THE NEXT GRAVE by Kendra Elliott

 4.5* Another solid procedural, although Evan's not quite Mercy Thomson.


I think when you've read a prolific series like the Mercy Thompson books, impatiently waiting for the next to come out, and the series ends, so you're reduced to relying on glimpses of her - or collab novels like the excellent Echo Road with Melinda Leigh, 07/24 - everything else pales a little in comparison. So, although this book is in the same universe, and is a solid tale, as competent as he is, Evan isn't quite Mercy. He lacks her decisiveness and gut feelings, and perhaps, too, as a female reader, I'm more excited about a strong female lead, which is my bad. But, this is still a very good tale with unexpected danger, certainly more than the blurb lets on. This series will continue to be an autobuy for me, and I have the next on preorder already.


There's good suspense, as the killer has to be someone in law enforcement, but the surprisingly mundane person whose actions started what snowballed into corruption and deaths, will surprise you, and there are enough red herrings and subtle passing mentions that you'll miss the bad guy/s. There are several twists, and it's nice to see more of Nicole, who I'm pretty sure will end up as a lead in a future tale, inserted organically, not just plonked in as a hint. It's another great addition to this Mercy Thompson spinoff series.


ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Montlake for my reading pleasure. 


Sent from AOL on Android

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE SECOND GRAVE by Jeffrey B Burton

 4* Good intro to this series, and it didn't matter that I'm late to the party. This is an engrossing and engaging tale, partly because of the dynamics of the brother-sister duo, partly because of the brother's telling of the tale, partly because of the storyline but mostly because there are dogs in it, dogs that save the day, literally, and that don't get hurt. It's easy to start and there's enough told that I didn't find myself wondering about the previous book. It's quite fast paced and Cory is unaffected and literal and his 'voice' is youthful and believable and carries the tale well. The storyline is sad at the start, but that's just a facilitator for the plot, which is a good one. A sad one for some of the people involved, and boy is it good that justice of a sort, the type I find satisfying when someone's gotten away with something for too long, got done. 'Al' definitely deserved what they got. But those involved in the dec...
Read more

ALWAYS YOU AND ME by Dani Atkins

5* Even though I don't believe in HEAs anymore, this book had me crying because of THAT ending. I'm going to try and review without spoilering, but ugh, I started the book almost in tears and ended it in actual tears, and with hope that sometimes love does last.  This book is so much more than a second chance at love. It's about loving and loved but flawed characters whose lives with each other had their time, and when that time was gone, the love continued. Like Finn and Matt by Charlie Winters, this is a book I loved but won't ever read again. A part of me can't believe the author went there with the ending, but another part of me, the romantic-but-hurt part, wants to believe in the power of everlasting love.  ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my reading pleasure. 
Read more

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY by Mike Gayle

3* A pleasant enough 15-minute deckchair read. This isn't a deep novel with a big plot, but pretty much what the blurb offers. I didn't feel much for either character but the tale ended well for both - not going to spoiler, but it wasn't what I expected and it didn't quite ring true. 
Read more