The Wicked Hour (Natalie Lockard #2) by Alice Blanchard #aliceblanchard @MinotaurBooks @NetGalley #mystery #suspense

Susanne’s Review:

It’s The Wicked Hour, in Burning Lake, with Halloween in full force.  For Detective Natalie Lockhart, that means patrolling throughout the night. As heavy-duty clean-up from the Halloween festivities is required, Detective Lockhart volunteers and happens upon the dead body of a local woman.  An investigation ensues, putting her in the spotlight, which is the last thing she wants.

You see, Detective Lockhart is still reeling from the events of her past, from which she is traumatized.  

Though the case puts her through the wringer, Natalie is tenacious and wants justice.

A complex, well-written twisty turny mystery that kept me glued to the storyline.  I was, however, vexed greatly by the ending.  One can always hold out hope, however.  

A buddy read with Kaceey.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the arc. 

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.  

Kaceey’s Review:

This is book two of the Natalie Lockhart series. 

When the body of a young woman is found in a dumpster it is up to Natalie to put the pieces of the mystery together to identify the girl and find her killer. She may end up finding more than she bargained for.

I have to admit I enjoyed book one A Trace of Evil a whole lot more. In this latest release, I lacked the connection with Natalie that I previously felt. The mystery behind the killing didn’t hold my attention and I felt my mind wandering throughout. Seems the magic from book one just wasn’t there this time.☹️

I attempted the audio version along the way hoping that would give me a better experience. And though the narrator did a fantastic job I still struggled to stay focused.  

Perhaps this was just one of those…it’s the reader and not the book.🤷🏻‍♀️

Will I continue with the series? Hmmm🤔… to be determined.

A buddy read with Susanne.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.