Official Review: Snow Country Lane by Sarah Vail
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- Prisallen
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Official Review: Snow Country Lane by Sarah Vail
When she began writing Snow Country Lane, Sarah Vail said she learned about a law enforcement sting that “resulted in the rescue of at least 160 children, some still in diapers, from a child pornography and child sex trafficking ring.” When she completed the novel, there was another raid: “More than two hundred children were rescued during this raid.” While it is heartwarming that these youngsters were freed, there are many more who haven’t been. I admire the author immensely for bringing attention to the plight of these children.
Tim was just recently wed to his soulmate, Dani, when a serial killer broke into his house and threatened them with a knife. The intruder was shot and killed by Tim, saving their lives but throwing them into disarray with the outcry from the media and the public. He works as an assistant prosecutor at the district attorney’s office. Because of the shooting, not only is he not going to receive the promotion due to him, but he has to take four weeks of unpaid leave. Re-evaluating his life, Tim and Dani (who is wealthy) go skiing, along with his longtime friends, Scott and Kathy. Scott is a police officer and Kathy is a medical examiner. Mitch, the pilot of Dani’s private plane, and his wife, Shannon, accompany them. Unknown to them, a local news reporter named Beebe, who is enamored with Tim and determined to make him love her, follows them.
Tim has been notified by Kathy and Scott that young twin boys were left at a hospital near where they live. They had been raped and tortured and, subsequently, both died.
Dani had rented snowmobiles for the group, and while getting ready to ride them, Scott observed a little girl being abducted. Tim rescues the child, but the kidnapper gets away. The use of rainbow-colored duct tape in both situations ties this case to the one with the murdered twin boys. Can they find the kidnapper and unravel the child trafficking ring?
Snow Country Lane follows the first book, James Street, in the author’s mystery/suspense series, but it is a standalone novel. The beginning lets the reader know what happened in the past (the killer breaking into Tim’s home). Once the stage is set at the beginning, the novel is difficult to put down. Ms. Vail says she is an avid skier and snowmobiler and she “also studied Forensics, Criminology, and other police sciences.” Therefore, she is certainly qualified to write this book. Her style of writing is easy to understand, descriptive, and engaging. She had me shivering from the cold and sitting on the edge of my chair from the intrigue. Although there are many things to enjoy, including credible and well-developed characters, the suspense was my favorite aspect of the story.
This book deals with a few dark topics, mainly the abuse of children (sexually and in other ways). Although it is not terribly graphic, it still made me cringe. There are also murders in the story; however, they are not overly descriptive or gory. Still, this is clearly unsuitable for children. Readers sensitive to these subjects are forewarned as well.
Although sex is alluded to, it is not graphic. There are a few profanities in the story.
The topic of gun control is touched upon. Tim undergoes persecution from the public and punishment from his work for wielding a gun to defend himself from someone who broke into his house. Have we gone overboard in saying people shouldn’t have the ability to protect themselves in their own home?
I merely discovered a handful of minor errors in the book that did not disrupt the flow of the story.
As the novel was captivating and well written, I am delighted to award it a rating of four out of four stars. It is heartily recommended to readers who enjoy suspenseful mysteries with some romance added in.
******
Snow Country Lane
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Thank you so much for the kind words! I hope you get a chance to read the book!bellajavier wrote: ↑28 Mar 2020, 07:24 This is an extremely well crafted review. Definitely makes the reader want to read the book, I admire how you have captured the entire essence of the book so beautiful, in such little words.
- Prisallen
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She did, indeed, as it was a very good book! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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There were moments that I cringed from the thought of this abuse to children. However, the message is a good one: we need to protect our youngsters. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!White_Nights wrote: ↑28 Mar 2020, 10:06 The book sounds interesting, but to be hones the topics such as child abuse and rape are too heavy for me. However, your positive review can make me read the book and see how justice prevails, thanks to Tim and friends.
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I hope you get a chance to read it. Thanks for stopping by!
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It is a rather intense book. I enjoy being scared sometimes. Thanks for the comments!Cynthia_Oluchi wrote: ↑28 Mar 2020, 13:46 This is a well-crafted review! However, there seems to be more violence than romance in it. The very kind of book that scares me a lot.
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Thank you for the amazing review!