The praised author of Warrior Blue takes a step in a different direction with this haunting and mysterious romantic suspense. After an ugly divorce, Inspector Alec Brodie returns home to the sleepy town of Fort Crow, Scotland, where crime is about as common as a sunny day. Before long, he begins to wonder if his career as a homicide detective has come to an end.But things take an unexpected turn when the body of a beautiful tourist is found. Alec is eager to jump on the case, until the suspicious death is ruled an accident. Now, the number one question on his mind is, who is covering up the murder of Rosie Allan?With the help of his best friend, along with a very unlikely—and very gorgeous—partner, Alec sets out to find some answers. But can he solve the mystery without getting himself killed—or worse, falling in love?
When I was a wee lassie, I was told by my preschool teachers that I was a natural at storytelling. When I was just a little older than that, an old friend's mother said to me, "Kelsey, one day your books are going to be on the shelves at the library."
Well, Diane, I don't know if my books are ever going to be on the shelves of libraries, but I'm sure as hell going to try.
When I'm not writing stories destined to be bestsellers, I enjoy devouring TV shows, listening to every type of music there is and going to concerts, reading pretty much anything (with a soft spot for romance and certain books located in 18th century Scotland), obsessing over makeup, and pretending to workout.
I also have a fondness for cats, my family, tattoos, and a really good French fry.
Grace was supposed to be in Scotland on her honeymoon. But since her cheating ex is just that - she's here alone. And on the day she's supposed to come home, she doesn't. Her sister Rosie is worried sick. She packs up her 16 year old son TJ and flies to Scotland - to find out what really happened to her sister. Alec used to be a murder cop in the big city, but his divorce and his sick father made him come back to his little home town. Alec quickly realizes that things are not right in his town and with this case. People are telling lies and keeping secrets!
What happened to Grace? Rosie and Alex will find out - if they survive long enough to do it!
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I really enjoyed reading this! I love romantic suspense and this was just beautiful. Obviously it was also very heartbreaking and dangerous and mysterious. But it was a really adorable love story too. I adored Alec and Rosie! And TJ. Jeez that boy! Isn't he a bit old to be so teenagy? But he got better with time! LOL! I didn't like the whole Scottish accent thing. Everything Alec and all the other locals say is written in Scottish accent. And that just stopped my reading flow ... it took me way longer to read this book than it should have. It would've been enough to just let the scottish people say AYE once in a while...😏 I can listen to Outlander Jamie all day long, but my brain is too stupid to read it!! 🤣 But ... I still really enjoyed reading this story! Can't wait to hear more from Alec and Rosie!
A CIRCLE OF CROWS was a beautiful + heartbreaking + dangerous + adorable murder mystery love story. Run to your nearest amazon for your own Alec - he'll be sold out in no time!
With A Circle of Crows Kelsey Kingsley proves that there's no limit to her talent.
Romantic suspense is not typically my genre of choice, but I was pulled in - as always - by the engaging storytelling and smart writing. The story zips along quickly and the suspense was executed brilliantly. There is an eeriness to the story. There were moments that sent chills down my spine. Aided by the setting in a remote Scottish town, a cast of Scottish brogued small-town characters - it was impossible to know who to trust and that kept me glued to the pages, mind whirring, pulse pumping, devouring every nuance and every word.
My heart broke for Rosie. I felt her heart-brokenness and overwhelmed-ness as she dealt with her grief and the relentless weight she was carrying (not the least of which was a surly teenager). Her meet-cute with Alec took an almost zany turn, but it was memorable and interesting to read. I loved how they formed a team, quickly trusting and respecting each other enough to share the burden of investigation.
The romance definitely took a backseat here and I struggled a little bit to connect with it. I didn't feel it - like I appreciated that it was happening as part of the story, but it was a thing I was watching versus a thing I was feeling. I'm not sure what would have tipped the scales for me, but I will say that it didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the story. It was sometimes bone-chillingly suspenseful, and the ending was sweetly satisfying. I'm curious to see where it goes next! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
A heart pounding thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and pulse racing to a gallop speed throughout. Ominous crows form a circle to entrap gullible Gracie Allen in the town of Fort Crow in Scotland
"Coille Feannag, appropriately named for its geographic likeness to a sitting crow, bordered the northern most part of town. It was a thick forest with gnarled oaks, tall grass, treacherous walking trails,"
She turns up lying on a slab of stone under a cliff, killed in the most gruesome manner Inspector Alex Bodie takes on the case. He's determined yet reluctant transplant from a bustling Edinburgh to quiet sleepy town and this murder is too much of a nuisance for local police if nothing else.
