Must Read Books

10 Amazing Thrillers You Need To Read

I love a good thriller. Whether it's a domestic thriller, psychological thriller or any other kind of thriller, this genre is one of my favourites.

Over the years I've had the pleasure of reading some books in this genre that really had that extra wow factor and left me feeling like 5 stars just wasn't enough. For this post I'm showcasing some of the best thrillers I've read.

High Rated Thrillers Worth Reading

The following books are listed in no particular order. All are worthy of your TBR list 😉

All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

Book Club Kit - My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

He’d do anything to protect his wife. But what if that meant making the biggest mistake of all?

James Casper is one of the good guys. A DEA agent. A loyal husband. With his sights set on the man at the top of the city’s opioid crisis, James is about to make the biggest bust of his career.

Then his beloved wife Rosie does something terrible, and James must choose: report it―or help her. He knows how this works, and he tells himself he’s smart enough to get away with murder. But James’s worst enemy knows what they have done―and he won’t hesitate to use it to manipulate him.

James is dragged into a dark and dangerous world. As events spiral and loyalties are tested, he realizes there’s only one way out. And that is to be even more ruthless than the people he’s working for.

Whatever happens, no matter how far he falls, at least he’ll still have Rosie.

Won’t he?

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

Book Club Kit - My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

Years ago, bookseller and mystery aficionado Malcolm Kershaw compiled a list of the genre’s most unsolvable murders, those that are almost impossible to crack—which he titled “Eight Perfect Murders”—chosen from among the best of the best including Agatha Christie’s A. B. C. Murders, Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, A. A. Milne's The Red House Mystery, Anthony Berkeley Cox's Malice Aforethought, James M. Cain's Double Indemnity, John D. MacDonald's The Drowner, and Donna Tartt's The Secret History.

But no one is more surprised than Mal, now the owner of the Old Devils Bookstore in Boston, when an FBI agent comes knocking on his door one snowy day in February. She’s looking for information about a series of unsolved murders that look eerily similar to the killings on Mal’s old list. And the FBI agent isn’t the only one interested in this bookseller who spends almost every night at home reading. The killer is out there, watching his every move—a diabolical threat who knows way too much about Mal’s personal history, especially the secrets he’s never told anyone, even his recently deceased wife.

To protect himself, Mal begins looking into possible suspects . . . and sees a killer in everyone around him. But Mal doesn’t count on the investigation leaving a trail of death in its wake. Suddenly, a series of shocking twists leaves more victims dead—and the noose around Mal’s neck grows so tight he might never escape.

Poison Orchids by Sarah A. Denzil & Anni Taylor

My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

Two broke young backpackers are grateful to find fruitpicking work at a farm, but something seems very strange about the owner and his workers.

Backpackers Gemma and Hayley hitchhike for days to make it to the remote Llewellyn Farm. The owner, Tate Llewellyn, welcomes them in. Kind and charismatic, Tate seems to spend most of his time cultivating rare orchids in his greenhouse.

The weeks go on, a blur of fruit-picking, parties, campfires and wading beneath waterfalls in the nearby hot springs. Tate calls the girls his orchids...his pretty orchids...

Until the night the girls find themselves on a dark highway, bruised and bloodied.

How did everything go so wrong?

Senior Detective Bronwen McKay and psychologist Megan Arlotti question the terrified girls. But Hayley and Gemma are telling two very different stories of what happened to them over the past three months.

Which story is the truth and what are the girls afraid to tell?

Girl, 11 by Amy Suiter Clarke

My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

Elle Castillo once trained as a social worker, supporting young victims of violent crime. Now she hosts a popular true crime podcast that focuses on cold cases of missing and abducted children.

After four seasons of successfully solving these cases in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Elle decides to tackle her white whale: The Countdown Killer. Twenty years ago, TCK was terrorizing the community, kidnapping and ritualistically murdering three girls over seven days, each a year younger than the last. Then, after he took his eleven-year-old victim, the pattern—and the murders—abruptly stopped. No one has ever known why.

When Elle follows up on a listener tip only to discover the man’s dead body, she feels at fault. Then, within days, a child is abducted—a young girl who seems to fit suspiciously into the TCK sequence halted decades before. While media and law enforcement long ago concluded that TCK had suicided, Elle has never believed TCK was dead. She had hoped her investigation would lay that suspicion to rest, but her podcast seems instead to be inciting new victims.

Stone Cold Heart by Caz Frear

My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

After a brief stint in the Mayor’s Office, Detective Constable Cat Kinsella is back at the London Metropolitan Police, wisecracking with her partner Luigi Parnell and trying to avoid the wrath of the boss, DI Kate Steele.

