After getting trapped in a remote cave, two strangers must work together to survive while being hunted by a ruthless killer…Life is full of surprises, rescue swimmer Owen Grayson knows that better than anyone, especially when he’s forced to take an indefinite military leave and return home to pick up the pieces of his dad’s latest mistake. As Owen struggles to settle back into his roots, he is … back into his roots, he is called to a remote cave where he’s pulled into a mystery that hits a little too close to home. As the clues begin to unravel, it becomes apparent that the cave is hiding secrets worth killing for… and everyone on site has a target on their back.
Coming off a bad break up and an even worse few days, Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Sadie Hart is brought in to excavate human remains found deep in the treacherous mountains of Berry Springs, in a cave rumored to be haunted, nonetheless. When her team stumbles upon a dead body before they even reach the cave, Sadie quickly realizes this is going to be no ordinary job—especially when she meets a particularly charming Adonis who’s hellbent on becoming her next mistake.
A storm hits, trapping Sadie and Owen inside the cave with nothing but a flashlight and a small backpack with provisions… and someone who wants them dead. As the odds stack up against them, Sadie begins to fear she and Owen will become the next pile of bones found deep in the catacombs of Crypts Cavern…
THE CAVE is a standalone romantic suspense novel.
Praise for the Berry Springs Series:
“One of my favorite novels of 2018.” -Confessions of an Avid Reader, The Fog
“The Woods is a sexy, small-town murder mystery that’s guaranteed to resonate with fans of Nora Roberts and Karin Slaughter.” -Best Thrillers
“Danger, mystery, and sizzling-hot romance right down to the last page.” -Amazon Review, The Creek
“Amanda McKinney wrote a dark, ominous thrilling tale spiked with a dash of romance and mystery that captivated me from start to finish…” -The Coffeeholic Bookworm, The Lake
“The Storm is a beautifully written whodunnit, packed with suspense, danger, and hot romance. Kept me guessing who the murderer was. I couldn’t put it down!” —Amazon Review
THE STORM is a 2018 Maggie Award for Excellence Finalist, 2018 Silver Falchion Finalist, 2018 Beverley Finalist, 2018 Golden Leaf Finalist, and 2018 Passionate Plume Honorable Mention Recipient
THE FOG is the *2019 Golden Quill Winner for Romantic Suspense, and a *2019 Stiletto Award Finalist.
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If you are looking for a haunted murder mystery with surprising twists and turns, a story speckled with archaeological findings, interesting insights into death/pathology investigations, a smart and sassy heroine and passionate romance, then this book is for you. I definitely enjoyed it a lot. You (literally) get thrown into the water right at the beginning and the adrenaline rush stays with you until the end. With every book the author is getting bolder and (the crimes) scarier. And this one had me especially on the edge due to the claustrophobic conditions in the cave. A haunted dark place with numerous clefts for all kinds of creatures, both imaginative and real, to hide in and jump you. Creepiness aside, the funny and carefree dialogue between Owen and Sadie is refreshing. It flows perfectly back and forth and made them one of my favorite couples in the series.
This book has an eclectic group of characters, plenty of suspense, action, mystery and romance, which come together in a story that drew me in and kept me reading till the unanticipated, but climactic ending that eventually led to a HEA for several people. The hero, Owen Grayson, is a member of the US Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue unit, the heroine, Dr. Sadie Hart is a forensic anthropologist working for a renown crime lab, along with other crime lab associates, local police and SAR members, they are on a mission to gather the desecrated bones discovered in a dangerous, but well known cave with a history dated back to early american natives. A cave filled with lots of mud, bat guano. a bottomless lake with enormous blind fish and other creatures, unexplored caverns that go on forever, danger lurking around every crevice and ghost stories that would give someone chills, create the backdrop for this bizarre and baffling case. If you are the least bit curious, I highly recommend getting this book and if you’re not curious, I still implore you to get the book. I am sure you will enjoy the fast paced story. I recieved this book as an ARC from the author in turn for my honest review. I look forward to reading the rest of this series and other books the author has written.
YIKES! Another nail-biter! The Cave is an outstanding romantic suspense by Amanda McKinney. Ms. McKinney has produced a well-written book and furnished it with a magnificent cast of characters. When Owen’s father is sent to rehab for DUI he takes a leave from the Coast Guard to take care of things while his father is away. He takes a temporary position with the Berry Springs police. Sadie is a forensic anthropologist and travels to Berry Springs with two co-workers to collect bones recently found in a cave. Owen and Sadie’s story will keep your hands glued to your e-reader with the drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I loved this book and now that I’ve read all of Amanda McKinney’s books I’ll be glued to her website for information on her next release. The Cave is part of the Berry Springs Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
Great read for those who enjoy action-adventure mysteries or suspense romance with strong MCs working together to accomplish a common goal.
I loved this book, part of Berry Springs series, but you can read it as a stand alone.
But i reccomend to read the serie in order because some caracters show up in the other books. The Cave is a fast read, kind of spooky atmosphere and a nice romance!
This one blew me away with just how much I enjoyed myself.
My first introduction to this talented author but it definitely won’t be my last this really was the real deal.
So in-depth and well researched I was super impressed at the level of detail contained within these pages this author has most certainly done her homework here.
Everything here felt so authentic and fresh.
I experienced all the feels right alongside these diverse characters and was left feeling like I had traversed the same journey right by there sides.
It was like I had been transported right into the landscape itself.
I also learned so much and loved that this wasn’t dumbed down for the masses.
I am a massive Bone’s fine so loved that this was set in the world of forensic anthropology.
This was primarily plot-driven and the romance here was more for me a secondary thing which did work.
This wasn’t a graphic book in terms of the heat factor but that really didn’t matter and I could most definitely feel the chemistry here between out two main characters.
So the two in the spotlight her were forensic anthropologist Dr Sadie Hart and Search and rescue officer Owen Grayson who is on a temporary sabatical as he is needed back home.
Sadie is called in to excavate some bones at local legendary spot Crypts Cavern.
This also had a really great cast of secondary contributors all multi-faceted individuals.
Containing Spelunking or potholing if you’re like me and from the UK (I had to look up the former I was like ya what, oh you mean potholing got it)
And I really liked that aspect of this story.
Lastly, this can be read as a stand-alone novel.
This was well written and intense with a gripping and vivid mystery and its centre.
I Really do rate this one highly it was fabulous from start to finish.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Cave (Berry Springs #7).
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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The Cave is mysterious and dangerous! How many bodies does it hide?
Amanda McKinney has quickly become one of my favorite authors, through the suspenseful Berry Springs series. She blends the woodsy background of the Ozark Mountains, the forces of Nature, and murders hidden in that landscape. Great characters solve the murders, sometimes in the face of continuing threats. And she manages to add some sexy romance. The legendary cave in the title is famous for murders from hundreds of years ago, and now the grisly discovery of a recent murder in its depths. Sexy romance, threats from a serial killer and a flood — it’s all in this book. This is one of my favorite Berry Springs mysteries; it seems they just keep getting better!
Being in the mood for a good suspense so I dived into this one. This one was perfect for what I was craving with much more that was in it. The author knows how to deliver one that will get you into it while sneaking up and capturing your attention.
Owen is one of the characters that capture us with the intrigue he delivers in this. Sadie will also keep you watching her especially since she too has a interesting job. As the story unfolds it curls around you keeping your nose to the pages with questions also forming.
When their predicament occurs you do not turn away until those questions are answered. The suspense and danger high mixed with the romance fuels this one feeding the crave that sent me to this one in the first place.
An uncomfortable adventure even if you aren’t claustrophobic. Thank goodness true love conquers all.
Sadie is a strong woman. Owen is easily distracted by rumors. The story includes several red herrings or wild geese.Wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is my honest review.
Neither one of their lives are good right now. She is on a job in a cave for a reason and he has a separate on for being there. But there is death, haunting s, unexplained things, many twists and turns and their growing love for each other. Then you have a Excellent supporting cast of characters. This is emotional, exciting, mysterious, intriguing and an edge of your seat read. I received this review copy and review it.
Creepy legends, ghosts, vampire bats” and “see-through monster fish!”(An almost quote by a main character. The word and replaced or). Well, almost. Creepy legends of ghosts, some bats and blind fish for sure…oh and bodies!
Coast Guard Search and Rescue member Owen Grayson takes a leave to go back home to help his dad out. He ends up also sometimes working with the local police department. When bones are found in a cave, he is more than anxious for them to be identified because he believes he has a personal stake in the answer. Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Sadie Hart travels to Berry Springs to do her part to unearth the bones and to get them back to her lab to study. To get to the bones, they have to go through tight openings in the cave that may bring on a little feeling of claustrophobia, walk across ‘bridges’ little more than water slicked logs, over ‘ bottomless’ lakes with blind fish…and dig in the dirt/ sand mixed with guano ( lucky them lol). One thing Sadie seems sure of before the bones leave the cave is that the person was murdered. Owen and Sadie try to find the killer(s) before they end up bodies too.
5 stars
*ARC kindly provided by the author and I’m leaving an honest review*
Passionate
Heartfelt
Intense
Gripping
Suspenseful
Off the charts chemistry
Hot damaged alpha
Sassy Heroine
This book and series should read every romantic suspense lover. I liked everything about this book and writing which just flowed and had me engrossed to the story from start to finish wanting to find out what happens next. I enjoyed every minute of it and never wanted it to end. The synopsis is just the surface of what it is about. It has so much depth, powerful, effortless and at times dark storytelling. I loved that it was written in third person, dual POV so I know what both characters – Sadie and Owen – were thinking at the specific time or moments. It was well developed, well written and well thought out. The author knew how to develop, create the storyline and make you fall in love with her words, plot and the characters demanding your attention. It was enjoyable read with so many twists and turns, while delivering an intense and passionate romance / love story between Owen and Sadie that I devoured in one sitting. It was steamy, dark and suspenseful romance. The characters are brilliant and so likeable.
The Cave by Amanda McKinney is my first book but it certainly will not be the last. This is a standalone and seventh book in her Berry Springs series. The characters are complex; the plot is strong and unpredictable with twists and turns that will keep you guessing the story and who is the villain. Because of author’s awe-inspiring details and visualization I had a feeling like I was right there with characters, living in their world and hearing every sound, murmur and seeing magical (lol haunted) scenery. I loved the legends about the cave which I think added to the story and characters’ development.
Owen Grayson is a rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard. He is an enigma but so alluring. I was drawn to him immediately wanting to know more about him, his background and why he is the way he is. He didn’t have an easy childhood and he fought to survive. He doesn’t like to be vulnerable because he considers that a weakness. When tragedy strikes Owen finds himself back in Berry Springs. He has a hard time settling back into his roots and figuring out what is next for him. He is loving, caring, loyal, charming, protective and down to earth.
Dr. Sadie Hart is a Forensic Anthropologist. I loved her immediately. She knows what she wants and what she stands for. She is strong – strong-willed, brave, a fighter, a survivor, moral, feisty, smart, stubborn, sassy, confident, proud, but also vulnerable and a bit jaded from her last relationship which leads her to be self-conscious and to not trust easily.
Owen and Sadie were amazing. They lit the pages with their chemistry since the first time they met. I loved their first meeting and their immediate physical, fiery attraction and off the charts chemistry. They are each other’s match. I loved their sassy, flirty banter and witty sexual innuendos. Owen is determined to keep her safe and protect her. He is really fiercely protective of her. They know they shouldn’t feel attracted to each other, but they do, it’s unavoidable. Maybe they don’t make sense but when they are together – they are just perfect and exactly what they need. I love their moments and dialogues. They have preconceived opinions about each other but when they finally let on the glimpses into who they really are, they notice that they are similar. Owen and Sadie are kind of a slow burn. They are sinfully sexy and intense.
One word: INCREDIBLE! It kept my attention at all times and I could not put it down. I only wish there were an epilogue so we could see what future Owen and Sadie have. Other than that it really was fantastic, heart pounding read and a page turner. With an effortless writing, awe-inspiring detail, suspenseful storyline, mystery, small town gossips, legends and romance, the author takes us on an emotional and beautiful journey of the characters and allows us into their minds and hearts; to see them who they were and what they have become while solving the cold cases, murders and being haunted by the ruthless killer. I highly recommend it.
Amanda McKinney sure knows how to draw you in and hold you captive until the very end. I started to read and didn’t want to put it down until the very last page. The Cave is a scary and dismal place except when Owen Grayson is there to light the way. Explore the mystery and suspense hidden in Berry Springs and remember to be on the lookout for the killer lurking in The Cave! I sure hope you take an afternoon to soak up all it has to offer.
A thrilling book. Keeps you guessing right to almost the end. Intense story with some soft momments
Tense, engaging murder mystery
A Chilling and Ghost story worthy book. I loved the tension build to this story it had plenty of danger and intense situations. The story starts out with an attention grabbing ocean rescue by Owen, which engages the reader right away and wraps you right into the storyline. The story is one that keeps you on your toes from beginning to end with a smooth and flowing style to the writing. I loved both Owen and Sadie, their personalities were both really likable and down to earth, and their chemistry was awesome too. A very interesting story with an excellent plot about Owen, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, and Sadie, a Forensic Anthropologist, and I love that it had lots of details about that type of work, which helped to solve the crime. Much of the story was set in the caves, so a great title for the book too. Fun, witty dialogue with all of the characters also made it such an enjoyable read.
Once I started this book, I couldn’t stop reading. I love a mystery with a unique setting and historical background, and The Cave has it all. The instant chemistry between forensic archeologist, Dr. Sadie and military rescue swimmer, Owen is sizzling throughout. They make a dynamic team as they work to recover the bones found by a local, who seems to have paid for the desecration with his life. Is the site cursed by the deaths of the original Native Americans who explored it or are the more recent tragedies caused by modern events? A diverse cast of supporting characters add to this storyline in many ways and help advance the mystery. When they are stranded, Owen and Sadie work together to survive and battle the unknown enemy, and It becomes obvious that they belong together. This was my first book in the Berry Springs series, but it definitely won’t be my last. This is romantic suspense at its best.
I love Berry Springs. There is always something happening there!
The Cave was amazing, my new favorite, which I think I say after each book.
A refreshing book that I devoured in one sitting.
Wonderful story. I was able to immerse myself into this mystery, into the lives of Owen and Sadie. Great H/h and the supporting characters add to the story. The story has great pacing. That and the suspense will keep you turning the pages. Of course, a little romance helps also. There is no epilogue, but the final chapter wraps up the story nicely and gives us the HEA(s). Highly Recommend. I was given an ARC and freely have given my honest review.
I received this book as an ARC. I have never read anything by Amanda McKinney. I wish I would have before. I absolutely LOVED this book. It had suspense.. romance.. made me laugh.. kept me intrigued.. a page turner.. loved the characters.. it felt like I was in the book! I will definitely read it again!