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Calaveras Crime #1
Blue Mountain
It’s been the year from hell for Jessica Williams. Her cheating husband not only bankrupted them—he’s been indicted. Now the rat bastard has disappeared. Thank God for Nana. Jess couldn’t survive without the old woman’s wisdom and brutal honesty. But when her beloved Nana is arrested and held responsible for the largest mass murder in Calaveras County history Jess suspects her husband may be one of Nana’s latest victims.As the oldest inmate at the cramped county jail, Nana also holds the honor of being the only suspected serial killer ever housed there. With her life hanging by a thread, Nana is granted deathbed visitation and Jess demands the truth. But as shocking confessions unfold, Jess is forced into a relentless pursuit for justice. Armed with Nana’s fragmented and sinister past, Jess could unearth secrets so dark and twisted they will destroy her.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2021
239 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Michelle
7 books36 followersAward-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and bestselling author Lisa Michelle traded rodeo spurs for hiking boots three decades ago. Her debut thriller Calaveras became an Amazon instant bestseller, launching the successful Blue Mountain and the Calaveras Crime Series. After being snowbound without electricity during winter 2023, she penned The Lonesome Dark. Her recently released and only work of nonfiction, True Nature: Hidden in the High Sierra, earned a PenCraft Best Book Award. This former rodeo cowgirl and mother of two feeds her creative fuel with long wilderness hikes, raging snowstorms, and fly fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
October 16, 2025
Old lady serial killers… sign me up 😂
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March 26, 2024Nope, not for me.
August 2, 2025
Not grabbing me at all. DNF @ 27%.
November 2, 2022
outstanding
Great book! So thankful I stumbled upon this author. She keeps you on the edge of your seat. Can not wait to read the next book in the series and will be recommending to all my friends and family.
“Once in a great while the world points you in the right direction, and when it does you’d best look.”
Great book! So thankful I stumbled upon this author. She keeps you on the edge of your seat. Can not wait to read the next book in the series and will be recommending to all my friends and family.
“Once in a great while the world points you in the right direction, and when it does you’d best look.”
November 10, 2025
I was ready to rate it 4/5 but the ending fell flat for me😢
January 19, 2025
I really liked the main character in this book-- she is tough, courageous, and does whatever she needs to do to get the truth. From a writing standpoint, Blue Mountain was at a pace that kept me hooked all the way through. Lisa Michelle implemented smart storylines and plot twists that were probable and well-executed. I can't wait to read the rest in the series :)
October 23, 2025
Some parts were excellent and some parts were terrible.
November 19, 2025
This book started off so good. The first 70% were great, but then went down hill after that. Really disappointed with the ending.
December 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
The end was pretty anticlimactic for me.
The end was pretty anticlimactic for me.
March 10, 2023
I found this a bit hard going at first but once it picked up I was interested to find out what was happening with Nana and the bodies. It all went a bit crazy when Jessica was running from Police and skipping off to Canada with a stowaway. I was happy how it ended but it was a strange journey.
December 31, 2021
What an amazing book!! I loved the story line and description in this book so much. The character development is fantastic and I love how it’s an old and new story woven together. One of the best ending I’ve read.
January 15, 2022
Outstanding!
Not too many books hook me from the get go. This one did that! I highly recommend you check this one out. I loved Jessica and Nana. Nana is a feisty little thing. Reminded me of myself. (I'm a female. The account is under my husbands name.)
Not too many books hook me from the get go. This one did that! I highly recommend you check this one out. I loved Jessica and Nana. Nana is a feisty little thing. Reminded me of myself. (I'm a female. The account is under my husbands name.)
October 30, 2025
wtf did I just read? And I mean that in the worst way. The author had a plan, then decided to had more plot points, change the trajectory from “grandpa arrested for being a serial killer but actually kinda was but died before trial but 1/3 of the book is granny’s backstory” to “main character has identity crisis and decides to go find her husband who apparently is obsessed with Bigfoot in Canada” to “finding her husband to kill him but also has a teenager break into her trailer who nearly dies of an overdose so she rescues him and if becomes another random plot” to “set husband up to get caught but seduces him in the most cringe way you almost stopped the book entirely”
This book was potentially but jc did the author piss it down the drain. Don’t recommend and take it off your tbr if it’s on there.
