“Queen of Hearts” is a mystery/thriller by Heather Day Gilbert. Let me just say that I was hooked from the beginning of this book - a story within a story to begin the book (always my favorite) and then we get to the heart of the story - a mystery writer with a stalker. I liked that the main character was autistic but had her coping mechanisms in place. I also liked how she had to learn to depend upon people … just wish she’d trusted herself a bit more (but then don’t we all need someone like Emily in our lives - those carers who just care about people?). I liked how Ms. Gilbert described the writing process (“write what you know”) and the inclusion of Jordan’s story. What I didn’t like so much was the last 15 or so percent. The book went from logical and going along - to an unmasking that I saw coming (but even that didn’t bother me) to just - I don’t know. It was disappointing because it didn’t read as sharply logical as the previous 85% - there were just odd loose ends never tied up (What was the point of the other author? Why did she go all the way to WV? Why was the murderer trying to recruit people - or trying to find them - for what purpose?) This book had a number of red herrings that I found interesting, though I was glad that my initial thought of “who done it” was correct. I did fly through this book and it held my interest - so I’ve recommend it - just be aware that the ending may feel like you’re on one of those WV roads with many switchbacks.

alex is an author of mystery novel and also has a stalker. when the police suggest she go away till the find the person her agent has her go to his home in a secluded area . she goes but reluctantly she has autism and does not to well with changes . this story has lots of twists and turns.. the person who is after seems to have found her and is leaving notes for her , she is having trouble knowing who she can trust . good story page turning story. i was given a copy of the book from net galley but this is an honest review

I hate to be the first person to give this book a low rating so I feel like I should explain. First, I’ll start with what I enjoyed.

I flew through this book; the premise is so good and will hook you immediately. Alex is an author with autism that writes suspenseful romance then finds herself with a stalker that clearly isn’t the romantic variety. I appreciated how Gilbert portrayed Alex being an autistic author and her thought process, it was done in a gentle and respectable way.

I did guess the stalker from the very beginning, which is ok with me, but it did feel a bit obvious. Once Alex is threatened by her stalker, she seeks safety in West Virginia at her editor’s vacation home. But soon her stalker finds her there as well.

The end is what I didn’t love. It felt too similar to too many other thrillers. Y’all know the ones, the main character is in a secluded house, no phone service, a big storm comes up, no way to escape, cue the killer. I also felt like the author was going for the “shock value” but it came out of left field and was way too unrealistic.

I’m trying my best to keep this spoiler free, but the next portion might have MILD spoilers. There is a rival author that comes up and I’m still confused about the point of her character. Like, she supposedly hates Alex because of how she critiqued her book, yet she shows up randomly in West Virginia to try to help? Then after the stalker attacks Alex (and she thinks she gets away), she just goes back to the house and goes to sleep??? *side eye* After that, it almost turns into something out of Inception. It left me so confused I had to go back to reread and make sure I didn’t miss something.

Like I said, you will be hooked from the beginning and it is fast paced so you’ll fly through but the ending got muddled for me.

I love Heather Gilbert! She wrote such a great book in this one!! It was so enthralling and I couldn’t put it down! I didn’t want it to end!!

What an amazing mystery read. I was immediately hooked from the beginning and devoured Queen of Hearts in no time. Alexandra, an author, has a stalker. She heads to West Virginia to get away from her stalker, but her stalker follows her there and the mysterious incidents and notes escalate. I enjoyed Alex, Henry, and the side characters. Gilbert not only did a wonderful job portraying Alex as autistic accurately and respectfully but also crafted a well-written novel with shocking twists and turns that I wasn't even expecting. Queen of Hearts is a fast-paced thriller that fans of Mary Higgins Clark will enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.