Vicious Cycle
- Judith D Collins
- Oct 21
- 5 min read
Corey in Los Angeles #1
Narrator: Sarah Naughton
Brilliance Audio
ISBN: 9781511354462
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication Date: 10/21/2025
Format: audio and e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC) (ALC)
A former reporter gets a new spin on life in this gripping debut from author Jaime Parker Stickle, whose psychological roller-coaster ride set in sunny Los Angeles tackles motherhood and murder.
New mother Corey Tracey-Lieberman wakes up to nightmarish news: two teenage girls found hanged in a nearby park. Even more unsettling is how the news casually casts the tragedy as the result of increasing street crime, as if the victims’ lives didn’t really matter.
Corey knows better. In the six years she’s lived in Highland Park, she’s seen gentrification but no uptick in criminal activity. A former broadcast journalist, she knows all about spin—and not just the media kind. She now teaches spin classes in the neighborhood, between caring for her nine-month-old son and battling postpartum anxiety.
When police efforts fall short, Corey launches her own investigation into the hangings, flexing her idle sleuthing skills with baby in tow. And after a third murder strikes too close to home, she knows she’s onto something big.
An emotional gut punch tempered by belly laughs, Vicious Cycle is a tour de force certain to thrill all readers.
My Review
VICIOUS CYCLE marks the impressive debut thriller by Jaime Parker Stickle, a multifaceted writer, actor, podcaster, and professor.
This captivating novel introduces readers to Corey Tracey-Lieberman (a new series- Corey in Los Angeles #1), a former investigative reporter navigating the complexities of new motherhood. Fans will be anxiously awaiting #2!
Set in the vibrant landscape of Los Angeles, Corey finds herself drawn into a harrowing investigation into a series of murders involving teenage girls, especially when the police response falls short of expectations. She does not let motherhood hinder her from sleuthing.
However, Corey's journey transcends the boundaries of a mere crime thriller or a personal struggle with postpartum anxiety. It beautifully captures the essence of Highland Park. This ight-knit community thrives amidst the sprawling city—where old traditions coexist with modern challenges, as neighbors genuinely care for one another, all while grappling with the pressures of gentrification and the urgent issues surrounding violence against women.
About the Story...
The high energy, Corey Tracey-Lieberman, a former investigative journalist and a new mother, is navigating the intricate challenges of life. She misses the thrill and the hunt.
When the shocking murders of two teenage girls occur in her neighborhood, Corey immerses herself in the investigation. Her keen investigative instincts reveal a potential conspiracy, particularly as a third murder strikes alarmingly close to her home.
This gripping narrative also explores her personal battles with postpartum anxiety and the multifaceted journey of motherhood.
My Thoughts...
What an exhilarating, thrilling debut—I simply couldn’t put it down! I’m a huge fan of strong female characters and sleuths, and this series truly delivers.
Amidst the humor, mystery, and suspense, there lies a powerful uplifting message about female empowerment, motherhood, the importance of belonging, and the beauty of community.
I found myself deeply resonating with Corey. She embodies the essence of a great mother—hilarious, fearless, and incredibly resilient. Yet, like many of us, she struggles with the anxiety of leaving her baby boy, Jacob, in anyone's care, even her husband's.
From the bold, eye-catching cover to the gripping, witty narrative, readers are invited into Corey’s life, which is a far cry from three years ago, when she was making waves at a top L.A. news station.
After being laid off due to her courageous stand against sexual harassment (think The Morning Show ), she’s now teaching at Cyclone Spin Studio (which she hates). Balancing her role in her marriage, a new mother to nine-month-old Jacob, while grappling with postpartum OCD anxiety, she’s determined to find her footing. (She juggles all this like a rock star.)
While her husband, Evan, questions why she can’t simply embrace motherhood at home, Corey knows that’s not her style. She has a traumatic past, which she has buried, making her anxious, and she must keep busy, as it is difficult to quieten her mind with OCD.
When the police fail to make progress on the murders, Corey takes matters into her own hands, embarking on her own investigation into mysterious hangings, all while with the baby by her side. And when a third murder strikes close to home, she realizes she’s onto something significant.
The author navigates sensitive topics like mental health, past traumas, suicide, assault, and struggles of motherhood and marriage with remarkable compassion, intensity, and understanding.
I can’t wait to follow Corey’s journey and see where her adventures lead her next. Readers will surely be thrilled with the satisfying conclusion, her personal growth, and the exciting possibilities ahead.
The Author's Note...
I appreciated the Author's Note (please do read) where she explains more about Postpartum anxiety and OCD (higher percentage), different than postpartum depression, which is more well-known, and resources for those who are struggling.
VICIOUS CYCLE is a wild roller coaster experience —razor sharp, dynamic, and infused with both humor and suspense! The incredibly skilled author dives right in, demonstrating her extensive expertise, which resonates throughout the pages of the novel.
This is not just a thriller; it’s a story that resonates with the heart.
The audiobook experience...
I had the pleasure of both reading the book and listening to the audiobook narrated by the award-winning Sarah Naughton, one of my favorites. Her stellar performance perfectly captures the book's essence, elevating the experience with her perfect pacing, tone, and overall style, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. It made for an engaging and entertaining listening experience, and I highly recommend the audiobook.
Recs...
VICIOUS CYCLE is a must-read for fans of Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series, featuring suspense, humor, smart, and complex characters, as well as readers who enjoy the works of Emma Rosenblum, Nora Murphy, Freida McFadden, Fredrik Backman, Sally Hepworth, Jennifer Hillier, and strong, witty female sleuths.
A heartfelt thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 21, 2025
Praise
"Stickle buttresses her well-executed mystery plot with sharp wit, visceral depictions of Corey’s postpartum anxiety, and a surprisingly stark focus on systemic violence against women. Readers will be hungry to hear more from Corey soon."
– Publishers Weekly
“Jaime Stickle’s debut VICIOUS CYCLE is a layer cake of enjoyment. Any former reporter can investigate murder, but Stickle’s protagonist, Corey Tracey-Lieberman, does it with a baby strapped to her chest while fighting postpartum anxiety. Funny in spots, heartbreaking in spots, Stickle brings the humanity – and lands the plane with nary a bump.”
– Tracy Clark, award-winning author of the Cass Raines and Det. Harriet Foster series
“Jaime Parker Stickle’s debut is both a love-letter to the everyday people of Los Angeles and a kick-ass mystery. Corey Tracey-Lierberman is a vibrant, often-delirious, and surprisingly moving investigator who never stops being herself, even in the most hilarious and harrowing circumstances. Vicious Cycle is an absolute delight.”
– Tod Goldberg, New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
Photo Credit: Joanna DeGeneres
JAIME PARKER STICKLE
She/Her/Hers
Jaime is a writer, podcaster, and professor of film and television at Montclair State University. She is the author of the gripping thriller, “Vicious Cycle: A Corey in Los Angeles Mystery,” and is the creator and host of the true crime investigative podcast, The Girl with the Same Name as well as the hilarious podcast about side-hustles, Make That Paper. Jaime lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and fur babies. WEBSITE
