The story is written in the background of the clan of Irish Travellers who are thought to be gypsies and are looked upon by the local people. Many have settled in America for generations and are frequently discriminated against. I liked the fact that the author explains this in the foreword.
Brynn returns back from the war along with her canine friend, Wilco to her grandmother's, when Wilco finds a dead woman. Brynn is torn between her clan and the other settled people till she finds out that the dead woman is her mother who was thought to be dead 29 years ago. The story progresses with another dead woman and ends till the murders are solved.
The author, Susan Furlong, has taken a tough subject of PTSD and flashbacks, and both Brynn and Wilco suffer from it. It is heartbreaking to see both of them suffer through their episodes.
There is something about the main character, Brynn that touches me and I somehow identify with her. A woman wounded with emotional scars, and in Brynn's case, physical ones too, trying to survive, coming back to the land of living, is so admirable. It speaks of great strength and fortitude. She has her flaws, she drinks too much and takes prescribed medication more than required. But she does allow her dented heart to shine and help the Sheriff Pusser to solve the murder.
Brynn is caught between her police training in the Marines and the rules of her clan. There is always an inner dialogue. Faced with outwards discrimination by the other local people and inner condemn by her own clan people, Brynn has to maintain a balance throughout the story. Her inner turmoil jumps through the pages.
Each character in this book, be it be the grandmother, the dead mother, the grandfather, Brynn's past love, they all have an excuse, an explanation for their actions. And none of them are in favor of Bryn. Everyone lies to her. I found all of them pretty selfish. I didn't like any of them. Things people do in the name of love...
There are few niggles; sometimes I felt that Brynn's ruminations go on and on, for pages. I wanted more of the story. But this being the first book in the series, I think the author Susan wanted to create a background for her main character.
My first book by author Susan Furlong, the reason this book attracted me is the blurb of Brynn and her best friend and partner, her cadaver dog, Wilco, who is loyal and loving. And both of them somehow, in the land of brash, lying characters just captured my heart.

Kindle Copy for Review

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Former Marine MP Brynn Callahan returns home after an IED explosion still suffering from PTSD. L
iving near her grandparents who raised her due to her mom drug and whoring habits in a tight gyspy community. She left home after being rape and grandparents not believing her before she end up join the military.

When she and her cadaver dog finds a body in the woods, will end up putting her life in danger as more bodies will be found. The body turns out to be more personal as her past will come to light. What really happen to her mother after all this time and who killed her?

A gripping read that is full of secrets that will come to light but will not be totally answered. What more secrets will be unearthed?