Keep Your Family Close

Detective Honeywell Mystery #2

by Annette Dashofy

When a badly decomposed body is found in the basement of an abandoned warehouse, Erie police detective, Matthias Honeywell, is called in to investigate. Meanwhile, freelance photographer Emma Anderson is desperately trying to find her drug-addicted sister, Nell. Then a devastating piece of evidence found at Detective Honeywell’s crime scene brings her world crashing down, a driver’s license belonging to her missing sister. In need of her assistance, Matthias asks Emma to help with the case, hoping to solve the mysterious disappearance of Nell Anderson. But in doing so, will the investigation uncover more questions than answers?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Romance, Amateur Sleuth, Fiction, Procedural

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2023

About the author

Annette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of 12 novels in the multi Agatha Award nominated Zoe Chambers mystery series about a paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township. In addition, her standalone, Death by Equine, about a veterinarian at a second-rate thoroughbred racetrack, won the 2021 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award. The second in her new Detective Honeywell Mystery series, Keep Your Family Close, was released in December 2023. Her upcoming What Comes Around (Zoe Chambers #13) is scheduled for release in May 2024. Annette and her husband live on ten acres of what was her grandfather’s dairy farm in southwestern Pennsylvania with their very spoiled cat, Kensi.

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Matthias Honeywell #2, Erie City Police, Major Crimes Unit.

Mattias is investigating the murder of a man whose body is found in an alleyway, in addition to a missing person case of Gillian Watson. Emma Anderson is a photographer at ErieLIVE and is desperately searching the city for her missing sister Nell, who is a drug addict. Does she have a lead from barman Zeke? Two missing girls - is this a coincidence or are they connected in anyway? Mattias has a lot on his mind and Emma is rarely far from it. When a piece of evidence is uncovered he asks for her help but it soon becomes clear they are entering dangerous realms.

This is another enjoyable read from Annette Dashofy who has created some really interesting characters here. I really like Mattias, he’s quite deep but fascinating and I enjoy the obvious chemistry between him and Emma, which both of them try to deny. There is a complex “dance“ going on here! There is equally strong characterisation of Mathias’ partner, DS Cassie Malone, who is on leave at the start of the book, her place being temporarily taken by somewhat judgy Detective Frazier. He does grow on you as the book progresses! Also, very likeable is Emma’s best friend Eric Baker from her hometown of Washington, everyone needs a loyal friend like him.

As for the plot, it’s safe to say it’s fast paced and an ever changing scene. There’s plenty going on that keeps you glued to the pages. The mystery element of the girls and the murder is a good one, and the author cleverly leads readers up some blind alleys, as guesses are made as to who the shadowy figure is behind the events. Along the route to the conclusion there are chills from some characters they meet and interview, lies by the dump truck load and plenty of emotion in between. It becomes a rollercoaster twisty read with a surprise at the finale.

The author creates just the right tone and atmosphere in the Erie City setting. It’s a varied city and the locations chosen perfectly match, blend and enhance the plot. They are described so well so you can easily visualise the action.

Finally, I’m already eagerly anticipating number three of this character driven mystery/thriller series which I recommend to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter, for the much appreciated orc in return for an honest review.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Detective Honeywell Mystery series, but I missed the first one. This one can easily be read as a stand-alone and I had no trouble following the story.

Description:
When a badly decomposed body is found in the basement of an abandoned warehouse, Erie police detective, Matthias Honeywell, is called in to investigate. Meanwhile, freelance photographer Emma Anderson is desperately trying to find her drug-addicted sister, Nell. Then a devastating piece of evidence found at Detective Honeywell’s crime scene brings her world crashing down, a driver’s license belonging to her missing sister. In need of her assistance, Matthias asks Emma to help with the case, hoping to solve the mysterious disappearance of Nell Anderson. But in doing so, will the investigation uncover more questions than answers?

My Thoughts:
I really liked the character Detective Matthias Honeycutt - he seems expressive with his mood changes showing in his countenance. He seems strong and determined, but has a softer side. I enjoyed the budding romance between him and Emma. The search for Emma's sister has some harrowing moments. There are a couple of murders with some twists and turns to the investigation, that becomes fairly complex. I enjoyed following the clues with the detectives. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, and I look forward to additions to this series.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on December 8, 2023.

[Annette Dashofy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for my readers to check this one out. It picks up the search for Emma's little sister and what Matthias finds isn't what Emma hoped for. I hope you like it!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Keep Your Family Close, by Annette Dashofy, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in A Detective Honeywell Mystery book series. When a body is found detective Matthias Honeywell is on the case. This was a good read, iy kept me guessing til the end, I really enjoyed Det. Honeywell.

[Sue Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounding up from 4.5 stars

Second in Annette Dash of the new series set in Erie, Pennsylvania. While the main POV is Matthias Honeywell, an Erie police detective, Emma Anderson, a woman looking for her missing sister, has an equally strong role. When a body is found in an abandoned warehouse, it's a strong possibility that it her sister. An excellent mystery with plenty of surprising twists and turns. As always with Dashofy's books, the three dimensional and engaging characters are outstanding. Of course, it can be read as a standalone, but Emma's backstory grounds the plot and you would be missing some of the nuances of the characters. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lissanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Pgchuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a fast-paced and suspenseful read as Emma searches for her sister Nell and Detective Honeywell investigates two murders. There was even a bit of a romance thrown in. I did feel at something of a disadvantage not having read the first in the series (which apparently also featured Emma) - events in it were referred to a lot, and had apparently just happened.

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Keep Your Family Close’ by Annette Dashovy is the second book in the Detective Honeywell mystery series, and it is a superb thriller as well as a mystery! I couldn’t put it down last night! I really enjoyed the novel. The two main characters, magazine photographer Emma Anderson and Erie City Police Detective Matthias Honeywell, are developing a romance which is turning out to be interesting as well. I am not much of a Romance genre fan, but I do enjoy most romances in mystery series. They tend to be fraught because the lovers in mysteries often carry a lot of damaged baggage from their pasts. I dig it. Bite me.

Readers should begin with book one, Where the Guilty Hide. ‘Keep Your Family Close’, while it introduces a new murder mystery different from that in the first novel, has more developments in some of the threads started in book one in the series.

I have copied the book blurb:

”When a badly decomposed body is found in the basement of an abandoned warehouse, Erie police detective, Matthias Honeywell, is called in to investigate. Meanwhile, freelance photographer Emma Anderson is desperately trying to find her drug-addicted sister, Nell.

Then a devastating piece of evidence found at Detective Honeywell’s crime scene brings her world crashing down, a driver’s license belonging to her missing sister. In need of her assistance, Matthias asks Emma to help with the case, hoping to solve the mysterious disappearance of Nell Anderson. But in doing so, will the investigation uncover more questions than answers?”

I don’t know if these two books will lead to a series, but I have my fingers crossed. At this present time, the two ebooks are inexpensive on Amazon. However, I am wondering how the author can continue to create plots which somehow cause Emma and Matthias to meet up! Emma’s profession is not a steady job, nor is it one which will give her opportunities to see Matthias regularly. The author did a better job in book two in developing these characters, giving them quirky mates as well. I am hoping for a good beach read series being developed from these modestly beginning novels!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eerie happenings in Erie: not predictable for me!😲

4.5🌟stars
This search for a killer and the female lead's missing sister Nell caught me off-guard in a good way. I had a definite feel for the good and bad guys but I ultimately was proved at least partially wrong (though I admit in hindsight that the clues were there). I found the mix of murder, suspense, action and a bit of constantly stifled romantic attraction made for a really good plot. Plus, setting the story in Erie, in my home state, was a big draw for me.

Matthias, the male lead police detective, made for a good hero: a bit brooding, a lot serious, protective and hung up on his attraction to photographer Emma who moved up to Erie looking for her sister Nell. Nell's a wayward young woman who's had drug and alcohol addiction issues; Emma hasn't seen in her a few years and fears she's in danger. But there have been various possible recent sightings of her around Erie and the discovery of a woman's body in a derelict building near a homeless encampment seems to affirm Emma's worst nightmare.

The police also have another recent murder and a missing person case to solve. Matthias' younger colleague Frazier, who gives an iffy first impression, turns out to be a very resourceful investigator thanks to his many local connections.

This was the second novel by Dashofy I've read and I will definitely be reading more. Her plots and characters really appeal to me.

Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second installment of the series is just as good as the first! The writing is complex and keeps you reading at a fast pace! The author does an excellent job of developing the characters, especially the sexual tension between Matthias and Emma. The mystery is ever changing and has you hooked from the start! You definitely need to read the first installment before this one although technically you could read each as a standalone. I highly recommend both!

[ChrisQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good! Nice character development, solid mystery.

[charlotte, · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my blog.

Galley provided by publisher

I picked up the first Detective Honeywell book on a whim earlier this year and enjoyed it, so book two was high on my to read list. Keep Your Family Close was just as good and, despite being less focused on the murder mystery aspect, just as compelling.

The story this time is more about Emma’s sister, following the discovery of a dead body with Nell’s identity documents, but how did the body end up there and what was the cause of death? To say much more about the book would be to spoil the plot — it’s one of those ones. So let me just skip on to the actual review.

I have to admit that, occasionally, I found myself preferring Matthias’s POV to Emma’s, given that his was the more prototypical mystery novel. Emma’s tended a bit more towards a thriller and most of it was about keeping secrets from Matthias (because of the aforementioned spoilers in the plot). And, just personally, I don’t love when a lot of the plot hinges on keeping secrets. Luckily, they weren’t kept for very long, and also Matthias basically knew she was lying the whole time.

Despite knowing where the plot was mostly going (given differing amounts of information in each POV), it was still a compelling read. Annette Dashofy is good at keeping the tension high and the plot moving quickly. The relationship between Matthias and Emma is equally compelling (and progresses in this book too), although perhaps a little too quickly? Again, probably a taste thing, but I am still interested in how it goes from here.

Anyway, regardless this is a fun series, one I’ve enjoyed reading so far. And one I will definitely be continuing.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Keep Your Family Close, the 2nd book in Annette Dashofy's new Detective Honeywell Mystery series is outstanding. As much as I enjoyed Where the Guilty Are, I loved the 2nd book even more. As one can expect of any book Ms. Dashofy writes, I was on the edge of my seat throughout and had to read it in one go. While I had at last two suspects on my list, including the right one, I wasn't sure until the killer was revealed. I appreciate that along with red herrings, Ms. Dashofy leaves builds a fair path to the real killer for me to work through. The emotional roller coaster and the twist and turns of the suspense left me wiped out in the end but so satisfied.
I became attached to the main characters in the first book and my affection grew throughout this one. There is a dark overtone running through Keep Your Family Close, but Annette Dashofy offers moments of light to keep the book from bringing the reader down too far or for too long. That light is one of the reasons I can not only read her books in spite of the intensity but adore them. I am excited about the slowly growing connection between Emma and Matthias and look forward to watching it continue.
I loved Keep Your Family Close almost as much as the Zoe Chambers series and suspect that once I have read a few more books, I will love the series just as much. Zoe and her friends are all mine but Emma and Matthias and to a lesser extent Kiri and Cassie are becoming mine, too.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for allowing me to read and ARC of this wonderful book. I loved, loved, loved Keep Your Family Closer!!!

#NetGalley #OneMoreChapter #DetectiveHoneywell #AnnetteDashofy #KeepYourFamilyClose

[Persnickety · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Keep Your Family Close" by Annette Dashofy delivers another suspenseful installment in the series. The slow but deliberate fleshing out of the main characters, Detective Matthias Honeywell and freelance photographer Emma Anderson, adds depth and authenticity to the story. Dashofy skillfully weaves their personal struggles into the narrative, making them relatable and endearing.

The plot, centered around a grisly crime scene and a missing person case, is intricately woven with unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. Dashofy's writing style is both engaging and evocative, immersing the reader in the dark and mysterious world of the novel.
As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself drawn deeper into the characters' lives and the enigmatic mysteries they face. The discovery of the driver's license belonging to Emma's missing sister adds a layer of emotional intensity that keeps you emotionally invested in the outcome.

"Keep Your Family Close" leaves you eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, as you'll be yearning for more answers and more of Dashofy's masterful storytelling. With its well-crafted characters and intricate plot, this book earns a solid 4.5/5 stars, leaving you hungry for more. Fans of Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh won’t be disappointed in giving this series a go. Thanks to Ms Dashofy, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Keep Your Family Close, the second in the excellent Detective Honeywell series, Emma Anderson, now a staff photographer at ERIElive, is searching the city for her missing sister Nell, lost to drug addiction. She thinks she has a lead when a bartender at a seedy tavern claims he recognized Nell from her picture on a missing person flyer. He saw her at a wedding that took place in a local upscale hotel. Matthias Honeywell is investigating the murder of a man whose body was found in an alley. He’s also looking for Gillian Watson, a young woman who vanished while walking home from work. And, because of a well suppressed attraction to Emma, Nell’s disappearance Is always on his mind. Slowly, links between all these three cases become apparent and a deep danger is revealed.

Keep Your Family Close is a character driven mystery that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can. Emma and Matthias are dealing with rapidly growing feelings for each other that are becoming hard to hide. DS Cassie Malone, Matthias’ partner, is a strong character with an interesting backstory. Eric Baker is a new character that I hope will appear in the next in this superb series. And of course, there is Erie, the gritty, waterfront city that provides an atmospheric background. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Annette Dashovy for this ARC.

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Your Family Close by Annette Dashofy is a gripping, suspenseful crime thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The author expertly weaves a complex plot full of twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the end.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the story is filled with emotional depth. Dashofy’s writing style is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Overall, Keep Your Family Close is a must-read for fans of thrilling and suspenseful crime novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com

Keep Your Family Close is the second book in the Detective Matthias Honeywell series. I was immediately drawn to this novel due to the creepy looking cover and in all honesty, I really can’t help myself when it comes to mysteries set in the US. Particularly when they’re set in a location I haven’t, in a literary sense, visited before. Keep Your Family Close is set in Erie, Pennsylvania so that was a big ol’ tick in my book. Unfortunately, because I don’t pay close enough attention and because I was just too darn excited when I saw this book, I didn’t realise it was the second book in the series. We’ve all done it, I’m sure. Picked up a book that’s partway through a series without realising that these characters have been on many adventures prior to you discovering them. Often it doesn’t really matter and you can play catch up pretty quickly. Other times, it’s more of a struggle and that feeling that you’re missing out on something that’s gone before just doesn’t shift. I’m afraid I felt very much out of the loop with this book. The past is of course touched upon, but for me, the detail was missing. I was able to cobble together the barest of bones but was I right? Only those who have read the first book in the series will be able to confirm that for me. I felt throughout the entire book that I had missed something vitally important in the moulding and shaping of Emma Anderson’s character and sadly, that’s the main thing I’ve taken away from reading Keep Your Family Close.

However, I think this is very much a case of me not being the right reader for this particular novel. Looking at the other reviews, there’s so much love for this series so just because this one wasn’t my cup of tea, it doesn’t mean it won’t be yours. I really liked the location. I thought the author brought the streets of Erie, PA to life. I liked the pace of the novel, slow and steady to start but building to an exciting and thrilling conclusion. And I thought the overall storyline was good. The handsome and dashing lead detective falling in love with the female protagonist wasn’t particularly my thing, nor was the also handsome, supportive and overly protective male BFF trope. But they might be yours. In which case, check out the first book initially so you can get the full lowdown on what happened to Emma in book one first before you move on to Keep Your Family Close. All in all, I don’t think this was a book for me but I do ultimately seem to be in the minority there and I’m very happy with being on my tod.

[Coralee Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine you’re someone who is on the other side of a crisis. Perhaps you escaped a burning building. Perhaps you missed a flight that crashed, or perhaps, after harsh words, your parents died in a car accident. How do you live with this new reality? This is the thematic question in Dashofy’s new series, Detective Honeywell mystery. In book 1, we met Emma Anderson, a professional photographer who has relocated to Eire, PA. She and her sister are still recovering from the death of their parents. Emma, the older, became a surrogate parent to Nell. Nell, still an adolescent, spiraled into self-medication through drugs, alcohol, and ultimately trying to run from her overwhelming feelings.

In Book 2, we learn more about the third lead character, Matthias. Det. Honeywell is a man who knows how to guard his feelings. As before, he is willing to play the “bad cop” role. Rugged and stern in demeanor, his movements project a “don’t mess with me” image. This image belies the truth: the inner Matthias is soft, caring, and filled with self-doubt when it comes to his attraction towards Emma. Character and setting come first to Dashofy. The setting reflects the mental state of the characters. Moving away from the beauty of the parks and the warmth of the campground in book 1, the reader is shown the dive bars, the crumbling warehouses, and the homeless encampments in Eire. In these rough settings, the villains are equally corrupt and nasty.

