Tag Archives: murder

Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
The girl in the ballerina dress lies still on the carousel with her face toward the blue sky. In her tutu and slippers, she’s ready for her next performance. But as the morning sun shines down upon her, she no longer feels its warmth on her cheeks. Her bright light is gone forever.

When the body of Hailey Tanner is found in a local park, Detective Amanda Steele races to the scene. Interviewing her devastated parents, they confirm that Hailey never made it home from her dance class. Searching for clues in the family home, Amanda discovers that some ballet clothing was taken from Hailey’s room. Could the killer have been close to her?

As Amanda and Trent question potential suspects, they’re painfully reminded of a similar case. Julie Gilbert, another gifted performer, was murdered in exactly the same way twelve years ago. Amanda’s former colleague, Katherine Graves, never gave up hope of bringing the killer to justice and now with a clear link between the two victims, she steps back into the investigation.

But she’s soon warned off when a threatening note is found in the hem of Hailey’s dress. “This girl’s your fault. Stop looking or there will be more.”

With boxes of evidence files and potential leads, Amanda knows that Katherine must have been getting close, but when a third girl is taken soon after, the clock starts ticking again. There’s no way Amanda will let another child suffer at the hands of this twisted killer. But how much will the team be prepared to sacrifice, and can they save this girl before it’s too late?

 

 

Review:

Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold is the 14th book in her fabulous Detective Amanda Steele series. Refresher: As I have noted previously, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another fantastic addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia.

A young girl is found dead, and her body is dressed in a ballerina tutu. Amanda and her partner, Trent, are on the case; which was previously under the jurisdiction of the Missing Persons Dept. Amanda is a strong protagonist who navigates the web of grief, suspicion, and danger as she investigates the tragic murder of Hailey Tanner.

The six-year-old girl, who was missing, has now been found murdered on a carousel in the park.  In a short time, clues will lead them to their friend Katherine, who is a retired cop at NYPD. They discover a connection with a twelve-year-old case in which another child was taken and murdered. Katherine was in charge of the case 12 years ago, which still haunts her, and the new similarities are very close to the cold case, and Amanda manages to get authority for Katherine to help find who was the killer 12 years ago, and the girl just murdered.    

Amanda, Trent and Katherine work together to try and connect the murder years ago, and finding clues to the 6 years old girl’s death; as both cases were very similar.  Another girl goes missing, with all of them determined to find the clues, before the third girl is killed.  Can they find third girl before it’s too late.

Three Girls Gone is an addictive thriller from start to finish: the suspense and emotion is intense throughout. Three Girls Gone is an exciting, fast paced, suspenseful, compelling, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was another fantastic thriller. This was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end. Three Girls Gone was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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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 cozy mysteries, police procedurals, 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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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold/
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Website: https://carolynarnold.net/
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Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/carolyn-arnold

 

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A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE by Mel Pennant-review

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A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE by Mel Pennant-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 10, 2025

Retired nurse, avid gardener, and renowned cake maker Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet suburb of Birmingham, England, since she emigrated from Jamaica in 1960. She takes great pride in her home, starching her lace curtains bright white, and she can tell if she’s being shortchanged on turmeric before she’s taken her first bite of a beef patty. A career in nursing has also left her afraid of nobody, whether an interfering priest or a local drug dealer, and she’s an expert in deciphering other people’s secrets with just a glance.

Miss Hortense once used her skills to benefit the Pardner network—a local group of Black investors that she helped found. Until, that is, she was unceremoniously ousted from its ranks, severing her ties to the majority of her friends and community. That was thirty years ago. Now, as a new millennium dawns, an unidentified man has been found dead in the home of one of the Pardner members, a Bible quote written on a note beside his body. Suddenly, Miss Hortense finds her long-buried past rushing back, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life—and secrets behind an unsolved crime that has haunted her for decades.

