The Phantom Paragrapher

Review: Room 21 - Jessica Huntley - May 2025 There was something about Room 21 that instantly drew me in — maybe it was the striking cover, or the intriguing synopsis, but I had high hopes going in. I’m thrilled to say it didn’t disappoint. This dark, suspenseful thriller had me hooked from the very first page. We begin by meeting Kimberley, a dedicated and meticulous maid working at a prestigious hotel. Right away, her character felt relatable and grounded. I especially loved the reference to Maid in Manhattan — a personal favourite film of mine — which brought a smile to my face and made me feel more connected to her. Kimberley’s eidetic memory is another unique and captivating trait that made her stand out, especially as someone who also has a strong memory (though not quite on her level!). The story takes a sharp turn when Kimberley is approached by a mysterious woman and offered a lucrative position at an even more exclusive hotel — The Clifton Hotel. But this is no ordinary p...

Review: The Last Wife - Matt McGregor - May 2025 What starts as a modern fairytale quickly spirals into a chilling psychological thriller in Matt McGregor’s intense and suspenseful novel. Olivia, a humble waitress with artistic dreams, believes she’s won the romantic lottery when she meets the charming and wealthy Lachlan Gibson. Swept off her feet by his attention and encouragement, Olivia is quickly immersed in a world of luxury, love and control. After moving into Lachlan’s lavish home, the cracks in their whirlwind romance begin to show. Small, unsettling things begin to unravel: curious glances from locals, hushed whispers, and a name that Olivia can't escape - Yasmine Gibson. Yasmine, it turns out, was Lachlan’s first wife who died in childbirth just eight months earlier. This revelation alone is shocking, but what’s even more disturbing is how quickly Lachlan moved on—and how much Olivia is starting to resemble Yasmine in every aspect. As Olivia digs deeper, her dream life t...

Join us for the cover reveal of Click of Fate by Lauren Helms. Fans who love He Falls First Romances will sink their teeth into this sexy, one-night stand romance. Keep scrolling for more details about this sexy cover.  Title: Click of Fate Author: Lauren Helms Release Date: 06/13/2025 Genres: Contemporary Romance Word Count: 56K Tropes: One-Night Stand, Opposites Attract, He Falls First, Forced Proximity, Found Family Once upon a time, there was a charming climber and a stubborn photographer who swore she'd never fall—until she did. Stella I don't do roots. Or relationships. Or anything that involves the word “forever.” But Luke Farley? He’s the kind of man who makes one night feel like a promise. With that stupidly perfect smile, a body built for sin, and hands that know exactly what they’re doing—he’s dangerously easy to want. It was supposed to be casual. A few non-dates, a little flirting, and zero expectations. ...

Review: I Think I Was Murdered - Colleen Coble and Rick Acker - November 2024 After a challenging week that derailed my reading routine, I found myself drawn back to the pages through this compelling cyber thriller that couldn't have arrived at a more perfect time. I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker masterfully weaves together cutting-edge technology with classic mystery elements, creating a story that feels both timely and timeless. The plot centers on Jason, who discovers a valuable Satoshi Egg before being run off the road in what appears to be a fatal accident. One year later, his widow Katrina faces a cascade of crises: the FBI raids her employer Talk Inc where she serves as legal counsel, and her grandmother's death calls her back to New Haven—the same town where Jason died. Armed with her legal expertise and an AI chatbot designed to simulate Jason's personality, Katrina embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth behind her husband's ...

Review: The Sleepwalker - Ian Blackwood - May 2025 Lately, I’ve been riding a thrilling wave of psychological suspense, and thanks to Zooloo’s Book Tours—who specialize in gripping thriller reads—I’ve discovered some absolute gems. One standout is The Sleepwalker by Ian Blackwood, an ARC I couldn’t put down. This intense psychological thriller reminded me of Anna O by Matthew Blake with hints of Megan Goldin’s Stay Awake —a chilling mix of sleep disorders, unreliable perception, and dangerous secrets. Dr. Ellie Thompson is the kind of protagonist who pulls you in immediately. A successful doctor, Ellie has always battled vivid nightmares. But now, those nightmares are seeping into her waking life. She finds blood on her hands, shards of glass in her bed, and knives under her pillow—without any memory of how they got there. As her grip on reality loosens, Ellie becomes desperate for answers, yet fearful of seeking help. After all, speaking to a therapist could mean suspension from h...

Review: The Dream Wedding - Renita D'Silva - May 2025 What should have been the happiest day of Sam’s life turns into a nightmare — and sets her on an unexpected, dangerous path. In The Dream Wedding, Sam is about to marry a wealthy Indian man at a luxurious seven-star resort in Cornwall, a far cry from the life she ever imagined for herself. But Sam is hiding a dark secret: her real name is Maisy, and she once served time in prison for the murder of her parents — or so she has been led to believe. Renita D’Silva delivers a slow-burning psychological thriller packed with gaslighting, deception, and class tension. Sam has been doing her best to live quietly, until her world is upended by falling in love with a wealthy playboy who seems to worship her. Yet as their wedding approaches, anonymous threats about her hidden past begin to surface. Should she tell her fiancé the truth? Would he still love her — or would he walk away, shattering her world once again? Meeting her soon-to-be m...

Review: One of Those Faces - Elle Grawl - December 2022 Have you ever finished a book and sat there thinking "What on earth did I just read?" That's exactly how I felt after turning the final page of Elle Grawl's psychological thriller "One of Those Faces." This novel had all the ingredients for a gripping, edge-of-your-seat read - a traumatic childhood, a twin's death, mistaken identities, and a string of murders. Yet somehow, these elements never quite come together in a satisfying way. The story follows Harper Mallen, a children's book illustrator living in Chicago who's haunted by her past. When Harper was ten, her twin sister Issie died, and her father forced her to assume Issie's identity - a psychological trauma that sent her running from home. Now, Harper exists in a perpetual state of sleep deprivation, plagued by nightmares of her sister. The plot thickens when women start turning up dead across Chicago - women who all bear an unc...

Review: Two Wingmen and a Baby - Book #3 Wingmen Short Story - Daisy Prescott - October 2016 Listen up, fellow bookworms! When my alarm went off this morning, I found myself in that dreaded reading slump where nothing on my TBR pile was calling my name. You know those days—when you desperately need a literary fix but nothing seems quite right? That's when I reached for Daisy Prescott's delightful short story "Two Wingmen and a Baby," and let me tell you, it was exactly the reading prescription I needed! Hold onto your ovaries, because this story features the irresistible Tom Cat Donnely and his wingman John Day looking after sweet Baby Day. The premise is simple but oh-so-entertaining: two alpha males convinced they can handle babysitting without breaking a sweat.  What these men lack in baby-wrangling skills, they make up for in heart. The story playfully explores that age-old question—can two grown men survive an afternoon with an infant without anything going si...

Review: Blown - Nolon King - May 2022 As a devoted thriller fan always hunting for that next adrenaline fix, I stumbled upon "Blown" while doing my usual late-night Kindle scroll. The cover practically screamed "edge factor," and honestly, I'm a sucker for a great cover . Little did I know I was about to embark on a white-knuckle journey that would keep me up as I read the ebook in one sitting! Nolon King introduces us to Alison, a character whose moral compass doesn't just point north—it's practically welded there. This is a woman who side-eyes people taking Panadol for a headache, so when she's summoned to her daughter's school over a weed incident, her world begins to fracture. But that's just the appetizer to her catastrophe banquet. Returning home to find her husband Tom murdered? That's the main course of chaos that Nolon King serves up with brutal efficiency. What follows is a masterclass in "how quickly can a normal life ...