This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by S. Mathur for Readers' Favorite
Bright Girl by Nancy Basile is a gripping murder mystery set in a small town in West Virginia. Detective Shelby Reed has just moved to Locust Grove after a personal tragedy connected with her work. But the peaceful setting is deceptive, and the murder of a popular high school student, who was likely to be the valedictorian, shakes the community. As Shelby and her new partner, the annoying and good-looking Detective Jasper Erickson, investigate, they realize that behind the perfect facade, everyone is hiding something. At the same time, Shelby has to struggle to keep her own experience from influencing the case. As they run out of leads to follow, they realize that the killer has been hiding in plain sight.
The title Bright Girl is ironic, since the beautiful young victim’s life hides so many secrets. Nancy Basile skillfully handles the bleak implications of a close-knit community being ripped apart. In the best tradition of detective murder mysteries, the brisk repartee between the mismatched pair of investigators serves as a counterpoint to their grim task. The many and varied characters, including high school students and staff, the parents of the victim and suspects, sleazy minor criminals, and doughnut-loving cops, are all true to life. Shelby’s struggles with her past and her family make her very likable and relatable. While the ending is a surprise, there are clues sprinkled throughout for the attentive reader. Fans of detective murder mysteries will want to read this, and also sequels featuring this duo of investigators.
