Member Reviews
I wasn't a fan of the previous books but I wanted to try this one because I thought there was a lot of potential. I think it will be my last book in this series because I still had problems with the plot and it didn't keep my attention alive. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine |
Another fantastic read in the series, it's a great story with plenty of twists , once I started reading I didn't want to stop. I'm looking forward to reading more |
In this gripping book by B. R. Spangler, Detective Casey White begins an investigation after a woman is found drowned, murdered. Not only is it immediately clear that the case of death was indeed murder, Casey sees a connection to her romantic partner, and fellow law enforcement, Jericho Flynn's wife's murder of a couple of years ago. Not only is Casey in a race against time searching for the murderer, things are complicated in her personal life. Recently reunited with her daughter Hannah, after being kidnapped years ago. Casey is also navigating hr personal relationship with Jericho and the changes this makes to her life. One additional layer to this intense story is who Casey is forced to communicate with about the victims currently being murdered. All of these things together worked very well to create a tension-filled story that kept me turning pages faster and faster. I was drawn to Casey from previous installments in this series, but this book really hit me hard. There are sharp emotional edges to this story, making it a stellar read, one that brought a lot of emotions up in me. With a shocking conclusion, I am more than eager to read the next book in this series. I really need to see what Casey and Jericho have in store for the future. Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. |
"With every high-profile case came a mountain of speculation and rumor." And in this case, the rumors have to do with Detective Casey White's love, ex-sheriff Jericho Flynn. Implicated in a series of murders, Jericho sees his mayoral campaign collapse. Meanwhile, the newly pregnant Casey is visiting a convicted serial killer in prison. Casey knows that Paige Kotes killed Jericho's wife, but now there's a shadow of doubt. NO SPOILERS. This novel had every trope known to the typical female detective crime thriller. Although it is the third I've read in the series, it will be my last. I was very disappointed by the conclusion and outcome of this story and don't care to revisit the Outer Banks again. It's too bad that Casey has just one heartbreak and devastation after another, and I won't go down the road with her again. This wasn't a very exciting case and I struggled to get through it especially when I could see the direction it was going. I can see that others really like this series, so I'll leave them to it. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review. |
Laura B, Reviewer
Exciting changes for Detective Casey White and her lover Jericho Flynn as they move forward with their relationship. But the spectre of his first wife's murder hangs over the couple, especially when dead women wash up on the beach. Saltwater Graves is the third book to feature Casey. It isn't necessary to have read the first books and there aren't spoilers about the previous cases to ruin your reading if you choose to go back and read Where Lost Girls Go and The Innocent Girls after this one. Casey's personal happiness of the opening chapters is quickly tarnished by the murder investigation. The bodies are described in forensic detail but this is not too graphic. Most of the plot is delivered through Casey's first person narrative. This is an excellent way of making us identify with her and follow the clues of the case. It also allows us to see her emotions and fear as the investigation progresses and her lover Jericho becomes the main suspect. Other parts of the book are written from the third person perspective and we see the killer and his victims interacting, as well as Paige Kotes who is in prison for the murder of Jericho's wife. These alternative viewpoints give us a feeling of anticipation and tension as we prepare for more murders. The chapters are short and the varying perspectives allow the twists of the plot to move along quickly. The ending is dramatic and leaves lots of potential for another sequel as Casey's life is changed personally and professionally. Saltwater Graves was a hugely enjoyable police thriller. I loved the personal nature of the case and look forward to catching up with Casey in the next instalment. |
This is another enthralling read in the Detective Casey White crime thriller series but this one is also one filled with heartbreak and sorrow for the leading lady. When a series of women are found murdered how does an ex-detective, a known killer, currently serving time in jail, seems to know what is happening? To make matters even more complicated for Casey, how does her romantic partner, Jericho Flynn, fit into it all? With more women being found dead and the evidence seeming to indicate Jericho as the perpetrator should she arrest him or trust her love and instincts and fight to clear his name? This is a story of opposites, love and hate, belonging and ostracising, a story of betrayal, vengeance and a woman scorned. It has mysteries and murders along with some shocking surprises, heartbreaking revelations and devastating trauma in an engaging read. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed. |
Saltwater Graves by B. R. Spangler is the 3rd book in the Casey White mystery series, and my first book by this author. I really like this book, and it had everything that I enjoy, like a fast paced roller coaster ride. Why only 3 stars? Because I did not like the ending, and lost all respect for Casey White. I admit that this is my first book in this series, or by this author, but it turned me off so bad, it is very doubtful if I will read any more book in this series. A lot of people loved this book, so if you love mysteries, just give it a try. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. |
Saltwater Graves by B.R Spangler is the third detective Casey White book in the series. Set in the outer banks stretch of coastline in North Carolina, we see Casey getting used to her new life and spending time with her boyfriend and ex-sheriff Jericho Flynn. She is called out to investigate when the body of Anne Choplin is found washed up on the shore. As another body is discovered in very similar circumstances it begins a chain of events that noone could have predicted. Jordan knew both victims and their murders draw a similarity to his wife's death in the past. There is someone who has been convicted already of his wife's murder but a conspiracy theory starts to be bandied about and begins to root so Jordan ultimately ends up as a suspect. Can Casey solve this, before it is too late? A story told mainly from Caseys viewpoint with some chapters interspersed with the killers intentions, I enjoyed this as it really kept the mystery and tension flowing.I have already read some if this series and I enjoy my time reading about Casey and Jericho. This book is as fast as the others in the series and what a rollercoaster pace we go at! A riveting and truly entertaining police procedural that keeps you guessing till the very end. Along with the emotional rollercoaster this makes you feel like you have been on one hell of a journey! Thanks to B.R Spangler, Bookouture and NetGalley for the copy of the book so I could bring my thoughts on this book today. |
On a lonely beach, Detective Casey White has the incoming tide to contend with when she is called out to investigate the discovery of a woman's gnawed, partially sand-covered body. Ann Choplin, a well thought of, beautiful local has been bound at the wrists but the swirling seawater is quickly swamping the crime scene and removing all the evidence. Casey begins the race against the clock to establish a motive and find the killer for the murder. I enjoyed this third book, Saltwater Graves as much as the first two in the series. Casey White is a great detective, being a determined, smart, and compassionate woman, though she carries a lot of emotional baggage. The other characters are also well created and developed, especially ex-sheriff, trustworthy and amiable Jericho Flynn. Casey and Jericho's interactions were interesting to read about in terms of the case and also their relationship, as things have moved on for them with Casey now pregnant. Set in Outer Banks, North Carolina the plot pacing was frenetic with plenty of action, and there was certainly no room for tedium or boredom. The story was fascinating and I revelled in the complexity of the investigation. Enthralling to the very end, I shall be watching out for the next in the series and I'm immensely keen to see where the talented B.R. Spangler takes Detective Casey White next. A highly entertaining and recommended, absorbing police procedural. I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion. |
I like the writing style of the books featuring Detective Casey White and the setting of the Outer Banks. In the book, The body of a woman is washed up on the beach and she has links to Sheriff Jericho. As the body count rises, Jericho becomes implicated and their relationship becomes strained. There are enough references to the previous books to fill in gaps for the readers. It's a slow, solid read with interesting characters. I must admit, I was disappointed with the ending in this and it makes me doubt if I will read the next in the sequence. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. |
A woman is drugged, kidnapped and murdered. Her body is discovered on a deserted beach on the morning Detective Casey White and her lover, former sheriff Jericho Flynn, tell their children they are moving in together and expecting a baby. Casey has only been recently reunited with her daughter Hannah and, after his wife Jessie’s death, Flynn has been a single father to Ryan. When Casey arrives at the crime scene, she learns several things. The victim’s hands and legs were tied and she was alive when she was thrown into the ocean. And coincidentally, the location of the body and the murder method are eerily similar to Jessie’s killing years earlier. Casey believes that the imprisoned Paige Rotes, the woman who killed Jessie and is still obsessed by Jericho, is behind the murder. But before she and her team can make the connection, another body is found. Same place, same cause of death. Why does everything revolve around Jericho? Can Casey find a serial killer before there is another victim? Third in a series, Saltwater Graves is a solid standalone thriller. A what a thriller it is! The identity of the killer stays secret until the conclusion when there is more than one shocking twist. I’m waiting for book 4! 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and B.R. Spangler for this ARC. |
