Thin Air (Jessica Shaw)
By Lisa Gray
1⭐
If I could give it 0 stars I would. I try my best not to write many bad reviews. However if I am going to write a review it is going to be honest . This is my first read by this author and may just be the last.This is the first book in a new Jessica Shaw series by Lisa Gray. I figured out the killer early on and there was just too much unnecessary description. At times she would write 2 pages describing a room. This was done over and over. Thin Air is told from several points of view and alternating timelines . And was very confusing. The past (the 90s when Jessica was first abducted )and in the present (as Jessica works to solve the mystery of her past) all while Detective Pryce works a mystery in the present. Thin Air is Advertised as a thriller,however there is nothing thrilling about it . In fact ,It's a very, very boreing read. It didn't keep me hooked at all. I kelpt putting the book down not really wanting to pick it back up. The main character was very unlikeable and uninteresting . And done some really stupid things.Such as drinking a quart of scotch in a short time, topped it off with a glass of wine laced with sleeping pills. Pretty much through the whole book All she did was drink and smoke. All of the Characters were underdeveloped and not believable. It was very clear the author did little if any research on law enforcement language, procedures, etc. Another thing that bugged me was the author seems to enjoy describing many minor character in a harsh negative way. Examples : bartender, with acne scarred face and limp hair, waitress old, her red hair is from a bottle, her breasts aren't natural, her fingernails fake, her tight-fitting uniform reminds me of a porn star, oh, and her name tag is crooked). It's not just the people she describes this way. She also describes places and objects like this. Another example was the bar stool with a rip in it from which the foam rubber cushion erupts like a popped pimple. Ewww gross and unnecessary. At times i wondered if an immature 5 th grader was writing. Save yourself time and money and pass on this one.

So, full disclosure: If I was reviewing this book as the first book I'd ever read by Lisa Regan, then I'd give it a three star rating. However, I am going to be completely transparent and tell you I did give half to one star because I have read some of her other books. I am by no means a super fan or anything of hers, however I do feel that I am familiar enough with her books and writing that I could fill in areas of this book with perhaps more than someone who wasn't as acquainted with her books. All that said, this book was not a bad book. It just was not especially sensational either. This is not a bad thing though. I don't like to read a book and review it based on how it compares to the books I read right before and after because it's not fair in my opinion. I think some books are written with the intent to elicit a strong emotional response in the reader and some books are supposed to do the exact opposite and be a little reprieve from the stress of life or just to take a breather and not have to overthink for a few hours. This book is one of those books you read when you want entertainment that isn't mindless, but isn't going to get you overly emotional either. I liked this book. I think most fans of this genre with recognize common patterns and might not be fully vested, but will enjoy reading this book.

IT was an interesting premise, the writing could have been sharper, but for light reading it was fine. I do hate the author technique of letting us inside the killer's mind in the first chapter. does nothing for me. the main character, was interesting and if further developed, might make a good lead for a series

This is a very impressive debut from Lisa Gray, who clearly has plenty of talent. Well written and fast paced, it draws together several narrative threads skilfully. I loved the idea of a PI discovering that she herself is a missing child, grown up – fab hook to start the book.

The main downside for me was the revelation of the villain. It was plausible but I didn't feel there had been enough clues for me to look back and say 'oh yes, that makes sense'. As a result, it felt like a bolt from the blue (and in fact it took me a minute to remember where that person fit into the story).

Definitely an author to watch, though, and I'd be happy to read another Jessica Shaw novel.

Thanks to Netgalley for for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was just ok for me. Nothing too exciting or interesting, and the book was easy to put down. I think this mystery genre really isn’t for me. They all seem like the same story.

Private Investigator murder mystery story, with a mix of past and present day storytelling. Good mix of intrigue, suspense, thriller, potential romance. Definite potential for this having a sequel or becoming a series..
I found the characters likeable and interesting, I liked the story and whilst I can't say I was gripped, I was enjoying reading the book and wanted to find out what would happen,

This is a brilliant start to a series. Jessica is a great character and I hope there are more books to come.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Easy reading, fast moving mystery/thriller. P.I Jessica Shaw receives a phone of a three-year old girl, who has been kidnapped.
Jessica believes this is her.....

It was a easy read and was hard to put down. I loved the story line. The ending was shock would not of been my guess.
This is the first time reading anything from Lisa Gray can't wait for next book

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. Since it was from a first-time author and the title itself was slightly generic-sounding, my guard was a little bit up when I started reading it. However, that changed after just a few pages because I quickly saw what a talented writer Lisa Gray is.

I was instantly impressed with her very good descriptions of things. How a building looked, how a character reacted to situations they were in, how mysteries were revealed and unraveled, etc.

Author Lisa Gray’s skills as a writer and storyteller made it all very compelling. In fact, I was just a few chapters into the book when I realized that in addition to already becoming a fan of the author, I was also already a fan of the main character, Jessica Shaw. I knew that, unless this book flip-flopped and ended up disappointing me, I was going to be reading the future books in this series with no hesitation at all.

