The Lincoln Lawyer

 Michael Connelly

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who operates in a very unusual way—he works out of the back seat of his Lincoln car, moving between courtrooms, clients, and jails. His world is built on plea deals, shifting stories, and reading people fast enough to stay ahead of the system. He’s not the polished courtroom hero type; he’s more of a street-smart strategist trying to survive inside a very messy legal ecosystem.

The story kicks into motion when Haller is hired by a wealthy client accused of a violent crime. At first glance, the case looks straightforward, almost like a routine high-paying defense job. The more Mickey digs deeper, the more he notices all the inconsistencies, which suggest that the situation is far more complex than he anticipated. He feels there is a lot of manipulation that is going on. 

In my opinion, the strongest aspect of the book is Mickey Haller himself. He’s a very interesting protagonist. His character arc is very engaging and has lots of charisma. Yes, there is moral ambiguity involved, but that made him more human. He doesn’t feel idealized—he feels like someone shaped by the compromises of his profession, which makes his decisions interesting even when they’re questionable.

The legal atmosphere is another highlight. It felt very authentic to me, though I should admit I’m not in the legal field, so this is purely based on perception rather than expertise. Still, the procedures, negotiations, and courtroom dynamics gave the story a grounded, believable texture that helped anchor the more dramatic twists.

The mystery at the core of the book is strong and well-structured, and the pacing keeps shifting between medium and fast, which helps maintain momentum without feeling overly rushed. That said, I did already watch the movie adaptation a few years ago starring Matthew McConaughey, so I suspect the shock value of some twists didn’t land as strongly for me as they might have otherwise. That’s not really a flaw in the book itself, more a case of me experiencing the story in the wrong order.

I also alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook, and I can’t entirely tell if that influenced my overall rating. The experience was smooth either way, but switching formats might have slightly changed my immersion at certain points. 

Overall, I’d give it a solid 3.5 stars. It’s a strong legal thriller with a compelling protagonist, an engaging mystery, and a consistently moving pace. I’m also aware there’s a Netflix adaptation of the story, which I plan to watch at some point. I’m curious to see how it compares to the book and the movie adaptation, and I am eager to know if the whole TV show covers this particular mystery or if it continues with the other books in the series.

Key Themes

• Justice
• Legal System
• Moral Ambiguity
• Power
• Inequality

The Whisper Man

 Alex North

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

I picked up this book after a very long time and with a lot of anticipation, especially given its reputation for being a chilling thriller with lots of emotional feel. The story is about Tom Kennedy and his son, Jake. The father and son move to a very quiet town, trying to start their life again after Tom’s wife passed. What they didn’t expect was that this town has a dark past tied to a serial killer called “The Whisper Man." 

When a child in the town goes missing, that whole past resurfaces, opening up the investigation. And things from there get more chilling and confusing. I found the premise of the book quite gripping, and it sets the stage for what I thought would be a deeply haunting mystery experience.

In my opinion, the strongest aspect of the book is its atmosphere. Alex North does an excellent job creating that feel of unease that keeps hanging over the entire story. The idea of someone whispering to children through their windows is honestly very creepy, and the tension the author created in some of the scenes really works. There’s a lingering darkness here that keeps you engaged even when the plot itself slows down.

The writing itself is also solid. It’s easy to read and, at times, quite touching, especially when dealing with themes of grief and loss that both the father and his son experience. North clearly knows how to build mood and emotion, and there are moments where the prose really shines. This made the book easy to move through, even when I wasn’t fully invested in the story.

That said, the characters felt underdeveloped. I think they rarely go beyond the familiar archetypes, which is a bummer. I wanted to connect with them on a deeper level, but that never happened. You know, when you are not too invested in the characters, it will be hard to care about them or the outcome of the mystery. 

The multiple POV structure didn’t work for me, which I feel ended up fragmenting the story rather than consolidating it. Probably one of the reasons for that is that I was alternating between reading and listening to the audiobook, and unfortunately, that didn’t help. The narrator felt like he was simply reading the text rather than performing it, which made it hard to follow whose POV he was reading. 

Combined with an ending that I found underwhelming, the book ultimately didn’t leave a strong impression. This is my second book by Alex North after The Angel Maker, and once again, it lands at a 3-star read for me—decent, but not particularly memorable.

