Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Redgrave Murders

Rate this book
Loss is inevitable, as Evie Hampton knows all too well. But despite losing her mother to cancer and her older brother to a war, she knows she’s one of the lucky ones. After all, she still has her father, a distinguished professor of medieval history. And she has Gary Redhawk, the man she loves despite the emotional scars he carries from the Second World War—and despite her father’s opposition to their relationship.

When a freak accident sends Evie’s car careening off the road, she chalks it up to poor maintenance, or sheer bad luck making another appearance in her life. Little does she know a host of hardships is just beginning—the car was her father’s, and the brake lines were deliberately cut. Someone wants them dead—but why? All fingers point to Gary, a man with a troubled past and no solid alibi, but Evie is unwilling to believe he’s involved. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins to piece together a startling picture of deception and vice. But as she closes in on the truth, it is clear that someone is determined to silence her—and the next attempt on her life may be a deadly success.

Audio CD

First published July 1, 2019

17 people are currently reading
332 people want to read

About the author

A.L. Sowards

22 books1,229 followers
I love books, so that makes Goodreads my favorite social media site. As a reader, I enjoy a variety of books. As a writer, I create historical novels with a wholesome mix of action, adventure, and romance. My stories have earned Whitney Awards, Foreword Indies Finalists positions, Readers’ Favorite Gold and Silver medals, a Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choice Selection, and a Praiseworthy Award.

I'm a wife and a mother of three, and I've called Washington State, Utah, and Alaska home. I'm usually reading a couple books at once and working on multiple writing projects too. Other than that, my life is pretty ordinary. I'm grateful for that. I'll let the characters in my books have all the adventures.

Stay in Touch:
Newsletter sign up: https://alsowards.com/newsletter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.l.sowards/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALSowards/

About My Goodreads Ratings:
I joined Goodreads as a reader first, but since I’m an author too, I’ve made some changes to how I rate books. For fiction, I'll give a book 5 stars if I enjoyed every page. Otherwise, I'll leave the rating blank. For nonfiction, 5 star books are ones I enjoyed enough that I’d like to read them again. They’re books I connected with and highly recommend to others. 4 star books are good books that I thought were worth reading once, and they’re also recommended.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
112 (31%)
4 stars
157 (43%)
3 stars
73 (20%)
2 stars
16 (4%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
Profile Image for Bev Walkling.
1,462 reviews50 followers
June 18, 2019
Many thanks to #NetGalley and Covenant Communications for providing an ARC of the book The Redgrave Murders. What follows is my honest opinion.

I was very pleased to be able to read a copy of this book prior to it’s upcoming publication on July 1st. I have read and enjoyed several other books that A.L. Sowards has written. Most have focused on the World War 2 era but this novel is a little different because it takes place in the years shortly after the end of the war, but for those who like wartime novels, rest assured that the author’s knowledge and experience with this time period is an integral part of this story too.

Sowards has actually taken on several subjects within this novel that are important for readers to know about and consider because they are still timely in our own time period. One of the main characters in the book, Gary Redhawk is a man of Seneca origin who spent many of his formative years in a residential school where he was abused and pressured to fit into an identity that really wasn’t his. Gary was also a soldier who fought in the war including the Battle of the Bulge, and as the story unfolds, the reader learns about some of the horrors that he faced and still has great difficulty talking about, including time spent as a prisoner of war. All of those experiences had a huge impact on him and led to what we would now diagnose as a classic case of P.T.S.D. In that time period though it was referred to as having psychoneurotic episodes.

The main character of the book is Evie, a rather naïve young woman who works in the bursar’s office of the local university. Her voice is the main voice we hear as readers, both as she tells what is happening and also through snippets of letters that she and her brother wrote to each other throughout the war. I felt that as the story progressed she grew as an individual and really exhibited great strength of character. When the story began, Evie had been dating Gary for quite some time and was hoping that their relationship would eventually lead to marriage. This was at a time when in some states, inter-racial marriages were illegal. Many of the people around her still held the view that she should not continue her relationship with Gary and at times she herself wondered if their love could last in the face of so many obstacles. The author chose not to use a sexual relationship to further the story although some of the secondary characters reacted just the way one would expect a nosy gossip to react, spreading rumours about something that wasn’t actually happening.

The story is set in the fictional town of Maplewick but some of the places and events described in the novel were based on actual places and events that occurred and Sowards provides information on them in her afterword.

This book does contain a murder mystery. More than one individual who is close to Evie ends up dying and at times she wonders if the murderer is after her or after Gary. When Gary is initially arrested as a murder suspect, Evie sets out to prove his innocence and manages to do just that though not in time to prevent Gary from undergoing some major emotional trauma. I had some thoughts initially as to who I thought the murderer might be, but I wasn’t really sure who it was until close to the climax of the story.

If you like a good murder mystery that includes lots of history about the time period, then I think you will enjoy reading this book. I highly recommend it for teens or adults.
Profile Image for A.L. Sowards.
Author 22 books1,229 followers
books-i-wrote
May 8, 2019
This book comes out in two months and I’m so excited to share it with the world!

It’s just the kind of mystery I like to read, with bits of history interwoven throughout, lots of suspects, twists that change the way you look at things, a sweet love story, and main characters who I absolutely adore. Naturally it’s a 5-star book to me (that’s the beauty of being an author—you can keep revising until you think the book is amazing), but I won’t rate it because the Goodreads community seems to be trending away from authors rating their own books.

The cover says this is a suspense novel, and I guess that’s true enough. It includes plenty of suspense. I’d call it a historical mystery, on the soft-boiled end of the genre (small town setting, amateur sleuth), with a strong romantic element. It’s set in 1948, so World War Two looms in just about every character’s backstory, and maybe at the heart of the mystery too.

The Redgrave Murders should be a good fit for readers who enjoy murder mysteries or World War Two stories. This one is appropriate for adults and teens, and should be open to a wide audience. You don’t need to have read any of my previous books to enjoy this one, but readers familiar with Defiance may recognize Gary Redhawk from the POW camps in that book.

I had a lot of fun writing this one. It helped distract me when I couldn’t sleep during the worst of my back troubles (it’s astounding how many words you can type when you wake up hours before anyone else and can’t go back to sleep). I hope you enjoy it!
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,887 reviews240 followers
August 19, 2019
Calling all you lovers of suspense and mystery. I've got a great book recommendation for you. The Redgrave Murders! Wow. From the very beginning of the book the reader is introduced to Evie Hampton in a slight moment of peril. And the moments of peril and suspense just keep coming throughout the whole book. Even when you (or rather, I) think you know whodunnit you're still left guessing with the twists and turns thrown out at you.

And the murders can be a little heartbreaking. Don't let down your guard because anyone can be struck down at any time. Stay away from dark shadows, don't be alone and watch your back at all times!

I love a good murder mystery and was very happily engrossed in reading this one! My daughters joined in and loved it just as much. They were not happy campers when it was time to pause in our book time. They all cried, "mom, just one more chapter, please?" Isn't that wonderful? Having them all enjoying the same book as me. I thought so. We were all making our guesses as to whodunnit and biting our nails when the tension was building. We all might have cried a couple times over some of the characters. But we cheered mightily at the end when the bad guy was apprehended and all was set to rights again in Evie's world...well as much as it can when there are murders happening all around you.

If you enjoy murders but need a little sweet romance thrown in, never fear, Evie and Gary Redhawk have a great story! They have a lot of opposition standing in their way but I loved Evie's character for standing strong and not letting the town and others dictate what and who should be a part of her life. Good job Evie! Both her and Gary were great characters. I loved watching the further development of their story. Gary has been through some very hard situations and has come out stronger. He still has moments of weakness but I loved watching Evie being a constant in his life and her discoveries of his true self, and not shying away from Gary were great!

Definitely a must read! Especially if my daughters were all hooked on it as well! 5* massive stars from the fans in my household and me!

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril, death, PTSD, some kissing but nothing further, some mild talk (as a remembrance) about a pedophile but nothing graphic. This book deals with a couple harder topics but they were addressed really well. I had my daughters reading along with me and didn't feel like it was overly graphic for them, and I'm pretty conservative in what I allow them and myself to read.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the book are my own.

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Lisa  (Bookworm Lisa).
2,240 reviews206 followers
July 8, 2019
A.L. Sowards has done it again. She has written a book that I could not put down. I have read seven books written by her and all have been a 4 or 5-star rating. She really is that good.

This story was a different genre, but it was set in the same general time period as some of her books. Usually, she writes war stories, this time she wrote a suspense novel. She used one of the supporting characters in a previous book and it set after he has come home from WWII. He is dealing with PTSD and trying to figure out who is setting him up for murdering his girl-friends father, and then a couple of more people. For a small town that sees little crime, there are several murders. Gary's girlfriend is Evie. The story is mainly told from her perspective. She is in love with a Native American and it was interesting to see the twist in culture and prejudice it causes.

I loved learning some of Evie's family history from the letters from her brother who was killed during the war. A.L Sowards was able to use her historical fiction genius as she told about the war on the Pacific Ocean.

If you haven't read one of her books, YOU SHOULD! I will continue to be a fan and try to pick up a copy of everything she writes in the future. This story does contain non-graphic violence.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Lily.
470 reviews240 followers
January 22, 2023
Mystery, romance, thriller, history, and suspense all in one! The Redgrave Murders is a great whodunit novel that kept me guessing until the end.

Evie was a strong main character, and I think in her place, I wouldn't have been able to be as brave as she was. And though I don't think Gary would be for everyone, I still liked him a lot. He had a very dark past, but I loved his hard work and determination to rise up above his memories and above what other people think of him. I can't say much about the bad guy but I never suspected the killer until his last act.

Sowards's careful historical research and compelling characters are what make her books worthwhile. Would recommend!
Profile Image for Aimee .
3,072 reviews298 followers
July 10, 2019
I've been reading (and loving) books by A.L Sowards for a long time. She is one of my favorites because her books absolutely come to life in my hands. This book is a bit different than her previous books as it is a mystery instead of a historical fiction, but I'm so happy that it actually felt like a historical fiction because Sowards really knows how to build the time period she is writing about to feel so authentic and real. The beginning of each chapter also includes a snippet of letters that Evie and her brother exchange while he is serving in the military during WWII which accomplished the dual purpose of establishing a human connection between Evie and her brother and giving me another bit of history to lean into.

This story really brings to light all the social, economical, and political unrest occurring at the time. The effects of the war have brought about economical depression, low housing, and war veterans who are struggling to live and work because of the horrors they witnessed. As always there is discrimination which seems to be present no matter what time period historically is being represented.

Greg battles discrimination as well as PTSD (although it wasn't called that at the time) from a brutal childhood as well as his horrible experiences during the war. Greg is working so hard to overcome the stigmas and his past. His gentle, steady nature made him a hero in my eyes. Evie has dealt with much loss and tragedy herself. I could feel and I connected with her desire to be loved, valued and accepted. Greg and Evie together were fantastic lead characters.

While mystery isn't my very favorite go-to genre, I really did love this one. That's probably due to the author's ability to bring to life the time period. It was fantastic.

I love the cover of this book. It's a perfect representation of what is inside. Can I also just say that I love the details of this book too? Each chapter heading has a noose like the one on the cover and I loved how the theme carried throughout the whole book- cover to cover.

Content: violence (mostly referred to and not described in much detail), kissing, mention of sexual and physical abuse, death

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Katie (hiding in the pages).
3,515 reviews329 followers
September 9, 2019
A.L. Sowards always does a fantastic job of transporting me back in time, creating a world that isn't always common for the era. In this case, post World War II in New York state, Evie and her Native American boyfriend find themselves in the middle of a serious murder mystery. I was captivated from start to finish and loved every minute of trying to figure out this story.

Evie and Gary are great characters, who don't fit the typical mold and relationship that one would picture of the time. They are such a great balance and support for each other, especially as Evie's loved ones start dying. Evie works so hard to prove Gary's innocence when signs show otherwise and I loved how she takes matters into her own hands, showing her incredible strength and determination. Characters like hers are some of my favorites--strong, yet vulnerable, and completely resilient. Honestly, I think I would melt into a puddle of anxiety with what Evie and Gary go through.

The romance is a great supplement to this thriller and I couldn't help but to cheer them on and hope for them to defy society. The climax of the story was chilling and intense and the ending left me completely satisfied.

Content: mild romance (some implications and light innuendo); mild+ violence (deaths/murders, attacks, kidnapping, etc)

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Profile Image for Lucinda.
Author 22 books1,303 followers
June 6, 2019
I really liked this one. Excellent writing, amazing characters, and the setting is very engaging, both the small town and the historical part.

The historical setting sets the mood for the mystery, what with the economic, social, and political climates of the time. This was very well done, as I truly had a sense that wouldn't feel the same with a contemporary setting.

When I started reading, the feeling I immediately had was one of the same kind of quality that old black & white mystery movies had. I'm thinking the early Perry Mason series, only in this case the lead character is a woman. There's a sense of quiet urgency in Evie and what happens around her, which only intensifies as the story goes on.

Gary is the antithesis of the Alpha male hero, and that only makes him more endearing. He's humble, hardworking, and kind, despite the problems he suffers from PTSD. I like how loyal to him Evie is. She's the one who doesn't give on him, even when evidence points to him.

As the plot evolves and reveals a villain who is truly dark, the pressure to solve the mystery and stop him before he commits more crimes kept me reading without stopping.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Mindy.
1,267 reviews104 followers
July 11, 2019
I was very excited to read this book, as I have enjoyed all the books I have read from this author. When I started reading, it felt like I was right there with the characters, like watching an old movie from the '40s. Right away the reader is caught up in a web of suspense and the author does an excellent job of setting up the story. I loved the way each chapter started, as we get to know Evie's brother through his letters to her during the war. Evie is a fantastic character. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the Native American culture with Gary's character. This is an excellent book full of twists and page-turning suspense.

Profile Image for Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer).
1,468 reviews55 followers
July 12, 2019
I've read many books by this author. Most of the other books were about characters in the middle of a war. The battle scenes were some of the best I'd ever read. I loved how this new book dealt with the after-effects of WWII.

The Redgrave Murders, of course, is full of suspense right from the start. This novel was one that I sat down to read and only put it down to eat. This is what I love about Summer reading. One of the most engaging aspects of this novel are the letters at the beginning of each chapter that main character Evie and her brother Clive wrote to each other during the war. It filled in important character development on Evie's part and also showed family dynamics that play out within the novel.

One of the main characters, Evie's boyfriend Gary Redhawk, was a minor character in a previous novel the author wrote. I remembered the scene from the other book that he described in this novel. Gary is a Seneca Native American. He was my favorite character in this book. I feel his character was written realistically showing the plight of Native Americans at this time in history. This novel also does a great job of showing how the horrors of war caused PTSD in so many of the returning soldiers. He and Evie are good together and the romance part is secondary to the murder mystery that keeps you as a reader on your toes. There are so many suspects that stand out as you read each chapter. I quite enjoyed figuring out who ultimately was the person behind all of the terrible crimes.

This book is not a fast-paced book but keeps you enthralled none the less. The Redgrave Murders was a winner for me.

There are a few scenes of violence with this being a murder mystery, a little kissing, and a lot of breathtaking action scenes. This book would be appropriate for older teens, and adults.

****Come follow me at my blog to read more reviews: https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot...***

***Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WhyNotBecaus...***


Profile Image for Sara Cardon.
Author 5 books63 followers
July 31, 2019
I enjoyed "The Redgrave Murders." The main characters, Evie and Gary, are interesting, especially together. Gary, as a Seneca Indian, is a unique character to see navigating the social and political climate of post-WWII. I was delighted to recognize him from "Defiance" as "Red."

