This was a really good book. There was romance, intrigue, nostalgia, family drama, reunions...a little bit of everything. The story moved fairly quickly and kept you guessing as to who the second man was. Lots of characters and red herrings. Will definitely keep this author on my radar. ( )

"I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this is my honest review."

This book had all the elements of a very suspenseful read. I enjoyed it very much. It was very well written and really kept me guessing until the very end. You will not believe the story twists.....Just when you think you know how it will end, the plot thickens!

If you enjoy a mystery filled with romance, suspense, murder and intrigue then this novel is for you. ( )

The Second Man by Emelle Gamble is a 2016 Soul Mate publication.

This is the way romantic suspense should be written!

The Second Man starts off with a bang… literally! From there the suspense and edginess increases, making it next to impossible to relax, much less breathe.

Jill Farrell’s college class reunion is coming up, but she has no desire to attend, even after rumors begin to swirl that her old college sweetheart, Max, is planning on making an appearance. Her resolve only deepens when her ex-husband, Andrew, shows up out of the blue weaving outlandish tales about one of their old college alumni being a murderer.

But, when she finds herself face to face with Max again, and he offers her a reasonable explanation for why he pulled a disappearing act all those years ago, Jill begins to have second thoughts about the reunion... and Max.

Jill and Max had fallen head over heels in love back in college, but an accident left Max with severe memory loss. Now Jill is working to help Max recover some of his lost memories. But, in the meantime, Jill learns one of their old classmates has been murdered, and Andrew had fingered Max as suspect number one.

Who should Jill believe? Who can she trust? Could there be a murderer amongst them?

Romantic suspense is one of my very favorite genres, but I’ve been neglecting it of late. Suddenly, I realized I had a strong craving for a good, old fashioned novel of suspense and I must say, I could not have chosen a better book to satisfy that craving than this one!

Not only is this a traditional romantic suspense novel, the type I prefer over all others, but it could very easily fall into the psychological thriller category, as well.

The author uses the approach so often employed these days in modern psychological suspense novels, which keeps the reader totally in the dark, ratcheting up the suspense until I was literally on the edge of my seat, totally engaged in the plot, wringing my hands with concern for Jill, who could be in grave danger, if she decides to trust the wrong person!!

This is romantic suspense the way I like it. The suspense is well balanced with the romantic elements, the pacing is quick, the atmosphere is edgy, the dialogue is realistic, and the twists are well placed within a unique plot.

I think any fan of romantic suspense will enjoy this book! Highly recommend!
4.5 stars ( )

The deadly mystery of The Second Man by Emelle Gamble begins in the opening pages. I love when the author puts their hooks in me right out of the gate. I have read a couple other books by Emelle Gamble and I think each book I read keeps getting better and better.

Jill’s school reunion is coming up and her bestie, Carly, is coming home from Europe with her husband and child. There will be two more men who will arrive and create all kinds of havoc for her, a triangle…of sorts.

I have an inkling of what’s coming, but Emelle Gamble does a great job of twisting and turning things, keeping me guessing. One minute I think it’s too obvious for this guy, then I’m sure it’s him. I never really thought it was the other guy, but who then?

All the time I’m reading, the suspense builds…slowly. I know something will be happening, yet I have more to learn about the characters and their motivations before I will find out.

I like that Jill didn’t immediately climb into bed with her old love, even though she wanted to jump his bones. She gives her ex the benefit of the doubt when he comes knocking on her door, even though she wants nothing more to do with him.

I am often accused of being cynical, but I think I am a realist. Why throw your trust out there willy nilly, especially after having been burned. What’s wrong with waiting for someone to prove their trustworthiness?

I can relate to her decision making process – slow and methodical. I mull it over and anticipate all the options, just like she does.

The characters are more complex than I anticipated and it kept me guessing what their actions would be. I love when I start out thinking people and events are so predictable and the author jerks me around, hopping from suspect to suspect, unable to be sure who the guilty party is until the end. Her writing misdirected me and when I found out, it was so obvious, all I could think was, good job Emelle.

I look at the very pretty cover and think this will be more of a cozy, but as I read along, I had to change my mind. The villain will bump off anyone that gets in his way or may discover his secret.

If you are looking for a great mystery that’s heavier than a cozy, yet doesn’t have blood and guts flying off every page, The Second man by Emelle Gamble is for you.

I received an advanced reading copy of The Second Man from Emelle Gamble. ( )

I volunteered to review this ARC and freely did this review on my own as I have read other books by this author. Fifteen years ago, Jill Ferrell was a twenty-one year old college woman who fell madly in love with Max Kallstrom, a Swedish exchange student. When Max returned home, she never heard from him and his mom said to never called there again when she called. Her cards to Max went unanswered and after two years she married Andrew Denton on the rebound. Now, she heard that Max was coming to their class reunion and didn't know how she felt about that, especially with her ex-husband begging for another chance.

Max tells Jill that's she's the reason for his return to California and wants to explain the reason he never contacted her in fifteen years, but Jill wants nothing to do with him, but her heart doesn't listen. When Andrew tells her that he's sure Max is a murder, she doesn't know who to trust her heart, Andrew, or Max! ( )