Tag Archives: carolyn arnold

Review – Dead Woman Walking by Carolyn Arnold @carolynarnold #netgalley #deadwomanwalking

Posted on by
1

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Here we are. Back with Amanda Steele in Dead Woman Walking, Book 15, and this time it hits close to home. Amanda’s half brother is dating Christine Lane, a realtor and the murder victim. Carolyn Arnold is quit to set the hook and that is only one of the reasons I love her books so much. She is great at taking us step by step, through the investigation.

The owner of the house where Christine Lane was found is Dominique Sharp, a lawyer who has a long line of disgruntled employees and so many secrets and a trail that leads to the killer. Could Christine’s murder be a case of mistaken identity?

Carolyn Arnold has a way with words. The short chapters make for an easy read with the mystery set at a steady pace. She has a way of creating doubt, when it comes to flushing out the villain. She calls in help from characters that appear in other series she writes. So, brace yourself for another great read in the Amanda Steele series.

 

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Preparing the empty house for another viewing, she knows she’s taking a risk showing it at night. She never told anyone she was here, but she desperately needs this sale. If she pulls it off, she can finally give her daughter the life she deserves. But as she climbs the stairs, goosebumps spread down her arms. She’s not alone…

When the body of realtor Christine Lane is discovered in one of Woodbridge’s most affluent homes, Detective Amanda Steele is left reeling. The victim was dating Amanda’s half-brother, making him an immediate suspect. They’ve never been close but Amanda knows he’s not a killer.

As forensics move in to process the crime scene, Amanda is ambushed by a well-dressed woman desperately trying to get inside the house. Dominique Sharp is a successful lawyer and expected her house to be sold by the time she returned from a business trip to DC. Could she have been the intended target?

Delving into Dominique’s business, Amanda and Trent discover a long line of disgruntled employees and a dark web of secrets that lead them to a killer who will stop at nothing to get their deadly revenge on her.

But can Amanda take the greatest risk of her career to lure the killer back into the light? And will she have to sacrifice someone close to her to ensure justice is finally served?

A totally addictive and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you turning the pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Mary Burton, Elle Gray and A. J. Rivers.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Police Procedural, Suspense, Thriller
  • 337 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication February 25, 2026 by Bookouture
  • Series: Detective Amanda Steele #15

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Her Buried Past by Carolyn Arnold #NetGalley @Carolyn_Arnold #herburiedpast

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The blade slices deeply into her neck, and arterial spray sweeps across her vision.

OMG. With a start like that, there is no way I could pass up a chance to read Her Buried Past by Carolyn Arnold. I wonder how Detective Madison Knight will handle all the blood. Even though she has an aversion to blood, she wanted to be a cop, like her grandfather.

Madison is married to Troy, a SWAT commander for the Stiles police department. She had lost a baby eleven months earlier. She never considered herself as the maternal type, but if she would have had the baby, she would have cared for it, loved it as only a mother can. I can relate to Madison eating cold pizza for breakfast. I do it too. I love when an author includes moments that make the characters come to life.

Her partner, Terry, is married to the love of his life, Annabelle, and has an eighteen months old baby girl, Dani. He is a proud papa.

Sidney is a new age therapist, believing in past life regression. But, she has secrets. As Madison and Terry dig into her life, the secrets are exposed, putting them in danger.

At the end of the book, Carolyn Arnold poses a question:

Did the twists and turns catch you by surprise, as they did Madison, and keep you flipping the pages.

You betcha. But, that’s no surprise to me. I expect that from Carolyn Arnold. She breaks her mysteries down and take us step by step to the conclusion. She does put those twists and turns into her novels, drawing me in, making it hard to put the book down until the last page is read.

My thanks go out to Carolyn Arnold, Hibbert & Stiles Publishing, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review Her Buried Past.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The blade slices deeply into her neck, and arterial spray sweeps across her vision. She puts her hand over the wound, feeling the fight already leaving her. In a moment of surrender, she must believe something marvelous will come after she takes her last breath. Otherwise, she’ll be left with nothing but the blackness that is edging in.

After therapist Sidney Callahan is found dead in her home office, Detective Madison Knight drives out to her remote cabin. Also used as a spiritual retreat to explore past-life regression, the otherwise peaceful property stands out in stark contrast to the messy murder scene. With signs of a struggle but no forced entry, Madison must figure out who would want to harm this woman.

