Annelise Ryan

I started reading this series because it's set in my home state and I like 'creature feature' stories. I have some problems with the series though, mainly because I really don't like the main character all that much. She just does whatever she wants with no care as to how it affects other people. Also, who are these people that are so willing to divulge secret information to a complete stranger? She cold calls people and they spill their guts. Not likely. That being said, I find the books a show more quick read and it's like a soap opera where the writing isn't all that great (Rita goes off stating "I don’t care for the way proper English is getting pruned away these days. Is it really so hard to use a two-syllable word?" and a couple sentences later replies with "just a sec") , but you kind of get sucked in and can't wait to see what happens next. It's cheesy fun. show less

Annelise Ryan's latest release, "Death in the Dark Woods," falls tragically short of the promises made by its marketing. In my many years of avid reading, I've encountered my fair share of letdowns, but this one takes the cake. The anticipation built around a tale of mystery and horror is shattered by an inexplicably lazy conclusion to the Bigfoot storyline.

The marketing led me to expect a spine-chilling and enigmatic experience, but reality couldn't be more different. The unraveling of the show more Bigfoot mystery, a focal point of the narrative, is shockingly simplistic. A single Google search is all it took to expose the frailty of the plot, leaving me utterly disappointed with the lack of depth and creativity.

The author's attempt to resolve the central mystery is where the narrative truly falters. The introduction of escaped chimpanzees as a resolution feels like a desperate grasp at straws. The sudden inclusion of chimpanzees in the woods of Wisconsin during winter is not only implausible but also absurd. As a Wisconsin resident who barely survives the harsh winters, the idea of escaped chimps thriving in a national forest for over 50 years is downright ludicrous.

The sheer disbelief I felt at this narrative twist left me questioning the author's motives. Why choose such an outlandish resolution to a plot that held so much potential? The disconnect between the expected and the delivered narrative is baffling, and I am left perplexed as to why such a creative misstep was taken.

The frustration stems from the apparent lack of consideration for reader intelligence and the abandonment of a promising premise. The question of "Why?" lingers, and it's a query that remains unanswered, further adding to the dissatisfaction.

Living in Wisconsin, I hoped for a story that would resonate with the local landscape and weather. Instead, "Death in the Dark Woods" veers off into the realm of implausible fantasy, leaving me wondering why such a departure was deemed necessary.

In conclusion, I cannot bring myself to recommend this book. Annelise Ryan's "Death in the Dark Woods" is a testament to wasted potential, with a conclusion that defies reason and leaves readers with more questions than answers. Instead of a satisfying mystery, we are served an absurd narrative that crumbles under even the slightest scrutiny. Consider this a warning to those expecting a captivating and logical tale – steer clear of this disappointment. show less

This is my new favorite series! It has enough edge that it is a notch up from a typical cozy. The writing is funny, lol funny on a number of occasions. The characters are enjoyable and the love interest isn't too cliche. I will read all in this series and toss aside those that I always am giving another chance. This series isn't cutesy - it has gore and crude ish bits and bobs that make it a great, original series.

This was a fun book and introduction to the Mack's Bar series. Mackenzie "Mack" owns the bar she inherited after her father's murder a few months earlier. Matters become even more complicated when she finds a dead body in the alley behind the bar, and the victim is her father's former girlfriend.

Mack's life has not been an easy one. Her mother was involved in an accident when she was pregnant with Mack and kept alive until Mack's birth. The trauma inflicted on Mack left her with a show more neurological disorder called synesthesia. This condition causes short circuits or crossed wires in her senses so that she sees smells, tastes sounds, smells colors, etc. It is something she's learned to live with, but it can be overwhelming in times of stress. Since her father's death, several problems have caused Mack to lose money, putting her in a difficult financial situation.

Duncan Albright is the lead detective on the murder case. He is intrigued by Mack's condition and suspects that it could help solve Ginny's murder. Because many of the leads point to Mack as the chief suspect in the murder, he needs to keep an eye on her. But she is not the only suspect, as any of her employees or patrons also had motive, means, and opportunity. He believes there is a link between her father's and Ginny's murders. Duncan talks Mack into letting him go undercover as a bartender so he can observe and investigate. The only drawback is the attraction that flares between them and distracts them from their goal.

The employees and patrons of the bar are a diverse and quirky group. Their personalities are well-drawn and varied enough to keep them straight. I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing where each fell on the list of suspects. Most of them have known Mack for a long time and don't believe she is guilty. I loved seeing them come together to clear her name and their own.

I also liked the inclusion of the history of Milwaukee and Al Capone. It added a little uniqueness to the setting, which otherwise could have been any city. Mack's discovery of her father's interest in Capone caused her to wonder if there was a connection between that interest and his murder.

I loved following the investigation. It was a little surprising that Duncan shared so much information with Mack since she was a primary suspect in the murder. However, his instincts tell him that she is innocent. There is another person that moves up the list when secrets about his life come to light, but I felt that he was a little too obvious to be a real contender. The tension continued to build as Duncan tried to narrow down the suspect list, and Mack attempted to sort out her synesthetic reactions to the clues they found. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Mack stumbled on a secret room and the murderer. I was on the edge of my seat as Mack fought for her life. While the culprit was not a surprise, the motivations were interesting.

I liked Duncan's proposed partnership with Mack as a "consultant" on future cases. I'm looking forward to more time spent at Mack's, intriguing cases, and perhaps more about the chemistry between Mack and Duncan. show less