Rock Spider: Volume 2 (A New Hampshire Mystery)

The novel opens with the build up to Gertrude Inman crashing her car and ending up in the lake. This sets off a chain of events that are dark, disturbing and chilling. I don't want to give away any more of the story line than that because it's more enjoyable to read yourself how it unfolds.I thought the first of Mira Gibson's New Hampshire Mysteries (Daddy Soda) was phenomenal and this is equally as good. In general the characterisation is sharp. Gertrude, as a central character, is totally believable, and is some one that I cared about.The Author knows how to build up tension and suspense. There were times when I was so into the novel that my stomach was churning and I had to read on.This is a fast moving, edgy read and unsettling when you get full understanding of the title.I like that the mysteries are related to the setting rather than the main characters - it gives something different in the crime & mystery genre.Read it - you will be gripped from beginning to end.

This is a top-drawer psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Why then did I hold back from giving it five stars? As soon as I read the first few paragraphs of the Prologue I knew that this story was by an extremely accomplished writer. The quality of the descriptive passages throughout is streets ahead of the vast majority of books. Everything about the characters is precisely observed; their conversations gel exactly with how you would expect them to speak. This does not necessarily make it an easy read. The subject matter would contribute towards that too, of course, and that is quite dark and chilling. Somehow I didn't feel the 'warmth' that the quality of the writing should have given me. I kept wondering how the average reader would receive it. Would they accept the lack of pace that such detailed observations cause, or would they be satisfied with being enthralled by the luxurious picture that's been painted? Ultimately, the reader will decide.

I won a copy of this book and was hooked from the start.Great writing compelled me to keep reading and it was difficult to put down as life beckoned. Yes, there were a few grammatical issues and typos, but nothing to detract from my enjoyment.There are many twists to this crime thriller, and mysteries within mysteries, and heart pounding moments when it wasn't clear exactly what would happen next. It was gruesome and gritty, with some tender scenes, but it was mostly horrifying.Great characters, both good and bad, a brilliant plot, fabulous imagery, oodles of suspense and mystery - highly recommended.