I think I was murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker was an enjoyable read. The characters were genuinely crafted and the authors definitely researched the AI concept thoroughly. That being said, the premis of the book sounded really interesting however, I think it started off abit slow and could have had a little more suspense overall.

Thank you to Netgalley, the Author's and publisher for an ARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars

Katrina Berg's life was turned upside down with the unexpected death of her husband in a fiery car crash and now the Feds are investigating her workplace. Using AI, she developed a chatbot that takes all the digital content created by her husband and allows her to "talk" to her dead husband. In the course of the conversation, the chatbot delivers an ominous message that indicates her husband suspected that he had been murdered. Coble and Acker have created a techno-thriller that will surprise and delight readers. As a librarian, I would put this book in the hands of tech-savvy readers as the AI parts might confound and confuse older readers.

Goodreads review:

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy!

This story is telling from the point of view of Seb, Dylan and Katrina - Katrina has just lost her grandmother and has been forced to confront her past, all while dealing with the loss of her husband the prior year. Seb is wrestling with himself & the past he’s tried to forget.. and Dylan is hiding something. I loved how the story ended up coming together. I would love to read more books by this author pair.

To the authors - WOW! Just wow! I loved it!

Once again I have enjoyed reading Collen Coble (& Rick Acker)' s mystery thriller. What's more, learning a little bit about Bitcoin and chatbots was interesting. Katrina, Seb, Magnus, Liv and Dylan along with Agent Hughs, all added further intertwined intricacies to keep me guessing as they raced to find the key to the Satoshi egg. Who would find it first! Besides being tense at times I found the narrative to have some fun elements. I also liked the touches of faith in God factor. I believe the discussion questions at book's end would help a thoughtful reader suss out their conceptions regarding issues brought up in the novel.

Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger
July 2024
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

The idea was great! The book itself was a flop for me. My first book by the author so maybe this is just their writing style but it felt unfinished to me or like a really poor translation.

katrina works for an ai bot company but her husband was killed in a car crash and now the ceo has left the country . she goes back to help with the restaurant that was left to her but something else is going on she has an app on the phone that she can ask and get an answer from her late husband and one is that he thinks he was murdered this is a good suspense story will written if you like suspense and some romance you will want to read this story i was given a copy of the book by netgalley but this is an honest review

Everything about this book was fascinating! From the title that grabs your attention, to the multilayered storyline with AI technology, danger, and suspense themes, to the various family issues. It has great characters and a beautiful setting for the backdrop to this unforgettable mystery. Coble and Acker make a dynamic team!

Katrina finds herself back home after the sudden loss of her grandmother, her company job on the line, and less than a year after an accident claims the life of her husband. When her deceased husband’s voice through the use of an AI technology bot tells her, “I think I was murdered.” It sets off a series of danger and events that take the reader on a thrilling ride that they never know what is coming next.

This book is an excellent addition to this series books by this author team. I found the use of AI technology in this storyline absolutely fascinating and took it to another level. I found it hard to put this one down and waiting anxiously to be able to read it again. This story will not disappoint!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

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

Katrina is the lawyer for a small tech firm, struggling with the death of her husband, when the CEO of the tech firm disappears. To complicate things further, the company is owned by her best friend Liv, who has been romantically involved with the missing executive; the tech firm is being forced into bankruptcy, and is being investigated by the FBI.

When Katrina’s grandmother dies the same day as everything happens at work, Katrina is forced to re-evaluate her priorities and take some time away. During this time, as she has done since her husband’s death, she turns to an AI app designed by the tech firm that mimics her husband’s responses. During one of her conversations with “Jason”, the bot tells her “I think I was murdered”.

This revelation sets her on a path seeking more information about her husband’s death, and what he was involved in at the time of the accident. Throw in an old friend, family, a new business, the FBI, violent criminals, and a budding relationship, and you have the makings of a great mystery and a lot of action. I would give this book a solid 4 stars. Lots of twists and turns kept me guessing till the end.

A murder mystery with a twist!
“She didn’t want to be that person who looked back on her life and realized she’d missed the best life had to offer because she was afraid.”
What a fun title! It really grabbed me and carried me along right to the surprising conclusion. Even though I knew it was coming, when I read “I think I was murdered” in the text it still gave me chills. I am glad that the authors did not just incorporate the concept of AI, but also the idea that while AI can be used for good, it can also go too far. Advancements in technology can actually hold us back, and just because we can does not mean we should. I love that the authors separated truth from myth at the end, and that most of the tech was based on truth. The only warning I have is for a brief mention of suicide.
Technology, a bit of romance, and Christian themes – I enjoyed this book from beginning to end! I liked it even more than What We Hide and Fragile Designs. These two authors worked together seamlessly on this novel and I am eager for more.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Thomas Nelson Fiction through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

A grieving widow learns through an AI chatbot that her dead husband thinks he was murdered. This sets her on a quest to find out how and why.
The novel has some mystery, romance, and suspense as well as some unique features. The AI chatbot and bitcoin mention captured my attention. The Norwegian village and restaurant added a charming element. And of course, not everything is as it seems, which adds some unexpected plot twists.
Even though Colleen Coble has partnered with Rick Acker, I found the storyline and characters to be true to her former books. If you are a fan of hers, you will love this new series where she partners with Rick Acker. I am grateful to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for this, my honest opinion.

