Rage by Linda Castillo

 Rage

Book Summary

In this gripping installment of the Edgar Award winning series, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates a brutal double murder that takes her into the dark underbelly of society and exposes the dangers of Amish lives gone wrong.

Summer has arrived with a vengeance in Painters Mill, and a macabre discovery by three Amish children brings the quiet to a grinding halt. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder arrives on scene to find the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Yutzy, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. What twisted individual murdered him in such a sadistic way?

The investigation has barely begun when, miles away, a second body is found, stuffed into a barrel and dumped in a ravine. The deceased is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel Yutzy’s best friend. What could these two young Amish men have been involved in that led to such violent ends?

With a heat wave bearing down, Kate learns quickly that, for reasons she doesn’t understand, no one is willing to talk about what happened to the men. Just as she begins to fear the case may be hopeless, a mystery woman comes forward and reveals that fun-loving Aaron and Samuel had recently befriended some very unsavory characters—individuals who may have ties to a larger, more sinister, black market.

To solve the case, Kate must delve into the most sordid corners of her community, but when she gets too close, the killers target Kate herself. Will the secrets simmering beneath the surface of Painters Mill take another life before she can expose the truth? Or will Kate be the final victim?

My Thoughts

Rage by Linda Castillo takes us back to Painter’s Mill, Ohio where Kate Burkholder has an appalling murder case on her hands.  Rage is the seventeenth A Kate Burkholder Novel.  While Rage can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order.  It will allow you to get to know Kate and her backstory.  I thought Rage was well-written with developed characters.  The story has action, mystery, police procedures, suspense, and more.  Kate and her team along with John Tomasetti (Kate’s husband and an agent with BCI), Sheriff Rasmussen, and other law enforcement officers are working to unravel this case.  I could not believe the violence (it was described in detail).  

Kate finds herself in danger more than once (proving what a strong and courageous woman she is).  The mystery is complex with twists, turns, and shocking secrets.  I like the relationship between Kate and Tomasetti (they are perfect for each other).  The author’s descriptive writing transported me to Painter’s Mill where it was hot (I would not want to wear one of those Tyvek suits in that heat).  I found myself staying up late to finish the book (and my mother still yells at me to close my book and go to sleep). In addition to the violence, the story also contains foul language.  Rage is a twisty story with gripping suspense, gritty tableaus, police procedures, astonished Amish, a resilient leader, a supportive spouse, amazing action, and an exciting conclusion.

Rage is available from Amazon* as well as othe rmajor booksellers.  You can find the other A Kate Burkholder Novels here.  If you follow Linda Castillo on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on Tuesday, July 15 with Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo

 An Evil Heart

Book Summary

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the brutal death of a young Amish man in An Evil Heart, the latest installment of the bestselling series by Linda Castillo.

On a crisp autumn day in Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call only to discover an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, his body abandoned on a dirt road. Aden Karn was just twenty years old, well liked, and from an upstanding Amish family. Who would commit such a heinous crime against a young man whose life was just beginning?

The more Kate gets to know his devastated family and the people—both English and Amish—who loved him, the more determined she becomes to solve the case. Aden Karn was funny and hardworking and looking forward to marrying his sweet fiancé, Emily. All the while, Kate’s own wedding day to Tomasetti draws near...

But as she delves into Karn’s past, Kate begins to hear whispers about a dark side. What if Aden Karn wasn’t the wholesome young man everyone admired? Is it possible the rumors are a cruel campaign to blame the victim? Kate pursues every lead with a vengeance, sensing an unspeakable secret no one will broach.

The case spirals out of control when a young Amish woman comes forward with a horrific story that pits Kate against a dangerous and unexpected opponent. When the awful truth is finally uncovered, Kate comes face to face with the terrible consequences of a life lived in all the dark places.

My Thoughts

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo takes us back to Painter’s Mill, Ohio days before the wedding of Kate Burkholder and her fiancé, John Tomasetti.  An Evil Heart is the fifteenth A Kate Burkholder Novel.  While it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading the series in order.  It allows readers to get to know Kate and see how her relationship with John came about.  Each book in the series builds upon the previous one. I thought An Evil Heart was well-written with realistic, developed characters.  Kate Burkholder is a strong, smart woman.  Her background (being raised Amish but she is now Englisch) helps her when it comes to cases she handles.  John Tomasetti works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  He is a good partner for Kate.  He understands her long hours and her devotion to her job.  The pair work well together when John joins Kate on a case.   

