I really do have to wonder why it took me so long to read this series. I'm really enjoying it. Having torn through The Echo Killing and really getting to like protagonist, journalist Harper McClain, it was great to be back in her company so quickly. Perhaps that is one of the benefits of reading the books late - no delay between 'episodes' - as I have book three waiting for me already too. And with a book that contains a series arc - Harper's quest to find out who killer her mother - it keeps that puzzle fresh in the mind, and increases that sense of foreboding and threat that grows with each new outing.

But, fear not. This is a stand alone case the murder that takes up so much of Harper's focus, once again placing her life in real jeopardy, is something you can just drop into if you really want to. And for me that is a really big, if. I'd recommend you start at book one as there are things which do occur that carry over into this book too, and you will have much more of Harper's background and her strained relationship with the police if you start there. But, the murder which occurs in this book starts and ends in this book, and many of the principal characters, and suspects, are introduced for the first time right here. It is the murder of a colleague of Harper's best friend, Bonnie, that Harper feels compelled to get to the bottom of. Naomi was a promising law student, her boyfriend the key, if not only suspect, in her murder, But life is never that clean cut, and as Harper investigates she discovers that whilst most murders are generally committed by a someone close to the victim, Naomi's potential killer is someone who should be anything but 'close'.

This is a really intriguing case and I love how Christi Daugherty has played it out. She skilfully gives us a number of plausible suspects in Naomi's murder, however it is one particular person who always draws our, and Harper's attention. Taking a close look at the subject of stalking, the author slowly reveals the common escalation from someone compulsively following and intimidating their victims through to the most tragic but almost inevitable end. Christi Daugherty really captured the emotional toll felt by victims of the stalking, addressing the real threat felt by so many, failed by laws that have struggled to find an adequate resolution to. Adding in an abuse of power and authority, and a seemingly irrefutable alibi for the key suspect, there is that moment of doubt between what the reader, and Harper, know must be true to what is provable by the police. There is such tension in the air it almost crackles from the page, and the author does a brilliant job of portraying the frustration felt by Harper for not being able to bring a killer to justice whilst the lives of others connected to the case falls apart.

Speaking of tension, I have been enjoying the secondary thread in this series - the bid to find out who killed Harper's mother. There is a real escalation of the sense of threat in this book in a way that almost feels only hinted at in the first book. Harper is under threat every way she looks, either from job security or even just her personal safety and it really adds a sense of jeopardy to everything that happens in the book. Then there is a residual conflict between her and her former lover, Luke, and her and almost the entire police force who hold her responsible for what happened earlier. That kind of persecution, driven by a band of brothers mentality, really rang true and infuriated me just as surely as it did Harper.

These stories feel so authentic, driven by the author;s own personal experiences no doubt. But they buzz with tension and the pacing is spot on. I have grown to love the characters of Harper and Bonnie, and I am totally drawn into the mystery surrounding the cold case linked to Harper's mother. So many hints as to what may be to come, and so many unanswered questions which make me thankful I've not got to wait an entire year to, hopefully, have answered. There is an intensity in this book that had me turning the pages at speed, compelled to read onward. I hoped that a certain character would get their comeuppance, and felt every skin crawling moment of their self satisfaction and threat as it leached from the page. Definitely recommended. Looking forward to devouring book three now.

Well, well, well, let me tell you about this gem of a book! It's got it all - great writing, characters that jump off the page, snappy dialogue, and a plot that keeps you on your toes. And here's the best part - it's the second in a series, but no worries, you won't feel lost even if you skipped the first one. You can hop right in and enjoy the ride!

But hold on to your hats, folks, because there's a cliffhanger waiting for you at the end. Now, normally, those things drive me nuts! I mean, who likes being left hanging, right? But for some reason, this book had me hooked like a fish on a line, and I'm more than willing to stick around for the next installment. Yep, I can wait, no problemo!

Oh, and don't you worry about closure - the plot mystery gets tied up nice and neat. No need to chicken out just because of that cliffhanger. This book's got your back!

Now, let me get one little bone to pick off my chest before I give this baby a big thumbs-up. Cell phone records, my friend. Seriously? In this day and age, we all know how important those things are, right? Even I, who's no detective, have seen a few CSI episodes and read my fair share of thrillers. I mean, come on, cell phone records would be subpoenaed faster than you can say "thriller." And when the victim's phone goes missing, it's practically a no-brainer! I get it, the phone was necessary for the plot, but surely there could have been a more plausible way to make it happen. Just a little nitpick in an otherwise really great story.

So, all in all, this book gets a solid four stars from me! It's a wild ride, and that small bone to pick won't stop me from recommending it to all my bookworm buddies. Trust me, you won't regret diving into this thrilling adventure!

Thank you for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. Enjoyed reading, would recommend....

"A case full of secrets and lies…
Three men close to the victim are questioned. All of them claim to love her. All of them say they are innocent of her murder.
An investigation that could prove deadly…
As crime reporter Harper McClain unravels a tangled story of obsession and jealousy, the killer focuses on her. He's already killed one woman. Will he kill another?"

A great thriller with plenty of twists, turns, dead-ends and wrong turnings. Brilliant writing and tense storytelling.

This is the second book in the series, and unfortunately I haven't read the first one (yet). It was a thrilling, compelling, gripping read and I can't wait for the next one in the series. Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for this copy of A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty. Harper McCain is an ex cop now working as a crime writer for the local newspaper. In a busy tourist area of Savannah, when a beautiful young law student is shot Harper becomes involved in the police investigation. Three men are suspected but Harper believes that the police are making a big mistake.

Great crime thriller with twist and turns.

A well paced police procedural with a female lead - crime reporter Harper McClain.

Please note that this is the 2nd book in the series (although possible to read as stand-alone) and we learn that Harper has a background with the police department. Something has happened in the first book that leads to many in the Police to keep their distance from Harper.

In this book, a new murder has happened and Harper is determined to solve the case.

I was gripped and tried to figure out what happened before it was revealed. I enjoyed the story, how it was set up and the suspense and I really liked Harper, She is quite a strong woman and her past is well written into the story.

I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Thank you for the ARC!

This is a fun continuation of the series.

When a young woman is murdered in strange circumstances, it's obvious that she had secrets which lead to her death. But what were they and who did they involve?

It's not the most clever or complicated of crime stories. Where the strength lies in this book is in the characterisation of the main characters and development of the macro storyline as the murder is solved. Entertaining and thrilling, it's a good book to while away an afternoon with.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

Had me gripped, could not put it down once I had started, read it in one evening. Cannot wait for the next book in this series

This is book two in the series but I haven't read the first and, to be honest, I don't think it mattered that much however, there is likely to be additional background to the main characters which I have missed out on and which will likely add to this story but I feel this can easily be read as a standalone.

Harper is a great lead female character; strong, courageous and feisty but with a vulnerability that makes her more convincing but all the characters are well developed and believable ... even the cat, Zuzu!

The main story line of the murder and subsequent investigation is great but the side-stories are equally as good and with the writing flowing with ease, this makes this an enjoyable and addictive read that I devoured in just over a day.

Definitely recommended reading for you readers out there who love a strong, female character, a great mystery, engaging investigation and some scenes of peril.

I am very much looking forward to the next instalment and hope that Ms Daugherty is locked away somewhere feverishly writing!

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, Harperfiction via NetGalley for my copy in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I saw A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty on NetGalley and thought I would like it from the description, but not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I didn’t realise that it’s the 2nd in the Harper McClain series but I think it works very well as a standalone.

I liked a lot about it – it is well written, has a fast-paced plot, but not at the expense of the characters, and it’s set in Savannah, with its historic buildings, parks and ancient oak trees covered in Spanish moss.

Harper McLain is a crime reporter with the Savannah Daily News. The book begins late one evening as she is playing pool in the Library Bar with her friend and bartender, Bonnie. The crime photographer rings her, telling her about a murder on downtown River Street, a narrow cobblestoned lane between the old wharves and warehouses and the Savannah River. And she is shocked to discover that the young woman sprawled on the uneven cobbles is Naomi, a law student, who had worked with Bonnie at the Library Bar. She had been shot dead.

There are three men who are all suspects, but her current boyfriend Wilson Shepherd is the prime suspect. The Library Bar owner, Fitz, is also a suspect especially as no one has seen him after the shooting. And then there is her ex-boyfriend Peyton Anderson, the powerful DA’s son. The police are convinced that Wilson is the killer, but after Harper talked to him, she just can’t believe that it was him. There were no witnesses to the shooting and when Harper talks to Jerrod, Naomi’s father, she realises that Peyton’s alibi may not be as solid as the police maintain it to be.

This a story of obsession and jealousy and the tension rises as the killer’s focus shifts on to Harper herself. She is a strong determined character, determined to find out the truth. But as well as the murder investigation Harper has her own personal problems to contend with. Her job as a reporter is under threat, someone is breaking into her apartment and her personal relationship with Detective Luke Walker seems about to be revived, but she is wary where it will end. On top of all that she is desperate to find out who had killed her mother twelve years earlier.

