Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Save Her Life Book Review


 

The tears fall down the girl’s pale face as she desperately tries to struggle free from the ties around her wrists. The only sound in the room other than her muffled cries is the ticking of a clock. Her mother has less than one hour to find her alive.

It’s been more than thirty years since Special Agent Sandra Vos’s twin brother was shot dead, an innocent victim caught in a kidnap gone wrong. It devastated Sandra’s family, but it made her who she is today, one of the FBI’s most successful negotiators.

After dropping her teenage daughter, Olivia, at school, Sandra is alerted to a potential hostage situation at her local grocery store and races to the scene. A man has pulled out a gun and is refusing to talk or let anyone out of the building until his demands are met. The fate of dozens of lives rests in Sandra’s hands.

But as Sandra starts to make a breakthrough with the hostage taker, she receives a call that makes her blood run cold. Someone has taken Olivia, and their demand will push Sandra to her absolute limit. If it’s not met within twenty-four hours, she will never see her daughter again.

Sandra knows she should step aside, letting her team take over, but she doesn’t trust anyone else to bring Olivia home alive. Breaking every rule in the book, Sandra is ready to go into her most personal negotiation yet. But how much will she have to sacrifice to save her daughter?

A totally gripping new series which will have you turning the pages long into the night. Perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick series, Mary Stone and Elle Gray.
My thoughts:
 
This book grabs you by the throat from the beginning and keeps ahold of you until you've finished it. A "simple" hostage situation becomes a nightmare when a stray bullet exposes the body of a girl in the wall of a church. Amanda and Trent are called in to investigate, and secrets are exposed that were never expected to see the light of day. Can they untangle the mysteries and solve this heinous crime?

As always, Carolyn Arnold has written a solid mystery that will keep you coming back for more. If you want more and haven't read the other books in the series, I recommend stopping what you're doing and starting at the beginning of the series and go on a wild ride!

My thoughts:
 
Carolyn Arnold has done it again! She has always done a great job writing stories that grab you by the throat and keep ahold of you until you're done with the book. Her suspense and storytelling are wonderful, and this book is no exception.

Save Her Life starts a new series, with all new characters, including Special Agent Sandra Vos, whose daughter is snatched while Sandra is trying to do her job, and she will do everything in her power to save her.

But will she be able to? Will ignoring the rules and working to find her daughter cost Sandra her job? Enjoy this first book in the series, and if you love it go back and read some of the previous series. You can't go wrong with Carolyn Arnold!
 
Author Bio
To keep current on author news, sign up for Carolyn Arnold’s newsletter at http://dld.bz/jBtNt
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy mysteries, police procedurals, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™. Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
 


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Saturday, February 22, 2025

Hidden Angels Book Review


 
As the wall is peeled back, everyone falls silent. Then they see her. The near-perfect remains of a young female, two jelly bangles and a neon necklace being the only clues to how long she had been hidden there. But who was she? And who could have possibly wanted to take such an innocent life?

When the body of a girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, 
Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. On arrival she meets FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos who explains that while negotiating a hostage incident moments before, a gun was fired. The bullet missed its target but exposed human remains.

The victim has been perfectly preserved, her jewelry and summer dress taking Amanda back to her own teenage years. DNA quickly confirms that the victim was taken over thirty years ago. Thinking about her own daughter, Amanda cannot imagine the devastation for the young girl’s family and vows to find the killer.

Amanda and her partner 
Trent determine the suspect behind the attempted shooting, Cameron Cofell, had a very clear reason for exacting revenge on the church’s priest. As they question the wider community, a neighbor reveals her long-held suspicions too. But when she is found murdered, Amanda knows this killer is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their dark secret from ever coming to light.

Soon the investigation takes Amanda and Trent to an abandoned farmhouse—a place that haunts Cameron’s nightmares—where they find a faded photograph that holds the mystery of another chilling cold case. But just how far back does this evil go, and how much will Amanda and Trent need to sacrifice to find the killer?

A totally addictive crime thriller that will leave you breathless and have you racing through the pages. Perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.
 
My thoughts:
 
This book grabs you by the throat from the beginning and keeps ahold of you until you've finished it. A "simple" hostage situation becomes a nightmare when a stray bullet exposes the body of a girl in the wall of a church. Amanda and Trent are called in to investigate, and secrets are exposed that were never expected to see the light of day. Can they untangle the mysteries and solve this heinous crime?

As always, Carolyn Arnold has written a solid mystery that will keep you coming back for more. If you want more and haven't read the other books in the series, I recommend stopping what you're doing and starting at the beginning of the series and go on a wild ride!


Author Bio

To keep current on author news, sign up for Carolyn Arnold’s newsletter at http://dld.bz/jBtNt

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy mysteries, police procedurals, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles. 



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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Missing Before Daylight Book Review and Giveaway


 
She wakes surrounded by an inky black darkness and can barely breathe. A sack is covering her head, and her hands are tied behind her back. She desperately tries to struggle free as she hears footsteps walking toward her. She silently starts to cry as a chilling voice whispers “It’s time to pay for what you did…”

When 
Detective Amanda Steele is called to the murder scene of a young gas station clerk just before dawn, she assumes it must be a robbery gone tragically wrong. But when she discovers nothing has been stolen, she knows the motive must be far more personal.

Watching the security footage, Amanda is shocked to witness the cold-blooded killer not only shoot the clerk dead but abduct a customer. And her heart stops when she recognizes the customer as her former colleague, 
Katherine Graves. As Amanda breaks the news to Katherine’s heartbroken Aunt May, she vows to do whatever it takes to bring her niece home alive.

Desperate for a lead, Amanda and her partner, 
Trent, search Katherine’s home. Soon, they discover that despite no longer being with the police department, Katherine has a long list of very dangerous enemies. Enemies who have been sending her anonymous letters promising revenge.

The more Amanda digs into Katherine’s past, the longer her list of suspects becomes. But when May is sent a ransom demand and a picture of Katherine close to death, Amanda knows time is running out. With only hours left to find Katherine alive, Amanda is prepared to risk everything to keep her promise to May, even her own life…

A completely pulse-pounding and unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.
 
My thoughts:
 
This book starts off with a bang (literally) and seems to be a fairly straightforward murder, which Amanda and Trent are called to solve. However, they quickly find that this murder is actually due to a kidnapping, the kidnapping of a former cop from their force. All hands are on deck, trying to find Katherine and bring her home safely, however a lot of the clues don't make sense.

When a ransom demand is made almost a whole day after the kidnapping, it's clear that the rules have changed and their possibility of a rescue mission has been altered dramatically.
 
Can Amanda and Trent save Katherine before it's too late? Will their own relationships with the victim make it difficult to do their jobs? And will their feelings for each other make it impossible?

This is the tenth book in the Amanda Steele series, but the books are written to be able to be read as standalones, so feel free to pick this up and start reading!

Author Bio

To keep current on author news, sign up for Carolyn Arnold’s newsletter at http://dld.bz/jBtNt

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy mysteries, police procedurals, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.



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Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Her Last Words Book Review


 
The glow from the fireplace throws an eerie light over the woman’s carefully arranged body, her lifeless eyes reflecting the flames that slowly burn the evidence of who did this to her…

When Detective Amanda Steele is called to the brutal murder scene of successful local author Felicity Kelley, her blood runs cold. Because Amanda not only knew the victim, but was the last person Felicity called moments before she was murdered. Plagued with guilt that she never answered, Amanda is left wondering whether she could have prevented the murder, and vows to catch the killer, no matter what.

Desperately searching the crime scene for clues, Amanda is shocked when she discovers a Queen of Hearts playing card, suggesting the murder could be an imitation of a scene from Felicity’s bestselling crime novel. Terrified that she is dealing with a crazed fan who could strike again, Amanda’s worst fears are confirmed when another innocent woman is viciously murdered, with the same chilling calling card left behind.

But when Amanda connects the murders with a cold case from fifteen years ago, a case that Felicity appears to have been researching for her next novel, she is forced to question if the killer’s motive is even more sinister than she first suspected. But the closer Amanda gets to unearthing this motive, the closer she gets to becoming the next victim…

A completely pulse-pounding and unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.
 
My thoughts:
 
Carolyn Arnold has done it again! This is a fast paced, thrilling murder mystery that shows a softer side of Amanda, since she knew and liked the victim. However, what initially seemed to be an easy to solve case quickly was chock full of motives, with twists and turns to keep Amanda on edge right until the very end.
 
Can she solve the murder and find the killer before she becomes his next victim? 

I absolutely loved continuing with Amanda's story and watching her life and work progress as time goes on. This book can completely be read as a standalone, but you will get sucked in and want to read them all!

Author Bio

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.




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Friday, September 1, 2023

Wedding Bells Brew Murder Review


 Page 1
 
With all the guests at Sara and Sean's wedding suspected of murder, her walk down the aisle will need to wait...
Everything is going perfectly on the big day until Sara opens the door of her bridal suite. Darlene Day, who made the wedding cake, falls into the room, a serving knife plunged into her back.
As the organists start to play "Here Comes the Bride," Sara calls a pause to the proceedings. There's a murder to solve, and the motive may be in the icing.
Darlene wasn't the most loved person in the small town of Cotton Spring Falls, but rumor has it that she refused the offer of a big franchise to buy her bakery. Did they go so far as murder to put her out of business?
But when it's discovered their wedding cake was poisoned, Sara and Sean could have been the intended victims all along. Did Darlene stumble upon the killer's conspiracy and they silenced her before she could reveal their secret? Is it someone on the invitation list or the mysterious wedding crasher?
As long as the coffee is hot, and Sara has Sean and her beagle, Magnum, at her side, she isn't going down in a heap of tulle and lace.
Wedding Bells Brew Murder is a closed-room mystery in the fashion of the great Agatha Christie that fans of Emma Davies, Verity Bright, and Helena Dixon will enjoy reading.

Author Bio

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.




 
My thoughts:

This is such a fun book, with lots of fast paced action and multiple suspects. Since the murder happened at a wedding with security it's definitely got vibes of a closed room mystery. And the police feel the same, as they kept everyone onsite for hours to try to solve the crime.

I love the connection between Sara and Sean (and Magnum of course), and very much enjoyed their crime solving and their personal lives. They're a great couple who have had a tremendous change in their lies, and I can't wait for more of their story! In fact I enjoyed it so much that I went and read the first book in the series to get more of their history.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting a light, amusing murder mystery (and definitely recommend going back for the first book also!)