A Dark and Twisting Path (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery, #3) by Julia Buckley

A Dark and Twisting Path (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery, #3) Reviews

• 
  Julie

  A Dark and Twisting Path by Julia Buckley is a 2018 Berkley publication.
  
  This is the third book in ‘The Writer’s Apprentice’ series and it pretty much picks right up where book two left off. The case with Sam’s ex-wife, and her missing daughter, continues, but meanwhile, Lena’s friend Allison discovers her mail carrier’s dead body in her backyard, and it looks as though he’s been stabbed with a letter opener- one that looks exactly like the one Lena gave Sam as a gift- putting Sam right back in the hot seat again…
  
  So far, I’m really enjoying this cozy mystery series. I love the setup and premise, as well as the romantic elements, and of course, the recurring characters. The author did a good job with fleshing out and wrapping up the continuing story lines and threads, while expanding the cast with a few new faces. This story has a sweet side story involving Sam I really enjoyed and thought it was a nice touch.
  
  While reading the first two books in the series is strongly recommended, it isn’t an absolute necessity, as the author does provide adequate background information for anyone new to the series.
  
  For those who have been following along, this book feels a bit transitional- maybe moving away from the continuing plots we've followed up until now and solidifying a few relationship roles.
  
  Because so much is happening, this installment is just a bit weaker than the previous two, but sill a solid addition to the series.
  
  As always, light, easy and entertaining read, but also atmospheric and intelligent. I’m looking forward to the next chapter in the series!
  
  4 stars
• 
  Chatting About Cozies

  I’ve stalked this cozy series. I confess. I’m a stalker reader reviewer. After dangling from an imaginary rope off the previous two stories’ cliffhanger endings, I was ready for a rescue, resolution, and major satisfaction of seeing Lazos brought down by the end of book three. Let’s just say I had a smile on my face at The End. 😊
  
  I continue to be mesmerized by the main characters; famous writer—Camilla Graham; her talented apprentice—Lena London; and Sam West—an innocent, yet publicly misunderstood man who is Lena’s lover. The author skillfully delves into these characters developing lives; past and present. As the secondary cast of characters continues to expand I was awed by several of Ms. Buckley’s unpredictable plot twists. Just wowed! I love the beautiful setting for Camilla’s home in Blue Lake, Indiana, and how the author can turn that serenity into a brooding, frightening atmosphere in a mere paragraph or so; justifying for this reader, the title “A Dark and Twisting Path”. I think that also describes Nikon’s mind—dark and twisted.
  
  Animal lovers will enjoy Camilla’s German Shepherds, Heathcliff and Rochester, and Lena’s Cat, Lestrade. The ending to book three is satisfying in more ways than one. This series definitely should be read in the order it was published, beginning with book one, to best grasp the story. I highly recommend the series—it is one of my favorites!
  
  I reviewed a digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing. Thank you.
  
• 
  Juli

  A Dark and Twisting Path is the 3rd book in the Writer's Apprentice Mystery series. I have to admit that I haven't read the other two books in this series yet. I think I might have enjoyed this book more if I had read the first two books before this one. I was able to follow the story and enjoy it, but I would have understood past events that are very important to the plot and the characters a lot better. So, while it isn't completely necessary to read this series in order, it might be a good idea anyway.
  
  There is a lot of serious stuff going on in this book -- a kidnapped child, murder, burglary, stalking -- it has a little bit of everything. Lena London is an engaging and capable main character. She's intelligent and loyal, standing by her new boyfriend despite his multiple run-ins with the law. She knows he isn't a killer, and she works hard to help him prove it. The supporting characters are well-developed and believable. This isn't a cutesie cozy mystery....it's got some pretty serious crime and complex things going on behind the scenes. The story is on-going through all of the books, which is something I enjoyed. There is enough background information given just in case a reader hasn't read the other books or has forgotten things over time. But, the story line isn't bogged down in back-tracking, either. The mystery moves along at a nice pace, with great suspense building and plenty of twists.
  
  I'm definitely going to read the first two books in this series, then read this one again. Then I will be ready for the next book in this series! Very enjoyable book! I look forward to more!
  
