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Paw of the Jungle by Diane Kelly [Book Review]

Posted on December 2, 2019January 16, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Paw of the Jungle

Author: Diane Kelly

Publisher: St. Martin

Publish Date: November 26, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Paw Enforcement #8

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Police officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner in crime, Brigit, are on all fours as they try to solve their latest Lone Star mystery.

AT THE ZOO
The weather is beautiful, work is slow, and her canine colleague could use a walk. What better day for Megan to take Brigit to the Fort Worth Zoo, where they can let loose and witness the law and order of nature unfold? But what begins as a fun field trip turns serious when a pair of rare hyacinth macaws named Fabiana and Fernando goes missing. Is the new custodian, a gentle soul who happens to be an ex-convict, to blame? Or is something far more sinister afoot?

AND ON THE HUNT
The birds are worth thousands of dollars, and the list of people on the premises who might have stolen them is long. Soon other animals start disappearing. . .and Megan and Brigit have their hands and paws full of suspects. But when a rare black rhino is taken from the zoo, presumably for its black-market-friendly horn, time is of the essence. Can Megan and Brigit find out who’s behind the mystery—before they too become prey?

MY REVIEW

The eighth book in the Paw Enforcement series by Diane Kelly. Officer Megan and her K-9 partner Brigit investigate missing animals from the zoo. In addition to the main crime of finding who stole the animals, Megan is also working a case involving missing jewelry. Plus, her firefighter boyfriend Seth is working with a new paramedic. An attractive woman who causes Megan to worry about her relationship with Seth.

Told using multiple points of view – Megan, Brigit, and the guilty party. Megan is a likable character. She’s hardworking, sensible, and quick witted. Brigit is a delightful dog, and I enjoy her amusing viewpoints. It’s great to read how Megan and Brigit work the case, but also nice to get the viewpoint from the one committing the crimes.

A fun, humorous, and entertaining mystery. An enjoyable addition to the series, and I look forward to reading more books about Megan and Brigit.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Paw Enforcement Series:

Paw Enforcement
Paw and Order
Laying Down the Paw
Against the Paw
Above the Paw
Enforcing the Paw
The Long Paw of the Law
Paw of the Jungle
Bending the Paw

Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly [Book Review]

Posted on December 2, 2019January 16, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Enforcing the Paw

Author: Diane Kelly

Publisher: St. Martin

Publish Date: June 27, 2017

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Paw Enforcement #6

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

When a case of he-said/she-said turns criminal, it’s up to Megan Luz and her devoted K-9 to dig for the truth…

A TAIL OF TWO LOVERS
When relationships go south, some people just can’t—or won’t—let go. When Fort Worth Police Officer Megan Luz and her pawed partner Brigit investigate a series of stalking incidents involving a couple who recently broke up, their detective powers are put to the test. Is this a case of a controlling creep who refuses to accept rejection—or one about a woman scorned whose fury has been unleashed?

WHO END UP IN THE DOGHOUSE…
As hostilities escalate between the former lovers, the situation goes from romantically dysfunctional to downright dangerous. He insists his former flame has become a crazy ex-girlfriend intent on vengeance. She alleges that he is a master of manipulation and lays blame entirely at his feet. Who’s the culprit and who’s the victim? Can Megan and Brigit sniff out the truth. . .before somebody ends up dead?

Enforcing the Paw is part of Diane Kelly’s fun and smart Paw Enforcement series.

MY REVIEW

Enforcing the Paw is the sixth book in the Paw Enforcement series by Diane Kelly. Officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner Brigit investigate a stalking case. The case involves a former couple. He’s claiming his ex-girlfriend is stalking him. She claims he’s manipulating things, and he’s the stalker.

Told with multiple points of view – Megan, Brigit, and the guilty party. I enjoy the humorous parts involving Brigit’s viewpoint. The mystery is entertaining, and Megan has to do a little work to discover what is really going on with the former couple and their problems.

A delightful mystery. Likable characters in a fun story. This is an entertaining series, and I look forward to reading more of these books.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Paw Enforcement Series:

Paw Enforcement
Paw and Order
Laying Down the Paw
Against the Paw
Above the Paw
Enforcing the Paw
The Long Paw of the Law
Paw of the Jungle
Bending the Paw

In Her Eyes by Sarah Alderson [Book Review]

Posted on November 14, 2019January 16, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: In Her Eyes

Author: Sarah Alderson

Publisher: Mulholland Books

Publish Date: November 14, 2019

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

You’re at home with your family.
You think you’re safe.
You’re wrong . . .