This book was potentially but jc did the author piss it down the drain. Don’t recommend and take it off your tbr if it’s on there.
August 28, 2022
Well wasnt that a fun read....
My fave was Winnie's childhood, living with her grandmother (and her being a mini trouble maker lol).
Nana telling her story from her deathbed was neat, to say the least. This book was full of wit (eg Mr. Truman ; Mr. Not a True Man lol).
Nana's confessions were the best part of the book. When it switched to Jess's story, for some reason, I just didn't care for it as much as Nana's story. I recommend this book to people who like unraveling mystery and a bit of thrill
My fave was Winnie's childhood, living with her grandmother (and her being a mini trouble maker lol).
Nana telling her story from her deathbed was neat, to say the least. This book was full of wit (eg Mr. Truman ; Mr. Not a True Man lol).
Nana's confessions were the best part of the book. When it switched to Jess's story, for some reason, I just didn't care for it as much as Nana's story. I recommend this book to people who like unraveling mystery and a bit of thrill
December 7, 2021
What a whirlwind!
When I first started this book, I wasn't sure about it. Jess was a bit of a lacking character starting out. Too much whoa-is-me. But as the story progressed, her character grew and became a great main character. I really had no idea where the book was going to take me and I liked that about the storyline. Everything worked well and when the ending came, I wanted more. I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend
When I first started this book, I wasn't sure about it. Jess was a bit of a lacking character starting out. Too much whoa-is-me. But as the story progressed, her character grew and became a great main character. I really had no idea where the book was going to take me and I liked that about the storyline. Everything worked well and when the ending came, I wanted more. I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend
March 11, 2022
Excellent read!
Is Nana a serial killer and did she use her hogs to destroy the evidence? Well, see that's a tagline that should suck anyone into this story. Lots of flashbacks, but its all so intense that you look down and wonder how you'd read 100 pages. Nana isn't who she seems to be, never had been, but is she a killer? You should definitely read it and find out because the answer isn't as black and white as the reader fist thinks.
Is Nana a serial killer and did she use her hogs to destroy the evidence? Well, see that's a tagline that should suck anyone into this story. Lots of flashbacks, but its all so intense that you look down and wonder how you'd read 100 pages. Nana isn't who she seems to be, never had been, but is she a killer? You should definitely read it and find out because the answer isn't as black and white as the reader fist thinks.
May 12, 2022
Such promise!
I had such high hopes for this book—right up until the last chapter. I loved the way the author made Jess real and made her a flawed Christian, because that’s the only kind there is! But for some reason, the ending—which I won’t spoil—seemed unsatisfying. Then again, it’s making me question my own faith and what I would’ve done in Jessica’s situation, so maybe that was the author’s intent.
Either way, I want to read Book two!
I had such high hopes for this book—right up until the last chapter. I loved the way the author made Jess real and made her a flawed Christian, because that’s the only kind there is! But for some reason, the ending—which I won’t spoil—seemed unsatisfying. Then again, it’s making me question my own faith and what I would’ve done in Jessica’s situation, so maybe that was the author’s intent.
Either way, I want to read Book two!
October 16, 2021
My measure of a "good" book is one that takes me into it and allows me to see and feel the written words. Blue Mountain certainly did that. Michelle's descriptive prose had me slogging through mud, pushing back bushes and driving through a treacherous whiteout. The pace was perfect, the characters incredibly vivid. And, the ending ..............oh, yeah. That ending !
May 29, 2024
totally enjoyable
I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I was happy to read an entertaining, well written story. I love reading about women who find out that they are stronger than they thought they were. I’m happy that Jess found her strength and a family. Thank you Lisa Michelle, this a very well written story and I look forward to reading more from you.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I was happy to read an entertaining, well written story. I love reading about women who find out that they are stronger than they thought they were. I’m happy that Jess found her strength and a family. Thank you Lisa Michelle, this a very well written story and I look forward to reading more from you.
