Vulnerable (Morgans of Nashville #4) by Mary Burton

Synopsis from Goodreads:

"Years ago, three Nashville teenagers went into the woods for a hike—and only one came out. 

While her two friends disappeared without a trace, Amber Ryder was discovered at the bottom of a ravine with a broken arm, head trauma, and zero memory of the horror that put her there. 

With no leads, the investigation hit a dead end. Now another woman’s body is found it the woods. When the trail leads to the missing teens’ remains, the cold case becomes a fresh hell for forensic technician Georgia Morgan. But while Georgia works with Amber to try and reawaken her memories, her gut tells her the worst is yet to come.

Homicide Detective Jake Bishop can’t be sure whether Amber is an expert manipulator or the killer’s next target. Either way, he’s determined to protect Georgia. Because the more she digs into the past, the more deadly secrets emerge. And a nightmare years in the making is about to come to a bloody, terrifying end."

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I can't believe I have had this book on my "to-be-read" pile for years! This was published back in 2016! Where have I been living? On a desert island? She has written so many bestsellers since ... I really have no excuse for waiting this long!

Vulnerable is a fast-paced procedural thriller that blends forensic detail with intense emotion. The concept of Medical Examiner Faith Cooper investigating a killer whose crimes mirror her own sister's cold case is incredibly compelling. That , combined with the professional perspective of FBI agent Deacon Hendrix, makes for a sharp, enthralling investigation.

If you love a thriller with sharp forensic details and high emotional stakes, this book is definitely one to pick up.

Overall, this is a dark, gripping, and highly addictive read and thanks to the author, Kensington Books, Pinnacle and NetGalley for allowing me to read and share my thoughts on this exceptional book.

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In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Description from Goodreads:

"Sometimes the only thing to fear…is yourself.

When reclusive writer Leonora is invited to the English countryside for a weekend away, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. But as the first night falls, revelations unfold among friends old and new, an unnerving memory shatters Leonora’s reserve, and a haunting realization creeps in: the party is not alone in the woods."

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I can't believe I have had this book on my "to-be-read" pile for years!  This was Ruth Ware's debut novel way back in 2015!  Where have I been living?  Under a rock?  She has written nearly ten massive bestsellers since then—including The Woman in Cabin 10 which I have recently watched on NetFlix® and reminded me I had In a Dark, Dark Wood waiting to dive into.

If you love a psychological thriller that uses atmosphere and isolation to build  tension, In a Dark, Dark Wood, is a triumph. The isolated glass house in the Northumbrian woods acts like a character itself, maximising the sense of dread as a forced reunion of old friends brings resentment to the surface.

The novel's brilliance lies in its use of Lee as an amnesiac narrator. We are forced to piece together the disastrous hen party alongside her, which quickly ramps the suspense to a fever pitch. Every dangerous flashback increases the tension, leading to a genuinely shocking conclusion.

Overall, this atmospheric, sharp and addictive book is a great debut (albeit I am late to the party!) and the perfect thriller for a dark evening.

Many thanks to the author, Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this compelling book.

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The Last Orphan by Carly Schabowski

✴✴✴ Publication date: 01-December-2025 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"Would you save a child in a warzone? Marcin is just hoping to keep himself safe during the Nazi invasion. But once he befriends his Jewish neighbors, his fate is sealed, and when their building is raided by the Nazis, Marcin finds himself hiding their son, Adam.

Marcin vows to keep Adam safe at all costs. But as he starts an impossible journey across the borders of wartorn Europe towards safety, he begins to realize Adam isn’t the only child who needs his help. And when they encounter more orphaned children in hiding, Marcin becomes determined to save as many as possible. Even if that will put his own life—and Adam’s—at terrible risk.

What Adam and the other orphans don’t know, is that Marcin has a secret. He did something terrible in Poland. Something he can never forgive himself for. Until many years later, where he’s living his life peacefully in rural Washington, USA, and he answers a call from another mother in distress. Marcin is needed again. But this time, it’s Adam’s daughter who needs him...

An impossible journey, a secret that spans generations, and a story about loss, bravery and healing that you’ll never forget!"

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If you're looking for a World War II historical fiction novel that doesn't just focus on the horrors of the war but the long, devastating aftermath on those who survived it, this one is for you. 

The dual timeline (1942 Poland/Hungary and 1982 rural Washington) works brilliantly to explore the repercussions of trauma. We follow Marcin as he makes impossible choices to save Adam, his young Jewish neighbour, joining a resistance network to save orphans. The suspense is palpable, particularly with the heartbreaking scenes of children having to jump from trains.

Marcin is a fascinating character, weighed down by crippling guilt over a secret. This makes the 1982 story line compelling when he connects with Clara, Adam's daughter, who is struggling with her own trauma. It’s a dark story of generational suffering but also by hope and self-forgiveness.

Overall, this is a compelling story with rich characters and a strong sense of place. If you appreciate historical fiction that focuses on the emotional consequences of survival, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this powerful read that had me hooked from the very first page.

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People Don't Just Disappear by Claire Allan

✴✴✴ Publication day - 29-November-2025 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"‘Is he your little boy?'

‘No. No. He is not my boy. He’s your boy.’

When Bronagh opens her front door to find a child on her doorstep, crying for his mother, she follows him without question.

Twenty-four hours later, Bronagh’s boyfriend Mal returns to their home in Derry to discover the house empty. Bronagh has vanished.

At first, the police don’t take Mal seriously, but as the hours since Bronagh’s disappearance tick past, it becomes clear that this isn’t just a case of extreme ghosting. Something is wrong. Very wrong.

Because people don’t just vanish, and Bronagh may be in more danger than Mal could ever imagine.

Just where is Bronagh? And can they find her before it’s too late?"

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I have read and thoroughly enjoyed a couple of Claire Allan's previous books so didn't want to give up a chance to read her next outing and I wasn't disappointed.

Whilst this was a difficult book to read due to the subject matter of violence against women and controlling, coercive behaviour, it was still a riveting read that I was totally invested in.  The characters are great and it's told from the perspective of Bronagh, Mal and Ingrid Devlin, a journalist; I found the sections detailing Bronagh's experiences were particularly difficult to read but I had to keep reading to find out what happens.

Claire Allan creates so much atmosphere and the tension is palpable so much so that I found myself holding my breath at times not wanting to read on but wanting to read on!!  

Although this is a challenging read at times, it's perfect for those who enjoy their thrillers a little darker and it's perfect to dive into on these dark, winter nights when there is little on the TV!  

Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this difficult but riveting book.

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Remember Where You’ve Buried the Bodies by Julie Lancaster

Description from Goodreads:

 "What happens when a serial killer forgets that he’s a serial killer?

When Gilbert Williams, a resident at Sunset House Care Home, claims to have once killed someone, care assistant Will Cavanagh initially dismisses his claims – he’s frail and vulnerable, he can’t imagine him ever killing someone – but he can’t seem to let his comments go. What if it’s true? What if he really did kill someone and he’s forgotten that he isn’t supposed to tell anybody…"

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The premise of this book looked really promising - I mean, what's not to like when a book is about serial killers? But, alas, this one didn't deliver as I'd hoped it would.

It was certainly intriguing and I was compelled to read to the end to find out what happened, but ultimately, it fell a bit flat. There were too many characters, some of which felt superfluous to the main story line and caused unnecessary confusion. Furthermore, there was very little of what I would describe as being dark humour, which was disappointing.

The overwhelming feeling I had after finishing this book was that I wanted more, but with less of the unnecessary characters and back stories but thank you to the author, One More Chapter, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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