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.

i really struggled during the first 20-30% of this book. but i really wanted to like it and give it the benefit of the doubt.
unfortunately i didn't find it enjoyable at all, even though there was a lot of potential in the storyline.

An FBI serial killer thriller is right up my alley! I went in with my hopes high, which was a mistake, because right away the book read like a typical series type thriller (which, really, it is), But halfway through it had me completely hooked, despite the fact that I was fairly confident I had figured out the twist (which turns out, I had) But overall, I truly enjoyed the ride! It is a gripping story, with some really likeable characters that I'd love to learn more about. Although I'm not a fan of reading series, I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read The Murder Club by Sam Baron. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review. I may even check out the first book in this series!
This book is out April 22,2024. I recommend giving it a read!

In this story we follow Susan Parker and her team as they try to figure out who is killing members of a Billionaire Murder Club. With the help of an unlikely group of Podcasters, the team begins to piece together a gruesome picture that will definitely have you on the edge of your seat.

I loved the diverse group of likeable characters and I look forward to finding out more about them in future books.

I enjoyed this book so much, I was kicking myself for not reading Book 1 first. Thankfully this book works as a standalone, but I'm definitely going to go back and read the first book. Very much looking forward to more of this series!

GGGIIIRRRRRLLLLL. This book could have been SO good. But it just couldn;t get it together. i want soooo bad to be able to love it. It could have been a 5 star read if it just....did better.

Loved this book! I had no idea where it would go with each of the twists. Each character was more intriguing than the next. I can’t wait to read the next in the series

An interesting storyline. Some of the characters have a lot of potential. I am not sure how I feel about the main character but her team and immediate family are pretty cool. I would have liked to see more with the pizza girl too. Full of surprises.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

The premise of this book was really good however the execution was not. I really enjoyed the basic storyline of the series killer and who he turned out to be however I feel like there was an unnecessary amount of inclusion within the book. An orphan FBI agent who's husband is dead and daughter is deaf who uses the fact she's a woman in the force in a negative way. It just didn't sit well with me. Maybe a few less ideas and more on the serial killer.