This book is so well written. I didn't realize it was part of a series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone. The characters are so good and well-developed. So compelling and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was dark and detailed and so well woven. I have to go back and read the remainder of the series!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC,

Victor Methos casts a web of mystery and suspense in 'The Deceiving Look: Shepard & Gray, Band 3'. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book.

Sheriff Billie Gray's pursuit of truth takes center stage in this heart-pounding thriller. The apparent suicide of a local defense attorney unravels into a meticulously orchestrated murder, setting the stage for a gripping investigation that kept me guessing until the very end.

The palpable tension and intricate layers of deception throughout the storyline drew me into a world where nothing is as it seems. As Sheriff Gray and Solomon Shepard investigate further into the shadows, the chilling realization dawns: the killer lurks closer than anticipated, evading their pursuit at every twist and turn.

An intricate dance takes place between protagonist and antagonist, a cat-and-mouse game that challenges perceptions and kept me eagerly flipping pages. Methos blends psychological depth with pulse-pounding action.

This novel reminded me that truth can be a deceiving entity, cloaked in layers of illusion. The characters' resilience in the face of danger serves as an inspiration, illustrating the strength found in confronting one's deepest fears and vulnerabilities.

I felt mesmerized by the labyrinth of secrets and betrayals, where every clue held significance and every character harbored shades of ambiguity. Methos' knack for suspense will leave you breathless and thoroughly enthralled by the journey into darkness and the unwavering pursuit of justice.

"A spine-tingling labyrinth of deception and danger awaits in Methos' heart-racing thriller."

"Methos has created a relentless cat-and-mouse game that will leave readers guessing until the final page."

"An electrifying narrative packed with intricate twists and psychological intensity."

"A dance between truth and deception, where every revelation sparks new intrigue."

"Methos delivers a rollercoaster of suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats."

"An unputdownable journey through the dark alleys of crime and the human psyche."

"Methos lures you into a web of calculated danger and gripping suspense."

"Suspenseful storytelling, leaving readers breathless."

"'The Deceiving Look' is a pulse-pounding narrative that lingers in the mind, hauntingly thrilling."

well written with engaging characters but a tad bit gruesome for me. even though many things appear to have happened to billie and solomon prior to the events in The Deceiving Look, Methos does a great job of providing just enough background.

My love for this series is completely character driven- I’m invested in these characters and enjoy their relationship. I loved returning to this series! This case was dark and intricately pieced together. The complexity of the characters brings this series to another level. Well done!

The Deceiving Look is book three in the Shepard & Gray series by Victor Methos and it’s an intriguing legal procedural.
Methos does an excellent job of building suspense and keeping the reader engaged throughout the story. The characters are well-developed and complex, and the plot twists keep you guessing until the very end.
A very compelling thriller that will keep you up late at night trying to finish this riveting story.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Victor Methos, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Returning for another in Victor Methos’ newest series, I was met with a great piece of writing. Methos uses his two protagonists well to craft a story that is sure to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, while also proving impactful to all that is going on. When a murderer begins targeting people of some importance in the county, it is up to Sheriff Billie Gray to get to the heart of the matter. Working with a new deputy and her friend, Solomon Shepard, something seems off. While Shepard cannot help but draw a parallel to something that happened to him as a child, the apparent killer is reaching out to him, as if to taunt. Time is of the essence and neither Gray nor Shepard want this case to slip through their fingers. Methos does well to keep the action high and the twists plentiful.

After a local criminal defence attorney turns up dead in his home, all signs point to a suicide. The man had a number of personal complaints made against him and it would make sense that he wanted to end it all. However. Sheriff Billie Gray is not so sure, enlisting the help of her friend and former prosecutor, Solomon Shepard, to assist. Together, they discover some telling facts that push things into the murder category, though nothing concrete has yet been discovered.

While Solomon helps out as best he can, he is less than willing to do so. He’s had a significantly traumatic event befall him, leaving Shepard wanting to isolate before things can spiral out of control. The fact that Sheriff Gray has brought along her newest deputy, Mazie Heston, only adds to the pressure. Deputy Heaton is a firecracker if ever there was one, but her instincts are good and she wants to help.

