Susan Hunter (3)

Worked for me... The story was definitely enjoyable and I found it somewhat low-key and cozy. It's a first-person narrative from the point of view of Leah, a small-town newspaper reporter who isn't very happy with her job, or rather with her new boss who's sort of an ice queen. The reader gets to know the protagonist pretty well; following her thought processes and her sleuthing around to figure out whether a supposed suicide is actually murder.

When I read the first of the series, there were show more a few copy-editing issues, but this second book was much more polished editorially. There is a short section early on that gives some background info which could fill in for readers who haven't read the first volume. I'll probably go on to read the next book at some point.

Oh, one thing I forgot... I obtained this book free on one of those 'Zon promotion days, but would certainly have paid full retail price for it. This is the second free book I've enjoyed by this author, so at this point I'm setting aside a fiver to buy her a fancy coffee drink next time she rolls through town. show less

Leah Nash has just finished publicity for her first book and it's time to buckle down and start her second. Except she's just not all that interested in the case her agent's picked out. Luckily, a new case falls into her lap.

Well third time's the charm. I'm officially hooked on this series. This series gets better as it goes on. Started out a low 3.5 (#1) and then a high 3.5 (#2) and now a solid 4 (#3). The plot was riveting. I was hooked on finding out what was going on. There were twists show more I didn't see coming and it was fantastic. I also loved that it was a cold case. I love people investigating cold cases.

I guessed some parts and missed others. Totally picked that Eric and family were covering about the hit and run that occurred the same night Heather disappeared. I just thought that Eric was the one driving, not his mum. So so close. On the other hand I totally suspected Dorsey Cowdrey. Granted I didn't guess that Anthony Dunn was in on it but I did guess Dorsey was. When Leah picks up her rental car and Dorsey has just returned a green pickup - the same one that was tailgating her just before she was shot? I was waiting for the big reveal so I could go haha and it never bloody happened. They skimmed over that bit and just went to, he did it. I was very annoyed. I had felt so smart.

I liked Leah a whole lot more in this book. She was more reporter like - unbiased and objective. Or at the very least aware of her biases. It made it easier to like her. Plus this time she didn't get stuck on one theory and keep at it for the whole book, rather assessing and considering and investigating and it was perfect.

The frenemies relationship Leah and Ross have going on was hilarious. I was totally rating it. And Courtnee cracked me up.

“So, then Rebecca says, [and here he did a dead-on impression of her icy tones] ‘Courtnee, when I gave you my credit card to pick up my lunch, and told you to get something for yourself, I meant something to eat. I didn’t mean a new purse at Target.’ ” “I don’t even want to ask, but I can’t help myself. What did Courtnee say?” “She—she—she.” Every time he started, he had to stop because he was laughing so hard. And a laughing Miguel is hard to resist. He pulled himself together for a minute and with only a few crack ups managed to get Courtnee’s response out. “She said, ‘Well, Rebecca, you said to get myself something. So I did. Besides, my purse was seventy percent off! So, when you think about it, I saved you $70. You’re welcome.’ ” His voice conveyed Courtnee’s injured tone perfectly.

Hunter, Susan. Dangerous Places (Leah Nash Mysteries Book 3) (pp. 157-158). Severn River Publishing. Kindle Edition.

I was giggling away reading that. Honestly this book was a lot funnier than the previous two. It was just so ridiculous at some points and I was rating it.

I was bummed that Sammy was killed off so early in the piece. I rather liked her. And that Cole only plays a small part. I kind of want to learn more about him. He's growing on me. Much like Leah is.

As for the rest of the characters, they were varying degrees of okay. I thought Rebecca was okay in the last book, but she was terrible in this one. Blackmailing the sheriff to get Coop a promotion was kind of hardcore. I was not expecting it. Coop was average. I don't really understand him. Or understand why Leah and him are friends. I did like that Leah wasn't as cutting to Coop about Rebecca as she was in the last book. It was pretty over the top in the last one and it made it especially hard to like her. In this one, she tones it down, keeping her comments to herself.

I love Miguel. He's fantastic and I love him injecting his Spanish words all over the place. I hated Nick (the ex husband and new boyfriend). I didn't like him in the last book and I didn't like him more in this one. And I felt sorry for Leah when she found out her mum lied to her about her dad dying. I might not like Nick but he was right when he said it's hard to realise your parents are just human and make mistakes like all the rest of us.

A solid mystery with entertaining characters and a complex plot. 4 stars. show less

Class reunions: stick a bunch of people together who once either hated, bullied, or dated one another, give them alcohol, and expect them to behave.

Dangerous Ground takes us to Leah’s 15-year reunion, and it’s not a pretty scene. Secrets spill. Tempers rage. Jealousy escalates. And someone winds up dead.

This mystery gives us plenty of suspects to sort through. One of my favorite things about this series is how realistic Leah’s investigations feel. I also appreciate that the police show more aren’t portrayed as idiots unable to solve a case without Leah’s help. Her work as a journalist and true crime writer, along with her long-standing relationships with the people in town, provide the perfect circumstances for her involvement.

Interspersed with the murder investigation, we have a fun mix of Leah’s personal life and a bit of relationship drama. I want to solve mysteries with Leah Nash, and I want a best friend like Miguel. Maybe I want to be Leah for a day or a week. Yes, I just admitted that I’d like to be a fictional character. Go ahead and judge me.

Dangerous Ground is the sixth Leah Nash Mystery. The story reads well as a stand-alone.

*I received a review copy via Partners in Crime Book Tours.* show less

Leah Nash and her classmates are gearing up for their high school reunion but old grudges are quick to ignite and Leah is once again in the middle of murder.

This started out a bit slow but rapidly picked up the pace as the mystery was pieced together and revealed. I really enjoyed how it all came together and how neatly all the parts fit. I guessed some of it but not all. I was surprised by Allie and the sexting. It's an interesting topic. I was lucky to have grown up as technology was show more still being introduced. I know how to use it and perhaps more importantly, adapt with it but I also remember functioning without it. I shudder to think of having to worry about sexting at school. As far as the kids setting up the teacher that was just horrific. Anyone being able to do that so easily is terrifying. On the other hand while I felt there was something off about Marcy's daughter's death (and that it was likely she was infected by someone who wasn't vaccinated) I didn't anticipate or really put together it was Ryan and him visiting Gina while she was babysitting. And that Marcy would blame them both for it. I liked it a lot. It was very cleverly plotted.

Leah was her usual mix of frustrating, funny and fabulous. I love her friendship with Miguel. Miguel is a total sweetie and her biggest supporter and I'm here for it. Even if Leah drives me insane at points. I still don't get whatever weird relationship is going on with Leah and Coop. Gabe is okay but kind of an ass in this one. I adore Allie and Charlie Ross. Ross really is the best father. He's so supportive and encouraging and I love it. Plus his frenemies relationship with Leah is hysterical.

And Cole Granger makes a return! I love Cole. It was pretty funny when Leah find that he's the good Samaritan she's after. And when she tricks him into giving her his phone so she can check the location data.

I thought Erin Harper was alright in the last few books but she's not very nice in this one. It'll be interesting to see how Leah and Coop get on if he gets elected as sheriff and has to keep her out of things.

Well written story with a cleverly plotted mystery. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. show less