R. J. JacobsRecensioni

This is a great thriller, mystery read with more twists and turns than you can shake a stick at! It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. A group of six Psychology post graduate students have been assigned to a special research project with a reknowned mental health expert and academician. The study is about deception and in conducting it, the group practices its own deceptions. They then monitor the subjects' reactions through one way glass. They quickly find out the consequences can be more dangerous than they had counted on, as early on in the book a participant loses it and there are some tense moments before police arrive.

We are introduced in some detail to each of the six post grad students involved in conducting the study. Each of them has their own motivations for being in the program and most of them have things in the past they have not been straight forward about, as we will come to learn bit by bit. There are tensions among the six for various reasons that are also slowly described to us. It is not a friendly, close-knit group of people. When one of them is murdered, each of the others is a suspect; each could have had a motive. And the murdered student was having an affair with the professor in charge of the study; thereby bringing the scorn of the others upon her and causing them not to like her; a fact that was becoming obvious. To top it all off, she was murdered in the professor's office and all five of the others were in the Psychology Department building where the murder took place at the time, though it was at night.

A sharp campus police officer arrives at the murder scene and thus begins a long and detailed investigation as she interviews the professor, the five other students working under him, the student study subject who had lost it and had an obsession with the murdered woman and others. Through these interviews we begin to learn their stories while realizing they are each hiding some details about their past. All of these students are well studied in the art and science of deception. Our suspicions jump from one person to the next quickly.

Then the professor is murdered and the campus realizes they are dealing with a serial killer on the loose. A record breaking snowstorm is bearing down on them and when it hits the campus closes down, leaving becomes impossible and they are trapped on campus with a serial killer.

One of the students is jailed for the crimes as solid evidence has been found. But the police soon discover the killer is still on the loose and they are all in grave danger. You definitely don't want to put this book down because you NEED to find out who did it and if the officers can find them and save themselves and everyone else on campus in time.

The fact that it centers around studying deception is interesting particularly in our current times, I feel. It seems that lying has been condoned and practiced by those at the top levels of our government and the effect of that has been and continues to be devastating. While many of their followers seem to be truly deceived, those perpetrating the lying use it as a tool to control large swathes of the population and have no compunction whatsoever about doing so. I'm writing this extraneous bit in response to the Reading Guide at the end of the book that prompted us to think about this subject.

And Then You Were Gone is a wonderfully mesmerizing and suspenseful read.
Emily Firestone, a woman diagnosed as bipolar, has struggled for years to get and keep herself on track. Now, for the first time in a long time, everything seems to be running smoothly; she has a job she loves, a home of her own, and a boyfriend, Paolo, that she finds herself falling in love with.

When Paolo suggests taking a break from their busy work lives (he is a medical researcher working on the virus that killed Emily’s father, she is a child psychologist), Emily is all in. To have a weekend alone with Paolo, who promises to keep his phone OFF the entire time, is impossible to resist! She is so excited that when he suggests sailing, Emily decides to put her fear of open water (she doesn’t know how to swim) aside and go for it. They enjoy a wonderful night together, talking and laughing over several glasses of wine. The perfect start to an awesome getaway so Emily thinks.

Emily wakens the next morning to find that Paolo is not on board. Thinking he must be swimming, she calls his name repeatedly. When there is no response, and she doesn’t see any sign of him in the water, she begins to panic. What happened to him? He’s an excellent swimmer, and she heard nothing overnight. But she slept surprisingly deeply – would she have heard anything? Her heart now racing, she steers the boat back to the marina to report Paolo missing. The police soon arrive to take her statement, and it doesn’t take her long to realize she is the main suspect in his disappearance.

With stress abounding, Emily starts to spiral out of control – she’s not sleeping and can’t remember when/if she took her meds. Emily begins to see clues everywhere and becomes convinced that Paolo was murdered, but how can she get the police to believe her when she’s not sure her thoughts are clear?

