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A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery #15
12 Rose Street
The indomitable Joanne Kilbourn is back! From beloved author Gail Bowen comes the 15th installment in the nationally bestselling series. For readers of Louise Penny, Ruth Rendell, and Peter Robinson.
Joanne's husband Zack is the leading progressive candidate in a neck-and-neck race, with the existing mayor, for Regina's top job. The tough campaigning is well underway when a disturbing threat disrupts the celebration for the opening of the Racette-Hunter Centre -- a project Zack has been spearheading, intended to benefit the impoverished community of North Central Regina. Joanne soon realizes that sinister interests are working behind the scenes of the election, and another savage act makes clear that someone will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo.
The Shreve campaign perseveres, but when Zack's opponents share some shocking information about the past, the revelation sends Joanne reeling. As tensions around the election build, Joanne tries to hold herself together, keep her family intact, and get to the bottom of why a series of violent incidents, seemingly related to the mayoral race, all lead back to a mysterious property in North Central, 12 Rose Street.
A gripping novel about family and friendship, competition and betrayal, 12 Rose Street confirms why Gail Bowen is indeed the "queen of Canadian crime fiction" ( Winnipeg Free Press ).
Joanne's husband Zack is the leading progressive candidate in a neck-and-neck race, with the existing mayor, for Regina's top job. The tough campaigning is well underway when a disturbing threat disrupts the celebration for the opening of the Racette-Hunter Centre -- a project Zack has been spearheading, intended to benefit the impoverished community of North Central Regina. Joanne soon realizes that sinister interests are working behind the scenes of the election, and another savage act makes clear that someone will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo.
The Shreve campaign perseveres, but when Zack's opponents share some shocking information about the past, the revelation sends Joanne reeling. As tensions around the election build, Joanne tries to hold herself together, keep her family intact, and get to the bottom of why a series of violent incidents, seemingly related to the mayoral race, all lead back to a mysterious property in North Central, 12 Rose Street.
A gripping novel about family and friendship, competition and betrayal, 12 Rose Street confirms why Gail Bowen is indeed the "queen of Canadian crime fiction" ( Winnipeg Free Press ).
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2015
27 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Gail Bowen
58 books178 followersGail Dianne Bowen (née Bartholomew) is a Canadian playwright and writer of mystery novels. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bowen was educated at the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo and the University of Saskatchewan. She subsequently taught English in Saskatchewan, and is currently a professor of English at First Nations University of Canada. Bowen's mystery novels feature Joanne Kilbourn, a widowed mother, political analyst and university professor who finds herself occasionally involved in criminal investigations in various parts of Saskatchewan. Many have been adapted as Canadian television movies by Shaftesbury Films.
Series:
* Joanne Kilbourn Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (1995): A Colder Kind of Death
Series:
* Joanne Kilbourn Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (1995): A Colder Kind of Death
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 30, 2021
12 Rose Street is the 15th book in the Joanne Kilbourn series, but the first I’ve read. I’ll admit it took me a while to get the plethora of characters straight. I’m not sure I would recommend this as a stand-alone, at least the audio version.
This book is a stark reminder of how ugly and dirty politics have gotten, even at the mayoral level of a medium sized Canadian town. Hopefully this takes it to an unbelievable extreme, as there are threats of kidnapping, a murder that might have been committed by political operatives and personal threats aplenty. The plot rolled out almost exactly as I would have expected with only one major twist I did not anticipate. The book tackles trust and fidelity as its main themes.
I did have a quibble with the idea of the progressive mayoral candidate being buddies with a slumlord. I also was not thrilled by the explicit sex details. I am not a fan of romance novels and this veered into that lane too often for my taste.
That said, this is a decent, entertaining read. The characters were interesting and I appreciated that Zach was not the typical able bodied man.
The narrator, Athena Karkannis, was okay but didn’t bring anything special to the tale.
My thanks to Netgalley and ECW Audio for an advance copy of this book.
This book is a stark reminder of how ugly and dirty politics have gotten, even at the mayoral level of a medium sized Canadian town. Hopefully this takes it to an unbelievable extreme, as there are threats of kidnapping, a murder that might have been committed by political operatives and personal threats aplenty. The plot rolled out almost exactly as I would have expected with only one major twist I did not anticipate. The book tackles trust and fidelity as its main themes.
