Tropical Delusions……

It’s summertime in the sleepy Appalachian town of Crooked Creek, and Detective Ellie Reeves has been summoned to the scene of a wildfire, where the body of a woman has been found, surrounded by a circle of stone and burned beyond recognition. In addition to this new investigation, Ellie has some personal business to work through – she has recently learned that she was adopted.

Furious with her parents, and heartsick over the ‘lie’ of her childhood, as well the recent destruction of her family home in a fire, Ellie is trying to sort out all of her options. A call to the social worker goes unanswered – and the next day, Ellie learns that the social worker has seemingly disappeared, and a search of her home yields no clues as to where she might have gone. 

The next day, a second body is found by some teenagers, also burned and surrounded by a ring of rocks. Readily identified by the teens who found her, Ellie and her team hope to make some progress in the case as they go to notify her parents. In doing so, Ellie is troubled by the family dynamics she sees and leaves the home with more questions than answers. 

As the investigation kicks into high gear and another body is discovered, Ellie calls on an old friend, FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox to assist. As the investigation begins to yield more information, including some unexpected DNA findings, the team finds themselves with more questions than answers. An arrest in an unrelated assault leads to a possible break in the case, and Ellie and her team find themselves in a race against time – and a killer who will stop at nothing…

Another great new series find thanks to Netgalley & Bookouture!  This novel takes off running and doesn’t let up until the last page is turned. While easily read as a stand-alone, the references to prior traumatic events have be anxious to read the preceding books of the series! I will be anxiously awaiting the next installments in Ellie’s story!  

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from #Netgalley & Bookouture in exchange for an objective review.  Do you love to read?? Visit Netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!

Detective Abby Pearce may be new to the Cedar Cliff’s Police Department on Martha’s Vineyard, but she’s no stranger to the area. Having grown up on the island, a traumatic event in her teens had her leaving for the mainland as soon as she could, where she became a first-rate homicide investigator for the NYPD. Then her partner was killed right in front of her, and she turned to alcohol for solace, and lost everything she loved. 

Now she’s newly sober, and eager to prove herself to her peers on Martha’s Vineyard, when the call comes in that a teenaged girl is missing. Samantha Claymore hasn’t been seen since she took off for a bicycle ride around the island and never made it home. The daughter of a cosmetic company entrepreneur & socialite, there are fears for her safety, and those fears are realized when a ransom demand comes in. 

As Abby and their team conduct their investigation, Abby delves into Sam’s background, learning of her ambivalence regarding the accident that took her father’s life several years ago, and the resulting fear of water.  A review of her computer reveals little information, but an encrypted file piques Abby’s interest. Surveillance video shows Sam out shopping before her mysterious disappearance, and her best friend Bridget has little to add, other than to tell Abby that Sam wasn’t convinced her father’s death was an accident. 

As Abby digs deeper, she uncovers a few more disappearances over the last several years, all young women, who were presumed to be runaways or had drowned.  Visits to their family members reveal strange reactions, an unwillingness to talk, and her Chief is less than enthusiastic when she considers the possibility of a connection.  Then, Bridget disappears…and Abby becomes even more convinced that there’s something very wrong here on the Vineyard…

This was a great start to a new police/detective procedural series, starring a very flawed young woman who is trying to rebuild her life and regain some trust after some devastating personal losses. I loved the character, I enjoyed her support cast, and I very much hope to see them all return and develop in the next installment of what looks to be a great forthcoming series!! If you’re a series lover like I am, this is. Must add to your reading list!! Highly recommend!! 

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from #Netgalley & Bookouture in exchange for an objective review.  Do you love to read?? Visit Netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!

A fantastic new release from the Ali Reynolds series!!

