Don't Tell: A Riveting Mystery

A Riveting Kidnapping Mystery Series #18

by Alexandria Clarke

Alex Rider is a struggling detective with a career-ending secret, but she puts everything at risk when she tracks a homicide suspect to a luxury cruise liner, only to get trapped on board with the killer. Will Alex put the murderer behind bars or will she become a victim herself?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2019

About the author

Alexandria Clarke is a writer, cat lover, and all-around optimist. She loves to immerse her readers in mystery and intrigue, meaningful friendships, and the worlds of characters who learn by doing. When she's not writing, Alex enjoys playing guitar, watching Wynonna Earp, and spending time with her family. She currently lives in Orlando, Florida with her partner and their four pets.

Reviews

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy

Alex a young detective trying to solve a eight year murder seems to be running down the wrong rabbit hole. Not a bad story line.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

Fantastic read it you love thrillers and mysteries as I do. Looking forward to reading more from this author. Twists, turns, and double backs keep you guessing til the very end! Unfortunately, this review shows as my husband's because he is the account holder but I am a voracious reader. Vicki Monigold Dickinson

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Ryder's first case as a rookie was a homicide and torture case that hasn't been solved. Now as a detective she's working a new homicide case that's almost identical to her first one and she's sure it's the same killer. This time she's determined to solve the case and bring the killer to justice. Many twists and turns and an ending you won't see coming makes this a great read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joan Ney Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Tell

I loved this story, Alex thinks she has the case solved and we're right there with her...but does she? This story has you jumping over hurdles and reaching conclusions; then brings you back to the top to start over again...I am impressed with the character development and storyline; I hope we hear more from Alex.

[Shanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Plot holes, overreliance on coincidence, illogical character decisions, weak red herrings. This was almost a DNF, but I stuck with it only because it was quick and easy reading. If you like Scooby-doo detectives, you might enjoy this. Including the scene in which one character literally yanks the rug out from under their pursuer to slow them down. Clarke didn't actually use the word zoink, but it was implied.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD.

Alex is a rookie cop. On her very first assignment, she and her training officer investigate a domestic dispute call. In searching the house, they find a dead body, then Alex encounters a woman who knocks the gun out of her hand, then begs her to get her out of the house. The woman is bloody and injured. Alex is talking to the woman when someone runs out the back door. The lead officer chases this person, but they get away.

Eight years later, Alex is still suffering severe PTSD from this event. She's now a detective, but not a very good one. A woman is found dead with some similarities to Alex's first case. Alex is put on the case because of course. Alex runs around like a chicken pecking at every random clue, but not getting anywhere. She bullies her way onto a cruise ship in order to interrogate a possible suspect (no real evidence pointing to this person, just circumstantial/hearsay, but she's already convinced this is the guy). A woman is murdered aboard the ship, then the body disappears, so Alex spends her time investigating that in addition to her main investigation. One night Alex runs into the suspect who chases her around the boat with a knife, and Alex manages to disarm the suspect but not knock off her mask, then Alex THE COP runs from the suspect she has been pursuing this whole time. Another night a woman goes missing and Alex finds her in Alex's cabin about to be murdered by the suspect who gets away AGAIN. Alex arrests the wrong person and gets in trouble because in doing so she botched an undercover drug-dealer sting.

The actual murderer was Alex's "friend", the victim from the first case, who turned out to be the original murderer all along, who assumed the identity of the victim who was the one who ran from the police into the forest. The murderer had gone back and killed her, assumed her identity by leaving the city and breaking all personal contacts, but speaking to Alex regularly on the phone. Alex finally realized it when the friend basically spelled it out for her. Alex met with her, got stabbed but survived, murderer was arrested. Somehow the woman had managed to get on the ship at the last minute, hack into the ship's security cameras, and get master room keys.

[Gloria ~ mzglorybe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the publishers blurb so I don’t have to state what it’s about. First off I’ve never read this Indie author before. In researching her work, I found that she uses the description “a riveting novel” to describe many of them. I still don’t get why the title though of “Don’t Tell.”

I enjoyed this for the most part but I didn’t find it riveting. The characters were interesting, especially the main character Alex (female) a detective in the Tampa PD. She gets stuck on a cruise ship for the duration of this novel chasing a suspect. I enjoyed the locale as I’ve cruised a lot and could easily visualize the setting. There was at one point a dead body on board the ship that disappeared before the Coast Guard could get to the scene. It was never disclosed what happened to it.

One thing that really annoys me is bad grammar coming from professionals that come across like bumbling illiterates. More than one officer came up with the question “What do we got?” Well I’ll tell you what we “have” ... not a bad story, it moves along at a good pace. A twist at the end gives us a surprise ending. If you like police procedurals and crime fiction you may enjoy this fast read.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biology only gets you so far in terms of genetics and personality.

Alex Ryder is now a homicide detective. We meet her as a rookie on her first day, along with all learning as much of her backstory as she shares with colleagues and her training officer. Cool character intro.

As we ride with Alex while she tracks a killer it is a wild and intense ride.

If you like suspense filled detective stories with plenty of twists - and more - this packs intense action with clever crime solving, and personal insights and development.

Doubt - intrigue - death - and trying to have a life and work the job.

Awesome read!

I bought this book from Kindle. I also received an advance copy from Booksprout.

I want to tell you more about all the juicy details of this book, but what to say without spilling details? I finished it in one night, and re-read sections the next morning.

Great read if you like psychological thrillers you just cannot put down!

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel has an engaging lead. Alex, traumatized by a brutal murder her first day as a rookie, uses her perceived failure to propel her to the role of detective. Dedicated and determined she still battles nightmare from the first case and vows to find the killer. a bizarre murder at a yoga studio forces her to play a dangerous game with a crafty serial killer responsible for her initial trauma.

