When long-buried secrets are exposed, and the search for truth becomes a race to save a life, how can two men ever hope to find real love?
Losing his brother has shaped Drew to become the man he is today—heartbroken, alone, but determined to make a difference in the world. Joining the military, fighting battles in places that he’s never even heard of, is his attempt to make amends for telling … telling his brother to go to hell. After his brother disappeared, he’d clung to the hope Casey was out there living his life. Of course, he’d be furious at Drew, and probably hate his brother, but at least in Drew’s head, Casey was safe.
One call changes everything. Casey’s body has been found, and the hope that had fueled Drew’s constant search for the truth is destroyed. Coming home to Lancaster Falls to bury his brother and face his mom’s anguish and accusations, is a nightmare made real, and he has nowhere to run from the pain.
Logan has made a home in Lancaster Falls. As a police officer, he plays by the rules, and he would never think of working off-the-grid. All that changes when an anonymous tip crosses his desk, and he is thrust headlong into solving a hundred-year mystery that could be connected with the modern day death of Casey McGuire. Fighting an attraction to Casey’s brother is hard enough, but the infuriating man is there at Logan’s every turn, interfering with the case, breaking the rules, and demanding that Casey’s story be heard.
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**********Contains Spoilers**********
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This book was a continuation of the case of the bones found in the reservoir and the remains of Casey McGuire that were found in the sink hole named Hells Gate. Sawyer rings Casey’s brother Drew and tells him that Casey has been found so he should come home when he can since he’s in the Army. To say that Drew isn’t happy with having no answers is an understatement and on more than one occasion him and Sawyer get into it. Logan, comes to Sawyer’s aide and gets basically into a wrestling match with Drew while trying to subdue him since Logan recognises the signs that Drew is about to lose it since Logan was a Ranger. Drew is told by Sawyer that he should leave the investigating to the police and to go see his mum. Since Drew hasn’t been back to town in years as so many people thought that he’d done something to Casey, his mum and his best friend Josh included. Drew start questioning people and Logan has to step in on multiple occasions but Drew won’t listen, they end up getting closer and Drew basically pleads for Logan’s help in working out what happened to Casey, Logan can see his vulnerability so he decides to help Drew but the legal way. I loved their connection even though it started as a need for Drew not having to deal with his feelings about Casey but they slowly work out that they’re really good together. This case keeps on getting stranger and secrets don’t stay hidden forever so I’m really looking forward to seeing what actually happened to Casey. I’d recommend this this book, series and author to everyone.
I loved this second book in the trilogy too. After the first book I was a bit scared but also couldn’t help myself jumping right into this one. Scared because I knew things would get uglier, grittier. Couldn’t help it because I would get Logan’s book. He stole my attention in book one and didn’t leave me disappointed here.
Meeting Drew in this book was painful. You could feel his hurt and confusion. I just wanted to hold him.
The romance/mystery arcs wasn’t as well balanced in this book sadly. It took Logan and Drew a long time to get to it and when they finally did the mystery paced up letting the romance take a backseat. Much to my dismay.
Of course this book ended in a cliffhanger even bigger than the one in the first book.
I loved this book just as much as I loved the first one in the series. I regret it having been so far down my list of To Read books, honestly. I’m diving right into 3 from here so I don’t make the same mistake again and put it off far longer than it deserves.
Great characters, more mystery unraveling, and in my eyes the logical thread pulls itself throughout the book while still making you think.
At this point if RJ writes it, I’d read it even if it was in a genre I didn’t care about. This author is FANTASTIC.
Drew lost his brother Casey 12 years ago. Not able to deal with his mother’s grief and the town’s pointing fingers; he joins the military as a Black Ops sniper. He hasn’t been back to Lancaster Falls since. Getting the call that Casey is found brings Drew back and he’s determined to find out what happened to his brother.
Logan is an ex-Ranger who was discharged due to an injury. He’s now Captain Wiseman’s second in command. He’s determined to solve the disappearance of Casey and the mystery of the bones found in Iron Lake.
