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In Dark Waters
Deadly secrets Beneath the peaceful lake of a quiet Virginia town lies a disturbing mystery – a long-dead body, a woman no-one’s missed – but for one woman, the remains hold the answers she’s been seeking her whole life. Don't stay buried Kelsey Warren may now be a high-flying journalist but she’s never forgiven her reckless mother for abandoning her as a teenager. Yet when Kelsey discovers Donna Warren’s body, she knows that something more sinister than her mother’s wild lifestyle is to blame. Forever Despite Sheriff Mitch Garret’s pleas to leave the case alone, Kelsey swears to uncover the truth. But as Kelsey and Mitch dig deeper, someone is just as desperate to keep the past hidden – and is intent on silencing Kelsey for good.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
63 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Mary Burton
68 books4,074 followersMary Burton, whose latest novel is THE LIES I TOLD, loves writing suspense, getting to know her characters, keeping up with law enforcement and forensic procedure, morning walks, baking, and tiny dachshunds. She also enjoys hunting down serial killers, which she does in her New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels. Library Journal has compared her work to that of Lisa Jackson and Lisa Gardner, and Fresh Fiction likened her writing to that of James Patterson.
Mary is routinely featured among the top ten writers in Amazon’s Author Rankings for romantic suspense, thriller and mystery. Upon publication, her novels, including NEVER LOOK BACK and BURN YOU TWICE, consistently rank high on the Kindle eBooks Store Bestseller List. Her novels CUT AND RUN and YOU'RE NOT SAFE were nominated for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award for Romantic Suspense.
A Richmond native, Mary is the author of forty-five published novels and five novellas as Mary Burton and as Mary Ellen Taylor.
A member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Novelists, Inc., and Romance Writers of America, Mary is known for creating multiple suspense stories connected by characters and/or place.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
May 27, 2022
I was disappointed with this book, feeling that the characters were not developed enough, the plot too obvious and over-done, and finally, that it was over far too quickly.
To start with, I thought the story was really slow to get started. The writer takes a lot of time to establish that there is a dead body in the quarry that needs investigating, and this just sets the pace for the rest of the story. Realising that I soon only had a fifth of the book left, I could not see how Burton would conclude the plot without it feeling rushed. Alas, it did come around too soon and I finished the book feeling I had experienced a massive whirlwind with not much to show for it afterwards.
The premise of someone returning to their home town does feel rather over-done recently. I have somehow come across several books all with the same backbone to the plot and this did not feel very original as a result. Furthermore, Kelsey has had a troubled childhood: abandoned by her mother and then only barely looked after by her aunt. This sense of isolation and a need to find out more behind her mother’s actions made me feel a bit bored by this sub-plot of the narrative. I knew that Kelsey would be dissatisfied by the answers she finds and that the big reveal about her father would eventually come as part of this murder mystery.
Finally, Kelsey’s return to her hometown inevitably leads to her working closely with her first love. Unsurprisingly, the flame is rekindled, creating some very cheesy love scenes! I’m not sure whether I really liked Mitch, particularly his comment about unprotected sex which, quite frankly, made me squirm. In my opinion, he comes across as a very dated character with out-of-touch opinions. Not my sort of hero at all!
The reason why I continued reading this book was because I was hoping for some big ‘spark’ to energise the story. I was also keen to massage my ego and see if my predictions were correct! Whilst there were some surprises towards the end, it was not enough to change my opinion that this is quite a tedious, predictable novel that felt rushed throughout.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To start with, I thought the story was really slow to get started. The writer takes a lot of time to establish that there is a dead body in the quarry that needs investigating, and this just sets the pace for the rest of the story. Realising that I soon only had a fifth of the book left, I could not see how Burton would conclude the plot without it feeling rushed. Alas, it did come around too soon and I finished the book feeling I had experienced a massive whirlwind with not much to show for it afterwards.
The premise of someone returning to their home town does feel rather over-done recently. I have somehow come across several books all with the same backbone to the plot and this did not feel very original as a result. Furthermore, Kelsey has had a troubled childhood: abandoned by her mother and then only barely looked after by her aunt. This sense of isolation and a need to find out more behind her mother’s actions made me feel a bit bored by this sub-plot of the narrative. I knew that Kelsey would be dissatisfied by the answers she finds and that the big reveal about her father would eventually come as part of this murder mystery.
Finally, Kelsey’s return to her hometown inevitably leads to her working closely with her first love. Unsurprisingly, the flame is rekindled, creating some very cheesy love scenes! I’m not sure whether I really liked Mitch, particularly his comment about unprotected sex which, quite frankly, made me squirm. In my opinion, he comes across as a very dated character with out-of-touch opinions. Not my sort of hero at all!
The reason why I continued reading this book was because I was hoping for some big ‘spark’ to energise the story. I was also keen to massage my ego and see if my predictions were correct! Whilst there were some surprises towards the end, it was not enough to change my opinion that this is quite a tedious, predictable novel that felt rushed throughout.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2022
Reissue of a 2005 book "In Dark Waters". I love a good tightly written Romantic-Suspense that gets the job done in a reasonable page count. Harlequin Intrigue books do a great job of doing that. This is a reissue of an older version, same story, different cover. Mary Burton is a very good writer, but as this is an early work from her, don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.
At 18 Kelsey Warren left town after a one-night stand with Mitch Garrett. Now, eight years later she is back after her estranged aunt died. Kelsey is a world class diver, and her photography has taken her around the world and made her a success. Her younger life was a disaster, a promiscuous drug addict for a mother who abandoned her at 15 to an aunt who wasn't meant to be a caregiver. Kelsey is back to lay some of those old ghosts to rest.
Sheriff Mitch Garrett is shocked to find Kelsey at the quarry for a dive to find an old, abandoned car. The real shocker is finding Kelsey's mother, Donna, in that car. Kelsey and Mitch need to find the killer before they end up dead too.
My thanks to HQ Digital, Publisher, and Mary Burton, author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
At 18 Kelsey Warren left town after a one-night stand with Mitch Garrett. Now, eight years later she is back after her estranged aunt died. Kelsey is a world class diver, and her photography has taken her around the world and made her a success. Her younger life was a disaster, a promiscuous drug addict for a mother who abandoned her at 15 to an aunt who wasn't meant to be a caregiver. Kelsey is back to lay some of those old ghosts to rest.
Sheriff Mitch Garrett is shocked to find Kelsey at the quarry for a dive to find an old, abandoned car. The real shocker is finding Kelsey's mother, Donna, in that car. Kelsey and Mitch need to find the killer before they end up dead too.
My thanks to HQ Digital, Publisher, and Mary Burton, author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
December 9, 2010
Meh. Just alright.
Hero and heroine have a past -- she had a crappy childhood and at age 18, hooked up with the hero (also much younger at the time) and they had what he thought was a summer fling -- only for her it was much, much more serious. When she told him, right after they made love for the first time, that she'd been a virgin and that she loved him, he was horrified, and in true clueless male fashion, told her not only that he didn't love her, but that if he'd known, he never would've slept with her.
She runs off in tears and high-tails it out of town.
Fast forward a bit (I forget how long) and she's a famous diver/photographer (think National Geographic sort) and he's a retired.. military something. I forget. And divorced. But regardless, he's sheriff now, and she's back in town for her aunt's funeral.
Wellll her mama was a bit of a ho, and so our heroine was never really accepted in town when she was younger, and now that she's back, things haven't changed all that much.
While she's there, a body is discovered in the local quarry (big body of water btw), and things go downhill from there for our poor heroine.
What worked for me:
*I do love an unrequited love story -- even when that love was in the past. The angst and the guilt that arise from those situations have always done it for me.
*I like that she's "made something of herself" and isn't the poor unwanted outcast that she was when she left town
What didn't work for me:
*I felt like the hero fell in love with her way too quickly.
*Vegans don't eat cheeseburgers, even "to be nice". At least, none that I know do lol For real, I have NO PROBLEM telling people when they ask "how do you like your burger?" that I'd rather just have a wrap or salad instead. None whatsoever. So yeah, that irritated me lol
Overall, it was a very light, entertaining read. It was a quick read, that had just enough angst and character development to keep you interested, without being too deep and heavy, despite the murder mystery and the past history between the hero and heroine. Worth reading, but probably not on my keeper shelf.
3 1/2 Stars
Hero and heroine have a past -- she had a crappy childhood and at age 18, hooked up with the hero (also much younger at the time) and they had what he thought was a summer fling -- only for her it was much, much more serious. When she told him, right after they made love for the first time, that she'd been a virgin and that she loved him, he was horrified, and in true clueless male fashion, told her not only that he didn't love her, but that if he'd known, he never would've slept with her.
