Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Terrific book that sucked me in right from the start. It began with a prologue when Maura and Brock were eighteen-year-olds working at a local resort. They were in love and had plans for the future. But the horrific sight of a body hanging from the notorious History Tree, and Brock's subsequent arrest as a person of interest, derailed their plans. Even though he was released almost immediately, Maura's parents had taken her away. Now Maura is back at the resort filming videos and fighting the memories. Brock, who followed through with his plans and became an FBI agent, is sent to the resort to investigate the disappearance of several women and the remains of another.
I enjoyed the rekindling of the romance between Maura and Brock. They were stunned to see each other again after so many years. Their initial interactions were awkward. Brock remembered his heartbreak as Maura disappeared from his life, and she spent years hurt and angry that he never contacted her. But underneath the awkwardness and anger burned the feelings that never went away. I liked seeing them reconnect and get to know the people they have become since the events twelve years earlier. As they spent time together working on the disappearances, the chemistry and feelings between them continued to grow. Brock was protective of Maura and worried about her as the investigation heated up. Meanwhile, Maura worried just as much about him. I felt Brock's fear over Maura's safety at the end, and Maura's confidence that he would find her. I liked how they came together at the end, with their young love maturing to match who they are today.
The suspense of the story was very good. I was drawn in immediately by Maura's recounting of the story of the history tree and the ghost Gyselle. The descriptions were vivid, and I felt as though I was there. The terror at the sight of the hanging body leapt off the page. Twelve years later, FBI agent Brock was specifically requested to come to Florida to help with the investigations. That the person doing the requesting was the same detective who had arrested Brock was a nice touch, and gave an extra layer of déjà vu to the story. Maura arrived at the same time to do a video about the History Tree with her client. The presence of so many of the people from that previous summer gave Brock a wide variety of possible suspects for his investigation as it began to look like the resort was at the center of the disappearances. Every time I thought I had the villain figured out, someone else would make me question my decision. The tension increased as Brock moved closer to solving the crime, and he became especially concerned for Maura's safety. I was on the edge of my seat as his fears came to pass. I loved Maura's presence of mind and determination as she refused to become a victim. The final confrontation had an unexpected twist to it, as my suspicions about one character proved true, but I was blindsided by the involvement of another.
I liked catching up with the characters from that first summer. Besides the changes that Brock and Maura went through, it was interesting to see what transpired for the others. Some truly surprised me while others hadn't changed at all. I also liked the bit at the end about Brock's life in New York and his connection with Finnegan's.
*My review copy did not include the "Suspicious" title
I enjoyed the rekindling of the romance between Maura and Brock. They were stunned to see each other again after so many years. Their initial interactions were awkward. Brock remembered his heartbreak as Maura disappeared from his life, and she spent years hurt and angry that he never contacted her. But underneath the awkwardness and anger burned the feelings that never went away. I liked seeing them reconnect and get to know the people they have become since the events twelve years earlier. As they spent time together working on the disappearances, the chemistry and feelings between them continued to grow. Brock was protective of Maura and worried about her as the investigation heated up. Meanwhile, Maura worried just as much about him. I felt Brock's fear over Maura's safety at the end, and Maura's confidence that he would find her. I liked how they came together at the end, with their young love maturing to match who they are today.
The suspense of the story was very good. I was drawn in immediately by Maura's recounting of the story of the history tree and the ghost Gyselle. The descriptions were vivid, and I felt as though I was there. The terror at the sight of the hanging body leapt off the page. Twelve years later, FBI agent Brock was specifically requested to come to Florida to help with the investigations. That the person doing the requesting was the same detective who had arrested Brock was a nice touch, and gave an extra layer of déjà vu to the story. Maura arrived at the same time to do a video about the History Tree with her client. The presence of so many of the people from that previous summer gave Brock a wide variety of possible suspects for his investigation as it began to look like the resort was at the center of the disappearances. Every time I thought I had the villain figured out, someone else would make me question my decision. The tension increased as Brock moved closer to solving the crime, and he became especially concerned for Maura's safety. I was on the edge of my seat as his fears came to pass. I loved Maura's presence of mind and determination as she refused to become a victim. The final confrontation had an unexpected twist to it, as my suspicions about one character proved true, but I was blindsided by the involvement of another.
I liked catching up with the characters from that first summer. Besides the changes that Brock and Maura went through, it was interesting to see what transpired for the others. Some truly surprised me while others hadn't changed at all. I also liked the bit at the end about Brock's life in New York and his connection with Finnegan's.
*My review copy did not include the "Suspicious" title
