Death Grip is the fifth book in the Angela Richman, Death Investigator series. I’ll admit if I’d known it was a series I’d never have requested it from NetGalley but that wasn’t clear on there. I liked it well enough. The mystery was ok. I liked Angela well enough. It was super short and I feel if it had been a little longer and more time spent on the characters I might have loved it. I liked it enough that I’d read more in the series. It did make me laugh a few times too. I’d never heard of the author before but it seems she’s written a lot of books and I’d read something else by her.

Thanks to the author and publisher for the e-arc I received in exchange for my honest review.

In earlier books, author Elaine Viets depicted the protagonist, Death Investigator Angela Richman, as a troubled soul in a dark profession. In Death Grip, Viets lets some light in. Told in the first person narrative, Richman is slowly overcoming her grief over the death of her husband, and just as slowly exploring a budding relationship with police Officer Chris Ferretti.

An almost happy Richman, juxtaposed against three extremely dark murders, gives substance and depth to her relationships with Dr. Katie Kelly Stern, assistant county medical examiner, and Detective Jace Budewitz. Forced to collaborate secretly because of a corrupt and gullible homicide detective, and a foolish medical examiner, the team solves the crimes, despite the cost to their health and threats to their livelihoods. This team added adrenaline pumping mystery to this already engrossing story. I hope Viets keeps this crew together in future books.

Death Grip is a terrific book that I highly recommend.

(In return for an honest review, I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher via NetGalley.)

This gripping and highy entertaining mystery is the second I read in this series and I think it's excellent.
The plot is fast paced and tightly knitted, the characters well developed and the solid mystery is full of twist and turns.
It kept me hooked and it's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I love Elaine Viets. This is a good main character. The death investigator part of the story was good, the romance part was just a little too wishy- washy.

Death Investigator Angela Richman has been called by Detective Jace Budewitz to the scene of a grizzly supposed murder. A young woman's body has been found and Angela is sure it is Terri Gibbons, girl who went missing 8 months ago. She's been strangled to death.

What the medical examiner finds is astonishing. In Terri's shoe is a note written on the back of a gum wrapper ... and it holds the key to solving this case. But Angela and Jace have many obstacles to overcome.

The suspected killer is wealthy, one of the most powerful men in the area. Angela is warned off by her superior. Jace is threatened with losing his job if he doesn't walk away by his boss.

Terri Gibbons is not the only body found after disappearing ... is there a serial killer at work?

It's a town of privilege and secrets, where everyone has something to hide . . . Can Angela and Jace see justice served when the Forest's wealthy residents will go to any lengths to prevent the truth being revealed?

The 3 stages of a Death Investigation are Examination, Correlation, and Interpretation... and Angela is as smart and efficient as they come. She and Jace make a great investigating pair and both are willing to do what it takes to find justice for the victim and closure for the family. Well-written, there are some twists and turns that lead to a surprising conclusion. Although this is 4th in the series, it is easily read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend starting at the beginning to catch all those little nuggets that make this a compelling series.

Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction/mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Death Grip: An Angela Richman Death Investigator Mystery
Elaine Viets
Severn House
March 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

It’s just another day on the job for Angela Richman for her to be traipsing through the Missouri Woods to examine human remains. As the Death Investigator for Chouteau County, Angela works for the medical examiner’s office gathering evidence for ongoing investigations. A hiker discovered a burial for what soon appears to be a murderer’s disposal site, and early clues have them identifying one of the bodies as that of a missing Forest High track star. Terri Gibbons went missing over 8 months ago, but from what Angela can tell she has only recently been in the ground. Further evidence quickly leads them to Briggs Bellerive, where the investigation comes to a dead halt despite his buried juvenile record that had him involved in another murder.

This is when the antiquated social structure of the elite society kicks into high gear, as Briggs is Chouteau Forest’s most eligible bachelor, not only the son of a senator and a judge but the CEO of a mega pharmaceutical company. Previous and current administrations shut Angela’s investigation down, curtailing her questioning along with those of a determined Detective Jace Budewitz. Fortunately, Angela has her close circle of female friends to support her both on and off the job, although they are getting a little too pushy about her personal dating life. Still very much in love her with late husband, Angela has only tentatively begun to go out on dates with new Chouteau Forest police officer Chris Ferretti. Learning to let go of her past with her beloved Donegan is as much a challenge as maneuvering around the administration and community roadblock that protect their own, especially if they have family lineage and money.

Having recovered from the horrific 6 strokes that left her in a coma, Angela is professionally at the top of her game as she makes her observations and maneuvers through the stratified morays of Chouteau Forest. Angela herself grew up as an observer within the high society community, giving her insight and knowledge of their pretenses and facades. That many are willing to kill in order to preserve the illusions is not lost on her. Much of the entertainment of this fourth in the series comes from Angela’s other various investigations, from the lurid traffic death of a plastic surgeon to the victim whose daughter attempted to retrieve a ring through gruesome means. The dark humor of those whose business is death shines through, a tribute to the author’s research, the number of award-winning mysteries she’s written, and her own dry wit. Angela’s attempts at dating is both heart-warming and hilarious, balancing out the depiction of the cruelty that hides within the gated communities. The epilogue that ties up loose ends and delivers comeuppances for the guilty is reassuring and gives readers the satisfaction of hoping that eventually, everyone receives their just rewards.

Death Grip by Elaine Viets is a gripping mystery set in the small town of Chouteau Forest, Missouri. Angela Richman is a death investigator who sees death up close every day. When three bodies of young girls are found buried in the woods, all clues lead to a local man from a rich family. Even though Angela isn’t a police officer, she is asked to assist the local detective because of her ties to the small community. This angers the local “good ol’ boys” and they do what they can to try to thwart the investigation. Angela and the local detective, Jace, feel they are close to the killer but they have to figure out a way to prove it.

Good mystery! Liked the main characters and hated the local people who were trying to stop them, so it definitely made me keep reading to see if Angela and Jace could find evidence, despite the obstacles thrown their way.

Angela Richman is called to the scene of a body that has been exposed after the creek caused a cave-in. As the death investigator, she is in charge of the body at the scene. When the assistant county medical examiner finds a surprising clue, will they be able to arrest and convict the possible killer? As Angela continues to help in the investigation, she has not yet recovered from the death of her beloved husband Donegon. Her friends have tried to convince her to move on, including Officer Chris Ferretti who has made his interest in Angela all too clear. The possible killer is one of the wealthiest members of the community; will someone try to protect him as they have done in the past? Angela will not let that happen, no matter the danger she may face. An exciting and complex case for Angela and Detective Jace Budewitz. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Elaine Viets writes a couple different cozy series, but Death Grip is part of a grittier series with detailed descriptions of the injuries sustained by the victims. The main character is Angela Richman, a death investigator for the medical examiner's office in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Angela works on a few different cases in this book, but in the main case, a wealthy, powerful man is suspected of murder. However, Angela and the detective working on the case must tread lightly during the investigation because of the suspect's connections. Briggs Bellerive seems to be connected to the death of a high school track star as well as committing numerous other acts of violence against women. Angela and Detective Jace Budewitz are convinced Bellerive is guilty, but their jobs could be on the line if they keep trying to prove it.

I really liked this book and I enjoy this entire series, too. Angela is a devoted employee who wants to do the best job she can, getting justice for the victims. She is also a widow who in theory wants to move on with her life, but isn’t sure she’s actually ready to date. Her best friend thinks Police Officer Chris Ferretti is perfect for Angela and there is a mutual attraction, but Angela holds back. There are some very serious themes and scenes in this book. However, Viets does a great job of lightening things up with some humorous moments. Angela’s friend Katie who is Assistant Medical Examiner gives her a crash course in what to do in a dive bar and it’s hilarious. The book takes place in a fictional county just outside St. Louis, but it’s true to real places in that area. I love how well Angela and Jace work together and their dedication to their jobs no matter the risks to themselves and look forward to future books. Fans of Patricia Cornwell or Kathy Reichs will enjoy the book and the whole series.

Thank you to NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House, for this ebook. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Who killed young Terri? Angie, a death inspector has a clue but can she prove the case? That's the issue in this blend of procedural and cozy. There are lots of secrets in Chouteau County and people seem determined to keep them even as Angie pushes for justice. She's also a relatively new widow who is taking tentative steps toward a new relationship. Jace, her partner, is well written. I've only read one in this series, making this more or less a standalone for me and it was just fine that way. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This isn't too complicated, making it a good read for a lazy day.

Angie is a death investigator. She goes to where the body has been found, takes pictures and notes all the injuries. She got a phone call to head out to the woods to find a buried body and do her job.

Severn House and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published March 2nd.

As they look over the site, they decide there is more than one victim. Sure enough, they find two more skeletons. The first body is somewhat intact yet, skeletons are harder to identify.

The worst part of the investigation is that the suspected killer is a rich and important person. They are warned away from him. But it just makes them more determined to find facts to support their suspicions.

They find one woman who had survived but had all kinds of bruises. She has photos she gives to Angie.

They identify the three buried bodies. One woman is still missing. Angie thinks she knows where she is. She's right but the killer is there, too...

I've read many of Ms. Viets books, but none from this series. Unfortunately, I didn't care for this one. While the plot was ok, the characters did not speak or act in a way that real people do. I wasn't expecting a ;literary masterpiece, but I was certainly disappointed and would not recommend this book.

Love this series and this latest does not disappoint! Lots of mystery, suspense, and good old fashioned sleuthing. Angela is a great character and glad to see her getting a little romance in the mix. She is a death investigator and she has several cases in this book that are interesting, including the main one! Get this book! Read the whole series! Highly recommend.

I am reviewing this for the Spring 2021 edition of Mystery Scene Magazine please check out this issue for my thoughts. Thank You

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery suspense novel. It’s extremely well written and very easy to follow and become invested in both the characters and storyline. The plot and actual mystery of the story was a bit predictable and could have used a bit more twists and turns but still a very enjoyable read. I definitely recommend, and I will search out more novels from this author.

This prolific author continues her most recent series about Angela Richman Death Investigator (yes, that's her official title) set in Missouri, where deep South customs and interesting personalities are to the fore. There is much to cover up in the small town, and not just bodies in the woods. There are three different crimes in this mystery, not least the main one, and the identities of the criminals and murderers are known pretty early on. So there are no real surprises but the attraction lies in the characterisation - some real nasty pieces of work - and some of the dialog. Not too demanding, and for me not quite compelling enough. But the author has had great success in the past, so maybe this just wasn't one for me.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of Death Grip, the fourth novel to feature Death Investigator Angela Richman, set in the small Missouri town of Chouteau Forest.

Angela is called out to the body of a young woman recently buried in the forest. She suspects it is local high school track star Terri Gibbons who disappeared months ago. Then a message is found in the victim’s shoe, implicating one of the town’s richest inhabitants.

I have not read this series or author before so I was curious to see what was on offer. At first I wasn’t overly taken with it as it seems a bit cosy - a town where the elite, rich and socially connected rule the roost and law enforcement are subordinate to their needs and desires - but I soon got into the swing of things and went with the flow, probably aided by Angela’s first person narrative. The investigation is leavened by her first tentative steps into dating after being widowed two years previously. She occasionally seems blind and obstinate in her guilt about dating again but it seemed realistic to me and made her character more endearing.

The plot is not really my thing. A suspect is named early on by the very dead Terri and the rest of the novel involves getting the proof to prove it. There are few twists, no misdirection and no attempt to look for alternative suspects. It makes the novel superficial and one dimensional. It’s easy to read and mission focused so that’s a plus. I liked the obviously real and well researched procedural details that provide an eye opening window into the work of a death investigator. As an aside I thought the scene with an unrelated dead woman’s ring absolutely priceless.

Death Grip is a solid read at the cosier end of the market, although a strong stomach is required. I quite enjoyed it and don’t regret reading, it but it hasn’t made me want to rush out and read the others in the series.

208 pages

4 stars

What I liked about this book was a glance into the day-to-day cases in which death investigator Angela Richman became involved. She was faced with a wide variety of cases, from buries bodies to car accidents. (The bit with Melissa in the auto accident was absolutely priceless! It had me chuckling for several minutes.) She works with police officers, some likable and some aren't so nice.

The book was well written and plotted. The characters were well presented. I liked Angela and Jace. I didn't care much for Angela's friend the pathologist Katie. She was pushy and too bossy for me. Let up, for crying out loud!

We follow Angela through her journeys and become involved in her investigations. Along the way, the reader meets interesting people. Her partner for her adventures, for the most part, is Detective Jace Budewitz.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.