The Woman Who Couldn't Scream
4 Stars

Sad to see this series come to an end as, despite its rocky start, I have enjoyed the last to books immensely. It feels like it was just hitting its stride.

Set in the quirky town of Virtua Falls, Washington, this installment of the series has two foci. The first is the mystery surrounding mysterious Merida Falcon and her plans for revenge, and the second is Sheriff Kateri Kwinault whose past and future are finally revealed.

While some of the plot twists are predictable, Dodd's storytelling is immersive and engaging. Her characters come to life on the pages and each is compelling in his or her own way.

Although the romance elements in the book take a back seat to the mystery and suspense, the relationships between the couples are very appealing, and it is especially satisfying that Kateri final got her HEA.

In sum, Virtue Falls is a delightful and highly recommended for fans of RS and Dodd. Looking forward to the spin-off series. ( )

Hmmm. So regardless of what the blurb says, this book is not about Merida but rather it is about Kateri. I would say that perhaps a fourth of the book, if even that much, is told in the POV of Merida and concerns her story. The rest is all from the POV of Kateri and is about her solving crimes and being the chosen of a god and saving lives etc. Poor Merida, she’s a secondary character in her own book. And of course, she gets her voice back in the end because rainbows and roses I guess. They ALWAYS get their voices back. ( )

I have read quite a few books by this author and frankly i like the style. In my opinion this book completely missed it. This was the first book i read from Virtue Falls series but it felt too unrelatable. Too many parallel story lines most of them not tying together really well. Not sure if that was becasue the book was a part of a series and series expected to be read in order or because book itself not very good.Would not read another virtue falls book. ( )

I am a longtime fan of author Christina Dodd, but I am new to her "Virtue Falls" series. After having read Book 4, "The Woman Who Couldn't Scream", I plan on returning to this mayhem-filled Washington State community for more mischief and misadventures. I especially want to follow the trials and tribulations of Sheriff Kateri Kwinault and her romantic interest, good-bad guy, Stag Denali. The title character, "The Woman Who Couldn't Scream", has multiple names and identities, but all of them are bent on revenge. Having lost her ability to speak due to an accident, Helen Brassard, married to a controlling, manipulative older man, longs for the freedom to live out her dreams of retaliation against those she blames for her misery. After her husband's death, Helen leaves his world behind and resurfaces as Merida Falcon/Merry Byrd. A new life in Virtue Falls reunites her with the man on whom she has sworn vengeance. Further complicating matters, Sheriff Kwinault is a former classmate of Merida's, and the sheriff has her hands full searching for a serial killer who slashes his female victims to death. Filled with quirky, compelling characters, and propelled by a fascinating and fast-moving story line, "The Woman Who Couldn't Scream" speaks loudly to lovers of sharply-written romantic suspense.

Book Copy Gratis Author ( )

Welcome back to Virtue Falls!! The Woman Who Couldn't Scream brings us the story of Merida/Helen/Merry. She has had a tragic life and is now seeking revenge against the man who ruined her dreams. Of course, its never quite that simple, is it?

The book also gives us more Kateri, now the sheriff of Virtue Falls. Kateri is having some issues of her own. Some of the townspeople are NOT pleased with her as sheriff. She is a female and a Native American and they are sexist and racist. Also, she can't seem to catch killer John Terrence. And then a serial killer arrives and starts carving up peoples faces!

The plot weaves between Kateri and Merida, who were childhood friends in Baltimore. Their stories don't overlap much except for Kateri being the sheriff and Merida being in trouble. So, the story reads almost like 2 parallel tales that happen to cross paths a few times. It isn't a bad thing, but it was a bit of a let down because I felt both stories could have been better. Neither outcome was surprising and that isn't usually the case for a Christina Dodd book.

My issue aside, The Woman Who Couldn't Scream is still a fantastic read. You have so many zany and interesting secondary characters in the people of Virtue Falls and Dodd layers the plot intricately well. If you like mystery with a dash of romance, The Woman Who Couldn't Scream is a great pick. The narrator, Andi Arndt does a wonderful job with lots of different voices and accents. She adds to the story without distracting you.

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: revenge, secret identity


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone (you really don't have to have read any of the other virtue falls books to understand and enjoy The Woman Who Couldn't Scream)


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: HFN: Merida and Benedict leave town together; HEA: Kateri and Stag get engaged

Pretend You're Safe by Alexandra Ivy, Monster in the Closet by Karen Rose, Touch of Red by Laura Griffin...then you will probably like The Woman Who Couldn't Scream!

 


The Woman Who Couldn't Scream






 See full review on The Book Disciple ( )