This was an amazing sampler pack. I found myself loving each story for what they had to offer.

The Night shift played on nostalgia with its blockbuster reference yet had me turning pages to see what happened next. I am eager for this release to see how all the characters get together and interact. The killer in this story seems absolutely terrifying.

Under Lock and Key had me longing to read more stories by Indian authors.I loved the food references and the addition of magicians. This is definitely a new read for me but I found myself wondering where the story was headed. The best friends coming back together really warmed my heart. Can't wait to see where this winding staircase of literature takes us.

The Shadow House was full of mystery and intrigue. The main characters situation is a bit bothersome as it seems that she is running away from abuse. Though her new found "home" seems different to say the least. I definitely felt cultish vibes from this story. The ending of thr 4th chapter provided really set up the rest of the book. Really making me want to read more.

The Resting Place had all the feelings of loss/love/murder and Family secrets. The setting of this tale is fantastically mysterious. If you love books where characters are left haunting houses this will be right up your alley. Can't wait to see what we learn about this family.

A Flicker in the Dark is a sad and enthralling story, which opens up on the theme of never really knowing who you can trust. The characters are real and their flaws make them easy to connect to. The first few chapters really set the scene. We see two characters meet and we get a glimpse at how they interact even after the tragedy that has hit our main characters. I can't wait to read more and see how she gets ripped into the new case.

Pay Dirt Raod is a book with a lovely western setting and a crime unfolding. The settings are detailed and the descriptions make you feel like you are there. If you love a story full of characters this is for you. So far it seems very character based with lots of interaction.

I read these excerpts and immediately asked for each of the books while adding them to my wish list on several sites so I can read and own them. I don't know if I can say more than that.

Another great set of books to look forward to from Minotaur books! I'm so excited to see Alex Finlay again, I absolutely loved his last book. They all sound so exciting and I can't wait to read them. Thank you to Minotaur books for this awesome sampler and Netgalley.

So happy to be able to preview a few different books that will be coming out in the next few months, including some by authors I have not heard about up to this point, plus one of my more anxiously anticipated books by Alex Finlay. The new series by Gigi Pandian is now also on my to be read list!

This sampler provides the beginning chapters of six upcoming mysteries/thrillers. I enjoyed the samples from each of these novel so much that I now have six more books added to my TBR. All of these samples definitely piqued my interest, but I especially enjoyed the samples from A Flicker in the Dark, The Shadow House and Pay Dirt Road. I anxiously await the publication of each of these novels.

I am so excited for these new upcoming titles! I loved Anna Downes and Alex Finley’s first books. I received Arcs for this of those and I just loved them both.

I participated in the cover reveal for a Flicker in the Dark and I’ve been wanted to read that book since then!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur for the chance to read these samples!

I enjoy reading these samples even though I am quite picky about my mysteries! Sadly, I still haven't captured the magical thrill of reading the samples of FINLAY DONOVAN and EVERY LAST FEAR in subsequent samplers, but I'll continue to give it a go!

A FLICKER IN THE DARK by Stacy Willingham - The concept didn't spark my interest, and I feel like I've read this kind of "complicated protagonist became a psychologist in response to their trauma, but then has to face it again" before in THE SURVIVORS by Robert Palmer.

THE NIGHT SHIFT by Alex Finlay - I was hooked from the opening of EVERY LAST FEAR and completely obsessed because I had no idea what was going to happen next. This one, however, with the "serial killer resurfaces" element, again I just feel like I've seen it before and I'm not interested. I do enjoy the multiple POVs slowly piecing together the puzzle, though, so I might pick it up from the library.

UNDER LOCK & SKELETON KEY by Gigi Pandian - The locked-room element in the cover copy caught my eye, but I was frustrated by the fact that we don't find the body in the sample, the "wacky hijinks" tone, and the very heavy-handed, repeated references to this "family curse" that our heroine "doesn't believe in....or does she?"

THE RESTING PLACE by Camilla Sten - The cover copy is chilling -- staring in the face of a killer but not knowing who it is because you have face blindness? eek! -- and it's a little too creepy for me, even though the pace is a little leisurely in this sample.

THE SHADOW HOUSE by Anna Downes - I really detest creepy, nonsensical prologues, so I got off on the wrong foot here. Add kids to the mix and I was completely checked out.

PAY DIRT ROAD by Samantha Jayne Allen - This one also didn't catch my interest, because the mystery doesn't kickstart in this sample, and because the heroine is so young.

So ultimately, nothing caught my eye this time around but that doesn't mean I'll stop gobbling up these Minotaur samplers!

Most of us have time constraints in our lives with the need to maximize our available reading time.

Which is why I appreciate the opportunity to preview books before requesting, borrowing, or purchasing.

How a book is written makes a big difference as to whether I enjoy it or not. It’s difficult to explain why I absolutely love one book and another similar book doesn’t suit. I don’t often know until I’m partially through and then want to put it aside.

I enjoyed all the entries here and have continued on with A Flicker in the Dark and am eagerly awaiting Night Shift. I’d already been aware of those two and had them on my To Read list so the excerpts cemented my decision.

However, I didn’t know much about the other four. I added Under Lock and Skeleton Key which seemed like an interesting (to me) cozy. The Final Resting Place is in question because I just read a book dealing with prosopagnosia although I enjoyed reading the sample here.

The Shadow House also appears promising (and scary) so I added that one in addition to Pay Dirt Road.

Pay Dirt Road especially appeals to me with “an unlikely private investigator searching for a missing waitress”. Of the six entries, the small town atmosphere stood out the most for me.

Although sampling isn’t a sure thing, I found it helpful and I hope this is a trend.

Thank you to Macmillan and Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and the six authors for my opportunity to read partials of their books.

All the samples are pretty good. Each is a couple chapters of the different books. I will probably go and get the full books for a few of them.

I love checking out these samplers. They give me some ideas of new books to read. There were several that peaked my interest.

I devoured these samplers they were so good. I really do appreciate samplers because they give me enough insight I feel like to what I’ll be looking for in the future so this was really really useful for me. I had lots of fun reading them and will be sure to check out the full books soon enough!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and all the authors for the previews in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I have to say I love these samplers that St. Martin's puts together. Some of these books were already on my radar or I probably would have heard about anyways, but I might have missed a couple if I hadn't read this.

The first book highlighted is Stacy Willingham's debut Flicker in the Dark which releases 1/11/22. This one I'd already had on my list. It's a psychological thriller featuring dual timelines narrated by the daughter of a serial killer who's now a psychologist and getting ready for her wedding when the past comes back to haunt her.

The second book is The Night Shift from Alex Finlay who thrilled us all earlier this year with Every Last Fear. After reading this I was left with one question. Where does he get his ideas from? The story starts on a night expected to bring the world to an end - Y2K, 12/31/99. Five teens working at a local Blockbuster are attacked and only one survives. This is another dual timeline story told from three perspectives - the survivor of first attack, the fbi agent investigating and the brother of the fugitive accused. This one releases 3/1/22.

The third novel is a new to me author, Gigi Pandian. Under Lock & Skelton Key (3/22/22) is the first book in a cozy mystery series featuring an Indian family of magicians, complete with secret doorways, hidden rooms, and family curses. Tempest Raj has a magic act in Vegas until an accident forces her to return home. When Tempest visits her dad at work, they discover her stage double's dead body between the walls of house. Tempest decides to solve the mystery worried the killer was actually after her.

The Resting Place by Camilla Sten was another book already on my list. Our MC Eleanor suffers from face blindness, which makes it impossible for her to identify the killer after she walks in on her grandmother's murder. She later finds out that she has inherited an isolated manor in the woods. Eleanor, her boyfriend, her aunt and the lawyer travel to the estate to sort through things, and in the process begin unraveling fifty years of secrets the house has kept in the dark. Releases 3/29/22.

The Shadow House (4/5/22) by Anna Downes is the fifth book and ooooh does it sound deliciously creepy! Alex, a single mother and her two children are moving to an ecovillage in a rural, remote location. At first Alex is enjoying the scenery and lifestyle, but bizarre things begin to happen. She believes they might be related to an old, abandoned farmhouse that's rumored to be haunted.

The last book showcased is Pay Dirt Road, which is the first in a series by Samantha Jayne Allen, another new to me author. The story takes place in a small town in Texas where MC Annie has recently graduated college and is spending her time waitressing instead of going on to law school. After one of her coworkers goes missing, she reluctantly goes to work for her grandfather's private investigation business. (4/19/22)

I loved all of these and plan on getting every single book. The only thing I don't like is that I got so into every book (in only a couple of chapters) was that I forgot they were just teasers! I got so upset every time one came to an end. Recommended for: everyone. I think there's something for just about everyone in here. 5 stars.

I am excited about all 6 books in The Minotaur Sampler! The Sampler us great because you can read the first few chapters of 6 different book before to commit to buying to see if it's something you are going to like.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this Sampler in exchange for a honest review.

I always enjoy these samplers!

A Flicker In The Dark - a debut thriller novel. This one sounds really promising, we are following psychologist Chloe whose father was accused of murder 20 years prior

Under Skeleton Key - seems like a cute fit for cozy mystery fans, not really my personal taste

The Resting Place - I actually recently received a full ARC of this one and am excited to dive in! I had mixed thoughts on this author’s previous book but I’m excited to give her a second chance.

The Shadow House - you had me at ‘cults’ tbh. will be requesting this asap

Pay Dirt Road - Another debut novel, this one is a small town mystery which i tend to love. Will be checking this one!

The Night Shift - and finally, the one I’m most excited for! I loved this author’s previous book and am so excited for this one!!

This fourth edition of the Minotaur Sampler offers you a sneak peek at the first few chapters of six novels-either standalone or first in the series-publishing Winter 2022 and it’s free to read!

A Flicker In the Dark-a stand-alone and DEBUT from author Stacey Willingham
Twelve years ago, six girls went missing in a small Louisiana town, and Chloe’s father confessed to the crimes. Twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist to troubled teens, when a local teen goes missing..REQUESTING! This felt like a slow burn which would be smoldering by the end! Can’t wait to read more.

The Night Shift-Alex Finlay-Stand-alone, though Sarah Keller from Every Last Fear is back and on the case of a pair of small town Murders-one at a Blockbuster Video and one at an Ice cream shop, fifteen years apart but linked. REQUESTING ! I was hooked from the opening sentence and look forward to devouring this one, ASAP!

Under Skeleton Lock and Key-Gigi Pandian-First in a series-If you love COZIES, this sounds so unique! The Secret Staircase Construction company transforms client’s homes by adding sliding bookcases, backyard treehouses and hidden reading nooks. I would love to hire them to transform my little house!

The Resting Place-Camilla Sten-Stand-alone-horror/suspense about a woman with Prosopagnosia-face blindness. Since I don’t read a lot of horror, it was nice to have the opportunity to read a sample of the author’s work. I would guess that the book will eventually find its rhythm, but the sample jumped all over the place-the style was off putting to me.

The Shadow House-Anne Downes-Stand-alone-A single mother of two finds refuge in a remote “hippie commune” of sorts. I hate anything and everything CULT like, so it’s just a personal preference to pass on this one.

Pay Dirt Road-Samantha Jayne Allen-DEBUT and first in a series-a small town mystery set in Garnett, Texas, about an unlikely private investigator searching for a missing waitress. It’s the kind of town that seems exactly the same as when you left, even though it’s been years. I found the writing to be engaging if you are drawn to stories like this one.

Again, these samplers are a great way to decide if a book or author is for you before committing, and for free, why wouldn’t you want to read it?! AVAILABLE September 28, 2021

Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for my gifted early copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

I always look forward to the Minotaur samplers so I was very excited to see Volume 4! For my money, Minotaur puts out some of the creepiest and most original thrillers and mysteries in a crowded market desperate for innovation. It is always fun to sample the first few chapters of new offerings that I might not have picked up in the first place, and I always find at least one must-read.

For me there were three standouts in this compilation. First, the new book by Alex Finlay, who wrote last year’s breakneck speed thriller Every Last Fear. The sampling in this collection is from his next novel, The Night Shift. Obviously, I’m going to read this one, because it 1) contains Finlay’s expert prose and 2) it begins inside a tantalizing setting in 1999 at a Blockbuster Video. I mean, who doesn’t love a Blockbuster as a backdrop for murder? Finlay continues to demonstrate that signature creative and creepy writing with a great sense of humor to boot. I clearly will be reading the rest of this book.

Next we have Camilla Sten, whose Lost Village creeped me out earlier this year. In this book she tackles the interesting issue of face blindness in another creepy and atmospheric gothic horror story, The Resting Place. Sign me up!

I was also intrigued by new (to me) author Anna Downes’ The Shadow House. This story, which takes place at a village retreat, was creepy and suspenseful from the beginning and made me want to read more! I might not have picked this one up had I not read this sampler, but now I’m definitely going to read it.

These were my favorite three excerpts in the collection, but there are three more books to sample too. Every time I read the Minotaur sampler I find something I want to read immediately. I wish all the publishers would do this because I love getting a feel for an author’s voice before I commit to a book. Looking forward to Volume 5!

Thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for the ARC!

I am quickly becoming obsessed with these samplers! I love being able to read a few chapters and decide which books to buy based on the writing and story I’m starting to read! The only downside is that when I finish the sample of each, I’m inevitably yelling, “WAIT! I’m not ready for the sample chapters to be done!!!” Which I suppose is your intent, you sly little minx!

I always enjoy these samplers. They offer good introductions to books that are coming out along with very generous excerpts. Author bios are also included. In this volume there are new novels by Stacy Willingham, Alex Finlay Gigi Pandian, Camilla Sten, Anna Downes and Samantha Jayne Allen.

I already have two of these titles in my TBR pile and I will be adding to that now.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much for making these samplers available! They help me to create my TBR lists, making me aware of authors and titles that I might have missed otherwise. As a mystery/suspense reader, I am always thrilled to have this opportunity. I am anticipating Alex Findlay's latest.

A wonderful sampler of books being released in the coming months. I was especially excited to read excerpts from the newest novels from Alex Finlay and Camilla Sten. This sampler is a perfect way to figure out my next reads! Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC.