the setup…
Dorrance University psychology Professor Joe Lyons is conducting a study on lying and deception using five graduate students to assist and college student as subjects. It’s controversial and edgy so when one of the tests runs afoul, one of the graduate students ends up dead in the middle of an impending snowstorm. The situation doesn’t lack of suspects and all are experts in the art of deception. Detective Alana Larson has her hands full in this small North Carolina college town with limited resources to investigate.
the heart of the story…
The story begins with a chilling prologue that I couldn’t forget as I tried to make it fit with the things that came next. I was suspicious of everyone, trying to figure out who was the unidentified person in the opening, knowing that it was pertinent to the study and the subsequent murder. I went back and forth on suspects until a minuscule clue set me in the right direction. Otherwise, I would have been all over the place.
the narrator…
I loved the narrator who made this feel like there were multiple performers. She also managed to bring something sinister in the storytelling. She’s gifted!
the bottom line…
The plotting is intricate, the characterizations are complex and sneaky and the setting adds an ominous quality. I was glued to this story and even though I was strongly certain I knew the identity of the murderer, the intricacies of the plot still had me second guessing. Everyone was hiding something! This was my kind of mystery, one where subtleties are key and you have to pay close attention to everything.
Book Info
- Release Date: September 12, 2023
- Narrator: Chelsea Stephens
- Audio Length: 9 hours, 36 minutes
- Publisher: HighBridge
Listen to a Sample!
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(Thanks to HighBridge for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
Fab review Jo, sounds like a really good mystery!
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Thanks, Nicki💜 This was a mind tangler!
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That sounds good. 😀
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It was a favorite💜
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Excellent, I will keep a look out for it. 😀 Sounds very interesting. 😀
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This sounds like one I’d like to read! Wonderful review Jonetta!
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Thank you, Jodie💜 I do think you’d enjoy this one.
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Fun and it’s even set in NC.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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I thought that might get your attention😏
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I need this book! It sounds so good. And set in NC even. Excellent review, Jo!
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Thanks, Tessa💜 It’s definitely that kind of book!
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This sounds like my kind of mystery too! There’s something about a snowstorm that adds an extra ominous layer to a mystery/thriller.
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I agree, Diana💜 It adds an element of eeriness with all that “quiet.”
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This sounds like an excellent thriller. I like when I can’t figure out who did what, it keeps me interested. Wonderful review, Jo.
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Thank you, Carla💜 I believe you’d enjoy this, too.
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My library has the audiobook, so I just added it to my shelf.
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