This was one very unexpected book by this author. I have enjoyed her previous thrillers, and this one was very unique.

There is so much trauma associated with this book, and though it does have a hopeful outlook by the end, this will be a hard read for anyone with empathy.

4.25stars-THE BROKEN PLACES by Mia Sheridan is a stand alone, contemporary,suspense thriller focusing on SFPD Inspector Lennon Gray, and Agent Ambrose Mars.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from omniscient third person perspective using present day and memories from the past, THE BROKEN PLACES follows in the wake of several murders and deaths possibility connected to a new designer drug in San Francisco. Inspector Lennon Gray has been assigned to investigate the latest series of murders but something about the killings doesn’t add up. As the body count increases, the FBI sends in one of their own, who may or may not have some knowledge about the ‘little blue pill’. Enter Ambrose Mars. Ambrose Mars has been temporarily assigned to search for the truth but Ambrose has a secret, a secret that will change the direction of the police investigation, a change that threatens Lennon’s future with the SFPD. As the case unfolds, Ambrose finds himself pulled back into the past, when his own life experiences gave way to a spiral out of control.

The world building is complex and intricate as the many of the victims have heart breaking stories of betrayal, abuse and loss. When the past comes full circle, Ambrose recognizes the how and the why, but it is Lennon Gray who may have come face to face with a possible killer.

The relationship between Lennon and Ambrose begins acrimoniously as Lennon struggles with a new partner, especially one from the FBI but all is not as it appears to be, and Lennon finds herself wondering where it all went wrong. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate

There is a large ensemble cast of law enforcements, homeless, addicts and victims. Throw in a podcaster, several family members, and the ghosts from the past, pushing our couple to reconsider the direction of their current line of thinking.

THE BROKEN PLACES is a story of betrayal and vengeance, addiction and abuse, retribution and obsession, forgiveness and love. The thought-provoking premise is dark and dramatic; the characters are desperate, determined and driven; the romance is subtle and fated. The epilogue fast forwards the story line approximately twenty-seven years, wherein we see a glimpse into the future for everyone concerned.



THE READING CAFE: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/the-broken-places-by-mia-sheridan-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6559592714


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2636049106


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

This is my first romantic suspense by Mia Sheridan, and I must say that it has been quite a pleasant experience, and Mia knows how to immerse in this kind of stories, where the mystery is a bit strong but the romance is almost simulteanea way.

Here we have Inspector Lennon who already knows about the dark side of the city, but when cases related to a drug are discovered, she is confronted with something unknown; that's why Ambrose enters the scene, who is an FBI agent and is appointed to solve the case.

It has been quite a mix of both characters in this mystery and romance and the twists and turns as they go along, it has been quite a hooking read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

The story is set in San Francisco amongst crime ridden drug use and homeless. Loved the suspense and twist and turns. You just never know.
The story though is dark and you need to be prepared for that because the descriptive qualities will immerse you in it. You will feel part of the story because of this but that for me makes for great storytelling. Loved the thrilling ride.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book officially publishes on 12/1/24!

The core plot of this book - the murder mystery of sorts - is what interested me in this book and it did not disappoint! Although I would classify this as more of a mystery or crime thriller than a contemporary fiction or romance-only novel, the crime and resolution had a unique spin that kept me interested. I thought that the character development and interaction was well-done here, especially with the subplot of the MCs. Giving this one 3 stars because I did find the pacing to be a little lagging at times. However, if you are a fan of any police procedural-type books/shows, I would recommend giving this one a read.

📚: The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan
⭐️: 4/5

Inspector Lennon Gray finds herself in the depths of San Francisco’s transient community as she takes on a serial killing case that has one common tie - an unregulated hallucinogenic drug left at each scene, with a mysterious “BB” inscription. Taking this case on, while also getting to know her new partner, Agent Ambrose Mars, is taking a toll on Lennon as secrets and trauma uncover with every turn.

A very solid police procedural read with a unique hook, Lennon and Ambrose give off a Stabler and Benson a-la-SVU style vibe (with some probable Stabler & Benson fanfic thrown in) - which made for the right amount of romantic tension in an otherwise dark book. (Seriously, read the trigger warnings, this book covers... a lot.)

Big thanks to Montlake via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Broken Places is out tomorrow, 12/1.

What a chilling and gripping read!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat! It was my first by Mia Sheridan and I immediately fell in love with her writing style and storytelling!

I would say this book is more of a suspense/mystery with some romance. I enjoyed the romance and I was rooting for Lennon and Ambrose, but I was also really fascinated and obsessed with the police investigation and solving the gruesome murders!

This was a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching read. It contains really dark themes (it is a murder mystery, after all) and I would definitely recommend checking trigger warnings!

If you enjoy suspenseful and dark reads with police work and some romance, I definitely recommend this!