She runs off in tears and high-tails it out of town.
Fast forward a bit (I forget how long) and she's a famous diver/photographer (think National Geographic sort) and he's a retired.. military something. I forget. And divorced. But regardless, he's sheriff now, and she's back in town for her aunt's funeral.
Wellll her mama was a bit of a ho, and so our heroine was never really accepted in town when she was younger, and now that she's back, things haven't changed all that much.
While she's there, a body is discovered in the local quarry (big body of water btw), and things go downhill from there for our poor heroine.
What worked for me:
*I do love an unrequited love story -- even when that love was in the past. The angst and the guilt that arise from those situations have always done it for me.
*I like that she's "made something of herself" and isn't the poor unwanted outcast that she was when she left town
What didn't work for me:
*I felt like the hero fell in love with her way too quickly.
*Vegans don't eat cheeseburgers, even "to be nice". At least, none that I know do lol For real, I have NO PROBLEM telling people when they ask "how do you like your burger?" that I'd rather just have a wrap or salad instead. None whatsoever. So yeah, that irritated me lol
Overall, it was a very light, entertaining read. It was a quick read, that had just enough angst and character development to keep you interested, without being too deep and heavy, despite the murder mystery and the past history between the hero and heroine. Worth reading, but probably not on my keeper shelf.
3 1/2 Stars
June 9, 2022
Another quick read from a favourite author.
“Keep you close” it's a fast-paced romantic suspense that you have no other option but to read it in one sitting. And that's because it's addictive from start to finish.
Second chance romance, an arson attack at her aunt's house and so many dead bodies showing up when least expected. What more could I want from a great book?
Perfect for any reader.
“Keep you close” it's a fast-paced romantic suspense that you have no other option but to read it in one sitting. And that's because it's addictive from start to finish.
Second chance romance, an arson attack at her aunt's house and so many dead bodies showing up when least expected. What more could I want from a great book?
Perfect for any reader.
June 6, 2022
Keep You. Close by Mary Burton unfortunately for me was a bit of a disappointment. I am a huge fan of Mary Burton, but for me, the story was over way too quickly, was way to predictable and the characters were underdeveloped. It pains me to write a review like this but I unfortunately have to.
Thank you to #netgalley and #HQ. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you to #netgalley and #HQ. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 19, 2019
I really couldn't invest in this story at all, and the characters didn't do it all for me either. I DNF'd about a third of the way in.
May 18, 2022
Keep You Close is a fast-paced mystery set in a small-town and features two former lovers Mitch Garrett who is now Sheriff and Kelsey Warren a high-flying underwater photographer who has only returned to town to attend her Aunts funeral.
But before she can skip town again she agrees to do a favour for a friend by doing a dive at a flooded quarry only Kelsey opens a can of worms when she discovers a body at the bottom of the quarry. A body she believes is her mum Donna who supposedly left town ten years ago.
And as Kelsey becomes determined to stick around and find out what really happened to Donna someone else is equally determined to stop her and anyone else who gets in their way, and with a few twists and a touch of romance this was an enjoyable and engaging read. Although I do figure out who the killer was.
But before she can skip town again she agrees to do a favour for a friend by doing a dive at a flooded quarry only Kelsey opens a can of worms when she discovers a body at the bottom of the quarry. A body she believes is her mum Donna who supposedly left town ten years ago.
And as Kelsey becomes determined to stick around and find out what really happened to Donna someone else is equally determined to stop her and anyone else who gets in their way, and with a few twists and a touch of romance this was an enjoyable and engaging read. Although I do figure out who the killer was.
July 16, 2012
I really wanted things to be right between me and this book, but alas, the book didn't cooperate. That's right: it's you, not me, book.
A style of writing where four sentences are used to say what could've been done in three words. Forgetting your own plot (ie you can't tell us about Stu's accident until you tell us Stu had an accident; you can't bemoan a certain body being found until that body gets found. Stick with me, plot. Come on now, I know you can do it.)
Kelsey Warren's mother Donna ran off when Kelsey was 15 after a lifetime of neglect. When Kelsey returns to their hometown for a funeral, she dives a quarry and finds more than she bargained for, as in: her mother's corpse. Awk-ward!
