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Rachel Carver #2
Down the Broken Road
Fans of J. T. Ellison and Tami Hoag will find a new favorite in J. R. Backlund’s second installment of the Rachel Carver mysteries.
Ex-SBI agent Rachel Carver’s past comes back to haunt her as she uncovers a trail of murderous revenge—and a horrifying secret.
Rachel Carver’s career with the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation came to a shuddering halt after her last case led to the collateral death of an innocent woman and a shameful cover-up by her superiors, She’s turned in her badge and is settling in to a new life as a legal investigator—but Rachel’s past won’t leave her alone.
While on assignment for a prominent law firm, she uncovers a link between a recent grizzly murder and the case that ruined her career. The discovery is no coincidence. A hidden player is manipulating Rachel into uncovering the truth once and for all. And the stakes turn even deadlier when the killer strikes again.
On the run and desperate for answers, she peels back the layers of the victims’ lives—and discovers a shocking litany of murder and lies that began in a moment of fury on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan, and now threatens to claim even more victims. Even if Rachel can prove her innocence, she might not be able to save her own life in Down the Broken Road, the second pulse-pounding novel in J. R. Backlund’s Rachel Carver mysteries.
Ex-SBI agent Rachel Carver’s past comes back to haunt her as she uncovers a trail of murderous revenge—and a horrifying secret.
Rachel Carver’s career with the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation came to a shuddering halt after her last case led to the collateral death of an innocent woman and a shameful cover-up by her superiors, She’s turned in her badge and is settling in to a new life as a legal investigator—but Rachel’s past won’t leave her alone.
While on assignment for a prominent law firm, she uncovers a link between a recent grizzly murder and the case that ruined her career. The discovery is no coincidence. A hidden player is manipulating Rachel into uncovering the truth once and for all. And the stakes turn even deadlier when the killer strikes again.
On the run and desperate for answers, she peels back the layers of the victims’ lives—and discovers a shocking litany of murder and lies that began in a moment of fury on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan, and now threatens to claim even more victims. Even if Rachel can prove her innocence, she might not be able to save her own life in Down the Broken Road, the second pulse-pounding novel in J. R. Backlund’s Rachel Carver mysteries.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
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First published October 8, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 11, 2018
3.5 After a disastrous end to her last case Rachel resigns from the SBI and goes freelance. Though she hasn't forgotten what happened, still believes it was a wrong enfing, she is busy trying to rustle up enough work to make a living. Until an opportunity arrives unexpectedly, giving her the opportunity to prove she was right to have doubts.
Rachel is a strong character, aggressive many times to her own detriment, obsessive as her old boss and mentor calls her and tough, physically and mentally. This case will take her into the past, and have ties back in the past and far away. It will put her in danger, and will cost many lives.
I didn't like this as much as the first in series, I think almost too much happened, making it more difficult for me to follow. Of course, it may just be me because this time of year when I have so much to do, makes concentration much more difficult. Still, I love her character, enjoy the way she puts things together, and liked her conversation with Pender at books end. Will definitely read the next.
ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane.
Rachel is a strong character, aggressive many times to her own detriment, obsessive as her old boss and mentor calls her and tough, physically and mentally. This case will take her into the past, and have ties back in the past and far away. It will put her in danger, and will cost many lives.
I didn't like this as much as the first in series, I think almost too much happened, making it more difficult for me to follow. Of course, it may just be me because this time of year when I have so much to do, makes concentration much more difficult. Still, I love her character, enjoy the way she puts things together, and liked her conversation with Pender at books end. Will definitely read the next.
ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane.
October 11, 2018
The second book in the series harkens back to Rachel’s initial backstory regarding her decision to quit the NC SBI. Here, a reporter who was investigating that story is found dumped in the country, moments away from dying from a drug overdose. Rachel is also offered an opportunity to investigate the story herself.
The story is straightforward mystery, with a strong female lead. She’s a bit obsessed, well more than a bit. She really has no life outside of whatever crime she’s working on.
At the same time that Rachel is pursuing her leads, Bryce Parker, the reporter, is coming at it from a different angle. Then things get wild and bodies start piling up. Rachel comes under suspicion as the murderer.
I can’t say this story held together as well as I would liked. It was fast paced and exciting, with little down time. There were several ways the story could have gone which kept me guessing as to how it would end. In the end, it was decent but not great.
My thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book
September 22, 2018
This book grabbed me and pulled me in from the first page. Well drawn characters and an excellent story line kept me reading well past bed time. Don't miss this one!
October 17, 2018
Meat and Potatoes
Washed down with a cold Budweiser.
A well written, no nonsense, straightforward book, just like 'Among the Dead' which you should read before this one.
What secrets are hidden in the valleys of Afghanistan that would leave so many dead bodies scattered across North Carolina?
It closes the dark chapter in Rachel Carver's life. A bleak time where she resigned from her job and ended up hiding at the bottom of a vodka bottle.
I look forward to meeting Rachel in the near future.
Washed down with a cold Budweiser.
A well written, no nonsense, straightforward book, just like 'Among the Dead' which you should read before this one.
What secrets are hidden in the valleys of Afghanistan that would leave so many dead bodies scattered across North Carolina?
It closes the dark chapter in Rachel Carver's life. A bleak time where she resigned from her job and ended up hiding at the bottom of a vodka bottle.
I look forward to meeting Rachel in the near future.
October 9, 2018
4.5 stars.
Down the Broken Road by J.R. Backlund is an adrenaline-laced mystery. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Rachel Carver series, it can be read as a standalone. However I also recommend the previous novel as well.
Rachel Carver is a former SBI Agent who is now working as a legal investigator. Just as she interviewing for a job with a legal firm, reporter Bryce Parker reaches about to her about the case that ended her career. Then the law firm surprises her with the opportunity to re-investigate the same case in which veteran Tyler Larson was murdered. Despite Rachel's doubts, her former boss at the SBI believed his girlfriend was his killer. The discovery that another one of Larson's Army buddies has been murdered breathes new life into the old case. In addition, Bryce has discovered a witness Larson's murder. Rachel's work on both cases has barely begun when she finds herself on the run from local law enforcement. Trusting no one except for her former partner Danny Braddock, will Rachel uncover the truth about who killed Tyler and his friend, Adam Hubbard?
Rachel is resourceful and laser focused as she tries to make sense of the events unfolding in the present. Although the police are certain they have arrested the person responsible for Adam's brutal murder, Rachel is convinced his death is linked to Tyler's. When she takes a second look at Tyler's journals which detail his wartime deployments, she has new avenues to explore. Rachel realizes her previous investigation into Tyler's murder was incomplete so she begins searching for the other men who were also deployed with him. With a possible motive beginning to emerge, Rachel inadvertently puts herself in harm's way as she begins to close in on the suspects in the murders.
Down the Broken Road is a fast-paced mystery with an intriguing storyline. With puzzling murders to solve and quite a few suspects to investigate, Rachel is absolutely relentless in her quest for the truth. J.R. Backlund brings this newest addition to the Rachel Carver series to an action-packed, electrifying conclusion.
Down the Broken Road by J.R. Backlund is an adrenaline-laced mystery. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Rachel Carver series, it can be read as a standalone. However I also recommend the previous novel as well.
Rachel Carver is a former SBI Agent who is now working as a legal investigator. Just as she interviewing for a job with a legal firm, reporter Bryce Parker reaches about to her about the case that ended her career. Then the law firm surprises her with the opportunity to re-investigate the same case in which veteran Tyler Larson was murdered. Despite Rachel's doubts, her former boss at the SBI believed his girlfriend was his killer. The discovery that another one of Larson's Army buddies has been murdered breathes new life into the old case. In addition, Bryce has discovered a witness Larson's murder. Rachel's work on both cases has barely begun when she finds herself on the run from local law enforcement. Trusting no one except for her former partner Danny Braddock, will Rachel uncover the truth about who killed Tyler and his friend, Adam Hubbard?
Rachel is resourceful and laser focused as she tries to make sense of the events unfolding in the present. Although the police are certain they have arrested the person responsible for Adam's brutal murder, Rachel is convinced his death is linked to Tyler's. When she takes a second look at Tyler's journals which detail his wartime deployments, she has new avenues to explore. Rachel realizes her previous investigation into Tyler's murder was incomplete so she begins searching for the other men who were also deployed with him. With a possible motive beginning to emerge, Rachel inadvertently puts herself in harm's way as she begins to close in on the suspects in the murders.
Down the Broken Road is a fast-paced mystery with an intriguing storyline. With puzzling murders to solve and quite a few suspects to investigate, Rachel is absolutely relentless in her quest for the truth. J.R. Backlund brings this newest addition to the Rachel Carver series to an action-packed, electrifying conclusion.
October 3, 2018
Rachel Carver’s career with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) ended when her last case led to the death of Lauren Bailey who was accused of killing her boyfriend Tyler Larsen. A cover-up by her superiors led to Rachel resigning from the SBI and she is now working as a PI. Her current case involves the brutal murder of two former soldiers turned junkies. Rachel soon finds a link between this murder and Larsen/Bailey case that ruined her career. Reporter friend Bryce Parker is found OD on heroin. Parker calls Rachel and tells her she was right about Lauren's innocence for Larsen's murder and has proof. But before he can contact the surprise witness, a double murder occurs, and Rachel is framed for the deaths. Now on the run and desperate for answers, Rachel finds a tragic link to the soldiers' time in Afghanistan that someone is desperate to keep secret.
This was a thrilling read and Rachel is a doggedly determined investigator.
I received an eARC via Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
This was a thrilling read and Rachel is a doggedly determined investigator.
I received an eARC via Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
October 10, 2018
This one started a little slow for me, but once things started going it wouldn't stop! So many people involved in this complex crime and Rachel finds herself in the middle of it all!
Rachel's is a strong independent women who stop at nothing to figure out what happened and to protected those who have been dragged into it all. I really liked the complexity and depth of the crimes and of the characters, I couldn't get enough of them!
Rachel's is a strong independent women who stop at nothing to figure out what happened and to protected those who have been dragged into it all. I really liked the complexity and depth of the crimes and of the characters, I couldn't get enough of them!
September 24, 2018
#Down the Broken Road# NetGalley#
I enjoyed this book. It started a little slow for me, but then it ramped up a bit as the action starting moving faster. The author did a good job 👍🏼 with the characters. It was easy to see them for who the author intended.. if fact, a couple of them where downright scary! I ❤️ the character of Rachel Carver. She is an independent, spunky woman, and I like that in a character. I thought several times she had gotten herself into situations of which she wasn’t going to get out. But, of course, she always found a way. A little bit of romance sprinkled in with lots of mystery made it fun. The ending was okay, but I thought there were several situations not finalized like I would have liked. Maybe the author is saving those for his next sequel?? I rate this a solid 4 stars and would recommend it to all of my mystery loving friends. I was given a free advance copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
I enjoyed this book. It started a little slow for me, but then it ramped up a bit as the action starting moving faster. The author did a good job 👍🏼 with the characters. It was easy to see them for who the author intended.. if fact, a couple of them where downright scary! I ❤️ the character of Rachel Carver. She is an independent, spunky woman, and I like that in a character. I thought several times she had gotten herself into situations of which she wasn’t going to get out. But, of course, she always found a way. A little bit of romance sprinkled in with lots of mystery made it fun. The ending was okay, but I thought there were several situations not finalized like I would have liked. Maybe the author is saving those for his next sequel?? I rate this a solid 4 stars and would recommend it to all of my mystery loving friends. I was given a free advance copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
October 21, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review. Expected publication date is Oct. 18, 2018.
