Forest Park

Logan McKenna #2

by Valerie Davisson

There’s a killer on the loose in Portland and no one is safe. Blocked at every turn, newly widowed Logan McKenna must uncover the truth before more innocent lives are lost.

It’s been two years since the fatal car accident that changed Logan’s life forever. She’s recovered most of her health, forged a new career, and even ventured into a new relationship. Combining business and hopefully pleasure, she’s enjoying a much-deserved trip to Portland, OR. When a violent explosion destroys a Vietnamese food truck just steps away from Logan’s downtown hotel, she is horrified to realize she not only knows the owner, but the elderly woman who was trapped inside and died in the blaze.

The police suspect all the wrong people, including Logan’s new friend, Thanh, the owner of the food truck, and a Vietnam vet just getting his life back together. Accident, arson, or murder? What was the motive? And who was the intended victim?

While peeling back layers of secrets and lies to bring long-buried truths to light, Logan's personal life suffers an explosion of its own, threatening to derail her new and still fragile relationship.

With no authority or access to the police investigation, Logan must decide who to trust, while racing to find the real killer before more innocent lives are destroyed.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Fiction

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2015

About the author

A book addict from way back, I cut my teeth on fairy tales and C.S. Lewis, skipping class to hang out in the library. Later, I moved on to Tolkein and Twain. During graduate school, I only had time to read Anthropology books, so it wasn't until later I got hooked on Mysteries and Thrillers. Michael Conneally's Bosch, Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone, C.J. Box, J.A. Jance's Sheriff Brady, and Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon. I don't know about you, but I burned through those books as fast as I could discover a new series. Still do!

But it wasn't until I had a serious back injury that I realized how important well-written stories were to me. I could get lost in a good book. They kept my mind off of things over which I had not control. And even though they were pure fiction, the ones with strong, female protagonists inspired me to overcome my own hurdles in life. I realized I not only enjoyed reading them, but I wanted to write books like that.

Somewhere during that time, the character of Logan McKenna began to take shape, eventually turning into my first book of the Logan series, SHATTERED. With 8 books and a novella prequel in the series so far, I am grateful readers have enjoyed getting to know Logan and friends and keep buying the books, allowing me to do what I love. I am rarely happier than when I am at my keyboard, headphones clamped on my head, listening to ocean waves crashing on rocks (my go-to white noise), allowing the story to flow out of my fingertips.

I also love to hear from readers. It may take a while due to my research and writing schedule, but I will answer!

My husband and I live in our dream forest cottage on the Oregon coast with our dog, Finn. We have six children and numerous grandchildren, grand dogs and a few grand cats. When I'm not at the computer, I'm usually out walking Finn or in the kitchen trying new recipes.

Reviews

[Indy Quillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by this author and I have to say that neither of them read like a mystery, or thriller/suspense to me. I would say they are closer to women's fiction. The author did a great job of presenting sensitive topics in a way that showed different points of view and allowed the reader to make their own decisions. Although it was obvious the author is passionate about these topics she did not lecture the reader. I liked that. I still don't care for the amount of exposition in the story. And in this book the author also had a lot of POV shifts (hopping in and out of different character's thoughts) within the same scenes (without a scene break) and sometimes within the same paragraph. Although I found it distracting I was always able to figure out who's point of view the author wanted me to see. That said, I'm still giving the author 5-stars for the story as the points I've mentioned are from my own personal preferences (as a writer) for writing style and some readers would have no problem with them and would enjoy the read. As with the first book I liked how the author handled the romantic elements in the book.

[Moriah Venable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest Park is a second novel in the Logan McKenna series by Valerie Davisson. This is my second novel by this author.

Just like the first book, I was hooked. The POV’s change so we see scenes from different perspectives. I usually don’t like that but the way it was written I didn’t mind.

Logan has issues with his personal life and mystery when someone is killed outside his hotel room.

No one knows who to trust.

This novel had a different tone than the first one. Probably because of some of the topics that were discussed but I still enjoyed reading it.

I look forward to reading the next one.

[Audiothing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible Audiobook Edition
Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04-21-16
Publisher: Hauser Publishing
4 STARS

This is the second book in the Logan series. Logan McKenna is well on the way to getting her life
back together after a traumatic series of events had left her beaten down. Her husband had died and
Logan had also lost her job. Now, she has a new home that she is renovating and is tentatively committing to a new relationship.

Review
There are at least two parallel main storylines along with some flashbacks to when a family managed to escape their war torn home in Vietnam to live in America. Now, in present times, they have a successful food business but their mentor has died, his business has been taken over by his more ruthless family.

Logan has been travelling, researching school curriculums and cutting edge teaching methods; at a forward thinking school she meets educators and staff, one of whom is linked to the family who run a food van that Logan had come across.
Before returning home, Logan is booked into an hotel for the weekend, she is expecting her new man to join her, this is to be the first time they spend the night together. For Logan, this is a huge deal and when he postpones his arrival she is very upset.

Her attention is soon diverted by a nearby explosion, the food van. The body of a woman is found ....
Because she had bought food from the van and, had also met a relative of the dead woman, Logan feels some sort of connection to the family and so she determines to help them untangle the many threads of this mystery. She becomes more deeply involved than she could ever have imagined.

Despite (in my opinion) a slow and slightly confusing start I thought this was an interesting listen, the cultural and social comment served to make it a little bit different. I must admit to finding Logan a tad dull, she isn't much of a one for witty repartee. I would have liked her to have had a more memorable character.

Narrated by Leonor A. Woodworth who is new to me. I thought she carried the story along well, she kept me interested and engaged.
I'm not too familiar with the specifics of the accents that Leonor had to cope with but they sounded pretty good to me. She also does a pretty convincing "chilling" and "threatening" voice too - male and female. I hope Leonor continues to narrate this series.

Audiobook provided by the producer, author or narrator in return for an unbiased review

[Tiasdolls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first introduction to Logan McKenna. Forest Park is book 2 of the Logan McKenna series. I was hooked from page 1 and this was just the prologue. Ms. Davisson knows how to draw the reader in and experience the culture surrounding Logan as she works to find her place in her community. Logan doesn't have all the answers, but she's all in when it comes to experiencing life, love and happiness. Ms. Davisson creates authentic characters. I experienced anger, laughter, sadness,...and so much more. I need to read book 1 before Ms. Davisson releases another Logan McKenna adventure. There's gotta be more!

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forest Park is the second book in Valerie Davisson’s Logan McKenna series. I read the first book and I was sort of on the fence about it. When I finished the first book I said to myself that I am open to giving Logan another try and maybe it was my expectations that got the best of me so I did what I had told myself to do and picked up the second book of the series.
The opening scene in Vietnam in 1975 piqued my interest. I have always felt drawn to the stories that have something to do with Vietnam war so I was thinking to myself “interesting, let’s see what it has to do with Portland, Oregon in the present time”… Next we jump into the Valentine’s Day of 2014 and Logan is ready to take her relationship of six months to another level but Ben never makes it … as she is already in Portland then she gets a meal from the Vietnamese food truck and checks into the hotel … next there is an explosion and the old Vietnamese woman who she bought her meal from is no longer alive … Logan feels that she needs to get involved to find out what happened …
So this is sort of the baseline for the story and it could have been pretty good … the only thing is that there were way too many point of views that the writer jumped among and at some point I had to ask myself who was xxx and where does that person come in … the other thing that really messed with me was Logan’s obsession with her weight … ok, I get it is so important here in the US for some reason but it just felt at time way over the top, even the cats weight was something that was written the way that it caught my eye …
I mean the murder gets solved, not really with Logan’s help and the way …. Well … there are some great relationships and moments that took me where I expect great books to take me and that is the reason I do give the story 3 stars and feel that one could take a chance and read the story, just take your time and modify your expectations and you will experience some great moments!

[Angela Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forest Park: Logan Book 2 is the second book in this series which follows the life of Logan Mckenna's life through her job as a school teacher and a part time sleuth.

