This was a miss for me, known of the characters felt anything more than cardboard cut0outs and the story felt forced and contrived.

Murdered in Craven is a well written romantic suspense. Good plot and character dynamics. I recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher for my book. This is my unbiased review.

This book sounded SO interesting when I read the synopsis, but honestly, it was a bit of a letdown. Coming off reading a private investigator book, this was another one and I was hoping that it would be better. There were too many useless descriptions, and those had such flowery language. For me, that doesn’t really fit in with a thriller. There were parts that were interesting, but throughout the first 2/3’s of the book there’d be something interesting and then there’d be a long time before there was any action. All the action came at the end. That action was very interesting and kept me reading. Unfortunately, for me, this was not a page turner, and I wasn’t obsessed with reading it as I have been some other books. I probably won’t pick up and read the second one in the series.

A clever plot with some memorable characters.
Many thanks to Bell Bridge Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

southern, South Carolina, small-town, low-country, friendship, law-enforcement, ex-FBI, private-investigators, relationships, relatives, cold-case, murder, murder-investigation, suspense, new-series, thriller, action*****

Great characters in this fast paced, riveting thriller! There's a lot of family history behind everything that both drives and complicates all of the investigations. The plot is tight and has some diabolical twists and truly maddening red herrings. The publisher's blurb has enough of a recap and is a good hook, so no need to go over that again. Loved it and finished it in one day.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Bell Bridge Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Thanks be that this one really is TTS enabled!

Murdered in Craven is a capably written series starter by C. Hope Clark. Released 30th Nov 2021 by Bell Bridge Books, it's 278 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This combines the feel of a modern PI procedural with thriller aspects. The main protagonist is a former FBI investigator and heiress who moves back to her family's pecan groves following the unsolved murder of her father. She's soon embroiled in more investigations which might shed light on her father's death.

The characterizations are very well rendered and the characters are three dimensional and believable. There are numerous dysfunctional family relationships described in the book and some of the background was uncomfortable to read. There were a few places in the narrative where I found myself kicked out of my suspension of disbelief because of presumably out of character behavior on the part of the MC. There was some dysfunctional and, frankly, squicky behavior between Quinn and the boys (non-biologically related sort-of siblings) with whom she was raised. There were also a few places where one would expect more meticulous investigation from an FBI agent and Quinn was sloppy/lazy. There were also side references to the author's other series, so readers who are already invested in the author's oeuvre will be better oriented than readers who are unfamiliar.

Aside from those small issues, this is an engaging mystery with a strong protagonist and written by an experienced and gifted author.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I like author C. Hope Clark and her previous works. This new series doesn't disappoint as this is book 1 in the Craven County Mysteries series. Quinn has resigned from her job with the FBI to return to the family Pecan farm and continue the family tradition. Her father was murdered and the killer was never caught. Now someone isn't happy that Quinn isn't selling the valuable property and keeping it as a farm. To make a little extra money she works ad a private investigator and decides to find out who is threatening her and if it ties to her Dad's murder. A great start with a mystery that is involved and holds your interest. Can't wait for book 2, Buried in Craven. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a quick read and I really enjoyed it! Quinn is a super likeable character and I found her story very interesting. She definitely draws you in. Absolutely love reading about life with southern charm. Makes me want to move down to SC! I enjoyed the twists in turns that keep you guessing through the entire book! Would definitely like to read more of Clark's work!

Murdered In Craven by C. Hope Clark

Murder,corruption, and page-turning was Very intriguing in this book..

Excellent book. Many characters were involved. Many twists and turns. Who Is the murderer? Who is behind the many dangerous pranks? Well-written. I recommend this book.

This book does not disappoint. It started a bit slow but it picked up soon enough to keep my attention. I always ALWAYS appreciate strong characters. I can’t quite explain but this setting has a different vibe, in a great way. I love her writing style. I’m looking forward to book 2.

I’ve been meaning to read this author’s books for a couple of years now and I’m glad I got the opportunity. This is a pretty serious murder mystery and very enjoyable. The characters were well developed and realistic. Having lived in the nearby area for a few years, I enjoyed the authors descriptions of Charleston and Edisto. I recommend Murdered in Craven to anyone who enjoys this genre or southern fiction. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you netgalley and the publisher.

I wish I could write a more positive review. For a quick read, this book was "Fine." With more research, this book could be so much better. Quinn makes a believable person, but not a trained detective.

This "gritty" mystery begins well, but as facts come to light, we discover that Quinn, the Private Detective is both lazy and sloppy. Okay, we can live with that. But she's supposed to be former FBI, and only left because her dad was sick. So, she was well trained, and is now sloppy?

The subject is less about solving murders than unhealthy relationships. Quinn grew up with two boys; just like brothers. But at some point she kissed one, then seduced and slept with the other (shh, don't tell the other one). And they're still pretending to do the "sibling" thing. This girl is messed up!

One of her brothers is more aggressive than passive, verbally attacks her because of her career choices, and treats her like dirt. But she's so grateful he doesn't stay mad long, and then he just acts like nothing happened. What a great guy!

Red flags, anyone? And the language may be common every-day to a lot of people, but it is unnecessarily crude.

