Gerri Hill's crime mysteries have always been very good reads. This book, set in very small town Timber Falls, has a gruesome killing that brought Carter, an LAPD cop turned FBI agent into the case. Haley is the owner of the local bar and grill, who moved to Timber Falls to grieve the death of her wife. I would say this is primarily a murder mystery with the romance being a nice bonus. I like the chemistry between the two main characters. And I'm a sucker for a book with a good small-town vibe. I finish the book hoping that there will be more books with Carter and Haley in the future.

**Thank you to Bella Books for giving an ARC for an honest review!**

Suspense and lesbian romance intertwined
Hill brings us with Timber Falls a suspense set in a tiny, outback town. When a murder occurs loner FBI agent Carter comes into this close-knit community and finds an easy friendship with Mike, the cop stationed in Timber Falls, and Haley who is still grieving her wife. There is a small nod to the Sullivan & Ross series, but no further exploration.

I loved how Hill catches the small town vibe. The quiet beauty of nature and the community are the backdrop for the story to unfold. I love how the friendships unfold. With a few sentences Hill masterfully sets the tone and atmosphere of life in Timber Falls. The chapters come as swift as the river coming down the mountains and after a slow start it sets a fast pace for the whole story. The story has emotional depth esp. in exploring Haley‘s grief and touching on Carter‘s inner struggles and their loneliness.
The suspense is in comparison a bit flat. Enough to keep us readers engaged, but not wildly menacing or inducing heart palpitations. Some aspects remain unsolved and the suspense part could have been explored in more depth.
A good and easy read - as much romance as suspense - to while away a lazy sommer or winter day.

Thanks to Bella Books and netgalley for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.

From all the books I read I have to say that Gerri Hill is at her best when she writes a thriller, and boy does she hit the mark with this one..

Timber Falls has two great characters, Haley and Carter.

I loved the way their attraction to each other builds each day, but the real pull to the story is the thriller that runs alongside the romance of this book. Once I started I just couldn't put it down. 100% page turner

Would I recommend: Oh boy yes, Gerri Hill at her best

Gerri Hill is a top class storyteller. She knows how to get you at the beginning and hold you through a plot. This is no exception. She throws in references to characters we’re familiar with but new readers won’t be ignored. Haley is living in Timber Falls grieving her wife. She has one friend of a similar age who is the local sheriff. Haley runs a restaurant/bar and everyone comes in. The area is quiet except for the few months in the summer when the tourists come in their droves to ride the rapids. This is life for Haley.

Then there’s a murder and an FBI agent, Carter, is sent in to consider whether it has links to an earlier death. Carter and Haley hit it off. But neither one of them is really looking for anything and they fight against the attraction for various reasons. Not least Carter’s future in the FBI.

Ms Hill does not let you down. The characters are developed properly, they seem credible even when acting strangely, and the denouement is satisfying. If you’ve read Ms Hill before you won’t be disappointed and if you haven’t you’re in for a treat as there’s something for everyone in her back catalogue.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley

I don’t read a lot of Hill’s books because I’m not one for the paranormal. So when the author writes a “simple” crime/mystery I am over the moon because the writing is always top notch and the story captivating.

Haley has basically fled to Timber Falls to grieve her wife’s death almost eight years ago. And the grieving is going nowhere, she’s just going through the motions. Her best friend is the town cop - Mike. He doesn’t really know anything about Haley, just some of the basics and the front she shows everyone. When the sleepy little town is shocked by a brutal murder FBI agent Carter shows up, this is her last name by the way, she doesn’t go by her first name. Carter is rather new to the FBI and she’s not sure she likes it. The murder turns into two, and another linked one and some other things happen (no I’m not spoiling). Carter and Mike work together on the case that has the town flustered. Haley is also flustered by Carter, Carter is honest with her and Haley doesn’t always take that well. She needs a little time to process some of Carter’s harsher truths, but there is a pull there. I really like how the author made both characters unapologetically themselves. They are who they are and they don’t apologise for wanting, needing or reacting in a certain way. This rings especially true for Carter.

