I've not read any books in this series previously nor was I familiar with the author but the premise of the book was enough to convince me that I would enjoy it and I was correct.
I found this to be a very gripping story which as soon as I got into the pace of it I was reluctant to put down. I may well now go back and read some of the authors earlier books in the series.

Thanks to Amazon UK publishing and to Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first taste of the Jessica Shaw series I've had, and honestly it has captivated me to want to go back and read the first three books - and I would love to read more as well. This is also one of the first mystery/thrillers I've read in a while, so it was a really great book to start my nosedive back in to this genre.

1. The characters
Even though I didn't have any background knowledge about the main characters that the series follows, i.e. Jessica, Matt Connor, Pryce, Medina, I was able to quickly grasp what each of them was like, and the relationship dynamics between them. I think Jessica is a super interesting protagonist, with great quirks. I also like how the relationship dynamics between everyone are prevalent throughout the story, but they don't interfere with the main crux of it; a good balance between solving the mystery and creating intrigue and some drama within Jessica's personal life!

2. The pacing
Succinctly: Well-paced! I flew through this book, constantly intrigued as to what came next, and there was always something new to discover every chapter - none of the chapters felt redundant.
Additionally, the multiple POVs were great :)

3. The writing
I loved it. Very adept, very sharp, very witty. I actually giggled out loud several times. And I appreciate all the good dialogue too, and the way Lisa Gray writes the more expository segments -- it doesn't come off stale or boring, and she doesn't mince words, and I love that!

Although one note: There were several pop culture references, like to TikTok and Kim Kardashian, and in a few years' time, it could feel really dated. Maybe it's just my personal opinion, but pop culture references and fiction don't really mesh very well together, not for longevity...

4. And finally, the plot
At first, I didn't know what to make of it, but after giving it some thought, I realised that it's actually quite brilliant. It starts off as a simple missing-person case, though we soon find out it's much more than that, and then it gets more revelatory, but not in a bone-chilling way, more of a thought-provoking kind of twisty and turny. We see family relations, and we see the impact of serial killers on the families of victims that don't get necessarily taken into consideration often, how guilt and trauma and can fester and grow and lead one to stray and spiral, even if it's not their fault, and I think that's such an important topic to broach. Also, the way pop culture, or fame, exploits true crime, and even some commentary on the very real phenomena of serial killers having fans.

Well I wasnt sure about this, especially after I realised it was part of a series. My initial thoughts were just an easy read. But well it got really interesting fast and it turned into one of those books that you had to keep reading (well I had to) it was that good, as I needed to know what happened. I don't want to say anything more as there will be spoilers.

Now that I have read one I definately have to read more in this series to find out more.

I was given an advance copy by the publishers and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

I really like Lisa Gray's books. This one wasn't as good as the previous books in the Jessica Shaw series. Just because the flipping back and forth wasn't that Seamless to me. It took mental work to get back into the other characters head. And the dude whatever his name is, Cooper? See I don't even remember his name. Either have her with him or not with him. The phone calls every few chapters from him were pointless in my opinion.

A Lisa Gray thriller was just what I was looking for when I browsing aimlessly across Netgalley, in search of something fast-paced and strong like an espresso coffee. The first time, last year, I had stumbled upon her book by total chance, but now I knew what I was signing for, and I did sign gladly.

Jessica Shaw is a PI who somehow attracts messy cases. It starts out as a run-of-the-mill missing person case. A woman wants to find her best friend. Simple, no? But if you add that the friend has disappeared almost 20 years ago. And that the friend in question has a complicated past, as she had a child with a death row inmate. And not any death row inmate, a serial killer actually. Oh-Hum.

I knew theoretically that death row inmates and serial killers attracted romantic interests through pen pals. Here Shaw discovers a club of women who are all pen pals to prison inmates, and the girly reunion is quite a scene!

Lisa Gray crafts an efficient plot with lots of twists and turns and red herrings. It’s not as sophisticated as a Connelly novel but it still made me turn the pages fast until the last. I had guessed who the evil one was at about 75%, but the ride was no less enjoyable. You won’t get bored with Jessica Shaw!

In 1999, when their love lives are going nowhere, Christine Ryan suggested to her friend Veronica Lowe that they join the Lonely Hearts Club, a pen pal service for men in prison. Originally reluctant, Veronica sees the photograph of serial killer Travis Dean Ford and signs up.
The relationship went from letters to visits and the birth of their daughter, Mia. Then Veronica disappeared 17 years ago after a photograph of Travis, Veronica and Mia appeared in a newspaper.

Now Christine has asked PI Jessica Shaw to track down Veronica.

Author and activist, Jordana Ford attended a book signing for her latest book about her marriage to serial killer, Travis Dean Ford. Attendance was by ticket, but that had not stopped a protestor interrupting the event. Now, Jordana has been murdered. Detectives Pryce and Medina are investigating the death.

All roads seem to lead back to the Lonely Hearts Club.

Setting the story around a serial killer and the Lonely Hearts Club is an interesting decision, taking the reader into an environment which I doubt that many can relate to. Lisa has managed to introduce the impact of Travis’s actions, not only on the victim, but on their extended circle of family and friends. The characters are well developed with some who are surprisingly likeable.

Lisa Gray was a totally new author to me but one I will definitely read more. The book Lonely Hearts grabbed my attention in the first chapter and I was unable to put it down. Interesting topic of convicted criminals pen paling with women on the outside. Great character development. Highly recommend

Not all missing persons should be found…

This is the fourth book in the Jessica Shaw series that can be read as a stand-alone.

Based in Los Angeles, Private Investigator Jessica Shaw is known for solving cold missing persons cases and it’s that reputation that brings her a new client. An occurrence in the present has resurrected the past and worried a woman who seeks to track down a childhood friend she lost touch with 15 years ago. That friend was a woman who became involved with a serial killer of women, a death row inmate, while he was imprisoned and she had born him a child. With the death of the woman who married the inmate after her friend vanished it has become paramount for this woman to check on her friend’s wellness, and to deliver a warning. There is the possibility of a copycat or revenge killer out there.

Many don’t understand women who become involved with such prisoners even if they are handsome and charismatic. Through the Lonely Hearts Club, a pen pal service for inmates, connections were made. What was expected to be a simple case turns complicated quickly. Jessica knows the detectives investigating the current murder which could connect to the now-deceased serial killer.

This was an intriguing and engaging fast-paced multi-layered story, there were multiple points of view, the story is told alternating between events in the past and the present and there was an unexpected twist near the end which seriously upped the danger factor and Jessica is investigating this case alone.

Having read the previous books this reader has followed the growth of Jessica’s character and the issues with her partner for whom she has feelings. I did not know what to make of their situation at the end of this book. This reader is still hoping the two will somehow find their path forward together.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

Lonely Hearts is about a PI - Jessica Shaw who's been hired to find a missing woman; Veronica Lowe. Fifteen years ago Veronica became a pen pal with an inmate on Death Row - part of the Lonely Hearts Club. Now she's gone missing, and that inmate's ex-wife has just been murdered. A friend of Veronica's - Christine - approaches Jessica to find her as she fears she might be in danger.

This was my first Jessica Shaw book and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was sucked into it. I enjoyed the multiple POV's even though at the beginning it was a bit hard to see how they were all related and a bit hard to keep track of everyone.

But the mystery was thoroughly good, well plotted and I thought the twist at the end was well done and the author brought it all together in a satisfying way. I enjoyed this book so much and it's the 4th in a series so I'm definitely going to go back and read more about Jessica Shaw - she was a great, complex and gritty character.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Jessica Shaw book 4. Jessica is a PI and is hired to find a missing friend for a woman, that she hasn't seen in years. A woman who was involved with a serial killer who was behind bars. I enjoy this series, it has all the elements I require. I like Jessica, she is tough, smart and fearless. There is always a mystery and I enjoy a twist it is like a bonus. Parallel is detective Pryce (friend of Jessica's) investigating a murder of an author who was married to the same serial killer. And off we go...enjoyable read. Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and especially Lisa Gray for this ARC. Looking forward to the next book!

First time reading a novel by Lisa Gray and so pleased to have discovered her writing. Gripping story from the first chapter nicely written in short 8-10 minute chapters each following a main character in the story.

The story follows Jessica a Private Investigator who has been asked to find a mother and daughter who went missing a number of years ago.....could this be linked to her relationship with a convicted murderer who she had a daughter with? Could it be linked to the lonely hearts club online dating advice which organises writing to people in prison?

This is a story of true intrigue and originality intertwined with a view of truly not being able to guess how this will evolve, develop and conclude. Addictive read whereby due to the 'need to know what happens next' feeling was read in 2 days as just could not put the book down.

Will definitely be reading the previous books in the series of Jessica 1, 2 & 3. This book can easily be read as a stand alone novel.

This was an (ARC) from Net Galley in return for a honest review

Lonely Hearts is book 4 in a series, but truly can be read as a stand alone as I did :)
This series features Jessica Shaw, a private investigator working in Los Angeles, California and dealing with her own family and relationship demons. In book 4, she hired to locate a woman who has willfully gone missing. The client is the woman's friend and worried that a killer is stalking her.

Veronica had joined the Lonely Hearts dating service - a program that matches interested women with current incarcerated men. Veronica happened to be matched secretly with the infamous Travis Dean a killer of multiple women and nicknamed the "Valley Strangler." There is a flashback and forward sequencing to depict the start of the lonely hearts club program and Veronica's introduction to Travis Dean. Veronica promptly disappeared many years ago and no one is sure where she is or what happened.

I enjoyed the flashbacks and the multiple view points. The character of Jessica is a strong one and I will certainly be reading new and past entires of this series! If you like a strong female detective and murders in your mysteries this book is for you! Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review #LonelyHearts

Lonely Hearts by Lisa Gray. Jessica Shaw, #4. Amazon Publishing UK.

I read quite a bit of crime fiction, but steer clear of serial killers, prison settings and a few other invariably unpleasant areas. And I prefer to read books with characters I like, respect, and easily understand. This book falls outside almost every one of my reading choice parameters. However, this fast-moving and engaging story with unexpected twists kept me reading.

This, fourth in the series, was my introduction to both PI Jessica Shaw and author Lisa Gray, so I was missing Jessica’s back story, notably her history with her partner Matt Connor, sort of a subplot that would have been interesting to know but not integral to the story. I’ll catch up now with the first three, and look forward to more.
Warmly recommended.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of Lonely Hearts for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #LonelyHearts #NetGalley

Far From Straightforward…
The fourth in the Jessica Shaw series and the latest case for the private investigator, intent on tracking down a missing person, proves far from straightforward. With a solid writing style, an intriguing premise and a plot populated with a credible cast this is an engaging read from start to finish with some clever twists along the way. A worthy addition to the series.

Jessica is a private investigator who has been hired to find a long, lost woman who was involved in a love affair with a handsome serial killer. Jessica sets out to find the woman and encounters many roadblocks. Then things begin to get deadly, and Jessica wonders if she can find the woman in time! A good thriller! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

Women and Prisoner Pen Pals – What Could Go Wrong?

Jessica Shaw, an investigator for a Private Investigator agency, is approached by a woman who wants to find a friend who was her best friend, Veronica Lowe, since they were born. They drifted apart 20 years ago. The last contact was after they jointed The Lonely Hearts Club (TLHC) that facilitates women who want to be pen pals, and sometimes more, with men in prison including those on death row. Jessica begins with the woman who started TLHC. Jessica learns that Veronica when missing only six years ago. With extensive gaps missing knowledge of Veronica’s life, the story takes off from here.

Obviously, this is a very cold case. Jessica delves into what was happening with the TLHC over the past 20 years seeking for the reason that Veronica disappears with her daughter. The flow of the main storyline is not too fast and not too slow. It moves forward methodically as Jessica doggedly tries to discover and make sense of the events Veronica’s life. My attention was captured. Then, the tension markedly increases as the TLHC organizers seems not to be fully truthful. The hold onto my attention was strengthen. Then, the tension is cranked up even more when a significant event occurs, and it appears that Veronica’s life may be in danger. There was no escape for my attention. The author again created another excellent story.

This is the fourth novel in the Jessica Shaw series, but the B-storyline still provides new background about Jessica especially with her interactions with LA Detective Jason Pryce who is a father figure to Jessica. As Jessica is the voice in most of the chapters, her thoughts greatly contribute to the B-storyline and added a richness and enhanced my enjoyment in reading this novel.

For the aspects that commonly cause problems, the most significant is language. It is present but did not approach a red flag level for me. There were not any intimate scenes. The violence that mostly was implied vice described with some description after the fact was not an issue either.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I do read for a while before going to sleep, and with this novel the clock often strayed well into the AM before I turned off the lights. A revelation that I call literary earthquake changed the entire literary landscape and solidified my reading enjoyment. I am greatly anticipating the next novel in this series. I rate this novel with five stars. If the teasers of this novel interest you at all, I strongly recommend reading it even if this would be the first read in this series.

I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Amazon Publishing UK. My review is based only by my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

An interesting premise with a good plot. The shifting of the narrative between too many POV could have been curtailed. The suspense and the conclusion are good. The personal life of Jessica is left in a cliffhanger probably to be continued in the next book.

Lonely Hearts, is book 4 in the Jessica Shaw series. I highly recommend starting at the beginning, not because each book can not be read as a standalone but they are all equally as juicy! I absolutely love Lisa Gray and her writing style.

The chapters flow into one another without interruption. The writing style is fluid and the character description is on point.

Lonely Hearts, is original to say the least. Who finds love on Death Row? As we all know, prison pen pals is a "thing" and I for one have heard some pretty bizarre stories in real life but this book just takes things to a whole other level.

Travis Dean Ford is a serial killer. Unfortunately, 15 years ago, Veronica fell in love with Travis Dean Ford after having a pen pal relationship with the serial killer. Veronica also had a daughter with Travis. Veronica and her daughter disappeared all those years ago.

Travis had a wife, Jordana but now Jordana just turned up murdered the same way as Travis' victims.

Jessica Shaw is a private investigator. If anyone can find Veronica, it will be Jessica. Christine Ryan has been searching for her childhood best friend for years and is afraid she will suffer the same fate as Jordana. Christine enlists the help of Jessica to help find Veronica and her daughter.

It comes to light that both Jordana and Veronica were part of a club called The Lonely Hearts. The Lonely Hearts is a pen pal service for people who want to write to prisoners.

As Jessica digs deeper, she feels like someone is watching her. But Who? Travis had died years ago.

Lonely Hearts is a real nail biter, I was up all night reading and then almost afraid to fall asleep. This is one of those thrillers that will stay with you long after concluding the book.

I highly recommend Lonely Hearts to all my fellow thriller lovers ! Due out November 9, 2021!

Thank you Netgalley and Author Lisa Gray for this ARC.

I was intially drawn to this book due to it's blurb and I didn't notice that it's a part of series but luckily you don't need much of the background story to understand the story.

Story follows Jessica Shaw who is looking for a person who appears to not want to be found but may have to be before it's too late. During the search, we're introduced to many charachters which bring to the story, my favourite being Pryce.

I very much enjoyed this fast-paced thriller and would highly recommend it!

I have read all of the Jessica Shaw series and I think this is the best one yet. Thoroughly enjoyable read. Kept guessing till the end. Cant wait for the next installament