Category: Crime & Detective

Book Review

Watching from the Dark by Gytha Lodge [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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BOOK INFO

Title: Watching from the Dark

Author: Gytha Lodge

Publisher: Random House

Publish Date: February 25, 2020

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: DCI Jonah Sheens #2

My Rating: 4/5

Watching from the Dark by Gytha Lodge

BOOK BLURB

You never saw him. But he saw it all.

When a vibrant young woman is murdered while on a video chat, a small-town detective wades into a circle of friends and lovers with dangerous secrets—from the acclaimed author of the “enjoyably chilling” (The New York Times Book Review) She Lies in Wait.

Aidan Poole logs on to his laptop late at night to Skype his girlfriend, Zoe. To his horror, he realizes that there is someone else in her flat. Aidan can only listen to the sounds of a violent struggle taking place in the bathroom—and then the sound of silence. He is desperate to find out if Zoe is okay. But then why is he so hesitant to call the police?

When Aidan’s cryptic messages finally reach them, Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens and his team take the case—and discover the body. They soon find that no one has a bad word to say about Zoe, a big hearted young artist at the center of a curious web of waifs and strays, each relying on her for support, each hiding dark secrets and buried resentments. Has one of her so-called “friends” been driven to murder? Or does Aidan have the biggest secret of them all?

Watching from the Dark by Gytha Lodge

MY REVIEW

Aidan is on Skype with his girlfriend Zoe when he hears the sounds of a struggle. He’s concerned about Zoe, but his call to the police is cryptic. The police investigate and find Zoe has been killed. Their investigation leads to a unique group of people each connected to Zoe.

Watching from the Dark is the second book in the DCI Jonah Sheens series, but it can be read as a standalone. I’ve read the first book, She Lies in Wait, and found this second book to be a little better. Both are good reads for fans of British police procedurals.

There is an assorted group of characters that the police must interview and investigate to solve who the killer is. It seems none of the characters is quite as innocent as they appear, and everyone has secrets.

An entertaining crime read. Well paced and it’s not a super obvious mystery. Twisty and interesting.

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

Books in the DCI Jonah Sheens series:
  1. She Lies in Wait
  2. Watching from the Dark
  3. Lie Beside Me
  4. Little Sister
  5. A Killer in the Family
Book Review

The Blossom Twins by Carol Wyer [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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 Blossom Twins

Author: Carol Wyer

Publisher: Bookouture

Publish Date: December 12, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Detective Natalie Ward #5

My Rating: 4/5

The Blossom Twins by Carol Wyer

BOOK BLURB

Their parents thought they were hiding…

One beautiful summer’s evening, thirteen-year-old twins Ivy and Erin Westmore snuggle down in a tent in their back garden, giggling and sharing secrets.

When their mother goes to wake the girls the next morning, their tent is empty.

The alarm is raised and Detective Natalie Ward is put onto the case. When the twins’ bodies are discovered on nearby marshland, covered with deep pink petals, an icy shiver travels down Natalie’s spine. Everything about the girls’ deaths reminds her of a horrifying case she worked on earlier in her career, which saw a killer of the worst kind placed behind bars.

The next day, that feeling is heightened when she receives a chilling note saying ‘I’m back’. Is this killer a copycat or did Natalie put the wrong person in prison all those years ago? In a small town, where no stranger goes unnoticed, what is Natalie missing?

Consumed by the case, determined to prevent more deaths, Natalie misses the fact that it is her attention the killer wants. And to get it, he has his sights set firmly on her precious daughter Leigh…

The Blossom Twins by Carol Wyer

MY REVIEW

The Blossom Twins is the fifth book in the Detective Natalie Ward series by Carol Wyer. In this book, Natalie investigates the case of murdered sisters that resembles an older case that was supposedly solved. Natalie questions if they caught the right guy the first time around. As Natalie investigates, the killer continues to target other girls.

Natalie is a smart and strong female protagonist. She’s got a lot of strengths, but she also has flaws. The combination of her work life and personal life makes for a compelling read. I’m always intrigued with the mysteries in this series, and this book has one of the most difficult cases Natalie has worked.

