Monday, December 23, 2013

Skeleton's Key by Stacy Green (Delta Crossroads #2)


REVIEW

I will review this book as a stand- alone and then as book #2 in Delta Crossroads Series

1. As a stand-alone book:
Dani Evans never considered the possibility that her love for old historical homes would result in the discovery of human bodies and a skeleton in the home she bought in Roselea, Mississippi. She wanted to fulfill a promise to her dying mother to invest in one of the old antebellum plantation houses down south, as a specialist in historical renovation. She finds Ironwood and falls in love with the old house. But she is met on the first day with the discovery of the grim remains of people, both ancient as well as recent, down in the basement.

Cage Foster, a police officer, who was appointed as caretaker, initially welcomed her to her new home and also became her tour guide through the house, never realizing what she was about to discover on her first night in the house. Due to the house being declared a crime scene, she must find temporary alternative accommodation. Cage arranges with Jaymee to host Dani.

There is a few sparks in the works for Cage and Dani, but also sudden challenges when Cage becomes the prime suspect in the murders. Time was running out to get Cage out of trouble, especially when some of his colleagues turn against him and want his seat booked in the electric chair.

Deep secrets are lying in wait when the history of the stately old home is dug up and mysteries are screaming to be discovered. Only the skeleton keys could unlock the secret behind the skeleton in the basement and open up a labyrinth of intrigue behind the two other bodies.

Comment: An entertaining read. A well developed plot that is opening up the world of historical old houses by digging deeper than the romantic perceptions of these old homes. And it has a stand-alone ending.

It is not a gut-ripping horror experience at all, but it does contain enough drama and suspense to make it an adventure as well as light-read experience as a whole. For the female reader who thrives on romance, there is enough of it present in the fiddling between the sheets. 

2. As the second book in the Delta Crossroads Series.(First one is 'Tin God')
Although it is a relaxing read as a stand-alone, it will be much more enjoyed when the first book has been read first. And as a series it works really well. I recommend reading all three books.

There is not much of the first book repeated in the second story, which makes 'Skeleton Key' a new experience with some of the characters being present again, but with a totally new, and for me, highly interesting, scenario in which the tale is further developed.

I dodged a few responsibilities, I seriously played hooky, by being unable to unglue myself from the story. A delightful, great read! Once again, there were no senseless dumping of words to fill more pages. It is a straightforward down to business, to the point, read.

The third book, Ashes and Bone will be released in February, 2014. I am looking forward!



Delta Crossroads Trilogy #1 : Tin God
Delta Crossroads Trilogy #2 : Skeleton's Key
Delta Crossroads Trilogy #3: Ashes and Bone - to be released in February 2014
____________________________________________________________________

BOOK BLURB
Cage Foster can’t catch a break. The discovery of a dusty skeleton in the antebellum home he’s caring for is bad enough. But the unearthing of two fresh bodies, buried during his tenure at Ironwood Plantation, may land Cage on Mississippi’s death row. Even worse, the one person certain of his innocence is a pushy Yankee newcomer, a woman who talks too fast and still believes in the romance of the Old South. A specialist in historical renovation, Dani Evans intends to restore Ironwood to its former glory while she rebuilds her life after the death of her mother. Death, hidden treasure, and falling in love with a murder suspect were not part of the plan. The lure of the infamous Ironwood treasure cache convinces Dani the skeleton is the key to unraveling the legend, and that the treasure itself is the motive for the murders. Cage is certain an old grudge is setting him up for murder, but the evidence against him is mounting and time is running out. Dani believes she can find the truth before Cage is arrested, but her search for answers will uncover a descent into madness that should have stayed buried.
____________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raised in southeastern Iowa, Stacy Green grew up watching crime shows with her parents, so her love of suspense and psychological thrillers is no surprise. She’s fascinated by the workings of the criminal mind and explores true crime on her popular Thriller Thursday posts at her blog, Twisted Minds and Dark Places.

After earning her degree in journalism, Stacy worked in advertising before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her miracle child. She rediscovered her love of writing and wrote several articles for a city magazine before penning her first novel. She shelved the long drama and began working on a suspense book set in Las Vegas, featuring a heroine on the edge of disaster, a tormented villain, and the city’s infamous storm drains that house hundreds of homeless. INTO THE DARK was published by MuseItUp Publishing in 2012.
Her Delta Crossroads Series, set in fictional Roselea, Mississippi, expertly weaves drama and suspense with a fitting dose of dry humor. TIN GOD (Delta Crossroads #1) was runner up for The Kindle Book Review’s 2013 Mystery/Thriller and an Amazon summer bestseller.
SKELETON’S KEY (Delta Crossroads #2), is a worthy follow up, delivering fast-paced suspense and the twisted ending Green is known for. The finale of the Delta Crossroads Series, ASH and BONE, will release in February 2014.

When she’s not writing, she spends all her time with her precocious daughter, supportive husband, and their three obnoxious but lovable canine children.

____________________________________________________________________

BOOK INFORMATION
Genres: Psychological thriller, suspense, murder, mystery, romance
Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Nook
Number of Pages: 343
Publishing date:  First edition October 28, 2013
Publishers: 
Stacy Green; 
  • ISBN-10: 0989137929
  • ISBN-13: 978-0989137928
Edition Language: English
Purchase links: Amazon USAmazon UKBarnes & Noble

____________________________________________________________________

No comments: