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Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Corporate lawyer Ava Burch has had enough of the big city and the daily grind. She grew up with her father, who raised search-and-rescue dogs, in rural Texas and has moved to the small town of Cuervo to spend time in the dry, rugged wilderness near Big Bend National Park. When she and her dog, Huck, discover an abandoned campsite on a volunteer search-and-rescue mission, she’s perplexed, but she carefully photographs it all the same.

All Grant Wycoff can see when he looks at Ava is a city slicker–with her designer jeans and shiny car–who has no business on a serious team made of seasoned outdoorsmen and retired cops. But when she tells him of her findings on the trail, he sees there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Ava’s discovery reminds Grant of the unsolved case of a young woman who went missing two years ago. As they look into the campsite further, another woman disappears under odd circumstances. With time running out, Ava and Grant must work against the brutal heat from both the Texas sun and their own electric chemistry to solve the case.

 

 

Review:

Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin is another one of her fantastic standalone mystery suspense novels.  I am a huge fan of Laura Griffin, as she is one of the best at murder suspenseful mysteries, police procedurals and a bit of romance.

We meet our heroine, Ava Burch, who has recently moved to Cuervo, and she and her friend open their own law firm. Ava also volunteers for SAR missions, as her wonderful dog, Huck is fully trained to be a search and rescue dog.  When a child is missing, Ava and Huck join the search and Huck manages to find the missing boy; and Ava also notices an old abandoned campsite, which she takes pictures of. Ava reports her findings to the local sheriff, who ignores her; but she meets deputy Grant Wycoff, who is interested in Ava’s findings.  The next day, she goes with him to the site, only to find the spot is cleared, with someone having removed it.  Huck will find a gravesite, with the remains of a missing girl from two years ago.  Molly Shaw was the missing girl, but Ava finds out that more girls have been missing over the years (Deanna Moore, Brittlyn Spencer are two of the missing).

Grant finds himself attracted to Ava, but worries about her, since she is active in trying to get more information on the missing girls. He tries to get her to not continue to investigate, as he is concerned about her safety. This is escalated when Ava and Huck find a rattlesnake in the back of her car, managing to escape the poisonous snake.  She also tells Grant about footprints under her window. Grant tries to get Ava to stay in his secured house to protect her.  Grant and Ava’s relationship begins to sizzle, though Grant is not happy about Ava taking more chances, which does complicate their romance.

I really loved Ava and Grant together, as the chemistry between them was hot. I adored Huck, who was simply amazing. Jenna (her friend) and Connor (Grant’s partner) were wonderful secondary characters. I thought the Sheriff was unlikeable for the most part.

What follows is an exciting, intriguing, suspenseful thriller that kept me on the edge throughout, especially as we raced to the climax.   Griffin gave us a great couple, wonderful secondary characters and an excellent suspenseful story.  The last half of the book was extremely tense, I could not put the book down.  I do not want to give spoilers, so you need to read this book to discover what happens.

Vanishing Hour was another excellent mystery in this series, which to no surprise, was very well written by Laura Griffin.  If you enjoy murder mysteries, police procedurals, lots of intense action, suspense, with a touch of romance, you should read this book.  If you have never read Laura Griffin, it’s time to start now, as she is an amazing writer for romance suspense.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

                                      Excerpt

Missing children are an emergency. Always. Their little bodies are less able to regulate temperature, so they’re especially vulnerable to exposure. And in a place as vast and rugged as Silver Canyon State Park, additional hazards abounded: rattlesnakes, coyotes, hundred-foot cliffs. Even the anemic little creek that Ava had been following was terrifying. A child Noah’s size could drown in a bathtub.

Ava glanced up at the relentless sun that sucked moisture out of everything beneath it. She looked ahead at Huck, who trotted back and forth in front of her in his zigzag pattern. He was working the wind, as he’d been trained, tirelessly sniffing the air with his powerful nose, which could pick up anything with human scent on it, from a candy wrapper to a dropped article of clothing.

So far, nothing.

Ava checked her watch. Two long hours since she’d left the trailhead. Sweat stung her eyes, and she wiped her forehead with the back of her arm. She paused beside a boulder and dropped her pack on the dusty ground to retrieve one of her water bottles. Huck needed some, too, but right now he was intent on his work.

She took a lukewarm sip and scanned the scrub brush lining the canyon wall. Young children had a tendency to wander aimlessly until they found a place to curl up for a nap. Some would even hide from search teams, afraid of getting in trouble for being lost. So Ava had been incessantly scanning pockets of brush.

Huck halted in front of her, his nose lifted in the air. Ava froze and watched. But then his head dropped down and he resumed his zigzags. Ava tucked the water bottle away and pushed off the boulder to continue her trek.

She watched Huck, amazed by his energy. Even in this heat, he loved working, and when he had his vest on, he didn’t have an off switch. As he bounded around in front of her, she thought of the other teams, especially the canine one. She was surprised they hadn’t found something close to camp.