He teams up with Grace's sister Rosalyn Allan, towing her obnoxious, ill-tempered teen son TJ, and his childhood friend Rick the mortician. What a rag tag team of people, all determined to find the who's and why's of Grace's grotesque murder.
“Because if I’m good for anythin’, it’s my word,” I said, my voice firm and unwavering. “I can promise ye that, Rosie. Whoever did this will serve their time, or they will pay with their life. Even if it means riskin’ mine.”
All are looking for closure of sorts. Rosie for her sister and why she fell victim to a serial killer. Her guilt not letting her abandon ship and leave for safety across the ocean in America. Childhood bullying scars keeping Alec tied to his career that gobbled up his life, his marriage, his family and then theres the killer.
He's the most unexpected surprise and his motives will astound you. In between two weary, a washed and tired souls find comfort in their combined grief. Coping mechanism that soon engulfs their hearts and lights a flicker of hope.
Kelsey took me by surprise when I read her first book Where We Went Wrong. I was instantly taken by her riveting story and skillful narration. I couldve taken a bet on her second book and won, if I playing poker. She's now safely tucked away in my Must Read & Auto One Click Author Box I wish I meet her in person one day and chat about all things books. Her ability to pen a thriller as masterfully as she delved into angsty slow burn book just heighetened my admiration for her author skills. She needs to be read by every reader and ASAP! 4.5 stars for Lass & Laddie Follow me on: Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
A Circle of Crows, set in a small town in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, is the latest book by one of my go to authors, Kelsey Kingsley. She has the ability to imagine something completely different and venture into a new genre seemlessly- a romantic suspsense this time, with a murder mystery just waiting to be solved. Kelsey impresses me more and more with every new book she writes. Such a phenomenal talent and one whose books I will happily devour- no blurb required, no questions asked!
Now, welcome to Fort Crow- just a boring little town where every day is just like the next??? Not quite. When a young American visitor is found dead, the local police are quick to call it an accident but the more Inspector Alec Brodie sees, the more the clues don't add up. Things seem to be getting a bit darker in this quaint and not so sleepy Scottish town.
When the victim's grief striken sister arrives, Alec convinces her that something about this case is seriously wrong. They set out to discover what really happened to Grace Allan in that spooky, dark forest on the edge of town. He's getting the feeling that Rosie is the only one he can trust, besides his lifelong friend, as danger swirls them around them like the moody Scottish mist. Every twist and turn in their investigation takes them closer to the unknown truth. Spending so much time together only heightens the attraction growing between Rosie and Alec. She's smart, kind and beautiful and he's determined not to notice how wrong is it to feel this way when they're investigating her sister's brutal murder.
This story had a ghostly, otherworldly feel to it from the beginning, which that gorgeous, haunting cover portrayed so well and the tight, mysterious tension kept building with every chapter I read. There are stories within the story that will throw you for a loop as you follow behind Alec and Rosie, so keep your eyes and ears open!!! When it's finally revealed who was responsible for this heinous crime and why they did what they did, you'll be thinking...say what???
One of my favorite parts of any book written by this amazing author are the believable and genuine characters she creates, which takes her stories to the next level. You can imagine being right there with them, feeling and seeing everything from their POV. She often includes people from previous books and weaves bits of their stories into the new one, keeping her worlds connected, which I just love to see.
A Circle of Crows epilogue was the perfect ending to Alec and Rosie's story after their awkward beginning, but leaves plenty of room for more to come in their lives. A sneak peek at what the future might look like for them was an exciting bonus that left me wanting more of that handsome, slightly rumpled inspector with his sexy Scottish wit who could charm the pants off of any woman who looked his way. I want more of this couple and their friends as soon as possible, so write like the wind, Kelsey and please make it happen!!
I read an early copy of this book and my opinions of it are honestly given.
If you had to pin me down to my favorite genre, it would be romantic suspense. So when I saw that this author, who is known for emotional storylines, was releasing a book in this genre, I had to check it out. And boy did she not disappoint.
At first, the tragic death of Grace Allan seems like a simple accident. Or that's what the authorities in the small Scottish town of Fort Crow, said about the travelling American. But thanks to Inspector Alec Brodie, who has a gut feeling that things are so simple, the truth of her death may actually come to light.