The crime story is great and when I was expecting a certain thing the author didn’t go there. I like when I can’t predict where the story will take me, especially in crime stories.

Another great crime story by Hill with a lovely romance as well. These are the things I love.

Gerri Hill is a writer I get excited about when I hear a new release is coming. As soon as I received a copy of Timber Falls, it was bumped to the top of my TBR list, and I devoured it in a matter of hours.

Set in the small mountain town of, you guessed it, Timber Falls, this murder mystery/romance contains so many aspects of Hill’s writing style that make her one of the best in this genre. Haley is the saloon owner who returned to Timber Falls to mourn the death of her wife and never left. Or moved forward. Carter is the shamed cop who has somehow managed to be recruited by the FBI. Sent to Timber Falls to investigate a murder, she meets Haley, and a friendship is formed, paving the way for more. Carter works with the sole local law enforcement, and they uncover clues to find the killer.

There are so many reasons this book works well; there is a small reference to Ross and Sullivan from Devils Rock, which was a nice little trip down memory lane, but nothing in-depth. Hill uses her words to describe the picturesque surroundings so vividly and succinctly, the characters communicate with each other which prevents so much unnecessary angst, and the plot is fresh and exciting.

There is romance and cute banter, mystery, and suspense and it all intertwines perfectly so that the reader isn’t left feeling like there is too much of some and not enough of another.

When a violent murder happens in a small mountain village a lone FBI agent is sent in because of potential ties to another murder. Lynn Carter has been with the FBI for less than a year but was a LAPD homicide detective previously. Working with the town's only police officer she gathers what information she can. Haley Martin owns the Timber Falls Bar and Grill. She purchased the saloon 7 years ago after the tragic death of her wife. She returned to Timber Falls to grieve and because it was where she fell in love. Haley hasn’t been interested in anyone new but Carter may be the one to open her heart.

This has a very loose connection to Hill’s Ross and Sullivan mysteries. They don’t make an appearance but Jason, the Quantico computer genius, gathers all the data. His computer algorithms lead to a potential suspect and tying cases together. The case is interesting but it isn’t menacing. Even though the whole mystery resolves in ten days, Hill gives time for friendship and more between Haley and Carter. She lets them share their backgrounds and struggles. Normally these types of books give short attention to the romance but here its a more even 50/50 split.

I love how easily Gerri Hill can alternate between delightful romances and suspense mystery thrillers. I think this is left open ended enough that Carter could be called upon for a sequel and I will gladly read it. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

4.25 stars. Those that follow my reviews will know that I’m a fan of Hill’s books, especially the crime and paranormal books are my favorites and this book was yet again a delight to read.

Hill is an expert in describing surroundings, especially small towns and remote areas. You can almost see the scenery and feel the tranquility of small town Timber Falls, a town that sleeps in winter and comes to life in summer for the rafting season. But, Timber Falls has a serial killer on its hands…

Usually with a crime investigation book the romance takes a backseat but not in this book. I would say it’s about 50/50 and both storylines are strong and enjoyable to read. If I have to choose I think I liked the romance best.
The MCs aren’t looking for love but they both realize they are lonely. Haley is dealing with grief as she lost her wife several years previous and can’t let go of her. Carter on the other hand is handling some changes in her life, her work has always been her prime reason to live for, but is it still all she wants?
Haley and Carter are both mature women (yes they communicate) figuring out how they can be happy together. It’s not that they are unhappy perse, but also not entirely happy. They feel real and I liked how the romance slowly builds which is more based on a perfect emotional match than on lust.

The mystery is a good read, but this is not a very long book and there is also a heavy focus on the romance, so it is not the most elaborate storyline. This is not a book where you receive lots of clues and can puzzle who the killer could be. There is an investigative component and there are some twists, but it is on the light side. Yet, Hill knows how to keep things interesting and exciting.

For those familiar with the Ross & Sullivan series this book mentions them as Carter takes over their job at the FBI. They play no further role in the book, but I liked this little detail.

