PRAISE FOR TRACE OF EVIL:
Amazon Best Mysteries selection. an Indie Next Pick, and a LoanStars Top Pick.
Murder By The Book, “Top 10 Books of 2019.”
Criminal Element
“Blanchard is an impeccable stylist… This twisty and terrifying thriller has something for just about everyone, and I’ll be first in line for the next Natalie Lockhart novel.”
BookPage
“Engrossing … Chilling … Adding to the perfectly executed mysteries and the real-world terror is Blanchard’s careful world building. This is the first book starring Natalie Lockhart, but she appears on the page like a friend readers have known forever.”
J.D. Barker, international bestselling author of The Fourth Monkey
"Witchcraft, a brutal murder, and secrets buried in a sleepy town’s past… with Trace of Evil, Blanchard expertly weaves mystery and spine-tingling suspense into a tense, nail-biter of a thriller!"
Boston Herald
“Grade: A. Blanchard keeps the tension high.”
Kirkus Review
“Blanchard indicates this is the first of many Lockhart mysteries to come—good news! Fast-paced, intricate, and atmospheric.”
Associated Press, Oline H. Cogdill
“Witchcraft—both historical and current— becomes a gripping metaphor for how violence can continue to permeate a community for decades. In her sixth novel, Alice Blanchard masterfully weaves in history and contemporary issues as she explores how the tragedy of a community and a family are intertwined."
Booklist
"What seems an open-and-shut case becomes much more, with Blanchard carefully peeling away layers of history and deception before pulling off a shocking twist."
Ann Cleeves, bestselling author of Shetland and Vera Stanhope mystery series
"Strong characterization and a powerful and unexpected denouement. I look forward to reading more in the series."
BrownPaperBunny, Amazon Reviewer
"Couldn't put it down!" ― 5 stars
Open Letters Review
“A world class thriller with a gut punch that you won’t see coming.”
Publishers Weekly
“Gripping… this book will appeal to fans of criminal investigations led by empowered women.”
Book Review Crew
“The author weaves together an amazing story brilliantly.”
L.T. Vargus, bestselling author of Bad Blood and Dead End Girl
"Alice Blanchard’s Trace of Evil is a haunting, dark, and thrilling tale that will leave you breathless. Packed with twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the end."
Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times bestselling author of Two If By Sea and The Deep End of the Ocean
“In Alice Blanchard’s newest, a young detective investigating a new murder tips over a cauldron of cold cases and cold hearts that reach deep into the past of her own family. Alice Blanchard seems to be able to write just about anything she wants with uncanny grace and this thriller shows off a veteran storyteller at the peak of her powers.”
Mike Omer, bestselling author of the Zoe Bentley mystery series
"Everything feels as if set to explode. Trace of Evil holds the reader at the edge of his seat, flipping the pages to untangle the knot, and uncover the secrets.”
Tricia Fields, author of award winning Josie Gray Mystery Series
“Trace of Evil is riveting—atmospheric and dark, exploring modern day witchcraft and covens, with enough twists and turns to keep the most astute reader guessing until the end. Blanchard is a master storyteller with a brilliant understanding of family—about the love that both binds us and tears us apart. Get ready for a great read!”
Kristen Lepionka, Shamus Award-winning author of the Roxane Weary mystery series
“Layered with old wounds, new secrets, and tension that starts on the first page and never lets up. Trace of Evil has everything I want in a mystery.”
Owen Laukkanen, award-winning author of the Stevens & Windermere novels
“Moody and atmospheric, brimming with mythology and mystery in equal measure. Alice Blanchard’s Trace of Evil is the kind of tale that lingers long after you’ve raced through its twists and turns to the utterly gripping finale. I simply couldn’t put this book down, and I’ll be counting the hours until I can visit Detective Natalie Lockhart in Burning Lake again."
Trudy Nan Boyce, author of the Detective Sarah Alt series
“A complex and tense drama. This book will keep you up and turning pages until the breathtaking ending.”
Olivia Kiernan, author of The Killer in Me and Too Close to Breathe
“Utterly compelling. You won’t want to put it down.”
Margaret Mizushima, author of the critically acclaimed Timber Creek K-9 mysteries
"In Trace of Evil Alice Blanchard weaves elements of atmosphere, suspense, and witchcraft into a compelling mystery that will hold readers spellbound. Irresistible!"
Sara Driscoll, author of the FBI K-9s series
“Trace of Evil delivers a gut-punch of a twist readers won’t see coming. This book is not to be missed!”
Carol Wyer, author of the Detective Natalie Ward series
“One of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read this year. Dark and intriguing, this is an absolute must-read that will tighten your jaw muscles and leave you breathless.”
Neal Griffin, LA Times best-selling author of the Newberg series
“Trace of Evil is a tantalizing mystery with just the right amount of unsettling horror woven in.”
Rea Frey, author of Not Her Daughter
"The title says it all: underneath our everyday facades can lurk an unimaginable trace of evil. Blanchard delivers a masterclass in guessing who is the most evil―and why.”
Ellison Cooper, author of Caged
“Trace of Evil is lyrical, dark, and twisted. I read late into the night and the final twist blew me away.”
Unshelved Edition
“Trace of Evil is a brilliantly crafted mystery.”
Bibliolater
“Trace of Evil is A MUST READ! There are so many moments that absolutely took my breath away and left me in total freak out mode. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.”
Bookish First
“Spellbinding and gripping.”
The Nerd Daily
“Blanchard created an interesting cast of characters that all come across as real, distinct people. Her settings are beautifully detailed and her masterful twists and turns make for an exciting read with an ending that both completely satisfies, but still leave room for more Natalie Lockhart stories in the future.”
Red Carpet Crash
“A shocking ending you don’t see coming.”
Alwayswithabook.blogspot.com
“I read a lot of mystery/police procedural series, so it's rare when I come across one that has a unique feel to it and that is definitely what I got from Alice Blanchard's new series. This was the first time I have read anything by this author but I immediately fell in love with her writing and know this is a series I will absolutely be following to the end!”
The Reading Chemist
“From start to finish, Trace of Evil is a gripping page-turner that is wrought with chilling suspense.”
A Court Of Autumn And Book Reviews
“Instantly became one of my favorite reads of 2020.”
Book Swoon
“This is a page-turning read filled with chilling atmosphere. Burning Lake is the perfect setting as Blanchard weaves a spine-tingling tale of witchcraft, murder, and dark history.”
PRAISE FOR THE WICKED HOUR:
Booklist, Henrietta Verma
“Jodi Picoult’s fans will be an apt audience for Blanchard’s chilling latest.”
21st Century Reviews
“I absolutely loved this book! 5 out of 5.”
BookPage
“The perfect read for winter’s extra-dark nights. … The Wicked Hour is a carefully plotted procedural that invites readers to examine each clue along with Natalie. A suspenseful and memorable finale.”
Library Journal
“A bewitching police procedural … the setting and musical topic are excellent, and the dramatic conclusion satisfies. For fans of Erica Spindler.”
Book Reporter
“The discovery of a body on the morning after Halloween in an isolated New England town propels this compelling, character-driven follow-up to award-winning Alice Blanchard's Trace of Evil. … Fans of Natalie Lockhart undoubtedly will be ready for the third book in the series, which hopefully will come as soon as possible.”
Associated Press
“Readers will welcome a return to Burning Lake with Natalie at the helm.”
The Nerd Daily
“Another perfect-for-fall atmospheric thriller. I was immediately excited to be back in the world of Burning Lake, New York … Lockhart takes what happens in her town very personally, be it good or bad. It is honestly a thrill to watch her work.”
Cierras Heart Of Books
“This is the second book in Alice Blanchard’s Natalie Lockard series and it is just as good as the first one, Trace of Evil. This series, part mystery, part police procedural has such a unique feel to it and that’s what I love about it – it really helps set it apart from all the other series I read.”
Steph and Chris’s Book Review
“I could read a hundred books with her (Natalie Lockhart) as the main character! The Wicked Hour is a 4.5 star novel that you will find unputdownable! I cannot wait for the next book in this must read series!”
JM Spade
“Alice Blanchard's writing was seamless and intriguing. I'm left wanting so much more of Natalie Lockhart.”
Read With Angie
“Another great police procedural from Blanchard.”
The Literary Vixen
“I really enjoyed her writing style. This is a fabulous start to the series and now I am a huge fan of Natalie Lockhart. More please!”
A Court Of Autumn And Book Reviews
“The Wicked Hour was an excellent second installment in this series, and I am already dying for the third book. Atmosphere, emotional depth, and the perfect amount of chill factor. … Pick this one up! You won’t regret it!!”
The Book Nurse
“Natalie is a great character and fully believable as she navigates her personal losses while trying to become a better detective.”
Books Of My Heart
“The events were shocking, a real twist. … But the ending, as far as Natalie’s life, was a stunner for me.”
Always With A Book
“This is the second book in Alice Blanchard's Natalie Lockhart series and it is just as good as the first one, Trace of Evil. This series, part mystery, part police procedural has such a unique feel to it and that's what I love about it - it really helps set it apart from all the other series I read.”
Book Reviews by Linda Moore
“From the first page you will be hooked. Very likable characters. Plot is great. Edge of your seat good.”
PRAISE FOR THE WITCHING TREE:
BookPage ― Lauren Emily Whalen, Reviewer
"Blanchard crafts a spectacular sense of place, and though readers may fear Burning Lake, they also won't want to leave."
Mystery & Suspense Magazine ― Pam Guynn, Reviewer
"A dramatic and heartbreaking opening immediately hooks readers. The stakes were high throughout the novel and kept me turning the pages. A fast-paced story line kept me turning the pages... The novel captivated me from the beginning to its shocking finish. Wow! I can’t wait to read book four."
21st Century Reviews
“Wow, I already had huge expectations for this book and it did not disappoint. “The Witching Tree” is AMAZING. It is a grip the edge of your seat and don't put down because your going for a ride type of book. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.” ― 5 stars
The Reading Beauty review
"My new favourite! A grisly murder, witchcraft and buried secrets and lies, this book has all the ingredients for a spooky read." ― 5 stars
Judy O., NetGalley Reviewer
"The Witching Tree had me holding my breath from page one to the final page. I could not put this dark atmospheric book down. I will be first in line for book 4. Alice Blanchard and Natalie Lockhart, you have a fan for life." ― 5 stars
Kat H, NetGalley Reviewer
"Atmospheric and cunning... This author writes excellent thrillers." ― 5 stars
Red Carpet Crash review
"Book number three in the Natalie Lockhart series is a thrilling, emotional ride."
Maureen D., GoodReads & NetGalley Reviewer
"I NEED more. What. A. Ride."
Luvtoread, NetGalley Reviewer
"I have given this creative and captivating book a rating of 4 1/2 BEWITCHING STARS!!" ― 4.5 stars
Miriam K. NetGalley Reviewer
"A compelling mystery filled with gritty crime scenes and characters that belie their tropes." ― 5 stars
Dana O, NetGalley Reviewer
"Ahhh I freaking LOVE this series!!!! I was SO happy to be back in Burning Lake with Detective Natalie Lockhart. I already can't wait to get my hands on book 4!" ― 5 stars
Anne-Marie H, NetGalley Reviewer
"Brilliant! Exceptional writing that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Suspenseful, white knuckled read! Brilliant story and characters! Highly recommend! I wish I could have given it more than 5 stars." ― 5 stars
Rubie C, NetGalley Reviewer
"I freaking loved this book! And had fun reading it!" ― 5 stars
Jennifer M, NetGalley Reviewer
"The Natalie Lockhart series is one of my favorite series of all times. Alice always delivers. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!" ― 5 stars
Sarah B, NetGalley Reviewer
"Amazing! Suspense at its best! Intrigue! Witches! This book has it all!"
Melanie Stewart, Bookstagram Reviewer
"I loved being back in Burning Lake with Detective Natalie Lockhart… and now with the added bonus of witchy vibes? Yes please!" ― 5 stars
Danielle Bush, NetGalley Reviewer
"Once I started I couldn't put it down!" ― 5 stars
Susan I, NetGalley Reviewer
"Alice Blanchard has created such an evocative setting in Burning Lake." ― 5 stars
Linda O'Donnell, Goodreads Top 100 Best Reviewer
"A taunting mystery."
Sarah B, NetGalley Reviewer
"I can’t say enough good things about The Witching Tree and this series! I cannot wait until the next book, like I need to know what is going to happen. Now!" ― 5 stars
Cindi A, NetGalley Reviewer
“A fabulous addition to your list of must-read authors!" ― 5 stars
Tiffany Faber, Bookstagram Reviewer
"I loved this book! Perfect for the spooky season. Cannot wait for the next one of this series!” ― 5 stars
Althea M, NetGalley Reviewer
"Wow, I already had huge expectations for this book and it did not disappoint. The Witching Tree is AMAZING… a grip the edge of your seat and don't put down because your going for a ride type of book. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.” ― 5 stars
Caroline W, NetGalley Reviewer
"This book is so flipping good, I’m not even sure what to say. It’s the third, and hands down best, book of the series. There are multiple murders (always with enough graphic detail to make me cringe), never-ending guilt and trauma for Natalie, a seemingly unsolved case, and a CLIFFHANGER!!! Not cool, Alice Blanchard. Not cool. And also brilliant." ― 5 stars
Judy D., NetGalley Reviewer
"This is my favorite book in the series - it just gets better and better." ― 5 stars
Melanie S, NetGalley Reviewer
"I loved this one! I loved being back in Burning Lake with Detective Natalie Lockhart. I really enjoy detective novels, and now with the added bonus of witchy vibes? Yes please! " ― 5 stars
Brianna M, NetGalley Reviewer
"I love how the characters are developed, they jump right off the page. The atmosphere of the book is incredible, and the story is exciting and kept me on the edge of my reading chair."
Leslie F, NetGalley Reviewer
"It's perfect for a chilly October day!" ― 5 stars
Mandy M, NetGalley Reviewer
"I loved this book. Blanchard's writing is swift and eloquent... from broad-stroke descriptions that perfectly set up each chapter to the well-paced dialogue and plot reveals, The Witching Tree serves as a masterclass in mystery." ― 5 stars
Kelsey B, NetGalley Reviewer
"Bring on the next book, stat!" ― 5 stars
Brittany H, NetGalley Reviewer
"This is one of the best I've read in a long time!" ― 5 stars
Jenny S, NetGalley Reviewer
“The Witching Tree is an intense, twisty, mystery, that will leave you flying through the pages. This book is the third in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Let me just say that as soon as I finished The Witching Tree, I bought the first two books!”
