3.5 Stars

Note: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.

In the thriller "Lonely Hearts," private investigator Jessica Shaw delves into a complex missing persons case involving Veronica Lowe, who vanished years ago after being involved with a notorious serial killer on Death Row. As Jessica uncovers Veronica's ties to the prison pen pal service, the Lonely Hearts Club, she realizes the danger Veronica and her daughter may be facing, especially when a series of murders echo the killer's M.O.

The book delivers a series of intriguing twists and turns, creating an engaging, mystery-laden narrative. It strikes a balance between dark themes involving serial killers and a more light-hearted reading experience, making it a compelling choice for bedtime reading. The characters are eccentric and captivating, particularly Jessica, who's portrayed realistically but isn't always endearing. While the storyline offers depth, some aspects could be deemed predictable, and the recurring element involving Connor feels somewhat repetitive. Nevertheless, the increased suspense adds an interesting layer to the narrative.

The book was great in so many ways. The plot was intriguing and original, which in my book are the pillars of a good thriller.
However, I think the book needed more editing, specifically developmental. Some parts felt so rushed and kind of disconnected from the whole storyline. It gave the impression that the author was kind of writing and rushing through things as of trying not to lose muse.
The transition between each chapter and the next wasn't smooth, the weren't fluidly connected.
That being said, I loved the overall pace so much, the author didn't try to highlight every revelation to say, "look, a twist!!," She literally just let the story talk which was refreshing to see.
I loved the characters, they were so real and multilayered, and I liked how each character had a distinctive personality and approach to the mystery.
Overall, a success!!
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Lisa gray's Jessica Shaw series is top notch. She's a tattooed, edgy private detective on the run from her past with well thought out plots and a change of scenery for each book. Love this series.

A brilliantly written read. Characters you like and a story that saw this read in 2 sittings. The first chapter alone had my heart beating fast!
Good news too. It’s the 4th in a series so I’ve now hit 3 new books!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me for this book.

I felt the writing was done well in this book but there was just something missing for me and I couldn't get into it and enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.

This book has all the hallmarks i love in a thriller yet it didnt entirely read like one, and for good reason. This is really thought provoking about the complex layers behind true crime fans and the role it can play in and amongst our lives.

This book was everything I look for in a book. It was so exciting. The plot was fantastic. It really had me on the edge of my seat, and my heart racing. It was very well written and flowed well.

This is the 4th Jessica Shaw book in a series and while I don’t think it’s imperative to read all of them, I highly recommend because a) they are all good and b) you will understand some of the characters that appear throughout the series.

One thing I love about this series is that each book is different and isn’t a rinse/repeat of the previous. I loved the premise of tracking down a missing person who fell in love with a serial killer through The Lonely Hearts Club - a pen pal service for incarcerated individuals. I read this pretty fast since I was engaged the entire time.

My only gripe is that I felt like Jessica was a little too siloed in this one and I missed some of the side characters. Pryce and Medina were still there but Conner was phoned in. Did he have covid? Lol I could also have done without their drama since nothing really meaningful happened with it. If you haven’t read the others, it probable won’t bother you. Still highly recommend!

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I didn't realize that this book was part of a series when I got it. However that really didn't matter. This book was really well paced and had a lot of action. It kept me guessing all the way until the end. I really enjoyed the way that this author writes and I plan to go back and read the prior books in the series.

I love police procedurals and PI books. This was an interesting take on the search of a missing woman who was a pen pal with a prisoner convicted of murder. The mystery spans over dual timelines with PI Jessica searching for Veronica using tips from Veronica’s best friend. The trail leads Jessica in several directions and then she discovers the clue that changes everything. This is book #4 in the Jessica Shaw Series and my first.

This is the fourth book in a series. I knew that going in and took a chance that it wouldn't be hard to catch up and I was right. There were lots of little twists in this tale involving Jessica Shaw, PI, as she delved into a "finding love on death row" situation causing deaths outside the prison. As she gets to the heart of the situation, Jessica finds herself being watched closely as well. I read this book quickly and absolutely loved it! Great thriller and thankful for the ARC

This was a cleverly plotted mystery with some twists that kept me guessing. Jessica has spunk and is a likeable character. Great series.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book I’ve read from this series but I loved Jessica so I will definitely be going back to read the rest. A private investigator makes a change from all the police procedural books l I read. This book is full of twists and turns with lots of drama. I kicked myself for not working something out sooner. I’m also so intrigued by people that are obsessed with death row prisoners so that was an interesting plot point. The quick pace and short chapters made it an easy read that I devoured in 2 sittings.

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Fourth in the series about private investigator Jessica Shaw. An intriguing storyline which goes back and forth and has lots of twists and turns. A good read.

A suspenseful, twisty story that kept me gripped to the last page. Really enjoyed reading this one and look forward to more from this talented author. 5 stars

I really love this series. It is one of the best ones going right now, in my opinion, and I was not at all disappointed in this latest entry. I like this author's writing style. It is just very easy to read and the stories are very engrossing. I never get bored, there are always twists and turns and new info being discovered. I like the Jessica character and Pryce and Connor and am interested in seeing where Jessica goes from here. I blew through this book in one day and can't wait for Jessica's next case

Number four in the series about a private investigator Jessica Shaw. This time she is hired to find someone who has been missing for over fifteen years.. I am really enjoying this series, Jessica is a strong and interesting character and I’m looking forward to the next instalment.

#LonelyHearts #NetGalley


Lonely Hearts
(Jessica Shaw #4)
by Lisa Gray

Finding love through the want ads is nothing new. But finding love with a death row inmate is a different way to well find it. How would you date? Communication is done by mail, so pen pal love is the way to go.


PI Jessica Shaw is hired by Christine to find her friend Veronica who wrote to inmates 20 some years ago.

Travis Dean Ford is interesting, he must have been very charismatic and charming, but he also had a secret. He was a serial killer. But he got caught.

So on death row he recieved many letters and love offers from women. Surprisingly he met, married and fathered a child with Veronica.
Behind bars no less.

Then Veronica and her daughter vanished.

So Jessica is hired to find them.

Are they still alive?

The story switched back and forth through time and is told by different people.

Even though this is the fourth book in the series and the first I had read by the author it can easily be read as a stand-alone.

The plot was interesting, most of the characters were nice, and the killer well he was a mixture of things but nothing I would like or love.

The switching of who was telling what in different chapters kept the story moving and gave it more depth.

The suspense and mystery were very good.

The fast paced plot and the short chapters kept me reading. I needed to know how things would turn out.

So I enjoyed the twists and turns and would recommend this book to people who like thrillers and mysteries.

4****


Thank you Netgalley for the complimentary arc in exchange for an honest review.

Another one that I could not get into.
I thought this sounded really promising but I could not get into the story

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Another new book that I hadn't realised was 4th in a series. Made little difference to me as there was enough background covered that this can be read as a standalone book.

A good book about a private investigator employed to find a friend who's been missing for over a decade. Lots of intrigue and different points of view throughout the story. Would recommend for crime/whodunit lovers!