I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker had more suspense in this story than the first one. Is it a top-notch suspense novel? No. I still think it lacks a lot of nail-biting moments and characters running for their lives. Pretty safe. I honestly never thought the characters were in any danger. Near the end when the climactic moment occurred, then the main heroine’s, Katrina, life was in danger, but really nothing throughout the novel. The plot featured a lot of family issues for the hero, Seb. He is trying to handle his father and family while trying to deal with the romance with Katrina. Trying to solve the mystery of the AI texts that Jason, Katrina’s deceased husband who claims he was murdered. Growing feelings. Nothing really spiritual to the characters or the plot. Overall, I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker is a lackluster suspense novel. Didn’t really capture my attention. Reads more like a Contemporary Women’s fiction with a hint of suspense near the end.

I received a complimentary copy of I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I enjoyed this book. It was a little hard to get into, but after the first few chapters, I was hooked. You can tell that the authors have done a lot of research into the world of AI. There were parts that were a little confusing to me, but there is so much of AI that I don’t understand. This book had a good bit of mystery and action throughout. It definitely wasn’t boring!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

This was an exciting story of deception, secrets, mystery, and starting over.. The characters were great, well developed and facing some real life issues. The plot was intriguing, and different than most thrillers. I truly enjoyed it, and highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

ITIWM by new to me authors C. Coble and R. Acker, published by Thomas Nelson Fiction. This duo hit it right from start. The storyline, characters and theme are intriguing. With a twisty but strong romance, unique. The book took me on a roller coaster of emotions.
A crime mystery mixed with pnr elements I enjoyed reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"I Think I Was Murdered" by Colleen Coble is a gripping and emotionally resonant thriller that explores the complex interplay between grief, technology, and the search for truth. Coble's masterful storytelling draws the reader into the life of Katrina Berg, a young widow whose world has been shattered by the sudden loss of her beloved husband Jason.

The premise of the book - that Katrina is able to continue "talking" to Jason through a sophisticated AI chatbot - is a captivating and thought-provoking one. Coble deftly navigates the nuances of this relationship, capturing Katrina's profound longing for connection as well as the bittersweet and unsettling nature of her interactions with the AI. The twist that the chatbot delivers - claiming that Jason was in fact murdered - propels the narrative into a captivating mystery that kept me turning the pages.

Coble's characters are richly drawn and multidimensional. Katrina is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, her grief and struggles palpable on the page. The supporting cast, particularly local restaurateur Seb Wallace, are equally compelling, adding depth and texture to the story. The author's attention to detail in setting and atmosphere also enhances the reading experience, painting a vivid picture of the cozy northern California town that becomes the backdrop for Katrina's journey.

Ultimately, "I Think I Was Murdered" is a powerful exploration of the human experience - of loss, of love, and of the ways in which technology can both help and hinder our quest for meaning and connection. Coble's skilled storytelling and compelling characters make this a must-read for fans of suspenseful, emotionally resonant fiction. I highly recommend this captivating book.

Wow, the suspense kept me turning pages as fast as I could read! I enjoyed the light romance and faith threads too. The perpetrators were surprising and I loved the whole book and the ending! These two authors write wonderful books together, and I look forward to reading more from them!

This author is an auto read for me because she’s such a great writer with amazing stories and this one is no different. The characters are very dynamic and the story just had me hooked to the very end. I love going into her books without knowing what they’re about and I highly recommend that because it makes the story much more enjoyable. I highly recommend this book.

This another great suspense read!
I wondered how the title of the book fit in and it is cleverly entwined in the storyline.
There are multiple main characters; all well developed.
A death, a homecoming, bitcoin, and AI create a compelling tale that will keep you turning the pages.
How far technology has come is frightening but thankfully God remains in control.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Three and half stars. Plot and story were good, but the dialogue seemed a bit amateurish in the writing, which I have not really thought in the past with Colleen Coble. Maybe Rick Acker's part? But I still enjoyed it and wanted to know what was going to happen.

I really enjoyed this book but it also completely freaked me out. I have never read a book with AI as part of the plot and it was very interesting! I couldn't put it down because I just HAD to know what happened. I really liked it! 3.5 Stars.