Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves

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The Raging Storm (Two Rivers #3)

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Series: Two Rivers #3
Publication Date: 9/5/23
Period: Contemporary – Greystone, North Devon, England
Number of Pages: 400

In telling us the tale of the life, and death, of Jeremy (Jem) Rosco, this author sucks us into a place where the sea dominates everything in life. The mood is set with vivid descriptions of the sea, the storms, and the insular people who live in this small village where narcissism and obsession seem to run rampant.

As the son of a single mother, Jem Rosco had been looked down upon. He wasn’t accepted as an equal among his peers – and you’ll vacillate between thinking him a good guy and a bad guy. Whatever you decide about him, you will know he didn’t deserve to die the way he did or be left the way he was. Why would he return to North Devon after decades away? What drew him back? WHO drew him back? He told everyone he was waiting for someone. Was he? He was now a world-famous adventurer, television personality, and author – what in the world could he want in Greystone?

Inspector Matthew Venn is fairly new to leading his team and they are still adjusting to each other’s idiosyncrasies. Matthew had a strict upbringing as part of the religious cult, the Barum Brethren. That upbringing still causes him issues – especially in places like Greystone where the Brethren have a strong presence. Jen Rafferty is a contradiction, but a good sergeant. It took her years to escape an abusive marriage and now she’s filled with self-doubt about her parenting skills. Jen likes to drink and have a good time since she missed out on all of that by marrying too young and having babies too young. Ross May is also a conundrum. He has aspirations for finer things – he has the showcase wife (whom he actually loves) – and he dresses extremely well. Oh! And he’s the golden child of Venn’s boss – Superintendent Joe Oldham. Can such a disparate bunch ever solve such a convoluted crime as this one? You bet they can!

I’ve loved the character growth of the team over the three books of the series and I can’t wait to see where they are going. This case was a very puzzling one and each of the three on the team worked to their strengths and came up with an astounding solution. Believe me, you won’t know who the villain is – even when you start eliminating all of the red herrings.

I can definitely recommend this excellently written, well-plotted, perfectly paced story to you. I’ve just finished this one and I’m already anxious for the next one. I hope you’ll enjoy the book as much as I did. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Payback in Death by J.D. Robb

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Futuristic, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Payback in Death (In Death, #57)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #57
Publication Date: 9/5/23
Period: Future New York City – 2061 or so
Number of Pages: 368

WOW! This long-running series is one of the best I have ever read, and I hope it continues for a long time to come. This fifty-seventh book is just as fresh and engrossing as the first one was. I’m not one to re-read books, but I have re-read the first three books in this series many times – just because those are the books that establish Roarke and Eve as a couple and set up the characters and background for the rest of the series. Also, don’t let the fact that it takes place in the future keep you from giving the books a try. Yes, the setting is in the future, but that is just an auxiliary fact – window dressing – to a superbly written mystery with wonderful characters and a tad of wit and humor sprinkled throughout to add to your enjoyment. Then, there is the romance – goodness – romance writers take note – if you want to write a toe-curling, heart-singing, sizzling romance read these books for the ultimate example.

Eve and Roarke are in for a crashing end to the vacation they took to celebrate their third anniversary. After long, romantic, sunny days on an island and then the beautiful, lush greens of Ireland, they return to the heat of crowded New York. Eve enjoyed her vacation, but she loves New York and her job as a Homicide Lieutenant in the New York Police and Security Division. She’s darn good at that job – probably the best there is – and that is how she came to be specially requested to handle the case of an apparent suicide. Lieutenant Donald Webster, Internal Affairs Bureau, is sure his old friend and mentor, retired Captain Martin Greenleaf, did not kill himself and he wants to assure justice for his friend.

Within minutes of arriving on the scene, Eve is also convinced that Martin Greenleaf did not kill himself. Martin had a warm, loving family – so – could the murder have something to do with work? He’s been retired for years, so that isn’t likely – or is it? As head of the Internal Affairs Bureau, Martin had a reputation as a by-the-book, no-gray-areas cop that many didn’t like, but most respected. Those who didn’t respect him were those who had broken their oaths to protect and serve.

We all know Eve never gives up, but this case frustrated her. Every thread she pulled led nowhere. She just knows the answer is buried somewhere in his past, but can’t find any connections. Until she does. Then she and her team are off and running to bring the villains down. With a villain who is so supremely self-confident that there is no way the NYPSD can ever link them to the victim, the interview room at cop central gets pretty heated.

I can definitely recommend this book! This author! This series! Each book is an exciting, perplexing case that can be read as a standalone. However, to truly understand the dynamics among the characters, the location, etc. (and to get some of the humor), you’ll definitely want to read at least the first three (maybe four) books first. If you are looking for excitement, suspense, mystery, and romance this is the book for you!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews