Dead in Her Tracks
by Kendra Elliot
Synopsis:
On Christmas morning, Solitude, Oregon, unwraps murder…
This wasn’t how Police Chief Zane Duncan expected to spend his first Christmas with fellow officer and girlfriend Stevie Taylor. But when a local motel calls in the discovery of a dead body, the couple’s holiday takes a grim turn. This is the second murder in Solitude within the week, despite the fact that their primary suspect is already in custody. Together, Zane and Stevie must face a disturbing truth—their small town may be harboring two killers.
As their investigation digs deep into the backgrounds of newcomers and longtime residents alike, Zane and Stevie also struggle to adjust to life under the same roof. Even if the stress of homicides and cohabitation don’t bring an end to the couple, the murderer lying in wait just might.
Review:
Oh, those poor law enforcement officers in Solitude, Oregon. Even on a holiday, they just don’t get a break…
Dead in Her Tracks picks up right where book one,
Tracks of Her Tears
left off. It’s Christmas morning, and another dead girl’s body has been found–this time in Solitude’s single (and not terribly nice) motel. Though book one’s murderer was caught, the timeline of the two crimes is such that it could have been the same person.
The person who is currently safe and sound in jail.
Or is he?
Zane and Stevie are suddenly faced with all kinds of questions–are the murders actually related? What about the girl being abducted on the security tape? And the ones missing from the nearby town–are they missing, or dead?
And, gosh darn it, is Stevie ever going to move in with Zane for real?
Okay, so that last question’s not quite on par with the earlier ones. But it’s still one that weighs on Zane’s mind this holiday season. A guy can’t be all about the job all the time, you know. 😉
Dead in Her Tracks does a good job of keeping you guessing. I have to admit I did have my suspicions early on about who the culprit was, though I can’t exactly say why–just a feeling. Unfortunately for Stevie, she didn’t share my feeling; but then we might not have had the major drama toward the end, so it’s probably for the best.
Zane and Stevie’s relationship takes a backseat to the mystery here, but that’s as it should be, with a murderer on the loose. They still make an adorable couple, though, and there is some big relationship news by the book’s end, so it’s a win-win, really.
Laat year’s series (Rogue River) had four books in it, so I’m hopeful that this one will too. I’m definitely not ready to say goodbye to Zane, Stevie, Seth, and Carly yet!
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.