maybe this writing style isn't for me...well I know this writing style isn't for me. And while the premise of the story had me wanting to read it, the lack of action and interaction kept me from liking it.

I think this book tried to do too much at once. A serial killer, a romance and someone finding out they had a sister who was also a psychic l. It all got a bit muddled.

It was also a bit matter of fact rather than building up suspense and tension. And very convenient that one of the main characters who was supposed to be a farmer used to be a forensic investigator. Obviously this kind of book has to be approached with an open mind but parts of it need to be believable.

The premise of the story was good and the characters likeable.

This book was a bit disjointed. There was a serial killer. His acts are pretty detailed, so if you are squeamish, this is not the book for you. Between his brutal acts, if the budding relationship (which happens quite quickly) between Kate and Vi. Maybe it is because this is not like most books that have a serial killer in it. I found it hard to follow what was going on at times.
The writing is well done. There needs to be between plot twists and not so disjointed.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Stevie‘s review of Cause of Death by Sheri Lewis Wohl
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 13 Aug 19

l don’t generally relish mysteries in which part of the action is seen from the point of view of an unknown villain, but I’m prepared to make an exception if the rest of the plot and characters are to my taste. In this case I was keen to read about the pairing of a canine search and rescue handler and a medical student working in the offices of the local medical examiner to overlook the creepy prologue that introduces an antagonist who refers to himself as the Seeker. And I’m very glad I stuck with this story and got to know our two protagonists.


Vi – Bavilla Akiak – has long harboured the ambition to be a forensic pathologist, and a string of rejections from medical school while working as an assistant to the chief medical examiner in her home town of Anchorage hasn’t deterred her. Having finally obtained a place at Washington State University, and a new job nearby, Vi travels south by road to her new home, calling at the office on the way, and finally arriving more than a little exhausted on the doorstep of her new landlord, Kate Renard – Kat for short – and Kate’s canine companion, Lucy, an exuberant and highly trained search dog. Vi and Kat are starting to get to know each other when Kat is called out on a search, and the next day Vi comes face to face with the fall-out from a subsequent search: a murder victim whose injuries bear worrying similarities to those suffered by Vi’s mother.

Although a man was jailed for that earlier murder, Vi has never been comfortable with the verdict, and now it seems that either the real killer is committing the same crimes in a new location or someone else is copying the previous methodology. Although she is at first unwilling to confide in Kat, who found this new victim with Lucy, the two women soon find themselves working together – in association with two of Kat’s other friends after another body is found. Vi slowly develops the confidence to open up to Kat about her other, more unusual ability: she sees the ghosts of the killer’s victims along with other recently deceased individuals who have reasons of their own to stick around. She also discovers another, unexpected familial link to the area and to one of Kat’s friends.

Although I figured out the identity of the killer shortly before our heroines, that was mainly because of the chapters detailed from the antagonist’s point of view, and for once I didn’t feel short-changed by the trope. It worked in this book where it doesn’t work for me in most others. The final showdown with the killer played out neatly, and all the other loose ends were tied up nicely as well. I’d like to see more of these characters and find out how Vi’s abilities continue to help – or possibly hinder – her as she continues towards her chosen career. I’m also intrigued to learn more about Kat’s other friends and see how they first met and got together.

Grade: B

2.5 stars. This is a serial killer, paranormal, romance that doesn’t actually manage to achieve any of the genres with a high degree of success. The romance, which really just amounted to the odd mention here and there, and zero chemistry, I think would have been better left out all together. The paranormal aspect of the book was an interesting if not new idea, but this was not really explored very much either. Being an avid reader of Cornwall, Reichs, Baldacci etc I did rather enjoy the portions of the book dedicated to the Seeker. However, even this portion held no mystery as it was obvious to the reader well before the end of the book who the killer was. I have to say that these portions almost appear to have been written by a different hand to the rest of the book as they flow much better and don’t appear nearly as forced or stilted. Overall, I was looking forward to reading this book and did feel rather disappointed.

