An awesome read full of secrets and lies that the bitter truth will come out in the end. Not what you expect in a little town of Lost Trails, Montana, when they find the town matriarch, Lacy Stillman dead in her bed from a presumed heart attack. Zach, the town dispatcher for the local sheriff office wonders if there is more to the death of Lacy.
Tiff, has returned home to help with the care of her mother with her aunt but soon family secrets to come out , as someone is forcing Tiff to leave town.

A great cast of characters that I was fully engaged with. Lots of family drama. Plus , I'm rooting for a few budding romances that are developing. This is the second book in the series, that can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend that you read the first book too.

I have read C.J. Carmichael’s romance stories, enjoying each and every one. However, I had not read any of this series of mysteries. Bitter Truth stood well on its own without me having read the first book, Bitter Roots. Now I want to read it, of course. The Lost Trail community in Montana is like most small-towns there is the good, the bad and the hidden evil. I enjoyed reading the story immensely, trying to find the missing pieces along with Zak Waller.

The plot just flows bringing the reader into the story so that I was trying to figure it all out along with Zak Waller. I especially liked this character, one that is in a position that is often overlooked; usually only a supporting character. Several other important characters in this story that switches between subplots but nicely all tied together in the end. This is a mystery with a hint of romance, but I was surprised, not unhappily but surprised nonetheless as to how it all played out.

There are a lot of secrets in the town of Lost Trails, Montana. But when Lacy Stillman is discovered dead in her bed, Zak Waller, dispatcher for the local Sheriff’s Office, doesn’t believe Lacy died from natural causes like everyone is being told. He sets out to discover the truth and finds a lot more than he expected.

Zak’s friend Tiff Masterson has returned to Lost Trails after a breakup with her boyfriend. She is back living at home and helping her aunt take care of her mother. But it seems someone is trying to force Tiff to leave town again. A family secret is also revealed which surprises everyone in town.

I was fully engaged in this story as soon as I started reading it. There were a lot of twists and turns that took me by surprise. Even though this book can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading Bitter Roots first. It will give you more of a background on all of the characters. If you enjoy a good mystery, I would recommend this book.

Bitter Truth is the second book in the Bitter Root Mystery series written by author C. J. Carmichael. Excellent plot, storyline and characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the advance copy.

Bitter Truth by CJ Carmichael
Book Two of the Bitter Root series MYSTERY
Murder in a small town is always personal.
In the isolated ranching community of Lost Trails, Montana, Lacy Stillman, a rich elderly rancher has died of a heart attack in her own bed. What could be more normal than that? As Zak Waller, dispatcher with the local Sheriff’s Office, joins the town in mourning the loss of the community matriarch, some disquieting information makes Zak wonder if Lacy’s death was not what it seemed.
Meanwhile, Zak’s friend Tiff Masterson is overwhelmed by her mother’s escalating mental breakdown and her aunt’s stubborn denial of the problem. Tiff assumes the root of the problem is the death of her brother and father sixteen-years-ago. But the real atrocity goes back much further than that.
When the truth is revealed in a shocking twist, Tiff’s world is turned completely upside down. The ramifications affect many of the most prominent citizens and provide the missing clue to Lacy Stillman’s murder.
this is Zak Waller and Tiff Masterson’s story.
Tiff knowing her aunt was visiting friends in Hamilton and her mother rarely answered the phone Tiff dash to the kitchen. the phone for the third time. want me to get that? Tiff asked.
I wanted to let your mom know Lacy Stillman died in her sleep last night Sybil said.
Zak was at the coffee machine when the call came in on the Lost Trail, Montana, emergency line, three days before Thanksgiving.
As dispatcher, he was used to being treated like low man on the totem pole by Sheriff Ford and Deputy Butterfield.
And Zak Waller wasn’t your typical dispatcher.
Zak abandoned his mug and leapt over a box of evidence from their last big case to grab the phone. “You’ve reached 911, what’s your emergency?” He grabbed his notepad and pen, ready for whatever was to come.
Was Lacy Stillman’s death not what it seemed? read this book to find out.
I highly recommend reading.
Bitter Truth by CJ Carmichael is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
I am looking forward to reading Bitter End Bitter Root mysteries series Book 3 by CJ Carmichael.

CJ's Books with Tule:
Promise Me, Cowboy
Carrigans of the Circle C
The 75th Copper Mountain Rodeo


Good Together
Carrigans of the Circle C


Close to Her Heart
Carrigans of the Circle C


Snowbound in Montana
Carrigans of the Circle C


A Cowgirl’s Christmas
Carrigans of the Circle C

Writing the Bestseller: Romantic and Commercial Fiction
Non-Fiction


Writing the Bestseller II: Romantic and Commercial Fiction
Non-Fiction


A Bramble House Christmas
Carrigans of the Circle C

Bitter Truth by C.J. Carmichael, book two of the Bitter Roots Mysteries series. I really enjoyed this story. It had me thinking of what was happening the whole time I was reading it. Really pulled me in with the great characters from the previous book and the storyline. I can't wait to see what is up next in this series.

LET ME FIGURE OUT WHAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT C.J. Carmichael's "Bitter Truth". Hummm...? Well not anything to mention here. NOW WHAT DID I LIKE ABOUT THIS MYSTERY? It was a stand-alone which was good since I had not read Bitter Root#1. The characters were amazing and interesting even the murder victim Lacy who died at the beginning of the book. There was family drama times three to keep the pages turning. Budding romances that were just that; not yet blooming but being pollinated. Past events never really going away but getting the dusty attic box opened to the light. Has the cat, the dog, adorable preschool girls and hay rides. Great holiday novel that takes place from Thanksgiving through the end of the year in a small community. Had a wealth of town folks to keep track of but as the mystery progressed everyone had their place and key roll to play. Did not end on a cliff hanger but did leave some crumbs to follow into the next book. "A copy of this book was provided by Tule Publishing via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." This is a great narrative not to miss.