ARC Review | Tell Me by Anne Frasier |

 

In Inland Empire's new series, the duo, Daniel and Reni, buckle up their heavy boots, ready to climb and face their haunting pasts.

I don't know why big black birds reminds me of Edgar Allan Poe. It's something I cannot seperate the feeling when gothic allegory stays once you read his books. I'm telling you this because one such book made me think about it. Pastel orange colour on the cover and a google-eyed raven in the background, weigh an aura of ominous mystery. I thought, "Should I go for it?" I wasn't planning to read this novel but my curiosity gave in. I read the blurb, checked the availability status and downloaded it. The moment I started reading the first page, I couldn't stop scrolling down for more. 

Title: Tell Me 

Genre: Mystery & detective, Thriller, Fiction 

Author: Anne Frasier 

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer 

Publication date: July 27, 2021 

Where you can buy? Click here

Anne Frasier's Tell Me is the second book in the murder mystery series, Inland Empire, in which three high-struck teenagers — Portia, Emerson and Jojo, go on a high-end tech-detoxifying hike with camp leader, Janet, to Pacific Crest Trail in California. What was supposed to be an overnight stay, free from smartphones and social media, lead to a grisly night when a couple suddenly tumble on a dead body festered with flies in a tent. While one of them records the grim scene, the other one gets shot by the killer. When the video goes viral on Instagram, detective Daniel Ellis once again, needs help from the infamous serial killer's daughter and former FBI criminal profiler, Reni Fisher, to clarify whether it's hoax or real. But the question is, where are the girls? What happened to them? 

The beginning is indubitably remarkable. I like the way the three girls start their climb, gathering their thoughts and complaints about the idea they agreed to go for the planned hike when their popular rich parents are concerned they are diving too deep in social streams. As you read, you will find the narration aesthetically deep and dark. The flow is lucid and smooth that will involve you in imagining the scenes vividly happening with your eyes closed. The thoughts of each character are as dark as the fiction is. The mystery intensifies as the plot thickens. The unexpected twists surprised me. I won't say 'shocked' because some scenes became predictable. However, it holds down the suspense for the reader to keep guessing. 

The characters are immersive. They are delicately profiled and are very cleverly created. As their thoughts play out, you may feel connected to their emotions. Out of them, I found Reni Fisher the most interesting character. The blank pages, even a napkin, she uses to cope from her dead serial killer parents due which her impeccable tough nutshell skills she carries out in tracing down the clues to missing girls and Daniel's mother, I can say, she is a brave woman. Also, ineffable but soft underneath like she tries consoling Philip, Stanley, Portia and Emerson. Especially, Daniel when simmering tension between the two hints up. This reminds me, there is a passage from the book which hypes up when Daniel and Reni show up at Rachel's house. It's like bracing for the truth when Daniel squints to see what Emerson hung in her bedroom,

"He moved across the room, drawn to a framed yellow newspaper clipping on the wall. He expected to see announcement of an award or any number of these kids liked to hang up. When he was close enough, he realized what it really was."

Anne has detailed a remarkable thriller fiction. Dark, engrossing and addictive, this novel will hook you in a blazing mystery that will keep you in your seat. I finished reading this novel in three days. I think it can be seen as stand-alone if you wish to read this first. Though you can go in order, read the first book from the series, Find Me. Sharp, surprising and deeply reflective, this is the kind of fiction that will thoroughly entertain you. 

P.S. I voluntarily read and reviewed a digital copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Note, quote or related content used by me from the book may vary in the published version.

Priyanka Patra is a self-published writer of Upon Me. She lives in Odisha, India with her family in a small town. She has done her MBA in Marketing & HR from Birla Global University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She is aiming to write more books especially in fiction genre.