⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This installment was a ride — twisty, tense, emotional, and full of the small‑town chaos that makes this series so addictive.
This is the fourth installment of the Rose Gardner Investigations Series. A mother hires Rose and Neely Kate to find her missing 19-year-old daughter after the local police, evidently not very capable, have seemingly dismissed the case since she is an adult. What sounds like a straightforward missing person case quickly entangles Rose in a mystery far bigger, messier, and more perilous than she ever intended. What begins as a seemingly simple situation spirals into a web of secrets, shifting alliances, and the kind of trouble only Rose, with her signature mix of determination and heart, could stumble into. As always, her instincts are sharp, her courage is steady, and the stakes feel higher than ever.
Rose juggles her landscaping business, her investigative work with Neely Kate, and a relationship with James that is, frankly, getting on my last nerve. It’s a chaotic mix that would drive anyone insane.
James, in particular, tested every ounce of my patience. His hot-and-cold behavior, the emotional tug-of-war, and his inability to decide what he wants are incredibly frustrating. It’s even harder to watch Rose put up with it. She deserves clarity, commitment, and someone who shows up without hesitation. Either he steps up, or she needs to move on, because Rose has earned more than being someone’s “maybe.”
Despite that relationship frustration, the story itself is fantastic—full of tension, humor, and Denise Grover Swank’s signature charm. It’s a strong, engaging addition to the series, and it left me excited for what comes next.
A solid, satisfying five stars.
If you have read this series, share your thoughts in the comments
Chapters & Lattes 