Dead Man's Watch by Kari DiBianca ~ Book Review + Giveaway

March 19, 2021

 

About the Book


Book:  Dead Man’s Watch
Author: Kay DiBianca
Genre: Christian Mystery
Series: The Watch Series, Book 2
Release Date: September 2020

 

Half-sisters Kathryn Frasier and Cece Goldman stumble into another mystery in this second book in the Watch series. When a former acquaintance of Kathryn’s is accused of murder, she and Cece go on a mission to prove his innocence by finding the real killer. But things are never what they seem in this tangled web, and Kathryn’s spunky determination to solve the mystery pushes her closer and closer to a deadly climax.

Join the adventure as these two young women commit themselves to live up to the quote from the Jerusalem Talmud: “Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 



My Thoughts


This is my first by this author and I really enjoyed it. The story immediately grabs your attention as the two sisters Kathryn and Cece are out for a run and come across a body. Definitely suspense and mystery surrounds the whole event. There's also romance happening in the story between Cece and Ben (and he definitely wins some swoon worthy love from me!)

The author does a great job with this book and it makes for a cozy mystery book. This is the second book in the series and I do have to say that it would be beneficial to read the first one. I haven't and when I was reading the story I felt like the sisters relationship was disjointed. They do briefly discuss how their relationship came to be, however, I believe the first book goes over how they came to be in each other's lives so it would help you understand them a bit better. That being said despite that I was able to follow the story pretty well. I enjoyed how the author not only titles her chapters but keeps them short making you want to read more. 

Overall I really did enjoy this book and I would recommend it if you are looking for a mystery sprinkled with romance type of book!

My Rating: 4 Stars/ Really enjoyed it!

Swoon Worthy Level: 💗💗💗 (Ben was a swoony cowboy with his own amazing library! How can you not love that?!)

I received this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.




About the Author


Kay DiBianca is a bestselling author who loves to create literary puzzles for her readers to solve. Her characters come to life as they struggle to solve mysteries and create relationships amidst the ongoing themes of faith and family. Her first novel, The Watch on the Fencepost, won an Illumination Award for General Fiction and an Eric Hoffer Award for Mystery. The second book in the Watch series, Dead Man’s Watch, was released in September 2020.

Kay is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. An avid runner, she can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home. Her background in software development fuels her fascination with puzzles and mysteries, and her dedication to running helps supply the endurance and energy she needs to write about them!

Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, Tennessee.

You can connect with Kay through her website at https://kaydibianca.com.

 

More from Kay


RUNNING AND WRITING


I’m a runner. Over the years I’ve discovered so many benefits from running, including improved health, good outlook, sense of well-being, and even a spark to creativity. That’s a lot to get from an investment in a pair of running shoes!

Of course, running is also a great metaphor for life. This one sport exemplifies so much that we experience in our lives: success, failure, injury, joy, and pain. So, it’s not surprising that although my books are not specifically about running, they contain running scenes.


I got the idea for my first mystery novel, The Watch on the Fencepost, while I was out running. The first chapter of that book introduces the main character, Kathryn Frasier, as she runs a five-miler while training for a marathon. Kathryn deals with the sorrow of her parents’ recent deaths by putting in hard miles on the trails around the fictional town of Bellevue. As I wrote that narrative, I could almost feel Kathryn’s effort, her struggle to maintain pace, the pain in the final sprint, and the satisfaction of finishing well.


The second book in the series, Dead Man’s Watch, takes place just a month or so after the first one. Kathryn continues her training by running a half-marathon race. Once more I run with her as she experiences the elation of being in the lead pack (I’ve never been there!), the exhaustion as the miles build up (I do know about this), and a dramatic event as she nears the finish.


I hope readers will see the analogy between the Kathryn’s experiences on the trails and her efforts to try to solve the mysteries in each story. I’m working on the third book in the series now. I haven’t written any running scenes yet, but I’m sure Kathryn’s going to insist on putting one in.


 


Blog Stops


Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 18

Blogging With Carol, March 18

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 21

Reviewingbooksplusmore, March 21

deb’s Book Review, March 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 23

Texas Book-aholic, March 24

Mary Hake, March 24

Inklings and notions, March 25

Older & Smarter?, March 26

The Write Escape, March 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 27

For Him and My Family, March 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 29

Pause for Tales, March 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 31

Bizwings Blog, March 31


Giveaway




To celebrate her tour, Kay is giving away  the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10987/dead-man-s-watch-celebration-tour-giveaway




4 comments

  1. This sounds like a story I need to check out! Although, I may start with the first one.

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    Replies
    1. Definitely start with the first book! I think the relationship between the sisters would be better understood!

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  2. Kelly-Ann, Thank you for reviewing "Dead Man's Watch." I'm glad you enjoyed the book, and I'm happy you liked the chapter titles. There's an ongoing discussion among authors I know about whether titles are a good idea. Personally, I like them, and I believe they can even add to the story itself. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh you are very welcome! It was a pleasure reading your book. I think the titles definitely add to the story! Thank you for stopping by!

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