One Last Promise (Bedford Falls, #2) - S...

Kelsey told her brother Alex not to worry she would never want to go out with his best friend Damon. Then Alex told Damon under no circumstances was he to go out with Kelsey. Kelsey had seen Damon dressed as Rocky Balboa and she thought of Damon a lot but Alex had told Kelsey Damon had slept with a lot of women .and wasn’t interested in a long term serious relationship with  Damon. Kelsey had seen Damon dressed as Rocky Balboa - bare chest and abs and then she thought of him a lot. But Alex had told her Damon had slept with a lot of women , he wasn’t interested in a serious long term relationship. If she hadn’t know the truth Kelsey would have found Damon irresistible. Kelsey had an 80’s theme diner called Forever And Always as well as one called The Witching Hour more on a horror theme. Kelsey operated operated both establishments and navigated all of the responsibilities and pressure that came with such a stressful career and she had skipped going to college.  Damon affected Kelsey’s emotion strongly. But she would never let Damon know that. Damon writes romance novels. Alex left with his girlfriend Marisa but Damon stayed. Kelsey told Damon he had a Superman complex and he told her she wanted to be Buffy from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Kelsey liked getting under Damon’s skin. Kelsey took Damon’s hand and the spontaneity of the forward movement shocked her . Kelsey considered herself a touchy-feely type person but she had never reacted this way. Kelsey felt she hadn’t known Damon long enough for such intimacy yet it didn’t feel awkward. Damon asked Kelsey if she was into palmistry and she said no yet she still had his hand. His eyes, his smile, his playful tone set off a spark of sensuality between them. How could Kelsey know just touching Damon would send such delightful delightful excitement through her. Although Kelsey hated Damon’s promiscuity she had never met with such presence, such charisma until now. Damon asked if she felt the  sparks, then Damon said he’d like to take her on a date. He added he thought Kelsey was fun to talk to. When Kelsey brought up Alex Damon said he recalled saying something about marriage and then he said when you know, you know. He said the electric current and chemistry he had only felt one time before. Then a wistful look came over his face but only for a minute. Kelsey felt such a potent physical reaction to ant man before and she wanted to give into it. The last time Damon had lost his composure with a woman was that one time. But Damon refused to think about the failed relationship and the uneasiness that had accompanied it and how memories could unhinge Damon. Damon had no family to speak of. One thing that intimidated Damon was he really liked Kelsey and that making him want to spend more time with her. Kelsey volunteered at the Fennel Kennel Club- an animal shelter a couple times a week. Damon thought about how Kelsey didn’t censor her words. If she felt something she said it. Katrina was that one other time for Damon. They had dated for eight months and she showed Damon the concept of true love and giving your all to another person. Damon had opened up to her and did a lot of new things with Katrina. But Katrina didn’t want to slow down and enjoy the little things like a picnic, or watching a movie. The conflict in how they lived life became their downfall and Damon changed and became moody and clingy. Then Katrina declared Damon was holding her back. And she felt claustrophobic and unsatisfied. That was the end of the only serious relationship Damon had.previously. But now he wanted to try to find that kind of love with Kelsey.

I absolutely loved this book. I didn’t want to put it down but I did have to sleep. This was a sweet easy romantic read. I loved how Damon waited to be with Kelsey and stayed true to her while she dated Paul and didn’t tell her what a dog Paul was even though he knew.  I was happy to see Kelsey and her mom talk. I loved the pace and the plot. I also loved how Cassandra was willing to help Damon wit Kelsey. I loved Kelsey and Damon together and how they interacted. I liked Alex and how protective he was of Kelsey. But I feel he should have really known Damon a lot better and then he pretty much ignored damon once Damon helped him get Marisa’. I didn't care for Marisa  and the way she was with Damon after he helped Alex be a man she did want I just didn’t care for her. I loved the characters- except for Marisa and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend this book.

Promise Falls #4  

By:  Linwood Barclay 

ISBN: 1409163938 

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: 10/31/2017 

Format: Kindle 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Linwood Barclay returns with his riveting series, Promise Falls following The Twenty Three #3 (2016) with his best yet, in the twisty PARTING SHOT (#4) — a fitting title for his latest riveting thriller. 

Packed with a serious savage punch, and more twists than the Pacific Hwy., we revisit the small fictional town of Promise Falls in upstate New York, outside of Albany. 

A small town filled with scandal and secrets and an overwhelming need for revenge and some evil vigilante justice! 

However, often we find the revenge is directed at the wrong person which causes some major problems for everyone involved. (sorry, killed the wrong person-collateral damage). 

Read My Reviews: 
Broken Promise #1 
Final Assignment #1.5 
Far From True #2
The Twenty-Three #3 

PARTING SHOT almost slipped by me. Thank goodness, the minute I received the newsletter from the author, I was on Amazon clicking away to purchase this one. 

Having read every book in this engrossing series, PARTING SHOT was my favorite. I stayed up until 5 am two mornings in a row to finish. It was worth every minute.

Again, keep your scorecard handy and hang on for a roller coaster wild ride!

This time around, we revisit with characters PI Cal Weaver and Detective Barry Duckworth (two of my favorites) from Promise Falls. Even though the two guys are familiar with one another, neither of the two realize the other is working separate cases which will ultimately connect. 

I for one, am hoping these two go into business together for future books. A huge fan of the series.

There is a common interest that bridges the two cases. Just Deserts. 

A vigilante. A website for those who want Justice. Even though not in the legal sense. People all over the planet inspired to exact vengeance on people who've got it coming, hoping like crazy that what they do is nasty enough to be honored on the website. 

Of course, Promise Falls is well known in this department. Getting even.

Duckworth almost died in the last book and is now a hero. He loves his donuts; however, his wife wants him around a little longer and has changed his diet. He is now down to 233 (loss of 47 pounds). However, he is still tempted.

Could he be getting too old for the job? Maybe a career change is in order?

His is married to Maureen and has a son named Trevor (now twenty-five living back at home). Duckworth's current case takes him to a bar, Knights and when he looks at the surveillance video; his son is lip locking in a corner with some gal, named Carol. Unemployed, but out drinking and evidently up to something secretive. 

What do they have to do with the abduction? 

A guy, Brian Gaffney was abducted from the bar and he does not remember anything. However, he has tattooed on his back, “I’m the sick F*** who killed Sean. He has no clue what this means? He seeks Duckworth’s help. 

There was also an older case of a younger guy, Craig Pierce(known sex offender) who molested a mentally handicapped girl and someone had taken matters into their own hands, months ago- since the law did not make him pay. 

Someone abducted him and had a dog to literally disfigure him. Half his face is missing, plus some manly private parts (ouch). The guy is barely alive. However, he is out to find the person who did this to him. 

Could it be the same person after Jeremy this time?

However, did what happened to Brian have anything to do with the other cases, or was he in the wrong place at the wrong time? 

Cal Weaver has suffered much loss from the previous books. His wife and son are gone. He is moving on and out on his own with a PI business.

His assignment takes him to twenty-something, Jeremy’s family. The wealthy grand-aunt, alcoholic mother-Gloria, her boyfriend, Bob, attorney, Grant Finch and big deal businessman, rich Galen Broadhurst – the guy who owned the Porch. 

Jeremy, was supposedly drunk driving one of his father’s friends' 9ll Porch and ran over and killed a young innocent girl. The attorney and mother helped him get off (so he did not have to do prison time), and there are many which are unhappy. 

They dubbed him as The Big Baby. He also has a friend Charlene. (many red herring here). The website followers are all over this case. They want to make him pay, since the legal system did not. 

Was there something else at play here they overlooked in the original investigation? Was Jeremy really guilty? You can be sure Cal will find it. 

Now throw in the mix, Jeremy and Brian look similar. Also to complicate matters, Brian was seeing a married woman Jessica (which he was unaware of her status). Also, Brian’s neighbors have issues (this gets quite comical with the dad). 

Why would someone tattoo something permanently etched into someone’s skin? A hidden message?

In the social media world and in real life, they are making Jeremy and his family miserable. They are in danger. They call in Cal to be his so-called bodyguard while investigating. However, Cal digs a little deeper into Jeremy’s past problems and gets too close to the truth putting them in more danger. 

Cal is on the run with Jeremy to keep the wolves away and get him out of town; however, someone is tracking them. However, it may be more than one person after them with different motives. 

Wow, PARTING SHOT was unputdownable! As always, in addition to the main cases, there are also always some entertaining secondary characters which always bring more exciting drama. Leave it up to Barclay to bring in another shocker added twist at the 98% mark.

Supercharged, from social media attacks and those who want to make their mark no matter how far they have to go to achieve their status. 

One of my favorite authors, (have read all his books), Barclay delivers a non-stop action crime thriller, in this town of wacky and dysfunction. A powerful writer, Barclay keeps the dry humor, domestic suspense, surprises, and plot twists coming full throttle from upstate New York to Cape Cod— there is never a dull moment. 

If you have not experienced Linwood Barclay, highly suggest you get started. For fans of Michael Robotham and Harlan Coben as well as those readers who enjoy intelligent dark thrillers with loads of twists.

Can’t wait to see what’s next! It is high time for a movie. What an imagination and an amazing storyteller.

JDCMustReadBooks

By: Linwood Barclay 

Promise Falls Trilogy #3

ISBN:  9780451472724

Publisher: Penguin Berkley

Publication Date:  11/1/2016 

Format: Other

My Rating:  5 Stars  

A special thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

International bestselling author, Linwood Barclay takes readers back to the beginning Broken Promise Promise Falls Trilogy, #1 (2015).

"Best Cliffhanger Mystery Thriller Suspense Series," landing on my Top 30 Books of 2015—with highly anticipated THE TWENTY-THREE a spine-chilling thriller conclusion Promise Falls Trilogy #3. (or is it)? Everything comes full circle.

Promise Falls is an explosive series about the disturbing evil secrets of a quiet yet mysterious small town (turns out, not so quiet). Love the cover!

Set in a fictional upstate New York small town outside of Albany, called Promise Falls—a town slowly dying, with a number of the businesses closing, or recently closed, and the younger generation, forced to move on to larger cities with better opportunities.

Presently murder, and a whole lot more. A serial killer is targeting their town.

A multi-layered plot, with an array of intriguing and well-developed characters, and a town of scandalous secrets, lies, conspiracy, murder, possibly revenge, and a list of crimes-and the mysterious number, "twenty-three".

There is also a backstory of Olivia Fisher, (#1) a young woman with a bright future, killed years ago in a brutal murder. Her mother died of cancer recently, and the dad remaining - still grieving, and left to control the fiancé, who has turned into a raging alcoholic.

Final Assignment (Promise Falls Trilogy, #1.5) 2016
Far From True (Promise Falls Trilogy, #2) 2016

How do the dots connect? Who has a motive for harming the people of Promise Falls?" Who is Mr. Twenty-Three?

Saturday, Memorial Day weekend, May 23 and we all know what happens with the number 23. It spells HORROR for Promise Falls. The motive for harming the people, points to the number 23.

It had all started with the horrific murder of Rosemary Gaynor. However, it really went back to the original: Olivia Fisher’s death- the first. Then most recently Lorraine Plummer. What do college students and women being murdered have to do with the other happenings? A serial killer is on the loose once again with his signature mark.

And then there were some strange goings-on around town. Everything from dead squirrels, and a Ferris wheel coming to life all on its own to a college predator and a flaming bus. As if all that weren’t enough, the bombed drive-in, and now someone was poisoning the water.

People are dying and even the lines at 911 were busy. Someone is poisoning the town’s water supply and possibly a multiple murderer—a serial killer. One in the same, or multiple people with different agendas?

What is the missing link? Promise Falls was already on the edge about a possible terrorist attack after the drive-in. However now things were getting out of hand. The town’s water supply is being tainted. A fuel spill, chemicals, or was someone intentionally seeking to harm?

Everyone was drinking the tap water and getting sick, and dying. Causing nausea, headache, vomiting, severe drop in blood pressure. To seizure, cardiorespiratory arrest and Hypo tension. By the time it is over, the number of dead is over two hundred, including those fatalities for the elderly, who died before they could even get them to the hospital.

Who wants revenge?

In the meantime, Sam Worthington and Carl were missing. David Hartwell has to warn them about the water. Randall Finley, running for mayor is of course, trying to push his bottled water to gain attention for his campaign, while making more enemies and causing suspicions.

Who had a working knowledge of the town’s infrastructure?

Victims of crime the ones you do not hear about. What about relatives of perpetrators? The pain. Lives getting turned upside down and they are not responsible but get blamed. Shunned. How can they move on and start over? Who has a tormented past? A history of psychological abuse? Motive? Madness. Payback? An agenda. . .

Detective Barry Duckworth is front and center with #3. His detective work is brilliant; however, he may be in danger as he gets closer to the truth. Will he find the killer of the homicides and connect the dots, before it is too late, or will he die trying?

The sins of the past and present collide.

With an array of suspects, and clues --is there more than one killer, and how are they linked together? With more twists and turns than you can image, Barclay keeps readers glued to the pages of yet another riveting thriller. A mix of psychological, crime, cop procedures, forensics, mystery, suspense, wit, and humor----all rolled into one action-packed thriller!

Only Barclay, an pull out a shocker at 98% which is mind-blowing! One of my favorite authors. Just when you think, all the pieces of the puzzle are solved----BAM! Here comes another.

Read them all! For fans of Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly, Karin Slaughter, Lisa Unger, Lisa Gardner, Gregg Hurwitz, and John Hart-this spine-chilling series is award-winning and "movie worthy!"

Let's see what Janet Evanovich can do for the "number 23" and favorite sleuth, Stephanie Plum in Turbo Twenty-Three(Nov 15) "a magical number" for November.

JDCMustReadBooks

By:  Linwood Barclay

Series:  Promise Falls 1.5

ASIN: B00Z8VTS7C

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 1/12/2016

Format: e-book 

My Rating: 4 Stars 

Linwood Barclay returns following BROKEN PROMISE(Promise Falls #1), landing on my Top Books of 2015 with a teaser novella FINAL ASSIGNMENT (Promise Falls #1.5) -with more evil at play, in the small town of Promise Falls; where nothing is as it appears.

Set in a fictional upstate New York small town outside of Albany, called Promise Falls—a town slowly dying—quickly adding “people” as well as businesses to the demise.

With all the action and mysterious crime happening in Promise Falls—Final Assignment, makes it way to the high school with a group of teens and parents --bullying, social media, revenge, murder, and a damaging short story.

For all you fans-- some appearances with characters from Book #1 return.

Cal Weaver, PI has been called to one of the more upscale neighborhoods of Promise Falls from a frantic mom, Greta, requesting some dirt on the local high school staff. Their son, Chandler apparently had written a colorful short story for one of his classes—now he finds himself being treated like some sort of psychotic degenerate. Chandler’s English teacher asked them to write something creative, and imaginative.

His story was of one kid beating another kid to death with a baseball bat—the mom thought it was innovative thinking. There was a meeting at school, and they are questioning the writing and his mental state. They want him to go for counseling or psychiatric testing. The parents are appalled –plenty people write dark and creepy things—referring to writers, Poe, Lovecraft and King. Right?

Upon questioning, turns out there was some earlier problems. Chandler and his friend, Michael Vaughn had made fun of a gay guy at school - Joel. They took a photo of him with another guy and posted it. Joel was upset with the invasion of privacy as well as the family.

The mother wants to blackmail the son’s teachers so they will leave her son alone; (she uses the word, leverage). Fight fire with fire. Cal Weaver wants no part of this.

Michael’s mom is a friend of the family, and Suzanne is now calling Cal for help. Michael did not come home. He is missing. Now in the middle, he is trying to help.

However, soon thereafter an event occurs, identical to the short story. A murder. A baseball bat. The woods. Exactly like the story. Is someone trying to frame Chandler? Motive? Revenge? He and Michael had been fighting over a girl recently, or could it be Joel?

Police detective, Barry Duckworth, (donut lover) is back and on the case. Cal is one step ahead with some information. A baseball bat, a murder weapon, and a mystery case of whodunit.

We also meet Lucy Brighton, the head of the guidance department at the school. (Look out for more from Lucy and Cal in) FAR FROM TRUE. Get out your score card, as there is so much in store, it will keep your head spinning!

Highly recommend this entertaining crime thriller series, mixed with humor. Barclay is the "King" of creative cliffhangers.