Six friends. One annual getaway and one deadly secret.
When a girl’s weekend in Port Aransas ends with a lifelong friend dead, Nina Evans’ world is shattered. As she grapples with the loss, she finds an unlikely ally in Detective Quinn Stewart—a former big-city cop now living stress-free doing beach patrol on the island.
But peace and quiet is in short supply as they uncover the victim’s double life and a web of lies that puts Nina in the middle of the unraveling case. The one constant—Quinn Stewart’s unwavering commitment to finding the truth…and keeping her safe.
Gerri Hill weaves a tale of friendship, betrayal, and the dark undercurrents of small-town life in this gripping romantic thriller.
Gerri began writing lesbian romance as a way to amuse herself while snowed in one winter in the mountains of Colorado, and hasn’t looked back. Her first published work came in 2000 with One Summer Night. Many more romances have followed, with the occasional murder mystery in the mix. Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends. Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise... "I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."
A group of old high school friends reunite once a year. Now at 32, they seem to be drifting apart due to adult obligations. Regardless, they meet once again for a weekend of fun and sun in the Mustang Island/ Padre Island area in Texas. Then Jones, the most boisterous of the women, gets murdered. Nina, one of her friends, finds herself involved in the investigation.
The book starts slowly. But then as soon as the detective, Quinn Stewart, begins the legwork and knocks on doors, the story gets into its groove. Quinn’s backstory adds good depth and I’d be interested in reading the stories of when she was a Corpus Cristi detective. Nina is also a solid character and her relationship with Quinn adds heat. I’m never good at solving the mystery but I almost did this time. My favorite parts of the book are the Gulf setting, Quinn and her internal struggles, and Willie the dog.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about Nina and her girlfriends who take a girls trip on the beach at Port Aransas TX. Their friend Jones is murdered outside of a nightclub. Quinn is the beach patrol officer and detective assigned to the case. During the investigation Quinn is drawn to Nina and starts telling her about the investigation. And they become friends.
I liked the slow burn romance between Nina and Quinn. They were both mature adults, each had troubled pasts and they found comfort and a true companionship with each other. And the beach scenes made me happy since it’s my favorite place.
As to the mystery, Quinn was very unprofessional in all that she shared with Nina. I thought that was odd. And Quinn left a lot of the legwork to others, relying on her old coworkers at CCPD to assist her.
But Hill is such a great writer it didn’t matter to me in my rating. The romance was excellent. I really liked both characters. And it was fun seeing old characters from previous books put in an appearance.
Thanks to Bella Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC
4,25 stars I had fun with this one. It was rather straightforward, made sense and I liked all the characters (except those I was supposed to dislike). So I was happy. Got what I expected when I started reading. Points are docked for the fact, that cops really shouldn't share details of an ongoing case with civilians involved in said case. It's a pet peeve of mine if that happens.
4 ⭐️ I love the mixture of crime thriller and romance in one book. And we know, Gerri Hill is a pro in this field.
A weekend with girlfriends turns into a nightmare when one of them is murdered. The tragedy calls Quinn Stewart, the Port Aransas beach cop and detective, to the scene.
One of the friends, Nina Evans, and Quinn get to know each other through the crime. Both are in their thirties, struggling with loneliness and carrying some old baggage. Although the first meeting had an unpleasant reason, their unexpected connection surprises them. Seeking each other's company to talk, quickly a bond develops that goes beyond the tragic, becomes real friendship - and then love.
In the beginning, Quinn's police investigation is not very fruitful, but as more is uncovered about the victim's double life, the investigation becomes a race against time and the Corpus police, Quinn's old department, become involved. The case was interesting but not as exciting as others by this author.
The romance that slowly flares up is well done. Their connection is tangible and the chemistry is right. I liked that it was a slow getting to know each other and trust was built before the romance got into the hot phase. And then it got really hot.