I easily recommend this book if you like a crime/romance combination.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Good start. Thriller aspect with a side of romance. Damaged people (tho aren’t we all) A meet gruesome!
The book zips along, we see more of the mains lives, or half lives really. The genres, romance and crime are neatly intertwined and done well so i don’t feel more invested in one than the other. Sometimes, with other less well crafted books I get irritated when one strand of plot gives page time to the other. This feels seamless.
The crescendo of the crime arc was exciting to read, and the developing romance was lovely to read.

Gerri Hill is the only lesfic writer I can think of who can write absolutely any genre, and consistently produce top-quality work. Romance, mystery, paranormal ... Timber Falls is no exception. As always in a Gerri Hill book, the location setting is undeniably one of the main characters. The descriptions of the mountains and the river and the falls are so clearly defined that I could easily visualize the entire town.

Haley and Carter are a compelling couple, each with her own backstory and personal baggage to overcome. Forced proximity is part of it, sure, but the pairing completely works. I was drawn in immediately, and in fact, was 30% in before I ever even looked to see how far I was. It's a great day when Gerri Hill releases a new book.

I have read and enjoyed many books by Gerri Hill in the past, so I was excited to read this one. The blurb/ premise were great; a wild back-country setting, a shocking death, and a hot FBI agent is sent to investigate.
Unfortunately, it's awful. The writing is really poor, characters are weak and not in any way developed or fleshed out. Much of the dialogue and the frequent info dumps are truly cringe-inducing. It's genuinely baffling to think this is the same author I've read before. One to avoid for sure.

The picturesque Colorado village of Timber Falls is swarmed every summer by young and old looking to raft the river. This summer a serial killer joins the ranks of the “river rats” leaving dead bodies in their wake.
Ex LA Detective and newly minted FBI Agent Lynn Carter arrives on the scene to track the killer.
Gerri Hill has proven repeatedly that she knows how to write a murder mystery. Timber Falls is yet another example of this. The serial killer aspect brings a few unexpected twists to the table which only elevates the intense plot.
Hill’s writing is superb as she brings you quickly into the story and holds your attention until the end. I would say this is a typical Hill novel but only if you understand ‘typical’ to mean an outstanding story, intriguing characters, beautiful settings and unparalleled writing.

I received an advance review copy from Bella Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have read all of Gerri Hill's books and loved them all. She tells a good story with lots of emotion and warmth. This is a warm love story, great friendships with warm characters and a murder mystery all rolled into one. The mystery is as important as the romance. It does not take a back seat. There are some twists, scary parts and action scenes. You will fall in love with the town and wish you could find one like it. And a cushy job like the sheriff's.
My only negative is I thought pining over a dead lover after 7 years was a bit much. Survival usually snaps in after a few years of loneliness So I found Haley annoying until she snapped out of it. But that was part of the story.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review

The serial killer storyline was well written and kept me engaged even after the identity of the killer had been discovered. The quick camaraderie between Carter and the local sheriff was great, as were the other characters who frequented Haley's saloon. The isolated small town setting had been depicted very well and made me feel like I was right there with those characters, and made me feel invested in them. However, it was hard for me to feel the chemistry between the main characters or develop a connection to Haley with so much action going on with the murders. The book was not as impactful for me as some of the author's previous works but I found it engaging nevertheless.

If you want a good murder with a nice dash of sweet romance between great characters, a good flowing plot and dialogue in an isolated setting with vivid descriptions then Geri Hill should be the first name that pops up. You can always count on her to write a book that's interesting, has you rooting for the couple and leaves you feeling satisfied. Timber Falls is no different with FBI agent Carter who comes to a little town mainly known for their great rapids to investigate a gruesome murder and comes across cafe owner Haley. There are bumps, there are some twists and a steadily growing relationship. Recommended to anyone who likes their romance/mystery mix.

***Thank you Bella Books and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.***

This is my first Gerri Hill book and I really enjoyed it.
For me it was the perfect romance... sweet, and it moved at a nice pace for me. 