Set in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, this timely and thought-provoking novel sheds light on the stark realities of extreme homelessness and the darker side of experimental treatments for PTSD. Against this backdrop of desperation and vulnerability, police investigator Lennon Gray is thrust into a case that challenges her both professionally and personally. The story begins with Lennon being called to investigate a horrific triple murder, where the victims also appear to be the perpetrators. The crime scene reveals unsettling evidence: the individuals seem to have participated in a chaotic “orgy” fueled by a potent combination of psychedelic drugs and chemicals designed to heighten aggression.

At the scene, Lennon encounters Agent Ambrose, an enigmatic figure from the FBI. Despite her initial reluctance to work with him, she finds herself both wary of and mysteriously drawn to her new partner. Their uneasy alliance grows as they uncover deeper layers of the case, which is tied to a secretive and controversial study involving regression therapy for PTSD. This experimental approach, designed to address trauma stemming from childhood abuse and neglect, involves orchestrated scenarios using illicit drug cocktails.

While one faction, led by a well-intentioned but desperate doctor, pursues these methods in secret to avoid bureaucratic hurdles, another, more sinister force manipulates the process to deadly effect. The ethical boundary between innovation and exploitation becomes a central tension as Lennon and Ambrose race to uncover who is tampering with the treatments and triggering a wave of violence.

The novel masterfully weaves its narrative through complex themes of trauma, morality, and the challenges of navigating human vulnerability in a world of scientific ambition and systemic failure. Flashbacks provide insight into the characters’ motivations and histories, though they demand careful attention to track the intertwining storylines.

With its realistic portrayal of social and psychological struggles, this gripping novel confronts the grim realities of our modern era, blending suspense with a sensitive exploration of human resilience and ethical dilemmas. The result is a powerful and unsettling story that lingers long after the final page.

”The world breaks everyone and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.” -Ernest Hemingway

The Broken Places was unlike anything I have read from Mia Sheridan before – or from anyone, for that matter. Coincidentally I was just at a book fair here in Finland listening to another writer talk about her book which dealt with drug addiction and also watched a documentary about it just last week so this book continued those teams. The Broken Places takes place in San Francisco and it follows two detectives who try to solve the gruesome deaths of drug-related victims, and that drug is unlike anything they have seen before. Or is it..?

In my opinion Mia Sheridan – whom I mostly know as a contemporary romance writer – is also a very skilled writer of suspense. I kept turning the pages and reading just that “one more chapter” again and again because I needed to know what had happened; also, our two leads, Lennon and Ambrose, were such wonderful characters, and their backstories were so heartbreaking, that I was very much emotionally invested in it all.

A truly remarkable read – and one which I’ll be thinking for a long time of after reading, for sure.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Spice: 🌶️.5/5

The Broken Places is a standalone mystery/suspense romance between an inspector/detective and an FBI agent. I'm pretty conflicted rating this one. The beginning was really slow until about 60-70%. But then it hit the ground running and I was immediately sucked in. I didn't really feel connected to the characters until 60-70% and honestly considered stopping about 30% in. Some people probably would've stopped reading but I'm glad I stuck around and gave it a chance. But just due to how slow it started off, it unfortunately dropped slightly in rating.

Now on to the actual content of the book. This one is DEEP! The Broken Places dives into such difficult topics. PLEASE read trigger warnings prior!!! My heart hurt reading some of it. The amount of trauma the characters went through is absolutely heart wrenching. This is a story about love, loss, and healing. I enjoyed the ending but I wish there was more. I feel like "back, forth, back, forth" was also overused. I'm sure there was a reason to keep repeating it.

*Thank you to Netgalley, Montlake, and Mia Sheridan for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

Book Review: The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan

This book is about inspector Lennon Gray who is investiagating a hallucinogenic drug that is forcing homeless people to violently turn on each other.
This is not my typical genre, but I recognized the author's name from some highly rated books, so requested the arc.

This was a tough one. Technically the writing was good. It was fast paced and didnt drag. But the content was not for me. It wasn's just the hard to read scenes. The romance gave me the major ick. The lying, the bending rules.. it just didn't feel right.
There are a TON of triggers for this book, which would honestly keep me from recommending to most people.

The one bright spot for me was the way the author talked about grief in regards to the death of a loved one. It was so poignant and relatable.

This has re-iterated that these types of books aren't for my tender-hearted soul... despite who the author may be.

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the arc. This title is expected to release December 1

2 stars from me.

