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Echoes Of The Past: Be careful what you wish for (Maya Hartwell
But the moment she begins asking questions, the residents of this small town clam up. Does this mean there is something behind the missing teenager’s story that the townsfolk aren’t telling her? As an ex-marine, Maya is not one to cower from danger when she starts receiving threats. Instead of scaring her off this only hardens her resolve. When Wren, the head librarian, tells her of the cold case murder that has haunted the town for many years, Maya is certain that someone in town has a secret to hide. One that was meant to stay buried and in the past. And they will do anything to keep it there . Even if it means burying the prying lawyer with it. A page-turning mystery packed with suspense and revelations that will keep you flipping pages.
Echoes Of The Past is the first in the new Mystery/Attorney Gabby Black series.
Echoes Of The Past is the first in the new Mystery/Attorney Gabby Black series.
131 pages, Paperback
Published May 8, 2022
19 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 2, 2023
Really good read!
I loved reading this book! It was easy reading with loads of extra i formation, as well as twists and turns that I did not expect.
Starting Book 2 immediately!
I loved reading this book! It was easy reading with loads of extra i formation, as well as twists and turns that I did not expect.
Starting Book 2 immediately!
October 28, 2023
Keeps you engaged and guessing!
Definitely worthwhile! The story had me reading with anticipation until the very end. It’s exactly my type of crime story - minimal blood and gore and surprising twists.
My only criticisms are that:
1) on some occasions the main character is annoyingly slow in figuring out what’s going on and
2) the editors and proofreaders could have done a better job than they did.
Definitely worthwhile! The story had me reading with anticipation until the very end. It’s exactly my type of crime story - minimal blood and gore and surprising twists.
My only criticisms are that:
1) on some occasions the main character is annoyingly slow in figuring out what’s going on and
2) the editors and proofreaders could have done a better job than they did.
September 26, 2023
This is an intriguing, can't put down; well written mystery. I love a good old fashion who done it and Echoes of the Past does not disappoint. the protagonist Maya Hartwell is charismatic, intelligent and a force to be reckon with...and Maya's adventure does not stop here this is part 1 in a series Quest for Justice. Go Maya Go!
June 20, 2023
A great first book in the series!
Maya is an interesting character who you instantly warm to. I'm excited to see how she is develops over the series. Book one left me wondering if she will give up her job as an attorney to become a full time sleuth, I really hope she does!
It was great to read about a tiny town in the USA. As someone who lives in London I really need these scenes to be well described so I can imagine somewhere totally alien to me, and the author did it perfectly. She used the dialogue between characters to really explain what it's like to live in a tiny town for 10 years but still not feel like a local.
I don't want to give too much away but it's safe to say there is an unexpected plot twist or two - so if you like a good old murder mystery or detective novel this is a series you can really enjoy.
Maya is an interesting character who you instantly warm to. I'm excited to see how she is develops over the series. Book one left me wondering if she will give up her job as an attorney to become a full time sleuth, I really hope she does!
It was great to read about a tiny town in the USA. As someone who lives in London I really need these scenes to be well described so I can imagine somewhere totally alien to me, and the author did it perfectly. She used the dialogue between characters to really explain what it's like to live in a tiny town for 10 years but still not feel like a local.
I don't want to give too much away but it's safe to say there is an unexpected plot twist or two - so if you like a good old murder mystery or detective novel this is a series you can really enjoy.
August 29, 2023
A fun start to Quest for Justice
I really enjoyed the time I spent with Maya Hartwell, investigating the case. A true mystery suspense thriller with a take-no-prisoners heroine…and all the gritty grains of sand that mysteries must have in their HEA.
Still, Maya is plucky and driven. She’s smart and capable, attractive and likes anime. So, she’s aces all the way around.
One of the better writers of dialogue I’ve read in a while. Very natural sounding. Definitely will be happy to quest with Maya in her next novels!
I really enjoyed the time I spent with Maya Hartwell, investigating the case. A true mystery suspense thriller with a take-no-prisoners heroine…and all the gritty grains of sand that mysteries must have in their HEA.
Still, Maya is plucky and driven. She’s smart and capable, attractive and likes anime. So, she’s aces all the way around.
One of the better writers of dialogue I’ve read in a while. Very natural sounding. Definitely will be happy to quest with Maya in her next novels!
September 14, 2023
A Very Good Read!!!
Still not a fan of 1st Person, but it's okay when it's written well. Such is the case with Gabby Black. I was a little distracted with the pacing however. There just seemed to be too much detail in following along with the MC especially with the way the story opened. The dialog is artfully delivered and it pulls you right through, making you feel like you're part of the story as it happens.
The end result: a very good read and Ms. Black has a reader!
Still not a fan of 1st Person, but it's okay when it's written well. Such is the case with Gabby Black. I was a little distracted with the pacing however. There just seemed to be too much detail in following along with the MC especially with the way the story opened. The dialog is artfully delivered and it pulls you right through, making you feel like you're part of the story as it happens.
The end result: a very good read and Ms. Black has a reader!
March 1, 2023
Fun with a well-crafted plot
Well developed characters and impressive attention to detail by the author. I will get the audio book too (didn't realize that it was available). I'm already eager for the next in the series!
Well developed characters and impressive attention to detail by the author. I will get the audio book too (didn't realize that it was available). I'm already eager for the next in the series!
July 16, 2023
Taut story
Small town, big secrets. The lerngth people go to protect secrets that almost everyone knows in a closed society. Great, flawed characters. A tiny peak into lawyers world. Conrad Samayoa.
Small town, big secrets. The lerngth people go to protect secrets that almost everyone knows in a closed society. Great, flawed characters. A tiny peak into lawyers world. Conrad Samayoa.
July 30, 2022
Echoes of the Past is such a fun and entertaining introduction to the Maya Hartwell Series!!
This book follows top attorney Maya as she enters the small town of Landsfield Ridge. What she hopes to find in this town is a break from the day-to-day stress of her life. What she finds, is a mystery that she can't help but try to solve.
A missing girl, a years-old cold case, and a town filled with people who are none too happy to have an outsider filtering through their business. Through it all, Maya is determined to uncover the truth behind the girl's disappearance. With the help of local librarian and newbie sleuth, Wren, Maya fights against lies, deception, and the townsfolk's closed mouths to bring a perpetrator to justice.
I really enjoyed this book! Despite the suspense, it was actually quite cozy the majority of the time. I found the townspeople's suspicion of Maya to be an interesting addition that added to the eeriness of the plot as a whole. Maya was determined to find answers despite the obstacles thrown in her way. I also really loved Wren's character and their dynamic together was always fun to read. He is also a bit of an outsider and I think that allowed him to really keep his eyes open when it came to information on the people within the town. A lot of times in mysteries I tend to get frustrated with the protagonist for being blind to things right in front of them. This was not the case with this book! I found Maya to be incredibly intelligent and with her military background, she was more than capable of holding her own within a town seemingly against her.
All in all this was a really fun story and I can't wait to read the next installment!
This book follows top attorney Maya as she enters the small town of Landsfield Ridge. What she hopes to find in this town is a break from the day-to-day stress of her life. What she finds, is a mystery that she can't help but try to solve.
A missing girl, a years-old cold case, and a town filled with people who are none too happy to have an outsider filtering through their business. Through it all, Maya is determined to uncover the truth behind the girl's disappearance. With the help of local librarian and newbie sleuth, Wren, Maya fights against lies, deception, and the townsfolk's closed mouths to bring a perpetrator to justice.