What I liked the most, are Nina and Quinn, and of course the four-legged friend Willi. Both MCs have very interesting and different background stories, which we learn through their conversations and their internal thought processes. Quinn's backstory in particular touched me. I can imagine that working as a homicide detective can be extremely draining. I was glad that she was able to change her life for the better. I felt connected to both women from the beginning, even though I probably wouldn't have liked Quinn very much during her time as a cop in Corpus.
I also liked the secondary characters, especially Quinn's family and of course Willi. The area is beautifully described, I would love to live in a beach house like Quinn does. I would spend so much time walking on the beach or sitting on the porch, having a morning coffee or dinner - that sounds heavenly to me.
Childhood friends meet in Corpus Christi for their annual beach trip. One of the women is found murdered and Quinn, a local beach patrol officer and former detective comes onto the scene. Nina is one of the other friends, the only lgbtq member and her and Quinn connect, first as friends. We learn a lot about Jones and her lifestyle and other murders occur. For me, I enjoyed the growing relationship between Quinn and Nina more than I did the investigation. I had no sympathy for the victim and quickly figured out who the culprit was the moment they were introduced. I have found Hill's other thrillers much more entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat more. This wasn't a bad read, it just wasn't up to the standards I have come to expect from Hill. As a romance, it works for me. It's a slow burn that progressed nicely from friendship to more.
An ARC was received from Bella Books via NetGalley for an honest review.
I’m a huge fan of this author’s books because she always creates beautiful settings and totally relatable characters for me to fall in love with. This is a well written mystery and suspense novel and I can’t wait to read more books from her.
A romantic suspense as it should be Gerri Hill is always good for a great read. „Jones“ is a romantic suspense as it should be - two storylines which are masterfully entwined. Although there is a gruesome murder to be investigated the main vibe of „Jones“ is laid back: Quinn, the detective who transferred to Port Aransas for a quieter life and beach patrol, Nina‘s visits to the island and her talks with Quinn, their slow burn attraction, their family time - it all catches the atmosphere of quiet and peace and balances the murder investigation which slowly unfolds with surprising twists, turns and quite a lot of blood. And even though I had a solid suspicion at some point about the perpetrator the momentum of the novel was solid and I was silently yelling at Quinn to not … well, you have to read for yourself to know what I mean. Hill‘s writing was as always superb. Bonus points for main characters in their 30s who have done a lot of introspection and don‘t rush into a relationship.
Thanks to netgalley and Bella Books for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.
Hill’s books and I have a complicated relationship. I tend to like the books without any paranormal stuff, so I thought this one would be a winner for me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so much.
Quinn is a terrible “detective”, yes I put it in quotation marks because she’s probably the worst detective ever. She seems better suited for her beach patrol job. Speaking of the job, while I find her detectiving lacking, I find this entire storyline lacking. All this happenstance and not much detective work, it’s a shame in my opinion.
If you read this book for the romance, I guess that is better. Two women in their thirties, having a better idea of what they want and need in their lives. It’s a nice grown up romance. It’s slow, but fast. I know this doesn’t make any sense, you’ll understand when you read it.
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
as childhood friends all grown up 6 friends all meet up yearly to catch up and remember all their good times
this year though one of them would end up dead..... and with no obvious clue as to who did it....the investigation does stall a little
as revelation after revelation comes out about jones her friends realise that they really didnt know jones at all....and that childhood friendship may not last forever
a good solid read and i only suspected the murderer towards the end... but even then wasnt to sure....
the love interest was sweet and nicely done between the two main characters i did enjoy their tentative start...all in all a good read
I always enjoy Gerri Hill books and this was no exception.
That said - I am in agreement with folks who found the behavior of the detective in the story troubling. I really had to suspend disbelief to roll with a detective starting to date someone associated with a murder victim while she was investigating the case.
This book focused a bit more on romance than the murder mystery aspect and I'm good with that. I figured out who the killer was pretty much when the character was introduced, but like all of Hill's books, I love her descriptive writing style and am always willing to go along for the ride.
And then there's Abby Craden's narration. *sigh* I never tire of that combo.
Jones by Gerri Hill is a captivating mix of crime thriller and slow-burn romance set against the scenic shores of Port Aransas. When a weekend reunion among friends turns tragic with a sudden murder, ex-detective Quinn Stewart is pulled back into investigative work, despite her attempts to distance herself from her past career. Her role in the case brings her closer to Nina Evans, one of the victim’s friends, sparking an unexpected friendship that grows during the investigation.
I am a huge fan of Gerri Hill, mainly due to her skill in developing character-driven romance. Quinn and Nina move from tentative allies to something much more in such a fluid, organic manner. The romance unfolds slowly, allowing the connection between them to develop naturally, grounded in mutual respect and understanding. I liked watching their romance group while also following along with the investigation.
While the mystery itself is less complex than in some of Hill's other works, the interactions between Quinn and Nina, coupled with the novel’s well-described beach town setting, create a compelling atmosphere. Secondary characters, including Quinn's family and her lovable dog, Willi, add to the charm of the story. Though predictable in parts, Jones is another great read from Hill, especially for fans who enjoy romance with a side of intrigue.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Gerri Hill’s blend of crime mystery and slow-burn romance has always been one of my safety blankets. Small-town vibes, a dash of murders, and two women slowly falling in love? Chef’s kiss comfort zone!
Now I’ll start with what worked for me in this book. The crime mystery part. It had me second-guessing myself more than once! Like, I thought I had the killer pinned down halfway through, feeling all confident and detective-y, only to be hit with a scene that made me sit there like “Welp, never mind then.” I totally enjoy that part in murder mysteries!
And then of course, the romance. Nina Evans and Detective Quinn Stewart had that easy, believable chemistry that GH does so well. It’s not insta-love but not frustratingly slow either — just the right amount of tension and connection! Both characters felt real; each had their own backstory and emotional weight that made it easy for me to root for them.
Oh, and the setting? Gorgeous as always! There’s something about the way Hill writes nature — birds, trees, beach, the peaceful rhythm of a small town — that always makes me want to quit my job, move to the countryside, and maybe (just maybe) fall in love with a local detective too? 🤭 The vibes are just immaculate!
That said, I did hit a few bumps. There were a couple of narrative choices that felt… redundant? Like, I’d see a scene happen — say, Quinn navigating through an actual crime scene — and then later, she’d retell the exact same scene to Nina in detail. So I’m like, “girl, I was there! We did this already.” It didn’t actually ruin anything for me, but it made the pace feel a bit draggy at times.
And I gotta be honest, the murder case wrapped up a little too neatly for me. It felt like we were building toward something bigger, but then it was just, er… done. Clean, simple, a little too easy. I was lowkey hoping for one last twist or at least a more intense climax to you know, really stick the landing.
BUT. The romance arc ending? Adorable. Super sweet, satisfying, and made me close the book with a little sigh and a smile. No complaints there. GH definitely knows how to write a happy ending that doesn’t feel forced.
So yeah, Jones isn’t going to knock ‘Keepers of the Cave’ or ‘dawn of Change’ off my top-tier Gerri Hill list, but i still had a genuinely good time with it. It gave me what I was looking for: a cozy crime-solving story with a good dose of romance and soul-healing scenery. It felt like getting coffee with an old friend —familiar, comforting, and totally worth the time!
Would I recommend it? Sure, especially if you’re a Gerri Hill fan or just want a low-stress mystery read with sapphic feels and scenic detours!! Not a five-star ride, no. But definitely not a waste of a weekend either 😉
This mystery/romance was in a beach setting south of Corpus Christi, Texas. Four former but scattered high school friends gathered once a year to ‘party their socks off!’ Sharon Downey was known to her friends as Jones. She was the group’s wild one who loved her tequila and had the reputation of sleeping with lots of men. She left the club with a guy she was dancing and getting quite friendly with.
The young man was murdered and the mystery began. One of the main characters entered the story at this point. Quinn was a beach patrol officer, part time detective who was there when the body was found and thus played an integral role in the investigation. As the mystery continued we followed Quinn’s investigation, and as other guys were murdered we learned more about Jones’ promiscuity!
I always enjoy Gerri Hill’s stories. She’s written some intriguing mysteries and this was another one, especially trying to keep up with the investigation and keeping track of all the possible suspects. Quinn had her own theories and one of the fun things about reading mysteries is trying to solve it ourselves!
The romance involved Quinn, the detective, and Nina, one of the four annual party-goers. Nina was the only lesbian in the group and was the group’s organizer. Since she lived the closest, she was in constant contact with Quinn. Although I felt the romance happened a little too quickly and conveniently, I enjoyed the connection the two ladies had and the intensity of the relationship.
If you’re a Gerri Hill fan, you will enjoy this one! My thanks go to NetGalley and Bella Books for the arc.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Nina and her friends have a tradition of having a girls weekend once a year. When one of them is murder Nina is devastated and wants to know what happened she introduced to Detective Quinn who is on the case as they both discover secrets of her friend Jones Nina realizing she may never knew her friend that well as more victims seems to be connected. Nina and Quinn romance was great I like how they didn’t rush as they grow closer while finding out the truth of what happened. I like seeing characters from Moonlight Avenue as the case was moving forward. I love that’s this author know how to balance the romance and mystery without overpowering either one and sneaking in previous characters can’t wait for the next mystery romance hopefully one with supernatural twists.
The 35th GH book I’ve read so I guess I love her as a writer! Average 4.7. This is a good one. A bit violent, but hey, lovely love story at its centre. Recommended.
Good start. Character laid out. I want to know more. However, my want was downgraded as I kept reading. I had trouble buying in to the relationship between the mains. I felt pacing slipped a bit too. Up to 3, cos I don't think Gerri Hill can write a below 3, but if she did this might be it.
I'm grading this on a curve. A curve of what? This is a standalone novel! Okay, fine, I'm grading it on a Hill, and this was the first Hill book in a long while where I haven't uttered an expletive and put it down for minute. There were some moments and maybe I yadda-yaddad the sex scene after the first bit, but overall, no personal electronics were broken. As such, while this would normally get a 2-star from me, I'm giving it 3.
I was hoping this book was going to be more like The Big Chill but with a murder instead of a suicide as the inciting incident. Unfortunately, while the Chill Crew were (mostly, sorry Jeff Goldblum) friends, these six friends--were not friends. Not even close. Yes, this is addressed in the story. However, their behavior in the first part of the book went beyond childhood friends that have grown apart--and frankly, I can get that every day with Facebook--and danced closer to utter apathy.
Initially, I was vibing with Nina not feeling the "aren't we a little old to party like we're in high school and the parents are out of town." It was realistic. Then Jones, I mean Sharon Downey, I mean Ingrid, no I mean Jones gets murdered.
Okay, before I go into that, since it is the title. Jones calling herself "Jones" doesn't make much sense. We are told it was her maiden name, but she had been going by it since sometime during high school. YET, we are also told that she had effectively disowned her family because she married rich and was now too good for them? Too rich? Oh, and she probably suffered from something like Borderline Personality Disorder that no one in the book even considered mentioning.
So, Jones is murdered and, when seen at the bar, the friends (mostly Beth) seem understandably distraught. When we next seem them, at least one is annoyed that (Beth again, I think) is throwing up. Then, after Quinn the Detective got there, everybody wanted to jump ship. That is, they were more concerned with the logistics of leaving and (again) sounding annoyed that their party weekend was cut short, more than their friend was dead. When Quinn left, the first remarks weren't something like, "Do you think they suspect one of us?" "Do you think the murderer will come for us?" Nope, it was:
"She was cuuuuuuttttteeee!" referring to Quinn as an option for Nina, the sole lesbian of the group. Then Beth says something along the lines of, "You know what Jones would say..." or "If Jones was here, she'd say..." This isn't a reunion one year later. This isn't even at the funeral. This is maybe a couple of hours after Jones had her throat slashed.