Madison soon discovers that Sidney had planned to release a book featuring her patients’ past lives, and she suspects one of them didn’t want their secrets exposed. But as Madison and her partner, Terry Grant, dig deeper, they make the shocking discovery that the therapist had her own dark past.

As they continue their investigation, Madison and Terry must navigate a web of lies and danger. But just as they are inching closer to the truth, someone tries to stop them with deadly force. Will they be able to bring justice to Sidney? Or will they become the next victims?

  • Genre:  Fiction, Mystery, Police Procedural, Suspense, Thriller
  • 282 pages, Paperback
  • Expected publication October 8, 2025 by Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc
  • Series: Detective Madison Knight #14

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold #ThreeGirlsGone #NetGalley @Carolyn_Arnold

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I am always happy to be back with Detective Amanda Steele of the Prince William County Police Department and eagerly crack open Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold. We are in the small town of Dumfries, Virginia.

I love Prologues. I love the tease. I love the hook that gets set from the opening pages.

They ended up where they were supposed to be, just like destiny had intended.

Unfortunately, that is not a good thing, seeing the killer is doing the placing of the young girls’ bodies. The murder struck close to home for Amanda. She has an adopted nine year old daughter that she loves to pieces. She has the whole work/life conflict, but Zoe understands how important Amanda’s job is, even though she feels disappointed at times. Amanda could relate to the loss of a child, because she had lost her husband and six year old daughter to a car accident.

There was a child, Julie Gilbert, twelve years back, and a colleague of Amanda’s, Katherine Graves, was back and determined to find out who killed the child. Secrets will be revealed

I always wonder when Carolyn Arnold will let Amanda have her happy every after. Her and her partner Trent have a push pull relationship. They already have a great working relationship and I think a personal relationship would work for them as well.

The detailed descriptions of Zoe’s actions are so sweet and easy to visualize, putting a smile on my face.

Carolyn Arnold never lets me down. She manages to write stories that grab me and never let me go. I race through the pages, having to know what’s coming next, who is doing what to who and how is Amanda going to catch the bad guy. The mystery is not easily solved and I like an author who can keep me guessing.

My thanks go out to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The girl in the ballerina dress lies still on the carousel with her face toward the blue sky. In her tutu and slippers, she’s ready for her next performance. But as the morning sun shines down upon her, she no longer feels its warmth on her cheeks. Her bright light is gone forever.

When the body of Hailey Tanner is found in a local park, Detective Amanda Steele races to the scene. Interviewing her devastated parents, they confirm that Hailey never made it home from her dance class. Searching for clues in the family home, Amanda discovers that some ballet clothing was taken from Hailey’s room. Could the killer have been close to her?

As Amanda and Trent question potential suspects, they’re painfully reminded of a similar case. Julie Gilbert, another gifted performer, was murdered in exactly the same way twelve years ago. Amanda’s former colleague, Katherine Graves, never gave up hope of bringing the killer to justice and now with a clear link between the two victims, she steps back into the investigation.

But she’s soon warned off when a threatening note is found in the hem of Hailey’s dress. “This girl’s your fault. Stop looking or there will be more.”

With boxes of evidence files and potential leads, Amanda knows that Katherine must have been getting close, but when a third girl is taken soon after, the clock starts ticking again. There’s no way Amanda will let another child suffer at the hands of this twisted killer. But how much will the team be prepared to sacrifice, and can they save this girl before it’s too late?

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery
  • 356 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication August 27, 2025 by Bookouture
  • Series: Detective Amanda Steele #14

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

A New Series – Save Her Life by Carolyn Arnold @Carolyn_Arnold #NetGalley #saveherlife

Posted on by

Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Carolyn Arnold is a must read author for me, so I am super excited to share the first book in her new series, Save Her Life (Sandra Vos #1).

If it turned out to be nothing, she’d look the fool.

I wonder how often someone has thought of that when something bad is coming their way.

Sandra Vos is part of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group and the Crisis Negotiation Unit. When not in the field, she’s manhunting criminals. She keeps her family’s wealth a secret. She’s forty seven years old, not a youngster, and I kinda like that. When she is called into a hostage situation, it makes her a target. The villain wants her to suffer and will use her teenage daughter, Olivia, to force her cooperation.

Carolyn Arnold uses a Prologue to set the hook right out of the gate. That’s why I love prologues. I love stories that get my heart pounding, unable to put the book down and Save Her Life does that very well. And that ending…WOWZA…love it. I can hardly wait to see what Sandra Vos will have to deal with next.

I want to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Save Her Life by Carolyn Arnold.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The tears fall down the girl’s pale face as she desperately tries to struggle free from the ties around her wrists. The only sound in the room other than her muffled cries is the ticking of a clock. Her mother has less than one hour to find her alive.

It’s been more than thirty years since Special Agent Sandra Vos’s twin brother was shot dead, an innocent victim caught in a kidnap gone wrong. It devastated Sandra’s family, but it made her who she is today, one of the FBI’s most successful negotiators.

After dropping her teenage daughter, Olivia, at school, Sandra is alerted to a potential hostage situation at her local grocery store and races to the scene. A man has pulled out a gun and is refusing to talk or let anyone out of the building until his demands are met. The fate of dozens of lives rests in Sandra’s hands.

But as Sandra starts to make a breakthrough with the hostage taker, she receives a call that makes her blood run cold. Someone has taken Olivia, and their demand will push Sandra to her absolute limit. If it’s not met within twenty-four hours, she will never see her daughter again.

Sandra knows she should step aside, letting her team take over, but she doesn’t trust anyone else to bring Olivia home alive. Breaking every rule in the book, Sandra is ready to go into her most personal negotiation yet. But how much will she have to sacrifice to save her daughter?

A totally gripping new series which will have you turning the pages long into the night. Perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick series, Mary Stone and Elle Gray.

What readers are saying about Carolyn Arnold:

“OH MY GOSH!… Had me reading late into the night… I was caught up in the story from the first page to the last… So addictive!” Shortbookthyme, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was not going to sleep until I finished this book. Wow!… The hits just kept coming, and I never saw most of them until they hit… You will not be able to put it down because you will have to know what happened… Keep[s] you glued to the pages as you race to the end.” Escapetobooks1503, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wonderful… I love this series… Fantastic… Kept me unable to put the book down… Fantastic… Gripping… Wonderful… Edge-of-your-seat thriller.” The Reading Café, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was absolutely obsessed with this book… Loved… Amazing.” Read_and_rescue, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“It kept me rapidly turning the pages… Gripping… It’s a must-read.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Had me totally hooked. I love this series.” Karen4013, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Gripping… Page-turning… Nail-biting… This book is a must-read.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Genre: Kidnapping, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller
  • 346 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication May 27, 2025 by Bookouture

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold @Carolyn_Arnold #NetGalley #HerDeadlyRose

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

It’s good to be back with some familiar characters in Prince William County, solving another mystery in Her Deadly Rose (Detective Amanda Steele) by Carolyn Arnold.

I feel for Amanda and her lack of a personal life. She has been torn between Logan, her live in boyfriend, and Trent, her partner. I wonder how strong her relationship is with Logan. Can it withstand the trials and tribulations he is put through. He spends more time with Zoe, her adopted daughter, than she does.

Amanda has come to the arena to watch Michaela Glover perform. Michaela Glover is an Olympic hopeful figure skater and she has come home to put on a performance. Instead of watching her skate, Amanda finds her lifeless body amongst rose petals on the floor of her dressing room.

Carolyn Arnold takes us on a step by step mystery tour. Who wanted Michaela dead? Before they can solve the first murder, another body drops. We have a multitude of suspects, but none seem to be the villain.

Her Deadly Rose doesn’t have the thrills and chills that ignite my imagination, but her mysteries do keep my mind churning, gathering clues, trying to put them together to solve the crime. There isn’t a lot of romance and family life takes a backseat to Amanda’s work. That’s what happens when you are a police officer. It’s not a nine to five, five days a week job. Family events are missed, which can cause a lot of conflict. Her novels are easy to relate to, because the realism makes the characters come to life.

We end with : “You and Trent are needed right away.”

“Just tell me where.”

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The girl’s lifeless body lies next to a scattered bouquet of crimson roses, the petals around her head like tiny pools of blood. Gripped in her hand is the note that came with the flowers, sent by someone who wanted her dead.

When champion figure skater Michaela Glover returns to her hometown of Woodbridge for a special performance, Detective Amanda Steele is part of the cheering crowds. But when Michaela is discovered dead in her dressing room after the show, Amanda is the first to investigate the shocking scene.

There is no sign of foul play, and the room is overflowing with flowers from Michaela’s adoring fans. But Amanda’s heart stops at the sight of a few roses tied with black ribbon and a note that reads “You’ll be sorry”. And when forensic tests reveal the ribbon was laced in something Michaela was deathly allergic to, Amanda is certain this is cold-blooded murder.

Desperate for a lead, Amanda dives into Michaela’s life to find out who could possibly want this sweet girl dead. She soon discovers that despite having a glittering future ahead of her, Michaela had a troubled past, and was surrounded by people jealous of her success.

When someone close to Michaela is discovered brutally murdered, Amanda is terrified there could be yet more innocent victims to follow. Can she uncover the twisted killer’s identity before they strike again?

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Police Procedural
  • 355 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication October 18, 2024 by Bookouture
  • Series: Detective Amanda Steele, #12

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Detective Amanda Steele – Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold @Carolyn_Arnold

Posted on by

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold is about a prom gone wrong…and it’s all down hill from there.

Detective Amanda Steel works for the Homicide Unit of the Prince William County Police Department. She stays busy with work, but I’m not sure how she would cope if she wasn’t. Sure she loves spending time with her adopted daughter, Zoe, and her significant other, Logan, but she is not one for being idle.

A call for help from her niece Ava, draws Amanda into a missing person’s case. Though it is outside her normal purview, it is the sister, Reese, of Ava’s best friend, Nadine, so she can’t say no. The shit really hits the fan when her niece, Ava, has been taken by the same man who took Reese. I saw it coming, because Ava is too smart for her own britches. She couldn’t stop investigating on her own, but she already had a target on her back.

There was one bump in the road at about 70%. I don’t see Carolyn Arnold letting that slip by and it really bugged me. Other than that, it was another intriguing mystery that kept me entertained for hours. I am looking forward to the next Detective Amanda Steele. novel.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREAD BLURB

Music from the busy dance floor echoes into the deserted room where the Prom Queen lies deadly still. A tiara rests on her soft blonde curls, but her face is frozen with fear, and her painted red lips are forever sealed shut in a silenced scream…

When Detective Amanda Steele’s niece, Ava, begs her to look for a missing schoolfriend, she immediately agrees to take on the case. Eighteen-year-old Reece left home three nights ago after fighting with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. But when the teenager’s body is discovered brutally murdered, poised dramatically at the prom venue, Amanda is devastated she didn’t save the girl in time.

Haunted by the scene, Amanda dives headfirst into the case. Chasing every lead, she is horrified when she discovers a potential key witness strangled in her own home. It soon becomes clear that the killer will stop at nothing to silence anyone who might reveal their identity. So when Ava mentions she saw someone acting strangely at the prom venue that night, Amanda’s heart stops.

And when Amanda’s worst nightmare comes true, and her beloved niece is taken, she knows that every second counts to uncover this twisted killer’s identity and bring Ava home safely. But can she crack the secrets of this killer’s deadly game before it’s too late?

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • 326 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published June 20, 2023 by Bookouture
  • Series: Detective Amanda Steele, Book 8

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Her Last Words by Carolyn Arnold @Carolyn_Arnold #HerLastWords #NetGalley

Posted on by
https://amzn.to/3Pdws0k

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love a good Prologue, don’t you? It sets the hook, and Carolyn Arnold did a great job with the Prologue for Her Last Words, but that doesn’t surprise me. I have read a lot of Carolyn Arnold’s books and she never disappoints me. Yeah, they may not all blow my mind, but they do supply hours of entertainment.

I love Detective Amanda Steele. She is a power to be reckoned with…and, even though she is on vacation, when someone she knows is murdered, she’s on the case. Could she have prevented her murder if she had returned Felicity’s call? See carries plenty of guilt already. Does she neglect her family for the job? Isn’t that a question many of us ask ourselves?

Felicity is a successful crime novelist and Amanda was on the case. Could her success have been the catalyst? Could it be her work in progress? She was known for her in depth, detailed research. Could she has found something someone wanted to left undiscovered?

Carolyn Arnold is good at keeping the mystery alive, giving us a plentiful supply of suspects and motives, throwing out red herrings, trying to lead us down the wrong path. In the end, she brings everything together, like pieces to a jigsaw puzzle. Step by step, clue by clue. We have some danger, but it’s not the dark and depraved kind that I love so much. It’s your normal, everyday murderer that could be your neighbor, your boss, your coworker, your friend…

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The glow from the fireplace throws an eerie light over the woman’s carefully arranged body, her lifeless eyes reflecting the flames that slowly burn the evidence of who did this to her…

When Detective Amanda Steele is called to the brutal murder scene of successful local author Felicity Kelley , her blood runs cold. Because Amanda not only knew the victim, but was the last person Felicity called moments before she was murdered. Plagued with guilt that she never answered, Amanda is left wondering whether she could have prevented the murder, and vows to catch the killer, no matter what.

Desperately searching the crime scene for clues, Amanda is shocked when she discovers a Queen of Hearts playing card, suggesting the murder could be an imitation of a scene from Felicity’s bestselling crime novel. Terrified that she is dealing with a crazed fan who could strike again, Amanda’s worst fears are confirmed when another innocent woman is viciously murdered, with the same chilling calling card left behind.

But when Amanda connects the murders with a cold case from fifteen years ago, a case that Felicity appears to have been researching for her next novel, she is forced to question if the killer’s motive is even more sinister than she first suspected. But the closer Amanda gets to unearthing this motive, the closer she gets to becoming the next victim…

A completely pulse-pounding and unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.

  • Genre: Fiction, Organized Crime, Serial Killers, Suspense, Thriller
  • Format: 341 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication: October 17, 2023 ‎by Bookouture
  • Series: Amanda Steele, #9, can standalone

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway & Review – Wedding Bells Brew Murder by Carolyn Arnold @dollycas @Carolyn_Arnold #WeddingBellsBrewMurder #NetGalley

Posted on by

Wedding Bells Brew Murder (Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series)
by Carolyn Arnold

About Wedding Bells Brew Murder

MY REVIEW

Carolyn Arnold is always a must read for me. Cozies can be fun and mysterious, so I was excited to be able to get my hands on the second book, Wedding Bells Brew Murder, of the Sara And Sean Cozy Mystery series.

Sean McKinley had inherited a fortune and proposed to Sara. Since then, their lives have been a whirlwind. They quit their jobs as homicide detectives for the Albany Police Department and have spent their time traveling the world.

Tomorrow was on track to be a perfect day, their wedding day, but knowing Carolyn Arnold, it won’t stay that way. And it doesn’t. Sara and Sean are on the job, but not. They are told to stay out of the way, by an admirer and the the leader of the investigation, Ryan. He’d always had a crush on her, so maybe she did the wrong thing calling him.

Magnum is their trusty beagle and can sniff out all kinds of things. He can be a bit disobedient, but all in all, he fits right into their lives. He will prove very helpful.

The past comes a calling. Carolyn Arnold does visit the past to fill in the blanks and I love that about her books. They can stand alone, though I always recommend beginning at the beginning. Each one is enjoyable and adds hours of entertainment for your reading pleasure.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Wedding Bells Brew Murder by Carolyn Arnold.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

SYNOPSIS

With all the guests at Sara and Sean’s wedding suspected of murder, her walk down the aisle will need to wait…

Everything is going perfectly on the big day until Sara opens the door of her bridal suite. Darlene Day, who made the wedding cake, falls into the room, a serving knife plunged into her back.

As the organists start to play “Here Comes the Bride,” Sara calls a pause to the proceedings. There’s a murder to solve, and the motive may be in the icing.

Darlene wasn’t the most loved person in the small town of Cotton Spring Falls, but rumor has it that she refused the offer of a big franchise to buy her bakery. Did they go so far as murder to put her out of business?

But when it’s discovered their wedding cake was poisoned, Sara and Sean could have been the intended victims all along. Did Darlene stumble upon the killer’s conspiracy and they silenced her before she could reveal their secret? Is it someone on the invitation list or the mysterious wedding crasher?

As long as the coffee is hot, and Sara has Sean and her beagle, Magnum, at her side, she isn’t going down in a heap of tulle and lace.

Wedding Bells Brew Murder is a closed-room mystery in the fashion of the great Agatha Christie that fans of Emma Davies, Verity Bright, and Helena Dixon will enjoy reading.

About Carolyn Arnold

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers readers police procedurals, hard-boiled and cozy mysteries, thrillers, and action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Author Links

Purchase Links – Amazon – iTunes – B&N – Kobo – Google 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Her Dark Grave by Carolyn Arnold #NetGalley @Carolyn_Arnold #HerDarkGrave

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Carolyn Arnold sets the hook in me with the Prologue for Her Dark Grave.

I am going to kill someone before graduation.

Just because a family appears to have it all, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors…mom and ‘my little boy’ aren’t telling. And, that is how a killer is born.

Madison Knight is a detective with the Stiles Police Department. Her nightmares and inability to sleep have her driving around in the early morning hours. Her lover, Troy Matthews, a SWAT leader, had fought for his life when they went up against the Russian Mafia. Could they be following her? Are they in danger?

Her car runs out of gas and she discovers a suitcase filled with body parts.

Tara is found. She may be rich, but she is devoted to those less privileged. She fights poverty and illiteracy, knowing the power of being able to read can lead to jobs.

She strongly believed that children are our future.

Madison Knight is my favorite Carolyn Arnold character. Besides her and her significant other Troy, we have her partner Terry, who seems to be hiding something from her, and Cynthia, head of the forensics lab and lead criminal investigator. She is Madison’s best friend and expecting a baby. Madison reminds me of Brenda Lee Johnson from the TV show, The Closer.

HE knew he was different from the time he was six years old. He felt no pain, but did experience pleasure, and aren’t we supposed to pursue happiness? I don’t think ‘they’ meant by being bathed in blood. His memories are his friends. As the pace of his kills picks up and a second woman is found mutilated, is he trying to get caught. Does he want his name in lights?

As Terry’s secret is exposed and Madison and Troy’s future becomes clear to her, it seems she has come full circle. To find out what I mean by that, you will need to read the book.

I love that Carolyn Arnold’s books smack of realism. Sure, there are those ‘fiction’ moments, but her ability to take us through the procedures of the investigation, step by step, lead us to the killer in a realistic way. Her research is evident in the details.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Her Dark Grave by Carolyn Arnold.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Her eyes widen at her reflection in the steel blade as it comes closer, closer, closer…

Detective Madison Knight thought a midnight drive through the countryside would help clear her mind, but she thought wrong. Her car runs out of gas, stranding her in the middle of nowhere in pitch darkness. When she gets out to stretch her legs, the beam of her phone’s flashlight lands on a suitcase in the ditch. After she opens it, she’s sorry she did.

Tara Jackson was only twenty-one years old with her entire life ahead of her before she was stabbed to death and stuffed into a piece of luggage. Madison is determined to find her justice and soon uncovers that Tara was keeping secrets from those closest to her and suspects they may have gotten her killed. But while she’s exploring that lead, the body of another young woman is found in a sports equipment bag.

She looks just like Tara and is the same age, and Madison starts to wonder if the killer she’s after has killed before. Desperate, she turns to cold cases and missing person reports to see if she can dig up anything to further the investigation.

Madison finds eighteen-year-old Daphne Tucker, who was reported missing from the area three years ago. She’s a doppelganger to the other victims. Is the reason Daphne hasn’t been heard from because she’s dead too? And has her killer returned, hungry for more blood?

As Madison edges closer to the truth, someone is stalking her from the shadows, and she fears it just may be the twisted, demented killer she’s hunting. But can Madison outsmart him or her before she becomes the next victim?

This completely gripping bone-chilling crime thriller is perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, D.K. Hood, and Leslie Wolfe.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 17, 2023 by Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold #NetGalley @Carolyn_Arnold #BowledOverAmericano

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is a departure from her normal writing of police procedurals and thrillers, veering off into the world of cozies, and I am eager to see how she does. The cover looks fun…sooo….let’s go bowling.

Sara Cain is a detective by day and a writer by night. An evening run has her meeting Magnum, a beagle, who leads her to his murdered owner. Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler. Douche Detective Davenport is on the case. He is incompetent, choosing the easy way out to close his cases. She is drawn into the case, when her mother makes the request.

Sara and Sean are partners….and that’s all. They both acknowledge their attraction, but she won’t let it go any further. No mingling in the work place.

Sean is a kind and compassionate person and a kindness given reaps Sean more than he ever could have imagined. He is so romantic, so sweet. How has he not been snatched up yet? Sara better be careful.

Carolyn Arnold handles her foray into cozy mysteries with the same panache as her police procedurals and thrillers. The writing flows smoothly, leading me from page to page, devouring the words, becoming involved with the richly developed characters, walking with them step by step to the very end…enjoying every minute of it.

I am eager to see what adventure comes next for Sara and Sean.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Sara Cain isn’t your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…

When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor.

Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.

But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers.

Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.

A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!