Sandy S.
UNSTABLE is the third instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult PIKE, WISCONSIN slightly romantic, suspense thriller series focusing on the people of Pike Wisconsin. This is thirty year old , Pike Wisconsin interim Sheriff Zac Evans, and cold case Detective Rachel Fisher’s story line. UNSTABLE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Told from first person perspective (the killer) and several third person perspectives UNSTABLE follows in the discovery of a body long thought buried and dead. The identity of the body in the local cemetary reveals the victim was a man thought to have died close to thirty years earlier but the exhumation of his grave exposes the remains of a woman who disappeared years before. Enter cold case Detective Rachel Fisher, interim Sheriff Zac Evan’s ex-wife, and one-half of an investigation team that will expose the resurrection of a possible serial killer. As several local women go missing, and their murders are recorded for posterity, Rachel and Zac struggle to unravel a series of clues that date back close to thirty years, clues that affirm a possible copycat killer in Pike, Wisconsin. With each murder, a new videotape is released, a videotape that may or may not be connected to the current killer or a killer from the past. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Zac and Rachel, as our couple begin to suspect a number of residents, as well as one or two of their own. Like many small towns, Pike Wisconsin’s dead refuse to remain silent, and the victims begin to talk from the grave. Rachel and Evan’s marriage imploded years before but working together pushed our couple to remember what was and what will never be. As the number of missing and murdered women begin to climb, more than one person is suspect, and a long forgotten piece of information reveals a secret that is about to be exposed. UNSTABLE is a story of murder and abuse, obsession and fixation, history and family, forgiveness and love. The premise is dramatic, intriguing and riveting; the characters are energetic, colorful and curious; the romance is passionate but limited, taking a back seat to the search for a killer.
Cheryl McCullough
Intense, creepy, murder, small town, second chance romance. What more could you ask for if you like thrillers, mystery and romance? I have read book 1 and 2 and I completely agree this can be read as a stand alone with no problems. I really liked interim Sheriff Zac and cold case detective Rachel (aka Zac's ex wife). They were relate able and thank the heavens it was not a contest to see who could be a monkeys uncle. Sorry B&N marks everything unsuitable so I have to be careful of my verbiage. The murders are brutal and I have a hard time seeing as how someone gets enjoyment from that, but I guess that's a good thing. Watching them follow clues, try to get ahead combined with memories of the past, possibilities of future and their families was intense, and drags you right in. I was right in who the killer was, but the red herrings were so well done I figured I was wrong. Then the ending had me shaking my head, say what??? Alexandra Ivy writes different genres and each one is a win. Thank you for the arc, I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #NetGalley#AlexandraIvy#Kengsintonbooks#zebra#thriller
Patricia White
First off the previous books in this series were ok and I went into this one expecting ok what I got was edge of your seat suspenseful greatness! Zac Evans is a small town sheriff with a serial killer in his backyard. When a man supposedly years dead turns up murdered in a local cemetery the puzzle begins. The student becomes the master. Rachel Evans is Zac’s ex wife and in charge of cold cases. Word of this murder leads her back to Pike. The killer is playing with them. Let’s add some spice to the game. I’ll give you 24 hours to find us. Tick tock. Little bit lacking in the romance department but that doesn’t take away from the story at all. The ending was a total shock and creepy as he** This story knocked it out of the park. It was outstanding.