I really enjoyed We Don't Talk About Emma. I was hooked from the first paragraph, I devoured it in one sitting.

It was very well written, with likable and complex characters, a compelling storyline, and great twists.
Nikki was an intriguing main character, very relatable.

J.D. Barker is one of my favourite thriller authors. I loved the 4MK trilogy and Behind A Closed Door, especially. I hadn't read any books by E.J. before. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from both authors.

I highly recommend.

4 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Hampton Creek Press, J.D. Barker, and E.J. Findorff for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For this mystery, J.D. Barker has collaborated with E.J. Findorff, a life-long resident of New Orleans where this novel is set. It takes place right before Mardi Gras, so this is the perfect time to read it too.

An NOPD detective named Nikki Mayeaux is just about to take justice into her own hands when someone beats her to it. The killer seems to counting down on a list of five victims--can they be stopped before that happens?

This is a quick, entertaining read with some fun moments. I enjoyed spending time with the main characters in one of my favorite cities. However I found several of the plot twists to be either obvious or unbelievable and some conversations didn't always ring true. This is not one of J.D.'s best efforts but worth reading nevertheless.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc off this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. I actually read a library copy because the arc archived early, before I could download it.

We Don't Talk About Emma by J.D. Barker and E.J. Findorff is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that keeps you hooked until the last page. The mystery unfolds at a perfect pace, with well-placed twists and an eerie atmosphere that adds to the tension. The characters are compelling, though some could have been explored more deeply. While not entirely unpredictable, the storytelling keeps you engaged. A solid 4 stars—dark, intense, and hard to put down.

I may be a complete outlier opinion on this, but it took me a very long time to get into this one. I felt like I dropped into the middle of a duology or series, and felt like I was missing a lot of context with characters and the main storyline. It seemed like there was a whole backstory I wasn’t privy to, and there was a big cast of male characters that took time to separate out and discern between as well. Character development and growth didn’t really happen for me either.
When I got past 60% I was more invested in the story and the twists were intriguing, but this one didn’t live up to Barkers other books that I have loved unfortunately.

Thank you NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

I loved J.D. Barker's work and was excited to try a dual-author book. However, "We Don't Talk About Emma" fell short for me. It did not have the same psychological elements as prior works, possibly due to being by two authors. "We Don't Talk About Emma" is my first introduction to E.J. Findorff, and I went into that aspect blind. I suggest this book if you are looking for a good all-around mystery with a good cast of characters.

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

The main characters, Nikki and Keith, were detectives and likeable despite their flaws. I enjoyed the back and forth between them, and they worked well as partners. It was interesting how well Keith knew Nikki and that he was willing to keep her secrets.

There are quite a few characters, and a list of characters would have been helpful. It was difficult to know who could be trusted or believed. Many of the characters were unusual in their own ways. My favorite character was Dread who was involved with some bad people, but his main goal was to help Emma, a young woman who was in trouble.

There are so many things that come to light as the story goes on. And so many twists! If you’re looking for a good murder mystery, I recommend We Don’t Talk About Emma.

Thank you Netgalley, Hampton Creek Press and JD Barker, E J Findorff for the eArc of We Don't talk about Emma.

Having read a few of J D Barkers books, I was really interested in this collaboration with another author. We Don't Talk about Emma is a Cat and Mouse mystery thriller and poses a few questions at the beginning. Who is Emma? . Together, J D Barker and E J Findorff have combined their writing styles and come up with a good, engaging book with solid characters and a great plot line. I like the dynamics from the characters and it is exactly what's on the tin.

I did find though that this book, even though it was engaging, didn't have the psychological elements that Ive become so accustomed to when reading these type of books. Nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable read. I will be looking out for more from both authors.

I also listened to the audio version of this book in which Piper Goodeve does a great narration.

3.5 stars for Storygraph. 3 Stars for all other sites

3.75/5 stars

I am typically a huge fan of J.D. Barker’s books, but this one wasn’t my favourite. It didn’t have the same heart racing anticipation or psychological thriller twists as I’ve come to expect. I did enjoy the detective with a bond to a criminal aspect with a touch of romance and found family. I thought it was well written. I liked that there were many characters but found it somewhat predictable.

New Orleans is one of my favorite settings for a book and this one doesn't disappoint. This books asks when is murder justified? I really enjoyed this book, it was a longer book, and was a dark gritty tale but it also provided a story with morally grey characters who you come to understand. I would give this book 4 and a half stars.

I usually binge read a J.D Barker book within one sitting but this one is the exception. Over the last few months I've picked it up and put it down so many times and honestly, in the end I was just forcing myself to finish.

Sorry

You know I am looking forward to a book about killing a bunch of sex traffickers and rapists. Weirdly, it came off a little flat and lacked the passion I was hoping it would have. The anger was there but it wasn’t really. I didn’t think any of the characters were more than empty.sketches of real people. It lacked depth. It was, in the end, OK.

.

I forgot to download it, so I didn’t get to read it before archive. I’ll purchase it and review :) thank you!

I feel like I wanted so much more from this book. I have loved all of JD Barkers books and maybe had higher expectations. Overall I did like the book and was rooting for the killer. I wanted the killer to get away and not be caught. There were twists at the end that I didn't see coming and I love books that catch me off guard. I think there could have been more to this book but I can't put my finger on what but overall it was a good one and it kept me wanting to know who was next and how they would get away.

A New Orleans detective decides to take the law into her own hands, but someone else beats her to it in We Don't Talk About Emma.

I look forward to the unusual plots of J.D. Barker’s horror books. However, my favorite genre is mystery. When I saw Mr. Barker branching out with the new police procedural, We Don't Talk About Emma, I couldn’t wait to see what type of unique perspective he would have on the genre. However, the plot is a rather mundane tale with few surprises. And the pacing, at least for the first half, is agonizingly slow. Truly, a disappointing read—not bad, just not up to the author’s other works. 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for providing me with an advanced review copy.

We Don’t Talk About Emma is a standalone crime novel set in New Orleans, about a maverick homicide cop investigating the murder of a prominent businessman. I’ve read several of JD Barker’s books, and am usually persuaded by the rave reviews, but am coming to the conclusion that his thrillers are not for me - this took me three weeks to finish because it was so boring. It is a collaboration with EJ Findorff, who I had not previously heard of, but won’t be rushing to read again either.

Detective Nikki Mayeaux is all set to exact vigilante justice on Herman Napleton, the corrupt hotel owner who got away with the gang rape of Emma, the teenage daughter of one of his friends. When she arrives at his home, she discovers someone else got there first. Assuming it was Emma, who has disappeared into the New Orleans street kid community, she and her partner and ex-boyfriend Keith vow to find and protect her, but as Herman’s associates also start dying violently, how far will she go to save a clearly disturbed killer?

This book appears to be a standalone, but all the way through I kept feeling like I had missed a previous instalment - there’s all sorts of backstory about Nikki & Keith’s previous relationship, the loss of her sister and her relationship with Emma, forged during the rape investigation which foundered due to crucial evidence disappearing from police storage. Then there are all the various “Gutter Punk” characters - a borderline offensive term which is repeated far too often. I found Nikki hard to like because she’s so unprofessional, bordering on unhinged, and we don’t ever actually get to meet Emma until the end. The plot was very slow and repetitive with way too long spent in Nikki’s head. The ultimate reveal felt very obvious and the outcome implausible. If you love this/these authors then do give it a go as other reviewers clearly enjoyed it more than I did, but for me it’s 2.5 stars rounded down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press. We Don’t Talk About Emma is available now.

This was an enjoyable mystery. New Orleans itself is a character. Always enjoy hearing about its traditions. The main cop Niki is a force to reckon with. Great wit. One of my fav quotes is when she is describing her older neighbor. "He's my wine buddy". We all need one of those. Would love a second book with her abd Keith but with a new mystery.

I love this Author but this one is not my favourite but still good.
Set in New Orleans and a police procedural.
Detective Nikki Mayeaux takes matters into her own hands when a serial killer goes free but she is to late because someone beat her to it and slit his throat. Emma who was one of his victims the last one did she do it??
I have never read any of his co workers work.

3.5 stars

We Don't Talk About Emma by J.D. Barker and E.J. Findorff is a thriller about the death of a serial killer, and someone out for revenge.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Hampton Creek Press and of course the author (who sent me a widget), for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Detective Nikki Mayeaux is fed up and decides to take matters into her own hands.  Herman Napleton has been released from jail because of missing evidence.  The man is a serial rapist, and Nikki has had enough.  She will kill him herself.  She has it all planned out, and arrives just after he pulls into his garage.  But someone beats her to it.  Although she doesn't see the killer's face, she is sure who it is.  She leaves the scene.

Nikki starts searching for the 16 year old girl who was raped by this man and others.  But Napleton will not be the only one with a target on his back.  Nikki must find Emma.



My Opinions:
I was thrilled to read another book by one of my favorite authors.  I just wish he would stop collaborating with others.  Yes, this was good, but it lacked something.  I think it was the creepiness and horror that I associate (and love) from a JD Barker book.  This was just a run-of-the-mill mystery.  And a little slow.

However, the overall story was really good.  Great plot, and excellent characters.  I loved the storyline between Nikki and Keith.   I also loved the setting of New Orleans around Mardi Gras.

So, I will continue to read Barker's books....and hope the next will be a solo writing.

This book has a great opening scene. It's not often that someone beats you to murder. A powerful man, aquitted of raping 16-year old Emma, is found dead in his car. New Orleans Detective Nikki Mayeaux investigates the case with her ex-boyfriend Keith Teague.

This is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The authors masterfully create a dark and tense atmosphere as they unravel the mystery surrounding Emma's disappearance. The city of New Orleans is a character in this book, thaks to the second author E.J. Findorff.

EXCERPT: As the dancing subsided, outside the gate most of the crowd hung back, not allowed to enter. The carriage parked as close as it could for the body to be carried inside where the caretakers would slide Napleton onto a shelf in the family tomb for a year and a day, after which the bones of the decomposed body would be swept into an opening in the floor. Leaving room for the next in line.

ABOUT 'WE DON'T TALK ABOUT EMMA': When is cold-blooded murder justified?

New Orleans Detective Nikki Mayeaux has decided it’s when a technicality sets a serial rapist free.

Jaded and frustrated, this latest injustice brings her to a boiling point. She arrives at the monster’s home intending to end his reign of terror, only to find someone else got there first. His throat slit, his lifeless body left in the front seat of his car.

Only one person wanted him dead more than her - his final victim - a girl of only sixteen who has vanished in the seedy underbelly of the French Quarter where residents will go to great lengths to protect their own, even when their own is a killer.

When is cold-blooded murder justified?

MY THOUGHTS: I got lost at the beginning of this book. I felt like I had missed something important. Something I needed to know to make sense of it. I went back and reread the opening pages but, no, I hadn't missed anything, and I was still confused.

At 28%, I was seriously considering abandoning We Don't Talk About Emma. I was feeling no love for it and was becoming frustrated. The writing was unwieldy. I was having trouble keeping track of the characters, who was who and where they fitted in. But just after 30%, it all began to gel. Things became clearer, even if not crystal clear. I began to enjoy what I was reading and devoured the following 50% eagerly. But then, towards the end, it all became messy again and my frustration mounted. I was glad to finally close the cover on this read.

The saving grace in this read are the two detectives, Nikki Mayeaux and Keith Teague. They were the only characters I could relate to, the only ones I liked and, I have to admit, I would like to see more of them as long as the plot and writing is tidier than it was here.

Why, Mr Barker, just why are you collaborating with other writers? I love the books you write on your own. I enjoy the books you write with James Patterson. But your other collaborations have left me disappointed and disgruntled. I wanted to love this, I really did. But in the end, I barely liked it.

⭐⭐⭐

#WeDontTalkAboutEmma #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels and resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.

E.J. Findorf: I had no idea that growing up in New Orleans was a unique experience.

Didn't all kids get Monday through Wednesday off for Mardi Gras?​

Didn't all kids eat Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Alligator Sausage?​

Didn't all kids go crawfishing, crabbing and knee-boarding in the bayou?​

I developed my love of writing after moving to Chicago and decided to become serious about it. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I loved writing them. Never have I ever considered writing a chore. The day I stop looking forward to writing is the day I quit.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hampton Creek Press via NetGalley for providing a digital e-ARC of We Don't Talk About Emma by J.D. Barker and E.J. Findorf for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.