Of course, the parents had been there, which might have been a problem. Frantic parents threw off a lot of scent, which could have overpowered Noah’s smell and possibly confused the dog. Also, the temperature rising in the canyon could have wafted the scent up, well above the dog’s nose. Yet another challenge here was that young children didn’t throw off as much scent as adults. And still bodies-ones that were either asleep or unconscious-threw off less scent, too.

So there were all kinds of factors in play, especially in a park this size.

Ava checked her watch again and sped up her pace, unable to shake the feeling of dread that had been settling in her stomach as the hours ticked by. Scanning the canyon wall, her gaze caught on something beige and triangular.

A tent? No.

A tarp. She climbed onto a boulder for a closer look. About halfway up the slope of the canyon was a sand-colored canvas tarp that had been stretched taut to create a patch of shade. It looked like a primitive fort-just the sort of thing that would attract a kid’s attention, and her pulse quickened as she climbed closer. Nearing the tarp, she spied a small yellow tent tucked in the shade beneath it.

She glanced around for Huck, but he was sniffing along at the base of a rockslide.

Grabbing hold of a juniper tree, Ava levered herself onto the ledge. She ducked under the tarp and paused a moment for her eyes to adjust. The little tent was unzipped. Hope ballooned in her chest as she pulled back the flap and poked her head inside.

Her hope disappeared as she scanned the interior. No sleeping child curled up in the dimness. The air was utterly still, and everything was coated with a thin layer of dust, as though no one had been there in weeks, maybe months. A pile of gear in the corner included a cookstove, a hiking boot, and a blue bedroll with a carabiner clipped to it. Attached to the carabiner was a black key fob.

A chill snaked down her spine. Who would leave their car key out here? The fob seemed odd. Ditto for the hiking boot. Where was the other one? And where was its owner?

On impulse, Ava took out her phone and snapped a couple of pictures. As part of her SAR training, she’d learned to document crime scenes. She couldn’t pinpoint why, exactly, but that was what this felt like. She ducked out and snapped a shot of the exterior. A faint bark pulled her attention back to the mission. She couldn’t afford to get sidetracked, even though this place felt creepy. She put her phone away as she skimmed the surrounding area for the missing boot, or any sign of the boot’s owner. She glanced up the canyon, looking for evidence of a fire pit or any other camping equipment.

A soft whimper had her turning around.

Huck sat beside a rock pile, his ears pricked forward and his gaze fixed on hers. Ava’s heart skittered. This was his sit alert letting her know he’d found something.

“Show me,” she commanded, and he sprang into action, bounding across the creek bed. She climbed down the rocks and jogged after him, frantically searching the clumps of trees. Huck darted around a giant prickly pear cactus and behind a line of mesquite trees. Amid the fluttering green leaves, she caught a flash of red.

“Please, please, please,” she murmured.

Huck disappeared beneath the brush and barked. Ava spied a small white sneaker and a pudgy leg.

Huck danced in a circle, drunk on success and eager for his reward.

“Good boy, Huck! Good boy! Good boy!” She filled her voice with praise, even though her heart had lodged in her throat. The little body wasn’t moving. Oh God.


 

 

Laura Griffin’s publisher Berkley is graciously offering a paper copy of  VANISHING HOUR to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Voice of Fear by Heather Graham – a Review

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Voice of Fear by Heather Graham – a Review

 

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Description:
A killer is looking to silence them, once and for all.

FBI agent Jordan Wallace is close to cracking the human trafficking case she’s been working, when she does the one thing she should never do: let her guard down. The botched undercover mission is semisalvaged by the last-minute appearance of criminal psychologist Patrick Law, but Jordan can’t imagine making a worse first impression. Especially when she’s partnered with Patrick moving forward.

Patrick’s innate ability to get inside a criminal’s head is an asset for the Krewe of Hunters. But Jordan wishes she could protect her own thoughts from her new partner. Patrick assures her that both she and her thoughts are safe with him, but Jordan’s less sure about her heart. Letting someone have her back has never been her strong suit, but with a dangerous killer still at large, trusting in Patrick might be the only thing keeping them alive.

 

 

Review:

Voice of Fear by Heather Graham is the 38th book in her Krewe of Hunters series.  I am a big fan of Heather Graham, as her romance suspense books are always exciting and action packed.  Voice of Fear is the third book in this trilogy arc.  The last two books were centered on Colleen, who is an FBI agent (with the Krewe Hunters), and her sister Megan.  In Voice of Fear, Jordan Wallace, our heroine, an FBI agent is the lead, with the third Law family member (triplets), Patrick Law, as the hero in this book. 

The story starts with Jordan working undercover, finding herself captured by human traffickers, trying to escape. Just when she thinks they will kill her, she is rescued by the FBI and Patrick Law. The FBI and Krewe team manage to save other women being sold to other countries. Patrick went out of his way to tell Jordan that she was wrong not to have a backup, nearly getting herself killed. With the man behind the human trafficking still missing, Patrick and Jordan are teamed up as partners.  Even though they got off on the wrong foot, in a short time they become great partners, and eventually a romance will bring them even closer.

