Tumbled Graves

Very good book had a great story line

I loved this book! The crime/mystery wasn't anything special, but I LOVED the characters. I'm glad to find out that this is part of a series--I've already purchased books 1 and 2 so that I can read more.

This novel follows Detective Kala Stonechild as she tries to figure out what happened to a missing woman and her child. Meanwhile, she also has a teenage niece named Dawn she has to take care of (with zero experience of taking care of kids). I found Stonechild very easy to relate to and appreciated the development of her relationships with coworkers and Dawn.

I received an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher, Dundurn Press, for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

I didn't realize that this was the third in a series; however, you didn't need to read the first two to enjoy this one. This story takes place in Canada and revolves around a case that police detectives were investigating.

A neighbor becomes concerned over Adele missing a play date with her son. She enters their house and finds no sign of Adele or her daughter, Violet. She calls the husband who calls the police and the investigation begins. There are many twists and turns in the investigation as well as in the personal lives of the investigators.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. It's obviously going to continue in the series and I can't wait to read it to find out what happens to these characters!

A great story. Well written. Really held my attention. Story of death of a wife, missing child and past secrets that twist and turn everything around.

4.5 stars

Hallelujah! Book #3 is here & it doesn't disappoint.
I've been a fan of this series since reading "Cold Mourning" last year. With each book, you not only get a proper mystery to unsnarl but further insight into the 2 main characters as their relationship deepens & tidbits from the past come to light. That continues here.

At the end of "Butterfly Kills", Det. Kala Stonechild took on one of the toughest jobs of her careeer..."mom" to a teenager after the girl's mother went to prison. It's been a big adjustment for both, particularly Kala who has always led a solitary life. Any attempts at establishing a routine are further complicated when a young woman & her daughter go missing.
Kala & colleague Paul Gundersund take the call. Ivo Delaney has no idea where his wife Adele & daughter Violet have gone. Unfortunately, it's not long before the cops have a pretty good idea. But the real mystery is why & as Kala & Paul continue to dig, it turns out Adele was keeping a few secrets from her husband. Meanwhile, Staff Sgt. Jacques Rouleau juggles the problems of running their department. There are budget concerns, meetings & a new member of the team to get up to speed. But when a local reporter approaches him about the case, it's clear someone is feeding her information. In alternate chapters we listen in as she meets her source & slowly realize this will have huge repercussions for Kala.

It's a well paced story that pulls you in from the get-go. The investigation heads off in surprising directions before reaching a tense conclusion. Even then, a couple of nice twists near the end ensure your attention never wavers. There are several side stories that carry over from the previous book but if you're jumping in here, no worries. Enough background is provided to get the gist of what's happening. Peripheral characters range from other cops & family members to sinister bikers & their crews. (At this juncture, I would like to make a special plea to the author. Without spilling any beans for readers, there's one character I'd like to see get the thumping they so karmically deserve. You know who I mean. Please.)

Police procedurals are probably my favourite genre & I've read countless books from many countries. In this crowded field, it must be difficult to create characters that aren't already out there running around in someone else's story. Jacques & Kala grow more compelling with each instalment as layers are slowly peeled back & their characters continue to evolve. By the end, there are a few loose strings left dangling & I'll be waiting impatiently to where they lead in the next instalment.

A real thriller couldn't put it down.Will read more from this author

A thrilling page-turner, with a dramatic and unexpected twist.
This gripping mystery novel grabbed my attention from the first pages, and I was disappointed to reach the end. When a mother disappears along with her three year old daughter, the police are called in to investigate. Despite appearances and the assumptions of the local community and press, what really happened to Adele and her little girl, Violet, remains a mystery until the very end. The investigating officers also have their own personal lives and issues to deal with, which are very much part of the story alongside the main plot. With several twists and turns, this is a real page turner.

Tumbled Graves is the third novel of the Stonechild and Rouleau Mysteries series by Brenda Chapman. I hadn’t read any of the preceding books, but that didn’t matter in the slightest. The storyline was fast moving, and I was as interested in the sub-plots of the police officers as I was in the main story of Adele and Violet’s disappearance. The unexpected ending leaves room for more in the series, which I’d definitely be keen to read.

Laura

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review