I am tremendously fond of this series I grab each new book as soon as I can get my hands on it.This is another exciting well written mystery with a twist a hook that leads to. book nine making it very tense very exciting anticipating book 9 already. #netgalley #bookoture ,

I ARC received via NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great murder mystery.

As I said before this could be great on the hallmark channel mystery stories.

It had a great twist that left us with a cliffhanger that leads to the ninth book and can't wait to read it.

This is the first of this series that I have read, so the relationships and characters are new to me and bring no baggage - which they clearly have from seven preceding books. The cast of characters was promising, if predictable - writer, retired policeman turned PI, local friendly detective Sargent,, local aloof, ,by-the-book DI, ‘respectable’ local Major and his status-conscious wife, gossipy villagers, gypsies, ambitious local reporter and busy-friend-next-door handy for debriefing. There at least three romantic threads running, a few sub-plots of theft, blackmail, revenge, pornography and domestic violence to keep us guessing.

Rowlands critically uses, rather than accepts the stereotypes., and her portrayals are fairly deft. Things are not, of course, what they seems. She is also exploring what constitutes a healthy and lasting romantic relationship. This is the strength of the book. I was impatient with the degree to which Melissa tolerated and excused control within her relationship - but cognisant that having her main character conflicted and committed to working her way through the contradictions is a healthy and helpful portrayal - as is the contrast with other women entangled to varying degrees with dominant and violent men.

The mystery is quite strong and well plotted. There are enough interesting minor characters to hold interest in further books. It is competent, engaging and interesting. It falls, for me, between three and four stars.

A welcome addition to this series by Betty Rowlands. A well thought out murder mystery with a surprising murderer entwined with a cliffhanger of an ending in Melissa’s private life. Roll on book number 9.