The Third Grave by Lisa Jackson

In the fourth installment of the Savannah Series, Nikki is investigating the disappearance of three young girls almost twenty years ago. As she dives deep into her investigation more people end up dead, the suspect list grows, her life is in danger. (She is) also facing personal problems in her home life (marriage).

The story moves at a steady pace leading up to a surprise ending. Although some parts I figured out, and did not like one particular event (I do not do spoilers), I was still engrossed enough to see it to the end. I recommend The Third Grave to Lisa Jackson fans and feel those who like a murder mysteries will enjoy it as well. ( )

I don't know maybe it was just me but I've read every one of Lisa Jackson's books and I have to say that I didn't enjoy this one as much. I found most of the book boring up until I got to chapter 29, and then that's when it really started to get interesting. I had figured out that Delacroix was none other than Rose and was trying to get to the bottom of what happened to her two sisters when they were all little girls. ( )

"The Third Grave" is the first novel that I have read by Lisa Jackson. I enjoy reading mysteries, and this book held my interest from start to finish. Even though I tried to determine "who done it", it was a surprise at the end. Ms. Jackson did a wonderful job setting up the plot and following through. The setting was so well described, that I had a clear vision of what the town and neighborhoods looked like through her eyes. A few reviewers only rated this book 1-3 stars solely based on the main character, Nikki. Was she likeable? Would you choose to have her as one of your friends? Probably not! In my opinion, Nikki's character is a borderline psychopath. However, her thoughts and actions do add to the dynamics of this novel.
I would recommend this novel. ( )

The Third Grave by Lisa Jackson is a highly recommended Southern Gothic crime novel.

Instead of finding the reputed fortune when searching the cellar of the deteriorating Beaumont mansion after a hurricane hits the Savannah area, a petty criminal discovers the skeletal remains of two girls. Detective Pierce Reed is called out to the scene and his wife crime writer Nikki Gillette soon clandestinely follows. The two girls are the older two Duval sisters, Holly, 12, and Poppy, 10, who have been missing for twenty years. The search is now on for the perpetrator and the third and youngest sister, Rose, 5, who is still missing. The girls went to the movies with their older brother, Owen. Rather than staying with them, Owen left to spend time with his girl friend and became the main suspect but nothing was ever proven. Now it is time to take another look at the previous investigation and Owen. As Reed is officially investigating the cold case, Nikki ignores his order for her to stay away, sure that this case will result in a successful true crime book for her, and her poor decisions result in putting herself and others at great risks.

As the fourth book set in Savannah featuring Pierce Reed and Nikki Gillette, you can read The Third Grave as a standalone novel. There is enough backstory to easily keep up with the main characters as your compelling interest will be in the mystery and solving the case. The plot does have a slow pace at the beginning but it quickly picks up as more information is uncovered. Chapters alternate from the point-of-view of different characters, including the killer, who is determined to not be identified. The key to enjoying this novel is to focus on the plot, take note of the discoveries and new information uncovered, and catch the clues pointing to the identity of the killer. There will be a few surprises along the way.

I enjoyed the novel. The cold case and the investigation are interesting, however Nikki, as the novel unfolds, increasingly becomes an unlikable character. She takes unnecessary risks. She is self-centered. Her actions are impetuous and head strong. There are consequences to her actions, but she seemingly shrugs them off. She is not disagreeable all the time, but her determination isn't tempered by a thoughtful consideration of the consequences, which feels rather immature. I had to set my opinion about her aside and simply focused on the plot, which is interesting and will hold your attention.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Kensington.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/07/the-third-grave.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4100921405 ( )

The Third Grave by Lisa Jackson
Pierce Reed/Nikki Gilbert Novel #4

I have read and loved Lisa Jackson’s books and have eagerly looked forward to reading what she writes but for some reason I could not connect with this story. I am not sure if it is because I don’t remember or haven’t read the previous three books in the series or if it is just this series that is not right for me. I just looked back over the past few years of her work that I have read and found that the more recent books have not resonated at all but that rereading her older books still do. I hope that her future books will be more my style.

My thoughts:
* Nikki: reporter, wife, pregnant, more interested in “the story” than in anything else. She takes risks that are crazy and more in line with someone half her age. I did not connect with her or even much like her.
* Pierce: detective and husband, committed to his job, wishes Nikki wouldn’t infringe on his cases but understands her need go get “the story”. (I didn’t get it but he sort of seems to).
* It took a LONG time to find out who the killer was and the motivation for the killings and then the additional killings seemed like…overkill, and it didn’t mesh and solidify for me for some reason.
* This story was not Jackson’s best work, in my opinion, but I am hopeful that her next book will be perfect and will give it a try.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

2-3 Stars ( )