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The Botanist
Something sinister happened on that abandoned stretch of highway...Detective Cody Oliver once did battle with a pedophile, and he has the facial scars to prove it. But his rural town of Mt. Dessicate is mostly peaceful...until it isn't. When Cody stumbles on a mass grave in the desert, he comes to the chilling realization that he might have had a serial killer operating right under his nose. For years.Ten years after Alexandra Thompson was pulled over outside of Mt. Dessicate, resulting in a truly bizarre police encounter, she sees reports of the mass grave on the news, and knows she came face to face with the killer that night.But why did he let Alex go, when he buried all the others? And why does Cody feel so powerfully drawn to her, and so desperate to keep her safe?If he can't identify and stop the killer, Alex may be the next victim to disappear into the desert. For good."The mystery was gruesome and chilling but so good.”—JBronder Book Reviews"…the creepiest murderer you'll ever know.”—www.seemlessreader.blogspot.com"I blame L.K. Hill for my sleepless nights…I LOVED this book!"—R.K. Grow, Author
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2015
19 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
L.K. Hill
15 books164 followersAlso publishes under K.L. Conger and Liesel K. Hill.
L.K. Hill is a USA Today Best-Selling Author who writes across three genres. Her crime and historical fiction are written under her initials, L.K., while her scifi/fantasy and dystopian are written under her full name, Liesel K. Hill. She also writes historical fiction under the pen name, K.L. Conger.
She lives in northern Utah and comes from a large, tight-knit family. She plans to keep writing until they nail her coffin shut. Or the Second Coming happens. You know, whichever happens first. ;D
L.K. Hill is a USA Today Best-Selling Author who writes across three genres. Her crime and historical fiction are written under her initials, L.K., while her scifi/fantasy and dystopian are written under her full name, Liesel K. Hill. She also writes historical fiction under the pen name, K.L. Conger.
She lives in northern Utah and comes from a large, tight-knit family. She plans to keep writing until they nail her coffin shut. Or the Second Coming happens. You know, whichever happens first. ;D
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 23, 2020
Imagine being stalked by someone. Now imagine being stalked by a serial killer. What would you do if you were taken by a serial killer, escaped from them only to be caught again? This is what happened to Alex. She had dreams that felt so real they were more like nightmares.
I liked the strength Alex showed in this story. She wasn't just a female that screamed every time something happened to her. She fought and thought her way out of situations. It's human nature to want to see evil defeated and the good people win their battles against evil.
Although I would have liked more depth to the characters like the killer and some of the people in his past, the story was enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked the strength Alex showed in this story. She wasn't just a female that screamed every time something happened to her. She fought and thought her way out of situations. It's human nature to want to see evil defeated and the good people win their battles against evil.
Although I would have liked more depth to the characters like the killer and some of the people in his past, the story was enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
dnf-for-good
January 8, 2020I quit this mess!
September 2, 2020
This story surpassed my expectations!!!
The author is new to me and I started with another genre she writes in. So I didn't know what to expect when I started to listen.
This story could totally be a movie and that's what I felt like I was listening to. If my TV is on, I am usually listening and not watching. And I felt like I was right there in the middle of everything.
The story is mystery and suspense with some thriller yukko killer that likes to make pretty flowers!
I received the audiobook from StoryOrigin in exchange for my honest review.
The author is new to me and I started with another genre she writes in. So I didn't know what to expect when I started to listen.
This story could totally be a movie and that's what I felt like I was listening to. If my TV is on, I am usually listening and not watching. And I felt like I was right there in the middle of everything.
The story is mystery and suspense with some thriller yukko killer that likes to make pretty flowers!
I received the audiobook from StoryOrigin in exchange for my honest review.
July 19, 2015
You can also find this review on my blog Seamless Reader.
I received an e-arc from the author.
It's been quite a while since I've read any adult fiction books. Especially mystery/thriller books. And frankly, my desire to read that specific genre has significantly diminished for some reason. It's not that I'm indifferent towards it because I actually really enjoy it. It's just that I've kind of forgotten about it, I guess.
Upon reading the synopsis for The Botanist, my first thoughts were something along the lines of "This sounds so creepy. I like it.". So I decided to give it a shot. I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. And I know I say this often, but it is not meant to be taken lightly. I basically loved this book.
The level of enthrallment that that first chapter held is honestly beyond me. The weird and eerie descriptions found all throughout this book are enough to keep you on your toes. That and the creepiest murderer you'll ever know. I'm still not sure if this was based of something that happened in real life, but whatever the case, L.K. Hill created a fascinating yet repulsive character that you just want to know more of. And also at incorporating the "botanical" aspect from the title.
When you read this book you can tell that there was a lot of thought put into. I'm talking lots of hard-work and research in order to create this amazingly written story with uniquely articulated characters. I felt like Cody and Alex were actual people that I somehow knew. I loved Alex's wit and Cody's determination. Not to mention many of the secondary characters.
The great thing about this book, and the number one indication of how good and intriguing is, is the fact that regardless of its hefty length, it went by surprisingly fast. It was perfectly paced. There's just no other way to put it. It wasn't too dragged out, there were no information dumps not was it too rushed. And when you combine that with the fluid and lively writing, the result is none other than a brilliant book.
I received an e-arc from the author.
It's been quite a while since I've read any adult fiction books. Especially mystery/thriller books. And frankly, my desire to read that specific genre has significantly diminished for some reason. It's not that I'm indifferent towards it because I actually really enjoy it. It's just that I've kind of forgotten about it, I guess.
Upon reading the synopsis for The Botanist, my first thoughts were something along the lines of "This sounds so creepy. I like it.". So I decided to give it a shot. I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. And I know I say this often, but it is not meant to be taken lightly. I basically loved this book.
The level of enthrallment that that first chapter held is honestly beyond me. The weird and eerie descriptions found all throughout this book are enough to keep you on your toes. That and the creepiest murderer you'll ever know. I'm still not sure if this was based of something that happened in real life, but whatever the case, L.K. Hill created a fascinating yet repulsive character that you just want to know more of. And also at incorporating the "botanical" aspect from the title.
When you read this book you can tell that there was a lot of thought put into. I'm talking lots of hard-work and research in order to create this amazingly written story with uniquely articulated characters. I felt like Cody and Alex were actual people that I somehow knew. I loved Alex's wit and Cody's determination. Not to mention many of the secondary characters.
The great thing about this book, and the number one indication of how good and intriguing is, is the fact that regardless of its hefty length, it went by surprisingly fast. It was perfectly paced. There's just no other way to put it. It wasn't too dragged out, there were no information dumps not was it too rushed. And when you combine that with the fluid and lively writing, the result is none other than a brilliant book.