I am very happy I had an opportunity to read this book. It had a great balance between different genres and they all added value to the storyline. I loved the search and rescue additions, especially the dogs. I love when dogs become an additional main character. I spent a fair amount of my reading anxiously wondering where the storyline was going to go. I think the paranormal part was interesting and touching.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I tried multiple times to immerse myself in this story. Eventually I did make my way through however I did not connect with the writing. Reading is subjective and I personally did not find myself looking forward to where the plot was heading. The pacing was a bit slow for me.

Vi moves to Spokane to start medical school and work as a medical examiners assistant. She moves next door to Kat, her landlord, a K9 handler, and extremely attractive. What starts as a simple enough move across the country for Vi, soon turns into a race to find a serial killer.

This book was a little bit of a struggle to get through. For lack of a better way of saying it, it just felt like there were a lot of words, unnecessary words. I felt like I was getting bogged down in the long paragraphs of thoughts and introspection, when it could be a lot more action driven for a crime novel. But overall I enjoyed the journey, Sheri Lewis Wohl always creates interesting adventures that surprise and excite. The light romance was a nice balance for the crime aspect of the book, and the group of secondary characters are fascinating as always and the dogs shone as well. I won't hesitate to pick up another book by this author.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Most of Ms Wohl’s books deal with the paranormal, you know things like shape shifters, vampires, etc. But when I read the synopsis for this one it didn’t mention any of these themes, so I decided I’d give this book a try and I’m so glad I did.
Vi Akiak left her home in Alaska for the chance to get a medical degree, not to cure the ails of others but to enable her to take care of the dead. While in Alaska she worked for the local medical examiner's office so getting a similar job with the Spokane Medical Examiner’s office was going to work out well with her classes at the Washington University School. She had recently lost her Grandmother who’d raised her after the untimely death of her mother.
Kate(Kat) Renard was living the dream. She used to work in the business sector but when her father won the lottery months before his death he bought her a small farm where she could do what she always dream of raising various animals while also working with the local Search and Rescue, along with her dog Lucy. Somewhat introverted she found working with S&R very rewarding helping to find people who were lost, injured or sometimes searching for the dead. She had a small house on her property that she rented out and luckly her new tenant was none other than Vi, a very pretty lady from Alaska.
Now the two become involved working to find the Seeker, a serial killer, while falling in love. So with the help of Kat’s S&R team they use their skills to work together seeking justice for the victims left behind by the Seeker. Once I started reading, I found it hard to put the book down. Fast paced with just enough twists and turns make this a great read. From now on I’ll have to give this author’s books a second look. Very, very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

Wow! Action packed story told from multiple points of view.

I loved this book and cannot wait to read more by the author.

The plot revolves around Vi, a pathologist in training, Kat, a Search and Rescue volunteer, Kat's partner, Lucy, the wonder dog, Cerise, Kat's friend and fellow Search and Rescue volunteer, and of course, the psychopath serial killer.

The plot builds quickly, friends are made fast, trust is earned and broken just as quickly.

And if you want more than chilling crime, sweet romance... well, then throw in family secrets and being able to see ghosts.

Reminds me of Katherine Forrest's Kate Delafield series. I have already downloaded two additions books by this author.

I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books by this author.

A crime close to home, search and rescue dogs, old murders and new come together to create a powerful story that might keep you on the edge of your seat.

This is another really good paranormal thriller and I enjoyed it as much as I did ‘The Talebearer’. Vi moves from Alaska to Spokane to begin her medical degree and at the same time work in the Medical Examiner’s office. Her mother was murdered many years before which is what has made Vi choose the career she is following. She finds a lovely rental cottage on a farm in Spokane and it’s a bonus that the landlady, Kat, is smart and attractive. Kat is also K9 search and rescue handler with a dog that takes an instant liking to Vi. When a body is found by Kat and Lucy, which ends up at the medical examiner’s office, Kat and Vi are drawn into a search for a killer.

The story has a good pace and I was engaged from beginning to end. This type of paranormal thriller appeals to me, especially when the visions are subtle and an integral part of the story but not the focus. Kat and Vi’s relationship is a nice, easy one even though neither of them have lot of experience with relationships. It’s a gentle romance but with a stronger emphasis on the serial killer.