Like the Inspector, I got the sense that something was very wrong about this death, and who might be behind it. The author did a great job of building tension in the story as it became clear that he couldn't trust anyone he worked with.
Complicating matters was the arrival of Grace's sister, Rosie, to claim the remains. And with her arrival, she became the killer's next target.
The trickiest part of romantic suspense, in my opinion, is adding the romantic element into the suspenseful storyline. Sometimes it feels forced or inappropriate. In this story, I thought the author handled it well, with adrenaline driving the two main characters together, but the reality of their situation, slowing things down.
My only gripe with the story was the incompetence of the police force. I could understand one slip up, but it was shocking how many oversights were made and I would hope that wouldn't happen in the real world. Despite my frustration with that element, this book was a hard book to put down, which in my world, is a great sign. If you love this genre as much as I do, this one is worth checking out!
I went into this fairly blind. The ARC appeared on my Kindle and I always try to read in the order they come in so when it was the turn of Circle of Crows I had to remind myself what the blurb said. Then I read the prologue. And then devoured the rest. I mean I couldn't consume it quickly enough. I initially signed up for this ARC off the back of Kelsey's previous books. I wasn't prepared for the level of suspense but it really sucked me in. Add to that the fact that this book DRIPPED in pure, unfettered emotion and you've got one helluva page turner. Alec Brodie and Rosie Allan were a fantastic slow burn. Deliciously insidious; I loved how their feelings crept up on them like a thief in the night. The culmination of their desire is written so well. I wondered how the author would work that into such a delicate piece but it felt right and packed with adrenaline. My heart broke repeatedly for Grace Allan, the victim of our story. It was one of those situations where I just wanted to rewind time and make it so that she never met her killer and was able to find her joy. I know that would have ultimately lead to Rosie and Alex never having met which is so bittersweet. I didn't just read this story. I felt that I lived it. I was on the streets of Fort Crow with these characters. I felt their pain and frustration, their moments of joy and wonder. And to think there may be more coming judging by that ending!!
Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Haunting, heartbreaking and horrific. Those three words spring to mind as I finish this... while this story does have an uplifting ending which is wrapped in hope it is somewhat bittersweet given everything that comes before. However there is also a promise of more, which is a definite plus for me. As usual the Author’s writing is absolutely perfect...... Kelsey has taken us on a dark journey full of loss, pain and unfortunately so much realism. Her amazing attention to detail and acute awareness of the grieving soul is completely mind blowing. This author is able to draw on so much of her own heartbreaking life events and find a release in her writing, which is both a joy and somewhat painful to read.
Inspector Alec Brodie is a reluctant hero, a man reaching middle age with very little to show except for a failed marriage and a boring job. When the body of a young woman is discovered in his sleepy Scottish Highland town his instincts are instantly on high alert and he has to shake his un-ironed body into action.
I loved Alec, he is a bit sad and pathetic but he is completely endearing as he tries to navigate a grieving sister and hunt for a killer, whilst at the same time fighting his own demons and keeping himself together. His moments with lifelong pal Rick had me chuckling.... the image of these two bumbling bachelors trying to keep each other afloat really warmed my heart... their humour and obvious affection for each other jumped off the page.
Rosie is also a brilliant character... I appreciated that she didn’t have it all together, she openly admitted her own faults and owned them. I could relate to the feeling of doing her best and hoping it is enough.
I have to admit being from this part of the world myself it was interesting to read how we are perceived and apart from some overlapping of dialects, and occasional exaggeration of sayings, I think Ms Kelsey dealt very well with her Scottish characters.
I can’t wait to read more about this unassuming Scottish inspector.
“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'" This is a line from Whittier's poem, Maude Miller. This romantic suspense is laden with many might have beens, and it gave me pause to consider a few past events from my own life in a different light.
Rosie Allan has always wanted to go to Scotland, but never under these circumstances. She and her teen-age son are traveling there to retrieve Rosie's sister's remains, who died after falling off a cliff. That's the story the Scottish inspector gave her over the phone, anyway.
Alec Brody spent time in the city but has returned to the small town of Fort Crow and again taken a job with the town's police force so he can be close to his ailing father. When he finds the case of Gracie Allan has been ruled an accident, many things don’t add up, and Alec doesn’t know who to trust. After meeting a grieving Rosie and her son, Alec is committed to finding out the truth about Gracie's death.