This book is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. Each book has a different case that Detective Ward investigates, but the personal storyline advances and adds another layer to the stories. This is a fantastic series, so I recommend starting with the first book, The Birthday.

A dark and complex crime thriller. Good for fans of police procedurals. Gritty, intense, and fast-paced.

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

Books in the Detective Natalie Ward series:
  1. The Birthday
  2. Last Lullaby
  3. The Dare
  4. The Sleepover
  5. The Blossom Twins
  6. The Secret Admirer
  7. Somebody’s Daughter
Book Review

Paw of the Jungle by Diane Kelly [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Paw of the Jungle by Diane Kelly

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

Paw of the Jungle by Diane Kelly

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?

Paw of the Jungle by Diane Kelly

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:
  1. Paw Enforcement
  2. Paw and Order
  3. Laying Down the Paw
  4. Against the Paw
  5. Above the Paw
  6. Enforcing the Paw
  7. The Long Paw of the Law
  8. Paw of the Jungle
  9. Bending the Paw
Book Review

Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly

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

Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly

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.

Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly

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:
  1. Paw Enforcement
  2. Paw and Order
  3. Laying Down the Paw
  4. Against the Paw
  5. Above the Paw
  6. Enforcing the Paw
  7. The Long Paw of the Law
  8. Paw of the Jungle
  9. Bending the Paw
Book Review

Tracking Game by Margaret Mizushima [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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

Tracking Game by Margaret Mizushima

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.

Tracking Game by Margaret Mizushima

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:
  1. Killing Trail
  2. Stalking Ground
  3. Hunting Hour
  4. Burning Ridge
  5. Tracking Game
  6. Hanging Falls
  7. Striking Range
  8. Standing Dead
Book Review

Passport to Death by Yigal Zur [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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

Passport to Death by Yigal Zur

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.

Passport to Death by Yigal Zur

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:
  1. Death in Shangri-La
  2. Passport to Death
Book Review

The Sleepover by Carol Wyer [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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 Sleepover

Author: Carol Wyer

Publisher: Bookouture

Publish Date: September 5, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Detective Natalie Ward #4

My Rating: 4/5

The Sleepover by Carol Wyer

BOOK BLURB

She said she’d gone to a sleepover. But she never made it. Someone must know why…

When Detective Natalie Ward is called to the home of fourteen-year-old Roxy Curtis she can’t help but empathise with Roxy’s distraught mother Cathy. Roxy hasn’t come home, last seen heading next door for a sleepover with her best friend Ellie. As the mother of two teenagers herself, Natalie knows that this is every parent’s worst nightmare.

But when Roxy’s body is found in the basement of a beautiful Victorian mansion on the other side of town, Natalie’s darkest fears are confirmed. What was Roxy doing there? The people who knew her best should know – but Cathy seems evasive, and Ellie refuses to talk. Natalie is determined to find out what secrets they are keeping…

Then Roxy’s mother Cathy disappears.

When her body is found two days later, Natalie is forced to face the fact that Roxy’s loved ones are in real danger. Things take a more sinister turn when Ellie vanishes, her mobile phone switched off. Is Ellie hiding something about the night Roxy died that could put her in terrible danger? And can Natalie work it out before another innocent life is taken?

The Sleepover by Carol Wyer

MY REVIEW

The Sleepover is the fourth book in the Detective Natalie Ward series by Carol Wyer. In The Sleepover, Natalie and her team investigate the mysterious death of Roxy, a fourteen-year-old girl. Roxy’s remains were found in the burned home of two brothers, who seem to have no connection to Roxy. The team questions everyone in Roxy’s life, and it seems everyone is keeping secrets.

The mystery is intriguing and not easy to figure out. I love a crime novel that keeps me guessing as to who is behind the crime, and this one delivers on that. The characters are complex and captivating. I enjoy how this series blends the personal and professional lives of Natalie and her team. It makes the characters more real.

This book could be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting with Book 1, The Birthday. The crime that the team investigates is different for each book, but the personal dramas in the team members lives continues.

A fantastic crime series. I highly recommend this series to fans of police procedurals. Gritty, complex, and compelling.

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

Books in the Detective Natalie Ward series:
  1. The Birthday
  2. Last Lullaby
  3. The Dare
  4. The Sleepover
  5. The Blossom Twins
  6. The Secret Admirer
  7. Somebody’s Daughter
Book Review

No Good Deed by James Swain [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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

BOOK INFO

Title: No Good Deed

Author: James Swain

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publish Date: August 20, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Lancaster & Daniels #2

My Rating: 4/5

No Good Deed by James Swain

BOOK BLURB

A human-trafficking case hits dangerously close to home in a heart-racing thriller by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The King Tides.

A disturbing missing-person case reunites ex-Navy SEAL Jon Lancaster and FBI Agent Beth Daniels. Skye is just one of a dozen young women who have disappeared from Florida without a trace. Beth can do more than just imagine their fear. She was a victim herself—a trauma that’s strengthened her fight for justice.

Then Lancaster uncovers a scrap of evidence, and the mystery begins to unravel. But the lead comes with a personal sting: the involvement of his estranged brother, Logan, an ex-con recruited into the shepherding of human trade. The only way for Logan to shed his demons is to come clean. For Lancaster and Daniels, that means being drawn, secret by secret, into a dangerous underground world.

With time running out, three damaged pasts will collide; more secrets will spill; and Lancaster, Daniels, and Logan will have to fight to save themselves first if they ever hope to find the girls alive.

No Good Deed by James Swain

MY REVIEW

The second book in the Lancaster & Daniels series by James Swain. Jon Lancaster specializes in missing persons investigations. He is a ex-SEAL and ex-cop who volunteers with Team Adam in addition to working private jobs. Beth Daniels is a FBI agent who works missing persons investigations.

In No Good Deed, Lancaster and Daniels work an investigation to find missing women. Lancaster and Daniels have some personal issues with one another, but they have to put their personal lives on the back burner and work together to find the women. The investigation involves gangs and human-trafficking.

The characters are stereotypical, but I still found it an entertaining read. Lancaster is especially annoying since he seems to know everything and be perfect in every way. His only flaw is a medical condition that makes him appear out of shape. Of course, he’s not out of shape, he’s the most fit and toughest guy around.

This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. I do recommend reading the first book, The King Tides to better understand Lancaster and Daniels characters and relationship. Personally, I found this book to be slightly more entertaining than the first one. In both, the actions and events taking place are a bit unbelievable, but they still make for quick and entertaining reads. Action-packed and exciting.

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

Books in the Lancaster & Daniels series:
  1. The King Tides
  2. No Good Deed
  3. Bad News Travels
Book Review

Cold Woods by Karen Katchur [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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

BOOK INFO

Title: Cold Woods

Author: Karen Katchur

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publish Date: August 13, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Northampton County #2

My Rating: 4/5

Cold Woods by Karen Katchur

BOOK BLURB

Buried bones of the past rise to the surface in this chilling mystery from the bestselling author of River Bodies.

When the long-buried bones of a man turn up in the middle of December, Pennsylvania homicide detective Parker Reed knows he’s in for a cold case.

Trisha and her friends were teenagers when Trisha’s stepdad went missing. Now, thirty years later, his remains have been found in the mountains. The women have always known there was more to his disappearance than meets the eye, and they must confront their grim past. Secrets can stay secret a long time in the lonely Appalachian foothills—but not forever.

When Parker and his partner identify the remains, their investigation leads them to Trisha’s childhood home. But the deeper Parker digs into the crime, the more he realizes that the truth isn’t always simple. In fact, it’s so complicated that even Trisha and her friends don’t fully understand what really happened in those cold woods.

Cold Woods by Karen Katchur

MY REVIEW

Detective Parker Reed has a new partner, Geena Brassard, and they are working a cold case. Remains are found on a mountain, and they go back to a missing person case from 30 years earlier. As Parker and Geena investigate, they are led to Trisha and her friends. The remains belong to Trisha’s stepfather, Lester, and it seems he was not an upstanding citizen. Trisha and her friends were teenagers 30 years ago, and Trisha has not kept in contact with them since she left after high school.

Cold Woods is told with two timelines – past and present. The past timeline follows Trisha and her friends, Carlyn and Dannie. Trisha’s stepfather is abusive and she escapes her home life by hanging out with her friends. The three girls live on the same street and have been friends for years. After Lester goes missing, Trisha becomes distant from her friends and leaves town without telling them. The present timeline is when Lester’s remains are found, and Trisha and her friends are brought into the case. Trisha has returned to town to get away from her husband, and to attend the funeral of Dannie’s mother. The girls, now grown women with very different lives, reconnect.

The mystery of what happened 30 years ago is slowly revealed. Since Lester was such an unlikable guy, there are plenty of suspects as to who killed him. It’s a difficult case for the detectives to work. The more they learn about Lester, the less they like him, but it’s also their job to find who killed him. An interesting and complex case.

Cold Woods is the second book in the Northampton County series. This book can be read as a standalone.

A suspenseful mystery. I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series, and look forward to reading more by Karen Katchur. Dark, gripping, and complex.

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

Books in the Northampton County series:
  1. River Bodies
  2. Cold Woods
  3. Spring Girls
Book Review

Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets

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

BOOK INFO

Title: Girls Like Us

Author: Cristina Alger

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Publish Date: July 2, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger

BOOK BLURB

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Banker’s Wife, worlds collide when an FBI agent investigates a string of grisly murders on Long Island that raises the impossible question: What happens when the primary suspect is your father?

FBI Agent Nell Flynn hasn’t been home in ten years. Nell and her father, Homicide Detective Martin Flynn, have never had much of a relationship. And Suffolk County will always be awash in memories of her mother, Marisol, who was murdered when Nell was just seven.

When Martin Flynn dies in a motorcycle accident, Nell returns to the house she grew up in so that she can spread her father’s ashes and close his estate. At the behest of her father’s partner, Detective Lee Davis, Nell becomes involved in an investigation into the murders of two young women in Suffolk County. The further Nell digs, the more likely it seems to her that her father should be the prime suspect–and that his friends on the police force are covering his tracks. Plagued by doubts about her mother’s murder–and her own role in exonerating her father in that case–Nell can’t help but ask questions about who killed Ria Ruiz and Adriana Marques and why. But she may not like the answers she finds–not just about those she loves, but about herself.

Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger

MY REVIEW

FBI Agent Nell Flynn returns to her hometown after her father’s death. The two of them had a strained relationship, ever since her mother’s murder years earlier. Her father was a homicide detective, and Nell gets involved with a case he was working at the time of his death.

An intriguing mystery featuring a trustworthy female protagonist. Nell is smart, courageous, and independent. She also has a vulnerable side under her tough exterior. When she returns to her hometown, she starts to doubt things about her father. To understand her father and what was happening in his life, she gets involved with a local case of two murdered girls. The case is much more complex than she anticipated.

Interesting characters in a fast-paced mystery. Great for fans of crime fiction with a strong female lead. Also, I enjoyed that this was a standalone novel. It seems so many police procedurals fall into series. Addictive, intense, and suspenseful.

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

Books by Christina Alger:
  1. The Banker’s Wife
  2. Girls Like Us
Book Review

The Dare by Carol Wyer [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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 Dare

Author: Carol Wyer

Publisher: Bookouture

Publish Date: April 25, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Detective Natalie Ward #3

My Rating: 4/5

The Dare by Carol Wyer

BOOK BLURB

Jane’s daughter is a good girl. But what is she hiding?

When thirteen-year-old Savannah Hopkins doesn’t come straight home from school as she always does, her mother Jane immediately raises the alarm. With her blonde ponytail and red school jumper, someone must have spotted Savannah.

Detective Natalie Ward is determined to help the distraught mother – her own daughter is the same age as Savannah. But before Natalie and her team can get started, their worst fears are confirmed when the teenager’s broken body is found in nearby shrubland.

