Taken to the Grave: A completely unputdownable mystery thriller

I absolutely loved The Dancing Girls, the first book in this fantastic series. When I heard book two was also going to be released this year, it felt like Christmas! The best part was, that when it was announced till when the advanced copies were made available, I only had to impatiently wait 5 days till I could get stuck into it! Taken to the Grave, is one brilliant read and exceeded all my expectations. As this series progresses, I feel that it is just going to keep going from strength to strength. (Tick) Michelle has crafted a very thrilling plot. If you think the town of Midsomer has its fair share of murders, the sleepy (or not so sleepy after all) town of Oakhurst definitely gives it a run for its money as in how many murders take place in one story! Detective Jo Fournier and partner Bob Arnett are on a race against the clock, as the body count keeps rising to solve the case. This is not helped by the immense pressure they are put under from higher above to make an arrest, even if the suspect in custody turns out is innocent! (such a scary thought that this may actually happen!). There is also a secondary plot where we see Jo’s father face a health battle that brings Jo and her estranged sister together but not without its issues, with past conflicts rising to the surface and boiling over. (Tick) There are a few characters in the story to keep you on your toes and you are kept second guessing who the killer is. The obvious choice isn’t always that obvious at all!. Each character has been expertly written and they are brought to life beautifully on the pages. I love Jo’s character and after only two books she has definitely become one of my all time favourite female leads. Although not without flaws like us all, she is a strong woman and her relentless nature in ensuring justice is served is admirable. I also really liked that this time we saw a vulnerable side to her as she faced with the unimaginable with her father and also as she tries to reconnect with her sister. I also love the character of Bob Arnett and the relationship that him and Jo share. They really do make the perfect team. (Tick) I love Michelle’s style. Told from Jo’s and the killer’s perspective, she is able to draw you in right from the get go and excels in keeping you enthralled and on the edge of your seat till the final page. The level of tension that she manages to build throughout is amazing. It’s like a pressure cooker that keeps building up as you wait for the explosion! I loved also how she was able to make you think you had it all figured out, only to then rip out the rug from under you with the words “not even close” running through your head (insert evil laugh here!) For this one, I gave up trying to figure it out and just let Michelle take me on the ride and what a ride it is! (Tick) Taken to the Grave has is all. Starting with striking cover, an opening that doesn’t waste any time in throwing you in to the story, a plot that is chock full of mystery, suspense with twist and turns at every corner as well as family drama, characters that are real and believable, a reveal that will knock your socks off which, best of all is told through amazing writing. Michelle has fast become one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for Jo next with hopefully many more books in the series to come. (Tick) If you have taken notice of the word “tick” I have added at the end of each paragraph, you will see that they add up to 5, which is what I have rated this book. It is a really brilliant read and one which I highly recommend. While Taken to the Grave can be read as a standalone, you would be missing out by not starting with the Dancing Girls which is also a 5 star read. You need to read it for the ending alone which has the biggest twist that has and always will stay with me and is one of the best that I have ever read! Thank-you to NetGalley, Books and M.M Chouninard for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Taken to the Grave which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A thoroughly enjoyable book. I certainly didn't guess the ending which always makes for a good read.

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