May 13, 2015
*WARNING* This is probably the darkest book I have read. There are lots of descriptions of torture, violence…so if you are easily squeamish, I don't recommend picking this book up. If, however, you love a good crime thriller, with horrible serial killers and cops bringing justice to horrid criminals, read on, you brave soul.
I don’t really read police procedural/mystery type books; I love shows like Bones and Castle, so I figured I would at least find The Botanist interesting, and I had read a book of Ms. Hill’s previously, so I knew the writing would be good.
The writing is, in fact, excellent. I was so engaged with the little crumbs the author drops as different people investigate. I thought the plot was crafted and revealed brilliantly, with things that seemed to have no relevance to each other suddenly becoming entwined by the end. Bodies keep turning up, history is investigated, clues are uncovered, but unfortunately, this serial killer’s MO is really hard to pin down. On the bright side, we have an entertaining and hard working team trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the mass graves.
Cody Oliver was a great main character; he’s a young, kind-hearted and noble detective, who has had to experience some extremely disturbing things. Our other main narrator was Alex, who has a mysterious past, and is the only person to have interacted with the killer, whom the press dub The Botanist (he plants blue tulips over the mass graves), and is still alive. Alex was brave, stubborn, and willing to stick around to try to figure what was going on, when she easily could have peaced out and not looked back.
Pretty much every bad, horrible thing you can think of a serial killer doing to his victims happens in this book. I do not recommend reading this after dark. It is very creepy, and it’s terrifying to think that there are people out there capable of doing such horrible things. On the flip side, this book is a love letter of sorts to police officers everywhere who work tirelessly to keep people safe and bring criminals to justice.
There’s a touch of romance here, a bright spot amid a cave of horrors. The police officers are a light-hearted bunch, which was nice, seeing as the events of the book or terrible.
Like I said, this isn’t my usual cup of tea, but Ms. Hill really drew me in with her excellent writing and fabulous plotting skills. I would recommend this for fans of mystery/police procedurals.
I was lucky enough to get to interview Ms. Hill, and learn even more about this awesome book. Check it out!
Tell us a little about yourself and this intense book you’re releasing.
I’m an author who writes across multiple genres. My newest book, The Botanist, is about a small town detective who unearths a body in the desert outside his town, and realizes there is a serial killer operating nearby. It deals with small towns, the pressures of a high-profile case, romance amidst chaos, and how the history of land can impact the resent.
How did you come up with the premise for The Botanist? Was there a flash of light, and inspiration just floated down from the heavens? Or was it something much more mundane?
A few years ago, I had siblings that worked on a dude ranch in southern Utah. It’s in a little town called Antimony that even most native Utahns haven’t heard of. (A blink-and-you-miss-it kind of place.) Anyway, it was a five hour drive south to that ranch, and I made the trip often to drop off and pick up siblings who were working there. So, that equals long hours in the Utah desert with only the radio and the tumbleweeds for company. I’m an author. My mind wanders. Soon enough, The Botanist was born.
What kind of preparation (if any) did you do when writing The Botanist? Did you watch a ton of CSI?
I watch a ton of CSI anyway. I love crime drama in all its forms, including TV and movies. I enjoy reading true crime, watching the Investigation discovery channel, and reading about true, unsolved cases online. Because my interest falls in these areas, I have a pretty good background for crime. Of course if I run into smaller issues I’m unsure on, I always research them. For The Botanist, I did some research on the growing of flowers in the desert and how to make them change colors. I also did some brief research on small towns and how their criminal justice setup would differ from that of larger cities.
So obviously, The Botanist is a crime thriller/mystery; what other genres do you enjoy writing?
I write in the scifi/fantasy genre, the historical fiction genre, and of course contemporary crime. I have very eclectic tastes in my entertainment. Therefore I’m also very eclectic in my writing.
What’s the main theme or message you hope readers take away from The Botanist?
While I was in the editing phase, my editors came back with a suggestion that I make certain characters turn out to be related. They felt like there were too many random characters that contributed. I pushed back against their suggestion because that was part of the theme. I’m a great admirer of the law enforcement community and I wanted to show that when a lot of really decent people come together, especially in the wake of terrible circumstances like murder, they can figure things out and be there for each other. Sometimes you can have a random person on the periphery who only contributes some small detail, but that detail breaks the case. So I wanted the story to be about a lot of people working together, even if they’d never met one another prior to the incident. Luckily, the editors were very understanding and receptive to my explanation.
Who are some authors or books that inspire you?
Oh so many! I’m big on epic fantasy, so Robert Jordan is a huge one. I really like Gary C. King’s true crime novels. Although, let me just warn you about those, if you don’t have a strong stomach. They’re very well-written, but they can be kind of graphic. I’m also big on the classics. While they’re written in a much different form than we use now, they’re classics for a reason, and the stories always inspire me. In terms of more contemporary authors, I’m always inspired by my fellow JFP and Amazon authors. They’re such amazing people!
Any cool projects you’re working on right now?
I’m always working on five or six projects. I have a crime fiction series called Street Games. (Book 1: Dark Remnants). I’m just getting book 2, Desolate Mantle finished up and sent out to reviewers. I’m also writing the third book of my dystopian series, Interchron. (Book 1: Persistence of Vision). And on the back burner I have an epic fantasy series about dragons that’s written, but needs a lot of editing. That one probably won’t see the light of Amazon until next year.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Never give up! Never, ever, ever give up. The only difference between a published author and an unpublished one is persistence. Just keep learning, bettering yourself, and writing. Never stop writing, and you’ll get there! Writing is the best profession in the world!
Alright, now it’s time to get really serious: Italian food or Mexican cuisine?
Ooh yeah. Very serious question! And it’s a tough one. I’m not big on super-spicy food, so for that reason, I’d probably go with Italian. That said, I make non-spicy, American-type Mexican food a LOT! So…can I just choose both? :D
AHHHHH Thank you so much Liesel K. Hill for spending time with Ramblings on Readings!
I don’t really read police procedural/mystery type books; I love shows like Bones and Castle, so I figured I would at least find The Botanist interesting, and I had read a book of Ms. Hill’s previously, so I knew the writing would be good.
The writing is, in fact, excellent. I was so engaged with the little crumbs the author drops as different people investigate. I thought the plot was crafted and revealed brilliantly, with things that seemed to have no relevance to each other suddenly becoming entwined by the end. Bodies keep turning up, history is investigated, clues are uncovered, but unfortunately, this serial killer’s MO is really hard to pin down. On the bright side, we have an entertaining and hard working team trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the mass graves.
Cody Oliver was a great main character; he’s a young, kind-hearted and noble detective, who has had to experience some extremely disturbing things. Our other main narrator was Alex, who has a mysterious past, and is the only person to have interacted with the killer, whom the press dub The Botanist (he plants blue tulips over the mass graves), and is still alive. Alex was brave, stubborn, and willing to stick around to try to figure what was going on, when she easily could have peaced out and not looked back.
Pretty much every bad, horrible thing you can think of a serial killer doing to his victims happens in this book. I do not recommend reading this after dark. It is very creepy, and it’s terrifying to think that there are people out there capable of doing such horrible things. On the flip side, this book is a love letter of sorts to police officers everywhere who work tirelessly to keep people safe and bring criminals to justice.
There’s a touch of romance here, a bright spot amid a cave of horrors. The police officers are a light-hearted bunch, which was nice, seeing as the events of the book or terrible.
Like I said, this isn’t my usual cup of tea, but Ms. Hill really drew me in with her excellent writing and fabulous plotting skills. I would recommend this for fans of mystery/police procedurals.
I was lucky enough to get to interview Ms. Hill, and learn even more about this awesome book. Check it out!
Tell us a little about yourself and this intense book you’re releasing.
I’m an author who writes across multiple genres. My newest book, The Botanist, is about a small town detective who unearths a body in the desert outside his town, and realizes there is a serial killer operating nearby. It deals with small towns, the pressures of a high-profile case, romance amidst chaos, and how the history of land can impact the resent.
How did you come up with the premise for The Botanist? Was there a flash of light, and inspiration just floated down from the heavens? Or was it something much more mundane?
A few years ago, I had siblings that worked on a dude ranch in southern Utah. It’s in a little town called Antimony that even most native Utahns haven’t heard of. (A blink-and-you-miss-it kind of place.) Anyway, it was a five hour drive south to that ranch, and I made the trip often to drop off and pick up siblings who were working there. So, that equals long hours in the Utah desert with only the radio and the tumbleweeds for company. I’m an author. My mind wanders. Soon enough, The Botanist was born.
What kind of preparation (if any) did you do when writing The Botanist? Did you watch a ton of CSI?
I watch a ton of CSI anyway. I love crime drama in all its forms, including TV and movies. I enjoy reading true crime, watching the Investigation discovery channel, and reading about true, unsolved cases online. Because my interest falls in these areas, I have a pretty good background for crime. Of course if I run into smaller issues I’m unsure on, I always research them. For The Botanist, I did some research on the growing of flowers in the desert and how to make them change colors. I also did some brief research on small towns and how their criminal justice setup would differ from that of larger cities.
So obviously, The Botanist is a crime thriller/mystery; what other genres do you enjoy writing?
I write in the scifi/fantasy genre, the historical fiction genre, and of course contemporary crime. I have very eclectic tastes in my entertainment. Therefore I’m also very eclectic in my writing.
What’s the main theme or message you hope readers take away from The Botanist?
While I was in the editing phase, my editors came back with a suggestion that I make certain characters turn out to be related. They felt like there were too many random characters that contributed. I pushed back against their suggestion because that was part of the theme. I’m a great admirer of the law enforcement community and I wanted to show that when a lot of really decent people come together, especially in the wake of terrible circumstances like murder, they can figure things out and be there for each other. Sometimes you can have a random person on the periphery who only contributes some small detail, but that detail breaks the case. So I wanted the story to be about a lot of people working together, even if they’d never met one another prior to the incident. Luckily, the editors were very understanding and receptive to my explanation.
Who are some authors or books that inspire you?
Oh so many! I’m big on epic fantasy, so Robert Jordan is a huge one. I really like Gary C. King’s true crime novels. Although, let me just warn you about those, if you don’t have a strong stomach. They’re very well-written, but they can be kind of graphic. I’m also big on the classics. While they’re written in a much different form than we use now, they’re classics for a reason, and the stories always inspire me. In terms of more contemporary authors, I’m always inspired by my fellow JFP and Amazon authors. They’re such amazing people!
Any cool projects you’re working on right now?
I’m always working on five or six projects. I have a crime fiction series called Street Games. (Book 1: Dark Remnants). I’m just getting book 2, Desolate Mantle finished up and sent out to reviewers. I’m also writing the third book of my dystopian series, Interchron. (Book 1: Persistence of Vision). And on the back burner I have an epic fantasy series about dragons that’s written, but needs a lot of editing. That one probably won’t see the light of Amazon until next year.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Never give up! Never, ever, ever give up. The only difference between a published author and an unpublished one is persistence. Just keep learning, bettering yourself, and writing. Never stop writing, and you’ll get there! Writing is the best profession in the world!
Alright, now it’s time to get really serious: Italian food or Mexican cuisine?
Ooh yeah. Very serious question! And it’s a tough one. I’m not big on super-spicy food, so for that reason, I’d probably go with Italian. That said, I make non-spicy, American-type Mexican food a LOT! So…can I just choose both? :D
AHHHHH Thank you so much Liesel K. Hill for spending time with Ramblings on Readings!
See this review and others like it in a more awesome format at Ramblings On Readings
October 19, 2015
I blame L.K. Hill for my sleepless night and panic as I read The Botanist! Oh my Goodness!! Heartbeating fast. I even had dreams about something happening to my girls. That said I LOVED this book. She is an amazing writer.
From the first page turn I was hooked. It was creepy beyond measure. And where did the African-American come from?
Smart writing. Amazing scenery and great dialogue. I'm from a small town and this creeped me out bad. I don't think I'll ever want to break down on a lonely stretch of highway in the desert any time soon.
This is a crime novel. It's detailed and not for the faint of heart. I leave hoping this detective will continue on into a few more books solving crimes.
From the first page turn I was hooked. It was creepy beyond measure. And where did the African-American come from?
Smart writing. Amazing scenery and great dialogue. I'm from a small town and this creeped me out bad. I don't think I'll ever want to break down on a lonely stretch of highway in the desert any time soon.
This is a crime novel. It's detailed and not for the faint of heart. I leave hoping this detective will continue on into a few more books solving crimes.
May 7, 2019
So many twists and turns. I felt as if every sentence of this audiobook was laced with suspense and tension. I absolutely adored it.
Alex, on a personal journey down a dark road, runs across the path of a man who’s she’s sure has no business in a police car. After her close encounter, Alex reports the incident, and goes about her life…until four years later when mass graves are uncovered near the spot of her encounter. Desperate to catch a killer and unlock the truth of her personal nightmares, Alex puts herself directly in the center of a murder investigation, one she’s much more involved in than she knows.
The characters in this book, Alex and Cody, were very well written. They had such drastic personalities that they made the story as profound as it was. For all the thriller/murder mystery books that I’ve read, I’ve never come across one with such an amazingly complicated plot.
