Thin Air

Jessica Shaw

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Pub Date 1 Jun 2019 | Archive Date 29 Jun 2019
Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer

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Description

A Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestseller.

“Lisa Gray explodes onto the literary stage with this taut, edge-of-the-seat thriller, and her headstrong protagonist, Jessica Shaw, reminiscent of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, delivers a serious punch.” —Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author

Private investigator Jessica Shaw is used to getting anonymous tips. But after receiving a photo of a three-year-old kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty-five years ago, Jessica is stunned to recognize the little girl as herself.

Eager for answers, Jessica heads to LA’s dark underbelly. When she learns that her biological mother was killed the night she was abducted, Jessica’s determined to solve a case the police have forgotten. Meanwhile, veteran LAPD detective Jason Pryce is in the midst of a gruesome investigation into a murdered college student moonlighting as a prostitute. A chance encounter leads to them crossing paths, but Jessica soon realizes that Pryce is hiding something about her father’s checkered history and her mother’s death.

To solve her mother’s murder and her own disappearance, Jessica must dig into the past and find the secrets buried there. But the air gets thinner as she crawls closer to the truth, and it’s getting harder and harder to breathe.

A Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestseller.

“Lisa Gray explodes onto the literary stage with this taut, edge-of-the-seat thriller, and her headstrong protagonist, Jessica...


A Note From the Publisher

Lisa Gray has been writing professionally for years, serving as the chief Scottish soccer writer at the Press Association and the books editor at the Daily Record Saturday Magazine. Lisa currently works as a journalist for the Daily Record and Sunday Mail. This is her first crime novel. Learn more at www.lisagraywriter.com.

Lisa Gray has been writing professionally for years, serving as the chief Scottish soccer writer at the Press Association and the books editor at the Daily Record Saturday Magazine. Lisa currently...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781542093644
PRICE US$24.95 (USD)

Average rating from 110 members


Featured Reviews

This highly anticipated debut "Thin Air" from Scottish author Lisa Gray, tempted me in with an intriguing synopsis and it didn't fail on delivery. Thin Air is an outstanding debut and Lisa Gray is a name that you should be looking out for!

Well, when you are delivered a killer hook prologue like this one,  you know that you are in for an exhilarating experience. And I was not wrong. The prologue is quickly followed up by an opening chapter that sets the scene for the protagonist, private investigator Jessica Shaw. Jessica is feeling lost in her life, after the death of her father, Tony.  We meet Jessica scouring the missing person's pages online, trying desperately to find some work to keep herself afloat. There is a real sense that she is running from something in her life and that she is very much adrift with no family or friends to help her keep grounded.

Along with Jessica, I was sucker punched when she received an email that is about to blow her whole world apart. Jessica is not who she thinks she is. Jessica has spent her life hunting the missing. Now, Jessica discovers she is missing! And #BOOM we are off! What follows is a nail-biting, cleverly crafted novel that will keep you reading way after bedtime!

The whole concept of this book was superb, imagine discovering you are not who you think you are and that your whole life has been a lie. Jessica is determined to uncover the truth behind her life and in doing so uncovers lie after lie.  Her past and present collide as she finds herself getting closer to the truth, but is Jessica going to regret getting in this highly charged investigation into her own disappearance? I am stunned that this is a debut novel, without giving away any spoilers this plot was dynamite! Perfectly paced, totally twisted along with well-rounded characters and an excellent sense of place.

I had wondered why a Scottish author decided to move to the sunnier climes of LA but I have to say that she got it down to a T! She created a realistic picture with just the right level of detail opening up the highways and downtown LA Hollywood across the pages. I have never been to LA, so I have no idea if the description is accurate but what Lisa Gray did achieve was to bring the location to life for me. The sights, sounds and smells all seemed so real that it felt like I was there!

The author marries up her own background in journalism with an engaging and compelling plot resulting in a read that I just could not put down. If it hadn't been for real life interrupting I could have easily read this in one sitting!

The characters were believable and I was intrigued from the outset as to how they all connected and this is brilliantly uncovered as you fall deeper into the story. Jessica Shaw was a refreshing change as a protagonist, tough and feisty without becoming a caricature, it was impossible not to be on her side. Her relationships with those she met on her journey were carefully built on leaving me with a desperate need for the next instalment in the Jessica Shaw journey!

I do hope that Jason Pryce features again in future novels featuring Jessica Shaw. Although his role in this novel was tied to Jessica's story, there was enough depth to him that left me wanting more!

As the plot unfolds the tension rises and I found myself suspecting almost everyone that Jessica came across. Clever twists and turns kept me guessing all the way to the very end!

Thin Air ticked all my boxes, characters, plot and sense of place all married together to provide an outstanding debut novel. The writing flows effortlessly, the storyline is unique and refreshing and you will be transported to LA, what's not to like!  Don't miss it!

This will be posted on my blog Chapterinmylife shortly

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Opening with a killer premise, and dragging me along for a thrilling ride - this is a cracking read and a brilliant start to a new series with a kick-ass female protagonist.

