Kat Flannery

In The Memory Bell, author Kat Flannery transports the reader to the small town of Oakville, Illinois, for an intriguing mystery tale that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Grace Penner's family means everything to her. When her grandfather passed away, she is gifted the family heriloom, a porcelain memory bell that he said would always bring their family together. But when the bell shatters, Grace glues the bell back together and realizes that three pieces are missing. She is determined to find the three pieces and put the bell back together.

Detective Bennet James was placed on probation after an incident at the Chicago Police Department, and was sent down to Oakville until Internal Affairs makes a decision. While in Oakville, Ben investigates the remains of a young woman found in a hand dug grave at a closed down mill. The coroner reports that the death of the Jane Doe was a murder that took place twenty-five to thirty years ago. Ben befriends Grace, but as his investigation into the murder brings her family into question, Grace begins to realize that her tight-knit family aren't what they appear to really be as long buried secrets, lies, and deceptions come to the surface.

Author Kat Flannery weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in alternating third person narrative that follows Grace and Ben's story as a shattered memory bell and an old murder investigation brings them together, and reveals an interconnection that threathens to tear the Penner family apart.

The reader is easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting. It is filled with enough family dysfunction and dark secrets, possible motives and suspects, a touch of an unexpected romance, and intriguing twists and turns that definitely keeps the reader guessing until the surprising conclusion.

This was a really interesting story to read! The author does a wonderful job of providing enough clues to engage the reader, and I found myself so caught up on trying to figure out all the Penner secrets and the identity of the murderer. I loved that both Grace and Ben's backstory and personal baggage brought them together, even when Grace's family was being investigated for the murder. I loved how the author put all the pieces of the Penner's dyfunctional and traumatically emotional family mystery puzzle together, and how appearances are deceiving. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I loved how Grace and Ben were both finally able to overcome their emotional baggage.

The Memory Bell will definitely take readers on one heck of a suspenseful roller coaster ride.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-memory-bell-by-kat-flanne...… (mehr)

Fern By Kat Flannery
This story starts out with Ms. Fuller and she's been brought to town, She died on the way.
The new sheriff investigates the woman who had brought him in. Most likes it was the ladies husband as everybody knew he beat her often.
She befriended Fern who gave her herbs to help with her infertility but they did not.
The old doctor had passed away and left 3 girls. The oldest learned everything she knew from her father. The middle girl is a crack shot with the gun.
The sheriff, Gabe needs answers from Ms. Montgomery-she knows about poison plants...
Fern knows the husband had trampled her garden. The girls are: Fern Ivy and Poppy-all poisonous plants.
The doctor wants Fern arrested. Gabe has taken a liking to Fern and he tries hard to work on the death investigation.
Love bartering she's able to do as none can afford her services, and when Gabe questions her about what the herbs do to those ailing...
So many secrets that people hold close to their chests for safekeeping til a bit of one is out...
They work together to solve who is poisoning others and why...Other crimes Gabe has to content with as well.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
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