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Carrion
A young woman with a questionable past…
A family struggling to find common ground…
A murder victim with no known enemies…
Determined to overcome the dark secrets she helped reveal three years ago when she rescued a baby from a locked car and ran away, Xandra Byrd is now a student in criminology at the local community college and an accepted part of her biological family. Still, she struggles to escape the demons of her dysfunctional childhood. But when the woman who helped put her family back together is murdered, and she and her brother implicated in the crime, Xandra must return to the dark side of human nature in search of a killer. Will she solve the mystery and clear her name, or will she become the next victim?
A family struggling to find common ground…
A murder victim with no known enemies…
Determined to overcome the dark secrets she helped reveal three years ago when she rescued a baby from a locked car and ran away, Xandra Byrd is now a student in criminology at the local community college and an accepted part of her biological family. Still, she struggles to escape the demons of her dysfunctional childhood. But when the woman who helped put her family back together is murdered, and she and her brother implicated in the crime, Xandra must return to the dark side of human nature in search of a killer. Will she solve the mystery and clear her name, or will she become the next victim?
- GenresMystery
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2022
21 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Irvin
7 books66 followersJ. E. Irvin is a novelist, poet, and educator. She grew up in Struthers, Ohio, in the industrial north area of the state. The oldest of seven children, she spent her childhood caring for her siblings and reading her way through the shelves of the local library. She holds a BA from Ohio University, an M.S. in Education from the University of Dayton, and an M.A. in Spanish from the University of Cincinnati. Her short pieces have appeared in a variety of print and online publications. Her interests include canoeing, gardening, and travel. She is a member of the Greenville Poets, Central Ohio Fiction Writers, Buckeye Crime Writers, and SistersinCrime. Irvin is a member of the Springboro Historical Society and serves on the Springboro Park Board.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 17, 2023
Carrion is an engaging read that will pull readers into a mysterious world.
A story that grabs the heart and carries the reader along in it's twist and turns to inspire curiosity. Building from it onset the desire to know these Characters more.
Great Read!
A story that grabs the heart and carries the reader along in it's twist and turns to inspire curiosity. Building from it onset the desire to know these Characters more.
Great Read!
January 29, 2023
An enjoyable "whodunit."
While taking the trash out at the local Buns N Fries where she works part-time to pay for college, Xandra discovers the body of Reverend Loving beside the trash bins. Reverend Loving is a well-respected member of the Ohio community of Hopewell, although there are rumors that she was involved in a land dispute with her brother, Paul Loving. Paul has botched a lot of past investments and now, on the brink of another financial collapse, he seems determined to get a hold of his sister's coveted land as part of a larger housing development that will make him a lot of money. So Paul is obviously suspect number ONE, along with potentially corrupt local officials, including the Mayor.
But what about all of the other questionable figures in the community? There's Reggie, Xandra's reckless young co-worker at Buns N Fries who is currently on the run. Maybe Paul Loving coerced him into doing his dirty work? Xandra fights back the temptation to think that her brother JJ may somehow be involved, as his vulture pin was in Reverend Loving's pocket when Xandra discovered the crime scene. JJ wanted to assist Reverend Loving in converting the land into an ecologically friendly memorial site, and he was last seen talking to Loving on the day of her death. Is there something that JJ is not telling us?
I was intrigued by the possibility that Xandra's parents may be involved in the murder. Her father's behavior seems a bit off, but maybe he is just a concerned parent sticking his nose into an investigation that has put his daughter and son in peril.
The mystery has a "Knives Out" feel to it. Just when you think the author is pointing us in the direction of one definitive suspect, another one emerges with new potential motives. The twist at the end is satisfying, although I was wanting something far darker. A seemingly innocent perp who was so off my radar that I failed to suspect him or her in any way until the end.
This book was well-written, with beautiful descriptions of nature. The atmospheric backdrop of vultures preying on rotten meat mirrors the murder that is being investigated. Indeed, some human beings are predatory vultures while others are birds of a more peaceful and inquisitive nature. Funny, how we flock together.
While taking the trash out at the local Buns N Fries where she works part-time to pay for college, Xandra discovers the body of Reverend Loving beside the trash bins. Reverend Loving is a well-respected member of the Ohio community of Hopewell, although there are rumors that she was involved in a land dispute with her brother, Paul Loving. Paul has botched a lot of past investments and now, on the brink of another financial collapse, he seems determined to get a hold of his sister's coveted land as part of a larger housing development that will make him a lot of money. So Paul is obviously suspect number ONE, along with potentially corrupt local officials, including the Mayor.
