danielle girard – Pleasant Nights

Title: Far Gone

Author: Danielle Girard

Genre: thriller

Thank you Netgalley for this book!

I requested this one because I had the first book, White Out, on my kindle to read. So, I read that one a few weeks ago and thought it was okay. The plot was a bit over-the-top for my liking. But I thought the characters were great and was excited to revisit them in this one. And again, this plot was a bit preposterous for my liking but seeing the characters was a lot of fun. Some time has passed since the previous one, so we got to see the characters mature a bit. But these books are solid and even though the plots are bit too much for me, I think most people will really enjoy these.

From Goodreads: When a North Dakota couple is shot down in their home in cold blood, the sleepy town of Hagen wakes with a jolt. After all, it’s usually such a peaceful place. But Detective Kylie Milliard knows better.

Despite not handling a homicide investigation in years, Kylie is on the case. A drop of blood found at the scene at first blush promises to be her best evidence. But it ultimately only proves that someone else witnessed the murder—and the results are shocking: the DNA reveals a familial match to a crime involving local nurse Lily Baker from over a decade ago. This unveiling stirs new nightmares for Lily as she’s forced to reckon with the most traumatic time in her life.

Haunted by their pasts and hunting the killer, Kylie and Lily uncover hellish secrets and impossible truths, finding answers that put both their lives in jeopardy.

Seeing Kylie and Lily again was a lot of fun. Both are strong, dynamic, real characters who you cheer for. And while Lily isn’t in danger this time around (unlike White Out), she is still very important to the plot. But it’s nice to see her doing better, happier, more stable. Because I like these two ladies so much, I will definitely be revisiting this series, assuming more are published at some point.

White Out

Title: White Out

Author: Danielle Girard

Genre: thriller

I got this book from Kindle First Reads quite some time ago. I put it in my “to read” folder to get to at some point. But I got the sequel from Netgalley awhile back, so I made a point to read this one first, so I wouldn’t be thoroughly confused. I really only knew this book was a thriller, but that was about it. I like going into books blind, so I don’t really read reviews or blurbs. I prefer making my own judgements as much as possible. And I’ve had some success with Kindle First Reads, but this one was just okay for me.

From Goodreads: After surviving a car accident on an icy road in Hagen, North Dakota, Lily Baker regains consciousness with no idea where or who she is. Scattered Bible verses and the image of a man lying in a pool of blood haunt her memory.

The same night of the accident, a young woman is murdered and tossed in a dumpster. Kylie Milliard, Hagen’s only detective, doesn’t immediately recognize the victim, but Kylie soon discovers that Lily and the dead woman share a dark past…if only Lily could remember what it was.

Lily and Kylie both want answers. But Kylie has to play by the book. Lily has to play it safe. And the more Lily learns about her identity, the more she fears the truth.

I liked the characters of Kylie and Lily, but the plot was a bit too convoluted for me. It also relied on more “telling” than “showing,” which isn’t the best type of writing. Information was just dumped on the reader without any one actually coming to those conclusions. It was a very odd choice of how to present the big reveals to the audience. I say reveals because there is more than one mystery in this book (not a spoiler). This book also relies on the “I’ve lost my memory” trope that I despise. It’s just cheap storytelling. I’m going to read the second one, but if it’s not a lot better, I don’t expect to continue on with the series, if more are published.