264 pages

5 stars

What a great book! The reader gets to meet Dr. Vanessa Marwood. She is a forensic entomologist who investigates crimes where insects play a role.

When a famous and popular actress dies a mysterious death, a hair clasp with a live endangered beetle is found on the body. It is not long before another famous person is killed by the same method.

Detective Ru Hoshino joins the detective team that is investigating the now two deaths. Ru is a unique person. Very observant, very bright, he works in his own way. Most of the other detectives like him and are used to his “quirks.”

Another person dies. The tension in the story increases and the detectives are feeling the pressure from their commander.

This is a very good book. It has an original premise and original characters who are very likable and competent. Having an entomologist as a protagonist is a very original idea and I love it! The writing is top notch and the plotting is both fast paced and excellently crafted. Ms.Tracy Buchanan is an author whom I will watch.

I want to thank NetGalley and Embla Books for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, review and enjoy. The opinions cited in this review are solely my own.

Second book in a fantastic crime thriller series, which continues in a way I really didn’t expect. If you can, read book one before this one. Dr Vanessa Marwood has left Britain behind for the sites and sounds of New York. For sites read a state of the art forensic lab and murder scenes. For sounds read the sounds of creeping and hatching bugs for she is a renowned entomologist. The move brings unexpected family issues and a dive into the underworld of crime. She once again finds herself embroiled in the hunt for a killer. A case much more closely connected to Vanessa’s past than she could every expect. This brings questions she didn’t even know she should be asking. Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Can't say enough about this blossoming mystery series! Complex and unique plot with solid characters you become enmeshed with. Entomology in crimes and solutions is fascinating even if you aren't a bug person. Can't wait for the next one!

Forensic entomologist Dr Vanessa Marwood has moved from the UK to New York City to work for NovaScope Forensics. Her new boss is Dr Bronagh Thompson and Vanessa has become friends with her and her family. Vanessa in her role as an entomologist, is brought to a crime scene of an actress called Cordelia Montgomery to help the NYPD to identify a rare insect. Shortly afterwards, a second high profile victim is discovered. Detective Ru Hoshino asks Vanessa for help with the investigations. How are the victims connected? Why is it happening? Eventually, Vanessa will have to deal with things from her past! All of this and more in a page turning, terrifying, suspenseful book, which will take you on a dramatic ride to the devilishly surprising conclusion.

I love this series. Book 2 is even better than the first which I didn't think possible. The entomology side is such an interesting addition to the investigation process. I loved learning little bits about all the various bugs involved. Who knew there was such a big market for illegal insects? The investigation had me hooked and kept me guessing all the way to the end. The secondary investigation into the illegal insect smuggling drew me in and I can't wait to see where that goes.

There are so many great characters in this series and I'm pleased Vanessa's move to New York added some more people to fall in love with. Vanessa is so cool and so lovable and I really like the fact that she's open and honest with her team. Nothing annoys me more than people trying to cover things up. I'm also a big fan of Ru and I look forward to seeing more of him.

This is No 2 of the Dr Vanessa Marwood series and it's an excellent follow up to her first book. Thank you NetGalley, publishers Embla Books, and the author Tracy Buchanan for the eARC copy in return for my honest review.

Dr. Marwood is on a career trajectory to make her the world's foremost entomologist, a bug expert for you and I. Her first book was set in England, this second book finds her in New York working for a private forensics lab. She's soon called out to her first case - an award winning actress has been found dead with an adorned live beetle hair clip. Her death appears to be an overdose but something's not quite right. The police bring Detective Ru Hoshino back from leave to work the case. He's an expert at solving unusual cases. Together, they discover the victim was killed by a poision syringe attached to the hair clip. Soon other bright lights from New York's creative scene are found dead, each wearing a piece of insect jewellery. All the insects are rare, unusual and on the endangered list. The finally crafted pieces of jewellery all contain the poison used to murder the victim.

It's an excellent mystery delving into insects, the illegal trade of rare species, and the cult of celebrity, I look forward to reading further books. 4 out of 5 stars for me.

As with Dr Vanessa Marwood book 1, this is a fantastic murder mystery. I love how Buchanan is writing quite traditional-esque mysteries, featuring multiple murders and a countdown to stop the killer, but with the entirely unique element of entomology running throughout. Marwood is also unique, a one of a kind sleuth who is both vulnerably endearing and incredibly tough. I cannot wait for book 3!
PS - Someone needs to make a Netflix mini-series out of these books!!!

What an awesome second book in this series! I couldn’t wait to read it and I wasn’t disappointed! Dr. Vanessa Marwood is now in Manhattan working at the new lab and soon has her first case – and it’s a doozy. Someone is eliminating the young elite of New York City by sending them gifts of live insect jewelry that are more dangerous than they appear. She works closely with Detective Ru Hosino (a great new character) who has a unique way of approaching investigations. They’re desperate to nail down the killer and find all potential victims who have already received their ‘gifts’ before it’s too late. But it won’t be easy – these are premeditated and highly intricate murders committed by someone determined not to be caught.

As with the previous book in this series, I had to keep stopping as I read to research the different insects referenced in the story. And since they feature in jewelry pieces, each one was beautiful and fascinating. The idea of live insects being used that way is heartbreaking but not surprising. People with too much money and a lack of ethics can do horrible things. Sure, it’s a historic practice, but that’s where it should be left – in the past.

I love Ru’s character and hope we see him again – I have a feeling he wouldn’t mind spending more time with Vanessa! They work well together, their quirks complement each other rather than causing conflict and I don’t think there’s any crime the two of them wouldn’t be able to solve.

I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment in this extraordinary series!

A dark case unfolds in New York City! Forensic entomologist Dr Vanessa Marwood is settling into her new role in Manhattan when she's faced with a chilling case: an Oscar winning actress has been found dead, poisoned by a glittering hair clip adorned with a live beetle! Whoa pretty creepy!! Great read tho!! This book had great suspense, intriguing, action, murder, mystery, serial killers, a fantastic who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this one! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!