This was a really interesting concept, the AI chatbot going through texts and social media so Katrina could “speak” with her dead husband. You have to suspend belief about done things but it was an entertaining story. Some of the chapters left off on notes that didn’t make sense but it was easy to look past that. I knew who the bad guy was but that didn’t detract from the story. I enjoyed this very much.

Attorney Katrina Foster hasn’t recovered from the death of her husband, Jason, from a year ago. Killed in a car accident, she has been able to “visit” with him through his AI chatbot. She knows that she must move on until she hears his message telling her that he thinks he was murdered. He was meeting someone the day of the accident, but who is this person and did the meeting take place? Katrina is still working as legal counsel at Talk, Inc. with her friend and company CEO, Liv. With personnel and other issues, the company is soon investigated by the FBI. Returning home, she has inherited Bestemor, her grandmother’s beloved restaurant. Dealing with family issues, she meets with restauranteur Sebastian “Seb” Wallace for his advice on running Bestemor. Seb has his own family concerns as he and Katrina become more than casual friends. Will she ever find out what really happened to Jason? Can she forgive, recover and move on with her new life and love? A bit confusing (for me) at first due to the AI Chatbot feature, but an enjoyable, twisted mystery. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Have you ever picked up a book based on the title alone? This one definitely grabbed my attention—and from the very first page I was hooked!

Katrina Berg is a grieving widow who uses an experimental chatbot to “talk” to her dead husband. But when “her husband” tells her “I think I was murdered,” she has to wonder if the bot is glitching . . . or could it be telling the truth?

Lies, betrayal, and murder meet cutting edge technology in this fascinating thriller that will keep you guessing what’s real and what’s AI all the way to the end. Fast-paced and fabulous!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating 3.5

This was a different type of suspense with AI in the mix. I am in two minds, because though it did bring a different type of suspense to the plot, I wasn’t totally a fan.

The plot around solving the murder of Jason was intriguing and the action at the end nail-biting. I had one major suspect from the start and was sad to see my suspicions correct at the end.

There was a lot of characters to get to know and I was happy with the way Dylan’s story turned out.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, all opinions expressed are my own*

I think I was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker, was a book so full of intrigue and mystery, it was hard to put down. I fell in love with Katrina, and found myself so drawn into her story, they felt like friends. Highly recommend this book!

Colleen Coble and Rick Acker team up again to bring readers another thrilling read. I Think I Was Murdered is a standalone (not part of the Tupelo Grove series). But the story is a must-read for suspense fans.

Katrina Berg thought she had it all – her dream career and loving husband. But when Jason dies, she downloads old texts, pictures and emails into a program that lets her talk to Jason in a chatbot version of himself. But when AI Jason tells Katrina that he thinks he was murdered, she heads back to her hometown to figure out what really happened when his car went off the road. She enlists her old friend, Seb Wallace, to help her, but someone doesn’t want either one of them to get too close to the truth.

I loved this book from start to finish. The mystery was complex, and in a small town, just about anyone was a suspect in my mind. But what I really loved was the setting. Katrina comes from a small Norwegian town where her grandmother ran a café and served authentic Norwegian delicacies. I loved the culture and characters, which all blended nicely into one intriguing mystery. I highly recommend I Think I Was Murdered to anyone who loves an intriguing mystery with complex characters and a unique setting.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Colleen Coble and Rick Acker make an outstanding writing team. While I had to google the name Satoshi Nakamota and know very little about bitcoin or bots, I thoroughly enjoyed this multi-faceted romantic suspense story. The authors provided enough information to help people like me understand the technology without slowing down the story, allowing us to focus on the intrigue. Katrina Foster's husband was killed in an automobile accident,or so she thought. A year later it looked as if it might not have been an accident. As Katrina investigates, she and her best friend are also dealing with the loss of their jobs and possible criminal charges as their boss flees the country after embezzling company money. Multiple family issues compound Katrina's stress which is surprisingly helped by the presence of a high school friend that she failed to even recognize at first, a friend who was dealing with family problems of his own. This story has a lot of hygge and made me want to experience some for myself, especially as we look forward to cooler weather and a slower-paced schedule.

