The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This book features the same detective as in the author's first book, All the Dark Places. I loved that book, so I enjoyed catching up with Detective Rita Myers. However, this new book also works perfectly as a standalone. Rita is leading the investigation of the death of a young woman found murdered at the edge of a wooded area. The crime scene is in the backyard of former ballerina, Esme Foster. Esme is one of the victim's high school friends who has just returned to Graybridge, Massachusetts after a career-ending injury. Esme had moved away years ago thinking she was in danger in her hometown and now fears she may be a target once again.
Rita and her team have many suspects to question, including Esme's brother Byron, which makes things complicated. There is more than one sketchy character in the book who is easy to picture as a potential killer. I enjoy the character of Rita and find her very relatable. I admire her intelligence and her determination to find the killer. She is an experienced detective who has a complicated personal life and I warmed to her right away.
I was sympathetic to Esme who has both current problems and past traumas to deal with, but she is a harder character to connect with. Part of that could be that we hear a lot about her past when she lived in New York with her now ex-boyfriend, but we don't see it. For this reason, I didn't feel I fully got to know her even though I liked her.
The book alternates between Rita and Esme's points-of-view, giving us a police procedural in Rita's chapters and a bit more of a thriller in Esme's. Together, seeing the case from both sides makes this an engaging, well-rounded crime fiction novel. I had a few suspects in mind, but wasn't able to anticipate the solution and was surprised when everything was revealed. I hope to see Rita Myers again in future books.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Kensington Books at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
danapr's review against another edition
4.0
Esme, a former ballerina has recently broken up with her longtime boyfriend so returns unannounced back to her hometown of Graybridge. Upon her arrival at her childhood home, she discovers that her good friend, Kara has been murdered in or near Esme’s father’s backyard and her father is dying as a result of his heavy drinking. As Esme settles into her new life of helping her brother, Byron care for their father and working at the local bakery, Rita, a veteran detective works to solve Kara’s murder. Rita’s investigation begins to uncover sinister and illegal activities amongst the neighbors who live in the wooded neighborhood but struggles to find a motive for Kara’s murder.
Overall, I enjoyed this thriller and was as perplexed as the detectives. The book was entertaining and engaging. However, I did find it somewhat disjointed and “all over the place” as far as storyline. I believe the author was using multiple plot lines to add unexpected twists but it just seemed like too much. For instance (no spoilers), the sub plots of Mr. York enlisting young women to model for him and one of Esme believing a mysterious man is following her seemed to be unnecessary distractions . I definitely would have liked to see better development of Esme’s friendships because the ending seemed to “come out of nowhere”. Also, I really liked Rita’s character and wished that there had been more focus on her relationship with Joe.
#NetGalley #KensingtonBooks
Overall, I enjoyed this thriller and was as perplexed as the detectives. The book was entertaining and engaging. However, I did find it somewhat disjointed and “all over the place” as far as storyline. I believe the author was using multiple plot lines to add unexpected twists but it just seemed like too much. For instance (no spoilers), the sub plots of Mr. York enlisting young women to model for him and one of Esme believing a mysterious man is following her seemed to be unnecessary distractions . I definitely would have liked to see better development of Esme’s friendships because the ending seemed to “come out of nowhere”. Also, I really liked Rita’s character and wished that there had been more focus on her relationship with Joe.
#NetGalley #KensingtonBooks
weyheyitsrachel's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was amazing! I loved Terri Parlato's debut All the Dark Places, and this one was equally as great!
Everything that I loved about All the Dark Places, I loved about What Waits in the Woods: Detective Rita, all the red herrings, great character development, twists that make sense... Terri Parlato is a mystery/thriller writing genius!
Being kept guessing is what makes stories like this stand out to me. We were taken in so many different directions, but evey direction had a purpose with the plot. The ending 🤯
If you're looking for fresh detective stories, Parlato's books are a great place to start!
Everything that I loved about All the Dark Places, I loved about What Waits in the Woods: Detective Rita, all the red herrings, great character development, twists that make sense... Terri Parlato is a mystery/thriller writing genius!
Being kept guessing is what makes stories like this stand out to me. We were taken in so many different directions, but evey direction had a purpose with the plot. The ending 🤯
If you're looking for fresh detective stories, Parlato's books are a great place to start!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent
stephshelves's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
First and foremost: a huge thank you to Kensington Books, Terri Parlato, and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy!
I need you to know that I was immediately endeared to one of our FMC - Esme - as her dance career came to a screeching haunt after an injury. I experienced the exact same thing, though it was my knee to her hip. So I felt a sort of kindred spirit to her right from the get go.
With no more performance prospects and a dead end relationship, Esme packs up her life one night and begins the journey home. Upon her return she immediately learns that one if her high school friends has been murdered and it is currently an open investigation.
Enter Rita, the second voice in our alternating POV and the lead detective on the case. She is no-nonsense, straight to business, and already forming a list of suspects of her own. Surprisingly, however, this sleepy unassuming little town and its inhabitants have more secrets and mystery about than one would assume. The murderer is anyone's guess.
This novel unfortunately was not it for me. Right from the get go the writing style is bleak and bland. Instead of being shown information to absorb, we are just told things through heavy amounts of dialogue. It felt impossible to connect to the story or the characters as it sounded like a second hand retelling. While I greatly appreciated the mystery and the ultimate reveal, I found the journey getting there difficult and off putting.
I need you to know that I was immediately endeared to one of our FMC - Esme - as her dance career came to a screeching haunt after an injury. I experienced the exact same thing, though it was my knee to her hip. So I felt a sort of kindred spirit to her right from the get go.
With no more performance prospects and a dead end relationship, Esme packs up her life one night and begins the journey home. Upon her return she immediately learns that one if her high school friends has been murdered and it is currently an open investigation.
Enter Rita, the second voice in our alternating POV and the lead detective on the case. She is no-nonsense, straight to business, and already forming a list of suspects of her own. Surprisingly, however, this sleepy unassuming little town and its inhabitants have more secrets and mystery about than one would assume. The murderer is anyone's guess.
This novel unfortunately was not it for me. Right from the get go the writing style is bleak and bland. Instead of being shown information to absorb, we are just told things through heavy amounts of dialogue. It felt impossible to connect to the story or the characters as it sounded like a second hand retelling. While I greatly appreciated the mystery and the ultimate reveal, I found the journey getting there difficult and off putting.
reading2escape's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kerasalwaysreading's review
4.0
Esme left home years ago to pursue her professional ballet career, cutting off all contact with her close knit friend group. When she returns home after her career unfortunately ends, she arrives home hours after one of her childhood best friends is killed in her own yard.
Detective Meyers is on the case, following the clues, bust also focusing a strong attention to the once so close friend group. Kara and Esme strongly resembled one another. Could this have been a case of mistaken identity? Or was this a calculated act to end Kara’s life?
Secrets are uncovered and the pool of suspects is growing rapidly. We get the interesting aspect of the case of Kara’s murder, but also a more in depth look at the friendships between the characters, the strained relationships between friends and family members, and the discovery of long since buried truths about Esme’s own mother.
I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters all so fascinating, both good and bad. I called the culprit from early on, though the ultimate reveal was still satisfying!
Detective Meyers is on the case, following the clues, bust also focusing a strong attention to the once so close friend group. Kara and Esme strongly resembled one another. Could this have been a case of mistaken identity? Or was this a calculated act to end Kara’s life?
Secrets are uncovered and the pool of suspects is growing rapidly. We get the interesting aspect of the case of Kara’s murder, but also a more in depth look at the friendships between the characters, the strained relationships between friends and family members, and the discovery of long since buried truths about Esme’s own mother.
I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters all so fascinating, both good and bad. I called the culprit from early on, though the ultimate reveal was still satisfying!
justreaditalreadypod's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
readwitray's review
4.5
I think this is my favorite thriller of the year.
Esme has returned to her home town after a injury ruins her ballet career. The night she returns to town one of her high school friends is murder.
This is a great fast paced book. We get two complete different POVs from Esme and the lead officer of the case Rita. Both are going through their own lives and issues through out the case.
As a ex ballerina I could tell Esme’s pain from losing her ballet career (I only did Ballet through college).
This book has so many characters with great personality and back stories.
Things from the past never stay buried and are coming to ruin everyone’s “perfect” life.
Esme has returned to her home town after a injury ruins her ballet career. The night she returns to town one of her high school friends is murder.
This is a great fast paced book. We get two complete different POVs from Esme and the lead officer of the case Rita. Both are going through their own lives and issues through out the case.
As a ex ballerina I could tell Esme’s pain from losing her ballet career (I only did Ballet through college).
This book has so many characters with great personality and back stories.
Things from the past never stay buried and are coming to ruin everyone’s “perfect” life.