This is a must read for all fans of psychological thrillers.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
Alex, on a personal journey down a dark road, runs across the path of a man who’s she’s sure has no business in a police car. After her close encounter, Alex reports the incident, and goes about her life…until four years later when mass graves are uncovered near the spot of her encounter. Desperate to catch a killer and unlock the truth of her personal nightmares, Alex puts herself directly in the center of a murder investigation, one she’s much more involved in than she knows.
The characters in this book, Alex and Cody, were very well written. They had such drastic personalities that they made the story as profound as it was. For all the thriller/murder mystery books that I’ve read, I’ve never come across one with such an amazingly complicated plot.
This is a must read for all fans of psychological thrillers.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
September 24, 2019
A well written, captivating and nail-biting story from L. K. Hill.
Detective Cody Oliver stumbles across a burial site in the desert. From that moment the small town in which he lives descends into a mass of journalists and extra policemen as Cody and his colleagues attempt to track down the serial killer.
Having escaped the clutches of the killer previously, Alex Thompson returns to Mt. Dessicate to remind the investigators of her experience, and finds herself, once again, targeted by the murderer.
Although I guessed early on who the killer was, the twists and turns the author took me through to get there kept me turning the pages. The slow-burning romance between the two main characters was somewhat predictable but added another dimension to the story.
The book held my attention throughout. It was dark and thrilling, and with some descriptions of the brutal torture inflicted by the killer, probably not for the faint-hearted, but I will be adding more books by L.K. Hill to my to-read list.
Detective Cody Oliver stumbles across a burial site in the desert. From that moment the small town in which he lives descends into a mass of journalists and extra policemen as Cody and his colleagues attempt to track down the serial killer.
Having escaped the clutches of the killer previously, Alex Thompson returns to Mt. Dessicate to remind the investigators of her experience, and finds herself, once again, targeted by the murderer.
Although I guessed early on who the killer was, the twists and turns the author took me through to get there kept me turning the pages. The slow-burning romance between the two main characters was somewhat predictable but added another dimension to the story.
The book held my attention throughout. It was dark and thrilling, and with some descriptions of the brutal torture inflicted by the killer, probably not for the faint-hearted, but I will be adding more books by L.K. Hill to my to-read list.
April 10, 2023
I don’t really know why I persisted with this macabre book and I won’t read anymore by this author. The heroine certainly had nine lives and the detective just a few less. I cannot believe that given the number of women that disappeared (granted over 20years) had not sparked any kind of investigation of the area. The storyline was horrid and the writing not particularly good.
April 19, 2020
The Botanist is an intense psychological thriller. The story is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing. You'll never look at flowers quite the same way again. I look forward to other books by L. K. Hill.
August 26, 2019
Officer Raspy (CCWP) had stopped Alexandra “Alex” Thompson. The usual license/vehicle registration.
Mt. Dessicate, UT. Alex stopped & gave Detective Cody Oliver (Mt. Dessicate PD) a description of the law enforcement that pulled her over.
Hydrandra Trail/Mountain. Detective Oliver upon investigation stumbles on a strange garden adorned with exotic flowers labled Shakespeare’s Girls.
He inspects it further & uncovers a large amount of bodies buried beneath.
Later, Alex had called Detective Oliver that she was stranded with a flat tire.
He/other Mt. Dessicate PD arrived at the hospital ICU to see her.
PI Lars Stieger (retired SLPD Detective) went to see Neil Griffith (retired lawyer).
The land the bodies were found on was once owned by Alastair Landes (husband/father, rancher), Gertrude “Gerty” Alder (wife/mother), & Jonathin E. Landes (22, their son).
Charles (transient) had worked for Alastair.
Linda was doing 12 autopsies on the recovered skeletal copses.
Once she was done, they would all be sent to the Salt Lake morgue.
The media had dubbed him the Botanist (serial killer).
Captain Brecken (Mt. Dessicate PD) assigned Detective Court (Mt. Dessicate PD partner), & Detective Frank Dannel (Mt. Dessicate PD) to help out with the murder cases.
Terrance Ave. 1 early morning Alex woke to a noise. She dialed 911. Tom was bleeding profusely.
The Botanist took Alex, but she managed to escape.
Tom died on the operating table.
FBI SA John Tandy (criminologist) was helping out with the murder cases.
How many more will the Botanist kill before he is caught & brought to justice?
Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, or violence, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & proper great font & writing style. A very well written psychological thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great serial killer movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free BookFunnel; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn; MSW)
Mt. Dessicate, UT. Alex stopped & gave Detective Cody Oliver (Mt. Dessicate PD) a description of the law enforcement that pulled her over.
Hydrandra Trail/Mountain. Detective Oliver upon investigation stumbles on a strange garden adorned with exotic flowers labled Shakespeare’s Girls.
He inspects it further & uncovers a large amount of bodies buried beneath.
Later, Alex had called Detective Oliver that she was stranded with a flat tire.
He/other Mt. Dessicate PD arrived at the hospital ICU to see her.
PI Lars Stieger (retired SLPD Detective) went to see Neil Griffith (retired lawyer).
The land the bodies were found on was once owned by Alastair Landes (husband/father, rancher), Gertrude “Gerty” Alder (wife/mother), & Jonathin E. Landes (22, their son).
Charles (transient) had worked for Alastair.
Linda was doing 12 autopsies on the recovered skeletal copses.
Once she was done, they would all be sent to the Salt Lake morgue.
The media had dubbed him the Botanist (serial killer).
Captain Brecken (Mt. Dessicate PD) assigned Detective Court (Mt. Dessicate PD partner), & Detective Frank Dannel (Mt. Dessicate PD) to help out with the murder cases.
Terrance Ave. 1 early morning Alex woke to a noise. She dialed 911. Tom was bleeding profusely.
The Botanist took Alex, but she managed to escape.
Tom died on the operating table.
FBI SA John Tandy (criminologist) was helping out with the murder cases.
How many more will the Botanist kill before he is caught & brought to justice?
Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, or violence, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & proper great font & writing style. A very well written psychological thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great serial killer movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free BookFunnel; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn; MSW)
July 4, 2020
Let me say to begin that on the whole I really enjoyed this story, lots of mystery, intrigue, twists and clever, complicated plot. The characters were, for the most part, believable and well written and the narration was excellent except for the lack of a pause between scene changes. In fact for most of the book I would easily give 5 stars without question.
So, what let it down?
Well, for me, the unexplained coincidence of the tyre blowout at a very particular place for no apparent reason. I mean really, what was the chance of that happening at that time, in that place, for no reason. Rather unbelievable coincidence.
There's the loose ends with Resputa, a character who provides a small amount of information relating to the case but nothing else. His storyline is left dangling, unfinished near the end of the book with no resolution, as though the author intended to write a sequel though 5 years later there's no indication that this is ever going to happen.
But for me, the biggest failure of this book is the blatant use of the "Deus ex Machina" plot device at around 80% through where a mystery character, Karl, suddenly appears from nowhere, gives out critical information, then disappears and is only briefly mentioned once after that. Who is Karl? Is he the Botanist's partnet, another victim, a random stranger hanging around in a place that is all but inaccesible and unknown? And the advice he gives:
“Look,” the man said, “you need to go and get her. She’s the woman you love. You’re supposed to be with her. Go now or she’ll die!”
This man, who Cody doesn't know, apparently knows more about Cody's lovelife than Cody does even though the "relationship" has only just started developing. Really? And why does Cody make no attempt to find him later, after all, he could be another prisoner of the Botanist, or an associate, either way surely it would be vital to find and question him especially as he clearly knows all about the Botanist, the layout of the place and has never reported it. Maybe though he was just a divine apparition. At this point my belief was shattered and the whole story became unrealistic. Such a shame, it was going so well.
Overall a good story until then.
I received a free copy of this audiobook either from the author or a promotion or giveaway and am voluntarily writing an honest and unbiased review.
So, what let it down?
Well, for me, the unexplained coincidence of the tyre blowout at a very particular place for no apparent reason. I mean really, what was the chance of that happening at that time, in that place, for no reason. Rather unbelievable coincidence.
There's the loose ends with Resputa, a character who provides a small amount of information relating to the case but nothing else. His storyline is left dangling, unfinished near the end of the book with no resolution, as though the author intended to write a sequel though 5 years later there's no indication that this is ever going to happen.
But for me, the biggest failure of this book is the blatant use of the "Deus ex Machina" plot device at around 80% through where a mystery character, Karl, suddenly appears from nowhere, gives out critical information, then disappears and is only briefly mentioned once after that. Who is Karl? Is he the Botanist's partnet, another victim, a random stranger hanging around in a place that is all but inaccesible and unknown? And the advice he gives:
“Look,” the man said, “you need to go and get her. She’s the woman you love. You’re supposed to be with her. Go now or she’ll die!”
This man, who Cody doesn't know, apparently knows more about Cody's lovelife than Cody does even though the "relationship" has only just started developing. Really? And why does Cody make no attempt to find him later, after all, he could be another prisoner of the Botanist, or an associate, either way surely it would be vital to find and question him especially as he clearly knows all about the Botanist, the layout of the place and has never reported it. Maybe though he was just a divine apparition. At this point my belief was shattered and the whole story became unrealistic. Such a shame, it was going so well.
Overall a good story until then.
I received a free copy of this audiobook either from the author or a promotion or giveaway and am voluntarily writing an honest and unbiased review.
August 26, 2021
I enjoy shows like "Criminal Minds" and "Bones", so I figured this book would be right up my alley. Alex Thompson is stopped by a policeman along a deserted highway, then not ticketed or arrested. Something about the whole incident leaves her uneasy, so she goes to the Mt. Dessicate police station to report it. She isn't really given any satisfaction and soon forgets the whole thing.
Fast forward 5 years and Alex sees that a mass burial site of at least 12 graves has been found in this area. She feels compelled to go back to the scene of her unease and again talk to someone about her encounter with the man she feels might be the murderer.
Detective Cody Oliver is the lead on the case and he soon finds himself attracted to Alex. But, she is determined to insert herself into the investigation and gets herself into SO much trouble! Reminded me of a horror movie character that keeps making stupid mistakes as you scream at their stupidity.
The plot unfolds and things start to fall into place, but there were some problems with the whole story IMHO. First of all, a small town police squad would not be the lead in a case involving a serial killer of this magnitude and duration. The only mention of the FBI is after the case is "solved". Then, there are just too many weird coincidences that are never fully explained. Also, toward the end of the book, Cody encounters a mystery man named Carl who tells him exactly where to find the murderer and his captives. Then, Carl is never mentioned again. Don't you think that the Detective would want to know who this guy was or if he was involved in the murders in some way?
It was a pretty good book, but I feel that it could have so much better if some of the items mentioned had been handled differently. The book was well written and the characters were relatable, but it could have been much improved.
The narrator did a great job and added a lot to the book. The pacing was just right and kept the story moving at a fast pace. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook through Story Origins and chose to review it.
Fast forward 5 years and Alex sees that a mass burial site of at least 12 graves has been found in this area. She feels compelled to go back to the scene of her unease and again talk to someone about her encounter with the man she feels might be the murderer.
Detective Cody Oliver is the lead on the case and he soon finds himself attracted to Alex. But, she is determined to insert herself into the investigation and gets herself into SO much trouble! Reminded me of a horror movie character that keeps making stupid mistakes as you scream at their stupidity.
The plot unfolds and things start to fall into place, but there were some problems with the whole story IMHO. First of all, a small town police squad would not be the lead in a case involving a serial killer of this magnitude and duration. The only mention of the FBI is after the case is "solved". Then, there are just too many weird coincidences that are never fully explained. Also, toward the end of the book, Cody encounters a mystery man named Carl who tells him exactly where to find the murderer and his captives. Then, Carl is never mentioned again. Don't you think that the Detective would want to know who this guy was or if he was involved in the murders in some way?
It was a pretty good book, but I feel that it could have so much better if some of the items mentioned had been handled differently. The book was well written and the characters were relatable, but it could have been much improved.
The narrator did a great job and added a lot to the book. The pacing was just right and kept the story moving at a fast pace. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook through Story Origins and chose to review it.
October 15, 2020
The flashing red and blue lights in Alex Thompson’s rear view mirror were the first indication of trouble. Hers was the only car on the highway, only to be expected in the middle of the desert night. She wasn’t speeding.
He was tall, well over six feet, and his breath stank, matter of fact, the cop smelled like he hadn’t showered all year! She began to feel anxious, something wasn’t right. He asked for her license and registration, then noticed her bracelet, began asking questions about it. “And where’s a pretty young girl like you headed this time of night?” And giving Alex her papers, he sent her on her way, calling her Cordelia.
Alex was so concerned, she stopped in the next town, Mt Dessicate, Utah, to report his strange appearance and actions to the sherif. Officer Cody Oliver took her report, but since no laws had been broken, there was nothing to be done.
Four years later, Officer Oliver was now part of a four man detective unit. During the morning meeting, his captain tossed him a file with a mutilated doll found by hikers, saying squeeze it’s hand.
“I’m a whore.” And “I like it when Daddy touches me.” When Cody went up the hikers trail to look for any further evidence, he found a mass grave, containing twelve bodies, each with a blue tulip growing in the dirt above it. Tulips don’t grow naturally in the desert, and the soil was moist.
When Alex heard the news that night, she remembered the weird cop who had stopped her on the highway, and knew she had to go to Mt Dessicate to give that information again to the police. Later, she drove out to the place where the cop had stopped her, and the lights and siren of a Squad car signaled for her to pull over. The same weird cop again, and again he took especial notice of her bracelet, and again called her Cordelia.
This time, he put her in his squad car.
This is one of the best suspense novels I’ve read in a long time. Well written, great characters. Don’t read it alone at night.
He was tall, well over six feet, and his breath stank, matter of fact, the cop smelled like he hadn’t showered all year! She began to feel anxious, something wasn’t right. He asked for her license and registration, then noticed her bracelet, began asking questions about it. “And where’s a pretty young girl like you headed this time of night?” And giving Alex her papers, he sent her on her way, calling her Cordelia.
Alex was so concerned, she stopped in the next town, Mt Dessicate, Utah, to report his strange appearance and actions to the sherif. Officer Cody Oliver took her report, but since no laws had been broken, there was nothing to be done.
Four years later, Officer Oliver was now part of a four man detective unit. During the morning meeting, his captain tossed him a file with a mutilated doll found by hikers, saying squeeze it’s hand.
“I’m a whore.” And “I like it when Daddy touches me.” When Cody went up the hikers trail to look for any further evidence, he found a mass grave, containing twelve bodies, each with a blue tulip growing in the dirt above it. Tulips don’t grow naturally in the desert, and the soil was moist.
When Alex heard the news that night, she remembered the weird cop who had stopped her on the highway, and knew she had to go to Mt Dessicate to give that information again to the police. Later, she drove out to the place where the cop had stopped her, and the lights and siren of a Squad car signaled for her to pull over. The same weird cop again, and again he took especial notice of her bracelet, and again called her Cordelia.
This time, he put her in his squad car.
This is one of the best suspense novels I’ve read in a long time. Well written, great characters. Don’t read it alone at night.
March 19, 2020
I have never read any of Ms Hill's work but I love audiobooks and serial killers so when I was given the chance to get a free copy of this book I jumped at the chance. The title says it is A Small Town Romantic Suspense Thriller with Cute Detectives Serial Killers Murder and Heart Stopping Twists and Turns. Well, there is some romance but not too much. I guess Cody the lead detective was cute, there definitely was a serial killer and there were twists and turns. Mt Dessicate is a small town in the desert in far western Utah near St George, an area I am familiar with so I could relate to it. The book has a fairly strong but not perfect heroine but she is pretty much the only female character of any consequence besides the victims. Driving down a back road in the desert late at night on her way home Alex is stopped by a policeman with a raspy voice. He ends up letting her go but she feels like there is something weird so she stops at the next town's police station to report it. A very young policeman takes the report but doesn't seem too interested. Several years later Alex hears about a serial killer case in the town with a mass grave with blue tulips (hence the title) very near where she was stopped. She returns to the area to remind the police of her report and stays to help the police. The detective in charge is the same officer to whom she made her report so her doesn't just write her off. The police work seemed realistic for a small town that has little crime. There were twists and turns involving some history of the town which gave me an idea of who the killer might be but there was still plenty of suspense and some twists I didn't see coming. The book was wrapped up well and didn't leave the reader hanging. The narrator Larry Oblander did an excellent job. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Ms Hill's work.
May 26, 2019
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
L. K. Hill is a new author to me and I'll definitely look for more books by her.
The premise of the book was intriguing and the star-rating quite high so I suspected it should be good - but what I got was even better than expected. It's not easy to write a book about a serial killer, with so many of those out there already, and make it unputdownable, but Ms Hill did it; she had me glued to my device, forgetting my work (those class tests waiting to be graded, you know:)) and eagerly listening on late into the night to the final chapter.
And don't get me wrong, there are some weaker points in the story - as some reviewers have already noted, the police work is not of the highest efficiency and the characters do behave a bit unrealistically sometimes (one of the reviewers described it as "the ideal human interaction despite the circumstances"); yet I eagerly followed Cody and his sidekicks in every step of their discovering the whole truth about the Botanist. Why? Because Ms Hill has woven enough emotions into the story to make it fully engaging: sometimes heart-breaking and sometimes nail-biting...
As for the narration, I think it's perfect. The pace is good, the voices distinct, with the female ones not exaggerated to the point of being ridiculous, as it sometimes happens with male narrators reading female parts. I also think Mr Oblander is great at conveying emotions - I felt them in his reading but they didn't overshadow the plot and the story itself... All in all, it's a great interpretation of the book.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
L. K. Hill is a new author to me and I'll definitely look for more books by her.
The premise of the book was intriguing and the star-rating quite high so I suspected it should be good - but what I got was even better than expected. It's not easy to write a book about a serial killer, with so many of those out there already, and make it unputdownable, but Ms Hill did it; she had me glued to my device, forgetting my work (those class tests waiting to be graded, you know:)) and eagerly listening on late into the night to the final chapter.
And don't get me wrong, there are some weaker points in the story - as some reviewers have already noted, the police work is not of the highest efficiency and the characters do behave a bit unrealistically sometimes (one of the reviewers described it as "the ideal human interaction despite the circumstances"); yet I eagerly followed Cody and his sidekicks in every step of their discovering the whole truth about the Botanist. Why? Because Ms Hill has woven enough emotions into the story to make it fully engaging: sometimes heart-breaking and sometimes nail-biting...
As for the narration, I think it's perfect. The pace is good, the voices distinct, with the female ones not exaggerated to the point of being ridiculous, as it sometimes happens with male narrators reading female parts. I also think Mr Oblander is great at conveying emotions - I felt them in his reading but they didn't overshadow the plot and the story itself... All in all, it's a great interpretation of the book.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 29, 2019
In the heat of the desert, Detective Cody Oliver inadvertently stumbles upon a strange garden adorned with exotic flowers. Upon closer inspection, he finds the garden is but a cover for the scores of bodies buried below. Soon, the small town of Mt. Dessicate plunges into chaos as journalists, reporters, and cameramen from across the nation descend upon the tiny, desert town to get a piece of the murder mystery.
Along with the media, a mysterious woman appears. She may be the only person who has come face to face with the killer, dubbed the Botanist, and lived to tell the tale. If Cody can't piece together a timeline of the land the crime scene is located on, decipher how the woman's mysterious past is connected to the killer, and bring the Botanist to justice, he may finding himself standing alone in the midst of a desolate, desert graveyard...