“Down the Broken Road” by J.R. Backlund is the story of Rachel Carver, former agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Rachel left her job with the SBI after being forced to shoot a suspect who she believed had been wrongly convicted. As a result, Rachel decided to leave law enforcement and become a private investigator. When a reporter who had worked with Rachel in the past finds a witness supporting Rachel’s beliefs and is almost killed as a result, Rachel is pulled back into that case. As the story progresses, Rachel ends up a murder suspect and has to evade the police while trying to solve the case herself and clear her name.
This book will pull you in from start to finish. Without giving anything away, Rachel’s background and lifestyle make her ability to solve the case and evade capture completely believable. Rachel uses her experience and her knowledge of law enforcement to her advantage. She’s smart, and I didn’t notice anything in the story that didn’t fit...nothing that made me stop and go back because it didn’t make sense.
There are three reasons I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. Two of them can be fixed in editing but one is a plot line question that I can’t reconcile. There were a few places where Rachel’s over-the-top swearing seem out of character. We don’t see her swear a lot at all throughout the book, and while we know she’s tough, the way she reads isn’t as someone who drops the word “mother****er” in a conversation. That one caught me by surprise. The second issue is that I think the narration got a little too cumbersome in places and it slows down the read. Example: “Another rain had swept through town, cleansing the air. It was cool now, and wet. Everything seemed saturated. The soil was like a soaked sponge. Her first step off the pavement forced black water up around her trainers. Normally, they saw use only on her visits to the gym, so they had stayed perfectly clean until this very moment. When she heard the squishing of her steps and felt her feet turn cold, she decided she would need a new pair.”
***SPOILER***
The final reason for the 4, once the actual murderer (Colin) knows that he’s going to be caught, he is still on his quest to kill the witness. This just didn’t make sense to me because at this point, everyone involved is either going to die or go to jail. I can’t reconcile his need to still kill the witness. That said, it didn’t ruin anything for me...just not the resolution I expected.
Definitely a book you should pick up when it’s available. This is a good start to what I hope will be a Rachel Carver series of books.
“Down the Broken Road” by J.R. Backlund is the story of Rachel Carver, former agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Rachel left her job with the SBI after being forced to shoot a suspect who she believed had been wrongly convicted. As a result, Rachel decided to leave law enforcement and become a private investigator. When a reporter who had worked with Rachel in the past finds a witness supporting Rachel’s beliefs and is almost killed as a result, Rachel is pulled back into that case. As the story progresses, Rachel ends up a murder suspect and has to evade the police while trying to solve the case herself and clear her name.
This book will pull you in from start to finish. Without giving anything away, Rachel’s background and lifestyle make her ability to solve the case and evade capture completely believable. Rachel uses her experience and her knowledge of law enforcement to her advantage. She’s smart, and I didn’t notice anything in the story that didn’t fit...nothing that made me stop and go back because it didn’t make sense.
There are three reasons I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. Two of them can be fixed in editing but one is a plot line question that I can’t reconcile. There were a few places where Rachel’s over-the-top swearing seem out of character. We don’t see her swear a lot at all throughout the book, and while we know she’s tough, the way she reads isn’t as someone who drops the word “mother****er” in a conversation. That one caught me by surprise. The second issue is that I think the narration got a little too cumbersome in places and it slows down the read. Example: “Another rain had swept through town, cleansing the air. It was cool now, and wet. Everything seemed saturated. The soil was like a soaked sponge. Her first step off the pavement forced black water up around her trainers. Normally, they saw use only on her visits to the gym, so they had stayed perfectly clean until this very moment. When she heard the squishing of her steps and felt her feet turn cold, she decided she would need a new pair.”
***SPOILER***
The final reason for the 4, once the actual murderer (Colin) knows that he’s going to be caught, he is still on his quest to kill the witness. This just didn’t make sense to me because at this point, everyone involved is either going to die or go to jail. I can’t reconcile his need to still kill the witness. That said, it didn’t ruin anything for me...just not the resolution I expected.
Definitely a book you should pick up when it’s available. This is a good start to what I hope will be a Rachel Carver series of books.
July 23, 2018
I absolutely enjoyed this book. It took me a while to get into it. This is the first book I'm reading in the series with the never say die attitude of Rachel Carver. I think the author did a fantastic job on her. There's so much depth and the crime makes you keep turning pages. I was up till 4 finishing this book. Just when you think everything's resolved, there's another plot twist. I thought the relationship between Rachel and Braddock was bittersweet and sad. There seemed to be no reward for her despite all the hard work she put in solving a crime and helping the military finding the perp.
The author needs to be commended for research. This book is much better than watching a TV show.
If I had any issues, it was with the number of characters. Because I didn't know the series, i felt the first 50 pages had too many characters and I had a hard time keeping track of them. Once you know them the book is a thrilling ride. I would love to read more in this series.
The author needs to be commended for research. This book is much better than watching a TV show.
If I had any issues, it was with the number of characters. Because I didn't know the series, i felt the first 50 pages had too many characters and I had a hard time keeping track of them. Once you know them the book is a thrilling ride. I would love to read more in this series.
July 23, 2018
I absolutely enjoyed this book. It took me a while to get into it. This is the first book I'm reading in the series with the never say die attitude of Rachel Carver. I think the author did a fantastic job on her. There's so much depth and the crime makes you keep turning pages. I was up till 4 finishing this book. Just when you think everything's resolved, there's another plot twist. I thought the relationship between Rachel and Braddock was bittersweet and sad. There seemed to be no reward for her despite all the hard work she put in solving a crime and helping the military finding the perp.
The author needs to be commended for research. This book is much better than watching a TV show.
If I had any issues, it was with the number of characters. Because I didn't know the series, i felt the first 50 pages had too many characters and I had a hard time keeping track of them. Once you know them the book is a thrilling ride. I would love to read more in this series.
The author needs to be commended for research. This book is much better than watching a TV show.
If I had any issues, it was with the number of characters. Because I didn't know the series, i felt the first 50 pages had too many characters and I had a hard time keeping track of them. Once you know them the book is a thrilling ride. I would love to read more in this series.
October 24, 2018
JR Backlund’s second novel is even better than his first! After his first novel I couldn’t wait to read the second and I was not disappointed! The story delves into a previous case that the main character, Rachel Carver, quit the State Bureau of Investigation over which was briefly touched upon in his first novel. The pacing is excellent and the characters are well-developed. I highly recommend this novel!
November 21, 2018
I LOVED the first book in the series and I liked this one even more. Rachel becomes a fuller, stronger and also more real person to me in Down the Broken Road. I can't wait to see what she does next. (Lord help those poor automobiles! ;)
April 25, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this arc.
Oops... This one got past me somehow. A couple weeks ago, I was poking around in my local library sort of "window shopping" and spotted this on their new releases shelf. I pulled out my kindle for a quick search (as I keep bringing home books I've already read or have in the cloud) and there it was in my ginormous TBR pile/arcs.
I left the physical book on the library shelf and moved the arc over the head of the line on my kindle.
I thought it was a decent read. Fast paced with a lot of action (and driving, driving, driving). The story was complex and twisty. I've not read the first book of this series and maybe I should have (but I didn't know it was a series). Somehow, while I didn't dislike Rachel, she just never felt all that real to me in this book. None of the other characters resonated with me either. Still a decent read if one is just looking for some mindless entertainment.
Oops... This one got past me somehow. A couple weeks ago, I was poking around in my local library sort of "window shopping" and spotted this on their new releases shelf. I pulled out my kindle for a quick search (as I keep bringing home books I've already read or have in the cloud) and there it was in my ginormous TBR pile/arcs.
I left the physical book on the library shelf and moved the arc over the head of the line on my kindle.
I thought it was a decent read. Fast paced with a lot of action (and driving, driving, driving). The story was complex and twisty. I've not read the first book of this series and maybe I should have (but I didn't know it was a series). Somehow, while I didn't dislike Rachel, she just never felt all that real to me in this book. None of the other characters resonated with me either. Still a decent read if one is just looking for some mindless entertainment.
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February 1, 2023Probably more like a 4 1/2. Ex SBI agent Rachel Carver finds her past has come back to haunt her. This author has created a character that I want to read again!
January 2, 2019
Lots of suspense in this crime fiction. So many players have questionable or devious motives and you’re driven to find out about them all. This book is hard to put down; this storyline gets you so wrapped up, you’ll HAVE to finish it; there’s no stopping. Man, I loved these characters, especially Rachel.
mystery
October 10, 2018Find it at the West Hempstead Public Library http://encore.alisweb.org/iii/encore/...
October 30, 2018
Just as gripping as the first installment. Loved it!
November 16, 2018
Down the Broken Road by J.R. Backlund is the story of Rachel Carver, who is a former agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Rachel left her SBI job after she was forced to shoot a suspect who she believed had been wrongly convicted. As a result of this incident, Rachel made the decision to leave law enforcement and become a private investigator.
This book is the second in the Rachel Carver Mystery series, the first book being Among the Dead (which I did not read). I felt this book worked as a standalone and I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything.
Just as Rachel Carver is interviewing for a job with a legal firm, a reporter from her past, Bryce Parker, contacts her about the case that ended her career. Coincidentally, the law firm surprises Rachel with an opportunity to re-investigate that very same case when Tyler Larson was murdered. When the discovery that one of Larson’s Army buddies has been murdered, the old case is re-opened. Parker has also discovered a witness to Larson's murder.
Down the Broken Road is a fast-paced mystery with an interesting storyline. There are so many suspects to investigate and lots of questionable murders to solve, but Rachel presses forward in her search for the truth.I felt that the author really brought a great conclusion to this story. This book will pull keep you engaged from start to finish. The author's creation of Rachel's character provides readers with a very believable story and believe that she is able to solve this case thanks to her law enforcement background.
I was provided with a complimentary electronic advanced reader copy through Net Galley in exchange for my post. I was not required to post a positive review.
This book is the second in the Rachel Carver Mystery series, the first book being Among the Dead (which I did not read). I felt this book worked as a standalone and I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything.
Just as Rachel Carver is interviewing for a job with a legal firm, a reporter from her past, Bryce Parker, contacts her about the case that ended her career. Coincidentally, the law firm surprises Rachel with an opportunity to re-investigate that very same case when Tyler Larson was murdered. When the discovery that one of Larson’s Army buddies has been murdered, the old case is re-opened. Parker has also discovered a witness to Larson's murder.
Down the Broken Road is a fast-paced mystery with an interesting storyline. There are so many suspects to investigate and lots of questionable murders to solve, but Rachel presses forward in her search for the truth.I felt that the author really brought a great conclusion to this story. This book will pull keep you engaged from start to finish. The author's creation of Rachel's character provides readers with a very believable story and believe that she is able to solve this case thanks to her law enforcement background.
I was provided with a complimentary electronic advanced reader copy through Net Galley in exchange for my post. I was not required to post a positive review.
October 30, 2018
After having read the first book, Among the Dead, by this new author, I was eagerly waiting for this book. It did not fail me, and I read the entire book in one day. I certainly was enthralled by each chapter as Rachel Carver digs even deeper into the case she is on. And, I find that I will be anticipating each new book J.R. Backlund writes. Highly recommend this author and his books.
January 27, 2019
Definitely a powerful read as Rachel struggles both to prove her innocence and stay alive. I loved it!
March 7, 2019
so ridiculous as to be stupid. No.
August 12, 2022
I often begin these reviews with a Plot Summary which some of you say is more than you want, and I've been working on that hard the last several months. But I’m doubtful I’ve found that utopian balance just yet. Instead of going that route for this review, I'll just share my thoughts initially. This is shorter than the first book in the duology, and it is not as good in terms of holding your interest. I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator. It was good enough that, if you read it, you won't likely come away angry or upset for having done so.
