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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
DNF. Didn't realize it was a Christian book otherwise I wouldn't have even picked it. I like Cold Case type mysteries, which is why I got this. The writing wasn't very good and and around 50 pages in it became a jumbled mess of just preaching. HARD PASS
Great story with lots of moving parts. I've got some minor complaints about the final resolution but I can't discuss them without spoilers. Overall great depth, character development, lots of twists. I would caution that there are several triggering subjects: child molestation, murder, suicide attempt, and domestic abuse.
There was a lot going on in this book! Multiple cases to solve made it both interesting and frustrating at the same time. It was hard to keep up at times, but kept me interested because of wanting to solve the mysteries. The stories just seemed choppy. I liked the development of relationships between characters and that every single relationship in the book didn’t just jump to being romantic within 2 days. I will say, I’m interested to read the next book and see how Evie’s character continues to develop.
slow-paced
I stopped reading this book a few years ago because it was slow, and I recalled it being really difficult to get through (especially when compared to Dee's other books). Here are my renewed thoughts now that I have read ALL the way through:
The story didn't move as slowly as I remembered. There was more movement, though it wasn't life altering action like a current case would provide. The cold case angle was really interesting, but I did feel that there were far too many - with too many characters and storylines - to keep straight. I would have preferred one complicated case, or two simple ones instead of 3 complex cases.
I don't understand why this book started with Evie considering joining the task force on her vacation, instead of just starting with her joining the task force... why was this done? We could have jumped directly into her being new on the task force, but for some reason we got lots of her considering joining and how that would look.
There was A LOT of hypothetical discussions on what happened in the various cold cases, and most of it had NOTHING to do with what actually happened. I could have done a few discussions like this, but with the amount of cases they were looking at, and the amount of random theories that never eventuated, it was too much.
The cold cases themselves were actually really interesting! It was just a shame that they were surrounded by so much nothingness (like the theory discussions) that I couldn't enjoy it. That and the people we were trying to remember, like who was interviewed and which case they were even from, was too much for my brain.
It read like Dee was introducing seven characters all within the first book of a series... in full detail. Series are supposed to slowly deepen our relationship with characters over several books, instead of trying to have deep connections with all of them right off the bat. I think the volume of people we were trying to get to know, made it impossible to really get to know them fully. The only two - who were the main focus of this book anyway - was Evie and Gabe.
Speaking of, the almost relationship was irritating as anything! I can do slow burn romance, but dangling a potential romance in the readers face and then basically having it become a flat plain nothingness was just irritating... why did we do this? Why are we getting characters who want relationships, but refuse to be in them...?
My final realisation was this is basically another continuation on the Anne is the best, most superhuman character of all time train. It felt like Dee was desperate to keep writing the character of Anne, but knew she couldn't go the way she had in the past... so she was replacing her with someone who was basically the same... why not come up with a brand new character who does something similar to Anne? No, instead we get a copy but not quite as emotionally advanced.
It was not because of the pace that I didn't find myself connecting very much to this book, more so that the characters felt like copies of Paul and Anne and there was WAY too many plot lines and threads to follow. Bit of a bummer
The story didn't move as slowly as I remembered. There was more movement, though it wasn't life altering action like a current case would provide. The cold case angle was really interesting, but I did feel that there were far too many - with too many characters and storylines - to keep straight. I would have preferred one complicated case, or two simple ones instead of 3 complex cases.
I don't understand why this book started with Evie considering joining the task force on her vacation, instead of just starting with her joining the task force... why was this done? We could have jumped directly into her being new on the task force, but for some reason we got lots of her considering joining and how that would look.
There was A LOT of hypothetical discussions on what happened in the various cold cases, and most of it had NOTHING to do with what actually happened. I could have done a few discussions like this, but with the amount of cases they were looking at, and the amount of random theories that never eventuated, it was too much.
The cold cases themselves were actually really interesting! It was just a shame that they were surrounded by so much nothingness (like the theory discussions) that I couldn't enjoy it. That and the people we were trying to remember, like who was interviewed and which case they were even from, was too much for my brain.
