Bitter End (Book 3 of Bitter Root Mysteries)Murder in a small town is always personal. When a young mother is murdered in the isolated ranching town of Lost Trail, Montana, the father of her child is the first suspect. In this case, there are two: the biological father who hasn’t seen his daughter in over a year and the adoptive father whose life hangs in the balance as he struggles with cancer.… he struggles with cancer.
Zak Waller is Lost Trail’s newest deputy. He’s also locked in a power struggle with the town’s old-school Sheriff. If Zak solves this case maybe he’ll finally get the respect he deserves. But is he willing to tear a family apart in the process?
Perfect for fans of the British television film Broadchurch.
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Loved this series. Hope it continues!
Lost Trail, Montana, is a small town full of secrets. Zak Waller has lived here all his life and perfected the art of fading into the background, but he is finally ready to step into a new phase of life. After solving a couple high profile murders, he has earned his deputy’s badge to go along with his dispatcher duties. The newest murder brings home the need for more change in the top spot of law enforcement in Lost Trail.
The murder mystery drew me in and the secondary stories kept me turning the pages. I really enjoy the way the author paced the story and developed the characters, and there are twists to make things even more interesting.
This is the third book in the Bitter Root series, and while I have enjoyed every one, the author supplies enough background information that it can stand alone. If you enjoy murder mysteries, especially those set in small towns, with well-written characters
#BiitterEnd #BitterRootMysteries #CJCarmichael #ReadTulez
CJ Carmichael paints such a vivid backdrop for her complex characters in this 3-book mystery series. I loved the character growth of the main protagonists over the course of the series, and where the murder mystery was concerned is Bitter End, she kept me guessing right to the end–and beyond. Although each book stands alone, the series is definitely the way to go if you’re a fan of small town mysteries.
Lost Trail. Montana — small town full of unique characters. Zak Waller has been the police dispatcher for awhile. With a penchant toward solving crimes, he has been given a badge .. now he’s also a Deputy.. but still has to to the dispatch work. The Sheriff is not too happy, but public opinion insisted.
Willow is a woman .. not too well liked in Lost Trail, even though she grew up there. She and Justin were high school sweethearts before she left to see the world. Last year she married Justin then turned around and left him and her daughter and disappeared.
Justin has taken care of Geneva, the 4-year-old darling that he adopted. He loves her as much as he would love his own child if he had one.
Months have gone by, life goes on, and then there she is … Willow back in Lost Trail. She’s decided that she would like ‘her’ daughter back and she’s planning on grabbing Geneva and just leaving.
Willow is found murdered, her body left in the cemetery where her parents are buried.
Zak is known for his patience, common sense, and his ability to see connections other people often miss. As he starts investigating, he finds many suspects .. but who wanted Willow dead?
Did her ex-husband kill her to keep her from taking his daughter? Her present lover who has rented a place to keep an eye on Willow? Another woman who wants her to leave Justin alone? Any of the other residents who harbor hate?
Although 3rd in the series, this does well as a stand alone. However, I do recommend starting at the beginning. Zak is a unique character, very likeable, and solid. Justin makes a good character as well, although he is dealing with a recurrence of cancer. The lady who runs the day care center maybe has a ‘thing’ for Justin. Another Deputy ..female.. really likes Zak, but neither of them have made a move yet.
This is a well written mystery, a page turner, with twists and turns and relationships that seem to be topsy turvy. Looking forward to the next Bitter Root Mystery.
Many thanks to the author / Tule Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this mystery. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Intriguing and addictive. I can’t get enough of the residents and town of Lost Trail, Montana.
I really enjoy this series and it was fun to catch up with the characters again. In this book, Zak Waller has received a shiny new Deputy badge, but he is still stuck behind the dispatch desk most of the time. But he has a bigger goal in mind. Zak plans to run for Sheriff during the next election. While things are starting to heat up between Zak and Nadine Black, the other deputy, Zak is also hard at work on the murder case of Willow McTavish. There are a lot of suspects, but the clues just aren’t adding up. But with Zak on the case, he is sure to find the killer.
This story had me hooked from the start. Along with the mystery of who killed, Willow, I enjoyed catching up with the other characters. I was anxious to see how Justin and his daughter Geneva were doing and learn more about Justin’s battle with cancer. I liked seeing how Tiff and Kenny’s relationship was coming along too. But the main story is the murder. About half way through the book, I was certain I knew who the killer was when the story took a different turn. But even then, my guess was wrong. Let’s just say, this town has a lot of secrets and just when you think you know someone, you don’t really know them at all. There are a lot of secrets in Lost Trail. This is a really good story. Be prepared to be surprised when you read this book.
