Jade O’Neal is a senior at West Texas A & M University in Canyon, Texas. She’s on track to graduate with highest honors and a degree in history until she is accused of murder. She juggles her busy school and work schedule around taking care of an overgrown Rottweiler and being questioned by police until she finds a series of clues hidden in puzzle form. Time is against her as she follows the … the clues to find the true identity of the murderer while avoiding arrest and her own murder.
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I love a good mystery and this newest book from Dianne Smithwick-Braden had my detective skills going at full speed.
The book starts off cryptically wondering who these characters are and why they are concerned about an event from the past and someone named Erik O’Neal. We don’t really know who they are since they use codenames, but you do know it is someone with clout. As the book progresses, several potential suspects are revealed but until the end, I had no idea which character was the bad guy and I don’t think there were enough clues to give it away too soon. There is one clue in the beginning but I am not sure I picked up on it until I reread the first chapter. Now, I am wondering if I missed another clue that would have told me who the killer was before being revealed?
Jade is the sleuth that ends up figuring everything out, but not without some help and not before she ends up in some situations where she could have ended up like her Uncle Erik. I was amazed at how clueless Jade was during the first half of the book. Perhaps she was caught up in school, work, and a new love interest. But thankfully she wises up sooner rather than later, but she is pretty much on her own not knowing who to trust. Once Jade realized what was going on, things changed quickly in her actions and manner.
I enjoyed the National Treasure tie-in to this story, as well as, the puzzles that Jade has to solve to figure out who killed Erik and why. Then there is Teddy, the dog she and her uncle raised from a puppy. He is no small dog and he is very protective of Jade and Erik. Teddy’s personality shines through and quickly became one of my favorite characters. I also enjoyed that the chapters told you the day and time, sort of like a diary or journal. This was helpful especially if there was a jump in time, I knew it was hours later or the next day and it helped me stay on track with the time.
This is a book that will have you looking over your shoulder, wondering if someone is following you or if there is someone right around the corner that has plans that you don’t wish to participate in with them.
There were a couple of funny lines that stood out to me and I want to share those with you. There are many more, but these two really made me laugh. The second one is out of context so it may not seem funny, but imagine the characters dodging bullets.
“Does your dog often drag you across campus?”
“Are you all right?” Hudson shouted. “What took you so long?” Jade shouted back. “Well, you know, did laundry, got a haircut.”
We really enjoyed this book and I’m not sure if it will be a series or not, but if it is I will be anxiously awaiting the next book. We give this 5 paws up.
This book grabs you from the first page. I love the way the author develops the characters and storyline to take you through the twists and turns to the very end. I usually can figure out the guilty party but not this time. Great read.
If you’re a fan of mysteries and really want to put your sleuthing skills to the test or maybe you’re just simply looking for a place to start within the genre, then here is your next read! This is an engaging and easy read that lures you in under the pretense of quickly solving the case; however, puzzles are tricky for a reason, and this book might just trip you up as well!
Jade is a young woman anticipating her graduation from college and living a very normal if not boring existence. She has a fantastic and enviable relationship with her uncle, Erik, who has essentially filled the father figure role following the suspicious death of her own father years earlier. The synopsis and the opening sequence of the first chapter set the framework for the mounting tension that escalates to the perilous danger that Jade ultimately finds herself in, flinging her life into anything other than monotonous. While I do feel that too much of Jade’s eventual troubles are given away too early, there is a pervasive sense of dread that lingers as you get to know these characters. They each become remarkably lifelike, but sadly in the back of your mind you know that something terrible is about to happen. Everyone and everything is incredibly realistic, painting an authentic picture of how suddenly life can change due to tragic and/or unfortunate circumstances. The author masterfully created Everyman so that any reader could project themselves into this plot.
Puzzles play a role in the friendship between Jade and her uncle, which became an intriguing aspect of the story that worked well towards understanding how to solve the mystery. It was a clever use of subterfuge that not only showcased the intimate bond shared between the two, but was also an intuitive way on Erik’s part to redirect Jade’s focus away from her pain. More often than not the clues were so cryptic that it was hard to see their usefulness; however, the unspoken connection between them provided enough to steer her in the right direction. It was quite fun to watch and definitely provided that needed breath before the suspense kicked up again.
Jade’s budding friendship with Hudson, a police officer working with her case, provides a valuable and relatable glimpse into the fine line that the law enforcement community walks when trying to balance personal and professional relationships. They navigate a difficult road that requires them to both build and maintain friendships and trust while also upholding the laws they are sworn to protect. Given Jade’s circumstances it is easy to see how she would be skeptical about his motivations to “help” her, but gradually, his continued presence and superb ability to compartmentalize provides the anchor she so desperately needs.
The vast majority of the story is told from Jade’s perspective; however, there are smaller snippets from the antagonists’ viewpoint that while brief were useful in clinching the tense grip the story will have on readers. I certainly would have enjoyed much more from their outlook as well as being inside Erik’s point of view to provide more understanding and investment into the overall mystery. Personal preference aside, the perspectives as written work well together to spotlight the ensuing conflict. The story is overwhelmingly heavy on dialogue and minor details that for the most part could have been eliminated to tighten the narrative, yet their inclusion continues to highlight the normality of our own lives, while also adding some charm and lightheartedness to an otherwise stressful situation.
Many thanks to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and the author for providing me with a free copy of the book. This is my honest and thoughtful opinion.