But what about all of the other questionable figures in the community? There's Reggie, Xandra's reckless young co-worker at Buns N Fries who is currently on the run. Maybe Paul Loving coerced him into doing his dirty work? Xandra fights back the temptation to think that her brother JJ may somehow be involved, as his vulture pin was in Reverend Loving's pocket when Xandra discovered the crime scene. JJ wanted to assist Reverend Loving in converting the land into an ecologically friendly memorial site, and he was last seen talking to Loving on the day of her death. Is there something that JJ is not telling us?
I was intrigued by the possibility that Xandra's parents may be involved in the murder. Her father's behavior seems a bit off, but maybe he is just a concerned parent sticking his nose into an investigation that has put his daughter and son in peril.
The mystery has a "Knives Out" feel to it. Just when you think the author is pointing us in the direction of one definitive suspect, another one emerges with new potential motives. The twist at the end is satisfying, although I was wanting something far darker. A seemingly innocent perp who was so off my radar that I failed to suspect him or her in any way until the end.
This book was well-written, with beautiful descriptions of nature. The atmospheric backdrop of vultures preying on rotten meat mirrors the murder that is being investigated. Indeed, some human beings are predatory vultures while others are birds of a more peaceful and inquisitive nature. Funny, how we flock together.
February 27, 2023
Carrion by J E Irvin.
Determined to overcome the dark secrets she helped reveal three years ago when she rescued a baby from a locked car and ran away, Xandra Byrd is now a student in criminology at the local community college and an accepted part of her biological family. Still, she struggles to escape the demons of her dysfunctional childhood. But when the woman who helped put her family back together is murdered, and she and her brother implicated in the crime, Xandra must return to the dark side of human nature in search of a killer. Will she solve the mystery and clear her name, or will she become the next victim?
Great read. Loved the cover. 4*.
Determined to overcome the dark secrets she helped reveal three years ago when she rescued a baby from a locked car and ran away, Xandra Byrd is now a student in criminology at the local community college and an accepted part of her biological family. Still, she struggles to escape the demons of her dysfunctional childhood. But when the woman who helped put her family back together is murdered, and she and her brother implicated in the crime, Xandra must return to the dark side of human nature in search of a killer. Will she solve the mystery and clear her name, or will she become the next victim?
Great read. Loved the cover. 4*.
February 8, 2023
There was an ease to reading this book despite the unexpected twists and turns; at the same time it was fast moving and dynamic.
A page turning thriller with a unique plot and interesting characters. I could not put it down.
If you enjoy suspense thrillers, you should definitely read this book; I highly recommend it.
A page turning thriller with a unique plot and interesting characters. I could not put it down.
If you enjoy suspense thrillers, you should definitely read this book; I highly recommend it.
February 13, 2023
The surprises keep the storyline going at a good pace. The characters had a great amount of development from beginning to end.
The reader is involved in the creative world the entire way through. This is just an overall well-balanced read.
I liked the journey and the way the characters navigated it. Great read.
The reader is involved in the creative world the entire way through. This is just an overall well-balanced read.
I liked the journey and the way the characters navigated it. Great read.
February 22, 2023
the cover drew me in and glad I read this, it had a great concept for a mystery and the story and characters were written realistic. I enjoyed how good the plot was and was invested in what was happening. I'm glad I read this and look forward to more.
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.
February 9, 2023
J.E. Irvin is amazing author. She has an exceptional talent for developing rich, relatable characters and complex suspense.
Admirable characters, riveting plot and entertainment from start to finish.
Admirable characters, riveting plot and entertainment from start to finish.
June 30, 2023
A good mystery with a twist which was unexpected without being incredible. I liked the protagonist and felt they brought a different tone to the approach to solving the mystery.
April 1, 2023
I enjoyed this book although I did discover a few typos that made me question what was going on in the story, and took me a moment to realize it was a typo (wrong character name used for example)
All in all, the storyline was interesting, it didn’t focus too much on the love interest that too many books seem to do, and had an interesting twist that was both expected but unexpected at the same time. It could’ve gotten to the point a bit faster, as some context was not needed, but overall a good read.
All in all, the storyline was interesting, it didn’t focus too much on the love interest that too many books seem to do, and had an interesting twist that was both expected but unexpected at the same time. It could’ve gotten to the point a bit faster, as some context was not needed, but overall a good read.
May 25, 2023
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The book follows Xandra as she tries to solve a murder that seems to implicate her and her brother. I found it to be overly wordy in some parts, taking away from the plot. As a mystery it was ok.
The book follows Xandra as she tries to solve a murder that seems to implicate her and her brother. I found it to be overly wordy in some parts, taking away from the plot. As a mystery it was ok.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews