By: Robin Mahle
Series: Detective Rebecca Ellis #2
ISBN: 9781837561469
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Publication Date: 04/23/2023
Format: e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
Who was the dead man in the woods? And what was he hiding?
During the spring thaw, a body is found in the woods. Buried for months under the harsh winter snow, the dead man, Terry Satchel, appears to have been the victim of a hunting accident.
But when Bangor police detectives Rebecca Ellis and Euan McCallister are called to investigate, they notice unusual burns on the body.
With no friends or family showing up to claim the dead man, Ellis and McCallister decide to do some digging.
In Satchel’s former workplace, Connex, two co-workers come to Ellis claiming there is much more to his death than she knows, and she begins to follow a new lead - one that takes her down a deadly path.
Ellis soon discovers that Connex executives have covered up some very bad things which happened 20 years earlier. And that her own father, retired detective Hank Ellis, led the investigation at the time.
Things take an even more sinister turn when Ellis's best friend is attacked and, days later, Hank finds himself fighting for his life. Are these incidents related to her case? Who else around her is in danger? And is someone coming for her next?
A Frozen Grave, the gripping second book in the thrilling series featuring Detective Rebecca Ellis.
My Review
Robin Mahle returns following No Safe Place (5 stars) with the second in the Detective Rebecca Ellis riveting crime thriller series with A FROZEN GRAVE —A man left in the woods for months in the snow, murdered.
A sinister and complex investigation leads to a whistleblower and a company that will stop at nothing to HIDE its deadly secrets.
Set in Bangor, Maine, the book opens with some hikers discovering a man's dead body deep in the City Forest, a large preserve well beyond the trails no one would have seen. He appears who appears to have been a hunter with an orange vest. Otherwise, he was not dressed for the weather.
What kind of hunter comes out without an ID and is not dressed for winter? He has burns on his body. Of course, it was not a hunting accident, and the man was murdered before being placed in the woods. Also, what is up with the chemical burns on his body?
Bangor police Detective Rebecca Ellis and her partner, Detective Euan McCallister, are heading up the case.
Twenty-five-year-old Connor Bevins, the youngest detective on the force, was allowed to be involved. He is cocky, good-looking, know-it-all attitude, a rich kid with a past his parents covered up.
Who was the dead man in the woods? And what was he hiding?
Ellis and McCallister do more digging since no one has shown up or reported the dead man. It turns out the man is Terry Satchel, single and worked at Connex Solutions, a manufacturing company, and had been dead for months.
When they began investigating the management at Connex, it appeared something is not right. Conspiracy, murder? But they need proof. Everyone in the company is running scared, but they need an insider. However, every person who gets close to the truth winds up DEAD.
Rebecca's dad, Hank (retired detective) headed up a Connex investigation with his partner back in the day. There were environmental issues. They soon learn Connex executives have covered up some deadly things for over 20 years and appear to be at it again. The more Detective Ellis and McCallister dig, the more they are in danger.
Then it gets personal when they come after Ellis, her dad, Hank, and her best and her best friend, Piper.
People inside the company are scared, and Terry was a whistleblower with evidence and about to turn it over when he was murdered. How many people are next before they get the bad guys?
A FROZEN GRAVE is another intelligent, high-stakes thriller with intrigue and suspense. The author has created a fantastic female lead with Detective Rebecca Ellis. She is smart and savvy, and we see her personal side and complex relationship with her dad and brother (now in rehab). Plus love the attraction and chemistry between Ellis and McCallister!
Detective Euan McCallister is quite mysterious, sexy, and intriguing (former Boston cop) with a past. Happy, he finally confessed to Rebecca about what he went through in Boston. Some sparks are flying between the two, and excited to see what is coming next with these two in #3.
Also looking forward to hearing more about Connor and what he will get into in future books.
"Mahle's second, Detective Rebecca Ellis, grabs you from page one to the explosive finale while you anxiously await #3. A propulsive, razor-sharp intelligent cop procedural meets psychological crime thriller. Lisa Gardner's DD Warren series fans will find a lot to like here! I love this series!"
I enjoy this author's writing style! I highly recommend reading NO SAFE PLACE before this one. However, the author does a great job updating you on the characters if you read as a standalone.
Thanks to #InkubatorBooks for a gifted ARC via #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: April 23, 2023
My Rating: 5 STARS
Detective Rebecca Ellis Series
No Safe Place
Detective Rebecca Ellis #1
NO SAFE PLACE is the first in Robin Mahle's riveting new cop procedural/crime thriller featuring Detective Rebecca Ellis. BLOWN AWAY! Top-notch. Reminiscent of Lisa Gardner's Detective DD Warren.
I loved this book —the author's writing, and this new series, Detective Rebecca Harris and her partner! Who doesn't love thrillers revolving around corrupt and evil churches? They often hold the worst criminals disguised as saintly members with hidden dark secrets.
EXPLOSIVE! A multi-layered and complex investigation. With fast-paced, non-stop action, Ellis is tenacious and will stop at nothing to bring justice and bring down the bad guys (even if she has to break a few rules). I loved Rebecca and Euan together and hope to see more of him.
Sharply written, tension-filled with twists readers are unlikely to see coming, and a detective that is tough as nails! A fabulous new series and I cannot wait for the next one. READ MY REVIEW
About the Author
Robin Mahle has published over 30 novels in the mystery/thriller genre. She also writes historical fiction as Christine Chase. Her fast-paced style of storytelling combined with tense action and thrilling twists bring her readers back for more. Robin lives in Coastal Virginia with her husband and two children.
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