But it stayed very good throughout the entire book and my opinion didn’t change. I enjoyed this story a lot. Mystery is my favorite genre and I read quite a few mysteries every year. If you’re a fan of the genre, I highly recommend this book to you.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was an accomplished debut thriller set in California from an author who surprisingly turned out to be Scottish! It seems to be the start about a series about Private Investigator Jessica Shaw, and while I didn’t particularly like her as a character, I reminded myself that I have often taken a while to warm up to some of my now favourite heroines, and that prickliness can be far more interesting than niceness. I will definitely be keen to follow her future adventures.

Jessica Shaw is a loner, travelling the country following the sudden death of her beloved father, going where the work takes her, but when she is sent an anonymous email about a child who disappeared 25 years earlier, she is shocked to recognise herself. When she arrives at the scene, she discovers that her mother, a beautiful bar girl with a difficult past, was brutally murdered the same night she was taken, and no one was ever arrested for the crime.
Meanwhile, LAPD detective Jason Pryce is investigating the murder of a college student in a seedy motel, but discovers that she too had secrets.

This was well written, with just enough descriptions to set a scene without being distracting, a wide range of potential suspects and an intriguing mystery with the reveal of the perpetrator coming as a complete surprise to me. Yes there is a reliance on coincidence which is a common feature of first time authors, but it wasn’t excessive. Jessica is a talented and driven detective who drinks too much, which is a bit of a cliché, but as her story is revealed my interest and sympathy both grew. I liked Jason and hope that he will return in future books. Violence mostly occurs off camera, there is some swearing and a scene in a strip club but no sex.

My thanks to NetGalley for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review.
Thin Air is available now.

"Thin Air" from Scottish author Lisa Gray, is the first in a new series featuring Private Investigator Jessica Shaw. I was strongly tempted by the intriguing synopsis and it certainly delivered on its promises.

"Thin Air" was an incredible début and a fantastic page-turner that kept on raising my interest levels with each and every page. Lisa Gray's writing was beautifully descriptive at times. The plot was daring and very solid and the characters were easy to get on with. I was so pleased to start at the beginning of a series and I will definitely be reading more from this great author.

I would certainly recommend this mystery/ thriller to readers who love detective or PI novels.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

A most enjoyable and interesting story line. Although the secret is given away early in the story, it doesn’t distract the reader from the many twists and turns this story takes to an unexpected climax. A very good read

A terrific tense chilling wild ride of a read,Jessica Shaw is a character that intrigues from the first pages.Excited to follow this author this series #netgalley #amazonuk

Requested on NetGalley and also chosen as my May first read means I really wanted to read this book, right? The synopsis and blurb promised the type of thriller we all love - a private investigator investigating her own missing person case developed well with the two interwoven stories. This is a solid mystery novel with enough clues and plot changes to keep you guessing the killer.

What a well-done debut crime novel! I enjoyed the strong character of private investigator Jessica Shaw and the unraveling of a cold case murder. Especially impressive was the natural, believable conversations and descriptions, since the author is Scottish and writes about the crime outside of L.A. I will look for Lisa Gray's next book!

Thin Air by Lisa Gray -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Thomas and Mercer
ISBN: 9781542093644

Thin Air had all the elements needed to make it a truly outstanding novel. The action begins with the first page and never lets up throughout. The characters are interesting and believable. They take turns telling the story and the exchange between them flows seamlessly. The idea of a young woman who searches for missing persons finding herself a missing person is unique.

I did not see the connection between two gruesome murders that were committed twenty five years apart or figure out who the killer was until the amazing surprise ending.

Although this is the first book in a series, it wasn’t a cliff hanger to force you to the next book. Thus, it was a very enjoyable, independent novel, baiting you to pursue additional ventures by its characters.

I absolutely enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more of the series.

Review: Nancy

Imagine your life went this way and then turn out your life wasn't what it was this what happen to Jessica when she learns she was kidnapped, her mother was murder and that her father isn't what he seems.


Jessica set out to found out about her past and learns some truth when she cross path with Detective Pryce she knows he keeping something about her father and her biological mother murder as he tries to solve the murder of young college student who moonlight as a prostitute.

I like Jessica she unique and she head first into danger without blinking a eye. This was a good read I like the twist and turns and how everything had connection. I'm looking forward to reading more about her.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Did not see that ending coming! Nor the connection between everyone. I like how the chapters were told in different perspectives. Just when I thought I had it figured out, a new connection was discovered.

I honestly could only get a few pages in. I can't read descriptive murder scenes. It's just not my thing but it could be someone's thing though. #Fiction #Thriller #Library #Bookshelf #Bookreview #Booklover #booksofinstagram #Read #Books #ARC #ThinAir #LisaGray #NetGalley

This is book one of a new series, featuring Private Investigator Jessica Shaw. The story takes place in Los Angeles and I enjoyed the local descriptions. The book is written in different perspectives and was easy to follow. The main story of a cold case/missing child is a clever twist, as very early on in the story our main character, Jessica, discovers that she is the missing person. There are two murders being investigated, seemingly without a connection: the 25-year old cold case murder of a young mother, and the second is a recent murder of a young college student. I’m looking forward to the next book in this new series!