The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 7: New Books to Make Your Heart Race by Peter Blauner

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 7: New Books to Make Your Heart Race Reviews

• 
  Sarah-Hope

  I love, love, love these samplers. I love being able to bounce between different voices. I love being able to imagine the setting and mood in which each of these books would appeal to me.
  
  My favorite sample was Picture in the Sand by Peter Blauner. A grandfather tells the story of his youth in Egypt in hopes of connecting with his U.S.-born grandson who has left home to join the armed jihad in Syria. The grandfather's voice is a delight to read: thoughtful and exact and empathetic. It's a voice I could listen to [read] all day long.
  
  Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hasting is the first volume in an historical mystery series featuring a (s)hero who writes an agony column. The diction here is a perfect fit for the setting in 1885 London. The central character is brave, unconventional, and resourceful.
  
  Finally, there's Red Queen by Juan Gómez-Jurado introduces an exceptionally intelligent female detective who has refused both to leave her apartment and to engage in work as a detective after a personal trauma. The language here is quick and hard-boiled. I can already tell that this title will be a noir I'll have trouble putting down.
• 
  Star Gater

  Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for accepting my request to read and review this sampler.
  
  Of note: I had previously read Picture in the Sand & All the Dangerous Things. I put in a request to read on NetGalley and my public library for Of Manners & Murders.
  
  Picture in the Sand: I think it's a writing style, its dry and simple, and I just cannot get into the story. There is communication between a grandson and grandfather that drove me batty. The genre classification, the beautiful cover, and the blurb regarding storytelling appealed to me. Unfortunately, this was a miss. Maybe it was written for you.
  
  All the Dangerous Things: I liked the main character, felt sorry for her, cried and laughed with her. The story is told through her voice. I wish I could convey without spoiling all the scenes I thought were smart, and the things I didn't see coming. Loved this.
  
  Of Manners and Murders -- A Dear Miss Hermione Mystery: The first in a new cozy series -- I want the rest of the story. Miss Hermione is the late 1800s Ann Landers. The first few pages were setting up the time period. The story kicks in and I found myself invested. This reads like a smart cozy. (This sample was the first two chapters.)
  
  Red Queen: Miss. The book starts well and I am being drawn in by an intriguing character. Then the filthy language starts, continues and keeps going. The author and I have standards, and mine are higher than his. Will not continue.
  
  What Have We Done: Miss. Another author who drew me in. I was so engrossed, a gust of wind blew my curtain and startled me. While it never entered my brain to swear, the author decided I would read anything and started dropping F bombs.
  
  Blind Spots: Miss. Unbelievable. Again, the language.
  
  Note: I have without NetGalley more books on my Kindle that I have selected than I could read in my lifetime. By the grace of technology and science, I can choose after a chapter or two not to continue with a book. My PaperWhite weighs very little and goes where I do. Yes, I carry 900-1000 books. Physically, I have approximately 200-300, even I am surprised by the number. Gifts, sales, and giveaway wins are in my house. I don't have to be uncomfortable reading. I don't pick up hood or ghetto books. I stay away from Mafia types. I expect trashy language in those.
  
  Two of the three in this sampler were just filling word counts. I can't imagine pitching or being proud of the work. I enjoy NetGalley, the request to review is approved on both sides. The last three I do not approve.
  
  
• 
  Faith Hurst-Bilinski

  Always get to add a few books to my wish list when I read a Minotaur Sampler. This time the most eagerly anticipated will be Picture in the Sand. A fascinating story about how you can do everything for someone, but they must choose their own path. It’s about family. It’s about losing control and having to be OK with that. It’s about how to be honest and how to respond with love. I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of this tale.
  
  All the Dangerous Things left me a little less enthusiastic. The idea feels like it has been done and done. The last book by this author did not really engage me and seemed to drag on until the obvious conclusion. Maybe this one will be better. I’d definitely give it the chance. I often like and dislike books y one author.
  
  A Manner of Murder is a wild card for me. The style of writing can really be hit and miss. I am often very annoyed by people who write in the past and try to still make it modern. I feel some of that in the sample I read. Only reading the entire thing will really tell.
  
  Red Queen may be my second, or tied for second, most anticipated here. I know this book has already been very well received around the world and it sounds like a quick moving and thrilling story.
  
  What Have We Done? was already on my list of To Read. Alex Finlay books almost always are. I am hoping for some depth to the characters that may be too simplistically represented in the small bit I was able to read. There is always more, though. I only like books about the slow reveal of past secrets if they are done well. I believe Alex Finlay can pull this off.
  
  Blind Spot really pulled me in. The very idea that the world became blind and we responded with technology to help us pretend to see is so….us.
• 
  Dani Boise

  Thank you St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur via Netgalley for this Sampler to read the first few chapters of some upcoming releases from Peter Blauner; Stacy Willingham; Anastasia Hastings; Juan Gómez-Jurado; Alex Finlay; Thomas Mullen.
  
  My thoughts in the order the stories appear:
  
  Picture in the Sand by Peter Blauner; expected pub Jan 3, 2023
  I think this will be a beautifully written story. I liked the writing style and descriptions provided in the first few chapters. I like the story layout being a Grandfather writing letters to his Grandson that suddenly left the family and country. The Grandfather hopes to change the Grandson's mind about coming home to America so he will be telling the grandson his life story. I may or may not grab this one upon release. It sounds good indeed.
  
  All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham; expected pub Jan 10, 2023
  This seems like something I'd like to read. The premise that someone could survive an entire year without getting a long stretch of sleep is intriguing and I'd be interested to see how Izzy's story plays out. The aspect of her speaking at True Crime conventions/ etc is cool as I know there is a big interest in true crime podcasts these days.
  
  Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings; expected pub Feb 7, 2023
  This is first in a series
  Admittedly I didn't think I'd get into this and that I'd end up skimming it. I didn't skim! I think I will like this story. It ends at the perfect moment with the Miss Hermione stand-in finding that the author of the letter she's investigating has already died. Was she murdered by one of the people alluded to in her last letter? Loved the descriptions and writing style. I tend to end up liking historical stories more than I think I will so I believe I will grab this story after release.
  
  Red Queen by Juan Gomez-Jurado; expected pub Mar 14, 2023
  This is first in a series
  This starts with readers finding out there is a police officer that has gotten himself into trouble -- he planted evidence for a pimp to be arrested for drug possession -- but he got caught. To clear this from his record he needs to convince a woman to get into a car with him. We know that there is a complex, mysterious crime this woman is needed to help investigate, but no one can seem to get her to leave her (very impersonal) home. I think this story seems great and something I'll definitely enjoy.
  
  What Have We Done by Alex Finlay; expected pub Mar 7, 2023
  Definitely seems like a story I'll enjoy. This starts with a bang (literally, there is an explosion). The three main characters all have seriously stressful situations happen to them within the first few chapters. Can't wait to read this one.
  
  Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen; expected pub Apr 4, 2023
  The blurb for this one sounds really intriguing and interesting. I found myself drawn into the Mark Owens character and the story premise that there is a device people use to "see" after all losing their vision. I hope this will be a really interesting read and I'll be excited to dive into this story.
• 
  Alexandria Brown

  I love this sampler! I don't really know how to describe it but it's amazing to have so many great voices in one place. I also was SUPER excited about the Alex Finlay book and it did not disappoint! Would highly recommend!!
• 
  Ann

  These samplers are a great way to find new authors. Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read these introductory chapters from a wide variety of authors. Thomas Mullen’s Blind Spots; Stacy Willingham’s All the Dangerous Things; Juan Gomez-Jurado’s Red Queen; Anastasia Hastings’ Of Manners and Murder; and Peter Blauner’s Picture in the Sand left me intrigued to read further.
• 
  Janalyn

  First stop volume seven of the Minotaur fall sampler is Picture In TheSand by Peter Blonner it’s coming out January 3, 2023 and is about the grandson of an Egyptian man who came to America with his own dreams and running from his own troubles wanting to make a better life and although it seems he has when his grandson has been excepted into an Ivy League school he decides to run to the Middle East instead and fight their holy war. He refuses to talk to his family… All except his grandfather. This book looks so good and is definitely on my to be read list. The beginning had me hooked and I cannot wait for it to come out. Next up is All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham and it comes out January 10, 2023 in mother son goes missing and she has sleepless nights but in the end it will be left up to her to figure out who was sending her strange messages and who Took her son. I have this in my Kindle already and I cannot wait to read it this book looks so good! Third on the list is Manners and Murders by Anastasia Hastings this is a cozy mystery coming out February 7, 2023 this is the set in the Victorian era end is a book after my own heart. It begins with a letter to Miss Hermione apologizing to her for all of societies rules and assumptions if you like high Society lady solving murders then you’ll love this book I myself cannot wait to read it I even looked for it on net Gally, the series it’s called Miss Hermione mysteries if anyone from Minotaur books is reading this please get someone to approve my request… Thanks. Next up is another mystery series but this one is called The Red Queen by Juan Gomez Garrido and it’s the first book in the Antonia Scott mystery series she is a forensic genius and can connect clues in crimes faster than anyone else but she’s had a personal tragedy in and tell her good friend needs her expertise to get his good name back but she is finding it hard I love this and want to read it so much this is one of those books you would pay $15 for the Kindle version or more it is like NCIS but in Italy. I cannot wait to read this! I have read other books by him and I am so about this. Okay Up Next is What Have We Done by Alex Finley one of my new favorite authors. Jenna Don and Nico all lived in an abusive children’s home 25 years ago and it’s things that happened there that are coming back to haunt them… This is definitely in my top five favorite books of the summer this year and probably this decade I love this book and thought it was awesome it was a thriller and it is full of twists and turns that feel authentic and make four a great ride. It comes out March 10, 2023. Last but definitely not least is Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen it comes out April 4, 2023 and there’s a virus that made everyone blind but there’s also a technology that helps people navigate their daily lives in life is pretty good until someone breaks in the system and changes peoples perceptions to a dangerous degree. Being blind myself I am so excited to read this book it sounds so good it is a rare day that I read a sampler in love every book in it but that day is today every book in this Minotaur Singapore for fall 2023 is an awesome read and you won’t go wrong with any of them I cannot wait to read the ones I haven’t read this is a book I highly recommend I love to read them and pick what I will be reading in the future while I pick all of them. I really highly thoroughly enjoyed this book. I received it from NetGalley and Minotaur books and I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
• 
  LindaPf

