Series: Detectives Kane and Alton #17
Published by Bookouture on December 9, 2022
Format: eARC, Audiobook
Source: Net Galley, Bought
Pages: 265
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: Don't Tell A Soul , Bring Me Flowers , Follow Me Home, The Crying Season, Where Angels Fear , Whisper in the Night , Break the Silence, Her Broken Wings, Her Shallow Grave, Promises in the Dark, Be Mine Forever, Cross My Heart , Fallen Angel, Lose Your Breath, Don't Look Back , Pray for Mercy, Kiss Her Goodnight, Her Bleeding Heart , Now You See Me, Their Wicked Games, Dark Angel, Where Hidden Souls Lie
She wakes suddenly. Dawn is still hours away, but through the window of her log cabin in the woods, something moves in the distance. A lone figure in the forest. Her blood runs cold as the shadow begins to walk slowly toward her…
It’s Halloween in Black Rock Falls and Sheriff Jenna Alton and her deputy David Kane are called to a small lodge on the outskirts of town. Jenna is devastated to find the lifeless body of Willow Smith, a military widow whose husband went missing in action and has been presumed dead for years. Her breath catches in her throat when she notices the heart-shaped purple medal on Willow’s pale chest. Was Willow clinging to it when she died, or was it placed there after she took her last breath?
Desperately chasing down every lead, Jenna hears that Willow had been receiving silent phone calls in the dead of night. Witnesses say Willow thought her missing husband was trying to make contact. Wishful thinking of a lonely wife consumed with grief, or a heartless killer hoping to terrify her?
Days later, another woman’s body is found at the bottom of a perilous ravine. Jenna’s worst fear is confirmed the moment she spots a purple medal: a dangerous serial killer is preying on the wives of soldiers from the same platoon, and if she doesn’t act fast, more lives will be at risk.
The key lies in discovering what happened to the missing soldiers, and whether any of them made it back alive. But, separated from her team in a secluded forest, Jenna hears a branch snap behind her.
She is not alone.
Will she be the next victim of a twisted trained soldier on the loose? And how many more grieving widows will have their lives snatched before he’s caught?
What a twisty lead up the garden path this was, on more than one occasion! I had thought on one of the side plots that the author was going to announce some big news, but alas it wasn’t to be. The big reveal with whom was behind everything, I thought the author was actually going to go there and do something left field, but to my relief, it wasn’t – and boy was I relieved!
I do love being back with Kane and Alton and this was a tough case and quite a terrifying one in some respects. I love the discussions of ghosts and Atohi’s thoughts behind some mythology with Black Rock Falls. I also loved how grounded Kane was, this was to ensure Jenna…and us didn’t get too caught up in the ghost and ghouls and that we stay grounded.
I blitzed this book in a day, with a mixture of reading and audiobook. I mean I love Patricia Rodriguez so I HAD to get the audiobook. She really does bring the characters and fear alive!
I seriously had no clue how this would play out and I had no idea who would be behind the grand reveal. I was stumped. Well apart from the initial inclination as to who it might be, my jaw dropped! I was sitting there saying no no no as I didn’t want it to be true!! The killer was sadistic, but I am still not 100% sure why they did what they did, part revenge, part some loose wiring in the brain, 100% cold and chilling! I wouldn’t want to be near that person – *shiver* But I think I will re-read the last few chapters to get my understanding of the whys!
It is always enjoyable to be back with the team, and Rowley I feel your frustration too! I hope we get to see more of him, do you think if I mention it in every one of my reviews it might happen 😉
Until next time xxx
My thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for the tour invite and a copy of the book in return for my honest and unbiased review.
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