This highly anticipated debut "Thin Air" from Scottish author Lisa Gray, tempted me in with an intriguing synopsis and it didn't fail on delivery. Thin Air is an outstanding debut and Lisa Gray is a name that you should be looking out for!

Well, when you are delivered a killer hook prologue like this one,  you know that you are in for an exhilarating experience. And I was not wrong. The prologue is quickly followed up by an opening chapter that sets the scene for the protagonist, private investigator Jessica Shaw. Jessica is feeling lost in her life, after the death of her father, Tony.  We meet Jessica scouring the missing person's pages online, trying desperately to find some work to keep herself afloat. There is a real sense that she is running from something in her life and that she is very much adrift with no family or friends to help her keep grounded.

Along with Jessica, I was sucker punched when she received an email that is about to blow her whole world apart. Jessica is not who she thinks she is. Jessica has spent her life hunting the missing. Now, Jessica discovers she is missing! And #BOOM we are off! What follows is a nail-biting, cleverly crafted novel that will keep you reading way after bedtime!

The whole concept of this book was superb, imagine discovering you are not who you think you are and that your whole life has been a lie. Jessica is determined to uncover the truth behind her life and in doing so uncovers lie after lie.  Her past and present collide as she finds herself getting closer to the truth, but is Jessica going to regret getting in this highly charged investigation into her own disappearance? I am stunned that this is a debut novel, without giving away any spoilers this plot was dynamite! Perfectly paced, totally twisted along with well-rounded characters and an excellent sense of place.

I had wondered why a Scottish author decided to move to the sunnier climes of LA but I have to say that she got it down to a T! She created a realistic picture with just the right level of detail opening up the highways and downtown LA Hollywood across the pages. I have never been to LA, so I have no idea if the description is accurate but what Lisa Gray did achieve was to bring the location to life for me. The sights, sounds and smells all seemed so real that it felt like I was there!

The author marries up her own background in journalism with an engaging and compelling plot resulting in a read that I just could not put down. If it hadn't been for real life interrupting I could have easily read this in one sitting!

The characters were believable and I was intrigued from the outset as to how they all connected and this is brilliantly uncovered as you fall deeper into the story. Jessica Shaw was a refreshing change as a protagonist, tough and feisty without becoming a caricature, it was impossible not to be on her side. Her relationships with those she met on her journey were carefully built on leaving me with a desperate need for the next instalment in the Jessica Shaw journey!

I do hope that Jason Pryce features again in future novels featuring Jessica Shaw. Although his role in this novel was tied to Jessica's story, there was enough depth to him that left me wanting more!

As the plot unfolds the tension rises and I found myself suspecting almost everyone that Jessica came across. Clever twists and turns kept me guessing all the way to the very end!

Thin Air ticked all my boxes, characters, plot and sense of place all married together to provide an outstanding debut novel. The writing flows effortlessly, the storyline is unique and refreshing and you will be transported to LA, what's not to like!  Don't miss it!

This will be posted on my blog Chapterinmylife shortly

Opening with a killer premise, and dragging me along for a thrilling ride - this is a cracking read and a brilliant start to a new series with a kick-ass female protagonist.

PI Jessica Shaw is used to investigating and uncovering the dark secrets of her clients, but she isn’t prepare to learn, via anonymous tip, that she was abducted from her mother 25 years earlier. She learns that her biological mother was killed the night she was taken and decides there and then to solve the case of her mother’s murder and her own kidnapping. When she makes contact with LAPD detective Jason Pryce, she discovers he knows more about what happened that night than he is willing to share. This is a well written story of a woman’s search for both the truth and her own identity

Not your typical mystery as the investigator finds out the SHE is the missing person. Tying together a variety of loose ends, the author does a thorough job, but somehow, I felt that I’d read this all before.

Detective Jason Pryce is investigating the death of a young college student, found in a motel viciously beaten and stabbed. At the same time, private investigator Jessica Shaw, receives an anonymous tip, a picture of a three-year old girl who has been missing for the past twenty-five years. As Jessica looks at the picture, she realizes that she is the girl in the picture. The young girl, Jessica, was abducted the night that her mother was murdered. To get answers, she leaves for Los Angeles to investigate the cold case. As clues unfold, the way both women were murdered seems to connect the two cases. Is it possible that the same person committed both murders? A puzzling mystery that will put Jessica’s life in danger. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

“He pushed past her and entered the murder house.”

Thin Air was an unexpected surprise. What started out as a seemingly semi-interesting, just okay plot eventually became a page turner that kept raising my interest with each page. The writing was at times beautifully descriptive, and quick and unforgiving at others.

The book follows Jessica Shaw, a private investigator, who finds a missing person picture of herself, when she was just a little girl. This leads her to LA to find out who kidnapped her, and who killed her mother, the one she never knew had existed. What follows is a novel full of twisty turns and secrets that slowly are revealed as she seeks out the truth.

This is a novel where the characters are all not what they appear. I wasn’t sure how the police detective’s separate murder case was going to connect to Jessica’s murder and kidnapping case, but it did so in an interesting way. About 70% through is when I became really invested and couldn’t wait to see how it would end. And I can tell you, the ending surprised me. And I liked it.

Would definitely recommend this to readers who love detective/PI stories. And even crime shows, like CSI or Hawaii 5-O.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer (publisher) for providing me a copy to review. I enjoyed it!

#ThinAir #Netgalley #thomasandmercer

Fiction isn't my favourite genre so I don’t normally gravitate towards books of this nature. However, there was something about the description that piqued my interest with this one and I am so glad I read it. I couldn’t put it down. The author did a fantastic job using adjectives to keep the imagery in my mind alive. The characters were easy to get to know and the plot was daring and exciting. I was excited to realize that this is book #1 of a series, I will definitely be reading more from this author!

I was so intrigued by the hook of this story: A private investigator who specializes in missing persons discovers that she, herself, is a missing person. Wow, such potential! Unfortunately, little of that promise was realized.

It was early in chapter 3, when we are seeing through the eyes of Jessica ( a 20-something American who grew up in Blissville, New York -- a part of Queens) that a telling phrase cropped up: Jessica's father Tony had "kept himself to himself." Americans from any region, of course, would say he'd kept to himself, a clue that the writer is from the UK and needed an editor who could weed out the Britishisms. But there were more of them , scattered across the chapters, pretty much nullifying any feeling of authenticity.

I liked the pace. Author Lisa Gray also handles the alternating time lines and points of view with skill. The characters, however, felt shallow (troubled and gritty, perhaps, but without much complexity), and the dialogue seemed dull in spots and gimmicky in others.

It's sad, because there was the kernel of darn good story here, and there was nothing a strong editor couldn't fix.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.

This plot is captivating as Private investigator Jessica Shaw gets an anonymous tip about a 25 year old kidnap. When she sees the picture of the abducted child she is shocked to see herself Jessica goes to the rough streets of LA to learn that her birth mother was killed the night of the abduction. Jessica is determined to solve this mystery.
It was difficult to see the link with Jessica’s story and Amy’s mother at first. The story is told by many characters and it takes some time to figure out the key events leading to Amy’s murder. I loved how the story progressed and I thought the ending was solid. Overall I would recommend and will look out for more books by this author.

Really enjoyed this book. I wanted to know the main character better and could see myself being friend with her in real life. She has a dark, but realistic quality about her.

The storyline never lost focus and it only took me three sitting to finish the book

Highly recommend.

Detective Jason Pryce is investigating the death of a young college student, Amy, who was left viciously beaten and stabbed in a seedy motel. P.I. Jessica Shaw receives a photo of a three-year-old girl, kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty-five years ago. This is one missing persons case she has to take on. Because the photo that Jessica receives is of herself.

That’s the start of Lisa Gray’s Thin Air, a cracking thriller that held my attention from the striking opening prologue through to the nail biting ending. Fast paced, taut and action-packed, Gray has given us a protagonist we can root for; one who isn’t willing to compromise and who will seek out the truth however much it hurts.

Jessica is drifting, literally drifting as she uses her to travel across America looking for work as she tries to keep her mind off the death of her father, Tony. Rootless, she scours the missing person’s pages, looking for work.

Heading to Eagle Rock, Jessica sets out to research her background and get to the truth even as the parallel investigation into Amy’s murder is ongoing. Gray artfully mingles these past and present stories to allow the past to pitch light onto the present and to give us a layered and fascinating story that will keep our attention riveted.

Our intrepid Private Investigator is no shrinking wallflower. She is prepared to do what she has to to get to the truth. But there are those for whom the truth is an unwelcome visitor and who would be happy to leave it buried for ever. To these people, Jessica poses an unwelcome threat and she will need to be on her guard as she finds out who is friend and who foe. With well-drawn characters and an atmospheric sense of place, Thin Air is a cracking read .

Verdict: A fascinating and captivating debut from an assured writer with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. And a protagonist I know I want to hear more of.

This is a well crafted debut that truly lived up to the hype.

The protagonist Private Detective Jessica Shaw is used to get anonymous tips until one day she receives a photo of a little girl missing from years ago, only to realize that this girl is herself.

She soon finds herself embroiled in a dangerous game with long buried secrets about her father and the murder of her biological mother.

This is a very well constructed mystery thriller with a likable and strong female lead.
The pace is engaging and the multiple voices especially those from the past shed further light on the present and help appreciate the character of Jessica even more. There is also plenty of clever twists and turns adding more excitement to an already gripping read.

Thanks Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and author Lisa Gray I voluntarily reviewed this book, and looking forward to Jessica's next adventure.

This book will grip you from the start and it has multiple layers to pull away. I read this in one sitting and found myself on the edge of my seat. I am eagerly waiting for the sequel BAD MEMORY to come out on the 10th of October.

Thin Air is not to be missed!!!

Jessica is a private investigator, who is sent a photograph of a young girl, kidnapped 25 years ago and she recognises the child as herself. What follows is a mystery, with chapters written in different characters. It's an OK read, just, didn't keep me hooked. I found the writing style a tad forced and plodding at times, although, the lead character of Jessica and Pryce (a homicide detective) were interesting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview in exchange for this honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica, a woman working as a private investigator finding missing people, sees a photo of a girl who went missing 25 years ago. She thinks it is her, but it must be a mistake and travels to LA to investigate. Meanwhile a cop named Pryce is investigating the murder of a college student.

I wasn’t that into this book at the start. I had issues with the fact that Jessica finds her own cases, without being hired by anyone. How do you pay the bills doing that? I also thought it was odd that when she went to this suburb of LA to investigate everyone was still in the same place they had been 25 years ago, still working at the same bar, still working at the same motel and so on. Too convenient. Once I got over those issues, I ended up enjoying the book. It was a nice break from the domestic suspense I have been reading since it was really more of a detective story. I was totally engaged and wanted to find out what happened 25 years ago and how it fit with the recent murder. The ending was solid and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

Keeping the tension of a mystery up all the way in a novel is not easy, but this i a perfect example. Very well written and with very little slack, the story moves along all the way. Excellent characters and a plot that makes it all happen.

On my To Read Pile is Thin Air by Lisa Gray and I look forward to starting it!

What captured my interest is the potential for this book to be a real page-turner with the description of a woman realizing something sinister happened to her as a child. This is the first in a series featuring the character of Jessica Shaw. I am not always drawn to series but this one might be like the Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton which I really liked.

Here’s the scoop:

Private investigator Jessica Shaw is used to getting anonymous tips. But after receiving a photo of a three-year-old kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty-five years ago, Jessica is stunned to recognize the little girl as herself.

Eager for answers, Jessica heads to LA’s dark underbelly. When she learns that her biological mother was killed the night she was abducted, Jessica’s determined to solve a case the police have forgotten. Meanwhile, veteran LAPD detective Jason Pryce is in the midst of a gruesome investigation into a murdered college student moonlighting as a prostitute. A chance encounter leads to them crossing paths, but Jessica soon realizes that Pryce is hiding something about her father’s checkered history and her mother’s death.

To solve her mother’s murder and her own disappearance, Jessica must dig into the past and find the secrets buried there. But the air gets thinner as she crawls closer to the truth, and it’s getting harder and harder to breathe.

This was an Amazon First pick for May and it’s getting incredible reviews. Read it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited or $4.99 if you don’t.

Thin Air
(Jessica Shaw #1)
by Lisa Gray 

Hardcover, 288 pages
Published June 1st 2019 by Thomas & Mercer (first published 2019)




Goodreads synopsis:
She investigates missing persons—now she is one.

Private investigator Jessica Shaw is used to getting anonymous tips. But after receiving a photo of a three-year-old kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty-five years ago, Jessica is stunned to recognize the little girl as herself.

Eager for answers, Jessica heads to LA’s dark underbelly. When she learns that her biological mother was killed the night she was abducted, Jessica’s determined to solve a case the police have forgotten. Meanwhile, veteran LAPD detective Jason Pryce is in the midst of a gruesome investigation into a murdered college student moonlighting as a prostitute. A chance encounter leads to them crossing paths, but Jessica soon realizes that Pryce is hiding something about her father’s checkered history and her mother’s death.

To solve her mother’s murder and her own disappearance, Jessica must dig into the past and find the secrets buried there. But the air gets thinner as she crawls closer to the truth, and it’s getting harder and harder to breathe.


***

4 Stars

This is the first book in a new Jessica Shaw series by Lisa Gray.

Jessica is a private investigator and she finds her own version of a picture on a milk carton and realizes that she was a missing child. Her mother was murdered and her father, who was recently deceased took her away. This is a story of her search for answers.

I thought this was pretty good. The search was a twisty-turny thrill ride that keeps you guessing until the end. But it was the characterization of Jessica herself that really sealed the deal. It is the character that will keep you coming back again and again. She is not normal. She is unique and quirky. She never does what you expect she will. She runs straight into trouble without blinking. She is a classic rebel but she has a cause. You know she will find out the answers she seeks. You can just tell by looking at her.

Suspenseful, gripping, honest and amazing. This is one roller coaster ride you will want to get on.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

This is a fast-moving and well-written thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the end. The characters are believable and interesting, the plot is well-crafted, and the ending left me hoping for more. I was glad to see that this is the first book in a series that will feature Jessica Shaw. She's a feisty, and determined private investigator who worked on a very personal case this time. It will be interesting to see her in future books tackling other cases. I look forward to the series - like this book, I'm sure it will be a winner!

I honestly could only get a few pages in. I can't read descriptive murder scenes. It's just not my thing but it could be someone's thing though. #Fiction #Thriller #Library #Bookshelf #Bookreview #Booklover #booksofinstagram #Read #Books #ARC #ThinAir #LisaGray #NetGalley

This is book one of a new series, featuring Private Investigator Jessica Shaw. The story takes place in Los Angeles and I enjoyed the local descriptions. The book is written in different perspectives and was easy to follow. The main story of a cold case/missing child is a clever twist, as very early on in the story our main character, Jessica, discovers that she is the missing person. There are two murders being investigated, seemingly without a connection: the 25-year old cold case murder of a young mother, and the second is a recent murder of a young college student. I’m looking forward to the next book in this new series!

Jessica Shaw is a PI from NY. She has no one left in the world. Her father died two years ago and her mother when she was a baby. When she gets an email from someone called John Doe her life is starting to unravel. Everything she thought she know about herself and her family proves to be a lie. Jessica now only has one goal: To find out the truth. The truth about the missing girl, her mothers murder and if the man she called dad is really her father.
I liked the character of Jessica, not being perfect and having struggled with things showing in the tattoos on her body. If there is one thing I didn't quite like so much it would be the constant need for alcohol. But maybe after finding out the truth about herself she can find peace and doesn't need drinking so much. The hunt for the killer was well written and I hadn't guessed who it was. It really took me by surprise but it made so much sense. I will definitely continue reading this series.

I really enjoyed this book courtesy of an ARC. The main character is a PI, yet the story is about her and a child missing for 25 years. There is also a seemingly unconnected murder. I liked the characters and the pace of the book and the way that nothing in the plot was obvious.
I will certainly be looking forward to the next book in the series.

My first read of this author and my feelings are mixed. I figured out the killer early on and there was just too much unnecessary description. I liked the setting of LA and there were some interesting characters but I did not like Jessica, the main character. There was so much potential but it just lacked the promise and I can't fathom out the "Thin Air" title. A good start to a new series, just not for me. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Thin Air was like a mash-up of some of my favorite things. The initial premise of a young woman who discovers she may have been a kidnapping victim as a toddler is the same initial premise of one of my favorite books, Caroline B. Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton. In The Face on the Milk Carton, Cooney did a fantastic job of detailing the conflicting emotions one would likely feel in this situation. For me, Jessica's reaction in Thin Air was very undeveloped. She didn't really seem that shocked to discover that her late father had lied to her about her mother and her background. Perhaps, she was just repressing a lot of emotion as she was still recovering from her father's unexpected death but I would've liked to have seen that explored more.

