I chose to read a free eARC of Keep Your Family Close but that has in no way influenced my review.

Keep Your Family Close is the second book in the Detective Matthias Honeywell series. I was immediately drawn to this novel due to the creepy looking cover and in all honesty, I really can’t help myself when it comes to mysteries set in the US. Particularly when they’re set in a location I haven’t, in a literary sense, visited before. Keep Your Family Close is set in Erie, Pennsylvania so that was a big ol’ tick in my book. Unfortunately, because I don’t pay close enough attention and because I was just too darn excited when I saw this book, I didn’t realise it was the second book in the series. We’ve all done it, I’m sure. Picked up a book that’s partway through a series without realising that these characters have been on many adventures prior to you discovering them. Often it doesn’t really matter and you can play catch up pretty quickly. Other times, it’s more of a struggle and that feeling that you’re missing out on something that’s gone before just doesn’t shift. I’m afraid I felt very much out of the loop with this book. The past is of course touched upon, but for me, the detail was missing. I was able to cobble together the barest of bones but was I right? Only those who have read the first book in the series will be able to confirm that for me. I felt throughout the entire book that I had missed something vitally important in the moulding and shaping of Emma Anderson’s character and sadly, that’s the main thing I’ve taken away from reading Keep Your Family Close.

However, I think this is very much a case of me not being the right reader for this particular novel. Looking at the other reviews, there’s so much love for this series so just because this one wasn’t my cup of tea, it doesn’t mean it won’t be yours. I really liked the location. I thought the author brought the streets of Erie, PA to life. I liked the pace of the novel, slow and steady to start but building to an exciting and thrilling conclusion. And I thought the overall storyline was good. The handsome and dashing lead detective falling in love with the female protagonist wasn’t particularly my thing, nor was the also handsome, supportive and overly protective male BFF trope. But they might be yours. In which case, check out the first book initially so you can get the full lowdown on what happened to Emma in book one first before you move on to Keep Your Family Close. All in all, I don’t think this was a book for me but I do ultimately seem to be in the minority there and I’m very happy with being on my tod.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of Keep Your Family Close. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy of Keep Your Family Close, the second novel to feature photographer Emma Anderson and Detective Matthias Honeywell, set in Erie, Pennsylvania.

A decomposing body is found in the basement of a derelict building. Matthias is leading the investigation and is surprised to find Nell Anderson’s driving licence on the body. The news comes as a blow to Emma who has been looking for her sister Nell, a drug addict, for over a year.

I thoroughly enjoyed Keep Your Family Close, which is an engrossing read with plenty of twists and turns. The narrative is split between Emma and Matthias as both pursue their own enquiries, but always keeping in touch to keep the other updated. I like this as it allows the reader to guess along and get immersed in the case.

I like the way the novel is split between police procedural and Emma’s less orthodox, more emotional approach as it offers the reader the best of both worlds. I can’t say much about the content of the novel without spoilers as some of the twists come early and direct the rest of the narrative. The plot is relatively fast paced with the surprise early twist and plenty of developments to keep the reader turning the pages. There is never a dull moment with Matthias investigating an unrelated murder and a missing person that have the team puzzled. Emma is not involved in these cases as she is consumed with finding out who harmed Nell. The resolution is a surprise as there is little hint of it before the evidence starts stacking up.

I like Matthias and Emma as both are driven in their own way and that seems to preclude them acting on their strong attraction to each other, but they’re getting closer. They work well together, she’s more impulsive and better at communicating, but he’s the steady one.

Keep Your Family Close is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Detective Matthias Honeywell is called to the scene of a man shot in an alley near a bar. Sounds like a mugging on the surface, especially since his wallet is missing. Is it that simple? Or is there more to it than that? If it is a mugging, will they ever figure out who did it? Meanwhile, he’s also working on the case of a waitress who vanished while walking home from work one night. Will he get a break in that case?

Plus, Honeywell’s friend, Emma Anderson, gets a new lead on where her missing sister might be. The lead is a week old; will it lead Emma to her sister?

With so many storylines, it isn’t a surprise that I found this book to be a page turning. There was always something happening to keep me engaged. The characters were strong, and that drew me in as well. There was one part of the solution that bothered me, but all my questions were answered. Meanwhile, those who enjoyed the first book will be happy to hear the sparks between Honeywell and Emma are as strong as ever. Plus, we get to see some interesting growth in them and meet some great new characters. Since this is a police procedural, it’s a little darker than my typical cozy, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. This is a great second book in a series that will keep you turning pages.

This is the second book in this series. It picks up with Emma still looking for her sister. There’s some twists I didn’t see coming. It moves a little slow for me but ends with a bang. Already looking forward to the next one

I enjoyed the first in this series, so I have been highly anticipating book two. I was not disappointed! Keep Your Family Close was just as good and, just as compelling. I have to say I also love the authors other works, she is one of my automatic preorders.

