Howard's book is an expected and unique mystery. Readers are introduced to Meredith, a mother of two with an abusive husband, who has uprooted her from the world she's always known in California and put her in the hinterlands of Idaho. This latest abuser tactic creates a miserable situation for Meredith, and she is no stranger to bad situations. We learn that Meredith grew up basically homeless with an alcoholic mother who died too young leaving Meredith alone in the world. Her husband, Brian, held out the promise of security and love, so she was quick to fall in love and marry him, already pregnant with their first child. Now, without roots or a support system, Meredith does her best to be a good mother and make a home out of the ramshackle shack Brian has secured for shelter. While the story is your typical one of spousal abuse and adultery, Howard provides an interesting insight into the life of an abused wife, as a desperate Meredith fantasizes about killing her husband. When Brian is murdered, there is ample circumstantial evidence to accuse Meredith (she even doubts her innocence), but her fate rests in the hands of a young and compassionate sheriff, Curtis. In the midst of investigating the murder, his developing feelings for Meredith and her kids become evident, but his position requires him to remain neutral. The twists involved in solving the murder make for an engaging read and leaves you wanting to know what's next for Meredith and Curtis.

This is a well written mystery suspense by an author who is new to me. Meredith's abusive husband moves her and their two children to an old barely habitable house in a small town way off the beaten track. As Meredith struggles to create a home for herself and her children she entertains thoughts of murder. Imagine her chagrin and surprise when she gets a visit from the sheriff reporting that her husband's body was found with a bullet in his head and a search of the house reveals her fingerprints on the gun in their gun safe.

As Meredith makes some unexpected friends she starts to find a totally different picture of the husband that she knew. Since there is no motive she is the prime suspect in the case even as she and the sheriff find an uncertain friendship and battle with attraction to each other.

This is a dark though well written mystery. The murderer was a total surprise to me at least. Also while there is some romantic feeling between Meredith and the sheriff I am not sure I personally feel that its too dark to qualify as a romance.

A good suspense read. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc.. this is my unbiased review.

Crime and Paradise by Julie Howard is the 1st book in the Wild Crime mystery series, and my first book by this author. Meredith's husband Brian comes home one day and moves the family to Idaho from California. They have two small children, and Brian is becoming more and more abusive. Brian travels for his job, and the home, a run down shack, is very isolated. When Brian is murdered, Meredith becomes the prime suspect. I really enjoyed this book, and plan on reading book two, Crime Times Two, next. I recommend this book for mystery lovers.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It's early morning and Meredith and her two young children are told by her husband, Brian, to get up, get packed, he's bought a house "up north" and they are moving. And she does just that. "Up north" means she leaves California and winds up in snowbound Idaho. The house he's bought would be condemned most anywhere else. And the nearest town is over an hour away ... if the ramshackle car he has for her will even start.

To say that Brian is manipulative and abusive doesn't tell the whole story. He's getting more violent by the hour.

Brian has an agenda ... Meredith's grandmother has money .. lots of money. Doesn't seem to matter that Meredith has never met her grandmother and harbors a dislike of her because she refused to help her daughter ... Meredith's mother.

When he doesn't let up, Meredith starts to think about how to kill Brian and leave this godforsaken place.

So maybe dreams do come true. Brian is found murdered.. shot in the head and left by the side of the road.

Being the prime suspect, the sheriff pays close attention to Meredith, but he can't quite convince himself of her guilt. But if she didn't kill him would did?

This is a well written suspenseful mystery. I liked the characters, although I would have liked to see Meredith stronger, especially since she had small children to think of. Brian was extremely manipulative. There is just a touch of romance in the air with Meredith and the Sheriff. The ending came as quite a surprise.

Many thanks to the author / Wild Rose Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Oh my gosh, one of the best books I have read in a while. It was well written. The characters were very likable. It was a great who done it mystery, couldn't put it down from page one to the end. I can't wait to read the next installment. I received this book from Net Galley for my honest opinion.

This book here had me on pins and needles its very suspense how a woman deals with a abusive husband and every page had me in glued to this book didn't want to sleep after finishing it

4 stars

Meredith, her husband Brian and their two small children suddenly move from their home in California to Idaho. Which Brian says is “somewhere up north.” This comes as a complete surprise to her as Brian just pulls up with a trailer and says he bought a house in Idaho.

The house turns out to be a ramshackle place in poor repair complete with mice and shabby appointments. It is cold and there is snow on the ground outside. She is given a beat-up old car that doesn’t start a lot of the time. Brian is getting more violent. Does he hate her? She begins to fantasize about his death.

Then Brian is killed – murdered – shot in the head by the side of the road. Meredith thinks that the sheriff suspects her, but she didn’t do it. So who killed Brian?

The identity of the killer turned out to be a complete surprise – at least to me. I had never suspected that person.

This is a well written and plotted novel. It flows along nicely, without errors and with smooth transitions. I like Meredith except for her self-defeating attitude at times. I imagine she’ll get over that now that Brian’s gone. Jamie was a little hellion and I didn’t care for her character too much. The sheriff was okay, but needs more experience. This is my first Julie Howard book, but I don’t believe it will be my last. I truly enjoyed it.

I want to thank NetGalley and Wild Rose Press for forwarding to me a copy of this good book to read, enjoy and review.