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Nan Vining Mysteries #6
Lying Blind
Homicide detective Nan Vining finds her world rocked when a murder investigation becomes chillingly personal in this hard-edged thriller for fans of Patricia Cornwell, Tana French, and Lisa Gardner.
In a breathtaking infinity pool on a sprawling Pasadena estate, the naked body of a beautiful young woman floats facedown in a drift of rose petals blowing on the breeze. Police sergeant Jim Kissick responds instantly, pulling the dead victim from the water. When his longtime girlfriend, Detective Nan Vining, arrives on-scene, she’s full of questions, and not just about the Jane Doe. Why did the homeowner text Jim instead of calling 911? Jim’s explanation—that he’s simply an old friend of Teddy and Rebecca Sexton’s—doesn’t sit well with Nan. A survivor of a bizarre murder attempt herself, Nan’s instincts for deception are acute. She senses that they’re all hiding something—including Jim, which plunges a wedge deep into their once steadfast relationship.
Then a drought-ravaged lake in a bucolic Central California town reveals a grisly secret. Soon two local detectives arrive in Pasadena to interview Jim and his wealthy friends about a mysterious death from years back, and Nan realizes she has good reasons for her suspicions. Jim’s always been her rock, but suddenly he’s become a stranger. And once Nan identifies her Jane Doe, events careen out of control as darkness from the past threatens to consume the life that Nan has worked so hard to rebuild.
Look for all of Dianne Emley’s riveting Nan Vining
THE FIRST CUT | CUT TO THE QUICK | THE DEEPEST CUT | LOVE KILLS | KILLING SECRETS | LYING BLIND
“ The First Cut should immediately establish Dianne Emley in the front ranks of thriller writers.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly
“Stunningly good! The First Cut hurtles the reader down a razor’s edge of suspense to the final, shattering end.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner
“Emley masterfully twists, turns, and shocks.” — New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen , on Love Kills
“ Killing Secrets is diabolically good, a top-notch murder mystery. Nan Vining is a heroine you’ll love.” — New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan
Praise for Lying Blind
“Another first-rate police procedure that follows the investigations led by the strong, dedicated, and very sharp Detective Nan Vining.” — Kings River Life
“Boasting a wonderful cast of characters and engaging dialogue, this book kept me enraptured from beginning to end.” —Dru’s Book Musings
“[Dianne] Emley once again continues to deftly bring Vining to life in a way that rings true.” —Elizabeth A. White Book Reviews
“Fans of plucky heroines will enjoy this.” —Littoral Librarian
“Another phenomenal installment to this series! . . . There were many twists and surprises in this novel that kept me guessing right up until the shocking ending!” —Red Wine and Books
In a breathtaking infinity pool on a sprawling Pasadena estate, the naked body of a beautiful young woman floats facedown in a drift of rose petals blowing on the breeze. Police sergeant Jim Kissick responds instantly, pulling the dead victim from the water. When his longtime girlfriend, Detective Nan Vining, arrives on-scene, she’s full of questions, and not just about the Jane Doe. Why did the homeowner text Jim instead of calling 911? Jim’s explanation—that he’s simply an old friend of Teddy and Rebecca Sexton’s—doesn’t sit well with Nan. A survivor of a bizarre murder attempt herself, Nan’s instincts for deception are acute. She senses that they’re all hiding something—including Jim, which plunges a wedge deep into their once steadfast relationship.
Then a drought-ravaged lake in a bucolic Central California town reveals a grisly secret. Soon two local detectives arrive in Pasadena to interview Jim and his wealthy friends about a mysterious death from years back, and Nan realizes she has good reasons for her suspicions. Jim’s always been her rock, but suddenly he’s become a stranger. And once Nan identifies her Jane Doe, events careen out of control as darkness from the past threatens to consume the life that Nan has worked so hard to rebuild.
Look for all of Dianne Emley’s riveting Nan Vining
THE FIRST CUT | CUT TO THE QUICK | THE DEEPEST CUT | LOVE KILLS | KILLING SECRETS | LYING BLIND
“ The First Cut should immediately establish Dianne Emley in the front ranks of thriller writers.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly
“Stunningly good! The First Cut hurtles the reader down a razor’s edge of suspense to the final, shattering end.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner
“Emley masterfully twists, turns, and shocks.” — New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen , on Love Kills
“ Killing Secrets is diabolically good, a top-notch murder mystery. Nan Vining is a heroine you’ll love.” — New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan
Praise for Lying Blind
“Another first-rate police procedure that follows the investigations led by the strong, dedicated, and very sharp Detective Nan Vining.” — Kings River Life
“Boasting a wonderful cast of characters and engaging dialogue, this book kept me enraptured from beginning to end.” —Dru’s Book Musings
“[Dianne] Emley once again continues to deftly bring Vining to life in a way that rings true.” —Elizabeth A. White Book Reviews
“Fans of plucky heroines will enjoy this.” —Littoral Librarian
“Another phenomenal installment to this series! . . . There were many twists and surprises in this novel that kept me guessing right up until the shocking ending!” —Red Wine and Books
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2017
20 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Dianne Emley
22 books82 followersLos Angeles Times bestselling author Dianne Emley is a Los Angeles native, growing up in the multicultural Northeast side, where she attended public schools. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy and an MBA, both from UCLA, and has held a variety of day jobs, mostly in business middle management. For years during the early morning before she headed to the office, she wrote fiction. Her first book, Cold Call, a mystery about Iris Thorne, a sexy, single L.A. investment counselor in the "greed is good" late 1980s, was sold at auction to Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster and published in 1993. It was followed by four more in that series.
Dianne was inspired to take her writing in a new direction and began writing about Nan Vining—a haunted and driven homicide detective and single mom. The first in the series, The First Cut (2006), was a Los Angeles Times bestseller and hit #1 on Amazon. Currently, there are six books in the Nan Vining series.
The Night Visitor, a standalone paranormal mystery, was published in 2014.
Critics around the world have praised Dianne's books, which have been published in 20 countries and translated into six languages: "A gripping page-turner..." (Library Journal); "Expertly plotted... redolent with suspense and action..." (Florida Sun-Sentinel); "A superior piece of storytelling..." (Los Angeles Times); "Relentless suspense..." (Booklist).
Dianne lives in the Central California wine country with her husband where she writes full time and is a pretty good cook, an amateur oenophile, and a terrible golfer.
Dianne was inspired to take her writing in a new direction and began writing about Nan Vining—a haunted and driven homicide detective and single mom. The first in the series, The First Cut (2006), was a Los Angeles Times bestseller and hit #1 on Amazon. Currently, there are six books in the Nan Vining series.
The Night Visitor, a standalone paranormal mystery, was published in 2014.
Critics around the world have praised Dianne's books, which have been published in 20 countries and translated into six languages: "A gripping page-turner..." (Library Journal); "Expertly plotted... redolent with suspense and action..." (Florida Sun-Sentinel); "A superior piece of storytelling..." (Los Angeles Times); "Relentless suspense..." (Booklist).
Dianne lives in the Central California wine country with her husband where she writes full time and is a pretty good cook, an amateur oenophile, and a terrible golfer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 7, 2017
Jumping into a series after it's been up and running can be somewhat risky, but when I got the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review, this one sounded so good that I threw caution to the wind and agreed. And happily, even though this is the sixth book featuring homicide detective Nan Vining, it stands well enough on its own that I never felt at a disadvantage.
The rather complicated story, which has a bundle of characters to keep straight, begins with the discovery of a naked and very dead woman in the swimming pool of a very wealthy couple in Pasadena, Calif. The self-absorbed husband, Teddy Sexton, is blind; to get around, he has help from an amazing guide dog and a drop-dead gorgeous wife, Rebecca - who bears an uncanny resemblance to the younger dead woman. The situation takes a strange turn, though, when the owners first contact Nan's former partner and current main squeeze, Jim Kissick, instead of calling 911. Jim claims that's because he's an old friend of the couple, but Nan begins to suspect the relationship between Jim and Teddy's wife Rebecca goes well beyond "just friends."
It was at that point, I'm afraid, that Nan dropped several notches on my likability scale. Despite her long-time relationship with Jim - they've been thinking about marriage, for gosh sake - the second Nan learns that Jim and Rebecca at one time (and a very short one at that) were a couple and - horror of horrors - he never told her, she concludes that their entire relationship has been based on a sham. I agree it would have been nice of him to tell her, but I simply can't relate to someone who would ditch an entire relationship over something that happened that long ago. Their breakup never got in the way of her competence as a homicide detective, though, so I'm willing to give her extra points for that.
Not long after the as-yet-unidentified woman is found, another dead woman turns up - this time at a lake in Central California after a lengthy drought lowered the water level. Nan is surprised once again when Jim, Teddy and Rebecca are brought in for questioning; it seems they all knew this dead woman many years ago. And when the dead woman in Pasadena is identified, it appears that the two cases somehow are connected with Jim smack dab in the middle - and Nan starts to believe that any future she may have had with him is history.
At that point, the investigation really heats up, both from Nan's end in Pasadena and that of two detectives (one of them a hunka-hunka) who are in charge of the Central California case. As details of both events begin to come together, it got so interesting that I stayed glued to my Kindle Fire till the whole thing was resolved (well, one thing wasn't, but no doubt that will be fodder for the next installment).
Know what? I'm in!
The rather complicated story, which has a bundle of characters to keep straight, begins with the discovery of a naked and very dead woman in the swimming pool of a very wealthy couple in Pasadena, Calif. The self-absorbed husband, Teddy Sexton, is blind; to get around, he has help from an amazing guide dog and a drop-dead gorgeous wife, Rebecca - who bears an uncanny resemblance to the younger dead woman. The situation takes a strange turn, though, when the owners first contact Nan's former partner and current main squeeze, Jim Kissick, instead of calling 911. Jim claims that's because he's an old friend of the couple, but Nan begins to suspect the relationship between Jim and Teddy's wife Rebecca goes well beyond "just friends."
It was at that point, I'm afraid, that Nan dropped several notches on my likability scale. Despite her long-time relationship with Jim - they've been thinking about marriage, for gosh sake - the second Nan learns that Jim and Rebecca at one time (and a very short one at that) were a couple and - horror of horrors - he never told her, she concludes that their entire relationship has been based on a sham. I agree it would have been nice of him to tell her, but I simply can't relate to someone who would ditch an entire relationship over something that happened that long ago. Their breakup never got in the way of her competence as a homicide detective, though, so I'm willing to give her extra points for that.
Not long after the as-yet-unidentified woman is found, another dead woman turns up - this time at a lake in Central California after a lengthy drought lowered the water level. Nan is surprised once again when Jim, Teddy and Rebecca are brought in for questioning; it seems they all knew this dead woman many years ago. And when the dead woman in Pasadena is identified, it appears that the two cases somehow are connected with Jim smack dab in the middle - and Nan starts to believe that any future she may have had with him is history.
At that point, the investigation really heats up, both from Nan's end in Pasadena and that of two detectives (one of them a hunka-hunka) who are in charge of the Central California case. As details of both events begin to come together, it got so interesting that I stayed glued to my Kindle Fire till the whole thing was resolved (well, one thing wasn't, but no doubt that will be fodder for the next installment).
Know what? I'm in!
January 7, 2017
I’m afraid I just didn’t find this story as gripping as I was hoping for. Maybe because I wasn’t emotionally invested in any of the characters, so I didn’t care about the dead body that sergeant Jim Heskett finds floating in a pool that looks so much like the fiancé who broke up with him twenty years ago. I also didn’t care about the fact that the people who called Jim instead of 911 are also connected to another suspicious death that occurred twenty years ago. Maybe I would have cared more if I hadn’t started the series on book 6. There are a lot of characters, and I found none of them or the plot interesting.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
For more of my reviews, please visit: http://theresaalan.net/blog/
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
For more of my reviews, please visit: http://theresaalan.net/blog/
February 2, 2017
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book before publication. I have read all of the previous Nan Vining books and have been eagerly looking forward to this latest one.
The series is set mostly in my hometown Pasadena area, which adds to the enjoyment for me. The action in this book takes place partly in Pasadena and partly in San Luis Obispo County. The plot involves two murders, one in the present day, the other 23 years ago. There is a large cast of characters. The writing is so good and the novel is so well constructed that I had no difficulty keeping track of who was who and what was going on.
The pacing is excellent, as is the sense of place, and the characters, likable and not, are interesting and believable. After numerous twists and turns, we find out how the two crimes are connected. In addition, there is some romantic intrigue.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I think it adds to the enjoyment to have read the previous novels first. Or you might want to go back and read the earlier books after you've read this one. Highly recommended, either way.
