Review: The Writer by James Patterson and JD Barker @jamespattersonbooks @jdbarker_author

Title: The Writer
Author: James Patterson & JD Barker
Format: audiobook
Length: 9 hours 30 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: March 17, 2025

Challenges: Audiobook, HRCYED 2.0, Library Love

The premise is irresistible: a famous true-crime author found standing over her husband’s dead body, covered in blood, claiming she didn’t do it. NYPD detective Declan Shaw quickly realizes nothing about this case is straightforward, and the more he digs, the more twisted it becomes. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist sent me in a completely different direction. 

What I liked most was how the story blurs the line between truth and fiction. The idea of a writer whose life starts to resemble the crimes she writes about is fascinating — and a little unsettling. The pacing is classic Patterson: short chapters that make it almost impossible to stop reading. I flew through the book in just a couple of sittings. 

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you guessing right up to the final reveal, The Writer delivers exactly that. Fast, addictive, and loaded with twists — it’s the kind of book that reminds me why I love the genre. 

I borrowed this audiobook from my library. Thank you to Libby! I own a hardcover copy of this book thanks to James Patterson Street Team.

WWW Wednesday – November 19, 2025

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

I am determined to make significant progress in Conceal Don’t Feel this week.

I am trying to squeeze in one more ARC in this month. I just started Friends and Liars yesterday.

I am listening to Good As Dead, a backlog book. It ticks off a couple of boxes for some challenges I am doing. I should be done with this one in a few days, I am flying through it.

My review of The Writer will be up on the blog tomorrow.

These books are slated to be read before the year is over. I always feel like December is a huge mood month for me but I want to try to get to these before the new year.

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #18

What is the Sunday Salon? The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. Hosted by Readerbuzz.

What is the Sunday Post? The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.

Going back to work after having a great week off is a real buzz kill! I’ve been exhausted the second I walked in the front door. Not much went on otherwise, just a lot of relaxing and reading lol.


The kids came home from college to visit for a quick weekend home. They’ll be home for almost a week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but they both haven’t been home in weeks so my husband picked them up after work on Friday.

Currently:

I borrowed Conceal Don’t Feel so I am making it a priority to finish this week, and NYPD Red 8 is an Edelweiss ARC which I should be finish by the middle of the week.

I said I wasn’t going to request anymore ARCs this year, and then I found myself browsing NetGalley one night *facepalm*. Macmillan granted my request of B.A. Paris’ book that will come out in February.

Just Finished:


Both of these will be reviewed up on the blog within the next two weeks.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

Finished season 2 of The Sandman. Season 1 was definitely better and you can tell that the show was meant to be longer but didn’t get renewed so they rushed through a storyline to end it all.

WWW Wednesday – November 12, 2025
Review: The Writer by James Patterson and JD Barker
COYER: New Release Catch Up Readathon
The Sunday Salon #19

Thriller Thursday: Witness 8 (Eddie Flynn #8) by Steve Cavanagh @sscav #LibraryLoveChallenge2025 #Netgalley

Title: Witness 8
Author: Steve Cavanagh
Format: audiobook
Length: 12 hours 16 minutes
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: March 25, 2024

Challenges: Beat The Backlist, COYER, Library Love Challenge, Netgalley

Steve Cavanagh just keeps getting better. Witness 8 hooked me from page one! A murder, a mysterious witness, and Eddie Flynn right in the middle of everything. Ruby Johnson is one of the most fascinating characters Cavanagh’s written yet: part victim, part mastermind, and totally unpredictable.

The twists come fast, the courtroom scenes are tense, and I loved the mix of clever legal drama and real danger. Every time I thought I knew what was happening I didn’t. The pacing is tight, the writing’s great, and it was impossible to put down.

If you love smart, twisty thriller, this one is a must! Easily one of my favorite Eddie Flynn books so far!

I borrowed the audiobook of a Netgalley eBook I have thanks to Libby.

WWW Wednesday – November 12, 2025

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

My reading has been nuts this week! I am slowly making my way through Empire of Silence. I am a few chapters in and enjoying it so far!

I am reading NYPD Red 8, an Edelweiss ARC on my Kindle.

And I am also sprinkling in Thanksgiving Overruled, a holiday novella, when I want to switch things up.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnddd I am mainly listening to The Writer. I have the hardback copy thanks to James Patterson’s Street Team but saw my library had an audiobook available. Sometimes I dual read and sometimes I just listen, depending on what I have going on. I am not too far into this one.

I borrowed the eBook from Libby of The Passengers. My review is here on Storygraph or here on my blog.

I read my First Reads November short story choice, The Kill Clause. My review is here on Storygraph.

I listened to a Netgalley backlog book I found on Libby, Witness 8. My review is here on Storygraph.

I borrowed a hardcover copy of Conceal Don’t Feel from a book borrowing group I am apart of on Facebook. It will be my next read.

I am focusing on ARCs for the rest of this month and Friends and Liars and Such A Clever Girl are up next to be read on my Kindle. Hoping to finish both of these before the month is over.

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #17

What is the Sunday Salon? The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. Hosted by Readerbuzz.

What is the Sunday Post? The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.

I had the week off of work. It was a much needed break! Cleaning the garage, cleaning out our camper, and part of the attic happened throughout the week. My husband went on two hikes (one with our dog Rollo and one solo). I went for a walk on the local trail with Rollo while the husband was on his solo hike. Lots of reading happened too!

Currently:

I am purposely taking my time with Empire of Silence. On a whim I joined a random buddy read through Storygraph for this one. At the writing up of this post I had only read three chapters.
I am also reading an ARC that I am gonna review on my blog right before Thanksgiving. It’s not my typical genre but I am giving it an open-minded try.

I was sent a hardcover copy of The Writer from James Patterson’s Street Team, but haven’t gotten around to reading it. I saw that the audiobook was available now on Libby and decided to borrow it.

Just Finished:


My review of The Passengers can be found on Storygraph and on my blog.
My review of The Kill Clause can be found on Storygraph.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

Watched a few episodes of The Sandman.

Global Bible Month 2025
HRCYED 2.0 Update
WWW Wednesday – November 12, 2025
A Thriller Thursday Netgalley Review
Storygraph Challenges I Am Hosting Next Year

Thriller Thursday: The Passengers (Dark Future #2) by John Marrs @johnmarrs.author #LibraryLoveChallenge2025 #SciFiMonth2025

Title: The Passengers
Author: John Marrs
Format: eBook
Length: 341 pages
Genre: Speculative Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: August 27, 2019

Challenges: Beat The Backlist, COYER, HRCYED 2.0, Library Love Challenge

This book takes you on a whirlwind ride – literally. It’s multiple POV, as you’re strapped into the autonomous cars with the characters of this story. All of them are on a crash course collision to their deaths by a Hacker. It was fast paced and didn’t stop till the end! What a great book! I definitely plan to read the next book in this series. P.S. all of the books can be read as standalones, they are just set in the same universe.

I borrowed an e-copy from my library thanks to Libby.

WWW Wednesday – November 5, 2025

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

I barely started Empire of Silence (first book in The Sun Eater series). I plan to read it slow and savor it, since it’s a hefty one.

I am also reading The Passengers on my Kindle, which has been slow going since I keep falling asleep before making any good progress in the story… not because the story is boring (it’s absolutely not), but because I am just exhausted. Yesterday I had the day off of work and made a TON of progress in this one. Should be finished before the weekend.

I have this as an eBook from Netgalley, but borrowed the audiobook from the library to listen to. I am enjoying the Eddie Flynn series and Adam Sims is a great narrator. This one wasn’t catching my interest in the beginning but I kept going and now it’s hooking me. I am hoping to be done with this one by the weekend.

I borrowed the hardcover of All Systems Red from my library. Three stars and will be continuing this series to at least book 2 so I can watch the TV show soon.

The Night House took me for a wild ride. It was a good, creepy story to finish right before Halloween. It’s definitely not a book for everyone though.

I want to read The Kill Clause for a HRCYED prompt and Thanksgiving Overruled is an ARC I have to read and review before a certain date. I am making them top priorities. Plus they are both under 100 pages so they should be quick reads.

The 11:59 Bomber (NYPD Red 8) publishes at the end of this month so I want to read it before then. Gonna try my best!

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

The Sunday Salon #16

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Nothing really happened this week except work, per usual.

Took a crappy Snapchat selfie of me at work on Friday

Halloween was Friday. We don’t get many trick or treaters. I sat in the living room under my Nightmare Before Christmas blanket reading on my kindle, waiting for the doorbell to ring.

I am off of work this entire week, due to the NJEA conference. The weather is supposed to be sunny for the most part- crisp fall weather! I hope to spend a lot of it outdoors, bundled up and staying warm, but outdoors none the less.

Currently:

I borrowed a hardcover copy of All Systems Red from my library, and my hold of The Passengers came in after 22 weeks on the waitlist of Libby. I posted these last week, but actually only read 1 page of All Systems Red before putting it down and getting sidetracked by others books! Also, I am 36% into The Passengers at the time of writing up this post.

Just Finished:

This was a weird audiobook. But weird in a good way for the creepy time of year. It’s not for everyone though.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am slogging my way through Season 2 of The Sandman. Season 1 was definitely better.

Monthly Wrap Up: October 2025
Netgalley November 2025
WWW Wednesday – November 5, 2025
Saturday Series: All Of The Series I Am In The Middle Of – Part Two

Books Acquired In October 2025

Good morning readers! These are all of the books that I acquired/received/borrowed onto my shelves, virtual and/or physical, for the entire month of September:

I borrowed all three of these from Libby.

