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Stillwater Trilogy #2
Dead Giveaway
The Reverend Lee Barker went missing nineteen years ago... And the people of Stillwater, Mississippi, believe they know why. They're convinced he was murdered--by his stepson, Clay Montgomery. But only Clay--and his mother and sisters--can say for sure. They were the only ones there that fateful night, the only ones who know what really happened. And they're not talking.
Allie McCormick is a cold-case detective from Chicago. After a particularly difficult divorce, she's returned to Stillwater with her six-year-old daughter to find the peace she once knew in her hometown, and to work for the local police force while she's starting over. But when Clay's powerful enemies join forces to put him behind bars, Allie feels duty bound to uncover the truth. Her instincts tell her he didn't murder the Reverend Lee Barker.
Maybe Clay's a dark and brooding man with more than his share of secrets, but he was just sixteen at the time. And he's not a cold-blooded killer. At least, that's what Allie believes--until she finds proof that behind the preacher's pious demeanor lurked the heart of a monster.
Then she has to ask herself whether justice has already been done....
Allie McCormick is a cold-case detective from Chicago. After a particularly difficult divorce, she's returned to Stillwater with her six-year-old daughter to find the peace she once knew in her hometown, and to work for the local police force while she's starting over. But when Clay's powerful enemies join forces to put him behind bars, Allie feels duty bound to uncover the truth. Her instincts tell her he didn't murder the Reverend Lee Barker.
Maybe Clay's a dark and brooding man with more than his share of secrets, but he was just sixteen at the time. And he's not a cold-blooded killer. At least, that's what Allie believes--until she finds proof that behind the preacher's pious demeanor lurked the heart of a monster.
Then she has to ask herself whether justice has already been done....
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 30, 2007
About the author
Brenda Novak
228 books6,653 followersIt was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
October 25, 2019
Audio...5 stars
Story...3.5 stars
Story...3.5 stars
September 6, 2018
The second book in the Stillwater Trilogy by Brenda Novak. This book begins when the first book ends. Allie McCormack, the chief of police's daughter, is hired on at the police department. Her previous job was investigating cold cases and she really wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Pastor Barker. One of the people she feels knows the truth is Clay Montgomery. Clay stayed on the farm after the rest of the family left and went the own ways.
Excellent addition and continuation of this series. I will admit that it helps a lot if you read the series in order. You will want to see what happens next. I highly recommend this series.
Excellent addition and continuation of this series. I will admit that it helps a lot if you read the series in order. You will want to see what happens next. I highly recommend this series.
November 16, 2015
Moving, Engrossing & Gripping! An Excellent Twists & Turns Read! I Loved It!
June 2, 2017
4,5 stars
December 23, 2019
The first 200 pages felt very repetitive to the prior book as well as within the same pages. The cold case is just reiterating the same info over and over...so I skimmed over some of the rinse and repeat.
The last half was better. The main problem is that there really isn't enough plot to the cold case to have it arc over 3 books
The last half was better. The main problem is that there really isn't enough plot to the cold case to have it arc over 3 books
February 8, 2019
Certainly entertaining. But with a full length book I’m surprised as with this and the last book both had the insta love thing going. However, there was enough connection in this one, it didn’t bother me as much.
Though entertaining, this was a tough read for me. I hate injustice and the entire book is filled with it. I did like the ending.
However, I still don’t understand why no one calls Joe on his bullshit. He broke into Clay’s house and Allie a cop, doesn’t force the issue to press charges. And it’s not the small town. It’s the author with her own agenda ignoring the facts she’s created and ignoring them when they are inconvenient to her future plot. It was bad enough when Clay and Grace ignored Joe’s assault on Grace. But Allie is a cop at heart. Again potential leverage was ignored.
I’ll continue but not right away. Certain things in this story make me not as sympathetic to Madeline than I had been. I’m not sure I’ll like her story.
The narrator was good.
Though entertaining, this was a tough read for me. I hate injustice and the entire book is filled with it. I did like the ending.
However, I still don’t understand why no one calls Joe on his bullshit. He broke into Clay’s house and Allie a cop, doesn’t force the issue to press charges. And it’s not the small town. It’s the author with her own agenda ignoring the facts she’s created and ignoring them when they are inconvenient to her future plot. It was bad enough when Clay and Grace ignored Joe’s assault on Grace. But Allie is a cop at heart. Again potential leverage was ignored.
I’ll continue but not right away. Certain things in this story make me not as sympathetic to Madeline than I had been. I’m not sure I’ll like her story.
The narrator was good.
October 19, 2019
5 glowing stars audio and story!!!
August 7, 2018
Wow, I liked this one, a lot. 4.5 easy!
I loved the mystery end of it
I adored the romantic aspects of it.
I got a kick out of the kid.
Allie was a strong, smart, methodical character. I liked her involved in this trilogy.
Clay was just as intriguing and captivating if not more than he was in the first book.
Secondary characters are colorful as ever.
The continuing arch of the story worked. Brenda Novak writes a clear, precise tale. I haven’t noticed any inconsistencies that jarred the cohesive flow from book one to book two.
This does end with a cliffhanger but its a trilogy/murder mystery from three different character’s POV so it was not only expected but needed.
I loved the mystery end of it
I adored the romantic aspects of it.
I got a kick out of the kid.
Allie was a strong, smart, methodical character. I liked her involved in this trilogy.
Clay was just as intriguing and captivating if not more than he was in the first book.
Secondary characters are colorful as ever.
The continuing arch of the story worked. Brenda Novak writes a clear, precise tale. I haven’t noticed any inconsistencies that jarred the cohesive flow from book one to book two.
This does end with a cliffhanger but its a trilogy/murder mystery from three different character’s POV so it was not only expected but needed.
June 6, 2016
I’m gonna be honest about this: There has got to be something alluring about these Brenda Novak Stillwater books that is managing to keep me hooked. It took every ounce of discipline I had to put the book down after two hours of straight reading before going to sleep. 50% into the book, I finally caved, knowing that I needed to at least get enough sleep if I didn’t want to go into work sleepy or cranky.
Is it the storyline? The premise of the book itself doesn’t leave much mystery or surprise to be anticipated. We know what the mystery is and we have an inkling about the conclusion, even if we don’t know what will actually happen. (Well, okay, after reading several romantic suspense novels, I’m not going to deny that everything hinges on a Happily Ever After closing each book whether or not it’s an ongoing series, so we have a vague idea of how things will come out--with sunshine and rainbows and happy days.) But I suspect that I now understand that “suspense” isn’t always dependent on “OMG! Who did it?” or “Ooh, what’s going to happen to our heroes?” or even “Ack! What happens next?”
The suspense in the Stillwater trilogy (thus far) is really more a mixture of “How is the conclusion going to happen?” and “How are we going to get there?” and “How will life turn out for the Montgomerys and everyone else in Stillwater?”
Anwyay… in all honesty, it takes quite of bit of care for the characters for me to start asking those questions regardless of the fact that the plot seems quite straight-forward and there probably won’t be much in terms of surprise twists. Because things are still going to happen to the characters of Stillwater and, Gosh Darnit! I wanna know how everything plays out!
So maybe I do care for the characters enough to want to know all of their fates in the end as well as how the entire scandal will handle itself by the last book.
How do the Montgomery’s manage to have their Happily Ever After? How will things turn out for the family? Will the town accept the truth? Will the siblings be able to move on? Will Mom ever learn to stop being so naive about life and face the facts of the world? Will the people of this small town forever be ignorant, judgemental, snobby jerks? Will Irene Montgomery ever grow a backbone and stop causing trouble for her kids? Can love conquer all…?
We know certain particular facts:
1) The reverend was a terrible monster of a human being who did terrible things to young girls, including his stepdaughter.
2) The Montgomerys are keeping the secret of the night the reverend died because they’re afraid of the repercussions because the town hates them already and would just end up victim-blaming rather than being sympathetic.
3) No matter what, someone still died and truths are being hidden.
So yeah, despite a lot of flashes of rage during the reading of this book (mostly because a lot of the characters got on my nerves), it didn’t escape my notice that I really do want to know how everything wraps up in the end.
In Dead Giveaway Clay Montgomery comes closer to being imprisoned for the death of Reverend Barker, despite the fact that there is no evidence to prove that the reverend is dead nor that Clay killed him. And since we had already learned in the first book that the death was an accident and it had been Mommy Dearest who’d landed the executing blow, we know that Clay wasn’t the one who killed the reverend. But it doesn’t help that someone died and all the Montgomerys were instrumental in covering up that death.
In a nutshell, not much really happens in this story aside from a lot of fingers being pointed, and a lot of anger being channeled, and a lot of angsty romance being presented, and a lot of judgement being thrown around by people who have no idea how to be compassionate. And really… that’s it. There’s little to add onto as a continuation of Dead Silence except for the fact that this is just a long drawn out drama with the same events occurring over and over again as the base platform for three romances to happen.
I’m not really complaining, but I’m also not really all that excited about it all. I just want to know how everything ends.
And I’m also ready to be rid of a lot of the Stillwater townspeople. They piss me off a great deal. As I’d mentioned about the first book, I cared very little for most of the characters in the book and in this series in general. Clay is, thus far, one of the few I actually like. Allie’s not so bad either… and if only Grace would grow more of a backbone.
Irene got on my last nerve since all she ever did was cry and complain and cause trouble despite knowing how crucial it was for her to stay out of trouble. Madeline… I don’t know. I understand her need to find out what happened to her father, but her persistence sometimes bordered on a child’s obsession. But then again, she doesn’t know what the reader knows and so she wouldn’t understand why her constant persistence in investigating her father’s disappearance comes across as troublesome.
I’m half-looking forward to finishing the series in Madeline’s perspective--mainly to see how she ends up handling the truth of her father. But I haven’t grown to like her through the first two books and find her kind of annoying, so I’m hoping that the last book will give me a chance to get to know her better.
Is it the storyline? The premise of the book itself doesn’t leave much mystery or surprise to be anticipated. We know what the mystery is and we have an inkling about the conclusion, even if we don’t know what will actually happen. (Well, okay, after reading several romantic suspense novels, I’m not going to deny that everything hinges on a Happily Ever After closing each book whether or not it’s an ongoing series, so we have a vague idea of how things will come out--with sunshine and rainbows and happy days.) But I suspect that I now understand that “suspense” isn’t always dependent on “OMG! Who did it?” or “Ooh, what’s going to happen to our heroes?” or even “Ack! What happens next?”
The suspense in the Stillwater trilogy (thus far) is really more a mixture of “How is the conclusion going to happen?” and “How are we going to get there?” and “How will life turn out for the Montgomerys and everyone else in Stillwater?”
Anwyay… in all honesty, it takes quite of bit of care for the characters for me to start asking those questions regardless of the fact that the plot seems quite straight-forward and there probably won’t be much in terms of surprise twists. Because things are still going to happen to the characters of Stillwater and, Gosh Darnit! I wanna know how everything plays out!
So maybe I do care for the characters enough to want to know all of their fates in the end as well as how the entire scandal will handle itself by the last book.
How do the Montgomery’s manage to have their Happily Ever After? How will things turn out for the family? Will the town accept the truth? Will the siblings be able to move on? Will Mom ever learn to stop being so naive about life and face the facts of the world? Will the people of this small town forever be ignorant, judgemental, snobby jerks? Will Irene Montgomery ever grow a backbone and stop causing trouble for her kids? Can love conquer all…?
We know certain particular facts:
1) The reverend was a terrible monster of a human being who did terrible things to young girls, including his stepdaughter.
2) The Montgomerys are keeping the secret of the night the reverend died because they’re afraid of the repercussions because the town hates them already and would just end up victim-blaming rather than being sympathetic.
3) No matter what, someone still died and truths are being hidden.
So yeah, despite a lot of flashes of rage during the reading of this book (mostly because a lot of the characters got on my nerves), it didn’t escape my notice that I really do want to know how everything wraps up in the end.
In Dead Giveaway Clay Montgomery comes closer to being imprisoned for the death of Reverend Barker, despite the fact that there is no evidence to prove that the reverend is dead nor that Clay killed him. And since we had already learned in the first book that the death was an accident and it had been Mommy Dearest who’d landed the executing blow, we know that Clay wasn’t the one who killed the reverend. But it doesn’t help that someone died and all the Montgomerys were instrumental in covering up that death.
In a nutshell, not much really happens in this story aside from a lot of fingers being pointed, and a lot of anger being channeled, and a lot of angsty romance being presented, and a lot of judgement being thrown around by people who have no idea how to be compassionate. And really… that’s it. There’s little to add onto as a continuation of Dead Silence except for the fact that this is just a long drawn out drama with the same events occurring over and over again as the base platform for three romances to happen.
I’m not really complaining, but I’m also not really all that excited about it all. I just want to know how everything ends.
And I’m also ready to be rid of a lot of the Stillwater townspeople. They piss me off a great deal. As I’d mentioned about the first book, I cared very little for most of the characters in the book and in this series in general. Clay is, thus far, one of the few I actually like. Allie’s not so bad either… and if only Grace would grow more of a backbone.
Irene got on my last nerve since all she ever did was cry and complain and cause trouble despite knowing how crucial it was for her to stay out of trouble. Madeline… I don’t know. I understand her need to find out what happened to her father, but her persistence sometimes bordered on a child’s obsession. But then again, she doesn’t know what the reader knows and so she wouldn’t understand why her constant persistence in investigating her father’s disappearance comes across as troublesome.
I’m half-looking forward to finishing the series in Madeline’s perspective--mainly to see how she ends up handling the truth of her father. But I haven’t grown to like her through the first two books and find her kind of annoying, so I’m hoping that the last book will give me a chance to get to know her better.
November 27, 2020
Round up to 4.5 stars.
January 20, 2018
just finished this book last night .a very very good book can't wait to see what happens. now I have to go by the third one .so I can see what they actually find. I would recommend this book. it will keep you in suspense.
January 14, 2018
I loved this book!! It was my 6th book by her!! I am working my wayh through her books!!
May 23, 2021
Couldn't put it down!!! On to book 3
July 27, 2018
Good series
September 28, 2010
Well done. Enjoyable. Good romantic mystery with strong character and relationship development.
STORY BRIEF:
This is book 2 in the Stillwater Trilogy. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but they are best when read in order and soon after each other. Lee Barker was a sexual-sadist minister who abused his stepdaughter and others. He was mysteriously killed 19 years earlier. His wife and step kids had something to do with his death and buried the body on the family farm. Clay has remained on the farm all these years so no future owner would accidentally discover the body. The local people thought Barker was a good man, and they believe Clay killed him. The police chief’s daughter Allie moves to town to live with her parents and work in the police dept. She was a cold case investigator in Chicago. She is now investigating the Barker case. She interacts with Clay and eventually believes he is innocent. Someone lies about Clay causing his arrest for the murder. The main mystery in the story is what evidence will be found and how it will be used to hurt or help Clay.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I enjoyed the way Allie would find out small pieces of information just by talking to people. I enjoyed the early conversations between Allie and Clay. She’s digging for information, he’s hiding information, yet they have a certain honesty with each other. A comment on the cover implies suspense. I didn’t find any suspense other than worry and concern for the characters and one shooting scene. Don’t read this if you’re looking for suspense, but it’s good for romance and mystery.
DATA:
Story length: 415 pages. Swearing language: moderate/strong. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 6. Setting: current day Stillwater, Mississippi. Copyright; 2007. Genre: romantic mystery.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Brenda Novak books, see my 5 star review of “Dead Silence” posted 8/26/08.
STORY BRIEF:
This is book 2 in the Stillwater Trilogy. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but they are best when read in order and soon after each other. Lee Barker was a sexual-sadist minister who abused his stepdaughter and others. He was mysteriously killed 19 years earlier. His wife and step kids had something to do with his death and buried the body on the family farm. Clay has remained on the farm all these years so no future owner would accidentally discover the body. The local people thought Barker was a good man, and they believe Clay killed him. The police chief’s daughter Allie moves to town to live with her parents and work in the police dept. She was a cold case investigator in Chicago. She is now investigating the Barker case. She interacts with Clay and eventually believes he is innocent. Someone lies about Clay causing his arrest for the murder. The main mystery in the story is what evidence will be found and how it will be used to hurt or help Clay.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I enjoyed the way Allie would find out small pieces of information just by talking to people. I enjoyed the early conversations between Allie and Clay. She’s digging for information, he’s hiding information, yet they have a certain honesty with each other. A comment on the cover implies suspense. I didn’t find any suspense other than worry and concern for the characters and one shooting scene. Don’t read this if you’re looking for suspense, but it’s good for romance and mystery.
DATA:
Story length: 415 pages. Swearing language: moderate/strong. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 6. Setting: current day Stillwater, Mississippi. Copyright; 2007. Genre: romantic mystery.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Brenda Novak books, see my 5 star review of “Dead Silence” posted 8/26/08.
June 9, 2014
It doesn't suck. FYI, this is the middle book in a 3-part series that really needs to be read in order to appreciate what's going on. It's about the step-children, now adults, of a beloved small-town preacher who happened to be a sadistic pedophile. The Rev went missing years ago, and suspicion fell on then teenaged stepson Clay, who is the hero of Book 2. Clay has spent his life guarding his family's secret, accepting the role of town pariah and developing a lot of bitterness in the process. His life looks to get a lot more complicated when Allie, a police officer, returns to her hometown and starts to dig into the cold case of the preacher's disappearance. Will she fall in love with the town bad boy, her chief suspect? Of course she will.
December 3, 2024
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
***
STORY BRIEF:
This is book 2 in the Stillwater Trilogy. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but they are best when read in order and soon after each other. Lee Barker was a sexual-sadist minister who abused his stepdaughter and others. He was mysteriously killed 19 years earlier. His wife and step kids had something to do with his death and buried the body on the family farm. Clay has remained on the farm all these years so no future owner would accidentally discover the body. The local people thought Barker was a good man, and they believe Clay killed him. The police chief’s daughter Allie moves to town to live with her parents and work in the police dept. She was a cold case investigator in Chicago. She is now investigating the Barker case. She interacts with Clay and eventually believes he is innocent. Someone lies about Clay causing his arrest for the murder. The main mystery in the story is what evidence will be found and how it will be used to hurt or help Clay.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I enjoyed the way Allie would find out small pieces of information just by talking to people. I enjoyed the early conversations between Allie and Clay. She’s digging for information, he’s hiding information, yet they have a certain honesty with each other. A comment on the cover implies suspense. I didn’t find any suspense other than worry and concern for the characters and one shooting scene. Don’t read this if you’re looking for suspense, but it’s good for romance and mystery.
***
We know certain particular facts:
1) The reverend was a terrible monster of a human being who did terrible things to young girls, including his stepdaughter.
2) The Montgomerys are keeping the secret of the night the reverend died because they’re afraid of the repercussions because the town hates them already and would just end up victim-blaming rather than being sympathetic.
3) No matter what, someone still died and truths are being hidden.
So yeah, despite a lot of flashes of rage during the reading of this book (mostly because a lot of the characters got on my nerves), it didn’t escape my notice that I really do want to know how everything wraps up in the end.
In Dead Giveaway Clay Montgomery comes closer to being imprisoned for the death of Reverend Barker, despite the fact that there is no evidence to prove that the reverend is dead nor that Clay killed him. And since we had already learned in the first book that the death was an accident and it had been Mommy Dearest who’d landed the executing blow, we know that Clay wasn’t the one who killed the reverend. But it doesn’t help that someone died and all the Montgomerys were instrumental in covering up that death.
In a nutshell, not much really happens in this story aside from a lot of fingers being pointed, and a lot of anger being channeled, and a lot of angsty romance being presented, and a lot of judgement being thrown around by people who have no idea how to be compassionate. And really… that’s it. There’s little to add onto as a continuation of Dead Silence except for the fact that this is just a long drawn out drama with the same events occurring over and over again as the base platform for three romances to happen.
I’m not really complaining, but I’m also not really all that excited about it all. I just want to know how everything ends.
And I’m also ready to be rid of a lot of the Stillwater townspeople. They piss me off a great deal. As I’d mentioned about the first book, I cared very little for most of the characters in the book and in this series in general. Clay is, thus far, one of the few I actually like. Allie’s not so bad either… and if only Grace would grow more of a backbone.
Irene got on my last nerve since all she ever did was cry and complain and cause trouble despite knowing how crucial it was for her to stay out of trouble. Madeline… I don’t know. I understand her need to find out what happened to her father, but her persistence sometimes bordered on a child’s obsession. But then again, she doesn’t know what the reader knows and so she wouldn’t understand why her constant persistence in investigating her father’s disappearance comes across as troublesome.
**
***
STORY BRIEF:
This is book 2 in the Stillwater Trilogy. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but they are best when read in order and soon after each other. Lee Barker was a sexual-sadist minister who abused his stepdaughter and others. He was mysteriously killed 19 years earlier. His wife and step kids had something to do with his death and buried the body on the family farm. Clay has remained on the farm all these years so no future owner would accidentally discover the body. The local people thought Barker was a good man, and they believe Clay killed him. The police chief’s daughter Allie moves to town to live with her parents and work in the police dept. She was a cold case investigator in Chicago. She is now investigating the Barker case. She interacts with Clay and eventually believes he is innocent. Someone lies about Clay causing his arrest for the murder. The main mystery in the story is what evidence will be found and how it will be used to hurt or help Clay.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I enjoyed the way Allie would find out small pieces of information just by talking to people. I enjoyed the early conversations between Allie and Clay. She’s digging for information, he’s hiding information, yet they have a certain honesty with each other. A comment on the cover implies suspense. I didn’t find any suspense other than worry and concern for the characters and one shooting scene. Don’t read this if you’re looking for suspense, but it’s good for romance and mystery.
***
We know certain particular facts:
1) The reverend was a terrible monster of a human being who did terrible things to young girls, including his stepdaughter.
2) The Montgomerys are keeping the secret of the night the reverend died because they’re afraid of the repercussions because the town hates them already and would just end up victim-blaming rather than being sympathetic.
3) No matter what, someone still died and truths are being hidden.
So yeah, despite a lot of flashes of rage during the reading of this book (mostly because a lot of the characters got on my nerves), it didn’t escape my notice that I really do want to know how everything wraps up in the end.
In Dead Giveaway Clay Montgomery comes closer to being imprisoned for the death of Reverend Barker, despite the fact that there is no evidence to prove that the reverend is dead nor that Clay killed him. And since we had already learned in the first book that the death was an accident and it had been Mommy Dearest who’d landed the executing blow, we know that Clay wasn’t the one who killed the reverend. But it doesn’t help that someone died and all the Montgomerys were instrumental in covering up that death.
In a nutshell, not much really happens in this story aside from a lot of fingers being pointed, and a lot of anger being channeled, and a lot of angsty romance being presented, and a lot of judgement being thrown around by people who have no idea how to be compassionate. And really… that’s it. There’s little to add onto as a continuation of Dead Silence except for the fact that this is just a long drawn out drama with the same events occurring over and over again as the base platform for three romances to happen.
I’m not really complaining, but I’m also not really all that excited about it all. I just want to know how everything ends.
And I’m also ready to be rid of a lot of the Stillwater townspeople. They piss me off a great deal. As I’d mentioned about the first book, I cared very little for most of the characters in the book and in this series in general. Clay is, thus far, one of the few I actually like. Allie’s not so bad either… and if only Grace would grow more of a backbone.
Irene got on my last nerve since all she ever did was cry and complain and cause trouble despite knowing how crucial it was for her to stay out of trouble. Madeline… I don’t know. I understand her need to find out what happened to her father, but her persistence sometimes bordered on a child’s obsession. But then again, she doesn’t know what the reader knows and so she wouldn’t understand why her constant persistence in investigating her father’s disappearance comes across as troublesome.
**
March 11, 2013
This is the second book in the Stillwater trilogy. It wasn't as engrossing as the first book. It took until past the halfway mark for me to really get into it. There were some interesting twists and revelations that I wasn't quite expecting. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone that has read the first book and wants to see how the rest of the story unfolds. Definitely do not read it by itself. I don't think you would be confused, but some of the events of the first novel are referenced here.
February 21, 2016
Cuando creía que una trama no se podía poner más interesante ZAS! IMPRESIONANTE!
para leer esta historia es imprescindible leer la anterior, Silencio mortal ya que la autora nos va desvelando poco a poco sucesos que acontecieron 18/19 años antes.
Clay es EL PERSONAJE por excelencia. Ya me gustaba en el anterior libro pero en este caí rendida a sus pies. No hay mejor hermano, ni hijo, ni esposo. Un amor de persona y Allie es sin duda la mujer fuerte que necesita.
Deseando leer el desenlace de la historia aunque poco queda por contar.
Mi puntuación 9,5
para leer esta historia es imprescindible leer la anterior, Silencio mortal ya que la autora nos va desvelando poco a poco sucesos que acontecieron 18/19 años antes.
Clay es EL PERSONAJE por excelencia. Ya me gustaba en el anterior libro pero en este caí rendida a sus pies. No hay mejor hermano, ni hijo, ni esposo. Un amor de persona y Allie es sin duda la mujer fuerte que necesita.
Deseando leer el desenlace de la historia aunque poco queda por contar.
Mi puntuación 9,5
November 25, 2009
while the author maintained a certain tension about whether the Reverend Lee Barker disappeared or was killed nineteen years ago, i found the book to be more of a "his wide shoulders" and "her small breast" having encounters. i'm not sure if i would seek out the third of this trilogy. there are all sorts of suspects who MIGHT have killed the reverend, who turns out to be rather a pervert. almost makes you wish you could cast the first stone.
September 16, 2008
Another great book by Novak. I'm currently reading that last book in this series and I'm going to hate to say goodbye to these characters. Novak does an excellent job in allowing the reader to get to really know these characters. The subject matter is definitely sensitive, but if you can deal with it, you will definitely love this series!
February 13, 2011
Very enjoyable. I luv the suspense. Clay's character is full of pressure but you can't help but admire his unwavering loyalty to his family. Definitely a thumbs up....
October 25, 2016
A mi me ha enganchado desde el principio, y lo he leido un tiron. Me encanta Clay, y en este libro se va descubriendo mas cosas jejejje
10/10
10/10
January 17, 2017
Such a good book I couldn't put it down. I'm starting book #3 of the series now. Check out her books she's great
May 4, 2017
Another great read by Brenda Novak.
July 14, 2017
So far this trilogy is one of the best I've read! The Montgomery's have been through so much, especially Clay but he has found love which makes "life" worth fighting for.
November 26, 2017
Love this series!
January 24, 2018
Twists and turns galore
Another great read from Brenda Novak! Just when you think you've got it figured out, twist! Check out this book.
Another great read from Brenda Novak! Just when you think you've got it figured out, twist! Check out this book.
June 9, 2019
Buku 2 ini sih sebenarnya hanya menambah orang-orang yang akhirnya mengetahui kebejatan pendeta Barker terutama dari pihak keluarga kecuali anaknya sendiri Madeline yang nantinya ada cerita tersendiri di buku 3. Jadi yang sudah baca buku 1, tidak ada misteri lagi yang mesti terkuak tinggal membaca bagaimana ngeselinnya orang-orang seperti Hendricks-salah satu polisi di Stillwater yang bloon tetapi banyak omong yang malah membuat gosip baru. Tapi lebih bloon lagi adalah jelas-jelas Allie mengetahui karakter Hendricks, lah kok tetap disupply info soal penyelidikannya. Selain sepupu tiri Clay (Joe) yang masih bernafsu mengirim Clay ke penjara, ada juga soal ibu Clay yang melakukan affair dengan ayah Allie yang merupakan kepala polisi dan masih menikah. Agak nyebelin juga sama ibu Clay ini, udah dia yang membunuh Barker (walau karena membela diri) dan bikin anak-anaknya menanggung rahasia juga hujatan eh masih selingkuh pula. Dari semua keluarga Montgomery memang paling kasihan Grace dan Clay. Grace dengan pelecehan yang dialami dan Clay dengan segala tuduhan juga rahasia yang mesti ditutupi dari semua orang demi keselamatan keluarganya. Ada juga tentang Jeb, seorang montir yang pada saat itu sedang berada di gudang menjadi saksi kejadian tewasnya Barker. Jeb ini sudah mengetahui perbuatan Barker dari Eliza (istri pertama Barker) yang menemukan foto-foto mesum suaminya. Tak lama kemudian Eliza ditemukan bunuh diri. Untuk romance-nya lebih bagus buku 2 daripada buku 1.
3,4🌟
3,4🌟
June 12, 2024
2024; WHY ABORTED:
I listened to this some years ago but didn't bother to leave a review. This time I'm noting why I didn't bother to finish it. I lasted 5 hours of this 8-hour audiobook and, despite Christian Rummel narrating (he's among my top fav narrators), I wasn't compelled to continue.
I found my relisten of the first book in the trilogy okay. I would have enjoyed it if it had been another narrator as Marguerite is among around the bottom of my narrator list. Book 1 ended with the mystery of what happened to her stepfather,, Rev Lee Barker, unsolved.
I decided to abort Book 2 because after 5 hours it was going nowhere. There was no development re. the missing reverend. Nothing but the same old questions, same old points being raised - if he is dead, where is his body? If he's not then where did he go? Did Clay kill him? Most of the townsfolk think so but there's no proof. On and on, rinse and repeat. Even the mention of Clay's biological father, now living in Alaska, didn't add anything to the plot. It was just a phone call and nothing more, at least not where I last paused, 5 hours ago.
A lot of time was spent between Clay and Allie, the detective keen to solve the mystery, but I'm not here for the romance so I'm not interested in spending that much time on it.
So...I don't think I will bother to listen to book 3.
I listened to this some years ago but didn't bother to leave a review. This time I'm noting why I didn't bother to finish it. I lasted 5 hours of this 8-hour audiobook and, despite Christian Rummel narrating (he's among my top fav narrators), I wasn't compelled to continue.
I found my relisten of the first book in the trilogy okay. I would have enjoyed it if it had been another narrator as Marguerite is among around the bottom of my narrator list. Book 1 ended with the mystery of what happened to her stepfather,, Rev Lee Barker, unsolved.
I decided to abort Book 2 because after 5 hours it was going nowhere. There was no development re. the missing reverend. Nothing but the same old questions, same old points being raised - if he is dead, where is his body? If he's not then where did he go? Did Clay kill him? Most of the townsfolk think so but there's no proof. On and on, rinse and repeat. Even the mention of Clay's biological father, now living in Alaska, didn't add anything to the plot. It was just a phone call and nothing more, at least not where I last paused, 5 hours ago.
A lot of time was spent between Clay and Allie, the detective keen to solve the mystery, but I'm not here for the romance so I'm not interested in spending that much time on it.
So...I don't think I will bother to listen to book 3.
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