Shannon L, NetGalley reviewer
"My favorite Natalie Lockhart book so far! The characters are so well developed and the storyline is very intriguing. I still can’t believe the cliffhanger!" ― 5 stars
Christin W, NetGalley Reviewer
“The Witching Tree is 5 huge stars (I would give it more if I could)!” ― 5 stars
Beatrice M, NetGalley Reviewer
"So good I had a hard time putting it down." ― 5 stars
Melody J, NetGalley reviewer
"Excellent." ― 5 stars
Debra G, NetGalley reviewer
"A forceful, passionate mystery that will stay with you long after you close the cover." ― 5 stars
Leah H., NetGalley Reviewer
"Best book of the series." ― 5 stars
Maggie P, NetGalley Reviewer
"Blanchard at her best. Detective Lockhart makes shocking small town discoveries throughout this exciting and thrilling novel. I loved it. Kept me wanting to read until the shocking end!" ― 5 stars
Nilufer Ozmekik, Goodreads Top Reviewer
“I love the pacing, the intriguing love triangle between characters, the gory-dark- haunted depictions, jaw dropping moments… fasten your heartbeat… the cliffhanger at the end broke my heart so bad!”
Samantha H, NetGalley Reviewer
"There are so many delicious red herrings dangled in this tale." ― 5 stars
Karine B., NetGalley Reviewer
"This is my first book by Alice Blanchard and I can't wait to read more!" ― 4.5 - 5 stars
Lisa D, NetGalley Reviewer
"An exciting and twisty mystery." ― 5 stars
Steph And Chris Book Review
”I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this epic novel! … I devoured this book!!! SOOOOO DARN GOOD!!!”
Mandy M, NetGalley Reviewer
"While it helps to start at Book 1, you don't need to. Blanchard gives us snippets of the past without overwhelming her reader with info dumps, so if you're on the fence about starting mid-series, trust me and take the leap." ― 5 stars
Jenna M, NetGalley Reviewer
"Another fantastic Detective Lockhart book by Alice Blanchard! I love the way that Blanchard develops her characters throughout this series and truly cannot wait for the next book!" ― 5 stars
The Free Lance–Star ― Jay Strafford, Reviewer
“Blanchard concocts a gripping and unusual whodunit with a complex protagonist, a wealth of suspects, an enlightening look at Wicca, a sober portrayal of small-town fears, and a cliff-hanger conclusion that demands a fourth installment in her series. May the simmering cauldron of her imagination soon yield one.”
PRAISE FOR THE SHADOW GIRLS:
She Reads, “Most-Anticipated Thrillers Coming in 2023”
Criminal Element, “Our Most Anticipated Reads: July 2023”
The Rap Sheet, “So Much Crime for the Summertime”
Lisa Regan, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author
"Natalie Lockhart is flawed, tenacious, and a total bada$$. Just exactly how we like our heroines. Keeps you guessing until the end. These twisted & gripping mysteries in the town of Burning Lake will leave you breathless."
Mystery and Suspense Magazine
"Exciting scenes, a twisty plot, and an engaging protagonist will keep readers rapidly turning the pages. Blanchard is a superb storyteller who provides compelling characters, a fantastic plot, and gripping scenes... kept me fully engaged from the beginning to the end."
Fresh Fiction
“Dark, gritty, and totally engrossing.”
Linda’s Book Reviews ― ***** 5 stars
"Alice Blanchard has hit it out of the park again. This book will bring you to the edge of your seat. Five big stars!"
Dive Into a Good Book
"The Shadow Girls delivered. These cases will make your hair stand on end, your blood turn to ice, and your mind will race. I devoured this book. This series is fantastically written and will quickly draw you in. You will be fighting with anyone who makes you put your book down."
Steph and Chris Book Review ― ***** 5 stars
"5 Stars!!! Wow!! Alice Blanchard has once again knocked it out of the park with her latest novel The Shadow Girls. I highly recommend you dive into this MUST READ series!!!!! The twists and turns have their own twists and turns and just when you think you have it all figured out…you’re wrong!"
What’s Better Than Books dot com
"Mesmerizing, dark and spine-chilling! The Shadow Girls is an unpredictable, sinuous thrill ride... The writing is seamless and fluid. The characters are tough, determined, and flawed. And the engrossing plot is a tightly-paced, ominous tale full of twists, turns, surprises, violence, manipulation, depravity, and murder. A highly entertaining, gripping, eerie thriller... If you’re not already reading this series, you really should be!"
Kirkus Review
"Just when this police-driven story seems to wind down, there's a bonus mystery on top."
Jenn Brouwer, NetGalley Reviewer ― ***** 5 stars
"Fast-paced and full of gritty dark corners and twists. Breakneck speed flipping pages to find out what is happening in this town. A great read with wonderful characters. Heart stopping at times! A-plus for suspense and terror!"
Christin W., NetGalley Reviewer ― ***** 5 stars
"Wow!! In true Alice Blanchard fashion, the storyline was extremely well developed and perfectly paced - I was on the edge of my seat the entire way through! A 5+ star read that will not disappoint!"
Saltygalreads, Goodreads Reviewer ― ***** 5 stars
“I stayed up late last night to finish this one… it's a nail-biter to the finish! The tension is ratcheted way up in this latest book about Burning Lake. The descriptions of the grim discoveries, dark witchcraft, and dilapidated houses create that classic Burning Lake atmosphere of foreboding mixed with anticipation. The pace is quick and the revelations come fast and furious, especially in the final chapters of the book (the reason for my late night). I was definitely all in on this one. If you love a tense mystery and a modern, gothic Salem-ish setting with witchy themes then, witch, get yourself to the bookstore and buy this series!”
Marion DePierro, Librarian, NetGalley Reviewer ― ***** 5 stars
“Blanchard has a great way of pulling you into her stories. Great suspense… love Natalie and Luke plus the stories themselves. Lieutenant Luke Pittman is in a coma after being attacked by another officer, and Natalie who was going to quit her job becomes embroiled into the investigation and decides to stay on until she can solve it. Pick up this book and find out what happens to Natalie.”
Rubie C, NetGalley Reviewer ― ***** 5 stars
A gripping read... Blanchard’s writing is absolutely compelling. An unputdownable crime thriller series that was so intriguing, sucked me in right away and kept me engaged throughout.”
Sandy McGraw, Goodreads Reviewer
"What a twisty, dark, creepy, but totally engaging read! I could not put down this read... the creepy factor was perfect."
Leah H, NetGalley Reviewer ― ***** 5 stars
"I loved this one!"
Jennifer M, NetGalley Reviewer ― ***** 5 stars
"Wow!!!! This series just gets better and better! The Shadow Girls has the same energy and vibes as the previous books: creepy, spooky, ominous and suspenseful… a total page turner. I could not put the book down! Ugh, I need more…like now! :)"
Caroline, Goodreads Reviewer ― ***** 5 stars
"This book was absolutely phenomenal. PHE. NOMENAL."
STANDALONE MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS
PRAISE FOR A BREATH AFTER DROWNING:
The Wall Street Journal
"Terrifying... one of the most memorable genre villains since Hannibal Lecter."
Booklist
"Blanchard excels at portraying a multilayered main character who’s damaged but strong, and at sending readers chasing after red herrings. The closing twist, a complete surprise, caps a tale that is as absorbing as it is emotional and thought provoking. This is one for readers of Patricia Cornwell’s Dr. Kay Scarpetta novels...each starring a woman in the field of medicine who cares deeply about her job and about getting justice for those who’ve been wronged."
Publishers Weekly
"This riveting thriller from Blanchard ... offers three-dimensional, empathetic characters caught up in twisting events..."
Cemetery Dance
“As close to perfect as it can be in the thriller genre.”
The Crime Review
"Subtly paced and completely engrossing… Blanchard ratchets up the tension in tiny increments, from an exquisite slow burn that fills you with dread, to a furiously fast pace that rivals that of action thrillers.”
Seattle PI
"An engrossing late-night read."
Lisa Lutz, New York Times bestselling author of The Passenger
"Alice Blanchard’s A BREATH AFTER DROWNING had me hooked from page one. A spectacular, gripping, psychological thriller not to be missed.”
Sherri Smith, bestselling author of Follow Me Down
“Dark, chilling and complex. Blanchard is a skilled writer who spins a tangled-web thriller that will keep you up at night.”
Jacquelyn Mitchard, bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean
“In her newest, A BREATH AFTER DROWNING, Alice Blanchard has you by the throat before you know it. This story of a child psychiatrist stalked by violence past and present kept me up all night, long after I stopped reading. Blanchard is a powerhouse, and keeps getting better.”
Nancy Allen, bestselling author of the Ozarks Mystery Series
"A smart read with a complex heroine and an ending you can't foresee with a crystal ball."
Maureen Lindley
“A gripping thriller, clever and provocative.”
BC Blogcritics
"A finely wrought psychological thriller."
Novelgossip
"By the end of this book it took me a minute to realize that I had read the last twenty percent at a frantic pace, things were so intense and exciting I was racing to see what would happen next."
Linda's Book Bag
"Skilled, riveting and exciting. It’s a super read."
With Love For Books
"A BREATH AFTER DROWNING is a great compelling, sinister and shocking story. Advice: If you love dark gripping thrillers, A BREATH AFTER DROWNING would be a perfect choice."
Liz Barnsley, Liz Loves Books
"Brilliantly addictive, beautifully written psychological drama."
The Frumious Consortium
"One of the best evocations of paranoia I’ve experienced in a long time. I trusted no one."
Mathew Craig, Reader Dad
"This latest novel puts Alice Blanchard firmly on the must-watch list."
Divine World of Books
"I can definitely see this being my favorite book of the year."
