Linda S. (Linda) reviewed on 7/23/2015 + 770 more book reviews

As Detective Duckworth calls Promise Falls, the town is like a suit, once new, has now turned shiny and threadbare.

The story starts with the discovery of 23 bodies ... all squirrels, all hanging by their necks.

Now that I have your attention, this is what you're going to find in this book.. other than the dead squirrels. In no particular order ....

Woman stabbed to death in her home
Nanny and woman's baby are missing
Baby turns up mysteriously at the home of another woman who previously kidnapped a baby from the hospital
Several attempted rapes at the local college
A physician with a gambling problem
A sheriff who wants to know what's happening to his town
A politician who has already been outed after he was found 'associating' with underage prostitutes
An unemployed newspaper reporter and his son, who are living with his parents
A friend to many, whose daughter was murdered several years earlier and whose wife has recently died of cancer
Naked mannequins found in a carnival ride that has been unused for ages
...... and the number 23

There are several story lines running parallel to each other, but at some point they start dovetailing.

This is the beginning of a new series .... and what a beginning it is! Normally with so many characters being introduced all at once, it is easy to get lost. Not so with this one.

Most of the story lines come to a conclusion in a very satisfying way, so this 'could' be a stand-alone. But .. there is one mystery that remains and the book gives just the slightest hint that more is coming. The next book is FINAL ASSIGNMENT .. just in case you want to add it to your wish list.

A very easy 5 stars from me!

A huge THANKS to NetGalley / PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW for furnishing the e-book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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