Bad Memory

I didn't find this second book in the Jessica Shaw series as good as the first (In Thin Air), but it was still a good story. The set-up was unique: Jessica is hired by the sister of a convicted murderer days before the scheduled execution and asked to find out what really happened thirty years earlier. I was able to predict some aspects of the story, but not enough to ruin the ending for me. The book alternates points-of-view and timeframes, but each chapter is clearly headed to indicate character and date, so it's easy to follow.

Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read! 5*****

I thought this book was just okay. The story line was pretty interesting and I wanted to know what happened, however I felt like it was pretty easy to figure out and I will likely forget about this plot shortly. Overall I can say that I liked it but didn't love it.

BAD MEMORY initially seemed like just another hackneyed story about a PI trying to free another wrongly imprisoned person. I almost quit reading after the first few pages. But then the book really blossomed and I have to say that it has some of the best plotting in a mystery/thriller that I have seen in some time. I also really liked the protagonist's no nonsense approach in both her professional and romantic life. I will definitely read more by Lisa Gray.

Another excellent book by Lisa. Well written and had me gripped from the start. This will definitely be a long term series for me.

In this second Jessica Shaw book, Lisa Grey provides another unique mystery that weaves the past with the present. Jess is now in a small California town working for a PI, trying to get her own license. She is approached by the sister of a woman scheduled for excursion as punishment for having killed her best friend and boyfriend when she was a teenager. A pile of evidence seemed to make it an open and shut case, but there are secrets from the past that Jess must chase down and reveal. There are few twists and sidelines in the plot; most of which are able to be resolved in the short book. However, there is a feeling of a rush at the end to tie-up loose ends that leaves one feeling unsatisfied, wanting more details and exploration. The rotation of perspectives and shifting from past to present are fairly smooth but also give away the details a bit too easily. With another closed case, Jess continues on her journey of trying to outrun her pain and commitment, but will she be successful? We will wait until the next book to find out.

Thank you net galley for the opportunity to read Bad Memory. I truly did not know what to expect of this book, but I can say I could not stop reading it. The small town of Hundred Acres is filled with secrets and Rue Hunter on death row for the murders of her best friend, Megan and her boyfriend, Lucas. Thirty years later and Rue’s death date approaching, Jessica is hired to investigate if Rue really is guilty, despite the confession she gave in July of 1987. Jessica is strong and smart and knows how to follow each new detail she receives of that July night, but many people in the town do not like her sticking her nose in to their past. A great surprise ending - so not expected! I haven't enjoyed a book like this in a long time and I highly recommend for other crime lovers out there!

Although not as good as In Thin Air (the first) this still was a good read.
Tasked with finding the truth behind a double killing before the accused is executed Jessica delves into the accused background and events of that night.... will the truth be discovered before the final day.

I really enjoyed this book, I thought it had a lot going on, and plenty of things I didn't see coming to keep me interested.I liked the main character and thought the story was well written.I really liked it.Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Bad Memory by Linda Gray -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Amazon Publishing UK
ISBN: 9781542092326

Bad Memory is as enjoyable as Lisa Gray’s first book, Thin Air. It definitely deserves a five star review.

Recently novels about the guilt or innocence of a convicted prisoner, especially ones on Death Row, have been popular. Frequently they are filled with lengthy legal explanations and put forth the author’s political views about capital punishment. Unlike these, without unnecessary filler, Bad Memory used the events behind two cold cases and the complexities of life in a small town to tell the story of a woman awaiting execution. The plot never slowed and was entertaining throughout.

The story was told from the viewpoint of several characters and occurrences in different locations during several periods in time. The transition flowed well. The conclusion was exciting. The characters were believable and interesting. The settings were perfectly described.

I look forward to future books in the Jessica Shaw series.

Reviewer: Nancy

Thank you Netgalley for this book, in return for a honest review.

Although this book was good, I have only given it 3 stars because I didn't eel it was as good as the first book by Lisa Gray, In Thin Air. I really liked the books alternative timeframes and viewpoints.
The book had a great surprising ending which wasn't expected. I think if you enjoy a good crime book, you'll enjoy this.

Private investigator Jessica Shaw is leading a quiet life in a Californian desert community, where she spends her days working low-level cases. But when a former resident asks Jessica to help her sister, Rue Hunter - a convicted murderer whose execution is days away - Jessica can't resist the offer.Rue doesn't remember what happened the night two high school students were killed thirty years ago, but everybody in town is certain she's guilty. As Jessica looks for answers, she finds that local rumors point one way and evidence points another. And nobody wants to face the truth. Meanwhile, Jessica can't shake the feeling that someone is stalking her - now more than ever, she knows she can't trust anyone.As Jessica digs deeper, she encounters local secrets in unlikely places - including the police department itself. But the clock is ticking, and Jessica must find the truth fast - or Rue's bad memory may be the death of them both.

Great ending to a great series. I love how much the characters have grown since the first book. This book wasted no time starting the action. I might have lost a little sleep because I couldn’t stop reading. Do yourself a favor, and read this series!

I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

Bad Memory is a good book that I could not put down. This was the first I have read by the and I will read more. Great characters and storyline.

I really enjoyed this book. Some parts were a little predictable, but, there was enough suspense that the book kept my attention. I was extremely satisfied with the ending and will recommend to others. I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.

This is the second book of the series that i read, her storylines are interesting but am looking for more character development and sharper writing. So i enjoyed it as a light read

I read this book without having read the first book in the series, but about halfway through this book I decided that I wanted to read the first book, and any subsequent ones. I also feel that even though I didn’t read the first book I was confused about very little in the story, and nothing relating to the main plot.

The main character, Jessica Shaw, is obviously flawed which makes her that much more relatable. I really liked seeing not only her character flaws but also her weaknesses, it was refreshing to have a main character who wasn’t perfect, and who accepted help.

The plot immediately sucked you in, and the resolution was something that you will never see coming, but which makes perfect sense once it is revealed. I dislike when authors add twists into their story that don’t fit with everything else that has happened, but that isn’t the case in this book.

My one problem with this book is that there was a second crime investigation going on at the same time as the main one, and at first they seemed unrelated and I was confused about why it was occurring. However, as you read the book all the pieces fall into place. In the beginning I was also confused about which character was offering their point of view and whether I was reading something from the past or present. but this also resolved itself as I continued reading and began to recognize the names of the characters.

Just like any other crime series, the plot is wrapped up nicely within this book, but there is promise for another book with another crime investigation which I look forward to.

This review can also be found on my blog at https://forthestarlightreader.wordpress.com/2019/08/19/review-bad-memory-by-lisa-gray/

This is the first time I have read a title by Lisa Gray, I wasn't disappointed. One thing I wish I'd done before reading Bad Memory, was to read the previous titles in the series, so I had some background on the characters. Living in the UK I have always been interested in the death penalty in the USA, without 100% proof of guilt, how they can proceed with execution.