  **I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
• 
  Lisa Ks Book Reviews

  Not your typical cozy, more than your typical mystery, A DARK AND TWISTING PATH is a wonderfully written, heart pounding whodunit!
  
  Author Julia Buckley once again brings thrills, some chills, and of course, twists and turns to this third installment of her Writer’s Apprentice series. I became lost in the pages of this modern-day tale with a gothic feel and found myself holding my breath more than once.
  
  Readers of the first two books will see the continuation of a running ARC. Will you see a conclusion to it? You’ll have to read A DARK AND TWISTING PATH to find out. For those who haven’t read the series thus far, I would suggest reading them in order. It isn’t a 100% must, but why not read them back to back!
• 
  Wanda Pedersen

  ***2021 Dog Days of Summer***
  
  It's time for my summer theme and this year I have chosen to read books that include canine companions. This series includes two German Shepherds, Heathcliff and Rochester. Now that the heroine, Lena, has a definite love interest, the dogs don't get as much page time, but they are still a definite presence. In this book, they get to protect their home and bite a burglar, leaving a piece of blood stained denim for the police to find.
  
  I continue to be surprised at how much I enjoy this cozy mystery series. I think the difference it presents is that the amateur sleuths don't keep their clues to themselves, they include the police at every step. I also love that the local research librarian is part of Lena's inner circle.
  
  One thing is driving me crazy--there's one character that I find somewhat creepy and I keep expecting him to be involved in the crimes. Is Buckley just saving him for farther down the road or am I completely misreading the guy? Time will tell, as there are two novels remaining in the series and I plan to read them before the summer is done.
  
  Cross posted at my blog:
  
  
  https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
• 
  beachbum bookworm

  For my thoughts on this book and other cozy mysteries subscribe to my YouTube channel!!
  https://t.co/Jx58B4KNW5?amp=1
  Join me as I chat with Julia Buckley this Saturday May 15th @ 2pm es time!!
• 
  Tina

  Well written. Made me cry. Loved the narrator and her voices. Enraptured the writing well.
• 
  Betty

  The 3rd book in this series truly deserves the name. I highly recommend you read this series in order. All three books tell the Sam West story.
  Sam West was arrested because his ex-wife was missing. Lena London meets him the 1st book and becomes his friend. She moved to Blue Lake to learn from her idol, Camelia and is now collaborating with Camelia to write a book.
  This volume starts with the kidnapping of Victoria baby, Athena by her father. An attempt to frame Sam again is made when the body of the mail an is found in a wooded area. Surveillance tale shows Sam is not guilty. Lena did not kill him as his paperweight was stolen. Lena's Father and Stepmother come on a visit. Lena is researching Sam's life and find a mystery.in his background. Will Lena find the answer as put an end to Sam's problems? This book has a twist and turns that will keep you turning the pages. I was pleased with the ending as it tied up the many threads is the saga and I am looking forward will the story will go. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and series.
  
  Disclosure: Many thanks to Berkley for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
  
  
  
• 
  Fred

  A Dark And Twisting Path is the third book in the Writers Apprentice Mystery series.
  
  I love this series that is set in Blue Lake, IN. I always try to start a new series, to me, with the first book and I feel that this is one that should be read in order. Readers will be able to see the character and story development as it takes place.
  
  Lena London gets a frantic call from her friend Allison asking her to come over right away. When Lena arrives at her home, Allison takes her to the back of her property near a wooded area. Lying just in the woods is the lifeless body of mail carrier Eddie Stack. Allison is concerned that her husband, John, might be a suspect as he had had an argument with Stack the day before. But when Lena goes to check for a pulse, she becomes more concerned that her boyfriend Sam West might be suspected of murder as a letter opener that Lena had given Sam is sticking out of Stack. The feeling is that someone is trying to frame Sam for the murder and that somehow Nikon Lazos has his hand in the murder.
  
  Most all of the characters from the previous books are back once again. In addition, there are some new characters appearing in this book. Clifford Blake is a somewhat mysterious character. Cliff has recently joined the Blue Lake Police Department and early on the reader only learns that he has family in the area. Also to the series are Eric and Tabitha London, Lena’s father and stepmother. They have decided to come to Blue Lake to celebrate Lena’s upcoming birthday and also give Lena a chance to get to know her stepmother.
  
  Another well-plotted and told story with an interesting and believable cast of characters.
  
  I am anxious to for the next book to see what adventures Lena and Sam are up to. Also what Camilla and Lena’s next book will be about.
  
• 
  Mark Baker

  Lena London and Camilla Graham have just returned from their first joint book tour when Lena gets a call from her friend Allison. Allison has found a dead body on the edge of her property. Lena goes over to be with Allison only to recognize the letter opener sticking out of the victim as one she gave her boyfriend Sam. Who is trying to frame him for murder now?
  
  After the second book in the series, I was anxious to see what would happen to these characters next and how the cliffhanger would be resolved. I’m thrilled to say I was very satisfied with how things developed here, and I am confident that fans of the series will be as well. If you aren’t familiar with the series, it borrows heavily from Gothic stories, so this isn’t a typical cozy plot, but that doesn’t make for a bad story in the slightest. The pages turned all too quickly. I was annoyed by some timeline issues early on, but those were minor overall. Lena is a strong heroine, and the rest of the cast are charming and eccentric. If you haven’t started this series yet, I recommend it; I just don’t recommend you start here. You really need the previous two books to fully appreciate what happens here.
  
  NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
  
  Read my full review at
  Carstairs Considers.
• 
  Amy

  This is the third installment in the Writer's Apprentice series set in Blue Lake Indiana. Lena London, the apprentice, is collaborating with Camilla Graham on a new book set in Greece. It is an eerie companion to the current mystery which involves the kidnapping of Sam West's ex-wife's daughter by her wealthy Greek father. While there is an international search for the child, everything seems to focus on Blue Lake when a seemingly innocent bystander is murdered. Sam West again becomes the focal point of the investigation and Lena gets drawn in as well, all while her father and his wife are visiting from Florida.
  
  Overall, I enjoyed the characters and the plot. It was nice to meet Lena's family. The book was well-written and the dialogue flowed very naturally. However, I felt like the romance between Sam and Lena, as well as other characters overshadowed the mystery. While the book can be read as a standalone, it is very helpful to read the prior books in the series.
  
  Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for a digital copy of this book. My review is voluntary.
• 
  Karen

  I loved Julia Buckley's A Dark and Twisting Path. A read with all the feels, great suspense, mystery and ending. A favorite series for sure! Loved everything about it cover, title, characters and more.The idea of the writers apprentice series, really appealed to me from book one. From the first page of the first book to the last page of A Dark and Twisting Path, Julia captures the main character Lena perfectly, she is relatable, loveable, curious and calm. She is smart, creative and loyal. Through the three books the store arc really ebbs and flows and the books are a joy to read. A Dark and Twisting Path comes out July 31st and it is a great summer read!
• 
  Natalia R

  I would give this a 100 stars if I could!this is one of my favourite cozy mystery series of all time.
• 
  Taryn

  This book was my first foray into this series and I must say that it hooked me from the beginning and I couldn't wait to get to the end. When Lena's friend finds a dead body in her backyard she immediately calls Lena for help, you see the dead man was her mailman and her husband had been seen fighting with him the previous day. Allison is worried that her husband will be the only suspect in the mans death and she doesn't know what she should do. Lena rushes over to help and comes to find a letter opener stuck in the mans chest, the letter opener she gave her boyfriend Sam. She knows Sam couldn't be the killer, hes out of town, but who would want to frame him and why? Sam had never met the man so what reason would he have for hurting him. His ex-wife's child is still missing, along with the child's father. Could someone be trying to keep him from finding his ex's child? There are still so many questions that need to be answered. Follow along as Lena and Sam hunt for those answers and turn over some secrets along the way. The author did a wonderful job in helping me not only get to know the characters but also helping me connect with them. I appreciated being able to get a sense for who each was, especially since I hadn't read the previous two books. I can't wait to pick up the first two to find out what all I missed and look forward to seeing more of this series in the future.
• 
  Beth McCraw

  4.5 stars! Best one yet!
• 
  Patrizia

  4 stelle e mezza
  Bella storia che finalmente conclude, almeno spero, il problema "greco" che si trascinava dal primo libro. E la sorpresa finale è stata veramente piacevole.
• 
  Melanie

  The third installment of "The Writer's Apprentice" finds Lena London and Camilla Graham collaborating on a new mystery that will be set in Greece. (Reading about two writers batting ideas around for plot points and clues is so delightful that, again, I wish THEIR mysteries would be published! The snippets that begin each chapter are so, so tantalizing...)
  
