The Phantom Paragrapher

Review: Ask For Andrea - Noelle W. Ihli - April 2022  While I initially expected another hair-raising thriller after reading Noelle's book Run on Red , what I found was a uniquely captivating tale told from a spectral perspective that left me both exhilarated and enchanted. Imagine, if you will, three feisty female ghosts: spirited souls who, despite their tragic fates at the hands of the infuriatingly handsome (and sinfully charming) James “Jimmy” Carson—who might just as well be the lovechild of Chris Hemsworth and a picturesque dream—haunt the very world they once inhabited. Their voices weave together a narrative that is equal parts gripping and entertaining as they navigate the afterlife while trying to lay their murderous pasts to rest. What emerges is a thrilling ghost story—one where paranormal abilities don’t just serve as gimmicks, but as tools for justice. As the trio crunches down on cold cases and attempts to guide the detectives to their hidden resting places, I found

Review: You With A View - Jessica Joyce - July 2023 In Jessica Joyce’s delightful novel *You With a View*, we dive headfirst into the whirlwind journey of Noelle, a plucky young woman uncovering a family secret that’s juicier than grandma’s high-sugar peach cobbler. When Noelle discovers a bundle of love letters addressed to her enigmatic Grandmother Nana, along with some sultry photographs showcasing Nana in her youth, the allure of a mysterious past becomes impossible to resist. Who is this Paul who holds her grandmother's heart captive? Determined to uncover the truth, Noelle embarks on an adventure that turns into a heated detail of love, rivalry, and unexpected revelations. Nothing spices up a two-week road trip quite like discovering that your travel companion is none other than your high school nemesis, Theo. It seems fate has a wicked sense of humor. Although Noelle and Theo have a history filled with rivalry and sarcastic barbs, they are now joined together in the same cra

Review: Ten Twisty Tales - Teresa Bassett - April 2024 As October approached its spookiest threshold, I found myself yearning for a collection that would not only entertain but also leave me pondering long after the last page was turned. Enter **Ten Twisty Tales** by UK author Teresa Bassett, a young adult short story anthology that perfectly embodies the eerie essence of the season. Each narrative is a suspenseful exploration of childhood rebellion, revenge, and the incredible weight that a single choice can carry. Bassett's deft storytelling captivates the reader from the first tale, weaving a rich tapestry of emotions and moral quandaries. These stories follow naughty kids who, in their quest for retribution or excitement, find themselves backed into corners where split-second decisions can end lives or irrevocably change their paths. The recurring theme that choices—no matter how trivial they may seem at the time—can have far-reaching consequences resonates deeply throughout t

  Review: What I've Done - Book #4 Morgan Dane Series - Melinda Leigh - September 2018 Melinda Leigh has crafted yet another gripping entry in her Morgan Dane series with *What I’ve Done*, a thrilling tale that effortlessly pulls readers back into a world of suspense and family ties. This fourth installment centers around the mysterious murder of Noah Carter and the plight of Haley Powell, a young woman awash in confusion and blood, completely unaware of the events that led to waking up next to a corpse. As a fan , I found this novel a refreshing remedy to my recent reading slump, bridging the gap between mystery and emotional depth in a way that only the best thrillers can achieve. Morgan Dane, alongside her investigative partners Lance and Lincoln, takes on the daunting task of defending Haley, a client burdened by overwhelming evidence suggestive of her guilt. The story opens with Haley’s terrifying realization: she is the prime suspect in a murder she cannot remember committing

Title: Someone Knows Author: Vi Keeland Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Emily Bestler Books Genre: Standalone Thriller Release Date: June 17, 2025 BLURB As a college English professor, Elizabeth looks forward to the start of each new semester teaching her creative writing seminar. At least until she reads chapter one of The Reckoning , a tale about a high school senior who has an affair with her teacher. To anyone else it would be the beginning of a great page-turner, but to Elizabeth it is the beginning of the end. She knows this story. It’s all familiar because she lived it. The girl in the story was her best friend Jocelyn, and Elizabeth knows exactly how the story will end—with the teacher dead. Because she was the one who killed him. Someone knows what Elizabeth did twenty years ago and her secret is about to be exposed, but who is the mystery student submitting the chapters? In an effort to find out, Elizabeth returns to her Louisiana hometown where it soon becomes cl

Review: 49 Miles Alone - Natalie D. Richards - July 2024 Natalie D. Richards has a knack for creating suspenseful young adult thrillers, and her latest offering, *49 Miles Alone*, does not disappoint. Set against the breathtaking yet unforgiving backdrop of the Utah desert, this novel captures the raw emotions of its protagonists while expertly weaving a tale that delves into trauma, resilience, and the urgent need for survival. The book opens with a jarring prologue—a party that drastically alters the lives of cousins Aster and Katie. This haunting night of violence sets the stage for a story that explores the complexities of healing and rebuilding shattered friendships. A year later, the cousins embark on a four-day hike, hoping that the beauty of nature will help them reclaim their lives and their bond. However, the desert they once loved quickly morphs into a treacherous landscape filled with tension and uncertainty. The sense of dread escalates when the cousins encounter Riley and

Review: Detergent - Reid Mockery - December 2013 Reid Mockery’s *Detergent* is a vibrant and hilarious parody of Veronica Roth’s *Divergent*, and it might just be the most refreshing take on dystopian fiction since its original inception. From the very onset, readers are thrust into the absurd yet amusing world where Beverly Cryer, affectionately dubbed Vurl, must grapple with her upcoming faction choice. The stakes are indeed high: choose wisely or risk being branded a “Detergent” and doomed to a life of laundry duties. Luckily for us, Mockery expertly blends satire with a sprinkle of sharp wit, turning a popular narrative trope upside down. The premise of Vurl’s story plays off the structure and motifs of *Divergent* while introducing a host of over-the-top elements that keep readers laughing from start to finish. The factions range from hilariously mundane to outright bizarre, each representative of different societal quirks that Mockery pokes fun at with an unrelenting zeal. Vurl’s

Review: Last One to Die - Cynthia Murphy - January 2021 Niamh pronounced Neve has just arrived in the UK for a change of scenery and a chance of a lifetime as she has been given a spot on an elite drama program for the summer season. Her life is about to get crazy and dangerous as girls around her are being murdered and the scary thing is that they look like her and they are ones she has befriended. One minute they are here and the next they are dead. Who is killing the young woman and will Niamh and her new friend Jess - the daughter of the local librarian be able to solve the crimes before either Niamh or Jess becomes the next victim? Last One to Die by Cynthia Murphy is not just your usual YA thriller as the book takes a twist back into the past where we learn about a serial killer named Spring Heeled Jack, a factory worker, and a wealthy female Jane who looks like the spitting image of Niamh. Last One to Die was a good October aka Spooktober read as it moves from a thriller to a su

If You Lie: A Thriller Caleb Stephens Publication date: November 1st 2024 Genres: Adult, Thriller A buried past. A new-age cult. A floating prison with no way off. Seven years ago, Olivia woke up in the trunk of a stranger’s car—and barely escaped with her life. She’s been looking over her shoulder ever since. Now, Olivia is a true-crime podcaster on a mission to help other women avoid her fate. But years spent covering violence and crime have left her burned out. So when Olivia’s estranged sister Quinn invites her to reconnect on an exclusive cruise, she jumps at the chance for a break…only this trip won’t be the relaxing vacation she’s hoping for. The ship is elegant, the meals are divine, and the people are friendly—maybe too friendly. But Quinn isn’t the sister Olivia remembers. And strange things are starting to happen that echo Olivia’s past in unsettling ways. When someone on the ship goes missing, Olivia realizes she’s playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse. On