Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Echo by Tracy Clark Narrator: Chante McCormick
Series: Detective Harriet Foster #3
Published by Brilliance Audio on December 3, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 11 hours, 13 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
Hardwicke House, home to Belverton College’s exclusive Minotaur Society, is no stranger to tragedy. And when a body turns up in the field next to the mansion, the scene looks chillingly familiar.
Chicago PD sends hard-nosed Detective Harriet “Harri” Foster to investigate. The victim is Brice Collier, a wealthy Belverton student, whose billionaire father, Sebastian, owns Hardwicke and ranks as a major school benefactor. Sebastian also has ties to the mansion’s notorious past, when thirty years ago, hazing led to a student’s death in the very same field.
Could the deaths be connected? With no suspects or leads, Harri and her partner, Detective Vera Li, will have to dig deep to find answers. No charges were ever filed in the first case, and this time, Harri’s determined the killer must pay. But still grieving her former partner’s death, Harri must also contend with a shadowy figure called the voice—and their dangerous game of cat and mouse could threaten everything.
The Detective Harriet Foster series is set in Chicago. Harri who has been on the force 17 years is adjusting to her new partner and team. She still struggles with the recent death of her partner, and her son five years ago. She has been getting phone calls from a man taunting her about them.
Harri and her new partner Vera Li, get a case where a billionaire donor’s son has died at a mansion near the college campus. It becomes clear the incident is similar to one 30 years ago when the billionaire himself was there at the college. Harri and her team have a difficult time interviewing witnesses or suspects as many are wealthy and do what they can to avoid them. Eventually, information is collected and evidence to help them. But more bodies pile up first.
The taunts continue and finally based on the clues in the threats, Harri has a discussion with her mother. She learns about some things in her father’s law enforcement career. The new information assists in narrowing down the suspects. Even after she is certain of the culprit, she has to follow the rules and evidence to stop him.
I found this a very satisfying conclusion to the series, although I would happily read more. It seemed very realistic that some evidence was hard to obtain or that it wasn’t enough. The team had to keep working and also protect those being threatened. It was heartwarming to see Harri moving forward with her life as these cases were solved.
Narration:
This series was my introduction to this narrator. I really enjoyed her performance and felt the distinct voices were comfortable and appropriate for the characters. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to the clip: HERE
About Tracy Clark
Tracy Clark, a native Chicagoan, is the author of the Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series, featuring ex-cop turned PI Cassandra Raines. A multi-nominated Anthony, Lefty, Edgar, Macavity, and Shamus Award finalist, Tracy is also the 2020 and 2022 winner of the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award and the 2022 Sara Paretsky Award, which honors crime writers from the Midwest. Tracy was also nominated for the 2022 Edgar for Best Short Story for “Lucky Thirteen,” which was included in the crime fiction anthology “Midnight Hour.” She is a proud member of Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and serves on the boards of Bouchercon National and the Midwest Mystery Conference.
Tracy loves old black-and-white movies, a good nap, and a really spicy ginger snap served with ice-cold milk. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing and admits to finding characters in the most unusual places.
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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:
- 23-COYER
Great review! This looks like a really strong series and I’m glad it’s ended so satisfactorily, Anne.
I really enjoyed this series. Echo showed the difficulties of following the law when the criminals don’t.
Chicago is such a great setting for this type of story. So glad the series worked so well for you.
Thank you Tammy. I did like the cases in each book and the overall series arc.
You have me intrigued! Great review, Anne. I’m always looking for a new mystery series to dig into. Adding this to my list!
I really enjoy mysteries. This series is a trilogy so it’s not too long either.
Glad the series wrapped up well. I am sure I would enjoy this series.
I think you would enjoy it also.
Those phone calls are creepy, but would really up the suspense along with the current case. Glad the series finished strong for you.
Thanks Sophia. It was a good series in a setting I enjoyed.
Oh that sounds good, I do like this type of story at times.
Thanks Mary. I like a police procedural even when there is corruption in the government and law enforcement.
Yea, I’m glad you liked how the series ended. I really love the cover.
Thank you. It was satisfying.
Happy to hear this was a satisfying conclusion to a good series!
Thanks Rachel. I liked it and a trilogy is a good length for development of characters and a longer story arc.
I’m glad you enjoyed this series, it sounds good and I like the Chicago setting for it.
Thanks Naida. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Chicago so that was interesting for me too.
Maybe you’ll get more! Maybe a spin-off??
No idea but I’d read more.
I’m glad to hear this one ended on a satisfying note for you!
Thank you. It’s nice to have the story arcs followed through that go across more than one book.