I love the time period and details, like the clothing, cars, housing shortage, and GIs attending college. The understanding and treatment of PTSD was lacking at the time and plays an interesting role in the story. Besides the dark nature of the murders (which is handled in a way that lessens the awful events) I enjoyed Evie and Gary hunting for motives. Their relationship is sweet and as Evie faces glaring realities from prejudice to the trauma of PTSD, she contemplates what marriage to Gary will look like. I like their growth individually and as a couple. Between the characters, romance, mystery, and next goal, the book kept my interest throughout the story.
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,955 reviews69 followers
July 8, 2019
I LOVE a good suspense book! And this is a good one. It’s a bit different from the way A.L. Sowards usually writes, but that’s a good thing!

I loved Evie in this book. Evie is a young woman living in the time period just after World War II. She’s lost her mom and older brother before the story starts. She lives with her dad. And her boyfriend is Gary.

There is a lot of things with this time period that the author did a good job including in this novel. The way Gary would have been looked at because he was a Native American was one thing I noticed. It’s not right, but he would have been looked down on, and his and Evie’s relationship especially would have been taboo.

It’s no surprise that when bad things start happening, Gary is the first suspect. And there’s no other suspects that the police are willing to consider. While Gary’s in jail, Evie shows what she’s made of and works on the investigation all on her own. I love that she does this, and doesn’t get scared off, even when it would have been easy to.

This book kept me guessing from the beginning to the very end. I would have never guessed just who the bad guy was or why! It’s my favorite thing when that happens. If you’re a fan of good suspense books, make sure to pick this one up!

I was sent a copy of The Redgrave Murders as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jeff Dawson.
Author 23 books106 followers
June 13, 2019

I received a copy from the publisher for an honest opinion.

This is a great whodunnit story. The story centers around Redgrave University and the following characters: Evelyn Hampton, her dad, mom, brother Clive, Aunt Janice, cousins Frank and Dale and her boyfriend, Gary Redhawk a Seneca Indian.
The setting is 1948 in Maplewich, New York. Evelyn lost her mother to cancer and her brother on Okinawa. It is just she and her dad carrying on the family name. Dad is a prestigious professor at Redgrave University and is a fanatic about the history of the 15th and 16 centuries. He, like many professors, considers himself an authoritarian on the topic and let’s his fellow colleagues know when they are profusely wrong when writing on the period. For those of us who went to college, you know the type.
Because of the time frame and small-town USA, imagine how everyone felt when Evie started seeing Gary? Not very well. He’d had a troubled past and an even more harrowing experience in Belgium when the Germans launched, “Wacht on Rhein,” which we know as the Battle of the Bulge. His unit was defending the Elsenborn Ridge and didn’t get the message to retreat. He watched his best friend get shot three times before succumbing to his wounds then smashed by a tank. Not a pretty sight. Needless to say, her Dad and many others in the family are not thrilled with her decision in a mate. He suffers from what we today call PTSD not only from the war, but from his childhood.
Evie and Gary come home from a date to find her father hanging by the stairwell bannister. Gary is the first suspect. From this point on, she does everything to prove his innocence. While she succeeds in this venture it only opens up more questions on who killed her father. When another family member dies under suspect circumstances, the plot only thickens more.
I tried many times to figure out who did it before the author revealed the killer. I was surprised with the revelation. I did suspect the character but not one hundred percent.
All of the characters and their mannerisms were well developed and addressed. You don’t get confused with who is who or how they will act. Excellent job there.
And like all of Amanda’s stories, she loves to mix history with them. Even though this is a murder mystery she does an excellent job in recanting the war in the Pacific and Europe in a seamless thread that adds to the reading enjoyment
If you like a good, fast-paced murder mystery, pick up a copy today.
Five Stars.
Profile Image for Charity Jacob.
467 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2019
The Redgrave Murders by A. L. Sowards is a historical novel post WWII that has three different elements to the story. History, Murder Mystery, and my favorite…Romance. Though I love the other elements as well, but romance has a special place in my heart.

History…I’ve always been a lover of WWII history ever since I read Dean Hughes’ Children of the Promise series. So reading this book as helped me glean more about the war era, specifically post war and the PTSD veterans faced.

Murder Mystery…Who doesn’t like a good murder mystery? This book is full of mystery and speculation of who dunnit, which the author kept me rethinking of who the actual culprit was until the very end. I did not see that coming, though after reflecting back on the story I saw hints of it.

Romance…After reading this story, I wanted Gary Redhawk for myself. He’s protective, strong, and he has come a long way in overcoming his past that most women would run away from. But he also as a bit of a bad boy image as well that I think all women deep down enjoys a bit in a guy, but not too much. So in a way, Gary is the perfect guy…at least until I read a new book that makes me fall in love with another character.

Overall, this book was simply amazing and I highly recommend it to all history and mystery lovers. This is simply a must read. I had a hard time putting this book down to do basic adult stuff like, work, clean, and sleep. But when I did have a chance to spend time reading the book I got through it quickly thanks to short chapters.
Profile Image for Book Geek Reviews.
Author 0 books19 followers
July 9, 2019
Unlike many of the novels by A.L. Sowards, this one is not set on the battlefield. It takes place back at home, at the end of WWII. But the war still haunts the people and events of this book.

I love a good mystery/suspense, and at its heart, that’s what this story is—but there’s also a strong romance running through it. It deals with so many themes: loss, grief, betrayal, prejudice, interracial relationships. And then there’s the mystery of who is killing people Evie’s hometown.

This book started a little slow for me. If it starts slow for you, DON’T GIVE UP! Keep going. Within a few chapters I was hooked. I liked the characters, although I felt Evie was a bit naive.

I really liked the twists and turns of the mystery. I thought I knew who it was several times. One of my guesses was correct, but I wasn’t sure until the reveal. Love it when that happens!

While it made me sad, I thought Sowards handled the prejudice against the Native Americans very well. It was true to the era and heart-breaking, but also wonderful when it was overcome.

There is no swearing, but some alcohol use. There’s just enough kissing to entice romance readers. Moderate violence—it is a murder mystery, after all.

I give it 4 1/2 STARS and recommend it to ages 14+.
Profile Image for Emily Flynn.
476 reviews15 followers
July 1, 2019
It kept me guessing. That for me is the most important thing in the mystery/suspense genre. I like to figure it out, but I don't want it to be too easy to figure out. This book was perfectly balanced. I was given an advanced copy of the ebook from the publisher and couldn't put it down. I thought I had it figured out a couple of times, there were enough red herrings to throw me off the real scent.

I really felt for the MC in this book as she tries to unravel what is going on around her and keep her loved ones and herself safe.

The author creates witty, smart characters. There was definite realism as the author tackled PTSD and the atmosphere following WWII.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,470 reviews110 followers
August 7, 2019
I first read a book by A. L. Sowards a couple of years ago and I'm never disappointed in her books. This one is a little different than her historical war novels, as this one is what I would consider a suspense (the author calls it a historical mystery) which takes place in a small town after WWII.

Evie has already lost her mother to an illness and her brother died in WWII before the book starts, so it's just Evie and her dad, who's a professor at Redgrave University where she works in the bursar's office. She's dating Gary, a Native American and veteran of the war who suffers from what we know of as PTSD. Evie's life is good until the brakes on her dad's new car fail and she barely escapes having an accident. This is just the beginning--a few days later her dad is found dead in their home and the police's main suspect is Gary.

Like all of this author's books I've read, this story pulled me in right from the start. I learned how life was for those returning from the war. Times were still tough for a lot of people without enough jobs and those who fought trying to recover from the horrors of war. There were no treatments or support groups for those who suffered from shell shock (the term used back them) or PTSD. Evie's relationship with a Native American was also looked down upon at this time (1948), even though he was a hard worker and was attending school using the GI Bill.

