2 new thrillers by linda castillo and lisa unger – plus a giveaway!

linda castillo and lisa unger

Hey, itā€™s not my fault that the laundry is still in the hamper and the mail hasnā€™t been picked up in days.

Blame Linda Castillo and Lisa Unger.Ā 

If they didnā€™t write such riveting stories, I would have been able to get my head out of their books and my butt off the couch.

But they did.

They always do.

Iā€™ve featured both authors before, and am so excited theyā€™ve come out with new thrillers just in time for summer reading.

Linda Castillo writes about murder in Amish country, bringing readers into this fascinating, culture where secrets are buried and nothing is as simple and innocent as it appears.

In The Dead Will Tell, an Amish family is ripped apart when a robbery goes wrong. The mother is abducted and the father and four children are killed, leaving only 14-year-old Billy.

Twenty five years later, people are dying and Police Chief Kate Burkholder suspects their deaths have something to do with the tragic events that took place on the Hochstetler farm.

I love the Kate Burkholder series because sheā€™s such a complex character ā€“ strong with a vulnerability that keeps her easy to relate to, and I find it so interesting when sheā€™s forced to remember and reflect on her own Amish roots.

The story quickly becomes a page-turning who-done-it, and, let me tell you, I was caught off guard.

Lisa Ungerā€™s In the Blood is also about secrets but is more of a psychological thriller and it totally freaked me out.

College student Lana Granger takes a job babysitting a troubled boy who is manipulative, charming and possibly dangerous. He seems to know about her own childhood, riddled with violence, and the mysterious disappearance of her close friend.

The story is chilling, thought-provoking and just plain shocking. I now need to go for a manicure because I bit my nails down to nubs while gasping my way through the book.

I highly recommend both of these books as beach reading. Make sure, though, to slather on the sunscreen first because, trust me, youā€™re not going to want to move until you finish them.

Iā€™m giving away a copy of both books to one lucky Midlife at the Oasis subscriber. For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below. Contest ends on July 13 at midnight Pacific time. Winner will be notified by return email. Prizes can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address.

71 thoughts on “2 new thrillers by linda castillo and lisa unger – plus a giveaway!

  1. Those sound like great reads — summer or not.

    That second one reminded me vaguely of “We Need To Talk About Kevin”. I can’t remember who wrote it off the top of my head, but it was great. I highly recommend it.

    šŸ™‚ J

  2. Thank you Lois for hosting the second stop on the IN THE BLOOD and THE DEAD WILL TELL blog tour for Lisa and I. Many thanks for the lovely reviews. (and apologies for that laundry!)

    1. Ha ha! It’s my pleasure to host you wonderful writers any time — and, seriously, you did me a favor. xo

    1. Jessica–I’ll be touring in and around Ohio’s Amish Country next week when the book hits the shelves. The schedule is on my website. If you’re in the area, stop by and get your autographed copy. (or if you are the winner today, you can bring it and I’ll sign it for you!)

  3. I have read all of Linda Castillo’s books and Love Kate Burkholder. I’m new to Lisa Unger and I have read one of hers. Fragile and it was awesome. I can’t wait to read some more. Thank you!!!

    1. Thank you Amy! I’m so pleased you’re enjoying the books. I too loved FRAGILE and I’ve been a fan of Lisa’s since. You are going to love IN THE BLOOD–totally delicious!

      1. I am loving that you and Linda are hanging out here! Can we do this on a regular basis?! xo

  4. You keep reviewing books I want to read. I think I’ll have to stay up all night and never sleep to read all of the books I want to get to; now I’ll add two more to my list. Thanks, Lois!

  5. I have an addiction to reading good books. I have read all of Linda’s books and look forward to reading the coming book, The Dead Will Tell. I’ve never read any of Lisa’s books but this new one, In The Blood, sounds like it would be a good book to read and see if I enjoy her writing style. I will soon be in Sedona on vacation and will have some good books to read. Thanks, Wayne Rice

  6. I love Linda Castillo books and just received a recommendation for this book in another email and put it in my wishlist. They are always great and hard to put down. I haven’t had much luck with my book choices lately so even if I don’t win, this will be a purchase for me!