It is finally time for Miss Hortense to solve a mystery that will see her and the community she loves pushed to their limits. The first novel from a bold, brilliant new voice, A Murder for Miss Hortense introduces a fear-less sleuth whom readers will never forget.
••••

REVIEW: A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE by Mel Pennant is an historical, cozy murder mystery focusing on retired nurse and amateur sleuth Miss Hortense, a British-Jamaican person of color.

Told from several third person perspectives A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE following dual time lines 1960 and 1990s, focuses on the search for the truth. In 1960 Miss Hortense, having been denied a bank account because of her gender and her color, brings together several British -Jamaican residents to form a ‘Pardner Network’ in Bigglesweigh UK. ( A Pardner is a community-based saving systems common among Caribbean communities, where the members contribute money in exchange for a monthly payout, and the ability to borrow when needed). But when fraud is suspected, Miss Hortense is banned from the Pardner, and in the ensuing years, the members begin to die under mysterious circumstances. Fast forward to present day, the questionable deaths continue, and Miss Hortense begins to investigate what will eventually reveal secrets from the past.

A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE is an intriguing, colorful and suspenseful story line. The author uses Jamaican slang and language, that at times I found difficult to navigate but only when one of the characters was speaking, as well as the constant time-line changes which would have been less confusing if each chapter had been marked . A Murder for Miss Hortense pulls the reader into a world of discrimination, greed, betrayal, mystery and madness, as our heroine must come to terms with what happened and why.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Where The Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski-Review & Interview

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Where The Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski-Review & Interview

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 11, 2025

For Dash Fuller, Hollywood’s underbelly is home. He’s spent years making the film industry’s worst secrets disappear, and it’s left him a cynical burnout with a taste for bourbon and self-loathing.

But when a young woman comes to him with a peculiar quest, Dash sees a chance at redemption. Madeline Ironwood is the daughter of Ken Ironwood, a notorious smuggler and murderer who disappeared 20 years ago. Ken’s skeleton has just been discovered in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake, and Madeline wants to know who killed him.

Dash agrees to help, and as this desperate daughter and jaded cynic claw their way through a world of sun-bleached secrets, crooked cops, and Hollywood thugs, they soon uncover a conspiracy involving some of LA’s most powerful people.

Get ready for a fast-paced, darkly funny thriller with a twist you won’t see coming.

••••••

REVIEW: WHERE THE BONES LIE by Nick Kolakowski is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, murder mystery thriller focusing on former Hollywood fixer turned struggling standup comedian Dash Fuller.

Told from first person perspective (Dash) WHERE THE BONES LIE follows Dash Fuller as he struggles with his latest career. Failing as a late night comedian in the wake of his last disastrous ‘fix’, Dash’s mentor and ‘cleaner’ Manny begs for help with a missing Hollywood star. Although a success, the end result is a reminder of what was, and Dash reconsiders his future at the bottom of a bottle but when a young woman, Madeline Ironwood, asks for help investigating the murder of her father, a man who disappeared years before, Dash is determined to get answers but never expected to become a target of some powerful people.

The world building is imaginative and inviting as we are up close and personal with Dash and Madeline as they go in search of the truth. Madeline’s father’s remains were discovered in a dried up lake bed but law enforcement is refusing to give further details. Not all is as it appears to be as the body count increases with each step closer to the truth.

There is large ensemble cast of colorful, questionable and hapless secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to actors Amber Rodney and Karl Quaid; Vintner Mike Vonn; Dash’s mentor Manny and Deputy Sheriff Reid, as well as an odd assortment of assassins, goons and San Douglas townies.