Hunky Sheriff Mitch Garrett plays The Boy She Once Loved this time around, and does so with a good humor I didn't feel Kelsey deserved, as she was determined to show everyone around her just how hard and tough she'd gotten by alternately fleeing and feeling faint. Mitch lopes after her like a golden retriever, determined to stay by her side even if she runs into traffic.
And it's a shame, because at the root of this book there's a bone-solid mystery that really worked well. But I had such a time with wanting to whang Kelsey over the head with the Grow-Up Stick and the mechanics of the writing style. It just seemed like whoever was editing fell asleep at the wheel:
Yeah, y'all have a thing for place all right.
Add to that a Puppy of Romantic Convenience which promptly gets left IN MITCH'S GARAGE SO THE COUPLE CAN BONE, terrible sex scenes and the abrupt ending and I'm out on this book.
A style of writing where four sentences are used to say what could've been done in three words. Forgetting your own plot (ie you can't tell us about Stu's accident until you tell us Stu had an accident; you can't bemoan a certain body being found until that body gets found. Stick with me, plot. Come on now, I know you can do it.)
Kelsey Warren's mother Donna ran off when Kelsey was 15 after a lifetime of neglect. When Kelsey returns to their hometown for a funeral, she dives a quarry and finds more than she bargained for, as in: her mother's corpse. Awk-ward!
Hunky Sheriff Mitch Garrett plays The Boy She Once Loved this time around, and does so with a good humor I didn't feel Kelsey deserved, as she was determined to show everyone around her just how hard and tough she'd gotten by alternately fleeing and feeling faint. Mitch lopes after her like a golden retriever, determined to stay by her side even if she runs into traffic.
And it's a shame, because at the root of this book there's a bone-solid mystery that really worked well. But I had such a time with wanting to whang Kelsey over the head with the Grow-Up Stick and the mechanics of the writing style. It just seemed like whoever was editing fell asleep at the wheel:
"I appreciate the housecall, but I've got a lot of work to do in this place."
"A half hour won't make a difference with this place." He stared up at the house. His distaste for it was clear. "I still can't get over this place."
Yeah, y'all have a thing for place all right.
Add to that a Puppy of Romantic Convenience which promptly gets left IN MITCH'S GARAGE SO THE COUPLE CAN BONE, terrible sex scenes and the abrupt ending and I'm out on this book.
May 9, 2015
I've read several Mary Burton books before and really enjoyed them. This book, however, was only so so. I feel the characters weren't engaging enough and the plot was only just ok.
May 2, 2018
Brilliant book, but then anything by this author usually is. Was gripped from start to finish. Loved it.
Read
January 25, 2021Opinião:
Quando um corpo de mulher há muito submerso é encontrado no fundo de um lago, Kelsey Warren finalmente descobre o paradeiro da mãe que toda a gente pensou, incluindo ela, que a tinha abandonado. Provas de assassinato vão fazer com que Kelsey e o Xerife Mitch Garret unam esforços para tentar descobrir quem matou Donna Warren e que agora está a tentar silenciar Kelsey de vez...
Apesar de já ter lido a duologia "Senseless" da autora e de ter sido agradavelmente surpreendida, tenho que admitir que "In dark waters" ficou muito aquém das expectativas. Tenho plena consciência que esta é uma história muito mais curta e que, por esse motivo, não há muito espaço de manobra para desenvolver personagens e aprofundar enredos... No entanto, mesmo tendo essa noção, esta história soube-me a pouco. Achei vários desenvolvimentos bastante previsíveis e, desde muito cedo no desenrolar da acção, suspeitei da identidade do criminoso e de parte das suas motivações.
Não me entendam mal: a história não é totalmente desprovida de encanto e até gostei de conhecer a dupla Kelsey-Mitch. Considerei simplesmente tudo muito linear e previsível. Cumpriu o seu objectivo: o de me fazer abstrair da realidade durante algumas horas, mas nada mais do que isso, tendo plena consciência de que não ficará na memória.
15/01/21
Quando um corpo de mulher há muito submerso é encontrado no fundo de um lago, Kelsey Warren finalmente descobre o paradeiro da mãe que toda a gente pensou, incluindo ela, que a tinha abandonado. Provas de assassinato vão fazer com que Kelsey e o Xerife Mitch Garret unam esforços para tentar descobrir quem matou Donna Warren e que agora está a tentar silenciar Kelsey de vez...
