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Detective Gemma Monroe #2
A Season to Lie
Following her acclaimed debut Inherit the Bones, this is Emily Littlejohn’s next mesmerizing mystery featuring Colorado police officer Gemma Monroe.
In Emily Littlejohn's follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Inherit the Bones, police officer Gemma Monroe has just returned to work from maternity leave. And what a first day back: a blizzard is blowing into her idyllic Colorado ski town, and while Gemma hopes for a quiet, warm evening in, she knows it will mean plenty of calls out for snow-related accidents. But when an anonymous caller reports seeing a lurker at the local high school, Gemma gets far more than she bargained for. Behind the school building, half covered in a drift of snow, lies the gruesomely murdered body of a world-famous author—whose presence in town was meant to be a secret.
In Emily Littlejohn's follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Inherit the Bones, police officer Gemma Monroe has just returned to work from maternity leave. And what a first day back: a blizzard is blowing into her idyllic Colorado ski town, and while Gemma hopes for a quiet, warm evening in, she knows it will mean plenty of calls out for snow-related accidents. But when an anonymous caller reports seeing a lurker at the local high school, Gemma gets far more than she bargained for. Behind the school building, half covered in a drift of snow, lies the gruesomely murdered body of a world-famous author—whose presence in town was meant to be a secret.
290 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2017
138 people are currently reading
1323 people want to read
About the author
Emily Littlejohn
6 books218 followersEmily Littlejohn is a Colorado-based novelist. She writes the Cedar Valley Mystery Series featuring Detective Gemma Monroe and is currently at work on a standalone thriller. She is a two-time Colorado Book Award finalist.
When Emily is not writing, she oversees collection development and management for a midsize public library system. She is passionate about literacy, access to information and the right to read.
Emily is available for book club conversations; public speaking engagements; and coaching authors through her business Catch Your Story.
When Emily is not writing, she oversees collection development and management for a midsize public library system. She is passionate about literacy, access to information and the right to read.
Emily is available for book club conversations; public speaking engagements; and coaching authors through her business Catch Your Story.
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November 8, 2017
Gemma has just returned from maternity leave, her daughter Grace left in the care of her partner, when a call to a private school about an intruder, leads to the discovery of a body. Gemma and her police partner Finn soon discover it is the body of a famous author, in the town incognito, only a long time friend knew he was there. This discovery will split the plot into many different threads, one including the Brothers Grimm.
The setting is fabulous, a Colorado ski town, massive amounts of snow falling and more already on the ground. Have to say I like reading about snow much better than actually dealing with it. But the star of this series, of which this is the second, is Gemma herself. She is so easy to relate to, a new mother, missing her baby, feeling guilty, but needing to get out and do something. Trying to juggle home, family and her job, often grabbing crap food because there is little time for a proper meal. The pace is brisk, not graphic, but suspenseful enough. A few surprises, though I had an inkling who was involved in the final denoument, though not the full extent of the why.
A good solid new series, with some interesting developments, which I'm sure will be further explored in future books.
ARC from Netgalley.
The setting is fabulous, a Colorado ski town, massive amounts of snow falling and more already on the ground. Have to say I like reading about snow much better than actually dealing with it. But the star of this series, of which this is the second, is Gemma herself. She is so easy to relate to, a new mother, missing her baby, feeling guilty, but needing to get out and do something. Trying to juggle home, family and her job, often grabbing crap food because there is little time for a proper meal. The pace is brisk, not graphic, but suspenseful enough. A few surprises, though I had an inkling who was involved in the final denoument, though not the full extent of the why.
A good solid new series, with some interesting developments, which I'm sure will be further explored in future books.
ARC from Netgalley.
November 21, 2017
As a cop, I tell myself that I am the hunter and death is my prey. But I'm starting to think that's a lie. The truth is, it's death that's following me. It has followed me all my life.
As this is a sequel to Inherit the Bones, I'll keep it short and to the point. I don't like to rehash the basics in every book of a series, but I felt this one had many strengths, yet also a few weaknesses. I found myself torn throughout the entire read; while I was thoroughly invested in the personal goings on of the reoccurring characters, I found myself struggling a bit to make it through the case pertaining to this book. If I had to choose, I would much rather struggle with the bit that will only involve this book in lieu of the ongoing story, which is why I gave this an "I enjoyed this with slight hesitations" 3 stars.
"You love it," Finn said. "Admit it. Not the fact that someone's dead, of course, but you love being back in the game. I saw you, watching him, watching the woods. Watching is in your blood, Gemma. It's all you know."
There was some serious growth in Gemma and our other main characters in this book; I loved this! In the debut to the series I felt Littlejohn created a cast I immediately connected with; that bond only deepened during A Season to Lie as we follow Gemma along her new journey into motherhood. I found myself itching to read this book from the moment I laid down the last one because I just wanted to see how my crew was doing. I may be in the minority, but it felt like the case took a major backseat to the personal stuff, which was fine if there had been more of the personal stuff. The mystery into the murder(s) wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything groundbreaking. I figured out who the murderer was early on, which wasn't a deal breaker for me, but the entire book felt repetitive. Each chapter contained a lengthy scene where Gemma was rehashing the clues they had put together thus far, either in her head or with someone else. I do understand the importance of keeping your audience abreast of what's going on, but I found myself skipping entire chunks and not missing a thing due to this nature. Other than that, this was a solid crime novel with excellent characters and a creepy undertone that held my attention. Even though I wasn't blown away by this installment I will most definitely be reading the next book as the characters really are top notch.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy via NetGalley.
As this is a sequel to Inherit the Bones, I'll keep it short and to the point. I don't like to rehash the basics in every book of a series, but I felt this one had many strengths, yet also a few weaknesses. I found myself torn throughout the entire read; while I was thoroughly invested in the personal goings on of the reoccurring characters, I found myself struggling a bit to make it through the case pertaining to this book. If I had to choose, I would much rather struggle with the bit that will only involve this book in lieu of the ongoing story, which is why I gave this an "I enjoyed this with slight hesitations" 3 stars.
"You love it," Finn said. "Admit it. Not the fact that someone's dead, of course, but you love being back in the game. I saw you, watching him, watching the woods. Watching is in your blood, Gemma. It's all you know."
There was some serious growth in Gemma and our other main characters in this book; I loved this! In the debut to the series I felt Littlejohn created a cast I immediately connected with; that bond only deepened during A Season to Lie as we follow Gemma along her new journey into motherhood. I found myself itching to read this book from the moment I laid down the last one because I just wanted to see how my crew was doing. I may be in the minority, but it felt like the case took a major backseat to the personal stuff, which was fine if there had been more of the personal stuff. The mystery into the murder(s) wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything groundbreaking. I figured out who the murderer was early on, which wasn't a deal breaker for me, but the entire book felt repetitive. Each chapter contained a lengthy scene where Gemma was rehashing the clues they had put together thus far, either in her head or with someone else. I do understand the importance of keeping your audience abreast of what's going on, but I found myself skipping entire chunks and not missing a thing due to this nature. Other than that, this was a solid crime novel with excellent characters and a creepy undertone that held my attention. Even though I wasn't blown away by this installment I will most definitely be reading the next book as the characters really are top notch.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy via NetGalley.
November 14, 2017
Last year I had the pleasure of reading Littlejohn’s debut, Inherit the Bones and absolutely fell in love with Gemma and the town of Cedar Valley. There is something tragically poetic about the authors style then you combine that with a classic murder mystery feel and you have a wonderful juxtaposition that makes for a captivating read.
This picks up three months after Gemma has given birth to her daughter Grace, right as she’s about to head back to work. Her struggle to balance being a new mom and maintain a healthy separation between work and home is so very relatable and her and Brody’s relationship is far from perfect, especially as they adjust to parenthood. Naturally there is a murder the same day Gemma returns, there is no easing back into the job as she had hoped. Besides the murder investigation Gemma stumbles upon a horrific bully at the high school where the murder was committed. The tyrant goes by Grimm as in the brothers Grimm and doles out punishments based on fairy tales. Plenty going on here and the subplots added intrigue to an already interesting storyline.
This would be perfect to curl up with during the colder months, it’s the dead of winter in Cedar Valley and the setting is so well crafted that it’s practically a character of its own. A murder set against a series of blizzards makes a chilling combination and while it wasn’t twisty in the truest sense of the word, it still kept me on my toes and eager to follow Gemma in the future.
This picks up three months after Gemma has given birth to her daughter Grace, right as she’s about to head back to work. Her struggle to balance being a new mom and maintain a healthy separation between work and home is so very relatable and her and Brody’s relationship is far from perfect, especially as they adjust to parenthood. Naturally there is a murder the same day Gemma returns, there is no easing back into the job as she had hoped. Besides the murder investigation Gemma stumbles upon a horrific bully at the high school where the murder was committed. The tyrant goes by Grimm as in the brothers Grimm and doles out punishments based on fairy tales. Plenty going on here and the subplots added intrigue to an already interesting storyline.
This would be perfect to curl up with during the colder months, it’s the dead of winter in Cedar Valley and the setting is so well crafted that it’s practically a character of its own. A murder set against a series of blizzards makes a chilling combination and while it wasn’t twisty in the truest sense of the word, it still kept me on my toes and eager to follow Gemma in the future.
November 6, 2017
A Season to Lie is the sequel to Emily Littlejohn's compelling debut novel, Inherit the Bones. The story opens when Detective Gemma Moore returns from maternity leave, trying to ease back into the job on a part-time basis. On her first night, she and her partner Finn are assigned to investigate a prowler reported at the Valley Academy, a prestigious private school. Instead they discover the stabbed body of a world-famous author who had been masquerading as a visiting professor at the school. In the victim's mouth they find a cryptic note, "This is only the beginning."
Suspects abound. Teachers, staff, and students are caught in lies. There are reports of a mysterious "Rabbit Man" lurking in the forest surrounding the school. A faceless bully known as Grimm has been terrorizing the students, and everyone wonders if Grimm could be the murderer—or maybe even the victim. And then there's a second murder.
Alistair Campbell, a shady developer who recently came to town with a crew of ex-convicts, begins stalking Gemma's family. Alistair tempts Brody, the father of Gemma's baby daughter, with a lucrative offer to go on the road with him and forsake his promise to be a stay-at-home dad while writing a grant-funded geology textbook.
Although Brody and Gemma are living together and raising their daughter as a family unit, Gemma still can't bring herself to tie the knot. She harbors unresolved feelings of betrayal from an affair Brody had with a co-worker, even though he has assured her it is over for good. In the last book, Gemma resented being paired with Detective Finn, whom she found uncouth and a bit unethical, but in this book, their partnership is blossoming into one of mutual trust and respect, with their diverse strengths complementing each other to solve crimes. I predict romantic sparks in future installments; after all, opposites attract.
A Season to Lie, full of twists and turns, will keep the reader guessing until the end. Emily Littlejohn, a California native who has made her home in Colorado, writes so beautifully about the gorgeous ski-town setting that you can see the majestic Rocky mountains, smell the snow-covered evergreens, and feel the bitter winter cold as you immerse yourself in Gemma's story.
Suspects abound. Teachers, staff, and students are caught in lies. There are reports of a mysterious "Rabbit Man" lurking in the forest surrounding the school. A faceless bully known as Grimm has been terrorizing the students, and everyone wonders if Grimm could be the murderer—or maybe even the victim. And then there's a second murder.
Alistair Campbell, a shady developer who recently came to town with a crew of ex-convicts, begins stalking Gemma's family. Alistair tempts Brody, the father of Gemma's baby daughter, with a lucrative offer to go on the road with him and forsake his promise to be a stay-at-home dad while writing a grant-funded geology textbook.
Although Brody and Gemma are living together and raising their daughter as a family unit, Gemma still can't bring herself to tie the knot. She harbors unresolved feelings of betrayal from an affair Brody had with a co-worker, even though he has assured her it is over for good. In the last book, Gemma resented being paired with Detective Finn, whom she found uncouth and a bit unethical, but in this book, their partnership is blossoming into one of mutual trust and respect, with their diverse strengths complementing each other to solve crimes. I predict romantic sparks in future installments; after all, opposites attract.
A Season to Lie, full of twists and turns, will keep the reader guessing until the end. Emily Littlejohn, a California native who has made her home in Colorado, writes so beautifully about the gorgeous ski-town setting that you can see the majestic Rocky mountains, smell the snow-covered evergreens, and feel the bitter winter cold as you immerse yourself in Gemma's story.
November 28, 2017
Police officer Gemma Monroe returns from maternity leave and is immediately plunged back into the job when she finds a dead man at the local private academy. He's been left in the snow, stuck to a tree with a knife in his stomach. The man turns out to be a famous author hiding out in plain sight in Gemma's Colorado town. Even worse, that same private school is being plagued by a vicious bully who calls him or herself "Grimm." Reunited with her partner, Finn, Gemma finds herself dealing with the murder case, the bullying incidents, and a strange construction company--made up mainly of ex-convicts--that seems to have made itself at home in her town. So much for easing herself back into the job...
I very much enjoyed Emily Littlejohn's first Gemma Monroe novel, Inherit the Bones, and was really excited to see the second one come out. It's always exciting to see a realistic female detective portrayed in literature. Gemma is much the same in this second foray--practical and levelheaded. She's back to work after the birth of her daughter, Grace, with whom she was pregnant in BONES. The novel does a great job of portraying a working, breastfeeding mom and giving us a realistic look at the struggles a mom faces when juggling work and motherhood. As a mother who went back to work when her own daughters were young and faced a harried schedule, I really appreciated that about this novel.
Thankfully, I did not encounter a dead body on my first day back, just a lot of meetings! Gemma, of course, takes it all in stride, as she cannot help but enjoy the thrill of the hunt. The novel gives us a lot of reflection and thoughts from Gemma. I'd call this one a bit of a slow-burner. I read it while busy and it took me nearly a week. The storyline wasn't one that had me itching to pick it up and see what happens--there's several divergent plot lines and none feel particularly urgent or overly suspenseful.
A pervasive weariness almost overlays the pages--a reflection of the weather (think snow, all the time) and Gemma's general fatigue as she faces returning to work while juggling having a tiny baby at home. That's not to say the book isn't interesting, because it certainly is. Especially when the case starts to intersect with Gemma and Finn's personal lives--which isn't surprising, considering they are small town police officers/detectives. The Grimm storyline is a bit of a bizarre concept and the resolution, while a total surprise to me, was a bit anticlimactic. A few of the plot threads do tie up a little too easily, but the main case befuddled me throughout the entire novel, so kudos to Littlejohn for that. I had some suspicions, but she convinced me to cast them aside, so I'm always pleased when that happens.
What I enjoyed most about this book was Gemma herself. It's probably obvious that I identify with and like her--I enjoy her steadfast character, even though she also has bouts of anxiety and uncertain times. Seeing her as both a mom and working detective was great. This being a second novel, we're gaining enough recurring characters (Gemma, Finn, Gemma's partner/quasi-husband, Brody, Gemma's grandparents, a few other townspeople) that you recognize them and their quirks. Another plotline is left a bit unresolved, leading me to hope that a third Gemma novel is in the works. Even though this wasn't the most exciting of all mysteries, I found it solid and enjoyable, much like its protagonist. I'd certainly read any Gemma Monroe novel I could get my hands on. 3.5+ stars.
You can read my review of the first Gemma novel, INHERIT THE BONES, here.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review; it is available everywhere as of 11/14/2017.
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I very much enjoyed Emily Littlejohn's first Gemma Monroe novel, Inherit the Bones, and was really excited to see the second one come out. It's always exciting to see a realistic female detective portrayed in literature. Gemma is much the same in this second foray--practical and levelheaded. She's back to work after the birth of her daughter, Grace, with whom she was pregnant in BONES. The novel does a great job of portraying a working, breastfeeding mom and giving us a realistic look at the struggles a mom faces when juggling work and motherhood. As a mother who went back to work when her own daughters were young and faced a harried schedule, I really appreciated that about this novel.
Thankfully, I did not encounter a dead body on my first day back, just a lot of meetings! Gemma, of course, takes it all in stride, as she cannot help but enjoy the thrill of the hunt. The novel gives us a lot of reflection and thoughts from Gemma. I'd call this one a bit of a slow-burner. I read it while busy and it took me nearly a week. The storyline wasn't one that had me itching to pick it up and see what happens--there's several divergent plot lines and none feel particularly urgent or overly suspenseful.
A pervasive weariness almost overlays the pages--a reflection of the weather (think snow, all the time) and Gemma's general fatigue as she faces returning to work while juggling having a tiny baby at home. That's not to say the book isn't interesting, because it certainly is. Especially when the case starts to intersect with Gemma and Finn's personal lives--which isn't surprising, considering they are small town police officers/detectives. The Grimm storyline is a bit of a bizarre concept and the resolution, while a total surprise to me, was a bit anticlimactic. A few of the plot threads do tie up a little too easily, but the main case befuddled me throughout the entire novel, so kudos to Littlejohn for that. I had some suspicions, but she convinced me to cast them aside, so I'm always pleased when that happens.
What I enjoyed most about this book was Gemma herself. It's probably obvious that I identify with and like her--I enjoy her steadfast character, even though she also has bouts of anxiety and uncertain times. Seeing her as both a mom and working detective was great. This being a second novel, we're gaining enough recurring characters (Gemma, Finn, Gemma's partner/quasi-husband, Brody, Gemma's grandparents, a few other townspeople) that you recognize them and their quirks. Another plotline is left a bit unresolved, leading me to hope that a third Gemma novel is in the works. Even though this wasn't the most exciting of all mysteries, I found it solid and enjoyable, much like its protagonist. I'd certainly read any Gemma Monroe novel I could get my hands on. 3.5+ stars.
You can read my review of the first Gemma novel, INHERIT THE BONES, here.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review; it is available everywhere as of 11/14/2017.
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March 1, 2019
3.5 stars- This is the second in this series and it was a pretty good read. It you like female detective, police procedure type books then you will enjoy this series. I've read better , but all in all a good , fast read.
January 31, 2019
The setting (a mountain town in Colorado) and lead character, Gemma Monroe (female detective and new mom), make this book fresh and interesting. While some scenes succeed in setting a creepy and suspenseful atmosphere, the mystery overall is disjointed and ultimately falls flat. However, the character development and interaction is compelling and engaging and makes following this series worthwhile.
January 23, 2018
As Gemma returns to work at the Cedar Valley police station, her first call out is a murder on the grounds of the Valley Academy. With many false trails of investigation, this story introduces many new and interesting characters. This second book in this Colorado series is exciting and fast paced. This book is a great read for any mystery reader.
Quotes I liked from this book: Gemma ruminating, “It’s a brave thing, leaving all that you know to find what you might become.”
Find A Season to Lie at the Westminster Public Library.
Quotes I liked from this book: Gemma ruminating, “It’s a brave thing, leaving all that you know to find what you might become.”
Find A Season to Lie at the Westminster Public Library.
October 24, 2017
A Season to Lie is the second story in the Detective Gemma Monroe series. I don’t think you need to read the first to read this one. I didn’t and got involved with the characters with ease. It starts with the murder of a famous author who was secretly in the town to write his memoirs. While investigating the murder, Gemma learns of other things happening at the private school the author was lecturing at. It started off well enough and I enjoyed how things developed. As the story unfolded, I too wondered where it will all lead. But it wasn’t suspenseful enough to keep me interested till the end. When it is all resolved, I felt let down, not thrilled.
April 23, 2018
Original Review: Mad Book Love
Gemma Monroe has just returned to work after her maternity leave when a new murder falls in her lap. And the victim is a highly revered author who has been secretly living in town under a different name! As if that weren’t enough (she’s only supposed to be back part-time after all), some questionable contractors have started doing business in town (mobbed up, maybe???), and her co-worker Sam is being pushed to work for them via his grandfather (definitely mobbed up). While investigating the murder, Gemma starts questioning the roles she has chosen, as a cop, a new mother, a life partner, and is constantly reevaluating her priorities. Meanwhile, the suspect pool is a little deeper than you’d expect in such a small town. Catching this killer is going to be a lot harder than she thought.
There was a great deal of introspection in this book that I really appreciated. Gemma is a new mom who has just returned to work, to a job that she loves fiercely but is extremely dangerous at times. She feels that tug (and the guilt) that come along with being away from a new baby, but she really does love her job so much. Still, balancing childcare with her partner is challenging, and their relationship is feeling some of the bumps that come along with such a big change.
At work, she is trying to find her way back into the fold. She’s been on maternity leave for awhile and she hasn’t kept up with everyone during her absence. Sam had suffered a devastating injury during their last case and can now only do a desk job. Her partner has a new mystery girlfriend, and is behaving differently. Everything has changed just a little, and she doesn’t like having missed out.
I gotta be honest, I guessed who the killer was pretty early on, as well as the motive. But. It was still a decent plot and a fun story to read. This is a series I’ve really enjoyed so far, and I’ll be keeping my eye out for the next in series.
Recommended for anyone who likes something that falls between a cozy and a thriller/mystery. It’s very light on language, sex and gore. Ultra-light, honestly. But moodier and more atmospheric than a cozy.
Note: I received this book from the publisher. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
Gemma Monroe has just returned to work after her maternity leave when a new murder falls in her lap. And the victim is a highly revered author who has been secretly living in town under a different name! As if that weren’t enough (she’s only supposed to be back part-time after all), some questionable contractors have started doing business in town (mobbed up, maybe???), and her co-worker Sam is being pushed to work for them via his grandfather (definitely mobbed up). While investigating the murder, Gemma starts questioning the roles she has chosen, as a cop, a new mother, a life partner, and is constantly reevaluating her priorities. Meanwhile, the suspect pool is a little deeper than you’d expect in such a small town. Catching this killer is going to be a lot harder than she thought.
There was a great deal of introspection in this book that I really appreciated. Gemma is a new mom who has just returned to work, to a job that she loves fiercely but is extremely dangerous at times. She feels that tug (and the guilt) that come along with being away from a new baby, but she really does love her job so much. Still, balancing childcare with her partner is challenging, and their relationship is feeling some of the bumps that come along with such a big change.
At work, she is trying to find her way back into the fold. She’s been on maternity leave for awhile and she hasn’t kept up with everyone during her absence. Sam had suffered a devastating injury during their last case and can now only do a desk job. Her partner has a new mystery girlfriend, and is behaving differently. Everything has changed just a little, and she doesn’t like having missed out.
I gotta be honest, I guessed who the killer was pretty early on, as well as the motive. But. It was still a decent plot and a fun story to read. This is a series I’ve really enjoyed so far, and I’ll be keeping my eye out for the next in series.
Recommended for anyone who likes something that falls between a cozy and a thriller/mystery. It’s very light on language, sex and gore. Ultra-light, honestly. But moodier and more atmospheric than a cozy.
Note: I received this book from the publisher. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
December 14, 2017
On a cold dark night in February, as a blizzard shrieks through Cedar Valley, police officer and new mother Gemma Monroe responds to an anonymous report of a prowler at the local private high school, The Valley Academy. In her idyllic Colorado small town, Gemma expects the call was just a prank by a bored teenager.
But there in the snow lies the savaged body of a man whose presence in town was meant to be a secret. And a disturbing message left by his killer promises more death to come.
This is only the beginning . . .
Nothing is as it seems in Cedar Valley and stories, both fact and fiction, ensnare Gemma as her investigation moves from the halls of an elite academy to the forests that surround Cedar Valley.
My Thoughts: On her first day back at work after her maternity leave, Gemma Monroe is eager to delve into whatever cases are presented to her. So, in the opening lines of A Season to Lie, we find her heading out to Valley Academy in response to an anonymous tip. A prowler has been spotted. The situation seems simple enough, but before the night is done, Gemma and her partner Finn will be trying to solve a murder, and the victim is a well-known author. Someone who has slipped into town in disguise, hoping to have some quiet to write his memoirs…and do some guest lectures at the school.
The suspects range from students to teachers, from bullies to nefarious construction workers…and even a stalker called The Rabbit Man.
The author’s friend Lila Conway, who invited him to visit, suffers from extreme social anxiety, so she seems to have nothing to contribute. But is she keeping secrets? Is she telling lies? What is the truth behind her relationship to the author?
When Gemma grows closer to the answers, I was fascinated by the threads that led to many possibilities…and then seemingly nowhere. Until the final reveal. A captivating read. 4.5 stars.
But there in the snow lies the savaged body of a man whose presence in town was meant to be a secret. And a disturbing message left by his killer promises more death to come.
This is only the beginning . . .
Nothing is as it seems in Cedar Valley and stories, both fact and fiction, ensnare Gemma as her investigation moves from the halls of an elite academy to the forests that surround Cedar Valley.
My Thoughts: On her first day back at work after her maternity leave, Gemma Monroe is eager to delve into whatever cases are presented to her. So, in the opening lines of A Season to Lie, we find her heading out to Valley Academy in response to an anonymous tip. A prowler has been spotted. The situation seems simple enough, but before the night is done, Gemma and her partner Finn will be trying to solve a murder, and the victim is a well-known author. Someone who has slipped into town in disguise, hoping to have some quiet to write his memoirs…and do some guest lectures at the school.
The suspects range from students to teachers, from bullies to nefarious construction workers…and even a stalker called The Rabbit Man.
The author’s friend Lila Conway, who invited him to visit, suffers from extreme social anxiety, so she seems to have nothing to contribute. But is she keeping secrets? Is she telling lies? What is the truth behind her relationship to the author?
When Gemma grows closer to the answers, I was fascinated by the threads that led to many possibilities…and then seemingly nowhere. Until the final reveal. A captivating read. 4.5 stars.
May 9, 2018
2 lackluster stars. It was barely ok.
The good:
I liked the character of Gemma, cop and new mom, returning to work after her maternity leave. Leaving baby at home with Brody, her partner. Picking up where she left off and enjoying the camaraderie and partnership of her colleagues and her Captain once again. A new murder case at a school presents itself immediately and Gemma is physically and mentally back in action.
The location. Small ski town, unspoiled wilderness of Colorado; a bit haunting and daunting in winter and in the dark. Expect cold, blizzards/heavy snowstorms. Each time she made it home safely or back into the heat of the office or her car, the reader feels a welcoming sense of comfort and warmth and safety.
Finn - Gemma’s cop partner. Calls it like it is. Smart, experienced, with a sense of humor. Finn tries his best to understand and be compassionate of women and especially Gemma as a working new mom now. He is a friend, and has her back, as a partner should.
The bad:
There were redundancies with Gemma’s musings. We could have shortened pages out of this book by eliminating some of them.
I was confused with the whole Grimm fairy tale aspect and was scratching my head when the background and suspect was revealed. It did not make any sense to me. It was rather stupid.
The final revelation, which I clearly saw coming pretty much from the start, was disappointing and lackluster. My thought was “Is this really the best ending?” Yeah, Gemma gets trapped and injured which gave just a a second of excitement and then that was it. Wow, what a letdown! Especially as I had to keep putting this book up and down for a few days instead of my usual nonstop reading frenzy. It felt like it was taking me such a looong time to get through it because it wasn’t as exciting or interesting enough to keep me fully engaged. 😐
The good:
I liked the character of Gemma, cop and new mom, returning to work after her maternity leave. Leaving baby at home with Brody, her partner. Picking up where she left off and enjoying the camaraderie and partnership of her colleagues and her Captain once again. A new murder case at a school presents itself immediately and Gemma is physically and mentally back in action.
The location. Small ski town, unspoiled wilderness of Colorado; a bit haunting and daunting in winter and in the dark. Expect cold, blizzards/heavy snowstorms. Each time she made it home safely or back into the heat of the office or her car, the reader feels a welcoming sense of comfort and warmth and safety.
Finn - Gemma’s cop partner. Calls it like it is. Smart, experienced, with a sense of humor. Finn tries his best to understand and be compassionate of women and especially Gemma as a working new mom now. He is a friend, and has her back, as a partner should.
The bad:
There were redundancies with Gemma’s musings. We could have shortened pages out of this book by eliminating some of them.
I was confused with the whole Grimm fairy tale aspect and was scratching my head when the background and suspect was revealed. It did not make any sense to me. It was rather stupid.
The final revelation, which I clearly saw coming pretty much from the start, was disappointing and lackluster. My thought was “Is this really the best ending?” Yeah, Gemma gets trapped and injured which gave just a a second of excitement and then that was it. Wow, what a letdown! Especially as I had to keep putting this book up and down for a few days instead of my usual nonstop reading frenzy. It felt like it was taking me such a looong time to get through it because it wasn’t as exciting or interesting enough to keep me fully engaged. 😐
December 2, 2020
Having read the first in this series a few days ago, I was eager to read this next one to see what was happening with Detective Gemma Monroe after the birth of her baby Grace.
With a bone chilling blizzard outside, Gemma comes back to work on a part-time basis after 3 months off on maternity leave. On her first shift back, there's a prowler call from Valley Academy campus. When Gemma and partner Finn investigate, they find a dead man with a knife sticking out of his stomach. He's a famous author and there's a note stuffed in his mouth that says, "this is only the beginning".
I am enjoying this series. It's easy to read with good mystery and good characters. The mystery is not complicated - who killed the man and why is the reason to keep reading. I wasn't a fan of Finn in the first book but I'm warming to him. Now, on to the next book in this series.
With a bone chilling blizzard outside, Gemma comes back to work on a part-time basis after 3 months off on maternity leave. On her first shift back, there's a prowler call from Valley Academy campus. When Gemma and partner Finn investigate, they find a dead man with a knife sticking out of his stomach. He's a famous author and there's a note stuffed in his mouth that says, "this is only the beginning".
I am enjoying this series. It's easy to read with good mystery and good characters. The mystery is not complicated - who killed the man and why is the reason to keep reading. I wasn't a fan of Finn in the first book but I'm warming to him. Now, on to the next book in this series.
August 2, 2018
Detective Gemma Monroe works for the Cedar Valley Colorado Police Department. Reporting for duty after her maternity leave she and her partner Finn are summoned out in a blizzard to investigate a prowler. This call is only the beginning of a twisted chain of events that unveil not only a murder but also bullying, stalkers and lies. Pretty well had this mystery solved from the beginning and just was not invested in the cast of characters. Had some subplots described and some police department personnel that could have been given more depth. This worked fine as a stand-alone. "A copy of this book was provided by St. Martin's Press via NetGalley with no requirements for a review. The comments here are my honest opinion."
November 28, 2017
This is the second book in what I believe is going to be a terrific series. As I get to know everyone better, I think these will be books I will have a hard putting down. This one really has a solid mystery with many tentacles. There also are lots of unopened doors for future stories.
November 22, 2017
3.5 Stars Rounded up to 4
Book two in a series.
This very engaging police thriller was hard to put down. I just couldn't stop reading!
SYNOPSIS
The night Gemma Monroe, a police officer in a small Colorado mountain community, returns to work from her maternity leave is not exactly boring. If she was hoping to ease back into work, she is in for a big disappointment. Shortly after her shift begins, she and her partner Finn are called out to check a report of a suspicious man prowling around a school. When they arrive, they quickly find a body of a dead man. Not just any man, this is a famous author, and no one knew he was in town. To add to the mystery, he was out in a blizzard with no coat and there was a strange message stuck in his mouth.
As Gemma and Finn start asking questions, there turn out to be an abundance potential suspects. AND there are several other 'situations' in town that seem to be coming to a boiling point. On top of all that, Gemma and her boyfriend Brody are adjusting to parenthood and the changes in creates in their relationship.
WHAT I LOVED
I loved the setting, a small Colorado mountain town in the winter. The cozy living rooms with fires in the fireplace, the expansive views and the snow storms made me miss Colorado so much! I can't wait to visit CO again.
The struggle Gemma was having adjusting to motherhood felt very authentic. While she loved her baby, she was tired, found juggling the work / mom thing difficult and felt guilty for loving her work so much. She was clearly overwhelmed.
The actual murder mystery was good. At one time or another, I suspected pretty much everyone except Gemma's baby. There were many interesting suspects with various motives to read about.
There was a lot going on with other characters in the small town and with Gemma's personal life. The book left several loose ends, creating an opening for book three.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
Although I really liked most of this book, there were a few times it felt a bit like a Lifetime Movie. When it did, it dipped to down from 4 stars to 3. One example was when Gemma and Finn were interviewing the teachers at the school and the dialogue between the teachers was pretty unrealistic and annoying. There were times when Gemma and Finn missed some pretty obvious red flags, that kind of annoyed me too.
OVERALL
Very readable. I will definitely go back and read the first book in the series and will read number three when it comes out.
Book two in a series.
This very engaging police thriller was hard to put down. I just couldn't stop reading!
SYNOPSIS
The night Gemma Monroe, a police officer in a small Colorado mountain community, returns to work from her maternity leave is not exactly boring. If she was hoping to ease back into work, she is in for a big disappointment. Shortly after her shift begins, she and her partner Finn are called out to check a report of a suspicious man prowling around a school. When they arrive, they quickly find a body of a dead man. Not just any man, this is a famous author, and no one knew he was in town. To add to the mystery, he was out in a blizzard with no coat and there was a strange message stuck in his mouth.
As Gemma and Finn start asking questions, there turn out to be an abundance potential suspects. AND there are several other 'situations' in town that seem to be coming to a boiling point. On top of all that, Gemma and her boyfriend Brody are adjusting to parenthood and the changes in creates in their relationship.
WHAT I LOVED
I loved the setting, a small Colorado mountain town in the winter. The cozy living rooms with fires in the fireplace, the expansive views and the snow storms made me miss Colorado so much! I can't wait to visit CO again.
The struggle Gemma was having adjusting to motherhood felt very authentic. While she loved her baby, she was tired, found juggling the work / mom thing difficult and felt guilty for loving her work so much. She was clearly overwhelmed.
The actual murder mystery was good. At one time or another, I suspected pretty much everyone except Gemma's baby. There were many interesting suspects with various motives to read about.
There was a lot going on with other characters in the small town and with Gemma's personal life. The book left several loose ends, creating an opening for book three.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
Although I really liked most of this book, there were a few times it felt a bit like a Lifetime Movie. When it did, it dipped to down from 4 stars to 3. One example was when Gemma and Finn were interviewing the teachers at the school and the dialogue between the teachers was pretty unrealistic and annoying. There were times when Gemma and Finn missed some pretty obvious red flags, that kind of annoyed me too.
OVERALL
Very readable. I will definitely go back and read the first book in the series and will read number three when it comes out.
December 9, 2018
Gemma is back to work after 3 months of maternity leave, her boyfriend is working at home and taking care of the baby not very happily. Gemma starts out with a big case a murder and total bullying at the high school. She has to try and figure out who the killer is, who is behind the bullying and try to keep her relationship going.
November 29, 2017
I’m still struggling to warm up to this author. Gemma is unique in the police procedural world of detectives thanks to her less than perfect marriage and now a new baby to worry about while she puts in a ten to twelve hour days hunting down killers. The murders continue to take a back seat to Gemma’s personal life. It’s not a perfect fit for this reader.
April 24, 2020
This wasn't as good as the first book imo but It was still pretty good, really bummed they don't have the next one available :o
April 4, 2018
Promising debut, but this second was disappointing. For me, it was all over the map with different issues in need of investigation, the killer was easily picked out from the possibilities, an attempt at some imagery and bad guys out of a James Lee Burke novel (whose work the protagonist relaxes with) and I especially could not believe the actions and motives of one of the secondary villians. oh well.
April 12, 2018
I liked her first book a lot more than this one. This one felt like the story was going along introducing various ideas as to who done it with a lot of leg work on the side to rule out this and that while still living life. And then Gemma goes to talk to someone she has spoken with many times and voila, the answer falls into her lap. Either I am completely dense and unable to follow the path or the path was non existent.
March 5, 2023
I gave this series and character another shot. I want to like Detective Gemma Monroe, but her character hasn't developed at all in this second outing. She still obsesses about her boyfriend's fling that happened several years ago, while she lusts after a high school basketball teacher/coach. The mystery is good, but several red herrings get tidied up without any satisfaction. And the end of this book just points ahead to the next book-- which I don't think I'll read.
November 14, 2017
Summary from Goodreads:
"In Emily Littlejohn's follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Inherit the Bones, police officer Gemma Monroe has just returned to work from maternity leave. And what a first day back: a blizzard is blowing into her idyllic Colorado ski town, and while Gemma hopes for a quiet, warm evening in, she knows it will mean plenty of calls out for snow-related accidents. But when an anonymous caller reports seeing a lurker at the local high school, Gemma gets far more than she bargained for. Behind the school building, half covered in a drift of snow, lies the gruesomely murdered body of a world-famous author—whose presence in town was meant to be a secret."
My Thoughts:
I was really looking forward to this book after enjoying Inherit the Bones so much last year (book one in this series). It was funny because I realized while reading this book that I had forgotten some of the details from book one although nothing major. I just went back and read my thoughts on it - I gave it five stars and wrote a glowing review so yeah....I would say I enjoyed it. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book almost as much as that beginning read. It begins with Gemma returning from maternity leave back to police duty. On almost the very first day that she returns a huge snowstorm hits the area and in the midst of it Gemma and her partner get called out and find a body. I'm a huge sucker for mysteries set in the cold and especially in the midst of a snowstorm so honestly the author had me right from the beginning. It just gave the book this eerie feeling which I'm now remembering that she also had in book one. Probably another one of the reasons that I am enjoying this series so much!
I really enjoy this author's way with words. There is just something about the way she describes things that I can't seem to get enough of. There is this scene at the beginning of the book where Gemma goes to this home nestled in the woods - the way that the author compares it to a cottage that you would find in a fairy tale just made it all come to life for me. It's funny because I guessed the killer early on in the book without really believing that I was right. I spent the majority of the book trying to figure out who the killer was then only coming to the end and realizing I had been right in the first place. Go figure! But at least it kept that level of tension that I prefer when I'm reading mysteries and thrillers. I read a slightly negative review on this book that left me a bit surprised but I don't believe that the reader had read both books. Ultimately, I do think that this is a series where you need to read them in order just because so much carries over from the first book to the second. I definitely felt differently and actually really enjoyed this book a lot!
This series has turned into a real winner for me! Two books in and I'm definitely planning on reading the third...just as soon as it comes out that is. I still think that the first book was my favorite so far but this was a really great follow-up. It also really got me in the mood for winter with all of the talk about snowstorms and snow. I love the snow so I'm more than ready for winter to hit although I will take fall weather any day! I can easily recommend this book but do read Inherit the Bones first to get the full reading experience. Highly recommended!
Bottom Line: Another great addition to this series which has become a favorite of mine!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.
"In Emily Littlejohn's follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Inherit the Bones, police officer Gemma Monroe has just returned to work from maternity leave. And what a first day back: a blizzard is blowing into her idyllic Colorado ski town, and while Gemma hopes for a quiet, warm evening in, she knows it will mean plenty of calls out for snow-related accidents. But when an anonymous caller reports seeing a lurker at the local high school, Gemma gets far more than she bargained for. Behind the school building, half covered in a drift of snow, lies the gruesomely murdered body of a world-famous author—whose presence in town was meant to be a secret."
My Thoughts:
I was really looking forward to this book after enjoying Inherit the Bones so much last year (book one in this series). It was funny because I realized while reading this book that I had forgotten some of the details from book one although nothing major. I just went back and read my thoughts on it - I gave it five stars and wrote a glowing review so yeah....I would say I enjoyed it. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book almost as much as that beginning read. It begins with Gemma returning from maternity leave back to police duty. On almost the very first day that she returns a huge snowstorm hits the area and in the midst of it Gemma and her partner get called out and find a body. I'm a huge sucker for mysteries set in the cold and especially in the midst of a snowstorm so honestly the author had me right from the beginning. It just gave the book this eerie feeling which I'm now remembering that she also had in book one. Probably another one of the reasons that I am enjoying this series so much!
I really enjoy this author's way with words. There is just something about the way she describes things that I can't seem to get enough of. There is this scene at the beginning of the book where Gemma goes to this home nestled in the woods - the way that the author compares it to a cottage that you would find in a fairy tale just made it all come to life for me. It's funny because I guessed the killer early on in the book without really believing that I was right. I spent the majority of the book trying to figure out who the killer was then only coming to the end and realizing I had been right in the first place. Go figure! But at least it kept that level of tension that I prefer when I'm reading mysteries and thrillers. I read a slightly negative review on this book that left me a bit surprised but I don't believe that the reader had read both books. Ultimately, I do think that this is a series where you need to read them in order just because so much carries over from the first book to the second. I definitely felt differently and actually really enjoyed this book a lot!
This series has turned into a real winner for me! Two books in and I'm definitely planning on reading the third...just as soon as it comes out that is. I still think that the first book was my favorite so far but this was a really great follow-up. It also really got me in the mood for winter with all of the talk about snowstorms and snow. I love the snow so I'm more than ready for winter to hit although I will take fall weather any day! I can easily recommend this book but do read Inherit the Bones first to get the full reading experience. Highly recommended!
Bottom Line: Another great addition to this series which has become a favorite of mine!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.
December 2, 2017
Three stars means " I liked it" however... It was just ok. No bells or whistles are going off. I knew who did it hours ago and had guessed one possible reason why and was pretty close. This is a second novel with the same character and I didn't read the first so I may have missed something along the way. Just an ok read; better than most Saturday afternoon TV anyway.
January 7, 2018
I loved the first Gemma Monroe book and was looking forward to this one. In this book, there were too many subplots that had nothing to do with the main story so I was very disappointed. That said, I like the characters enough that I will read the next book.
May 13, 2018
So far, this series about Gemma Monroe, a police detective in Cedar Valley, Colorado, continues to hold up, without clichés, cliffhangers, or repetitively annoying character traits. Gemma’s character has a bit of depth and interest to it, and there’s enough tension in the situation that I’ll be interested to see what happens next. This is a solid, well-done mystery that held my interest without mesmerizing me.
February 10, 2021
I feel like this is a set up for the next, or rest of the series. The murder seems almost secondary to the introduction to one or two characters who will appear in future books. The mystery was not bad, just felt almost secondary to the rest of the book.
July 21, 2024
I can’t stop falling asleep. Don’t care much about the characters. So boring. Can’t even get myself to finish it.
January 1, 2018
Like the first book in the Gemma Monroe series, author Emily Littlejohn proves in A Season to Lie that she can create a premise for a mystery that will keep readers turning the pages. Unfortunately, the story as a whole fell a bit flat for me, and there were two main reasons for this.
One was Gemma's personal life. She's a brand-new mother who's finally come to terms with the fact that she is and that she enjoys being a mother. But somewhere between having to stop and use a breast pump every couple of hours and her partner whining about being stuck at home with a baby, I just wanted her to forget she had a personal life and concentrate on the investigation. Which leads to the second problem.
Gemma's investigation of the death of a famous man who was incognito there in Cedar Valley really had my interest until I deduced the identity of the killer by the description of the character and how everyone reacted to the person. From there on in, my interest deflated like a slow leak in a snow tire. I don't like it when this happens because it's not always a sign of my superior deductive skills. Sometimes it's simply a matter of my suspicious nature.
But by all means, your mileage can certainly vary, so don't be hesitant about giving A Season to Lie a try-- especially if you've read the first book in the series.
One was Gemma's personal life. She's a brand-new mother who's finally come to terms with the fact that she is and that she enjoys being a mother. But somewhere between having to stop and use a breast pump every couple of hours and her partner whining about being stuck at home with a baby, I just wanted her to forget she had a personal life and concentrate on the investigation. Which leads to the second problem.
Gemma's investigation of the death of a famous man who was incognito there in Cedar Valley really had my interest until I deduced the identity of the killer by the description of the character and how everyone reacted to the person. From there on in, my interest deflated like a slow leak in a snow tire. I don't like it when this happens because it's not always a sign of my superior deductive skills. Sometimes it's simply a matter of my suspicious nature.
But by all means, your mileage can certainly vary, so don't be hesitant about giving A Season to Lie a try-- especially if you've read the first book in the series.
December 11, 2017
Flat uninteresting winter tale of a dead body found at a local high school. It’s pretty obvious Emma Littlejohn is well read,the author constantly drops authors’names such as Faulkner, Shakespeare and the like, but while some descriptive sentences seem beautifully written, this mystery novel can’t come close to those masterful writers. It’s was difficult for me to keep up interest. I haven’t read Inherit The Bones but have heard great things about it. This is just a throwaway book in which the author took little time to prepare and write well.
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