If you think a police procedural thriller with a dash of spicy romance sounds interesting, then this one might be for you.
However, I highly suggest to check out the trigger warnings below before diving into this one!

I was intrigued the first few chapters; it wasn’t just a simple ‘whodunit’ murder mystery.
The story also covers some deep, heavy, thought-provoking topics, offering an eye-opening view of the two different sides of San Fransisco.

The storyline was well-written, and the mystery and romance were well-balanced.
The mystery kept me interested from the beginning until the end, racking my brains with theories upon theories to guess the twist at the end.

I really enjoyed the investigation regarding the suspicious new drugs with Inspector Lennon and FBI Agent Ambrose. They make a good team, and I also liked getting to know their history as they slowly got closer to each other.

Overall, The Broken Places was a captivating and emotional read, it explores about trauma, love, loss, grief, and second chances.
This is not my first book by Mia Sheridan and it won’t be the last. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: drug use, murder, mental health, PTSD, addiction, alcoholism, brief mention of adult/minor relationship, sexual assault

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the setting and premise of this book! I live pretty close to San Francisco and the way the city is discussed is spot on, as sad as that can be at times. It’s not everyday you read a mystery about the homeless population and this one definitely did the community justice! I enjoyed all the twists and honestly didn’t know where it was going to end up until the final chapters. If you like psychological thrillers and mysteries, you should definitely check out this book!

Haunting, and deeply suspenseful, this dark crime psychological thriller is on a league of its own. The author thoroughly researched this story so that it contains dark themes in a brutally raw and realistic way so please check the triggers before you proceed.
That said, this read was utterly captivating and compelling as it slowly and methodically developed.
The attention to detail and the solid plot made this story so interesting to read. However, it’s a tough read and there were times I had to pause because the story was so vivid and told so realistically I felt I was watching.

A series of gruesome crimes in the San Francisco area are being investigated by detective inspector Lennon and FBI agent Ambrose. These 2 characters are brought together under unusual circumstances and they can’t make sense of the crimes or each other.
What happens with them and the secrets they discover between them made my jaw drop!

The story is told in the third person and with different timeless making the story at times hard to follow. But I think that’s part of the complicated and difficult to navigate circumstances surrounding these mysterious horrific crimes.
What happens?
Pay attention!
It begs the question what’s will you do to find the truth!

Everything is connected and underneath it all is another gripping thought provoking gut wrenching emotional story that knocked. me. sideways!

Wow I didn’t expect that!!
4.5 stars!

This was my first book by Mia Sheridan. The story offers an emotional journey with compelling themes of love and redemption. The characters have depth, and their struggles feel genuine. However, the pacing drags in parts, and some plot twists feel predictable. While it has moments of heartfelt connection, I had the feeling that the story was nog complete. I liked the writing style and I'm curious to read other books by this author.

En bref, j'ai adoré les relations humaines et le suspense qui nous tient en haleine de la première à la dernière page, attention aux TW qui pourraient toucher davantage certains lecteurs, l'autrice nous livrant ici un roman qui alterne entre thriller et romance. Le côté thriller est quand même un peu plus présent et j'ai aimé sa manière de nous faire vibrer avec les personnages quand Lennon découvre les tenants et les aboutissants. Un roman qui secoue donc et qui donne à réfléchir quand on en sait plus sur les actions des uns et des autres... A découvrir !

A highly engrossing and compelling story that had me thoroughly captivated. I love how Mia Sheridan can weave a narrative that is interestingly complex and holds my attention in such a rapt manner.

The characters are multi faceted with backgrounds that hold different experiences and grief, yet their undeniable attraction is what drives this story.

I hadn’t felt so much emotion as I did when reading about Lennon’s loss, I couldn’t help tearing up and feeling her pain. I felt so much sadness for Ambrose and his traumatic experiences. Yet the romantic suspense between Lennon and Ambrose brought a sense of relief in that their attraction was palpable and they very much deserved each other.

Read this story!

Thank you NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect psychological thriller/romantic suspense for me. Not too dark that I will have nightmares for days or anxiety triggering.

4⭐️ 1🌶️

Wow! I love Mia’s romantic thrillers. This was such a wild ride. It was so dark, and yet hopeful with the perfect dash of spice.

I went into this completely blind knowing that I love Mia’s writing and I don’t regret it! (Although there is some pretty serious subject matter in this book so please check CW/TW).

I was hooked from the beginning and I never knew what was going to happen next. Someone is targeting the city’s most vulnerable, and leaving behind gruesome crime scenes. Lennon, a somewhat reluctant homicide investigator, must team up FBI agent Ambrose to try and figure out what is going on. But it quickly becomes clear that not everything is as it seems and hearts and lives are at stake.

So if you’re looking for a book to take you on a dark and twisted ride definitely give this book a try.

4 ⭐ 1 🌶️ 4 🎧

I absolutely love Mia's romance stories, so when I saw she wrote a thriller with a touch of romance I basically ran 🏃‍♀️ This was so good. Twisty, suspenseful, with a touch of spice and some really thought provoking plot lines.

It took me a minute to get into the story with the third person narrative and there were moments I found myself backing up thinking I'd missed something, which is why I gave it 4 stars, but ultimately this was still very very enjoyable and an exciting read. I really enjoyed the whodunit aspect and had fun making my guesses along the way, only to have my jaw falling to the floor in the end.

The audio was great. Nikol Zanzarella, Will Damron and Leon Nixon all did wonderful jobs with these characters and this story and I'd highly recommend a listen.

I personally felt like this was written more like a police procedural than a mystery/suspense book.

I have liked Mia Sheridan's books that have moved away from straight romance but this one was my least favorite of those. I felt like it was overall on the slow side pacing wise and I had to suspend belief several times. The underlying message was a nice thought but I didn't love the execution.

I’ve been a huge Mia Sheridan fan since she introduced me to Archer, but lately her thrillers have been exactly what I’ve been needing. Even with this being a thriller, she somehow made it into a romantic thriller.

I really loved Ambrose and Lennon, but then again, I don’t think Mia knows how to write a bad character.

Like every other book that Mia has written, this is a must read!

I jumped at the chance to receive an ARC of Mia Sheridan's new book, she is one of my favorite authors, and I was soo thankful to be chosen! I was captivated by this story from start to finish, it consumed my mind and when I wasn't reading I was thinking about the story and trying to put the pieces together to figure out who the killer was. This book was full of mystery, suspense, romance, trauma, addiction, healing, and twists I didn't see coming. This story sheds light on some heavy topics and doesn't skimp on the trauma, but also doesn't skimp on the healing and showing even when things seem hopeless people can be saved. Mia's storytelling capabilities are just incredible, I mean she's one of my favorite authors for a reason! 😉 I felt like this was a movie rather than a book because her writing just pulls you into the story and makes you feel like you're right there with the characters. This was such an interesting story, it kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending didn't disappoint! 🩷📚

Thank you to Mia Sheridan, to Netgalley, and the publisher for this ARC of The Broken Places, in exchange for an honest review.

This was one very unexpected book by this author. I have enjoyed her previous thrillers, and this one was very unique.

There is so much trauma associated with this book, and though it does have a hopeful outlook by the end, this will be a hard read for anyone with empathy.

4.25stars-THE BROKEN PLACES by Mia Sheridan is a stand alone, contemporary,suspense thriller focusing on SFPD Inspector Lennon Gray, and Agent Ambrose Mars.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from omniscient third person perspective using present day and memories from the past, THE BROKEN PLACES follows in the wake of several murders and deaths possibility connected to a new designer drug in San Francisco. Inspector Lennon Gray has been assigned to investigate the latest series of murders but something about the killings doesn’t add up. As the body count increases, the FBI sends in one of their own, who may or may not have some knowledge about the ‘little blue pill’. Enter Ambrose Mars. Ambrose Mars has been temporarily assigned to search for the truth but Ambrose has a secret, a secret that will change the direction of the police investigation, a change that threatens Lennon’s future with the SFPD. As the case unfolds, Ambrose finds himself pulled back into the past, when his own life experiences gave way to a spiral out of control.

The world building is complex and intricate as the many of the victims have heart breaking stories of betrayal, abuse and loss. When the past comes full circle, Ambrose recognizes the how and the why, but it is Lennon Gray who may have come face to face with a possible killer.

The relationship between Lennon and Ambrose begins acrimoniously as Lennon struggles with a new partner, especially one from the FBI but all is not as it appears to be, and Lennon finds herself wondering where it all went wrong. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate

There is a large ensemble cast of law enforcements, homeless, addicts and victims. Throw in a podcaster, several family members, and the ghosts from the past, pushing our couple to reconsider the direction of their current line of thinking.

THE BROKEN PLACES is a story of betrayal and vengeance, addiction and abuse, retribution and obsession, forgiveness and love. The thought-provoking premise is dark and dramatic; the characters are desperate, determined and driven; the romance is subtle and fated. The epilogue fast forwards the story line approximately twenty-seven years, wherein we see a glimpse into the future for everyone concerned.



THE READING CAFE: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/the-broken-places-by-mia-sheridan-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6559592714


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2636049106


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

This is my first romantic suspense by Mia Sheridan, and I must say that it has been quite a pleasant experience, and Mia knows how to immerse in this kind of stories, where the mystery is a bit strong but the romance is almost simulteanea way.

Here we have Inspector Lennon who already knows about the dark side of the city, but when cases related to a drug are discovered, she is confronted with something unknown; that's why Ambrose enters the scene, who is an FBI agent and is appointed to solve the case.

It has been quite a mix of both characters in this mystery and romance and the twists and turns as they go along, it has been quite a hooking read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

The story is set in San Francisco amongst crime ridden drug use and homeless. Loved the suspense and twist and turns. You just never know.
The story though is dark and you need to be prepared for that because the descriptive qualities will immerse you in it. You will feel part of the story because of this but that for me makes for great storytelling. Loved the thrilling ride.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book officially publishes on 12/1/24!

The core plot of this book - the murder mystery of sorts - is what interested me in this book and it did not disappoint! Although I would classify this as more of a mystery or crime thriller than a contemporary fiction or romance-only novel, the crime and resolution had a unique spin that kept me interested. I thought that the character development and interaction was well-done here, especially with the subplot of the MCs. Giving this one 3 stars because I did find the pacing to be a little lagging at times. However, if you are a fan of any police procedural-type books/shows, I would recommend giving this one a read.

📚: The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan
⭐️: 4/5

Inspector Lennon Gray finds herself in the depths of San Francisco’s transient community as she takes on a serial killing case that has one common tie - an unregulated hallucinogenic drug left at each scene, with a mysterious “BB” inscription. Taking this case on, while also getting to know her new partner, Agent Ambrose Mars, is taking a toll on Lennon as secrets and trauma uncover with every turn.

A very solid police procedural read with a unique hook, Lennon and Ambrose give off a Stabler and Benson a-la-SVU style vibe (with some probable Stabler & Benson fanfic thrown in) - which made for the right amount of romantic tension in an otherwise dark book. (Seriously, read the trigger warnings, this book covers... a lot.)

Big thanks to Montlake via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Broken Places is out tomorrow, 12/1.

What a chilling and gripping read!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat! It was my first by Mia Sheridan and I immediately fell in love with her writing style and storytelling!

I would say this book is more of a suspense/mystery with some romance. I enjoyed the romance and I was rooting for Lennon and Ambrose, but I was also really fascinated and obsessed with the police investigation and solving the gruesome murders!

This was a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching read. It contains really dark themes (it is a murder mystery, after all) and I would definitely recommend checking trigger warnings!

If you enjoy suspenseful and dark reads with police work and some romance, I definitely recommend this!

Set in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, this timely and thought-provoking novel sheds light on the stark realities of extreme homelessness and the darker side of experimental treatments for PTSD. Against this backdrop of desperation and vulnerability, police investigator Lennon Gray is thrust into a case that challenges her both professionally and personally. The story begins with Lennon being called to investigate a horrific triple murder, where the victims also appear to be the perpetrators. The crime scene reveals unsettling evidence: the individuals seem to have participated in a chaotic “orgy” fueled by a potent combination of psychedelic drugs and chemicals designed to heighten aggression.

At the scene, Lennon encounters Agent Ambrose, an enigmatic figure from the FBI. Despite her initial reluctance to work with him, she finds herself both wary of and mysteriously drawn to her new partner. Their uneasy alliance grows as they uncover deeper layers of the case, which is tied to a secretive and controversial study involving regression therapy for PTSD. This experimental approach, designed to address trauma stemming from childhood abuse and neglect, involves orchestrated scenarios using illicit drug cocktails.

While one faction, led by a well-intentioned but desperate doctor, pursues these methods in secret to avoid bureaucratic hurdles, another, more sinister force manipulates the process to deadly effect. The ethical boundary between innovation and exploitation becomes a central tension as Lennon and Ambrose race to uncover who is tampering with the treatments and triggering a wave of violence.

The novel masterfully weaves its narrative through complex themes of trauma, morality, and the challenges of navigating human vulnerability in a world of scientific ambition and systemic failure. Flashbacks provide insight into the characters’ motivations and histories, though they demand careful attention to track the intertwining storylines.

With its realistic portrayal of social and psychological struggles, this gripping novel confronts the grim realities of our modern era, blending suspense with a sensitive exploration of human resilience and ethical dilemmas. The result is a powerful and unsettling story that lingers long after the final page.