ldyluck's review against another edition
2.0
This was a hard read. The characters were interesting, the story was solid, but the violence was exhausting. I'd pick up the book and would sometimes just put it back down because I wasn't sure if I could get through a chapter. I was so glad to be done with it because reading it stressed me out.
alibi313's review against another edition
4.0
Qualified good review here, as the subject matter is pretty unsavory (human trafficking) and it plays out quite graphically, so the book won’t be for everyone. However, I really liked the protagonist (badass ex-beauty queen and current interim sheriff), supporting cast of characters, and atypical location (southwestern Wisconsin). Looking forward to reading the next installment.
tomhill's review
3.0
3.5-The epilogue really hit me hard, it kind of sums up the feel of the entire book, which reminded me in subject and tone of a novel by Tim Johnston-bleakness balanced by good, tough people trying to do the right thing. Johnston's novels manage it a bit more successfully, I think, but I really liked Bad Axe County, and its combination of police procedural and more literary elements. This feels like the first in a series, and I would definitely read the next entry. Having said all that, this is a book about human trafficking, and the depictions of that made me a bit queasy, although I don't doubt that they necessarily mirror real-life evil.
randyrasa's review
4.0
This is a strong, confident mystery thriller set in Wisconsin dairyland, in a rural community defined by economic collapse, drugs, corruption, mismanagement, loss, and an underbelly of casual, brutal misogyny. Interim Sheriff Heidi Kick, the first female sheriff in Bad Ave County, is facing all of that, plus her own pain and demons working themselves loose. Old crimes emerge and mix with new ones, woven together, tearing apart. This is a terrific, terrible story: dark, gritty, heartbreaking. All that darkness and depravity is amped up from the real world for dramatic effect, sure, but maybe not as far as we'd hope or expect. What this book accomplishes is actually rather remarkable: the idea that all these bad actors, heinous crimes, and corruption could occur in one small rural county is very unrealistic, yet the sum effect somehow feels not far off from reality. Highly recommended.
xkay_readsx's review
4.0
This is dark, and intense crime thriller. Interim Sheriff Heidi Kick, former "Dairy Queen" of small Wisconsin town is investigating missing girls and the truth behind her parent's death that was ruled as murder-suicide some 15 years ago when she was 17. Heidi's husband, a local baseball legend also has a secret from twelve years before. There are other subplots and deranged characters that weave this novel into a gripping mystery. The pace is good and I like the fierce traits in Heidi.
This is my first book with a Wisconsin setting. I've been keeping track of the fifty states, a personal challenge. Never thought that Bad Axe County is my WI! My GR friend Bill is right. I have read another book that sets in WI earlier this year. [b:The Breaker|53319811|The Breaker (Peter Ash, #6)|Nick Petrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588528726l/53319811._SY75_.jpg|80581343]. Thank you so much Bill!
Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for my digital copy.
Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for my digital copy.
sunny76's review against another edition
4.0
I have found a new author to read! Slightly reminiscent of Ace Atkins' Quinn Colson series, but this series is about a past beauty queen, sheriff in rural Wisconsin, rather than a past Army Ranger sheriff in rural Mississippi. There is some weird stuff going on in rural Wisconsin!
roq's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, and Trafficking
breezeduvall's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0