Meet BTB Reviewer Teresa Brock

Background: If I'm on the rails, you should worry. I go through life with the best attitude loving every minute of it and trying to get as many books into my brain as possible. I truly love finding new authors and being a conduit of sorts to get their book babies into as many hands as possible.

Go-To Author: AI Finn, Kristin Hannah, Scott Turrow , Erik Larson, Dennis LeHane, Andrews & Wilson, Brad Thor, Jack Carr and Danielle Trussini.

Author People Should Discover: Michele Packard, Andrew Bridgeman, ME Proctor and Joshua Moehling.

Book You Would Recommend From 2024: Love You Till Tuesday by ME Proctor.

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2025: Nowhere by Allison Gunn: a horror author in a very male dominated genre - I am all about that. Robert Dugoni’s Hold Strong , Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz and Family Ties by Michele Packard.

Favorite Local/Indie Bookstore: Butcher Cabin Books in Louisville, Kentucky and A Likely Story in Midway, Kentucky. Both of these are in The Bluegrass State, locally owned and work with local authors and other businesses to support reading.

Favorite Charities: The Wounded Warrior Project.

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View Teresa’s Latest Reviews (book pub. dates)

8114 by Joshua Hull (8/26/25)
The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen (8/5/25)
The Ever End by Audrey Wilson (8/5/25)
Fade In by Kyle Mills (7/29/25)
Sister Butcher Sister by KD Aldyn (6/10/25)
Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler (5/27/25)
Lay Your Armor Down by Micahel Farris Smith (5/27/25)
Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter (5/8/25)
No Man's Ghost by Jason Powell (5/6/25)
See How They Fall by Rachel Paris (04/29/25)
Streets of Nashville by Michael Amos Cody (4/15/25)
Remote: The Six by Eric Rickstad (4/8/25)
The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer (4/8/25)
Dark Rising by Andrews & Wilson (4/8/25)
Heartwood by Amity Gaige (4/1/25)
Flames of Deception by Travis Davis (3/25/25)
Gothictown by Emily Carpenter (3/25/25)
Nowhere by Allison Gunn by (03/25/25)
Where the Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski (3/22/25)
The Buffalo Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones (03/18/25)
The Extraterrestrial Zoo by Samantha van Leer (3/4/25)
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica (3/4/25)
The Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff (3/4/25)
Real Bad, Real Soon by Eric Beetner (2/25/25)
Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz (2/11/25)
Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker (2/11/25)
Dark Vector by Ward Larsen (2/4/25)
A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling (2/4/25)
The Department by Jacqueline Faber (2/4/25)
The Enigma Girl by Henry Porter (1/28/25)
At Dark I Become Loathsome by Eric LaRocca (1/28/25)
Penitence by Kristin Koval (1/28/25)
Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade (1/25/25)
The Spear and the Sentinel By J. L. Hancock (1/18/25)
Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson (1/8/25)
The Dragon the Eagle and the Jaguar by Rodger Carlyle (01/14/25)
Assume Nothing by Joshua Corin (12/10/24)
The Good Bride by Jen Marie Wiggins (12/10/24)
Nobody's Hero by M.W. Craven (12/03/24)
Baker by Michele Packard (12/01/24)
The Egyptian Enigma by David Darling (11/26/24)
Out in the Cold by Steve Urszenyi (11/12/24)
Burn This Night by Alex Kenna (11/12/24)
The Lake of Lost Girls By Katherine Greene (11/5/24)
In Too Deep by Lee Child & Andrew Child (10/22/24)
Good Looking Ugly by Rob D. Smith (10/22/24)
Origin Story by A.M. Adair (10/22/24)
The Slate by Matthew Fitzsimmons (10/8/24)
Hometown Vendetta By Traci Hunter Abramson (10/1/24)
Somewhere by Matthew Reed Williams (10/10/24)
The President's Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins (10/8/24)
Not Yours to Keep by Zelly Ruskin (10/8/24)
Fortunate Son by Andrew Bridgeman (09/24/24)
Heroic Measures by Joel Shulkin (09/17/24)
The Bachelorette Party by Sandra Block (9/3/24)
Love You Till Tuesday by M. E. Proctor (08/12/24)
The Chamber by Will Dean (8/6/24)
The Rule of Three by Sam Ripley (8/6/24)
Homecoming Queen by Chad Boudreaux (8/6/24)
Stone Creek by Kate Brandes (8/6/24)
May the Wolf Die By Elizabeth Heider (7/2/24)
Tempest North by Rodger Carlyle (7/16/24)
Show Game by Steve Anderson (7/2/24)
The Midnight Rambler by Don Carr (6/20/24)
Three Burials by Anders Lustgarten (6/18/24)
Dreams in Incarceration by Cillian Dunne (6/18/24)
The Vixen Amber Halloway By Carol LaHines (6/11/24)
The King Street Affair by Jon Sealy (6/6/24)
Moneymaker by Josh Boldt (6/5/24)
A Better World by Sarah Langan (4/9/24)
The Hollywood Con Queen by Scott C. Johnson (6/6/23)

