I wasn't sure what to expect from Karen Harper's Down River novel, only that it was a romantic suspense. However, the more I read the more I realized I surely expected more or better. Also, considering its genre the romance was lacking and the suspense tedious.
The ideas for the plot were great though. Two troubled former lovers are reunited in the Alaskan wilderness, in which the peaceful surroundings are interrupted by a clever killer. Yet, the main characters, Lisa Vaughn and Mitch Braxton did not appeal to me at all. The chemistry was missing, and it was not obvious that they were meant for each other. Their bitterness and constant bickering never transformed into a believable and redeemable relationship. Up until the end, I didn't care for the outcome of their relationship, if I could ever think of it as that. They were more strangers than intimate partners strategizing for survival. The trust was lacking and never really emerged and their feelings didn't expand.
I'm not surprised the relationship didn't have much foundation to build on and thus develop, because the characters themselves were troubling. Particularly, Lisa who never quite dealt with her traumatic childhood experiences, something that is a disadvantage on her Alaskan retreat. She is as much confused as she is in denial with her current state of mind. She doesn't quite realize her need for professional help, while Mitch isn't exactly supportive. He blames more than he aids.
While the suspense was there, there was no intensity or urgency to pull the reader in. Rather, the mystery was more of a "whodunit" type, with plenty of guessing games and conspiracy theories. Not quite thrilling or appealing.
I'm not going to give up on this author though. This novel had great potential, and great ideas. I'm hoping for a better story in the future.