#ATBR2020 Review: Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine @rachelcaine @amazonpub @jessmapreviews
Bitter Falls
by Rachel Caine
Thanks so much to Thomas & Mercer for these copies.
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publish Date: January 21, 2020
Paperback
336 Pages
Series: Stillhouse Lake #4
Genre: Thriller
She’s investigating a cold case no one else could—by going places no else would dare.
In spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands what it’s like to worry about your children.
Gwen’s investigation unearths new suspects…and victims. As she follows each sinister lead, the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home.
In a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family—paramilitary, criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves?
My Review:
Sometimes you open the right book at the right time and get lost in it. That's what happened for me with Bitter Falls. I was SO excited to get back to Gwen Proctor, Sam and their kids. They're trying to live a normal life while still dealing with the aftermath of EVERYTHING and it's not easy considering what they've all been through and the outside forces still coming at them for whatever reason they deem worthy.
We, again, see the resilience of ALL of them and we're off to the races again and each short chapter compels you to continue on. Here's the thing about series books though, when the first two books are whoppers like they were with this series, you start expecting that same level of thrill and sometimes you get disappointed. While I still loved Wolfhunter River, it lacked that OOMPH I felt with the first two. Maybe it's because I read back to back. Maybe it just is what it is. Bitter Falls brings me right back to that fast paced action I love. It's hard to replicate that first feeling you get, but this is about as close as it can get.
Now instead of being completely shocked, since I know the characters better, it's about continuing on their journeys, rooting for them and being invested. And that I am... fully invested. I have absolutely no idea where this series can possibly go from here but I am waiting impatiently to find out.
★★★★★
Jessica's Review:
The STILLHOUSE LAKE series started out strong and is continuing strong. Book four in the series, BITTER FALLS, reminded me why I still love this series and Gwen, Sam, and their kids. This was a stronger follow up after WOLFHUNTER RIVER and this was just perfectly timed for me - coming off a few lackluster reads and I was so needing something I could just binge!
Gwen is now a Private Investigator and back in Bitter Falls - we get multiple POVs in this story between Gwen, Same, and her two kids (Lanny and Connor). I really enjoyed seeing the events through all of the characters and getting a better insight into how the kids are handling everything. Man, this family has been through a lot in this series but Gwen is so fiercely protective and will do anything to keep her family safe.
I would highly recommend starting from the beginning with STILLHOUSE LAKE, because each book follows after the other. So for new readers starting here, you will definitely feel lost and not fully appreciate the continued growth this family faces. Not only do we get the suspense and fast pacing of the rest of the series but we get some cult elements thrown at us. I loved it all. If you've read the series I would highly recommend continuing because this one is stronger than book three and feels more like the first two books. I'm anxious to see where Caine can continue this from here!
5 stars
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