Rachel Caine

Bitter Falls

Geoffrey Froggatt

I’ve been putting off continuing this series because I knew the author passed away and I didn’t want to get too invested if it ended on a cliffhanger, but I recently read that the author wrote the fifth book’s ending with this in mind and it concluded in a way that felt satisfying. I also saw that a sixth book was written with a secondary author continuing where Rachel Caine left off, which always intrigues me. In spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands what it’s like to worry about your children. Gwen’s investigation unearths new suspects… and victims. As she follows each sinister lead, the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home. In a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family: paramilitary, criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves? One thing that made me love the previous books in this series was Gwen’s character and the characterization of her lover and kids, who I all became invested in. I love how Gwen’s past keeps effecting her future and how it puts her in the crosshairs of her ex-husband’s supporters and enemies. I loved seeing more from Connor’s perspective now that he’s much older than he was in the previous book. I loved how the kids are more involved in the plot despite how annoying they can sometimes be when the author makes them be emotional or make stupid decisions to further the plot. I liked the cult storyline of this book but I thought the cult itself was pretty lacklustre. I think the cult could have been more interesting had it been a doomsday cult rather than a typical pseudo religious cult. Despite my gripe with how the cult was portrayed, I can admit that this was a more realistic portrayal of a cult, I just wish that we got something more outlandish and exciting. I liked how the secondary characters from previous books return in this book as it gives the series a sense of continuity and a weight to the events of everything that has happened so far. This book really made me appreciate Sam as a character, and I love how he’s come to become a true member of this family. When Sam calls Connor his son, it warmed my heart. This book made me realize that I love the trope where stepparents and stepchildren finally refer to each other as family. I appreciate how this book put Sam and Connor into the spotlight instead of only focusing on Gwen during the climax. While I did enjoy this story, I want as invested like I was in the first two books, though I will continue with the series.

Denaiir

I enjoyed Bitter Falls way more than its predecessor, Wolfhunter River, since I now know that the series is not about Melvin Royal anymore. Wolfhunter River disappointed me because it was less strong, but mostly because I thought the Melvin story was a trilogy and so I was waiting for a twist the whole time. In retrospect, if I had bothered checking that it was a series continuing with the background story of Gwen, but a completely new plot, I would have enjoyed it more.

This one is nothing like the first two novels in the series, it doesn't pack such a powerful punch, but it is still a good gripping thriller. The writing is flawless and there is a ton of action. People get killed left and right, there's betrayal, violence, treason, it's exactly how I like my books.

The problem is that I can't believe that all these horrible things would happen to the same family, or that the kids would still make all these mistakes and not understand the consequences. But on the other hand, they've been dealt a shitty hand and it seems believable that they would keep being dragged into shady situations. I still really enjoy witnessing the growth of the family, the fact that we had chapters from each of the characters' point of views (Gwen, Sam, Lanny and Connor) was well-done, there was a good balance and the characters are definitely growing on me. 

I'm looking forward to Heartbreak Bay next year!

Lara Engle

This series is dramatic, fast-paced, and sometimes over-the-top. It's always entertaining. Four books in, the characters are feeling like old friends. Give it a try if you like crime thrillers that don't make you think too hard and deliver satisfying endings.

TYLER

Salwa Mohamed

Great comeback after the slow paced Wolfhunter River.

Shannon Lamoree

I absolutely love Rachel Caine and the Stillhouse Lake series. This is the 4th book in that series. Book 3, Wolfhunter River was slightly difficult to get through, but this one was much more action packed. I love seeing the development of all he characters, especially Gwen. I feel some relationship development took unnecessary leaps and that the series has run its course. Overall though I highly recommend this book. 
Thank you NetGalley for my gifted copy of Bitter Falls. All opinions are my own.

Melea Mullican

As always the Stillhouse Lake books are a wild ride. I always know Gwen and her family are going into something crazy. The main thing I like about these books isn't the action, its the characters. They are real, raw, and have great development. The actual plot, while entertaining, can be a bit over the top. I still enjoy them, but they definitely require suspension of belief. Overall, I really enjoyed this addition, and can't wait for the next one.

Southern Today Gone Tomorrow

Written by Rachel Caine this is the 4th book in her Stillhouse Lake series, following Gwen and her family as they navigate through moving beyond her ex-husband’s killer past.

First, I love Rachel Caine’s writing, absolutely love it. But, somehow, she made this novel even darker than her last. I believe a bit of time has passed between this novel and Wolfhunter River and the kids are a bit older than they were in that book. And this book goes off with a bang, literally. And, somehow, is even darker than the last book.

Like, I struggled with reading this, not because of the writing, but because it was a lot. There is a cult and kidnapping involved in this one. Which, now that I think about it, probably does put it on par with the 3rd book. But, still.

It was a lot.

But, if you have read the other 3 books, I think this one is still worth the read. If you are wanting a happy book, please, look elsewhere. Anywhere else.

Randy Robbins

This was my favorite story of the series. However, I felt that character development stalled a little in this one.

Rachel Schommer

By this point in the series I'm emotionally invested in each character. This book pulled at my heartstrings while simultaneously keeping me flipping pages ravenously. The story line, and the action is excellent. The ending...oh, the ending 😊 This is by far my favorite book of this series, closely followed by #1.

Bitter Falls

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