By the Book


Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 08/12/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

A serial killer is using a novel as a guide for his murders in the sensational murder mystery, By The Book by A. J. McCarthy. When a page from a novel is found at a murder scene, depicting the method of the victim's death, homicide detectives Josh Riddell and Clint Weller are aware they may have a serial killer on their hands. The author is a local resident, which increases the likelihood the rest of the victims will be chosen from the same area. Expecting the writer to be a man when they go to question him, both are stunned when Tierney, a pretty and unpretentious woman, answers the door. Clearing her as a suspect, the detectives are concerned for her welfare and want her to go into hiding. However, Tierney knows there are twelve murders in the book and is frightened of the implications. Understanding what is at stake, Tierney begins investigating on her own, placing her own life at risk. Can Josh and Clint keep her safe? Or will Tierney become one of the chosen victims?

Intense and captivating, By The Book by A. J. McCarthy is a thrilling murder mystery with a psychopathic killer in the mix. The elements of mystery, murder, and suspense are skillfully woven together, creating a riveting page-turner. From the very start, I was captivated by the intensity of the plot. The horror created by the grisly murder and the psychotic killer's musings in the first scene was nightmare-inducing. I was so enthralled, I couldn't put the book down, and I had to know who the killer was and what drove him to commit such atrocities. With engaging characters, a suspenseful plot, and a bone-chilling storyline, it is a haunting and unforgettable story. This is a sensational murder mystery that will thrill those who relish amateur sleuth mysteries with a smidgen of romance, and enough action and drama to keep it exciting from beginning to end.