The Rising
by Kerry L Peresta
May 1-31, 2022 Virtual Book Tour
After an assault that landed her in a hospital as a Jane Doe two years earlier, Olivia Callahan has regained her speech, movement, and much of the memory she lost due to a traumatic brain injury. The media hype about the incident has faded away, and Olivia is ready to rebuild her life, but her therapist insists she must continue to look back in order to move forward. The only person that can help her recall specifics is her abusive ex-husband, Monty, who is in prison for murder. The thought of talking to Monty makes her skin crawl, but for her daughters’ sake and her own sanity, she must learn more about who she was before the attack.
Just as the pieces of her life start falling into place, she stumbles across the still-warm body of an old friend who has been gruesomely murdered. Her dream of pursuing a peaceful existence is shattered when she learns the killer left evidence behind to implicate her in the murder. The only person that would want to sabotage her is Monty—but he’s in prison! Something sinister is going on, and Olivia is desperate to uncover the truth before another senseless murder is committed.
Book Details:
Genre: Psychological Suspense, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: March 29, 2022 Number of Pages: 300 ISBN: 168512092X (ISBN-13: 978-1685120924) Series: Olivia Callahan Suspense, Book 2 Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
My Thoughts:
This is my first of the Olivia Callahan series, but I was intrigued from the get-go and enjoyed the plot that Kerry Peresta delivered through strong, intriguing characters. I don't know a lot about traumatic brain injuries, but everything felt realistic and didn't make me feel that anything was over-exaggerated as often happens with situations like this.
Peresta executes all of the aspects of a mystery with precision. It leaves you questioning your sleuthing skills as a fan of the genre, wondering if you're putting reader-trust into the proper characters. (Hint: I was NOT!)
Along with the red herrings, Olivia's gradual retrieval of her memory gives you just enough meat to chew on and question everything you know up to that specific point. I didn't want to put this down because I had to know how everything twisted into the finale. I love an author who can fool me into thinking I can outsmart the villain!
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Kerry’s publishing credits include a popular newspaper column, “The Lighter Side,” (2009—2011), and magazine articles in Local Life Magazine, The Bluffton Breeze, Lady Lowcountry, and Island Events Magazine. She is the author of three published novels, The Hunting, women’s fiction, The Deadening, Book One of the Olivia Callahan Suspense Series, and The Rising, Book Two. Book Three in this series releases in 2023 by Level Best Books. She spent twenty-five years in advertising as an account manager, creative director, editor, and copywriter. She is past chapter president of the Maryland Writers’ Association and a current member and presenter of Hilton Head Island Writers’ Network, South Carolina Writers Association, and the Sisters in Crime organization. Kerry and her husband moved to Hilton Head Island, SC, in 2015. She is the mother of four adult children, and has a bunch of wonderful grandkids who remind her what life is all about.
Catch Up With Kerry L Peresta:
www.KerryPeresta.net Goodreads BookBub - @kerryperesta Instagram - @kerryperesta Twitter - @kerryperesta Facebook - @klperesta
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for The Rising by Kerry L Peresta. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
Thanks for the great review. I'll be starting this one soon and I can't wait, I read the first one and loved it!