Memories & Scars

by A.K. Ramirez

He won’t let her forget.

Detective Marissa Ambrose is a small town detective with scars—both physical and psychological. While she survived a brutal attack, her assailant still haunts her, sending photos and letters. Despite her efforts to keep people at a distance, her relationship with FBI Agent Mackenzie helps breathe new life into her existence.

As Detective Ambrose investigates a Jane Doe’s potential murder, she finds herself closely involved with a turbulent family. Struggling to find answers and making promises that she can’t guarantee, she finds herself obsessed with the case—so much so that she forgets the danger that is always hovering over her head.

Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2023

Reviews

[Ayla Giovannetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in this series sucked me in so hard, I couldn’t put it down! I cried, I laughed and I was shocked. I am frothing to read book 3!

[E.J. Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Marissa Ambrose series, and is just as good, if not better, than the first. I read the first in the series (Secrets & Photographs) late last year and couldn’t stop thinking about it so just had to read book 2.

The story picks up where book 1 left off so I would recommend reading book 1 first… Marissa now in a relationship with FBI Agent Mackenzie, has a new homicide case to investigate. She finds herself becoming closely involved with the victims family particularly the victims teenage sibling… but with the danger of her serial killer stalker still lurking over her head, and the photos still arriving on her doorstep, is she risking too much?

I don’t think I have ever related to a main character more than I do Marissa. She has PTSD and a lot of anxiety and guilt from an ongoing case which almost cost her her life prior to book 1… the case of her stalker whilst still being present in this book, doesn’t play as big of a part throughout the story as it did in the first, but it is made more prominent towards the end and I can’t wait for book 3 to see what happens next!

I need more from Marissa!!

[Bri Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooof the CLIFFHANGERS AND QUESTIONS I HAVE!! I thought I would be getting answers from the first book but boy was I wrong and I still need to know. My suspect I have from book 1 is still looking pretty good to me. I’m not usually a fan of 3rd person writing but this is seriously written so well. You can really feel everyone’s emotions and I’m always on the edge of my seat because you truly never know when a twist is going to hit. I cannot wait to move on to book 3.

[Suzanne]

I started this book with the hope of the end of Book 1 being a follow up, but the author has taken on the journey and woven the past into the present. It is still a page turner and I cannot wait until I can start Book 3!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly Badgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to be kept on my toes. I have no idea what's happening next, in the best way! The characters feel so real with raw, unabashed trauma and emotions. I'm so glad to read about a likeable protagonist, unlike the protagonists in most crime thrillers. Can't wait for Book 3!

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories & Scars, #2 - Started this book right after the first and I was pleasantly surprised at how much better this was compared to S&P. Picks about six weeks later with a new case, new problems in many areas and less emphasis on Rissa's mental and philosophical woes. Good pacing, interesting and immersing with both the old and new story lines. The ending may be a bit of a cliffhanger, but the old story line continues. Source: BookSprout. 4*

Secrets & Photographs, #1 - A difficult start to this book with so much redundancies about her mental instability and PTSD. But the story did finally get interesting and the pace quicken half way through the story, which made the last part seemed rushed. There was a lot going on but not in the same detail as given to her history. Good characters and the story lines were interesting. The foundation story line will continue into the next book but there are no cliffhangers. Source: The author. 4*

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. I would start off with book 1 because book 2 picks right up where it left off, Book one is Secrets & Photographs. I had to go read Book 1, because I read the 1st page in the 2nd one and had to understand the characters .
Enjoyed reading both stories, Detective Ambrose has scars from previous relationship which still haunt her, till she met with this FBI agent. Then she has to help investigate a jane doe murder case, then gets close to this family. What will happen with Ambrose how far is to close with this family, is this family is what she expected, will she be able to solve this case? Will have to read the book to find out. I give this book 4 stars.
Blurb
"He won't let her forget"
"Detective Marissa Ambrose is a small town detective with scars-both physical and psychological. While she survived a brutal attack, her assailant still haunts her, sending photos and letters. Despite her efforts to keep people at a distance, her relationship with FBI Agent Mackenzie helps breathe new life into her existence. As Detective Ambrose investigates a Jane Doe's potential murder, she finds herself closely involved with a turbulent family. Struggling to find answers and making promises that she can't guarantee, she finds herself obsessed with the case-so much so that she forgets the danger that is always hovering over her head."

[Melissa Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of the Marissa Ambrose Witness series and I cannot wait for the next one! The way the scenes are described, the characters personalities, the flow of the story were keeping me hooked. I loved that it immersed me into their story and really had me caring for the characters and really picturing everything like I was there. I recommend this book to all of my mystery, thriller, suspense lovers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tania Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this series is even better than the first!! A.K. Ramirez makes you love and care for these characters! On a beach vacay with my friends I didn’t hear a word they said because I couldn’t put the book down!! I can’t wait for the rest of this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Marissa Ambrose is back. Memories and Scars is so well written, you will have a very hard time putting it down. Book two starts off at the end of book one, so you will want to read this series in order. The flow of the story was excellent, and I cannot wait to see where Ramirez takes Marissa next.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I'm so torn. So much has happened in this one too. I was on edge with book 1 and book 2 put me over it. I want to shake Mel so bad lol. And just when Rissa is finally starting to move forward...this is such a great series. I love it so so much.im going to dive into book 3!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Marissa Ambrose is a detective in a small town that has had a hard life. She has survived a horrendous attack but her attacker keeps sending her pictures and notes and taunting her. Now she is investing a Jane Doe's murder a gets so wrapped up in things that her attacker may sneak back up on her.

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a great suspense thriller, and this was definitely one of them. I loved the characters and storyline so much. I couldn't put it down. Totally worth the read.

[Sharron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night and begging for more. I anxiously await to read more of this authors books in the future.

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets & Photographs, #1 - A difficult start to this book with so much redundancies about her mental instability and PTSD. But the story did finally get interesting and the pace quicken half way through the story, which made the last part seemed rushed. There was a lot going on but not in the same detail as given to her history. Good characters and the story lines were interesting. Too much vulgar language, but clean otherwise. The foundation story line continues into the next book but there are no cliffhangers. Source: The author. 4*

Memories & Scars, #2 - Started this book right after the first and I was pleasantly surprised at how much better this was compared to S&P. Picks about six weeks later with a new case, new problems in many areas and less emphasis on Rissa's mental and philosophical woes. Good pacing, interesting and immersing with both the old and new story lines. The ending may be a bit of a cliffhanger, but the old story line continues. Source: BookSprout. 4*