A thrilling tale that feels like watching a crimeshow.

The first half of the book felt a little slow, mainly because everything had to be set up for the second half. But once you cross that line into the second half everything goes insanely fast and you're incapable of putting the book down.
Greatly enjoyable, though not something I would pick up were I in the bookstore.

This second book in the series picks up where the first one left off. Emma is still searching for her sister Nell. And Mathias is still helping her, although now Nell may be implicated in a murder case. Can Mathias balance his growing feelings for Emma with his duty as a police officer?

I really enjoyed this book. The story is well written, with enough plausible suspects to keep it interesting. And I like how the author is developing the relationship between Emma and Mathias.

Eerie happenings in Erie: not predictable for me!😲

4.5🌟stars
This search for a killer and the female lead's missing sister Nell caught me off-guard in a good way. I had a definite feel for the good and bad guys but I ultimately was proved at least partially wrong (though I admit in hindsight that the clues were there). I found the mix of murder, suspense, action and a bit of constantly stifled romantic attraction made for a really good plot. Plus, setting the story in Erie, in my home state, was a big draw for me.

Matthias, the male lead police detective, made for a good hero: a bit brooding, a lot serious, protective and hung up on his attraction to photographer Emma who moved up to Erie looking for her sister Nell. Nell's a wayward young woman who's had drug and alcohol addiction issues; Emma hasn't seen in her a few years and fears she's in danger. But there have been various possible recent sightings of her around Erie and the discovery of a woman's body in a derelict building near a homeless encampment seems to affirm Emma's worst nightmare.

The police also have another recent murder and a missing person case to solve. Matthias' younger colleague Frazier, who gives an iffy first impression, turns out to be a very resourceful investigator thanks to his many local connections.

This was the second novel by Dashofy I've read and I will definitely be reading more. Her plots and characters really appeal to me.

Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I picked up the first Detective Honeywell book on a whim earlier this year and enjoyed it, so book two was high on my to read list. Keep Your Family Close was just as good and, despite being less focused on the murder mystery aspect, just as compelling.

The story this time is more about Emma’s sister, following the discovery of a dead body with Nell’s identity documents, but how did the body end up there and what was the cause of death? To say much more about the book would be to spoil the plot — it’s one of those ones. So let me just skip on to the actual review.

I have to admit that, occasionally, I found myself preferring Matthias’s POV to Emma’s, given that his was the more prototypical mystery novel. Emma’s tended a bit more towards a thriller and most of it was about keeping secrets from Matthias (because of the aforementioned spoilers in the plot). And, just personally, I don’t love when a lot of the plot hinges on keeping secrets. Luckily, they weren’t kept for very long, and also Matthias basically knew she was lying the whole time.

Despite knowing where the plot was mostly going (given differing amounts of information in each POV), it was still a compelling read. Annette Dashofy is good at keeping the tension high and the plot moving quickly. The relationship between Matthias and Emma is equally compelling (and progresses in this book too), although perhaps a little too quickly? Again, probably a taste thing, but I am still interested in how it goes from here.

Anyway, regardless this is a fun series, one I’ve enjoyed reading so far. And one I will definitely be continuing.

Detective Matthias Honeywell and his colleagues are busy with several cases: the murder of a man whose body is found in an alleyway and the missing person case of Gillian Watson.

Emma Anderson, a photographer ErieLive, is back and searching for her missing sister Nell. When a badly decomposed body is found in the basement of an abandoned warehouse, Emma is devastated to learn that her sisters Nell's driving licence was found on the body. Working together with Detective Honeywell, she is trying to piece together what happened to her sister until she receives a phone call that throws her.

This is book 2 in the Detective Honeywell Mystery series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I would suggest you read Where The Guilty Hide first. It does help you with some background on the characters mentioned.

Keep Your Family Close is definitely a gripping murder mystery, and I had no trouble catching up on the previous connection between Emma and Detective Honeywell.

The thriller is set on the shores of Lake Erie, Pennsylvania, and the scenery is described very well by the author. The plot is fast-paced, and I was immediately engaged in the storyline and its characters. All cases seemed to merge together, and there were plenty of twists and turns during the investigations.

There was definitely some chemistry between Emma and Detective Honeywell, and the author created some interesting characters, which I hope may be explored further in the next instalment of this series.

This was my first read by the author Annette Dashofy, and I certainly enjoyed the writing style of the author. I am looking forward to reading the first book of the Detectives Honeywell Mystery Series, which I purchased after I realised this was book #2.

Highly recommended if you enjoy gritty and intense murder mysteries.

Many thanks to @Netgalleyuk, @onemorechapter, and @annettedashofy for the chance to read the ARC.

I had no idea Keep Your Family Close by Annette Dashofy is book two in a series called Detective Honeywell Mysteries. This is book two in the series. And I do plan on buying the first title in this series.
I thought the story was gripping, full of twists and turns and you are never sure which way it is going to go.
Dashofy’s character descriptions are clear, and this book was difficult to put down. Her depictions are realistic and engaging, and her writing was very engaging.
Part police procedural, part crime mystery, the characters were engaging, the story was well-written and the ending was unexpected. The author did a great job with creating a wonderful atmosphere and if felt like I was right there with the characters.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and One More Chapter for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC of this book.
Somehow this book failed to draw me in. The characters just seemed very mixed up to me and it hasn't inspired me into reading any more featuring Matthias Honeywell which is unusual.

This is the second book in the Detective Honeywell Mystery series, but I missed the first one. This one can easily be read as a stand-alone and I had no trouble following the story.

Description:
When a badly decomposed body is found in the basement of an abandoned warehouse, Erie police detective, Matthias Honeywell, is called in to investigate. Meanwhile, freelance photographer Emma Anderson is desperately trying to find her drug-addicted sister, Nell. Then a devastating piece of evidence found at Detective Honeywell’s crime scene brings her world crashing down, a driver’s license belonging to her missing sister. In need of her assistance, Matthias asks Emma to help with the case, hoping to solve the mysterious disappearance of Nell Anderson. But in doing so, will the investigation uncover more questions than answers?

My Thoughts:
I really liked the character Detective Matthias Honeycutt - he seems expressive with his mood changes showing in his countenance. He seems strong and determined, but has a softer side. I enjoyed the budding romance between him and Emma. The search for Emma's sister has some harrowing moments. There are a couple of murders with some twists and turns to the investigation, that becomes fairly complex. I enjoyed following the clues with the detectives. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, and I look forward to additions to this series.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on December 8, 2023.

"Keep Your Family Close" by Annette Dashofy delivers another suspenseful installment in the series. The slow but deliberate fleshing out of the main characters, Detective Matthias Honeywell and freelance photographer Emma Anderson, adds depth and authenticity to the story. Dashofy skillfully weaves their personal struggles into the narrative, making them relatable and endearing.
The plot, centered around a grisly crime scene and a missing person case, is intricately woven with unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. Dashofy's writing style is both engaging and evocative, immersing the reader in the dark and mysterious world of the novel.
As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself drawn deeper into the characters' lives and the enigmatic mysteries they face. The discovery of the driver's license belonging to Emma's missing sister adds a layer of emotional intensity that keeps you emotionally invested in the outcome.
"Keep Your Family Close" leaves you eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, as you'll be yearning for more answers and more of Dashofy's masterful storytelling. With its well-crafted characters and intricate plot, this book earns a solid 4.5/5 stars, leaving you hungry for more. Fans of Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh won’t be disappointed in giving this series a go. Thanks to Ms Dashofy, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Keep Your Family Close by Annette Dashofy is a very good book. I really liked the premise and the writing style; the story held my interest.

When a badly decomposed body is found in the basement of an abandoned warehouse, Erie police detective Matthias Honeywell is called in to investigate. Meanwhile, freelance photographer Emma Anderson is desperately trying to find her drug-addicted sister, Nell. Then, a devastating piece of evidence found at Detective Honeywell’s crime scene brings her world crashing down, a driver’s license belonging to her missing sister.

Keep Your Family Close is a good overall mystery with solid characters, fast-paced action, and realistic.

I would definitely read more by this author and would recommend this book.

#NetGalley @OneMoreChapter_

It was a good overall mystery with a lot of interesting twists and turns that keeps you engaged and interested .
Thanks for letting me review the book to Netgalley and the publisher

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a fast-paced and suspenseful read as Emma searches for her sister Nell and Detective Honeywell investigates two murders. There was even a bit of a romance thrown in. I did feel at something of a disadvantage not having read the first in the series (which apparently also featured Emma) - events in it were referred to a lot, and had apparently just happened.

I received a free copy of, Keep Your Family Close, by Annette Dashofy, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in A Detective Honeywell Mystery book series. When a body is found detective Matthias Honeywell is on the case. This was a good read, iy kept me guessing til the end, I really enjoyed Det. Honeywell.

I really enjoyed this book! It kept me on my toes from the very start. I never saw where it was going but it all made sense in the end. Great book with great characters!

I actually did like this book. The story was enough to keep me reading as i was desperate to find out what happened. I think there was books previous to this one which I didn’t realise so I was slightly unsure at how Emma and Matthias met but it wasn’t too much where I didn’t understand the plot. I felt the ending for me was a little bit of a let down, I’m a reader who needs a mystery right up until the end but I knew the end of this story with still about 20% to go but that’s a personal thing for me and nothing against the author.