Ava’s life is the kind other people envy: loving husband; great kids; beautiful house. Until a violent home invasion turns the dream into a nightmare and leaves her daughter fighting to survive.

This wasn’t a random attack and Ava is reeling from the knowledge that someone is targeting her family. Who could hate them enough to kill?

To save those she loves from even greater danger Ava must find out what really happened that night. But when everyone around her has been lying, how will she decide who to trust? And with her own secrets threatening to come to light, can she even trust herself?

For fans of The Silent Patient, The Wife Between Us and Perfect Child, In Her Eyes is a dark and twisty thriller. You’re about to find out that home is where the hate is.

MY REVIEW

Ava, her husband, and her teen daughter are home one night during a home invasion. The burglary turns violent, leaving Ava’s daughter fighting for survival in the hospital. Ava soon realizes the attack was not random. She delves into her family’s lives to find out who the attackers were. It seems everyone in the family has been keeping secrets, including Ava.

A fast-paced and exciting mystery. What started as a night out, ended with a violent home invasion. Ava soon realizes she needs to find out what has been going on with her family to solve the mystery of why they were targeted. Everyone is lying and keeping secrets, including Ava. As more secrets are revealed, the story gets more complex and intriguing.

In Her Eyes is a well-written and twisty thriller. I enjoy books that keep me turning the pages, and this one was so gripping I stayed up late to finish reading it. Addictive, suspenseful, and clever.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tracking Game by Margaret Mizushima [Book Review]

Posted on November 11, 2019January 16, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Tracking Game

Author: Margaret Mizushima

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publish Date: November 12, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #5

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Two brutal murders, a menacing band of poachers, and a fearsome creature on the loose in the mountains plunge Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo into a sinister vortex.

An explosion outside a community dance sends Mattie Cobb and Cole Walker reeling into the night, where they discover a burning van and beside it the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher. But the explosion didn’t kill Nate–it was two gunshots to the heart.

The investigation leads them to the home of rancher Doyle Redman, whose daughter is Nate’s widow, and the object of one of their suspect’s affection. But before they can make an arrest, they receive an emergency call from a man who’s been shot in the mountains. Mattie and Robo rush to the scene, only to be confronted by the ominous growl of a wild predator.

As new players emerge on the scene, Mattie begins to understand the true danger that’s enveloping Timber Creek. They journey into the cold, misty mountains to track the animal–but discover something even more deadly in Tracking Game, the fifth installment in Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 mysteries.

MY REVIEW

Tracking Game is the fifth book in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series by Margaret Mizushima. Mattie is a police officer in a small Colorado town. Her partner is police dog Robo. In this book, Mattie and Robo investigate two murders.

The novel starts with a bang when an explosion leads to a burning van containing the body of a local outfitter. The police are led to the deceased man’s wife and her family, who are local ranchers. When another local man is killed, the list of suspects grows. In addition to the dead bodies, there is a dangerous wild animal on the loose.

Tracking Game is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. I’ve read one other book in this series, but plan on going back and reading the others. The books I’ve read have been solid mysteries with engaging characters.

An exciting mystery with a little adventure and romance. Good for fans of crime fiction and books featuring dogs as characters.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Timber Creek K-9 series:

Killing Trail
Stalking Ground
Hunting Hour
Burning Ridge
Tracking Game
Hanging Falls
Striking Range
Standing Dead

Under Lying by Janelle Harris [Book Review]

Posted on November 4, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Under Lying

Author: Janelle Harris

Publisher: Lake Union

Publish Date: November 1, 2019

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

In this gripping novel of suspense, the disappearance of a couple’s baby daughter leaves everyone a suspect.

Susan has everything she ever wanted. A loving husband, an angelic daughter and the cottage of her dreams in County Cork. Her picture-perfect life seems too good to be true. And it is.

At a housewarming party with their new neighbours, her daughter Amelia goes missing. As friends become suspects, Susan’s life spirals out of control. And when Amelia’s yellow cardigan is dredged from the lake, every parent’s worst nightmare suddenly seems horribly real.

In the aftermath of Amelia’s disappearance Susan and her husband Paul are not themselves. Someone is hiding something. What if Susan and Paul’s entire relationship was built on lies stretching back years?

Some secrets may be best left buried in the past, but uncovering the truth could be the only way to find Amelia – before it’s too late.

MY REVIEW

Susan and Paul are hosting a party when their young daughter goes missing. After searching the area and not finding the girl, everyone starts to assume the worst. In the days following the disappearance, Susan and Paul are both acting differently… and they are both keeping secrets.

Under Lying is told from Susan’s point of view using alternate timelines (now and then). Susan is not exactly who she seems to be, and her story is slowly revealed as the novel progresses. Susan is not a likable character. She is obsessed, vengeful, and deranged. That combination makes for an entertaining read.

Under Lying is an intriguing thriller with some twists and turns along the way. Good for fans of revenge plots. Suspenseful, crazy, and shocking.

Books by Janelle Harris:

No Kiss Goodbye
See Me Not
Under Lying
Keep Your Friends Close

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell [Book Review]

Posted on October 28, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Family Upstairs

Author: Lisa Jewell

Publisher: Atria Books

Publish Date: November 5, 2019

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone comes another page-turning look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light.

Be careful who you let in.

Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.

She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.

Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.

MY REVIEW

After turning 25 years old, Libby inherits a valuable property and learns who her biological parents were. Libby was unaware of her biological family, but there are a couple of people who have been waiting for her to discover where she came from.

Told using multiple points of view (Libby, Lucy, and Henry) and alternating timelines. Libby and Lucy’s stories are present day, while Henry’s story takes place in the early to mid-1990s. At first, I found the alternating POVs to be confusing, but I soon got into the flow. The stories do all meet up, and it’s not all that surprising how people and events are connected.

The Family Upstairs is a domestic suspense with some crazy people and plenty of drama. Dark, chaotic, and twisted.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books by Lisa Jewell:

The Third Wife
The Girls in the Garden
I Found You
Then She Was Gone
Watching You
The Family Upstairs
Invisible Girl
The Night She Disappeared

A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson [Book Review]

Posted on October 23, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: A Nearly Normal Family

Author: M.T. Edvardsson

Publisher: Celadon Books

Publish Date: June 29, 2019

Genre: Domestic Suspense

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson

BOOK BLURB

M.T. Edvardsson’s A Nearly Normal Family is a gripping legal thriller that forces the reader to consider: How far would you go to protect the ones you love? In this twisted narrative of love and murder, a horrific crime makes a seemingly normal family question everything they thought they knew about their life—and one another.

Eighteen-year-old Stella Sandell stands accused of the brutal murder of a man almost fifteen years her senior. She is an ordinary teenager from an upstanding local family. What reason could she have to know a shady businessman, let alone to kill him?

Stella’s father, a pastor, and mother, a criminal defense attorney, find their moral compasses tested as they defend their daughter, while struggling to understand why she is a suspect. Told in an unusual three-part structure, A Nearly Normal Family asks the questions: How well do you know your own children? How far would you go to protect them?

MY REVIEW

Stella is an 18-year-old young woman arrested for murder. Her parents, Adam and Ulrika, are shocked to find their daughter accused of murder, and question their decisions about how to help Stella. Stella and her parents have kept secrets from one another, but just how far they will go to protect the ones they love is uncertain.

A Nearly Normal Family is told in three parts: the father (Adam), the daughter (Stella), and the mother (Ulrika). Each part adds more insight to the story, especially since everyone has regrets and secrets. The first part, Adam’s POV, seemed a little slower moving than the other two parts. It was still engaging, and had me wanting to know more about the family. The characters are intriguing and flawed, but not particularly likable.

A Nearly Normal Family is a character driven domestic thriller. Slow-burning, intense, and thought-provoking.

Passport to Death by Yigal Zur [Book Review]

Posted on October 21, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Passport to Death

Author: Yigal Zur

Publisher: Oceanview

Publish Date: November 5, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Dotan Naor Thriller #2

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

In a world of shadows, it is easy to get lost

Dotan Naor, an Israeli private investigator, ousted from Shin Bet—Israel’s internal security service—goes to Thailand to find Sigal Bardon, a beautiful young girl from a wealthy Israeli family. Sigal has disappeared in Bangkok—completely.

Dotan has connections in Thailand and he’s familiar with Bangkok’s dark side—the narrow alleys with bars and hookers, trenches of stagnant water, hotel rooms with illicit activity. This is where he intends to start his search. But when the passport of the missing Israeli girl ends up in his hands during his first taxi ride in the city, he’s suspicious that someone is playing him. But who? And why?

As Dotan searches for Sigal, police corruption blocks his every path while he delves deeper. Every lead he pursues draws him closer and closer to a black hole in his “own” past—one intertwined with his pursuit of Sigal—one that leads him to Reuven—and the haunting failure that led to the dismissal of both of them from Shin Bet. The wound between Dotan and Reuven is raw and deep, but Dotan realizes it must be healed in order to save Sigal.

