Tag Archives: Carolyn Arnold

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
Sara Cain isn’t your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…

When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor.

Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.

But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers.

Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.

A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.

 

 

Review:

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is the first book in her new Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery series.  I am a big fan of Carolyn Arnold, having read all her different series; and I looked forward to this new cozy mystery.

We meet Sara Cain, our heroine, who is a homicide detective with the Albany police department.  She is a detective by day, and writes a mystery novel at night; one night she decides to take a walk and finds a loose dog she recognizes. When Sara brings the dog, Magnum back to his home, she finds the owner of the dog dead.  Another detective is assigned to the murder of Cliff Cunningham, a famous bowler; but when Sara’s mother asks her to investigate the murder, because her friend was arrested, Sara decides to be a sleuth at night.  Her partner Sean McKinley is currently working with Sara, on another case, searching for the killer of Aubrey Southgate; but he agrees to help her with looking into this other case, without letting their boss know.

We learn quickly that Sean has a strong crush on Sara, though she likes him, but she won’t let any possible romance happen between them, since it against the rules.  I really liked Sara and Sean together.  Sara is smart, savvy, independent, fun and is a coffeeholic; Sean is the opposite, more skeptical, but very charming.  It was great to watch how both Sara and Sean work on the two different investigations. The third partner is Magnum, the cute beagle, who Sara brought home, and occasionally helps.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, entertaining, and fun story. Both Sara and Sean manage to find clues with some twists, that will help find the real killer in their case, including discovering the person behind the wrongful arrest of Sara’s mothers friend.  To say too much more would be spoilers, as once you get to the second half of the book, you really need it all. Detective Davenport was not a good cop, and totally bad news with his minimal quick investigations, thankfully Sean and Sara will discover the truths. Bowled Over Americano was a wonderful murder mystery, in a small town, dangerous killers, as well as a fun romance and some humor.   Bowled Over Americano was very well written by Carolyn Arnold.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Her Final Breath by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Her Final Breath by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
Faint sunlight dapples the two figures lying on the ground. The mother cradles her daughter close to her side, a stuffed toy elephant next to them. Leaves from the tall trees fall onto their faces, but neither moves to brush them off.

When a dog walker in a local Virginia park finds the bodies of a mother and daughter, Detective Amanda Steele is first on the scene. Her own daughter has a toy just like the girl’s elephant and seeing the child like this is her worst nightmare come true. Heartbroken, she vows to get justice.

They quickly get an ID—Jill Archer and six-year-old Charlotte were reported missing last week, but interviewing Jill’s husband, Roy, Amanda’s gut tells her he is hiding something. When the autopsy reveals a terrible pattern of bruises, she’s certain that a domestic argument escalated out of control, and tiny Charlotte got caught in the crossfire. But just as Amanda is about to arrest Roy, another grave is found, containing another mother and daughter.

Desperate for a lead, she goes to every place the women could have been targeted, and learns from a concerned ER nurse about Leanne Reilly and her young daughter, Gracie, who haven’t been heard from in a week. Amanda hopes that Leanne has simply left her deadbeat husband, but she’s gripped by the fear that they are the killer’s latest victims. Now every second counts for Amanda to find the family and stop a little girl’s nightmare before it ends in tragedy…

 

 

Review:

Her Final Breath by Carolyn Arnold is the 7th book in her wonderful Detective Amanda Steele series.  I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Her Final Breath was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down. 

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department.  The story begins when a dog walker discovers in a local park the bodies of a mother and daughter, buried in a shallow grave; bringing Amanda and Trent (partner) to the gruesome scene. The mother and daughter are identified by a missing persons case, Jill Archer and her daughter, Charlotte. Seems the husband, who is a police officer, reported them missing. When they interview the husband, both of them become suspicious of him; especially after the autopsy show multiple bruises, that were new as well as old.  Just as Amanda and Trent plan arrest the husband, another grave was discovered with a mother and daughter. As they investigate, it seems there is a serial killer, with the them being women from abusive homes, and another grave is found. Who is murdering women and their daughters?