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder’s latest case is a gruesome one.  Amishman Aden Karn was killed on his way to meet his ride to work.  Kate delves into the case.  Kate questions Karn’s family, friends, girlfriend, roommate, and coworkers.  She wants to get to know the victim and discover what could have led to the victim’s demise.  Kate works to piece together the clues and then narrows in on the guilty party.  Kate is methodical in her investigation.  She is a hard worker.  Kate has a good team to assist her.  The mystery can be solved early in the story.  The why takes longer to uncover.  The reveal scene was action packed and full of suspense which had me quickly flipping the pages.  There are graphic details that could disturb some readers and trigger others.  The story also contains foul language.  Kate and John’s wedding day is special.  

The planning is emotional for Kate.  She grew up Amish and dreamed of an Amish wedding.  But now she is English.  Kate wants to find a way to merge the two cultures.  Kate is also working on her relationship with her family.  The wedding can, hopefully, bring the Burkholder clan closer.   The author beautifully blends the whodunit and Kate’s life into one engaging story.  I especially enjoyed the ending.  An Evil Heart is a suspenseful story with a macabre murder, wedding worries, dubious acquaintances, an unusual weapon, a curious clue, and a cruel killer.  

An Evil Heart is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Kate Burkholder Novels here.  If you follow Linda Castillo on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert.  It is the first A Hunter and Clewe Mystery.  On July 17, Pine Creek Matchmaker by Amity Hope comes out.  It is the third Pine Creek Amish series. I hope that you have an energizing day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Deadly Fate by Angela Marsons

 Deadly Fate

Book Summary

The woman’s bright blonde hair floats in the breeze. She almost looks like she could be resting on the soft green grass. But her brown eyes stare unblinking up at the sky, and the final cut across her mouth is dark with blood. Her words silenced forever…

Late one evening, as the final church bell rings out, Sandra Deakin’s cold and lifeless body is found in the overgrown graveyard with multiple stab wounds. When Detective Kim Stone rushes to the scene, the violence of the attack convinces her that this murder was deeply personal. What could have caused such hate?

As the team dig into Sandra’s life, they discover she believed she could communicate with the dead. Was that why she was targeted? The last people to see her alive were a group of women who had a session with her the night before she was killed, and as Kim and her team pay them a visit, they soon learn each of the women is lying about why they wanted Sandra’s help…

Kim realizes she must dig deep and open her mind to every avenue if she’s going to stand a chance at solving this case. And when she learns that Sandra was banned from the church grounds and had been receiving death threats too, she’s ever more certain that Sandra’s gifts are at the heart of everything.

But just when she thinks she’s found a lead, the broken body of a nineteen-year-old boy is found outside a call centre – a single slash across his mouth just like Sandra’s. Kim knows they are now racing against time to understand what triggered these attacks, and to stop a twisted killer.

But they might be too late. Just as Kim sits down at a local psychic show she discovers something that makes her blood run cold. Both Sandra and the call center were named in an article about frauds. And this show stars the next name on the list. She looks around the audience with a feeling of utter dread, certain the killer is among them…

Totally addictive with a final twist that will leave you shouting out loud, you’ll want to inhale Deadly Fate in one sitting. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid and Robert Dugoni will love the new crime thriller from the number one multi-million-copy bestselling author Angela Marsons.

My Thoughts

Deadly Fate by Angela Marsons is a complex novel.  I always look forward to reading this author’s twisty novels.  There is plenty going on in Deadly Fate.  Someone is committing gruesome killings, there is a John Doe whom Kim would like identified, and a stalker who takes a fancy to a member of Kim’s team.  The murders have the team delving into the world of psychics.  Kim even brings in a consultant so they can understand how psychics work.  It was fascinating getting a look “behind the curtain” at see how psychics operate.   The story grabs you right from the beginning.  There is plenty of tension and suspense as Kim, Bryant, Stacey, and Penn work to catch the killer.  Tink is back to help the team.  She is such a sweet woman. Barney makes a couple of appearances as well.  I was able to solve the main mystery before the solution was revealed.  I had fun following the team as they interviewed suspects and searched for clues. There is a good twist that many readers will not expect. Kim has Penn working to identify a John Doe that Keats brought to her attention.  Kim does not like unidentified bodies, which is a fact Keats knows.   

Stacey finds herself in a dangerous situation.  Stacey is at the forefront of this book.  I was surprised at how Stacey handled the situation.  The author did something unusual at the end.  She left Deadly Fate with a cliffhanger.  It is going to be a long wait for the next book.   I like how Kim and her team work together.  You can tell that they have worked together for a while.  They know each other’s quirks, strengths, and weaknesses.  I like the scene between Kim and Tink at the end.  Deadly Fate is the eighteenth DI Kim Stone novel.  It can be read as a standalone, but you will be missing the backstory on Kim and her team.  It helps to know Kim’s history.  I do want to warn readers that Deadly Fate contains graphic violence (the killer was brutal) and foul language.  There is some repetition of details as well.  I enjoyed reading Deadly Fate, though, I was disappointed with the ending.   Deadly Fate is a tense tale with macabre murders, a serious stalker, psychic predictions, a John Doe dilemma, a call center killing, and a determined detective. 

Deadly Fate is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other DI Kim Stone novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I wanted to let you know how my week of painting went.  Well, it didn't.  First, I managed to sprain something (muscle) in my shoulder by getting the stepladder out of the shed.  Second, I managed to break a toe or two.  I did not see the box in my path and my toes jammed right into it.  To make matters worse, I did not move the box right away (because of the pain).  I then hit it again a couple of hours later causing further damage.  Needless to say, the painting did not get done.  I will try again in June (I have moved the box so I will not injure my toes again).  I will return on Tuesday, June 6 with Amish Wilderness Survival by Mary Alford.  I hope you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Six Graves by Angela Marsons

 Six Graves

Book Summary

It’s a typical teenage bedroom with posters covering the walls and clothes littering the floor. But the girl lying on her bed, wearing a delicate chain around her neck, is lifeless. A circle of red stains her white vest top. How had the girl’s mother looked down at her sleeping child and pulled the trigger?

When Detective Kim Stone rushes to the scene of a house fire, she’s shocked to discover it’s claimed the lives of two teenage children and their parents. But this tragedy is not quite as it seems. Each body is marked by a gunshot wound and the mother, Helen Daynes, is holding the gun.

The case sparks painful childhood memories for Kim who suffered at the hands of her own abusive mother, but it just makes her more determined to uncover the truth. As Kim untangles Helen’s past, she finds a history of clinical depression. But did it drive Helen to murder her loved ones?

Then Kim uncovers a tiny, vital clue in Helen’s bedroom that throws the investigation wide open. Could someone else have killed the Daynes family?

Just as Kim feels she’s making progress, a deadly threat is made to her own life by a dangerous psychopath from her past. Biting back her fear, she keeps digging. And when Kim hits upon a shocking secret that changes everything she thought she knew about Helen, she realizes that the remaining family members are in grave danger.

Kim is under pressure like never before, and the monster circling her is getting ever closer. Four bodies already. Four graves fresh in the ground. Who will be next? Can Kim find the killer and save herself before it’s too late?

My Thoughts

Six Graves by Angela Marsons is the sixteenth book in the D.I. Kim Stone series.  While you can read Six Graves as a standalone, I believe it is best to read this series in order.  It will allow you to get to know the characters, their backstories, and their relationships.  This series contains realistic, complex characters.  Detective Inspector Kim Stone has had a rough life.  She does not let people get close to her.  Her best friend is her dog, Barney.  Kim may be rough around the edges, but she cares for her team.  She is also dedicated to her job.  Of course, this dedication has led to an escaped killer (Symes) trying to get ahold of her and end her.  Six Graves is well-written with fast pacing.  I like that the chapters are short.  There are chapters from the killer’s point-of-view.  He is a nasty piece of work.  While trying to avoid the killer, Kim and her team are busy with a new case.  In order to keep working, Kim’s boss insists that she have a bodyguard and it is the last person Kim would like to follow her every move.  I had to laugh at some of the lines between Kim and Leanne.  Those two are so much alike (probably why they do not get along).  The mystery is well-plotted and complex.  I was surprised that I was able to solve this one (I loved the challenge).  Angela Marsons gives us multifaceted mysteries that are challenging, dark, and twisty.  Be prepared to stay up late to finish this suspenseful tale.  I do want to warn readers that there is detailed violence and foul language.  Six Graves is full of twists that will have you quickly turning the pages to discover how it ends.  I cannot wait for the next book in this gripping series.  Six Graves is a twisty tale with an escaped slayer, unsolicited shadow, a troublesome team dynamic, a curious crime, and one determined detective.