I enjoyed this novel. I liked Alex and her gumption and her supervising officer. I do wish authors would stop giving female characters male names though. There is some humour and all in all the pacing and suspense are well done. However, there are some major implausibilities and holes in the story that detracted enough for me to reduce this to a three-star read. Still and an entertaining and energetic story well told.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eight years ago Alex Ryder started her police detective career with the Tampa Police Department. As a rookie she was assigned Officer Carter as her training officer.

On her first assignment with Carter she accidentally let a killer get away. Since then she’d determined to be the best cop possible. Carter has since been promoted to Lieutenant.

Following a call regarding a murder incident at a yoga studio, Detective Ryder is assigned the case. The victim was discovered by the owner of the yoga studio when she arrived there in the morning.

At the crime scene, Detective Ryder discovers the victim was killed in the same manner as the victims from eight years ago. Does this mean the killer is back?

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in from the first paragraph. I loved this book about a detective and her pursuit of a killer. I loved that Alex Ryder was a strong female detective and stopped at nothing to get her man or woman. I worried and read until late at night. I could not put it down. The vocabulary this author uses to describe her characters and their surroundings is very melodic. I was transported into Alex's world and could not escape. I recommend that you read this book, you will love it too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Goliash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid

I liked this book. Not a lot of surprises, in my opinion, but it was well executed. Some holes that bother me that I won't discuss because I try not to leave spoilers in reviews. They were enough for me to rate it 3 instead of 4 stars. They were things that were just dropped with no further investigation & that bothered me a lot. Also, at the end (which I had figured out) it dawned on me that someone had not done their job for this to even have happened. Still, it was a good read & worth the time.

[Rebekah Stadius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept for a mystery with the cruise ship setting but it was a bit drawn out and repetitious for the storyline. The main detective, Alex, seemed to be stumbling through her investigative duties and unsure of what to do next and how to find the killer. I wondered that perhaps she was not in the best mental health to tackle this case knowing her background and need for constant contact with her therapist.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Alex Rider is a great character, strong and determined, but she has a secret. A well-written story that will keep you glued to the book until you have finished. The cruise ship aspect is a good twist as she is trapped on board with the killer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Alex Ryder was a rookie cop she had a murder case on her first day of work. Years later the murder is back. This story had me captivated and on the edge of my seat with each page I turned. The story is a captivating mystery filled with suspense, danger, and twists I didn't see coming. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little unorthodox

I did enjoy the many round and rounds this story had but there seemed to be a little lacking of real investigative backing from a scientific standpoint. This was more a story of shoddy police work, no backup help, wrong turns in a parallel direction and then just plain dumb luck to finally apprehend the bad guy. Gave it the benefit of a 4 and not a 3.5.

[Diana L. Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sun, a Cruise and Another Murder

Other than some jarring writing mistakes it was an okay mystery that will keep guessing. In some chapters Alex has it all together and in others she curls up in a ball. We all have our flaws but this writer asks you to take huge leaps in this story.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters involved in this story and a wonderful story that kept me interested from the beginning. I highly recommend this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rookie cop was involved in a murder case on her first day.
Eight years later the murderer is back!!!
This story line will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and at times predictable murder mystery

Engaging murder mystery with flawed characters takes the reader on an ocean voyage. Interesting twists and human interactions in a glamorous and exotic environment.

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, beginning with how a rookie with the Tampa PD and finding a body on the first day, To end up on a cruise ship, and no vacation as there is a killer on board. Enjoyed and captivating story .

[Jean Bystry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blonde’s beware .

The Detective had issues to say the least, but she was determined to work thru them no matter the cost to herself physically or to her job, in order to close the case. And she did plus along the way solved some of her own issues.

[Ruth A Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Great read. I couldn't put the book down. It was hard to tell who the killer was but I had a hunch about 3/4 of the way through. I recommend this book!! You won't be disappointed if you really like a good mystery with twists and turns that DO make a lot of sense.

[Dee Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pretty Good Read

Don't Tell is an interesting book with not too many errors. By the end I was getting claustrophobic on that cruise ship and ready to get off. If nothing else it convinced me cruises are not for me. The mystery is good and it is worth your time to read.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Never has a cruise gone so wrong. Detective Alex Ryder seems to get everything wrong but I still like her. Haunted for eight years by the perp that got away, she sees everyone she talks to as guilty. The ending is the best part of the book.

[Art Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT!!!

A troubled Detective, while under therapy is on the trail of a serial killer. Haunted by the killer’s escape, eight years ago, she is drawn to a eerily similar murder. Alex encounters many pitfalls and suspects, that keeps you guessing till the very end.

[James Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic novel

As a regular reader of crime fiction,it takes a lot to impress me and this novel did just that. I look forward to reading all of the other novels by this author. This book had me on the edge of my seat throughout.

[Catherine Skyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly

Alex Ryder is a homicide cop in Tampa. She's scarred physically and emotionally from an unsolved case. When she pursues a suspect, she ends up on a cruise ship she can't get off of. Ridiculous

[Dewey Carroll Brackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

Wow! I was glued to this one. It was really a thrilling mystery. This detective does not give up despite her problems. Sometimes her being head strong gets her into trouble.

[Nadine Verderber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killer on a cruise ship

This story had lots of twists and turns. The heroine sure takes a beating. Not sure if a person could do what she does with all her injuries. Kept me entertained.

[Philip A. Guercio · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cruise gone amok

This story was an interesting take on an old plot line. The characters were interesting but a bit worn. The plot moved quickly and reached an obvious conclusion.