True-crime fans know Jaime Parker Stickle from her hit podcast The Girl With the Same Name, where she reexamined a cold case that haunted her namesake. But Stickle is more than a podcaster—she's also a novelist, and her detective thriller series has quickly gained a following. Her debut, Vicious Cycle, introduced readers to Corey Tracey-Lieberman, a former reporter and new mom with a knack for solving crimes. Now, Stickle is back with a sequel that raises the stakes even higher.
Take Hart picks up with Corey at a breaking point. She's juggling her consulting work with the LAPD, running a fledgling indie news blog, and struggling with postpartum panic disorder. When another mother from her Highland Park neighborhood, Sonja Hart, vanishes without a trace and gets little attention from authorities, Corey's maternal instincts kick in. She decides to investigate on her own, even if it means bending—or breaking—the rules.
Corey's quest for answers takes a toll on her personal life. She quits her anxiety medication to stay sharp, which only adds to her turmoil. Her marriage is fraying, and she's dealing with complicated feelings for her investigative partner. All the while, she's caring for her baby, Jacob, who becomes an unlikely sidekick in her sleuthing. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a pattern of suspicious house fires and unsettling new neighbors, but the danger becomes all too real when the killer sets their sights on her.
In an exclusive excerpt shared with Collider, we see Corey at her most reckless. With her boss Monique out of the office, Corey logs into the Cyclone Spin Studio's client database using a fake Facebook account to find a connection to Sonja Hart. She stumbles upon Anne Silva, a woman who knows Sonja and has checked into the studio. But just as Corey starts digging into Silva's records, Monique walks in and catches her red-handed.
The excerpt showcases what makes Take Hart stand out in the crowded thriller genre. It's not about a larger-than-life detective with all the answers. Instead, it's a raw, honest look at a mother who's trying to do right by her child and herself while pursuing justice. Stickle's writing brings a refreshing authenticity to Corey's struggles, from the chaos of parenting to the guilt of neglecting her own well-being.
Stickle also weaves in a social commentary that echoes her podcast's themes. Just as The Girl With the Same Name highlighted how women victims are often overlooked, Take Hart shines a light on the way missing mothers can be forgotten. It's a reminder that behind every headline, there's a human story that deserves attention.
Despite the heavy subject matter, Stickle balances the drama with moments of levity. Corey's interactions with her baby and her sardonic inner voice provide a welcome contrast to the tension. It's this blend of heart and suspense that has made the series a hit with readers.
If you're a fan of gritty thrillers or twisted mysteries, Take Hart is a must-read. The book hits shelves soon, and you can check out the full excerpt below to get a taste of Corey's latest adventure.
