Bitter Truth (Book 2 of Bitter Root Mysteries)Murder in a small town is always personal.In the isolated ranching community of Lost Trails, Montana, Lacy Stillman, a rich elderly rancher has died of a heart attack in her own bed. What could be more normal than that? As Zak Waller, dispatcher with the local Sheriff’s Office, joins the town in mourning the loss of the community matriarch, some … community matriarch, some disquieting information makes Zak wonder if Lacy’s death was not what it seemed.
Meanwhile, Zak’s friend Tiff Masterson is overwhelmed by her mother’s escalating mental breakdown and her aunt’s stubborn denial of the problem. Tiff assumes the root of the problem is the death of her brother and father sixteen years ago. But the real atrocity goes back much further than that. When the truth is revealed in a shocking twist, Tiff’s world is turned completely upside down. The ramifications affect many of the most prominent citizens and provide the missing clue to Lacy Stillman’s murder.
Perfect for fans of the British television film Broadchurch.
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Another winner for CJCarmichael
Often underestimated dispatcher Zak is unwilling to accept that a local wealthy matriarch just died, especially when he had talked to her the day before. No help comes from the sheriff whose motto is to do as little as possible while fundraising for his current re-election. Thank goodness Zak is not dissuaded.
Book two in the series provided insights to characters we met in Bitter Truth plus introduced new interesting folks. This tightly written tale hurtles to a shocking ending. I read this in two days, it would have been one, but family, work and sleep interfered.
I would have given it 4.5, but it wasn’t offered.
Interesting plot. I am amazed that authors can plot a series and have the villain in the first book that will be the murderer In a later book. Good read.
It’s been many a year since I have read a true mystery and this is a true mystery written by an author that I have read her romance books. WOW she blew my mind away with this book. I did not know what to think when I started reading this and yes this is the second book in a series (you bet your bootie I have already picked up book 1 Bitter Roots…little bit backwards) but once I got into it I simply could not stop reading. I have no idea what Montana does to me but it seems to draw me in and grab me. This town is Lost Trails and it does have some people that have some backwoods thinking. Kind of like some i know from home in Tennessee. This is a well written story that had me in in from the start. I could see with my minds out the lay of the land, the ranch, the sheriff and dispatcher Zak.I am headed to read the first book in this series before the third book comes out. Because it will be time for a complete re-read of the first 2…of course. So if you like a good, well written mystery with a touch of heat this is the book for you.
Enjoyed, the charters became real . Great book!
this is Bitter Root #2. it is part of the Bitter Root Series.
Lacy Stillman lives in the ranch community of Lost Trails, Montana. When she dies of a heart attack in her own bed, it seems as if that would be normal for someone at her age.
Zak Waller is the dispatcher with the local Sheriff’s Office. He joins in the mourning of the town’s rich elderly rancher. When some information is brought to his attention, he starts wondering if Lacey’s death is more than it seems.
Tiff Masterson is one of Zak’s friends. She is troubled by her mother’s escalating breakdown, and her aunt’s denial of it being any problem. Family friend and local lawyer Justin Pittman looks to Tiff for help with his serious health issues.
A connection is discovered between the Masterson family and the Pittmans. An old crime with an unexpected twist reaches into both families with effects that will change everything.
I read this book before reading the 1st of the series. I had a bit of trouble in the beginning of this book because of all the characters who were in it. I think if i had read the first one first, i may have had an easier time. Once i could keep up with the people, then it started to flow along nicely. I liked the twists and turns and how it all came together in the end.
I am anxiously awaiting book three to see if all my questions are answered.
Zac is a dispatcher at the Lost Trails Sheriff’s dept. He takes an emergency call letting him know that Lacy Stillman, a 91 year old rancher died of a heart attack.
Zac finds that hard to believe because he has a beer the night before with her and she had just left the Dr’s office with a clean bill of health diagnosis.
So he sets out to do an unofficial investigation into the death of Lacy Stillman. I found with this book and the one before it that once you start reading you are hook you are hooked. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one sitting. It is a book that I lost sleep over but was ok with that. The ending was not what I thought it would be but it was a whole lot better.
Love this series- anxiously awaiting the next one!
I like that the characters are real. And,, you learn more about what motivated their actions from the first book. In fact, I had to go back and read the first one again, to catch what was shown later in this second book. I’ve read other books by CJ Carmichael, and really enjoyed them.
I was intrigued and held in suspense while reading Biter Truth by CJ Carmichael, the second book in her Bitter Roots Mysteries series. Zak Waller, the dispatcher for the Sheriff’s Office of Lost Trail, Montana as he mourns the death of Lacy Stillman, a wealthy and elderly rancher. Zak hears some disturbing information which makes him question if Lacy’s death by heart attack was really as it seemed. At the same time, Zak’s friend Tiff Masterson becomes very concerned about her mother’s health as it spirals downward along. Complicating this is her aunt’s continual denial that a problem even exists and blames Tiff’s return home to be troubling to her mother. When Justin Pittman’s cancer returns he worries about his father and daughter. After a donor match drive takes place, he unexpectedly and unknowingly adds on to Tiff’s burden. When an old crime is uncovered with far reaching complications exposes an unexpected connection between the Mastersons and the Pittmans ends up affecting everything. I love how CJ Carmichael kept me on my toes, guessing and wondering what would happen next throughout this story.
I really, really enjoyed reading this moving story. Ms. Carmichael is an outstanding storyteller, keeping me interested in this story so that I had trouble putting it down. I highly recommend this outstanding book to other readers and look forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Good friends Lacy and Zak continue to find deep secrets in small town of Lost Trails, Montana.
Bitter Truth has wonderful plot twists and turns you don’t see coming. Many interesting characters with lots of family drama and secrets. This is an engaging storyline and a page turner. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Well done mystery!