May’s Reading Challenge was to Read a Co-Authored Novel.
My first selection is the third installment in Mary Higgins Clark’s and Alafair Burke’s Under Suspicion series, The Sleeping Beauty Killer.
The dynamic is quite a bit different as Laurie Moran begins working on her newest production for her Under Suspicion show. The upcoming production does not involve a cold case since she is instead revisiting newly released from prison Casey Carter’s murder conviction of her fiancé Hunter Raleigh III. She is also (grudgingly) adapting to new host Ryan Nichols who does not appear very engaged in their upcoming project. Ryan is quite vocal about his feelings that Casey Carter is, in fact, guilty of the murdering Hunter. Public sentient is not in her favor either thanks to gossip blogger Mindy Sampson who is quite busy publishing inflammatory information about Casey.
Laurie has no doubt that Casey is telling the truth about the events of the night Hunter was murdered. She also believes that Casey is innocent but proving it is going to be a challenge. Laurie is encouraged when Casey remembers new information that might help prove her assertion that someone else killed Hunter. But how can Laurie find definitive evidence that will help identify the murderer?
Despite longing for her former host (and love interest) Alex Buckley, Laurie interviews persons of interest but Ryan is not much help with the initial questioning. She is blunt with Ryan as he alienates witnesses in preparation for their upcoming filming. Laurie is also worried that he is not quite up to the task of delicate balance of getting people to open up during taping.
The Sleeping Beauty Killer is an intriguing mystery but savvy readers will most likely guess the true killer’s identity early in the story. Laurie is not quite as confident as she usually is since she is worried about her new host and her relationship with Alex. Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke bring the novel to a bit of an anti-climatic conclusion since the final wrap-up of the case is a bit subdued. The addition of Ryan Nichols keeps the Under Suspicion fresh and it will be interesting to see if he will be a good fit with Laurie and the rest of the crew in future installments.
Please click HERE to learn more about The Sleeping Beauty Killer.
My second choice is Cate Ashwood’s and J.H. Knight’s When the Devil Wants In which is set in a small Southern town.
While I didn’t love the storyline, I did enjoy the novel. I think the authors did an overall excellent job with their portrayal of John Turner’s sometimes claustrophobic life. His relationship with his Bible-thumping mother is a bit overbearing yet mostly realistic. John’s reasons for staying the closet are valid but it is a little difficult to understand why his friend Chloe Walsh agreed to pretend to be his girlfriend for TEN long years! All of his careful maneuvering to keep his sexuality a secret is about to become extremely difficult once John finds out his one night stand is newcomer Matt Kingsley.
Matt fell in love with the South during trips to visit his mother’s family. Ready to make a change in his life, he is thrilled when the Magnolia Ridge police force hires him. Despite a bit of culture shock, Matt is settling in rather easily to small town life. Although he has never had to keep his sexuality a secret, he is quick to realize he probably won’t be able to live out and proud just yet.
I grew up in the South so I feel like Cate Ashwood and J.H. Knight did an outstanding job with their depiction of life in a small Southern town. While well-written, the majority of When the Devil Wants In centers around John’s family drama and Matt’s job with the police force. There are some sizzling hot love scenes but a true emotional connection between Matt and John is lacking. The murder does not occur until close to the end of the book which is a shame because I found this element of storyline to be the most compelling. The murderer’s identity is a huge shock but the motive is a bit convoluted and confusing.
Click HERE to learn more about When the Devil Wants In.
Did you enjoy the book you selected for this month’s challenge?
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Check out June’s challenge HERE.
I read Murder Most Lovely by Hank Edwards and Deanna Wadsworth – which I enjoyed a lot – the slightly macabre job of Michael offset by the bitchy of Jazz. They they investigate a murder, i liked how it split into two threads and then came back again. And the oddly darkly humourous murderous trio. The end came a bit out of left field and I would read further books in the series.
I read When the Devil Wants In just over a year ago and liked it a lot from my review – the murder, the slow pace of the relationship, Johns passive aggressive mum and ultimately supportive dad but it seems I felt there were unanswered questions still (didnt note what they were!)