This was a very quick and interesting suspense filled read. If I could, I would rank this book a solid 3.5. There were so many twisting plot lines, that I had to take pause at points to try to figure out where they intertwined. When it came together in the end, I was left wishing for more pages to read to continue piecing it all together. I would love to read more of this storyline to get a better handle on how the introduced characters all fit together in this dynamic authors multidimensional world of fiction. Many thanks to the publisher, Akashic Books, and NetGalley for this ARC book.

House of the Rising Sun delivers the gritty street drama and fast-paced storytelling that fans of urban fiction expect from K'wan. The novel paints a vivid picture of power struggles, loyalty, and survival, with intense scenes and a raw tone that keeps the pages turning.

What works:

Strong, atmospheric depiction of the streets and criminal underworld

Fast pacing that makes it an easy, engaging read

High-stakes conflicts and dramatic tension

What holds it back:

Some characters feel underdeveloped or rely on familiar archetypes

Plot twists can be predictable for seasoned readers of the genre

The storytelling occasionally prioritizes action over emotional depth

Bottom line:
An entertaining, hard-edged urban drama that delivers intensity and realism, but doesn’t break much new ground. A solid mid-tier read for fans of street-lit fiction.

This was a good read! This was different than what im used to but i honestly enjoyed the story, and the plot! Im so excited to see how everything plays out in the next book. Great Job Kwan!!

I had to sit with this book before writing this review. I really enjoyed this story and the way it was written. I went into this thinking “oh, small-town mystery, a cozy read” WRONG! This was so much more, it was darker, and had so many more layers. I ate it up. This was my first K’Wan book and I. AM. A. FAN!! The writing was sharp and did a great job drawing parallels of this fictional world and our own without pulling you from the story.

It opens up with our MC, Artie Howell after he and his family moves back to his wife’s home town, Sunny cove. At first glance all seems normal, Artie volunteers at the local juvenile detention center, hosting a creative writing course for the young boys. Artie’s wife is head of cardiac surgery at the local hospital. Their son, normal kid who like to sneak in a curse word here and there. Immediately the mood is set with this town and the tension it holds with the killing of a nun. More killings begin to happen and oddly enough they mirror scenes from Artie’s own novels. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat and then left me there to dangle, because we are left with a cliffhanger but one I’m not mad at because it’s soooo good. I’ll be chomping at the bit for the next one for sure!

This was such a good read. It was full of emotion and great writing! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

The book starts off with the murder of a nun, and then we get a glimpse into Artie’s daily life. We see his relationship with his family, friends, and other members throughout the Sunny Cove community. We also get into his love for writing and his interest in crime. Then another murder happens, this time closer to home. A next door neighbor. We then get deep into Artie’s secret life. A life that has consequences for not only him but also his family. The story takes on another life from there. I enjoyed this book. in the beginning I was a little confused on where the story was going but it quickly started to make sense. I’d be interested in seeing how this all plays out in the next book.

k’wan does what he always does best, he drops you right into the chaos and doesn’t let up. the streets feel alive in this book. every decision carries weight, and you can feel how quickly things can spiral when you’re just trying to make it out or make something of yourself with limited options.

what stood out to me is how the story balances ambition and consequence. there’s this constant tension between wanting more and being pulled back by circumstance, loyalty, and the environment. the characters aren’t perfect, but they’re real. flawed, reactive, sometimes frustrating, but always understandable.

the pacing is relentless. once things start moving, it’s hard to put down because you need to know what happens next, even when you already feel like it won’t end well.

The synopsis alone pulled me in because it felt like something a little different from what I usually expect from this author. I was really curious to see how they would handle a mystery/thriller, and honestly, it kept me interested the whole time.

I liked how the story slowly built itself up. The small-town setting, the way everyone seemed to know each other, and how quickly suspicion started to spread all worked really well for me. Artie as a character especially stood out. There was something about him that felt just a little off in a way that made me want to keep reading and figure out what was really going on. The connection between the crimes and his books was such an interesting concept, and it kept me engaged throughout.

The beginning and middle spent a lot of time on details and character dynamics, which I actually enjoyed. It made everything feel more layered and gave the story a steady sense of tension. My only issue is that the ending felt rushed compared to the rest. After all that buildup, it suddenly picked up speed and then just… ended. I wish that final part had been given a little more room to breathe.

Even with that, I still thought it was a solid and intriguing read. I do feel like the story could have been wrapped up in one book, but I’m still interested enough to see where it goes next and will likely pick up the follow-up.

Thanks Netgalley and Akashic Books | Akashic Books, Ltd for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

This book takes you on a ride and keeps you guessing throughout the whole book! It starts off with a look into Artie and his life in this small town with his family, but it seems that there is something off, a mystery about him. The author does a good job of building the story and even takes you through all the emotions and I was a bit skeptical about where the story was going. Towards the end though, you’re hit with a twist that you could never guess and it definitely had me shocked/hooked. K’wan sets the scene for another book after this one and I can’t wait to read and see where the story goes. Thank you to NetGalley and Akashic Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

K'wan really said "let me try something different" and absolutely nailed it. House of the Rising Sun is a small-town mystery thriller that hooks you from the very first page and keeps you guessing until the end. When crime fiction writer Artie Howell moves with his wife Elise and their son Nicky to her sleepy hometown of Sunny Cove, Pennsylvania, everything seems picture-perfect — until people start dying in ways that mirror scenes straight out of Artie's novels. The tension K'wan builds is masterful. Every character feels like they're hiding something, every chapter peels back another layer, and just when you think you've figured it out, he pulls the rug from under you. What I loved most is how K'wan balances the suspense with real emotional stakes — this isn't just a whodunit, it's a story about family secrets, the weight of the past, and what happens when the life you've built starts cracking at the foundation. At only 200 pages, the pacing is razor sharp — no filler, no wasted scenes, just pure momentum. If you know K'wan from his urban fiction, this book proves his range is unmatched. He's just as dangerous in a quiet small town as he is on the block. Dark, layered, and impossible to put down.

Another ARC gem! Loved diving into this book—a story that stays with you. While every reader’s experience is unique, I found this new release to be a thoughtful and rewarding read. Looking forward to seeing what this author shares next! This was my first book I have read of this Author. Adding more to my TBR list.

Reading the prologue I was like hmmm maybe this one might not be for me, but as I continued to read I really did get more and more interested in the story.

The pacing was good. It flowed well, and as the story unraveled it really starts to make you think. This was very much suspenseful.

Overall, this was a quick read that kept me engaged once I got into it, and I found myself wanting to see how everything would come together. I just didn’t like the ending. I feel like after all the build up, it felt a bit rushed. I still would recommend it because it’s entertaining and definitely keeps that mystery element throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Akashic Books for this ARC.

This book was an interesting ride. My first K’wan. It started of mystery/thriller and then sort of switched to action and superhero?! Am I the only one? It was a unique twist to a familiar plot line. It’s super short and fast paced, which I liked. The momentum went from 0 to 100 real quick! I wish the family and backstory to Artie was fleshed out a little more as well but maybe we’ll get more later 👀 It took me a minute to keep up with some of the characters as well, but overall good read. I would definitely read more by this author and the next book if there is one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Akashic Books for this ARC. This was a good read and solid start to a new series. I was hyped to see that he has come out with something new.

I couldn't put it down. I'm constantly giving recommendations for everyone's TBR. Considering this is a celebrity that everyone has grown up with and wanted to be.

There is so much to unpack with this story. We follow Artie Howell, a crime writer who moves to his wife’s small hometown thinking life is finally about to slow down. But things take a turn when people in the town start getting murdered and passages from Artie’s own books are being left at the crime scenes.

Sunny Cove is one of those small towns with a deep-rooted good ol’ boys club, and they were never too happy seeing Artie married to not only a white woman, but one of the most respected women in town. So when the murders start happening, nobody outright says he’s the suspect, but you can feel the town watching his every move.

The situation forces Artie to revisit his past and face secrets he thought he buried. He already knows the Brotherhood is not going to stop, and eventually he’s going to have to answer for the choices he made.

If you’ve read previous K’wan crime books, then you already know he loves intertwining his stories and characters. This book felt different from some of his other work, but it never lacked action or suspense. So many Brotherhood members were mentioned throughout the story that it honestly made me want to go back and reread earlier books just to connect all the dots again.

And based on who was mentioned in this one, I already know the next book is about to be nonstop action from beginning to end. Some of the most skilled and dangerous members of the Brotherhood are now in play. The Brotherhood has become one of my favorite crime factions in K’wan’s books, and I’m excited to see where this series goes next and whether it finally answers some lingering questions from his previous stories.