Member Reviews

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Annette Dashofy’s latest installment in the Zoe Chambers series, “What Comes Around,” is a riveting mystery that delves deep into the complexities of small-town politics, personal vendettas, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

The story centers on Monongahela County Coroner Zoe Chambers-Adams, who is on the brink of firing her abrasive chief deputy, Dr. Charles. With no choice but to keep Davis on staff, Zoe finds herself navigating a treacherous landscape of professional and personal challenges.

Dashofy expertly weaves themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities of justice throughout the narrative.

Zoe Chambers-Adams is a formidable protagonist, whose determination and resilience are tested at every turn. Dr. Charles Davis, as Zoe’s nemesis, is a well-crafted antagonist whose actions and motivations keep readers guessing.

The supporting cast, including Zoe’s colleagues and the residents of Monongahela County, are vividly portrayed, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the story. 

Dashofy’s writing is crisp and evocative, capturing the essence of the rural Pennsylvania setting and the intricacies of the forensic investigations. Her attention to detail and ability to build suspense keep the reader engaged from start to finish. 

“What Comes Around” is a masterfully crafted mystery that will appeal to fans of the Zoe Chambers series and newcomers alike.

Whether you’re a longtime follower of Zoe Chambers or discovering her for the first time, this novel is a must-read. It’s a testament to Dashofy’s skill as a storyteller and her deep understanding of the human condition.

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5 Stars for What Comes Around by Annette Dashofy

Annette Dashofy has done it again! What Comes Around is a masterful blend of suspense, intrigue, and heart, making it a standout in the Zoe Chambers Mystery series. This book is a must-read for anyone who craves a well-crafted, emotionally charged mystery that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last.

Zoe Chambers-Adams is faced with her most challenging case yet as she battles both professional and personal turmoil. The tension between Zoe and her abrasive chief deputy, Dr. Charles Davis, adds a gripping internal conflict that’s as compelling as the external mystery. Just as she’s ready to make a decisive change in her office, a suspicious car crash forces her to keep Davis on staff, setting the stage for a series of twists and turns that will leave you breathless.

The plot thickens when Zoe and her husband, Pete, stumble upon a brutal homicide that’s directly tied to Zoe’s work. The stakes are higher than ever, with connections to multiple cases, including a chilling cold case that puts Zoe and her loved ones in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer.

Dashofy’s storytelling is top-notch, weaving together complex characters, intricate plots, and a suspenseful atmosphere that’s impossible to put down. The dynamic between Zoe and Pete is a highlight, adding depth and warmth to the fast-paced, nail-biting action.

While What Comes Around can be enjoyed as a standalone, I highly recommend starting from the beginning of the series to fully appreciate the character development and ongoing storylines. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Melinda Leigh, and Lisa Regan will find a new favorite in Annette Dashofy. This series is an absolute gem, and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next installment!

Thanks to Ms. Dashofy, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

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Monongahela County Coroner Zoe Chambers-Adams wants to fire her deputy, Dr. Charles Davis, but when the county's other forensic pathologist is seriously injured in a car crash, Zoe reluctantly keeps him on staff. Vance Township Police Chief Pete Adams has to deal with a brutal homicide in a motel and learns the victim had come to share important information with Zoe. To his surprise, Pete learns the victim's ex-husband is Dr. Davis. Would Davis silence his ex-wife to stop her from revealing his incompetence in a cold case in another county?

Meanwhile, another strange woman has arrived in town & seems to have an unusual interest in Pete. Some personal bombshells will soon rock Pete & Zoe's world.

This was another action-packed thrilling read in this long-running police procedural series.

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This was a fast paced book about multiple people getting murdered while staying at a hotel. I was hooked right from the start! This was my first book by the author, and the first time I met Zoe and her husband Pete. I loved their relationship.

This book had me hooked right from the start and i definitely want to read more!

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I am a fan of Annette Dashoffy and her Zoe Chambers Mystery series, I think her newest and the 13th book in the series, What Comes Around, may be her best to date. In What Comes Around Monongahela County Coroner Zoe Chambers and her husband Pete Adams, Vance Township Police Chief, are faced with several challenges: professional and personal. Dr. Charles Davis, medical coroner and Zoe's nemesis, are again at odds and their disagreemet has become public. To make the plot even juicier, Dr. Davis is a suspect in the brutal slaying of his ex-wife Virginia Lowe. Virginia's son Alex told Pete and Zoe that they we in town in order for Virginia to share some incriminating information about Davis with Zoe. That's just a part of this multi-layered novel: Dr. Lyle Abercrombie, forensic pathologist and friend of Zoe and Pete was run off the road on his way to the coroner's office; there is a cold case investigation that Zoe is unwillingly drawn into, and Pete's former high school sweetheart shows up with big news. What Comes Around is an intrguing mystery, a compelling read and definitely a page turner. I live relatively near the story locations so that made reading it extra fun. Quite simpy, it's a great book. Thanks to NetGalley, Level Best Books and Annette Dashoffy for the opportunity to read What Comes Around and to write this honest review. 5 stars.

