River Bodies

Northampton County, Book 1

By: Karen Katchur

Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo

In this dark, gripping mystery, a brutal murder unearths old secrets that should have stayed buried.

A body just turned up in the small town of Portland, Pennsylvania. The crime is eerily similar to a twenty-year-old cold case: another victim, brutally murdered, found in the Delaware River. Lead detective Parker Reed is intent on connecting the two murders, but the locals are on lockdown, revealing nothing.

The past meets the present when Becca Kingsley, who returns to Portland to be with her estranged but dying father, runs into Parker, her childhood love. As the daughter of the former police chief, Becca’s quickly drawn into the case. Coming home has brought something ominous to the surface - memories long buried, secrets best kept hidden. Becca starts questioning all her past relationships, including one with a man who’s watched over her for years. For the first time, she wonders if he’s more predator than protector.

In a small town where darkness hides in plain sight, the truth could change Becca’s life - or end it.

©2018 Karen Katchur (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Katchur is an engaging writer who ably navigates the dynamics of small-town life and the darkness that lurks beneath…Suspense with a tense family drama at its core.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Suspenseful…[The] gripping ending will leave readers eager for the sequel…” (Publishers Weekly)

“An engaging, solid mystery that will captivate lovers of the genre, especially those drawn to regional settings.” (Library Journal)

It could have been shorter and better

It was a good story but very confusing the author kept jumping back and forth in time without closing a chapter and starting one. I listened with my husband during out road trip and we felt that didn't allow us to engage and enjoy the book like we have with other ones. Also, a little but slow and the author developed in detail too many characters not relevant for the story.

Anticipation then disappointment

This story had potential and for awhile I was looking forward to where it was going. Then Pffft! It just lumbered through the ending seemingly just to get there.

Great performance

This was a well written story that brought me back to my own Father's death. Having that experience of being able to witness death of a loved one, while wanting to reconcile a torn relationship...Well done

Keeps you guessing

really enjoyed the book. The narrator was a little soft spoken at times but not so bad you could not hear with the volume on highest. I listen on a phone while drive in the car

Took me by surprise

I randomly choose this since it was part of my Kindle Unlimited. At the time I had kind of a book hangover going on, after listening to one I LOVED so nothing sounded interesting.

I just jumped in and I'm happy I did! I really enjoyed this book, excellent character development, with some you really like and others not so much. I thought the story started off strong with a great mystery and kept you guessing as how it would turn out.
There's a little romance but not done at all. As for the narrator. her voice good, I thought she did a great job with the voices. Overall an enjoyable audiobook!

River Bodies

Definitely not my favorite audio recording. Needed a better editor. Seemed to me to have several inconsistencies in relationships (for example: stepbrother vs half-brother). And it seemed to me that one guy died twice. 😢 (2 different ways) The basic story line was pretty good, but I don't really recommend.

Kept my attention very well.

I did not like the narrator's voice representation of the male characters.
Ending was a little confusing.

Just so!

Very long and drawn out story.......confusing at times with a lot of somber moments and too melancholy to really enjoy😑

Good story!

I liked this story. It had a lose end and a couple remaining questions but overall pretty good. Will listen again in case I missed something!

Primarily a story of a troubled family, not a thriller

The characters are too introspective and the dying father goes on far too long and repetitive. This is more a story of a dysfunctional family than a detective thriller. The author did a superb job of creating the tensions of a rural town occupied by a gang.