I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Black Orchid Girls by Carolyn Arnold Also by this author: The Little Grave, Stolen Daughters, The Silent Witness, Her Frozen Cry
Series: Detective Amanda Steele #4
Also in this series: The Little Grave, Stolen Daughters, The Silent Witness, Her Frozen Cry
Published by Bookouture on 10th February 2022
Genres: Crime, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 286
Format: eARC
Source: from Netgalley
Goodreads
The first rays of sun filter through the tall trees, casting a faint light on the girl lying at the water’s edge. Her tears have frozen on her pale face, a black orchid rests against her cold white skin.
When hikers find the body of a beautiful young girl on the banks of the Potomac River, Detective Amanda Steele is shaken and confused. What is the significance of the delicate flower resting on the girl’s torso? A sign of affection, or a twisted killer’s calling card?
The girl is Chloe Somner, a local nineteen-year-old ecology student well-known to the park rangers and loved by all her classmates. Searching Chloe’s home, Amanda can’t work out who could have tempted her to the water in the early hours of the morning, but a long night hunting through cold cases gives her a possible lead: twenty years ago another local girl was murdered, a red rose left on her body. But why would this killer strike again now?
Focused on the past, the last thing Amanda expects is the news that Chloe’s roommate has been found dead, another black orchid left. Terrified that more innocent victims will follow, can Amanda uncover the significance of the flowers and stop this cold-hearted killer before he returns for the next orchid girl…?
I really like this series, of which this is the 4th book. You can read these as standalones.
Amanda has really changed since the first book. She has begun to heal from losing her husband and daughter over 6 years ago. I think this is helping her to empathise with the victims and their families.
The opening of this book is brutal and quite shocking. Chloe was so young and had so much life ahead of her. Her murder seems personal. Full of passion, anger but also a bit of remorse.
For me, this case was very slow-moving. There wasn’t much action and for ages, Amanda and Trent were just following lots of false leads. For me this is okay. I don’t need a book with constant action. I like seeing how the Detectives figure these things out. What leads them where when they get stumped.
When the action came through it was very intense. The ending of the book really surprised me. I really didn’t suspect the killer or the reasons.
Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley.
About Carolyn Arnold
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
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@Carolyn_Arnold Thank you!
@bookouture Thank you for sharing your review, Emma. Pleased that you enjoyed the book! 😀
@Carolyn_Arnold Thanks so much!