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Dangerous Strangers Thrillers #2
Circle of Strangers
The lengths neighbors will go to protect their secrets become downright frightening in a gripping novel of suspense by Minka Kent, the Edgar-nominated author of Unmissing.
Camille and Will Prescott have relocated from San Diego to Phoenix for a fresh start in a quiet gated community. After the traumas Camille’s marriage survived, it’s just the sanctuary she needs. As for her new neighbors, there’s Sozi, seemingly well intentioned if not for her invasive meddling and her desperate overtures to make a friend. And Mara and Oscar, an unstable couple around whom troubling rumors swirl.
Patiently listening to Sozi’s gossip and watching Mara and Oscar ever so closely has become something of a hobby for Camille. But while she obsesses about the cracks in everyone else’s lives, she begins to see the cracks in her own. And when a monster from her past reaches out to reconnect, it’s all Camille can do not to snap. Then one day she finds a dead body in her garage lying in a pool of blood.
Camille is about to discover what’s really going on behind the closed doors of this cozy cul-de-sac. And the worst is yet to come.
Camille and Will Prescott have relocated from San Diego to Phoenix for a fresh start in a quiet gated community. After the traumas Camille’s marriage survived, it’s just the sanctuary she needs. As for her new neighbors, there’s Sozi, seemingly well intentioned if not for her invasive meddling and her desperate overtures to make a friend. And Mara and Oscar, an unstable couple around whom troubling rumors swirl.
Patiently listening to Sozi’s gossip and watching Mara and Oscar ever so closely has become something of a hobby for Camille. But while she obsesses about the cracks in everyone else’s lives, she begins to see the cracks in her own. And when a monster from her past reaches out to reconnect, it’s all Camille can do not to snap. Then one day she finds a dead body in her garage lying in a pool of blood.
Camille is about to discover what’s really going on behind the closed doors of this cozy cul-de-sac. And the worst is yet to come.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2025
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August 10, 2025
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I loved both The Stillwater Girls and When I Was You by this author. I also loved the first book in this series Imaginary Strangers . I was so excited to get this from NetGalley, and I wasn't disappointed.
This one is about Camille and her husband, Will. After a major event, they move from San Diego to Phoenix, hoping to start anew. Camille meets her new neighbours: Sozi, Mara, and Oscar. Then she finds a dead body in the garage, and all hell breaks loose. Camille makes it her mission to uncover the truth, and the new neighbours don't like that very much.
Once again, Minka Kent has created a creepy story of a woman on the edge, bordering on paranoia. The entire book had an eerie atmosphere, and the narrative skillfully wove seeds of doubt about every character. Even though some of the plot twists have been done before, the author's execution and writing style make for a winning combination. I loved the short, punchy chapters that had me saying, "Just one more chapter!" over and over again. It was such a gripping read that I finished it in a single day.
Fast-paced and tense, this domestic suspense takes you into the world of secrets in a gated community, where you question every character's motive. I changed my mind so many times it made my head spin. I liked Camille as a character, flaws and all, and she was a very compelling female lead. This is the perfect read for a "butt-in-chair" day. If you enjoyed the first book in this series or any of the author's other novels, you'll appreciate this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
I loved both The Stillwater Girls and When I Was You by this author. I also loved the first book in this series Imaginary Strangers . I was so excited to get this from NetGalley, and I wasn't disappointed.
This one is about Camille and her husband, Will. After a major event, they move from San Diego to Phoenix, hoping to start anew. Camille meets her new neighbours: Sozi, Mara, and Oscar. Then she finds a dead body in the garage, and all hell breaks loose. Camille makes it her mission to uncover the truth, and the new neighbours don't like that very much.
Once again, Minka Kent has created a creepy story of a woman on the edge, bordering on paranoia. The entire book had an eerie atmosphere, and the narrative skillfully wove seeds of doubt about every character. Even though some of the plot twists have been done before, the author's execution and writing style make for a winning combination. I loved the short, punchy chapters that had me saying, "Just one more chapter!" over and over again. It was such a gripping read that I finished it in a single day.
Fast-paced and tense, this domestic suspense takes you into the world of secrets in a gated community, where you question every character's motive. I changed my mind so many times it made my head spin. I liked Camille as a character, flaws and all, and she was a very compelling female lead. This is the perfect read for a "butt-in-chair" day. If you enjoyed the first book in this series or any of the author's other novels, you'll appreciate this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 2, 2025
Welcome to Arizona…things are about to heat up!☀️🌵
Camille and Will loaded up the kids, left San Diego and moved to a gated community in Arizona. Time to put the past behind them and start anew.
But between the minor inconvenience of finding a dead body in the garage and the neighborhood gossip mill that seem all too clingy, Camille struggles to settle in.
This is book two of the Dangerous Strangers series. Though it can stand on its own, you’ll have a much better understanding of Camille’s character if you start with book one.
Camille is a solid member on my top ten sociopath’s list. (JK - I don’t have such a list…or do I?)😉.
I love how she tries to control everything around her, but she may have just met her match this time!
