ASTTD was good in the beginning, but the narration lost its suspense after the first few chapters. I became a slow read.

This book had me caring about the characters and what would happen to them until the end. It was different a different type of book for me, not so much a scary thriller but more of a story about a person born into a circumstance that she had the strength to endure, and another that was forced to enter a world beyond her comprehension

Deep in Central New York in village ruled by a crime family, Marly escaped her stepfather and his father, but she is nowhere to escaping their grasp. When some bodies turn up almost fifteen years later, Marly's story will slowly start to unravel.

I found the story of Marly quite interesting, and also the murder mystery itself was quite nice. I thought I had figured it out quite early on, but some questions remained unanswered for some time. All female characters, both good and evil, were particularly strong characters. In the end, I thought the conclusion came a bit quick compared to the rest of the story, but all in all it was a very nice mystery book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is a well written crime drama debut that is hard to believe this is the author's first novel and hopefully not her last.

Once upon a time, she had been a listener in the snow, savoring life in a frozen landscape. Now she had grown up. She cried for her father, who had never had a chance, and for her mother, who had no inner compass to guide them out of harms way. Vicious human nature had robbed Marly of her place in this world and made her hate this lovely valley that had both molded her and driven her away.

What are you capable of when defending your family? Marly Shaw lives in upstate New York with her mother and stepfather. A quaint town of Charon Springs with a mafia style family war that represents the likes of Deliverance. Marly a senior in high school is counting the days to escape her town and those that oppress her. Her step father is part of the problem, and when she over hears a threat, she knows that her time has become limited. She does not take the threat lying down but fights back, always keeping ahead of any and all threats. When the attempt on her life fails with her crazy family members, she takes from the family the key that holds wealth and freedom. The secret is holding on to it when she is under the suspicion of Rosie the family matriarch who is about control and punishing. Rosie is about to punish.

Marly knows she cannot fight the family alone, and receives help from a once known enemy. Together, the forge their way from the small town to California only to have their small town come back to them years later in the discovery of bones in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California . Detectives Vanessa Alba and her partner, Jack Wong, go on search to find out why a mother and son from Charon Springs remains would be so far from home. Why were they killed and who killed them.

The narration is done with two perspectives. One with Marly and her quest for freedom and the other with Detective Alba who is determined to leave no stone unturned.

A character driven plot that kept me engaged and wanting to fight alongside Marly to escape the life of fear in living in Charon Springs. Her determination and grit was winsome and her wisdom of others was one of integrity.

A Special Thank You to Kensington and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This was a terrific debut by Bickford, who has written a complex and tangled tale of murder, dysfunction, and power. On the other hand, she's also created two detectives- Vanessa and Jack- who are not cowed by any of that. This is a dark book in spots but it's leavened by some humor (not much but some). A very well done, well written mystery that's a real page turner. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC- I'm really looking forward to whatever Bickford writes next!

A terrifying page turner! When you can't trust your family who CAN you trust.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Well, once again I am definitely in the minority in my review. Everyone seems to think this was a 4 or 5 star read. I found it interesting, the characters were well-developed, and the main character, Marley, shows a lot of ingenuity. The story is told from two perspectives, Marley’s through the years, and a detective’s present point of view. Marley’s step-family is deep into corruption in a small town, and Marley is hunted for what they think she might know. Without giving anything away, Marley escapes but is continuously chased by her step-family and later two detectives.

The story was predictable and didn’t hold much surprise. I think if you are looking for real thrills and suspense, there are better books out there. In addition, there were so many characters it was hard to keep track of who was who. This made the beginning of the story hard to follow, which is unfortunate because that’s where most of the action takes place. There are a lot of dysfunctional families and an ineffective police force to keep her on her toes, yet there is a happy ending. It’s a solid book, yet it’s a bit formulaic without a lot of surprises along the way.

Marly has grown up NY state in her hideously dysfunctional family, with various "uncles"/stepfathers from the notorious Harris clan. Her mother is generally too drunk to care what happens to Marly or her sister.
The story begins with Marly realising the Harrises are after her. Having witnessed what they've done to other family members, she knows she has to get away. From here the story jumps between Marly's story and an investigation into the deaths of 2 of the Harris clan. Was Marly involved, and if so, how?
A really enjoyable read. I'd love to meet Detectives Alba and Wong in another book.

This was a great read!! Very drawn into the story...hard to put down!

A fast-paced thriller, focusing on the character of teenager, Marly Shaw and her rather complicated home-life and extended family. With action from the first page and a clear sense of mystery infusing each page, the story rushes headlong to its ultimate conclusion, helped by several twists and turns along the way.
The dual narrative is presented by both Marly on the one side and Santa Clara County Sheriff's Detective Vanessa Alba on the other, who, together with her partner, Jack Wong is sent to investigate a mystery which ultimately leads to Marly and her hidden secrets, ones she has tried to keep hidden for thirteen years.
Marly is an engaging character, one who faces much adversity and has obstacles to overcome that might seem insurmountable, yet somehow she keeps fighting. The author has painted her characters well and provides an interesting and developed plot For those who like a murder mystery with a furious pace, this is a must read.

I was given the opportunity to read an electronic copy of A Short Time to Die. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Marly Shaw was looking to get a ride home from her stepfather Del Harris, but the situation goes from bad to worse quickly. When Del and his father start shooting at Marly, the ensuing chase lands her into a life and death situation. In the aftermath, with no choice but to head home to her mom, sister, and sister's children, will Marly be able to keep the deadly secret of her fateful night? Will Marly's fear of retaliation come true?

13 years later, an investigation by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department into the identity of some bones found near a cliff brings them to Charon Springs and the Harris clan. Will the search for the truth bring trouble to the California sheriffs?

I am not usually a big fan of huge time shifts in a story, but it was a good way for the author to slowly unspool the thread of the past to the present. A Short Time To Die features a great main character in Marly Shaw, as her strength, perseverance, ingenuity, and loyalty to those she holds dear help make her interesting. This was really not a book about the destination, but about the journey. While the detectives unfold the story, the reader is taken along for the ride. I would recommend A Short Time To Die to readers who enjoy thrillers and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

In this electrifying thriller, two women from opposite sides of the country find their lives inextricably bound by blood, by fear, and by a merciless, murderous revenge . . .


Walking home from a dance on a foggy autumn night in rural New York, Marly Shaw sees a flash of approaching headlights. A pickup truck stops and two men get out. One of them is her stepfather. She runs. They follow. Minutes later, gunshots ring out. Two men are dead, and one terrified girl is running for the rest of her life . . .


Thirteen years later, human bones are discovered in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California.
DNA tests reveal they belong to a mother and son from Central New York. Both have criminal records. Assault. Involuntary manslaughter. Maybe more. Santa Clara County Sheriff Detective Vanessa Alba wants to know how these backwater felons ended up so far from home.


Vanessa and her partner, Jack Wong, head to the icy terrain of the Finger Lakes to uncover the secrets of a powerful family whose crimes are too horrifying to comprehend. Whose grip over a frightened community is too strong to break. And whose twisted ideas of blood and honor are a neverending nightmare for the one family member who thought she got away . . ."



* * * * *



Wow! I am still trying to come up with the words to describe this book. It has to be one of the more unusual books that I have ever read. And one that will suck you in from the very first scene.



This book focuses on two women, Detective Vanessa Alba and Marly Shaw. Vanessa is investigating the discovery of two sets of bones that were discovered in California in 2013. Marley is trying to overcome her past and provide safety for herself and her family. Her story begins back in 2000 in a tiny town in New York.


In Charon Springs, everything depends on who you are and who you are related too. It's a poor town known locally for its crime and brutality to the extent that even the police are afraid to get on the wrong side of the reigning Harris family. Marly has dreams of escaping to college if she survives that long. I will admit to being horrified at the things the Harris family was able to get away with.


In an attempt to find out just why the bones of a couple of the members of the Harris family was found in California, Vanessa and her partner travel to Charon Springs. They uncover bits and pieces of what Marly went through to survive.


Incredible writing! Each page is inundated with a sense of dread and horror which will have the reader shuddering while crossing their fingers for Marly. And for Vanessa as she feels rather threatened when she is investigating in New York. It's hard to believe that there are still places like Charon Springs in this century while at the same time, it all too easy to see these events occurring. That both saddens and enrages me. No one should go through what Marly and others did just to live let alone thrive.


I really recommend A SHORT TIME TO DIE to any of my readers who enjoy suspense. There are scenes of violence against both adults and children so be forewarned.


*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

This book will truly highlight the power that can damage when evil is on control. The plot had so many great characters and turns it is hard to pick a favorite. Any psychological thriller fan will enjoy this book.

This book fell flat for me. It needs a shot of adrenaline. Boring.

So this one was a little unusual. Unsure as to whether it was for me or not, after a few chapters it had drawn me in and held me for its duration.

Marly Shaw is a teenager in a small town in rural New York. On her way home from a dance, she is chased by her stepfather and his father, Del and Zeke Harris. Part of the Harris family, the family that have ruled and terrorised Charon Springs for as long as people can remember.

The chase ends with the two men dead and Marly terrified for her life as she plans her escape once and for all from Charon Springs.

Fast forward to present day and two bodies are found on the other side of the country in California. Detective Vanessa Alba is put in charge of the investigation, an investigation that leads her to Charon Springs as she tries to dig up the sordid details of the past and figure out who the victims are what happened that ultimately lead to their death.

This book had quite a different tone to it than many Ive read lately. Although it's a police procedural in a way, a genre that I've read plenty of and it uses a familiar vehicle to flesh out the story - the story being told both in the past and in the present, it just feels like you are reading something different. There were few if any"oh my god" or "wow the tension and pace is really ramping up now" moments but had a calmness and patience with itself about telling the story.

I found it a little confusing at first as there is quite a list of characters to come to grips with, especially in the Harris clan and I wasn't sure I wasn't going to be able to keep track but there are subtle reminders of who minor characters are throughout the book without being "this person is the one who earlier....dummy," clunky reminders.

It's a weird one because, it's an average size book but there is loads going on and a lot to get through in the story but it never feels rushed and is always telling it story in its own time. Great credit to the author for that.

The story, once you get to grips with it(I went in totally blind) is really interesting and as it played out I never found my interest waning in any way. It's a story of small town mobism, abuse, revenge,escape, defying the odds, love, all wrapped up in a police procedural.

I have to say I really enjoyed it. I feel like I've read something out of the ordinary and different even though the subject matter is very familiar to my reading tastes. An author to watch out for I think. Already a very distinctive writing style I'd have no hesitation in recommending this.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Kensington Books and Susan Alice Bickford for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another sleepless night!

The remains of two bodies have been washed out of the mountains (most likely the Santa Cruz Mountains) into Santa Clara County and the police are investigating. Specifically Detective Vanessa Alba and Detective Jackson Wong.
The bones are four or five years old. A DNA FBI data base search confirms that the bones belong to a Louise and Troy Rasmussen, a mother and son, part of the Harris clan.
Their investigations lead them back into 'them thar' hills to Charon Springs, New York, home of the clan. As the Chief of Police of Avalon says, 'the Harrises have been a malicious disease in this area for as long as [his] grandparents can remember.'
The officers and we are soon caught up in the vicious entanglement of a lawless family that ruined people's lives and ruled their small bit of turf in the mountains with an unpredictable and ferocious iron fist.
The central character is Marly Shaw. It's through her eyes that we become engaged with this dysfunctional community and its various layers. The action switches between past and present. Marly in her last years at high school and the present investigation by two police officers. I have to admit that I was glued to this story with its unexpected twists. Sleeping ran a bad last.

A NetGalley ARC
(January 2017)

This book needed more character development. The middle was slow, and I found the ending to be predictable. Still, I reccommend this to fans of Paula Hawkins.

Bickford creates a roller coaster ride of suspense akin to a Hitchcock film, with adrenaline-pumping action and psychological warfare.

**This review will post to my book blog at www.myinterdimensionalchaos.blogspot.com on January 26th. I will add a link to the blog post when it goes live. The review has already been posted to Goodreads.**

The Harris clan controls Charon Springs, New York. Anyone who crosses them ends up beaten or dead. In 2000, Marly Shaw is attacked by her step-father Del Harris and his father, Zeke. The event is terrifying and at the end, Del and Zeke are dead. Marly runs from her hometown knowing the Harris clan will find out the two men are dead and blame her, even though it was not her fault. She thinks she has escaped, but nobody ever really escapes the Harris family.

Flash ahead to 2013. Two members of the Harris clan are found dead in California. Detectives Vanessa Alba and Jack Wong are on the case to discover what happened. They travel to Charon Springs, discovering the power of the Harris family and Marly's story. Vanessa and Marly finally meet at the thrilling end of the story.

The story is fast-paced, exciting and filled with strong female characters, good and bad. The tension builds at a steady pace til it hits the thrilling end. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I wanted to find out what was going to happen!

A Short Time to Die will be released by Kensington on January 31st. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers or police procedurals. Such an exciting story!

This is Susan Alice Bickford's first novel. For more information on the author, check out her website at www.susanalicebickford.com

**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**