8114 By Joshua Hull

Paul Early is a podcaster, mostly because he really doesn’t know what else to do.  He starts with a story of a student that he went to school with, Adam Benny, who was missing.  Paul did not think about the repercussions of his actions from this podcast.  When his world starts to crumble around him, Paul is suddenly called back to his hometown where he finds that one of his best friends committed suicide in the house where he was raised.   

8114 South State Road 67 is more than a childhood home, it is a place of history and horror.  A place of secrets, infection, disease, rot and contagion.   It is a place that is calling Paul Early back because of his mistakes, and it is hungry.  This book is both immersive and graphic. The reader will begin to wonder if they can actually see and smell what is happening.  Hull perfectly mixes supernatural, horror and psychological thriller elements, peppered with some dark humor making this a must read for horror fans. Warning - read with the lights on.

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The Locked Ward By Sarah Pekkanen

Sarah Pekkanen - this is a banger. Every book you have written or co-written just seems to get better! The Locked Ward is best going in blind, so avoid spoilers. Just know that there will be plenty of perfectly placed red herrings on this journey! Told between two alternating POV’s with two unreliable characters - Mandy, who owns a bar and recently lost her parents and Georgia, a wealthy socialite accused of murder - the reader follows these to women finding out how they and their families are connected. The novel delves into complex themes like family dynamics, politics, wealth and power, and the deep, often complicated bond between sisters, especially twins.

This book grabbed my attention right from the start. Sarah Pekkanen's portrayal of a mental hospital ward is unmatched. The eerie mix of unsettling tension and the complexities of misunderstood individuals make a challenging environment to maintain your sanity. I genuinely believe Sarah did her research while writing this novel; it felt like I was right there on the locked ward with Georgia from the very first page. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. It’s a nail-biting, can't-put-it-down story that keeps you hooked until the very end. So, prepare for a thrilling ride!

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Once Upon A Crime
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The Ever End By Audrey Wilson

From the prologue to the ending, this eerily unsettling blend of thriller and cult horror will consume you!

Margo’s earliest memories begin at age 4 of a man in the shadows who begs to be let in.  His voice can come to her in moments when she is scared or alone and he promises to protect her.  He is doing his best to take her away from her mother, but she always wonders – is this just a dream or is he just a shadow?  What kind of man can promise everything? 

Margo has recently lost her mother after a fierce and unsettling battle with cancer.  She meets a man, Sam, on the ride to work.  Sam says everything perfectly.  He has a million dollar smile and the ability to make her no longer feel alone.  Six months into this perfect relationship, he asks Margo to marry him.  When she says yes, it is time to take her home to meet his parents.

Sam is from a large family.  They have been following a televangelist for years and fully believe what he preaches.  Sam has never seemed religious and neither is Margo, but for the man she loves, she will respect his family.  She just needs to get through the week.  Little things along the way seem off.  Not enough to jump ship, but enough to make Margo wonder if she is seeing things or if it is really happening. 

As the week progresses, Sam and his family seem to have cocooned Margo – and not in a good way.  They are controlling and nearly robotic.  While they seem welcoming, she must adhere to their rules.  Little red flags turn into giant screaming warnings as the story progresses, but it may be too late for Margo.

If you want a binge worthy read with a twisted dark storyline that you will not soon forget, pick up The Ever End! 

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Fade In By Kyle Mills

Salam al-Fayed, aka Fade, is seemingly unstoppable all while riding shotgun with death.  As a former Navy SEAL, Fade is the epitome of strength, resilience, and precision.  He was known as one of the deadliest operatives and an asset that could not be lost.  However, when he steps in front of a sniper’s bullet to save a friend, Fade is declared clinically dead.

Due to his high value, Fade was brought back to life, receiving top-tier rehabilitation through the best money and technology can offer—on one condition: he must join a paramilitary unit led by a shadowy organization run by a billionaire with unknown ambitions. When a new threat out of China emerges, and the group he works for has no political affiliation, Fade and his team are mobilized.    There is always an end game and Fade questions who is behind this?  Who will benefit?  What is the price to be paid?

Fade is a quirky, world-weary smart ass. While being seemingly cold to the killing of others while on a mission, he still has a very strong moral compass. He has an innate sense of strategic and situational awareness. This is exactly what readers of this genre need.  New characters who are relatable, flawed and totally badass. 

Fade In is classic Kyle Mills—gripping, action-packed, and filled with twists that will leave you speechless. Readers go to a place where the stakes are high, and the world Mills builds is one you won’t want to leave. If you're a fan of intense thrillers with complex characters and high stakes, this one is definitely for you. Mills has once again proven that he’s a master of the genre.

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Sister Butcher Sister By KD Aldyn

Three sisters. One killer. Which one is SHE?

When you give me a tag line, like the above, I am going to run as fast as I can to get the book.  Sister Butcher Sister is unyielding and macabre.   In her debut novel, Alyden Immerses readers in a captivating psychological thriller where family ties, hidden truths, and relentless tension intertwine.

The author brings a unique narrative style to the story alternating between the three sisters, Kate, Peggy and Aurora as well as SHE.  A very cryptic, and dark character who has a thirst for blood.  Someone who death brings them joy.  SHE feels as if the work she is doing, hunting and deconstructing bad men, is necessary and right.  

As the story progresses, we get the background of the girls who have had anything BUT an ordinary childhood.  Each one has their own perspective of events, but it is important to pay attention to each one’s memories and keep in mind that we all process things differently.  I found myself cheering on SHE and believing her mission.  

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Tell Them You Lied By Laura Leffler

Tell Them You Lied is full of arrogant, self-centered, toxic characters. The kind you love to hate, and simultaneously can’t get enough of. The book centers on the turbulent friendship between two artists, Anna and Willow, who meet in art school.  Their individual struggle for dominance spirals out of control when a prank goes sideways, and Anna arranges for Willow to be mugged at knifepoint to make sure she knows who is on top. 

This psychological thriller explores the destructive power of secrets and deception. Leffler excels at creating a sense of unease throughout the novel, with well-crafted twists and a pacing that keeps the reader on edge. The characters are complex and multidimensional, particularly the protagonist, whose internal conflict adds depth to the narrative.   Issues such as trust, guilt, and the consequences of dishonesty, making the novel not just a thriller but a reflection on human nature.  If you are ready to change up the pace and get a little Mean Girls action, add to this to your TBR!!

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Lay Your Armor Down By Michael Farris Smith

The story is a dark, Southern tale that delves into themes of desperation, survival, and power. At its heart is a child with extraordinary abilities, pursued by those who seek to exploit her. With having so few characters in the book, the readers can easily become part of the story.  Smith has an uncanny ability to create a raw, gritty and emotion filled tale that is what we expect and love in Southern Gothic literature. 

After finishing Lay Your Armor Down I spent a day going back through all of my annotations and then a day to let it sit and wrangle with what I just read.  I went back and forth between what I have learned when it comes to putting on God’s Armor versus what it would mean to literally take it off and lay it down.  For me, as well as Cara, Keal and Burdean, one would have to let go of your defenses, let your guard down and even your emotional armor which is what they go through on these pages.  Good versus evil.  Their own morality and choices against what they know is the right thing to do.  One of my favorite things that Smith does is give me, the reader, enough room to be part of the story and think for myself.  I will never miss anything he writes. 

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Marguerite By The Lake By Mary Dixie Carter

Phoenix was born into humble circumstances, her childhood scarred by trauma and loss. Now, she works for her uncle as a landscaper, pouring every ounce of her being into cultivating the lush, vibrant gardens she tends. One of her clients is Marguerite Gray, a celebrated lifestyle icon known for her extravagant garden parties, her massive online following, and her status as the muse in a famous painting by Serge Kuhnert.

