I got my hour of vacation time approved and registered for the virtual book club meeting. They only had 3 of their 20 slots filled when I registered, so I'm feeling less bad about taking a spot from a resident of the area.

I choose Binary Witness as my book for the meeting because I was pretty sure I wouldn't manage to finish anything in time. A reread seemed like the best option. And it's looking like I was right, because I'm only about halfway through my relisten. I may switch to my paper copy sometime tonight.

Oh no! I subscribe to Rosie Claverton's newsletter, and she just notified readers that the small press that was publishing her Amy Lane books has gone under. She ends the newsletter with:

 

"As the series' future is uncertain, I will be pursuing other projects. I hope to return to Amy and Jason in the future and finish their story."

:-(

Of the three Amy Lane mysteries I've read, this is my least favorite. But let me be clear, it is not a bad book. There is a cliffhanger type ending, so be warned.

The development of the relationship between Amy and Jason felt very organic, its just that the development and purpose of one character don't quite work for me.

But still will be reading the others in the series. Amy is awesome!  The friendships that are at the heart of the book are the books best selling point, well that and the location of Wales.

The second installment in the Amy Lane series moves the timeline forward a bit and, of course, complicates Jason’s life a bit more. It isn’t just Amy, who finds her world opening just a bit more than she thought.

It’s nice to see both Amy and Jason develop as characters and to see Amy’s world expand just a little.

It’s also funny and sad to see drugged Amy. She drugged herself so it’s not a creepy drugging.

What I particularly enjoyed about this installment is the increase in communication that Amy has with other women, which to a degree was a weak point in the first novel. Amy hasn’t just accepted Jason; she has taken too his mother and his sister. Jason’s sister also grows in this novel and we find out more about the detective’s duo. What is also important is that the foursome’s trust in each other is tested.

The speed of development between Amy and Jason’s relationship is well done. While Claverton plays with the “will they get together”, she keeps it real. Both Amy and Jason have problems, and Amy’s mental and emotional issues are factored into her reactions/actions towards Jason. This is also complicated by the arrival of her sister.

The pacing is a bit faster than the first novel, though the plot could have been a bit tighter. There are times when it feels like you it is one thing too many. The ending, however, is great.

My kindle edition included a short story where everyone gets together to celebrate Jason’s birthday. Amy’s present and Jason’s reaction to are good, but I loved the interaction between Amy and Jason’s mum.

I picked this up when the series was offered free on Amazon. Thanks to whoever posted about it.

Claverton writes a woman who has issues but is strong quite well. She is a shut-in with a mysterious past. Jason is hired to clean her house.

It's really dirty.

But she has a couple friends, so while Jason is a bit different, he also isn't totally unique.

The book was quite a nice gripping read.