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McIntire County #3
Sins of the Father: The McIntire County Series: #3
Newly pinned deputy Jolie Murdoch's first big job as a McIntire County deputy is to locate a missing girl. What Jolie doesn't expect is to stumble upon a corpse—the girl's father--with a prime suspect still hanging around. But why would local bartender Xavier Hartmann go off the deep end and bludgeon a man to death?
A former marine, Xavier is barely coping with a traumatic brain injury, and he has no memory of what happened at the crime scene. He came to Eider to confront his past, not get embroiled in a murder as the number one suspect. To make matters worse, as the mystery deepens, Xavier finds himself drawn to the reluctant deputy.
As Jolie fights against mounting pressure to get to the truth, she realizes there's more to Xavier than meets the eye. But someone is lingering on the fringes, determined to put a stop to her investigation and Xavier's freedom. Will Jolie do her sworn duty or buck the status quo to give her and Xavier's newfound passion a chance?
A former marine, Xavier is barely coping with a traumatic brain injury, and he has no memory of what happened at the crime scene. He came to Eider to confront his past, not get embroiled in a murder as the number one suspect. To make matters worse, as the mystery deepens, Xavier finds himself drawn to the reluctant deputy.
As Jolie fights against mounting pressure to get to the truth, she realizes there's more to Xavier than meets the eye. But someone is lingering on the fringes, determined to put a stop to her investigation and Xavier's freedom. Will Jolie do her sworn duty or buck the status quo to give her and Xavier's newfound passion a chance?
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2023
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Winter Austin
26 books251 followersAs a Note, I do not use AI in any way to write my books. Lots a sweat equity goes into my writing, not computer generated.
Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope.” Having returned to her hometown, Winter has stepped into the chaotic world of a full-time wife, mom, author, and employee.
A lifelong Mid-West gal, Winter rediscovered her love of her beloved Iowa with its hot summers and snowy winters. She grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around the table or a campfire. Since becoming a published author, she learned a mindset of a glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller author. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic thrillers. Combining her love of all things rural, agricultural, and military, she’s turned her small town life upside down.
Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope.” Having returned to her hometown, Winter has stepped into the chaotic world of a full-time wife, mom, author, and employee.
A lifelong Mid-West gal, Winter rediscovered her love of her beloved Iowa with its hot summers and snowy winters. She grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around the table or a campfire. Since becoming a published author, she learned a mindset of a glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller author. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic thrillers. Combining her love of all things rural, agricultural, and military, she’s turned her small town life upside down.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 5, 2023
Sins of the Father is the third book in dark and moody The McIntire County Series and each book gets better and better even though they have all been amazing reads. These books are standalone stories, but I would recommend reading them in order otherwise you are missing out on so much as the characters and their stories intertwine between books. Winter does a great job of setting the scene though.
Deputy Jolie Murdoch is the new girl on the block. Finding a body was not on the agenda. A missing girl yes but no body. Her past has left her with wounds, but she is a strong woman underneath it all. It was good to see her growing and finding her true self. Along the way she finds a little more than she knew she needed.
Former marine Xavier Hartmann is trying to deal with the skeletons of his past. But someone has other ideas instore for him. Someone who does not want the truth out there and will anything to stop him. Along the way he discovers something that becomes vital to his wellbeing.
The story is told from multiple the POV which I love because you get to learn more about the characters and what makes them tick. There are a lot of secondary characters that help move the story along.
Sins of the Father is a tale of murder and secrets, lies, mystery, suspense, violence, manipulation, politics and romance. It is a great story that has twists and turns and an interesting plot that keep the pages turning. It is one tale you won’t want to put down. There are also some laughs to be had when Xavier’s sister is around.
Did not see that ending coming though!
This is a must read and I look forward to what comes next.
Deputy Jolie Murdoch is the new girl on the block. Finding a body was not on the agenda. A missing girl yes but no body. Her past has left her with wounds, but she is a strong woman underneath it all. It was good to see her growing and finding her true self. Along the way she finds a little more than she knew she needed.
Former marine Xavier Hartmann is trying to deal with the skeletons of his past. But someone has other ideas instore for him. Someone who does not want the truth out there and will anything to stop him. Along the way he discovers something that becomes vital to his wellbeing.
The story is told from multiple the POV which I love because you get to learn more about the characters and what makes them tick. There are a lot of secondary characters that help move the story along.
Sins of the Father is a tale of murder and secrets, lies, mystery, suspense, violence, manipulation, politics and romance. It is a great story that has twists and turns and an interesting plot that keep the pages turning. It is one tale you won’t want to put down. There are also some laughs to be had when Xavier’s sister is around.
Did not see that ending coming though!
This is a must read and I look forward to what comes next.
October 3, 2023
Winter Austin knocks another one out of the park with the next story in The McIntire Series!! I do highly recommend reading these in order as the characters build on each other and the back stories will help this story make more sense.
Jolie is a new deputy on the force. She's got some pretty big shoes to fill as her father was the sheriff previous to the one currently in office. Jolie is still trying to recover from the events with her brother and his subsequent arrest and imprisonment.
Xavier is bartending at the local bar and grill. He's doing his best to keep his cover under the bar. When he shows up at the wrong place at the wrong time, he's the only suspect to a murder. Did he do it? He's not really sure himself.
This is a rapid pageturner!! There is a lot of action, family drama, missing people, bodies showing up in the strangest of places, and some romance. Overall, a highly enjoyable book and series!!
Jolie is a new deputy on the force. She's got some pretty big shoes to fill as her father was the sheriff previous to the one currently in office. Jolie is still trying to recover from the events with her brother and his subsequent arrest and imprisonment.
Xavier is bartending at the local bar and grill. He's doing his best to keep his cover under the bar. When he shows up at the wrong place at the wrong time, he's the only suspect to a murder. Did he do it? He's not really sure himself.
This is a rapid pageturner!! There is a lot of action, family drama, missing people, bodies showing up in the strangest of places, and some romance. Overall, a highly enjoyable book and series!!
August 28, 2024
This book takes us on the case of a missing girl and trying to figure out who has been taken her. Jolie Murdoch is a new Deputy on the force who is trying to locate her. She stumbles upon the girls father, deceased, and already has a prime suspect. Xavier Hartmann, an ex Marine that got injured by an IED, is the local bartener and the prime suspect in question, but he doesn't remember anything. Did he do it? While Jolie works the case the true culprit is out there trying to hinder the investigation and keep Xavier from being a free man. Will she be able to solve the case? I love how the author has brought us something new in each book. As always this can be read as a standalone, but why only read one book in the series? The characters also are wonderful as always and there is always such growth as the story progresses. It has been a great ride so far and now I'm on my way to digging into book number four.
October 11, 2019
Reviewed by Lori
Book provided by the publisher
This is book three in the McIntyre County book series. While reading the other books is helpful, the reader doesn’t need to read them as the author provides enough back story to help the reader understand what happened previously, so that the whole story makes sense. I know for me, I’d like to read the previous books, as the female characters that were introduced as the main characters in previous book, were kick ass, take charge, strong women who know how to take care of themselves.
The female protagonist in this book, Jolie, is having a difficult time trying to find her strong kick ass persona, as she’s been dealt with some pretty low blows in her life, and is struggling how to fit in her world, if she’s worthy to be where she is, and what she wants to do with her life. It’s hard when someone is struggling with their self-worth, and confidence. I like how she grows into who she wants to be. I like that she got some of her strength from Xavier, and their friendship, but she also found it within herself, which is even more important.
Xavier is also struggling with how he sees himself. He doesn’t feel like he deserves anything good in his life, as if he’s not worthy, due to circumstances that weren’t his fault. He needs Jolie’s strength to help him as much as Jolie needs his strength. He has an innate sense of confidence, control, and strength, both physical as well as mental, he just feels shaken and uncertain. He needs to find his balance again.
I like the pace that their relationship develops within the book. They develop emotional intimacy quick, which I liked, but they don’t rush into anything to deep and personal quickly, which would seem to fast, and unrealistic.
I also liked Xavier’s sister Ariel. She was a real firecracker, and she provided some comedy relief when things got tense, and intense.
I liked the use of a military dog to help with the case that was the basis of the book. Piper Drake writes about military dogs and how they’re trained in her romance books, and I loved reading her work, so it was nice to see it again in this book.
Give this book a try, it’s a fun suspenseful romance that’s really entertaining. I didn’t see the ending coming…..I really didn’t. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Im going to go with a good thing, as it will keep readers guessing.
Book provided by the publisher
This is book three in the McIntyre County book series. While reading the other books is helpful, the reader doesn’t need to read them as the author provides enough back story to help the reader understand what happened previously, so that the whole story makes sense. I know for me, I’d like to read the previous books, as the female characters that were introduced as the main characters in previous book, were kick ass, take charge, strong women who know how to take care of themselves.
The female protagonist in this book, Jolie, is having a difficult time trying to find her strong kick ass persona, as she’s been dealt with some pretty low blows in her life, and is struggling how to fit in her world, if she’s worthy to be where she is, and what she wants to do with her life. It’s hard when someone is struggling with their self-worth, and confidence. I like how she grows into who she wants to be. I like that she got some of her strength from Xavier, and their friendship, but she also found it within herself, which is even more important.
Xavier is also struggling with how he sees himself. He doesn’t feel like he deserves anything good in his life, as if he’s not worthy, due to circumstances that weren’t his fault. He needs Jolie’s strength to help him as much as Jolie needs his strength. He has an innate sense of confidence, control, and strength, both physical as well as mental, he just feels shaken and uncertain. He needs to find his balance again.
I like the pace that their relationship develops within the book. They develop emotional intimacy quick, which I liked, but they don’t rush into anything to deep and personal quickly, which would seem to fast, and unrealistic.
I also liked Xavier’s sister Ariel. She was a real firecracker, and she provided some comedy relief when things got tense, and intense.
I liked the use of a military dog to help with the case that was the basis of the book. Piper Drake writes about military dogs and how they’re trained in her romance books, and I loved reading her work, so it was nice to see it again in this book.
Give this book a try, it’s a fun suspenseful romance that’s really entertaining. I didn’t see the ending coming…..I really didn’t. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Im going to go with a good thing, as it will keep readers guessing.
October 1, 2023
Back to the Eider police department and the officers and detectives within to protect the community. This addition to the series focuses on newly pinned deputy Jolie Murdock - cousin of Nic and Cassy from the previous books in the series.
When Jolie starts the pursuit of a missing girl after a community event, she instead finds the freshly dead body of the girls father, with local bartender and former marine Xavier Hartmann leaning over him, covered in his blood, with no memory of what happened or how he got there. With his traumatic brain injury that stems from an IED blast while in the service, he realizes he has had another blackout and can't be sure he didn't kill this man. When he is taken to the hospital, siblings that no one knew existed show up to throw an extra wrench into things.
While trying to wade through all the evidence, believing Xavier is innocent, Jolie discovers similarities between the missing girl and a cold case from when her father was sheriff. She begins to dig deeper, and along the way discovers many secrets in both her own life as well as Xavier's.
I love the way the community keeps building as Austin continues this series. While they're all able to be read as standalones, they're much more fun to enjoy when you have the basis of the previous books in the series and some background on important characters.
Austin does a wonderful job showing how much our military continues to go through, even after the hell of war. She shows their strength, abilities, loyalties and more. These books are great suspenseful reads that offer danger and intrigue while throwing in enough chemistry amongst characters to offer a different kind of tension. Really looking forward to book 4!
When Jolie starts the pursuit of a missing girl after a community event, she instead finds the freshly dead body of the girls father, with local bartender and former marine Xavier Hartmann leaning over him, covered in his blood, with no memory of what happened or how he got there. With his traumatic brain injury that stems from an IED blast while in the service, he realizes he has had another blackout and can't be sure he didn't kill this man. When he is taken to the hospital, siblings that no one knew existed show up to throw an extra wrench into things.
While trying to wade through all the evidence, believing Xavier is innocent, Jolie discovers similarities between the missing girl and a cold case from when her father was sheriff. She begins to dig deeper, and along the way discovers many secrets in both her own life as well as Xavier's.
I love the way the community keeps building as Austin continues this series. While they're all able to be read as standalones, they're much more fun to enjoy when you have the basis of the previous books in the series and some background on important characters.
Austin does a wonderful job showing how much our military continues to go through, even after the hell of war. She shows their strength, abilities, loyalties and more. These books are great suspenseful reads that offer danger and intrigue while throwing in enough chemistry amongst characters to offer a different kind of tension. Really looking forward to book 4!
January 21, 2018
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is book three in the four book collection, thus far, in the McIntire County series. I find myself thinking after each story that each one is better than the last and is my new favorite. This one is no different.
Just as book one and two book three is connected and involves some of the same characters and also introduces new characters to the storyline. I enjoy reading about the past characters lives and how they have changed or developed.
This story in a little more intriguing, for the fact that it also surrounds itself with the female leads family history, and the past timing of her father as the Sheriff. The question remains; did her daddy have something to do with the coverup of the murder of a young girl just to be re-elected?
I was engrossed with the story. The detail and descriptions were perfect. They held my attention and kept me reading. The ability to picture the scenes as I read them was effortless. The detail was enough to keep things understood but wasn’t too much to be overwhelming.
One thing that seems to be pretty common place through each story is the attitude of the characters. At least one character in the story is very opinionated, has a strong opinion, and isn’t afraid to let it be known. They don’t get pushed around and they fight for what they believe is right.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
This is book three in the four book collection, thus far, in the McIntire County series. I find myself thinking after each story that each one is better than the last and is my new favorite. This one is no different.
Just as book one and two book three is connected and involves some of the same characters and also introduces new characters to the storyline. I enjoy reading about the past characters lives and how they have changed or developed.
This story in a little more intriguing, for the fact that it also surrounds itself with the female leads family history, and the past timing of her father as the Sheriff. The question remains; did her daddy have something to do with the coverup of the murder of a young girl just to be re-elected?
I was engrossed with the story. The detail and descriptions were perfect. They held my attention and kept me reading. The ability to picture the scenes as I read them was effortless. The detail was enough to keep things understood but wasn’t too much to be overwhelming.
One thing that seems to be pretty common place through each story is the attitude of the characters. At least one character in the story is very opinionated, has a strong opinion, and isn’t afraid to let it be known. They don’t get pushed around and they fight for what they believe is right.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
November 5, 2023
I just want to start off by honouring the author for her acknowledgments I love and appreciate her faith and the fact that she doesn’t shy away from it and gives glory to Him 🙏🥰
I really have enjoyed being in McIntyre county and yes there’s , murder , drama and a bit of romance but I’m kept on my toes all the time ….
So Julie’s dad was the town sheriff years ago and get brother Ian and his girlfriend went on a murderous spree and then held his family at gunpoint , Jolie took her out while Ian is in jail , let’s just say their family dynamics are a little twisted ….
A young woman goes missing , hee father is dead and the local batman and military vet , Xavier ,is the prime suspect , he can’t remember anything so things aren’t looking good but Jolie feels it in her bibes , he’s innocent and she’ll going to all ends to prove it …..
Something doesn’t sit well with Jolie and this case she has a strong suspicion that it’s linked to a case many years back , when her dad was still sheriff, a girl by the name of Grace went missing and at the end of the day the case was closed and it was decided she ran away ! At first I was like come again !?
But as the story unfolds you realise the manipulation that actually went on and it’s a shocker I tell you .
I kept thinking it was one person and only near the very end I find out who it is and I’m like WHAT!?
Well done on Jolie for following Xavier’s advice , following her instincts and not giving up 😉 another brilliant read😉
Also it was good to catch glimpses of old friends from previous book 📕🤗
I really have enjoyed being in McIntyre county and yes there’s , murder , drama and a bit of romance but I’m kept on my toes all the time ….
So Julie’s dad was the town sheriff years ago and get brother Ian and his girlfriend went on a murderous spree and then held his family at gunpoint , Jolie took her out while Ian is in jail , let’s just say their family dynamics are a little twisted ….
A young woman goes missing , hee father is dead and the local batman and military vet , Xavier ,is the prime suspect , he can’t remember anything so things aren’t looking good but Jolie feels it in her bibes , he’s innocent and she’ll going to all ends to prove it …..
Something doesn’t sit well with Jolie and this case she has a strong suspicion that it’s linked to a case many years back , when her dad was still sheriff, a girl by the name of Grace went missing and at the end of the day the case was closed and it was decided she ran away ! At first I was like come again !?
But as the story unfolds you realise the manipulation that actually went on and it’s a shocker I tell you .
I kept thinking it was one person and only near the very end I find out who it is and I’m like WHAT!?
Well done on Jolie for following Xavier’s advice , following her instincts and not giving up 😉 another brilliant read😉
Also it was good to catch glimpses of old friends from previous book 📕🤗
October 3, 2023
Sins of the Father is a dark, edgy, suspenseful romance that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout as all the books in this series have. It’s the third book in the McIntire County Series. Now I previously stated that they were standalone stories and that each mystery was different, the people were different, and the author gives enough background in the books that you don’t need to read them in order but I have found that I’m glad I read them in order. If your someone who likes to do this there are some spoilers if you don’t read the previous books because you do get a little update of sorts on where the previous couple stands at that point, which I know if your not reading in order you would appreciate, but I appreciated because I got to see a little more into the other characters that I enjoyed in the previous books. The other books in the series had super confident woman, and super confident men, usually one who suffers from PTSD which is where this book differs as well. Xavier, an ex-marine, is suffering from a traumatic brain injury, and Jolie is a woman who is lacking in self confidence and wants desperately to prove herself. I still haven’t gotten tired of Winter Austin’s relatable, real life characters, and story lines. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
October 2, 2023
Another gripping read in this series of books, and once again I was hooked from page one. Jolie Murdoch is a newly pinned deputy in McIntire County and her first big case is to locate a missing girl. The case gets even more complicated when the girl’s father is found murdered, seemingly by the local bartender Xavier Hartmann who was also found at the crime scene. Jolie has to work out why Xavier, with no apparent motive would suddenly bludgeon a man to death. However, the former marine who has a traumatic brain injury has no memory of what happened or why he was there.
Xavier was in Eider to confront his past and is shocked to be the number one suspect in a murder, meanwhile Jolie is working hard to investigate whilst fighting against mounting pressure to get to the truth. Jolie realises that Xavier might be innocent and he finds himself drawn to her, but someone seems determined to stop both Jolie’s investigation and her developing relationship with Xavier. Once again the setting of McIntire County was brought vividly to life by the descriptive narrative, which made me feel immersed in the story. The storyline and plot twists along with the great characters all kept me happily turning the pages, and I look forward to the next book in this series.
Xavier was in Eider to confront his past and is shocked to be the number one suspect in a murder, meanwhile Jolie is working hard to investigate whilst fighting against mounting pressure to get to the truth. Jolie realises that Xavier might be innocent and he finds himself drawn to her, but someone seems determined to stop both Jolie’s investigation and her developing relationship with Xavier. Once again the setting of McIntire County was brought vividly to life by the descriptive narrative, which made me feel immersed in the story. The storyline and plot twists along with the great characters all kept me happily turning the pages, and I look forward to the next book in this series.
October 4, 2023
"Sins of the Father" by Winter Austin is a captivating thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This gripping novel follows Deputy Jolie Murdoch as she investigates a missing person case that leads her down a dangerous path of secrets and deception. Austin's writing style is tightly paced and filled with suspense, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.
One of the highlights of "Sins of the Father" is its well-developed and complex characters. Deputy Jolie Murdoch is a compelling protagonist who is not only determined to solve the case but also battles her own personal demons along the way. Austin skillfully portrays the emotional depth of these characters, making them relatable and investing the reader in their journey.
The plot of "Sins of the Father" is intricately crafted with surprising twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the final pages. Austin's ability to weave multiple storylines together flawlessly adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story. Overall, "Sins of the Father" is a gripping thriller that will satisfy fans of the genre. Winter Austin's talent for creating suspenseful and compelling narratives is on full display in this thrilling novel.
One of the highlights of "Sins of the Father" is its well-developed and complex characters. Deputy Jolie Murdoch is a compelling protagonist who is not only determined to solve the case but also battles her own personal demons along the way. Austin skillfully portrays the emotional depth of these characters, making them relatable and investing the reader in their journey.
The plot of "Sins of the Father" is intricately crafted with surprising twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the final pages. Austin's ability to weave multiple storylines together flawlessly adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story. Overall, "Sins of the Father" is a gripping thriller that will satisfy fans of the genre. Winter Austin's talent for creating suspenseful and compelling narratives is on full display in this thrilling novel.
October 3, 2023
The third in this series and it’s just getting better. I was so excited for this one and once again the author brought all the A game. I do recommend reading these in order just as an added enhancement to the series and well each book is amazing so reading them all is definitely worth it. This one we followed Jolie and Xavier and let me tell you, you will be completely hooked start to finish and each chapter keeps you on your toes. The characters once again draw you completely into their world with such ease. They are easy to connect with. It’s well written and keeps you guessing. Five stars all the way and highly recommended. Can’t wait for more from this author.
September 22, 2017
Continued Fun!
This author's ability to set up this continuing story, leaving breadcrumbs in a book that sets up the next one is really great writing. She then writes this book from an entirely different character's perspective, and it's pure gold. Well written, well thought out, and superbly planned. On to book 4!
This author's ability to set up this continuing story, leaving breadcrumbs in a book that sets up the next one is really great writing. She then writes this book from an entirely different character's perspective, and it's pure gold. Well written, well thought out, and superbly planned. On to book 4!
January 16, 2017
Dark and dangerously edgy story where no one is safe from the suspicion of crimes committed, politics around the sheriff department are stewing, and a rookie cop gets caught between family loyalty, attraction to the suspect of a murder and performing her job.
Jolie is a complex character. She comes off as insecure and hesitant with the job at hands, obviously way over her head with the tasks, yet in the oddest moments, she gets her strength and backbone putting her in peculiar and dangerous spots. Her feud with her father, the former sheriff, and her attraction to Xavier, the man with too many secrets, compromise her with her job in the police force. Her stubborn nature mixed with her determination to solve the cases of missing girls imperil her judgment at times. Yet she pushes on, steadfast to find out what happen, by whom, and why.
Xavier is the man of mystery who creates the aura of secrecy around himself by not disclosing anything, even the trivial matters of his life, to those around him. His TBI with memory loss adds to the enigma, not to mention been found in a compromised setting with a gruesomely murdered man. His quest to find his roots brought him to McIntire County and now the secrets he kept are about to explode on his face.
I'm assuming this story starts right off where the previous book in the series ended, and it feels like you jump in a middle of a tale. The author does a good job explaining the setting and scene in the town for the reader as the tale continues, but I believe it would have been beneficial to start from the beginning with this series. The multitude of secondary characters play a significant role in the development of the investigations to the crimes, and it would have helped to have more knowledge about them to understand the undercurrents with different events.
There's a lot going on in McIntire County and in the story - the missing girls, cruel murders, political issues, the family dramas on two fronts, and a budding romance. The plot is clever and the horrid culprit behind the crimes stays aptly hidden until the very end. The crimes committed are wrapped up yet some of the family issues are left wide open and unresolved. The narrative is good and has some interesting twists in it, keeping the tension alive and the need to find out what happens next viable.
A twisted tale of brutal and atrocious crimes that gets the town in an uproar, prompting other issues in the precinct, and families, to boil over and cause scenes.
~ Three Spoons
Jolie is a complex character. She comes off as insecure and hesitant with the job at hands, obviously way over her head with the tasks, yet in the oddest moments, she gets her strength and backbone putting her in peculiar and dangerous spots. Her feud with her father, the former sheriff, and her attraction to Xavier, the man with too many secrets, compromise her with her job in the police force. Her stubborn nature mixed with her determination to solve the cases of missing girls imperil her judgment at times. Yet she pushes on, steadfast to find out what happen, by whom, and why.
Xavier is the man of mystery who creates the aura of secrecy around himself by not disclosing anything, even the trivial matters of his life, to those around him. His TBI with memory loss adds to the enigma, not to mention been found in a compromised setting with a gruesomely murdered man. His quest to find his roots brought him to McIntire County and now the secrets he kept are about to explode on his face.
I'm assuming this story starts right off where the previous book in the series ended, and it feels like you jump in a middle of a tale. The author does a good job explaining the setting and scene in the town for the reader as the tale continues, but I believe it would have been beneficial to start from the beginning with this series. The multitude of secondary characters play a significant role in the development of the investigations to the crimes, and it would have helped to have more knowledge about them to understand the undercurrents with different events.
There's a lot going on in McIntire County and in the story - the missing girls, cruel murders, political issues, the family dramas on two fronts, and a budding romance. The plot is clever and the horrid culprit behind the crimes stays aptly hidden until the very end. The crimes committed are wrapped up yet some of the family issues are left wide open and unresolved. The narrative is good and has some interesting twists in it, keeping the tension alive and the need to find out what happens next viable.
A twisted tale of brutal and atrocious crimes that gets the town in an uproar, prompting other issues in the precinct, and families, to boil over and cause scenes.
~ Three Spoons
December 9, 2016
Once again Ms. Austin has left me speechless with the beauty of her writing. SINS OF THE FATHER is the third book in her McIntire County series and just like the first book, I loved the suspense, the guessing game.
I've had this book for a couple of weeks and finally this weekend I decided it was time for me to read it. Once I started reading it it was really hard for me to put it down. I knew that I was going to be losing some sleep but I didn't care because I needed to know if they were going to figure out what was happening with the two missing girls. There was one missing girl that has been missing for such a long time, but now that another girl has gone missing, it raises the question: can it be related?
Jolie Murdoch and Xavier Hartmann were two characters that, no matter what situation they are in, they will figure it out together. Jolie is a very strong willed woman that knows what she needs to do but sometimes she just needs a little bit encouragement. She has a backbone but sometimes she forgets that it's there, but with Xavier's guidance she is able to stand up to people like her father and also her boss.
Then you have Xavier, a man of mystery. In the beginning all you know is that he is in McIntire County for a reason but all that goes down the drain when he is found beside a dead body. I couldn't believe what Jolie told him when she found him but I was surprised with his answer. I knew he wouldn't leave; he would stay and clear his name even though he couldn't remember what happened.
If you want to read the remaining of my review on this amazing book please click on the link below.
The Romance Review
my link text
I've had this book for a couple of weeks and finally this weekend I decided it was time for me to read it. Once I started reading it it was really hard for me to put it down. I knew that I was going to be losing some sleep but I didn't care because I needed to know if they were going to figure out what was happening with the two missing girls. There was one missing girl that has been missing for such a long time, but now that another girl has gone missing, it raises the question: can it be related?
Jolie Murdoch and Xavier Hartmann were two characters that, no matter what situation they are in, they will figure it out together. Jolie is a very strong willed woman that knows what she needs to do but sometimes she just needs a little bit encouragement. She has a backbone but sometimes she forgets that it's there, but with Xavier's guidance she is able to stand up to people like her father and also her boss.
Then you have Xavier, a man of mystery. In the beginning all you know is that he is in McIntire County for a reason but all that goes down the drain when he is found beside a dead body. I couldn't believe what Jolie told him when she found him but I was surprised with his answer. I knew he wouldn't leave; he would stay and clear his name even though he couldn't remember what happened.
If you want to read the remaining of my review on this amazing book please click on the link below.
The Romance Review
my link text
March 15, 2024
This is the third book in the McIntire County series, this can be read as a standalone but to get a deeper understand of the characters and past events which link them, I would recommend reading from book 1. In this instalment we followed Jolie and Xavier.
As with the previous books in the series, the writing style is easy to follow and the descriptive language pulls you into the story, allowing you to picture both characters and scenery.
I found the characters of Jolie and Xavier particularly interesting; their pasts were what interested me most and how this affected them. Jolie, a new deputy in charge of finding a missing girl, faces the pressure from her family and what makes her different and intriguing to me. It’s not just the usual pressures, her brother is a killer and the effect of this on her was shown quite well, I think. She’s determined and continues looking into the case and the new elements despite being given the ‘easy’ answers. I enjoyed her character development as she reminded me a little of myself in being unsure of herself, but her confidence grows, and you can see her really coming into her own. She’s one of my favourites so far.
I look forward to the next one!
As with the previous books in the series, the writing style is easy to follow and the descriptive language pulls you into the story, allowing you to picture both characters and scenery.
I found the characters of Jolie and Xavier particularly interesting; their pasts were what interested me most and how this affected them. Jolie, a new deputy in charge of finding a missing girl, faces the pressure from her family and what makes her different and intriguing to me. It’s not just the usual pressures, her brother is a killer and the effect of this on her was shown quite well, I think. She’s determined and continues looking into the case and the new elements despite being given the ‘easy’ answers. I enjoyed her character development as she reminded me a little of myself in being unsure of herself, but her confidence grows, and you can see her really coming into her own. She’s one of my favourites so far.
I look forward to the next one!
December 12, 2016
THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE! I love Winter's stories - they are full of complex, relatable characters. I especially enjoy her portrayals of strong women butting heads with the strong men that love them. And this book is no different! Xavier is a recovering war vet with visible and invisible wounds - and a secret. Jolie is trapped in the public eye following the tragic results of an earlier book (not necessary to read Born to Die but I highly recommend it) and trying to find her way in her new position as a sheriff's deputy. The unlikely coupling makes for an emotional romance I couldn't help but binge on. And it wouldn't be a Winter Austin book without murder most foul and a bad-guy too disgusting to redeem. LOVED IT!
March 4, 2017
4.5/5.0
Here's a well-written mystery with romance thrown in - what more could a reader want?
Read full review in the 2017 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Here's a well-written mystery with romance thrown in - what more could a reader want?
Read full review in the 2017 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 2, 2023
This is the 3rd book in the McIntire County Series. I have loved these books from the first one. Each story can be read as a standalone however personally I do advise to read them from the start so you get a better idea of the characters, their links to each other and the pasts they share.
This story is a crime mystery story with a sprinkle of Suspense and romance thrown into the mix.
In this story we are with Jolie and Xavier.
Jolie has has a tough time of things with her brother turning out to be a killer and the pressure from her father to do well and progress in her career she has a lot going on. Now with a missing girl to find the pressure ramps up even more. So the last thing she wanted to find was a dead body and Xavier next to it covered in blood.
Now she has more questions that answers. Why would someone murder this person? And even though all the evidence is pointing to Xavier could he really be the killer? Is Xavier's sudden memory loss just a convenient tactic or is there something going on with Xavier that Jolie doesn't know.
Xavier is a former marine who was left with a traumatic brian injury after an IED exploded taking away his leg in the process. He is a secretive man, no one really knows much about his past or his continued issues with the brain injury that causes him to black out. When he is found with the body he realises things look bad and with no memory of what actually happened he doesn't even know himself if he committed the crime or not.
As Jolie starts to investigate she realises links between this missing girl and a cold case which if that's the case means that Xavier is innocent. But as the evidence mounts there seem to be more questions than answers and with Xavier being secretive about his past it makes it even harder to trust him.
Jolie believes Xavier is innocent and is determined to prove that even if that means at times her judegment is impaired and causing her to put her job on the line. He is innocent? Or is Jolie to stubborn and so determined to be proved right that she will discard things that don't paint the picture she expects.
This is a fast paced murder mystery with 2 main characters that have their flaws but they are trying to work through them.
Jolie's character was a little unsure of herself to begin with so it was lovely to watch her grow and blossom, and also Xavier's character it was nice to see him let down so of his boundaries and let people see the real him.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next one.
This story is a crime mystery story with a sprinkle of Suspense and romance thrown into the mix.
In this story we are with Jolie and Xavier.
Jolie has has a tough time of things with her brother turning out to be a killer and the pressure from her father to do well and progress in her career she has a lot going on. Now with a missing girl to find the pressure ramps up even more. So the last thing she wanted to find was a dead body and Xavier next to it covered in blood.
Now she has more questions that answers. Why would someone murder this person? And even though all the evidence is pointing to Xavier could he really be the killer? Is Xavier's sudden memory loss just a convenient tactic or is there something going on with Xavier that Jolie doesn't know.
Xavier is a former marine who was left with a traumatic brian injury after an IED exploded taking away his leg in the process. He is a secretive man, no one really knows much about his past or his continued issues with the brain injury that causes him to black out. When he is found with the body he realises things look bad and with no memory of what actually happened he doesn't even know himself if he committed the crime or not.
As Jolie starts to investigate she realises links between this missing girl and a cold case which if that's the case means that Xavier is innocent. But as the evidence mounts there seem to be more questions than answers and with Xavier being secretive about his past it makes it even harder to trust him.
Jolie believes Xavier is innocent and is determined to prove that even if that means at times her judegment is impaired and causing her to put her job on the line. He is innocent? Or is Jolie to stubborn and so determined to be proved right that she will discard things that don't paint the picture she expects.
This is a fast paced murder mystery with 2 main characters that have their flaws but they are trying to work through them.
Jolie's character was a little unsure of herself to begin with so it was lovely to watch her grow and blossom, and also Xavier's character it was nice to see him let down so of his boundaries and let people see the real him.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next one.
October 3, 2023
Jolie Murdock is a new deputy in the Eider Police department following in the footsteps of her cousins can she make this her home and find the confidence she has been lacking over the past years. When she is given the disappearance of a missing girl, she goes about trying to find her but when she stumbles across the body of the missing girls father, can she solve the murder, find the girl and help a friend out without losing herself in the process?
Xavier decided to come to Eider to banish old wounds but when he is found over the dead body of the missing girl’s father with no memory of how he has got there, it’s up to him and Jolie to pick through his memory to discover what happened. As Jolie and Xavier investigate the murder more secrets and similarities come out of the woodwork and although Xavier and Jolie are saw her did not kill anyone there is still a doubt in Xavier’s head.
This is the third book in this series, and we shift from the characters in the first two books to a whole new heroine, Jolie at the beginning is trying to find herself and is feeling like she can’t do her job but when she stumbles into a murder her confidence starts to pick up and you see the drive in her to do justice for the victim and the missing girl.
Xavier’s character is interesting, and I love that he is flawed but has the courage to trust that Jolie will get to the bottom of blackout and trust that he is not the murderer, with his history of the military you have a small glimpse into his hurt and brokenness from his service and the horrific injuries he sustained.
The secondary characters as always adds to flow and overall enjoyment of the story, with the fasted pace action and uncovering the secrets and thrilling twists and turns this is another winner in my eyes.
Thank you, Winter, and hope to read book 4 in the future.
Xavier decided to come to Eider to banish old wounds but when he is found over the dead body of the missing girl’s father with no memory of how he has got there, it’s up to him and Jolie to pick through his memory to discover what happened. As Jolie and Xavier investigate the murder more secrets and similarities come out of the woodwork and although Xavier and Jolie are saw her did not kill anyone there is still a doubt in Xavier’s head.
This is the third book in this series, and we shift from the characters in the first two books to a whole new heroine, Jolie at the beginning is trying to find herself and is feeling like she can’t do her job but when she stumbles into a murder her confidence starts to pick up and you see the drive in her to do justice for the victim and the missing girl.
Xavier’s character is interesting, and I love that he is flawed but has the courage to trust that Jolie will get to the bottom of blackout and trust that he is not the murderer, with his history of the military you have a small glimpse into his hurt and brokenness from his service and the horrific injuries he sustained.
The secondary characters as always adds to flow and overall enjoyment of the story, with the fasted pace action and uncovering the secrets and thrilling twists and turns this is another winner in my eyes.
Thank you, Winter, and hope to read book 4 in the future.
October 5, 2023
Sins of the Father is Book Three in The McIntire County Series. It is a romantic suspense book packed with drama, action, mystery, intrigue, suspense, and murder. This book can easily be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading the entire series because it is amazing! This story centers around the characters of Deputy Jolie Murdoch and Former Marine Xavier Hartmann. Jolie has had a difficult past and finds herself struggling to find her confidence and self-worth. When she sets off to find a missing girl that disappeared after a local event, she stumbles onto something far more sinister. Jolie finds Xavier covered in blood standing over the body of the girl’s father. He has no memory of what happened, how he got there, or if he killed the man. Xavier has traumatic brain injury because of an IED blast while he was in the service and is prone to having blackouts. The trauma from his past has also left Xavier feeling worthless and lacking in self-confidence. Jolie wants to believe he is not responsible for the man’s murder and sets off to find the real killer. As she delves into the case, she discovers this case is very similar to a cold case that her father had when he was Sherriff. As Xavier and Jolie work to find the real killer they lean on each other for support and find strength in one another. Digging into the case unravels secrets, lies, betrayal, and complex family dynamics. This was a page turner with great characters, an intriguing storyline, and twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end.
October 14, 2023
Winter Austin did it again with another amazing, suspenseful romance book! I love reading The McIntire County Series, it grabs your attention and keeps you guessing throughout the book as to whether the missing girls will be found, whether is Xavier a killer, and who is taking the girls. Will Jolie be able to clear Xavier, or will she find out the man she is falling for is the murderer? I love that all of the characters that we have met in the other books in the series continue to make appearances in this series and that we get to continue to watch them grow in their families. I love that we not only get to see inside the mind of another retired marine but also the workings of a small-town police force and how they all work together to keep their county safe.
This story is all about Jolie, the sister of Ian, one of our bad guys from Book #2, who is now performing her deputy duties as well as learning how to step up to do some investigative work as well. We also get to know more about the mysterious Xavier and why he has been laying low, keeping his business all to himself, until he's thrown into the spotlight when he's suspected of killing the missing girl's father. Xavier blacked out, and doesn't remember anything, but will he be able to work through whatever is ailing him to help clear himself of this guilty sentence, or did he commit the crime? I am so excited to start reading Book #4 and see who our next main characters will be so that we will get a deeper understanding of their lives and tackle another mystery.
@Brandy Rymer
10/2023
This story is all about Jolie, the sister of Ian, one of our bad guys from Book #2, who is now performing her deputy duties as well as learning how to step up to do some investigative work as well. We also get to know more about the mysterious Xavier and why he has been laying low, keeping his business all to himself, until he's thrown into the spotlight when he's suspected of killing the missing girl's father. Xavier blacked out, and doesn't remember anything, but will he be able to work through whatever is ailing him to help clear himself of this guilty sentence, or did he commit the crime? I am so excited to start reading Book #4 and see who our next main characters will be so that we will get a deeper understanding of their lives and tackle another mystery.
@Brandy Rymer
10/2023
October 1, 2023
4.5 Stars
Sins of the Father is the third engrossing instalment in the McIntire County series by Winter Austin. This series just keeps getting better with each new instalment. I highly recommend reading the previous two books before starting on this one, as they will help to ‘build’ a bigger picture and help immerse you in the series.
This is a fantastic romantic suspense that has all the clever, suspenseful, and gripping touches that I have come to expect from Ms. Austin. It has crime and investigation, mystery, intrigue, secrets, action, politics, duty/responsibility vs loyalty, family dynamics, discovery, determination, chemistry, and emotion- w ith plenty of gripping and dramatic developments that will keep you flipping the pages to discover how it all plays out in the end.
This is Jolie and Xavier’s story, and I was hooked right from the beginning. This is quite the tangled web that Jolie is determined to untangle- as Ms. Austin takes us on quite an intriguing ride. Missing girls, a brutal murder, trauma, pain, memory issues, a bit of a ‘pressure-pot’ situation, doubts, questions, and passion- makes for a gripping read. ‘Sins of the Father’ makes a superb addition to the series, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in Book #4!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Winter Austin!
Sins of the Father is the third engrossing instalment in the McIntire County series by Winter Austin. This series just keeps getting better with each new instalment. I highly recommend reading the previous two books before starting on this one, as they will help to ‘build’ a bigger picture and help immerse you in the series.
This is a fantastic romantic suspense that has all the clever, suspenseful, and gripping touches that I have come to expect from Ms. Austin. It has crime and investigation, mystery, intrigue, secrets, action, politics, duty/responsibility vs loyalty, family dynamics, discovery, determination, chemistry, and emotion- w ith plenty of gripping and dramatic developments that will keep you flipping the pages to discover how it all plays out in the end.
This is Jolie and Xavier’s story, and I was hooked right from the beginning. This is quite the tangled web that Jolie is determined to untangle- as Ms. Austin takes us on quite an intriguing ride. Missing girls, a brutal murder, trauma, pain, memory issues, a bit of a ‘pressure-pot’ situation, doubts, questions, and passion- makes for a gripping read. ‘Sins of the Father’ makes a superb addition to the series, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in Book #4!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Winter Austin!
October 1, 2023
Sins of the Father (The McIntire County Series Book 3) by Winter Austin. I have truly loved this series. They can be read as standalone's but I recommend reading them in order just to get a handle on who is who. This installment is about Jolie who is a Deputy Sheriff in McIntire County and she is coming off a bad case where she wasn't successful. It has shaken her confidence and caused her to not believe in herself. When a young girl is missing she is in charge of the case. She does find a body but its not the young girl and hanging around the body is local Xavier a bartender who is suffering from a traumatic brain injury from being in the Marines. Xavier has tons of secrets from his past and being caught by this body is going to cause them to all come out. Xavier is a very private man and doesn't want everyone knowing his business. Does Jolie just assume that Xavier is the killer and closes the case or does she see thru him and see that there is more to the guy than just a crazy war vet. The more time Jolie spends with Xavier she really likes him. Is she letting her feelings get in the way of doing her job? Read this awesome installment in the McIntire County Series to find out!
