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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All the heart pounding stars.
Abducted.
Terrorized.
Imprisoned.
Shackled to my eReader, and frantically biting my nails, I was transported to Josie Stratton’s hell as she recalled the ten horrific months that she barely survived eight years before.
After almost a decade of trying to move on from her seclusion and tainted past, Josie is beginning to get her life back on track or so she thought. When Detective Zach Copeland reenters her life, divulging the gruesome details of a murder that eerily resembles the hell she escaped, Josie is forced to relive her experience and face her greatest fear once more.
With so many people and avenues to consider and explore, Detective Copeland isn’t taking any chances with Josie’s life. As part of Josie’s 24/7 protection team, neither Josie nor Zach can ignore the pull between them. As more facts unfold, Josie begins to second-guess the certainty of her own perpetrator.
Keep the lights on! This shocking story had me tied in knots the entire time. Lots of cringing, hoping, and cheering on my part led to an ending that left me speechless, pondering, and questioning my own emotions for a few days.
Mia Sheridan and her gripping prose have been seamlessly tiptoeing into the dark suspense arena one terrific book at a time, confirming that she can write anything and her fans will come, they will read, and they will thoroughly enjoy even with one eye closed.
Oh. My. GOD!! This was a brilliant, brilliant read!!!
“This man is not just here to protect my safety, he’s on my side.”
Eight years ago, Josie Stratton survived the most traumatic and horrific of experiences. She’s now living in relative anonymity and trying to repair the old B&B she inherited. However, her bland existence is about to be shaken up when Zach Copeland turns up at her doorstep.
“Something about her pulled at him. Strongly. It was almost a physical sensation.”
Eight years ago, Zach was the rookie cop who watched over Josie in the hospital. He’s never forgotten her or her broken-but-still fierce warrior aura. When a copycat killer appears to have surfaced, mimicking aspects of Josie’s imprisonment, he finally gets to meet Josie face to face, again. And is unprepared for the frisson between them.
This story was freakin’ amazing! It was creepy and suspenseful, yet amidst the darkness and horror, something beautiful began to blossom. The plot was really clever and kept me guessing right until the denouement! I was so convinced I had the right culprit but OH MY GOD! I was so wrong!!
“She was so beautiful, and an arrow of possession quivered through him, a deep throb of need that weakened his knees and took him off balance.”
Zach captured my heart. He was so tender and sweet with Josie, so protective and thoughtful. I loved how well he understood her. Josie herself was such an incredibly strong character. I couldn’t help but admire her resourcefulness and tenacity in the face of her situation. Her courage left my mouth hanging open. The two of them together really made my heart thump. They were so right for each other. They had taut chemistry and simmering passion, and I loved Josie’s bravery in taking the first step.
Such a fantastic novel and definitely a Top Read 2019 for me!!
Where the Blame Lies-
Gripping. Intense. Built on layers of suspense and dark themes, yet laced with touches of lightness and one of the greatest human emotions- hope.
Mia Sheridan has woven a story of anger, fear, bravery, acceptance, and love.
What can I say about this book?
Unexpected. Brilliant.
Wow, just wow!!! Mia Sheridan has done it again, in a very different way…I’m not one to step out often of reading my favorite romance genre. Unless it’s the author of my all time favorite book that’s writing it!
So many emotions and feels in the mysterious “Where the blame lies”, this one definitely kept me guessing and held my complete attention through every page.
I really felt for Josie, her young life was so hard…
She goes through so much, you will be glued to your kindles, devouring every detail and trying to figure out what’s next.
My romantic heart was happy with how the book came together. Love the hero…just like all of Mia Sheridan’s other male leads, you may just fall a little in love.
Highly recommend this book and author!
Josie survived 10 months of being kidnapped and held, shackled to a wall in fear and hunger. By the time she breaks out of her prison, justice and peace is stolen from her. The man she identified as her captor kills himself.
Years later, there is a copycat on the loose. There are certain similarities that have the detectives in charge comparing the new cases to Josie’s case. Zach Copeland was a rookie when Josie’s horror took place, but he has never forgotten the look in her eyes while she was in the hospital recovering. Now he is in charge of finding the answers to the current crime spree. Working together may be the only way to get to the bottom of what is happening, forcing Josie to face the horrific memories to find the missing link between the crimes.
This was such a fascinating read. As clues in the new cases line up with Josie’s experience, I began to question everything we knew about both Josie’s case and the cases in the present. Everyone was a suspect and it became a puzzle to figure out how the two timelines fit together. Every new twist had me reconsidering even the smallest details to try to find what was hiding.
I loved both Zach’s calm understanding, and Josie’s strength in facing her memories. Neither one have an easy go in this book and their characters shine even in the darkest moments. Josie’ had spent the years in between trying to move past her victim status but as she has to comb through memories again, it becomes clear that she has buried her past rather than work through it. Processing her ordeal at the same time trying to find a connection only made her inner strength stand out further. Zach was so patient and calm helping her process. He knew when she needed space to heal and when she needed a gentle prod, and he was there to support her the whole time. They may not have had a traditional romance, but their bond was solid and they made a great team.
Mia continues to surprise me with her range of writing as she stretches beyond the types of books she started writing and the variety she has put out in her last few titles. Where the Blame Lies is a twisty, suspenseful tale that kept me guessing and questioning at every turn of the page.
I received a copy from the author for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Mia Sheridan has written a masterful novel that will make you feel everything from heartache to love. This was my second Sheridan novel and while I enjoyed Savaged, Where the Blame Lies shattered my heart and slowly put it back together again bit by bit.
Josie Stratton’s life was forever changed when she was kidnapped at 19 years old and held captive for nearly a year before she finally escaped. Nearly a decade later at 28 years old her life seems to be finally getting back on track, but it seems like the past isn’t quite ready to let her move on…
Zach Copeland is a detective who gets the call about a young woman who was found in a basement and it takes him back to a decade later to a similar case involving Josie Stratton. Zach has never been able to get the girl with the haunted eyes out of his mind. Now it seems like he might have a copycat on his hands recreating the crimes that were committed nearly a decade ago.
Where the Blame Lies is an emotional, romantic novel with suspense, danger and intrigue. Nothing is at it seems and every time you think you have the story figured out you are hit with another plot twist. As the truth finally starts to unravel you see where the blame really lies…
Twisty, turny and makes you really invested in the outcome of this story. There is a second book promoted, but I really feel like you could stop after this book and be fine. But why would you??
Wow!!! I love strong women characters; but Josie beats all of them. Suffereb horribly at the hands of a sadistic serial killer. Josie survives a year of torture. After giving birth, she escapes and does everything she can do to find her son. Through the years, she she looks for him and heals. Until the killer returns. And in walks a very handsome detective, Zach. As others die, similarities come to light. And Zach is there to protect Josie. Josie is a super strong lady, she doesn’t give up. She doesn’t let the past destroy her!! Absolutely loved her and her strength. At the end, she does the unthinkable.
Absolutely outstanding… this is the type of story I live for. It’s dark, twisted, sick and brilliantly written and plotted.
Josie was a formidable character, strong, determined yet fully aware of her own shortcomings and insecurities. I’m glad this author did her horrors justice. Too many times in rape situations the female character moves on quickly trusting men and has no issues in falling into a normal sexual relationship straight away. The detective was great, understanding, empathetic to Josie’s situation, nurturing and reassuring her. He was an easy character to fall in love with.
Then there was HIM, and wow oh wow! What great penmanship, awesome character development and one of the better psychological suspense plots I’ve read in a while. I don’t know why I had this author penned as a fluffy romance author… I couldn’t have been further from the truth If I tried. With stories like this Mia Sheridan , you are on my hit list of one click authors. For those that like dark, chilling stories, grab this. It’s one of my top reads of 2020!
This was a solid 4.5 star book. The narration was very good. I felt that the story dragged slightly in the middle. The author was very good in describing scenes and where the characters were at. I would definitely read/listen to another one of this authors books.
I try to always go in blind to book, it makes it more I don’t know entertaining. It is just how I like to listen. Anyways this book threw me for a loop.
At first, I didn’t know if the narration of Josie was going to work for me but once I got into it I got it. Callie is a pretty great narrator after what I just listened to I am a fan for life. Obviously they picked just the right narrators for this book. I mean Teddy was totally Zach.
This isn’t a book for the faint of hearts, the subject matter is disturbing and it had my heart racing a few times. I thought I knew who it was but I didn’t. I mean I REALLY thought I knew!!
I didn’t expect to tear up or even have a few of the watery buggers fall. The selflessness, the strength I don’t know that I could have done any of it. Great book, incredible story, and wonderful characters.
Audiobook: Narrator – Teddy Hamilton & Callie Dalton
Wow! What an amazing pair of narrators! Either one alone would have done an exceptional job, but together…holy heck! This duo transported me to the very center of this story where I experienced all the horror, shock, despair, and eventually peace that these characters did. I will gladly listen to them both or individually again.
This was a dark, twisted and shocking story filled with horrors that the faint of heart or those susceptible to triggers will want to avoid. This author did not hesitate to draw a clear and perfect picture of the trauma this heroine went through and the struggle she faces each day, almost a decade later.
I thought I might have a hard time getting into this book and so it’s been on my audio shelf for a very long time. Within minutes I was completely hooked! This is one of the most captivating reads I’ve experienced since YOU by Caroline Kepnes.
For those who love a bit of romance, which includes a good dose of steam, with their psychological thrillers…this is the book!
Couldnt put it down!
Where The Blame Lies, my first read by Mia Sheridan, left me shaking my head in wonder at the emotional and mental endurance of a chained and repeatedly sexually abused young woman to never give up the fight to live. This story is hauntingly poignant, soul stirring, nail bitingly suspenseful and ultimately unforgettable. I’m looking forward to reading more by this wonderful writer!
This was an absolutely awesome book. Very well written. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. The author captures the emotional conflicts of the characters so well. Of course there is mystery, action, & love with lots of unexpected twists and turns which all makes for a great book!
This is unlike any Mia Sheridan book I’ve read before, and I liked it. I really liked it. There’s enough detail to convey the horror of the victim’s situation, to develop a connection to her and maintain the suspense, but not so gory that it’s unbearably painful to read.
Josie is such a brave fighter and Zach is an immensely compassionate detective. Their romance is fine but it takes a backseat to the mystery—as it should with this particular story. I would actually be just as happy without the romantic element. The dark, emotional plot is quite original and the mystery kept me guessing. I even enjoyed the less than tidy resolution. A satisfying read all around.
A thrilling page-turner that had me guessing until the very end. This compelling story has emotional depth with the underlying threads of hope in the face of dire conditions.
This book was just not my cup of tea. I generally like crime/mystery types of books but this is just too severe. The characters are interesting and the premise is well written, it just isn’t a story line that I felt comfortable with.
It took me a while to get into this book but I’m glad I stuck with it. When the twists and turns started happening, I was hooked. I listened to this book on Audible. Teddy Hamilton is always a pleasure to listen to and he really brought the part of Zach to life.
Couldn’t put it down! Every emotion you could possibly feel, you feel in this story! Perfect mystery/suspense!