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A Legacy of Silence #1
Complicit
Kate Medina had been working as a forensic psychologist and loving every minute until a violent attack left her shaken to the core. Retreating to her hometown where it’s safe, she accepts a job where the prospect of violence is slim to none. As a high school psychologist, Kate tends to the emotional needs of the students. It’s not the career she envisioned for herself.
Five years later, a student disappears, leaving the school in crisis and Kate at the helm of another traumatic event. Roman Aguilar, the lead detective, reaches out to Kate for assistance. Kate’s position at the school and her training make her an ideal ally, but her complicated relationship with Roman puts them at odds.
When the girl’s body is found, changing the focus of the investigation to homicide, Kate finds herself in the middle of a situation she never anticipated. What started as her desire to help puts Kate directly in the crosshairs of an enemy who remains largely in shadows. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear—no one can be trusted.
Five years later, a student disappears, leaving the school in crisis and Kate at the helm of another traumatic event. Roman Aguilar, the lead detective, reaches out to Kate for assistance. Kate’s position at the school and her training make her an ideal ally, but her complicated relationship with Roman puts them at odds.
When the girl’s body is found, changing the focus of the investigation to homicide, Kate finds herself in the middle of a situation she never anticipated. What started as her desire to help puts Kate directly in the crosshairs of an enemy who remains largely in shadows. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear—no one can be trusted.
334 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2021
14 people are currently reading
2431 people want to read
About the author
Amy Rivers
18 books156 followersAmy Rivers is an award-winning novelist, as well as the Director of Northern Colorado Writers. She was recently named 2021 Indie Author of the Year by the Indie Author Project. Her psychological suspense novels incorporate important social issues with a focus on the complexities of human behavior. Her forthcoming novel, STUMBLE & FALL, is the second book in the A Legacy of Silence series. Amy was raised in New Mexico and now lives in Colorado with her husband and children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 17, 2021
Kate Medina walked away from her job as a forensic psychologist following a vicious attack. She has moved back to her hometown, living with her father. She's take on the job of counseling high school students.
When of her students disappears, the lead investigator Roman Aguilar, asks Kate for her assistance. Her training makes her an obvious choice, but a long-ago relationship with Roman makes things a little complicated.
No longer missing, the girl's body is found and officially declared a homicide. Who would want this teenager dead?
The more Roman and Kate investigate, they find more questions than answers. Not everyone questioned is telling what they know .. or what they think they know.
One thing known ... Kate now has a target on her back. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear—no one can be trusted.
Suspenseful from the start, this is a page turner filled with action. Characters are solidly drawn with suspects aplenty, all with varied motives. This is well-written and I did like the blend of the professional with the personal lives of Kate and Roman. Being as this is the first in a series, I was not surprised to find a cliff hanger. Let's hope the wait for Book 2 comes soon.
Many thanks to the author / Compathy Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
January 14, 2021
4-star Review:
Complicit (A Legacy of Silence #1) by Amy Rivers
Wow, that was the good kind of roller-coaster read.
Kate Medina is a middle-class ambitious woman, who leaves home very young to pursue her dreams in forensic psychology for prison inmates. However, a terrible experience persuades her to ditch her growing career and pursue "safer" options back home. Through her new job as a student counsellor in the local high school (that she grew up attending), she hopes to help teenagers navigate their personal issues. However, in these sessions, Kate learns that home is not as idyllic as she remembers it to be and that the residents are anything but virtuous. Young girls are disappearing while no one bats an eye. Law enforcement, especially Kate's childhood friend and now a senior detective, Roman Aguilar, is actively looking for answers with Kate's help, but the enemy is either covering their path well or has the higher ups in their pocket. Can Kate help to bring these girls justice, expose the enemy, and uncover the dark secrets this town holds?
This novel was well-written (barring the few proofing issues here and there) and the pacing was perfect. Told through the third person, the characters were well laid out and were worth rooting for. The author did a good job of portraying Kate as a scarred yet resolute young woman manoeuvring her way in life, which, she realised, still had a lot to offer. Reading about Alamogordo and New Mexico was also a surreal experience. However, the end left me wanting more closure than I was provided and I'm hoping that my review can convince Ms. Rivers to pen a sequel so that the loose ends are all tied up well.
Thank you Netgalley and Compathy Press for providing me with a free e-copy for review.
Edit: Yay, GoodReads says that this is the first installment in the "Legacy of Silence" series, so I'm excited to read the rest of the books as and when they're published! :)
Complicit (A Legacy of Silence #1) by Amy Rivers
Wow, that was the good kind of roller-coaster read.
Kate Medina is a middle-class ambitious woman, who leaves home very young to pursue her dreams in forensic psychology for prison inmates. However, a terrible experience persuades her to ditch her growing career and pursue "safer" options back home. Through her new job as a student counsellor in the local high school (that she grew up attending), she hopes to help teenagers navigate their personal issues. However, in these sessions, Kate learns that home is not as idyllic as she remembers it to be and that the residents are anything but virtuous. Young girls are disappearing while no one bats an eye. Law enforcement, especially Kate's childhood friend and now a senior detective, Roman Aguilar, is actively looking for answers with Kate's help, but the enemy is either covering their path well or has the higher ups in their pocket. Can Kate help to bring these girls justice, expose the enemy, and uncover the dark secrets this town holds?
This novel was well-written (barring the few proofing issues here and there) and the pacing was perfect. Told through the third person, the characters were well laid out and were worth rooting for. The author did a good job of portraying Kate as a scarred yet resolute young woman manoeuvring her way in life, which, she realised, still had a lot to offer. Reading about Alamogordo and New Mexico was also a surreal experience. However, the end left me wanting more closure than I was provided and I'm hoping that my review can convince Ms. Rivers to pen a sequel so that the loose ends are all tied up well.
Thank you Netgalley and Compathy Press for providing me with a free e-copy for review.
Edit: Yay, GoodReads says that this is the first installment in the "Legacy of Silence" series, so I'm excited to read the rest of the books as and when they're published! :)
February 22, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy!
I read this book entirely too fast...I could not put it down. Very well written on some very sensitive topics. Great read and I can’t wait for #2!
I read this book entirely too fast...I could not put it down. Very well written on some very sensitive topics. Great read and I can’t wait for #2!