The Misstery
"A BREATH AFTER DROWNING is one of those psychological thriller books that I’m still excited to read. It is both a mystery and a psychological thriller at the same time, and it’s not about husbands and wives and marriages gone wrong. And I love that! ... And I’d definitely read Alice Blanchard again!"
Books, Life and Everything
"I often see psychological thrillers described as 'gripping' and 'riveting' but it is not often that I actually completely agree that that is what they actually are!"
Not Another Book Blogger
"Dark and gripping and it will keep you guessing right up to the end."
Diario El Mañanero (Español Edition)
"This is a psychological thriller that will take your breath away."
Suenos Entre Paginas (Español Edition)
"It's a thriller that gets you from start to finish."
Crearte (Español Edition)
“Takes your breath away.”
Thieving Books (Polish Edition)
“Intriguing… fans of the genre will not feel disappointed!”
Monster Librarian
“Reminiscent of Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, with the rawness of Stephen King’s suspense novels, this one’s highly recommended for anyone craving a thriller that will leave a scar.“
Krimsuun Pages
“An addictive read. I was on the edge of my seat till the very end. The mystery and thrill kept me hooked and I didn't want the story to end. Alice Blanchard is a fantastic author and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.”
The Dream Cage
“This engrossing thriller is a page-turning read that will captivate crime fans around the world.”
The Scary Reviews
“I couldn’t put it down. I had a great time reading this book.”
Connecticut Magazine
“An elevated murder mystery.”
PRAISE FOR DARKNESS PEERING:
The New York Times Book Review (Notable Book Award)
“Tenderness – sweet, sad and heavy with regret – is not the customary feeling raised by a suspense thriller. But for all its dark artistry, Alice Blanchard’s deeply scary first novel, Darkness Peering, is not your off-the-rack genre thriller. Despite a plot that turns on a shocking suicide and some appalling murders, the emotional content of the story outweighs the horror of the events, inviting reflection on its rueful theme of needy people leading disconnected lives.”
Wall Street Journal
“Ms. Blanchard writes uncommonly well. She has written a first-rate shocker that deserves the noun ‘novel’ much more than most crime fictions that claim it… It is an impressive and highly effective debut thriller.”
People Magazine
“The terrifying plot thickens faster than a Penobscot Bay fog in this arresting first novel by short-story writer Alice Blanchard. But what makes the mystery truly haunting are Blanchard’s deft portrait of a town, her blighted, dead-on characters, and the evocative style. Bottom Line: Heartrending suspense debut."
Entertainment Weekly
“An impressive debut with a knockout finale.”
Publishers Weekly
“Switching genres with ease, short story writer Blanchard, who won the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for her collection The Stuntman’s Daughter, offers an accomplished suspense novel. Blanchard’s prose is swift and cinematic as she accelerates the suspense, and the tightly wrought ending offers a gut-wrenching, ironic twist.”
Kirkus Review (starred review)
“A solid first performance: the work of a versatile writer whose easy mastery of the suspense genre suggests she’s quite capable of continuing to surprise and entertain.”
Amazon.com
“Moving from writing short stories to a novel is more than a test of endurance – it involves a daunting feat of courage as well as working a whole new set of muscles. Luckily, Alice Blanchard has courage and muscles to spare… Blanchard has a heaven-sent gift for summing characters up in a phrase… Who could ask for anything more – except a sequel?”
Barnes & Noble
“… A riveting, heartfelt human drama – a genuine police-procedural gem from this first-time novelist.”
Los Angeles Times
"Mesmerizing. An engrossing, seamless mixture of psychological thriller, whodunit and police procedural.”
USA Today
"Blanchard's superior writing and observations will resonate with the reader long after the covers have closed."
Mademoiselle
"Sexy, sensual... gives you a serious sense of the shivers."
The Denver Post
“Darkness Peering is a finely plotted mystery-thriller with a final twist that hits like a punch in the gut. Gives Thomas Harris a run for his money.”
Booklist
“Blanchard makes a satisfying debut with this dark tale… clever and suspenseful. A worthy first effort.”
The San Diego Union-Tribune
“Blanchard brings her considerable literary talents to this exceptionally strong debut novel. Her crystalline prose is as chilling as the wintry Maine woods.”
AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)
"A chilling thriller."
The Orlando Sentinel
“Blanchard makes her mystery debut with a veteran’s aplomb.”
Tangled Web UK
“This is a riveting story… told with skill and a beautiful eye for detail. Treat your first editions of Darkness Peering with care… and keep them safe.”
Murder Inc.
“Wow. Blanchard’s polished and powerful debut pushes the serial killer novel to new heights. This one is up there with Silence of the Lambs.”
The Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Taut, compelling, remarkably assured and often horrifying, Darkness Peering is written with grace and style; tough where it needs to be, erotic and sexually candid.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Blanchard may have literary roots, but Darkness Peering proves she can hold her own with the plot-wielding, bestselling big boys. The last six pages serve up a kick that feels like it was delivered by a .44 Magnum.”
Maine Sunday Telegram
“Spine-chilling. It will make you jump out of bed in the middle of the night to check if all the doors are locked.”
Library Journal
“… An intricately plotted mystery… Highly recommended.”
Romantic Times
“A spectacularly chilling debut by a hot new voice in dark suspense. Ms. Blanchard weaves an unrelentingly twisted and haunted tale of treachery and murder.”
Author Jonathan Kellerman
“Darkness Peering is a novel of uncommon complexity, grace and power. A very impressive debut.”
Author Michael Palmer
“A frightening premise, fully developed characters, excellent pacing. Alice Blanchard takes her place among the best suspense writers at work today.”
Author Phillip Margolin
“Darkness Peering is a creepy and intense thriller. Its superb twists shocked me more than once.”
Author Cath Staincliffe
“Darkness Peering is a harrowing suspense debut with turbulent depths and revelations that continue to surprise until the very last page.”
Partners & Crime Review
“Startlingly fresh and intense... the tightly plotted clues keep you guessing until the end. Blanchard's 1996 short story collection won the prestigious Katherine Anne Porter Prize and little wonder, given her prodigious talent.”
Florida Sun-Sentinel
“Blanchard has the ability to mine the human heart for all its resilience, evil and goodness... she delivers a breathlessly paced plot... with a final heart-wrenching ironic twist that no one could foresee."
Ed's Internet Book Review
"The ending is unexpected and heartwrenching... you won't want to put it down."
Ensuing Chapters
“Featuring a gripping and poetic opening chapter, Blanchard takes hold of the reader’s throat and never lets go.”
PRAISE FOR THE BREATHTAKER:
Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of the bestselling novel “The Deep End of the Ocean”
“A heart-tingling, heart-squeezing mystery… filled with poignancy… eerie and deliciously scary.”
Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review
“Nothing could have prepared us for the howling horrors of this gale-force thriller… Blanchard’s artistry whips up excitement… She writes so well that she rattles the rafters.”
The Telegraph
“Alice Blanchard's The Breathtaker is an exciting roller coaster of a tale set in the heart of Oklahoma's tornado territory… The real villain of this thriller is the weather, and the climax leaves both policeman and reader breathless in the face of the raging tornado.”
Chicago Tribune
“A heart-pounding, highly literary novel full of stunning art and science. Blanchard's descriptions of what it feels and looks like to be inside a tornado at its full power are riveting and addictive.”
New York Daily News
“Brilliant… a dark and stormy novel and a particularly thrilling one.”
Daily Express UK
"Superb."
The Flint Journal
"Blanchard may be the most criminally overlooked writer in current suspense fiction. This is popular writing at its finest, and her absence from the bestseller list - and the lack of a huge campaign to promote her - is a mystery to me."
Independent on Sunday UK
"A brilliant study of violence and grief, powerful as the tornado itself."
Denver Rocky Mountain News
“What makes The Breathtaker so exceptional is that it works on so many levels… A real twister of a tale.”
San Jose Mercury News
“Blanchard delivers a knockout blow. She dips us into the odd little world of storm chasers, both the professionals and the hobbyists. It's a terrific thriller that does not insult the intelligent reader and just gets harder to put down as the pages turn."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Fantastic… Blanchard has concocted one hell of a whirlwind ride… A tension-filled thriller that will leave readers spinning.”
Publishers Weekly
“Blanchard’s gripping second thriller follows a small town police chief’s pursuit of a serial killer who strikes only during tornadoes, but the “Debris Killer” is only one of the highlights of this fast-moving shocker, which also features the keen characterizations and fine atmospherics of the author’s first thriller, Darkness Peering… As tornado season comes on, more victims are discovered, and Charlie begins to suspect someone very close to him, before the murderer leads him on a final terrifying chase that will have readers gasping… Gale force sales are predicted.”
Library Journal (starred review)
“Blanchard (Darkness Peering) has laced together a breathtaking vortex of a story about love, death, murder and ordinary people living chaotic lives in Promise, OK, and its surroundings--known, notoriously, as tornado alley. Well paced, well plotted, and beautifully written, Breathtaker succeeds as a gripping thriller and a well-told tale. John Wells Productions (White Oleander) has bought the film rights. Highly recommended for all popular collections.”
Romantic Times: Top Pick, ****1/2 GOLD
“In a word--wow! Blanchard has outdone herself in this unique and mesmerizing thriller. With both an angry Mother Nature and a deranged serial killer on the loose, THE BREATHTAKER grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. An astonishing ride!”
Reviewing the Evidence
"This story kept me reading past my bedtime."
Audiofile (Audie Award Finalist)
"If you liked the movie Twister, here it is on steroids, with better research."
Mostly Fiction Review
"It's hard for the reader to know what they should fear more...the killer, or the fury of nature."
PRAISE FOR LIFE SENTENCES:
Kirkus Review
“Could be Blanchard’s breakout… her characters are exceptionally strong and her plotting is sure-footed.”
