Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
352 Pages
Synopsis: Office Miranda Rader of Hammond PD in Louisiana is known for her honesty, integrity, and steady hand in a crisis–but that wasn’t always so. Miranda comes from Jasper, just south of Hammond, a place about the size of a good spit on a hot day, and her side of the tracks was the wrong one. She’s worked hard to leave the girl she used to be behind and earn respect in her position as an officer.
However, when Miranda and her partner are called to investigate the murder of one of the town’s most beloved college professors, they’re unprepared for the gruesomeness of the scene. This murder is unlike any they’ve ever investigated, and just when Miranda thinks she’s seen the worst of it, she finds a piece of evidence that chills her to the core: a faded newspaper clipping about a terrible night from her long-buried past. Then another man turns up dead, this one a retired cop, and not just any cop–Clint Wheeler, the cop who took her statement that night. Two murders, two very different men, two killings that on the surface had nothing in common–except Miranda, 14 years ago.
And when her fingerprints turn up at the scene of the first murder, Miranda once again finds herself under the microscope, her honesty and integrity doubted, her motivations questioned. Alone again, the trust of her colleagues shattered, Miranda must try to trust the instincts she’s pushed down for so long, and decide what’s right–before it’s too late.
I’ve been a fan of Erica Spindler for several years, and have always been able to count on her for a good suspense/thriller with interesting characters. With The Other Girl, The prolific author has once again proven why she’s one of the most well-known authors in this genre.
The story grabbed me from the very first page. Miranda and her partner Jake Billings are fantastic characters, and I was thoroughly invested in the two of them. Miranda, a former wild child, is someone that readers will root for. She’s worked so hard to pull herself up and become a well respected homicide detective, and she’s done so without stepping on anyone else. And this makes it especially heartbreaking when Miranda finds that her past has come back to haunt her and threatens to undo everything she’s accomplished.
Although it was almost immediately obvious who the murderer was, there are still enough twists that prevent this story from being predictable. It’s very fast-paced and I wound up finishing it in two sittings. When real life had the nerve to interrupt my reading, I was reluctant to put this down. The ending with its epilogue is perfect, and left me completely satisfied.
Long-time fans of Erica Spindler won’t be disappointed in The Other Girl, and for anyone who is new to her writing, this is a great book to start with. There are so many thrillers that are currently out there, with strong female leads, but in my opinion, this truly stands out from the rest and I can’t highly recommend it enough!
Miranda would be an easy character to relate to because almost everyone knows what it feels like to have a past that can undo the respected facades that we build over time. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely Frank. Thanks for reading and commenting.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this one too! Great review 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Stephanie! I’m so glad you enjoyed this too.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Kim! And thanks! Erica Spindler really is such a good writer. I’d actually like to see more of Miranda Rader; I think it’d make a good detective series. Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was thinking the same thing Stephanie! Have a nice weekend!💁🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like Erica Spindler too but I haven’t read this one yet. Looking forward to it especially after your review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome!😊
LikeLike
This looks good! Definetley put on my TBR! Hope you’re having a great day! Its storming here so I feel like poo!
#bookbuddies4ever #hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! You’ll have to let me know what you think when you read it Dani.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. Stupid weather.😒
#kickassheroines
#takecareofyourself
#booksistersinarms
#hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely will let you know Kim!
#hellyes #wegotthis #lotsofhugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool beans!😊
xoxoxoxo
LikeLike
I say cool beans all the time too!🤘📚😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s one of those terms that’s so awesome!😎
LikeLike
Agreed💯🤘
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really want to read this. You’ve convinced me. Thank you. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woot! I don’t think you’ll be sorry!💁🏻
LikeLike
Another we seem to completely agree on. *high fives*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! *high fives and fist bumps*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good review … sounds like a good book! Now … if only I had time … 😥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jill. And I know what you mean about not enough time.😒
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like another fantastic thriller! It amazes me that authors can still come up with ways to keep these types of books from becoming predictable. I’m always blown away by that. So glad you enjoyed this one so much, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Krysti! I have the deepest admiration for authors who make their books stand out in any of the genres. I honestly don’t think I could do it.💁🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
I honestly don’t think I could either. I’m a much better reader than writer. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh this sounds excellent!! Glad it stands out from the crowd- I wanna check it out!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! You have to let me know what you think when you read it!💁🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: TAG: This-Is-My-Truth-Now – ReadRantRock&Roll
It’s so hard to find a thriller that stand out these days. There seem to be to many, but I love the genre so I keep picking them up haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know how you feel. Have you tried Lisa Unger? I haven’t been let down once by her.💁🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep looking at her books at the library, they look like something I would like. I took one out once, got distracted and ended up returning it without ever giving it a try. Now I think I should grab another one next time I am in there. Any suggestions on where to start with her?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I honestly think you can start anywhere with her. I really enjoyed her latest, Red Hunter.☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review! I loved this book too and agree with you, Miranda was so realistic and relatable. I need to read other books by the author now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Diana!😊
LikeLike
Ooh, this looks fantastic. And Miranda looks like a fascinating character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a great book Vinnie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t doubt that. With a glowing review from you, it’s bound to be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve had a pretty good run with books lately. Thanks for visiting Vinnie. I’ve missed you here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry about my absence, you know how life can get?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just had various things to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gotcha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m back now though. There’s no getting rid of me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool! I’ve been posting a lot so there’s all sorts of stuff for you to catch up on when you have time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve bookmarked a few of them. Would never want you to think I was avoiding you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then again, I could never avoid such a fine blog as yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😙
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds really good! It’s nice to see you go through some really nice thrillers without feeling like you’ve seen this or that before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!😊
LikeLiked by 1 person