Thrillers & Suspense
![Rachel Howzell Hall - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_rachel_howzell_hall.jpg)
These Toxic Things: A Thriller
A dead woman's cherished trinkets become pieces to a terrifying puzzle.
Mickie Lambert creates "digital scrapbooks" for clients, ensuring that precious souvenirs aren't forgotten or lost. When her latest client, Nadia Denham, a curio shop owner, dies from an apparent suicide, Mickie honors the old woman's last wish and begins curating her peculiar objets d'art. A music box, a hair clip, a key chain―twelve mementos in all that must have meant so much to Nadia, who collected them on her flea market scavenges across the country.
But these tokens mean a lot to someone else, too. Mickie has been receiving threatening messages to leave Nadia's past alone.
It's becoming a mystery Mickie is driven to solve. Who once owned these odd treasures? How did Nadia really come to possess them? Discovering the truth means crossing paths with a long-dormant serial killer and navigating the secrets of a sinister past. One that might, Mickie fears, be inescapably entwined with her own.
Mickie Lambert creates "digital scrapbooks" for clients, ensuring that precious souvenirs aren't forgotten or lost. When her latest client, Nadia Denham, a curio shop owner, dies from an apparent suicide, Mickie honors the old woman's last wish and begins curating her peculiar objets d'art. A music box, a hair clip, a key chain―twelve mementos in all that must have meant so much to Nadia, who collected them on her flea market scavenges across the country.
But these tokens mean a lot to someone else, too. Mickie has been receiving threatening messages to leave Nadia's past alone.
It's becoming a mystery Mickie is driven to solve. Who once owned these odd treasures? How did Nadia really come to possess them? Discovering the truth means crossing paths with a long-dormant serial killer and navigating the secrets of a sinister past. One that might, Mickie fears, be inescapably entwined with her own.
Editorial Reviews
An Amazon Best Book of the Month: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
"This cleverly plotted, surprise-filled novel offers well-drawn and original characters, lively dialogue, and a refreshing take on the serial killer theme. Hall continues to impress." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A mystery/thriller/coming-of-age story you won't be able to put down till the final revelation." -Kirkus Reviews
"Tense and pacey, with an appealing central character, this is a coming-of-age story as well as a gripping mystery." -The Guardian
"The mystery plots are twisty and grabby, but also worth noting is the realistic rendering of a Black L.A. neighborhood locked in a battle over gentrification." -Los Angeles Times
"Rachel Howzell Hall…just gets better and better with each book." -CrimeReads
"Howzell Hall is at the height of her craft as the story unfolds on multiple tracks…[she] skillfully weaves together disparate threads that at first don't appear to be connected…It's an intriguing, riveting pleasure to watch the action unfold and see how the pieces fit together." -NPR
"A gripping original." -People
"With plenty of clues and red herrings, These Toxic Things is a compelling read, as well as a rich addition to the author's impressive body of work." -Bookreporter
"This chilling mystery weaves a sinister tale of what happens when two troubled pasts intersect unexpectedly." -SheKnows
"This creative and creepy thriller kept me up all night." -NPR
"Rachel Howzell Hall continues to shatter the boundaries of crime fiction through the sheer force of her indomitable talent. These Toxic Things is a master class in tension and suspense. You think you are ready for it. But. You. Are. Not." -S. A. Cosby, author of Blacktop Wasteland
"These Toxic ...
"This cleverly plotted, surprise-filled novel offers well-drawn and original characters, lively dialogue, and a refreshing take on the serial killer theme. Hall continues to impress." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A mystery/thriller/coming-of-age story you won't be able to put down till the final revelation." -Kirkus Reviews
"Tense and pacey, with an appealing central character, this is a coming-of-age story as well as a gripping mystery." -The Guardian
"The mystery plots are twisty and grabby, but also worth noting is the realistic rendering of a Black L.A. neighborhood locked in a battle over gentrification." -Los Angeles Times
"Rachel Howzell Hall…just gets better and better with each book." -CrimeReads
"Howzell Hall is at the height of her craft as the story unfolds on multiple tracks…[she] skillfully weaves together disparate threads that at first don't appear to be connected…It's an intriguing, riveting pleasure to watch the action unfold and see how the pieces fit together." -NPR
"A gripping original." -People
"With plenty of clues and red herrings, These Toxic Things is a compelling read, as well as a rich addition to the author's impressive body of work." -Bookreporter
"This chilling mystery weaves a sinister tale of what happens when two troubled pasts intersect unexpectedly." -SheKnows
"This creative and creepy thriller kept me up all night." -NPR
"Rachel Howzell Hall continues to shatter the boundaries of crime fiction through the sheer force of her indomitable talent. These Toxic Things is a master class in tension and suspense. You think you are ready for it. But. You. Are. Not." -S. A. Cosby, author of Blacktop Wasteland
"These Toxic ...
Readers Top Reviews
DDTLaurenTiffany
I love when I am reading about so many different characters and my mind automatically provides an image of them. This author describes each person in this book in such a detailed manner. There are just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and then you begin to wonder what she will have for you to discover next. This is a great thriller in my opinion.
Rebecca R.DDTLaur
This book is truly excellent. Kept me up til 2am, I couldn’t put it down. I HAD to know what was going on. So well written, good pacing, thoroughly enjoyable.
Benjamin Fillinge
Loved this book! The story is great and keeps you guessing all up to the very end!
Benjamin Filli
Had enough suspense in it to keep me interested and reading. I think most will thoroughly enjoy reading the book.
DJM Benjamin Fi
Mickie is tasked to create a memory bank for Nadia Denham. Nadia has special trinkets that specifically wants to keep due to her Ahlzeimers. And why does she want to keep these??????? During this assignment Mackie herself is confronted with her own family lies! A page turner filled with secrets, horrible secrets!
