⭐⭐⭐
The Murder Club by Sam Baron is the second book in FBI Agent Susan Parker's series. I didn't read the first one and probably that's the reason I struggle to connect with this book. The storyline was interesting and made me keep reading but I constantly catch myself drifting away.
Some parts felt repetitive and the hate for men was a bit much.
The end wrapped nicely all the story and to be honest I didn't expect that final twist.
I would say this book was in between yes and no for me but I can see how this book could become another reader's 5-star read!

The book opens with a crime scene and it hits you straight away. The story switches to Special Agent Susan Parker and her team and their mission to catch a "boogeyman".
This book is full of action and some really suspenseful moments, some parts will make you hold your breath.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this copy!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.*

3.5 ⭐ rounded up.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was super excited about this book. However, it didn't live up to the expectations that were set by the first book. The story wasn't very gripping. The idea of a Murder Club sounded so interesting, but for some reason it wasn't catching my attention the way I thought it would.

This was still a good book and the storyline was interesting and thrilling enough. I like the characters in this book, especially the main character. She's tough and brave and such a good person. I was hoping this would be the book where she would get closure about her husband's death.

I will continue this series if there is more. I am invested in the characters and I want to see them all get the happy endings they deserve. I might be a bad person, but now that I know Naved and his wife are separated, I'm really hoping he's part of Susan's happy ending.

What a great book this was to read. I hadn't read the first book but got into this one quickly enough without any issues. Great characters you got into and a storyline that kept you gripped all the way through, so much so, I didn't want to put the book down until I had finished it - my sign of a good book!

I specifically sought out the 2nd book in this series as I really like it! I read it in a few sittings.
There's something about the way it's written, that keeps me wanting to know more about Susan, her home life, culture and whatever bad person she is hunting!
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the 3rd installment!

The Murder Club by Sam Baron is a mystery-thriller FBI crime story.

The plot should focus on solving crimes, not on hating men or playing the victim. or even being inclusive.

I wanted to like this book. due to its intriguing title, attractive cover, and promising description... but unfortunately, some of the content quickly put me off. What could have been a thrilling and unpredictable story turned out to be quite predictable, and the main character's attitude was unbearable. She spent the entire book talking about how she's a "marginalized woman of color"... Throughout the book, the female main character's disdain for Caucasian people is evident. Her hatred towards men was overwhelming, and it was absurd how she constantly praised herself and how much everyone around her loved her (except for her male, Caucasian boss, of course).

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

A rather dark and sinister story with great characters. I loved this book and the twists were fabulous and unpredictable. Highly recommended xx

First want to say thank you for allowing me to be an arc reader!

I really enjoyed the book! I love that ASL is through out the book. I enjoyed the twist at the end too!

I just reviewed The Murder Club by Sam Baron. #TheMurderClub #NetGalley. I did not read the first book in this series, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book on its own. I do plan on going back to read the first book. We get to know Susan and her background. I liked how she was tough. The author did a good job at developing Susan and making us care about her. I liked the points of view. I liked Susan's family, her daughter Natalie and her sislaw, Lata. They added a deeper connectedness to the main character.

I would recommend this book to those wanting a twisty ride. Great read!!

Y’all this book was sooooooo good. I was sucked in from page 1. The plot had so many twists and turns. The characters were easy to root for. So grateful for the chance to read this book early. 4 STARS! Ready for he next Susan Parker adventure!

I read this book in one day! A gripping story that pulls you in and keeps you guessing until the very end.

This was a fabulous book, hard to put down with twists firing at you from every angle! I had to carry on reading!

This book was definitely hard to put down. If you're looking for a read where you don't have to think too much and enjoy thrillers, then this is your book. I love the idea of a female special agent as a woman of color and the inclusion of an LBGTQ and deaf character.

However, there developed some serious problems with those inclusions. A white male trying to write about the experiences of a woman of color, a lesbian, and a deaf female child does not work. Susan Parker's white-sounding name left the author to tell the reader countless times in the book that she was a marginalized person. There are times in the book when Susan Parker's actions and thoughts simply don't match those of a woman - it was clear they were perceptions from a male perspective. For instance, you know the only group of people who care that a woman hasn't been on a date only one year after her husband has died? A white male. And, of course, the lesbian character was a former Marine. Stereotypical.

The premise of the primary plot was creepy and novel but the follow through was weak and predictable. It Too many subplots were left untied (otherwise, why would anyone read the next novel?), I didn't read the first book, and this one read fine without the background.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is met voluntary honest review.

I really appreciate anted to like this. The description sounded right up my alley. I won’t give a synopsis because many others already have.

I think the premise of this book was unique. However, I never connected with the FMC. She seemed to hate men, have a huge chip on her shoulder, and this was repeated over and over.
I did like some of the other characters and wish they had played a bigger role.

I also got confused because there were so many characters, and the FMC had other problems going on, so in the end I felt like I was trying to find the important parts in the story.

The ending was tied up nicely, so I guess there will be a sequel. I don’t think I will read it.

The Murder Club, Sam Baron
3.5/5⭐️
333📖
Publication date - 22nd April 2024

My first ARC read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for letting me read and review this!
I enjoyed this book a lot. I submitted an application for this purely based off of the title and after reading the blurb I was sold and thought it would be something I’d enjoy. I didn’t realise this was the second book in the series, but this doesn’t matter at all. I found it really easy to get into it and didn’t feel like I was missing out by not reading the first book.

TW’S - this book didn’t come with any trigger warnings but it does mention murder, abuse, child neglect and mistreatment, substance abuse, guns and an implied suicide. So some heavier topics but nothing overly graphic!

Things I liked about this book;
- The first chapter was from the killers pov and it was a very gripping start to the book.
- Following on from this, I liked the dual pov between the main female lead and the killer.
- I really enjoyed the shorter chapters and I found myself reading more in one go because of this.
- It didn’t take too long to get into the main story. There was enough introduction to the characters and any back story but I didn’t go on for too long.
- The idea of a murder club is something different I haven’t really come across before. The ‘murder club’ where rich people watch awful things happen to people kind of reminded me of the film Hostel 3, apart from this is far less violent.
- There was a fair bit of detail. More specific terms within policing and forensics were explained which I enjoyed as it then instantly added more to the story.
- Lots of twists and turns keeping you turning the pages.

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book, but I would have liked to see a bit more of the story from the killers pov. I just felt these chapters were few and far between and quite a good addition.Maybe there could have been a few more, especially towards the end of the book.

Overall I really enjoyed this and would recommend it. The book ends on a cliffhanger and it’s definitely made me want to read the next book when it comes out, as well as read the first one!

I enjoyed the overall story. A lot of it felt like filler though and I found myself skimming a majority of it. The ending tied together pretty well.

I really liked characters I shouldn’t like!
Such a great sequel and I am sure the rest will be, I love the idea of how they will be released and am excited to follow the detectives story!

"The Murder Club" by Sam Baron is a riveting and masterfully crafted crime novel that not only enthralls with its suspenseful plot but also captivates through its deep exploration of character and society. Baron, with a keen eye for detail and an uncanny ability to weave intricate narratives, delivers a story that is both a classic whodunit and a contemporary examination of the complexities of human nature and justice.

What sets "The Murder Club" apart from other novels in the crime genre is Baron's exquisite character development and the moral quandaries he presents. Each character is meticulously fleshed out, with their motivations, fears, and desires painting a complex picture of human nature.

The plot of "The Murder Club" is ingeniously plotted, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Baron's pacing is impeccable, managing to maintain a sense of urgency throughout the novel while allowing space for character and theme to develop. The tension builds steadily, culminating in a climax that is both shocking and satisfying.

Baron's writing is sharp, engaging, and evocative, seamlessly blending action, dialogue, and introspection to create a rich and immersive reading experience. His ability to set a scene and mood is exceptional, transporting readers to the heart of the small town and its dark underbelly. The dialogue is crisp and natural, capturing the essence of each character and driving the plot forward.

"The Murder Club" is also notable for its thoughtful exploration of themes such as justice, redemption, and the impact of the past on the present. Baron does not shy away from asking difficult questions or presenting situations with no easy answers, challenging readers to think deeply about the moral complexity of the detective's world.

In summary, "The Murder Club" by Sam Baron is a standout novel that offers everything a fan of crime fiction could ask for: a gripping mystery, well-drawn characters, thoughtful themes, and superb writing. It is a book that not only entertains but also engages the mind and heart, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. Whether you are a long-time aficionado of the genre or a newcomer, "The Murder Club" is a must-read that promises to be a classic in the annals of crime literature.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Oh wow! This was a page-turner!
The twists and secrets we uncover in this book had me constantly turning the page!

It took me a few chapters to get hooked (again, not a bad thing), but once I was, I was unable to put it down!

I wasn’t necessarily expecting the outcome we got; while I felt that there was definitely more to the story, I wasn’t 100% sure how everyone connected and what was going to happen, so I was pleasantly surprised! This was good and not predictable too much; again, I had a feeling some things were connected, but I was still surprised at the end!

Loved this book!! I was not aware it was the second book in the series but I definitely plan on reading the first book too. I felt like this book had a great plot, characters and dialog. I was engaged the whole time while reading and excited to get to the end. I thought it had a great twist, I made a few guess but I was completely wrong!

FBI Susan Parker is chasing a serial killer that is targeting single mothers with children who end up in the system.
The “Clothesline Killer” as he has been named, has also caught the attention of some podcasters and a billionaires club of men. There are quite a few of diverse characters in this novel and how they all come together is well explained in the book. The plot did drag in places with a lot of extraneous information and different story lines that affected the main character. Which in turn leads to some unanswered questions, which hopefully will be answered in the next book. (I did not realize this was Book 2 in the series, although the author did a good job of filling in information for this to be a standalone.) In my personal opinion, I felt there was too much going on in the book. It could have been better with just the inclusion of the podcasters or the billionaires club, not both.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc. This review is my opinion.