WHERE THE BONES LIE is a story of secrets and lies, murder, greed and madness, betrayal and vengeance. The character driven premise is dramatic and edgy; the characters are ill-fated and dynamic. The author leaves an opening for a possible continuation.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi Nick and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release WHERE THE BONES LIE. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Nick: I’m a crime and horror writer based in New York City. Like most of my ilk, I’m a lifelong fan of pretty much everything involving fictional murder and mayhem. WHERE THE BONES LIE is my first “classic” mystery novel, but I’m the author of several other books, including PAYBACK IS FOREVER, LOVE & BULLETS, and ABSOLUTE UNIT. I also write short stories and screenplays.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Nick: I fell in love with classic detective literature when I was a kid. I spent my youth reading Christie, Doyle, Chandler—all the greats. At a certain point, I mustered up my courage and decided to try writing crime stories myself.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Nick: The publishing was smooth as proverbial silk—everyone from Datura Books to Penguin Random House have been great on every front, from editing through distribution. The writing part of it, as you might expect, came with its own share of challenges. Coming up with the final premise took a lot of work, since I wanted to do something relatively unique to the detective genre, which is piled high with 140+ years of stories and characters. Once I had that premise locked, the writing was a fun grind, but still a grind—I had to stop a few times to kind of re-center and figure out how to do best by my characters and story.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of WHERE THE BONES LIE?

Nick: Dash Fuller has spent years making the film industry’s worst secrets disappear, and it’s left him a cynical burnout with a taste for bourbon and self-loathing.

But when a young woman comes to him with a peculiar quest, Dash sees a chance at redemption. Madeline Ironwood is the daughter of Ken Ironwood, a notorious smuggler and murderer who disappeared 20 years ago. Ken’s skeleton has just been discovered in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake, and Madeline wants to know who killed him.

Dash agrees to help, and as this desperate daughter and jaded cynic claw their way through a world of sun-bleached secrets, crooked cops, and Hollywood thugs, they soon uncover a conspiracy involving some of LA’s most powerful people.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning WHERE THE BONES LIE?

Nick: As with all my books, I did quite a bit of research before I began writing WHERE THE BONES LIE: everything from how wildfires move to how to effectively drive a classic Mustang at car-chase speeds to the best ways to pick a lock. I always aspire to ground my books’ details as much as possible. The cool thing about research is that it also informs the plot—as I talked to people and went through websites and books, I found myself tweaking the book’s outline to incorporate some nifty new detail.

TRC: Is any of the premise based in reality or fact?

Nick: There are definitely some elements pulled from reality. For example, the book’s central mystery involves a skeleton found in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake. I pulled that idea from real-life news stories about lakes drying up in Nevada, exposing the long-lost bones of mob informants and other criminals who’d been tossed in the water decades before.
I also pulled quite a bit from what’s going on in California right now, everything from wildfires to the implosion of the entertainment industry. I wanted the book to feel very gritty and real.

TRC: Is the story a standalone? If no, how many books do you have planned for the series?

Nick: I hope this becomes a series! It ends in a way that’s a direct lead-in to a sequel. I’ll keep writing them as long as the readers will have me…

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories of mystery and suspense. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Nick: When it comes to believability, everything stems from motivation. If you do your work earlier in the book to firmly establish a character’s capabilities and motives, and then make sure they only act within those parameters, you’ll never have a reader scream, “I can’t believe [character X] did that!”

It’s a similar deal when it comes to plot. Virtually any plot twist is believable if you set it up properly earlier in the book, with the right amount of foreshadowing detail and logic. That’s where I think some authors fail: they introduce a seemingly unbelievable thing on page 200 that just doesn’t work, because they didn’t do the work on pages 1-100 to establish the foundations of that thing.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Nick: It’s a huge factor. Readers say again and again that a good cover is a crucial motivator in picking up a book. A great cover will move copies; a bad cover will make the hard job of marketing even harder.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Nick: For the longest time, I would go with the characters’ impulses; with WHERE THE BONES LIE, however, I decided for the first time to outline the book, effectively putting me in the position of directing them. But even then, I made some crucial changes during the writing process based on what the characters were telling me at that moment. For example, the book’s outlined ending was much more straightforward than the final version, without the big twists. Those twists came because a character kept pulling in that direction as I was writing.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writers fail in this endeavor?

Nick: I believe it’s critical to sink the reader into the characters’ headspace. That doesn’t always mean utilizing stream-of-consciousness or constantly mentioning the characters’ thoughts, although those are powerful techniques when done correctly. Oftentimes, you can convey what the characters are thinking or feeling via their external words and actions, even small ones.

In order to build that emotional connection, of course, you do your best to build sympathy for your characters, even the worst ones. There are a number of ways to do that; revealing their traumas, their hopes and dreams, can all make them relatable. And I think that’s where a lot of writers fall short, because they don’t consider the full dimensions of a character, and/or neglect to include those details that balance out any bad with the good.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Nick: I’m a big music listener. Before I sit down to write each book, I craft a playlist that I think reflects the book’s tone. With WHERE THE BONES LIE, I had a mix of upbeat, beachy tunes like The Kinks’ “Sunny Afternoon,” which was meant as an ironic counterpoint to the book’s dark mystery, mixed with some modern, grittier stuff like The Ting Tings’ “Estranged” and HMLTD’s “Satan, Luella & I.”

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Nick: I think people think that authors simply write the words and the publishing industry takes care of the rest, but every serious author I know is essentially a small business owner, tackling everything from marketing to accounting. It’s a full-spectrum job, even if you’re only doing it part-time.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Nick: I’m extremely Type A. That’s great when it comes to hitting deadlines and establishing a schedule for writing, but I need to learn how to calm down a bit more.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Nick: I’m currently outlining the sequel to WHERE THE BONES LIE! This one will partially take place in Northern California and involve a lot of today’s hot-button issues, from the consequences of digital surveillance to the fallout of our decades-long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m doing my best to liven up the darkness with some bursts of humor.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Sushi

Favorite Dessert
Chocolate chip cookies

Favorite TV Show
It’s a toss-up between ‘Deadwood’ and ‘Breaking Bad’

Favorite Sport
Long-distance running.

Last Movie You Saw
“Den of Thieves 2”

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark

Secret Celebrity Crush
Aubrey Plaza

Last Vacation Destination
Upstate New York

Do you have any pets?
Two huge and irascible cats

Last book you read
“Careless People” by Sarah Wynn-Williams

TRC: Thank you Nick for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of WHERE THE BONES LIE. We wish you all the best.

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10 Marchfield Square by Nicola Whyte-review

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10 Marchfield Square by Nicola Whyte-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapter/Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 1, 2025

When a minor criminal is murdered in the smallest residential square in London, elderly heiress and landlady Celeste van Duren recruits two of her tenants to investigate. Her cleaner, Audrey, knows everyone and is liked by all, while failed writer Lewis is known by no one. He hates his job, hates his life, and he’s not that fond of Audrey either—but Celeste is persuasive.

As they hunt for clues in and around the Square, they discover everyone has something to hide, including their fellow residents. Audrey and Lewis must find a way to work together if they’re to find the killer in their midst. Assuming of course, there’s just the one . . .

••••••

REVIEW:10 MARCHFIELD SQUARE is an adult contemporary, cozy murder mystery akin to Only Murders in the Building™ focusing on the amateur detective work of two of 10 Marchfield Square’s tenants.

Heiress Celeste Van Duran owns and operates 10 Marchfield Square, a former estate turned into apartments but when one of her tenants is murdered, and his wife mysteriously dies the next day, Celeste ‘recruits’ cleaning lady Audrey Brooks, and struggling crime writer Lewis McLennon to investigate the murders in the wake of what everyone perceives to be a less than thorough police examination. Hoping for any new revelations, Audrey and Lewis will stir up a proverbial hornet’s nest of secrets and lies, digging deeper into the lives of the tenants of 10 Marchfield Square. Everyone is suspect; confidences broken; the key to the murders lies somewhere in the walls.

10 MARCHFIELD SQUARE is a slow building, complex, convoluted and often confusing story of murder and mystery involving a large oddball cast of quirky, strange and questionable secondary and supporting characters. From a former actor, and attorney, writer and antiquities dealer, as well as the occasional criminal underworld element, the tenants of 10 Marchfield Square will themselves, become the prime suspects as their own lives will reveal the secrets everyone is trying to hide.

