🏛️ ⚾ 🚓 “A Night to Remember” (Adairsville Heritage Mystery #2) (2022) 🚓 ⚾ 🏛️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Language: English
ISBN: 1633574229
ISBN-13: 978-1633574229
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Riley Gordan is back in Adairsville, Georgia anticipating a leisurely vacation from the rigors of law school with her college friend, Trish. Then, as part of a political plot, one of her Sunday School girls is kidnapped. Stumbling upon the abduction, Riley and her friends are drawn headfirst into a search for the girl.
Their probe leads them into a fast paced and dangerous string of encounters that include a Neanderthal named Houston, searches in some of the most hazardous places in North Georgia, a green Kia Soul, an old man with a big gun, and ultimately murder.
It is an adventure that provides some unusual twists and turns and is highlighted by a beautiful relationship between an old baseball player entering politics and a spunky adolescent who are jointly known around town as "Nate and The Kid."”
Thank you in advance to the authors, Danny and Wanda Pelfrey, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I was introduced to the authors through Solid Ground, the first book in this series. As this continues where that left off, readers should definitely read the first book before reading this one. There are events and references in this one that readers would better understand by reading the first book.
Like the book before it, the cover is pretty basic. There’s not much of a draw to it. But, that doesn’t mean the story isn’t interesting though.
This time around, Riley is on break from law school and her friend Trish is visiting. But, the visit turns into being something more.
In addition to Riley, Kirby, Connie, Amos, Carol, and Mike returning; the authors introduce readers to Nate Bannister and “the kid” (Kaylene).
While this mentions a political plot, the authors are quite careful to avoid any “party” acknowledgments. This could, given the recent election, be a bit of a sticking point with some readers though. There is a kidnapping mentioned, potential murder of a child (doesn’t occur), and two murders.
There is a reference to alcoholism, a fatal car accident involving a mom and three kids, in addition to an officer being shot. These subjects might be concerning for some readers.
This isn’t entirely a “who-dun-it” suspense, there are also three “romances” going on – Kirby and Connie, Riley and Mike, then Trish and Nathan. But, those take a back seat with the suspense part.
Right off, I did get a bit confused at the beginning with regard to who had died – the current county commissioner or Nate the candidate. I had to read that a few times, but once I did – this caught my attention and took off.
After all, nothing like a good political corruption story and kidnapping to get a book and story going.
With multiple POVs – Riley, Amos, Nate, Houston (the neanderthal kidnapper), and a “mystery man” – readers get nearly a 360° view of the story, as if they were seeing it on the TV.
To get Nate Bannister out of the election, a plucky 12-year-old known as “The Kid” (Kaylene), is kidnapped – given how close she is to Nate. It becomes apparent that the man holding the girl, Houston, has no qualms in killing her. The woman that is helping him – not so much.
The first led is a metallic green Kia Soul. Apparently a bit rare in those parts.
But, there are also other questions – such as “who” is behind and the real “why”. Why does someone not want Nate to win the election? Does it have to do with the development of the town? Personal grudge?
Riley ends up doing what she does best – investigating on her own – with Trish tagging along. During some downtime moments, Trish seems to be having her own romance with Nathan while Riley reconsiders her own feelings for Mike.
Trish is also the “stand-out star” when it comes to Buster – the town drunk – who is in grief over the loss of his wife and children, blaming himself for the accident. It is a touching, and endearing moment as Trish reaches him. The authors truly bring the severity of “survivor’s guilt” to the forefront. (As of note, Buster was not involved or present for the accident).
Kirby shows up halfway through the book and his law enforcement expertise aids in the investigation.
One would think that in recovering Kaylene, the story would end and the mystery solved. But the authors kept the suspense until the end as to the “real” why of the story.
Like the first book, this has a “Murder: She Wrote” vibe to it. And, it is a bit more “serious” with the kidnapping and two dead bodies. And, the officer involved shooting was a realistic touch as well.
There is a sweet moment of humor involving Mike and a basket of fried chicken, along with a reference to KFC. I had to relate to that as that is a family favorite and goes back over 50 years, especially for special events – birthdays, get togethers, family reunions.
I do feel as though this had a slightly “open” ending with one character. I still found him on the shady side and definitely don’t trust him.
I loved the Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham references. Of course, my mind went to the 1991 movie with Kevin Costner and Alan Rickman in the mentioned roles.
The title really refers to Nate talking about why he missed an event – Kaylene’s birth – and referred to it as “A Night to Remember”. This is towards the end of the book. The missed event was sort of the catalyst for the story, so it could have had something to do with the story and plot.
As the authors are Christians, there will be some strong Christian content in this book. And, despite the events – strong language and any reference to intimacy – are not mentioned at all. It is a clean read from beginning to end.
The short chapters kept my attention and aided in the story’s progression without feeling bogged down. There were a few typos, however it didn’t detract from the story or plot in any way.
Those who enjoyed the first book will no doubt want to read this one as well.
I would be very interested to see what is going to happen next in Adairsville, especially with Riley and Mike, as well as Trish and Nathan. As well as see if “Mr. Shady” returns.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
BOOK NOT ON BOOKBUB
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE SERIES:
Series: Adairsville Heritage Mystery (Book #1)Paperback: 237 pages
Publisher: Crosslink Publishing (October 2, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1633573087
ISBN-13: 978-1633573086
⬅️ Click Picture for Purchase Information
Publisher: Crosslink Publishing (October 2, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1633573087
ISBN-13: 978-1633573086
⬅️ Click Picture for Purchase Information
“Seven years between them, Kirby and Riley Gordan, nurtured by their pastor father and loving mother, experienced almost ideal childhoods growing up in the Boston area. Then a season of misfortune culminated in the worse of all possible tragedies - the death of their beloved parents.
Four years have passed. Kirby, having failed at marriage and pro-baseball, is now a Florida police detective. He finds himself in little Adairsville, Georgia along with Riley, his law school bound sister. They are there to settle their uncle's massive estate. It is soon apparent that Uncle James's death was no accident. But the worst of it is their names at the top of the suspect list. The siblings are embraced by spunky caretakers, Amos and Carol, whose love, wit, faith, and plain ole horse-sense bolster efforts to solve the murder and put Kirby's life back on track.”
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Danny and Wanda Pelfrey live in little Adairsville, GA from where they write in a variety of genres, but have the most fun creating mysteries with a message. They are never more happy than when they are spending time with any of their five grandchildren.
You can visit their website here: http://www.pelfreybooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pelfreyauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwpelfrey
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