Six Graves is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other fifteen A Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller novels here.  If you follow Angela Marsons on Amazon, you will receive an email when she publishes a new book.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am featuring When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer.  It is the first Timeless Book.  It is a timeslip historical romance.  I am off to take my mother to the eye doctor.  She managed to break another pair of glasses (I have lost track of how many she has broken in the last year and a half).  She needs a new prescription (she is having trouble discerning colors).  I am going to see if they have stainless steel frames (titanium might be better).  She falls asleep in them.  You never know where they will end up by morning (the floor, under her, or in another room).  I wonder if a location beacon could be put on them.  I hope that you have a relaxing day.  We all need time away from stress.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Fallen by Linda Castillo

 Fallen

Book Summary

In New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo’s new thriller Fallen, a rebellious Amish woman leaves the Plain life, but the secrets she takes with her will lead Chief of Police Kate Burkholder down a dark path to danger and death.

When a young woman is found murdered in a Painters Mill motel, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is shocked to discover she once knew the victim. Rachael Schwartz was a charming but troubled Amish girl who left the fold years ago and fled Painters Mill. Why was she back in town? And who would kill her so brutally?

Kate remembers Rachael as the only girl who was as bad at being Amish as Kate was—and those parallels dog her. But the more Kate learns about Rachael's life, the more she's convinced that her dubious reputation was deserved. As a child, Rachael was a rowdy rulebreaker whose decision to leave devastated her parents and best friend. As an adult, she was charismatic and beautiful, a rabble-rouser with a keen eye for opportunity no matter who got in her way. Her no-holds-barred lifestyle earned her a lot of love and enemies aplenty—both English and Amish.

As the case heats to a fever pitch and long-buried secrets resurface, a killer haunts Painters Mill. Someone doesn’t want Rachael’s past—or the mysteries she took with her to the grave—coming to light. As Kate digs deeper, violence strikes again, this time hitting close to home. Will Kate uncover the truth and bring a murderer to justice? Or will a killer bent on protecting a terrible past stop her once and for all—and let the fallen be forgotten?

My Thoughts

Fallen by Linda Castillo starts off with a bang courtesy of a horrific, bloody murder.  Even seasoned Police Chief Kate Burkholder has a hard time with the crime scene at the local motel.  The victim turns out to be Rachael Schwartz whom Kate babysat as a child.  Rachael left the community and became Englisch when she was seventeen.   Rachael is the type of person who did not pull any punches.  She pulled pranks, got into mischief, and managed to annoy most of the people she encountered.  Rachael still did not deserve to die in that manner.  Kate with help from John Tomasetti sets out to find Rachael’s killer.  The characters in this series are complex, developed, and realistic.  I especially enjoy Kate and John’s relationship.  They are cute together and John understands Kate.  I like the mix of Englisch and Amish.  The mystery was well-done.  It was well-plotted and a delight to solve.  I enjoyed following Kate as she followed the clues, questioned suspects, and consulted with Tomasetti.  There are subtle clues that can aid readers in identifying the guilty party.   I did find the amount of violence (this one was a little extreme) and foul language to be a turn off (not enough to stop reading though).  Fallen is the thirteenth A Kate Burkholder Novel.  For those who are new to this series, Fallen can be read as a standalone.  Personally, I have found it beneficial to read the series in order.  Fallen is a complex whodunit with a motel murder, a rowdy rulebreaker, disappointed parents, severe violence, a cruel killer, and a committed chief of police.  

Fallen publishes Tuesday, July 6 and can be obtained from Amazon*.  The other A Kate Burkholder Novels can be found here.  Follow Linda Castillo on Amazon to get updates on her latest releases.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am featuring Danielle Steel's latest release Nine Lives.  I hope that all of you have a carefree day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Twisted Lies by Angela Marsons

 Twisted Lies 

Book Summary 

Twisted Lies by Angela Marsons has DI Kim Stone enduring a ride along with reporter Tracy Frost when she gets a phone call from Keats.  Bryant and Kim are shocked at what they see at the crime scene.  They break the news to the victim’s family, but Kim can sense something is off about the wife and her sister.  When Kim returns to question the victim’s wife again, she finds the family has disappeared.  Kim has her team begin digging into the family.  Before they can turn up information, another victim turns up in an equally gruesome manner.  The team works to find a connection between the two victims.  Kim has more questions than answers.  Before long, though, another victim is uncovered.  Kim and her team need to work quickly to locate the killer before he strikes again.  