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PI Jessica Shaw is used to investigating and uncovering the dark secrets of her clients, but she isn’t prepare to learn, via anonymous tip, that she was abducted from her mother 25 years earlier. She learns that her biological mother was killed the night she was taken and decides there and then to solve the case of her mother’s murder and her own kidnapping. When she makes contact with LAPD detective Jason Pryce, she discovers he knows more about what happened that night than he is willing to share. This is a well written story of a woman’s search for both the truth and her own identity

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Not your typical mystery as the investigator finds out the SHE is the missing person. Tying together a variety of loose ends, the author does a thorough job, but somehow, I felt that I’d read this all before.

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Detective Jason Pryce is investigating the death of a young college student, found in a motel viciously beaten and stabbed. At the same time, private investigator Jessica Shaw, receives an anonymous tip, a picture of a three-year old girl who has been missing for the past twenty-five years. As Jessica looks at the picture, she realizes that she is the girl in the picture. The young girl, Jessica, was abducted the night that her mother was murdered. To get answers, she leaves for Los Angeles to investigate the cold case. As clues unfold, the way both women were murdered seems to connect the two cases. Is it possible that the same person committed both murders? A puzzling mystery that will put Jessica’s life in danger. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

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“He pushed past her and entered the murder house.”

Thin Air was an unexpected surprise. What started out as a seemingly semi-interesting, just okay plot eventually became a page turner that kept raising my interest with each page. The writing was at times beautifully descriptive, and quick and unforgiving at others.

The book follows Jessica Shaw, a private investigator, who finds a missing person picture of herself, when she was just a little girl. This leads her to LA to find out who kidnapped her, and who killed her mother, the one she never knew had existed. What follows is a novel full of twisty turns and secrets that slowly are revealed as she seeks out the truth.

This is a novel where the characters are all not what they appear. I wasn’t sure how the police detective’s separate murder case was going to connect to Jessica’s murder and kidnapping case, but it did so in an interesting way. About 70% through is when I became really invested and couldn’t wait to see how it would end. And I can tell you, the ending surprised me. And I liked it.

Would definitely recommend this to readers who love detective/PI stories. And even crime shows, like CSI or Hawaii 5-O.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer (publisher) for providing me a copy to review. I enjoyed it!

#ThinAir #Netgalley #thomasandmercer

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Fiction isn't my favourite genre so I don’t normally gravitate towards books of this nature. However, there was something about the description that piqued my interest with this one and I am so glad I read it. I couldn’t put it down. The author did a fantastic job using adjectives to keep the imagery in my mind alive. The characters were easy to get to know and the plot was daring and exciting. I was excited to realize that this is book #1 of a series, I will definitely be reading more from this author!

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I was so intrigued by the hook of this story: A private investigator who specializes in missing persons discovers that she, herself, is a missing person. Wow, such potential! Unfortunately, little of that promise was realized.

It was early in chapter 3, when we are seeing through the eyes of Jessica ( a 20-something American who grew up in Blissville, New York -- a part of Queens) that a telling phrase cropped up: Jessica's father Tony had "kept himself to himself." Americans from any region, of course, would say he'd kept to himself, a clue that the writer is from the UK and needed an editor who could weed out the Britishisms. But there were more of them , scattered across the chapters, pretty much nullifying any feeling of authenticity.

I liked the pace. Author Lisa Gray also handles the alternating time lines and points of view with skill. The characters, however, felt shallow (troubled and gritty, perhaps, but without much complexity), and the dialogue seemed dull in spots and gimmicky in others.

It's sad, because there was the kernel of darn good story here, and there was nothing a strong editor couldn't fix.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.

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This plot is captivating as Private investigator Jessica Shaw gets an anonymous tip about a 25 year old kidnap. When she sees the picture of the abducted child she is shocked to see herself Jessica goes to the rough streets of LA to learn that her birth mother was killed the night of the abduction. Jessica is determined to solve this mystery.
It was difficult to see the link with Jessica’s story and Amy’s mother at first. The story is told by many characters and it takes some time to figure out the key events leading to Amy’s murder. I loved how the story progressed and I thought the ending was solid. Overall I would recommend and will look out for more books by this author.

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Really enjoyed this book. I wanted to know the main character better and could see myself being friend with her in real life. She has a dark, but realistic quality about her.

The storyline never lost focus and it only took me three sitting to finish the book

Highly recommend.

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Detective Jason Pryce is investigating the death of a young college student, Amy, who was left viciously beaten and stabbed in a seedy motel. P.I. Jessica Shaw receives a photo of a three-year-old girl, kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty-five years ago. This is one missing persons case she has to take on. Because the photo that Jessica receives is of herself.

That’s the start of Lisa Gray’s Thin Air, a cracking thriller that held my attention from the striking opening prologue through to the nail biting ending. Fast paced, taut and action-packed, Gray has given us a protagonist we can root for; one who isn’t willing to compromise and who will seek out the truth however much it hurts.

Jessica is drifting, literally drifting as she uses her to travel across America looking for work as she tries to keep her mind off the death of her father, Tony. Rootless, she scours the missing person’s pages, looking for work.

Heading to Eagle Rock, Jessica sets out to research her background and get to the truth even as the parallel investigation into Amy’s murder is ongoing. Gray artfully mingles these past and present stories to allow the past to pitch light onto the present and to give us a layered and fascinating story that will keep our attention riveted.

