A good edge-of-your-seat thriller with strong lead characters and well written plot.
I enjoyed reading about Maddy Reynolds and her obvious strength aswell as the good interactions of her relationships.
The setting was true to life and almost blasé but it fitted the looming distraction of a killers presence.
Will happily read more of this character and fro this author!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

John Netti’s Pieces: Maddy Reynolds in the Crosshairs is a high-stakes thriller that plunges readers into a chilling game of cat and mouse between a retired detective and a notorious serial killer. This fifth book in the Maddy Reynolds series is a gripping addition that keeps the tension high and the pages turning.

This novel follows ex-detective Maddy Reynolds, who has retreated to the quiet town of Berry Lake in search of peace. However, her past catches up with her when Amos Whitfield, the FBI’s most infamous serial killer, targets her as his next trophy. Whitfield’s arrival in Berry Lake is marked by a series of gruesome murders, each victim missing body parts as macabre souvenirs.

Netti excels in character development, particularly with Maddy Reynolds. Her transition from a retired detective seeking tranquility to a woman fighting for her life is both compelling and relatable. Amos Whitfield is a chilling antagonist, his calculated brutality and psychological manipulation adding depth to the narrative. The supporting characters, including Maddy’s partner Adam and the residents of Berry Lake, provide a rich backdrop that enhances the story’s emotional stakes.

The author’s writing is taut and suspenseful, capturing the urgency and danger of Maddy’s predicament. Netti’s descriptions of the small-town setting and the eerie atmosphere are vivid and immersive. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, driving the plot forward while revealing the complexities of the characters.

Pieces explores themes of resilience, justice, and the psychological toll of facing one’s fears. It delves into the mind of a serial killer and the impact of trauma on those who pursue justice. The novel also examines the concept of legacy and the lengths one will go to protect their reputation and loved ones.

Pieces: Maddy Reynolds in the Crosshairs is a thrilling and intense read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Netti’s ability to blend suspense with deep character exploration makes this book a standout in the genre. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will find much to enjoy in this gripping tale of survival and determination.

Highly recommended for fans of crime thrillers, strong female protagonists, and psychological suspense. Pieces is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and emotionally engaging mystery.

I really enjoyed this book. Love me a serial killer!Good story, good characters! Will look for more by this author.

A little confusing if you haven't read the preceding books

This was the first book I have read by this author. It quickly became apparent that it was the latest in a series. There were characters and situations that made no sense to me and there was insufficient background to explain their back stories.

Other than that, I liked it. The plot was good (although the "bad guy" was pretty easy to figure out). Some of the dialog didn't ring true, All in all I liked it.

When ex-cop turned provate detective receives the kidney of someone recently murdered in her home community, it doesn't take her long to recognise the modud operando of a psychopath she has encountered before: Amos Whitfield. And Amos Whitfield wants to impress: he wants to impress the detective who has also taken down and killed serial killers. Before she has the chance to kill him in the line of duty. But who will win?

Amos Whitfield then goes on a killing spree, as one by one, members of Maddy's rural community are taken out, parts of the body removed with surgical precision. Who will be next? When one upstanding church-goer is rescued, her resuer murdered in his stead, all Reynolds has to go by is more details of those quiks thar betray more of Whitfield's MO: he is sensitive to personal snubs.

So who in the community could be like that?

And the body count keeps getting higher, especially including those who look out for Reynolds, as another upstanding citizen gets murdered in her stead. Maddy gets exercising and doing target practice in preparation for the coming showdown. Notwithstanding other members of her community., a nine-year-old niece has been making nightly visits..

As a creepy cat-and-mouse game, this novel is stellar in keeping up the suspense. It conveys the queasy threat of real evil closing in superbly. The killer is clearly hiding in plain sight, someone everyone knows, but who could it be? Possibly, the writer could have done a little more with the potential for a whodunit, but as it stands, this writer's portrayal is superbly done, and then when the killer is unmasked, bitbis still touch and go on whether Reynolds can save a child, and the woman Whitfield tried to kill earlier on.

Recommended.

Detective Maddy Reynolds was so burned out from her job that she decided to take early retirement and move to the small, quiet town of Berry Lake, New York. Little did she know that her peaceful life would be disrupted, and her past police work would follow to haunt her.

