New Thrillers: What The Years Remember and For The Hell Of It

Two new thrillers, What The Years Remember by Lisette Brodey and For The Hell Of It by John Dolan are the talk of the town, or at least Twitter, lately. Whether you’re drawn to Brodey’s unnerving tale of sibling rivalry and revenge or Dolan’s dark, sardonic wit in a world of crime and chaos, these books will leave you questioning what’s real—and who you can trust. Stay with me and let’s dive into the twists and turns of these two mind-bending stories, where nothing is as it seems and no one escapes unscathed.

What The Years Remember by Lisette Brodey is a psychological thriller recently released.

For The Hell Of It by John Dolan is a Noir Crime coming up on November 9, but you can already pre-order it: US https://bit.ly/4dKsSFi, UK https://amzn.to/3ZYP5ML.

I think that What the Years Remember by Lisette Brodey is one of the most gripping psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time. From the very start, I was drawn into the dark, twisted world of fraternal twins Amber and Jade, whose lives were shattered by jealousy and violence. The premise of the novel—that a near-fatal betrayal drives these sisters apart—is disturbing yet utterly compelling, and it sets the stage for a suspenseful story that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

What really stands out in this novel is the depth of the characters. Amber and Jade’s relationship is as toxic as it is fascinating. Brodey captures their emotional turmoil with such skill that I found myself questioning Amber’s role in everything. Is she really the innocent victim, or has Jade’s cruelty left deeper scars on her than we realize? The uncertainty, combined with Amber’s fragmented memories, created a sense of dread that never let up.

The setting, too, is brilliantly done. The contrast between the glitz of Beverly Hills and the dark undercurrents of human greed and desperation added another layer to the story. It’s not just a backdrop; it mirrors the characters’ internal struggles, particularly Jade’s obsession with wealth and status, which only deepens her bitterness.

This book is full of twists, and just when I thought I had it figured out, Brodey threw in another curveball. It’s not just about what happens next—it’s about trying to piece together the meaning of it all, and that’s what made this book stand out from other thrillers I’ve read. What the Years Remember is more than just a suspenseful page-turner; it’s a profound look at family dynamics, envy, and the long-lasting impact of trauma. Even after finishing the book, I’m still thinking about it, unsure of who to trust and what to believe. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after the final page.

Lisette Brodey is such a gifted woman writer and a wonderful human being. I loved her witty rom-com Molly Hacker Is Too Picky!, her mystery action Twice a Broken Breath, her women’s literary fiction All That Was Taken, and her original collection of short stories Hotel Obscure. I wish Lisette Brodey good luck with her latest thriller, What the Years Remember, highly recommended.

Connect with Lisette Brodey via Twitter or her website.

“Apologies for all the deaths. But in my defense, I was really, really bored.”

James Fosse – psychopath and all-round bad egg – has been declared officially dead.
But he’s not enjoying his afterlife in the Philippines, where so many people around him are having fun committing crimes and getting away with it.
Perhaps it’s time he started killing again?

Out so soon, 9 November, pre-order it here: US https://bit.ly/4dKsSFi or UK https://amzn.to/3ZYP5ML.

I look forward to reading For The Hell Of It by John Dolan for two different reasons. Because the author resides not that far from the Philippines, in Thailand, so I am counting on plenty of local color. And because I loved the two books by John Dolan I read so far: Adventures in Mythopoeia was a witty, magical page-turner for me, while Jim Fosse’s Expense Claim a darkly comedic story blending mystery and satire.

From what I read I know that John Dolan masterfully blends genres, creating a vibrant, imaginative world that defies convention. He does! His writing pulls from classical myth, modern politics and supernatural elements with a cast of eccentric and captivating characters. Dolan’s world-building and witty dialogue shine, while his ability to weave complex, seemingly chaotic plot threads into a cohesive, gripping narrative sets him apart in my eyes. Balancing adventure, humor and poignant reflections on human flaws, John Dolan crafts in his novels an extraordinary tale that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

For The Hell Of It is the last installment in which David Braddock appears as a major protagonist, making it the ninth David Braddock PI novel by John Dolan. Give it a go, I am sure you won’t regret it. Congratulation, John Dolan, on your upcoming crime noir book!

Connect with John Dolan via Twitter or his website.

6 Replies to “New Thrillers: What The Years Remember and For The Hell Of It”

  1. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful surprise, Pat. I so appreciate you reading WHAT THE YEARS REMEMBER, and I can’t thank you enough for this wonderful review.

    Like you, I’m a big fan of John Dolan’s, and I pre-ordered his new book a couple of days ago. I know it will be wonderful.

    Again, thank you for everything. This is quite an honor coming from a VERY talented writer like yourself. x

  2. Lisette, it is with such a great pleasure that I share your new release WHAT THE YEARS REMEMBER and John’s upcoming “For the Hell of It”.
    A new book is an exciting event, but a new book of an author you know you will enjoy reading is a feast!
    Thank you for your kind words. They mean so much. 🙂

  3. What the Years Remember sounds like a very captivating and intriguing book, what a plot, and you wrote such an intriguing review. I’ll bet For The Hell Of It is great book too.

    1. Thank you for reading, Thomas.
      What the Years Remember is the kind of haunting, emotional thriller that grips you until the end.
      But I am sure you will enjoy John Dolan’s style. He is an erudite and it comes out in his books.

  4. Wonderful review of What The Years Remembered, Pat. Congratulations, Lisette. It is on my Kindle. I haven’t yet read any of John’s books, but they sound fascinating. Congratulations on your upcoming release, John! I’ll be checking it out. Does your series have to be read in order?

    1. Thank you so much, Joy 🙂
      What the Years Remember will be a memorable read. Lisette Brodey is such a versatile writer.
      I think John Dolan’s David Braddock PI novels can be read in any order, I checked out their synopsis for this reason. 🙂

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