Thriller – Page 2 – Jill's Book Blog

Pub Day Review: Difficult Girls

Title: Difficult Girls
Author: Veronica Bane
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A teen girl’s attempt at social reinvention takes a deadly turn when a co-worker disappears—and she learns she may have been the last person to see the missing girl—in this razor-sharp, murderously funny thriller debut.

After the incident last year, Greta Riley Green is looking for reinvention—a fresh start—and a job at Hyper Kid Magic Land, the local amusement park, seems like the perfect way to forge a new path . . . no matter what it takes.

So when fate pulls Greta into Mercy Goodwin’s orbit, it feels like things are looking up. Beautiful and confident, Mercy dazzles audiences daily. And at the first party of the summer, she picks Greta to confide in. Mercy has a secret to share, if Greta will just meet her the next day. It’s a sign that Greta’s truly fitting in.

Only, when the time comes, Mercy is a no-show—as she is everyday after that—and Greta knows something’s wrong. She can’t help thinking back to the night of the party. Did Mercy seem upset? Terrified, even? Could she be in trouble? It wouldn’t be the first time a talented young performer came to a sinister end at Hyper Kid. . . .

Of course, Greta has her own issues with the past, and the more she uncovers Hyper Kid’s secrets, the more her own threaten to surface. This job was meant to be a reboot, a summer without trouble. But trouble, it seems, finds Greta, and her past—and the bloody past of Hyper Kid—is about to catch up with her.

Review:

This was a creepy summer thriller. It had a great summer setting in a theme park. I liked that there was some suspense about what happened in Greta’s past. I couldn’t figure out the mystery of what happened to Mercy. There were some key clues that were held back until the end, but it was a satisfying ending!

Difficult Girls is a great summer thriller!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: divorce, bullying, murder, suicide, knife violence

Have you read Difficult Girls? What did you think of it?

Review: We Are Villains

Title: We Are Villains
Author: Kacen Callender
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Henry N. Abrams
Source: Manda Group
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callendar comes a thrilling, dark academia YA about murder, blackmail, and the one person determined to discover the truth, no matter the cost

What happened to Arianna Reynolds?

Ari’s death was ruled an accident, but for her best friend Milo, it’s shrouded in mystery. Why was she in the woods on the night of the fire? Had she been alone? Figuring out what happened the night Ari died is the only reason Milo returns to Yates Academy, even knowing he’ll be in constant danger. . .

Liam is the King of Yates, a role he keeps hold of through his family’s old money—and the threat of violence. So when he begins receiving ominous letters from another student accusing him of murdering Ari, the suspect list is long. Desperate to prove his innocence before the accusation ruins his reign, Liam enlists Milo’s help to find the blackmailer. But the more Milo helps Liam, the more he becomes certain that Liam has something to hide.

As Milo comes closer to the truth, he uncovers secrets that everyone wants to keep buried . . . Featuring a cast of queer characters of color, We Are Villains is an electrifying mystery that will keep readers guessing.

Review:

This is a thrilling boarding school story. It followed multiple perspectives of different characters at school. I liked that Ari’s perspective was written in the second person, speaking directly to an unknown person who was important to her. The answer to what happened to Ari was revealed kind of early in the story, but it had a good ending!

We Are Villains is a great boarding school thriller!

Thank you Manda Group for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: sexual assault (off page), murder, fire (off page), bullying

Have you read We Are Villains? What did you think of it?

Review: Bygones Be Damned

Title: Bygones Be Damned
Author: Jules Parker
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Facing years in prison, Marcelina Page leaves her fate in the hands of her sexy, tough-as-nails lawyer, Walker Bishop. But she’s holding back a secret past that may ruin her chances in court…and her chances with Walker. When an opportunity to guarantee her freedom arises, she fears there is no choice but to enter the very world of organized crime she has tried so hard to avoid.

Walker is used to dealing with difficult clients, but never one that threatens to penetrate his heart the way Marcelina does. Her forbidden mouth captures the unwanted attention of his criminal enemies as well, prompting a deal from the DEA that could work in everyone’s favor…if not for his own selfish desire to keep Marcelina for himself.

Review:

This was an intense and steamy crime novel! There was a lot of tension between Marcelina and her lawyer Walker. Since he was her lawyer, they couldn’t be together as a couple, even though they both wanted to be together. There were a few different subplots with different crime bosses, but everything tied together in the end. This story kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time!

Bygones Be Damned is a great crime novel!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, murder, gun violence, knife violence, kidnapping

Have you read Bygones Be Damned? What did you think of it?