  The very real mysteries of love, murder, and revenge swirl around their lives, as the central mystery of the first two books continues to ravage the lives of these two friends and their loved ones. It will take solid investigation by the local police, plus the invaluable research of two local librarians, to solve the newest murder and address the unresolved heartbreak left from book two.
  
  But it's not all grim: the reader gets to meet Lena's father and stepmother and to follow along as they discover the beauty and delicious food in Blue Lake, Indiana.
  
  Please don't make we wait to long for the next installment!
  
  Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
• 
  Liz Jones

  Ive waited a long time to read this and it did not disappoint. I can’t wait for the next book!
• 
  Patty

  I love this book/series. I did not enjoy the narrator, I prefer the narrator from the 1st two books.
• 
  Betsy

  Love this series, but this not as much as the first two. Still love characters. 3.5 stars
  
• 
  Kristina

  A Dark and Twisting Path by Julia Buckley takes us to Blue Lake, Indiana. Lena London along with her employer, Camilla Graham have returned from England to Graham House. Lena is thinking about her father’s upcoming visit when she gets a call from her friend, Allison Branch asking her to rush over. Allison has found mail carrier, Eddie Stack dead at the back of her property with Sam’s letter opener in his chest. It looks like the killer is trying to set up Sam to take the fall for Eddie’s murder. When they look at Sam’s surveillance footage to see how the guilty party obtained the letter opener, they see a figure in black break into Sam’s home. The individual took the unique letter opener along with a piece of paper. Lena along with Camilla delve into the case. But then Lena receives threatening notes and someone breaks into Camilla’s home. Lena is even more determined to identify the killer. What did Eddie see that got him killed?
  
  A Dark and Twisting Path cannot be read as a standalone. You need to read the book in A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series in order. The mystery that has been in all three books is coming to a head in A Dark and Twisting Path. It involves Sam, his ex-wife (Victoria), Victoria’s missing daughter (Athena) and the ruthless Nikon Leandros Lazos. I was happy that to see that this particular thread is wrapped up. I thought the mystery was complex and multilayered. Information is revealed a little at a time as the story progresses. However, the mystery plays out in the background. Other issues seem to overshadow it (unfortunately). The writing is good, but the pace is a little slow. The pacing does pick up near the end. Lena is a developed character. She is smart, engaging, loyal and creative. Lena, along with the other characters, are relatable and likeable. There is quite a bit going on in A Dark and Twisting Path. There is the murder, threatening notes, the kidnapped child, burglary, Lena’s father visiting, Lena and Camilla working on a new book, lunches, romance, dinners, adorable animals, and some man with a beard keeps popping up. I felt A Dark and Twisting Path was the best book in this series. At the end of the book, there is a hint at the mystery to come in the next A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery. I am giving A Dark and Twisting Path 3.5 out of 5 stars.
  
• 
  Gennielc

  Didn't keep my attention as much as the first one.
  Good writing and i like most of the characters (i still think Sam's an ass)
• 
  Bree

  I have enjoyed this series from the start and I think that each new book in the series is better than the last. I found Lena to be truly delightful in this mystery and I was a bigger fan of her after I finished this book. Having friends and those to surround herself with help and sounding boards, Lena really worked hard at the solving of this mystery!
• 
  Sue Em

  Fantastic series. A blend of cozy and great gothic writing -- think Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels. Blue Lake is still a hotbed of intrigue. Following the last book, there still is a young child missing and a villain manipulating in the background. Great book but I would recommend reading the series on order.
• 
  Lisa Currier

  Exciting addition to the series
  
  Lena London and Sam West are back in business in A Dark and Twisting Path.
  This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and all the different twists kept the story exciting.
  
• 
  Annette

  This is such a fantastic well written suspenseful series, I just can not get enough of it. The characters, setting, plot, writing style, everything is all top notch. I can not wait for the fourth book to come out.
• 
  Trish

  This one seems to finish the arc which spanned the first three books (Sa, Victoria, Athena and Lazos), and does so in a satisfying way.