Virtual Tour for The Girl in the River by Kate Rhodes

Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Tour, presented by Pump Up Your Book, for The Girl in the River by Kate Rhodes. Please leave a comment or question for Kate to let her know you stopped by. 

The Girl in the River

by Kate Rhodes

Alice Quentin Series, Book 4

Publisher: Witness Impulse (Harper Collins)

Release Date: October 20, 2015
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller/ Suspense
Format: ebook/Paperback

ISBN:  978-0062444066

ASIN: B00ZP64F6E

Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google Play | Harper Collins 

Praise for the Alice Quentin series:

“A fast-moving, entertaining mix of sex, suspense and serial killings.” – Washington Post

“Alice is a vividly realized protagonist whose complex and harrowing history rivals the central crime storyline.” – New York Times bestselling author Sophie Hannah

Jude Shelley, daughter of a prominent cabinet minister, had her whole life ahead of her until she was attacked and left to drown in the Thames. Miraculously, she survived. A year later, her family is now asking psychologist Alice Quentin to re-examine the case.

But then a body is found: an elderly priest, attacked in Battersea, washed up at Westminster Pier. An ancient glass bead is tied to his wrist.

Alice is certain that Jude and her family are hiding something, but unless she can persuade them to share what they know, more victims will come.

Because the Thames has always been a site of sacrifice and death.

And Alice is about to learn that some people still believe in it…

About the book:

I was born in South London, the second daughter of two teachers. I went to the University of Essex and completed a doctorate on the playwright Tennessee Williams. As soon as I left university I began work as an English teacher and have taught at universities in Britain and the United States. I am lucky enough to write full-time now, and live in Cambridge with my husband Dave Pescod, also a writer. My study has a great view of cows grazing on Stourbridge Common down to the river Cam, perfect for daydreaming. I am very fond of my three step-sons, Jack, Matt and Frank, and have recently become step-granny to Freddie.

My first books were two collections of poetry, Reversal and The Alice Trap. I was awarded English Speaking Union and Hawthornden Fellowships for poetry, and shortlisted the Bridport and Forward Prizes.. CROSSBONES YARD was my first novel and the first in the Alice Quentin series, followed by A Killing of Angels. Both of these books take place in my birthplace London, and I love going back there to research and get ideas.

For More Information

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A huge fan of suspense, mystery and thriller books, I was thrilled to get the chance to read and review The Girl in the River by Kate Rhodes.  I was a little worried that I would have trouble connecting with the main character, Alice Quentin, since this is the fourth book in the series, but the author did an excellent job of developing both her story and Alice’s character and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to discover what Alice would discover next.  If you like psychological thrillers, you will definitely want to pick up the Alice Quentin series.

A psychologist with a flair for solving crimes, Alice Quentin is both pleased and annoyed when she receives a request from the head of the Forensic Psychology Unit of the Metropolitan Police to review one of their closed cold cases.  Especially when she discovers the victim, Jude Shelley is still alive and that her family specifically requested her case review.  A rich and politically connected family. As Alice begins her investigation, she realizes her case could be connected to an open being investigated by a detective she knows.  Will Alice be able to solve the crimes before the killer decides to claim another victim?

I easily connected with Alice and liked her approach to both the victim and the possible suspects as she reopened the case.  She easily realized that the police had botched the original investigation because they were afraid of antagonizing the politically connected family and did not properly investigate their backgrounds and alibies.  Although physically a small woman, Alice is very smart and she is tenacious.  She lets nothing stand in her way of getting to the truth, no matter how painful it is for everyone involved, including her.  I really liked that about her and I liked how she quickly recognized people’s psychological problems.  Ms. Rhodes did an excellent job making Alice likable and realistic. 

I also enjoyed watching Alice interact with the secondary characters, who were also well developed and each contributed something to the story.  While the story is told from Alice’s point of view, Ms. Rhodes also lets us into the villain’s point of view, which was quite interesting.  I definitely questioned what drove the killer and what was done to the victims. 

Will Alice discover who attacked Jude and if it is somehow connected to Jude’s family’s politics?  Will the detective working the open case be willing to work with her or get in her way? Will Alice ever manage to have a personal life while working for the police?  You will have to read The Girl in the River to find out, I really enjoyed it and will be reading the previous books in preparation for Alice’s next case. 

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Crowns

Tour Schedule

October 19

Book reviewed at Stormy Nights Reviewing

October 20

Book featured at I’m Shelf-ish

October 21

Interviewed at Review From Here

October 22

Interviewed at Literal Exposure

October 23

Book featured at Voodoo Princess

October 24

Book featured at Around the World in Books

October 25

Book featured at Archaeolibrarian

October 26

Book featured at Crystal’s Chaotic Confessions

October 27

Guest blogging at Write and Take Flight

October 28

Guest blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner

October 29

Book featured at Harmonious Publicity

October 30

Interviewed at The Writer’s Life

November 1

Book reviewed at A Room Without Books is Empty

November 2

Book reviewed at Queen of All She Reads

Book featured at Chosen By You Book Club

Book reviewed at The Self-Taught Cook

Interviewed at Deal Sharing Aunt

***FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher as a part of  book tour for a fair and honest review which in no way influenced my opinion of the reading material provided.