If you are a dedicated enthusiast of, and are invested in this type of story line, I recommend using a spread sheet, or at the very least, keeping paper and pencil handy, to keep track of the numerous suspects and their interconnected lives.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N

Description:
The girl’s lifeless body lies next to a scattered bouquet of crimson roses, the petals around her head like tiny pools of blood. Gripped in her hand is the note that came with the flowers, sent by someone who wanted her dead.

When champion figure skater Michaela Glover returns to her hometown of Woodbridge for a special performance, Detective Amanda Steele is part of the cheering crowds. But when Michaela is discovered dead in her dressing room after the show, Amanda is the first to investigate the shocking scene.

There is no sign of foul play, and the room is overflowing with flowers from Michaela’s adoring fans. But Amanda’s heart stops at the sight of a few roses tied with black ribbon and a note that reads “You’ll be sorry”. And when forensic tests reveal the ribbon was laced in something Michaela was deathly allergic to, Amanda is certain this is cold-blooded murder.

Desperate for a lead, Amanda dives into Michaela’s life to find out who could possibly want this sweet girl dead. She soon discovers that despite having a glittering future ahead of her, Michaela had a troubled past, and was surrounded by people jealous of her success.

When someone close to Michaela is discovered brutally murdered, Amanda is terrified there could be yet more innocent victims to follow. Can she uncover the twisted killer’s identity before they strike again?

 

 

Review:

Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold is the 12th book in her Detective Amanda Steele series. As I have noted previously, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia. Amanda is enjoying an ice-skating show with her daughter, Zoey, and her friend Patty; who is the aunt of local ice-skating celebrity Michaela Glover. After the show, they head to visit Michaela, and when no on opens the door, Amanda steps in to discover that she has been murdered.

There is no sign of foul play, but Amanda notices a bunch of roses, tied with a black ribbon and a note saying “You’ll Be Sorry”. Amanda calls her partner, Trent to come to the rink, and together they begin to dig into Michaela’s life, and who would murder her. Forensics discovers that Michaela was allergic to peanuts, which caused her death; someone added the nuts into her drink, and watched her die.

Amanda and Trent become buried in a complicated case with multiple suspects; as they learn more about Michaela’s trouble past. The further they investigate, there are themes of jealousy, manipulations, anger, grief, money and death. A short time after, Michaela’s agent was also found murdered.  Amanda and Trent find information on the agent’s phone about being blackmailed. The deeper they follow the suspects and clues; it becomes apparent that Michaela was not close to her family, other than her aunt Patty.  Amanda begins to put pressure on members of Michaela’s family to find the truths.

Amanda and Trent are a great team, and I like them together. Amanda is a great detective, very strong, independent, and always able to solve any case. Amanda worries about her daughter, Zoey, because she always busy on a case.  Her relationship with Logan, begins to cause problems, especially with her always busy solving crimes.  I also enjoy the various police team that we get to see in coming up with important clues.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a fantastic thriller. To say too much more would be spoilers.  Her Deadly Rose was a fantastic crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. It was a compelling, engrossing, intricate suspenseful plot. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end.  Her Deadly Rose was once again 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 provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White -a review

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The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White -a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2024

Socially awkward Chloe Cooper divides her time between dog walking, bartending, caring for her ailing mother, and at a safe distance, watching people and inventing the stories of their lives. Like Chloe’s new neighbors: glamorous influencer Jemma Spengler and Jemma’s husband, Adam, a renowned surgeon. They’re attractive, wealthy, and in a house of open windows, so exposed.

A move to the Pacific Northwest is supposed to be a fresh start for Jemma and Adam. It’s a renewed commitment to a marriage fractured by secrets. A chance to work through the tragic losses in their past. For Jemma, however, this new beginning also comes with an unnerving sensation that she’s being watched.

Then, on a fog-shrouded beach early in the morning, Chloe witnesses the murder of a swimmer. Her suspicions aroused, she suddenly sees her neighbors in a sinister new light. But as a detective and her partner close in, nothing is quite as it seems. Because the Spenglers are not the only ones with secrets. And Chloe isn’t the only one who’s been watching.

•••••

REVIEW:THE SWIMMER by Loreth Anne White is a contemporary, adult, psychological thriller focusing on forty year old bartender Chloe Cooper, Dr. Adam and Jemma Spengler, and Gloria Bergson.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives (Chloe, Adam,Jemma, Gloria) following two timelines (present day and 2019) THE SWIMMER focuses on the murder of a woman swimming in Jerrin Bay. Chloe Cooper is a bit of an oddball who has returned home to British Columbia, Canada to take care of her dying mother but with the arrival of their new neighbors, Chloe begins to spy and stalk Dr. Adam and Jemma Spengler . Every morning, Chloe would watch Jemma Spengler swim in the bay but one morning Chloe witnesses the gruesome murder of the woman in question, a woman she believes to be Jemma Spengler. As the truth begins to unravel, Chloe finds herself caught in the middle of a storm of betrayal and vengeance wherein she will become the prime suspect in another grizzly murder.

THE SWIMMER is a detailed, dramatic, gritty and raw look at madness and obsession, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, and dysfunctional family dynamics. With a surprise gesture to one of Canada’s most prolific serial killers, Loreth Anne White pulls the reader down the rabbit hole of murder, distrust, delusion and fascination.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The WildFire Girl by Carolyn Arnold – Review

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The Wildfire Girl by Carolyn Arnold – Review

Amazon / B&N / BAM / Bookbub

Description:
The woman panics as the thick smoke starts to curl under the locked door. She can’t breathe and desperately tries to open the window, but it’s been sealed shut. Falling to the floor, she finally accepts there’s no way out of this room alive. And as her vision starts to fade, she prays she dies before the flames find her.

When human remains are discovered behind a dumpster in Woodbridge, Virginia, Detective Amanda Steele rushes to the scene. Her heart drops when she arrives and is hit by the unmistakable stench of gasoline. Soon, her worst fear is the victim was burned alive.

With only an engraved gold wedding band surviving the blaze, Amanda knows it could be days before they have a confirmed ID. But when her partner Detective Trent Stenson arrives, he pales at the sight of the ring, recognizing it as belonging to his Aunt Gertrude’s husband, Don.

Trent is convinced his aunt isn’t involved, but as more is unearthed about her troubled relationship with her husband, and she fails to provide an alibi, Amanda isn’t so sure. Desperate to prove his aunt’s innocence, Trent soon discovers someone from Don’s past is back in Woodbridge—someone who wants revenge. But Amanda and Trent are shaken to their core when that person is discovered brutally murdered.

Convinced the cases are linked, Amanda knows she has to find the cold-blooded killer before they strike again. And as Trent becomes even more emotionally entangled in the case, she’s terrified he could become the next victim…

 

 

Review:

The Wildfire Girl by Carolyn Arnold is the 11th 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.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Dumfries, Virginia Police Department. Amanda and her partner, Trent are called to the scene of a violet murder, as a man was burned to his death. Upon arrival, Amanda is hit with a terrible stench of gasoline, with the knowledge that the victim was burned alive.  Trent reveals to Amanda that he recognizes the victim’s wedding ring, which belongs to his Aunt Gertrudes abusive husband, Don.

Despite his believe that his aunt isn’t involved, more clues do point at the aunt being the possible perpetrator, especially with her not revealing a few lies, such as being in the vicinity at the time of her husband’s death. Amanda worries that Trent isn’t being objective.  Another woman is found murdered, and Amanda and Trent learn that the woman who was stabbed is someone from the husband’s past, whom he brutally abused, causing severe burns on the woman’s face years ago. Was this woman out for revenge, and did Don kill her before he was killed?

