Stuart Neville's Mystery, "Those We Left Behind," is a Superb Psychological Thriller Involving Sibling Abuse!
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In Belfast, Ireland, Ciaran Devine was only twelve years old when he was convicted for brutally slaying his foster father, David Rolston. Seven years later, Ciaran is paroled. Detective Chief Inspector Serena Flanagan still believes Ciaran is innocent; his older brother, Thomas, must've coerced him into confessing to Rolston's murder. Supervisors urge her to leave the case alone; both brothers served their time: Ciaran for murder and Thomas for being his accomplice. However, soon after Ciaran's release, anyone who angers Thomas is severely beaten or murdered.

Stuart Neville's "Those We Left Behind" is a superb psychological thriller based on sibling abuse. It is the fifth installment in a unique, oftentimes bizarre, series involving the criminal underworld of Belfast, Ireland ("The Ghosts of Belfast," "Collusion," "Lost Souls," "The Final Silence," and "Those We Left Behind"). In Neville's latest novel, Detective Inspector Jack Lennon has been replaced as the protagonist. Serena Flanagan, who was introduced in "The Final Silence," will now be the one whose life is in danger.

Serena is a strong, intelligent woman who is very career driven. She is also married with two young children. As though her career and raising a family isn't stressful enough, she is recovering from breast cancer. She has joined a support group. Further complicating her life is a friend, Penny Walker, who informs her that her breast cancer has returned with a vengeance. That very evening, Penny is found dead by suffocation and her husband dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Serena finds this murder-suicide extremely suspicious.

From the novel's onset, readers soon learn that Thomas has a perverse hold over his younger brother, Ciaran. At one point, as they lay together on the bed, spooning and caressing, I nearly believed they were lovers, but the novel never depicts that their relationship is ever sexual. Thomas is only two years older than Ciaran. Their age difference is not much. I could understand better if there existed a five years age difference such as the one between my older brother, Fred, and myself. Nevertheless, the relationship between the Devines is an abusive one.

Ciaran is helpless without Thomas. He can't do anything without consulting his brother, without first obtaining his approval. He is trapped. Readers will feel much sorrow for Ciaran. I've read many novels where parents and spouses have exercised a dangerous control over other members of their family. This is the first one I've read that dealt with sibling abuse: one child abusing another. Unfortunately, the Devines are orphans, having been shuffled among numerous foster families.

"Those We Left Behind" is very different from the other novels in the series. It doesn't involve the supernatural, it doesn't have vicious serial killers, and it doesn't involve human trafficking. Neither does it have a high body count. It is not a shoot-'em-up crime drama. It is, however, a very unsettling, very disturbing, very emotional psychological thriller. Beatings, vandalism and an occasional corpse, however, do help maintain a fast pacing. Depending upon their preferences, some readers may think "Those We Left Behind" is the best in the series. Nevertheless, I don't want to be left behind when Stuart Neville's next novel is published.
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This is a terrific, suspenseful story that had me on the edge of my seat while I read it and could not put it down! A great mystery that reels you in while twisting  and turning every which way.
What a dilemma our librarian Becky Rose has for herself, after coming home from work to find her back door wide open,blood around the room and her husband dead on the floor! As different people appear to know what her husband was planning, the killer is hard to guess. Just when you believe you understand what is happening...BOOM!!
Anyone who enjoys a superb psychological nightmare needs to pick up this book...I bet you can NOT put it down!!
2219073
4.25 stars!

A mother's worst nightmare. A missing child. Families steeped in scandal.

All of the above (plus the multiple POV) makes this book the perfect recipe for for the best kind of psychological/domestic thriller! So many suspects, so much high flying tension - and how does it all come together? Well, you're going to have to find out for yourself (and I highly recommend you do)!

This is my second Kimberly Belle novel and she continues to impress me with each book she writes.

I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
618809
Elizabeth Corley is an exceptional writer who draws us in with her chilling, dark, and complex psychological thrillers.  She is a master storyteller who sheds light on the ways in which people deceive themselves and others, rationalize their inexecusable behavior, and conceal scandalous secrets.  "Innocent Blood" is an agonizing tale about malicious men with perverted appetites who target vulnerable boys.  The author flashes back to a time in the early eighties when a fourteen-year-old named Paul takes money from "special friends" who sexually exploit him.  Sadly, Paul is one of many who are brutalized in this manner.  Some of these children disappear; their parents hold vigils for years, waiting in terror for news that never comes.  Even the youngsters who manage to survive end up profoundly damaged.  They are unable to form normal relationships and often lose their ability to trust.

Twenty-five years pass.  Detective Inspector Louise Nightingale of Harlden CID has climbed quickly in the ranks; some of her fellow officers are convinced that favoritism played a role in her promotion.  Nightingale, who is smart, tough, and tenacious, resolutely ignores the jibes, determined to prove her detractors wrong.  The man she most admires, DCI Andrew Fenwick, is in charge of the West Sussex Major Crimes Squad and is currently preoccupied with the "Choir Boy" investigation.  Law enforcement officials have been tipped off about a ring of pedophiles operating in the area.  Andrew decides to expend his department's limited resources conducting surveillance in an attempt to identify the ringleaders.  Soon, Louise and Andrew, whose friendship has become strained of late, join forces when the cases that they are working on appear to be interconnected.

Corley holds our interest with her pitch-perfect dialogue; intense and compelling plot; and detailed account of the enormous time and effort it takes to make progress in a major police investigation.  Fenwick and Nightingale, along with their support staff, work endlessly searching for leads.  They meticulously check for DNA, fingerprint, and other physical evidence;  interview scores of witnesses, sometimes more than once; slog through old files; and, when necessary, make appeals on television for information from the public.  The author provides keen insight into her characters' personalities. Among the most memorable in "Innocent Blood" are: Jeremy Maidment, a spit-and-polish former military man with an iron will and unshakeable code of honor; Sarah Hill, who is shattered after her son's disappearance leaves her isolated and close to a mental breakdown; and Assistant Chief Constable Harper-Brown, Fenwick's nemesis, a man who is sometimes more concerned about his dwindling budget, negative press coverage, and political considerations than he is with the fair and impartial dispensation of justice.  Louise and Andrew are two of a kind: obsessive, ambitious, bossy, tough, and a bit self-centered.  Although they have their differences, Nightingale and Fenwick put personal considerations aside when they team up to prevail over a band of violent, avaricious, and remorseless criminals.  This fourth installment in Corley's consistently excellent series is as powerfully addictive and unsettling as its predecessors.
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This is a murder mystery with a fascinating twist.  The question is not only who the murderer is, but who is being murdered.  The answer lies in who's philosophic premises you agree with.  The book brilliantly explores the psychology of the murderer and the murderer's motivation.  The author provides ample clues and psychological insights, and as it builds to a climax, interruptions to reading cannot be permitted.  I think the book would make a riveting movie.  I look forward to Ms Peikoff's next novel.
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Michael Robotham's murder mystery, Shatter is a gripping psychological thriller. Psychologist Joseph O'Loughlin is compelled to discover what drove Christine Wheeler to leap to her death. Was it suicide? Or was it something far more sinister?

Joe O'Loughlin is an incredibly complex protagonist. Stricken by early onset Parkinson's disease Joe is a part-time psychology professor and full-time dad to daughters Emma and Charlie. While able to clearly read strangers and acquaintances, Joe readily admits an inability to understand his own actions and motivations. His involvement with the murder investigation strains his relationship with his wife Julianne and further undermines their increasingly troubled marriage.

With retired police investigator Vincent Ruiz's aid, they quickly discover the twisted and sadistic killer's identity. Their attempts to track down the elusive murderer turn into a game of cat and mouse as he skillfully eludes capture. When the killer strikes close to home, Joe is in a race against time to save the latest victims.

Told from both Joe's and the killer's perspective, Shatter is a fast-paced novel with a realistic plot. Michael Robotham engages the reader with unexpected humor, appealing characters and a unique and compelling storyline. Unexpected twists and turns along with a fascinating look into the mind of a horrific killer keep the reader on the edge of their seat as Shatter comes to its exciting and satisfying conclusion.

The third book in a series, Shatter can easily be read as a standalone novel but you won't want to miss a single installment of this fabulous series. I am eagerly anticipating the next Joe O'Loughlin mystery Bleed for Me which will be available February 27th.
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Its no secret that I love psychological thrillers, they're one of my favorite sub genres and reading one that brings something new to the table is cause for celebration. This is told solely from Kates perspective and is laid out in a standard, linear manner with just one timeline to follow, although the past does play a huge role in the storyline. I know many of you are tired of books that jump from past to present with several narrators, so I wanted to make sure I shared that! Kate is a psychiatrist, with a special interest in children and I loved seeing things from such a fresh perspective.

Kate has a dark family history full of pain and tragedy, shes a highly complex woman who fascinated me. This is a character driven story with an incredibly well thought out cast of characters, although as the book goes on the tension increases at a steady pace, drawing the reader in slowly. I kept thinking I had things all figured out ahead of time only to be proven wrong over and over again, I just love when a book keeps the surprises coming! This was very well constructed and really kept me on my toes, I never did actually guess anything correctly before it was revealed.

By the end of this book it took me a minute to realize that I had read the last twenty percent at a frantic pace, things were so intense and exciting I was racing to see what would happen next. Things ended in an ultimately satisfying conclusion and had me nodding my head in appreciation of the way Blanchard had fit all of the pieces of the puzzle together.

