Review of Forgive Me Not

[Emmanuel Asamoah 5]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Forgive Me Not" by Lacynda Mathes.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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"Forgive-Me-Not" by Lacynda Mathes is a captivating mystery novel that weaves together a complex web of family secrets, hidden pasts, and unexpected connections. The story follows Deb Bradley, a young woman grappling with the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Kathy Kaminski, and the aftermath of a mass shooting that claimed the life of her boyfriend, Mark Redmond.

Mathes skillfully builds tension and suspense throughout the novel, as Deb and her sister Katelynn uncover long-buried truths about their family history and the shocking revelations that tie their mother's past to the present-day tragedies. The author's vivid descriptions and well-crafted dialogue bring the characters to life, making them relatable and engaging.

As Deb navigates her grief and the mounting danger surrounding her, she finds an unlikely ally in Master Sergeant Gavin Mahoney, a charming and intelligent state trooper who becomes increasingly involved in the investigation. The budding romance between Deb and Gavin adds an extra layer of depth to the story, as they both grapple with their own personal demons and the challenges of the case.

Mathes deftly handles the intertwining plotlines, revealing the connections between the various characters and events in a way that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The novel's pacing is excellent, with each chapter building upon the last and leading to a satisfying and unexpected conclusion.

The editing of the novel is top-notch, with no noticeable errors in grammar, punctuation, or formatting. The clean and polished text allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the story without any distractions.

I rate "Forgive-Me-Not" 5 out of 5 stars for its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and masterful handling of suspense. In terms of criticism, I would say that though the novel's central mystery is compelling, some readers may find the number of coincidences and connections between characters a bit overwhelming at times. However, this does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

"Forgive-Me-Not" is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense novels that delve into the complexities of family dynamics and the far-reaching consequences of past actions. Mathes has crafted a gripping tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the truth behind Kathy Kaminski's disappearance and the web of secrets that surrounds her family.

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Forgive Me Not
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[Valerie Garza 4]

I like this book very inspirational

[Prohlife Jobs]

I am a huge fan of mystery and suspense novels, and this sounds like a book that will keep me on the edge of my seat. The unexpected ending you mentioned is something I look forward to reading. Thank you for the great review.

[Osvaldo Borghese]

I like thriller and mystery books, and I cannot wait to read "Forgive Me Not". thanks for your review.

[Amy Luman]

This type of novel is one of my favorites in regards to the mystery, but not the subplot of romance. It does seem to be relevant in that it has relation to many current events. Finding out family secrets is a recurring theme in novels of this genre. Thanks!

[NetMassimo]

This seems like a thriller full of twists with revelations concerning Deb's family with unexpected ramifications. Character interactions seems central to develop the plot with excellent pacing. Thank you for your great review!

[Seetha E]

This emotionally charged and suspenseful novel revolves around the events affecting people close to Deb. Your review gives a great overview of what to anticipate. Thank you for your thoughtful review. I'm definitely adding this to my reading list.

[A new me]

The twists and tragedies in this book must be a lot, however I think I would love to read it. Thank you very much for this brilliant review.

[Christina Holtzclaw]

Your review is spot-on in highlighting the novel's strengths, especially the flawless editing and Mathes's careful pacing. This story indeed feels like a page-turner, with each revelation drawing us deeper into the web of secrets. Thanks again for such a detailed and engaging review—Forgive-Me-Not truly is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense.

[Haseena Hamza]

Forgive Me Not by Lacynda Matres is a compelling murder mystery involving a myriad of characters whose relationships with each other and family histories provide the key to unlocking the identity of a sniper who killed various people near a recent apartment fire. Taking place in Batavia, Illinois, the story centers around two women, Miranda and Deb. They strangely have a cordial relationship even though Miranda is engaged to Detective Dan Bradley, Deb's ex-husband who walked out on her and their son. An investigation begins with the disappearance of Deb's mother after a fire in her apartment. When Deb and her new beau, a police detective, visit the burned apartment, a sniper unexpectedly shoots him and others standing nearby. Adding to the mystery, someone begins stalking Miranda. Master Sergeant Gavin Mahoney from the Illinois State Police joins Dan to investigate what appears to be unrelated events. They uncover Deb's dark family history and tie what seemingly are unrelated past events together to help solve the mysteries.

Author Lacynda Matres has written a gripping murder mystery that will keep you on your toes trying to figure out how events from the past connect with the murder case and disappearance of Deb's mom. For the most part, the narrative is fast-paced and smoothly written with no noticeable errors. Characters are engaging and the dialogue is natural. As with any good mystery, "red herrings" are mixed in with actual clues that could lead to a wrong conclusion. Unexpected twists in the story also add to the suspense. The ending is satisfying and ties all loose ends together.

The story is told from the perspective of various characters, some of whom aid the detectives as they track down the sniper and uncover the motivation for killing each person at the crime scene. I particularly liked Gavin Mahoney, whose romantic interest in Deb could complicate the case as he investigates. However, it is sometimes a challenge to keep track of the various characters and how they are related to each other.

Forgive Me Not will appeal to readers who enjoy reading fast-paced, complex murder mysteries with a tinge of psychological and romantic elements that add intrigue to the story.

[Author K]

I love a good murder mystery with some romance in it, and this book seems to be exactly that. Your review makes me want to read the book so it's definitely going on my bookshelf. I am excited to see not only how the mystery uncovers but also where the budding relationship between Deb and Gavin will take us. Thank you for the excellent review!