With Mercy Carr's cabin stuffed to the gills with 5 people and 2 dogs, it's time to find a new place. When Mercy finds out that Grackle Tree Farm is fWith Mercy Carr's cabin stuffed to the gills with 5 people and 2 dogs, it's time to find a new place. When Mercy finds out that Grackle Tree Farm is for sale, a place she's loved since she was a child, it seems like the perfect opportunity! Grackle Tree Farm is rumored to be haunted, but that's never bothered Mercy. The dead body in the library that her dog Elvis discovers might be a bigger obstacle. It seems that ghosts aren't the only thing Grackle Tree Farm is hiding. It's also full of secrets and maybe some treasure!
The Farm has a long history that includes both fame and tragedy. It was home to a famous author who may have left behind something valuable. After discovering the body, Mercy's uncle and her sometimes (very wealthy) employer show up at her doorstep. They ask her to try to find what they suspect the dead man was looking for: literary treasure.
Mercy goes back to the farm along with Elvis and Captain Thrasher. A masked man is there who shoots at them, hitting Mercy and seriously wounding Thrasher. Now it's up to Mercy, her husband Troy, and their two dogs, Elvis and Susie Bear to find the killer and discover the secret of Grackle Tree Farm.
Home At Night intertwines a very interesting mystery, some thrills, and plenty of suspense. Mercy Carr is competent and compelling. Munier surrounds her with other enjoyable characters who greatly add to the fun of the story. Elvis and Susie Bear are more than just window-dressing. They are each service animals so they have important roles to play in the story. The love they share with their human companions ingratiates them to us even more and helps tell us who Mercy and Troy are as well.
The Grackle Tree Farm setting is ideal for a mystery story. A very old house, rumors of ghosts, and a long rich history. The Halloween setting further adds to the atmosphere. The mystery is intricate and Mercy follows the clues methodically. The solutions feel earned. There are plenty of suspects and unraveling it all is very satisfying.
This is the fifth book in the series but my first time reading it. I had no trouble jumping into the story. These feel like characters and a location that have a lot more stories in them. I'm looking forward to future installments in this series and especially to spending more time with Elvis and Susie Bear.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher....more
A true crime author, Amanda Bailey, decides to revisit the case of the Alperton Angels. The Angels were a cult that convinced a young girl and her boyA true crime author, Amanda Bailey, decides to revisit the case of the Alperton Angels. The Angels were a cult that convinced a young girl and her boyfriend that their baby was the anti-Christ and needed to be sacrificed. The girl called the police and she and the baby were rescued and subsequently disappeared. Amanda believes that finding the baby who is now about to turn 18 is the perfect angle for he book. Amanda isn't the only one with the idea. Fellow author Oliver Menzies has the same plan. He and Amanda share a complicated history, but their publishers decide they should work together on the story.
Digging into the events they discover that there is still a lot of mystery surrounding what happened beyond the fate of the mother and baby. Recollections of witnesses to the events don't always agree on details. Not all are eager to share what they remember. As they delve further into the story it seems there still is some danger surrounding the Alperton Angels, and maybe not everyone wants to know the truth.
Janice Hallett tells her story through WhatsApp messages, transcripts of recorded conversations, and draft chapters for the proposed books. There is a lot to keep track of. The nature of the messages and conversations keep the story moving propulsively forward. Twists and turns along the way keep readers constantly on their toes. Hallett does a masterful job at creating both mood and suspense. The story never flags and the ending comes at you like a freight train. This is a great story sure to please fans of mystery and suspense.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher....more
Last year's best new character, Dez Limerick, is back in Deadlock. Dez is relaxing in L.A. when he gets a call from Raziah Swann, a beautiful young siLast year's best new character, Dez Limerick, is back in Deadlock. Dez is relaxing in L.A. when he gets a call from Raziah Swann, a beautiful young singer Dez befriended and occasionally plays bass guitar for. Raziah is in Portland where her sister Laleh is in the hospital after being attacked. Raziah fears her sister's life is still in danger so she turns to the most capable man she knows. Because Dez isn't just good with guitars. He's also good with locks. Any kind of locks. And he's good with his fists, which happen to be the size of sledgehammers. When Dez arrives at the hospital in Portland, he discovers some thugs there looking to finish the job they started with Laleh. Dez dispatches them with his unique skills and is surprised to find that he's drawn the attention of both the U.S. Marshalls and the DEA. Dez discovers that he's also drawn the attention of one of Oregon's biggest tech companies, Clockjack. A company that can afford to hire some very bad people to protect its secrets. Dez is mostly a let bygones be bygones sort of man, but not when his mates are in danger. If Clockjack is a threat to them, then Dez is a threat to Clockjack.
Deadlock is as much mystery as it is thriller. Dez knows who the threat is, but if he's going to neutralize it, he must discover why. And the mystery here runs deep. From Portland to high up in the federal government and even internationally. Clockjack is as high-tech as they come and its campus is heavily guarded, both physically and electronically. There are only a handful of people in the world capable of breaking in. Bad luck for them that Dez is one of them.
Everything that was great about James Byrne's first Dez Limerick book is even better here. The mystery is more intricate, the humor is even sharper, and the adversary is both smarter and more dangerous. Dez is one cool cucumber. His hacking skills, his planning skills, and his fighting skills are all put to the test. This book will have you glued to it from start to finish. There is excitement and intrigue all along the way and a conclusion that does not disappoint.
John Keating narrates the audiobook and adds another dimension to the enjoyment. His vocalizations, particularly of Dez, perfectly capture the humor, confidence, and heart of the character. His voice will forever be the voice I hear in my head for Dez in what I hope to be many, many books in this series. One of my favorite books of the year.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher....more
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