Return to Pike, Wisconsin, where a man thought dead for 28 years suddenly turns up dead at the foot of the grave in which he was said to be buried. When the grave is exhumed, Sheriff Zac Evans discovers the body of a woman who went missing years ago. And that discovery brings his ex-wife to town. A cop herself, she’s investigating a cold case murder that looks like it just might be related to the whole mess Zac is now dealing with.

Zac and Rachel were married right out of high school. Four years later they were divorced, living their own lives. But neither has totally moved on from the marriage. Now older and wiser, working together brings all their old feelings back. Before they can act on them, though, they need answers to the many questions they’re facing.

As the bodies of more women are found mutilated, each clue Zac and Rachel find seems to lead them nowhere. They need a break in the case, Then the murder turns his sights on Rachel. Zac is out of ideas. When Rachel goes missing, Zac is also out of time. He’ll need to think fast to put the pieces of the puzzle together before he loses Rachel again.. this time forever.

This is a tense and riveting thriller I couldn’t put down. Each time I was sure I new who the murderer was, I was proved wrong. The suspense grows with each turn of the page until the final confrontation comes to a shocking end.

UNSTABLE is a "hold on to your seat" read.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=77719

Unstable is the third volume in the Pike, Wisconsin series by Alexandra Ivy. I’ve moderately liked the first volume, Don’t look, appreciated more the second, Faceless, but I’m disappointed by this one for 100% personal reasons.

I still love the author’s style, she’s one of my favorite authors; the suspense is always well managed with surprises and unexpected events all through the book. However, this book more than the two others tends toward thriller, a genre I’m really not fond of. I find there’s generally a too dark and shady atmosphere, a feeling emphasized by the descriptions of the abuse the victims suffer and too many secrets revealed as the story progresses, even by characters that seemed innocent.

In the first volume, I’d already regret the little town format where most of the secondary characters were unpleasant, especially because one needs to confuse the reader. It was less present in the second volume because the story mostly took place in a bigger town, but in Unstable we’re back in Pike and we once again have this oppressive atmosphere.

However I appreciated the continuity of the events in the three books. Little reminder: in the first volume, it’s the death of the hero’s father, the former sheriff, that brings Kir to investigate some suspicious deaths; in the second volume, Kir discovers notes about the death of the new heroine’s mother, which brings her to wonder about what happened. In this third volume, there’s once again Kir’s intervention, as he’s very good friend with the new hero, Zac Evans, who’s become the new town sheriff after the first volume’s event. But the books can be read alone.

Unstable begins with Zac and Kir discovering a body in a cemetery. Problem: the person it belongs to is supposed to have died years earlier. Troubling thing: the body is found on the tomb where its casket is supposed to be. So Zac is forced to exhume the tomb and inside is the body of the mother of Lynne Gale, heroine of the first volume and Kir’s wife. Lynne’s mother disappeared several years earlier and everybody thought she had just left husband and child. That’s when Rachel Fisher, the new heroine, intervenes.
She’s a former policewoman who specializes in cold cases. She comes and seeks Zac for two reasons. The first is that the name of the cemetery’s body appeared in her last investigation, and the second is that she wants to assist Zac who’s still a beginner in his job.
In fact, Rachel and Zac were married. In love since childhood, their marriage didn’t stand their youth and the hurdles. They’ve been divorced for eight years and didn’t stay in touch, only glimpsing each other from far if ever.
I was a little afraid of what Alexandra Ivy would do with this reunion story. It’s rare in her work to find former husbands and wives. I’d say that in a general manner she manages well and the new relationship that develops is quite pleasant especially as she takes into account the past feelings buried but never forgotten. In spite of that, I’m not fond of reunion story for divorced couples, unlike former lovers. Having been married signifies they officially signed an engagement, made watertight promises, and in spite of that they hadn’t made enough efforts to keep them. On the premise, a divorce is an end that doesn’t allow a revival; one must move on. What’s more, when I close the book, I think nothing assures me the once again married couple will last even if they are meant to have matured enough and should be able to better manage the hurdles. Yes I know my mind is a little strange sometimes LOL. But I love happy endings to the end. I reassure myself by saying everybody doesn’t feel the same.

The suspense side is really well done and we go from an unexpected event to another till the end. However as I said at the beginning of my review, it’s the thriller side that I didn’t like in the book. What’s more, here again we have secondary characters that all have suspicious behavior. At the end, in this little town, there are not a lot of innocent people LOL. In any case it’s an aspect that troubles me, but other readers could not be blocked by it.

