Book Review: Trail of Deception by Amanda McKinney

 

Title: Trail of Deception

Author:   Amanda McKinney

Stars: 3 1\2

Review:

I am not 100% sold on this story and the characters have me a little confused at times.  Traill of Deception is told from several different viewpoints one being the killer. The author uses the different viewpoints to move the story forward so readers are not reading the sometime just from a different viewpoint. 

Readers will figure out the killer and their motive pretty easily which I found to be disappointing since the characters really didn't jump out at me and I was unable to connect with the male and female leads. 

The author tried to keep away from the steamy romance side and focus on the "getting to know you before we jump into bed together." That was a nice change from the typical romantic suspense. 

Trail of Deception isn't a great read and its not a terrible read.  Its just average.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Amanda McKinney Trail of Deception.

Synposis:

When Aria, a young girl with autism, goes missing, search and rescue expert Beckett Stolle ventures into the swamplands of Texas to track her down.

When he finds the girl, she is alive, sitting next to a corpse painted in blood. Accusations fly, including suspicion that Aria was involved in the macabre murder. Beckett, however, fears this is the work of a notorious serial killer, turning his rescue mission into a hunt for a murderer. But every clue leads back to Aria, who has secrets of her own—something her psychiatrist, Jo Bellerose, sympathizes with on a very deep and dangerous level.

As an ice storm descends on Texas, Jo partners with Beckett, a handsome ex-military outdoorsman, to prove Aria’s innocence and find the real killer before another victim is slain. The two get trapped in the wilderness, where their professional relationship morphs into something intensely personal.

And the danger headed their way is one they never saw coming

About The Author:

Amanda McKinney is the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of more than fifteen romantic suspense and mystery novels. Her latest book, Rattlesnake Road, was named one of POPSUGAR's 12 Best Romance Books to Have a Spring Fling With, and was featured on the Today Show. The fifth book in her Steele Shadows series, Jagger (Steele Shadows Investigations), was recently nominated for the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.

Amanda wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY in 2017, after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. Her books include the bestselling series, STEELE SHADOWS SECURITY, the multi-award-winning BERRY SPRINGS series, BLACK ROSE MYSTERIES, and many more to come.

Set in small, Southern towns, Amanda’s books are page-turning murder mysteries peppered with steamy romance She lives in Arkansas with her handsome husband, two beautiful boys, and three obnoxious dogs.

Where have I been you ask? Reviews are coming I promise.

 To start the last two months have been crazy. Anyone with kids knows what crazy means.  This isn't the everyday crazy Nope this is Nonstop something is always happening crazy. 

 I was able to be assistant director to Kids Frozen at my daughter elementary school. I finally was able to use my years of musical dance theatre major from college.  (Didn't graduate from college) To help teach and create a wonderful experience for these kiddos and me. 

This was the school's first play and the first play all the kids had ever done.  Thanks to so many wonderful people giving up their time and talents we were able to put on a middle school level performance. The kids used head mics which was adventures to say the least. I was in charge of blocking scenes and teaching how to act and follow direction. I lost my voice a lot. 

The director was in charge of dance and costumes. The music teacher helped with the song and a wonderful father bought in sounds, lights and mic.  It was one of the most frustrating and amazing 6 weeks I have had in a long time.

The costumes were amazing when you think we had such a little budget if you can call it that. In reality we used our own money and lots of goodwill half off shopping days to create costumes and looks for the kiddos. 

I wish I could show you the video, but several parents didn't want their kids' pictures on social media. I am unable to post any pictures. I will be honest I forgot how much I love directing.  I miss performing on stage there is just something so special about theatre. 

During those amazing 6 weeks I had a doctor's appointment that changed how I view medication. I ended up developing medication fatty liver disease.  Not gonna lie it was scary hearing those words The good news we were able to make my liver happy again by reducing my MXT from .6mg to .2mg. That might not sound like much believe it is!

My doctor placed me on steroid to keep me from flaring up which still happened. I realized how grateful I am for modern medicine. Without it I couldn't even imagine living life in that much pain. During the play I was dealing with a major flare up and migraines. 

To understand what a flare up is:

 (an exacerbation of a chronic disease. Sometimes referred to as a flare-up, a flare occurs when symptoms of a disease that has been present for a time suddenly worsen. A flare is a transient worsening in severity of a disease or condition that eventually subsides or lessens. For example, in many arthritis conditions the joints can flare with worsening of stiffness, pain, and swelling.)

 I wasn't able to take anything over the counter due to stomach was inflamed as well. 

I also have the best family as they picked up and helped me out when I wasn't able to keep up with the day to day needs of the family.

Update my liver in happy once again but I am unable to take over the counter pain medication due to interactions. I have been back to my hippie ways as my family calls it is using natural remedies to help.  Are they 100% Not even close thankfully they take the edge off the migraine. 

Next:

Spring Break where all the kids and hubby ended up with the flu ending the fun two weeks quickly. I spent most of the time taking care of sick ones and nothing much else happened.  My kids went back to school 2 weeks later and started State testing which consumed everyday topics.

April arrived and I had a promise to keep. The girl who played Anna has anxiety. The closer we got to opening the night the worse her anxiety grew. I decided to make a deal with her if she gave me her 100%, I would do something that scares me which is get this singing in public.

  Easter Sunday, I sang in front of my congregation with a friend.   I was told it was beautiful and was asked if I gave did voice or piano lesson.  The song was in my lower voice range called His Hands. I had sung it many times when I was in high school but not since I left college. 

It is found in this group of songs.

Parents came for s short visit on their way to college gradations and visiting family in the west.  Which pretty much brings us up to date. 

Wait I completely forgot I found a Xbox game I am in love with and can't stop playing Harry Potter Legacy it is freaking amazing for Potter heads.