Great thriller that sends the reader on a rollercoaster of a good time. Loved this book from start to finish.

This book has an intriguing premise. The suspense kept me interested. There are a lot of characters which seemed to slow the pace down. There are some unexpected twists and a satisfying conclusion.

This is a really original concept for a thriller. Draws you straight in. I liked the characters and I was taken aback by the twist. A strong 4/5.

Character List *spoiler fee*

*Mary Ellis, an only child, burns due to a house fire. She has chocolate brown eyes and a mid-Atlantic accent. Famous crime writer father

*Pete Chong, roommate of Mary's. Boyfriend to Megan. Met at Columbia University when Mary studied Journalism. Handsome. He's an accountant. 2 years older than Mary.

*Megan Walker, girlfriend of Pete. Very beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed creamy alabaster skin.

*Edward Cooper, creepy, space invader, works with Mary, single, mid-40s. started last October, runner

*Satish – new, started just after Edward, mid–30, runner

*Elenor – a fabulous, tiny Welsh ball of energy, makeup artist aka Ellie, has a wheelchair

*Lucinda – BFF of Mary, a Zoologist, lives in Africa

<b>Birmingham Police</b>
DCI Priya Thompson – dark hair, long black hair, big dark eyes, shadows
DI Jason Butcher – short wiry man, with a neat red beard, strokes his beard when thinking
DC Frankie Tanner – white blonde pixie cut

<b>Oxford Police</b>
DCI Linda Lake – Lead Investigator in Lisa’s murder, ash blonde hair, short, striking green eyes

<b>Cardiff Police</b>
DCI Bryn Lewis – stereotype of Welsh rugby player
Detective Rhys Williams
Sergeant Harry Hughes

<b>Cheltenham Police</b>
DCI Stephanie “Steph” Warden
DI Mike Stanley - Steph's number 2
Family Liasion Officer – DC Jess Gordan – a quiet serious a little dull, late 20 petite, strawberry blonde hair high cheekbones


Well, this book is an absolute delight and a blinding twisty ride! I saw one twisty bit coming my way, but still when it was "discovered" and revealed wow, was not expecting that at all! And the epilogue, despite the happiness, what an ominous feeling still!

I have never hated my birthday as much as I did in this book, and I was on edge for Mary. I really hoped I wouldn't witness a blood bath on my happy day. The countdown from January to April made everything so intense. I had no idea who, what or why! It made for a rollercoaster of emotions!

I am not going to talk about the plot, because the only way to read this is to go in blind. You need to know that there are 4 dates and 4 potential murders. Along the way you question EVERYBODY and the funny thing is, I didn't question the ones I should have been questioning. Then when someone pointed the finger at someone, I was literally screaming Noooo it can't be! I have been through the wringer that is for sure!

What I also loved, not only is the book from Mary's view and the turmoil of whether it's the Mary in the diary. It was the position of the police, how we saw the different areas interact and work together to try and stop anyone else from being hurt. I loved the characters in the teams and it didn't get confusing at all.

I have not read a book by Ms Kabler before and that is a mistake I need to rectify. Her books are deliciously deceptive and will make your head spin. I love the story, original and fresh. My only complaint...Well, I can't even tell you, but it is so minor. I was fascinated by Mary and her story and everything she had to tell me!

Just read it!

Mary get receives a blank diary as a Secret Santa and thinks nothing of it but it’s not entirely blank, there are entries of names and places next to dates and when Mary finds out people matching the names are being killed in the places it all gets a bit serious especially as her name is on the list.
This was a weird one. It was the concept that drew me in and it was fairly well executed. There are plenary of suspects and it did keep me guessing right until the end. The characters themselves however were fairly sketchy and I wasn’t particularly a fan of Mary she did some things that were fairly dense. Anyway it was so convoluted and high concept that I did want tot find out how it all went down and why so in that way it did the job.

I have been taking time this year to read books that have been hanging around on my TBR pile for far too long and this time it’s The Murder List by Jackie Kabler. Mary is a freelance crime writer and while going through her unwanted Christmas gifts with a view to giving them to charity she comes across a diary that she has no idea who gave it to her. Looking inside for a clue she comes across 4 entries in it, 1st January MURDER LISA, OXFORD, 1st February MURDER JANE, BIRMINGHAM, 1st March MURDER DAVID, CARDIFF, 1st April MURDER MARY, CHELTENHAM. At first she is not sure what to do as she thinks it may just be a joke at her expense, she soon reads about the death of a Lisa in Oxford on the 1st Jan and decides that she has to report it to the police. With very little to go on the Police from 4 different areas are assembles in a task force to try to identify the possible victims and also the person responsible.
The book is told from multiple points of view as we follow developments. We see the daily investigations by the police who appear to be completely stumped but as one detective states, finding someone called David in Wales that is the intended target is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Mary is also keen to discover who the intended victims are but as more murders take place all she can do is contact those closest to them in the hope to find the link before time runs out for her. I loved the relationship that Mary had with her lodger for the most part of the book but I did think that their story did end up a little bit predictable towards the end. That being said it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book.
The short chapters that use dates as their headers helps with the pace of the book and you experience the countdown to Mary’s fate. The police are clearly stumped but are using everything at their disposal to try to capture the murderer. As you get into the book secrets are revealed and you have to wonder if they themselves are playing a part in what is happening. Just when you think you know everything there is one more twist that the author gives you that I can honestly say I was so not expecting. If you are looking for a police procedural that is a little bit different then this book may be for you

Finally a book worth 4 stars! I love books like this. I couldn’t stop reading and finished it in one sitting. I’m excited for this authors next book

Another enjoyable book by Jackie Kabler.
I loved the premise of the murder list a freelance crime journalist, Mary, who receives a diary for Christmas and only looks at it a month later, only to find a name and location listed on for different months.
The first date has passed and the name and location match a murder that has taken place, if that wasn’t bad enough the fourth name is Mary.
This is a fast paced thriller and a really enjoyable read. I raced through it, and thought I’d spotted the ending, only for a twist to prove me wrong.

With thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for a fair review

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

This is a very unique story line with an ending I didn't see until the reveal. Jackie Kabler did an excellent job of building the mystery and tension without giving up the ending before hand, even though the clues were there. Loved it!!!

Absolute belter! Loved this.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Goy me out of my reading slump, I have managed 2 books in 8 months, this one I managed in 2 days.
Fabulous! Now off to read more by this author!

Jackie Kabler’s latest psychological thriller, The Murder List, is a captivating story of mystery, suspense, and terror. It follows Mary, who receives a diary that contains a list of monthly murder plans - with the last one targeting her. With only a few months to go until her scheduled murder date, Mary must race against the clock to discover the identity of the killer and stop them in their tracks.

The Murder List will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The action never lets up, and Mary’s race against time keeps the stakes high and the tension tight. The ending will have readers guessing until the very end. Kabler does an incredible job of weaving a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers hooked until the thrilling climax.

Overall, The Murder List is an enjoyable and entertaining read. Kabler has crafted an immersive world and engaging story that will have readers anxiously flipping through pages. Highly recommended!

Thank you for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. Enjoyed reading, would recommend....

I enjoyed this fast paced mystery thriller. it was well written and kept me really engaged and questioning throughout! I loved the idea of a diary being found and a mystery needing to be solved, a murderer needing to be caught - the dual POV took a while for me to get used to, especially from 1st to 3rd person. Mary's chapters were more engaging for me and I very much felt nervous for her as the date of her arranged death came closer.

While the narrative kept me guessing, i did think some of the twists were a little silly but considering it's a thriller I should have expected it!

Really enjoyed this book and its premise. It's a real page turner as we move towards the key dates from the diary. It's a fast paced read, especially as most of the chapters are quite short and snappy. Good twists that I didn';t see coming.

I absolutely loved this book. The plot was quite interesting, it was a fast-paced read and I was at the edge of my seat reading to see what was going to happen next. A great cat and mouse type of book which I loved. All the stars for this one. Highly recommend.

This book was a real page turner, that had me at the edge of my seat desperate to read more! It really kept me guessing and i felt like the short chapters were inviting and encouraged me to keep reading, whilst adding to the tension and suspense. i suspected EVERYONE whilst reading this, the amount of twists and turns were unreal. The concept was one i had never read before and it was so interesting and has definitely left me wanting to read more of this authors work!

My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Uk for a copy of “ The Murder List” for an honest review.

This was exactly what a good psychological thriller should be . It was fast paced with the right amount of well written characters, all of whom I suspected was “ The Diary Killer” at some point.
This truly kept me guessing right up to the end . Even though I’m writing this in January i,ll be surprised if this isn’t in my top 5 reads of the year !
Highly recommended and I can’t wait for Jackie Kabler’s next book

A twisty simple mystery, with multiple surprises and reveals, that kept me guessing til the end. It was a an easy read, not my usual style, but it was good fun. Thanks for the chance to read and review this book.

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this ARC from NetGalley.

I didn't realise until the end of the book that the author is the same Jackie Kabler who I used to watch on GMTV as a child! I really enjoyed this book, it was fast paced and intriguing. I will definitely be reading Jackie's back catalogue now.