I did have a quibble with the idea of the progressive mayoral candidate being buddies with a slumlord. I also was not thrilled by the explicit sex details. I am not a fan of romance novels and this veered into that lane too often for my taste.
That said, this is a decent, entertaining read. The characters were interesting and I appreciated that Zach was not the typical able bodied man.
The narrator, Athena Karkannis, was okay but didn’t bring anything special to the tale.
My thanks to Netgalley and ECW Audio for an advance copy of this book.
October 18, 2021
I went into this audio without any knowledge of the author or the series, so this was great as a standalone. 12 Rose Street replicates political forces that will do anything to smear the campaign efforts of others. This is a sinister mystery thriller that defies the laws of legality and friendships. When the dark past of candidates is lurking in the shadows, you will think twice about running for an office.
The audio was not the best way to sink into it, but I was intrigued with the main character Joanne Kilbourn, a former political professor, helping her husband run for mayor of North Central District of Regina, Saskatchewan. Zack Shreve, is a paraplegic lawyer, which makes him a first for this candidacy. Joanne's intelligent character is so giving and real that she makes the story come to life.
At the beginning, the family is preparing for a celebration of a center to benefit the impoverished community, which is heavy with crime and corruption. A good move on his part to help those in need, but to disparage his work, a rumor surfaces a child will be kidnapped at the ceremony and it is told from a slum landlord that will turn out to be a fatal and brutal mistake for him. What is even more sinister, with little knowledge of him, he made Zack beneficiary to all of his rundown housing units. This raises red flags🚩 to his opponent and stoops Zack & Joanne. The crime appears to be centered around the address 12 Rose Street and you will not know what course it will take until that final twist. Wow!!
There are also red herrings throughout and delivered in the most creative format. People are enveloped in that caught me off guard and still pondering, but overall this was a worthwhile gift of audio that helped me get through some grueling yard work, kayaking and house cleaning.
*Needs to be noted: sexual violence against women and children*
Thanks NetGalley & ECW Press Audio for 12 Rose Street.
The audio was not the best way to sink into it, but I was intrigued with the main character Joanne Kilbourn, a former political professor, helping her husband run for mayor of North Central District of Regina, Saskatchewan. Zack Shreve, is a paraplegic lawyer, which makes him a first for this candidacy. Joanne's intelligent character is so giving and real that she makes the story come to life.
At the beginning, the family is preparing for a celebration of a center to benefit the impoverished community, which is heavy with crime and corruption. A good move on his part to help those in need, but to disparage his work, a rumor surfaces a child will be kidnapped at the ceremony and it is told from a slum landlord that will turn out to be a fatal and brutal mistake for him. What is even more sinister, with little knowledge of him, he made Zack beneficiary to all of his rundown housing units. This raises red flags🚩 to his opponent and stoops Zack & Joanne. The crime appears to be centered around the address 12 Rose Street and you will not know what course it will take until that final twist. Wow!!
There are also red herrings throughout and delivered in the most creative format. People are enveloped in that caught me off guard and still pondering, but overall this was a worthwhile gift of audio that helped me get through some grueling yard work, kayaking and house cleaning.
*Needs to be noted: sexual violence against women and children*
Thanks NetGalley & ECW Press Audio for 12 Rose Street.
June 20, 2023
For some reason this one was one of my favourites. Still completely nuts with a lot of the plot wrapping up neatly and disturbingly in the last 20 pages or so but I enjoyed it overall. Let's go Mayor Zack! Make Regina great again.
March 27, 2015
There are books as you turn every page it is a fairy tale. 12 Rose Street is not one of them. Yes, there are many loving scenes, but there are disturbing times which show the two sides of power, when it can be used to make rich richer or when power can be used to boost everyone up. The question Bowen asks is when is it right to pull out all the stops so the side of the power you are on can be the winner?
May 5, 2018
12 Rose Street by Gail Bowen
Joanne Kilbourn is the main character in this crime novel written by the Canadian author, Gail Bowen. A former political science professor, she is managing the mayoralty campaign of her second husband, Zack Shreve, a paraplegic lawyer. The action occurs in the present during the month of September prior the election. It is set in the impoverished north central district of Regina, Saskatchewan. Solving the murder of a complicated “sleaze slumlord” and the mystery of a home located on “12 Rose Street” drives the plot.
There are nineteen chapters in this three hundred and some paged book. The beginning is weighed down with excessive characters, background information and onerous details. It proves a tedious start but the pace improves in Chapter Six with a murder and twists. Though there is a tendency for filler, in particular Chapter Fourteen’s excessive description of a Thanksgiving weekend, 12 Rose Story tells a compelling tale that succeeds in maintaining reader interest.
With regards other comments, Gail Bowen describes the mechanics, various people and range of responsibilities in an election campaign with clarity. I did find it a shortcoming, however, that the use of social media other than references to computers, twitter and cell phones underplayed. The reference primarily to television and radio tended to present an out of date understanding of modern electioneering.
The author deftly portrays the complex relationship between Joanne Kilbourn and Jill Oziowy, a Nation TV reporter and family friend. Though the resolution a tad unrealistic, the dynamics were well-captured and poignantly expressed. Her depiction of Joanne Kilbourn’s friendship with Liz Meighen, the woman’s suffering over the loss of her daughter, Bev Levy plus the manipulation of her developer husband, Graham Meighen and the psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Goetz is also noteworthy. And finally, the author’s description of the poverty-stricken warehouse district and those who live on the edge were brilliantly rendered.
Despite shortcomings, 12 Rose Street is a recommended read.
Marianne Perry
May 4, 2018
Joanne Kilbourn is the main character in this crime novel written by the Canadian author, Gail Bowen. A former political science professor, she is managing the mayoralty campaign of her second husband, Zack Shreve, a paraplegic lawyer. The action occurs in the present during the month of September prior the election. It is set in the impoverished north central district of Regina, Saskatchewan. Solving the murder of a complicated “sleaze slumlord” and the mystery of a home located on “12 Rose Street” drives the plot.
There are nineteen chapters in this three hundred and some paged book. The beginning is weighed down with excessive characters, background information and onerous details. It proves a tedious start but the pace improves in Chapter Six with a murder and twists. Though there is a tendency for filler, in particular Chapter Fourteen’s excessive description of a Thanksgiving weekend, 12 Rose Story tells a compelling tale that succeeds in maintaining reader interest.
With regards other comments, Gail Bowen describes the mechanics, various people and range of responsibilities in an election campaign with clarity. I did find it a shortcoming, however, that the use of social media other than references to computers, twitter and cell phones underplayed. The reference primarily to television and radio tended to present an out of date understanding of modern electioneering.
The author deftly portrays the complex relationship between Joanne Kilbourn and Jill Oziowy, a Nation TV reporter and family friend. Though the resolution a tad unrealistic, the dynamics were well-captured and poignantly expressed. Her depiction of Joanne Kilbourn’s friendship with Liz Meighen, the woman’s suffering over the loss of her daughter, Bev Levy plus the manipulation of her developer husband, Graham Meighen and the psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Goetz is also noteworthy. And finally, the author’s description of the poverty-stricken warehouse district and those who live on the edge were brilliantly rendered.
Despite shortcomings, 12 Rose Street is a recommended read.
Marianne Perry
May 4, 2018
October 8, 2021
This is #15 in the Canadian Crime Series, and my first Joanne Kilbourne Mystery. The story is heavy on her family. There is a deceased husband, current husband, adult kids, a teenager , grand kids, etc. The premise is based on her current husband's political race. I wasn't impressed with that storyline which includes what Bowen interprets as dirty politics. There is a long affair, and then a lot of will or can you forgive me. The book ran too long.
There were several Charlie Brown Teacher moments where the narrator was speaking, and I heard blah blah blah. I wasn't crazy about the narrator for this production. I also had several moments where I felt like I had read this before.
All-in-all I'm going with three stars. It wasn't horrible and I'm not likely to remember it. There is senseless profanity that only the author knows the necessity.
I don't repeat the synopsis or give spoilers.
Thank you NetGalley, Gail Bowen, and ECW Press for accepting my request to read and review this book.
#NetGalley
#GailBowen
#ECWPress
#PenguinRandomHouse
#BespeakAudioEditions
#NarratorAthenaKarkanis
#12RoseStreet
There were several Charlie Brown Teacher moments where the narrator was speaking, and I heard blah blah blah. I wasn't crazy about the narrator for this production. I also had several moments where I felt like I had read this before.
All-in-all I'm going with three stars. It wasn't horrible and I'm not likely to remember it. There is senseless profanity that only the author knows the necessity.
I don't repeat the synopsis or give spoilers.
Thank you NetGalley, Gail Bowen, and ECW Press for accepting my request to read and review this book.
#NetGalley
#GailBowen
#ECWPress
#PenguinRandomHouse
#BespeakAudioEditions
#NarratorAthenaKarkanis
#12RoseStreet
December 15, 2021
I found this book a bit hard to get into at first, and I felt confused by all of the characters. However, once I got into the book more, I started to understand it more and I enjoyed it.
I liked Joanne and her husband, but I wasn't very keen on any of the other characters. Joanne and her husband have good chemistry together and they are also the best of friends. The story is good and it is interesting to read about the politics and the mystery side of it all. The audiobook narrator was perfect for the job and I enjoyed dipping in and out of the book when I had time.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Joanne and her husband, but I wasn't very keen on any of the other characters. Joanne and her husband have good chemistry together and they are also the best of friends. The story is good and it is interesting to read about the politics and the mystery side of it all. The audiobook narrator was perfect for the job and I enjoyed dipping in and out of the book when I had time.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2023
Very well written. Being a former resident of Regina with family involved politics in Regina I found this book to be riveting and nostalgic.
February 11, 2015
I received a free copy of this book through the First Reads scheme. I have not read any of the previous 14 Joanne Kilburn novels, and perhaps that is why I found the cast of characters introduced in the opening chapters rather overwhelming. There seemed to me to be altogether too many characters, some of whom served no useful purpose (Joanne's sons, the family who randomly joined them at the lake at Thanksgiving, Margot etc), but maybe they appeared in earlier episodes and the author felt the need to keep them "current".
Joanne is the campaign manager for her husband Zack's candidacy for mayor of Regina (although, apart from a brief flurry of activity towards the end, this seemed to consist mainly of going shopping and chatting to people) and in the opening chapter Zack and a friend running for council (Brock) are opening a community centre they have set up. There is a rumour that their political enemies will kidnap a child to ruin the day (seems a bit extreme, but whatever...) and a slum landlord/former client of Zack's averts this and then turns up murdered. Zack then inherits said landlord's properties and the campaigning goes on.
I liked Joanne and Zack and some of the other characters were engaging/interesting, e.g. Jill and Milo, but too many of the (numerous) characters were only sketchily portrayed, e.g. Brock, Margot, Michael Goetz. I quite enjoyed the middle section - the revelations about Ian were truly shocking - and overall I felt the book was well-plotted, but the ending was a little rushed and left a bad taste in the mouth.
Things that troubled me:
- How readily Jill was forgiven and received back into the "family" by Joanne
- Why did Michael Goetz marry Slater Doyle?
- The kidnapping a child plot at the beginning should have been tied in again at the end
- Why did Nell Standingready agree to live at no.12, when she clearly knew something bad had happened to her grand-daughter there? How much did she know?
- Why was it acceptable for Michael Goetz and Slater Doyle to have sex with "two twinks - really young guys... no body hair", given that they were rightly appalled that Ellen was "just a child".
- Why did every one take so calmly Michael's admission that he had given Liz drugs to confuse her so that Graham could get all her money? I would have had him struck off and prosecuted without delay.
I won't be reading any others in this series.
Joanne is the campaign manager for her husband Zack's candidacy for mayor of Regina (although, apart from a brief flurry of activity towards the end, this seemed to consist mainly of going shopping and chatting to people) and in the opening chapter Zack and a friend running for council (Brock) are opening a community centre they have set up. There is a rumour that their political enemies will kidnap a child to ruin the day (seems a bit extreme, but whatever...) and a slum landlord/former client of Zack's averts this and then turns up murdered. Zack then inherits said landlord's properties and the campaigning goes on.
I liked Joanne and Zack and some of the other characters were engaging/interesting, e.g. Jill and Milo, but too many of the (numerous) characters were only sketchily portrayed, e.g. Brock, Margot, Michael Goetz. I quite enjoyed the middle section - the revelations about Ian were truly shocking - and overall I felt the book was well-plotted, but the ending was a little rushed and left a bad taste in the mouth.
Things that troubled me:
- How readily Jill was forgiven and received back into the "family" by Joanne
- Why did Michael Goetz marry Slater Doyle?
- The kidnapping a child plot at the beginning should have been tied in again at the end
- Why did Nell Standingready agree to live at no.12, when she clearly knew something bad had happened to her grand-daughter there? How much did she know?
- Why was it acceptable for Michael Goetz and Slater Doyle to have sex with "two twinks - really young guys... no body hair", given that they were rightly appalled that Ellen was "just a child".
- Why did every one take so calmly Michael's admission that he had given Liz drugs to confuse her so that Graham could get all her money? I would have had him struck off and prosecuted without delay.
I won't be reading any others in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2015
Goodreads Paperback Win
We are once again finds ourselves with Joanne Kilbourn in the 15th installment of this series.
This time Joanne is in the middle of her husband Zack’s run for political office as the race is close. The campaign is not pretty and a disturbing threat threatens to ruin the opening of a center that helps the impoverish people of the community that Zack’s supports.
Things get disturbing when an acquaintance of Zack is murdered and leaves him a lot of rundown homes in the community making him a slum lord. Joanne realizes that people are willing to kill in order for things to remain the same.
When Zack’s opponents share some shocking news that changes her longtime relationship with her longtime friend Jill, she tries to maintain herself and family while seeking the truth. We watch as she handles the feeling of betrayal and the past she thought she had with her deceased husband.
Politics coming full circle in this case.
We are once again finds ourselves with Joanne Kilbourn in the 15th installment of this series.
This time Joanne is in the middle of her husband Zack’s run for political office as the race is close. The campaign is not pretty and a disturbing threat threatens to ruin the opening of a center that helps the impoverish people of the community that Zack’s supports.
Things get disturbing when an acquaintance of Zack is murdered and leaves him a lot of rundown homes in the community making him a slum lord. Joanne realizes that people are willing to kill in order for things to remain the same.
When Zack’s opponents share some shocking news that changes her longtime relationship with her longtime friend Jill, she tries to maintain herself and family while seeking the truth. We watch as she handles the feeling of betrayal and the past she thought she had with her deceased husband.
Politics coming full circle in this case.
May 8, 2015
This is my favourite Bowen to date. They just keep getting better. Yes, Joanne Kilbourn is perfect, but isn't what we all aspire to be - that person who always does the right thing despite all odds. Gail Bowen will be in Red Deer on May 11, 2015 at Red Deer Public Library, and I can't wait to see her. It was particularly fun to read this title in light of Alberta's recent election. I'm interested to hear whether or not Ms Bowen has an opinion on the process and the outcome. Or "what would Joanne thinkg?" Great book, lots of suspense and very fast paced. Always looking forward to the next one!
March 11, 2015
I really liked the latest addition to the Joanne Kilbourn saga. With he husband running for mayor, Joanne is involved in politics, trying to solve a murder and an unexpected betrayal by a friend. Again, one of my favorite parts of this series is the warm family dynamic that is always present, as well as her strong relationship with her husband Zach. This was a terrific read.
October 31, 2015
This was an amazing book by a Gail Bowen I enjoyed reading it so much. I also enjoyed meeting Gail Bowen and getting my book signed by her in Calgary. Both the Author and the book are amazing and I hope other people enjoyed this book as much as I did. Gail said that her next book would continue where 12 Rose Street left off so I can't wait to see what happens in the next book in the series.
March 14, 2015
Poor Joanne and her friends and family go through more trauma per chapter! And for all that there are times when I look at these people and just shake my head, I cannot get enough of this series. I thought this book ended a little abruptly, but it was still a satisfying and compelling read.
January 20, 2016
Loved this book. Well written, well plotted, well done. Love the main character. And it feels less like a mystery and more like suspense. Definitely cozy. Joanne Kilbourn is a strong, appealing, imperfect female protagonist over 40, which I also love!
March 8, 2015
The pixie dust is fading....
April 4, 2015
I LOVE this author - so intelligently written and compelling
May 3, 2015
Same old, same old. Getting tired of the protagonist's perfect life.
March 11, 2023
Joanna Kilborn and her husband Zack Shreve live in the city of Regina where Zack is running for mayor and Joanna is running his campaign and that of a close friend who is running for a seat on the City Council. While it is unlikely that Zack can unseat the current mayor, the two feel that they need to try as the people in their community are underrepresented and poverty surrounds them.
But politics is not always a gentle game. At the opening of a community center Zack has headed up, a local real estate investor tells them he has heard rumors that a child will be kidnapped. That doesn't happen, but the man is killed that night. Joanna and Zack feel that his murder is connected to the story he told them.
As the campaign heats up, more incidents occur. Joanna's family live close by and helping with her grandchildren is another big part of her life, as is the activities of her daughter still at home. Joanna reconnects with an old friend but their friendship is tested by the revelation of an earlier betrayal. The friend also starts seeing Zack's opponent and that tests the friendship as well. As the election approaches, more secrets emerge and more crimes occur. Can Joanna keep her family together and solve the crimes?
Gail Bowen is a popular Canadian crime writer and this book is the fifteenth in the Joanna Kilborn series. It is reminiscent of a Louise Penney novel as the main focus is on Joanna's family and friends and how crime impacts them. The characters are finely drawn and much time is given to developing the relationships between Joanna and the other characters. This book is recommended for mystery readers and those who want to experience a Canadian crime writer.
But politics is not always a gentle game. At the opening of a community center Zack has headed up, a local real estate investor tells them he has heard rumors that a child will be kidnapped. That doesn't happen, but the man is killed that night. Joanna and Zack feel that his murder is connected to the story he told them.
As the campaign heats up, more incidents occur. Joanna's family live close by and helping with her grandchildren is another big part of her life, as is the activities of her daughter still at home. Joanna reconnects with an old friend but their friendship is tested by the revelation of an earlier betrayal. The friend also starts seeing Zack's opponent and that tests the friendship as well. As the election approaches, more secrets emerge and more crimes occur. Can Joanna keep her family together and solve the crimes?
Gail Bowen is a popular Canadian crime writer and this book is the fifteenth in the Joanna Kilborn series. It is reminiscent of a Louise Penney novel as the main focus is on Joanna's family and friends and how crime impacts them. The characters are finely drawn and much time is given to developing the relationships between Joanna and the other characters. This book is recommended for mystery readers and those who want to experience a Canadian crime writer.
May 20, 2021
Joanne and Zack, who is running for mayor of Regina, are preparing for the grand opening of the Racette-Hunter Community Center. The Center is a complex that houses classrooms and recreational facilities. It is a place that offers people the opportunity to change their lives.
However, the Center has been opposed by the developers in the area who had their own plans for the land. A former client of Zack's has come forward to warn of a rumor that there is a plan to kidnap a child and ruin the festivities and the Center's future. Quietly the police are notified and the many volunteers are alerted of the threat and the day goes off without a hitch.
But the next day Joanne and Zack are informed of the murder of his client. Revenge?
Joanne and Zack know the race for mayor will be an uphill battle. The incumbent and his counsellors have the support of the monied land developers and his campaign manager has let Joanne know that nothing is off limits in the campaign.
Joanne is no novice in politics, but she and Zack are in for a rough ride.
Once again Gail Bowen has written a thought provoking novel. She doesn't shy away from the issues of poverty and social justice and their effects on minorities.
However, the Center has been opposed by the developers in the area who had their own plans for the land. A former client of Zack's has come forward to warn of a rumor that there is a plan to kidnap a child and ruin the festivities and the Center's future. Quietly the police are notified and the many volunteers are alerted of the threat and the day goes off without a hitch.
But the next day Joanne and Zack are informed of the murder of his client. Revenge?
Joanne and Zack know the race for mayor will be an uphill battle. The incumbent and his counsellors have the support of the monied land developers and his campaign manager has let Joanne know that nothing is off limits in the campaign.
Joanne is no novice in politics, but she and Zack are in for a rough ride.
Once again Gail Bowen has written a thought provoking novel. She doesn't shy away from the issues of poverty and social justice and their effects on minorities.
September 13, 2021
12 Rose Street - Gail Bowen
Narrated by Athena Karkanis
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Joanne's husband Zack is the leading progressive candidate in a neck-and-neck race, with the existing mayor, for Regina's top job. The tough campaigning is well underway when a disturbing threat disrupts the celebration for the opening of the Racette-Hunter Centre -- a project Zack has been spearheading, intended to benefit the impoverished community of North Central Regina. Joanne soon realizes that sinister interests are working behind the scenes of the election, and another savage act makes clear that someone will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo.
