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MY REVIEW
A kickass protagonist, a convoluted plotline, subplots that had a crossover of the present and past, with reveals of book 1, Jason Pinter’s A Stranger at the Door was a rocking ride from beginning to end, giving me no time to breathe in the interim.
Rachel Marin, a single mother, with a past as dark as the midnight sky and secrets hidden deep within herself, lived for her children and assisted the cops in their cases, with the lead detective as her boyfriend. Her son’s teacher was tortured and torched alive after having sent her an email, warning her of nefarious activities in school and wanting her help. Her son soon got involved in some shady deals. That brought inner lioness to the forefront, and nothing could and would stand in her way.
The story moved fast, the subplots kept zooming in front of my eyes. Though there were many things of book 1 discussed in this, kind of a spoiler alert, I didn’t mind it as it meant I had one book less in my TBR. The author cast a series of sticky web around her that not only snared her, but this time, her son seemed to be the main prey, as a leverage on her.
Many characters, but easy to keep them in line, marked through the various subplots. The investigation progressed quickly with Rachel doing most of the work for the police. Her emotions surfaced many a time, but I liked that she could work through them. I liked her immense love for her children, a good mama bear.
My niggles too came through. I liked Rachel, but at times, she was a bit too much in face, who kept telling me that she could take the baddies on. I would rather she showed it to me. She would make a good PI. Short, snappy chapters pulled me into this crime thriller with shades of a police procedural. Her relationship with the cops leading the investigation was peppered with respect and friendship, though at times, she was short with them.
Overall, I would say this was a rocking breakfast read with complexities and suspense and loads of action.
MY RATING
BOOK LINKS
AMAZON USA: https://amzn.to/3qaPoi8
AMAZON UK: https://amzn.to/2Ljn2Up
BOOK BLURB
Rachel Marin is in a good place. After years of struggle, the single mother has found both a stable, loving relationship and a new purpose: putting her investigative skills to work solving crimes for the local PD. But just as the pieces of her life are finally starting to fall into place, her teenaged son’s teacher is gruesomely murdered, starting a domino effect that shatters her peaceful existence.
When Rachel discovers an ominous email the teacher sent to her just before his death, she knows she must help bring his killer to justice. But soon a figure from her past reappears, threatening to expose Rachel’s darkest secrets if she doesn’t tread lightly. And when her son is recruited by a shadowy businessman who may be connected to the murder, Rachel knows this has just gotten very, very personal.
Someone out there is dead set on keeping this grisly cover-up good and buried, which means if Rachel’s not careful, it’s only a matter of time before her dream life becomes her worst nightmare.
BOOK DETAILS
Publication Date: January 2021
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and this is my journey down its pages, straight from the heart. STRICTLY HONEST and UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be found here.
9 Responses
Excellent review. Sounds really good.
Thank you so much ❤️
This sounds full-on, I like it!
It is on kindle unlimited if you want it
Great review Shalini. I love a good kickass protagonist, but not if they are constantly in your face. Glad it wasn’t too bad. Who knows, maybe she will get her PI licence down the road.
oh Shalini, you do have a beautiful way with your descriptions.
Aww thank you so much GIN. I try.. Some days..
I love that cover and it sounds like a very good read. Wonderful review!
Thank you so much