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.
Jodé Millman is the author of the “Queen City Crimes” Series. She has been the recipient of the Independent Press, American Fiction, and Independent Publisher Bronze IPPY Awards, and was a Finalist for the Romance Writers of America Daphne DuMaurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Clue, and the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award. She’s an attorney, the host/producer of The Backstage with the Bardavon podcast, and the creator of The Writer’s Law School. Jodé lives with her family in the Hudson Valley, where she is at work on her next novel inspired by true crimes in the region she calls home.
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Empty Kayak by Jodé Millman is a mystery with a difference. Olivia and Kyle are kayaking along the Hudson River when a storm rolls in out of nowhere. While Olivia finds her way back to shore, her fiancé, Kyle, doesn’t. Detective Ebony Jones arrives at the river to help them, but discovering who the missing man is sends shockwaves through her. He’s her best friend’s ex-boyfriend, and Jessie and Kyle share a daughter. Ebony must investigate the mystery of what happened to Kyle; while Jessie seeks justice, neither woman is prepared for what they will face. Lies, betrayal, and earth-shattering secrets will drive a wedge between everyone involved, but Ebony and Jessie need to uncover the truth, no matter what. Will they learn what happened to Kyle? Will the truth tear them apart? And where does Olivia fit into everything?
The Empty Kayak by Jodé Millman is a wonderfully tense mystery with a strong focus on relationships and careers destroying lives. Although it is a police procedural novel, it is more about the personal and emotional aspects. It is part of a series, but I found it easy to read as a standalone novel. Although the characters are well-developed, reading the first two books in the series will provide an even better understanding of the two main protagonists, Ebony and Jessie. It has a unique storyline, and the tension builds with every page, reeling you in to discover the truth behind Kyle’s disappearance. The suspense draws you deeper into this gripping tale; you won’t put it down until you’re done. Of course, then you’ll want to read the rest of the series to get to know these fantastic characters better.
