Chloe and Sloane Morgan's mother was the second, brutally murdered victim of the "Bayside Strangler" fifteen years ago while they were only children aChloe and Sloane Morgan's mother was the second, brutally murdered victim of the "Bayside Strangler" fifteen years ago while they were only children and since that time they have invested their young lives to finding the serial killer who has haunted their dreams nightly. Suddenly the young women have gone missing and the police don't seem very concerned so the now retired detective who handled their mother's case back then and befriended the children who were completely broken by losing their mother to such a devastating loss, has tracked down Dr. Kendra Michaels (who has a certain expertise in helping police and FBI agents in the past) with the hope that she will help her to find the missing women. When Kendra hears the story she decides to help retired detective Paula Chase never realizing that this case will become so complicated with more senseless murders and also discovering that anyone who looks into this case will become a potential victim themselves. What has happened to Chloe and Sloane? Can they possibly still be alive and why did the FBI give up the hunt for this deviant serial killer years ago?
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced thriller which was riddled with excitement, suspense and some romance as well. I have read several 'Iris Johansen' books in the past and loved them all but this was my first book from Iris and her son Roy and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read this very entertaining story. This novel had a little bit of everything in it from a serial killer, a black ops agent, the FBI, the SDPD and the most wonderful dog with one blue and one brown eyed dog named Harley who I don't think I will ever forget! I loved most of the book because it was so well-written and executed although sometimes I would get a little annoyed with the snarky banter between Kendra and her romantic interest although it could be very amusing at times. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark murder thrillers with quite a bit of violence but some light humor as well which helped balance out the ugliness of the crimes. I thought this was a terrific novel and I will look forward to reading more books in the Kendra Michaels series!
I want to thank the publisher "Grand Central Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 EXCITING AND THRILLING ...more
It is a party of teenagers and Amy Brewer is not having a very good time since she feels picked on by a few of the most popular girls so she decides tIt is a party of teenagers and Amy Brewer is not having a very good time since she feels picked on by a few of the most popular girls so she decides to go home after she's near tears and no-one even tries to stop her. Was it a blessing or a curse that the next day she finds out she was the only one to survive a mass murder!
Many years later, Amy is now an FBI agent and always hoping to discover what happened on that fatal night where most of the town believed she had something to do with the murders and made her feel like the town pariah. Amy receives an email invitation to a reunion of sorts where all the invitees have some connection to the teenagers who were violently killed on that horrific night. Amy doesn't really want to go on this getaway yet she feels compelled to attend this reunion because maybe she can finally put the pieces back together and solve all the murders that destroyed her life as well on that unforgettable night.
This was a very good and enjoyable mystery/thriller by Stacie Grey. Many twists and red herrings throughout the story and Amy was also a solid character with a lot of baggage. Most of the characters were fun and entertaining although I was hoping this would be a much darker book but this was due to my own personal taste since there wasn't anything wrong with the storyline or writing. I think many people would enjoy this book and I definitely recommend it to all mystery lovers, especially if they enjoy their mysteries being a little lighter but not a cozy mystery either.
I want to thank the publisher "Poison Pen Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and and thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 MADDENING REUNION ...more
It's early in November as Detective Barbara Atkins arrives in the small rural town of Deadhart, Alaska when she sees lighC.J. Tudor Has Done It Again!
It's early in November as Detective Barbara Atkins arrives in the small rural town of Deadhart, Alaska when she sees lighted Christmas decorations everywhere quite unusual to see them up so early in the season but she will soon learn why although she's sure she knows the reason already and also knows her work ahead will not be easy. Deadhart is one of those towns where they they are experiencing thirty days of darkness except for a few hours of hazy daylight and Barbara wishes she didn't have to come to this dark, dismal and freezing town.
A teenager has been viciously murdered and drained of blood so she has been sent to investigate the killing since her specialty is in vampyr crimes. The town is in an uproar and Barbara must determine if a cull will be issued as the town wants and expects but Barbara will never make that decision unless she can't find the vampyr suspect responsible although the townspeople just want the whole Colony of vampyrs gone, exterminated, they don't want legal justice only vengeance.
A brutal snow storm complicates her job when more bodies are found and the angry townspeople are holding secrets from the past and the Colony hates the town as well so they have no interest in helping the detective and if she doesn't make a decision quickly there will be more lives at stake including her own.
Loved, loved, loved this horror/thriller! I can't get enough of C.J. Tudor's books and I hate when they come to an end because I have to impatiently wait while she writes her next horror novel. This was a new and fresh take on vampires and I thought everything about the story was spot-on while feeling the frigid cold and the anger and hatred was just oozing out of many characters. The atmosphere was eerie and downright creepy plus racism was brought forward of a different kind since vampyrs weren't quite human yet they weren't portrayed as the old vampire lore which was so intriguing.
The story wasn't a slow-burn but it wasn't action packed either until the last quarter of the book which was edge of your seat material. The character of Jensen Tucker became a favorite of mine and I hope another book or two can someday be written about this mysterious man who I think many readers may fall in love with as I did! There were many puzzles to solve within the story and every one was covered by the end of the book but it made me hope there will be more stories of vampyrs and Barbara in the future.
I highly recommend this book and as usual I can't wait to read this author's next book!
Many thanks to the publisher "Random House Publishing - Ballantine" for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 5 DANGEROUS AND GRITTY ...more
A young girl who was shopping at the mall suddenly drops dead without any apparent superficial causes until her body is examined and that's when the yA young girl who was shopping at the mall suddenly drops dead without any apparent superficial causes until her body is examined and that's when the young detective Jack and her team are called in since the medical findings of Leia Thompson's body are determined that severe past abuse may have been committed but they cannot find an actual cause of death. Jack and team lean towards the mother whose behavior and reactions are very strange to her daughter's death and it seems the poor girl rarely left her home except for doctor appointments and she had no friends or even a tablet or cell phone. How does a young person socially survive today with only books to read without any outside influences or someone to share their secrets.
The case takes a sudden turn when another body is found dead under similar circumstances. The team works tirelessly trying to put the puzzle pieces together and connect the two cases and a few other people could be possible suspects with some crazy turns that were unexpected but clues continue to fizzle out and leave Jack frustrated and angry. Jack's boss puts pressure on her to just get the case wrapped up and closed without actually solving these murders.
This book was an interesting and entertaining detective mystery with quite a few red herrings and twists that were quite enjoyable. The story itself was a fast read but more dramatic than thrilling. The parts I had problems with were Jack's romantic life and thoughts were present way too much throughout the story and for trying to solve these murder cases she had an awful lot of free time. Weekends off to make romantic plans and shorter work days than I'm used to from reading other detective books instead of working around the clock, it just took away from the realism of the police case and became more an unexpected romantic drama for myself.
So I would still recommend this book to readers who might enjoy a softer detective story with many personal experiences in the storyline. My preference is much darker novels and I know many readers prefer a lighter touch. The storyline was very good and also brought in many failures with the medical community dropping the ball over and over which led to a young person's lifelong suffering from medical professionals that turned a blind eye to this poor victim well-being which eventually led to her death yet none of these cause were what actually killed her.
I want to thank the publisher "Storm Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 ENTERTAINING AND SUSPICIOUS ...more
A reality show based in the Welsh mountains stranding seven contestants who believe they've signed up for wilderness survival competition will find ouA reality show based in the Welsh mountains stranding seven contestants who believe they've signed up for wilderness survival competition will find out they've been deceived and their worst nightmares are only just beginning.
When one of the contestants has gone missing, DC Ffion Morgan is assigned the case where it seems a little strange but when a body is later found brutally murdered the case becomes very complicated since a couple of suspects have personal relationships with Ffion so this assignment is a little too close to home.
Secrets and lies abound where they steer the case off course and Ffion makes some critical errors which may jeopardize her career as well as her life!
This was a fun and entertaining Welsh police procedure mystery that had humor as well as murder. The book was not quite a cozy mystery but it was not a dark, gritty story by any means which I was hoping to read. The storyline was very good and enjoyable after I realized it was a lighter style with some unrequited romance thrown in. Ffion was quite the character and her uncontrollable dog was a wonderful addition that I couldn't get enough of reading about. Around the three quarter mark the book took on more serious tones so I was completely invested by then and had an appreciation and love for all the major characters which I hadn't expected.
I definitely recommend this novel to readers if they're looking for a good locked room style mystery with light hearted overtones!
I want to thank the publisher "Sourcebooks Landmark" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 LYING AND SECRETIVE ...more
Child psychologist Alex Delaware who has also lent his help and expertise to the Los Angeles police department with their request from his best friendChild psychologist Alex Delaware who has also lent his help and expertise to the Los Angeles police department with their request from his best friend Lieutenant detective Milo Sturgis who calls Alex in on complicated cases which together they have solved many, many cases over the years. Now over in Beverly Hills they are called to the brutal double murder of model, handsome Gio Aggiunta and his apparent paramour, gorgeous Meagin March who also happens to be a very wealthy, married woman. The murders appear to be an assassination but Alex and Milo will have to find out who the real target was unless it happened to be both the man and the woman!
The case will take them down many twisted avenues involving several different suspects with plenty of motives yet the puzzle pieces don't quite fit and then a few more bodies turn up that could be connected to one of the victims or maybe not! This is where Milo depends on Alex to observe and analyze every player, victim and suspect with a fine toothed comb.
I really enjoyed this latest novel by author Jonathan Kellerman. This book brought me back to all the reasons I fell in love with the stand-alone Alex Delaware series! The chemistry of the friendship between Alex and Milo felt comfortable again where the banter was appropriate and not overdone. Their personal lives are shown in a subtle, interesting and tasteful way yet stayed in the background so the story steered straight into the mystery and drama of all the characters who were involved somehow with the murder victims.
This book also showed an emotional depth which was quite unexpected. I forgot all about the title "The Ghost Orchid" and the big reveal doesn't occur until after the fifty percent mark. I also thought it was brilliant how that title intertwined with the back story of one particular character and I also loved the meaning behind "GHOST ORCHID" so this added another special dimension to this wonderfully written detective mystery/thriller.
I highly recommend to any dark, crime/mystery/ detective novel readers, you won't be disappointed!
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing/Ballantine" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 UNIQUE AND PUZZLING ...more
Don't Miss This Breathtaking And Captivating Novel!
Joe Pickett is a middle aged game warden who loves his job and all the wild animals under his ferocDon't Miss This Breathtaking And Captivating Novel!
Joe Pickett is a middle aged game warden who loves his job and all the wild animals under his ferocious and protective care until things go wrong and that's exactly what happens in C.J. Box's newest novel. An unusual, savage grizzly attack takes place and it happens to be his daughter's boyfriend and the young man dies immediately but he also happens to be the only son of one of Joe's best friends who is crazy with grief. A wildlife team is called in to track the bear before any other attacks occur, unfortunately they are not quick enough to stop another brutal death by this frenzied grizzly.
In the meantime an inmate named Dallas Cates is released with revenge on his mind since Joe and a few members of his family were responsible to putting Dallas away years ago and he has a tattooed list of several people who he wants to meet up with face to face where they will be sorry that they ever laid eyes on him.
Never in all Joe's experience has he ever come across an animal that seemed to have hatred and intent on their mind. This bear continues on it's rampage and evades capture at every turn while so many people are in danger since hunting is open season and hunters are camped out all over the state and they are just open targets for this crazed beast.
This book was just so wonderful with the modern, western settings and all the detailed, flushed out characters who seemed like real people. I'd love to see this novel made into a movie. There wasn't a dull minute throughout the story. So much excitement, action, drama, intrigue and heart. I couldn't get enough of this book and I definitely look forward to reading more from this author including previous books. I can't believe this is my first novel by C. J. Box but it certainly won't be my last. The quality of the writing and storytelling were just top notch while the atmospheric settings were breathtaking and realistic.
There are a few different storylines which coincide together that made the book so exciting and fun although this is a very serious book and there are elements of human and animal horror which unexpectedly take place place and if readers enjoy dark and very different thrillers then this book will be perfect for them. I can't say enough good things about this novel since it caught me off guard and I fell in love with so many of the characters and despised yet was so intrigued by the bad guys! Believe me, the bad guys are some of the most evil villains that I've come across and I just loved reading about them but I'm so glad they were not real people and this was a fictional story!
Highly Recommended!
I want to thank the publisher "Penguin Group Putnam" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this fascinating thriller and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 EXCITING AND STELLAR ...more
Ryan and Ali are high school sweethearts and deeply in love as they are getting ready to say goodbye since they're both starting different universitieRyan and Ali are high school sweethearts and deeply in love as they are getting ready to say goodbye since they're both starting different universities in a few days they are going to have their first intimate moment in a lovers lane of sorts in Ali's father's car when suddenly Ali screams as Ryan is savagely pulled out of the car and hit over his head and he blacks out. When Ryan regains consciousness Ali and her car are gone and Ryan becomes the number one suspect in Ali's disappearance.
Five years later Ali's car is finally recovered with two bodies in the car but no Ali. Ryan will be approached by the man who took Ali while Ryan is on a law-study vacation in Italy and he wants to make a deal but before Ryan can answer the man disappears again so Ryan follows him and what he finds will turn his world upside down all over again and he will be more than determined to find out what happened to Ali this time but every step he takes finds him in great danger because there are many people involved in the disappearance of Ali and they will never, never let the truth come out!
This novel was exciting, brutal and so entertaining. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough needing to know what would happen next. Ryan was a special and determined character who had never recovered from losing Ali and his life was at a standstill for five years because he felt responsible for not being able to protect his precious girlfriend plus most people in his small town suspected him in Ali's disappearance and his life just stopped until his trip to Italy.
I loved the book for a few reasons, first the writing was so darn good and the storytelling was fantastic with a few different stories and characters with their own history that didn't include Ryan at the time but by the end of the book everything will come together in a few ways that were so unexpected and rewarding. The ending was also an unpredictable WoW! I wish all my thriller books could be as riveting as I found this novel to be and I'm definitely planning on reading more of this author's books!
I highly recommended this book to any reader who enjoys action packed thrillers and doesn't mind quite a bit of violence on the side!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this stunner of a book a rating of 5 BRUTAL AND MYSTERIOUS ...more
Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton are back for another exciting and dangerous adventure within their new town of Haven's Rock!
Casey and EDetective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton are back for another exciting and dangerous adventure within their new town of Haven's Rock!
Casey and Eric have been working hard to create their own town in the Yukon which offers refuge to people whose lives have been in extreme danger and they have a need to disappear. Haven's Rock is in it's very early stages and they only have about twenty-four people in the community so far and two of them happens to be children which is a completely different situation for them to handle since children or families were not allowed in Rockton previously and this could open the door to different sets of problems if not handled properly.
The youngest boy is only ten years old and one day on a learning hike he thinks he sees a bear following the group but the bear is walking on two legs and has human eyes. Casey and Eric are unsure what to make of this sighting although they know the child saw something upsetting and they will investigate the forest because there could be a rogue or sick bear near their town especially when the bears should be in hibernation but many of the adults laugh the sighting off leaving it to a boy's imagination or in need of attention.
Strange occurrences around town begin to cause distrust and chaos among the community while Casey and Eric search for answers and when a dead body unexpectedly turns up in the forest and a missing person in town doesn't leave any clues to their whereabouts, they wonder if Haven's Rock will still be able to have a future since their whole community may be in danger from unknown human predators as well as wild animals.
Kelley Armstrong has done it again and written another wonderful and exciting standalone book to her new series of Haven's Rock. I can't get enough of her Yukon series with it's many flawed characters and personalities that make me crave the adventures of their patrons, many who have criminal pasts. The excitement stems from the townspeople being thrust into more or less primitive environment when compared with the lives they have all left behind. The only way in or out of Haven's Rock is only by small planes or helicopters plus there isn't any electricity so obviously no cell towers for internet or phones which are not allowed so every resident is kept safe and the town will always keep their anonymity and be safeguarded from the public ever being aware of Haven't Rock existence.
This book involving some new and old characters and bringing in children to the storyline just added another dimension to the isolated wilderness and the dangers that abound around every corner. If anyone gets hurt badly the nearest hospital is hours away although they do have a doctor on site who just happens to be Casey's sister, April. There were several different storylines within this novel and it really had myself guessing and guessing but the way all the back-stories intertwine is just magic! I always feel a little sad when I finish these books since I get so immersed in these terrific characters'. lives and the atmospheric writing of the isolation of the forest and the town only having the bare necessities of survival. This is a testament to the outstanding writing and storytelling by this wonderful and clever author!
I highly recommend "THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR" to all readers and I can't wait for the next book to come out in this superb series!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 OUTSTANDING AND ISOLATION ...more
Rose Grandon excitedly looks forward to her choir solo in the midnight mass on Christmas eve. As she walks home from the final practice to get ready fRose Grandon excitedly looks forward to her choir solo in the midnight mass on Christmas eve. As she walks home from the final practice to get ready for the event she is savagely attacked and left for dead. Rose suffered many broken bones as well as having PTSD from her attack and then finds out she is pregnant from this horrid monster. In the end Rose keeps her beautiful baby but not without many problems along the way.
Year after year the local detectives along with the FBI check in with Rose to see if she remembers anything new at all because every Christmas more women have been brutally assaulted or murdered and the authorities have never come up with any potential suspects so Rose has to relive her horror from that night, always living in fear that her attacker will come back for her again.
Maybe Rose is right to be fearful because when she finally lets down her guard, her life again and her child's will never be the same.
Richard Chizmar has never made peace with his past involving serial killers even though his true crime book "Chasing The Boogeyman" had reached the piRichard Chizmar has never made peace with his past involving serial killers even though his true crime book "Chasing The Boogeyman" had reached the pinnacle of success on the best seller charts and then a box office hit with a major motion picture based on his novel. So he is currently writing a book based on his hometown and coming of age drama including all the important people and times in his life that helped create the person he is today.
Life of course takes another turn when a gruesome murder takes place with all the signatures of the infamous "Boogeyman". Since Gallagher (aka Boogeyman) is in prison it can only be a copycat or has something else happened that the police missed in the past and they have the wrong murderer or was Gallagher working with someone else?
There will be many more murders unless the police with Chizmar's help solve this fearfest quickly since there are other crimes tied to this case that have Chizmar's name linked to whoever this copycat is. Richard knows his family and friends may not be safe and his marriage is showing cracks once again since it took time to recover from his involvement with the boogeyman the first time and now he is the only journalist of any media source who Gallagher will talk to and reveal more victims name from the past so Richard has no other choice than to help the wonderful detectives and police who need him now to help bring down another " Boogeyman" serial killer.
I loved this novel and only have positive things to say about it as so many other readers before me. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I haven't read the first book yet so this can definitely be read as a stand-alone but now I can't wait to read "Chasing The Boogeyman". The storyline and writing of this book was so clever and unique. Several times in the first quarter of the book, I would have to backtrack to make sure this was a book of fiction and not a true crime story since it was so believably written and also included pictures of victims, crime scenes, detectives etc. I was just so impressed with this novel and hope this will be a series because with " Richard Chizmar's imagination being put down on paper I can only foresee other great thrillers to be written hopefully in the very near future!
I highly recommend this fantastic crime thriller to anyone who enjoys true crime stories or murder mystery/thrillers or just wants to read a true to life horror book that is really fiction and it will really mess with your head in the best way!
Don't miss out on this ONE Of A Kind crime specialty in the world of thrilling books!
I want to thank the publisher "Gallery Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 5 STELLAR AND MESMERIZING ...more
Cam Ambrose is a former detective who completely loved and lived her job but with a young daughter needing her attention full time since their family Cam Ambrose is a former detective who completely loved and lived her job but with a young daughter needing her attention full time since their family was completely destroyed by her husband's extremely senseless, violent death by an attack of unknown assailant. Cam's adopted brother will travel with them acting as their bodyguard since they might also be targets of more attacks and they don't know why or by whom.
They decide to stay at Cam's recently deceased uncle's home knowing it will be a safe haven until Cam soon finds out her uncle and his close friend also died of similar violence with no explanations. Cam uncovers many secrets that her (so called) loving husband had been keeping from her including a mistress and she is just devastated once again. Cam will find out that something supernatural is at play but doesn't know how to handle these answers since she never believed in the paranormal itself.
Soon, Cam will become a believer when she finds her precious little girl talking to her daddy and as unbelievable as it sounds Cam knows it is true but she doesn't want the dead visiting her daughter until she witnesses something so horrifying that she realizes she needs specialized help but who can she turn to and who can she trust to keep her daughter safe and why are all these horrific events plaguing her family!
This was an intriguing and entertaining book that I enjoyed very much. The characters were well developed especially Cam. I had so much empathy for Cam and her horrible situations that she couldn't control and wanted her to be able to figure out how to empower herself without placing her own life in danger since I knew more deaths were inevitable if she didn't find answers quickly.
Cam's Russian brother was a wonderful and colorful character to enjoy throughout the story. I loved reading everything about him plus there is also a possible romantic twist to weave in and at first it seemed a somewhat sketchy but I found myself all for it and wanting more. This would make a great series and I hope maybe there will be another book in the future because these particular characters and the storyline were just so entertaining and intriguing. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author "Laurel Hightower" in the future.
Please remember this is a supernatural horror thriller so there was some graphic violence and gory and disturbing scenes throughout but perfect for horror lovers or dark thriller lovers also!
I Want to thank the publisher "Flame Tree Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
A dark and dreary atmosphere surrounds the university at the end of a long cold winter while five psychology graduate students and their professor Dr.A dark and dreary atmosphere surrounds the university at the end of a long cold winter while five psychology graduate students and their professor Dr. Joe Lyons conduct a study experiment in lying and deception on a number of diverse students who aren't privy to the subject matter at hand. Shortly after the study begins an unprecedented volatile reaction from one of the subjects fuels another student's violent response bringing about a sudden unexpected halt to the experiment but before the experiment can be called off an extremely brutal murder occurs without rhyme or reason which has the detective working the case stumped. Just when the police believe they've found their main suspect another murder occurs that completely baffle them and they are at a loss on who could be responsible and now everyone will become a suspect since there are many clues floating around although no hard evidence is readily available.
An enjoyable an entertaining mystery thriller filled with several suspects, red herrings and inexplicable murders. The author R.J. Jacobs did a fine job of keeping my interest with colorful and interesting characters while trying to figure out the "Who Done It" puzzle and why? Especially, why were the murders so violent and gruesome? Could one of Dr. Lyon's small study really be a cold blooded killer? If so, the experiment should have been about murderers and their victims instead of simple deception. Recommended for any reader who enjoys locked room mysteries or a good mystery in general.
I want to thank the publisher "Sourcebooks Landmark" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 3 PUZZLING ...more
Medical examiner Rowan Winthrop and her husband Axel are seated at the high school play "Beetlejuice" where their daughter (Chloe) has the starring roMedical examiner Rowan Winthrop and her husband Axel are seated at the high school play "Beetlejuice" where their daughter (Chloe) has the starring role when both their work phones ring alerting both of them to a crime scene which they must immediately respond.
Chloe is devastated and begs her mom not to go but duty calls and Rowan is the only medical examiner in Black Harbor so she doesn't have a choice in not responding to a death scene. Rowan finds the dead body happens to be Chloe's best friend and she is shaken to her core when she sees the horrific violence that was done to this fifteen year old girl.
Later when Rowan and Axel arrive home they find Chloe missing and can't understand what could have happened to her. Did she run away or has someone taken her just like her friend. As time passes the couple realize that they didn't know their daughter as well as they thought. Chloe was the keeper of many secrets and unknown to them a very unhappy child.
As the investigation continues for both girls, they find many signs that Chloe could have been involved with her friend's murder especially when another fifteen year old's murdered body is found with similar brutal characteristics.
Black Harbor has always been known for a certain darkness concerning many violent crimes over the years but two vicious murders and possibly another is more than outrageous and more will occur if they don't find Chloe (hopefully alive) or the murderer soon!
Who is this teen predator that is stalking and killing these beautiful girls from the same high school and why now?
This was a most engaging and emotional crime/mystery/drama involving young teenagers and their secrets that they keep from their parents and loved ones. Sad to see that many teens don't have enough supervision and are left with too much time being alone and the consequences that could occur since they aren't old enough to have or use sound judgment in many if their decisions and the possible consequences that could happen. Frightening to think how many children are probably left alone in our real world because of so many working parents who are trying to make ends meet. So scary and sad! This book was an interesting, behind the scenes police procedural that took the reader into their difficult personal lives.
This also was a fast, intriguing read since the book was so well written and I look forward to reading more books from author "Hannah Morrissey" in the future.
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 VICIOUS AND DEPRESSINGLY GOOD ...more
Natalie Lockhart works a detective in the small town of Burning Lake, New York which is famous for it's incomparably enticing and spectacular HalloweeNatalie Lockhart works a detective in the small town of Burning Lake, New York which is famous for it's incomparably enticing and spectacular Halloween celebrations in the U.S. and people come from all over to see and take part in all the festivities that Burning Lake has to offer with all of the uniquely charming and whimsical shops that are run and owned by real modern day witches. The town still has many covens of witches who practice and deal in white magic magic with their healing herbs and potions etc. Natalie has gained unwanted notoriety with the last two cases she solved that has left her with a lot of emotional and psychological baggage which has left her seriously thinking of leaving the police department.
Before Natalie has a chance to catch her breath another savage and gruesome murder takes place inside the wonderful Halloween store which is opened year round carrying the best costumes anyone could imagine wearing to any type of costumed occasion. Still reeling from the critical shooting of her longtime best friend Luke Pittman from her unsolved previous case Natalie knows she's not going anywhere which doesn't sit well with her current boyfriend who wants Natalie to settle down with him and leave her stressful work life behind.
While investigating this current murder Nat discovers a mysterious house of hidden horrors that may be tied to many unsolved cases going back a few decades and wonders if her friend (Bella) who disappeared when they were teenagers might also be part of this case. Natalie has never recovered from Bella disappearing without a trace on their high school graduation night so she is always trying to find her even though it was listed as an official closed case and Bella being confirmed (with evidence) as a runaway. As the cases get more complex with so many suspects involved Nat finds herself being watched or maybe stalked and realizes her life is now in the crosshairs of one or more dangerous unknown persons who want to see her as their next victim.
This was another entertaining and atmospheric book in the Natalie Lockhart series. Natalie is a wonderful character with a life full of unwanted drama which follows.her everywhere. I enjoy watching her growth as a woman and a detective. The town of Burning Lake is so enjoyable with all of it's history and atmospheric back stories of modern day witches and and the lovely whimsical shops that tourists love to come and visit especially during the Autumn season. While this story takes place in March and early April, the author "Alice Blanchard" never fails to bring a creepy atmosphere to her books which is delightfully and wickedly mysterious. I enjoyed this book very much especially since it wrapped up many missing pieces from some previous cases.
This book can be read as a stand-alone as the author does a great job of bring the reader up-to-date on some real puzzlers although I would recommend reading book #3 "The Witching Tree" first if possible especially, since it was a fantastic and eerily, scary story and is very intertwined with this book and I believe it made this book more enjoyable for myself. I can't wait to read more books with Natalie Lockhart and the town of Burning Lake and I certainly hope (cross my fingers) there will be more written in the future!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this complimentary digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this entertaining book a rating of 4 PUZZLING AND DEADLY ...more
Rachel Krall is a famous true crime podcaster in the world of anyone who loves to listen to mystery podcasts and happens to be working on a new case wRachel Krall is a famous true crime podcaster in the world of anyone who loves to listen to mystery podcasts and happens to be working on a new case when she unexpectedly is contacted by the FBI to come to Florida on official business unrelated to any work she had previously tackled. A hardened criminal named Terrence Bailey has just served six extra long years for attacking another inmate and is scheduled to be released in forty-eight hours. Through Bailey's entire sentence he never received any visitors until a week ago when a young, beautiful and popular travel influencer came to visit him under an assumed name and the only link the FBI have was Bailey told this woman that he wanted to see Rachel Krall immediately. Rachel had become very popular with many inmates all over the country due to her helping free a couple of innocent men that had been convicted of horrible crimes and never would have stood a chance of another trial without her help with her crime podcast work. The feds can't figure out the connection between the previous visitor and Bailey so they need Rachel's help immediately since the young woman has mysteriously disappeared from her camper and signs of violence were left all over the scene. Unbeknownst to Rachel, Bailey had been a major suspect in several horrific murders which occurred over eight years ago but the police never came up with any tangible hard evidence in which to arrest him for these crimes although they thought maybe he had worked with an accomplice at the time. Now, with this missing woman and Bailey's release in two days the FBI are hoping to find relevant information to keep the guy locked up until they find this woman hoping that she will still be alive.
Rachel doesn't like being strong armed or played by the cops but she is intrigued by this case and of course wants the young woman to be found alive but she has no knowledge or information that could be helpful to police but when they inform her that her safety is at risk she knows trouble and danger have found her once again and she will never run away or hide when innocent lives are on the line. Meanwhile over in the Daytona Beach area which Rachel was staying at a five star hotel where a week long influencer conference was being held another influencer appears to be missing. Is it a possibility that the cases are connected in any way? Especially when Rachel heard some rumors that both missing people had more in common than a business relationship.
As Rachel digs deeper she finds herself at a false bottom where she can't seem to climb out by herself and since she let her independence and self righteousness get carried away she now finds her own life is on the line and she might not live long enough to host any more podcasts and her own story just might become the new subject for another true crime podcast of one of her own competitors!
Another great mystery/thriller from author "Megan Goldin" whose extremely suspenseful novels never fail to pull me in each and every time I begin reading from the very first chapter. This book had a little bit of everything including a possible romance that was subtle yet promising but didn't get in the way of the hard core crimes that powered through the different storylines. The Florida atmosphere was spot-on and I felt as if I was right there with the characters experiencing the oppressive heat along with the beauty of the state itself. This was an intriguing and complex storyline with quite a few main characters yet their stories weren't difficult to follow since the writing was so good and entertaining. A fast page-turner to be sure and very enjoyable with the current trend of social media being a main focus and priority so that the book will have an appeal to a youthful as well as an older audience since the author's writing style was clever and captivating throughout the book. I highly recommend this novel for any reader who enjoys current topics along with plenty of crime drama. I can't wait to find out what new thriller "Megan Goldin" will once again write in the near future!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have give a rating of 4 CLEVER AND ENTERTAINING ...more
In 2019 skeletal remains are found on an old, unused farm property which will eventually be the site of a huge new shopping mall. With barely a trace In 2019 skeletal remains are found on an old, unused farm property which will eventually be the site of a huge new shopping mall. With barely a trace of identification except the possibility of a gold filling in a tooth, Inspector Alan Banks and his team of detectives will be called in to discover who this person was and then try to solve the case if the remains are the result of a murder since it was obvious that this was a buried body that someone thought would never be found.
In 1980, Nicholas Hartley returns from class to a scene of police cars at the rooming house where he lives while attending university. Nick has no idea what has happened but two detectives immediately take him to his room and begin questioning him about his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Alice who still lived in an apartment on the top floor while not realizing that Alice has been murdered, Nick will soon be their prime suspect even though Alice had a current boyfriend who appears to be missing yet the detectives only seem to be focused on Nick.
The two storylines will interplay throughout the book and eventually the past and present will.coincide to bring about an explosive climatic ending.
What an enjoyable and entertaining police procedural book this was for me. This was my first novel in the series by Peter Robinson yet it was so well-written that I felt as if I met these characters before and they already felt like old friends. The two storylines bounced off each other so well and I never felt lost with the large cast of interesting characters. I enjoyed how realistic and relatable that the characters were conveyed to the reader. The descriptive background and scenery was an extra plus. I just loved Inspector Banks and his warm persona that was portrayed as a good man and a solid, sensitive and fair boss who cared very much for each member of his team while he worked the daily grind as much if even harder than his beloved team. I'm sure I will read many of the past books that I have missed because this seems to be a great series to dive into when you want that feeling of warmth and likability surrounding the characters you are reading about.
I highly recommend this police procedural novel.
I want to thank the publisher "William Morrow" for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating if 4 SOLID AND SATISFYING ...more
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