Couldn't finish this one and therefore wont be reviewing anywhere else. The writing style wasn't for me and I didn't like the main character. Also cant be read as a standalone and I didn't realise it was book 3 in a series.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read Silent Ridge by Gregg Olsen the 3rd book in the Detective Megan Carpenter series. Detective Megan Carpenter is no stranger to horrifying crime scenes, but when she arrives at the home of a woman whose body has been brutalized, Megan is shocked to discover that she knows the victim. Monique Delmont helped Megan when she was in danger years ago. And the killer has left a disturbing calling card… two laminated photographs of a sixteen-year-old high school girl – Megan.
This book delves more into Megan's past; and I found it both riveting and disturbing. I feel you should definitely read the series in order, and will look forward to the next book, which I hope has more of Megan's brother.

Dark Ridge is the third installment in author Gregg Olsen's Detective Megan Carpenter series. **Slight Spoilers** Dark Ridge begins with the viewpoint of a killer who we learn is female. The killer, who burns with hatred towards a woman named Rylee, knows all about Detective Megan Carpenter's past and what she did to her serial killer bio-father and his psychotic wife before faking her own death. In return, the unnamed killer targets those closest to Megan including a woman named Monique Delmont, an advocate for victims of violent crimes, who helped her disappear and change her name, as well as Dan, Megan’s would-be boyfriend.

After arriving at a murder scene and witnessing a very dark scene right out of Silence of the Lambs, Megan's past and present collide when photographs of her at work and as a high school student are found at the gruesome crime scene. The victim is a woman Megan had taken into her confidence and whose daughter had previously been murdered by the same serial killer who stalked Megan. Megan ends up partnering with recently promoted Deputy Ronnie Marsh who was previously kidnapped and injured but is extremely effective when it comes to research.

As the investigation progresses, Megan becomes more and more sure that a person connected to her serial killer/ biological father is likely stalking her. Could it be the same person who murdered Monique’s daughter? Readers have known from the beginning of this series that Megan is living under borrowed time. She been constantly stalked by an unknown person named Wallace and takes to keeping a gun fully loaded under her pillow. Her brother Hayden has shown up with no rhyme or reason for his visit in Port Townsend after being discharged from the military.

Hayden, who she tried to protect, joined the Army, and has never forgiven her for what she did. Hayden has anger in his veins for being left behind and Megan ignoring their mother who is in prison. It was only a matter of time before Megan has to deal with Hayden’s issues. Megan is a dedicated and intuitive investigator who seems to leave bodies wherever she goes. Megan also has an incredibly dark and tangled past which we learned from the tapes she listens to whenever she needs help keeping her head straight.

Her past is unknown to her colleagues and virtually all her friends, including Chief Ronnie Marsh who she thinks of as a father figure. She believes that if Marsh found out the truth, she would lose everything, again. Megan has been living under an assumed name ever since she killed her serial killer bio-dad and his psychotic wife and then decided to make people believe she was dead. If Megan reveals her past and her connection to the murder victim, will anyone be able to trust her again? Stay tuned.

One of my wishes is that Megan's frequent reminiscing over past events would come to an end. Just when things are getting good, Megan takes a step back to her past which is filled with not so pleasant situations. Megan needs to look into her future and find out why Hayden is really here, and whether or not Wallace is really Hayden, or someone living in plain sight. Megan finally begins to understand that she doesn’t have to do everything on her own. Having Ronnie as a partner has major advantages as to the lone wolf approach she normally takes.

Not a standalone book, this is firmly part of a series that needs to be read in order. This book is also being sold as Silent Ridge via Amazon and elsewhere thus the two titles of this review.

Detective Megan Carpenter couldn’t run from her past no matter how hard she tried. When her latest case turned out to be highly personal, she knew she needed to take care of it before she put anyone else in danger. But the closer she was to find the killer, the more risk she’s facing of her past blowing up in her face.

This is the third book in the Detective Megan Carpenter series, and without reading the first two books, the author did a good job in introducing Megan and the characters connected to her. I was able to understand her fears and motivations without issue. The only thing I didn’t fully understand is her living family dynamics, which I wished the author did a quick recap on within the story.

Megan was not exactly a likable character, and she was reckless. But that’s exactly why I was drawn to her - the unapologetic personality. The other characters balanced out her personality and gave her a level of humanity. As for the story, I enjoyed it overall. However, certain aspects of the ending felt unresolved, and I’m not sure if this is something the author intends to address in the next book.

Dark Falls is a story of personal vendetta. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a crime thriller with dark characters.

This is the 3rd book in the Megan Carpenter series and I am looking forward to book 4.
In this book, the beginning is quite gruesome with the discovery of a flayed body. For Megan this is personal, the victim being a person from her past, and an old photo of Megan as 'Rylee' her former identity being found at the crime scene.
This time with her new trainee officer, Ronnie, in tow, Megan starts to realise that there are advantages to being part of a team as opposed to the lone wolf approach she normally takes.
As the investigation progresses Megan becomes more and more sure that a person connected to her biological father (a serial killer) is stalking her.
There are moments of frustration in this book. Megan is constantly lying to those around her, and there are constant references to her past that are beginning to wear thin at this point in time.
Not a standalone book, this is firmly part of a series that needs to be read in order.
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Detective Megan Carpenter is no stranger to horrifying crime scenes, but when she arrives at the home of a woman whose body has been brutalized, Megan is shocked to discover that she knows the victim. Monique Delmont helped Megan when she was in danger years ago. And the killer has left a disturbing calling card… two laminated photographs of a sixteen-year-old high school girl – Megan.

Someone is taunting her in the worst way possible and Megan is convinced she knows who is responsible. She just has to find him.

Review


Silent Ridge is the third book in the Detective Megan Carpenter series. The story begins with the discovery of a brutally mutilated body. At the scene of the crime are photos of Detective Megan Carpenter.

This was a different case compared to the previous two. The story is narrated in alternating chapters and one of the narrators is the killer. With the baddie’s identity obvious, the suspense was in watching Megan put the puzzle pieces together. I was captivated by the storm that was brewing and couldn’t wait for the clash between killer and detective.

Megan’s character is interesting and I like her complicated background. However, I enjoyed Ronnie’s character more in this book. Her character development since the previous book almost has her overshadowing the MC. I think part of the reason could be because Megan is not very likeable. I don’t like her lies and don’t always understand her reasons behind the deception. Her insubordination also puzzles me. I am still not sure how she was the lead detective in such a personal case too. I am not complaining though. I still enjoyed reading about her especially in relation with ‘Red’.

This was yet another great addition to the series. Silent Ridge is well-plotted with strong character development, fast-paced and quite entertaining. This isn’t one of the series that you can get into midway. The character development is best enjoyed if the books are read in order. In addition, references to previous books can be confusing to those who haven’t read them yet. Highly recommended to all fans of Crime thrillers.

If you have not read books #1 and #2 in this series, DO NOT read this. It's essential to have all the backstory in order to fully enjoy this third one -- and you definitely will! Note the title change to SILENT RIDGE.

I like this series a lot. The author has a writing style that really appeals to me and the story is told in first person voice from Detective Megan Carpenter's point of view. And, what an interesting character she is! "I destroy monsters, but I'm a monster." If you'd had her past life, you might lean that way too.

After a woman who knew Megan in her previous identity is found murdered (that first chapter is a bit of a grisly shocker), Megan and her new sidekick, Deputy Ronnie Marsh, pull out all the stops to figure out how this all ties to events and murders that happened over 20 years previously. Lots of action and the inclusion of hearing the killer's point of view as well. NO SPOILERS.

I can't wait to see where the next installment will take Megan and Ronnie and am very much looking forward to continuing. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

I enjoyed this book, and I like the protagonist, but it didn’t really stand out from the other crime/mystery thrillers. I would read another book in the series if I came across it but it didn’t leave me marking my calendar for the next one.

Unrelated to the story, I LOVE the cover.

This is the 3rd book in the Megan Carpenter series, and gives us another couple grisly murders. The story opens with the murder of a woman named Monique, who is pretty tightly connected to Megan. Pictures of Megan were left at the scene, leading her to believe that she, and others in her circle, are in danger. Along with her newly minted partner, Ronnie, she tries to track down the murderer before they strike again. There are alternating chapters told from the perspective of the murderer,. and the narration is unique because the reader knows who it is but Megan doesn't- despite the fact that this didn't give me a mystery to solve, I enjoyed watching Megan connect the dots.

I do have he same issue with this book that I had with previous books in this series, which is that I find it very hard to believe that Megan would have even been able to become a police officer with her track record and psychological history, not to mention keep her job with her constant lying and insubordination. There is no way she'd be able to head up the investigation of someone she personally knew in real life. I had to constantly remind myself to get past this and just enjoy the story.

The story itself is fast paced, and told in short chapters that moves it along quickly. I suppose it's a police procedural at heart, but really spends more time on Megan's actions than on the investigation in the murder.

Overall, OK read for me if I concentrate on suspending my disbelief. I am familiar with the locations where the book takes place, which is always fun as well. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Silent Ridge by Gregg Olsen 4 Stars
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 9781800193116

The story starts with a grisly murder scene that leads to a history of Detective Megan Carpenter’s past and how it shaped the events in the present. I like a character with rough edges and Megan has plenty of those. The facts of her past are revisited throughout the book and piecing them together is like assembling a puzzle to understand her and the reasons for present events.
We get to know other characters though Megan’s observations and thoughts that are insightful and often humorous.
The story never slows and is enjoyable throughout. This is the first book I have read in the Detective Megan Carpenter series. It works fine as a standalone. I can always count on a novel by Gregg Olsen to be exciting and entertaining with some terror and surprise.

Reviewer: Nancy

The opening scenario in this story shows the aftermath of a terrible torture and murder. What kind of monster could commit such a crime and who better to solve the case but Detective Megan Carpenter? Author Gregg Olsen is able to present a captivating crime thriller which keeps the reader anxious to find out which suspect among many is the one who actually killed this victim, and is the fact that the victim was a friend of Megan linked to the reason for the crime? It seems as if anyone who becomes even a little close to the Detective ends up being in danger from the demented killer. I like the fact that the author keeps the chapters short, so every time I get to the end of the chapter I think to myself, “just one more chapter!”, but I end up continuing to read several more pages! I definitely recommend Silent Ridge to anyone who enjoys an easy read that keeps one’s imagination going, and I look forward to the next Megan Carpenter book.

Silent Ridge by Gregg Olsen is the third book in the Megan Carpenter series. They can be read as standalones too as Gregg Olsen does an excellent job of giving Megan's back story and the events from previously. I have read these and love it everytime Megan returns!
Megan and her new partner, Deputy Ronnie Marsh have recently come back to work after the traumatic events of the previous book, looking forward (or silently praying) to having a bit of normality in their callouts. They get called out to the scene of a particularly brutal murder. Megan discovers the victim is someone who helped her in the past and Megan knows who murdered her and what it means for Megan.
Megan has always kept her secrets about her past, being a loner and having no friends until recently. She now has to unravel the clues with Ronnie by her side which becomes so much more dangerous than she anticipates.
Megan is a character that is so human and genuine. I won't say she doesn't have her flaws but that is why she is so believable and a woman I can relate to. She is also a woman who is always battling her demons in some form or other. Gregg Olsen definitely knows how to create characters that are very compelling, well rounded and very believable. This has helped me get so invested in this series.
Silent Ridge is a fast paced, page turner that has more than enough action to keep anyone gripped to this third instalment, then we have the police investigation which is gruesome enough too.
Thanks to Gregg Olsen, Bookouture and NetGalley for my gifted copy of the book for me to bring you my review today.

Incredibly intense storyline! Having read the series that told Megan's story early in her life when she was Rylee, the Megan Carpenter saga continues and with each book becomes more and more intense as she faces demons from her past that keep following her. This book completely drew me in! I absolutely LOVE the characters as well. Very well done!! Another of Gregg Olsen's masterpieces! And there are 3 more coming!!! I can't wait!!! Thank you so much Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!!

This was a fast, enjoyable read. It is the first that I have read by the author, but upon finishing I immediately ordered some more.

The characters were well-written. It started off pretty gory (a woman is killed by being skinned alive) and I thought there should have been more of an emotional reaction by those who knew her, but maybe lack of emotion/empathy is part of the issue with the characters.

Very good.

I have read a few books by this author so I knew I would not be disappointed . This is another gripping addition to the series. It was real edge of the seat stuff and I whizzed through it pretty rapidly.

Gripping and suspenseful story with many twists and a main character that tries to get a grip of her life especially now when her job collides with her hunting past.
It was my first book by the author but I’ll surely be on the lookout for more stories.

I very rarely read books by American crime novelists. Too often in the past I have found them to have gung ho characters with no personality or back story and a near-fatal explosion every few chapters. Gregg Olsen is a welcome exception to my self-imposed rule.
Megan Carpenter is a great character. She's got a past which enhances the whole series of novels. Is she going to eventually turn out to be Jekyll or Hyde?
The plot is tense and engaging. The book was an absolute joy to read. I look forward to the next three in the series.

First, I want to thank Gregg Olsen, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Looking for an incredible must read series of 2020 that has to be added to your TBR list? Gregg Olsen’s Detective Carpenter Series is incredible!! I just read his latest in the series Silent Ridge! I crave reading his series because you feel like you are reading a true crime story. I have said this in the past but it is so true he has a tremendous gift writing in this genre.

Seeing it is part of a series I highly suggest you read them in order and not as a standalone. However, he does go back and recap some of the last books to help jog your memory.

Gregg’s book covers are always so creatively different than any other graphics I have seen on any other cover I have seen before. This one is no exception! Kudos to the genius who thought up this concept and created this design. It was very cool.

This book is dedicated to Darlene Dibley; her strength after great loss inspires all around her.

Right from the start Gregg jumps into the fast paced storyline with his vivid descriptions and attention to detail of what is going on in the scene. Many times you feel like you are there in the same room as the character.

I’m a huge fan of Megan Carpenter’s character and love learning about her character’s sordid past. That past molds her into the woman she is today personally and professionally as her two worlds collide.

Silent Ridge is full of murder, graphic details of murder scenes, lies, investigations, stalkers, heartache, etc.

The tapes, Dr. Albright and Megan storyline fascinates me to no end. It is the key to unlocking her past.

Mix of emotions brought up in me with the conversation between Gabrielle and Megan!

I was glad to see that Megan and Dan were still dating in this book.

My heart went out to Megan as her secrets were forcefully revealed in a shocking ending to a few characters.

This is a serial killer, murder mystery where all the victims are connected to the past of the detective investigating them. It is the third book in the series and, whilst there are brilliant shared flashbacks via the scripts of tapes that Megan made with her psychologist, I suspect it would help to have read the previous books in the series before this one.

Detective Megan Carpenter has a new identity after her horrendous past but that past is coming back to haunt her and threatens those she has ever cared about. Very few people know about her past, not even her partner, Reserve Detective Ronnie Marsh, but they need to work together to find the killer of Monique Delmont, someone who helped Megan years ago and prevent more people being killed.

This is a very dark and graphic murder mystery, definitely not for the squeamish as the author’s vivid descriptions bring the scenarios to live in the reader’s imagination. It is a fast paced, suspense filled read that I didn’t want to put down until the end, a great addition to this series . . . . now we just need to find her father!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

"I'm a monster. But the good kind."

Deliciously dark, unflinching and addictive, the third installment in the Megan Carpenter series is the best one yet.

Arriving at a horrifying crime scene, Detective Megan Carpenter is shocked to discover that she knew the victim. Not only that, but the killer has left her a very personal message.

Megan is sure she knows who's behind it. She just needs to find and stop him before her dark secrets are revealed.

"Monique’s body hangs from the shower head... Her skin is all in one piece, lying in the tub beneath her. One piece. Like a wetsuit with a wig and face mask."

This book is exactly the kind of twisted thriller I can't get enough of. It gets off to a shocking and unforgettable start, leaving the reader in no doubt what they're in for. This isn't a book for the faint hearted.

By book three in a series you're familiar with the characters and there's a sense of comfort in revisiting them. But what I love about this series is that while you get that feeling, it is also fresh and exciting. You never quite know where the author is going to take things next.

"They don't realise they're just fanning the flames. I can always move. Take on a new persona, a new job, a new life. They'll be dead."

Megan is fast becoming one of my favourite crime series protagonists as she's like no one else. Her history is better known to the reader by now and I enjoyed how the investigation in this book made her step back into her past and reveal more about parts she's skipped over before now. As in the previous books there are extracts from her sessions with her psychiatrist Dr Albright and flashbacks to the times in her life she'd rather forget. But, unlike in previous books, this time she's using them to catch the killer. We also see just how dark and vengeful she can be, which was another side to her that I absolutely loved.

Fast-paced, and twisty, Silent Ridge will have you on the edge of your seat from the hard-hitting opening to the jaw-dropping climax. Though I would highly recommend the series, this could be read as a standalone too. Whichever you choose, if you're a fan of this genre, you don't want to miss this book!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮. 5