In this brilliantly chilling follow-up to The Thief of All Light, veteran police officer Bernard Schaffer digs deep into the past—and the haunted psyches of the detectives who search for truth . . . at any cost. “There’s a thousand scavengers in these woods.” Before being promoted to detective, Carrie Santero was given a rare glimpse into the mind of a killer. Through her mentor, Jacob Rein—a … Through her mentor, Jacob Rein—a seasoned manhunter whose gift for plumbing the depths of madness nearly drove him over the brink—she was able to help capture one of the most depraved serial killers in the country. Now, the discovery of a small human foot buried in the Pennsylvania woods will lead her to a decades-old cold case—and the darkest secrets of her mentor’s youth.
“Nobody trusts an animal that tries to eat its own kind.”
Thirty years ago, a young girl went missing. A police officer was murdered. Another committed suicide. The lives of everyone involved would never be the same. For three agonizing decades, Jacob Rein has yearned for the truth. But when Detective Carrie Santero begins digging up new evidence, she discovers some answers come with shattering consequences.
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This is an un-put-down-able detective thriller and it does not disappoint. I flew through this one as the story is addicting, the characters are well written, witty and smart. The twists were a great surprise to an already kick ass book. Highly recommended. 5 starts!
Carrie Santero and Jacob Rein are back in the second book of this wicked good series. A cold case from Jacob’s hometown leads Carrie into his past of small town dysfunction, a missing girl and two dead cops. This is a fast paced, heart pounding, keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time you’re reading kind of book. While it is book two, don’t be afraid to read it as a stand alone. But why would you? The Thief of all Light is also an amazing read.
Absolutely spellbinding. I could not put this book down once I started. I was immediately wrapped up in the mystery and rooting for Carrie, and cried and stressed and searched for answers along with everyone else in the novel. This was an amazing, mesmerizing read and I couldn’t get enough of the story. I turned the last page with a full heart and a smile on my face. Shaffer’s insight to the police officer’s mind was instrumental to the story, and I felt like I was part of the whole process. I highly recommend to anyone searching for an intense story with emotionally charged characters and page-turning action.
This is the second installment of the Santero & Rein series and it was freaking fantastic! It can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading the first book.
A mysterious disappearance from Rein’s childhood becomes the focus of this book and gives us more insight to Rein’s character. Santero has matured more in her roll as a detective and is still dealing with the ‘boys club’.
This book made me cry for Rein, for the little boy he had been and the man he his today.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy of the book provided by the author and Netgalley.
Santero and Rein ride again! In the second book of the trilogy, it’s mostly Carrie Santero, in the present, working a cold case. But we get plenty of Jacob Rein in the backstory (where we meet his father and uncle). A bit of insight into what makes Rein who he is, and also his connection to Carrie’s cold case. Written with the same gritty, authentic style as it’s predecessor, An Unsettled Grave is top notch crime fiction. I’m going to have to read The Thief of All Light again, as I await the final installment. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of An Unsettled Grave and it had me on the edge of my seat. This is the first time I have ever read anything by this author and I plan on reading “The Thief of All Light” next. I can’t wait to read more books by Bernard Schaffer because his writing skills definitely kept me on edge.
This is a stand alone book but I would suggest reading The Thief Of All Light first. I read them both & am a big fan now ! Bernard Schaffer is brilliant is his writing style & pulls you in to the characters so that they feel real. The book is about a rookie cop who is a woman on a hunt for solving a mystery case & will do what it takes to bring down the person responsible. It’s a suspenseful, thrilling ride with a kick in the gut here & there. I highly recommend this book.
This is the follow up book to Thief of All Light (TOAL) and for me it wasn’t as good, but that’s not to say it wasn’t good.
I’m usually not a fan of alternating between past and present although I do understand why it was done this way and we definately have a better understanding of certain events and characters.
Carrie, Jacob, and Harv (well, he’s not a favorite of mine!!) are back at it. There’s something for everyone…murder, rape, twists/turns, old friends, and new friends, and of course old cases being solved.
I love how Carrie and Jacob just fit and I’m hoping for a new beginning for Jacob.
I received a copy from Netgalley for an honest opinion.
#netgalley #bernardschaffer #unsettledgrave #carrieandjacob
This is my first book by Bernard Schaffer. It is the second in the series but it can be read as a stand alone. I did not read the first yet. But, plan on it next. It is a great story that goes back and forth in time. Such a great mystery. Thank you for a great page turner.
I would recommend this to all.
While this book is a good thriller on its own, the back story explaining Jacob Rein’s early life and influences is key to understanding his actions as you look back on this book and the last book. The story starts with the rape and murder of a young woman by a man posing as a police officer. When Carrie Santero starts to make waves with that case, she is shipped off to deal with a cold case that has implications in Jacob Rein’s life. Event though she gets significant pushback from the local law enforcement, she still aims to uncover the truth and give a family closure and justice. Excellent read!
I read The Thief of All Light, which introduces you to all the characters you are reading about in An Unsettled Grave. You will immediately like Carrie and cheer her on in her quest to resolve a 30 year old case involving a child. You will be taken to dark places, but that is where the monsters live. The story has a great flow and pages just keep turning. Be prepared to spend some time with these characters and you will become engrossed in their lives. I thought the first book had more jaw-dropping spots, but this one did not disappoint. Well-done!
Carrie Santero is a tough, hard-working, female cop, moving up in the ranks as she serves and protects. When she is brought in to help out with a rape case, she finds herself involved in a much bigger crime: a cold-case murder. With her strong desire to see justice done, and with some help from her friend Jacob, she does everything possible, including almost setting a hotel room on fire, to unlock to mystery of what happened to little Hope Pugh back in 1981.
Bernard Schaffer does a great job interweaving the past with the present to create a complete and eventful story. The characters are easily liked (and disliked), and many are very sympathetic, especially Jacob. He is my favorite, hands down. Overall I enjoyed An Unsettled Grave; this won’t be the last book by Bernard Schaffer that I read.
Thank you to Bernard Schaffer and NetGalley for a digital arc of An Unsettled Grave in exchange for an honest review.