Book & Audio Review: Truly Dead by Anne Frasier

Truly Dead
Author: Anne Frasier
Narrator: Natalie Ross
Series: Elise Sandburg (Book 4)
Publication: Brilliance Audio (May 30. 2017); Thomas & Mercer (May 30. 2017)
Length: 9 hours and 14 minutes; 335 p.

Description: In award-winning author Anne Frasier’s riveting thriller Truly Dead, homicide detective Elise Sandburg returns to Savannah with her partner, profiler David Gould, to track a killer who seems eerily familiar.

When a demolition crew uncovers several bodies inside the walls of a house where serial killer Frank J. Remy once lived, the discovery sends shock waves through the Savannah Police Department.

Homicide partners Elise Sandburg and David Gould were the Savannah PD’s dream team, solving uncrackable crimes and catching killers. But their last case resulted in their termination from the squad, until the coroner calls them back to consult, unofficially, on a body found in the wall of a house once occupied by Remy, a killer Elise’s own father sent to jail—a killer who died in prison. The MO seems uncomfortably similar to that of a serial killer wreaking havoc in Florida.

Does Elise have a copycat on her hands? Is Remy’s influence reaching from beyond the grave? Or is Elise making connections where there are none? When her father warns her to back off the case, Elise’s shadowy family history threatens to swallow her once again. But whatever force is at work, she won’t rest until the killing stops.

Now at odds with everyone she cares about and forced to acknowledge her worsening emotional state, Elise struggles to protect the people she loves as the body count rises.

My Thoughts: The conclusion of the Elise Sandburg quartet was another action-packed and emotionally intense thriller. Elise and David are called back to Savannah when bodies are found entombed in the walls of a house being demolished. They learn that the house was owned by a serial killer who preyed on children and who died in prison before his execution date arrived.

As they look into the case, they find a connection with Elise's father Jackson Sweet, and they also find some questions that lead them to wanting to exhume the body. When the exhumation is crashed by armed invaders who kill the lead homicide detective, wound the mayor, and make off with the casket, Elise and David are pulled back into the Savannah police department and back on the case. 

The casket is recovered, and it is learned that the body inside is not that of the serial killer. They, and Jackson Sweet, believe that the killer is still alive, still preying on children, and consumed with getting revenge on Sweet. The killer is targeting anyone who is close to him including Elise.

The story is engaging. The characters are well-rounded people who are all variously damaged by the things that have happened in their lives. The villain is chilling and elusive. The hunt to find him is thrilling and chilling too. 

This was a great series that should be read in order. I also recommend reading it back-to-back for the full impact of the story.

Favorite Quote:

It was always a surprise to accidentally stumble upon the thoughts that broke you, that wrapped around your heart and squeezed hard. She'd found them.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.