It was great to see other members of the Krewe team, especially those who have unique abilities. The Law triplets each possess unusual powers, such as Colleen being able to hear voices in her head, and Patrick, who is criminal psychologist, and can read minds; not to mention that many Krewe members can see ghosts.   Both Patrick and Jordan can see ghosts, and one ghost, Alfie will play a major part in this story, trying to save an old friend, before he moves on.

A powerful and evil vicious dangerous killer is still at large, and Jordan, Patrick, and the team do everything to find him before he kills again. What follows is a tense exciting thriller that will have Jordan, Patrick, and all the wonderful Krewe team, such as Coleen, Ragnar, Angela, Jackson, Mark, Megan, and other members of the Krewe team, working together to save the women. I loved Patrick’s dog, Bry-Bo, who was so helpful when danger was near. To say too much more would be spoilers, and you need to read this from start to finish, as there are some twists and surprises.

It was a wild tense last third of the book, as we raced to the climax, had me holding my breath to see who will survive.  Voice of Fear was an exciting, intense, suspenseful, dark story of murder, with a sweet slow burn romance, great couple and lots of action throughout. Once again, Heather Graham gives us a wild, mindboggling thriller, that kept our attention from start to finish.  I did like that both Patrick and Jordan were a great couple.  If you like intense supernatural thrillers, which is written so very well by Heather Graham, then I suggest you read Voice of Fear.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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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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Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison – a Review

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Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison – a Review

 

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Description:
Rory Morris isn’t thrilled to be moving back to her hometown, even if it is temporary. There are bad memories there. But her twin sister, Scarlett, is pregnant, estranged from the baby’s father, and needs support, so Rory returns to the place she thought she’d put in her rearview. After a night out at a bar where she runs into an old almost-flame, she hits a large animal with her car. And when she gets out to investigate, she’s attacked.

Rory survives, miraculously, but life begins to look and feel different. She’s unnaturally strong, with an aversion to silver–and suddenly the moon has her in its thrall. She’s changing into someone else–something else, maybe even a monster. But does that mean she’s putting those close to her in danger? Or is embracing the wildness inside of her the key to acceptance?

This darkly comedic love story is a brilliantly layered portrait of trauma, rage, and vulnerability

 

 

Review:

Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison is a standalone novel.  Rory Morris, our heroine, is not happy to return to her hometown, but her twin sister, Scarlett is pregnant and estranged from the baby’s father; and Rory needs to be there for her sister. She has bad memories, and has been distant with her mother, who is out of town.  When meeting friends at the local bar, she leaves early to drive back to the house, only to accidently hit an animal with her car; when she checks to see what she hit, Rory is attacked.

Rory survives, and is treated at the hospital, with scratches (why have her deep bruises disappeared?), not to mention she suddenly has extra strength, craves meat, angry and feels so very different.  After reading up, she begins to realize that she was bitten by a werewolf, and now she is changing into one. Rory tries to learn more about werewolves, and how to lock herself up during a full moon.

While Rory deals with her transformation, she meets an old flame, Ian, who still professes his love for Rory.  Rory must also deal with her mother, whom she resents, since she had a bad childhood experience with a former boyfriend of the mother.  Rory can’t forgive.

Most of the characters were flawed, which included Rory and Scarlett. Rory was a great heroine, doing everything she can to help her sister, and still deal with the change in her life being what she calls “a monster”. Despite that, Rory was cool, charismatic, sassy and quirky; Scarlett was even more unpredictable.  The relationship between Rory and Ian was nice, but what happens when Ian finds out about Rory?

Such Sharp Teeth was a wild ride of a book, that kept me entertained, as well as tense at times. I did like most of the secondary characters. The closer we got to the end, was very exciting, with a satisfying finale.  Such Sharp Teeth was very well written by Rachel Harrison.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

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Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

 

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Description:
Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that’s their secret weapon.

They’ve spent their lives as the deadliest assassins in a clandestine international organization, but now that they’re sixty years old, four women friends can’t just retire – it’s kill or be killed in this action-packed thriller by New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills.

When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they’ve been marked for death.

Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They’re about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman–and a killer–of a certain age.

 

 

Review:

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn is a fun, exciting & and entertaining standalone novel.  I have not read Deanna Raybourn for many years, and was so pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Our heroines, Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie, have worked for the secret Museum, an elite private network of assassins for 40 years. We get to see them in action during their first assignment (after much training, becoming the first all-female group), and now 40 years later, they have retired, with the company sending them on a bon voyage cruise trip.  The story line is split between two time periods, the present and many of their past escapades.  In the early days of their unique career, they were assigned to kill as many Nazi’s as they can, with after the war and more to the present, their assignments become dangerous murderers, drug dealers, dictators, etc.

The ladies came from different backgrounds, remained friends, though many of their assignments were not together. While enjoying their cruise, they recognize someone who one of them knew from years ago, who worked for the Museum, and they realize that because of their knowledge, they are in danger of being targeted for death. The ladies manage to escape the ship, and begin the process of trying to get more information, as they know they are in a race for their lives.  When an old friend makes an attempt on their life, Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie, step up their game to eliminate the leaders who have targeted them.  These ladies were so much fun to watch, as they were not only smart, but tough and amazing.  To say too much more would be spoilers, and you really need to read and enjoy this book.

Killers of a Certain Age was fast pace, at times tense, entertaining, and a fantastic thriller; and very well written by Deanna Raybourn.  The banter (lots of humor) between the ladies was great, as this was so much fun to watch them, with us praying they will survive.  Great concept that at their age (60’s), that they can still fight and prove that they will not go down quietly.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and bravo to Deanna Raybourn for a wonderful story. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

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Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

 

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Description:
New York, 2061: The place called the Pleasure Academy is a living nightmare where abducted girls are trapped, trained for a life of abject service while their souls are slowly but surely destroyed. Dorian, a thirteen-year-old runaway who’d been imprisoned there, might never have made it out if not for her fellow inmate Mina, who’d hatched the escape plan. Mina was the more daring of the two—but they’d been equally desperate.

Unfortunately, they didn’t get away fast enough. Now Dorian is injured, terrified, and wandering the streets of New York, and Mina lies dead near the waterfront while Lt. Eve Dallas looks over the scene.

Mina’s expensive, elegant clothes and beauty products convince Dallas that she was being groomed, literally and figuratively, for sex trafficking—and that whoever is investing in this high-overhead operation expects windfall profits. Her billionaire husband, Roarke, may be able to help, considering his ties to the city’s ultra-rich. But Roarke is also worried about the effect this case is having on Dallas, as it brings a rage to the surface she can barely control. No matter what, she must keep her head clear–because above all, she is desperate for justice and to take down those who prey on and torment the innocent.

 

 

Review:

Desperation In Death by J.D. Robb is the 55th book in her magnificent In Death/Eve Dallas series. I have noted this many times that I love this series, as I have read every single book, as well as all the novellas of this series. I also love Eve and Roarke, who I still consider the best literary couple. Desperation in Death is another very good addition to this series.  I will never have enough of this series, and marvel how Robb continues to give us fascinating stories at 55 books later; though this book is one of the darker books in this series, with lots of twists and turns.

Eve is called to a scene where a dead teenager is found; as she notices the clothes/undergarments on the dead girl, she begins to suspect that the girl was a victim of a sex trafficking organization. Eve and Peabody begin a search of another missing teen, who was injured and ran away; they are determined to find the missing girl, before the villains find her.  As the case continues to get darker, it causes Eve to remember her own past, as she is mentally and emotionally distraught; with Roarke and Peabody trying to keep her calm.  We learn more about the missing girl, Dorian, and her now dead friend, Mina; as they escaped the “Pleasure Academy”, only to have Mina push Dorian to safety, bringing her own death.

It was sad and dark, as we see how the young girls are being kidnapped at a young age, and forcefully trained to be a sex slave. Eve pulls everyone together, including other departments to help find the so-called academy and Dorian.  Roarke, who we know, always helps Eve on her cases, and this is no different; but he is concerned how this case is affecting Eve.

I always love to see all the many recurring characters, such as Peabody, Nadine, McNab, Mira, Mavis, Feeney, Reo, Summerset, Galahad, and Eve’s entire police team. Closer to the end, Dorian will eventually open up to Eve, and help find the villains and the Academy; giving her own justice, as well as all the girls rescued.

What follows is an intense, exciting, non-stop action filled race to find the people running the awful sex trafficking Academy. The story is grim and tragic, with the last third of the book being very tense and exciting, with edge of your seat suspense. 

With 55 books and many novellas, Eve has changed drastically from being alone to having so many friends and teammates she cares about.  J.D. Robb once again gives us another masterpiece to this wonderful series, which I hope keeps on rolling for many years to come. Desperation in Death is another masterpiece to this amazing series, which is always so very well written by J.D. Robb.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Detective Charlotte Pierce Mystery 1-4 by Kate Gable-reviews

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Detective Charlotte Pierce Mystery 1-4 by Kate Gable-reviews

 

WHAT SHE DID aka LAST BREATH
(Detective Charlotte Pierce Mystery 1)
by Kate Gable
Genre: adult, contemporary, mystery thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 1, 2022

She walks through the strangely familiar house, hardwood floors creaking under her feet. They are in bed: peaceful, except for the pool of blood spreading across the white sheets.

A couple expecting their first child is brutally murdered in their home. The prime suspect? The scorned ex-wife who supposedly has no knowledge of why she’s there or what happened.

When Detective Charlotte Pierce arrives at the scene, it’s up to her to unravel the mystery of newlyweds’ murder. It looks like an open and shut case, but certain things are not adding up.

Despite pressures from her FBI director father, Charlotte came to Mesquite County to escape the burdens of a big city police department. She has been through a lot and a quiet suburban community where nothing really happens is exactly what she is looking for.

Little does she know that this quiet community is filled with secrets of its own, including those within the police department. She could easily go with the flow, but she refuses to ignore even the smallest inconsistencies.

Was it the ex-wife or is the murderer still out there? Can Charlotte get to the truth before he kills again?.

