2015 Book Review #37: Virtue Falls

A new to me author and book.

The cover is what attracted me to the book when I saw it on the library shelf.  I decided to get it as I've seen other novels by this author but had never read any of them.

STORY SUMMARY

In the little isolated town of Virtue Falls, located on the coast of Washington, near Seattle, a mother was murdered 23 years ago.  Her 4 year old daughter, Elizabeth, saw it happen.  Her father was accused of the murder as he was holding the weapon when they were found.

But did he really kill Misty Banner, his beloved wife and the mother of his darling daughter??

He was convicted and sent to life in prison.

Elizabeth was raised by her maternal aunt, away from the town and all its gossip.

But now she is back in Virtue Falls, working on the geological project her father had been working on when her mother was killed. She is staying at the Resort, which is run by Margaret, a woman in her 90s and who raised Elizabeth's ex-husband as her foster son.

Elizabeth is smart, very logical, a loner....and recently divorced from Garik, an FBI agent.

She discovers that her father is now in a facility for memory loss as he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  And that facility is in Virtue Falls.

Little does she know....her ex-husband is also in Virtue Falls after a large-scale earthquake shatters the town and he realizes that Elizabeth is back there working.  Although he was about to end his own life, he decides to run after Elizabeth whom he still loves and desires.  And secretly...Elizabeth loves him too.  She just doesn't realize it yet.

During the aftermath of the earthquake, Elizabeth discovers some long-held secrets....and discovers her father is NOT the murderer at all!!

But someone is....and that someone is back in town, and has already hurt a woman.  Is he or she related to the women and children who have been killed down in San Francisco?  Is this a serial killer on the loose....and if so, did he/she really kill Misty Banner all those years ago??

MY THOUGHTS

I really liked the beginning of the book and was drawn in right away with the character and setting development.  However, the middle section of the book seemed to get bogged down.  I had to push my way through it and kept finding my self saying "hurry up....just get to the main point".

The last half of the book was most excellent and really picked up.  In fact, the last several chapters were hard to put down.  The book really picked up speed and became very exciting.

I was not surprised as to who the killer was and the way it was brought out was very well written.  The conclusion was odd.  Very odd.  It involved a minor character named Kateri and just didn't make sense to me.  I kind of get where the author was going with it.  BUT...this character was only mentioned a few times and the ending was just.....odd.  I don't want to tell you what it is in case you want to read this yourself.  It just didn't have anything to do with the murder mystery.  It might have had something to do with the earthquake....a spooky spiritual type of thing...but it was just odd.

I'll let you decide!!

I am taking points off for bad editing...many misspelled words and improper use of some words.  Sloppy!!

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to some content).

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 7.