30 years ago Rue Hunter was convicted of the murders of her best friend, Megan and her boyfriend Lucas. Rue confessed, open and shut case! That is until Rue's sister, some 30 years later and days before Rue's scheduled execution, hires Jessica Shaw pi to investigate whether Rue really is guilty. This book has lots of twists and turns, leaving you guessing throughout. A small community harbours lots of secrets, secrets that Jessica Shaw is determined to uncover. The guilty party is not what you expect, perfect for a crime story. I do feel the ending was a little rushed and the culprits story not fully explained.
I'm sure I lost a sleep reading, I couldn't put the book down. Overall a great read for crime thriller readers.

Bad Memory was a really interesting 2nd book in the Jessica Shaw Series. In this one, Jessica is asked to try to solve a murder that occurred over thirty years earlier. She has only a few days to figure out what really happened, as the woman, Rue Hunter, who was convicted of the double murder when she was a teenager is due to be put to death in a few days. When Jessica visits Rue in prison, she finds that Rue doesn't remember what happened that night. It is up to Jessica to determine what really happened before a possibly innocent women is executed.

I thought that the most compelling aspect of this book was that Rue really didn't remember if she killed her boyfriend and best friend or not. She had not appealed her conviction earlier, but as her execution date draws near, she starts to wonder if it's possible that she didn't commit the murders.

I liked seeing Jessica again and seeing her work on this case. I'm enjoying her character and empathize with the struggles she has over her own past.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of Jessica Shaw. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy.

This is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series, following Thin Air which I enjoyed earlier in the year. It was fun to be reacquainted with Jessica, still working mundane investigations when an intriguing case pops up - a woman named Rue is due to be executed for a murder on a night where she can’t recollect a thing. Our Jessica drops everything and gets far too involved in the investigation and all hell breaks loose. As Jessica pursues justice you can’t help wondering what the next twelve books will bring as this is a really great series and could go on for ever!

This was a fantastic book! Bad Memory by Lisa Gray centers around a private investigator named Jessia Shaw. I typically don’t love series but there is something about Lisa Gray’s writing that I really enjoy and this was a very good suspense novel. I really liked Thin Air which was the first in this series.

Synopsis:

Private investigator Jessica Shaw is leading a quiet life in a Californian desert community, where she spends her days working low-level cases. But when a former resident asks Jessica to help her sister, Rue Hunter—a convicted murderer whose execution is days away—Jessica can’t resist the offer.

Rue doesn’t remember what happened the night two high school students were killed thirty years ago, but everybody in town is certain she’s guilty. As Jessica looks for answers, she finds that local rumors point one way and evidence points another. And nobody wants to face the truth. Meanwhile, Jessica can’t shake the feeling that someone is stalking her—now more than ever, she knows she can’t trust anyone.

As Jessica digs deeper, she encounters local secrets in unlikely places—including the police department itself. But the clock is ticking, and Jessica must find the truth fast—or Rue’s bad memory may be the death of them both.

Excellent writing, the author did a really good job of keeping me guessing. The plot was strong enough that I kept reading because I really had a desire to know the truth! I will be looking forward to the next in this series.

Due out October 24.

A great story of friends, secrets and tragedy.

All mixed in with the emotive subject of the death penalty.

I really enjoyed the story and also the way it makes you consider death row inmates and the legal system. I also found it emotive that it dealt with childhood trauma and how it changes your life in a really sensitive manner.

Good story with lots of twists and turns. Character interaction plays an important role, and the author worked hard on that aspect as well

WOW!!! This book was great! I even liked (most of) the characters.

Rue Hunter, in prison for a double murder, is to be executed in one week. Her sister, Rose, offers Jessica Shaw - a PI in California for 6 months - $25,000 to dig back into the case from 1987. Also for an acquittal Rose will pay Jessica $150,000. Of course the boss, Ed Crozier, stands to profit, too.

Lots of drama and suspense! The further Jessica digs into the case the more people we meet and the more involved Jessica becomes in the small town: Dylan her kinda boyfriend, Pryce ( a friend and a cop), and Sylvia - her landlord. Jessica finds things that were never brought up by the police department of Hundred Acres when Rue was sentenced with the murders.

A fast-paced superb read! Highly Recommend!!!

Many Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for a fine read!

I received a free, advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. I read thr author's first Jessica Shaw book recently, but if you hadn't read it, it wouldn't be too confusing. Jessica is a PI, and stumbles into another murder mystery in which the convicted felon is about to be executed. Her memory is unreliable. This particular story was interesting, but interspersed with chapters with Pryce's POV as he decided to look into his former partner's murder was a little frustrating. I knew it would be connected to the murder that Jessica was investigating from 1987. However, it was a quick read and the ending wasn't predictable. There would have been a lot better ways to handle the crisis that the murderer came upon; of course it ended tragically. I would recommend this book if it was free or under $5.

I really enjoy mysteries and action books.. This book was just that. This is the second book in her Jessica Shaw series. I didn’t have to read the first book to pick this book up and enjoy it.

The main character,Jessica, is a female private investigator. She is hired by Rue Hunter’s sister to investigate the case Rue was being sentenced to death row because of. With a short deadline, Jessica got to work.

Rue was being sentenced to the death penalty for killing her two friends up on Devils Drop, a local Make out place for teens. She wasn’t sure she did it, but since everyone seemed sure she had she admitted to it.

Jessica used her resources in the town to gather information and discovered a lot of the secrets in Hundred Acres were starting to come out. She determined that Rue was innocent just in time of the crime she committed. Jessica’s trailer got broken into, because she was getting too close.

Jessica has it pretty much figured out who was covering up what in this town, and she gets to the point of confrontation and almost loses her own life because it.

This is a book that keeps you reading. There’s a few different points of view, but it is easy to follow.

Thanks @lisagreywriter

A good mystery with several twists and turns. A PI is hired to investigate a 30 year old murder . The convicted murderer is on death row and time is running out . The PI takes the case and begins to dissect the case and it's impact on the victims families, the detectives that worked on the original case and the small town where the murders took place. What the PI discovers changes everything , including her.

Loved this book and it’s plot also was very engaged with main characters and setting
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Bad Memory which is the follow up to Lisa Gray's Thin Air follows the main character Jessica Shaw work a 30 year old double murder. While reading the first book in the series is not necessary to understand this sequel, it will bring deeper understanding of Jessica's actions. The multiple view points used to tell the story keeps the pace quick as you race through the pages. After reading Thin Air I was very excited to see where the series would go and this book did not disappoint!

I really enjoyed Thin Air, the first book in this series, so had high expectations for this follow-up thriller.
A heart-thumping prologue sets the clock running - Rue is on death-row with only 10 days before her execution for double murder in 1987.
Rue's sister Rose asks private investigator Jessica Shaw to prove Rue's innocence before it is too late.
Jessica's journey to the truth takes her into the dark heart of the small desert town of Hundred Acres, where the memory of the murders is still powerful, especially for those who will kill to keep their secrets. She pays a heavy price for digging where she is not wanted.
The Pryce storyline did not work for me and his character never felt developed or real, but the story threads were neatly woven together.

Jessica Shaw is back! I was very excited to see a sequel because I absolutely loved the first book in this series.. Jessica is on the hunt again but this time she has traveled to Hundred Acres a small town with many secrets. Rue Hunter is on death row for killing her best friend and boyfriend even confessing to their murders! BUT as Jessica looks into this case she quickly unravels some secrets that have been long buried.Is Rue a killer or was she an innocent teenager with a bad memory of that night? You will have to read to find out! Suspense, thrills and a great female lead character.. perfect mystery! Loved this book and hoping there is a next.

This book was just ok for me. Good premise but a little bit to easy to work out but a good ending redeemed it so 3 stars from me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

Ok, I love a strong female lead and Jessica Shaw is definitely a bada$$ for sure. Bad Memory is the second book in the series. The beginning was a bit confusing even though I had read book one just a week or two prior. I was expecting her to be in the same town where the previous story took place and it wasn't really clear how/why she ended up in Hundred Acres right away. Jessica is approached by the sister of a death row inmate scheduled to be executed in less than a week and asked to please look into the murder she was convicted of. Basically a one last ditch effort to clear Rue for the murders of her best friend and boyfriend 30 years ago. The book is filled with small town scandal and juicy secrets that people are desperate to keep covered. I look forward to reading more of Jessica Shaw!

What an incredible story! Murder mystery novels are my absolutely favourite of all book genres, if they are done right! Recently, I have been disappointed with the novels I have read in this genre that have been recommended to me, but when I accepted this ARC on NetGalley, I had no idea that I would be reading a book that would keep me on the edge of my (car)seat until the very last page. I read this book whilst on a journey to Birmingham, and I didn’t even notice the time passing, as my nose was fully lodged in my kindle!

When I’m reading a book, I love a fast pace, and the short time limit within the novel kept this book fast-paced and continuously built suspense. I usually don’t like flashbacks in novels as I feel that they can sometimes slow the pace of the book down and they can make the book disjointed and detached. However, the use of flashbacks by Lisa Gray did not hinder the progress of the book, but enhanced it. They provided vital information that was essential for the ending.

The twists throughout kept me guessing and changing my mind over who I believe had done it. I was wrong at every turn and I loved it. I hate it when a book is too predictable, as to me, it seems like a waste of time reading it. What is the point in reading a book when you already know the ending! When I went back and reread the book for a second time, knowing the end result, I could see how every bit of information, no matter how small and insignificant they seemed when I first read it, pieced together. It really is a spectacularly written novel.

I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a brilliant murder mystery that will suck them in completely. I had a severe case of the book blues after finishing this novel. Knowing that I couldn’t reread it without knowing the ending again was really upsetting as it was so incredible.

My second encounter with Jessica Shaw, and unusually fascinating story line which really keeps the reader guessing to the very end. It begins with a double murder from 30 years previously. Jessicas skill and determination gradually brings the truth to light.

Thank you to Net Galley for making this book available to read. I read the first book through Amazon and liked it but didn't love it. I really liked the characters and decided to give it another chance as it was a debut book for the author.
I have seen quite a few other readers say that they liked the first book better than this one but I am in the opposite corner. I really enjoyed this one. Some of the 'mysteries' are a bit obvious but not the why in most cases.
I like that it seems as if the stories that Jessica will be involved with will take place in different but similar settings. I liked how it wrapped up and will definitely look for the next book in the series in a few months.

This is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series and can be read as a stand-alone. Lisa Gray does a great job at providing contextual information relevant to characterization as she continues to develop her main character, Jessica. While some of the narrative held familiarity and was overly foreshadowed, it did not impact the overall story line or feel of the book. A modest read. More in line with a mystery/police-procedural than a suspense/thriller. 4 stars.

Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC, which I read and reviewed voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Thanks to Netgally and Amazon Publishing UK for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Private investigator, Jessica Shaw is approached by Rose, a woman whose sister, Rue, is on death row and going to be executed for a double murder she supposedly committed over 30 years ago when she was 17. Rose wants Jessica to take one last look at the case and see if there is any way to clear Rue before her execution.

I love a good detective story with an investigation that keeps turning up new info until the truth finally comes to light. I thought this book was great. It was a good procedural and it had some suspense and tension. I read and enjoyed the first Jessica Shaw book and I liked this one even better. I like the Jessica and Pryce characters and I like the author's writing style. I will definitely be reading more of this series.

This book took me awhile to get into. I almost felt like I needed to go re read the first book in the series to catch myself back up. I thought it was a little confusing how she was in a new town and had been there for several months and the book talked like I should already know this. But it wasn't mentioned in the previous book. Needless to say I was LOST for a good long while trying to keep up, but I did eventually hita Rhythm and enjoyed the book. I don't' think it was as good as the first book, but that was a hard one to top! I am looking forward to book 3 in this series. I hope it involves her quitting smoking. :)

Great mystery. Kept me guessing throughout. Was very unpredictable!
Jessica moved to Hundred Acres, California a few years ago to forget her past. She is working as a PI for a local man. Jessica gets an offer from a former resident of Hundred Acres, Rose, to look into the death of two local teenagers, Lucas and Megan, whom her sister, Rue, has spent the past 30 years in jail for killing and is about to be executed. The problem is that Rue confessed to the murders, the weapon was found in her room, and she was found the night of the murder covered in Lucas and Megan's blood. So could she be innocent? Locals aren't happy that Jessica is poking around in something they all want forgotten. But, what Jessica uncovers will shock everyone, including the reader!!

This. Is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series.
Synopsis;
Jessica arrives at a seemingly sleepy remote town called Hundred Acres and thanks to the help of a friend, Detective Pryce, she starts a new job in the small detective office in the town. She is asked by a new client called Rose Dalton to look in to a crime that took place 30 years ago which left her sister Rue Hunter incarcerated for the murders of her boyfriend Lucas and her best friend Megan. Rue is due to be executed In a week's time for the murders so there is huge pressure to make progress quickly but Jessica is intrigued and keen to take on a case that doesn't involve marital desputes, and agrees to help.

I really enjoyed this book. While the story was somewhat far fetched in places (it turns a bit 'Midsummer Murders' at some points, leaving you wondering how much crime can really happen in one small town!) the story did unfold quickly. Unlike other crime stories where action doesn't take place until half way through the book, Gray had the story developing from the first chapter so it flowed really well and had me gripped. The story is told from various character points of view as well as from different time periods so there was no question left unanswered which I loved - Gray tied it all together really well. The central character is also flawed which makes her a lot more relatable - she clearly comes with baggage and isn't physically as strong as other hero characters in similar novels.

