GONE TO GROUND

Author:  Brandilyn Collins

Genre:  Mystery, Standalone

Published:  2012

Personal Rating:  3.75/5 (good +)

Format:  eBook

Yearly Count:  34

From NetGalley:

Amaryllis, Mississippi is a scrappy little town of strong backbone and southern hospitality. A brick-paved Main Street, a park, and a legendary ghost in the local cemetery are all part of its heritage. Everybody knows everybody in Amaryllis, and gossip wafts on the breeze. Its people are friendly, its families tight. On the surface Amaryllis seems much like the flower for which it's named-bright and fragrant. But the Amaryllis flower is poison.

In the past three years five unsolved murders have occurred within the town. All the victims were women, and all were killed in similar fashion in their own homes. And just two nights ago-a sixth murder.

Clearly a killer lives among the good citizens of Amaryllis. And now three terrified women are sure they know who he is-someone they love. None is aware of the others' suspicions. And each must make the heartrending choice to bring the killer down. But each woman suspects a different man.

I was surprised to find that this was a cozy mystery.  From what I knew about it (very little) and the cover, I didn't expect a cozy.  Once I adjusted my mindset, I was fine and was able to enjoy it.

All in all, I think the mystery was good (I didn't figure it out) and the characters were interesting, but I didn't like the Southern dialect on a few chosen words.  There were three viewpoints shared in first person which worked for me, all of which I was happy to hear from again and again.  I also enjoyed the point when I wanted to read quicker to find out who-dun-it and how everything fit together.  It did not come across to me as a serious thriller (since reading I've seen it mentioned as a thriller), but more like a southern cozy mystery, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.

       

My thanks go to B & H Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with this eGalley.