Bodies of dead women in this town start to appear at a rapid rate with an organ extracted from each body with surgical precision. This could only be the work of serial killer, Amos Whitfield, who is still on the loose. Whitfield settles into a community long before he kills, so he’s been there awhile, taking on another identity. Maddy, who researched Whitfield in the past, soon realizes that she is a target as he leaves her a gruesome “present”.

"Pieces" takes readers on a roller coaster ride, that doesn’t stop. From the beginning, the plot grabs you and never lets go. The multiple supporting characters not only add depth to the plot, but also provide riveting side stories. In fact, I think that some, such as FBI agent Hannah Bates, could stand on their own in a novel.

This novel has all the pieces of an enticing crime story. Highly recommended.

(This review will be posted on UnderratedReads on Nov.10, 2024)

A great thrilling read which gave me the shivers at times. A new author for me a d I enjoyed this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

**A Page-Turner That Keeps You on the Edge of Your Seat**

A Grateful Acknowledgment to NetGalley and the publisher Black Rose Writing for an Advance Copy

This is a gripping thriller that is sure to captivate readers.

The story centers around Maddy Reynolds, a formidable heroine whose character development is refreshingly profound. Maddy is a former detective seeking solace in the quaint town of Berry Lake, alongside her partner, Adam. However, her desire for a peaceful life is shattered when a series of brutal murders disrupt the tranquility of her surroundings. The killer, who takes trophies from his victims, leaves a trail of terror that permeates the community, forcing Maddy back into a world she desperately wants to escape.
What sets this novel apart is not just the suspenseful plot, but the depth of character exploration. The author masterfully weaves a tapestry of rich, relatable characters, allowing readers to connect with their struggles and triumphs. Maddy’s journey from a decorated detective to a woman fighting for peace is both compelling and relatable, engaging the reader from the very first page.
I found myself genuinely invested in the outcome of the characters, which is a testament to the author’s skillful storytelling. The rapid pacing ensures that the excitement never wanes, making it an unputdownable read.
I highly recommend this thrilling novel to anyone looking for a suspenseful escape. I eagerly anticipate reading more works by the talented John Netti. Thank you once again, NetGalley and BRW Sales, for this opportunity.

Wow. What a great read and a book I just couldn't put down. I haven't read anything by this author and so this was a great way to be introduced to his writing. Former high-profile detective Maddy Reynolds is enjoying retirement but now she is the target of a serial killer so what does she do?

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, I assure you. With a terrifying killer on the loose, a small town and a retired police detective makes this a thrilling ride of a book, a real rollercoaster of a ride. The characters are all fantastic and work well within this story. The setting and the suspense is everything I wanted from a book of this genre and now, knowing there are other books in this series I will have to run out and find them.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a thrill and a chill of a read.

Thank you NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A great thriller with a fantastic protagonist who won’t take rubbish from anyone! The serial killer is absolutely terrifying and too believable to make for a comfortable sleep after reading. Highly recommended for people looking for action, a fast pace and some dark themes.

John Netti does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had everything that I was looking for in this type of book. The characters were everything that I wanted and enjoyed getting through this story with them. It was written in a way that was engaging and mysterious.

🏞Thrilling bout with a serial killer aiming for Maddie Reynolds🤕😲

Exciting: yes. Non-stop action: yes. A small mountain town scared stiff by a frenzy of seemingly unrelated and pointless murders: yes. A heroine retired police detective who just won't surrender her control even when it's obvious she needs protection from a crazed serial killer: yes! For all these reasons and more, author John Netti had me caught up in the story and, though I thought the ending was perfect, I did not want the book to end. It's relatively short but complete and I loved the prior connected novels The Glades and The Ledger, but it can definitely stand on its own.

This is the third of Netti's novels I've read with Maddie Reynolds as the central character. I love how the author has created this strong, brave woman protagonist who, even with pleas from her daughter, law enforcement colleagues and love interest, won't swerve from her commitments no matter how dangerous. I hope there will be more Maddie Reynolds adventures and I'd love to see how things evolve for the surviving townsfolk.

Thanks to the author, Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.