MY REVIEW

Passport to Death is the second book in the Dotan Naor series by Yigal Zur. Dotan Naor is a former Israeli agent turned private investigator. In this book, Dotan travels to Thailand to locate a missing young woman.

A captivating mystery involving the dark side of Bangkok. Dotan’s investigation into the missing woman takes some turns and becomes more complex than he expected. Dotan is an interesting character, and more things from his past are revealed in this novel.

An enjoyable read with intriguing characters and a vivid setting. Dark, gritty, and fast-paced.

I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Dotan Naor Thriller series:

Death in Shangri-La
Passport to Death

The Chain by Adrian McKinty [Book Review]

Posted on October 10, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Chain

Author: Adrian McKinty

Publisher: Mulholland Books

Publish Date: July 9, 2019

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

It’s something parents do every morning: Rachel Klein drops her daughter at the bus stop and heads into her day. But a cell phone call from an unknown number changes everything: it’s a woman on the line, informing her that she has Kylie bound and gagged in her back seat, and the only way Rachel will see her again is to follow her instructions exactly: pay a ransom, and find another child to abduct. This is no ordinary kidnapping: the caller is a mother herself, whose son has been taken, and if Rachel doesn’t do as she’s told, the boy will die.

“You are not the first. And you will certainly not be the last.” Rachel is now part of The Chain, an unending and ingenious scheme that turns victims into criminals — and is making someone else very rich in the process. The rules are simple, the moral challenges impossible; find the money fast, find your victim , and then commit a horrible act you’d have thought yourself incapable of just twenty-four hours ago.

But what the masterminds behind The Chain know is that parents will do anything for their children. It turns out that kidnapping is only the beginning.

MY REVIEW

Rachel is on her way to a doctor’s appointment when she receives a phone call. On the phone is someone who has kidnapped her daughter Kylie. To get Kylie back, Rachel must obey the rules of The Chain.

A fantastic, yet horrifying, plot. The Chain is a kidnapping for ransom scheme. It starts with parents receiving a phone call that their child has been kidnapped. In addition to paying a ransom, they must also kidnap another child to keep The Chain going. As long as the parents follow the rules, The Chain stays active and everyone stays alive. Of course, once someone is in The Chain, they are forever watching over their shoulder, afraid someone will kill them or their child.

Told in two parts. The novel starts off exciting, and the entire first part is thrilling to read. The second part wasn’t as strong for me, but it stayed entertaining. Most of the novel is told from Rachel’s point of view, but other viewpoints are also included.

The Chain is a fast-paced and action-packed thriller. Gripping, addictive, and intense.

The Bodies in the Library by Marty Wingate [Book Review]

Posted on October 7, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Bodies in the Library

Author: Marty Wingate

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: October 8, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: First Edition Library Mystery #1

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Hayley Burke’s fresh start as the curator of The First Edition Society’s library in Bath, England, is about to take a rotten turn in this charming new mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate.

Hayley Burke has landed a dream job. She is the new curator of Lady Georgiana Fowling’s First Edition library. The library is kept at Middlebank House, a lovely Georgian home in Bath, England. Hayley lives on the premises and works with the finicky Glynis Woolgar, Lady Fowling’s former secretary.

Mrs. Woolgar does not like Hayley’s ideas to modernize The First Edition Society and bring in fresh blood. And she is not even aware of the fact that Hayley does not know the first thing about the Golden Age of Mysteries. Hayley is faking it till she makes it, and one of her plans to breathe new life into the Society is actually taking flight–an Agatha Christie fan fiction writers group is paying dues to meet up at Middlebank House.

But when one of the group is found dead in the venerable stacks of the library, Hayley has to catch the killer to save the Society and her new job.

MY REVIEW

The Bodies in the Library is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Marty Wingate. The First Edition Library Mystery series features Hayley Burke, the new curator at Lady Georgiana Fowling’s First Edition library in Bath, England. The library is a mystery lovers dream, especially since it contains many Golden Age mysteries. Hayley is attempting to modernize the library; however, she’s hiding the fact that she doesn’t know diddly about the mystery genre.

The cast of characters is quirky and relatable. In addition, Hayley is a likable protagonist – smart, witty, and hard-working. After starting as curator, one of her actions was to open the library up to a group of Agatha Christie fan fiction writers. When one of the members of the group is found dead in the library, Hayley turns amateur sleuth to find the murderer. Hayley is concerned about the image of the library, and she wants to make sure the library’s name is not smeared due to the murder.

