Book Review: The Price of Honey (Deadly Ambition #1) by Liane Moriarty

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The Price of Honey (Deadly Ambition #1) by Liane Moriarty is an Amazon Original Stories short story scheduled for publication on April 1, 2026. This short mystery story opens with Honey Beckett riding in an Uber on the way to her husband’s funeral, struggling to process the shocking reality that he is actually gone. The situation feels surreal to her, and as she arrives at the service, the emotions surrounding the day only become more complicated. Honey ultimately decides she needs to sit with Barney’s previous three ex-wives, and the gathering of these women creates a moment filled with tension, curiosity, and one final sense of betrayal that ties them all together. Because I am an Amazon Prime member, I received a digital copy of The Price of Honey for free through the Amazon First Reads program . A huge thank you goes out to Amazon for providing the opportunity to read this short story early before its official release. Programs like First Reads are a great way for readers to ...
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Book Review: The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera

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Advanced Readers Copy of The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera
The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera opens with NYPD Detective Leigh O’Donnell returning to her hometown of Copper Falls, Ohio, to investigate three suspicious drownings that may not be accidents. Leigh hopes that solving this unsettling case will help repair her reputation and put her career with the New York City Police Department back on track in New York City.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Hunter. I was both thrilled and honored to be selected to review this suspense novel prior to its publication. Receiving early access to highly anticipated mystery and thriller releases is always exciting, and this one definitely stood out.

At first, I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about The Hunter because the pacing started off slower than I expected. However, after the first few chapters, the story began to gain momentum, and once it did, I found myself completely invested. The tension steadily builds as secrets begin to surface, and the deeper Leigh digs into the drownings, the more complicated and dangerous the investigation becomes. I thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected twists, clever misdirection, and well-placed red herrings that kept me guessing. The suspense was handled beautifully, and I can honestly say I did not see the ending coming. As someone who reads a large number of mystery, thriller, suspense, and horror novels, that is not something I say lightly.

Book Recommendation of The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera
Leigh was a strong and well-developed main character. She felt realistic and relatable, especially as she struggled to balance her demanding career, her complicated family relationships, and her responsibilities as a mother. Her daughter added warmth and emotional depth to the story. Leigh’s uncles were initially difficult to like, but as the story progressed, their layers were revealed, and I came to appreciate their loyalty and love. I also had mixed feelings about Leigh’s brother and her soon-to-be ex-husband, which added authenticity and emotional complexity. While many of the secondary characters were unlikable, that actually enhanced the story because it created a sense of suspicion and made it difficult to determine who could be trusted.

I gave The Hunter four out of five stars, and I sincerely hope this is the beginning of a series featuring Leigh O’Donnell. Jennifer Herrera has created a compelling small-town mystery filled with tension, emotional depth, and shocking revelations. If you enjoy mystery thrillers, police procedurals, and suspense novels with unpredictable endings and strong female detectives, I highly recommend reading this book. It is a gripping, twist-filled story that mystery and thriller fans won’t want to miss.

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