Oscar-nominated actress Meg Tilly strikes again with the third gripping contemporary romantic suspense novel set on the idyllic Solace Island in the Pacific Northwest.When Solace Island gallery owner Zelia Thompson’s close friend Alexus Feinstein of the prestigious art gallery Feinstein & Co. dies of a “drug overdose,” Zelia’s intuition sounds an alarm. The Alexus she knew didn’t do drugs and … didn’t do drugs and had everything to live for.
As Zelia begins looking into the circumstances of her friend’s death, what she uncovers will put her life in imminent danger. Will Zelia–with the help of the reclusive crime fiction novelist Gabe Conaghan–be able to unravel the mysterious happenings surrounding Alexus’s untimely death? Or will she become the bloodthirsty artist’s next victim?
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Meg Tilly writes fast-paced romantic suspense that combines humor and romance with a gritty mystery. She has a flair for dialogue and her characters are always intriguing.
So great!! I loved this book!! I was surprised who did it at the end!! Keep going
This is the third book of the Solace Island series. Each book in this series just gets better. Meg Tilly deftly writes a contemporary romance novel with mystery woven through it. She does such a great job that I didn’t figure out who the villain was until the end. Never saw it coming. I enjoyed the humor, romance and the suspense. Art gallery owner Zelia and novelist Gabe worked together to prove her good friend Alexus was murdered and ended up falling for each other. Zelia is a strong female which continues to be a reoccurring theme in her books. I like that. Again, a well written plot twist and a happy ending. Bravo Meg Tilly. Looking forward to reading more of your work.
Darker than the first 2 books in the series! This was a well-crafter and thrilling adventure. While this can easily be read on it’s own, the others introduce the “Island vibe” that I love most about this series. Plot twists and webs of deception make this quite a thrilling ride, with an ending you won’t see coming!
Romance with more than a hint of deadly intrigue…
I couldn’t wait to get back to the beautiful island of Solace! This time out, art gallery owner Zelia was facing her age, the loss of a dear friend and soon, maybe an answer to all her woes… Gabe was on a trek for his family and did not expect anything more than an inconvenient trip at just the wrong time. Like Zelia, though, what he found was so much more…
This was a slow burn story, with set up and intrigue percolating along with it. It was middle-age angst (hit early), deadly mystery, friendship, family and love, shaken and stirred in a delightful way. The author blended it well with a writing style that felt comfortable and deceptively simple.
There was a different feel to this story than the first books in this series. It was a good feel – lots of mystery and even more deadly intent. I wish it had more of the ‘island’ I love so much. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed the story. A LOT! I loved the warmth and family feel to it. I just can’t say I didn’t miss that stronger Solace Island vibe… Maybe the very creepy protagonist didn’t help either lol.
I hope there will be many more stories to come though as I’m definitely hooked on Solace!
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
This is the third and final book of the Solace Island series. Each book can be read independently.
Alexus has died of an assumed overdose, but her friend, Zelia cannot accept that as a fact. The more she reflects on her friend’s personality, she knows is not possible. She contacts a new acquaintance, Gabriel (Gabe), who is a crime fiction author. Zelia believes he can either put her thoughts to rest, as a grief response or help her in convincing the police to further investigate.
The story goes on from there and not wanting to give anything away, I will stop and just say that I was in the dark, as to who was the killer, for most of the book, not knowing what would happen next. I think the plot was excellent. After finishing the book, everything made sense and I could then see all the signs along the way that I missed.
The story takes place on Solace Island, in Greenwich, and New York. The movement of locations, I think adds to the suspense, taking characters out of their comfort zone and also freeing them to take actions that maybe would not have happened if they were on their home turf.
I adore Zelia! She is thirty-four, readily admits to being 40 pounds overweight, and is also a strikingly beautiful, sensual woman. This breaks the norm of female characters in their twenties and slim. Gabe is very helpful to Zelia searching for the truth behind Alexus’ death and from the first introduction Gabe and Zelia have a deep connection. Gabe realizes that he has seen her years before and that one moment in time, when he saw her previously, has always been etched in his mind. She was, and still is, his perfect woman.
While there is a romance to this book, there is a much larger focus on suspense. There is a killer out there, who has a clear focus on who will be his next victim. Gabe and Zelia need to help solve the mystery of who the killer is and prevent further victims.
There is comedic relief to the serious plot thanks to Gabe’s parents. They are outspoken, unfiltered and whatever hits their minds, also comes out their mouths. They are priceless!
I think the author did a fantastic job with this book. I really enjoyed Ms. Tilly’s Solace Island series and will be looking forward to her next book series and where ever it will lead me.
I have read each of the books in the Solace Island series, and each is better than the next. Set on a Pacific Northwest Island near Seattle, Ms Tilly makes all her characters believable and enjoyable.
Zelia Thompson is a widow, a successful art gallery owner and a resident of the island. She has a very capable assistant, more friend than employee, but Zelia counts on her. Recently a food friend, fellow gallery owner in New York has been pressuring Zelia to show some paintings done by a client of hers. She knows Alexis has wonderful tastes, but these paintings show talent, but very sinister portrayals. She refuses, and gets a somewhat testy and unusual response. This makes Zelia uncomfortable and she plans to contact Alexis by phone.
Gabriel Conaghan is a NY Times best selling writer of Crime Fiction. He ends up on Solace Island at a request from his Dad to check out some potential property for his Dad’s business. He is in a writing slump, and thinks the change of scene might help, plus he finds the island soothing despite the rainy weather. Settled in a local cafe he sees a beautiful woman, who looks familiar, He pushes his memory and realizes they were alumni of the same college, and that’s she’s even more beautiful now.
When Zelia attempts to reach Alexis she is informed that she had died of a drug overdose the night before. Zelia can’t accept this, she knew Alexis never took drugs and was frightened of them. Encouraged by her assistant she seeks Gabe out for some help with figuring it all out. Little do they know how this partnership will effect their lives. There is something/someone sinister about to enter their lives.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but the enjoyment of the suspense, humor and romance in the first two books shouldn’t be missed. I’m hoping there is Book 4 coming soon.
I enjoyed this story immensely. It was the right mixture of mystery, suspense, romance and fun. The author paints a great picture that made it so easy to imagine the story as if it were a movie while reading.
Gabe is a fabulous hero and I had such a crush on him when reading this one. Zelia is a heroine that I would love to know in real life. The two together make a great team.
The story moves fast and has a good amount of twists and turns. I really couldn’t put it down once I started it.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Couldn’t put it down!
Zeila Thompson is an art gallery owner on Solace Island and gets word that her friend, Alexus, who owns a prestigious gallery is found dead of an apparent overdose. However, Zeila doesn’t believe that and decides to look into things further. She enlists the help of Gabe Conaghan, a crime fiction author who happens to be on the island. Together they uncover some disturbing clues. Can they find the killer before someone else dies?
I really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. The book’s well-written with wonderful characters. I was pulled into this engaging story from the beginning and the mystery kept me guessing. There’s intrigue and romance as well as some suspense in this thrilling conclusion to the trilogy. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
I haven’t read any books by this author so I had no idea what to expect.
I didn’t connect with the characters properly, they spoke like they were older then they were. I didn’t feel the romance between them and I didn’t enjoy reading it. It felt forced and the only reason they got together was because their biological clock was ticking and they both wanted to have kids.
Gabe’s parents were really uncomfortable to read. Their interactions were really meant to be charming but turned out being creepy and werid. I would of run for the hills if my partners parents spoke to me in that way.
I loved the whole art related killer storyline and I imagine this would of been a 5 star read if the author had cut of the romance and Gabe’s parents. I enjoyed the mystery behind the killer and why he was doing things. I loved the twists and turns that the author put throughout the book.
Overall an OK read for me!