This had me thinking that Gerri Hill has either: 1) Never experienced the traumatic loss of someone close to her (this seems unlikely). 2) She is surrounded by sociopathic narcissists, who think this is normal behavior. 3) She was so invested in making it clear that these friends were not friends, she forgot to make them sound human.
Throughout that, Nina seemed the most human of them. Then, a week later, Quinn makes a wholly inappropriate comment to a key figure (Nina, sort of, discovered Jones's body) in an ongoing murder investigation. I think this indicates more than Quinn's distaste for homicide investigation or her drinking, why she had to leave her job in Corpus Christi: That Quinn, there she goes flirting with the witness again. For Nina's part, she also didn't seem to think this was odd or inappropriate behavior because she had been, if you'll pardon the expression, Jonesin' for a real relationship.
Speaking of Quinn's qualifications. Many reviewers have expressed displeasure at her detective skills. Sure, her first big break in the case was--calling in an expert/specialist: Finley Knight from a previous Hill book, Moonlight Avenue But she goes by Finn. Finn? Why the extra N? Also Quinn? The characters note the name similarity, which should have been a cue for Hill to not give Quinn that name. Some wit reading this: "Her name isn't Quinn, it's Rachel, Quinn is her middle--" Shaddup. That's another thing, does anyone go by their actual name? Finley is Finn. Rachel is Quinn. Christina is Nina. Sharon is Jones. I get it for one person--not every character.
I digress.
Quinn's first big break is achieved by calling in Finley Knight. Then, her next big break is--can you guess? Did you read the book? More murders! Nothing blows a case open than unlikely and unnecessary murders.
You see, the problem here is that Quinn knows that Jones got more meat than the local butcher. Her friends said she was the doorknob for their senior class (everybody got a turn, for those not familiar with the old bad joke) and hooked up with men on every reunion. Girl had a problem. Quinn also knows Jones banged her best friend's (Beth's) husband on the regular. Despite all that, and knowing that Jones's husband and Beth's husband had solid alibis, when confronted with the only other guy close to Jones, it never even crossed Quinn's mind that they might have had a relationship too. APPARENTLY, Hill is thinking that, if Quinn doesn't question him, the reader won't suspect him, and it will be a great twist. Surprise! No. It was obvious--and it makes Quinn look stupid for not checking him out, at least, a little bit.
Now, I know I shouldn't expect logic from a raving jealous lunatic, but this brings up another problem with the story: He shouldn't have started with Jones. If he's angry about Jones's sexual activity, he'd kill the lovers first, then work up to her. That's what I'd do. Huh, why are the police at my door? Anyway...
The idea above leads to another possibility that would have made this a more intriguing, certainly a more daring, story: Make Jones the main character. Gasp. Shriek. But, but, but, Nina was so sweet and laidback--maybe a little boring--Sure she owned her own company--even if she really only cared about it for one chapter. I mean, it's not like she was passionate about house cleaning. Who would be?
Jones on the other hand, that woman was ten pounds of crazy in a five-pound bag--I mean, interesting. A truly flawed character that could have had a massive redemptive arc. A woman, who as a teenager, felt neglected and abused and discovered that sex was a way up the social ladder and out of her present life. Unfortunately, the emptiness inside her didn't go away, so she kept sleeping around, including with spouses of friends? But maybe she's trying to become a better person. So, instead of getting killed on a beach, she is the last person who was with the dead person, perhaps in flagrante delicto. She becomes an actual suspect--as her past lovers start to be murdered one by one. Her friends reject and disparage her as more truths of the past come out and, ironically, she finds the one person who seems to understand is this alluring Detective Quinn, who, while sympathetic, also sees her as a murder suspect. Yeah, this makes the ethical issues I complained about even worse, but if you're going to break a rule, really blow that F#*$* up.
Unfortunately, none of that happens. Quinn and Nina have a slow burn going on as Quinn continues to make random ethical violations, sharing details of the case with Nina for no good reason. By no good reason I mean, for the story to progress. Nina doesn't have an "ah ha!" moment. She takes it like gossip. I understand her wanting to know. I don't understand Quinn sharing it all so readily. Perhaps after the death of Scotty, she'd slip but compromising an investigation (mostly?) for the potential for sex, isn't a good look.
With that said, the failed rescue of Scotty was dramatic and emotional. Her slap down of the other cop, "Not to be disrespectful, but you're an idiot" was great. Saying what the readers were thinking. Althoughhhhh...you'd think a cop out of their jurisdiction being at the discovery of multiple murders might cause its own set of problems or make someone suspicious--but you'd be wrong! So, move on.
The climactic scene was...climactic. As noted, it wasn't the surprise (for a competent reader) that the author may have intended, but it did surprise the characters (see: not competent). The ranting confession to clear up any confusion was very considerate of the psycho. Shooting the cheating husband also made hooking Beth and Josh up a lot smoother. Morbid, but smooth. However, Nina's slow-motion POV of Quinn entering was silly. She's still in mortal danger but somehow has the time to ogle Quinn and think how commanding she looks (in her baggy shorts and tank top?). Then when Beth goes with Josh to, and stays at, the hospital, I had to wonder--who is watching any of the kids? Josh's nanny? One set of kids lost their mother to a murder a month or so ago. The other set just had their dad killed. Cry it out. Rub some dirt in it. Turn on the PS5 or watch some TikTok videos. You'll be fine.
It's important to note that through all of this, none of the other "friends" make an appearance. I've had closer bonds with people I met at conventions. Hell, on a bus. High school isn't the Big Bang that sends matter out in all directions. At least two of them would have remained actual friends--noting that Beth and Jones were not actual friends.
Quinn and Nina reinforce the earlier callous apathy toward friends when Nina says, "None of this would have happened without Jones." Then Quinn says, "I don't want to give Jones all the credit for bringing us together." Without Jones--being murdered you mean? All the credit? By dying horribly, choking on her own blood? I get it, you don't want her to get a big head about being a matchmaker.
Oh, right--the sex scene (there really was only one of note), was fine. It started fiery enough, but afterward, Hill cut it up so much in description that I didn't feel the passion. Then, much like I did, with the second sex scene, she yadda-yaddad to get to the pizza--I mean, sex is sex, but a good pizza...mama mia! Oh, that's a troubling image.
Jones is a mystery, crime, detective novel with FF romance mixed in. It is set in Texas. I loved this book. The mystery portion was good and kept me guessing about who the murderer was. I did guess correctly at one point but it wasn't obvious. I loved that the romance was so organic and genuine. It felt so natural and wasn't about sapphic women, but about women who happen to be sapphic, if that makes sense. It was a piece of the story, not the story itself. This is the first book that I have read from this author and I really liked her writing style. Everything flowed so well. I will be taking a look at what else this author has written so I can pick out another of her books to try. The narrator did a really good job. I recommend this as an audiobook. This is a book I will listen to again sometime. I kind of wish it was a series because I really liked the main characters and wouldn't mind seeing more of them. 5 stars overall.
This felt like a total stereotype on lesbians as well as inappropriate relationships in law enforcement AND a whodunnit you can’t even guess for any reason!? A big no from me.
3 stars. It was an entertaining murder mystery and had cute moments, but it really irked me how the detective kept freely sharing information with someone involved in the case and initially in the suspect pool. She even said several times that she shouldn't be sharing this, or please don't tell anyone, or I'm only telling you because I can trust you, etc... and it's just not realistic.