When a second murder takes place and the body is left inside Solomon’s home, things take a significant turn. He’s got an alibi, with the sheriff no less, but something is left behind that Solomon discovers and keeps to himself. The killer may be closer than anyone thought and Solomon is anxious to reveal what he knows. Things are compounded with Deputy Heaton is kidnapped, leaving Sheriff Gray to wonder if this is a message from the killer, or perhaps a means of getting back at the fiery deputy. The action never stops in this piece, showing that Methos has all the elements of a great thriller.

I discovered the work of Victor Methos a few years ago and have not been able to get enough. He weaves a wonderful story into his thrillers, keeping the reader in the driver’s seat, while adding wonderful elements of surprise and mystery. This novel provided just what the reader needed, pushing the limits as the story developed. A strong narrative base kept things on pace and the great momentum build led to a stunning reveal by the end.

I am still getting to know Gray and Shepard, both of whom have significantly different backgrounds. Sheriff Gray has created her persona on trying to replicate the life her father lived, while Solomon Shepard is a shell of his former self, filled with a haunting past. However, their work together is strong and the ability to get to the core of the matter is unlike anyone else out there. The addition of strong secondary characters, as well as the emergence of Deputy Mazie Heaton, keeps things on pace to be strong and full of great interactions. I am eager to see where things go and how the characters will add depth to an already great series in the years to come.

Methos is always known for his legal and thrilling twists. This book was no exception with wonderful storytelling and an ending that no one could have seen coming. While the reader might think they know what directions things are headed, there is little chance of being able to predict all that comes out in this book. A strong story is met with some unpredictable elements to keep the reader on their toes. I am eager to see where things are headed and how Methos will take them there.

Kudos, Mr. Methos, for a gripping novel in this series.

This is the third installment of the series and the fourth Victor Methos book that I have read and enjoyed. I typically don’t enjoy legal thrillers because of all the silly courtroom nonsense that so many of them have. However, Methos doesn’t have a lot of that in this series, and that’s a good thing. I also like the relationship friendship between the two MC’s, Solomon (aka Sol) Shepard and Billie Gray. I really hope that Methos doesn’t have any plans to turn this relationship into a romantic one. I truly believe that would ruin the chemistry between them and would probably not be welcomed by Billie’s dad, who also has a long-time friendship with Sol.

The story takes place a couple years after the second installment and Sol has become completely isolated and secluded from his former life and friends, including Billie and her dad. But, as the summary states, Billie needs Sol and he acquiesces and agrees to assist her. Unfortunately, Sol operates in his own way, which puts Billie in a precarious position because Sol’s methods are not legal and are dangerous.

There are secondary storylines too. One is a carryover from previous installments and that is Billie’s ex-boyfriend who was stalking and harassing Billie in previous installments. Now, his behavior has become so dangerous that Billie now needs 24/7 police protection. There is also another secondary storyline of internal affairs who were investigating the two murdered victims (Mayor & DA) for some kind of corruption and/or illegal activity.

Anyway, the murders are adding up and then one of Billie’s officers, Maize, is abducted. It becomes a race for Billie and Sol to find her because based on the killer’s MO, Maize only has about 24hrs. This story includes some of the history and memories from Sol’s childhood and family, which was very troubled and tragic. The ending was really scary and disturbing. Methos leaves Sol’s future rather questionable, at least it seemed that way to me.

The series seems to be taking a somewhat different turn, I think, although, I could be wrong. My fave characters, besides Billie and Sol, were Maize and Einstein, a young hacker that Sol uses for his illegal tactics and activities. Hope there is more of Maize and Einstein in future installments. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #ThomasandMercer #TheDeceivingLook

Billie is the sheriff and has a case that she knows she needs help with. There is only one person who can help her, Solomon. Even though they haven't spoken in years, he agrees to help Billie. What nobody else knows is that Solomons mother dies in the same way when he was a child. Solomon feels like a message is being left that only he can figure out.

I loved trying to figure this one out! The ride to the ending was great! There was a lot going on, but it wasn't too much. It was just enough to keep you guessing! Victor Methos is wonderful at building intensity as the story progresses.

Victor Methos delivers another gripping installment in the Shepard & Gray series with "The Deceiving Look." As Sheriff Billie Gray investigates the apparent suicide of a criminal defense attorney, she turns to her old friend Solomon Shepard, despite his struggles with mental health. Methos seamlessly weaves police and legal procedures into the narrative, adding a level of authenticity often lacking in thrillers. The portrayal of mental health issues is both sensitive and realistic, contributing to the story's depth. Even as the third book in the series, it stands strongly on its own, introducing new characters that enhance the overall experience. Personally, I found myself engrossed in the plot, unsuccessfully attempting to unravel the mystery before the riveting conclusion. Methos defies expectations, leaving readers captivated until the last page.

While the cover and title may not fully convey the story's intensity, "The Deceiving Look" is undeniably a brilliant, engaging read that I wholeheartedly recommend.
As a devoted fan, Methos continues to impress with his storytelling prowess.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own.

This is the 3rd book in the series and it was good, but not great. Not sure if it's the storyline, the connections, the flow ... something was missing and it was just okay.

Thank you #netgalley and #thomasnandmercer for the eARC.

The Deceiving Look is the 3rd installment in the Shepard/Gray series, as Sheriff Billie Gray investigates the death of a local attorney, and calls on ex-prosecutor Solomon Shepard for help. While I’ve enjoyed the other books in this series (and other books by this author), this one seems a little “off”, as the dialogue is somewhat simplistic, and the plot is over the top and scattered, as there’s a few side stories that have little to no connection to the plot, and that drastically bogs down the book. Somewhere entertaining, but ultimately disappointing. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a favorite author with a new installment in one of my must-read crime mystery series. It is packed full of action and a twist you won’t see coming. Superb characters who I wanted to know more about, some I wanted in jail and some who fooled me every step of the plot.
Solomon Shepard’s a former prosecutor who has isolated himself in a remote old sprawling house that’s too large for just him. He’s both mentally and physically damaged from an attack several years past. He’s in constant pain, withdrawn from everything and unsociable. His demons haunted me with darkness, his character was almost too real, it was easy to be sympathetic to his state of mind.
Billie Gray is the Sheriff in Utah where an intolerable district attorney is dead, next the Mayor is dead, purportedly a suicide. Are these deaths connected, is a serial murderer to blame, or something else altogether? She calls on her old friend Solomon to assist her investigation. As if bodies dropping isn’t enough, she also has a relentless stalker known as her X-husband. He doesn’t make idle threats.
The story had everything I expect from a mystery/thriller – life or death situations, heart pounding scenes, good vs evil, an ending that caught me completely off guard. This author continually writes books with depth and knowledge and I can’t wait to see what he’ll do next.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “The Deceiving Look”, Shepard & Gray #3, by Victor Methos, Published by Thomas & Mercer, expected publication Jan. 9, 2024. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

Grabs you and doesn't let go, you will be thinking about this one for a while. Intense police investigation with twists and turns you won't see coming. Characters you will feel, and a complex plot that drives to the end.

Third book in the series seems rather pedestrian compared to the author’s usual exceptional works. I almost felt like the characters were simply going through the motions, but it may be unfair to compare the author to himself. Looking forward to the next release already.

3.5 Stars

This is the third book in this series, but there has been a pretty significant time period from the events of the last book to the beginning of this book. I'm not sure why 3 years have elapsed in between, but apparently they have. For some reason, that kind of pulled me out of the story immediately. From what I remember, these two characters had developed a pretty strong connection and to hear - right off of the bat - that they hadn't spoken in three years, well, it was weird. Maybe I read that wrong, but I don't think so.....

Anyway, this storyline has the Sheriff (Billie) and the former Prosecutor (Soloman) back together trying to solve the death of the former Mayor. There are some similarities with this death and the way Soloman's mother passed away many, many years ago, but Billie didn't know that when she contacts Soloman. See, there is another thing that just felt....forced.

I don't know. The easiness that I felt with the first two books felt like it was missing and that things were being pressed together on purpose. It took me quite a while to get into this story. I usually will finish a book the day that I start it, or if things are progressing slower, by the next day at the latest. I stopped and started this book several times and finally made myself finish after 3 or 4 days. In the end, it finally felt like we had some of the chemistry back.