Amanda and Trent are a great team, and I like them together. Amanda is a great detective, very strong, independent, and always able to solve any case. Amanda has an adoptive daughter, who she worries about a lot, because of her always busy on a case.  She seems happy with Logan, who always watches over Zoe.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a fantastic thriller. From the start, you become engrossed into the story, as Trent was determined to prove his aunt’s innocence, and Amanda doing her best to protect him from being too involved. The storyline was very interesting, especially the abuse by the victim against his wife, and former woman of the past. To say too much more would be spoilers.

The Wildfire Girl was a fantastic crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. It was a compelling intricate suspenseful plot, excellent police procedural, great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some surprises at the end.  The Wildfire Girl was once again 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 cozy mysteries, police procedurals, 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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The Reaper Follows by Heather Graham – a Review

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The Reaper Follows by Heather Graham – a Review

 

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Description:
Death comes for everyone.

Deep in the Florida Everglades, the body of a woman is discovered in pieces, presumably ravaged by an alligator. Upon closer inspection, it’s determined no animal could make such perfectly precise cuts. Only a blade could do that. Wielded by a human. Soon, dozens of oil drums emerge amid the river of grass. Each one packed to the brim with body parts.

FDLE special agent Amy Larson and her partner, FBI special agent Hunter Forrest, share a bad feeling that extends beyond the horrifying nature of the grim discovery. They’ve seen this kind of sadistic killing before, and when a small beige horse is discovered at the bottom of one of the barrels, they know exactly what it means. The fourth horseman of the apocalypse rides a pale horse—and his name is Death.

With so many bodies to identify, connecting one victim to the next is easier said than done. But finding a pattern in the chaos might be the only way Amy and Hunter can zero in on the killer, testing their skills as agents—and their relationship—like never before. And when the disturbing trail of clues signals these slayings are just the beginning, the agents will have to return to where it all started before it’s too late. The apocalypse is coming, and Hunter and Amy have only one chance to stop it, even if it means sacrificing each other.

 

 

Review:

The Reaper Follows by Heather Graham is the 4th book in her Amy Larson & Hunter Forest FBI series. When bodies start turning up in the Florida Everglades, dozens of oil drums emerge filled with body parts.  They have seen this kind of killing before, and when a small beige horse is found in one of the barrels: they know what it means. Both continue their investigation into a series of crimes linked to the four horsemen in the Book of Revelations; the 4th one meaning death. FDLE special agent Amy Larson and her partner, FBI special agent Hunter Forrest, with both of them on this case since the beginning. This final book brings us to the final horseman and mastermind; who rides a pale horse. Amy and Hunter know they are close to finding the mastermind, who is killing so many people, especially in the Everglades.

Though we do not know who is the killer until near the end, we know he considers himself the archangel, and brainwashes his followers; then when they are no longer needed, he kills them.  The mastermind (archangel) is a manipulator who manages to sway people to his cause. Sadly, many of these deluded cult followers take their own lives.  I will say that half way through the I did suspect who the killer was.

I really liked the duo of Amy and Hunter, as in this 4th book, they are both planning to marry, once this case is solved.   Amy is an amazing tough and fearless detective, who pushes herself to exhaustion, even when her superiors force her to get sleep and rest.  Hunter being FBI, and closely working with all the agents that have gathered where the bodies have been found; he is also determined to protect Amy at any cost.  As noted previously, they both made a great team.  The romance between Amy and Hunter was sweet, as it was spread throughout the book. I really liked so many of the agents and secondary characters, who all played major parts in this conclusion; Aiden, Sabrina, Mickey, Jimmy, and so many wonderful team members. They all made a great team, working hard together to solve the case.  

The Reaper Follows was an intense, suspenseful, haunting, dangerous story that kept us unable to put the book down; especially in the last quarter of the book when Amy’s life was in danger and she knew who the killer was.  The story was a great plot, fantastic characters, and the murders were gruesome.  The Reaper Follows was so very well written by Heather Graham, who once again gives us a fabulous murder mystery.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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