Saturday 22 February 2014

Book ~ "Ashes and Bone" (2014) Stacy Green

From Goodreads ~ Just when Jaymee Ballard’s life seems to be on track, a massive derecho attacks the Delta Crossroads sowing destruction in its path. Her boyfriend, investigative journalist Nick Samuels, comes up missing and she fears the worst.

Nick’s abandoned car contains evidence of his involvement uncovering a controversial case mired in political power and greed. While her friend and local detective, Cage Foster, heads up the inquiry into Nick’s kidnapping, Jaymee finds it impossible to sit back and do nothing. 

Enlisting the help of her best friend, Dani Evans, Jaymee discovers a trail leading to the dangerous and secretive Dixie Mafia. Facing a fraudulent Confederate artifact scheme, dark local history, and a powerful enemy lurking in the shadows, the two friends find themselves holding the key to not only Nick’s disappearance, but a shameful town secret someone will kill to protect.

Jaymee and Nick are dating and see each other on weekends.  Jaymee has a historical house and Nick is a reporter.  He is on his way to see her but disappears during a storm.  His car is discovered by the side of the road but there is no sign of Nick.  Cage, Nick's friend and ex-brother-in-law is a police officer, leads the investigation.  In the meantime, Jaymee is almost killed when a house she is in burns to the ground, which causes the surrounding area to catch on fire and spread.  Is it a coincidence or does it have something to do with Nick's disappearance?

It seems that Nick was investigating Confederate artifacts that may be frauds.  With not a lot to go on, Cage, Jaymee and Dani (Cage's girlfriend) poke around to find out what's going, who is involved and find Nick before it's too late.

This is the fourth book I've read by this author and the third (and last) book in the Delta Crossroads series.  We met Jaymee, Nick and Cage in Tin God and Dani in Skeleton' Key.  Though it is part of a series, it works as a stand alone ... there are enough references to the past so you know what's going on but not enough to give away the other books if you haven't read them but want to.

It is written from a couple perspectives ... first person when the focus is on Nick and third person with the perspective switching from Jaymee, Cage and Dani.  The language for the most part is for a mature reader as the author uses the word "sh$t" fairly often (I didn't have a problem with it).  There are lots of characters in this book so you don't know whodunnit until the end and why.

You'll enjoy this book if you like suspense with a touch of romance ... and especially if you are into the history of the south.

I received a copy of this ebook from the author at no charge in exchange for my honest review. 

1 comment:

Masshole Mommy said...

Sounds like a great read.