What I liked about the story:
The mystery is just as interesting in this book as book one. Drew and Logan have an enemy to lovers relationship, which is one of my favorite tropes. For the first 2/3 of the book Drew and Logan are back and forth in aggressive I want you, I don’t want you interactions. Then they stop denying what they want and get to the romance part.
What I didn’t like about the story:
As with book one, this book is overrun with run-on sentences and overuse of the comma; plus a few incomplete sentences. Perfect examples: 1.”I’d been a career soldier, fully intended to do my years, and when that had been taken from me, I’d promised myself I wouldn’t look back, but the way Drew held himself?” 2.”All I could think about, and fuck knew why, was what he would look like under the scruff and mess of a soldier’s life because his body?” These two sentences are run-on but they don’t even end making sense.
I had trouble distinguishing the voices of Drew and Logan and had to re-read paragraphs many times. This dragged the story down for me.
Drew and Logan are both running around town looking for clues and basically getting nowhere. Logan keeps telling Drew that it’s police business and to let them do their job but then shares information on several occasions. It’s not until they actually team up that the story rushes to an end.
Drew is supposed to be this bad Special Ops sniper and Logan was a Ranger but neither one act like a tough military guy. There’s a little physicality in the beginning, when they first meet but then it’s just posturing from then on.
Continuity issues concerning how long Drew was in Lancaster Falls: Ch 13 Drew arrived one week ago, Ch 15 Drew thinking about being there nearly 3 weeks, Ch 16 Sawyer says Drew you’ve been in town 1/2 a month and later in this same conversation Sawyer says to Drew you’ve been here what nine days now, Ch 21 when Josh asks Drew how long he’ll be in town, Drew replies maybe another month (which implies he’s been there a month already).
In Ch 19 it states that Drew is on the roof of the police station but he’s thinking about the fact that he can see Logan pacing inside the police station. Later it’s revealed that Drew is in the AC duct. Why wasn’t this caught? No one can be on the roof and see someone pacing inside the building!!!
I enjoyed the progression of the mystery, even though it wasn’t much from book 1. I enjoyed the back and forth aggression between Drew and Logan. The romance was tepid but good. I honestly think I could have read the last two chapters and epilogue and still known what was dragged out in the other 27 chapters. In conclusion, this was mostly a miss for me. I hope book three has a good endin
Loved the first book, this second one, wow… Full of suspense, a definite page turner & the ending…. Never expected it, especially a dang cliffhanger. Need the last book like now, lol.
I love this series, and this story did a great job in taking the mystery a little further, answering some questions and asking others. One of the reasons I enjoy series is the opportunity to catch up with characters from previous books and see them from a different perspective. I thought this story did a great job with that, especially as Drew has the huge history with both Sawyer and Josh.
This author is great at capturing the feel of a small town, with its gossip and everyone knowing everyone else. I loved the extended family feel too, although members of this particular family don’t always get along because of events in their past. I loved how all the grandmothers in town leave Logan casseroles and try to set him up with relatives.
I thought the author captured Drew’s grief and his trying to come to terms with his brother’s death very well. The title of book 1 What Lies Beneath bleeds into this story too with how he hides his emotions beneath his attitude and the wall he’s put up between himself and others.
I loved the progression of Drew and Logan’s relationship. I could feel the need from both men, yet also their hesitancy in acting on it, and Sawyer’s answer to that. Perfect. Both Drew and Logan are complex, layered characters, and I loved them together.
The action scenes are exciting, with a couple of twists I half expected yet didn’t. I thought the story was a well told gripping murder mystery as well as an exploration of a relationship between two damaged people. This town has so many secrets, and I’m already hanging out for book 3, and reading Josh’s story.
More please.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Bok two in the Lancaster Falls trilogy. I would say you really SHOULD read book one, What Lies Beneath, before this one. There is a underlaying story line that runs through all three and you need the information that comes out in that book.
Drew returns home when his brother’s remains are discovered. Logan is a cop in town, and the pair butt heads. But deeper than the need to know what happened to his brother, Drew finds he needs Logan at his side. Both men have their secrets, though. As the town reveals its darker side, Drew and Logan have to decide whether the other is worth the heartache.
So, book 2 and Lancaster Falls is giving up its secrets. Darker, deadly and so much MORE than book one, I LOVED this!
Drew ran, after Casey disappeared and did not return. He said some things, his mum said some things and they fell out, and Drew ran away to the army. Now, with Casey’s body being found, Drew returns to face not only his own demons, but Casey’s too. Logan is a distraction, one he will willing use to attempt to shut out his problems.
Logan will, in turn, use Drew but to a lesser extent. Their first coming together is angry, its a battle, and its glazed over in a way that I really and honestly LOVED! I mean, the whole scene is a couple of pages, but it packs a powerful punch. It sets the way for these two, in a way I really enjoyed watching develop, and in a way I really didn’t quite see coming.
Something set me off about certain people, and turns out, I was right, but now I’m left with some questions about how things will become clear as to what happened, not only to Casey, but the others.
Again, nothing is laid out for you, and I find myself putting bits together all wrong and now, I want book three! I NEED book three and I have to wait til June. I need to know what happened to everyone, and what that epilogue means, cos let me tell ya, I have no freaking clue how this will play out and I bloody LOVE that I don’t!
5 more amazing stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
LOVED this, even better than the first I think. I was feeling a bit smug about half way through thinking that I knew what was going on, oh how little did I really know. You’re going to want to carve out some time for this to be read in one sitting, trust me. I need book 3 STAT!!
Let me start by saying this about this book…OMG!
So onto my review. I will readily admit that I knew this would be a great story. Characters, the set up and the clues.
The main characters of Logan and Drew at first seemed like they would not be workable. Both military minded men , both with a set goal and head space.
Soon we get a glimpse of humor and attraction.
Separate , they are very determined to solve the mystery. Together, add to that they balance each other out and make a great team .
Romantically? I’ll not spoil it. Suffice it to say, I was rooting these boys on all the way.
It was lovely to see characters from the first book, as it should be.
I will also admit I figured a few things out early on. A revelation both shocked me , yet didn’t. The ending I DID NOT see that coming at all. It also gave me another thought which I will keep to myself for now.
Did I enjoy this story? You betcha!
Will I recommend it? Darn right!
Will I give anymore away? Nahhhh…
I will say though I hope the next one is out soon. I REALLY need to see if my other predictions are right.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.
5/5 pans of lasagna.
I would rate this 4 stars.
This is the second book in a trilogy that shares a story arc, thus should be read in order. As such, it’s difficult to review without spoilers. The first book builds a relationship between Chris, a famous horror writer, and a local police Captain, Sawyer. They start to share their lives together whilst navigating strange graffiti, a domestic violence case, and the gruesome discovery of several human remains. Sawyer’s best friend Drew comes back to town after his missing brother Casey is identified as one of the bodies. But ten years in the military has changed him; Drew is no longer that teenaged boy that left. Rumor blamed Drew for Casey’s disappearance, but frankly, everyone’s a suspect, except Drew. Logan, a cop introduced in the first book as ex-military, has made Lancaster Falls his home after he was discharged from the Army. This story focuses on his part in working on the strange graffiti, Casey’s last days before his disappearance, and trying to help a veteran with PTSD, Adam Gray. As a landowner near where the bodies were found, and related by marriage to one of the two dynastic families in town, Adam is one part of this small town puzzle.
Being inside Drew’s and Logan’s POV makes this book completely different in tone to the first book. Drew, tortured by whatifs and PTSD, is determined to find out what happened to Casey. As he goes around town asking questions, he’s like a kid hitting a bee hive with his stick, stirring up trouble to see what pops out. Logan is a more steady presence; as the outsider who moved there, he is unburdened with a lifetime of memories of the deceased. As Drew starts to pull him off balance, all Logan’s cases start to dovetail together. Drew is at turns seductive and bratty, vulnerable and angry, which creates a sort of enemies to lovers vibe. The attraction between them didn’t seem as natural at the beginning, but that may be because Drew is desperately grabbing at anything to hold back grief and memories. He’s confused about his past, future, and present all at the same time…which is why I think their romance is less stable than I would like.
The pacing also feels like marching relentlessly towards a conclusion. At the end of this you will know who, but not all the whos, and why, but not all the whys. I don’t know why I did this to myself because I hate cliffhangers. The first book was excellent, but it focused more on character development and the romance; this book, I think the romance suffered a little as the actual case was ratcheted up to the forefront. Of the three best friends, Sawyer and Drew have been paired off leaving Josh for book three. So far, I feel like I know some of the secondary characters better than Josh. The FBI will come to investigate the remains found in book one, so expect new characters for book three, although the reader should know all the essential players on the board at this point. While some of the resolution for this relied on someone cracking under pressure, there has been plenty of foreshadowing for where this is going to go, so I have very high hopes for the next book.
You will not be able to put this one down!! Drew has come home from overseas when the body of his missing brother Casey have been located and Drew has to choose to work with the cops or work alone to get answers. Following the mayhem surrounding Drew, Logan attempts to put him on lock down. But when the hot cop feels more than he should for the grieving brother will this help or hinder the investigation? Will the answers everyone is looking for finally be answered. I could not put this book down once I started. The twists and turns left me on the edge of my seat and the emotion and sparks were a great addition.
Just like the previous book in this series, Without a Trace kept me on my toes from beginning to the end. It caused an incredible feeling in my chest, a mix of excitement and frustration, because the more I felt like I was getting closer to the truth, something happened to completely change the cards on the table. One question answered only led to many others to be asked, and it was awesome. And, of course, the way Drew and Logan were together was a huge part of the thrill.
I’m so happy we’re so much nearer to digging up all the secrets Lancaster Falls is keeping. One more book and maybe so many consciences and souls can finally find peace. And I can get me some real answers, lol. Can’t wait.
O. M. G. This trilogy is so addictive, the ongoing story arc is a murder in a mystery wrapped up in small town corruption. That last paragraph though, made me suck in my breath!
The cast grows as the suspense deepens and I just love it. Drew and Logan keep this episode moving along and despite the awful reason for Drew’s return there are some fun moments and some smexy moments. Reconnections and laying old resentments to rest. It’s full on and it’s far from over. Can’t wait for book 3.
Fantastic story; I’m ready for the next one!
When I reviewed What Lies Beneath, book one in this series, I said I thought it was one of RJ’s best books and now book two is right up there competing to at least tie with book one. Unlike most of RJ’s other series, this one must be read in order. The romance for each couple featured in the books has an HFN (happy for now) but the overall suspense/mystery arc won’t be completed until book three.
The blurb for the book describes in detail what the story is about so take a look at it. Know that Without a Trace does contain spoilers for book one. So, if you haven’t read What Lies Beneath yet you might want to stop reading this review.
In book one we learned that a young man, named Casey, who vanished from town several years ago, was in fact dead. This was a really bad blow for his mother who still held out hope that he had just left town because of a disagreement. Without a Trace has Casey’s brother, Drew, returning to Lancaster Falls after learning that Casey’s remains have been identified.
Drew has so many questions about what happened to Casey and he isn’t happy about how long the investigation is taking. He clashes with local law enforcement, with Logan in particular, and generally makes a nuisance of himself around town. While both physically and mentally sparring with Logan, Drew also feels the pull of attraction – something he hasn’t felt in a long while.
It’s really hard for me to put into words how great this book is without giving away spoilers. There were a lot of clues dropped about some things but how it all played out was a real shocker, at least it was to me. While I had guessed at someone’s involvement, I didn’t see the twist coming.
Drew and Logan definitely get their HFN but there was more of a cliffhanger feel to this one than there was for What Lies Beneath. I’m so glad that RJ doesn’t plan to make us wait a lot longer for the final story. All That Remains should be coming out in June 2020.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.