The title certainly suits it and I like the author's writing style. There's just something unconventional about the story that didn't sit well with me and I can't put my finger on it. Then again, it wasn't so much the mystery as it is the pure English tea. Such drama! Generational differences, elitism, racism, infidelity, you name it.

This was a good story that feels like it could be ripped from today's headlines. The writing was good and felt realistic. I will read more from this author.

Trail of Destruction is the third book in the Forest Grove series from Tracy Buchanan (which I was not aware of). It is a modern tale of a divorcee taking on the role of moderator on the local
facebook group and trying to keep control of the arguments between group members. This brings a lot of humour into the book which also has a darker side. A great read from a talented writer.

Shenanigans in a woodland community which end up going too far. Local Facebook groups and local gossips are not a good combination. I found it a bit stilted and hard to get into. Perhaps it’s because it’s the third in the series which I wasn’t aware of until too late. If I’m reading a series whether they could be standalones or not then much prefer to read the books in sequence. Usually I enjoy this author’s novels and am sad to say that not this time.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Trail of Destruction by Tracy Buchanan is a tale of neighborhood suspense that will appeal to fans of HBO's Big Little Lies and other tales about privileged communities. The story revolves around Ellie, who became the moderator for her neighborhood's Facebook group. At first, she's helping put out metaphorical fires. Then, she has to put out literal fires. Someone is using the message board to commit vigilante justice. How dangerous!

Here is a chilling excerpt from the Prologue:

"Then a cry louder than the rest rings out as a woman shoves through the crowds, face tight with fear. She tries to rush into the flames, but the firemen hold her back.
'Let me get in!' she screams. 'He's in the forest! I have to save him!'
Gasps of horror sound out. But one person watches with a smile, refusing to feel any guilt."

Overall, Trail of Destruction is a tale of domestic suspense masquerading as a thriller. One highlight of this book is how it uses Facebook groups as a plot device, which is something I thought was pretty original. I did take off 2 stars, because I typically enjoy books that are a bit more exciting. Even the reveal midway through wasn't that thrilling for me. I was hoping for more action. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of domestic suspense in general, you can check out this book, which is available now!

This book perfectly captures the feeling of living in a neighborhood full of busy-bodies! There are always those neighbors that feel as if there are the mayor of the subdivision and are quick to point the finger at anyone who breaks a rule; written or not. Ellie is recently divorced and is now in charge of the neighborhood Facebook group. A payback of sorts is happening to the tattling neighbors who post within the group and with each payback escalating and becoming more serious until it spirals out of control.

This was the third book set in the same exclusive forest area, I've read and found it the least absorbing. The village is still claustrophobic, most of the occupants still nasty and gossipy. The main character this time is Ellie, who was left by her husband for another woman three months prior and is just starting to feel slightly normal again. She's likeable: a good mother and daughter, her pet is a boxer (love them), well taken care of and she's a good, true friend. That's why I found it a bit unnerving to find out about her flaws halfway through the story ... it just felt unrealistic.
I preferred the first half of the story and was a bit disappointed with the rest of it

I have enjoyed every time Tracy Buchanan has taken me back to the Village of Forest Grove. This deliciously evil little town with its gossip, secrets and extremely active Facebook page feels all to real. I devoured the first two books in the series and this one took me a little longer to get into. Maybe it was the fact that it was all written around trying to discover who the mysterious Facebook vigilante was but I didn’t connect with this set of characters as I had in previous books. I also had a hard time trying to remember who characters were from precious books and what their role had been before even though their names were familiar. I will, however happily go back into the Forrest Grove mayhem anytime a new book is written.

One of the silliest things I've read this year. Lots of explaining how facebook works and talking about the stress of moderating a group with three whole posts in a single day...I'll stop, but, if ever there were a time to 'okay boomer' someone - this is it all the way.

This neighborhood is starting to get really annoying, as the Next Door neighborhood app often is.
I have read every book of Tracy Buchanan’s and have come to the conclusion that her earlier books I have enjoyed more.
In her latest novel, it’s the third set in the town/neighbourhood of Forest Grove. Each is a stand alone, in fact I couldn’t tell you if I have come across any other the characters in the other books, so that shouldn’t impact anyone trying this. For me I feel I just didn’t like any of the characters and the pettiness of the Facebook comments. Yes, the setting of the town is claustrophobic, yes the storyline did keep moving but I just missed the connection to the characters.
Will I read another book about Forest Grove if it is written? I’m not really sure…..
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely community with a Facebook page. Drama ensues from Karen galore--both genders. A vigilante takes action to retaliate and the community reels.