•••••••••

REVIEW: WHAT SHE DID aka LAST BREATH is the first instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary, adult CHARLOTTE FINN PIERCE mystery, suspense, thriller series focusing on Detective Charlotte Pierce.

Told from three first person perspectives (Charlotte, Will, Erin) WHAT SHE DID / LAST BREATH follows in the aftermath of the murder of attorney Derek Bryson and his pregnant wife Susannah. The only suspect is Derek’s ex-wife and former attorney Erin Lowry Bryson, a woman who cannot recall anything in the hours prior to the murders, having been found in the house, covered in blood. As the police struggled to make a case against Derek’s ex-wife, Erin discovers that everything about her own life with Derek has been predicated upon a number of lies, and there is a distinct possibility that she is the pawn in a much bigger game than she could have ever imagined. What ensues is the search for the truth, as Erin begins to interfere in the investigation, and her TSTL (too stupid to live ) actions threaten any possibIlity of a not guilty outcome.

As the story line progresses, we are introduced to Derek’s law partner Christopher Flynn, attorney Sandra Pullman, private investigator Shawn Nieves, Detective Charlotte Pierce and Detective William Torch. The story line focused more so on, and was told mostly from Erin Lowry Bryson’s point of view, and therefore, some of the information and evidence comes from a suspect, and not the police investigation. I think the author should tell more of the story from Charlotte’s point of view, as this is a series focusing, first and foremost, on Detective Charlotte Pierce, and the cases to which she will be assigned. I was a little confused thinking the series was about Erin Lowry.

Kate Gable pulls the reader into a story of suspense and mystery, murder and vengeance, betrayal and discovery. The premise is intriguing; the characters are energetic, real and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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NAMELESS GIRL aka WHEN SHE LEFT
Detective Charlotte Pierce Mystery 2
by Kate Gable
Genre: adult, contemporary, mystery thriller

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 17, 2022

When a 13-year-old girl vanished, her friends have kept certain details of that night a secret. Even though she was only a teenager, this mistake continues to haunt Detective Charlotte Pierce.

Twenty years later, Charlotte attends her middle school reunion and begins to investigate what happened to her friend that night.

Meanwhile, back home in Mesquite County, CA, another teenager reports her sister missing and comes home to discover that both of her parents have been brutally murdered.

Will Charlotte be able to locate the missing girl and find out who killed her parents and why?

Will Charlotte ever find out that truth about what happened to her friend that night?

••••••••

REVIEW: NAMELESS GIRL aka WHEN SHE LEFT is the second instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary, adult DETECTIVE CHARLOTTE PIERCE LAST BREATH mystery suspense series focusing on Mesquite County Detective Charlotte Pierce.

NOTE: The series name has changed a couple of times; book two NAMELESS GIRL was original titled WHEN SHE LEFT, and continues to be so at several outlets- there may be some confusion for readers

Told from three first person perspectives (Charlotte, Franny, Madison) following several intersecting and separate paths NAMELESS GIRL focuses on the search for a missing nineteen year old young woman. Sixteen year old, Franny Dillard hasn’t seen her nineteen year old sister Madison in close to three weeks, and her parents appear unconcerned about their daughter’s whereabouts. In an effort to locate her sister, Franny speaks to Detective Charlotte Pierce, in the hopes the police will search for the truth but hours later, Franny arrives home to discover her parents have been murdered, and the mystery begins to spiral out of control.

Meanwhile, Charlotte has been invited to her grade eight reunion, a reunion that forces Charlotte and her friends to revisit the past when one of their own vanished without a trace.

Detective Charlotte Pierce and her partner Detective Will Torch had no idea a missing persons case would devolve so quickly but as the detectives begin a search for the truth, not all is well in Mesquite County, California as money laundering, fraud, murder for hire, extortion, arson and the Mob all coalesce into a mystery of who, what and why. As Charlotte and Will commiserate over dinner and drinks, Charlotte will be introduced to former police officer turned firefighter Dylan Ferreira.

NAMELESS GIRL is an intriguing story of suspense and mystery, murder and manipulation, secrets and lies. The premise is engaging, suspenseful and twisted; the characters are animated and passionate. If you are a fan of the author’s Detective Caitlyn Carr series, you will recognize many similarities and themes

Copy supplied for review

_______

LAKE OF LIES
Detectives Charlotte Pierce/ Kaitlyn Carr novella 2.5
by Kate Gable
Genre: adult, contemporary, mystery thriller

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 11, 2022

When a young woman’s lifeless body is found with strangulation marks not far from her tent, Detective Charlotte Pierce heads to the small mountain town of Quail Lake to investigate.

Mesquite County Sheriff’s department is short staffed and the only other person working the case is an inexperienced deputy who has never investigated a murder.

Soon, Charlotte discovers that the twenty-year-old murder victim was living in a camper van with her boyfriend and documenting their life online as van life influencers.

But there’s more to it. Charlotte had actually met the couple while on a hike by a desert waterfall and intervened when their argument got intense.

Now, Charlotte is up against the clock to find the boyfriend, the person she suspects was the last one to see the woman alive.

The investigation leads her from the sleepy town of Quail Lake to the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and the streets that she is all too familiar with having worked previously for the LAPD. It also brings her in contact with an old acquaintance, Detective Kaitlyn Carr who helps her with the mystery.

As Charlotte and Kaitlyn start to pieces of the puzzle together, they find out that appearances are deceiving. Quail Lake is a town where secrets don’t want to stay buried and the truth will put both of their lives in danger.

••••••••

REVIEW: LAKE OF LIES by Kate Gable is a cross over novella from the author’s DETECTIVE CHARLOTTE PIERCE and DETECTIVE KAITLYN CARR series.

Told from first person perspective (Charlotte Pierce) with a single chapter by Kaitlyn Carr LAKE OF LIES follows in the wake of a young woman, found dead at her campsite, a young woman whom Detective Charlotte Pierce had witnessed being abused by her boyfriend at another time. Days earlier Charlotte came across a young couple, Madison and Michael, who were filming and blogging their journey across the country when the young man became aggressive and abusive towards Madison. Offering to press charges, Charlotte is surprised when the young woman declines, contiuing on their journey together. Days later, a hiker stumbles across a body, the murder victim is none other than young woman Madison, the woman Charlotte met days before. With the boyfriend as the prime suspect, Charlotte begins an investigation but a staff shortage at the precinct forces Charlotte to call in help from Detective Kaitlyn Carr, who is tasked with interviewing the boyfriend’s parents. Suspecting all was not right with the parents, Kaitlyn quickly becomes suspicious when the young couple’s van is found parked outside, and the parents claim no idea as to the how and why. Brought in for questioning, Michael proclaims his innocence directing the detectives towards someone else. What ensues is the search for the truth, and the fall out when obsession leads to murder, prefaced by love.

LAKE OF LIES bares some but limited resemblance to a recent murder case that gained national attention when another couple filmed their trip across America, a trip that ended in the murder of the young woman. LAKE OF LIES is a novella length, fast paced, quick read that pulls together two tough but experienced Detectives as they search for a killer, to bring justice for a young woman who died long before her time. The premise is intriguing with a couple of twists and turns.

_________

MISSING LIVES aka HOW SHE DISAPPEARED
Detective Charlotte Pierce Mystery 3
by Kate Gable
Genre: adult, contemporary, mystery thriller

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 26, 2022

When two young boys disappear while riding their bikes, Detective Charlotte Pierce must follow the clues to find their killer before he strikes again.

In the dusty outskirts of Mesquite County, California, two kids go missing, taken from outside their homes. The quiet desert community is devastated and it’s up to Charlotte to find out what happened.

The FBI is called in and a man who stalked and terrorized Charlotte comes back into her life. She kept his secret to protect her career, but is now being forced to work with him to solve the case.

What happens when she confronts him about what he has done? What happens when the killer start searching for another victim?

•••••••••

REVIEW: MISSING LIVES aka HOW SHE DISAPPEARED is the third instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary,adult DETECTIVE CHARLOTTE PIERCE MYSTERY (aka Detective Charlotte Pierce) mystery/suspense series focusing on Mesquite County, California Detective Charlotte Pierce. MISSING LIVES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

NOTE: Once again, the author has changed book titles, and the series name such that the confusion is making it difficult to keep track of the books and series order. MISSING LIVES/ HOW SHE DISAPPEARED is part 3 of the Charlotte Pierce Mystery, yet the author has the same series aka Detective Charlotte Pierce with the first two books (different) titles with the same characters and premise, and that book 3 is a different premise all together. Confused..yep, so am I.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Charlotte and Kelsey) MISSING LIVES follows several paths including the truth behind Charlotte’s missing childhood friend Kelsey, the disappearance and murder of two young boys, Charlotte’s boyfriend’s dangerous and deadly work assignment, and a ghost from the past that refuses to let go.

Detective Charlotte Pierce and her partner Detective Will Torch are assigned to investigate the disappearance of a young boy who would later be found dead. As the duo begin their investigation into the first of three missing boys, Charlotte will be forced to work alongside the man who almost destroyed her life, an FBI Agent who continues to harass our story line heroine. When Charlotte reveals the truth to her partner, about what happened years before, she must consider her options going forward, options that may threaten our heroine’s career.

Meanwhile, Detective Will Torch’s personal and professional life are about to collide; and Charlotte’s boyfriend is injured on the job.

MISSING LIVES is a fast paced, intriguing, suspense filled story of secrets and lies, power and betrayal, family and friendships, obsession and murder. The premise is captivating, dramatic and intense; the characters are charismatic and determined. Detective Kaitlyn Carr from the author’s Kaitlyn Carr series crosses over with a cameo appearance in preparation for an upcoming cross-over novella.

Here’s hoping the series, the books, the stories and the covers eventually merge and release in a non-confusing manner.

Copy supplied for review

____________

GIRL IN THE LAKE
Detective Charlotte Pierce Mystery 4
by Kate Gable
Genre: adult, contemporary, mystery thriller

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 6, 2022

Hidden secrets and deadly lies…

Following the incident that nearly killed her boyfriend, Detective Charlotte Pierce needs a weekend away with him in the quaint mountain town of Quail Lake, California.

However, their trip is interrupted when a sixteen-year-old camp counselor goes missing. The girl’s body is later found by the lake shore with strangulation marks around her neck and bruises all over.

The sleepy town of Quail Lake has only one inexperienced deputy on call and Charlotte can’t say no when the sheriff asks her to help with the investigation.

When she begins to speak to the girl’s roommates and crush as well as other camp counselors, Charlotte’s instincts tell her that this wasn’t a drifter who had committed this terrible murder. This was someone who was close to her. But who would want such a nice girl dead?

As Charlotte continues to investigate, she discovers that Camp Quail Lake is full of secrets and lies. Nothing is what it seems and everyone has a reason to keep their stories to themselves.

From the exciting beginning to its various twists and turns, the novel will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Girl in the Lake is a stark reminder that summers don’t last forever, secrets can’t stay buried and but murderers kill for a reason.

••••

REVIEW GIRL IN THE LAKE is the fourth instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary, adult DETECTIVE CHARLOTTE PIERCE MYSTERY THRILLER series focusing on former LAPD Detective Charlotte Pierce. GIRL IN THE LAKE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as their is an ongoing premise throughout.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including talk of suicide and self harm, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person (Charlotte) and third person (Sarah) GIRL IN THE LAKE follows Detective Charlotte Pierce as she vacations with her boyfriend in Quail Lake, California. Charlotte’s boyfriend Dylan is recovering from an accident that nearly took his life, and our couple needed to spend some quiet time together in the mountains of Quail Lake but an early morning jog finds Charlotte at the scene where a young woman’s body has been located, a sixteen year old girl counsellor from Camp Quail Lake. Along with an overwhelmed local police officer Deputy Gavin Skeeter, Charlotte gets permission to lead an investigation where they begin to unravel the secrets and lies that lead to the person responsible for killing Sarah Dunn. From jealousy and rivalry of teenaged girls, Charlotte begins to piece together a possible motive for the killing of one of their own.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and Dylan’s relationship struggles with Charlotte’s need to see the investigation through to the end. Charlotte knows their time together is going to suffer but our heroine also knows that she is the only person with the ability to get the job done.

GIRL IN THE LAKE is a story of jealousy, first loves, friendships and heart break. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are numerous, energetic, charismatic and young.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Quarter to Midnight by Karen Rose – Review & Excerpt

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Quarter to Midnight by Karen Rose – Review & Excerpt

 

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Description:
There are good cops. And there are bad cops. The question is…who wins?

After completing her tours with the Marines in Iraq, Molly Sutton knew she could take down any bad guy she met. But when her law enforcement agency in North Carolina turned against her, she joined up with her former CO Burke Broussard, who left New Orleans PD to set up a private investigative service for people who couldn’t find justice elsewhere.

Gabe Hebert saw the toll that working for the NOPD took on his dad and decided instead to make a name for himself as one of the best young chefs in the French Quarter. But when his father’s death is ruled a suicide after a deliberately botched investigation by his former captain, Gabe knows his dad stumbled onto a truth that someone wants silenced.

Gabe goes to his father’s best friend, Burke, for help. Burke assigns the toughest member of his team, Molly, to the case. Molly can’t believe she’s being asked to work with the smoking hot chef whose chocolate cake is not the only thing that makes her mouth water. Sparks fly as they follow the leads Gabe’s dad left them, unraveling a web of crimes, corruption, and murder that runs all the way to the top.

 

 

Review:

Quarter to Midnight by Karen Rose is the 1st book in her New Orleans series, which is also the 26th book in her Romance Suspense series. I am a big fan of Karen Rose, as her suspense thrillers are amazing, and unputdownable.  In this newest arc, Rose gives us another fabulous book that is once again over 600 pages. Rose always creates fantastic heroes and wonderful secondary characters, as well as evil villains; and this does not change in this book, as she writes another masterpiece. Quarter to Midnight is a tense, exciting, action filled story that kept me on the edge of to my seat from start to finish.

Quarter to Midnight starts with a bang, as a retired detective dies, with his son, Gabe Hebert, our hero, unable to accept that the police said he committed suicide. Gabe suspects some of the police are trying to hide things, and he pushes to have a private autopsy, which confirms his suspicion.  Gabe goes for help to his father’s best friend, Burke Broussard, who is a former cop, now running a private investigation firm.

Burke will assign, Molly Sutton, our heroine, to work with Gabe, which at first doesn’t sit well with him, since she is a woman.  But he will learn that Molly is a former marine, and is considered the toughest member of his team; and from the start, Gabe learns how smart and savvy Molly is.  In a short time, the sparks will fly between Gabe and Molly, with a slow burn romance.  However, the case is the main focus of this story, as both become involved in a dangerous web of police corruption, evil villains who will stop at nothing to kill and murder. Molly, Gabe, Burke set out to investigate and protect a wonderful group of secondary characters, which was a great addition to the story line.