Publishers Weekly
“Blanchard again proves how research enriches detective fiction in this engrossing novel… Blanchard contrasts snowy New England memories with sunny California landscapes, intimate tenderness and violent obsession, lucid descriptions, compelling takes on the challenges and heartaches of degenerative disease, schizophrenia and abuse… action-packed drama and believable, believably conflicted characters.”
Romantic Times
“Are genes destiny? This is the dark and troubling question that hangs over this creepy and intense thriller. With each new book, the extraordinary Blanchard continues to make her mark on the suspense genre.”
Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times
“Alice Blanchard has a special gift for exploiting our fear of disease… she applies her skilled hand to schizophrenia; bipolar disorder; sexual deviance… The hunt for Anna is a classic cliffhanger with the lives of well-drawn characters at stake.”
Entertainment Weekly
“Life Sentences takes dozens of swift twists before a completely unexpected and satisfying resolution.”
Denver Post
“Blanchard ratchets up the level of suspense… truly three-dimensional characters… genuinely insightful musings on the human condition… holds one final plot twist that will surprise most readers. Life Sentences is a satisfying, well-paced thriller that will serve as one last, thoughtful beach read as the final weeks of summer come to an end.”
ET Life magazine
“A ripping read.”
Time Out magazine
“Life Sentences is both gripping and satisfying.”
The Irish Examiner
“In the contrasting landscapes of Boston and L.A., Blanchard sketches a strong sense of place, and the main characters are drawn with equal conviction and skill… a compelling read.”
Mirror UK
“Occasionally a thriller can be so well written the plot seems an afterthought. But Blanchard also manages to weave in a brilliant, timely story about Daisy Hubbard.”
The Guardian Unlimited
“A good thriller should send shivers of unease down one’s back; this one left me needing a massage to straighten out my spine… you’ll just love Detective Jack Makowski who weeps when he hears Roy Orbison sing Pretty Woman.”
Star News Online
"Electrifying."
Mystery Scene magazine
“… a gripping novel of psychological suspense.”
Bookreporter.com
“Blanchard writes her characters with a gifted pen. Descriptions are explicit, from freckles, red hair and greasy fibers to genetic predisposition, mannerisms and crime scene panoramas. Her artful use of simile makes for realistic pictures… Blanchard imprints indelible word paintings in the reader’s mind. Life Sentences is entertaining and keeps the reader’s attention through one plot twist or turn after another. Alice Blanchard becomes a unique addition to a new group of medical thriller writers.”
Monsters and Critics
“This well-constructed tale kept my interest throughout with some unexpected plot twists, fast action and enough science to make it all plausible. The author uses turns of phrase that are amusing as well as true to life. The reader begins getting drawn into Daisy’s life from the very first page, making it easy to identify with her trials and exasperations. Depth is added with detailed but not cumbersome interaction between the sisters, complete with their own private language. Detective Jack is a likable, flawed character…”
Bookloons
“Once again in Life Sentences, Blanchard does a masterful job of crafting a compelling, engrossing thriller that I highly recommend to mystery fans.”
Bookaholic
“Alice Blanchard is a terrific writer.”
The Tucson Citizen
“Alice Blanchard provides several plots twists and a slam bang ending that this critic didn’t see coming.”
Book Review.com
“Life Sentences was quite the page-turner and you did not know from one page to the next where it would lead you or whether Anna was really dead or alive. The characters were wonderfully written and you could feel their anguish and pain. I look forward to reading more books by Alice Blanchard.”
Mystery Lovers.com
“Life Sentences by Alice Blanchard is an utterly engrossing thriller… Blanchard brings her extensive research into gene therapy for mental disorders into a plot rich with compelling characters and narrative description that evokes the California and New England settings.”
The Derby Evening Telegraph
“A thought-provoking and intriguing book.”
PRAISE FOR THE STUNTMAN'S DAUGHTER:
Rick DeMarinis, judge of the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction (UNT Press)
“Blanchard takes risks. She walks the tightrope between sentiment and sentimentality, and never loses her balance. And by doing so, she tests the humanity of her characters and thus the humanity of her readers.”
Booklist
“Here is a collection of short fiction that can renew a jaded reader’s faith in the future of the genre. Blanchard has created 11 tiny, jewel-like universes in her stories.”
Publishers Weekly (starred review/books of unusual interest and merit)
“It’s easy to see why judge Rick DeMarinis awarded this breathtaking collection of stories the Katherine Anne Porter prize. The prose is confiding, the dialogue familiar, which gives Blanchard’s stories an intimate everyday-ness that makes her family narratives disturbing and affecting.”
Kirkus Reviews
“The darker side of American Graffiti in 11 spare, vividly written stories... Blanchard adroitly fashions crisp vignettes seasoned with wry, sardonic dialogue in these arresting tales.”
Peter LaSalle, Winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction
“The territory of Blanchard’s stories is a hauntingly real America inhabited by everyday people with big sadnesses, and hope, often living smack on the edge. Couple that with careful structuring and a language that in its rich detail almost paints rather than writes, and one couldn’t ask for a finer fictional debut.