💀🚓🕳️ “Buried Cold Case Secrets” (Deputies of Anderson County #1) (2021) 🕳️🚓💀 – Book Review

MY REVIEW

 

 

Series: Deputies of Anderson County (Book #1)

Paperback: 224 Pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (December 28, 2021)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335554785

ISBN-13: 978-1335554789

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“Recovering her missing memories

 

could be the key to solving a murder

 

Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first. For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold-case murder…and shield Melanie from the same fate?”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Sami A Abrams, for providing a complimentary review copy through her “Crime Scene” launch group. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

Throughout the years, the “lines” of Harlequin books that are my “go-to” and “mainstays” has shifted. From American Romance and SuperRomance to Love Inspired and Heartwarming; and from Intrigue to Love Inspired Suspense.

 

That doesn’t mean I still don’t like the others, but my priorities have shifted. As of note, American Romance and SuperRomance have long been discontinued.

 

What hasn’t shifted is my love of the romantic-suspense genre, or a good love story with some suspense or mystery.  

 

Another focus that hasn’t shifted? Discovering new authors. After all, how does an author become a favorite if you don’t at least read one book by them?

 

Sami A. Abrams’ Buried Cold Case Secrets is her debut Love Inspired Suspense novel. And, what a debut this is! Wow!

 

As of note, back in the early 2000’s, I could EASILY read a book of this size in a day, and I almost did it with this one. I did read the first 54% of it in roughly two (2) hours. That just doesn’t happen much these days. I just couldn’t put it down.

 

Let’s start right off with that CREEPY cover! Should be released closer to Halloween! While the author has very little input for the cover, the team behind the covers does a great job to grab the reader’s attention and definitely connect the cover to the author’s story.

 

How about that “blurb”? Melanie was kidnapped with her best-friend? Only Melanie made it out alive? That’s enough to give someone nightmares. And, the fact that her friend’s brother blames her? Okay, this is a strong read! No decaf here – let’s go full “jet fuel” coffee!

 

Of course, from that blurb, we know what Melanie and Jason are up against – besides each other. The two support characters, Keith Young and Dennis Monroe were just as good. But, let me tell you, Abrams had me guessing about the sheriff almost from the beginning.

 

I sympathized with both Melanie and Jason in this situation. Melanie had to “escape” when she had the chance. Who would want to just let themselves be killed if they had a chance to get out of a situation? But, I did wonder about Allison.

 

Jason feels his sister’s death is Melanie’s fault as she didn’t take Allison with her when she was able to leave. I understood his point as well. Melanie was Allison’s friend, why leave Allison behind? That is a lot of pressure for an adult, let alone a 16-year-old. Fifteen years is a long time to hold on to guilt and grudges.

 

I was definitely wondering how, after the line on page 11 “He wasn’t her attacker. He was worse. Her best friend’s brother, Jason Cooper, stood before her. The man who hated her guts”; the author was going to make this into some kind of a romance.

 

How was Abrams going to turn a twisted, grisly, haunting, story into a romance within an edge-of-your-seat suspense twist?

 

That’s why I HAD to read this!

 

The chapter lengths vary from short to medium, but definitely not over 20 pages. However, the author’s engaging dialogue and fast-paced action, it was definitely easy to keep reading without even thinking about how long the chapters were.

 

As this does deal with kidnapping and a few murders, caution might be advised for those sensitive to the topics.

 

Abrams didn’t waste much time getting into the story either.

 

Melanie is jogging to clear her mind and as therapy for her anxiety. She’s back home and it has been 15 years since the gruesome events that led her on the path to being a forensic anthropologist.

 

She is recalling the event, but can’t remember the details of the escape. All she remembers is being kidnapped with Allison – both where shackled and beaten. Now, Melanie wants to find her friend’s body and give her a proper burial to bring closure to her family as well as herself.

 

While on the trail she is attacked and ends up in the arms of the man who hates her – Detective Jason Cooper, the older brother of Allison, Melanie’s friend.

 

Despite never wanting to see her again, Jason also doesn’t want Melanie hurt.

 

Jason is stunned to see Melanie. He undoubtedly blames her for leaving Allison to die. But, he can’t stand to see Melanie in trouble. He soon learns he will be working with her on a case, and she is the department’s new hire, despite not applying for the job. I had a very bad feeling about it – but, as it would be a spoiler, I won’t say whether I was right or wrong.

 

It is clear Melanie is still traumatized. She refuses to tell Jason about her panic attacks and PTSD.

 

After arguing over her needing medical attention, Jason is blunt – Melanie made a bad decision regarding his sister. She tells him he doesn’t know what he is talking about. Due to their estrangement, Jason has no idea how badly scarred Melanie is, or how much her parents basically ignored her trauma in the days after.

 

Melanie is there to work. Right now, it is in exhuming a body that has been recently found (not Allison’s).

