Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am torn on how to rate this book. Parts were gripping, parts were the opposite, and parts were just plain batsh!t crazy with way too many twists that stretched the limits of my credulity. Told in changing POVs (which means you have to pay attention, because this is not clearly delineated), the plot lurches forward a bit rather than flowing, and I found the voice of the heroine more than a little irritating after a bit.

Oh wow okay this was confusing haha to be nice to the book. I don't think this was actually a thriller, I couldn't have been more bored with the "mystery" the first 65% of the book you get drops of information here and there but nothing felt important and then suddenly it became confusing and I understand the author wanted twists but those weren't actually twists I swear at some point all the mixed information was so weird that became confusing and ended up with a lot of doubts by the end. There was a lot of unnecessary information that not only added to the confusion but helped the book to be messy and was annoying.

The beginning was good, the first % of it was like whoa, the murder was sadistic but then all went down. The synopsis sounded so good but even if it was a fun read at points I needed less of a mess! Because that how it felt, messy. In the effort to present a book full of twists there were a lot of things that didn't fit in the story. Like one thing had nothing to do with the other and there were many things that, by the end, I still didn't get.

I heard great things about this author so I might read another one by her in the future if there's a chance but this book was definitely not for me. Finished it in a day so I was actually into the story, sadly the last 30% of the book just went down and the first 70% needed more action and mystery.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Right from the beginning it captivated me. The storyline was great with lots of surprises and twists and I liked the characters. Jupiter's sad past and her struggles are what I love so much about Anne Frasier characters, not always being perfect. Ian and Poppy made this book even better. I hope to see more of Jupiter in another book.

’m struggling between giving this one a 3 or 3.5. I wanted to love it.. but I didn’t hate it either.

The beginning of this book was my main issue. The first 15% didn’t flow for me. It was very hard for me to be focused on a book that had nothing drawing me.

Eventually, it does it pick up. And I want to say that after about 40% I start being more intrigued with the plot and characters. It’s just a bummer it took that long to get my attention.

Overall I enjoyed the way the book turned out. I enjoyed the characters. And it goes by quick! It’s a good fall read for those who enjoy murder mysteries

Found Object is an atmospheric stand-alone suspense thriller set in Savannah, Georgia, about a journalist recovering from a breakdown, who returns to her home town to discover the truth about her mother’s murder twenty years earlier. I’ve enjoyed the Elise Sandburg and Inland Empire series by this author, so was keen to read this, then put off my some rather lukewarm early reviews. Thankfully, this exceeded my expectations - it’s a clever twisty mystery with a heroine who grew on me as the story progressed.

After a disastrous undercover investigation went horribly wrong, leading to the death of her lover, Jupiter Bellarosa’s editor sends her home to do a story about legendary cosmetics company Luminescent. Her mother, a famous movie star, was the face of the brand until she was killed in her home, leaving Jupiter to be raised by her aunt when her father fell apart. Meeting up with the police officer who was first on the scene that fateful day, Jupiter learns just how much of the past is a lie.

I’m generally not a fan of journalists as main characters in fiction, with their “anything goes in pursuit of the story” ethos and Jupiter certainly starts out badly, feeling sorry for herself after her actions caused a tragedy, but her wit and willingness to face her demons made her interesting at least, and her courage and compassion soon had me invested in her story. There’s a whole host of creepy suspects here, and I defy anyone to guess who the killer turns out to be. There are some sweet support characters too - fainting goat Ian and his adorable niece Poppy. The plot does get rather far-fetched, but I liked how it turned out, and that things are left just open enough for a sequel. Recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Found Object is published on October 18th.

Found Object by Anne Frasier is a very highly recommended psychological thriller. I could not put this found object down, which counts for a lot. Arguably Found Object might have a few flaws, but I was totally engrossed in the story, start to finish, and, oh my, what a finish!

In the opening Jupiter Bellarose, an investigative journalist, is leaving the hospital after recovering from a breakdown brought on by her latest investigation. Now 36 years-old, Jupiter is no novice to adversity. At sixteen she and her father went to her famous actress mother's house only to find the police there and her mother's dismembered body in the backyard. Her editor, hoping to give her a lighter story, is sending Jupiter to Savannah to cover the 100th anniversary of the cosmetic company Luminescent. It's not as simple as it sounds. Savannah is where Jupiter grew up, her semi-estranged father still lives there in her mother's home, and Luminescent is the beauty company her mother, Marie Nova, was the "face of." With all of this in play, it is doubtful Jupiter's homecoming is going to be as relaxing as her editor hoped.

