December 4, 2020

Sometimes it’s really difficult to review a series.

A lot can go wrong: plot points can be at odds with previous events, characters change personalities, timelines don’t match up…there’s a lot of work that goes into maintaining consistency.

That’s a fairly easy review.

However, if an author does a good job of continuing plotlines, has consistency of characters, and keeps the readers interest while remaining true to the world that has been created, that’s a success.

That’s harder to write. Why?

Because to me a review of that kind of book feels repetitive. Even though the criminal case at hand might be different, I don’t want to focus on that because we all know that I hate spoilers.

And I don’t regurgitate blurbs either.

So, where does that leave me with Silent Ridge?

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08HL9TYZ2Social
Apple: http://ow.ly/1r1H50BkwZI
Kobo: http://ow.ly/Z7bX50Bkx4M
Google: http://ow.ly/EVFm50Bkx8u

After the events of Snow Creek and Waters Edge, we have a pretty good feel for Detective Megan Carpenter and her erstwhile sidekick, Ronnie. Megan is as caustic and snippy as ever; consider it part of her charm. Ronnie still isn’t used to all of Megan’s quirks.

I will say, I really dig Megan’s inner thoughts. For example, a gunpoint confrontation with another character later in the book leads to Megan thinking about what she should have said to the person – contrasted with what she actually said.

I like that we get this insight to her very strange trains of thoughts.

Once again, the crimes at hand seem to target Megan. On the one hand, I get where this could be a great conspiracy, and Megan being good at her job could put the bullseye on her.

On the other hand, she could also just have the worst past and the worst luck that no matter how hard she tries to escape, the past just keeps following and haunting her.

I’m leaning toward the latter possibility.

The author now has a signature style of plotting the story, and it’s just as successful as the first two books. Again, no spoilers, but he does keep it fresh, even as it’s still about Megan.

That being said, if you haven’t read the first two books, I would definitely recommend starting at the beginning now, before the series gets too deep.

You’ll have a much better understanding of Megan which will add to your understanding of her motivations.

That will increase your enjoyment of this book immensely.

Facebook: GreggOlsenAuthor
Twitter: @Gregg_Olsen

Author Bio:

A #1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Olsen has written nine nonfiction books, seventeen novels, a novella, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.

The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel.

The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.

Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker) and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater). Website: https://www.greggolsen.com/

I used to love to re-read early books in a series each time a new book would come out. I did that countless times over the years (as a result, I feel like I often memorized the first couple books because I read them many more times).

I don’t have time for that anymore, so I have to make do with re-reading my reviews of previous books. It’s not as effective, but at least it gives me a quick reminder as to where plot lines ended up.

And then there are the books that stick with me. All I have to do is see a character name or location and it all comes back to me.

Why do I tell you all of that?

Because without a doubt, this book falls into the latter category.

Is it because it’s set in an around the Appalachian region, so it’s familiar territory? Maybe.

Is it because the heroine and other characters are memorable? Sure.

Is it because the previous plot was so shocking that I can’t forget how it all tied together?

Definitely.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08DJCY4D7Social
Apple: http://ow.ly/YQED50AOUvs
Kobo: http://ow.ly/SVgL50AOUuJ
Googleplay: http://ow.ly/WH5C50AOUy3

This one takes place only three weeks after The Silent Dolls, and as with that book, the author jumps right into the action and doesn’t let up.

There is just a way that Ms. Herron tells a story that grabs me and doesn’t let go.

Ellie is still carrying heavy baggage from the revelations in The Silent Dolls, so (as she is wont to do) she heads out to hike the Appalachians to clear her head…where she promptly discovers a body posed in a very ritualistic manner.

And that’s just in the first couple of chapters.

Once again, the author has crafted a sinuous plot that twists its way through, winding the reader into the story. All of the characters from the first book still have issues. For some, this case gets much more personal

I liked the use of the childhood rhyme. I liked how the serial killer left the clues. And (oddly) I liked the motivations. I thought the whole thing was just overall really well done.

I’ve mentioned before that it can be difficult to write a review for crime/mystery books. I hate giving away plot points, and I 100% hate spoilers.

I will just say that you’re missing out if you don’t get in on this series now, because if book two is any indication, there’s a lot more to come!

Facebook: authorritaherron
Twitter: @ritaherron
Website: www.ritaherron.com

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.

With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.