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Carolina Reckoning
Alison wanted her cheating husband gone, not dead...
When 30-something housewife, Alison Monaghan discovers proof of her husband's infidelity in a photograph with a mysterious woman, she must decide how to confront Frank when he returns home from work. Despite the influence of her best friend, Valerie, a strong Christian, Alison remains aloof from God and is determined to handle this crisis her own way. But Alison may not get that chance. Frank never makes it home. Soon his body is found on a lonely back-country road in antebellum Weathersby Historic Park where Frank served on the board of directors and where Alison, with a degree in landscape design, was a volunteer garden docent. Homicide detective Mike Barefoot, a Cherokee native from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, immediately puts Alison at the top of his suspect list. He finds himself drawn to her--and not just because she had motive for the crime. As an army veteran, Mike usually keeps his emotional walls high. And as a detective, he knows not to get involved with murder suspects. So why he is so attracted to Alison? Can he fight his feelings for her--and the stirrings in his heart toward God?
When 30-something housewife, Alison Monaghan discovers proof of her husband's infidelity in a photograph with a mysterious woman, she must decide how to confront Frank when he returns home from work. Despite the influence of her best friend, Valerie, a strong Christian, Alison remains aloof from God and is determined to handle this crisis her own way. But Alison may not get that chance. Frank never makes it home. Soon his body is found on a lonely back-country road in antebellum Weathersby Historic Park where Frank served on the board of directors and where Alison, with a degree in landscape design, was a volunteer garden docent. Homicide detective Mike Barefoot, a Cherokee native from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, immediately puts Alison at the top of his suspect list. He finds himself drawn to her--and not just because she had motive for the crime. As an army veteran, Mike usually keeps his emotional walls high. And as a detective, he knows not to get involved with murder suspects. So why he is so attracted to Alison? Can he fight his feelings for her--and the stirrings in his heart toward God?
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2013
24 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Carter
52 books242 followersWriter. Book Lover. Avid Gardener. World Traveler.
Lisa Carter is the Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books. She writes the contemporary Truelove Matchmaker romance series with Love Inspired. She also writes romantic suspense—best described as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” When not hard at work on her next fictional adventure, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. www.lisacarterauthor.com
Follow Lisa on BookBub for the latest book news at https://bit.ly/3G2iWGv.
Join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://rb.gy/2ilkh7.
Lisa Carter is the Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books. She writes the contemporary Truelove Matchmaker romance series with Love Inspired. She also writes romantic suspense—best described as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” When not hard at work on her next fictional adventure, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. www.lisacarterauthor.com
Follow Lisa on BookBub for the latest book news at https://bit.ly/3G2iWGv.
Join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://rb.gy/2ilkh7.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 10, 2019
3.5 stars
Overall, I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery. It worked out subtly at first and then with more urgency after the case went cold and Alison got determined to solve it. I also enjoyed that each character learned to acknowledge God in daily life, though it wasn't very detailed.
A few things didn't add up/bothered me. Alison was a daredevil when it came to a clue, even after being shot at. The incident of being shot at was underplayed and I never quite understood that bit. I think Robert was just in there to muddy the waters and annoy me, perhaps?
Also, I didn't understand why Mike was so touchy about his Cherokee heritage. Members of my family have the exact same fraction of Cherokee blood but we don't over-react because someone uses a term of "hitting the warpath," etc. It's a part of who Mike is but he acted like he had no other heritage and was overly touchy in multiple situations, more like he was out looking for prejudice and imagining it where none was. This wasn't ever dealt with as a character trait, despite how this looking-for-offense trait popped up several times in the course of the story.
Overall, a solid mystery, and an author I'll be reading more of.
Overall, I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery. It worked out subtly at first and then with more urgency after the case went cold and Alison got determined to solve it. I also enjoyed that each character learned to acknowledge God in daily life, though it wasn't very detailed.
A few things didn't add up/bothered me. Alison was a daredevil when it came to a clue, even after being shot at. The incident of being shot at was underplayed and I never quite understood that bit. I think Robert was just in there to muddy the waters and annoy me, perhaps?
Also, I didn't understand why Mike was so touchy about his Cherokee heritage. Members of my family have the exact same fraction of Cherokee blood but we don't over-react because someone uses a term of "hitting the warpath," etc. It's a part of who Mike is but he acted like he had no other heritage and was overly touchy in multiple situations, more like he was out looking for prejudice and imagining it where none was. This wasn't ever dealt with as a character trait, despite how this looking-for-offense trait popped up several times in the course of the story.
Overall, a solid mystery, and an author I'll be reading more of.
August 16, 2013
Alison Monaghan has just found proof of her husband’s infidelity. She hasn’t loved him for a long time, and this is the end. But instead of confronting the controlling fault-finder, she is awakened to the news Frank has been murdered, leaving her an almost-destitute widow with two teenage children.
Detective Sergeant Mike Barefoot is in charge of the murder investigation, but finds himself more interested in the beautiful widow and her growing Christian faith, a faith he rejected years ago. He finds himself competing for her affections with a mature Christian—and protecting her from an unknown threat.
While I found the book easy to get in to, I did feel it was let down by the writing. Too many characters were introduced in too short a time, and it seemed most of them had red hair. It was difficult to keep them all straight—a particular problem in a mystery, where one of the characters is likely to be the murderer (and others may well be additional victims). And Alison suffered from TSTL syndrome (too stupid to live). I know conflict is the essence of good fiction, but when the 911 operator says stay outside away from the intruder, why did she have to go inside?
