Good day, dear readers! I just finished reading this book and could not wait to share it with you! It will publish on 15 October, 2024, and is the second installment of the Jhonni Laurent series. If you have not read the first one, Bones Under the Ice, grab it, and curl up with a great read. Then, dive into this one next week.
This was a solid 4 star read.
Information from Goodreads:
The ice is melting — but what will it reveal?
Spring has sprung, and Easter festivities are underway in Field’s Crossing, Indiana. The annual egg hunt is a huge success, thanks in no small part to Lisa DuVal, the owner of Big Al’s Diner who dyed all of the eggs. But when Sheriff Jhonni Laurent discovers Lisa’s body in her catering van later that day, the happy holiday quickly sours, and Laurent begins a murder investigation.
All are shocked at the reading of the will when it’s revealed that the diner will be inherited by Lisa’s best friend — not by her daughter, which raises Laurent’s suspicions. While working to find the killer, Laurent uncovers some unsightly secrets that Lisa’s family had been concealing. Could they be involved in something shady?
As the investigation begins to take shape, it seems that the melting ice will reveal more than the first buds of spring. And when another body is discovered, Laurent must work quickly to determine how the two crimes connect — and who could be behind it all.
My review of Cracks Beneath the Surface:
Dive into the next thrilling installment of the Jhonni Laurent series!
When a popular member of the town is murdered, Jhonni knows she is going to have her hands full. She is still dealing with the deputy that is trying to undermine her, and now, trying to determine who might have committed such a horrific crime. When the will is read, there are going to be some explosive revelations, as it now throws a handful of people into the suspect pool. But who has the best motive? The daughter and her gambling husband? A good friend who is looking for a windfall? The son who is trying to open a business elsewhere? Or is someone from the town harboring a silent grudge? As sheriff, Jhonni will work the case to completion, but dangers wait for her as well.
FANTASTIC! I could not put this book down! I am going to need quite a bit more of Sheriff Laurent and the small town she calls home. Cracks Beneath the Surface will leave you gasping at some twists, and even provide a few giggles throughout the read. Get ready for a mystery that is going to demand your time, give you a book hangover, and leave you wanting MORE! Mary Ann Miller has created a relatable character. Jhonni is not the perfect, young, bright-eyed detective. She is a middle-aged, has her own demons, real-life personality. Cracks Beneath the Surface is a book that many readers can relate to, and find refreshing.
*I received an advanced copy from Oceanview Publishers, NetGalley, and Edelweiss for my unbiased and honest review.*
