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Legacy of Fear

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What dark secret is hidden in her past? What evil has been handed down through the generations?

Emily Burton found happiness in a small, picturesque town on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Her sense of peace and security is shattered when she’s brutally attacked, and an innocent person is murdered. The authorities believe the incident is random, until Emily becomes the target of further violence and threats.

With the help of her enigmatic neighbor, she uncovers an eerily similar crime that dates back sixty years. Could there be a connection between the two attacks? Did malevolence stretch its deadly arm across generations?

Emily is convinced there’s a link, but she needs to find it before it finds her.

226 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2019

58 people are currently reading
141 people want to read

About the author

A.J. McCarthy

13 books167 followers
As an author of mystery suspense novels, A.J. McCarthy is always on the lookout for new ideas. Her friends and family are cautious, concerned they may become a victim in her next novel. Those who are more adventurous offer up ideas and are willing to sacrifice certain family members for the cause. A.J. bides her time, waiting for the right moment and the perfect victim. She hides behind a quiet façade, and few know what she’s really thinking.
A.J. grew up reading Agatha Christie, Sidney Sheldon, and many other masters of mystery and suspense. A lifelong love of the genre evolved. She’s a member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. When she isn’t writing, chances are she is reading.

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5 stars
59 (43%)
4 stars
43 (31%)
3 stars
27 (20%)
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5 (3%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Dana.
908 reviews21 followers
October 29, 2019
Thrillers are my jam! Living on Vancouver Island and having a book based here made me so excited to dive in!! Legacy Of Fear had my attention from the first page ... the breeze carrying the scent of salt air from the Pacific Ocean, hey! That's my ocean! Too cool! - This is a steady paced thriller/mystery with well developed characters, (though Emily may have you shaking your head at times based on her decisions - you'll see!) a plot that will keep you guessing throughout, and solid descriptions. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, it's highly likely that you're wrong ;) I did not see that ending coming!

A huge thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours & A.J McCarthy for my review copy!
Profile Image for Nursebookie.
2,890 reviews457 followers
November 8, 2019
WOW is this an amazing read!

My first A.J. McCarthy novel and I am a fan! First of all, the story setting is absolutely beautiful and opens in the beautiful west coast of Vancouver Island. The juxtaposition of the beauty of the island, with the evil that is lurking, is a brilliant comparison. The suspense and suspicion that builds up makes for an edge of your seat read that kept me turning the pages to a satisfying and surprising ending.

I highly recommend this book.
Author 1 book86 followers
October 31, 2019
When Emily is attacked the police think it's just a random act of violence but when more threats and violence happens Emily starts trying to connect the pieces. She uncovers a similar crime from sixty years earlier.
A fast read. The twists and turns kept me going. This was my first read by this author. I loved the suspense and tension. An excellent read.

Dawnny-BookGypsy
Hudson Valley NY
18 reviews
November 29, 2019
Great thriller

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writer kept you in suspense throughout the story . A lot of books I’ve read recently have been very repetitious but I did not find this at all. This author had you hooked from the beginning and included a surprise ending.
Profile Image for Dianne Gow.
306 reviews
April 20, 2020
The best novel by A.J. McCarthy and I have read them all. Great location, lots of suspense right till the end.
Profile Image for Hannelore Cheney.
1,563 reviews29 followers
November 25, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the eARC.
Having lived in Canada for 20 years, I love books set there, but unfortunately I have never been to the West Coast and it's definitely on my bucket list!
Emily is enjoying her life living on the coast with her beloved Lab, Max and making a decent living making pottery. She has a group of great friends and life is good until, while running on the beach, she's attacked and almost strangled to death. A good Samaritan helps, but is killed in the process.
All at once her life is ruined as someone seems determined to kill her and she finds herself terrified, not trusting anyone, not even her good friends. A new neighbor decides to look after her and for some reason she trusts him and allows him in her life. While doing some research, she realizes a similar attack occurred 60 years ago...is there a connection?
I liked her (loved Max!), although I worried about some of the decisions she made.
The setting is wonderful, it made me want to get on a plane and visit the island, it sounds so beautiful.
All in all it's a good mystery that made me tear through the book and I definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
399 reviews23 followers
November 16, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up

This was a quick thriller that kept me guessing the whole time. While I had a pretty good guess who was out to get her, the ending still shocked me. This book was well written with great pacing and had well developed characters. The setting has me convinced I need to take a small vacation and had me missing my wheel throwing days (which are way behind me with bad wrists). If your looking for a novella sized thriller, this book is definitely for you!

Thank you #katerockbooktours and Aj McCarthy for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
286 reviews6 followers
December 19, 2019
Thank you Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for this ARC.
A well written and enjoyable mystery.
Emily Burton lives in a pretty little town on Vancouver Island. She's attacked while running on the beach in a very similar way to a crime 60 years earlier. She then becomes the victim of more violence. Is there a connection to the decades old crime? With the help of her mysterious new neighbour she searches for the link before it's too late.
Profile Image for Christine Moore.
923 reviews32 followers
October 30, 2019
I have been reading a lot of thrillers. This was a really good one! Emily is a very strong character and after she is attacked she tries and finds out why! The twists and turns are awesome and I did not see that ending coming!! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for KayBee's Bookshelf.
1,823 reviews58 followers
March 9, 2020
Initially, I was pulled in with this story. The main character was attacked and the hunt was on for the culprit. The primaries had solid chemistry. I enjoyed listening to Dustin and Emily's conversations because I wanted them to just accept the fact that they probably belonged together.
The story flowed well and stayed true to its genre. I kept up with the characters and had a couple of suspects lined up in my head while listening. The events that initially took place pulled me in but with the repetitive events thereafter would lead a normal person to believe they were being targeted and Emily seemed oblivious. There were a couple of lines repeated within the same paragraph and that can be a little annoying, but that could just be me.
I connected on some level with Emily because she liked her alone time in the beginning, and I like my alone time as well.
One moment that stood out to me was when the attacker was finally revealed, I had this character on my mental list, but not that far up on the list. It was a good reveal.
The audio production was great! Everything was clear without any interruption or noise. The one thing that kept it from being a 5 star listen was the narrator. His monotone delivery was not the best for this story. All in all, I would recommend this book to fellow mystery/suspense readers.

reviewed by provided by bookshelf team member @theambitiousreader
Profile Image for Rebecca.
89 reviews
February 27, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in return for an honest review.

Emily Burton loves her quiet life on Vancouver Island, a place where there is virtually no crime and you don't have to lock your doors. However that illusion is shattered when Emily is brutally attacked while running on the beach. They only reason she survived the attack was because an innocent bystander steps in and is murdered in her place. The police think it is a random attack until Emily finds herself being threatened and attacked again. With the protection and help of her new neighbor, Dustin, she uncovers a similar crime that occurred sixty years ago. But how does that crime connect to what is happening today? And is her new neighbor who he appears to be?

This mystery kept me guessing till the end. I did not see the murder coming. I did find the protagonist to be a little too naïve but overall I enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Elvan.
696 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2022
I enjoyed the fast pace and the red herrings scattered about making it impossible to know who our heroine Emily could trust. Liked the setting and isolation of this small community on Vancouver Island and the mystery tied to historical events. The plot had an implausible near miss too many times feel to it and the local cops were more condescending then useful but it was still a fun read.

Looking forward to reading more from this author.
15 reviews
February 24, 2020
Enjoyable book

Very well told mystery. I have to admit that at least on a couple occasions I was tempted to jump to the end to see if "the butler did it".
Profile Image for Pam Jones.
358 reviews19 followers
February 19, 2020
I was skeptical of this book because of the number of reviews. But, I'm glad I read it. I think it was a little slow in a couple parts, but still compelling and kept me motivated to get to the ending. Solid 3.5.
Profile Image for LuAnn.
4 reviews
February 10, 2020
Unexpected

A great quick read. Fast paced, easy to get to know the characters, just an interesting story. I never expected the ending!
3 reviews
February 6, 2020
Very good

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was not easy trying to figure out who the guilty person would be
Profile Image for Jackie Hovorka.
Author 4 books27 followers
January 31, 2020
Emily Burton is a sweet girl thrown into a world of fear that she never imagined to find in such a small & perfect island town. I loved Emily. I loved her innocence, yet strength. More so, I loved the way this story was written. It flowed beautifully from one scene to another. You really feel like you are there and in Emily’s shoes. Do not make the mistake of thinking you will know where this story goes. It’s twisted in such a good way that you won’t wanna stop reading! If you like murder mystery, this is your book!
Profile Image for abdulia ortiz-perez.
634 reviews39 followers
December 28, 2019
I received this ARC from Publisher for honest Review.
What a great thrill and suspense it was to read. What a great psychological thrill! This novel had everything in it. The thrill, the suspense, the psychological, romance and the twist is crazy. This novel will keep you thinking and guessing. When you think you right, well let me just say that you might be wrong. This had me all over the place. My heart beating so fast! I couldn't believe what I was reading. If had me in shock. Every page, every chapter was a page turner. I couldn't believe my eyes what I was reading. I highly recommend everybody get this book and read it. It will surprise you in every way.