I liked Evie. She knew even though Gary had issues because of the war he wouldn't kill anyone. So when he was arrested she immediately acted to at least get him released on bail, then did her own sleuthing to find someone who had a motive. I found that unexpected for a woman in 1948. I didn't figure out who was behind the murders until right before Evie put it all together.

I really liked this book--the cover, the story, the characters in the story. It all made for a great whodunnit. Thanks to Covenant Communications via NetGalley for my copy to read. All thoughts expressed in my review are my own.
Profile Image for Tressa (Wishful Endings).
1,829 reviews193 followers
July 11, 2019
THE REDGRAVE MURDERS is one of those stories that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's set in an historic small town, among prejudice and misunderstanding shortly after WWII, and focuses on an interracial couple and the danger that stalks them. The characters are complex, likable, with plenty of chemistry between them. Highly recommended to romantic suspense fans!

This story was emotional, suspenseful, and at the same time, very sweet. I'm assuming it was a difficult story to write, because it was a difficult story to read. I was so angry at how prejudiced some people could be and the terrible things Gary faced as a child as well as in this story. It just made me mad. The way things were handled was definitely not right, but he carried on. Then there was Evie, who had a much easier life, but found a connection with Gary and fell hard for him against criticism from her family and the community who looked down on interracial relationships. I loved their romance. It was real and sweet and messy. There were things the characters had to work out and their relationship was definitely tested.

As far as suspense goes, this story definitely was intense in parts and grew more so until the climatic ending. The villain was well done. I had an inkling of who it might be early on, but wasn't completely sure until the end. It's always a good thing when a story like this keeps you guessing. The story does get somewhat violent, but without be overly descriptive. I appreciated that the plot logically worked for me as well.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This author did a fabulous job in pulling me into this story. I did not want to put it down and, in fact, read it in one sitting. It was a great mix of heavy subject matter that made me think, a constant underlying feeling of danger, fabulous characters, and a sweet romance with plenty of sparks. I'm looking forward to more from this author!

Content: Some innuendo and violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, which did not require a positive review nor affect my review in any way.
Profile Image for Sydney.
1,083 reviews131 followers
July 10, 2019
From page one the author weaves together a story that will put readers on the edge of their seat and leave them guessing what will happen next. There are twists and turns in the story that readers will not be able to guess, especially when it comes to who the murderer is. Sowards is a talented writer the brings her story and characters to life off the pages, creating a story in which readers feel almost as if they are a bystander within the story. This romantic suspense story will keep readers awake late into the night, anticipating the turn of every page until the last one is turned and the cover closed. Readers will not want to miss this exciting new book from this fantastic author!

Genre: historical, romantic, suspense, mystery
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: July 1, 2019
Number of pages: 272

A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Julie.
344 reviews25 followers
July 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this one. The mystery kept me listening, while the multiple suspects and motives were intriguing and broad. The story takes several turns, and I found myself yelling at the heroine not to go a certain place or believe a certain person. I was completely absorbed in this story!
Profile Image for Lindsey.
409 reviews22 followers
June 4, 2019
This was a suspenseful book, that I thoroughly enjoyed. It seemed like everything was going wrong in Evie's life and throughout the book things go from bad to worse. Somehow they need to figure out who is behind these grievous murders. This was an intriguing read. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review this great read.
Profile Image for Connie.
153 reviews
June 11, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Having already been a fan of A. L. Sowards I was excited to read her new book. This one did not disappoint! If you enjoy books whose characters engage you from start to finish and keep you guessing on the “who done it”, this book is for you.

This one was also a bit of a surprise in that her other books, that I have read, were historical fiction based on WWII. While there is some reference to that era it is more of a mystery and suspense.
Profile Image for Lori.
1,892 reviews136 followers
June 27, 2019
I really enjoyed the who done it!! It gave me a break in my normal reading genre. I also loved it because it was told in first person genre.
The author has done a really great job with the characters' emotions and in bringing them to life!! This is an actionpacked adventure if you're in the mood for such a read!! She makes you feel like you're really in the book!! I didn't want to leave but I had to. So sad. Hopefully there will be a sequal to this awesome book!! .
Evie and Gary make a great team to find out who was creating havoc in their town. Even though back in those days if you dated anyone that was different was frowned upon.
I really didn't care what Evie's dad thought. Sometimes I wanted to smack him. I thought her dad was an extremely narrow minded man. I don't care for people like that and that's what makes the relationship between Evie and her dad strained. It's such a shame really. My own dad was like that towards me as well.
I thought Gary was perfect for her. He was kind, caring and always looking out for her. He was a war veteran. I never thought it was fair when the men went off to fight for our country that they never come back the same as when they left. There's really no telling what they've seen and found over seas. War is a cruel thing. I wish we didn't have them.
I thought that it was great when Evie was there for him too. I think Evie is special in her own right.
Have you ever met someone and you feel like you've know them for life? Evie is just such a person to me. I love characters like that don't you?
I can't wait for ya'll to see what happens in this book!! You'll love the surprise!!
I strongly recommend it and no compensations were received. All opinions are my own!!
Profile Image for Anna.
1,531 reviews31 followers
November 4, 2019
A decent mystery. Sowards creates a palpable sense of danger and confusion. She also confronts some hard issues in an upfront and realistic way. The grief I would have expected was strangely muted but perhaps that is because the events of the story take place so quickly. The back story told in letters at the beginning of each chapter was sweet and touching.
My only quibble was that the motive felt insufficient. I think perhaps the culprit was supposed to have been damaged by the war, and of course there is rarely sufficient justification for any murder, but it still seemed weak.
Profile Image for Stella Potts.
516 reviews10 followers
June 18, 2019
This is an awesome book. A historical suspense set in 1944 and 1948. An era when dating an Indian was frowned upon. Evie and Gary have trouble not only with small town folks but also with family who are not happy with their relationship. Then Gary is accused of murder and Evie begins her own investigation to prove his innocence. Told in the first person POV this will keep you guessing until the very end. If you are a fan of suspense and/or WWII history you will not want to miss this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Jessica Anderson.
100 reviews4 followers
May 8, 2025
I called it early on, and the ending was super cheesy, but it was still a good murder/romance novel.
Profile Image for Gretchen Garrison.
Author 3 books31 followers
June 28, 2019
Note: I did receive a free #netgalley copy of this book for review purposes.
I really enjoyed this clean romantic suspense book. Set right after World War 2, this provides for an excellent setting. One of the storylines deals with the PTSD that soldiers would have dealt with after the war. What is fascinating is the author talks about the terminology for PTSD that would have been used back then. Although I did have a good idea of who might be the villain, there were definitely enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I would read more books by this author.
Profile Image for Kelly Nelson.
Author 9 books83 followers
June 16, 2019
From the opening scene, The Redgrave Murders keeps you guessing with plot twists and unexpected turns. I love how this murder mystery gives you a rewarding romance as well as a taste of post World War II history. Sowards makes the scenes and dialogue feel true to the era and the characters are both complex and unique. With a Native American dating the Caucasian main character my eyes were opened to some of the challenges of that time period. Threads of tension make this a fast-paced read.
Profile Image for Cristie Underwood.
2,270 reviews63 followers
July 1, 2019
Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.
Profile Image for Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!).
795 reviews38 followers
July 12, 2019
This book was a huge surprise to me and in a very good way. I didn't expect to become so completely engrossed in Evie's story and not only her relationship with her boyfriend Gary, but the murders that keep happening around her. As soon as I thought I had a part of the puzzle figured out, or I thought I knew who was behind it, the Sowards would throw another curve ball my way. This is a true whodunit and kept me on my toes and page turning until the very end. I highly recommend The Redgrave Murders to any mystery/suspense fan, you will not be disappointed! I received a copy of this book for free, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.