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The Girl Thief
Ensnared into the lives of a troubled, wealthy couple - or is she?
"Please help me."
Kate Tilden reaches her delicate, manicured hand next to mine, and I turn to her, startled. She's unsteady, and there's a stain on the bodice of her strappy party dress. Wine, probably. Her big blue eyes are red-rimmed and imploring me, just a caterer's assistant, for help up the stairs. That startles me more...but so it begins.
Kate and her husband Griffin are a troubled glamor couple with dangerous secrets. Some I know because I have researched them, never dreaming that gaining access to them would be this easy. Has it been too easy? That gives me pause, but I feel kind of sorry for Kate. Online gossips say she's miserable, and she took to me the last time I worked here. She even insists that I'd be a good live-in companion just to talk to, help with her problems. The pay would be better. Would I please stay awhile? Maybe longer?
The irony stuns me, because this is what I've long wanted. I have a secret too, something Griff and Kate Tilden could never guess. My only fear, besides being alone with them in this vast, isolated house, is that Griff is reputedly dangerous.
Well, I can be dangerous too. They don't know my real reason for infiltrating their lives...
"Please help me."
Kate Tilden reaches her delicate, manicured hand next to mine, and I turn to her, startled. She's unsteady, and there's a stain on the bodice of her strappy party dress. Wine, probably. Her big blue eyes are red-rimmed and imploring me, just a caterer's assistant, for help up the stairs. That startles me more...but so it begins.
Kate and her husband Griffin are a troubled glamor couple with dangerous secrets. Some I know because I have researched them, never dreaming that gaining access to them would be this easy. Has it been too easy? That gives me pause, but I feel kind of sorry for Kate. Online gossips say she's miserable, and she took to me the last time I worked here. She even insists that I'd be a good live-in companion just to talk to, help with her problems. The pay would be better. Would I please stay awhile? Maybe longer?
The irony stuns me, because this is what I've long wanted. I have a secret too, something Griff and Kate Tilden could never guess. My only fear, besides being alone with them in this vast, isolated house, is that Griff is reputedly dangerous.
Well, I can be dangerous too. They don't know my real reason for infiltrating their lives...
Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2024
About the author
J.A. Schneider
17 books573 followersWheaton College, Norton MA (French Lit Major, Minor in Spanish & squeezed in Russian.)
Sorbonne, Jr. Year in Paris
Exchange student in the Soviet Union, where I got arrested for spreading anti-Soviet propaganda - ugh. Caught with friends laughing at their pea-green-colored drinking water; that was the offense; four of us arrested. Let go after a day, guess they decided we weren't worth an international incident...
Now excited about my new upcoming thriller, THE GIRL THIEF! Release May 30!
Former writer at Newsweek Magazine. Author of the 6-book EMBRYO medical thriller series; the 4-book Detective Kerri Blasco Police/Psychological Thrillers FEAR DREAMS, HER LAST BREATH, WATCHING YOU, & SHOELESS CHILD.
Also 7 standalone thrillers: INTO THE DARK, GIRL WATCHING YOU, WHAT YOU'VE DONE, CRY TO ME, THE WIFE LIST & THE GIRL THIEF. Also the U.S. Civil War thriller, KATE WARNE'S SISTER IS MISSING. (She was America's first female detective and a Pinkerton. The story takes place in NYC - a pro-South hotbed - at the outbreak of the Civil War.)
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/joyce.schnei...
Twitter https://twitter.com/JoyceSchneider1
Website: https://jaschneiderauthor.net
Sorbonne, Jr. Year in Paris
Exchange student in the Soviet Union, where I got arrested for spreading anti-Soviet propaganda - ugh. Caught with friends laughing at their pea-green-colored drinking water; that was the offense; four of us arrested. Let go after a day, guess they decided we weren't worth an international incident...
Now excited about my new upcoming thriller, THE GIRL THIEF! Release May 30!
Former writer at Newsweek Magazine. Author of the 6-book EMBRYO medical thriller series; the 4-book Detective Kerri Blasco Police/Psychological Thrillers FEAR DREAMS, HER LAST BREATH, WATCHING YOU, & SHOELESS CHILD.
Also 7 standalone thrillers: INTO THE DARK, GIRL WATCHING YOU, WHAT YOU'VE DONE, CRY TO ME, THE WIFE LIST & THE GIRL THIEF. Also the U.S. Civil War thriller, KATE WARNE'S SISTER IS MISSING. (She was America's first female detective and a Pinkerton. The story takes place in NYC - a pro-South hotbed - at the outbreak of the Civil War.)
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/joyce.schnei...
Twitter https://twitter.com/JoyceSchneider1
Website: https://jaschneiderauthor.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
May 26, 2024
Rooney Budd had joined the catering team at the luxurious mansion owned by the Tilden's, and when Kate Tilden, wife of Griffin, begged Rooney to help her up to her room, she did, albeit slightly reluctantly. Kate was drunk and wanted nothing more to do with the event run by her husband. The household was in turmoil with the married couple continually at odds. Griff controlled Kate, pretending he was encouraging her to stop drinking, but slyly offering just one. Rooney felt sorry for Kate and when she was asked to be her companion for the next week, Rooney agreed - after, all the money was good.
The housekeeper, Betts, and her daughter worked for Griff, Betts having been with the family when Griff's parents were alive. So Betts disliked Rooney on sight. The feeling was mutual - Kate didn't get on with Betts either - so the women discussed things out of Betts' hearing. Rooney knew Kate and Griff had secrets as she'd been researching Griff for awhile. But Rooney had secrets too, and an ulterior motive for being in the house. As Kate deteriorated, and Griff showed his true colours, the words of Rooney's friend Rob, to get out of the house while she still could, rang in her head. But she couldn't leave yet - could she?
The Girl Thief is the latest standalone psychological thriller by US author J.A. Schneider and I was hooked from the beginning! Gritty and intense, the twists kept coming. But the one at the end floored me - I didn't see THAT coming!! My heart was in my throat a few times, and I had to stop reading to take a breath at one stage! The author writes a brilliant thriller and I have no trouble recommending The Girl Thief highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The housekeeper, Betts, and her daughter worked for Griff, Betts having been with the family when Griff's parents were alive. So Betts disliked Rooney on sight. The feeling was mutual - Kate didn't get on with Betts either - so the women discussed things out of Betts' hearing. Rooney knew Kate and Griff had secrets as she'd been researching Griff for awhile. But Rooney had secrets too, and an ulterior motive for being in the house. As Kate deteriorated, and Griff showed his true colours, the words of Rooney's friend Rob, to get out of the house while she still could, rang in her head. But she couldn't leave yet - could she?
The Girl Thief is the latest standalone psychological thriller by US author J.A. Schneider and I was hooked from the beginning! Gritty and intense, the twists kept coming. But the one at the end floored me - I didn't see THAT coming!! My heart was in my throat a few times, and I had to stop reading to take a breath at one stage! The author writes a brilliant thriller and I have no trouble recommending The Girl Thief highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2024
I must admit to being a big fan of Ms Schneider's, and yet again she doesn’t disappoint.
This is s story of good vs Evil; I will leave you to decide which is which. There are that many twists and surprises. As always Strong character development throughout. Where no one is who they seem to be, all seem to have terrible secrets and complicated histories. I won’t give away more of the plot… read the description given on the book.
If I was to pick a fault, it would be that the author jumps between refereeing to one character as Mrs Betts in one sentence but Mina in the next. Maybe it was just me, but I found it quite confusing.
Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is s story of good vs Evil; I will leave you to decide which is which. There are that many twists and surprises. As always Strong character development throughout. Where no one is who they seem to be, all seem to have terrible secrets and complicated histories. I won’t give away more of the plot… read the description given on the book.
If I was to pick a fault, it would be that the author jumps between refereeing to one character as Mrs Betts in one sentence but Mina in the next. Maybe it was just me, but I found it quite confusing.
Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2024
This book started with a bang, and didn’t slow down until the brilliant, unpredictable end.
J.A Schneider sure knows how to weave a psychological thriller, full of twists and turns, with a great storyline to boot.
While Rooney Budd is helping out serving the food, at a swish party, organised by Griff and Kate Tilden, she is offered a job by Griff to be a companion to his troubled wife. What follows, is a fast paced, page turner of a story, with enough twists to make any reader dizzy.
This is my first read by this author, but I’m already adding her other books to my reading list. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and highly recommend to anyone who loves a psychological thriller.
Thanks to the author, and BookSirens for providing me with this free ARC, which I happily leave a voluntary review.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
J.A Schneider sure knows how to weave a psychological thriller, full of twists and turns, with a great storyline to boot.
While Rooney Budd is helping out serving the food, at a swish party, organised by Griff and Kate Tilden, she is offered a job by Griff to be a companion to his troubled wife. What follows, is a fast paced, page turner of a story, with enough twists to make any reader dizzy.
This is my first read by this author, but I’m already adding her other books to my reading list. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and highly recommend to anyone who loves a psychological thriller.
Thanks to the author, and BookSirens for providing me with this free ARC, which I happily leave a voluntary review.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 6, 2024
This book starts off with a bang. Rooney is catering a fancy party hosted by Griff and Kate Tilden. Kate is smashed, and Rooney helps her. Rooney then makes a bad decision, which leads to her accepting a position to be a type of companion to Kate.
This story had promise. But I felt that the dialogue, especially when Kate was involved, seemed a bit juvenile. They were written in very short spurts, and came across overly dramatic. The pace is fast, but it comes across as rather frenetic- a lot of things are hashed over ad nauseam, in a panicky/anxious tone. While this was ok in some situations, the whole book was written this way.
Rooney was a decent character most of the time.
Griff is ridiculously awful. We were supposed to believe he was “charming” in public, but were never shown this. He is awful, and I felt it was a little too over the top.
Kate- just uggghh.
The twists weren’t that shocking. I had it figured out by the half way point. And, please! Can we stop with the final act monologue! It was kinda campy- kept expecting to hear “evil laughter”!
I just felt there was no subtlety in the story. It was quick, and somewhat entertaining- and others really liked it. I am curious to read another title by this author- the description sounds good. Because I did stay somewhat engaged, and felt there was promise- oh! And the screech owl! Probably my favorite part! This is why the 3 stars.
Thank you BookSirens and J.A. Schneider.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story had promise. But I felt that the dialogue, especially when Kate was involved, seemed a bit juvenile. They were written in very short spurts, and came across overly dramatic. The pace is fast, but it comes across as rather frenetic- a lot of things are hashed over ad nauseam, in a panicky/anxious tone. While this was ok in some situations, the whole book was written this way.
Rooney was a decent character most of the time.
Griff is ridiculously awful. We were supposed to believe he was “charming” in public, but were never shown this. He is awful, and I felt it was a little too over the top.
Kate- just uggghh.
The twists weren’t that shocking. I had it figured out by the half way point. And, please! Can we stop with the final act monologue! It was kinda campy- kept expecting to hear “evil laughter”!
I just felt there was no subtlety in the story. It was quick, and somewhat entertaining- and others really liked it. I am curious to read another title by this author- the description sounds good. Because I did stay somewhat engaged, and felt there was promise- oh! And the screech owl! Probably my favorite part! This is why the 3 stars.
Thank you BookSirens and J.A. Schneider.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2024
This takes place mostly in Westchester, New York!
Thanks, Book Sirens for letting me read this and give my unbiased review.
I can sum this up with words from the book.
‘Karma exist, it really does’
Many evil people in this books, even those you don’t think are evil turn out to be so. Who is the real hero in this thriller… the Owl! Read it and find out how!
Love the name Rooney, great book, can’t wait to read more from Joyce, have put some on my TBR list!
Thanks, Book Sirens for letting me read this and give my unbiased review.
I can sum this up with words from the book.
‘Karma exist, it really does’
Many evil people in this books, even those you don’t think are evil turn out to be so. Who is the real hero in this thriller… the Owl! Read it and find out how!
Love the name Rooney, great book, can’t wait to read more from Joyce, have put some on my TBR list!
May 7, 2024
An okayish read that didn't come off as natural. The book description made it sound very interesting. I started with higher expectations than I should have.
2 stars
Rooney Budd is suddenly appointed as a companion to Kate Tilden who is miserable in her marriage but unable to leave. Having wanted access to the Tilden family, she is surprised to accomplish this so easily. But nevertheless, her plan ensues. What secrets does she carry that could destroy the Tildens?
Time to list all the problems I have with this book.
◇ The writing felt unnatural. It felt like trying too hard to choose every sentence and make it sound cool.
◇ Griff Tilden is disgusting. His character was always explained as charming but all I experienced was a b-flick, sleazy, inefficient villain. He was cartoonish, not dangerous as the novel kept trying to reinforce.
◇ Another stupid protagonist who thinks she's the smartest when she is actually the butt of the joke. In her internal monologues, she tries to come off as a mastermind but that doesn't resonate with her actions.
◇ Can we please get over with the evil monologue? They don't make me shake in my boots as the villain intends, rather they make me roll my eyes at the pageantry.
◇ The title of the book is a very minimal aspect of the story. It sets false expectations about the plot. I would have preferred a title that symbolises the book better.
◇ I predicted it. That was the only probable scenario possible. It was too easy to guess.
Overall, it was quite a fast read, but not necessarily the best. I would have rated this higher if the dialogues sounded natural.
Special thanks to BookSirens for providing this DRC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
2 stars
Rooney Budd is suddenly appointed as a companion to Kate Tilden who is miserable in her marriage but unable to leave. Having wanted access to the Tilden family, she is surprised to accomplish this so easily. But nevertheless, her plan ensues. What secrets does she carry that could destroy the Tildens?
Time to list all the problems I have with this book.
◇ The writing felt unnatural. It felt like trying too hard to choose every sentence and make it sound cool.
◇ Griff Tilden is disgusting. His character was always explained as charming but all I experienced was a b-flick, sleazy, inefficient villain. He was cartoonish, not dangerous as the novel kept trying to reinforce.
◇ Another stupid protagonist who thinks she's the smartest when she is actually the butt of the joke. In her internal monologues, she tries to come off as a mastermind but that doesn't resonate with her actions.
◇ Can we please get over with the evil monologue? They don't make me shake in my boots as the villain intends, rather they make me roll my eyes at the pageantry.
◇ The title of the book is a very minimal aspect of the story. It sets false expectations about the plot. I would have preferred a title that symbolises the book better.
◇ I predicted it. That was the only probable scenario possible. It was too easy to guess.
Overall, it was quite a fast read, but not necessarily the best. I would have rated this higher if the dialogues sounded natural.
Special thanks to BookSirens for providing this DRC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 2, 2024
J. A. Schneider dumps you into the action on page one. She sets your adrenalin flowing, your heart racing. Fight? Flight? If you're in it for the thrill, you fight the urge to close the book and run away. I'm in it for the thrill ride. I stay.
Griff and Kate Tilden are the monied, troubled, glamor couple. Rooney Budd is doing whatever she can to just keep body and soul together. And then there's Rob. These four individuals will take you on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, and the occasional loop the loop, of not knowing who's doing what to whom and why. The only one of the four that is even remotely up front about her motives is Rooney. Funny name for a girl. As you read, you may think you know the whys and wherefores that drive this group individually and together, but let me assure you, you don't. You will need to consider Kate's dead psychiatrist, Lena Martin. Victim of circumstance? Murder?
Motivation plays a big part in the novel. Nothing is as it seems until you reach the very end. Your attitude toward the main characters will range from sympathy to anger and every other emotional reaction in between. Your emotional reaction will alter as the circumstances change. When all is revealed, you will mentally play back what you read to make it jive with the big reveal.
I've followed J. A. Schneider from her earliest books onward. Each one is a study in human nature and frailty. Each relies on the emotional impact it will have on the reader. Each one is more polished than the last. Over many years, I have found that reading an author's work in order of publication is like making a new friend. You're introduced. You chat. You go out for coffee. You bond over life stories big and small. Friends.
My friend J. A. Schneider knows how to jangle every nerve with just the right intensity to make all her books page turners. THE GIRL THIEF is no exception.
Griff and Kate Tilden are the monied, troubled, glamor couple. Rooney Budd is doing whatever she can to just keep body and soul together. And then there's Rob. These four individuals will take you on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, and the occasional loop the loop, of not knowing who's doing what to whom and why. The only one of the four that is even remotely up front about her motives is Rooney. Funny name for a girl. As you read, you may think you know the whys and wherefores that drive this group individually and together, but let me assure you, you don't. You will need to consider Kate's dead psychiatrist, Lena Martin. Victim of circumstance? Murder?
Motivation plays a big part in the novel. Nothing is as it seems until you reach the very end. Your attitude toward the main characters will range from sympathy to anger and every other emotional reaction in between. Your emotional reaction will alter as the circumstances change. When all is revealed, you will mentally play back what you read to make it jive with the big reveal.
I've followed J. A. Schneider from her earliest books onward. Each one is a study in human nature and frailty. Each relies on the emotional impact it will have on the reader. Each one is more polished than the last. Over many years, I have found that reading an author's work in order of publication is like making a new friend. You're introduced. You chat. You go out for coffee. You bond over life stories big and small. Friends.
My friend J. A. Schneider knows how to jangle every nerve with just the right intensity to make all her books page turners. THE GIRL THIEF is no exception.
April 11, 2024
Free courtesy of Booksirens
First book I have ever read of J A Schneider, bit it certainly won't be the last. From the first chapter it had me hooked.
It follows the story of Rooney, who has a secret that her mother told her a long while ago. Not long after her mother died and she had lost her job, she starts working for a catering firm, and whilst on a job in a big house in the burbs, she meets Kate, the lady of the house, who is as drunk as a skunk but doesn't want her husband, Griff's guests to see the mess she is in, as he is looking for a life in politics. Rooney kindly helps her to bed, up the back stairs and looks after her.
Griff then blackmails her into accepting a live in job, looking after Kate and helping to write her memoirs. But not everything is as it seems and there are secrets to unravel on both sides.
This book kept me guessing till the end, and at points I had to put it down as I didn't want to read what happened next.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers and the twist and turns of not knowing what is coming next. This book is very well written and the characters believable.
First book I have ever read of J A Schneider, bit it certainly won't be the last. From the first chapter it had me hooked.
It follows the story of Rooney, who has a secret that her mother told her a long while ago. Not long after her mother died and she had lost her job, she starts working for a catering firm, and whilst on a job in a big house in the burbs, she meets Kate, the lady of the house, who is as drunk as a skunk but doesn't want her husband, Griff's guests to see the mess she is in, as he is looking for a life in politics. Rooney kindly helps her to bed, up the back stairs and looks after her.
Griff then blackmails her into accepting a live in job, looking after Kate and helping to write her memoirs. But not everything is as it seems and there are secrets to unravel on both sides.
This book kept me guessing till the end, and at points I had to put it down as I didn't want to read what happened next.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers and the twist and turns of not knowing what is coming next. This book is very well written and the characters believable.
May 31, 2024
The Girl Thief is a psychological thriller told, in the manner of an 'unreliable narrator', from the point of view of a girl about to slip into an act of crime. She was hired to work for a caterer serving guests at the opulent house of a corrupt politician/businessman and his alcoholic wife. For several years, she's been studying this couple, and harboring dark plans for that household in her mind--only to learn, the hard way, how harrowing the crime might become once she sets it in motion. And in the process of discovering the real culprit of the crime, she pulls back into her senses. This is twist-in-a-twist journey and the character--despite her dark side or maybe because of--has become close to my heart. Five stars.
May 8, 2024
You nailed it… another fascinating read! Great character development whether you liked them or not!
Joyce Schneider has a way of starting off with a bang and concluding with another bang. I promise you will not be disappointed.
I must admit I’m a #1 fan since reading her first book.
Will not give away the plot… it can easily be read on the description given on the book.
Thank you for another reason to keep on reading your books. 📚
Joyce Schneider has a way of starting off with a bang and concluding with another bang. I promise you will not be disappointed.
I must admit I’m a #1 fan since reading her first book.
Will not give away the plot… it can easily be read on the description given on the book.
Thank you for another reason to keep on reading your books. 📚
June 4, 2024
Rooney needs money so she takes a catering job servicing a wealthy couple’s party. She has an ulterior motive and gets forced into employment helping the wealthy, alcoholic wife. Rooney’s sad backstory is at the center of this story. But you’ll need to put the puzzle pieces together to see the whole picture.
This story starts off strong and really doesn’t let up thru the story. Good vs. Evil but it’s up to you to figure out who falls into each category. Strong character development throughout. No one is who they seem to be. Twist and turns are in every chapter. I enjoyed this quick paced story. I haven’t read a thriller in a while and this was a good one to get me back into it. The ending left me totally satisfied! Grab a bag of popcorn, a cold drink and settle into your comfiest chair and enjoy!
I received an ARC of this book which publishes May 30, 2024. This is my honest review.
This story starts off strong and really doesn’t let up thru the story. Good vs. Evil but it’s up to you to figure out who falls into each category. Strong character development throughout. No one is who they seem to be. Twist and turns are in every chapter. I enjoyed this quick paced story. I haven’t read a thriller in a while and this was a good one to get me back into it. The ending left me totally satisfied! Grab a bag of popcorn, a cold drink and settle into your comfiest chair and enjoy!
I received an ARC of this book which publishes May 30, 2024. This is my honest review.
July 8, 2024
Book/Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Book Cover: ⭐⭐
TRIGGER(S): DEATH, MENTAL HEALTH, SUICIDE, RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, ALCOHOLISM
POV: Singular, First Person
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Part of a series: No
Safe or Dark: Dark (see trigger warnings above)
Fair warning: the title of this book has very little to do with the plot of the story. Just in case you wanted to pick it up based solely on that.
Who among us hasn’t been wronged by someone and wanted to make them pay for it? Who of us hasn’t wanted revenge? Who among us hasn’t had a slight obsession with something or someone, good or bad? My obsession is sports, specifically my sports teams. Hey, it could be much worse. Much, much worse.
The thing I enjoyed most about this book is that it starts off with a bang. The prologue takes us right into the action and the present moment our protagonist, Rooney Budd, is in. We have no idea what is happening at that time or what led up to it, but it soon starts to be explained, with chapter one being set four days prior.
While the chapters are short and easy to read, the writing seemed bogged down at times. Some of the sentences didn’t flow nicely, and the “wittiness” the author was trying to portray could easily be seen as forced. I feel that some details were added just to take up space. For example, at one point, Rooney is talking to her lover Rob on the phone while he is driving the van for the catering company, they both work for. She mentions that in the background someone is playing Morgan Wallen’s Last Night (which is a great song), but it didn’t add a single thing to what was happening at that moment. It wasn’t as if the person in the background was singing off-key and she could hear it, or that Rob was singing along and distracted during their conversation, or even that he was singing along horribly to try and make her laugh since she was feeling down. Rooney didn’t even mention that it bothered her at all. It was just a random thing that could have been left out. It added nothing.
Don’t even get me started on our main character’s name. Every single time I read it, all I could think about was Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.
Griffin Tilden made my skin crawl. He was absolutely disgusting and had no redeeming qualities. I don’t care how many times he tried to come off as a “charming, good guy," the dude still gave me the ick. He often goes by Griff. My younger cousin is named Griffin, and we all lovingly call him Griff. He’s the sweetest kid you'll ever meet. That could be why this particular person gave me the willies. There was also nothing dangerous about the guy. Zero. Zip. Zilch. We also get no set idea of what Griff’s age is. Is he in his thirties? His forties? We have no clue. He acts like a man in his thirties, but is he supposed to be older? We get a set age for Rooney and Kate, but not for Griff.
No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t feel sorry for Rooney Budd and her sad life. It was relayed that she had just been dealt a bad hand that put her in a desperate situation (which happens), but I just felt no empathy for her at all. She tried to come off as this intelligent, strong, badass woman, but she was just plain dumb. Rooney thought she was smarter than everyone else, and she simply wasn’t. Her actions were often idiotic and not well thought out.
Kate Tilden was just the worst. That’s all I have to say about her.
While overall this was a decent read, some moments were just ridiculous:
The first plot twist wasn’t really twisting -
The second plot twist WAS twisting -
The third plot twist WAS AGAIN twisting –
The story started out promising but began to drag around chapter four. However, if you can trudge through it, things do pick up again around the 70% mark of the book. It does get rather good from that point on. That was when I couldn’t put it down. It just took me to get to that excitement.
While I didn’t fully enjoy this particular book, I would not be opposed to checking out other works by this author. It is very possible that this one was just a flop for her. I can appreciate what the author was trying to do here; I just don't think she executed it as well as she could have.
TLDR: IF YOU DECIDE TO GIVE IT A TRY, YOU PERSONALLY MIGHT LIKE IT! THIS VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN IT WAS A ME AND NOT THE BOOK SITUATION!
I would like to thank J.A. Schneider and Booksirens for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
This is my voluntary, unbiased, and honest review.
Book Cover: ⭐⭐
TRIGGER(S): DEATH, MENTAL HEALTH, SUICIDE, RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, ALCOHOLISM
POV: Singular, First Person
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Part of a series: No
Safe or Dark: Dark (see trigger warnings above)
"Be careful, always. Trust few and trust your gut more.”
Fair warning: the title of this book has very little to do with the plot of the story. Just in case you wanted to pick it up based solely on that.
Who among us hasn’t been wronged by someone and wanted to make them pay for it? Who of us hasn’t wanted revenge? Who among us hasn’t had a slight obsession with something or someone, good or bad? My obsession is sports, specifically my sports teams. Hey, it could be much worse. Much, much worse.
The thing I enjoyed most about this book is that it starts off with a bang. The prologue takes us right into the action and the present moment our protagonist, Rooney Budd, is in. We have no idea what is happening at that time or what led up to it, but it soon starts to be explained, with chapter one being set four days prior.
While the chapters are short and easy to read, the writing seemed bogged down at times. Some of the sentences didn’t flow nicely, and the “wittiness” the author was trying to portray could easily be seen as forced. I feel that some details were added just to take up space. For example, at one point, Rooney is talking to her lover Rob on the phone while he is driving the van for the catering company, they both work for. She mentions that in the background someone is playing Morgan Wallen’s Last Night (which is a great song), but it didn’t add a single thing to what was happening at that moment. It wasn’t as if the person in the background was singing off-key and she could hear it, or that Rob was singing along and distracted during their conversation, or even that he was singing along horribly to try and make her laugh since she was feeling down. Rooney didn’t even mention that it bothered her at all. It was just a random thing that could have been left out. It added nothing.
Don’t even get me started on our main character’s name. Every single time I read it, all I could think about was Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.
Griffin Tilden made my skin crawl. He was absolutely disgusting and had no redeeming qualities. I don’t care how many times he tried to come off as a “charming, good guy," the dude still gave me the ick. He often goes by Griff. My younger cousin is named Griffin, and we all lovingly call him Griff. He’s the sweetest kid you'll ever meet. That could be why this particular person gave me the willies. There was also nothing dangerous about the guy. Zero. Zip. Zilch. We also get no set idea of what Griff’s age is. Is he in his thirties? His forties? We have no clue. He acts like a man in his thirties, but is he supposed to be older? We get a set age for Rooney and Kate, but not for Griff.
No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t feel sorry for Rooney Budd and her sad life. It was relayed that she had just been dealt a bad hand that put her in a desperate situation (which happens), but I just felt no empathy for her at all. She tried to come off as this intelligent, strong, badass woman, but she was just plain dumb. Rooney thought she was smarter than everyone else, and she simply wasn’t. Her actions were often idiotic and not well thought out.
Kate Tilden was just the worst. That’s all I have to say about her.
While overall this was a decent read, some moments were just ridiculous:
The first plot twist wasn’t really twisting -
The second plot twist WAS twisting -
The third plot twist WAS AGAIN twisting –
The story started out promising but began to drag around chapter four. However, if you can trudge through it, things do pick up again around the 70% mark of the book. It does get rather good from that point on. That was when I couldn’t put it down. It just took me to get to that excitement.
While I didn’t fully enjoy this particular book, I would not be opposed to checking out other works by this author. It is very possible that this one was just a flop for her. I can appreciate what the author was trying to do here; I just don't think she executed it as well as she could have.
TLDR: IF YOU DECIDE TO GIVE IT A TRY, YOU PERSONALLY MIGHT LIKE IT! THIS VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN IT WAS A ME AND NOT THE BOOK SITUATION!
I would like to thank J.A. Schneider and Booksirens for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
This is my voluntary, unbiased, and honest review.
May 18, 2024
In the book The Girl Thief by JB Snyder we meet Roni Bud, she desperately needs a job and just as desperately once revenge and all in one night she gets one step closer to getting what she wants. While working for a caterer at a party for Griff and Kate a wealthy couple she helps Kate to her room Kate is drunk and telling things she shouldn’t to the catering staff but Ronie just listens and takes it all in stride. That is until Kate open the secret door full of Jules and drawers filled to the rim with money not able to fight her temptation as soon as Kate has passed out Roni takes a wad of hundred dollar bills and stuff it in her shirt. As soon as she sees Kate‘s husband Griff, she knows she is caught but things don’t go the way she thinks that it will he immediately offers her a job and although at first she is reluctant he makes her a deal she cannot refuse to be a companion and help his wife stop drinking because he fears her mental stability may lead her to suicide. He even lets her keep the wad of hundred dollar bills. What Griff and Kate doesn’t know is that Roni couldn’t have planned it better herself but in the game of cat and mouse it doesn’t help if everyone is wearing costumes. I don’t believe I have ever read a book by Miss Snyder before but OMG I am so glad I have now a truly brilliant author an absolutely fabulous thriller and one I definitely and highly recommend. This is one of those books you will be wishing you could rate it more than five stars and I certainly do.
I couldn’t criticize this book if I tried it is a perfect thriller it’s intelligent with a great pace and an awesome ending… Just fabulous! I want to thank Book Sirens for my free arc copy via the author please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
I couldn’t criticize this book if I tried it is a perfect thriller it’s intelligent with a great pace and an awesome ending… Just fabulous! I want to thank Book Sirens for my free arc copy via the author please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
April 13, 2024
The Girl Thief by J.A. Schneider, a new author for me, is a nonstop thriller that does not disappoint! Rooney spends an evening working for a catering company in the Westchester home of the very wealthy Griff and Kate Tilden. Rooney is undergoing financial hardship and lives in a small walk up in Brooklyn. Kate is a desperate, sad alcoholic, seemingly miserable with her husband and Griff wants her watched and taken care of so he can go into politics. Rooney is very kind to Kate at the party, helps her to bed, and then helps herself to some money hidden in Kate’s large closet. Griff discovers the attempted theft and blackmails Rooney into staying for at least a few days to take care of Kate. The tension and suspense builds as we learn how both sides have terrible secrets and complicated histories. There are some plot twists and several questionable characters, yet to explain much more would be to take away from the story. This book is a fun ride. With thanks to BookSirens and J.A. Schneider for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
May 24, 2024
Opinião: Comecei a ler este ARC porque achei a sinopse super interessante mas não estava à espera de ser um livro tão bom e interessante. Com personagens carismáticas, meio loucas, somos levados pela estória de Kate, uma mulher com um casamento infeliz, refugiada no álcool e super dependente dos outros. É aqui que entra Rooney, uma jovem que efetua serviços de catering na casa do casal Griffin, que ampara Kate numa situação difícil. Mas nada do que parece é e Rooney é apanhada numa teia de mentiras, de manipulação e a própria não poderia pedir melhor… Rooney também esconde segredos obscuros e conseguiu aquilo que queria, infiltrar-se na casa dos Griffin. Mas que segredos escondem? Têm que ler para saber. Só vos posso dizer que não estão há espera da reviravolta que a estória dá e que vale mesmo muito a pena .
