REVIEW: Among the Dead

Among The Dead
Author: J.R. Backlund

Rachel Carver left the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation after a particularly rough case ended in the shooting of an innocent woman. Rachel just couldn't stomach her superiors' efforts at covering up the incident, so she quit. A former colleague contacts her asking for help solving a murder case in western North Carolina. The small mountain town just isn't equipped to investigate the case, and it's going to be too long before the state can send investigators. The case turns out to be much more than just a killing. As the case becomes more complex and officers are killed, the state steps in and takes over. Rachel stays at the request of local law enforcement to continue investigating on her own. What she discovers is a shocking and sinister plot, perpetrated by someone they never would have suspected.

I live in western North Carolina, so the setting for this book is what got me interested at first. It didn't take long for me to become completely engrossed in the story. Rachel Carver is an intelligent, strong and skilled main character, although she has flaws. But that just makes her more believable and human. She makes some mistakes along the way -- like rekindling an old relationship with a local officer. I definitely enjoy a great suspense novel featuring a fiercely independent and intelligent woman as the main character. The action is fast paced with a lot of suspense. The plot is believable and engrossing. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop!

The cover art is gorgeous!

This is a promising start to a new series. I look forward to the next book!! I will definitely keep reading!

Among the Dead is J.R. Backlund's first book. He is currently at work on the second book in the series. Check out his website: https://www.jrbacklund.com/

**I voluntarily read this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**