Steve Frech

Detective Meredith Somerset and her partner, Detective Tyler Foles investigate the death of James Hammond - a CEO of a finance startup - and find there's no shortage of suspects.

This started out good and rapidly went downhill before rising a slight amount before the end. My biggest problem was everything I loved about the first book completely disappeared in this one. Tyler has apparently worked on himself and kicked his drug habit. On the other hand Meredith has just fallen apart. Whatever show more healthy coping methods Meredith had in the first book have flown out the window and I hated it. She does still have a good relationship with her daughter, ex-husband and his new partner - but it wasn't enough to redeem it.

There was a lot of stupid in this book. Tyler shooting his gun when there's a blackout at the firing range - after the instructor or whoever person says hold fire - was so fkn dumb. It was so utterly irresponsible and it just made me dislike him.

I did like the conclusion of the case and the reveal of the murderer. I hadn't guessed where it was going, so I was happy with that part. But there was just so much I didn't like. The ending (which is a cliffhanger mind) brought it back enough that I'll probably read the next one to find out what happens but unless something major changes I can't say I'll be happy about it.

3.5 stars, rounded to 3 stars. show less

Detective Meredith Somerset and her new partner, Tyler Foles, get to know one another as they investigate the murder of a teenage girl on a street where everyone seems to be guilty of something.

I really enjoyed this. Meredith was great. I liked that while she had the requisite tragic backstory (a missing little sister) it doesn't overwhelm the narrative. She's obviously still upset but has looked for and managed to find healthy ways to overcome her trauma and it was refreshing. The show more inclusion of her therapist goes a long way to normalise mental health and I think that's really important. I liked that she had a great relationship with her ex husband, his partner and her daughter - I loved that they all get along and look to support one another - I wish more people did this for their kids.

Tyler was alright. I didn't love his drug use or his backstory. I mean if your mentor cop really did cover up your mum's death for the insurance, would you really ever tell anyone? I mean it's all well and good that he doesn't want to mar the cop's memory - but also - it's a crime? Meredith seems to accept it with little compunction and I didn't feel it was very realistic. Still it was okay.

As for the mystery I was riveted trying to figure out who was who and what was going on. It was very enjoyable. I felt sorry for the kids on that street though - they've all got seriously messed up parents.

A well written police procedural with a main character who's only slightly off her rocker and mystery that keeps you guessing. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. show less

Nightingale House is an unsettling, atmospheric, haunted house story, that will make you feel like someone is watching you, and make you think twice when you hear your house "settle". The story follows Daniel and his daughter on their journey to their new home, after the tragic loss of wife and mother, Nicole, and takes us back into the past through journal entries to unwind the mystery around Nightingale House. There are some truly chilling moments spread throughout the book, and at times show more you start to wonder how much of what Daniel is experiencing is actually happening. Could he just be driven mad by grief, or is there something more at play here? It's a fast-paced thriller, with some excellent horror elements. I received an e-arc from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my review. show less

I can't thank HQ Digital for providing me with a digital copy!
NetGalley Thank you for the opportunity!
And Steve major thanks for such awesome work yet again!

Steve Frech has yet to disappoint me!
I have quickly became a major fan of his writing just last year after reading three of his books back to back!
I was obsessed and couldn't wait for another book to come out!
And here came Secrets to the Grave and to top it off this is going to be a series! (love series)

Secrets to the Grave is a show more fast paced mystery! A whodunit?
We have Detective Meredith Somerset who I'm a major fan of! I loved her personality, her demeanor!
Who is dealing with some personal issues! A tragedy that happened when she was younger!
But my favorite was Detective Tyler Foles a Vice and Narco Detective who moved up the ranks and up to homicide.
I loved the way he talked, his smartass-ness just his personality in general!
(And I hope we see more of him in the next books to come) hint hint show less