This book was stunning and well written. I find myself waiting for the next book by R.J. Jacobs because if it is anything like this one and as well written I am in! New authors who can give me a fresh take on a thriller are always welcome to join my reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this copy to review.

"This is How We End Things" by R.J. Jacobs is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first page. With its masterful storytelling, complex characters, and a plot filled with unexpected twists, Jacobs has crafted a compelling narrative that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre.

The story follows Dr. Malcolm Roth, a brilliant psychologist who specializes in treating patients with extreme phobias. He is haunted by a tragic incident from his past that has left him emotionally scarred. When he is approached by the enigmatic yet charming FBI agent, Laura Fourreau, to assist in a peculiar case involving a young woman named Sara who has a debilitating fear of the dark, Malcolm is drawn into a web of mystery and danger that he could never have imagined.

One of the strengths of this novel is the depth of its characters. Malcolm is a flawed protagonist, struggling with his own demons while trying to help his patients confront their fears. Sara is a complex character in her own right, and her phobia becomes a central element of the story, adding a unique psychological dimension to the plot. The dynamic between Malcolm and Sara is both intriguing and emotionally charged, making their interactions a highlight of the book.

Jacobs excels at building suspense and tension throughout the story. The pacing is well-balanced, with each chapter unveiling a new layer of the mystery. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is constantly left guessing about the true nature of the threat and the motives of the characters involved. The author skillfully weaves together elements of psychological horror and thriller, creating a narrative that is as psychologically engaging as it is thrilling.

The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and just when you think you have it all figured out, Jacobs throws another curveball your way. The resolution of the mystery is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving the reader with lingering questions about the nature of fear and the human psyche.

However, one minor drawback of the novel is that some of the secondary characters are not as well-developed as the main protagonists. While this doesn't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story, a bit more depth to these characters could have added further dimension to the narrative.

In conclusion, "This is How We End Things" is a compelling thriller that combines elements of psychological suspense with a well-crafted mystery. R.J. Jacobs demonstrates his skill in creating complex characters and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with a unique twist, this book is definitely worth a read. It's a thought-provoking and suspenseful journey into the darkest corners of the human mind.

This is How We End Things by R.J. Jacobs is a highly recommended locked room mystery.

A disparate group of graduate students at Dorrance University in Forest, North Carolina are conducting experiments on the psychology of lying and deception. Their methods are questionable, which is clear when their current test goes awry. However, it becomes deadly when, as the grad students are working at night in the psychology department building on the campus which is closed for a break, one of them is subsequently found murdered in the office of the chair of the psychology department, Joe Lyons, the next morning.

As a major snow storm rolls in, Detective Alana Larson is assigned to the case. The group of suspects is obvious. The key is to figure out who did it among a group of suspects who are experts in the science of deception.

This was an interesting closed-room mystery and following the investigation into the group of suspects is entertaining. The pacing is even and which keep the action moving. The tension rises incrementally as it is apparent that the danger is still present.

All of the characters are depicted as unique, realistic individuals and it is easy to keep in mind each of them as the investigation is underway and action unfolds through their different points-of-view. The culprit was rather easy to figure out, but the enjoyment is in the hunt and the deep-dive into the characters.

It was interesting to see a popular meme included as dialogue between characters and a viral story written into a character's development. Sort of a hat-tip to authors finding words and events around them to write into their novels.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Sourcebooks via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/09/this-is-how-we-end-things.html

I really liked this book. I was confused a couple times, but I was also tired.

Growing up in the 90’s I am a huge fan of horror movies and was so excited to read this book regarding a horror movie director himself.

A hurricane is about to shred the Florida Keys, and Lexi’s daughter lied to her and is now stuck there with her grandfather in the house of Lexi’s nightmares. The house that shot the movie she was killed in when she was a teen and now she is afraid for her daughter. So she must go back to return to that past.

The book referenced so many horror movies in the past and I enjoyed that aspect. I felt this would be a perfect movie as well. However, for me reading it lacked that atmospheric ominous feeling you need for a thriller. It read flat for me and even the twist at the end wasn’t one that I expected but it wasn’t built up enough for me to care.

Like I said, as a movie, this would and could be translated well on the screen.

Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for my gifted copy to read and review.

Always the First to Die is a page-turning thriller that I found quite engrossing to listen to. Petrea Burchard is a great narrator and that's a plus. The story, with the flashbacks to when Lexi was young on the movie set, was very much enjoyable to listen to. I found myself wanting to know what the heck was going on, both in the past and in the present. The only drawback is that the book lacked really good surprises and the ending was a bit disappointing and lacklustre. Otherwise it's a really good book.

Emily Firestone finally has her bipolar disorder under control. She has her own place, a job she loves, and she has a wonderful boyfriend named Paolo. Although Emily doesn't particularly like the water, she agrees to a weekend sailing trip with him. He's an excellent swimmer, so when Emily wakes the next morning in the middle out the water with Paolo nowhere to be found she knows he didn't drown. But what else could have happened? As the days go by Emily is starting to believe that Paolo was murdered. And the police believe she's the murderer.

This was a quick read. The author lost me towards the end. It just seemed too much, too convenient, too predictable. I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Paolo. Emily's mind is racing, she's frantic, she has to find answers and find them soon and it's easy to get caught up in the rush with her. I was rooting for her. But sadly, this book lacked that oomph I was hoping for that would make it an exciting and satisfying mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC.

As a teen, Lexi was cast in the now-iconic horror movie Breathless filmed in the Florida Keys at Pinecrest Estate. It’s a summer she’ll never forget: falling in love with the son of the legendary movie director and learning the “curse” of Pinecrest may actually be real when cast and crew members begin to abruptly quit due to strange occurrences and then someone dies on set.
Years later, Lexi’s struggling with her husband’s death when she finds herself racing back to the Keys in the wake of a hurricane to find her daughter who is visiting her grandfather at Pinecrest. The island is without cell service or power and police presence is scarce. Now Lexi’s life will turn into a real life horror movie as she reckons with her past and someone who wants the director and cast of Breathless dead.
While the ending was a bit of a stretch for me, I loved that this was an homage to slasher films!
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Always the First to Die is scheduled for release on September 13, 2022.

I loved this story's premise, the writing style made for an easy read, and Jessie's character broke my heart.

But. Yes, I'm sorry, there's a but here. I'm going to divide this book in two halves. The first half is slow moving, spending a little too much time on mundane, repetitive content. I'd have liked to see more of Jessie's early life so I could better connect on an emotional level. I wanted to know how she'd gotten from where she'd been in the past to where she was in the present.

The truly unfortunate thing is that the current synopsis gives away a major plot point, which doesn't actually happen until midway in the book. So we spend the entire first half knowing where the story is leading us, anticipating exactly what's about to happen to Jessie, taking away any sort of suspense.

The second half is more intriguing, with a quicker pace and more action and suspense. I loved watching Jessie's growth. And I admit to having tears in my eyes at the end.

*I received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.*

Imagine being trapped in a place of near-complete sensory deprivation and isolation for over a year, and being thrown scraps from time to time by foster parents. Jessie Duval had to suffer through this and more at the tender age of 12 and as a result, suffered from language deficit and developmental delay. Through this year, the country music of Owen and Shelley James was her only solace, which she listened to on repeat. After being rescued, Owen and Shelley become a fixation in her imagination, to the point of stalking them, and an ugly incident leads to a restraining order.

After many years, just when she gets back on her feet, circumstances make her cross paths with them again and eventually Shelley James is discovered dead. As each revelation comes to the fore, the plot thickens and, the most unsuspecting person comes out as a devious personality.
I pitied Jessie, her difficulties seemed to have no end, but despite her traumatic childhood and disability, she tried very hard to get to the bottom of matters and get herself in the clear. She was so strong. Alone, with not a person whom she could call her own, she didn’t have anyone to turn to except for her mental therapist.

I loved the style of writing, especially the depiction of Jessie's speaking disability where she cannot grasp the right word for something she is trying to explain. For eg - "the word for very, very sad - pathetic".

This was a perfect whodunnit for a rainy day ensconced within blankets with a hot cuppa, guessing who the killer could be.

Somewhere in the Dark by R. J. Jacobs is a highly recommended psychological thriller/mystery.

Jessie Duval's life is finally on the path to recovery. She is living in Nashville, has an apartment, sees a therapist she likes, and enjoys her prep job with a catering company. After a childhood of abuse and neglect, which included a year living in the dark in a locked closet, she is learning coping skills to overcome her issues. The one rule she must legally follow is to stay away from singers Owen and Shelly James. Jessie was obsessed with them for a reason and followed their concert tour for a year, but after therapy she understands what happened and has changed. Although she is still fragile, she is now doing well for herself.

Jessie just likes prep work, but her boss convinces her she will do a fine job serving at a graduation party after his help quits. Shelly James shows up at the party with Owen and their daughter, and Jessie tries to keep out of their sight. Subsequently, when the James's hire their catering company for a party, Jessie knows she should stay away, but she is finally talked into doing the job by a surprising source. After the party, when Shelly turns up dead, Jessie is a suspect, but there is a whole lot more going on than people realize and Jessie may have the key to who did it.

The narrative starts slowly as Jessie, her problems, and her background are introduced and explained. Since Jacobs is a psychologist, he delves into her trauma, background, thought processes, anxiety, and coping mechanisms resulting in Jessie being a sympathetic character that you will trust and feel supportive of her recovery. She is very observant and, although broken, she is in many ways also stronger than people realize. Jessie is a great character to build a story on because you want her to to be safe and continue on the path to wellness.

The novel is well-written, with several strengths and a few weaknesses. Obviously, the creation of the character of Jessie is a strength. She is a captivating character and she does carry most of the plot. Some of the supporting characters are not as fully realized, but it doesn't affect the plot negatively as the action starts and keeps moving. After the slow set up the plot takes off at a brisk pace once Jessie starts searching for answers. Everything quickly reaches a breakneck speed up to the twisty, surprising climax. The conclusion is uplifting and hopeful, which is a winning way to end the narrative.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/08/somewhere-in-dark.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3490841763

Twenty year old Jessie is trying to move on with her life as a caterer after spending a year in prison for stalking her favorite country singers Owen and Shelly James. It is their music which helped her get through a terrible childhood experience where her foster parents kept her locked up in a closet for over a year. As she gets older, they become an obsession and she becomes a "groupie". It is at the final concert of their tour for the year that things go horribly wrong and she hurts a few people.
The reader gets the impression she is not a bad person and she did not mean for it to happen. In fact, I felt sorry for her. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and very protective of herself for a good reason.
She avoids the James' at a party she is catering and is invited to serve at their house by their manager. It is here that Shelly gets murdered and of course, Jessie is the obvious suspect since she was invited to serve food, so now she's in the fight of her life to prove her innocence. She makes a couple of surprising allies along the way.
I really liked her counselor Ms. Parsons, who was her biggest cheerleader and never really doubted her innocence. I am also a big fan of both thriller/suspense and the Nashville country music scene, so I thoroughly enjoyed a combination of the two. I have also enjoyed my share of country music concerts and I could feel the otherwise carefree atmosphere on those pages, and I was reminded of fun times with my friends in the summertime. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read another good book!

Jessie Duval has had a historic childhood. Listening to Shelley and Owen James CD is the only thing that kept her grounded. Once she was old enough o be on her own, she followed their tour from city to city until the last night, when everything went wrong. Charged with stalking and a restraining in ordered, one year later she has everything back on track. Until Shelley is murdered and the police think she is the killer. Set in Nashville, Shelley and Owen James are country music royalty. Jessie has been obsessed with them, wishing and believing they were her family.. This was a fast paced read. A good mystery of who killed Shelley, and Jessie trying to prove it. Because of her upbringing, Jessie has difficulties with words, difficulties connecting emotionally with people, trust issues and doesn't like to be touched. She is also naïve and gullible, which made me feel bad for her. I really enjoyed Jessie's "closet story and found I wanted to read more about it. This is a solid story that I would recommend if your looking for a good mystery. This is due to be released on August 11th, 2020.
Thank you R.J. Jacobs, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

And Then You Were Gone by R.J. Jacobs is a suspenseful mystery about a psychologist whose boyfriend goes missing during a weekend getaway.

