In The Memory Bell, author Kat Flannery transports the reader to the small town of Oakville, Illinois, for an intriguing mystery tale that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Grace Penner's family means everything to her. When her grandfather passed away, she is gifted the family heriloom, a porcelain memory bell that he said would always bring their family together. But when the bell shatters, Grace glues the bell back together and realizes that three pieces are missing. She is determined to find the three pieces and put the bell back together.

Detective Bennet James was placed on probation after an incident at the Chicago Police Department, and was sent down to Oakville until Internal Affairs makes a decision. While in Oakville, Ben investigates the remains of a young woman found in a hand dug grave at a closed down mill. The coroner reports that the death of the Jane Doe was a murder that took place twenty-five to thirty years ago. Ben befriends Grace, but as his investigation into the murder brings her family into question, Grace begins to realize that her tight-knit family aren't what they appear to really be as long buried secrets, lies, and deceptions come to the surface.

Author Kat Flannery weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in alternating third person narrative that follows Grace and Ben's story as a shattered memory bell and an old murder investigation brings them together, and reveals an interconnection that threathens to tear the Penner family apart.

The reader is easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting. It is filled with enough family dysfunction and dark secrets, possible motives and suspects, a touch of an unexpected romance, and intriguing twists and turns that definitely keeps the reader guessing until the surprising conclusion.

This was a really interesting story to read! The author does a wonderful job of providing enough clues to engage the reader, and I found myself so caught up on trying to figure out all the Penner secrets and the identity of the murderer. I loved that both Grace and Ben's backstory and personal baggage brought them together, even when Grace's family was being investigated for the murder. I loved how the author put all the pieces of the Penner's dyfunctional and traumatically emotional family mystery puzzle together, and how appearances are deceiving. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I loved how Grace and Ben were both finally able to overcome their emotional baggage.

The Memory Bell will definitely take readers on one heck of a suspenseful roller coaster ride.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-memory-bell-by-kat-flanne... ( )

Quite a good read—family drama, mystery and fierce emotion tied into one. The characters seem real and are developed as the story unfolds over the decades. The main characters are flawed yet likeable, and the family secrets are revealed in an interesting manner. Lots of twists, but not confusing, and the situations seem believable. I enjoyed reading this book, and look forward to more from this author. ( )

I enjoyed this book. It was suspenseful, but that wasn’t the only thing driving the plot. The story also brought out some good lessons, especially letting go of the hurtful things in life in order to make room for the life giving and healing things. Great book! ( )