A Breath After Drowning in three words: Controlled, Fresh, and Intriguing.
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Lei Zhang and Emma Nilsson survived a night of unspeakable horror. Twelve years later, it appears their nightmare is starting all over again. Only this time, the women are no longer unsuspecting sorority girls. Though they still fight the emotional scars that night left on them, they also do what they can to help find and bring closure to those not as lucky as they were that fateful night.

A chilling sociopath and nail-biting suspense make The Surviving Girls by Katee Robert an intense, psychological thriller that keeps its readers guessing to the very end. Few suspense books are able to fool me so expertly as this one did, making me doubt myself more than once over the course of my reading experience. And I absolutely loved it!

This book was tightly-woven and expertly plotted, giving rise to strong female characters who though a little bit broken aren't sitting idly by while life moves on without them. Lei and Emma have formed an unbreakable bond, and it made this book all the more special for it.

A brilliant suspense read and an incredible addition to the Hidden Sins series. If you haven't yet read these books, I highly recommend this one. The Surviving Girls is Katee Robert at her chilling and suspenseful best!
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4.5/5 stars

Such Dark Things is a standalone psychological thriller. It is written by Courtney Cole under the pen name of Courtney Evan Tate.

I absolutely love psychological thrillers. So when I found out that Courtney Cole had written one I knew that I had to read this book.

This book was compelling. This book was captivating. I could not put this book down!

This book has two narrators: Corrine and Jude (a married couple in their mid-30s). The book goes back and forth in time (between NOW and about a month before - this latter time period moves slowly forward to the present).

Corrine and Jude live in Chicago. She is a busy ER physician, who works a lot. He is a therapist, who seems to have a more set schedule. Jude has a twin brother Michel. Corrine has a sister Jackie.

This book is a psychological thriller. The book starts with a prologue. There are two first person POVs. 17 years ago something happened in Corrine's life on Halloween. People died. She has blocked out what happened. This is a big part of the story.

I am not always a huge fan of a story going back and forth in time. But I thought that it worked very well in this book, especially since it was all stuff that happened in the last month.

Corrine was an interesting character. She is paranoid and also worried that she might go crazy.

I definitely enjoy a good thriller. In this book there is so much going on. What happened all those years ago? What is happening now? What is she blocking out? I loved it all.

I found the book intriguing right from the start. But how I felt overall would depend on whether there were any good twists. And how the book ended. I was definitely satisfied with both of these things.

There were a bunch of characters of note. I was really fascinated by Michel. He had such an unusual profession given who he was. Also there was a twenty-something named Zoe who worked at the diner where Jude and his brother ate every day. I could not stand her right from the start.

I was so anxious reading this book wondering what was going to happen next. I was on the edge of my seat. I definitely put some of the pieces together. But honestly there were some things that I did not see coming.

I was dying to know how this story would end. This book was riveting. This book was exciting. This book was crazy. This book was chilling. Honestly I could not put this book down. The end made me cry. Overall this was a really good book.

Thanks to netgalley and HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada)/ MIRA for allowing me to read this book.
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This is one brilliant, psychological thriller from acclaimed author, Kathryn Croft. From the first page, this book had me gripped and guessing right until the end. The final twist is nothing short of phenomenal. Read it, but don't expect to come up for air until you've finished!
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McGrath has created an evocative, shadowed mystery all the more compelling for the fact that it is born in childhood experience, young Charlie Weir the heir of a dysfunctional family that ultimately casts him in the role of caretaker. With parents that lash out at one another and a gregarious brother who seeks his identity outside their troubled home, Charlie is the de facto caretaker of his alcoholic, depressed mother, who pens somewhat successful mysteries in her later years, ever praising older son, Walt, a successful artist, while denigrating Charlie's efforts to bring a modicum of peace and order to his mother's self-destructive days. While Fred Weir abandons his family for a younger woman and a wasted life of philandering, Charlie is the only one willing to step into the breech and protect the family from complete disintegration. It is no surprise, then, that in the 1970s Charlie should become a doctor who specializes in treating the mental disorders of returning Vietnam vets suffering from PTSD.

One of these damaged vets, Danny, is the focus of Charlie's professional energy, the young man severely traumatized by what he has seen- and done- while in service to his country. Danny's sister, Agnes, is an unexpected gift to the young doctor; Charlie and Agnes marry and have a daughter, Cassie, embracing the tormented Danny as a part of their small family. But Danny's slow disintegration ultimately takes a toll on the marriage, Charlie unable to comfort Agnes when she most needs him. His work becomes salvation until his mother's death, when Charlie's careful house of cards comes crashing down: he assumes her chronic depression, a cloak of dread that weighs upon every aspect of his life. Charlie finds brief respite in Agnes' kindness and a chaotic romance with an equally-damaged Nora Chiara; but Charlie soon realizes that the needy Nora, while thrilling and seductive, is an emotional burden he cannot carry.

