Exposed

Twisted Cedar Mysteries #3

by C.J. Carmichael

When a young boy goes missing shortly after his father is arrested for murdering the boy’s mother, the residents of Twisted Cedars are in a panic. They would be even more fearful if they knew a serial murderer has secretly moved back to town. Local Sheriff Wade MacKay, and true crime writer Dougal Lachlan, finally realize that unless they pool their resources and work together, no one in town is going to be safe.

Read all the Twisted Cedar Mysteries:
Book 1: Buried
Book 2: Forgotten
Book 3: Exposed

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Contemporary Romance, Mystery Thriller, Romance

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2016

About the author

USA Today bestselling author C. J. Carmichael has written over 50 novels, including two mystery series, as well as romance and women’s fiction. Three of her novels have been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, including A Bramble House Christmas. A film version of A Bramble House Christmas premiered as a Hallmark Mystery movie in 2017.

Married, with two grown daughters and some adorable grandchildren, C. J. and her husband and their Welsh Springer Jazz divide their time between their home in Calgary, Alberta and the family cottage on Flathead Lake, Montana. C.J. enjoys giving workshops to aspiring authors--her talk on writing a Christmas story is a favorite.

Visit C.J.'s website at http://CJCarmichael.com

For information on C. J.’s new releases and giveaways please sign up for her newsletter.
https://cjcarmichael.com/contact/#sub...

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling conclusion to the trilogy. When Chester disappears after school one day, Dougal and Sheriff Wade have their hands full trying to find him. Could his disappearance be connected to the death of his mother, Daisy? Could it have something to do with the librarians that were killed all those years ago?

My only complaint about the series that the author constantly reminds the reader about what happened in the first and second installments. I've made it this far, guy, I don't need to be bashed over the head with the details of the first two books. As an avid mystery reader, I figured out the twists a little early. But the end still surprised me.

A quick and entertaining mystery series.

[Jossette · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed with the book. Does anyone know why Ed kills his grandchild and daughter? I'm still trying to figure it out. The second book "forgotten" is irrelevant because it's basically about a character that is killed by her father without a reason and never explained. We do finally get the story behind the librarians murders in this book. Oh and a two year old murdering his mom.... Really? Third book was a let down for me.

[Debra Salonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Ending

Very satisfying. I loved the series, the suspense and the way the author infused hope to offset all the tragedy and darkness. Well done!

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Messy and rushed. A disappointing ending to this mystery trilogy.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the last of the Twisted Cedar Mysteries everything is made clear-ish. The mystery turned soap opera continues. It seems that the main character, Dougal, is correct, he is just a chip off the old block. Just as there is no explanation of how Dougal could possibly become a successful writer with a trailer park upbringing and no formal education, there is also no explanation of how Dougal's father, Ed, could go from being a trailer park murderer ex-con to a multi-millionaire master of disguise and computer technology. Maybe he took correspondence courses in prison, in between planning the convoluted revenge on the mother who gave him up for adoption.
Book three starts out with one of Kyle's nine year old twins, Chester, going missing and Ed adds criminal mastermind to his ever growing resume. Because, yes, everyone eventually figures out that Ed, Dougal's ex-con father, has kidnapped Chester to use as leverage to get Dougal to write the story of his revenge on his mother. Why this makes sense is anyone's guess. Chester has no connection to Dougal other than the fact that Dougal is waffling about getting into a long term relationship with the kid's Aunt Charlotte, who has custody now that Chester's father is in prison. Dougal doesn't even really like kids. It would have made more sense for Ed to kidnap Joelle, Dougal's half-sister, and her kid to hold for ransom instead of killing them off in book two when Dougal didn't even know who they were. But whatever, this is, apparently, a pattern for Ed.
So, to avoid sleeping on the couch for the rest of his natural life, Dougal agrees under duress to finally write a book about the librarian murders, which he had promised to do at the end of book one. We finally figure out the tragic backstory of Ed and the how and convoluted why of the librarian murders, told through Ed's own words. During the course of book three the second storyline from book one, the death and burial of Kyle's first wife, also gets resolved with the revelation of a tangentially related twist.
Since this series is actually a romance and not just a mystery, there are some hints at maybe HEA for the main characters. It appears, in the final analysis, that Ed could conceivably be portrayed as a tragic figure with maybe a couple of redeeming qualities if you squint at the facts just right, which frees Dougal to finally decide to maybe commit to Charlotte. Wade is as clueless as ever regarding Jamie, who is in the midst of an annulment from Kyle. Hello, she's about to be available again, now would be the time to make your move. Luckily, he has a smart and savvy office manager who may save him from a life of romantic idiocy. Jamie is the big shocker. She apparently had a personality transplant somewhere between book two and book three and when Kyle is absolved of the murder of his first wife and released from prison, instead of going back to him and the children she adores, she plans to embark on a world tour. Ever heard of marriage counseling?

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

what a disappointment after book 2. and I hate loose ends! the trucker that picked up birdy, that was on a road he never took...why? how? He never addresses this, we never find out the events of that night, how did she get lured into the boat , did he kill the baby in the cottage or in the boat? how did she get away, was she in danger?what happened that night and the next day, how did she end up in this truck that never drove that route? obviously she escaped because he hunted her down and killed her. and that was his daughter. why the hatred, what was the motive. seems to me that he would have killed the sister before his daughter and granddaughter. Big loose end.

Wade was in love with Jaime. when he proposed to Charlotte she declined because she knew she was 2nd choice. but when jaime left kyle why wasnt he there to support and console her? there is just flat out no interest in her at all now! another loose end

We never found out why Kyle's mother left. kyle just gets out? no charges? doesnt have to pay Charlotte all the money he withdrew? Kyle went there to visit his mom once per month? little loose ends.

Nope this one was full of pages and pages of extra fluff, way too long on conversation and events, not suspenseful, no "didnt see that coming" moments, and if I can skip 4 to 6 pages and just read bits and move on it's not a good book...

[Michelle Boston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed with this series of books at all. Firstly, it could've been one good book. However the author decided to spin it to three by constant repetition of previous events from the preceding book. I thought it would be apparent that the reader would know the history because I don't consider that book 2 or 3 could be stand alone books. I believe the characters themselves would sigh as they return to events or recall for a reader, especially since they don't need the reminder. What a shame.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 I really enjoyed the first book in this series but didn't really enjoy the next two. Some of the scenarios presented in this book were just too far fetched and some were down right silly and not necessary. These few scenarios totally ruined the book for me. Without them, this could have been a great book.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books were "ok" .....felt like the author leaves a lot of questions unanswered.....I think this could have easily been one book and not three. Felt like the author added a lot of unnecessary info. just so the readers would have to buy another one of the books. I don't recommend.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dougal and Charlotte

When Charlotte's nephew goes missing on his way home from school, the whole town turns out to try and find him. There is no stone unturned but still no little boy.
Dougal has a bad feeling that his father the librarian murderer has taken him so that he has leverage on getting his book written by his son.
This is the last book in the trilogy and was a great ending with twists and turns until the end. Great books.

[Sheila Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough enjoyed this series, I didn't know reading the first one that you had to read all three to see the ending and who and why done it but enjoyed the first one enough to buy the other 3

[Lisa Shower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

I am so glad I took a chance on an author I had never read before. Twisted Cedars trilogy was a very good one.

[Roya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great conclusion and good twists. The straight forward writing and fast pacing made it easy to read and get sucked in.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series - good twists and turns.

[Melissa Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book, this trilogy actually will run readers through an entire course of emotion. I felt differently for each character. I am thoroughly impressed with the depth given each character and the way the stories and family ties wove through for a complete picture of a town affected by a shocking history. Ed was a true villain in the same vain as serial killers listed on the FBI most wanted list. His crimes, as detailed in his own words, were heinous, but well thought, plotted and carried out.

Without spoiling the ending for anyone, I will say that no trilogy has captivated me to the point to begging for a copy of a book that at the time was not yet released. I wanted to savor every word and at the same time couldn't wait to see the twists and turns this author took to get me to the end. Every tightly wrapped story line, every sharply written word was a delight for my eyes and though overcome by emotion, I finished this wonderful set of books with three total evenings of reading time and didn't skip a single word. As a reader, I delighted in meeting Dougal and Charlotte, felt both anger and pity for Kyle, and came to respect Jamie and Dougal for coming through the ordeal with Ed. The highlight character in the whole trilogy is Dougal. He is a hero readers will root for and his growth from the first book through to the last is believable in a way that few writers can achieve over the course of such complex stories.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters! Story kept me guessing!

This is the last book in this series and I loved all three books! Day reads if you have time. Hard to put down! Very suspenseful without being gross! A must for me. Awesome ending that surprised me. Good enough to read again! I loved this story!

[Deb Mcgehee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!!

