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Conard County: The Next Generation #47
Conard County: Traces of Murder
She’s about to face danger…
the kind she never trained for.
Neither elite soldier Hillary Kristiansen nor US Special Ops member Trace Mullen knew that a trip to the cemetery to mourn their shared friends’ deaths would result in an investigation. But as they bond over their grief, they find themselves determined to prove that the deaths were not mere tragedies—they were murders. In the process, they’ll expose a cover-up…and fight for their lives when an illicit arms dealer sets his sights on them.
the kind she never trained for.
Neither elite soldier Hillary Kristiansen nor US Special Ops member Trace Mullen knew that a trip to the cemetery to mourn their shared friends’ deaths would result in an investigation. But as they bond over their grief, they find themselves determined to prove that the deaths were not mere tragedies—they were murders. In the process, they’ll expose a cover-up…and fight for their lives when an illicit arms dealer sets his sights on them.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2021
52 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lee
372 books141 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.
Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 5, 2021
Good book, mostly a mental suspense story, concluding with an excellent physical confrontation. Hillary is a Norwegian special ops soldier who came to Conard County to pay her respects to Brigid, a good friend who died in action. While at Brigid's grave, she noticed a man standing at Brigid's husband's grave. Trace grew up with Brigid and Allan, and they were all best friends. He refuses to believe that Allan committed suicide over Brigid's death and believes that Allan was murdered.
I liked the first meeting between Hillary and Trace. They recognize each other for what they are: the best of the best. Therefore, it is no surprise that Hillary understands Trace's concerns when he explains them to her. Hillary feels that the best way to honor Brigid is to help Trace uncover the truth, but it won't be easy. Allan may have left Trace all of his passwords in his will, but his files were a disorganized mess. Brigid's handwritten letters were the same. But as Hillary and Trace read through them, it became evident that Brigid stumbled on something dangerous. I could feel Trace and Hillary's frustration as they tried to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I could also feel their relief and concern when they found something that led them in the right direction.
It didn't help that both Trace and Hillary felt that they were being watched. In this book, we also get the viewpoint of the person watching them, who is also the one behind Allan's death. Following his thoughts and actions showed that Trace and Hillary found something that went far deeper than expected. It was also evident that he felt in over his head but had no way out. The more fearful he became of discovery, the greater the danger to Trace and Hillary. The final confrontation was terrific, with fantastic teamwork and a well-done resolution.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Trace and Hillary. They connected quickly thanks to their similar careers. I loved watching them together, from their long-distance running to their meals at Maude's diner to searching for the truth. I loved how neither beat around the bush when it came to feelings and desires. Their attraction grew quickly even though neither believed there was any future in it. One of the greatest things was Trace's respect for Hillary, both professionally and personally. I especially liked that he could be protective while still believing in her ability to take care of herself. As they spent more time together, Trace and Hillary realized that what they felt was more than casual but didn't know what they could do about it. I loved how the danger they experienced showed them what was important. The ending was terrific.
I liked the first meeting between Hillary and Trace. They recognize each other for what they are: the best of the best. Therefore, it is no surprise that Hillary understands Trace's concerns when he explains them to her. Hillary feels that the best way to honor Brigid is to help Trace uncover the truth, but it won't be easy. Allan may have left Trace all of his passwords in his will, but his files were a disorganized mess. Brigid's handwritten letters were the same. But as Hillary and Trace read through them, it became evident that Brigid stumbled on something dangerous. I could feel Trace and Hillary's frustration as they tried to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I could also feel their relief and concern when they found something that led them in the right direction.
It didn't help that both Trace and Hillary felt that they were being watched. In this book, we also get the viewpoint of the person watching them, who is also the one behind Allan's death. Following his thoughts and actions showed that Trace and Hillary found something that went far deeper than expected. It was also evident that he felt in over his head but had no way out. The more fearful he became of discovery, the greater the danger to Trace and Hillary. The final confrontation was terrific, with fantastic teamwork and a well-done resolution.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Trace and Hillary. They connected quickly thanks to their similar careers. I loved watching them together, from their long-distance running to their meals at Maude's diner to searching for the truth. I loved how neither beat around the bush when it came to feelings and desires. Their attraction grew quickly even though neither believed there was any future in it. One of the greatest things was Trace's respect for Hillary, both professionally and personally. I especially liked that he could be protective while still believing in her ability to take care of herself. As they spent more time together, Trace and Hillary realized that what they felt was more than casual but didn't know what they could do about it. I loved how the danger they experienced showed them what was important. The ending was terrific.
December 22, 2025
‘Brigid and Allan would be avenged.’
When the two people Trace is closest to in this world is taken from him, he knows there was more to it than war, and suicide. Determined to prove it was murder he finds an unlikely ally in Valkyrie, Hillary. Trading their soldiering ways for desk duty they poor over the electronic footprint left behind by Brigid and Allan while the man they’re looking for becomes more and more unhinged and decides his only way out it to kill them as well. This is a solid story, if a bit slow at times and in the end I found myself rooting for a HEA for the couple.
When the two people Trace is closest to in this world is taken from him, he knows there was more to it than war, and suicide. Determined to prove it was murder he finds an unlikely ally in Valkyrie, Hillary. Trading their soldiering ways for desk duty they poor over the electronic footprint left behind by Brigid and Allan while the man they’re looking for becomes more and more unhinged and decides his only way out it to kill them as well. This is a solid story, if a bit slow at times and in the end I found myself rooting for a HEA for the couple.
December 20, 2021
This is the first Rachel Lee book I have read and if they are all this "catch me right away interesting" I'll definitely read more of her :) Trace Mullen came home to heal and to help his best friend Allan Mannerly grieve the death of Allan's wife Brigid KIA in Afghanistan...Allan commits suicide but Trace yells murder and with the help of a Norwegian Special Ops soldier Hillary Kristiansen Brigid's friend he sets out to prove his theory
May 21, 2022
Not my type of book. I felt like the first half of the book was very repetitive, same routine over and over again which left me frustrated especially when it took forever to find discrepancies. I prefer books with more action which this book did not have much of. I did enjoy reading about how the two characters came together, worked together and Learned about his other and their cultures.
November 24, 2022
Normally I love this series but I found this book hard to read. It had a tendency to drag in spots. A book that would normally would take me a day and a half to read took me almost two weeks.
I have it a 3-star rating but it is the weakest book in the series.
I have it a 3-star rating but it is the weakest book in the series.
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May 1, 2021Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Conard County: The Next Generation (Book #47)
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Conard County: The Next Generation (Book #47)
Read
May 1, 2021Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Conard County: The Next Generation (Book #47)
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Conard County: The Next Generation (Book #47)
May 14, 2021
4.5 stars
a book a day in May
a book a day in May
October 5, 2022
A bit of a slow burn. Likeable characters and a decent story.
June 7, 2023
Absolutely loved this book so much!!!!
November 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this intriguing romance. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given this a 4.5* rating. This is not for the under 18 readers. Parts of this seemed to move a little slower but there was more sneaking around by the bad guys instead of violence. But there definitely are bad guys. A little bit of fun with big eaters.
July 29, 2024
This is the 3rd book I read by Rachel Lee. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 3 because it didn't grab my interest.
January 21, 2023
There wasn’t enough action for me, it felt like not as much happening as I expected. It was still a nice story, I finished it.
July 3, 2021
Better than I expected. Fun easy read, decent mystery and a hot couple - without all the gore and mayhem.
June 15, 2021
Always a good read from Lee. I really enjoyed these characters and the plot. A bit different from previous stories which I enjoyed as well. Looking forward to reading the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews