The idea of linguistic forensics and the description of the book as a thriller was intriguing to me. I recall seeing someone refer to it as similar to the Molly The Maid series and that sold the intrigue to me.

Overall, I thought the story was interesting and the linguistic devices were very original. However, there was something about the repetitive use of these devices that began to feel distracting. After a while, I didn't feel as though it added much to the story or the character development. It was also strange how a book like this handles such heavy subject matters seemingly lightly. There are a few traumatic things that happen in the book - not just to the protagonist but to other characters - and it felt as though they simply hugged it out.

I was hopeful for this, but in the end, I don't think it was the story for me. I do recommend this book if you enjoy fast-paced mystery/thrillers, with unique characters and a bit of light-hearted prose.

The concept of the book, solving crimes by using forensic linguistic analysis, is very intriguing. I think the book has the potential to be good but it falls short. First, the characters very much feel like characters and not people. I couldn't connect to the characters, which made it hard to care for them. Second, the book relies a lot on dialogue. Sometimes what the characters said or their reactions felt cringey and unrealistic. Third, there were a lot of traumatic things that happened in the book and I think it needed to be handled with more care. A lot of it was glossed over and again the character reactions seemed unrealistic and too easy for them to bounce back from such an ordeal. I would remove the whole storyline with Ditmire and focus on developing the crime story more so that it feels realistic.

Didn't enjoy this one as much as I expected. The sentence breakdowns were distracting and the story wasn't interesting enough to keep my attention.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Forensic Linguistics takes center stage as this tortured genius is tasked with solving a case eerily similar to the disappearance of her childhood best friend many years ago.

Wow, I had so much fun with this book. The linguistic decoding threw my brain for a loop, and I loved seeing into the mind of our protagonist Maggie. The creepy vibes of a small town in the deep south made this book’s atmosphere top notch. I wish this book was longer, with more detailed side characters. It’s a small critique, and I think it’s because of how fun and unique this story is, I’d love to spend more time with it. Totally recommend, especially if you're into true crime from the deep south!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Paperbacks for this ARC.

I was really intrigued by the concept and blurb for this one, but unfortunately the reality of the book never gelled for me. I found the characters oddly flat and the story less interesting than I expected, given the premise and setup. The sentence diagrams were clever at first, but quickly felt like a distracting gimmick rather than essential insight into the character and her mind - although this may in part be the way they present in an ebook format. I just couldn't get into this one...

First, the good: A fast-paced, interesting, easy read. I was a sucker for the word genius gimmick from the jump.

The not-so-good: I feel weird about how lightly certain topics were treated, namely CSA and sexual assault. The latter is eventually reckoned with albeit strangely, while the former gets a reaction that feels disproportionately mild. Our protagonist Maggie (who I do like, don't get me wrong) really embodies the trope of drug-addicted tortured genius downing alcohol at all hours, popping pills like it's her job, etc. which gets old and, again, never really gets dealt with in a substantive way.

Overall: I honestly enjoyed the book as a fast, easy read, but wish more care was taken to treat things like CSA and kidnapping seriously and less like a plot device with ramifications that were able to be tied up neatly with a bow. It leaves off with a hint at a sequel, so fingers crossed these things are improved if that is the case.

Maggie Moore's lifelong fascination with words has led her to study forensic linguistics, forensic stylistics, and other related topics. Due to her ability to analyze writings and determine facts about the author, she's called in to help the police with a stalking case. A woman has been receiving threatening texts. Maggie examines them, then looks at writing samples from the five suspects the police have found, and she is able to eliminate the ones who don't fit the characteristics she has found in the texts. Soon, the perp is identified, and Maggie is lauded for her work. Before long, she's called back in to help in the case of a young girl who's been kidnapped. The kidnapper has been taunting the police with short messages, but as there's nothing as yet to compare these writing samples with, Maggie is stuck. She is also stuck in her private life. She grew up in a run-down area in Florida, with a single mother and a best friend, Lucy. When she was 14, she went to Lucy's house only to find her missing and blood on throughout the house. Despite her best efforts, Maggie was unable to get the police interested in her friend's disappearance. She has never given up on finding out what happened to Lucy. Maggie is close to graduating with her master's degree, and has even started working as a graduate assistant to a professor who asks for her help in re-writing some of his grant proposals and other work. A police officer, Detective Jackson, becomes interested in helping Maggie delve into Lucy's disappearance. Soon Maggie becomes his sidekick, much to Jackson's dismay.

This book had some interesting ideas, especially Maggie's obsession with words and her penchant for diagramming sentences (which I thought went the way of phone booths and VCRs, but maybe not). Many, many sentences are diagrammed throughout the book, although I'm not sure what that's supposed to add to the story. Maggie also has to explain some terms and ideas to people throughout the book that don't really seem to need clarification. The main problem I had with the book was the way people would suddenly behave in bizarre, totally out of character ways out of the blue. They were all at it. One minute they were having a perfectly normal conversation, the next someone would do something random. I guess it moved the story along, but it made for a very jumpy, uneven narrative. It was also hard to see how Maggie was able to function being totally drunk/high at all times yet maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Many things were left unresolved at the end, so I'm not sure if that was setting up for a sequel. I like words, but not Maggie, so I won't be following up with her.

Rating: 4.5

Words are powerful and telling, they can even help catch a criminal
As a first time reader of this author, I had no idea what to expect. I was blown away by the structure, story and characters.

Where do I begin? Anti-hero Maggie with her tattoos, piercings and penchant towards using foul language, is the perfect hero for the story. Her unique skills put her in a position that others could not simply fill despite how it may appear. She hasn’t totally given up hope given all that has been thrown on her throughout her life. I think Jackson is adorable, and I say that sort of facetiously as he is an imposing figure prone to periods of silence and grunting.

Despite how she may appear, Maggie is quick to hug and comfort those around her. The unique-to-me style in which this book was written and Maggie’s unique talent made this a challenge to read but also a thoroughly engaging read. It is not one of those books that I could read a couple chapters and doze off to sleep to resume another day. It was more of “oh my gosh what did that say?” “How do I do this?” “Where is this going?”

I wasn’t sure how the story would end as things seem to go with addition chaos in Maggie’s life moving her focus. I learned a lot about words, forensics linguistics (didn’t know that was a thing), and a lot of other things. I am appreciative of the author for having introduced me to some elements of the written language that I had not known previously. This book is not for the faint of heart, or those who are uncomfortable with crude language and disturbing crimes against others especially children. They are not done in an overly graphic way but in a manner that serves to provide the motivation behind actions and to move the story forward. There’s lots of room for the reader, to interpret and surmise along the way.

I wish I were brave enough to be my own Annabelle! I do find it, encouraging that it seems the most upstanding guy in the story is a black man that’s not typically the case.

I am curious about some of their other books. It’s an awesome read one that you won’t want to put down. At least I didn’t.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on the story.
Happy Reading!

Maggie Moore of Cypress Haven, Florida is a graduate student in forensics. Her film professor (?) recommends that she consult with detective Silas Jackson on a cyber stalking case due to her prowess with word analysis and when it goes well it leads to a case involving the kidnapping of the mayor’s daughter. Maggie is also investigating the disappearance of childhood friend Lucy.

There’s a lot going on here, maybe too much. Maggie is an interesting main character. I would have liked to have seen more of her actual work with words, and fewer tangents. Also less of the sentence diagramming, although so can see a wordsmith actually doing it. Overall, good though.

I enjoyed this mystery; the characters were engaging and the plot was good. I think the author overdid the whole drinking -beer- for- breakfast -and -downing -pills -by -the fistful- thing ,though.

I think this was written for me. A nerdy thriller. The idea of solving cases using linguistics is just so enticing. Not to be morbid but I have an unhealthy interest in the zodiac killer. I think Maggie would be able to figure out his real identity pretty effortlessly.

This was the perfect length. Each page and each quote fulfilled a purpose to the overall novel. It was a fast paced, page turner. Started it this morning and sped right through it. There definitely are some plot holes left open. I’m hoping and I suspect there will be a sequel and more case solving for partners Maggie and Jackson in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

Let's start with the positives! Wordhunter is a fast, easy read that falls somewhere between a cozy mystery and a police procedural. The main protagonist is in graduate school to become a forensic linguist, and she helps the local police department solve open cases. The ending is ambiguous, so one can only assume this book is a pilot to a future series. I haven't read a book with a forensic linguist as the hero, so the author gets points for ingenuity.

Now, the big question - will I read book #2 (if there is one)? Eh. Forensic linguistics is a complex topic; for the most part, the story overestimated the reader's understanding. I love Criminal Minds, CSI, and Law & Order just as much as any other true crime junkie, but there were several parts of the book that soared over my head. And on the rare occasion when the author tried to explain the science behind linguistic analysis, the plot turned into a textbook. It read like a regurgitation of a Google search, and for being such a crucial concept in the plot, I expected more engaging (and educated) explanations.

The main character's job is to analyze written words, but ironically, the writing of this book is pretty amateur. There was a lot of rudimentary dialogue - Maggie said, Jackson said, Maggie said, Jackson said...😴 Characters were barely developed outside of basic descriptions - no one had a clear voice, and I felt zero connection to them.

Some authors can write a story and make the reader feel like an active observer - you feel right there with the characters. Others force the reader into a more passive role, and you feel like you are being talked at. This book fell into the latter category. In addition, several errant plot lines served no purpose to the story and were seemingly added for shock value and filler. For example, a good chunk of the book is spent on a conflict with a professor, but this thread had no significance to the primary plot. It was like a thread floating in the wind.