I Think I Was Murdered is the complete package. I highly recommend it, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Katrina Berg's life is in shambles. Just months before her husband's car went off a steep curve, killing him. Now the tech company she is legal counsel for is under investigation and although she has done nothing wrong, she fears repercussions. Then her beloved grandmother dies and Katrina heads for her childhood home. Since her husband's death, she has turned to a bot - an AI device loaded with all her husband's emails, texts, and social media-- for comfort and solace. Programmed with the ability
to answer her questions, Katrina has begun to rely on it as her actual husband talking to her. But when the bot (to her, her husband) answers one of her questions with the words, "I think I was murdered" Katrina is thrown into a world of intrigue, danger, and mystery. I've always enjoyed Colleen Coble's books, but her new collaboration with Rick Acker adds even more depth. I give this Christian suspense novel a 5 star. With the AI component, it is timely and thought provoking.

I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.


Without a doubt, I THINK I WAS MURDERED is one of the most brilliant titles I’ve come across in contemporary fiction. What’s even more interesting about it is that it’s the victim who provides that line! No spoilers from me so you’ll need to read the book to find out exactly how that happens but what I can say is A. I., chatbots, greed and programming prowess all play parts.

This is the third book that Colleen Coble and Rick Acker have cowritten. As of now, it’s a standalone book but I can see it becoming the foundation for a series. The author duo set up a Scandinavian town in Northern California that includes two very different families that have both lived and worked in the area for many years. Complicated relationships are laid out, business entanglements exist, love blooms, old wounds are still aching and oh yeah, let’s not forget the murder,
or 2, 3…

Coble writes great adventure stories and Acker is a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in California, adding the legal veracity a story like this needs. Together, they are able to combine their fortes and craft a fast paced thriller with a touch of romance, lots of heart and inspiration. Free from foul language, sexual content and descriptive violence, this book can safely be read by your 14 year olds or your great grandparents📚


Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

I listened to this on audio instead of reading it. Maybe I would’ve enjoyed it better if I read it rather than listened but there wasn’t enough action for me. It was a bit boring for my liking. There was a cute love story in it but not what I expected.

I really enjoyed this book. With a new wave of AI technology, this book was exciting to explore with a unique spin on grief, family dynamics, and second chances. I really appreciated the research that went into this novel mixed with the fictional qualities that made this book entertaining to read. The twist was totally unexpected which brought loads of suspense all the way up to the ending. Definitely recommend this book for readers who like suspense with a little romance!

I Think I Was Murdered, by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker is a fast paced contemporary Christian suspenseful story. This story is filled with action and suspense. Katrina is recently widowed and has an app on her phone that allows her to speak with her deceased husband. One of the responses sent her on a search to find out what really happened to him.

This is a well written and easy to read story. I enjoyed how the authors wrote the story to give a look into what the future could hold when dealing with electronics. I enjoyed how Katrina connects with an old friend and how they rekindle an old friendship that grows into a sweet story. This story has nice characters. I especially enjoyed how helpful Jeb was to Katrina during the time of uncertainty and I found Kristina to be very strong. I found myself wanting to keep reading this story as it contained multiple twists and turns as the story developed.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

I loved the complexity of this book, with its multiple layers and how the protagonist dealt with her grief by using a Chatbot with AI. Katrina’s loss of her husband Jason, followed by the death of her beloved grandmother, seems to get her to focus on finding out what really happened to Jason. When he “messages” her on the AI chat that he thinks he was murdered, Katrina is intrigued enough that she continues to pursue clues to find out if he was murdered and if so, who did it and why. The mystery is totally intriguing and the relationships between the characters are as complex as the plot. Katrina meets Seb when she goes back to North Haven for her grandmother’s funeral, the same Seb from high school who carried a torch for her but was too shy to act on his attraction. Now he is a famous restauranteur and wants to help Katrina unravel the mystery of Jason’s death. Meanwhile, back in Katrina’s life in CA, she and her company are being investigated by the FBI, her friend and co-worker Liv is pregnant and has no place to go since they are both unemployed now. So Katrina invites Liv to stay with her in North Haven. The plot gets more and more complicated and the clues are abundant. I enjoyed following the clues, getting to know all of the places Katrina visited as she searched out a hidden message from Jason as well as getting acquainted with a multitude of possible suspects and motives. This is romantic suspense with an edge since grief is added in as well as current technology. I found the story fascinating and the characters realistic. This book offers a great read that made me think as I sought to solve the mystery alongside Katrina and Seb. The romance element simmers under the surface, breaking through with a few kisses and a lot of questioning looks. It took second place to the mystery but added to the intrigue as I guessed whether the couples would truly get together and stay that way or not. I highly recommend this novel as it held me captivated for days as I tried to figure out whodunit and how Katrina would be able to deduce the truth from the AI messages that Jason sent her. Fans of romantic suspense books that are original and believable will definitely want to read this book!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I Think I Was Murdered is entertaining as well as thought-provoking. What is a good use of a chatbot? While comforting for awhile, "conversing" with a dead spouse probably will not help one to get through the grief process. Authors Coble and Acker have written an intriguing modern murder mystery with their characters juggling family issues, grief, and running a business while dealing with a very clever and manipulative villain. The setting of the town founded by Norwegian immigrants added so much to the ambiance of the story. I particularly liked all of the Norwegian references having just returned from a trip there. The authors combined mystery, tech, suspense, romance, faith and family to give their readers a superb read. I would highly recommend this book to readers of clean and Christian romantic suspense and to readers who enjoy a high-tech story.
I received a copy from the publishers through NetGalley and am sharing my opinion of this very well-written book.

