A Bounty of Books

When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks is the third novel in the Gwen Marcey series. Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist who in this novel travels to Kentucky to help a small town sheriff catch a serial rapist. While there, she gets caught up in identifying a badly disfigured body found with a rattlesnake in it. This leads to an investigation into a secretive religious group of snake handlers.

Jumping in to the middle of a series was a little strange, but thankfully while I may not have appreciated some of the more character specific story lines, I could still enjoy the overall mystery. Marcey is a relatable character who does what she can to bring justice to those who have been the victim of a crime. Her personal struggles make her dedication to her job, and her determination to live, that much more impressive.

There were just enough red herrings to keep me guessing as I read this book. I didn't see the twist at the end coming at all. It was very well hidden and the reveal was very dramatic. Overall, I would recommend When Death Draws Near to anyone who is a fan of easy to read, somewhat lighthearted mysteries.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255