I loved this series! The characters were real and down to earth. You could feel what they were feeling, it was like you were there. The books need to be read in order to understand what is happening in the town and with Dougal, Charolotte, Jamie and Wade. I wish there was another book in the series. Great series!!

[Annelies Kusters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This trilogy really should be just one book and not a trilogy. The three parts each are relatively short and the repetitions in each book are super-annoying. Apart from that, I found the story pretty enjoyable, even though the author's writing style was not my thing... (a bit too simple, as if he is writing for small children)

[Cowboys_Sweetheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great ending! I do hope for more from Twisted Cedars!!!

[Pat Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absolutely painful trying to get all three read.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, easily read conclusion to this mystery trilogy that didn’t go at all like I expected. Here we are, six weeks after the end of the last book. Dougal has put off writing his father’s story. So instead of going after his daughter and Dougal’s sister, Jamie, as had been foreshadowed the past two books, he abducts one of the Quinpool children. What?

Well, this creates an impetus to uncover the truth about Daisy’s death. But that truth has nothing to do with why Chester was kidnapped. In fact, it is never clear why Ed decided to target the child at all. We have to assume that Ed has learned that Dougal is involved with Chester’s guardian, but he never says so. Ed should also know that Dougal rarely allows himself to get too emotionally attached - he secretly lived as his neighbor in NYC under another identity for several months when Dougal was living with Beatrice at the start of the trilogy. How would Ed really know things were different this time? Honestly, it seemed a lazy way to tie the Quinpool mystery to the Lachlan mystery.

They also added in an affair by Daisy. It was intended to throw us briefly off the track of the kidnapper, but why? Really, this was the story of Dougal uncovering his father’s dark past and realizing it didn’t mean he was also born evil. Adding another potential suspect in Chester’s kidnapping seems completely unnecessary. And the reason why Daisy and Kyle were fighting that night is irrelevant. Now, a revelation that the children weren’t actually Kyle’s might have pushed the story in an interesting direction, but the author didn’t go there.

I was also disappointed that there were tons of hints about Stella and Amos but we never got the story there. We were also introduced to Liz, implicated as an accomplice. I wish she had been, because she ended up being another pointless character.

I didn’t hate this book. I liked Dougal and his character development and relationship with Charlotte. I liked Charlotte and the awful discoveries about her parents. Wade turned out to be my favorite character, though I’m not convinced Marnie is the best love interest for him. Jamie just ended up being annoying and one dimensional. And how could the author not give us a reaction from her at the end beyond a quick reunion with Kyle. So desperate to see good in her father, but we see no thoughts from her about his final act.

Anyway, overall it’s a 3* trilogy. An interesting idea with good characters. But the plot got lost along the way.

[Joyce · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only started reading this series because the first book was free and the next ones were just a dollar each. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a disappointing experience due to poor writing and a terrible ending.
Honestly, this trilogy could have easily been condensed into a single book. The second one adds virtually nothing to the story, it felt like filler, likely included just to sell more books.


Spoiler Alert!


Here are my main criticisms of the trilogy:
- The entire second book: the subplot involving Dougal’s half-sister was completely unnecessary. It didn’t contribute to the main narrative, nor did it provide a believable motive or meaningful development, other than reinforcing that Ed is a terrible person.

- Daisy’s murder was predictable and a bit unrealistic. The behavior of Kyle’s family, along with the way Chester's demeanor was repeatedly described, made it obvious he was guilty. What really bothered me was how a toddler could supposedly live with the trauma of killing his own mother without any psychological repercussions. It just didn't add up.

- It became irritating how Charlotte is repeatedly referred to as “the librarian” every time Dougal finds her “sexy.” It came across as a strange fixation, maybe even a fetish, on the author's part. The sex scenes between them were also awkward and unappealing.

- The incest/pedophilia subplot was confusing and poorly explained. Shirley was impregnated by her own father, Daisy and Charlotte’s grandfather. But it’s also implied that their father, Shirley’s brother John, was sexually interested in his daughters? So were both the grandfather and the father pedophiles? If so, it was never clearly addressed or developed in a meaningful way.

- The whole triangle involving Wade having feelings for Jamie, who in turn is connected to Kyle, served no real purpose. It felt shoehorned in. Charlotte could’ve had plenty of other reasons not to marry Wade. The fact that Wade’s “love” for Jamie wasn’t developed or mentioned later in the series, made the whole thing even more pointless.
At least, I’m at least glad Jamie didn’t take Kyle back.

As someone who reads a lot of true crime, the author skimmed over the entirely psychopathy, reducing it to clichés, like“Katie was the only person who ever saw any good in me. She was the kindest, most beautiful woman in the world. When she asked me to leave her, it killed me. I would have never hurt her. Or you. Or your sister.”

This superficial treatment of a complex topic made the story feel even more underdeveloped.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a compelling read in the 1st book. You get interested in the characters and the mystery but as the 1st book ends there are a lot of loose ends. I enjoyed the series less as I reached the 3rd book. Basically you have to buy the whole Twisted Cedars Trilogy to learn the entire story and the original 1st book "Buried" mystery isn't solved until the last book. This trilogy should have been published as one book. I'm getting really tired of paying $16.00 (trilogy) or more for substandard stories. The last books are always repetitive and slow. I'd love it if the authors that publish like this would put their story(s) in one book, develop the characters by giving each one their own identity instead of them all looking so flat that one "face & voice" blends into the other. The only character in this series worth reading about is Dougal but even he falls flat by book 3.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last of a trilogy and the best of the lot. The storyline is interesting enough and there is enough mystery and mayhem to go around. However, as I have mentioned in my reviews of the first two installments, one could do just as well to read this entry without investing in purchases of the first two books. She used exposition freely and often so that story points previously established are reiterated so the narrative flows. The characters are varied, good guys/bad guys not always clearly defined at first so the mystery continues until the end. I don't know that I will explore her other works, particularly her series, if the same approach is used regarding the final book containing the whole story.

[Mary Stenvall · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER!! SPOILER! This series was well written and very entertaining, from one character to the next. The mystery, the past, all of it, well written. However, in my own opinion, there was no need for the second book, it was a connector that wasn't needed. And as for Joelle? No need. Absolutely no need for a 10 month old baby to be drowned. We already knew the guy was a monster. And all of it was so he could tell the gruesome details of murdering the women? No. Graphic details only fuel other sick minds. No thanks. I did finish the series, because Cory and Chester were intriguing. Dougal was interesting. After all that, three books, the guy jumped off a cliff? Really? Again? No thanks. Ms. Carmichael is far too talented for this.

[Kerry Croucier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great ending to a great series. All of the characters were well-developed and the story was gripping from beginning to end. The secrets and mysteries kept you guessing, and many had to readjust their perceptions of the past and people in it. I loved the evolution of the characters, and not just Dougal and Charlotte.
CJ Carmichael continues to write books that are impossible to put down until you finish the last word. This is a series, and, to really know what is going on, you should start with book one. I was glad that I had all three when I started reading because as soon as I finished one, I picked up the next.

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the series

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and the second was good, though not quite as strong as the first, so it was great to realize the third book in the series would be the best.

There are three families whose lives are intertwined by the sins committed by previous generations. Ed lauchlan committed four murders to punish his mother. When his son won't write the story of the librarian murders, Ed goes after others and more deaths follow. But when one of the twins, just nine years old, goes missing and Ed takes credit, his son will do anything to get him back alive, even write the book.

[BRT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I wasn't going to get any sleep until I finished this series. We finally have all the pieces as to Doughal's father and he is one wacked out psycho! In order to get Doughal to finish and publish his story, his father may or may not have kidnapped a young boy. Doughal can't be sure and so he writes as his father dictates his sad and seriously disturbed exploits. My only question is why, after doing something so heinous to one child to achieve his ends, wouldn't he just have done the same to another child? Happy endings all around, except for all the dead people and the psychological scars that won't heal.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young boy goes missing, the entire town is on edge and the list of possible suspects climbs after years-old secrets are revealed. Dougal, a true-crime author, has his own suspicions about who has kidnapped the lad. His fears are confirmed when he is contacted by Ed, his father/serial killer. Dougal is forced to collaborate with Ed via computer in order to write about the string of murders he committed years ago. The sooner the book is written and published, the sooner Ed will release the boy.

Third book in the series, and I recommend reading them in order. Riveting and full of suspense. Good story line and characters. Surprise ending to the kidnapping.

[Kimberly K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a bit much for me. Hard to read. So much from a killerMs perspective. It was pretty ick. I know for many, that will make them want to read it more. But I tend to shy away from dark.

I enjoyed the series overall. But again, a bit too dark in preferred her Bitter Roots series. However, the biggest reason I’m rating this one down is because there was so much time building up to the end just for the end to feel rushed. Especially how Daisy really does and how quickly other things happen as a result of that reveal.

Idk. I just feel some ending things needed to be fleshed out a bit more.