Trail of Ashes

by Ashley Fraley

Harper Sutton is running from a lot of things. A relationship that isn't working. A hometown that was never welcoming to her. A dysfunctional family, the love of her life that she left behind, and traumatic memories of the past.

Then, there's the serial killer.

Brewer Falls, Harper's hometown, has been tormented by a serial killer known as The Striker since the late 80s. But now Harper has no choice but to return home and face her fear because The Striker's latest victim is her estranged mother.

Upon Returning, Harper finds there is more trouble than she could have ever expected. On top of The Striker and her mother's murder, her best friend Kacey is missing, and her brother is now an addict. The boy next door, her first love, has married someone else. Being back in her mother's house means Harper must face the traumatic memories that have haunted her. She has a feeling that if she looks hard enough, she just might find answers in those memories.

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2022

Reviews

[Courtney (caffeinereadrepeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blubbering Babbling Bubbling Brooks! 😳😯😳🤯

Heavens High Almighty! For crying out loud I can't catch my breath. Holy Fluff!! 🤯😯 This was an awesome fast-paced thriller that kept your heart pumping & your palms sweaty. I couldn't read fast enough. I kept suspecting back and forth between people but Fraley kept me on my toes from getting too close and finding out until she wanted it to be revealed, which I appreciated so much! This lady has magic!
Brewer Falls has been haunted by a serial murderer since the 1980's know as The Striker.
Harper grew up there and had anything but a normal family life or even a hometown life in general - maladjusted would be the best description for it.
Now 28, Harper has tried to put it all behind her and living away from it all, only to return after a phone call about her mother's death. But when she arrives back to town, she's informed her mother was actually murdered & it's believed she was the latest victim of The Striker. To make matters more complicating, Kacey her old best friend is now missing & her older brother Jake is no longer who he used to be.
Her traumatic memories and past now need to be faced - but will it be more than she bargained for?
The ending was so satisfying and made so much sense as it all wrapped up. She sure knew how to deliver the punches and keep me intrigued and curious. I enjoyed this way more than I thought. So delish, so dark, so twisted and suspense was flying high with this golden nugget.

I give this a strong 4 / 5 Bouquets! 💐

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!
I was rooting for Harper Sutton from the very first chapter. She was forced to navigate her way through small town drama and buried trauma she thought she had left behind.
There is no shortage of mysteries and twists and turn in this book.
Trail of Ashes was one of those books that keeps you turning pages and saying, “One more chapter” no matter how late into the night it gets.
I’m looking forward to more from Ashley Fraley.
Complimentary copy from the author via Vicarious Readers Only.

[Janell Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Trail of Ashes checks all the boxes to be a great book!
A dysfunctional family, a selfish boyfriend,
bad memories, a murder, a serial killer and a past first-love.
Sounds great, right? It is!
Ashley Fraley is one of my new favorite authors!"
- Books and Pens on Green Gables

Trail of Ashes by Ashley Fraley

When you get a call that your mom is in trouble, you go back home. Harper hasn't had a relationship with her mom for a long time. She's lived with memories of the way her mom treated her when she was growing up. Her brother and her friends were the only ones she could count on. When she finds out who is behind her mom's murder, she can't believe it. The Striker, from when Harper was a kid, is back.

Harper soon finds herself working with her old friend, Tony, now a police officer. He gives her more unexpected news that leads to a lot of memories and questions for Harper. Harper starts doing her own investigation and can't believe all of the secrets she is discovering in this small town.

Then another mystery, how can she still have feelings for her first boyfriend after all these years?

Trail of Ashes by Ashley Fraley is a great book, well-written, great storyline,
likable characters! Available NOW!

Thank you to the author for giving me her book to read and review!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid read and wonderful debut novel from Ashely Fraley. (There's a sequel in the works and I am definitely looking forward to reading more about these characters.)

Without spoiling the book...

I jotted down some phrases after the first few chapters: slice of life, broken family, running away, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of expression. Harper's story is revealed layer by layer in present time as well as flashbacks (relevant and well placed flashbacks) and it is a story that tugs at the heartstrings if only due to the fact that the struggles she faces and the situations she has been subjected to . . . they're not inconceivable.

Overall, well-paced but arguably too fast in certain places, likeable characters, and I'm eager to read more.
**I will say there were a couple of sentences that didn't seem quite right, but did not detract from the story.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters, with all their foibles, were interesting, entertaining, and seemed real. Definitely TW for abuse, but it wasn’t horribly graphic and added to the characters and their choices. Luke and Olivia seemed the odd ones out as a couple in retrospect but overall it was an interesting story. I would like to read more from this author some day.

I received a free copy from voracious readers for an honest review.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Couldn't put it down. The storyline had it all: good pace, mystery, murder, interesting & believable characters. Also, the back and forth from present day & the past was well done. Sometimes that can be confusing but not in this case.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy a good mystery.

[Two Odd Socks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only.

I liked the inclusion of a trigger warning at the start of the book, as this shows the author cares about how her work could affect the audience.

The story has a compelling narrative, which had a lot of different plot points happening. I think scenes could have been left to develop more, as events happened rapidly.

Slight issues with editing did take me out of the story, but a good start to this author's writing career.

[Maricela Timmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller with a very likeable main character. I instantly loved Harper and knew this book was going to be fun and enjoyable. Honestly, for her first book this was just wonderful! I am so greatful to have had the chance to read her work before being published and will be on the look out for her new books to come!!

[Sarah Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t typically leave reviews but this book was 👏🏼 AH 👏🏼 MAZE 👏🏼 ING👏🏼 I read it in one sitting and could not stop. I’m more of a romance reader but stumbled upon this and it was so good. Definitely unpredictable. Page turner. Highly recommend!!

[KDM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Thriller, mystery, love and a serial killer! So many twists and turns it keeps you guessing until the very end! A smooth easy read with endearing characters! Will look for more from this author!

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A free book from Voracious Readers thank you

A will written thriller that keeps you in suspense with the mystery of a serial killer who seemed to start over. Will Harper ever find who killed her mother?
If you enjoy this genre a recommended read

[Rach3l · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! There were lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I can’t wait to read more by this author. Definitely recommend

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Harper was a prickly but likeable main character, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Thanks to Voracious readers for sending me a copy to read and review.I would definitely read more by this author.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ebook free through the Voracious readers only website. I loved the story. The characters became so real, I just wanted them to unravel the murder mystery and find peace! They did. Interesting too was the illustration of how counseling can help, when you find the right person.

[Carol Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

i started reading this book and could not put it down until i finished it such a good book. one of the best i have read . cant wait to read more of her books.

[Danielle Buchino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that this book wasn’t predictable. The characters were great. I loved the back story of the tough times that the main character went through and who stood by her.

[Samantha Haughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! There’s mystery, humor and romance. Before you know it you’ve stayed up all night following Harper to her hometown and unraveling the mysterious disappearances. The book has a great pacing and leaves you wanting more. Harper as a main character is relatable and funny. The mystery of the towns serial killer, the new disappearances all mixed with the interesting characters of the town are great. It’s a great story to immerse yourself in and enjoy.

[T.M. Shivener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great debut novel! I enjoyed reading this thriller. I have been on a pretty big thriller kick recently and this one did not disappoint.

A couple of my favorite lines from the book:
“Did you find any... I don't know, clues?"
Tony held back a snort.
“This isn't Scooby-Doo.”

“…his eyes are the most beautiful shade of green, just like the forest in the spring when all the leaves are brand new.”

[Patricia Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner. I couldn't stop reading. Great story with a plot twist. If you enjoy suspense, you'll want to check this book out.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a trail of ashes leads back to a fire, a trail of clues leads back to a culprit. Harper Sutton ventures down both trails in this thrilling murder mystery where unveiling the truth means going back in time, no matter how painful…

There are books where the culprit just seems so obvious, this is not one of those books. I was left turning page after page in a desperate attempt to sleuth out the culprit for myself, but I found myself fall short. I loved the trail of clues and I loved how everything just clicked into place in the end. This book was wonderfully paced and the characters were written to be endearingly flawed. I highly recommend getting ahold of this book and losing yourself in the pages.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Ashley for giving the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am so sorry it took me so long to write the review.

This book always had me eager to know more what happened next! Definitely a page turner as this book contains a bit of this and that; combination of past love, abuse, murder. I wish the author elaborated more on what happened to one of the characters because I think it was necessary hence, I gave 4 stars.

Do check the trigger warnings before reading. As someone who loves thriller books, I enjoyed this book so much and I look forward to the author's next novel.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley Fraley's debut novel is a trek through one woman's heartbreaking past and the hometown she thought she would leave forever. Ten years after Harper Sutton left behind her abusive mother, distant brother, and heartbroken ex-boyfriend, she's called back to town to confront tragedy head-on. Harper's mother has been murdered, and what's worse, it may have something to do with a serial killer who was active in her hometown almost two decades ago. In her absence, Harper learns that things have gotten much worse for the ones she loves.

​Fraley's narrative is a powerful ride through Harper's innermost feelings and thoughts. She expertly balances the action with reflection to give the reader a deep understanding of her character. This book does involve a handful of unpleasant scenes of child abuse, which I feel are enough to warrant a trigger warning. The scenes help us to gain an understanding of Harper's horrible early years and the reasons she tried to put everything in her past behind her for good.

I don't want to spoil the ending for you, but there are some delightful twists that will surprise you. Just when you think you've figured it out, Fraley feeds you breadcrumbs in a different direction. Trail of Ashes kept me guessing until the end. If you're looking for a book about healing from trauma, reconnecting with your loved ones, and solving some crime along the way, this is your next read!

[JulieAnn Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was engrossed in this book from the beginning and could not put it down! Interactions between characters felt fun and genuine, and easy to love. The murder mystery of who is the “Striker” and why was enthralling - I couldn’t wait to see what happened next! I will definitely be reading more from this author! I received a complementary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Sandy Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Trail of Ashes. This story has lots to keep you interested - a serial killer, missing persons, bad childhood, romance and friendship. I read the whole book in one night! I thank the author for sending me a complimentary copy of her book through Voracious Readers and will look forward to reading anything else she writes.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this story are so real that I felt they were my own neighbors and friends! Their problems were like the problems in my own hometown too. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Excellent story!

[Liz Hokanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Harper Sutton’s mother is murdered, Harper must face all the truths she’s been avoiding at her childhood home. This was a fast-paced thriller that was the perfect launch into spooky season for me!

[Cheryl Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing all the way through and I definitely didn’t see the twist coming, which for me is a sign of a good story. If you like a murder mystery and thrillers you’ll love this book. There is also a good family drama in the story . I highly recommend it.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story! Needs some light editing (a few minor misspellings, punctuation and formatting errors) but nothing major that took away from the story. I feel like some parts could’ve been fleshed out a bit more and there were a few plot holes, but the story was overall engaging and enjoyable!

[Lauren Vick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for those who are just starting their thriller/crime/mystery journey. A strong storyline and a great ending.

[Rhonda Kontner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book

I really enjoyed this book. Twists and turns made it difficult to put down before it was finished. Interesting ending.