Tag: Thriller

Fiction, Mystery

Gone Without a Trace by Denise Grover Swank

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

Title: Gone Without a Trace
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Title: Gone Without a Trace
Series: Maddie Baker Mystery #2
Location: Cockamamie, TN
Main Character: Maddie Baker
Other Characters: Noah, Neil, Bert, Mallory, Aunt Diedra, Amy, Jake, Barbara, Steve, Gil, Boomer
Rating: 5+

I literally could not put this book down. Gone Without a Trace by Denise Grover Swank had me thinking, “Okay, just one more chapter…” before I realized it was well past my bedtime.

This is a suspenseful mystery that centers around a sudden disappearance that leaves more questions than answers. As the story unfolds, secrets begin to surface and relationships are tested, revealing that not everything—and not everyone—is as it seems. As tension rises and emotions escalate, the quest for the truth draws readers deeper into a web of mystery, danger, and unexpected revelations. This fast-paced, character-driven story keeps you guessing until the very end.

This story captivated me from the very beginning. The mystery unfolds at an ideal pace, creating just the right amount of tension to keep you turning the pages, while also providing enough emotional depth to make you genuinely care about the characters. I loved how the author expertly balances suspense with heartfelt moments. It’s not just about what happened, but how it affects everyone involved, which makes the story feel authentic and personal. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story took another unexpected turn.

This was a such a cozy yet suspenseful read, perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine later in the evening. If you appreciate emotional mysteries filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing, featuring strong characters and a protagonist you can’t help but love, along with a captivating storyline and a touch of romance, Gone Without a Trace definitely deserves a spot on your TBR list.

I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a compelling mystery with emotional depth.

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Women's Fiction

Shadow of the Past by Tammy L Grace

CozyRomBooksandCoffee

Title: Shadows of the Past
Author: Tammy L Grace
Series: Quinn Stone #1
Main Character: Quinn Stone
Other Characters: Daniel Stone, Ethan, Jane, Dominic, Victor, Walter, Tanner Chase, Eleanor, Ryan, Colton, Selene
Genre: Political thriller  & Women’s fiction (because Quinn’s emotional journey, relationships, and personal struggles give it more depth than a typical political/action thriller)
Pets: Zephyr, Quinn’s Golden Retriever and best friend
Rating: 4

“Evil wins is when good men do nothing”

Having read and enjoyed several of Tammy L. Grace’s books, I decided to give Shadows of the Past a try, despite political thrillers and spy stories not being my usual genre. Honestly, I’m glad I did!

The story follows ex-CIA operative Quinn Stone as she is pulled back into a complex web of espionage, political danger, and long-buried secrets. Grace expertly balances action with emotional depth; Quinn’s inner struggles and the suspense surrounding the presidential candidate she is tasked with protecting kept me turning the pages. That being said, I occasionally found the large cast of characters overwhelming. There were moments when the themes of secrecy, covert operations, and political maneuvering felt repetitive, particularly in the “protecting Chase” storyline. Nonetheless, the overall tension, atmosphere, and strong female lead made for a solid and engaging read. I especially loved Quinn’s relationship with her dog, Zephyr.

Although this genre isn’t typically my preference, I found myself enjoying the journey, thanks to Tammy L. Grace’s engaging writing. It’s a gripping story that fans of political thrillers will undoubtedly enjoy!

Fiction, Thriller

Hollywood Hustle by Jon Lindstrum

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Title: Hollywood Hustle
  • Author: Jon Lindstrum
  • Genre: Thriller
  • Takes Place:  Los Angeles], California
  • Main Character: Winston Green
  • Other Characters: Grover, Lauren, Teddy, Amy, Claire, Rocket, Ozzie, Alberto,
  • Stars: 5

I have been watching Jon Lindstrum on my favorite TV show for over 30 years. Not only is he an amazing actor but now, he is also a wonderful author. Hollywood Hustle is his first novel but I am confident it won’t be his last.

Winston Green is an aging movie star. One morning he awakens to see his six-year-old granddaughter, Amy, standing over him holding a flash drive. The flash drive is proof that his daughter, Amy’s mother, has been abducted. For her return, the kidnappers want all of his money. What the kidnappers don’t know is all of his money is gone. Now what is he going to do! He can’t go to the police for fear they will kill his daughter, Claire, so he gets help from his two closest friends, a Hollywood stunt man and a former LAPD detective turned private investigator. They put their heads together to find a way to meet the kidnappers demands. Will he come up with the money in time to save his daughter? 

It’s a suspenseful ride that takes you to the wild side of LA. Be prepared to lose sleep because it’s one of those books you can’t get enough of. It’s suspenseful, and it’s full of surprises as to how far these abductors will go for money and how far Winston will go for his daughter’s safe return.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

The Bloodline by Robert J. Walker

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Title: The Bloodline
  • Author: Robert J. Walker
  • Series: A Riveting Kidnapping Mystery Series
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Main Character: Jaques Tillery
  • Other Characters: Stuart, Denzel, Lieutenant Talbot, Keith Hatchet, The Captain, Shane
  • Stars: 5

This book grabbed me from the very beginning. I couldn’t put it down.

A woman sees a picture of of a man on the news and is convinced it is her son who was kidnapped decades ago when he was 12 years old. The authorities don’t believe her but a special Private Investigator does and decides to take her case to prove it. A current kidnapping has the same MO so he thinks the two may be connected in some way. As he researches these cases, he uncovers much more than he ever expected.

This book had great character development and the plot was great. It was fairly fast moving with a lot of detail. There were a lot twist and turns while the plot unravels as to what is happening and who is behind this. I had never read anything by this author before but I know I will read more. If you love a great suspense thrill and you don’t mind a little bit of bad language (the bad language isn’t a lot but there is some) you will love this book.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Midnight Abduction: A Small Town Reveting Kidnapping Mystery Thriller by Marie Wilkins

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Title: Midnight Abductions
  • Author: Marie Wilkins
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Takes Place:  Nevermore, North Dakota
  • Main Character: Nicole, Brad
  • Other Characters: Danny, Jessica, Blake, Kinder, Richard, Pam
  • Stars: 5

This is the first book I have read by this author and I could not put it down. It was exciting, suspenseful and & thrilling from the first page until the climax.

Nicole and Brad live in a small quiet suburban neighborhood with their two young children. They are happy, in love and appear to have everything they want in life. Then the unimaginable happens, their young daughter Jessica, doesn’t get off the bus after school. It is soon discovered that she has been abducted.  Brad’s brother, Blake, is a member of the local police department and appears to be more interested in how this affects their community rather than finding his niece. Nicole decides to enlist the help of the FBI. Nicole is determined to find her daughter, while at the same time, she trying to come to terms about something that happened in her past that she has even hidden from her husband. As her past comes back full circle will her family come together and find Jessica so they can heal and move forward!

Plan to lose some sleep when you read this book, because you will not be able to put it down. If you love a great mystery in a small town with 3-dimensional characters, you are going to love this book.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Her Deadly Truth by L.A. Larkin

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Title: Her Deady Truth
  • Author: L.A. Larkin
  • Series: A Sally Fairburn Crime Thriller #2
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Main Character: Sallie Fairburn
  • Other Characters: Detective Clark, Detective Lin, Richard Foster, Paul, Margie, Caroline, Matt, Lauren, Nicole, Becca, Daisy
  • Stars: 5

This is another great thriller by L.A. Larkin. The author has a way of twisting a story to keep you guessing till the end.

Sallie’s neighbor Caroline confides in her that she thinks her husband is trying to kill her. Sallie doesn’t want to get involved since she and her son were almost killed by the Poster Killer in book one.. When Caroline turns up dead, Sallie regrets not helping her friend so she tries to find evidence agains her husband, Matt to prove he killed his wife. Once again, Sallie’s snooping could get her killed.

When she starts receiving mysterious flowers and she feels she is being watched, she knows she must be getting close to finding out who killed Caroline. Could the Poster Killer, who is serving a life sentence know something! She may have to visit him in prison to find out. Then when one of Caroline’s friends is killed by a hit and run, the race is on to find a killer.

Ms Larkin keeps us guessing all the way to the end. It is fast paced with a lot of twists and turns to find a killer. I loved this book just as much as the first. The author knows how to keep the reader engaged and there is never a dull moment. If you love a thrilling mystery, with a surprise ending, you will love this series.

Happy Reading!


Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Next Girl Missing by L.A. Larkin

CozyRomBooksandCoffee
  • Title: Next Girl Missing
  • Author: L.A. Larkin
  • Series: A Sally Fairburn Crime Thriller #1
  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery
  • Main Character: Sally Fairburn
  • Other Characters: Paul Fairburn, Bryan Topham, Detective Clark, Detective Richard Foster, Aiden Foster, Theo Durrant,
  • Stars: 5

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be reading more. I loved it from the very first word to the very last. I was so captivated by it that I just couldn’t put it down.

Saly is a former cop now working as a victim’s advocate. She lost her daughter five years ago and is still reeling from that. She is divorced from a controlling abusive husband and now her main focus is her 14-year-old son. Additionally, the memory of 6 girls who were abducted from her community 4 years ago still haunts her.

They convicted Theo Durrant for a series of crimes and they suspect him of being the poster killer who is responsible for the disappearance of the six girls. Imagine Sally’s shock when Theo requests that she go to the prison to visit him because he has information about the Poster killer. She wasn’t going to go until she saw a poster of herself. This really upset her since the poster killer always put up a poster of each girl before he took her. When she goes to visit him, Theo claims he is not the poster killer, but he knows who is. He won’t tell her who it is, but he gives her two hints. When Theo is later killed in prison, she realizes her own life could be in danger. The local cops reopen the cold case. When there is a stalker who won’t leave her alone and her son also becomes a target, she is determined to find the poster killer before he kills again.

During Sally’s search for the truth, other secrets are revealed.

This book is exciting and keeps you guessing from the very first page. It takes the reader on a roller coaster ride until the killer is revealed. There is a lot of action and suspense with an ending I didn’t see coming.

If you love a great suspense with a surprise ending, you will love Next Girl Missing.

Happy Reading,