Key Themes

• Loss
• Grief
• Serial Killer
• Small Town
• Fatherhood
• Childhood
• Isolation

Rock Paper Scissors

 Alex Feeney

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

Having already read Daisy Darker, I went into Rock Paper Scissors with a clear sense of what to expect from Alice Feeney—twists, secrets, and a narrative that plays games with the reader. The story is about a troubled married couple (Adam and Amelia) who spend their weekend in a remote chapel in Scotland trying to fix their failing marriage. Right from the beginning, you will feel there is something wrong with this marriage and that it was built on a weak foundation.

As you progress in the story, the narration changes a bit with the timeline shifting between past and present, and also POVs keep changing. I feel the present-day narrative was more tense and atmospheric as the couple was trapped in this eerie and isolated place. The author did a great job there and also in blurring the lines between the past and present.

What stood out to me the most in this book is how incredibly atmospheric it is. The remote, snow-covered setting, the quiet isolation of the chapel, and the constant sense of unease create a strong mood that carries the entire story. It’s the kind of book where the environment itself feels like a character, pressing in on the story and amplifying every secret and suspicion.

The pacing is another strong point. If you are looking for a fast read, this is definitely one. The chapters are short, and there is enough going on to keep things moving. It’s easy to fall into that “just one more chapter” loop, especially as the narrative starts layering revelations on top of each other. While some sections take their time building up the mystery, I never found myself bored—there was always a sense that something was about to click into place.

I appreciated the twists even though they lean more toward withholding information from the reader. Normally, that kind of approach can feel a bit manipulative, but here it worked for me because it fits the tone of the story. The book isn’t trying to be a traditional puzzle, it’s more about perspective and control over what is revealed and when.

Despite all these pros, I’d have to say that with multiple timelines and shifting viewpoints, it can sometimes be a disorienting experience. Maybe at times you will need to pause and reorient yourself so you won’t get lost. It’s not as detracting as it may sound, but I had to mention it. 

This story is not meant to have likable characters. They are people with lots of flaws, secrets, and emotional distance. This is what they are supposed to have, and all this fits the theme of the story. Rather than rooting for them, I found myself trying to understand them—and more importantly, trying to figure out what each of them was hiding. That sense of mistrust is one of the book’s strongest elements.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read for me and a solid 4-star experience. It delivered exactly what I was hoping for after “Daisy Darker”: a fast-paced, twisty story wrapped in a thick, atmospheric setting.

Key Themes

• Secrets
• Deception
• Failed Marriage
• Emotional Distance
• Manipulation
• Isolation
• Control 

The Last Time We Saw Her

 Jaclyn Goldis

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller 

A decade ago, Sydney disappeared on a remote island while being among teenagers who went for a summer camp trip. This happened during a mysterious treasure hunt. Now the same group is returning to the island for a reunion to revisit the past and participate in a documentary. 

The premise of the book is something I was very interested in, and I thought I’d enjoy it a lot. The idea of a long-buried secret that resurfaces and haunts the involved parties is also compelling. To be fair, the book succeeded in creating that dreadful, uneasy atmosphere. That tension keeps increasing as you progress in the reading. I had that feeling that every single character was hiding something.

One of the strengths of the book is its neat structure. Yes, there are multiple points of view, and the shift between past and present timelines made things somewhat confusing. However, the author clearly put thought into how the story unfolds. The pieces do come together in the end, giving you the bigger picture, even if getting there wasn’t as smooth as I would’ve liked. 

The biggest issue for me, though, was the pacing. This isn’t a particularly long book, yet it felt much longer than it actually is. Many scenes felt stretched more than needed. I feel a tighter edit would have made a huge difference, and a faster pace would have made the story more engaging. 

In terms of the characters, in general, the author did a decent job with them—especially when it comes to their history as a group of teenagers during the past. However, not all the characters are fully developed. This could be intentional, so the book won’t get longer. I might be mistaken.

The book is decent but not particularly memorable. The revelations and twists do bring some kind of closure and might give you some surprise moments, but they don’t quite elevate the tale into something special and unforgettable. In other words, that lasting impact is not as strong as I’d hoped for.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

Key Themes

• Secrets
• Hidden Truth
• Friendship
• Betrayal
• Loyalty
• Guilt
• Identity
• Isolation

The Tuxedo Society

 Paul Rudnick

Rating: ⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Mystery Thriller + LGBTQ+

I chose The Tuxedo Society from NetGalley expecting it to be a fun, campy queer spy adventure, and to be fair, it is all that, but just not the way I was hoping it would be. The premise sounds great with a secret society of queer spies who operate with all the glamour, wit, and high-stakes missions. The concept is a mixture of espionage and comedy. I think it is a strong concept, but the execution feels uneven.

