Review: Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine (audio)

Title: Bitter Falls

Author: Rachel Caine

Series: Stillhouse Lake, #4

Narrator: Emily Sutton-Smith, Michael Crouch, Dan John Miller, Lauren Ezzo, Will Roup

Published: January 2020, Brilliance Audio

Length: 11 hours 33 minutes

Source: Publisher

Summary:

An Amazon Charts, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling series.

She’s investigating a cold case no one else could—by going places no else would dare. 

In
spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to
move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case
disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no
clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands
what it’s like to worry about your children.

Gwen’s investigation
unearths new suspects…and victims. As she follows each sinister lead,
the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer
Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home.

In
a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her
kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family—paramilitary,
criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with
Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she
prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves?

 

My thoughts: The Stillhouse Lake series is by far one of my favorite thriller series to listen to…these books are so intense and thrilling and this latest book, the fourth in the series, is exactly why I love this series. I was a little let down with book three, Wolfhunter River, but I feel that Bitter Falls is back up to par with the first two books that had me falling in love with the series in the first place.

I will just start by saying this…I highly recommend reading this series in order. Yes, this book can stand alone. Rachel Caine does give you just enough backstory on the characters that you understand these characters and why they are in the situation they are in, BUT you miss out on so much character development and ALL THE SPOILERS that it just wouldn’t be the same reading experience. (See below for full list of books in the series – and bonus, they are excellent on audio, but I’ve heard they are super fast reads!)

This latest installment sees Gwen grappling with work as a new private investigator and trying to keep things calm at home as it seems her family is no longer wanted in Stillhouse Lake. Unfortunately the case she ends up working on brings danger to those around her and no one ends up safe. But if you know anything about Gwen Proctor, you know that she is a force to be reckoned with and when it comes to protecting her family, you better watch out.

I love that this book, like all the previous books, is told from multiple points of view. We hear from Gwen, Sam Cade and Gwen’s two children, Lanny and Connor. I think this brings such a strong dynamic to the story as we really get to see how they are dealing with everything. Lanny and Connor have been through a lot and things will never be the same for them. Now that they are dealing with the aftermath of everything…it’s bound to have its effects. I like being in their head and really getting a glimpse of their thoughts.

This book is full of action and suspense. The cult angle was fascinating and kept me guessing as to how that would play out. It’s intense and chilling and I loved being back with Gwen Proctor and her family. I love this series and I’m so glad that this latest installment was back up to par with the earlier books. And I’m so happy to see that there will be a fifth book!!! I cannot wait to see what happens next. These book are addicting, gripping thrillers that I cannot recommend enough!





Audio thoughts: I
thought the narrators did a great job with this book and I loved that
they were the same ones from the previous book. Each was consistent with
the voices they gave their character and the pacing was just right. The
narrators added just the right amount of tension to their voices as
necessary and made this audio book an enjoyable listening experience.

Books in this series: 

1. Stillhouse Lake
2. Killman Creek
3. Wolfhunter River
4. Bitter Falls
5. Heartbreak Bay – due out March 2021