October 19, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Compathy Press, the first novel to feature school psychologist Kate Medina set in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Kate worked for years as a forensic psychologist but a bad experience sent her home to Alamogordo to care for recently widowed father. Deciding to stay she takes a job as a school psychologist and mostly enjoys it until a pupil goes missing. Detective Roman Aguilar asks for help and that becomes more urgent when a body is found. Unfortunately someone in town doesn’t want Kate on the case.
I liked the idea of Complicit, a strong, educated woman offering informed insights into a difficult crime, a hint of romance, the past casting its shadow on the present and a mystery about a dangerous perpetrator. Well, that was my takeaway from the blurb and the reality is somewhat different. The novel is told entirely from Kate’s point of view and for me that’s a bad thing, because I really don’t like her. She’s emotional, volatile and not very logical. Now, I have no doubt that this is a very good portrayal of a woman who has trauma in her past and even more trauma in her present, but it’s not very interesting in crime fiction and I got to the stage that I couldn’t care less. This might have changed if the novel had come to a successful conclusion, but, again, too much reality intrudes and the ending is very inconclusive with nothing resolved. I assume that there will be a series of novels on the same subject if this is an example, picking off the bad guys one at a time. I don’t feel that I have the enthusiasm to follow through.
Complicit is not a bad novel as it is very good at describing emotions and the reality of child grooming and paedophilia, even the sense of rich white entitlement gets the treatment, but the execution is flat, slightly muddled and not conclusive enough to make it a satisfying read.
Kate worked for years as a forensic psychologist but a bad experience sent her home to Alamogordo to care for recently widowed father. Deciding to stay she takes a job as a school psychologist and mostly enjoys it until a pupil goes missing. Detective Roman Aguilar asks for help and that becomes more urgent when a body is found. Unfortunately someone in town doesn’t want Kate on the case.
I liked the idea of Complicit, a strong, educated woman offering informed insights into a difficult crime, a hint of romance, the past casting its shadow on the present and a mystery about a dangerous perpetrator. Well, that was my takeaway from the blurb and the reality is somewhat different. The novel is told entirely from Kate’s point of view and for me that’s a bad thing, because I really don’t like her. She’s emotional, volatile and not very logical. Now, I have no doubt that this is a very good portrayal of a woman who has trauma in her past and even more trauma in her present, but it’s not very interesting in crime fiction and I got to the stage that I couldn’t care less. This might have changed if the novel had come to a successful conclusion, but, again, too much reality intrudes and the ending is very inconclusive with nothing resolved. I assume that there will be a series of novels on the same subject if this is an example, picking off the bad guys one at a time. I don’t feel that I have the enthusiasm to follow through.
Complicit is not a bad novel as it is very good at describing emotions and the reality of child grooming and paedophilia, even the sense of rich white entitlement gets the treatment, but the execution is flat, slightly muddled and not conclusive enough to make it a satisfying read.
May 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book even though it leaves some unanswered questions at the end (but looks like it will be part of a series so we'll find out more)! Kate returns to her hometown and must help care for her dying father. Her job as a school psychologist puts her in contact with a young girl who is reticent but eventually admits she is scared as another student has been murdered. And so begins the cycle of disaster. Kate's oldest friend, Roman is on the police force but things become dicey when it appears there are a lot of things covered up in this small town; everyone protects each other. It's maddening as we discover the secrets many of the townspeople keep and have kept for years. Uncomfortable topics but very relevant and I look forward to reading more by Rivers.
September 10, 2021
I began reading this book expecting to not like it that much but I was wrong! I finished this book in a day. Some parts are tough and disturbing to read since the story deals with sexual exploitation (and gruesome murder) of underage, high school female students by a few powerful people in a small town of New Mexico. It is upto Kate Medina, a forensic psychologist who- after suffering a violent attack during her job working with prison inmates- has returned home and is now working as a student counsellor in the local high school and Roman Aguilar, the local senior detective and Kate's high school best friend to solve the crimes and figure out who is behind this underage sex racket which has been going on in the town for years--a task made difficult when they realise that the high profile names who are behind the crimes will go to any length to keep it all hushed up.
A fast paced thriller, this is book 1 in the series which makes sense because not everything is resolved by the end of this book but we do find that Kate, Roman and Kate's sister, who too was sexually exploited as a teenager, are ready to not back down from the fight.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Compathy Press, LLC and the author Amy Rivers for the e-Arc of the book.
A fast paced thriller, this is book 1 in the series which makes sense because not everything is resolved by the end of this book but we do find that Kate, Roman and Kate's sister, who too was sexually exploited as a teenager, are ready to not back down from the fight.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Compathy Press, LLC and the author Amy Rivers for the e-Arc of the book.
February 7, 2021
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.
Content Warning: Sex Trafficking, Rape
Complicit is a quick read, however it also reads like a bad fanfic of Law and Order SVU. The characters are flat and undeveloped. All that I really garnered from Kate and Tilly, was that they both suffered extreme trauma and brutality. Roman was one dimensional at best. Many scenes could have been expounded upon, however the author chose to tell and not show, as if she was bored with scene and wanted to hurry it along to the next.
Content Warning: Sex Trafficking, Rape
Complicit is a quick read, however it also reads like a bad fanfic of Law and Order SVU. The characters are flat and undeveloped. All that I really garnered from Kate and Tilly, was that they both suffered extreme trauma and brutality. Roman was one dimensional at best. Many scenes could have been expounded upon, however the author chose to tell and not show, as if she was bored with scene and wanted to hurry it along to the next.
February 19, 2021
This book was perfectly titled! It was a very quick read, that hooked me from the start. The book had great build up, but the ending was rushed. I wanted more details and more closure than a few pages worth. Heads up: sexual assault, abuse and similar triggers. Thanks to NetGalley for advanced copy,
February 9, 2021
NOTE: Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
TW: The book revolves around themes of sexual assault and trafficking of minors.
Complicit is set in a town in New Mexico, where the protagonist, Kate Medina, is employed as a high-school counsellor. The story starts off with the disappearance of a student, Gabby Greene. What follows is a dark, complicated web that reveals troubling truths about the community and the trafficking ring at the heart of it.
The set-up was well done; it established several important plot points regarding Kate's family dynamic, her relationship with her best-friend-turned-stranger-turned-love-interest Roman and the fishy circumstances surrounding the disappearances of girls in the town.
However as the book progressed, it started falling flat. Firstly, I couldn't buy why Kate was so heavily involved in the investigation, especially in the early parts when she wasn't contributing much. It felt a little unrealistic for Roman to confide in her this much about confidential matters.
Secondly, I didn't really care about the characters. Sure, I got to know what they went through but that never translated into me getting to know who they were. They were just means to further the plot and there was never a point when I was rooting for them or their relationships. The love triangle felt like it had just been written in for the heck of it.
Towards the end, a lot was thrown at the reader but never addressed comprehensively. It was too much to process at once and left me with a lot of unanswered questions. But seeing that this is the first book in the series, I hope that the second one gives the reader better answers.
However, I must appreciate that despite its flaws, Complicit handles these sensitive topics and I liked how . I also thought that the writing itself was engaging and made me want to read on despite me not buying certain aspects of the plot.
TW: The book revolves around themes of sexual assault and trafficking of minors.
Complicit is set in a town in New Mexico, where the protagonist, Kate Medina, is employed as a high-school counsellor. The story starts off with the disappearance of a student, Gabby Greene. What follows is a dark, complicated web that reveals troubling truths about the community and the trafficking ring at the heart of it.
The set-up was well done; it established several important plot points regarding Kate's family dynamic, her relationship with her best-friend-turned-stranger-turned-love-interest Roman and the fishy circumstances surrounding the disappearances of girls in the town.
However as the book progressed, it started falling flat. Firstly, I couldn't buy why Kate was so heavily involved in the investigation, especially in the early parts when she wasn't contributing much. It felt a little unrealistic for Roman to confide in her this much about confidential matters.
Secondly, I didn't really care about the characters. Sure, I got to know what they went through but that never translated into me getting to know who they were. They were just means to further the plot and there was never a point when I was rooting for them or their relationships. The love triangle felt like it had just been written in for the heck of it.
Towards the end, a lot was thrown at the reader but never addressed comprehensively. It was too much to process at once and left me with a lot of unanswered questions. But seeing that this is the first book in the series, I hope that the second one gives the reader better answers.
However, I must appreciate that despite its flaws, Complicit handles these sensitive topics and I liked how . I also thought that the writing itself was engaging and made me want to read on despite me not buying certain aspects of the plot.
May 2, 2021
Kate doesn't lead the most fascinating life. She used to have her dream job doing what she loved. But now she's a child psychologist at a high school and is counseling (or trying to) teens that are struggling. She should love it and, in many ways, she does, but it's hard to really love it. Plus, she's back in her childhood town, a small town she worked so hard to get out of.
I like the missing girl story and how it all lead together. I was completely sucked in to the story, at first, and couldn't figure out what was going on (although I had my guesses). But I think the story went just a bit too far for me to love it. I just kept thinking it couldn't possibly be every last person on the planet - but there were definitely times it felt that way. I'm not sure I'll continue the series although I did enjoy this one.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I like the missing girl story and how it all lead together. I was completely sucked in to the story, at first, and couldn't figure out what was going on (although I had my guesses). But I think the story went just a bit too far for me to love it. I just kept thinking it couldn't possibly be every last person on the planet - but there were definitely times it felt that way. I'm not sure I'll continue the series although I did enjoy this one.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 11, 2022
Small towns often hold big secrets, it seems. No one knows that better than Kate Medina, who has returned to her hometown, a small town in New Mexico, to work as a high school psychologist. While not the career nor life she imagined for herself, she is content enough.
Then a female student disappears, and no one is talking. High school students usually don't have a great track record with keeping secrets, but Kate can't find anyone willing to talk. Local detective Roman Aguilar is working the case, but his complicated history with Kate may put the investigation in jeopardy.
Soon Kate finds out some unbelievable information related both to the missing girl and her sister's abrupt departure from home so many years ago. I had to remind myself many times that this was just a book, even though I know evil like this exists in the world. What do you do when there is no safe place and when the people who are supposed to keep you safe are complicit in a crime? This was the first of a two-part series with part two releasing later this fall. Many thanks to the author for this gifted copy. Highly recommended!
Then a female student disappears, and no one is talking. High school students usually don't have a great track record with keeping secrets, but Kate can't find anyone willing to talk. Local detective Roman Aguilar is working the case, but his complicated history with Kate may put the investigation in jeopardy.
Soon Kate finds out some unbelievable information related both to the missing girl and her sister's abrupt departure from home so many years ago. I had to remind myself many times that this was just a book, even though I know evil like this exists in the world. What do you do when there is no safe place and when the people who are supposed to keep you safe are complicit in a crime? This was the first of a two-part series with part two releasing later this fall. Many thanks to the author for this gifted copy. Highly recommended!
December 27, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC for review.
This was a tough read in many ways and probably needs a lot of content warnings. Child abuse, human trafficking, and workplace violence, for starters. Rivers handles these sensitive topics with great care, however, balancing them with deep thematic elements about going home, revisiting the past with new perspective, and moving forward after the world has shattered. Kate Medina has returned to her childhood home to heal, but working as a psychologist at her old high school in rural New Mexico re-opens old wounds, not only in Kate's personal life, but in her family and her community as well. One student is found murdered in a scene eerily reminiscent of one from Kate's own teen years, and another student goes missing. Kate is determined to get to the bottom of it, not realizing just how deep--or how close to home--the evil runs.
Rivers pulls off the amazing feat of laying everything out clearly for the reader while at the same time showcasing how Kate's personal traumas blind her to the truth and to the powerful forces that have been shaping her world for generations. Rivers also pulls the reader into the suffocating atmosphere of Kate's life as she comes to alarming realizations and is systematically stripped of all her resources. I have lived and worked in rural New Mexico myself, and as an outsider there, I could identify all too well with Kate's isolation and helplessness. I also appreciated the author's attention to detail on how public safety agencies operate in New Mexico.
I don't mean to imply that this book is unrelentingly grim. There are heartwarming moments and even some romantic elements, and all hope is not lost. This book isn't for everyone, but the hard parts are not gratuitous or prurient. At some points, they feel almost cathartic. If I don't continue with the series, it's only because Rivers has done her job too well and made me feel too much.
This was a tough read in many ways and probably needs a lot of content warnings. Child abuse, human trafficking, and workplace violence, for starters. Rivers handles these sensitive topics with great care, however, balancing them with deep thematic elements about going home, revisiting the past with new perspective, and moving forward after the world has shattered. Kate Medina has returned to her childhood home to heal, but working as a psychologist at her old high school in rural New Mexico re-opens old wounds, not only in Kate's personal life, but in her family and her community as well. One student is found murdered in a scene eerily reminiscent of one from Kate's own teen years, and another student goes missing. Kate is determined to get to the bottom of it, not realizing just how deep--or how close to home--the evil runs.
Rivers pulls off the amazing feat of laying everything out clearly for the reader while at the same time showcasing how Kate's personal traumas blind her to the truth and to the powerful forces that have been shaping her world for generations. Rivers also pulls the reader into the suffocating atmosphere of Kate's life as she comes to alarming realizations and is systematically stripped of all her resources. I have lived and worked in rural New Mexico myself, and as an outsider there, I could identify all too well with Kate's isolation and helplessness. I also appreciated the author's attention to detail on how public safety agencies operate in New Mexico.
I don't mean to imply that this book is unrelentingly grim. There are heartwarming moments and even some romantic elements, and all hope is not lost. This book isn't for everyone, but the hard parts are not gratuitous or prurient. At some points, they feel almost cathartic. If I don't continue with the series, it's only because Rivers has done her job too well and made me feel too much.
April 25, 2021
When Kate Medina returns home to New Mexico to live with her father, she hopes to forget about the assault that traumatized her at her job as a forensic psychologist in a prison. She takes a job as a counselor at the local high school, and tries to reconnect with best friend Roman, now a detective on the local police force.
Her latest concern is Mandy, a student she is trying to help who refuses to even speak to her. Then a young girl goes missing, and she becomes involved in the investigation with Roman. When the girl’s body is found, tortured and raped, it reminds them both of a event they both witnessed many years ago.
Kate finally has a breakthrough with Mandy, who tells a horrific story which reveals the evil that is in their hometown and has probably been there for many years. The perpetrators will now do anything to prevent the truth from coming out.
Sadly, by the end of the story there was no final resolution to all the events that took place. I suppose they want you to pick up the next book in the series to find out what happens, which left me very frustrated.
I received this book as an ARC from #Netgalley and Compathy Press.
Her latest concern is Mandy, a student she is trying to help who refuses to even speak to her. Then a young girl goes missing, and she becomes involved in the investigation with Roman. When the girl’s body is found, tortured and raped, it reminds them both of a event they both witnessed many years ago.
Kate finally has a breakthrough with Mandy, who tells a horrific story which reveals the evil that is in their hometown and has probably been there for many years. The perpetrators will now do anything to prevent the truth from coming out.
Sadly, by the end of the story there was no final resolution to all the events that took place. I suppose they want you to pick up the next book in the series to find out what happens, which left me very frustrated.
I received this book as an ARC from #Netgalley and Compathy Press.
January 12, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Compathy Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Kate Medina has returned to her hometown after surviving trauma. She then lost her mom, and spent the next 5 years coasting through her life as a high school guidance counselor. When a student at her school goes missing, and another one suffers a significant trauma, she realizes she must wake up and get involved. Kate, who was once a forensic psychologist, must use all her rusty investigative skills to help save the girls. However, she can't do it alone and must repair her relationship with her sister Tilly and estranged childhood friend Roman in order to do so.
I really enjoyed this book, and like how it doesn't shy away from the hard parts that happen when you're writing a story about trauma and recovery. Kate, Tilly and Roman are all dealing (or not dealing) with their problems at the beginning of the story. As they continue on and get closer to understanding and solving the horrible mystery that is plaguing their town they must dig in and work on themselves too in order to help the girls.
Kate Medina has returned to her hometown after surviving trauma. She then lost her mom, and spent the next 5 years coasting through her life as a high school guidance counselor. When a student at her school goes missing, and another one suffers a significant trauma, she realizes she must wake up and get involved. Kate, who was once a forensic psychologist, must use all her rusty investigative skills to help save the girls. However, she can't do it alone and must repair her relationship with her sister Tilly and estranged childhood friend Roman in order to do so.
I really enjoyed this book, and like how it doesn't shy away from the hard parts that happen when you're writing a story about trauma and recovery. Kate, Tilly and Roman are all dealing (or not dealing) with their problems at the beginning of the story. As they continue on and get closer to understanding and solving the horrible mystery that is plaguing their town they must dig in and work on themselves too in order to help the girls.
April 21, 2021
Review of eBook
After ten years and a horrific assault, forensic psychologist Kate Medina left her position in the prison system and returned to her hometown to become a counselor in the Alamogordo, New Mexico high school. Kate struggles with students unwilling to talk or unwilling to even meet with her; Mandy Garcia is uncooperative when she comes in for counseling but Kate eventually learns the details of her situation and the problems she’s facing.
The death of a local teen rocks the town, and unexpected revelations about some of the townspeople leave Kate and police detective Roman Aguilar reeling. Can they find the answers they so desperately need and, at the same time, protect Mandy?
“Complicit” is a story of family dynamics as well as one of conspiracies, secrets, and lies. The plot, though gritty, is timely and relevant; the story’s premise holds much potential and promise. But the overwhelming darkness in the telling of this tale steals some of the narrative’s strength; Rusty becomes a welcome counterpoint to the grimness that permeates the telling of this tale.
Sadly, the characters populating this narrative are either fractious and unlikable or downright malevolent; the constant squabbling between them eventually begins to grate on the reader’s nerves. Intractable Kate is particularly annoying with her short temper and thoughtless comments; in addition, everyone is often petulant and contrary. As the unfolding story provides some backstory for the characters, their behaviors become a bit more understandable, but it feels a bit like too little too late.
Astute readers will discern many of the characters’ secrets long before their revelations provide more pieces of the puzzle the protagonists face in their efforts to identify those responsible for the horrific events taking place in the town. Unfortunately, the unfolding tale tends toward repetition as it races toward its nonexistent ending; ultimately, with virtually all the conflicts in the story left unresolved, readers are sure to feel short-changed.
It is difficult for readers to feel invested in the characters and their stories if everything remains up in the air when they’ve turned the final page. Unfortunately, cliffhangers have become an often-used mechanism for enticing readers to read the next book in the series, but simply ending the narrative with no resolution for any of the conflicts played out in the telling of the tale and no answers for the reader is a massive disservice to readers [and lowers the rating for the book].
I received a free copy of this eBook from Compathy Press, LLC and NetGalley
#Complicit #NetGalley
After ten years and a horrific assault, forensic psychologist Kate Medina left her position in the prison system and returned to her hometown to become a counselor in the Alamogordo, New Mexico high school. Kate struggles with students unwilling to talk or unwilling to even meet with her; Mandy Garcia is uncooperative when she comes in for counseling but Kate eventually learns the details of her situation and the problems she’s facing.
The death of a local teen rocks the town, and unexpected revelations about some of the townspeople leave Kate and police detective Roman Aguilar reeling. Can they find the answers they so desperately need and, at the same time, protect Mandy?
“Complicit” is a story of family dynamics as well as one of conspiracies, secrets, and lies. The plot, though gritty, is timely and relevant; the story’s premise holds much potential and promise. But the overwhelming darkness in the telling of this tale steals some of the narrative’s strength; Rusty becomes a welcome counterpoint to the grimness that permeates the telling of this tale.
Sadly, the characters populating this narrative are either fractious and unlikable or downright malevolent; the constant squabbling between them eventually begins to grate on the reader’s nerves. Intractable Kate is particularly annoying with her short temper and thoughtless comments; in addition, everyone is often petulant and contrary. As the unfolding story provides some backstory for the characters, their behaviors become a bit more understandable, but it feels a bit like too little too late.
Astute readers will discern many of the characters’ secrets long before their revelations provide more pieces of the puzzle the protagonists face in their efforts to identify those responsible for the horrific events taking place in the town. Unfortunately, the unfolding tale tends toward repetition as it races toward its nonexistent ending; ultimately, with virtually all the conflicts in the story left unresolved, readers are sure to feel short-changed.
It is difficult for readers to feel invested in the characters and their stories if everything remains up in the air when they’ve turned the final page. Unfortunately, cliffhangers have become an often-used mechanism for enticing readers to read the next book in the series, but simply ending the narrative with no resolution for any of the conflicts played out in the telling of the tale and no answers for the reader is a massive disservice to readers [and lowers the rating for the book].
I received a free copy of this eBook from Compathy Press, LLC and NetGalley
#Complicit #NetGalley
May 7, 2021
The cover of this book is really appealing and is designed really well. The title is apt and made me curious to read the book.
The book deals with sensitive issues like sexual assault, trafficking and rape.
Coming to the plot, the story is about a middle class woman named Kate. She was enjoying her work as forensic psychologist for prison inmates. Due to a bad experience She goes back to her where she feels safe.
She starts working as high school counselor and there she gets to know about a disappearance of a young girl.
She starts working with a detective named Roman to solve this mystery.
I won't reveal much, grab the book to read more!
Overall an intriguing and gripping read which keeps you on the edge of your seat. The plot development is really good. The charecterisation is superb and they are developed really well. The narration style is really engaging and the pace is fact. You won't get bored in any part of the story.
The language is not too hard to understand
Highly recommended from my side especially if you like reading thrillers.
The book deals with sensitive issues like sexual assault, trafficking and rape.
Coming to the plot, the story is about a middle class woman named Kate. She was enjoying her work as forensic psychologist for prison inmates. Due to a bad experience She goes back to her where she feels safe.
She starts working as high school counselor and there she gets to know about a disappearance of a young girl.
She starts working with a detective named Roman to solve this mystery.
I won't reveal much, grab the book to read more!
Overall an intriguing and gripping read which keeps you on the edge of your seat. The plot development is really good. The charecterisation is superb and they are developed really well. The narration style is really engaging and the pace is fact. You won't get bored in any part of the story.
The language is not too hard to understand
Highly recommended from my side especially if you like reading thrillers.
January 29, 2021
Kate was focus on her career. Getting into the minds of high school students and helping them if they let her. But her focus was suddenly fazed when things got a little complicated as one of her clients suffers from the divorce of her parents and was traumatized from what happened to her friend. Young girls were disappearing and it seems that no one bats an eye. One girl named Gaddy was burned after she was raped and brutally abused. Is it to destroy evidence or some people are just pure evil. Kate was intimidated but willing to move forward and help to solve the case with her ex-best friend and a policeman named Roman.
Looking for answers that got them into the eyes of the culprit. This is a well-
written story even though some part of It was a bit dark as some of its topics includes rape and
terminal disease. Nevertheless, you won't be bothered by it as they are tackle carefully, just
enough to make the readers thrilled.
I would say this was a delight but it would make me sound a bit gore. Instead, I would like to say
that I enjoy reading it and definitely going to recommend it to Mystery & Thriller story seekers.
Looking for answers that got them into the eyes of the culprit. This is a well-
written story even though some part of It was a bit dark as some of its topics includes rape and
terminal disease. Nevertheless, you won't be bothered by it as they are tackle carefully, just
enough to make the readers thrilled.
I would say this was a delight but it would make me sound a bit gore. Instead, I would like to say
that I enjoy reading it and definitely going to recommend it to Mystery & Thriller story seekers.
March 18, 2021
▪️This book is totally amazing and idea behind this book is good good.
This book idea cover all the scenario of sexual assault, and child trafficing.
▪️Kate and Romeo are the main character of the story and whole story revolves around them.
kate and romeo both were bestfriends as teenagers, but their friendship came to an end when kate was about to leave town with feeling still between them.
After years working in the forensic psychology field, which was her dream job.
After her mother passed away now kate is back to her own teen years. she is in the same house she'd grown up in. slept in the same bed she'd slep as a child.
everything seems to be same as her childhood.
she loved she father but coming back to the same town and same house without her mother is totally different
she loved her career so much she busted her ass to become and highly-skilled forensic psychologist. and finally she landed her dream job in the prison system.
but one incident took away everything and now everything is change she is back to the hometown without her mother.
when she was back to the town she started working as a high school counceller.
When one student was found dead, and another comes to kate after an attack,and now kate and romeo are forced to be together to solve this issue.
she accept a job as ahigh school counseller where she deals with the emotional needs of student.
▪️She accept a job as ahigh school counseller where she deals with the emotional needs of student.
Things were going great for kate until the news of the disapperance of a young girl came out.
Kate team up with young girls, romeo who is senior detective to look for the girl and wanted to know the reason behind the disappereance of the young girl.
▪️I loved the idea behind this book, this is agreat work that how kate and romeo bravely did their job asa character.
The story comes with a great message and motivates everyone who reads this book.
stay awake and be careful maybe someone around you need you or your help.
▪️I loved this book and the story is amazing.
I recommend this to each and everyone. to read this story out i'm sure that everyone will love this book and each person will get motivate after reading this book.
this story is very powerfully written and idea behind this story is very graet.
▪️The author did very great job in portraying the characters. the story is beautifully written. this book deals with sensitive topics like Rape, Sexual asault, Trafficking.
▪️Books like these are hard to find beacuse the story and everything in this book is amazing
This book idea cover all the scenario of sexual assault, and child trafficing.
▪️Kate and Romeo are the main character of the story and whole story revolves around them.
kate and romeo both were bestfriends as teenagers, but their friendship came to an end when kate was about to leave town with feeling still between them.
After years working in the forensic psychology field, which was her dream job.
After her mother passed away now kate is back to her own teen years. she is in the same house she'd grown up in. slept in the same bed she'd slep as a child.
everything seems to be same as her childhood.
she loved she father but coming back to the same town and same house without her mother is totally different
she loved her career so much she busted her ass to become and highly-skilled forensic psychologist. and finally she landed her dream job in the prison system.
but one incident took away everything and now everything is change she is back to the hometown without her mother.
when she was back to the town she started working as a high school counceller.
When one student was found dead, and another comes to kate after an attack,and now kate and romeo are forced to be together to solve this issue.
she accept a job as ahigh school counseller where she deals with the emotional needs of student.
▪️She accept a job as ahigh school counseller where she deals with the emotional needs of student.
Things were going great for kate until the news of the disapperance of a young girl came out.
Kate team up with young girls, romeo who is senior detective to look for the girl and wanted to know the reason behind the disappereance of the young girl.
▪️I loved the idea behind this book, this is agreat work that how kate and romeo bravely did their job asa character.
The story comes with a great message and motivates everyone who reads this book.
stay awake and be careful maybe someone around you need you or your help.
▪️I loved this book and the story is amazing.
I recommend this to each and everyone. to read this story out i'm sure that everyone will love this book and each person will get motivate after reading this book.
this story is very powerfully written and idea behind this story is very graet.
▪️The author did very great job in portraying the characters. the story is beautifully written. this book deals with sensitive topics like Rape, Sexual asault, Trafficking.
▪️Books like these are hard to find beacuse the story and everything in this book is amazing
May 3, 2021
This story resolves around the main character Kate Medina, an ambitious women who had been working as forensic psychologist and she
loves her job and everything was going well and good until a violent attack left her shaken to the core and changed her life as she decides to quit her job and shifted to an another place.
Things were going great for Kate until the news of the disappearance of a young girl came out. Roman Aguilar, the lead detective and Kate's childhood friend, reaches out to Kate for assistance. When the girl’s body is found, it changed the focus of the investigation to homicide. Because of all this, Kate finds herself in the middle of a situation she never anticipated. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear—no one can be trusted. This book involves the themes of sexual assault and trafficking minors.
Overall it is really an interesting story and I enjoyed till the end. I love stories where the suspense is maintained till the end and this is one such story, It kept me interested throughout. The story involves suspense, drama, deep relationships, and the impressive protagonist. She always did a great job in portraying the characters. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
loves her job and everything was going well and good until a violent attack left her shaken to the core and changed her life as she decides to quit her job and shifted to an another place.
Things were going great for Kate until the news of the disappearance of a young girl came out. Roman Aguilar, the lead detective and Kate's childhood friend, reaches out to Kate for assistance. When the girl’s body is found, it changed the focus of the investigation to homicide. Because of all this, Kate finds herself in the middle of a situation she never anticipated. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear—no one can be trusted. This book involves the themes of sexual assault and trafficking minors.
Overall it is really an interesting story and I enjoyed till the end. I love stories where the suspense is maintained till the end and this is one such story, It kept me interested throughout. The story involves suspense, drama, deep relationships, and the impressive protagonist. She always did a great job in portraying the characters. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
February 4, 2021
Possible spoilers
This book is fairly brutal in parts,yet before the rape and abuse was mentioned,I didnt feel the book set that tone.
It felt lighter.
I must admit,I rolled my eyes once or twice at the reconnecting with old friend.
I rolled them again for the draught relationship with sister...
It was engaging enough for me to read,quite quickly I might add,to the abrupt end,but I'm not sure I'll be looking for book 2.
This book is fairly brutal in parts,yet before the rape and abuse was mentioned,I didnt feel the book set that tone.
It felt lighter.
I must admit,I rolled my eyes once or twice at the reconnecting with old friend.
I rolled them again for the draught relationship with sister...
It was engaging enough for me to read,quite quickly I might add,to the abrupt end,but I'm not sure I'll be looking for book 2.
April 29, 2021
Complicit
By
Amy Rivers
Review:
As a forensic psychologist, Kate didn't had a good career. This was her dream that got fulfilled but not stayed with her for longer. Kate has lost her mother. Her sister Tilly didn't even make it to the funeral of her mother. Kate's father has grown old and weak. He definitely needs someone to care for him. As Kate is already back in New Mexico, so she took care of her father. Kate has issues with her sister Tilly but their father doesn't allow Kate to speak bad about her sister. As High school psychologist, Kate is helping students to overcome the trauma of a missing student. But since the missing incident, all students are in fear. Roman who is a police officer and was Kate's best friend, love before she left for college is now investigating the case. Kate could also help with her training skills. Kate, Tilly and Roman all have got involved now to unveil the mystery. Will they find anything useful during the investigation? Is Kate landing herself into danger by getting associated with the case? Story is so fast paced that you won't be having any time to feel bored. This book is a complete package in itself. This is a highly irresistible story. Language used in the book is simple so even if you aren't an avid thriller reader and wanna give try to the genre, then read this book.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐
By
Amy Rivers
Review:
As a forensic psychologist, Kate didn't had a good career. This was her dream that got fulfilled but not stayed with her for longer. Kate has lost her mother. Her sister Tilly didn't even make it to the funeral of her mother. Kate's father has grown old and weak. He definitely needs someone to care for him. As Kate is already back in New Mexico, so she took care of her father. Kate has issues with her sister Tilly but their father doesn't allow Kate to speak bad about her sister. As High school psychologist, Kate is helping students to overcome the trauma of a missing student. But since the missing incident, all students are in fear. Roman who is a police officer and was Kate's best friend, love before she left for college is now investigating the case. Kate could also help with her training skills. Kate, Tilly and Roman all have got involved now to unveil the mystery. Will they find anything useful during the investigation? Is Kate landing herself into danger by getting associated with the case? Story is so fast paced that you won't be having any time to feel bored. This book is a complete package in itself. This is a highly irresistible story. Language used in the book is simple so even if you aren't an avid thriller reader and wanna give try to the genre, then read this book.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐
May 1, 2021
Book Review:
Complicit by Amy Rivers
Complicit is a fast-paced thriller and a story that has many twists. Forensic psychologist Kate Medina left her career behind and returned to her hometown. She started working as a school psychologist helping children to discuss their problems with her. One of her student Mandy wasn't talking to her. She was silently suffering from her parents divorce, trying weird dresses, etc. When one of the girl was missing from the school, it had a bad impact on all other students. As the officer Roman began investigation, Kate was also involved to help with the investigation. But Roman and Kate has a history. Will they be able to work together inspite of having a personal complicated relationship? I loved the storyline and Amy's writing skills. Flow of the story is nice. Author has covered about human trafficking in the story. This book left me turning pages after pages until I finished it. Characters are well written and I hadn't had to struggle with the story. It has a smooth narration. If you are a fan of stories involving human trafficking, complex relation, lead female character then this book is for you.
Rating 5/5 ⭐
Complicit by Amy Rivers
Complicit is a fast-paced thriller and a story that has many twists. Forensic psychologist Kate Medina left her career behind and returned to her hometown. She started working as a school psychologist helping children to discuss their problems with her. One of her student Mandy wasn't talking to her. She was silently suffering from her parents divorce, trying weird dresses, etc. When one of the girl was missing from the school, it had a bad impact on all other students. As the officer Roman began investigation, Kate was also involved to help with the investigation. But Roman and Kate has a history. Will they be able to work together inspite of having a personal complicated relationship? I loved the storyline and Amy's writing skills. Flow of the story is nice. Author has covered about human trafficking in the story. This book left me turning pages after pages until I finished it. Characters are well written and I hadn't had to struggle with the story. It has a smooth narration. If you are a fan of stories involving human trafficking, complex relation, lead female character then this book is for you.
Rating 5/5 ⭐
March 27, 2021
Complicit is the first book in the series Legacy of Silence by Amy Rivers that makes its readers wanting more of the story.
The story revolves around Kate Medina who is currently working as a student counselor leaving behind her old job as a forensic psychologist for prison inmates after her mother died. Though after sometime in the story we realise that there are some other reasons why she left her dream job.
Another trauma enters her life when a student from her school disappears and Roman Aguilar,childhood friend of Kate now turned strangers starts investigating this case and they finds the body of the student in the same manner that Kate saw many years ago,which forced her to leave her hometown.
Kate realizes that her hometown is not ideal and there is something big going on with the girls disappearing and no one noticing.
The story in this book is medium paced but gives a little time to its readers to adjust in the setup but once you start this book you will be postponing all your works by saying "one more page". The personal life of our protagonist makes the story a little more interesting.
This book is definitely a good read for anyone who loves thriller genre or anyone wanting to read a book where people disappear in mysterious ways
The story revolves around Kate Medina who is currently working as a student counselor leaving behind her old job as a forensic psychologist for prison inmates after her mother died. Though after sometime in the story we realise that there are some other reasons why she left her dream job.
Another trauma enters her life when a student from her school disappears and Roman Aguilar,childhood friend of Kate now turned strangers starts investigating this case and they finds the body of the student in the same manner that Kate saw many years ago,which forced her to leave her hometown.
Kate realizes that her hometown is not ideal and there is something big going on with the girls disappearing and no one noticing.
The story in this book is medium paced but gives a little time to its readers to adjust in the setup but once you start this book you will be postponing all your works by saying "one more page". The personal life of our protagonist makes the story a little more interesting.
This book is definitely a good read for anyone who loves thriller genre or anyone wanting to read a book where people disappear in mysterious ways
April 17, 2021
Complicit – Amy Rivers
Kate Medina is a forensic psychologist, who’s returned home to small town Alamogordo, New Mexico after a jailhouse assault shook her to her core. Now, sharing her childhood home with her father, she is a counselor to teens at the local high school, where her biggest worry is how to get them to open up - and how to re-connect w/ Roman Aguilar, her best friend whom she left behind over 15 years ago. Now a detective with the local police department, Roman has maintained his distance, both physical and emotional, from Kate.
Kate’s latest concern is a student named Mandy, who has undergone a dramatic transformation in the few sessions she’s had with her, from a dramatic, angry teen to a mere shell of herself, slumped in a chair and not speaking. With the recent disappearance of local teen Gabby Greene affecting all of the high school students in different ways, Kate suspects some type of trauma may have been responsible for the drastic change she has seen.
When Kate returns to work the next day, she finds Roman in her office waiting for her, to tell her that Gabby’s body had been found that morning, with evidence of a brutal rape and torture; the scene similar to one that Roman & Kate had come across themselves many years ago. While Kate has nothing to add to the investigation, she had Roman form an uneasy alliance as they try to learn more about Gabby’s murder.
Mandy finally shares a horrific story with Kate, which leaves Kate & Roman questioning everything they’ve ever known about the town and its people. As they work together to unravel the evil that has permeated the town for decades, those responsible will do anything to see them fail…
Wow! This book was fantastic!! It’s also the first book of a new series, which makes it that much better for me, because I was hooked right from the start! There is so much to this story, and so many things I left out so that I wouldn’t give the book away, but this book kept me in suspense right from the get-go, and I could not put it down! The characters were flawed, but likeable – even more so as you began to understand their motivations – and I cannot wait for the next installment to this sordid but thrilling story!!
I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from #Netgalley & Compathy Press in exchange for an objective review. Do you love to read?? Visit Netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!
Kate Medina is a forensic psychologist, who’s returned home to small town Alamogordo, New Mexico after a jailhouse assault shook her to her core. Now, sharing her childhood home with her father, she is a counselor to teens at the local high school, where her biggest worry is how to get them to open up - and how to re-connect w/ Roman Aguilar, her best friend whom she left behind over 15 years ago. Now a detective with the local police department, Roman has maintained his distance, both physical and emotional, from Kate.
Kate’s latest concern is a student named Mandy, who has undergone a dramatic transformation in the few sessions she’s had with her, from a dramatic, angry teen to a mere shell of herself, slumped in a chair and not speaking. With the recent disappearance of local teen Gabby Greene affecting all of the high school students in different ways, Kate suspects some type of trauma may have been responsible for the drastic change she has seen.
When Kate returns to work the next day, she finds Roman in her office waiting for her, to tell her that Gabby’s body had been found that morning, with evidence of a brutal rape and torture; the scene similar to one that Roman & Kate had come across themselves many years ago. While Kate has nothing to add to the investigation, she had Roman form an uneasy alliance as they try to learn more about Gabby’s murder.
Mandy finally shares a horrific story with Kate, which leaves Kate & Roman questioning everything they’ve ever known about the town and its people. As they work together to unravel the evil that has permeated the town for decades, those responsible will do anything to see them fail…
Wow! This book was fantastic!! It’s also the first book of a new series, which makes it that much better for me, because I was hooked right from the start! There is so much to this story, and so many things I left out so that I wouldn’t give the book away, but this book kept me in suspense right from the get-go, and I could not put it down! The characters were flawed, but likeable – even more so as you began to understand their motivations – and I cannot wait for the next installment to this sordid but thrilling story!!
I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from #Netgalley & Compathy Press in exchange for an objective review. Do you love to read?? Visit Netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!
April 29, 2021
Complicit written by the author Amy Rivers is the first installment in "A Legacy of Silence" book series. Kate Medina wanted to spend her life away from home. So, she did college out of states and made a career as a forensic psychologist. She landed her dream job in the prison system where there was high risk and she gets looming threats of violence. One unfortunate horrific event sent her back to her hometown where her broken father needed her.
Kate's sister Tilly is having a great career as she didn't sacrifice it for the family. She even didn't attend her mother's funeral. There is awkwardness between Tilly and her father Frank. One day Frank broke the news to his daughters Kate and Tilly that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is in Stage IV. Doctor has already confirmed that he gonna die soon. Kate has a childhood friend Roman who is now working with her on one case. Pick this book and find out what more is in store in this book.
It is a rollercoaster read. I am sure that you gonna enjoy it. The story kept me on the edge the whole time. I wasn't able to keep it aside once I started it. This book is suitable for weekend binge reading. Cover photo is eye catchy and title is appropriate. I am definitely interested to read more books by Amy.
Kate's sister Tilly is having a great career as she didn't sacrifice it for the family. She even didn't attend her mother's funeral. There is awkwardness between Tilly and her father Frank. One day Frank broke the news to his daughters Kate and Tilly that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is in Stage IV. Doctor has already confirmed that he gonna die soon. Kate has a childhood friend Roman who is now working with her on one case. Pick this book and find out what more is in store in this book.
It is a rollercoaster read. I am sure that you gonna enjoy it. The story kept me on the edge the whole time. I wasn't able to keep it aside once I started it. This book is suitable for weekend binge reading. Cover photo is eye catchy and title is appropriate. I am definitely interested to read more books by Amy.
May 2, 2021
Book: Complicit
Author: Amy Rivers
Rating: 4.5/5
Review:
Complicit revolves around the life of Kate Medina. She is in her mid thirties. Her career as a forensic psychologist couldn't last longer so she moved to her hometown in New Mexico. She now works as a school psychologist. Trouble enters Kate's life when her father informed her that he is suffering from pancreatic cancer. Also, at school a girl was missing and soon more girls started to disappear.
Kate gets into solving the mystery behind girls disappearances with her ex-boyfriend Roman who is now a police officer.
The plot of the story is well written. The way the story ends is amazing and it has made me curious to read the next book in the series. If you love reading thriller and mystery stories then this would be a great read. World building of the story is amazing. I liked the way author has handled sensitive topics like trafficking, rape, etc.
Looking forward to get my hands on next book by Amy soon.....
Author: Amy Rivers
Rating: 4.5/5
Review:
Complicit revolves around the life of Kate Medina. She is in her mid thirties. Her career as a forensic psychologist couldn't last longer so she moved to her hometown in New Mexico. She now works as a school psychologist. Trouble enters Kate's life when her father informed her that he is suffering from pancreatic cancer. Also, at school a girl was missing and soon more girls started to disappear.
Kate gets into solving the mystery behind girls disappearances with her ex-boyfriend Roman who is now a police officer.
The plot of the story is well written. The way the story ends is amazing and it has made me curious to read the next book in the series. If you love reading thriller and mystery stories then this would be a great read. World building of the story is amazing. I liked the way author has handled sensitive topics like trafficking, rape, etc.
Looking forward to get my hands on next book by Amy soon.....
April 1, 2021
Complicit was an easy book to get into and ended up being a quick read. Don't let that fool you though, this touches on a lot (and I mean a lot) of different topics that can be hard to read (*trigger warnings*). In my opinion, Rivers did a great job at providing enough detail(s) for the reader to understand without giving so much that it was hard to read. There were a few times the transitions felt a little disjointed where I had to stop and reread to make sure I know where I was and what was happening. The ending is set up nicely for book number two and this has the potential for becoming a great series.
September 1, 2023
This is one messed up town, wow, I cannot believe the stuff they have gotten away with! I did not realize this was the first book in a series, I am hopeful that book #2 is released in the near future so we can catch up with these characters and what has been happening since the end of this story.
April 30, 2021
5/5 Stars
Trigger Warning: Mentions of rape, murder, abuse, and stalking.
Kate, once a forensic psychologist, is now a high school psychologist. A student has gone missing and once her body is found, Kate is drawn into a plot that involves members of her small town home. Her past and present connect in ways she never imagined.
This is a novel that draws you in from the very first chapter. The suspense is tangible and keeps you guessing with every page turn. There is a heavy divide between the good and evil characters, and yet there are moments when Kate and her entourage are all ambiguous in their motives.
There was a touch of romance, but it was kept to a minimum and was a product of the high emotions that are constant in the novel. Ultimately the ending is open ended and leaves me craving more of Kate's story.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Netgalley
Trigger Warning: Mentions of rape, murder, abuse, and stalking.
Kate, once a forensic psychologist, is now a high school psychologist. A student has gone missing and once her body is found, Kate is drawn into a plot that involves members of her small town home. Her past and present connect in ways she never imagined.
This is a novel that draws you in from the very first chapter. The suspense is tangible and keeps you guessing with every page turn. There is a heavy divide between the good and evil characters, and yet there are moments when Kate and her entourage are all ambiguous in their motives.
There was a touch of romance, but it was kept to a minimum and was a product of the high emotions that are constant in the novel. Ultimately the ending is open ended and leaves me craving more of Kate's story.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Netgalley
September 8, 2025
3.5 - while this story kept me fully engrossed and wanting to keep reading, I don’t like an unresolved ending in a mystery/thriller. I understand it is to be a series, but wrap up each “episode” and then move to another. I don’t want to spend another book with the same bad actors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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