I’m not convinced Carolina Reckoning knew what it was doing. At first it seemed to be a mystery, with a dead body and a cast of interesting characters, many of whom were hiding secrets. But at times it seemed to be more of a romantic suspense, as it didn’t follow some of the conventions of the mystery genre and the love triangle seemed to take on more importance than the underlying mystery.
The Christian aspect of the novel was strong and generally well-presented, but I found there were some distracting idiosyncracies in the writing (like Mike’s insistence that Hawaii is ‘foreign’. Last I heard, it was a state of the USA).
Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Detective Sergeant Mike Barefoot is in charge of the murder investigation, but finds himself more interested in the beautiful widow and her growing Christian faith, a faith he rejected years ago. He finds himself competing for her affections with a mature Christian—and protecting her from an unknown threat.
While I found the book easy to get in to, I did feel it was let down by the writing. Too many characters were introduced in too short a time, and it seemed most of them had red hair. It was difficult to keep them all straight—a particular problem in a mystery, where one of the characters is likely to be the murderer (and others may well be additional victims). And Alison suffered from TSTL syndrome (too stupid to live). I know conflict is the essence of good fiction, but when the 911 operator says stay outside away from the intruder, why did she have to go inside?
I’m not convinced Carolina Reckoning knew what it was doing. At first it seemed to be a mystery, with a dead body and a cast of interesting characters, many of whom were hiding secrets. But at times it seemed to be more of a romantic suspense, as it didn’t follow some of the conventions of the mystery genre and the love triangle seemed to take on more importance than the underlying mystery.
The Christian aspect of the novel was strong and generally well-presented, but I found there were some distracting idiosyncracies in the writing (like Mike’s insistence that Hawaii is ‘foreign’. Last I heard, it was a state of the USA).
Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
July 6, 2016
Wow. What an engrossing read. From the suspense to the romance to the characterization -- Carter has created a memorable novel that I couldn't put down. My parched flowers will testify to that. Scorching heat and not a drop of water since I was inside devouring this book. Oops. Sorry garden. But not really because I enjoyed every scrumptious minute shared with Alison and Mike.
An unusual romantic suspense because the timeline covers nearly a year. So this isn't a frantic rush kind of a read. There are still high action moments and plenty of danger lurking in the wings but there's also the essence of a good mystery. Carefully plotted out, leads are scrupulously followed not only by Detective Mike but by the intrepid Alison who might have watched a few too many crime shows on TV. Intricate details present a selection of prime suspects. I found it hard to put the pieces together as Carter expertly revealed clues by slow degrees. What exquisite torture!
But when it comes right down to it, relationship is at the heart of this story. Characters faced with a reckoning of sorts -- with each other and most importantly, with God. I love the way those deep connections balance the suspense. Raw and real and totally believable. From the dynamics in Alison's grieving family to Mike's battles with his past. Their slide from friendship to romance isn't easy but, oh my goodness, is it worth it!
This is the kind of novel you lose yourself in and when you reach the end you are reluctant to let go of characters that have somehow wrapped themselves around your heart.
An unusual romantic suspense because the timeline covers nearly a year. So this isn't a frantic rush kind of a read. There are still high action moments and plenty of danger lurking in the wings but there's also the essence of a good mystery. Carefully plotted out, leads are scrupulously followed not only by Detective Mike but by the intrepid Alison who might have watched a few too many crime shows on TV. Intricate details present a selection of prime suspects. I found it hard to put the pieces together as Carter expertly revealed clues by slow degrees. What exquisite torture!
But when it comes right down to it, relationship is at the heart of this story. Characters faced with a reckoning of sorts -- with each other and most importantly, with God. I love the way those deep connections balance the suspense. Raw and real and totally believable. From the dynamics in Alison's grieving family to Mike's battles with his past. Their slide from friendship to romance isn't easy but, oh my goodness, is it worth it!
This is the kind of novel you lose yourself in and when you reach the end you are reluctant to let go of characters that have somehow wrapped themselves around your heart.
August 20, 2013
When Alison Monaghan discovered evidence of her husband's infidelity in his coat pocket, she was furious. She had intended to confront him when he came home that night but he never made it home. Soon, Frank's body is discovered with a bullet wound to the head and Alison is suspect number one. Alison wants to know why her husband was on the lonely back-country road when he was murdered and she wants to prove her innocence, even if it means stepping on the killer's toes to do it.
Detective Mike Barefoot, a Cherokee native from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, immediately suspects Alison as the killer. She has motive and opportunity, but for some reason he's drawn to her in an unusual way that has nothing to do with the crime. He usually keeps his emotional walls high and never gets involved with murder suspects, so his attraction to Alison is odd and uncharacteristic for him. His goal is to find the killer and hopefully stop them from killing again.
As Alison and Mike struggle to find the truth about her husband, Alison can't help but feel something for the younger detective. This is something she hasn't felt for a long time and might just lead to more, if she lets it. Their attraction grows but so does the danger of their situation. Mike is trying to keep Alison safe but she refuses to let Mike do all the work, putting a target on her back and making it nearly impossible for Mike to keep her safe.
Can Alison and Mike discover who killed her husband or will the murderer silence them both before it's too late? Can Mike keep Alison safe or will she put herself in too much danger? Will Alison open her heart to love again or will she forever hold onto the scars of her previous marriage? Can Mike break down his walls and love not only Alison but God too or will he lose them both because of his pain?
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When I saw this book and read the cover, I was in love. It seemed like the perfect suspense novel and one that I would really enjoy. However, it was a bit disappointing for me. When I picked up this book I expected an amazing romance and suspense but what I got wasn't at all what I expected. Despite the disappointment, I tried to enjoy this book and I did when the suspenseful rolled around but unfortunately they weren't very frequent.
The whole story has an amazingly slow pace, especially for a suspense. I could've easily walked away from this book, except I wanted to find out which of the dozen women was the killer, because I believed along with the heroine that the killer was a woman. Other than that detail, I probably would've walked away from this book and never come back. It took me too long to finish it anyway.
The suspense not only was slow but was shockingly not suspenseful. There's maybe three attempts to scare her off the case and for a 300 something page book that is a sorry excuse for a suspense and the death knell to any suspense. The killer is actually pretty difficult to pick because of the wide array of women in this book. However, if you pay attention to details and go with your gut you might just get it right, though I can guarantee you will be surprised at some details that come to light, which was the saving grace for this suspense.
The romance was a bit lackluster as well. Mike is the most unromantic unchivalrous man ever and Alison is having a hard time deciding between two men, one Mike and the other very similar to her dead husband. Not to mention that both the heroine and hero both find Christ but neither have a big conversion which, in my opinion, really makes the book realistic because people who fight God their entire lives don't usually just start talking to him and that's it. I don't know, this romance wasn't what I dream of and isn't really what I look forward to. I didn't feel the love pour through the pages.
This author didn't wow me with this one. I have no idea how many books this author has written but I'm hesitant to pick them up if there are any. However, something tells me this is a debut and if so, I might read her next books later on after she's grown a bit. I hope this author can find a balance in the delicate dance between suspense, romance, and growth. I don't really recommend this book.
Overall, I didn't love this book. Disappointment might've clouded my opinion but for me the only thing that saved this book was the plot twist at the end of the book. People who like slower suspense and suspense about murdering women might like this one. This book is best kept to the adults. I give this book a two and a half out of five.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
November 14, 2014
2 different friends and one beloved sister told me to just give up on this book, after much ranting. One wise friend went on to say "Life is too short to be wasting on books you can't stand". Therefore, to say that I did not like this book is a severe understatement. Between the "B.W.W.C."s (that's Before the World Went Crazy, a phrase used frequently in this book.), cheesy romances (apparently, when you become a widow, the men just come crawling out of the woodwork), a terrible love triangle (that is too immature for even juvenile fiction), stereotyping of characters (the classic creepy kid who does dirty work just to get approval from his psycho mom), cheap jabs at overweight people (dubbing characters as "hefty", for example), this book was a particular struggle for me. I hated the misconception of her daughter, Claire. She was called the "ice princess" by one of Allison's love interests, among other references to her severe personality that was not displayed in the book. Instead, she comes across as a matchmaker (by the way, what teenager is eager for their newly widowed mother to date?), problem solver, and a great chef (who is apparently responsible for all of the meal preparations). Claire's bullying severely irritated me because it was so extreme that it was unrealistic. I have never heard of (nor have my dear friends or sister that I ranted to) high school kids mocking a fellow student because their dad was shot! These characters taunt Claire by stalking her in a car and mimicking being shot in the head and dying! I understand the need to make these old friends of hers "B.W.W.C." undesirable, but that was too far. There are other characters who are villainous that mock Allison because of her former husband's wandering eye. Who DOES that? Furthermore, the obsession with coffee (Kona to be exact, the main character is a coffee connoisseur), flip-flops, double French doors, and plants was heavily present.
Although I appreciate the wisdom of my friends and sister to give up on the book, I just couldn't. Something inside of me really wanted to give it a fair chance and finish. I was so excited when I received this book through Goodreads FirstReads and I did not want to be disappointed. Unfortunately, 90% of the book did disappoint me. However, for you optimists reading this, there was one redeeming factor. I did not expect who the killer turned out to be, the climax of that part was a relief.
All things considered, I just really feel that if the author had taken out the overused phrases and obsessions, a lot of the details and mental chatter, and shortened it into a novella, it would have been quite an improvement. It seemed, to me anyway, to have too many concepts thrown into one book: Mystery, Romance, Civil War History, Christianity, High School Drama, Horticulture, Kona, Flip-Flops, and Stereotypes.
Please note: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Although I appreciate the wisdom of my friends and sister to give up on the book, I just couldn't. Something inside of me really wanted to give it a fair chance and finish. I was so excited when I received this book through Goodreads FirstReads and I did not want to be disappointed. Unfortunately, 90% of the book did disappoint me. However, for you optimists reading this, there was one redeeming factor. I did not expect who the killer turned out to be, the climax of that part was a relief.
All things considered, I just really feel that if the author had taken out the overused phrases and obsessions, a lot of the details and mental chatter, and shortened it into a novella, it would have been quite an improvement. It seemed, to me anyway, to have too many concepts thrown into one book: Mystery, Romance, Civil War History, Christianity, High School Drama, Horticulture, Kona, Flip-Flops, and Stereotypes.
Please note: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
August 14, 2013
Pros:
More like 3 1/2
I've been in Alison's shoes. I suspected infidelity in my former husband and it was confirmed by my daughters. I however got the privilege of confronting him and kicking him out! Alison never got that privilege. After finding out her husband is cheating, she receives the news that he has been killed, and of course she is the prime suspect. In unraveling the thread of her husband's murder, she becomes privy to her husband, Frank's private world.
Mike Barefoot, the detective on the case, can't understand why Alison isn't as upset as a wife would be at finding out about the murder of her husband. Alison's children have a difficult time continuing to live in their affluent neighborhood, with the knowledge that their father has left them penniless.
Overall this was a decent book. I giggled every time I saw the name Mike Barefoot, considering I attended church with a man named Mike Barefoot in Virginia. He was not a detective.
The spiritual element was very low key, not in your face.
Cons:
I just didn't feel the edge of my seat pull as I have with other romantic suspense novels I have read in the past.
More like 3 1/2
I've been in Alison's shoes. I suspected infidelity in my former husband and it was confirmed by my daughters. I however got the privilege of confronting him and kicking him out! Alison never got that privilege. After finding out her husband is cheating, she receives the news that he has been killed, and of course she is the prime suspect. In unraveling the thread of her husband's murder, she becomes privy to her husband, Frank's private world.
Mike Barefoot, the detective on the case, can't understand why Alison isn't as upset as a wife would be at finding out about the murder of her husband. Alison's children have a difficult time continuing to live in their affluent neighborhood, with the knowledge that their father has left them penniless.
Overall this was a decent book. I giggled every time I saw the name Mike Barefoot, considering I attended church with a man named Mike Barefoot in Virginia. He was not a detective.
The spiritual element was very low key, not in your face.
Cons:
I just didn't feel the edge of my seat pull as I have with other romantic suspense novels I have read in the past.
September 9, 2013
Carolina Reckoning
Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter is an awesome murder mystery by a wonderful Christian author. The book is not preachy, I promise you. It was a very quick read for me and there was plenty of suspense and mystery to keep me reading late into the night.
CAROLINA RECKONING is the story of Allison Monaghan. She has recently found out that her husband Frank has been guilty of infidelity. When she finally gets up the nerve to confront him it's too late. Frank is found dead.
This is where Allison meets homicide detective Mike Barefoot. He is a hot hunk of a man who happens to be a Cherokee native. At first Mike thinks Allison is the one who killed her husband, but as he gets to know her better, he knows that's wrong. He starts to get close to her and his feelings grow. Even though Allison's marriage was over a long time ago he knows he can not act on these feelings.
The ending was perfect and I had no idea who did it until Lisa told me! Will Allison ever be able to open up her heart again or will her marriage to Frank ruin her forever? I'm not telling! You are going to have to read the book yourself to find out! You won't be sorry!
Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter is an awesome murder mystery by a wonderful Christian author. The book is not preachy, I promise you. It was a very quick read for me and there was plenty of suspense and mystery to keep me reading late into the night.
CAROLINA RECKONING is the story of Allison Monaghan. She has recently found out that her husband Frank has been guilty of infidelity. When she finally gets up the nerve to confront him it's too late. Frank is found dead.
This is where Allison meets homicide detective Mike Barefoot. He is a hot hunk of a man who happens to be a Cherokee native. At first Mike thinks Allison is the one who killed her husband, but as he gets to know her better, he knows that's wrong. He starts to get close to her and his feelings grow. Even though Allison's marriage was over a long time ago he knows he can not act on these feelings.
The ending was perfect and I had no idea who did it until Lisa told me! Will Allison ever be able to open up her heart again or will her marriage to Frank ruin her forever? I'm not telling! You are going to have to read the book yourself to find out! You won't be sorry!
September 10, 2013
Read my full review: http://bit.ly/17NImUe
My opinion: OK...gotta say that this is a Christian lit book. I must admit that there was some heavy biblical reference in the beginning but then lightened up significantly. I will say that although this is a Christian writer, I could have done without the heavy biblical reference in the beginning. I think it actually detracted from the story and came across as preachy. Like romance writers, I find for me that I do best with Christian writers who recognize a balance and I thought that was off in the beginning of this book.
This was a great, well written story that really flew by as I was reading it. The characters were likeable and the storyline kept my interest even past the biblical references. The writing was clean and non-violent.
My opinion: OK...gotta say that this is a Christian lit book. I must admit that there was some heavy biblical reference in the beginning but then lightened up significantly. I will say that although this is a Christian writer, I could have done without the heavy biblical reference in the beginning. I think it actually detracted from the story and came across as preachy. Like romance writers, I find for me that I do best with Christian writers who recognize a balance and I thought that was off in the beginning of this book.
This was a great, well written story that really flew by as I was reading it. The characters were likeable and the storyline kept my interest even past the biblical references. The writing was clean and non-violent.
April 29, 2014
Alison has had suspicions for a while that her husband Frank is cheating on her when she finds a picture of him with his arm wrapped around another woman. Unfortunately the picture does not show the woman's face and Alison is left to wonder under Frank arrives home later that night.Allison is never able to confront Frank because Frank is found murdered only a few miles away from his house. Allison soon joins forces with the lead detective of the case trying to find the murderer.
I liked the characters and enjoyed seeing them evolve on their spiritual journey.I was reading through all the clues constantly second guessing myself on who I felt the real murderer was. I liked the ending and didn't feel like the romance took away from the mystery involving the murder.
I liked the characters and enjoyed seeing them evolve on their spiritual journey.I was reading through all the clues constantly second guessing myself on who I felt the real murderer was. I liked the ending and didn't feel like the romance took away from the mystery involving the murder.
January 19, 2014
Good, but painful. Painful in the amount of unnecessary words and characters. There were so many characters I really had a hard time keeping up. The unnecessary use of words was almost overwhelming. The first 100 or so pages felt like wading threw mud.