I'm not trained as Quinn is supposed to be, but based on all that I have seen and read, plus common sense and logic, she makes a large number of unreasonable mistakes. She does no research, takes no precautions, and just hopes people are home. The cookie lady (cozy mystery detective) is more prepared than this woman!

The good news: Good plot, basic story, suspense, I like Lenore and Ty.

The bad news: Uncle Larry's motive vs his actions do not wash. He treats Quinn like an enemy. Orchards change a LOT in 20 years. I don't like Quinn as a person.

My recommendation:
Tighten-up the book. I know that the story relies on Quinn making certain mistakes, but her angst about upsetting people gets annoying. Make her a little bit stronger.

Research some of the details and change little things, so the reader doesn't keep stopping to say things like "They would notice that," or "Where did that come from?" These details can make the difference between a book for fodder and a respected book!

Content Warning: Crude language and continuous swearing.

2/5 Stars = Fine, with hope for a tight revision with editing!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free preview of this ebook. This review is voluntary.

#MurderedinCraven #NetGalley

I didn’t know what to expect of the characters in this book after loving so much the heroines in C. Hope Clark’s previous series. Quinn Sterling is an exceptional character and drew me into her right away. Having grown up on her family pecan plantation in South Carolina, she lost her mother at a young age. She was an only child being raised by her father and she deeply loved being on the plantation after the unexpected murder of her father. Before her father is death, Quinn graduates high school and immediately went to work at the Craven Count Sheriff’s department where her father’s only sibling was th Sheriff. At her father is urging, she went to college and still having law enforcement in her blood, entered Quantico becoming an FBI agent. She was so devastated at the death of her father that she returned to the pecan plantation and eventually relinquished her position with the FBI. She became a Private Investigator to stay involved somewhat in law enforcement. She recalls many reminiscences of her childhood and remains close to two of her childhood friends who have assisted her when things have gotten out of hand. The book is full of believable characters and I found myself feeling as I knew each one personally. I highly recommend Murder in Craven!

I read this in one night. Can't wait for more in the series. Plot and characters are really well done and the authors descriptions of people and places gave a real feel.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read.

Already a huge fan of C. Hope Clark previous series, I was excited when read the description of this new series. Captivated from the first few pages, I tore through the book in one night. Quinn Sterling, pecan heiress and ex-FBI agent, returned manage the grove after the unsolved murder of her father. Keeping her investigative skills alive by a side gig as a PI, her potential new client wants her to check up on a missing boyfriend and the PI she hired to find him. When the PI is found shot in a motel room, bad things start happening...and it all harks back to her why her father died.

Quinn Sterling's father was murdered, and the Craven County sheriff—her uncle—botched the investigation. Now too many troubling questions remain for Quinn to walk away. Instead, she leaves her career at the FBI to take on her inheritance—a 3,000-acre pecan dynasty in the South Carolina Lowcountry. As the only heir she assumes the reins of the family business—while keeping an eye on her father's cold case, and her toe in the old game as a private investigator.
Interesting new series in an even more interesting location. I knew nothing about this part of the country or about growing pecans so this added another layer of interest for me. The book did start out a wee bit slowly but it picked up quickly and held my interest to the end. I am looking forward to a second book in what I hope becomes a long series. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

An entertaining and compelling start of a new series. I liked the characters and the plot kept me reading.
The descriptions of the places are well done and you can visualize places.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the beginning of a new series and I can't wait to see how it continues!

Former FBI - turned PI, Quinn, inherits the generational family pecan plantation after her father is murdered. She has moved back home to run the business and sidelines some private investigative work. She is contacted by a Charleston heiress about her missing boyfriend, but something seems fishy...and ends up tied to her father's death.

The characters are great - I'm intrigued to learn more about Quinn and Jonah, Jule, Ty and his mother and the restaurant. and the Uncle.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Bell Bridge Books for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
I like stories based in South Carolina, and I thought the pecan farm setting was interesting. The characters were well-developed with a lot of personality. At times, I did find the mystery a little confusing, and I wasn't sure where it was going. The author did a good job of bringing everything together in the end, and I enjoyed this story.

Murdered in Craven is the first book in a new series from C. Hope Clark.

"After her father is murdered, Quinn Sterling returns home home to run the family pecan grove. She resigns from the FBI but still takes the occasional case as a Private Investigator. She is approached about finding someone's boyfriend, Mickey, who happened to be the one who found her father's body. Quinn has questions for him - questions that her Uncle Larry, the local sheriff, never got answers for. Quinn wants to know who killed her father and why. But someone wants something from Quinn and they're willing to go to extreme lengths to get it."

This story is a little grittier than the previous books I've read from Clark. There are multiple people killed in this one but it's not gratuitous. I like that the setting is a place that used to be a county in SC (but has now been absorbed into several counties)

I like the characters, especially Quinn. Her uncle, Larry, is a bit of a stereotype but it still works.
The story takes a bit to build but with brand new characters, it's okay. It hits a point about halfway where you don't want to put it down.

This is a great story if you're looking for some crime fiction with a southern setting. Great beginning to this new series