I was sent a complimentary copy of The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm by Patricia Crisafulli through TLC Book Tours. All opinions are my own.
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About The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm:
On a beautiful September afternoon, a hike through the pristine wild of Still Waters Chasm become a path of mystery and deadly danger for Gabriela Domenici and her boyfriend, Daniel Red Deer. First, they take a side trail to an inexplicable construction site in the middle of the woods, where every tree has been cut down and a huge truck bearing strange-looking equipment is parked in the middle. As they continue their hike to the lake, they find a man convulsing with his last breaths, not far from the lifeless body of a woman. After going for help, Gabriela and Daniel return to the scene—only to find the two people and their canoe and gear are gone. It seems impossible that two bodies could revive and leave on their own, but there is no other explanation.
When she conducts a library outreach program in the rural Town of Livery, near Still Waters Chasm, Gabriela discovers a community that is both curious and suspicious. There, she meets Lucinda Nanz, an herbalist whose encyclopedic knowledge of plants for help and harm is both fascinating and troubling, and Wendy Haughton, a young woman who desperately wants to sell an old drawing of unknown origin so she can escape her abusive husband. Despite the state police’s warnings to stay out of the investigation, and Daniel’s urging to not get involved, Gabriela cannot stay away from Livery and Still Waters Chasm—which puts her on a collision course with yet another murder and people who will stop at nothing to prevent her from getting too close to the truth that could destroy chasm.
About the Author:
Patricia Crisafulli is an award-winning New York Times best-selling author. She received a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from Northwestern University, where she received the Distinguished Thesis Award in Creating Writing. She is launching the Ohnita Harbor Mystery Series with The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor. Connect with her at www.FaithHopeandFiction.com
“Patricia Crisafulli holds us spellbound as her… librarian-protagonist, Gabriela, stumbles onto a mysterious crime scene and is determined to find answers. As Gabriela’s amateur sleuthing leads her into spine-chilling danger, you’ll be up reading until all hours of the morning.” —Nancy Crochiere, Author of Graceland: A Novel
“If Crisafulli keeps setting… mystery thrillers in Ohnita Harbor (and I hope she will), that fictional little Upstate New York town… will be as famous as Louise Penny’s Three Pines or even Agatha Christie’s St. Mary Mead-and justifiably so.” —Jean Zorn, Publisher, Persimmon Tree
You can purchase The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm on Amazon.com
My Opinion:
I will first note that I did not read the preceeding novel in the series but this was no deterrent to my enjoyment of this installment. Each can be read standalone but I did note some commentary that reading them together can create a more thorough experience in regards to better getting to “know” the charactors. Take that as you will. I did enjoy the book, this notwithstanding.
The two main protagonists, Daniel and Gabriela are on a hike when they encounter a dying man and a dead woman. By the time they return with help - the bodies have disappeared and the mystery has begun.
There is, of course, evil afoot but of what kind? For what is a mystery without it? In this case there are a couple of dueling interests, major and minor and they intertwine delightfully to present the reader with an thought provoking read about man’s ability to harm the environment in pursuit of gain and anyone who might get in the way.
Gabriela is an unusual and wonderful main character and an absolute delight of a main character. She holds true to her beliefs no matter what pressures come at her. She has the support of a wonderful man along the way.
I loved both the adventure scenes and the scenic descriptions. It’s a book that keeps the pages turning until the very last, compelling page.
Rating:
5
