This is the follow up book to Thief of All Light (TOAL) and for me it wasn't as good, but that's not to say it wasn't good.

I'm usually not a fan of alternating between past and present although I do understand why it was done this way and we definately have a better understanding of certain events and characters.

Carrie, Jacob, and Harv (well, he's not a favorite of mine!!) are back at it. There's something for everyone...murder, rape, twists/turns, old friends, and new friends, and of course old cases being solved.

I love how Carrie and Jacob just fit and I'm hoping for a new beginning for Jacob.

I received a copy from Netgalley for an honest opinion.

#netgalley #bernardschaffer #unsettledgrave #carrieandjacob

Review of advance reader eBook

Carrie Santero, a detective with the District Attorney’s office, is used to receiving phone calls at all hours. Sent to investigate a savage rape, she soon finds herself caught up in a cold case involving a young girl missing for some thirty years, a police officer’s murder, and a police chief’s suicide. Will her investigation finally uncover the hidden truth?

Readers are likely to find this dark and gritty follow-up to “The Thief of All Light” difficult to set aside before turning the final page. Chapters set in the past tell Jacob Rein’s backstory and provide insight for readers while chapters in the present focus on Carrie’s investigation. The plot is complex, with secrets and lies woven into the tapestry of the narrative; unexpected revelations take the story in unexpected directions.

Well-crafted and populated with believable characters [although several are unlikable], readers who enjoyed the earlier “The Thief of All Light” will recognize some returning characters in this Santero and Rein thriller. The intricately-layered story keeps the reader guessing as the story unfolds; unfortunately, a much-overused and offensive expletive mars an otherwise intriguing, spot-on narrative.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Kensington Books and NetGalley
#AnUnsettledGrave #Net Galley

5 fabulous stars. I loved everything about this book from beginning to end. When the remains of a little girl are found, she is believed to be Hope Pugh who disappeared thirty years ago. This story alternates between when the girl disappeared and the present investigation into her death. The book flowed brilliantly and there was never a dull moment. I thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Carrie Santero is a tough, hard-working, female cop, moving up in the ranks as she serves and protects. When she is brought in to help out with a rape case, she finds herself involved in a much bigger crime: a cold-case murder. With her strong desire to see justice done, and with some help from her friend Jacob, she does everything possible, including almost setting a hotel room on fire, to unlock to mystery of what happened to little Hope Pugh back in 1981.

Bernard Schaffer does a great job interweaving the past with the present to create a complete and eventful story. The characters are easily liked (and disliked), and many are very sympathetic, especially Jacob. He is my favorite, hands down. Overall I enjoyed An Unsettled Grave; this won’t be the last book by Bernard Schaffer that I read.

Thank you to Bernard Schaffer and NetGalley for a digital arc of An Unsettled Grave in exchange for an honest review.

I read as a standalone book, and thought it was very well written and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was easy to like the characters and leaves you wishing for more! Great detail was out into each character. I read this book in a sitting and glad I had time to sit because it would've been a hard book to leave! Thank you Kensington publishing and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Once you start this book do not plan to do anything else except read. This was an ARC from the author and NetGalley and I just loved it. Believe the hype. I love detective stories and this one starts with a woman getting stopped by a police car (or is it?) and being attacked; then there is Hope Pugh who went missing, then a suicide (or was it?) and then there is a town that completely throws me off since you don't know who to trust...even the police.

There are so many characters and they intertwine with each other. And then there's Det. Santero who will straighten it all out for us. Because secrets are not forever. Release date coming July 30, 2019; place on your TBR list now.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I didn't read the first in the series but seeing that this would be fine as a standalone I gave it a go. The writing style, characters, plot, everything was great! I loved it and not reading the first in the series didn't hinder my experience at all. I will be reading the first book and other books from this author in the future!

An Unsettled Grave is a great thriller that I could not put down. It is the second in the series,but it could be a standalone. Wonderful characters and writing.

I will review this book on Amazon on July 30, 2019

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.
This is my second book by Bernard Schaffer that I have read. Although they are both stand alone they do use the many of the same characters. This author does such an amazing job of weaving a storyline. The growth of Carrie moves forward by leaps and bounds in this book. I love watching Jacob, making strides also in his life. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I have not read the first book in the series, but that was not a problem at all. This is a stand alone and let me tell you it STANDS ALONE, in the best possible way ever. 

The story is told in alternating timelines between the present and the past, with multiple character perspectives which I really enjoyed.  The past story from some 30 years ago was so  engaging I couldn't put this book down. If your looking for a short read, this isn't it. The plot is well developed with intricate multi layered story lines. 

The characters are well developed, complicated and some are likeable and some are not, which fits perfect into this genre. 

I really enjoyed An Unsettled Grave

Carrie Santero learned about what makes a killer tick in a trial by fire. Her mentor, Jacob Rein, is a man with the unique “gift” of getting inside the minds of the worst, most sadistic killers in the country and Carrie has learned well. Now a detective, Carrie is looking into long forgotten disappearance that ended in murder and suicide. Rein, though has never forgotten the case, he’s been looking for answers for thirty years. But the answers when they come, will be devastating. Schaffer was a cop, and it shows in his work. He knows the lingo, the procedures and how bureaucracy works. He also knows the anger, fear, boredom and desperation every cop has to deal with. An outstanding read that should make the author a well known name