Mailboat II: The Silver Helm

Mailboat Suspense Series #2

by Danielle Lincoln Hanna

Bailey Johnson’s sixteenth summer isn’t going well. Three murders in one week is overkill—especially when she’s the one who keeps finding the bodies. She just wants to be a normal teen with a fun summer job: mail jumping on the Lake Geneva Mailboat. But Detective Monica Steele and Officer Ryan Brandt are catching glimpses of a far bigger plot than anyone realized. A shadow is growing over the idyllic summer town, and the killings are far from over. Now Bailey stands on the verge of losing the one person she thought she could always lean on.

188 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2018

About the author

Danielle Lincoln Hanna is the author of the Mailboat Suspense Series, set in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. While she now lives in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, her first love is still the Great Plains of North Dakota where she was born. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking with her boyfriend Charles, adventuring with her puppy Angel, and avoiding surprise attacks from her cat Fergus.

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series! Never a dull moment. Keeps you wondering what is going to happen next.
Looking forward to book #3.

[CHM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Must be read in order and this 2nd book barely hitting the 3. Frustrated with lack of progress in resolving the main issue, which for me is Bailey's living situation, so we see forward motion on a healthy relationship with someone. The system for foster children is sad and in desperate need of overhauling.
At this point we've just added more baggage and another twisted mind.

[Erin O'Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, cannot wait for the next book. The writing is a bit choppy, like waters of Lake Geneva, where series takes place, but the plot is good. Kept my interest and wanting more.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, on the one hand, I am atleast glad I have #3 on hand since once again trhis book just ends without coming to a conclusion. Again, we know who is responsible for the attempted murder, but that was never really a mystery anyhow. I'm not even sure there was that much "suspense". But then again, I do like the way this author writes, bringing in different perspectives. And I do like the main characters. I wonder if this had just been a 400 page book (assuming things could wrapped up in that amount of space--) I would have read it. I don't know. But right now I feel a bit ripped off, knowing that even when I finish the next book there is still another in the series.... (And on top of that the 4th book, although promised for 2020 is still not available). HUH.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a series and if you haven’t read book one you will be missing details and the information below will spoil that reading.

16 year old Bailey has known loss since she was young. First, she was removed from her mother Kalli, a drug addict, who died in prison. Then she is placed in foster care and moved from family to family until finally she is placed with Wade a single ma who grooms Bailey for his pleasure.
One evening, against his better judgment, Jason Thomlin walks into Wade’s bar and has a nice conversation with Bailey. When he leaves behind a $100 dollar tip she follows him to the parking lot and witnesses 2 man push him into their car and then drive off. For some reason she feels compelled to follow and ends up witnessing The murder of Jason and Charles Hunt. Before he dies, Jason gives Bailey the only piece of jewelry she has ever one’d and makes her promise to keep it. Little does she know that ball chain and wheel hold secrets to her family ties.

[Elsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many reviews have this four or five stars, but had the same complaints that I have. Huh. Maybe I just expect too much. The first book was good- mystery, suspense, action, and likable enough characters (even if some of them seem a little flat). But this second book dragged, the characters didn’t seem to even remember how they’re supposed to behave and dear lord whyyyy do we suddenly have the perspective of a future Timothy McVeigh? I skipped over most of his chapters because I was not interested in being inside his head at all. No resolution for Bailey or Tommy or anyone by the end of this book. I’m not even bothering with book three.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author explores the characters a bit more in this book. The reader learns more about their internal struggles after the events that went down in the first book. We feel for Tommy (I cried for him) and the others in his circle that care for him and those that don't. Hannah gets us inside Ryan's head and the decisions that he made which has put him on the path he's wondering on. A minor character gets more page time and builds onto the suspense in the series. I finished this book in one sitting and immediately ordered the next one!

[Sue Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story starts where the first cliff hanger lefts us. Bailey still loves the mailboat but her relationship with the captain is changing. He has a secret that he is hiding from her. Captain Tommy is in conflict about his past choices and what to tell Bailey.

Bailey's foster situation has not improved but she wants to stay in Lake Geneva and work on the mailboat. Action and suspense and another cliff hanger.

I will have to get book number 3.

[Michele Beeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incomplete

I love the characters and the story but these books do not stand alone. It is like tv show. Nothing is resolved at the end of the book, you are just left with a cliffhanger to make you read the next. I gave the first book the benefit of the doubt but this one had no conflict or crisis of its own, it is just filler to lead to the next book. Very disappointed.

[Nancy Sturm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out similar to the first one being a little to wordy and over descriptive. Once it got going I was really enjoying it until the end. Again she left us hanging so you had to read the next book for a conclusion. Some parts were also a little to drawn out as well. Not a book you could read as a stand a lone for a book club or just because. On to Book 3.

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced story with lots going on but not sure it moves the story along with lots of repetition of same plot theme as each chapter adds their own part to each story plot. ended just like the first, girl finds dying victim on boat so no resolution just jeep reading next book to see if it gets you anywhere else. not sure i'll continue if next one is the same, never ending story??

[Suzanne Steevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second In the series - done. Good little short thing I can easily carry around with me and get right back into with short little chapters. Suspense at the end was another heart pounding cliff hanger! Ready to read number 3 or at least start it so I sleep tonight!

[Dave Vanderberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are not stand alone books and really need to be read in order. A bit frustrating in that little is resolved in each of the first two books

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Continuing trilogy of the Mailboat book series. Fun read for someone familiar with Lake Geneva, WI.

[Jennifer heacox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series. I can’t wait to read book 3 to see what happens to Tommy.

[Amy]

Enjoyed the book, ending left us hanging again.....looking forward to the next book.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again the author does not finish the story

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues after a cliff hanger in the first book. A good thriller and once again ends with a huge cliffhanger to get you on to book 3. Quick page turning read.

[Anita Reisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next cliffhanger

I dont like the cliff hangers. That's a sneaky trick to get you to buy her next book. It worked.

[Susan Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues the story immediately from the end of the first book. Author did her research on this quaint community and that of trauma. Well written and am starting the third immediately.

[Jaime Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good storyline.

[Malena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Now I need to get #3.

[Sherry Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How dare it end like that! Such cliffhanger. Can’t wait to get my hands on the next book

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this series, Mailboat Suspense, is accurate. It is quite suspenseful with short chapters told from multiple points of view. The action moves quickly, and the story is intriguing. I'm looking forward to Book 3.

[Shae Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anxiously awaiting the 3rd installment... which doesn't come out until December 2019. :(

[Ziming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but pacing feels slow. Does a beach read ever need to be in 3 parts? Each one barely 300 pages? No gratification...not sure I’ll keep reading even though I enjoyed book one....