Author: Sibrella Giorello
Publication Date: March 2010, Thomas Nelson
Pages: 325
Genre: Fiction/Christian/Suspense
Source: Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Closing her assignment with the FBI's Seattle office, forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, expecting a warm welcome. Instead she finds herself investigating an ugly cross burning at a celebrity's mansion and standing in the crosshairs of her boss at the Bureau. And the deeper Raleigh digs into the case, the murkier the water becomes...until she's left wondering who the real victims might be.
My Thoughts:
First off, I can't believe that I read book 3 in a series without reading 1 and 2...this totally blows me away. I never read out of order...EVER. I really feel that it hindered my ability to enjoy this book. There were several references to Raleigh's past behavior which landed her in trouble with the FBI and caused her to be reassigned to Richmond. I felt the NEED to know the why and how and without those first two books under my belt I was a bit lost. I don't like this feeling at all....so first off, I want to recommend to the reader that you start with the first book in this series, The Stones Cry Out, and proceed from there. With all of that being said, I enjoyed the first 100 pages and the last 75....the middle dragged out for me and I felt like throwing in the towel, but I marched on because I can't stand not knowing what happens!! The conclusion was pretty awesome though and I loved how Giorello tied up all of the loose ends and surprised me with her ending.
Rating: 3/5 (ending saved this from being a 2.75)
Thank you to Amy Currie from Phenix & Phenix for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review.
My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.
They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.
Other Reviews:
Never a Dull Moment
A Bookworm's World
Wordlily
Good advice Staci. This has happened to me in the past with a John Connolly book --not a good thing.
ReplyDeleteOut of order!! Staci, Staci, what have you done..better look out and see if the sky is falling ;)
ReplyDeleteGRR, I know the feeling of reading a series book out of order. I don't know why it bugs me so much but it does;o)
ReplyDeleteI've seen this one around in the last few months. I've been tempted, but I've not read the other books in the series either. I'll have to think about it or try to find the first book.
ReplyDeleteIt's tough when a book flags in the middle but at least the beginning and ending were good. If a book doesn't grab me very soon at the beginning- it does pale after that.
ReplyDeleteI hate reading out of order too. No matter how good the author writes, you miss some of the character development.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it could be a good series. Let me know if you read the other 2 and think it's worth picking up.
ReplyDeleteSo with you on reading in order! I do the same thing - while reading I obsess over what I missed and don't get as fully!
ReplyDeleteI see you fell prey to reading a series out of order too ;) It really is hard to judge right? I am always wondering what details I missed in the first book(s).
ReplyDeleteI think it takes a skilled writer to write a series where each book can stand alone. I hate it when I feel left out from some of the facts.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmmmmm...the synopsis sounds good...I wonder if you would have read the 1st two books if it would have better for you! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteI hate reading out of order too.
ReplyDeleteUgggh, I never read books out of order. I hate not knowing what happened in the others.
ReplyDeleteI'm too OCD like to read out of order. Ha!
ReplyDeleteReading out of order is hard if there is a lot of reference to the books before it. It does sound really interesting though. I am going to add the first book to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Stace! I agree with you - I felt ' left out' when the past was referrred to...
ReplyDeleteReading out of order drives me nuts too!
ReplyDelete