Dashofy has moved from the “cozy” mystery world to that of a suspenseful procedural. Unlike a cozy where the crime occurs offstage, the victims are identified in graphic detail. Even the scent of decomposition is mentioned. A cozy offers sanitized reality; not so here. In a book talk given in September 2024 in Wheeling, WV, Dashofy gave a brief summary of her work experience before she became an award-winning author in publishing. Five years as an EMT, a professional photographer, working with horses, including miniature horses, and retail. She related that her mother might have thought, “Can this child not keep a steady job?” In fact, Dashofy had her career from writing her own version of Jack & Jill magazine, perhaps in crayon; she was young, to filling notebooks in study hall for her eager fans. Her life long development has created a writer with a strong self assured point of view. She is willing to tackle the hard subject. I am very glad she does, and look forward to book 3. Very highly recommended for book clubs, mature YA’s, and lovers of rural procedural mysteries.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy of Keep Your Family Close, the second novel to feature photographer Emma Anderson and Detective Matthias Honeywell, set in Erie, Pennsylvania.

A decomposing body is found in the basement of a derelict building. Matthias is leading the investigation and is surprised to find Nell Anderson’s driving licence on the body. The news comes as a blow to Emma who has been looking for her sister Nell, a drug addict, for over a year.

I thoroughly enjoyed Keep Your Family Close, which is an engrossing read with plenty of twists and turns. The narrative is split between Emma and Matthias as both pursue their own enquiries, but always keeping in touch to keep the other updated. I like this as it allows the reader to guess along and get immersed in the case.

I like the way the novel is split between police procedural and Emma’s less orthodox, more emotional approach as it offers the reader the best of both worlds. I can’t say much about the content of the novel without spoilers as some of the twists come early and direct the rest of the narrative. The plot is relatively fast paced with the surprise early twist and plenty of developments to keep the reader turning the pages. There is never a dull moment with Matthias investigating an unrelated murder and a missing person that have the team puzzled. Emma is not involved in these cases as she is consumed with finding out who harmed Nell. The resolution is a surprise as there is little hint of it before the evidence starts stacking up.

I like Matthias and Emma as both are driven in their own way and that seems to preclude them acting on their strong attraction to each other, but they’re getting closer. They work well together, she’s more impulsive and better at communicating, but he’s the steady one.

Keep Your Family Close is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

[TJ🌷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4/5⭐️

I enjoyed this book as much as the last one! The mystery was a good balance of suspenseful and compelling. The pacing was well-written so you never got bored while also never got bombarded with too much information.
Below I’ve attached a blurb of the synopsis in my own words. I have noticed other reviews doing this so I figured I would try too!

📕 In this story, photographer Emma Anderson continues to search for her missing sister in the town of Erie. Following up on a potential lead, she begins to gain newfound hope that she may be able to find her sister. In the same town, Detective Matthias Honeywell is investigating two recent murders. The story brings Emma and Matthias together once again when a shocking piece of evidence is found right at the scene of another crime.




🛑Spoilers below🛑
I appreciated that the Emma-Matthias relationship was prevalent, but not overbearing to the plot. I also am happy there was no love triangle between Kira-Emma-Matthias. I am sad there was little development in Emma and Kira’s friendship. I also really do hope there is another book to conclude Emma and Nell’s relationship. I was very disappointed with Nell’s character at the end, but I do believe part of it is due to not having had her perspective. Perhaps the next story can follow Nell and Zeke as well as Emma and Matthias. However, it hopefully won’t be romance focused and continue to be mystery focused.

Lastly, my one major complaint of the story happened in the “climax” of the story. When Emma decides to chase after Katie, I rolled my eyes. I understand not wanting Katie to get away, but really Emma? You suspect she is a murderer and run after her? In the previous book, I got a little miffed at the monologues during the climax scene. Perhaps this is just something that occurs during the climax of books/films. I just find it exhausting.

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

To address something I have seen mentioned in other reviews, yes this is the second book in a series. And yes, there are mentions of people and events that took place in the prior novel (at least I am assuming they did as I did not read the first book). However, that did not make me feel confused at any time while reading this one as this seemed to be it's own stand-alone story. I will say, it did make the relationship between Matthias and Emma seem a bit rushed just because coming into this story now I missed the build-up that I assume happened prior to this.

However, I did have a few other issues with this story, the main one being that I really never felt any real sense of urgency whatsoever. Not when Emma gets an unexpected phone call that leaves her reeling. Not when the police starting finding new leads (even if they were themselves excited about it). Not even during the final "showdown" with the person responsible. It just felt very lackluster. Don't get me wrong, this one did keep me reading, but more so because I was waiting for that "moment" that made me eager for what came next. Unfortunately, for me, this story never quite got there.

That being said, what saved this story from being a 2 star read, was the surprise twist at the end. I will admit that I am a sucker for a good (believable) twist, and this one caught me completely off-guard. I would probably pick up the next in the series (if there is a next) just to see what happens and whether or not I feel that urgency that I look for when reading a thriller/suspense novel.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Photographer Emma‘s sister Nell is missing and although she’s scared to get a call that she died from a drug overdose, it will be detected Honeywell who comes to tell her the grim news. Emma‘s sister isn’t the only case on detective Honeywells case pile he is also called when someone finds a decomposing body in a basement and linked back to a local bar that has convenient ties to the dead man. When he went to notify Emma about her sister things started getting interesting between the two and he scared her going home well and we didn’t get a chance to start but little does he and Emma know that finding the dead body is just the beginning. This is the second book in the Detective Honeywell Mysteries and with the exception of previous story cues this definitely reads like a great thriller mystery I am no stranger to a net dash of his stories and have enjoyed everyone I have read including this one. In the first book I wasn’t the biggest fan of Emma but I truly started liking her in this book she seems more approachable and much more likable I also love the relationship between her and the detective and thought the mystery “that I thought I solved it but totally didn’t” was a really good one. I think anyone who loves crime mysteries will enjoy this book that can totally stand on its own I do believe reading the whole series gives a fuller picture but it’s not necessary this is a great story and one I definitely recommend. I want to thank Harper Collins UK, one more chapter and Net Galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life on the streets of Erie, Pennsylvania is detective Matthias Honeywell's beat, and much of what he sees can be unrelentingly grim. What lies below the surface, unseen, even more so.

Matthias is currently occupied fighting off his slow but steadily growing attraction to Emma, who is in much the same position. Denial is not always a sustainable strategy, but at the very least, it can help delay what is underway. Not mention, it allows the reader to enjoy watching the gradual development of their relationship.

Beyond that, Emma's desperation to find her sister Nell, a drug user, fuels much of her day to day existence. When a body is found with her sister's ID on it, Emma must face up to the reality of what might have happened to Nell.

Meanwhile, Matthias is challenged by some of the cases on his plate. A gunshot death, a missing woman, and now, new developments in Nell's case that bring Emma to the forefront of his mind once again. Disentangling the hidden connections will yield answers, but they may not be welcome ones...

This is a terrific follow up to the first book in the series, and Dashofy delivers a story that will quickly draw readers in. Matthias and Emma are easy to care about, as are some of the other characters you meet in these pages, like Matthias' boss, who is in sync with his approach to things. An absorbing read.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Matthias Honeywell is called to the scene of a man shot in an alley near a bar. Sounds like a mugging on the surface, especially since his wallet is missing. Is it that simple? Or is there more to it than that? If it is a mugging, will they ever figure out who did it? Meanwhile, he’s also working on the case of a waitress who vanished while walking home from work one night. Will he get a break in that case?

Plus, Honeywell’s friend, Emma Anderson, gets a new lead on where her missing sister might be. The lead is a week old; will it lead Emma to her sister?

With so many storylines, it isn’t a surprise that I found this book to be a page turning. There was always something happening to keep me engaged. The characters were strong, and that drew me in as well. There was one part of the solution that bothered me, but all my questions were answered. Meanwhile, those who enjoyed the first book will be happy to hear the sparks between Honeywell and Emma are as strong as ever. Plus, we get to see some interesting growth in them and meet some great new characters. Since this is a police procedural, it’s a little darker than my typical cozy, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. This is a great second book in a series that will keep you turning pages.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

With murders and multiple disappearances, this mystery will keep you turning pages. You’ll have to pay attention to figure out who did what to whom. Once you figure something out, you may need to double check your work, just as the detectives had to, because you may not have it right. Also, there is always the issue of who is telling the truth and what motivations the characters have for what they say and do. There is one egotistical, abusive man that the detectives (and I) would like to pin a murder on, but they have to stick to the evidence. If he did commit the murder, can they prove it?

Emma was a potential romantic interest for Detective Matthias Honeywell in the first book. She reappears in this book, and her focus is still on locating her sister Nell who has been challenged with drug problems since the death of their parents. Both women have found themselves in difficult, abusive situations. In this book we meet their childhood friend Eric who will do anything for them. Also returning is Kari, a yoga instructor, who becomes a good friend to Emma. Emma puts herself in dangerous situations by going to some seedy bars and a homeless tent area looking for Nell and following leads on the murderer.

I enjoyed Keep Your Family Close and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Lisa G. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

INVESTIGATIVE THRILLER!

Annette Dashoffy has just released Keep Your Family Close (A Detective Honeywell Mystery, Book 2). In my opinion, she has outdone herself in writing this dynamic investigative thriller! Matthias Honeywell is a well-thought-out character who is easily believable, and someone readers will want to root for. His job is never easy, as he always sees the worst of humanity, but he works to see justice served.

Honeywell’s world collides with freelance photographer Emma Anderson when a Driver’s License belonging to her missing sister turns up at a crime scene. She has been searching for her sister to no avail. Dashoffy uses numerous twists and turns throughout this plot to keep readers engaged and guessing what might come next. She has planned plenty of mayhem, malice, and murder. I like that she let Honeywell and Anderson work together to solve this case instead of working separately. The big question remains: what will they do with the information they discover?

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by the author/publisher and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Your Family Close by Annette Dashofy
(A Detective Honeywell Mystery, Book 2)

So many mixed-up people, where do they all come from? Even more perplexing, how will all the falsehoods get sorted? Who is really to be feared, the scary-looking homeless people or the polished wealthy?
Matthias is frustrated by stalled cases, and Emma isn’t helping by keeping secrets, but a promise is a promise . . . though sometimes it perhaps ought not to be. Secrecy and misunderstandings are integral to so many classic tragedies. Then there’s the threat of romance hanging over their heads, though they both know better, or do they?
This is one of those wonderful books that steals one’s sleep, but so good that I didn’t even mind. I want to go visit Erie, Pennsylvania, and find Sara’s Campground. Meanwhile, I’ll be waiting and hoping for more books for more adventures with these delightful people.
Pub. date is in Dec., but meanwhile, you can read WHERE THE GUILTY HIDE and all the Zoe Chambers books.

[Deb McIlroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC.

This is book 2 in the Detective Honeywell Mystery series by Annette Dashofy. I highly recommend reading the 1st book before you start this one. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, you will miss some important character backgrounds and story elements which makes it a bit harder to connect.

This book has everything, suspense, tension, great plot twists and even romance. The chemistry between Emma and Honeywell is amazing. I liked the complexity of the mystery and my brain truly enjoyed the thinking. The author's writing style is really good and keeps you reading. I can not remember how many times I've said: “Just one more chapter.”
There were so many moments that I had to question myself on what I would do in a similar situation. This was just another gripping murder mystery. I can not wait for the third book in this series. If you are a murder mystery fan, you will love this series!!

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex mystery for Detective Matthias Honeywell and his team, Detective Brad Frazier and Detective Sergeant Cassie Malone. A man is killed outside a local bar and they believe it must have been someone he knew as the shooting was up close and personal. At the same time, Emma Anderson has been searching for her sister, Nell, who is missing. She continues to hold out hope that her sister, who has had issues with drugs, is still alive. When a woman’s body is found in a warehouse, is it Nell? She relies on her friendship with Matthias to keep informed about her sister’s case. The team also have another case involving a missing woman who had worked at the same bar as Nell. Is there a common denominator between the two women? Emma learns that her sister is alive, but then who is the woman from the warehouse? Will the team finally get a break in the case that will lead them to the killer or killers? received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Detective Honeywell Mystery series. I would personally recommend reading ‘Where the Guilty Hide’ first as a storyline arc carries over to ‘Keep Your Family Close’. The first half of the book slowly builds toward the engrossing second half. Detective Matthias Honeywell is such a complex character and it’s been interesting to see the various facets of his personality revealed. Emma Anderson has taken a while to warm up to, mostly due to her often prickly personality and keeping secrets even when she wants help. This book is very much a character driven addition to the series. The family drama with Emma and her sister and the budding relationship between Matthias and Emma are equally as important to the story as the murder investigations. There are plenty of blind alleys in the death investigations to keep you guessing! This is a well written, entertaining series!