Bitter Roots (Book 1 of Bitter Root Mysteries) Murder in a small town is always personal.Dispatcher Zak Waller prefers working behind the scenes in the Sheriff’s Office of Lost Trail, Montana, but when a newcomer to the sparsely populated town is brutally murdered—and the Sheriff is quick to pin the death on an unknown outsider—Zak starts his own private sleuthing. On the surface Lost Trail is a … sleuthing.
On the surface Lost Trail is a picture-perfect western town, offering a simple way of life revolving around the local ranches and ski hill. But almost everyone has a secret to protect, and no one knows that more than Zak. He’s part of a younger generation hoping to revitalize the town. But evil has dug in deeper than he knows.
Perfect for fans of the British television film, Broadchurch.
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Could not put it down
This was nice little mystery which kept the reader wondering up until the end. No gore and no bad language. The characters were well developed for the story, but it is clear there is more depth to them …hence the next book in the series!
Wow! Great story. Great characters. Great read.
A simple straight forward story… no unnecessary drama… even at the end… engaging…
Now, that I finished the book I understand the reason for so many characters and their stories. There is not a throwaway character in the entire book or even a throwaway line. Each person, each action moves the plot forward. Absolutely no fillers or padding in this mystery set against the rugged landscape of Montana.
It is quiet tale with an unassuming sleuth named Zak. Each character is deeply layered with the motivations ringing true. Kudos to CJ Carmichael who brings the mystery to an unexpected, but satisfying conclusion. Can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series. I’m already half way through the Bitter Truth, book two. The secondary characters’ stories continue in the next book.
This was an entertaining book. I guessded the plot not long into the book, but had the wrong person as the murderer. Every detail add intrigue. Well developed caricatures. An enjoyable book.
Engaging. I enjoyed the first book so much that I bought the next two in the series. I enjoyed following all the characters. Having lived in a small town, I related to the tangled web of the different lives of each character.
Okay read
Pretty good light read. Little mystery, little romance. I think Zak is a little weird, but maybe that is just me.
One thing. Tiff overheard her aunt and the doctor arguing about him owing her. And, there is no real reason for Tiff’s mother to be such a zombie. And, there seems to be a mystery about the death of the doctor’s wife about 25 years back. Is this something that will be resolved in the future? Or, will I never know?
Most people think they are safe in small towns–no one expects someone to be murdered!
Zak is a dispatcher in the Sheriff’s office-and is quite happy being in the background. Eventually he realizes that the Sheriff is not really looking into the murder and ends up working with a new deputy to figure it all out.
Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing!
this book is different . has a intriguing new idea.
Good characters with satisfactory suspects.
I enjoyed reading it.
A mystery set in small town Montana sounded just right and I’ve already enjoyed the author’s contemporary small town romances so I was primed and ready for Bitter Roots. It was a nice layered mystery with plenty of personal character back story, whiffs of romance, but a cunning mystery at the heart of things.
Zak Waller is a home town guy who likes to stay under the radar and enjoy the simple things of life while working as the dispatcher and office clerk for the county sheriff’s office. Everything changes when a murdered body of a new girl in town forces him into action.
Tiff came home with her tail tucked between her legs after years of being away working as a big city accountant and swearing she’ll never go home. She has unresolved grief and anger from her brother and dad’s death years ago and her mother falling apart mentally shortly after. But, she needs to start over and she comes home just in time to find one of the family Christmas Tree Farm’s workers has been murdered.
Justin Pittman grew up in Lost Trail and stuck around after university to be a small town lawyer and take care of his dad. His new wife and adopted daughter have him making adjustments especially when the cancer seems to have come back. But, the murdered woman has the whole town in a tizzy and he is caught up in things.
Bitter Roots was an interesting beginning to a new series. I had to adjust quickly to the idea that this was a trilogy of stories that tie together through the personal stories of three people: Zak, Tiff, and Justin who all grew up in the town of Lost Trail. The mystery shares stage with their three personal stories. The mystery finished off in this story, but the rest is ongoing. I had to adjust to this set-up so I knew what to expect. I liked the deeper development this allows for the cast of characters.
So, the personal stories… I liked Zak and Justin right away even if I thought Zak was letting his past hold him back from being something more and I thought Justin’s situation with his wife was leading in a certain direction which it was. I liked the dynamics of friendship between Zak and Tiff and that little bit of excitement starting up for Zak with the hot and determined new deputy.
But with Tiff, it took me a bit to warm up to her. She didn’t do well after her dad and brother died with her angry at the world attitude. She can’t accept the way her mother is, but doesn’t see that she’s not really different in her not so healthy way of handling her grief. She gets snarky and resentful with the Christmas Tree Farm manager from the get go and it takes her a while to do some self-realization and get herself together. Once she did, I liked her and enjoyed what she has started in her love interest.
Now, the mystery wasn’t terribly twisting, but it wasn’t simplistic, either. I liked how it was in the forefront and yet flowed nicely as Zak, Tiff, and Justin worked out their own stories. The clues were there and it was fun to see Zak, in particular, but also Tiff really get into the investigation. The sheriff wants a quick closure and cares more for votes and keeping his supporters happy than doing actual police work. That’s where the new deputy, Nadine Black, a former rodeo star, and Zak end up beings the ones to work the case. The chemistry is good between the pair with the sparks flying now and then.
There were a few side mysteries that were left open that will become more front and center in the following series installments. I had a good time with this one and enjoyed the blend of character stories, their romances and murder mystery in the Montana small town so I’ll definitely be reaching for book two soon.
We read all four in the series. I hope for more in the future.
Enjoyed first book in this series. Look forward to reading the next one.
A wonderful complex storiy with many layers. The characters are very compelling.
I ended Up reading this whole series. These books are addictive but very enjoyable to read I would recommend them to anyone who likes a good mystery was a lot of cars to turn you never see coming.
Reading this now. ..
Small town life complete with good and nasty people just trying to find their way.