The story is full of mystery and drama with Logan waiting for her new boyfriend to arrive at the hotel they have booked for their first interment moment but when she receives the phone call that he has to postpone the trip she carries on and books into the hotel room. Upon the day she meets a food truck owner and someone from there family while talking to them she strikes up a bond of sorts.

Back in her room she hears a boom and finds out that the truck has been blown up and they women who she met has been murdered. With her new found friendship she decides to investigate the murder which uncovers things from the past which the family wants keeped hidden.

This is the second book by this author I have read and the second book in this series, I enjoy the topics which have been chosen to be explored but the multiply POV's sometimes gets a bit messy within chapters and sometimes within the same paragraphs which can get a little confusing and somehow dilutes the story. Within the story I don't fully get the character of Logan at times I am rooting for her one minute but other times she gets a little annoying.

The story as I said itself is intriguing and draws you into the thriller and mystery aspect of the book, the story is well written and flows well. I am looking forward to reading the next book and see if Logan can get her lovelife back on track and what next adventure she can delve into.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in Davisson’s ‘The Logan McKenna Series’ and widowed Logan McKenna returns investigating another crime to help out friends. It can be read as a standalone story although if read in order the reader has more of an understanding of Logan’s backstory. This is an exciting story which has a fast paced storyline and I was hooked from the start. Logan is staying at a hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon when a violent explosion rocks the town and results in a women’s death. The incident has links to the last days during the Vietnam War and the choices made at that time, now those that ‘cheated death’ during the war are under threat. When Logan realises that the police are investigating the wrong suspects she undertakes her own investigations especially as two of her friends are on the polices suspect list. A homeless vet is also under suspicion and Logan has to uncover the truth amongst the secrets and lies to discover if any of them are innocent. Meanwhile Logan experiences an explosion of her own in regards to her personal life. No Spoilers, as I recommend you loose your self in this book. I felt totally immersed in the the story and enjoyed being back investigating with Logan, who is an independent and loyal heroine of the series. Logan McKenna is a very likeable and relatable character who holds the storyline together well. I found this to be a page turner of a novel, a real crime, thriller, murder mystery, and one which had me hooked from page one until the very last page.

[Leianne Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to do this review a little different from how I reviewed the first book and just submit my (edited) notes written as I read. That way I can remain clear of where I was, what I liked and where the book went wrong.
NOTE: I received this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

0% - We open in Vietnam, during the war. Then, in a flash, we are back to Logan in sunny California nearly forty years later. Logan has been busy since we last saw her in Shattered. Six months into a relationship with her neighbor and running a new program at the school she first taught at, it seems life has gotten better. Though we can't go without mentioning the adulterous dead husband in the first paragraph. At this point I've changed my mind about Logan. I do not like her one bit. Her uncertain character development was fine in the first book but by now she should have some substance. Instead I find it more interesting to read about the Vietnamese characters who are clearly the bullies, except when they are the victims. They aren't exactly well written but they do have more meat to their personalities than our two dimensional protagonist.
7% - Something that irked me and went unmentioned in my last review is the author’s obsession with her protagonist’s weight. Every time she eats Logan remarks that she needs to diet or how grateful she is for a workout after. In today's world when all females are so focused on their looks it would have been smarter for Davisson to just avoid mention of food.

10% - Once again we are masters of time. As I mentioned we open in 1975 and jump to 2014. Hanging out in 2014 we are hopping from the start of February to the end of it. Let confusion commence - again. Also, her two week old kitten has gained around 20 pounds in six months. As someone who owns a fat cat, that's no easy feat! Davisson then informs us that "yes a cat can weigh that much" as if we are all idiots who have never seen cat videos on YouTube. Another example is when we flop to 2006 and the character of Mrs. Nguyen is talking about her son. Though he came to America with her from Vietnam in 1975, Thirty years have passed. He was 8 at the time of immigration, making him pushing 40. He is married to a woman I assume is near his age and she now states she wants grandchildren. They have been married at least nine years so why are there no children yet? Ok, you can argue that some people wait a really long time. However, Mrs. Nguyen states they have not embraced American ways so there should be at least one child by now.

Somewhere around 12% - A scene involving Logan playing the violin gives us more back story on our protagonist. It seems her family was ashamed if being part Appalachian but somehow had a magnificent violin that had been passed down for generations. Though she has no idea how the violin came to be in her family, Davisson fills in the blanks with a fully italicized story right smack in the middle of Logan playing Mozart (why do all new authors chose Mozart? Is it because they think us readers are too uncivilized to know anyone else or is it that they don't know anyone else?)
All over - Book two is filled with more easily forgotten characters. More than the story needs to survive and that are partially responsible for my inability to connect with the overall story. Somewhere around the 30% mark I completely lost track of who was who and had to wing it. The conversation with myself was more believable than the books dialogue:

"Fuck, who's Joe"
"The Asian dude's kid, right?
"how the hell do I know?"
"I think he's the gardener..."

Somewhere about 30% in - For a woman who has yet to have sex with her boyfriend if six months and blew off Valentine's Day, Logan sure dies think about him a lot. She also goes back and forth from the above mentioned food shaming to "damn I look gooooood".
Needless to say, Forest Park is filled with scenes like the above, leaving the reader restless and eager for the end.

I am now 50% through and have no idea what Forest Park or a park called Forest has to do with a single thing. But then I also have no idea where the first books title of Shattered came from either. No one was shattered, there was no shattering. Likewise there are no forest parks.
In case you didn't feel bad for Mrs. Nguyen, she is lamenting about her dead son for the fifth or sixth time. Mind you I am still at the low end of 60%. I get it's sad she lost her kid but do we really need to hear how he died... Again?

70% in and there is finally mention of Forest Park. Apparently it is some kind of base camp.
76% through and I have decided to stop reporting until the end. There are just too many inconsistencies and continuity issues and this review will already be long enough. I'm hoping the remaining 25% will go by quickly and less painfully than this first.

Ok. The ending was... I don't even have words. The antagonist was caught due to his associate having a scorned girlfriend. However, he was only found guilty in one area until said associate just decided to dump out the rest. Why a criminal, who knows what prison means, would cop to a minor crime on top of a major one when the cops had no WA of tying them together is absolutely beyond me. But that's what he did anyway. Then some other random characters did some other random stuff, diamonds, Thai food and we finally get back to concluding Logan's part if the story.
To be completely honest, I don’t see where she played a part in all this at all other than having casually met some of the victims. Her part was unnecessary and the story would have flowed much better if it didn't have her in it at all. But for the sake of selling a series I suppose it made a difference.

I also didn't take kindly to the note that a self-employed character would have crap health Insurance with high deductibles. As a solopreneur I happen to have excellent health care benefits, thank you very much. Not to mention, one of the major focuses on the story being discovered should have negated a statement like that in the first place.

Overall I would probably not recommend this book or the series as a hole. The content is too much for chapter book readers but the language, dialogue and development is far below that of a YA. And an adult can forget it. It was all I could do to finish the book, review it and put it behind me.

[Tara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest Park is the second book in The Logan McKenna Mystery series. It is a crime thriller full of action, suspense, murder, mystery, intrigue, drama, lies, and secrets. Life for Logan McKenna is looking better, and things seem to be on track. After the rough road she experienced and all of the loss she is happy, healthy, and in a good relationship. Life seems to be coasting along until everything changes in the blink of an eye and throws her world into chaos once again. As Logan awaits the arrival of her boyfriend at their hotel room, she hears a loud boom coming from outside. When she ventures out to discover the source of the sound, she discovers an explosion occurred at the Vietnamese food truck she had been at a short time before. Logan is horrified to discover that the woman killed in the explosion was someone that she had formed a bond with. The police have suspects, two of which are her friends, but Logan feels that they are not the real killer and is determined to find the real culprits. She feels obligated to try to solve what happened and starts digging for clues only to discover there are long-buried secrets that are better left alone. Logan is a character that I really like, and I enjoy reading her adventures, She is smart, tenacious, determined, strong, courageous and does not back down when things become difficult. This adventure led to highs and lows, chaos, confusion, sadness, betrayal, hurt, loss, and hope. I look forward to reading book three.

[Heidi Sturgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the first book in the series I was rather eager to start the next book and I think this my very well be the case for each book ! I get so excited when a book grabs me from the very first moment and it’s even more of a treat when I know it’s a series and there’s more to follow it almost feels like a never needing gift 🤣😉❣️📚


We left Logan at the end of the last book exploring a new relationship and it was good to see how that was developing and there were some tense moments as well , after everything that she’s been through I think a break is in order and she heads to Portland …

While in Portland there’s an explosion at a Vietnamese food truck , Logan knew the the old lady that perished in the explosion and the people who owned the truck and my heart hurt for these people , they’re trying to make a living and survive and then this happens and just to put the cherry on top the police suspect the truck owner 🥲🙈

What I did appreciate and want to commend the author for is how she broached subjects that many see as taboo but she looked at these topics from all angles and different perspectives which in turn made me see things in a different light 🙏

Also fair warning eat before you read this otherwise you’ll be left drooling and craving 🤣🙈

All in all a brilliant read that tick all my boxes 😉

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie has done it again!! Another gripping mystery thriller. Now you don't HAVE to read the others in the series, in fact I read the 8th book before an of the others. The author is wonderful at sneaking in previous information to keep you caught up. BUT let me tell you that if you don't read the other books in the series you are MISSING OUT!!!! I have loved them all so far and you will too. In this book Logan is visiting Portland, a small vacation with her new boyfriend and to do a little recon on a school and it's program that lines up with her own new career. She's loving the city, the sights, and of course all the wonderful food! But then a horrible explosion destroys a food truck near her hotel and she knows the owner who was killed in the blaze. Of course Logan's new friend and a Vietnam vet are the top suspects, but she knows better. Not knowing if it was an accident or done on purpose, Logan starts digging into the mystery. Without knowing who to trust she dives in to intestate all while trying to deal with her own personal life, which is also having some issues of it's own. Secrets and lies unravel and while bringing everything to the surface her own life is once again in the cross fire of the real killer. I'm not going to give anything away, but boy oh boy does this story get good!! I love a great mystery!!

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series)
By Valerie Davisson
5 out of 5 stars

I loved reading the book Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series) by Valerie Davisson. It is a story that includes mystery and suspense. It is a book that pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the final page. This is the second Logan McKenna book that I have read, and it is just as amazing as the first one. Logan is a woman who is intelligent, independent, strong, and kind. She finds herself in Portland, Oregon where she meets new friends and is across the street when an explosion occurs. She is determined to help. Read this book to find out the full story. This story had me trying to guess what was going to happen next. The book is written with such detail about the people and places where Logan goes to and meets. I felt like I was right there with her. The story has many additional characters that I enjoyed reading about the part that they play in the book. The author does a wonderful job of making the characters come alive. Don’t miss out on an entertaining and unforgettable read. I highly recommend reading it.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forest Park is the second book in the Logan McKenna Series. We start off in Vietnam during the war and are left with a bit of mystery as to how this will lead us to the modern-day USA. Logan makes her way to Portland to visit her friend's new school and to have a weekend getaway with Ben. She falls in love with a Vietnamese food truck while in downtown Portland. During one of her many visits, there is an explosion that kills one of the workers. Logan's friends are now on the police suspect list. Realizing the police are headed in the wrong direction, Logan decides to start her own investigation.

This story did grab my attention in the prologue. I was really excited about how it would connect to present-day California and Logan's life. The book switches from past, present dates very often which makes keeping the timeline difficult. There are a lot of POVs and the character switch was not indicated at the beginning of the chapters. It was a little confusing trying to figure out who was who and remember their storyline.
The story is good, but my personal preference was I wished it was laid out a little differently.

