The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. I definitely was interested in the development of what happened that night. This psychological thriller really had some good points and brought interesting perspective to some hard topics like human trafficking. The dog was a great addition to the story. I definitely would read more by this author.
Diabolical Sword by Melissa Erin Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my first time reading a book from this author and I’m so glad I took the chance! The author pens a story that is original, captivating, and addictive! I wish I had more time to read it all at once! Harlow is going through her own trauma from missing her parents, and refusing to follow in their footsteps. She decides to make her own way, which leads to her own level of trouble. This magic sword she steals chooses her and takes her captive, and then brings a world of hurt to her life. Harlow fights hard for her life and ends up on the run. With every turn of the page I was on the edge of my seat as this amazing a story developed! Now on to book 2!
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This story is kind of like a Final Girl but she gets justice by helping to find the suspect. This was intriguing in so many ways and I absolutely loved the dog in this story, it made it so much better. I did find this a little cheesy and unrealistic at times but I was invested the entire time. Angie was a badass in the beginning and then shocked into silence and I was worried she’d never talk again but loved that Cody helped her through that. It was such a unique twist to have a dog be the rescuer in this. There were a few twists and things I absolutely did not see coming so that was fun and overall this was a good story. Just wish Angie didn’t come off so much as a helpless child and there wasn’t so much weird tension that I didn’t understand between Brenda and Jake.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was the first Mark Nolan book I have read and it will not be the last. This was a fast-paced, thriller, with an amazing plot and great character building. I would highly recommend this thriller and cannot wait to make my way through this authors back catalogue.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think the thing that makes this book so frightening (but very good) is that it is extremely realistic. You can imagine this really happens with tourists in a packed spring break town. The author clearly knows his way around the landscape of the story. Each detail makes it seem like this could be a newspaper expose rather than a novel. The characters are well built and I learned some things too – particularly about the VSRT!
I love a story that has a strong woman lead – this has two. FBI Special Agent Brenda Reynolds is fierce, caring, and loyal to her ethical code. Angie, the sole survivor of an attack, is the other main lead and she has some very strong instincts as well. The even better character than these two is the Golden Retriever, Cody. I love animals and have had some amazingly smart dogs in my life. Seeing them as a focal point in a novel is the perfect security for the thrill ride of the murder mystery. The tension between Brenda and Jake is palpable too and I can’t wait to read more about their budding partnership in future installments!
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Logan McKenna is back! She recently moved to Oregon after marrying Ben, her equally intriguing and intelligent husband. She is handling the Fractals remotely and spending time writing and recording new music. There’s new friends and acquaintances, a new volunteer job at the Raptor Center, and a new dead body.
Evka, the raptor vet at the center, is found by Logan when she brings in a friend for a tour – along with the red tailed hawk they’d been treating. Something is off, Logan can feel it. Luckily, her friends are equally as invested in solving the mystery.
Will they discover the killer before they are in danger, themselves? As usual, a very smart, witty, engaging story with wonderful female leads and a mystery til the end. Beautiful world building. Another win.
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book 8 in the series but reads as a stand alone novel. Love how this is set on the Oregon coast, places I’m familiar with and miss. I liked reading the point of view of the antagonist in parts, it gives increased tension to the story, and an insight on how he feels entitled to Evka. The plot keeps you turning the page guessing at who the killer is and what will happen next! I enjoyed this novel and will likely read more of this mystery series!
Reviewed by @bilberrysweet
Brandy Vaughn, September 2022
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have not had the privilege of reading any books by Mark Nolan before this one. I say that because I could not put this book down. The characters are amazing, the chemistry is off the charts, the plot is mesmerizing and all of that just makes for the best kind of book to lose yourself in.
Angie and her three friends plan a vacation trip for spring break but that all turns deadly when they are kidnapped and her three friends wind up dead. Angie barely escapes alive but is so traumatized that she is mute. In comes Brenda, an FBI agent who is part of an elite unit. It is her job to solve this heinous crime with some help from Jake and his dog Cody, unfortunately Brenda and Jake do not have the best relationship. Can they put their past run ins behind them to get to the bottom of this gruesome murder? Is Angie a victim or something more sinister like perpatrator of the murders?
There are more twists and turns to this book than a roller coaster. The characters are brilliantly thought out and leave you wanting to read the whole book in one sitting. If you like murder, mystery, thriller books then this is the book for you but definitely watch out not to read to late or you may find yourself losing out on sleep just to finish.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a very rare read that has me completely engaged from page one. This was the first book I had read from this author, but it is far from the last.
When Angie Taylor went on Spring Break with her 3 best friends, she never imagined it would end this way. Her friends were murdered, and Angie was able to just barely escape, but not without consequences. The police think Angie murdered her friends and she is shocked to her core, unable to speak on her innocence. A member of FBI, Brenda Reynolds, shows up to help figure out what’s going on. Will anyone be able to help Angie speak her truth or will she take it to her grave?
I read this book in one sitting! I really loved the relationship between the characters and the mystery throughout the book. Mark Nolan truly knocked it out of the park. I can’t wait to pick up more from him!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book did not disappoint. The thrill and suspense were so real. I couldn’t put the book down. It starts with 4 girls who were all abducted, but 3 were murdered, and 1 escaped. Everyone already assumes that it was the survivor, but when the FBI get involved, many options are put out there. All of the characters are so good. Please read as you will not be disappointed!!!
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Angie Taylor was enjoying her vacation with three of her friends when the worst thing imaginable happened. Last call of the night, a waiter served the girls shots on the house. Angie, being the designated driver, did not accept the shot. The three others did. Once they entered the car to go home, the waiter was there waiting for them with a gun in hand. Angie’s friends passed out one by one and the man demanded Angie drive them somewhere. Being sober, Angie still had her wits about her and somehow managed to escape the man. Once police arrived at the car, the other girls were stabbed to death. Blamed for her friend’s death, Angie is taken into custody and then never spoke a word until a month later.
With the help of an FBI agent, a golden retriever and his handler, and a kind nurse, Angie finally feels safe enough to start talking about what happened that night. Meanwhile the killer may come back to finish what he started.
This book was so intense and had so much happen in a short amount of time that I was invested immediately. There were times I gasped, teared up, clenched my fists. It was a wild ride but one that I was happy to take.
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a wonderful read that was full of suspense! I kept trying to read super fast to see what happens next.
Logan is starting her new job at the Cascades Raptor Center working with the lead vet, Evka. She is fascinated by the fierce predatory nature of the hawks, owls, and eagles, but also how caring and compassionate Evka is towards the birds. Everything changes when Logan stumbles upon a dead body at the Center and can’t shake the feeling that it’s actually a murder. Unfortunately Logan can’t just ignore her gut instincts and the murderer decides she needs to be silenced. Will she be able to help crack the case or will she end up with the same fate?
I loved the amount of suspense and mystery throughout this book. I had NO idea what direction was up and there were so many twists that kept me guessing until the very end. I highly recommend In Plain Sight!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In Plain Sight follows Logan McKenna in another action-packed mystery by Valerie Davisson. In this installment, Logan is a volunteer at the Cascades Raptor Center where she aids in caring for killers of the avian type on a daily basis alongside the center’s veterinarian, Evka. One day a killer struck but this time, it was of the human type and the Cascades Raptor Center was hit with a tragedy. Logan and her friends, Sam and Jean, teamed up to solve the mystery. Can they find out who did it and why?
In Plain Sight is full of relatable characters and feelings. It is full of twists and turns and when you think you know who the killer is, a twist turns you in a different direction. I did not want to put it down. I would not change a single moment in this book. If you are looking for a fast-paced mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, look no further.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Read this if you:
*Enjoy suspense thrillers
*Like whodunits
*Appreciate books that keep you sitting on the edge of your seat
Meet the Author: Mark Nolan grew up on the California coast and has lived in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. He enjoys being close to the ocean and enjoys boating, fishing, scuba diving, and exploring. The first novel he wrote was a top 20 bestseller in the Amazon Kindle store and a KU All-Star.
Synopsis: Unfortunately for college students spring break must come to an end. Angie didn’t realize that the end of this break would be the end of forever for her three best friends. When the group of girls are abducted Angie is the only one to escape and the other three are brutally murdered. Angie spends the following days mute while others believe she murdered her friends and is having a mental breakdown. FBI agent Brenda Reynolds must investigate whether Angie it the killer or the victim.
Reader’s Thoughts: I have not read a good mystery thriller in such a long time. The Girl Who Escaped was AMAZING! 5 stars AMAZING! Mark Nolan kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time rooting for Angie and her truth to come out. The storyline was believable, and the characters were all great assets to the storyline. There were a few twists to the plot throughout that kept me guessing. Be prepared to pick this up and spend the entire afternoon reading because you will NOT want to step away until the very end. I can’t wait to see what comes next from Mark Nolan. I will also be checking out some of his other novels.
Available Now! – Published July 29, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book sucked me in from the first sentence. I loved the multiple point of views to understand how the events effect everyone involved. It also brings to light the difference between good and bad from cops to high ranking officials. I am excited to read more from this author.
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Twists and turns
This is the 8th book in the series and it was brilliant. I really like Logan, she is an easy character to connect with and is not too OTT. This book had me intrigued and anxious to find out what was going to happen next. The pacing was well done and the story was layered with mystery, suspense, action and drama. Loved the Raptor Centre setting too. Will definitely be checking out more from this author.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was one that was so hard to put down. The chapters were well written and flowed. Every time I got to the end of one of the chapters, I had to remind myself I had things I needed to do and had to stop reading. The writer wasted no time to get into the juicy crime that followed the whole book. It had me rooting for the heroine right off the bat and continued as she became stronger and more confident in herself until the very last page.
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Logan and Evka become fast friends when Logan volunteers at the raptor center. Mia is jealous of Evka’s new friendship and Evka has a secret admirer. When Logan finds Evka dead at the raptor center, it’s clear something sinister has taken place, but the local police are without leads so the trail starts to go cold. Logan takes matters into her own hands to find Evkas killer. Logan is a great character, at the beginning she appears to be quiet and in her own new world, but quickly develops into a loyal friend who only wants to find out what happened to Evka. Trust your instincts, the answers may be right in front of you.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was the perfect combination of murder, suspense, and happiness. It was a page turner from the beginning an did not stop. Angie the “Sole Survivor” goes mute after not one but two brutal attacks, until a K-9 dog Cody comes to the rescue. He also comes with a steamy sidekick Jake.
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In Plain Sight is Book 8 in the Logan McKenna Mystery Series. Logan is now married to her best friend Ben and has settled into a routine. She still plays her beloved violin, Bella, and her music career is blossoming. Life is good and Logan has time to do the things she enjoys like going for morning runs by her home on the Oregon coast. It is during these runs that she becomes fascinated with the beauty of the owls, hawks, and eagles she encounters along the way. Wanting to learn more about these majestic creatures she decides to volunteer at the Cascades Raptor Center.
Through her volunteer work at the Cascades Raptor Center Logan not only learns more about the owls, hawks, and eagles but all the work involved in caring for them after they have been rescued. She meets an amazing team of volunteers who have dedicated their lives to the care of these majestic creatures. When Logan goes into volunteer at the Cascades Raptor Center early one morning, she is shocked to discover the body of one of her beloved co-workers in one of the wards. At first glance, it appears that her co-worker has died from natural causes, but Logan cannot shake the feeling that something is not right. Logan senses that there is more to her co-worker’s death than meets the eye because her co-worker’s office was also vandalized, and a threatening note was left for the co-worker on her blackboard.
When the police investigation seems to be going nowhere fast Logan enlists the help of two of her friends and the three of them set out to solve the mysterious death of Logan’s co-worker. Thankfully, her friends have connections, and they can uncover answers that even the police and the coroner have been unable to discover in their investigations. This sleuthing by Logan and her friends has the killer’s attention now focused on Logan. The deeper her and her friends dig the more sinister secrets are revealed putting Logan’s life in danger. She is now racing against time to solve the mystery before she becomes the killer’s next victim.
I found this book impossible to put down because I needed to find out who the killer was. This book had wonderful characters and was action packed throughout. I became immersed in the lives of Logan and her friends and fully invested in the mystery of her co-worker’s death. I found myself trying to guess at the killer’s identity based on the subtle cues the author gives throughout the book. Boy, was I surprised when the killer was not who I thought it was! The killer truly was hiding in plain sight all along! I highly recommend this book and am going to ensure that I read the rest of the books in the Logan McKenna Mystery Series. If they are half as good as this book, I know that I will not be disappointed!
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book I’ve ever touched by this author…and I’m very upset with myself that it has taken me this long to discover this talent! This is one of those stories that, starting out, I wasn’t sure if it would grab me, but it sure did. I appreciate or don’t appreciate a book mostly based on how well the characters are written and how they come alive for me. This book has some great characters, not to mention a furry one that, for me, is the icing on the cake. The way this author makes a dog one of the most exciting characters is wonderful. I really enjoy a good-paced story with an interesting plot to keep my attention, and I wasn’t disappointed there, either. I will absolutely be looking into getting my hands on more books by this author because it is definitely worth the time.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brilliant!