When Phoenix is invited to a lavish event at the Gray family estate, Rosecliff, a violent storm nearly claims the life of Marguerite’s husband, Geoffrey. It is Phoenix who intervenes, saving him from certain death. This act of heroism shifts the dynamic between Phoenix and the Grays, drawing her into their world for reasons far beyond her role as a gardener.

But shortly after the storm, tragedy strikes: Marguerite is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Her untimely demise leaves a trail of questions and hidden motives, each more tangled than the last. As Phoenix becomes more entangled in the lives of the Grays, she finds herself spiraling deeper into a web of obsession, power, and dark secrets.

This is a psychological thriller that immerses readers in a world of wealth, intrigue, and the dangerous consequences of buried truths. With Carter’s evocative prose, the slow-building tension keeps readers on edge, drawn into a haunting narrative where the line between sanity and madness blurs. In this world, one may discover that the hell they create for themselves can be far worse than the truth they fear to uncover.

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No Man's Ghost By Jason Powell

While standing in a line for who even knows what at Bouchercon in Nashville last year, I got to meet Jason Powell.  Listen, this guy is sweet and humble and since he handed me his card, I have been watching closely to see what he would do.  Interestingly enough, I have a son in law who is a firefighter near Lexington Kentucky so you know I was going to read this as soon as I could.

Charles Davids, a probationary firefighter, has recently finished his time at the academy and has been assigned to his station.  Charles is timid, a rule follower, he is shy and not sure of himself.  We get little bits and pieces of his personality as the story progresses and how important the family inside of the FDNY station is to him.  Next, we have Alan Johnson. An unstable, drunk husband on the verge of divorce. His wife throws him out of the house and he hatches a plan to torment her. Every night, he calls in false reports of fires at her apartment, taking twisted delight in imagining her being roused by the blaring sirens and horns. If he can’t find peace in their home, why should she?   Eventually these two will cross paths and what will the outcome be?

It is clear from the writing that the author loves his job and the people and the nuances that go along with it.  Jason Powell provides a compelling, immersive, and genuine look into the lives of the everyday heroes who safeguard New York City from the dangers of fire and more and what their families are going through to support them.  No Man's Ghost doesn’t just explore the physical world; it dives deep into the mind of its characters, exposing their vulnerabilities and the ghosts—both literal and metaphorical—that haunt them. Powell’s use of imagery and symbolism is exceptional, making the reader feel immersed in both the story and the emotional landscape of the characters.

Powell has crafted a story that is not only suspenseful but also deeply human.

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See How They Fall By Rachel Paris

Rachel Paris comes blazing onto the scene with this pulse pounding, whodunnit crime thriller.  Knowing that this is her debut novel is a guarantee that I will be coming back for more!

Told between alternating POV’s over the course of 10 days, the amount of action that takes place will leave you breathless.   First, we are introduced to Skye Turner who is married to David Turner.  She has married into a generationally wealthy family.  There are three brothers who have inherited their father’s business and fortune.   Next, we meet Detective Mei O’Conner.  (She was probably my favorite character.)  Part train wreck, part hard ass 100% real.

Beginning on Good Friday, the Turner family was having a get together at the family compound.  When you have a family of wealthy individuals, it’s hard to imagine the number of secrets and lies that are hidden behind closed doors.  While the three brothers, Duncan, Hugo and Jamie seem close, none of the spouses are close.  It is as if each household is isolated.   Things went wrong quickly in what seemed to be a food poisoning incident.  However, when one spouse is declared dead, and one child is on life support due to arsenic poisoning; the mighty Turner family begins to splinter.

Detective Mei O’Conner is called into the investigation, and immediately red flags are flying.  Because of the wealth and pull this family has, things must be kept quiet.  Everyone around this investigation wants it to close quickly.  Things need to be wrapped up neatly, but the evidence isn’t aligning.  The more questions Mei asks, the more suspicious the members of the Turner empire become. 

This is a claustrophobic, unpredictable, must-read psychological thriller with a banger of an ending.  Do not miss this!

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Streets Of Nashville by Michael Amos Cody

Our protagonist and all-around good guy, Ezra MacRae, is an up-and-coming songwriter, from a small town who is trying to make it in Nashville while cleaning pools on the side.  The story begins with a mix of good and bad news. On the bright side, the Ezra has just landed a contract as a Music Row staff writer. However, things take a dark turn when he becomes a witness to a horrific triple murder on Music Row late one night. The killer spots him but lets him go. What follows is an intense, high-stakes game of cat and mouse. The killer knows Ezra must eventually be dealt with, while Ezra is fully aware that he cannot afford to be left alive as a loose end.

Cody’s depiction of Nashville in 1989 is incredibly immersive. The way he is able bring the city to life makes it feel like the reader is transported right into that time and place. The details, locations, songs and song writers along with the cultural backdrop all work together so seamlessly that it truly feels like being there and draws the reader into the world he has created.

With his experience as a Nashville songwriter and deep knowledge of country music, Michael Amos Cody brings The Streets of Nashville to life. One of the highlights for me was how Ezra MacRae, the main character, would come up with song lyrics throughout his day, with random events sparking memories of classic country songs. It felt like a true reflection of an artist's thought process and offered a fascinating glimpse into the creative world of songwriting. This is one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished reading. The story lingers in your mind, and the characters and moments will stick with you, making it impossible to forget.

Streets of Nashville is the kind of southern crime fiction that readers crave—gritty, gripping, and full of rich, atmospheric details. It captures the essence of the South while delivering a story that's both suspenseful and deeply engaging. For fans of the genre, this book hits all the right notes.

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Remote: The Six By Eric Rickstad

FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark is after the Tableau Serial Killer.  An unsub who is moving around the country killing families in a very specific and disturbing manner, but so far, there seems to be no connection between the victims. Starks’ investigation is not progressing as fast as the killer is racking up body totals, so the agency brings in a man, Gilles Garnier.  Gilles and Starks are polar opposites in the world of investigation.  Starks is by the book and Gilles – well – he has zero background, but all of the clearance and too many secrets.   As the story progresses, we get a connection between Gilles and the unsub and pieces of a puzzle that go too far up the chain of command and are too numerous to put into one novel. 

Remote viewing is the practice of using the mind to gain information about a person, object or event that cannot be seen.  During the Cold War, the CIA and US military took remote viewing seriously using a classified program called Stargate.  There are a lot of questions surrounding this program and the experiments that went on, who was involved, the results and outcomes.

Rickstad has brilliantly pulled a piece of obscure military history and brought it to life.  This book is not for the faint of heart. It is a nonstop, no punches pulled thrill ride with descriptions that are so graphic it is nothing short of cinematic. This gritty thriller had me hooked from the beginning and I stayed up all night, unable to put it down. It ranks among the very best in the psycho-criminal genre. To truly understand the mind of a sadistic killer is to delve into a dark, terrifying world that few would ever dare to enter.

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The Impossible Thing By Belinda Bauer

I'm always eager to pick up the latest Belinda Bauer novel. Her writing consistently stands out, elevating the crime thriller genre with its depth. She creates well-rounded, engaging characters while maintaining a fast-paced and compelling plot. While crimes do unfold, it isn't exactly a traditional crime story and of course it was great to see Patrick from Rubberneckers return.

Spanning from the 1920s to the present day, the novel paints a vivid picture of the dark and perilous world of egg collecting. It also brings to life the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire cliffs, where diverse seabird species have nested and soared through the winds for centuries.  Enter greed, obsession and a crime that started 100 years ago. 

The Impossible Thing is a captivating and thought-provoking journey that delves into how the smallest, seemingly trivial actions can lead to profound, life-changing outcomes. Though the premise may seem unconventional at first, Belinda Bauer’s masterful storytelling makes it resonate in the most unexpected ways. For readers seeking a distinctive narrative that weaves through time and generations, this book is an absolute must-read.

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Dark Rising By Andrews & Wilson

Ben, Jed, David, Rachel, Corbin, Sarah Beth, Paster Dee and others are back!  Book 3, Dark Fall,  leaves a little breathing room for the Shepherds with Victor being defeated.  However, there is no rest for the wicked.  During the Dark Rising, the Dark Ones are to select the new General on Earth to do the devil’s will.  Jed finds a new ally in CIA liaison Gayle James.  This group of men, women and children from all over the world and different backgrounds are brought together for this epic battle.

 

The Shepherds Series is about spiritual warfare; about good versus evil.  The hierarchy of The Shepherds loosely mirrors the military structure.  You know who is calling the shots when the rubber meets the road.  There is a lot of prayer, guidance, sacrifice and scripture on these pages.  It should make you think.  Everything that happens in this series happens behind the scenes.  Temptation is happening around us all day, every day even to the Shepherds.   

