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Alice Madison #4
Sweet After Death
The critically acclaimed, breathtaking thriller: perfect for fans of Angela Marsons.
In the dead of winter Homicide Detective Alice Madison is sent to the remote town of Ludlow, Washington, to investigate an unspeakable crime.
Together with her partner Detective Sergeant Kevin Brown and crime scene investigator Amy Sorensen, Madison must first understand the killer's motives...but the dark mountains that surround Ludlow know how to keep their secrets and that the human heart is wilder than any beast's.
As the killer strikes again Madison and her team are under siege. And as they become targets Madison realises that in the freezing woods around the pretty town a cunning evil has been waiting for her.
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2017
18 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Valentina Giambanco
12 books118 followersValentina Giambanco was born in Italy. She started working in films as an editor's apprentice in a 35mm cutting room and since then has worked on many award-winning UK and US pictures: from small independent projects to large studio productions. Valentina lives in London.
Her books were originally published under the name of V.M. Giambanco
Her books were originally published under the name of V.M. Giambanco
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 19, 2018
Homicide Detective Alice Madison, DS Kevin Brown and CSI Amy Sorensen volunteer to assist the Ludlow, Washington police force ... a total of three officers. The local doctor has been found with his hands bound and inside a burning car. Since this is the very first murder in this small town, they have requested help.
Tasked with not only solving the crime but also training the officers has put a lot of strain of the three investigators. They are definitely out of their comfort zone .. especially when they become the killer's target.
The residents of this small town seem to all be harboring secrets of their own. The investigators are going to have to bring those secrets to the light of day if they want the killing to stop.
A subplot running along side is the case of a young teenage boy and his siblings being abused by their father. When the two cases start to merge, the suspension is raised to new heights.
The characters are terrific .. well-defined. I enjoyed getting a backstory on Alice, as well as a little about her very personal life. I like how Madison, Brown, and Sorenson relate to each other.
This is a well-written, action-packed, intriguing story that gripped me from the very first page. Even though this is 4th in a series this can easily be read as a stand alone. It certainly whetted my appetite to collect this series and start from the beginning.
Many thanks to the author / Quercus (US) / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Tasked with not only solving the crime but also training the officers has put a lot of strain of the three investigators. They are definitely out of their comfort zone .. especially when they become the killer's target.
The residents of this small town seem to all be harboring secrets of their own. The investigators are going to have to bring those secrets to the light of day if they want the killing to stop.
A subplot running along side is the case of a young teenage boy and his siblings being abused by their father. When the two cases start to merge, the suspension is raised to new heights.
The characters are terrific .. well-defined. I enjoyed getting a backstory on Alice, as well as a little about her very personal life. I like how Madison, Brown, and Sorenson relate to each other.
This is a well-written, action-packed, intriguing story that gripped me from the very first page. Even though this is 4th in a series this can easily be read as a stand alone. It certainly whetted my appetite to collect this series and start from the beginning.
Many thanks to the author / Quercus (US) / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 17, 2017
The Alice Madison series is fast becoming one of my favourites – mostly it has to be said because of the character dynamics, I’m a fan of Madison/Brown/Sorensen and look forward to moving back in with them for a while.
Sweet After Death finds them heading to a small town that has lost its Doctor to an unspeakable act. Sent to help out the local police sort out the mess, they find themselves caught up in an act of violence that may not be as isolated as it appears.
I was especially taken with the setting for this one – Valentina Giambanco creates a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere around our crew as they get to work – moving them very much out of their comfort zone which keeps this intriguing and edgy. We learn a lot more about Alice whilst she is away from home and the mountainous wilderness closes in around her.
The path to the ultimate resolution is compelling and unpredictable, the supporting cast of characters all well drawn and fascinating especially Samuel. Sweet After Death is a novel you sink into. somewhat nervously making your way around Ludlow and waiting to see what will happen with a real sense of hanging onto the edge. Overall completely riveting.
Definitely a series to watch. Really very excellent indeed.
Recommended.
Sweet After Death finds them heading to a small town that has lost its Doctor to an unspeakable act. Sent to help out the local police sort out the mess, they find themselves caught up in an act of violence that may not be as isolated as it appears.
I was especially taken with the setting for this one – Valentina Giambanco creates a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere around our crew as they get to work – moving them very much out of their comfort zone which keeps this intriguing and edgy. We learn a lot more about Alice whilst she is away from home and the mountainous wilderness closes in around her.
The path to the ultimate resolution is compelling and unpredictable, the supporting cast of characters all well drawn and fascinating especially Samuel. Sweet After Death is a novel you sink into. somewhat nervously making your way around Ludlow and waiting to see what will happen with a real sense of hanging onto the edge. Overall completely riveting.
Definitely a series to watch. Really very excellent indeed.
Recommended.
August 15, 2018
First Sentence: The woods pressed into the town from all sides.
The tiny town of Ludlow, Washington, near the border with Canada, has never had a murder, until now. The police department of three--Sherriff Will Sangster, and Deputies Hockley and Kupitz—is out of its depth, so Sergeant Kevin Brown, CSI Amy Sorenson, and Detective Alice Madison fly in from Seattle. Nothing about this case is straight-forward, especially when a second murder occurs with a completely different M.O. and was clearly the work of a professional. And who left the scrawled note of "Help me" in the office of one of the victims.
Ignoring the prologue, whose information could have been incorporated later, one could read Chapter 1, which provides atmosphere and little else, skip Chapter 2, which has no real relevance to the current story, and move on to Chapter 3, which is when one meets the characters and learns of their backgrounds. Happily, things improve significantly from there on. In fact, one comes to the view that if one hasn't read Giambanco before, one might wonder as to why not.
The author has a wonderful voice with just the right note of dry humor—"They had gone to school together, and their families had known each other for a long time; because of this Hockley could swear, hand on his heart, that Jay Kupitz had all the sense of a bag of jam nuts."
Giambanco creates a very good sense of underlying threat. As with any town, there are secrets, and in a very small town, those secrets have an even greater significance. Samuel, from the prologue, is pivotal to one of those secrets and becomes a very interesting character.
Although one may not usually be a fan of backstory told through memories, Alice's is so well done and interesting one can't help but be interested and like the character all the more. The information conveyed explains a lot about the person she has become. However, the two pages of background information printed in italics could have been handled differently, but for that one should blame the publisher, not the author.
Each of the characters is strong and most are people one would want to know. Not one of them is superfluous or flat. One will particularly appreciate the epilogue, although it is now so named, and the end of Alice's story.
"Sweet After Death" takes one on an amazing ride, increasing the tension and danger, and surprising the readers with both the identity of the killer and the motive in a way which is very well done. There are subtle twists and one can appreciate that the forensic information is as fascinating as is the logical progression of the physical investigation.
SWEET AFTER DEATH (Pol Proc-Det. Alice Madison-Washington St.- Contemp. – VG+
Giambanco, Valentina (aka V.M. Giambanco)
Quercus – Aug 2018
The tiny town of Ludlow, Washington, near the border with Canada, has never had a murder, until now. The police department of three--Sherriff Will Sangster, and Deputies Hockley and Kupitz—is out of its depth, so Sergeant Kevin Brown, CSI Amy Sorenson, and Detective Alice Madison fly in from Seattle. Nothing about this case is straight-forward, especially when a second murder occurs with a completely different M.O. and was clearly the work of a professional. And who left the scrawled note of "Help me" in the office of one of the victims.
Ignoring the prologue, whose information could have been incorporated later, one could read Chapter 1, which provides atmosphere and little else, skip Chapter 2, which has no real relevance to the current story, and move on to Chapter 3, which is when one meets the characters and learns of their backgrounds. Happily, things improve significantly from there on. In fact, one comes to the view that if one hasn't read Giambanco before, one might wonder as to why not.
The author has a wonderful voice with just the right note of dry humor—"They had gone to school together, and their families had known each other for a long time; because of this Hockley could swear, hand on his heart, that Jay Kupitz had all the sense of a bag of jam nuts."
Giambanco creates a very good sense of underlying threat. As with any town, there are secrets, and in a very small town, those secrets have an even greater significance. Samuel, from the prologue, is pivotal to one of those secrets and becomes a very interesting character.
Although one may not usually be a fan of backstory told through memories, Alice's is so well done and interesting one can't help but be interested and like the character all the more. The information conveyed explains a lot about the person she has become. However, the two pages of background information printed in italics could have been handled differently, but for that one should blame the publisher, not the author.
Each of the characters is strong and most are people one would want to know. Not one of them is superfluous or flat. One will particularly appreciate the epilogue, although it is now so named, and the end of Alice's story.
"Sweet After Death" takes one on an amazing ride, increasing the tension and danger, and surprising the readers with both the identity of the killer and the motive in a way which is very well done. There are subtle twists and one can appreciate that the forensic information is as fascinating as is the logical progression of the physical investigation.
SWEET AFTER DEATH (Pol Proc-Det. Alice Madison-Washington St.- Contemp. – VG+
Giambanco, Valentina (aka V.M. Giambanco)
Quercus – Aug 2018
June 29, 2017
Sweet After Death is an American police procedural set in a remote community near Seattle, Washington. This novel is the fourth instalment in the Alice Madison series but can be read comfortably as a stand alone piece (though now I want to read all of them…). Valentina Giambanco has clearly settled into this series, I was impressed by the quality of the plot, and I was absorbed by her mystery. Sweet After Death is at heart a lengthy murder mystery, with plenty of drama, psychological thrills and small town politics heaped in too. The plot had emotional depth and complexity. I was most impressed by the insights into US police procedure and forensics. This novel has a lot to offer any reader.
Homicide Detective Alice Madison, DS Kevin Brown and CSI Amy Sorensen volunteer to assist a small town police department who are taking on their very first murder investigation. The local Doctor was found burnt to death in his car in a part of town he shouldn’t have been in. Ludlow, Washington is a minute community with a police force that has three members of staff. The police are unprepared for this level of crime and the Seattle P.D think this is a great training opportunity. Upon arrival Alice and the others have to face small town politics, gossip, horrendous weather conditions, lack of facilities and citizens keeping secrets. They have their work cut out but the local police are willing to be taught. But they need to learn quickly because the threat is still lurking within the town.
Sweet After Death also follows a smaller subplot that runs alongside the main story arc. This plot is centred around Samuel, a 15 year old boy, who is suffering under the hands of his abusive father. He is not the only one, he lives on a farm with plenty of siblings and they all keep their heads down to avoid their father’s attention. But when a murder investigation brings the police to his father’s door, Samuel begins to believe he may have been responsible for other missing people. The two plots intersect and merge to create a multi-layered, and intriguing, plot that will keep even the best thinkers on their toes.
I enjoyed the plot a lot. I thought it was smart, well developed and pleasantly misleading. I was more invested in the Samuel parts of the novel as they are, in my opinion, more thrilling, emotional and meaningful. I thought Samuel was a smart and brave soul who was willing to stand against his father when it mattered. Alice Madison is also a fascinating character. Her work is the main focus, though she has a lot going on behind the scenes. I thought the insights into her past and how she came to understand violence and her father were really compelling. It also set up a subplot that I look forward to being explored in future novels.
The star element of this book was definitely the detail. The forensics were intricate and fascinated me. Madison and Brown’s dynamic as partners, how they are so in tune with each other made for an enjoyable read. I wasn’t a fan of Sorensen; I felt her over-the-top attitude to be unappealing and unnecessary. Brown is the senior officer but he has still got what it takes to get the job done and I respect that. There is plenty to respect about VG’s work and her gritty, dark and detailed writing style was enough to see me through the tense and high-stakes ending. Small town murder novels are a dime-a-dozen, but VG focused on a complex plot and was light on the small town social aggravations which made for a much smoother read.
Overall I have given Sweet After Death a 4/5 rating because it was a worthwhile read that strained my brain. I was trying to figure out who was responsible but VG doesn’t make it easy for the reader. I recommend this book to all those readers who like a darker and grittier shade of crime novel. I am eager to read the novels that proceeded Sweet After Death to get more insights into Alice and her partners.
Homicide Detective Alice Madison, DS Kevin Brown and CSI Amy Sorensen volunteer to assist a small town police department who are taking on their very first murder investigation. The local Doctor was found burnt to death in his car in a part of town he shouldn’t have been in. Ludlow, Washington is a minute community with a police force that has three members of staff. The police are unprepared for this level of crime and the Seattle P.D think this is a great training opportunity. Upon arrival Alice and the others have to face small town politics, gossip, horrendous weather conditions, lack of facilities and citizens keeping secrets. They have their work cut out but the local police are willing to be taught. But they need to learn quickly because the threat is still lurking within the town.
Sweet After Death also follows a smaller subplot that runs alongside the main story arc. This plot is centred around Samuel, a 15 year old boy, who is suffering under the hands of his abusive father. He is not the only one, he lives on a farm with plenty of siblings and they all keep their heads down to avoid their father’s attention. But when a murder investigation brings the police to his father’s door, Samuel begins to believe he may have been responsible for other missing people. The two plots intersect and merge to create a multi-layered, and intriguing, plot that will keep even the best thinkers on their toes.
I enjoyed the plot a lot. I thought it was smart, well developed and pleasantly misleading. I was more invested in the Samuel parts of the novel as they are, in my opinion, more thrilling, emotional and meaningful. I thought Samuel was a smart and brave soul who was willing to stand against his father when it mattered. Alice Madison is also a fascinating character. Her work is the main focus, though she has a lot going on behind the scenes. I thought the insights into her past and how she came to understand violence and her father were really compelling. It also set up a subplot that I look forward to being explored in future novels.
The star element of this book was definitely the detail. The forensics were intricate and fascinated me. Madison and Brown’s dynamic as partners, how they are so in tune with each other made for an enjoyable read. I wasn’t a fan of Sorensen; I felt her over-the-top attitude to be unappealing and unnecessary. Brown is the senior officer but he has still got what it takes to get the job done and I respect that. There is plenty to respect about VG’s work and her gritty, dark and detailed writing style was enough to see me through the tense and high-stakes ending. Small town murder novels are a dime-a-dozen, but VG focused on a complex plot and was light on the small town social aggravations which made for a much smoother read.
