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vonderbash's review against another edition
3.0
I won an ARC of this book from Goodreads.
It took a while for me to get sucked into the story, but I’m glad I kept going. Overall, a decent sequel. I look forward to reading more adventures of Jess, Mason, and Lucy.
It took a while for me to get sucked into the story, but I’m glad I kept going. Overall, a decent sequel. I look forward to reading more adventures of Jess, Mason, and Lucy.
liberrydude's review against another edition
3.0
Book 2 of the series finds our Marine with PTSD,Jess, a deputy and her excon boyfriend, Mason, living on a boat and helping to rebuild her house.
The body of a favorite son and bad boy former hockey player is found on the beach with a bullet hole in his forehead. Mason had an argument and fight outside a restaurant with the bad boy the day prior to the discovery of the body. He’s suspect numero uno. A witness comes forward and fingers Mason. Then the sheriff finds a gun under his boat. It’s an obvious frame job and as Mason is about to be cuffed he flees, jumping into the water and escaping.
The plot becomes sort of overly dramatic and dumb and unbelievable from here. There’s the tension of the policewoman and her lover being a wanted man which is fine. Will she choose the law or love? But then the meth heads intervene and start doing dumb things. But then that’s what meth heads do. Then there’s the hillbilly like vengeance over blood. The murderers were home free and clear but totally blow it.
The motive for the murder is a hazing incident related to sports. Even more implausible is how Jess is able to get the principal behind the murder to return to town and implicate herself. But the druggies won’t go down quietly and there’s a huge shootout along the Lone Jack Trail.
Just wondering where this series is poised to go as the couple is ready for nest building 101.
The body of a favorite son and bad boy former hockey player is found on the beach with a bullet hole in his forehead. Mason had an argument and fight outside a restaurant with the bad boy the day prior to the discovery of the body. He’s suspect numero uno. A witness comes forward and fingers Mason. Then the sheriff finds a gun under his boat. It’s an obvious frame job and as Mason is about to be cuffed he flees, jumping into the water and escaping.
The plot becomes sort of overly dramatic and dumb and unbelievable from here. There’s the tension of the policewoman and her lover being a wanted man which is fine. Will she choose the law or love? But then the meth heads intervene and start doing dumb things. But then that’s what meth heads do. Then there’s the hillbilly like vengeance over blood. The murderers were home free and clear but totally blow it.
The motive for the murder is a hazing incident related to sports. Even more implausible is how Jess is able to get the principal behind the murder to return to town and implicate herself. But the druggies won’t go down quietly and there’s a huge shootout along the Lone Jack Trail.
Just wondering where this series is poised to go as the couple is ready for nest building 101.
mojoshivers's review against another edition
5.0
As much as I like Laukkanen’s other series this one feels more natural to me. The problems Burke and Winslow face manifest organically from living in a bad part of the country and for Jess getting married to the wrong kind of man. And as much as I love Stevens & Windermere, sometimes the cases they catch are a little too cutesy and unique for uniqueness’ sake.
This series, though, feels like what could happen to anyone who was unlucky enough to be born near Deception Cove or Neah Bay. You too could get mixed up in murder-for-hire plots involving cruel boys and the even crueler men they grow up to be. You too could be forced to defend your band against multiple murder charges. You too could have a tense gunfight on the side of a godforsaken mountain. You too could die possibly.
But that brings up my chief worry going forward. I don’t know how this series continues without straining credibility. Bad men can’t keep showing up at Jess’s doorstep, even if she is the county deputy. Eventually the plots have to dry up or at least stop involving her. That’s why the next installment will be pivotal because it’ll tell me where this story goes from here or if book two is where it ends.
Which wouldn’t be so bad I think. I kind of like the idea of a limited two-book series. After all, Mason, Jess, and Lucy have earned some domestic bliss.
This series, though, feels like what could happen to anyone who was unlucky enough to be born near Deception Cove or Neah Bay. You too could get mixed up in murder-for-hire plots involving cruel boys and the even crueler men they grow up to be. You too could be forced to defend your band against multiple murder charges. You too could have a tense gunfight on the side of a godforsaken mountain. You too could die possibly.
But that brings up my chief worry going forward. I don’t know how this series continues without straining credibility. Bad men can’t keep showing up at Jess’s doorstep, even if she is the county deputy. Eventually the plots have to dry up or at least stop involving her. That’s why the next installment will be pivotal because it’ll tell me where this story goes from here or if book two is where it ends.
Which wouldn’t be so bad I think. I kind of like the idea of a limited two-book series. After all, Mason, Jess, and Lucy have earned some domestic bliss.
weneed_mobrown's review against another edition
3.0
Fun little mystery/noir book. I didn't need to read the first one to get into the story, but I'm not sure I need to read the first one to understand that Jess has PTSD from being a Marine and Mason is an ex-con just trying to keep his head down and live his life in peace - perhaps with Jess and Lucy, the service dog. Lots of action and the story builds nicely. Did you know that Jess and Mason have demons of their own?? Just in case you didn't catch it the first 5 times....you get it.
jacky_the_brave's review against another edition
5.0
One may have thought the relationships between Jess Winslow, Mason Burke and the seaside town of Deception Cove were on solid ground after the tumultuous ending of the first book in the series. Alas, suspicion and old grudges still stir beneath the waves, which rise to a dangerous pitch when a body of a local sports celebrity is found on the seashore.
This is a gripping story that pulls you through the pages. Forget sleep, forget dinner, you want to know what happens next.
Owen Laukkanen is still a rising star in this genre, in spite of his successes so far, and his books are consumed by his dedicated fans. His writing is top level and his story lines are solid enough to be movie material.
I strongly suggest reading Owen's back catalogue as well.
This is a gripping story that pulls you through the pages. Forget sleep, forget dinner, you want to know what happens next.
Owen Laukkanen is still a rising star in this genre, in spite of his successes so far, and his books are consumed by his dedicated fans. His writing is top level and his story lines are solid enough to be movie material.
I strongly suggest reading Owen's back catalogue as well.
martyfried's review against another edition
5.0
More excitement similar to the first book, with many of the same people. I think you should read the first book of the series (Deception Cove) before this if you can, although this could be read standalone I think. But if you liked the first book, you'll probably like this one.
tunesmithnw's review against another edition
4.0
This really should be 3 1/2 stars. It was a better than average mystery set in the upper corner of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Once the characters and crimes were established, however, the story became somewhat predictable.
I hope the author doesn’t give up on this series.
I hope the author doesn’t give up on this series.
ccopeland28's review against another edition
2.0
Well, shoot. I really liked Deception Cove, but this follow-up failed to live up to the first book. Most of it seemed too contrived and it was full of terrible decisions made by almost every character. I am disappointed.