Book Review: The Colour of Fury

Title: The Colour of Fury

Author: Andrew Barrett

Publisher: The Ink Foundry

Publication Date: July 5, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I just finished "The Colour of Fury" and my heart is still racing. This fourth installment in Barrett's DS Regan Carter series grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go. While it took me a moment to reorient myself with the intricate plot details from the previous installment, once the literal dust from prior explosions settled, this story accelerated from first to fourth gear in a heartbeat. 

DS Regan Carter continues to evolve as a flawed but compelling heroine. In this installment, we see her becoming more vulnerable, particularly regarding her relationship with her mum, and more trusting—until plot twists drive a sharp skewer through that development. Barrett poses a crucial question that dangles tantalizingly throughout: will Carter cross the line to save the person she loves and join the ranks of the corrupt? It's this moral complexity that makes her character so engaging and had me holding my breath, rooting for her while dreading what she might become.

The new character Moniche left me constantly second-guessing—friend or foe?—which kept me deliciously on edge throughout. Barrett's genius lies in making me care about morally gray people doing questionable things, and this finale showcases that talent brilliantly. Ironically, some of the most likable moments come from cameos by Sid and extended appearances by Eddie Collins—characters we know are morally questionable, yet Barrett makes them surprisingly engaging.

If this truly ends Regan Carter's story, Barrett has crafted a conclusion that left me both satisfied and aching for more. This redhead's fury burned bright right to the final page, and I'm already missing her fierce presence in my reading life. I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this advanced copy, and I can confidently say this series finale lives up to its predecessors' high standards.

Book Review: The Wasp Trap

Title: The Wasp Trap

Author: Mark Edwards

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: September 16, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

We all have secrets we prefer to keep hidden. But how many have a secret that will mean life or death to those around us? This unsettling premise forms the foundation of Mark Edwards' latest psychological thriller, "The Wasp Trap," a tense and twisted tale of friendship, betrayal, and long-buried secrets.

The story's dual timeline switches between the charged atmosphere of 1999 and the claustrophobic tension of a present-day Notting Hill townhouse where six former colleagu
es find themselves trapped in a deadly game of revelation. Each character is forced to unveil their darkest secret or face deadly consequences.

The opening moves somewhat leisurely, but once the psychological cat-and-mouse game began, Edwards had me completely ensnared. The psychological dating questionnaire they developed years ago takes on sinister new meaning as the night progresses, and I found myself frantically trying to piece together the puzzle before the characters did

While I wanted to know more about the enigmatic Sebastian, whose shadowy presence drove so much of the plot, the finale more than compensated for this minor disappointment. Just when you think you've figured out who's behind the deadly game, Edwards pulls the rug out from under you with a revelation that is both shocking and, in retrospect, cleverly foreshadowed

For anyone who relishes that delicious feeling of dread that builds as secrets unravel, "The Wasp Trap" delivers a stinging read that will have you eyeing your oldest friends with newfound suspicion. 

A big thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The List

Title: The List

Author: Steve Berry

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: July 22, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I was swept into the deceptive calm of small-town Georgia in "The List," experiencing Steve Berry's pivot into legal thriller territory. Following Brent Walker's return to his hometown, I felt the growing unease as he stumbles upon a deadly corporate conspiracy hidden behind Southern Republic's perfect company-town facade.

Berry masterfully builds tension around a cryptic list that kept me turning pages. While some plot twists were predictable, Berry compensates with engaging characters, high-stakes action and mounting suspense that drives the story forward to a satisfying conclusion.

What fascinated me most was discovering this novel sat dormant for 30 years before being resurrected and refined sitting COVID to find its way to readers—explaining its nostalgic early Grisham-esque atmosphere. For anyone craving a compelling corporate conspiracy with deadly stakes, "The List" delivers an absorbing journey into darkness hiding beneath small-town charm.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A big thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Peter Miles has to Die

Title: Peter Miles has to Die

Author: Katie Collom

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Collom's debut thriller packs a punch. It explores the deadly consequences of vigilante justice. The premise is deliciously unsettling—three friends commit what they believe is the perfect murder, only to discover that revenge comes with a soul-crushing price tag.

The narrative dances between the sweltering late '90s Texas setting where the murder occurs and the cold, unforgiving walls of the state penitentiary in the early 2000s. What haunted me wasn't figuring out who killed the corrupt cop—we know that from the start—but watching guilt slowly devour the characters from within as they realize there's no escaping what they've done. This structural choice creates a fascinating psychological exploration of how guilt affects each character differently in the aftermath of their violent act.

Against a backdrop of law enforcement sexism and discrimination, the story builds to a genuinely shocking twist that I never saw coming, leaving me both satisfied and disturbed in equal measure. 

A big thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.