I think I was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker
Publication Date: November 12, 2024
Big Brother is watching you… this time in the form of a pilot AI app that simulates a text conversation with a deceased loved one using their social media, email, and phone accounts. Great idea in theory but this one will put the main characters life in danger. Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson publishing, and the authors for the advanced reader copy of the audiobook. I love audiobooks and this one was definitely worth the read.

Let me start out by saying that although the characters in this story make comments about leaning on their faith to get through difficult times, this can easily be enjoyed regardless of religious beliefs. It is not pushy or a large part of the plot at ALL. Just wanted to make that clear!

I was drawn to this book with the premise of a woman using an AI program with all of her dead husband’s texts, web searches, etc. and it telling her “I think I was murdered”. And on that note, I was definitely entertained. The authors certainly got creative with the use of technology and even cryptocurrency within the context of building an intriguing mystery.

I liked the blooming romance and thought that it was super sweet and added depth to the characters. Katrina’s guilt over it in the wake of losing her husband feels so real and believable.

However, some of the story fell flat for me and felt like a stretch. Other times, things got predictable and some scenes felt very “cookie cutter”—that is, ripped straight from a handful of thriller movies or other books.

I also struggled a bit at times with the audiobook narrator. She was good, but took me out of the story a bit doing some of the voices. I think the audio would have been greatly improved with a male narrator for Seb.

Overall, this is a quick and easy read thriller that has some unique aspects and will keep you entertained. I’m just not sure it will really stand out in my head longterm.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the audio version of I Think I Was Murdered.

There was a lot to like about this book. Perhaps the biggest positive, from my point of view, was the fact that there was no bad language at all. That is a huge plus when you are listening to an audio book. You can't skim *@&%$ words when you are listening. So big thanks to the authors for showing that if the cussing is left out, the book stands on its merits quite nicely. In fact, the absence of these words is not even noticed.

Another aspect I appreciated greatly was the gentle way the authors communicated the Christian faith. This is often done with a painfully heavy hand, but in this case, any references were made as though a natural part of regular life, which is exactly as it should be. No sermonising, which was appreciated (even as a Christian).

Another positive was the very fresh, contemporary subject matter running through the story: the use of bitcoin and, more importantly, the rise of AI and chat bots. The research was obvious, even before I heard the authors' footnote.

On the negative side, although probably a personal issue only, I like my mystery/thrillers to focus very much on that part of the storyline, with strongly developed characters. I'm not a fan of mixing romance with this genre. Not every female main character has to have a love interest and Christian women aren't all desperate for romantic novels. Personally, this would have ticked all my boxes if the focus had remained largely at Talk (the bankrupt company the main character worked for at the start of the book) and her use of the chat bot to search for answers as to what killed her husband.

But, of course, that would not a cozy mystery make, which this book is veering toward. Main character goes home to her family in an idyllic small town after the company she works for goes bankrupt, with potentially criminal overtones, and her beloved grandmother passes away and leaves the much loved local restaurant to her much loved granddaughter. Enter romance, along with some thrills as the main female character works with the male romantic character to get to the truth.

Some may be surprised by the ending, but I wasn't, particularly when the authors' provided a clue in the final four or five chapters. Even so, I was relatively satisfied with how it wound up, but I do think a lot of padding could have been removed.

So, for me, this was closer to a 3.5, rather than 4 stars, but it was definitely better than a 3.

As far as the audio book narration is concerned, this was very good for the most part; however, the voice of the male main character was a bit creepy. Very breathy and whispery, but he was written as being softly spoken and gentle, so the narrator did her best to communicate that. The other characters were all really well done.

To sum up, I recommend I Think I Was Murdered without hesitation for readers of Christian romantic fiction who like a little bit of a thrill on the side.

I Think I was Murdered
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was GREAT! I couldn't put it down. It was a excited, unique, different story. I didn't figure it out until the very end. Super great thriller that will make you want to keep going on the chase. Plus a cute love story in it as a bonus. LOL Also the story is set in December. Perfect timing!
Thank you NetGalley!

"In 2009 Satoshi Nakamoto laid an egg. Jason Foster found it two weeks ago, and he’d been running for his life ever since."

やめろ、さもないと次は君だ
“It’s Japanese, and it reads ‘Stop or you’ll be next.’”


I love a good and strong prologue especially like this one which started with an unexpected statement. Like what the heck is this about someone who laid an egg? 🥚 It's mysterious, catchy and grabbed my attention. If you aren't familiar with the history of bitcoins and it's founder, you'll be perplexed and intrigued like I was. 😹
The story focuses on Katrina Foster, a lawyer and works as general counsel for Talk, Inc., a company responsible for developing innovative AI app/chatbots.
Her life had slowly spiraled out of control starting with Jason’s death in a car accident and as a means to cope, she has relied on a chatbot app imitating her husband so she could 'talk' to him. The AI app filled one chink in the mortar holding her sanity together. The app also revealed clues to her husband's possible murderer - pointing to a someone named 'Messenja'.
A decent enough scifi thriller which makes a credible attempt infusing AI, chatbots, cryptocurrency/bitcoins into the storyline. A bit lacking and flat in some parts and ending was kinda rushed but still an overall decent thriller and I did not predict some of the twists. Read this both in digital and audio format. The audio narration is great, the voice of the narrator sounded pleasant and she did a fine job voicing multiple characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook arc. 🖤

3.45✨

This was very sci-fi. There was a lot of mention of AI. The characters are looking for a special AI trinket. None of these things interest me. However, there is a good storyline. Husband dies in a car crash. The wife mourns the loss but is able to communicate with her deceased husband through an AI app. There are several characters enter the story. The story was good enough that I finished, and the narration was done well. This story was not my cup of tea, but would be interesting to those are into AI and sci-fi. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian publishing for the advanced audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An AI chatbot, bitcoin, and a mystery to solve. This collaboration between Colleen Coble and Rick Acker is quite the page turner.

Katrina Berg is a widow and a lawyer for Talk, Inc. Her deceased husband Jason converses with her regularly via a chatbot app pioneered by her employer. When the Feds descend upon the company, Katrina heads home to New Haven, CA to regroup and mourn another loss -- her Bestemor. I loved the setting in the redwoods and the Norwegian family connections. The food at Bestemor's restaurant sounds fabulous -- waffles and lignonberries on a cloud, for example. Best friend Liv soon joins Katrina and so does a heightening element of danger. If Jason was murdered, is that same person or group now targetting Katrina? Old high school friend Seb Wallace is a welcome partner in investigation and as a restaurant resource. He also has family complications including a dad with Parkinson's and a new brother who has come out of the woodwork.

There is a lot going on in this book. The authors did do a good job of tying up the loose ends by the conclusion. I am not a huge Colleen Coble fan, but if you are then you will also love this new cutting edge mystery. Karen Peakes does a fine job narrating if you choose the audio version.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a digital ARC and to HarperCollins for an audio ARC. All opinions are my own.

I'm not usually a mystery/suspense reader, but the plot of this book really intrigued me! I did enjoy it, and got drawn into the story quickly.
The subject of AI and the complications it adds to crime in this day and age are quite fascinating and it was intriguing to see how the story would unfold.
I appreciated that the romance was clean and violence was minimal (it is a murder mystery, so of course some is expected).
Colleen and Rick are a great writing duo, and Karen Peakes was a talented narrator, with great variation in her character voices, keeping the story interesting.

*I received a free copy of this audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

I do love this writing duo. Thank You Netgalley for the audio Arc. The narrator, Karen Peakes has narrated many of Colleen Coble works. I absolutely loved the concept of this book. A widower using technology to stay connected with her deceased husband. I wish there was more on the chatbot history. It played such a huge role in the plot. I did enjoy the slow burn of this mystery. It was high stakes for most of the book. There were times I mixed up on who's story line we were following but that could be because I did not have the physical book along with the audio and just spaced out. I did guess who was to blame but it was still a surprising ending. The romance of a childhood friend was refreshing.

A very good semi-sci-fi murder thriller. Katrina has a proto-type AI app. Her deceased husband, Jason, had entered all his messages, emails, social media, pictures and any other bits of data into the app before his death. Katrina talks to the app, asks it advice, tells it how much she misses "him". She sometimes forgets it's only an app and that Jason is really gone. One day, she asked him to tell her something she doesn't know. Jason responded with, "I think I was murdered."

I Think I Was Murdered is not the first book I have read written by Colleen Coble but is the first I have read by Rick Acker. Colleen Coble has become a favorite of mine this year, and so far, I have loved every book I have read by her. I was caught right in from the first page.

The character development is great. I loved getting to know Katrina and watching her process her grief but also having the AI software to ‘talk’ to her husband was a fun dynamic. Also getting to pull the layers back on Seb and understand him was fun.

The storyline and setting were fantastic. It was fun seeing what AI could do. Crazy to think a software could mimic a human just off of his text messages, email and social media accounts. The suspense aspect was great. I did not suspect the person who did it. Not until close to the end. It is always a great read when the suspect element is not easily figured out.

The relationship that unfolded between Katrina and Seb was sweet. Nothing over the top. Kisses only, and slow build due to Katrina only recently being a widow, which is to be expected. I appreciated that it was clean.

The Christian element was there, though slightly on the lighter side.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

I have enjoyed several of Colleen Coble's books and I've never been disappointed when she does a collaboration!
This was an interesting thriller that a few twists I enjoyed overall.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Colleen Coble and Rick Acker’s I Think I Was Murdered is a gripping and innovative thriller that explores the intersection of grief, technology, and mystery. The audiobook, narrated by the talented Karen Peakes, adds an extra layer of suspense and emotion to this already compelling story.

