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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This book read like it was intended for someone transitioning from middle grade, Nancy Drew-esque books, to their first adult novel. By chapter nine I’d figured out who the killer was and proceeded with the next twenty-eight only to verify my theory. I found no part of the plot, characters, and their interactions with one another, enjoyable. The dialogue’s were so surface level and repetitive. The only regret for me (other than wasting my time reading this book) was not haven taken any shots every time the words/phrases “right” “sure” and “fair enough” had been used.
Jordan was unbearably arrogant and I felt no sympathy towards her whatsoever.
Avery and Jordan’s bond was lackluster and makes me wonder if the author has ever witnessed any exchanges between siblings, let alone sisters.
Everyone’s storyline in this book only exists as far back as two years ago. Even irrelevant side characters whose sole purpose was to further the plot by being murdered. Ranger Spencer just moved back to town two years ago and not to mention his wife was sexually assaulted and strangled two years ago. Tammy was arrested two years ago. The husband of one of the women Jordan interviewed had passed two years ago. And most importantly, the story the author wouldn’t let us forget, seeing as it came up almost every chapter, Avery’s last relapse and sexual assault happened TWO YEARS AGO.
The motive behind Rogan as the killer made absolutely no sense. He had access to Jordan and Avery all the time, there was no reason why he couldn’t/wouldn’t have been able to attack if he’d really wanted to. And why wait two years…?
Misdirection was attempted and failed pretty early on with Sunday. The alleged involvement he had in trying to scare Jordan was never further investigated. What was the reason he had for leaving strangled rats on her front lawn and slashing her tires? And keying her car in chapter 3? (Also, how does one strangle multiple rats? Where do you even find them?) And visiting her in the hospital to “check on her”? They also mentioned that Sunday visited Ms. Stone in the hospital and then she disappeared and nobody’s been able to get ahold of her and she didn’t end up being one of the next victims so… what was the reason?
Also, this might just be me but I still don’t understand the connection between Rogan and Walker. Rogan was recommending women to Walker who he knew were struggling with their drug addiction therefore Walker was getting more clientele. Except he wasn’t, because he was giving the product out for free and wasn’t charging Rogan because he apparently “owed” Rogan for something we never learned about. And in return Rogan was getting to rape and kill these women?? Seems like a lot of work for someone who was already having contact with said women and could have just cut out the middle man altogether.
It was mentioned too often to have gone unnoticed by a detective and a ranger that all of these victims had the same connections. The connections being drugs, Walker and Sunday, but also Rogan. He was their “drug counselor”. How did he go unmentioned as a potential suspect? He was a reference for every single one of them for either a job, apartment or both. He also fit the description of a medium build man with dark eyes and hair. And we quickly ruled out Sunday because he didn’t fit the description, Walker “committed suicide” so that leaves only Rogan.
The connection between what happened to Ranger Spencer’s wife being sexually assaulted and strangled was never made either. This whole book was abuse just for fun.
Jordan was unbearably arrogant and I felt no sympathy towards her whatsoever.
Avery and Jordan’s bond was lackluster and makes me wonder if the author has ever witnessed any exchanges between siblings, let alone sisters.
Everyone’s storyline in this book only exists as far back as two years ago. Even irrelevant side characters whose sole purpose was to further the plot by being murdered. Ranger Spencer just moved back to town two years ago and not to mention his wife was sexually assaulted and strangled two years ago. Tammy was arrested two years ago. The husband of one of the women Jordan interviewed had passed two years ago. And most importantly, the story the author wouldn’t let us forget, seeing as it came up almost every chapter, Avery’s last relapse and sexual assault happened TWO YEARS AGO.
The motive behind Rogan as the killer made absolutely no sense. He had access to Jordan and Avery all the time, there was no reason why he couldn’t/wouldn’t have been able to attack if he’d really wanted to. And why wait two years…?
Misdirection was attempted and failed pretty early on with Sunday. The alleged involvement he had in trying to scare Jordan was never further investigated. What was the reason he had for leaving strangled rats on her front lawn and slashing her tires? And keying her car in chapter 3? (Also, how does one strangle multiple rats? Where do you even find them?) And visiting her in the hospital to “check on her”? They also mentioned that Sunday visited Ms. Stone in the hospital and then she disappeared and nobody’s been able to get ahold of her and she didn’t end up being one of the next victims so… what was the reason?
Also, this might just be me but I still don’t understand the connection between Rogan and Walker. Rogan was recommending women to Walker who he knew were struggling with their drug addiction therefore Walker was getting more clientele. Except he wasn’t, because he was giving the product out for free and wasn’t charging Rogan because he apparently “owed” Rogan for something we never learned about. And in return Rogan was getting to rape and kill these women?? Seems like a lot of work for someone who was already having contact with said women and could have just cut out the middle man altogether.
It was mentioned too often to have gone unnoticed by a detective and a ranger that all of these victims had the same connections. The connections being drugs, Walker and Sunday, but also Rogan. He was their “drug counselor”. How did he go unmentioned as a potential suspect? He was a reference for every single one of them for either a job, apartment or both. He also fit the description of a medium build man with dark eyes and hair. And we quickly ruled out Sunday because he didn’t fit the description, Walker “committed suicide” so that leaves only Rogan.
The connection between what happened to Ranger Spencer’s wife being sexually assaulted and strangled was never made either. This whole book was abuse just for fun.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Seemed like there was 10 different POVs in third person, which was not my favorite. The killer became obvious to me after chapter 19. Left some questions unanswered with the killer at the end. The romance part felt unnecessary and just thrown in for the heck of it. The story felt a but dragged on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol
One of those books that I hesitated before picking back up. A little too predictable for me, but it was alright
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Yes
This was a good read. It pulled me in from beginning to end trying to guess who the killer was. It was well written and I enjoyed watching our two detectives come together and watching Jordan follow the clues and deal with the setback she is handed while tracking this killer. The story was interesting and had some twists as well. I did end up guessing who the killer was but it was well done and definitely could be considered a twist and surprising. There was a good mixture of action and intrigue as the cases and story moved forward. I would love to get more of our two main characters in future cases as well but doesn’t look like it’s a series.
Narrators did a good job with the characters. It reads a little like a full cast but there isn’t any interaction between them during chapters. Just one narrator at a time when story is told from that characters point of view.
Narrators did a good job with the characters. It reads a little like a full cast but there isn’t any interaction between them during chapters. Just one narrator at a time when story is told from that characters point of view.
This story was a bit of a mixed bag for me. As once I got into it, I enjoyed it and I didn't have a clue who the killer was. Furthermore, I liked the additional aspect of having one of the investigating detectives loose their sight.
But if I'm honest, the story was a bit of a slog at times, especially in the beginning. Yet, the characters and the mystery did help and whilst it won't go down as my favourite Mary Burton novel it was certainly a solid read.
But if I'm honest, the story was a bit of a slog at times, especially in the beginning. Yet, the characters and the mystery did help and whilst it won't go down as my favourite Mary Burton novel it was certainly a solid read.
Homicide detective Jordan Poe and Texas Ranger Carter Spencer team up to catch a serial killer. Jordan fears it might be the same man who assaulted her sister, Avery, two years ago. The details of the crimes are so similar: same age, same look, same MO. Jordan is hot on the killer’s trail but when she approaches the 3rd crime scene without back up, she is attacked and suffers a trauma that leaves her with limited vision.
This book gave me Long Bright River vibes. If you’ve read that book and enjoyed it, you might like this one too. However, I want to caution seasoned thriller readers that the whodunit is predictable, or at least it was to me. That being said I enjoyed the sister dynamic to the story, the grittiness or the crimes being committed and the small romance brewing between Jordan and Carter. It’s definitely not a big part of the story but it’s there and I was hoping they would end up together. If you like romantic suspense, police procedurals with strong female leads, a logical storyline with a few twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing then consider this one.
Suspenseful
Suspenseful with just a hint of romance.
Who’s killing recovering addicts?
Jordan Poe is a force. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for her.
Suspenseful with just a hint of romance.
Who’s killing recovering addicts?
Jordan Poe is a force. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for her.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
I couldn't put this book down. Reading it in less than 2 days. I resonated with so much of the story, from addiction to the social work aspect of it. At times, it was hard to read because of how closely addiction influences my life but the story speaks for itself and I couldn't stop turning page after page. At the end when I found out the main character was going to become a social worker, who had a sibling with substance abuse, I couldn't help but smile. Great book!