The series is set mostly in my hometown Pasadena area, which adds to the enjoyment for me. The action in this book takes place partly in Pasadena and partly in San Luis Obispo County. The plot involves two murders, one in the present day, the other 23 years ago. There is a large cast of characters. The writing is so good and the novel is so well constructed that I had no difficulty keeping track of who was who and what was going on.
The pacing is excellent, as is the sense of place, and the characters, likable and not, are interesting and believable. After numerous twists and turns, we find out how the two crimes are connected. In addition, there is some romantic intrigue.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I think it adds to the enjoyment to have read the previous novels first. Or you might want to go back and read the earlier books after you've read this one. Highly recommended, either way.
February 10, 2017
This is the second Nan Vining mystery I have read. Although I didn’t like it as much as the first one I read, it captured my attention and I didn’t want to put it down until I had finished. There were a few times when it seemed it was trying to cross over into a romance novel, and, for me, that took away from the story. Although, without revealing any spoilers, I was glad that Nan has another option! Yes, you might not like some of the characters, but, afterall, they are the “bad guys.” The sixth in the series, it is not necessary to have read the prior ones, although they would certainly add to the main character’s background.
March 1, 2017
GNab I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Dianne Emley, and Random House Publishing Group - Alibi in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all, for sharing your hard work with me.
This was a good police procedural, one of a series but stand alone, peopled with empathetic folks that you can immediately feel comfortable with. Nan Vining is a good cop, a thoughtful mom, a loyal friend. Jim is a man who has suffered much but is still that cop you want to have your back. They have their work cut out for them, teasing out this 25 year old mystery that changed the lives of all who lived it, that nightmare night at Lake Nacimiento.
The pacing on this novel is excellent, it's location central California, a fast read that is hard to put down. I am pleased to have found Dianne Emley. She is an author I will follow.
Pub date Feb 28, 2017
This was a good police procedural, one of a series but stand alone, peopled with empathetic folks that you can immediately feel comfortable with. Nan Vining is a good cop, a thoughtful mom, a loyal friend. Jim is a man who has suffered much but is still that cop you want to have your back. They have their work cut out for them, teasing out this 25 year old mystery that changed the lives of all who lived it, that nightmare night at Lake Nacimiento.
The pacing on this novel is excellent, it's location central California, a fast read that is hard to put down. I am pleased to have found Dianne Emley. She is an author I will follow.
Pub date Feb 28, 2017
March 3, 2017
I received this arc from Netgalley.
This was a good read. Will keep you guessing and the pages flipping. Enjoyed it and will look for other books by this author.
This was a good read. Will keep you guessing and the pages flipping. Enjoyed it and will look for other books by this author.
March 1, 2017
Lying Blind, the sixth entry in the Nan Vining series by Dianne Emley, opens with an absolutely stunning description. Pink rose petals blown by the Santa Ana wind drift lazily on the crystal clear water of an infinity pool behind a Spanish Colonial Revival mansion on a hilltop overlooking Pasadena and Los Angeles. Underneath an equally crisp, blue sky, the scene presents “the illusion of a waterfall flowing over the edge of the world.”
Of course, the dead body floating facedown in the pool does spoil the effect just a bit.
By the time Pasadena Police Detective Nan Vining arrives, Sergeant Jim Kissick, with whom Vining has a personal relationship, has already pulled the body from the pool and called in the coroner. And while Vining appreciates the efficiency with which Kissick has handled the crime scene, she’s more than a little curious as to why he’s present at all. Though Kissick is longtime friends with the owners of the house, Teddy and Rebecca Sexton, that doesn’t satisfy Vining’s question why Teddy would text Kissick directly instead of calling 911 upon finding an unresponsive person floating in his pool.
The mystery deepens when Vining’s first look at the body reveals that the young woman bears a striking resemblance to both Rebecca Sexton and her brother, who serves as a personal assistant for Teddy, who is blind. Defying what appears to be obvious, however, all parties deny recognizing the dead woman. Given that she was found naked and with no clothes or ID near the pool, Vining has her work cut out for her to figure out exactly what’s going on. Complicating matters further, she gets the distinct vibe there’s more going on between Kissick and Rebecca Sexton than meets the eye, something that poses potential problems for both Vining’s investigation and her personal life.
But it’s when two investigators from a small town in San Luis Obispo County, California, show up at the Pasadena Police Department asking questions about a missing persons case from two decades ago that things take a turn for the truly twisted, as their missing person has recently been found—dead. And now they want to talk to Kissick and the Sextons about the case. And with that, Lying Blind is off to the races.
When a series passes the decade mark since its debut (The First Cut was released in 2006), there’s always the risk a character can become stale or predictable. Author Dianne Emiey avoids that happening with Vining by coming at her from a different angle in this installment, pushing her out of her comfort zone in a way she’s not experienced since early in the series. Though Vining is now a seasoned detective—the lead one in Pasadena’s Homicide/Assault division, in fact—the case she’s presented with in Lying Blind chips away at the trust she’s established in her personal life, then starts to bleed over into her professional one as well.
As a young officer, Vining got caught up in a case involving a serial killer, one who ended up targeting and attacking her. It took a long time for her physical wounds to heal, and even longer for the psychological ones. Having finally reached a point over the past few years where she truly felt confident (professionally) and free of paranoia (personally), Emley yanks the rug out from under Vining and plunges her back into a world of self-doubt and deception. She’d reached the height of her career as a detective by learning to trust her instincts and go where they took her, but if she’d made a mistake about Kissick in her personal life—did she?—what did that say about her instincts as an investigator? By employing this sort of “reset” on Vining’s perspective, Emley once again continues to deftly bring Vining to life in a way that rings true.
Longtime fans of the series will appreciate seeing Vining tested—as well as enjoy learning more about the heretofore somewhat mysterious Jim Kissick’s past—and the way the events of Lying Blind are presented, dipping back into a case two decades old and introducing a bevy of new characters to the series, makes it easy for newcomers to jump in at this point as well.
Of course, the dead body floating facedown in the pool does spoil the effect just a bit.
By the time Pasadena Police Detective Nan Vining arrives, Sergeant Jim Kissick, with whom Vining has a personal relationship, has already pulled the body from the pool and called in the coroner. And while Vining appreciates the efficiency with which Kissick has handled the crime scene, she’s more than a little curious as to why he’s present at all. Though Kissick is longtime friends with the owners of the house, Teddy and Rebecca Sexton, that doesn’t satisfy Vining’s question why Teddy would text Kissick directly instead of calling 911 upon finding an unresponsive person floating in his pool.
The mystery deepens when Vining’s first look at the body reveals that the young woman bears a striking resemblance to both Rebecca Sexton and her brother, who serves as a personal assistant for Teddy, who is blind. Defying what appears to be obvious, however, all parties deny recognizing the dead woman. Given that she was found naked and with no clothes or ID near the pool, Vining has her work cut out for her to figure out exactly what’s going on. Complicating matters further, she gets the distinct vibe there’s more going on between Kissick and Rebecca Sexton than meets the eye, something that poses potential problems for both Vining’s investigation and her personal life.
But it’s when two investigators from a small town in San Luis Obispo County, California, show up at the Pasadena Police Department asking questions about a missing persons case from two decades ago that things take a turn for the truly twisted, as their missing person has recently been found—dead. And now they want to talk to Kissick and the Sextons about the case. And with that, Lying Blind is off to the races.
When a series passes the decade mark since its debut (The First Cut was released in 2006), there’s always the risk a character can become stale or predictable. Author Dianne Emiey avoids that happening with Vining by coming at her from a different angle in this installment, pushing her out of her comfort zone in a way she’s not experienced since early in the series. Though Vining is now a seasoned detective—the lead one in Pasadena’s Homicide/Assault division, in fact—the case she’s presented with in Lying Blind chips away at the trust she’s established in her personal life, then starts to bleed over into her professional one as well.
As a young officer, Vining got caught up in a case involving a serial killer, one who ended up targeting and attacking her. It took a long time for her physical wounds to heal, and even longer for the psychological ones. Having finally reached a point over the past few years where she truly felt confident (professionally) and free of paranoia (personally), Emley yanks the rug out from under Vining and plunges her back into a world of self-doubt and deception. She’d reached the height of her career as a detective by learning to trust her instincts and go where they took her, but if she’d made a mistake about Kissick in her personal life—did she?—what did that say about her instincts as an investigator? By employing this sort of “reset” on Vining’s perspective, Emley once again continues to deftly bring Vining to life in a way that rings true.
Longtime fans of the series will appreciate seeing Vining tested—as well as enjoy learning more about the heretofore somewhat mysterious Jim Kissick’s past—and the way the events of Lying Blind are presented, dipping back into a case two decades old and introducing a bevy of new characters to the series, makes it easy for newcomers to jump in at this point as well.
September 1, 2017
Lying Blind is the latest book in Dianne Emley’s Nan Vining mystery series. The story opens with Nan’s boyfriend and fellow PPD officer, Jim Kissick, rushing to a long time friend’s home to discover the body of a woman floating in their pool. Detective Nan Vining is the lead on the case and suddenly finds her life spiraling out of control as her boyfriend becomes personally involved in the case.
At the same time, a body/skeleton is found in a lake from 20 years ago, that Jim and his friends were partying at during the same time. Now Nan is on the case trying to figure out – who killed this woman, who is the woman in the lake, and is her boyfriend keeping things from her. I really like Nan and her no-nonsense attitude. She really dives into the mystery and doesn’t stop until she gets answers. I think her struggles between work and her personal life are everyone’s struggles, so although she is a fictional character, she comes across as “real” and has the thoughts everyone else does.
I still need to go back and read some of the earlier books in this series to understand Nan’s back story and how she got involved with Jim. I hope this series continues because I think Nan’s story is still continuing…
*Thank you to Net Galley for providing an early copy of this book.*
At the same time, a body/skeleton is found in a lake from 20 years ago, that Jim and his friends were partying at during the same time. Now Nan is on the case trying to figure out – who killed this woman, who is the woman in the lake, and is her boyfriend keeping things from her. I really like Nan and her no-nonsense attitude. She really dives into the mystery and doesn’t stop until she gets answers. I think her struggles between work and her personal life are everyone’s struggles, so although she is a fictional character, she comes across as “real” and has the thoughts everyone else does.
I still need to go back and read some of the earlier books in this series to understand Nan’s back story and how she got involved with Jim. I hope this series continues because I think Nan’s story is still continuing…
*Thank you to Net Galley for providing an early copy of this book.*
February 5, 2017
When I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I hadn't realized that it was one of a series. Hoping for the best, I dove into the book because the synopsis caught my attention.
Nan Vining is a police detective who finds herself on the scene of a murder, where her boyfriend, fellow officer, Jim Kissick knows the homeowners from years ago. Nan senses that he knows them better than he lets on but he lies to her face. This case begins to tangle itself up with another case over in Lake Nacimento, where a body has been found submerged in the lake and that victim was also known to...you guessed it, Jim and the homeowners.
Dianne Emley is a wonderfully descriptive author, I could easily imagine myself in the middle of her book, in any of the scenes, and just be standing on the sidelines. This is a double edged sword though. I was so annoyed (perhaps irrationaly so) by how OVERLY deseriptive she was about everything. I started highlighting them so I could reference in my review but then it became too much. Once Nan could tell Jim was lying because she could see the amber flecks in Jim's eyes turn gold, while he was being interrogated and she was on the OTHER side of the two way mirror and across a room, I was done. That level of over detail was throughout the book and distracted me.
I still give this 4 stars though, I really enjoyed the story line, and while the characters didn't really evolve or grow within this story, I'm curious to see what happens next for them.
Nan Vining is a police detective who finds herself on the scene of a murder, where her boyfriend, fellow officer, Jim Kissick knows the homeowners from years ago. Nan senses that he knows them better than he lets on but he lies to her face. This case begins to tangle itself up with another case over in Lake Nacimento, where a body has been found submerged in the lake and that victim was also known to...you guessed it, Jim and the homeowners.
Dianne Emley is a wonderfully descriptive author, I could easily imagine myself in the middle of her book, in any of the scenes, and just be standing on the sidelines. This is a double edged sword though. I was so annoyed (perhaps irrationaly so) by how OVERLY deseriptive she was about everything. I started highlighting them so I could reference in my review but then it became too much. Once Nan could tell Jim was lying because she could see the amber flecks in Jim's eyes turn gold, while he was being interrogated and she was on the OTHER side of the two way mirror and across a room, I was done. That level of over detail was throughout the book and distracted me.
I still give this 4 stars though, I really enjoyed the story line, and while the characters didn't really evolve or grow within this story, I'm curious to see what happens next for them.
February 13, 2017
Two deaths twenty years apart, one in central California and one in Pasadena, bring our protagonists together for this well done procedural. It delves into the history of some of the protagonists and has enough chick lit to bring both old and new romances into it. The story is well written and absorbing. It is also fast reading. Great for a weekend. Thanks to Net Galley and Alibi for an ARC for an honest review.
January 9, 2017
This is the first book I have read by Dianne Emley and the first in the Nan Vining mystery. I can't say I lliked the Lying Blind in fact I give it 3 1\2 stars. I felt the story dragged along several times to the point I found myself skipping or skimming the pages. The story is written in 3rd person and sometimes seems to have a omniscient narrator who is telling the story. Which I wonders if that is the reason I felt the story was bogged down. There are moments where the author becomes too wordy almost as if to drive the word count up as apposed to driving the story forward.
The mystery wasn't a mystery at all in fact it was a simple cop TV show that I wouldn't watch on TV. Dianne Emley writing is basic TV cop drama with little heart in the story. Readers know what is going to happen before it happens which almost made me put down the book several times.
The author kept readers updated from first book to current with little bits of past stories but most of the times it was the same over and over about the mad man Nan had come in contact with who almost killed her.
Reads won't get lost they just might lose interest in this cop drama.
I received this from Netgalley for my opinion
The mystery wasn't a mystery at all in fact it was a simple cop TV show that I wouldn't watch on TV. Dianne Emley writing is basic TV cop drama with little heart in the story. Readers know what is going to happen before it happens which almost made me put down the book several times.
The author kept readers updated from first book to current with little bits of past stories but most of the times it was the same over and over about the mad man Nan had come in contact with who almost killed her.
Reads won't get lost they just might lose interest in this cop drama.
I received this from Netgalley for my opinion
January 12, 2017
An exciting story that includes suspense and romance as the murder of a young woman in the present becomes linked with the disappearance of a young woman in the past. If you are into fashion, the book includes descriptions of the clothing worn by almost everyone in the story. The descriptions help to define the characters and humanize them. Despite the many clues along the way, I was surprised at the ending as the murderer was unveiled. The book is easy to read and hard to put down.
Read
January 5, 2018If you are a detective Nan Vining fan, you’ll want to dig into this suspenseful mystery. Emley doubles everything in this story. Setting: Both in Pasadea, California and San Luis Obispo. Plot: Not one but two murders, one present day and one in the past. Plus, this case becomes personal! A police procedural, Emley knows her stuff.-- Review can be found at Le Coeur de l'Artiste http://www.djadamson.com/le-coeur-de-...
April 22, 2017
I’m kind of partial to procedurals with “plucky” heroines (think Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, French’s Antoinette Conway or Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone). So, when I read that Dianne Emley had a new book, Lying Blind, featuring the recurring character Detective Nan Vining (a character I had never encountered) and that the new book was described as a “hard-edged thriller for fans of Patricia Cornwell, Tana French, and Lisa Gardner,” I was ready to meet Nan!
How have I missed this series? Emley’s previous Nan Vining books include The First Cut, Cut to the Quick, The Deepest Cut, Love Kills, and Killing Secrets. In this latest in the series, Pasadena, CA’s Homicide detective Nan Vining gets involved in a murder case and arrives at a mansion where a beautiful young woman is floating face down in the infinity pool. Nan is curious as to why her boyfriend, Sergeant Jim Kissick has arrived on the scene first. Why did the homeowner contact Jim first (via text), before placing the 911 call that brought Nan to the scene?
Jim’s explanation is that he is old friends with the homeowners, Teddy and Rebecca Sexton. Nan begins to investigate, and becomes certain that the three of them are all hiding something. Meanwhile, in Lake Nacimiento (near Paso Robles, CA) a body is discovered, and that investigation brings detectives from that jurisdiction south. Soon the two crimes are intertwined and Nan feels like her relationship with Jim is falling apart.
Nan is a great character, the story is well plotted, and I enjoyed it a great deal. While there are some references to past experiences for Nan and Jim, I didn’t feel like I should have read the previous books in order to follow this one (although I plan to read earlier books in this series and hope I won’t get the “oh crap, I should have read this one first! Now I know what happens to these people!” feeling). There was a slight convenience to the resolution, meaning a tiny bit less of a rating, but overall I really enjoyed this!
Other fans of plucky heroines will enjoy this, as will people who enjoyed T. Jefferson Parker’s earlier books set in Southern California. (Everyone who has lived in Orange County seems to enjoy Parker’s early novels). Both Parker and Emley do a great job capturing the feel of SoCal, and I look forward to reading more by this author. Four enthusiastic stars!
How have I missed this series? Emley’s previous Nan Vining books include The First Cut, Cut to the Quick, The Deepest Cut, Love Kills, and Killing Secrets. In this latest in the series, Pasadena, CA’s Homicide detective Nan Vining gets involved in a murder case and arrives at a mansion where a beautiful young woman is floating face down in the infinity pool. Nan is curious as to why her boyfriend, Sergeant Jim Kissick has arrived on the scene first. Why did the homeowner contact Jim first (via text), before placing the 911 call that brought Nan to the scene?
Jim’s explanation is that he is old friends with the homeowners, Teddy and Rebecca Sexton. Nan begins to investigate, and becomes certain that the three of them are all hiding something. Meanwhile, in Lake Nacimiento (near Paso Robles, CA) a body is discovered, and that investigation brings detectives from that jurisdiction south. Soon the two crimes are intertwined and Nan feels like her relationship with Jim is falling apart.
Nan is a great character, the story is well plotted, and I enjoyed it a great deal. While there are some references to past experiences for Nan and Jim, I didn’t feel like I should have read the previous books in order to follow this one (although I plan to read earlier books in this series and hope I won’t get the “oh crap, I should have read this one first! Now I know what happens to these people!” feeling). There was a slight convenience to the resolution, meaning a tiny bit less of a rating, but overall I really enjoyed this!
Other fans of plucky heroines will enjoy this, as will people who enjoyed T. Jefferson Parker’s earlier books set in Southern California. (Everyone who has lived in Orange County seems to enjoy Parker’s early novels). Both Parker and Emley do a great job capturing the feel of SoCal, and I look forward to reading more by this author. Four enthusiastic stars!
