Some people are warriors. Soul warriors. There's something stronger, less breakable about them than others. You can knock them over, but they'll just keep getting up. Again and again.
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BLURB: When the director of a local mental health hospital is found murdered and mutilated, Homicide Detective Reed Davies is first on scene. What was done to the body is gruesome. Inexplicable. But Reed is dealt another curveball when he finds that the doctor who discovered the victim is someone Reed is intimately familiar with—a woman with whom he shared one passionate night weeks before. Dr. Elizabeth Nolan is somehow tangled up in the crime, and even while Reed must now question her possible involvement, he can’t help being drawn to the beautiful, enigmatic woman. As more bodies appear and the devious killer terrorizes Cincinnati, a shocking connection begins to emerge, one that not only involves Dr. Nolan, but Reed himself. A connection more twisted and elaborate than he can imagine. Now Reed must hunt the monster down, a killer who will stop at nothing to see his diabolical plan to its final, deadly conclusion.
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BOOK REVIEW
To Note: BOOK 2 (BOOK 1: WHERE THE BLAME LIES)
TW: abuse, torture, death, mutilation
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Personal enjoyment: 5/5
Overall rating: 20/20
I usually steer clear of books with TWs but I trust Mia Sheridan wholeheartedly, and will always read her books. And she did it again, the sequel to Where the Blame Lies was just as good! The first book left my heart bruised, and chapter one in book two was exactly what I needed to heal it. Gosh I have no idea how Mia sheridan can convey such emotions, how she can capture the sadness of loss, and the beauty of hope all in one scene. It was such a powerful chapter. I could say so much but alas it is all spoilery, you really do need to read book 1 to fully feel the impact of book 2.
We again follow a detective and a survivor as they piece together clues behind gruesome deaths, with no seeming connections between the victims other then the manner of their deaths. As the body count rises, it becomes clear there is a more complex game afoot.
Though this in essence is a crime thriller, (and I was very much invested in solving the deaths) what always draws me in is the author's ability to create wholly believable characters. I have always enjoyed how Sheridan articulates the feelings and thoughts of a character, their actions and motivations are explored so well that you can't help but feel invested. I especially liked her exploration of are "monsters made or born" conundrum. Certainly some characters commit heinous acts in the book, but it's not just a simple case of 'they are "evil" and that is that', there is a lot of complexity involved; past experiences/trauma, decisions made, paths not taken, conversations not had, human connections made/ not made all play a part in shaping a person. And Sheridan captures it all. The romance is tastefully done, though be warned it is what I like to call a reverse slowburn where it begins with physical intimacy that then is stopped for whatever reason and we are left with alot of sexual tension till the conflict is resolved.
The mystery aspect was done so well, plenty of red herrings and convoluted storylines to stop you working it out, I love it when I am left guessing till the very end! The crimes are complex and as the connections unfold it is so shocking that I was excited to see it to its conclusion.
It's no secret I rate all her books highly and this is no different. As always; I highly recommend.
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