Burnt Ends by Laura Wetsel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fascinating debut!
Burnt Ends is a fascinating new mystery by debut author Laura Wetsel and introduces readers to a female gumshoe with characteristics reminiscent of a damaged and troubled old-school private eye. With its intriguing premise, complex plot, and surprising resolution, I was glued to this story from start to finish.
Victoria "Tori" Swenson is the aforementioned protagonist: a private investigator with a drug problem and a long-simmering desire for revenge against the uncle and cousins who may have caused her father's death and then taken his successful BBQ business for their own. Having recently gone through another stint in rehab to clean up, the story unfolds from Tori's OxyContin-impaired viewpoint as she quickly relapsed. Driven by her rage, Tori investigates the suspicious death of a cook at one of Uncle Charlie's restaurants, hoping to parlay her findings into destroying their business and grand lifestyles that should have been hers. She continually lies to herself and others that she will stop using as soon as the case is completed. The subterfuge, the lies, the fixation and substitution of Topo Chico for what she craves all ring true, making her actions almost painful to watch at times. I wondered throughout the book whether she would be able to hold it together long enough to achieve her goals.
The fast-paced story involves multiple deaths, intense family drama, jealousy - personal and professional, and, of course, drug addiction. Each time Tori gets close to discovering a piece of the puzzle, a surprising plot twists alters the course of the investigation. Consequently, I didn't guess the ending ahead of the reveal. In addition, the descriptions of the Kansas City, Missouri setting, renowned for its barbeque, were vivid and tempting.
I recommend BURNT ENDS to traditional private eye mystery readers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fascinating debut!
Burnt Ends is a fascinating new mystery by debut author Laura Wetsel and introduces readers to a female gumshoe with characteristics reminiscent of a damaged and troubled old-school private eye. With its intriguing premise, complex plot, and surprising resolution, I was glued to this story from start to finish.
Victoria "Tori" Swenson is the aforementioned protagonist: a private investigator with a drug problem and a long-simmering desire for revenge against the uncle and cousins who may have caused her father's death and then taken his successful BBQ business for their own. Having recently gone through another stint in rehab to clean up, the story unfolds from Tori's OxyContin-impaired viewpoint as she quickly relapsed. Driven by her rage, Tori investigates the suspicious death of a cook at one of Uncle Charlie's restaurants, hoping to parlay her findings into destroying their business and grand lifestyles that should have been hers. She continually lies to herself and others that she will stop using as soon as the case is completed. The subterfuge, the lies, the fixation and substitution of Topo Chico for what she craves all ring true, making her actions almost painful to watch at times. I wondered throughout the book whether she would be able to hold it together long enough to achieve her goals.
The fast-paced story involves multiple deaths, intense family drama, jealousy - personal and professional, and, of course, drug addiction. Each time Tori gets close to discovering a piece of the puzzle, a surprising plot twists alters the course of the investigation. Consequently, I didn't guess the ending ahead of the reveal. In addition, the descriptions of the Kansas City, Missouri setting, renowned for its barbeque, were vivid and tempting.
I recommend BURNT ENDS to traditional private eye mystery readers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
