Cover Image: Hands Across The Grave

Hands Across The Grave

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Member Reviews

Thanks to Donna Lear and NetGalley for the ARC of Hands Across the Grave..
A story which could have been more enjoyable with more developmental input. It was short and written in short rather staccato sentences. Ms Lears writing is very much to the point which unfortunately does not make the most of the drama that could have been built on.

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If there was such a thing as a cozy thriller, (cozy mystery style), this book would be it. At least, I don’t think there is such a thing as a cozy thriller.

Hands Across the Grave was a light weight thriller with sophomoric writing. The story itself was ok. If there had been more substance to the mystery and characters in the book, I think the book could have been quite good. But as it is, it just came across as lacking.

Thank you to NetGalley and Donna Kolling Lear for the opportunity to review this ⭐️⭐️⭐️ book.

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This is 1000% what a who done it should be. There is a multigenerational cast of characters, with back story enough to suspect them all. How can a retiree have his house busted into after his daughter and husband go missing, and he happen to be gone? There is so much to this story, I read it in a single sitting. I couldn't put it down. You won't be able to either. Put on your sleuthing cap, and give this book a read.

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”Hand across the Grave” was a great read! After the first chapter, I knew it was going to get good! James Riley is retiring after being with the FBI for twenty-seven years, his wife planned a surprise party. His daughter Clair and her husband come across country to be at the party, and announce they plan on moving back. The celebration is short lived when Claire and her husband go missing during their walk. The retirement is short lived at least until James can get his daughter back. It was well written and had some unexpected twist!

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Okay, so first off, let's talk about the writing...
I honestly found it amateurish. Short, sharp sentences, overuse of people's names, over explaining things that didn't need it and repeating a lot of what had previously been said. It made the story seem quite choppy with the stopping and starting, rather than having a nice flow when reading.
As for the story itself, it could have been so much better. It was a very short, very quickly read. I felt like there was too much going on at once and honestly it all felt a bit rushed.
I'm sorry, but I really didn't enjoy this one.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this.

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Although, this book was a light read I could not finish. The writing was fine but I jist don't like kidnapping storylines. They freak me out.
For that alone reason I could not finish. I read 3/4 of it only, but that does not mean you would not like it.

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Not a bad story - but quite a terse read. It all happens very quickly, with no spare words - ideal if you want to get to the end, but a little more character fleshing out would have been nice.

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a relatively short book and reads quickly. Donna Kolling Lear doesn’t waste time on pointless details and instead gives the reader just enough information about where, who, and when, before cracking on with the plot (which is intricate!). If you’re looking for a murder mystery that focuses on the mechanics of the mystery rather than the sights, sounds, and emotional feels, this is the book for you. It would make a great travel companion

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This was really good I loved it. A kidnapping that has alot more to it. Lies,revenge and more lies just what a fellow want when he Retires.

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Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.5 Hearts So I was expecting something a bit more well spooky. But that is not what this is about. And because it is so short I was ok with it.

I actually liked the characters. I would say that the author should consider adding to this book and making it more of a novel than the novella it feels like.

Because it is short, I don’t want to give much away, but the suspense was written really well.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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This is a relatively short book to contain so much. I wondered, as I reads if characters, situations and events could have been developed more fully if it was longer. However, I accepted what there was. I was not sure if this would be a creepy book, like one reviewer, based on the cover, but it turned out to be a regular detective story, and a fairly good one at that. Retirement is supposed to be the time in life when things slow down, why you move away from the everyday trials and tribulations. However, for FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge James Riley and his wife Meg, retirement becomes anything but as a series of kidnappings that involve his family suddenly appear. As a consequence, James and his friends form the agency investigate a series of kidnappings and murders to keep everyone safe from those seeking revenge.

As I said, this is a rather short book, that does not allow the reader to really get into it much. Things happen quickly. The story moves along at a rather fast pace. The main characters were great but could have used more development. That might be possible in a follow-on book or in a series, with this as the first book. I liked the ending, but it seemed like it had been wrapped up a little too quickly and completely. This is a rather short, fast moving book, as I said, that will not take much time to get through. If it becomes part of a series or has a follow-on, the reader will be glad they read it. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

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I enjoyed this novel. Light read with interesting characters. I did not feel a sense of imminent threat from the somewhat inept criminals, but was surprised at the ending.

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This is a super fast read, almost a novella, and I think that's a pity because if it had been developed into a full length book it would have been really good. The story moves at lightning fast speed and situations are resolved just as quickly and the story moves on. The pace is just too fast to allow any depth of character development or suspense or intrigue because we are pretty much given the resolution to each question immediately. I prefer a book that allows me a bit of time to guess and wonder but I was hand-fed answers all the way through.
But the characters are likeable and, as I said, the story was good - just told too quickly.

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James is an FBI agent who is trying to retire, but he gets dragged into a new case that personally affects his family. He and his buddies investigate a series of kidnappings and murders in order to keep his family and friends safe from individuals who are driven by revenge.

Due to the cover of this book I was expecting a bit of creepiness, but this was a straight-forward detective mystery. I appreciated the clear writing style and the complexity of the plot and crimes. I would have enjoyed this book more if the reader was allowed to be part of the story. It would have been better if I felt anticipation or if the world was built more fully in order to feel an emotional attachment to the characters. The main characters were likable and have a good foundation. They just need more emotion and depth for the reader to experience it. I was told a story where every problem was wrapped up too nicely in a very short time.

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Overall this is a good book. There are many characters and i found it confusing at times. It seemed that a little too much was going on in such a short period of time. I liked the book but cannot say it is a favorite.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for the arc.

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James ready for retirement from the FBI. His wife throws him a retirement party. Their daughter and son-in-law surprise him by showing up for the party. They also tell them they are moving to California and will be close.
Many strange things start happening. So many people so many suspects.
Suspenseful and thrilling. First, book by this author.

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I chose this book and looked forward to reading it as the summary was interesting. I found the number of characters introduced and the plot to be confusing. The man who was stalking the family did not seem to be a professional nor were the kidnappers of Clair and Tom as they were able to escape with minimal effort. The man who then broke in to the house was shot and bled out. I finished the book, but I did not enjoy it as I had hoped to. I could not recommend this book. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

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