Hush, My Darling (Benoit and Dayne Mystery #2) by Winter Austin
@Archaeolibrary, @hotchoc84, @WinterAustin_,
#Romantic, #Military, #Suspense, #Thriller,
Sometimes, the past starts to bleed into the future…
Dark memories haunt Eckardt County Deputy Lila Dayne. Two years ago, she survived a serial killer’s attempt to add her to his growing list of victims in Chicagoland, but the fight cost her more than just time lost to surgeries and rehab. Now she’s finally beginning to connect with the people in this small section of southeast Iowa, even if she can still sense him watching her.
Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit has her sights on bringing down Eckardt County’s corruption when two bodies surface, both bearing striking similarities to the serial killer victims discovered along I-80—and one delivers a personal message for her department. Lila spirals out of control under the pressure, pushing everyone out of her life.
As Elizabeth and her deputies try to bring Lila back into the fold, the killer closes in, marking his next victim. Lila must shake free of her fears and trust those who have supported her—or the killer will finish what he started.
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5 out of 5 (exceptional)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oh wow!
I thought the first in the series was good but this is brilliant!
It takes one second and three little words to throw Lila Dayne into the abyss that she's been circling for two years.....
Winter Austin has created something that is gripping, emotional and immersive. Hush, My Darling has everything it should have and more to hook you and keep you guessing throughout.
I had my suspicions... and second guessed myself... I started to think I was wrong... that three other characters, potentially, were the one hunting Lila, that's how well Winter played me with her twisting tapestry of a story. I'm sad to say I doubted someone I really shouldn't have thanks to a few paragraphs... little details that tried to trick me.
I can't wait for the next instalment of this cracking series, I need more!!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Part 1
Adventurous or cautious?
About half and half, I want to try new things, but the introvert in me likes to tug on the reins.
Antique or brand new?
Depends on what it is, but I’ve a mile long streak for the love of the old.
Asking questions or answering questions?
Asking!
Bagels or muffins?
Another depends, who made them, where they came from, and what’s in them. But both really.
Black and white or colour?
Color! Bright Red, too.
Black leather or brown leather?
Brown leather—cowgirl to the core.
Books or movies?
Both!
Boots or sandals?
Both!
Bright colours or neutral tones?
Bright Colors
Cake or pie?
Pie!
Call or text?
Call, I like hearing voices.
Chinese or Italian?
Italian
Chocolate or vanilla?
Choloclate—the darker the better.
Cowboys or aliens?
Alien Cowboys! Firefly anyone!!!
Dancing or singing?
Singing
Dogs or cats?
Dogs, I enjoy cats, but dogs are my pack.
Drawings or paintings?
Paintings
Dress up or dress down?
Dress down, comfy clothes, please!
Dresses or skirts?
Not really, jeans/pants.
Facial hair or clean-shaven?
Depends on who it is, my man has a beard and I never want him clean-shaven again.
Favourite colour?
Blue! Then Red
Fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction
Football or Rugby?
Football—College mostly—and that’s American football! Go Clones!
Freckles or dimples?
Dimples.
Fruit or vegetables?
Both.
Glasses or contacts?
Glasses, always had them.
Hardwood or carpet?
Depends on the environment, but I’d rather have carpet.
Hugs or kisses?
Both!
Ice cream or yoghurt?
Oatmilk Ice Cream!
Internet or cell phone?
Internet, I can type faster than on my phone.
Introvert or extrovert?
I’m both, but I lean heavily on the introvert side.
Ketchup or mustard?
Mustard.
Leather or denim?
Denim
Light or dark chocolate?
Dark, baby!
Light side or dark side?
Oooo, trick question, Gray, right down the middle.
Long hair or short hair?
Medium
Marvel or DC?
Marvel!!!!
Morning, noon or night?
Morning, course I do like night, when I sleep.
Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope.” Having returned to her hometown, Winter has stepped into the chaotic world of a full-time wife, mom, author, and employee.
A lifelong Mid-West gal, Winter rediscovered her love of her beloved Iowa with its hot summers and snowy winters. She grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around the table or a campfire. Since becoming a published author, she learned a mindset of a glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller author. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic thrillers. Combining her love of all things rural, agricultural, and military, she’s turned her small town life upside down.
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