While book one Imaginary Strangers is still my favorite, I did enjoy my visit with Camille. Will I see her again in the future? Only Minka Kent knows that answer. (You can message me later, Minka😁).
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
Camille and Will loaded up the kids, left San Diego and moved to a gated community in Arizona. Time to put the past behind them and start anew.
But between the minor inconvenience of finding a dead body in the garage and the neighborhood gossip mill that seem all too clingy, Camille struggles to settle in.
This is book two of the Dangerous Strangers series. Though it can stand on its own, you’ll have a much better understanding of Camille’s character if you start with book one.
Camille is a solid member on my top ten sociopath’s list. (JK - I don’t have such a list…or do I?)😉.
I love how she tries to control everything around her, but she may have just met her match this time!
While book one Imaginary Strangers is still my favorite, I did enjoy my visit with Camille. Will I see her again in the future? Only Minka Kent knows that answer. (You can message me later, Minka😁).
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
August 13, 2025
What a tangled web we weave......
Camille and Will Prescott have moved from San Diego to Phoenix for a fresh start in a gated community. But it is not entirely the fresh start they were hoping for. Their new community is full of gossip, and don't get me started on the dead body that was found in the garage! Poor Camille, trouble just seems to follow her. After finding the dead body, Camille makes dinner for her children. Seriously, she's a mother and the children come first! But then....
The book then goes back in time and readers see that Camille is not having it! She has her hackles up and her antennae is going off. Women are flirting with her husband, people are gossiping, her husband is being secretive, and secrets are being exposed!!!!!
Minka Kent has delivered once again! I loved Imaginary Strangers and could not wait to get my hands and eyes on this book. I enjoyed being back in Camille's orbit. She is quite the character! Camille has a lot going on, she is suspicious of everyone, one might say she is paranoid, or is she just more Intune with the complexities of human nature? Camille is such a great character as one never knows what she is going to say, think, or do. As she navigates her new neighborhood, she meets several neighbors and it becomes obvious right away that she and her husband did not move into Mr. Rogers neighborhood!
Minka Kent is a very clever author who is great at building unease, tension, and drama. I never quite knew who I could trust, who was being reliable, who was up to no good, etc. I had a lot of fun reading this gripping, shocking, captivating and well thought out book!
This is the second book in the Dangerous Strangers series and I strongly suggest starting with Imaginary Strangers first. While Circle of Strangers will work as a stand alone, you will be missing some background information which might affect your enjoyment of this book. Plus, Imaginary Strangers is a great book!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Camille and Will Prescott have moved from San Diego to Phoenix for a fresh start in a gated community. But it is not entirely the fresh start they were hoping for. Their new community is full of gossip, and don't get me started on the dead body that was found in the garage! Poor Camille, trouble just seems to follow her. After finding the dead body, Camille makes dinner for her children. Seriously, she's a mother and the children come first! But then....
The book then goes back in time and readers see that Camille is not having it! She has her hackles up and her antennae is going off. Women are flirting with her husband, people are gossiping, her husband is being secretive, and secrets are being exposed!!!!!
Minka Kent has delivered once again! I loved Imaginary Strangers and could not wait to get my hands and eyes on this book. I enjoyed being back in Camille's orbit. She is quite the character! Camille has a lot going on, she is suspicious of everyone, one might say she is paranoid, or is she just more Intune with the complexities of human nature? Camille is such a great character as one never knows what she is going to say, think, or do. As she navigates her new neighborhood, she meets several neighbors and it becomes obvious right away that she and her husband did not move into Mr. Rogers neighborhood!
Minka Kent is a very clever author who is great at building unease, tension, and drama. I never quite knew who I could trust, who was being reliable, who was up to no good, etc. I had a lot of fun reading this gripping, shocking, captivating and well thought out book!
This is the second book in the Dangerous Strangers series and I strongly suggest starting with Imaginary Strangers first. While Circle of Strangers will work as a stand alone, you will be missing some background information which might affect your enjoyment of this book. Plus, Imaginary Strangers is a great book!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
October 8, 2025
4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second book in the Dangerous Strangers series did not disappoint!
Will and Camille relocate to Arizona to get a fresh start after the trauma they endured in San Diego. A nice, quiet gated community. Just with this family needs. Turns out, it’s not quite as perfect as it seems - and neither are the neighbors.
This book was fast paced and super entertaining. I loved the suspense and twists! A great domestic thriller with a sociopathic main character. The ending was superb, and left me hoping for a 3rd book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my advanced copy to read and review.
The second book in the Dangerous Strangers series did not disappoint!
Will and Camille relocate to Arizona to get a fresh start after the trauma they endured in San Diego. A nice, quiet gated community. Just with this family needs. Turns out, it’s not quite as perfect as it seems - and neither are the neighbors.
This book was fast paced and super entertaining. I loved the suspense and twists! A great domestic thriller with a sociopathic main character. The ending was superb, and left me hoping for a 3rd book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my advanced copy to read and review.
October 3, 2025
**Updated Review**
Minka Kent has done it again! Book 3 in the Dangerous Strangers series kept me completely hooked from the first page! Camille Prescott and her husband Will have settled in Phoenix AZ after the events of book 2, but peace proves elusive. The story opens with a strangely nosy — and unsettlingly intrusive — neighbor whose friendliness feels like a warning sign, and soon Camille’s mailbox delivers cryptic letters that ratchet the tension higher. When a dead body turns up in Camille’s garage, the unease turns into full-blown danger.
The plot delivers several smart twists that will keep you guessing. If you love tightly written, character-driven thrillers with a relentless sense of creeping dread, this is exactly the kind of book that will keep you up late into the night flipping pages!
I have yet to read a Minka Kent book that I did not like, she is an auto-buy author for me! I highly recommended. grabbing this book asap. I do recommend reading the series in order.
My rating is 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.
Minka Kent has done it again! Book 3 in the Dangerous Strangers series kept me completely hooked from the first page! Camille Prescott and her husband Will have settled in Phoenix AZ after the events of book 2, but peace proves elusive. The story opens with a strangely nosy — and unsettlingly intrusive — neighbor whose friendliness feels like a warning sign, and soon Camille’s mailbox delivers cryptic letters that ratchet the tension higher. When a dead body turns up in Camille’s garage, the unease turns into full-blown danger.
The plot delivers several smart twists that will keep you guessing. If you love tightly written, character-driven thrillers with a relentless sense of creeping dread, this is exactly the kind of book that will keep you up late into the night flipping pages!
I have yet to read a Minka Kent book that I did not like, she is an auto-buy author for me! I highly recommended. grabbing this book asap. I do recommend reading the series in order.
My rating is 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 10, 2025
This book is #4 for me by Minka Kent and I have loved everything she has written. This is about a neighborhood filled with dysfunctional families, couples, secrets, lies, you name it … this neighborhood has it. I was glued from the first page and was anxious to see how it ended. Holy cow, I did not see that ending coming!!! Will there be a 3rd book in this series? Time will tell!!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
August 26, 2025
Maybe my hopes were too high after the first book in the series. This one was missing all of the suspense and twists.
August 19, 2025
Circle of Strangers by Minka Kent. Thanks to @amazonpublishing for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Camille and her family have relocated to a gated community in Phoenix. The neighbors are full of drama and now Camille starts seeing cracks in her own marriage.
I loved Imaginary Strangers so was excited for this follow-up. While a decent story on its own, it wasn’t as suspenseful or page turning as the first book. It was a lot of suburban domestic drama that just wasn’t as interesting as Camille’s childhood and drama with her mother. I was glad to be back with Camille though and will always root for her.
“Everything is a game, psychological and deeper than the deepest parts of the ocean.”
Circle of Strangers comes out 8/19.
Camille and her family have relocated to a gated community in Phoenix. The neighbors are full of drama and now Camille starts seeing cracks in her own marriage.
I loved Imaginary Strangers so was excited for this follow-up. While a decent story on its own, it wasn’t as suspenseful or page turning as the first book. It was a lot of suburban domestic drama that just wasn’t as interesting as Camille’s childhood and drama with her mother. I was glad to be back with Camille though and will always root for her.
“Everything is a game, psychological and deeper than the deepest parts of the ocean.”
Circle of Strangers comes out 8/19.
December 21, 2025
4.5 Stars- I always race through Minka Kent’s books and I love this series. This was a fun page turner. Definitely left us hanging for the next book!
August 25, 2025
I was thrilled to find a 2nd book on some of my favorite characters!
Great story that had me flipping the pages late into the night!
Warning!! This book ends on a cliff… leaving your mouth hanging open looking for extra pages. My recommendation is to wait until the next book and then read all three as fast as you can!
Great story that had me flipping the pages late into the night!
Warning!! This book ends on a cliff… leaving your mouth hanging open looking for extra pages. My recommendation is to wait until the next book and then read all three as fast as you can!
April 17, 2025
Such a intriguing read . Loved how tge circle of friends interacted.. dud not see that ending coming..Great, crazy, wonderful. Such great characters. I loved reading this book.
Thank to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
Thank to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
August 19, 2025
Circle of Strangers (Book 2 of Dangerous Strangers Thrillers) 3⭐️
Nooooooo! This sequel missed the mark for me after I absolutely loved and devoured the first book. I started this one as soon as I finished “Imaginary Strangers”, hoping to continue to ride the high from Book 1 with its creepy deranged psychological thrill. Unfortunately, Circle of Strangers has a much different feel as a (I hate to say it) boring domestic drama. The intrigue I had throughout the first book was completely missing this time around. Camille and Will felt like completely new characters and I missed the kids involvement (they were such a big part of the first book and were merely shadows just being mentioned here and there in this book). I found the writing to be repetitive and slow moving. I still liked watching Camille’s story unfold, but felt like a whole new standalone book.
If you haven’t read “Imaginary Strangers” I highly recommend reading it first. It was really good and skipping to this one wouldn’t be worth the major spoilers.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Aug 19 2025
Nooooooo! This sequel missed the mark for me after I absolutely loved and devoured the first book. I started this one as soon as I finished “Imaginary Strangers”, hoping to continue to ride the high from Book 1 with its creepy deranged psychological thrill. Unfortunately, Circle of Strangers has a much different feel as a (I hate to say it) boring domestic drama. The intrigue I had throughout the first book was completely missing this time around. Camille and Will felt like completely new characters and I missed the kids involvement (they were such a big part of the first book and were merely shadows just being mentioned here and there in this book). I found the writing to be repetitive and slow moving. I still liked watching Camille’s story unfold, but felt like a whole new standalone book.
If you haven’t read “Imaginary Strangers” I highly recommend reading it first. It was really good and skipping to this one wouldn’t be worth the major spoilers.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Aug 19 2025
August 21, 2025
Circle of Strangers was a fast-paced, binge-worthy thriller filled with tension, atmosphere, and sharp twists that many that had me engaged. This was the sequel to Minka Kent’s, Imaginary Strangers, in the Dangerous Strangers series.
Circle of Strangers followed Camille and her husband Will. They moved to a gated community in Phoenix, hoping for a peaceful restart after their marriage endured past traumas. But their neighbors were far from ordinary—Sozi was overly intrusive in her quest for friendship, while Mara and Oscar’s unstable relationship fueled neighborhood rumors. What started as Camille’s pastime of observing others’ flaws soon exposed cracks in her own life, especially when someone from her past resurfaced. Then, a body turned up in her garage, pulling her into the sinister truths that lurked behind her neighbors’ closed doors.
More often than not, a sequel struggles to live up to the original—but Minka Kent’s Circle of Strangers proved to be just as compelling as Imaginary Strangers. What stood out most for me was how fast-paced and binge-worthy it was, nearly impossible to put down. The atmosphere was thick with dread, the pacing razor-sharp, and the twists landed at just the right moments to keep me hooked. Camille’s unsettling yet fascinating perspective pulled me straight into her mind, making the story both addictive and unnerving. This sequel felt like a rollercoaster of tension and edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish.
Collectively, I highly recommend reading Imaginery Strangers and Circle of Strangers. Minka Kent writes with a sharp, fast-paced style that blends atmosphere, unease, and perfectly timed twists into compulsively readable thrillers. That said, her newest publication was a fast-paced, addictive thriller that delivered plenty of suspense, atmosphere, and sharp twists. Despite the frustrating cliffhanger ending cutting off mid-scene (I was hoping for a neatly wrapped conclusion), the intensity and binge-worthy pacing made this a gripping read overall.
Circle of Strangers followed Camille and her husband Will. They moved to a gated community in Phoenix, hoping for a peaceful restart after their marriage endured past traumas. But their neighbors were far from ordinary—Sozi was overly intrusive in her quest for friendship, while Mara and Oscar’s unstable relationship fueled neighborhood rumors. What started as Camille’s pastime of observing others’ flaws soon exposed cracks in her own life, especially when someone from her past resurfaced. Then, a body turned up in her garage, pulling her into the sinister truths that lurked behind her neighbors’ closed doors.
More often than not, a sequel struggles to live up to the original—but Minka Kent’s Circle of Strangers proved to be just as compelling as Imaginary Strangers. What stood out most for me was how fast-paced and binge-worthy it was, nearly impossible to put down. The atmosphere was thick with dread, the pacing razor-sharp, and the twists landed at just the right moments to keep me hooked. Camille’s unsettling yet fascinating perspective pulled me straight into her mind, making the story both addictive and unnerving. This sequel felt like a rollercoaster of tension and edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish.
Collectively, I highly recommend reading Imaginery Strangers and Circle of Strangers. Minka Kent writes with a sharp, fast-paced style that blends atmosphere, unease, and perfectly timed twists into compulsively readable thrillers. That said, her newest publication was a fast-paced, addictive thriller that delivered plenty of suspense, atmosphere, and sharp twists. Despite the frustrating cliffhanger ending cutting off mid-scene (I was hoping for a neatly wrapped conclusion), the intensity and binge-worthy pacing made this a gripping read overall.
April 10, 2025
This book starts out with a bang when Camille finds a dead body in her garage. Rather than call the police, she goes about making dinner for her two children and then sends them to bed early to give herself time to “clean up” the garage. I was immediately hooked and ready for a wild ride finding out who the body in the garage belonged to and how they ended up in Camille’s garage in the first place and why she wasn’t calling the police.
Unfortunately, the tension and suspense dissipate as the story goes back in time to tell the events leading up to this discovery. The book was engrossing and did hold my interest every time I picked it up to read it, but I never found myself chomping at the bit to get back to it.
I enjoy the easy way Minka writes and brings her characters to life. I found myself connecting with Camille and rooting for her, despite her flaws and the fact that I didn’t always agree with her decisions.
Although the tension lessens after the very beginning of the book, it does start to pick up again in the last 25% or so. Then, the story ends and I’m left feeling like I wanted more. I wanted more resolution and more answers and the book was just over.
Overall, for me, this book felt like if ‘Desperate Housewives’ was an easy beach read and sometimes that’s the exact kind of book I need. If you’re looking for exactly that kind of light domestic thriller, this could be the one for you, too.
With thanks to Minka Kent and Thomas & Mercer Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this ARC in exchange for my review.
Unfortunately, the tension and suspense dissipate as the story goes back in time to tell the events leading up to this discovery. The book was engrossing and did hold my interest every time I picked it up to read it, but I never found myself chomping at the bit to get back to it.
I enjoy the easy way Minka writes and brings her characters to life. I found myself connecting with Camille and rooting for her, despite her flaws and the fact that I didn’t always agree with her decisions.
Although the tension lessens after the very beginning of the book, it does start to pick up again in the last 25% or so. Then, the story ends and I’m left feeling like I wanted more. I wanted more resolution and more answers and the book was just over.
Overall, for me, this book felt like if ‘Desperate Housewives’ was an easy beach read and sometimes that’s the exact kind of book I need. If you’re looking for exactly that kind of light domestic thriller, this could be the one for you, too.
With thanks to Minka Kent and Thomas & Mercer Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this ARC in exchange for my review.
August 9, 2025
Wow so this book took me by surprise in such a good way! The way the first book ended I thought I had an idea of where it would go and boy was I wrong! This had the perfect amount of twists and turns and most of them I didn’t even see coming. I really love the FMC in this and this book constantly has me rooting for her. And the ending of this book! Ummm I need book three now!!!! Cat and mouse done right! Thanks to NetGalley and brilliance publishing for giving me a chance to read this book early!!! If you want a fast paced book that you can finish in one sitting this book is for you!!!! Can’t wait to read more!
April 25, 2025
ARC review • pub date 08.19.25
The sequel to Imaginary Strangers, this book picks up right where it left off.
Camille is in her new, safe home in a gated community - when she finds a dead body in her garage. The worst part is, she has just had a heated altercation with this person, and calling 911 could raise some suspicion. When the kids are in bed and she can finally clean up the mess, everything is gone.
The rest of the book starts with a month prior, and all the events leading up to finding the body in the garage. I had lots of possibilities of who the person could be!
Minka Kent is an auto buy author for me, and I’m still slowly making my way through her backlist. She hasn’t let me down once ☺️ a perfectly bingeable read, with lots of suspense. You’ll be turning pages as fast as you can. And at only 239 pages - you’ll fly through.
I can’t wait for her next book!
4⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for my ARC.
The sequel to Imaginary Strangers, this book picks up right where it left off.
Camille is in her new, safe home in a gated community - when she finds a dead body in her garage. The worst part is, she has just had a heated altercation with this person, and calling 911 could raise some suspicion. When the kids are in bed and she can finally clean up the mess, everything is gone.
The rest of the book starts with a month prior, and all the events leading up to finding the body in the garage. I had lots of possibilities of who the person could be!
Minka Kent is an auto buy author for me, and I’m still slowly making my way through her backlist. She hasn’t let me down once ☺️ a perfectly bingeable read, with lots of suspense. You’ll be turning pages as fast as you can. And at only 239 pages - you’ll fly through.
I can’t wait for her next book!
4⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for my ARC.
May 26, 2025
2.5 rounded down.
This had an interesting premise, but was not really well executed. I just found most of the plot unrealistic. We start off on a high point and it takes quite a bit of time for things to pick back up as well.
I found that Camille gave information to people much too easily. Her whole thing is that she’s smart and manipulative, but I kept wondering why she would willingly play her cards so easily. Felt a little unbelievable at times.
The end was surprising in a sense, but I felt I saw it coming. I wasn’t wow’d by it. The epilogue did get me in a way, some of it.
I don’t think this was really for me. Domestic thrillers are very hit or miss for me and this was a little more of a miss for me. I will try this author again in the future because I do think the writing is there, this just might not have been the one for me.
***Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
This had an interesting premise, but was not really well executed. I just found most of the plot unrealistic. We start off on a high point and it takes quite a bit of time for things to pick back up as well.
I found that Camille gave information to people much too easily. Her whole thing is that she’s smart and manipulative, but I kept wondering why she would willingly play her cards so easily. Felt a little unbelievable at times.
The end was surprising in a sense, but I felt I saw it coming. I wasn’t wow’d by it. The epilogue did get me in a way, some of it.
I don’t think this was really for me. Domestic thrillers are very hit or miss for me and this was a little more of a miss for me. I will try this author again in the future because I do think the writing is there, this just might not have been the one for me.
***Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
April 8, 2025
‘The lengths neighbors will go to protect their secrets become downright frightening in a gripping novel of suspense by Minka Kent, the Edgar-nominated author of Unmissing.’
Every summbitch in here is unabashedly & completely deranged. The men & women, the whole lot of ‘em, just cracked. Probably the kids too, we just don’t know it yet. So if you love the crazies like I do, with ruthless, conniving, backstabbing hussies & sociopaths harboring vats of mommy issues as bonuses, along with vengeful, slithering mofo’s who can’t keep it in their pants, then pick this up yesterday. Ya just can’t beat the twisted entertainment factor.🏌🏻♀️
Twas good fun.
Oh and it ends with a hooker. A little cliff action...
Did it work? You bet it did. Ain't nothin' could keep me away from book 3. Eh eh... Not after being strung up on that succulently baited hook, leaving me with my tongue waggin' like a summertime chihuahua, hopeful for the kind of vengeance that shares a bed with annihilation. Ahh, yes, please.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this arc in exchange for review.
Pub: 8.19.2025.
Every summbitch in here is unabashedly & completely deranged. The men & women, the whole lot of ‘em, just cracked. Probably the kids too, we just don’t know it yet. So if you love the crazies like I do, with ruthless, conniving, backstabbing hussies & sociopaths harboring vats of mommy issues as bonuses, along with vengeful, slithering mofo’s who can’t keep it in their pants, then pick this up yesterday. Ya just can’t beat the twisted entertainment factor.🏌🏻♀️
Twas good fun.
Oh and it ends with a hooker. A little cliff action...
Did it work? You bet it did. Ain't nothin' could keep me away from book 3. Eh eh... Not after being strung up on that succulently baited hook, leaving me with my tongue waggin' like a summertime chihuahua, hopeful for the kind of vengeance that shares a bed with annihilation. Ahh, yes, please.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this arc in exchange for review.
Pub: 8.19.2025.
August 11, 2025
This is the second book in a twisty domestic suspense series, and you absolutely need to read book one first. This sequel picks up right where the first left off, dropping us back into Camille’s unsettling world. Both books are fast paced, bingeable reads that you can tear through in an afternoon, but this one takes the tension up a notch. The Arizona gated community setting adds a fresh layer of creepiness, with its manicured streets hiding shady neighbors, whispered secrets, and the constant sense that something is about to go very, very wrong.
What makes this installment stand out is how much deeper we get into Camille’s mind. She’s such a fascinating character, a sociopath who’s both unsettling and oddly compelling. Being inside her head again was an experience in itself, as she navigates family dynamics, neighborhood drama, and her own unpredictable impulses. The atmosphere is thick with dread, yet Kent’s pacing keeps you flipping pages without ever feeling weighed down.
As for the twists, most were unpredictable, which is always a win for me in this genre. The ending in particular took me by surprise and has me crossing my fingers for a third book. If you like domestic suspense with a smart, sharp edge, and you’re not afraid to spend some time in the mind of a morally complex character, this series is well worth starting from the beginning.
August 11, 2025
Before starting CIRCLE OF STRANGERS, I recommend first reading book #1 in the series, IMAGINARY STRANGERS.
I liked how this book picked up right where the previous one left off. It was fast paced and kept me guessing about this so called, neighborhood of strangers and who was really trustworthy. The epilogue left me wanting more. I can see a third book in this series coming and I can’t wait. Minka Kent is a great thriller writer. All of her books are bingeable!
Many thanks to Brilliance Audio for my gifted copy.
I liked how this book picked up right where the previous one left off. It was fast paced and kept me guessing about this so called, neighborhood of strangers and who was really trustworthy. The epilogue left me wanting more. I can see a third book in this series coming and I can’t wait. Minka Kent is a great thriller writer. All of her books are bingeable!
Many thanks to Brilliance Audio for my gifted copy.
August 23, 2025
Fantastic thriller!! I flew thru this one in a day. I found the sequel just as exciting as the first book in this short series. Camille and Will relocate to a small gated community to escape the drama that occurred in book 1. What ensues in this new neighborhood with nosy, gossipy neighbors had me on be edge of my seat! And the ending certainly caught me off guard. So well done and fast paced!
October 7, 2025
Book one was much better in my opinion. Maybe I was just too excited to start Freida’s newest release???
September 7, 2025
Typical thriller, ended on a cliff hanger so third book??
April 23, 2025
I read this immediately after Imaginary Strangers and while I am glad I didn't have to wait to see what happened next for Will and Camille, I am now impatiently waiting for book 3. Circle of Strangers starts out immediately engaging with a dead body in the garage. Then the book presses rewind and catches us up on everything that lead up to that evening. While I did figure all but one of the twists, I still really enjoyed the story and the twist I didn't figure out left me gasping out loud "NO WAY" and my jaw literally dropped. There wasn't a single character I liked but that's part of the fun of this one, rooting for the least unlikable person , which kept switching for me. I read this almost completely in one sitting and stayed up late to finish it, once I got hooked I was fully committed. I actually enjoyed this one more than the first, I think because it focused more on adults' and less on the kids this time around. This was a pretty short and easy read and like I said it does end us on a massive cliffhanger. Usually, I am not a fan of that but I am just so excited for the next one, I didn't mind it.
Thank to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 15, 2025
This is a fun series. We are once again left with a cliffhanger and need to wait for the next installment to find out what happens with Camille and her family. The story may be far fetched, but it’s very entertaining. I’ve read many books by this author and I appreciate her snarky sense of humor. I did like the first one better, but I’m looking forward to book three! 3.5/5
August 15, 2025
This was fast and entertaining, and it would've probably been a 3-4 star read but IT ENDED MID-SCENE AND HAD ABSOLUTELY NO RESOLUTION.
Fuck off. Stop writing books that are prologues.
Fuck off. Stop writing books that are prologues.
August 19, 2025
A Dangerous Strangers Thriller
Camille Prescott's heartstopping story continues in A Circle of Strangers, a Dangerous Strangers Thriller (#2) by the talented Minka Kent. Keep in mind, this is not a standalone and does end with a jaw dropping, spine tingly cliffhanger. TWIST-TEEE is one word for it, as I expect a Minka Kent thriller to be- but what happens next?? I need to know!
Camille thought her life with gorgeous, attentive husband Will and their two beautiful children was perfect, until chaos and past fears rained down on it all. She may not be able to feel or express emotions like the rest of us do, but one thing is certain- she'll protect her family with everything she's got. They are her world.
A fresh start in a upscale gated community in a new state, far away from the bad and ugly will be the Prescott's salvation. Too bad the close proximity to pushy, nosey neighbors, who may have ulterior motives, threaten to ruin it all, which is hard to avoid. Camille can't have that. Controlling the narrative is the key in these situations, but what if that's taken out of your hands? Who should she trust besides herself?
Minka Kent had my mind going a million miles a minute, deep diving into Camille's sociopathic brain once again. When you know her whole story, you can't blame her for needing to protect herself after a childhood of unbearable torment at the hands of her own mother. She is portrayed in the first person- just all her thoughts and a peek into how her mind works. So well written and definitely a mind bender.
Camille's learned the hard way to always trust her instincts, and they are screaming in her ear that something just isn't right on Saguaro Circle.
Pool, beach, mountains or wherever read- this one needs to be on your list. But for the love of all that's 'thrillery', read Imaginary Strangers first!
* I was given an early copy to read and review. These are my honest and freely given thoughts after reading A Circle of Strangers.
Camille Prescott's heartstopping story continues in A Circle of Strangers, a Dangerous Strangers Thriller (#2) by the talented Minka Kent. Keep in mind, this is not a standalone and does end with a jaw dropping, spine tingly cliffhanger. TWIST-TEEE is one word for it, as I expect a Minka Kent thriller to be- but what happens next?? I need to know!
Camille thought her life with gorgeous, attentive husband Will and their two beautiful children was perfect, until chaos and past fears rained down on it all. She may not be able to feel or express emotions like the rest of us do, but one thing is certain- she'll protect her family with everything she's got. They are her world.
A fresh start in a upscale gated community in a new state, far away from the bad and ugly will be the Prescott's salvation. Too bad the close proximity to pushy, nosey neighbors, who may have ulterior motives, threaten to ruin it all, which is hard to avoid. Camille can't have that. Controlling the narrative is the key in these situations, but what if that's taken out of your hands? Who should she trust besides herself?
Minka Kent had my mind going a million miles a minute, deep diving into Camille's sociopathic brain once again. When you know her whole story, you can't blame her for needing to protect herself after a childhood of unbearable torment at the hands of her own mother. She is portrayed in the first person- just all her thoughts and a peek into how her mind works. So well written and definitely a mind bender.
Camille's learned the hard way to always trust her instincts, and they are screaming in her ear that something just isn't right on Saguaro Circle.
Pool, beach, mountains or wherever read- this one needs to be on your list. But for the love of all that's 'thrillery', read Imaginary Strangers first!
* I was given an early copy to read and review. These are my honest and freely given thoughts after reading A Circle of Strangers.
August 15, 2025
Circle of Strangers by Minka Kent
*arc via NetGalley*
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Camille and her family move to a gated Arizona community for a fresh start. But as nosy neighbors close in and a dangerous figure from her past resurfaces, Camille’s carefully controlled life unravels into paranoia, secrets, and a shocking cliffhanger.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
I read book one and definitely recommend starting there. While this could be read on its own, knowing Camille’s backstory makes her character so much more interesting.
This time around there are no flashbacks - everything plays out in the present - and it feels very domestic thriller, with a small, tightly knit cast made up of her new neighbors.
Camille spends a lot of time telling us she’s smart, cold, and devious, but she doesn’t actually do anything especially ruthless or clever. She doesn’t even lose her temper! Not gonna lie, I craved this side of Camille that never came.
That said, it’s still an addictive read. The suspense builds slowly, so it takes its time getting to the twist. While it wasn’t jaw-dropping, I liked the turn it took. And that ending sets up book three perfectly.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
For fans of Camille, this is a fun little follow-up. I enjoyed the audiobook - the narrators performance making this an entertaining listen. It’s a pretty short book and I got through it in under 5 hours. I preferred the first book in the series, but this definitely pumped me up for the next installment.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Renata Friedman and Chris Ciulla
📖 Publishes 08•19•25 | 239 pages | 6h 40m
*arc via NetGalley*
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Camille and her family move to a gated Arizona community for a fresh start. But as nosy neighbors close in and a dangerous figure from her past resurfaces, Camille’s carefully controlled life unravels into paranoia, secrets, and a shocking cliffhanger.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
I read book one and definitely recommend starting there. While this could be read on its own, knowing Camille’s backstory makes her character so much more interesting.