My Thoughts 

Twisted Lies by Angela Marsons is the 14^th DI Kim Stone Crime Thriller.  Twisted Lies can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading this series in order.  It allows you to get to the know the characters and see how they have developed since Silent Scream.  Twisted Lies, like the other novels in the series, is well-written with complex characters.  The author captured the setting of Halesowen, West Midlands, England.  Kim is happy with her unit and dislikes change.  Unfortunately, her boss is pressuring her to talk with Stacey.  Stacey has come a long way and it is time for her consider taking the test to become a sergeant.  Stacey has mixed feelings about the news (as does Kim).  The author has come up with a unique crime this time.  Each crime scene is more gruesome than the one before (fair warning).  There are twists and turns that will keep readers guessing.  Just when you think you have it all figured out, the author surprises you with a new detail.  I loved it.  In addition to the main crime, a previous case is going to trial again.  After getting a mistrial, the accused has hired a PR firm to make him look like a saint.  Kim doubts they will get a conviction.  Tracy Frost, a reporter and Kim’s foe, is on a ride along with her and Bryant.  Kim takes Tracy to visit the victim’s family.  It inspires Tracy to write a series of articles that allows people to see things from a different perspective.  Tracy has hit a nerve which endangers her life.  I enjoyed the interactions between Kim and Tracy.  They added humor to the story along with Kim’s discussions with Barney.  It also allows reader to see how much Kim has changed since the beginning of the series.  We also get to see another side of Tracy Frost.  Twisted Lies is a fascinating police procedural that will have you riveted until the very last page.  The ending will have you itching to get your hands on the next DI Kim Stone novel.  I do want readers to know that there is foul language (too much of it) as well as detailed macabre crime scenes.  Twisted Lies is a fascinating and twisty tale with an energetic reporter, a canny canine, horrifying homicides, surprising secrets, a crafty killer, and a determined detective.  

Twisted Lies is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other books in the DI Kim Stone Crime Thriller series here.   You do not want to miss any of the books in this suspenseful series.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Stage Fright by Kate Lloyd.   I hope that you have a thrilling day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor

Good Day!  I hope this day finds you well.  Have you wanted to join Audible, but found the fee a little high for your pocketbook?  Right now you can join Audible for 46% off the first 4 months.  You can cancel after the four months (you have the right to cancel at any time).  I like to listen to audiobooks while driving (they help me to concentrate), so I rejoined so I could get some new listening material.  Click here to join Audible.

Glenmalure, Wicklow

The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor has Maggie D’arcy getting a late night call from her uncle, Danny Flaherty on May 24, 2016.  Detective Inspector Roland Byrne with Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin has called.  Twenty-three years ago, Danny’s daughter, Erin disappeared in Dublin.  Maggie went over in 1993 to help with the investigation.  The only clue that was uncovered was Erin’s claddagh necklace found on a trail in Glenmalure.  DI Byrne states that another woman has been taken and, while searching for her, they found Erin’s butterfly scarf.  Danny asks Maggie if she will once again head to Ireland to aid in the investigation.  Her first experience led Maggie to become a police officer, and she is currently a detective with the local homicide division.  Maggie heads to Dublin determined to get the answers they have been seeking.  

Wicklow Way

The Mountains Wild is a police procedural novel featuring Maggie D’arcy.  Erin Flaherty, Maggie’s cousin, disappeared from Ireland twenty-three years ago in 1993.  The only thing that was found was her silver claddagh necklace where Erin had been walking that day.  Maggie’s uncle, Daniel Flaherty gets a call that the scarf Erin had been wearing was found with blood on it.  Maggie heads to Dublin determined to get the answers they have been seeking.  The Mountains Wild turned out to be different from what I expected after reading the blurb.  It turns out that several women have gone missing over the years with the latest being Niamh Horrigan.  While the police were searching for Niamh, they found Erin’s bloody scarf.  I can tell from the author’s writing and descriptions that she loves Ireland.  Her word imagery brings Dublin and the surrounding to life.  She weaves in Ireland’s history, literature, language, and politics into the story.  Maggie D’arcy is a good detective and she has solved several high profile cases.  Looking into Erin’s disappearance in 1993 led Maggie to become a police officer.  Maggie is now a lieutenant leading a team in the homicide division.  The story is told from Maggie’s point-of-view.  We are taken back to 1993 to see how the initial case played out.  As Maggie investigates in 2016, we get a glimpse of Erin and Maggie’s growing up years.  I found the pacing to be slow with just a slight uptick near the end.  The mystery was convoluted with a “twist” near the end.  I found the investigation to be tedious.  It was long and drawn out.  It lacked excitement and suspense.  Whether you find the twist surprising, depends on how many mysteries you have read.  I felt that over a hundred pages could have easily been edited from this book.  I did like DI Roland Byrne and Griz.  They were great characters.  There is repetition of information and too many characters.  A pronunciation guide would have come in handy for the Irish names.  Maggie’s romance felt out of place considering what was happening.  I also did not feel there was chemistry between Maggie and her love interest.  The Mountains Wild was just not a good fit for me.  I suggest you obtain a sample to see if it is your type of mystery.  The Mountains Wild is a whodunit with a curious cousin, exiguous evidence, a distraught dad, and a rare romance.