It read like Dee was introducing seven characters all within the first book of a series... in full detail. Series are supposed to slowly deepen our relationship with characters over several books, instead of trying to have deep connections with all of them right off the bat. I think the volume of people we were trying to get to know, made it impossible to really get to know them fully. The only two - who were the main focus of this book anyway - was Evie and Gabe.
Speaking of, the almost relationship was irritating as anything! I can do slow burn romance, but dangling a potential romance in the readers face and then basically having it become a flat plain nothingness was just irritating... why did we do this? Why are we getting characters who want relationships, but refuse to be in them...?
My final realisation was this is basically another continuation on the Anne is the best, most superhuman character of all time train. It felt like Dee was desperate to keep writing the character of Anne, but knew she couldn't go the way she had in the past... so she was replacing her with someone who was basically the same... why not come up with a brand new character who does something similar to Anne? No, instead we get a copy but not quite as emotionally advanced.
It was not because of the pace that I didn't find myself connecting very much to this book, more so that the characters felt like copies of Paul and Anne and there was WAY too many plot lines and threads to follow. Bit of a bummer
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A lot going on
This was a book with a lot of characters and a lot of plot lines. I feel as though some of these characters must be from another book of hers, as they weren't really introduced. Even though this was the start of a series, I felt like I was supposed to know them. It also wasn't clear how the characters knew each other. The POV would switch from character to character, even if they were just a minor character. With all the characters and all the different plot points I was always trying to remember what was happening.
Another thing is that I'm not sure why this is labeled romantic suspense. There are romances happening throughout the book, kind of on the side. But it's really more characters growing closer. Nobody ends up together at the end, and there's not really a sense that they might in the next book. As far as the suspense, it was a cold case, so it was more of a mystery. The pacing of this book was slow, and by the end I was skipping paragraphs and chunks of dialogue to figure out how the crime was solved.
The cold cases were interesting and the reason this book gets two stars. I thought the cases and the investigation were unique. One of the investigations was full of past hurts and it was one of the central points of the book. However, it happened to a minor character so it was a bit odd to me that it took up so much of the plot. I liked that the past trauma wasn't just gotten over right away, but I felt that it dragged because the character it happened to was such a minor character. The way the subplots were written and merged just didn't make sense, it didn't flow well together.
I'm giving this one 2 stars because the crime was interesting, and I did read the whole thing trying to figure out what happened. However, I don't see myself recommending this one or reading the next in the series.
This was a book with a lot of characters and a lot of plot lines. I feel as though some of these characters must be from another book of hers, as they weren't really introduced. Even though this was the start of a series, I felt like I was supposed to know them. It also wasn't clear how the characters knew each other. The POV would switch from character to character, even if they were just a minor character. With all the characters and all the different plot points I was always trying to remember what was happening.
Another thing is that I'm not sure why this is labeled romantic suspense. There are romances happening throughout the book, kind of on the side. But it's really more characters growing closer. Nobody ends up together at the end, and there's not really a sense that they might in the next book. As far as the suspense, it was a cold case, so it was more of a mystery. The pacing of this book was slow, and by the end I was skipping paragraphs and chunks of dialogue to figure out how the crime was solved.
The cold cases were interesting and the reason this book gets two stars. I thought the cases and the investigation were unique. One of the investigations was full of past hurts and it was one of the central points of the book. However, it happened to a minor character so it was a bit odd to me that it took up so much of the plot. I liked that the past trauma wasn't just gotten over right away, but I felt that it dragged because the character it happened to was such a minor character. The way the subplots were written and merged just didn't make sense, it didn't flow well together.
I'm giving this one 2 stars because the crime was interesting, and I did read the whole thing trying to figure out what happened. However, I don't see myself recommending this one or reading the next in the series.
Once again, I am a happy camper in the ‘book review’ department. I was beyond thrilled to see that I had the opportunity to review a Dee Henderson book. [insert happy dance here] I thoroughly enjoyed reading the O’Malley Series as well as some of her stand-alones, like Unspoken.
