Psychological suspense novels of secrets, fire, and survival — by Baltimore author Joy Strouse.
"A world where love is complicated, secrets are deadly, and nothing is quite what it seems."
Set against the backdrop of Baltimore and reaching back to 1936, the BitterSweet Series weaves psychological suspense with raw emotional truth — exploring abusive relationships, buried family secrets, grief, and the fierce will to survive.
Prequel
A BitterSweet Tale of Reinvention & Revenge
A deadly fire leaves a woman named Bonnie Madsen presumed dead. Retired detective Joe Minelli traces her ghost throughout the East Coast in this pulse-pounding prequel to the BitterSweet Series.
Book One
Book One of the BitterSweet Series
A debut novel of mystery, psychological suspense, love, sensuality, grief, and growth. Secrets buried in a broken family begin to surface — and nothing will ever be the same.
“A gripping debut that pulls you in from the first page and doesn't let go.”
“Strouse has a gift for atmosphere — you can feel the heat coming off the page.”
Music for many of us is a tether to the past. This is why using a song title or lyric helps the reader anchor themselves into the time...
Imagery in literature is a device that uses vivid, descriptive language to create a mental image in the reader’s mind. It is a sensory experience using symbolism that...
Another burst of laughter and the man’s face turned red. He glanced over his shoulder at his friends and I could see the wheels turning, searching for a...
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