One of the things I love about this truly gifted storyteller is her desire to continually improve in her craft and step outside the box. And her ability and willingness to dig deep into personal experiences and leave pieces of her soul within her poetic prose is nothing short of stunning. She has a way of reaching into a reader's heart and wringing every last drop of emotion from it.
This book is quite a departure from her typical romances, but the drama and mystery only add to the emotional component. She drew me so effortlessly into this one that I felt like a secondary character immersed in the story as an observer. It was all I could do to hang on for dear life as I flew through these pages in one sitting.
I’m not sure exactly which genre this fits into, but if you like romantic suspense that's so much more, you'll love this riveting, hypnotic, extraordinary read!
This was such a wonderful and unexpected read from Kelsey. The story of Rosie and Alex was engrossing and had me turning the pages at a fast pace to gather more clues to this murder mystery.
When Rosie travels to a little town called Fort Crow in Scotland to bring back her sisters’ body after her unexpected death was ruled as an accident, she does not expect to cross paths with the gruff and determined Inspector Alec Brodie. When he suspects that this is no accident and is a possible murder, he has no option but to involve the persistent Rosie in his secret investigation. Their journey has some nailing moments as the mystery unfolds and a few twists and turns I did not anticipate.
Their attraction towards one another was undeniable but knowing that they would be separated once Rosie returned to the USA, they guarded their hearts and feelings towards each other fiercely.
This was a suspenseful and fast paced realistic read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and cannot wait to read more from Alec and Rosie and hope this becomes a series!
An ARC was provided, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Circle of Crows is set in a small Scottish town. When Rosie gets a phone call from Scotland informing her that her siter, who was on what was supposed to be her honeymoon, is dead Rosie hops on a plane to bring her sister home. But before she even gets on the plane she gets a call from Inspector Brodie telling her to see him when she gets there. She is not sure why or who this man even is.
Alec brodie was there when her sister’s body was found. He thinks that there is much more to how her sister died. While the police declared it to be an accident, Alec knows that her sister was murdered. He manages to find Rosie before they cremate her sister and somehow convinces her that her sister’s death was no accident. She has no idea who this man is or why she should even trust him, but after seeing her sister’s body, she knows that she has no choice but to trust him.
This leads the two of them on a very important and discreet mission to find her sister’s killer. What they find along the way startles them and also puts Grace and her son may be in danger. So, Alec insists that they stay with him.
Alec is determined to find the killer and Rosie cannot read easily until this mystery is solved. But along the way they both start to feel things that they may have no business feeling. For one, her sister just died and two there is an ocean separating the two of them. Will they find the killer and how much danger will this investigation put them both in.
I have read this author’s work before and loved her books. I really enjoyed this one as well. I love a romantic suspense and Ms. Kingsley definitely delivered. Brody and his Scottish accent was quite sexy, and I loved Rosie. I think the both of them made a perfect team un more ways than one.
There was certainly drama and suspense and the mystery of “who did it?” And while I am rooting for Alec and Rosie to get together I am also trying to put all of the clues together to see who the killer was. That is what I loved about this book. I think my only issue, and this is because of the romantic side of me, I wanted a little more between Rosie and Alec. I understand this being a murder mystery, the romance side does not necessarily fit in, but I still wanted a little more. I am hoping based on the hint in the end, that we get to see more of these two in the future.
Spooky, suspenseful, and sexy! Kelsey Kingsley brings her beautiful descriptions and heartfelt words to the romantic suspense genre with a bang. The emotions drip from the page! A tense and gripping five-star read!
I’ve enjoyed all my Kelsey Kingsley books to date and was eager to dive into this one. As a big fan of suspense and thrillers, I was excited to see the author dive into the romantic suspense genre. Unfortunately, this one did not quite work for me.
I’m sure many will enjoy this one, but pet peeves of mine meant I was constantly pulled out of this the story. One was the way the police forced worked in this story was not truly representative of what the Scottish police force is like in the Highlands. I’ve read quite a few crime books set in the Scottish Highlands and there were aspects that were hard to believed (even when I took into consideration the fact the town was fictional, thus changing how some details would work), which meant I was pulled out of the story at times. Even bigger than this was the way in which the Scottish accent was written. I live in Scotland, and I can assure you that everyone does not sound like they’ve walked out of Outlander. It’s a common thing that regularly distracts me, and such was the case with this one. I doubt this will impact upon many, but it’s one of my biggest pet peeves – especially when the commonly known slang words are used but the regional slang is ignored, which knocks me out of the story more than it should.