Hill can write a wonderful mystery/romance story!
Her characters are well written and developed.
The writing was great and kept me intrigued throughout the entire novel.
The story was phenomenal and honestly I already have her backlist books saved.
The mystery was a favorite of mine. I was hooked and didn't want it to end so soon.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Bella Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Haley is the owner of a bar and grill restaurant in Timber Falls. Timber Falls has a grade V river rapids course that attracts college students and professional rafters. Students camp along the river in tents to save money. One night a student rafter is brutally murdered in his tent. Lynn Carter is a new FBI agent and former LA detective and gets assigned to solve this murder since it is a suspected serial murder.

Haley and Carter are both loners and not looking for romance. They each are suffering from emotional trauma in their past. But alas they meet and become friends.

The mystery was entertaining and the blooming romance was sweet. Overall another good Gerri Hill story.

Arc received for a voluntary and honest review from Bella Books via NetGalley.

Haley Martin owns and runs the Timber Falls Bar and Grill (aka the saloon) in Timber Falls, Colorado, population one hundred residents. Timber Falls swells in population in the summer when people, including many college students, come to race the Class V rapids. Haley was twenty-five when her wife, Gail, died in an accident while hiking a fourteen-foot peak with her hiking buddies in Colorado. Haley returned to Timber Falls seven years ago hoping to be close to Gail. She and Gail met in Timber Falls as college students. However, Haley has felt nothing other than numbness during that time. She hasn't dated or slept with anyone since Gail's death.

At the start of the current river run season, an extremely violent murder of a college student takes place in a tent campground closest to the river. With similarities to another recent murder in Albuquerque, the FBI is called in to gather evidence and to try to solve the crime. The FBI sends in one agent, Lynn Carter (just "Carter") who was a former LAPD detective. She works with the local police chief, Mike, on the crime.

As Carter begins to work the case, she spends a lot of time at the saloon having a few beers and taking most of her meals there. She begins to flirt with Haley but is rebuffed. She and Haley become friends and eventually more as Carter helps Haley work through her emotions over Gail.

With Timber Falls and other mystery/romance books, Gerri Hill is an expert at weaving a gruesome murder story with relevant backstory with an emotionally charged romance. Another element in her writing that Hill has perfected is incorporating characters or mentions of characters from past books into her current book.

There are several mentions about FBI Agents Cameron Ross and Andrea Sullivan's FBI equipped RV (motorhome) from the Hell's Highway and Devil's Rock series. I believe the ending of Timber Falls was intentionally left open to continue the book in a series format similar to this other series. In the meantime, don't miss Timber Falls. I recommend this book to other readers looking for a mystery and a sweet romance.

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The great thing about Gerri Hill is that she can write a good gruesome murder mystery and a down-to-earth romance with likeable main characters in one book. add the small-town settings in the mountains and you get a perfect read for a rainy day or any day for the matter.

I can't wait for her next book!

There's something so fresh and engaging about Gerri Hills' books. Each book is so different but yet there is a familiarity to them. I think this is because of the book setting, especially in the last few years, each new book seems to be set in an isolated setting, such as the mountains, isolated villages, or small towns but they always leave me with a familiar feeling that you've been there before, which I absolutely love about her books. It just draws me in.

I don't think I've ever not liked a book by this author, whether it's a crime, romance, paranormal or like Timber Hills, a mystery book. It's not a long read but it did keep me captivated, not overly full of angst and did have a few twists and turns along the way. The two main characters, Haley Martin, a small town business owner in the village, who ran back to timber hills 7 years previous, returned to block out her past. Carter, a disgraced LAPD detective who's turned FBI, finds herself on the hunt for a serial killer who likes to pray on the town's tourists.

If you're a fan and have read Gerri Hills' previous books, you'll know what to expect from her writing in her new book. Timber Hills will not disappoint, it is very much worth the read, I've given ‘Timber Hills’ a 4.6 out of 5.