In Dead Tree Tales, author Rush leaming transports the reader to the sultry lowcountry setting of Charleston, SC for an intriguing Southern crime thriller that keeps the reader in suspense and turning the pages.

It all starts out with a case of arborcide, someone poisoning a thousand year old Southern live oak tree called Addison's Oak on St. Johns Island. But that's not all ... blood is splattered on a patch of grass on the back side of the tree and a severed finger, which leads to a Jane Doe murder case. But that's not all that is being stirred up in the sultry lowcountry air, there is also social and political unrest that rocks Charleston ... can the Charleston Police Department Team Eight members solve the various cases and restore harmony in Charleston?

Author Rush Leaming weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale that follows CPD Detectives Charlie Harper and Elena Vasquez along with the other members of the CPD Team Eight as they investigate a wave of dangerous cases that erupts in Charleston and the surrounding barrier islands, while trying to help longtime Charleston Mayor Jim Rawlings maintain law and order during a tense time of social and political unrest that hit this popular lowcountry city. The reader is easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting, it is filled with enough action and unsuspecting twists and turns that takes the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

As a fan of Southern fiction and the lowcountry areas, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this crime thriller. I was intrigued by the alternating storylines by a variety of characters who each had difficult personal issues that they were dealing with, and how the characters and their personal issues were all interconnected with the cases and social / political unrest that were interwoven throughout the story.

You can't help but follow the history and trauma that befalls the townspeople's beloved Addison's Oak, while also following the investigation into the Jane Doe murder case, and all of the dangerous social unrest and political strife that is eerily similar to what our country has witnessed within the past year. This is a dark and intriguing thriller that keeps you riveted and guessing until the unexpected and surprising conclusion.

With an intriguing cast of characters; witty dialogue and dramatic interactions; dark secrets and betrayals; dysfunctional family relationships; and a richly descriptive setting that makes a person want to visit the picturesque city of Charleston, its historic landmarks, and the surrounding lowcountry areas; Dead Tree Tales is a classic Southern crime thriller that is a must read!

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

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/07/dead-tree-tales-by-rush-leami... ( )

I don't normally read thrillers, but, seeing as it was set in South Carolina, where I live, I thought I would give it a shot. This book had so many twists and turns it was incredible! It was near impossible to set down! I was not expecting the political side of the story, and I probably wouldn't have read it if I had known ahead of time. Nothing against the author, I just don't really care for politics that much. There was a decent amount of swearing in the book, so if that bothers you you know ahead of time. But, yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I hope you do too! ( )

A dying tree, two detectives with real life problems and murder. Add in some family dynamics and some politics and this book becomes impossible to stop reading! ( )