A body, a disappearance, just another hot summer in upstate New York. It’s July when antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury reaches her family’s small-town farm to consult with the trusted aunt who raised her. She learns that her beloved homestead—the one she expects to inherit—is for sale. While Annalisse reels at the betrayal and her shattered dreams, the Walker Farm ranch manager discovers a … the Walker Farm ranch manager discovers a corpse in the barn. Officials close the suspected murder scene, and Annalisse seeks refuge with her aunt at Alec Zavos’s rural estate in New York’s Catskill Mountains.
Then Aunt Kate vanishes.
Annalisse solicits the help of Greek tycoon, Alec Zavos, even though their rocky romance has dissolved into routine separation. What began as hope on Crete nine months ago has eaten away at Annalisse’s hope for a future with him.
In Spent Identity, Annalisse and Alec come together for the second time and find themselves in the center of not one mystery, but several. Where is Kate, and why sell her farm now? Is the dead man a coincidence or a clue to the aunt’s disappearance? John Doe’s identity may hold needed answers to solve the puzzle before Kate’s unstable health issues make her rescue impossible. The clock ticks, and a vengeful murderer is in charge…
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Wow! I really enjoyed this book! More mystery, suspense, and intrigue! I liked the flow of this book and how it kept me interested. Annalisse Drury is an Antiquities appraiser in New York, but also a farm girl at heart. When visiting the farm, she finds out the farm is for sale. Then she and her Aunt Kate find a body decaying in the barn. It’s one surprise after another. Aunt Kate disappears, and Annalisse and Greek tycoon, Alec Savos are on the hunt to figure out what has happened. It’s never boring, that’s for sure!
Spent Identity by Marlene M Bell is the second book in the Annalisse Series. I was sent this book along with the first one, which helped to set up the character of Annalisse and her relationship with Alec, a wealthy Greek tycoon.
Annalisse is on her way to spend the weekend at her aunt Kate’s farm where she grew up. She goes there to unwind from her stressful life in New York. She wants to consult with her aunt about her relationship with Alec. She does not know where she fits into Alec’s life.
When she arrives, she finds out that there is a corpse in a barn on the property. After finding the corpse, her aunt vanishes. With the help of Alec and his investigator, they want to find Kate and figure out who kidnapped her. Upon searching for clues, Annalisse stumbles across a few things that she never knew existed. While at the farm she learns that the farm is for sale with her permission. She is one of the inheritors and nothing can happen without her permission.
I love the relationship between Annalisse and Alec. I hope to read more about the two of them. I also want to see more of Ethan, the man from New Zealand, who works on the farm. There were a few more characters introduced that I really liked, such as the hunky long-haired investigator. The storyline has the reader wondering what happened to Aunt Kate and what secrets is she hiding?
I would recommend you read Stolen Obsession, the first book in the series. It makes it easier to understand who these characters are. You won’t be disappointed. I enjoyed this book as I did with Stolen Obsession. Well written and the love story is an underlying part of the story and an exciting one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Calico Raven, the third book in the series!
Great Suspense , page turner , keeps you engaged ! Love the Characters, Annalise ,Alec and Kate. Esp Kate she’s feisty older woman who comes up missing after she and Kate find a dead body in the barn. Annalise has came up for a visit to discuss her woes about Alec. Not only do they find a body but also discuss the farm that Kates son is trying to sell out from under her. Alec unexpectly comes back just in time to help Annalise find Kate and try to discover who the man in the barn is that Kate just might know herself , with clues and the help of a investigator , will they find Kate?
Oh my… this book starts out with a slight bit of heartstopping activity. At least for me, it did. Once I realized what I was reading, my heartbeat kicked back in. Who is Ethan? What is going on with Alec? What do we learn about Kate, Ted, Jeremy, and Jillian? Who are Bill, Dan, and Brad? What is the deal with wolves? I could not stop reading this story, even when my eyes were tired and gritty. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!!!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT from Booksirens.com FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin’ With M. Brennan.
Spent Identity is an edge of your seat suspense mystery. It’ll leave you guessing and shock you with the findings. Annalise gets the whiplash of a life time when her identity comes to life. Her aunt Kate’s secrets all come to light and Annalise wants nothing more than to find her.
I recieved an ARC in exchange for a honest review
Marlene Bell is a new author to me, and nothing is more fun then finding a new author to love! The epilogue to Spent Identity spoke to my love of mystery and suspense, along with cryptically pretty cover!
I was quickly sucked in at the first chapter, living on a farm always intrigued me and this is the main backdrop of the beginning. Whenever the main character Anna needed a breather from life, her aunt’s farm was always her escape. This visit unfortunately will be one escape she wish she didn’t take! Mystery, murder, suspense and finding out truths to things that were never questionable.
I really enjoyed everything about this story. I do wish though That I did read the first book before this, I think I would of related to the characters more if I did.
Spent Identity continues the Annalisse series by Marlene M Bell. I previously read and enjoyed the first book in the series, Stolen Obsession. I liked this story even more. The mystery and suspense was, also, filled with some twists and turns that kept me interested as to what would happen next.
I am giving Spent Identity four and a half stars. I am hoping there will be a third installment from the Annalisse series in the near future.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Thank you Prism and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Spent Identity
Annalisse Series #2
By: Marlene M. Bell
*REVIEW*
How do you like your mysteries? Like boiling water or making a three tiered cake from scratch? As the crow flies or in a zigzag pattern all the way? In Spent Identity, author Marlene M. Bell is driving at top speed down the zigzag mountain road while throwing homemade cake out the window! Are you with me here, or have I lost you? This story is chaotic to the core, and I quiet liked it. If I can guess the plot twist, the story is ruined. That’s not the case here. It’s a mystery that branches off into something else then grows vines that go in every direction. I’m being vague, I know, and it’s intentional. The characters, well, Annalisse is bad luck walking. If you see her coming your way, throw some salt over your left shoulder and run. Alec is too rude for my taste. Lady? Seriously? I just dislike him, and I’m not sure how I feel about Annalisse and Alec together-annoying or not? The side characters are much more likeable and genuine and humorous, and I wouldn’t mind a story about them. This story is well written, dramatic, compelling and suspenseful, as well as beautifully descriptive. The setting, the atmospheric presence of place and time, is its own immersive character. All in all, it’s a crazy thrill ride with numerous surprises that mystery fans will love!
Thank you in advance to Prism Book Tours and the author, Marlene M. Bell, for sending me a complimentary copy to review. All words are my own in this review and a positive review was not required.
To start off – as lately I have been reading and reviewing mostly “Christian” and “clean” reads – this is not a “Christian” read; at least it is not defined as one. It is also not a “clean” read per se as there is some “sex” talk, and mention of a prior sex act.
With regard to language, there is mild profanity in this book with vulgar insults used for both men and women. The “F” word is absent so the language leans more to PG-13.
There are some mentions of drug addiction and infidelity. While I am mostly steering away from such reads in general – it didn’t bother me as I’ve read far worse in the past.
This book has a “film noir” feel to it. It was a page-turning read that I found was difficult to put down at times.
The cover is simple, somewhat like the covers of the “Twilight” saga – and most of us know what kind of an impact those books had. Thus – “never judge a book by the cover”.
While this book could survive as a standalone read, and the events of the previous novel are mentioned in this one to refresh or introduce a new reader – it might be a good idea to read the first novel “Stolen Obsession” anyway.
In this novel, the reader sees Annalisse attempting to figure out her relationship with Alec, especially after the events in the previous novel.
The book starts off with the discovery of a corpse in a barn at her aunt’s farm. After the discovery, Annalisse’s Aunt Kate goes missing. From there, the adventure and mystery element doesn’t stop. Murder, kidnapping, extortion, diabolical family members – this has all the elements of a thriller/suspense novel, with a slight dash of romance thrown in.
There is even a minor “competing” love interest, in the way of an Australian whose amusing use of Aussie slang, makes this quite an interesting read.
The writer has a realistic, graphic and vivid writing style. So much so that I could see the action taking place as if I was watching a movie.
The end was shocking and not what I was expecting or anticipating. It definitely tied in with the story.
There was enough about the previous book’s events in this one that made me curious enough to eventually read it in the future. I will also keep a lookout for Calico Raven, the third installment.
There are a few technical issues, as with any fictional story.
One was Alec’s rental car was being passed from person to person in it. As a proud and frequent Enterprise member, my contract stipulates only the people on the contract can drive it. I don’t know if that is true for ALL rental car companies, or if it varies by state though.
Also, in a review for this book, someone corrected the use of the author’s use of BEAMER (BMW) to BEEMER. And, I’ll admit, I thought it was “BEEMER” as well.
However, in my research (for this review) – the author, reviewer, and I were all wrong.
It is, according to BMW’s website (https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/bimmer-beamer-nickname-origin.html; October 2019) BIMMER for a BMW car and BEAMER/BEEMER for the BMW motorcycle. So, I did manage to learn something from that.
Those mistakes didn’t inhibit the reading or my enjoyment of the storyline.
This was a hard one to rate, but overall – four (4) stars.
SPENT IDENTITY
BY Marlene M. Bell
This was the second book following Book 1, STOLEN OBSESSION and for me it would have been preferred if I started out with reading Book 1 before jumping into Book 2. It can be read as a stand-alone but it’s to each person’s preference. For me, it was difficult to grasp certain references, characters & events that were intertwined with Book 1. I also found that the book had a slow start for me and it took some time for me to get into and for the pace to pick up and pique my overall interest. Usually with a novel I really am consumed by, I cannot put it down and am reading feverishly; this book didn’t do that for me because of the confusion I felt.
Now, I dare say that I am happy that eventually I did get to a point where the plot picked up at a ferocious pace full of backstory and twists and turns that finally drew me in and had me absorbed. While in its grips, I made my own assumptions on how the book would end and boy was I wrong. I began to truly value Mrs. Bell writing and was wowed by the creative and cunning reveal at the end.
Annalise takes a trip back home from the big city life to the quiet comforts of the country to see her Aunt Kate. But as the ranch hand discovers a dead body in the confines of the barn, soon after Aunt Kate mysteriously disappears. Annalise and Alec hire a private investigator to search for Aunt Kate. But something seems to be offsetting? Where was the ranch hand when Kate went missing? Who could have have taken her? What is Alec’s real plan? Annalise risks everything to get the answers; even if it means putting her own life at risk.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and all views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I give this book 3 1/2
4.5 stars
When the previous book in this series, Stolen Obsession, toured with Lone Star in 2018, I did not have the opportunity to read it. Garnering so much fanfare from the team definitely got my attention, so I was super excited to get a chance to read this book for this tour. Although the author does a great job of incorporating previous events into this story so that new readers won’t feel lost, I do want to return to the first book simply to understand more of the nuance that is certainly difficult to capture when you start from the middle. While I enjoyed the story, I’m quite sure I would have felt more connected to the characters and their romance had I obviously began with the first book.
From the very beginning, a disarming tone is set up that suggests not everything is what it seems. Something is dead, but no one is quite sure what. When the body is found, questions surface about identity and whether the actual ID card discovered can be trusted. And then suddenly, Kate vanishes. So many crimes are going on, but are they all connected or just coincidences? Escalating crimes follow, bringing more danger to the mysteries. Walking through the perspectives of Annalisse and Alex allows the truth to unfold right along with the reader, so every twist and turn is shocking for everyone and incredibly difficult to pin down until the final reveal.
While at times unsettling, I enjoyed just how much action and adventure Annalisse finds herself in considering her everyday career as an antiquities appraiser. While I personally haven’t determined how I feel about Annalisse, her character is a testament to how lifelike she has been written. She could be charming, annoying, resilient, fragile, or fickle. She has strong emotional responses and reactions, yet I found myself either wanting her to trust her instincts more or acknowledge the possibility that if a clue looks like a clue it more than likely is a clue.
The tension is fantastically built as the characters move to new locations to find out more information; however, the pacing tended to slow down once they arrived and casual conversation ensued or romantic trysts were attempted. I found myself baffled at times by the lack of urgency when the violence and upheaval was taking a dramatic uptick. But in the end, it seemed to speak once again to how authentic the writing reflects our own reactions at any given moment.
“The scent of honeysuckle from pots on the porch quickly replaced her concern for something dead nearby.”
Echoing the reflections of fellow reviewers, the author’s descriptive writing is phenomenal at setting the entire scene, especially when it comes to the olfactory sense. Whether it’s the body decomposing in the barn, Kate’s signature lavender sachets, rank body odor, or the fresh scent of warm pastry, every aroma emanates off the page, leaving you scrunching your nose or taking a deep breath! The imagery is beautiful or nightmarish, but remarkably well done.
Overall, this was a fast paced, engaging, and easy read that will resonate with readers who enjoy their mysteries with a little more edginess. I look forward to the next book, Calico Raven, to discover what Annalisse will find herself thrust into next!
Many thanks to the author and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing me with a free copy of the book. This is my honest and thoughtful review.
Spent Identity by Marlene M. Bell is quite the mystery, filled with an abundance of clues but few answers and even fewer leads as to who did what to whom. The reveal is slow and steady in this one but well worth the wait. Marlene knows how to keep the reader intrigued and turning the pages. If you think you are good at puzzling out mysteries early on, brace yourself because with Spent Identity, you have met your match.
When Annalisse Drury heads to the Walker Ranch to see her Aunt Kate, she has no idea her world is about to be upended…again. Spent Identity follows Stolen Obsession (2018), but it can still be enjoyed as a standalone, even with the many references to events in book one. Both are thrilling adventures, so you will certainly want to read them both.
Annalisse’s relationship with the handsome, wealthy Alec Zavos appears to be all but over, and she needs her Aunt Kate’s pragmatism and sage advice. When Annalisse arrives at Walker Farm, she falls headlong into a murder mystery, followed almost immediately by Kate’s disappearance. Foul play is definitely afoot. This mystery has so many twists, turns, and surprises that determining the identity of the culprit (or culprits) early on is virtually impossible. Suspects are coming out of the woodwork in droves. Who killed the mysterious dead guy in Aunt Kate’s barn? Is the ranch hand and amateur sleuth, Ethan, a good guy or a bad guy? Why aren’t Kate’s adult children concerned about her disappearance? Can Annalisse and Alec salvage their relationship amidst yet another dangerous adventure?
But the big question on everyone’s mind is where is Aunt Kate?
Marlene M. Bell spins quite the web of misadventures, strange phone calls, suspicious packages, compromised crime scenes, and more than one kidnapping. What makes this mystery so entertaining is the light dusting of romance between Alec and Annalisse and the comedic undertones that expand as the story progresses. Mix in several interesting characters (and I really do mean interesting) and a baffling mystery that will keep you guessing, and you’re good to go. Spent Identity has all the necessary elements for an engaging afternoon (or evening) of unraveling a perplexing mystery and finding out just what happened to Aunt Kate.
I’m not sure where to start with my review other than to hold on to your seat because it is going to be a fast and furious ride!
This is the second book in the series and while it could be read on its own, it might be best to pick up the first book to get a feel for the characters and the background. The book provides plenty of details to lay a foundation for what occurred in case you choose not to read Stolen Obsession, so it isn’t an absolute must.
The story picks up with Annalisse and Alec and their relationship. Let’s just say things are a little rocky, not because they don’t care for each other, but that life is getting in the way and someone might need to make some changes to his work life. I can’t imagine what it is like to be part of the elite class and the security measures that need to be in place to keep people safe. But sometimes it isn’t the unknown that causes a problem, it can be someone in your own family as Annalisse discovers.
Annalisse and Alec’s characters are still developing. I’m not sure if I could be friends with Annalisse because she has a tendency to let things slip out that shouldn’t be said out loud, at least not to those that are in the room. She even admits to having a big mouth, so at least that is progress. Plus, bad luck seems to follow her and I’m not sure I want to be around her in case it rubbed off on me! Alec was left to fill some big shoes but it is getting away from his passion as a veterinarian. Unfortunately, it has blinded him to reality and he is close to losing what he holds most dear to him.
Now for the wild ride – Annalisse’s Aunt Kate goes missing, there is a car wreck, Kate’s son is selling the farm from under Kate, there is a kidnapping, someone unexpected appears from nowhere, and so much more. And all of this happens within a week. It is non-stop action and kept me turning the page until well past my bedtime. I think that if all of this was happening to me I would need a vacation away from everyone to decompress.
The mystery kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat. There were so many possibilities for who was involved and why that I never guessed correctly until all was revealed. Some of it was very surprising, but some I guessed earlier in the book but not fully. Not everything is wrapped up in a nice bow at the end, there is still a cliffhanger or two and hopefully, those will be addressed in the next book.
This series is not one to miss and I can’t wait until the next book comes out to see what happens next for Annalisse and Alec.
We give this 4 paws up.
This is Book 2 of the Annalisse Series. Having read Stolen Obsession and loving it, I decided to read Book 2. This is a page-turner like its predecessor. It is full of mystery, intrigue, and action along with the continuing romance with Alec. I recommend it. You don’t need to read book 1, as the author gives you background throughout the book, but I suggest you do.
This is one of those books that if you’re not careful you’ll get nothing else done til you finish it. I’m not saying it has a deep and dark mysterious plot. It’s an enjoyable read and It has an easy reading flow. It is full of suspense and has the usual family secrets. The kind of secrets that help some and make others angry. It is not a romance, but it did have me hoping some people ended up together.
There were a couple of occurrences in this story that I did wonder how they came about or maybe I should say I didn’t know if it was believable that they could come about. Then again, I am a very black and white thinker, and this is after all…fiction. I’m not going to mention it here. It’s a story worth your reading time and I don’t want to ruin it for you. I will say my questions did not ruin the read for me at all.
Spent Identity is Book 2 of a series titled “Annalisse Series”. While there were a few references to Annalisse’s life before this book, I think this can easily be read as a stand-alone. Might not want to miss Book 1 though:)
Spent Identity by Marlene Bell is the second book in the Annalisse Series. Even though this book is the second book in the series it can be read as a standalone. I do recommend reading the first book which is what I am going to do. Marlene Bell wrote a wonderful story which drew me right in, making me forget everything else and did not let me go until I turned the last page. The twist and turns kept me engaged and kept me turning the pages. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and had me guessing throughout. The characters were well defined and believable. So many questions, some answers but some are left for the next book in the series. I can’t wait to read the next installment. While I wait I am going to read book one in the series.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Annalisse series, and I would recommend you read the first book, Stolen Obsession, before this one. MUCH is referenced to that book, but not fully explained, some just thrown into the conversation and left there.
Alec remains in Greece while Annalisse returns to her aunt’s farm. Only to find a dead man and then a missing aunt. Alec returns, then things get serious.
Again, I’m not entirely sure this style of writing appeals to me. It comes across a bit rushed and a bit like a kid’s reaction to being in a sweet shop: oh! one of these, oh! lets try this one, oh! I need this too. You know? Its a bit all over the place for my liking.
There were some surprises, and some not so much. I will be honest and say, I can’t even remember if both Annalisse AND Alec have a say here, if they do, Annalisse has the biggest voice, the majority voice. I’m sorry!
Again, it’s not a BAD book, not by any means, it just doesn’t work me.
But I did finish it, even if it was touch and go for a while so . . .
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**