Overall I have given Sweet After Death a 4/5 rating because it was a worthwhile read that strained my brain. I was trying to figure out who was responsible but VG doesn’t make it easy for the reader. I recommend this book to all those readers who like a darker and grittier shade of crime novel. I am eager to read the novels that proceeded Sweet After Death to get more insights into Alice and her partners.
June 16, 2017
All of my reviews can be found at: http://jacob-reviews-books.blogspot.c...
Sweet After Death is the fourth book in the Alice Madison series by Valentina Giambanco. It is a heart stopping crime novel that will have you hooked from the first page. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I highly recommend, I will definitely be going back to read the previous books in the series.
In the latest installment in the series, Madison and her colleagues, Detective Sergeant Kevin Brown and crime scene investigator Amy Sorensen are called to help out in an investigation into a crime which took place in the small town of Ludlow near the Canadian border. Ludlow is a seemingly peaceful town with little more than a few hundred residents. It is a close knit community where everyone knows everyone and everyone knows everything about what people get up to. When the local doctor is found dead in his car, the shocking discovery leaves the town reeling. How could such a thing happen here? Madison would like to think that this is just a one off, isolated incident but soon the town realises that the events which started with the doctor’s death is just the beginning.
I loved the setting of the small town in this book. Valentina creates a mysterious, creepy atmosphere and I could picture the mountains and the forests surrounding the town very clearly. I really engaged with Madison’s character in this book. We learn a lot about Madison in Sweet After Death, particularly about her childhood. I found all of the characters in this book really engaging, one character in particular, Samuel, Valentina made me care about him and I wanted to know what would become of him and his family.
I was intrigued to see how the team dynamics would play out once Madison and her team arrived in Ludlow. I’ve heard it said before that police forces typically like working on their own in an investigation and do not like having to go to outsiders to help. It made me wonder if there would be any animosity between Madison’s team and the police department at Ludlow.
Valentina has created an intriguing mystery in her latest book. The close knit town of Ludlow has to come to terms with what has happened in their supposedly safe neighbourhood. The one fact that is on everyone’s mind is that the killer could be one of them. Who do you know who to trust?
A terrific book, thank you to Alainna Georgiou at Quercus for providing me with a copy to read and for organising the blog tour.
Sweet After Death is the fourth book in the Alice Madison series by Valentina Giambanco. It is a heart stopping crime novel that will have you hooked from the first page. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I highly recommend, I will definitely be going back to read the previous books in the series.
In the latest installment in the series, Madison and her colleagues, Detective Sergeant Kevin Brown and crime scene investigator Amy Sorensen are called to help out in an investigation into a crime which took place in the small town of Ludlow near the Canadian border. Ludlow is a seemingly peaceful town with little more than a few hundred residents. It is a close knit community where everyone knows everyone and everyone knows everything about what people get up to. When the local doctor is found dead in his car, the shocking discovery leaves the town reeling. How could such a thing happen here? Madison would like to think that this is just a one off, isolated incident but soon the town realises that the events which started with the doctor’s death is just the beginning.
I loved the setting of the small town in this book. Valentina creates a mysterious, creepy atmosphere and I could picture the mountains and the forests surrounding the town very clearly. I really engaged with Madison’s character in this book. We learn a lot about Madison in Sweet After Death, particularly about her childhood. I found all of the characters in this book really engaging, one character in particular, Samuel, Valentina made me care about him and I wanted to know what would become of him and his family.
I was intrigued to see how the team dynamics would play out once Madison and her team arrived in Ludlow. I’ve heard it said before that police forces typically like working on their own in an investigation and do not like having to go to outsiders to help. It made me wonder if there would be any animosity between Madison’s team and the police department at Ludlow.
Valentina has created an intriguing mystery in her latest book. The close knit town of Ludlow has to come to terms with what has happened in their supposedly safe neighbourhood. The one fact that is on everyone’s mind is that the killer could be one of them. Who do you know who to trust?
A terrific book, thank you to Alainna Georgiou at Quercus for providing me with a copy to read and for organising the blog tour.
August 23, 2018
I usually don't read crime novels twice but I guess I will read this series from the start at some point! A very well done job from Valentina Giambanco in every way! The story is focused on the case and through little detail about the main characters personal lives and given through few sentences their feelings and bonds are clear and get you hoocked! The crime plot is intriguing and the relationships among the main characters captivating! The backstory of Madison given as a parallel to her current case was a nice touch! As always the dynamic between her and Brown is a pleasure to read about and the author couldn't have possibly made a better choice as to the man that is Madison's other half!
A crime novel with many layers and very interesting main characters!
A crime novel with many layers and very interesting main characters!
August 10, 2018
I love mysteries and crime novels set in the Pacific Northwest, so I was happy to learn about this series. It's exactly the kind of thing I like, including a likable but complicated protagonist in Alice Madison and a very specific setting. This is book 4, and I haven't read the earlier ones, so I'll have to catch up soon. In Sweet After Death, I enjoyed the small town Washington setting and the complexity of the crimes and trying to solve them by characters I liked getting to know. The flashbacks of young Alice are creepier than I'm comfortable with generally, and the scary separatist plotline also freaks me out because it's so realistic for the region. Still, I liked this and would recommend it.
I received a free ebook ARC from Quercus via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
I received a free ebook ARC from Quercus via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
August 9, 2018
Sweet After Death is another entry in the Alice Madison detective series. I admit that initially I was drawn to this series because the books take place in Washington State where I lived for many years. But after reading a few pages, I was hooked on the plotting, writing, and character development.
This time Alice and her squad are detailed to Ludlow, a very small town in the state. The citizens are strange and unforgiving, offering zero assistance to the police. There is evidence of child abuse and other deeply held secrets that make this book a compelling read. I also recommend reading the author’s backlist for additional thrills and kills.
This time Alice and her squad are detailed to Ludlow, a very small town in the state. The citizens are strange and unforgiving, offering zero assistance to the police. There is evidence of child abuse and other deeply held secrets that make this book a compelling read. I also recommend reading the author’s backlist for additional thrills and kills.
May 21, 2020
Another great installment to the Alice Madison series.
In Sweet After Death there's a change of scenery and we move along with the characters to a remote place called Ludlow and the setting and its wilderness is affecting Detective Alice Madison and she remembers things from her past.
Along with the current investigation that takes place we get glimpses from her past and what happened to her when she run away from home and how she came to live with her grandparents in Seattle. She also is thinking about her relationship status and her leaving I think brought some things into perspective for her.
I dearly missed Nathan Quinn in this installment even though he made his appearance it was not enough. I just wanted more!
In the crime scene in Ludlow Alice Madison is followed by her trusted partner Kevin Brown and crime scene investigator Amy Sorensen and trying to figure out who had reasons to kill the town's doctor. The community is small and so people are guarded towards the detectives from the city who came to help them.
While the investigation is moving forward some evidence leads them to a family with a father that raises his several children alone after his wife left him and soon another story starts to unfold.
It is an atmospheric and intriguing story with many layers through the different personalities not only from the main characters but also the people they meet or are called to investigate. It is well paced and pleasant to read.
I greatly enjoyed reading Sweet After Death as I did the previous three books of the series and I can say I'm waiting for the fifth installment eagerly. I highly recommend the Alice Madison series.
In Sweet After Death there's a change of scenery and we move along with the characters to a remote place called Ludlow and the setting and its wilderness is affecting Detective Alice Madison and she remembers things from her past.
Along with the current investigation that takes place we get glimpses from her past and what happened to her when she run away from home and how she came to live with her grandparents in Seattle. She also is thinking about her relationship status and her leaving I think brought some things into perspective for her.
I dearly missed Nathan Quinn in this installment even though he made his appearance it was not enough. I just wanted more!
In the crime scene in Ludlow Alice Madison is followed by her trusted partner Kevin Brown and crime scene investigator Amy Sorensen and trying to figure out who had reasons to kill the town's doctor. The community is small and so people are guarded towards the detectives from the city who came to help them.
While the investigation is moving forward some evidence leads them to a family with a father that raises his several children alone after his wife left him and soon another story starts to unfold.
It is an atmospheric and intriguing story with many layers through the different personalities not only from the main characters but also the people they meet or are called to investigate. It is well paced and pleasant to read.
I greatly enjoyed reading Sweet After Death as I did the previous three books of the series and I can say I'm waiting for the fifth installment eagerly. I highly recommend the Alice Madison series.
August 9, 2018
Thanks to Quercus Books for the free copy in exchange for my honest review!
Last year I started out in the Alice Madison series with book three, BLOOD AND BONE, and I was anxiously waiting for the next installment! SWEET AFTER DEATH was just as action-packed and suspenseful - I definitely need to go back and read books 1 and 2. I started off in the middle of the series and I didn't feel lost at all, so you can read these as standalones, but you'll find yourself wanting to go back for more!
We are back with homicide detective Alice Madison and she is joined by DS Kevin Brown and CSI Amy Sorensen. They have volunteered to help the police department of a small town just outside of Seattle, Washington with their first murder investigation. When I say small town, I mean small. The town of Ludlow only has a few people on staff for their police department and there are plenty of town secrets and roadblocks for the outside investigators.
