I was excited about the promise of a domestic thriller, but was a bit let down because the book description was misleading. The Liddells don’t experieI was excited about the promise of a domestic thriller, but was a bit let down because the book description was misleading. The Liddells don’t experience “deadly accidents.” Rather, someone is obviously trying to scare the crap out of them.
So let’s talk about the Liddells, Nathan, Eve, and their daughter Rosewyn. Though they haven’t been married long, they are already in the matrimonial doldrums. In my opinion, it’s because Eve is closed-off, cold, entitled, and she is always exhausted. She can’t function with both a job and a family, and she’s resentful of Nathan because she’s overwhelmed by her domestic situation. Nathan is a nice guy who has to deal with a wife who prioritizes her career as a psychiatrist over her family. Yeah, Eve is not the most pleasant character.
The most intriguing aspect of the story was Detective Rita’s investigation into the strange things happening to Nathan and Eve. However, the dialogue was wooden and clunky, which became even more glaring towards the end when the villain monologued for two chapters. If Eve had been a more three-dimensional emotional character, I would have enjoyed this more. It had potential, but it wasn’t a gripping, nail-biting mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
When Detective Jena Campbell uncovered evidence that convicted the Leviticus killer 5 years ago, she was a local hero. Now a man calling himself AzraeWhen Detective Jena Campbell uncovered evidence that convicted the Leviticus killer 5 years ago, she was a local hero. Now a man calling himself Azrael has kidnapped the governor’s son Jack and is systematically killing jurors from the Leviticus trial until the governor pardons him and sets him free. Both killers are inspired by the bible, Leviticus seeking justice through stoning sexual predators, and Azrael unleashing plagues on his victims. Jena and her fellow police officers are in over their heads.
I liked the religious zealotry aspect of the plot, but not the technological twist of using virtual reality to kill people. I also enjoyed the multi-media storytelling. Non only do we have Jena’s first person narrative and Jack’s third person account, but they are interspersed with police reports, investigation notes, lawyer’s observations, newspaper articles, and other devices that lent depth to the story. Overall, I thought it was a bit over-the-top as far as the scope of the crimes, the supervillainy, and the incompetence of Jena and her team.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher....more
Hotel magnate Liam Noone is found dead at the bottom of a cliff on his California property. Liam’s son Sam reaches out to his estranged half-sister NoHotel magnate Liam Noone is found dead at the bottom of a cliff on his California property. Liam’s son Sam reaches out to his estranged half-sister Nora about his suspicions about their father’s death. Investigators deemed it an accident, but Sam is sure there was something more sinister at play. The more he and Nora involve themselves in their own investigation, the more they are convinced Liam was pushed.
With three failed marriages in his past, 3 adult children grieving him, and a resort empire bequeathed to his heirs, Liam was an enigma to those who should have known him best. He compartmentalized so many aspects of this life and as much as he loved his family and his business, he also kept the most important aspect of his life separate from everyone. I enjoyed the backstory of Liam’s “secret.” I did not particularly like how Nora’s story was told. Her narrative felt disjointed and I didn’t really feel a connection with her. In the end, it was less of a mystery and more of a family drama that played out without much cohesion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via a Goodreads giveaway. ...more
Whelp, Lena’s in trouble again, and Sara and Jeffrey return to her hometown to figure out why she was at the scene of a horrific murder. Though they aWhelp, Lena’s in trouble again, and Sara and Jeffrey return to her hometown to figure out why she was at the scene of a horrific murder. Though they are outside of Jeffrey’s jurisdiction, he gets involved investigating a meth ring that spans the eastern part of the United States. He should have known better than to cross such violent and ruthless criminals, and it certainly comes back to haunt him, or more specifically, Sara.
I knew Jeffrey’s fate going into this book, but dang… The last few chapters were as brutal and gory as anything I’ve come to expect from Slaughter. I thought the determination to tie the white supremacy drug cartel to Lena’s ex was a bit tedious. Otherwise, I am looking forward to Sara reemerging in the Will Trent series. ...more
When Jeffrey and Sara find a young woman’s body buried in the woods, they have to determine why she was buried alive and killed in such a gruesome fasWhen Jeffrey and Sara find a young woman’s body buried in the woods, they have to determine why she was buried alive and killed in such a gruesome fashion. Their investigation leads them to a group of religious fundamentalists who are obviously hiding something sinister. Between the quasi-cult, the intense standoff, and the satisfying comeuppance in the conclusion, this was another suspenseful and shocking installment in the Grant County series…...more
Unlike other books in the Grant County series that take place over several days during an investigation, Indelible takes place in a single, harrowing Unlike other books in the Grant County series that take place over several days during an investigation, Indelible takes place in a single, harrowing day. The police station is violently attacked by two gunmen and the survivors are taken hostage, including Jeffrey and Sarah. It is eventually revealed why the perpetrators are looking for Jeffrey in the first place, and his past comes back to haunt him.
The chapters alternate between the situation at the police station and the past, when Sara and Jeffrey were first dating. Just a few months into their relationship, Jeffrey took Sara to his hometown, and when he returns, his best friend is arrested for murder. Violence seems to follow the couple wherever they are, and this time, Jeffery’s personal involvement clouds his judgment and makes Sara question his trustworthiness and dependability. Both plots were stressful and suspenseful and I liked that I got Sara and Jeffrey’s backstory. ...more
An alternate title for this book could be “Lena’s Angst,” because she is certainly in full self-destruct mode here. Add to that a string of apparent sAn alternate title for this book could be “Lena’s Angst,” because she is certainly in full self-destruct mode here. Add to that a string of apparent suicides at the local college and a near fatal attack on Sara’s sister Tessa, and it’s a blood-bath in Grant County. It was another exciting installment in the series, but between Lena’s bad behavior, the friction between Sara and Jeffrey, and Tessa’s tragedy, there were some unsavory elements to process. But the last page offered a perfectly satisfying conclusion which was totally redeeming. ...more
I have read several of Slaughter’s standalone books, but at a recent author event, fellow fans convinced me that I had to read her backlist. I am so gI have read several of Slaughter’s standalone books, but at a recent author event, fellow fans convinced me that I had to read her backlist. I am so glad I started at the beginning with the Grant County series! It was as twisted and creepy as I’ve come to expect, and I’m excited to read about Sarah Linton for another 5 books and beyond when she joins forces with Will Trent. I won’t get into the plot too much here, but be prepared for unfathomable violence and violation. Because Slaughter. Yep, these are the kinds of books you just have to set down and be like What The Eff Karin?!?!...more
As much as I fantasized about being a witch as a kid, I’ve realized that witch books are not my jam. I liked the concept: bane witches can consume vasAs much as I fantasized about being a witch as a kid, I’ve realized that witch books are not my jam. I liked the concept: bane witches can consume vast amounts of toxic substances and concentrate the ingested poison on a mark. These bane witches target men who commit violence against women. Piers doesn’t realize she’s a bane witch until she fakes her own death to escape her abusive husband. When she seeks out her great aunt Myrtle in the remote woods of the northeast, she learns about her family heritage and her magical gifts.
There are a lot of elements at play here: her relationship with her husband, her crush on the hunky sheriff, men she inadvertently killed before she realized her powers, a local serial killer, and the authority of her venery (her family coven). As much as I loved Myrtle, she was often contradictory in her loyalty and her evasiveness. There are not supposed to be any secrets between a bane witch and her venery, but Myrtle seems to pick and choose which of Piers’ secrets she keeps from their clan. I thought the setting was atmospheric, but I wasn’t sold on Piers and her character development. As much as the resolution worked, I wanted more from her overall…
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
Loading...
