Book Review: The Survivor

Title: The Survivor

Author: Andrew Reid

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: March 24, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Survivor is a relentless thriller that transforms a simple subway ride into a nightmare of psychological terror. Ben Cross's story grabbed me from the opening scene—fired from his new job and escorted out by security, only to board the 1 train uptown and receive chilling text messages from an anonymous killer who knows his darkest secrets.

The premise is simple yet terrifying: an ordinary man trapped on a moving train, forced to follow a killer's commands while innocent lives hang in the balance. Reid demonstrates the killer's deadly seriousness early on, creating an atmosphere of dread that permeates every page. The revelation that Ben wasn't chosen randomly adds compelling depth to what could have been a straightforward cat-and-mouse thriller.

Reid masterfully maintains breakneck pacing throughout the narrative, creating a genuine page-turner. Both Ben and Kelly, the cop investigating the case, are perfectly crafted as damaged characters needing redemption, their broken backgrounds adding emotional weight to the high-stakes action. 

While the novel's rapid-fire pace occasionally glosses over some plot inconsistencies that might not withstand closer scrutiny, the sheer momentum and expertly crafted suspense more than compensate for these minor issues. Reid has created a thriller that delivers the kind of heart-pounding experience that makes subway commutes feel suddenly more ominous.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Fair-Weather Friend

Title: The Fair-Weather Friend

Author: Jessie Garcia

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: January 20, 2026

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I started this domestic thriller expecting to love Faith Richards, the sunny TV meteorologist who vanishes one night and turns up dead. Instead, I found myself trudging through a maze of unlikeable characters, struggling to care about anyone's fate as Garcia's multi-POV storytelling left me constantly scrambling to piece together connections.

For the first two-thirds, I'll admit I was tempted to DNF as I couldn't find a single character to root for. But something shifted in that final act and I became caught up in twists I never saw coming. Garcia's rapid-fire style finally clicked, pulling me deep into secrets that had been lurking beneath Detroit's surface all along.

The ending stung a bit as I wanted that satisfying justice. But sometimes the bad guys do win, and Garcia doesn't shy away from that uncomfortable truth.

Despite my initial frustration, "The Fair-Weather Friend" won me over when it mattered most. It's the kind of book that makes you forgive its flaws because those final revelations are so good. Garcia knows how to craft a mystery that stays with you, even when the journey there tests your patience.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

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.