For some reason, the murder club wasn't as much fun in this story as they have been in the series, yet still a page turner for sure. Now the group has a billionaire backing them up just because he wants to help them solve the crimes and because someone might also be after him. He's actually a fun character, but he's only briefly in the story (please add more of him).
Andi figures out that there is human trafficking going on in Alaska and works to expose it with Duke's help. Nothing graphic happens, but still a powerful crime is solved with their risky investigation.
Duke still has not resolved what happened to Celeste and his attraction for Andi gets stronger every chapter.
The main criminal in this one is abusive and creepy and he's in much of the plot, some of the details of his abuse is difficult to read for this sensitive reader, but thankfully it all works out.
Didn't enjoy--SPOILERS: Andi and the other young woman get into an argument over a misunderstanding, including Andi deciding whether they should accept the billionaire's contract and all expenses paid on his terms; Andi comes face-to-face with a grizzly bear, whoa; the husband with the missing wife they are investigating loves to drink and flirt with every woman he meets until he gets in trouble and lands in jail; the main criminal in this one likes to yell at his victim, choke her against the wall, threaten to send his killer dogs after her unless she cooperates, and even whip her as punishment; Duke is now being threatened to stop pursuing answers about Celeste and I was surprised he fell for the ruse; Dani is still being threatened because of her quest for revenge with another man who ruined her career (someone hides in her apartment and someone deletes her banking account)...that about covers it.
Loved that human trafficking is brought into the story with respect and how Andi doesn't back down looking into it. Love her spunk and determination, even when she is faced with the grizzly! Also liked how the hotel owner got involved with the group to help them investigate.
For some reason this book didn't feel as well written as the previous ones, it's still good, but Andi's thoughts and Duke's thoughts/hesitations/inner questions seem to take more room in the story than before and I'm more interested in them getting closure than their questions and worries.
Just amazing how Barritt describes Alaska so vividly and tangibly, both the setting and the residents. She has some of the best dialogue of most authors I've read. In this story, it's implied that Detective Gibson might be guilty at some point and both Duke and myself refused to believe this. I understand there are sick people in this world, Barritt is genius is writing them no matter how disturbing the content gets, but having a good character betray us like that after solving multiple crimes in the series...come on now! However, it WOULD be nice if Gibson got his own story at some point, he really does add toe the murder club.