In this second book in this series by Bernard Schaffer, Carrie Santero is a full-fledged detective after solving an incredibly vile case. Carrie then worked with a former detective, Jacob Rein, who remains her mentor, even though he is highly disillusioned and really down on his luck.

The case Carrie is working on is a cold one. A foot was found, and it looks like it might belong to a young girl who went missing thirty years ago. At first Carrie approaches Jacob for help, and then realizes she must head to a small town. In so doing, Jacob's past is unearthed. Carrie learns all about a young boy, J.D. Rein, and discovers the connection the little girl lost so many years ago.

Carrie leaves no stone unturned, and reveals some disturbing and shattering evidence. Discovering a connection between Jacob and the formerly missing girl raised a lot of questions. However, Carrie showed remarkable integrity and ingenuity in solving this case.

Even though An Unsettled Grave is the second book in a series, it does remarkably well as a standalone. However, I did read the first book, The Thief of All Light, first as I wanted to become familiar with the primary characters. I generally read books in one sitting, including both of these, back-to-back. I was thoroughly entertained, even with the often gritty delivery as things played out.

I admire the writing style of Bernard Schaffer. His brilliance and honesty in the sometimes less-than-perfect police force shines. Another effective thing in this book was the determination showed by Carrie. I like how her character is written, and also how her past shaped her into the person she is now. I look forward to following this series in the future.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )

An Unsettled Grave by Bernard Schaffer
Santero and Rein #2

Carrie Santero, recently promoted to detective is still not considered “equal” by the men she works with. Many assume she is not really capable and has achieved her promotion based on something other than her competency. In this book we learn more about Carie, the little girl in her life and how she goes about solving cases. We also see Jacob Rein again a few times both in the present and in a story line that takes us back thirty years to when he was twelve and living in a very dysfunctional family situation.

There are two criminal cases to be solved by Carrie in this book. One has to do with a rapist pulling women to the side of the road then violating them and the other crime is a missing person cold case that she picks up when the foot bones of a young girl are found in the forest. It is assumed the girl is Hope Pugh, missing thirty years, but then there is the mystery of how she died and what happened to her.

Jacob Rein is a mysterious character that seems able to get into the minds of criminals in order to catch them. He has spent time in jail for something I have a feeling he has probably not done. In this book we learn more about his childhood, some of his childhood friends, a young girl that disappeared and of his father and uncle and their part in his life. At around forty-two years of age Jacob has a lot of years left to accomplish much so I am hoping he will get his life back on track so he can officially assist in finding more bad guys in the future.

I was definitely taken back in time by mention of the Vietnam War in which Jacob’s father and uncle both served. That the two men came out so different at the end of their time in the service probably has to do with the jobs they held. I believe the two men cared for one another more than either told the other. Their part in this book was...very interesting.

I came away from this book satisfied that the bad guys were eventually caught but still wanting to know more about Santero and Rein and that means I am eager to read more by this author as soon as a new book is available. I found myself thinking about how a person can be bigger than life to people in theirr community and yet in reality they are not heroes at all. This was a thought provoking book. It made me think of the cop that pulled me over and hinted at taking me on a date and of another story...one in which my sister-in-law was pulled over by a policeman on her way to Wyoming...on a stretch where women were going missing...and when my brother woke in the back seat the policeman who pulled her over let them drive on. I know there will soon be another crime for Carrie and Jacob to work on and look forward to finding out what it will be. I am also eager to find out more about the backstories of both characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

Wow! A true masterful storyteller of criminal acts. Once you get past the shocking first few pages you are engaged in heart pounding, nail-biting, page turning til the very end. This is the second book I have read from this author , I really like the characters Carrie and Reid , I look forward to more crime solving from these two. ( )

Carrie Santero and Jacob Rein are back in the second book of this wicked good series. A cold case from Jacob’s hometown leads Carrie into his past of small town dysfunction, a missing girl and two dead cops. This is a fast paced, heart pounding, keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time you’re reading kind of book. While it is book two, don’t be afraid to read it as a stand alone. But why would you? The Thief of all Light is also an amazing read. ( )

Review of advance reader eBook

Carrie Santero, a detective with the District Attorney’s office, is used to receiving phone calls at all hours. Sent to investigate a savage rape, she soon finds herself caught up in a cold case involving a young girl missing for some thirty years, a police officer’s murder, and a police chief’s suicide. Will her investigation finally uncover the hidden truth?

Readers are likely to find this dark and gritty follow-up to “The Thief of All Light” difficult to set aside before turning the final page. Chapters set in the past tell Jacob Rein’s backstory and provide insight for readers while chapters in the present focus on Carrie’s investigation. The plot is complex, with secrets and lies woven into the tapestry of the narrative; unexpected revelations take the story in unexpected directions.

Well-crafted and populated with believable characters [although several are unlikable], readers who enjoyed the earlier “The Thief of All Light” will recognize some returning characters in this Santero and Rein thriller. The intricately-layered story keeps the reader guessing as the story unfolds; unfortunately, a much-overused and offensive expletive mars an otherwise intriguing, spot-on narrative.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Kensington Books and NetGalley
#AnUnsettledGrave #Net Galley ( )