I really enjoyed this book! Despite the suspense, it was actually quite cozy the majority of the time. I found the townspeople's suspicion of Maya to be an interesting addition that added to the eeriness of the plot as a whole. Maya was determined to find answers despite the obstacles thrown in her way. I also really loved Wren's character and their dynamic together was always fun to read. He is also a bit of an outsider and I think that allowed him to really keep his eyes open when it came to information on the people within the town. A lot of times in mysteries I tend to get frustrated with the protagonist for being blind to things right in front of them. This was not the case with this book! I found Maya to be incredibly intelligent and with her military background, she was more than capable of holding her own within a town seemingly against her.
All in all this was a really fun story and I can't wait to read the next installment!
November 4, 2023
Think there is a newer front cover than this one, this may have been the original but the new one is quite different. I can see it follows a similar look and feel to the other 2 books so can tell they are in a series. However I digress, I really enjoyed the story. I like the strong female protagonist, Maya, who it is pretty much centred around is an ex-marine so she can look after herself and now is a lawyer, so smart too. She forms a relationship with a librarian and together they solve 2 crimes. Am interested to see how and if they will be a duo act going forward into the other books. Nice easy distracting read. Will look to read the 2nd book to see how it plays out.
November 26, 2023
Echoes of The Past is Book 1 of Quest for Justice series written by Gabby Black. A great first start to a story line in this new series. Maya is a bold and confident character who you instantly like right away. I'm excited to see how she is develops over the series. Book one left me wondering if she will give up her job as an attorney to become a full time detective, I really hope she does cause she is really good at it!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 21, 2024
A promising start to an exciting series
Echoes of the Past by Gabby Black kicks off the Maya Hartwell (Quest for Justice) Series with a bang, introducing readers to the willed protagonist, Maya Hartwell.
An ex-marine turned lawyer, Maya's unique military toughness and legal insight make her a standout character in mystery murder.
For fans looking for a mystery with a strong female lead, this book is yours.
Echoes of the Past by Gabby Black kicks off the Maya Hartwell (Quest for Justice) Series with a bang, introducing readers to the willed protagonist, Maya Hartwell.
An ex-marine turned lawyer, Maya's unique military toughness and legal insight make her a standout character in mystery murder.
For fans looking for a mystery with a strong female lead, this book is yours.
May 18, 2024
Nancy Drew’s on the case again! Only her name is Maya😉
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. “Echoes Of The Past” reminded me of curling up to a good Nancy Drew book. Maya, a military trained lawyer, tries to vacation in a small town where a crime of the past lingers over a crime of the present. And the sleuthing begins.
Definitely recommended for all Nancy fans and lovers of crime mystery books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. “Echoes Of The Past” reminded me of curling up to a good Nancy Drew book. Maya, a military trained lawyer, tries to vacation in a small town where a crime of the past lingers over a crime of the present. And the sleuthing begins.
Definitely recommended for all Nancy fans and lovers of crime mystery books.
January 3, 2024
Easy read whodunnit
Easy read whodunnit.
Light hearted murder mystery.
Maya Hartwell is an ex-marine turned attorney. After winning a big case she decides to take a holiday and finds herself investigating the disappearance of a young girl.
With the librarian as her only ally she begins to investigate the small towns dark secrets.
Easy read whodunnit.
Light hearted murder mystery.
Maya Hartwell is an ex-marine turned attorney. After winning a big case she decides to take a holiday and finds herself investigating the disappearance of a young girl.
With the librarian as her only ally she begins to investigate the small towns dark secrets.
June 8, 2023
Great Crime, Mystery Book
Really enjoyed reading this gripping book. Brilliant characters and twists. Looking forward to the next book. Would highly recommend to others that enjoy crime/mystery genres.
Really enjoyed reading this gripping book. Brilliant characters and twists. Looking forward to the next book. Would highly recommend to others that enjoy crime/mystery genres.
August 10, 2023
Great entertaining read
I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the next instalment in this series. Great plot and makes you not want to put the book down.
I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the next instalment in this series. Great plot and makes you not want to put the book down.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews