Kensington Books
December 29, 2015
432 pages
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On his ownThicker than Water is a much more compelling and addictive read than I was expecting. This book is definitely hard to put down. Both Thomas and the mystery of who killed his mother are intriguing from the start and make you want to - or need to - read more.
Thomas Bellweather hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide Thomas is the primary suspect.
Not that there’s any evidence. But before Thomas got to Garretts Mill there had just been one other murder in twenty years.
The only person who believes him is Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops and, with her soft hands and sweet curves, straight-up dangerous to Thomas. Her best friend was the other murder vic. And she’d like a couple answers.
Answers that could get them both killed, and reveal a truth Thomas would die to keep hidden…
He is new in town, having only recently moved their with her mother after her marriage to a local police officer. Now, with his mother murdered and Thomas the suspect, he is incredibly alone. His lack of support, both in terms of anyone believing him and in having anyone who even really knows him (aside from his step-father) puts him in an interesting situation.
And that is where Charlotte Rooker comes in. She isn't so read to believe Thomas is the murderer everyone seems to think he is. Though her three cop brothers and cop father are doing everything they can to show her she's wrong.
They're not going to give Thomas a pass because of what she thinks or feels.
Thomas and Charlotte were great characters and seemed to make a great pair. In some ways they were opposites (Thomas has no one, no one's worrying about him; Charlotte has a big, caring family, all being (over)protective of her and her well being) but it caused their personalities to be somewhat similar. Though Thomas is, understandably, more cynical they both had those snarky reactions and thoughts.
The way they could be so similar and then interpret or react to things so very differently made their story, relationship and characters a lot of fun to read.
I was not very sure when, later in the book, things moved from a mystery to more of a paranormal mystery. It was a bit strange and, at first, seemed like it came out of nowhere to be the big explanation. The more information was given or discovered, the more it did fit together with the earlier parts of the story.
As a standalone, I am not sure how I feel about the ending. It does conclude the main mystery, but leaves a lot of things open (and, unless I missed it, does not fully explain one fairly major part). I hope there is a sequel, a novella, or that this will be a series and provide us more of those answers.
I am not sold on the paranormal twist the book took nor how things were (or were not) wrapped up but I loved the characters and how much the beginning makes you want to keep reading, reading, reading..
Another Book You May Also Enjoy: Vendetta (Blood for Blood #1) by Catherine Doyle
review copy received, via NetGalley, from publisher
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