What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
14 days and 15:40:22
25 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
Coldren County #2
Where There's Smoke
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26Win a free print copy of this book!
14 days and 15:40:22
25 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
Following the USA Today bestselling series debut, No Rest for the Wicked, Rachel Louise Adams returns with Where There’s Smoke.
A lot has happened in Dolores Hawthorne’s life since the events of last Halloween. She’s divorced, traded being a forensic pathologist for a job as a medical examiner, and now lives in small town Wisconsin, close—but not too close—to her family.
Dolores doesn’t have much in the way of work, but that all changes when a body is found at the local slaughterhouse. Benedict Marcy owned Marcy’s Meats, and is affectionately called Mr. Mercy across the region. This high-profile case quickly catches the attention of Dolores’s friends at the FBI.
From the very beginning, this case is full of contradictions and surprises, and the team quickly learns someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to stop them from finding out the truth behind Benedict Marcy’s murder.
A lot has happened in Dolores Hawthorne’s life since the events of last Halloween. She’s divorced, traded being a forensic pathologist for a job as a medical examiner, and now lives in small town Wisconsin, close—but not too close—to her family.
Dolores doesn’t have much in the way of work, but that all changes when a body is found at the local slaughterhouse. Benedict Marcy owned Marcy’s Meats, and is affectionately called Mr. Mercy across the region. This high-profile case quickly catches the attention of Dolores’s friends at the FBI.
From the very beginning, this case is full of contradictions and surprises, and the team quickly learns someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to stop them from finding out the truth behind Benedict Marcy’s murder.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Rachel Louise Adams
5 books201 followers5 Things You Should Know About Me:
1) I don’t believe in rating books, so all the reviews I leave on Goodreads will be 5 stars. Happy birthday to all authors, I guess.
2) I’m the proud creature of two wonderful cats.
3) I don’t believe in choosing between a great plot and great characters. Readers deserve both. But if I had to choose, I’d choose characters.
4) Don’t open a book of mine until you’ve checked the content warnings on The Story Graph.
5) Storytelling is magical. I sincerely believe that creating makes us better humans. Part of that process is connecting with readers, so reach out to me. I’ll answer you, and I’ll be glad to hear from you.
Finally, as to the sort of books that I like--let's just say that if a talented author rips out my heart, stabs it, and hands it back, my response will be: ‘Thanks. I’m your number one fan’.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachellouis...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
1) I don’t believe in rating books, so all the reviews I leave on Goodreads will be 5 stars. Happy birthday to all authors, I guess.
2) I’m the proud creature of two wonderful cats.
3) I don’t believe in choosing between a great plot and great characters. Readers deserve both. But if I had to choose, I’d choose characters.
4) Don’t open a book of mine until you’ve checked the content warnings on The Story Graph.
5) Storytelling is magical. I sincerely believe that creating makes us better humans. Part of that process is connecting with readers, so reach out to me. I’ll answer you, and I’ll be glad to hear from you.
Finally, as to the sort of books that I like--let's just say that if a talented author rips out my heart, stabs it, and hands it back, my response will be: ‘Thanks. I’m your number one fan’.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachellouis...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 26, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.
This book picks up a few months after the ending of the first novel, and is just as fast paced. The case is just as bizarre and complex as the first novel’s, and we see a return of a few old faces. I really enjoyed this one, however I do wish we would seen more character development for persons who aren’t Dolores. Perhaps we will be getting that in book three? Fingers crossed!
This book picks up a few months after the ending of the first novel, and is just as fast paced. The case is just as bizarre and complex as the first novel’s, and we see a return of a few old faces. I really enjoyed this one, however I do wish we would seen more character development for persons who aren’t Dolores. Perhaps we will be getting that in book three? Fingers crossed!
April 27, 2026
Adams comes back as sharp as ever on this second addition to the No Rest series, with a much faster paced case and the same motifs of intertwined animal and humans rights, except better! Highly recommend to everyone who enjoys the uncozyness of small towns and the bite of personality from characters who are definitely not who they seem.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
FIVE STAR ALERT!
"She couldn't help but wonder if they were looking at the smoke, or if they were seeing the true face behind the magic trick." *
Starting off with a cringe-inducing incident of a body found at the local slaughterhouse, this atmospheric mystery hooked me completely; I read it in one day! In this installment, Dolores is now a medical examiner in a town close to her family. The circumstances surrounding the murder at Marcy's Meats bring in two FBI agents with whom Dolores has past history: Kate and Paul.
RACHEL LOUISE ADAMS'S artful word choices within her lyrical, vivid writing are captivating and immerse readers in Dolores's world. The investigation and forensics are intriguing enough, but the people elevate this layered story even more. From the main characters to the secondary ones—including the insufferable and suspicious—they all radiate realism and magnetism. In particular, Dolores and Kate are women to root for, and I'd love to see more interactions between them. I figured a few things out, but it took time and I was surprised by how certain events played out—right down to a breathtaking conclusion that had me on the edge of my seat!
Book Two stands on its own, but there will be spoilers for Book One. I'd recommend reading "No Rest For The Wicked" first so you don't miss any crucial backstory and to fully appreciate character growth as well as the continuing story arc that plays an important role in interpersonal history. Besides, it's another fabulous five-star read you don't want to miss.
Armchair detectives who love small-town dynamics, messy family relations, and a whodunit with complex moving parts, need to read WHERE THERE'S SMOKE!
____
*Quote subject to change upon final publication
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
"She couldn't help but wonder if they were looking at the smoke, or if they were seeing the true face behind the magic trick." *
Starting off with a cringe-inducing incident of a body found at the local slaughterhouse, this atmospheric mystery hooked me completely; I read it in one day! In this installment, Dolores is now a medical examiner in a town close to her family. The circumstances surrounding the murder at Marcy's Meats bring in two FBI agents with whom Dolores has past history: Kate and Paul.
RACHEL LOUISE ADAMS'S artful word choices within her lyrical, vivid writing are captivating and immerse readers in Dolores's world. The investigation and forensics are intriguing enough, but the people elevate this layered story even more. From the main characters to the secondary ones—including the insufferable and suspicious—they all radiate realism and magnetism. In particular, Dolores and Kate are women to root for, and I'd love to see more interactions between them. I figured a few things out, but it took time and I was surprised by how certain events played out—right down to a breathtaking conclusion that had me on the edge of my seat!
Book Two stands on its own, but there will be spoilers for Book One. I'd recommend reading "No Rest For The Wicked" first so you don't miss any crucial backstory and to fully appreciate character growth as well as the continuing story arc that plays an important role in interpersonal history. Besides, it's another fabulous five-star read you don't want to miss.
Armchair detectives who love small-town dynamics, messy family relations, and a whodunit with complex moving parts, need to read WHERE THERE'S SMOKE!
____
*Quote subject to change upon final publication
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Where There’s Smoke has the kind of small-town tension that keeps you reading “just one more chapter.” Rachel Louise Adams does a great job balancing suspense with the emotional side of the story, so it never feels like the mystery is carrying the whole book on its own. The setting feels vivid and lived-in, and the relationships between the characters add a lot of depth to the story.
What I liked most was how grounded everything felt, even when the stakes started getting higher. The characters make messy, believable choices, and the slow uncovering of secrets kept me invested the whole way through. It works well as a suspense novel, but it’s also a really solid character-driven story.
What I liked most was how grounded everything felt, even when the stakes started getting higher. The characters make messy, believable choices, and the slow uncovering of secrets kept me invested the whole way through. It works well as a suspense novel, but it’s also a really solid character-driven story.
May 21, 2026
I am officially obsessed with Dolores. This second installment was just as good as the first one. I also liked that there were repeat characters. Dang it, the FBI guy is really growing on me. What I like about this author is the murder plots are always super intricate, and hard to unweave. I did not see the ending coming at all, but every revelation was lowkey shocking and kept me flipping pages feverishly. If you haven't read this author yet, you are seriously missing out. Dark and twisted. Highly recommend. Coming October 2026, just in time for Halloween!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
When a body is found in a rendering plant, the newly divorced medical examiner gets put to work. Not something to read over a ham and egg breakfast, definitely.
I thought the protagonist was a bit overwrought, with her cliche divorce.
I thought the protagonist was a bit overwrought, with her cliche divorce.
Want to Read
April 27, 2026This is a free book from the Goodreads First Reads giveaways.
May 17, 2026
Fabulous! Even her dedications at the end are written beautifully (sigh).
Want to Read
May 25, 2026Thank you for the Advance Reader Copy! I will read the first in the Coldren County series before starting this one. Great reviews of No Rest for the Wicked, so I'm looking forward to reading it!
Want to Read
May 28, 2026I just finished! Wow! Some curve balls I didn't see coming!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews