Book Review: The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon

My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Frankie Morgan knows she has anger issues – a fact both family and associates don't hesitate to bring up, citing incidents where her outbursts have landed her in trouble.(not that she needs reminding!) To appease her father, who is also her employer in the family construction business, and in an attempt to get a grip on her temper, she voluntarily enrolls herself in an anger management program. As a part of an exercise in the group, she is asked to make a FORGIVENESS LIST – a list of people whom she believes have wronged her. Frankie harbors her share of grudges – from the person who killed her mother in a hit-and-run accident when she was a teenager, to people from her school and college days, and her present life. Oh yes, she is also angry with herself! (Not surprising, she does have anger issues!) The result is an exhaustive list that she diligently compiles in her spiral-bound notebook, which she subsequently misplaces. (Coincidence or not?)

Eventually, the notebook is recovered, but when one after the other people from her list is injured in freak accidents. Frankie realizes not only has someone read her list but is actively hunting down the people she has named and is hurting them. Her FORGIVENESS LIST has now become a REVENGE LIST – and there is someone out there exacting revenge for all the injustices Frankie has suffered. How long before Frankie or someone close to herself becomes the next victim?

The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a well-written suspenseful thriller. After a heart-pounding start, the somewhat uneven pacing took a while to get used to but I did like that the protagonist is characterized as a strong, smart woman who knows how to hold her own in both her professional and personal life. However, as the narrative progresses and we gain some insight into her past, we begin to understand her better. The mystery angle is well executed. Though I was pretty sure of who the culprit might be around the 60% mark, I did enjoy the thrilling ride to the end.

Overall, I found this twisty, cleverly crafted thriller to be an enjoyable read and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Many thanks to author Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on May 23, 2023.