[Brandy Jo Rymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan McKenna is at it again, in this thrilling new adventure in Forest Park, Book 2 of The Logan McKenna Series. This poor woman is just getting her life back together, two years after the tragic accident that claimed her husband's life. She's moved on to a new job, a new relationship in the making, and is even taking time to vacation in Portland, Oregon. This poor woman must face tragedy once again as a murder takes place while on her vacation. Will Logan be able to clear the name of her new friend, and make it out of this alive, or is the killer after her once again? There are so many pieces to put together to solve this ongoing mystery while enjoying the thrill of the chase to beat the clock. What an amazing read this was, Valerie Davisson just keeps outdoing herself as this series progresses, and so does the intensity of the cases Logan is in dire need of solving. I am officially hooked on this series and am so excited to continue solving these murder mysteries along with our heroine. Will Logan ever get a break, and get to enjoy life, or is she doomed to continuously be put into life-threatening situations?
@Brandy Rymer
10/2023

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place about 6 months after the end of Shattered: Logan Book 1. Logan is still trying to wrap her brain around the events of the last 6 months, as well as prepare for the upcoming school year. Before school starts though, Logan takes a trip to Portland. While there, her favorite food truck is attacked and a murder takes place. There are a few suspects, all of whom Logan feels are innocent and she'll do what she can to clear their names.

This book has a lot of repetition throughout, which I found a little annoying. Because of that, there are parts of this book that drag along. However, if this is the first book that's been picked up in this series, the reader should be ok as their is enough background given (sometimes repetitively) that no losses will take place. This book was also classified as a thriller. I would say more of a crime-mystery but I wouldn't go so far as to say thriller. It was an enjoyable read and I'll continue on with this series.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series) by Valerie Davisson. I loved this book. Its my favorite genre and it was a page turner. This is the 2nd Logan McKenna story and I really enjoyed both of them. This story is about Logan McKenna who is a strong, independent smart woman. Logan is in Portland Oregon and is supposed to meet her boyfriend but he calls and cancels on her at the last minute. She checks into her hotel and goes out to find some food. While at the food truck she strikes up a fast friendship with the owners. As she gets back to her hotel room she hears a loud boom and when she goes to check it out she finds her new friends food truck blown up and one of the friends she made murdered. That leaves the other women as suspects. The police come in and are questioning all the wrong people and while Logan is trying to figure the murder out her own personal life blows up! Will Logan find out who the murderer is and why they murdered her new friend. Read Forest Park to find out! Its a fast paced page turner that you will not regret reading!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forest Park is book two in the Logan McKenna Mystery series. Logan McKenna is back and this time we see things from different perspectives and thoughts of different characters. there was not much transition from one character's thoughts to another, but I was able to easily follow who it is we are are meant to be in the head of. I enjoyed that sensitive topics were handled well and not shoved into the reader's faces, and was not presented in a way to come across as lecturing. While this is a continuation from book one (about 6 months after the last book), I think this could easily be read as a standalone. Their are two stories happening in Forest Park. One is dealing with a Vietnamese food truck that was bombed and the other is a homeless veteran with PTSD and it somehow works that both storylines come together smoothly. I wouldnt really say this was much of a mystery, and more of a thriller, but I still enjoyed the story and the way it was presented and I do think the writing, overall, is well done.

[Mandy Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery # 2 (The Logan McKenna Series) by Valerie Davisson

Valerie has really outdone herself with the second book in the Logan McKenna Mystery Series. She has Logan at it once again with her own little solvable problems.I enjoyed the heck out of this book!

Logan, self proclaimed hero, is going to Portland to see a friend. There happens to be another crime she can try solving. She's good at helping and sticking with her gut.

Has she finally moved on from her husband's death? And his betrayal? Will she finally open up to Ben? The quote I choose for Logan is: “I want to make learning fun for kids, but more than that, I want to prepare them for the world they will inherit, which, as we know, is in so many ways a mess. I want to give them the tools to create a better world— to maybe fix some of the mistakes we made.”

I really enjoyed this book and I think anyone who is up for a good crime and romance will enjoy this.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery by Valerie Davisson is the second book in the Logan McKenna series. This book was such a well written book that I cannot imagine anyone not being hooked! In this book the author has chosen to tackle some pretty sensitive topics and yet she does it with such ease and sympathy that it never feels too jarring.
The characters in the story were all so interesting, and I liked how it felt as if the author treated them all with the respect they seemed to deserve. I was a little intrigued by nearly all of them and thought they really combined together well.
The story itself was also really interesting. I liked the dual storyline that wove through the book, it added an extra depth to an already great book. I really enjoyed the first book but I have to say this one is definitely already my favourite of this series! I am looking forward to what else might be next.

[Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Logan McKenna Series has been a great adventure. I hate to admit this but ai started reading these books around book four or five and then read books one through three. All have been great and all can be read individually without needing to read any of the others. I do however highly suggest reading all of them because you will fall in love with the characters. This is book two of this series and we see Logan dipping her toes back into the dating scene having started a new relationship. On a trip to Portland, Oregon she makes a new friend in Than, a Vietnamese vet trying to get back on his feet and owner of a food truck. When an explosion destroys Than's truck, he is one if the main suspects. Logan is determined to help get him cleared as a suspect and find the true culprit. Not knowing anyone on the force in Portland and not having her normal access to any evidence she is on her own. Who can she trust? Will she be able to find this guy before he strikes again?

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest Park
By: Valerie Davisson

This was a fantastic book. This is the second book by Valerie Davisson that I have read as well as the second Logan McKenna book I have read. Each one has been absolutely fantastic. It contains fantastic thriller and mystery elements as well as elements of Women’s Fiction. Valerie Davisson crafts fantastic novels that read quickly and contain a fantastic amount of character development. This book looks ast two stories that surround a mysterious explosion. The first plot line looks at a the Vietnamese family who’s food truck was involved in the explosion. The second looks at a Vietnam vet who is struggling deeply with PTSD. Additionally we have Logan who is involved after witnessing this explosion. This book is absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to continue reading this series. I enjoy Logan McKenna as a protagonist and am loving her development from book to book thus far.

[Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another win in the universe of Logan McKenna - at least in the wonderfully told story. It's been 2 years since Logan was made a widow and learned of exactly how her life with her husband really was. She has been rebuilding her life step by step, and even is feeling out a very new relationship. Logan decides to treat herself with a trip to Portland, OR and is having a wonderful time - until an explosion rocks a food truck near her hotel, and she finds she knows people involved and a woman who died in the fire. Logan is worried as no one is giving her new friend, the owner of the food truck, a fair opportunity to have the case solved. The cops are refusing any conversation, assuming things instead of investigating, and Logan has to help. Another case of Logan and her incredible attention to detail, Davisson's effortless streamlining one string of a storyline with the others and teaching you things without bias in a pretty incredible way.

[Kirsten Berkebile · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #2. I unfortunately read the series out of order. I really wished I hadn’t but it is what it is. Logan McKenna is visiting Portland for work. She meets several people and of course someone dies, however there is another whole story going on during this one. I kinda of got lost within the stories. I was trying to figure out how they connected and how the title was incorporated into the story. I eventually did understand why the other story was going on and how it connects with the mystery of who killed the victim. What I don’t understand is why Ben’s story hasn’t been told and what her relationship with him has to do with the troubles she finds herself in by being nosy. While I do have many questions, which may or may not be answered, I do know that I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. There are moments where I got lost and there are moments that are very sad but overall this was a good book. I still want to know more about Ben and his past for some reason.

[Beejai Bohls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and it is better than the first. I feel like this will be a common theme with these books. I was excited to see what adventure we would get in this book. I was not disappointed by any means. An explosion, what a way to create some drama and mystery. Then the author adds in another element of the Vet. It is like getting two stories in one but the way the author has merged them is flawless. It is amazing. This book grips you from the start. It is written so well that you actually connect with the main character. She is amazing and I am not sure anyone can resist liking her. This book has it all the mystery, the multiple points of view, excitement, and has you turning pages as fast as you can. This series just flies off the pages and I can't wait to see what happens next. That said there is amazing character growth from book one to book two. I love seeing characters evolve.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series) by Valerie Davisson is a Muder/Mystery story. I found it to be a little distracting as the story jumps back and forwards in time but also the narrative changes with different POV’s, which I love, but they are not clearly defined. There are a lot of different characters and it is hard to keep track of them all and I am not sure they all need to be part of the story. I also found it hard to connect with them. As with the first book the plot is intriguing, but the mystery was a little lacking. I found myself rereading parts thus not making the story flow seamlessly for me. I really found it hard to finish the story, but I pushed through.

Just because it didn’t hit its mark with me does not mean you should not at least give it a go.

3 stars.

[Felicia Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forest Park, really, both books I have read of the Logan McKenna series so far have been the type of storyline you can't stop thinking about. You know the kind where you finished the dishes so now you feel you should reward yourself with a few more pages?
This series reminds me of one of my favorites from a well known writer. Strong, admirable lead female, fast paced and interesting from start to finish. 
One of the things I have come to like best about Valerie Davisson's writing style is not only the attention to detail but her ability to showcase more than one point of view in the story. While the book is meant to be a mystery, there are a lot of deeper scenarios than just a cat and mouse thriller. 
I am fairly new to this author and really look forward to reading more from her. Definitely a 4 star, recommended read from me. 

[Katie Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series) by Valerie Davisson. From page one I knew I was in for quite the adventure and I love every single minute I got to be lost in this story. It’s got everything I needed for a mystery story. I found myself on the edge of my seat more than once. Trying to balance wanting to read as fast as possible to see what happens next and wanting it to slow down a little because I wanted it to last longer. The characters are complex and relatable, they truly make this story worth every minute you maybe neglecting in the real world. It’s well written and paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking anything. I love books that can take me by surprise and this author does just that. Excited to see where the author takes readers next. Five stars all the way and highly recommended!

[Kristan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery by Valerie Davisson is book two in the Logan McKenna series. Logan is back at it again trying to figure out what has happened. While on vacation to Portland, an explosion at a food truck causes murders where she realizes she knows the deceased. Valerie definitely can explain her way around some food, I had to stop and eat! That said, the author is definitely incredibly descriptive with everything in the book, talk about movie in your head! There are a lot of different views and it jumps around a lot and I admit it took me a little bit to follow and catch who I was reading but I did eventually catch up. The story overall was good, Logan’s character definitely has a lot of depth and I like how it makes her feel real and likely relatable. Here’s to book three and hoping it’s just as good if not better!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Logan McKenna Series, Forest Park, delivers the same great characters along with some new and lovable faces. I love the introduction of so many unique, diverse characters and the way Valerie Davisson discusses sensitive topics such as homelessness, PTSD, and addiction. She delivers a harsh reality while not becoming overly sentimental or preachy. I did read the first book in the series and believe that, although having some of the back story helped navigate this book, the books could be read as standalone stories. This book seemed to flow a little better than the first and still included amazing world building and descriptive imagination! Davisson paints such a vivid picture in the reader’s mind of the setting in which the story takes place. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Lorralei Hoerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Murder, mystery, secrets, intrigue and drama....Forest Park is book 2 in The Logan McKenna Series. This was a very good story that kept me engaged at the edge of my seat, trying to figure who "who done it"... I am really enjoying this series so far.

Logan is enjoying new found interest and heads out of town to Portland Oregon to have some time away. With new found friendship develops.....an explosion happens and Logan finds out that the woman whom passed due to this accident, she knows the victim. Fingers are pointing in all directions that this is murder and all eyes are on Logan's new friend, Thanh. Will Logan be able to find out who was truly responsible for this act before it is to late...

This is a very good mystery and always looking forward to more of Logan McKenna!