But for Cat and Parnell, it’s serious business when a young Australian woman turns up dead after a party thrown by her new boss. The initial investigation of Naomi Lockhart's murder points to Joseph Madden, the owner of a coffee shop around the corner from police headquarters. Madden insists he’s innocent, that he was home with his wife Rachel at the time of the murder. When police question her, Rachel contradicts his alibi, swearing that she was home alone.

While the team builds its case against Joseph, Cat is tasked with getting to the heart of the Maddens’ marriage. Cat knows that one of them is lying—but the question of which one, and why, is far more complicated than she could have expected. As she tries to balance the demands of the investigation with a budding romance and unresolved family drama, Cat has to decide how far she’ll go to keep her own past mistakes buried.

With her trademark wit and brilliant plotting, Caz Frear ratchets up the tension and keeps you guessing as she explores the secrets we keep from our loved ones—and the ones we’d kill to keep safe in the dark.

The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney

My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

Abbie awakens in a daze with no memory of who she is or how she landed in this unsettling condition. The man by her side claims to be her husband. He’s a titan of the tech world, the founder of one of Silicon Valley’s most innovative start-ups. He tells Abbie that she is a gifted artist, an avid surfer, a loving mother to their young son, and the perfect wife. He says she had a terrible accident five years ago and that, through a huge technological breakthrough, she has been brought back from the abyss.

She is a miracle of science.

But as Abbie pieces together memories of her marriage, she begins to question her husband’s motives—and his version of events. Can she trust him when he says he wants them to be together forever? And what really happened to her, half a decade ago?

Beware the man who calls you . . .

THE PERFECT WIFE

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

A murder mystery novel inspired by Agatha Christie with a dash of Groundhog Day and a hint of Quantum Leap and Downton Abbey.

Aiden Bishop knows the rules. Evelyn Hardcastle will die every day until he can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest at Blackheath Manor. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others. With a locked-room mystery that Agatha Christie would envy, Stuart Turton unfurls a breakneck novel of intrigue and suspense.

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a breathlessly addictive mystery that follows one man's race against time to find a killer, with an astonishing time-turning twist that means nothing and no one are quite what they seem.

The Art of Fear by Pamela Crane

My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

A fearless detective. A stolen child. And a killer just getting started.

From USA Today best-selling author Pamela Crane comes a terrifying tale of small-town secrets and murder.

Ari Wilburn’s life ended long ago—the day she watched her little sister die in a tragic accident and did nothing to stop it. Crippled with self-blame and resented by her parents, she stumbles through life … and onto an unexpected clue that casts doubt on whether the death was accidental.

Now a psychological wreck, Ari joins a suicide support group where she meets Tina, a sex-enslaved escapee whose daughter is missing and her long-lost father dead. Suicide, police ruled it. But Tina suspects foul play. As a bond develops between the women in their shared loss, they’re dragged into playing a dangerous game with a killer.

A serial killer with a deadly message.

Faced with a murderous wake-up call and two possibly linked deaths, Ari’s investigation puts her next on the killer’s list. But she’s never been one to back down from a fight.

Needing closure, Ari must face her demons and the killer behind them … or lose everything she loves.

The Killing Game by JS Carol

My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

Imagine you are having lunch at an exclusive restaurant, filled with Hollywood’s hottest stars. And a masked gunman walks in and takes everyone hostage.

You must bargain for your life against a twisted individual who knows everything about you. He also has a bomb set to detonate if his heart rate changes.

If he dies. You die.

You have four hours to stay alive.

What would you do?

A heart-stopping thriller with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, for fans of Peter Swanson, Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay.

The Girl Before by JP Delaney

My Review - Amazon - Goodreads

Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.

The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.

EMMA

Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant—and it does.

JANE

After a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space—and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home’s previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror, as the girl before.

What are your favourite thrillers? Have you read any of these books? If yes, what did you think of them?

You might also like: Book Review: You'll Be The Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

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Book Blogger Posts Round Up

A collection of blog posts by book bloggers

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, I get a commission if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Looking for new bookish content to read? Want to discover some new book bloggers to follow? Look no further!

I introduced this new feature here on the blog in May 2021 to showcase blog posts by other book bloggers. I'll be linking up a variety of blog posts so hopefully there will be something to suit all tastes.

The following posts were submitted for inclusion in this round up via my Twitter, where I asked for posts. I'll be continuing to do this every month.

Why?

Because I like reading blog posts by other book bloggers and thought you might too. Finding the time to scan through various social media feeds to find suitable content can take up valuable time though and so I figured I'd make it easier and put together a collection here on the blog.

