Series: Mystery Christmas (Book 1)
Welcome to Mystery, Montana, a small town with dark secrets…
The body found in the Dunrovin Ranch stables isn't just a crisis for Wyatt Fitzgerald's family or his top priority as sheriff -- Gwen Johansen is both the victim's sister…and Wyatt's ex. And in a small town like Mystery, events of the past don't seem to fade. Maybe she'd misjudged his potential when they were younger, but now he could be her greatest ally -- and not just in the investigation. That is, if he can work his way around a broken heart. With the killer circling, the clock is counting down on more than Christmas, a time when family means everything and forgiveness is the best gift of all.
Good start to the new series. Wyatt is called to his family's ranch to investigate a suspicious death and to notify the victim's next of kin. Unfortunately for him, there is some history with that next of kin. Gwen is his ex-girlfriend, plus her mother still blames Wyatt's family for the death of her husband on the Fitzgerald ranch. Gwen is devastated by her sister's death but puts her grief aside to help Wyatt investigate Bianca's death.
I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Wyatt and Gwen. They had been high school sweethearts until Gwen broke things off, not because she didn't love him but because she loved him too much. She believed that he was better off without her. Wyatt went off to the city to pursue his dreams and has only recently returned to Mystery. Though they live in a small town, he and Gwen have managed to avoid each other until now. Both are surprised to discover that the attraction between them is still alive. Wyatt is wary of getting his heart broken again, and Gwen isn't so sure that she deserves another chance. There were times when I wanted to shake them both, as they contemplated past mistakes and dreams I wanted them to talk to each other not just think about it. Eventually, the sparks started to burn away the walls between them and they began to realize that they belonged together.
The suspense of the story was very good. It's clear from the beginning that Bianca had known the person who killed her and it's up to Wyatt and Gwen to figure it out. As they delved into Bianca's life, Wyatt and Gwen discovered that Bianca had had more secrets than either had known. Each secret that they uncover leads to more questions. Did her murder have to do with her affair with a married man? There is definitely something off about the man, but is he capable of murder? Could it be his wife, tired of his philandering ways? Or is there someone else with a grudge against her? I loved seeing Wyatt and Gwen work together through each step, coming closer and closer to discovering who it is. The final revelation comes as a bit of a surprise, and while the mystery is solved there are still some things left unresolved. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
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