A well written thriller set in San Francisco- which almost becomes a character as well. This is topical. Lennon and Ambrose are good characters (bit geez those names). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This one is my first read by the author, and I really enjoyed it. The themes is PTSD, drug addiction, romantic suspense, and emotional growth were spot on. The writer gave the characters a lot of depth and I was sorry when the book ended, but the resolution was super. The idea of treatment for those patients was certainly imaginative.

Four stars!

"The world breaks everyone and afterward, many are strong at the broken places. —Ernest Hemingway "

An electrifying story of stunning romantic suspense, This story will linger long after turning the final page. It will compel you to think and dig deep in your soul. Believe me, I'm choked up, teary eyed, right now.
I'm just sat here, having finished the book, trying to sort out my emotions. They've been through a wringer. The feeling of devastation and hopelessness envelops the story like a fog. It's hard to find a way out of it. then steps in Detective Lennon Gray and Agent Ambrose Mars. They are in Tenderloin Neighbourhood of Pleasant Hill, where a series of serial killings have taken place. . It's known as San Francisco Purgatory for a reason. Such hovels aren't exclusive to one city only, its true of any big city. We have drug infested neighborhood like Harlem NYC, infamous Kensington in Philadelphia and other cities, I'm sure.
The people who've fell prey to this dragon are usually abandoned, abused people living on streets. Very vulnerable, susceptible to all the villainous ills that run unchecked.

"What must we do? We must do something.”

And then there's the scenes where gruesome, screaming murders have taken place.
Lennon and Ambrose get to work, deciphering one clue at a time, to unravel the mystery before clock runs out.
But Lennon has to also deal with the betrayal from within....
Throughout the story, I'd turn the page and my heart would drop some more in my stomach. Crimes in general are indigestible, but when innocent children are at the receiving end, I wanna make it my own personal crusade to play the Annihilator.

“Life. Ah, yes. Life is often cruel.”
“But it’s the easier burden to bear. When humans are cruel, specifically the ones who are tasked with caring for you, it is the most unbearable cruelty of all.”

It clawed and scratched at my heart. I bled, teared up, howled in pain at the tortuous recount of every victim. What hurts the most is, it's just tip of the iceberg in real life and I can't take the injustice of it all
Thank God for Mia who has thoroughly researched and written a story that should jar and shake us enough to take notice. The extensive prose is harsh, well crafted and in depth. The emotional maturity shines through in dealing sensitively with the characters. Lennon is lovable, compassionate girl, doggedly pursuing criminals, and her handling of complex sentiments of what is legal and what is right is pretty clear. Her heart rules her head all the time.
Ambrose is tortured, abused beyond belief. The fact that he's still standing is a miracle and he turns it into a career of saving lives, by however means neccessary. It takes a superhuman to use his own grief and despair into curative energy. Ambrose does it relentlessly, risking his life and a chance at love.
He's admirable, esteemed and should be loved completely.

"My anchor. My soft place to land. My peacemaker."

Their union is fulfilling to say the least. And empowering. And hopeful. It gives me strength that there are guardian angels who are fighting the tide every day.
I'm so glad I got to read the book early. Being a huge fan of Mia and her sensitive heart, I devour and saviour every word she generously gifts us. Worth mentioning, in particular is the tale of seq-lion saviour Mia anecdotes in the story. The message is powerful and profound, and must be repeated often, especially people ready to give up.
5 stars for Benjamin Buttons

I normally love Mia Sheridan books but this one wasn’t for me. There’s not really wrong with the story, I just found myself not connecting with it the way I liked so I wasn’t reading as much as I should. I DNF around the 40% mark. I think if you like detective story plot with a romance suspense, then this would be good for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

In this dark procedural thriller, Local SFPD Inspector Lennon pairs up with FBI agent Ambrose Mars to solve a series of mysterious drug related deaths in the city.

This was a really dark one. Here's what I liked:

Lennon: She was such a tough character. A bit jaded but with this underlying backstory that is so traumatic that you feel so much for her when you find out. She's the one that really drives this story and you are rooting for her the whole time.

Ambrose: He's one of these characters that is so mysterious and you want to know so much about him. But I think Sheridan does a really good job of not revealing things too soon.

The darkness: This one really is dark and there were some points that were just hard to read. But this was because it was so real. It looks into the drug epidemic and what users will really do for those drugs. It does have a positive spin to it though.

All in all, a good and dark cop thriller.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy.

I will preface this by saying that I'm not usually a thriller/crime reader, but the romantic suspense element of this had piqued my interest. Not going to lie, though, I struggled to get into this one. I've read Mia Sheridan before and loved her books, but The Broken Places just didn't hit the mark for me.

A great novel by Mia. Different to anything I’ve read before but utterly captivating. I definitely recommend checking this one out.