My plan is to include a wide variety of content so there's something for everyone. You'll find book reviews, interviews, discussion pieces and more...

Want to be included in future round ups? Follow my Twitter profile and keep an eye out for the submission tweet.

July 2022 Book Blogger Round Up

@See_Sadie_Read did a book review for We All Fall Down, by Rose Szabo. "I had a really strange experience reading this book. Whenever I was reading it, I enjoyed it. But as soon as I set it down, I was reluctant to pick it back up again. As a result, it took me an inordinately long time to finish it. And I ended up feeling so-so about it in the same way." Read the full review here.

@ReadingLadiesBC reviewed The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer. "Wow! The German Wife is one of my best historical fiction reads of the year so far...Yes, this checks all my boxes for a five star read!" Read the full review here.

@WordsofMystery did a recap post What I Read in June. "Last month, I finally got around to reading some titles that have been on my TBR for a while and while there were some disappointments, I also found some new favourites! Not surprising, my top two reads of the month were the travel-themed ones." Read the full post to discover which books she read.

@Livvylance reviewed Queen's Peril by EK Johnston. "I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Star Wars, YA, or Sci-Fi. The YA element might be a dealbreaker for fans of other Star Wars novels but I would certainly give it a try if you’re interested in Padme and the handmaiden's story." Read the full review here.

@nsfordwriter showcased a new charity ebook in her post Charity ebook now out – ‘Amazing Offer!’ edited by S D Vassallo and Elle Turpitt. "Amazing Offer! is a charity fantasy and horror anthology benefiting the International Rescue Committee (IRC)." Read more about the book and the charity here.

@cats_herding joined the blog tour for The Love of my Other Life by C. J. Connolly and shared her review of the book. "Oh I absolutely adored this novel and I struggled to put it down until I was done. I cannot believe this is a debut novel and I cannot wait to see what the writer produces next." Read the full review here.

@Honolulubelle reviewed the 4th book in the Scorned Women’s Society series with her book review for It Takes a Woman by Piper Sheldon. "The smirk-worthy humor has bite, as do the insightfully written storylines and heart-squeezing inner musings." Read the full review here.

@Mehsi_Hime did the 2022 edition of the Dreamy Covers Book Tag. A fun book tag dedicated to book covers.

@RobinLovesRead joined the book tour for the 2nd book in the Inspector Anjelica Henley series with a review of The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson. "The way that this book is written it could do well as a standalone, but since it follows the first book, with reference to the killer in that book and how it affected all of the police that were involved, I highly recommend reading these books in order. Another reason that I recommend this is because of the continuity that comes with the relationship Anjelica has with her team and also with the situation in her marriage. " Read the full review here.

@bitchbookshelf reviewed Much Ado About Dukes by Eva Devon. "Wow, what a book! The romance was lovely, but the storyline really hit home for me. This was the perfect example of how to be a good ally, and how to defeat patriarchal beliefs that hold men back when it comes to making important emotional connections. It was a clear 5 star read for me! " Read the full review here.

@AncaAntoci shared a great post 15 First in a series you don't want to miss. "...if you’re looking to start a new series, I compiled a list of first books in a series that don’t beat about the bush and throw you right into the middle of the action. A few of them are well-known, popular books, but most of them, I hope, are books you haven't discovered yet."

@alitescape shared an ARC review of The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne. "THE BOOK OF GOTHEL is a superbly atmospheric retelling of Rapunzel from the maligned point of view of the witch in the tower of this classic fairy tale." Read the full review here.

@owlbookworld did a post with Books about introverts that will make you feel less alone. "If you’re anything like me then being an introvert kind of bums you out a little bit. The best books for introverts are a good way to guide you through some of the disadvantages of being an introvert."

@kalventure deep dives into the nuance of genres in this new series of posts: Genres Defined. The first installment is Mystery vs Thriller: Differences & Book Recommendations.

What bookish blog posts did you enjoy reading in July? Have a favourite book you read in July that you want to share?

In case you missed it, don't forget to check out the June Round Up for even more great bookish posts by different book bloggers.

You might also like: The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers

Are you a book blogger? Check out 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

Book Club Kit

All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

Please be aware going into this post that it is for people who have read the book and therefore contains some spoilers.

About the book

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Domestic Thriller

Number of pages: 395 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1542027551

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542027557

Published: September 1, 2021

Purchasing links: Amazon

Goodreads

Book Covers

Book Cover All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

Book Synopsis

He’d do anything to protect his wife. But what if that meant making the biggest mistake of all?