The storyline was good if you could keep up - a romantic mystery. LOVED Mike, the hero. Alison, the heroine, had her moments. Although I thought I knew who the killer was - wishful thinking on my part, I was mistaken. I suspected the real killer, but was hopeful it was somebody else. Primarily due to my dislike of him.
Good ending; however, an epilogue would have made it great!
The storyline was good if you could keep up - a romantic mystery. LOVED Mike, the hero. Alison, the heroine, had her moments. Although I thought I knew who the killer was - wishful thinking on my part, I was mistaken. I suspected the real killer, but was hopeful it was somebody else. Primarily due to my dislike of him.
Good ending; however, an epilogue would have made it great!
July 3, 2021
I had high hopes for this book after reading the synopsis. Unfortunately, there were just too many things wrong with the writing.
I realize that this is written as Christian fiction, but the author made every non-Christian character be a hateful and/or horrible person in some way while the Christians were the only nice people. It’s a very twisted perspective to suggest that human beings are not more complex than that.
In this book, the teen kids were rejected by all of their friends because their father was murdered, then those former friends harassed and bullied them for having a murdered father. Only the Christian students were willing to show kindness to these kids. In what world would this scenario happen? That’s just not real life. If anything, it’s like a bad TV soap opera.
The widow, Alison, then has 2 different men falling head over heals for her the minute her husband dies. Her teen daughter does some matchmaking for her Mom and one of the men, Mike - because apparently neither the Mom or the kids have any problem with her moving on and they are all done mourning like it was no big deal. Seriously?
And then there is the fact that Mike, who is the homicide detective investigating the murder, lets Alison get involved with the investigation. He also becomes a father figure to her kids and is courting her while being the lead detective on the murder case. It’s just so preposterous. This story was forced on every level.
The one positive thing I can say about this book is that the mystery, particularly the climax, wasn’t bad.
I enjoy reading Christian fiction and wish there were more well-written books available in this genre. This is not one I’d recommend. I think there are harmful assumptions and messages here.
I realize that this is written as Christian fiction, but the author made every non-Christian character be a hateful and/or horrible person in some way while the Christians were the only nice people. It’s a very twisted perspective to suggest that human beings are not more complex than that.
In this book, the teen kids were rejected by all of their friends because their father was murdered, then those former friends harassed and bullied them for having a murdered father. Only the Christian students were willing to show kindness to these kids. In what world would this scenario happen? That’s just not real life. If anything, it’s like a bad TV soap opera.
The widow, Alison, then has 2 different men falling head over heals for her the minute her husband dies. Her teen daughter does some matchmaking for her Mom and one of the men, Mike - because apparently neither the Mom or the kids have any problem with her moving on and they are all done mourning like it was no big deal. Seriously?
And then there is the fact that Mike, who is the homicide detective investigating the murder, lets Alison get involved with the investigation. He also becomes a father figure to her kids and is courting her while being the lead detective on the murder case. It’s just so preposterous. This story was forced on every level.
The one positive thing I can say about this book is that the mystery, particularly the climax, wasn’t bad.
I enjoy reading Christian fiction and wish there were more well-written books available in this genre. This is not one I’d recommend. I think there are harmful assumptions and messages here.
July 26, 2018
After reading Lisa Carter’s latest novel, A Vast And Gracious Tide, I knew that I had to find more books by this new-to-me author. Her debut, Carolina Reckoning, is available on Audible, so I grabbed it and settled in for some great listening while taking my morning walks. I found the novel to be well-plotted romantic suspense with all the twists and turns I crave. Recommended.
Carolina Reckoning begins with the murder of Alison Monaghan’s philandering pilot husband. While Alison had been prepared to confront her husband with his infidelities, she was not ready for the losses she has to face. The novel centers around her quest to find the killer of a husband she finds she really didn’t know at all. The plot progresses with assaults on Alison and her family — break-ins, shootings, etc. Her constant support comes from best friend Val and the detective who is investigating the case, Mike Barefoot. The interactions between Alison and Mike explore a burgeoning relationship that starts with suspicion and ends with something much deeper. The mystery certainly kept me guessing with the many suspects and their motives for murder, and while I had my suspicions on just whodunit, I was surprised by the reveal. The faith thread is a constant in the novel, and more than one character embarks on a journey of discovery of the love and power of God.
Carolina Reckoning was a great accompaniment for my morning exercise. This romantic suspense was an engaging listen. Now to find more books by Carter.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Carolina Reckoning begins with the murder of Alison Monaghan’s philandering pilot husband. While Alison had been prepared to confront her husband with his infidelities, she was not ready for the losses she has to face. The novel centers around her quest to find the killer of a husband she finds she really didn’t know at all. The plot progresses with assaults on Alison and her family — break-ins, shootings, etc. Her constant support comes from best friend Val and the detective who is investigating the case, Mike Barefoot. The interactions between Alison and Mike explore a burgeoning relationship that starts with suspicion and ends with something much deeper. The mystery certainly kept me guessing with the many suspects and their motives for murder, and while I had my suspicions on just whodunit, I was surprised by the reveal. The faith thread is a constant in the novel, and more than one character embarks on a journey of discovery of the love and power of God.
Carolina Reckoning was a great accompaniment for my morning exercise. This romantic suspense was an engaging listen. Now to find more books by Carter.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
July 26, 2020
I'll just go ahead and say it up front: I'm not a fan of Christian fiction. It tends to come across as milk-toast. The highs and lows of reality tend to get nullified by some bizarre Christian belief that we aren't supposed to experience strong feelings or anything that isn't easily explained away in a Bible verse.
This novel was the first Christian suspense novel I've read. The topics were real - namely infidelity and murder. I enjoyed the location - largely because I was familiar with the area and could picture it all perfectly.
The mystery aspects were quite good; I didn't correctly guess the "who done it" which is a high compliment. Also, I felt the love triangle was an interesting vehicle for a Christian author - particularly as both potential suitors were both good, decent choices.
Overall, I enjoyed it; hey, I read it in 2 days!
This novel was the first Christian suspense novel I've read. The topics were real - namely infidelity and murder. I enjoyed the location - largely because I was familiar with the area and could picture it all perfectly.
The mystery aspects were quite good; I didn't correctly guess the "who done it" which is a high compliment. Also, I felt the love triangle was an interesting vehicle for a Christian author - particularly as both potential suitors were both good, decent choices.
Overall, I enjoyed it; hey, I read it in 2 days!
April 24, 2021
I have family in the area this book takes place in so I especially enjoyed that part of the relatable plot. Characters were great, well thought out and tied to the details of the “Old Society” there in North Carolina. Wonderful mystery filled with “spooky” goings on. There is a religious aspect thrown into the plot, but i thought that was one of the things that made it different than a lot of mysteries. No real gore which can often limit the audience, and no explicit sexual scenes. It is also available in the audio format with a new time narrator. She did a great job if you listen to the sample, or if you tend to bounce between the print and audible depending on where I am and what I’m doing. Great read. 😊
March 23, 2021
I found myself pulling for the whole family because the author shows their struggles with cruel acquaintances they’d once considered friends. The budding romance shows how they both struggle with past relationships and circumstances. Rising danger and suspense make this book a page-turner.
Recommend! I will look for more novels by this author.
Recommend! I will look for more novels by this author.
January 1, 2018
A truly entertaining Christian fiction about a woman rocked by her husband’s murder. The story includes strong characters, fascinating settings including the estate museum that factors as the central “character”of the story, strong values, and a sweet love story. What’s not to like?
January 19, 2022
This was a really good story that keeps you guessing the whole time. If you’re looking for a good clean “who done it” story, then this is for you. The narrator did a very good job bringing the story to life with inflection and diversity. I will be reading/listening to more from this author!
May 20, 2023
I don't enjoy a book that preaches along with telling a story. This book had too much preaching in it for my tastes. It was a basic mystery with romance added. Didn't care for the narrator either. Had a hard time paying attention to the story.
Read
May 30, 2023I've never given up on a book this quickly! I can't stand the woman reading this book! I wasn't aware this was a religious book when I downloaded it for free. Listening to the first sentence was enough for me.
June 6, 2020
My first read by Lisa Carter. Won't be my last. Carolina Reckoning was a well-crafted romantic suspense - funny and poignant at the same time with an intriguing cast of characters. A satisfying read.
May 28, 2021
Story is very interesting and rather hard to figure out till the end. Worth the read.
June 3, 2022
I don't know why I just could not get into this book. I finished it but only because it was an easy to read book more than the content being captivating.
January 9, 2023
Listened to audio
May 17, 2023
5.5/10
dnf-lost-interest
June 14, 2025Maybe I should read a few chapters before adding it to my currently reading list. I don't see enjoying this. I made it to page 52. I'm DNFing it due to a lack of interest.
November 25, 2022
I have never read anything by Lisa Carter and she is now on my list! I was really impressed with this book. The narrator was good and the storyline was amazing. I didn't guess who did it at all which is not like me at all. I will be looking forward to more books by this author.
July 14, 2013
How would you feel if those suspicions you had of your husband cheating were confirmed by finding a photo of them together in the pocket of his raincoat? Well for Alison Monaghan, it is the proverbial straw that brings her to a breaking point. With her husband Frank being a bit of a control freak, she's finally going to summon the courage to confront him now that she finally has the proof she's been looking for. The only thing that causes her to reconsider is how it will affect their children, Clare and Justin now that they are in high school. Will it mean a messy divorce? How will she be able to provide for herself and her children since Frank has been their financial safety net all these years as a commercial pilot? All she knows is she has to deal with all the emotions she's been keeping bottled up all these years and tonight when Frank gets home, she's gonna let him have it.
Only Frank never arrives home. Alison receives that fateful knock at the door all wives dread. And the news is just what she never hoped to hear. Frank has been found murdered just seven miles from their home and of course, like most detectives, Alison is their key suspect. Deep in her heart she wanted him to pay, but not like this. She never wanted him dead. But how can she deal with the fact she's not as upset as a wife should be? That is just the thing, Raleigh homicide detective Mike Barefoot is wondering as well. He's been working enough of these cases to know just how convincing wives can be after murdering their husbands. However the more time he spends investigating the case and getting to know the man Frank really was, the more he convinces himself that Alison had nothing to do with his murder. Now if he can only keep his focus on finding the killer instead of finding himself drawn to Alison's heart.
In the latest novel from Lisa Carter, Carolina Recknoning takes the reader inside the murder of Frank Monaghan and the lifestyle he keep secretly from his wife and family. Alison doesn't believe she can move forward until she finds out more about the life Frank kept hidden from her including leaving them penniless and in more debt than she ever could imagine. Her children have their own problems to deal with living in wealthy neighborhood and being part of the affluent class of people in their city. Now all their friends suddenly turn on them they've known forever and the only thing any of them have is one another to survive in high school among the horrible things their friends say about their family. Is it possible to find hope in the midst of this crisis? Will their lives ever go back to normal again? But as the family is drawn into discovering who the murderer is, they suddenly find themselves with targets on their backs as well.
I received Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter compliments of Abingdon Press for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. This novel really draws out the emotions to make you consider what you would do in this situation. How would you move forward? How can you bring yourself to forgive someone when they have hurt you beyond what you think you can bear? How can you forgive someone now that they are gone? This is truly a story about solving a crime but even greater than that is finding redemption for yourself. The family ultimately finds that a relationship with God is the only way they can salvage what is going on and it doesn't happen overnight. In fact, its a realistic portrayal of what happens in the life of a believer. Things don't get easy for them because they start going to church, in fact, it gets worse. They struggle with things just like we all do but there is a peace found when you know you hope is in God instead of what the world has to offer. I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars!
Only Frank never arrives home. Alison receives that fateful knock at the door all wives dread. And the news is just what she never hoped to hear. Frank has been found murdered just seven miles from their home and of course, like most detectives, Alison is their key suspect. Deep in her heart she wanted him to pay, but not like this. She never wanted him dead. But how can she deal with the fact she's not as upset as a wife should be? That is just the thing, Raleigh homicide detective Mike Barefoot is wondering as well. He's been working enough of these cases to know just how convincing wives can be after murdering their husbands. However the more time he spends investigating the case and getting to know the man Frank really was, the more he convinces himself that Alison had nothing to do with his murder. Now if he can only keep his focus on finding the killer instead of finding himself drawn to Alison's heart.
In the latest novel from Lisa Carter, Carolina Recknoning takes the reader inside the murder of Frank Monaghan and the lifestyle he keep secretly from his wife and family. Alison doesn't believe she can move forward until she finds out more about the life Frank kept hidden from her including leaving them penniless and in more debt than she ever could imagine. Her children have their own problems to deal with living in wealthy neighborhood and being part of the affluent class of people in their city. Now all their friends suddenly turn on them they've known forever and the only thing any of them have is one another to survive in high school among the horrible things their friends say about their family. Is it possible to find hope in the midst of this crisis? Will their lives ever go back to normal again? But as the family is drawn into discovering who the murderer is, they suddenly find themselves with targets on their backs as well.
I received Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter compliments of Abingdon Press for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. This novel really draws out the emotions to make you consider what you would do in this situation. How would you move forward? How can you bring yourself to forgive someone when they have hurt you beyond what you think you can bear? How can you forgive someone now that they are gone? This is truly a story about solving a crime but even greater than that is finding redemption for yourself. The family ultimately finds that a relationship with God is the only way they can salvage what is going on and it doesn't happen overnight. In fact, its a realistic portrayal of what happens in the life of a believer. Things don't get easy for them because they start going to church, in fact, it gets worse. They struggle with things just like we all do but there is a peace found when you know you hope is in God instead of what the world has to offer. I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars!
August 13, 2013
Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter is the story of Alison Monaghan and her family. Soon after finding photographic proof that her husband, Frank, is having an affair, Alison is faced with the horrifying news that her husband has been murdered. She and her children must face a life without their father and husband. Alison finds support in Detective Mike Barefoot, who like Alison, struggles in his faith and relationship with God. Together, they work to find Frank’s killer and the reason for his death.
The book is set in Raleigh, NC mostly on the grounds of an historic plantation that has been restored with beautiful gardens. Alison takes a job on the grounds, which lie just behind the secluded road where Frank was found dead in his car, in order to investigate the group of suspects who all had dealings and motives for killing Frank.
Overall, I thought that this was a solid story about how the family dealt with the death and the whisperings and finger-pointing of those they considered friends before the murder. I think Justin and Claire, Alison’s children, both grew during the course of the story, as did Alison. I didn’t care for Claire at the beginning, as she was pretty spoiled, but she did evolve, as did Justin. There was just enough of a budding romance between Alison and Mike, with a third party competing for her attentions. I had inklings of who the murderer was, but was still a bit surprised at the end. There were plenty of suspects with good reasons for wanting him dead.
My only real issue with the story was one component of Carter’s writing style. The use of simile was a bit detracting from the story. My eye looked for the ‘like’ phrase on each page. This probably won’t bother others, but I tend to notice things like this. I just highlighted it and read on, because I wanted to find out who had killed Frank and why. And, I wanted to make sure that Alison and her family would be okay in the end.
For a good murder mystery, without the grisly gore of some other stories, I would recommend Carolina Reckoning.
I was provided a free NetGalley digital copy of this book from Abingdon Press Early Reader. I was asked for an honest opinion and was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own.
The book is set in Raleigh, NC mostly on the grounds of an historic plantation that has been restored with beautiful gardens. Alison takes a job on the grounds, which lie just behind the secluded road where Frank was found dead in his car, in order to investigate the group of suspects who all had dealings and motives for killing Frank.
Overall, I thought that this was a solid story about how the family dealt with the death and the whisperings and finger-pointing of those they considered friends before the murder. I think Justin and Claire, Alison’s children, both grew during the course of the story, as did Alison. I didn’t care for Claire at the beginning, as she was pretty spoiled, but she did evolve, as did Justin. There was just enough of a budding romance between Alison and Mike, with a third party competing for her attentions. I had inklings of who the murderer was, but was still a bit surprised at the end. There were plenty of suspects with good reasons for wanting him dead.
