Feminist and unexpectedly touching story transcends both the psychological thriller and police procedural genres as well as the dead girl narrator trope. Unique storytelling breathes freshness into these well worn saws. Very “Tin House” in flavor. I will definitely keep this author on my radar.

320 pages

3 stars

I loved the idea of this book. Two women from different parts of the country are working the same murders. The bodies were found in barrels by hikers in New Mexico.

Laura is a librarian who has a deep interest in genealogy and true crime. She trolls the internet ceaselessly to find missing persons. Jean is a cop in New Mexico who is close to retirement, and hating just the thought of it. She is working the cold case of the bodies in the barrels that were found some years earlier.

When Laura flies to New Mexico the case becomes more intense as both women work it.

I usually like a little paranormal with my mysteries. However, the ghost in this story just irritated me. In fact, I found the whole ghostly aspect of the story a distraction. I also wasn’t taken with Laura’s struggle with breast cancer. My mother died of breast cancer, and it was just too painful to revisit. I understand including the topic in the story, but it was far too much for me.

I could relate better to Jean. She loved her work and did not want to retire. I can relate. I, too, had a job I loved and when the financial crisis hit in 2008, my company closed. I cried for days. Jean and I got along much better than Laura and I. I could also relate to Jean’s ambivalence about becoming a grandmother.

The writing in this book is good. The story line seemed to travel around a bit, at least for me. Perhaps there was too much going on, too many subplots?

I want to thank NetGalley and Tin House for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Haunting and beautiful - this is not your average thriller nor is it your average police procedural.

In the Night Flowers we meet Jean Martinez who is on the cusp of retiring from the force. Jean is burnt out and having trouble making time for her daughter's pregnancy, Jean is working cold cases when she is approached by an unlikely assistant - Laura MacDonald is recovering from a terrible breast cancer treatment and has utilized her librarian skills to identify missing persons in a case that Jean is working. It's a complicated situation that keeps them busy throughout the book - all of the time there may be someone on their tail trying to prevent justice.

This duo may be my favorite yet! Herchenroether has made these characters as real as your friends and neighbors and just as likeable. Just when I think I have read enough police procedurals I meet them. PLEASE Sara! Write a sequel !!!!

If you love real live heroes and strong female characters, if you love a police hunt or a cold case, The Night Flowers is for you! #TinHouse

A great read. I loved almost everything about this book. The only think that was not my favorite was the cancer storyline, which I don't really feel added any significance to the plot.