🤍Book review 🤍

The Broken Places
A Novel
by Mia Sheridan

The Broken Places is a gripping and thought-provoking story that masterfully blends mystery, psychology, and the complexities of trauma.
The story starts with the investigation led by Lennon and Ambrose, tackling dark and brutal realities with authenticity and sensitivity.
This novel is a powerful exploration of the human condition, showcasing the resilience and strength needed to face trauma. Through its compelling characters, it highlights the many ways people cope with hardship, while also emphasizing the importance of compassion, understanding, and grace in the healing process.
Mia delivers a poignant message of hope, reminding us that no matter the circumstances, everyone is worthy of love, trust, and healing. The Broken Places is not only an engaging mystery but also a deeply emotional story that resonates long after the final page. Highly recommend for those who enjoy thought-provoking, character-driven narratives.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own

I love Mia Sheridan books, this one was unfortunately hard to get into for me though. The talk of SA right off the bat was also a little triggering, this book just wasn’t for me. As I said, I love Mia’s writing and archers voice is one of my absolute favorite books. This just wasn’t the right fit for me.

I was honestly hoping this one would have me hooked but it didn’t. It was missing something in the story. I also wish that the book didn’t start with the talk about SA. It should have been spoken about at some point but not the first thing you read.

I love Mia Sheridan as a romance author, but unfortunately I've found her thriller/suspense books to be lacking. this was slow and just not super engaging for me.

4.5 stars - Wow! My first thriller/crime by Mia Sheridan and it was amazing! The emotional heart strings are there like in her romances but with a more heartbreaking aspect. Drug users, homelessness, abuse (definitely check triggers) - someone is feeding on trauma in a series of murders. Amazing twists! A story that sucks you in and has great main characters.

Lennon is an investigator who has seen the worst of the city she serves. She's on a new case when she is forced to take on a partner, Ambrose, an FBI agent. Together, they investigate the use of a new drug that pushes it's users into weird and dangerous role-play.
This is a romantic suspense. I haven't read a lot of Mia Sheridan's books, because so far I hadn't been a huge fan of her books, but I feel like this one was very different from the others (at least from the ones I've read). I usually love me a good romantic suspense. However, this felt more like a detective/police procedural novel with some romance thrown in... so I never really got invested into the story. Also, be ready to suspend disbelief, as what is uncovered during the investigation seems very far-fetched.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book had me at a chokehold till the very last word. The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan was a fascinating tale of suspense, angst and heartache. The story can be shocking and disturbing a lot of time as the author expertly portrayed the anguish and danger of addiction and mental health issues. But what made this a compelling read is the constant flow of hope, love and redemption. Lennon and Ambrose are on a journey that will test their intelligence, resilience and above all, their own flaws.

Inspector Lennon Gayle isn't still accustomed to the gore and ugliness of murder. Specially not the ones associated with addiction and homeless people. But a serial killer is on lose. A new purple pill laced with hallucinogenic drugs is always found at the crime scene. FBI has sent Agent Ambrose to help with the case but it's all a game. He has his own reasons to be here. Can they stop the killer before that person eliminates the whole homeless population in San Francisco? And at what cost?

Please read the triggers because this book is very honest with serious issues like addiction, mental health, trauma, abuse and poverty. The author also gave it a bit futuristic vibes with the experimental treatments and trials. Lennon is a very sweet soul. Her empathy makes her stand apart from a regular cop but it could be a bad thing too. From the moment Ambrose appears, I could feel he has more than what meets the eyes. He has been through the deepest parts of hell and he will do anything to support the project that helped him to get out of the hell. He has this calm, controlled, sharp and dominating presence that made Lennon trust him. Their attraction was a factor too. But the mind games and power plays by the killer won't be easy to beat. Ambrose has to make Lennon believe in an almost impossible project so that she would help him to take down the killer and save people. The invisible strings were beautifully placed. It was fast paced and raw and intriguing. And I love how the romance played a complimenting and enhancing role.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Mia Sheridan is one of those authors who can literally write anything and make it a masterpiece. I have loved her romance and thriller side of writing. With this story being a little different I still enjoyed the ride. This story was weaved so perfectly where I could not predict a thing. I love how this story is so different than what I have read before, which is so Mia style. I loved the characters and their chemistry. I was hooked from the very beginning! This is why Mia Sheridan is one of my go to authors! Thank you Net galley for a complimentary copy!

Wow! What a story. So many twists and turns. A highly emotional, slightly romantic, extremely suspenseful story set in the most rundown areas of San Francisco. Apart from the drugs, the prostitution and the violence surrounding the murders being investigated by Police Inspector Lennon Gray, there’s also one more thing they have in common. A certain drug, in tablet form, is always left at the scene of the tragedy, with the initials BB on it. Now it seems the FBI have taken an interest, as Agent Ambrose Mars partners up with Lennon to investigate the how’s, the who’s and the why’s, and to try and catch the violent killer instigating these murders. Not for the faint hearted, the story goes into some in-depth scenes of violence, rape and abuse. Even the police struggle at some of these scenes. Who can Lennon trust? When things take a turn for the worse, Lennon has to decide how far she’ll go to solve these crimes. I’ve got to say I was hooked from the first page, this book had everything I love in a suspense novel. Told in multiple POVs throughout, but mainly from our two main characters perspective. A full five star read for me. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.