Review: The Price of Truth

Title: The Price of Truth
Author: Michele Clarizio
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Romance
Publisher: Ciao Bella Publishing
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 15, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Karis Russo is no stranger to pain. Still reeling from her father’s death, she’s weighted down by grief she can’t seem to outrun. But nothing prepares her for the night that upends her life once again.

After attending the grand opening of The Aragon Luxury Resort and Spa, Karis wakes up bloody and bruised with no memory of what happened. Determined to find the truth, she embarks on a relentless quest for answers.

Her investigation takes a surprising turn when she learns Mason Whitman, practically Duncan High “royalty”, has harbored a crush on her for years. His charm and their undeniable chemistry throw her into a tailspin. Caught between piecing together the night she lost and embracing the possibility of love she never saw coming, Karis convinces herself she can juggle both worlds.

But the deeper she digs into the mystery of that fateful night, the darker the truth becomes. As shocking betrayals surface and long-buried secrets claw their way to the light, Karis realizes the price of truth may cost more than she’s willing to pay.

Review:

This was a fast-paced and suspenseful YA story! There was a mystery around what happened with Karis one night when she was assaulted because she had lost her memory. She had to learn what happened to her along with the reader. The story was quite intense at the end, with a lot of twists. I really enjoyed this book!

The Price of Truth is a fast-paced YA book!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), suicide (off page), sexual assault, animal death

Have you read The Price of Truth? What did you think of it?

Review: Bad Guy

Title: Bad Guy
Author: Ana Diamond
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 10, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Luke Daniels has done his fair share of bad things. But when the FBI offers him a deal in exchange for infiltrating the local Mafia’s infamous Costa Crew, Luke has no choice but to accept the challenge.

Beautiful, smart and tough, Sophia Costa wants out of the Crew. Appointed boss by her brother after he’s sent to prison, she wants no part in the murder, deceit and secrecy typical of Mafia life.

Just as things heat up between Luke and Sophia, a mysterious hitman targets Sophia, and Luke’s handler starts to wonder if Luke is up for the task.

As the lovers face the possibility of losing everything in order to be together, the line between loyalty and betrayal blur.

Review:

I really enjoyed this story. It was a fast paced mafia story, and it was quite short at under 200 pages. The events kept moving quickly. The characters were well developed from the beginning, which can be tough to do in a short book. There was also a bit of romance.

Bad Guy is a great mafia thriller!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, parental death, broken bone, gun violence

Have you read Bad Guy? What did you think of it?

Review: Missing Clarissa

Title: Missing Clarissa
Author: Ripley Jones
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: March 7, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a gripping novel perfect for fans of Sadie and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, two best friends start a true crime podcast—only to realize they may have helped a killer in the process.

In August of 1999, dazzlingly popular cheerleader Clarissa Campbell disappears from a party in the woods outside the rural town of Oreville, Washington and is never seen again. The police question her friends, teachers, and the adults who knew her—who all have something to hide. And thanks to Clarissa’s beauty, the mystery captures the attention of the nation. But with no leads and no body, the case soon grows cold. Despite the efforts of internet sleuths and true-crime aficionados, Clarissa is never found—dead or alive.

Over twenty years later, Oreville high-school juniors and best friends Blair and Cameron start a true crime podcast, determined to unravel the story of what—or who—happened to this rural urban legend. In the process they uncover a nest of dirty small-town secrets, the sordid truth of Clarissa’s relationship with her charismatic boyfriend, and a high school art teacher turned small-town figurehead who had a very good reason for wanting Clarissa dead. Such a good reason, in fact, that they might have to make him the highlight of their next episode…

But does an ugly history with a missing girl make him guilty of murder? Or are two teenage girls about to destroy the life of an innocent man—and help the true killer walk free?

Review:

This is a suspenseful thriller! It really kept me guessing until the end. I couldn’t figure out what could have happened to Clarissa or who could have killed her. I really liked Cam and Blair. They were a fun pair of best friends to read about because they were similar but also different in a lot of ways. The ending was very fast-paced and exciting! I’m looking forward to reading the sequel!

Missing Clarissa is a suspenseful and exciting thriller!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), kidnapping, stalking, grooming (off page)

Other books in the series:

The Other Lola

Have you read Missing Clarissa? What did you think of it?

Review: No Good Deed

Title: No Good Deed
Author: C.D. Bennett
Genre: Thriller, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 26, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

No Good Deed…goes unpunished.

