From New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd comes an all-new thriller featuring a bold and brash female protagonist, a brutal and twisty murder that will have readers turning the pages and a villain that will have them keeping the lights on at night. WRONG ALIBI is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Karin Slaughter, and Sandra Brown.WRONG JOBEighteen-year-old Evelyn Jones lands a job in … JOB
Eighteen-year-old Evelyn Jones lands a job in small-town Alaska, working for a man in his isolated mountain home. But her bright hopes for the future are shattered when Donald White disappears, leaving her to face charges of theft, embezzlement—and a brutal double murder. Her protestations of innocence count for nothing. Convicted, she faces life in prison…until fate sends her on the run.
WRONG NAME
Evie’s escape leaves her scarred and in hiding, isolated from her family, working under an alias at a wilderness camp. Bent on justice, intent on recovering her life, she searches for the killer who slaughters without remorse.
WRONG ALIBI
At last, the day comes. Donald White has returned. Evie emerges from hiding; the fugitive becomes the hunter. But in her mind, she hears the whisper of other forces at work. Now Evelyn must untangle the threads of evidence before she’s once again found with blood on her hands: the blood of her own family…
“This is Dodd at her brilliant best.”
—Booklist (starred review) on Strangers She Knows
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Wow, what a ride! I have not read this author before, but I’ve been in the mood for suspense lately and this one did a great job of filling that need.
Evie Jones has lots of bad luck. When she’s framed for a crime she did not commit, she somehow finds it in her to battle back to a place where she could look for the man who set her up. Living a new life in the Alaskan wilderness, Petie lives her life quietly but purposefully.
When the man who set her up ten years ago shows up, she’s pushed into action. With the help of a friend, she’s back in town and ready to face the true murderer, but all is not quite what it seems.
Turns out that Petie/ Evie has someone coming after her.
I did like the twists and turns in this one and thought there was a nice level of suspense throughout. There are many little details to get through, and sometimes that slowed the story a bit for me, but in the end I really enjoyed this story and was surprised in all the right places.
There’s even a touch of relationship at the end that made me smile. I hesitate to say romance, because it really isn’t that in a traditional sense..
I’m intrigued now and want more stories set in this world. Good suspense and tension, some implausible circumstances that could have ruined it but didn’t and a touch of hope for the future with the possibility of love at the end have me rating this 5 stars.
This is one of those books that needs to have all your concentration or you’ll miss an important detail! The twists and turns in every story by this author keeps a reader on their toes. When you think you know what is going to happen, rest assured it won’t!
The story is about Evie but the person who intrigues me the most is Jeen Lee. Not going to give it away but I’ll bet she has a part in the next story. The small town atmosphere is relevant and true which adds to the inability of anyone to keep a secret and assures that most know what is going on in people’s lives.
I have loved this author for years and am honored to have received an ARC from her to read and review the story.
Excellent read but everything I’ve ever read by Dodd is excellent. Loved these characters and the plot. I don’t do a synopsis but will tell you if you like suspense with a twist, this is your book. I never suspected the twist!! Can’t wait to read the next book by Dodd and it can’t come to soon.
Dodd does it again. This will be a fun series.
This is the beginning of I hope a fantastic series. I love the descriptions of this small town in Alaska. I love how Evie finally is able to reveal her true self. There are so many twists and turns. I love Evie and I learned to really like Zone. I love how the old and new sheriff are used in this story. If you like suspense you will not be dissatisfied with this story. I received a copy of this book from the author and through Harlequin for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Wrong Alibi by Christina Dodd
Murder in Alaska #1
Evie had a rough time as a child, made a bad decision, ended up in juvie, and was left to struggle on her own by her mother. When her four years in JD were up, she found a great sounding job in Alaska near where her mother had moved with Evie’s sister. All was going well, she thought, till it wasn’t, and she found herself in chains on her way to jail for life. What happened in her life for those ten years was alluded to but not detailed. Her life story was intense, disturbing, and filled with trouble but she did make the most of it. There was a lot going on in this story and as I just found out this is a series in the making I wonder if Evie will show up in future books or if it will be someone else that anchors the series.
What I liked:
* Evie/Petie: Strong, resilient, smart, and capable – I liked her and was rooting for her hoping it would all come out right in the end.
* Marya: Evie’s sister was there for her when she could be. I would like to know more about her.
* Zone Jameson: Strong, a fighter, seeks justice, disturbed, lost much – glad it seems to have come right for him.
* Tuddy: An intelligent teddy bear with a voice – wonder what else it has to offer and if it will show up in book 2 of the series.
* Hawley Foggo: big, smart, bluff but not buff, wealthy, willing to give down and outers a chance – wonder what will happen to him and if he will show up later.
* The way Evie grew as a person
* Some of the supporting characters
* That the baddies were dealt with
What I didn’t like:
* The innocents that lost their lives
* The treatment of Zone in captivity
* Iona: Evie’s mother was not there for Evie and though I found out why…still did not condone her behavior
* Wretchen Gretchen
* That it seemed more fantasy than reality…I had trouble believing that this story could have happened as it was written.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes, I think so
Would I read more in this series? I might, depending on what the book description says
Thank you to NetGalley and HQN for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Favorite Quotes:
There was another, shorter line, a lot shorter than this one, and Petie couldn’t figure out why, so she watched. Behind the glass stood a middle-aged female officer, short, skinny, tanned, wrinkled, smoking a cigarette. She didn’t speak, she blared. “Back again, are you? What’s it been, what? Two months since you beat your wife? Or two months since she turned you in? I suppose she’s coming to pick you up. A weak woman and a guy with heavy fists. You’re made for each other. Pay the fine at that window.” … “That’s Chief of Police Gretchen George. Wretchen Gretchen we call her.”
No sane cop would come out in this weather, not even to capture a convicted and escaped murderer. She grinned. That was the real definition of cold comfort.
He’s charming. He’s mesmerizing. That voice would lull a baby to sleep… right before he smothered it with its own pillow.
He knew he’d been a jerk. Signa stared at him like a Valkyrie about to smite a mortal.
My Review:
I greatly enjoyed this unpredictable and quirky tale; it was highly eventful with several conundrums to solve and multiple storylines that blended the genres of family drama, thriller, and women’s fiction. My curiosity was alert and on-point throughout perusal. The active storylines and engaging and smooth writing style were entertaining, well-paced, and easy to follow with shrewdly placed hits of humor and oddly intriguingly and peculiar characters. I began to eagerly look forward to each new player as their introductions and descriptions were lively and fun. This was my first time reading this prolific scribbler with Goodreads reporting ninety-four listings and multiple genres. How have I not noticed her agile word skills and deft pen before? I have rectified this grievous error by adding her to my list of favorites.
This is the first book in the Alaskan Mystery series. Wow! I started reading it and hated to put it down to go to work. This was so good. It involves a young girl who is falsely accused of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Then things just go haywire from that point. You will be surprised at everything that happens from that moment in time. She goes on to prove herself to be a very strong character throughout the many plot twists in the book. I have come to enjoy the author’s writing in her thriller series. She just keeps getting better with them.
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, suspenseful thriller. It has interesting, likable characters, murder, mystery, intrigue, a touch of romance, and twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. It is an excellent addition to Ms. Dodd’s outstanding Murder in Alaska series, and can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. Ms. Dodd never disappoints her readers! I am looking forward to reading the next entry in this series with great anticipation.
Eighteen year old Evie Jones is looking forward to a new life and to getting close again to her family when she takes a bookkeeping job in Rockin, Alaska. However, her employer is an unusual man who lives in an isolated house and keeps unusual work habits and Evie’s plans shatter when Donald White disappears without a trace, leaving her to face murder charges.
Evie manages to escape prison but she spends the next ten years hiding out at a wilderness camp and searching for the man responsible for this life. She has a new appearance, new name, and new friends and the time has finally arrived for justice. No one is quite who they appear to be and Evie (Petie) must always stay aware of her surroundings.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
Wrong Alibi is a romantic mystery suspense that would keep you guessing what really is going on. The nonlinear approach to the story would have the reader jump from the past to the present, from one character to the next. It keeps the suspense on high and also helps keep the readers attention on what the story is all about. Its moderately paced, excellent characters and world building.
Loved this heart racing, action packed, intriguing and emotional journey filled with exciting charters, unexpected twists and thrilling turns. This is a highly entertaining and emotionally exciting edge of your seat not sure what will happen next and loving every heart jumping moment kinda read. Looking forward to what happens next.
Read it in one sitting. I really liked this one. Wonderful read.
This is a wild and crazy ride! The story reminds me of the old movie title, I Led Three Lives. Evie has her pre-Rockin, Alaska life, her Rockin time, and her fishing camp life, with traumatic events sandwiched between. She evolves from angry girl to naive girl to strong woman. And what an evolution it is! Aided, abetted, or threatened by a cast of some of the most interesting characters you are going to run across in our 49th state. I loved this story!
Petie had no luck.
She was put in a juvenile detention center for something she didn’t do because she had been part of a group that was arrested.
We meet her as the story goes from present day back to her release from the detention center and to a new, promising job in Alaska. She goes from sunny California to frigid Alaska for a job that sounded perfect.
But…is her job with Donald White really the perfect job?
I didn’t trust Donald. He has a house and a car in someone else’s name and oodles of money, antiques, and investments.
Donald was a problem Petie didn’t need.
The writing style in WRONG ALIBI pulled me in, and the storyline was excellent and different.
This book is truly one you don’t want to miss because it touched so many emotions and will have you wondering how you would handle the situations Petie had to endure.
It will also have you asking yourself if you really can trust the people in your life no matter who they are.
I would call it a thriller with some tense moments that had me on edge, but I would also call it a thoughtful read. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a grip this one will get on you once you start turning the pages. Evelyn had you right along with her from the time she is wronged. She thinks running a solution but it is something that gives us a ride by her side. As this one grows we are given how she builds on something else until paths have her cross the one once again on whom it hinged on. This author knows how to capture us and wrap us in her intrigue. We are twisted as it goes then unraveled then twisted again. This is for the ones who love a good thriller and can not put them down.
I was totally pulled in by this story! I don’t know, it just had such a good flow to it, that I wanted to keep going. I definitely stayed up too late reading this. There was a fair amount of action and suspense, along with mystery. And the main character, Petie (a girl, that confused me for a second at first) was well developed and interesting. At one point the book does go in a romantic direction that surprised me, but it really wasn’t the main focus on anything.
This is the second book I’ve read by Christina Dodd and I’ll look for more of her works in the future. I loved this until the very last page.
Evelyn just got released from juvenile detention. She has a job in a small town in Alaska. She is so excited about this new start. She will be close to her mom and her sister. But, the job does not turn out the way she expects and she ends up accused of murder. Through a harrowing accident she escapes and becomes someone new in the wilds of Alaska. However, Evelyn must return after several years as a fugitive because she must save her mom from an old threat!
When this book began and the setting was Alaska…I was so excited. I love reading about Alaska. Little did I know this book would take me on a wild ride! Talk about wicked! This book is wickedly good! I was actually gasping for air at the end…well several times through this book but especially the end. This book NEVER STOPS! I loved everything about it. The setting, the intensity, the characters and the story itself is over the top!
I know this author has been on the scene for quite a while. Believe it or not…I have never read her books…I MUST remedy that soon.
Grab your copy today! You will not be sorry!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
The first book in a new series, that opens in winter time in Alaska, where Petie has been working for the past eight years. Nothing grabs your attention more than a lone 20 year-old female staying in a fishing lodge and the power goes out. In darkness, memories surface.
We learn that Petie, who at eighteen, was caught up in some bad luck, and turning over a new leaf finds the perfect job. Petie is also seeking to make things right with her family and this job will help her do so. She gets to drive a beautiful car, and stay in a beautiful home, and her boss, Donald White, is the most generous man. One morning, her boss has disappeared and Petie is overcome with a terrible revelation that leaves her in the hot seat for several things, including the murder of a mother and son.
There’s a couple of twisted wild cards where out of something bad, comes good. While working at the fishing lodge, Petie, meets a formidable woman, Jeen Lee, who everyone stays clear of, and being gutsy proves to be a good choice for Petie. Little does Petie realize that she’s made a few new enemies, and now Donald White, who left her to take the fall, is in her sights and too close to her family. It’s time for Petie to come out of hiding.
I was questioning Petie’s mother’s actions; as well as, her boss, Hawley Foggo, from the fishing lodge, where one minute they’d act one way and another do or say something unexpected. It kept me wondering where they stood where Petie was concerned, which only added to the intrigue of the story. Jeen Lee is a very interesting puzzle, she wields power that seeps of danger, and made me glad she was on friendly terms with Petie. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out how it would end. This was a fantastic fast-paced, thriller, to which I’m looking forward to the next one!
I received a complimentary copy and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
I thought that this was a really good book. The author crafts a compelling and engaging storyline that had me pushing past my bedtime in search of more answers. Suspenseful enough to keep you dancing on the edge and cerebral enough to give you moments to pause and ponder, this thriller just doesn’t disappoint and will leave you eager to read book two in this new series. This is my volitional, frank review.