I can't wait to read the first book in the series and also see where Jessica Shaw ends up next! A huge thanks to #negalley for sending me a copy. #badmemory #lisagray

This was an enjoyable procedural with an interesting plot regarding a death row inmate. I do not like predictable books and this one definitely had twists and turns. I enjoyed the character of Jessica Shaw and look forward to reading more about her.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, the author, and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I found the first 50% to be quite dull and predictable. As the whole premise is based around a woman on death row being proven innocent, it's fairly obvious what direction the book is going to move in, which spoiled it for me. I loved how we were given more information by POV from the past and how these linked well with what was currently happening in the text. Overall it was okay, but I thought it was quite similar to other books that I have read within this genre.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This started out well, but as I read on I got bored.I'm not sure why it didn't hold my interest. Sorry.

Bad Memory
by Lisa Gray
Amazon Pubilishing UK
This is book 2 in the Jessica Shaw Series (the first book was InThin Air) was a great read.

I have read and enjoyed the writing style of Lisa Gray many times, and looked forwarded to reading this book. The first book I have read.
Jessica as a PI gets involved in the case of Rue Hunter. Rue Hunter confessed to a double murder, and site on death row waiting for her execution date. Her sister hires Jessica to find out what truly happened 30 yrs. ago.
The story line was great. The caracter building was great. The writing was top no he notch.this would be a great beach read or just because you love the authors writing as I do. I'd have to say book one was a solid 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

An interesting murder mystery…

This is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series that can be read as a stand-alone.

Private Investigator Jessica Shaw is at a transitional point in her life, not wanting to return to New York State where she’s licensed she’s temporarily working for a small California detective agency in Hundred Acres while she waits to be licensed in the state. The assignments are routine but when her boss is out of the office a case comes in that intrigues her and she takes it, she needs the challenge.

Returning to the town she grew up in, Rose Dalton, the sister of a convicted murderer wants Jessica to look at her sister’s case. Thirty years ago the teenage Rue Hunter confessed to killing two of her friends and is scheduled to be executed in a week. Yet Rue isn’t sure that she’s guilty having no memory of the fatal act. Memories can be tricky, the mind can hide things to protect us from what it cannot cope with. Could that be the reason why there is vagueness in recollection or were certain drugs involved that can affect memory? It won’t be the first time Jessica has investigated years-old cold cases but can she find answers in the short timeframe? The clock is ticking down and this small town has dark secrets that certain people don’t want to see the light of day, Jessica’s poking soon rattles someone’s cage. Rue might not remember the fateful events that landed her in prison but someone does and they’ll do anything to protect themselves.

Having recently gone through much in her personal life Jessica was an intriguing character, events that occurred previously are alluded to here, and she’s mentally and emotionally processing a lot, this case was a needed distraction. Jessica’s a strong, intelligent, determined woman who is also very human in her flaws, she learns about herself as she continues to grow. This reader really liked where she headed at the end. The storyline was an interesting murder mystery that kept this reader engaged throughout and had more than one point of view. This was a good follow up to the first book in the series though I did like that one better and I do look forward to Jessica’s next undertaking.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

I never read Thin Air, Lisa Grays first book featuring P.I. Jessica Shaw , but I intend to. I would like to know more about Jessica's life as she is a brilliant character. Bad Memory is an excellent read. It's got plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I didn't realise who had done what to who until the ending. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

I voluntarily read this ARC for an honest review - All thoughts and opinions are mine

This is a first time author for me and this is part of a series. However, I don't feel I've missed out on anything
Really really enjoyed this - would love to read the others in the series

I found this well written, great characters and plot - lots of unpredictable twists - kept me on the edge of my seat - couldn't put this down - had to know what happened next


A great read - highly recommend

I’ve received this ARC from Netgalley, the author and it’s publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and are completely unbiased.

While this book is part of a series ( I have not read the previous book) you do not need to read the first book, It was well written and flowed conveniently.

I found this to be a pretty cozy read, just enough suspense, twists and turns.

“There’s always something interesting happening in small towns. You just need to know where to look.”

The quote is utterly suitable with the book. Hundred Acres all of a sudden become an interesting small town for Jessica Shaw, the Private Investigator in the local agency. Rose Hunter paid her to investigate the old murder case which involved her only sister, Rue Hunter. The case, ladies and gentleman, happened thirty years ago.

I didn't know this is series. I happened to suspect it when in the middle of finishing the book. This proves that you don't have to read the prequel to understand the book. The story flows really well, the writing is great, and I didn't hate Jessica. I even want to cheer for her to solve the case, she's a hard worker girl and not belong to hypocrite type. So Jessica is fine main character for me.

How a long time ago murder case opened again is the one that attracted me. Yes, it does seem strange and weird the Hunters want to investigate the case again thirty years later. Does it not seem too late? But eventhough I doubt the premise, the situation is strange enough to make me curious of who's done what. The mystery itself is complicated, the characters are not few, it seems the new one always pops up and make a new connection to the case. And it all happened in a week. Is it really possible in the investigation world though?

Nonetheless, I like the complicated story that solve itself in the end. I like Lisa Gray's writing and how she brings the feeling of small town in this book makes me like it even more. If only she made it a little bit more eerie. The conclusion is great and the ending is good too. Looking forward to read next book in this fine series.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me a copy of this ARC.

Very well written story of a PI uncovering the events that happened three decades earlier. Since I haven’t read the previous book I could not get an idea of the life of the protagonist. But the main story is different and could be followed easily. Suspenseful story and a good climax. Recommended book.

California has not executed a prisoner since 2006, and a woman has not met her end in the death chamber since 1964. But this is about to change – after more than 20 years on death row Rue Hunter must pay for a brutal double murder.

Rue
Still, after all these years, her dream is the same. After confessing to the double murder, she has lived with her deed in the confines of her six-by-eleven-foot cell. Now though, at the point of facing the finality of her death sentence, she wishes she could remember the actual deed of plunging a knife into the bodies of the people she loved most. Her dream brings her to the edge of Devil’s Peak – but she was high, and the disconnect between the vivid image of the man in a plaid shirt and her blood-soaked dress keeps haunting her.

Rose
Hundred Acres has not seen her since her sister’s trial, but now Rose returns to her childhood town. She feels responsible for Rue’s destroyed life and wants to fix it. With her life’s savings in her handbag, she hopes to persuade the newly appointed investigator to find any new evidence in Rue’s favour. Rue is no killer, even though the town was quick to accuse the disturbed teenager.

Jessica
It is not her choice to be stuck in the sleepy community of Hundred Acres, sixty miles north of LA. With her peroxided blonde hair and brightly tattooed arm, she is not a regular cop. Rose Hunter’s thick wad of cash prompts Jessica to go through the motions of looking over the evidence – everyone knows that Rue Hunter is guilty. However, she is intrigued by Rue’s dream and its mismatch to the evidence file. When she realises that some evidence has been omitted from the file, she is drawn into the case.

Lisa Gray’s novel is a detailed narrative of the intrigue and drama around a crime investigation. Her depiction of small-town community life and the ripple effect of a brutal act will keep the reader engaged.

Ange

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Good to catch up with these characters in another complex mystery.Lots of red herrings in a really good plot.

This is book 2 in the Jesica Shaw series. While it’s not really necessary to have read the first book in the series, it does help provide some background on Jessica as a person.
‘Bad Memory’ has Jessica living and working in a small town in California, trying to her hours done in order to get her private investigator license in the state. She’s doing better than she was in book 1. She has a new boyfriend, an ok job and is kind of fitting into the town.
One night while closing up the office Jessica is approached by the sister of a death row inmate who asks for her help. Rue Hunter was convicted of killing her two best friends almost 30 years ago and is due to be executed within weeks. Rue has memory issues and doesn’t remember exactly what happened the night her friends were killed.
Both Rue and her sister Rose just want to find out the truth of what happened the night of the murders, whatever that truth may be.
But when Jessica starts digging into what happened the night of the murders she begins to discover inconsistencies between the evidence and what everyone believes happened that night. And there are people in town who don’t want Jessica to discover the truth and will stop at nothing to make sure she doesn’t get to expose it.
I love a good mystery/thriller and ‘Bad Memory’ didn’t disappoint. It had me guessing right up until the end. Can’t wait to read more books featuring Jessica Shaw. 4 Stars

Jessica Shaw is asked to help solve a murder that occurred 30 years prior, with the accused on death row and scheduled for execution in the coming days. This was a great thriller that had the added intrigue of the accused having no recollection of the night in question. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Jessica Shaw Has A Week To Discover the Truth of a 30 Year Old Murders

The novel opens with a soon to be executed prisoner having a repeated nightmare of the murder. It was not lucid dream but distorted images, because she was very drunk and very high during the murders so her memory of it is bad.

Since the last novel, Jessica Shaw decided to stay in California. Through Detective Pryce suggested working for a friend of a friend’s detective agency in a small town of Hundred Acres, a desert community sixty miles north of Los Angeles. She had been working there for six months while her California PI License was pending. One afternoon, she notices a woman in a car just waiting. When Jessica left late after 6 pm, the woman approached her wanting to hire her to determine if her younger sister did murder two friends more than 30 years before. Jessica tries to blow her off until Monday, but the woman tells her that is too late as her sister is to be executed in seven days. After some research on the Internet, Jessica’s interest was piqued.

The novel takes off from here but the road is not easy. Everyone from that time believes that since she confessed, she must be guilty and getting what she deserves. Her boss, who probably has most of town’s secrets locked up in his file drawers, wasn’t a help. Even Detective Pryce has “dog in this fight” also. The investigation does seem to have some holes. With all this, Jessica must find her way through a maze to discover the truth. There is a concurrent minor storyline that Detective Pryce and his partner start investigating the murder of Pryce’s old partner.

The B-storyline also is rich. The reader will learn more about Jessica through relationships with her boyfriend, her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend, Detective Pryce, her boss, the Rue Hunter and her sister. More is revealed with the Detective Pryce character in his search for his partner’s killer. The author integrates these B-storylines into the main storylines that it enriches both. As B-storylines from previous novels do cause problems with reading a later novel in a series without reading the prior novels, reading this book first should not be a problem as adequate background is provided when needed.

There is some vulgar language including some f-bombs. There is some violence described both after the fact and as it was occurring. There are not any graphic sex scenes. Therefore the content is definitely adult, but, in my opinion, should not be a problem unless the reader is very sensitive some vulgar language. There is one major issue in that California has not executed anyone since 2006, and Governor Gavin is having the death champers dismantled. Please read the Author’s note at the end of the novel, then read and enjoy the novel.

The novel did capture my interest that is my major criteria high star rating. I enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to the next novel in this series. The author gave a hint at the end that it will be a missing persons case — Jessica’s specialty. I have rated this book with four stars.

I have received a free e-Book version of this novel through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this novel early.

I chose to skip the first Jessica Shaw book when it was a free option on Prime Firsts. When this one popped up on NetGalley, I realized the magnitude of my mistake. That being said, while there are hints at what may have happened in the first book, I don't think it was necessary to understand this one.

Here is a new, strong female private investigator who is tasked with a seemingly losing case. Along the way, the POVs and timelines also shift around. If you are familiar with this genre, you know they will eventually come together, and they do so in a magnificent fashion. The plot grips you from early on and all the the twists just continue to build the stakes.

I definitely recommend checking this one out!

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Jessica is having a quiet life when she is ask by Rose to investigate a murder that involves her sister Rue.

Rue doesn't remember killing the people she loves as she sit in jail her dreams bring her Devil’s Peak she doesn't what she dream is real because she was high. Rose feel that her sister couldn't do those things so she using her savings by hiring Jessica to investigate the case even when the town thinks she did it.

As Jessica digs deeper she is intrigue by Rue dreams because it doesn't add up to the evidence that telling her she did it. There were a lot of twist and turns that leave you guessing.

Another top-notch mystery-suspense title by Lisa Gray, Bad Memory again follows private eye Jessica Shaw, introduced to readers in Gray’s previous book, Thin Air. The engaging plot in this second offering is complemented by the realistic and accurate details of the California setting, with forays into Las Vegas as well. The California desert setting comes alive convincingly in the hands of the skillful Scottish author.

Jessica Shaw #2

Rue Hunter is in prison for double murder. She is due to be executed in a weeks time. Her sister, Rose hires Private Detective Jessica Shaw to investigate the crime that happened thirty years ago. Rue was charged with killing her best friend and her boyfriend. But Rue can't remember killing them.

I did not k ow that this was the second book in this series. I don't think you need to have read the first book as it reads well as a standalone. But I always recommend, if you can, to read a series in order. At first it looks like this is going to be an open and shut case for Jessica. But the more she delves into the evidence, she discovers hidden secrets. The locals are ot happy that Jessica is investigating this case. The story is a bit far fetched in places. The story is told from multiple points of view and from different timelines. Was Rue innocent? You will have to read the book to find out.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author Lisa Gray for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was a big fan of Thin Air, the first Jessica Shaw book and so jumped at the chance to review the second in the series. Easily read as a stand-alone, I really loved the follow up, Bad Memory.

Jessica is drifting as she moves around California, stopping in the desert community of Hundred Acres to work for a while in a PI’s office in order to secure her California Investigator’s licence. She has hooked up with the local diner owner and son of the local Sheriff, Dylan, which at least ensures she isn’t overpaying for her burgers.

Most of her work is domestic, as befits a small town, but then one day she is hired by Rose, the sister of a woman who used to live in the town; a woman whose execution is scheduled in 10 days time. California has not executed a prisoner since 2006, and no woman has been executed since 1964, so Rue Hunter is making the news for all the wrong reasons.

Rue Hunter confessed to murdering her two best friends Megan and Lucas some 30 years ago at Devil’s Point, a local spot used by teens to make out. Rue and Lucas had been dating and the town is convinced that Rue killed the teens in a fit of jealousy. But Rue has never been able to remember what happened; she only knows that she was found covered in blood and clutching the murder weapon.

Now there is one last chance to find the truth and it’s up to Jessica to do the digging.

Told in two timelines and from different P.O.V.’s Bad Memory is a quick read as Gray’s short chapters and fast pace keep the rhythm going, switching between current events and flashbacks to 1987 with an easy flow.

There are two investigations here running in parallel. One is Jessica’s digging into the murders; the second is that of the murder of Det. Holten, former partner of her cop friend, Det. Pryce, also a cold case that has never been satisfactorily resolved.

The small town backdrop works well and the rumours and theories that abound are all grist to the mill that condemned Rue Hunter even before her trial. Rue and Rose had not come from the best of homes and everyone knew that Rue just had to take after her mother, about whom no-one has a good word to say.

As Jessica looks into the case, she begins to find disturbing things that should have come into light but never have. Has someone been suppressing evidence that doesn’t fit?

Gray creates a strong and convincing atmosphere and her protagonist Jessica shows yet again that she is no-one’s patsy and will get to the truth whatever the personal cost. The trail that the clues lead to do offer the reader a good chance of working out the solution, though the twisty narrative works hard to prevent that, and so this doesn’t detract from the pleasure of reading this highly entertaining work of detective fiction.

Verdict: Bad Memory is a fantastic and enjoyable read. Gray brings the intrigue and drama around a crime investigation alive. Her depiction of scandal and secrets in small-town community life adds to the thrilling action and suspense in this investigation. I like protagonist P.I. Jessica Shaw more with every book and am already looking forward to Book Three!

Jessica Shaw tries to find the truth behind a 30 year old murder case in the second book of the series. I didn't read the first book but was still invested in the story. I will go back and read the first book of the series after reading this book.

I loved the first book in this series Thin Air which I awarded five stars. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about this book. Don't get me wrong it is still a good story but did not grab me. I am sure other readers will enjoy it more just not for me.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Bad Memory is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series. I have not read the first one yet but did not have any trouble keeping up with this story line. P.I. Jessica Shaw is hired by Rue Hunter's sister to find out if Rue really did commit murder. The clock is ticking because Rue's execution is drawing close and the case does not seem to be a simple open and close case Jessica thought it was. Digging into small town secrets lands Jessica in some real danger. Action packed, the story took some unexpected turns before a somewhat expected ending. The mystery was interesting and the pages turned easy for a satisfying thriller that had me looking up the first book to download. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

This was such an amazing read that I couldn’t put it down. It went everywhere with me. To the doctors office, the dentist, the eye doctor. IT WENT ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE. I was so sad when it ended that I immediately went and bought more books from this author!

This is the first time I have read anything from this author and there is a previous book in the series that would have been nice to read before tackling this one. That said it can be read as a stand-alone but it would definitely have been a whole lot easier to have read the first ahead of this book.
The story is about a convicted murderer on death row whose sister is trying to help with hiring a private detective weeks prior to the execution date. The task is not being helped by the inmate who has no memory of the murders.
I basically liked the story although a bit predictable but there were too many switches between points of view that after a while you forget what the PI knows and what have been told by other characters.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

There is something with small towns and their secrets. buried for long times. Everyone knows it’s not right, but nobody talks. Even when there is a young girl sitting in jail and waiting for the death penalty to be carried out. When Jessica Shaw is hired by Rue’s sister Rose to have a look in the 30 year old case of the murders Rue is sitting in jail for, she doesn’t know that her life is going to change or that she is getting herself in a lot of danger. I really liked the new story as much as the first one. Especially how two seemingly not connected murders slowly becoming clearer and then everything makes sense. Well written and entertaining.

This is the second in a series. I just happened to read the first one via Prime Reading on Amazon last week and really enjoyed it. So I looked to see if there were more by this author and was pleasantly surprised to find it out it was available on Netgalley! So thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

You don’t have to read the first book in the series to keep up with most of this one, but I would. There’s a few minor plot points that make it easier to follow. Jessica, (who is a PI) is a likable protagonist and I enjoyed the mystery. Can’t wait to read the next in the series!

WOW! WOW! WOW! A prologue that invites you in and slams the door shut behind you, it hooks you from the start. A Bad Memory is a cracking follow up to Lisa Gray’s debut novel, Thin Air.
Rue Hunter has ten days to find out the truth: if she doesn’t she is going to be executed for a crime she’s not sure she committed…

Rue’s sister, Rose Dalton turns up begging Jessica to help but just what is she going to uncover as she starts to dig deep into the small town she has found herself embroiled in. I love the character of Jessica Shaw, there is a real depth about her and it seems that through her relationships we discover something new about her at every turn.

Told in the present day with flashbacks from the 1980s when Rue was sentenced for the murders of her two best friends, this again is a tightly plotted and cleverly crafted novel. It’s hard to believe that is only Lisa Gray’s second novel.

Lisa Gray is an assured and confident writer; the words seem to flow effortlessly from her fingers into the page creating a world so easy just to step into. I’ve never been to the places she describes in her book but I can see, hear and smell them as sure as I lived there.

The plot is fast and it is pacey. Short, sharp characters keep you hooked and that whole “just one more chapter” feeling kicks in! It’s filled to the brim with twists, turns and WTF moments! It’s intelligently plotted and provides a great work out for the crime fiction lover’s brain, but not too complex that it loses you. It sets the scene throughout to the point I honestly did feel I was in there.

All I’ve left to say is Lisa, when is book three out! Oh, and of course, go buy this book everyone!

An excellent book again, with a very interesting plot and a story with a very good pace. The characters are great, very believable and with no nonsense. This is #2 in a series, but is fine as a stand-alone.

"These images you see? Are you talking about memories?"⁣
⁣
"I think so. That's what I always thought they were anyway. I mean, what else could they be? "⁣
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Jessica Shaw has been hired to help prove a death row inmate's innocence days before the scheduled execution. Rue admitted her guilt but isn't sure now that her own memory is accurate. Jessica must try to use evidence and memories to figure out the whole truth to save Rue's life.⁣
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This is the second book of the Jessica Shaw series and I was able to enjoy it without having read the first one. I didn't love the book but I didn't hate it either. However, it was definitely a unique storyline.

A fast-paced, perfectly plotted killer of a thriller with a fantastic female lead and a cracking premise. I can't wait for the next one!

This gripping read tells the tale of a woman about to be executed after 30 years in prison and who may be innocent.
Jessica is the PI engaged by the sister of the convicted murderer and who is going through her own relationship issues.

The storyline moves from chapters detailing the time of the murders and those involved, as well as the present day and the ongoing investigation that becomes more murky and intriguing as the story develops.

I really enjoyed it and was fascinated by all the characters involved, as well as the writing style and complexity of storyline. There’s also a good ending that sets the scene nicely for the next adventure.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview this good read.
3.5 stars

I enjoyed the previous novel in this series, Thin Air, and on balance I'd say I liked this even more. Although it is the second in the series, it could be read by itself, but I think having prior knowledge of Jessica did contribute to my enjoyment of how this book unfolded.

Lisa Gray's writing is still excellent and the pace of the narrative with its many twists and turns kept me reading. I figured out a couple of things before they were revealed, but it was really satisfying to see how it all came together. My only complaint with Thin Air was that the solution seemed to come a little out of left field, but here I thought there was the perfect level of clues and twists.

A very good series. Recommended.

Great book! Definitely a good sequel to the first novel Thin Air. Any fans of the genres would enjoy It. Would recommend reading the first book before this one.

Another great book in this series. I was gripped the whole way through. The plot was really good and so were the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Jessica Shaw is lying low, trying to live a quiet life in little town, USA.

And as everyone knows, little sleepy towns tend to have secrets.

Jessica is hired to go over a 30 year old case, Rue Hunter is on death row and is due to be executed in just a weeks time. Rue's sister asks Jessica to go over the case in case anything was missed first time around.

Rue admitted to the murders at the time but claims she can't actually remember what happened.

Jessica is racing against the clock, upsetting the locals as she overturns stones long left undisturbed.

Her personal life is also under pressure as things boil up to a satisfactory conclusion.

An excellent tense read by a Scottish author who has an authentic American voice.

Recommended.

Jessica Shaw has settled in Hundred Acres, California working for a longtime area PI. She is approached on night by the sister of a woman who sits on death row for murdering her boyfriend and best friend 30 years ago. She asks Jessica to look into her sisters case- she believes she may be innocent and she is set to be executed in less than a week.  I am very into this series! I love a good hard-boiled detective mystery, especially with a female detective! Very satisfying read!

Bad Memory is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series about a prickly Private Investigator working cold cases in small towns in California. I had enjoyed Thin Air and this was another well-rounded and carefully plotted thriller. While you’ll understand Jessica’s character a lot better by reading them in order, this story stands alone.

Jessica has been working as a PI in Hundred Acres for six months when she is approached by the sister of a death row inmate, Rue Hunter, who is facing imminent execution for a double murder over thirty years earlier. As a teenager Rue confessed to killing her two best friends at a local lover’s lane while drunk and high, but now doubts her own memories. Jessica takes the case, which upsets her friend from the Thin Air case, Detective Jason Pryce, as his former partner, who was subsequently murdered, was the Sheriff at the time, but when he sees the inconsistencies Jessica finds, agrees to help her before time runs out for Rue.

This was an excellent mystery, with an intriguing cast of characters, and enough clues that the eventual denouement felt satisfying without being too much of a shock. I enjoyed the different character POVs and flashback scenes without having any difficulty following what was going in. There was a little too much reliance on coincidence but not in a way that felt annoying. Gray writes extremely well, with just enough scene-setting and character description for me to feel immersed in the narrative without getting bogged down by extraneous details. She manages to wrap up all the disparate plot threads very cleverly and deliver a pleasing ending. I will definitely look forward to the next book about Jessica’s adventures.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review. Bad Memory is available now.

This is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series and was full of twists and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to see what happens next in this series. Lisa Gray is a talented writer and never disappoints her reader!

My first in the series of two and I can see why Book 1 (Thin Air) has garnered over 2K reviews on Amazon. The storyline revolves around a death row inmate due for execution, the sudden questioning of her own confession, and her sister's desire to get at the truth--either way. I loved the way the author built a slow-burn, gleaning a small clue that somehow festers into an actual useable gem--something to build on.

Each chapter names one of the many characters and captures their view of the circumstances, whether currently, or back the thirty years that the murders happened. The hook from the beginning doesn't let up. The reader might be guessing, jumping ahead knowing what's coming, and then thwarted again by yet another twist or red herring and the tension builds.

But these are old secrets. Deadly secrets. And Jessica is racing again time to either stall an execution or supply those missing pieces of the memory that just doesn't seem to form a whole picture. It's complex. Realistic dialogue, engaging characters, and thoroughly well-plotted mystery, suspense, thriller.

Jessica is vulnerable but savvy, smart, independent. The question is--can she save this woman due for execution?

I received this digital download from the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Definitely up for Book 3! My problem was a few edit misses and a couple contradictions a beta reader should have caught. Other than that, this one is totally recommended and predicted to do very well. Get in on the ground floor, go back and start with Book 1 or grab this one. Either way, you can't miss. 4.5/5 rounded up

Intense and gripping! I was totally rooting for Rue throughout this book even though I didn't know if she was guilty or not. She's just likable, maybe a little odd, but she has hers reasons. And Jessica is great as well. Character development is great and the plot is thick with suspense, tragedy, and unexpected twists and turns. This story will leave keep you hooked, and intrigued, guessing and second guessing, trying to figure out what really happened all those years ago and who it is Rue is remembering and having nightmares about.
Highly recommend!
Thank you Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Lisa Gray for this advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read book #1 in this series but my memory was a little vague. Luckily, it didn't impact my enjoyment of this book. It's helpful to read the first book in this series, but it's not necessary. The plot of this book is a stand alone read.

I was definitely impressed with this second book. I'm so glad I decided to continue this series. I liked Jessica's character and really liked the plot (see book description). I like cold case plots and thought this one was really good. It was fast paced and I liked how Jessica's investigation progressed.

I recommend this book and I'm now looking forward to a third book in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC!

I really loved Bad Memory. Great story, well told.

As soon as I finished reading this one, I bought her first book to find out the beginning of Jessica's story! If you love American PI novels, where the story is against the clock, get this one!

Great story, Maybe not as engaging as the first in the series but engaging none the less. Looking forward be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.

I thought this book was okay. I thought the outcome was easy to figure out. I liked the way the story went backwards and forwards in time. The heading for each chapter made the timelines easy to follow.

I quite enjoyed this one. Even though it was book 2 of a series and I hadn't read book 1 I didn't think that this detracted too badly from the story. It felt like the book was a bit overly long during the middle section although this was made clear at the end when everything started to tie up. There were a lot of references to coffee!

I requested a e-copy of this from Netgalley solely based on the fact it was by Lisa Gray and apart of the Jessica Shaw series. I blazed through this book once I had time to read it. I read 50% of it in one day. As I read this story I did not see part of the ending coming, which to me helps make a good thriller.

This book follows Jessica Shaw PI with a new case. Rue Hunter is on death row for a murder that happened. Her sister though has always questioned whether Rue really did kill her two best friends because it seems so out of character of her sister. Rue too now is wanted to know for sure whether or not she truly did with only a week to go before she is executed. As Jessica investigates she's finding more and more pieces to the puzzle that show small town too have their own problems and possibly cover ups.

Another great Lisa Gray novel. I really enjoyed this one. I found it exciting, thrilling and a bit disturbing at times. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC, I will be recommending this one to my friends!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Overall, Bad Memory was an interesting read. It was a tad predictable at times, but outside of that, I enjoyed this book. I will definitely read more books by this author.

