Unstable, by Alexandra Ivy., Although this suspenseful book seemed to move slowly it still was able to give me all the qualities of a good book. The story offered so many twist and turns of who could be the killer. Those were a few of the good parts to the book. The flashbacks of returning to previous murders was a added plus to the story. Having Zac team up with his wife was awesome too. I like that Zac was the lawman of his town and was able to keep track of nearly everyone, meaning he new what was happening in his town. The book is a good story and I look to more to read from the author.

A suspenseful, dynamic read, Unstable is the third book in Pike, Wisconsin. A body found murdered on a grave he should be buried within sets off a chain of events in this gripping story of obsession, deceit, family, and murder. An edge of you seat thriller, Unstable had me engaged throughout and I definitely recommend you read it for yourself.

Unstable is a second-chance romance at heart, and reunites Rachel Fisher and her ex-husband, Zac Evans, whose marriage imploded eight years earlier. But if there’s one thing history (and romantic suspense) teaches us, it’s that the end is only relative …
The suspense is the highlight of this story, though the rekindled romance between Rachel and Zac provides a nice, simmering undertone. They’re a dynamic, intuitive investigative duo, which can primarily be attributed to their chemistry. Trust and love are hard-won assets in any relationship, whether professional or personal, but when they’re there, they’re there. They got married right out of high school, and in their near decade apart have both matured, and Ivy paints a portrait of two intelligent, accomplished individuals. There’s no whining between the couple, no bitterness or anger, just two young people who married too young and went their separate ways. The suspense is satisfying, convoluted, and highly detailed; it held my attention until the very end, but I discovered that even though finding out whodunit was incredibly satisfying, I wanted a little more focus when it came to the romance and on Rachel and Zach’s fight to be together. Yes, they never stopped loving each other, but the author relies a bit too heavily on their history to explain how their future will unfold. But while I wanted more from the romance, Unstable is really strong on the suspense and definitely worth sticking around for.

*originally published at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/unstable-by-alexandra-ivy/

The storyline was good but I couldn't get past the fact that this was too much of a romantic novel for me (sorry, not my jam). It always seems contrived when ex-spouses are thrust together in a criminal case, as in this one. Nonetheless enjoyed seeing this one unfold.

Unstable
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 4/26/22
Author: Alexandra Ivy
Publisher: Zebra
Pages: 352
Goodreads Rating: 4.15

Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra for providing a copy of the book for me to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: A dead man in a cemetery isn’t news—unless he’s found on top of a grave, with a bullet through his head. The body belongs to Jude Henley, who was supposed to be buried below. Instead, the grave contains the remains of Staci Gale, thought to have run away nearly three decades ago. Then an old VCR tape arrives at the sheriff station, showing Staci before her death—bound and terrified—with a note, claiming to be from the killer’s apprentice. In this small town a killer walks—twisted, ruthless, determined to continue his master’s work. And unless Rachel and Zac can find a way to get ahead of him, the nightmare will never end.

My Thoughts: The chapters are average length. The POV of the books is from Zac, Interim Sheriff of Pike. With a serial killer lurking in town, Zak and Rachel has to find to a way to stop him before more women are murdered,the clock is ticking. Even though this a third book in a series, I was able to follow along with no issues, making this a great stand alone book. The author created these characters, primarily Rachel and Zak, that work well together, even though they are divorced, it just works. The descriptions the author portrays in the book is so vivid, you feel like you are right there investigating with them. The author keeps you engaged, fast-pace, chilling thriller. This was a great read and makes me want to go back to the other books in the series. I recommend you pick up this book that is already out.

A story of revenge, mystery, and intrigue, Unstable will keep you guessing until the very end. A great plot, well executed and descriptively written.

UNSTABLE is the third instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult PIKE, WISCONSIN slightly romantic, suspense thriller series focusing on the people of Pike Wisconsin. This is thirty year old , Pike Wisconsin interim Sheriff Zac Evans, and cold case Detective Rachel Fisher’s story line. UNSTABLE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person perspective (the killer) and several third person perspectives UNSTABLE follows in the discovery of a body long thought buried and dead. The identity of the body in the local cemetary reveals the victim was a man thought to have died close to thirty years earlier but the exhumation of his grave exposes the remains of a woman who disappeared years before. Enter cold case Detective Rachel Fisher, interim Sheriff Zac Evan’s ex-wife, and one-half of an investigation team that will expose the resurrection of a possible serial killer. As several local women go missing, and their murders are recorded for posterity, Rachel and Zac struggle to unravel a series of clues that date back close to thirty years, clues that affirm a possible copycat killer in Pike, Wisconsin. With each murder, a new videotape is released, a videotape that may or may not be connected to the current killer or a killer from the past. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Zac and Rachel, as our couple begin to suspect a number of residents, as well as one or two of their own. Like many small towns, Pike Wisconsin’s dead refuse to remain silent, and the victims begin to talk from the grave.

Rachel and Evan’s marriage imploded years before but working together pushed our couple to remember what was and what will never be. As the number of missing and murdered women begin to climb, more than one person is suspect, and a long forgotten piece of information reveals a secret that is about to be exposed.

UNSTABLE is a story of murder and abuse, obsession and fixation, history and family, forgiveness and love. The premise is dramatic, intriguing and riveting; the characters are energetic, colorful and curious; the romance is passionate but limited, taking a back seat to the search for a killer.



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So at this point in the series I’m starting to wonder if there is something in the water in Pike that had all these serial killers popping up? Also is Kir Jansen bad luck? Since he came back to town in the first book it seems like nothing good has happened. His father was clearly a little too good at uncovering mysteries since he’s helping them to be solved from the grave...

Anywho... in book number 3 we start with Kit visiting the current sherif Zac Evans to report an abandoned car... naturally this leads to the discovery of a body and soon after more follow. Though the fact that the first body is of a man that “died” over two decades ago does present a problem... the fact that someone else is in his grave and new murders copying old murders means Zac needs some help from his ex wife cold case Detective Rachel Fisher. Together they try to figure out why a dead man has returned only to end up dead and catch a copycat killer. Naturally Kit’s father has files on this because he had files on everything. It’s actually rather impressive all the things he noted that ended up being so much more than it seemed.

Soooo.... I liked this one it was good... I mean I guessed the relationship between the first killer and new killer rather immediately because it was obvious it had to be something like that. The identity of the killer however wasn’t as easy because there were so many suspicious people and some were easier to dismiss than others and I do like to be surprised every now and again. It’s easy to think you know exactly who it is but then it’s like well that person seems suspicious too. The book brings up the question of if certain people are just born evil or they are made that way. In this case the latter was certainly how that happened.

I do hope there’s more to the series though I’m just wondering why people live in this allegedly peaceful small town? How do you still leave your doors unlocked in a town with serial killers? But really Kir seems like he’s bad luck for the town even though his father’s files prove to be very useful.

What a thrilling read!! The mystery surrounding the gruesome murders was fantastic.
I love it when the crime makes you do a double take. Very well done!!

I enjoyed the romance as well. Grateful that it didn’t overshadow the suspense. Zac and Rachel get a second chance and it was pretty sweet.

Loved the small town of Pike with all its secrets and gossips. Made for an entertaining read!!

Alexandra Ivy is one fabulous author.


Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unstable is an attention-grabbing amalgamation of the past and the present, packaged in a fast-moving and exciting plot.

Pike’s interim sheriff, Zac Evans, has his hands full when the body of Jude Henley is found, not inside his grave where it is supposed to be, but on top. And after a missing woman’s body is discovered inside the grave instead, Zac is willing to concede that he might need help. Zac’s ex, Rachel Fischer, arrives back in town just as all of this is unfolding. And now, it is a race against time and a serial killer with something to prove and a penchant for copying past unsolved murders.

After Jude’s body showed up in the cemetery, this story was one convoluted plot twist after another. And Zac and Rachel always seemed to be just one step behind. It was quite thrilling, and I had no idea who the killer was. Zac and Rachel worked well together. I also enjoyed watching them deal with the reasons for their marriage breaking up and finding each other again. Their rekindled romance wasn’t the focus, but it provided a lovely diversion.

I can definitely recommend this is you like suspense and mystery, with some romance. Unstable is the third book in the Pike, Wisconsin series. It’s not necessary to read them in order.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Good Read with an ending I actually wasn't expecting. I liked the characters and their relationship, the bad guy was creepy. It's a dual POV that's third person from the MCs and then first person from the serial killer.

You know.... I keep getting sucked into these trilogies !

I requested Unstable, after obsessing over the cover. Then when I was approved I realized it was Book #3 in a series. So, of course I had to go back and download the previous two books, Don't Look and Faceless.

This is an incredible series and although Unstable is book 3, it could be read as a standalone but why would you want to do that to yourself? Book 1 and 2 were equally as great and also builds foundation.

Filled with twists and explosive secrets, this book is jam packed with suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Alexandra Ivy does an incredible job narrating this story.

You do not want to miss this one!

On top of his own grave, presumed dead for many decades, a man named Jude Henley is found, freshly shot to death. Actually in his grave is Staci Gale, a woman assumed to be a runaway from years prior. Detective Rachel Fisher, cold case specialist, comes back to her hometown of Pike, Wisconsin. She must work alongside Sheriff Zac Evans, who just happens to be her ex-husband, and sparks still fly between them. An old VCR tape of Staci’s torment and death is sent to Zac with a note that claims, “the student has become the master.” Calling himself “The Maestro,” he models himself after Jude, promising a new murder every week along with another old VCR tape. Zac and Rachel race to catch this serial killer before he brutalizes another innocent victim.

“Unstable” is a chilling thriller, a fast-paced psychological cat-and-mouse, keeping the reader guessing all the way through. It is a very powerful whodunit, and the tension builds throughout until the killer is revealed. The novel is “unputdownable,” a word I don’t normally use unless I am drawn to devour a book in one sitting, and devour it I did! It is penned with excellent prose and a beautifully descriptive narrative. It reads as a stand-alone novel even though it is Book 3; I haven’t read books 1 or 2 yet, but “Unstable” immediately places the reader into the setting and storyline. The characters are fleshed-out, and the scenes are well-written, the climax is excellent, and resolution is complete.

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp., and Alexandra Ivy for the ability to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unstable by Alexandra Ivy is the third book in the Pike Wisconsin Series. In the small town of Pike, Wisconsin the sheriff, Zac Evans, is notified of a body on top of the grave of Jude Henley. Surprise! The body is Jude Henley. Another shock is finding another dead body but it’s in the grave. That body belongs to Staci Gale, someone who disappeared a while ago.

With two cold cases to be solved, Rachel Fisher, a cold case specialist, comes to this small town to help solve the mystery. She is also the ex-wife of the sheriff. They must put aside their differences to solve this matter. To complicate things, the killer considers himself/herself to be a killer’s apprentice.

There were so many twists and turns. I was totally engaged in this book trying to determine who the past and present killers were. I was also wondering if Zac and Rachel would be able to put aside their problems to solve the case and possibly reignite their relationship.

I loved this book and hope there will be another one in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read the ARC for an honest review.

WHEN IT COMES TO KILLING A dead man in a cemetery isn’t news—unless he’s found on top of a grave, with a bullet through his head. The body belongs to Jude Henley, who was supposed to be buried below. Instead, the grave contains the remains of Staci Gale, thought to have run away nearly three decades ago. Then an old VCR tape arrives at the sheriff station, showing Staci before her death—bound and terrified—with a note, claiming to be from the killer’s apprentice . . .PRACTICE Rachel Fisher’s job in cold case files has brought her back to Pike, Wisconsin—where she’ll be working alongside her ex-husband, Zac Evans. As Pike’s interim sheriff, Zac expected a low-key assignment. Instead, he and Rachel are racing to solve serial murders from decades past while a new monster goads them with a chilling promise. Every week there’ll be another old tape—and a fresh victim.

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary

This is book 3 in the Pike Wisconsin series but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone and understand everything that is happening. Going back to Pike and now following Zac who is the interim Sheriff and his ex Rachel who is investigating a new crime. A dead body shows up in a cemetery on top of another grave. When it comes out that the body is Jude Henley and the grave was supposed to be his, now the mystery is how did the woman end up in the grave? And when more evidence leads to what they think is another serial killer-can they stop him in time? Rachel is back in town because she believes this case ties into one of the cold cases she has been working on. But when it brings her back into Zac's life, they both not only have to solve the murders but they also have to decide whether they are willing to fight for each other this time.

I always love this author's books and this one was no exception! I was sucked into the mystery right from the start, the plot kept me on the edge of my toes and I definitely didn't expect it to turn out how it did! And then you throw in Zac and Rachel's relationship and the fact that they never stopped loving each other. Their chemistry was all still there and made for a great romance on top of it all. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was because in a few spots it was just a little slow for me. But on a whole, I was still engaged and wanting to keep reading!

Unstable (Pike, Wisconsin #3) by Alexandra Ivy
This book rates way more than 5 stars! Zac Evans is Pike’s interim sheriff and ex-husband of Rachel Fisher whose job is cold case files. She comes back to Pike on a case and gets involved with Zac to solve past and present serial murders. This is an edge of your seat book and the more you guess who the killer is the more you are wrong. I had to hold my breath afraid to turn the page and keep my eyes open at the same time. There are graphic descriptions, pure evil, (if it was a movie I couldn't watch it) there is also great interaction between Zac and Rachel and you keep routing for them, family drama, some laughs, tears and some steam all getting you to a fantastic HEA. I can't wait for #4.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed Easy-to-read Entertaining Haunting Happily Ever After Page-turner Romantic Unpredictable Wonderful characters

Unstable by Alexandra Ivy
3rd book the Pike, Wisconsin series. Romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Rachel works cold cases and Zak is interim sheriff of Pike. Together they investigate a history of gruesome murders they hope will lead to the current serial killer that is threatening the women in town.

I liked the dynamics between Rachel and Zak. Divorced from a marriage too young, they still are attracted to each other and protective. Having similar careers make their combined investigation seem almost seamless. I didn’t feel much heat between them but they do get a scene in their downtime.
This town is cursed. This is the third sheriff, not to mention a third serial killer. It was also really intense and gripping and worth reading.
A thriller with a dash of romance.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
4.5

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Wow, what a crazy trip through this small town as Zac and Rachel hunted for a serial killer. They know that the first dead body was the teacher but now the student has taken over. Their job is to figure out who the killer is before more women are killed.

There are many twists and turns, red herrings, secrets revealed, and just when you think you know who the killer is, they are not it! It was hard to put this book down as I wanted to get to the end and see who was behind this all and the whole story of how this killer came to be.

I loved that Zac and Rachel could work together so well being exes and still attracted to each other. It was also nice to see previous characters show up in this book.

Plus, I love to read about the state where I was born. I spent many summers at Devils Lake State park and have used the campgrounds there but glad it was before reading this book...lol.

UNSTABLE (Pike Wisconsin Book #3) by Alexandra Ivy

This is an addictive second chance romance, as well as a suspenseful, action & tension filled thriller. I didn't want to put it down after I had started this one. Zac Evans is the interim sheriff of Pike. Rachel Fisher is a cold case Detective that is sent to Pike to work with Zac, who is her ex-husband to solve a case. Before long the murders are piling up and they are chasing a serial killer. This is 4 stars.