At seventy‑one, Amy Bridges Parker never expected her life to feel like a coming‑of‑age story, but grief, family complications, and a shocking murder have a way of forcing a woman to rediscover who she really is. And Amy is stronger, wiser, and more resilient than anyone realizes.
About the Book
Amy Bridges Parker has spent decades living under subtle control, first from her late husband, and now from her domineering sister Clara. But when Clara turns up dead just days after Amy’s husband passes, Amy’s world tilts again.
The sheriff quickly finds a suspect: a young man claiming to be the grandson of Amy’s first husband, the one she lost in Vietnam fifty‑two years ago. He had a grudge… and maybe he went after the wrong sister.
Amy isn’t convinced. She likes the young man, trusts her instincts, and knows better than most that her sister, Clara, once a mean girl in high school, left a long trail of enemies behind her. Old grudges run deep in small towns, and Maple Creek is no exception.
As Amy digs into the past, she uncovers secrets, motives, and decades‑old wounds. But the truth may be closer, and more dangerous, than she ever imagined.
Book HookUp Book Review: Troubled Water
Troubled Water is a beautifully reflective, character‑rich cozy mystery anchored by a strong, believable protagonist. Amy Bridges Parker is resilient, independent, and vulnerable in all the right ways. Her emotional arc, shaped by losing her husband and her difficult sister within days, brings her back to the woman she truly is. Her age adds depth, humor, and realism to the narrative, and the author handles her seventy‑one‑year‑old perspective with honesty and empowerment.
Her relationship with her adult son is supportive, though complicated by the arrival of the young man claiming to be her first husband’s grandson. The tension is handled with warmth and growth, and Amy’s protective instincts shine as she shields him from suspicion and keeps certain truths from the sheriff.
The mystery itself is layered and engaging. Clara was disliked for decades, and in a small town, old wounds never quite heal. The author crafts believable guilt for several characters, and the clue trail unfolds with balanced emotional suspense. The final reveal is both satisfying and believable.
The small‑town atmosphere is cozy, nostalgic, and tinged with tension—full of lived‑in history, old grudges, and secrets waiting to surface. The pacing is perfect, blending reflection, humor, and gentle suspense.
I highly recommend this wonderful fit for readers who enjoy senior sleuths, small‑town secrets, and character‑driven mysteries with emotional depth.
There is a King Sumo Giveaway for this tour. Enter to win!
- Giveaway Prize is a signed paperback of the book, Troubled Water
- A Grumpy Cat 2027 wall calendar
- Grumpy Cat stickers
- A Troubled Water tea (or coffee) mug
- Taylor's of London teabags (English Breakfast tea, and Yorkshire Gold)
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BookHookUp Content Note
Clean fiction. No profanity, no graphic violence, no sexual content. Themes include grief, aging, family dynamics, and long‑buried small‑town grudges. Reflective tone with gentle suspense.
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I received a free copy of this book for review from Great Escapes Book Tours and recieved no compensation for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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I received a copy of this book from with no compensation, and all opinions are my own. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
About the Author
Kassandra Lamb has two loves: writing and psychology. In her youth, she discovered that writers need day jobs in order to eat. Partial to food, she studied psychology. Now retired from a career as a psychotherapist and college professor, she spends most of her time in an alternate universe with her characters. The magic portal to this universe (i.e., her computer) is in Florida, where her husband and dog catch occasional glimpses of her. Kass has authored over 40 books, including four mystery series and a romantic suspense trilogy.
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