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Procedural Crime #2
John Doe Cold Case
A shocking discovery just turned a cold case red-hot.
And for one detective, it strikes way too close to home...
The discovery of skeletal remains in a Florida cavern sends cold case detective Eve Jareau on a collision course with her past. Concealing the truth from her boss, police chief Nash Bowden, becomes impossible when the spark between them reignites. And now a killer hell-bent on keeping decades-old family secrets hidden forever is lying in wait…to bury Eve and Nash alive.
And for one detective, it strikes way too close to home...
The discovery of skeletal remains in a Florida cavern sends cold case detective Eve Jareau on a collision course with her past. Concealing the truth from her boss, police chief Nash Bowden, becomes impossible when the spark between them reignites. And now a killer hell-bent on keeping decades-old family secrets hidden forever is lying in wait…to bury Eve and Nash alive.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2022
13 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Stevens
265 books2,226 followersAmanda Stevens is the award-winning author of over fifty novels, including the modern gothic series, The Graveyard Queen. Her books have been described as eerie and atmospheric, “a new take on the classic ghost story.” Born and raised in the rural south, she now resides in Houston, Texas, where she enjoys binge-watching, bike riding and the occasional Horror Night with friends.
The Graveyard Queen trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrCf_e...
http://twitter.com/AmandaStevensTX
http://facebook.com/amandastevensbooks
amandastevensbooks@gmail.com
The Graveyard Queen trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrCf_e...
http://twitter.com/AmandaStevensTX
http://facebook.com/amandastevensbooks
amandastevensbooks@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 17, 2022
During the search for 4-year old Kylie Buchanan in the last story, human remains were discovered in the caverns in Black Creek, Florida. By the time Kylie’s investigation was solved, it was determined that those remains were of a male adult. Now Police Chief Nash Bowden and Detective Eve Jareau must determine the man’s identity and who killed him. However, during their meeting with the forensic anthropologist, Eve discovers she may know exactly who that man is.
The story resumes pretty much where the last one left off with Nash still reeling from his ex-wife’s arrest. Eve wants the opportunity to work this cold case but holds back telling him of her suspicions about the identity of John Doe because she believes he will then remove her from the investigation. She and Nash have been attracted to each other for years but have resisted acting upon their feelings but find it tougher now that they’re working so closely together. As the clues start pointing to people close to her, Eve makes decisions I found curious and threatened her safety and the case.
I liked the story and it’s again strong on atmosphere and mystery. The romance between Nash and Eve is definitely low key and in the background but the case was very interesting. All clues pointed to Eve’s relationships and I was disappointed in how she handled the challenges. While there was a resolution to the John Doe case, questions still remain about what happened to Maya Lamb who was abducted almost 30 years ago. But, it was satisfying knowing what really happened that night and whodunit. I’ll have to wait for the next book for that conclusion.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
The story resumes pretty much where the last one left off with Nash still reeling from his ex-wife’s arrest. Eve wants the opportunity to work this cold case but holds back telling him of her suspicions about the identity of John Doe because she believes he will then remove her from the investigation. She and Nash have been attracted to each other for years but have resisted acting upon their feelings but find it tougher now that they’re working so closely together. As the clues start pointing to people close to her, Eve makes decisions I found curious and threatened her safety and the case.
I liked the story and it’s again strong on atmosphere and mystery. The romance between Nash and Eve is definitely low key and in the background but the case was very interesting. All clues pointed to Eve’s relationships and I was disappointed in how she handled the challenges. While there was a resolution to the John Doe case, questions still remain about what happened to Maya Lamb who was abducted almost 30 years ago. But, it was satisfying knowing what really happened that night and whodunit. I’ll have to wait for the next book for that conclusion.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
August 1, 2025
I really want to see how this plays out in the next book. Good read.
February 24, 2022
I'm not sure if the twins' story will end with this book, but this time Amanda Stevens didn't scare me as much as usual and the romance was pretty much absent as well.
Non sono sicura se la storia delle gemelle finirá con questo libro, ma stavolta Amanda Stevens non mi ha messo paura come al solito e anche la storia d'amore era praticamente assente.
