Tell No Lies by Allison Brennan

Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the desert hills just south of Tucson. When a college intern turned activist sets out to collect her own evidence, she, too, ends up dead. Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads.

Quinn and Cos find themselves scouring the desolate landscape, which keeps revealing clues to something much darker—greed, child trafficking and more murder. As the body count adds up, it’s clear they have stumbled on much more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost.

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Available Today – March 30, 2021!

Allison Brennan was able to pack a lot into this mystery. At first, it was a bit overwhelming since you had to try to remember all of the characters plus how they were involved (illegal dumping, child trafficking, money laundering). 

My favourite part was reading about Kara Quinn. In this novel, she is undercover as a bartender to get close to the locals. I really loved reading about being undercover and how it takes the exact right person for the job or else the whole operation could be blown. I really hope there are future novels about more undercover operations!

Even though this was the second novel in the series, it could be read as a standalone. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first novel (The Third to Die by Allison Brennan). The complexity of all the different storylines took away some of my enjoyment from the novel. 

3 calculators out of a potential 5. I’m excited to read more in the series and to see what happens with Matt and Kara. 

Thank you to Netgallery and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Danger in Numbers by Heather Graham

On the edge of the Everglades, an eerie crime scene sets off an investigation that sends two agents deep into a world of corrupted faith, greed and deadly secrets.

A ritualistic murder on the side of a remote road brings in the Florida state police. Special Agent Amy Larson has never seen worse, and there are indications that this killing could be just the beginning. The crime draws the attention of the FBI in the form of Special Agent Hunter Forrest, a man with insider knowledge of how violent cults operate, and a man who might never be able to escape his own past.

The rural community is devastated by the death in their midst, but people know more than they are saying. As Amy and Hunter join forces, every lead takes them further into the twisted beliefs of a dangerous group that will stop at nothing to see their will done.

Doomsday preppers and small-town secrets collide in this sultry, twisty page-turning thriller.

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Available Today – March 23, 2021!

Even though Heather Graham has written dozens of novels, this was my first time reading one of her novels. I was really interested when I was reading the description since I find books, especially mysteries, involving cults to be fascinating. 

Danger in Numbers was good and I enjoyed reading it, but sadly there was nothing that stood out to me. I found the two lead characters to be pretty bland and it was pretty obvious early on what would happen to these two. 

The mystery was lacking. There were no surprising twists that occurred. I was hoping that something would happen to change the direction of the novel, but sadly it didn’t. With so many mysteries novels out there and even mysteries involving cults, Danger in Numbers just doesn’t stand out. 

3 calculators out of a potential 5. Run of the mill mystery involving a cult.

Thank you to Netgallery and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison

 

At the wedding of the year, a killer needs no invitation

Jutting from sparkling turquoise waters off the Italian coast, Isle Isola is an idyllic setting for a wedding. In the majestic cliff-top villa owned by the wealthy Compton family, up-and-coming artist Claire Hunter will marry handsome, charming Jack Compton, surrounded by close family, intimate friends…and a host of dark secrets.

From the moment Claire sets foot on the island, something seems amiss. Skeletal remains have just been found. There are other, newer disturbances, too. Menacing texts. A ruined wedding dress. And one troubling shadow hanging over Claire’s otherwise blissful relationship—the strange mystery surrounding Jack’s first wife.

Then a raging storm descends, the power goes out—and the real terror begins…

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Available Today – March 9, 2021!

Is it just me or is secluded weddings with a killer the mystery theme of the year? I’ve been reading a lot of these lately. Thankfully I love these types of locked room mysteries so I’m happy to read them!

Her Dark Lies follows Claire and Jack who are getting married on a beautiful private island owned by Jack’s family. Of course nothing is as it’s seems as past secrets come out and threaten to ruin their big day. 

I really enjoyed all the mysteries and secrets that Claire and Jack had to face. It wasn’t a simple mystery, there were multiple layers that had me hooked on finding out who was behind it all. 

4 calculators out of a potential 5. One of my favourite reads so far this year! 

Thank you to Netgallery and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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