Karen C, Reviewer
Oh wow. What a fantastic book! I was totally hooked. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It was full of tension, twist and turns that kept me totally engrossed. I read it in one day as I just couldn't put it down. Already so looking forward to the next one. |
Saltwater Graves is the third instalment in the Detective Casey White series, set in the Outer Banks stretch of coastline in North Carolina. Detective Casey White is settling in to her new life in the area and very much enjoying spending time with boyfriend and ex-sheriff Jericho Flynn. She has been reunited with her daughter who was abducted 15 years earlier and plans to move in with widower Jericho and his 19-year-old son Ryan — a college freshman — when she finds out she's pregnant. Casey is called out to investigate when the the body of Ann Choplin is discovered. She had decided to go on an early evening jog along the local jogging trail but clumsily drops her water bottle and cannot find it. To the rescue comes a guy dressed in a hat and sunglasses, despite it being dark outside. He retrieves the bottle and hands it back to her and when, for a brief moment, he removes the disguise she recognises him from her school years. She carries on determined to complete her jog, but it soon hits her that she's been drugged. He must’ve slipped something into her bottle. Paralysis takes over her body before the man carries her back to his car. Dumping her in the ocean he tells her if she wants to live all she has to do is swim, but with her limbs tied together and her muscles malfunctioning due to the drugs, how was that possible? Choplin is later discovered, but with her decaying body having been feasted upon by an army of ghost crabs finding evidence will be difficult; not to mention the fact that she was found on the beach leaving the team racing against the incoming tide. They soon realise the similarities between this case and that of Jericho's late wife, Jessie, who was murdered at the same beach; it doesn't take long before another corpse washes up. A link between the two women becomes clear and they both also have a connection to Jericho. As the case remains open with little progress to report, the idea that Jericho is involved in some way gains traction, but surely this is just people grasping at straws? This is a completely riveting and thoroughly enjoyable procedural from start to finish. Spangler sets the pace to quick fire and provides exciting developments and twisty-turny surprises aplenty topping it off with a superb cast of characters. Jericho still mourns his wife and these cases bring back bad memories making him relive his agony all over again. Not to mention that people's desperation to catch the killer has led to finger-pointing, which is exactly what he doesn't need when running a mayoral campaign as this will only hamper his chances. A compulsive, suspenseful and entertaining read. Highly recommended. |
This is a great read. Casey is about to move in with Jericho and Hannah is back in her life. A woman’s body is then discovered so Casey heads out to the crime scene unaware how her life is about to change. Another woman is found murdered and they both have links in the past with Jericho, so questions start to be asked. The woman who killed his wife is in prison and contacts Casey, so intrigued, she goes to visit her. It seems she wants to play a game and Jericho warns Casey about seeing her. This is a gripping crime thriller with a nail biting final few chapters that brings about more sadness for Casey. I love the connection Casey and Jericho have and can’t wait to find out what happens next. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. |
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC. Having enjoyed the previous books in this series I was pleased to be approved for this one This was a great read, and a good follow on to The Innocent Girls. Detective Casey White is such a likeable character you just want to root for her. Things are going well for her as the book starts and she, along with her team investigate murders similar to a previous one when her partners wife was the victim. Are they connected? I found this book to be a fast paced, thrilling read full of suspense. With an ending I was not expecting! I was hooked from the first page to the last and look forward to the next book. |