It is safe to say that the biggest strength of the book is its humor when it is relevant to the situation. There are genuinely funny moments scattered throughout, with witty dialogue and absurd situations that fully embrace the ridiculousness of the premise. The writing is obviously leaning heavily into satire—not taking itself seriously. 

The book has an extremely campy tone, which can be a hit or a miss depending on your taste. The plot can be over the top and at times lean towards absurdity, which is all intentional. So, in other words, the story requires a complete suspension of disbelief. Don’t expect grounded storytelling here.

The pace is very fast, and you will find characters jumping from one mission to another before you can blink your eyes. I think readers who enjoy fast-paced stories might appreciate that, but I personally felt things were a bit messy, chaotic, and at times difficult to follow. I felt overwhelmed quite often and had to question why things were all over the place.

In terms of the characters, strangely, the main character felt underdeveloped. A few of the secondary ones felt more interesting to me than the protagonist. I just wish the author had invested more in building these characters. The reliance on gay stereotypes didn’t help the story, and I feel it backfired. There is also a heavy dose of pop culture references, which can get exhausting if you are not into that. 

In the end, this is one of those books that will strongly depend on your tolerance for absurdity. For me, it lands somewhere in the middle: entertaining but messy, funny but inconsistent. A 2.5-star read feels right—it’s not bad, but it never quite comes together into something truly satisfying. If you’re in the mood for something loud, chaotic, and unserious, it might work for you. Otherwise, this could be a frustrating ride.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

Key Themes

• Identity
• Self-Acceptance
• Queer
• Camp
• Friendship
• Espionage
• Adventure

Night Film

 Marisha Pessl

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Genre: Mystery Thriller

Initial Impression
I got this book back in 2017 after hearing lots of praise for how interactive the story is—how it actively engages readers in solving the mystery. Based on all those great things I’d heard, I finally decided to get myself a copy. It sat unread on my shelf for far too long, so this month I finally tackled this brick!

Summary
The story opens with Scott McGrath, a disgraced investigative journalist whose career took a severe hit after he publicly condemned the elusive and controversial filmmaker Stanislas Cordova. McGrath is drawn back into the Cordova world when he learns of the apparent suicide of Stanislas’s twenty-four-year-old daughter, Ashley. Seeing this as a chance for personal and professional redemption, McGrath launches his own investigation. He begins by obtaining Ashley’s police file from Detective Sharon Falcone and enlists the help of Nora Halliday, a young woman he meets at the Waldorf Towers, and Hopper Cole, who knew Ashley from a wilderness therapy program.

As McGrath, Nora, and Hopper dig deeper into Ashley’s final days, they uncover unsettling events and conflicting accounts. Things kept interesting for me as they learned that Ashley escaped a mental institution called Briarwood Hall, aided by a night watchman named Morgan Devold. Their search leads them to various places Ashley had visited.

Interviews with people who knew Cordova—like his former wife and actress Marlowe Hughes—suggest that Ashley had violent tendencies and may have been affected by a "devil’s curse" tied to something that happened at Cordova’s remote estate, The Peak. McGrath and his team also meet Hugo Villarde, a former priest known as “the Spider,” who talks about strange rituals Cordova performed using children’s belongings to try to lift the curse. When McGrath sneaks into The Peak himself, the terrifying things he experiences make him believe that Cordova’s films and real life are disturbingly connected.

Characters

• Scott McGrath: A disgraced journalist seeking redemption through investigating Ashley’s death.
• Stanislas Cordova: The reclusive, controversial filmmaker whose dark work blurs fiction and reality.
• Ashley Cordova: Stanislas’s daughter, whose mysterious death sparks the investigation.
• Nora Halliday: A young aspiring actress working as a coat-check girl who assists McGrath.
• Hopper Cole: A young man with a personal connection to Ashley, revealed through shared tattoos.
• Inez Gallo (“Coyote”): Cordova’s longtime assistant, controlling the family’s public image and secrets.

Writing Style
The writing is richly descriptive and atmospheric, pulling the reader into a world where reality and fiction constantly blur. Vivid imagery and meticulous detail create strong sensory experiences—from lavish New York restaurants to bleak upstate institutions. The tone is suspenseful and tense, building dread through subtle, uncanny hints and portraying McGrath’s fragile grasp on sanity. Philosophical and metaphorical language explores truth, belief, and the human condition through evocative symbolism.