Irish Pub

The Mountains Wild is available from Amazon*.  Sarah Stewart Taylor has also written the Sweeney St. George Mysteries.  I appreciate you reading my review today.  If the premise for The Mountains Wild appeals to you, I suggest reading a sample of the book.  We all view books differently.  While one appeals to me, it may not suit you and vice versa.  Tomorrow I am featuring Texas Twin Abduction by Virginia Vaughan.  It is the first novel in Cowboy Lawmen series from Love Inspired Suspense.  There is also a giveaway!  I hope you have a lovely day.  Take care of yourself, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Buried by Lynda La Plante

Good Day!  I hope all of you are surviving your enforced time at home.  There are so many resources available online for those who have children to homeschool.  I wish these resources had been available when I homeschooled my daughter.  You can take virtual trips of museums, download books and audiobooks for free (go to Audible), study guide are available from different publishers and so much more.  Let your fingers do the walking on Bing where you can earn points to purchase gift cards (5500 points gets you a $5 Amazon gift card). You can use those gift cards to purchase some reading material for yourself. Anchored Inn by Karen MacInerney is the 10th A Gray Whale Inn Mystery and is now out.  Daybreak by Vannetta Chapman is the third novel in the Cyber Division series.  It releases on April 6. 

Buried by Lynda La Plante has DC Jack Warr and his partner, Maggie have moved to London from Devon.  Jack has been assigned to the Serious Crime Squad under DCI Simon Ridley.  Jack has yet to find his niche in the police force.  Jack should have been a detective inspector by now.  He has the skills, but Jack lacks ambition.  Then comes along a case that excites him.  Rose Cottage in Aylesbury was set on fire.  Inside they found a body along with over a million pounds of burnt bank notes stolen from a train in 1995.  The robbers were never caught, and this is the first break they have had in the case.  Jack soon finds himself drawn into the criminal underworld searching for the robbers and the killer.  It seems that Jack has found his forte.  Jack needs to be careful because he could find himself breaking a few rules in his search for the truth.  

Buried by Lynda La Plante is the debut novel of DC Jack Warr series.  This is the author’s first new series in five years and Lynda La Plante is currently working on the script for Buried.  I found Buried to be well-written with complex characters and an intriguing crime.  DC Jack Warr and his partner, Maggie have moved to London.  The made the move because Maggie will have more opportunities in London to further her career as an orthopedic surgeon.  Jack’s career has been stagnant thanks to his lack of ambition and he has not found an area of police work that excites him.  DCI Simon Ridley decides to give Jack a chance and gives him a place in his Serious Crime Squad.  Then a case from Aylesbury is brought to the unit’s attention and Jack cannot wait to dive into the investigation.  When investigators were able to enter the remains of Rose Cottage, they found a body along with over a million pounds in burnt currency that is now obsolete.  The money was from the 1995 robbery of a train where over 30 million pounds were stolen.  Police never identified the robbers nor had any solid leads.  Jack is quick to dive into the case which takes him into the murky criminal world where a person can quickly find themselves breaking a few rules while searching for answers.  Jack is also dealing with the death of his adopted father who provides him with a file of information that will help him find information on his biological father.  Jack begins digging into the past and uncovers some surprising information.  I found the case to be interesting, though, I was disappointed that the answers are revealed as the book progresses instead of at the end.  One of the reasons I like to read mysteries is because I like solving the case.  The story plays out with flashbacks into the past revealing key details of the crime and about Jack.  Buried is a police procedural story involving the Serious Crime Squad which consists of DCI Ridley, DS Laura Wade, DC Anik Joshi, and DC Jack Warr.   There is intrigue, tricky characters, gangs, stolen money and much more.  It is a multifaceted novel with everything tying together into a cohesive whole.  The ending was unresolved (cliffhanger).  I wonder if the case will continue in the next DC Jack Warr novel.  I did like the epilogue.  I was confused, though, at times and felt I was missing something.   I did not know that this series ties into the Widows series by this author.  I believe it would have been beneficial if I had read Widows, Widow’s Revenge and She’s Out.  I do want you to know that there is foul language and  intimate innuendos (and comments) in this book.  Buried is a fascinating mystery with a flaming fire, police procedures, a by-the-book boss, clever criminals, and a conflicted character.  