I borrowed hardcover copies of both of these books from my library.

The Fix was my First Reads choice for the month of September.

I am currently watching The Chosen and this book, The Story, came across something I was looking up. I borrowed it for free through Prime Reading.

I borrowed these three from the Scared Sexy collection.

My request was approved on Netgalley.

I am really enjoying the Eddie Flynn series, so when I saw the next book in said series was available on Edelweiss I jumped on it! This comes out next March.

I borrowed this paperback copy of Caught from a friend.

Acquired: 13

Total spent this month: $0.00

Total spent this year: $0.00

WWW Wednesday – October 29, 2025

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENTLY:

I posted about these two on my Sunday Salon post. Both are library books I am trying to power though and finish before November.

I did not listen to any horror Halloween-ish books this October. This audiobook was available now through my library so I snagged it. It’s definitely odd but I am gonna keep listening.

RECENTLY:

I borrowed the paperback from a friend and finished in on Sunday. Three stars.

I borrowed an audiobook of a Netgalley book, Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh. Four stars.

NEXT:

Netgalley November is practically here. Gonna see how much progress I can make on my virtual shelf there. These are in my top three to get to!

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

The Sunday Salon #15

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Nothing really happened this week except work. I took the dog to the groomer Thursday. Made a quick library trip. My daughter came home this weekend so we got to hangout. Also went to a friend’s surprise party.

My library has this display up for Halloween

Currently:

I borrowed a hardcover copy of All Systems Red from my library, and my hold of The Passengers came in after 22 weeks on the waitlist of Libby.


Just Finished:

I borrowed this paperback from a friend and finished earlier today.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am currently halfway through Season 5 of The Chosen.


Ten Before The End
WWW Wednesday – October 29, 2025
Library Stats and Savings For October 2025
Books Acquired In October 2025
Monthly Wrap Up: October 2025

Review: The Wife Deserves It by Darby Kane @hkdimon #thrillerbookloversthepulse

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Title: The Wife Deserved It
Author: Darby Kane
Format: eBook
Length: 115 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: October 21, 2025

Challenges: COYER, NetGalley/Edelweiss

Synopsis: Darby Kane, author of #1 international bestseller Pretty Little Wife, delivers an unputdownable domestic thriller novella in which a man has laid the foundation for the perfect murder… or so he thinks.

Reid Cavanagh is done with his marriage. He wants out. He wants the kids. He wants his wife to shut up. He wants the legal fees to stop. He wants peace.

His wife has to die.

Reid is a smart guy. He has a plan to make it happen. He’s studied. He’s been in the chatrooms. He’s heard other men’s stories. He’s learned from their mistakes. He’s ready. His alibi is in place. He has the weapon. Nothing, none of this, will trace back to him. He can do the deed and move on.

Unfortunately for Reid, she’s ready for him. 

Review: This fast-paced thriller was so freaking good! I loved the different POVs from each character. It’s exactly what the story needed. I am always wanting more from novellas… like if it was just a little bit longer, lol!

I received a complimentary e-copy through Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse.

WWW Wednesday – October 22, 2025

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENTLY:

I am currently reading an eBook I got for free back in November 2019 on Amazon called Slave, Warrior, Queen by Morgan Rice. It’s a YA fantasy romance (per Storygraph tags). I literally scrolled through almost my entire Kindle shelf on Sunday night looking for a book to read. Nothing was calling to me. Lets hope this isn’t the start of a reading slump!

I am listening to a book I have in my NetGalley backlog, Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh. I was told that the Eddie Flynn series doesn’t have to be read in order, and I now know that that’s pretty true since I read two books out of order, so what’s a third, haha! Anyway, I borrow the book through Libby and only started listening on Saturday night.

I am reading a physical book I am borrowing from a friend called Caught by Harlan Coben. Coben is from New Jersey as well, and I enjoy reading his books. I made really good progress in this book on the weekend and am hoping to have the book finished by next weekend.

RECENTLY:

I listened to three books in the Amazon Original Stories Scared Sexy Collection. After listening to three of them, I’m good to not finish the rest of the series.

NEXT:

I plan to do NetGalley November challenge next month, so I’m gonna start with a autumn-looking cover and read Such A Clever Girl by Darby Kane (which publishes early next year).

I will probably listen to a NetGalley backlogged book that I can find through Libby.

I borrowed All System’s Red by Marcia Wells from my local library, so this will be my next physical book to read.

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

The Sunday Salon #14

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

We went camping in a Nor’easter last weekend! Not our first camping trip in crazy weather (we powered through Hurricane Ernesto, Katrina and Irene) and probably won’t be our last, haha! We had a freaking blast though!!!!!!