I loved it and it has made me eager to read the first book, The Echo Killing, to find out more about Harper and her background and also to read the next book in the series – Revolver Road due to be published in March next year – to find out what happens next.

I hadn't read the first book starring journalist Harper McLain but that was no problem with this book. It was gripping and exciting and well worth a read. Three suspects for a murder, but who actually killed the young law student? Im interested to know where the series will go next.

“A Beautiful Corpse” is the second in Christi Daugherty’s series following crime reporter Harper McLain as she chases stories across her hometown of Savannah, Georgia.

This instalment starts off with Harper propping up the bar where here friend Bonnie works when a call comes through with news of a shooting in an area well known and loved by tourists. It’s late, and quiet so Bonnie locks up up and they head over there together. When they arrive at the scene, things get a little more dramatic – the woman lying dead on the floor is Bonnie’s colleague at the bar – Naomi – who had left a little earlier and obviously never made it home.

Investigations begin into Naomi’s life and her associates and very quickly, her boyfriend, Wilson Shepherd becomes a person of interest. Her boss at the bar also turns out to have an unusual interest in the promising law student, working shifts to make ends meet. The third suspect in the frame is Peyton Anderson, the DA’s son and Naomi’s ex; the couple didn’t end their relationship on the best terms. All three of these men insist that they loved her – so which of them wanted her dead?

Harper is an exciting character with a rocky personal life, and unfortunately at the time of reading I hadn’t read the first in this series, “The Echo Killing” which meant that there were quite a few spoilers in this book. As a crime writer who caused waves attempting to solve her Mother’s murder, she hasn’t yet been forgiven by the Savannah Police Department and this throws her investigations some real curve balls – having the right people on side is always a great help in these situations. However strange things seem to be happening to Harper – or is it just her overtired, overactive imagination working overtime?

This is a fast-paced read with good, interesting characters and an interesting plot.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book to the Harper McClain series, set in Savannah and follows crime reporter Harper as she gets involved in a murder case of a young law student.

I didn’t read the first in the series but I will go back and read this especially as I feel there will be a follow up to this novel.

Harper is a crime reporter at a local paper, she is with her friend when a call comes in that there has been a murder in the tourist part of the town. She recognises the victim......as she tries to uncover the truth the police seem intent on hindering her progress because of what she did a year ago. As the truth becomes clearer can she bring the true killer to justice, will the police help and who is following her. A brilliant book from start to finish would recommend.

Although not having read the first book this did not affect my enjoyment of this story whatsoever.
The story engages you straight away with well developed characters and enough twist and turns in the plot to keep you guessing.

This was a slightly different crime story, with a reporter investigating a murder because she thinks the police are wrong. You can imagine the consequences. I haven't read the previous book but this one definitely kept my interest.

A Beautiful Corpse is the second in the Harper McClain series and having enjoyed the first (and Daugherty's first crime novel), The Echo Killing, when Harper Collins offered me the opportunity to read the next one, I immediately agreed. The story picks up several months on from where the last one ended, and reveals how Harper is dealing with the fall out of everything that happened. She's yet again faced with a murder mystery and the challenge of how far she will or should go to unearth the details, including putting herself in danger once more. Thinking about it like that, I wouldn't be surprised if I'd gotten annoyed or frustrated with Harper but Daugherty has effectively conveyed Harper's journalistic and moral drive for discovering the truth that you're simply rooting for her! The sweltering heat of Savannah continues to be a well-described backdrop for the events. The mystery of her mother's murder when she was just a child continues to rumble on, with an interesting development revealed towards the end. I'm simultaneously eager for Daugherty to put me out of my misery to learn what happened to Harper's mother but equally, I enjoy being propelled by the unknown. This series is a real page turner and Harper once more endears me to her. I would again be keen to read the next in the series.

Although this is the second book in the 'Harper McClain' series but my first one, I didn’t have any problem settling into the story.

"A Beautiful Corpse" by Christi Daugherty was a fast-paced, page-turning thriller. Lots of mystery and intrigue held my interest and the fascinating plot kept me guessing and analysing throughout. Crime reporter, Harper McClain was a wonderfully drawn character as she was so feisty, relatable, and endearing. I found myself rooting for her and cheering her on in her unyielding work to find the killer in this highly suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller.

This was a fantastic read with a superb and satisfying ending and I highly recommend it to lovers of crime thrillers especially those who enjoy a slight twist on a police procedural.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from HarperCollins UK/ HarperFiction via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

A good and thrilling murder mystery. The only downside for me was that I found it very 'american', however this didn't detract form my enjoyment if this title. Well worth a read, and I will be reading the first instalment next!