Publisher: Double Shot Press
Published: March 29, 2022
Source: ARC E-galley via author
Summary:
New Orleans Detective Quinn Conners is haunted by her father’s whiskey-soaked, last words – that he solved the Hudson murder and kidnapping. It wasn’t the first time he’d made that drunken claim, and she didn’t believe him. Twenty-four hours later she found him dead by his own hand.
Quinn blames the investigation for his downfall, so when a woman researching a book about the kidnapping contacts her for help, Quinn shuts her out. But an attempt on the writer’s life and an anonymous message that puts her father’s suicide in question convinces Quinn there’s more to the writer’s story.
Soon, Quinn finds herself entangled in the web of mystery surrounding Grace Hudson’s disappearance and the powerful, secretive family at the heart of it. With nowhere else to turn, she immerses herself in her dad’s private notes – they lead her down a dark, twisted path where nothing is as it seems and no one is above suspicion.
Too late, Quinn sees that, like her father before her, the case threatens to consume her. But turning back is not an option – she’s determined to unearth the truth of whatever happened to Grace Hudson . . . even if it costs her life.
My thoughts:
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Erica Spindler, so of course I jumped at the chance to read this latest one and I’m so glad I did…I really enjoyed this one. Her writing is just so addictive and thrilling – now I remember why I used to read her books and clearly I need to go back and add all the ones I missed to my tbr!
This book grabbed me right from the get-go. Starting in the past and the moving to the present, I was hooked! I loved that we see how stubborn both father and daughter are and how down-right determined they both can be when on a case. Quinn, now a detective much like her father, hasn’t let go of all that he taught her and is still haunted by the case that basically drove him to his death and alienated him from everyone that loved him. Why is someone now bringing it back up and stirring up all those emotions and questions?
I also loved that it balanced the police procedural with great character development. I felt I really got to know both Quinn and her dad, especially as she started working on his case so many years later.
This book kept me on my toes the entire way. There was moments that I thought I had it all figured out, only to be thrown off when a new clue or twist was given. While I did work out some parts it in no way detracted from my overall enjoyment because I didn’t have all the pieces and I certainly didn’t have the why and that is really the heart of it all.
If you like a highly thrilling, suspenseful read that will keep you flipping the pages, I definitely recommend picking this one up. I would love to see this made into a series because I want more of Quinn…but I’m not sure that is happening, though I can only hope!