Thin Air is told from various points of view at alternating timelines some from the mid-90s when Jessica was first abducted and in the present as Jessica works to solve the mystery of her past and Detective Pryce works a mystery in the present. The flashbacks and alternating points of view wove together nicely and reminded me of one of my favorite shows, Cold Case. While Pryce and Jessica cross paths on a personal level, I really thought Pryce's case would've been best told separately in another novel all about him or perhaps he and Jessica will team up in subsequent novels and work together.

When we meet Jessica, she is living a nomadic life doing PI work throughout the United States. She reminded me a little of Lee Child's Jack Reacher except Jess travels with a lot more clothes and toiletries.

This was a sharp little thriller and it will keep you guessing but I hope subsequent installments in this series delve deeper into Jessica's emotional state, her connection with Pryce and I hope we see her "friend" Jack Holliday again.

3.5/5 Stars

What a well-done debut crime novel! I enjoyed the strong character of private investigator Jessica Shaw and the unraveling of a cold case murder. Especially impressive was the natural, believable conversations and descriptions, since the author is Scottish and writes about the crime outside of L.A. I will look for Lisa Gray's next book!

Thin Air by Lisa Gray -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Thomas and Mercer
ISBN: 9781542093644

Thin Air had all the elements needed to make it a truly outstanding novel. The action begins with the first page and never lets up throughout. The characters are interesting and believable. They take turns telling the story and the exchange between them flows seamlessly. The idea of a young woman who searches for missing persons finding herself a missing person is unique.

I did not see the connection between two gruesome murders that were committed twenty five years apart or figure out who the killer was until the amazing surprise ending.

Although this is the first book in a series, it wasn’t a cliff hanger to force you to the next book. Thus, it was a very enjoyable, independent novel, baiting you to pursue additional ventures by its characters.

I absolutely enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more of the series.

Review: Nancy

Imagine your life went this way and then turn out your life wasn't what it was this what happen to Jessica when she learns she was kidnapped, her mother was murder and that her father isn't what he seems.


Jessica set out to found out about her past and learns some truth when she cross path with Detective Pryce she knows he keeping something about her father and her biological mother murder as he tries to solve the murder of young college student who moonlight as a prostitute.

I like Jessica she unique and she head first into danger without blinking a eye. This was a good read I like the twist and turns and how everything had connection. I'm looking forward to reading more about her.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Did not see that ending coming! Nor the connection between everyone. I like how the chapters were told in different perspectives. Just when I thought I had it figured out, a new connection was discovered.

A terrific tense chilling wild ride of a read,Jessica Shaw is a character that intrigues from the first pages.Excited to follow this author this series #netgalley #amazonuk

Requested on NetGalley and also chosen as my May first read means I really wanted to read this book, right? The synopsis and blurb promised the type of thriller we all love - a private investigator investigating her own missing person case developed well with the two interwoven stories. This is a solid mystery novel with enough clues and plot changes to keep you guessing the killer.

A most enjoyable and interesting story line. Although the secret is given away early in the story, it doesn’t distract the reader from the many twists and turns this story takes to an unexpected climax. A very good read

This was an accomplished debut thriller set in California from an author who surprisingly turned out to be Scottish! It seems to be the start about a series about Private Investigator Jessica Shaw, and while I didn’t particularly like her as a character, I reminded myself that I have often taken a while to warm up to some of my now favourite heroines, and that prickliness can be far more interesting than niceness. I will definitely be keen to follow her future adventures.

Jessica Shaw is a loner, travelling the country following the sudden death of her beloved father, going where the work takes her, but when she is sent an anonymous email about a child who disappeared 25 years earlier, she is shocked to recognise herself. When she arrives at the scene, she discovers that her mother, a beautiful bar girl with a difficult past, was brutally murdered the same night she was taken, and no one was ever arrested for the crime.
Meanwhile, LAPD detective Jason Pryce is investigating the murder of a college student in a seedy motel, but discovers that she too had secrets.

This was well written, with just enough descriptions to set a scene without being distracting, a wide range of potential suspects and an intriguing mystery with the reveal of the perpetrator coming as a complete surprise to me. Yes there is a reliance on coincidence which is a common feature of first time authors, but it wasn’t excessive. Jessica is a talented and driven detective who drinks too much, which is a bit of a cliché, but as her story is revealed my interest and sympathy both grew. I liked Jason and hope that he will return in future books. Violence mostly occurs off camera, there is some swearing and a scene in a strip club but no sex.

My thanks to NetGalley for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review.
Thin Air is available now.

Thanks to Netgalley for for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was just ok for me. Nothing too exciting or interesting, and the book was easy to put down. I think this mystery genre really isn’t for me. They all seem like the same story.

Easy reading, fast moving mystery/thriller. P.I Jessica Shaw receives a phone of a three-year old girl, who has been kidnapped.
Jessica believes this is her.....

It was a easy read and was hard to put down. I loved the story line. The ending was shock would not of been my guess.
This is the first time reading anything from Lisa Gray can't wait for next book

This is a very impressive debut from Lisa Gray, who clearly has plenty of talent. Well written and fast paced, it draws together several narrative threads skilfully. I loved the idea of a PI discovering that she herself is a missing child, grown up – fab hook to start the book.

The main downside for me was the revelation of the villain. It was plausible but I didn't feel there had been enough clues for me to look back and say 'oh yes, that makes sense'. As a result, it felt like a bolt from the blue (and in fact it took me a minute to remember where that person fit into the story).

Definitely an author to watch, though, and I'd be happy to read another Jessica Shaw novel.

IT was an interesting premise, the writing could have been sharper, but for light reading it was fine. I do hate the author technique of letting us inside the killer's mind in the first chapter. does nothing for me. the main character, was interesting and if further developed, might make a good lead for a series

So, full disclosure: If I was reviewing this book as the first book I'd ever read by Lisa Regan, then I'd give it a three star rating. However, I am going to be completely transparent and tell you I did give half to one star because I have read some of her other books. I am by no means a super fan or anything of hers, however I do feel that I am familiar enough with her books and writing that I could fill in areas of this book with perhaps more than someone who wasn't as acquainted with her books. All that said, this book was not a bad book. It just was not especially sensational either. This is not a bad thing though. I don't like to read a book and review it based on how it compares to the books I read right before and after because it's not fair in my opinion. I think some books are written with the intent to elicit a strong emotional response in the reader and some books are supposed to do the exact opposite and be a little reprieve from the stress of life or just to take a breather and not have to overthink for a few hours. This book is one of those books you read when you want entertainment that isn't mindless, but isn't going to get you overly emotional either. I liked this book. I think most fans of this genre with recognize common patterns and might not be fully vested, but will enjoy reading this book.

Absolutely fantastic had me gripped!!! Loved it! Can't wait for more from.this author. Storyline was great, characters were easy to.connect with

Thank you for the advanced copy

This was a good read and the story line kept me guessing. My only criticism is there were too many characters to keep up with however I really enjoyed this book. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

When reading a mystery, I appreciate an interesting main character, smart unveiling of the clues, and a satisfying ending. Thin Airfollow by Lisa Gray met all of these requirements!


Jessica Shaw may be young-ish, but she’s certainly not new to the party. She’s smart and resourceful, while still being a decently likeable person. In this first book, the reader finds out pretty quickly who Jessica Shaw really is. The problem is, no one knows why her identity was kept secret for so long.

There are so many characters in this story that it was difficult to keep up at times. The story also alternated perspectives, which helped to round out the mystery. It was unclear how two seemingly unrelated crimes could be connected; I was impressed by the clean way it was wrapped up at the end of the book.

The author left some clues that pointed to the killer as soon as the character appeared in the story. The how and why didn’t become clear, though, until the final pages. I was invested in Jessica’s story and wanted to keep reading. Thin Air contained more profanity than I typically read. It also contained many scenes with alcohol (like, a lot.) Though the writing style was overall easy to read, there were so many peculiar similes included as if the author had a checklist to fulfill. It wasn’t bad, just curious!

I really appreciated the portrayal of police officers in Thin Air. Sometimes novels present cops as dirty and corrupt. In this story, though, their hard work and diligence really paid off. I loved that! I hope I get to read the next book in the Jessica Shaw series.

Thin Air (Jessica Shaw)
By Lisa Gray
1⭐
If I could give it 0 stars I would. I try my best not to write many bad reviews. However if I am going to write a review it is going to be honest . This is my first read by this author and may just be the last.This is the first book in a new Jessica Shaw series by Lisa Gray. I figured out the killer early on and there was just too much unnecessary description. At times she would write 2 pages describing a room. This was done over and over. Thin Air is told from several points of view and alternating timelines . And was very confusing. The past (the 90s when Jessica was first abducted )and in the present (as Jessica works to solve the mystery of her past) all while Detective Pryce works a mystery in the present. Thin Air is Advertised as a thriller,however there is nothing thrilling about it . In fact ,It's a very, very boreing read. It didn't keep me hooked at all. I kelpt putting the book down not really wanting to pick it back up. The main character was very unlikeable and uninteresting . And done some really stupid things.Such as drinking a quart of scotch in a short time, topped it off with a glass of wine laced with sleeping pills. Pretty much through the whole book All she did was drink and smoke. All of the Characters were underdeveloped and not believable. It was very clear the author did little if any research on law enforcement language, procedures, etc. Another thing that bugged me was the author seems to enjoy describing many minor character in a harsh negative way. Examples : bartender, with acne scarred face and limp hair, waitress old, her red hair is from a bottle, her breasts aren't natural, her fingernails fake, her tight-fitting uniform reminds me of a porn star, oh, and her name tag is crooked). It's not just the people she describes this way. She also describes places and objects like this. Another example was the bar stool with a rip in it from which the foam rubber cushion erupts like a popped pimple. Ewww gross and unnecessary. At times i wondered if an immature 5 th grader was writing. Save yourself time and money and pass on this one.

Such a good twist on a classic storyline. This is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely will not be the last. I really enjoyed the character development, the way the book ebbed and flowed, and the emotions the writing drew out of me! I was on the edge of my seat from the moment I started until the moment I finished.

I had been looking for a good female PI for awhile now. This book was exactly what I was looking for. I loved that the case wasn't just a straight forward case but that there were twists and turns.

The book follows Jessica a Privete Investigator who gets an anonymous email with a picture of a missing child. Jessica though recognizes the girl in the photo to be herself. So she soon turns up in LA to discover what happened and why she was considered missing. When she meets detective Pryce she realizes he is hiding more from her than he is letting on. However he isn't the only one lying to her and not telling her the full truth. This book takes us on her journey to discover what happened and who she is.

Thin Air by Lisa Gray is the 1st book in the Jessica Shaw mystery series, and my first book by this author. Private investigator Jessica Shaw receives an anonymous picture of a three year old girl, who was kidnapped twenty-five years ago from Los Angeles. The picture was Jessica at that age. Determined to find the truth about her parents and what happened, she investigates. I found this book to be pretty exciting, which kept me reading page after page. What a shock it would be to receive this information. I am looking forward to the next Jessica Shaw adventure, and I recommend this book for all people who enjoy a good mystery.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

I really loved the setting and thought the author absolutely captured the feel of the classic LA based PI novel.. Good characters, great plot, excellent reveal. This was really enjoyable and I' would definitely read more in the series.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thin Air had an interesting twist to a mystery plot line in that the Private Investigator found herself at the center of the investigation as a missing person victim. It had the potential to be very exciting, but it got bogged down in details. It's not a good sign when I had no problem putting it down. I also feel as though Jessica Shaw's character was not developed in a way that we actually cared about her. While it's fine to create a "tough female" lead, Jessica wasn't a rounded character -- she was very flat.

I think this was a decent first attempt, and I may see how Lisa Gray goes on to develop Jessica Shaw in the next book.

Loved it......
From start to finish this book had me hooked. The characters are fantastic from Jessica to Hopper the motel clerk you get a real sense of who these people are and the small town of Eagle Rock.
The story moves at a nice pace and time is given to all aspects of the story.
If I had any criticism is would probably be that in one or two parts it seemed like maybe a paragraph or a line was omitted from the book leaving you confused for a second as to where we were or who was who but honestly it didn't affect the pace of the book too much and didn't take from the enjoyment.
This is well worth a read

Jessica is a detective. She receives an anonymous email containing information on a missing child. She is shocked to realize that the child in the picture is herself. This leads Jessica on a wild chase to find information on the case. She doesn't remember her mother, and her father died a couple of years ago. Jessica has little information to go on, but begins to search for answers. Where will her search lead her?

Interesting new character who is trying to solve the murder of her mother. Lots of red herrings and a twist at the end. A good read.