To conclude, Unstable is a book that could be pleasing to fans of the genre. Personally, I’m not sure I still want to read the future developments of the series if the author writes more. As for the previous volumes, nothing indicates such a possibility as when we close the book we have the answers to all our questions.

This series is amazing. Zac & Rachael's story is a page turner, that's for sure. I was hooked from the minute a dead body was found on a grave. There are some really great twists & turns throughout the story that prevent you from putting the book down. I also really enjoyed Zac & Rachael's journey back to each other. I would not call it the traditional "what was I thinking, I have missed you", which makes it even better. Can't wait for the next installment.

Zac is the acting sheriff and when the book opens, he is not planning to remain sheriff. Then a body is found on top of a grave in town - a grave where Jude, the dead man, was supposed to have been buried decades before. Freshly dead Jude had been murdered. The second shock came when the grave was opened to bury Jude, as it was already occupied by a young woman who had gone missing, also decades before. The two grave-related deaths result in a cold case investigator being sent to town, who is the sheriff's ex-wife. The suspense ratchets up when an old videotape is sent to the police station showing the girl's murder 30 years before. This case is not cold - it is red hot. Someone near wants their attention.

I didn't actually sleep with the lights on, but I thought about it. This book is a combination of mystery with serial killers, a small town police procedural, and a second chance romance. It is the third book in the series set in the town of Pike, Wisconsin, but the books appear to be standalone. At one point there were six young men being investigated, so I recommend making a list with their names and a few characteristics.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher Kensington Books and NetGalley. These are my own opinions of the book.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fast-paced, held my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third in a series, but the first of the books I've read, and can easily be read as a stand-alone. Having grown up in a small town (not in Wisconsin, but in a very similar place), I liked the setting and found the story flowed easily, and was well-paced and suspenseful. Lots of clues, red herrings and old lies and deceits coming home to roost. I also liked the juxtaposition of the interim sheriff and the outside investigator into cold cases being a divorced couple that slowly experienced a rapproachement in the course of the case - being forced to work together to solve a series of gruesome murders, but also realizing what they missed in the other as a person. However, I didn't completely buy into that sub-plot: They definitely had real issues that led to their divorce, and these somehow just vanished without a trace at a certain point in the story.

Unstable, the third instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s series set in Pike, Wisconsin, is action-packed. Rachel Fisher returns to Pike when the dead body of a man is discovered atop a grave. Her ex-husband, Zac Evans is a sheriff there and they will work together in a spider's web of current and cold cases laden with secrets, mistaken identities and familial relationships.

A compelling second chance romantic suspense tale with great, well-constructed characters and an interesting plot, I'm keen to pick up the two instalments I've missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books, Zebra via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Unstable, is the third book in Alexandra Ivy’s new Pike, Wisconsin series. It is an action packed, second chance romantic suspense story with great, well developed characters and a fantastic storyline.

The discovery of the dead body of a man who died twenty eight years ago brings Rachel Fisher back to Pike, Wisconsin where she must work alongside her ex-husband, Zac Evans. Soon they find themselves racing to stop a serial killer before he strikes again. Can’t they solve the mysteries of the past and present before Zac or Rachel become the next victim? Read it and find out!

I’m not usually a fan of second chance storylines but Ivy has done an amazing job in developing her characters and explaining their shared history. You could see that the feelings Rachel and Zac have for each other hasn’t changed over time and once they opened themselves up to the possibility, their connection only deepens.

This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. While a few events and characters from the previous books are mention, Ivy does a fantastic job providing an explanation and summary. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.

This series is connected through a small rural area, Pike. It can be read as a standalone. For those who enjoy suspense, pick up unstable. I thoroughly enjoyed this second chance romance with an emphasis on the suspense/mystery plot. Zac is now the interim sheriff. In this sleepy town, they have already been rocked by murder. For another one to show up is not what he expected. Even more surprising, his ex-wife Rachel shows up. From there it becomes a race to find the killer before they kill again.

I enjoyed the pace of this book. Ms. Ivy kept it moving with a countdown before the next kidnapped woman is brutally tortured and then killed. The twists and turns of this serial killing spree are dark and filled with sadistic glee. For those who are sensitive to brutality against women, this book may have a few too many murder scenes in explicit detail. For those who enjoy a good crime novel, this will be a page-turner.

Balancing the horrors of the murders, is the relationship rekindling between Zac and his ex-wife Rachel. I found it endearing that even though they were divorced, Zac still thinks of Rachel as his wife. There is love there, but it was lost in the struggle to find their own identities. I found this romance reassuring because it shows that people who married young and then divorce don't have to end up hating each other. Both of them grew more confident in their careers and learned from their relationship mistakes.

This isn't a slip into old habits and just a getting-it-on reunion. Rachel and Zac finally discuss what broke them the first time. They also have matured and still make a few missteps. This time around, they learned to communicate. It was lovely to see the two making an effort to heal their relationship and become partners this time around.

As partners, they worked well together to solve both current murders and past killings. In solving the case, old hurts that never healed are lanced and allowed to start mending. This story may contain a lot of cruel torture and killing but it is also a story of hope and closure. This dark romantic suspense is recommended to readers who enjoy second-chance romance.

Interim sheriff Zac Evans has his first murder case when a man’s body is found lying on top of a grave. Unfortunately, he is the man who was supposed to be in the grave. Opening the grave, they find the remains of a woman who has been missing for decades. From there the mystery takes on a life of its own as a serial killer is targeting women in the small town of Pike, Wisconsin. When a cold case detective arrives to aid in the investigation, she is Rachel Fisher, Zac’s ex-wife. Rachel reopened a case where the only evidence was a fingerprint belonging to a man who was dead, the man who was supposed to be in that grave. Such a unique and intriguing plot as Zac and Rachel work to unravel the many twists to this case that appears to connect to other unsolved killings over the past years. How many more women will be viciously murdered before they stop the killer’s “game?” Zac and Rachel are no longer the immature couple they once were which led to the destruction of their marriage. Is there a second chance for them? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Good solid mystery with small town characters where everyone knows everything. Or do they? A killer has been going under the radar for many years. Now he is dead but the killings don’t stop.
Rachel Fisher and her ex husband Sheriff Zac Evans combine finding romance second time around with trying to bring a murderer to justice. Part of a series it will be well worth checking out.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher Kensington Books, Zebra for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

The story brings us back to Pike, Wisconsin with some familiar characters. This author knows how to throw some twists so that what you thought isn’t right. This story was thought out and well planned. Loved the characters and the second chance romance that was a side story. There were some gruesome scenes but that goes with this storyline. It could definitely be read as a standalone but you may get more of the back story by reading the first book.

Alexandra Ivy brings a small Midwest town to live with a murder that even the hardest of hard cops can't get past. The dark gritty story is also a second chance romance that bring Rachel back to Pike working with her Ex Husband trying to put to rest a cold case with the most gruesome of crime done to women.

The author paints a picture that will be hard to leave behind until the murder is brought to justice. The author is able to bring a great balance of romance, mystery and fight to bring peace to the small town of Pike. Readers will be reading late into the night hoping Rachel and Zac are able to safe the women of Pike.

Thank you to Alexandra Ivy and Netgalley for the advance copy of Unstable.

Cannot miss story.

Bumblebee Fluffs! 😳😯😳

Now even though this is the third book in a series, reading it as a stand-alone like I did, gave me no issues or confusion! So don't let that hold you back. I loved how Ivy made this an easy, but fast paced suspenseful thriller that kept you interested and curious! The tension is never lacking in this one. You get swept up in the story & the clues and plot.
Zac is the interim sherif in Pike, Wisconsin and has his first interesting murder case. An abandoned truck on the side of a cemetery, a dead body belonging to Jude Henley, only to be laying across his own tombstone. Zac's ex-wife Rachel, works on cold cases and comes across a hit in her database connecting Jude and an old case of hers. Working together to figure out the intricacies of their cases, leads to something more sinister and taunting every week with tapes. In a town so small, who could be the killer? And why?
With the subplot of some romance I didn't mind that and it didn't take away from the crime which I love! I even appreciated the fact that Ivy had some POV from the murderer of what was happening that I found unique!

Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Books (Zebra) for this DARC.
Release Date: April 26, 2022

I give this 3.5 / 5 Bouquets! 💐

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Solid Romantic-Suspense. I love when the author can keep the baddie hidden right up to the end of the book and that is certainly the case here. The Pike, Wisconsin Series has been wonderful with its' classic Romantic-Suspense plots where the romance doesn't get in the way of the suspense.

Zac Evans had big dreams for his future and the woman of his dreams to share it with. Then his father becomes ill, and Zac is sucked back to the dying dairy farm and a life he never wanted. Now, his father had died, his mom has moved to town, he has sold the dairy cows and leased the land. He is embarking on his new job as interim sheriff for Pike, Wisconsin, a job he is well trained for and really likes.

When a dead body is discovered in the cemetery, on top of the plot and not below it is soon discovered that the body is that of Jude Henley and the plot he was found on was supposed to be his final resting place. Uncovering what happened leads Zac to what appears to be a serial killing spree. But this killer didn't off himself and soon Zac receives a package from the killer's apprentice and a woman from town disappears.

Rachel Fisher is Zac's forever love, but sometimes these things just don't work out. She is a detective working cold cases in the big city and one of her cases leads he back to Pike and Zac. It was just a matter of time and proximity, and Rachel and Zac are together in the race to solve both the crimes of the past and to prevent the murder of more young women.

Unstable is a pretty standard police procedural with an awkward couple at the helm. Not to say it wasn’t entertaining. At times, it seemed that the author was going out of their way to make the crimes more horrific to stand out in a crowded field. If you like to read a bit of a small town murder, this could be right up your alley. Remember that it is a dark and gory alley.

You’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I am so glad I did for this one. The cover is fantastic and intriguing, and it paid off!

The gist is that a man who has supposedly been deceased for 20 years or so actually shows up dead on top of his own grave, which someone else, thought to have left town, is buried in instead. These crimes are linked to a cold case of detective Rachel Fisher’s. Ironic, seeing as the current crimes took place in her hometown, where her ex-husband happens to be the sheriff. Now they must put their personal issues aside to help solve these murders, before some else gets hurt.

I hear the words Cold and Case together and I am automatically in. This was great, the crimes, the clues, the small-town gossip, exes that actually respect each other’s boundaries and work well together.

There were some pretty heavy sub-plots about family, tragedy, and failed relationships and it was handled wonderfully. It also gave the characters great dimension.

It was REFRESHING to have a female character be a complete b@d@ss and be able to stand her own ground and take care of things herself.

I thought I knew who “done it” about every 10 pages, I was constantly changing my mind and, in the end, much like Jon Snow, I knew nothing! The tension and suspense were superb. This had me sweating for the last few chapters.

There were some hiccups in pacing, it dragged a bit in the middle, then the end seemed too fast, but it kind of makes sense for a thriller, but I think some of the red herrings could have been cut out. I would’ve loved to see more of Zac and Rachel together off the clock.

I had no idea this was a series, but this book was a true stand-alone, I was never lost or confused about any details. I’m going to back track and read the others for sure.

This was a suspenseful and wild ride, I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes true crime, thrillers, and a little dash of romance.

Check it out, when it hits shelves, 4/26/22!

A big thanks to the Publisher & NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Let me start off by saying that this was the first novel in this series that I have read, so while there may have been a bit of background involving Zac and Rachel that I might have missed, I had no problems understanding this story (including the nature of their relationship which I will touch on a bit more later).

Overall, I enjoyed the "mystery" part of this story. I felt that the tapes and murders from the past being tied in to the murders currently taking place was an interesting concept (especially when you consider how in at least once instance the tape was delivered in a way that would make the victim easier to identify). I also enjoyed getting a look inside the killers mind, I always love when an author takes a chance on showing us their mindset. Filled with some red herrings, this book kept me guessing until the final reveal.

On the flip side, I didn't feel as though the romance between Rachel and Zac was believable. They were divorced, with a lot of unresolved issues surrounding their marriage and why it failed. And while they worked well together, and it was obvious they still harbored feelings for one another, they did nothing in regards to even talking about the issues that separated them the first time. They just kind of went "well I almost lost you and I love you, so we're going to make this work". I would have liked for there to be some sort of conversation between the pair to make that fresh start seem less thrown in just for the sake of a happily-ever-after.

If you enjoy engaging thriller novels with just a dash of romance, that I think this one will appeal to you!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Read this if you like: Small town, second chance romance, serial killers, multiple POVs

This is the third book in a series. I have not read the previous two but had no problems reading this one.

Zac is the interim Sheriff in the town of Pike, Wisconsin. He discovers a dead man in the cemetery lying on top of his grave. To his surprise, Rachel, his ex-wife shows up to assist with his investigation when said dead man pops up in the system for one of her cold cases. Instead, the grave contains the remains of Staci Gale, thought to have run away nearly three decades ago. Then an old VCR tape arrives at the sheriff station, showing Staci before her death, bound and terrified with a note, claiming to be from the killer’s apprentice.

This was an interesting one. I was not sure what to expect. Rarely do I read thrillers with romance involved. The romance was more of a side story and very realistically done. I thought it would be a regular crime book. It's so much more. It was very chilling and such a good book. It kept me guessing. Big time. I'm definitely going to read the previous ones. I recommend this one. It comes out April 26th!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Alexandra Ivy, and the publisher Kensington Books/Zebra Books for my gifted copy.