It was a good mystery and we get to know some of the towns people during the course of the book. Ellie is the main character and you develop a fascination with her as her character is very diversified. We immediately think of her as a good upstanding citizen but learn otherwise. Despite this, Ellie is still likeable. There is a mystery going on in the town and we find that a similar mystery occurred 20 years prior. Are they connected? Are they solvable? The tale is well woven in the book.

I believe this is the 3rd Tracy Buchanan book I’ve read. “Wall of Silence” being my favorite. This one, “Trail of Destruction” was a relatively good read, but nowhere in the vein of the former. It has the typical domestic, with a recent divorce, a bit of a love interest & the all important “whodunit” with the occurring acts of low-key (at first) violence. I got into it quickly but had trouble staying interested. Still a solid read,

The perfect neighborhood? Facebook chat groups? Gossip turning into major threatening situations? Yep! This one has it all! Ever had that pesky acquaintance who just grinds your gears??? In the village of Forest Grove there is a never ending barrage of those people with complaints and concerns about one another that begins to get the best of the new group chat moderator and certain family issues begin to take their toll. Read this one if you’re a fan of the latest love thy neighbor type stories out there!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Well that was unexpected! Small town pettiness leading to what the...moments. Was better than I thought it was going to be.

Trail of Destruction is the third book by an author who is new to me, about a fictional English village set in an idyllic forest, but it's not a series as such, and I had no problem reading it as a stand-alone. It's more of a character study than a crime novel, and features a large cast of universally awful middle-class twats. You could either enjoy loving to hate them, or end up feeling slightly grubby, but if you have spent any time in Facebook groups you will recognise the personality types portrayed.

Ellie has lived in Forest Grove since her teens, and was happy with her life, until her arrogant husband left her for his mistress. An argument in the local Facebook group ends up with her taking over as moderator, but soon afterwards the most vocal members are the target of a series of pranks. Initially they are deemed harmless, but when the attacks start to escalate and threaten lives, Ellie finds links to a malignant presence that plagued the village decades ago. Can Ellie and the handsome local policeman find the culprit before someone gets killed?

Ah Facebook, the indispensable tool of the overprivileged middle-aged, (and l include myself amongst them), which weaponises gossip and creates infernos out of innocent comments. Everyone has an agenda, and anyone can start a controversy. I personally have a particular loathing, clearly shared by the author, for those who use the term snowflake as an insult, but did have some sympathy for some of the complainants. The author accurately conveys the malice and cowardice of her characters - even the heroine is a caricature, well meaning but selfish, and her love interest isn’t much better.
The mystery of who is behind it all was well done - I did guess who but not why, and the resolution was happy enough - with this many players you can’t have an ending for everyone. I’m not sure how many of them feature in the earlier books, and whether more are planned - I’d be up for reading more from this author and about Forest Grove, even if it’s to see some of them get their just deserts!

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon UK for the post-publication review copy. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.

Trail of Destruction by Tracy Buchanan is a mystery set within the small town of Forest Grove, Ellie Mileham is a moderator for her community Facebook group. Recently some of the members have been harassed and taunted within the group by someone posting hurtful statements and trying to cause trouble. The small community residents are beginning to bicker among themselves and terrible pranks are beginning to become more dangerous.
Ellie is soon reminded of the troubles which happened in the woods behind the homes across the street years ago. She wonders if someone is watching them all and what could the motive be for the fears which cloud the neighborhood. Don't walk into the woods!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Wow! I really enjoyed this book and the way it engages he reader by switching back and forth between first person narrative and multiple people commenting in a Facebook group. It felt very real and down to earth, definitely something that could happen in a small town in real life. I loved all the twists and turns and had a difficult time guessing first who the Facebook vigilantly was, and second who the poisoned pen author/arsonist was! I will definitely recommend to friends and family!

Love this book so much like the other one it didn’t disappoimt! Keep me entertain all along! Subject very well develop!

While the blurb of this book looked amazing, and there wasn't necessarily anything wrong with it, after getting halfway through it, nothing captured me. The main character from the get-go wasn't empathetic to me and our introduction fell a little flat. I was unable to relate to her and that kept me unable to keep reading, despite the strong premise that was promised to me.