I enjoyed this dual-time mystery to solve a cold case.

Star was a great character to get to know and I enjoyed how she interacted with other characters and made easy connections, while asking difficult questions to get to the truth.

The mystery was one which grabbed your attention and threw in a few turns not expected.

I enjoyed the ending and looking forward to the next cold case mystery Star needs to solve and more answers of what will happen between her and Mike.

Star Cavanaugh heads to a small town to crack a cold case. This one is special, though, since the cold case involves her grandmother’s murder (Daisy Doe) from 50+ years ago and her father’s murder from 25+ years ago, both in the same small town. She takes a waitress job in the local diner to get close to the residents. Things snowball fast, though, and she has to choose with whom she will partner to clear up this cold case.


Although I liked the story, I thought were were too many characters of which to keep track.

A small town with a lot of secrets.

When Star heads to Pineville, AL to find out more about the murders of her grandmother and father, she gets more questions than answers. This is a fast paced story that drew me in right away and kept me reading long into the night.

An interesting mystery full of lies, regrets, corruption, blackmail and second chances.

Looking forward to reading more from Ms. Richards.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ramona Richards, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and post a review of this book.

Wow, this book was well written and sucked me in from the get go! I loved how suspenseful it was and that the story did not go where I thought it would. The history side is sad, and parts of the story broke my heart. That said, it's a wonderful mystery that will keep you reading late into the night!

Cop-turned private investigator Star Cavanaugh specialises in solving cold cases, and this one is personal. Star is working undercover in the diner in Pineville, Alabama, to discover the story behind the 1954 murder of an unknown woman buried as Daisy Doe.

The story was told in two timelines–Star’s story in the present was told in first person, which gave it a sense of immediacy and let us see inside her thought processes. The past storyline started shortly before the murder of Daisy Doe, and was told in third person from a couple of different viewpoints–witnesses to some of the secrets Star uncovers.

I enjoy a good mystery novel, and the premise of Burying Daisy Doe intrigued me. I had high expectations around the plot, and my expectations were exceeded. As the story progressed, I was impressed by the unexpected twists and turns. These gave the novel unexpected depths as Star realises the issues go deeper than she’d originally suspected.

The characters were strong, and many hid secrets that were revealed gradually as the story progressed. Star was a great main character, and her point of view showed her intelligence and diligence as she seeks to find answers to the decades-old case.

The writing was excellent, and I highlighted a lot of great lines to reference later. Recommended for mystery and thriller fans.

Thanks to Kregel and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Um die Morde an ihrem Vater und ihrer Großmutter aufzuklären geht Star Cavanaugh im Diner in Pineville Alabama Undercover. Schlussendlich will sie Roscoe Carver zur Rede stellen, der damals Tatverdächtiger war. Doch in dieser Zeit ist auch ein Interesse zwischen ihr und dem jungen Sheriff Mike Luinetti entstanden, dem sie nun für Samstag ein Date und die Wahrheit über sich versprochen hat. Für ihre Ermittlungen stehen ihr die gesammelten Unterlagen ihres Vaters und ihre Erfahrungen als Cold Case Ermittlern zur Verfügung. Jahrelang war auch ihr Vater um Aufklärung bemüht, bevor er am gleichen Ort sein frühes Ende fand. Der 80-jährige Roscoe Carver, ist gerade nach einem erneuten Schlaganfall aus dem Krankenhaus zurückgekehrt.
Das Buch beinhaltet herzliche Beschreibungen der Dorfbewohner und deren Dynamik und Neugier. Im ersten Drittel bietet der Roman einen recht ruhigen Verlauf, aber dann geschieht ein weiterer Mord.
Für mich hat die Geschichte neue Blicke auf die Arbeit bei einer Cold Case Ermittlung geboten, die nicht hauptsächlich von der Forensik lebt. Das Buch konnte mich gut unterhalten.

RIVETING. I had to describe this book in one word, that would be it. The characters leap off of the page. The setting is rich. The mystery twisty and deep and mesmerizing. The historical part was SO WELL DONE.

And yet I have grappled with inner turmoil on how to rate this. So I finally went middle of the road. I’m normally not comfortable reading this level of violence in books I read for pleasure. I also plain was not a fan of the “romance”. It felt awkward and so did I. There were a few other things that left an iffy taste in my mouth. When I pick up Christian novels, it’s mostly to avoid these things.

FTC Disclosure: I received a free ebook from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The past and present merge in a terrifying way...

Well, I have to admit that this was not exactly the story I was expecting when chose to read Burying Daisy Doe. I was initially intrigued by the idea of the heroine solving a fictional 65 year old cold case. I've also read one or two of Ramona Richards's Love Inspired Suspense books so I decided to give it a whirl.

So, Burying Daisy Doe is not one of those stories that you can just read lightly. Yes, there are many elements of a typical romantic suspense, there is a love interest but the romance angle develops slowly as this is only the first Star Cavanaugh Cold Case book, but there is a lot more to be told within the pages. Ramona Richards touches on racism, abuse of power, murder, corruption, tragedy, and loss. She also touches on the power of fear and intimidation that leads to desperation and crushes resistance to evil. While reading this book that old quote from Edmund Burke about 'the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing' kept running through my mind. But that's not where the story ends because Burying Daisy Doe is also about justice, redemption, and ultimately doing the right thing no matter the cost.

It's an emotional story and Ramona Richards really runs her characters through the ringer before the final page is turned. But there is also an entertaining element to the story. The town is populated with some pretty quirky characters with surprising secrets, one of my favorites was a certain Miss Snopes. I did have some fun trying to figure out who actually killed Daisy Doe, and I was right! My concluding thoughts that are if you want a fluffy story better stick to cozy mysteries, but if you like gritty suspense with an emotional kick this is one book to check into...

(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Burying Daisy Doe is the first book in Ramona Richards' Star Cavanaugh Cold Case series... and what a way to kick off a series!

In this book, we are introduced to Star Cavanaugh, private investigator who specialized in cold cases. None could be more important for her to solve than the one that started her obsession with the topic- the murders of her father and grandmother. When she heads back to Pineville, Alabama, she soon realizes that there is much more to this case than just a few simple murders... and despite the decades passed, there are some in town who believe the past is best left in the past.

It is mentioned in the story that cold cases are often more research and conversation than action... and as such, I found that this book didn't contain quite the nonstop action that suspense novels so often do... but that's not to say there was no action at all! Believe me, there were plenty... but there were breaks between them and often left you guessing when they would happen. It certainly had me on the edge of my seat, anxious to know what secrets would be uncovered next. This town was not shy on the secrets, with a fantastic story of murder and small town secrets I truly enjoyed!

Overall, this was a great read and one that fans of Christian suspense are sure to enjoy! I cannot wait to see what cold case Star finds herself investigating next.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Totally enjoyed this book to the fullest! I took it to the beach with me and devoured it in one afternoon. So much so that the entire afternoon got away from me.
The mystery was excellent and kept me guessing until the end.
There were many twists and turns with a few surprises along the way.
I love this new author's style of writing! As she described some of the scenes I could imagine them taking place very well and to some point I could even feel their feelings coming from the pages at me.
I don't like it when people give each other a difficult time. I really wish that we could live in harmony the way God meant for us to. It's sad the way we've been and have become.
I'm telling y'all this will keep you on the edge of your seat to see if Starr solves the mystery.
The time slip novel was perfectly put together that you really couldn't tell where past met with present.
This book deserves more than 5 stars. A rollercoaster ride for sure! I'm positive that y'all will love this book like I did!
This is a book worth bragging about but then I generally love all books!
You won't be disappointed that's for sure!
My thanks for a wonderful read and a copy from the publisher. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I have been craving a book that I could truly lose myself in, and I found exactly what I've been looking for in Burying Daisy Doe. From the first page I was vested, so many questions swimming through my mind that were slowly answered with perfect timing. I found myself getting acquainted with Pineville right along with Star, feeling the same foreboding that she was feeling on every page.