  I requested this preview collection because it included 3 novels that I already had the privilege to review. I want to be tempted to see if the other three are just as good!
  
  The three I’ve read and reviewed already:
  Stacy Willingham’s “All the Dangerous Things” —a 5 star sophomore thriller about the insomniac mom of a missing child trying to solve his case on her own after a year.
  
  Juan Gómez-Jurado's “Red Queen” — already an international bestseller, now in English, first in the 5 star Antonia Scott series (will be compared to a less goth Lisabeth Salander, but she’s a star in her own right). I’m already anticipating the translations of “Lobo Negra/Black Wolf” and “Rey Blanco/White King”.
  
  Alex Finlay’s “What Have We Done” — a 4 star twisty, brainy, multi-layered thriller with multiple POVs among a group of acquaintances finally feeling the consequences of a decades old incident.
  
  Have I been convinced to read more of the other three?
  
  Peter Blauner's epic “Picture in the Sand” is a sweeping intergenerational saga told through a grandfather's passionate letters to his grandson, promising the younger man a secret story in hopes that the younger man returns from a foolish quest. I am honestly not into historical fiction, unless it’s an assigned book club choice. But this book is an epistolary (of emails) that does hook you — not vast descriptions of long ago landscapes or treatises about history with enormous casts of characters. This novel is personal. I want to read more.
  
  Anastasia Hastings “Of Manners and Murder” is the first in the new Dear Miss Hermione mystery series. It’s 1885 and Violet Manville has taken over her aunt’s advice column called Dear Hermione — the Dear Abbys of the time were known as “Agony Aunts”. Violet thinks she is in over her head and she decides to meet a distressed correspondent, only to find her newly murdered. Violet is a delightful character, worthy of a series, and I do want to see how this turns out (and possibly other installments in the future).
  
  Thomas Mullen’s “Blind Spots”, a riveting crime novel with a “Day of the Triffids” blinding event (but, no fiendish plant aliens). Technology is allowing the people who were struck sightless to see in a totally different way — that involves full senses and perceptions directly put into brains. But — the technology seems to be hacked and a skeptical homicide detective investigates. This thriller is intriguing alone on its premise — the tension was evident and the plot seems like a winner, too.
  
  All together — a 5 star sampler! All these new publications will really make your heart race!
  
  Thank you to St.Martin’s/Minotaur and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
• 
  Laurie K.

  Blurbs are all well and good, But samplers are so much better. They are such a great way of getting a better understanding of a book that you may want to read. And as I found myself drawn in to several of the stories in The Minotaur Sampler, I can tell you that this is a particularly good one. I found Alex Finlay‘s What Have We Done, and Anastasia Hastings’ Of Manners and Murder particularly intriguing. So intriguing that at the end of each sample I was perturbed that I couldn’t read on! While not all were to my taste, I know that I will be recommending Peter Blauner's Picture in the Sand and Thomas Mullen‘s Blind Spot.
  
  Source: NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books
• 
  stephanie cox

  The Minotour Samples Vol. 7 took me by suprise. This book has 6 different samplers, roughly 2-4 chapters each, of heart racing, keeping you on the edge of your seat mystery thrillers. This gives you the chance to see if they are something that catches your attention. Samplers are so great for those of us looking for a next read. With so many options this lets us take a moment, read a few chapters and see which we enjoyed and want to continue reading.
  
