This is the second in a series. I just happened to read the first one via Prime Reading on Amazon last week and really enjoyed it. So I looked to see if there were more by this author and was pleasantly surprised to find it out it was available on Netgalley! So thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

You don’t have to read the first book in the series to keep up with most of this one, but I would. There’s a few minor plot points that make it easier to follow. Jessica, (who is a PI) is a likable protagonist and I enjoyed the mystery. Can’t wait to read the next in the series!

WOW! WOW! WOW! A prologue that invites you in and slams the door shut behind you, it hooks you from the start. A Bad Memory is a cracking follow up to Lisa Gray’s debut novel, Thin Air.
Rue Hunter has ten days to find out the truth: if she doesn’t she is going to be executed for a crime she’s not sure she committed…

Rue’s sister, Rose Dalton turns up begging Jessica to help but just what is she going to uncover as she starts to dig deep into the small town she has found herself embroiled in. I love the character of Jessica Shaw, there is a real depth about her and it seems that through her relationships we discover something new about her at every turn.

Told in the present day with flashbacks from the 1980s when Rue was sentenced for the murders of her two best friends, this again is a tightly plotted and cleverly crafted novel. It’s hard to believe that is only Lisa Gray’s second novel.

Lisa Gray is an assured and confident writer; the words seem to flow effortlessly from her fingers into the page creating a world so easy just to step into. I’ve never been to the places she describes in her book but I can see, hear and smell them as sure as I lived there.

The plot is fast and it is pacey. Short, sharp characters keep you hooked and that whole “just one more chapter” feeling kicks in! It’s filled to the brim with twists, turns and WTF moments! It’s intelligently plotted and provides a great work out for the crime fiction lover’s brain, but not too complex that it loses you. It sets the scene throughout to the point I honestly did feel I was in there.

All I’ve left to say is Lisa, when is book three out! Oh, and of course, go buy this book everyone!

An excellent book again, with a very interesting plot and a story with a very good pace. The characters are great, very believable and with no nonsense. This is #2 in a series, but is fine as a stand-alone.

"These images you see? Are you talking about memories?"⁣
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"I think so. That's what I always thought they were anyway. I mean, what else could they be? "⁣
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Jessica Shaw has been hired to help prove a death row inmate's innocence days before the scheduled execution. Rue admitted her guilt but isn't sure now that her own memory is accurate. Jessica must try to use evidence and memories to figure out the whole truth to save Rue's life.⁣
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This is the second book of the Jessica Shaw series and I was able to enjoy it without having read the first one. I didn't love the book but I didn't hate it either. However, it was definitely a unique storyline.

A fast-paced, perfectly plotted killer of a thriller with a fantastic female lead and a cracking premise. I can't wait for the next one!

This gripping read tells the tale of a woman about to be executed after 30 years in prison and who may be innocent.
Jessica is the PI engaged by the sister of the convicted murderer and who is going through her own relationship issues.

The storyline moves from chapters detailing the time of the murders and those involved, as well as the present day and the ongoing investigation that becomes more murky and intriguing as the story develops.

I really enjoyed it and was fascinated by all the characters involved, as well as the writing style and complexity of storyline. There’s also a good ending that sets the scene nicely for the next adventure.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview this good read.
3.5 stars

Jessica Shaw #2

Rue Hunter is in prison for double murder. She is due to be executed in a weeks time. Her sister, Rose hires Private Detective Jessica Shaw to investigate the crime that happened thirty years ago. Rue was charged with killing her best friend and her boyfriend. But Rue can't remember killing them.

I did not k ow that this was the second book in this series. I don't think you need to have read the first book as it reads well as a standalone. But I always recommend, if you can, to read a series in order. At first it looks like this is going to be an open and shut case for Jessica. But the more she delves into the evidence, she discovers hidden secrets. The locals are ot happy that Jessica is investigating this case. The story is a bit far fetched in places. The story is told from multiple points of view and from different timelines. Was Rue innocent? You will have to read the book to find out.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author Lisa Gray for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was a big fan of Thin Air, the first Jessica Shaw book and so jumped at the chance to review the second in the series. Easily read as a stand-alone, I really loved the follow up, Bad Memory.

Jessica is drifting as she moves around California, stopping in the desert community of Hundred Acres to work for a while in a PI’s office in order to secure her California Investigator’s licence. She has hooked up with the local diner owner and son of the local Sheriff, Dylan, which at least ensures she isn’t overpaying for her burgers.

Most of her work is domestic, as befits a small town, but then one day she is hired by Rose, the sister of a woman who used to live in the town; a woman whose execution is scheduled in 10 days time. California has not executed a prisoner since 2006, and no woman has been executed since 1964, so Rue Hunter is making the news for all the wrong reasons.

Rue Hunter confessed to murdering her two best friends Megan and Lucas some 30 years ago at Devil’s Point, a local spot used by teens to make out. Rue and Lucas had been dating and the town is convinced that Rue killed the teens in a fit of jealousy. But Rue has never been able to remember what happened; she only knows that she was found covered in blood and clutching the murder weapon.

Now there is one last chance to find the truth and it’s up to Jessica to do the digging.

Told in two timelines and from different P.O.V.’s Bad Memory is a quick read as Gray’s short chapters and fast pace keep the rhythm going, switching between current events and flashbacks to 1987 with an easy flow.

There are two investigations here running in parallel. One is Jessica’s digging into the murders; the second is that of the murder of Det. Holten, former partner of her cop friend, Det. Pryce, also a cold case that has never been satisfactorily resolved.

The small town backdrop works well and the rumours and theories that abound are all grist to the mill that condemned Rue Hunter even before her trial. Rue and Rose had not come from the best of homes and everyone knew that Rue just had to take after her mother, about whom no-one has a good word to say.

As Jessica looks into the case, she begins to find disturbing things that should have come into light but never have. Has someone been suppressing evidence that doesn’t fit?

Gray creates a strong and convincing atmosphere and her protagonist Jessica shows yet again that she is no-one’s patsy and will get to the truth whatever the personal cost. The trail that the clues lead to do offer the reader a good chance of working out the solution, though the twisty narrative works hard to prevent that, and so this doesn’t detract from the pleasure of reading this highly entertaining work of detective fiction.

Verdict: Bad Memory is a fantastic and enjoyable read. Gray brings the intrigue and drama around a crime investigation alive. Her depiction of scandal and secrets in small-town community life adds to the thrilling action and suspense in this investigation. I like protagonist P.I. Jessica Shaw more with every book and am already looking forward to Book Three!

Jessica Shaw tries to find the truth behind a 30 year old murder case in the second book of the series. I didn't read the first book but was still invested in the story. I will go back and read the first book of the series after reading this book.

I loved the first book in this series Thin Air which I awarded five stars. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about this book. Don't get me wrong it is still a good story but did not grab me. I am sure other readers will enjoy it more just not for me.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Bad Memory is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series. I have not read the first one yet but did not have any trouble keeping up with this story line. P.I. Jessica Shaw is hired by Rue Hunter's sister to find out if Rue really did commit murder. The clock is ticking because Rue's execution is drawing close and the case does not seem to be a simple open and close case Jessica thought it was. Digging into small town secrets lands Jessica in some real danger. Action packed, the story took some unexpected turns before a somewhat expected ending. The mystery was interesting and the pages turned easy for a satisfying thriller that had me looking up the first book to download. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Jessica Shaw is asked to help solve a murder that occurred 30 years prior, with the accused on death row and scheduled for execution in the coming days. This was a great thriller that had the added intrigue of the accused having no recollection of the night in question. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Jessica Shaw Has A Week To Discover the Truth of a 30 Year Old Murders

The novel opens with a soon to be executed prisoner having a repeated nightmare of the murder. It was not lucid dream but distorted images, because she was very drunk and very high during the murders so her memory of it is bad.

Since the last novel, Jessica Shaw decided to stay in California. Through Detective Pryce suggested working for a friend of a friend’s detective agency in a small town of Hundred Acres, a desert community sixty miles north of Los Angeles. She had been working there for six months while her California PI License was pending. One afternoon, she notices a woman in a car just waiting. When Jessica left late after 6 pm, the woman approached her wanting to hire her to determine if her younger sister did murder two friends more than 30 years before. Jessica tries to blow her off until Monday, but the woman tells her that is too late as her sister is to be executed in seven days. After some research on the Internet, Jessica’s interest was piqued.

The novel takes off from here but the road is not easy. Everyone from that time believes that since she confessed, she must be guilty and getting what she deserves. Her boss, who probably has most of town’s secrets locked up in his file drawers, wasn’t a help. Even Detective Pryce has “dog in this fight” also. The investigation does seem to have some holes. With all this, Jessica must find her way through a maze to discover the truth. There is a concurrent minor storyline that Detective Pryce and his partner start investigating the murder of Pryce’s old partner.

The B-storyline also is rich. The reader will learn more about Jessica through relationships with her boyfriend, her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend, Detective Pryce, her boss, the Rue Hunter and her sister. More is revealed with the Detective Pryce character in his search for his partner’s killer. The author integrates these B-storylines into the main storylines that it enriches both. As B-storylines from previous novels do cause problems with reading a later novel in a series without reading the prior novels, reading this book first should not be a problem as adequate background is provided when needed.

There is some vulgar language including some f-bombs. There is some violence described both after the fact and as it was occurring. There are not any graphic sex scenes. Therefore the content is definitely adult, but, in my opinion, should not be a problem unless the reader is very sensitive some vulgar language. There is one major issue in that California has not executed anyone since 2006, and Governor Gavin is having the death champers dismantled. Please read the Author’s note at the end of the novel, then read and enjoy the novel.

The novel did capture my interest that is my major criteria high star rating. I enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to the next novel in this series. The author gave a hint at the end that it will be a missing persons case — Jessica’s specialty. I have rated this book with four stars.

I have received a free e-Book version of this novel through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this novel early.

I chose to skip the first Jessica Shaw book when it was a free option on Prime Firsts. When this one popped up on NetGalley, I realized the magnitude of my mistake. That being said, while there are hints at what may have happened in the first book, I don't think it was necessary to understand this one.

Here is a new, strong female private investigator who is tasked with a seemingly losing case. Along the way, the POVs and timelines also shift around. If you are familiar with this genre, you know they will eventually come together, and they do so in a magnificent fashion. The plot grips you from early on and all the the twists just continue to build the stakes.

I definitely recommend checking this one out!

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Jessica is having a quiet life when she is ask by Rose to investigate a murder that involves her sister Rue.

Rue doesn't remember killing the people she loves as she sit in jail her dreams bring her Devil’s Peak she doesn't what she dream is real because she was high. Rose feel that her sister couldn't do those things so she using her savings by hiring Jessica to investigate the case even when the town thinks she did it.

As Jessica digs deeper she is intrigue by Rue dreams because it doesn't add up to the evidence that telling her she did it. There were a lot of twist and turns that leave you guessing.

Another top-notch mystery-suspense title by Lisa Gray, Bad Memory again follows private eye Jessica Shaw, introduced to readers in Gray’s previous book, Thin Air. The engaging plot in this second offering is complemented by the realistic and accurate details of the California setting, with forays into Las Vegas as well. The California desert setting comes alive convincingly in the hands of the skillful Scottish author.

I’ve received this ARC from Netgalley, the author and it’s publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and are completely unbiased.

While this book is part of a series ( I have not read the previous book) you do not need to read the first book, It was well written and flowed conveniently.

I found this to be a pretty cozy read, just enough suspense, twists and turns.

“There’s always something interesting happening in small towns. You just need to know where to look.”

The quote is utterly suitable with the book. Hundred Acres all of a sudden become an interesting small town for Jessica Shaw, the Private Investigator in the local agency. Rose Hunter paid her to investigate the old murder case which involved her only sister, Rue Hunter. The case, ladies and gentleman, happened thirty years ago.

I didn't know this is series. I happened to suspect it when in the middle of finishing the book. This proves that you don't have to read the prequel to understand the book. The story flows really well, the writing is great, and I didn't hate Jessica. I even want to cheer for her to solve the case, she's a hard worker girl and not belong to hypocrite type. So Jessica is fine main character for me.

How a long time ago murder case opened again is the one that attracted me. Yes, it does seem strange and weird the Hunters want to investigate the case again thirty years later. Does it not seem too late? But eventhough I doubt the premise, the situation is strange enough to make me curious of who's done what. The mystery itself is complicated, the characters are not few, it seems the new one always pops up and make a new connection to the case. And it all happened in a week. Is it really possible in the investigation world though?

Nonetheless, I like the complicated story that solve itself in the end. I like Lisa Gray's writing and how she brings the feeling of small town in this book makes me like it even more. If only she made it a little bit more eerie. The conclusion is great and the ending is good too. Looking forward to read next book in this fine series.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me a copy of this ARC.

Very well written story of a PI uncovering the events that happened three decades earlier. Since I haven’t read the previous book I could not get an idea of the life of the protagonist. But the main story is different and could be followed easily. Suspenseful story and a good climax. Recommended book.

California has not executed a prisoner since 2006, and a woman has not met her end in the death chamber since 1964. But this is about to change – after more than 20 years on death row Rue Hunter must pay for a brutal double murder.

Rue
Still, after all these years, her dream is the same. After confessing to the double murder, she has lived with her deed in the confines of her six-by-eleven-foot cell. Now though, at the point of facing the finality of her death sentence, she wishes she could remember the actual deed of plunging a knife into the bodies of the people she loved most. Her dream brings her to the edge of Devil’s Peak – but she was high, and the disconnect between the vivid image of the man in a plaid shirt and her blood-soaked dress keeps haunting her.

Rose
Hundred Acres has not seen her since her sister’s trial, but now Rose returns to her childhood town. She feels responsible for Rue’s destroyed life and wants to fix it. With her life’s savings in her handbag, she hopes to persuade the newly appointed investigator to find any new evidence in Rue’s favour. Rue is no killer, even though the town was quick to accuse the disturbed teenager.

Jessica
It is not her choice to be stuck in the sleepy community of Hundred Acres, sixty miles north of LA. With her peroxided blonde hair and brightly tattooed arm, she is not a regular cop. Rose Hunter’s thick wad of cash prompts Jessica to go through the motions of looking over the evidence – everyone knows that Rue Hunter is guilty. However, she is intrigued by Rue’s dream and its mismatch to the evidence file. When she realises that some evidence has been omitted from the file, she is drawn into the case.

Lisa Gray’s novel is a detailed narrative of the intrigue and drama around a crime investigation. Her depiction of small-town community life and the ripple effect of a brutal act will keep the reader engaged.

Ange

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.