Murder at Sunset Rock (Lookout Mountain Mysteries, 2)

This story had me creeped out due to the stalker! Olivia and Huck had a romantic relationship years ago. They are working together on a murder case involving Olivia’s grandfather. It’s hard because they still have feelings for each other. I feel like I got to know the characters really well, thanks to the author’s excellent writing. This was a quick read. I’m looking forward to enjoying more books from this author.

Olivia Ballard comes back home as a heartbroken woman. Her grandfather, Willy, who also raised her, has died in what has been deemed accident. Olivia already has her doubts about her grandfather falling to his death at Sunset Rock because he was always so careful. When she arrives at his home to find his house ransacked, she knows there is definitely something going on. When she calls to report the break-in, Huck Monroe, comes to the scene. This is definitely not what Olivia needed on this day. Huck broke her heart many years ago, but he loved Willy as much as Olivia did, and she knows he will work hard to figure this out and get justice for Willy. The mystery deepens the further you get into the story. Someone wants to run her out of town. Someone needs the past to stay buried in the past. Her life is in danger and Huck refuses to leave her alone. As they work together to solve the mystery of who would want to kill her beloved grandfather and now is trying to scare her, their feelings for one another come back to the surface. This was quite the puzzler. This mystery definitely fell within the intrigue category as the suspense was thrilling and the danger level was definitely red. As the puzzle pieces start falling together, everything will be revealed and the truth will shock you. Debra Webb knows how to keep her mysteries interesting and keep the reader involved. Debra Webb has written another winner. I eagerly await her next book. Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Olivia was raised by her grandfather, William Ballard, who she fondly called Willy, as did all his close family and friends. She never knew her dad and her mother died when she was four, leaving her grandparents to raise her, however, her grandmother also died at an early age, leaving just Olivia and Willy, who was an award-winning photographer who rarely was seen without his camera. Olivia was a geologist in Montana, however, upon the death of her beloved Willy, she drove straight through the night to her hometown in Tennessee. Willy had fallen off Sunset Rock, a familiar place where he regularly hiked and took pictures of the gorgeous scenery. Willy’s death at first appeared to be an accident, however, questionable circumstances began to point to many questions that went unanswered. Upon Olivia’s arrival to the only home she had ever known, it became apparent that someone had been there and possibly was still there. After calling the sheriff’s office she continued to look around and the one thing she did not see was Willy’s rare vintage Nikon. When the deputy finally arrived, what a shock it was to see Huck Monroe, who had been her best friend growing up and her first love. While Olivia was in college, she felt as though Huck had abandoned her by moving away and never even saying goodbye. Ten years had gone by and seeing him again was disconcerting. This is a fast-paced story, full of unexpected revelations and astounding circumstances. The characters are so life-like, it is hard to not picture them as real. This is a fascinating story that I could not put down until the last page was turned.

This is a fun quick romance/mystery. It fills a gap between weightier books. Very satisfying. Perfect for a quiet Sunday afternoon.