Our intrepid Private Investigator is no shrinking wallflower. She is prepared to do what she has to to get to the truth. But there are those for whom the truth is an unwelcome visitor and who would be happy to leave it buried for ever. To these people, Jessica poses an unwelcome threat and she will need to be on her guard as she finds out who is friend and who foe. With well-drawn characters and an atmospheric sense of place, Thin Air is a cracking read .

Verdict: A fascinating and captivating debut from an assured writer with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. And a protagonist I know I want to hear more of.

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I really enjoyed this one, so much so that I stayed up till 2am on a school night to finish it! I’ve always enjoyed books about private investigators, probably because I’ve always fancied myself as one.
Lisa Gray tells story different to any I’ve read before, PI Jessica Shaw finds herself her own client and that she has herself been a missing person for 25 years. Jessica then realises that her whole life as she knows it and everyone in it may have been a lie and sets out to investigate the truth. In doing so, it appears she puts herself into dangerous situations with a student being found butchered in a similar manner as her real mother was 25 years prior. What is the connection between the two? Could Jessica be next?
I enjoyed the multiple narrative whereby the reader gets to meet the different main characters of the story. I think this is important to give away just enough but also keep the reader guessing. I unsuccessfully guessed who the killer was and found myself suspecting everyone Jessica came into!

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This is a well crafted debut that truly lived up to the hype.

The protagonist Private Detective Jessica Shaw is used to get anonymous tips until one day she receives a photo of a little girl missing from years ago, only to realize that this girl is herself.

She soon finds herself embroiled in a dangerous game with long buried secrets about her father and the murder of her biological mother.

This is a very well constructed mystery thriller with a likable and strong female lead.
The pace is engaging and the multiple voices especially those from the past shed further light on the present and help appreciate the character of Jessica even more. There is also plenty of clever twists and turns adding more excitement to an already gripping read.

Thanks Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and author Lisa Gray I voluntarily reviewed this book, and looking forward to Jessica's next adventure.

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This book will grip you from the start and it has multiple layers to pull away. I read this in one sitting and found myself on the edge of my seat. I am eagerly waiting for the sequel BAD MEMORY to come out on the 10th of October.

Thin Air is not to be missed!!!

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Jessica is a private investigator, who is sent a photograph of a young girl, kidnapped 25 years ago and she recognises the child as herself. What follows is a mystery, with chapters written in different characters. It's an OK read, just, didn't keep me hooked. I found the writing style a tad forced and plodding at times, although, the lead character of Jessica and Pryce (a homicide detective) were interesting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview in exchange for this honest review.

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Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica, a woman working as a private investigator finding missing people, sees a photo of a girl who went missing 25 years ago. She thinks it is her, but it must be a mistake and travels to LA to investigate. Meanwhile a cop named Pryce is investigating the murder of a college student.

I wasn’t that into this book at the start. I had issues with the fact that Jessica finds her own cases, without being hired by anyone. How do you pay the bills doing that? I also thought it was odd that when she went to this suburb of LA to investigate everyone was still in the same place they had been 25 years ago, still working at the same bar, still working at the same motel and so on. Too convenient. Once I got over those issues, I ended up enjoying the book. It was a nice break from the domestic suspense I have been reading since it was really more of a detective story. I was totally engaged and wanted to find out what happened 25 years ago and how it fit with the recent murder. The ending was solid and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

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Keeping the tension of a mystery up all the way in a novel is not easy, but this i a perfect example. Very well written and with very little slack, the story moves along all the way. Excellent characters and a plot that makes it all happen.

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On my To Read Pile is Thin Air by Lisa Gray and I look forward to starting it!

What captured my interest is the potential for this book to be a real page-turner with the description of a woman realizing something sinister happened to her as a child. This is the first in a series featuring the character of Jessica Shaw. I am not always drawn to series but this one might be like the Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton which I really liked.

Here’s the scoop:

Private investigator Jessica Shaw is used to getting anonymous tips. But after receiving a photo of a three-year-old kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty-five years ago, Jessica is stunned to recognize the little girl as herself.

Eager for answers, Jessica heads to LA’s dark underbelly. When she learns that her biological mother was killed the night she was abducted, Jessica’s determined to solve a case the police have forgotten. Meanwhile, veteran LAPD detective Jason Pryce is in the midst of a gruesome investigation into a murdered college student moonlighting as a prostitute. A chance encounter leads to them crossing paths, but Jessica soon realizes that Pryce is hiding something about her father’s checkered history and her mother’s death.

To solve her mother’s murder and her own disappearance, Jessica must dig into the past and find the secrets buried there. But the air gets thinner as she crawls closer to the truth, and it’s getting harder and harder to breathe.

This was an Amazon First pick for May and it’s getting incredible reviews. Read it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited or $4.99 if you don’t.

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Thin Air
(Jessica Shaw #1)
by Lisa Gray 

Hardcover, 288 pages
Published June 1st 2019 by Thomas & Mercer (first published 2019)




Goodreads synopsis:
She investigates missing persons—now she is one.

Private investigator Jessica Shaw is used to getting anonymous tips. But after receiving a photo of a three-year-old kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty-five years ago, Jessica is stunned to recognize the little girl as herself.

Eager for answers, Jessica heads to LA’s dark underbelly. When she learns that her biological mother was killed the night she was abducted, Jessica’s determined to solve a case the police have forgotten. Meanwhile, veteran LAPD detective Jason Pryce is in the midst of a gruesome investigation into a murdered college student moonlighting as a prostitute. A chance encounter leads to them crossing paths, but Jessica soon realizes that Pryce is hiding something about her father’s checkered history and her mother’s death.

To solve her mother’s murder and her own disappearance, Jessica must dig into the past and find the secrets buried there. But the air gets thinner as she crawls closer to the truth, and it’s getting harder and harder to breathe.


***

4 Stars

This is the first book in a new Jessica Shaw series by Lisa Gray.

Jessica is a private investigator and she finds her own version of a picture on a milk carton and realizes that she was a missing child. Her mother was murdered and her father, who was recently deceased took her away. This is a story of her search for answers.

I thought this was pretty good. The search was a twisty-turny thrill ride that keeps you guessing until the end. But it was the characterization of Jessica herself that really sealed the deal. It is the character that will keep you coming back again and again. She is not normal. She is unique and quirky. She never does what you expect she will. She runs straight into trouble without blinking. She is a classic rebel but she has a cause. You know she will find out the answers she seeks. You can just tell by looking at her.

Suspenseful, gripping, honest and amazing. This is one roller coaster ride you will want to get on.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

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This is a fast-moving and well-written thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the end. The characters are believable and interesting, the plot is well-crafted, and the ending left me hoping for more. I was glad to see that this is the first book in a series that will feature Jessica Shaw. She's a feisty, and determined private investigator who worked on a very personal case this time. It will be interesting to see her in future books tackling other cases. I look forward to the series - like this book, I'm sure it will be a winner!

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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

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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!

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Jessica Shaw is a PI from NY. She has no one left in the world. Her father died two years ago and her mother when she was a baby. When she gets an email from someone called John Doe her life is starting to unravel. Everything she thought she know about herself and her family proves to be a lie. Jessica now only has one goal: To find out the truth. The truth about the missing girl, her mothers murder and if the man she called dad is really her father.
I liked the character of Jessica, not being perfect and having struggled with things showing in the tattoos on her body. If there is one thing I didn't quite like so much it would be the constant need for alcohol. But maybe after finding out the truth about herself she can find peace and doesn't need drinking so much. The hunt for the killer was well written and I hadn't guessed who it was. It really took me by surprise but it made so much sense. I will definitely continue reading this series.

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I really enjoyed this book courtesy of an ARC. The main character is a PI, yet the story is about her and a child missing for 25 years. There is also a seemingly unconnected murder. I liked the characters and the pace of the book and the way that nothing in the plot was obvious.
I will certainly be looking forward to the next book in the series.

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My first read of this author and my feelings are mixed. I figured out the killer early on and there was just too much unnecessary description. I liked the setting of LA and there were some interesting characters but I did not like Jessica, the main character. There was so much potential but it just lacked the promise and I can't fathom out the "Thin Air" title. A good start to a new series, just not for me. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

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Thin Air was like a mash-up of some of my favorite things. The initial premise of a young woman who discovers she may have been a kidnapping victim as a toddler is the same initial premise of one of my favorite books, Caroline B. Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton. In The Face on the Milk Carton, Cooney did a fantastic job of detailing the conflicting emotions one would likely feel in this situation. For me, Jessica's reaction in Thin Air was very undeveloped. She didn't really seem that shocked to discover that her late father had lied to her about her mother and her background. Perhaps, she was just repressing a lot of emotion as she was still recovering from her father's unexpected death but I would've liked to have seen that explored more.

Thin Air is told from various points of view at alternating timelines some from the mid-90s when Jessica was first abducted and in the present as Jessica works to solve the mystery of her past and Detective Pryce works a mystery in the present. The flashbacks and alternating points of view wove together nicely and reminded me of one of my favorite shows, Cold Case. While Pryce and Jessica cross paths on a personal level, I really thought Pryce's case would've been best told separately in another novel all about him or perhaps he and Jessica will team up in subsequent novels and work together.

When we meet Jessica, she is living a nomadic life doing PI work throughout the United States. She reminded me a little of Lee Child's Jack Reacher except Jess travels with a lot more clothes and toiletries.

This was a sharp little thriller and it will keep you guessing but I hope subsequent installments in this series delve deeper into Jessica's emotional state, her connection with Pryce and I hope we see her "friend" Jack Holliday again.

3.5/5 Stars

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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!

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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"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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Absolutely fantastic had me gripped!!! Loved it! Can't wait for more from.this author. Storyline was great, characters were easy to.connect with

Thank you for the advanced copy

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This was a good read and the story line kept me guessing. My only criticism is there were too many characters to keep up with however I really enjoyed this book. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

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When reading a mystery, I appreciate an interesting main character, smart unveiling of the clues, and a satisfying ending. Thin Airfollow by Lisa Gray met all of these requirements!


Jessica Shaw may be young-ish, but she’s certainly not new to the party. She’s smart and resourceful, while still being a decently likeable person. In this first book, the reader finds out pretty quickly who Jessica Shaw really is. The problem is, no one knows why her identity was kept secret for so long.

There are so many characters in this story that it was difficult to keep up at times. The story also alternated perspectives, which helped to round out the mystery. It was unclear how two seemingly unrelated crimes could be connected; I was impressed by the clean way it was wrapped up at the end of the book.

The author left some clues that pointed to the killer as soon as the character appeared in the story. The how and why didn’t become clear, though, until the final pages. I was invested in Jessica’s story and wanted to keep reading. Thin Air contained more profanity than I typically read. It also contained many scenes with alcohol (like, a lot.) Though the writing style was overall easy to read, there were so many peculiar similes included as if the author had a checklist to fulfill. It wasn’t bad, just curious!

I really appreciated the portrayal of police officers in Thin Air. Sometimes novels present cops as dirty and corrupt. In this story, though, their hard work and diligence really paid off. I loved that! I hope I get to read the next book in the Jessica Shaw series.

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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.

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Such a good twist on a classic storyline. This is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely will not be the last. I really enjoyed the character development, the way the book ebbed and flowed, and the emotions the writing drew out of me! I was on the edge of my seat from the moment I started until the moment I finished.

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I had been looking for a good female PI for awhile now. This book was exactly what I was looking for. I loved that the case wasn't just a straight forward case but that there were twists and turns.

The book follows Jessica a Privete Investigator who gets an anonymous email with a picture of a missing child. Jessica though recognizes the girl in the photo to be herself. So she soon turns up in LA to discover what happened and why she was considered missing. When she meets detective Pryce she realizes he is hiding more from her than he is letting on. However he isn't the only one lying to her and not telling her the full truth. This book takes us on her journey to discover what happened and who she is.

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Thin Air by Lisa Gray is the 1st book in the Jessica Shaw mystery series, and my first book by this author. Private investigator Jessica Shaw receives an anonymous picture of a three year old girl, who was kidnapped twenty-five years ago from Los Angeles. The picture was Jessica at that age. Determined to find the truth about her parents and what happened, she investigates. I found this book to be pretty exciting, which kept me reading page after page. What a shock it would be to receive this information. I am looking forward to the next Jessica Shaw adventure, and I recommend this book for all people who enjoy a good mystery.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

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I really loved the setting and thought the author absolutely captured the feel of the classic LA based PI novel.. Good characters, great plot, excellent reveal. This was really enjoyable and I' would definitely read more in the series.

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This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thin Air had an interesting twist to a mystery plot line in that the Private Investigator found herself at the center of the investigation as a missing person victim. It had the potential to be very exciting, but it got bogged down in details. It's not a good sign when I had no problem putting it down. I also feel as though Jessica Shaw's character was not developed in a way that we actually cared about her. While it's fine to create a "tough female" lead, Jessica wasn't a rounded character -- she was very flat.

I think this was a decent first attempt, and I may see how Lisa Gray goes on to develop Jessica Shaw in the next book.

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I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

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I think overall I’d give this one 3.5 stars. It was good while I was reading but pretty easily forgotten. I’m truth I finished this about 3 weeks ago and clearly waited to long to write this review because I had to go read other reviews to even remember the character names.

Don’t get me wrong, the premise of the story was very intriguing and done well but there were moments that took me out of the “thrill” of the story (why was that kiss even written in??).

By the halfway mark it was just turning out to be a bit predictable and Jessica took a little warming up to, but I still wanted to solve the mystery with her so that kept me pushing through to the end.

I would probably recommend this as a starter crime thriller because of the unique synopsis, but I personally won’t continue the series.

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Loved it......
From start to finish this book had me hooked. The characters are fantastic from Jessica to Hopper the motel clerk you get a real sense of who these people are and the small town of Eagle Rock.
The story moves at a nice pace and time is given to all aspects of the story.
If I had any criticism is would probably be that in one or two parts it seemed like maybe a paragraph or a line was omitted from the book leaving you confused for a second as to where we were or who was who but honestly it didn't affect the pace of the book too much and didn't take from the enjoyment.
This is well worth a read

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Jessica is a detective. She receives an anonymous email containing information on a missing child. She is shocked to realize that the child in the picture is herself. This leads Jessica on a wild chase to find information on the case. She doesn't remember her mother, and her father died a couple of years ago. Jessica has little information to go on, but begins to search for answers. Where will her search lead her?

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Interesting new character who is trying to solve the murder of her mother. Lots of red herrings and a twist at the end. A good read.

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"First I want to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read this book for a fair review.

<i>"Not everything's black and white in this world, Jess. Sometimes good people make mistakes. Sometimes innocent folk are locked up for things they didn't do. And Sometimes, the really bad ones never have to pay for what they've done."</i>

I enjoyed this book. Lisa Gray has a new character in town and her name is Jessica Shaw. Jessica is a flawed, sympathetic and definitely likeable character. She is a private investigator who is using her craft to escape some of the sadder parts of her background. She doesn't always follow the rules which is fine by me.

Jessica has come to California after an anonymous email where she learns she is not who she believed she was. There was a gruesome murder, a disappearance of a young child and now it is 25 years later. Jessica wants to learn who are parents are but this quickly evolves into a search for a murderer.

The author does a great job of alternating between characters. This keeps the storyline moving and the reader questioning. There are many aliases - which didn't really get too confusing because the author keeps them in line together - oh and by the way - it drives our main character a bit crazy too.

As I said, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading additional Jessica Shaw titles.

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Jessica Shaw is a private investigator. She specialises in missing persons and while trawling through online pictures of various missing people wondering which job to take up next, she receives an email with a picture of a three year old with the message 'your next job'. Jessica recognises the little girl as herself, and with a little bit of investigation realises that she was once that missing person.

The investigation which she obviously has to take up, makes her feel her whole life was a lie and just has to find out what happened to her murdered mother, who her father is who brought her up, and who her real father is. Someone from the past wants to keep things in the past, and as Jessica faces things head on and unwittingly puts her life in danger.

This is a very intriguing storyline – not knowing you're a missing person – and it is cleverly written with a dual story of a very brutal murder of a young student. The two stories seem to be separate, and so many years apart, but all is revealed at the end.

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Set in L.A., the reader is faced with loss, secrets, betrayal, anger, guilt, fear and a search for the truth.
Holy sh*tballs! What an opening! My heart was racing as I read each line – until, well…you HAVE got to read it – #killerhook! Lisa Gray NAILED it! One of my favourite things when reading is when a chapter ends on a hook so that you have no choice but to read just a little bit more and this book absolutely does that. There is great description and narrative and the whole novel had a very authentic feel to it. If I hadn’t know that the author was Scottish, I never would have guessed from reading this book. I also really enjoyed the storyline – I thought it was cleverly done, leaving the reader on edge as the mystery unfolds. I didn’t know who to trust of believe. This was a refreshing take on the PI side with Jessica Shaw and having the reader delve into the past in a dual timeline gripped me. Brilliant!
Character-wise there is an abundances of interesting characters, but for the sake of not turning this review into a novel, I will mention three that stood out for me. Jessica Shaw – I absolutely LOVE her. She is a PI who is both cautious and reckless, curious and really has no time for any crap coming her way. I am definitely looking forward to what she gets up to in the next novel in this series.
Pryce is police and has secrets of his own. I found him to be bold, loyal and determined. And finally, Holliday – ADORE him! Cheeky, charming and totally disarming – such a brilliant character!
Would I recommend this read? You bet your sweet ass I would! Thrilling, pacy, twisty and captivating – I want to know more…like yesterday! For a debut, this was simply a stellar read and I look forward to the next in the series!

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Thin Air has been on my to-read shelf for nearly a month because as soon as I read the synopsis, I was hooked. So, as you can probably imagine, I practically hyperventilated when I saw it on NetGalley. I've never downloaded something so fast!

While I enjoyed the concept, I wouldn't necessarily say the outcome was unpredictable. Now, this isn't generally too hard to overlook, especially if the other bits are top tier, but unfortunately Thin Air didn't meet my expectations. I liked the characters just fine, although it often felt like the author was trying too hard to make Jessica seem all cool and tough. The writing was plagued by unnecessary descriptions, and/or weird ones like "..hedges as neat as a Brazilian wax." I've never really thought of things in terms of bikini waxes, but you do you, Lisa Gray.

One more thing that bugged me: everything was so convenient. I barely remember what I did yesterday, but these people have crystal clear memories of things that occurred two and a half decades ago, and they're all working at/frequenting the same places.

Overall, I wouldn't call this a thriller by any means, but it is an enjoyable read. It held my interest, though I don't think I'll be reading the next ones.

A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley and the publisher for providing with a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review!

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This was an interesting take on a mystery/thriller and the pace, on the whole, kept the pages turning. The main character isn't going to be put off her quest and she faces some tough challenges on the way. An interesting debut and some universal themes explored through a multilayered approach. I would recommend the book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

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Whist sitting in a coffee shop surfing the missing persons websites, PI Jessica Shaw receives an e mail from an anonymous source with an image attached, reluctant to open suspicion finally wins and she is faced with am image of a 3 year old that surprisingly is her

To find out her real identity Jessica delves into a 25 year old murder and missing persons enquiry to discover the truth as to who she really is

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A really good read. Good pace, strong lead character, well developed story...

A PI gets anonymous info about a missing child... she needs to look into it, she might be surprised by what she finds...

Well written and captivating until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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I can say i did finish the book there were plenty of times i thought i wasn't going to. at first i was a bit confused about the time line of the book it seamed to jump around for me. it was a grab you by the seat of your pants until the ending which that was the best couple of chapters in my opinion but don't let me sway you at all. i want to say this book took me over two weeks to finish it.

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A good thriller book that starts from an original premise. The main character, who is an investigator recognizes herself in the picture of a missing young girl. I highly enjoyed reading the book and didn't guess the ending.

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Thin Air was a solid 3 star read for me. I liked the premise: a private investigator running from her problems comes across evidence that she is not who she thinks she is. Her search for the truth of her identity and the killer of her mother leads her to Los Angeles, and puts her directly in harms way.

I loved the characters in the story, particularly Jessica Shaw and Jason Pryce. It seems that this is the first novel in a series, which is great news as I'd love to see more from both of these characters. All in all, I think this novel is a solid first foray into crime fiction for Lisa Gray. I'm excited to see what she comes up with next.

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Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK / Thomas & Mercer for this arc.

This was a fast read for me, but then it is less than 300 pages. Initially, I found it to be a little incoherent as the chapters bounced from character to character and in between 2 different time lines 25 year apart, but yet in the same neighborhood. I thought Jessica was an intriguing character in the beginning, but not particularly likeable. As the story progressed, I found her to be less intriguing and more of a mess. It seemed like she was using her questions of her parentage as an excuse to drink and then drink some more. But then I didn't much care for most of the other characters either. The story line was interesting if contrived and I kept reading to find it's resolution.

2.5 stars rounded up

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Lisa Gray surpassed herself with this debut crime novel. Jessica Shaw is a private investigator who must examine her own past in order to solve a murder. Her path crossed with other law enforcement who she discovers are not as transparent as perhaps they should be. Working with detective Jayson Pryce she discovers the past may not be as she first thought. What were the circumstances leading to her mother's murder? What does she not know about her father's past? Broken after her father's death she is struggling to keep afloat. While searching for work, finding missing people, she receives a photograph of a child kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty five years ago. She is stunned to discover that that child is her. So begins her search to uncover the truth.
This is an excellent debut novel from Scottish writer Lisa Gray. Hers is a name we will hear a lot more of in the years to come.

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A thriller that will keep your interest the whole book! There were a few slow parts, but that is to be expected. I love a good cop/detective/investigator book and with Jessica being thrown into it personally definitely kept you interested in the plot. I had no idea this was Lisa Gray's first book until after I finished it. I definitely recommend. I look forward to more books in this series.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review!

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This book is definitely a fast paced mystery/thriller. Now, for me the lead character Jessica is a little hard to take sometimes. But, she is a strong, female lead trying to figure out her past and figuring out who killed her mother.

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Excellent psychological thriller! It moved at a fast pace with twists and turns throughout! Well-developed characters and plot. Highly recommend!

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The first book to feature PI Jessica Shaw and it’s a cracking start to what I hope will be a long running series. Shaw is an immediately likeable main character and Thin Air places her at the heart of the narrative.

Shaw discovers she is a kidnap victim, taken from her family at a very young age and seemingly brought up by a family who are not her own. Determined to investigate her own past and a seemingly forgotten crime Jessica heads to LA where she shall encounter a cop called Pryce.

Pryce is investigating the brutal murder of a student who, despite her wholesome image, has been hiding a secret life from her friends.

The two investigations have a very different feel, Pryce in the immediate and unsettling present while Jessica digs into events long forgotten. Lisa Gray balances the twin narrative superbly and the story zipped along pulling me deeper into the lives of Shaw and Pryce.

Tension packed thrillers are my reads of choice and this was everything I had hoped it would be. I need some more Jessica Shaw in my life.

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A tense and thrilling journey into the dark underbelly of the City of Angels. Gray hits the ground running in this debut, and intrepid PI Jessica Shaw is a character to watch.

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Excellent mystery about a female PI who sets off to solve her own abduction as a child and the truth about her mother. Thin Air is the first of a series, and I’m looking forward to the next book.

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A private investigator receives an anonymous email regarding a missing toddler - 20 years ago she was taken and her mother killed. Jessica realizes she is the child in the photo and begins to research her past. Fast paced, quick read.

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The early plots are slightly confusing. However the author has a firm grasp and everything starts to slot into place.
Overall this is a good read. It’s the first in the series and I will be reading the next one

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A excellent debut novel .
A thrilling read had me gripped from the first page. I couldn't guess the killer so the ending was a shock for me

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A story that could easily have been taken from the headlines in any major city, a private investigator who specializes in finding missing persons, learns she is an actual missing person! This unique premise takes us into some less than desirable locations while our heroine looks for answers. What she finds only raises more questions. Lisa Gray has done an excellent job of pulling us into the community of characters that populate this story, making us care about them. As soon as I finished this book, I told all my book buddies, you HAVE to read this one!

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Jessica Shaw is a PI looking for her next case. While looking she receives an anonymous email of a link to a picture of missing child, Alicia Lavelle. As soon as she sees the picture, she immediately recognizes the young girl as herself. I loved this book. I was hooked from beginning to end! I honestly wasn't sure what direction the book would go. I would recommend this book.

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I always like reading a book with the authors go back-and-forth between characters and hearing their sides.

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Thin Air by Lisa Gray is a murder mystery thriller that I am happy to have added to my end of summer reading. A Private Investigator is at loose ends in her life, looking for her next case to come along when she comes across a missing child poster with a picture she recognizes immmediately - a picture of her as a small child! What ensues is a thrilling investigation into her own past to learn about the mother she knew nothing about and the fathers she thought she knew everything about. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

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I love a book where it leaves me guessing until the very end. I had quite a few theories as to what happened, but none of them were correct. I didn’t give it 5 stars because I felt like Amy’s character was randomly thrown into the plot. Overall, I did enjoy reading this book.

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This was a great thriller. It kept me guessing until the very end, and I usually figure it out pretty quickly. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

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Oooo y'all I really was captured by this story... it had a creepy start which I absolutely love... Lisa Gray did a fantastic job at keeping my interest throughout the whole book. I promise you will not be able to guess the ending!

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Excellent read.
This is my first novel from Lisa Gray and it will not be the last one. It was really an enjoyable and gripping book. Unlike many reviews I have just read, I stayed all the time guessing and I could not anticipate on what the ending would be like.

