Sins of the Past

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“Missing”, by Dee Henderson

A Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing from her retirement community.  Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two soon launch into a race against the clock when they realize something dark may lie at the heart of the disappearance.

“Shadowed”, by Dani Pettrey

Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young Alaskan fisherman nets the body of a Russian open water swimming competitor.  Another swimmer, who’d been the dead woman’s roommate years ago, is pulled into the search for answers as it grows more and more clear that something sinister is at play.

“Blackout”, by Lynette Eason

A young woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong finds herself at risk years later when the real culprit is up for parole.  The loot taken that night has never been found and he believes she knows where it’s hidden – only her memory of that night has always been unreliable.  Can she remember enough to find her way to safety?

Review

Three suspense stories in one book – a mystery lover’s dream!  And the beauty of a novella collection is that it highlights the diversity of each author.  With Dee Henderson, readers are treated with strong dialogue and detailed research of the inner workings of a police investigation.  Dani Pettrey brought to life some really great characters that were very likeable.  Lynette Eason had a fantastic story line that was very suspense driven – so much so that the reader felt like they had to watch their back as much as the characters!

In “Missing” the dialogue was greatly detailed and well-written, pulling the reader deep into the facts of the investigation and the step by step police procedures.  But I felt it was a double-edged sword whereby it was a little too heavy on the facts and procedures, and not enough character development. I would have loved to read more about the characters’ thoughts, feelings, and emotions.  The main characters, John and Sharon, were very strong, intriguing individuals (something that I really like about Dee’s stories – her characters are always strong, independent, and quite resourceful), and with a little bit more character depth, it really would have brought the story to life.

“Shadowed” had some great characters.  From the mysterious Elliott, to the determined Libby, and strong Ben, these characters helped round out the storyline.  The story itself could easily have been longer as the last few chapters felt a bit rushed.  However, the plot was quite unique, and fans of Dani’s “Alaskan Courage” series will enjoy reading this “prequel”.

“Blackout” delivered non-stop action chapter after chapter.  I also really enjoyed how the main characters’ relationship didn’t feel “rushed”, but followed a more natural timeline with the characters already knowing each other a few years at the start of the story.  The mystery was good, and the flashback sequences that Macey experiences brought a unique and suspenseful element to the story – not to mention a bit of a tease as readers only find out a little bit at each time of what truly happened during that robbery!

Overall, Sins of the Past is a unique novella collection with three very different stories and writing styles.  I look forward to more novels by all three of these talented writers.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Cold Shot

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In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out.  Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore Police Department, Declan Grey would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would study to become a crime scene analyst.  But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world – and friendships – crumbled.

Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind.  Still trying to forget a case that went bad when he was a SWAT team sniper, he’s living a quiet life as a park ranger at Gettysburg.  Quiet until skeletal remains are uncovered near Little Round Top – and they aren’t Civil War-era.

Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper.  When FBI agent Declan Grey steps in to take over the case, past and present collide.  Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he – and those he cares about – are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder. 

Review 

Holy smokes, what an intriguing mystery novel!  Encountered with a case colder than the Antarctic, ranger Griffin McCray and forensic anthropologist Finley Scott team up to unravel a twisted mystery that spans generations and brings danger right to their doorstep.  It isn’t long after they start investigating the crime, that attempts are taken on their lives resulting in a thrilling cat-and-mouse game in Griffin’s and Finley’s quest for the truth.  With the inclusion of a few other strong characters to nicely round out the novel, Dani Pettrey has done a fabulous job with the debut story in her new series “Chesapeake Valor”.  In short, Cold Shot was a great mystery read, which kept my attention to the very end, and left me itching to read the next book!    

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

A Fool & His Monet

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Serena Jones has a passion for recovering lost and stolen art – one that’s surpassed only by her zeal to uncover the truth about who murdered her grandfather.  She’s joined the FBI Art Crime Team with the secret hope that one of her cases will lead to his killer.  Now, despite her mother’s pleas to do something safer – like get married – Serena’s determined to catch thieves and black market traders.

When a local museum discovers an irreplaceable Monet missing, Serena leaps into action – and a whole heap of trouble.

Review

A Fool & His Monet was a more light-hearted mystery novel.  Infused with a strong dose of humour and a keep-you-guessing mystery, A Fool & His Monet is an easy read that would appeal to a wider variety of readers who like a little mystery, but not heavy suspense or dark subject matter. 

Serena Jones is a likeable heroine who I found admirable in that she would push through situations that gave her pause or made her nervous (her elevator phobia aside).  She is very tenacious, not willing to let any stone go unturned in her quest for the truth. 

The only downside to the novel was I felt the motives behind the criminal mastermind could have used a little more “oomph”.  The crimes were elaborate to the extent that it felt as if the motives didn’t quite meet the severity of the crimes.  But of course, criminals aren’t always the most reasonable of individuals!  (lol)  

Overall, A Fool & His Monet, is an easy read, laugh-out-loud funny at times, and held a twisty mystery that kept me entertained and intrigued until the very end.  I’ll be interested in reading about Serena’s next escapades, and I’m very happy that I won’t have to wait too long.  The next instalment is due out in the fall of this year – woohoo!  

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Thin Ice

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After losing her parents and her sister, Christy Reed has been mired in grief.  Now, life is finally starting to feel normal again – until an envelope addressed in her sister’s handwriting arrives in the mail.  And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case…but he’s coming up with more questions than answers.  Is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game—or the target of a sinister plot?  As Lance digs deeper, one thing becomes clear:  someone in the shadows has a deadly agenda. 

Review 

Irene Hannon is seriously the Queen of romantic-suspense novels.  The plots are always original, the characters well-developed, the romance swoon-worthy, the spiritual element very real and encouraging, and the suspense of the “edge-of-your-seat” variety.  I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in reading one of Irene’s novels.  As an aspiring writer myself, she is an author I very much look up to as she always delivers – and her writing is superb! 

Thin Ice is the second novel in the “Men of Valor” series, and is Lance McGregor’s story.  Readers were introduced to Lance’s older brother, Mac McGregor, in Buried Secrets.  There is a third brother, Finn McGregor, who is featured in the third novel, due out in the fall of this year, which I am eagerly anticipating.  I’ve already read the teaser for Finn’s story twice, and the cliff-hanger ending gave me the shivers.

But back to Thin Ice – it was one of those rare books that I wanted to read all over again after I turned the last page.  From the tense opening, to the explosive climax, it was a fabulous read.  For all the mystery/suspense lovers out there – I highly recommend this book!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.