mandylovestoread's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what a fantastic book. I only just read the Echo Killing which is the first book in this series earlier this week and I wish I had gotten into this series sooner. A Beautiful Corpse I felt was even better. I started this on Saturday night and couldn't wait to finish it this morning. And now that I have finished it I am already desperate for book 3! The way this book ended left it wide open with questions... questions that I am dying to learn the answers to.
It is a year since the events of The Echo Killing and Harper McClain is back doing what she does best at the newspaper. As the crime writer she is kept busy in this Savannah town, but after her actions she is on the outer with the local police. One night she is drinking and playing pool with her best friend Bonnie when a call comes in of a shooting in the tourist district. The 2 head over to the crime scene but soon realise that the victim is Bonnies co-worker Naomi Scott. Naomi's boyfriend is immediately under suspicion and arrested. Harper gets into the investigation and learns that there is another suspect, who has strong connections in town. The harder she looks the more danger she is in.
I love the character of Harper. She had a rough start to life - that you learn all about in The Echo Killing. Events in that book also devastated her. Her love life is also a mess but she gets on everyday, without a lot of sleep. She is stubborn and refuses to back down, even when her life is being threatened. But she is loyal to those that she loves, she would do anything to protect them. I look forward to learning more about her as the series continues.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
It is a year since the events of The Echo Killing and Harper McClain is back doing what she does best at the newspaper. As the crime writer she is kept busy in this Savannah town, but after her actions she is on the outer with the local police. One night she is drinking and playing pool with her best friend Bonnie when a call comes in of a shooting in the tourist district. The 2 head over to the crime scene but soon realise that the victim is Bonnies co-worker Naomi Scott. Naomi's boyfriend is immediately under suspicion and arrested. Harper gets into the investigation and learns that there is another suspect, who has strong connections in town. The harder she looks the more danger she is in.
I love the character of Harper. She had a rough start to life - that you learn all about in The Echo Killing. Events in that book also devastated her. Her love life is also a mess but she gets on everyday, without a lot of sleep. She is stubborn and refuses to back down, even when her life is being threatened. But she is loyal to those that she loves, she would do anything to protect them. I look forward to learning more about her as the series continues.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
aly36's review against another edition
5.0
Harper McClain is a report that cover the crime beat. What an exciting mystery! Would you investigate if someone got murdered close to you? I think this story was exciting and kept my attention. I have not read book one and I don't think I missed anything by starting with book two. I enjoyed this book and would read more. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*
jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review against another edition
4.0
Another compelling and solid story - I felt like the connection to be underlying murder of Harper’s mother was not as strong in this second book, and the connections to the mysterious man a little too loose for me to buy into it. I feel like it could have been omitted from the story without any impact.
I continue to adore Harper’s character, and love the believable and gripping way that Daugherty writes her - there were some scenes for me that didn’t feel very “her” though, one in particular is the scene where she kisses her boss at the paper. 🤷🏻♀️
Overall though a solid story - and thank you to Minotaur Books for the ARC.
I continue to adore Harper’s character, and love the believable and gripping way that Daugherty writes her - there were some scenes for me that didn’t feel very “her” though, one in particular is the scene where she kisses her boss at the paper. 🤷🏻♀️
Overall though a solid story - and thank you to Minotaur Books for the ARC.
syren1532's review against another edition
4.0
Harper McLain is a crime reporter for a newspaper in Savannah. She’s catching up with her best friend Bonnie when she’s called to a murder scene. When she and Bonnie arrive they realise they know the victim - Naomi Scott was a law student who worked part time at the same bar as Bonnie. Naomi has been shot. The police think her boyfriend Wilson did it. There are also two other suspects - the owner of the bar where Naomi worked as well as a fellow student who stalked her and led her to take a restraining order out on him. While working on the story Harper comes to realise that someone has been breaking in to her apartment on a regular basis and that they’re watching her all the time.
This is the second book in the Harper McLain series and the fact I haven’t read the first didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this one. A really well paced story and I look forward to reading more about Harper McLain soon.
Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins and Christi Daugherty for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Harper McLain series and the fact I haven’t read the first didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this one. A really well paced story and I look forward to reading more about Harper McLain soon.
Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins and Christi Daugherty for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
slebs55's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first book I picked up by this author; and I've already placed her first book in this series "The Echo Killing" on hold at the library :)
I loved this book. I have recently found yet a new love with the crime genre's and the stories following the detectives and how they solve the cases. I loved this authors take on both crime reporters and detectives. Side note: I hope she writes a third book and that Harper and Dells relationship takes off.... and Luke gets left behind :P
I loved this book. I have recently found yet a new love with the crime genre's and the stories following the detectives and how they solve the cases. I loved this authors take on both crime reporters and detectives. Side note: I hope she writes a third book and that Harper and Dells relationship takes off.... and Luke gets left behind :P
basicbsguide's review against another edition
4.0
Considered book #2 in the Harper McClain series, this most definitely can be read as a stand-alone. Having seen the rave reviews for Daugherty’s THE ECHO KILLING last year I decided I needed to know what all the fuss was about.