 

It isn’t long until multiple attempts are made on Melanie’s life; even at the hospital (this guy is pretty bold). And, despite how he feels about Melanie, Jason is determined to protect her. One of the attempts on Melanie’s almost ends Jason’s life. It is before this that he learns about Melanie’s parents’ treatment of her. Basically, they no longer wanted her as it would ruin their reputation.

 

After a fire, his resentment starts to fade. His heart and his head are in conflict when it comes to Melanie. I literally cried when he asked her not to cry and that he’d place her stuff. Seriously? He was definitely starting to thaw out a little, though it is a long road for him.

 

I definitely suspected the sheriff right off due to how he showed up at a crime scene. Abrams really did a great job on his character. I honestly believed “okay, he did it”.

 

There was a bit of laugh between Ethan, Brent, and Jason regarding firefighters and cops. Jason thought the firefighters were nuts to run into ovens (burning buildings), they thought cops were crazy for dodging bullets. This is a slight play on most fire/police rivalries.

 

Jason decides to take her to his place, he bought it from an elderly lady who knew the kids (Jason, Allison, and Melanie). It is this woman who provides Jason with the insight he needs. Eventually they talk about the night that Melanie escaped.

 

The author really demonstrated the conflict here – Jason wants to know what Melanie remembers, and why she did what she did; but he doesn’t want to listen. Though Jason sees the toll on Melanie in going over the scene in photos and wants her to stop.

 

While he wants to continue to hate her, he also wants to start over because he wants the past Melanie back. He wants to start over, but he can’t resolve himself to absolve her of her role. One thing is certain – he knows his sister is dead, though, where is she or rather where is her body?

 

After eliminating everything to do with Melanie’s old cases, no past exes; Jason and the sheriff agree – the stalking and attacks have to do with her kidnapping. Though they can’t figure the why out.

 

Abrams keeps the action going with more stalking, another body, and more conflict between Jason’s head and heart. His attitude bounces all over from dislike of her to extreme affection, at one point upset that she doesn’t think she deserves to be treasured. This poor guy definitely needed some therapy as well.

 

Jason and Keith begin to wonder that perhaps it isn’t a stranger – maybe someone in the community given how the attacker can just disappear. I had my own suspects as well.

 

Speaking of suspects, Melanie’s little paper towel tube demonstration of a suspect’s height was very interesting and added some levity to the tense storyline.

 

I loved how Abrams kept the tension and conflict going, almost up until the very end.

 

At one point even Jason admits that his heart knows what he wants, it is getting his head to agree. I loved this statement and truly felt that explains so much of our inner and outer conflicts. It even helps to explain certain relationships.

 

The lead up to the ending was gut-wrenching and nerve-wracking. With about 34 pages to go – I didn’t put this one down. I actually couldn’t put it down as it was too intense. Word of caution – don’t got into the ending at night, alone. Wow!

 

The bad guy, after his introduction, was fairly easy to see coming – at least for me. The motive though was off until about the very end and it all made some gruesome sense.

 

One of the “locations” also pinged for me when it came to a location, but it was interesting to see it come back there.

 

Once I connected the dots, the ending was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable.

 

Although this is a standalone read, I wouldn’t mind another connected book with a story about Keith. I really liked him! I also want something with the sheriff as well since he definitely surprised me.

 

One thing that was a bit bothersome to me – the age difference between Jason and Melanie. When they were younger, he was 20 and she was 16, so only four (4) years between them. Yet, the way the characters were acting, it was as if it was over 10 (or more). I get Melanie was 16, so that was a good reason, just not the AGE gap difference being the reason.

 

I’m watching a TV show where in real life, the lead actor is AT least 15 years older than the “love interest” on the show. That’s a bit of an age gap. However, I know real-life couples with anywhere from a 20-25 year age gap. At certain ages, it is definitely NOT a good idea (usually under 18, I’ll go up to 21).

 

The reference of Dr. Vogel to “Dr. Doom” made me laugh. There’s only ONE Dr. Doom (Fantastic Four, 2005) and he wasn’t too bad.

 

Overall, I LOVED this and am hoping to see more great work from this author and hope she has room on the Crime Scene team for me next time because I’m all in!

 

Since this is from the Love Inspired Suspense line, it will have a certain amount of Christian and faith-themed tones to it. Most of it is in the form of prayer and doesn’t come off as “preachy” in tone.

 

Fans of Darlene L. Turner, Lynette Eason, and Elizabeth Goddard are definitely going to enjoy Sami A. Abrams!

 

 

 

RATING:

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub 

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Two-time Genesis award winner, Sami A. Abrams and her husband live in Northern California, but she’ll always be a Kansas girl at heart. She enjoys visiting her two grown children and spoiling their sweet fur babies. Most evenings if Sami’s not watching sports, you’ll find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. She thinks a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story. Visit her at https://samiaabrams.com/.

 

 

 

You can find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samiaabrams/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samiaabrams/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/samiaabrams

 

 

* This post contains affiliate links