Wow. This is an excellent read! Very creepy, and interesting, and with a buildup to the finale that was riveting.
The suspense and action was thrilling. The story line is good, it is well written and well plotted.
This is more than just a crime fiction book; it has mystery and thriller thrown in the mix too. The creepiness from the beginning doesn’t let up and continues throughout the entire book.
Characters really well developed.
The main characters, Cody & Alex, were realistic & sympathetic. The ending was brilliant.
This is a crime novel. It's detailed and not for the faint of heart. I leave hoping this detective will continue on into a few more books solving crimes; in other words please let there be more!!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Along with the media, a mysterious woman appears. She may be the only person who has come face to face with the killer, dubbed the Botanist, and lived to tell the tale. If Cody can't piece together a timeline of the land the crime scene is located on, decipher how the woman's mysterious past is connected to the killer, and bring the Botanist to justice, he may finding himself standing alone in the midst of a desolate, desert graveyard...
Wow. This is an excellent read! Very creepy, and interesting, and with a buildup to the finale that was riveting.
The suspense and action was thrilling. The story line is good, it is well written and well plotted.
This is more than just a crime fiction book; it has mystery and thriller thrown in the mix too. The creepiness from the beginning doesn’t let up and continues throughout the entire book.
Characters really well developed.
The main characters, Cody & Alex, were realistic & sympathetic. The ending was brilliant.
This is a crime novel. It's detailed and not for the faint of heart. I leave hoping this detective will continue on into a few more books solving crimes; in other words please let there be more!!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 2, 2019
The Botanist by L.K. Hill is a suspense novel with a twist. I was given an ARC of this book, so I will assume that the grammar errors will be fixed in the final copy.
The crimes at the center of the mystery are pretty gruesome and disturbing. The book starts in the past with the heroine, Alex, being pulled over by a cop in the middle of nowhere. She makes up a story and the cop lets her go, but she is disturbed enough to go to the next town's police station. There, she meets Cody, the hero. She tells him the story and then drives away. There is an immediacy and tension in that first chapter that is truly spinetingling. The next chapters jump to the present.
Alex and Cody are interesting characters, but there was something missing in their romance for me. There was a remoteness to their dialogue at times that felt stilted to me. The pace of the story frequently slowed down as if the author felt that extra chapters were needed to make a longer book. I felt it kind of dragged at times. For me, it would have been better by condensing some of the chapters to make for a tighter drama and more suspense. That being said, I was interested enough to want to finish the story.
As I stated earlier, there are some disturbing aspects to the crimes; so be warned.
I received an ARC of the book from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.
The crimes at the center of the mystery are pretty gruesome and disturbing. The book starts in the past with the heroine, Alex, being pulled over by a cop in the middle of nowhere. She makes up a story and the cop lets her go, but she is disturbed enough to go to the next town's police station. There, she meets Cody, the hero. She tells him the story and then drives away. There is an immediacy and tension in that first chapter that is truly spinetingling. The next chapters jump to the present.
Alex and Cody are interesting characters, but there was something missing in their romance for me. There was a remoteness to their dialogue at times that felt stilted to me. The pace of the story frequently slowed down as if the author felt that extra chapters were needed to make a longer book. I felt it kind of dragged at times. For me, it would have been better by condensing some of the chapters to make for a tighter drama and more suspense. That being said, I was interested enough to want to finish the story.
As I stated earlier, there are some disturbing aspects to the crimes; so be warned.
I received an ARC of the book from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.
November 18, 2020
It’s been a while since I have read or listened to a good old fashioned murder mystery with out extras like major romance, paranormal or a mafia influence. I honestly forgot how much I ether! This book was fantastic! The creep factor, the twists and turns and the suspense. A small town but so twisted murder has you dying to know what happened next! The characters are so well written and you can help but be drawn in to the investigation and all the craziness. There is a hint of romance and there’s some tear jerking moments but both only add to the story helping to amp up the emotional factor and truly captivate you. The narrator was fantastic! At first I was a little skeptical because it starts out with a girl as the main character and I prefer female narrators if that’s the case. But I have to say I will be looking for more books narratored by him because he did so well. The added gasps and other sound affects he adds as he reads are icing on the cake to this story. He did well switching characters and with voices and I have no complaints!
June 6, 2018
I would like to give this a five star review, but I just can't. It was a thriller, since it was pretty easy to figure out who the killer was, and the mystery was thinly veiled and easy to figure out a little bit too early because the book is JUST TOO LONG. It was like the writer was afraid to edit. It's easy to fall in love with your words, but this book would have been fine at 75,000 words and still got the point across. The female character's strength and recovery was overblown.
I still gave it four stars for effort. Just needs to be shortened in length. I have not read any of the authors other books, this may be her first, and if so I hope her others are shortened. My message to the writer would be don't stop. There is talent there. I like what she said at the end of her book about not stopping until the nail is in the coffin or the second coming is here. Keep moving forward is the only way we ever get better at anything.
I still gave it four stars for effort. Just needs to be shortened in length. I have not read any of the authors other books, this may be her first, and if so I hope her others are shortened. My message to the writer would be don't stop. There is talent there. I like what she said at the end of her book about not stopping until the nail is in the coffin or the second coming is here. Keep moving forward is the only way we ever get better at anything.
March 30, 2019
Heart-stopping suspense!
The twists and turns are endless, the killer relentless. He’d taken so many lives and I couldn't wait to find out why he was doing this and why Alexandra was so important to him.
You couldn't miss the genuine camaraderie of the police department. Lead Detective Cody Oliver is a man of honor and substance. He’s not only unafraid to delve into the unknown, but his job is also an extension of him, and he has the scars to prove it. He not only solved the mystery of who Alex is he also completed her, and she completed him.
This book’s engaging plot, mystery, and complex characters make it an awesome read. Every time that I thought I had it figured out, I was back at square one, and I enjoyed every nail-biting moment. Psst… turns out that The Botanist is really a Botanist and so only one question remained. Who the heck is Mudface? A definite recommend.
**ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! **
The twists and turns are endless, the killer relentless. He’d taken so many lives and I couldn't wait to find out why he was doing this and why Alexandra was so important to him.
You couldn't miss the genuine camaraderie of the police department. Lead Detective Cody Oliver is a man of honor and substance. He’s not only unafraid to delve into the unknown, but his job is also an extension of him, and he has the scars to prove it. He not only solved the mystery of who Alex is he also completed her, and she completed him.
This book’s engaging plot, mystery, and complex characters make it an awesome read. Every time that I thought I had it figured out, I was back at square one, and I enjoyed every nail-biting moment. Psst… turns out that The Botanist is really a Botanist and so only one question remained. Who the heck is Mudface? A definite recommend.
**ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! **
March 4, 2020
A really interesting story, quite captivating, to be honest. Not perfect, no, as sometimes, the way the characters acted was a bit... weird. But nevertheless, I was enthralled from the beginning.
My main complaint is the seemingly necessity of having some romance thrown in the mix, but that is something that, apparently, won't be changing anytime soon :P
I really liked both, Alex and Cody, and the rest of the characters were quite distinctive by themselves. The mystery was well done. I was quite sure about what was going on pretty soon, and I think that was the author's intention, as the clues were there from the very beginning, but the suspense went very strong all the story.
In short, this is an author I will keep reading :)
Larry Oblander did a great job with the narration.
My main complaint is the seemingly necessity of having some romance thrown in the mix, but that is something that, apparently, won't be changing anytime soon :P
I really liked both, Alex and Cody, and the rest of the characters were quite distinctive by themselves. The mystery was well done. I was quite sure about what was going on pretty soon, and I think that was the author's intention, as the clues were there from the very beginning, but the suspense went very strong all the story.
In short, this is an author I will keep reading :)
Larry Oblander did a great job with the narration.
August 13, 2020
I am very familiar with several of the series this author writes but had not gotten around to this stand alone novel. It is every bit as good as the longer sagas. I’ve come to the conclusion that everything she writes has the same excellence no matter the length or genre.
Alex is driving along a lonely stretch of desert highway when she is pulled over by a police cruiser. Everything about the officer strikes her as off, almost evil. The incident upsets her so much that she stops at the next town to report it.
Years later the officer Alex spoke with, Cody Oliver, has become a detective. On a routine call, in a remote are in the desert, he discovers a mass grave. The news people descend on the sleepy town in Utah and with the coverage, Alex is drawn back into this web of evil!
Alex is driving along a lonely stretch of desert highway when she is pulled over by a police cruiser. Everything about the officer strikes her as off, almost evil. The incident upsets her so much that she stops at the next town to report it.
Years later the officer Alex spoke with, Cody Oliver, has become a detective. On a routine call, in a remote are in the desert, he discovers a mass grave. The news people descend on the sleepy town in Utah and with the coverage, Alex is drawn back into this web of evil!
December 1, 2022
An intense serial killer tale!
Do you enjoy stories that keep you glued to your chair guessing what the killer’s story is? The Botanist audiobook hooked me from the opening scene – I say scene because this story played out in my head like a movie – Alex’s initial encounter with the cop in the desert just felt creepy, and once Cody made his initial discovery, I was all in until Larry Oblander had uttered the final work of the audiobook. The action and suspense, not to mention the intercharacter drama in this story is excellent, it’s been a while since I’ve read/listened to a story this well put together. I received a review copy of this audiobook from the author and chose to provide my review.
Do you enjoy stories that keep you glued to your chair guessing what the killer’s story is? The Botanist audiobook hooked me from the opening scene – I say scene because this story played out in my head like a movie – Alex’s initial encounter with the cop in the desert just felt creepy, and once Cody made his initial discovery, I was all in until Larry Oblander had uttered the final work of the audiobook. The action and suspense, not to mention the intercharacter drama in this story is excellent, it’s been a while since I’ve read/listened to a story this well put together. I received a review copy of this audiobook from the author and chose to provide my review.
May 9, 2023
This is a very dark story. If brutality and death are triggers for you, do not read this book. For those souls who love a good mystery, this book will definitely keep you up at night. Though I honestly had difficulty putting it down. The story is one of those that makes you think and think more as everything just keeps coming at the reader nonstop. It's literally one bad thing after another like a train wreck where you can't help but look.
I really liked detective Cody Oliver as he had that spark of genius that was brilliant but he also had limitless compassion for humanity. Alex Thompson was another excellent character. I loved that she refused to give up and was successful in her quest.
This is the first book by L.K. Hill that I've read but it will not be the last.
I really liked detective Cody Oliver as he had that spark of genius that was brilliant but he also had limitless compassion for humanity. Alex Thompson was another excellent character. I loved that she refused to give up and was successful in her quest.
This is the first book by L.K. Hill that I've read but it will not be the last.
November 5, 2023
Audiobook: This story was thrilling, and it kept me on the edge-of-my seat. Once the audiobook started, I had a hard time dragging myself away as I just couldn't wait to find out how it would end. Detective Cody Oliver found a massive graveyard out in the desert. When stories about the graveyard were circulated in the news, Alex decided to go to the town of Mt. Dessicate to report an unsettling incident that had happened to her on the road outside of town. The characters were complex. I liked all the twists and turns as the mystery unfolded. Larry Oblander's narration was fine, and his performance kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
September 2, 2020
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I don't really know what I just listened to. It was a mess. The characters were just...silly. The cops act like this is their first case. The victims seem far too glib for being confronted by a serial killer. The language used by law enforcement was just wrong. There was SO much promise to this book and it just went awry. At first I thought it was reminiscent of The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchinson and that really appealed to me. Nope. That sentiment went out the window pretty quickly. The biggest issues that I had was that I listened to this on Audible instead of reading it. That was a mistake. The narrator was TERRIBLE. It was like listening to a high school drama audition - completely raw and fake. Hi voices, especially for the female characters and all characters in emotional situations were incredibly amateur and painful to listen to. It was really hard to get past the narrator to leave a review of the content of this book.
September 25, 2019
In a way, The Botanist is a mystery within a mystery within a mysterious mountain. That’s as close as I am going to come to spoiling the book for you. There’s banter between police detectives, misunderstandings between parents and children, danger, and a little romance thrown into this book. It’s not a cozy mystery but a pleasant change of pace if you need a breather from thrillers, true crime, history, and other heavier/deeper genres. I am glad I stumbled on L. K. Hill. I think you might enjoy this read, too.
March 4, 2020
The Botanist: A Small Town Romantic Suspense Thriller with Cute Detectives Serial Killers Murder and Heart-Stopping Twists and Turns, my eleventh read from author L.K. Hill. Takes off like a jet fighter from an aircraft carrier and just gets better from there! Three pseudonyms, 3 different genres. All great, but this book captivates me most. I’ll be reading more from this author no matter what pseudonym she writes under! "I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 29, 2020
A dark night on a dark road and you're pulled over by police cruiser, can your night get worse? Maybe, especially if the officer is just "off" and your instincts are telling you to run. The experience stays with you for years and then one day you see a newscast from that town about a mass grave that's been found. Now you know why you've never forgotten that night. Interesting characters, suspense and action will keep you listen until the very end. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, and have voluntarily left this review.
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