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I Think I Was Murdered
A grieving young widow. The AI program that allows her to continue to "talk" to him. And a message she never expected: "I think I was murdered."
Just a year ago, Katrina Berg was at the pinnacle of her career. She was a rising star in the AI chatbot start-up everyone was talking about, married with an adoring husband, and had more money than she knew how to spend. Then her world combusted. Her husband, Jason, was killed in a fiery car crash. Her CEO was indicted and, as the company's legal counsel, Katrina faces tough questions as the Feds take over and lock her out of her office. The final blow is the passing of her beloved grandmother.
Her most prized possession is the beta prototype for a new, ultra-sophisticated chatbot loaded onto her phone. The contents of Jason's email, social media backups, pictures, and every bit of data she could find were loaded into the bot, and Katrina has "talked" to him every day for the past six months. She has been amazed at how well it works. Even the syntax and words the bot uses sound like Jason. Sometimes, she imagines he isn't really dead and is right there beside her. She knows it's slowing her grief recovery, but she can't stop pretending.
On a particularly bad day, she taps out: Tell me something I don't know. The cursor blinks for several moments and seems frozen before the reply flashes quickly onto the screen: I think I was murdered.
Distraught, Katrina returns to her cozy Norwegian-flavored hometown in the northern California redwoods and enlists the help of Seb Wallace, local restaurateur and longtime acquaintance, to try to parse out the truth of what really happened. They must navigate the complicated paths of grief, family dynamics, and second chances, as well as the complex questions of how much control technology has. And staying alive long enough to do that is far more difficult than either of them dreamed.
I Think I Was Murdered:
Features a unique look at grief through the lens of technology
Deals with current topics and themes
Will appeal to fans of Ruth Ware, Laura Griffin, Laura Dave, and Sarah Pearse
Includes Discussion Questions
Just a year ago, Katrina Berg was at the pinnacle of her career. She was a rising star in the AI chatbot start-up everyone was talking about, married with an adoring husband, and had more money than she knew how to spend. Then her world combusted. Her husband, Jason, was killed in a fiery car crash. Her CEO was indicted and, as the company's legal counsel, Katrina faces tough questions as the Feds take over and lock her out of her office. The final blow is the passing of her beloved grandmother.
Her most prized possession is the beta prototype for a new, ultra-sophisticated chatbot loaded onto her phone. The contents of Jason's email, social media backups, pictures, and every bit of data she could find were loaded into the bot, and Katrina has "talked" to him every day for the past six months. She has been amazed at how well it works. Even the syntax and words the bot uses sound like Jason. Sometimes, she imagines he isn't really dead and is right there beside her. She knows it's slowing her grief recovery, but she can't stop pretending.
On a particularly bad day, she taps out: Tell me something I don't know. The cursor blinks for several moments and seems frozen before the reply flashes quickly onto the screen: I think I was murdered.
Distraught, Katrina returns to her cozy Norwegian-flavored hometown in the northern California redwoods and enlists the help of Seb Wallace, local restaurateur and longtime acquaintance, to try to parse out the truth of what really happened. They must navigate the complicated paths of grief, family dynamics, and second chances, as well as the complex questions of how much control technology has. And staying alive long enough to do that is far more difficult than either of them dreamed.
I Think I Was Murdered:
Features a unique look at grief through the lens of technology
Deals with current topics and themes
Will appeal to fans of Ruth Ware, Laura Griffin, Laura Dave, and Sarah Pearse
Includes Discussion Questions
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2024
About the author
Colleen Coble
141 books5,498 followersUSAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 2 million books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews
June 30, 2024
This writing duo is on fire! The books keep getting better. I think this one is my new favourite!
I love to learn as I read, love a ‘suspense forward’ romantic suspense and love the assurance that I’ve got a clean read in my hands. This book has all that IN SPADES.
I was captivated by a great story centered around artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and chatbots. I appreciated the delicate balance of this with things that pulled on my heartstrings: characters who learned that the most important things in life aren’t tangible, inspirational messages from exchanges between a Nazi guard and Corrie ten Boom, and reminders that every beginning starts with an ending.
Every time I felt that the tension had crescendoed to a nail-biting height, I knew that a smile was close at hand. For example, the duo referenced Freia chocolate, Tillamook ice cream, or the mixup over the Norwegian word for suit, at the perfect place in the story. As much as I loved the chase of ‘gunting’, I appreciated a well-balanced story with faith elements and romance.
I can’t wait for the next Colleen Coble - Rick Acker mystery!
I was gifted this copy by Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I love to learn as I read, love a ‘suspense forward’ romantic suspense and love the assurance that I’ve got a clean read in my hands. This book has all that IN SPADES.
I was captivated by a great story centered around artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and chatbots. I appreciated the delicate balance of this with things that pulled on my heartstrings: characters who learned that the most important things in life aren’t tangible, inspirational messages from exchanges between a Nazi guard and Corrie ten Boom, and reminders that every beginning starts with an ending.
Every time I felt that the tension had crescendoed to a nail-biting height, I knew that a smile was close at hand. For example, the duo referenced Freia chocolate, Tillamook ice cream, or the mixup over the Norwegian word for suit, at the perfect place in the story. As much as I loved the chase of ‘gunting’, I appreciated a well-balanced story with faith elements and romance.
I can’t wait for the next Colleen Coble - Rick Acker mystery!
I was gifted this copy by Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
October 26, 2024
I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker - 2 to 2.5 Stars
Let me start this review by saying I absolutely LOVED What We Hide by Colleen and Rick and had the opportunity to meet them at a local Christian bookstore when they went on tour for a book signing, they were so nice to meet and chat with. I think I was Murdered was one of my most anticipated releases for the fall time this year, but unfortunately, my honest review is this was a bit disjointed and didn't live up to my personal expectations. This one is a standalone story and not tied to What We Hide. I am still interested to see what happens in book 2 after What We Hide to see what happens next but this one fell flat for me personally.
This story is about a grieving widow, Katrina, who talks to an AI program-chat bot that poses as her husband that passed away. The chat bot has all of her husbands social media accounts, photos, information from his phone etc. So it can truly feel like he is talking to her. One day, the chat bot responds to her "I Think I Was Murdered" and she goes on this hunt to find out what really happened to Jason. The story has some side characters and mysteries going on as well.
We all feel like AI is a very odd and strange thing in today's world so the plot itself was SO interesting to me. I had not seen anyone write an AI story yet so I was highly looking forward to this one. I think for me, if the story focused more on the Katrina > Jason story, I would have been more invested but we get a bit disjointed going on side stories with other characters and drama with them that I wasn't connecting to. There is a side character in this that is pregnant and there was some very crazy circumstances that occur where it doesn't feel like there is concern for her being pregnant really. Also, I wasn't crazy about the romances in this book. One being a love triangle and the other I just didn't really connect with.
The ending was the main reason I ended up giving this more so a 2-2.5 star rating (which Star ratings are so subjective anyway, I debated between a 2-3 star but the ending just bothered me so that's why I am at a 2-2.5). I felt like the main story was to figure out who murdered Jason but we spent a long time on other things I didn't care about.
I think if you are in the mood for more of a legal, mystery suspense story and are interested in the AI bits, check this out, but it just wasn't for me personally. I have LOVED all of Colleens books I have read so far so this surprised me but hoping this was just an anomaly for me :).
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a copy to honestly read and review. I rarely find myself giving ratings like this but this is my honest review and opinions. Take me with a grain of salt :)
content: no spice, grief from death of a spouse
Let me start this review by saying I absolutely LOVED What We Hide by Colleen and Rick and had the opportunity to meet them at a local Christian bookstore when they went on tour for a book signing, they were so nice to meet and chat with. I think I was Murdered was one of my most anticipated releases for the fall time this year, but unfortunately, my honest review is this was a bit disjointed and didn't live up to my personal expectations. This one is a standalone story and not tied to What We Hide. I am still interested to see what happens in book 2 after What We Hide to see what happens next but this one fell flat for me personally.
This story is about a grieving widow, Katrina, who talks to an AI program-chat bot that poses as her husband that passed away. The chat bot has all of her husbands social media accounts, photos, information from his phone etc. So it can truly feel like he is talking to her. One day, the chat bot responds to her "I Think I Was Murdered" and she goes on this hunt to find out what really happened to Jason. The story has some side characters and mysteries going on as well.
We all feel like AI is a very odd and strange thing in today's world so the plot itself was SO interesting to me. I had not seen anyone write an AI story yet so I was highly looking forward to this one. I think for me, if the story focused more on the Katrina > Jason story, I would have been more invested but we get a bit disjointed going on side stories with other characters and drama with them that I wasn't connecting to. There is a side character in this that is pregnant and there was some very crazy circumstances that occur where it doesn't feel like there is concern for her being pregnant really. Also, I wasn't crazy about the romances in this book. One being a love triangle and the other I just didn't really connect with.
The ending was the main reason I ended up giving this more so a 2-2.5 star rating (which Star ratings are so subjective anyway, I debated between a 2-3 star but the ending just bothered me so that's why I am at a 2-2.5). I felt like the main story was to figure out who murdered Jason but we spent a long time on other things I didn't care about.
I think if you are in the mood for more of a legal, mystery suspense story and are interested in the AI bits, check this out, but it just wasn't for me personally. I have LOVED all of Colleens books I have read so far so this surprised me but hoping this was just an anomaly for me :).
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a copy to honestly read and review. I rarely find myself giving ratings like this but this is my honest review and opinions. Take me with a grain of salt :)
content: no spice, grief from death of a spouse
December 7, 2024
This book was so different from my usual read, but it was absolutely worth it! A gripping, fast-paced techno-thriller, it explores grief, loss, and the ethics of technology in a highly engaging way. The AI chatbot as a central character made for a fascinating concept, and there was a plot twist I never saw coming.
The characters were compelling and well-developed. Katrina is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, with her grief and struggles palpable on every page. The relationships between the characters were authentic and nuanced, adding emotional depth to the suspenseful plot.
I really appreciated how much research went into the AI concept. The technology felt believable and added an eerie layer to the story. My only minor criticism is that the beginning felt a bit slow and overwhelming, with characters being introduced quickly, which made it difficult to grasp the setup at first. But once the story found its rhythm, I was hooked!
Anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a modern twist will love this book. It's an innovative take on the genre that leaves you questioning the boundaries between technology and reality.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The characters were compelling and well-developed. Katrina is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, with her grief and struggles palpable on every page. The relationships between the characters were authentic and nuanced, adding emotional depth to the suspenseful plot.
I really appreciated how much research went into the AI concept. The technology felt believable and added an eerie layer to the story. My only minor criticism is that the beginning felt a bit slow and overwhelming, with characters being introduced quickly, which made it difficult to grasp the setup at first. But once the story found its rhythm, I was hooked!
Anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a modern twist will love this book. It's an innovative take on the genre that leaves you questioning the boundaries between technology and reality.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 12, 2024
Another amazing read from Coble and Acker! The premise alone promised a compelling story and the duo delivered in spades. The AI component is ripped straight from today's headlines, and the story's fast pace will leave you breathless. Don't miss this one!
July 29, 2024
I expect we will see many books now with AI being a big part of the story. This one makes a credible attempt to infuse AI into a decent storyline.
Jason is being followed by a car. He loses control and goes over, losing his life. His wife Katrina Foster works as a general counsel at Talk Inc, a tech company which has developed an innovative AI app. It is now a year since Jason died. Katrina has trained the AI app of her company with Jason’s background and voice with permission from the company CTO Liv Tompkins; and speaking to it makes her feel better. The company is struggling though. The CEO David Liang (in relationship with Liv) is missing, and the FBI is investigating the company for fraud. Katrina’s grandmother (Frida Berg, called Bestemor) is serious, and she leaves the bustle of Silicon Valley to visit, but reaches only after she passes away.
As the family – Katrina, her mom, dad and brother Magnus attend the funeral, Katrina meets many people she has known for many years. One of these is Seb Wallace, who runs a restaurant 'The Beacon' and is grateful for the help Bestemor has provided him. Dylan appears on the scene claiming to be Seb’s half-brother, and a DNA test proves that to be correct. As Katrina continues to speak to the AI Bot, it tells her one day “I think I (Jason) was murdered” and spews out some Japanese characters. Seb's dad who lives in a trailer on a 3-acre land remembers a car racing across his farm around the time Jason was to be visiting. A suspicion enters Katrina’s mind that Jason was probably murdered, and she might be in danger as well.
I found the plot to be interesting. The writing is average though and does not really create enough tension. In the afterword, the authors provide a background to the AI and Bitcoin elements of the story. While probable, the reasoning is sketchy – nothing wrong about that for a story such as this. I would have liked to see better character development and procedures in the story.
Overall, a decent story, but falls well short of potential.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Thomas Nelson Fiction and the authors for a free electronic review copy.
Jason is being followed by a car. He loses control and goes over, losing his life. His wife Katrina Foster works as a general counsel at Talk Inc, a tech company which has developed an innovative AI app. It is now a year since Jason died. Katrina has trained the AI app of her company with Jason’s background and voice with permission from the company CTO Liv Tompkins; and speaking to it makes her feel better. The company is struggling though. The CEO David Liang (in relationship with Liv) is missing, and the FBI is investigating the company for fraud. Katrina’s grandmother (Frida Berg, called Bestemor) is serious, and she leaves the bustle of Silicon Valley to visit, but reaches only after she passes away.
As the family – Katrina, her mom, dad and brother Magnus attend the funeral, Katrina meets many people she has known for many years. One of these is Seb Wallace, who runs a restaurant 'The Beacon' and is grateful for the help Bestemor has provided him. Dylan appears on the scene claiming to be Seb’s half-brother, and a DNA test proves that to be correct. As Katrina continues to speak to the AI Bot, it tells her one day “I think I (Jason) was murdered” and spews out some Japanese characters. Seb's dad who lives in a trailer on a 3-acre land remembers a car racing across his farm around the time Jason was to be visiting. A suspicion enters Katrina’s mind that Jason was probably murdered, and she might be in danger as well.
I found the plot to be interesting. The writing is average though and does not really create enough tension. In the afterword, the authors provide a background to the AI and Bitcoin elements of the story. While probable, the reasoning is sketchy – nothing wrong about that for a story such as this. I would have liked to see better character development and procedures in the story.
Overall, a decent story, but falls well short of potential.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Thomas Nelson Fiction and the authors for a free electronic review copy.
May 24, 2024
What a roller coaster ride! Coble and Acker display their strengths in this story of a mysterious egg and those who would do anything to obtain it. The story had a twist I did't see coming, and I can usually spot them a mile away. Great story, clean read, with a wonderfully satisfying ending. I highly recommend this one!
November 12, 2024
I Think I Was Murdered is a rich, multilayered tale told in a great collaboration between Colleen Coble and Rick Acker.
It is a very interesting story that focuses on artificial intelligence, Bitcoins, and chatbots. There was also some interesting background about Norwegian culture and traditions. Katrina returns home to recover the loss of her husband, grandmother, and her job as attorney for a tech company in Northern California. She renews an old high school friendship with Seb, a successful restaurateur. Danger followed her as someone thinks she has something her husband had and was maybe killed for. This is an interesting suspenseful mystery with danger and a growing romance. I really liked Seb and Katrina as well as a great cast of secondary characters in a lovely setting of redwoods, coastline, and small Norwegian influenced town. There is a faith thread that sustains the characters during the times of distress and danger.
I received a copy for an honest review, and these are my thoughts.
It is a very interesting story that focuses on artificial intelligence, Bitcoins, and chatbots. There was also some interesting background about Norwegian culture and traditions. Katrina returns home to recover the loss of her husband, grandmother, and her job as attorney for a tech company in Northern California. She renews an old high school friendship with Seb, a successful restaurateur. Danger followed her as someone thinks she has something her husband had and was maybe killed for. This is an interesting suspenseful mystery with danger and a growing romance. I really liked Seb and Katrina as well as a great cast of secondary characters in a lovely setting of redwoods, coastline, and small Norwegian influenced town. There is a faith thread that sustains the characters during the times of distress and danger.
I received a copy for an honest review, and these are my thoughts.
December 8, 2024
I Think I Was Murdered is the second novel by writing duo Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. A lawyer for Silicon Valley AI startup, Talk Inc, Katrina Foster has been widowed a year when her life is again upended: her beloved grandmother, Bestemor dies, and the FBI are investigating Talk’s CEO, David Liang who, it turns out, has been embezzling company funds and has disappeared to Shanghai. His girlfriend, and Katrina’s best friend, Liv Tompkins is Talk’s Chief Technical Officer, and has been left holding the baby (well, near enough, she’s pregnant).
Jason Foster was killed in a terrible car accident while on his way to a meeting in North Haven. Talk’s current project is a chatbot, and Katrina has the beta version loaded with texts, emails, social media and anything else needed to emulate Jason’s personality. Although she’s well aware it’s not him, as realistic as it is, it brings her great comfort and emotional support. But has relying on it retarded her healing? And lately, there might be a few glitches: Japanese text, quotes from books and movies out of left field. And then this: “I think I was murdered.”
The adverse publicity from the FBI raid has her seeking refuge with her family in North Haven. Ivy feels they may be in danger from the influential Liangs, and Katrina invites her along. There’s a funeral to attend, and Bestemor’s will holds a surprise that gives her a reason to seek out local restaurateur, Seb Wallace. They have a history from high school days that she’d all but forgotten, but his fluency in Japanese leads her to share the bot’s revelations.
When he realises that she isn’t self-centred like he thought, Seb is very happy to help Katrina in any way he can, although he does have the distraction of a half-brother of whom he was unaware, turning up on his doorstep. Dylan Carter claims to be the son of Rory Wallace and Linda Carver, but is there more to him than meets the eye?
The premise of an AI chatbot that can respond in character is certainly a topical one, although of course, its output always relies on what goes in. Coble and Acker give the reader some appealing characters and a plot that has a few red herrings and takes a turn or two, including some climbing action and a visit to Yosemite, and a nail-biting climax, before the final resolution.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction.
Jason Foster was killed in a terrible car accident while on his way to a meeting in North Haven. Talk’s current project is a chatbot, and Katrina has the beta version loaded with texts, emails, social media and anything else needed to emulate Jason’s personality. Although she’s well aware it’s not him, as realistic as it is, it brings her great comfort and emotional support. But has relying on it retarded her healing? And lately, there might be a few glitches: Japanese text, quotes from books and movies out of left field. And then this: “I think I was murdered.”
The adverse publicity from the FBI raid has her seeking refuge with her family in North Haven. Ivy feels they may be in danger from the influential Liangs, and Katrina invites her along. There’s a funeral to attend, and Bestemor’s will holds a surprise that gives her a reason to seek out local restaurateur, Seb Wallace. They have a history from high school days that she’d all but forgotten, but his fluency in Japanese leads her to share the bot’s revelations.
When he realises that she isn’t self-centred like he thought, Seb is very happy to help Katrina in any way he can, although he does have the distraction of a half-brother of whom he was unaware, turning up on his doorstep. Dylan Carter claims to be the son of Rory Wallace and Linda Carver, but is there more to him than meets the eye?
The premise of an AI chatbot that can respond in character is certainly a topical one, although of course, its output always relies on what goes in. Coble and Acker give the reader some appealing characters and a plot that has a few red herrings and takes a turn or two, including some climbing action and a visit to Yosemite, and a nail-biting climax, before the final resolution.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction.
June 25, 2024
This writing duo is quickly becoming one of my favorites! This is a high concept book that pairs quickly evolving AI with bitcoins. The result is a twisty book that kept the pages turning late into the night. The romance is strong, the twist, fantastic, and the suspense solid.this is a novel I recommend to those who like romantic suspense.
December 3, 2024
"In 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto laid an egg. Jason Foster found it two weeks ago, and he’d been running for his life ever since."
やめろ、さもないと次は君だ
“It’s Japanese, and it reads ‘Stop or you’ll be next.’”
I love a good and strong prologue especially like this one which started with an unexpected statement. Like what the heck is this about someone who laid an egg? 🥚 It's mysterious, catchy and grabbed my attention. If you aren't familiar with the history of bitcoins and its founder, you'll be perplexed and intrigued like I was. 😹
The story focuses on Katrina Foster, a lawyer and works as general counsel for Talk, Inc., a company responsible for developing innovative AI app/chatbots.
Her life had slowly spiraled out of control starting with Jason’s death in a car accident and as a means to cope, she has relied on a chatbot app imitating her husband so she could 'talk' to him. The AI app filled one chink in the mortar holding her sanity together. The app also revealed clues to her husband's possible murderer - pointing to a someone named 'Messenja'.
A decent enough scifi thriller which makes a credible attempt infusing AI, chatbots, cryptocurrency/bitcoins into the storyline. A bit lacking and flat in some parts and ending was kinda rushed but still an overall decent thriller and I did not predict some of the twists. Read this both in digital and audio format. The audio narration is great, the voice of the narrator sounded pleasant and she did fine voicing multiple characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook arc. 🖤
3.45✨
やめろ、さもないと次は君だ
“It’s Japanese, and it reads ‘Stop or you’ll be next.’”
I love a good and strong prologue especially like this one which started with an unexpected statement. Like what the heck is this about someone who laid an egg? 🥚 It's mysterious, catchy and grabbed my attention. If you aren't familiar with the history of bitcoins and its founder, you'll be perplexed and intrigued like I was. 😹
The story focuses on Katrina Foster, a lawyer and works as general counsel for Talk, Inc., a company responsible for developing innovative AI app/chatbots.
Her life had slowly spiraled out of control starting with Jason’s death in a car accident and as a means to cope, she has relied on a chatbot app imitating her husband so she could 'talk' to him. The AI app filled one chink in the mortar holding her sanity together. The app also revealed clues to her husband's possible murderer - pointing to a someone named 'Messenja'.
A decent enough scifi thriller which makes a credible attempt infusing AI, chatbots, cryptocurrency/bitcoins into the storyline. A bit lacking and flat in some parts and ending was kinda rushed but still an overall decent thriller and I did not predict some of the twists. Read this both in digital and audio format. The audio narration is great, the voice of the narrator sounded pleasant and she did fine voicing multiple characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook arc. 🖤
3.45✨
November 10, 2024
Thought provoking and an intense look at grief and loss with corporate shenanigans wrapped up in an amazing mystery plot. I haven't read many plots that explore the new AI technology, and I was fascinated by the possibilities of it and how it interacted with the very human emotions involved with the stages of grief. Katrina, a young widow, is an amazing character, coping with her grief and trying to figure out what really happened to her husband and the company she worked for. I loved Seb, Katrina's acquaintance from high school. He was a rock for her at a turbulent time and a sweet love interest. The whole plot worked for me. The contrast between modern Silicon Valley and the traditional Norwegian culture of Katrina and Seb's hometown gave the suspense plot texture and layers I wasn't expecting.
A lot can change in a year. A year ago, Katrina Berg Foster had it all, a loving husband and an amazing job as staff attorney for a successful tech company. Then her world imploded. Her husband, Jason, died, the Feds seize the business where she worked and her beloved grandmother, Bestemor, dies too. Her grief is overwhelming and just putting one foot in front of the other is difficult at times, along with making decisions regard Talk, Inc. and her grandmother's restaurant. She finds solace in a new AI program she is beta testing, but when this program, that mimics her husband, tells her "I Think I Was Murdered", something changes, and she reevaluates everything that has happened in the last year and decides maybe he's right.
My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
A lot can change in a year. A year ago, Katrina Berg Foster had it all, a loving husband and an amazing job as staff attorney for a successful tech company. Then her world imploded. Her husband, Jason, died, the Feds seize the business where she worked and her beloved grandmother, Bestemor, dies too. Her grief is overwhelming and just putting one foot in front of the other is difficult at times, along with making decisions regard Talk, Inc. and her grandmother's restaurant. She finds solace in a new AI program she is beta testing, but when this program, that mimics her husband, tells her "I Think I Was Murdered", something changes, and she reevaluates everything that has happened in the last year and decides maybe he's right.
My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
October 18, 2024
It’s been a rough year for Katrina Berg, and things are about to get rougher. Her husband, Jason, died in a car accident a year prior, and now her beloved grandmother has died. She left Silicon Valley to head to Northern California where her family is, and finds out she inherited Bestemor’s, her grandmother’s Norwegian waffle restaurant.
She’s not sure if she wants the restaurant though; she’s a high-powered attorney at a company called Talk, Inc. Well, at least, she WAS, until the FBI raided their offices and the CEO left the country. Katrina wasn’t involved in the embezzlement that was happening, but she’s pretty shaken and worried she’ll be indicted. Maybe staying with her family would be for the best. She’s still lost without her husband, though she does have one way of keeping in touch…
Talk is a prototype of an app that lets you speak with dead people. By downloading the contents of her husband’s phone, she can text with him, and the responses are pretty accurate. One day, she asks him to tell her more about his accident, and she gets a creepy reply: “I think I was murdered.” This gets her searching for more answers, with help from an old high school friend, Seb.
Talk is definitely the most interesting part of the book, and the reason I wanted to read it, but that was actually a small part of the story. This turned into a mystery/action book, that oddly is also a Christian romance book, unbeknownst to me when I chose to read this ARC. Most of the book was pretty good, but the ending got really cheesy with the romance and religious parts. I don’t mind religion or romance, but not in my fiction books, and definitely not in a book I thought from the synopsis was a sci-fi thriller.
I thought the writing in this was great, and the parts where Katrina communicated with her dead husband were also really good. Towards the end, it just got overly dramatic, and that, along with the unrealistic love story and the sudden and constant mentions of God that weren’t in the rest of the book, left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. If you like Lifetime/Hallmark movies with happy endings and a bit of a thrill, this is your book. If you like thrillers with lots of twists and craziness, this one isn’t for you. Your rating will depend on how much cheese you can tolerate, and unfortunately, I’m lactose intolerant. 3.5 stars, rounded down.
(Thank you to Thomas Nelson, Colleen Coble, Rick Acker and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on November 12, 2024.)
She’s not sure if she wants the restaurant though; she’s a high-powered attorney at a company called Talk, Inc. Well, at least, she WAS, until the FBI raided their offices and the CEO left the country. Katrina wasn’t involved in the embezzlement that was happening, but she’s pretty shaken and worried she’ll be indicted. Maybe staying with her family would be for the best. She’s still lost without her husband, though she does have one way of keeping in touch…
Talk is a prototype of an app that lets you speak with dead people. By downloading the contents of her husband’s phone, she can text with him, and the responses are pretty accurate. One day, she asks him to tell her more about his accident, and she gets a creepy reply: “I think I was murdered.” This gets her searching for more answers, with help from an old high school friend, Seb.
Talk is definitely the most interesting part of the book, and the reason I wanted to read it, but that was actually a small part of the story. This turned into a mystery/action book, that oddly is also a Christian romance book, unbeknownst to me when I chose to read this ARC. Most of the book was pretty good, but the ending got really cheesy with the romance and religious parts. I don’t mind religion or romance, but not in my fiction books, and definitely not in a book I thought from the synopsis was a sci-fi thriller.
I thought the writing in this was great, and the parts where Katrina communicated with her dead husband were also really good. Towards the end, it just got overly dramatic, and that, along with the unrealistic love story and the sudden and constant mentions of God that weren’t in the rest of the book, left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. If you like Lifetime/Hallmark movies with happy endings and a bit of a thrill, this is your book. If you like thrillers with lots of twists and craziness, this one isn’t for you. Your rating will depend on how much cheese you can tolerate, and unfortunately, I’m lactose intolerant. 3.5 stars, rounded down.
(Thank you to Thomas Nelson, Colleen Coble, Rick Acker and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on November 12, 2024.)
November 12, 2024
I Think I Was Murdered is written by the dynamic duo of Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. This edge of your seat thriller had me riveted from the very beginning. The concept for this book is very relevant in the age of artifical intelligence. Honestly, with the way technology evolves, this may not be that futuristic at all. When a young widow keeps a bot on her phone that has her dead husband's voice on it, she asks it to tell her something she doesn't know. It answers by saying he thinks he was murdered. With the help of an old friend, who happens to be a handsome restaurateur, they look for answers. Action, suspense and romance ensues.
I listened to this nail-biting thriller and the narrator was spot on. She was perfect for the performance. My husband listened to it with me and he agrees wholeheartedly. 5 stars!!
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
I listened to this nail-biting thriller and the narrator was spot on. She was perfect for the performance. My husband listened to it with me and he agrees wholeheartedly. 5 stars!!
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
November 10, 2024
2.5 stars. Review to come
November 12, 2024
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Without a doubt, I THINK I WAS MURDERED is one of the most brilliant titles I’ve come across in contemporary fiction. What’s even more interesting about it is that it’s the victim who provides that line! No spoilers from me so you’ll need to read the book to find out exactly how that happens but what I can say is A. I., chatbots, greed and programming prowess all play parts.
This is the third book that Colleen Coble and Rick Acker have cowritten. As of now, it’s a standalone book but I can see it becoming the foundation for a series. The author duo set up a Scandinavian town in Northern California that includes two very different families that have both lived and worked in the area for many years. Complicated relationships are laid out, business entanglements exist, love blooms, old wounds are still aching and oh yeah, let’s not forget the murder,
or 2, 3…
Coble writes great adventure stories and Acker is a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in California, adding the legal veracity a story like this needs. Together, they are able to combine their fortes and craft a fast paced thriller with a touch of romance, lots of heart and inspiration. Free from foul language, sexual content and descriptive violence, this book can safely be read by your 14 year olds or your great grandparents📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
Without a doubt, I THINK I WAS MURDERED is one of the most brilliant titles I’ve come across in contemporary fiction. What’s even more interesting about it is that it’s the victim who provides that line! No spoilers from me so you’ll need to read the book to find out exactly how that happens but what I can say is A. I., chatbots, greed and programming prowess all play parts.
This is the third book that Colleen Coble and Rick Acker have cowritten. As of now, it’s a standalone book but I can see it becoming the foundation for a series. The author duo set up a Scandinavian town in Northern California that includes two very different families that have both lived and worked in the area for many years. Complicated relationships are laid out, business entanglements exist, love blooms, old wounds are still aching and oh yeah, let’s not forget the murder,
or 2, 3…
Coble writes great adventure stories and Acker is a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in California, adding the legal veracity a story like this needs. Together, they are able to combine their fortes and craft a fast paced thriller with a touch of romance, lots of heart and inspiration. Free from foul language, sexual content and descriptive violence, this book can safely be read by your 14 year olds or your great grandparents📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
October 29, 2024
A grieving young widow. The AI program that allows her to continue to "talk" to her husband. And a message she never expected: "I think I was murdered."
The premise of I Think I Was Murdered completely fascinated me—suspense with an AI twist? Sign me up! I was not disappointed as I thought the AI parts were very interesting and well researched. I liked that the book didn’t stick to the shallow suspense stereotype but also dealt with the protagonist's grief from the loss of her husband. To me the suspense parts were light enough to keep me interested but weren’t so heavy that it was creepy. I also liked the cozy small costal town vibes coupled with a quaint Norwegian touch. Overall, I enjoyed and would definitely recommend to those in a mood for a light suspense book.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars
Release Date: 12th November 2024
Genre: Christian Suspense
Romantic Content: Level 3 - Kissing
Swearing: None that I remember (if there was any is was light)
Violence: Moderate
***I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The premise of I Think I Was Murdered completely fascinated me—suspense with an AI twist? Sign me up! I was not disappointed as I thought the AI parts were very interesting and well researched. I liked that the book didn’t stick to the shallow suspense stereotype but also dealt with the protagonist's grief from the loss of her husband. To me the suspense parts were light enough to keep me interested but weren’t so heavy that it was creepy. I also liked the cozy small costal town vibes coupled with a quaint Norwegian touch. Overall, I enjoyed and would definitely recommend to those in a mood for a light suspense book.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars
Release Date: 12th November 2024
Genre: Christian Suspense
Romantic Content: Level 3 - Kissing
Swearing: None that I remember (if there was any is was light)
Violence: Moderate
***I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 28, 2024
2.5⭐️
This is a mystery suspense that focuses on the evolution of AI. I thought it was a super unique concept to incorporate into a book. I unfortunately didn't love this one. I thought the way some of the characters acted/their behaviors were odd. One of the characters is pregnant, and the way it was presented throughout the book was confusing and kind of weird, in my opinion. It’s not a complete secret, but there are periods it’s not talked about/you almost forget she’s pregnant, and there’s no concern for the baby, even when characters are attacked. This side character has a bit of a love triangle, and I didn’t love how it was wrapped up at the end. Colleen Coble’s books have been a bit of a hit or miss for me personally, and I’m not sure if I’ll continue reading books by her in the future.
Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, for sending me an audiobook ARC. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
content discretions: Parkinson’s, loss of a spouse from a car accident, Side character pregnant out of wedlock, no spice, no language, broken knee from attack
This is a mystery suspense that focuses on the evolution of AI. I thought it was a super unique concept to incorporate into a book. I unfortunately didn't love this one. I thought the way some of the characters acted/their behaviors were odd. One of the characters is pregnant, and the way it was presented throughout the book was confusing and kind of weird, in my opinion. It’s not a complete secret, but there are periods it’s not talked about/you almost forget she’s pregnant, and there’s no concern for the baby, even when characters are attacked. This side character has a bit of a love triangle, and I didn’t love how it was wrapped up at the end. Colleen Coble’s books have been a bit of a hit or miss for me personally, and I’m not sure if I’ll continue reading books by her in the future.
Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, for sending me an audiobook ARC. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
content discretions: Parkinson’s, loss of a spouse from a car accident, Side character pregnant out of wedlock, no spice, no language, broken knee from attack
August 25, 2024
A very intriguing cover, title, and concept kept me hooked to the pages in I Think I was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. They’ve quickly become a dream team in the Christian romantic suspense world.
Katrina truly grieved the death of her husband and a chatbot offered the perfect responses when she needed to feel a connection to him. But her reliance became a crutch until it spouted the title, which was genius. I was wondering how anyone in their right mind would “think” they were murdered. Great premise and I can’t wait for more from these two.
