Random Road

Geneva Chase #1

by Thomas Kies

This suspenseful story will appeal to readers who enjoy hard-nosed investigative reporters such as Brad Parks's Carter Ross.--Library Journal STARRED review

Meet Geneva Chase, veteran crime reporter: she's driven, tenacious, and on the losing end of the bottle.
That is, until Geneva catches a break.

Veteran reporter Geneva Chase is at the end of her professional rope. Battling alcoholism and bad choices, she's lost every major news job she's had; working at her hometown newspaper is her last chance to redeem herself--and now the paper's future is in doubt.

And then she lands the story of a lifetime: Six nude bodies are found hacked to pieces in a Queen Anne mansion on the coast of Long Island Sound. The sensational headline is picked up by the metro papers, and Geneva is back in the game, using her reporter's nose to sniff out the secrets of Connecticut's rich and entitled citizens.

As her grisly investigation leads her deeper into dangerous waters, her toxic affair with a married man and her inability to get sober threaten to undo everything she has worked so hard to achieve--and some people might be willing to kill if it means keeping their business out of the papers...

This special First-in-a-Series edition includes: A New Introduction by the AuthorA Reading Group GuideA Conversation with the AuthorAn Excerpt from Darkness Lane, the Next Geneva Chase Crime Reporter MysteryGeneva Chase Crime Reporter Mysteries in order by Thomas Kies
Random Road
Darkness Lane
Graveyard Bay
Shadow Hill

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Adult, Mystery Thriller

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2017

About the author

Author of the Geneva Chase Mystery Series, Thomas Kies lives and writes on a barrier island on the coast of North Carolina with his wife, Cindy.

He has a long career working for newspapers and magazines, primarily in New England and New York, and is currently working on his next novel.

When he’s not writing mysteries, Thomas Kies is the President of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce.

Reviews

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geneva (Genie) Chase a news reporter for a local paper is waiting outside a Long Island mansion looking for a news story she heard on the police radio about several bodies being discovered at this address. Genie is the only reporter to show up so far so she wants to have the lead scoop on this tragedy. She learns six nude unidentified bodies have been found mangled and mutilated with no suspects at the moment. Genie knows a story like this could uplift her career again if she would just get a handle on her drinking since she has been fired from every newspaper she has worked for because of her excessive drinking over the years and this was the only paper left that gave her another chance and she is still skating on thin ice with them as well. Genie's personal life is also a mess, she was arrested for public drunkenness and must stop drinking for six months and attend AA along with a fine but Genie continues to drink in private not accepting the fact that she truly is an alcoholic who needs help but Genie enjoys her personal poisons and feels alcohol helps her think more clearly when she is feeling that warm buzz. Nothing could have prepared her for the twisted roads that these murders would take her on and that alcohol may not be the only evil that could end her life.

This book was quite a pleasant surprise for me. I wasn't prepared to enjoy it so much and I just fell in love with the storytelling. Wow, this man Kevin Kies can write! I was captivated by all the characters and their roles within the story. Genie was such a complex character and so likeable even though she continuously made poor decisions in her personal life and has a trail of broken relationships behind her. She drinks to feel better which of course she feels worse when her high wears off but she is a really good person who hides inside those bottles of poison. This story had a little bit of everything, horrific murders, adultery, revenge, money, politics, romance and of course alcoholism. I laughed and I cried and had moments of holding my breath and then saying "Oh No"! This author's writing was so good that I could really feel what Genie was experiencing and that is a rare thing for me. I can't wait to read more books by this author and am very glad he is writing a series revolving around Genie Chase.

I want to thank the publisher " Poisoned Pen Press" and Netgalley for granting my wish request and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a fantastic story with stellar writing and have given a rating of 4 1/2 Captivating 🌟🌟🌟🌟✴ Stars!!

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+ Well-Written but Light on the Crime Stars ⭐️

Geneva “Genie” Chase, a crime reporter, is an appealing heroine and it is easy to see how Random Road could become Book 1 of a successful series. The blurb says the book is about the investigation of a string of serial murders. And it is, somewhat, but really more than that, this is a character study of Genie. She is witty, tough-talking, a recovering alcoholic, involved in a romance, and then also investigating and writing about the serial killer.

I liked reading about Genie, as Kies is a great writer with obvious affection for his well-drawn protagonist. But I was disappointed in the sense that this is really only partially a crime story and more of a dramatic/romantic character study. When more focus is finally placed on the crime at the end, I liked it more (and it has a great ending!).

Fans of strong female protagonists and well-written dramas will like this. It just wasn’t the hard boiled crime novel all the way through that I was expecting.

3+ stars as a “not for me, but maybe for you” read by a talented writer.

Thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen, and the author for the ARC.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Random Road is the first book in the Geneva Chase Crime Reporter Mystery series. It first hit shelves in 2017 and was recently republished.

Our main character, Geneva "Genie" Chase is a veteran reporter for the local newspaper. The story focuses on the brutal murder of three married couples who have been hacked to pieces in a Queen Anne mansion on the coast of Long Island Sound.

Wow... was Genie ever a disaster. She was so deeply flawed and made such garbage decisions, but that's the sad reality of alcoholism. Her life was messy yet she still managed to do her job, surprisingly well. Her relationships with men, not so much. Three divorces deep and in a toxic relationship with a married man. Like I said, messy.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I liked the fact the main character was a female reporter. The storyline has so much potential going into book two. I hope there's more focus on the crime and less about the drinking. I'm rooting for Genie in her sobriety.

Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press and Sourcebooks for my gifted copy!

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Random Road is a good solid debut novel. The main character is a female crime reporter who is a brilliant writer, but her constant battle with alcoholism stops her getting and holding on to the job she is more than capable of (in theory) In addition to the alcohol problem she has three marriages, behind her and is currently in love with a married man.
Despite all this she is a very likeable character, especially when she's making stupid, drink induced decisions - it makes her human and easy to identify with. She is definitely a tough fighter.

The actual crime itself is the horrific murder of six people, who are found naked and hacked to death in a very rich and upscale community called Connor’s Landing. There are various other elements and social comments, discussed within the story, which moves along at a decent pace.
Overall this is a great debut novel well written with great development. I have already read the third book in the series and absolutely loved it. Hopefully read the second soon and many more.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance copy of Random Road, a debut novel introducing reporter Geneva "Genie" Chase.

Genie has a drink problem and it has made her almost unemployable so her job at the local paper in her home town of Sheffield, Connecticut is the last chance saloon. She is still a good reporter so she is all over the story when 3 40-something couples are found naked and hacked to death in a mansion in a gated community.

There is a crime and it does get solved but the main thrust of the novel is Genie's life and the mess she is able to make of it. In this case it isn't the bad news it could be. It is told in the first person and Genie's personality comes shining through. She is self aware and basically optimistic about life so she rattles through adversity, vodka-tonic and guilt in hand, grits her teeth and gets on with it. She is very likeable, especially when she's making stupid, drink induced decisions - it makes her human and easy to identify with.

I found some of it too schmalzy for my taste, in the vein of everything happens for a reason which you can learn from and live a better, more fulfilling life. It's trite and fallacious.

Random Road is a solid read and the force of Genie's character will hold your attention.

[Caroline Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read my full review and join in on the spoiler discussion here: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/ran...

In this debut novel, we meet Genie Chase--a crime reporter with a serious drinking problem. Despite her vices, she’s great at her job, and is covering a case where six naked adults were murdered in a home.

The case was interesting, and I enjoyed the social commentary that came with the topic of the murder case (being intentionally vague to avoid spoilers). However, the case kind of took a backseat to learning about Geneva’s life and her baggage. This was a good set up novel for what I expect to be a very interesting series. Normally crime books like this are more plot-driven, but this one had a lot of character development.

I really liked the crime reporter point of view. I’m not sure I’ve read many books from the POV of the reporter--the protagonist is usually the detective or the PI. So I found this to be a refreshing new angle.

My biggest issue with the book was that I found Geneva’s relationship to be a little unbelievable. I’ll drop a hidden spoiler review on the blog, but the pacing just felt off to me!

Overall, there was a lot of background to get through in this book, but it was laid out in a very compelling way. I’m interested to see where Geneva goes next!

[Nancy McFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geneva Chase is a crime reporter and a good one. But to say she is flawed and damaged is an understatement. She has a problem with alcohol and a problem with men – three marriages and currently in love with a married man. She is barely holding on to the only job she could land with a small time paper in CT when a horrific crime occurs. Six people are found naked and hacked to death in a very rich and upscale community called Connor’s Landing. While the murders and the other crimes that are occurring in the town are a major part of the story, Genie herself is the other part. She is tough and gutsy and in spite of all she has been through in life she is optimistic and barrels through adversity like it doesn’t exist. She tends to see the world through ‘vodka’ colored glasses but in spite of that she is also a surprisingly likeable character and I can’t wait to see more of her.

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geneva "Genie" Chase is a reporter fallen in disgrace because of her drinking problem. She's back at the local paper in Sheffield, the town where she grew up, hoping for a story that will bring her back to the big leagues. And that story may be the murder of six people at a gated community, all naked and hacked to pieces. We don't get to see much of the murders investigation, being Genie's life the main focus: her alcoholism (every time she says she wants a drink I wanted to shout :P), her problems at the paper because of this, and her love life. In spite of all hew flaws, Genie is a likable character and at the end of the story she redeems herself. I found the resolution of the murders a bit dissapointing. All in all I can't wait to see Genie again.

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Davina · Rating 2 out of 5]

To give it its due, overall I found Random Road to be a page turner, but wow, was Geneva Chase's personal drama ever tiresome. I'm sure Kies was just trying to drive home the extent of her alcoholism but there was SO much drinking in this book. I'm sure that would have been fine were Chase not also somehow effortlessly seducing almost every man she came in contact with. However, the most unforgivable sin of all was the trite message of the book that "everything happens for a reason" and borderline absurd happy ending. Um, what? To be dragged through so much bleakness in the gruesome murder mystery and personal travails of Geneva Chase only for that to be the big payoff? Ack.

[Laura Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild ride

Loved, loved, loved this book. Finished it in one sitting. A great debut novel. Kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next. I can’t wit to read more from the author. For a male writer he sure captured the essence of his female main character. Written with a deft hand and reminiscent of some of the best books by Lee Child, Brad Taylor, Brad Parks and many more, I just couldn’t put it down.

[Jeannie Cottrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this one down. Great mystery with a twist at the end. Perfect summer read. Looking forward to the next book from this author.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audiobook). My first one from this author, and I’ll definitely be looking for his next one in the series. Well written, and very interesting how he portrays the main character and her relationship to alcohol. I don’t think I’ve seen this before.

[Zoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book with a passion. While the murders were initially interesting the main character is so obviously written by a man it’s vomit inducing.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled onto author Thomas Kies and his Geneva Chase via a mystery blog that I read. There was a post promoting the release of the third book in the series and it really intrigued me. However, I am one of those readers who likes to start at the beginning so I picked up 'Random Road', the first book in the series.

And I have to say that this was a really great decision on my part. In Random Road, we meet Geneva Chase, a reporter for her hometown newspaper. She's had many jobs over the years at far higher profile places, but due to her unchecked alcoholism, she's landed back home with her last chance at salvaging her career. And even that's not going well, she's forced to go to AA after drunken fight that ended with her hitting an off-duty cop. But she's not exactly repentant about her drinking or serious about the AA meetings either.

Truth be told, she's a hot mess and not all that entirely likeable. Except when in pursuit of a story she's covering. She's on thin ice with her bosses, but when a huge murder case lands her not only on the front page of her paper, but in papers all over the country, Geneva is suddenly looking at a chance to salvage her career.

Six naked and dismembered bodies of some fairly important (or at least pretty rich) people are found in a house. The cops have never seen anything like the crime scene they are confronted with and there's seemingly nothing tying the 6 people (three couples) together.

Geneva starts investigating and soon learns that there is a connection which only serves to enhance the story for her and bring even more media attention to it. Of course, this isn't her only story to cover and as she works diligently (if drunk or hungover) on all her stories, she puts puzzle pieces together to reveal a deep dark seamy underbelly of the filthy and idle rich. Problem being, someone doesn't want the truth coming out. This leave Geneva working to uncover the killers, which would certainly better the story, but also avoiding becoming a twisted killer's next victim.

As I said, Geneva Chase isn't that likeable a character for the most part. Despite knowing she's an alcoholic, she has no desire to really change even though she realizes it will likely cause the end of her journalism career. Her taste in men is worse than her lack of desire to not drink. But for some reason, all these flaws plus her singleminded focus on doing her job make her a compelling character.

The supporting cast that Thomas Kies created for this book was also interesting. Genevea reconnects with an old friend from high school and that leads to the book's most intriguing and challenging subplot. It spins into changes for Geneva that promise to pay off in future books in the series.

At first, I thought there was a little too much going on in the narrative. But the adept touch shown by Kies to manage the various plots without making it feel like you couldn't keep track of what's going on meant that you could just plow headlong into the book. I was fully immersed in the story and read the book in almost an entire setting.

To say Geneva Chase is a flawed character is totally underplaying the disaster that is her life. But as bad as that is for her, it makes for a superb tale of love, lust, murder, deception and the secrets everyone has, wants to keep to themselves and somehow always manages to find exposed.

This was simply a thrilling read and I can't wait to read the next two books in the series.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

RANDOM ROAD introduces Geneva Chase, a crime reporter, in this debut novel. Geneva has issues. She's made some really bad choices along the way, and she's battling alcoholism. She's got one chance left .... working at her hometown newspaper. But even so, the paper's future is unsteady.

Surprisingly, she lands the story of a lifetime. Six nude bodies have been found in a mansion on the coast of Long Island Sound. They have all been hacked to pieces.

Geneva still hasn't learned to control her impulses. She's having an affair with a married man ..and she continues to drink. She's about to lose it all just about the time her investigation starts to make inroads into the motive for these murders.

But there's someone out there harboring secrets and they want Geneva to go away .. maybe permanently.

This is a well-written debut novel filled with suspense and mystery from the get-go. There are several suspects to watch .. they all seem to have secrets they don't want to share. Geneva is a great character, although her constant drinking was a little tedious. This is the first of a series ... and good news! Books 2, 3 and 4 are available now. With the author's long career in working for newspapers and magazines, I expected a certain amount of credibility. i was not disappointed.

Many thanks to the author / Poisoned Pen Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this hard-boiled mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The murder mystery part of this book is straightforward but I wanted more about the murders and solving them instead of Genie's life and alcoholism. The love story seemed too quick and with no depth and the author leaned heavily on their past high school friendship to make it passable. The reason I gave this three stars instead of two is because it's just really readable and you fly through it, even if the content isn't that great.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is honestly one of the toughest reviews ever. Here's the thing: I found so many flaws in this book and yet I thought it was compulsively readable. The story centers around a female journalist (Geneva Chase) who has a problem with alcohol. She has been tasked with writing (and investigating) a story where 6 wealthy individuals were found in a home savagely murdered, in addition to several other stories about local break-ins within the community. Geneva's personal life is a bit of a mess. She's having an affair with a married man, has been at trouble at work because of alcohol, and doesn't seem to know how to set boundaries for herself in any sense of the word.

I thought long and hard about what my issue(s) was with this book. I think first and foremost the male author didn't quite get the character development right for a female. (In my head, I was thinking that many of her behaviors/responses might be more typical of a male?)

I also struggled with the alcohol issue as well but I can't quite pinpoint why. Geneva attends AA meetings because they are mandated but she still can't go without her vodka. That seems realistic if you're an alcoholic. When she gets involved in a relationship, her issues with alcohol should be a bigger issue than they are (no elaboration without spoilers). They aren't however. Again, maybe something is to be said for high functioning alcoholics but it didn't sit right.

I also felt let down by the extenuating circumstance (if you will) as to what was behind the murders. When I realized the direction the author was heading, I felt disappointed by a lack of creativity.

My final issue actually comes back to the relationship I mentioned earlier. How fast does a relationship progress? When do you start using pet names? When do you decide that it's appropriate for your child to meet (live with?) your new love? Does having a past with that person impact all of these decisions?

So many things didn't sit well with me while reading this book, yet I have to admit I read it in 2 sittings over the course of a day. Why? I honestly don't know so all I can say is that you'll have to read this one for yourself and figure out how you feel about it.

[Jim Thomsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

RANDOM ROAD is what's known as a "twisty" thriller, but it's an example of why some discerning readers of thrillers see "twisty" as less a feature than a bug. The twists feel templated into a rigidly designed plot and not at all organic outgrowths of organic character. Most of the characters, too, will stretch out some readers' suspensions of disbelief beyond the breaking point. That list begins with Geneva Chase, ambitious reporter and alcoholic who is all morals and no ethics, and is so unrealistic that un 2021 she not only never has to file a story to the web or update her news organization's social media, but also has zero competition of a colorfully gruesome multiple-murder story. She's supposed to be a heroine in the "plays by her own rules" vein, but mostly I found her sad and sick, and ultimately a hyper-sexualized creation of the male gaze, and as such I staggered through to the ridiculous reveal of the killers — and the ridiculous confession and chase that followed — out of no more than a sense of duty to provide a fair review of the entire novel.

RANDOM ROAD is written with skill and verve, but it's strictly popcorn fare, heavy on the butter and salt and cheese flavoring, best consumed when your brain is too tired or relaxed to process the cheesy, buttery, salty implausibility of its characters and incidents.

[Caley Zukowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Absolutely hated it. When I read the synopsis on the back I was excited for it. An alcoholic reporter finds herself deep in a case of a murderer of 6 people while battling her social life of a toxic married man relationship and her own addictions? Sounds like an action packed book right? Wrong. I was very disappointed in this book. For starters it was so slow, how she found the killers makes zero sense, and it was just all over the place. The only reason I finished it was because I spent money on it. Absolutely terrible, and you can tell this was a woman written by a man.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great I can't wait to read the next one in the series! This shocked me because I immediately started thinking I wouldn't like. I have no patience for alcoholic characters (The Girl on the Train had me so annoyed through the whole thing I can't believe I finished it.) But from the get-go Genie is drinking so many times throughout the day I lose count, failing miserably at AA, sleeping with a married man, and about to lose her job as a journalist at her hometown paper - the only paper that would still take her after too many drunken disasters. So what happens next - she runs into her best friend, Kevin, from high school, in an AA meeting, of course! He too has been unsuccessful in his attempts to stop drinking and now that he and Genie has reconnected and formed a romantic relationship the party never stops.

But something happened. The story got more and more interesting and I focused on the grizzly murder of 3 couples found in pieces and how Genie seemed to always be a little ahead of the police chief (I really like the relationship between the two - so different than the animosity we've come to expect between police and journalists.) Until the end when she confronts the killers in a scene that will have you at the edge of your seat.

I really enjoyed this book despite how unlikeable Genie was in the beginning. In the end, I was actually in love with her. At the end of the book there was a sneak peek at the next in the series and I never read those, but this time I did and I'm am excited about the direction this series goes. Now to get my hands on Darkness Lane: A Geneva Chase Mystery.

I would like to thank #Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy of #RandomRoad in exchange for an honest review.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I really like the crime reporter angle. Random Road is a great debut novel. The bulk of the book is kind of an introduction to Geneva Chase and her messy life. All of the characters are very likeable and make the reader become attached. However, there was too much emotional stuff for me, I don’t like being sad. I think this book was a good set up for Genie as a damaged crime reporter in future books. I was certainly curious to see who the murderer was, and I did not suspect the ending. This book is part murder mystery, part romance. It’s kind of bittersweet. I’m giving it four stars because I think it had an excellent plot and character building, and I fully expect to enjoy the rest of the series, but I didn’t like the sadness of the book. I’d love to follow Genie as she continues to report crime, though.

This book is out now, so grab yourself a copy if you’re looking for a little romance and a little crime!

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Sourcebooks for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up

[Highland Park]

A veteran crime reporter, stuck working for her small-town paper after a series of alcoholism-related firings from higher profile jobs, investigates the deaths of six people who were found naked and hacked to death in a mansion on Connecticut's Gold Coast.

What makes this novel work so well is Kies's refusal to rely on formula and cliché. The main character is appealingly flawed (her struggles with alcohol and the negative choices that result from it are completely believable), both the murder victims and the murderers are three-dimensional people, and the end may result in tears, which is not too common in a mystery novel.

Very much recommended.

- Michelle, Technical Services

[Rhonda L. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geneva Chase is a complex, deeply flawed character. She has a soft heart she tries desperately to hide in a vodka bottle. Her interactions with her boss and the police on her beat as the crime reporter for her home town newspaper are strained nearly to the breaking point by her alcoholism, and it's not until tragedy strikes that she is able to put the bottle down. It's a great story with well developed characters. I look forward to more adventures with Genie.

[Jody]

A little kinky, but very honest in emotions ... and journalistic realities.

[Blood Rose Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his debut novel Thomas Kies introduces readers to crime reporter Geneva Chase:

Geneva Chase is a veteran crime reporter who knows how to find answers, cultivate sources while trying to hide her alcoholism so she is not forced to leave another job. Chase catches a break when she lands a homicide of 6 in a wealthy neighbourhood. The headline is eventually picked up by major news outlets and Chase knows this is her time. Chase want to know everything about these rich and entitled citizens. But the more she digs, the further she puts herself in danger and her inability to get sober threatens to undo everything she has worked so hard for.

This is one of my favourite reads this past year. I really enjoyed the plot and characters that Keis created for this book. This book is very much a character driver more than plot but Keis is able to keep you engaged in the story. He achieves this by having Chase, an investigative reporter, investigate more than one crime. I mean there is the main event with the murder of 6 people, but as Chase is not a police officers so she doesn’t have access to all the crime scene information, she has to use different forms of digging in order to get information. I appreacite Chase's ability to think outside of the box to get the information that she needs, as well as cultivating sources.
Well to say that the main character has flaws is an understatement, as Chase is an alcoholic, hides the fact that she is one, lies about always needing a drink and for the most part she does not apologize about this side of her. She is fine, even happy to see the world through shades of vodka. Maybe disaster may be a better description of her.

I like flawed characters, they seem more like real people than the perfect ones that some authors write. I like Chase’s tenacity in her life and work and you can tell that she has heart as well. I will questions some of her decisions she makes especially with Kevin, the love interest in this book, but I’m sure people would do the exact same thing that Chase and Kevin do in those circumstances. Chase may be flawed but aren’t we all. And as this is very much a character driven book, I appreciate the complexity of Chase’s character and though she is flawed you cannot help but like her.

I will say I was able to figure out the main Murder, but this did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book as I liked following Chase around while she investigated this and did reports on her other stories.

I look forward to reading another book in this series to see where Kies takes his characters and to see what case catches Chase's eye next.

Enjoy!!!

[Indydriven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in a mystery series that has been republished. Geneva Chase is a reporter for the local newspaper. She is an active alcoholic and her job is in jeopardy. She is having an affair with a married man and the wife has found out. Things aren’t going great for her but then she gets the scoop on a story where six people have been viciously murdered in a mansion on Long Island Sound. Using her contacts with the police, she investigates and discovers a sex club in town where partner swapping is common place and the six people who were murdered were members of the club. In between writing stories and investigating the murders, she runs into an old high school friend, who unfortunately is also an active alcoholic and they start dating (and drinking).

My thoughts: On the whole, Geneva is a likeable character. She is compassionate, a hard worker, bright, and kind but she exhibits all the traits of an alcoholic – denial of the problem, finding excuses to drink, making excuses for other alcoholics, making bad decisions, etc. and that part of the character greatly irritated me. She also didn’t have any empathy for the wife of the man she was having an affair with. When she was discovered with this woman’s husband, the wife physically attacked her and Geneva did not for one second give any thought to the fact that she was the person in the wrong and not the wife. Once she dumps the married man and hooks up with her old high school friend, they both hit the bottle pretty hard and you could see that it was not going to end well for either of them.

Overall, I enjoyed the mystery and the newspaper job angle. Two further books have been published in this series (Darkness Lane and Graveyard Bay) and I’m hoping that her time in the office is fleshed out more in those. I was happy with the ending of Random Road as it appears that Geneva is attempting to get her act together and I have put Darkness Lane on hold at my local library with my fingers crossed that we see an improved, healthier Geneva.

Trigger warnings for alcoholism, infidelity

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#RandomRoad #Netgalley

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like it, was an easy read and you did want to keep going which makes for a goodread however there was some fluff that was a little too fluff for me...but all in all I would read the next one in this series but it does "wrap up" at the end so you do not need to read more...

[Karen Rettig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not worth finishing.

[CL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lois Lane meets Nancy Drew.

A journalist with a penchant for crime solving and a great introduction story to the start of a new series.