Spent Identity is the second in Annalisse Series by Marlene M. Bell, it’s 378 pages and is available in paperback and e-book formats. First, I loved the cover. I read this book in two days because I didn’t want to put it down. The story was captivating and I loved every bit of it. It is full of mystery, intrigue, and action along with continuing romance. You don’t need to read book 1, as the author gives you background throughout the book, but I suggest you do

I was captivated by Aunt Kate in the opening of this book when Annie came to visit her at the farm. That scene of mutual love and respect spoke strongly of the depth of their relationship and the connection that Annie has for her aunt. They are two strong women who stand with and for each other.

Throughout the rest of the story Annie, or Annalisse, fluctuated between being the strong confident woman who was introduced in the opening chapter and a little too much like the damsel in distress in old Gothic stories. Still, I was cheering for her as she worked with Alec and Bill to find Kate after she had disappeared, as well as solve the mystery of the dead man who had been found in the barn at Walker Farm.

I found the relationship between Alec and Annalisse well portrayed in places. But in other places I was a little puzzled at some of their actions and reactions. For instance early on when Alec proposes marriage, she doesn’t answer him, which I thought was a little strange since it had been established that she loved him deeply. The explanation of why she didn’t answer came later, and I found it a little weak.

Despite those little blips, this is an engaging story as I read on to find out how they’re going to find Kate and who is responsible for her disappearance. There are interesting characters that are part of it all including Helga the house housekeeper who comes across very much like the Scandinavian woman she is. Even her accent is true. Then there’s Alec’s detective friend Bill who is one of the main players in solving the mystery.

This is a fascinating story. Unfortunately, I haven't read the first novel. Therefore, there were several references to the first book that made me wonder what the author was talking about. If you like stories with mysterious dead men, kidnapped aunties, kidnapped main characters, and mysterious relatives showing up from nowhere, this would be a book for you. Personally, I didn't much like it. Several curse words throuout the story turns me off. As for the basic story, it was okay. Interesting, anyway.

Spent Identity by Marlene M. Bell is quite the mystery, filled with an abundance of clues but few answers and even fewer leads as to who did what to whom. The reveal is slow and steady in this one but well worth the wait. Marlene knows how to keep the reader intrigued and turning the pages. If you think you are good at puzzling out mysteries early on, brace yourself because with Spent Identity, you have met your match.

When Annalisse Drury heads to the Walker Ranch to see her Aunt Kate, she has no idea her world is about to be upended...again. Spent Identity follows Stolen Obsession (2018), but it can still be enjoyed as a standalone, even with the many references to events in book one. Both are thrilling adventures, so you will certainly want to read them both.

Annalisse's relationship with the handsome, wealthy Alec Zavos appears to be all but over, and she needs her Aunt Kate's pragmatism and sage advice. When Annalisse arrives at Walker Farm, she falls headlong into a murder mystery, followed almost immediately by Kate's disappearance. Foul play is definitely afoot. This mystery has so many twists, turns, and surprises that determining the identity of the culprit (or culprits) early on is virtually impossible. Suspects are coming out of the woodwork in droves. Who killed the mysterious dead guy in Aunt Kate's barn? Is the ranch hand and amateur sleuth, Ethan, a good guy or a bad guy? Why aren't Kate's adult children concerned about her disappearance? Can Annalisse and Alec salvage their relationship amidst yet another dangerous adventure?

But the big question on everyone's mind is where is Aunt Kate?

Marlene M. Bell spins quite the web of misadventures, strange phone calls, suspicious packages, compromised crime scenes, and more than one kidnapping. What makes this mystery so entertaining is the light dusting of romance between Alec and Annalisse and the comedic undertones that expand as the story progresses. Mix in several interesting characters (and I really do mean interesting) and a baffling mystery that will keep you guessing, and you're good to go. Spent Identity has all the necessary elements for an engaging afternoon (or evening) of unraveling a perplexing mystery and finding out just what happened to Aunt Kate.

4.5/5 STARS. What hits readers from the very first lines of SPENT IDENTITY is the smell. Reading SPENT IDENTITY is as much an olfactory experience as anything else. Whether an aroma emanates from food or folk or flora or fauna, readers can count on experiencing scents right along with the characters in the book. I have a particularly sensitive sense of smell, so I read and wrinkled my nose at the descriptions of death, decay, and body odors (of both the dead and the living, who may “smell like old corn chips and onions.” Ha! Spot on!) Smells can be such a powerful trigger, and author Marlene Bell incorporates them perfectly into the story as a mechanism to give readers extra information and make the scenes realistic.

