The Sheriff Bet Rivers series is one I had been wanting to read. I was delighted to have this opportunity.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
All We Buried by Elena Taylor Series: Sheriff Bet Rvers #1
Published by Crooked Lane Books on April 7, 2020
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 301
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Sheriff Elizabeth “Bet” Rivers has always had one repeat a shadowy figure throwing a suspicious object into her hometown lake in Collier, Washington. For the longest time, she chalked it up to an overactive imagination as a kid. Then the report arrives. In the woods of the Cascade mountain range, right in her jurisdiction, a body floats to the surface of Lake Collier. When the body is extricated and revealed, no one can identify Jane Doe. But someone must know the woman, so why aren't they coming forward?
Bet has been sitting as the interim sheriff of this tiny town in the ill-fitting shoes of her late father and predecessor. With the nightmare on her heels, Bet decided to build a life for herself in Los Angeles, but now it’s time to confront the tragic history of Collier. The more she learns, the more Bet realizes she doesn't know the townspeople of Collier as well as she thought, and nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover.
Elizabeth Rivers grew up in the small town of Collier, Washington. Her father and his father were the sheriff here. She left home to study law enforcement and work in Los Angeles. She came home when her father became ill and then interim sheriff when he died. Now she is in sort of a limbo deciding whether to stay here or go back to LA.
Then the dead body is found which starts her investigation with roots in the past. She has a nightmare which seems related. Her first love is back in town. There’s also the mysterious Rob Collier who also came to town when the dead woman was found. It is not just Bet’s past but also that of Rob’s family when they ran the mine which had an avalanche shutting down the mine and killing nearly all the miners years ago, which weave together an interesting history.
I loved the police procedural parts which Bet and her very small team handled well. Her deputy was kind of annoying as he was not quite experienced enough to become sheriff yet was planning to run against Bet. Alma the ancient secretary was a hoot and knows the community well having worked for 3 sheriffs over several decades. Bet has her father’s dog, Schweitz, who has adapted well to her. Everything was well done and seemed realistic enough.
On the personal side, Bet was adjusting to people she has known most of her life but hasn’t spent any time with in the last decade. She’s trying to decide if she wants to remain sheriff here, certainly the town needs her. I didn’t like her sort of implied love triangle. She didn’t date anyone or actually have any relationship. The focus was mostly on the police investigation and had little of her personal feelings, or relationships. All We Buried is a solid start to the series, introducing the place and characters.
Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Cold, Cold World by Elena Taylor Series: Sheriff Bet Rivers #2
Published by Severn House on August 6, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 252
Format: eARC
Source: Publicity team
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Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Apple
The world felt pure. Nature made the location pristine again, hiding the scene from prying eyes. As if no one had died there at all.
In the months since Bet Rivers solved her first murder investigation and secured the sheriff's seat in Collier, she's remained determined to keep her town safe. With a massive snowstorm looming, it's more important than ever that she stays vigilant.
When Bet gets a call that a family of tourists has stumbled across a teen injured in a snowmobile accident on a mountain ridge, she braves the storm to investigate. However, once she arrives at the scene of the accident it's clear to Bet that the teen is not injured; he's dead. And has been for some time . . .
I really enjoyed A Cold, Cold World and both books kept me very engaged. There was less of Schweitz, sadly, because riding around on a snowmobile wasn’t his thing. Bet is dealing with a major storm. There are break-ins, and people who are missing. In addition, she needs to check on people who may be caught without power or proper supplies, especially the elderly. With only one deputy, whose wife is due to give birth shortly, they are stretched thin.
Then a death is reported. She knows right away it is suspicious. But then she can’t find the boy’s father or sister. The brother she did find at home isn’t telling her the whole truth. Bet works long hours on all these fronts. Rob is out of town.
The case is complex but Bet figures things out pretty well. That doesn’t mean it is easy to find the culprits or gather the evidence she needs. Just as her one deputy becomes a father, she does get a break and finds a new deputy. He’s fresh out of the military and worked in military police. He starts and is in overtime hours almost immediately as they are in a manhunt for the killer.
The pace was fast and it was exciting. Again there was the good relationships with co-workers and the community, but no page time on her personal life. Bet was elected sheriff and started dating Rob between the books. I look forward to more Bet Rivers stories. I always want more K-9 participation but I’d also like a bit of personal growth and balance as well.
Giveaway:
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About Elena Taylor
Elena Taylor spent several years working in theater as a playwright, director, designer, and educator before turning her storytelling skills to fiction. Her first series, the Eddie Shoes Mysteries, written under the name Elena Hartwell, introduced a quirky mother/daughter crime fighting duo.
With the Bet Rivers Mysteries, Elena returns to her dramatic roots and brings readers much more serious and atmospheric novels. The series introduces Collier, Washington, with its dark and mysterious lake, tough-as-nails residents, and newly appointed sheriff with her sidekick Schweitzer, an Anatolian Shepherd.
Elena is also a senior editor with Allegory Editing, a developmental editing house, where she works one-on-one with writers to shape and polish manuscripts, short stories, and plays. If you’d like to work with Elena, visit www.allegoryediting.com.
Her favorite place to be is at Paradise, the property she and her hubby own south of Spokane, Washington. They live with their horses, dogs, and cats. Elena holds a B.A. from the University of San Diego, a M.Ed. from the University of Washington, Tacoma, and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.
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:
- 25-COYER
I love the sound of this series, thanks for putting it on my radar. Hopefully Schweitz will make another appearance soon.😁
IKR? Schweitz should always have an active role in every story.
This series sounds great! Thanks for featuring and the giveaway, Anne💜
I really enjoyed these a lot. They are also on Hoopla in both formats.
I haven’t heard of this series but it looks like one I’d really enjoy. I’m glad to see that overall you enjoyed them both.
Great reviews! I’ll have to look for the first book.
I did really enjoy these. I felt the stories more realistic than some I read and I read a LOT of this genre.
Thanks so much for the reviews! I am so glad you enjoyed both books!
They were great! I had no trouble reading them; it was my pleasure.
Thank you for your wonderful reviews. I’m working on book 3 right now, and I think you’ll like who is showing up on the pages 🙂
Elena
Thank you! I really enjoyed these so much. And I love everything Schwietz so I’m hoping he will show up some.
Sounds like a good new series for you. Thanks for sharing!
yes I liked it very much
Oooooooooo I am curious now.
I liked this one quite a lot. I think the characters could use a bit more developing and I always want more dog time.