My only real issue with the story was one component of Carter’s writing style. The use of simile was a bit detracting from the story. My eye looked for the ‘like’ phrase on each page. This probably won’t bother others, but I tend to notice things like this. I just highlighted it and read on, because I wanted to find out who had killed Frank and why. And, I wanted to make sure that Alison and her family would be okay in the end.
For a good murder mystery, without the grisly gore of some other stories, I would recommend Carolina Reckoning.
I was provided a free NetGalley digital copy of this book from Abingdon Press Early Reader. I was asked for an honest opinion and was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own.
October 31, 2013
Carolina Reckoning is the debut novel by suspense writer Lisa Carter. It tells the tale what happens when a wife discovers proof of her husband’s infidelity, only to have him die before she’s able to confront him. When police discover Frank was fatally shot in his car, Alison automatically becomes the main suspect. There’s little evidence with which to charge or exonerate her. Actually, there’s very little evidence at all at first. Frank’s briefcase and smartphone are both missing. Frank’s death leaves Alison and her teenage children with nothing but questions and debt. Six months later, Frank’s murder has become a cold case. Alison takes a job at Weathersby Historic Park, where it becomes immediately apparent that none of the directors can stand each other. Her daughter, Claire, is being bullied by members of her former social set. And the investigating detective has become a regular visitor at the family’s home.
There are two plots in Carolina Reckoning: the murder and the romance between Alison and Mike. By far, I preferred the murder mystery. More than once I thought I knew who the suspect was, only to be proven wrong. Who wanted Frank dead? Who shot at Alison using the same weapon that was used to kill her husband? The motive, when finally revealed, felt a bit confusing but these things are never straightforward. There are also a couple of red herrings thrown in for good measure. In contrast, the romantic element felt weak. I was surprised that an investigator would so easily cross the line from professional to personal in such a short time. Alison, despite being described as an ‘abused’ wife, also seems willing to quickly jump into another relationship and doesn’t appear to have any concerns that Mike might turn out to be another Frank. The Christian theme of forgiveness runs throughout the book, as Alison goes through the process of forgiving Frank for his actions toward her while he lived. I particularly appreciated that she made a commitment to God early in the book, instead of it happening toward the end and just before the big reveal as is often seen in Christian fiction.
Thank you to Abingdon Press for my free copy of Carolina Reckoning, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
There are two plots in Carolina Reckoning: the murder and the romance between Alison and Mike. By far, I preferred the murder mystery. More than once I thought I knew who the suspect was, only to be proven wrong. Who wanted Frank dead? Who shot at Alison using the same weapon that was used to kill her husband? The motive, when finally revealed, felt a bit confusing but these things are never straightforward. There are also a couple of red herrings thrown in for good measure. In contrast, the romantic element felt weak. I was surprised that an investigator would so easily cross the line from professional to personal in such a short time. Alison, despite being described as an ‘abused’ wife, also seems willing to quickly jump into another relationship and doesn’t appear to have any concerns that Mike might turn out to be another Frank. The Christian theme of forgiveness runs throughout the book, as Alison goes through the process of forgiving Frank for his actions toward her while he lived. I particularly appreciated that she made a commitment to God early in the book, instead of it happening toward the end and just before the big reveal as is often seen in Christian fiction.
Thank you to Abingdon Press for my free copy of Carolina Reckoning, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2016
Carolina Reckoning is a "Christian Mystery", set in present-day North Carolina. The story opens with Alison, the protagonist, finding a picture of her husband, Frank, and another woman taken during one of his trips out of town; he is a pilot who travels extensively and is commonly regarded as an adulterer, but she had never had the actual proof of his liaisons. While she waits on the couch so she can confront him immediately upon his return, she falls asleep only to be awakened by local police informing her that Frank has been murdered. The plot takes Alison on a journey to seek the truth about her husband and his murder, which becomes a journey into her own self and what she wants for her family.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads, in exchange for an honest review. After reading the first 100 pages or so, I have to admit that I was a little afraid of what this review would look like. The novel started out with a "bang" (literally), but immediately began throwing in character transformations, even before we got to know the characters. I found the beginning a little "disjointed" and unbelievable; I'll spare details to prevent spoilers. I am so glad I kept reading, however, because the pace of the book suddenly picked up, and quickly became a "page turner". I started getting invested in the characters, the intriguing mystery, and where this story may be leading. In the end, I was quite satisfied. Not only did I get a great mystery, but a great story about the journey into oneself and what it takes to find your own strength, independent of others. I look forward to reading Lisa Carter's next book, Beneath a Navajo Moon.
Bottom Line: Not a literary masterpiece, but a good, clean mystery with a great story! A great summer read!
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads, in exchange for an honest review. After reading the first 100 pages or so, I have to admit that I was a little afraid of what this review would look like. The novel started out with a "bang" (literally), but immediately began throwing in character transformations, even before we got to know the characters. I found the beginning a little "disjointed" and unbelievable; I'll spare details to prevent spoilers. I am so glad I kept reading, however, because the pace of the book suddenly picked up, and quickly became a "page turner". I started getting invested in the characters, the intriguing mystery, and where this story may be leading. In the end, I was quite satisfied. Not only did I get a great mystery, but a great story about the journey into oneself and what it takes to find your own strength, independent of others. I look forward to reading Lisa Carter's next book, Beneath a Navajo Moon.
Bottom Line: Not a literary masterpiece, but a good, clean mystery with a great story! A great summer read!
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