Customer Reviews

Bluegrass Peril (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #82)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A wonderful suspenseful novel, that will hold you in its grip until the very end. I was totally shocked by who the killer was. Becky, a single mom, has had a hard life, and now finds herself in the middle of a messy murder investigation. Throw a ex-husband who shows up out of the blue and a handsome new boss...and the setting for romance is set. This author though was able to hold the reader's attention with her suspenseful story line. A good afternoon read.

Bluegrass Peril seemed more like a cozy mystery than a suspense, but I enjoyed it. I usually don't finish most of the LI Suspense stories I begin so this one kept my attention. It was romantic, but that part was minimal. The ex getting back into their lives definitely perked up the tension and I liked how she concluded that sometimes things seem right and people would like them to be right, but they are still wrong for you. I felt for Becky because she had a rough deal being a single (divorced) parent with two boys. I understood her situation and desire to restore her family, but was glad when she came to her senses. I also thought the breeding barn scene was LOL funny! Poor Becky was mortified, while Scott was oblivious.

For once in my life, I have now read a mystery suspense that I couldn't guess what was going to happen next. This was really surprising and a welcome change of events. It has been quite a while since I have read any suspense novels because of that very reason, but this just might have influenced me to try again in that section. Virginia Smith did a very good job of keeping the reader on their toes and guessing. The words really could not become absorbed by my eyes and brain fast enough to keep going; I wanted to know just what would happen next.

This story brings in a mother of twins that from the very first a reader can sympathize with and feel her emotions clearly as their own with a relative part of her life. She has both good and bad in her life and tries to focus on the good and what's right, but just like all us, can become overwhelmed by the bad that she wants to fix. Another character from the very start is Scott Lewis, Scott has a past of a broken heart and does not want a repeat and therefore is very guarded with his life. Thrown in with the what-ifs of life and love and what shouldn't be... murder. Who committed the murder and why? When people start to get too close, others begin to get hurt and die. So many suspects... So many motives... where to turn and what to think?

This book was very realistic in some ways for a fiction novel. I can easily see the characters play out in real life in a similar fashion. The only part I do not buy is the un-authorized detective work performed by civilians. In this day and age with our law enforcement it is almost scary to think of investigating things. But perhaps, I've seen to many movies and heard too many stories and just find police officers suspicious and ready to jump on anyone that appears too interested... Too bad we cannot all be Nancy Drew. ;-)

Virginia Smith writes a nice little mystery in Bluegrass Peril. I didn't pick up on the killer until near the end and her red herrings were iffy in a good way. I'm amazed at the amount of story she managed to pull off in the limitations of the word count. Not only is there an intruiging mystery, Smith weaves in information regarding a worthy charity/cause, the drama of single motherhood with a financial pinch tossed in for good measure, a new love interest and a past that reaches out and muddies everything. All ended neatly organized.

Though romance isn't a favorite genre, I'll keep my eye on Virginia Smith.

I loved this book. It has a great combination of suspense with romance. The characters felt real to me and the plot kept me interested the whole way through. I found myself towards the end yelling at Becky not to do something. I do not want to give away the story so go find the book and read it! (and figure out what had me yelling at her for. :) )

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Brittanie

Horses, bluegrass, beautiful woman, hunky boss ... all ingredients for romance. But Bluegrass Peril is more than just fluff! The characters are real, the action is tight and, of course, the setting is magical. I love Virginia Smith's books!

Bluegrass Peril (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #82)
I had the privilege of reading and reviewing Ms Virginia Smith's novel, Bluegrass Peril. I love "who done it" novels, and this is one of the best. Don't miss it.