October 30, 2017
4 star
I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, secrets, suspense, and heartbreak.
I recommend reading the below before this story
Atonement (McIntire County #1)
Born to Die (McIntire County #2)
This is Jolie and Xavier’s story. When Jolie comes up on a crime scene where Xavier is all bloody she knows he didn’t commit the crime. She just has to prove he didn’t do it. Even when all the evidence points to him she knows that he didn’t do it. Xavier has secrets that he never wanted to come out until he was ready but when Jolie guesses them he is stunned. She is a great investigator, but will she come out of her shell to solve the case? When she has to not only go up against her brother but her father she wonders if it is all worth it. Can Xavier forgive her for arresting him? Or will she lose him in the end? Can she really solve the case? Just when she is making progress she is taken. Can she solve the case before she is hurt or killed?
I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, secrets, suspense, and heartbreak.
I recommend reading the below before this story
Atonement (McIntire County #1)
Born to Die (McIntire County #2)
This is Jolie and Xavier’s story. When Jolie comes up on a crime scene where Xavier is all bloody she knows he didn’t commit the crime. She just has to prove he didn’t do it. Even when all the evidence points to him she knows that he didn’t do it. Xavier has secrets that he never wanted to come out until he was ready but when Jolie guesses them he is stunned. She is a great investigator, but will she come out of her shell to solve the case? When she has to not only go up against her brother but her father she wonders if it is all worth it. Can Xavier forgive her for arresting him? Or will she lose him in the end? Can she really solve the case? Just when she is making progress she is taken. Can she solve the case before she is hurt or killed?
I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
October 8, 2023
Sins of the Father is the 3rd book in the McIntire County Series. This installment follows new deputy Jolie Murdoch. For Jolie, law enforcement runs in her veins. Her father was the previous sheriff and her cousins are Nic and Cassy from the previous books. New on the force, Jolie is assigned the case of a missing girl, but then the girl's father is found dead. Now she is tasked with not only finding the girl, if she is still alive, but finding the murderer of the father as well. Are they connected, and if so how? Who is to blame in one, or both, of the cases? Xavier came to town to escape his past, but when he is found over the dead body, he is suspect number one. It doesn't help that he has no memory of how he got there, or what led up to that point. Sins of the father is told from different character POV so you get "inside the heads" of each one, and can really relate to them in some aspects. I love the McIntire series and can't wait to read the next one. 5 out of 5 for me.
October 18, 2023
This is book three in the McIntire County Series. Jolie Murdoch is the newest deputy in McIntire County. Her first job is to find a missing girl. While looking for the girl, Deputy Murdoch finds herself in front the suspect (the father of the missing child). The problem is that he is dead but he is not alone. There enters Xavier, a former marine who has a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), finds himself in some unwanted attention for the death of the missing girl’s father. However, he doesn’t remember any thing that happened before, during or after because he blacked out. It’s a lot of twist and turns in this one, but Winter Austin really has a knack for bringing all the twists and turns into an amazing story. I would like to point out, that I am reading these book out of order, I don’t recommend that you do. I should have started with book one and worked my way down but I will finish this series.
October 12, 2023
5 Stars
Sins of the Father (The McIntire County Series Book 3) by Winter Austin
Sins of the Father is the third book in The McIntire County Series is a Romance Suspense that I couldn’t stop reading till the end. I highly recommend reading this series in order as you get to know the characters better and a better understanding of what has happened in previous books. Plus this series keeps getting better with each book. This one might be my favorite yet . This authors style of writing and attention to detail along with fully developed characters make the story come to life. The twists and turns had me turning the pages trying to figure out what was going to happen next. This is a wonderfully written Romance Suspense that I highly recommend reading to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to diving into the next book in this series.
Sins of the Father (The McIntire County Series Book 3) by Winter Austin
Sins of the Father is the third book in The McIntire County Series is a Romance Suspense that I couldn’t stop reading till the end. I highly recommend reading this series in order as you get to know the characters better and a better understanding of what has happened in previous books. Plus this series keeps getting better with each book. This one might be my favorite yet . This authors style of writing and attention to detail along with fully developed characters make the story come to life. The twists and turns had me turning the pages trying to figure out what was going to happen next. This is a wonderfully written Romance Suspense that I highly recommend reading to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to diving into the next book in this series.
September 30, 2023
This is the third book in this series that is just as great reading as the previous books. I highly suggest reading the previous books to help your enhancement of this author’s writing style. This is a well written story where the author used details to make the story come to life on each page. The characters pull you into their world with ease and keep you engaged to the end. They are strong, creative characters that add so much to the story. They bring the twists and turns to a new level. I enjoyed watching their growth throughout which made the story easy to read. This is a fast paced story that you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend this book.
October 2, 2023
This book is another great addition to a brilliant series. A lot happens with the story and the characters and it all pulls you into the book with ease. I really enjoyed these characters and I think they have to be my favourite of the series so far. The had a strong connection and I enjoyed watching how they navigated everything thrown at them.
The story is full of suspense and intrigue. There were plenty of pieces to try and put together and it was great to see if I could figure it all out. I have really enjoyed this whole series so far and I am looking forward to whatever the author does with it next.
The story is full of suspense and intrigue. There were plenty of pieces to try and put together and it was great to see if I could figure it all out. I have really enjoyed this whole series so far and I am looking forward to whatever the author does with it next.
October 21, 2023
This is apparently the third book in its series, which I didn't initially realize. It can be read as a standalone but knowing this now, I'll definitely be looking into the rest of the series because I really enjoyed this book. This book centers on Jolie who is a new deputy to the Eider Police Department, given the task of finding a missing girl. She discovers the girl's father deceased with Xavier over his body and unable to remember how he got there due to blackouts he suffers from a brain injury caused by an IED sustained as a Marine. Jolie doesn't believe Xavier is guilty, but will she be able to prove it and find the missing girl?
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