Sticks & Stones

Rachael Flynn #2

by Susan Meissner

Critically acclaimed author Susan Meissner's Rachael Flynn mystery series started with the popular Widows and Orphans. In this second serving of intrigue, Sticks & Stones, attorney Rachael Flynn receives an unsigned, heart-stopping letter:

"They're going to find a body at the Prairie Bluff construction site. He deserved what he got, but it wasn't supposed to happen. It was an accident."

It’s not long before the remains of teenager Randall “Buck” Buckett – a bully who’d terrorized the most vulnerable kids in his neighborhood – are uncovered, twenty-five years after the 15-year-old had presumably run away. Homicide detective Will Pendleton now has a cold case to solve, but with every new, unsigned letter she receives, Rachael becomes more convinced the letter-writer is a former bullied victim crying out not just for mercy but long overdue justice.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Christian, Adult Fiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Susan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than a million books in the hands of readers, and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.

She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.

When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.

Reviews

[Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ An older Susan Meissner- part of a Christian mystery series from the early 2000s. This is book 2, and while it was obvious that there was backstory from book 1 that I was missing, the story was still enjoyable.

[Shay Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable mystery. A bit predictable. Clean. Contains Themes of childhood bullying /abuse

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second entry in the Rachael Flynn series is better than the first, and I really enjoyed the plot and character development. The plot centers on an old murder of a bully, but the repercussions continue into the present. Susan Meissner, even in these earlier books, was a great writer. There were points when I couldn't put the book down.

[Daria Mc pherson cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! You had your mystery that kept you guessing. I could not put the book down. Will look for more books by this author.

[Lauraine Snelling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't go wrong with a Meissner book!

[Julie Kudish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am shocked that this is the same author whose books I've been devouring. The story is one that needs to be told of teenage Buck who spent his youth bullying others until they could take it no more. My problem with this book is two-fold.
One, the narrator of the audiobook is terrible. Tavia Gilbert's voice borders on sounding computer generated and sounding like a gay, British, wealthy man. Specifically, she makes the men sound ridiculous and reads April like she is a simple child, not a nearly forty year old woman. The characters do not sound like I feel they should sound (Detective Will Pendleton is atrocious) and it detracts greatly from the story.
Second, the writing of this story is simple, formulaic, and predictive. I understand this is the second in a detective series, but it just didn't work for me. There is nothing of the author I've come to love and expect. The characters are shallow, lacking dimension and interest (including protagonist Rachael Flynn who needs to spend more time with her husband than her detective friend.) The story is repetitive and I couldn't wait to get to the end (which I liked), find out who did it and be done. It is a story that elicited very little emotion from me: I didn't laugh; I didn't cry; I didn't really care about the characters. The story took entirely too long to unravel.
No more detective series for me - I'll go back to Ms. Meissner's magically woven historical fiction.

[Jovdb · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first book by this author. 2nd in the series but it can be read as a stand alone, even though there are some references to an earlier investigation.

Rachael Flynn is involved in the case when she receives an anonymous letter stating that a body will be found on this construction site. It goes on to state that the death was an accident. Rachel and Will, her counterpart in the police, look at the life of the deceased, a young boy, now dead for 25 years.

Buck, the young boy killed years ago, was a bully. He caused untold grief to the kids on his street. Even though he was reported for his behaviour, parents, teachers, and even police, could not curtail his bullying.

As the story progresses, we discover how long term bullying effects the victims for the rest of their lives. The facts behind Buck’s death are stressful and traumatic for any reader who has been in a similar situation, is a parent of a child being treated like this, or a family member involved in this insidious web. The feelings of impotence, rage, and helplessness is communicated very well.

[Sheila Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

if God is behind something, He's in front of it too and will make a away.
i need to be still and listen to God
we have to be the person we're meant to be.
God is bigger than me; let go; I don't have to understand how God works. i can't get inside God's thoughts.
Don't worry about making special gifts God gives work; it will work itself out in me, even in spite of me...better to cooperate with the Spirit!
be attentive to the messages God is giving.
i have no idea what God is accomplishing in other people; stay open, attentive and available for God to use me.
don't worry about having all the answers.
God trusts us with gifts He knows we won't disregard or waste. Ask God to do great things through me and my family; pray over grand children and ask God to work mightily through them.
we're in positions to use gifts to help others
God has His hand on us in unique ways.
I have the opportunity to trust what i DON'T understand when i am faced with God's mysteries.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Power of a relationship with God

Rachel is once again thrown into a situation of being troubled by truth that comes to her in unconventional ways. First, by anonymous notes that would open up an investigation of a twenty-five-year-old murder. Then, by intense intuition that would come from a deep awareness of God's still, small voice.