Currently:

My reading has been all over the place. Since half of my October was filled with camping or packing for camping, now real life has come back in full force! I’ve been so busy after work that once I have a chance to settle down my brain can’t comprehend reading a book. I’ve ended up watching more TV than I normally do… which means my reading is suffering.

These two are short stories so this is what I’m currently reading/listening to.

Just Finished:

I jumped ahead and finished the second book in the buddy read-along I’m participating in. I am taking a break from the read-along for a little bit so I am not too far ahead of everyone.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am currently just starting Season 5 of The Chosen.



WWW Wednesday – October 8, 2025
Review: The Wife Deserved It by Darby Kane
Saturday Series: All Of The Series I Am Currently In The Middle Of

WWW Wednesday – October 15, 2025

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading an eBook I got for free back in April 2019 on Amazon called The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch. The cover is giving creepy vibes, as well as the title of course!

I am doing a big read-along with fellow bloggers and listening to the next book in the line up, Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors by Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen. I should be done with this one by the end of the week!

I am reading a physical book I am borrowing from a friend called Caught by Harlan Coben. Coben is from New Jersey as well, and I enjoy reading his books.

My review of Whispers Of The Lake can be found on Storygraph.

I gave Headless Hollow 4 stars on NetGalley. (A super spicy modern retelling of Sleepy Hollow)

My review of The Picasso Heist can be found here.

Subject To Change

The Bone Queen feels like a book I should read in the -ber months lol. I have this ARC thanks to NetGalley (publishes next year).

I like to listen to Amazon Original Stories and this month theme is Scared Sexy. I decided to start with an author I am familiar with and go with Ruby Dixon’s Space Vampire.

I was sent a physical paperback copy with sprayed edges of Horror Movie by Paul Trembly from (I believe) HarperCollins. It’s my next physical book on my TBR.

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

Review: The Picasso Heist by James Patterson and Howard Roughan @jamespattersonbooks #JamesPattersonStreetTeam

Title: The Picasso Heist
Author: James Patterson and Howard Roughan
Format: Paperback
Length: 372 pages
Rating: 4.5 stars
Publication Date: October 13, 2025

Challenges:

Review: I loved the pacing of this book… short chapters, lots of cliffhangers, and little lulls with practically no filler. The world building of the art world, auction houses, fashion, crime bosses, and high society are all vividly depicted in this book. The twists were cleverly done. Not all totally predictable, and the resolution ties many threads together in satisfying ways.

It was a little hard to keep track of all the conspiracies and the competing subplot, but overall didn’t ruin anything for me.

This book is for fans of heist stories, thrillers, and strong leads with emotional as well as tactical stakes. It’s bold, clever, fast‑paced, and satisfying. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary paperback copy. Thank you to Little, Brown for allowing me to read this book. #JamesPattersonStreetTeam

WWW Wednesday – October 8, 2025

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?


I am currently reading an Edelweiss ARC of The Midnight Knock. I just started it yesterday and fell asleep before making any good progress in the book.

I found a Listen Now audiobook on NetGalley of Headless Hollow, a Sleepy Hollow modern retelling with an erotic romantic twist. I think it’s duet narration and I am here for it! It’s a novella so I should have it finished later today.

I received a physical ARC of The Picasso Heist by James Patterson, for being apart of his Street Team. It publishes next week and I am trying my best to sit and read it but I’ve been sooooooooooooo busy!

Don’t forget to link up with Taking On A World Of Words to share your WWW!

The Sunday Salon #13

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

This week of work was alright, but I am completely wiped out! I could not wait for the work day to be over so I could go home and relax. I didn’t do much after I walked in the door… except for spending time with my dog and reading.

Yep, a pretty boring week. Story of my life, lol!

Currently:

I am currently reading The Picasso Heist (paperback ARC that I am hoping to finish before Publication Day) and The Midnight Knock (eARC from Edelweiss, also trying my best to finish before Publication Day).

Just Finished:


If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am currently in the middle of Season 4 of The Chosen.

I am in the middle of Season 2 of The Sandman.


WWW Wednesday – October 8, 2025
Off The Grid One More Time: Camping Weekend 2025

Books Acquired In September 2025

Good morning readers! These are all of the books that I acquired/received/borrowed onto my shelves, virtual and/or physical, for the entire month of September:

I borrowed three audiobooks and one eBook through Libby.

The Last Morning was my First Reads choice for the month of September.

Using my No Rush Rewards, I got book 3 of the Desert Plains Trilogy, An Unreliable Truth.

My request was approved on Netgalley.

Four of these are eBooks I received through Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, and one is from a hardcover book mailed to my house from James Patterson Street Team.

Acquired: 12

Total spent this month: $0.00

Total spent this year: $0.00