False convictions is the fourth book in Kim Jackson series by Lewis. While technically a standalone psychological thriller, readers would greatly benefit from the background from information the previous three books provide.

Split between Gunnison and Crescent Butte, Colorado, readers discover mysterious Kim Jackson establishing a life for herself. New to the series readers will have many questions, most of which are answered by the end. Kim, a student at the local small college, learns that her beloved, brilliant professor was murdered the night before she accepts his research job offer. Gutted, Kim tries to reorient what to do next when the replacement professor is revealed to be Lena- a woman she knows extremely well but who has refused to speak to Kim in ages. Is her past coming back to haunt her? Will the stress and trauma overwhelm Kim amidst her investigation, investment work, relationship, and collegiate studies/ requirements?

I loved the premise behind the book! The story started off very strong, but by the end I had a list of unanswered questions and was frustrated with the FMC Kim Jackson. Lewis continuously refers to Kim as being very intelligent (acing college exams and papers) and yet Kim makes very dumb choices in her lazy investigation. While that dynamic is perfect for building tension and getting Kim into a pickle later on in the story, I have trouble believing it. And this woman wants to become a PI? 😬🫣 Besides that, there were plot holes and mistakes in the story that took me out of the book and lowered my enjoyment.

Troupes: psychological thriller, unreliable narrator, troubled protagonist, fresh start, amateur sleuth, killer early reveal, kidnapping, big reveal
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 2/5 🩸
Language: 1/5 👀
Triggers: murder, kidnapping

Thank you to Arrow Road Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

Give me Colorado -- a state I desperately miss -- in any genre and I'm all in! And I am especially in with Book 4 in a Gunnison-based mystery series I am thrilled to have discovered. A compelling well-penned tale set against a gorgeous and sometimes harsh terrain kept me rapt 'til the last page. Heading now to read the first three books before it. Hurrah!

The beautiful cover photo on False Convictions drew me in and piqued my interest. Then, I read that it was set in Gunnison, Colorado! We have a close family friend who just moved there to attend Western Colorado University where this book takes place.

False Convictions is the fourth book in the Colorado Skies series. Although I haven't read the three previous books, Lewis does a decent job sprinkling in pertinent information from the previous books to where I didn't feel lost as a new reader. While I do think reading the books in order likely would have enhanced my reading experience, I don't think it's necessary.

Kim Jackson is a newly enrolled criminology student at WWU. Kim's professor, Kent Dodge, asks her to read a draft of his book about a deadly ski trip, but he himself is killed the following day. Kim starts digging in to an eerily similar deadly ski trip that took place locally years ago, because she suspects that Kent's killer didn't want his book to be published. Surprisingly, the killer is revealed fairly early on in the novel, so that aspect of the story isn't a mystery. I personally would have preferred a bit more mystery though.

Lewis does a fantastic job with the Gunnison setting and making you feel immersed in the location. The book fell a little short for me on excitement, and there are a couple things that felt a bit too serendipitous. Still, I enjoyed False Convictions overall and am glad to have read it.

Thank you to Arrow Road Press, Amy O. Lewis, and NetGalley for the e-book advanced reader's copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own. False Convictions is set to be released on September 29, 2026.

Another great installment in the Kim Jackson detective mystery series. This book was a page turner and difficult to put down. Bringing Lena back into the story added depth and hope for Kim as all of her fans hope that she can begin to unravel the criminal activity that put her on the run. The book provided another dose of faith and conviction that Kim will once again out maneuver her old boss and his allies bringing justice and peace back into her life and furthering her desire to pursue a career as a detective/PI. Kim and Lena as a combined force would be amazing. I lived the tension the story provided, the calming presence of Mike and the interesting small town vibe that characters like Gus brought. This added depth and dimension continues to get stronger in each story and I am eager for the next installment. I highly recommend this book!