Abducted.Terrorized.Imprisoned.At nineteen-years-old, college student Josie Stratton was kidnapped by a madman and held shackled for ten months in an abandoned warehouse before she finally escaped her hellish prison.Eight years later, when the body of a young woman is found chained in the basement of a vacant house, Cincinnati Police Detective Zach Copeland is instantly reminded of the crime … instantly reminded of the crime committed against Josie Stratton. Zach was just a rookie on the perimeter of that case, but he’s never forgotten the traumatized woman with the haunted eyes.
As more information emerges, the crimes take on an even more sinister similarity. But Josie’s attacker died by suicide. Does the city have a copycat on its hands? A killer who picked up where the original perpetrator left off? Or are they facing something far more insidious?
Josie has spent the last eight years attempting to get her life back on track, but now there’s a very real chance she could be the unknown suspect’s next target. As Zach vows to keep her safe, and Josie finds herself responding to him in a way she hasn’t responded to any man in almost a decade, the investigation takes on an even more complex edge of danger.
As past and present collide, Josie and Zach are thrust toward a shocking and chilling truth. A revelation that threatens not only Josie’s life, but everything she’s been fighting so desperately to reclaim.
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5 stars!
I love reading mystery/suspense novels because when they are done right, they keep you captivated, invested, and guessing until the very end. Add in romance and you get one of my favorite book genres. Where the Blame Lies gives us everything I want and more in a romantic suspense novel. The terrifying subject matter, well-developed storyline, surprising twists, and beautiful romance make this novel a riveting page turner and a new favorite.
This book starts out with an abduction that will crush you. For ten months, nineteen-year-old Josie lives a nightmare. Hope fades when she is constantly mentally, physically and sexually abused; however, when she finally escapes, she is a changed woman and has something to fight for as she tries to reclaim her life.
“Starlight in a blackened sky. Blinking to life where before only darkness existed.”
Only a rookie at the time of Josie’s abduction, Detective Zach Copeland will never forget the woman he watched over in the hospital after she escaped her attacker. There was something about her that stuck with him. Eight years later there is another crime that is so similar to Josie’s he has no choice but to see her again. The only difference between the two cases is that while Josie escaped, this victim was not as lucky. Everything points to a copycat since Josie’s attacker died by suicide but when Josie is targeted again things don’t add up. Zach has to solve the crime before it is too late, and he will do anything to keep Josie safe.
I loved Josie’s strength and bravery. She finds good in the bad and I admire her for all she has endured and how she has come out on top. She is truly extraordinary. Zach is also amazing. He is a good man with a pure heart and I loved that he saw Josie as a survivor, not a victim. He is there for her and will protect her no matter the cost, and I loved his determination and his drive to find the killer.
The romance between Josie and Zach builds beautifully and I believed their connection. It felt real and I liked that they didn’t act immediately on their attraction but rather let their friendship grow first. They are open with each other and talk through their fears, and their honesty is heartwarming while they face challenges head on. I was rooting for them from the start because they both deserve healing and a happily ever after.
The romance is wonderful but it was the mystery and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat and made this book unputdownable. It is not for the faint of heart but it is not as dark and gritty as I expected. It is refreshing that this story can still cause heart pounding fear and intense emotion without being overwhelmingly graphic.
Told in third person point of view, we get both past and present, and love how the story unfolds. It is well thought out and wonderfully crafted with a complex storyline. Only giving us small pieces of the overall picture at a time, it made me desperate for more with each turn of the page. I had so many theories and the moment I thought I had figured out the identity of the assailant another twist or new revelation would shock me in the best possible way. The creativity and thought put into this novel that makes it unpredictable and I loved that I didn’t figure things out prematurely.
Overall, Where the Blame Lies is a fast-paced read filled with mystery, suspense, twists, and romance, and I loved it! A definite must read for romance and suspense lovers alike!!
Mia Sheridan! Wow!
This book was incredible. I was hooked right from the start. I found it almost impossible to put down. It was as if the pages turned themselves! I just had to know what happened next! I don’t want to spoil a thing about this story. Do yourself a favor & go in completely blind.
Mia tried her hand at a totally different genre & I hope she does it again because this was one of the most seamless, complex, thrillers I’ve ever read. It was like watching a true crime drama play out in front of me. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time connecting dots & ruling out suspects. I highly recommend this one!
Mia Sheridan has completely leaped out of her wheelhouse and masterfully succeeded at it. Where the Blame Lies is unlike any book Mia has written before and wow, I’m blown away at how incredibly talented this woman is. To be able to not only write outside of her comfort zone but then to do it so well, I’m floored!
This book is 100% a survivors story. This is Josie’s story! She is one of the bravest heroines I’ve read to date; Josie is truly the hero! Not to mention just how thrilling this book was to read…the twists and turns…the constant guessing…the up until 1:30am reading because I had to know! It’s suspense at its finest!
Where the Blame Lies is a gripping and harrowing journey that brought me to tears and broke my heart. However the vehemence and courage of Josie made this a beautiful story at its core and I loved every page turning minute of it.
Whoa! This is a departure for Mia Sheridan but still has her captivating writing style, stellar character development, layered plot, and strong connections. But it adds a more raw and grisly danger, mystery, and suspense component.
Josie Stratton’s life changed in an instant and took her into a darkness she was not sure she would ever escape…but she did. And the perpetrator supposedly died. She has been trying to find a new normal and get her life back, but eight years later it is all going to come up again.
Zach Copeland is a homicide detective working on a new case he remembers to be very similar to Josie’s. He was only on the periphery of her old case, but still knows enough to link them. And now he is looking for answers and hoping to keep it from happening to anyone else. He is smart, protective, and determined to find answers.
What is really going on now? Were there more people involved in the past? Is this a new copycat? The plot thickens. Past and present are colliding. Puzzle pieces are not fitting. There are more and more questions and few answers. Danger could be lurking around every corner.
And as Josie begins to spend more time with Zach during the investigation, it stirs up emotions she never expected. And Zach is determined that this time he will personally keep Josie safe. But they are up against an unpredictable foe.
This mystery had me guessing and second-guessing. I would think I had it figured out and then another twist would come. It had me full of tension and totally captivated. And through it all, I loved Zach’s calm presence and protective instincts. Josie was a strong woman that had endured terrible things and was vulnerable, but still managed to have such a strong spirit. This story brings a gradual building of much-needed hope, faith, and the possibility of a brighter future if they can just get through this newest dark part.
Mia Sheridan is so talented that she can change genres seamlessly and my heart is just as invested.
Where The Blame Lies is a masterfully written, suspenseful, gut-wrenching & thought-provoking thriller. It’s nothing like any other book that I’ve read by this exceptionally talented author. But this could be expected since this is not a hearts and flowers romance novel but one that deals with very sensitive topics like abduction and abuse that will rip your heart out and make you cry rivers of tears. This story is an emotional rollercoaster that won’t leave you unaffected and that will stay with you forever. I was in a trance after finishing it and immediately knew that I would have to first process what I’ve read and experienced before being able to put my inner thoughts into words worthy of this masterpiece.
This fantastic book had many twists and turns I didn’t see coming that left me breathless and shaking my head in disbelief. When I thought I finally figured it all out I was taught better in the end. Mia Sheridan’s poignant writing, exciting plot and intriguing and fascinating characters have captivated me from the beginning and left me spellbound in the end. I hope that she is going to write more books in this genre in the future.
I don’t want to give away more of the story than already mentioned in the catchy blurb. The most important thing you need to know is that Josie Stratton, the heroine of this story, was kidnapped and held hostage for a year by a lunatic when she was a college student. She luckily managed to survive the torture and escape her hell on earth. But the things she experienced in the abandoned warehouse have left scars on her body and soul. Now eight years later similar sinister crimes are happening. But this time the terrorized women are found chained and dead. Everything points to the same perpetrator but Josie’s former attacker commited suicide. Which leaves the question if there’s a copycat who is now picking up where the other one left off. When Zack Copeland, a Cincinnati police detective, is assigned to keep Josie safe she finds herself responding to him in a way she hasn’t in years. Zack knows that his growing feelings for this incredible woman and his hero complex could compromise the whole investigation and put them both in grave danger.
Josie is the embodiment of a true survivor. What this woman had to go through and endure while managing to stay sane and strong and find a way out of her prison is nothing short of remarkable. I admire her with all my heart. How this woman could still find the strength and will to move on with her life after the tragedy that happend to her are the reasons why Zack was fascinated by her. There was never a more deserving heroine of a happy end than Josie Stratton. Mark my words!
Zack is an amazing man on so many levels. He sees his job more as a calling than a profession. He is very compassionate and understanding. I loved the way he treated Josie – with the respect she deserved and like a survivor and not a victim. In Zack Josie finally found someone who was rooting for her and who believed in her wanting her to succeed in everything she put her mind on. This great man is worthy of a lioness’ heart and I’ve enjoyed watching him earn her trust and love.
I’ve devoured this book and couldn’t put it down for the life of me. I highly recommend it to all hard core Mia Sharidan fans like me and lovers of this genre. If you’re new to this author’s writing than I strongly encourage you to read more of her work because she is one of the most versatile and talented wordsmiths out there. This powerful story deserves more than just 5 stars and goes straight to my top favorite reads of 2019 shelf.
When Mia Sheridan mentioned she was doing something different…something she was not sure about…I remembered laughing. See, this woman has taken me places before with her stories that still leave me shaking my head. So saying something different…while it might be true…still had me ready for whatever ride I was about to be on with her.
Where the Blame Lies is haunting. It is not the normal Mia that you are used to, but it is Mia all the same. I am not sure how she does it but I know that with each new venture, I will truly have that “book hangover” that will last for a while. Mystery, haunting, mind boggling, powerful, uplifting and stressful are but some of the words I can use for this story. From the beginning, I was drawn in, feelings tightened by challenges on the pages. With each chapter came more to gather and comprehend from our characters. With each chapter, I saw the pitfalls of anger and the growth of love. This story will pull on all your senses, and leave you wanting more.
Where the Blame Lies may be the title, but in the end, you will be left thinking, Damn what a motion in time, because you will feel the movement within yourself, and as for me, I’ll be a little more aware of those around me.
Amazing story Mia and five stars are not enough for this one. Now off to rest this hangover.
Let me start my review with the honest confession that it took me days after reading this book to recover from the impact it had on me and come up with a review. The emotions that I felt after finishing Where The Blame Lies were so deep, raw and strong, I needed to let them settle down a bit before I could find the right words. Mia Sheridan was and will always be a top favorite author of mine. She’s one of the most talented and versatile authors I know. No matter if she writes romance or suspense, she always delivers a story of epic proportions. Where The Blame Lies was no exception to that! The depth this book delivers is unbelievable and I bow to Mia Sheridan for writing this story that hit me with a bang. Not just with the mind blowing and unpredictable twists and turns but with all the feelings it provoked. Let me warn you that Where The Blame Lies is not an easy book to read. It deals with very heavy topics like abduction, rape, murder and much more. There is a little bit of romance too, but it’s not the main part of the story!
At the age of nineteen, college student Josie Stratton was kidnapped and held shackled for ten months in an abandoned warehouse by a lunatic before she finally escaped.
Eight years later, when the body of a dead woman is found chained in the basement of a vacant house, Cincinnati Police Detective Zach Copeland is instantly reminded of the crime committed against her.
As more information emerges, the crimes take on an even more sinister similarity. But since Josie’s attacker died by suicide it looks like there’s a copycat at work. Is Josie, who spent the last eight years attempting to find peace and move on, in danger and possibly the next target?
While Detective Copeland vows to keep her safe, Josie finds herself responding to him in a way she hasn’t to any man in a decade. As more time passes, the investigation takes on an even more complex and unexpected edge of danger, bringing truths to light they never saw coming…
I never respected and admired a heroine in my entire life like I did Josie. That young woman went literally through hell but never gave up. She fought with everything she had to get free. She’s the epitome of a strong willed and brave woman. I cried so many tears for her! She had a sad childhood, then the abduction and the aftermath of that happend, which would have killed somebody’s spirit, but not hers! I just wanted to hug her and tell her that she’s amazing and deserves happiness like nobody else.
Zach was a true dreamboat. That guy had a heart of gold! He deeply admired Josie, the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about since he was assigned to guard her hospital room as a rookie cop. Thank God he was a gentle, understanding and compassionate man who made her trust again. Their love was a beautiful slow burn and made my heart melt!
Expect many twist and turns that will make your jaw drop and your heart nearly jump out of your chest! Some parts are sad and will make you cry ugly tears. Other parts are really scary, but you won’t be able to stop reading, because this book is simply unputdownable!
Where The Blame Lies is a story you read and remember long after you reached the end, because it changes the way you look at life and appreciate it more than you ever had. Bravo Mia Sheridan for delivering another brilliantly written book, that won’t leave readers unaffected. 5 stars!
I don’t read as many Thriller/Romantic Suspense novels as I did a couple of years ago, because I am very critical when it comes to these genres. I am a reader that gets annoyed when things don’t make sense or when it is just too predictable. I am okay with the predictability in just regular romance novels, however in romantic suspenses I want the thriller aspect added to my romance and I want it done well. Mia Sheridan did a very great job in me not being able to predict fully what was really going on. I had my theories like always, but I was really happy that I hadn’t figured it out. Mia Sheridan is one of the few authors that can make me connect to the characters right from the start. The flashbacks added a very nice and important touch to the story in understanding the main character Josie’s mindset and what happened to her. She was such a strong woman, who regardless of her shortcomings, didn’t give up and made the best out of the horrific situation she was in.
Zach is a good detective, but I was more impressed with his partner Jimmy. If this book was a Thriller then Zach would’ve been more focused on the case, but because of the romance aspect the characters of course have to spend time together to form a bond/relationship. I feel like the author found great ways for the characters to get to know each other and connect. So the pacing of the development of the relationship was really good in my opinion. Mia Sheridan found a great balance between romance and suspense. The villain was evil but also very smart, I would’ve enjoyed a few scenes from his POV. Furthermore, I was really happy that nothing obvious was ignored in regards to the cases. The police did their job well, and they also didn’t rule out anything even if some scenarios were out of the ordinary. I am very happy with the way this book turned out and I really hope that the author will write more books in this genre.
Mia Sheridan, you have stolen my breath. This story is so deeply touching and will stay me forever.
Josie is a fighter and a survivor. Trying to move on from her abduction and captivity, we are transported into Josie’s past and present. The story will have you captivated from the start, taking you on an intense journey of survival, filled with suspense, action, healing, and love. Zach could not have been more incredible and was just what she needed, patient, understanding, and full of love.
Where the Blame Lies is raw, honest, heart wrenching, and filled with so many emotions they overwhelm you. It’s written with passion and tenderness. It seared my heart. The descriptors so vivid I could feel everything. I was in Josie’s hell during the moments of the past and I felt all of Josie’s current struggles in her present. Josie’s strength and hope are so tangible that there were moments I struggled to breathe. There are so many moments of sheer heartache and pain and so many moments of awe and love. Absolutely breathtaking.
Romantic suspense has been a trope I have really been eating up this past year, and when Mia Sheridan announced she would be writing a suspense story, I absolutely had to read it! She has really been branching out with her last several books, and I have loved each and every one of them.
Josie Stratton – this girl was strength personified with every thing she went through in this book! Abducted, held captive, repeatedly raped – at just 19 years old. How she managed to survive that both emotionally and physically I cannot even comprehend. Reading about the things she was put through was very tough, not gonna lie about that. But the sheer will she had to survive was amazing. She’s spent the last eight years trying to heal and move on and create a new life for herself.
Zach Copeland sounds like every woman’s dream. A dedicated cop, who also happens to be out of this world good looking? Yes, please!! He and his partner find themselves investigating a recent murder that is so similar to what Josie went through eight years ago, it is scary.
This story kept me on the edge of my seat. Starting out in present day, Mia intersperses chapters throughout that take us back to what Josie went through during those ten months she was held captive. And we learn a lot about what kind of childhood she had, and how that shaped her as a young woman attending college and not always making the best choices she could have for herself.
I can honestly say, I had no clue how this story was going to turn out, or what revelations would be revealed along the way. As a self-professed Psychology nerd, I was fascinated with the mindset of Josie’s abductor, and with the mindset of whoever was posing as this copycat killer. Actually, I was fascinated with the mindset of just about all the characters in the story. Josie’s for sure, with Zach who has some things from his past that drives him today to be the best cop he can be. With some other secondary characters who I won’t discuss here since their roles would be too spoilerish, but nonetheless fascinated me as well.
I am just amazed at how Mia comes up with these stories, how she crafts such a complete world that these people live in, and how she manages to draw me straight into the story within the first few paragraphs. And yes, there is romance in here, but it was organic and subtle and fit just so seamlessly into the story. Mia has another incredible story here!!
Damn Mia Sheridan seriously DAMN!! Ms. Sheridan continues to amaze me with her brilliance and poignant writing. Where The Blame Lies is an absolute masterpiece. My heart was in my throat after reading the prologue and I knew it was going to be one hell of a suspenseful, gut wrenching and heartbreaking rollercoaster. And Ms. Sheridan certainly did not disappoint me as she turned my world upside down. Where The Blames Lies is still resonating deep in my soul and it will for a while. I’m overwhelmed with so many emotions as this book is unbelievable, the storyline is spectacular and flawlessly written.
It would really do Where The Blame Lies a disservice to give away too much of the storyline or spoilers however I cannot stress enough how you will be absolutely amazed and your mind will be completely blown. I was thoroughly engrossed with it and I will say that Josie is a remarkable, brave, resilient survivor and one of the BEST heroines I’ve ever read. Zach is a savior, a guardian angel, genuine and everything you would ever want in a hero. Where The Blame Lies is without a doubt is one of my top favorite books of 2019.
5 There’s So Many Twists and Turns Stars!!!
WOW WOW WOW!!! I just finished this book and I’m grappling with how to write this review without giving away any spoilers because this book is so filled with suspense, shocking events and moments that left me gasping for air. My heart is STILL beating so rapidly in my heart I’m having a problem catching my breath.
The minute I read the synopsis for this newest book by Ms. Sheridan I KNEW I had to read it! What I didn’t know was how much I was going to become attached to Josie. This girl has been put through the ringer and as the book moves from past to present and we see the how’s and what’s that has happened and is happening my admiration continued to grow for her. She could have curled up in a little ball and let the world pass her by. But she refuses to be a victim the rest of her life and this right here is a testament to the inner strength she has and to me that says EVERYTHING!!
When Detective Zach Copeland enters her world, not only does it become better but she realizes that she’s worthy of love no matter what’s happened to her in the past. But it’s definitely a painful journey. And this man is determined to solve the new waive of crimes that are being committed in his city and is somehow tied to this woman that he has begun to fall in love with.
Ms. Sheridan has written a book that is gripping in its intensity. Not for one moment did I expect some of the revelations that came to light as I was reading this book. I really thought I knew who the “who” was, but I was completely and totally wrong and I’m just fine with that. Ms. Sheridan definitely kept me on my toes. Josie is a woman that is filled with hope and dreams of what her life can be after the atrocities of what she went through. Zach shows Josie that not all people are evil and that even in this world that can be so mean and cruel there are little bursts of light that when we grab onto these little rays our life can be full of love, laughter and dreams that can come true. This book is absolutely positively in my Top, Top, Top Reads of 2019!
Impactful, personal, empowering. These words may not adequately describe a Mia Sheridan book but I can try. I’m loving the romantic suspense direction she’s taken lately.
Josie and Zach are strong, resilient characters. Their connection, wrought with challenges, pushes through boundaries of emotions. I rarely like more than one main character in a story however in this one, I loved both.
Each one of us has a little bit of Josie’s spirit, the fighter, the hopeful, the vulnerable. What would it take to break you down? Are you going to let circumstances define your life? Zach is protective, sensitive to Josie’s myriad of feelings, and above all, kind.
This one put me through the wringer but I trusted Mia Sheridan to guide my ship of emotions to the right harbour.