Both Amanda and Trent are able to find a poor video of a possible murderer, but cannot identify him.  They begin to visit the areas, and interview people who knew the last two victims, and find out that another woman and her daughter are missing. Amanda realizes that time is of essence as they race to the climax to find Leanne and Gracie before they are killed.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a mind-blowing thriller.  I always liked how Amanda and Trent made great partners, though in this one, his anger on the abusive treatment of women, was a bit out of control.  I also began to like Graves, Amanda’s boss, as she was a bit strict, but cooperative. The last third of the book was intense and exciting, and to say too much more would be spoilers.

Her Final Breath was another fantastic crime thriller that held our breath throughout.  Amanda is a great heroine, and a fantastic detective. Her Final Breath was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author; as I am loving this series. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Website: https://carolynarnold.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolynarnold/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/carolyn-arnold

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Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
The woman lies so still as her blood soaks into the soft bedcovers beneath her. A tear runs down her face as she looks at the wedding band on her finger. She had loved her husband so much…

When Detective Amanda Steele unexpectedly reconnects with an old boyfriend, the last thing she expects to see lying on his bed is the dead body of his wife, Claire, who walked out on him four years ago.

Logan begs Amanda to believe he’s innocent. But she doesn’t miss the gun on a nearby table, and she’s torn when forensics reveal that not only was this the murder weapon, but Logan’s fingerprints are all over it… Could he have been framed? Or is he using his connection to Amanda to get away with murder?

Determined to uncover the truth, Amanda retraces Claire’s last steps and finds that she visited her best friend the day before her death. But Amanda is devastated to discover that the friend died in a car accident just hours after meeting with Claire. What deadly secret connected them, and could more women be in danger?

But the killer is closer than Amanda realises, and when her beloved daughter, Zoe, is threatened, she’s suddenly in a race to find the final clue before the person she loves most pays the price…

 

 

Review:

Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold is the 6th book in her Detective Amanda Steele series.  I have noted this many times, that I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her series, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Last Seen Alive was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department

The story starts off with Amanda, having been out with friends, ends up at her ex-boyfriend’s (Logan) house, when they find the body of a woman fatally shot: the woman happens to be Logan’s ex wife, whom he has not seen in 4 years. Amanda pushes Logan out of the room, calls for help, which will also bring her partner Trent.  Amanda’s nasty sergeant, pulls her off the case, since the police suspect Logan killed his wife. Amanda knows Logan is innocent, and together with Trent, they go all out to find the murderer, with her sargeant allowing her to get back on case. Amanda was determined to uncover Claire’s last steps, and learns that her previous boss also was killed the day before.  What is the connection, and who else could be in danger.

Amanda and Trent worked very well together, with Trent getting Amanda to go home at night to be with her daughter, Zoe.  I really liked how Trent became a better partner to Amanda, and enjoyed how well they worked together.  Amanda is a fabulous heroine, who goes beyond, as well as being emotional, with somewhat of a temper; but she is a master as solving crimes. They discover that Claire (Logans ex) was involved in stealing various paintings and artifacts over the years, and they go all out to find out who was working with Claire. 

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a mind-blowing thriller. There were so many suspects, and even surprises at the end. To say too much more would be spoilers, and this was a great good story that needs to be read from start to finish, especially with so much going on that keeps us glued to the book. It is important to read this story from start to finish.

Last Seen Alive was a very good excellent crime thriller that was suspenseful, intense, and kept us guessing who was the murderer to the end. Amanda and Trent were so very good together.  Last Seen Alive was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

 


CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

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Her Frozen Cry by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Her Frozen Cry by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
The moon shines through the open window, bathing the woman in pale light. Blood-red wine from a shattered glass soaks into the cream blanket beside her, and her dull eyes stare vacantly at the framed photograph in her hand.

When beautiful wife and mother Alicia Gordon is found dead in a remote woodland cabin, Detective Amanda Steele is shocked to discover that she knows the husband. Amanda hasn’t spoken to Tony since she lost the love of her own life seven years ago, and seeing tragedy tearing her old friend’s family apart brings back so many painful memories.

Alicia was alone when she died, but she was so young, and Amanda can’t help feeling suspicious. Then she discovers that Alicia’s sleep medication had been tampered with, slowly poisoning her over several days. Amanda wants to trust that the sorrow on Tony’s face is real, but the more she digs into his marriage, the more it seems that he had opportunity, and motive…

Interviewing one of Alicia’s old colleagues, Amanda is shaken to her core when the woman suddenly collapses in her arms, dying in seconds from a lethal dose of the same poison that killed Alicia. But what could link this woman to Tony?

With her partner blaming Amanda for not arresting Tony immediately, she needs to prove that he isn’t the killer, or accept that the second woman’s death could be on her hands. She’s running out of time and leads when she discovers threatening messages sent to both victims. It’s the final clue to unmasking the most twisted killer Amanda has ever come up against, and to stop them she’ll have to risk everything…

 

Review:

Her Frozen Cry by Carolyn Arnold is the 5th book in her fantastic Detective Amanda Steele series. I have noted this many times, that I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her series, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Her Frozen Cry was fantastic, with me unable to put the book down.

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department.  When a woman is found dead in a remote woodland cabin, Amanda and her partner, Trent are called to the scene.  Amanda is shocked that the dead women, Alicia Gordon is married to an old friend, whom she hasn’t seen since the tragedy of her husband and child.   She is suspicious, if this was murder or possible suicide; but in a short time, they will discover that Alicia was slowly poisoned

Tony Bishop, an old friend of Amanda, is devastated by the news, but both her and Trent suspect that he is hiding something.  Can Amanda be able to handle being objective dealing Tony? 

Alicia Gordon was the wealthy owner of a successful business, with Amanda and Trent interviewing many of Alicia’s colleagues; which had me constantly guessing who is the killer.  Another death escalates the investigation, as this person was also murdered by the same poison, and the suspect list increases.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery that kept me unable to put the book down. There were so many suspects, and even surprises at the end. Amanda and Trent were at odds, when he suspects Tony, and feels she is not looking at the big picture; but with time running out, Amanda looks more carefully at the threatening letters sent to both women. To say too much more would be spoilers, and this was a great good story that needs to be read from start to finish, especially with so much going on that keeps us glued to the book.

Her Frozen Cry was a very good excellent crime thriller that was suspenseful, intense, and kept us guessing who was the murderer to the end. Amanda is a great heroine, and a fantastic detective.  Her Frozen Cry was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

 


CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Website: https://carolynarnold.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolynarnold/
Bookouture Email sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/carolyn-arnold

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Girl on the Run by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Girl on the Run by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
Shivers tear through her, but she must be brave—for herself, for her future. She grips her coat tighter and steps into the night and the cold, pouring rain. Never to be seen again.

An ordinary Monday morning commute turns deadly when a gunman opens fire in the local train station. Detective Madison Knight rushes to the scene, but she’s too late for the victims. Two women were fatally wounded, including an expectant mother, and one is fighting for her life. But it’s the face of one of the dead that has Madison seeing a ghost from her past. She looks just like Madison’s college friend Courtney Middleton, who vanished over fifteen years ago. If it is her, where has she been all these years, and does her resurfacing have anything to do with the shooting?

Eyewitnesses say that a young woman triggered the incident, but both the shooter and the girl seem to have evaporated into thin air. Mounting evidence suggests they may be part of a drug-trafficking operation, the girl being one of their runners. But Madison’s not so sure the girl is the hardened criminal she appears to be.

As Madison races to track down the young woman, more people turn up murdered, and there’s still no sign of the girl. Is her body out there to find or is she on the run? If the latter, is it due to fear or guilt? Could it simply be that the shooting victims were caught in the crosshairs of organized crime? Madison’s not sure, but she can’t shake her niggling suspicion: what if it was something more than that?

 

 

Review:

Girl on the Run by Carolyn Arnold is the 11th book in her wonderful Detective Madison Knight series.  As I have noted a number of times in previous reviews, Carolyn Arnold always gives us exciting suspenseful murder mysteries, led by a great detective like Madison Knight; and Arnold’s knowledge of police procedurals makes these investigations perfect.

Madison, our heroine, is a tough detective for the Stiles Police Department, who will let nothing stand in her way to find the guilty.   She and her partner Terry, are called to the scene of a shooting at the Liberty Station, where two women are dead and one injured.  After interviewing people at the scene, they learn that a young women triggered the incident when she took some things behind the coffee counter, and those on line complained; only to see a man shoot at the ladies on line.  Both the girl and the shooter are no longer on the scene, and Madison and Terry begin a complex trail that will lead to drug trafficking and revenge.

What follows is an exciting, tense, action filled thriller with many suspects, as well as twists and surprising turns.   While interviewing some of the victim’s families, Madison will find herself shocked at a picture of someone in her past, who supposedly died 15 years ago.  Which will lead to Madison going over and above to revisit what happened all those years ago, and how it effects the murders of the present.  With the new evidence, as well as other murders, the last ¼ of the book was amazing with twists that Madison discovered, which we did not expect.

Girl on the Run was another fantastic, exciting, tense, riveting police procedural, so very well written by Carolyn Arnold.  Madison Knight is a great detective, though I thought she seemed a bit annoying early on; with that said, I dislike her Sergeant and still not crazy about her partner, Terry.  I do like her significant other, Troy, as well as the dog, Hershey.  If you enjoy mysteries, police procedurals, a tough as nails cop, then you need to be reading this series, as Carolyn Arnold is one of the best in police procedure stories.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Black Orchid Girls by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Black Orchid Girls by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
The first rays of sun filter through the tall trees, casting a faint light on the girl lying at the water’s edge. Her tears have frozen on her pale face, a black orchid rests against her cold white skin.

When hikers find the body of a beautiful young girl on the banks of the Potomac River, Detective Amanda Steele is shaken and confused. What is the significance of the delicate flower resting on the girl’s torso? A sign of affection, or a twisted killer’s calling card?

The girl is Chloe Somner, a local nineteen-year-old ecology student well-known to the park rangers and loved by all her classmates. Searching Chloe’s home, Amanda can’t work out who could have tempted her to the water in the early hours of the morning, but a long night hunting through cold cases gives her a possible lead: twenty years ago another local girl was murdered, a red rose left on her body. But why would this killer strike again now?

Focused on the past, the last thing Amanda expects is the news that Chloe’s roommate has been found dead, another black orchid left. Terrified that more innocent victims will follow, can Amanda uncover the significance of the flowers and stop this cold-hearted killer before he returns for the next orchid girl…?

 

 

Review:

Black Orchid Girls by Carolyn Arnold is the 4th book in her fantastic Detective Amanda Steele series.  I have noted this many times, that I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her series, and I love this series, which I feel is the best one yet.

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department.  She is called with her partner, Trent to a scene where a girl (local college student) is found murdered in the forest of Leesylvania State Park.  The dead girl was stabbed 7 times, with the murderer cleansing her body and leaving a black orchid flower on her.  What does the Black Orchid mean: sign of affection, or a dark death wish?

Both Amanda and Trent learn more about the girl (Chloe), especially after they meet her two roommates and find out more information about her ex-boyfriend, as well as students who hated her.  Josh the boyfriend was a suspect, since he supposedly sent her a message to meet him at the park; and another boy was also suspected, since he dropped off someone at the park.  Both Amanda and Trent have their hands full, investigating all the suspects, including another boy and girl who hated Chloe. While deep in their investigation, another girl is murdered, found the same way as the previous girl.  Is this a serial killer?

While deep in the case, Amanda also worries about Zoe, the young girl she is adopting; seems the biological father wants to meet her, to perhaps fight for custody.  Amanda does her best to spend time with Zoe, as she has come to love her; luckily Amanda has friends who can watch her while she is spending long hours at work.  Amanda’s feels the pressure of the case, as well as concern about Zoe.

What follows is an exciting, intriguing, tense mystery that kept me unable to put the book down. There were so many suspects, and even surprises at the end. To say too much more would be spoilers, and this was a very good story that needs to be read from start to finish.

Black Orchid Girls was a very good excellent crime thriller that was suspenseful, intense, and kept us guessing who was the murderer to the end. I loved the team of Amanda, Trent & her Sergeant, as well as many of the secondary characters.  Amanda is a great heroine, and a fantastic detective.  Black Orchid Girls was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

Carolyn Arnold was born in a small Canadian town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower. As an international bestselling and award-winning author, she has several continuing fiction series, including her popular Detective Madison Knight series. She offers readers nearly three dozen published books in genres ranging from crime thrillers and hard-boiled mysteries to cozy mysteries and action adventures. She currently lives north of London, Ontario, with her husband and two beagles.

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The Silent Witness by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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The Silent Witness by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s 4 a.m. when her mom shakes her awake. “Get up baby, we’re going to play hide and seek.” The little girl presses back into the dark space, holding her breath as she hears the shots ring out. She knows she’s next…

When the bodies of a local family are discovered on a quiet street in the small town of Dumfries, Virginia, Detective Amanda Steele takes charge of the case. Brett and Angela Parker were shot three times each, leaving no hope of survival, and their tidy suburban home has been ransacked. But there is no sign of their beloved six-year-old, Zoe.

Zoe is the same age as Amanda’s daughter was when she died, and Amanda can’t bear the thought of another little girl in danger. She’s organizing a search for the child, when she notices something strange about the ottoman at the foot of the Parkers’ bed. She opens it to find Zoe, mute and traumatized, but alive.

With Zoe completely uncommunicative, Amanda must find another way to untangle what destroyed this seemingly perfect family. It’s clear that the killer is searching for something the Parkers had, and until she has this monster behind bars, Amanda fears that he may return for Zoe. When she learns that Brett Parker cut short the family’s recent lakeside vacation, she wonders why. What happened at that lake house, and did it ultimately get them killed?

Amanda heads out to Lake Chesdin on the feeling it might be key to the case, and when she finds a cell phone in the murky waters next to the Parker cabin, she knows she’s made a breakthrough. But then terrible news reaches her from Dumfries; Zoe has been taken from her school playground.

Someone wants to silence the Parker family for good, can Amanda catch them before the little girl she’s desperate to protect pays the price?

 

Review:

The Silent Witness by Carolyn Arnold is the 3rd book in her fantastic Detective Amanda Steele series.  Having noted this numerous times, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her series, and I feel this series is the best one yet. 

Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department.  She is called with her partner, Trent to the scene of a multiple homicide; which was a couple that were each shot three times.  Upon questioning neighbors, they realize the 6-year-old daughter is missing.  While Amanda and team, search the house, she notices the ottoman cover is crooked, and finds the daughter inside traumatized. Amanda fears that the murderer may come after Zoe (child), especially not knowing why her parents were killed.  She and Trent begin to slowly unravel the mystery, which is centered on photos taken at random during a vacation, that someone does not want anyone to see.  Amanda decides to take care of Zoe to keep her safe, but being buried on the case, who can she trust to watch over the child?

What follows is an exciting, intriguing, pulse pounding mystery that kept me unable to put the book down, especially knowing that Zoe’s life was in danger, as well as shocking revealing clues, who may behind the murder.   In the previous book, Amanda found something that hinted at a possible pedophile ring, and she begins to suspect this could possibly be related.  To say too much more would be spoilers, and this was a very good story that needs to be read from start to finish. 

The Silent Witness was an excellent crime thriller that was suspenseful, intense, and kept us glued to the end. I loved the team of Amanda, Trent & her Sergeant, as well as many of the secondary characters; though I did not like the chief. Amanda is a great heroine, and a fantastic detective.  The Silent Witness was so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 


Carolyn Arnold was born in a small Canadian town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower. As an international bestselling and award-winning author, she has several continuing fiction series, including her popular Detective Madison Knight series. She offers readers nearly three dozen published books in genres ranging from crime thrillers and hard-boiled mysteries to cozy mysteries and action adventures. She currently lives north of London, Ontario, with her husband and two beagles.

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Midlife Psychic by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Midlife Psychic by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

Amazon

 

Description:
Hot flashes in my forties? Expected. Waking up psychic? Not in my wildest dreams.

My name is Erin Stone. I’m forty-three with a daughter away at college and a successful career as a communications officer with the 911 dispatch center for the Toronto Police Service. My life had just returned to new normal after my divorce and everything was going along smoothly. Then BOOM! Turns out the universe had other plans for me.

I dreamed of a plane crash—only it wasn’t just a dream. The crash happened in real life. Eighty-three dead. A vision, plain and simple. Not exactly. My family certainly wouldn’t understand. And me…psychic? I’d dabbled in new-age spirituality in the past but never plunged into the deep end. Now I’m in over my head.

Why was I given this vision, and does it hold clues as to what caused the crash? My best friend Trish is convinced it does, and a handsome stranger with the National Transportation Safety Board is willing to partner with me to solve the mystery. But if I’m going to embrace the vision as telling of newfound psychic abilities, I will need to keep my paranormal gift a secret from my daughter, brother, and aunt. Little good that might do them though.

Someone out there has their own secrets and is willing to go to great lengths to protect them. Now the very gift I was given has put the lives of my loved ones at risk. Will my psychic abilities be strong enough to save them?

 

Review:

Midlife Psychic by Carolyn Arnold is a standalone Paranormal Women’s Fiction novel.  We meet our heroine Erin Stone at the start when she is in the middle of a nightmare.  Her nightmare is a plane that is spiraling out of control, with everyone on the plane sensing death, and Erin feels like she is on the plane  looking at others around her.  When she wakes up, the dream shook her, as it felt so realistic; she shakes it off, as she needs to hurry to work.   Erin is a 43 years old divorcee, with a daughter now away at college, and she works for the Toronto 911 Police Dispatch for a number of years. 

While at work, she sees the TV talking about a plane crash, with 83 people dead, and Erin realizes this was the dream she had, which went down at the same time of her dream.  She doesn’t know what to think, as at her age, why would she have a vision, but when then later, she sees another vision about a young girl kidnapped;  which she sends the police department an anonymous clue where to find the child safe. Erin is beside herself, and scared. The only person she can talk to is her friend Trish, who is very open to spiritual things, but she knows her family would frown on this, so she needs to keep this a secret.  She meets David, who works for the National Transportation Safety Board, and in a short time, he believes that Erin does see visions, and they begin to work together to find out the truth about the plane crash, and why she is seeing faces of some who died. 

What follows is an exciting, intriguing story with Erin and David finding clues that the plane crash was sabotage, and Erin will need to learn how to use her psychic paranormal gift.  Things get dangerous and nerve wracking when threats are made to her family, which escalates the pressure, as they are getting too close.   I really liked Erin and David together, as this is a slow burn romance. But depending if this is going to become a series, perhaps that is in the future, if Arnold continues this.   

Midlife Psychic was very well written by Carolyn Arnold, especially since this was a different kind of read that we have come to expect from her.  I did like the paranormal story line, especially the tense, wild climax. I hope we get to see more of Erin Stone.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

 

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