User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Examining Drown Her Sorrows after reading (and thoroughly enjoying) it feels like an autopsy within an autopsy. This is a book that draws inspiration more from shows than other books. It has a movie like quality to it. I went along with the plot despite what I felt about its plausibility.
The author must have done something ingenious to neutralise my complaints, so now I do admit it, I got none. The pernicious events that result from the murder are not far reaching. The small world created by Melinda Leigh will never be original, sprawling, imaginative, or modernist. Instead it is full of people who want to do their best at what they are good at. Solving crimes for some, and committing them for others. This cat and mouse game breathed life in the proceedings.
I tend to think of my taste in books as 'true' in some ways. That is pure hokum, but the illusion of being right is so pleasant. At the very least, I dislike certain books because they annoy me in subjective ways. But the reason I like Drown Her Sorrows is a pure one. It is very fun to read. Writing a fun book is very laborious but the inspiration of doing it correctly is more like luck. Just as a sense of humor that is not strong hatches a good joke now and then... well that seems more like luck. I think I'm going to reread this book soon.
Rating: really liked it
When an abandoned car leads to the shocking discovery of a body, Sheriff Bree Taggert and Criminal Investigator Matt Flynn are on the hunt for a cold hearted criminal. However, when another body is found, they quickly find themselves on a twisted, suspenseful, and dangerous path to uncover the truth.
Leigh carries readers on a quest of “who’s done it” and “why”. Overall the novel had a steady flow and was well paced, though the plot wasn’t the most original, it didn’t diminish the enjoyment of the overall reading experience. Personally, the greatest entrigue, and heightened impact of the novel was the unexpected twist at the end.
An enjoyable read. Highly recommend reading the series in order to gain greater connection with the characters.
Rating: really liked it
I have been enjoying the Bree Taggert series the past couple of years. Book #3 I thought really brought things together in the series. I also have to say that I didn't see the ending coming at all. I thought I knew who the guilty party was, but you know, Red Herring and all of that. It was nicely done though. Bree and Matt's relationship is deepening, and I am glad that we still have them doing the slow burn thing. This book is just I think about 4 months since the events in book #1, so it makes sense things are not being rushed.
"Drown Her Sorrows" follows Bree as she gets a call about an abandoned car. When she and one of her deputies investigate, they found the body of a dead woman. Initially though to be suicide, it turns out the woman in question, Holly Thorpe, was murdered. As Bree and Matt investigate, they find that Holly and her husband were living above their means and dealing with Holly's mother medical debts as well. When Holly's sister gets terrorized by the unknown person, another person is murdered and the question arises what was Holly involved with that caused her murder.
Bree was/is great. I liked her still dealing with her fear of dogs and trying to be a more present sister to her brother Adam. It's understandable with what went on when Bree was a child and how she got pulled away from her siblings she would have trust issues. I also loved seeing her with her niece and nephew too. She is dealing with many of the same pain points that working moms deal with. She wants to be there, but knows she has to do her job. Having her former partner doing the live in thing has been interesting to see.
We also get Matt's third person points of views in this one and I liked getting some glimpses into his sister's mindset as well.
The case goes in a lot of different directions, but in the end, the story works.
Rating: really liked it
Drown Her Sorrows was another fantastic addition to the
Bree Taggert series with an intriguing plot full of twists and turns.
After a long day Sheriff Bree Taggert is headed home when she receives a call about an abandoned car near a local bridge. As Bree searches the area, she discovers the body of a young woman on the bank of the river and a note in the woman's car suggests it was suicide. But after the autopsy, the case becomes a murder investigation leading to Bree pairing up with investigator Matt Flynn. As Bree and Matt begin their investigation, they discover the victim had a lot of secrets and each one gives someone a motive for murder. But when the prime suspect in the case is killed and someone close to Matt goes missing, it's a race against the clock before the killer strikes again.
The opening of
Drown Her Sorrows where Bree and one of her officers search the area around the abandoned car was a great start to the book. Once Bree receives the autopsy results indicating Holly was murdered, the investigation really ramps up. We learn Holly's marriage was contentious, her sister was on her case about paying for their mother's care, and Holly may have been involved with her boss. Throughout the book, the case went in several directions including a few I didn't see coming. Ultimately I was very surprised by the identity of the killer as I had not suspected the person at all. The ending was suspenseful with the perfect amount of action and I was happy with the way everything was tied together.
Bree continues to excel as a main character. She's adapting well to the sheriff's position and I enjoyed getting to see her deal with a more administrative side to things in addition to investigating the case. With increased duties at work, Bree is having to figure out how to balance that with her home life and I'm looking forward to seeing how she continues to manage that going forward. I enjoyed Bree and Matt working together on the case as well as the little bits we see of their personal relationship. There once again isn't a ton of romance in the book so readers looking for more of a suspense book should enjoy this one.
Overall
Drown Her Sorrows was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series,
Right Behind Her, when it releases later this year.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Rating: really liked it
If you haven’t read any of the author’s books before, you’re loosing so much!
Full of suspenseful moments and intricate twists, this novel was just what I needed to remind me why I love a strong female character and how much more is there behind the scenes to any story.
I loved how her personal life is intertwined within the police procedural story and we get to see so much more of her personality.
Just when I thought I knew who the culprit is, another turn of the story drops in and all my theories are brought down to pieces just like a domino effect.
Twist after twist, this book it’s another gripping thriller that I enjoyed immensely and would highly recommend.
Rating: really liked it
Drown Her Sorrows is my first Melinda Leigh book and the third installment of the Bree Taggert series. The book starts off with the murder of a local woman and moves pretty quickly from there. Bree Taggert is the local sheriff who is raising her recently murdered sister’s children and trying to balance that life with her career.
Bree has also recently started a romantic relationship with investigator Matt Flynn and the two of them embark on a crazy, fast paced investigation of this recent murder. Soon another murder occurs practically in front of them and Bree is injured. They are in a mad rush to find the killer before he or she strikes again.
This was fast-paced and suspenseful, and I was captivated up until the shocking end. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. I gave it 3 ½ stars rounded up to four.
Rating: really liked it
I was looking forward to the next story in Melinda Leigh’s Bree Taggert series and I wasn’t disappointed. A solid plot with the right amount of action made it entertaining.
Bree’s extended family was most important to her and she was still learning how to cope with her sister’s death. I was glad to see the author did not let that issue slide by. I was hoping more speed would be applied to her personal relationship with Matt, but I recognize Ms. Leigh moves at a slower romantic pace with her stories and this was fine.
In regards to the suspense, connections were revealed and secrets were exposed. In the end there were just enough unanswered questions I had about Bree’s past, her fairly new position as sheriff and her relationship with Matt to continue the series with another adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
Melinda Leigh's DROWN HER SORROWS, the third installment in the fantastic Sheriff Bree Taggert series, is a page-turner with heart. When the body of a woman is found in the Scarlet River, authorities believe it may have been a suicide. However, Bree's investigation into the woman's last days uncovers a stunning trail of secrets. DROWN HER SORROWS is an excellently written, fast-paced, suspenseful novel with enough twists and turns to give you whiplash and a conclusion so deliciously shocking, it will leave your jaw on the floor. The series regular characters are complex, well-drawn, and as ever, loveable. DROWN HER SORROWS is yet another fresh and original crime fiction tale by Leigh with plenty of action to keep readers engaged and, at the last page, wanting more.
Rating: really liked it
A propulsive crime novel. Leigh steadily ratchets up the tension until there’s nothing else in your life that matters except finishing this damn book. If your pulse isn’t racing at the end, you must be dead
Rating: really liked it
Wow, what a crazy mystery!
Bree is once more the strong, solid heroine that is dedicated to her job. She has some rough spots to get through, but instead of letting them get her down, she stayed strong. The fact that those moments were times when Matt was able to shine in his support and care of her were some of my favorites. And he does so without stepping on her independence or self reliance.
The romance is still on the back burner and I’m anxious for it to carry more weight. If you like slowburn, this is definitely it. The kids take a backseat as well and I kind of miss how important they were to the story in the first book. Since then they have been more on the sidelines instead of the focus of Bree’s heart and attention.
I really liked the way this story took me from one place to another and then back around again. I thought for sure I knew who did it and was completely wrong. The way this all unfolded was excellent and I had a hard time setting this aside. Once I reached the end, I couldn’t stop listening/reading. Give me a twist any day and you’ve got a fan for life and that’s exactly what happened here.
Dual POV
Safe (view spoiler)
[no ow/om drama (hide spoiler)]Triggers (view spoiler)
[ cheating spouse (hide spoiler)]Steam (view spoiler)
[no steam - just a few kisses and they cuddle in the bed one time (hide spoiler)]
Rating: really liked it
When Sheriff Bree Taggert discovers the body of a young woman, Holly Thorpe, floating near the bank of the Scarlet River, a note in her abandoned car suggests suicide. The autopsy reveals a different story.
As Bree and her investigator Matt Flynn delve into the case, secrets in Holly’s personal life complicate their efforts to solve the murder. Holly left behind a volatile marriage, an equally divisive relationship with her sister, and an employer whose intimate involvement with Holly was no secret. Each one has a motive for murder.
When Holly’s sister is terrorized by a stalker’s sick prank, and the prime suspect turns up dead, everything Bree was sure of is upended and her case goes off the rails. When the killer strikes close to home, Bree and Matt must race to solve the murders before one of their own becomes the next victim.
Even though I haven’t read the first two books of this series, I was able to connect and read it as a standalone.
The plot is well written, the characters, Bree and Matt, are excellent and there are enough twists throughout the book to keep you hooked on right till the end. You can keep guessing who is the killer, but I doubt you will get it right!
Having enjoyed this, I am excited to read the next book in the series to see what is Bree’s next challenge and how her budding relationship with Matt develops. But before that, I’ll catch up on the previous two books in this series!
Thank You NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC!
Rating: really liked it
I've given this a B at AARThis third book in Melinda Leigh’s series of romantic suspense novels featuring former detective-turned-Sheriff Bree Taggert is another entertaining read that boasts a cleverly constructed mystery and a set of strongly-defined characters. Bree is becoming more settled into her new life and responsibilities, and she’s trying to deal with some of her long-standing trust issues; I like the way the author dovetails Bree’s work and home life into her stories. But while the mystery is nice and twisty, I didn’t find it quite as compelling as those in the first two books in the series.
When
Drown Her Sorrows opens, Bree is heading home after a long day and is looking forward to eating with her family and reading her young niece Kayla a bedtime story. She’s in sight of her late sister’s farmhouse when she gets a call from one of her deputies advising her there’s an abandoned car by the river, and although there’s a purse and phone inside, there’s no sign of the driver. It transpires that the car is registered to Holly Thorpe, a resident of Gray’s Hollow – and it’s been there for around three days. Holly’s husband says he hasn’t seen Holly since she stormed out after they had a fight three nights earlier, and Bree walks down to the river while waiting for the search and rescue team to arrive. She’s not gone far along the riverbank when she finds the body of a woman matching Holly’s description. The presence, in the boot of the car, of a note that says
“I can’t anymore. It’s too hard.” would seem to point towards Holly’s death being suicide – but the ME’s findings indicate that Holly was dead before she hit the water, and that she died as a result of compression to the neck. Bree is looking for a murderer.
Former K9 handler Matt Flynn - who was invalided out of the department after he was shot in the line – now works as an investigator and consultant to the sheriff’s department. He and Bree have been slowly working their way around to exploring the attraction that sparked between them when they first met, and by the time this book opens, they’re in a relationship and have decided to see where things might go. He and Bree work together very well and I really enjoy their working dynamic; Bree admits that her focus can be too narrow, and she needs someone like Matt at her back, someone who can see things she might have missed and more than anything, someone she can trust implicitly.
Bree and Matt open their investigation by questioning Holly’s husband; the Thorpe’s marriage was incredibly volatile, with frequent rows that often saw Holly storming out to go and stay with her sister, and their financial situation was precarious owing to their living beyond their means as well as having to pay towards the medical costs for Holly’s mother, who has Stage 4 cancer. These costs are split with Holly’s sister Shannon, although, as Owen Thorpe sees it, not fairly, given that Shannon lives in a much bigger house and has a much nicer lifestyle than he and Holly did. More digging reveals that Holly may have been having an affair with her boss at the construction company she worked for, and also that the firm was in serious financial trouble. Bree and Matt follow up with Holly’s boss, who is obnoxious and uncooperative, which raises all sorts of red flags. But when he’s gunned down outside his own home shortly after, another avenue of investigation into Holly’s death is closed off – and Bree has to consider the fact that the two murders may be linked.
The mystery is intriguing and the investigation is well-paced with a skilful twist near the end I didn’t see coming until I was on top of it. Bree is coming into her own and has gained the trust of those around her, especially her chief deputy with whom she had a bit of a rocky relationship for a while. I like her a lot; she’s hardworking, strong-willed and intuitive, and she’s slowly starting to realise that she can’t go it alone all the time and learning to trust the team she’s building around her.
And then there are Bree’s personal relationships; her past trauma (she was just eight years old when her father shot her mother and then himself; she protected her younger siblings, but grew up apart from them when they went to live with one relative and Bree another) isn’t something she’s dealt with all that well, and growing up apart from her siblings has left a mark, meaning she has to work hard at maintaining personal relationships and learn not to run from them, especially if they could expose her vulnerability. She learned early on that the only person she could rely on was herself, but she’s trying hard to put the past behind her now, for her own sake and for that of her new found family; her sister’s death has left her guardian to her two children, Luke and Kayla, and has also enabled her to reconnect with her younger brother, Adam. And then there’s Matt; lovely, solid, dependable (and sexy) Matt, who has Bree’s back without question and who is falling for her, hard. He respects her professionalism and he’s a calming presence, quietly reminding Bree that she’s allowed to be human rather than a full-time hero. Their relationship is progressing slowly, partly because Bree doesn’t want to be the subject of yet more gossip (she’s had enough of that to last a lifetime), and partly because she’s still adjusting to the massive changes her life has gone through over the past few months. I enjoy these insights into Bree as a person as much as I enjoy her as investigator, and Ms. Leigh strikes a good balance between the two; the mystery is undoubtedly the main focus of the book, but Bree’s home life is richly detailed, the characters are rounded and the relationships are well-written.
Even though the mystery in
Drown Her Sorrows isn’t quite as enthralling as those in previous books, it’s clever and well-written, and I really enjoyed the continuing development of Bree’s character and relationships. At a pinch, it could probably be read as a standalone, but I’d strongly suggest going back to book one, Cross Her Heart, so as to gain a fuller understanding of Bree and her situation. In any case,
Drown Her Sorrows earns a solid recommendation, and fans of the author and the series are sure to find much to enjoy within its pages.
Rating: really liked it
Sheriff Bree Taggert investigates when a woman's body is found floating near a river bank. A note in the victim's car intimates that was a probable suicide. But the medical examiner finds that she was dead before she hit the water.
Bree and her investigator, Matt Flynn, find only more questions as they look into the victim's life. She was in a bad marriage, had problems with her sister, and an employer who she was seeing on the side. They all had a motive for murder.
The woman's sister is being stalked and then the prime suspect turns up dead. So where do Matt and Bree go from here?
This is an excellent addition to a compelling series. Although 3rd in the series, it is easily read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend reading in order. The suspense starts from the very first page. A major twist leads to an unexpected conclusion. There are many suspects, and much action.
Many thanks to the author / Amazon Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Rating: really liked it
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
The book weaves its' plot with Bree assuming the job of Sheriff and integrating a new family into what had been her life of work. A proper work/life balance is a tough balancing act especially when the kids are suffering from the loss of their mother. Trying to add a love live makes it even tougher and when you throw in murder, well it can get complicated. Lots of suspense, a sweet, slow romance and a surprise baddie at the end.
An abandoned car is reported and when Sheriff Bree Taggert investigates she finds the body of a young woman along the banks of the Scarlet River. At first glance, it looks like suicide, but Bree is all about procedure and as the ME report comes in and Bree delves into Holly Thorpe's life, it's murder.
Matt Flynn is acting as a civilian consultant for Bree, but he is more her partner in all but title. As they interview the people in Holly's live, they find more than one person with a reason to kill her. A marriage on the rocks, a dying mother and contentious sister, and a covert relationship with her boss. Plenty of suspects, but no one quite fits.
Rating: really liked it
Melinda did it againThis book had all the suspense, the twist and turns, and close calls that left you a bit shaken.
I love about these books is you would never know who the true killer was until Melinda wants you to know. Every guess will probably be wrong.
It leaves you on pins and needles thinking who is the real killer.
It speaks volumes to her writing that she is able to craft such a story that leaves you intrigued in a nail biting suspense.
