Reader Reviews
4.5
2 ratings
Karen B.
Feb 25, 2026
The Launch
~ Amy Tackett
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Launch. The sequel you didn’t know you needed until you read it – then it grabs hold and refuses to let go. The Launch picks up right where The Gala left off and once you dive in, this story will live rent-free in your mind long after the final page.
After living the last five years locked up in prison for the murder of Graham Zanella, Cole Sloane (MMC) is stepping back into a world still clueless as to what really happened – or why. Now that he’s free, his long-delayed release of The Great Chase is about to shed light on the truth. Waiting to pick him up, Luna Monroe (FMC). The two clicked at The Gala and she’s spent the last five years visiting Cole longing for his release…..so why the nerves?
Cole’s former cellmate and crazy rock star, Solstice Blackwood – aka Sol – has graciously opened up his secluded lakeside cabin in the woods for the book release party. Cole, Luna and her son Jaxson pack up to spend a week at the cabin to relax before the party. Sol being Sol, starts the first night off with a bonfire and ghost story that creeps Luna out but reassuring her it’s just a story, Cole can’t shake feelings that having his release party here may be a bad idea. As friend and co-worker Greyson shows up at the cabin and discovers bones in the silverware drawer leaving Luna to wonder if that ghost story was really just a story, a PR stunt or something more.
The launch party starts out as a night of celebration quickly spiraling into something far more sinister blurring the lines between reality and nightmare, making the chaos of The Gala look tame. Will ghosts come back to haunt Cole and take more from him? Or will Cole be able to push past the nightmares and love again?
Tackett has that rare gift for creating a cast of characters that breathe right off the page. Whether it be main characters or supporting, they are raw, real and vulnerable. Her cast of characters are grounded in both personal trauma and messy, hopeful pursuits of healing. These aren’t just characters written onto a page you turn – they are people you root for, connect with and want to protect.
With unrelenting momentum, The Launch surges forward like a runaway train with its fast pacing. Every chapter ramps up the intensity, weaving together themes of psychological thriller, horror and religion with remarkable finesse. Tackett doesn’t just include religion as a background element – she thoughtfully explores it, handling the topic with care and complexity.
Twists? Constant! Tension? Unbearable at times – but totally in the best way. And yes, there are some surprising moments that will make you cringe, but the payoff is worth every single gasp!
The Launch is a masterpiece when it comes to smooth transitioning from topic to topic, chapter to chapter. Often disturbingly real imagery, Tackett immerses her readers in a world that feels both cinematic and terrifying. Regardless of whether you are a die-hard horror fan or not, there is no denying Tackett’s skill at pulling off a multi-genre novel – genres such as psychological thriller/horror and religion that typically don’t mesh together all too well – is flawless.
If you haven’t read The Gala, start there – but don’t take too long to get it read as The Launch will be waiting for you to solve the mysteries that revolve around the chaos of ghost stories and the release party! I can’t wait to read your reviews!
I would like to thank Amy Tackett for allowing me the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for The Launch. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher, current or future, for a fair and honest review.
~ Amy Tackett
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Launch. The sequel you didn’t know you needed until you read it – then it grabs hold and refuses to let go. The Launch picks up right where The Gala left off and once you dive in, this story will live rent-free in your mind long after the final page.
After living the last five years locked up in prison for the murder of Graham Zanella, Cole Sloane (MMC) is stepping back into a world still clueless as to what really happened – or why. Now that he’s free, his long-delayed release of The Great Chase is about to shed light on the truth. Waiting to pick him up, Luna Monroe (FMC). The two clicked at The Gala and she’s spent the last five years visiting Cole longing for his release…..so why the nerves?
Cole’s former cellmate and crazy rock star, Solstice Blackwood – aka Sol – has graciously opened up his secluded lakeside cabin in the woods for the book release party. Cole, Luna and her son Jaxson pack up to spend a week at the cabin to relax before the party. Sol being Sol, starts the first night off with a bonfire and ghost story that creeps Luna out but reassuring her it’s just a story, Cole can’t shake feelings that having his release party here may be a bad idea. As friend and co-worker Greyson shows up at the cabin and discovers bones in the silverware drawer leaving Luna to wonder if that ghost story was really just a story, a PR stunt or something more.
The launch party starts out as a night of celebration quickly spiraling into something far more sinister blurring the lines between reality and nightmare, making the chaos of The Gala look tame. Will ghosts come back to haunt Cole and take more from him? Or will Cole be able to push past the nightmares and love again?
Tackett has that rare gift for creating a cast of characters that breathe right off the page. Whether it be main characters or supporting, they are raw, real and vulnerable. Her cast of characters are grounded in both personal trauma and messy, hopeful pursuits of healing. These aren’t just characters written onto a page you turn – they are people you root for, connect with and want to protect.
With unrelenting momentum, The Launch surges forward like a runaway train with its fast pacing. Every chapter ramps up the intensity, weaving together themes of psychological thriller, horror and religion with remarkable finesse. Tackett doesn’t just include religion as a background element – she thoughtfully explores it, handling the topic with care and complexity.
Twists? Constant! Tension? Unbearable at times – but totally in the best way. And yes, there are some surprising moments that will make you cringe, but the payoff is worth every single gasp!
The Launch is a masterpiece when it comes to smooth transitioning from topic to topic, chapter to chapter. Often disturbingly real imagery, Tackett immerses her readers in a world that feels both cinematic and terrifying. Regardless of whether you are a die-hard horror fan or not, there is no denying Tackett’s skill at pulling off a multi-genre novel – genres such as psychological thriller/horror and religion that typically don’t mesh together all too well – is flawless.
If you haven’t read The Gala, start there – but don’t take too long to get it read as The Launch will be waiting for you to solve the mysteries that revolve around the chaos of ghost stories and the release party! I can’t wait to read your reviews!
I would like to thank Amy Tackett for allowing me the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for The Launch. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher, current or future, for a fair and honest review.
Matt D.
Feb 8, 2026
Another great outing by Amy. It’s quickly becoming a thing that if she writes it then I’m reading it.
Cole and Luna are back (and my personal favorite, Sol). They are celebrating the launch of Cole’s new book and obviously things don’t quite go to plan.
I enjoyed the fast pace and the characters. Once the launch party started I knew we were in for a wild rider. I was a little out of my comfort zone with some of the heavy religious aspects, but I found myself skimming them to get to the rest of the story. Still a great read!
Cole and Luna are back (and my personal favorite, Sol). They are celebrating the launch of Cole’s new book and obviously things don’t quite go to plan.
I enjoyed the fast pace and the characters. Once the launch party started I knew we were in for a wild rider. I was a little out of my comfort zone with some of the heavy religious aspects, but I found myself skimming them to get to the rest of the story. Still a great read!