Many years ago, after a fight with his girlfriend Emily, Mateo Vega is arrested for her murder after her body is found a few days later. Despite declaring his innocence, he is the only suspect identified by police. His public defender recommends a plea deal – a few years in prison, versus a potential life sentence.  With nowhere to turn and no money for a defense lawyer, Mateo accepts the plea deal. Now, 16 long years later, he is finally granted parole and released.  Determined to rebuild his life, he reaches out to one time employer Stu Ramey in hopes for a reference. Much to his surprise, Stu helps him land a job. 

Ali Reynolds is holding down the fort while B. Simpson is out of the country on business. One of their many ventures includes the office space rental in the High Noon business complex.  One such client, Harvey McClusky, a self-proclaimed real-estate consultant, has been a notorious slow payer of rent. Presented with yet another bounced check, Ali makes the decision to start eviction proceedings, unknowingly unleashing a very dangerous adversary.  

As Mateo settles into High Noon and his new position and Ali learns of his situation, she and the team become increasingly convinced that he is innocent of Emily Tarrant’s murder. Enlisting the help of JB Beaumont & The Last Chance organization, Ali works to get Mateo’s case re-opened.  Then, Cami mysteriously goes missing…

As Ali and the High Noon team race to find Cami, with the help of the Artificial Intelligence computer, ‘Frigg’, Cami is trying desperately to save herself.  Meanwhile, Ali unexpectedly learns that her father may be dealing with a major health crisis, which her mother has tried very hard to hide from the family. Then, when tragedy strikes, it is all Ali can do to hold on…

This was quite possibly my most favorite Ali Reynolds book yet! When JA Jance releases a book it’s like having old friends who have come to visit, and I have to hurry and catch up on their lives. Then, all too soon, the last page is turned, and they’re gone again, leaving you longing for the next installment of their lives. I loved that fact that JP Beaumont made a cameo in the series – was kind of hoping to see Sheriff Brady as well!!  If you love a great series, and haven’t discovered JA Jance yet, here’s your chance!  She definitely remains at the top of her game!! 

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from #Netgalley & Gallery Books in exchange for an objective review.  Do you love to read?? Visit Netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!

Letty Carnahan is on the run with nothing more than the clothes on her back after finding her sister Tanya dead and her young niece, Maya, alone in her sister’s townhouse, with Tanya’s warning burning in her mind. “If anything bad happens to me—it’s Evan. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.”  Fleeing with nothing but the clothes on her back and some money in a jump bag that Tanya had stashed away, Letty heads south with her niece, leaving New York and her sister’s murderer behind. With no real plan as to where she’ll go, Letty opts on a small hotel that Tanya had circled in a magazine tucked in with the cash – a small motel on the coast of Florida. 

Arriving at the Murmuring Surf motel, Letty learns there’s no vacancy at the moment. With all of the long termers down for the winter, there’ll be nothing available anytime in the hear future either. But the motel owner Ava DeCurtis, sensing Letty’s distress, offers her a small efficiency, primarily used as a storeroom, if she’s willing to clean it out.  But Ava’s son is not so sure. A member of the local police force, Joe is a bit suspicious of Letty and her seeming arrival from nowhere.  

As Letty & Maya settle in, they start to meet some of the motel’s long term winter tenants, who are none-too-happy to have a small child wandering in their midst. Miss Ruth & Miss Billie are quick to let her know that that they’ve been hotel visitors for years and expect things a certain way, Mr. Jensen who likes to sneak his smokes right outside of Letty’s door, and a comical cast of other octogenarians who make Letty’s life interesting. Meanwhile, Joe is increasingly attracted to Letty, who remains fearful of being discovered. 

Back in New York, Evan’s investigator is getting ever closer to finding Letty & Maya. Can Letty count on Joe and his family to keep her safe? 

This was a sweet, nostalgic story, and most definitely a sit-by-the-pool, or day-at-the-beach kind of read! It also brought back many fond memories of a time long ago when my grandparents would bring me to The Florida Gulf Coast for the winter and we’d stay in a place much like the motel depicted here. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I know you will too!!