Non sono sicura se la storia delle gemelle finirá con questo libro, ma stavolta Amanda Stevens non mi ha messo paura come al solito e anche la storia d'amore era praticamente assente.
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January 1, 2022Categories
Psychological Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Procedural Crime Story (Book #2)
Psychological Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Procedural Crime Story (Book #2)
May 14, 2022
I liked this story. There was no overt sex in it...Eve Jareau always thought her beloved Daddy left her and her mother for a new life and a new family. She watched him climb into a car and drive away never to be seen again when she was 5 years old. Now 28 years later, Eve is a Florida Police Detective working a cold case of a John Doe whose bones were found in a cave in her home town of Black Creek. Her boss Nash Bowden makes her lead on the case, and Eve is rattled when found with the bones is a mercury dime with a hole drilled in it to hang as a necklace....just like the one her Father gave her the night he left....IS this John Doe dead nearly 3 decades and secretly buried her beloved Daddy?? Eve thinks it might be...and the trail might lead to her mother....So, what exactly happened on that night all those years ago?? and can she handle the truth if she learns it??
August 29, 2022
Good book. The suspense was excellent though I felt it was a little light on the romance aspect. At the end of the previous book in the series, Little Girl Gone, a set of remains was found in a cave. The remains were determined to be those of an adult male, and police detective Eve was assigned the case.
I liked Eve. Her early life was rough because the father she adored abandoned her and her mother when Eve was five years old, leaving her mom struggling to make ends meet. He left Eve with a good luck memento and the visual of him getting into a car with two other people. Other than a few postcards at the beginning, she never heard from him again. She grew up having a close relationship with her mother and an independent spirit. Eve has had feelings for her boss since she started working for him six years ago, but except for one kiss has kept those feelings under wraps.
Nash is still reeling from the events of the previous book. He never expected to discover that his ex-wife was capable of kidnapping a small child. He's plagued by guilt for not realizing what she was up to. He's attracted to Eve but feels he's not a good bet for a relationship because of that guilt and the PTSD he still suffers from his time in the military. He's never forgotten their kiss but buries his feelings deep.
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages. The autopsy of the remains revealed a stunning link between the body and Eve, but she kept that information from Nash. She told herself she wanted to be sure first. When she and Nash are sideswiped by a car on their way home from the autopsy, they first write it off as bad driving. But as they delve deeper into their investigation, both receive warnings to stop. Each step of the investigation was fascinating, though Eve did some things I found questionable, especially for an experienced cop. I was glad when she finally came clean with Nash. There were some exciting twists in the investigation, including an almost deadly visit to the cave where the remains were found, culminating in a confrontation I did not expect. The mystery of the bones in the cave was solved. The series question of what happened to little Maya Adams became a little clearer, but there are still unanswered questions.
The development of the relationship between Nash and Eve didn't occupy much space in the book. Because of their work relationship, they already know each other very well. Eve feels sympathetic toward Nash and longs to comfort him but feels the attention would not be well received. But as they work together on the investigation, the feelings that have simmered under the surface come boiling up. Eve's secretiveness creates a bit of a trust issue with Nash, but they get past that once she comes clean. They acknowledge their growing feelings for each other while putting off acting on them until after their investigation is finished. Even then, their big moment is quiet rather than overtly emotional.
I liked Eve. Her early life was rough because the father she adored abandoned her and her mother when Eve was five years old, leaving her mom struggling to make ends meet. He left Eve with a good luck memento and the visual of him getting into a car with two other people. Other than a few postcards at the beginning, she never heard from him again. She grew up having a close relationship with her mother and an independent spirit. Eve has had feelings for her boss since she started working for him six years ago, but except for one kiss has kept those feelings under wraps.
Nash is still reeling from the events of the previous book. He never expected to discover that his ex-wife was capable of kidnapping a small child. He's plagued by guilt for not realizing what she was up to. He's attracted to Eve but feels he's not a good bet for a relationship because of that guilt and the PTSD he still suffers from his time in the military. He's never forgotten their kiss but buries his feelings deep.
The suspense of the story kept me turning the pages. The autopsy of the remains revealed a stunning link between the body and Eve, but she kept that information from Nash. She told herself she wanted to be sure first. When she and Nash are sideswiped by a car on their way home from the autopsy, they first write it off as bad driving. But as they delve deeper into their investigation, both receive warnings to stop. Each step of the investigation was fascinating, though Eve did some things I found questionable, especially for an experienced cop. I was glad when she finally came clean with Nash. There were some exciting twists in the investigation, including an almost deadly visit to the cave where the remains were found, culminating in a confrontation I did not expect. The mystery of the bones in the cave was solved. The series question of what happened to little Maya Adams became a little clearer, but there are still unanswered questions.
The development of the relationship between Nash and Eve didn't occupy much space in the book. Because of their work relationship, they already know each other very well. Eve feels sympathetic toward Nash and longs to comfort him but feels the attention would not be well received. But as they work together on the investigation, the feelings that have simmered under the surface come boiling up. Eve's secretiveness creates a bit of a trust issue with Nash, but they get past that once she comes clean. They acknowledge their growing feelings for each other while putting off acting on them until after their investigation is finished. Even then, their big moment is quiet rather than overtly emotional.
May 16, 2022
Another suspenseful book in this series. I like that it is mostly a procedural, but has some elements of romantic suspense. I like the main character, but wish she would have confided more about her suspicions on the case to her boss/love interest sooner. However, I think the way things turned out in the case and in the personal lives of the characters is interesting and satisfying. The case that was covered in the prior book is referenced, but this book can also stand on its own. I like the style of writing of Amanda Stevens and am looking forward to the next book in this series.
April 24, 2022
This story has you looking over your shoulder and will send a chill run up your spine.
Skeletal remains are found hidden in a cave.
“A Mercury dime with a small perforation at the top. The deceased probably wore it on a string around his neck or ankle for good luck. It’s an old Southern superstition that dates back before the Civil War.”
Lots of suspense but super light on the romance. Still anything this author writes is top notch!!
Skeletal remains are found hidden in a cave.
“A Mercury dime with a small perforation at the top. The deceased probably wore it on a string around his neck or ankle for good luck. It’s an old Southern superstition that dates back before the Civil War.”
Lots of suspense but super light on the romance. Still anything this author writes is top notch!!
May 1, 2023
A body in a cave is discovered after thirty years that brings doubts to detective Eve Jareau on everything she believes about her loving father and her mother too. When she finds out her affection for police chief Nash Bowden is mutual she is troubled for concealing evidence from him. In the end she sees how dangerous true love can be. Good read.
April 8, 2022
Sequel to Little Girl Gone, John Doe Cold Case picks up right where it left off. Whose bones were found in the cave? Eve has a suspicion they’re her fathers. Hard to put down, non stop suspense as Eve and Nash figure out this cold case
June 8, 2022
Suspenseful to the end
I would definitely recommend. It was suspenseful to the end and the romance was tastefully written. It related to previous books in series but was different and fully its own story.
I would definitely recommend. It was suspenseful to the end and the romance was tastefully written. It related to previous books in series but was different and fully its own story.
Read
January 1, 2022Categories
Psychological Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Procedural Crime Story (Book #2)
Psychological Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Procedural Crime Story (Book #2)
January 16, 2022
Wow! Book is non stop action with subtle romance.
Hard to put down.
Hard to put down.
February 17, 2022
Excellent Book, I love all of Amanda Stevens books. Great characters and you cant put it down.
March 3, 2022
Brilliant, what a great follow up to Little Girl Gone.
May 27, 2022
It was a great sgory.
October 11, 2023
This was another really great mystery, I loved following lone with these characters, and I can't wait to finish out this series!
February 18, 2024
This was a very different type of story. It's darker than the normal Harlequin books and I didn't feel like it had a proper ending.
April 19, 2024
This was such an amazing book. I loved the way it was written. And I just love the ending. The whole thing was filled with twists and turns. Can’t wait to read another one of her books in the future.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews