by K.A. Tucker
Genres: Mystery, Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series makes her suspense debut with this sexy, heartpounding story of a young woman determined to find justice after her best friend’s death, a story pulsing with the “intense, hot, emotional” (Colleen Hoover) writing that exhilarates her legions of fans. Twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a bottle of Xanax and a handle of vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers secrets in the childhood lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man who Celine herself claimed would be her ruin. On the hunt for answers that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.
He Will Be My Ruin by K. A. Tucker is a standalone suspense that will grab the reader from page one and hold them until the last page is turned. He Will Be My Ruin was brilliantly told through the voice of the protagonist, with a few chapters dedicated to her best friend through journals. Tucker created a riveting suspense that kept me guessing.
K. A. Tucker is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. While her earlier works -Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series evolved from romance to romantic suspense in He Will Be Me Ruin Tucker takes of her gloves delivering an engaging, suspenseful thriller. She immediately hooks the reader with a hair-raising prologue. Before she takes us back almost a month to the day Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York to pack up her friend’s belongings after an apparent suicide.
As Maggie begins to pack, she question the suicide ruling. She is convinced there was foul play and the further Maggie delves into her friend’s life the more convinced she becomes. A picture discovered in a hidden lock box and Celine’s diaries have her searching for a mystery man named J.
Tucker began to have the reader question the suicide as we learn about Celine in her journal. Before arriving in New York, Maggie would have said she knew Celine better than anyone but now she is not so sure. In her pursuit of the truth, she befriends the little old lady across the hall and the buildings superintendent. Her questions and engagement with the man she believes is the mysterious J. soon have Maggie trying to unearth clues on her own. All of this leads her on a dangerous path into the arms of a killer.
He Will Be My Ruin had twists, red herrings and colorful characters. I liked Maggie, Ruth and both men she encountered. Secondary characters like Hans and the Private Detective she hired to aid her all added interest and contributed to the story. While I had my suspicions, Tucker threw in some twists that had me questioning myself. The threads were all tightly woven, and the mystery well-constructed. The reveal and climatic ending did not feel rushed and I found myself holding my breath.
He Will Be My Ruin is the perfect suspense, mystery, thriller for a cold winter’s day.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Michele
I loved this one, too! The mystery was perfect, and I was swooning over the antiques! Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yay..so glad you loved it Michele. Thanks for your kind words.
Quinn's Book Nook
You know, I still haven’t read anything by K.A. Tucker. I’ve heard great things. I think when I give her books a try I will start with her more romancey titles.
kimbacaffeinate
You would probably love her Ten Tiny Breathes series Quinn, and her Burying Water series is romantic suspense.
Resh Susan
I have been reading many reviews on this one. IT must be really good.
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoy Tucker and hope you try her 🙂
Lorna
She’s one of my very favorite authors as well, and I loved this book as well 🙂 Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yay, so glad you loved it Lorna.
Debbie Haupt
Kim I’ve heard of this author but I haven’t read her but wow this looks like it could be right up my alley. I also have a favorite author who’s gone from romantic suspense to straight thriller JT Ellison’s debut stand alone thriller No One Knows comes out in March. Looks Like I’ll be adding a Tucker to my pile too. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
You would love this and I will check out your recommendation!
The Bibliophile Babe
I’m buying it tomorrow!
kimbacaffeinate
Woot! Enjoy my friend 🙂
Cyn
Oh this sounded like quite the mystery! It’s always awesome when the secondary characters are great too! Glad you enjoyed this so much! Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I loved the neighbor!
Aubrey Wynne
Ah, I have to pass this one on to my sister. She LOVES a good suspense that she can’t figure out first. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope your sister decides to read it Aubrey
Lynn Poppe
I really liked the Ten TIny Breaths books. I’ll need to check this one out!
kimbacaffeinate
I did too Lynn, and have loved seeing her progress 🙂
Sophia Rose
I’m reading it now so I’ll have to come back for your book thoughts. But so glad to see the high rating. That prologue grabbed my attention for sure.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, yes she does hook the reader right away
Mary Kirkland
I love a good thriller.
kimbacaffeinate
I do too Mary, and lately its all I want to read
Kathy
I need this book. I REALLY need this book! I’ve seen so many who love it, and the whole red herring thing is pulling at me. I’m thinking another email to the library or visit to Book Outlet to beg them to stock it on their shelves for me is in order.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo enjoy Kathy. I will look forward to your thoughts!
Angela Adams
I have yet to see a negative review on this book. Yay to the author! Thanks for the post!
kimbacaffeinate
Well good, I really like Tucker!
Emma
I’ve never read any KA Tucker but like the sound of this…it may be a place to start…
kimbacaffeinate
As a standalone it would be Emma 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I already have her water series on my must read this year list, but I may have to read this one first. I don’t know… I guess as long as I get a book by this author it is all good. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Yes…just pick one..and with the Water series they each will work as standalone!
Katherine
I’ve been wanting to read Tucker’s Water series but this one really has me intrigued. I’ve been in a mystery kind of mood lately and this looks like my kind of book!
kimbacaffeinate
It’s standalone so perfect 🙂
Whitley
I have been on a mystery bent lately, thanks for the rec! I’ve got a new book, and author it sounds like, to add to my TBR pile!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy..I have as well Whitley.
Heidi
I got a copy of this the other day as I am reading so many good reviews for it. I am in the mood for supsense and thrillers these days, so I am looking forward to starting this soon.
kimbacaffeinate
I really hope you enjoy it..the neighbor was a personal favorite 🙂
Tracy Terry
I always have such mixed thoughts about books like this. On the one hand reluctant to put them down and yet desperate for them to not to end.
kimbacaffeinate
You are not alone, I have that problem all the time!
Rosa
This looks like a great suspense book but when I first read the title I thought it was a love story, not a mystery at all.
kimbacaffeinate
I could see the title going either way..but yep it’s a mystery 🙂
Candace
I’ve been hearing good things about this and I think this is one I might like!
kimbacaffeinate
I think you would as well Candace!
kindlemom1
Christy loved this too, I’m going to have to pick it up now. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Yes. We want you to read it!!
Lekeisha
This book gave me thrills and chills! There were too much going on to be exactly sure whodunit. Glad that you loved this!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay..glad to hear you loved it too!!
Bookworm Brandee
Tucker is an author I’ve been meaning to try, Kimberly, and I just may start here. I didn’t realize this was a standalone and that’s appealing because I can read it and won’t automatically get behind in a series. Plus, I’m all for a twisty-good, suspenseful thriller. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, standalone..so the perfect chance to give her a try..although all of her series books will work as standalone.
Angela
I loved her Ten Tiny Breaths series but I was a bit hesitant about this one since it was more in the thriller genre. Although now I need this book. Thanks for the great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I hope you do, I think her writing is even better in the Burying Water series and in this one.
Wattle
I’ve not read anything by K.A. Tucker before but keep seeing her books getting great reviews. I think I might have to start with this one, I can’t resist a good mystery storyline!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay..I hope you try it Wattle or her Burying Water series.
Kristin
I think I was holding my breath thru your review, it was that suspenseful! Do you think Tucker is going to continue writing suspense or will she go back to romance as her main voice? Hmmmmm…. I’m still on the fence with this one, it may be too “adult” for me (tee, hee)
kimbacaffeinate
Personally I hope she does. I think they are stronger than her romance series.
Lucy
Looks like this book is interesting.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Lucy, I enjoyed it 🙂
Silvia
Oh my, this book sounds SO good . . . I’ve always heard great things about her writing, I definitely need to find the time to read her titles!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try her, especially her romantic suspense.
Nick
I love this author but I didn’t think this was her best book. I struggled with some of Maggie’s thought processes and decisions which made it hard for me to read and I wasn’t a fan of the suspense storyline. Regardless, I thought her writing was phenomenal as always and I’m looking forward to reading more suspense book from her! Hopefully, the next will be better for me. 🙂
I’m glad this was another K.A Tucker success for you, Kim! Don’t you just love it when an author continues to impress you? 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Bummer it wasn’t a fav. Maggie did things differently than I would have. I am excited to see what Tucker brings us next.
Christy LoveOfBooks
I love how her writing is evolving. This was different, but still had that addictive quality she does so well. Haha – and I loved that very end scene.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed. I am quite excited to see what she delivers next!
Ksenia
I haven’t read anything by this author yet, though I’ve heard a lot about her works. This sounds interesting! Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, it was good and she is becoming a go to author.
blodeuedd
Happy Monday!
kimbacaffeinate
*waves* Happy Tuesday. I am a day late in responding. I hope Monday was good to you.
ShootingStarsMag
I NEED to read this one. I’ve been wanting to read something by Tucker anyway, but this one is something I’m sure I’ll enjoy.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it Lauren. I am liking the direction she has been taking with her writing