 

This battle is unlike anything they have encountered.  The Dark Force continually gets stronger.  The divide on the dark side is that women cannot be in charge. The Shepherds are facing a new battle, and they must come together and face the unexpected.  Manboo, an evil woman, brings a lot of magic, power and voodoo to the table causing a rift.  She moves the men who are in power within the Dark Ones organization with ease – like players on a chess board.  Wonderfully complicated layers of characters, growing story lines, themes of sacrifice and temptation fill each page perfectly.  Evil never stops.  It will always try to beat the light. You will want to join the Shepherds on this continuing journey to fight until the end.

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Heartwood By Amity Gaige

This book was absolutely incredible. It caught me by surprise with how deeply moving and beautifully written it was.  There are several characters in this book who are oddly and intricately connected to one another. Each one is flawed.  Each person has a story to tell, their story, and I encourage you to listen. This is more than a missing person mystery.  This is a story of love, growth, failure and strength. This is a very character driven story where mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, coworkers, siblings, friends and more all bear their heartwood – their innermost strengths and vulnerabilities to the reader. 

The author immerses the reader directly onto the Appalachian Trail in Maine, where it is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and challenging terrain. Valerie's journey winds through dense forests, over rocky peaks, and along pristine rivers and streams.  The Appalachian Trail is both a physical and mental test, allowing for introspection, solitude, friendship and an unparalleled connection to nature.    However, when Valerie, aka Sparrow goes missing with less than 200 miles to the end, a complex mystery unfolds filled with red herrings, twists and turns that you will not see coming.

The investigation centers on Beverly, a dedicated Maine State Game Warden who takes charge of the search for Valerie on the ground. Meanwhile, Lena, a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher living in a Connecticut retirement community, unexpectedly steps into the role of an armchair detective. As the story alternates between these captivating perspectives, Valerie’s disappearance starts to seem more than just a coincidence.

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Gothictown By Emily Carpenter

A chilling atmosphere, a town’s haunting legacy, a resilient heroine, and a lingering sense of dread are perfectly intertwined in Emily Carpenter’s newest novel, Gothictown.   

Billie, her husband Peter and their daughter Mere, live in NYC and post pandemic financial strains have taken nearly everything from them.  One day, an advertisement comes her way about a town in Georgia – Juliana, Georgia, where there is a small-town initiative that is trying to bring in commerce and bring back small town living.  This catches their attention, and while things seem too good to be true at first, all the boxes are checked and they take off to Juliana to start over, get out of the city and find their happiness. 

From the moment Billie and her family officially move to Juliana they are immersed in a chilling atmosphere where every shadow hides a story, and every corner is steeped in a history that refuses to be forgotten, and haunting legacies linger. The sense of dread is palpable, as the boundaries between the living and the dead blur on the pages.

The suspense builds steadily throughout, as Carpenter drops subtle clues and revelations that make the reader question what’s real and what’s imagined. The historical backdrop of the town itself feels like a character, including the buildings, street names, and, at times, overly friendly residents creating a perfect stage for the unfolding mystery.

Gothictown is not just a ghost story; it’s a story about family, legacy, and the ways in which the past shapes the present. It’s a thrilling ride into a town where the whispers of the past speak volumes.  This is not a book you will soon forget and may possibly leave you a little unsettled even after you turn the final page.

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Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Flames Of Deception by Travis Davis

Russia, China, and India are gearing up for a massive military campaign, both naval and ground-based, aimed at taking control of critical oil transportation routes and destabilizing the global oil supply. With support from North Korea, China is also orchestrating an unprecedented cyberattack on the United States’ renewable energy infrastructure, targeting its "Green Energy" grid.  The balance between oil production, the shift between alternative energy sources and the power play game between the countries is a critical issue that stays (mostly) behind the scenes but is imperative to smooth operations in everything that we do.  In today’s world, the consequences of disrupting this balance could be catastrophic

One of the standout qualities of Flames of Deception by Travis Davis is the author's impressive ability to immerse the reader in various settings through the use of language and location-specific terms. Davis has a keen eye for detail and skillfully incorporates terminology that is specific to the places and cultures within his narrative, making each location feel distinct and authentic. Whether describing an oil field is Russia, Springfield Virginia, or inside of the converted cargo ship AM Blueberry Hill on the Black Sea, Davis’s use of local vernacular, regional references, and environmental nuances allows the reader to feel as though they are stepping into the heart of the scene.

