A great mystery thriller with a twist. What happens when the Village Underdog finds an unconscious woman lying in the snow? The unconscious always seems like the innocent. Or are they?

Cam and Lily are both rather dodgy characters with a story or two to tell, but both are better of keeping it secret.

What happens when their stories collide? The story did develop a bit slow in certain parts, but overall it was still worth the read.

This novel is tense and suspenseful with some great characters, dark atmosphere and a wonderful plot that I could tear myself away from. Highly recommended.

Understory by Lisa J. Lickel is an authentic mystery/thriller that has you on the edge of your seat with anticipation one moment and feeling warm and fuzzy inside the next.

What happens if you are village enemy number 1 and you find a young woman lying lifeless during a snowstorm? Do you take her to your home to try and save her life? Or do you leave her for dead before you are accused of any more wrongdoings? This is the decision Cam Taylor is left to face. The young woman turns out to be Lily Master - a selective mute. Once her trust in Cam builds she starts to tell her story and it's too hard for Cam to just walk away, but what he doesn't know is he has his own family history catching up with him and he is the number one target on someone's list to keep his family secrets just that.. SECRET.

The way the characters are portrayed are captivating. I was mesmerised by both Cam and Lily from the very beginning. Everything about them from their appearance, history, families, morals is developed so well that I felt like I really knew these people.

I give 'Understory' 3 stars because of the amazing character development and plot but it was lacking the fast pace I think a lot of mystery/thrillers need. It did drag at parts and I wasn't unable to put it down. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery/thrillers that unfold and develop more over time. I personally like thrillers to have excitement running all the way through.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.

There are many different problems of modern society included in this gripping novel about human trafficking.
Believable characters and believable crimes, prejudices and depressing life circumstances with underlying faith that's not really discussed make this novel something special.
Lisa J. Lickel has a unique writing style with many references to Shakespeare that makes reading a pleasure.
But be warned: not everything is going to be fine in the end - just as it isn't in reality.

A fantastic suspense. The book has a very well written plot and well developed characters. The book is a story of prejudice and human trafficking and much more.

Understory

by Lisa J Lickel

Prism Book Group

You Are Auto-Approved
Christian , Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 01 Nov 2016

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Understory through the publisher and Netgalley:

Lily Masters gets lost in a blizzard while seeking out help from her friend deep in the Wisconsin while seeking out help when she discovers herstepbrother who is a prisonguard may be involved in a sex trafficking ring.

Lily doesn't realize just how Cam Taylor came to her rescue. A poetry spouting former professor. He rescues Lily and takes her to his home.

Lily does not trust Cam at first. But he goes out of his way to make sure she's okay, even helping her to find her nephew when she learns he has been hospitalized.

This book deals with some tough subjects including sexual slavery and murder and the author does a great job of bringing u into thi story and not letting go.

Five out of five stars.

Happy Reading!!!