The storyline was very good!
The theme and setting was well put together. The characters was well put together in the story.
This story will have in a rollercoaster with all the spooky and secrets. Was so well put in the story.
Everything all in one book.
It was just perfect!
I highly recommend everybody get this and read it.
What a great read! This had me hooked from the beginning. What a Rollercoaster! The sitting, theme, and the Characters had me pulled so in. Everything was well put together and it was just perfect. This novel would have you guess and thinking all the way to the end. What a great thrill and suspense. I love a great suspense that would have me think and guessing. This novel did just that to me. To the point that am wrong. When the ending comes am on shock. I wouldn't of never believe or guess. Like OMG!
Highly recommend everybody get this book and read it. Its so good!
Can't wait for her next book.
Profile Image for Sam.
638 reviews35 followers
October 24, 2019
What a twisty, psychological page turner!! 


This was not a large book, it took me awhile to finish because I did not want it to end. I was truly enjoying getting to know the characters and really basking in the location. 
Beach town locations always get me, they're the perfect settings for any kind of story especially, suspense and thrillers. It's my family's dream to actually move to the gulf coast, hmm.. maybe one day?


Emily Burton is a strong character who is happily content doing her own thing and not looking for a relationship. Then she's attacked and her new, mysterious next door neighbor helps her investigate. Will it bring them closer? Will she find out who almost killed her and why? 


You will love this novel, you'll devour it and want more. Well written and hits that "scary" and "creepy" note several times.


This wonderfully addictive read releases on NOVEMBER 7 so make sure you grab it when it's available. Let me know your thoughts!!


AND stay tuned to my blog and instagram page, I will be on book tour for this gem on November 4!!


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


A huge thanks to Kate Rock and AJ McCarthy for the advanced readers copy!! I truly loved it and cannot wait to read more from Ms McCarthy!! You've gotten a new fan for sure!!!

Profile Image for S. Jeyran  Main.
1,645 reviews130 followers
October 20, 2019
Legacy of fear is a story written about Emily. Her life appears to be regular with no issues until she is brutally attacked, and another person is killed. It takes her to be struck one more time to realize that this is not just a random incident. Questions begin to generate in her mind, and as she finds help in solving the mystery, her journey begins.


I found the story to be intensely filled with mystery, thrilling plotline, and good character interaction dialogue. Emily is a smart girl, and the relationships she had with characters such as Will, Francie, Trevor were all very well drawn. Romance is also another added factor to the mix of the story.



The pace of the story was steady, and the scenes were descriptive enough for the reader to picture. From reading many similar types of stories, one thing has to be spot on, and that is the thrilling nature of the content. The author, in this story, managed to keep the mind of the reader intrigued. He made you question what is going on up until the end of the book. Keeping the reader hooked was very important, and he succeeded in that.



I would recommend this story to people who like to read mystery, fiction, thriller stories.
Profile Image for Bookish With Wine.
476 reviews23 followers
November 3, 2019
You can’t help but feel bad for Emily. Her sense of security is shattered after her attack. Now she doesn’t know who to trust. Emily has a tight group of friends, but she begins to look at them differently, and she doesn’t like it.

Then there’s the new neighbor, Dustin, who showed up at the most perfect time. For some reason he’s always there. I was glad he felt protective of her, but it was a little too much too soon for my taste. I would go on the defense too if my new neighbor, who is a stranger, insisted on sleeping in my spare bedroom to take care of my independent self.

The pace picks up when Emily and her neighbor discover that the same type of attack happened sixty years prior. It hits close to home for Emily. The more the duo look into the past, the more the killer tries to stop her.

This is a fast paced book falling in at only 226 pages. A little bit of romance and a whole lot of suspense. Everyone, male and female, is a suspect in Emily’s eyes, but the reveal of who the killer is was surprising.

Grab your copy November 7, 2019!
Profile Image for Megsbookclub.
1,535 reviews27 followers
November 13, 2019
It’s the weekend and I can’t think of anything better than staying in and reading a thriller! Legacy of Fear is a short thriller that you won’t want to put down until you are done! I’m so excited to share this one with you guys as @a.j._mccarthy is a new author to me. I love finding new authors! .

What dark secret is hidden in her past? What evil has been handed down through generations? Emily Burton found happiness in a small, picturesque town on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Her sense of peace and security is shattered when she’s brutally attacked, and an innocent person is murdered. The authorities believe the incident is random, until Emily becomes the target of further violence and threats. .

With the help of her enigmatic neighbor, she uncovers an eerily similar crime that dates back sixty years. Could there be a connection between the two attacks? Did malevolence stretch its deadly arm across generations? Emily is convinced there’s a link, but she needs to find it before it finds her. .

Thanks to @katerocktours and @a.j._mccarthy for this review copy!
Profile Image for Ginny Velazquez.
77 reviews8 followers
September 14, 2019
Legacy of Fear is a fun, fast thriller that wraps up neatly in the end. I have not read any Agatha Christie that I can recall, but this book definitely fits with my impression of what her stories are like.

***Spoilers ahead***
Emily is the likable but (in my opinion) somewhat dim-witted protagonist. The biggest issues I had with the story were how quickly and easily she allowed Dustin to infiltrate her life and how naive she seems the entire time. I mean, she never uses her phone to call for help, she immediately trusts a complete stranger who happens to appear right after she is attacked, and she just generally seemed way less concerned for her well-being than I thought was realistic.
***End of spoilers***

The plot moved quickly, though parts of it were a little redundant and some conclusions seemed to be arrived at without reason. Ultimately I was satisfied with the conclusion. Without an further spoilers, I’ll say it didn’t end as I had expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anne Marie.
360 reviews14 followers
October 31, 2019
Thank You Kate Rock for including me in the book tour!

I love a good thriller. And this book definitely lived up to that. You have Emily a woman who is pretty self sustaining. She lives on her own in a house by the ocean. She is well known within the small town that she lives in and has lots of friends. But who could possibly be wanting to kill her? Other than her ex-husband there is no when she can think of. And even her ex-husband would be a stretch. However she will not leave this up to the authorities to figure out. Her and her new neighbor team together to figure out who may want her dead.
Profile Image for Amy Shannon.
Author 156 books134 followers
November 7, 2019
Incredible!

McCarthy has penned another great story. Legacy of Fear is a remarkably written story that shows off the storytelling talents of this author. It's one of those edge-of-your-seat page turners, making you not want to stop until the very last word. Emily is an interesting character who is stronger than first let on. I really thought she grew as a character, and that shows how people may have turning points in life that affect them forever, even changing them. The characters, all of them, were well developed, and the story just pulls the reader right in. I look forward to reading more by this author. This read is definitely recommended by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Profile Image for Carol.
683 reviews21 followers
December 5, 2019
Wow, rarely do I read a book in one sitting but once I started Legacy of Fear, I could not put it down. This fast paced thriller/suspense had me hooked to the end. I love trying to figure out who did the crime, but this book kept me guessing to the very end and boy was I wrong. If you love fast paced thriller/suspense, I highly recommend Legacy of Fear. Thank you to AJ McCarthy and Kate Rock Book Tours for a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Nikki.
289 reviews12 followers
October 30, 2019
Wowzers! Talk about a heart pounding read! I love when a book takes place on my side of the map! Pacific Northwest! Holla! The main character is buritlaly attacked and another person killed. Was it an innocent one time thing or was Emily targeted? A.J. McCarthy has another hit out of the park. You will think you know how it ends only to be shocked!
712 reviews5 followers
November 20, 2019
Great book!!

This is a wonderful read for the beach or for you in front of the tv. The characters are interesting and the plot enticing.
Profile Image for Jerry Mount.
219 reviews3 followers
September 6, 2020
I liked a lot of this book, but there are a couple of important weak points. I really liked the location descriptions, the character presentations, the overall mystery structure, and most of the lead character development and single POV. What I found weak were many of the actions by the LC. Many questionable decisions concerning her own safety, a police investigation, and especially who to trust. SPOILERS: I can't see how it took over 100 pages for Emily (the LC) to suddenly question, based on her sister's advice, whether Dustin was trustworthy, or even a criminal threat. Why she allowed him into effectively controlling her life with such little knowledge about him is either unrealistic or makes her a very weak woman. As a reader, I didn't trust him from the beginning, and I can't believe Emily, her friends, and the police didn't consider Dustin a strong suspect all along. The entire "twist" at the end didn't convince me. The author was heavy-handed in finally presenting Dustin as a likely suspect, but then bringing in another character as the actual bad guy almost out of the blue. The whole ending seemed rushed and forced.
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