Traces of Guilt (which, I will add now, I sincerely hope is the first in a series, otherwise I would have to change my review slightly. “Please don’t make me do that, Dee Hendersooooooon!”[a tad dramatic perhaps]) tells the tale of detective Evie Blackwell as she attempts to solve two cold cases in Carin County, as an introduction to a new task force that will focus on cold cases. Ann Falcon (who has been introduced in earlier novels) is a familiar face and she serves as the link between old and new. We meet the Thane brothers (at least I think we haven’t met before? The way Henderson introduces characters sometimes makes you feel like you should know more about them? She often hints at things in their pasts which intrigue you, but you feel there should be more info, or that you’re supposed to already know this about them. It’s not necessarily a negative, but sometimes I want to fill in the blanks between the insights I am given.) each of whom have an arc that spans the novel, with Ann Falcon being the centre from which these ‘spokes’ radiate. Gabriel Thane is the sheriff of Carin County and is introduced to Evie by Ann, and they get to know one another as they attempt to solve the cold cases. There is Will Thane, who has a connection to Karen, another friend of Ann’s, however his arc is a minor one – he is thus a little more ‘mysterious.’ Lastly, Joshua Thane is brought into the picture when Ann connects him with his childhood friend, Grace, as she needs him to assist her in a particularly difficult personal task.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the character development – the way it did not feel forced or idealistic, but rather, they developed as you got to know them more, as you would someone in your actual life. I became attached to the characters, and while I was doing actual, real-life things, I would catch myself wondering what the Thane brothers, or Evie was up to – something that few books cause me to do. I think it also had something to do with the way Henderson ‘creates’ her setting – it feels completely authentic, to the point that I had to pull up a blanket when the weather in Carin County turned cold and rainy.
However, there are a few things holding me back from giving Traces of Guilt five stars. The first is that I kept ‘waiting for something to happen.’ I think this perhaps stems from the ‘clues’ I felt were given regarding certain characters – Karen’s in particular. There was this very heroic element created around the Thane brothers, and it felt like this would be displayed at some point, but it didn’t really amount to anything, I am sad to report. Secondly, following this thought, I was waiting for ‘something’ to be revealed with regards to the two crimes. Henderson is fantastic at subtly building expectation by unravelling parts of the mystery as the story unfolds, I just felt a little let down when the end rolled around. I get that it was perhaps a more ‘real’ take on the process of solving these cold cases, but then the secrecy and intrigue in the build-up becomes unnecessary. The only other negative would be if this does not prove to be a series, as you are introduced to many characters whose pasts are hinted at and if the blanks are not filled in, I would feel frustrated – like when they end a season on a cliff-hanger and then you are told that its not getting picked up for another season – what was the point of all the build-up then? [it seems I may be harbouring some unvented resentment to experiences that have nothing to do with this book – apologies. But you get where I am coming from?]
On the whole, a well-written novel that whets your appetite in anticipation of a really great series. [I am always the optimist]
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House with the purpose of review.
Traces of Guilt (which, I will add now, I sincerely hope is the first in a series, otherwise I would have to change my review slightly. “Please don’t make me do that, Dee Hendersooooooon!”[a tad dramatic perhaps]) tells the tale of detective Evie Blackwell as she attempts to solve two cold cases in Carin County, as an introduction to a new task force that will focus on cold cases. Ann Falcon (who has been introduced in earlier novels) is a familiar face and she serves as the link between old and new. We meet the Thane brothers (at least I think we haven’t met before? The way Henderson introduces characters sometimes makes you feel like you should know more about them? She often hints at things in their pasts which intrigue you, but you feel there should be more info, or that you’re supposed to already know this about them. It’s not necessarily a negative, but sometimes I want to fill in the blanks between the insights I am given.) each of whom have an arc that spans the novel, with Ann Falcon being the centre from which these ‘spokes’ radiate. Gabriel Thane is the sheriff of Carin County and is introduced to Evie by Ann, and they get to know one another as they attempt to solve the cold cases. There is Will Thane, who has a connection to Karen, another friend of Ann’s, however his arc is a minor one – he is thus a little more ‘mysterious.’ Lastly, Joshua Thane is brought into the picture when Ann connects him with his childhood friend, Grace, as she needs him to assist her in a particularly difficult personal task.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the character development – the way it did not feel forced or idealistic, but rather, they developed as you got to know them more, as you would someone in your actual life. I became attached to the characters, and while I was doing actual, real-life things, I would catch myself wondering what the Thane brothers, or Evie was up to – something that few books cause me to do. I think it also had something to do with the way Henderson ‘creates’ her setting – it feels completely authentic, to the point that I had to pull up a blanket when the weather in Carin County turned cold and rainy.