Despite these personal pet peeves, I was interested in seeing how the story came together. I worked out the perpetrator the moment they were introduced (it was a bit of a cliché, if I’m honest), but I remained eager to see how the story unfolded with the characters working it out. I did not completely believe in the relationship between them, but there were enough entertaining moments to ensure I want to read more about them if they get more books.
All in all, this wasn’t quite for me, but it was an addictive story that had me reading until the end.
Oh my holy wow. Rosie and Alec were amazing. I already knew that this author had an unmatched willingness to flay herself to give readers the story they never knew they absolutely needed, but I think she shattered every hope and expectation I had for Alec and Rosie. Maybe it’s her ability to make me lose myself in the world she creates, or maybe it’s her talent for taking her deepest, darkest pain and putting it out there for the world to see, but I think this is my favorite book of hers. So far, that is.
We have it all here. We have the darkness that she is totally willing to share. We have the hope for some love and light among the grief, pain, fear, and misery. We have SO many questions and countless answers that almost add up to make sense until the world tilts just enough to see the spaces between those puzzle pieces. And then we have the end that still slapped me upside the head. I don’t want to spoil this at all, so I’m trying not to. Because this is a story that you just need to dive into, knowing that you’re going to feel so many emotions. Be ready for it all because no one escapes this tale unscathed. No one. And yet, that’s the most perfect way this could possibly be told. I only hope to see more of Alec and Rosie and their families/friends in the future.
Side note: I adore Tom. His relationship with Rosie is just so wonderful that he deserved a mention. I FLOVED Alec, but Tom? Yeah, Tom was flipping awesome himself.
Epic storytelling! Hits her first mystery out of the park! If you have read anything by Kelsey Kingsley, you know that she writes ridiculously exceptional stories. Heartfelt, stories that pull you apart to bring everything back in beautifully. This isn’t a total departure, but a different type of story. Death is something most of us shy away from, even though it is part of life. This is a stunning and gripping suspenseful story- of a violent death of a dearly loved sister. An incredible journey of the sister left behind. Great twists and superb ending. Wish it didn’t end, but isn’t that the case with all wonderfully told stories? Was provided an ARC for a true review. Never have felt the need to give anything but an honest opinion of what I have read.
Wow! Wow wow wow wow wow! What a book! Kelsey Kingsley has a true gift for writing. This story really sucked me in from the beginning and it kept me intrigued the whole time. I loved Rosie and Alec! Alec is awkward but so passionate about his job that also rolls over into his personal life. And Rosie is so lonely. I love Rosie’s relationship with her ex husband! This book left me guessing. And it wasn’t until it was just about all revealed when I had the “a-ha!” moment. Just perfect! It was a nice departure from other books I’ve been reading lately that become so predictable. This one was entertaining, sad, spooky, with some surprising moments thrown in. I hope we get more of these characters in future books!
I was a bit reluctant to read this book. I knew going in that this was a murder mystery with a side of romance, and that's just usually not my thing. I typically prefer a romance (heavy on the romance) with a side of mystery or murder, so I wasn't sure if I'd like this one. Kelsey Kingsley is one of my favorite authors though, and she's never disappointed me, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm so glad that I did. A Circle of Crows is a suspenseful story that drew me in from the very first page. I didn't want to put this book down, and I have the bloodshot eyes to prove it.
When Rosie Allan's sister seems to disappear during a solo trip to Scotland, then turns up dead, Rosie heads to Scotland to pick up her remains. Little does she know that she's about to walk into a murder investigation with a hot Scottish Investigator, Alec Brody. There are secrets to unravel and a murder to solve, and both Rosie and Alec find themselves in danger. The biggest danger though may be to their hearts.
Again, I usually prefer angst and romance over mystery and suspense, but I could not get enough of this story. I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, trying to unravel this mystery right along with Alec and Rosie. And just when I'd think that I had it all figured out, the story would take another turn and leave me questioning everything. There is still a romantic element to Alec and Brody's story, but it's a slow burn, and the romance is not at all the focus here. Surprisingly, I was absolutely OK with that. This is a well-written page turner that kept me fully invested until I turned the very last page (way past my bedtime!) Once again, Kelsey Kingsley has proven herself as an incredible writer and one of my favorites.