The Seeker (as he calls himself) has his own voice in the novel which made it fairly easy to pick out who he was but it doesn’t detract at all from the mystery or action. There’s a lovely balance of tension, nail-biting moments, gentle romance and unexpected aspects in this story.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Ok. That was sorta weird. Totally disturbing, and very, very awesome.

It starts with a normal enough romance. Vi is coming to Washington State to get her medical degree and has a job in an ME's office as an ME Assistant. She's renting a cabin/house from her also neighbor on the property, Kate, who's a K9 search and rescue handler. (Her Search and Rescue Dog, Lucy, is an awesome, awesome character too).

Except. There is a killer on the loose. One who may have a connection to Vi. And so, along with two other characters, Vi and Kate sort of stumble into the case.

The characters were amazing. The supernatural tint was never overdone, and even the stuff from the killers point of view, while disturbing, was awesomely done as well.

It was a great book and a fun (and intense) read.

I received this book via Netgalley thanks to Bold Strokes Books.

This is a hard earned 4 stars for me. There's a ton of stuff in here that I enjoy very much, such as the light paranormal aspect of the book, and the relationship between our two leads is very nice if a bit of a slow burn. The case was engaging enough that I didn't really set this title down once I started it. Almost all of Wohl's books are like that, mostly because she does have an easy writing style that flows right off the page. However, one of my gripes about her writing is that sometimes there doesn't feel like there's any urgency to her cases. The menacing bad guys, no matter how cartoonish, creep ever closer to the leads, but sometimes the pace makes it feel so, very slow. Wohl's baddy this time is actually legitimately creepy, but rarely do we actually see him affect the leads. As he plows through secondary characters, usually through his point of view, our leads are just getting on with their potential romance. This dichotomy doesn't work well when the leads feel too separated from what the killer does during the events of the book.

Overall, though, I know that Wohl is really good at creating paranormal romances with some horror/thriller aspects. She also works hard to bring in more women of color into her works. Here, we have Vi, who is an Alaskan native, who's driving motivation to being a medical examiner is tied to the very real problem of Indigenous/Native/First Nations Women being murdered or going missing. All of these elements work very well in this book. It is one of her better ones, and I hope that she can blend some of her best elements together more often.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this quirky book

k9 rescue
and a trainee m.e who has visits from ghosts...
and a murderer who collects eyes
whats not to like...

the k9 aspect of the book drew me to this one and i wasnt disappointed plus the visits of ghosts was an added bonus

the killer collects eyes that he considers are windows to the souls and he is also collecting those...and he has gotten very good at murdering people

vi and kate are drawn to each other but they both come into the murderers sight

not a bad storyline and i hope this is the first in a series as i feel this one could go a bit further

This is a nice thriller with a huge impact of mystery. It's a very interesting read if you're not bothered by a very background romance. If you, however, find romance story to be very important, this is not the book for you. I liked the writing, and the characters development, but I wish the romance plot was a bit more in front than it was.
That being said, if you're in search for a great mystery novel, this is the book for you, and I heartily recommend it.

Okay. WOW! A little bit of this and a little bit of that and not much romance. However, there was much flirty self-talk. This mystery/thriller some romance was scary and unsettling as the crimes and reasons for the crimes unfolded. Vi Akiak, medical student, medical examiner assistant, dealing with the death of her mother and grandmother, and her "gift". Kate Renard, K9 search and rescue handler, farmer/rancher. Both women are a little weary of relationships but the draw is there. It is difficult not to like both Vi and Kate. Especially Kate with her willingness to be a good listener and possessing a supportive personality. Although Kate makes some interesting decisions, you have to appreciate that her heart is in the right place. This read has some interesting secondary stories which needed to be flushed out more. For example, Circe and Vi, I needed more information as well as Drs. Kelsey and Durze. The lack of information caused the read to feel a little disjointed.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book since it was my first time reading an offering from this author and because I only occasionally read books that are thillers. I tend to lean more toward the romance genres. This book was a crime suspense drama with a bit of paranormal thrown into the mix. Overall the story kept me engaged wondering how a person could perpetrate such acts against fellow human beings. But for the usual genres that I read the story lacked romance, although the two main characters of Kat and Vi did have good chemistry when the book focused in that area. The focus on K9 rescue dogs was also interesting and Lucy was an added bonus in the story.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well, first I want to say there isn’t anything inherently bad about this book. The writing is decent and the characters are interesting (for the most part), but I personally didn’t enjoy it all that much.

