words_on_paper_official's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first introduction to Faye Snowden and it probably will not be my last. She is a wonderful story teller. I loved the way she described a scene with just a few words or cause some chaos with the slightest tone in her writing.
brooke_city's review against another edition
3.0
4 stars for readability. Quick pace, I flew thru it.
3 stars because I didn't like the ending. It was kind of obvious early on.
Not sure about the scene of Raven justifying shooting a kid. But that is true to cops behavior.
3 stars because I didn't like the ending. It was kind of obvious early on.
Spoiler
A better ending would have been if it was Billy Ray, or someone close to her. Or if Floyd hadn't committed suicide, but had a guard help him escape.Not sure about the scene of Raven justifying shooting a kid. But that is true to cops behavior.
1sfranklin's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the suspense/action thriller! Have you ever tried to get out of your family's shadow only to still have your conscious make you feel like you will never run from the stigmatism that follows? Raven is haunted by the reputation of her father a d is constantly trying to be her own person. The cases that she becomes a part of always seem to have some kind of suspicious piece that reminds her of her father... Snowden keeps readers interested in this plot-twisting, suspense thriller!!
remigves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
whimsicalyme's review against another edition
4.0
Imagine being a black female cop in a small town police department. Now imagine your father is a convicted serial killer that took you along while he hunted. Many people think despite you being a child that you’re complicit in these murders. What I just described, that’s Raven Burns life.
Raven is living every day with her father haunting her. His crimes and his voice are constantly in her thoughts. Raven is unlucky enough to shoot a teenager in a park that was pointing a gun at her. Granted the gun wasn’t loaded but she didn’t know that. Raven falls under heavy scrutiny but is cleared of wrong doing by the department. Public opinion is something else entirely. Hazel Westport, a wealthy socialite is Raven’s staunchest critic. Unfortunately for Raven, Hazel is dead, victim of a brutal murder. Raven has to hurry to solve the case because someone is trying to frame her for the murder. They left her father’s calling card behind. Raven isn’t sure who she can trust, can she even trust her own mind?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and Raven evolved so much. The backstory was well done and believable. There were plenty of plot twists to keep me turning the pages. The action began on page 1 and didn’t let up til the last sentence. I will definitely read more books by Faye Snowden!
Thank you to @booksforwardpr and @fayesnowden for my copy of the book to review!! Also how beautiful is this cover?!
Raven is living every day with her father haunting her. His crimes and his voice are constantly in her thoughts. Raven is unlucky enough to shoot a teenager in a park that was pointing a gun at her. Granted the gun wasn’t loaded but she didn’t know that. Raven falls under heavy scrutiny but is cleared of wrong doing by the department. Public opinion is something else entirely. Hazel Westport, a wealthy socialite is Raven’s staunchest critic. Unfortunately for Raven, Hazel is dead, victim of a brutal murder. Raven has to hurry to solve the case because someone is trying to frame her for the murder. They left her father’s calling card behind. Raven isn’t sure who she can trust, can she even trust her own mind?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and Raven evolved so much. The backstory was well done and believable. There were plenty of plot twists to keep me turning the pages. The action began on page 1 and didn’t let up til the last sentence. I will definitely read more books by Faye Snowden!
Thank you to @booksforwardpr and @fayesnowden for my copy of the book to review!! Also how beautiful is this cover?!
dodgerjess's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
j_reads_nightmares's review against another edition
1.5
I tried so hard to like this, but I was so incredibly bored. The writing seemed repetitive and seemed to hand-holdy; instead of letting the reader draw their own conclusions, every sentence explained exactly what was happing. Sometimes more than once.
I also had problems with how a things were portrayed:
2. Substance abuse. One scene shows someone working in a hospital was is currently getting help for their addiction. Raven & her partner Billy Ray wanted to throw them straight to jail. It seemed like poor understanding that addiction is a disease.
I also had problems with how a things were portrayed:
Spoiler
1. Hazel being bipolar. While rarely discussed, it seemed to “omg, she was biopolar so of course she was crazy?!?”2. Substance abuse. One scene shows someone working in a hospital was is currently getting help for their addiction. Raven & her partner Billy Ray wanted to throw them straight to jail. It seemed like poor understanding that addiction is a disease.
readbydusk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up. I loved the authentic setting in Byrd’s Landing, Louisiana. The descriptions of the locations and diverse characters makes the story feel alive. Raven’s friendship with her long-time partner, Billy Ray, is filled with warmth and really needed in this dark book. The flashbacks to Floyd’s scenes are chilling and brutal, but superbly placed to show context to Raven’s behaviour.
As a police procedural though, it could be better. The murder investigation is compromised from the start. Raven is a notorious liar and even a possible suspect but this only comes up towards the end. I wish the book goes deeper into Raven’s mind where her father’s influence is concerned. On a personal note, I'm not a fan of how much the book sides with the police especially with Raven doing whatever she likes behind the badge. But overall, an unique take on crime fiction with some elements of horror.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
As a police procedural though, it could be better. The murder investigation is compromised from the start. Raven is a notorious liar and even a possible suspect but this only comes up towards the end. I wish the book goes deeper into Raven’s mind where her father’s influence is concerned. On a personal note, I'm not a fan of how much the book sides with the police especially with Raven doing whatever she likes behind the badge. But overall, an unique take on crime fiction with some elements of horror.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
neilsb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
locpressedbooks_'s review against another edition
4.0
Oh my goodness.
This was great! I am a sucka for a strong female detective with a tragic back story trying to overcome all that people who know about her pass and do some good in the world, by becoming a cop. And a damn good one until one of her “mortal” enemies comes up dead and Raven Burns is on the case. This was a slow burn of a mystery that leaves you guessing all the way til the end. Very enjoyable, very well written.
I need more.
This was great! I am a sucka for a strong female detective with a tragic back story trying to overcome all that people who know about her pass and do some good in the world, by becoming a cop. And a damn good one until one of her “mortal” enemies comes up dead and Raven Burns is on the case. This was a slow burn of a mystery that leaves you guessing all the way til the end. Very enjoyable, very well written.
I need more.