All the Broken Girls was a well paced, cultural experience contained in a mystery/thriller. Well developed, likable characters that I would love to encounter again in future stories. Definitely worth your time.

Favorite Quotes:

Lately, walking in and out of these meetings feels like walking across fire. Barefoot. Under a full moon with howling wolves watching.

In my darkest hours, I dreamed of finding my mother’s killer and shooting him or her. Right in the chest, like they’d murdered my mamá. An eye for an eye. And in those dreams, I never felt remorse. The lack of any guilt, that’s what woke me up those nights, gasping for air, gripping the sheets, sweating. It wasn’t that I’d killed, it was my fear someone would sense this darkness in me. And tell the world. Or incarcerate me forever because of it.

I usually don’t trust people. The reporter in me is a natural skeptic. But my heart is stretching, like fingers, reaching out to connect with this woman.

I want to look away, because this vulnerability is a coat I don’t like to wear. It’s hot and uncomfortable.

I exhale, thankful I let the right words fly while the real words stayed inside my head. Isn’t that what life is? A constant struggle with ourselves?

My Review:

This was a tense, angsty, and gripping read that kept me on edge. The storylines were laced together with heinous crimes, the main character’s prominent OCD traits, tons of family drama, loads of unfamiliar Cuban cultural issues, and the oddly mysterious practices of Santeria which are mingled with Catholic rhetoric, a practice and belief system I confess to being grossly ignorant of. The story progressed slowly and I often wanted to give a kick in the pants to the deeply flawed main protagonist for being so prickly, arrogant, and obstinate. But of course, I am a total delight 24/7.

After reading crime fiction for years, you discover there are styles and tropes that work more for you as a reader than others. One thing I’ve come to love over the years is when an author chooses to tell their story through a journalist or reporter. While I love a good detective-led story, those with reporter narrators add an extra bit of outsider insight that I find lets me connect more with the plot. Bond takes this route with our main character, Mari, who has a lot of baggage and drama that ties her closer and closer to our killer. I loved Mari’s character and all of the secondary characters that Bond chose to add to her story. They each had just the right amount of depth to them no matter how large or small their role in the book.

Bond’s use of cold cases mixed with present day crimes was one of my favorite aspects to this story because it allowed for the reader to learn more about the community and the killer’s motives. In addition to crimes that caught your attention and pulled on your heart strings, Bond infuses a wide array of Cuban American culture and history into her story. I loved learning about all of the religious and Santeria details from the cases and our cast of characters.

ALL THE BROKEN GIRLS gave me all the feels of a well-loved crime fiction TV show with drama, heart, and mystery filling the pages.

This was a fantastic crime and investigative thriller! I enjoyed the mystery and found the characters to be interesting and easy to invest in!

Mari Alvarez lost her mother years ago to an unsolved murder. Now Mari is an investigative reporter and has found another murder that resembles her mother’s death. When the murders continue, Mari knows she has to dig into what is happening to save future victims and maybe herself.

For me, this story was an amazing mix of thriller, mystery, and life. I appreciated that Mari turns into a real person that I wanted to invest in. As I learned more about her history, I enjoyed seeing her character’s journey as the story progressed.

I think that readers who enjoy crime investigation and serial killer mysteries will enjoy this one!

I love a good police procedural and All the Broken Girls had everything I love in one. The story centers around crime reporter, Mari Alvarez who has been trying to solve her mother's murder for the last ten years. When a murder happens locally that is eerily similar to her mother's, she takes it into her own hands to try to piece it all together.

There is the potential for so many spoilers, so I won't say much more. I loved Mari's character and the inclusion of Cuban traditions and religion. I loved her drive, and I really loved the ending. It was such a fast-paced book and certainly a page-turner.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

Mari Alvarez, crime reporter/wanna-be-detective, is impetuous when involved in a crime that needs to be solved.....and when she comes upon a crime scene reminiscent of her own mother's murder- she cannot walk away. The clues she sees and that are thrust at her force her to follow the old world religious practices and superstitions of her Cuban heritage. Detective Anthony Garcia reluctantly allows Mari to assist in following the clues to a murderer, while at the same time protectiving her from the threat of her own stalker. The descriptive manner that the author uses in detailing the practices of Santeria - superstition, rituals and curses, the evil eye - were important parts of the story and helpful in understanding the characters. The chemistry between Mari and Detective Garcia is palpable - and with the open-ended closing of the book - it seems like we will see them together again! Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC: Amara for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #AllTheBrokenGirls #NetGalley

It took me a while to get into this novel. It began with Mari as a disgraced news reporter but it is a while before we are given the facts. I prefer earlier backstory so I can better understand her actions. She was a bit hard for me to like at first. She was too reactionary and lied. She was not methodical in her investigative work. Later, as her personality and history were revealed in more depth, I came to understand her passion and reckless activity.

The strength of this novel for me was the description of the Cuban belief system. The Old World religion was sort of combined with Catholicism to form Santeria. There was a great deal of superstition, rituals and curses, like the evil eye. I appreciated learning about it.

Other than taking a while to get engaged in this novel, I liked it. It is a good one for readers who like a mystery firmly centered in a place with a very influential culture. We are left hanging at the end of this novel so I will be looking for a sequel.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Television crime reporter Mari Alvarez is on thin ice with her career after an explosive story resulted in her station getting sued. Regulated to reporting on puff pieces like a new baby sloth, Mari can’t help getting involved when a woman is murdered. With All the Broken Girls, author Linda Hurtado Bond delivers a pulse-pounding thriller.

For Mari, the case reminds her of her mother’s unsolved murder. When additional bodies are found, and clues seem to send a direct message to Mari, she must form a partnership with Detective Antonio Garcia and navigate old-school Cuban beliefs, including connections to Santeria.

The push/pull relationship between Mari and Detective Garcia is intense. Not only is there a natural sense of mistrust because Mari is a reporter, but the case requires Garcia to rely on evidence that is out of the ordinary. Both characters are strong and intensely protective of their families, which is demonstrated when the serial killer targets Mari’s sister.

Mari’s determination to seek closure for those impacted by the current murders is fueled by a decade of not having answers regarding her mother’s murder. She races to put the pieces together and discovers an unexpected culprit. As an interesting twist, the author leaves a cliffhanger behind, indicating a trip to Cuba is in the works as a way to seek justice in her mother’s case.

All the Broken Girls delivers a high level of suspense with a fascinating storyline. Mari steals the spotlight as a disgraced television reporter determined to comfort the motherless teenagers…something she never received after her own mother’s murder.

Reviewed for Novels Alive.

Book Review…All the Broken Girls by Linda Hurtado Bond

This was my first book by Linda Hurtado and it was a suspenseful and interesting read!

Crime reporter Mari Alvarez was never able to solve her mother’s murder ten years ago. But when a woman is gunned down on the doorstep of her West Tampa neighborhood, Mari can’t shake the eerie sense of connection. Caught up in superstition, secrets and ties to her own past, Mari has only one option. Put the puzzle together before someone else dies even if it destroys her career.

The plot is entertaining and complex and it was interesting to learn about Santeria, a Cuban religion. Mari was a good main character she is a determined, brave and at times she can be a little feisty. The pace moved around a little but for the most part it was consistent. Overall it was a ell written story with a little bit of black magic and an interesting mystery! Thank you Partners in Crime Tours for sharing this book with me!

All the Broken Girls by Linda Hurtado Bond was a mystery that was full of suspense and surprises that I enjoyed reading. Mari is back to work after being suspended and is trying to earn her spot again. What she should not be doing is investigating the murders that are similar to how her mother died. I could not stop turning the pages to see how it would all end. It was also interesting to learn about the Cuban culture and the descriptions provided. I am excited to read more from this author.

Happy reading!

Broken girls blossom into warriors.

The above quote could be the tagline for this book. If you love a good murder/mystery, this book is for you. Marisol aka Mari (rhymes with sorry) Alvarez is a crime reporter with a tragic past and a sense of justice you can't help but root for. The story keeps you guessing and has a few unexpected twists and turns you won't see coming. I also enjoyed learning about a different culture and religion.

The book doesn't end in a cliffhanger but does set itself up nicely for a sequel. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

It's Florida and Mari is just back from a suspension from her job as a crime reporter when she can't resist getting involved in another murder investigation. I really enjoyed the solid story that combined the Cuban culture, Catholicism, Santeria, and the strong bonds of family. At points I felt like Mari and some of the other characters were caricatures in a tele novella, like her Abuela who is either cooking or praying, the police detective with his over expressive eye brows, and Mari's abundant exclaiming of "Carajol." It felt like some of the Cuban ethnicity was being artificially added to the story. But by about halfway through the book, I was used to it or it was tamed down, and I started to really enjoy the mystery. Mari and Detective Garcia might even make for a good series!

In All The Broken Girls, author Linda Hurtado Bond transports the reader to West Tampa, Florida, for an intriguing thriller that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

The story centers around crime reporter Marisol Alvarez, who is drawn into investigating murders with the same clues at each crime scene in West Tampa. Mari is convinced that the killer is a vigilante serial killer, and that he is sending her messages with a connection to the ten year old unsolved murder of her mother. Mari is determined to solve the murders, including her mother's, and convinces Homicide Detective Antonio Garcia to let her investigate the murders with him, and seek justice even if she loses her job at the tv station. Can Mari and Tony solve the murders before the killer continues his killing spree?

Author Linda Hurtado Bond weaves a slow-building and suspenseful tale written in the first person narrative that follows Mari as she investigates the recent murders that each have a connection, and is determined to find the truth and seek justice.

The reader is easily drawn into this riveting story with its richly descriptive plot. It is filled with enough drama, secrets, motives, possible suspects, and intriguing twists and turns that definitely keeps the reader guessing until the surprising conclusion.

This was a really intrigruing story to read! The author does a wonderful job of intertwining the Cuban community in West Tampa with their Santeria religion, and the mystery behind the murders that plague their community. The story provides enough clues to engage the reader, and I found myself so caught up on following Mari's investigative pursuit of putting the pieces of the puzzle together and solving the murders of her mother and the others, while also trying to figure out who was behind the murders. I was absolutely stunned by the conclusion!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how intriguing it was to learn about the Cuban community in West Tampa, their culture, and especially about their Santeria religion. I loved how the author intertwined this fascinating Old-World superstition along with Mari's past, and the uncovering of secrets that unfortunately changed her family relationships.

All The Broken Girls will definitely take the readers on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/08/all-broken-girls-by-linda-hurtado-bond.html

Mari Alvarez was a crime reporter when she accused a Tampa City Council member was accused of being a serial killer , it cost Mari a suspension and a suing of the news station. When Mari comes back to work, she is given “fluffy” assignments. She does it as she needs to support her family. She gets an assignment to go to the zoo, but gets distracted by hearing a murder that just happened nearby on her way to the zoo. It happens to be her old neighborhood so she wants to find out if she knows who was killed. Her co-worker says no but ends up driving Mari. She sees she doesn’t know the person killed but remembers when her mother was killed and how afraid she was. The police never caught the killer. Mari goes to the older daughter to give her some comfort. It somehow s get her investigating on her own as she is sure it is the same person who killed her mother ten years ago. Will Mari be able to keep her job? Will she find the killer?

The author has written an amazing murder mystery. It’s a compelling page-turner. I enjoyed discovering that Mari has a “wicked sense of humor.” There is a small subplot of romance which I didn’t expect. It’s also a thriller. I have never read this author. I will be looking for more books by this author to read.

This was a new author to me so I had a very open mind going in. I enjoyed the basic premise but had a hard time relating to ant of the characters. The story itself was well constructed and had a good mystery.

"You've been reckless with the facts and a city councilman's reputation." Now my thermostat is rising. "You arrested him." "As I recall, your boss suspended you for reporting your opinions. You didn't stick to my police report."
"I based my reports on your police statement." And one well-placed anonymous source deep inside the police department.

Marisol has been working the crime beat for some time. And she's good at her job. Until one story that went bad. After her suspension, she's on pins and needles. Being put on "fluff" reporting assignments has made her crazy. Especially when she knows there is much more going on in her town. She knows that she can help uncover it.

This is fast paced crime book. Love the characters and the story line!

The title promised an intense murder mystery with a trail of broken girls leading to the killer. The cover promised a vibrant read. This book delivered on its promises in the beginning and the end, but the middle was a slow burn with no fire. I liked the Florida setting, the Cuban culture and Spanish internal dialogue, and I loved the haunted crime reporter trope. The black magic Santeria component didn't add to the story as the author likely intended; I skimmed it. There were multiple big reveals in the book, and I appreciated them all. This was an overall solid read, but the middle chunk needed some more (or maybe less) to make it more exciting.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by Linda Hurtado Bond - 4.5 stars!

Mari is the crime story reporter for the local news radio, now disgraced because her story accusing a councilperson of murder. Mari's own mother was murdered years ago and the killer never brought to justice. So when murders happen in her Tampa neighborhood that seem connected, she can't stop investigating, even when it gets her in more trouble from her boss. But work troubles aren't the only problem facing Mari - are the clues the killer is leaving targeting her?

Author Linda Hortado Bond is a news anchor for a Tampa station, so she definitely writes what she knows! This was a well-written, tense thriller with plenty of suspects and twists to keep you turning the pages. I also was very intrigued with the Cuban culture, religious beliefs, food and traditions that were key to this story. This is the first book I've read by this author but I'm ready for more!

A crime reporter who is haunted by the memories of her mother's murder, is launched into joining forces with a homicide detective when a woman in her neighborhood is murdered in similar circumstances. Clues are offered to Mari that lead her from one murder scene to the next. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Who is the man in the black hoodie? Why Mari?

The author does a good job leading us through the clues and the investigation. Mari's crime wall helps the reader to look at all of the clues without giving away who is committing the murders. The characters are stiff and lack something that makes it hard for the reader to connect to them.

I had to give the book four stars because the author does a great job capturing the essence of Cuban Culture. She captures the importance of family despite betrayal, the food, the neighborliness, the traditions, the reverence for one's elders, and Santeria. Mari's grandmother wore a Santa Barbara necklace just like my own grandmother did. The author hit it out of the park with this aspect of the story.

All the Broken Girls was a bit chaotic for me. It startedstrong with a TV crime reporter getting drawn into a murder she is not supposed to be reporting on. Then it rolls into more murders, a stalker, a mysterious religion called Santeria, a shady policeman, a lost sister, and a family member dying. Just one of these events would wear down a person but poor Mari had all of them to deal with in a short amount of time. Thank goodness there was also some romance- something good had to come out of all the crap! It was hard to keep track of all the twists and the ending was a stretch. But it was a heart quickening read!