In short, The Bodies in the Library is a charming new cozy mystery with entertaining characters and a lovely location. In addition to the mystery, there are some things going on in Hayley’s personal life – she’s got a daughter in college, an ex-husband, and a boyfriend. Hayley looks to be a fun amateur sleuth, and I’m looking forward to following along with in this series. A good read for fans of cozies, especially ones that feature books and libraries.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Bibliophile Mystery Series:

The Bodies in the Library
Murder Is a Must

Lock Me In by Kate Simants [Book Review]

Posted on October 3, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Lock Me In

Author: Kate Simants

Publisher: Killer Reads

Publish Date: October 3, 2019

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Whatever you do, don’t open the door…

By day, Ellie Power has a normal life. She has a stable home, a loving boyfriend, a future.

But at night, she suffers from a sleep disorder. She becomes angry, unpredictable, violent. Her mother locks Ellie in her bedroom every night, to keep them both safe.

Then one morning, Ellie wakes up, horrified to find the lock on her bedroom door smashed from the inside. She is covered in injuries, unable to remember anything about the night before.

And her boyfriend Matt is nowhere to be found…

MY REVIEW

Ellie suffers from a sleep disorder. She can become unpredictable and violent, so she needs to be locked in her bedroom at night. One morning, she awakens to discover her bedroom door smashed, injuries on her body, and no memory of what happened during the night. Then she learns her boyfriend is missing. As Ellie questions what happened, she delves into her past to learn more about her condition.

Told with alternating points of view – Ellie and Detective Ben Mae. Detective Mae is assigned the missing persons case of Ellie’s boyfriend. Ellie and Detective Mae have a history though. He worked the case of her missing best friend a couple years prior. That’s right, a similar situation happened previously, making Ellie an obvious suspect. She doesn’t remember what happens on those nights though, and, so far, there is not real evidence linking her to a crime.

An intriguing psychological thriller. Ellie lives with her mother, and they keep very low profiles. As the investigation of Ellie’s boyfriend progresses, secrets from Ellie’s past are revealed. Slow-burning, engrossing, and twisty.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books by Kate Simants:

Lock Me In
A Ruined Girl

Drowning with Others by Linda Keir [Book Review]

Posted on September 26, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Drowning with Others

Author: Linda Keir

Publisher: Lake Union

Publish Date: October 1, 2019

Genre: Domestic Suspense

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

They have the perfect marriage. Did one of them kill to get it?

Prep school sweethearts Ian and Andi Copeland are envied by everyone they know. They have successful businesses, a beautiful house in St. Louis, and their eldest daughter, Cassidy, is following in their footsteps by attending prestigious Glenlake Academy. Then, a submerged car is dredged from the bottom of a swimming hole near the campus. So are the remains of a former writer-in-residence who vanished twenty years ago—during Ian and Andi’s senior year.

When Cassidy’s journalism class begins investigating the death, Ian and Andi’s high school secrets rise to the surface. Each has a troubled link to the man whose arrival and sudden disappearance once set the school on edge. And each had a reason to want him gone. As Cassidy unwittingly edges closer to the truth, unspoken words, locked away for decades, will force Ian and Andi to question what they really know—about themselves, about the past, and about a marriage built on a murderous lie.

MY REVIEW

Ian and Andi Copeland were high school sweethearts at their boarding school. Twenty years later, they are married and their daughter Cassidy is now a senior at that same school. A car is found at the bottom of the local swimming hole with a body in it, and it turns out to be a missing teacher from Ian and Andi’s senior year at school. Cassidy’s class is taking on a class project to investigate what happened. The Copeland family is drawn into the mystery of what happened, and along the way secrets are revealed.

Told from Andi, Ian and Cassidy’s points of view. Journal entries from Andi and Ian’s time at school are used to fill in blanks from their pasts. I enjoyed the way the journal entries were included to further explain the characters and their stories. Andi and Ian broke up for a little while during their senior year, and it seems both of them have secrets from that time in their lives. Cassidy is curious about the submerged car, but she becomes even more curious when she learns things about her parents lives during that time. Well-drawn and likable characters.

Family drama and a murder mystery. The mystery was intriguing, especially since it’s not really clear if their was foul play or if the car ended up in the water from an accident or suicide. As the story continues, it seems any of those scenarios is possible. The family drama includes Ian and Andi’s teenage years and the events currently happening in everyone’s lives.

Drowning with Others is an entertaining read, but I would have enjoyed more suspense. A good read for fans of domestic suspense that enjoy more relationship drama than suspense.