Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Heartbreak Bay by Rachel Caine Series: Stillhouse Lake #5
Published by Thomas & Mercer on March 9, 2021
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
They’re hunting a killer so silent, so invisible, that his unspeakable crimes are the only proof he exists.
A car submerged in a remote pond. The bodies of two girls strapped into their seats. The mystery of their mother, vanished without a trace, leads Gwen Proctor and Kezia Claremont into dangerous territory.
On the surface, Gwen’s life is good—two children approaching adulthood, a committed partner, and a harrowing past dead and gone. But that past is attracting the attention of someone invisible…and unstoppable. Trouble’s just beginning. So is the body count in this backwoods Tennessee town.
As threats mount and Gwen’s hunted by an enemy who pulls all the strings, Kezia has her back. But working to solve these vicious and unreasonable crimes will expose them both to a killer they can’t for the life of them see coming.
I struggled to get myself to read Heartbreak Bay, only difficult, because I know it is the last in this Stillhouse Lake series. But it is also the last book from an author I have loved, in every genre she has written. The only series I haven’t read of her work is the Weather Warden series which is one of her earlier series.
Gwen, Sam and the kids are living in Knoxville and they are happy. Of course, one of the group who thinks Gwen was guilty starts coming after them with smart and scary precision attacks, and some sloppy ones. There’s also a suspicious death of twin baby girls back near Stillhouse Lake which Kezia vows to find their mother and/or their killer.
Gwen helps Kezia with research and discovers the mother has multiple other identities and other probable crimes. Their investigations are a wild and scary ride. The dead bodies pile up quickly. I don’t want to share more details which might spoil something. But always Gwen and Kez are there for each other, and Gwen and her family are strong and love each other.
I love this series, and this fitting end which gives us a thrilling and layered tale with serial killers. Gwen shows intelligence, bravery and fortitude while suffering the worst fears and events. Heartbreak Bay is terrifying, fast-paced, and inspiring. Throughout, Gwen chooses kindness and love with strength and compassion.
About Rachel Caine
Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.
After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.
She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, lived in Fort Worth, Texas. She passed away November 1, 2020 from cancer.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Spring
I was lucky enough to win the first four books in this series in a giveaway, right before she passed. So bittersweet, a lot of people are going to miss her?
They are great books, as well as her other series. You should try them. Did you read Ink & Bone in her Great Library series?
Yes, I skimmed your review since I listen to this series. I know it will be hard as I will miss this series and Caine’s writing. I am going through her backlist which helps.
It’s SO hard. I noticed you were reading Weather Wardens and I hope to read that in awhile. I am just overwhelmingly sad. I was following her on Twitter and she was such a bright light. She was so brave and kind, even at the end. And of course, I love her writing.
I read a couple in this series, but never got around to finishing. I will have to do that someday. I was a fan of her Morganville Vamps series. I was so sad to hear she passed away. Wonderful review, Anne!
Thank you Rachel! I really enjoyed this series. I hope you get to read more at some point.