see the police detectives solve another mystery with Grayson's and Pam's help.

It was a great book of whodunit and definitely kept me guessing. The characters were relatable and were well defined. I enjoyed this book as it kept my interest throughout. This is definitely a type of book to follow along with notes of your own. Overall, this was a well written book that keeps you guessing.

This was a fast-paced mystery read, set in my favorite city. The mystery was good, not as many twists and turns as I'd really like in a psychological mystery, but still a solid plot. I enjoyed the fact that it is Christian Fiction, but not the hallmark-y variety. (We need more evidence and mystery Christian fiction!)
I liked all of the characters, thought they were well drawn.
Thanks for a good read!

This novel is sort of a psychological thriller, but it is the psychologist who plays the mind games on others who is being framed for the murder of his ex-wife. Grayson Thibodeaux, encouraged by his then-wife, Anna Belle, left his consulting job with the New Orleans Police Department for a more lucrative partnership in Game's On You, a company that creates customized games that bring out an individual's strengths and weaknesses. His ex-wife is found murdered while participating with others competing for a promotion in a game that he created for the company for whom she worked. While there is no shortage of suspects, Grayson tops lead investigator Danielle Witz's list, and the evidence keeps piling up.

Readers will enjoy this fast paced suspense story that will keep them guessing until they reach the final chapters. There is encouragement to be found in both Grayson's faith and in the fact that there were those who stood by him, confident in his innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Other than the physical features of the house in which the game took place, the story line and dialogue are quite believable, enough so that the reader is likely to allow for some leeway on the game's setting.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent reading Stratagem and believe other fans of suspense will as well. I thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not under any obligation to write a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Stratagem is a fast-paced Christian novel that takes the reader on a runaway roller coaster ride. With likable characters and a mystery that challenges the reader, this intriguing story drew me in from the beginning and kept my attention throughout. I learned about a level of corporate team-building “games” that I hadn’t heard of before, and I’m so thankful I didn’t have to learn about them first hand!
Grayson Thibadeaux returns to town after a long weekend away. Grayson and his business partner Colton own a unique company catering to the needs of elite corporations, Games on You. Colton works out deals with potential clients, and Grayson, a psychologist, designs games to show management how well each person performs under game-driven pressure, alone and in teams.
The company Grayson’s ex-wife Anna Belle works for, Deets PR, hired his company to provide a 3-day set of detailed games. Three employees besides Anna Belle are in the games, competing for a coveted promotion to be the Executive Accounts Rep. Hers is one of the most creative minds in PR in New Orleans, but can she stand up to the pressure of the games? After helping set everything up in the creepy leased house, Grayson leaves before Anna Belle arrives. Despite her great deceit and betrayal, Grayson still mourns their marriage and the young woman he fell in love with.
Employees of Deets do not get to finish the game. Anna Belle died on the first full game day of anaphylactic shock. The culprit? Whoever laced her Energy Drink with the substance she is allergic to. Grayson had been out of town playing golf. He lost his phone in the creek at the golf course on the first hole and had no contact with anyone from New Orleans to hear the news.
He comes home to find Detectives Brandon Gibbons, a friend with whom he had consulted on various cases in the past, and Danielle Witz, who has not liked him for quite some time on his steps. They tell him about Anna Belle and question him. Witz won’t let go of him having no witness to his whereabouts Thursday afternoon and how he had designed the games knowing Anna Belle was a participant.
Grayson and his assistant, Pam, have become good friends over the course of working together. They make a good analytical investigative team. While many would argue that the scenarios in the games he designs can be brutal, using references to their past shame or perceived weaknesses shows their ability – or not – to grow through their shortcomings to work at high-functioning tasks under duress. I’m glad to see how Grayson and his ex-mother-in-law begin to build a new relationship. He is a young man of prayer and faith, and I appreciated seeing his prayers throughout.
This Christian suspense novel is intense and very well-written. The plot, and the games, have twists and turns that grow the suspect list. The four people in the game were pitted against each other. The bad guy could have been any one of several people, and I ran down the rabbit hole pursuing more than one suspect. I considered the right person, even part of the motive, and had no pleasure to be mostly right. There are many horrifying moments before the overall satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this book to those who appreciate well-written Christian suspense that shows the gospel.
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Stratagem by Robin Caroll is an exciting police drama that readers who love suspense and murder mysteries won't want to miss. The author does an interesting take on the murder with it happening during an elaborate game that is designed for team-building and choosing the best person for a promotion. And within the game, a game that played on the players' worst fears, someone has other designs for one of the contestants--Anna Belle ends up dead. Grayson, the ex-husband, is the prime suspect and even though readers pretty much know he is innocent right from the start, the author does a great job keeping the reader wondering how is he going to be proven innocent when clues definitely point to him and wondering just who is the killer. Would the truth be revealed? Who wanted Anna Belle dead and why? The story kept me guessing right to the edge-of-the-seat climactic ending. Great characterization elicits strong feelings of like or dislike for the characters--some with sass, some with loyalty and some with definite attitudes. There is depth to the main characters and their reactions and emotions are relatable and realistic. The story is about Grayson and I liked how the author portrays him as a man of faith, and his all-too-difficult struggles with his feelings about his ex-wife. One character recognized that Grayson's faith was not just a card he carried, it was the life he lived. Would he ever be able to truly accept and forgive her betrayal? I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this author's work.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

A Game Gone Wrong

Grayson Thibodeaux’s company, Game’s On You, designs psychological games to test people sometimes for a hiring decision, sometimes for team building. The company is so good that even Grayson’s ex-wife Anna Belle’s company hires them to build a game determine which of four contestants should win a promotion.

The fact that Anna Belle is one of the players disturbs Grayson, but his partner, Colton York convinces him to do it because money is good. The only problem is that Anna Belle dies during the game and Grayson is the prime suspect.

Because the murder happens early in the book, the focus is on finding the killer. The detectives, Brandon and Danielle, use interviews to determine what happened. This is not an action packed story but the use of interviews gives us a chance to get to know all the suspects. Personally, I enjoy this type of mystery. As the clues come out, it gives you a chance to play detective.

The characters are good. Grayson is conflicted. He loves his wife, but she treated him badly in the divorce, and he’s having trouble forgiving her. Pam, his assistant, is smart and somewhat pushy, but she’s exactly what he needs to keep going. Brandon is a good character with sturdy faith. I liked the way he wouldn’t take the easy answer of Grayson’s guilt. His partner, Danielle, is not likable. She has a grudge against Grayson and it clouds her judgment.

My favorite character was Monique, Anna Belle’s mother. She is on Grayson’s side and talks intelligently to him about her daughter. I liked her strong faith and that she was able to express her feelings so clearly.

I recommend this book. If you like psychological mysteries, this is a good one.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

Stratagem is a different murder mystery from most. The murder takes place in a reality game. The victim’s ex husband is the designer of the game so…….he is suspected, of course….. Grayson and his partner, Colin, run a company that develops adventure games for corporations to use as team building experiences. During the playing out of the game, the murder occurred. Many participants in the game and lots of suspense, but who was the murderer and how did it happen in the midst of the game. We have a biased detective who is sure without a doubt that it is Grayson because of a rather ugly divorce……a very enjoyable who – dunnit taking place in New Orleans that will keep you guessing……I was given a copy via Netgalley and the publisher. I was not required to leave a review, but I am pleased to do so.

Stratagem by Robin Caroll, is a great read and I enjoyed this book and the writing style. Full of suspense and danger. Psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux is the lead suspect when is ex-wife is murdered in one of his team building games that his company has created. Now he has to figure out what happened. He has some help from his pink-haired assistant. It was fun to return to New Orleans where I visited a few years ago and stayed in the Garden District. Great story will be looking into more books by Robin Caroll.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

Grayson Thibodeaux’s divorce from Anna Belle didn’t go well … which unfortunately makes him the prime suspect when she’s murdered in a game he designed. It doesn’t help that he’s friends with one of the investigating officers, because it’s the other one who is sure he is guilty. Which means he has to find the real culprit.

Stratagem is a murder mystery with a unique concept. Grayson is a psychologist who is the co-owner of a business which designs “games” as training, teambuilding, or recruitment exercises. As readers, we’re sure Grayson isn’t the culprit and that the detective is picking on him, but the facts do add up. Grayson has no alibi. He has motive, means, and opportunity.

But if Grayson didn’t murder Anna Belle, who did? And why?
I recently read and reviewed Darkwater Inn by Robin Caroll. Stratagem is a standalone novel that’s not related to the Darkwater series, although it’s still set in New Orleans and the Darkwater does make a cameo appearance. While Darkwater Inn had romantic aspects, Stratagem is purely a murder mystery with no romance … but it’s so good I didn’t notice (hey, I’m a romance reader. This is important).

As I said, it’s a unique concept, and that’s always a good start.
The characters were excellent, the plot was original with plenty of twists, and there was a definite Christian thread. All in all, the best kind of Christian suspense.

Thanks to Shiloh Run Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Another great one from Robin Caroll.

She grabs the reader and won't let go. I live very close to New Orleans, and Caroll really gets NOLA. There is a great flavor about the city that a lot of authors try to capture but don't. Caroll does.

Story premise is very good. Murder of an ex-wife and multiple culprits have motive to do her in, especially her ex-husband. Just the kind of gumbo mix that gives a lasting taste and satisfaction.

I won't spoil it for you, but I double dog dare you to figure this one out before the end. It's a great puzzler.

This review has been tweeted and facebooked.

Thank you to Shiloh Run Press for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

This was my first thriller that had believers in it, and I was extremely impressed. I loved how this the build up in this book was creative, but it didn’t have all of the swearing that’s found in regular thrillers.

I loved the plot of this book. Game’s On You sounds like an awesome company. I liked how the intricacies of the game added to the confusion with the murder. I thought that the plot was well thought out. I didn’t figure out the ending until the end – which doesn’t happen all the time.

I also like how this book had real life elements strung throughout. It didn’t seem improbable. The things Grayson goes through by himself and with Anna Belle were things that are commonly dealt with.

Starting this year, I have been avoiding looking at the summary of most of the books that I read, including those I review, to make reading a more exciting experience and to steer clear of figuring out the plot too early. “Stratagem” was featured on many Christian book blogs prior to its release, so when the chance came to read and review it, I jumped on it. Going in, I thought that it was going to be a techno-thriller, so I was actually very pleasantly surprised when I realized that it was about a (fictional) murder investigation. Mysteries and thrillers, including crime thrillers, are among my favorite genres, and it is an added bonus when it happens to be Christian fiction as well because despite the subject matter, I can be assured that the language and details will not be too coarse or gritty.

“Stratagem” deals with many contemporary issues and a believable cast of characters. There is the murder early on in the story, and as the backstories of the characters unfold, it becomes evident that they are true-to-life in all its virtues and vices. There are no saints, and even the protagonist, Grayson Thibodeaux, has a painful past; he is still coming to terms with prior betrayals when he is plunged into even bigger problems. Some of the topics broached in the novel are divorce, abortion, infidelity, and phobias, among others. The concept of Game’s On You was simultaneously intriguing and disturbing, especially with the real advent of escape rooms as entertainment. Virtual reality takes flak for its potential ill effects on players, and I shudder to think of something like Game’s On You coming into play in society as well. Nevertheless, its use in the novel certainly stokes the reader’s adrenaline, and that, combined with the progression of the narrative, make this an un-put-downable thriller.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Wow! This is one of those books that you only put down because life is screaming at you to take care of other things! It starts out as a story where a couple is divorced and one party is still not happy with the settlement. The author quickly moves into a who dunit and kept me guessing throughout the book. The action which never quit with escape rooms, abortion, addiction, anaphylactic shock, criminal mischief and murder had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Was it really possible that God could take all of that and work it for the good? Was it even possible to learn to accept and forgive?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Action packed! You won't find anything boring about Stratagem! Psychologist Grayson is an excellent protagonist as he writes games for corporate team building. When Grayson's ex-wife is murdered while playing one of his games, suspicion points to Grayson! Grayson's friend, Brandon is one of the police detectives investigating the case but Brandon's partner is sure Grayson is guilty. It takes a while to figure out who the real murderer is! Grayson learns to forgive and to remember the young woman he fell in love with. I received a complimentary copy of Stratagem from NetGalley and Barbour Books. This is my honest opinion.