February 4, 2017
I received a free advance e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book that I’ve read by Dianne Emley and in the Nan Vining series. The story grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go. I stayed up into the wee hours in order to find out what happens between Luke and Nan and whodunit. This is a well-written police procedural with an excellent plot and well-developed characters. The author gives enough background so the reader can follow the story without reading the previous books in the series first. Nan has an ongoing relationship with Jim, a police sergeant. There are several twists and turns involving Jim’s old love interest, related events from the past, old friends from his college days, and a couple of dead bodies. During the investigation Nan meets Luke an officer from another jurisdiction who is involved in the investigation. There are sparks between Nan and Luke. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series. I’m also anxious to see what happens between Nan and Jim and Nan and Luke in the future. This is a keeper and well worth the read.
March 30, 2017
This detective novel had enough twists and turns to keep it interesting, but I wouldn't necessarily say they were all plausible. Several of the clues leading the police to solve parts of the case seemed way too conveniently placed, and the suspects never give themselves away. Every time someone is arrested or questioned, it's based purely on one of the cops assuming that they've solved the case, so they proceed to lay out their theory for the suspect, who never once admits to anything. The mystery was set up nicely, but the detective work was shoddy.
February 2, 2017
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Although I have not read any previous Nan Vining mysteries, this story stood on its own and did not depend on prior knowledge of the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot development. The author's descriptions of the scenes made them realistic without being overdone. The identity of the guilty individual was not obvious until the end of the book. I look forward to reading more books by Dianne Emley.
February 23, 2017
Ms Emley went in a whole new direction!
What I didn’t like: I decided to put this section first because I wanted to address the beginning of Lying Blind. I almost felt like the book was broken into two segments and I wasn’t exactly enjoying the first, which I label the prelude.
It moved slowly, didn’t keep me engaged and I struggled to keep reading. I’m usually a big fan of romantic suspense without ALL the romance but Lying Blind needed a bit more fire between the heroine, Nan Vining and her romantic partner, Jim Kissick. Their interactions didn’t make me want them to continue as a couple. They didn’t open up to each other especially as a long-standing couple.
Admittedly, Nan’s current case brings up Jim’s past and his secretiveness about that past just floors her. She’s trying to work a murder case and he almost seems to be sabotaging her efforts to find the truth.
What I liked: When Lying Blind gets to about the 30% mark, the pacing picks up dramatically. Nan is working a current murder case which suddenly overlaps with a cold case turned murder investigation. It just so happens Nan’s case has the same cast of characters as the cold case and Jim is right in the middle.
Don’t get me wrong, Nan loves Jim but the cases are driving a wedge between them and it’s not all Nan’s fault, in my opinion. At first, I thought she was being somewhat insecure but the more I read, the more I was sympathetic to her feelings.
I’ve read all the previous books in A Nan Vining Mystery series and basically was settling in with the two main characters. Lying Blind shakes up all my preconceived notions, which is a good thing. A couple of new characters are introduced and boy, did I love Luke. His character has depth, an interesting back story and he just plain sounds HOT. Believe me, Nan notices all that even though he’s putting Jim on the hot seat.
The rest of the characters aren’t as dynamic but have their part to play in the murder cases. I thought I had everything figured out but Ms Emley threw a few wrenches in the works. The ending was stunning.
You could read Lying Blind as a standalone but I think you would really appreciate the other books as they give loads of background on the main characters and their growth. Now I’m wondering where exactly Ms Emley will take the next book and can’t wait to find out.
Oh, by the way, the pricing on this e-book is fantastic at $4.99.
Recommended!!
What I didn’t like: I decided to put this section first because I wanted to address the beginning of Lying Blind. I almost felt like the book was broken into two segments and I wasn’t exactly enjoying the first, which I label the prelude.
It moved slowly, didn’t keep me engaged and I struggled to keep reading. I’m usually a big fan of romantic suspense without ALL the romance but Lying Blind needed a bit more fire between the heroine, Nan Vining and her romantic partner, Jim Kissick. Their interactions didn’t make me want them to continue as a couple. They didn’t open up to each other especially as a long-standing couple.
Admittedly, Nan’s current case brings up Jim’s past and his secretiveness about that past just floors her. She’s trying to work a murder case and he almost seems to be sabotaging her efforts to find the truth.
What I liked: When Lying Blind gets to about the 30% mark, the pacing picks up dramatically. Nan is working a current murder case which suddenly overlaps with a cold case turned murder investigation. It just so happens Nan’s case has the same cast of characters as the cold case and Jim is right in the middle.
Don’t get me wrong, Nan loves Jim but the cases are driving a wedge between them and it’s not all Nan’s fault, in my opinion. At first, I thought she was being somewhat insecure but the more I read, the more I was sympathetic to her feelings.
I’ve read all the previous books in A Nan Vining Mystery series and basically was settling in with the two main characters. Lying Blind shakes up all my preconceived notions, which is a good thing. A couple of new characters are introduced and boy, did I love Luke. His character has depth, an interesting back story and he just plain sounds HOT. Believe me, Nan notices all that even though he’s putting Jim on the hot seat.
The rest of the characters aren’t as dynamic but have their part to play in the murder cases. I thought I had everything figured out but Ms Emley threw a few wrenches in the works. The ending was stunning.
You could read Lying Blind as a standalone but I think you would really appreciate the other books as they give loads of background on the main characters and their growth. Now I’m wondering where exactly Ms Emley will take the next book and can’t wait to find out.
Oh, by the way, the pricing on this e-book is fantastic at $4.99.
Recommended!!
April 11, 2017
I had not read this series before Netgalley granted me an ARC and I'm glad they did because now I've discovered a new author to follow. Emley has written a page turner with enough twists to keep even an inveterate mystery reader guessing. Nan is an interesting turn on the stereotypical female detective; her relationship with Jim is also interesting, especially as they face questions he doesn't want to answer. No spoilers on this one but it's a quick read (also it's fairly short) that will keep you turning pages.
March 1, 2017
Fantastic storyline with characters that feel so real I almost forgot, they were not actors. Wanted to kick Jim in the shins a few times. Loved Luke and I so see him and Nan together. This is one of those mystery books that you have figured out who done it (and you're right) but as the truth unfolds you're sitting there with your mouth open....then stand and applaud. Great read I did not want to put it down I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author. Received ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
March 4, 2017
Truly an excellent read. Ended much too soon. The outcome surprised me. I was expecting the other half of the marriage to he the culprit. Very sad storyline in reference to the young daughter. Great detective plot, mystery, and intrigue. Anxious to see what's next for Nan and Jim.