This time around there are no flashbacks - everything plays out in the present - and it feels very domestic thriller, with a small, tightly knit cast made up of her new neighbors.
Camille spends a lot of time telling us she’s smart, cold, and devious, but she doesn’t actually do anything especially ruthless or clever. She doesn’t even lose her temper! Not gonna lie, I craved this side of Camille that never came.
That said, it’s still an addictive read. The suspense builds slowly, so it takes its time getting to the twist. While it wasn’t jaw-dropping, I liked the turn it took. And that ending sets up book three perfectly.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
For fans of Camille, this is a fun little follow-up. I enjoyed the audiobook - the narrators performance making this an entertaining listen. It’s a pretty short book and I got through it in under 5 hours. I preferred the first book in the series, but this definitely pumped me up for the next installment.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Renata Friedman and Chris Ciulla
📖 Publishes 08•19•25 | 239 pages | 6h 40m
August 19, 2025
Circle of Strangers by Minka Kent
Pub Date: 8/19/25
Format: audio
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Circle of Strangers is the second book in Kent’s Dangerous Strangers thriller series and it is out today! If you have not read book one (Imaginary Strangers), I do recommend you start there. I read the first book in this series back in December and I was a bit confused until I refreshed my memory on the plot of that book.
Camille & Will are a messy, messy couple and trouble seems to find them wherever they go. They left San Diego to settle in Phoenix and the drama continues to unfold in their lives!
This book is quick and twisty with one heck of a cliffhanger. I would recommend it to readers who like a suburban drama style thriller that is pretty unrealistic, but still a fun romp. I personally have to really be in the mood for this type of thriller, so I am not sure I’ll continue with the series but I do think this book is solid for folks seeking that sub genre.
Narration was well done so I would recommend the audiobook for this one if you’re interested!
Pub Date: 8/19/25
Format: audio
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Circle of Strangers is the second book in Kent’s Dangerous Strangers thriller series and it is out today! If you have not read book one (Imaginary Strangers), I do recommend you start there. I read the first book in this series back in December and I was a bit confused until I refreshed my memory on the plot of that book.
Camille & Will are a messy, messy couple and trouble seems to find them wherever they go. They left San Diego to settle in Phoenix and the drama continues to unfold in their lives!
This book is quick and twisty with one heck of a cliffhanger. I would recommend it to readers who like a suburban drama style thriller that is pretty unrealistic, but still a fun romp. I personally have to really be in the mood for this type of thriller, so I am not sure I’ll continue with the series but I do think this book is solid for folks seeking that sub genre.
Narration was well done so I would recommend the audiobook for this one if you’re interested!
August 4, 2025
4.5/5
Thank you @minkakent @amazonpublishing #partner for the gifted copy of this eARC!
Just finished Circle of Strangers by Minka Kent (book two in the Dangerous Thrillers series) and yep, this series continues to be right up my alley! If you love thrillers that are fast-paced, juicy, gossipy and unhinged... add this one to your TBR.
This one is a shorter thriller, but don’t let that fool you...it hooks you from the very first scene. I mean… nothing says domestic bliss like cooking spaghetti and meatballs while casually ignoring the dead body over yonder. 😳😂 IYKYK.
This one had everything I love: juicy neighborhood gossip, shady characters, secrets galore, and that delicious “trust no one” vibe. Add in a sociopath or two and I’m basically thriving. I did clock a certain character as a walking red flag early on, but figuring out the why and watching it all unravel kept me flipping pages nonstop. And no, I didn’t guess all the twists.
It’s also perfectly set up for book three because the chaos is FAR from over. If you love dysfunctional relationships, toxic friendships, cheaters, liars, and a few characters who seriously need therapy (or jail)... this is the book for you.
Can’t wait for the next one! 🙃
Thank you @minkakent @amazonpublishing #partner for the gifted copy of this eARC!
Just finished Circle of Strangers by Minka Kent (book two in the Dangerous Thrillers series) and yep, this series continues to be right up my alley! If you love thrillers that are fast-paced, juicy, gossipy and unhinged... add this one to your TBR.
This one is a shorter thriller, but don’t let that fool you...it hooks you from the very first scene. I mean… nothing says domestic bliss like cooking spaghetti and meatballs while casually ignoring the dead body over yonder. 😳😂 IYKYK.
This one had everything I love: juicy neighborhood gossip, shady characters, secrets galore, and that delicious “trust no one” vibe. Add in a sociopath or two and I’m basically thriving. I did clock a certain character as a walking red flag early on, but figuring out the why and watching it all unravel kept me flipping pages nonstop. And no, I didn’t guess all the twists.
It’s also perfectly set up for book three because the chaos is FAR from over. If you love dysfunctional relationships, toxic friendships, cheaters, liars, and a few characters who seriously need therapy (or jail)... this is the book for you.
Can’t wait for the next one! 🙃
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