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Detective Margaret Nolan #2
Desolation Canyon
P.J. Tracy “seems to have found her literary sweet spot” (New York Times Book Review) with her dazzling new series, and in Desolation Canyon, fans get a deeper look into the complex characters who call Los Angeles home.
LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan is struggling to move forward after the death of her brother in Afghanistan and taking a life in the line of duty. Her stoic parents offer little support – they refuse to address anything difficult, and she’s afraid their relationship is eroding beyond the point of recovery.
The days off are the hardest, because they give Margaret time to think. A moment of weakness leads to cocktails with a colleague—an attraction she knows could be dangerous —at the luxurious Hotel Bel-Air bar. A stroll through the grounds leads to a grim discovery beneath the surface of Swan the body of a successful attorney who made his fortune in international trade.
It initially appears to be death by misadventure, but the case is anything but straightforward. As a series of shocking revelations emerge, Nolan finds herself confronting a sinister cabal that just might destroy her and everyone she loves.
LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan is struggling to move forward after the death of her brother in Afghanistan and taking a life in the line of duty. Her stoic parents offer little support – they refuse to address anything difficult, and she’s afraid their relationship is eroding beyond the point of recovery.
The days off are the hardest, because they give Margaret time to think. A moment of weakness leads to cocktails with a colleague—an attraction she knows could be dangerous —at the luxurious Hotel Bel-Air bar. A stroll through the grounds leads to a grim discovery beneath the surface of Swan the body of a successful attorney who made his fortune in international trade.
It initially appears to be death by misadventure, but the case is anything but straightforward. As a series of shocking revelations emerge, Nolan finds herself confronting a sinister cabal that just might destroy her and everyone she loves.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2022
About the author
P.J. Tracy
22 books1,714 followersPJ Tracy is the pseudonym of mother-daughter writing duo P.J. and Traci Lambrecht, winners of the Anthony, Barry, Gumshoe, and Minnesota Book Awards. Their ten novels in the Monkeewrench series, MONKEEWRENCH, LIVE BAIT, DEAD RUN, SNOW BLIND, SHOOT TO THRILL, OFF THE GRID, THE SIXTH IDEA, NOTHING STAYS BURIED, THE GUILTY DEAD, and ICE COLD HEART have become national and international bestsellers. PJ passed away in December 2016, and Traci started a new series set in Los Angeles, featuring Detective Margaret Nolan. DEEP INTO THE DARK, DESOLATION CANYON, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, and CITY OF SECRETS are avaialble anywhere you buy your books!
Learn more about PJ Tracy at pjtracy.com
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Learn more about PJ Tracy at pjtracy.com
Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJTracyAuthor/
Look them up on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/pjtracy.com
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July 22, 2024
Desolation Canyon (Detective Margaret Nolan #2)
by P.J. Tracy, narrated by Abby Craden
Sam's back in this second entry in the Detective Margaret Nolan series and so are Margaret's work related cohorts. Everyone is working, in their own way, to move past personal and work related trauma of the near and distant past. Now they are going to come together again in a way that seems very "what a small world" unlikely that seems too coincidental.
At the same time Sam hears about the Children of the Desert from an alien believing convenience story clerk, Margaret finds out her mom is going to the desert for a retreat that will help her get past the death of her son. Then there is homicide detective Remmy who has a private detective looking for someone and a certain group's name comes up again. So we have Sam (after more things happen to draw him in), Margaret (who feels uncomfortable with her mom spiriting herself off to the desert) and Remmy (who has so many secrets) all being pulled toward the same area for different reasons.
There are so many characters in this story that my head was spinning. Once again, the audio version of this story hurt my ears with extreme vocal fry of some of the voiced men. I'm so glad that I'm going to read book three because this is one of those rare times that I think I will enjoy reading a series over getting to listen to it. There is character development with this series and I even liked a new character or two, introduced in this latest book. The alien hunter guy was interesting in a weird way until he wasn't anymore. I think I'll stay away from alien hunters. I'm going with a rating of 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars for this entry in the series.
Pub Jan 18, 2022 by Macmillan Audio
by P.J. Tracy, narrated by Abby Craden
Sam's back in this second entry in the Detective Margaret Nolan series and so are Margaret's work related cohorts. Everyone is working, in their own way, to move past personal and work related trauma of the near and distant past. Now they are going to come together again in a way that seems very "what a small world" unlikely that seems too coincidental.
At the same time Sam hears about the Children of the Desert from an alien believing convenience story clerk, Margaret finds out her mom is going to the desert for a retreat that will help her get past the death of her son. Then there is homicide detective Remmy who has a private detective looking for someone and a certain group's name comes up again. So we have Sam (after more things happen to draw him in), Margaret (who feels uncomfortable with her mom spiriting herself off to the desert) and Remmy (who has so many secrets) all being pulled toward the same area for different reasons.
There are so many characters in this story that my head was spinning. Once again, the audio version of this story hurt my ears with extreme vocal fry of some of the voiced men. I'm so glad that I'm going to read book three because this is one of those rare times that I think I will enjoy reading a series over getting to listen to it. There is character development with this series and I even liked a new character or two, introduced in this latest book. The alien hunter guy was interesting in a weird way until he wasn't anymore. I think I'll stay away from alien hunters. I'm going with a rating of 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars for this entry in the series.
Pub Jan 18, 2022 by Macmillan Audio
November 7, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up
Desolation Canyon is the second in the Margaret Nolan series. Once again, it’s my opinion that Sam Easton should share top billing. Tracy continues to build up and flesh out these characters and I found myself enjoying their company.
Nolan is investigating the death of a man found floating in a pond on the grounds of the Hotel Bel-Air. It’s not clear if the death is a suicide or a murder. Meanwhile, Sam gets drawn into helping his friend Lenny. Lenny has helped a woman and her daughter escape an abusive relationship at a reclusive religious retreat in the desert.
It doesn’t take long for these seemingly unconnected stories to start winding their way to each other, via common links to the Russian mafia.
Tracy has a knack for just the right turn of phrase. Speaking of plastic surgery, she writes “enthusiasts of the knife just looked like old people with bizarrely tight skin.”
Short chapters veering from one character to another keep the pace moving briskly. At times, the story becomes a little too convoluted. Towards the end, the story veers off into unbelievable territory, but it is entertaining. The book does a good job of mixing thriller aspects with a police procedural.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
Desolation Canyon is the second in the Margaret Nolan series. Once again, it’s my opinion that Sam Easton should share top billing. Tracy continues to build up and flesh out these characters and I found myself enjoying their company.
Nolan is investigating the death of a man found floating in a pond on the grounds of the Hotel Bel-Air. It’s not clear if the death is a suicide or a murder. Meanwhile, Sam gets drawn into helping his friend Lenny. Lenny has helped a woman and her daughter escape an abusive relationship at a reclusive religious retreat in the desert.
It doesn’t take long for these seemingly unconnected stories to start winding their way to each other, via common links to the Russian mafia.
Tracy has a knack for just the right turn of phrase. Speaking of plastic surgery, she writes “enthusiasts of the knife just looked like old people with bizarrely tight skin.”
Short chapters veering from one character to another keep the pace moving briskly. At times, the story becomes a little too convoluted. Towards the end, the story veers off into unbelievable territory, but it is entertaining. The book does a good job of mixing thriller aspects with a police procedural.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
October 23, 2022
PTSD attacks for many reasons and in different incarnations; losing one’s friends in Afghanistan and coming home severely disfigured; losing a son in the same war, but the military not teaching you how to grieve; losing a brother, but also taking a life, growing up with everything except knowing how to help your sister. These stories and much more are movingly told, but without easy answers in Desolation Canyon .
In P.J. Tracy’s first book written without her writing partner and mother Deep Into the Dark , Detective Margaret Nolan and injured vet Sam Easton met in the aftermath of some Los Angeles homicides. They met as Margaret has just joined the legendary LA Robbery Homicide Division (RHD). Despite most of the evidence, and going against her new co-workers, Sam Easton just didn't feel like a viable suspect to Margaret.
Again, in this book , there are two separate stories. Lenny, a desert rat who runs a small store and gas station in Death Valley, asks Sam being to help rescue a young girl and her daughter taken prisoner after almost escaping an abusive situation. Their abuser is the leader of what so many others in the LA region think of as a miracle facility, Children of the Desert, located in Desolation Canyon. This place will cure what ails ya; addiction, depression, PTSD etc. It is run by a messianic Russian, who also starts a successful prison program.
At about the same time, Nolan agrees to have a drink with her colleague, Remy Beaudreau at the Bel- Air Hotel. Walking through the stunning gardens, their almost date is interrupted by a gruesome discovery in Swan Lake.
With Children of the Desert being the centerpiece, Tracy skillfully weaves Margaret, Sam and Remy’s far-flung stories together.
Family is represented in dissimilar ways, but is ever present. Margaret’s mom decides to deal with her grief over the death of her son, Margaret’s dad is finding solace in action, and Remy, even after eight years, still hires detectives to find his mentally ill sister. For Sam, it’s friends who serve as his family.
Tracy turns some of the most familiar police procedural tropes on their head. For instance, Margaret’s partner is supportive and treats Nolan as an equal needing a bit of seasoning in the glamorous world of the RHD. Also, romance is almost non-existent in the first two books. Maybe a slight wafting in the air; for these are serious crime novels. If it comes, hopefully the romance won’t be the obvious pairing.
As usual, the writing is beautiful, with so much of it being quotable; “But stoicism doesn’t change what’s happening inside, it only makes it impossible to come to terms with it.” Also “Tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed, so why waste a single, precious second of life?”
The motive for the central murder is a true head scratcher for Margaret, Remy and Al. The victim is such a bland, quiet man; but then the crime gets more interesting when other crimes are discovered. Reading of their meticulous investigation and their subsequent discoveries was fascinating. The ending is exciting, using the military skills of Sam, and Margaret’s father, and the tight detecting skills of Margaret, Remy and Al Crawford.
The final results not completely surprising, but other shocking discoveries along the way were just heartbreaking. Some folks are just Earls, or maybe Aliens?
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions are entirely my own.
In P.J. Tracy’s first book written without her writing partner and mother Deep Into the Dark , Detective Margaret Nolan and injured vet Sam Easton met in the aftermath of some Los Angeles homicides. They met as Margaret has just joined the legendary LA Robbery Homicide Division (RHD). Despite most of the evidence, and going against her new co-workers, Sam Easton just didn't feel like a viable suspect to Margaret.
Again, in this book , there are two separate stories. Lenny, a desert rat who runs a small store and gas station in Death Valley, asks Sam being to help rescue a young girl and her daughter taken prisoner after almost escaping an abusive situation. Their abuser is the leader of what so many others in the LA region think of as a miracle facility, Children of the Desert, located in Desolation Canyon. This place will cure what ails ya; addiction, depression, PTSD etc. It is run by a messianic Russian, who also starts a successful prison program.
At about the same time, Nolan agrees to have a drink with her colleague, Remy Beaudreau at the Bel- Air Hotel. Walking through the stunning gardens, their almost date is interrupted by a gruesome discovery in Swan Lake.
With Children of the Desert being the centerpiece, Tracy skillfully weaves Margaret, Sam and Remy’s far-flung stories together.
Family is represented in dissimilar ways, but is ever present. Margaret’s mom decides to deal with her grief over the death of her son, Margaret’s dad is finding solace in action, and Remy, even after eight years, still hires detectives to find his mentally ill sister. For Sam, it’s friends who serve as his family.
Tracy turns some of the most familiar police procedural tropes on their head. For instance, Margaret’s partner is supportive and treats Nolan as an equal needing a bit of seasoning in the glamorous world of the RHD. Also, romance is almost non-existent in the first two books. Maybe a slight wafting in the air; for these are serious crime novels. If it comes, hopefully the romance won’t be the obvious pairing.
As usual, the writing is beautiful, with so much of it being quotable; “But stoicism doesn’t change what’s happening inside, it only makes it impossible to come to terms with it.” Also “Tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed, so why waste a single, precious second of life?”
The motive for the central murder is a true head scratcher for Margaret, Remy and Al. The victim is such a bland, quiet man; but then the crime gets more interesting when other crimes are discovered. Reading of their meticulous investigation and their subsequent discoveries was fascinating. The ending is exciting, using the military skills of Sam, and Margaret’s father, and the tight detecting skills of Margaret, Remy and Al Crawford.
The final results not completely surprising, but other shocking discoveries along the way were just heartbreaking. Some folks are just Earls, or maybe Aliens?
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions are entirely my own.
December 26, 2022
This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, crime thriller. It has murder, mystery, suspense, a touch of humor, twists and turns, and a surprise ending. This is the second entry in P.J. Tracy's outstanding Detective Margaret Nolan series, and can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, but is even better when read in order.
December 31, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, P.J. Tracy, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Having read many of P.J. Tracy’s novels in a past series, I was drawn to this new collection of crime thrillers, sure to make their mark on the curious reader. Leaving Minnesota behind, this series shifts to the West Coast, when LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan is struggling with a number of family issues. When she receives no support from her parents, Nolan turns to drinks with an old colleague, something that could have dire consequences. When they discover the body of a prominent lawyer, it looks like an open and shut case, until whispers of a dark religious cult emerges and Detective Nolan may have to risk it all to protect those around her. An intriguing story that pushes the limits and keeps the reader entertained.
LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan has been struggling for a while, partially because of the death of her brother overseas, but also because she shot someone in the line of duty. While Nolan seeks some solace from her parents, they turn a stiff upper lip and try to compartmentalise it all. This forces Nolan to turn to a friend (sometimes with benefits) for a drink at a posh hotel. If this is the only way that Nolan can dull the pain, so be it.
The time out for a stroll on the grounds turns ominous when Nolan and her companion come upon a man floating in the water. His death appears to be an accident, but Detective Nolan has an eye for these things and something does not add up. She is keen to investigate, though she remains apprehensive about what awaits her.
Sam Easton, another key character, has been asked to help a friend who has a dilemma of his own. A woman and her daughter were found in the middle of the desert, apparently trying to flee a religious compound with a reputation as being a Shanghai-La to the rich and famous. Something does not make sense here.
As Sam and Detective Nolan work side by side on their respective cases, there appears to be a thread of commonality, one that could turn both cases on their heads and leave many in serious danger. Nolan and Sam work together, allowing them to unravel much of what has been going on, only to discover the dangers that lurk beneath. P.J. Tracy has done well with this piece, even if it did not resonate with me as much as I might have liked.
I look for strong writing and a well-crafted narrative in the books I read. While I found some aspects of this in the book, there were times that it lacked and did not pull me in. Detective Margaret Nolan has moments of intrigue, but there was also times when I could not keep things straight, which also happened with Sam Easton. For some, it will surely be an amazing read, but for me it was simply decent and a way to end a year of books.
Margaret Nolan and Sam Easton work together to create interesting protagonists, though not as sensational as I would have liked. They prove to be quite unique in their personalities, struggling to find themselves at various points. While I cannot say anything bad about them, I was not drawn to want to learn a great deal more, which could surely be an issue of my own making. Still, I sought a little something else throughout, though Tracy can develop characters quite effectively.
The story had moments of greatness, but they were outdone by some neutral aspects that I could not ignore. A decent narrative and some intriguing characters rounded out the piece, offering me just enough to want to keep reading, but far from being riveted. The characters worked well and I found myself curious at various points, but I did not have the spark I had hoped to find. P.J. Tracy has a way with words and develops plots well, but something was just not on point for me. I chalk it up to being the last book of the year for me, leaving me ready to begin a new year with a BANG!
Kudos, Madam Tracy, for a decent piece. I am eager to see what;s to come and how it will compare.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Having read many of P.J. Tracy’s novels in a past series, I was drawn to this new collection of crime thrillers, sure to make their mark on the curious reader. Leaving Minnesota behind, this series shifts to the West Coast, when LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan is struggling with a number of family issues. When she receives no support from her parents, Nolan turns to drinks with an old colleague, something that could have dire consequences. When they discover the body of a prominent lawyer, it looks like an open and shut case, until whispers of a dark religious cult emerges and Detective Nolan may have to risk it all to protect those around her. An intriguing story that pushes the limits and keeps the reader entertained.
LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan has been struggling for a while, partially because of the death of her brother overseas, but also because she shot someone in the line of duty. While Nolan seeks some solace from her parents, they turn a stiff upper lip and try to compartmentalise it all. This forces Nolan to turn to a friend (sometimes with benefits) for a drink at a posh hotel. If this is the only way that Nolan can dull the pain, so be it.
The time out for a stroll on the grounds turns ominous when Nolan and her companion come upon a man floating in the water. His death appears to be an accident, but Detective Nolan has an eye for these things and something does not add up. She is keen to investigate, though she remains apprehensive about what awaits her.
Sam Easton, another key character, has been asked to help a friend who has a dilemma of his own. A woman and her daughter were found in the middle of the desert, apparently trying to flee a religious compound with a reputation as being a Shanghai-La to the rich and famous. Something does not make sense here.
As Sam and Detective Nolan work side by side on their respective cases, there appears to be a thread of commonality, one that could turn both cases on their heads and leave many in serious danger. Nolan and Sam work together, allowing them to unravel much of what has been going on, only to discover the dangers that lurk beneath. P.J. Tracy has done well with this piece, even if it did not resonate with me as much as I might have liked.
I look for strong writing and a well-crafted narrative in the books I read. While I found some aspects of this in the book, there were times that it lacked and did not pull me in. Detective Margaret Nolan has moments of intrigue, but there was also times when I could not keep things straight, which also happened with Sam Easton. For some, it will surely be an amazing read, but for me it was simply decent and a way to end a year of books.
Margaret Nolan and Sam Easton work together to create interesting protagonists, though not as sensational as I would have liked. They prove to be quite unique in their personalities, struggling to find themselves at various points. While I cannot say anything bad about them, I was not drawn to want to learn a great deal more, which could surely be an issue of my own making. Still, I sought a little something else throughout, though Tracy can develop characters quite effectively.
The story had moments of greatness, but they were outdone by some neutral aspects that I could not ignore. A decent narrative and some intriguing characters rounded out the piece, offering me just enough to want to keep reading, but far from being riveted. The characters worked well and I found myself curious at various points, but I did not have the spark I had hoped to find. P.J. Tracy has a way with words and develops plots well, but something was just not on point for me. I chalk it up to being the last book of the year for me, leaving me ready to begin a new year with a BANG!
Kudos, Madam Tracy, for a decent piece. I am eager to see what;s to come and how it will compare.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 31, 2022
Sneaking one last book in for the year - goodbye 2022!
I enjoyed this, and though it doesn't have the elements (found family, mostly) that have made the Monkeewrench series one of my all-time favourites, the mystery-crafting and character work is present - and makes for a really enjoyable thriller.
This time around there's more focus on Margaret Nolan - yay! - and I definitely thought the various story threads balanced better than the first in this series.
It might sound like I'm damning with faint praise, but rest assured that's just end-of-year brain. This is a series that's not only delivered two great books so far, but has a lot of potential to continue on to be a staple in the mystery-thriller game.
I enjoyed this, and though it doesn't have the elements (found family, mostly) that have made the Monkeewrench series one of my all-time favourites, the mystery-crafting and character work is present - and makes for a really enjoyable thriller.
This time around there's more focus on Margaret Nolan - yay! - and I definitely thought the various story threads balanced better than the first in this series.
It might sound like I'm damning with faint praise, but rest assured that's just end-of-year brain. This is a series that's not only delivered two great books so far, but has a lot of potential to continue on to be a staple in the mystery-thriller game.
August 24, 2024
3.5⭐️ Tracy is a fav author and I haven’t read a book of hers in awhile. I’m enjoying this new series. So on to book #3. I wish for more of Margaret Nolan in her stories and less about the rest of her team.
February 13, 2022
Desolation Canyon is the second book in the Detective Margaret Nolan Series written by P.J. Tracy. Though I haven't read the first book, I've seen a lot of praise for this book as a great sequel to Deep Into the Dark. The novel is flush with action, suspense, and police procedurals with a large cast of complex characters with dark pasts.
Detective Nolan (Maggie) is guilt-ridden after killing someone from a shooting in the line of duty. Nolan's mother joined a religious retreat in a remote community called Children of the Desert to mourn the death of her son in Afghanistan. A woman and her little girl escaped the facility and Father Paul, the cult's leader, hired a hitman, who knows about his criminal history, to find them.
Meanwhile, Sam and Maggie investigate the body that was found in the Swan Lake at the Hotel Bel-Air that steered them to the Russian mafia.
Audiobook Review
What an immersive listening experience! It is difficult to have several distinct voices with only one narrator in such a character-driven book. Abby Craden is proficient and skilled. The first audiobook I've listened to by the narrator. The narration brought the atmospheric element of the book to life. There are a lot of dialogues in the book and having a clear and distinguishable voice between different characters helps.
This is a solid crime thriller and police procedural novel. I would love to see this story adapted to a movie or TV show someday. Plus, I armchair traveled to Desolation Canyon in a hot and arid condition. According to AllTrails, Desolation Canyon is a 3.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located in Death Valley, CA. An extreme contrast to the frigid air and freezing temperatures we have right now in Colorado.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and would recommend it to friends and family.
I received an advance listening copy (ALC) from Macmillan Audio through Netgalley for an objective review. Narrated by Abby Craden.
Read the full review on Nica's Musings.
Detective Nolan (Maggie) is guilt-ridden after killing someone from a shooting in the line of duty. Nolan's mother joined a religious retreat in a remote community called Children of the Desert to mourn the death of her son in Afghanistan. A woman and her little girl escaped the facility and Father Paul, the cult's leader, hired a hitman, who knows about his criminal history, to find them.
Meanwhile, Sam and Maggie investigate the body that was found in the Swan Lake at the Hotel Bel-Air that steered them to the Russian mafia.
Audiobook Review
What an immersive listening experience! It is difficult to have several distinct voices with only one narrator in such a character-driven book. Abby Craden is proficient and skilled. The first audiobook I've listened to by the narrator. The narration brought the atmospheric element of the book to life. There are a lot of dialogues in the book and having a clear and distinguishable voice between different characters helps.
This is a solid crime thriller and police procedural novel. I would love to see this story adapted to a movie or TV show someday. Plus, I armchair traveled to Desolation Canyon in a hot and arid condition. According to AllTrails, Desolation Canyon is a 3.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located in Death Valley, CA. An extreme contrast to the frigid air and freezing temperatures we have right now in Colorado.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and would recommend it to friends and family.
I received an advance listening copy (ALC) from Macmillan Audio through Netgalley for an objective review. Narrated by Abby Craden.
Read the full review on Nica's Musings.
December 28, 2021
This is the second in the Detective Margaret Nolan series. In the first, the Sam Easton, a wounded veteran suffering from PTSD, was introduced and I thought he was the most developed character in the book. In this one, we see more of Nolan, although Easton remains a central force in the book as well.
There are a number of story threads that eventually all conveniently come together . It is a fast read, with chapters that move along at a nice pace. I felt that there were some questions left on answered. Although the second in the series, it works well as a standalone. I look forward to the next one!
Note: I do not usually provide a synopsis of a book in my reviews; you can read that on Goodreads or Amazon. You can read my other reviews at http://vickieonmarco.blogspot.
There are a number of story threads that eventually all conveniently come together . It is a fast read, with chapters that move along at a nice pace. I felt that there were some questions left on answered. Although the second in the series, it works well as a standalone. I look forward to the next one!
Note: I do not usually provide a synopsis of a book in my reviews; you can read that on Goodreads or Amazon. You can read my other reviews at http://vickieonmarco.blogspot.
November 23, 2021
Desolation Canyon is the second book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series.
First off, I just have to say how happy I was to see Sam as a main character again in book two. I had my fingers crossed he would make another appearance, and from the looks of things he'll be back for book three.
It was also great that Maggie Nolan's character continued to develop. There's so much potential for her to be a bad ass character!
Another solid storyline with a whole lot happening. I am looking forward to what's to come!
Thanks so much to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!
First off, I just have to say how happy I was to see Sam as a main character again in book two. I had my fingers crossed he would make another appearance, and from the looks of things he'll be back for book three.
It was also great that Maggie Nolan's character continued to develop. There's so much potential for her to be a bad ass character!
Another solid storyline with a whole lot happening. I am looking forward to what's to come!
Thanks so much to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!
November 14, 2023
“I can tell you from experience that sometimes, the things you’re running to are just as bad as the things you’re running from.”
Detective Margaret (Maggie) Nolan is back at it again, and her path will cross that of Sam Easton from Book 1 in this book as well (I love me some Sam!!!).
Maggie meets fellow detective Remy for some drinks at the Bel Air Hotel (I detect some flirtation going on!!!). They are enjoying some cocktails when a body is discovered in the Swan Pool on the premises. Needless to say, Happy Hour is now over! Nolan becomes lead detective on the case. She is having a hard time unraveling the life of the deceased and things are not adding up. It appears that the victim is linked to the Russian mafia.
In the meantime, with her mother still struggling with her brother Max’s death, she decides to go to a retreat called the “Children of the Desert”, a popular place for healing. Once arriving, you must forfeit your cell phone, and truly focus on you path of healing. This does not settle well with Maggie.
Sam enters into the story because he is helping his friend Lenny out with a lady and her daughter, who he thinks were kidnapped and taken to the “Children of the Desert” compound. Lenny believes something bad is going on there and before you know it, him and Sam are formulating a plan to get in and see if the mother/daughter duo are there and if so, a way to extract them...which is right up Sam’s alley.
Will Nolan ever solve this murder case? Will her mother finally find a way to start healing from Max’s death? And will Lenny and Sam be successful with breaking into the “Children of the Desert” facility?
I was so excited to dive into this second book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series. There was A LOT going on and at times, it felt difficult to keep up with who was who (the multitude of Russian characters especially). There are spiritual retreats, the mafia, dead bodies, human trafficking, drug dealing, gas station clerks that aren’t all there, just a whole lot. This IMO made the story in various parts unbelievable, specifically the “Children of the Desert” being able to get away with everything they were getting away with. It did not seem feasible. While this was not as enjoyable as the first book, it was still a very solid read. I am looking forward to seeing what book three, “The Devil You Know”, has in store for me.
3.5 ⭐️
“There is always ripe fruit for the picking if you’re creative enough to exploit the desolation of the human soul.”
Detective Margaret (Maggie) Nolan is back at it again, and her path will cross that of Sam Easton from Book 1 in this book as well (I love me some Sam!!!).
Maggie meets fellow detective Remy for some drinks at the Bel Air Hotel (I detect some flirtation going on!!!). They are enjoying some cocktails when a body is discovered in the Swan Pool on the premises. Needless to say, Happy Hour is now over! Nolan becomes lead detective on the case. She is having a hard time unraveling the life of the deceased and things are not adding up. It appears that the victim is linked to the Russian mafia.
In the meantime, with her mother still struggling with her brother Max’s death, she decides to go to a retreat called the “Children of the Desert”, a popular place for healing. Once arriving, you must forfeit your cell phone, and truly focus on you path of healing. This does not settle well with Maggie.
Sam enters into the story because he is helping his friend Lenny out with a lady and her daughter, who he thinks were kidnapped and taken to the “Children of the Desert” compound. Lenny believes something bad is going on there and before you know it, him and Sam are formulating a plan to get in and see if the mother/daughter duo are there and if so, a way to extract them...which is right up Sam’s alley.
Will Nolan ever solve this murder case? Will her mother finally find a way to start healing from Max’s death? And will Lenny and Sam be successful with breaking into the “Children of the Desert” facility?
I was so excited to dive into this second book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series. There was A LOT going on and at times, it felt difficult to keep up with who was who (the multitude of Russian characters especially). There are spiritual retreats, the mafia, dead bodies, human trafficking, drug dealing, gas station clerks that aren’t all there, just a whole lot. This IMO made the story in various parts unbelievable, specifically the “Children of the Desert” being able to get away with everything they were getting away with. It did not seem feasible. While this was not as enjoyable as the first book, it was still a very solid read. I am looking forward to seeing what book three, “The Devil You Know”, has in store for me.
3.5 ⭐️
“There is always ripe fruit for the picking if you’re creative enough to exploit the desolation of the human soul.”
November 26, 2022
It took me a bit to get into this mystery and one of the reasons is because I wasn't sure where the personal relationships were supposed to go. The main focus is on the mystery and solving it, but I always look forward to the character's ongoing arc in, how they fit in with each other, who will be matched with whom, and I think this is where I was tripped up. I didn't know if Margaret Nolan is supposed to be matched with Sam or Remy. I don't want to pin my hopes on one romantic relationship and then have it go an entirely different route. It seems like Margaret and Remy will be a couple to me and Sam is just a friend with his own journey.
I think I'm sorting this series out now. Like The Monkeywrench series, there were several characters that melded into a group, friends all working together to solve cases and I think this is maybe where this is heading? I feel like I’m finally getting a feel for all of them and settling in. I look forward to the next in the series.
I think I'm sorting this series out now. Like The Monkeywrench series, there were several characters that melded into a group, friends all working together to solve cases and I think this is maybe where this is heading? I feel like I’m finally getting a feel for all of them and settling in. I look forward to the next in the series.
April 4, 2022
LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan tries to forget taking a life in the line of duty. Sam Easton runs frequently to help his PTSD. Sam's friend Lenny helps Marielle and her eight year old daughter Serena escape from Father Paul and the Children of the Desert. Nolan's mother decides to book a spiritual spa trip to Children of the Desert. Nolan finds the body of a lawyer in a shallow lake at the Bel Air Hotel. Watch the author tie everything together.
Russian characters are not my favorites but did not deter me from interest in this story. I picked up on a reference to the one of the characters having Alopecia which I hadn't heard of before this past week's Oscars ceremony. Lots of action and twists in the latter part of the book. I enjoyed the first Nolan novel, Deep Into the Dark, as I did this one.
Russian characters are not my favorites but did not deter me from interest in this story. I picked up on a reference to the one of the characters having Alopecia which I hadn't heard of before this past week's Oscars ceremony. Lots of action and twists in the latter part of the book. I enjoyed the first Nolan novel, Deep Into the Dark, as I did this one.
January 17, 2022
📚 Hello Book Friends! DESOLATION CANYON is the second book in the Detective Margaret Nolan Series by author P.J. Tracy. The plot is intelligent and complex. It was a good read overall, but the many characters were a bit confusing. I had to make a list of them and their roles to keep them straight. It also felt that Detective Nolan played a secondary role in this story. I hope there will be another book in this story and that Margaret Nolan will take more of a leading role. If you love complex mysteries, this one is for you.
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December 9, 2021
This is the second in the series featuring LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan, and it's every bit as good as the first. Maybe even better, because the first introduced me to a character I loved - Sam Easton, a former electrical engineer who has suffered from PTSD because of a deadly attack in Afghanistan when he was in the military. I hoped to see more of him, and in this book, I got my wish.
As this begins, Margaret is dealing with her own kind of PTSD as a result of her brother's death in Afghanistan and the fact that she killed someone in the line of duty. On one of her days off, she meets up with a sometimes-more-than-friend for drinks at the bar of a posh hotel. When the two wander out for a walk around the property's lake, they get a rather nasty surprise: A dead man is floating in it. Turns out he's a very successful lawyer who got rich in the international trade business.
Meanwhile, Sam's good friend Lenny has some issues of his own and asks Sam for help. Lenny, it seems, has picked up a woman and her young daughter who told him she was trying to escape from a religious retreat located in a remote part of the nearby desert. Run by a man called Father Paul, the retreat is quite popular with the rich and sometimes famous who are trying to get in touch with their inner selves. So why on earth would anyone need to run away?
That's a good question that needs a good answer - even more so when it becomes clear that the mother and daughter may still be in danger. And soon, even more questions pile up as the cases Margaret and Sam are involved in begin to merge with potentially dangerous consequences for all the characters. The subsequent investigations and goings-on kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, although I'll admit to having a bit of trouble keeping all the scenarios and characters straight for the first half of the book or so.
The bottom line? Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended (it's not necessary to read the first book, Deep Into the Dark, to get the gist of this one, but since it's always a good idea to start at the beginning (and it's an excellent book as well), I'll suggest that possibility. Now, I'm looking forward to the next installment and thanking the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of this one. Nicely done!
As this begins, Margaret is dealing with her own kind of PTSD as a result of her brother's death in Afghanistan and the fact that she killed someone in the line of duty. On one of her days off, she meets up with a sometimes-more-than-friend for drinks at the bar of a posh hotel. When the two wander out for a walk around the property's lake, they get a rather nasty surprise: A dead man is floating in it. Turns out he's a very successful lawyer who got rich in the international trade business.
Meanwhile, Sam's good friend Lenny has some issues of his own and asks Sam for help. Lenny, it seems, has picked up a woman and her young daughter who told him she was trying to escape from a religious retreat located in a remote part of the nearby desert. Run by a man called Father Paul, the retreat is quite popular with the rich and sometimes famous who are trying to get in touch with their inner selves. So why on earth would anyone need to run away?
That's a good question that needs a good answer - even more so when it becomes clear that the mother and daughter may still be in danger. And soon, even more questions pile up as the cases Margaret and Sam are involved in begin to merge with potentially dangerous consequences for all the characters. The subsequent investigations and goings-on kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, although I'll admit to having a bit of trouble keeping all the scenarios and characters straight for the first half of the book or so.
The bottom line? Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended (it's not necessary to read the first book, Deep Into the Dark, to get the gist of this one, but since it's always a good idea to start at the beginning (and it's an excellent book as well), I'll suggest that possibility. Now, I'm looking forward to the next installment and thanking the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of this one. Nicely done!
February 1, 2022
I am a huge fan of the Monkeewrench books so when I saw this new series starting I was ecstatic! Somehow amid the pandemic and a new job, I totally missed book 1, Deep Into the Dark, when it came out in early 2021. Book 2 caught my eye when I was offered a review copy -- and I jumped right on it! Backed up and read book 1 first....then jumped into my early copy of Desolation Canyon. About halfway through my digital ARC, I snagged a review copy of the audio book and started the story over.
Loved it! This book keeps the action, suspense and gritty characters from the first book....and even bumps things up a notch. I like Margaret Nolan and Sam Easton as the main characters. Both have their flaws and issues from their past, but they are also both intelligent, driven and talented investigators. The only part of the plot that gave me pause was the Russian mafia angle. "The Russians are behind it'' angle has been used too much....for me, it always comes off as a bit melodramatic just because it's overused. BUT....saying that....I have to add that I still got sucked into the story and enjoyed this book immensely!
I can't wait for the next book! Definitely a fan!
The audio book version of this story is just shy of 8 hours long and is narrated by Abby Craden. She reads at a good pace, has a nice voice and does a great job of voice acting. Very enjoyable listen!
**I voluntarily read a review copy from St Martins Press and listened to a review audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Loved it! This book keeps the action, suspense and gritty characters from the first book....and even bumps things up a notch. I like Margaret Nolan and Sam Easton as the main characters. Both have their flaws and issues from their past, but they are also both intelligent, driven and talented investigators. The only part of the plot that gave me pause was the Russian mafia angle. "The Russians are behind it'' angle has been used too much....for me, it always comes off as a bit melodramatic just because it's overused. BUT....saying that....I have to add that I still got sucked into the story and enjoyed this book immensely!
I can't wait for the next book! Definitely a fan!
The audio book version of this story is just shy of 8 hours long and is narrated by Abby Craden. She reads at a good pace, has a nice voice and does a great job of voice acting. Very enjoyable listen!
**I voluntarily read a review copy from St Martins Press and listened to a review audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
February 10, 2022
No sophomore slump for the author for her second book in her new series.
A very twisty set of mysteries involving Russian gangsters, a religious cult, Death Valley, and a hunt for a missing sister. Add in our heroine, who is a detective coping with personal problems, an Army veteran with PTSD, and a Good Samaritan gas-station owner--I couldn't quite see how the author was going to tie everything together.
However, Tracy deftly guides the reader through all the twists, delivering the complete picture in a thrilling climax. I'm going to re-read this, just to catch all the little clues that escaped my notice as I sped through the book the first time.
I sure hope the author is hard at work on the next book--this greedy reader wants more.
A very twisty set of mysteries involving Russian gangsters, a religious cult, Death Valley, and a hunt for a missing sister. Add in our heroine, who is a detective coping with personal problems, an Army veteran with PTSD, and a Good Samaritan gas-station owner--I couldn't quite see how the author was going to tie everything together.
However, Tracy deftly guides the reader through all the twists, delivering the complete picture in a thrilling climax. I'm going to re-read this, just to catch all the little clues that escaped my notice as I sped through the book the first time.
I sure hope the author is hard at work on the next book--this greedy reader wants more.
January 7, 2023
Thank you Goodreads and the author for the book. Really enjoyed the start of the book couldn't put it down. About 2/3's through it got confusing and all over the place.
3.5 stars
Stacey Bankey
3.5 stars
Stacey Bankey
February 8, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🏜 ~𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙋𝙪𝙗 𝘿𝙖𝙮~ this is the second thriller in the “Detective Margaret Nolan” series. I didn’t read the first one in the series and did just fine with these characters. Police procedurals in books aren’t usually something I tend to read… however, I loved this cover and the premise sounded interesting. Sam Easton was my favorite character. He made me want to read the first one in the series… his character was great. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Margaret Nolan - I just didn’t care too much about her perspective.
🌵 This was an overall quick read with a great story. I definitely was engaged in finding out what would happen. I think the narrative was well crafted and very well done. It had me hooked and entertained. Although I found some parts to be slow I still enjoyed this story.
🏜 Overall, this was a quick and easy read. I’m surprised I actually ended up enjoying it more than I was expecting to. This was definitely an engaging read and I’m so glad I ended up picking it up this month. If I get to read more of Sam in the upcoming books then I’m definitely going to continue this series. Desolation Canyon was an easy read with a solid storyline - great recommendation!
✨Thank you minotaur books for the gifted ARC + thank you macmillan audio and NetGalley for the ALC ✨
December 10, 2022
This second book in the Margaret Nolan series is just as entertaining and engaging as the first. There are murders to investigate, the first being a body that Margaret stumbles upon inadvertently. Soon there's another story line that moves the action into an area near Death Valley, and that involves Sam Easton, the other lead character from the first book. Sam once again joins with the police in a major way, even while still fighting the PTSD that he has battled since returning from war in Afghanistan. In the desert a young woman and her child have escaped from a retreat center that is not exactly religious, and not exactly a cult, but seems mysterious, and possibly sinister. And it's where Margaret's mother is headed in an effort to find healing from her grief over her son's death. And it's there, in the desert that the action really picks up.
Margaret's parents are much more active in this novel than the first, and add a new dimension to the complexity of the story and characters. I hope to continue to follow the story of all these characters as the series continues.
I want to thank the Goodreads giveaways program, the author, and publisher Minotaur Books for the copy of this book I received.
Margaret's parents are much more active in this novel than the first, and add a new dimension to the complexity of the story and characters. I hope to continue to follow the story of all these characters as the series continues.
I want to thank the Goodreads giveaways program, the author, and publisher Minotaur Books for the copy of this book I received.
May 16, 2022
If you find yourself in the mood for a good mystery, pick up Desolation Canyon by P.J. Tracy (might as well ad Deep into the Dark, which is book one of the New Detective Margaret Nolan series). I found the novel immediately plunged me into characters with well developed back stories and a depth that pleased me. Margaret Nolan is the detective and she is out having drinks with a friend when they discover a body.
Three different mysteries interwoven with the creativity and wonder from a master storyteller. P.J. Tracy is now one of my favorite authors!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and author P.J. Tracy for this digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy! As always my opinions are voluntary!
Three different mysteries interwoven with the creativity and wonder from a master storyteller. P.J. Tracy is now one of my favorite authors!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and author P.J. Tracy for this digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy! As always my opinions are voluntary!
January 18, 2022
Thanks so much to the publisher and netgalley for my review copies in exchange for an honest review. DESOLATION CANYON publishes TODAY!
I read the first book in this new seres from the author last year January, and I remember really enjoying it. I just reread the synopsis for it on Goodreads, and I gave it 4 stars. I do think you can read these books out of order tho. The crimes are different in each book, and some detail is given in book 2, so you won't be confused.
This book felt completely different that the first book. It has all the same main characters from the first book, but that's about it. I felt it was too busy - so many different plot lines going on, it was hard to keep track of who was who, and what each character was involved in. One of the plots involved Russian crime, thus, Russian names were used, which just added to the game of "who are you again? what are you involved in?" This really took away the enjoyment of the overall plot for me. By the last 100 pages, I didn't really care too much for the story anymore, I was just reading it to be able to finish the book. I also felt there wasn't any character development, especially with the two main characters (Nolan and Sam).
Overall, I was really disappointed with this second book. I really enjoyed the first book, and was excited for this one. I recommend just reading the first book of this series
I read the first book in this new seres from the author last year January, and I remember really enjoying it. I just reread the synopsis for it on Goodreads, and I gave it 4 stars. I do think you can read these books out of order tho. The crimes are different in each book, and some detail is given in book 2, so you won't be confused.
This book felt completely different that the first book. It has all the same main characters from the first book, but that's about it. I felt it was too busy - so many different plot lines going on, it was hard to keep track of who was who, and what each character was involved in. One of the plots involved Russian crime, thus, Russian names were used, which just added to the game of "who are you again? what are you involved in?" This really took away the enjoyment of the overall plot for me. By the last 100 pages, I didn't really care too much for the story anymore, I was just reading it to be able to finish the book. I also felt there wasn't any character development, especially with the two main characters (Nolan and Sam).
Overall, I was really disappointed with this second book. I really enjoyed the first book, and was excited for this one. I recommend just reading the first book of this series
January 23, 2022
I’ve been a big fan of P. J. Tracy for a long time, ever since Tracy (a pseudonym for P. J. Lambrecht and her daughter Traci, who now writes solo after P. J.’s death in 2016) hit the scene with a brilliant Minneapolis-centered mystery series that started with MONKEEWRENCH.
Tracy may still live in Minneapolis, but she’s shifted the focus of her novels to Los Angeles with a new series centered on two scarred characters. In DEEP INTO THE DARK, Detective Margaret Nolan (who lost her brother in Afghanistan) teamed up with Sam Easton, a veteran fighting his own demons, to confront a serial killer.
Now, in DESOLATION CANYON, their paths cross again. This time, Margaret, against her better judgment, meets up with a colleague, Remy Beaudreau, for a drink (and perhaps an assignation) at Beverly Hills’ swanky Hotel Bel-Air. But since trouble has a tendency to find Margaret, she and Remy discover a body in the hotel’s picturesque Swan Lake.
Meanwhile, Sam has gotten caught up in a different mystery. His friend, Lenny, has helped two people --- Marielle and her young daughter, Serena --- escape from a Death Valley retreat center known as the Children of the Desert. It’s not a cult, Marielle assures Lenny, but it has become a dangerous place for her and Serena. Lenny offers to hide them on his boat back in Los Angeles, but when Sam comes calling for a friendly visit, mother and child have disappeared again.
These are just two of the numerous subplots making up the book. Others include Remy’s long-lost sister, a long-ago unsolved kidnapping case, Margaret’s mother’s journey to find healing after her son’s death, and a Death Valley convenience store clerk who is convinced he can see aliens. Oh, and for you other die-hard P. J. Tracy fans, there’s also a repeat appearance by a memorable PI from the Monkeewrench series. All these strands keep coming back to the Children of the Desert, and they become increasingly tangled, leading Margaret and Sam to reunite as their respective mysteries converge.
DESOLATION CANYON has a complicated mystery plot with just enough coincidences to keep things interesting without completely losing credibility. Readers of DEEP INTO THE DARK who enjoyed Margaret and Sam’s working relationship in that book might be disappointed to see that the two of them share relatively few pages in this sequel. But Tracy continues to do a superb job of exploring Los Angeles’s highs and lows, skewering celebrity culture while also exposing the glittering city’s hidden darkness.
Readers will be eager to return to LA with this dynamic crime-fighting duo, who contend with their own inner demons while fighting the real-life villains in the city they love.
Reviewed by Norah Piehl
Tracy may still live in Minneapolis, but she’s shifted the focus of her novels to Los Angeles with a new series centered on two scarred characters. In DEEP INTO THE DARK, Detective Margaret Nolan (who lost her brother in Afghanistan) teamed up with Sam Easton, a veteran fighting his own demons, to confront a serial killer.
Now, in DESOLATION CANYON, their paths cross again. This time, Margaret, against her better judgment, meets up with a colleague, Remy Beaudreau, for a drink (and perhaps an assignation) at Beverly Hills’ swanky Hotel Bel-Air. But since trouble has a tendency to find Margaret, she and Remy discover a body in the hotel’s picturesque Swan Lake.
Meanwhile, Sam has gotten caught up in a different mystery. His friend, Lenny, has helped two people --- Marielle and her young daughter, Serena --- escape from a Death Valley retreat center known as the Children of the Desert. It’s not a cult, Marielle assures Lenny, but it has become a dangerous place for her and Serena. Lenny offers to hide them on his boat back in Los Angeles, but when Sam comes calling for a friendly visit, mother and child have disappeared again.
These are just two of the numerous subplots making up the book. Others include Remy’s long-lost sister, a long-ago unsolved kidnapping case, Margaret’s mother’s journey to find healing after her son’s death, and a Death Valley convenience store clerk who is convinced he can see aliens. Oh, and for you other die-hard P. J. Tracy fans, there’s also a repeat appearance by a memorable PI from the Monkeewrench series. All these strands keep coming back to the Children of the Desert, and they become increasingly tangled, leading Margaret and Sam to reunite as their respective mysteries converge.
DESOLATION CANYON has a complicated mystery plot with just enough coincidences to keep things interesting without completely losing credibility. Readers of DEEP INTO THE DARK who enjoyed Margaret and Sam’s working relationship in that book might be disappointed to see that the two of them share relatively few pages in this sequel. But Tracy continues to do a superb job of exploring Los Angeles’s highs and lows, skewering celebrity culture while also exposing the glittering city’s hidden darkness.
Readers will be eager to return to LA with this dynamic crime-fighting duo, who contend with their own inner demons while fighting the real-life villains in the city they love.
Reviewed by Norah Piehl
April 8, 2022
Thank you to the group Thrills Chills on FB.
This is the second of the series. I would have liked to read the first one though this can be read as a stand alone in my opinion.
It was a good mystery that had a lot going on and kept me interested until the last page with characters that were interesting. I like how they were interwoven together, strangers and colleagues.
This is the second of the series. I would have liked to read the first one though this can be read as a stand alone in my opinion.
It was a good mystery that had a lot going on and kept me interested until the last page with characters that were interesting. I like how they were interwoven together, strangers and colleagues.
November 27, 2021
In book 2 of this series, LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan is struggling to move forward after the death of her brother in Afghanistan and taking a life in the line of duty. Maggie struggles day to day and I was glad to see Sam as a lead character in this book as well. She must investigate the death of man found in a pond on the grounds of Hotel Bel-Air to determine if it is suicide or murder. Meanwhile, Sam helps his friend Lenny who has helped a woman and her daughter escape an abusive relationship at a cult in the desert. It becomes clear that these two cases are connected. Lots of twists and turns, nefarious bad guys and sinister "good" guys. As with the first book, I found some of the sub-plots hard to keep ordered but I think this was the authors intent. By keeping us confused, she rapidly reins us in at the end. A good story and I would recommend reading book one first to understand the main characters a little better, but it is not mandatory to follow the storyline.
3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2022
An excellent book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series featuring an LAPD officer. In this installment, Margaret is facing her own trials and tribulations after her brother is killed in Afghanistan and she is forced to take a life in the call of duty. Both weigh heavy on her mind, understandably. Family members offer little support, being of the "stay strong" and hide your emotions mode of dealing with anything unpleasant.
Deciding to take a break and a risk on her day off, she heads out to meet a colleague she is attracted to for cocktails. She knows this is a big risk but right now, after dealing with the loss of a sibling and taking a life herself, the risk feels a might bit smaller.
Of course, life has other ideas - mainly involving death. The body of an internationally known lawyer disrupts their merriment as it's found in a lake near the well-known bar they were enjoying cocktails at.
It seems she cannot get away from one tragedy after another - little does she know this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Deciding to take a break and a risk on her day off, she heads out to meet a colleague she is attracted to for cocktails. She knows this is a big risk but right now, after dealing with the loss of a sibling and taking a life herself, the risk feels a might bit smaller.
Of course, life has other ideas - mainly involving death. The body of an internationally known lawyer disrupts their merriment as it's found in a lake near the well-known bar they were enjoying cocktails at.
It seems she cannot get away from one tragedy after another - little does she know this is just the tip of the iceberg.
December 20, 2021
Desolation Canyon by P.J. Tracy is second, and a strong suspenseful addition, in the Margaret Nolan series. When Nolan finds a body, while off duty, the investigation leads her and her partner, Crawford into a more sinister world that includes kidnappings and perhaps the Russian mafia circling around The Children of the Dead retreat center. It took me a bit to remember the characters and relationships from the first book. And the beginning is loaded with new characters, so take your time reading to understand who is who. At first I wasn't sure about that aspect, but as the story moved forward, they all fell into place. Maggie Nolan's character continues to develop in this book, as does Det. Remy Beaudreau. I was afraid that Sam Easton was just a character in the first book, and was so happy to see him in this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur for providing an ARC in exchange for my review.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur for providing an ARC in exchange for my review.
May 1, 2023
3.75 / 5
This felt like a CSI episode, I really enjoyed the writing style and plot. Bog standard crime scene investigation, standard police procedure and steady characters involved.
This is book two of the series, I haven’t read the first book but this could be read as a standalone. Although there subtle hints referring to first book, you’ll be able to understand the plot without knowing what the first book was about. I enjoyed the writing style, I found it easy to read with the simple plot. Again it’s just a simple plot, but the twists and turns elevates it to the next level.
Nothing bad to say about the book, its just a standard detective crime scene book, but that doesn’t disappoint.
This felt like a CSI episode, I really enjoyed the writing style and plot. Bog standard crime scene investigation, standard police procedure and steady characters involved.
This is book two of the series, I haven’t read the first book but this could be read as a standalone. Although there subtle hints referring to first book, you’ll be able to understand the plot without knowing what the first book was about. I enjoyed the writing style, I found it easy to read with the simple plot. Again it’s just a simple plot, but the twists and turns elevates it to the next level.
Nothing bad to say about the book, its just a standard detective crime scene book, but that doesn’t disappoint.
January 18, 2022
Much like the first book I found this one to be just ok and much like the first book feel like I should have liked it better. I really liked Lenny helping the woman and child, liked that Lenny went to Sam for help when he realized something was off. But it was the whole "cult" aspect that turned me off, along with the alien loving man. Both had roots in other things that were a bit over the top.
June 4, 2024
3.25 Stars
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