Sacramento Series, Book 1

Author:  Karen Rose
Publisher: Berkley (February 12, 2019)

Genre: Mystery/Romance

• Hardcover: 624 pages
• Kindle: 623 pages

Description

Introducing the first novel in the pulse-pounding Sacramento series from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose.

There is a serial killer on the loose, preying on vulnerable women. The only identifiable mark the killer leaves are letters—sometimes one, sometimes two—all carved into the torsos of his victims.  Together they spell “Sydney.”

When he grabs Daisy Dawson, he believes he has found his next victim. But despite her small stature, she fights back with an expertise that quickly frees her. Before fleeing the scene, Daisy also manages to grab what proves to be crucial evidence: a necklace from around the killer’s neck.

The necklace is more than a trivial item—it is a link to a cold case that Special Agent Gideon Reynolds has been tracking for seventeen years. With Daisy’s help, Gideon finally has the opportunity to get closer to the truth than ever before.

But they might not get the chance, as the serial killer has a new target: Gideon and Daisy.

My Thoughts: 

I’ve never read anything by this author, but I’ve seen a few recommendations on Instagram so I wanted to give her a try. I found the writing to be very good, and I won’t hesitate to try another of her books, but this one just didn’t quite work for me.

Though it was a good story, it felt like it went on and on including a few details that weren’t all that relevant to the story. (At least not this first book in the series.) As an example, Daisy is a recovering alcoholic, but the subject of alcohol is barely touched on, so why include it. Also, Daisy’s emotional support dog is an interesting addition, but Daisy went through all sorts of stress and craziness in a better fashion than most of us would have, dog or no dog. I understand the point that both things were making, but in my opinion, several things needed to be eliminated or barely mentioned to shorten the book. 

Was it a good story? Yes, I liked it. But at times the mystery felt like it almost took a back seat to the telling of Daisy and FBI Agent Gideon’s story. The book did end at a satisfying place, but will easily open up into the second book in this series.

What Concerned Me: 

Probably more than anything I would say it was too long for the content. (Haven’t heard me say that before, have you?) There were places in Say You’re Sorry that felt too repetitive or unnecessary.

What I Loved Best: 

I did like the two main characters in this book: Daisy and Gideon. I think it will no doubt turn out to be an interesting series.

About The Author:

Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn’t concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”

Her debut suspense novel, DON’T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published more than fifteen novels and two novellas. Her twenty-second novel, SAY YOU’RE SORRY, will be released in 2019.

 

Karen’s books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London’s Sunday Times, and Germany’s der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa(#1) and Australia!