Search This Blog







2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2025 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas
- California (6)
- Colorado (3)
- Connecticut
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (1)
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho
- Illinois (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Iowa (3)
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine (2)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (1)
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico
- New York (7)
- North Carolina (3)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (1)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah (1)
- Vermont (3)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming (1)
- Washington, D.C.* (1)
International:
- Australia (3)
- Canada (3)
- England (14)
- France (2)
- Italy (1)
- Japan (1)
- Norway (1)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- Scotland (1)


2025 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge



2025 Build Your Library Reading Challenge









Friday, October 04, 2019
In a Word: Meh
7:08 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When a body is found in the small town of Portland, Pennsylvania, it's obvious the dead man has been the victim of a brutal murder. The crime bears an eerie resemblance to a 20-year-old killing, a cold case that has never been solved. Since the locals are notoriously unwilling to talk to outsiders, Portland native Parker Reed is assigned as lead detective on the case.
Becca Kingsley, another native, returns to her hometown around the same time to care for her estranged father, who is now dying of cancer. As she rekindles her friendship with Parker, her best friend and unrequited high school crush, old feelings quickly surface. But with the murder investigation turning up old rumors and long-buried secrets, Becca begins to question everything and everyone she's ever known. The killer is likely someone local. But, who? The more Parker and Becca uncover, the more dangerous life in Portland becomes for them ...
I usually love thrillers like River Bodies, the first in a new series by Karen Katchur, but sadly, this one left much to be desired. The characters are mostly unlikeable, which makes them difficult to connect and empathize with. I found the motorcycle gang, both its members and its activities, especially cliché and far-fetched. In addition, since we know from the outset who the murderer is, the book lacks suspense—a key element in a compelling thriller. The novel's overall vibe is sad, depressing, and overall, kind of pointless. That being said, I did find myself invested enough in the story to finish the book, but I can't say it was a satisfying read because it just ... wasn't. Needless to say, I won't be moving on with the series.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other small-town mystery/thriller series, although no specific titles are coming to mind)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)


Reading
Rabbit Rabbit by Dori Hillestad Butler and Sunshine Bacon

Listening
The Morning House by Maureen Johnson


Followin' with Bloglovin'

-
-
-
A Shipwreck in Fiji by Nilima Rao8 hours ago
-
-
Our Favorite Games for Two People15 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Six Wild Crowns By Holly Race1 day ago
-
72. The Wild Robot1 day ago
-
Rage by Linda Castillo1 day ago
-
Sisters in the Wind1 day ago
-
-
Top 5 Tuesday ~ Sizes1 day ago
-
-
-
The Beach House Murders by Peter Boland2 days ago
-
Clean teen books for Summer1 week ago
-
Books read in June1 week ago
-
-
-
-
No Roundup this month2 months ago
-
-
Sunday Post #5682 months ago
-
-
February 2025 Reading Wrap Up4 months ago
-
One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery4 months ago
-
-
-
I'm Still Reading - This Was My October7 months ago
-
Review: The Duke and I10 months ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus11 months ago
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-

Grab my Button!


Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ▼ 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)


2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction

2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
