Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Book Review: NOAH'S RAINY DAY ( Liv Bergen Mystery #4) by Sandra Brannan


September 3, 2013 
Greenleaf Book Group Press
Noah’s Rainy Day (the fourth novel in Brannan’s mystery series)  combines classic Liv Bergen irreverence and brainpower  with an unflinching look at the darkest of human motivations,  all while a whirlpool of increasingly terrifying events threatens  to engulf Liv and Noah both in one final rainy day.

This is the 4th book in the Liv Bergen Mysteries, but, unfortunately, only my first book in the series.  Why has this series escaped me before? This is a gem from the first moment I read the first page.

Fresh from Quantico, Special Agent Liv Bergen was assigned at Denver Bureau.  In the meantime, she’s living with her sister Frances and her family, while she’s looking for a suitable place for her and Beulah.  She was busy training with the bloodhound Beulah and expecting to spend Christmas with her family in peace when she was called off for a very controversial abduction case that had happened just a few miles away in Denver International Airport.

Five-year-old Maximillian Bennett Williams III, son of an NYC tycoon to a renowned fashion model, disappeared from his connecting flight from New York to California.  Little Max had been missing for hours before Denver authorities were alerted.  Time is of the essence, or it might be too late.

The narration was shared between Liv and her 12-year old nephew Noah Hogarty, who has a severe cerebral palsy.  Noah can’t speak, but he sure knows how to communicate.  He’s especially smart and resourceful, something most people discounted because of his twisted body.  And he loves solving mysteries with his Aunt Liv.

The mystery is so good, there is no doubt about that, but I perceived that the series is so much more than that.  There is much about family values, relationships, and female empowerment.  On this particular installment, Ms. Brannan brought the subject of the physically challenged children, which made the whole plot more endearing.

Sandra Brannan carefully built up the mystery, giving the reader a quick peek at every puzzle piece, and then led the reader breathless through the climax.  I think I just found my new favorite mystery series.  I may have started on the 4th book, but that doesn't mean I can’t start over.  I think I just have enough time until the next book gets printed.

If you are looking for your next best Mystery Series, you’ll not go wrong by picking up the Liv Bergen Mysteries.


Book details:
Title: Noah’s Rainy Day (Liv Bergen Mysteries #4)
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Rating: 

 

Other books in this series:
In the Belly of Jonah (Liv Bergen Mysteries #1)
Lot's Return to Sodom (Liv Bergen Mysteries #2)
Widow's Might (Liv Bergen Mysteries #3)



*To Greenleaf Book Group Press and Netgalley, thank you for giving me a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.  This review is also available on Goodreads, Shelfari, and Tumblr.



2 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! I love mysteries! I hope that they have these in bookstores. I see that you read an ARC! Lucky!

    Normally, when I'm looking for a good mystery to read, I check out the winners and nominees of the Edgar Award. Their list of books hasn't failed me so far.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Peter! I've checked online, so far only National Bookstores have copies. I haven't tried the Edgar Award list; thank you for suggesting. ♥

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