What follows is an intriguing, tense, exciting, and edge of your seat suspense story line that had me holding my breath so many times.  This was very tense from all the way through, especially with the evil villains constantly killing off many innocent people.  As we raced to the wild climax, I prayed for the for the survival of all the good people, and the demise of the main villain. I do not want to give spoilers, as you really need to read this book from start to finish.

Quarter to Midnight is an intense thriller, with non- stop action all the way.  As I have said before, Karen Rose never fails to give a fantastic well written thriller that is intense, always on the edge, with fantastic characters, evil villains and a wonderful couple you care for. If you love suspense, with a touch of romance and a thriller all the way, then look no further then Karen Rose.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT by Karen Rose
Berkley Hardcover | On Sale August 2, 2022

Excerpt

Molly looked up to find her boss standing in his office doorway. Burke Broussard was in his midforties and, other than a few silver hairs at his temples, hadn’t changed a bit since he’d been her CO in the Marines a decade before. “Morning, Burke. I brought you coffee, too.” She held up the cup.

“Thank the good Lord for that,” he said fervently. “I’ve been here since six.”

Molly shuddered in mostly mock horror. “Why?” She’d left rising with the sun behind when she’d finished her final tour with the Marine Corps. Burke, however, had a love-hate relationship with mornings. He said he hated them, but he continued coming in earlier and earlier. The man was a fool.

He was also smart as hell, driven to succeed, compassionate, and generous to a fault. But a morning fool.

“Come into my office,” he said. “I have a new client you should meet.”

Joy’s eyes widened further, and she maneuvered her wheelchair so that she could unabashedly watch Molly walk into Burke’s office.

And Molly immediately understood why.

Sitting in the chair at Burke’s conference table was none other than Gabriel Hebert, Choux chef extraordinaire. He looked tired and tense and very unhappy.

She wondered if he’d been so unhappy the night before. He had looked tired, but not this unhappy. Of course, he might be one of those people who could put on the face they wished the world to see.

“Molly, this is Mr. Hebert. Gabe, this is Miss Sutton. I’m going to assign her to your case.”

Molly’s brows shot up. What?

Gabe’s brows shot up as well, then crunched together in a disgruntled frown. “What? You’re handing me off?” He came to his feet. “What the hell, Burke?”

The two men faced off, and they couldn’t have appeared more physically different. Burke’s skin was olive toned, his deep tan a testament to all the road biking he did in his spare time. Gabe was so lightly tanned that she might still call him pale. And, like a lot of redheads, he had a smattering of freckles across his nose.

She’d always wanted to trace those freckles with her fingertips. She’d wondered where else he had them.

Both men were tall, but Burke’s body was bulky where Gabe’s was lean. Molly loved to watch Gabe move. When he was cooking in his restaurant’s kitchen, it was like watching a choreographed dance.

Only their accents were similar-both speaking with that smooth New Orleans drawl that sounded like hot summer nights with jazz music thick in the air. Except that Gabe’s voice made her shiver, when Burke’s never had.

She probably shouldn’t have shivered at all, considering how angry he seemed, but her body couldn’t help how it reacted. Sue me.

Burke waved at him to be seated. “I’m too close, Gabe. Your father . . . he was important to me, too. He was my partner. I had his back, and he had mine. Whatever else went down when I was on the force, I knew your father would stand by me, and he did. I don’t know that I’d be able to keep an open mind.”

Gabe did not sit down, his frown deepening to something almost dangerous. “Open to what?” he asked, each word dripping with anger and warning.

“The truth,” Burke said simply. “Whatever it might be. Molly’s my right hand. She will not let you down. Now, please, have a seat. If, after you’ve talked with her, you want someone else, we’ll figure it out. Don’t worry. You can depend on her discretion, no matter who you choose to work your case.”

Gabe released a harsh breath. “Okay.” He sat, then shifted his gaze to Molly, who still stood in the doorway, having not moved a muscle. He did a double take. “Do I know . . .” He trailed off. “Right. Last night. Happy birthday, Miss Sutton.”

Burke looked between them, his expression suddenly unhappy. “You two know each other?”

“No,” Gabe said.

“No,” Molly said at the same time. “I’ve been to his restaurant a few times, that’s all. The girls took me there last night for my birthday. I brought you some cake,” she added lamely. “It’s in the fridge in the break room.”

“Thank you, Molly.” Clearly relieved, Burke gestured to one of the empty chairs at the table. “Join us. As I’m sure you’ve figured out, this case requires extreme discretion.”

Molly nodded. “I understand. Mr. Hebert, if you decide I’m not the best fit, there will be no hard feelings. But should you choose to work with me, I’ll do my very best.”

Gabe’s shoulders slumped, his exhaustion clear to see. “I appreciate that.” He swallowed hard. “I need to find out who killed my father.”

Molly glanced at Burke. “Are the police involved?”

Gabe’s laugh was bitter. “Most likely, yes.”

Burke sighed. “What he means is, someone in law enforcement might be complicit. Or responsible.”

Molly sat back, wishing she was surprised. “All right, then. Let me have it.”


 

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