Sharon Kae Reamer

Doesn't quite work, but contain plenty of interesting points nonetheless. It is the start of a proposed multi-book series, but has the feel of a book midway along where references are made to important events in the past, but you don't really know what happened. I assume the author has the complex backstory developed in her notes, and will slowly reveal details over the rest of the series along with the rest of the narrative arc. It's an interesting premise at least.

Catie's lead a reasonably ok life so far, but suffered (we gradually learn) a few hardships along the way. She'd been invovled in a bike accident and nearly died, seeing the Grim Reaper reaching for her, before her brother pulled her away. After the death of her mum and a bitter break-up she's giving up on Texas and going to live with the aforementioned brother Gus, who's working in a seismology project in Koln, Germany. Cattie fortunately speaks a little German, and he brother has, unbeknown to her, made lots of arrangements to ease her into her new life whilst he's busy with his work. One of whom is a close friend, the Tall Dark and Mysterious Hagan who has his own Castle and butler. Cattie falls (rebounds) for him hard, but is then put off by his reluctant manner, while she's processing this Gus is arrested, and she needs all the help she can find, from a friendly neighbour to some of Gus's old flames to work out what's going on.

Parts of it work very well. The language issue is well handled (many other famous authors take note this is how it's done) the character either understands, has someone translate, or is in that foreigner situation where you know a few words, but have to consciously translate a few more, before asking to speak in English. I'm guessing the seismology was accurate enough given the author's history and at least epicentre isn't mis-used. The supernatural side was more confusing. Carrie's introductions to it worked well, she treats it all as a dream/aberration (and it will be interesting to see the big reveal in later books), but Hagen et al reveal very little of what's actually going on which is less clear for the reader. It also led into my biggest grip which is cutaways to the bad team discussing what to do. They aren't characters given any depth or sympathy so just don't include them, the reader will discover their actions along with the heroine. Plot wise it eventually more or less made sort of sense, but there was quite a while in the middle where I'd lost track of which business characters was which and what they were or were not supposed to be doing. Primary Fault of the title refers to particularly German way of designating chief suspect. There were other little odd cultural specifics which I wasn't familiar with and came across as slightly confusing, eg a bolo tie. These could mostly be ignored, but didn't help with the general comprehension.

Interesting enough premise that if I come across the rest of the series I'll probably try them, but I'm unlikely to actively seek them out.… (meer)