Stratagem by Robin Carroll is a psychological murder mystery. I loved following the two detectives, Brandon and Danielle, as they interviewed the possible suspects. With each interview something new would be revealed. At first I was really not going to like Danielle, but she finally redeemed herself.

In parallel Grayson and Pam trying to determine who killed Anne Bell, Grayson’s ex-wife. Obviously Grayson is a major suspect with being the ex-husband. Grayson’s skill of reading people was riveting.

The game itself was fascinating and how Grayson would develop it. This would be a great book club read. There are a lot of topics up for discussion. It made me reflect on how I would handle being in the game.

I suspected the killer at one point; but I also suspected several others throughout the revealing of the story. My recommendation is to have Grayson go back to assisting the police and this could be a series. His skills are fascinating.

Violence - someone is murdered, someone is trying to stop them from finding out who did it.

A fun "Whodunit"! I enjoyed this reading about the mystery of Anna Belle's murder. I was intrigued with Games on You and their part in setting the stage for this event. I was fascinated by the parallel investigations by the detectives and Anna Belle's ex-husband and his assistant. The characters were well developed and believable.

I wish there had been more foreshadowing through early parts of the story to suggest who the killer was. The story was almost complete before I had any inkling of what actually happened and why.

Otherwise, the story progressed quickly and I was compelled to complete the book as fast as I could. I loved the Epilogue and found that it was a perfect way to end the book.

Usually movies are inspired by books, but the note in the back of the book says Stratagem was hatched after the author watched Michael Douglas and Sean Penn in The Game. Having not watched the movie, it appears the book borrows the basic premise of the movie (a living game), inserts its own characters and adds an additional twist, with themes of forgiveness and acceptance. Grayson Thibodeaux and his partner, Colton York, design living games to build team spirit and test the mettle of a person. When their game is used to determine a promotion in Thibodeaux’s ex-wife’s firm, she ends up dead and Thibodeaux finds himself the main suspect.

Stratagem is a very fast-paced book with the urgent rhythm of a police force out to solve a murder ASAP. The fact that the characters are in a live game ups the tension and stress for both characters and readers. I thought maybe this time I figured out who-dun-nit. But no, the author, Robin Carroll, had a better idea, and my heart was beating triple time by the book’s end.
I have one issue with the book. That would be that Carroll couldn’t convince me that Danielle Witz’s attitude fit her otherwise mature personality. I could see the villain’s thinking being this skewed, but not Detective Witz’s, not even in just this one area. It just doesn’t ring true for me.
Having said all that, the action and thrills gave me enough satisfaction to rate this book a five star. I received s complimentary copy of the book from the author and the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review, and all opinions are my responsibility.

Quotable about addictions:
“It’s never about the debts or consequences, only about being able to feed the high.”

This is a very interesting read. Grayson Thibodeaux is a psychologically challenging game creator who finds himself in one continuous mess when it is discovered that a woman has died during his latest corporate offering. The game supports teambuilding while employees observe potential candidates for an important job in a corporation. To make matters more difficult, the woman who dies is his ex-wife. Even though she dies at the beginning of the story Anna Belle is a strong character throughout the book. The story really focuses on how one person can influence and improve or devastate another person's life. It is also a story of forgiving the unforgivable.
This is a good murder mystery as evidence builds against Grayson. I did figure out 'who done it' early in the book but the author brought in some twists that caused me to question my reasoning. That's what makes a good mystery. If you happen to enjoy the mental challenges of a clean murder mystery without a romance I recommend this new book by Robin Caroll. There are some real world conflicts and challenges in the Christian story.

Thanks Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for my ARC of the book. I'd like to see a series with these characters including the police officers, Brandon and Danielle.

I enjoyed this mystery. It was a complex plot designed so well that I had no trouble following it. I learned a great deal about corporations hiring companies to provide experiences such as character evaluation and team building. I was amazed at the organization and detail that goes into providing them.

The characters are developed well. Pam was my favorite. I liked her boldness and quick thinking. I had trouble liking Grayson. He had consulted for the police for two years yet now took evidence and mishandled it without informing detectives. I was surprised he was not arrested for evidence tampering. I felt he should have known better.

I do recommend this novel to readers who enjoy an informative mystery. You'll experience characters going through relationship challenges yet evidencing their Christian faith. You'll find a mystery that just might keep you guessing. And you'll have a good bit of suspense near the end.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Stratagem
by Robin Caroll
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Shiloh Run Press
Christian , General Fiction (Adult)
Pub Date 01 Nov 2018


I am reviewing a copy of Stratagem through Barbour Publishing and Netgalley:


Psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux works in the deep underbelly of New Orleans. He loses everything when his life leaves him so she can climb her companies corporate ladder. So he buries himself in his job of creating mind bending adventure games for businesses as team building explorations.

Once his ex wife's company hires him he is not sure things could get any worse, until she dies during the game and he realize they could in fact get much worse, when he finds himself as the prime suspect of her murder!


I give Stratagem five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Stratagem is exactly the type of suspense/thriller novel that I like to read – a plot that plays at your mind even as it plays with the minds of the characters, characters by the way that you aren’t entirely sure you can trust. The whole lot of them. Just when you think you can relax around this character or the other, another layer of their lives or the plot is revealed and you just don’t know anymore. I love it! It keeps me guessing, keeps me invested in the outcome, and lets me play detective right along with the actual (fictional) detectives.

Grayson Thibodeaux is in a very complicated situation, one which continues to get more complicated as the book progresses. Not only does he have a career which is at once horrifying and fascinating (he creates ‘escape room’ type games with psychological twists based on the participants’ history and medical records, etc.) but he is also the number one suspect in the death of his ex-wife, who died during a game he had created. The lead detectives make the situation even more complicated – one is a good friend who is considered biased toward Grayson’s innocence and the other is bitter at Grayson having not called her sister back after a blind date. So, you know which side she falls on in terms of whether he’s guilty or not, and her opinion really keeps her laser-focused on Grayson and unwilling to consider other possibilities.

Now… brace yourselves, y’all… there’s no romance in this book and I STILL LOVED IT. It’s pretty much a straight suspense novel with a very moving subthread on forgiveness. Particularly a scene at the end that really touched my heart. While my mind was whirring with romantical possibilities throughout the book, I really didn’t miss that sort of tension because there was plenty of other tension to be had as the suspense plot continued to unfold.

Bottom Line: Gritty but touching. Complex but easy to read. Intriguing but… nope, no opposite here… intriguing and riveting. Stratagem by Robin Caroll is the perfect choice to read on blustery, cold fall/winter nights when you’re snuggled up under a warm blanket. It’s impossible to put down once you start reading, so don’t plan to sleep until you’ve finished it. Skillfully plotted suspense, layered characters, and a vivid setting all make this a must-read. Loved the nod to Darkwater Inn, from another of Caroll’s current reads.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I saw that the book subject to today's post, Stratagem by Robin Caroll, had been featured on several Christian book blogs prior to its release, so when the chance to read and review it on NetGalley, I jumped on it.  This was my first Robin Caroll book but it won’t be my last. It was interesting to read the note in the back of the book says Stratagem was crafted after the author watched Michael Douglas and Sean Penn in The Game.  I didn't see that movie, but apparently this book borrows the basic idea of the movie (a living game), inserts its own characters and adds an additional twist, with themes of forgiveness and acceptance.  Quite interesting indeed.

Grayson Thibodeaux and his partner, Colton York, are designers of living games that help build team spirit and test a person's ability to cope with difficulties or to face a demanding situation  Their game is used to determine a promotion in Thibodeaux’s ex-wife, Anna Belle’s firm, and she ends up dead.  Thanks to the messy divorce between Thibodeaux and his ex, he finds himself the main suspect.  This ultimately translates to the fact that Thibodeau must find the real culprit.

Strategem is a book that will hold your attention from cover to cover.  When the answers start coming to you, you'll be asking yourself how you didn’t come to this conclusion yourself.  If you like a thriller mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you will want to read Stratagem.  An added plus to the interesting plot is the fact that there is a faith theme that is deeply moving.

I was provided with a complimentary electronic advanced reader copy through Net Galley in exchange for my post.  I was not required to post a positive review, but have chosen to do so because this book was great! Thank you!

If you are a fan of psychological twists in your entertainment, then Stratagem is for you!

Robin Caroll gives readers a book filled with twist, turns, several suspects, and a game that is based on your weaknesses and fears. But what an entertaining ride it is!

I had an inkling of who the murder was at the beginning but my mind was changed several times throughout this story.

Grayson Thibodeaux is an intelligent character I sympathized with—especially as more about his life and his wife are revealed. The man was beaten down by his ex-wife in his marriage (and even after), but not once did I believe he was the murderer.

The addition of Brandon’s point of view as he and his partner are given the investigation from the legal side of things, and Stratagem is a well-rounded, complete read that will have me looking at escape room games differently the next time I go!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The decisions of the past affect the present. We hope for good, but sometimes it's the less stellar choices that come back to us! Anna Belle had made enough enemies that finding her murderer wasn't easy. Grayson's insider knowledge as a former consultant with the police had some unforseen effects on the case.

How does a murderer define Stratagem?
Mind games.
Testing the limits.
Risky, but oh so rewarding if successful.

I like to read mysteries. Especially when I can be proven wrong, and proven right at the same time.

There's at least 10 people who could legitimately be suspects. I picked 2 to be my main suspects. It turned out that I was right about one of them, but I was way wrong about the motivation!

I read enough books that I can usually predict things well. When I get a surprise like this one, its a nice treat 😀

Watching the detectives battle each other's prejudgements and struggle with Grayson's "meddling" (i.e. attempts to clear his name /solve the mystery) was both frustrating and fun.

In this case, I would define stratagem as a very complex plot, packaged with distraction and diversions, and coming together perfectly in the end. If you like mystery, and getting the scoop from each of the main characters directly, you will enjoy this book!

*Review link goes live on 11.23.18

A well-written mystery/suspense novel with a great plot! I am a fan of Robin Caroll’s books and Stratagem definitely lives up to the standards I expect from the author. The plot is full of twists and turns, red flags and red herrings, and well laid-out details that I couldn’t be sure who was the perpetrator until near the end. Grayson is a great character, full of compassion, tenderness, and intelligence. From page one, Grayson pulls the reader into his world of pain, grief, and regret. Brandon and Danielle, the two detectives from New Orleans Police Department investigating Grayson’s ex-wife’s death, have a nice professional partnership and bring a voice of reason to order all the clues in a sequential manner. The theme of forgiveness is prominent in the story and Grayson’s sincere desire to forgive those who wronged him in the name of Christ endears him even more.

If you enjoy well-written suspense, you will absolutely enjoy this book. I was given a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This book is one of those suspense novels that catches your attention right off, and just keeps on pulling you in....

I loved the setting--Louisiana, New Orleans, and then Mardi Gras. I loved the characters. Grayson especially. He's a creator of 'escape room' type of games. He's just come through a bitter divorce, and he and his ex-wife are at odds. Then Anna Belle dies and he becomes a prime suspect in her murder. But...the real kicker is, she was competing in a game. Yes! A game created by Grayson...when she died!

The characters were likeable. Well, the main characters, that is. I really liked Grayson, and wanted him so badly to be able to prove his innocence. The one cop was out to get him. Almost too much so. That part felt a little bit unrealistic. It didn't seem like she was able to keep her personal feelings out of her investigation in order to do her job properly.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The story is unbelievable--just full of plot twists, unexpected events, and so much more! If you like suspense, this is such a great read!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

A High-Stakes Simulation Adventure Leaves Grayson Thibodeaux the Prime Suspect. . .for Murder



Deep in the gritty underbelly of New Orleans, psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux loses everything when his wife leaves him to climb her company’s corporate ladder. He buries himself in his job of creating mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s to create an elaborate game, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…makmaking him the prime suspect for murder.


My Thoughts: Everyone loves a good mystery and this is no exception. Fast paced and keeps the reader guessing until the end. With so many twists and turns that keeps the readers' interest.


This is a well-written novel with interesting characters that the reader will easily identify with. This is my first novel from Robin Caroll, and it won't be my last. I truly enjoyed her writing and the plot for this novel was interesting.


Not only a mystery but a story about forgiving as well. A wonderful read for those who love a good mystery and suspense book.

I'm starting my review with a warning about the book. When you start this book, make sure you allow yourself time to read the entire book in one sitting. Why? To put it simply, because there is no way to read this book without stopping. The story line is rich in intrigue and takes us to the dark places of a person's emotions. I was shocked at first to read that a company thought the only way to pick who would get the promotion out of four people was to play a game. It's not just any old game, folks. It's a game specifically designed to use past hurts, fear, manipulation, anger and secrets against you. How will each person act in different situations is where the real nitty gritty goes.

To understand the master mind behind the game, we get to meet Grayson. I enjoyed him so much and found his intelligence to be quite impressive. I thought it was cool that the four people didn't know they were playing a game, but trying to outshine their peers in front of the boss. They were watched at all times like a lab rat which is kinda creepy. The author delves into their past in a way that brings out the darkness in some and in others an almost give up attitude. I can tell you right now I would never want to play this type of game. I did forget to mention that one of the players in the game is Grayson's ex-wife. Anna Belle is the epitome of girl gone bad. There is nothing nice I can say about her. She was mean, vindictive and down right evil. Anna Belle is the woman that other women hate and men fall all over for her attention. Someone definitely has it in for her, when she is found dead . The first person the police point a finger at is Grayson. I wasn't surprised because it is a given the ex-husband is automatically the top pick as the killer.

Anna Belle is certainly not a popular person and I'm not sure anyone shed a tear over her death except maybe her mother. There is however another character I found to be extremely annoying. Danielle and Grayson's friend Brandon are investigating the death. Danielle is so determined to prove Grayson guilty that she made me want to stomp on her feet several times. She is so relentless in proving Grayson guilty, that she has tunnel vision. Her character is so well developed I loved to hate her. She was one of my top picks of stand out characters in the story.Her nastiness towards Grayson is evident when she says to him, " Although , you know sometimes murderers will do bad things to themselves to garner sympathy and try to throw off suspicion."

It is a cat and mouse chase as Grayson tries to figure out what went wrong in the game, as the police start closing in on him. I was literally turning pages fast because I had to know who the killer was. I had my list but I was very wrong. The author has included faith in the book but not in a preachy way. Grayson really stands on his beliefs and will face the question of is he able to forgive. That is one of the great lessons in the book and one of the hardest things people have to deal with. The author knows how to shock readers with intense drama and an ending that will have you looking for more books by this very gifted author.

I received a copy of this book by Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

I’ve heard about being on a train or locked in while playing a game to try to figure out who did it before the ride or time is up.. This book took it to a new level! Playing it on the corporate level for a high level job when a murder throws the game off and into a whole new level! Lots of suspense, action and it definitely kept me guessing. I really liked this story! I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary..

This suspenseful novel keeps the reader guessing. You’re sure who didn’t kill Anna Belle, but not sure who actually did. So many potential motives and suspects make it an intriguing, fast-paced mystery that keeps the reader spellbound. The subject of forgiveness is also explored within this captivating story. Set within a mind-blowing game, the murderer had ample opportunity to act and to hide his identity as well as shift the clues to point at others. How will the case ever be solved, and will the police figure out the guilty party in time to stop more crimes? This fictional tale really makes one think about possibilities and may be one you want to read a second time to see what may have been overlooked in the first exciting read-through. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

I was quickly page turning to find the answers here, and find out who committed the murder and why. The author was great a keeping me guessing and it wasn’t until about three fourths of the book was finished that I thought I had the answer, but did I?
I recommend this book for a clean, interesting murder mystery that will keep you guessing, shaking your head and changing your mind.

I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

Amazing, simply amazing! It didn't take long for me to get drawn into the story and find that I liked Grayson a whole lot. He was brilliant, that almost goes without saying. But he was also a caring man who had got shafted by his ex. But his ex-wife Anna Belle didn't just save the pain for Grayson, she spread it around liberally. Even her own mother felt it.
Some of the players in the book:
Pam Huron - Grayson's loyal assistant and friend
Colton York- co- Business Partner with Grayson
Anna Belle- Grayson's ex wife
Brandon Gibbons- police investigator and friend of Grayson's. He is involved as a co-investigator on the murder. And has at times before this consulted with Grayson on other cases.
Danielle Witz- a policewoman who was co-investigating the murder. She has an ax to grind with Grayson.
It was interesting that all of the people who were in the house when Anna Belle died all had the same story. Well..until the private interviews, then previous things that hadn't been mentioned were suddenly brought up. It caused a whole lot of missing parts of a puzzle begin to show up. What a mess for the investigators. But what great reading for "us".
I won't even go into who were all in the house during the "game" besides Anna Belle. That just needs to unfold on its own and so does some of their motives. Other than the fact that they were four people competing for a very lucrative promotion. But they weren't the only ones in the house. So let the games begin. And it includes some pretty rough game moves.
I have to say, in my mind I kept saying "what about ___(this person)? My radar was up about that person and I was suspicious part way through. I also kept thinking, "Motive, Motive, what would be the motive?" I guess all kinds of things but I was wrong, wrong, wrong about the motive.
This book had so many twists and turns that it just kept me guessing. I really enjoyed that and it all came together working towards a dramatic conclusion. One thing I will say is that at least once, I got temporarily lost in some of the details. The time-lines of when/how things happened was so clever and had me temporarily off balance. But it didn't last and it was worth it over all. So was the depth of the personalities of the people in the book. I can't wait to read more by this author.
I almost forgot to mention that faith in God and prayer are mentioned but do not over power the book. It just adds another dimension. If you don't like stories with God in it? Please don't pass this book by because of that..it was outstanding!