Every clue, every new development is handled masterfully. I was completely engaged in the entire novel and savored the clues provided, Jupiter's observations, and the advancements in the investigation. Jupiter may seem like a chameleon with conflicting actions and emotions as a character, but with her background it seems like she has learned over the years to perform her role well. Plus, the clues are all there for the detailed oriented reader to follow.

The well-written narrative moves along at a brisk pace and follows story lines set in the past and present with adept skill while providing great character development. All the loose ends and story lines were provided with closure. Now, admittedly, the ending was a maelstrom of exciting new information and developments evolving at a riotous pace. I set all my disbelief and misgivings aside, went with it, and really enjoyed the entire novel, including the sudden, multiple twists at the end.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.
The review will be published on Barnes & Noble, Google Books, Edelweiss, and Amazon.

Jupiter Edwina Delilah Bellarose, not only has a mouthful of names but is also a fantastic character to warm up to. The opening chapter of Jupiter inside a mental facility piques the reader's interest; from then on, it is a compelling ride to unraveling the most gruesome murder of her mother.

Found Object by Anne Frasier has a number of layers entangled in the story. Jupiter is this character who endears herself to the reader coz of her vulnerability and then there is Ian and Poppy. Those two characters were like a source of light in this, I wouldn’t call it completely dark but kind of a greyish story. And that confusion lingers in every aspect of the plot, there is this spectacular brilliance at some parts f the story while other parts evoke a spiraling into kind of nothing feel. The convo involving Jupiter and Ian was a hoot, and then adding the lovable Poppy to the mix had me enjoying it thoroughly.

Jupiter being an investigative journalist suffering from guilt and depression from her last case has returned to Savannah to do a piece of writing on the Lumet family whose cosmetics line had Jupiter’s mother Marie Nova as their face until her death. Jupiter’s investigation of the events that precipitated her mother’s brutal crime has her going back into the past and trying to make sense out of everything. The investigation did not have the heart pounding tension that I had expected to feel but the puzzle pieces forming out of all the twists and turns were impressive. And then that ending was a double punch that was totally unexpected.

I wouldn’t mind following Jupiter and Ian into the next case they are in pursuit of.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

This review is published on my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Although the summary sounded so interesting and I looked forward to another book by Ms. Frasier, I found the beginning confusing and Jupiter’s reaction to her mother’s murder, once she realized that it wasn’t a movie scene, bizarre. I have read and really enjoyed the entire series of Detective Jude Fontaine series by this author, but although I continued to try, I was unable to get interested in finishing this book (and I really hate to do that to an author that I have so enjoyed). I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Jupiter Bellarose is an investigative journalist whose last project ended in tragedy. She feels responsible for the way things turned out and struggles to move past it. She spends some time in a mental health hospital during her recovery and upon her release, her boss, Bennett, suggests that she take a break from her life in Minneapolis. He further suggests that perhaps it would be a good time to go home to Savannah, visit her father and work on an easy story.

Jupiter has avoided Savannah for a long time. As a place, it holds a lot of dark memories for her. Her mother, Marie Nova, a world-famous actress was actually murdered there when Jupiter was a teenager. Jupiter, unfortunately, along with her father, stumbled upon the very gruesome crime scene, including her mother's decapitated head, shortly after the police did. It was a scene that continues to haunt her.

It's a real testament to how shaken up she was by the last assignment that she actually agrees to go back. Her new project is a fluff piece regarding the Lumet family and their cosmetics empire, Luminescent. Jupiter's mother was once the face of Luminescent cosmetics, so Jupiter already has a bit of knowledge, including first-hand experiences, with the family. She can get this done.

In Savannah, Jupiter is hit in the face with her past. The sudden overflow of memories makes her curious. Some things about that tragic night long ago don't add up. Jupiter begins to do what she does best, she digs and she digs, coming ever closer to the answers she seeks. Will she be able to find the truth, or will she be taken out before she can? There's only one way to find out...

Found Object definitely surprised me with its ability to draw me in. I wasn't sure if I would end up liking this or not, truth be told, but oh my word, once I started, I couldn't put it down. Some aspects of it were a bit ridiculous, but I didn't even care. I was so intrigued by the horrifying story of Jupiter's mother. I had to know what the truth was.

Jupiter was a great main character. She was well fleshed out and I felt like over the course of the story, I really came to understand her. She had a complicated history and her personality definitely matched that. There were also some great side characters, Ian, a local police officer, and Poppy, his sweet and smart little niece, definitely stick out in my mind.

For me, the mystery was fun. I love the examination of long ago cases and this one didn't disappoint. Additionally, I liked watching Jupiter go about her investigation. Being an investigative reporter, it made sense that she would be as resourceful as she was. Having Ian as a friend during her time in Savannah definitely helped as well.

This concluded in a place that definitely left it open for a continuation of Jupiter and Ian's story. I would absolutely, one hundred percent, no doubt in my mind pick up a second book if one were published. No pressure, Anne Frasier, but when can I get it?

Thank you so much to the publisher, Thomas Mercer, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I truly had fun with this story.

Found Object Finds Much More About Her Family’s History

The novel opens with Jupiter Bellarose being released from jail. She signs the release form, ‘Object Found’. Through her reminiscing she recalls the story on how she received that name. She then reminisces about the Saturday morning when her father drove with her to where her mother lived. There were many police cars and yellow tape. Her mother is a star of a TV show and Jupiter believes that it is just a shoot for that show. She is critical of the props, especially the ones that represented her dismembered mother. She went into the house looking for her mother. She comes out holding hands with a police officer and a terrible memory. The story starts from here.

The main storyline consists of three threads. The first thread defines Jupiter as an aggressive undercover investigative reporter. That thread sets up the two other very related threads. First was a fluff piece on Lumets cosmetics product family that her boss assigned to her to recover from her undercover story. The Lumets lived outside of Savanah, GA, and Jupiter’s mother was their company’s face before her death. That and an incident as she drove into Savanah lead to a very her desire to find out who killed her mother, the second thread. My interest was captured as Jupiter’s mother was a very colorful character. Jupiter uses the interviews with the Lumets matron who Jupiter knew when her mother took her to the Lumets estate. These interviews were intermingled with flashbacks to when her mother was alive. While captivating by themselves, some facts are revealed that indicated that everything is not as it seems and dark secrets are just below the surface. Tension is maintained as Jupiter’s mother’s chauffeur is in prison and Jupiter does not believe that he murdered her mother. Then, mortal danger for Jupiter takes over that increase the tension level. My imagination was firmly captured and did not wain throughout the novel.

The B-storyline for this novel is extraordinarily rich. The reason is that Jupiter is delving into the history of the Lumets family and business history of which her mother and Jupiter herself was a significantly part. The estrangement between Jupiter and her father provides an interesting insight into their family dynamics. This is one of the best B-storylines in a novel that I have read.

For the issues that turn off some readers, first there are not any intimate scenes. Second, vulgar words are just a few with rude and impious language just a little more. There is some violence but the worse is described in the less edgy after the fact. This appears to be a standalone novel or at worse, the first novel in the series, so there are not any dependences on previous novels.

The aspects that I liked the most were the twists and turns in the main storyline that became literary grenades that turned my understanding upside-down as the novel approached the end. The other reason was the richness of the B-storyline as explained above. Upon much thought, I could not find anything that I disliked in the novel. I have read four of the author’s previous novels. She is solidly in my Will-Read author rating and edging up to the Must-Read rating. I am eagerly looking forward to reading further books/series by the author. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based only on my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Fresh off a story that got a little too personal, investigative reporter Jupiter Bellarose agrees to return to her hometown of Savannah, GA, to cover a fluff piece about a cosmetics company celebrating its 100th anniversary. But Jupiter has avoided Savannah as much as possible for the last 20 years, ever since her mother was found brutally murdered. Jupiter's actress mother was the "face" of the cosmetics company before she died, which makes it almost impossible for Jupiter to prepare her story without facing the past. I found this a fast-paced story, well written with quirky and memorable characters. There were plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing at what would happen, but I also wasn't sure that the resolution to the story made a lot of sense (thus 4 stars instead of 5).

There is a lot going on in this book! Jupiter is mourning the loss of her boyfriend (aka sting of her last undercover investigative journalism assignment) and for some reason thinks this is a good time to head back home to Savannah where her mother had been brutally murdered decades prior. Despite couching the visit as the opportunity to do a light piece regarding a local company celebrating their 100th anniversary, there is too much history for Jupiter to have a mental break. Soon enough she is back in the middle of investigating her mother's death, despite someone currently serving time for the murder. To summarize, there are a whole lot of moving pieces and layers in this story. The only thing that didn't sit well was the feeling the author gave that Savannah is a small town where everyone knows each other. That felt a bit contrived. But otherwise, a solid suspenseful and interesting mystery.

Jupiter Bellarose is an investigative journalist. She’s been working undercover to write an exposé on a respected art evaluator and artist, who himself has been forging and selling very good copies of the masters. Unfortunately, she made the mistake of falling in love with him, so is devastatingly heartbroken when he walks off into the ocean to drown himself following the publication of her feature article.

After a breakdown and a spell in a psychiatric hospital, Jupiter’s editor sends her to Savannah to write a fluff piece on the 100th anniversary of famous cosmetic company Luminescent, started by the Lumet family. However, Savannah is the town where she grew up and where her father still lives. It’s also the town where her mother, actress Marie Nova was the face of Luminescent, before she was murdered twenty years ago when Jupiter was sixteen. Now older, Jupiter has many questions about the day she and her father found her mother’s body and once back in Savannah she reaches out to Ian Griffin, the young cop who was first responder at the scene.

This atmospheric novel has a slow but steady build-up, setting the scene by introducing us to Jupiter’s father Max and policeman Ian Griffin and his delightful young niece Poppy, as well as the Lumet family who own Luminescent and live in a grand Southern mansion. The Lumets themselves are an enigmatic family with many secrets. Although Jupiter warms to the matriarch Phaedra and can remember playing at the mansion during her childhood, she now finds the family mansion quite eerie.

The descriptions of the landscape, exotic plants and sunny days overlays everything with a strong Southern aura, adding a richness to the plot. The steady, almost dreamlike, build up culminates in a fast and furious unfolding of a number shocking revelations in multiple twists. In fact, it felt somewhat over the top and at least one less twist could have resulted in a smoother but just as shocking ending. Although, not one of Frasier’s fast paced thrillers that readers have come to expect, this is an engaging character driven murder mystery with a cast of interesting characters and a little romance along the way.

US author Anne Frasier has several series under her belt, standalone books as well as romance novels under the pseudonym Theresa Weir. This (however) is my first book by Frasier and it features investigative journalist - the spectacularly named - Jupiter (Edwina Delilah) Bellarose. I suspect it'll become the first in the series and though I found it a little overly-convoluted and 'fantastique' (in the end), I liked Jupiter and would happily spend more time with her.

This opens as Jupiter is leaving a mental health facility, checked-in at the behest of her editor and boss. We learn she's just exposed art forgeries but - unfortunately for Jupiter - fell in love with the forger himself. It's quite an exciting opening and given her lover disappeared and is presumed dead (though aware Jupiter was investigating him the whole time), we assume it'll play some role later in the unfolding plot. Although it doesn't. Well, not really.

And that's really just one of several threads Frasier doesn't pursue, that I wish she had because it felt like there are a few loose ends. Of course if this is the first in a series, Frasier might be eking out details for future books.

Although Jupiter isn't known for her 'puff' pieces, her boss sends off to profile an ageing cosmetics company. Which seems benign until it's revealed that Jupiter's mother - who was very brutally murdered when Jupiter was a teenager - was the 'face' of the company. I thought it was a bit off that her boss forces her to confront her past (given his concern about her mental health) although it's obvious she needs some closure.

Frasier's given us some backstory into Jupiter's famous mother and the complex relationship she had with Jupiter's father. Marie wasn't subtle about her affairs and comes across as both vapid and a bit of an enigma. The title of this book reflects a story Marie told her daughter about how they 'found' her on the road one night... and again there's A LOT there that could be unpacked, but isn't.

Jupiter's decision to revisit her mother's case seems inevitable but at the same time it felt sudden - as if there was no transition to her decision to do so. She'd ignored it and the man imprisoned for the crime for decades, but suddenly believes there's more to the story.

We're also introduced to police officer Ian Griffin, who was a young rookie on his first shift the day of her mother's murder. Now in his early 40s he's only a few years older than Jupiter and becomes her confidante and offers advice as she ponders inconsistencies around her mother's death and peoples' accounts.

I liked Jupiter, I liked Ian and I liked Jupiter's boss, Bennett (and was keen for more backstory there, as it felt like it was intimated), but there were so many inconsistencies in people's relationships and behaviour that events became a bit inconceivable. And Frasier goes for a twisty finish. Indeed it's a twist (or two) too far. We could easily have done without a couple.

Despite all of that, Frasier's publishing history indicates she's popular and I very much liked her characters and aspects of this so - if Jupiter does return - I'd be happy to spend more time with her.

Jupiter has been struggling- so much that she was hospitalized- but now she's out and she's off to report what's meant to be a puff piece about a cosmetics company. Unfortunately, it brings her hard up upon the unsolved and horrible murder of her mother when she was a child. It's a twisty one, with memories that differ from reality and questions of trust. No spoilers from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Would make a good travel book.

A good suspense with a lot of twists. The characters make the story. I was completely invested in Jupiter. Ian as well. The mystery was fast paced and kept me guessing. After I finished it I was surprised by the page number because I flew through it. It's definitely an engaging read!

This was a quick read where everyone is a suspect up until the very end. Jupiter is an investigative journalist whose mother was a famous actress who was brutally murdered. Her father is a less famous actor. Jupiter is recovering from a story gone wrong when she is assigned a new story about the beauty company her mother was the face of when she was alive. The company is located near the house where her mother was murdered and her father now lives. As she digs into her story, she gets pulled into investigating her mother’s murder. There were definitely more than one, “oh, come on!” moments and yet I enjoyed it and had a good time with it anyway. I never figured it out, which is always a huge bonus. I especially enjoyed the characters Ian and Poppy.

Jupiter Edwina Bellarose was the daughter of one of the most famous actresses of her day when she was found murdered and decapitated in the backyard of her Victorian Savannah Georgia home it changed not only Jupiter its life but the life of her father who was devoted to and loved her mother so much! Jupiter was sent to live with her aunt Stella in Minnesota. She would eventually go to college and become a great journalist trying to write the wrongs about their suffering from Crime but when she took an undercover assignment with a guy who copied great pieces of art and resold them as originals she got into deep and fell in love but when the story was to be released he went missing this is why when we meet Jupiter she is being released from a mental hospital do to the depression she suffered after Salvadores disappearance correct husband Bennett and her dad Max were worried about her and when she gets released Bennett who is not only her boss but her ex-husband sent her to do a fluff piece on The hundredth year anniversary of Linden the makeup company her mom was the face of until her death. It’s supposed to be just a fun piece to get Jupiter some rest and relaxation but being back home in Savannah brings up many ghosts that have questions and need answers. Before she gets into town she is stopped by officer Ian Griffin and when he sees her license he starts breathing heavy and then runs off into the woods, she doesn’t know what to do so she gets out and follows him She finds him face down in the dirt and doesn’t know what to make of it but she has an inkling it must have something to do with her. It isn’t until later that she remembers he was the young officer there the day they found her mother murdered and the one who took care of her well things around her felt crazy. When she meets the owners of Linden she is amazed at how nice Phaedra is and she is even more shocked when they want her to be the new Face of the makeup brand and wants to be her gal pal. The more shoots around the key players in her mom‘s life the more she wants to know what really happened to her mom she even goes to visit the man who confessed to the murder but isn’t buying it that he really was the one who did it. When she finds pictures of her mom‘s dead body in her dad‘s desk she starts thinking again maybe he did it but the more she investigates the more suspects pop up, including her date for homecoming the night before her mom was murdered Clinton Dumont. The only problem is looking for the murderer Will bring her too close for comfort of her own murder. Can she find the suspect and solve her mom‘s murder without losing her own life? OK I went back-and-forth with my opinion of this book on one hand I thought it was a great book on the other I had issues like Jupiter I first got the impression she wanted us to think Jupiter was a brooding nonemotional person but on the other hand she cracks jokes she mind her manners and she’s nice to people I just found a lot of her attributes to be in conflict with each other not only that we have a cop who suffers from fainting and high stress situations… Really? There were other things in the book like how she was so amazed her dad stayed in the home with her mother was murdered but plenty of people do that that doesn’t mean they can’t get past it that means they resigned to it and I want to stay in the house but having said all but I still couldn’t wait to get back to the book when I would pause my reading so I guess this really is worth reading. It is one of those books that even when it’s over you think about the characters so I guess it was really a great book … Flaw’s d be damned so all in all I would recommend this book because it was entertaining in the story didn’t lull at any point in the book. It moved along swiftly in the story propels you to keep reading it is really good! I received this review copy from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Easily one of my favorite thrillers so far this year. This book takes you on a roller coaster ride with Jupiter the investigative reporter whose last assignment ended very badly. Her next stop is Savannah where she’s supposed to be writing a puff piece. Instead she’s confronted with all her unresolved issues from her mother’s murder 20 years ago.

Investigative journalist Jupiter Bellarose heads home after a tragic ending to her last assignment. This trip back to Savannah, under the illusion of writing a puff piece, holds unresolved issues with her mother’s murder 20 years earlier. AF’s story writing sucks you in from the very beginning, sending your mind reeling in trying to figure out the “who done it” Every. Single. Time.