When former police detective Ted Conkaffey was wrongly accused of abducting Claire Bingley, he hoped the Queensland rainforest town of Crimson Lake would be a good place to disappear. But nowhere is safe from Claire's devastated father.

Dale Bingley has a brutal revenge plan all worked out - and if Ted doesn't help find the real abductor, he'll be its first casualty.

Meanwhile, in a dark roadside hovel called the Barking Frog Inn, the bodies of two young bartenders lie on the beer-sodden floor. It's Detective Inspector Pip Sweeney's first homicide investigation - complicated by the arrival of private detective Amanda Pharrell to 'assist' on the case. Amanda's conviction for murder a decade ago has left her with some odd behavioural traits, top-to-toe tatts - and a keen eye for killers . . .

For Ted and Amanda, the hunt for the truth will draw them into a violent dance with evil. Redemption is certainly on the cards - but it may well cost them their lives . . .

*I received a free copy from the publisher via Bookish First and chose to leave a voluntary review. Thank you!*

TW: Again this book mention the crime on minors.

I really enjoyed the last book, but I thought this book was even better than the last.

I like the growth we get with Ted and Amanda. I like the friendship we get with these two, they are an odd pair but yet work together so great. 

Ted is still trying to hide to stay out the public eye as much as he can, but of course things are not in his favor n some things. In last book I liked Ted but he still gave me a bit if the creeps at times.  He is doing much better in this book and maybe even working towards his peace. Like I said I liked the growth of his character and it is a big part of the story.

Of course I liked Amanda, she has her issues and we learn a bit more about her but she also is a bit of comic relief at times.

This book kept me captivated to the last page, it is suspenseful, had so many twist and turns. Again some things were easy to predict nut the big and fun things... not at all and had me in awe.

We meet some new and interesting people, that fit in m opinion right in with Ted and Amanda. 

I loved the landscape and surroundings of Australia.

Overall I really loved this book and highly recommended it to anyone that enjoys thrillers.

I rate it 5 ★

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Crimson Lake, by Sydney-based, Ned Kelly Award-winning author Candice Fox, is a thrilling contemporary crime novel set in Queensland, Australia, perfect for readers of authors like James Patterson, Harlan Coben, Lisa Gardner, and Tana French.

How do you move on when the world won’t let you?

12:46: Claire Bingley stands alone at a bus stop

12:47: Ted Conkaffey parks his car beside her

12:52: The girl is missing . . .

Six minutes in the wrong place at the wrong time—that’s all it took to ruin Sydney detective Ted Conkaffey’s life. Accused but not convicted of a brutal abduction,Ted is now a free man—and public enemy number one. Maintaining his innocence, he flees north to keep a low profile amidst the steamy, croc-infested wetlands of Crimson Lake.

There, Ted’s lawyer introduces him to eccentric private investigator Amanda Pharrell, herself a convicted murderer. Not entirely convinced Amanda is a cold-blooded killer, Ted agrees to help with her investigation, a case full of deception and obsession, while secretly digging into her troubled past. The residents of Crimson Lake are watching the pair's every move... and the town offers no place to hide.

*I received a free copy from the publisher via Bookish First and chose to leave a voluntary review. Thank you!*

TW: This book is about a guy accused of a crime on a minor.

I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

It is basically three mysteries in one book. Three different crimes and three different suspects. You would think it gets confusing but it really doesn’t. The writing is great and even though the three different stories in one, it is super easy to follow.  

It takes place in Australia, I never been there yet I had a great picture if it form the book, I really enjoyed the world building. It was well described but not overly, just the right amount.

The book, keeps you guessing, it gets you close and then jus leaves you with more question until the end. Something friendship and relationship wise I saw coming but the main plot and “who done it”, I did not see coming as much if at all. I thought about it a couple times but then was like “nahhhh” but that is just part of how the story plays with you.    

One of my favorite parts of the book were the “Dear Jake” letters, creepy and fun to read.

Characters, I liked them and I liked the mix of a bit of everything. From nice to bad and the weird and everything in between.

I liked Ted…. I think …..for the most part I liked him but there were a few definite moments and actions I was really  weirded-out by him and not sure what to think of him , But I think that was meant to be by the author.

I really liked Amanda, even with all her quirks … maybe even more so.  She also brought a bit of humor into the story.

Fabina….. I’m honestly not sure about her … maybe we see more if her next book.

 I liked how everything came together at the end, and how other things left a bit open for the next book.

I for one, am really looking forward to read book two.

I rate this book 4 ★

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finished this a bit ago , just didn't update it yet lol... 

Super good , review to come 

I just loved Amanda