Though this is a cleaner mystery/suspense, this does not take anything away from the darkness and vexation that shrouds Pineville with a menacing perplexity. I was seriously on the edge of my seat and couldn't put it down until I found out the truth.

One thing I loved about the arrangement of Burying Daisy Doe was the parallel storylines that ran concurrent to each other throughout the entire novel. While Star is finding out the dark secrets that permeate Pineville, you are seeing what she uncovers in real time by following Roscoe Carver, the man that not only knows the truth, but lived it. Both Roscoe and Star are such strong individuals, both characters finding a place in my heart by the end of the book.

The truth is finally revealed, leaving all my questions answered, but also leaving an opening for a future book to continue the series, which gets me excited. Burying Daisy Doe is such an incredible story with superb writing, phenomenal characters, and was just the escape I have been craving.

Burying Daisy Doe
A Star Cavanaugh Cold Case
by Ramona Richards
Independent Publishers Group
Kregel Publications
Christian
Pub Date 17 Nov 2020





I am reviewing a copy of Burying Daisy Doe through Independent Publishers Group/Krefeld Publishers and Netgalley:




In every small town there is at least one unsolved case that haunts the community. These cases can fester for generations below the surface with the truth of humanity’s darkness. Star Cavanaugh is obsessed with the one that tore her family apart.



Daisy Doe was murdered over sixty years ago and discarded outside Pineville, Alabama, buried without a name or anyone to mourn her loss. When Star’s father tried to solve the case, he to ended up getting killed. Star is now a Cold Case detective with her own cases and is determined to solve both cases. But in order to do so she has to face a town that is locked in corruption, silence, and fear--and the same danger that took two other lives. There are only two people in town she can trust, one is her grandmother and the other the charming Mike Luinetti, and both of them trust a God Star isn’t even sure she believes in. Can Christians who are so focused on the good really help her track down this evil?





If you are fans of Christian suspense authors such as Terri Blackstock Margaret Maron, Jaime Jo Wright, and J. T. Ellison. I give Burying Daisy Doe five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

Wow!! Ramona Richards had my attention from the opening pages in Burying Daisy Doe! If you are looking for a faced paced, exciting, mysterious read, this book is for you! We bounce back and forth in split time fashion, and Richards does a good job of making the two story lines flow well together. The characters are developed fully in a timely manner.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher, but I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Wow. This book is going to draw you in and keep you spellbound. I loved reading about "Daisy Doe" and what happened to her. It's not until the end that you learn all but man is it a journey to get there.

Star Cavanaugh is now a standard character in my house. Or she will be when I can get my hands on another of these books because it's amazing.

Star is trying to find out what happened to her father. And her grandmother. You see, they were both murdered in the same little town. She has to find out what happened and why. Plus she's a cold case investigator. Really her whole life has been leading her to this point. What happened all those years ago has affected her entire life.

She goes to the town undercover. No one can link her to her father's name and the town never knew(still doesn't know) her grandmother's name. But one man. He says she looks familiar. Can he help her? He was alive to see her grandmother when she came to town.

This book reads so fast-paced. There is so much corruption and twists and turns within it you might find yourself wanting to map it all out.

I give this book five stars out of five and it's definitely one that I can see myself reading again. Grab your copy today. And then help me get a bug in the author's ear that we want more and quick!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Burying Daisy Doe takes the reader on a thrilling ride as Star Cavanaugh goes to Pineville, AL to search for the truth about her father and grandmother's deaths that happened over 30 years ago.. Star discovers that the answer is more complex and touches the lives of the townspeople more than she ever realized. Burying Daisy Doe has a time slip aspect to the story that helps add a depth and understanding to the story. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes cold cases and thrilling mysteries. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. (This review is also on GoodReads.)

When Star looks into this very personal cold case she slowly reveals much more than she ever thought: a small town mafia in Alabama. Racism, antisemitism, KKK, corruption, silence out of fear, common knowledge kept under the carpet - it's all there.

But there is more: a slowly developing love story, people who after decades find their courage to stand up against the powers that be.

Besides the fact that this was my first NetGalley book review, I genuinely LOVED this book. Growing up as a Jewish American with a father with Southern roots, this book is the first one that I’ve read that mentioned both. It didn’t shy away from the difficult topics of anti-Semitism and racism, which are both gigantic parts of history in the United States. It told the story of a Vietnam Veteran who received ZERO help when he got home (again, such a big part of the history in this country), and really gave the readers a good insight as to what small town politics can be like when they go really, really wrong. Star was a lovable character the whole way through and watching her experience some character growth while not losing her independence at all was really refreshing. I was rooting for her the entire time! I know there are a lot of books that touch on generational trauma, but this one really showed it through SO many different lenses through every last character in this book. My only qualm is that Mike and Star sometimes got a *teeny* bit cheesy...but it’s nothing that will deter me from reading another book in this series later! At least, I hope it’s turning in to a series! Roscoe’s chapters left me wide-eyed while Star’s had me gripping the edge of my seat. The author did an amazing job at giving these characters each such beautifully tragic stories while never letting them fault on their bravery and kept their voice consistent as years went on. I’m already excited for the next book in this series-Ramona and Star officially have a new fan!

Burying Daisy Doe (Star Cavanaugh Cold Case #1) by Ramona Richards had me hooked from the beginning! The character of Star O'Connell is warm, intelligent, and very brave. The story is set in the Birmingham, Alabama area and surrounding small towns.
Star has left her home in Nashville and moved to the city of Pineville to seek answers to the murders of her paternal grandmother in 1954 and her father in 1984. What did her father discover about the murder of his mother that would put his life at risk? One person who may have some answers is Roscoe Carver. Star feels she must gain the trust of the locals before she can start asking her questions. Before Roscoe has a chance to tell her the secrets about the deaths of her grandmother and her father, he dies of a heart attack as he is being attacked.
This story is told in different time eras and it is easy to follow the timelines and events. Star soon learns the powerful people who run the town will not hesitate to threaten anyone who asks too many questions. She begins to trust Sheriff Mike Luinetti with her reasons for coming to Pineville and asks for his help.
She enjoys the friendship of Miss Doris Rankin, and the sisters Betsy and Claudia Hall. Star worries that as she enlists the help of her friends, they may be at risk of becoming the next victims.
I won't post spoilers, but I was touched by the heartache and pain which some of the characters suffered and the mystery and suspense kept me reading. I appreciated the inspirational theme that is woven within the story. I loved Star's grandmother and her gentle encouragement.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and post a review of this book.

Small town drama, deep secrets and ties to past murders comes alive in the first book of the Star Cavanaugh Cold Case series. Star tries to solve the mystery of who killed her father and grandmother, crimes years apart but somehow related. Lots of characters in both the present and past prove to be confusing at times. I loved the sisters who run the museum. They reminded me of the sisters in the television show, The Waltons. I loved the way Star related with the towns people and her compassion for others. Looking forward to book number two.

BURYING DAISY DOE is the first book I have read by Ramona Richards and it most definitely will not be the last. What a thrilling read, full of twists and turns and nail biting suspense!
In 1954 Roscoe Carver's father narrowly escapes lynching when a pastor intervenes and proves that he couldnt possibly have murdered the girl with the daisy in her hair. In 1984 the bodies of two men are found in the same place, one of whom is Star Cavanaugh's father Bobby, a lawyer who was investigating his mother's murder, together with a Secret Service agent who was helping him. They were also looking into money laundering and counterfeiting. Star, a trained police officer, who is now a private investigator working cold cases, comes to town anonymously to try and solve her grandmother and father's murders. When the people of Pineville, who are still terrified and are still being manipulated, realize what she is up to they are even more afraid. Her life is in danger and she leans heavily on police chief Mike Luinetti, whose association with her puts his life in danger as well.
The characters are well portrayed and the author describes their feelings in a way that really draws us in. The plot is well worked out as we move between 1954 and the present day, and the story is told with some humour and a strong Christian message.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.
I highly recommend Burying Daisy Doe to anyone who enjoys good suspense.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from the Independent Publishers Group. The opinions in this review are completely my own.