Setting and Atmosphere
The settings intricately weave a pervasive sense of unsettling mystery. The story moves through a labyrinthine New York City—from the misty, lamplit Central Park Reservoir to the opulent yet lonely Waldorf Towers and the grim Chinatown warehouse where Ashley’s body was found. These urban spaces range from “thriving yet empty” to claustrophobic.

In contrast, the mental institution Briarwood Hall feels cold and restrictive. Cordova’s estate, The Peak, is both beautiful and frightening, filled with strange rituals, hidden tunnels, and creepy film sets. Other far-off places, like the empty beach in Montauk and the dark, misty island of Chiloé in Chile, add to the heavy and unsettling mood. Details like bad smells, icy wind, and eerie silence make the world feel magical but twisted, where it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s not.

Overall Impression
In my opinion, this story delivers an intensely atmospheric and richly detailed world that blurs reality and imagination, making for an immersive experience. The vivid writing style and pervasive suspense echo the dark, controversial works of Cordova himself. The characters are compelling—I wouldn’t say I loved them, but I appreciate the depth the author gave them.

However, I feel the deliberate ambiguity, paired with the many shifting perspectives and unanswered questions, can sometimes feel disorienting and overwhelming—making it hard to understand what’s really true. Also, I don’t think the story needed over 500 pages to be told. Overall, it was an entertaining mystery thriller—just not a favorite of mine.

Key Themes

• Obsession and its Consequences
• Family Secrets and Legacies
• The Power and Influence of Art
• Loss, Grief, and Isolation
• Psychological Vulnerability and Disorientation

Since We Fell

 Dennis Lehane

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

Initial Impression
Starting Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane was a bit challenging for me, especially since the only other book I’d read by him was Mystic River—one of my all-time favorite mystery thrillers and a solid 5-star read. So, naturally, I had very high expectations going into this one.

Summary
Rachel Childs is a woman plagued by frequent panic attacks and mental health struggles. A very public breakdown ends her career as a journalist, prompting her to withdraw from the world, which strains her relationships with family and friends.

Her difficult childhood, marked by the mystery surrounding her father’s identity, leads Rachel to hire a private investigator named Brian to find him. The two form a close bond that eventually turns into marriage. Brian helps Rachel re-engage with life, but soon she begins to suspect that Brian is hiding something. The story leaves readers questioning whether Rachel’s suspicions are justified or if they’re a product of her fragile mental state.

Characters
Dennis Lehane is skilled at crafting strong characters. While I didn’t have a clear favorite in this book, I think he did a solid job with the main characters. The relationship between Rachel and Brian is the heart of the story.

Portraying a protagonist struggling with mental illness adds emotional depth not just to Rachel but also to the plot. Brian plays a key role in a subplot I won’t spoil here, but readers will gradually uncover his true motives.

Writing Style
Lehane’s writing is undeniably excellent. Known for his detailed descriptions and realistic dialogue, both qualities shine through in this novel. Although Since We Fell is categorized as a mystery thriller, Lehane blends in elements of drama and espionage, creating a genre mix that keeps the story layered.

Setting and Atmosphere
The story moves between two main settings: the hectic streets of New York City, where Rachel once worked, and a quiet small town where she isolates herself. The dominant atmosphere is one of psychological tension—whether it’s the turmoil inside Rachel’s mind or the external suspense of the plot.

Emotional distress permeates the story. Rachel’s fear, distrust, and sense of betrayal keep the tension alive, and you can feel that unease vividly throughout the book.

Overall Impression
Overall, Since We Fell was an okay read for me. It didn’t live up to the high bar set by Mystic River. The pacing felt slow, and Rachel’s ongoing mental health struggles, while important, sometimes weighed the story down. I understand the significance of portraying these issues, but when reading a mystery thriller, I expect a bit more engagement and entertainment alongside the emotional weight.

Key Themes

• Mental Health
• Trauma
• Identity and Self-Discovery
• Reality vs. Imagination
• Trust and Betrayal

Descent

 Tim Johnston

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Descent is a mystery thriller that follows the Courtland family during their summer vacation in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. When 18-year-old Caitlin and her younger brother Sean go for a morning run in the mountains, Caitlin disappears, and Sean is left injured and traumatized. This is where the family’s nightmare begins — not knowing how to find their daughter or what exactly happened to her.

When there’s a loss like this, many families either break or grow distant. In this case, the mother decides to return home while the father stays in Colorado to continue searching the wilderness for his missing daughter. Meanwhile, Sean struggles to grow up with the weight of trauma he can’t shake off. Each member of the family copes with the emotional aftermath in their own way, and the narration shifts between them to capture their inner lives and the slow, aching toll of grief.