Bell sneaks in small details that careful readers will notice (like the worn copy of Annalisse’s favorite book that she always carries). Many are red herrings, but some are real clues to completing the many puzzles readers will discover in SPENT IDENTITY. There are several layers of mystery and at times, the threads of information seem disconnected, wispily floating in the air like spider’s silk. Wonderfully, the threads all find each other and connect so that motivations are exposed, and questions are mostly answered – quite a feat considering the main characters’ propensity for self-sabotage, finding danger, and getting injured.

There are five key players in SPENT IDENTITY, and while Bell fleshes-out some more completely than others, none are ever fully revealed to readers. That’s a little frustrating, resulting in my feeling less sympathetic or even ambivalent about the characters. I want to care more, but I just don’t know enough about what makes any of them tick. Additionally, some of the characters’ actions and reactions puzzle me and/or feel false, particularly in terms of their lack of professionalism or acting illogically given all the surrounding factors and prior experiences that they bring to the table. Happily, the action-packed, rapid pace of the story combined with my desire to see how it all would turn out kept me fully engrossed in the story so much that I shirked work duties and read it in two sittings.

SPENT IDENTITY can stand alone even though it’s the second book in the Annalisse Series, but the author brings a lot of broad details from the first book into the second book. I read (with my ears) book one, Stolen Obsession, and so I knew the references in full and enjoyed the reminders of the chaos and calamities that these characters have already endured. Having this prior knowledge enriches the reading experience, and I recommend that readers start with book one. Honestly, some of the full background information that can only be gleaned by reading the first book seems vital to fully understanding SPENT IDENTITY, particularly when it comes to relationships between characters. Without that insight, I can see how some readers starting with book two might not have patience for Annalisse’s or Alec’s (or even Chase’s) behavior. Plus, everyone needs to know Generosa Zavos! Read book one.

The ending of SPENT IDENTITY is fully satisfying and allows readers to breathe after holding their collective breath through the dizzying pace of this roller coaster ride of a book. Bell leaves readers gratified -- and intrigued with a bit of a cliffhanger and a well-placed page at the story’s conclusion announcing book three, Calico Raven. Hooray! I am in!

When the previous book in this series, Stolen Obsession, toured with Lone Star in 2018, I did not have the opportunity to read it. Garnering so much fanfare from the team definitely got my attention, so I was super excited to get a chance to read this book for this tour. Although the author does a great job of incorporating previous events into this story so that new readers won't feel lost, I do want to return to the first book simply to understand more of the nuance that is certainly difficult to capture when you start from the middle. While I enjoyed the story, I'm quite sure I would have felt more connected to the characters and their romance had I obviously began with the first book.

From the very beginning, a disarming tone is set up that suggests not everything is what it seems. Something is dead, but no one is quite sure what. When the body is found, questions surface about identity and whether the actual ID card discovered can be trusted. And then suddenly, Kate vanishes. So many crimes are going on, but are they all connected or just coincidences? Escalating crimes follow, bringing more danger to the mysteries. Walking through the perspectives of Annalisse and Alex allows the truth to unfold right along with the reader, so every twist and turn is shocking for everyone and incredibly difficult to pin down until the final reveal.

While at times unsettling, I enjoyed just how much action and adventure Annalisse finds herself in considering her everyday career as an antiquities appraiser. While I personally haven't determined how I feel about Annalisse, her character is a testament to how lifelike she has been written. She could be charming, annoying, resilient, fragile, or fickle. She has strong emotional responses and reactions, yet I found myself either wanting her to trust her instincts more or acknowledge the possibility that if a clue looks like a clue it more than likely is a clue.

The tension is fantastically built as the characters move to new locations to find out more information; however, the pacing tended to slow down once they arrived and casual conversation ensued or romantic trysts were attempted. I found myself baffled at times by the lack of urgency when the violence and upheaval was taking a dramatic uptick. But in the end, it seemed to speak once again to how authentic the writing reflects our own reactions at any given moment.

"The scent of honeysuckle from pots on the porch quickly replaced her concern for something dead nearby."

