Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "What's Left Behind", and audiobook from the Joanne Kilbourne series by Gail Bowen.

I have not read many of the books in this series, but was intrigued by the synopsis.

At its heart this is a murder mystery: why did someone kill Lee, the sister of Joanne and Zach's new daughter-in-law? Was it her ex-? An unstable young man who had just learned of her recent engagement. Was it a rival in city politics? There are one or two people who seem to have vendettas against her. Was it the same person who, just the day before, slaughtered her heritage fowl? Or was it someone from her past.

As Joanne begins to unravel the various skeins in the intricate plot, we're also given an insight into other characters who have been introduced in previous books.

At the heart of the matter is an upcoming referendum that pits Environmentalists (supported by City Hall) against Developers who will have their expansions halted if the proposed By Laws are approved. And shows to just what lengths someone will go to to win.

Enjoyable mystery.

This was my first book by this author and normally I wouldn't jump into a series at book 16 but this time I did. I am so glad I did! I loved this book and all the characters. This author does such a great job introducing you to her characters and getting you to love them! I most especially love the relationship between Joanne and Zach and the way she deals with his paraplegia as just a part of him and not being the whole of him. I can't wait to read all the rest of the books in this series!

The way that this author dealt with mental illness was refreshing - it wasn't all he's crazy and that's that but she deals with it with compassion and caring and hope for a better future.

I did greatly appreciate that this can be read as a stand-alone book since that is what I did.

#WhatsLeftBehind
#GailBowen
#NetGalley

I've not read any of the other books in this series, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this one. There were quite a lot of characters, which probably would have been easier to get to grips with if I had read the other books.

The story was interesting and engaging. I really liked the narrator too, but I'm not sure I liked them enough to go back for the whole series (perhaps too idyllic and not gritty enough for me, just personal preference.)

What's Left Behind by Gail Bowen is a well written book. I liked this book but didn't love it. The author did a great job with the imagery and I could envision so many details. Athena Karkanis was great performing the book. She brought the characters to life with her voice. Thank you #NetGalley and #Bespeak Audio Editions for allowing me to listen to this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to listen to an audio version of this book.

I have fallen in love with Gail Bowen and her Joanne Kilbourn Shreve series. I have only read four of the books written since 2015 so I believe there is much history that I only know by the background history in each book.
These books are written by a Canadian and take place in Regina in Sasquechuan. Ms. Bowen actually lives in Regina and the city and it's inhabitants feel true to life.
Joanne is in her second marriage to the now Mayor of Regina. Zach is a paraplegic who wheels about almost as freely as any two footed person. Both are in their sixties and have life-experience that has cemented their integrity and way of life. Neither is a detective or on the police force. Joanne is a centre of the town and, as such--and having a rather large family--not much happens without her knowing about it. And she always gets involved.

I find that nothing about these personalities is sacchranny or mushy. They have issues, their kids have issues but experience and thoughtfulness has allowed them to function in ways that are very believable to me. The only unbelievable thing about these books is how many murders happen but then, there wouldn't be books and we wouldn't get the enjoyment of reading them.

I love listening to the books. The narrator, Athena Karkanis, is good and she is consistent in her voices of the many characters. I believe that a number of the books are being made available on audio which is why I have had the pleasure of reading/listening to four in the past year. I am looking forward to more Joanne Shreve.

This was the first book I have read/listened to by this author but since I have the next two in the series all queued up and ready to go stay tuned for those reviews. Joanne and Zack are a wonderful couple who live in Regina and Zack in the newly elected Mayor and also a very prominent attorney. The story starts out with their son, Peter, and his fiance Maise getting married at a lakeside ceremony where Maise's twin sister's ex shows up and sits on the lake in a canoe throughout the entire ceremony and reception. This is significant because soon after murder comes calling and all the clues point to him but...really...that is too convenient. At the same time there is also a political agenda to the story and we get all the back story of that along with all the characters. I found this well written and intriguing. I wish I had found this series sooner. I was captivated right to the end and listened to all three books in a row (that never happens).

So I struggled with the audio of this as I hadnt listened/read to the other books in the series but it has piqued my interest and I am going to continue with the series.

I liked the sound of these books as the location was different and it was a completely different genre.

The audio was good enough to convince me to continue and so I am glad that I finished the audio.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

***ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.co.uk in return for an honest review ***

The 16th book in the Joanne Kilbourne series. In this novel we see Joanne's son Peter marrying his fiance, Maisie Crawford. Her twin sister Leigh is in attendance. Out on the lake she is being watched and it's not long before things take a sinister turn.

This is the first time I have read/listened to a Gail Bowen novel. Being a fan of Patricia Cornwell I enjoy crime/mystery series which are set over long periods of time. I was not disappointed. This was a good solid murder mystery. The characters, on the whole, were likeable and held my interest.

I am now halfway through book seventeen with the intention of starting the entire series once I have finished.

I received a free audio book from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for a honest review.

This is the 2nd Joanne Killbourn novel I've listened to. I listened to the 18th one before this one and really liked it, although I read these out of order I don't think it really took much away from the books. Taylor is younger in this book still finding her way through her art and life. Zack is the Mayor and his agenda is based on keeping their town from being overrun by track housing and strip malls.

When their good friend and the sister-in-law of their son is finds all of her prized birds dead on her farm and then she is found murdered a few days later and their other friends son is accused of killing her things start to get messy. No one believes that Simon could have killed his former lover, even though he was devastated by their break up but who else could it be. As Joanne once again dips her toe in where it doesn't belong she uncovers long held grievances and jilted lovers.

This is a well done mystery that I believe could stand alone just as #18 did. I didn't feel lost or confused by the characters even though I'm jumping into the series so far from the beginning. I love Zack and Joanne's relationship, they have their struggles, their spats but they love each other and eventually work things out. I appreciate the realness of that. Taylor often seems much older than her age but I'm going to chalk that up to what she has been through in her short life and who her parents are and all the craziness they seem to stumble into all the time.

I have now listened to 6 books in this series and they have definitely grown on me
Normally I love a good psychological thriller and the number of murders that affects this family and the town of Regina in Canada would have me moving towns

That said book number sixteen of the Joanne Kilbourn series by Gail Bowen despite more murders in Regina is full of twists & mystery.
I don't find these stories gripping but have started to enjoy the stories enough to move through them very quickly

I do find the family life of the Kilbourn's sickly sweet but don't let that deter you as the more I listen to this series I recognise the characters and know so much of the history I look forward to the next book