I decided to read this book because I loved the first Jessica Shaw book, Thin Air. I felt the different POVs added to the story. I would recommend this book and the other Jessica Shaw stories. I will now look for more by Lisa Gray.

I’m not sure why I took a chance on this second book in the series when I found the first one rather blah. I guess I hoped there would be improvements to pacing and structure and character development, but unfortunately this one was even worse than the first. I struggled through it and generally found all of the characters to be unlikeable, the dialogue unrealistic, and the plot flimsy. There were several points where a keen-eyed editor was needed including typos and one bizarre reference to “prohibition looming” which doesn’t even make any sense because the book takes place in the United States and bounces back and forth between the late 1980s and present day, both of which are incredibly far removed from Prohibition, which occurred 1920-1933. There were also a couple instances where something involving government procedure did not happen at all realistically and one of the characters would say something along the lines of, “even though it usually takes weeks to process the paperwork, I had it the next day.” Haha, what. Okay. Little things like that really threw me right out of the story and made me question the book, the author, and my own sanity. (Though, to be fair, I was reading an ARC, so it’s possible some of the issues I saw were fixed before final publication.) Even if some of these issues got fixed in the final version, it was still a slog to get through.

Bad Memory is the second installment in the Jessica Shaw series by Lisa Gray. Jessica is a PI working in the small desert town, Hundred Acres, in California. She works for a small PI office for Ed Crozier, the town Pi who has been working forever, and the firm does mostly small jobs like missing persons and unfaithful spouses. However, Rose Dalton, sister of Rue Hunter comes to Jessica to ask her to find out if her sister really committed two gruesome murders 30 years prior. At the time of the murders, Rue confessed to the murders of her two best friends after hours of pressure from local detectives – she had been on drugs and drunk to the point that she couldn’t remember what happened that night. She has now spent 30 years in prison. Her execution is scheduled to take place in a matter of days, and Jessica cannot turn down the money offered to look into the case. Everyone in the small town is sure Rue is guilty, and friends of Jessica, including her mentor Jason Pryce, a well-respected detective, are furious that she would take the case.

As Jessica investigates, she opens up town secrets that have been covered up or forgotten. Her life is now in danger, and she must be careful. While Rue has nightmares from the past, her nightmares don’t give definitive answers. Like a good thriller, there are plenty of twists and turns, as well as a surprising dénouement. Suspense starts to build in the prologue and continues throughout the novel.

Gray is a good writer and the story is fascinating; this story will keep readers on the edges of their seats. She is also good at developing her characters. Most readers, however, want a protagonist that they can look up to – one that is upstanding, albeit a rule breaker and risk taker when necessary, and one that can do a little more than most regular people. While Jessica is an excellent PI, she is basically trailer trash. She drinks a lot (actually every day and spends a lot of time in bars), smokes cigarettes, and has a full sleeve tattoo on her right arm, as well as piercings. This is not the type of hero most readers want. She also uses a lot of profanity.

This is a series, but most readers may not want to read the subsequent novels because it’s hard to relate to or like someone who is so different from most of us. Readers who like a good story and aren’t bothered by a classless protagonist with a dirty mouth may enjoy this book as well as the entire series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This is just the read I needed, and honestly wish I got to it earlier. I have been reading a lot of heavy/emotional books and this was a nice break from what I had been reading. I guess this is 2nd in series of Jessica Shaw books. I did not read the first book, and it is not essential to reading this book. I did enjoy the book enough that I will read the first one eventually. This is the story of Private Investigator Jessica Shaw getting a case that from a sister of a woman who is on death row for murders she was convicted of as a teenager. Her sister wants to know what happens. This is a story full of twists and turns. A easy and entertaining read for people who like me like crime mysteries. Overall good book that kept my interest. Thanks to Netgalley for the ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second novel in a series that features Jessica Shaw.

Rue Hunter is in prison for double murder. She is due to be executed in a week. Her sister Rose hires Private Detective Jessica Shaw to investigate the crime that happened thirty years ago. Rue was charged with killing her best friend and her boyfriend. But Rue can't remember killing them.

This was an excellent mystery. The author drops enough clues throughout the book to keep you guessing. I love a book told from different points of view. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book for an honest review.

Interesting book with lots of twists and turns keeping you reading till the end. The main character private investigator was like a dog with a bone.

Leading a quiet life working low-level cases in a Californian desert community, private investigator Jessica Shaw can't resist when a death row inmate, Rue Hunter's sister asks Jessica for help. Rue doesn't remember what happened that night 30 years ago when her 2 best friends at high school were killed. Rue confessed at the time, but now she feels doubtful of her memories.

I'm a big fan of detective/police procedural books and this one was very good. The story was thrilling and the characters were intriguing. The only negative I found was the multiple POVs. I'm not a fan of multiple POVs. Overall, a very enjoyable and satisfying read.

Bad Memory is book 2 of the Jessica Shaw series. I'm reading this author for the first time, but I didn't have any issues with not starting the series with the 1st book. I give this book 4.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This is one intense, twisted, dark and addictive novel! Not only is this a very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters, but the suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. Compulsive, gripping and horrifying! Will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Well written, well developed storyline, good pace, interesting from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the access to this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this book
This was the first book I have read by Lisa Gray and it won't be the last, although I didn't realise this one was in a series.
A good story which kept moving but I did find at times some of it annoying when the character of Rue I thought intentionally kept forgetting things.
The story kept me gripped but was a little predictable in places but the end was ok,.

Good, solidly plotted mystery with good pacing. There's a nice mix of characters and motives and I enjoy the way the tangentially related cases came together. It didn't have me on the edge of my seat, desperate for answers, but it was a diverting couple of evenings in my arm chair. I would be interested in reading more from this author/series and would recommend to lovers of detective fiction.

Not a book I would tell my friends to read but still quite enjoyable.
Strong female character trying to save the life of someone on Death Row, a few twists and turns but nothing memorable.

So this book took me a little longer than I hoped, I found that it was because the story was quite slow in the middle. This may be that the story fluctuates between different characters and it gets a bit overwhelmingif you don't keep up... it starts off really well and I felt like I had to keep reading, HOWEVER the twists in this book were like so shocking!!

I flew through the last 30% of this book in just over an hour. It was so good!

I only gave 3 stars because although it was a pretty good read, I felt it was a bit slow in places and didn't keep my interest. I'm glad I finished it though it was well worth reading in the end!

Someone doesn't want Jessica Shaw to find the truth about a 30 year old double murder. That doesn't stop her. though. It's a good read that isn't quite as twisty as I'd hoped but is nonetheless entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is the second book in the Jessica Shaw series, and though I haven't read the first book, it still reads nicely as a standalone. I do however think there is some threads I need to revisit in the first book. It was well written and I can't wait to see what Jessica does in the next book!

A gripping read. Enjoyed it a lot. I liked Jessica's character and would love to see more of her in the future.

This was a real edge of your seat thriller, with so many twists and turns, you wont know which way is up! Fantastic and gripping read! Lisa Gray is one of my favorites for this reason!