However, there are a few things holding me back from giving Traces of Guilt five stars. The first is that I kept ‘waiting for something to happen.’ I think this perhaps stems from the ‘clues’ I felt were given regarding certain characters – Karen’s in particular. There was this very heroic element created around the Thane brothers, and it felt like this would be displayed at some point, but it didn’t really amount to anything, I am sad to report. Secondly, following this thought, I was waiting for ‘something’ to be revealed with regards to the two crimes. Henderson is fantastic at subtly building expectation by unravelling parts of the mystery as the story unfolds, I just felt a little let down when the end rolled around. I get that it was perhaps a more ‘real’ take on the process of solving these cold cases, but then the secrecy and intrigue in the build-up becomes unnecessary. The only other negative would be if this does not prove to be a series, as you are introduced to many characters whose pasts are hinted at and if the blanks are not filled in, I would feel frustrated – like when they end a season on a cliff-hanger and then you are told that its not getting picked up for another season – what was the point of all the build-up then? [it seems I may be harbouring some unvented resentment to experiences that have nothing to do with this book – apologies. But you get where I am coming from?]
On the whole, a well-written novel that whets your appetite in anticipation of a really great series. [I am always the optimist]
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House with the purpose of review.
I have been a Dee Henderson fan for at least 10 years. The O'Malley series is one of my favorites and one that I have read over and over again. The recent novels she has published have been great reads but I miss the continued stories that are often the interwoven thread in a series. This was not a normal Dee Henderson novel since this focuses on cold cases and not an active crime scene. I enjoyed getting to know Evie Blackwell and I appreciated her sense of humor. I do wish she wanted more with Gabriel Thane, I think he would be the perfect fit for her. Similar to Paul being the perfect fit for Ann. The resolution to the Dayton case was devastating. As was Grace's story and the resolution to her parents case. Although it was sad the resolution of those cases fit within the larger crime and made sense. The resolution of the Florist Family case left much to be desired. This was the case that carried more weight in the book but the resolution seemed hurried, like a desperate attempt to make the publication deadline. I also found there were lots of questions left unanswered with the resolution of the Florist case. I do hope this series ventures back to Carin County in the future so the lingering questions regarding the Frank Ash case and the other Thane brothers can be answered.
Evie Blackwell takes a personal vacation to Carin County in order to review local cold cases. The two cold cases involve a young girl's disappearance from the motel and a family of three who leaves town to go camping and never makes it to the campsite. The Sheriff, Gabe Thane, along with his two brothers, Will and Josh, and other family and friends pitch in.
First, would anyone really use vacation days to work? Maybe... maybe not. Overall I liked Evie, Gabe, Gabe's family, and their friends. The brainstorming Evie takes on is logically written and easy to follow, that I enjoyed solving the puzzles with her.
I recommend this book if you want something faith-based yet still a good mystery or thriller.
First, would anyone really use vacation days to work? Maybe... maybe not. Overall I liked Evie, Gabe, Gabe's family, and their friends. The brainstorming Evie takes on is logically written and easy to follow, that I enjoyed solving the puzzles with her.
I recommend this book if you want something faith-based yet still a good mystery or thriller.