  My favorite sampler and the one I am eager to know what happens next are What have We Done by Alex Finlay and All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham.
• 
  Blue

  I love the idea of a grandfather writing letters to his grandson. The grandfather soon learns his grandson is stuck on idealism. He's feeling that he knows how to conquer this thing called life. All Alex needs is a distance from his family. Both will learn lessons from one another.
  
  Peter Blauner writes about Egypt in a stunning way there are the Palm trees, the pyramids and the Sphinx. Why not read about those classic movies again or see a few? Remember Cecil B. DeMille? If not, take a chance and meet him. The Egyptian activists have their reasons for hating him. The book is grand
• 
  Brianna Rae Benfield

  This was my first time reading a sampler and it was such a fun experience! I’ve been trying to read more thrillers and mysteries lately, and this was the perfect way to discover new titles as well as finding out what kinds of stories I like and dislike when it comes to mysteries and thrillers. When I was reading through these samples, I couldn’t stop gasping and saying out loud that “this was so cool,” or “this is so interesting!” This sampler recommended me a ton of new books that I can’t wait to read! Thank you for sending me this e-arc!!
• 
  a w

  The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 7, offers a great selection of thriller stories that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. One standout author in this sampler is Stacy Willingham, whose cinematic writing style makes for a truly immersive reading experience. Her contribution is a highlight among the collection's gripping tales. While there is some variation in quality among the different stories, overall, the sampler provides a strong showcase of suspenseful and thrilling writing. If you're a fan of the genre, The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 7, is definitely worth checking out.
• 
  Pat

  This is a generous sampler of six mystery and thriller novels to be published January-April 2023. This the first Minotaur Sampler I have read. I loved being able to read portions of upcoming books by reliable authors before deciding whether or not to add them to my TBR. My favorite is Of Manner and Murder by Anastasia Hastings.
  
  Thank you, Minotaur Books and Net Galley for this ARC to help me choose my winter reading.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  ML

  I love the Minotaur Samplers! This latest edition definitely did not disappoint. Although I enjoyed all of the excerpts from the upcoming books highlighted in this edition, I am especially looking forward to reading All the Dangerous Things by Staci Willingham.
  
  Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
• 
  Christina

  I had two favorites in this sampler; the ones by Stacy Willingham and then Alex Finlay’s. I just received All the Dangerous Things in my
  BOTM December box so will be diving into it soon. The sample here had me hooked. Then with What Have We Done….it’s about teens at a group home who have a reunion of sorts. I can tell I’ll be on the edge of my seat/bed lol with this one! Can’t wait!
• 
  Robin

  This was another great collection of books! I have already read Stacy Willingham’s book, but I’m now really excited to read “The Red Queen” because of the connection to Bilbao (where I am now reading it) and the new Alex Finlay book!
  
  Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and the authors for an advanced copy of this book!
• 
  Beverly Kay

  The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 7 has given me just a taste of each book to see if it tickles my fancy.
  All but one most certainly did. What amazing authors we have with such vivid imaginations.
  Now to add my favorites on my to be read list!
• 
  Bengali Bookworm

  This sampler was a treat to read and now I am looking forward on getting myself some of the titles!
  
  Thank you #NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for giving me the opportunity to read this!
• 
  Cat Ellington

  COMPLIMENTARY SAMPLES.
  
  Brought to you by St. Martin's Press and Minotaur books,
  The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 7: New Books to Make Your Heart Race is a literary smörgåsbord of six standalone tales in the thriller, mystery, and historical fiction genres. A truly remarkable read, this well-selected assemblage includes works by a troupe of bestselling authors, namely
  Peter Blauner,
  Stacy Willingham,
  Anastasia Hastings,
  Juan Gómez-Jurado,
  Alex Finlay, and
  Thomas Mullen...
  
  NOTE FROM CAT ELLINGTON: My review of
  The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 7: New Books to Make Your Heart Race will be featured from 2-21-23 - 3-07-23 at The Review Period with Cat Ellington:
  http://catellington.blogspot.com/p/my...
• 
  Dianna

  Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for offering Volume 7. I love these samplers. A bit of six books to try is simply great. Not just any book either, all by good reliable authors - Finlay and Willingham to name just two. I liked all six snippets, but the two that interested me the most are The Red Queen and All the Dangerous Things. I’ve already requested them. Hoping for good reading and reviews.
• 
  Nicoletta

  I loved this sampler. It gave me the opportunity to read an extract of several new novels and add some to my TBR list. I think I will add The Red queen by Juan Gomez-Jurado and Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings.
  Thanks NeGalley and Minotaur book for the ARC