Deadly Echoes

GIVEAWAY

MEHL, NANCY
DEADLY ECHOES

After years of upheaval, Sarah Miller’s life is finally settled with all echoes of the past stilled and silent at last. She spends her time teaching the children of Sanctuary, a town she is happy to call home.

When the sister Sarah hasn’t seen in years reappears, it stirs up hard memories of the past and their parents’ murder. Even so, Sarah’s joy at being reunited with Hannah and meeting the niece she didn’t know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed.

As Sarah learns more about Hannah’s death, the circumstances seem eerily similar to her parents’ death. She enlists Paul’s help in digging deeper into these murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul’s concern encourages Sarah’s growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one man will do anything to hide–even if he must do away with the last remaining members of the Miller family.

My Review:

The kind of read that will leave you breathless. Mehl is such a skilled master of her craft. She's a 'don't think twice' author purchase for me. I don't even bother reading the back description because I know the quality and enjoyment that will be in each book. And Deadly Echoes is no exception.

The read was made all the more intimate because Mehl tells the story through Sarah's viewpoint in first person narrative. I was immediately immersed in her world, felt her pain and fear and insecurity. There's a steel rod of strength buried deep within Sarah though, and she begins to discover it over the course of the story.

Once again Mehl captured my suspense loving attention -- that woman sure knows how to spin a compelling mystery!. The foreshadowing was ominous in places. I caught on right away, sometimes even before Sarah did but other times I had my light bulb moment after the fact. Made for a page-turning read.

This author's other strength is the way she creates a community of characters you love -- or love to hate. :-) She humanizes them all until they come to life and become part of yours. Love the balance between the Old Order Mennonites and the rest of the town. And I love how everyone rallies around Sarah and her niece. Mehl doesn't 'pretty up' the aftermath of Hannah's murder and it's effect on both Sarah and Cicely. The dynamics between aunt and niece are complicated. They struggle to find their way into relationship with each other. Such a raw and tender story of renewal and hope in the aftermath of tragedy.

And lets not forget the friendship turned romance between Sarah and Paul. So fragile and hesitant. Their halting steps forward brought some gentle relief from all the murder and mayhem. Over all, an astounding book from an equally astounding author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Deadly Echoes please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!