Book Shelf: Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer

On his own.

Thomas Bellweather hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide Thomas is the primary suspect.

Not that there’s any evidence. But before Thomas got to Garretts Mill there had just been one other murder in twenty years.

The only person who believes him is Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops and, with her soft hands and sweet curves, straight-up dangerous to Thomas. Her best friend was the other murder vic. And she’d like a couple answers.

Answers that could get them both killed, and reveal a truth Thomas would die to keep hidden…

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Thicker Than Water is Brigid Kemmerer’s thrilling latest release and is an intriguing, near impossible to put down story of passion, mystery and murder with a little bit of the paranormal thrown in.

Thomas Bellweather is a shattered mess. His mother has recently been murdered; strangled in her bed while Thomas slept down the hall and he’s the prime suspect. Thomas knows he didn’t kill her, but in the town he and his mother just moved to so she could be with her new husband, everyone is sure Thomas is guilty….even if they don’t have the evidence to prove it. In a town seemingly brimming with cops, the only person who seems to believe Thomas’s innocence is Charlotte Rooker, and as the daughter of a cop and sister to three older brothers—all cops, Charlotte probably isn’t the best person to be Thomas’s friend---even if he can’t seem to stop thinking about her, or she him. Thomas wants nothing more than to find out who killed his mother, but as he an Charlotte delve into his mother’s past, what he discovers will change the course of Thomas’s world forever……

Have you ever read a book where you were totally absorbed, only to have a twist thrown in that left you feeling perplexed? Well if you have, then you can understand how I felt about Thicker Than Water. I absolutely loved the first half of the novel—Brigid Kemmerer has always won me over with her strong, powerful characters and Thicker Than Water is no exception, with both main characters Thomas and Charlotte wonderful individuals who were wonderful to read about. And yet there was something about the second half of the novel that left me feeling dissatisfied a little bit…..

I actually felt a little as though the paranormal element in this story wasn’t necessary. Thicker Than Water is incredibly engaging from the opening chapter, and both main characters are so well development and strong that the story could have really been told as a contemporary thriller and none of the power of the story would have been lost. The angst, the pain felt by Thomas as the whole world seems determined to convict him of murder is so overwhelming that as the reader you’re bound to follow the story through.

Charlotte and Thomas have a great chemistry together as a couple and Kemmerer includes, as always, a fantastically told family base. Charlotte’s brothers Matt, Danny and Ben may come across as controlling at times, but they clearly adore their sister and the cute moments shared by Matt, his daughters and his ever growing family only add to enhance the kinship clearly expressed. Personally I would love the chance to explore Ben and Danny a little bit; Ben was the perfect gentleman and Danny someone a little more uncontrolled—it would be fabulous to see the women who could bring them to their knees.

Maybe some of my issues with this novel stems from the fact that, as far as I know, Thicker Than Water is a standalone novel and I felt like so much of the story was left untold. The ending seemed rushed, and I didn’t get the closure to the story that I wanted. Personally I would like the chance to explore the world Kemmerer has introduced and get to know some of the other characters—especially Ben!

Mysterious and unsuspecting, Thicker Than Water is the addictive latest release by Brigid Kemmerer and is well worth a read!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Allen & Unwin (Thank you guys!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Brigid Kemmerer fans won't want to miss this latest novel, but those who love mystery will certainly appreciate this novel too.
Cover: This cover is captivating--I LOVE it!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is a standalone novel, but I'll read whatever Brigid Kemmerer releases in the future!