ENG review: I started reading this ARC because I found the synopsis super interesting but I wasn't expecting it to be such a good and interesting book. With charismatic, slightly crazy characters, we are led by the story of Kate, a woman with an unhappy marriage, addicted to booze and super dependent on others. This is where Rooney comes in, a young woman who performs catering services at the Griffin couple's home, who supports Kate in a difficult situation. But nothing is what it seems and Rooney is caught in a web of lies, manipulation and she couldn't ask for better... Rooney also hides dark secrets and achieved what she wanted, infiltrating the Griffin house. But what secrets do they hide? You have to read it to find out. I can only tell you that you are not waiting for the plot twist and that it is really worth it to read.
@bibliotecamil_insta
ENG review: I started reading this ARC because I found the synopsis super interesting but I wasn't expecting it to be such a good and interesting book. With charismatic, slightly crazy characters, we are led by the story of Kate, a woman with an unhappy marriage, addicted to booze and super dependent on others. This is where Rooney comes in, a young woman who performs catering services at the Griffin couple's home, who supports Kate in a difficult situation. But nothing is what it seems and Rooney is caught in a web of lies, manipulation and she couldn't ask for better... Rooney also hides dark secrets and achieved what she wanted, infiltrating the Griffin house. But what secrets do they hide? You have to read it to find out. I can only tell you that you are not waiting for the plot twist and that it is really worth it to read.
@bibliotecamil_insta
June 5, 2024
"Please help me."
Kate Tilden reaches her delicate, manicured hand next to mine, and I turn to her, startled. She's unsteady, and there's a stain on the bodice of her strappy party dress. Wine, probably. Her big blue eyes are red-rimmed and imploring me, just a caterer's assistant, for help up the stairs. That startles me more...but so it begins. This book had lots of good and evil in it, it was a little confusing when it switched between characters, but overall, a fast paced read, the action is immediate and does not stop until the book ends. I felt on edge as I read page after page, and could not wait to find out what happened. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kate Tilden reaches her delicate, manicured hand next to mine, and I turn to her, startled. She's unsteady, and there's a stain on the bodice of her strappy party dress. Wine, probably. Her big blue eyes are red-rimmed and imploring me, just a caterer's assistant, for help up the stairs. That startles me more...but so it begins. This book had lots of good and evil in it, it was a little confusing when it switched between characters, but overall, a fast paced read, the action is immediate and does not stop until the book ends. I felt on edge as I read page after page, and could not wait to find out what happened. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 12, 2024
This is a story about the hunter becoming the prey and of good against evil. Rooney is seeking revenge against a family that dumped her and her mother and she could never expect the path this will lead her. She'll uncover a much bigger plot involving murder, money, power and control. The Girl Thief is full of action, mystery, twists and turns that will get the reader hooked from the beginning.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 12, 2024
I received this book as an ARC from Book Sirens.
Dialogue: 1/5 stars
It was so bizarre. Did the author ever say any of these sentences out loud? It was the most unnatural way of speaking I’ve ever read. Repetitive, awkward, and not in any way individual to the speaker.
Premise: 3/5 stars
It was very similar to “The Housemaid” and at times the show “Dead to Me”. There wasn’t enough build up to be believable. The backstory felt very forced.
Story-telling: 1/5 stars
It was frenetic, jumped around (and often repeated itself?) and the only thing that made it mysterious or suspenseful was that it often didn’t make sense. This felt like an early draft. She also uses ellipses and exclamation points outside of dialogue which was an odd choice. Hard to take it seriously.
I’ve never read any of this author’s other books. I was pretty disappointed.
Dialogue: 1/5 stars
It was so bizarre. Did the author ever say any of these sentences out loud? It was the most unnatural way of speaking I’ve ever read. Repetitive, awkward, and not in any way individual to the speaker.
Premise: 3/5 stars
It was very similar to “The Housemaid” and at times the show “Dead to Me”. There wasn’t enough build up to be believable. The backstory felt very forced.
Story-telling: 1/5 stars
It was frenetic, jumped around (and often repeated itself?) and the only thing that made it mysterious or suspenseful was that it often didn’t make sense. This felt like an early draft. She also uses ellipses and exclamation points outside of dialogue which was an odd choice. Hard to take it seriously.
I’ve never read any of this author’s other books. I was pretty disappointed.
June 19, 2024
I received a copy of this for free.
I don't have much to say about this. The chapters were very short, while a bit too short for my liking, it also motivated me to keep going. While I didn't see the ending coming, it didn't impress me. It was quite tropey. Not a terrible book, but I think it can be hit or miss for people, possibly depending on your experience with the genre.
I don't have much to say about this. The chapters were very short, while a bit too short for my liking, it also motivated me to keep going. While I didn't see the ending coming, it didn't impress me. It was quite tropey. Not a terrible book, but I think it can be hit or miss for people, possibly depending on your experience with the genre.
May 6, 2024
This was a twisty turn of events! I enjoyed my time reading it and the characters were very realistic. You have done it again!!!
May 23, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, my first novel from J.A Schneider.
Of course, I anticipated some of it, but that didn't make the experience any less enjoyable as everything played out. And to top it off, there were a couple of surprises that caught me off guard. A great book!
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free and have provided my review absolutely voluntarily.
Of course, I anticipated some of it, but that didn't make the experience any less enjoyable as everything played out. And to top it off, there were a couple of surprises that caught me off guard. A great book!
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free and have provided my review absolutely voluntarily.
May 23, 2024
Was fortunate to obtain an ARC of The Girl Thief and it did not disappoint!!! My first book by this author but definitely won’t be the last.
I usually come close when figuring out guilty parties in a book but this one blew me away. Well written, just the right amount of interesting characters and will keep you guessing through the entire book. Loved it!!
I usually come close when figuring out guilty parties in a book but this one blew me away. Well written, just the right amount of interesting characters and will keep you guessing through the entire book. Loved it!!
June 6, 2024
～╏╵MY THOUGHTS (no spoilers)╵╏～
I have a strong passion for reading and thoroughly immerse myself in every book I pick up. “The Girl Thief” was immediately captivating, and I found myself addicted and fully engrossed from the very beginning, resulting in me reading a significant portion of the book in one setting. The ease and engaging quality of the narrative motivated me to progress through chapters at lightning speed, effortlessly.
There were multiple primary and secondary characters with a diverse variety of personalities, ranging from charismatic and charming to unconventional and unpredictable. This intricacy enriched the story, though at times it did blur the lines and make it tricky to distinguish between protagonists and antagonists. That said, author J.A. Schneider’s writing elevated each individual character beautifully.
Typically, I can predict the ending revelations of a book by about the middle of the reading, but this story surprised me. Sure, there were tidbits I anticipated, but there were also unexpected developments, differing from what I had initially predicted. It was a refreshing and appreciated change to encounter a book that did not follow a predictable plot line.
I admired Rooney’s resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity and hardships. Despite consistently grappling with self-doubt, Rooney’s headstrong outer shell helped navigate challenges rather efficiently.
Additionally, Rooney’s unwavering compassion stood out as a defining trait. A lot of the obstacles she faced could have been avoided if she didn’t have such an endless well of compassion and empathy and strong morals. I appreciated that she held firm, and it proved to be pivotal in her journey through the narrative.
That said, one of the major challenges I encountered with his book was Rooney’s unrealistic and persistent stubbornness. Despite being cautioned by another character numerous times about potential risks and dangers, Rooney frequently disregarded this advice and acted impulsively, charging headfirst into the situation. To me, this behavior was perceived as unrealistic and took away from the believability of the narrative. In contrast to this error, Rooney usually displayed a calculated, confident, and empathic demeanor, making it hard for me to reconcile her reckless decisions and bullish behavior.
The book contained some inconsistencies in plot and a few characters who were overly intense and unpredictable; to avoid including spoilers in this review, I will refrain from delving further into these aspects. Overall, however, the book was well-crafted. The author’s writing style was exceptional and engaging, laying a strong foundation for a very enjoyable story.
I would like to express my profound gratitude to BookSirens and J.A. Schneider for providing me with an advance review copy for free in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
～╏╵THIS BOOK CONTAINS╵╏～
➜ Diverse cast of unique characters and personalities
➜ Shocking swerves, twists, and turns in events
➜ Resilient, headstrong, empathetic main character
➜ Famous couple with a deeply troubled marriage
➜ Lies, more lies, and a great big side of lies
➜ Cleverly written drama between characters
➜ Come one, come all—financial issues for everyone!
I have a strong passion for reading and thoroughly immerse myself in every book I pick up. “The Girl Thief” was immediately captivating, and I found myself addicted and fully engrossed from the very beginning, resulting in me reading a significant portion of the book in one setting. The ease and engaging quality of the narrative motivated me to progress through chapters at lightning speed, effortlessly.
There were multiple primary and secondary characters with a diverse variety of personalities, ranging from charismatic and charming to unconventional and unpredictable. This intricacy enriched the story, though at times it did blur the lines and make it tricky to distinguish between protagonists and antagonists. That said, author J.A. Schneider’s writing elevated each individual character beautifully.
Typically, I can predict the ending revelations of a book by about the middle of the reading, but this story surprised me. Sure, there were tidbits I anticipated, but there were also unexpected developments, differing from what I had initially predicted. It was a refreshing and appreciated change to encounter a book that did not follow a predictable plot line.
I admired Rooney’s resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity and hardships. Despite consistently grappling with self-doubt, Rooney’s headstrong outer shell helped navigate challenges rather efficiently.
Additionally, Rooney’s unwavering compassion stood out as a defining trait. A lot of the obstacles she faced could have been avoided if she didn’t have such an endless well of compassion and empathy and strong morals. I appreciated that she held firm, and it proved to be pivotal in her journey through the narrative.
That said, one of the major challenges I encountered with his book was Rooney’s unrealistic and persistent stubbornness. Despite being cautioned by another character numerous times about potential risks and dangers, Rooney frequently disregarded this advice and acted impulsively, charging headfirst into the situation. To me, this behavior was perceived as unrealistic and took away from the believability of the narrative. In contrast to this error, Rooney usually displayed a calculated, confident, and empathic demeanor, making it hard for me to reconcile her reckless decisions and bullish behavior.
The book contained some inconsistencies in plot and a few characters who were overly intense and unpredictable; to avoid including spoilers in this review, I will refrain from delving further into these aspects. Overall, however, the book was well-crafted. The author’s writing style was exceptional and engaging, laying a strong foundation for a very enjoyable story.
I would like to express my profound gratitude to BookSirens and J.A. Schneider for providing me with an advance review copy for free in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
～╏╵THIS BOOK CONTAINS╵╏～
➜ Diverse cast of unique characters and personalities
➜ Shocking swerves, twists, and turns in events
➜ Resilient, headstrong, empathetic main character
➜ Famous couple with a deeply troubled marriage
➜ Lies, more lies, and a great big side of lies
➜ Cleverly written drama between characters
➜ Come one, come all—financial issues for everyone!
June 2, 2024
Karma is no joke
While part of the catering team for a party held by well-known multi-millionaire Griff Tilden, Rooney Budd finds herself assisting his wife Kate up to her bedroom and out of the watchful eye of the other partygoers. Drunk and uninhibited, Kate tells a story of a deteriorating marriage and an increasingly abusive husband. Prior to passing out, Kate confides in Rooney and reveals a veritable treasure trove of riches in an adjacent walk-in closet. Rooney breaks down and pockets several packets of the bills; after all who will know? But when confronted by Griff instead of turning her in, he offers her a job. Become his wife’s full-time companion, offer her friendship in the hopes of keeping her deteriorating mental condition from worsening and possibly assist her with writing her memoirs and he will not prosecute the “Girl Thief”. Backed into a corner she accepts, but what Griff doesn’t know is that Rooney has secrets of her own. She knows who he is, she knows what he’s done, and she is not at his estate by accident. As Rooney and Kate begin to bond it becomes apparent that Kate wants her husband dead just as much as Rooney does. Together the two hatch a plan to make Griff Tilden disappear for good, but with Kate’s erratic behavior becoming more and more extreme Rooney doesn’t realize that there is more to the story until it’s almost too late.
The Girl Thief is the newest psychological thriller from Author J.A. Schneider. Coming off the heels of last year’s The Wife List, Schneider again delivers with an engaging and fast paced read. Main character Rooney Budd is struggling to make ends meet as well as still recovering from her mom’s death. With a past that can only be described as traumatic, her and her mother have lived in relative obscurity for as long as she can remember. But that is going to end if she has anything to say about it as she finds herself face to face with the person directly responsible for her trauma. After reluctantly accepting Griff Tilden’s blackmail disguised as a job offer, Rooney and Kate grow close, but this only solidifies her vengeful plans. While reading through The Girl Thief, I immediately related to Rooney; her past and current situation were portrayed in a way that made me want to root for her to be successful. With each chapter and new development, Schneider ratcheted up the suspense in such a way that before you knew it Rooney was in way over her head and scrambling to find an exit strategy. In fact, in the final third of the book, I found myself reading with such fervor as if I were part of the action and when the end game was finally revealed, I was completely blown away. With vivid character depictions and scenes that could be straight out of a movie, The Girl Thief is in my opinion, my favorite J.A. Schneider offering to date and while she has outdone herself with this novel, it makes me eager to see what she has in store for the reader in her next one.
If you like fast-paced psychological thrillers with high suspense and mind blowing twists The Girl Thief is a must read.
Full disclosure – I was provided a copy of this book by the author; however, I have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
While part of the catering team for a party held by well-known multi-millionaire Griff Tilden, Rooney Budd finds herself assisting his wife Kate up to her bedroom and out of the watchful eye of the other partygoers. Drunk and uninhibited, Kate tells a story of a deteriorating marriage and an increasingly abusive husband. Prior to passing out, Kate confides in Rooney and reveals a veritable treasure trove of riches in an adjacent walk-in closet. Rooney breaks down and pockets several packets of the bills; after all who will know? But when confronted by Griff instead of turning her in, he offers her a job. Become his wife’s full-time companion, offer her friendship in the hopes of keeping her deteriorating mental condition from worsening and possibly assist her with writing her memoirs and he will not prosecute the “Girl Thief”. Backed into a corner she accepts, but what Griff doesn’t know is that Rooney has secrets of her own. She knows who he is, she knows what he’s done, and she is not at his estate by accident. As Rooney and Kate begin to bond it becomes apparent that Kate wants her husband dead just as much as Rooney does. Together the two hatch a plan to make Griff Tilden disappear for good, but with Kate’s erratic behavior becoming more and more extreme Rooney doesn’t realize that there is more to the story until it’s almost too late.
The Girl Thief is the newest psychological thriller from Author J.A. Schneider. Coming off the heels of last year’s The Wife List, Schneider again delivers with an engaging and fast paced read. Main character Rooney Budd is struggling to make ends meet as well as still recovering from her mom’s death. With a past that can only be described as traumatic, her and her mother have lived in relative obscurity for as long as she can remember. But that is going to end if she has anything to say about it as she finds herself face to face with the person directly responsible for her trauma. After reluctantly accepting Griff Tilden’s blackmail disguised as a job offer, Rooney and Kate grow close, but this only solidifies her vengeful plans. While reading through The Girl Thief, I immediately related to Rooney; her past and current situation were portrayed in a way that made me want to root for her to be successful. With each chapter and new development, Schneider ratcheted up the suspense in such a way that before you knew it Rooney was in way over her head and scrambling to find an exit strategy. In fact, in the final third of the book, I found myself reading with such fervor as if I were part of the action and when the end game was finally revealed, I was completely blown away. With vivid character depictions and scenes that could be straight out of a movie, The Girl Thief is in my opinion, my favorite J.A. Schneider offering to date and while she has outdone herself with this novel, it makes me eager to see what she has in store for the reader in her next one.
If you like fast-paced psychological thrillers with high suspense and mind blowing twists The Girl Thief is a must read.
Full disclosure – I was provided a copy of this book by the author; however, I have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
May 2, 2024
Rooney Budd has a secret – a secret that will lead her onto a dark and dangerous path. Rooney, who is poor as a church mouse, is employed by a catering firm which works for the rich and famous. Among their clients are Kate and Griff Tilden. Griff is looking at a career in politics, which may be hampered by his wife, who has a bit of a drinking problem. At a party her firm caters, Kate, three sheets to the wind, enlists Rooney’s help getting away from her guests by taking the back stairs up to her room. Rooney gladly assists the inebriated Kate and, after putting her to bed, does a little exploring. She finds an open closet in which are strewn precious jewels and wads of cash money. Seizing the opportunity, Rooney grabs one of the wads and hides it in her bra. Unfortunately for her, Griff keeps a close eye on his wife, via surveillance bugs, and he confronts Rooney with her theft, sticking his hand into her bodice. Caught, Rooney is taken by surprise when Griff tells her she can keep the money if she accepts a job as a live-in companion to Kate. He says he wants to get his wife to lay off the booze and do something productive, like write her memoirs. Rooney has no choice but to accept, although she won’t commit for the long-term.
But there’s something about the Tilden’s that just isn’t right. Kate appears to be a helpless alcoholic, dominated and brutalized by her callous husband. Griff is a selfish, rich kid, egomaniac. But what about Rooney? Who is she really and why is she so interested in Kate and Griff?
Add to the cast of characters a doting housekeeper who has been with Griff’s family for years, the housekeeper’s buxom daughter who may or may not be having an affair with Griff, and Robb, another employee of the caterer, who appears to like Rooney, but may also be a little too close to Kate, and you have a novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.
This is not my first, nor my last, J.A. Schneider novel. The Girl Thief is a taut psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages into the wee small hours of the morning. Me, I finished it at 3am. The Girl Thief is highly recommended for lovers of psychological thrillers, mysteries, and who-dun-its with a twist. Five big shiny stars.
But there’s something about the Tilden’s that just isn’t right. Kate appears to be a helpless alcoholic, dominated and brutalized by her callous husband. Griff is a selfish, rich kid, egomaniac. But what about Rooney? Who is she really and why is she so interested in Kate and Griff?
Add to the cast of characters a doting housekeeper who has been with Griff’s family for years, the housekeeper’s buxom daughter who may or may not be having an affair with Griff, and Robb, another employee of the caterer, who appears to like Rooney, but may also be a little too close to Kate, and you have a novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.
This is not my first, nor my last, J.A. Schneider novel. The Girl Thief is a taut psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages into the wee small hours of the morning. Me, I finished it at 3am. The Girl Thief is highly recommended for lovers of psychological thrillers, mysteries, and who-dun-its with a twist. Five big shiny stars.
June 1, 2024
My rating for this would be 3.5 but closer to 4 rather than 3.
I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy.
All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book and reflect my honest
I discovered the author while browsing for women thriller writers and have read other books by her and have been intrigued by her style of writing and choice of subjects. Being a fan of thrillers it has been relatively easy for me to accept her style of storytelling and so far she hasn't disappointed me which includes this story. I would have been much happier with a more edited book with some of the chatter in the story culled to make the story tauter. This would shorten reading time by several minutes and pages especially in the middle of the book when things tend to be slowing down and leave the reader gasping for a breather while engaging with the pace of the rest of the story.
In her inimitable style the story begins with the reader in the midst of the action. There is a sense of shock and the understanding comes slowly as the story progresses further.
The heart of the story features two sides, a broke and going for broken protagonist Rooney Budd (the girl in the title) and a glamorous older couple Griff and Kate Tilden. The entire story is a tussle between who is on the right side and who is on the wrong with the twists and turns keeping the reader engaged and on several occasions on the wrong foot. The story is further complicated with the couple on two sides of the fence or?
The back stories and history further complicate matters for the reader and Schneider takes her own sweet time unravelling the knots and leaving the reader in a psychological mess.
What I did not like would be the meandering that happens in the middle of the book which under the hands of a good editor would shorten lines and elevate the overall experience.
Loved the story and the execution. Schneider is now firmly in my personal authors list whose books I follow.
Recommended.
I received the Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy.
All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book and reflect my honest
I discovered the author while browsing for women thriller writers and have read other books by her and have been intrigued by her style of writing and choice of subjects. Being a fan of thrillers it has been relatively easy for me to accept her style of storytelling and so far she hasn't disappointed me which includes this story. I would have been much happier with a more edited book with some of the chatter in the story culled to make the story tauter. This would shorten reading time by several minutes and pages especially in the middle of the book when things tend to be slowing down and leave the reader gasping for a breather while engaging with the pace of the rest of the story.
In her inimitable style the story begins with the reader in the midst of the action. There is a sense of shock and the understanding comes slowly as the story progresses further.
The heart of the story features two sides, a broke and going for broken protagonist Rooney Budd (the girl in the title) and a glamorous older couple Griff and Kate Tilden. The entire story is a tussle between who is on the right side and who is on the wrong with the twists and turns keeping the reader engaged and on several occasions on the wrong foot. The story is further complicated with the couple on two sides of the fence or?
The back stories and history further complicate matters for the reader and Schneider takes her own sweet time unravelling the knots and leaving the reader in a psychological mess.
What I did not like would be the meandering that happens in the middle of the book which under the hands of a good editor would shorten lines and elevate the overall experience.
Loved the story and the execution. Schneider is now firmly in my personal authors list whose books I follow.
Recommended.
May 29, 2024
Between the title and the description, The Girl Thief ended up being a little different than what I thought it would be - but in a good way! This is my first J.A. Schneider book and definitely won’t be my last.
I was drawn in from the first page and immediately dove in after the prologue left me needing answers. It’s not often that a book leaves me with many questions and thoughts from the get-go, and it was definitely hard to put down!
I also love when a book makes me think about my opinion on difficult / deeper topics, such as the blurry lines between justice and revenge. I felt this was done very well here with the storylines and the character’s thoughts/actions, especially Rooney’s inner turmoil and the questions she asked herself throughout the book, namely those about if it’s possible to do something bad to a monster without also becoming a monster.
Without diving into the plot too much, I felt that the characters were well developed and Schneider did a great job with making me question and suspect different characters, with some surprising twists throughout. Rob especially ended up being the complete opposite of what I had guessed. However, I do feel that there were some plot holes with characters that I would’ve liked a little more insight on, instead of some of the filler words/material I felt were kind of just there to take up space and didn’t really add anything to the story. For example, I would’ve liked to how well Rob and Kate really knew each other, what Mina and Cammy knew about the situation (if anything), more of the backstory of Rooney’s mom and her time at the house, Maggie’s relationship with Rooney’s mom, how different (if it all) was the Tilden’s relationship from what was portrayed, etc. but I realize a book can’t always have everything, and I still felt satisfied with the ending.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Girl Thief and am looking forward to reading more from the author.
Thanks to J.A. Schneider and BookSirens, I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was drawn in from the first page and immediately dove in after the prologue left me needing answers. It’s not often that a book leaves me with many questions and thoughts from the get-go, and it was definitely hard to put down!
I also love when a book makes me think about my opinion on difficult / deeper topics, such as the blurry lines between justice and revenge. I felt this was done very well here with the storylines and the character’s thoughts/actions, especially Rooney’s inner turmoil and the questions she asked herself throughout the book, namely those about if it’s possible to do something bad to a monster without also becoming a monster.
Without diving into the plot too much, I felt that the characters were well developed and Schneider did a great job with making me question and suspect different characters, with some surprising twists throughout. Rob especially ended up being the complete opposite of what I had guessed. However, I do feel that there were some plot holes with characters that I would’ve liked a little more insight on, instead of some of the filler words/material I felt were kind of just there to take up space and didn’t really add anything to the story. For example, I would’ve liked to how well Rob and Kate really knew each other, what Mina and Cammy knew about the situation (if anything), more of the backstory of Rooney’s mom and her time at the house, Maggie’s relationship with Rooney’s mom, how different (if it all) was the Tilden’s relationship from what was portrayed, etc. but I realize a book can’t always have everything, and I still felt satisfied with the ending.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Girl Thief and am looking forward to reading more from the author.
Thanks to J.A. Schneider and BookSirens, I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While this book kind of got off to a slow start, it dramatically picked up by the end. In fact, I binged about the last third of the book because it got so intense and interesting.
Rooney, our main character, has gotten a temporary job with a catering company, and is working a pretty high-class party. The host's wife, Kate, is drunk and is about to pass out and embarrass herself. Rooney is called on to help Kate, so she takes Kate upstairs, around a back way, so as to not be seen by other party guests. She is kind to Kate and takes care of her, which gets her points with Kate's husband, Griffin. Griffin then hires Rooney to look after Kate, at least temporarily. There is much more to this, but I don't want to give away key plot points.
The thing is, Rooney has an agenda. She has gotten herself into this position on purpose. At the beginning, we are not sure what this agenda is, but we do find out.
Rooney is an enjoyable character. Kate is, at times, but seems very whiny at times, as well. But there is a reason for that, which we don't learn until late in the book. Griffin is simply a scuzzball. There are flashbacks, as well, which give us back story, mostly into Rooney, to help explain what she is, in fact, up to.
This is a twisting, turning psychological thriller with a twist near the end that I certainly didn't see coming. The last part of the book (about a third, as I said) is most definitely a "page turner." I like J.A. Schneider's writing style. There is a lot of dialogue, and the style is accessible. I think the author does a great job of getting the reader into the heads of the characters. I had several guesses as to what was going on, and was totally wrong with all of them. I like a story that keeps me guessing, and I definitely enjoy surprise twists along the way.
I definitely recommend this story for folks who enjoy psychological thrillers.
While this book kind of got off to a slow start, it dramatically picked up by the end. In fact, I binged about the last third of the book because it got so intense and interesting.
Rooney, our main character, has gotten a temporary job with a catering company, and is working a pretty high-class party. The host's wife, Kate, is drunk and is about to pass out and embarrass herself. Rooney is called on to help Kate, so she takes Kate upstairs, around a back way, so as to not be seen by other party guests. She is kind to Kate and takes care of her, which gets her points with Kate's husband, Griffin. Griffin then hires Rooney to look after Kate, at least temporarily. There is much more to this, but I don't want to give away key plot points.
The thing is, Rooney has an agenda. She has gotten herself into this position on purpose. At the beginning, we are not sure what this agenda is, but we do find out.
Rooney is an enjoyable character. Kate is, at times, but seems very whiny at times, as well. But there is a reason for that, which we don't learn until late in the book. Griffin is simply a scuzzball. There are flashbacks, as well, which give us back story, mostly into Rooney, to help explain what she is, in fact, up to.
This is a twisting, turning psychological thriller with a twist near the end that I certainly didn't see coming. The last part of the book (about a third, as I said) is most definitely a "page turner." I like J.A. Schneider's writing style. There is a lot of dialogue, and the style is accessible. I think the author does a great job of getting the reader into the heads of the characters. I had several guesses as to what was going on, and was totally wrong with all of them. I like a story that keeps me guessing, and I definitely enjoy surprise twists along the way.
I definitely recommend this story for folks who enjoy psychological thrillers.
May 7, 2024
Nice short chapters. I couldn’t put this book down. I was sucked into this book by chapter one. Rooney’s mother has died, she is working a lousy job, and on the verge of eviction. One night at a party she is working at as a server, she meets Kate and Griff. Kate is an alcoholic socialite mess who husband is running for congress soon and needs his wife to polish up her act to ensure a win. He hires Rooney to ghostwrite for her and help her stay sober. I absolutely hated Griff and the way he treated Kate, condescending everything she does and spying like a creep.
I was curious what her vendetta was with the family and audibly gasped when it was revealed. I felt it was a bit repetitive at times—give up the after shave already Rooney! I felt that some big scenes were rushed after a huge build up.
Kate’s character was hard to like. I felt sorry for her at times but can’t say I particularly liked her. Her character was annoying and at times I wanted Rooney to
I enjoyed Rooney and would love a story about her mom when she was younger and working for Griff’s family. I wish the author didn’t jump between the names Mrs Betts and Mina so much, one sentence she’s one then the next the other. It confused me at first. The author did a great job setting her up to be a villain and making the audience instantly dislike her.
It was a great read with twists and turns—I would think I had it figured out and something else would throw me off the trail. Readers of Freida McFadden would definitely enjoy this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was curious what her vendetta was with the family and audibly gasped when it was revealed. I felt it was a bit repetitive at times—give up the after shave already Rooney! I felt that some big scenes were rushed after a huge build up.
Kate’s character was hard to like. I felt sorry for her at times but can’t say I particularly liked her. Her character was annoying and at times I wanted Rooney to
I enjoyed Rooney and would love a story about her mom when she was younger and working for Griff’s family. I wish the author didn’t jump between the names Mrs Betts and Mina so much, one sentence she’s one then the next the other. It confused me at first. The author did a great job setting her up to be a villain and making the audience instantly dislike her.
It was a great read with twists and turns—I would think I had it figured out and something else would throw me off the trail. Readers of Freida McFadden would definitely enjoy this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 7, 2024
Review of eBook
Catering employee Rooney Budd helps Kate Tilden, the wife of prospective Congressional candidate Griffin Tilden, upstairs and into bed . . . she’s had far too much to drink. Again.
When she helps herself to some of the millions of dollars filling several drawers in Kate’s closet, she discovers that Griff has secreted cameras in his wife’s room . . . and he’s seen her take the money. Now he’s blackmailing Rooney into accepting a position as Kate’s companion.
After much consideration, Rooney decides to accept the position. But she has a reason other than submitting to the blackmailing Griff. Will he discover her true motive? And what will happen when she moves into the Tilden mansion?
=========
In a story told from Rooney’s point of view, there are occasional jumps into the past in order to provide readers with the necessary backstory to understand Rooney’s motivations. Well-developed characters and a compelling plot pull readers into the telling of this unputdownable tale from the outset.
Filled with surprise revelations, long-held secrets are exposed as the suspense builds and tensions mount. Although readers are likely to figure out some of the plot twists before they are revealed, this compelling narrative takes several unexpected turns on its way to a denouement readers are sure to find satisfying.
Also included: a two-chapter excerpt of the author’s “The Wife List.”
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Catering employee Rooney Budd helps Kate Tilden, the wife of prospective Congressional candidate Griffin Tilden, upstairs and into bed . . . she’s had far too much to drink. Again.
When she helps herself to some of the millions of dollars filling several drawers in Kate’s closet, she discovers that Griff has secreted cameras in his wife’s room . . . and he’s seen her take the money. Now he’s blackmailing Rooney into accepting a position as Kate’s companion.
After much consideration, Rooney decides to accept the position. But she has a reason other than submitting to the blackmailing Griff. Will he discover her true motive? And what will happen when she moves into the Tilden mansion?
=========
In a story told from Rooney’s point of view, there are occasional jumps into the past in order to provide readers with the necessary backstory to understand Rooney’s motivations. Well-developed characters and a compelling plot pull readers into the telling of this unputdownable tale from the outset.
Filled with surprise revelations, long-held secrets are exposed as the suspense builds and tensions mount. Although readers are likely to figure out some of the plot twists before they are revealed, this compelling narrative takes several unexpected turns on its way to a denouement readers are sure to find satisfying.
Also included: a two-chapter excerpt of the author’s “The Wife List.”
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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