Trace Conger

Catch and Release by Trace Conger
A Connor Harding Thriller #1

What would you do to save your sibling? Would you use your finely honed military skills to find a murderer…for another murderer…to save your brother’s life? And, what would you do if the trail you were following to that killer proved to be lead to an unexpected destination?

What I liked:
* Connor Harding: intelligent, excellent at solving puzzles, lethal, ex-military intelligence officer, skilled in interrogation and reading people, has an interesting family, intriguing, would like to read more about him
* The quiet setting and small town of Meddybemps, Maine
* The steps Connor followed to figure out the puzzle of who killed Little Freddie’s wife and daughter
* That Connor is willing to do what is right…even if it is not necessarily legal
* Conor’s protectiveness…at least of some and sometimes
* The way Connor handles himself…in more than one situation
* Wondering if Connor might end up with Tara…or someone else
* The unexpected twist
* The way the story ends
* Hoping that I will see Connor in another story in the future

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (mais)

Five Will Die by Trace Conger

Moving to Lincoln, Ohio was supposed to make for an easier life than working for the Cleveland Police Department and for a while, it did. One day a message was delivered to the police department that FIVE WILL DIE. Was it a prank, spoof, trick…or could it be true? As one after another seemingly unrelated deaths occur, the sheriff and his small team try to figure out who is killing people in their town…how many will die? Will the killer be caught? That is what this book is about.

What I liked:
* Tim Burke: Sheriff, husband, suffers from anxiety disorder, grieves for daughter that died, professional.
* Gwen: Tim’s wife, retired RN, runs local coffee shop, loves her husband, misses her daughter.
* Corey Poteet: one of Tim’s deputy’s, interested in historical and current crimes, seems to be a good person.
* Gavin Evans: recent addition to the police force, handsome, conscientious, dating a local woman
* Maren Krueger: independent criminal profiler, intelligent, focused, free-spirit, interesting
* The randomness of the killings…and how the killer may have chosen to kill them
* That not all killings were the same
* The police procedural aspect of the story with the clues finally coming to light
* The creepiness of who was doing the killing even knowing the impetus/excuse used to kill
* That anxiety was dealt with well and counseling suggested – also liked the Author’s Note at the end of the book that deals with the topic, too.
* Wondering if this is a standalone story or if this is the first book in a series

What I didn’t like:
* The killer and the fact that lives were taken
* The coverup of a crime that took place in the past

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4-5 Stars… (mais)

The White Boy by Trace Conger

Who doesn’t like a scary campfire story told late at night? This would be perfect if you are looking for a new one to tell next time you are in charge of the story telling. It is creepy, scary, and just real enough to make me wonder about what might be hiding in my closet or under my bed!

I don’t want to give too many details as the story is short with every word packing a punch…so…I will just say that I highly recommend it and hope I never see what Drew and Quinn saw in this short story!

Thank you to the author for the copy to read and review – this is my honest review.

5 Stars… (mais)

Mirage Man by Trace Conger
Connor Harding Thriller #1

Intense, fast-paced, action-packed thrill ride from beginning to end. Connor is not your typical fiction hero, but he is definitely a man you would rather have as your friend than as your enemy!

What I liked:
* The setting: Boston and New York
* Connor: ex-military, intelligent, lethal, son, brother, ex-fixer for a mob boss, retired, has found a niche job working with Mr. Fish, suddenly has a hit out on him and wants to know why.
* The writing, plot, and pace of the story
* Watching how the story unfolds and where Connor will head next
* That Connor was not Superman
* Zoe: a good person for Connor to have on speed-dial, smart, good businesswoman, intriguing, would like to see more of her in the future.
* The problems that Connor had to solve and how he went about finding solutions
* Thinking about what it would be like to live within the adrenaline and money fueled violent world of mafias
* That there is more to learn about Connor’s backstory
* The action scenes – seemed realistic and believable
* That Connor seems to see the world in shades of gray – not black and white – when it comes to what needs to be done and the justification for the actions required
* Knowing that there will be another book starring Connor in the future
* All of it except…

What I didn’t like:
* Exactly what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how easy it was for some of the characters to do the reprehensible things they did.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars… (mais)