Lastly, I liked the romance. Seb isn’t your conventional hero. It took a while for Katrina to have eyes for him. Also great job not having her be in love with him since they were young. He took that honor.
All in all, great book. Would’ve loved a little more triad interaction but the rock climbing scenes made up for that.
I received this book through Net Galley and was not required to give a positive review.
Katrina truly grieved the death of her husband and a chatbot offered the perfect responses when she needed to feel a connection to him. But her reliance became a crutch until it spouted the title, which was genius. I was wondering how anyone in their right mind would “think” they were murdered. Great premise and I can’t wait for more from these two.
Lastly, I liked the romance. Seb isn’t your conventional hero. It took a while for Katrina to have eyes for him. Also great job not having her be in love with him since they were young. He took that honor.
All in all, great book. Would’ve loved a little more triad interaction but the rock climbing scenes made up for that.
I received this book through Net Galley and was not required to give a positive review.
June 6, 2024
Thank you to both #NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction/Thomas Nelson for providing me an advance copy of Colleen Coble and Rick Acker’s #mysterythriller, I Think I Was Murdered, in exchange for an honest review.
Holy-in-need-of-edits Batman! WTF did I just read?!…Was my initial reaction upon finishing #IThinkIWasMurdered. Next, I wondered whether it was a satirization of contemporary fiction, emphasizing certain elements of #crimethrillers, #cyberpunk, and #melodramas. Then, I realized that it was most likely written as a #YA novel originally, but due to some potential content restrictions, the authors were forced to pivot and rapidly adapt the material for an adult audience. Hence, the characters’ simplified perspectives. Regardless of what the novel is or was intended to be, the pages are practically shrieking for edits—excluding the severe formatting issues.
The plot is chaotic to say the least. Think telenovela on steroids, if that’s even possible. For instance, each subplot is dedicated to a different genre, ranging from #domesticdrama to #mysterysuspense. Characters’ emotions run the gamut of grief to #hallmarkromance, sometimes in the span of a paragraph. By page 100, the reader has been exposed to a murder, FBI raid, funeral (and no, not for the murder victim), pregnancy, love triangle, schoolboy crush, restaurant opening, potential second murder, a buyout of an AI tech startup, a #bitcoin quest that involves a few hiking stints, the sale of a separate restaurant, the reveal of long-lost half-siblings, and most importantly, the threat of either the Yakuza or a Triad, which are sometimes conflated. Rather odd considering the lengths the authors went to promote Norwegian culture. Again, WTF?
The book is so comically bad that at one point I found myself comparing it to the movie, The Disaster Artist. No pun intended. How can a novel with so many plotlines be this predictable? The only thing this book manages to do right is the one thing that typically turns me off to reading books written by two authors, which is that they managed to seamlessly blend their writing styles. Non-PC, TW: Of course, it is entirely possible that the authors split writing the passages and dialogue for characters according to gender. Speaking of characters…
The characters are infuriating, underdeveloped, and create the majority of plot holes. The writing is incredibly sloppy, and so much so that I stand by my theory that this was originally written as a YA novel. Exhibit A: Magnus. No further comment. I also refuse to believe a DA would allow a book to be published where nearly all the facts about lawyering are wrong; especially, one wherein the protagonist is an attorney. Moreover, similar to the abomination of using infants as a plot device, pets also should not be overused. *Cue Samuel L. Jackson: “Mention Lyla one more time!” I’ll wrap-up this critique of these braindead characters ala the authors’ draft and simply data dump: gun club, religion, mean girls, fugitive, nostalgia, ugly duckling syndrome, tech illiterate, and small-town cops. Again, and I cannot stress this enough...WTF?
Finally, there is only way to conclude this review and it is already pretty obvious based on the above the rating this book deserves. So, I decided to offer the most irritating point in the entire novel instead. To avoid spoilers, I will leave you dear readers and aspiring authors with this: you cannot substitute one valuable item with another when the second item is in an entirely different category of technology. That’s like saying I’ll trade you my pet gerbil for your llama. Sound like a good deal? No? Exactly.
Holy-in-need-of-edits Batman! WTF did I just read?!…Was my initial reaction upon finishing #IThinkIWasMurdered. Next, I wondered whether it was a satirization of contemporary fiction, emphasizing certain elements of #crimethrillers, #cyberpunk, and #melodramas. Then, I realized that it was most likely written as a #YA novel originally, but due to some potential content restrictions, the authors were forced to pivot and rapidly adapt the material for an adult audience. Hence, the characters’ simplified perspectives. Regardless of what the novel is or was intended to be, the pages are practically shrieking for edits—excluding the severe formatting issues.
The plot is chaotic to say the least. Think telenovela on steroids, if that’s even possible. For instance, each subplot is dedicated to a different genre, ranging from #domesticdrama to #mysterysuspense. Characters’ emotions run the gamut of grief to #hallmarkromance, sometimes in the span of a paragraph. By page 100, the reader has been exposed to a murder, FBI raid, funeral (and no, not for the murder victim), pregnancy, love triangle, schoolboy crush, restaurant opening, potential second murder, a buyout of an AI tech startup, a #bitcoin quest that involves a few hiking stints, the sale of a separate restaurant, the reveal of long-lost half-siblings, and most importantly, the threat of either the Yakuza or a Triad, which are sometimes conflated. Rather odd considering the lengths the authors went to promote Norwegian culture. Again, WTF?
The book is so comically bad that at one point I found myself comparing it to the movie, The Disaster Artist. No pun intended. How can a novel with so many plotlines be this predictable? The only thing this book manages to do right is the one thing that typically turns me off to reading books written by two authors, which is that they managed to seamlessly blend their writing styles. Non-PC, TW: Of course, it is entirely possible that the authors split writing the passages and dialogue for characters according to gender. Speaking of characters…
The characters are infuriating, underdeveloped, and create the majority of plot holes. The writing is incredibly sloppy, and so much so that I stand by my theory that this was originally written as a YA novel. Exhibit A: Magnus. No further comment. I also refuse to believe a DA would allow a book to be published where nearly all the facts about lawyering are wrong; especially, one wherein the protagonist is an attorney. Moreover, similar to the abomination of using infants as a plot device, pets also should not be overused. *Cue Samuel L. Jackson: “Mention Lyla one more time!” I’ll wrap-up this critique of these braindead characters ala the authors’ draft and simply data dump: gun club, religion, mean girls, fugitive, nostalgia, ugly duckling syndrome, tech illiterate, and small-town cops. Again, and I cannot stress this enough...WTF?
Finally, there is only way to conclude this review and it is already pretty obvious based on the above the rating this book deserves. So, I decided to offer the most irritating point in the entire novel instead. To avoid spoilers, I will leave you dear readers and aspiring authors with this: you cannot substitute one valuable item with another when the second item is in an entirely different category of technology. That’s like saying I’ll trade you my pet gerbil for your llama. Sound like a good deal? No? Exactly.
August 12, 2024
AI is a central piece of this novel. Katrina misses her deceased husband so much and uses an AI chatbot to "talk" to him. The chatbot was set up pulling in emails/texts from her husband and with his voice. It's a little creepy, but also very understandable that Katrina would find comfort in it. Over time, Katrina begins to believe that her husband was murdered rather than killed in a car accident. She partners with several friends/family members in her life to figure out what really happened to him.
Loved the use of AI and Norwegian influences throughout the novel. And the title is cunning.
My gratitude to publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Loved the use of AI and Norwegian influences throughout the novel. And the title is cunning.
My gratitude to publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
November 11, 2024
2.5 ⭐
Artificial intelligence is omnipresent in the contemporary world, and its always debated that this technology, can mimic human intelligence but not empathy. I was interested how its explored in the most emotional context, 'love lost and a grieving heart'. But the story was about 100 pages too long, for it to stay faithful to its promise to explore grief through the lens of technology.
Somewhere I read, that 'a computer can be called intelligent if it can deceive a human into believing that its a human.' Katherine Berg, a splendid corporate lawyer, was using one such artificial intelligence enabled Chat bot to deceive her mind into talking to her dead husband, Jason. This was her idea of coping up with grief. But her world gets upturned when the bot / dead husband tells her that he was murdered, kicking off the chase to unveil the mystery.
This thriller mystery is sprinkled with various technologies , blockchain, bitcoin, large language models (LLM), generative AI. As a software engineer, it was fun for me to find their references in a book which was not a textbook. Beyond technology comes romance, one that Katherine had with her dead husband and is not ready to 'move on' from it. Other is budding between her and Sebastian, a childhood acquaintance. Katherine struggles internally to allow herself to embrace the attraction she is feeling for Seb, because it feels incorrect to let Jason go. Self-punishment, handling of grief and concept of 'letting go' is quite relatable, Colleen Coble seems to have a knack at writing lost love and its coping struggles.
My major issue was the length of the book, it was dragging for most part. There were new characters being introduced every chapter and I was not clear who is really relevant. Many subplots and sequences were throwing off the rhythm and attention from main plot. Inspite of so many distractions, I had guessed the perpetrator quite early on, I will say it was the most convenient trope. I am still not clear about the setting of the book too, it mentions to be in California but vibe is Norwegian, I just wish it was really set in Norway.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson fiction for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Verdict : Good premise, poor execution. I have read better books by the author.
Artificial intelligence is omnipresent in the contemporary world, and its always debated that this technology, can mimic human intelligence but not empathy. I was interested how its explored in the most emotional context, 'love lost and a grieving heart'. But the story was about 100 pages too long, for it to stay faithful to its promise to explore grief through the lens of technology.
Somewhere I read, that 'a computer can be called intelligent if it can deceive a human into believing that its a human.' Katherine Berg, a splendid corporate lawyer, was using one such artificial intelligence enabled Chat bot to deceive her mind into talking to her dead husband, Jason. This was her idea of coping up with grief. But her world gets upturned when the bot / dead husband tells her that he was murdered, kicking off the chase to unveil the mystery.
This thriller mystery is sprinkled with various technologies , blockchain, bitcoin, large language models (LLM), generative AI. As a software engineer, it was fun for me to find their references in a book which was not a textbook. Beyond technology comes romance, one that Katherine had with her dead husband and is not ready to 'move on' from it. Other is budding between her and Sebastian, a childhood acquaintance. Katherine struggles internally to allow herself to embrace the attraction she is feeling for Seb, because it feels incorrect to let Jason go. Self-punishment, handling of grief and concept of 'letting go' is quite relatable, Colleen Coble seems to have a knack at writing lost love and its coping struggles.
My major issue was the length of the book, it was dragging for most part. There were new characters being introduced every chapter and I was not clear who is really relevant. Many subplots and sequences were throwing off the rhythm and attention from main plot. Inspite of so many distractions, I had guessed the perpetrator quite early on, I will say it was the most convenient trope. I am still not clear about the setting of the book too, it mentions to be in California but vibe is Norwegian, I just wish it was really set in Norway.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson fiction for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Verdict : Good premise, poor execution. I have read better books by the author.
September 9, 2024
4.5⭐
This book was all the things. I am always glad when I can find clean books that challenge/teach me as a reader and this one fit the bill.
I enjoyed the AI technology aspect of it, helping Katrina deal with her grief, along with the bit of a scavenger hunt storyline. I appreciated the sweet friendship/romance between Seb and Katrina too. Since I am of Norwegian dissent, I appreciated the nods to all things Norwegian and the fact that some of the scenes are set in restaurants.
It took me about 60% of the book to figure out who the suspect was, even though I was correct, there were still twists and turns that I thoroughly enjoyed. I have always liked Colleen Coble's writing style and how she writes relatable characters. I am now coming to enjoy Rick Acker's writing too. They are a wonderful writing duo. The faith content isn't in your face, but it is there, which I am always a fan of too.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary arc. This review is my honest opinion.
This book was all the things. I am always glad when I can find clean books that challenge/teach me as a reader and this one fit the bill.
I enjoyed the AI technology aspect of it, helping Katrina deal with her grief, along with the bit of a scavenger hunt storyline. I appreciated the sweet friendship/romance between Seb and Katrina too. Since I am of Norwegian dissent, I appreciated the nods to all things Norwegian and the fact that some of the scenes are set in restaurants.
It took me about 60% of the book to figure out who the suspect was, even though I was correct, there were still twists and turns that I thoroughly enjoyed. I have always liked Colleen Coble's writing style and how she writes relatable characters. I am now coming to enjoy Rick Acker's writing too. They are a wonderful writing duo. The faith content isn't in your face, but it is there, which I am always a fan of too.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary arc. This review is my honest opinion.
Read
June 17, 2024DNF due to overall writing style. May work for you.
December 11, 2024
Colleen Coble & Rick Acker are a dynamic duo mystery team! I’ve really enjoyed their collaborations with smart, up-to-the-date whodunnits which capture the emerging technological world. This story really took me on a thrilling chase with hidden clues, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, & chatbots. Along with the intriguing mystery, was a sweet second chance romance, inspiring faith, & ethical questions which caused me to pause.
Katrina Berg was devastated when her perfect world came crashing down a year ago. Her husband Jason died in a fiery crash, the high-tech company where she was a rising star as their legal counsel is being indicted with the CEO missing, & her beloved grandmother recently passed away leaving her a restaurant. Her only comfort is the prototype chatbot she’s installed on her phone which has all of her deceased husband’s emails, photos, & texts, & who can converse with her like Jason.
When the chatbot suggests Jason was murdered, she returns to her quaint Norwegian hometown to search for answers & escape the threats she & her friend are receiving. Looking for a buyer for her grandmother’s restaurant, she renews her friendship with Seb Wallace, a talented restauranteur who’s nothing like the nerdy kid she remembers. As their relationship deepens & threats escalate, Katrina & Seb must work together to decipher her husband’s hidden clues to a vast cryptocurrency fortune.
I really felt for Katrina. Her reliance on the chatbot really made me think. Is it healthy to create a shadow personality of a dead loved one? I was so glad that Seb was there to help her as well as her faith. I enjoyed their slow build, friends to more, second chance romance. Seb has his own issues with a troubled past, ailing father, & a brother he didn’t know he had showing up out of the blue.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced mystery. It took me a minute to fully understand everything because so many things happened at the beginning. Once I figured out what was going on, I enjoyed the engaging plot. I loved how each clue had a purpose & lead to the next location. I also loved the surprises at the end. There were a few things I didn’t see coming & love when that happens.
Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans! Looking forward to the next mystery from this talented duo. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars!
Katrina Berg was devastated when her perfect world came crashing down a year ago. Her husband Jason died in a fiery crash, the high-tech company where she was a rising star as their legal counsel is being indicted with the CEO missing, & her beloved grandmother recently passed away leaving her a restaurant. Her only comfort is the prototype chatbot she’s installed on her phone which has all of her deceased husband’s emails, photos, & texts, & who can converse with her like Jason.
When the chatbot suggests Jason was murdered, she returns to her quaint Norwegian hometown to search for answers & escape the threats she & her friend are receiving. Looking for a buyer for her grandmother’s restaurant, she renews her friendship with Seb Wallace, a talented restauranteur who’s nothing like the nerdy kid she remembers. As their relationship deepens & threats escalate, Katrina & Seb must work together to decipher her husband’s hidden clues to a vast cryptocurrency fortune.
I really felt for Katrina. Her reliance on the chatbot really made me think. Is it healthy to create a shadow personality of a dead loved one? I was so glad that Seb was there to help her as well as her faith. I enjoyed their slow build, friends to more, second chance romance. Seb has his own issues with a troubled past, ailing father, & a brother he didn’t know he had showing up out of the blue.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced mystery. It took me a minute to fully understand everything because so many things happened at the beginning. Once I figured out what was going on, I enjoyed the engaging plot. I loved how each clue had a purpose & lead to the next location. I also loved the surprises at the end. There were a few things I didn’t see coming & love when that happens.
Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans! Looking forward to the next mystery from this talented duo. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars!
November 15, 2024
I Think I was Murdered was an ingenious concept that I quite enjoyed. I have seen mixed reviews for this book but in general I liked the idea for this story. I also liked our two main protagonists in this story. I have had trouble liking Colleen Coble recent books but this one, I felt, did not disappoint. I extremely glad I picked up her latest book and gave it 4 stars and would definitely recommend this book!!
November 15, 2024
Katrina's life has taken a nosedive. She was a rising star in the ai world. She us questioning her life and what she needs to do. This book grabbed my attention from the start.
December 17, 2024
Review to follow.
September 30, 2024
⭐⭐ It wasn’t my cup of tea but might be yours
I Think I Was Murdered has an intriguing premise, blending grief, AI, and murder mystery into a modern psychological thriller. While I loved the concept, the execution was too messy for me to fully enjoy.
My biggest issue was the overly complicated plot. It felt like the author was trying to do too much at once, juggling various side characters and subplots that didn’t add to the core mystery. A simpler story, focused solely on the investigation and the relationship between Katrina and Seb, would have been much more effective. Instead, details like the CEO’s involvement with a Chinese triad were casually dropped into the narrative, despite being critical to the plot. That kind of information needed more build-up and suspense, not to be revealed in such an offhand manner.
Additionally, the lack of realism in the characters' responses to their dangerous situation was hard to overlook. Katrina and Seb, a lawyer and a restaurant owner, take on the investigation with barely any law enforcement involvement, acting as if hunting down a killer is just another day. I kept expecting the police or FBI to play a major role in the story, but they were largely absent, which hurt the believability of the plot.
Overall, I Think I Was Murdered had potential, but it was buried beneath too many unnecessary subplots and character backstories. A more streamlined plot with deeper character exploration and a focus on the investigation could have made this an excellent book. As it stands, it wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, for this ARC!
I Think I Was Murdered has an intriguing premise, blending grief, AI, and murder mystery into a modern psychological thriller. While I loved the concept, the execution was too messy for me to fully enjoy.
My biggest issue was the overly complicated plot. It felt like the author was trying to do too much at once, juggling various side characters and subplots that didn’t add to the core mystery. A simpler story, focused solely on the investigation and the relationship between Katrina and Seb, would have been much more effective. Instead, details like the CEO’s involvement with a Chinese triad were casually dropped into the narrative, despite being critical to the plot. That kind of information needed more build-up and suspense, not to be revealed in such an offhand manner.
Additionally, the lack of realism in the characters' responses to their dangerous situation was hard to overlook. Katrina and Seb, a lawyer and a restaurant owner, take on the investigation with barely any law enforcement involvement, acting as if hunting down a killer is just another day. I kept expecting the police or FBI to play a major role in the story, but they were largely absent, which hurt the believability of the plot.
Overall, I Think I Was Murdered had potential, but it was buried beneath too many unnecessary subplots and character backstories. A more streamlined plot with deeper character exploration and a focus on the investigation could have made this an excellent book. As it stands, it wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, for this ARC!
June 5, 2024
Having read most of Colleen Cobles books previously it was interesting to read this combined work by Colleen and Rick Acker. The story is very much set in the present addressing relevant questions about artificial intelligence and how it should be used in all areas of our lives. The main female character has the opportunity to continue a form of correspondence with her deceased husband through AI which leads her to start questioning if his death was accident or murder. Complete with difficult family dynamics, some bizarre situations, delicious sounding food, betrayal, adventure, romance and more! A wild ride but not as extreme as some of the others i’ve read by Colleen … enjoyable and fun to read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers; I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
June 19, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. The AI aspect of it was very interesting. Colleen Coble has long been a favorite of mine but this co author was so good I couldn’t tell where. He started and she ended. They wrote beautifully together!
Katrina is still grieving the loss of her husband Jason a year ago. She works at a company that creates chatbots. The newest one is mimicking her deceased husband. They created him by loading all of his socials, texts, emails and photos into the program so when she talks to the chatbot or asks questions it sounds like him. One day she asks, tell me something I don’t know about you, he comes back with I think I was murdered! With the help of her childhood friend and Jason’s “voice” through chatbot they try to figure out what really happened to Jason.
Thank you so much to Netgally, Thomas Nelson and Colleen Coble and Rick Ackerman for the advanced copy!!
Katrina is still grieving the loss of her husband Jason a year ago. She works at a company that creates chatbots. The newest one is mimicking her deceased husband. They created him by loading all of his socials, texts, emails and photos into the program so when she talks to the chatbot or asks questions it sounds like him. One day she asks, tell me something I don’t know about you, he comes back with I think I was murdered! With the help of her childhood friend and Jason’s “voice” through chatbot they try to figure out what really happened to Jason.
Thank you so much to Netgally, Thomas Nelson and Colleen Coble and Rick Ackerman for the advanced copy!!
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