Crime Scene Connection by Deena Alexander - Book Review & Blog Tour

 

Book: Crime Scene Connection

Author: Deena Alexander

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Christian Literature, Romantic Suspense

Number of pages: 224

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Publication Date: 12 January 2021

ISBN-10: 1335404996

ISBN-13: 978-1335404992

 

Synopsis:

Her writing was fiction,

until a killer made the danger very real…

A serial killer’s imitating crime scenes from Addison Keller’s bestselling novel, determined to make her the final victim. But with former police officer Jace Montana and his dog at her side, Addison might just be able to unmask the murderer. With time running out as the killer closes in, she must confront her past and unravel long-buried secrets…and hope they can all escape with their lives.

 

Book Review by Nadaness In Motion

 

Crime Scene Connection by Deena Alexander is a mystery and thriller novel with bits of romance and what I expect is a bit of Christian literature.

I loved how the book opens directly with fast-paced action. No introduction. Addison Keller is in her room struggling with the fact that not only has a killer mimicked the crime scene in her new best-selling novel, but also sent her before and after pictures of the victim.

"The same long dark hair as the rest of the victims Addison had conjured up. Guilt hammered her. If she hadn't written that book, the killer might never have chosen these victims."

Then she hears footsteps and has to make a run for it. That's when the pace spirals and we dive deeper into the action. It's also short after that we meet the second main character, Jace.

A former cop, who had to leave the force because of Addison's corrupt-cop-ex-husband, Jace is all about protection. He's forced to help Addison but as the story progresses, he begins to admire her and see the other side of her. The side that says she didn't know her husband was corrupt or "a monster."

Crime Scene Connection is narrated from the third person perspective of the two main characters: Addison and Jace. That said, we don't get a repetition of events, as I've seen in books that offer two viewpoints. Instead, the dual points of view add to the suspense and allow the author to jump between scenes and emotions.

The main characters in Crime Scene Connection are flawed. And Deena Alexander points that out in the end. Flaws make characters stronger and better. Surprisingly, Addison's flaw is selflessness!

You'd think selflessness is a virtue. But with Addison, it isn't. In fact, there were many instances where I felt her selflessness was over-the-top. It wasn't believable and it annoyed the hell out of me.

"Don't you get it? I can't be responsible for another murder. I can't stand the thought of another woman dying because I chose her, because I brought her to the attention of some serial killer."

Addison's character reminded me of Madison Knight from the Madison Knight Mystery Series by Carolyn Arnold.

There is also the multiple references to statements from the Bible, which made me think Crime Scene Connection falls under Christian literature. The reason is the Christian bit was evident in the book compared to other mysteries I've read. And it put me off a bit. Mainly because I wasn't expecting it.

Also part of the characters belief made it appear as if they were too conservative or over-the-top. That's how I felt about it. Like the scene where Addison was three and her mother lied. (You'll have to read it to find out).

I don't have a problem with religion being part of the equation. I've read the Reverend Annabelle Dixon Series by Alison Golden and the Christian bit didn't bother me, even though the main character was a reverend.

In terms of pace, Crime Scene Connection is super-fast-paced and enjoyable. That said, the pace means the book takes place in 2 to 3 days, which hurts the believability of the novel. For almost 3 days, almost none of the main characters gets any sleep. These are my thoughts.

My review copy and a nice cup of Earl Grey tea

As for the mystery, it's a powerful and gripping one. From the first chapter, Addison is being targeted by a killer and she doesn't know why. In addition, she has childhood memories that she keeps pushing inwards into her mind.

Add to that, her ex-husband Brandon wants to make her life miserable. Or she's overdoing it in believing anything she does, he'll turn into hell for her.

So, Addison is literally running from everyone and everything in her life. That said, there's strength to her character and a willingness to sacrifice herself so that others don't get hurt.

In addition to the killer getting inspiration from her book, the book itself is part of a series and the first part ends without catching the killer, while the second book hasn't been released. Addison has to try writing more to see if she can uncover the killer's motives in Crime Scene Connection in order to get back to her life.

"Yeah, well there's another problem."

"What's that?"

"It didn't happen until book two."

"I thought you said book two hasn't come out yet."

She held his gaze. "It hasn't."

In the course of Crime Scene Connection, Jace questions the logic of a mystery novel where the killer isn't found. Addison gives a why-not argument, although I'd have to agree with Jace on that one.

There's some romance in Crime Scene Connection. But for me it wasn't believable because of the two-day timeline of the book. It's true Addison and Jace are placed in a terrible situation and have to give comfort to one another. But I felt that falling in love in the span of two days was too much. If it had at least taken a week, I'd have been able to swallow it just a bit.

I also felt that Jace's character developed more than Addison. Addison is a complex character. She gives off strength and weakness at the same time.

Overall, I think Crime Scene Connection is an interesting thriller. I'd been expecting a mystery but the pace combined with the action and mystery turned into an entirely different experience. A good one too.

Overall rating: 4 stars.

Note: I got a free copy of Crime Scene Connection by Deena Alexander as part of a blog tour via Lori Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

 

About the Author:

Deena Alexander

Deena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs.

Now she enjoys long walks in nature all year long, despite the occasional alligator or snake she sometimes encounters. Deena's love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn't sleep through the night, and she now works full time as a writer and a freelance editor.

Connect with Deena Alexander via her Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Bookbub.

Purchase Links –

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Kobo  - Harlequin  - Books-a-Million  - Target

Indiebound - Walmart  - Apple Books  - Google Play

  

Keep up with the rest of the blog tour for Crime Scene Connection by Deena Alexander, including more book reviews, spotlights, guest posts.