Solomon's Whisper

The Liv Bergen mysteries are not only well written, they are interesting to read. It's not all Joe Friday and "just the facts, ma'am." I know, I'm dating myself there. As I have progressed through the series, I have learned things about a part of the country I have never had the pleasure to visit. I have learned about mines and quarries. I have met a large family whose full lives are a model for us all. No, they are not perfect, but they seem to genuinely like each other, love each other, and respect each other. These are not hard-boiled cop books, they are mysteries as seen through the intelligent eyes of a puzzle solver.

Never discount anything in the Liv Bergen mysteries as trivial. Sandra Brannan will pick up the thread somewhere along the way and run with it. Back in book two, Liv mentions her nephew Noah, just one sentence. At the time, I knew there was a book with Noah in its title and I wondered then if one plus one would equal two.

Bad things seem to happen to and around Liv; however, in the end things work out for the best. That's not to say the end is a happily ever after, but it is a satisfying conclusion to the story just ending. Literary license makes it possible for stories about these places with small populations to circle back to the large Bergen family. In small towns, everybody knows everybody else and most of each other's secrets. Cold cases in this part of the world seem not all that common in general terms, but finding links that tie more than one such case to another is law enforcement officer's dream. Perhaps not one, but multiple cold cases can be solved by pulling on the right thread.

I also like the fact that Sandra Brannan takes the time to show compassion to the less fortunate among us. Again, no Joe Friday, but a nod to real caring for those less fortunate. And, she does it in such a way that the overall story is enhanced. I don't know that I've seen any other author weave such individuals into the very heart of a murder mystery and have it work out so successfully.

At the end of SOLOMON'S WHISPER, there is a question and answer section that is well worth reading. Ms. Brannon explains the Biblical references in the titles and how she uses them in ways that make her books not Christian fiction. She talks about her process. The best, for me, was reading that she 'sees' her books as movies in her head. I have to say that turning any of these books into a movie would work for me. I always enjoy getting inside the mind of an author I enjoy reading.

I would be remiss not to remind you that this is the fifth book in the Liv Bergen mystery series, and that you will be doing yourself a big disservice to start here. Go get book one and read your way through. You will be glad you did. I was!

Liv Bergen is an ex-miner turned FBI agent, who is now thinking of leaving the FBI to return to her old calling and be closer to her family again. This would greatly put her mind at ease about placing her family in danger by working with the FBI against heinous criminals.
Overall this was a fantastic novel which is surprising coming from an unknown author to me. I was so sure I knew where all the real gems were, and this one was definitely hiding!

This case hits close to home for Liv as being in a law enforcement position she can't take on cases that she knows the victim. Liv plans on leaving the FBI after what happened in the previous book, so Streeter gives her a bone to chew knowing that might have her stay. The case he gives her is a cold case that has to do with her niece. While in the middle of this case she starts putting together another case that seems almost similar and what she uncovers is a secret group of vigilantes, who will take the justice into their own hands. It was really interesting to see how many different things were going on with the cases and how it all comes full circle. No one can get away from anything yet they really try to cover their tracks.

While trying to solve these cases she notices that her boyfriend Jack is acting really weird and when we get to the end of the book we know why.

On top of this, you can see how Streeter really cares for Liv and you know they eventually have to get together but when? You can tell they both really like each other yet they don't act on their feelings.

If you haven't started this series yet I highly suggest you do. Liv is an extraordinary character who finds herself right in the middle of the cases in some way and will stop at nothing to solve them. She makes a great FBI agent and I hope she decides to stay.

Thank you to netgalley and publisher for the book in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get to this book. It was published in 2015 for I received in 2018. I did not know when I requested this, it was book 5. SO... Me being who I am, I had to read the first books before I started this book. But I do think you could have read it as a stand alone but I don't work that way. I want to know where this story first started and how the characters where molded.

Now, I would like to say that this series has been a great series to read. I highly recommend it. This book was no different. I was intrigued with the storyline all the way through. I have really enjoyed the mystery concept behind this book. Liv is an FBI who thinks she wants to go back to being a minor. She wants to be close to home and her family. Liv is offered some conditions to stay on as a FBI, but does she take this offer or does she try to keep her family safe?

I highly recommend this series.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, atmosphere, and characters. I would recommend the book to friends and family for their reading pleasure.

I am leaning more towards the 3.5 star review on this one.

Being the fifth book in the Liv Bergen Series, here we get a glimpse of her being in a new FBI office and being assigned a 7 year old cold case that's about her niece. There's also the fact that she's not looking to stay longer at the unit and would like to return to mining. It's got quite the dilemma and insight on the line between good and evil.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I liked it

Thanks Netgalley for a copy to read and review.

I have to say this book was the best one so far. Liv Bergen s four months into her gig as a special agent when she gets assigned a very high profile case. She also gets handed a cold case which could cost her a career and Streeter as well. Her sister Barbara's youngest daughter was murdered and the crime never solved. Relatives are not allowed to work on cases because it hits too close to home. This book was amazing tying in all sorts of crimes and the people who got away with them only to fall on Solomons sword. I never saw this ending it was five stars of amazing.

Another episode in the Liv Bergen series and I loved this one maybe just a little more than the previous ones and I can't believe I can say that! Liv is now full on FBI and completely involved with catching the bad guys. In this book a bunch of cases involving children who were murdered and then their predators end up in the same boat are all on her desk and eventually she finds an interesting link that will bust all of the cases wide open.

As always, I can't give too much because this one is definitely worth the read, but it was absolutely confusing having all of these cases going on at the same time. I had to take notes to keep each case - victim and killer all in order, but it was so worth it! I loved that Liv was completely involved with the cases as a professional and I felt like I could connect with her more as I saw more of her personality behind the scenes of the investigations at work and at home.

I would absolutely say that any reader should start at the beginning of this series even though each book deals with a different crime, it still helps to see Liv's journey.

Liv Bergen and Streeter Pierce are FBI agents who have worked together long enough for the reader to be familiar with their lives and the crimes they solve. They have now seen enough crime and criminals that Liz is thinking of returning to her family's mining business. The most important thing in Liz's life is her family, so Streeter sets her to investigate the cold case involving Liz's niece. If you have read any of this Sandra Brannan series, you know that Liz will get into trouble and Streeter will join her. They will solve the crime while finding endless evil in their own backyard. Another great story.