GREAT CONTINUATION OF THE SERIES!!!
Title: Murder
Author: Sandra R. Neeley
Series: Whispers From The Bayou
Designation: Book 5 of series, Short Novel (Approx 220 pages), NOT Recommended as a Standalone, NOT Recommended for Readers Under 17 #paranormalromance
My Rating: 4 Stars****
I've been following Sandra Neeley's Whispers From the Bayou Series for almost 2 years and, like so many other fans, anxiously await each new release. It's been 6 months since the release of Lore, the fourth book of the series, and I could hardly wait to get Murder and Lucitaria's story in my hot little hands. But it was well worth the wait! When I first began reading Neeley's work, I was somewhat undecided about my feelings for her writing style. In her author bio, she openly admits to having no formal training and simply writes for her own enjoyment. Her style is definitely unconventional and unpolished, but it's also honest, raw, unusual, highly imaginative, and heartfelt with exceptional development of her worlds and characters. Her stories are all written with a somewhat unorthodox third-person omniscient narrative and can be a little disorienting to a reader, at first. But my love for her work far outweighs my need for conventional writing styles. This series features a secret community named Whispers, located deep in the Bayou of Louisiana. It is a safehaven for an eclectic mix of paranormal beings seeking safety and sanctuary from humans. Each book is rich with vividly detailed descriptions of the community and its residents. I think my favorite component of Neeley’s work is her always intriguing cast of characters. They're engaging as well as endearing and the heart and soul of each book. This story featured Murder, a confused but determined gargoyle, and Lucitaria, a beautiful ancient who had always considered love to be a weakness. Both characters were introduced earlier in the series, which brings me to another point. Each book features primarily one couple finding their happy ending (except this story which has two couples discovering mated bliss), but many of the characters from previous books of the series play important recurring roles in every story. If you haven't read the other books, you may find yourself a little lost, and it is for this reason I do NOT recommend any of these as standalones. Murder also contains explicit sexual content, abuse, and violence and is NOT suitable for readers under 17. Did I like Murder? Yes, very much! Would I recommend it? You bet, and I am. Will I read this author again? Absolutely, just as soon as she releases her next book. Sandra Neeley has garnered quite a fan base since I began reading her work two years ago, and the praise from her readers/reviewers is well deserved. So if you're looking for something different, unusual, or unconventional that will keep you reading well into the night, give her work a whirl. Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!