I loved the very noir style of the book, the classic hero (the masculine and war hero guy) - even if it's kind of very déjà-vu, the damsel not so in distress, the bad guys very bad and cliché and the writing.

I loved that the hero, Jack Curran, was not a private detective but a reporter (and a reporter who knows how to fight if needed I might add) and that the book is signed by Jack himself it made me thing of Castle, the TV show now books). Just so you know, Jack is not as funny as Castle... don't remember it's a very noir story!

All in all, nothing new in that story, it's a mix between Castle (the writer who investigates), Mad Men (the sexism) and all that make a good noir story. I thought that there was two story in one, the Thrill girl story and the monster story and that just one would have been enough. The connection between the stories was a bit too much and didn't bring a lot in the story.

But the writing makes it very enjoyable, I find the story quite appealing and the rhythm was set at a good pace. And it was quite cool to wander the streets of LA in those old cars and be in that special atmosphere that makes the 50 the cradle of the detective story.

This book is CARAZY! There is so much in it, so many fun twists and turns, and you will not be able to put it down! It's written in noir, with a perfect depiction of 1950's Los Angeles. 

Jack Curran is a star reporter, and determined to find out all he can about the female vigilante, nicknamed, "Thrill Girl." By diving into her story and true identity, Jack also finds himself in the deepest layers of the LA underground. 

This book will keep your interest, steal your sleep and make you want more books from Jack Curran!

<b> Short Summary:</b>
A mystery/thriller with a Dick Tracy-type vibe.

<b>My thoughts:</b>
I was surprised to receive this book as a “wish granted” through NetGalley. By the time I received it, it was past publication and I honestly had forgotten about it. Nonetheless, I was excited since it was my first “wish granted”.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for granting my wish, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Despite all the positive reviews, this book wasn’t for me. I felt like I was reading a Dick Tracy comic strip/book. I also had that foreboding and sinister music in my head, from the older detective shows, lol.

I pictured “Thrill Girl”—as Jack has named her—as some type of Marvel character or Superhero. Which I might have enjoyed as a short movie.

Don’t get me wrong, the book isn’t bad—it’s well written and interesting—just not something I enjoyed. Anyone who likes this type of story should try it—you’ll probably enjoy it.

<b>Recommend:</b> Not my “cup of tea”, but I’m sure it will be enjoyed by anyone who reads these type of mystery/thrillers.

<b>My Rating: </b> 3 ⭐️’s

<b>Published:</b> June 1st 2018 by La Verita Publishing <b>Pages:</b> 390

#NetGalley #ThrillGirl
#detectivemystery

<b>Book Blurb
It’s June of ‘51, and a vigilante is stalking the streets of LA. On four separate occasions a beautiful blonde came to the rescue of citizens being mugged, saving their lives while mercilessly dispatching their attackers.  When the cops arrive on the scene, she has disappeared like a whisper in the rain, leaving no clues to her identity behind.

Journalist and WWII hero, Jack Curran, stuck the nickname ‘Thrill Girl’ on the mystery woman the first time she struck. He’s been tracking and writing about her since with one goal in mind, to file the exclusive revealing who she is.

When Jack discovers a society heiress with ties to each of the victims, he is drawn to her in a way that is dangerously unprofessional. The more he learns about the tragic details of her life with her disabled younger brother, the more pressure he receives to back off the story.

When another, even more lurid murder occurs, Jack realizes the facts of the crimes he has reported on are not what they seem. He becomes convinced there is a conspiracy behind the Thrill Girl murders, and that he is in danger himself.  He is shadowed day and night by mysterious men in a black Cadillac. He's arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. He's threatened by the heiress’s step-brother, the cops, his lawyer, and eventually even his own publisher. 

When Jack uncovers the true nature of the crime and the monstrous criminals behind it, he confronts a final challenge that could cost him his career. And his life.

This is a twisty read, I loved the tense build up, the 50's glamour and the plot is brilliant. Quite unique, It feels quite like a thriller noir book! Had me sitting on the edge of my seat and unable to put it down!

It's the fifties and citizens are being attacked on the streets of LA. Help in the form of a blonde woman has saved at least four people. Who is this girl ? Jack Curran, known as a hero of WW2 and a journalist has nicknamed her The Thrill Girl. He has been tracking her, trying to find out who she is. He thinks that a heiress has ties to all the people that were attacked. He finds that there is a conspiracy and his life may be in danger. What will he find? It may too much to believe, much more than he can print. Will he lose everything? It's a thriller from beginning to end. I like that it is set in the fifties. The author portrays the characters exactly right. I love this book and hope to read more by this author. I received this book from Net Galley and La Verita Publishing for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I love historical mysteries, so it was a very good book for me.
The story and the characters were interesting. The writing was good as well. Someone called 'thrill girl' is helping people in trouble. It's been some cases already. Our journalist, WW2 hero Jack Curren is interested in finding her. Will he or the police ever find out who she is?
While I liked the story, the downside was for it to be predictable. I guessed who the thrill girl was. Hence, the 4 stars. But, I really enjoyed it.

This author has great voice and I can see many people enjoying this book. However, it reads like a comic book and it's just not the type of book I like to read.

Thrill girl by Jack Curran.
This was a really good read. I liked the story and some of the characters too. Although I had a guess at who thrill girl was. Someone is helping people in trouble. This is the fourth time they have saved someone. While is this mystery woman Jack Curran who writes for the paper has given her the name of thrill girl. Will he find out who she is? Will the police ever find her?
This was a slow but ok read. I liked the story. I had an idea who thrill girl was. 4*.

Book Review: Vigilante Justice, gum-shoe journalist, and shady doctors oh my!



Thrill Girl
by Jack Curran


It’s 1951 in the streets of LA. Newspaper Journalist Jack Curran coins the phrase, “Thrill Girl” for the mysterious blonde rescuing citizens from criminals.

Jack Curran is a WWII hero trying to get answers to reveal who is behind dispatching street justice. In his quest to get the exclusive, his investigation leads him into increasingly dangerous quarters with equally dangerous contacts.

Of course a Noir story set in 1950’s Los Angeles isn’t complete without a society heiress to complicate matters. When Jack Curran’s investigations end up on her doorstep his journalistic integrity comes into question. The deeper Jack goes down the rabbit hole, he is threatened by her family, by the police department, by his publisher and finally by the conspiracy behind the “Thrill Girl” murders.

Thrill Girl has many unexpected turns among the clues Jack Curran follows. Not your typical murder mystery, Thrill Girl is pure Noir without the stereotypical P.I. It is fast paced and nuanced giving the reader the opportunity to shadow Curran as he follows the clues. It is unexpected with enough twists to keep the reader interested until all is revealed.

A thoroughly captivating reading experience!


Be sure to visit http://www.jackcurranauthor.com





FTC Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this title by NetGalley for review purposes only; no other compensation was awarded me.

Thrill Girl! What a ride!
I have to say the intertwining stories grabbed my attention and loved the layout of this book. The characters and their personalities flew off the page! I am not going to lie.. I was 100% stunned at the ending! Way to go Jack! I want more! I want more Alana. I want more Eddie and I want more Jack!
Thank you NetGalley, Jack Curran and La Verita Publishing.

Loved the tight plot, noir stylings and nostalgic stance of this mystery-thriller. Will hold you to the last word. Highly recommended!

I received a review copy from La Verita Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

#AWell-craftedTaleThat,LikeThrillGirlHerself,IsFullOfIntrigue...kirkusReview #NetGalley

This noir paranormal suspense
has the 50’s flavor and habits that will have you remembering LSMFT and all those whisky ads. Jack Curran did name her Thrill Girl, but everyone is using it. Does Jack report the vigilante killer’s identity to the cops? Be ready for lots of plot twists. I hope you’ll like this as much as I did.

This was an enjoyable mystery that was set in the 1950s. The author's writing made it easy to imagine this setting, which enabled me to feel more invested in the story.

Thankyou to NetGalley, LaVerita Publishing and Jack Curran for granting my wish to read an advanced readers copy of Thrill Girl.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story was full of intrigue and keeps the reader entertained. Definitely well worth a read.

This was a great read. Held my interest from page one. I liked the characters. It kind of reminded me of a 40's style storyline. I highly recommend this book.
A lot of action and suspense. Keeps you guessing.

Thrill Girl has all the ingredients of a great genre read. Set in 1950’s LA, you got the war-hero-turned-beat-reporter, a leggy blonde, gruesome murders, ex-Nazis, and smoking. A lot of smoking. So much that the pages are saturated with tobacco. Stirred, definitely not shaken, within, author Jack Curran mixes an exciting tale of murder, vigilantism, the quest for truth, and, why not, even a monster. The plot is original, the characters are entertaining, but man, Curran doesn’t quite pour out the voice for the hard-boiled tale Thrill Girl has every right to be.

Curran, working with a pseudonym, places himself in the story as a reporter looking into the vigilante known as Thrill Girl. He wants to get the As for all the Qs, or at least all the journalistic Ws surrounding this woman. Is she a hero? Or a threat? A typical femme fatale, or a beauty who’s a beast? Curran, the reporter, works through the story as Curran, the author, cleverly reveals pieces of the mystery at the right times. The wrong times are what drags the tale down. The dialogue can be plain jane dull as are frequent scene set ups. Curran might have the right recipe, but needs to work on the flavor. Missing is the quick rat-a-tat pulse of a Chandler or the immoral vulgarity of Elroy. Thrill Girl could be Glenfiddich instead of Old Grandad.

What Curran might lack in style, he rips right ahead with plot, and in all honesty, makes the read entertainingly fun. The mystery is tight and remains good to the last drop. And Curran the reporter, is actually a good egg, one you don’t want to see crack on a desolate alleyway in old-time Hollywood.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advance edition and the hard-boiled fun.

THRILL GIRL is thrilling, suspenseful and kept me hanging on till the last page. I loved the plot: it was fast paced, intriguing and always moving. A gorgeous setting in California, 1951, and the cast of characters were beautiful and brave. Mr. Curran’s writing style made me feel like I was right inside the story. One of my favorite Authors highly recommended this book, I am so glad I read it. This was my first book by Jack Curran and I loved it!

WOW! I love a good thriller book, this one kept me on my toes! The setting was perfect, I love reading books with plots in the past... just gives us a whole perspective of what life was back then. thank you!

What an interesting noir-styled thriller/mystery. I love the time period (the 50s)and the author does a fantastic job with character development and descriptions. This book took me by surprise. I didn't know how I would feel about it but it quickly pulled me in and wouldn't let go. I really enjoyed reading it and totally recommend it!

*I would like to thank the author/publisher/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

This book so reminds me of times at home listening to the stories from my grandfather talking about the war. Unfortunately I did not enjoy them then, and whilst this one was intriguing to start, it rather went into realms that felt a little too scifi for me.
An excellent book, well written, suspenseful and with lots of twist and turn. Good if you enjoy these types of stories