Speak No Evil (Oyster Point Thriller #2) by Tanya Anne Crosby

Speak No Evil (Oyster Point Thriller #2) Reviews

• 
  Robin Tauer

  No ending
  
  This was a pretty good read until the big build up of suspense fizzled at the end. Unless the next book in the series goes further into the motives of the killer, this story has an abrupt and unsatisfying end. The whole point to a thriller is the ah ha at the end and having everything tied up. This one is all loose ends.
• 
  Lesincele

  Una novela que une a la perfección los secretos familiares y el suspense de un asesino en serie.
  Los personajes están muy bien perfilados y son muy variados. Además sabe mantener el misterio y mantener nuestra atención durante toda su lectura.
  Un gran descubrimiento el de esta autora. Con ganas de leer su segunda parte.
• 
  María Alejandra

  2,5. Secretos familiares, un asesino en serie y un final abierto. Entretenido para pasar el rato y ya.
• 
  Forgetfulone

  For 99 cents, this was okay; however, I hated the ending. Before I get to that, it took about a third of the book to get to the meat of the story. Also, there was not enough backstory to explain the killer's motives or to explain previous murders he supposedly committed. And why would he carry the heroine out of the burning fire that he started himself, especially after summoning witnesses to the scene. He had claimed he couldn't get caught, so why would he set himself up for it? Worst of all, there wasn't a true ending to the story, there was a beginning to another story. Needless to say I won't be reading it.
• 
  Tammy

  Wow! This is the real deal ladies and gentlemen. This was an edge of your seat thriller, a real page turner. The subject matter was a little dark and gruesome so its not for the squeamish. The mystery was very well done and all the characters very well fleshed out . The storyline grabbed you from the first sentence all the way to the last. My only complaint is having to wait so long for the next book to come out. This is an ABSOLUTE for romantic suspense readers.
• 
  Carmen DeSousa

  I finished "Speak No Evil," which is always a good sign, and I really did like the characters and the family dynamics.
  
  The set up for the three sisters who will play the lead in the next books was done well. The typical family dynamics of problems that exist in every family, except this family is ultra-wealthy.
  
  The romance was a bit...forced. The typical "I left town without asking any questions because you wronged me, but now, I can't live without you" trope. But I kind of fell for it. I did swoon a bit.
  
  All in all, if you don't care about a few missing holes in the mystery, and you like a well-written book, you will probably enjoy this. More than likely, I will try more books by this author, as I see she writes in different genres.
  
  WARNING! Skip the next part of my review if you don't like to read too much information about the story before you read it. No spoilers, but a bit why I can only give this read three stars.
  
  
  
  The mystery... It started off interestingly enough, but then all of a sudden, it was as if the author changed her mind. I loathe spoilers, so I won't ruin it for other readers by laying out what went wrong, so I'll just say, it ended! Suddenly! And it just didn't make sense. I truly believe the author had someone else in mind as the murderer, but then decided it would take too long to flesh out all the details. Maybe that's what will happen in the follow-up books. Maybe they'll find out the person pinned as the murderer wasn't the murderer at all.
• 
  Emma

  Lire et traduire Tanya Anne Crosby est un grand plaisir.
  Ses romans commencent lentement : elle vous laisse le temps de connaître ses personnages de l’intérieur et de vous familiariser avec la région où ils vivent. Le cadre est très bien décrit, très atmosphérique et il fait partie prenante de l’intrigue. C’est une très belle présentation du Sud des États-Unis, gothique de nombreuses fois, et bien sûr avec de la mousse espagnole, qui à elle seule suffirait à me ravir.
  Peu à peu, l’intrigue se complique et les indices se multiplient. Soudain, vous avez de nombreuses pistes et vraiment beaucoup de gens pourraient bien être le suspect, pour une raison ou une autre. Le suspense est très bien mené.
  Un autre élément que j’apprécie énormément dans le style d’écriture de Tanya : ses dialogues. Ils sont tellement vrais, vous sentez que vous êtes là à écouter les personnages, à remarquer leurs réactions. Et quelque chose de tout à fait caractéristique de Crosby : une grande partie de la narration est toujours considérée du point de vue d’un personnage ou d’un autre. Ils ne sont pas observés de loin par un narrateur neutre. Au lieu, vous êtes à l’intérieur de leur tête, et même quand ils ne s’expriment pas dans le discours direct, vous voyez toujours les choses de leur perspective, vous les entendez penser à haute voix. Tanya a utilisé ce moyen littéraire dans tous les livres d’elle que j’ai lus jusqu’à présent, et il aide vraiment rendre l’histoire vraie et engageante.
  Oh, et avez-vous remarqué les superbes couvertures ?
  Quant aux titres, ils correspondent vraiment à ceux que l’auteure elle-même aurait souhaité pour la version originale en anglais.
  
  Dans ce premier roman, on découvre les 3 soeurs Aldridge. Les choses ne sont pas roses depuis un certain temps entre elles, mais elles sont obligées de se retrouver à l’occasion de l’enterrement de leur mère. De plus, cette-ci leur a laissé une tâche redoutable : si elles veulent hériter de sa richesse considérable, chacune d’entre elles doit faire quelque chose de spécifique, déterminé par elle-même, et même vivre ensemble dans la maison de famille pour une année entière. Caroline semble avoir reçu la partie la plus difficile : la direction du journal qui appartenait à sa mère. Pour compliquer les choses, un tueur en série est en cavale…
  Déjà fragilisée par tous ces événements, sans mentionner un événement très douloureux dans leur enfance, Caroline doit également regarder les choses en face à réfléchir à ce qu’elle veut vraiment faire de son ancien petit ami qui refait surface dans sa vie.
  Il y a donc beaucoup d’éléments en même temps, qui tiennent le lecteur en haleine quand ils se connectent, et l’ombre du tueur inconnu qui plâne sur tout le monde.
  
  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and translating Tanya Anne Crosby.
  Her novels begin at a slow pace, as she takes time to make you know her characters from the inside and get acquainted with the area where they live. The setting is extremely well described, quite atmospheric, and totally part of the plot. Great view of the South, quite Gothic many a times, and of course with the Spanish moss, enough to make me swoon.
  Little by little, the plot thickens, and clues abound. Suddenly, you have many leads and really so many people could fit the bill to be THE suspect, for one reason or another. The suspense is very well created.
  Another element I really enjoy in Tanya's writing style is her dialogs. They are so true to life, you feel you are right there listening to the characters, noticing their reactions. And something quite characteristic of Crosby is that even a major part of the narration is still seen from the perspective of a character or another. They are not observed from afar by a neutral narrator. Instead, you are inside the head of the characters, and even if they no longer talk in the direct speech form, you still see things through their eyes, you hear them think aloud. Tanya has used this literary device in all her books I have read so far, and it really works at making the story so true and engaging.
  Please note also how cool the covers are in the French edition. As for the French titles, they correspond to what the author had really originally in mind.
  
  In this first novel, you get to know the 3 sisters Aldridge. Things have not been rosy for a while between them, but they must get together at the occasion of their mother's funeral. Plus she has let them a dreadful assignment: if they want to inherit her considerable wealth, they each have to do something specific, determined by her, and live together in the family house for a whole year. Caroline seems to have received the most challenging part: taking over the newspaper her mother used to preside over. To make things even worse, a serial killer is on the run...
  Already emotionally stressed by all these events, not mentioning a very painful event in their childhood, Caroline needs also to face what she really wants to do with a former boyfriend who resurfaces in her life.
  So there's a lot going on, and the reader sits on the edge of the seat when all these elements connect, with the shadow of the unknown killer over everyone.
• 
  Julie

  Speak No Evil by Tanya Anne Crosby is a Kensington publication. This was a March 2013 release.
  Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital copy of this book.
  
  Caroline returns home to South Carolina after her mother's death. She and her two sisters are stunned to discover their mother's will had a codicil that required them all to stay in S. Carolina for one year to receive their inheritance.
  Caroline will run the newspaper her mother owned. The newspaper is a "dying breed". There is stiff competition and Caroline will learn some hard lessons about ethics and journalism.
  Then there is Jack. Caroline and Jack almost got married ten years ago. Neither of them have really been able to move forward with other relationships. Now, that Caroline is having to see Jack face to face, old feelings have begun to surface.
  A young college student is found murdered and another child has been reported missing. Caroline thinks the two cases could be connected. Jack, a cop, isn't so sure. He and Caroline butt heads over how to report on the case, while at the same time they grapple with the feelings they have for each other.
  Caroline's two sisters also have issues they are dealing with. Their mother was a driven, career oriented woman, that had also suffered greatly when her only son disappeared. The girls had each other to cling to, but over the years they grew apart. Now each girl must learn how to deal with their mother's death, and the new lives they want to start for themselves.
  This was a really good romantic suspense novel. I love the idea of coming home after an absence and reconnecting with family and friends, and in this case the second chance at romance. Caroline's heart is in the right place, but like all of us, she makes some regrettable decisions. How she dealt with her mother's death was poignant. She had feelings of walking in her shadow, but also discovered her mother's sentimental feelings. I could also relate to Caroline's having to deal with a new job and trying to put her own personal stamp on things, while trying to appease long term employees.
  The romance was also done perfectly. Initially, Caroline remembers the hurt Jack caused her, but gradually she begins to put those feelings to rest. Things don't go smoothly for the couple though. I liked Jack and felt for him too. He had a job to do and did the best he could, using his experience.
  The only thing I didn't like was how hard Jack could be on himself. Hopefully, if we get to bump into Caroline and Jack in the future, Jack will have regained some of his confidence.
  There was a good plot, a nice balance between mystery, romance, and family issues. Overall a solid A.
• 
  Anita Rodgers

  Though this book started out pretty well, it eventually hit the mushy middle where the plot fell apart. It went from being a mystery to a chick-flicky romance with warring lovers and lots of family drama thrown in for good measure.
  
  Toward the last third of the book, the author seemed to remember there was a mystery to be solved and suddenly two more murders occurred, almost back to back. Then suddenly we were at the end with the 'obvious' suspect being arrested for the murders.
  
  The writing itself was pretty good, although there were a few pet phrases the writer seemed to like enough to repeat several times. And much of the book was spent on descriptive passages about the locale. As the reader, I'd have preferred those pages had concentrated on the actual crime/murders/mystery.
  
  Spoiler:
  I imagine in the next book we'll discover that they arrested the wrong guy and it'll turn out that it was someone very close to the family who did it. And that the mother may also have been murdered.
  
  I guess it doesn't matter since I won't be reading it.
  
  
• 
  Lauren

  I loved this story! It was full of suspense, lots of mystery, and a dash of some sexy. The entire time while reading this book I was trying to guess "whodunit," but in the end I was wrong... Or was I?
  
  You see, once we reach the climax of this somewhat dark and twisty novel, it seems that all questions are answered. But I feel that there is more to this story than meets the eye. Without getting too far into spoilers, there is a specific part in the novel where the main suspect confronts Caroline. He asks her to stop harassing him because she is keeping him from doing his job. I have a feeling his job is not murdering women. I personally think that he knows who is doing it and may possibly be following this nut job around.
  
  That is just my opinion on the matter, and I'm sure in the end I'm probably wrong. But that's the beauty of a mystery! There are so many different angles and unless you're an actual detective, which I am not, you probably won't know what's going on until it happens.
  
  I had so much fun reading this book and trying to figure out all of it's secrets before it came to an end. I read it in one sitting, in about less than 5 hours. Such an easy read, and can I just say that the writing was refreshing. Just ahhhh. It's nice reading a novel and not having to figure out what that mixed up word was supposed to be.
  
  You can bet the farm that I'll be reading the next installment. Too bad it won't be around until SPRING!
• 
  Ruth Anne

  Sisters set out on a mission.
  
  Caroline, Augusta, and Savannah return home after their mother's death. The reading of her Will reveals in order to receive their money and respected jobs, they must live in Oyster Point for one year. While they come to terms with this and each other, something sinister is going on in Charleston.
  
  A woman's body was discovered with her tongue cut out and her mouth dyed. Jack, police detective is on the case. A young girl and a police officer are missing. Even a woman at the paper is missing.
  
  All eyes are on a man who was acquitted of charges. Public opinion matters and he's guilty in the eyes of many.
  
  Jack and Caroline have a personal past but with time, honesty, and work they come together in spite of these difficult times.
  
  Caroline is in the crossfire of a man set on targeting her. Lucky to be alive, there are still questions unanswered.
  
  A mystery is afoot and I enjoyed the characters. The sisters were unique but cohesive. Good story.
• 
  Karla Brandenburg

  3.5 stars.
  The book was well written and the descriptions were vivid. The relationships were relateable - three sisters whose mother withheld their inheritances unless they lived together in the home they grew up for a period of one year, a chance to reconnect. The romance between Jack and Caroline was palpable, but the part that annoyed me (and this is probably a personal preference) was seeing the killer's POV sporadically in case we didn't know he was out there. I deduced a different ending, but in reading the "bonus material" at the end, I suspect the next book will address the alleged killer's arrest.
  
  This book is recommendable - nice romantic suspense.
• 
  T.J. Fox

  There were things I really enjoyed about this and things that ended up being annoying because they hit on points that are kind of standard irritants for me.
  
  Caroline’s character was flaky, indecisive and yo-yo’d on her feelings towards Jack to the point that it made it incredibly difficult to like her in any way. Jack’s character didn’t seem all that genuine or believable to me. He was pretty unprofessional as a police officer and after 10 years apart, he still is absolutely in love with Caroline. 10 years is a long time to be apart and still actually know the person. People change at least a little bit in 10 years. You would think that there would need to be time to get to know the person that they’ve become since you last saw or spoke to them. It is even less believable when there was zero contact between the two of them in that entire time. Both the wishy washy attitude and the long term distance, but still love the person no matter what issues are things that kind of drive me nuts. Fortunately the romance aspect of this story wasn’t the main focus.
  
  The rest of the story, the suspense and murder aspects were much better presented. I had a few issues with what seemed to be a smudgy timeline. There were points where it appeared that a whole lot more time had taken place between events, then another event would happen that would make that timeline shrink considerably. I’m not sure if this was an actual error or if it was just written unclearly, but it was enough to pull me out of the story a couple of times to try and figure out what was going on.
  
  While we got a resolution to the murders, there were quite a few details that were left unfinished. Again, not sure if that was just a messy finish or if it is leaving the door open for book 2 to mess with what we got in this book. I’m kind of thinking that it is the second option. Actually, I’m really hoping it is because that would make this as a series a whole heck of a lot more interesting.
• 
  Lynelle Clark

  Interesting, intrigue, tense are only some words I can use to describe this suspense filled romance. The relationship between the three sisters, the death of their mother and the budding romance between Christine and Jack offered this story a human depth. Mingled in between the ongoing plot of mayhem, heat and floods that build the suspension as people disappeared and bodies piled up. Each sister had to deal with their mother's sudden death at her own peril. The absence of a mother's love shaping each as they struggle with life and its battles.
  Gripping, this plot will keep you at the edge as you read about the twisted mind of a sick individual, brutally torturing innocent lives for his own benefit.
  Well written, the characters played their parts, each contributing to the story as it unfolds and you felt relieved when it was over. Outstanding characters, each with their own personas, that kept the story interesting and entertaining.
  The seamless flow of words and scenes capturing your attention as the plot unfolds and you get a glimpse of the plot line. Turning the pages as you wonder and enjoy the story.
  Well, "over" is a figurative word in the sentence...I dislike cliffhangers, and it left you with a few unanswered questions. Now I can not wait to get my hands on the next book!
  A brilliant story I can recommend to all who love suspense, romance, relationships, and action.
• 
  Literati Literature Lovers

  Good
  
  3.25 Stars
  This is actually book one in the reading order, the book specified as book one is a novella that I would not read until after the first two, as it contains spoilers. The book centers around three sisters who have grown apart since they all left home a decade ago. The three sisters have come home to bury their mother. They all fall into more than one mystery.
  
  This is written as a romantic suspense, but the romance at times is uneven because the couples past is resolved too quickly, with no real conclusion as to what really happened. The relationship part of the book left me with too many questions. Also the author at times mentions items that she never explains, which drives me nuts. If an author mentions an specific items, and the items significance isn’t explained then the author failed. More than likely the author knows why the character took a certain action, but if it’s not on the page the author failed their readers.
  
  
  I actually expected the book to continue after the last chapter, but the mystery or a wrap up just stopped. The murderer just doesn’t line up, which means the mystery continues. Yes, I immediately bought the follow up book. As the author despite the warbles writes an engaging book. Ms. Crosby needs to find an extremely honest beta reader, that will push her to bring out her best. As the questions I had in this book should have been dealt with during the beta reading process.
  
  
• 
  Cora Seton

  When Florence Willodean Aldridge dies, she leaves behind her 27 million dollars and a house filled with family secrets and tragic memories. Caroline wants nothing to do with the house and nor does her sisters, Savannah and Augusta, but if they want their share of the 27 million dollars, they'll all have to spend a year within its walls. Savannah must write the book she's always meant to, Augusta is tasked with renovating the house. Caroline is ordered to take over the Tribune, her mother's newspaper. None of the women will get through the year unscathed.
  
  When a killer strikes and a young girl disappears, Caroline must figure out how to use her new position to help solve these cases before anyone else gets hurt. Doing so will bring her into close contact with Jack, the man she was supposed to marry, but left instead....
  
  I enjoyed Speak No Evil immensely, from its Old South setting to all of its mysteries to the relationships between the three sisters. The pacing is impeccable, and the story had me hooked right from the first page. I don't want to give away any clues to the mysteries, so I'll just say that Crosby has a deft touch setting out her clues and leading the reader through a maze of possibilities to the final conclusion.
  
  Definitely read this one!
• 
  Books Mom

  Complex and full of details, Speak No Evil is an engaging suspense.
  
  The author covers incredible amounts of ground in this book, building backstory (the sisters' dysfunctional life with their mother who never stopped mourning the loss of her son) , the relationship between Jack and Caroline, the disappearance of a young girl, Caroline's being thrust into power at her mother's newspaper, and a possible serial killer. There's an insane amount of stuff happening here, and amazingly, the author manages to make it all relate.
  
  Some of the story is a bit gruesome -- to be expected when there's a killer on the loose, and there are some very sad things that happen as well. Characterization is important, and there are piles of secondary characters, well drawn, three dimensional characters, who are integral to the story.
  
  All in all, this is a really good read. Perhaps not as "edge of your seat" as I'd expected, due in large part to all the different storylines, but still fascinating and intriguing. I really enjoyed it.
• 
  Melanie

  This is the first book in the series about the Aldridge sisters, Caroline, Augusta, and Savannah and the plot revolves about their memories of their brothers disappearance years ago. First up is Caroline and I have to say that she was an interesting and complex character.
  
  The story is well written and the characters are well developed, making this story interesting and suspenseful.
  
  If you’re a romantic suspense reader, I highly recommend you pick this one up because the ride will be thrilling and you can check all these off: action, romance and complex relationships.
  
  Melanie for b2b
  
  Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
  
• 
  Patricia

  What is happening here?
  
  This book was so good. I love that it takes place in around atmospheric Charleston with its massive oaks dripping with ss and swampy creeks and rivers surrounding old southern ruins of plantation life. It sets the scene for great mysteries and intriguing plot twists between the offspring of the former newspaper owner and the characters that surround their lives. Be prepared for the surprising end. I will not say ending because you're going to feel cheated. If you think you have it figured out you are going to be disappointed.
• 
  Julie Bird

  This was a bit underwhelming for me. It left a cliffhanger, but I don't think I care enough to get through the next book to resolve it.
• 
  Norma

  This book is categorized as a “Romantic Suspense” novel. As such, the author wrote the conclusion with the main focus being the resolution of the romance rather than the crime.
• 
  Birgit

  After the death of their Newspaper owner mother, the three sisters Caroline, Augusta and Samantha have to live together at their old house for a year, otherwise their inheritance is going to charity. Last Will executor is their mother's long time housekeeper, Sadie. Caroline, chosen to lead the newspaper, finds it difficult to fill her mother's shoes, especially as it brings her into contact with her cheating ex-fiancé, local Cop Jack.
  When a killer brings terror into the heart of the little town's residents, Jack and Caroline are torn between their duties and the attraction that still sparks between them. Trying to balance Jack, the new bond that's developing between the three sisters, and the newspaper, Caroline seems to have bitten off more than she can chew, and now she seems to have got into the killer's line of sight.
  Not nail-biting tension, but enough tension to keep me glued to the pages, which in my opinion makes this a very good book. After a slow start (slow meaning too many deep thought processes slowing down the "action"), the narration picks up and gets more interesting as more and more details about the past and the killer are revealed.
  And I have to say, there are enough hints and clues (or red herrings???) to make me believe that whoever was arrested at the end is NOT the real killer. I suspect someone much closer to the sisters..... sorry, hope that was not too much of a spoiler, just a personal opinion.
  Ah well, although this is a standalone book in the series, looks as if I just have to get the others to find out if I was right or wrong.
  And yes, definitely a recommendation if you like mystery and thrillers.
  
• 
  Coushatta LaRue

  Okay so my review is going to be semi spoiler.
  
  First I want to say I like the way the book was written and it flowed really well. The writer definitely knows how to get you engaged in the story. I liked most of the characters but some of them felt artificial. For instance Jack, really? 10 years No contact and you're still madly in love? I just don't believe it. Also if he cheated on her the day before their wedding, what the heck is she doing back with him? Even though it's implied that he didn't actually do it, still she thinks he did. Why the heck would you go back to a cheater? I don't care how sorry he is, He betrayed you right before your wedding.
  
  Also I felt like at some point the writer forgot that it was a murder mystery, even the end was more focused on the romance than the mystery. The ending came abruptly and honestly I didn't like it. First of all, Why the heck would he draw her down there just to tie her up to give her back to the police? Makes no damn sense. No serial killer is just going to give up somebody that they've been planning on killing forever. Also I don't think that Patterson did it. Or at least isn't alone. I believe Josh is the one doing it. Only because I've been suspicious of him and his mom for a while. And the epilogue made me realize oh they probably did murder her.
  
  I enjoyed the book mostly but the ending was just lacking, I'm sure they'll be answers in the second book. I do want to know more for the second book but I'm worried that it'll focus heavily on the romance and not the mystery.
• 
  Rebecca

  Disappointing.
  
  That's the best word I can use to describe this. "Speak no Evil" doesn't know what kind of book it is--a murder mystery, a tale of three neglected siblings reconnecting or a romance with hot sex. It's all over the place and is ultimately unsatisfying.
  
  A richer than God newspaper publisher dies and her three estranged daughters show up to the funeral. At the reading of the will it is revealed that they can only inherit the estate if they agree to live in the house for a full year and if the oldest daughter takes the editor in chief position at the family newspaper.
  
  That's all fine and there's enough animosity between the three sisters to make things interesting but then there's a bunch of missing people, a couple of murdered women, a strange excommunicated priest in the neighborhood and a romantic relationship that needs to be rekindled.
  
  The story lurches from one plotline to another, never making sense. Characters are introduced and then discarded only to pop up several chapters later to launch the plot in another direction.
  
  And the motivations of the killer are never explained either.
  
  Not recommended.
• 
  Roy Murry

  SPEAK NO EVIL
  
  TANYA ANNE CROSBY
  
  Review by Author Roy Murry
  
  Flo, a wealthy socialite newspaper heiress, dies supposedly falling a flight of stairs. She leaves a will in which her three daughters must complete specific tasks while living together in the family mansion for one year to receive their inheritance.
  
  The eldest daughter must manage the newspaper; the middle daughter is to renovate the house; the youngest is to write a novel. Neither wants the jobs needed to full fill the mother's will.
  
  However, if one fails, no one gets the money. Let the games begin. The women must work harmoniously or fail.
  
  Interwoven into the above scenario is a love story, a serial killer, and the Charleston wetlands that have a secret to unravel. All collide into a thrilling story, ending in a flame.
  
  Ms. Crosby does hook the reader in because many questions are left open after ending the event that would have nullified the beginning. Well worth the read - easy flowing, good characters, and twist and turns that keep the reader engaged.