February 28, 2017
Lying Blind is the latest story by Dianne Emley. about her heroine, Nan Vining. Ms Emley does an excellent job of giving the reader a mystery to solve and a personal story about Nan. Ms Emley has a special knack of putting the reader in the story and seeing what the characters are seeing and doing. I was given an early copy to review.
January 8, 2017
Lying Blind is an interesting crime story, though it never fully grabbed my attention.
The writing is a mix of third person and omniscient narration, so we flick in and out of random character's thoughts and perspectives without much rhyme or reason. At one point, we spend several pages getting to know two teenage girls, whose only role in the book is in finding a dead body. We don't see those girls again, and so all that time learning about them feels pointless. The lack of focus results in Nan never standing out as a main character. In fact, her character is irrelevant to most of the story.
Long passages of backstory take away from the immediacy of the crime and emotions. Some of the backstory is necessary in order for us to understand the link between the two murders, but much of it is just a distraction.
Rebecca and Teddy Sexton's reaction to finding the body in their pool is so absurd that we have no doubt they are somehow involved. The author does weave an intriguing tale around the longtime friends, their history, and the crimes.
As for the characters, I had a total disconnect toward their predicament and emotions. The writing has a distant feel, more like we're being told a story than experiencing one. I have not read any of the prior Nan Vining mysteries, but I don't think that factored into my disconnect. The author does a good job of orienting us with the returning characters, so we understand their relationships. For me, the characters just had a lackluster feel about them.
The pacing is quite slow, reaching the midway point before anything really starts happening. This is largely a reflection of all the unnecessary point-of-view characters and backstory.
Honestly, I was bored through much of the book. That being said, the plot is put together well, and says a lot about the secrets we keep from the people who think they know us best.
*I received an advance copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
The writing is a mix of third person and omniscient narration, so we flick in and out of random character's thoughts and perspectives without much rhyme or reason. At one point, we spend several pages getting to know two teenage girls, whose only role in the book is in finding a dead body. We don't see those girls again, and so all that time learning about them feels pointless. The lack of focus results in Nan never standing out as a main character. In fact, her character is irrelevant to most of the story.
Long passages of backstory take away from the immediacy of the crime and emotions. Some of the backstory is necessary in order for us to understand the link between the two murders, but much of it is just a distraction.
Rebecca and Teddy Sexton's reaction to finding the body in their pool is so absurd that we have no doubt they are somehow involved. The author does weave an intriguing tale around the longtime friends, their history, and the crimes.
As for the characters, I had a total disconnect toward their predicament and emotions. The writing has a distant feel, more like we're being told a story than experiencing one. I have not read any of the prior Nan Vining mysteries, but I don't think that factored into my disconnect. The author does a good job of orienting us with the returning characters, so we understand their relationships. For me, the characters just had a lackluster feel about them.
The pacing is quite slow, reaching the midway point before anything really starts happening. This is largely a reflection of all the unnecessary point-of-view characters and backstory.
Honestly, I was bored through much of the book. That being said, the plot is put together well, and says a lot about the secrets we keep from the people who think they know us best.
*I received an advance copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
January 31, 2017
I would like to thank NetGalley, Ms. Emley, and Alibi for allowing me to have an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review. I am beginning to discover that I really like Alibi books and look forward to reading more of them!
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Emley and I'm thankful I was given the chance to read this one. I had no idea there were others and the book is one of those in a series that can also stand alone. (Thank you SO much for that as I dislike books that don't end, leaving you to find a next book in the series. I won't read those books if I have an inkling that's what is going to happen).
On to the book, Nan is a homicide detective and her long time boyfriend, Jim, is a police sergeant. Nan is called to a homicide scene but when she arrives her boyfriend, Jim is already there at the behest of the person who owns the house, and has already observed that the body in the pool resembles a long ago friend of his! Nan seems rather displeased and curious as to how Jim had been notified. It becomes clear that Teddy and Becca, the owners, were friends of Jim sometime in the past. Not only were they friends but Nan discovers that Jim and Becca had a romantic relationship and were, in fact, engaged years ago. Oddly when Nan discovers the relationship she basically overreacts (in my thinking) and pretty much decides that her and Jim's relationship is over. It is apparent that Jim is too close to the case and at one point is possibly a suspect. It's also apparent that Jim still has feelings for Becca.
Teddy, Becca's husband is blind and has a guide dog who adds another facet to the story. Of course there is more than one murder and the plot becomes more intricate as it moves along. The author does a fantastic job of weaving a mysterious web and the reader is left with trying to unravel all the pieces. Overall, I'm very pleased I was able to read this book and plan to look for the authors earlier books.
You do NOT want to miss this one!
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Emley and I'm thankful I was given the chance to read this one. I had no idea there were others and the book is one of those in a series that can also stand alone. (Thank you SO much for that as I dislike books that don't end, leaving you to find a next book in the series. I won't read those books if I have an inkling that's what is going to happen).
On to the book, Nan is a homicide detective and her long time boyfriend, Jim, is a police sergeant. Nan is called to a homicide scene but when she arrives her boyfriend, Jim is already there at the behest of the person who owns the house, and has already observed that the body in the pool resembles a long ago friend of his! Nan seems rather displeased and curious as to how Jim had been notified. It becomes clear that Teddy and Becca, the owners, were friends of Jim sometime in the past. Not only were they friends but Nan discovers that Jim and Becca had a romantic relationship and were, in fact, engaged years ago. Oddly when Nan discovers the relationship she basically overreacts (in my thinking) and pretty much decides that her and Jim's relationship is over. It is apparent that Jim is too close to the case and at one point is possibly a suspect. It's also apparent that Jim still has feelings for Becca.
Teddy, Becca's husband is blind and has a guide dog who adds another facet to the story. Of course there is more than one murder and the plot becomes more intricate as it moves along. The author does a fantastic job of weaving a mysterious web and the reader is left with trying to unravel all the pieces. Overall, I'm very pleased I was able to read this book and plan to look for the authors earlier books.
You do NOT want to miss this one!
December 17, 2016
Let me begin my saying that although this is book number six in a series, you do not need to have read the previous books in order for this story to make sense. Yes, there are certain events from prior books mentioned, but that does not take away from the reader's ability to enjoy this story as a stand-alone.