Gerri Hill is one of my favorite author and I always enjoy her writing. This one is just as good as I expected of her. The murder mystery is well crafted, the romance between the detective and the business owner is heartwarming and natural and very sweet. I love the way the author tells the story, I can't help but falling in love with the couple and the beautiful beach town.
This was a pretty decent thriller combined with a love story! When Nina’s friend Jones is murdered after a night out she finds herself drawn to the Quinn Stewart the detective in the case. The relationship grew at a steady pace and was very believable. I enjoyed how this story combined the thriller and romantic element together! And as always Abby Cradens narration was amazing!
Very sad to write this review. I absolutely love Gerri Hill’s books. I happily revisit several of her books with the same amount of joy as the first time. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me. It was predictable and was a little too slow. There wasn’t much to the story - once you unpack the things that really happened. I didn’t feel connected with the characters - not like her other stories. It’s Gerri Hill (with Abby Craden if you do audible book) - so you can’t go wrong - just don’t expect the WOW factor that some of her other books invoke
Honestly this was one of the most incredibly run of the mill detective novels I've read. I struggled to find much intrigue in it at all. None of the characters were particularly well fleshed out, except through a romance that kills any momentum. Worst of all, it was pretty obvious who did it halfway through for me.
The romance is actually sweet but it felt shoehorned for this story. A seperate book for them with their jobs at the periphery might have worked better.
A fun girls' weekend turns into a murder mystery. A race to find a killer before he strikes again. A romance between the lead detective and a friend of the victim.
This story was intriguing, exciting, suspenseful, sad, and surprisingly heartwarming because of all the mess that the characters went through... there were some silver linings in the end.
This was BRILLZ! Back to the old school crime investigation format with a dash of romance that Hill is so brilliant at crafting and when mixed with her black comedy genius? A recipe for yet another satisfyingly fun ride in the world of crime! And this one? I just LOVE the dialogue flow between the characters! Hill is so good in writing dialogue that flows so organically natural that you think you're actually eavesdropping on someone's convo IRL, tbh! I can never get enough of Hill's dialogue AND monologue, for that matter! This particular scene really made me LOL cuz the back-and-forth dialogue between the 2 MCs was written with such visuals I could see it play out ever so vividly right before my eyes...in glorious technicolor!
(Ok, this isn't a spoiler but if you don't want to have a taste of it, then skip it. But I'll just put it here under the spoiler alert shroud in case some of you wanna catch a gist of it...)
.... this whole scenario was crafted and presented superbly. Hilarious, it was, further enhanced when you listen to it. Oh yeh. Trust me. When Abby Craden is at it... I rest my case.
Tragic comedy. There's a fine line between tragedy and absurdity, innit?
As always, Hill's writing and style deliver with delish flair and I totally recommend it! Read it. Then listen to it. Or if you're like me, read AND listen SIMULTANEOUSLY. With vivid visuals from the words and affecting vocals. Gerri & Abby together again! Oh, what a GLORIOUS reading/listening combo TREAT! Satisfaction. Guaranteed.
𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬: I liked this one. And since it has been a long while since I had something from Gerri Hill, well I took my sweet time. The book is a little thrilling and the romance is simple, little angst but has a lot of deep emotions among the friends. Jones was a lot of things but after reading this book, and understanding the things she went through, well, I just wanted to give her a hug. The psychological effects of growing up in poverty can lead to very destructive lifestyles.
𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: There were a few of them but that killer revelation was absolutely pulled. When the killer was introduced for the first time, I knew right away it was them. The way they were talking to Det. Quinn. It just made sense esp all the current leads were tuning up nothing.
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: There is appearance of Detective Dee Woodard, Finley Knight, ex-cop turned private investigator and mention of Finley's partner Rylee Moore. These three are main characters in 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 that was released in March 14, 2019. I don't know how much time has passed since then, but I am saddened by the fact that my favourite character, Dee, is still single. Lord.