In Ripple Effect by Brenda Lyne, policeman Mike Franklin frets over a cold case, the only one he was never able to solve: a missing girl from fifteen years ago. But then a pile of bones is found in a Wisconsin forest. The only clue is the charm bracelet found next to the remains and a spot of blood on decaying material. The ghost of the dead girl hovers nearby, tied to the bracelet, as the story unfolds through her eyes. She does not know who she is nor anything of the crime itself. She cares for Mick, his sad history of losing his family, and his tendency to drink. She cannot communicate with him, but, as he has the bracelet in his possession, she follows the story as little by little, the truth comes out. Nic, a new detective, uses DNA through forensic genetic genealogy to discover who the murdered girl was. Now they need to discover who killed her. The answers uncover a web of lies and devastating deceit for two families living miles apart.

I loved Brenda Lyne’s Ripple Effect, and that is such a clever title. Told from the point of view of the dead girl, Cardinal Doe, via the charm bracelet that tethers her to earth, she is a compulsive character, along with Detective Mike Franklin. His character is real, even to his habits, such as the way he clicks his pen. There is also a parallel story in his history that keeps the reader guessing until the end. A third character, Nic Morris, is endearing once he learns how to interact with the other staff members. I also liked how Mike recorded his thoughts as the investigation proceeded, and we also got a glimpse into the past. Lyne’s descriptions are excellent, especially the murder scene; you can see it so clearly and feel the terror and pain. I highly recommend this book to crime thriller fans.

Ripple Effect by Brenda Lyne is a crime novel that follows Detective Mike Franklin and Samantha. Mike lost his wife and daughter in a tragic incident that occurred in his home, while Samantha is a ghost who woke up to find her decomposing body lying in the woods. The authorities learned about the body and started an investigation led by Mike. He was obsessed with the case, seeing it as a way to find peace and absolve himself from the guilt over his family's loss. Samantha's ghost also hoped that her killer would be found so she could be at peace. After many failed attempts to find the identity of the deceased, a new detective, Nic Morris, joined the case. They discovered a man with a stolen identity, whose DNA matched that of Samantha, living as a different person. A lot of discoveries were made with shocking truths unraveling bit by bit.

I loved how the story moved smoothly between the past and present, revealing the mysteries in a way that kept me engaged throughout. The characters were well-developed, especially Mike Franklin. His personal struggles and how he dealt with his trauma and guilt made the book more touching and relatable. The exploration of themes of identity, the consequences of our choices, and the impacts they have on others made it more than just a regular crime thriller. The way Brenda Lyne started with heavy suspense was incredible. From the prologue alone, I was already very curious to know what would happen, and it was beyond my expectations. The writing style uses interrogations, chit-chats, dramatic scenes, and emotional ones, which were blended in such a way that I felt as if I was watching a movie. I recommend Ripple Effect to readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction that touches on topics like mental health, family dysfunction, and the consequences of one's actions.