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What Comes Around
A Zoe Chambers Mystery, Book #13
Annette Dashofy
5+ Stars

Synopsis:

Just as Monongahela County Coroner Zoe Chambers-Adams decides to fire her abrasive chief deputy, Dr. Charles Davis, and put an end to his constant undermining of her position, a suspicious car crash severely injures the county’s only other forensic pathologist. To keep the office operational, Zoe has little choice but to keep Davis on staff.

When Zoe and her husband—Vance Township Police Chief Pete Adams—respond to a brutal homicide, they quickly learn the victim had come to town for the sole purpose of sharing vital information with Zoe. And the decedent’s ex-husband is none other than Zoe’s deputy coroner.

As Zoe and Pete dig deeper into the victim’s past, more questions arise along with a tangle of connections between multiple cases, including a very cold one that leads Zoe and those she cares about directly into the crosshairs of a crazed killer. (Amazon)

Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. When Zoe is about ready to fire her chief deputy coroner, her other county pathologist is involved in a suspicious car crash and she cannot fire him. She also has a dead body to deal with and the deceased's son tells her his mom was there to talk to Zoe about her ex-husband:the coroner Zoe wants to fire. Zoe and her husband, Police Chief Pete Adams, have a lot to figure out and solve.

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions kept me engaged in the story from the very beginning. The mystery is well plotted and there are enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Any time I get to spend with Zoe and Pete I am a happy camper.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher Level Best Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

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What Comes Around is a well written nail biter. This is my first book by this author and found the story engaging with a complex set of characters that kept you guessing all the way to the end. The shocking plot twists and complexity of what was happening was well done. I definitely enjoyed it and I recommend it if you like thrillers.

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I love love love the Zoe series. This may be the most intense one yet. It will keep you guessing all the way to the end!

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Ever since Monongahala County Coroner Zoe Chambers-Adams hired Charles Davis to be her chief-deputy he has been a thorn in her side, constantly undermining her and questioning her competency to others. Just as she was finally about to fire him though, her mentor Dr. Lyle Abercrombie is injured in a car accident and she is forced by the City Commissioner to retain Davis. Things get extremely complicated when Zoe is called out to attend the death of Virginia Lowe, who is not only Davis’s ex-wife, was also attempting to hire Dr. Abercrombie to investigate a case. Virginia accused her ex-husband of incompetency, asserting that Dr. Davis incorrectly certified a chef’s death as suicide solely as a result of an anonymous phone call. Discovering whether Virginia and her son’s accusations against Davis are true further motivates Zoe to justify his firing, and this was before his combativeness and obnoxiousness causes their best intern to resign. Zoe’s police chief husband Pete Adams does what he can to investigate both Virginia’s case and that of the suspected suicide, and it’s fortunate for them all that they all have alibis when Davis himself is set up as a possible suicide attempt.

Charles Davis’s obnoxiousness and misogyny makes him a detestable villain, so readers will be more than enthusiastic about Zoe’s attempts to find anything that will bring him down. The nuances of Zoe’s and Pete’s job duties are incredibly fascinating, as are the politics they both must navigate within their professions. A former paramedic, Zoe has proved herself as an extraordinarily clever coroner, able to interrogate witnesses and decipher the truth from fiction. Her relationship with her now-husband has been rewarding and realistic to observe, as over these 13 books in the series they have grown to trust one another both personally and professionally. The multiple investigations are all paced out in an engaging and compelling manner, tying together in a completely logical and rewarding manner. Lively dialogue and Zoe’s obvious competency and high skill levels make this an extremely fascinating series filled with intriguing investigative details.

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A lot of entwined cases for Zoe and Pete to unravel!🔍

I like the concept of a coroner who actually worries as much about discovering why a death happened as when and how. This story in the Zoe Chambers series has her digging deeper and deeper into her nemesis's past. Her deputy at the coroner's office is a total nightmare to her and she wants to get him out of her hair by pinpointing the professional errors he's made, but the obstacles to that keep piling up and a violent murder and attempted vehicular murder seem to indicate he's a dangerous killer as well and not a man to cross.

I thought the plot was complex, well put together and made the most of Zoe and her policeman husband Pete's investigative skills. And, yes, good action and suspenseful danger too. A good yarn all around and I particularly liked that it was set in my home state of Pennsylvania.