September 30, 2024
I am sorry. I met the writer of this book and she is super nice! But this book almosy gave me a readers block. I took so long to finish it and it’s not a long book. Best parts were nana’s stories and the rest seemed so confusing sometimes and other times unnecessary.
The ending felt so rushed? I was somewhat disappointed. Glad i finished it.
The ending felt so rushed? I was somewhat disappointed. Glad i finished it.
September 24, 2025
Ummmm wtf????
While I LOVED the first 50% of this book. The last 50% was dumb.
Spoiler below
Big foot hunting? Her husband killed horses and disposed of bodies for the cartel so he could go big foot hunting? This was the stupidest twist I have ever read in a book. Makes me regret ever picking it up. And it was shaping up to be so good!
While I LOVED the first 50% of this book. The last 50% was dumb.
Spoiler below
Big foot hunting? Her husband killed horses and disposed of bodies for the cartel so he could go big foot hunting? This was the stupidest twist I have ever read in a book. Makes me regret ever picking it up. And it was shaping up to be so good!
December 9, 2025
I just stumbled upon this book on hoopla and don’t know why I never heard about it! Loved it? Nanas story was sad but her vengeance was always so creative. I cannot believe what she did for the first one, it’s something I have never heard of and I don’t know where the author came up with it but mind blown 🤯. The ending did feel a bit rushed.
October 1, 2021
What a ride!
Loved Nana and how she rubbed off on Jessica, her granddaughter. Two of the best and most unique murder scenes I've ever read. Appreciate the fast pace and The ending was perfect.
Loved Nana and how she rubbed off on Jessica, her granddaughter. Two of the best and most unique murder scenes I've ever read. Appreciate the fast pace and The ending was perfect.
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January 27, 2022Such potential...
Such potential in the story when Nana tells her story. The book lost me after Nana dies and Jessica goes off and wanders after well, I won't spoil it. But, the story is very predictable and gets boring with filler characters and empty plot themes.
Such potential in the story when Nana tells her story. The book lost me after Nana dies and Jessica goes off and wanders after well, I won't spoil it. But, the story is very predictable and gets boring with filler characters and empty plot themes.
February 27, 2022
Good book
I don't think this book totally lived up to all the hype I've seen about it. It was a very good book, well written but a bit beyond belief. It is worth reading. I read it in one evening because it kept my interest.
I don't think this book totally lived up to all the hype I've seen about it. It was a very good book, well written but a bit beyond belief. It is worth reading. I read it in one evening because it kept my interest.
March 19, 2022
wow
What an unusual take on a serial killer book!!! Most interesting story, the characters were well rounded, and descriptions of scenery were vivid in my mind! I loved Nana’s early stories, so many twists and turns! I was riveted!!
What an unusual take on a serial killer book!!! Most interesting story, the characters were well rounded, and descriptions of scenery were vivid in my mind! I loved Nana’s early stories, so many twists and turns! I was riveted!!
April 3, 2022
A very good book, once you get past the grammatical and spelling errors. I usually rate books like that a 3 if they are good, but the storyline demanded a 4-star inspite of all the errors. Is Nana really a serial killer? All things point to yes. But how many do you have to kill to get that label?
May 12, 2022
It was ok
I really liked the first half of the book. The seco
nd half was kind of dull, too much description of Canada. Lots of questions about what happened. I'd still recommend reading it.
I really liked the first half of the book. The seco
nd half was kind of dull, too much description of Canada. Lots of questions about what happened. I'd still recommend reading it.
July 28, 2022
Worth the read!
This book had me from the start. Have read many books but there was a compelling factor to the story line, Grandma a serial killer? Who wouldn't be intrigued by that! Great story but also a true grit story about women's fortitude and strength!
This book had me from the start. Have read many books but there was a compelling factor to the story line, Grandma a serial killer? Who wouldn't be intrigued by that! Great story but also a true grit story about women's fortitude and strength!
October 7, 2022
Good read
I'm not much with words but I liked the characters and the story line. I read a lot of books and so many are just boring or so farfetched it's difficult to finish them. Nice work. Show me more.
I'm not much with words but I liked the characters and the story line. I read a lot of books and so many are just boring or so farfetched it's difficult to finish them. Nice work. Show me more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews