Patricia Hale

I have not read the previous two novels of this series, but it wasn't difficult to get an idea what occurred in the previous one. With that said, I still feel one can do a more thorough review if one knows the foundation of a series and what actually happened in a previous novel.

Rhea and Britt has reached a level in their relationship, they are moving to "the next step". Everything seems to be going in "their favor". However, everything may not be hpow it seems/

In 'Scar Tissue', there are multiple situations which confront Rhea and Britt. Some maybe related..or not!

The author has successfully gone very smoothly between the various situations without confusing the reader or causing a feeling of "disconnect". The characters are created in a way that the reader can feel connected to them. The scenes are very easily visualized , as well.
However, I still have not discovered whee the title originated from. The only incidents I can conclude it is from were so very vague, I don't feel it was a good choice. The "Bowser" would most likely, pass by this cover and never give a second thought to it.

There are great discussion topics within these pages for Book Clubs! If I did not have my religious beliefs, I could arrive at an agreement with a couple of the author's conclusions. They are worthy of debate. "If you were the characters involved in these dilemmas, would you chose to do the same?"

READER BEWARE: There are some non-explicit sexual situations and occasional words of profanity.
I won this. novel.This is my honest review of it.
I offer a Four Stars rating… (més)

Note: While this is Book 3 in the series, it works just fine as a stand alone novel.

It was fun! I enjoyed this mystery, coupled with another mystery. Britt and Griff had their hands full unwinding the two! The tale is told through Britt’s eyes and so we get to follow her around while she snoops on the neighbors and pokes into college athletics. She and Griff are finally moving in together, having bought a house out in the country. It’s a big change for both of them, as well as Griff’s teen daughter. So plenty for Britt to get used to.

I liked the mystery of the neighbors a little more than the mystery of the college suicide. Both were well laid out though. Rhea and Mike have an awkward relationship, though so do Greg and Dawn (?). Mike is a cop, an abusive husband, and an annoying neighbor. Greg is a controlling husband and parent and can’t believe that his gifted, talented, college daughter would ever commit suicide. So while Griff puts most of his energy into running down all the available info on Ashley (the suicide), Britt attempts to make friends with Rhea and get to the bottom of her woe.

There were a few things that stood out as small plot holes. Britt and Griff are PIs and no strangers to danger. So once Britt gets threatened, why doesn’t she go armed, especially when she goes running literally into danger later on? I also felt that the cops would have looked harder at Rhea later on in the story… but maybe not everyone on the force liked Mike and how he treated his wife (but that’s never brought up one way or the other). Just a few things like that, but over all they didn’t damage my enjoyment of the book.

I especially liked how Britt questions a few things in her personal life – how much to tell Griff (since he is basically lawful good); moving in together; living in the country; possibly crowding Griff’s teen daughter, etc. I think these were nice touches to round out Britt’s character and they were done in such a way as to enhance her character instead of making her wishy-washy.

Pacing was great, I was never bored. Definitely a solid 4/5 stars.

The Narration: Lili Dubuque gave a great performance. She was the perfect Britt. I also loved her voices for the guys, sounding masculine. Her voice for the college snot Mitzi was spot on as well. Pacing was good and there were no technical issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions, which you get whether you want them or not.… (més)

In her debut novel, author Patricia Hale weaves a riveting crime thriller about three girls who are bonded forever in friendship by a traumatic incident that leaves an indelible imprint on their lives through a bond of love, guilt, and desire for revenge.

Set in the rundown town of Miller's Falls, Maine, nine year old best friends Cecily, Amelia and Hilary are sworn blood sisters whose clubhouse is an old railway car. Their bond of friendship is forever cemented when Hilary is raped by a stranger with a tattoo, Cecily and Amelia are forced to watch and are unable to assist their friend, while the assailant escapes and is never caught. Fast forward twenty years, the young women are still haunted by the tragic event that has each of them handling the guilt, trauma and memories in different ways: Cecily is an Asst. DA who specializes in domestic violence cases and relies on an Ouija board for answers; Amelia is living a promiscuous life with one-night stands; and Hilary struggles with the memory of the rape and recovering from a history of substance abuse. When Amelia meets a man with the same tattoo that the rapist had, the girls are determined to get revenge and bring the rapist to justice at any cost.

This riveting story is told in the first person narrative by Cecily, who takes the reader along for the ride as the three best friends embark on a haunting journey to seek justice from a man who has changed their lives forever. This fast paced tale draws the reader in from the start with the traumatic incident that the three best friends endured, and keeps them turning the pages as the young womens' lives unfold, each dealing with the ramifications from the tragedy in different ways. The story is filled with emotion, drama, hidden secrets and enough intriguing twists and turns that keeps the reader in suspense and guessing what will happen next ... can the girls exact revenge and bring the rapist to justice?

You can't help but feel for Cecily, Amelia and Hilary, the author provides the reader with an emotional back story into each of the girls' childhood, and how the past still haunts their present lives, and how their damaged lives fuels their need to bring the rapist to justice. It is a riveting story about three young women whose bond of friendship endures the ramifications of a traumatic event, and how they learn to persevere and overcome their fears, and turn the tables on the man who forever changed their lives.

In The Shadow Of Revenge is a hauntingly poignant story that will tear at your heartstrings. It is also a thrilling mystery that will captivate you with intriguing drama and suspense, and a paranormal twist thrown into the mix.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/09/in-shadow-of-revenge-by-patric...… (més)