This year had been the one with police procedurals. This was a solid one where the women found murdered on the beach had links to the ex-sheriff Jericho and Detective Casey’s current romantic lead, and it was all up to the good detective to find the killer. Author B. R. Spangler niched a nice twist in the plot where all clues led the path to Jericho, incriminating him completely. Casey had to work doubly hard to get to the truth. The story was a good crime thriller where each lead was investigated thoroughly but quite slow in building its suspense. The latter half saw the book reaching its potential where the race was on. The investigation was interesting, but the scenes saw Casey heartbroken in the end. I thought the story would progress beyond what was already shown in the earlier books, but it regressed quite unsatisfactorily. It came back to where it all started in book 1. So much angst in a police procedural was not needed. Overall, it felt to be a good read, hoping that the next book would be fabulous. 3.5 stars |
Linda B, Reviewer
Domino disaster develops in Carolinian waters🌊 3.5🌟 stars The serial killer investigation in this story was good though I would not classify it a page-turner for me. I liked the writing and the fact that author B.R. Spangler kept the character count at a reasonable number that I could keep straight. The identity of the killer remained a mystery almost to the action climax: another point I look for in a good police procedural. This was the first of the Detective Casey White series I read and I think it would have been helpful to read earlier books to really understand her even though the crimes in this book are standalone. That said, this book was inconclusive and the ending just left me down emotionally. I won't spoil it by saying why, just know that things fall apart repeatedly and solving the murders is no real palliative for the trainwreck of trouble in this lead detective's turbulent life and collateral damage is unavoidable. I don't think I will be reading more of this series despite the gorgeous coastal backdrop and the promise of a sharp future policewoman shown by Casey's young mentee Tracy. And I REALLY disliked ambition-driven Cheryl who is likely to reappear as the series continues. Thanks to publishers Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review. |
Will Detective Casey White ever catch a substantial break? Wow, I did not want to put this one down! Having read the first two books in this series, I was already fully invested in the lives of Casey, Jericho, and Hannah. A woman found murdered in North Carolina’s Outer Banks with close ties to the public and the ex-sheriff, Jericho Flynn, leads those closest to Jericho raising questions. It's up to his girlfriend Detective Casey White and her team to solve not only this murder but those following. Already fragile to begin with, this case becomes increasingly tricky to navigate as damaging presumptions continue to arise. This time around, with installment three in the series, Author B.R. Spangler lulls readers into a false sense of security with high hopes of a promising future. He has so expertly written this tale that through each twist and turn, my heart continued to break for Casey and her desires to find her happily ever after. Just as fast as her happiness comes, it's crushed blow by thorough blow. I enjoyed not only the central insight into Casey’s persona but also that of the inmate and ex-cop, Paige Kotes! I can't wait to see how B.R. Spangler tops the suspense with his next book! I'd recommend ”Saltwater Graves” to crime thriller fans everywhere, especially those who enjoy a good series! Many thanks to NetGalley, the author B.R. Spangler, and the publishers at Bookouture for my advanced copy of this ebook and my spot on this Books-On-Tour event! |
Kristen D, Reviewer
By the time you read Saltwater Graves, you have a good feel for how Casey and the rest of her team work. You also have an understanding of all the hardships that she has faced and how that effects the way she works. Despite all the craziness going on around her, Casey is finally on her way towards having a much deserved “happy ending”. Unfortunately that feeling only lasts so long. Jericho becomes a suspect, her ex comes back and her personal life ends up with more questions than answers. Add on to that, women are being murdered and Casey is working with the last person she ever expected to. If you’re looking for a feel good read, this won’t be the one for you. However, if you’re in the mood for twists and turns and a crime that will keep you guessing, this is a great book to read. |
Peggy B, Reviewer
The third in the series to feature Detective Casey White. Casey is in a good place, she has her daughter back and is finally moving in with the love of her life Sheriff Jericho. A serial killer is prowling the Outer Banks and women are turning up dead. The MO has a lot of similarities to the murder of Jericho's first wife and Jericho is being looked at the prime suspect. Casey now has to catch the serial killer and prove that her lover is innocent. Taught, gripping and action packed. This series keeps going from strength to strength. Loved it and a very happy reader. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review. |




