Updated edition now available“The Woods is a sexy, small-town murder mystery that’s guaranteed to resonate with fans of Nora Roberts and Karin Slaughter.”A year after her sister’s death, Archeologist and part-time neurotic, Dr. Katie Somers returns to the sleepy, southern town of Berry Springs to sell her childhood home. She’d planned to be in and out in less than a week, but a chance meeting … week, but a chance meeting with a handsome stranger turns her perfectly crafted world upside down.
Army Ranger Jake Thomas only has one shot at a position with the FBI, even if that means concealing his true identity from those closest to him. As he tries to focus on the mission at hand, Berry Springs is rocked by two gruesome murders and it isn’t long before he and Katie become entangled in the killer’s web, while becoming suspects themselves by the prickly Chief of Police, David McCord.
As their attraction begins to sizzle, so does the danger when Katie stumbles onto new details about her sister’s death, leading her down a dangerous path.
A path she should’ve never stepped onto…
Praise for the Berry Springs Series:
“The Woods is a sexy, small-town murder mystery that’s guaranteed to resonate with fans of Nora Roberts and Karin Slaughter.” -Best Thrillers
“Amanda McKinney wrote a dark, ominous thrilling tale spiked with a dash of romance and mystery that captivated me from start to finish…” -The Coffeeholic Bookworm
“The Storm is a beautifully written whodunnit, sprinkled with suspense, danger, and hot romance. Kept me guessing who the murderer was. I couldn’t put it down!” —Amazon Customer
The Storm is a 2018 Maggie Award for Excellence Finalist, 2018 Silver Falchion Finalist, 2018 Beverley Finalist, 2018 Golden Leaf Finalist, and 2018 Passionate Plume Honorable Mention Recipient
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Katie is an academic and archaeologist. The complete opposite of her sunny, out-going little sister. Her world crasher when her sister dies in a tragic accident. When she finally works up the courage to return to Berry Springs to sell her sister’s house, she never expected to mee the sexy stranger who seems to light fires under the libido she thought was long dead!
Jake had to leave the army after a serious spinal injury. But his new career in the FBI may be over before it starts. He’s only supposed to be carrying out surveillance, not getting involved with a smart and sexy archaeologist, and investigating a possible murder disguised as an accident.
I enjoyed seeing this couple get together. Both have their reasons not to get involved but when the chemistry is this hot, there is not much they can do but go with it! I turned off my law enforcement brain and just went with the story, artistic licence is allowed! Loved it!
A well written story. I loved the characters. Looking forward to the next story.
The Woods is a fantastic romantic suspense by Amanda McKinney. Ms. McKinney is quite a pro at fitting the pieces of the puzzles that are her books together in a way that will keep you guessing until the reveal. This book is well-written and the characters are perfect for this story. Katie returns to Berry Springs to sell her childhood home a year after her sister’s death. Jake is a former Army Ranger and is on a probationary mission for the FBI. Jake and Katie’s story is packed with drama, bits of humor, spice, action and suspense. Once started I couldn’t put this book down. You’ve been warned. The Woods is part of the Berry Springs Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
This book had me furiously turning the pages — the best mystery I’ve read in months! Archaeologist Kate Somers and Jake Thomas, a former Army Ranger sniper on an FBI “audition” mission, are each in Berry Springs on family business. They first meet on horseback, roaming the woods between their family homes. Minutes after they meet, they stumble across a gruesome murder. A few days later, the same thing happens. Being first on the scene of two murders puts them first on the suspect list. Also in the woods, a secret terrorist group is making bombs and issuing threats. Anne and Jake rush to solve the murders, prove their innocence, find and stop the bad guys — to say nothing about trying to fight the budding romance between them — all done with fast action and heart-pounding suspense. The stakes get even higher when the terrorists snatch, imprison and torture Anne. Can Jake possibly prevail against far-reaching terrors? My advice: don’t miss this book!
Two sisters grow up in small town America. They are close and spend a lot of time together. However as they grow up they go separate lives. Jeanna contacts Katie after a rather nasty divorce. The ladies meet and start catching up. They always loved to ride horses up in the mountains around them. They start out on such a trip arriving at the cliff where they have spent many happy days. Katie leaves Jenna for a few minutes to look at some interesting artifacts. She has only been gone a few minutes when she hears her sister scream twice. This book is awesome and I loved every minute of it
I received an ARC of this book and have to tell you, I was on the edge of my seat with this storyline. I didn’t figure out “who dunnit” until the very end. I love books that challenge my critical thinking, and sleuth skills. Great flow of storyline, nice usage of localisms of the Southern Way of Life. This was a perfect flight read except that I didn’t want to put it down when we landed. Now I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Archaeologist Katie Somers is visiting her mom and sister, Jenna, back in her hometown of Berry Springs, Arkansas. One day, while there, she discovers Jenna’s lifeless body at the bottom of Summit Mountain.
The death is ruled an accident. Katie doesn’t think so.
A year later she’s back in Berry Springs to pack-up and sell her family’s home.
She meets Jake Thomas, an ex-Army Ranger and undercover FBI trainee, ostensibly in town to help his Mom move into her new home. He’s there to surveil an ant-government group.
Within 30 minutes of meeting, Katie and Jake stumble across a corpse in the woods.
Two days later they come across another dead body on his mother’s property!
Now they are both suspects and as Katie encounters additional clues concerning Jenna’s death and with Jake’s undercover work, they’re headed down dangerous paths.
Fast paced, with nicely fleshed-out characters, “The Woods” races to a doubly action-packed and hair-raising finale.
An engaging, sexy mystery/thriller.
Great introduction to Berry Springs with right off a cliff and a scream curl your toes. Katie comes back after a year and her sister’s murder still haunting her. She wants to be quick sell the house and get. Berry Springs has other plans with Jake coming along at the time that secrets come undone. As the two go along then begin to race you begin also thinking it might be so and so but with more murders the danger is high. This had all the things I crave in a thriller with that romance to sizzle it close. When it does get wrapped up I am already seeking to go to the lake lol.
I absolutely loved this gripping book! It was quite easy to read and to follow. The author’s plot builds beautifully and will have readers wondering just what will happen next. The pacing is slow but rewarding. Five stars and highly recommended.
Katie is back in Berry Spring, her hometown to sell the family house after her sister’s death one year ago. While visiting the place where she died Katie meets Jake a handsome and mysterious guy. But when they find a dead body in the woods everything start t get dangerous in Berry Spring. A lot of action in a gripping story.