Dr. Emily Firestone overcomes her fear of water in order to enjoy a sailing weekend with her boyfriend, Paolo Fererra. After a fun day on the lake, Emily awakens to next morning to find that Paolo has vanished. Her bipolar disorder immediately begins to spiral out of control due to her lack of sleep and extreme stress. Already convinced Paolo's death is from foul play, Emily's suspicions are confirmed when his lab coworker, Sandy Harrison, reaches out to her to investigate some irregularities she has uncovered. Before long, the police are taking a second look at Emily when people connected to her begin to die. Will Emily find out the truth about what happened to Paolo before it is too late?

Emily is a well-respected child psychologist whose bipolar II disorder has been well-controlled for quite some time. She relies on a strict medication regime to keep her bipolar disorder in check but her erratic behavior soon plunges her into a manic state. Soon after Paolo's disappearance, she makes a series of ill-advised decisions that jeopardize her mental health and her career. Emily is not able to distinguish between fact and fantasy as she begins experiencing paranoia as she skips her medicine and gives up sleep in order to find out what happened to Paolo.

Emily is already on the edge when Sandy brings her puzzling information she has unearthed at the lab where she and Paolo are working on a vaccine for a deadly virus. Emily's anxiety levels begin to spike as she impatiently waits for Sandy to retrieve proof they can take to the authorities. Fully immersed in a hypo-manic state, Emily races headlong into danger as she frantically attempts to understand what happened to Paolo and why. Even more troubling is the warning she receives from her best friend that Emily is becoming more than just a person of interest in the events swirling around Paolo's disappearance.

And Then You Were Gone is a fast-paced and compelling mystery starring an increasingly unreliable narrator. Emily's need for answers is understandable but her refusal to take her medication becomes a bit tedious. With plenty of tension, a few red herrings and some shocking twists, R.J. Jacobs brings this perplexing mystery to an action-packed conclusion. An excellent mystery that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend to fans of the genre.

And Then You Were Gone by R. J. Jacobs is a highly recommended novel of mystery and suspense.

Emily Firestone is taking a weekend sailing trip with her boyfriend Paolo. Emily has her bi-polar disorder under control and, although she's panicked over being out on the boat in the lake because she can't swim, she feels like she can keep her panic at bay. Paolo is a strong swimmer and an experienced sailor. He has assured her she will be safe and they will have a lovely weekend. After dinner and drinks on the boat the night before, Emily awakens the next morning on the boat, Paolo is gone, she has a horrible headache, and the boat is drifting around the lake. Emily manages to get back to shore, report Paolo as missing. What could have happened to him?

When evidence begins to suggest that something more sinister is afoot and Paolo's disappearance may be due to foul play, Emily begins to forget her meds and is moving into a manic state - or is she just naturally concerned? The more she discovers, the more erratic her behavior becomes. The more erratic she becomes, the less she sleeps. Soon she is high on the police's list of suspects.

Emily is an unreliable narrator and trusting what she thinks she knows and believes can be a struggle at times because you don't know what her state of mind is - especially since she mentions frequently as the novel progresses that she's forgot her meds, isn't eating, and she's not sleeping. All of these factors make her incredibly unreliable and untrustworthy as a protagonist. Adding to the mix are other characters who either begin to doubt Emily or are suspicious themselves.