Apesar de já ter lido a duologia "Senseless" da autora e de ter sido agradavelmente surpreendida, tenho que admitir que "In dark waters" ficou muito aquém das expectativas. Tenho plena consciência que esta é uma história muito mais curta e que, por esse motivo, não há muito espaço de manobra para desenvolver personagens e aprofundar enredos... No entanto, mesmo tendo essa noção, esta história soube-me a pouco. Achei vários desenvolvimentos bastante previsíveis e, desde muito cedo no desenrolar da acção, suspeitei da identidade do criminoso e de parte das suas motivações.
Não me entendam mal: a história não é totalmente desprovida de encanto e até gostei de conhecer a dupla Kelsey-Mitch. Considerei simplesmente tudo muito linear e previsível. Cumpriu o seu objectivo: o de me fazer abstrair da realidade durante algumas horas, mas nada mais do que isso, tendo plena consciência de que não ficará na memória.
15/01/21
April 9, 2022
A fast paced read. I enjoy Burton and how she paced her mysteries. This was a fun standalone with good story and characters.
Full disclosure- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2021
Started off really well with a mystery and a body. I was intrigued.......kept me intrigued for a while and I wanted to turn the pages then it switched to a corny romance and I clicked out.
Read
April 25, 2022Photo journalist Kelsey Warren returns home for her aunt's funeral and winds up caught up in a criminal investigation. During what should be a routine dive in a quarry to check out a submerged car, Kelsey realizes that the car belonged to her mom and that her mom's body is in the front seat. Donna wasn't the best of mothers, and for years Kelsey has believed that Donna abandoned her. Now she's come to find out that Donna was murdered. Kelsey's old flame, Sheriff Mitch Garrett, is in charge of the investigation. Kelsey is doing everything she can to keep him at arm's length. As more bodies start piling up, Kelsey finds herself in danger. The same person who killed her mother is now trying to kill her.
I have read a lot of Mary Burton's novels, and this is probably my least favorite. The mystery plot was interesting, but the romance was too quick and came off as very cheesy. I also didn't care for either main character. Kelsey is very immature. And, for someone who can't wait to leave town and never stays in one place long enough to put down roots, Kelsey somehow thinks it's a good idea to adopt a puppy. As for Mitch, he bungled their relationship the first time around. It's understandable. But now she's back, and he falls in love with her. He just doesn't go about it in the right way. Shoving your tongue down someone's throat is not the proper way to comfort them after just breaking the news that their mother was murdered.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I have read a lot of Mary Burton's novels, and this is probably my least favorite. The mystery plot was interesting, but the romance was too quick and came off as very cheesy. I also didn't care for either main character. Kelsey is very immature. And, for someone who can't wait to leave town and never stays in one place long enough to put down roots, Kelsey somehow thinks it's a good idea to adopt a puppy. As for Mitch, he bungled their relationship the first time around. It's understandable. But now she's back, and he falls in love with her. He just doesn't go about it in the right way. Shoving your tongue down someone's throat is not the proper way to comfort them after just breaking the news that their mother was murdered.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 6, 2022
Yet again, I can’t say I’m disappointed by this author. Kelsey and Mitch had a past, but could they have a present, as well as a future? Or were they destined to only have memories and regrets?
Kelsey returned to a town full of people who despised and bullied her because of a death in the family. Imagine her surprise when she found that the one who supposedly abandoned her all those years ago may not have. And the guy who crushed her young heart seemed to want another chance with her. But she couldn’t tell if Mitch truly wanted her and wanted more than fun times, or if he just wanted a temporary fling with a woman sure to leave town again.
While wondering about all of this and while Mitch did his best to figure out exactly how to move forward with Kelsey, danger closed in. Bodies piled up. And the reasons why all pointed to some old history and betrayals that never fully healed.
I found myself waffling between two suspects here, but the truth was a little messier than that. The reasons had me wondering. And the fact that Kelsey and Mitch held each other’s hearts had me happy for the good that came of this misery. So if you’re looking for a quick read of memories, opportunities lost, and love rediscovered, this is definitely worth your time.
Kelsey returned to a town full of people who despised and bullied her because of a death in the family. Imagine her surprise when she found that the one who supposedly abandoned her all those years ago may not have. And the guy who crushed her young heart seemed to want another chance with her. But she couldn’t tell if Mitch truly wanted her and wanted more than fun times, or if he just wanted a temporary fling with a woman sure to leave town again.
