🏠 Book Review: Next House by Kate Bold
A tense, fast-paced thriller where a retired detective steps outside the law to chase justice in Boston’s elite Beacon Hill—Book 2 in the Meg Thorne Suspense Thriller series.
Kate Bold’s Next House continues the gripping journey of Detective Meg Thorne, a fifty-something former investigator who’s left the force but not the fight. With a strong Goodreads rating of 4.31/5, readers praise the book for its relentless pacing, layered mystery, and a protagonist who’s as sharp as she is fearless.
🧠 Plot Overview
Haunted by cold cases she couldn’t solve, Meg Thorne retires early—but not quietly. Determined to operate outside the red tape, she launches her own investigations, willing to cross lines the law won’t.
In Next House, Meg is drawn into a series of high-profile home invasions in Boston’s prestigious Beacon Hill. The crimes echo a long-unsolved puzzle from her past, and as she digs deeper, she uncovers secrets hidden behind manicured facades and designer doors. The stakes rise when the thief’s next target hits dangerously close to home.
💬 Why Readers Love It
- Strong Female Lead: Meg is mature, methodical, and emotionally complex—a refreshing change from younger, impulsive protagonists.
- Elite Setting, Dark Secrets: Beacon Hill’s polished exterior hides layers of deception and danger.
- Nonstop Suspense: The narrative moves quickly, with plenty of twists and cliffhangers.
- Series Momentum: Building on Next Girl (Book 1), this installment deepens Meg’s character and expands the mystery arc.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some readers noted that the pacing, while fast, occasionally sacrifices depth in character relationships.
- The plot leans heavily on familiar thriller tropes, which may feel formulaic to seasoned genre fans.
📣 Reader Praise
“This book moved very fast and every page was exciting. Plenty of dialogue, you absolutely love the characters, and you were rooting for the good guy throughout the whole story.” — Reader review
“Kate did an amazing job on this book and I was hooked from the first chapter!” — Reader review
🏁 Final Verdict
Next House is a compelling installment in a suspense series that’s perfect for fans of Lisa Gardner, Kendra Elliot, and Teresa Driscoll. If you enjoy thrillers with a smart, seasoned heroine and a backdrop of high society secrets, Meg Thorne’s next case will keep you turning pages well past bedtime.