While the plot will hold your interest and moves quickly, the narrative flow in this novel can be a bit bumpy at times. Part of this is due to Emily's state, and part to an inconsistency in the narrative. Events do start to collate into some semblance of a timeline, but questions still remain about why Emily is allowed so much freedom to move about considering she's a suspect. If you set aside any little niggling questions about certain details (which could have been handled in final editing) this is an enjoyable mystery with an exciting climax.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Crooked Lane Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2019/03/and-then-you-were-gone.html

Emily is looking forward to spending an entire weekend with her busy boyfriend Paolo, even though they will go sailing and sleep on a boat while she cannot swim. But Paolo will take care of her. The trip starts lightly, but she is quickly feeling sick and just after a bit of wine, she falls into a very deep sleep. When she wakes up the next morning, Paolo is gone. He could hardly be fallen overboard, and even if so, he was a coast guard and is a strong swimmer. So: where is he? The police also cannot find any trace and the longer Paolo is absent, the surer Emily gets that he has been murdered. Especially when she is contacted by one of his former colleagues who tells her about strange doings in their lab. But the investigators simply won’t believe her, understandably since in their eyes, she is acting very strangely and with a bipolar disorder, they doubt her sanity. Yet, the question remains: what happened to Paolo?

The fact that the author himself is a psychologist with practical experience can easily be seen in the novel. “And then you were gone” is playing on all facets of the human mind: Emily’s bipolar disorder and the different states she gets in when she forgets to take her pills, but also on question about what you remember and how you remember, different ways of judging a situation depending on with which eyes you look at it. This certainly keeps you alert as a reader and you never really trust any of the characters since you never know what they are up to.

Apart from the psychological aspect, it is also a very classical crime novel in which the capital vices motivate the characters’ actions. Pride and greed drive them to cross borders that are never meant to cross and that make them forget all ethics for fame and reputation. The case is actually not too complicated which makes perfectly sense since the stress is clearly on Emily and her deteriorating mind. There are many different clues to follow and since you only get the story from Emily’s perspective it is quite obvious that she is also missing some. A thriller which did not absolutely make me get goose bumps but that I enjoyed a lot.

Emily Firestone finally has her bipolar disorder under control. She has her own place, a job she loves, and she has a wonderful boyfriend named Paolo. Although Emily doesn't particularly like the water, she agrees to a weekend sailing trip with him. He's an excellent swimmer, so when Emily wakes the next morning in the middle out the water with Paolo nowhere to be found she knows he didn't drown. But what else could have happened? As the days go by Emily is starting to believe that Paolo was murdered. And the police believe she's the murderer.

This was a quick read. The author lost me towards the end. It just seemed too much, too convenient, too predictable. I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Paolo. Emily's mind is racing, she's frantic, she has to find answers and find them soon and it's easy to get caught up in the rush with her. I was rooting for her. But sadly, this book lacked that oomph I was hoping for that would make it an exciting and satisfying mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC.

And Then You Were Gone
by R.J. Jacobs
due March 13, 2019
Crooked Lane Books

Emily Firestone, a child psychologist in the Nashville area is feeling much better these days. Her struggles with bipolar and mania are under control, she enjoys her work and has a supportive boyfriend, Paolo. Things are looking up.
Paolo is a successful scientist from Argentina working on developing a vaccine for the deadly H1-N24 virus. He suggests they spend a day together on his boat when they both have the same day free.
A little wine. A little cuddling. A little fun. A little while later Emily awakes to find the boat adrift and Paolo gone.
They immediately suspect Emily is responsible for the murder.....but Emily insists its someone else.
Then another body is found, under suspicious circumstances that point to Emily as well.
But is Emily responsible??
Is her mind playing tricks on her??
Could Paolo's murder be related to his scientific studies??
Emily has to figure this out. Her freedom depends on it.

R.J. Jacobs successfully weaves a psychological thriller that takes the reader inside the emotions and feelings, the obsessions and mania of a bipolar mind. The frustration and struggle are true and accurate and done with a warm, touching and respectful understanding.

I loved this book! The mystery and intrigue are spellbinding and it's hard not to relate to Emily. The depiction of a positive role model for bipolar and mania and the murder mystery make this a book I will not forget. Look for this in May 2019!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and #netgalley for this ARC.
#AndThenYouWereGone