The strongest aspect of the book, for me, is Johnston’s beautiful literary prose. His writing is often poetic and deeply reflective. If you enjoy literary fiction, there's a lot to appreciate in the way he describes both the natural world and the emotional terrain of his characters. Unlike many thrillers written today, Descent feels grounded and realistic — at least for the first 80% of the story. The ending leans more into conventional thriller territory, and that shift, in my opinion, undercuts some of the realism built up earlier.

Descent has a lot going for it: rich, thoughtful writing, well-drawn characters, and a convincing portrayal of grief and survival. Where it falters is in its pacing. This book is marketed as a thriller, and while it starts off that way, the entire middle section felt much more like literary fiction. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — I enjoy both genres — but when I pick up a thriller, I’m usually in the mood for a fast-paced, tension-driven story. Likewise, if I pick up a literary novel, I expect a slower, more introspective read. This book sits somewhere in between, and that can be frustrating depending on what you're expecting going in.

The issue, really, is that it tries to be both, and for me, that didn’t fully work. Had it been structured entirely as literary fiction, I think the story would have felt more cohesive — especially with a different kind of ending. The one we get is more suited to a thriller, but it doesn’t quite match the tone or pace of the bulk of the book.

Caitlin’s sections, which should’ve been the most gripping emotionally, are also too limited for much of the novel. We do get to see her strength, especially toward the end, but I wanted more of her voice earlier. And when the ending finally comes, it feels rushed — almost too quick and clean after such a slow, heavy build-up.

Overall, I think Descent is a decent read, but it’s best approached with the right expectations. If you're looking for a literary exploration of trauma with occasional bursts of suspense, this will likely resonate with you. But if you’re after a page-turning thriller, you may find yourself disappointed by how slowly it moves.

Dead of Summer

 Jessa Maxwell

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Mystery Thriller

This novel is the second book I've read by Jessa Maxwell. The first was her debut novel, The Golden Spoon, a 5-star book for me. Obviously, I had very high expectations of this mystery thriller, as I loved everything about the author’s debut novel.

The story takes place on a secluded island in New England and follows a set of characters. There is Orla O’Connor, who is returning to the island after a very long time, and this return brings back many buried memories of her best friend’s mysterious disappearance when they were teenagers. 

Then there is David, who is also bringing his girlfriend, Faith, to introduce her to his family. Faith, being fascinated with the island, will start digging into its past and the secrets that are buried about it. Henry is another character that we follow his perspective. He was once considered a suspect in Alice's disappearance. And now, since Orla is back, he feels completely unsettled about her presence. 

The book has an atmospheric setting, no doubt about that. The isolated island feels eerie at times, which completely suits the main theme. The story shifts between multiple perspectives, giving the readers a better understanding of each character’s behavior and motives. 

The twists and turns were enjoyable for the most part. Yes, some were predictable, but that happens, and it is OK. I think character development would have benefited from some more depth. Overall, the story is a decent mystery thriller that you might enjoy reading, but don’t expect it to be a groundbreaking one. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Julie Chan Is Dead

Liann Zhang

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

Julie Chan is a supermarket cashier, while her identical twin sister, Chloe, is a social media influencer and sensation. The two sisters were separated at a young age following the death of their parents. So the sisters were never close. One video of Chloe’s reunion with her sister goes viral, and Julie Chan comes into the picture and her sister’s life. But she discovers that all the kindness that her sister shows her is just a way to get more views!

One day Julie Chan finds her sister dead at her place, so the idea comes to her to become Chloe and claim that Julie Chan is dead instead. The glamorous lifestyle that Chloe lived encourages Julie to do that, unaware of the dark secrets that her sister had.

I’m a big fan of stories that involve twins, so this checked one big box for me. For a debut novel, the book was very entertaining. It is nicely written, and the story has constant tension and twists. The more secrets came out, the more the protagonist realized that her decision was a very foolish one.

The story concentrates on themes like distant sibling relationships, manipulation, the influencer culture, and one’s identity. The pace is fast and steady. However, there are no likable characters in this book. Both the twins were not decent human beings. They both were selfish and manipulative.

If you read this book and enjoy it, try to watch Bette Davis’ Dead Ringer (1963). I love that movie, and it has a very similar theme to this book, where the poor sister kills her rich twin sister and impersonates her. Like this book, that film has lots of tension and stressful events.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.