Traces of Guilt: (A Contemporary Cold Case Mystery & Suspense Romance) (An Evie Blackwell Cold Case)

It was suspenseful with very real characters and alot going on. It is always nice when the thought process shifts from character to another giving the bigger picture.

3.75 StarsI purchased this one after seeing it on a friends timeline and liked the blurb, after checking out the author and her other books I was a bit nervous as I didn’t think this would be up my alley. I surprised myself because I actually enjoyed it regardless of the extras that I was worried aboutA few observations firstIt’s kind of weird but everyone is just so nice. The characters tell you they are mad or upset but none lashes out or has a cross word to anyone else. Another cop comes in to investigate and all doors are open to her without any posturing, new evidence is found and no one is trying to explain why they didn’t find it, it’s just so different to me. It’s like a Hallmark movie, and I’m not saying that is a bad thing as there are times that I thoroughly enjoy the wholesomeness of a hallmark movie, so this didn’t bother me just was quite noticeable to me throughout the book.Religion also plays a big part in number of the characters’ lives. I did know this before starting so it didn’t come as a surprise, but as a person who is not religious I did find them a little full on and found myself skimming over these parts. I have friends who read my reviews for who this would be a hard limit for so that is why I am mentioning it. I have no problem with faith in books but would prefer it not to be so full on. But each to their own, moving onI liked Evie. I enjoyed the way she floated ideas around and had a fresh set of eyes on the issue. Her disappointment about not being able to put one of the cases to bed was nice to read as she gave up her vacation time to try and solve these. She is ambitious and doesn’t hide the fact that she is and has plans for her future without being nasty.I also really liked that she used her brains here to investigate. It wasn’t about car chases and putting herself in danger, she just worked with the information at hand. I enjoyed the camaraderie with Gabriel. It was nice to read. A favourite scene was the interview with the doctor as it showed how their minds worked and they worked well together as they framed questions to try and get answers.Gabriel was also a great character. I loved his family and the interactions. Both his and his fathers reactions to finding out what happened to Grace showed that they care deeply for the people in their town and took it personally when one was injured on their watch.There are three kind of different cases throughout the book that all take up the investigating time. One was solved pretty much straight away, one was a more personal case and the other a who done it. This worked for me as it helped move the book along and didn’t get bogged down on the one case.The only other issue I had was this was listed as a 2 book series, but it was obvious reading through that there were characters or things discussed from other series from his author. When you’ve read all of the authors books these little nuggets are like Christmas and enjoyable, but for me who hasn’t, I felt like I’d missed information. We work around a couple of characters , the Thane brothers, who especially Will’s girlfriends story – I feel like I was missing information.Ann is obviously from other books and I did find them, but without reading them she wasn’t as likeable to me. She appeared to be the puppet master moving her pieces on the chess board to where she wanted them. She withheld information on a case to protect a friend, and the case was only solved when she let the investigators know the information, so to some degree they we reliant on her. They would have found the body with the search they were doing, but she could of given those parents closure a lot sooner.I think I will read some of the other books by this author, but at a later date when I’m in the right headspace.

Another great read from Dee Henderson. One family gone missing for 12 years. One 6 year old girl missing over 6 years. Eve is a great detective and can find clues where none appeared before. Gabriel is the sheriff where these cold cases are located. They work together to find the answers. There are a lot of twists and turns.

As always, Ms. Henderson writes a compelling story. There are recurring characters to keep continuity but this story is complete on its own. Evie is an interesting lady. She has an interesting job and is seeking a more fulfilling personal life…maybe.Ms. Henderson gives her books a different voice. There is depth of emotion but it is controlled. The women in her books tend to be strong and working in male-dominated roles. Always, always the story is multifaceted and over way too soon.

I am a science fiction, adventure reader that is also a lifelong Dee Henderson fan. Her character development is better than 90% of all authors I read. Although her plots often have twists that seem implausible, in reality they have probably happened in real life. She has such an excellent way to develop entire family & friendship lines to an unimaginable depth that make you feel as if you have known these people for years. I’m saying very little about the actual plot of this story so I don’t give anything away, but please, just read it. I read the book in less than 24 hours but admit there were sacrifices to do that (who needs sleep anyway?). If this is your first book by this author, it doesn’t matter that you don’t know all the characters as intimately as if you read the entire series, you will still love the book, the author and many of the characters. You may have a new favorite author as well!

but Ditective Evie Blackwell loves a real life puzzle and the satisfaction of solving them. But the Governor has his heart set on getting cold cases cleared up and Eve gets to spend her holiday solving two, as a proof of concept to the planned task force.These cases are going to be heard on the heart though; a Sheriff's Deputy, his wife and son, missing for 12 years and a 6 year old blue eyed golden haired girl, snached as her family passed through town.Paul and Ann Falcon get walk on parts as, of course, Ann knows the Sheriff, past and present. Who doesn't she know?!Evie, the Sheriff and his family, Paul and Ann dig through tho old case files to find those traces of guilt to identify the perpetrators and bring closure to three greving families, and the Sheriff's.Though a story complete in itself this follows on from "Taken".

This is a story which unfolds in a natural not earth shattering way, yet it builds into an excellent climax on many fronts. It also promises more to come in the following as yet unseen volumes in the Evie Blackwell series.As is usual with Dee Henderson you cannot wait for the next book to be written, this one is just the same!!Let's hope it appears on the bookshelves soon.Another excellent read from a Christian author who hopefully has many more books to bring us.Thank you Dee!

As soon as l started reading in, I felt involved into the Thanes family. Warm and prayerful. Makes you want to be associated with the family. Nice brothers. Good mother and father. The women as blessed to have the men loving them despite the tragedy they are going through. Good support

As always, Dee Henderson does not disappoint. A gripping thriller with dark and light sides to the plot.

A well written book as always with believable characters and good story line.