What if Someone Was Controlling Your Life?
Stratagem by Robin Carroll is a phenomenal book that attempts to answer this question. Readers who have read other books by this author will recognize New Orleans and the Darkwater Inn from her previous book. I love a good mystery and this book delivers. Years ago, I remember loving the young adult book called The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. This book reminds me of that book in so many wonderful ways. It is full of manipulation and deceit, heartbreak and hope. It is like a riddle to solve with pieces falling slowly into place. Grayson and his partner have built a successful business out of escape room puzzles or games. Suddenly, it seems that his own life is in a game that he does not control and he is in a race to prove his innocence and solve the crime before his own life is taken. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller. It is a well written mystery and I think it would appeal to readers of many genres. I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Stratagem was my first book by Robin Caroll, and it certainly won't be my last. This is the story of an escape game mystery weekend gone wrong. Grayson Thibodeaux is a psychologist who designs escape rooms for a living, but when his ex-wife's boss asks to design a weekend escape room like game that would test the mettle of the employees to see who was worthy of a promotion. When Grayson's ex-wife is murdered, he becomes the prime suspect, and works to clear his name. Not much more can be said about the plot because you should rush to your local library or bookstore and pick up this book. You won't be disappointed as it is a well-crafted mystery filled with red herrings and twists and turns!

Stratagem by Robin Caroll

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

______________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Escape rooms and reality distortion games are all the rage now and while many are rushing to try them out, I’ve not joined in yet. However, after reading this book, I may have to try it as I’m a logical person who enjoys a good puzzle. This book provided a wonderful puzzle for my mind as I carefully looked at the clues to find the culprit before they were revealed. I figured it out about 2 chapters before the revelation and still didn’t know all the whys until I read the confession. This was a wonderful way to write the story and keep the tension strong and I will definitely be looking for more stories from Ms. Caroll. She began her story with phychologist Grayson Thibodeaux returning home from a weekend away. He is met by his long-time friend and New Orleans Police Detective, Brandon Gibbons and his partner who inform Grayson that his ex-wife Anna Belle has died. Her death is suspicious given it was anaphylactic shock, but Grayson refuses to believe it was an accident. Anna Belle might not have been the nicest person but she was hyper vigilant about carrying an Epi-pen on her person at all times. But Grayson is the number one suspect, given their recent, ugly divorce and the fact that Anna Belle died during the play out of a reality distortion game that Grayson personally helped build. He knows he is innocent but with all the evidence pointing his way, Grayson will have a hard time proving his claims. Deciding to take the matter into his own hands, Grayson and his assistant Pam will go back over everything that happened during the play out of the game and see if they can discover what really happened. But the more clues they uncover, the deeper the mystery becomes, until finding Anna Belle’s killer will require them to look beyond who they think people are to who is really underneath. Its hard to really give a good review of this book without giving away any clues as to the mystery. This was so well written and so very life-like in its telling that I felt truly frustrated and determined alongside Grayson in his quest for justice. I loved the details that were included as well as the ones that were left out to keep everything from becoming too technical. “Behind the scenes look” is one of my favorite type of stories, and this book gave you a good look at what it takes to create a personalized game that tests the skills and fears of people. I was very interested in the complexity that went into each game as a whole and the tests for each person within the game. That Grayson hoped to use his games to inspire people to face their fears and overcome them was a great addition to the book as well. Grayson’s faith journey was another well-crafted part of the story. For a man who had lost everything he loved on earth, he seemed fairly put together to most people who saw him. His personal struggles with anger, resentment, guilt and unforgiveness could only be seen by those truly close to him. But Ms. Caroll showed how God can take all the awful, terrible things in our lives and bring beauty and glory out that we never imagined could found. Grayson’s eventual willingness to lay it all aside would finally give him the freedom he’d been looking for for so long. I will most certainly recommend this book to others and have already made plans to purchase this book for my personal shelves. This book could certainly be re-read and more clues found with each read. I will also be looking for other works by Ms. Caroll as her style of writing is most excellent.

I received this E-book free of charge from Shiloh Run Press/Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

The psychology of the games Grayson's creates was very interesting, and his story kept me turning pages. From the beginning explosive encounter with his ex, the hits just kept coming and the story twisted and turned through some very interesting places.

Robin Carol has quickly become one of my favorite writers of Christian mystery and suspense. This storyline is quite absorbing and the solution to the mystery is not easily discerned. The setting in New Orleans adds to the intrigue. I seriously could not read this book quickly enough. Grayson, the central character in this book, is a main suspect in his ex-wife’s murder. I had empathy for his character as he is still grieving the loss of his marriage and now the death of his former wife, while still having to face the accusation of murder. His search for the truth makes this book a complex page turner. It’s a pleasure to read a clean and well-written suspenseful story like this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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Grayson Thibodeaux is a game designer and psychologist whose company has been hired to design a game to test some candidates for a new job. His ex-wife Anna Belle is one of the candidates and she ends up dead. I really enjoyed figuring out who-dunit. The characters were very realistic and I loved the dialogue. Robin Caroll did an excellent job of bringing the setting to life. So pour up a glass of sweet tea and settle in for a good, suspenseful read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.
#StratagemNetGalley.com

Wow, this book was a page turner! I love suspense books, typically because I enjoy figuring everything out. But this book? It was so much more than that. Yes, it was fun to figure out the whodunit. The author masterfully crafted a string of clues that make you think you're going in one direction, only to bring up something new and make you second guess your answer. There was a point where I just kind of shook my head and decided to read for enjoyment rather then reading for sleuthing. And that is when I started connecting with the characters more. Caroll writes well rounded characters. You get to know each and every character as you read, and although you are trying to solve the case, you can almost sympathize with all of them, which in turn makes it difficult to point your finger at them.

Caroll's descriptive writing also brings you right into the story. I felt the slap that Grayson received. I felt the shock of finding out about his ex-wife. I was surprised as details of the day of the "murder" came to light. This is the best thing about reading, feeling as if you are a part of the story, not the reader of the story. Caroll managed to hook me from page one, and from there I just dove deeper and deeper into the story line. When it came to an end, I was almost sad. Sad to leave these wonderful characters, but mostly sad to read Caroll's writing. I cannot wait to read more book from her!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Extremely well-written and masterfully plotted, this story is a strong example of how Christian mysteries can touch on 'worldly' issues without being 'preachy'.