The author also skillfully integrates true and factual moments in history into the fictional narrative. By weaving real historical events and figures into the storyline, Davis adds a layer of authenticity and depth that grounds the action in reality. These factual elements not only enrich the plot but allows the reader to think about the ‘what’ if possibilities.  The glossary at the end also, gives the reader a ton of information on the real places and departments that deal with things of this nature. 

Readers are taken on a global journey, moving between various locations as the story unfolds. At times, the narrative focuses on plans devised against the United States, while other moments delve into the strategies the U.S. is employing to counter these global threats. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, and the characters are deeply flawed yet real, with strong development that adds layers to their personalities. The action is nonstop, making for an exciting ride, while the story's premise touches on issues that could have a significant impact on our world.

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Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Nowhere By Allison Gunn

This is a tale of an unrelenting and hungry darkness.  A story of death and tragedy and sorrow.  A place where screams cannot be heard, where fear must be fed and sins go to die.  This is the story of Nowhere – if you dare to open the door and let it in. 

Allison Gunn, is a debut queer woman author in horror/thriller genre market heavily dominated by male authors.  I chose Nowhere as my most anticipated book for 2025.  Not only did it live it to the hype, this book has exceeded all expectations!

Meet the Keenan’s – Rachel, Finn, Charlie, Aiden and Lucy.   Finn was a writer, but more than that, he was/is an alcoholic.  After one too many drinks, he was driving Aiden and Lucy home, and after swerving to miss something he lost Aiden to the river.  Their family was forever changed.  They moved to a small town in Virginia called Dalmouth where she hung up the city detective life to be the chief of police.  Dalmouth has its secrets too, but most of all, they do not like outsiders.  The citizens tend to lean on the religious side of things and they will make sure to point out all of your faults.

Dalmouth, like other small towns in Appalachia is ridden with crime and drugs.  However, something seems a little different this time.  A man, nailed to a tree with his eyes gouged and weird symbols are everywhere.  Unfortunately, the witness that found the body is a well-known meth dealer and all of his ramblings and warnings are dismissed. 

As you turn the pages, you continually dig deeper and find out just how broken the Kennan family is. The story of how Rachel and Finn come together and why they stay together is a story in and of itself.  The reasons behind Rachel’s defensiveness and the walls around her heart truly resonated among the pages.  You will hate them both for most of the book.  After you are done hating them, remember that every person has a backstory that you probably know nothing about.  Actually, you will probably hate nearly everyone in the book (not Jeremy) and that is part of what makes it great.  The neighbors are judgy and hateful, the teachers are know-it-alls, and the religious community is way over the top.  Rachel can be a raging B word and you will want to sucker punch Finn. 

Bottom line – lean all the way into this horror thriller that will stick with you for days.  Allison Gunn is an author to follow and watch for what is next.  The Appalachian Mountains are full of secrets!  One more thing – sleep with the lights on!

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(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Where The Bones Lie By Nick Kolakowski

When I started my reading journey, I could not have told you what a noir thriller is. Today – I will pick this over just about anything and I am loving the authors that are putting them out. I was lucky enough to read Where the Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski and I enjoyed every single page. Everything that a reader could want in a crime thriller has been covered by Kolakowski. 

Dash Fuller is a hard boiled, cynical, recovering alcoholic, who is chased by demons and is trying to heal from his past by being a PI (or a comedian) in the Hollywood area where drugs, secrets and murder abound. Dash is flawed and so relatable. He thinks he has ‘outlaw speed’ when it comes to acquiring a target, but really doesn’t want to add a body to his ledger. Madeline Ironwood, daughter of missing thief, murderer and all-around Hollywood bad guy, Ken Ironwood, hires Dash to help her find her father’s killer when his remains are found in a barrel in the middle of a drying lake in Northern California. Madeline is sassy and unpredictable. She is hard headed and strong. So, when they pair up for a road trip to see what they can uncover, they get way more than they bargained for

Corruption, disillusionment, and morally ambiguous characters follow Dash and Madeline as they uncover secrets and lies at every turn. Go ahead and mark your calendars.  This is a can't miss, non stop crime thriller! 

Follow Teresa on Twitter or Instagram or contact her via the site.

Purchase Where The Bones Lie
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

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