Deep in the Kentucky hills, three women have been found brutalized and murdered.
But the folks in Night Holler have their own ways and their own laws.
And they’re not talking…
Led to an isolated Appalachian Mountain town by a trail of disturbing murders, FBI special agent Violet Rainwater’s determined to catch a serial killer with a twisted agenda. With locals refusing to reveal their secrets, Violet’s only ally is Detective John Orlando. But even John has an ulterior motive—he’s convinced this case is connected to his wife’s murder.
As they dig deeper, Violet uncovers a link to her own unresolved past. For years she’s worked the cold case of her mother’s abduction, which had led to her birth. The need to look into the eyes of the sinful man who fathered her consumes Violet. Until she can, she’ll never have peace. Because she’s terrified she might be exactly like him.
In this chilling novel, when the present collides with Violet’s mysterious past and John’s tragic loss, they must unravel the warped, sinuous connections before the killer strikes again. But solving the case might not be nearly as terrifying as the possibility that Violet’s finally found her roots…
Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Jessica R. Patch is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense, a cold case thriller, or a small-town romance. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, watching movies with her family, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at http://www.jessicarpatch.com. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.
‘She realized she had no hope. No light. No salvation.’
How do I even begin to write a review for a book that completely captivated me during the reading?
I’ve pondered that a while and still don’t believe I can do it justice. I’ve been a Jessica Patch fan
since I read her first book. Which, by the way, I’ve read three times. I’ve re-read many of her other
books, too. She’s good. And she is able to switch genres effortlessly. Her rom coms are so much fun.
Then she can totally slay a suspense novel. (No pun intended.)
When she wrote the first book in this series, Her Darkest Secret, she showed us how deep her talent went. I loved that book and felt she did her very best work there. Now, with this one, Patch has proven her talent knows no bounds. She is absolutely stunning here. She is totally adept at a crime/suspense novel. I’m serious. This is way better than Criminal Minds. She takes her readers into that dreary Kentucky holler and I immediately felt as if I were there with the characters. The atmosphere was just electric with tension. I felt the despair of many of the residents, trapped in a life that had no meaning and with no way out that they could see.
‘No one thought anything bad could happen to them. Until it did.’
Patch has also created one of the strongest, toughest, female characters I believe I’ve ever read in the character of Violet Rainwater. Violet, whose entire life has been so hard and devoid of human love. And Violet doesn’t believe that God could even love her. Patch has woven a spiritual thread here that is mighty to see and read. And also to feel deep down in your heart. And the secondary characters of the FBI group are wonderful. I certainly look forward to reading Tiberius Granger’s story some day. Hopefully.
‘No one had ever prayed for her.’
Jessica Patch has more than proven that she has a powerful talent. I knew that, but this was absolutely outstanding! Bravo and well done! This is definitely one for the keeper shelf.
My thanks to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is entirely my own.
English
Publisher
Love Inspired Trade
Publication date
February 28, 2023
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PVJG5SJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i10
Simply Susan 