Drown Her Sorrows by Melinda Leigh @MelindaLeigh1 #ChristinaTraister @BrilliancePub

the setup…
Sheriff Bree Taggert is called to the scene of an abandoned car that’s near Scarlet River and had been sighted there for at least two days. It belongs to Holly Thorpe, a married bookkeeper and Bree soon discovers a body near the riverbank that appears to be the missing woman. At first considered a suicide, Bree and her team soon learn Holly was murdered and the investigation leads to a host of secrets, suspects and danger.

the heart of the story…
I’ve learned to pay attention to the details in this series because things aren’t always what they seem on the surface. That was particularly true in this story because of the number of potential suspects, their murky backgrounds and obvious motives. But it was the victim herself that was often an enigma. I loved being immersed in the challenge, knowing there was probably a good twist but was unprepared for it being a great one! Bree’s a skilled investigator and is also showing strong leadership chops. Her team is shaping up and it’s becoming obvious that they’re starting to respect her as the new sheriff. And, her relationship with Matt Flynn is evolving nicely.

the narration…
Traister has a no-nonsense approach to narrating this series that seems to fit Bree’s character and the story, softening some now as she grows into her new role. I’m loving her style and performance.

the bottom line…
I have to admit I was a bit stymied by the case but not because the clues weren’t there. It was an excellent mystery with lots of misdirection but completely solvable. Bree’s growth in her new job seems natural but it’s her embrace of her family that is most lovely. She’s bonding not only with her niece and nephew but her brother Adam, too. Grief and tragedy brought them back together and they are all contributing to being a family, slowly becoming whole again. It’s bringing the best out of Bree and allowing her to see the possibility of a romance with Matt. This was a complex case balanced by these tender moments. Still loving everything about this series.

Book Info

• Release Date: March 16, 2021
• Series: Bree Taggert #3
• Narrator: Christina Traister
• Audio Length: 9 hours, 25 minutes
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio

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