Wow. What another phenomenal installment to this series! Every time I read one of her stories, I feel like it couldn't possibly be better than the last, and some how she manages to do just that. One of the great things about her stories is that they move at a steady pace, there are no little details thrown in that aren't needed to tie everything together. And her characters grow as each story continues (although in the case of this one, maybe not in a way long-time readers would prefer).
I loved the way that the author was able to tie in a present day murder with a twenty-year old missing person's case. There were so many threads that interconnected everyone and everything to events of the past, and it was interesting to see how the author managed to tie them all together. There were many twists and surprises in this novel that kept me guessing right up until the shocking ending!
Overall, I am sure this story will appeal to those who enjoy crime and thriller novels. I would read more from this author.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Wow. What another phenomenal installment to this series! Every time I read one of her stories, I feel like it couldn't possibly be better than the last, and some how she manages to do just that. One of the great things about her stories is that they move at a steady pace, there are no little details thrown in that aren't needed to tie everything together. And her characters grow as each story continues (although in the case of this one, maybe not in a way long-time readers would prefer).
I loved the way that the author was able to tie in a present day murder with a twenty-year old missing person's case. There were so many threads that interconnected everyone and everything to events of the past, and it was interesting to see how the author managed to tie them all together. There were many twists and surprises in this novel that kept me guessing right up until the shocking ending!
Overall, I am sure this story will appeal to those who enjoy crime and thriller novels. I would read more from this author.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
February 17, 2017
This was an absorbing murder, mystery with lots of twist and turns. There were some very good characters linking well into the story and with some fascinating interactions. The conclusion was excellent with most of the uncertainties resolved. I hope Nan follows her heart!
February 28, 2017
Where do I begin...
First and foremost...this book was absolutely phenomenal. The story, the character direction (made me a bit sad), this book made you invested, made you feel. Sometimes I hated the character, sometimes I was visibly cringing mixed with sadness. The point...it made me FEEL. And when an author can do that...well in my opinion they knock it out of the park as did Dianne Emley.
I've been reading this series from the start and I have always enjoyed her writing. Nan Vining is quite the character. Damaged, strong, resilient, fierce. I love that. I was over the moon when she continued the series. And I have to say it continues to surprise and blow me away. It's fresh, with great plot and characters you love and some you want to smack :)
I'm not going to go deep into plot because there is some time before this book comes out and I don't do spoilers. But suffice to say that the murder, and the mystery is really fantastic and deeply affects Nan in a direct and indirect way because of her relationships.
But she never lets it get in the way of her cop instincts, and her thirst for the truth.
This story was so well written. If you haven't checked out this series you MUST because you will want to be caught up for this FANTABULOUS Release.
First and foremost...this book was absolutely phenomenal. The story, the character direction (made me a bit sad), this book made you invested, made you feel. Sometimes I hated the character, sometimes I was visibly cringing mixed with sadness. The point...it made me FEEL. And when an author can do that...well in my opinion they knock it out of the park as did Dianne Emley.
I've been reading this series from the start and I have always enjoyed her writing. Nan Vining is quite the character. Damaged, strong, resilient, fierce. I love that. I was over the moon when she continued the series. And I have to say it continues to surprise and blow me away. It's fresh, with great plot and characters you love and some you want to smack :)
I'm not going to go deep into plot because there is some time before this book comes out and I don't do spoilers. But suffice to say that the murder, and the mystery is really fantastic and deeply affects Nan in a direct and indirect way because of her relationships.
But she never lets it get in the way of her cop instincts, and her thirst for the truth.
This story was so well written. If you haven't checked out this series you MUST because you will want to be caught up for this FANTABULOUS Release.
December 9, 2016
Sgt Jim Kissick is first at the scene of drowning. The victims has drowned in the pool of a wealthy, blind homeowner. The victim strongly resembles the homeowners wife, but they all deny knowing who she is. Police Det Nan Vining is lead on the case. She and Jim are long time lovers. When Jim explains to her how he came to be first on the scene Nan realizes he has a past connection to the wife. He is also very evasive when Nan questions him about his past with the couple. Nan knows she is not getting the whole story. The investigation into the drowning leads to a 20 year old mystery with connections to Jim and the couple. Nan knows there is more to the story than they are telling her. She and Jim "take a break" from each other. Nan doesn't know if she can trust him anymore, if there is any hope they can go back to what they had before.
This book is part of a series. There are references to previous books but I think this book could stand on its own. It is well written with a good story line. The plot will keep you interested and guessing. There are some characters in the book that were not very likable and I hoped would get what they had coming by the end of the book. Thank you to eat galley for an advanced readers copy.
This book is part of a series. There are references to previous books but I think this book could stand on its own. It is well written with a good story line. The plot will keep you interested and guessing. There are some characters in the book that were not very likable and I hoped would get what they had coming by the end of the book. Thank you to eat galley for an advanced readers copy.
January 5, 2017
A young woman is found dead floating in an infinity pool. Instead of calling 911, the home owner Teddy Sexton calls his friend Sergeant Jim Kissick. When Jim’s girlfriend Detective Nan Vining arrives on the scene, why he did this is one of the many questions she has. She senses that everyone involved, included Jim, is hiding something. The unknown victim looks exactly like the homeowner’s wife Rebecca as she looked 20 years before, yet no one has any idea who she is. Nan’s doubts about Jim grow when she sees an old picture of Rebecca’s with Jim in it, and realizes there had been something between them. The scene shifts further up the California coast to the place where Rebecca grew up. Two young girls paddleboarding on a drought-lowered lake make a grisly discovery that has a connection to Jim and the Sextons. Detectives come down to interview them and the lying continues. By the end of the book, Nan and the reader have no idea who to believe or whom to trust. The latter part of the book has lots of plot twists and turns and had me fingering first one character then another as the killer. The characters, though not all likeable, were well developed. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Ms Emley.
February 10, 2017
This story grabbed me from the start and kept me guessing about, "who done it". I didn't want to put the book down and reluctantly had to put the book away each night when I could no longer keep my eyes open. Loved the main story line, the intelligent and not overly descriptive story line as well as the background story of the main character and her private life. Although this book stands just fine on its own I will definitely go back to the other books in this series. The ending of this installment gave resolution to the current case but also left room for wanting to find out more about unsolved issues....
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