Echoing the reflections of fellow reviewers, the author's descriptive writing is phenomenal at setting the entire scene, especially when it comes to the olfactory sense. Whether it's the body decomposing in the barn, Kate's signature lavender sachets, rank body odor, or the fresh scent of warm pastry, every aroma emanates off the page, leaving you scrunching your nose or taking a deep breath! The imagery is beautiful or nightmarish, but remarkably well done.

Overall, this was a fast paced, engaging, and easy read that will resonate with readers who enjoy their mysteries with a little more edginess. I look forward to the next book, Calico Raven, to discover what Annalisse will find herself thrust into next!

I'm not sure where to start with my review other than to hold on to your seat because it is going to be a fast and furious ride!

This is the second book in the series and while it could be read on its own, it might be best to pick up the first book to get a feel for the characters and the background.  The book provides plenty of details to lay a foundation for what occurred in case you choose not to read Stolen Obsession, so it isn't an absolute must.

The story picks up with Annalisse and Alec and their relationship.  Let's just say things are a little rocky, not because they don't care for each other, but that life is getting in the way and someone might need to make some changes to his work life.  I can't imagine what it is like to be part of the elite class and the security measures that need to be in place to keep people safe.  But sometimes it isn't the unknown that causes a problem, it can be someone in your own family as Annalisse discovers.

Annalisse and Alec's characters are still developing.  I'm not sure if I could be friends with Annalisse because she has a tendency to let things slip out that shouldn't be said out loud, at least not to those that are in the room.  She even admits to having a big mouth, so at least that is progress.  Plus, bad luck seems to follow her and I'm not sure I want to be around her in case it rubbed off on me!  Alec was left to fill some big shoes but it is getting away from his passion as a veterinarian.  Unfortunately, it has blinded him to reality and he is close to losing what he holds most dear to him.

Now for the wild ride - Annalisse's Aunt Kate goes missing, there is a car wreck, Kate's son is selling the farm from under Kate, there is a kidnapping, someone unexpected appears from nowhere, and so much more.  And all of this happens within a week.  It is non-stop action and kept me turning the page until well past my bedtime.  I think that if all of this was happening to me I would need a vacation away from everyone to decompress.

The mystery kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat.  There were so many possibilities for who was involved and why that I never guessed correctly until all was revealed.  Some of it was very surprising, but some I guessed earlier in the book but not fully.  Not everything is wrapped up in a nice bow at the end, there is still a cliffhanger or two and hopefully, those will be addressed in the next book.

This series is not one to miss and I can't wait until the next book comes out to see what happens next for Annalisse and Alec.

We give this 4 paws up.

Spent Identity is filled with enough twists and turns to make Lombard Street envious!

Marlene M. Bell certainly knows how to spin a tale - and spin it she does. The book starts off a little on the slow side, but as the mystery deepened I found myself turning the pages rather quickly. I had a very hard time keeping my eyes in place - they always wanted to skip ahead a few paragraphs to see what happened.

This story is book two of the Annalisse Series. I did not read the first book, and that took away some of the enjoyment of this story. There are many times when the author refers to action that happened in the first book. Although some backstory was provided, I know this book would have been even more enjoyable if I read its predecessor. But please don’t misunderstand: this is a wonderful story and I really enjoyed it!

**Spent Identity Fills the Senses**

Bell did an amazing job with her description. She was sure to touch on all the senses. If a character is sweating, Bell tells us how much. If a character is crying, Marlene tells us how salty the tears taste. And don’t get me started on the German cooking! It was utterly delightful.

This story spans a wide gamut of sensory material. In addition to the good smells of the German cooking, there are some pretty nasty ones, too! Yes, there is a skunk, but that’s far from the worst smell.

If a character is in pain, Bell describes it perfectly. If a character is still healing from an injury, Bell doesn’t forget to include how subsequent events impact the injury.

**Technically Speaking**

I only came across about a handful of very minor SPAG problems. They certainly didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.

The character arcs for the two main characters were pretty good. I’d be interested in seeing how they compare to the character arcs in the first book.

As I mentioned, the beginning of the book is a bit slow - at least it was for me. It does take a little while to get going, but don’t give up! You’d miss all the good stuff. The crescendo to the climax begins about midway though the book. Once it starts, it never slows down. That’s a good thing.

There are some pretty darn good plot twists in the story. They’re not all at the end, either. I have mixed feelings about one of the big reveals near the end. A little backstory would have made it more believable.

I will likely go back and read the first book, and then the third one when it comes out. The main characters are very likable, and the antagonists and very unlikable. It’s a good match. It’s a fun read and I recommend it.

This book was received as an ARC from Marlene M. Bell in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

We are in the search of good thrillers and I fell in love with this book right from the start. Spent Identity tells the story Annalisse Drury and her arrival at her family estate unknowing that there are secrets kept in the dark until now. Since Annalisse's arrival, a dead body was found, her aunt she reconnects with disappears and there is a vengeful murder taken place with Annalisse as the prime suspect. Annalisse must stop at nothing to uncover the secrets and save her family even if it means befriending the Greek Tycoon turned ally Alec Zavos. I know our community will enjoy this book. This had everything; drama, action, conflict and edge of your seat thrills that will leave you speechless and then talk about it all night. Our Adult Book Club will for sure love this and I can't wait for the thrilling discussion we will have come the release of this book.

We will consider adding this title to our Adult Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Reading the second book in a series without reading the first gave me a hard time understanding the characters. The next hurdle I faced was understanding why and how on earth could a person face chaos after chaos in one single day! It seemed way too dramatic for Anna is a simple girl with an overly rich boyfriend.

The story takes you on this journey to finding Aunt Kate. People come, events happen, they become suspects, there is showdown and our protagonist manages to handle herself and save everyone. Quite capable I must say!

What bugged me was the romance popping in at moments where it was totally unnecessary. The characters lacked development and thus aren't memorable. Events from the first book are continuously mentioned when it's not even relevant to the plot. There was no emotional connect with the characters. Nothing tugged at my heart :/

The plot line was loose but I'm glad that the explanation wasn't far-fetched from reality. The ending wasn't how I expected (I just found out there is a third book coming soon). Towards the end everything comes together and the reader understands the big mystery behind the events. Yet it was underwhelming.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of Spent Identity in exchange for an honest review.

Spent Identity is the second in a series by Marlene M. Bell. Due out 11th Dec 2019, it's 378 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

I read this book as a standalone and didn't have any major trouble keeping the characters straight in terms of the narrative. The author is reasonably adept at plotting and tension, but the dialogue devolved into whiny/petulant so very often. I couldn't like the protagonist, she alternates between doormat submissiveness and antagonism with no in between time. She's meant to be an appraiser for a Manhattan gallery and yet she doesn't come across as polished, savvy, or particularly intelligent. The author spends a fair bit of page content on enumerating how very wealthy Annalisse's fiance/boyfriend/foil/frenemy is whilst painting him as a distant preoccupied sometimes jerk. He had recently lost his father violently (book 1) and that's alluded to several times without anyone apparently cutting him any slack over the residual trauma.

The plot is so over the top convoluted and unbelievable that I didn't really care who killed whom or why. The fact that I finished the book shaking my head over the big denouement reveal and thinking how monstrous a betrayal it was long term, short term, every way possible, doesn't really make me want to pick up the first book in the series. The dialogue was often abrasive and cringe-worthy. Annalisse's aunt Kate's adult children made me want to kick them in the backside. Even the 'sympathetic' expat New Zealander farmhand was underwhelming; halfway cartoonish (forensics obsessed, but he's fine with tampering with a crime scene) and a bit of a buffoon (he's a comics collector because OF COURSE he is). The whole jealousy thing between Alec and Ethan was weird and unnecessarily dramatic.

I believe this book could have benefited from a thorough editing to tighten and polish the dialogue and some of the plot holes. The typos: beamer means a recklessly bowled head shot in cricket, Beemer is slang for a BMW, phase instead of faze (used correctly a couple pages later), and others, detracted from my enjoyment.

I would recommend the book/series to lovers of drama romance, not so much mystery/thriller/cozy fans. The book has a lot of potential and the author is clearly engaged and invested in her characters. The book might make a good selection for a book club discussion or buddy read; there are some discussion questions included. It's also worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Three stars.

This is the second book in the series I read the first one too, but I guess even if you start with this one it's easy to follow the story. What I really like about this book and series is the high level of tension and great written mystery. Soon after reading it you'll getting captivating in it. A great story with interesting characters, well done plot and a lot of mystery.

A gripping and entertaining read. I liked the solid mystery that kept me guessing, the well thought cast of characters and the setting.
Even if it's the second in a series I had no issues with the characters or the plot.
I will surely read other books in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.