Jones by Gerri Hill is an excellent book. It has the right balance of murder mystery and a blossoming love story. Hill, known for their mystery and intrigue novels, does not disappoint with this new addition.

The main characters are captivating and each go through their own growth as they navigate the murder case of Nina’s high school friend Jones. The book will keep you guessing for a while and the end is satisfying in way that is true to the story and characters.

Highly recommend giving this book a read especially if you enjoy romance and mystery blended together. Hill has once again delivered with Jones.

Gerri Hill is a reliable story teller, but this one wasn't her best work. The romance didn't have any spark, and while the mystery held my attention for 95% of the book, the wrap up was a disappointment. This one mediocre novel won't put me off of her writing, but she's definitely had better stories.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Even although I have a huge pile of books to review, Gerri Hill is one of the authors that automatically goes to the top of the pile. Her work is excellent and her Hunter series one of best crime series written in or out of the lesfic sphere. I was delighted that her new book is a murder mystery as those are my favourite genre.

Quinn has given up her hectic city life as a detective to work in beach patrol and with her dog and her view of the ocean, she’s very happy. Nina organises an annual get together for six childhood friends and on this occasion one of the six ~ Jones ~ dies on the beach. Reagan’s beach. So unfolds a complicated and well plotted narrative of lies, cheating, and uncertainty. Exactly what you’d expect from Ms Hill.

Quinn talks to Nina as the ‘leader’ and finds they live fairly close together. Nina bumps into Quinn and her dog while walking on the Beach. She finds her way to Quinn’s house when she needs to talk about the murder and the impact on her friends. Their relationship develops.

The ending is satisfying and true to the characters and plotting, even though I’d suspected someone else. The story also looks at how we change as we age, how little we actually know people we think of as friends, and the impact that lies and subterfuge can have on people’s lives.

An excellent book by a very accomplished writer.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

This mystery/romance was in a beach setting south of Corpus Christi, Texas. Four former but scattered high school friends gathered once a year to ‘party their socks off!’ Sharon Downey was known to her friends as Jones. She was the group’s wild one who loved her tequila and had the reputation of sleeping with lots of men. She left the club with a guy she was dancing and getting quite friendly with.

The young man was murdered and the mystery began. One of the main characters entered the story at this point. Quinn was a beach patrol officer, part time detective who was there when the body was found and thus played an integral role in the investigation. As the mystery continued we followed Quinn’s investigation, and as other guys were murdered we learned more about Jones’ promiscuity!

I always enjoy Gerri Hill’s stories. She’s written some intriguing mysteries and this was another one, especially trying to keep up with the investigation and keeping track of all the possible suspects. Quinn had her own theories and one of the fun things about reading mysteries is trying to solve it ourselves!

The romance involved Quinn, the detective, and Nina, one of the four annual party-goers. Nina was the only lesbian in the group and was the group’s organizer. Since she lived the closest, she was in constant contact with Quinn. Although I felt the romance happened a little too quickly and conveniently, I enjoyed the connection the two ladies had and the intensity of the relationship.

If you’re a Gerri Hill fan, you will enjoy this one! My thanks go to NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC.

A romantic suspense as it should be
Gerri Hill is always good for a great read. „Jones“ is a romantic suspense as it should be - two storylines which are masterfully entwined.
Although there is a gruesome murder to be investigated the main vibe of „Jones“ is laid back: Quinn, the detective who transferred to Port Aransas for a quieter life and beach patrol, Nina‘s visits to the island and her talks with Quinn, their slow burn attraction, their family time - it all catches the atmosphere of quiet and peace and balances the murder investigation which slowly unfolds with surprising twists, turns and quite a lot of blood.
And even though I had a solid suspicion at some point about the perpetrator the momentum of the novel was solid and I was silently yelling at Quinn to not … well, you have to read for yourself to know what I mean.
Hill‘s writing was as always superb. Bonus points for main characters in their 30s who have done a lot of introspection and don‘t rush into a relationship.

Thanks to netgalley and Bella Books for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.

I'm not entirely sure exactly how a murder mystery (and this was definitely a murder mystery) can feel so comforting and be such a happy feeling book (when I'm reading it). But, I guess that's Gerri Hill for ya. (Now I need to go back and read all the Gerri Hill's that I have I think. Some comfort reading).

There is definitely a mystery wrapped all around and in between the romance in this book. One of Nina's childhood friends is apparently murdered while she and their other childhood friends are on their yearly girls trip. That brings into the situation Detective Quinn. She has some baggage from her past, but, she's the one who starts investigating the case, but, the case that starts as what could be something sort of straight forward goes off the rails. On the other hand, the Quinn and Nina friendship and then more, are on the rails, and follow a pretty usual sort of romance trajectory (ooh, and, one of my pet peeves that usually happens right before the end, didn't. Woo! Heh!).

I really really liked all the characters. The friends were interesting, the dog was great, the family of Quinn was awesome too. And, even though I did guess the answer to the mystery before it was revealed, I've also read about a ton and a half of mysteries, so, it takes quite a lot to stump me. And, the mystery was really really enjoyable. An all around fun read for sure.

Gerri Hill has delivered yet another captivating book. It revolves around four women who reunite annually for relaxation and enjoyment. Tragically, one of them, Jones, is murdered. The story weaves together two main themes: love and murder. Quinn, a detective, investigates the murder and crosses paths with Nina, a member of the women's group. The narrative is both emotionally charged and suspenseful, as a romance develops amidst the backdrop of murder. This book comes highly recommended for fans of romantic thrillers.

Gerri Hill books never disappoint, and "Jones" is no exception. Six friends who grew up together in Sugarland, Texas, meet once a year to catch up, relive their past, and escape their spouses and children. This year their girl's weekend is being held near Corpus Christi in the small beach town of Port Aransas or Port A. However, one of the friends, Jones (aka Sharon Downey) does not survive the weekend and is murdered via a brutal stabbing on near a boardwalk outside a beach nightclub/disco. As the Port Aransas police are called, Detective Quinn Stewart, is brought in to talk to the women, collect their stories and any evidence. She meets Nina Evans, the sober member of the group. Nina lives in Oso Bay near Corpus Christi and she planned this annual girl's weekend since she lives nearby.

As Quinn is trying to solve the brutal murder of Jones, a wealth of information about Jones' promiscuity and numerous affairs begins to surface. Jones' husband plus several other men that she was having affairs with are on the list of possible suspects. Slowly some of those men are also violently murdered.

Making guest appearances, from "Moonlight Avenue", are Detective Dee Woodard and Finley Knight, ex-cop turned private investigator, when some of the murders occur in Corpus.

This book kept me engaged and guessing who the murderer might be based on the evidence that was slowly revealed. As a contrast to the murder mystery, it was nice to have a solid romantic relationship beginning between, Nina (32) and Quinn (38). They were able to confidentiality discuss the case while also getting to know one another on a personal level. The setting of Quinn's Port A beach house for many of their discussions, along with beach walks, was ideal. Both women had past issues to overcome, especially Quinn, but their talks helped them work through some of those concerns before they jumped into a relationship. The romantic scenes between the two women highlighted their intense chemistry. 5 stars for the murder mystery and the romance.

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.