Joe Hart

Never Come Back by Joe Hart has Oregon family advocate and former forensic investigator for CPS Nora McTavish investigating two very different domestic cases. It is a very highly recommended domestic thriller.

Nora is settling into her new practice at Sanctuary Family Advocacy when Gayle and Joel Pearson ask for her help. Gayle’s grandmother, Arlene Jones, has taken custody of their daughter Ivy, seemingly based on their intellectual disabilities. The two can prove that they are good parents and have done everything asked of them. Nora accepts their case and finds them a lawyer, no charge, but it's not as easy as it seems.

Next Nora receives a phone call from childhood friend Tess Hannover Grayson. They haven't spoken for years. It seems that Tess's husband, Professor Neil Grayson, was arrested and later released for the murder of student Allie Prentiss. The two are in the middle of a divorce and custody dispute over nine-year-old Kendra (Kenny). Nora visits Tess to catch up and offer support but soon becomes embroiled in the custody case that is increasingly turning treacherous.

This is an exceptional followup to the first Nora McTavish novel, Where They Lie. She continues to be a very sympathetic, trustworthy protagonist and her character is further developed in this outing. Nora did have a difficult childhood, to say the least, but her background also gives her insight and empathy into the cases she works, as does her time with Child Protective Services (CPS) as a forensic investigator. She is really a great character with keen insight into human character and an eye for details. I'm looking forward to more investigations by Nora.

The pace is fast and includes plenty of discoveries, disclosures and twists in the plot. What seems obvious quickly escalates into a dangerous situation and those involved may not be as reliable as they seem to be. The suspense and tension rise with each chapter and the action will thoroughly hold your attention. While it is a domestic thriller, it also delves into the territory of a psychological thriller and a murder mystery, making it even more critical and dangerous. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/03/never-come-back.html… (meer)

Another one I read because it’s an Edgar paperback nominee.
This is a very standard mystery, with a nice combination of family characters and background and the token affair thrown in to stir the pot.

I absolutely hate mystery books where the main character is a mystery writer ( Watson being the one exception) I feel like every time it’s mentioned I’m pulled out of the narrative and forced to sit next to the author staring at his keyboard.This book had that strike against it.
Otherwise , it was a fine, standard page turner
… (meer)

Nora has struggled with her past for years so when someone from that time reaches out for her professional help, she really cannot say no. Not when there is a child involved. Her friend from childhood is in the midst of trying to protect her daughter as her husband was the number one suspect in a college students death but the charge did not stick and so now he is fighting to get more custody of his daughter. But things are never as they seem and as Nora tries her best to help her friend and her daughter things are not seeming to add up and the mixed information she is getting has her questioning her friends true motive for Nora's help. Maybe justice did get this one right, and the husband is innocent but with a child in the middle Nora knows she cannot leave until the truth comes out. This was such a good read and I really enjoyed the storyline and how it all came together. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Thriller Book Lover Promotions for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.… (meer)