Inspector Lennon Gray is on a new odd case, where homeless citizens are involved in dangerous role plays while on hallucinogenics. Her new partner, Ambrose Mars, makes it a bit easier but their relationship grows and becomes strained.

This plot was such a unique idea, which seems rare in thrillers these days. I loved how the author took the therapeutic use of hallucinogenics and ran with it. It’s a controversial treatment, but is certainly on its way. The story showed ethical issues involved but also the horror of misuse. I loved the stories on the street. It was a gritty but realistic view.

“Dreams are dangerous. Dreams will break the last shards of your heart when you think there’s nothing left to shatter.”

The Broken Places comes out 12/1.

Everything Mia writes gets my undivided attention. Either it’s romance, suspense or thrillers. The Broken Places has all 3. This 5 star story had me hooked from the first page to the last one.

Lennon is a police investigator who is now plunged into a potential serial killer investigation that has her questioning humanity. The victims are brutalized before plunging into their deaths. Comes in an FBI agent, Ambrose. She hasn’t felt attraction in a long time. The feeling is mutual. Ambrose has dark secrets. Lennon must set aside her morals and will help Ambrose take down this killer.

This story is not for the faint of heart and you must leave your morals at the door, because it’s a difficult story to read. I have no triggers and I had a difficult time with the nature of this storyline. Above all it’s an intense, thrilling experience that kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s enough to give someone nightmares. I was captivated by this story and their characters. Lennon’s family were a breath of fresh air in the mist of gruesome scenes.

Very well thought out storyline that flowed well. And the suspense kept me hooked until the end. A page turner that had me reading for hours on out. Beautifully mastered and planned . Bottomline this is a must read.

Story told in the third person with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.

Having read everything that Mia Sheridan has published, I definitely feel this is the darkest book she has written so far. I've read all of her other books in this genre, and this one has quite a few things that will probably trigger people, so I highly suggest checking out any and all trigger warnings before starting to read.

I think because this story is written in the third person, it was harder for me to form any type of connection or attachment to Lennon or Ambrose. Even though a lot of things are happening all throughout, the story felt very un-emotional to me. Perhaps it's because I'm used to reading everything in first person.

It is truly a fascinating story, if you are a psychology buff like I am. Getting inside people's heads and learning the how's and why's of what they do has always intrigued me. Mia really does an amazing job of delving into the human psyche, not only of the victims but Lennon, Ambrose, and many of the side characters. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story.

Mia had to have done a ton of research for this one, and probably picked her husband's brain quite a lot being that he is a police officer. Having said that, there were a couple of things that occur during the story that I had to suspend a bit of reality in order to accept what was happening. But overall, the storyline was solid. You have to pay close attention though, as there were a few times I felt out of my element as far as comprehension was concerned.

I didn't pay attention to page count, but the story felt a bit long to me, and the first 80% or so felt like it moved at a snail's pace, and then suddenly the last 10% of the book was moving full steam ahead and I found myself holding my breath at the climax of the whole thing. I wish there had been a bit more of the epilogue, and it was written in a way that the reader has to figure out what is going on by reading between the lines, so to speak. I suck at that; I am not good at figuring out what is being said. Just lay it out for me, because I tend to just obsess with making sure I figured out what the author is implying and if I got it right.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. As I said I was fascinated with the psychological aspect woven throughout, and what each character was thinking and feeling. I want to reiterate that people who have any kinds of triggers really should investigate those before starting this book. It really delves into some horrible topics.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

The plotting and planning and thinking that must have gone into the writing of this book is outstanding. It’s complex and completely original.

Mia Sheridan’s storytelling in this book is superb.

Wouldn’t it be brilliant if we could find a cure that helps people get over a trauma? The soldier with PTSD. The abused child. The victim of violent crime. The repeated cycle of abuse could end. The homeless and the drug addicts helped to get their lives back.

Mia takes that idea and then explores how it could be exploited and go wrong.

The lead characters of Lennon and Ambrose are so engaging. I wanted to help them solve the crimes and find the perpetrator. I felt like I was right there with them looking at the clues and applying them to the things I already knew.

I was absolutely gripped. Mia does write romance well but her crime thrillers are on another level.

3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed the thriller/crime aspect as well as the romance. I personally find books in third person more difficult for me to read. I just don't connect with them as much as first person and I find myself reading slower. If written in first person, probably would have been a 4 or 4.5 star read for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

A great suspense with a touch of romance!

This story follows investigator Lennon, and FBI Agent Ambrose as they look into a mysterious new drug causing deaths among the homeless.

The plot became unpredictable to me, which I loved and had lots of twists and turns up until the end. I recommend going into this book blind because it will make it that much better! Definitely a little different from Mia Sheridan’s other books, but this was a thriller done well! Loved it!


📘: The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan
🗓️: December 1, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Mia Sheridan, and Montlake for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Riveting Journey Through a Unique Crime Narrative

Mia’s latest offering is a standout addition to the genre, featuring an exceptionally unique plot that grips the reader from the very first page. The meticulous attention to detail elevates the story beyond a typical detective narrative, creating a richly layered experience that is both engaging and believable.

The author masterfully crafts a world where every element feels grounded in reality, allowing readers to suspend disbelief and imagine the unfolding events as plausible. This authenticity enhances the emotional stakes and keeps the reader invested in the characters’ journeys.

Overall, this book is a testament to Mia’s storytelling prowess, offering a refreshing take on crime fiction that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Highly recommended for those seeking a captivating read that challenges the conventions of the genre.

This is the second book I've read by this author, and like with the previous book, I felt emotionally drained afterwards. It is not a light read. It is not a quick read. But it is an excellent read. It will make you think about things you'd probably rather not think about, and it definitely gave me an education on homelessness and mental health; I was so disturbed yet riveted by the plot that I even talked about it with my family. I can't even imagine the amount of research that the author put into this story. Make sure you're ready for the deep end when you dive into this one; you won't be sorry you went in. It does move a bit slow in places, but I think that's by design. Stick with it, or skim if you have to, but don't give up. You'll come away knowing that you read something memorable instead of just another book that you'll forget by next week.

One thing I love about this author is you never know what you are going to get in a book plot wise. The concept of this book was very interesting and I’ve never read anything like it, so it is very unique.

But with that being said, it was a little hard for me to get into because of it switching timelines back-and-forth and also in the third person POV. I really did not get totally engrossed in the story until about 80% of the way through and I honestly felt like the female and male main characters had no chemistry or connection like her other books do.

The story starts with murders happening to addicts/homeless that the SFPD is investigating. An FBI agent, Ambrose, is assigned to the female main character who is an inspector with the SFPD and she is curious why the FBI would be on this case unless there’s something not being told to her. You come to find out that the addicts and homeless are being drugged by these hallucinogenic drugs that cause them to relive their traumas. You are basically following Lennon and Ambrose trying to figure out who is doing these murders. There are a lot of darker themes in this book, and people dealing with trauma/PTSD that you hope will overcome.

Read this book if you like dark twisty, thrillers, morally gray solutions on how to help people with PTSD and trauma, and police investigations.

The Broken Places, my review I loved this so much! I realized that for my review I summerize the book, but I won’t this this time. So I say take a chance and go in blind, just reading the blurb should be the teaser and it’s spot on and this did a major a abrupt stop and re-read to see if I read it correctly and I did and holy cow this was good. Loved the suspense and mystery of this story. Great job!

What a story! Fascinating!

Lennon and Ambrose are partnered up to investigate a string of horrific murders involving a new pill. There is a serial killer targeting a certain demographic of society. And wow, the events that follow are intense and eye-opening.

The writing is phenomenal and the story line fantastic. It’s filled with suspense, has great twists, and is packed with emotion.

The Broken Places showcases those who have been victimized and suffered horrific trauma. It’s enlightening and deeply emotional. It’s overcoming trauma and mending those broken places. It’s about compassion, healing, trust, and love. Fantastic romantic thriller.

There isn't much Mia Sheridan writes that I don't like. I love her romance and romantic suspense and thrillers. Ambrose and Lennon's story is not even remotely conventional. The storyline perhaps requires a bit of suspended disbelief (but I will say that I was thinking to myself all along, if only this kind of therapy could really exist - and maybe it does to some extent-just imagine the people whose lives are mired in such emotional pain finding long lasting hope). Did it drag a bit? Yes, at first, I kept putting the book down and walking away but then I'd tell myself "this is Mia Sheridan, let her lead you on this journey". I have absolutely no regrets. Some twists were a surprise, others were not but in the end, what I came away with was hope and pure love.

2,5 ✨

Honestly, I’d never read anything by Mia Sheridan before this book. I did know about her work, though, so I thought I would enjoy this. I’ll admit that thrillers aren’t usually my favorite genre, and as someone who leans more toward Romantasy, I had trouble getting into the story.

I expected a certain level of realism in this story. After all, it takes place in a real setting, but it was so hard to get into! The unrealistic plot twists, for example, felt completely off. Once you read the summary, you’ll understand how unbelievable the miracle cures sound here.

Until around 85%, the mystery was gripping and kept me hooked—I did want to know where these characters would take me, and there was even a bit of romance, which I appreciated. Plus, Mia is a good writer, and if you’re less of a realist than I am, you’ll probably enjoy it more. Overall, it’s well-written and has a solid mystery, but for me, some parts were just too hard to fully believe in.

Did I like it? I'm unsure. I didn't particularly enjoy it, but the plot and the writing weren't bad.

Lastly, the themes are heavy; if you’re thinking about reading this, I’d recommend checking the trigger warnings first.