    Thanks for all the great recommendations!

    Diane

  7. Thank you so much, Lois for the kind words! And thanks for hosting this fabulous stop on our blog tour. And I’m not going to apologize for your laundry! I’m happy our books gave you an excuse to put your feet up and disappear for a while! You deserve. Good luck to all who enter, and THANKS for reading.

  8. I’ve read all of Linda’s books, but haven’t read any of Lisa’s yet. Funny…I just happened to be thinking about heading over to the library to drop off some books and a dvd I borrowed. Guess I’ll just have to go in now and pick up a Lisa Unger book. Any particular recommendations on titles to start with?

  9. Two of my favorite writersā€”thanks so much for the opportunity to win what I know will be GREAT reads!

  10. Love these authors – currently have a friend in England that I introduced to Linda Castillo’s books and she has raced through them all and is eagerly awaiting the newest. She is passing along the series to her friends and merry olde England is getting a lot of requests. Excited about the upcoming books.

  11. So exciting! Can’t wait to read these. I’m going to be narcissistic and shout,”Me, me, me! I want to win them!”

  12. I am so excited about Linda’s new book! I have been a fan since the beginning! I actually have my first Lisa Unger book at home right now. It is riveting! I am excited to read more of her works and as a librarian to recommend them to others!

  13. Oooh those sound delicious! Both page turners — the best kind of book. I grew up just outside of Amish country so is love to read biggest books.

  14. Linda,I have read all your books except for the new one and can’t wait to read it.Lisa I have not had the privilege to read any of your books but this one looks really good and am anxious to read it. Have a Blessed Day.

  15. I grew up in central Indiana and had the pleasure of witnessing the Amish buggies as a child. Later I traveled through Pennsylvania Amish country and was astonished at the peaceful nature they adhere too. Now my idealic vision of them is deliciously toyed with by wordsmith Linda Castillo. And I’m glad she does. Now if Lisa Unger is mentioned in the same sentence as Linda, I’m certain my literary world is about to go for yet another joy ride. >fires up the Nook<

  16. Just ordered the newest Linda Castillo book and you’ve introduced me to a new author. Thank you for that. Just what I need – another author to follow. The stack of books keeps getting higher!

  17. I love Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series; I can not wait to read the latest. I just put together a display of her previous books at my library in anticipation of her newest release. I’m new to Lisa Unger, the books sound great. Will start with Fragile.

  18. Although it is impossible for me to win anything, a deal I must have made with the cosmos in exchange for something to be named later, I will still try.
    Love to win the books
    Have a great 4th
    Donna

  19. I am a big fan of Linda Castillo and am looking forward to reading Her latest Kate book. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

  20. I don’t think I’ve read a book by either author, but I love thrillers! If I can’t put it down, that’s the best.

  21. I absolutely love Ms. Castillo’s Amish series! Kate Burkholder is a sister who needs a break. Lol.
    Looking forward to reading Lisa Unger’s books šŸ™‚

  22. Have loved the Kate Burkholder series from the beginning and very anxious to read In the Blood!

  23. Commenting to enter to win the books! I’m a longtime fan of Linda Castillo’s writing, and from the blog tour I can’t wait to read Lisa Unger’s work as well.

  24. Have never read any of Linda Castillo but am always looking for new authors to fall in love with. I’ve read Lisa Unger before and she writes some spine-tingling stories! I’d love to win!

  25. I have just started reading her books and just finished, “Down A Dark Road which l enjoyed very much. I just love Kate Burkholder as she does such a fabulous job and was upset when she was put on desk duty. I am going to have to get Linda’s first book in the series and go on from there. Just love the way she writes.

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