This is a great thriller that will keep you wondering all the way through.

About the Book

A disgraced probation officer’s clients are falling victim to a vicious killer—but will anyone believe what she has to say?

Grace Midwinter is at breaking point. Following a dreadful mistake at work, her career as a probation officer is hanging by a thread. Then her clients start dying in grotesque and premeditated ways. When one ex-offender is beaten and dumped in the harbour, and another grisly corpse is discovered soon afterwards, Grace can’t help but dredge up her recent past.

Rumours swirl about conspiracies and vendettas, some involve Grace and her colleagues. Grace discovers that the deaths have been made to look like the sordid results of a gangland turf war but are hiding something else. Can she persuade the people in power that her suspicions could be correct?

Grace knows she’s in trouble. She just doesn’t realise how deep. If only she could tell her friends from her enemies . . .

“A fresh new talent.” —Phoebe Morgan, author of The Babysitter on The Lake

My Thoughts

I really enjoy it when thrillers take on a unique perspective. While probation officers are still law enforcement officers, they have a totally different perspective. Instead of getting criminals off the street, they focused on helping them reintegrate into society. Or at least, I think good ones are. And that’s how our main female character, Grace, who is filled with a lot of grace for her wayward clients, seems to be approaching her job. But when things start to get too close to home, and some of the people she trusts and loves start facing danger and challenging her beliefs, her black-and-white world seems to start crumbling into a lot more shades of gray.

I really appreciate that Grace sees her clients as human. So many people discount all criminals as monsters or inhuman. And, I’ll admit, until recently, I probably had a tendency to do the same. Some experiences in my life (a close family member being wrongly accused of something and experiencing the criminal justice system firsthand) and joining a religious tradition that holds the belief that all people have dignity and worth (something I thought I believed before, but didn’t realize all the ways I wasn’t living that value). So, every time I see someone treating people with respect who might not get it usually, I’m excited. That doesn’t mean any of us approve of hurting others. We just understand that everyone is human.

This story will really get your mind going about right and wrong, criminality, justice, and so many big concepts. But to do that, it really hits on some brought topics. So make sure you check out the content warnings on slide 5. I always want people to make sure they’ve protected their mental health before reading! Books can wait! If you’re in an edgy book club, this one could make for some great discussions!

Who’s It For?

This is a great mystery/detective novel that focuses on an interesting case. The protagonist is also an interesting, unusual character, especially for a detective novel. If you like books with strong, independent women, this is a great book for you. There are a lot of dark topics covered, so watch the content warnings!

Content Warnings: Kidnapping, Torture, Child Harm/Death, Domestic Violence, Prison, Police, Justice Services, Graphic Violence, Adult Situations, Murder

Question of the Day

Have you ever personally known anyone on probation?

Answer of the Day

One of my cousins I was close to growing up got mixed up in a wild situation a while back and is now on probation. Unfortunately, her situation has been way more along the lines of bad POs than good ones. Hopefully, she will see some Grace soon.

About the Author

Originally from Montreal, Louise move to the UK nearly thirty years ago after falling in love with a British sailor. She began writing short fiction, and in 2010 won the Woman & Home Magazine Short Story Competition. Her entry Black Rock, was subsequently published as part of an anthology, ‘The Best Little Book Club in Town’ (Orion 2011), alongside writers such as Ruth Rendell, Jodi Picoult and Lee Child. In 2016 she won The Big Issue Crime Writing Competition and a two book deal with Avon Books. Her psychological thrillers ‘The Lake,’ and ‘My Husband’s Secrets,’ were published by Avon Books in March 2021 and 2022. Her newest crime thriller Vengeance Street (July 2024 Bloodhound Books), explores the dark nature of justice and revenge. Louise is fascinated with exploring ideas and themes around why good people do bad things. Her experience working with people who have experienced homelessness gives her work a strong humanitarian and social justice theme. Above all, Louise wants to tell a good story that is entertaining, thought provoking and well written.

Amazon US: https://a.co/d/7PzI6HM
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9781917214049
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/2qJFx5T
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213020193-vengeance-street
Author Website: https://louisesharlandauthor.com/

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