A new author for me to read, C.J. Carmichael with the Bitter Root Mysteries! So far I have enjoyed the first three novels: Bitter Roots, Bitter Truth, and Bitter End. The main character is a lowly police dispatcher in a town of about two thousand residents. He manages to solve the crimes before the ineffective sheriff, and the lazy deputy. It’s an entertaining series with at least one or sometimes two murders, betrayals, greed, and a little romantic shenanigans. Cheers Lynda L. Lock (Isla Mujeres Mystery series)
I’m worried every one in this small town is going to be murdered. We don’t learn the whole story untill the last page. I missed that important clue too. But now Sheriff Zac sees who is the real mastermind.
This is the 3rd book in the Bitter Root Mysteries series and it was every bit as compelling as the 1st book–which I adored. CJ Carmichael writes characters you wish you knew, and creates a perfect who dunnit story so that you are working to solve the mystery the entire time. I can’t wait for the 4th book which should be releasing next month!
I just ADORED this book! Great plot with the same great characters as the first two in this series. I didn’t want it to end and yet raced to the finish!
WOW!! I was blown away, intrigued and held in suspense while reading Biter End by CJ Carmichael, the third book in her Bitter Roots Mysteries series. Zak Waller is Lost Trail’s newest deputy, but the promotion doesn’t diminish his power struggle with the town’s old-school Sheriff. Zak investigates the murder of a young mother who just recently returned to town after a year absence. Problematic for Zak is the list of suspects, especially the father of her child. In this case, there are two: the biological father who hasn’t seen his daughter in over a year and the adoptive father whose life is in limbo as he struggles with cancer. Zak is aware enough to know that these two are not the only two suspects as he looks for additional clues to determine who else might be involved. Hopefully, Zak’s open mind toward the case will help him in solving the case, even if it does cause additional drama with the closed minded Sheriff. Solving the case might just be the impetus Zak needs to run against the Sheriff in the next election.
Ms. Carmichael wrote a wonderfully moving story that is not to be missed. It kept me on my toes, guessing and wondering what would happen next throughout this story. This story is filled with sexual attraction, fun dialogue, and endearing characters. I highly recommend this book to other readers and look forward to the next book in the series
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Bitter End is the third book in the Bitter Roots series. The main character is an unassuming police dispatcher who actually solves all the crimes in this small Montana ranching town. At least by book three, Zak is finally a deputy, but gets no respect from his superiors. A mysterious death has the sheriff pinning the murder on the only outsider, which is basically his normal routine. After all, the town folks of Bitterroot couldn’t be guilty of such a heinous crime.
Dark secrets and darker motivations are revealed in book three. It’s an entertaining read that kept me up past my bedtime.
This is one of those books that I have not only read the entire series but i actually gifted the series to my sister who is a librarian for her Christmas gift this year. This is the third book in the series and while you could read it as a stand alone book and enjoy it as a good mystery, IF you read the first two books in the series you will really enjoy this book oh so much more.
Bitter End is located in Lost Trail, Montana (yes real cowboy country) and Deputy Zak Waller has his hand full finding a murder and keeping the peace while taking care of his dispatchers duties. Is it any wonder some folks think he would make the perfect Sheriff? But he is knee deep in a murder that takes us readers all around the bend and I mean that in a very good way before we discover Who Done It. Don’t worry this book is not just a murder mystery set in cowboy country our author CJ Carmichael would not do that to her readers, oh no… there are other characters and yes Zak has a lady friend too.
Come find out why I love this series so much.
An engrossing mystery set in a small town with interesting and unique characters. I had a few guesses as to who the murderer was but didn’t see the twists that were coming. Long held secrets are in abundance in this town. This book is part of a series. It can be read as stand-alone but so much better when read in order. I highly recommend.
An awesome mystery that takes place in the small town of Lost Trail Montana. A young mother is murdered and the new Deputy Zak wants to solve, especially since he wants to run for the town sheriff. There are lots of potential suspects, but some of the clues are not adding up. Zak will not give up until the killer is found, and boy was I surprised.
This story had many twists and turns of who done it. It was also great to catch up previous characters. Love Justin and Geneva. This book is part of a series, it can be read as stand alone but so much better when read in order. I highly recommend this page turner small town with layers of secrets.