Cheryl T

I don't usually read Young adult books as this one is listed as such, it did interest me though. It's very different from a regular novel and I think it would appeal to young teens.

It goes back and forth between a courtroom setting in the present to the past and how the story leads itself to the courtroom.

I enjoyed Aslaug, the teenage lead character, she has led a very sheltered out-dated life because of her mother. Home schooled and actually only learning the things needed to pass state tests, she still has no idea what the real world is like. They live in a cabin, live off their land in Maine and use all herbs and plants as remedies, soap, etc..

Aslaug faces a trial based on assumptions and is very naive with it all. How she prevails is interesting and how she was used is also enlightening. I would definitely read another book by this author, it was a very good debut novel.

This is the first time I've read about Lena Jones, she's a PI with a past. The book is the 5th in a series set in Southern Arizona with a lot of old west history behind it. A mystery involving some disturbing, but very engrossing matters.

Some readers may not enjoy the subject matter, but it was a fascinating learning experience for me. I consider myself a very well-read and street smart person, this book points out some things that are just not written about in today's world.

Like Jodi Picoult, Webb addresses a very serious religious and cultural practice which is very illegal in the U.S. Unlike Picoult she doesn't give all points of view; however she weaves the mystery in and out of Jones's past and you can see how vulnerable Lena is as well and why she works so hard to find the people who commit these crimes.

The book is a very fast-paced, engrossing read. Once I had throughly immersed myself in it, I couldn't put it down. I have even gone to my local library to read the first book in the series, they do have all of Webb's works.

I had asked to review this book because I live in Southern Arizona, Webb keeps with the facts, the geography and the correct environment. I love finding local authors and new authors, it adds more flavor to my reads. This book is not for the squeamish, Webb did her research well and I was truly enlightened by the book.

I really enjoyed Webb's work and will now go back and become more acquainted with Lena Jones. The book does stand alone very nicely, until I read her other titles I didn't know it was a series book. I will definitely read this author again and hope it addresses another issue like this book. It made some mighty good reading!!