Quincy & Rainie, Book 2
Synopsis: The past isn’t over….
An unspeakable act has ripped apart the idyllic town of Bakersville, Oregon, and its once-peaceful residents are demanding quick justice. But though a boy has confessed to the horrific crime, evidence shows he may not be guilty.
Officer Rainie Conner, leading her first homicide investigation, stands at the center of the controversy. It’s hitting too close to home, bringing back her worst nightmares, threatening to expose her secret sins. But with the boy’s life at stake, she won’t let anything stop her from finding the real killer.
With the help of FBI profiler Pierce Quincy, Rainie comes closer to a deadly truth than she can imagine. Because out there in the shadows a man watches her and plots his next move. He knows her secrets. He kills for sport. He’s already brought death to Bakersville and forever shattered the community. But what he has really come for is Rainie — and he won’t leave until he has destroyed her….
Review: I did not know anything about this series but I knew Lisa Gardner and I was curious to see how this small series was. Again, I did not start with the first book, but by reading the synopsis, we can see that the previous volume deals with different characters. There are therefore no real problems here with this story.
We meet at the beginning of the story: Rainie, a police officer in a small provincial town. Nothing ever happens there and life is pretty quiet, so when a gunfight broke out in the local school, the town is thrown into agitation. Rainie rushes to the scene to find Shep (the town sheriff) in negotiations with his son holding weapons in his hands. But that’s not all, because two little girls and a teacher were killed and the culprit seems logically named. The people of the city have also already condemned this child who confessed several times. Unfortunately, ​​people decided to hold a big grudge to this family and to Rainie who was unable to prevent this disaster in time. Yet our heroine is convinced that there is more and helped an FBI investigator: Quincy, they will try to understand what happened in this small school.
I loved Rainie. She had always had a very difficult life with an alcoholic mother who beat her and a trauma she constantly keeps in her. Yet she has built a fairly simple life as she likes it, keeping a secret which gradually destroys her, especially now that this new case makes her think about her past. However, despite her fragility, our heroine knows how to be in control when she needs it and she will do everything to solve this case as best as she can. And then there is also Quincy … Ah this man. He is far from the stereotypes that we may encounter in literature. He is a multi-faceted man, attentive, analyzing everything that is happening around him and knowing things that Rainie would rather forget. While a link will immediately bind them at the beginning of the story, we understand that the man will never be an one night stand. No, because he wants one thing and that is to understand this enigmatic young woman who seems to hide a large pan of her life. It is well known by her attitude that Rainie wants to indulge and get rid of the burden she is bearing but at the same time she refuses that.
Regarding the murder investigation, it is true that the reader knows from the beginning of the story that someone beside the child is guilty, but we do not really know if there are one or two culprits. We have a lot of questions about this adult who participated in the killing. But while the answers are hard to get, and seeing that our assumptions are constantly changing, I admit that I still was surprised at the end of the book when we learn the identity of the culprit. I also did not expect the Rainie’s revelation on the night of her mother’s murder.
As you can see, I had a great time with this novel and the author presents a truly fascinating investigation. I am very curious to read the third book to find out more about our two heroes.
Mogsy
Ooh I’ve heard of this book and know of Lisa Gardner. I’ve been reading almost 99% speculative fiction at this point, reading your review about how interesting this one sounds reminds me when I used to still pick up books outside that genre like Gone Girl and Defending Jacob — I really miss those kinds of mysteries and I think I should start up again one of these days.
Just curious, so the third book is going to be a continuation of the characters in this book? When that happens, do you find you ever go back to read the first?
Melliane
I don’t read a lot of them either but it’s interesting to change from time to time I think. I like a good thriller and mystery like that.
It looks like it’s the case yes. I was surprised by the first one as the name of the series is about the characters. But well, the others are about Rainie and Quincy. I don’t know about the first one as I read a review that said that they really aren’t there or juste QUincy a little bit.
kindlemom1
I have heard so many good things about this author and all of her books that I have been meaning to try one of them. Maybe this is a good series to start with her work?
Great review!
Melliane
I think it’s a good one. It was really interesting to follow the investigation.
Jennifer Bielman
Wow, this is different from what I read but it sounds interesting. Happy you enjoyed it. I will have to try Gardner out.
Melliane
I don’t read a lot of them but this one was really good.
Jessica @ Rabid Reads
So glad you liked this Melliane! It’s not what I usually read either, but I do pick up the occasional mystery/thriller, so I’ll be sure to put this on my list. And it’s always good to know that a series can be read out of order đŸ˜‰
Melliane
Yes I like a good one from time to time it’s always nice to change. Yes I was happy about that, but I think the others are maybe not that easy.
Silvia
Glad you had a very good time with this book! It is certainly a different read from the ones I’m used to, but your review got me intrigued and I haven’t read anything from Lisa Gardner yet, so this may be a good start for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Melliane!
Melliane
Yes maybe so, it was a good one. I don’t read a lot of them but from time to time it’s great!
LilyElement
Oooh I haven’t read a book with a good investigation of a murder in awhile. Sounds good!!
Melliane
it’s so interesting to have a good mystery!
Kirsty-Marie
Okay, I love crime/murder mysteries, but especially when they involve profilers, seriously fascinating stuff, the psychological angle’s are pretty mind blowing. I haven’t read many of them (since we don’t get it much in YA- and I haven’t quite ventured out of it yet) but Rainie sounds tough, growing up the way she did. I love it when they turn it into something positive, what she’s made of herself (instead of the clichĂ©’s we sometimes get in YA when handling that subject). Though, glad you enjoyed it! đŸ™‚
Melliane
Oh yes and he is a good profiler, it was interesting to see how he was doing it. That’s true that it’s a little more difficult to have one in YA.
Stephanie Faris
I haven’t read any of Lisa Gardner’s work. I’ve heard a lot of great things about her.
Melliane
she is great.
ShootingStarsMag
I’ve never read anything by this author, but that’s cool the second book had different characters so you could start there. This sounds quite interesting!!
I like a good mystery.
-Lauren
Melliane
yes I was happy it wasn’t a problem for this one.
Giselle
I’ve heard about this author before and it sounds like her books are right iup my alley. Mysteries like these are all I used to read before I started reading YA – after Twilight >.< I love it when a book keeps part of its plot reveal a secret and I get surprised by the culprit. That'S always a winner whe it happens bc it's so rare (I've read so many I catch on to the smallest of clues now which is both good and bad haha). Great review! đŸ™‚
Melliane
yes I think it’s well done, well we suspect about the culprit but it’s really difficult to really decide exactly, or at last for me.
Lily
I have to admit i’ve not heard of this author before *hides in shame* but i like how this book deals with an invesitgation and it seems like it truly was a good read for you. The themes in this book seem like once’s i’d enjoy! Perhaps i do need to start looking into adding this one to my TBR pile!
Melliane
it’s a really great author and yes I loved the book. I hope you’ll like it if you try it.
Kim { Book Swoon }
I’ve always heard from readers that enjoy a good mystery that Lisa Gardner is a wonderful writer. I’m definitely going to remember this one for future reference. I love it when a mystery really keeps you from guessing until the end. Wonderful review, Melliane đŸ™‚
Melliane
she writes some wonderful books! Thanks
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
I love me a good murder investigation story line, and I also like that this book can be read as a stand-alone. Win/win. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Melliane
Yes it’s a good thing I agree about that!
blodeuedd
Maybe one day đŸ™‚
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’ve heard that her books are quite good and I need to try one. This sounds fab and I do love a good mystery. Hm… I think I’m pushing this author up my must read list.
Melliane
I hope you’ll like them as well!
brandileigh2003
Raine seems like a character that I would adore and like to read about
Missie
I haven’t read anything by Lisa Gardner, but I love a good mystery! I will have to check this series out!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Julie
I had not heard of this series either. Thanks for introducing me đŸ™‚
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
Raine sounds like a very strong heroine, despite her circumstances. And I love that you only have part of the mystery the entire time, but not the number of culprits or the details. That makes things so very interesting.
Melliane
yes she is, it’s what I loved about her.
anna@herding cats & burning soup
Gah they both sound pretty great. I’ve never tried her before. Sounds like I’ve been missing out on some very good reads. Thanks for the heads up!