While trying to solve the murder of the local doctor, who was found burnt to death in his car, we also have a subplot that Giambanco takes us on. Samuel is 15 years old and the readers follow him as he struggles while living with an abusive parent. After the murder happens the police find themselves at their door. Is his father involved? Is he involved with other disappearances?
Giambanco does an incredible job setting the scene for us. Ludlow is a small town that follows the laws of a small town - outsiders aren't welcome and they guard their secrets. Just like book three, I'm still in awe of the detail that goes into these novels. Everything from setting the scene, the characters, and the procedural side to the investigation were so well-laid out for us. As with most readers that frequent the murder mystery genre and the thrillers, it can be predictable on how the story will end or who the murdered was. I was pleasantly surprised with how difficult the author made this to figure out! She wove these two plots together effortlessly and I loved it.
I highly recommend this to those looking for a new police procedural crime series!
I give this 4/5 stars!
Last year I started out in the Alice Madison series with book three, BLOOD AND BONE, and I was anxiously waiting for the next installment! SWEET AFTER DEATH was just as action-packed and suspenseful - I definitely need to go back and read books 1 and 2. I started off in the middle of the series and I didn't feel lost at all, so you can read these as standalones, but you'll find yourself wanting to go back for more!
We are back with homicide detective Alice Madison and she is joined by DS Kevin Brown and CSI Amy Sorensen. They have volunteered to help the police department of a small town just outside of Seattle, Washington with their first murder investigation. When I say small town, I mean small. The town of Ludlow only has a few people on staff for their police department and there are plenty of town secrets and roadblocks for the outside investigators.
While trying to solve the murder of the local doctor, who was found burnt to death in his car, we also have a subplot that Giambanco takes us on. Samuel is 15 years old and the readers follow him as he struggles while living with an abusive parent. After the murder happens the police find themselves at their door. Is his father involved? Is he involved with other disappearances?
Giambanco does an incredible job setting the scene for us. Ludlow is a small town that follows the laws of a small town - outsiders aren't welcome and they guard their secrets. Just like book three, I'm still in awe of the detail that goes into these novels. Everything from setting the scene, the characters, and the procedural side to the investigation were so well-laid out for us. As with most readers that frequent the murder mystery genre and the thrillers, it can be predictable on how the story will end or who the murdered was. I was pleasantly surprised with how difficult the author made this to figure out! She wove these two plots together effortlessly and I loved it.
I highly recommend this to those looking for a new police procedural crime series!
I give this 4/5 stars!
August 16, 2018
4.5 stars.
With an atmospheric setting and a puzzling crime to solve, Sweet After Death by Valentina Giambanco is multi-layered and compelling murder mystery. This fourth installment in the Alice Madison series can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the entire series.
Seattle Homicide Detective Alice Madison, her partner Detective Sergeant Kevin Brown and Crime Scene Investigator Amy Sorenson volunteer to assist a small town police force investigate the murder of one of their residents. Ludlow, WA is near the Canadian border and Sheriff Will Sangster and his two deputies welcome the Seattle cops' expertise. No one can come up with a reason for Dr. Robert Dennen's and Madison and her team first focus on collecting evidence at the crime scene. They have barely begun their investigation when another resident is gunned down in cold blood in a very public setting. The evidence begins to point towards Jeb Tanner, who lives off the grid with his kids, but the link is tenuous at best. However, Alice is concerned for the safety of the Tanner children but will she find a way to save them from their abusive father? More importantly, will Alice, Kevin and Amy unmask the killer before he/she strikes again?
Despite feeling out of their element, Madison, Sorensen and Brown immediately go to the crime scene. The team is dismayed by the poor scene containment and with bad weather setting in, they know it is imperative to work quickly to gather evidence before it is lost or destroyed. With precious little new information, Alice turns to Dr. Dennen's office in hopes of uncovering new leads. Discovering a vital clue that lets her know she is on the right track and with the help of Dr. Eric Lynch, she finds yet another perplexing bit of information. Will this surprising detail turn into the break the team needs to crack the case?
Alice is a bit unsettled by the isolated location and she begins dreaming about long ago events. Both longtime readers and newcomers to the series will be thrilled with this new insight into Alice and her mysterious background. She is also growing more comfortable in her secret yet undefined relationship that grounds her while Alice is out of her usual environment.
Sweet After Death is a captivating police procedural that features a fast-paced and clever storyline. The characters are well-drawn, multi-faceted and likeable. The investigation moves at a brisk pace and Valentina Giambanco brilliantly keeps the perpetrator's identity and motive for the murders carefully concealed until the shocking denouement. The change in location and new characters help keep the Alice Madison series fresh and interesting. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this fantastic mystery.