The story line was intriguing but the killer was easy enough to figure out. Did it make sense once everything was uncovered? No, not really. Again, more things that felt forced.

The story arc definitely sets up another book, so it will be interesting to see where things stand after the way things ended this time. There was a definite change in the relationship status with the last couple of paragraphs - that also felt like it came in completely out of the blue. Maybe it's just me and everything made sense, but for some reason, this book had a completely different feel to it and I really had a hard time with it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

The Deceiving Look is the third book in the Solomon Shepard and sheriff Billie Graham series. As usual we have a thrilling and at times jaw dropping story from this author.
Solomon remains a shadow of his former self. Previously a top criminal defence attorney until attacked in the courtroom and left with terrible injuries, physical and mental. Billie continues as a sheriff still finding it tough being a woman in a ‘man’s world’ she is also being stalked by her ex who has threatened to kill her then himself.
When an attorney is found dead at home in an apparent suicide it soon becomes clear he was murdered, having problems with the investigation Billie calls on Solomons reluctant help. When another body is found with the same wounds as previous murder and the murderer seemingly knowing Solomon’s and Billies every move they suspect it could be someone in the police department or even closer.
This is a multi layered thriller that is page turning and with a reveal I never saw coming.
These two leads are complex and very deep characters that have a spikey but close relationship, building in strength and at times has much humour between them.
Another engrossing and exciting read, I look forward to the next, but please Mr Methos give them both some happiness ……together!
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Thank you NetGallery and Thomas and Mercer for my first ARC! I was thrilled it was a Victor Methos, as I've read a few of his books and absolutely love his work. This one did not disappoint; The Deceiving Look is outstanding! The police/legal procedures are very well written, adding an authenticity some books lack. You'll never have to roll your eyes thinking "that will never happen". Mental health issues are so brilliantly woven into the story making them (as they should be) seem normal and routinely dealt with. Although it's the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone, without losing the essence of the relationships established in the first book. We were gifted the introduction of new characters which added even more flavor. If you're like me, you'll probably be trying to figure out the 'who-done-it', before reaching the end. I have to admit, I didn't! I usually do, so I was blown away that I really couldn't figure this one out. Bravo Mr. Methos, you got me!

If I was asked what the negatives were (which in no way diminishes from the book itself)? I'd say it was the cover and title. For me the title does not capture the essence of a book that grabs you from the beginning and compels you to read right through to the end.

The Deceiving Look is brilliant, engaging, easy to read, and well written. I highly recommend this book.

This is my first book by Victor Methos. This is the 3rd book in a police procedural series.

Billie is the sheriff in town, with her new right hand, another female officer, Masie. When a big defense attorney turns up dead, Billie calls on Solomon, an old friend for help. They are trying to decide if it's a suicide or a murder. Solomon is out of the game and retired as an attorney due to a devastating attack during a case. He's been living as a recluse for three years, especially after Billie's last words were 'I never want to see you again'. Billie convinces Solomon to help.

This was an exciting read, and I finished it pretty quickly. If you enjoy police procedural novels, this is right up your alley. I'd like to thank Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley, and Victor Methos for an advanced copy for an honest opinion.

Many thanks to both Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Deceiving Look, by Victor Methos. Expected publication: January 9, 2024.

The Deceiving Look is the 3rd book in the Shepard & Gray Series. Sheriff Billie Gray arrives on the scene when a local criminal defense attorney turns up dead. At first glance, the lawyer’s death looks like suicide. But Billie knows better: this was murder.

I didn't enjoy reading The Deceiving Look as much as I did the series' first two books. I loved Billie and felt Maizie was a wonderful addition to the team! There was plenty of action and the pace moved along nicely. Maybe I found the gruesome portions to have a bit too much ick factor for me!

Although I rated the first two books in the series 4 stars, I'm rating this one 3 stars. I liked it but didn't love it.

The storyline is excellent and the characters are interesting and well described. Would recommend

Thank you to Victor Methos, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the arc of this book.