Susan Clayton-Goldner

Dark River Rising by Susan Clayton-Goldner
Winston Radhauser #13

Another captivating, compelling, complicated, and compassionate look at a case that has haunted Detective Radhuaser for years. It is a parents’ worst nightmare to lose a child and never know what happened and perhaps just as difficult for the detective on the case that cares so deeply. Some say knowing helps…no matter what one finally learns happened. I love this author’s writing, Winston Radhauser, and the depth of each story in this series.

What I liked:
* Winston Radhauser: experienced homicide detective, husband, father, has suffered personal loss and grief, caring, compassionate, tenacious, committed, intriguing
* Winston’s wife and family
* The dual viewpoint of those telling the story
* Ava felt so much for her – from a happy ten year old to being trafficked and then dead…her story was so hard to read
* The paranormal element of the story
* The way Radhauser and his wife try to help others while building a stable home and family
* That no punches were spared when looking at the darker grittier aspects of this story whether for the one taken or those left behind
* That I felt and cared and wanted to reach in and change the lives of more than one in the story
* Katelyn: someone Ava met, strong, resilient, caring, gets a second chance from a helping hand
* Morrie: an investigator that I would like to see more of in the future
* The positive elements at the end of the story

What I didn’t like:
* What and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that all too much of this story happens in real life

Did I enjoy this story? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (mais)

What Lies Beneath Stillwater by Susan Clayton-Goldner
A Winston Radhauser Mystery #12

Groundbreaking to heartbreak in a matter of seconds as tiny bones are uncovered and long-ago secrets are soon unearthed. This story was heart wrenching and timely although the all but one of the murdered died decades before.

What I liked:
* That the story made me care, feel, and think
* Detective Winston Radhauser: intelligent, diligent, great at his job, good partner at work and at home, husband, father, horse owner, has suffered loss in the past, soon to have new children in the family
* Gracie: Winston’s wife, mother, loving, supportive, kind
* Detective McBride: Radhauser’s co-worker and work partner, great researcher, wants to do more and may in future books
* The police procedures followed to find the serial baby killer at the Stillwater home for unwed mothers
* Roosevelt: gentle giant, handyman, worked at Stillwater
* Maggie and Monica as their stories of how they ended up at Stillwater were revealed along with the impact it had on both of them
* Thinking about the era and the stigma of being a pregnant teenager – and then wondering if such homes will be coming back with the change in laws that is occurring
* The plot, pacing, writing, and character development
* That setting
* Being able to return to the series and find out how Winston and his family are doing
* Being able to really dislike the murderer
* That the mystery was solved by the end of the book
* Hoping that there will be another book to look forward to soon

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The way the girls at Stillwater were treated
* The reason the murderer gave for the killings

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (mais)

Lost Creek Cabin by Susan Clayton-Goldner
Winston Radhauser Mystery #11

Swept into the story from page one and interest kept till the end as I found myself deeply invested in the lives of the characters, the case(s) Radhauser was working on, and the hoped for resolution to the story.

What I liked:
* Detective Winston Radhauser: focused, professional, compassionate, truth seeker, loving father and husband, admirable, a good friend, someone I would want working to solve any case.
* That I cared about the people in the story
* That I felt a part of the story
* The location in Oregon
* The way Radhauser left no stone unturned
* The relationship that Radhauser has with his family – though not as much time was spent with his wife and children in this book as in some
* That the author was willing to tackle a list of big issues:
- bullying
- dysfunctional families
- adoption and issues that might crop up in closed adoptions
- the impact lies can have
- abuse
- infidelity
- popularity and the price one may pay to have it
- friendship
- teenage high school students and issues they face – there were several
- young love
- forgiveness
- justice
- family – what is it really
- suicide
- and more
* The complexity of the story, how well it was plotted, and the excellent writing
* That I was emotionally invested in the story
* That there will, hopefully, be another book in the series to look forward to.

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that bullying occurs and that it can have deadly results
* Knowing that this story is all too real and wondering how many suffer as those in this book did
* Having to wait to find out what will happen next in the series.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (mais)