Huge disappointed! I couldn't keep up with who was who in this story, and what what! Too many characters and no one I cared about.
I didn't like anything about this book!
I didn't like anything about this book!
I liked this book, but because it ends in a series of cliffhangers, be sure to have Bk. 3 in the series handy so you can just keep on reading and not have to suffer waiting to see what's going to happen.
I so enjoyed the first in the trilogy that I straightaway started reading the second and no sooner put that down, when I started the third.
I really like his style of writing - keeps the pages turning and the anticipation alive of getting back to reading some more.
This second book did not disappoint.
I really like his style of writing - keeps the pages turning and the anticipation alive of getting back to reading some more.
This second book did not disappoint.
3.0 out of 5 stars -- Something is seriously rotten in Promise Falls...
I was excited to get this second book in the trilogy by one of my favorite authors. Had I known that the cliffhanger at the end of this one was going to be so glaringly a slap in the face after the time I invested reading it, I would have definitely not read it at this time. If you haven't yet started this trilogy, my recommendation would be to wait until all 3 books are available so that you don't experience the frustration of wanting to throw the novel at the wall!
The story is a complicated mix of various plot lines and a vast cast of characters. Trying to keep them all straight is difficult as there are multiple investigations going on simultaneously. Lots of death, murder and mayhem with some titillating scandal involving some of the members of this small community. The opening features a giant drive-in movie screen exploding and falling on a couple of cars in the lot. Once the dust settles from that event, we move on to situations involving a tragedy or two from the previous book and a current shocker of "spouse sharing" that might lead to a murder or two. And that's just the beginning.
I had read #1 also as an ARC so it had been awhile and my memory of that book was resurrected as events evolved so there was some familiarity with several of the characters. I thought at least ONE of the crimes would have been solved by this one's end, but no joy. I enjoyed the writing and the stories and would have rated this higher had it actually had a definitive conclusion giving some resolution or answers. Of course I'll read the third one having already come this far, but I don't like having to wait for it and I do not like it when authors do this to fans.
I'd describe it as a mystery thriller involving domestic issues. Thank you to the publisher for the e-book ARC to review.
PS The reader gets a sneak peek into the beginning of the next and last book in this trilogy and, whoa, now those poor folks in Promise Falls have a really big problem!
I was excited to get this second book in the trilogy by one of my favorite authors. Had I known that the cliffhanger at the end of this one was going to be so glaringly a slap in the face after the time I invested reading it, I would have definitely not read it at this time. If you haven't yet started this trilogy, my recommendation would be to wait until all 3 books are available so that you don't experience the frustration of wanting to throw the novel at the wall!
The story is a complicated mix of various plot lines and a vast cast of characters. Trying to keep them all straight is difficult as there are multiple investigations going on simultaneously. Lots of death, murder and mayhem with some titillating scandal involving some of the members of this small community. The opening features a giant drive-in movie screen exploding and falling on a couple of cars in the lot. Once the dust settles from that event, we move on to situations involving a tragedy or two from the previous book and a current shocker of "spouse sharing" that might lead to a murder or two. And that's just the beginning.
I had read #1 also as an ARC so it had been awhile and my memory of that book was resurrected as events evolved so there was some familiarity with several of the characters. I thought at least ONE of the crimes would have been solved by this one's end, but no joy. I enjoyed the writing and the stories and would have rated this higher had it actually had a definitive conclusion giving some resolution or answers. Of course I'll read the third one having already come this far, but I don't like having to wait for it and I do not like it when authors do this to fans.
I'd describe it as a mystery thriller involving domestic issues. Thank you to the publisher for the e-book ARC to review.
PS The reader gets a sneak peek into the beginning of the next and last book in this trilogy and, whoa, now those poor folks in Promise Falls have a really big problem!
Huge let down! I waited about 10 weeks for this at the library so I'm thrilled that I didn't buy it!
I liked the first book but this one is just messy, it started out with promise but as it went on and on it just got worse and worse.
There are so many plots and so many characters you can't keep them all sorted out and you'll be thinking 'now who was that?' or 'which plot line am I following?'
so NO I didn't finish this one but do know from other reviews that it doesn't have an ending but just a cliffhanger to get you to buy the next and last book in this series.
I liked the first book but this one is just messy, it started out with promise but as it went on and on it just got worse and worse.
There are so many plots and so many characters you can't keep them all sorted out and you'll be thinking 'now who was that?' or 'which plot line am I following?'
so NO I didn't finish this one but do know from other reviews that it doesn't have an ending but just a cliffhanger to get you to buy the next and last book in this series.
Book Description
After the screen of a run-down drive-in movie theater collapses and kills four people, the daughter of one of the victims asks private investigator Cal Weaver to look into a recent break-in at her father's house. Cal discovers a hidden basement room where it's clear that salacious activities have taken place--as well as evidence of missing DVDs. But his investigation soon becomes more complicated when he realizes it may not be discs the thief was actually interested in....
Meanwhile, Detective Barry Duckworth is still trying to solve two murders--one of which is three years old--he believes are connected, since each featured a similar distinctive wound.
As the lies begin to unravel, Cal is headed straight into the heart of a dark secret as his search uncovers more startling truths about Promise Falls. And when yet another murder happens, Cal and Barry are both driven to pursue their investigations, no matter where they lead. Evil deeds long thought buried are about to haunt the residents of this town--as the sins of the past and present collide with terrifying results.
My Review
This Barclay book has it all: over-the-top sex, gory blood, exciting plot, lots of crazy characters and twists and turns you never see coming. It's hard-to-put down once you start reading until the very end. Speaking of ending, it was a surprise, cliff-hanger that waters your mouth for the 3rd book in the series. This book is part of a trilogy, so I suggest that you start with the 1st book, Broken Promise, so you can keep a scorecard for the many characters that are expanded in the 2nd book. I recommend this trilogy as I am a loyal fan of Barclay but if over-the-top sex and gory blood bother you, then don't read this but if you are a fan of Barclay, then you just have to read it and forgive him.
After the screen of a run-down drive-in movie theater collapses and kills four people, the daughter of one of the victims asks private investigator Cal Weaver to look into a recent break-in at her father's house. Cal discovers a hidden basement room where it's clear that salacious activities have taken place--as well as evidence of missing DVDs. But his investigation soon becomes more complicated when he realizes it may not be discs the thief was actually interested in....
Meanwhile, Detective Barry Duckworth is still trying to solve two murders--one of which is three years old--he believes are connected, since each featured a similar distinctive wound.
As the lies begin to unravel, Cal is headed straight into the heart of a dark secret as his search uncovers more startling truths about Promise Falls. And when yet another murder happens, Cal and Barry are both driven to pursue their investigations, no matter where they lead. Evil deeds long thought buried are about to haunt the residents of this town--as the sins of the past and present collide with terrifying results.
My Review
This Barclay book has it all: over-the-top sex, gory blood, exciting plot, lots of crazy characters and twists and turns you never see coming. It's hard-to-put down once you start reading until the very end. Speaking of ending, it was a surprise, cliff-hanger that waters your mouth for the 3rd book in the series. This book is part of a trilogy, so I suggest that you start with the 1st book, Broken Promise, so you can keep a scorecard for the many characters that are expanded in the 2nd book. I recommend this trilogy as I am a loyal fan of Barclay but if over-the-top sex and gory blood bother you, then don't read this but if you are a fan of Barclay, then you just have to read it and forgive him.
