This is the second book about Private Investigator Samantha McNamara and her new partner in business and life, Reece Hash.
The book starts off with the horrific back-story of Gabriella LaBlanc. Her traumatic childhood, her struggling family. As in the first book, Perdition Games: Simon Says, Sam and Reece don't actually make an appearance until way into the book. That's where the investigation starts. Gabriella has disappeared after making an emergency call claiming her husband was assaulting her.
I enjoyed that we learned a lot more about Samantha in this one. She seemed more of a side character in the first book. This instalment provides a more solid characterization.
Again, this was suspenseful and gripping. But I became a little impatient with the investigation, which dragged a bit when it was so glaringly obvious what the deal was with Gabriella.
As in book 1, I really liked the cultural background, the Gaelic tales, and the settings of this book. Really interesting and a bit different. I also enjoy how the author chooses to end her stories. There are no cliffhangers, but things are not resolved as neatly and completely as you would expect from your standard crime fiction. It's really well done.
This book could be read as a standalone story plot wise, but I would start with Perdition Games: Simon Says to appreciate Samantha's and Reece's development. ( )

Skully: Perdition Games, is my first taste of the series. I thought the narrative pacing was excellent. I "felt" the angst of the parents and guarded relief as well. Once the storyline moved from the principle characters to another set of new characters, the book lost steam during the transition. I was still a little creeped out but not as engaged. ( )

This is a well written mystery: the characters were sufficiently developed and the clues were consistently placed throughout the book to keep me guessing with a chance of being right, giving me a good read. The pace and plot were perfect.
I received this as a LibraryThing Member GiveAway. Thank you. ( )

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Was a bit unsure about the wendigo connection. Was Gabriella suffering from a split personality or was there a deeper evil at work? I'm still not sure. Whichever way, it is a good, scary read. At times one finds Gabriella frightening and at other times she inspires pity. Lovely ending. Will now look for book 1. ( )