This is the second book I have read in the series and this was read as more of a stand-alone than as part of a series. This is a well-written thought provoking novel containing difficult topics such as; miscarriage, poverty and social justice.
An emotional and gripping read that I would highly recommend.
Rating 4/5
Narrated by Athena Karkanis
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Joanne's husband Zack is the leading progressive candidate in a neck-and-neck race, with the existing mayor, for Regina's top job. The tough campaigning is well underway when a disturbing threat disrupts the celebration for the opening of the Racette-Hunter Centre -- a project Zack has been spearheading, intended to benefit the impoverished community of North Central Regina. Joanne soon realizes that sinister interests are working behind the scenes of the election, and another savage act makes clear that someone will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo.
This is the second book I have read in the series and this was read as more of a stand-alone than as part of a series. This is a well-written thought provoking novel containing difficult topics such as; miscarriage, poverty and social justice.
An emotional and gripping read that I would highly recommend.
Rating 4/5
September 25, 2021
I had the opportunity to listen to 12 Rose Street and was a bit concerned jumping into a series already in progress. I was pleasantly surprised at how accessible this stood as a stand-alone novel. Please note content warnings for domestic violence, sexual violence, and violence against children.
12 Rose Street is intense, suspenseful, and engaging. It is thrilling, at times quite disturbing, and very twisty. The audiobook narrator brought this nicely written mystery to life. I think I just may need to get into the full Joanne Kilbourn Mystery series!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the narrator, and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.
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12 Rose Street is intense, suspenseful, and engaging. It is thrilling, at times quite disturbing, and very twisty. The audiobook narrator brought this nicely written mystery to life. I think I just may need to get into the full Joanne Kilbourn Mystery series!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the narrator, and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.
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#12RoseStreet
#NetGalley
#GailBowen
#AthenaKarkanis
#ECWPressAudio
#PenguinRandomHouse
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#Mystery
#Thriller
#StrongWoman
#StrongFemaleCharacter
#MurderMystery
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October 6, 2021
Readers are gonna wanna make sure to pick this one up before they decide to run for any type of local politics… Who knew things could get so vicious!?!?
12 Rose Street offers readers an intense look an the seedy underbelly of campaigning in this suspenseful thriller. Full of twists and some disturbing, (hopefully unrealistic) tactics reads are sure to have a hard time putting this one down at night. While this is book 15 in a series it read perfectly fine as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the narrator, and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 stars with a 14+ reading for mature content and language
12 Rose Street offers readers an intense look an the seedy underbelly of campaigning in this suspenseful thriller. Full of twists and some disturbing, (hopefully unrealistic) tactics reads are sure to have a hard time putting this one down at night. While this is book 15 in a series it read perfectly fine as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the narrator, and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 stars with a 14+ reading for mature content and language
February 13, 2018
Zack is running for mayor, and the campaign gets brutally ugly. Someone exposes to Joanne audio tapes of her deceased husband having oral sex with her best friend Jill. Joanne must come to grips with the 15 year relationship being the reason Ian was often away from family events. This is an emotional and gripping family political story that is unexcelled.
March 28, 2021
Joanne's husband is running for mayor of Regina, and some powerful people are not exactly thrilled at the prospect that he might actually win. Of course in dirty campaigns, some secrets are revealed while others cause people to do anything at all to keep them buried. I liked this one so much more than the previous installment even if it did involve politics.
November 4, 2021
I had the privilege to listen to this book through Net Galley. Thank you for allowing me to listen to this new story. This was my first read and listen by this author, Gail Bowen. A very good listen of Joanna Kilbourn and her husband Zack in a race for mayor in the town of Regina. Then the mystery of 12 Rose Street and what happen there.
January 2, 2020
This is my first time reading this author. I read the book for an upcoming book club meeting at the local library. I really enjoyed the mature characters although I felt there was a bit too much of ensuring the hero characters had such well rounded lives. Great pace to the mysteries of the plot,
September 17, 2021
I received an audiobook version of this book for review.
I enjoyed the book. The writing was nice. The story was kind of a mash-up and lost my attention at times. Decent read.
I enjoyed the book. The writing was nice. The story was kind of a mash-up and lost my attention at times. Decent read.
January 27, 2022
Another enjoyable book in this series
November 5, 2022
Another typically good Bowen mystery.
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