Where Angels Rest (The Mann Family)

by Kate Brady

[layawaydragon]

I must confess, I’m not the biggest fan of romantic suspense as the hero saves damsel plot is irritating (not to mention the problematic nature of such) and find it predictable. However, I do hop around and sometimes I’m in the mood for a criminal case + relationship drama.

Where Angels Rest’s blurb sounded interesting enough so I looked through the reviews to decide. As usual, the positive reviewers were nice while the negative reviewers were crucial. The reviewers who found the romance understated sealed it for me because I don’t usually dig plain romance and hate when it dominates in subgenres by sacrificing other elements.

Where Angels Rest succeeded in hooking me and keeping me on the line until I finished it. I didn’t finger the killer before revealed either. This creepy serial killer can fulfill your needs for pathological sickness and craftiness. If the ending was slightly different, it’d be a new favorite.

I may not be sold on its sequel but when I’m in the mood again, I know which author I’ll be checking out first.

Bonus: Stone Angels are fucking disturbing. I thought that before Dr. Who, when my grandma’s friends had shelves of the fuckers whose eyes always followed you.

Pros
awesome suspenseful thriller
creepy, determined, smart villain with a clear pathology
I didn't figure out either mystery or killer before revealed
Likable characters, especially Erin and her advocacy
Understandable, sexy, sweet romance between two compatible people. Their romance does impact how they act and respond, but they never forget who they are - victim‘s advocate and law enforcer. IMO, balancing wonderfully.

Cons
Climax is predictable
Conclusion quickly wraps up, rather conveniently unrealistic and clichéd, which was unsatisfying
Cops unrealistically handling a rape case and rape victim well, which while boost hero status for characters plays into harmful myths about rape and the justice system

The characters: typical but well-done and compelling

Nick is a jaded cop who retreated to the countryside for a peaceful life (pfffft). Think Booth from the TV show Bones minus Bones and babies. While Erin’s every tragically strong female crusader. Yet, Erin’s so charming since I’ve known many victims and their advocates.
Nick’s got everything going on with faux flaws and had some hero-building moments that I can't help falling for. Even though I know it's a ploy, like stepping back and not pulling macho man shit. Erin on the other has the predictable hang-ups and past but I love her advocacy. Besides the stellar plot with a villain out of Criminal Minds, that’s my favorite part.

The Romance Vs. Suspense Tug-o-war

I’m not keen on pure romance novels and am no fan of grand romantic gestures. I like the everyday subtle moments. Erin and Nick have that kind of gradual quiet romance incubated by a thrill ride case.

It’s not so much that it steals focus like “WTF! What are you doing with a killer after you?!?” and nothing plot-wise was sacrificed to make it work. Love didn’t transform them and didn’t need to because they were already compatible. They’d still be working together similarly, just minus the kissy-fuck-y moments.
My type of romance but fair warning, others did find it unsatisfying.

My suspension of disbelief as a survivor

There’s nothing over the top convenient or ridiculous that I recall or took note of in Where Angels Rest (like being too dumb to live) unless you count relationship hyperdrive. There’s at least one scene though that subverts a stupid trope. The only other thing that’s unrealistic, unfortunately, is the police’s treatment of rape victims.

I know plenty of advocates, like Erin, who are awesome but cops? They are traumatizing in most rape cases. (Hell, every single example that I’ve heard of, but I’ll be charitable that at least some exist, somewhere.) On one hand, it’s nice to see non-asshole cops and helps bolster our hero’s status; On the other, this only happens in fictional media and perpetuates false ideas.

It wasn’t enough to make me stop reading but it did make my eyes roll and break immersion. It’s not something I could read without noticing. I wish cops were more like these ones.

Where Angels Rest had an opening to be true to life and facts. That could’ve been a pivotal point for character growth and bonding. Where Angels Rest is great and I thought the rape scene itself was well handled; I just can’t help wondering...“What if?”

The un-happy (for me) ending

There's only two things I didn’t enjoy within Where Angels Rest: there wasn’t enough of Erin’s profession and the reach-y, rush-y ending. The Erin part I can understand, it’s the conclusion that gets me. I can enjoy a predictable climax because those can still leave me reaching for a cigarette, but I won’t roll over for a “that’s it?” dénouement.

It felt rushed and forced to allow the next book, Where Evil Waits, to be about another couple. Nick’s brother seemed interesting enough, in “I’m so good, I’m bad” kind of way, but I do not appreciate cutting characters I like short to make room for new ones. I’d jump at the chance to read Erin and Nick moving forward, but I’m still 50-50 on continuing the family affair.

At the least, I can recommend Where Angels Rest as a great suspenseful romance, like Castle meets Criminal Minds. (Tweet this) It has everything I want from a romantic suspense novel: with characters who value catching a killer over fucking and a worthwhile case. It’s too bad rape culture and series objective got in the way.


Conclusion:



Where Angels Rest is typical of the genre but well done, including the rape portrayal. I just felt let down with the quick wrap up ending and the perfect cops. I don’t think I could ever get enough of Erin being an advocate though. Nothing groundbreaking but if you want crime fighters on a case finding love, it’s perfect.

Recommend For: romantic suspense lovers, people who want a spice of romance in their thrillers, anyone who wants a page-turning mystery, if you want a victim’s advocate as a heroine, or a creepy, screwed up killer.