Cleaved (Grafton County Series, #2) by Sue Coletta #RBRT

The author sent me an ARC of this book (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review (member of Rosie’s Book Review Team).

My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Plot
(by Goodreads)

Author Sage Quintano writes about crime. Her husband Niko investigates it. Together they make an unstoppable team. But no one counted on a twisted serial killer, who stalks their sleepy community, uproots their happy home, and splits the threads that bonds their family unit.

Darkness swallows the Quintanos whole—ensnared by a ruthless killer out for blood. Why he focused on Sage remains a mystery, but he won’t stop till she dies like the others.

Women impaled by deer antlers, bodies encased in oil drums, nursery rhymes, and the Suicide King. What connects these cryptic clues? For Sage and Niko, the truth may be more terrifying than they ever imagined.

Genre(s):	Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Crime > Kidnapping Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Crime > Serial Killers Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Crime > Murder
Series:	Grafton County, #2
Length:	237 pages
Release date:	2017-05-03

Teaser

When Gaines first spotted the victim all he said was, “Wow.”

Niko stepped out of the way to allow him to exam the remains. Bradley turned an interesting shade of green, his cheeks stretched to capacity.

Frankie urged, “Go. Do it in the woods this time.” At full speed, Bradley took off in the opposite direction. “Deep in the woods! Past the tape!”

My Opinion

This second book in the Grafton County series re-introduces you to best-selling author Sage Quintano, her husband Niko, Grafton County Sheriff, and to their son Noah.

With Cleaved, Sue Coletta has created another extraordinary and fast-paced thriller about a woman who once again is confronted with a serial killer – also in her own home. What do the cards and the ‘Mommy’ messages mean?! The story comprises a variety of interesting characters with sufficient depth and cleverly elaborated and fast-paced interactions. Be prepared to accompany Niko and his team to some grisly crime scenes; even if the descriptions are not too stretched, you clearly see that Sue Coletta is serious about her research. I had a thrilling time reading Cleaved – it is a very compelling read; it takes you close to Sage, Niko and his partner Frankie, and to ‘the kids’. I was drawn into the story right away, very close to the protagonists. Sage, Niko and Frankie are complex characters, realistic in their ways of thinking and their actions.

This is for you if you like thrillers on serial killers, psychology, likeable and interesting characters, authors who did their homework (well-researched topics), do not shy away from gory scenes.

A very compelling read.

Highly recommended!

In brief:

Cover	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Writing	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Plot	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Mood	Suspenseful
Pace	Steady
POV	First person – past tense
Language	– 😳
Violence	😡
Sexual content	– 😳

About the author:

Proud member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers, Sue Coletta is always looking for new ways to commit murder…on the page. Her forensic articles have been published in InSinC magazine and a four-thousand-word excerpt of Marred scored first placement in Murder, USA, an upcoming anthology.

She runs a popular crime website and blog, where she shares crime tips, police jargon, and anything and everything in between. If you search her achieves, you’ll find posts from guests that work in law enforcement, forensics, coroner, undercover operatives, firearm experts…crime, crime, and more crime. If you’re a writer with murder in your plot, pick up a free copy of 60 Ways To Murder Your Fictional Characters.

For readers, she has the Crime Lover’s Lounge, where subscribers will be the first to know about free giveaways, contests, and have inside access to deleted scenes. As an added bonus, members will get to play in the lounge. Your secret code will unlock the virtual door. Inside, like-minded folks can discuss their favorite crime novels, solve mindbender puzzles, and/or relax and chat. Most importantly, have fun.

Connect with the author:

Website: http://www.suecoletta.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SueColetta1
Amazon: Sue Coletta
Buy links: books2read.com/u/mBeEnM

Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading. Now I am asking you. 🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you? What did you think about Cleaved? Or – if you did not yet read Cleaved – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

I am looking forward to reading your comments. 🙂

Karen_RBRT