Buried will be out on April 7 and it is available from Amazon* (as well as other major retailers like Waterstone's, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo).  The Widows series consists of Widows, Widow's Revenge, and She's Out. You can find other novels by Lynda La Plante here.  I appreciate you reading my review today.  Tomorrow I am featuring The Spitfire Girl:  Over & Out by Fenella J. Miller.  It is the fourth novel in The Spitfire Girl series.  I hope you have a creative day.  We all need a creative outlet (gardening, baking, card making, interior design, etc.).  Here is a little book humor:  Friend--How long does it take you to fall in love?  Me--Oh, a couple of chapters usually.  Take care, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Ten Days Gone by Beverly Long

Welcome!  Egg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien along with Murder Makes Scents by Christen Brecher releases on February 25.  The Crow's Call by Wanda E. Brunstetter publishes on March 1.  It is the first novel in Amish Greenhouse Mystery series.  The Sisters Grimm by Menna van Praag comes out 31.  I cannot wait to read this book.  Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn McKinlay is the 12th A Cupcake Bakery Mystery and it releases on  April 28.  Will you be adding any of these books to your TBR pile?

Ten Days Gone by Beverly Long has Detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan searching for a serial killer in Baywood, Wisconsin.  There have been four women killed in forty days.  Each kill was ten days apart.  They now have ten days to identify the killer before another woman is murdered.  Unfortunately, there is very little evidence at the crime scenes, and they cannot find a connection between the victims.  The pair finally get a break in the case and know the identity of the next target.  Tess Lyons was severely injured, and she is suffering from depression.  They need Tess to work with them if they are to stop this killer.   A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan come up with a plan to keep Tess safe and end the killer’s spree.

Ten Days Gone by Beverly Long is the first An A.L. McKittridge Novel.  Ten Days Gone is a police procedural mystery set in Baywood, Wisconsin.  We follow Detective A.L. McKittridge (we do not get to find out what A.L. stands for) and Detective Rena Morgan as they search for a deadly killer.  Four women have been murdered in forty days.  They were murdered ten days apart with them just discovering the latest victim.  Our duo has ten days to find the killer before he strikes again.  The killer is smart enough to leave to no forensics.  They cannot find a connection between the four women.  The detectives work on questioning the latest victims’ husband, co-workers and friends to see if they can find any connection to the other three victims.  The point-of-view switches between McKittridge and Morgan.  McKittridge is divorced with a sixteen year old daughter who is acting out (dating a man who is over twenty-one) and skipping school to drink alcohol.  Rena Morgan is wed, and they have been trying to conceive for years unsuccessfully.  It is taking its toll on their marriage.  Rena is worried that her husband is cheating on her. The detectives’ personal lives are woven in with the investigation.  I thought the detective’s lives are realistic.  They work hard which affects their personal lives which are complicated (just like real people).  The mystery was representative of a real police case.  Television makes police work look exciting, but, in real life, it is tedious.  They must ask questions, follow up leads, fill out paperwork and deal with bureaucracy (like a new pompous chief).  Identifying the guilty party was effortless.  There is suspense and tension especially as they were getting close to their prey.  There were some areas of the book that lagged, and I was put off by the amount of foul language (I do not understand why people feel they need to use such offensive words).   Ten Days Gone will appeal to readers who enjoy suspenseful police procedural mysteries.  Ten Days Gone has a mysterious murderer, a conceited chief, disconsolate target, and two determined detectives.

To get a sample of Ten Days Gone or find out more about the book, click here*.  The next An A.L. McKittridge Novel is No One Saw which releases on June 30, 2020.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Witness Protection Widow by Debra Webb.  It is the fifth A Winchester, Tennessee Thriller.  I hope you have a satisfying day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.