Kiya James’ relocation to idyllic Riverton Colorado is disrupted when she discovers a critically wounded man lying in a field near her home. Little did she know that her selfless act to save the man’s life would thrust her into a world of corruption, greed, and danger. As the only witness to the initial attack, and shaken by an attempt on her own life, Kiya is offered refuge with the victim’s family. Together, they struggle to uncover the circumstances that would trigger an unknown assailant to unleash a string of deadly attacks in an otherwise quiet rural ranching community.
Jake McCleary’s world could have been destroyed with a single bullet if it hadn’t been for the quick actions of a stranger. Now, in a desperate attempt to protect her, and his entire family, Jake must fight to defend his home, livelihood, and the woman who is rapidly capturing his heart, against the vicious actions of a criminal that will stop at absolutely nothing to get what he wants. But will they find the answers they need in time, or will they lose everything to the conceit of a madman? And will the bond between his wounded brother and the woman that saved him prove to be too big of an obstacle for Jake to overcome in the pursuit for Kiya’s love?

Review:

This book was suspenseful and exciting. I loved how close the McCleary siblings were. They all worked together to run their ranch, and to solve the mystery of who shot Dylan. There were quite a few heart pounding twists that kept me wondering what would happen next. The ending was sweet and heartwarming!

No Good Deed is an exciting thriller!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: gun violence, knife violence, hospital scenes, blood, kidnapping, car accident

Have you read No Good Deed? What did you think of it?

Review: The Ghosts of Apollo

Title: The Ghosts of Apollo
Author: John Madower
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 15, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

An edgy, modern spy thriller, The Ghosts of Apollo challenges our perception of the US space program, and our current world. Reluctant heroine Tess Shefford desperately struggles to protect a secret, hidden since NASA’s Apollo Program, as she races to solve an audacious modern crime. With her life in peril, how can she prevail with assassins on the loose, autonomous vehicles used as killing machines, data mining to expose deeply hidden secrets, and a system that does not trust her?

President Kennedy’s 1961 speech to Congress not only aimed to land a person on the moon and bring them back safely, it also set forth other objectives that we tend to forget.

This fast-paced novel follows the logical extension of the president’s speech and imagines where that might have led.

Review:

This story is about a device that communicates with a NASA satellite that was stolen by Russian spies. The main story was fascinating and exciting. There were a few times the story went off on tangents or told anecdotes from the past that didn’t really have anything to do with the main story. However I really enjoyed the twists and the way the story ended!

The Ghosts of Apollo is a great read!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Have you read The Ghosts of Apollo? What did you think of it?

Review: The Mystery at Love’s Manor

Title: The Mystery at Love’s Manor
Author: D.W. Thompson
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Emma Love never thought she’d return to her hometown after years away from her estranged family. But when her sister-in-law is kidnapped, Emma puts her life on hold to help an old flame, Deputy Sam Mattingley, solve the case and bring Gwen home. With a degree in Criminal Justice and part-time experience working at a detective agency, Emma’s skills are tested.
As the layers of secrecy are peeled back, Emma realizes the mystery shrouding Love’s Manor and her brother’s marriage is more intricate than anyone could have fathomed. Can she navigate the convoluted trail of clues and locate Gwen before it’s too late? And what of her long-suppressed feelings for Sam Mattingley…are they merely a product of nostalgia…or something more?

Review:

This story was a thrilling mystery, with lots of twists that kept me guessing. The characters were well developed, with enough backstory to understand their dynamics and relationships. I thought I had the story figured out, and I was close, but I was surprised at the reveal at the end. This was a great story!

Mystery at Love’s Manor is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: kidnapping, death, death of parents, drowning, car accident (off page), hospital scenes, adultery (off page)

Have you read The Mystery at Love’s Manor? What did you think of it?

Review: Fast Times, Big City

Title: Fast Times, Big City
Author: Shelly Frome
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: BQB Publishing
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Paperback
Release Date: June 22, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Like most people, Bud Palmer felt this was just another day. Though the era was drawing to a close, he assumed his life as a sports columnist in the subtropics, in keeping with the benign fifties itself, would go on as predictable as ever. But that particular autumn morning he was thrust into a caper that was totally beyond him, forced him to leave Miami and take the train to Manhattan, and suddenly found everything in this restless “Big Apple” was up for grabs, on the brink, at a dicey turning point.

Review:

This was an interesting thriller. Bud had to hunt for an aspiring actress who had stolen an important briefcase from some gang members in Miami. I loved the world building. It really felt like I was in New York in the 1950s.

Fast Times, Big City is a suspenseful thriller!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Have you read Fast Times, Big City? What did you think of it?