Strings of Glass by Emily Kimelman -- Review and Giveaway

(Mystery/Thriller)

This review is in conjunction with a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly drawn commenter will receive a Strings of Glass tote bag--for a better chance to win, click on the tour banner--visit and comment on her other stops as well.

STRINGS OF GLASS is the fourth novel in Emily Kimelman's Sydney Rye Series of dark murder mystery novels. This series features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. It is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

Sydney Rye is hanging out in India with her boyfriend, Dan, reading paperbacks and sipping beer. No violence and no reminders of her past. But when she and Blue, are attacked by a pack of wild dogs, Sydney starts to feel that old itch again; to do good by being bad.

Trouble finds Rye when she stops the attempted rape and murder of Anita, a reporter working on a story of corruption and human trafficking. The atrocities Anita describes send Sydney, Blue and Dan on a quest that takes them across India after a dangerous and, up until now, untouchable, figure. While Sydney struggles to accept her true nature she realizes that it is the only way to end decades of abuse and exploitation. But Rye fears that she will lose herself, becoming no better than the monster she fights against.

Ms. Kimelman jumps right into the action with an attack on Sydney and Blue by a pack of feral dogs. My heart was racing during the fight--it was that clearly drawn! And, things don't slow down much from that first moment.

Sydney and Dan are chilling out--and Dan is loving it. Sydney is too, but she's getting itchy feet--especially after the adrenaline rush she feels after the dog fight.

This, of course, leads to conflict with Dan--a conflict not helped by the reappearance of Mulberry into their lives. And, when Sydney stumbles into an attempted rape and murder, she jumps right in--and discovers a hidden darkness of corruption and abuse in India involving children and a powerful, virtually unstoppable, man.

Ms. Kimelman's stories just keep getting better and better. Her character development is spot on--there's never a feeling of "she wouldn't do that" when Sydney does or says something. It's one reason I enjoy her books so much. I really care about the characters and what they are going through. And, the development she leaves us with at the end... oh, man. :::zips lips shut:::

Although this book could probably be read as a stand-alone (like the rest of her books) I really feel that the reader would be doing herself a disservice if she didn't read them in order. To be able to see where Sydney started and where she winds up--well, that's a joy (pun intended) in itself.

4 stars, Ms. Kimelman.

About the Author:

Emily Kimelman lives on a boat in the Hudson Valley with her husband, Sean and their dog Kinsey (named after Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone). Kimelman has a passion for traveling and spends as much time as possible in the pursuit of adventure.

Her "Sydney Rye Series" are dark murder mystery novels which features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. This series is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

The first three books in Kimelman's series, UNLEASHED, DEATH IN THE DARK, and INSATIABLE are available in the Kindle store individually and in a box set. The fourth book in the Sydney Rye series STRINGS OF GLASS is also now available.

If you've read Emily's work, and enjoyed it, please let Emily know. You can reach her via email ejkimelman@gmail.com

Find Emily on her website, Facebook, and Twitter @ejkimelman. Buy the books on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.