Where the Blame Lies

I’ve had this book in my kindle to be read for quite a while now and I can’t believe I waited so long to read it. I devoured this unbelievably captivating tale of unthinkable acts and ultimate resilience of a character, Josie, that deserved so much better than what life handed her. My heart broke for her and her ultimate sacrifice fueled by an intense love for her son. I was so happy that she had Cope’s unconditional love.

What do you do when one of you favorite authors drops a book? You one-click, of course. I may be the odd one out, but I tend to not even read the synopsis of my favorite authors because I want to be surprised. And boy was I surprised with this one! Where the Blame Lies was not Mia Sheridan's normal contemporary romance. There was a tad bit of romance, but that was not at the forefront. This was more in the psychological thriller genre and she DID NOT disappoint. I was pulled in from the beginning to end and can't believe this type of book was swimming around in Ms Sheridan's head.My first clue that this book was going to be different should have been obvious. I follow some social media accounts and Mia had said she was writing this book with a rain sound effect on. I can't think of a better way to get in the mind frame of the story than this. I actually read this book while it was raining in the PNW. Dark and dreary and sad. It really set the tone. This was a book about pain and suffering but also survival and the beauty in human strength.This book is not an easy one to read. We live in the past and present of the main character, Josie. A woman that experienced one of the worst things anyone can experience. But she is/was a survivor and endured being captured by someone with an evil that lived within them. Living through those moments was so real. Mia Sheridan captured the character's feelings and the scenes so vividly (or should I say darkly). The plot moves back and forth between the time periods in a very fluid manner. The past showed what she had to endure and what got her there. It was ugly and hard to bear witness to such evil. Who could do that?Flash forward to the present and crimes are being committed that are mirroring Josie's own. A copy cat. How could this be happening when her case was all but "solved and handled"? Enter Zach, a detective on these new cases and one that happened to be around when Josie survived her own tragedies. He is getting too close to the victim while investigating the new crimes. He must keep her safe by any means necessary. How close will they become and how far will he go to protect her?This story is unlike any other Mia Sheridan book I've read and it worked. It flows from beginning to end seamlessly and we get a feel of who Josie was before and after. I enjoyed seeing Zach come in with his mission to protect and serve. The twist blew my mind but was believable. I thought one thing toward the beginning but was pretty much derailed right from the get go. I was kept on my toes all throughout and worried about Josie's safety and about the abilities of the local police force. When your heart is pounding for fictional characters, you know the author did their job. And when they drop the bomb and then not "tie it all in a pretty bow"? You scream hallelujah! Genius and masterful!I applaud Mia Sheridan for taking on a different genre and doing it so well. A true artist that excels at her craft. She constantly captures her characters in such a way that makes them unique yet believable in any sort of scenario. Even though this wasn't her normal genre, she clearly can write it and I can't wait to read more like it from her.

I loved every minute of this book. Brilliantly written and begs you to keep reading. I can’t wait to read the next one.

This is the best I’ve read in a while. Suspenseful on the edge gripping and nail biting. I couldn’t get enough, now I’m not sure what to read next after reading this great read. I’d love another good read like this but not sure where to look.For this I just kinda stumbled upon it. I love stories like this but never seem to find really good ones like it or know where to look.<b>Abducted.Terrorized.Imprisoned.</b>At 19 Josie Stratton, is kidnapped by a madman and held shackled for ten months in an abandoned warehouse before she finally escaped her hellish prison.Eight years later, when the body of a young woman is found chained in the basement of a vacant house, Cincinnati Police Detective Zach Copeland is instantly reminded of the crime committed against Josie Stratton. Zach was just a rookie on the perimeter of that case, but he's never forgotten the traumatized look and haunted eyes of Josie’s.As more information emerges, the crimes take on an even more sinister similarity. But how can that be Josie’s attacker died by suicide. So does this mean there’s a copycat on the loose or something worse? Soon Josie, learns a shocking truth that not only threatens her life but also threatens everything she’s fought for.<b><I> That life was unpredictable, that her safety was always at risk. That’s what a violent crime did to a person, Josie mused. It altered their entire world view. People always said things like, “Everything will work out,” or, “That won’t happen.” But what about when things didn’t work out? Or when the unthinkable did happen? You had to walk around with the knowledge that life could sweep the rug out from under you at any moment. It could, because it had.</I></b>Josie has spent the last eight years attempting to get her life back on track, but now there's a chance she could be the next target. Zach now vows to keep her safe, since the investigation is getting even more dangerous and Josie is forced to revisit the past that she so desperately wants to forget.Going through what Josie went threw was so horrible, I don’t know how she even survived. I know for me I wouldn’t be the same ever again, that’s for sure. I was on edge for her and Zach the whole time I couldn’t get enough. I even let loose a bunch of tears at times that’s how gut wrenching it was. After reading this I give it all the stars in the world and definitely recommend Where The Blame Lies to anyone looking for a really great quality book to read.You won’t be able to put it down Josie and Zach will pull you right in from the beginning and you can’t help but love them both. You’ll be heart broken for Josie and loving the awesomeness of Zach for his great heart and promise to stop whoever is responsible.

I usually reserve 5 star ratings for books that meet two criteria: I can recommend them to almost anyone and I would consider re-reading again in the future, because the story or the writing (or both) were that good. This book can’t be recommended to everyone - be aware of the trigger warnings if that’s something you’re sensitive to, and be aware that the subject matter is dark.However, if dark subject matter is your cup of tea, and a beautifully written story of survival mixed with mystery and a dash of romance appeals, then you probably won’t regret choosing Where The Blame Lies.I’m bending my 5 star rating rules for one main reason: Josie’s journey from ordinary girl making bad life choices to victim to survivor was so well-written, I was in awe of Mia Sheridan’s talent in capturing the psychosis and writing such a beautiful character.Side note- yes, there’s a sequel, but this story has an ending, and I wouldn’t consider it a cliffhanger.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think if I was a thriller/mystery person, this would have rated higher for me. That said, I felt like the love story had something “off” about it. Kinda uncomfy. A good whoodunnit though!

Trama que nos conta um suspense em que se é difícil de acreditar, mas cujas falhas e inverossimilhanças aceitamos, em parte por causa dos personagens bem desenhados e desenvolvidos (mesmo o vilão, com todas as suas incongruências), e, também, pelo imenso talento da autora em nos envolver com as emoções, que afloram nos momentos exatos.O romance, dessa vez, se desenvolve como pano de fundo, mas, ao final da leitura, percebemos que nos deparamos com o Amor por todo o percurso.Uma história diferente das habitualmente desenvolvidas pela Mia Sheridan, mas que tem sua assinatura nítida através do desenvolvimento das personagens, das emoções intensas e do final feliz para os protagonistas.

Brilliant plot (I didn't see that coming, but it totally makes sense), beautiful writing and flawless characterizations. This is my second Mia Sheridan's book (first one being Archer's Voice), and I can't wait to devour her other ones.

After reading some books of Mia, I’ve told myself “well, there won’t be a better one than the last one”. And how wrong can someone be?Josie’s story was so deep, I don’t even know the right word to describe it. I feel like I can’t breathe, after starting the book this morning and just finishing it now, without stoping. It’s a long time I haven’t done that while reading a book. But I have to say, I was feeling so many things, feeling Josie’s every pain, every struggle, agony, deep in my bones and.. I just couldn’t let myself put it away and feel normal, feel the joy of a normal Sunday, where I was laying around at home, warm and well rested. It’s a very weird thing what I feel right now. As if Josie borrowed me her soul for the day, for me to look deep into how life can be terrifying and how amazing it is to be free. It made me think of all the people that passed by something similar to what happened in this story, and I feel so sooo sorry for every one of them. If I could, I would give those people a very tight hug right now.Josie’s strength and resilience is simply admirable. She is a very powerful heroine, with a huge heart, capable of looking back at her mistakes, of somehow forgive, to fight for herself and for her family. She is one of the most beautiful characters I’ve got the pleasure to know through books. Inspiring, loving, fragile but soo very strong.Without giving spoilers, I need to say that “Where the blame lies” is a very intense and “angsty” book. It is impossible to read it and not have your life changed in some way, to be a bit more humble or caring towards someone else’s problems, or to realize that wow, some of the shit we have to face sometimes are so stupid compared to traumas and other torment others go through their lives and how this can affect so many lives.I’m so glad and thankful for my life and the family I have. For people that are maybe not that lucky, I just want to say: Don’t give up, be strong, it won’t be always bad if you don’t let it be. There is always hope for happiness, ALWAYS.Thank you Mia, for this incredible story, I’m in love one more time with your characters! Zach also gave ME a bit of his strength throughout the reading, and it was totally welcome. I needed that too, just like Josie. I wish I could know more of their lives, their well deserved happiness, but it makes my heart peaceful to know how it ended, it made me simply content.

Mia Sheridan ist meine absolute Lieblingsautorin. Jedes Buch anders aber jedes Buch gut und einzigartig. Lesen, Lesen, Lesen! Hoffe der nächste Band ist ebenso gut.

However well and entertaining written.Thought out and penned nicely till the end.Managed to get suspense high till the end