If Wordhunter was a house, you'd say it had "good bones." It needs more development and a sharp editor, but it has undeniable potential.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for providing the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

I am conflicted about this story. On the one hand, as a word lover, I loved all the story having to do with that. The other parts however, I didn’t find as entertaining. I also felt like there was too many different threads: the long gone best friend, the professor, the newly missing young girl. Plus, some of it just made no sense to me. The police play a softball game just days after a girl goes missing? The chief takes his lady for a day trip three weeks into the disappearance? And he doesn’t call in the FBI? I would be interested in reading another story by the author.

I was intrigued to find out how word forensics or forensic linguistics is used in crime solving, by analyzing written evidence, papers, letters, email, etc. to find the authors and possibly a criminal. Maggie Moore has always been fascinated by words, and as a college student she was recommended by her prof to help the police track down a cyber stalker.

Looking at word choice, dialect, syntax, spelling, use or misuse of punctuation, writing style, and more, Maggie analyzes emails to find traits leading to the stalker and with Detective Jackson, goes on to another case of finding the kidnapper of the mayor's missing daughter.

I liked how the relationship between the detective and Maggie develops into one of trust and reliance during the events, some of them life threatening, that take place during their investigations.

A delightful read with an unusual, quirky character Maggie, who learns to stand up for herself in both her work and personal life.

Thank you NetGalley for a free previewof this book in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a very clever thriller. The puzzles that are diagrammed throughout the book added a very interesting concept to the mix. The main character is very quirky and certainly adds flare to the pages with her thoughts and the way she views things but I had a hard time connecting with her. I did get Criminal Minds vibes from the entire book but only bits and pieces.

Difficult to read via Kindle with the puzzles - I would recommend having a physical copy to be able to look at along with it.

It was cute and simple but didn't draw me in completely. Nothing terribly amazing to write home about. If you like puzzles, clever thrillers with an open ending this book is for you.

I'd give it 3.5 stars. I love the sentence diagramming and I read it in one sitting, but I was disappointed that the female character was unnecessarily an addict and problematic. It's a lazy trope. She was interesting without being victimized.

This. Book. Was. Amazing! I mean it really kept me on the edge of my seat from the get go. The author’s characterization and pacing were on point. Ditmore reminded me of that super creepy professor who’s always hitting on his students. I really disliked him from the start. Maggie, on the other hand, I loved. I was right about every character, and who the bad guy was. What a wild ride though! I never would have guessed the ending would be the way it was, other than who actually did it. Also, the author has fantastic taste in music. (I listen to everything she mentioned!) This book is set up nicely to be part of a series, although the ending was tied up nicely. I really hope there’s another one. It’s not mentioned that it’s part of a series, but it would be crazy not to write mother one. This one was so good!

Huge thanks to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

I am reviewing Wordhunter by Stella Sands. #Wordhunter #NetGalley

A few hints at spoilers but no REAL spoilers!!

Thank you NETGALLEY for a free preview of this book in return for an honest review!

I get why other readers think that the main character is a white-trash version of Lisbeth Salander. HOWEVER, it fits the storyline.

To me, it’s a lot like a combination of characters: the tv series LIE TO ME, Criminal Minds, The Girl With…series. Also, Jackson is reminiscent of Detective Bosch and Nick Pirog’s Thomas Prescott.

I think too many readers are focusing on the similarities and not the differences. This is where it is at for me.

The flow of the story was wonderful. There was no confusion about who was speaking. There was no confusion about the emotions of the characters. The whole book theme made me think of Reba McEntire’s FANCY. It was back woods, shady policing, sneaky shit-pile of detectives weaved in with a few phenomenal characters. From the past to the present, you could feel how a lesser socio-economic demographic is treated by those in authority.

The diagraming of sentences added to the puzzle. While some were difficult, it made you realize how intelligent Maggie is. The humour of Maggie, mixed with her intellect, really makes you appreciate the way her brain thinks.

The slow process of her and detective Jackson’s friendship and business relationship is refreshing. No sex-nor does the reader crave that relationship out of the two characters. I’m guessing that’s where it could head but the author doesn’t breathe life into that….yet. In itself, the relationship is relevant and easy.

The secondary storyline with Maggie’s school and her professor I sensed was coming. It’s like you could feel what was happening, but you were hoping one direction; it went another, darker way.

I’m hoping that this will be a well planned, long running series. It’s nice to have a true mystery/thriller series!

I LOVED this brilliant book, holy cow, I think it was one of my favorites of the year and I read 300 books this year. I absolutely love books about linguistics and this one completely crushed it in every way. I loved Maggie and her "humble confidence". I loved her badassery, and I loved everything about the way she was written. I hope to read much more about her in another book.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review and I will be first in line for the sequel. I PROMISE!!