The girl who escaped is an engaging read and is well written. The characters are intriguing and easy to love. Angie has been through a massive trauma and I felt all her emotions. Brenda is such a strong character and is so driven. I haven’t read the Jake Wolfe series by this author and didn’t realise that Jake and Cody from this book had their own books but I am definitely going to check them out. I loved their characters. With suspense and edge of seat moments, this crime thriller is a must read. Highly recommend.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the best book I have read all year! I can’t rave enough about the character development! I will certainly be looking for more books that feature one or both of the main characters! As a mother to two college women, this book hits me- right in the feels. Also, I will certainly be looking for some more books that feature either of the main characters.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Girl Who Escaped was a fast and easy read for me. The story captured me from the very start, and kept me engaged throughout the entirety of the book. I did find some parts to be unbelievable or awkwardly written, but overall, it was very easy to overlook that. The plot itself centers around women being kidnapped and then sold, so there are potentials for triggers. Brenda, an FBI agent, specializes in sole survivors of crimes and working to help solve the case. Angie, the sole survivor of an event that left her three friends dead, is the focus of the story. Jake is a former marine and is accompanied with his support canine, Cody (who is so smart and charming). Everyone works together to try to help Angie regain her voice and point out the killer, or determine if Angie is not just a victim and a witness…. The story takes on many angles and twists that keeps you entertained. Jake and Cody were probably my favorite characters in the entire story. I also just found out that these characters are actually part of other stories as well, so I will definitely be reading more into this author!
Reviewed by: @zoltrixes
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a very interesting mystery and one I enjoyed. I had a suspicion of who did it, but did not put the clues together until the end. The setting was very intriguing and, having a raptor center near my home town, I was delighted to have such a unique atmosphere. I enjoyed the little bits of motive that applied to multiple people and they were slowly chipped away until the actual one was revealed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes mysteries and look forward to reading more by this author. I also like the Pacific NW setting, somewhere that is on my list of places to visit!
In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In Plain Sight is the 8th book in the Logan McKenna series. I haven’t read them all, but have read a couple. This can be enjoyed as a stand alone book. It is full of suspense and I love that the mystery was held out until the very end. The story follows Logan and her friends, as they try to solve a murder they stumble across. The main characters are female and they are all strong leads- smart, successful, strong, etc. and I love that. This book had me captivated and I didn’t want to put it down. I struggled to learn the characters in the beginning because we are introduced to a lot in a short period of time. Most being female and I had a hard time keeping them straight. But if you have the same problem, stick it out. You won’t regret it! I look forward to reading more in the series.
Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Girl Who Escaped was the first Mark Nolan book I’ve read and I look forward to catching up on what else I’ve been missing. This was one of those thrillers that hit the ground running and really pulled you in from the first few pages. I am someone that reads a synopsis, forgets all about it and reads the book blind… so this felt even more twisty to me than it probably did some. It was fast paced and a great book to end out my summer. I often found myself holding my breath, especially during the very early chapters. For those of you with a soft spot for animals, there’s even a dog in the storyline…
Overall, great plot, great characters and a great read.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I could not stop reading and I did not want it to be over! Fast paced, suspenseful, dramatic, mysterious, and a roller coaster ride that kept taking you to the top! The characters and plot were original and amazing. The author kept you guessing, and made it so good you didn’t want to be right. New author and definitely not going to be my last book of his.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 out of 5 Stars
Be prepared to ignore life for a marathon reading session.
Mark Nolan knows how to start a book, no build up needed and right to the action. I was hooked immediately and I couldn’t put it down. I will be honest and say that when I read the first couple pages, I was internally thinking this book was going to fall flat before half way through because it jumped right into the excitement, but it honestly never lost my attention once. Throughout the entire book it played like a movie in my head, not one chapter was hard to picture/imagine.
I loved the characters, the banter between Brenda and Jake made for some laughs throughout heavy stuff. I appreciated that I truly couldn’t predict where the plot was going. I read it within 24 hours, sadly taking forced breaks for things like sleep and work, but if I could I would have read it straight through in one sitting. Mr. Nolan has made me a fan!
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Angie Taylor was out with friends when a man kidnapped them. Angie escaped but her three friends were murdered. Angie is helped by an FBI agent and a dog handler and his dog as they try to rescue more women who were kidnapped by the same man. This thriller kept me hooked. I had to know how the situation would be resolved.