The author skillfully lets her readers watch over Rachel's shoulder as she winds through sketchy and often times false details to get through to the painful truths of young people suffering at the hands of one who appeared to be unstoppable in his cruelty to others. Added to the mix is Rachel's husband and his quirky artist friends only too eager to once again use their skills to work through possible scenarios. They bring color and a little humor to a very serious subject of troubling times. Highly recommended reading.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up while I was waiting on another Meissner book. The plot sounded intriguing. I didn’t realize it was the second in a series, and I may have rated this higher if I’d read the first in the series, first. The good news is that it read as a stand alone book. I think some of the character building was likely done in the first book though. So for me, it was a 3 star book. Rachael is an ADA who has become known for her ability to understand people. She receives a letter letting her know that a body would be found in a construction site, but that she should know the persons death was an accident. What follows entangled her in a case of bullying and abuse, and she did begin sympathizing with everyone who crossed paths with the victim. It was an interesting read. It just lacked some things that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a hard time getting into the story but when I finally did it was quite a story. A body is found that has been buried 25 years, anonymous letters sent to assistant district attorney, three of them. A rebuilt on property where another house stood many years ago. Rachel is again trying to figure things out and she brings in her husband’s friends to draw pictures of what they think happened and how. The kids who lived in that neighborhood long ago had been bullied and harassed endlessly by a kid, Bucky. No one, adults or police, did anything to stop the nightmare for these kids. One day Bucky just disappears.

I liked the way things finally came together and but it was hard to figure out who did it, the murder. Sometimes there is a small clue but not this time.

I did enjoy it even though it took me longer than usual to really get into it.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, Meissner tackles some very difficult and troubling subject matter without the graphic detail or gory descriptions. It was interesting to follow the investigation into the 25-year old murder of Randall Buckett. As Detective Pendleton and prosecuting attorney, Rachael Flynn interview each of the young neighbors bullied relentlessly by Randall Buckett, their motives and involvement become blurred. It was no surprise how emotionally damaging bullying can be as well as how lasting and painful the consequences. Meissner's characters display these attitudes and behaviors well, as they are forced to confront past painful experiences.

[CYNTHIA · Rating 3 out of 5]

lawyer Rachael Flynn receives an unsigned, heart-stopping letter:

They?re going to find a body at the Prairie Bluff construction site. He deserved what he got, but it wasn?t supposed to happen. It was an accident.

When the body is uncovered, Rachael and Detective Will Pendleton discover that the fifteen?year old victim, Randall Buckett, had been buried twenty?five years before. Is the letter writer and the killer the same person? Why would someone speak up now? And why are they telling Rachael?

[Tina Kaczynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book, I was so excited to get Amazon prime reading that I grabbed the first book I saw by Susan Meissner and didn’t even realize that this was number two in a series. So unlike her other books I’ve read which were all historical fiction, this one was a modern day crime book. The main character as usual with Meissner was lovable and well developed! She kept me guessing the whole time about who might’ve committed the crime and what actually happened. It all came together nicely in the end. Very well written and a joy to read!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth the read!

This is the second book in the Rachel Flynn, mystery series, and I enjoyed it as much, if not more than the first book. I like Rachel Flynn very much as a character, and I also love the supporting characters, who we were first introduced in the first book. The topic of this book is bullying, and I found it very thought-provoking. I would definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the third book in the series

[Karen Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great audio book, read by Tavia Gilbert. The story contained the same characters as the first Rachael Flynn mystery. This time the plot centered around a mysterious letter written to explain the discovery of a body near a construction site. As Rachael and Will (the detective) attempt to solve the murder of Buck, her burgeoning "hunches" become stronger and enable them to find the answers to the murder they attempt to solve.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I love this author's work, this story didn't do too much for me. I think part of it was the person reading this book. She had such a staccato voice that it was most annoying. The story was about a body found that had been buried for 25 years. The guy that was found was a bully and this story takes you to the people that he bullied as a teenager as possible suspects in his murder.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but I rounded up to 4. I really like the author, this book was a fast read, clean, important social issue, not predictable resolution. It helps just a little if you read the first book in this trilogy, as it pertains to the protagonist’s personal life and family. I can’t wait to read the third book!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing book from Susan Meissner. I'm sure somewhere along the way I read the first book in the series, because as I went along I felt the characters were familiar. It made me want to read more by her.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently went to the library to look for older books by Susan and discovered this series. This is the second book and I enjoyed it as much as the first in the series. Looking forward to reading the third installment.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very complex. Rachel went through many steps to help solve this case. I enjoyed the character development. The underlying theme of the effects of bullying on children and how they take it into adulthood was very well displayed.

[Kerrie Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sticks & Stones is book #2 in the Rachael Flynn series. The topic in this book is bullying. I thought the author addressed bullying realistically. A variety of minor characters help the reader understand the trauma these adults felt when bullied by their neighbor when they were younger.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Susan Meissner books but can’t get as excited about the Rachael Flynn series. In this one lawyer Rachael Flynn gets premonitions (along with unsigned notes) of what the truth about a murder case is.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder mystery with Rachel as a lawyer working with police officer Will. Randal bucket was killed 25 years ago but in investigating was found he was a bully to all the neighborhood children. Who killed him and why are the questions but it's discovered by the youngest neighbor

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first in this series just a little bit more. But this was still a very good book.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent read that sheds light on the horrific tragedy of bullying in all its severity. Certainly not as compelling as some of Susan‘s other books but definitely a good story.

[Alli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
...continuing this series....

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good and quick read. I also liked that it had resources in the back to deal with bullying.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C. fiction, mystery, cold case, bullying, series, (Rachael Flynn, #2)

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Meissner is one of my favorite authors, so it's been enjoyable to read her Rachael Flynn mysteries.