Every character comes to life. While it took several pages for the story to unfold, it quickly comes full circle.

Well done, Robin!

First time reading anything by Robin Caroll, so I didn't know what to expect. I enjoyed this book. It was easy to ready and fast paced. I recommend this book.

This was a great cozy-ish mystery. I was super excited to find a Christian fiction book that wasn’t a romance or Amish. It is a Christian mystery but not over the top or in your face. Mostly no profanity or gore, some talk of prayer. I love mysteries and while I was able to figure out “whodunit” early on, it was an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more by this author

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have enjoyed Robin Caroll’s books since I first discovered her early Love Inspired Suspense novels. I have since then made it a point to at least try to read her latest as soon as it was released. I have been fortunate to receive review copies of many of them. Stratagem was not a disappointment. In fact the author seems to have upped her game. This one left me in suspense and guessing the murderer until the very end.

Readers who are also fans of the popular escape rooms that seem to be springing up everywhere should particularly enjoy this book. A similar concept is used by a business that develops adventure games to help companies in their team-building efforts but this time things go terribly wrong and one of the team members is found dead. She just happens to be the ex-wife of Grayson Thibodeaux, one of the partners in the game development business. When investigators decide that her death was murder, Grayson becomes the primary suspect and even his detective friend cannot help him.

The plot of Stratagem was filled with twists and surprises from beginning to end. Strong characters were well-developed and all essential to the story. I felt as though I was present at the investigative sessions which helped me learn more about each character. I was not overly fond of the female detective but as the story progressed I was better able to understand why she reacted so strongly to the situation. I was fascinated by the process developed for the adventure games but would personally not want to work for a company that invaded the privacy of its employees to such a degree. A strong theme of faith and forgiveness permeates this highly emotional book which I appreciated.

I look forward to this author’s next book and can’t wait to see what twisted plot she comes up with for her readers.

Stratagem grabbed my attention right from the start. This crime drama was set in New Orleans at an escape room designed to be unique to the players. The game was intriguing. The detectives and other characters were well-rounded. There were some subplots going on at the same time. I suspected who the murderer was halfway into the book. Even though I missed some of the clues, it all came together in the end. I enjoyed the Christian aspects of forgiveness, prayer, and faith in Jesus Christ that were an underlying theme.

Stratagem is a another great Robin Caroll mystery that takes place in New Orleans. Ms. Caroll has created realistic characters, some of which, I found likable and some were very unlikable, and an unusual plot that was quite interesting to read. Dr. Grayson Thibodeaux is a psychologist who has worked in private practice, for the police department and now with a sociologist friend, Colton York, as a co-owner of a firm specializing in game playing to help employers and employees to find their strengths and weaknesses in the workplace. Against Grayson's wishes, Colton talks him into taking a case and planning a game for the firm where Anna Belle, Grayson's ex-wife works. During the game, someone slipped cherry juice into Anna Belle's power drink and she died from a allergic reaction. Her epi-pen was not used. Even though, Grayson was out of town during the game, he is the number one suspect in her death. As the story unfolds, Grayson has many reasons to want to do harm to her but he never would. As a Christian, that would never be an option and he still cares for her. She was quite a pain, really narcissistic, and others had reason to be unhappy with her. Each person involved in the game as a participant or worker had a different element to add to unraveling the mystery that helped the detectives as they work the case. This didn't stop Grayson and his assistant Pam from trying to find answers as well. The end was an interesting twist by a diabolic and desperate mind.
This was a story that held my attention from beginning to end with suspense, danger, interesting facts, greed, addiction and also dealt with forgiveness, healing and faith.
I received a complimentary ARC from Shiloh Run Press through NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are mine only.

Stratagem is a complex thriller with a slow build to completion. I really enjoyed this thriller set in New Orleans.

The thriller was so complex that I couldn't figure out the ending. I love that about this book!

I thought Caroll's character development was excellent. These characters really came to life for me and I felt like I was in the book with them.

Thank you Netgalley and Shiloh Run Press for the free review copy.

Have you ever participated in an Escape Room? I have and oh is it fun! I could see a place for a company to put on weekends like this. Robin Caroll did a wonderful job weaving this story and making it difficult to put the book down! I’m looking forward to searching out other books she has written.

I really liked this book. It's not something I saw very often from this particular publisher, but the book was really good. It kept me captivated and trying hard to finish the book. It is one of those stories that you think about when you aren't reading the story.

Most of my reading was on a Kindle, so the formatting was just a bit off, but I expected that. The cover of the book I wasn't aware of until now, when I'm writing this review. That said, while I do like the staging of the text below the balcony, the rest of the scene doesn't quite make sense to me. It doesn't feel like New Orleans, outside of the over-enhanced Mardi Gras beads. Then the image on the balcony just feels forced. As a Graphic Designer, it just doesn't vibe. However, the story more than made up for the cover design.

The story is about Grayson who designs some really intense escape games. It's a type of game I hope to never be involved in. I have a hard enough time in the typical escape rooms. His ex-wife is in competition for a top spot in her PR firm, but first her firm has decided that the four people who are most likely in contention, must compete for it. Now I do have to admit, that part of the plot was perhaps a bit disturbing. Plus the set up as to how the game came into play. But, I put those aside and just enjoyed the story.

Basically, Grayson's ex-wife ends up dead and needless to say, with Grayson the executor of the game, he is the prime suspect.

The story has several points of view, and I did appreciate having Anna Belle's point of view. There were spots in the story where I did want to rush ahead in the story and see what happened. The pacing was well done and each twist and turn had me guessing.

I would definitely consider reading more stories by Robin Caroll.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Barbour Publishing.

I will have to say, I’ve never heard of mind-bending adventure games. So this was a new adventure for me. Grayson Thibodeaux ended up in the middle of his ex-wife’s murder, being the prime suspect. All leads ended up with Grayson. Or was someone else trying to throw the blame on Grayson and get off scott free?

The investigation was interesting, I am always amazed at how investigators end up with so many leads, and figure out the person they need. And this one seemed like a cut and dry case, but the more I read the more holes came up in the investigation. I like Grayson. He was just all around a good guy, and loving Anna Belle wasn’t an easy job! But Anna Belle’s mom was a different thing. I love her, her character was well created and she was just the sweetest lady. It warmed my heart that their relationship started and would continue

I feel like I’m jumping around with this review, but there’s a lot going on in this story. A lot of interesting issues, and some not so fun. If you enjoy a good suspense/thriller, I highly recommend Stratagem by author Robin Caroll! I have read many of Ms. Carrol’s books and love them all! I encourage you to check out her other books when you check this one out!

A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only

It was a game. It ended up being a deadly game.

This corporate game was requested by Tim DuBois, CEO of Deets PR, in order to help his board work through an upcoming managerial promotion, from Game’s On You. The original request was made to Colton York, though he and Grayson Thibodeaux, the co-owner of Game’s On You, would both need to approve the contract before it was finalized. Grayson would design the game, Colton would administer it. And Grayson’s ex-wife, Anna Belle Thibodeaux would be dead before the game was over.

There were a number of suspects, but the evidence seemed to point to one person. It would take the work of Detective Brandon Gibbons and his partner, Detective Danielle Witz, and Grayson and his assistant, Pam, to independently stumble upon the guilty party. And the discovery came almost too late.

Robin Caroll has managed to weave together a bit of mystery and faith into a captivating story. Though at least one location is shared with previous books from this author, it is unclear whether this story is a sequel to those - and reads well as a standalone book.

Though Robin Caroll is an experienced writer, this was the first book of hers that crossed my path. I was satisfied - and will look forward to reading others. It easily is a five-star book.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Grayson Thibodeaux creates games, but they aren’t your normal run-of-the-mill games. The games he creates tests people on how well they perform under pressure and stress. Imagine being confronted the things you fear the most. How would you react?

On a day you consider to be the worst ever, it is imperative that you do a great job. Your finances are in ruin. Your spouse has just left you. Your life is going down the tubes. How would you do? Would you still have a job?

It is things like these that Grayson’s “game” tests you on. His company is making a killing. Businesses hire him to decide who to promote. All is great until the company his ex-wife works for hires him to create a game, one that his ex will be participating in. Those playing the game don’t know that they’re being tested. They don’t realize it’s all a game.

When his ex turns up dead during the game, he is the prime suspect.

Even though one of the police officers is one-hundred percent sure that Grayson is the guilty party, there are so many other people who had a motive to do in his ex. She just wasn’t a very likeable person.

As the list of those who had a motive grows, the plot thickens. This book is full of edge-of-your-seat suspense and is hard to put down. My husband is very picky about what he reads. The second a book slows down or loses his interest, it is put down and not picked up again. He loved this book from the first page to the last just as I did.

The book’s back cover blurb grabbed my attention immediately. It’s a unique story where a corporate game goes horribly wrong and one of the owners is accused of murder.
Grayson Thibodeaux is a divorced psychologist who says yes when he should’ve said no. He agrees to create a game where his ex-wife is involved and when she dies during the course of the game, all eyes are on him.
I absolutely loved Grayson. He’s calm and intelligent when most people would be absolutely freaking out over the situation. Pam is by far my favorite. Her spunk and attitude are refreshing and keep the story moving.
The mystery is enthralling and captivating right to the last page. I’d definitely recommend Stratagem.

Stratagem is a mystery that really keeps you guessing who had committed a murder right up to the end. I would think it might be one character, but then as I read further, another character appeared to have motive.

Grayson Thibodeaux is a psychologist who partnered with a friend to create a "game" that companies can use to screen employees or to build teamwork in a company. Things go terribly wrong when Grayson designs a game for his ex wife's company and she is murdered during the game.

Grayson finds himself working to prove his innocence. But as he investigates the crime, he learns more and more about his ex wife that disturbs him. She was not a nice person, and that is putting it mildly. Many people who surrounded her had motive, it is up to investigators, Brandon and Danielle to solve the murder. As you travel along with both investigators and Grayson the pieces fall together and then you get the big reveal.

I enjoyed Stratagem a great deal. It was disturbing to have a character murdered that was such a terrible character. I could not find one trait about her that made me like her. Perhaps that is what Caroll was striving for. I did however like Grayson, the main character. I wanted the case to be solved so he would not be arrested for a crime he had not committed.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest feedback.

It's a rare book that makes me go “Whoa!” & “Wow, what a ride!” at the end, but this one certainly did! It surprised me how much I liked this as I tend to be very picky about books labeled psychological thrillers. Some are way to edgy or questionable for my taste. Not “Stratagem”! This one engaged my mind as well as my senses, and had me trying to untwist all the curve-balls Robin Caroll included. As each layer unfolded in the police investigation of the murder of Anna Belle, more and more questions kept popping up. At the same token, more and more pieces fell into place and began to make sense. It's very heavy on police procedure, but that's the kind of writing I love! I think if I were to go back and choose a career path, I would want to be a homicide detective. But since I can't, I'll settle for my arm chair sleuthing abilities. A very surprising ending once the killer was revealed, one person I never even suspected. A good suspense writer will keep you in the dark until just the right time & I think Caroll did her job well! Everything about this book was fantastic. I applaud an author when they can engage you on every level and tick all the boxes of just WHY you love their book! I would say she made me a forever fan of her work, both past & future stories.

Summary: this is a mind-boggling thriller that kept me on my toes and thoroughly hooked me from page one!

*I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own. *

If you like whodunit’s this is definitely a book you will love. It was part mystery & suspense, part “The Game” with Micheal Douglas, and part corporate espionage.

Caroll killed off a character, like many authors do, but gave this one a twisted and haunted backstory. But she didn’t stop there. She gave those backgrounds to other characters in the novel as well. They were more than one dimensional, which I think was why this story worked so well! Even the setting of the novel works to set the characters (and thus the reader) on edge. A game that plays on your deepest fears? Well, that is terrifying.

While you thought, ‘I know who killed her in one moment,’ in the next you are convinced it was someone else. As the motives for the murder are seemingly uncovered, yet another motive pops up and you are guessing all over again. All while protagonist is fighting to figure out what happened as well.

This is a fast and fun read that you will not want to put down until the very end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.