THE GIRL IN THE WOODS (Misted Pines 2) by Kristen Ashley -review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 21, 2023

This body would be the last for Zachariah Lazarus…

The Crystal Killer’s latest casualty was discovered in a sleepy town in the Pacific Northwest, Misted Pines.

His years in the FBI, and tracking the Crystal Killer, have taken their toll on Rus. He lost his marriage to the job. And the burdens he carries for the victims was crushing him.

Misted Pines has recently survived a killer’s rampage and a town scandal that made global news. The media was primed to devour a new story. So Rus already has his work cut out for him.

But it’s more.

Something is just not right with this latest victim.

As Rus works with the local sheriff to unravel the mystery, the victim’s employer, Lucinda Bonner, decides she’s going to do everything she can to help.

To help Rus find the killer. To help Rus survive the hunt. To help Rus navigate the intricate, and sometimes sordid, history of the town of Misted Pines.

And to help Rus let go of his burdens.

•••••••

REVIEW: THE GIRL IN THE WOODS is the second instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult MISTED PINES romantic, suspense, series focusing on the small town of Misted Pines in the Pacific Northwest. This is FBI investigator Zachariah ‘Rus’ Lazarus, and business woman Lucinda Bonner’s story line. THE GIRL IN THE WOODS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from third person omniscient perspective (Rus) THE GIRL IN THE WOODS focuses on the search for a serial killer nicknamed the ‘Crystal Killer’ in the wake of leaving a crystal gem in the victim’s hands. Zachariah ‘Rus’ Lazarus has been working the Crystal Killer case for years, and a another possible victim has been found in the small town of Misted Pines but Rus isn’t positive that the new case is connected, and a possible copy-cat may have found a mark. As Rus begins to interview the people in the victim’s life, our hero will come face to face with business woman Lucinda Bonner, the victim’s boss, and sometimes mother like mentor. Rus never expected to lose his heart in Misted Pines but something about Lucinda drew Rus like a moth to a flame. As Rus and the local Sheriff’s department continue their investigation Rus suspects the killer is someone he knows, someone who is tied closely to our story line hero. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Rus and Lucinda, as Rus begins to ferret out the possibilities, and the real chance there is more than one killer for their current investigation.

The relationship between Lucinda and Rus begins when Rus must interview our story line heroine. Lucinda Bonner is a single mother, a business woman whose family has lived and worked in the town of Misted Pines for over one-hundred and fifty years. Zachariah ‘Rus’ Lazarus’ family history, like Lucinda’s, is questionable at best, and we are privy to the dark and dangerous backstories of two people who wanted more than their families had offered. As Rus continued to search for the truth, our hero must come to a decision about his career going forward. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word, used only once, more for shock value and maturity rating.

We are introduced to several colorful secondary and supporting characters including Lucinda’s nine year old daughter Madden, and her father Jaegar; Rus’s adult children Acre and Sabrina, his ex Jennifer (via phone) as well as the return of former Green Beret, former FBI field agent, former profiler turned contractor and single father Cade Bohannan, his twenty-seven year old twins/private investigators Jesse and Jace Bohannan, as well as local law enforcement, gossips and the ‘coven, and questionable townies. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE GIRL IN THE WOODS is an intriguing and edgy mystery/murder/thriller of obsession and madness, power and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is dramatic, haunting and tragic; the characters are strong, animated and spirited; the romance is stirring and intimate.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one GIRL IN THE MIST

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.