While wondering about all of this and while Mitch did his best to figure out exactly how to move forward with Kelsey, danger closed in. Bodies piled up. And the reasons why all pointed to some old history and betrayals that never fully healed.
I found myself waffling between two suspects here, but the truth was a little messier than that. The reasons had me wondering. And the fact that Kelsey and Mitch held each other’s hearts had me happy for the good that came of this misery. So if you’re looking for a quick read of memories, opportunities lost, and love rediscovered, this is definitely worth your time.
April 16, 2022
Kelsey Warren is an experienced diver and underwater photographer. She comes back to Grants Forge, VA when she hears of her aunts death. Kelsey’s mom abandoned her teenage daughter so her aunt raised her.
Kelsey’s friend and her mom Nora’s ex boyfriend, Stu Hamilton asks her to dive and investigate a car they found at the Diamond Stone Quarry. He and his partner Chris recently purchased the quarry to use for their dive shop. Her dive partner turns out to be Mitch Garrett. He was Kelsey’s first lover and now the sheriff. When Kelsey and Mitch find a body in the car, Kelsey realizes it’s her missing mom. The investigation into her murder will bring the town’s secrets to light. Will it bring Kelsey and Mitch back together? And who killed Kelsey’s mom and why?
This was another great book by this author. I was addicted and couldn’t put it down. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed. It’s still a must read.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Kelsey’s friend and her mom Nora’s ex boyfriend, Stu Hamilton asks her to dive and investigate a car they found at the Diamond Stone Quarry. He and his partner Chris recently purchased the quarry to use for their dive shop. Her dive partner turns out to be Mitch Garrett. He was Kelsey’s first lover and now the sheriff. When Kelsey and Mitch find a body in the car, Kelsey realizes it’s her missing mom. The investigation into her murder will bring the town’s secrets to light. Will it bring Kelsey and Mitch back together? And who killed Kelsey’s mom and why?
This was another great book by this author. I was addicted and couldn’t put it down. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed. It’s still a must read.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2022
A quick read with a good mystery and characters I really liked. The mystery and the relationship between Garrett and Kelsey kept me turning the pages and I read the whole book in one morning.
Garrett and Kelsey have unresolved feelings for each other and I was interested in seeing how they were going to work through their awkward past mistakes. There were a few twists with exciting and dramatic scenes although it was obvious from the outset who was most likely to be the murderer.
I thought it strange that Stu hadn't worked out who the killer was when two random people managed to do it off-page and get murdered for it. This didn't bother me though but I did wonder how they figured it out.
Keep You Close is a good blend of mystery and romance and it certainly entertained me for a few hours and two pots of tea on a rainy Sunday morning.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher
Garrett and Kelsey have unresolved feelings for each other and I was interested in seeing how they were going to work through their awkward past mistakes. There were a few twists with exciting and dramatic scenes although it was obvious from the outset who was most likely to be the murderer.
I thought it strange that Stu hadn't worked out who the killer was when two random people managed to do it off-page and get murdered for it. This didn't bother me though but I did wonder how they figured it out.
Keep You Close is a good blend of mystery and romance and it certainly entertained me for a few hours and two pots of tea on a rainy Sunday morning.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher
June 3, 2022
Keep You Close is a fast-paced afternoon read. Kelsey Warren returns home for her aunt's funeral. Before she leaves town she agrees to do a favor and dive in a quarry for a friend. While she is diving she takes pictures of the fish and of the car they are supposed to be looking for. Kelsey recognizes the car and discovers a body inside of it. Mitch her first love thinks Kelsey is acting strangely and they begin the process of surfacing. Once they are out of the water Kelsey says that the body they saw was her mother.
Kelsey wants to know the truth, but more bodies turn up and an arson sets her aunt's house on fire. Mitch and Kelsey will have to put their feelings aside as they solve the mystery.
I like all of Mary Burton's books. Some are fast paced, but they are all page turners. There is lots of drama and intrigue that keeps you wanting more.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Kelsey wants to know the truth, but more bodies turn up and an arson sets her aunt's house on fire. Mitch and Kelsey will have to put their feelings aside as they solve the mystery.
I like all of Mary Burton's books. Some are fast paced, but they are all page turners. There is lots of drama and intrigue that keeps you wanting more.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
April 23, 2022
Keep You Close
by Mary Burton
Pub Date 27 May 2022
HQ, HQ Digital
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
I am reviewing a copy of Keep You Close through HQ and Netgalley:
Kesley Warren is now a high-flying journalist but she has never forgiven her reckless mother Donna for abandoning her as a teenager..
