R. J. Jacobs

And Then You Were Gone is a wonderfully mesmerizing and suspenseful read.
Emily Firestone, a woman diagnosed as bipolar, has struggled for years to get and keep herself on track. Now, for the first time in a long time, everything seems to be running smoothly; she has a job she loves, a home of her own, and a boyfriend, Paolo, that she finds herself falling in love with.

When Paolo suggests taking a break from their busy work lives (he is a medical researcher working on the virus that killed Emily’s father, she is a child psychologist), Emily is all in. To have a weekend alone with Paolo, who promises to keep his phone OFF the entire time, is impossible to resist! She is so excited that when he suggests sailing, Emily decides to put her fear of open water (she doesn’t know how to swim) aside and go for it. They enjoy a wonderful night together, talking and laughing over several glasses of wine. The perfect start to an awesome getaway so Emily thinks.

Emily wakens the next morning to find that Paolo is not on board. Thinking he must be swimming, she calls his name repeatedly. When there is no response, and she doesn’t see any sign of him in the water, she begins to panic. What happened to him? He’s an excellent swimmer, and she heard nothing overnight. But she slept surprisingly deeply – would she have heard anything? Her heart now racing, she steers the boat back to the marina to report Paolo missing. The police soon arrive to take her statement, and it doesn’t take her long to realize she is the main suspect in his disappearance.

With stress abounding, Emily starts to spiral out of control – she’s not sleeping and can’t remember when/if she took her meds. Emily begins to see clues everywhere and becomes convinced that Paolo was murdered, but how can she get the police to believe her when she’s not sure her thoughts are clear?

This book was stunning and well written. I find myself waiting for the next book by R.J. Jacobs because if it is anything like this one and as well written I am in! New authors who can give me a fresh take on a thriller are always welcome to join my reading list.
… (mais)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this copy to review.

"This is How We End Things" by R.J. Jacobs is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first page. With its masterful storytelling, complex characters, and a plot filled with unexpected twists, Jacobs has crafted a compelling narrative that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre.

The story follows Dr. Malcolm Roth, a brilliant psychologist who specializes in treating patients with extreme phobias. He is haunted by a tragic incident from his past that has left him emotionally scarred. When he is approached by the enigmatic yet charming FBI agent, Laura Fourreau, to assist in a peculiar case involving a young woman named Sara who has a debilitating fear of the dark, Malcolm is drawn into a web of mystery and danger that he could never have imagined.

One of the strengths of this novel is the depth of its characters. Malcolm is a flawed protagonist, struggling with his own demons while trying to help his patients confront their fears. Sara is a complex character in her own right, and her phobia becomes a central element of the story, adding a unique psychological dimension to the plot. The dynamic between Malcolm and Sara is both intriguing and emotionally charged, making their interactions a highlight of the book.

Jacobs excels at building suspense and tension throughout the story. The pacing is well-balanced, with each chapter unveiling a new layer of the mystery. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is constantly left guessing about the true nature of the threat and the motives of the characters involved. The author skillfully weaves together elements of psychological horror and thriller, creating a narrative that is as psychologically engaging as it is thrilling.

The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and just when you think you have it all figured out, Jacobs throws another curveball your way. The resolution of the mystery is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving the reader with lingering questions about the nature of fear and the human psyche.

However, one minor drawback of the novel is that some of the secondary characters are not as well-developed as the main protagonists. While this doesn't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story, a bit more depth to these characters could have added further dimension to the narrative.

In conclusion, "This is How We End Things" is a compelling thriller that combines elements of psychological suspense with a well-crafted mystery. R.J. Jacobs demonstrates his skill in creating complex characters and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with a unique twist, this book is definitely worth a read. It's a thought-provoking and suspenseful journey into the darkest corners of the human mind.… (mais)

This is How We End Things by R.J. Jacobs is a highly recommended locked room mystery.

A disparate group of graduate students at Dorrance University in Forest, North Carolina are conducting experiments on the psychology of lying and deception. Their methods are questionable, which is clear when their current test goes awry. However, it becomes deadly when, as the grad students are working at night in the psychology department building on the campus which is closed for a break, one of them is subsequently found murdered in the office of the chair of the psychology department, Joe Lyons, the next morning.

As a major snow storm rolls in, Detective Alana Larson is assigned to the case. The group of suspects is obvious. The key is to figure out who did it among a group of suspects who are experts in the science of deception.

This was an interesting closed-room mystery and following the investigation into the group of suspects is entertaining. The pacing is even and which keep the action moving. The tension rises incrementally as it is apparent that the danger is still present.

All of the characters are depicted as unique, realistic individuals and it is easy to keep in mind each of them as the investigation is underway and action unfolds through their different points-of-view. The culprit was rather easy to figure out, but the enjoyment is in the hunt and the deep-dive into the characters.

It was interesting to see a popular meme included as dialogue between characters and a viral story written into a character's development. Sort of a hat-tip to authors finding words and events around them to write into their novels.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Sourcebooks via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/09/this-is-how-we-end-things.html… (mais)