Exhume (Dr. Schwartzman, #1)

by Danielle Girard

Dr. Annabelle Schwartzman has finally found a place to belong. As the medical examiner for the San Francisco Police Department, working alongside homicide detective Hal Harris, she uncovers the tales the dead can’t tell about their final moments. It is a job that gives her purpose—and a safe haven from her former life at the hands of an abusive husband. Although it’s been seven years since she escaped that ordeal, she still checks over her shoulder to make sure no one is behind her.

Schwartzman’s latest case is deeply troubling: the victim bears an eerie resemblance to herself. What’s more, a shocking piece of evidence suggests that the killer’s business is far from over—and that Schwartzman may be in danger. In this pulse-pounding thriller from award-winning writer Danielle Girard, a woman must face her worst nightmare to catch a killer.

• ISBN10: 1503939308
• ISBN13: 9781503939301
• Publish Date: 1 October 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Thomas & Mercer
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 399
• Language: English

Reviews

[chymerra]

When I first read the blurb, I was intrigued by this book. I love, love, love anything to do with medical examiner’s/CSI. I was a huge fan of Dr. G when it was on the air and CSI (the one set in Las Vegas). So it really was a no brainer that I was going to read this book.

Annabelle’s character really touched me. She got her medical degree when being stalked by her ex husband. She was paranoid (and had every right to be) about going out because she would never know when he would call and tell her that he knew what she was doing, when she was doing it and who she was doing it with. No matter, how many times she called, the police couldn’t tie anything (the phone calls, flowers) to Spencer MacDonald. And, even worse, they didn’t believe her. “He’s an upstanding citizen”, “You must be imagining it”, “He would NEVER do anything like that”.

The story itself was fantastic and you never knew where it was going to take you…even though you did know who the bad guy was. I was kept wondering until the very end if karma was ever going to catch up with Spencer and I did a fist pump when it did.

The subplots were wonderfully brought together mid book and merged into the main one. I was amazed that the author was able to do it so seamlessly. Usually there is a lag in the plot but not here. The suspense was kept up until literally the last pages of the book.

The ending was what I expected but with an extra twist to it. While things weren’t resolved, they were on their way to be and the book was left open for the second book.

How many stars will I give Exhume? 5

Why? A great thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and glued to the book. I couldn’t put it down!!

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Murder (graphic but the main character is an M.E.), spousal abuse and offensive language.

**I received Exhume from Thomas & Mercer through Netgalley as an ARC**