Before she became a private investigator, Rachel Carver worked for a state Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina. She quit that job when she took the life of a woman whom she thought was innocent of murder. She could never prove the woman’s innocence, but she was so convinced of that innocence that it was easy to walk away from that job. Since then, she has subsisted on contract work. But someone murders a reporter friend of hers, and he wrote many stories about the woman whom Rachel killed before the book opens. In seeking to figure out who killed her reporter friend, Rachel gets involved in another killing, and this time it's her they want. She manages to turn the tables, but in so doing, she inadvertently makes it look like she killed two people.
Knowing that the freedom window in which she could operate was narrow, she worked feverishly to figure out why her reporter friend died. There's interesting linkage here to a group of men who fought in Afghanistan and committed a dreadful atrocity. To give you additional detail would be to ruin your experience with the book.
on balance, this was an ok book. It isn't one I would reread, but it's short, and you'll finish with it in practically no time.
Before she became a private investigator, Rachel Carver worked for a state Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina. She quit that job when she took the life of a woman whom she thought was innocent of murder. She could never prove the woman’s innocence, but she was so convinced of that innocence that it was easy to walk away from that job. Since then, she has subsisted on contract work. But someone murders a reporter friend of hers, and he wrote many stories about the woman whom Rachel killed before the book opens. In seeking to figure out who killed her reporter friend, Rachel gets involved in another killing, and this time it's her they want. She manages to turn the tables, but in so doing, she inadvertently makes it look like she killed two people.
Knowing that the freedom window in which she could operate was narrow, she worked feverishly to figure out why her reporter friend died. There's interesting linkage here to a group of men who fought in Afghanistan and committed a dreadful atrocity. To give you additional detail would be to ruin your experience with the book.
on balance, this was an ok book. It isn't one I would reread, but it's short, and you'll finish with it in practically no time.
August 30, 2021
Very well-written book. I will be looking into more books by this author. I didn't give five stars, because I was confused sometimes about who was who. There were a lot of names thrown around, and even though I read this book in less than two days, I couldn't remember who people were. Also, the ending would have been much cleaner if it was a chapter or two after the climax, not five or six chapters.
November 30, 2021
This book feels more like part two to the first book and not quite as self-contained as a sequel might be, so read the first book first or else you'll feel like you opened a book and started reading halfway through. Enjoyable and well written. I enjoyed the author's prose and the way the story flowed. It satisfied my need for something a bit grittier than my normal cozies.
February 13, 2025
2.5 stars
I hadn’t read the first in the series so was a little at sea about how everything connected. It was explained, in its entirety, at the end, but only in dribs and drabs throughout the book.
It was intriguing enough for me to keep listening.
I hadn’t read the first in the series so was a little at sea about how everything connected. It was explained, in its entirety, at the end, but only in dribs and drabs throughout the book.
It was intriguing enough for me to keep listening.
August 13, 2025
This is a new author for me and I was very pleased. A fast moving detective story with enough twists to keep it interesting. Some of the fight/escape scenes were a little over the top but still an enjoyable read.
January 22, 2019
Rachel Carver’s last case did not end well and she resigned from the NC
SBI . Now her past has come back to haunt her and leads to a murderous
trail with revenge and secrets that she must uncover in order to solve
The two cases that are tied together. It is a fast paced story with a lot
Of suspense and action.
This is a writer that I have not read before and I enjoyed this murder mystery,
the plot and characters. Rachel is a strong female sleuth and a complex
heroine. I look forward to the next book.
SBI . Now her past has come back to haunt her and leads to a murderous
trail with revenge and secrets that she must uncover in order to solve
The two cases that are tied together. It is a fast paced story with a lot
Of suspense and action.
This is a writer that I have not read before and I enjoyed this murder mystery,
the plot and characters. Rachel is a strong female sleuth and a complex
heroine. I look forward to the next book.
April 13, 2019
Relatively diverting but middle of the road mystery...
June 27, 2019
A great conclusion of events in the first book. Fast paced and exciting the closer you get into it. Now to wonder what Rachael Carver will get herself into next.
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