James Casper is one of the good guys. A DEA agent. A loyal husband. With his sights set on the man at the top of the city’s opioid crisis, James is about to make the biggest bust of his career.

Whatever happens, no matter how far he falls, at least he’ll still have Rosie.

Won’t he?

About the Author

Martyn Ford, Author of All Our Darkest Secrets

Martyn Ford is a journalist and bestselling author from the UK.

His award-winning middle-grade children's book, The Imagination Box, was published by Faber & Faber in 2015 to critical acclaim and went on to become a trilogy. This was followed by 2019's standalone title, Chester Parsons is Not a Gorilla.

His bestselling adult books, Every Missing Thing and All Our Darkest Secrets, were released in 2020 and 2021 respectively from Amazon imprint Thomas & Mercer.

He is represented by Clare Wallace at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency.

Martyn spends most of his time thinking, writing and thinking about writing. He has a lot of titanium implants in his mouth because most of his big teeth didn't appear but, get this, no one knows why...

Authors website

Twitter: @Martyn87

Book Reviews

My Review of All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

"This is how a thriller should be written. Our Darkest Secrets keeps you hooked from the start and doesn’t let up. This is an enthralling, action-packed story with so many twists and turns that it will keep you guessing throughout." - Read the full review by Lizzie's Little Book Nook

"Recommend to those who enjoy thrills in their thrillers, action, fast-paced." - Read the full review by Dressed to Read

"Ford presents an enthralling tale of love and loyalty. All Our Darkest Secrets has plot twists that keep the reader anxious to know what happens next. The story is told in such a way that the reader can feel James’s dilemma and fear and pure horror when Rosie’s darkest secret of all is revealed." - Read the full review by Magnolia Mentions

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Discussion Questions

Why do you think James was so attracted to Rosie? Do you think their relationship was wrong from the start?

How much do you think James and Rosie were to blame for Matthew's problems with drugs? Could they have saved him early on?

Why didn't James call for help and save Mary? Was it just because of Rosie or do you think he had other reasons?

The dad killed himself on James 18th birthday. How much do you think his death effected each of them and how much is it to blame for what happened to each of them afterwards? If he hadn't killed himself do you think things would have gone differently for James, Matthew, and Rosie?

Why do you think Rosie wrote Matthew's suicide note?

Why do you think James remains so loyal to Rosie?

What do you think Rosie will be like as a mother?

When do you think Rosie hired The Carpenter?

What did you think about the ending of the book? Did you see it coming?

You might also like: Book Club Kit: Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

Quotes from All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

“Trust me. I’ve buried two husbands. Anniversaries. You always forget the ones you want to remember. And always remember the ones you want to forget.”

I think about Matthew’s suicide every single fucking day. I recite his note, in silence, again and again, each night before I go to sleep. On Monday, the five-year anniversary, I repeated the letter sixty-seven times in my mind before the words became a dream. And in the morning, as always, they were real again.

You learn early on in this game that they lie about the goal. The very point of my job is, on paper, to stop the supply of illegal drugs. But this is impossible. No, my job is not to prevent perpetrators. My job is to punish them. To hurt anyone who profits from this shit.

“Things like that, puts it all into perspective.” Nell sighs. “You just realize . . . when you lose someone. None of it matters. Nothing. Not work. Not money. Nothing. Nothing matters more than family.”

Grabbing my head, I stand, turn to her, and open my mouth to speak. But it’s like a bad dream. No words come out. “Help me,” she whispers, “please . . . you know what to do.”

Two hours of hard work and the kitchen looks . . . well . . . still like a murder’s just happened, but it’s getting better.

You get numb, I find, at times. Maybe numb isn’t the right word. It’s more that you feel nothing at all. Like in memories. It’s not really you. Not in any meaningful sense. It’s only you when it’s now. But now is fed to the past every second of the day. Fed to history, like wood to a fire—the real story’s in the flames, the smoke, the ash.

Foster isn’t a bad guy. But he’s hard work to be around for any length of time. Like a buzzing insect. Almost certainly harmless, but really fucking annoying.

One day, you’ll do everything for the final time and you won’t even realize it. Your final meal, your final kiss, your final glimpse of the sun. I just can’t wait anymore.

“Drugs are not the enemy,” he says, his eyes wide and mad again. “The enemy is hopelessness. The enemy is empty lives. You think those lost souls under Blue Bridge would be smoking junk if they had something better to do? Addiction is a lot more complicated than chemical dependence.” He smiles slightly. “You know this. You have firsthand experience. Tell me about Matthew.”

“Way I see it,” she says, as we carry on walking, “if you haven’t got something you should just make your own. You need money, make some. You need a family, make one. This world doesn’t give you anything. It only takes stuff away.”

That is the only fact I know in my heart about the future. Whatever happens after Thursday, however Edward reacts to his arrest, well, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I am not corrupt. I am not a criminal. This is not who I am.

“It’s called money.” There’s a long silence. “It represents value. You can swap it for goods and services. It allows people to trade in the abstract . . . I’m sorry, James, but you must have come across the concept before?”

This is what they mean when they talk about the power of youth. To be a teenage boy, unburdened by anything as lame as caring. The limitless freedom of absolute apathy. Not even the fact we’re pretending matters all that much.

Sometimes her front catches me off guard. Rosie has a special ability to cut through bullshit and just say it how it is—to announce things that normal people leave unsaid.

“James,” Rosie says softly, as though I’m being naive, like I’ve missed something obvious. She turns and steps closer, holding both my hands now. “We’re not talking about arresting them.”

Just like with everything else, Matthew’s words arrive to guide me. I recall another one of his T-shirts. Printed in white letters across black cotton. “Become something far worse than the monsters who torment you.”

True fear does not dwell in things that happen. But in things that might. And, almost always, in things that never will.

A highly skilled individual without loyalty, a monster who’s willing to kill anyone for the right price. That sounds like the kind of man I’d like to meet.

And while, of course, his survival is incompatible with my plan, I have to admit, I trust him too. He’s capable. Strong. Smart. Cautious. All the traits you need when you’re out late at night committing serious crimes.

Rosie was right. We are good at this. I’m just playing a slightly different game.

if there’s one thing I know about getting away with murder, it’s that there’s no such thing as being too cautious.

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Book Review All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

My thoughts about All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, I get a commission if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Disclosure: I got sent a free copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer
Publishing date: September 1, 2021
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 395 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1542027551
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542027557

The book synopsis for All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

He’d do anything to protect his wife. But what if that meant making the biggest mistake of all?

James Casper is one of the good guys. A DEA agent. A loyal husband. With his sights set on the man at the top of the city’s opioid crisis, James is about to make the biggest bust of his career.

Whatever happens, no matter how far he falls, at least he’ll still have Rosie.

Won’t he?

You might also like: My 2022 Reading Challenges

Discussing All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

Quotes from All Our Darkest Secrets by Martyn Ford

“Trust me. I’ve buried two husbands. Anniversaries. You always forget the ones you want to remember. And always remember the ones you want to forget.”

“Things like that, puts it all into perspective.” Nell sighs. “You just realize . . . when you lose someone. None of it matters. Nothing. Not work. Not money. Nothing. Nothing matters more than family.”

Grabbing my head, I stand, turn to her, and open my mouth to speak. But it’s like a bad dream. No words come out. “Help me,” she whispers, “please . . . you know what to do.”

Two hours of hard work and the kitchen looks . . . well . . . still like a murder’s just happened, but it’s getting better.

You get numb, I find, at times. Maybe numb isn’t the right word. It’s more that you feel nothing at all. Like in memories. It’s not really you. Not in any meaningful sense. It’s only you when it’s now. But now is fed to the past every second of the day. Fed to history, like wood to a fire—the real story’s in the flames, the smoke, the ash.

Foster isn’t a bad guy. But he’s hard work to be around for any length of time. Like a buzzing insect. Almost certainly harmless, but really fucking annoying.

“Drugs are not the enemy,” he says, his eyes wide and mad again. “The enemy is hopelessness. The enemy is empty lives. You think those lost souls under Blue Bridge would be smoking junk if they had something better to do? Addiction is a lot more complicated than chemical dependence.” He smiles slightly. “You know this. You have firsthand experience. Tell me about Matthew.”

This is what they mean when they talk about the power of youth. To be a teenage boy, unburdened by anything as lame as caring. The limitless freedom of absolute apathy. Not even the fact we’re pretending matters all that much.

Sometimes her front catches me off guard. Rosie has a special ability to cut through bullshit and just say it how it is—to announce things that normal people leave unsaid.

“James,” Rosie says softly, as though I’m being naive, like I’ve missed something obvious. She turns and steps closer, holding both my hands now. “We’re not talking about arresting them.”

Just like with everything else, Matthew’s words arrive to guide me. I recall another one of his T-shirts. Printed in white letters across black cotton. “Become something far worse than the monsters who torment you.”

True fear does not dwell in things that happen. But in things that might. And, almost always, in things that never will.

A highly skilled individual without loyalty, a monster who’s willing to kill anyone for the right price. That sounds like the kind of man I’d like to meet.