With an atmospheric setting and a puzzling crime to solve, Sweet After Death by Valentina Giambanco is multi-layered and compelling murder mystery. This fourth installment in the Alice Madison series can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the entire series.
Seattle Homicide Detective Alice Madison, her partner Detective Sergeant Kevin Brown and Crime Scene Investigator Amy Sorenson volunteer to assist a small town police force investigate the murder of one of their residents. Ludlow, WA is near the Canadian border and Sheriff Will Sangster and his two deputies welcome the Seattle cops' expertise. No one can come up with a reason for Dr. Robert Dennen's and Madison and her team first focus on collecting evidence at the crime scene. They have barely begun their investigation when another resident is gunned down in cold blood in a very public setting. The evidence begins to point towards Jeb Tanner, who lives off the grid with his kids, but the link is tenuous at best. However, Alice is concerned for the safety of the Tanner children but will she find a way to save them from their abusive father? More importantly, will Alice, Kevin and Amy unmask the killer before he/she strikes again?
Despite feeling out of their element, Madison, Sorensen and Brown immediately go to the crime scene. The team is dismayed by the poor scene containment and with bad weather setting in, they know it is imperative to work quickly to gather evidence before it is lost or destroyed. With precious little new information, Alice turns to Dr. Dennen's office in hopes of uncovering new leads. Discovering a vital clue that lets her know she is on the right track and with the help of Dr. Eric Lynch, she finds yet another perplexing bit of information. Will this surprising detail turn into the break the team needs to crack the case?
Alice is a bit unsettled by the isolated location and she begins dreaming about long ago events. Both longtime readers and newcomers to the series will be thrilled with this new insight into Alice and her mysterious background. She is also growing more comfortable in her secret yet undefined relationship that grounds her while Alice is out of her usual environment.
Sweet After Death is a captivating police procedural that features a fast-paced and clever storyline. The characters are well-drawn, multi-faceted and likeable. The investigation moves at a brisk pace and Valentina Giambanco brilliantly keeps the perpetrator's identity and motive for the murders carefully concealed until the shocking denouement. The change in location and new characters help keep the Alice Madison series fresh and interesting. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this fantastic mystery.
August 7, 2018
Ludlow, Washington is a small town that has just discovered the only doctor tied up in a burning car in the bad part of town. The small police force of three people has never dealt with a murder before. The Seattle police department sends in homicide detective Alice Madison, detective Kevin Brown and Amy Sorensen to help solve this crime. As soon as the three arrive they learn that this is going to be a lot more difficult than a normal case.
Small towns have their own politics, secrets, lacking facilities, and those that don’t want to cooperate with outsiders. Thankfully the local police want to be trained since it becomes clear the killer is still out there and still killing.
At the same time we meet a fifteen year old boy, Samuel that is being abused by his father. When Samuel learns about the killer he starts to think that it could be his father. The story rotates around Alice and her team and Samuel until it comes crashing together.
This is a great mystery with some wonderful characters. Alice is a strong female that is quick witted and works well with Kevin and Amy. The fight with the small town mentality range true, I grew up in a small town and could see it portrayed well in the story. Of course I felt for Samuel, no kid should have to go through the abuse but he was willing to stand up and stop his father.
This is my first book from Valentina Giambanco. Although it is the fourth in the series I have no trouble hopping into it and understanding what was going on. I really enjoyed this story and will definitely be going back to catch up from the start.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Small towns have their own politics, secrets, lacking facilities, and those that don’t want to cooperate with outsiders. Thankfully the local police want to be trained since it becomes clear the killer is still out there and still killing.
At the same time we meet a fifteen year old boy, Samuel that is being abused by his father. When Samuel learns about the killer he starts to think that it could be his father. The story rotates around Alice and her team and Samuel until it comes crashing together.
This is a great mystery with some wonderful characters. Alice is a strong female that is quick witted and works well with Kevin and Amy. The fight with the small town mentality range true, I grew up in a small town and could see it portrayed well in the story. Of course I felt for Samuel, no kid should have to go through the abuse but he was willing to stand up and stop his father.
This is my first book from Valentina Giambanco. Although it is the fourth in the series I have no trouble hopping into it and understanding what was going on. I really enjoyed this story and will definitely be going back to catch up from the start.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
July 30, 2018
Nicely done- a complex mystery with complex characters makes for a good read. I was not familiar with Alice Madison, a homicide detective, but that wasn't a problem because Giambanco framed the novel in a way that I understood immediately who was who and what was important about them. Alice's relationship with her colleagues Kevin Brown and Amy Sorenson is classic, but with enough quirks to keep it interesting. The town of Ludlow Washington, where the team is sent after the town doctor is murdered in a horrible way, is filled with creepy people and lots of secrets. There are twists and a plot line involving abuse that will eventually converge. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
June 30, 2017
This is the fourth Alice Madison book I have read, and I think it is the best. Ms. Giambanco's writing set the stage, and the small town of Ludlow became real to me.