But when returns to her hometown and discovers her mother’s body at the bottom of a flooded quarry with a gunshot wound in her chest, Kelsey’s world is flipped upside down. Her mother didn’t desert her; she was killed.
Despite Sheriff Mitch Garrett's pleas to leave the case alone, Kelsey is determined to uncover the truth about her mother. But small towns hide big secrets, and someone has their eye on Kelsey and is set on silencing her for good.
I give Keep You Close five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
by Mary Burton
Pub Date 27 May 2022
HQ, HQ Digital
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
I am reviewing a copy of Keep You Close through HQ and Netgalley:
Kesley Warren is now a high-flying journalist but she has never forgiven her reckless mother Donna for abandoning her as a teenager..
But when returns to her hometown and discovers her mother’s body at the bottom of a flooded quarry with a gunshot wound in her chest, Kelsey’s world is flipped upside down. Her mother didn’t desert her; she was killed.
Despite Sheriff Mitch Garrett's pleas to leave the case alone, Kelsey is determined to uncover the truth about her mother. But small towns hide big secrets, and someone has their eye on Kelsey and is set on silencing her for good.
I give Keep You Close five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
May 15, 2022
Mary Burton does it again! Absolutely no disappointment! Quick paced, full of detail, mystery/ Thriller with a bit of romance/spice. Her books are the best of both worlds.
In this book we follow Kelsey who is returning to Virginia to try and attend her Aunts funeral, and unfortunately doesn't make it on time. While being around the last place she called home before her worldly travels, she soon helps discover a body in the quarry, with the help of her ex love interest. They soon discover that this body is her mother, who vanished more than 10 years ago. With another body turning up in the quarry, someone else missing, and a near death experience for Kelsey, you start to realize everything has to be linked, but why? You'll just have to read this one to find our! You will enjoy it I promise.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reading of Keep You Close!
In this book we follow Kelsey who is returning to Virginia to try and attend her Aunts funeral, and unfortunately doesn't make it on time. While being around the last place she called home before her worldly travels, she soon helps discover a body in the quarry, with the help of her ex love interest. They soon discover that this body is her mother, who vanished more than 10 years ago. With another body turning up in the quarry, someone else missing, and a near death experience for Kelsey, you start to realize everything has to be linked, but why? You'll just have to read this one to find our! You will enjoy it I promise.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reading of Keep You Close!
April 8, 2022
Mary Burton has a suspenseful thriller in her book, Keep You Close. Underwater photographer Kelsey Warren travels to Grant's Forge, VA from her latest photo shoot in Fiji but doesn't arrive in time for her aunt's funeral, the aunt who raised her after her mother disappeared. Circumstances bring Kelsey back together with the guy who broke her heart when she eighteen. That guy, Mitch Garrett is now sheriff. Strange things start happening in town after a body is discovered in a car in the flooded local quarry. I enjoyed following along as Kelsey and Mitch work to solve the mystery of the body in the car and the other strange happenings. This was a chilling, thrilling read. Mary Burton is an excellent storyteller.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
April 18, 2022
(Reviewed for Net Galley) This was a super quick easy read! I loved that it got into the story quickly of Kelsey and finding her mother dead after 10 years.. sometimes stories can take forever to get in to. And it was a relatively quick read which was nice considering sometimes long mysteries and thrillers can be annoying. I loved the storyline all up until the end when BAM! Mitch saves the day, Kelsey gets stitched up from a grazed gun shot wound and all of a sudden it’s “I love you” and “I love you too” THE END. WHAT?! I wish the story would have been finished out a little more than just that. Yes the mystery ended and the killer was found, but WAY TOO QUICKLY. Just a bummer for me that the story wasn’t wrapped up better, hence the 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2022
Kelsey is a successful photographer and journalist who has returned to her home town. Her Mother abandoned her when she was a teenager so the town doesn’t have good memories for her. There is also an old flame who is now the Sheriff that Kelsey wants to avoid, she doesn’t want to get hurt again. When her Mothers body is discovered in her car in a quarry, she had been shot, Kelsey needs to find out who did it. There is suspense and a romance in the book. I suspected who the guilty party was and I was right. I always enjoy Mary’s books and this one doesn’t disappoint. I look forward to her next book. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
May 8, 2022
Kelsey Warren grew up with a selfish, drug addict mother who took off when Kelsey was 16. Ten years later, Kelsey has become a successful photographer but still suffers abandonment issues. When her mother's body is pulled from a flooded quarry, Kelsey realizes her mother didn't take off, she was killed. Determined to find out what happened, Kelsey is forced to work with her ex-boyfriend/first love, Sheriff Mitch Garrett. A quick, enjoyable read, but a pretty formulaic romantic suspense, not as good as Mary Burton's later work IMO (this book was first published in 2005 as "In Dark Waters").
