u/AnnekaLowrie

This mystery/suspense novel combines investigative tension with romance, metaphysical elements, and a strong emotional undercurrent between its two central characters. What worked particularly well for me was the balance between danger and intimacy — the story never loses sight of the personal stakes behind the investigation.

The tarot and metaphysical elements add atmosphere and unpredictability without taking over the mystery itself, and the relationship dynamic between the two women gives the story much of its momentum. The pacing stays strong throughout, with enough emotional vulnerability and escalating tension to keep the investigation engaging.

A good choice for LGBTQ+ readers and others who enjoy suspense with psychological tension, relationship-driven stakes, and a touch of the metaphysical woven into the mystery.

-First book in the Portland Murder Series

This tightly constructed suspense novel combines psychological vulnerability with escalating professional and personal danger. Centered on a psychiatrist accused of stealing medication from a drug recovery clinic, the story explores how quickly trust, credibility, and personal safety can unravel under suspicion.

What begins as an effort to clear her name gradually exposes deeper layers of pharmaceutical fraud, institutional power, and the fragile realities surrounding addiction recovery. The emotional stakes remain closely tied to the protagonist’s relationships, particularly as the investigation places both her and the woman she loves in increasing danger.

The novel balances procedural tension with emotional realism effectively, allowing the suspense to emerge not only from external threat, but from the psychological consequences of accusation, secrecy, and vulnerability. Readers who appreciate suspense grounded in human behavior, ethical conflict, and emotionally layered characters will likely find this an engaging and thoughtful read.