“The fear of being nothing more than a memory is a torturous thing, because they all begin to fade the moment you walk away.”
The Circle of Crows was a departure from the usual Kelsey Kingsley novel, but it was no less riveting than her previous works. Romantic suspense has long been a favorite of mine and Alec and Rosie quickly drew me into the murder mystery at the heart of this novel.
When Rosie encouraged her sister, Gracie, to visit Scotland after her engagement ended, she never imagined that it would be the last time she saw her sister. Alec Brodie is one of the investigator’s that found Gracie’s body and they work together to uncover the mystery of her death.
I loved Rosie and Alec and their partnership. Rosie is struggling with her sister’s death and her feelings that she was the cause. Alec has his own demons that he needs to conquer and by working together they are able to help each other. Their romance does take a backseat to the underlying mystery, but it’s definitely simmering in the background and their connection is obvious.
I really enjoyed this suspenseful, gritty, and angsty story. The mystery kept me guessing and I loved the creepiness of the forests and the imagined ghosts. I can’t wait for the next installment of Alec and Rosie’s story.
Wow this took a complete 180 from this author's normal style but I loved it. I think when I have read several books by an author and then read something they have written in a totally different genre it takes me a little bit to process how I feel about the change. I love murder mysteries so that was a plus going in. It is very clear from the beginning that Alec is a kind, compassionate and honest man. Rosie is mired in grief at the loss of her sister but Alec seems to understand her more than just as a cop. I really liked Rick and hope to see more of him in the future. Really the only thing I struggled with was why Rosie brought TJ with her in the beginning instead of leaving him with Tom. And since he was there why she didn't send him home sooner. I was not even close for who the killer was and it kept me changing my mind right up to the end. I loved that we got mystery and suspense with the possible beginning of a love story too. Really looking forward to where the author takes us in this new adventure.
Every single time I read Kelsey Kingsley's new book I am always in awe of her writing talent. She has a truly remarkable gift for writing and I become obsessed with each book that she writes more and more. All of her books, including and especially this one, are raw and emotional and make you feel exactly what the characters are feeling.
It's been a while since I've read a murder mystery but this book reminded me why I love them. Rosie's search for her sister and all that comes along with the investigation is full of surprises. Alec and Rosie's investigation gets more complicated with each major twists and leaves you desperate to finish this book but also wanting the book to be so much longer.
Finally, the relationships in this book are wonderful. The parental relationships, sibling relationships, friendships, custodial relationship and romantic ones were all written beautifully and focused on what makes each of those relationships beautiful and important.
A Circle of Crows Kelsey Kingsley Every now and then a book grabs you from the beginning and stands out as one of the best books you have read all year. At times very morbid but compelling at the same time. “Soulless fingers reached up from the murky depths, threatening to drag me under and rip the life from my lungs, and I knew it, if I didn’t shake myself free, I’d succumb to my own demise.” The harsh dreary Scottish landscape sets the perfect morose tone for this romantic suspense. It is heavy on the suspense, mystery and connection, while being light on the romance, this is just right for this book. This is the first in a series and can be read as a full story, a stand-alone novel with hea, however the ending “The End… For Now” is a promise that we haven’t seen the end of Rosie and Alec. As always Ms Kingsley is a master of character driven depth in this story her style shines. I received an arc of this book. 5 stars
I had the absolute pleasure and honour of BETA reading this story. A circle of crows wrapped around my mind. The flighty things were set free by Kelsey to give my imagination a shake up.
Journey to Coille Feannag and meet Alec Brodie, the Scotsman with a brogue which will make you swoon.
Alec is the undeterred detective, with demons in his closet, who through his latest case, meets Rosie Allan, the heart weary sister of Grace (the victim).
Through an hilarious encounter at the morgue the intrepid duo face adversity and danger whilst trying to uncover what really happened to Grace.
This story is evidence of Kelsey’s fantastically creative, immersive yet believable writing style. Hold in your mind that this was written through her personal battles of NICU, the sudden loss of a family member, the first lockdown of Covid and life in general.
I so enjoyed this book! I was up until 4 am this morning because I just had to finish it!! The twists and turns and the mystery aspect was done amazingly! I did have to figure out what some of the words mean and read them that way but even that didn't take away from the story! My heart broke for what Gracie went through and then what Rosie went through and the guilt she carried. I had a few suspicions along the way of who the murderer was but I still didn't guess correctly. I could feel your own pain written in this story and I was in tears a few times. Rosie was such a strong mom because many times I wanted to backhand TJ so hard so I'm glad we were able to see him come around and we were able to understand where his pain was coming from. Great book with all the feels, I so enjoyed it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A Circle of Crows by this new to me author is a suspenseful, raw and gritty read. A mystery thriller that'snot for the faint of heart with a heroine with a big heart and a hero that's pretty edgy. Rosie, a divorced single mom of a teenage dream - not - just suffered a great loss, when karma throws her into an adventure she never had dreamed of. I will not spoiler here, only so much, I really, really didn't wanted to be in her shoes. Her son gives her a run for her money, her sister gives her headaches and I believe if she knew what's about to happen she would run away, screaming. The hero has his own issues, had a rough past, but is determined to help her till the end. And when it's a bitter one, so be it. ACoC is a complex story, well written, unputdownable, 4,5 stars.
Outstanding! Kingsley usually writes much different books, mostly romance. While there is something growing between Alec and Rosie it’s not the focus of the story. Her sister is murdered while on vacation in Scotland and while retrieving her body Alec realizes there is more to Grace’s death. These characters are highly developed in their backstories and emotions. They become very in tune with each other. As the mystery unravels we get wrapped up with the characters and this quaint touristy town. I really hope Kingsley keeps up with this style of writing, she has a knack for creating the puzzle and characters necessary for a amazing mystery. I was lucky to receive an early copy and wrote this review voluntarily.
Warrior Blue has been, up until now, my favorite Kelsey Kingsley story. Now, I can say A Circle of Crows ties it. The language and setting are SPOT ON, the story so compelling didn’t want to put it down.
Alec Brodie is not your typical hero. He doesn’t dress in a well fitted, pressed suit, his hair isn’t stylish, and he isn’t charmingly suave. But he’s smart. And caring. And determined. And he’s perfect.
Rosie is a heroine I’ll remember for a long time. Her desperation to find her sister, and her strength to see things through make her one of my favorites.
And I love the chemistry between the 2, even in the midst of horrible events. These 2 are real & human. Kelsey is fantastic at realistic characters, even in Romantic Suspense stories.
Where to start? This book is unlike anything I have read from Kelsey Kingsley and it is fantastic! This book made me think. A lot. About life and losing a sister. About living while we are here. From the first page, I found myself captivated. I was instantly invested in these characters and I couldn't stop reading. Even the secondary characters are really well developed! The descriptions and conversations made me feel like I was actually there. The mystery and suspense kept me reading most of the night. The romance was sweet and intense at the same time. AND! I couldn't be happier to find out that we will be able to have more of Alec Brodie! 100 stars for A Circle Of Crows!
I loved everything about this book and more! A great read that I couldn’t put down.
Rosie is a single mum to a teenage boy full of attitude! Her sister Grace, is in Scotland on holiday, after breaking up with her fiancé. But, after Grace meets a man in a pub something terrible happens to her, so Rosie goes to Scotland to find answers.
Alec Brodie is the detective investigating a murder, something that unsettles the sleepy village he works in, can he find the killer before they strike again!
Rosie and Alec are attracted to each other, but are realistic enough to realise that she, at some point, has to go home.
This story is full of mystery with lots of twists and turns.
Rosie’s sister Grace takes her dream trip to Scotland. When she doesn’t return home, Rosie gets some text messages from her saying she extended her trip. Something in the text put Rosie on alert. Alec is the Police Inspector in the sleepy little town of Fort Crow, where nothing ever happens… until it does and boy oh boy do the secrets keep coming. This author has a way if pouring all she has into each page and you can just feel every emotion from start to finish and even longer ! While the author did step out of her comfort zone with thus book, I personally hope she keeps pushing her boundaries, because the reader is in for a real treat !
First of all, this was not what I was used to from Kelsey. It’s a crime story, set in Scotland with a side of romance…not „just“ an intense love story. It’s darker, more mysterious angsty and definitely a little spooky but the Hero and heroine nevertheless get a HEA, the love story develops as the crime is solved! I really think it has a lot of potential to become a movie!! I hope to read more of Alec Brodie in the future…! A definite MUST READ!