Guilt by Association

(A Murder in the Mountains #3)

by Heather Gilbert

Description

Tess Spencer hadn't planned on returning to her hometown, but when her ex-prisoner mom puts in a special request, Tess overcomes her hesitance to help her turn over a new leaf. Pearletta Vee's drug-dealing past is resurrected when the body of an overdosed teen shows up—right next to her trailer. Tess decides to stick around and investigate, yet the evidence is stacked against Pearletta. Tess suspects a setup—but why? Never one to back down from a challenge, Tess takes on a wayward teen, an abusive grandma, and more than one drug dealer in her quest for the truth. But it's going to take a miracle to keep her from becoming a casualty in her own personal war on drugs. Plunging into the shadowy reality of the drug epidemic in West Virginia, Guilt by Association is the third book in the award-winning Murder in the Mountains mystery series.

Biography

HEATHER DAY GILBERT, a Grace Award winner and bestselling author, writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, generational story-telling runs in her blood. Heather writes Viking historicals and contemporary mystery/suspense. Publisher's Weekly gave Heather's Viking historical Forest Child a starred review, saying it is "an engaging story depicting timeless human struggles with faith, love, loyalty, and leadership."

Find Heather on Pinterest (heatherdgilbert), Instagram (@heatherdaygilbert), Twitter (@heatherdgilbert), and Facebook (heatherdaygilbert). You can find all her books at heatherdaygilbert.com.

My Perspective ~

A familiar character to those of us who have been biting our nails throughout this series, Tess takes us on another bone chilling adventure to the mountains of West Virginia. Summoned by her ex-convict, former drug dealing mom, Tess hesitantly takes to the mountains to visit her. Her recent release from prison has Tess wary of spending time with her, and shortly after her arrival the body of a teen aged boy is discovered beside her mom's trailer. It appears the boy has died from a drug overdose. Trouble looms!

Multiple characters play key roles throughout this multi layered mystery, and drug abuse is big business in the small town of Boone. Tess can't resist a challenge when it comes to solving a crime, and makes herself "at home" in her mom's trailer, intent on discovering whatever information becomes available regarding the teen's death. Her mom disappears, raising concern that her mom may have been involved.

Written with depth and detail the author sets up multiple possibilities regarding who might be behind the drug deals occurring in and around Boone. Any one of a number of people could be responsible for mysterious deaths due to bad drugs or drug overdoses. Tess leaves no stone unturned.

I found myself holding my breath and reading as fast as I could to discover what was around the next corner! I had absolutely no clue who was wreaking all the havoc within the drug community. Everyone was a suspect, but the answer to my questions was not what I expected. Another page turner by Heather Gilbert! Pick up a copy to see what I'm saying! If you're like me you'll have goosebumps while reading this book! 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a gift. There were no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.