Sweet After Death

A town without fear. A town not riddled with more than turbulent weather changing and as fickle as a young girl searching for romance. The cold hard winds blow and the sleet and ice cover the ground and an unsuspecting doctor is called to tend to a sick child in the middle of the night. Little Dr. Robert Dennen know it would be his last and final house call. Once again author Valentina Giambanco sets the stage for a bone chilling and cold hearted murder that makes her a signature five star crime novelist.

Alice Madison and Kevin Brown her partner along with crime scene investigator Amy Sorensen are sent to what the residents of Ludlow think or thought until now a crime free town filled with hardworking people trying to get by.

The victim is burned beyond recognition and law enforcement made the strategic decision to call for help. Each person on the team would struggle to find and uncover answers evidence and deal with those members of law enforcement of this small town.

But, people talk granted they admired the young Doctor whose wife was devastated and whose children were frightened, but this killer is just starting and it will take all of their expertise to stop what someone had set in motion.

A mayor willing to help but what is he hiding and his assessment of the doctor was vague. The chief seem amiable and willing to provide shelter manpower and assistance where he can in a town foreign to violent and horrific crimes. But events spiral in different directions and we also learn more about Madison and her childhood past and nightmares.

Alice and her team with help from the chief and the mayor will attend the vigil for the doctor. Meeting Doctor Lynch we learn about his relationship with Robert warrants are needed to access his office and something odd noticed. But there’s another thread dealing with a family and child abuse that is evident as we hear one young mans voice describing his actions fostered by his father’s commands. Just where does the Tanner family fit in and when child services arrived why did the father reject them?

At the vigil a sniper takes aim and Ty Edwards is the victim but why?

The crime scene assessed and samples taken and a young boy named Sam faces cruelty from an abusive father and family whose teachings border on criminal.

Added in a message was found to alert authorities but would it have been delivered if someone were alive? As Madison fights her own demons and her feelings for Flynn. Each member of the team works alone and in precise precision and enters everything accordingly.

The sheriff and chief have their roles in a town new to death caused by violence as the author makes us aware that no town is immune to hate violence revenge and safety is paramount everywhere and stay alert.

Told to remain in their homes give me stand guard at their windows but one ventured in another location and something odd occurred but he kept it silent and to himself. Who or what did these five men see?

Jeb Tanner is more then dangerous he’s abusive and appears you think he’s above the laws. Twelve children terrified of him and fearful of his ire and wrath. But, Madison and Brown questioned him and to no avail learned little but Madison realizes he’s dangerous and hopefully someone will stop him as you hear this lunatics voice and his justification for his actions. Added in just why did his wife leave and why abandon her children? Digging into his past and realizing the danger his children are in will anyone come to their rescue and will anyone step up to save them? As we learn about one of his sons who he claimed ran away but an unholy truth will be revealed.

No one in town will talk about him including Joyce owns the Diner. The two deputies even act strangely as both Hockley and Kupitz

Wonder what’s next? So why is Kupitz acting odd?

Some endings bring new beginnings and the truth behind the deaths will shock readers as lies, deception and unholy alliances come to pass as Ludlow might never be the same and Jeb tanner might find and feel the wrath of Alice Madison. Her dreams of someone that taught her to survive bring back memories that will linger in her past remembrances and in the present. Author Valentina Giambanco strikes a hard balance between truths that will come to light and lies that will stay hidden as a courageous deputy and a strong willed chief join forces with a tenacious team from Seattle and the end result might renew your faith and hope in justice.

A judge that would not allow DNA testing from Tanner and someone that steps up and the truth about someone close comes to light as the author reveals more about the people targeted by a dangerous killer and the reasons why they had to die. Madison realizes that someone is in danger but will she and her team get there before it’s too late. How will the truth affect those close to the men who have been hidden in plain sight for years and why did so many come to this town of Ludlow to hide and begin again? Dr. Robert Dennen learned something and wanted to make a difference but someone wanted what he knew silenced. Someone knew something about Ty Edwards or was he the real target? The revelations will stupefy you and the final reveal will send chills down your spine.
Characters that are solid, strong and a town that was never riddled with murders and violence would learn that no one is immune and that stepping up to the plate they learned much from the Detectives and Crime Scene Investigator and just because they are small town does not mean their law enforcement team can’t turn up the heat.

Fran Lewis: just reviews/MJ network/MJ magazine