Thanks to IBPA, Level Best Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

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I loved this book so much that I immediately went to my library website and borrowed as many of the Zoe Chambers books as they had! I didn't realize this was number 12?13? In the series but I still enjoyed it even not knowing the layers of back story. I'm a HUGE fan of Zoe and Pete. I'm already up to book #6 in the series. That is how much I love this authors writing! And I love that the books are nice and long!!!!!

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Just when Monongahela County Coroner Zoe Chambers Adam’s decides to fire her abrasive chief deputy a suspicious car crash severely injures the county’s only other forensic pathologist. Then a woman is found murdered in a motel. While the woman’s son was out he comes back to find his Mom dead and he is on his own they locate an aunt to come get him and begin investigating finding out that all the events are connected in someway. This was a great mystery to figure out who did it and why. I recommend it highly.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Annette Dashofy, and Level Best Books for the ARC in exchange for my review. This is a first read from this author for me and she did not disappoint.

This is a series book but can also be read as a standalone. This book has multiple twists and turns and kept the suspense going up until the end. The characters are well developed and have interesting storylines. There are quite a few characters to keep track of in the beginning but easy to follow along with their storylines throughout the book. While on the longer side, it was easy to continue to turn the pages and keep interested. The plot was exciting and kept me wanting to read more. I'd likely go back and read the first 12 books in this series to see how much the main characters have developed. Great read!

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Thank you to NetGalley, author Annette Doshofy and Level best books for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.

This was my first book by this author and my first in the Zoe mysteries. It was a solid 4 stars for me from beginning right to the end. The interconnected murders/deaths were well established and connected throughout the book. The characters were well written and well developed. The book grabbed my interest at the beginning and kept its fast paced suspenseful beat.

It was engaging and had a captivating storyline. Who wouldn’t love the relationship of Zoe and Pete built into a mystery that kept me wanting to turn the page. While I see that it is number 13 in a series I didn’t feel lost at all and would easily say this could be a stand alone book.

Looking forward to reading more by this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was fast paced. I feel like the plot was well thought out. The mystery was fun and intriguing.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book! I have never read any of the books in this series so had no expectations going in and I was hooked from the first chapter. I felt like I was reading an episode of one of my favorite TV shows and I couldn't put it down. Twists were good and the pace was very fast for me which I enjoyed. I appreciated I could read this one without having read the others in the series while still getting insights into all of the characters. Would recommend!

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I love the Zoe Chamber’s series. Annette always keeps it fresh and entertaining. I feel this book had a little more intrigue or suspense which made it all the better.
Zoe is still having trouble with her obnoxious pathologist. But what does an overbearing assistant, his ex wife’s murder, a suicide from several years ago and a murder attempt on a forensic pathologist have in common? A great book that leaves you guessing and on your toes during the whole book. But Zoe and Pete manage to solve them all. Even while going through a big personal surprise of their own.

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Seemingly separate plot threads will intrigue you while you're rapidly turning the pages, and the resolution packs a satisfying punch in this latest Zoe Chambers mystery. All she wants is to fire her arrogant combative Deputy Director. However a short term staff shortage and an abundance of bodies have thwarted her. Meanwhile an attack on one of her associates, a horrific murder in a nearby motel and a cold case keep both her and her police chief husband under pressure. Excellent series set in rural Western Pennsylvania has engaging true to life characters, a strong sense of place and above a fast paced mystery

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Diving into my first novel by this author introduced me to the intriguing world of Zoe mysteries. The book's intricate plot, centered around a series of interconnected murders, was engaging and kept a brisk pace that had me captivated from the start. The complexity of the storyline added layers of interest and had me speculating on the outcome until the very end. The characters, especially Zoe and her husband Pete, were crafted with depth, showcasing a relationship built on mutual respect, understanding, and an endearing love. Although this is the thirteenth installment in the Zoe Chambers series, it stands strong on its own. For fans of police and medical procedural crime thrillers, this book comes highly recommended. A heartfelt thanks to Level Best Books, Netgalley, and Annette Dashofy for providing this ARC.

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What Comes Around is a terrific read.

Zoe, the head of the coroner's office, is saddled with a deputy coroner who is arrogant and hard to work with. While she would like to be able to fire him, he is politically aligned with a woman who can block Zoe in many ways.

Zoe responds to a brutal murder of a woman in a hotel room who came to town to tell Zoe about the wicked coroner - who happens to be her ex-husband. Her son was out went the murder takes place but is sure that his step-father was involved in his mom's murder.

Zoe's friend and top notch coroner is watched and then run off the road. The wicked coroner - who is the most likely suspect -

All of the mysteries and the bodies pile up and all of the clues that point to the obvious killer lead to a false road. The twists and sharp turns make this a book that is a terrific read.

I highly recommend it

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