Dead Ringer is the second installment in the Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping and oh boy can I say I fell in love with this series again after reading the first installment. I knew automatically that Ledger and Abby were next in the series and they were going that have a bumpy ride in order for them to have their happily ever after. But that is not the only problem that they are going to have their brother has been found. I knew that the brothers were going to have a problem with believing that he came forward but only time would tell. Abby was finally going to make her move and leave Wade after years of physical and mental abuse when she ended up in the hospital. There were suspicions that she had not fell from the ladder like he said but until her memory came back she didn’t know the truth but she knew deep in her heart that he had hurt her again. Wade needed to keep a close eye on Abby because she overheard and saw what his father and him were planning to do. Now she knew she should have listened to Ledger to leave her husband but not only that she should have listened to her heart and believed in their love that he never would have cheated on her.

This story is full of suspense and twist and turns that I couldn’t keep up with what was unraveling. Not only that but who had helped the cook’s lover to kidnap the twins. I totally recommend this read along with the other books in this series.

Dead Ringer is the second installment in the Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping series but it's the first installment I've read, and I'm grateful that Ms. Daniels, whose Montana Hamilton's series I absolutely loved, thoughtfully provides a Cast of Characters summary at the beginning of this novel so that the reader isn't completely confused by the eight primary characters and their relationships to one another. Since this novel hits the ground running and doesn't let up, that list was helpful and much appreciated, and while this novel can be read as a standalone, I found myself wishing I'd read the first book in the series before this one, which gets a 4-star rating from this reviewer.

As the novel opens, we meet the heroine, Abby Pierce and her husband, Wade, as she wakes up in the hospital. They've been married for 3 years, and his abusive behavior began after the first year of their marriage, but Abby feels honor-bound to try to make it work. When Wade tells her that she fell from a ladder while getting jars for peach jam, even with a concussion Abby knows he's lying since peaches aren't even in season, and this isn't the first time he's beaten her. Their marriage is not a love match--she married Wade on the rebound when she was led to believe that the man she'd loved for years, Ledger McGraw, cheated on her, and both her lying mother and Wade's father, Huck, convinced her to move on and marry Wade. They had their reasons, and you'll eventually find out what they were later in the novel.

In addition, there are many mysteries to solve in this deftly and intricately plotted novel--the abduction and disappearance of the 6-month old McGraw twins, Oakley and Jesse Rose, 25 years earlier, which I'm sure was included in the first novel. This event apparently landed their mother in a sanitarium after she broke down and became completely catatonic. Their father, Travers McGraw, recently suffered a heart attack, and has now stepped up efforts to find his missing son and daughter, offering a $500,000 reward, and, suddenly there's Vance, a man claiming to be the missing male twin, but is he really?

What I especially liked about this novel is that you're never really sure who to trust, because there's clearly a revenge plot in the works. Wade believes that Abby is still carrying on with Ledger, and his jealously turns into violent rages with Abby as his target. His father, Huck, is also an abuser, and encourages Wade to treat Abby the same way. Huck also has a grudge against Travers McGraw, a grudge he's carried for decades, and he too wants retribution.

Ledger, who never stopped loving Abby, can only try to protect her, and frequently stops at the restaurant where she works just to see her, thereby convincing Wade that something's going on, and fueling his rage. Thankfully, this novel is written in the third person, and from different points of view, which allows us to better understand these characters and their motivations and feelings.

Then there's Abby's faulty memory, the result of two concussions. There's something she needs to remember about her supposed fall but can't, and after the second concussion and the sudden appearance of Vance, she feels as though she's met him before-- she doesn't trust him, but she can't recall why.

If this brief introduction to the novel sounds like there's a lot going on that's because there is, and it made this novel almost impossible to put down. Ms. Daniel's knows how to write suspense, and although she certainly kept the suspense going, at times I wished this novel had a bit more romance in it, but with so much happening to and between all these characters, in the end I found that I didn't miss the romance that much. And be forewarned--all the loose ends in this novel and not tied up neatly in a bow, there's still another missing twin to find, and another McGraw brother who's unattached. If you like intricately plotted mysteries and suspense with a touch of romance, I think you'll find this novel, and Dark Horse, the novel which preceded it, and, which I can't wait to read, as enjoyable as I did.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

“Just tell me she’s alive.”

Dead Ringer is the second suspenseful installment in B.J. Daniels’ Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping series. It can be read as a standalone if that is your preference, but you should know that the first book introduced the primary characters AND a major mystery plotline that will play out over the three books in this series. That said, the romance is self-contained in this book as is a danger plot and B.J. does seamlessly provide necessary historical information so newbies to the series will never feel lost.

In the first book, readers were introduced to the McGraw family consisting of the patriarch, Travers McGraw, his ex-wife residing in a sanitarium, and his three sons. Dark Horse featured the romance between one of the brothers and a true crime writer. Dead Ringer is the story of another of the brothers, Ledger McGraw, and a waitress, Abby Pierce. They had been a couple once, but their relationship was treacherously betrayed, and Abby married another, a Whitehorse deputy sheriff. The tale is told in the third person from multiple points-of-view allowing the reader to get into the heads of the major characters – both the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’.

Ledger McGraw is in love with a woman married to an abuser. He tortures himself by regularly having breakfast at the restaurant where she works. He has no idea how to rescue her from her husband’s clutches or how to make things right between them, but he’s not giving up…

Abby’s relationship with her husband is troubled. He is a jealous man and prone to violent outbursts. As the story opens, Abby wakes up in the hospital where she is recovering from an ‘accident’ that occurred at her home. She is also suffering from amnesia and, as her memory returns, she fears that her memories hold the key to multiple mysteries, but their return will also put her squarely in mortal peril.

An ample reward has been offered for any information regarding the whereabouts of the McGraw kids who were kidnapped twenty-five years ago. It appears that progress is being made towards solving the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question as a young man possessing an item that directly connects him to one of the missing children comes forth claiming to be Oakley McGraw. But, is he for real or is he a nefarious con man?

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Dead Ringer:

“The past is just that.”
---

“Please don’t take offense, but I want no part of this family or what comes with it.”
---

He sighed deeply, pain in his eyes. “What is it you’re running from? Is it me?”
---

“Where are you taking me?” Abby asked from the passenger seat of the pickup.

B.J. is a masterful storyteller and she is known for ingeniously intertwining multiple plot lines in her series. Dead Ringer is no exception. This story is primarily a suspenseful tale with the clean romance being a distant second. The story is well-written, fast-paced and action-packed with captivating characterization. Danger and deception are prevalent throughout. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys gripping western romantic suspense.

After reading Dark Horse, the first book in the series, I was eager to continue on with it. So I quickly dove into Dead Ringer. This is a very quick book to read, I got through it in a couple of hours.I found the flow of this story to be really good, smoothly going from one moment to another, which really helps to pull the reader fully into the story. The only downside is that I found the book didn’t stick with it. A couple of days after reading it, I had begun to forget big chunks of it. Which makes reviewing it a bit difficult but I will do my best.

One thing I do know if that I enjoyed this one more than the first book, despite the story of the book fading fairly quickly from my memory. I can’t say that the characters really stood out to me, as many of them had been introduced in Dark Horse and it was simply their turn to be in the lime light. It was the fast paced story that was the thing I enjoyed the most. From the moment you start reading, you are left wondering what will happen next and just how things will turn out, not just for the main characters but those who have smaller side rolls as well.

I did have one issue with the book, however I won’t do into too much detail so as to not spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. But there was one clue that should have been caught by pretty much every family member but wasn’t until the very end when a new and sudden element came into play. The only person who noticed it was the mother, who since she’s in a asylum couldn’t really put it into words, but her reaction should have clued in the others, especially her ex-husband who was there at the time.

Overall, this was a pretty good book. It’s just a shame that it didn’t stick with me. I will be continuing on with the rest of the series to see how the story ends. If you are looking for a quick and entertaining read, then this series might be for you.

This is book two for those of you just seeing this review and although this book is good on its own, it would be great if you'd check out the first book. Since I've read the previous book.

So tragedy struck when the McGraw twins were kidnapped many years ago. Assumed to be taken by the mother and so many years past little has been done.

Then in comes a guy claiming to be one of the missing twins with a item only one of the kids would have. The family is on the fence about this wondering if he who he claims to be. Meanwhile Abby on the other side is an abused women who is stuck with a bit of amnesia after what she is told about an accident. She's working on gaining back that memory but until then shes back with his husband and has a feeling that he she keeps staying with him, he just might kill her. Ledger loved Abby once and would do anything to help her.

You know what describing this book is hard without spoiling this book and I'm working on making this review spoiler free. But trust me when I say that I really loved this book. There was plenty going on. Wondering if that guy really was who he said he was. I loved getting his point of view for brief periods of the book. I also loved getting the point of view of the two main character Abby and Ledger, seeing what was going on in their side of the story as well as how they truly felt about each other. I wouldn't go around calling this book a romance because there was very little of it, and if you love a good clean book then this would be it for you. I Loved the character and the story line was really great and written well. Overall this book was pretty great and I'd highly recommend you lovely readers check out this book (But check out the previous first) . I look forwards to seeing what comes next for this family.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

B.J. Daniels is one of my favorite western/cozy authors. I always request her books and usually enjoy them. Even really good authors can have an off series and this one is hers. I didn't like the heroine, at all. She was just plain stupid.

The over-arching mystery of what happened to the McGraw twins who were kidnapped 25 years ago is a focus also in this book. No hope of finding out until Book #3 so this is tale of Ledger McGraw and the one who got away, (and really wished she hadn't) Abby Pierce.

Abby wakes up in the hospital with a concussion, bruised ribs and no memory of the preceding 24 hours. Her nasty of a husband, Wade, tells he she fell off a ladder, but even with no memory of the event, she knows that is a lie. Finally, Abby grows a spine and tells this piece of garbage to take a hike, but she knows that there is more to it than the fact he beat her, again.

Ledger loves Abby and is helpless seeing what Wade is doing to her but she won't leave and he has family problems of his own. Ledger's siblings, fraternal twins were kidnapped when they were six months old - twenty five years ago. It appears the boy has been found. His father is overjoyed but the three other brothers just aren't so sure. Now Abby is asking for his help and Ledger is going to do everything he can to make sure she stays with him, forever.

Abby Pierce and Ledger McGraw have a history. Abby is a battered wife and this time she was nearly killed because of something she overheard. Ledger comes to her rescue. Abby's secret and the return of one of the kidnapped McGraw twins are the two elements that drive the story. Along the way both arrive at their HEA. There is still a mystery to be solved and one McGraw brother left to get an HEA. A nice story with predictable action but fun to read.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Dead Ringer is the second installment in BJ Daniels Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping mini-series. To keep the overarching story moving, one of the twins has been found. As this is Whitehorse, things are not necessarily as they seem. In many ways, this is Abby’s story. Yes, Ledger is there to support her, but it is really about her learning to move on after being in a toxic situation and the victim of domestic abuse. At the same time, this is the story of finding the twins and how they would be reintegrated into the lives of all the McGraws. Daniels keeps the action moving and the focus on the suspense. The ending is somewhat of a surprise. I’m invested in this series and can’t wait to see how Daniels wraps it up.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

Second in the McGraw kidnapping series. Lots of new clues, mystery and a rekindling of an old romance.
Will have to wait for the third book to find out the conclusion.


Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

A great addition to the series. Lots of intrigue and mystery with a little romance thrown in. A great read.

Once again B.J. Daniels reminds her fans why she is a go to crime author – no word is superfluous. In DEAD RINGER B.J. Daniels weaves an intricate crime story complete with spot on dialogue of some really intriguing characters. DEAD RINGER never lets you become complacent. Should always be prepared for an unexpected twist that when thought through actually makes sense. So how come you didn’t see that one coming.

Book number two in this series is DEAD RINGER that began with DARK HORSE and seems to give us the first sign on hope that at least one of those kidnapped twins is alive and well and has actually come forth with a crucial piece of evidence of their identity.

Travers McGraw is pretty much desperate for any new about his missing son and daughter. They would now be twenty five year old adults and probably with lives of their own.

The older McGraw children have had issues with their own lives. It has taken an enormous toll on each of the three older brothers. The fact that their mother has been institutionalized since the twin’s disappearance leaves a gaping hole. Their father has remarried the twins’ nanny Patricia who on many levels also bears suspicion. So it’s no wonder that the brothers have been somewhat reluctant to move on with lives of their own. They have gathered all their strength and love around their father Travers and would move heaven and earth to find those twins if at all feasible.

Ledger McGraw has had to let his own love life hang by a fragile thread. His girlfriend Abby is now married. Her husband is an angry abusive man who happens to be a deputy sheriff. Not a good combination. Abby firmly believes her husband needs her and refuses to accept the fact that one of these days she will suffer injuries that might kill her. In the past few months it has become apparent that Abby can no longer hide her bruises. These beatings have landed her in the hospital and has captured the attention of several people most notably Ledger. Just what the McGraw family needs. But there is no way Ledger can turn a blind eye on what is happening to the woman he has loved all these years. He stayed apart with respect to her marriage but now the line has become blurred. Abby’s life is in danger. She needs an intervention. The McGraw’s are an amazing close family who will willingly close ranks around Ledger’s goals even though they are still trying to come to grips with the possibility that they may have finally found at least one of the missing twins. Could the young man be the missing son Oakley? Can they trust his story even if he did provide a crucial clue?

Okay we’re on the right track now. B.J. Daniels is hinting that the twins may indeed be alive after all these years. But proving the identity of those that come forth is a difficult task. In DEAD RINGER B.J. Daniels keeps reminding us that we must carefully check out any hints or clues regardless of how impelling they are. And even if we do finally figure out the fate of Oakley McGraw there is still the matter of his twin Jesse Rose. Whatever has happened to Jesse Rose? Stay tuned for part three.

If you're reading this book hoping for a good romance, you won't get it here. If you're reading this book for the Intrigue part, it's not bad at all. The mystery is the focus of this novel and it keeps me entertained. I do like the characters and enjoy the interaction of the brothers and the core of the mystery of their siblings having been kidnapped 25 years ago. What I don't like is that this book tries to pass itself off as a romance book as well, and it's just not. There's no romance here. Just "oh, I married the wrong man ten years ago" and "oh, I forgive you and let's get married forever." No working through of all the issues that must be a part of their relationship. Nope, after living with an abusive husband for years, she just decides to move out, lets her new/old boyfriend move her into his house, and that's it. Despite my complete annoyance with the romance, it's still a good mystery and I'm looking forward to reading the last book in this series.

Worse than book one of the series. Honestly, my hope is that someone else wrote this because I can't believe BJ Daniels would pen this mess.

The cook, again? And the mom, husband, and father-in-law, as well as the "dead ringer" are all culprits. It's a silly book that ceased being amusing.

I love this series. Always a good read from B J Daniels.

This is not my favorite series of books by B J Daniels but I did enjoy them. They seemed to drag in places. I usually love her books so was a little disappointed in this series