The story starts out with a bang. Twenty-four-year-old Naomi is found shot to death in the heart of downtown Savannah. There are three suspects but all claim to love her. So, who could have killed this smart and beautiful young girl?
Crime reporter Harper McClain is a fantastic protagonist. She’s likable, hardworking, authentic. There is really nothing to not like about her and I love having someone to root for. The story has a lot of crime, a little heartache and a lot of depth of character. The setting of this one is also fantastic. I’ve never been to Savannah but I’ve always wanted to visit. Although, after reading this and learning of all the crime I’m not sure I want to be a tourist there. Yikes!
This is the type of book I could read on a regular basis. I’ll most definitely be reading the next book in the series and might even need to go back and read the first book. WHAT?! That should tell you something. 😊
4.5 stars.
The story starts out with a bang. Twenty-four-year-old Naomi is found shot to death in the heart of downtown Savannah. There are three suspects but all claim to love her. So, who could have killed this smart and beautiful young girl?
Crime reporter Harper McClain is a fantastic protagonist. She’s likable, hardworking, authentic. There is really nothing to not like about her and I love having someone to root for. The story has a lot of crime, a little heartache and a lot of depth of character. The setting of this one is also fantastic. I’ve never been to Savannah but I’ve always wanted to visit. Although, after reading this and learning of all the crime I’m not sure I want to be a tourist there. Yikes!
This is the type of book I could read on a regular basis. I’ll most definitely be reading the next book in the series and might even need to go back and read the first book. WHAT?! That should tell you something. 😊
4.5 stars.
robinlovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
Harper McClain is a very busy crime reporter. When she discovers that Naomi Scott, a law student, was killed, Harper took it quite personally. Harper had known Naomi, so she will do whatever she can as a reporter, and as one quite familiar with the police, to find Naomi's killer.
With the police having a few suspects, who happen to be three men who claimed to love her, Harper realizes that she must dig deep. What she discovers, however, is that nothing was as it seemed in Naomi's life. While one man has been fairly well accused, there is an affluent district attorney's son whom Harper is fairly certain was guilty of the brutal murder.
Things get too close to Harper, and to others at the newspaper. Things get so hairy, in fact, that their very livelihood is threatened. Will Harper back off to protect her job? While Harper stays resolute in her desire to discover what happened to Naomi, danger lands right at her door. Will she survive this time? What of Luke, a cop who demands Harper stay away from the case, and the fact that he is now her ex?
A Beautiful Corpse was a compelling read. I was drawn in right from the start as I found it to be very engaging. This is the second book in the Harper McClain series. It was a fantastic read. I read the first book in this series, The Echo Killing, just a a few days before reading this book and thus became completely invested in Harper and this new series by Christi Daugherty. As Harper is begun a new case, this book does well as a standalone. However, why not go and grab the first book and devour both just as I have? I definitely look forward to continuing this series.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books for this ARC for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
With the police having a few suspects, who happen to be three men who claimed to love her, Harper realizes that she must dig deep. What she discovers, however, is that nothing was as it seemed in Naomi's life. While one man has been fairly well accused, there is an affluent district attorney's son whom Harper is fairly certain was guilty of the brutal murder.
Things get too close to Harper, and to others at the newspaper. Things get so hairy, in fact, that their very livelihood is threatened. Will Harper back off to protect her job? While Harper stays resolute in her desire to discover what happened to Naomi, danger lands right at her door. Will she survive this time? What of Luke, a cop who demands Harper stay away from the case, and the fact that he is now her ex?
A Beautiful Corpse was a compelling read. I was drawn in right from the start as I found it to be very engaging. This is the second book in the Harper McClain series. It was a fantastic read. I read the first book in this series, The Echo Killing, just a a few days before reading this book and thus became completely invested in Harper and this new series by Christi Daugherty. As Harper is begun a new case, this book does well as a standalone. However, why not go and grab the first book and devour both just as I have? I definitely look forward to continuing this series.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books for this ARC for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
ncrabb's review against another edition
4.0
Naomi Scott possessed the kind of beauty that made others notice her. She didn’t seek that kind of attention; Vanity and preening weren’t on her personal agenda. It’s just how things were. She’s a fictional law student tending bar in Savannah to make ends meet. Around 2 a.m. one day, someone murdered her on a street generally known for its tourism and safety.
Harper McClain is a crime reporter for the local paper. She knew Naomi; Harper’s friend, Bonnie, tends bar at the same place Naomi works. But someone gunned Naomi down that early morning, and amidst economic turmoil at the paper, Harper wants to figure out who did it. The cops finger Naomi’s boyfriend, and they initially won’t listen to Harper’s assertions that he's not the guy. He’s a black kid with a juvenile record—he’s perfect for this, they figure. She insists they need to dig deeper. The clues Harper unearths point to a prominent Savannah family—one that could make life beyond horrific for the local paper if it gets the story wrong.
I loved this book; I loved the way Sophie Amoss narrated it. The tension racks up like balls in the hands of a pool shark. You find yourself riding that tension wave, embracing the next creepy twist, sometimes hanging on just barely so vivid is Harper’s journey through the posh streets and the gritty lanes of Savannah.
It's best if you read the first book in this series first. Daugherty references that first book often in this one. Both are excellent, and this one especially would be worth your time.
Harper McClain is a crime reporter for the local paper. She knew Naomi; Harper’s friend, Bonnie, tends bar at the same place Naomi works. But someone gunned Naomi down that early morning, and amidst economic turmoil at the paper, Harper wants to figure out who did it. The cops finger Naomi’s boyfriend, and they initially won’t listen to Harper’s assertions that he's not the guy. He’s a black kid with a juvenile record—he’s perfect for this, they figure. She insists they need to dig deeper. The clues Harper unearths point to a prominent Savannah family—one that could make life beyond horrific for the local paper if it gets the story wrong.
I loved this book; I loved the way Sophie Amoss narrated it. The tension racks up like balls in the hands of a pool shark. You find yourself riding that tension wave, embracing the next creepy twist, sometimes hanging on just barely so vivid is Harper’s journey through the posh streets and the gritty lanes of Savannah.
It's best if you read the first book in this series first. Daugherty references that first book often in this one. Both are excellent, and this one especially would be worth your time.
urbansapphire's review against another edition
3.0
“A Beautiful Corpse” is the second in Christi Daugherty’s series following crime reporter Harper McLain as she chases stories across her hometown of Savannah, Georgia.
This instalment starts off with Harper propping up the bar where here friend Bonnie works when a call comes through with news of a shooting in an area well known and loved by tourists. It’s late, and quiet so Bonnie locks up up and they head over there together. When they arrive at the scene, things get a little more dramatic – the woman lying dead on the floor is Bonnie’s colleague at the bar – Naomi – who had left a little earlier and obviously never made it home.
Investigations begin into Naomi’s life and her associates and very quickly, her boyfriend, Wilson Shepherd becomes a person of interest. Her boss at the bar also turns out to have an unusual interest in the promising law student, working shifts to make ends meet. The third suspect in the frame is Peyton Anderson, the DA’s son and Naomi’s ex; the couple didn’t end their relationship on the best terms. All three of these men insist that they loved her – so which of them wanted her dead?
Harper is an exciting character with a rocky personal life, and unfortunately at the time of reading I hadn’t read the first in this series, “The Echo Killing” which meant that there were quite a few spoilers in this book. As a crime writer who caused waves attempting to solve her Mother’s murder, she hasn’t yet been forgiven by the Savannah Police Department and this throws her investigations some real curve balls – having the right people on side is always a great help in these situations. However strange things seem to be happening to Harper – or is it just her overtired, overactive imagination working overtime?
This is a fast-paced read with good, interesting characters and an interesting plot.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me have an advance copy in return for an honest review.
This instalment starts off with Harper propping up the bar where here friend Bonnie works when a call comes through with news of a shooting in an area well known and loved by tourists. It’s late, and quiet so Bonnie locks up up and they head over there together. When they arrive at the scene, things get a little more dramatic – the woman lying dead on the floor is Bonnie’s colleague at the bar – Naomi – who had left a little earlier and obviously never made it home.
Investigations begin into Naomi’s life and her associates and very quickly, her boyfriend, Wilson Shepherd becomes a person of interest. Her boss at the bar also turns out to have an unusual interest in the promising law student, working shifts to make ends meet. The third suspect in the frame is Peyton Anderson, the DA’s son and Naomi’s ex; the couple didn’t end their relationship on the best terms. All three of these men insist that they loved her – so which of them wanted her dead?
Harper is an exciting character with a rocky personal life, and unfortunately at the time of reading I hadn’t read the first in this series, “The Echo Killing” which meant that there were quite a few spoilers in this book. As a crime writer who caused waves attempting to solve her Mother’s murder, she hasn’t yet been forgiven by the Savannah Police Department and this throws her investigations some real curve balls – having the right people on side is always a great help in these situations. However strange things seem to be happening to Harper – or is it just her overtired, overactive imagination working overtime?
This is a fast-paced read with good, interesting characters and an interesting plot.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me have an advance copy in return for an honest review.
answertherairai's review against another edition
3.0
The Harper McLain novels are these types of books that don't reinvent the wheel. In saying that, there's nothing wrong with the wheel, the wheel is fine - hence the rating for this is right down the middle. Enjoyable, without setting the world on fire.