I hate when I read a book that has been in my TBR pile and love it! Ugh I'm so annoyed at myself. While I figured out what was going on, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and was happy to see that there's two more I get to read. Worth picking up!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4376593940

Aspen Adams is the new protagonist in award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber’s Aspen Adams series. Desolate Shores is the first novel in the series. Aspen discovers the body of her best friend along the shores of Lake Tahoe, and from past experience knows that the sheriff and other local law enforcement won’t do a thorough investigation. Aspen is determined to find her friend’s killer and makes the investigation her priority. Unfortunately, Aspen has a deadbeat sister who has dropped the ball with her daughter, so Aspen is also trying to do the right thing with her beloved teenage niece. Aspen’s investigation is not without danger, so she has to be careful.

Gerber is an excellent author. She not only writes thrillers, such as this one, but also several cozy series that are fun and light. Her storytelling ability has won her several awards, and with good reason. This novel has enough ups and downs that readers will often be on the edges of their seat. Gerber does an excellent job developing her characters. Aspen Adams seems like a real person with real problems in her family as well as challenges in her daily life. This makes it possible for readers to relate to her and Gerber does the same with the supporting characters. Readers will find that Daryl Wood Gerber’s skills are evident in this novel. Her storytelling skills, character development skills, and an imaginative storyline make for a good novel for every reader who enjoys a good novel with building suspense.

This is a good choice for thriller aficionados, and the protagonist is likable enough that readers will be excited for the next installment in the series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Interesting premise for a new mystery series. The mystery in this story was sad but held my attention and I liked the side story with Aspen's niece. I liked that there were several viable suspects and a few surprising twists within the story. I also really liked that Lake Tahoe is the setting for the series. While I didn't love this book, I did like it and will definitely check out the next book in the series.

Wonderful new Suspense Series. The characters are interesting and entertaining. The storyline will pull you in and hold your attention for the full twisty ride.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

This pandemic has really put a number on my concentration. I'm managing a chapter here or there at best, and nothing is grabbing my attention the way I want it to. That is, at least, until I decided to pick up Desolate Shores. Netgalley kindly gave me this book last summer as an eARC, but I'd just started a new job and time was limited, so I never got around to reading it. Fast forward to now, when all I have is time, and I decided to pick it up finally. And I read it over the course of a day. No easy feat for me during this crazy time.

Desolate Shores follows Aspen Adams, a former therapist/psychologist for children and teens, and now private investigator, who stumbles across the body of her best friend when out for an early morning run. Still dealing with the fact that her parents' murders were dealt with poorly by her then local police department, she takes it upon herself to delve into her own investigation. I pride myself on usually guessing who the perpetrator is in books like this, but I didn't have a clue until the big reveal itself. This is such a good book. The suspense and mystery is executed perfectly and the subplots are just as gripping as well. I'd recommend this to anyone who's a fan of the genre and needs something to binge read.

Now, onto the sequel. Thank god for series.

I was blown away by Desolate Shores. The story was full of action and kept me on my toes trying to guess the killer. Every time I thought I guessed it a new red herring would be introduced. Any author that can achieve that with me is a go-to author.

I loved the side story with Aspen’s niece, Candace. I can’t wait to read more in this series to see how their relationship progresses. I feel so invested in their story that I have to know more.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Beyond the Page Publishing, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

I absolutely loved this book. Daryl Wood Gerber is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors so I decided to try this book, even though it isn't something I would normally read and I am so glad I did. I live near Lake Tahoe where the book is set, so I was able to vividly imagine all the places in the book. The characters have so much depth and I loved the connection Aspen has with her niece. I could not put this book down. There are a lot of twists and characters pasts that keep you guessing. I just found out a new one comes out soon and I can't wait to read it. I highly recommend this book

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book one in a new, non-cozy, series.

I love most of Daryl Wood Gerber's books, so I thought I would give this one a try. It's a good start. The plot was tight and kept me interested, in fact, I really didn't want to put it down.

This book is a little more intense than a cozy, but I didn't find it too much so. Really, it just seemed to have a fast paced plot that kind of kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next.

My only complaint is the mystery within the mystery, of Aspen's parents' murders. I am sure that will continue to pop up until eventually it becomes the focus. But for now it's mostly tucked into the background, so it wasn't too distracting.

I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

A thoroughly enjoyable read, characters are well developed and very easy to like and engage with. The writing is good, the plot will keep you turning the pages and the setting is beautifully described.
The story deals with some difficult issues in a sympathetic way, there is a lot of action but there is no need for the author to rely on graphic violence to keep your interest.
This is the first book I heave read by Daryl Wood Gerber but it certainly won't be the last. I would definitely recommend this book.

Truly excellent, engaging and intriguing, I love the storyline. The puzzling twists in this book are just so captivating, I love everything about this book. I even like Karen’s character, as a matter of fact, all the characters a really great. A must-read that you wouldn't want to put down until you have turned the last page.

I want more of Aspen, Shaper, and all the rest! I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a new series. The characters are complex, interesting, and intriguing. The plot is tense and full of suspense. There are a few surprising twists that left my jaw dropping. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't read fast enough. Highly recommend this one.

Desolate Shores is the first novel in the new suspense series "Aspen Adams". I am a fan of Daryl Wood Gerber’s fantastic cozy series and looked forward to reading this new genre of suspense by this beloved author . This was a engaging mystery from the beginning with a fast paced style and a multi layered plot that kept me turning pages. I highly recommend this new series by Daryl Wood Gerber.

Aspen Adams is the main charcter and a strong savvy independent woman.. She does not suffer fools and I like her abrupt manner as it adds to her personality. She become a licensed therapist and worked with young teens until one of them took his own life. She decided to leave therapy and join her aunt’s PI firm in Lake Tahoe . She discovered that she has a aptitude for the work and enjoys working with her aunt.

When Aspen is out jogging one day she finds her friend Vikki dead. As distressed as she is she decides to investigate her murder Her aunt works with her on solving the trail of clues and soon suspects are plenty and the clues add up to the many secrets her friend kept from her over the years. I like the way Aspen jumps into questioning and does not stop until she gets her answers. She works with a detective on the case and soon sparks fly between them but it does not detract from the mystery and is a perfect addition to this first in series.

The author developed all the charcters perfectly. The well crafted sleuth was perfectly surprising to the exciting conclusion. The descriptions of Lake Tahoe are charming and bring Lake Tahoe alive for the reader. . Desolate Shores is a fun suspense filled read that I highly recommend. Very well done to the author. Cross posted review. Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher for the ARC. My opinion is my own.

DESOLATE SHORES is a nice departure from Daryl Wood Gerber’s cozy mysteries, meatier than the typical cozy but not as dark and heavy as many thrillers. Complicated characters and a complex murder mystery come together to make a really satisfactory read.

Aspen Adams has had more than her share of heartache. Upon leaving her psychology practice after a patient’s death, she relocates to Lake Tahoe to work for her aunt’s PI firm. When she finds the body of her best friend Vikki on the lake shore, with the unsolved murder of her parents still weighing heavy on her, she does not trust the police to solve Vikki’s murder and sets out to find the killer on her own. She soon realizes that Vikki had a lot of secrets and that perhaps she did not know her friend as well as she thought. To complicate matters, Aspen’s somewhat estranged drug addict sister leaves her daughter Candace with Aspen for the week, and Candace has secrets of her own.

Gerber weaves an intricate puzzle for Aspen to solve. With so many secrets and plenty of suspects, I did not figure out whodunit until well into the story. Even then, I was surprised by how it all unraveled. Aspen definitely has some issues, and, at times, it felt like she had an unrealistically large amount of baggage. However, I admire her tenacity, loyalty, and intelligence. I appreciate that despite her misgivings about the police she openly shares any information she uncovered with the police. All of the characters have pasts that haunt them, and some are better able to deal with their ghosts than others. These are not feel good characters, but they are compelling.

I enjoyed DESOLATE SHORES and recommend it to Gerber’s existing fans and readers looking for a well thought out, engaging mystery.

I received an ARC of this title from Beyond the Page publishers through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my opinions here.

Desolate Shores is the 1st book I've read from Daryl Wood Gerber. I was really impressed by the writting style, how easily it flows to the very last chapter. The character interactions are great. I'm definitely going to look more into this author.

Rating 3

Desolate Shores by Daryl Wood Gerber is the first book in an Aspen Adams Novel of suspense series, and it is off to a great start. Aspen Adams lives in Lake Tahoe, working for her aunt Max. One morning while running her daily run she sees her best friend laying on the icy shores, and rushes to help her. The problem is she is dead. Aspen is determined to solve the murder, and the murderer was a big surprise, at least for me. Aspen's estranged sister, who is also a drug user, dropped off her teen daughter for a week. This book just kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I have always enjoyed Ms. Gerber's books, and this book does not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This is not a cozy mystery series, but to me it was a nice change. I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy mysteries.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. Thank you.

Desolate Shores is the first book that I've read by Daryl Wood Gerber and I loved it! The mystery was good, and I enjoyed the hint of romance between Aspen and Shaper. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Fantastic character development that has created a strong female lead in the PI in training, Aspen Adams with an interesting assortment of supporting characters to help enhance the storylines as there are multiple story arcs interwoven here. The book had great depth as it dealt with real life issues such as addiction, bulimia, grief, adoption and more in a manner that kept the mystery fluid and the focus of the book. I am really hoping that this will turn into a series as I think that Aspen, her Aunt Max and niece Candace along with the rest of the cast of characters could be quite interesting to follow as their stories meld together in future books. A great entertaining read as a stand alone book, but the entertainment could be built into a series for ongoing story lines.

have to admit I was a little worried about just how much of a suspense book this would be, but it turned out to be a good surprise. I love the cozy mystery series by this author, and after reading a Goodreads friend's review, I decided to get the ARC, and I'm really glad I did! I loved the character of Aspen, aunt Max and Aspen's niece Candace who was thirteen. I just knew that Aspen would want to take Candace under her wing since Candace's mother was a druggie, and I was really happy with the results of that. I enjoyed the developing friendship between Aspen and the main detective, Nick, and I hope that there are more books in the series because of that and I'm anxious to see how Candace will do. I'm really glad this wasn't a scary-type suspense book that would keep me up nights (I'm such a chicken! lol). I've read books labeled as cozy mysteries that weren't a whole lot different. The killer was definitely a twist I wasn't expecting. I can definitely say I'll be reading the next in series whenever it might happen.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Desolate shores is a great "who dunnit" mystery. As you read you think you know who the murderer is only to find out it couldn't be this one. There is a depth to this mystery which shows the amazing talent of the author. There are a variety of characters and each one has a story of their own. So many twists and turns that keeps you excitedly reading on and also a bit of romance and devotion to loved ones.       I received this ebook digital download from the author and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review.

Desolate Shores earns 5/5 Thrilling Tales...Engrossing Excitement!

I am a longtime fan of Daryl Wood Gerber’s cozy writing style, but she sure can add quite a thrilling edge to keep me totally engaged. Using a first-person narrative, Aspen Adams investigates the death of her close friend found on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Through descriptive language and dialogue, I was engrossed in the layers of intrigue that revealed her friend had many secrets causing Aspen to question how well she knew her friend, but it doesn’t stop there. Obstacles are creatively erected when Aspen’s self-absorbed sister drops off her teenage niece whose behavior indicates all is not well. Yes, she is a teenager, but it’s more than hormonal angst. Aspen’s own tragic background as a therapist is explored, although it is also used as an asset in her efforts as a budding private investigator. She has personal reasons to mistrust law enforcement and question the diligence of the officer in charge, but she doesn’t circumvent his authority, and could there be more than professional sparks between them? Realistic predicaments. Developed characters. Engrossing mystery. This isn’t the first time Daryl Wood Gerber has ventured into the world of suspense, but this is definitely one of her best!