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2022
this is my second book from this author and i loved the arsonist. The author writes crime thrillers which is great. I was all over the place in my writing of this review and how to rate it because different parts of the book had me feeling different. I loved how the book started with a dead body, returning to the family home, and overall the main characters back story. The love scene of a rekindled romance was cheesy and so easily seen from a mile away.
I think what truly took the story away was the love interest aspect because the murderer mystery bit was very good and developed.
I also feel it was a .. wrap everything up in a pretty bow ending that felt very jarring.
I think what truly took the story away was the love interest aspect because the murderer mystery bit was very good and developed.
I also feel it was a .. wrap everything up in a pretty bow ending that felt very jarring.
May 23, 2022
Loved it! Keep you close is a wild and terrifying ride. Highly enjoyable and I had a hard time putting it down!
What did I like? This book was so easy to get into. It literally just sucks you in the first chapter and doesn’t let go. Kelsey and Mitch try their hand at a second chance romance but an evil doer is looking to keep these two from a HEA!
Would I recommend or buy? Yes, what a thriller! I really enjoy books by this author and this one was no different! Five stars!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
What did I like? This book was so easy to get into. It literally just sucks you in the first chapter and doesn’t let go. Kelsey and Mitch try their hand at a second chance romance but an evil doer is looking to keep these two from a HEA!
Would I recommend or buy? Yes, what a thriller! I really enjoy books by this author and this one was no different! Five stars!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
May 27, 2022
Kelsey returns to her hometown for a relative's funeral, not expecting to stay. When she offers to help a friend with a dive, she finds the body of her mother, who she thought had abandoned her years before. Determined to find the culprit, she needs the help of Mitch, the Sheriff, but they have history, and proximity brings it to the fore. A suspenseful, short romantic suspense with a second chance romance and a dangerous antagonist. I like the small town setting, the menacing ethos created, and the conflicted but ultimately happy romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
March 18, 2025
I was excited to read a good mystery book but instead was deceived into reading a romance between two very annoying main characters.
Ignoring the entire romance subplot (aka most of the book), the mystery backdrop was intriguing, the book didn’t overstay its welcome, and Burton’s writing style is excellent - the only reason I continued reading after a cringe worthy opening few pages. For what it’s worth, also one of the few times I managed to solve the whole mystery well before the end, though it wasn’t the most original or thoight provoking plot I’ve ever read.
Ignoring the entire romance subplot (aka most of the book), the mystery backdrop was intriguing, the book didn’t overstay its welcome, and Burton’s writing style is excellent - the only reason I continued reading after a cringe worthy opening few pages. For what it’s worth, also one of the few times I managed to solve the whole mystery well before the end, though it wasn’t the most original or thoight provoking plot I’ve ever read.
December 15, 2021
Not my favorite
I have read many Mary Burton books because I love her style, I give allowance for this being love of the first but it was not one of the best. All the action seemed to happen in the span of a second. In an early chapter she says she had never met the man and literally two pages later she says her her to to in and ask about her mother ask the time. And she's vegan bit she had a burger, egg, and cheese. Despite the sky issues I love her writing style.
I have read many Mary Burton books because I love her style, I give allowance for this being love of the first but it was not one of the best. All the action seemed to happen in the span of a second. In an early chapter she says she had never met the man and literally two pages later she says her her to to in and ask about her mother ask the time. And she's vegan bit she had a burger, egg, and cheese. Despite the sky issues I love her writing style.
April 24, 2022
A Twisty turning four-star read. This was a great story, and I am a fan of the author, but I have found their other works a little better. This one was so filled with twists and will keep you guessing, but it was let down by the current romantic tryst between Kelsey and Mitch, it just felt a little revengey, like Mitch wasn’t ready before so now had to go overboard and prove himself. That annoyed me, but overall, I did enjoy it. The history and twists made it a good story for me.
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