The Revenge List

Frankie has started attending anger management classes. She has lost her cool one too many times with clients. One of the exercises in class is to start a forgiveness list. But, Frankie’s list ends up missing. A few days later the first person on her list is injured and then the second, then the third…and Frankie sees a pattern. She knows she is in danger!

Now, this book should have been a 5 star read for me. But…I HATED Frankie. I really found her to be a giant “Karen”. One of her outbursts was legit, but not so sure about any of the others. So, I had very little patience for her antics. Yes, she was in therapy for her anger issues but it was not like she wanted to be helped. So, this twist in this book…may be more her show more fault. But I really, really hated her. I almost dnf-ed this book because of her. I mean common courtesy goes a long way. Ok…I am hushing.

It sounds like I did not enjoy this book, I promise, I did. My issue with Frankie is my issue, not yours. There are several amazing twists in this tale and it just keeps building with intensity as the story moves along. Plus, the ending is fantastic…And I believe there will be a sequel.

Need a thriller with a humongous twist…THIS IS IT. Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

If We Don't Get A Sequel, We Riot! Or we at least start jokingly pestering McKinnon until she finally caves and gives us the sequel this story demands. And I in particular have a history with more than one author of eventually getting my way in these matters - through nothing more than constant begging. :D Read this book, and join my campaign!

Seriously though y'all, this book starts out a touch slow ish - Frankie is in anger management and meets a guy. But as things start to pick up, they *really* start to pick up. Then, it appears that McKinnon has shot her shot a touch early and we get into almost a Return of The King situation (where the ending begins to feel long and drawn out for no obvious reason)... except those last few pages. show more That is where you're going to join my campaign to demand a sequel from McKinnon, and we will eventually win this battle and get our sequel.

One of McKinnon's better books - which is saying quite a bit in and of itself, as McKinnon really is a masterful storyteller across all the books I've read from her - and I do believe the first I've ever demanded a sequel from. Yes, the story and particular its ending are that compelling. Very much recommended. show less

The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a very highly recommended thriller with a jaw-dropping opening. You'll be glued to the pages to see what led to this scene.

According to everyone who knows her Frankie Morgan has well-known anger issues, so it is no surprise that her father has asked her to attend six sessions of an anger management group. During the first class, she is asked to make a forgiveness list of the people she believes have wronged her. She makes the list in the notebook she always carries, but during the break she skips the rest of the class to get coffee with another attendee. Then an incident has her getting angry at him and loosing her notebook. She eventually recovers it, but not until she notices that accidents show more are happening to some of the people on her list. Frankie is desperately trying to find out who took the notebook and who is targeting the names on her list.

The Revenge List is an excellent, well-written thriller that was impossible to put down once I started reading. I liked this book at the beginning and then began to love it as I continued reading. After the opening, the tension is already high and keeps climbing. Events in her life are adding to the pressure. As the plot unfolds almost everyone is a suspect and nothing is as straightforward as it originally appears. There are several twists along the way as well as encounters with the police as Frankie does her investigating. The final denouement will provide you with a thrilling shocking jolt.

Adding to the interest are the background stories of the people who are on her forgiveness list and why they are on the list. Once these stories start being told, Frankie's anger becomes more understandable. Sure she still needs to work through the anger and forgive people, but the causes of it are more justifiable. Frankie becomes a fully realized character through her backstories and you will care about her.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of MIRA via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/05/the-revenge-list.html show less

Frankie Morgan has a lot of anger issues. Her dad tells her she must go to anger management courses run by his friend. While there, she writes a list of people she is supposed to forgive, but after the list goes missing and people on the list start getting harmed, she is desperate to try to protect the people on the list - especially one.
Due to her past, there is someone she is desperate to protect, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear, that she doesn't know who is responsible for all the injuries. When the realization hits, Frankie must make a big decision.
Curious if this one will have a sequel.

Frankie Morgan knows she has anger issues – a fact both family and associates don't hesitate to bring up, citing incidents where her outbursts have landed her in trouble.(not that she needs reminding!) To appease her father, who is also her employer in the family construction business, and in an attempt to get a grip on her temper, she voluntarily enrolls herself in an anger management program. As a part of an exercise in the group, she is asked to make a FORGIVENESS LIST – a list of people whom she believes have wronged her. Frankie harbors her share of grudges – from the person who killed her mother in a hit-and-run accident when she was a teenager, to people from her school and college days, and her present life. Oh yes, she is show more also angry with herself! (Not surprising, she does have anger issues!) The result is an exhaustive list that she diligently compiles in her spiral-bound notebook, which she subsequently misplaces. (Coincidence or not?)

Eventually, the notebook is recovered, but when one after the other people from her list is injured in freak accidents. Frankie realizes not only has someone read her list but is actively hunting down the people she has named and is hurting them. Her FORGIVENESS LIST has now become a REVENGE LIST – and there is someone out there exacting revenge for all the injustices Frankie has suffered. How long before Frankie or someone close to herself becomes the next victim?

The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a well-written suspenseful thriller. After a heart-pounding start, the somewhat uneven pacing took a while to get used to but I did like that the protagonist is characterized as a strong, smart woman who knows how to hold her own in both her professional and personal life. However, as the narrative progresses and we gain some insight into her past, we begin to understand her better. The mystery angle is well executed. Though I was pretty sure of who the culprit might be around the 60% mark, I did enjoy the thrilling ride to the end.

Overall, I found this twisty, cleverly crafted thriller to be an enjoyable read and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Many thanks to author Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. show less

I loved this book. It was original and dark. I could not help but wonder what I would do if I was in the same position. There are some twists and a few turns, which added to the suspense and overall enjoyment of the novel. I was satisfied with the ending and felt that overall this was a brilliantly plotted and fleshed out thriller!

***** Blog Tour *****

What works for me in The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon is the first person narrative. It allows that vision into Frankie and allows the reader to walk her path. What doesn't work in the book is also the first person narrative. The person responsible for turning forgiveness into revenge is revealed through Frankie's eyes. That leaves a distance from that person and hence from the ending of the book. The ending leaves me wanting to know more about this individual and life from their perspective that leads them down this road.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/06/the-revenge-list.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher’s blog tour.