A Killing in the Hills (Bell Elkins, Book 1): A thrilling mystery of murder and deceit
Paperback Published on: 28/03/2013
Price: £22.00
Synopsis
Pulitzer-prize winner, Julia Keller's first crime novel - the first in a series featuring prosecuting attorney Bell Elkins - set in the beautiful crime-ridden town of Acker's Gap.
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, visitors see only its stunning natural beauty. But for those living there it's a different story. The mountain roads harbour secret places, perfect for making the prescription drugs that tempt its desperately poor.
Bell Elkins left a broken teenager, savaged by a past she couldn't forget. But, as prosecuting attorney for Raythune County, Bell is back and determined to help clean up the only home she has ever known.
As winter sets in and her daughter is witness to a shocking triple murder, Bell finds her family in danger. Can she uncover the truth before her world is destroyed again?
Publisher information
- Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
- ISBN: 9780755392889
- Number of pages: 448
- Dimensions: 199 x 129 x 29 mm
- Weight: 322g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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A good read for all crime lovers
Bell Elkins lived with her ambitious husband and daughter in DC, she could have all she wanted, but she chooses her home town of Acker’s Gap over him and t... READ MORE
Disappointed
It took me about a third of the book to actually become interested in the storyline and to be honest I did struggle to finish the book. It is not an action... READ MORE
Didn't hold my interest
I requested this book for review because of the author's Pulitzer Prize for journalism so I was expecting this to be a more litereary type of crime novel. ... READ MORE
Pretty good, just not amazing
I thought this was a pretty enjoyable read, enough to look forward to reading the next few chapters when I put it down. The narrative kept up a decent pace... READ MORE
A Riveting Read
This was an excellent book which held your attention from the first to the last page and comes in to the category "couldn't put it down". It was well writt... READ MORE
A Killing in the Hills
You really wouldn’t want to live in Acker’s Gap – or West Virginia come to that. Neither would I.
‘A Killing in the Hills’ is a book written in black and ... READ MORE
Gritty Read
Gritty crime read about a small town in America with lots of social problems and a woman trying to do her best by the people who live there .Enjoyable and ... READ MORE
A suspenseful thriller
I really enjoyed this book. The author painted a vivid picture of life in a small poor American town. I really felt the hopelessness of their lives and the... READ MORE
Excellent, easy read
I knew i was going to enjoy this book when i was reading the first chapter. An excellent read from start to finish.
Although Ackers Gap is not on the map, ... READ MORE
Great debut crime novel
Julia Keller really grips the reader from the off. the story is comprised of just the right balance of crime, grit, gore, characters, personal story and tw... READ MORE
A good read for crime book fans
Julia Keller really manages to bring the characters to life in this compelling murder-mystery. Almost immediately you are launched into a shocking event, w... READ MORE
Gripping, after a difficult start
After the first 15 pages, I was ready to throw this book away! There are endless descriptive passages which I found really distanced you from the plot. How... READ MORE
A mediocre start to a new crime series
Maybe I have just read a few too many crime thrillers in recent months but unfortunately this one has nothing new to tempt you into buying the rest of the ... READ MORE
A really well written novel
I was very impressed by this book. From the very first page, it was apparent that the author, Julia Keller, really could write. That is perhaps not surpris... READ MORE
Exciting and well paced!
Acker’s Gap is a small American town in West Virginia. Bell Elkins had lived there as a child, but a tragic set of circumstances had left her an orphan and... READ MORE
Writing of the highest quality
Here is a fresh female author with an original and engaging voice who has been writing for years. However this award winning journalist has left her succes... READ MORE
Compelling read
You are hooked into the story straight away as the first character you meet is in a coffee shop and this character's musings lead you to suspect something ... READ MORE
Keeps You Guessing
I thought this was a well wriiten story, with enough subplots to keep the reader interested. I didn't manage to work out who was behind it all until it was... READ MORE
Great Read
Julia Keller hooks you in with murders within the first 14 pages.
I found that I could not put the book down and it kept me guessing until the end
The book... READ MORE
A Killing in the Hills
It takes a couple of pages to settle into the unique writing style of this author. This is not a bad thing however as Keller uses her words to provide beau... READ MORE