I did finish it, but there was a point where I thought about DNF’ing it. I didn’t connect with the characters, and the plot left me indifferent. I’m an emotional reader, I like when a book can stir some feels whether they’re happy or sad, so this book fell flat.

When I reread the blurb right before starting it and realized this book had a paranormal element to it, my excitement for it grew. The premise gave me Tru Calling/Ghost Whisperer vibes and I was all for it, but I was a bit disappointed that the paranormal twist wasn’t more prominent in the story. Actually, it was barely there at all, and I don’t think it added anything to the book.

As I said, the writing wasn’t bad, but some of the dialogue felt off, and I had to suspend my disbelief quite a bit in the beginning. Vi, a medical student from Alaska, moves from Anchorage to Spokane, Washington to attend medical school. She rents Kat’s, a K9 search and rescue handler, little cottage and they become friends. Lucy, Kat’s dog, takes a shine to Vi instantly which really made me happy. But within like, a week of arriving, she learns that she has a long lost sister and that her mother’s killer is now on a killing spree in Spokane? What are the odds of anything like that ever happening in life?

Anyway, this title might not have been for me, but I think if you’re looking for something a little different in the lesfic genre you might want to give it a try.

Many thanks to Bold Strokes Books for providing me with a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a new author for me, and it’s also a sequel to Necromantia, which I didn’t realise. As with most of this month’s books, I wasn’t blown away by it.

This one features MC Vi, who is a native Alaskan (and POC) who has moved to Spokane to start medical school and also work as a Medical Examiner Assistant. She’s also got a secret that I won’t reveal because it’s a spoiler. The other MC is Kat who owns a farm and also works as a K9 handler doing searches for missing people or bodies. Vi is renting Kat’s guest house and this is how they meet.

Now, I’m going to start this review by admitting it’s based only on about 2/3s of the book. I finished the book but didn’t read the whole thing because it features one of my least favourite things in a crime story, it includes the killer’s perspective. I don’t care why the bad guy does it, the cops can tell me that, I don’t need to be in his/her mind, plus what he was doing was gross. So apart from some brief stuff at the beginning and end I skimmed pretty much all of the ‘Seeker’ (also a dumb name) scenes. I will also say that there were too many of them and it killed the momentum of the story.

Kat and Vi are fairly interesting characters and we get both of their POVs which helps with understanding their relationship. They’re each attracted to the other immediately but there’s not much ‘action’ here, in fact, the first kiss is mentioned in passing, and given that I was skipping scenes, I thought I’d missed it, but it is actually just referenced after the event. This whole book takes place over maybe 2 weeks (Vi arrives 3 weeks before she’s supposed to start Med school and hasn’t started by the end, if you don’t count the epilogue). They leads spend a lot of time together, what with living so close and the crime stuff, but this is still insta-love.

There’s not that many secondary characters, but the main two are Circe and Diana (the two MCs from Necromantia). The info about Circe was such that I actually stopped reading and went and had a look to see if she had her own book and was unsurprised to find she did. I may have enjoyed this more if I’d read that first, but too late now! I won’t go into Circe’s storyline here but she pops up quite a bit, so fans of the previous book will probably enjoy that. Diana also features in a few scenes as well.

Vi had other issues outside just moving/starting school and one is family connections, which I won’t spoil but felt like they didn’t (with one obvious exception) get enough attention. Kat also has a stalker who is mentioned a few times but that goes nowhere and I just found it an unnecessary plot line.

There were also way too many coincidences in this book. Between the killer and Vi’s family stuff it was just too much. I loved Lucy and Zelda (dogs are always good). But overall found this ok but not great. Less of the ‘Seeker’ and more of the relationship between the leads (over a longer time frame) and Vi and her family stuff would have made this 100% better. 2.5 stars rounded up.