The novel follows Katrina Berg, a young widow grappling with the sudden death of her husband, Jason, in a car crash. As the legal counsel for a cutting-edge AI chatbot start-up, Katrina is already under immense pressure when her CEO is indicted, and she is locked out of her office. Her only solace comes from a beta prototype chatbot on her phone, loaded with all of Jason’s digital data. This AI, which mimics Jason’s speech and personality, becomes her confidant. However, when the chatbot unexpectedly suggests that Jason was murdered, Katrina’s world is turned upside down.

Karen Peakes delivers a stellar performance, capturing the emotional depth and complexity of Katrina’s journey. Her narration brings the characters to life, particularly highlighting Katrina’s vulnerability and determination.

Coble and Acker’s writing is both engaging and thought-provoking. They skillfully blend elements of thriller and mystery with a poignant exploration of grief and loss. The authors’ use of technology as a central plot device is particularly intriguing, raising questions about the ethical implications of AI and its role in our lives.

I Think I Was Murdered delves into themes of grief, technology, and the search for truth. It explores how technology can both help and hinder the grieving process, and the lengths to which people will go to uncover the truth about their loved ones.

I Think I Was Murdered is a standout thriller that combines emotional depth with a compelling mystery. The audiobook format, enhanced by Karen Peakes’ excellent narration, makes for an immersive and engaging listening experience. Coble and Acker have crafted a story that is both timely and timeless, exploring the human condition through the lens of modern technology.

Although this book was a good read it was not my favorite. It had a lot to do with AI. And maybe in a different time in my life it would be ok. I have just lost my husband and the thought of having a computer simulate his words and actions was not a concept I would be into.

Like another reviewer said, I really enjoyed Colleen Coble and Rick Acker’s last team up book, What We Hide. This one? Not so much. It wasn’t a bad book; it is just that I think I expected more of a suspense thriller but the romance/family elements kind of took over. IDK if that was intentional, but it sort of caused the story to lose a bit of momentum, at least in my opinion.

I did like the details about Katrina’s Norwegian heritage and the cultural traditions which went along with that. Especially Christmas traditions. I wasn’t overly thrilled with the ending though, it felt a bit contrived considering all that had happened before.
Since I requested the audiobook, I must comment on narration too. It was perfect, no problems at all. Liked the narrator, she did a good job with all the characters.

I would recommend this for all Colleen Coble/Rick Acker fans. Thanks to Harper Audio for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you Net Galley for the audiobook copy and the opportunity to review this novel:

Katrina had it all and was at the top of her career with the chatbot technology. Then when her husband, Jason is killed in a fiery car crash her world crashes down around her. Now imagine talking to your dead husband through a chatbot, after loading all your texts into it? This is where I had trouble and slowed down in finishing the novel.

I have to admit this one was definitely different and out of my normal, but I enjoyed it.

This was my first Colleen Coble book, and I look forward to reading many more. This was a mysterious, romantic, heartwarming story that I didn't even knew I needed until I was listening. The narrators really brought the story to life, and I was able to listen to it very quickly. I loved the AI communications. I can't say that I wouldn't try something like that when I'm dealing with grief. I loved the concept of the entire book. Highly recommend!

The narrators in this audiobook gave the story life. It brought the characters to life and told their story all the way thru. Each character had their own distinct voice and I as able to tell them apart.

The story line kept me engaged with the book and I couldn’t put it down. The twist at the end will make your jaw drop! I never saw it coming! Highly recommend this modern yet futuristic book. Major props to the author for talking about real life facts without making it boring.

This was a gripping yet heartwarming cross between suspense, mystery, and romance. As Katrina navigates her grief over her deceased husband, and even talks to an AI version of him, she stumbles upon the possibility that his death might not have been an accident. The story quickly evolves and is fast-paced with many layers and characters who keep the mystery building. There is also an added depth of growth and feeling as she rekindles new relationships and tries to find herself again. I love how there was tons of anxiety and suspense, but none of it being the angsty or unnecessary kind. Easily a 4-4.5 star read for fans of this genre of a clean yet gripping suspense/romance, but as an audiobook, the story was made even better by the narrator who kept things flowing perfectly with great voice changes and inflections. Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble was an interesting ride through some of our newer technology, AI to be specific. I thought the introduction of it was fascintating and yet disturbing, as that part is based off of true events, though the story line itself is fictional. Katrina is in love with her amazing life. Married to a wonderful man, working at a job she loves, until it all falls apart when her husband passes in a vehicle accident and she's under investigation at her business. Her grandmother passes and leaves her the familys beloved restaurant that's been in the family for over fifty years, but Katrina isn't really interested in living out her grandmothers dream when she's having huge success living out her own. Enter in AI, as it's part of Katrina's job, as she inputs all of her husbands texts, voicemails, emails, online footprint, to develop a weird but relatable way of keeping in touch with her beloved after his passing, only for one day that the chatbot tells her something she doesn't know...."I think I was murdered"....which sets off a whole slew of events that keeps the reader interested and engaged in a race to find out what in the world is going on....You have to read it for yourself!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karen Peakes, which was easy to listen to and kept me engaged throughout the storyline. Job well done!
*I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*