I Think I Was Murdered is a rich, multilayered tale told in a great collaboration between Colleen Coble and Rick Acker.
It is a very interesting story that focuses on artificial intelligence, Bitcoins, and chatbots. There was also some interesting background about Norwegian culture and traditions. Katrina returns home to recover the loss of her husband, grandmother, and her job as attorney for a tech company in Northern California. She renews an old high school friendship with Seb, a successful restaurateur. Danger followed her as someone thinks she has something her husband had and was maybe killed for. This is an interesting suspenseful mystery with danger and a growing romance. I really liked Seb and Katrina as well as a great cast of secondary characters in a lovely setting of redwoods, coastline, and small Norwegian influenced town. There is a faith thread that sustains the characters during the times of distress and danger.
I received a copy for an honest review, and these are my thoughts.

I got 50% of the way through this book and could not finish it. Writing style and so many different plot points were just a struggle for me. Primary thoughts: what is happening and why do I care about this random plot line?

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I believe this is my first read by this dual author team. I am very familiar with Colleen Coble’s books.
Lots of suspense from the first sentence, there is a big AI theme in the book as well as crypto currency.

Katrina has had a bad year. Her husband died in a terrible accident and now a year later her grandmother. She tried to make it to see her grandmother before she died, but didn’t make it. She has been using an AI Chatbot invented by the company she works for. It helps her to feel connected with her husband. She talks to the bot about her grandmother and feels comfort although she knows it’s not really Jason speaking to her.
Her company has been taken over by the FBI as well. Can things be any worse?

I believe this is a stand alone book, but I will be interested in reading more by this team. It took me awhile to get this read done bc I have had lots of medical issues lately. I am currently in the hospital waiting for surgery tomorrow.
Read a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my honest review

: "I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you so much Collen Coble and publisher for allowing me to have a copy of this book. I can't wait to start reading it .

I unfortunately did not find this book enjoyable to read. There were many moments that I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the plot points. The final twist is pretty obvious from the jump in my opinion, and overall there are a lot of plot holes and just really odd moments in this book. I think the use of AI is probably the most interesting piece of this book, and haven’t seen a book with this as an integral part of the story and it was an intriguing thought. But overall this just wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Title: I Think I Was Murdered
By: Colleen Coble; Rick Acker
Pub. Date: November 12, 2024

Genre:
Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Christian,

Red Flags:
Death, Grief, Loss of Spouse
*Clean Christian Read*

Favorite Quote:
“Every new beginning started with an ending, and this was no different. Pain was part of life, but joy couldn;t be suppressed and always came back. She was thankful she’d finally realized it.”

Summary:
Katrina is grieving the loss of her husband who passed away in a car accident last year. She is very grateful for the newly created TALK bot which allows her to chat with Jason daily. However, dangerous this is for Katrina, her world begins to come crashing down all at once, and the chatting allows her to feel as if Jason is still with her through this process. However, one day, the bot delivers a shocking revelation—Jason's death may not have occurred the way Katrina has always believed. This startling information sets her on a new mission: to uncover the truth behind the circumstances of his death. Will Katrina live to tell his story?

Review:
I’m a big fan of any novel by Colleen Coble, and this collaboration with Rick Aker is no exception. Together, they've crafted a gripping, suspenseful, and action-packed story set in the world of AI. It's the perfect read for today's world, full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you hooked until the very last page. The Christian themes are subtly woven in, striking the perfect balance without feeling too overwhelming. I truly enjoyed devouring this novel and anticipate their next collaboration!

Thank you Colleen Coble, Rick Aker, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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