This is a good, readable mystery, but I found the setting in virginia to be so well done. She captures the poverty, beauty, and characters so well. ( )

Three and a half stars actually. "In a small town everybody is next of kin to everybody else." Also, in this small town of Acker's Gap WV, there is more crime than you'd expect -- big leagues too-- terrorism, murder, -- no petty theft at the dollar store. Bell Elkins book #2 does not disappoint as Keller weaves the mysteries to be solves through the lives of the townspeople and the beautiful landscape. ( )

I registered this book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14659742

Second in a series featuring prosecuting attorney Bell Elkins. I wasn't sure when I bought this if I had read the other title - later I discovered that I had.

I had some of the same questions this time as I did with the first mystery: does a prosecuting attorney take part in the actual investigation of a case? Does she choose which leads to follow and which not? I would think not, but I was unable to find out by my online searching of West Virginia law.

The mystery this time is of the death of a young woman, found in the river. At this time Bell's daughter is living with her father, some distance away, and Bell is living alone. Part of Bell's angst is from her relationship with her daughter. In this episode, the two find some common ground. However, the dialogue between the two sounded right out of a bad television show to me. It didn't feel true. Similarly with the other relationships in the book - I just didn't feel them.

I don't plan to buy any more in this series. ( )

This is the second Bell Elkins novel, and once again, Keller has captured the essence of parts of WV that ring true. I didn't see the end of this coming either. To me, that's a sign of a well-crafted murder mystery. ( )

Re-read of the second in a series which brings the recurring characters into sharper focus. The setting is as strong a character as some of the people, as shown by the subplot. The whodunit felt a bit of a comedown with all the other strong aspects of the narrative. Definitely a series to continue with. ( )