Evidence points towards a local recluse, but just as Natalie closes the net around him, one of Savannah’s friends, Harriet, is reported missing. Harriet might look grown up and sophisticated but she is only fourteen…

As Natalie delves into the lives of both girls, she soon discovers a sinister video on both their phones, daring the girls to disappear from their families for 48 hours. She’s sure this is the key to the case, but before she can act, Harriet’s body is found discarded on a roadside.

Natalie’s superiors don’t have to put any extra pressure on Natalie. Devastated, she and her team work without sleep, watching that video over and over. But just as she thinks they’re getting close, the person Natalie loves more than anything goes missing.

Natalie is no stranger to loss. She is terrified and the clock is ticking. Can she push through her fear to catch this depraved killer, before her loved one becomes the next victim?

The Dare by Carol Wyer

MY REVIEW

The Dare is the third book in the Detective Natalie Ward series by Carol Wyer. In The Dare, Natalie and her team investigate a case involving missing girls. The police work to find the first missing girl, and soon learn they are too late to save her. Another girl goes missing, and the race is on to find who is behind the terrible crimes.

This is a crime mystery series, but it interweaves some of the investigators personal stories. In this book, Natalie’s marriage is strained and she feels disconnected from her two teen children. Since Natalie has a young teen daughter, she feels more of a personal connection to this case. The mystery is good, and the addition of more personal details makes Natalie a stronger character.

A great series for fans of police procedurals. The Dare is a good book in this series, though I did enjoy the first two books a little more than this one. This is a series I look forward to reading, and I can’t wait for the next book. A complex and gripping page-turner.

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

Books in the Detective Natalie Ward series:
  1. The Birthday
  2. Last Lullaby
  3. The Dare
  4. The Sleepover
  5. The Blossom Twins
  6. The Secret Admirer
  7. Somebody’s Daughter
Book Review

Catch Your Death by Kierney Scott [Book Review]

Posted on by Darinda
Book Review

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

BOOK INFO

Title: Catch Your Death

Author: Kierney Scott

Publisher: Bookouture

Publish Date: April 15, 2019

Genre: Crime & Detective

Series: Detective Jess Bishop #3

My Rating: 4/5

Catch Your Death by Kierney Scott

BOOK BLURB

The scene played over and over in his mind. He only had one choice left. He had to die.

Behind the high and imposing gates of a prestigious college, five students have taken their lives. All of them friends, all of them good kids, all of them dead within months of each other. When FBI Agent Jess Bishop is called in to investigate, what she discovers will make her just as vulnerable as the students she’s trying to protect.

As Jess begins to unravel the secrets behind the deaths, she uncovers something much more sinister at the school and she is determined to find out who is at the centre of it.

Though her team think they’re closing in on the ringleader, Jess becomes convinced they’re going after the wrong person, forcing her to investigate on her own. Desperate to stop any more deaths, she risks everything by putting herself in the firing line. But just how far would she go to save the lives of those around her?

Catch Your Death by Kierney Scott

MY REVIEW

Catch Your Death is the third book in the Detective Jess Bishop series by Kierney Scott. In this latest book, FBI Agent Jess Bishop investigates a series of apparent suicides at a prestigious boarding school.

While the case Jess investigates is a standalone story, I recommend reading the previous books in the series to better understand the backstory of Jess and the other characters. Jess is a troubled FBI agent with a past she would rather others not know about. She is smart, independent, headstrong, and good a solving difficult cases.

In this book, Jess ends up investigating a series of deaths that have a connection to a coworker. While Jess is the main character, there are other interesting characters on her investigative team. Each of the characters has a distinct personality. I’ve read the previous two books, and find with each book that the characters become better developed. I would like to learn more about some of them, and as the series continues, I expect for this to happen.

An action-packed mystery. Good for fans of crime thrillers. Suspenseful, intriguing, and complex.

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

Books in the Detective Jess Bishop series:

  1. Forget Me Not
  2. Cross Your Heart
  3. Catch Your Death