I received this book in a giveaway, but I would have bought it anyway. Valentina Giambanco is on my list of authors whose books I buy as soon as I can because I know they'll be good.
I received this book in a giveaway, but I would have bought it anyway. Valentina Giambanco is on my list of authors whose books I buy as soon as I can because I know they'll be good.
May 20, 2019
Oh wow. this is a brilliant novel. Chilling as well as drawing you in. the characters have a great dynamic. the settings are beautifully described and the plot is spine-tingling but at the same time pulls you in like a black hole.
August 21, 2017
Brilliant edge of seat thriller. The main character's Life weaves its way through the story and links to the police case. Very compelling main character and case.
December 31, 2017
I love a book where I haven't a clue 'whodunnit' until almost the end; looking forward to catching up on the other books in this series
January 14, 2018
I love all the Alice Madison Books. This one is no exception. If you enjoy suspense/ thrillers this is a great series!
January 18, 2018
i love herbooks
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2018
This book has a dark and suspenseful plot that keeps you guessing until the end. These great characters all have depth and many have tragic pasts. Excellent read!
August 2, 2018
A very engaging series! Hoping for more from this author.
November 4, 2018
Brilliant, from the beginning to the end it had my attention. Moving fast enough but without annoying improbable twists that some novels have. The ending was also handled very well.
September 2, 2019
i wish i didn’t have to close this book i’m gonna miss alice i sincerely hope there’s more in store for my new favourite protagonist and more of john cameron and nathan quinn
January 4, 2023
Well written and keeps.you guessing again
July 4, 2025
Her best book yet, truly amazing and deeply profound. A must read for any detective book fanatics!
June 24, 2018
This book has a dark and suspenseful plot that keeps you guessing until the end. These great characters all have depth and many have tragic pasts. Excellent read!
July 30, 2020
Cool and scary
June 26, 2018
Valentina has become one of the authors that I look forward to seeing new books from. This book was PHENOMENAL. Ready for the next one!
July 20, 2018
Detective Alice Madison book 4 . A clever plot that keeps you guessing till the end ! A chilling , disturbing and riveting story you won't soon forget ! I loved this book and highly recommend ! Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review ! #Netgalley #Quercus
#SweetAfterDeath
#SweetAfterDeath
July 31, 2018
First, I'd like to thank Netgalley and Quercus for allowing me to preview this book. Their generosity in no way affects my review.
This is a police procedural starring Detective Alice Madison of Seattle Homicide, the fourth in a series (but my first). The series debuted in 2013 with "The Gift of Darkness", which I put on my wish list after finishing this one.
Although Alice and her co-workers are Seattle cops, the action does not take place there. Rather, the three of them are sent to the remote town of Ludlow, Washington, where the first murder in years has occurred and the local cops are out of their league. Rather than resent the big-city detectives, the locals welcome them into their tiny hamlet, which reminds one of Mayberry. The story reminded me of an Agatha Christie mystery (which is a good thing), where you know that the killer must be one of these townsfolk, but which one? There are a couple of red herrings along the way, and an interesting twist at the end.
The story is well-written, engaging, and fast-moving. The main characters are likeable, if a little two-dimensional. There is a sense of humor throughout the tale, and I laughed out loud when one character was described as having "the social skills of a skunk". About the only thing I wasn't a fan of were the flashbacks to Alice's childhood, which were slightly distracting and confusing.
I like how the meaning of the title is revealed near the end of the book, as in "The Catcher in the Rye"; I won't spoil it for you by telling you what it means.
This is a police procedural starring Detective Alice Madison of Seattle Homicide, the fourth in a series (but my first). The series debuted in 2013 with "The Gift of Darkness", which I put on my wish list after finishing this one.
Although Alice and her co-workers are Seattle cops, the action does not take place there. Rather, the three of them are sent to the remote town of Ludlow, Washington, where the first murder in years has occurred and the local cops are out of their league. Rather than resent the big-city detectives, the locals welcome them into their tiny hamlet, which reminds one of Mayberry. The story reminded me of an Agatha Christie mystery (which is a good thing), where you know that the killer must be one of these townsfolk, but which one? There are a couple of red herrings along the way, and an interesting twist at the end.
The story is well-written, engaging, and fast-moving. The main characters are likeable, if a little two-dimensional. There is a sense of humor throughout the tale, and I laughed out loud when one character was described as having "the social skills of a skunk". About the only thing I wasn't a fan of were the flashbacks to Alice's childhood, which were slightly distracting and confusing.
I like how the meaning of the title is revealed near the end of the book, as in "The Catcher in the Rye"; I won't spoil it for you by telling you what it means.
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