The story is really interesting and the narration went like in an action movie. It features Jessica Shaw, a private investigator, who is following a complex investigation regarding events she will found that many are related to her past and her family. The characters are all well designed and we finish to like most of them, despite what they did or how they acted in the past. We follow Jessica in Eagle Rock, a small town in LA, where a young and beautiful women was murdered 24 years ago in a way that shocked the community living there. Everybody remember what happened but no one could tell the complete and the real version. It will be the job of Jessica to put altogether the parts of the puzzle to reach the truth. The result will be beyond what she was expecting.

The author remarkably succeeded to led the reader to feel the particular atmosphere of a small town: gossips, people know each other, silence regarding on certain events, etc. I have also liked the way she used chapters to recall the past.

I highly recommend this book

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Thrilling story, great plot and characters that keep you guessing right til the end. Great for fans of this genre. Really enjoyable.

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3.5 stars
It was a really interesting mystery and I definitely want to continue the series. It felt like something I've read before, but still it was enjoyable.

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I absolutely loved this book.

The whole story line was original and I really enjoyed meeting the new characters.

This is a new crime series and as a massive crime thriller lover, i will most definitely be looking forward to Lisa Gray's future books.

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1st in the Jessica Shaw series. Really enjoyed this book, roll on book 2
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

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Great story from Lisa Gray. Can wait for the next instalment.
Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read! 5*****

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I really enjoyed this one. Ir never lost its pacing and the ending provided plenty of twists and turns. Jessica is a tough cookie, and she never loses her wits like some stupid heroines do. I look forward to more in the series.

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A gripping story that prevented me from putting the book down. It hooked me right from the start. I loved following Jessica’s story and I thought the plot was quite unusual. Highly recommended!

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A page turning, but sadly forgettable thriller that lacks depth and only skims the surface. Read if you need something where you do not have to think about the story or the plot too much.

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Jessica Shaw is a private investigator, who is relocating to California, but since she isn’t licensed there, having just left New York after the death of her father, is sort of a roaming PI. Acting on a tip, Jessica looks at a photo of a missing person who was three years old at the time of her disappearance; 25 years has passed, and Jessica recognizes that missing child as herself. Her mother was murdered at the same time, and her murder hasn’t been solved. Jason Pryce, a friend of her late father and a working detective for LAPD, may have some of the answers. Pryce is investigating a gruesome murder, however, and is reluctant to meet up with Jessica, because he knows what she wants and doesn’t want to open up this can of worms.

Jessica is a good PI, but hasn’t had as much experience as she would like to have had. She mostly does missing persons or unfaithful spouses, and this murder is a big challenge for her. Gray does a good job of developing her characters, and Jessica is a good, solid protagonist. She is, however, a bit of a low-life, and has piercings and tattoos (not something most readers look up to), and she drinks so much she is on the verge of being an alcoholic. She is also a heavy smoker, which is another telltale sign that she is trailer trash. Some critics have compared her with Jack Reacher, but she is about as “unclassy” as Jack Reacher is “classy,” and there should be no comparison.

Thin Air has a good story and Gray tells it well. There are twists and turns, and even though most of us won’t look up to Jessica, most readers will enjoy the story and respect her skills as a PI and a decent, albeit ordinary, person. This is the first installment of the Jessica Shaw, and lays the foundation for subsequent books. It is well-written, and recommended for readers who want a protagonist who is different from the norm.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

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Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book for my honest review. Yayy I was so excited that I was chosen to read and review this book and it was such a great book I can't wait to read more from this author.

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I have mixed feelings about this book, I enjoyed the premise of it however the writing just didn't draw me in and keep me interested.

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There are a few points of view in the story and I had to go back a couple times to check who was who, but I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from them. The story flows quickly and I didn’t guess the killer at all!

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THIN AIR by Lisa Gray
3.5/5 stars

Netgalley Review Copy

Jessica Shaw is a private investigator, specialising in missing persons. The last thing she expected was to be one herself. After receiving a photo of a 3 year old girl who was kidnapped 25 years ago Jessica is shocked to realise that the little girl is herself. Eager to get the answers Jessica heads to the small town where the crime took place, but the Answers may not be what she hoped.

This is the type of thriller where it’s just good, the characters are likeable, it’s fast paced, the plot is good but nothing that stands out to make me really go ‘damn that was good’
Would recommend this though, it was a good thriller

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This is the first book in a new series, and I can see the author taking it places. It was a good solid lead, and the series can just get stronger from here. Recommended.

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Brilliant - Just brilliant! A well written, incredibly tense thriller which will keep you guessing until the very last page!

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WOW! This book was quite good! I was not sure as this author was new to me. But I will be adding her to my author's list. I really enjoyed the pace. The book really had me turning the pages!

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WOW! Captivating and edge-of-your-seat reading kept me interested until the very end. What a great read.

Synopsis:
Private investigator Jessica Shaw is used to getting anonymous tips. But after receiving a photo of a three-year-old kidnapped from Los Angeles twenty-five years ago, Jessica is stunned to recognize the little girl as herself.

Eager for answers, Jessica heads to LA’s dark underbelly. When she learns that her biological mother was killed the night she was abducted, Jessica’s determined to solve a case the police have forgotten. Meanwhile, veteran LAPD detective Jason Pryce is in the midst of a gruesome investigation into a murdered college student moonlighting as a prostitute. A chance encounter leads to them crossing paths, but Jessica soon realizes that Pryce is hiding something about her father’s checkered history and her mother’s death.

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