Trespassers in the beginning of a new paranormal suspense series written by Stephanie Black. I have read a number of books by this author and have always enjoyed them but would not have ever classified them as my favorite. This book is the exception. I absolutely loved it! It is definitely my favorite of Black’s books. It had me hooked from the first page and kept me guessing throughout the book. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

A new paranormal mystery from Stephanie Black. Rayna Kirkpatrick has a secret ability. After divorcing and the death of her father she returns to her hometown on the northern California coast. She is happy to be back with her sister who has always kept her secret. Internet searches looking for information about her mysterious skills alerts an off the books government agency and she is put under investigation.

Damon Hale has similar abilities and is referred to as a Trespasser. In the small town he is posing as a writer and interviewing local townspeople and especially Rayna. When a local ends up dead who has a past connection to Rayna he begins to think she may not be as innocent as she appears. Other deaths, her father included, have occurred when she is near.

Overall this is an interesting mystery and compelling to read. It slows a little in the middle as conversations are had and then repeated, telling the same information to different people. Also Damon himself is stirring the pot, by listening to gossip or outlandish tales and giving them some credence. At times Rayna comes off as too passive but a lot of that is because the government knows about her and can control her by threat. A few things get brought up only to be dropped, like why is the sisters store in trouble, but it doesn’t affect the mystery. I really liked Detective Stafford when ever she was involved.

This is a clean book except for some physical threats. The story ends a bit open ended so I’m not sure if there will be further work for Rayna and Damon to do. If there is more I would love to read it. Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communication for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

Holy Cow Batman!!! I was so drawn into this story from the beginning. Which, I of course figured would happen because that's the normal for me when I pick up a Stephanie Black book!!! I devoured it! I couldn't set it down once I started. And oh man, I was guessing and kept changing my guesses for who the bad guy was. I love when that happens! I love to be surprised and having twists and turns and a not clear cut villain. It was deliciously suspenseful!

Rayna has a lot of surprises in store for her and not all of those are happy or good. I loved seeing how she navigated them and was a bit on the edge of my seat as her secret started to surface and how some of these mysterious deaths were happening.

Enter Damon, a Trespasser, who is trying to determine is Rayna is good or bad. There were so many times that I was nervous for Rayna and worried about what was going to happen to her. I wanted to cover my eyes but couldn't cause then I wouldn't be able to finish her story and know that she was ok or not.

There are some pretty intense characters who helped weave this story together and I loved it!!!! I'm sooo excited for everyone, especially fans of Stephanie Black's writing, to get this one and read it! Wowsers, it's a good one!!!

Content: Clean. Full of suspense, death, kidnapping, murder and such but not overly graphic. I would let my teenagers read this.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

#TheTrespassers #NetGalley

The Trespassers held me in its grip from the first page. Rayna has had the ability to sense and track people that are within her range. Her family has always considered her a little bit odd because of her gift but doesn't know all that she is capable of.
Rayna's father is known to be critical in his treatment of Rayna, and he goes a bit too far in front of a crowd of people. It is hard for Rayna to take the jabs he throws her way.
When a man named Damon comes to town and starts interviewing people to include them in a book he is writing, Rayna connects with him because he listens to her. As things begin to happen and Rayna gets caught up in the middle of it all, it becomes a tangled mess. This book was so good. Have plenty of time to read th8s book is hard to put down.

The Trespassers is a new suspense series by the wonderful Stephanie Black. This author writes some of the best mystery suspense novels I've read. I couldn't wait to read the first book in this new series. I want to say, my high expectations were met!

The interesting part about this suspense novel is that the main character Rayna has paranormal abilities. As she investigates her "powers" she signals to a secret government group that she is a "Trespasser". When a Trespasser is found they have two choices, either they go along with this team and become one of them or they become eliminated.

The suspense part in this novel are the many deaths that are happening in Rayna's hometown. So many clues lead toward Rayna being involved in the deaths. I couldn't believe how things were stacking up against her. Damon Hale is a Trespasser sent to investigate Rayna. He also is seeing Rayna as a killer but the more he gets to know her, the more he is confused by the facts and his feelings. Of course, day by day Rayna and Damon can't help but grow closer together and there is a definite attraction.

There are so many things happening in this novel, that you can't read fast enough as you gather clues. The accusations are flying hard and fast and everyone is looked at as the guilty party. Red Herrings anyone? Do you notice I'm not giving you many clues about the deaths and who could be guilty? Well, this is what I do because I want you to read this amazing suspense novel. Trespassers is going to be a brilliant series and I can't wait to read the next installment.

A story about a woman in her 30s who has always possessed the ability to sense others near her by their heartbeats, and her journey since discovering her newest ability: killing by stopping a beating heart with her mind.

The only issue is that she's come home for her abusive father's wedding, only to wake up with him having mysteriously died the next day. And someone's been spying on her online research she's been conducting to see if there are others out there like her, or even worse, if she was the one who killed him.

This book had an interesting and creative premise. I loved the setting in the little town and the imagery that brought it to life. This would be a good book for those who prefer lots of dialogue between characters over the process of the plot. As it was very dialogue-heavy, I had trouble navigating through it, but others might have a different experience.

I loved this story that is full of suspense and just a bit of the unexplained. Rayna has quirks that her parents tried to ignore, Her sister knew and is supportive. Things begin to unravel when people start dying around her that are connected to her,

Damon belongs to a government group that works to find people that have quirks like Rayna's. Then there is the matter of determining if they will use their quirks for good or for evil.

The plot thickens and Damon and Rayna are left wondering if they can trust each other, Rayna starts questioning every interaction and acquaintance. She can't be the murderer, can she? Damon fights through the same questions.

Stephanie Black is a master of tension. This book is a page turner that has mystery and suspense at every one of those turns. The tension between the main characters and even some of the surrounding characters. There are clues and red herrings that leave you scratching your head.

Ultimately, I loved this story. It has just a touch of the supernatural which is presented in such a way that I feel like it could be plausible. I loved that it feels based in reality but really allows for the imagination to expand.

I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

I found this book to be difficult to get into. The first quarter at least seemed to drag, and I didn't really get interested until the second half of the book when the action finally seemed to get going, I did find myself getting invested in the mystery aspect, but the actual Tresspasser side didn't really interest me as much as I had hoped. I also struggled to connect with the main characters. Rayna wasn't as strong as I would have liked, and Damon wasn't very interesting. It seems this might be the first book in a series, but it's not one I would be interested enough in to continue.

I was provided this ARC by Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

The Trespassers by Stephanie Black, 288 pages. Covenant Communications, 2023. $16.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Only the members of Rayna’s family have known of her uncanny ability to sense life around her, but they don’t know how that ability has evolved. On the day of her father’s death, Rayna (31yo) desperately searches the internet for answers. But internet searches are monitored, and Damon is sent to evaluate the level of threat Rayna poses.
Black has consistently written interesting thrillers, and I was excited to meet her new character with an unexplained power to throw an extra game piece into play. The mystery’s conclusion is satisfying, and I am hoping this turns into a new series because Black is sure to take unexpected turns with the new supernatural avenues made possible by Rayna’s world. The only thing I didn’t like in this book was the underlying romance. Rayna and Damon’s beginning is not the greatest for a functional relationship.
Rayna and Damon are implied White, and Maggie is Black. The majority of other characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol and sexual harassment as well as for discussions of pregnancy and miscarriages. The violence rating is for death, gun use, mentions of suicide, and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I found this book to be fascinating. Rayna Kirkpatrick has a gift, unfortunately she has been belittled and abused by her parents because of this gift. Her sister has always been supportive and protective of Rayna. When some people close to Rayna begin dying people begin to suspect things aren't what they seem.
Damon has the same gift as Rayna and is sent to see what she does with that special gift. Does she use it for evil? Things become more and more interesting as the story progresses. There are twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

WHAT A BOOK!! I requested this book on a whim, and I am not sad about it at all. I felt the suspense from the second I read the synopsis and researching other reviews.

Rayna has unique abilities, that sometimes overwhelm her. Damon has unique abilities...that make life complicated at times. He's charmed by Rayna but of course where would the conflict be if life if just sunshine and rainbows?

This was my first Stephanie Black book and I'm definitely going to go and read her back list books now!

This book combined suspense with the paranormal. Rayna can sense heartbeats, what her family doesn’t know, what no one knows is that she can also control other’s heartbeats too. She can even stop a heart.

After her father’s death some of her Google searches lead an undercover government official to her town to keep an eye on her. He knows about her powers but needs to determine how she uses them. When a string of deaths connected to Rayna occurs, he can’t help but wonder how deeply she is involved.

The premise of this story was very intriguing. I loved learning about the Trespasser powers and how they could be used. I stayed up far too late to finish this book because the suspense pulled me right in. I can already tell there will be a second book, but this one wrapped up pretty well too.

The only thing I wanted more of was the romance. There’s a hint, and I hope it develops in the next book, but I wanted more.

Curiosity had me eagerly reaching for this one on the day it was gifted.

How long can you keep a secret? A BIG secret.

Forever is too long for Rayna Kirkpatrick. One misstep and her life is on an entirely different path.

I loved the premise and thought that the addition of the paranormal added another welcome dimension. The twists and intrigue were expertly executed, as was the pacing.

I will admit to being frustrated with Rayna’s lack of backbone. I love flawed, strong female protagonists who fight for what’s right … and that wasn’t Rayna. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just not my taste. I also missed the spark that more emotion would have brought to the story.

You’ll appreciate the warning about using the internet as your only form of research and about embracing your uniqueness.

This is book one of a new series.

I was gifted this copy by Covenant Communications and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Trespassers is a supernatural thriller that does not disappoint. Mysteries and suspense are my favorite stories. This one leaves just enough bread crumbs to leave you with the possibilities of more than one suspect. Follow along and catch the clues to catch a killer.
#NetGalley
#suspense

In Stephanie Black's "The Trespassers," Rayna Kirkpatrick conceals her extraordinary abilities until her father's death prompts her to research online, drawing the attention of the FBI. Agent Damon Hale, who shares similar powers, investigates her cautiously, delving into a string of deaths connected to Rayna. As trust becomes pivotal, Damon grapples with determining her involvement. This suspenseful series combines cozy mystery with ESP abilities, offering a fast-paced plot, surprises, and unexpected twists. While some parts slow down during Damon's decision-making, the absence of a dominant romance allows for potential future developments. Although the writing lacks emotional depth, the book remains an enjoyable, easy-to-follow read. Well-crafted characters like Rayna, Damon, and Maggie enrich the narrative. Overall, "The Trespassers" establishes an engaging series, leaving readers eager for the next installment.

Rayna Kirkpatrick has lived her whole life with a secret. She can sense living things around her, hear their heartbeats and sense their location and even to stop their hearts. The only people who know about some of her abilities are her parents who think she is a freak and her affectionate sister. She is able to hide her abilities well until he father suddenly dies after a family celebration. She does some google searching worried she is involved in her fathers death and this flags the FBI to investigate her. Enter Damon Hale, a handsome agent who has the same abilities that she does. He doesn't know if she is dangerous or not so he treats her like a threat until proven otherwise. He infiltrates the town looking for clues about the mysterious deaths that have been connected to Rayna. Will he be able to decide if she is involved or not? Will he be able to trust her to help solve these murders?

I enjoyed this novel. This was like a cozy mystery book with the added ESP abilities. It made it more interesting. I had a hard time guessing who was behind the murders. I kept changing my mind every few chapters. Stephanie did a good job keeping me hooked. I couldn't stop reading after I made it halfway. My only complaint was that the middle moved a bit slow when Damon is deciding what do do with her/ if he can trust her and it takes quite a bit of time and it was boring. But definably necessary and worth the wait for the rest of the book. I liked that this wasn't about a romance. There was basically no romance involved but i suspect there might be something in books to come. This book sets up a potential series. I'm looking forward to the next one.

The premise of secret paranormal abilities and a murder mystery was great but unfortunately the execution was disappointing.

After her father dies Rayna is terrified that she could’ve caused it and for the first time in her life googles her paranormal abilities. As we all know Google is evil and googling something is an equivalent of announcing it to the world, so the government tracks her down and sends a hot agent Damon to keep an eye on her. So as you can see there was a lot of potential to this story…

Rayna was such a frustrating doormat! She was Captain-America-level perfect (also his level of fun), which was not very credible and frankly a little boring. She was such an angel she couldn’t even defend herself when her life was in danger 🙄. Damon on the other hand had no personality whatsoever. I was hoping for some romantic tension between the two of them since attraction was mentioned in the premise, but alas.

The writing was a little emotionless and not particularly thrilling, especially for a thriller, and the ending had me rolling my eyes.

So yeah, there were things that bothered me in this book but all in all it was light and easy to follow, (and I didn’t guess the killer right) so 2,5 stars generously rounded up.

Thank you Covenant Communications and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I could not put this book down! Took me 2 days to read but now wish I read it slower. It was such a good book. Well written a captivating mystery, fantastic twists and turns. Great characters I loved Rayna! This book keeps you on the edge of your seat it’s such a great read

Incredible book! This kept me engaged from the start and the pacing was perfect throughout the entire book. The writing is phenomenal and the concept was very unique. There was tons of action and suspense, and escalating mysteries to keep the story going. If you love an addictive thriller with growing friendships, this book is for you!

In the town of Willet Beach everyone knows just about everyone! Rayna Kirkpatrick is coming home to try and patch her relationship with her father. Her father dies mysteriously. Ben, an old flame of Rayna's, is poisoned. Rayna has kept a dark secret about what she's capable of doing with her thoughts! Damon, a freelance reporter, is more interested in Rayna's special gift and shows his dark side or is he really trying to help Rayna clear her name. This story will keep you on the edge of your sear! You never know what's really going on in the town you grew up in or who you can trust!

Stephanie Black has written another great mystery! I was able to read this through NetGally Shelf, the opinions in my review are my own.