Minotaur Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Graves. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Abby Endicott, chief of the district attorney's homicide unit in Boston, has been struggling on many levels to find her footing after the events of the previous few months. Being cut off from her extravagant lifestyle by her parents, who did not approve of the dangerous nature of her current chosen profession, Abby is trying her best to maintain status quo with her boyfriend Ty. When a murder investigation thrusts the world of privilege into a negative spotlight, will Abby be able to use her unique perspective to gain the upper hand? Or, will the investigation put Abby into harm's way? Will an unexpected opportunity be exactly what Abby needs?

The Graves is a well constructed story that would be at home on television as a crime or legal thriller. All of the elements are there: fast paced plot, interesting characters, and a good story. Abby is the star of this book, but her interactions with both friends and colleagues help to give her character depth. This book is a follow-up to Mission Hill, but it is not strictly necessary to read the books in order. Readers will understand more about Abby Endicott if they are privy to her past, but she is still a pretty interesting character without prior knowledge. I would recommend this book to readers who like legal/police thrillers and I look forward to a new Abby Endicott novel in the future.

I could not put this book down! This is an amazing legal thriller. I had read the first in the series so that I could be better acquainted with the characters and setting. While I don't believe that was critical to my enjoyment of the book, it gave me the background so that it put me into the action right from the start!

Speaking of action, it did not stop. The whole book left me gasping for breath. The author never let up on the excitement! And, she left me wanting more. I look forward to her next novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I featured this book here: http://www.bethfishreads.com/2017/05/10-books-to-read-in-may.html

First Sentence: Ten years in the district attorney’s office has taught me to never let down my guard, even here on Beacon Hill.

A serial killer targeting college-aged girls is loose in Boston, and the son of a prominent government official. While Abby Endicott, chief of the DA’s homicide unit, is working with the police on the investigation, she also has personal pressure from her parents to leave her job, from her boss to run for his job, and from her personal relationship. But it is bringing a killer to justice that is Abby’s first priority.

Wechsler provides us with an opening that begins frightening but has a great twist to it. A hazard of the job? The first chapter is an excellent catch-up for new readers and/or reminder for those who read the first book. She portrays Boston well. Not only does she mention landmarks, but often cites a bit of their history. She also provides a look at the sad reality of today’s cities—“Winding along the Charles River, we pass a series of iconic landmarks: the Hatch Shell where every Fourth of July, the Boston Pops perform Tchaikovsky’s tempestuous 1812 Overature, and where last March, a jogger was sexually assaulted and beaten.”

It is not often one sees the legal process from the perspective of the prosecution. Learning now indictments are done is fascinating. We also get a look at the political and financial horse trading that goes on behind the scenes. It is also interesting watching Abby develop in her personal life.

There is a very good balance of the professional and personal. However, considering the author’s background, one might wish more focus on the former than the latter. The legal and courtroom information really do provide focus and veracity to a story that has a compelling, and occasionally suspenseful, mystery element.

“The Graves” is thoroughly engrossing and has an ending that is not pat, but is very satisfactory. It is a very good step forward in the series.

THE GRAVES (Legal Thriller-Abby Endicott-Boston, MA-Contemp) – G+
Wechsler, Pamela – 2nd in series
Minotaur Books – May 2017

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I love me some Law and Order type books. I was probably a lawyer in another life 🙂

Having loved me some Allison Leotta for some time, I’m always looking for another new lawyer type book to add to my TBR list. When I was approached about this book, I was intrigued enough to say “send it on!”



What I liked:

The cover!

Abby. She had something about her and it probably didn’t hurt that when I was reading- my mind was associating Abby of the book with Abby Carmichael- my fav ADA of Law and Order.

The build up of the mystery!



What I didn’t love:

This is the second book in the series and while many times that doesn’t bother me to read out of order- this time there seemed to be a lot of throwback to book 1. I got the basics of what happened in book 1, but I’m curious to know if I read book 1 first if my enjoyment of book 2 would have been greater.



Bottom line: For me, I’m not sure that I’m ready to add Pamela Wechsler to my lawyer rotation yet, but I’m curious enough to add her first book to my ever growing TBR list.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*



**The Graves is a May #FuturisticFriday selection from Traveling With T.**

Pamela Wechsler returns with “The Graves,” the second book in her series featuring Abby Endicott, Boston’s chief homicide prosecutor. Abby and Detective Kevin Farnsworth are pursuing a particularly gruesome serial killer of college girls. The murdered girls were all working as escorts and intent on keeping this part of their lives secret. Because of this secrecy, Abby struggles to find the connection they shared. Once she discovers that link, she and Farnsworth are able to focus their investigation, but they are up against a clever, anonymous “John.” Through dogged determination and brilliant detective work the killer is ultimately arrested and brought to trial.

I don’t think “The Graves” lived up to the high standards Wechsler set with the fine first book in this series “Mission Hill.” In what was possibly an effort to more fully develop her characters and their backgrounds, I felt there were too many sub-plots or digressions packed into the book. Family problems, Boston politics, extortion, financial difficulties, career possibilities, and Abby’s hesitancy and lack of commitment with her love interest seemed at times to outweigh and take prominence over the actual investigation. While “The Graves” was a worthwhile read, I hope the third book in the series lives up to the promise demonstrated in “Mission Hill.”

My review was posted on Goodreads 5/2/17.

I like romantic suspense and serial killer mysteries, and this looked right up my alley. It’s told in present tense, which can be offputting for some readers. Mostly it worked for me, making the tension more immediate, and discovering events as Abby does.

I waffled on whether or I liked Abby or not. She’s smart, but often seemed shallow. A lot is made out of her figuring out how to live without money since she’s been cut off from her parents’ money for dating a man they don’t like. There were times I got bored and annoyed with that, when I just wanted to tell her to suck it up. She’s had to give up luxuries, but she’s doing just fine. It seemed whiny. At the same time, her shopping addiction seems to mask a deeper pain. I think. I was never quite sure.

Abby’s also cutthroat, which she has to be in her line of work. That can be off-putting too, but in the case of Cassandra and Max, I was okay with that.

The investigation and courtroom parts of the novel were very well done. That’s what really wins in this book. It’s sharp and fastpaced and the killer isn’t terribly obvious, plus you have a stirring in of political maneuvering that adds depth.

The major thing I wished for in reading this book was more of Abby’s internal life. I wanted to like her more. I wanted to care more about her choices in life. As it is, she left me a little cold. On the other hand, I’m hooked enough to want to read the next volume in the series whenever it comes out.

4 stars/5

This is Pamela Wechsler’s second in what I hope will be a long series featuring Abby Endicott, chief of the Boston DA’s homicide unit. A former criminal prosecutor and now consultant, writer, and producer for a variety of successful network television legal shows, Wechsler has a breezy writing style that kept my eyes glued to the page. I didn’t want to put the book down and, in fact, read it in one day. Although one might be tempted to compare Endicott with Linda Fairstein’s Alex Cooper character, Wechsler’s writing seemed fresh and original

Wechsler knows Boston well and those familiar with the city will enjoy the landmark references, even if many of them are made in relation to crimes! Those unfamiliar with the city will appreciate the introduction to it.

Although I don’t ever try to, I was able to guess the culprit fairly early on. However, that didn’t detract from the unfolding story as there was so much else going on with the trial as well Abby’s personal life and a look into the underside of politics.

There are references to the prior Abby Endicott novel in The Graves. These references were not confusing; they did make me curious and I will now go back and read it.

There was good character development and I look forward to future books in the series.

Will post a spotlight on April 28th at the Dew. http://dewonthekudzu.com

I didn't read the first book so I guess I am a little clueless. But I wasn't all that captivated.

This was an okay mystery that I am glad I read. It was a pretty staightforward read but without a lot of suspense. The full range of characters was rather unlikable. I could have done without the tour guide of Boston.

There's a murderer on the loose in this suspenseful mystery/thriller and Abby Endicott is determined to bring him to justice. Balancing career with romance and family drama is no easy feat, but if anyone can manage it the strong willed Abby can. The tension builds as Abby gets closer to unmasking the truth. This was a dramatic twisty page turner.

Pamela Wechsler has written a great follow up to her first book in the Abby Endicott series where her main character tries to prosecute the bad guys of Boston while working with local police.

Wechsler has created a complex character in Abby. She was a rich girl whose life seemed to have been handed to her with no strings attached only to give up what her family wanted for her so she could fight for justice. She seems like an intelligent, accomplished, independent woman but at the same time seems to have trouble with a few basics most people take for granted since not everyone grew up with so much money they didn’t have to worry about balancing a checkbook. Her romantic life is the only other thing that seems as disastrous as her math skills.

Along with the complex character development in Abby, the reader is also treated to some oft hilarious narration by her as well as adequately described scene settings.

Wechsler’s nearly two decades working as a criminal prosecutor shines through her description of the legal system and its personnel which provide a sense of realism to the story and plot line making you eager and willing for Abby’s next case. Her well-written and aptly described plot line moves quickly helped along with the requisite twists.

In a genre filled with male leads, it’s not often us women are treated to strong female characters who can take charge, entertain, educate and kick ass while doing it.

This is one of the best books I have read in the past few years - I stayed up practically all night to finish it, wanting it to keep on going. It is a well written legal thriller that has everything - a good plot that keeps you guessing all the way through, interesting characters and, because the author is a former prosecutor she gives the reader great insight into how prosecutors think. The author has created a memorable character in Abby Endicott, a woman who travels between the tough and gritty world of her job in criminal law and the elegant, sophisticated world of her family in Beacon Hill. She has also created vivid and memorable crime scenes and, as someone who lived in Boston for seven years, I love the fact that she has made the Boston landscape a character in the story. This is a book that will surprise and delight you and I can't wait for the next Abby Endicott book.

Weschsler follows up Mission Hill with another sizzling mystery featuring Boston District Attorney chief of homicide, Abby Endicott. Abby is reaping the rewards of her last case – she appears to be a shoe-in as the next D.A.. and her boyfriend Tyler has moved in with her. For now, though, she’s concentrating on tracking down a serial killer that’s murdered two college girls. A third has disappeared and is also feared dead. When Abby uncovers evidence that links the sons of a powerful government official, she’s told to back off, in no uncertain terms. But Abby is not about to back off, she will do anything to bring justice to the murdered girl and their families, even if it means the end of her career, or worse, her life. This is a fantastic series with one of the most intriguing and well drawn protagonists I have read in a long time