A bond stronger than blood. A connection that could end it all. Madigan Knox and Grace Sheppard became sisters the day they entered their foster home. After living through a childhood nightmare, one brave act set them free, but split them apart into different homes.As adults, they are reunited in the small coastal town they dreamed of living in as children, but the reality of life in Tall Pines … life in Tall Pines is far from what they had imagined.
When a woman is found dead in her home, Madigan reports on the crime while Grace investigates. A dark connection to the victim is discovered, pulling them both closer to the crime and the traumatic past they are desperate to move on from.
With old wounds ripped open and dark secrets threatening their bond, the sisters must rely on each other more than ever before to survive.
Fans of Rizzoli and Isles will love this first book in a new, unpredictable mystery series by Emerald O’Brien that readers are calling “…a beautiful, harrowing tale.” “…with more twists than a red vine!”
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The Girls across the Bay (The Knox and Sheppard Mysteries, Book 1) by Emerald O’Brien
5 stars
I’ve never read this author before, and I’m kicking myself because what an amazing read!
I was hooked from the beginning,.and I loved how it went back and forth between the two main characters. Just because you both go through the same thing, doesnt mean you remember it all the same way or feel the same.
We are thrown into a crime scene and from there things snowballed and circled back around to an ending I honestly didn’t see coming, like really.
Each woman is so.different and going through life just a little different but they will always have each other.
I can’t say much without giving too much away, but i can’t wait to read more.
The Girls Across the Bay by Emerald O’Brien is a great opening for the The Knox and Sheppard Mysteries series. O’Brien has an interesting way of writing that makes the clues hide behind his descriptive writing style. I was gripping my kindle as I was reading because I was so wrapped up in the story I forgot my surroundings. The story is about two foster girls Madigan and Grace, who became sisters. There was a situation and the girls were split up and was raised in different homes. They were reunited only to be thrown again into a murder mystery, and that was not all of it. There are things coming up to make the ladies question who to trust. Will Madigan and Grace overcome their deep secrets? Only by reading this book will you find out.
The Girls across the Bay (The Knox and Sheppard Mysteries, Book 1) by Emerald O’Brien. I Loved this book! Its the story of Madigan Knox and Grace Sheppard who become sister living in a foster home together. They are what keeps each other going until a horrible nightmare splits them up. Madigan becomes a reporter and Grace becomes a Criminal Investigator so when a woman is found dead in her home they are reconnected due to the crime. When a secret from their past comes out that is connected to this woman’s death will the traumatic past rip them apart or pull them closer together. Will they survive this horrible secret? This book is so good and if you love a good mystery this is your new read! Its awesome!
This was a good story. The things that held the book back was poor editing and just a little (lot) too much angst and second guessing with the two main characters.
The Girls Across the Bay
By Emerald O’Brien
4 stars
The Girls Across the Bay was a great read from a new to me author! I will admit that it did take me a little time to get into the story and it was slower in parts than others but I will still on the edge of seat at times and I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen. I won’t say that this was an easy read; I read it slower than I would normally just so I could fully understand what was going on but the storyline was really strong in my opinion. I liked that the author had chosen to write from multiple points of view, it really enabled me to understand what the characters were thinking and why they did what they did.
I will be looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series; I can definitely see it getting better and better! Overall a decent 4 star read that I would recommend!
The Girls Across The Bay from Emerald O’Brien was a toss up for me most of the way through. I absolutely adore O’Brien’s writing and several of her previous books. This one was a bit difficult for me though. I adored the concept and the final way things turned out, but the reading was a tad confusing for myself at times. Don’t get me wrong I fully feel that the story itself is worthy of four stars easily. It just has to be said that this is wordy. So much so that at times I often confused the sisters dialogue and well just the two in general. I usually love dual POV reads because it gives the insight into each character. This did so but it was so much that at times I couldn’t keep it straight.
The story and mystery itself was intriguing. I loved the background it was set against and felt transformed there on the bay myself. The complex mystery that is woven is on point in suspense and intrigue and kept me reading when I got frustrated. This is typical of O’Brien though, as she really knows how to weave a suspenseful storyline. I will definitely be back for more with book two.
This book was well worth reading. I really liked the characters and rooted for them throughout the story!
I loved reading this book.
Enjoyed the book si I purchased the next book in the series.
The Girls Across The Bay (Knox and Sheppard #1) by Emerald O’Brien was a pretty okay read that kept me reading and engaged.
I very much got sucked into this book right away, I loved the cold open, and the way the first sister was introduced. We get to see her passion and get some dark back ground on her. Told in duel POV, we actually get inside both of the sisters heads, and I loved that the author choose to go that path. It added a nice layer of complexity that draws you in.
Now, I will say that when the sisters were together I had a bit of a time trying to separate their voices, and inner dialogue. It was hard to keep track of, and I had to do some rereading to get it all straight in my head. The transitions were a little rough, there was no break you could say, thus making the reading choppy and a little disconnecting. Sometimes the best way for transitions is to put a physical break in, like a symbol, to let the reader know that one scene has ended, before jumping into the next. Quick cut jumps only work in TV/Movies.
Other than that, I loved the plot and the mystery. It was compelling, well thought out and entertaining. I loved the sisterly connection and the strong bond they shared. It was for me the true highlight of this suspenseful read. There was wit mixed with darkness, that drives this story, and the tone has a bit of that heart pounding urgency that you can’t help but get addicted to. This book will have you on edge, and have you piecing the clues together with them. I’m fully committed to these two sisters, and I will be checking out more from not only this series, but this author as well.
With that said, this book gets my high recommendation and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
The Girls Across the Bay by Emerald O’Brien if the first book in the Knox and Sheppard Mysteries series. This is an intriguing book that will keep you guessing right to the very end.
From the moment I read this story I was hooked. I wanted to know what was going on and how everything was going to connect. I found myself trying to guess what I thought the outcome would be – I can definitely say I was wrong! I also felt that the book had really strong characters. Madigan and Grace were such strong characters that, for me, they definitely carried the whole book. They had such a depth to them and I really felt like I connected with them both immediately.
My only niggle about this book was that it would have been nice to get fewer descriptions of the characters thoughts. Although I am one of those who absolutely loves to be able to get inside the minds of the characters I do also like to be given the chance to “fill in the blanks” so they say. I had such a strong sense of personality with the characters that I don’t think so much input was needed from the author. However, this didn’t put me off the book at all – it was just my personal preference of how I like books to be constructed – and I will certainly be reading more in this series.
Good read !
MYSTERY WITH MULTIPLE PLAYERS. GOOD, NOT GREAT
I loved this book. I was pulled right into this story and sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. The characters as they were supportive to each other as well made me feel part of the story. Madigan and Grace were in the same foster home growing up. Now as adults their past is about to collide with their present. What happens when you can trust no but each other? The twists and turns involve suspense and murder, you don’t want to miss this book. A must read.
This book was just good enough that I read it to the end (I am not one of those stubborn readers compelled to finish any book I start no matter how bad) but I’m not in any hurry to read the next books in the series. The story, the characters, and the writing were all rather average.
I liked the construction of the story line.
Action packed mystery
Realistic enough.
Characters were interesting and original
Very good book