In an effort at self-preservation, Charlie changes jobs and location, drawn to a familiar place to confront his family drama. Subconsciously searching for safety, Charlie comes face to face with his own truth. His protagonist the heart of this complex psychological thriller, McGrath exposes the layers of denial and pain that have shielded Charlie Weir from the memory he fears. The human mind as dark and many-chambered as any nightmarish crime scene, this illness is far more subtle and pervasive, turning a well-meant life into a series of painful episodes that batter Charlie's psyche and leave him unable to navigate the world. Facing his brother, Walt, and an indifferent father in a heart-stopping moment of reckoning, Charlie's harrowing confrontation with the past is long overdue, his path strewn with loss and disappointment. A broken man, Charlie must find the strength to save the child he once was from a long-buried memory, to return to a life worth sustaining. Luan Gaines/ 2008.
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This book paints a picture of a psychologically disturbed family, full of manipulation and influence, the mother exhibiting a narcissistic personality disorder. The story is disturbing, captivating, and twisted. The first chapter really grabs your attention and peaks your curiosity. The book starts in present day on the day Cassandra returns home after being missing for three years. The two sisters in the book vanished on the same day, but her older sister, Emma, is still missing. There is quite a bit of background and character development in this first chapter that lays the groundwork for this complex psychological thriller. The plot is peeled back methodically, interjecting key points with surgical precision. Foreshadowing and subtle clues throughout keep you turning the pages to discover what happened three years ago, what the sisters have been up to since then, and if they will ever find Emma.

Dr. Abigail Winter is the forensic psychologist from the FBI that was investigating the original disappearance case. Even though she was removed from the case a year prior, the details and circumstances of this case continued to haunt Abby. She is recalled to the case when Cassandra reappears. The chapters alternate between the points of view of Cassandra and Dr. Winter, exposing the thoughts and motives of each as the investigation unfolds. Dr. Winter's character is well developed through memories and internal reflection regarding her own mother and sister. As Cassandra recounts the goings on of the past three years, Dr. Winter and FBI agent Leo Strauss desperately try to piece together the puzzle. However, Dr. Winter cannot shake the feeling that Cassandra's story just does not add up, either something she has said or maybe something she has not said. The investigation leads to a very shocking yet satisfying conclusion.

I would recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense. I received this book as a free ARC from St. Martin's Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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The book cover encapsulates the plot of the book brilliantly.  There are two protagonists, their lives intersect, and there is a disturbance in the field just outside the intersect.  Though the plot is static, the book feels dynamic because the degree to which their lives tangle is spooled out ever so slowly creating a great deal of tension.
The themes are large, mental illness, the legacy of the Holocaust, and adoption and the meaning of family.
This book is a psychological thriller with rich layers and complexity unfolding from the leather chairs of a therapist's office, and the eavesdropping stalker in the adjoining office, and it kept me on the edge of my own seat for the duration!
2151463
Traces of Kara is a must read book. Melissa Foster has done it again with this psychological thriller! Wow! It took me to so many places. The emotional ride this story takes the reader is out of this world. Kara Knight takes you into a very deep journey. This is the kind of character that you as the reader root on and admire. This is one pychological thriller that really digs into one's own soul. Bravo Melissa Foster!
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I was thoroughly thrilled when. New CJ Lyons' book was released.  I love that she brought Morgan back.  This was an excellent psychological thriller.  As a mother of four and grandmother of seven, many passages tore at my heart...but love makes us react.  Superb read!
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Who would have thought that a skiing accident would lead to solving a kidnapping, murder and over all intense drama? This is a book that's hard to put down, you think, just one more chapter, just one more!  This psychological thriller delves into depression and psychopathy and will keep you intrigued long after you finish the book. I loved the ending!
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Cache a Predator is a wonderfully dark mystery, with characters so real you'd believe they had lived alongside you their whole lives. It is an excellent whodunit mystery with a very real reminder that child abuse exists in our lives, even where you least expect it.

Because of it's focus on child abuse and custody situations, it hits very close to home for many many people. For that reason it can be very difficult to read, yet it's nearly impossible to put down. I read it almost entirely in one sitting, because I couldn't stand to walk away before I found out what happened to Quinn and Brett.

The addition of geocaching is a neat touch, as it's a new idea to so many people. This is a phenomenal book that should definitely become a series! I'd love to continue to follow in Quinn, Brett and Sarah's lives as they do what they can to help others.

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.