#BookReview The Forgotten Girls by Sara Blaedel

The Forgotten Girls by Sara Blaedel is a captivating crime novel from the very beginning. This is the seventh book in the Louise Rick series and the first one I have read. When a woman’s body is found in the woods Detective Louise Rick thought it would be easy to identify her from the large scar on her face. Only later to discover that the woman was issued a death certificate thirty years ago. When similar crimes begin occurring, Louise knows she has to solve this case fast.

Blaedel being considered “The Queen of Crime” in Denmark made me want to read The Forgotten Girls, just to see if she truly deserves a title like that. Long story short, I was not disappointed! This book had me wondering who the killer was and just when I thought I knew who it was, I find out I was wrong. Mixing in Louise’s past experiences in the book with the other characters has made me very curious about Blaedel’s other novels in the series. Blaedel does an excellent job of not giving away too much of what has happened in her other novels, which makes me want to read them all. The ending of the book left me with more questions that I still need answers to. Mostly questions about Louise and what would happen with her. I guess I have to wait for the next book in the series to find out.

Overall I think that Sara Blaedel has earned her title “Queen of Crime”. I look forward to reading more of her work. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good crime novel.

I gave this book 5 stars and have posted my review on Goodreads, The Reading Room and Amazon.

•I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#BookReview Dark Pursuit by Jennifer Chase

Dark Pursuit is the fifth book by Jennifer Chase in the Emily Stone series. Dark Pursuit is an action packed book starting from the very first page. Emily Stone and Rick Lopez are on a race against time to stop a serial killer whose victims are children.

Dark Pursuit is the first book I have read in Chase’s series. If the others books in the series are as good as this one is, then they are all must reads. Dark Pursuit is made up of three parts. The first part starts with a car chase and Emily ends up seeing the results of an unspeakable crime committed by a serial killer. The second part is the tale of Emily’s police career and the events she witnessed to put her on the path of becoming a “phantom detective” who hunts serial killers. The third part of the book is the where Emily tries to find the Tick-Tock Killer and his next victim.

There were so many things that made Dark Pursuit a good book. I liked that while Emily and Rick are both partners and lovers, that their relationship was not the focus of the story. I also think that it is so wonderfully creepy that the Tick-Tock Killer communicates with his dead mother. I love how Chase made Emily Stone a strong female character who can take care of herself. I wish there were more female characters like that in books.

Reading Dark Pursuit is not recommended if you are about to go to bed. This book will give you an adrenaline rush that will keep you awake the whole night just trying to finish the book. I am now definitely a fan of Jennifer Chase and her Emily Stone series. I would like to read her other books in the series, just not before I am going to sleep.

I gave this book 5 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who like mysteries and action packed books. My review is posted on Reader’s Favorite, Amazon

*I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#BookReview Hush Hush by Laura Lippman

I love a book that is filled with secrets and Hush Hush by Laura Lippman is exactly that! I received this book as an ARC and was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. The story focuses around Melisandre Harris Dawes, who was acquitted for killing her baby. When she decides to film a documentary years later about her case, someone starts sending her weird notes. She hires Tess Monaghan to investigate.

Hush Hush is the twelfth book in Lippman’s Tess Monaghan series. It also happens to be the first one I have read. Lippman’s character Tess Monaghan is a loveable “accidental detective”. I loved Tess’s sense of humor and the way she dealt with working while taking care of her daughter. I related to her and her problems trying to always set a good example for her daughter and wondering if she was a good mother. I was not sure what to feel for Melisandre. I went back and forth from sorrow, understanding and disdain. Those mixed feelings is exactly what Lippman was going for in this book and she achieved it. Like with every mystery book, I try to solve it before the end. This book had me second and third guessing myself. The ending was a little surprising and left me wanting to read the whole series just to see everything I have missed from the first books.

Laura Lippman has gained a fan in me. This is a good book for murder mystery lovers. My only regret is not discovering Lippman and her work sooner. I cannot wait to see what Tess will deal with next.

I have given this book 5 stars and have posted reviews on Goodreads, Amazon and The Reading Room.