The prequel to Deep Deep Snow (but read Deep Snow 1st) The history of Rebecca, Shelby, Tom, Darrell, Ricky, the mine. The URSULINA! The backstory about the legend of the ursulina, the murders that happened, the investigations, the twisty mystery answers a lot of questions and lots of surprises. Thoroughly enjoyed ( )

Rebecca Colder, the only woman deputy in Black Wolf County, has seen the Ursulina up close. She knows the creature is not a myth. And though she has never told a living soul her secret, this knowledge has defined her career as a police officer and her life as a mother. The book is written as a love letter to her daughter but tells the story of love, betrayal, and violent death. Well written and suspenseful to the very last page, The Ursulina is chilling and will keep you on the edge of your seat, then bring tears to your eyes with a twist you won't see coming. ( )

The Ursulina by Brian Freeman grabs you from the start, takes you on a wild ride, then deposits you at a completely unexpected place.

I have to admit that although I have read a few of Freeman's books, and enjoyed them all, I had not really thought about just how good his writing is. This book brought that mistake to an end. I can enjoy a good thriller without exceptional character development as long as they aren't flat. I can also enjoy a mediocre thriller if the characters are so well developed that I am invested. And I can enjoy most any book if the descriptions of scenes give me an immersive feeling. Yet in this book, as well as the others from Freeman, give me a great thriller with great twists, characters I care about and descriptions that make me feel like I am right there. Though obviously not a new writer, he has become a new go-to writer for me.

I think from my discussion in the previous paragraph that you know what I think about the book. I don't do book reports, not since junior high (middle school for those younger than I am), so I'm not going to tell the story or paraphrase the book description. If you like thrillers, crime stories, character-driven stories, and just plain good writing I think you will find plenty here to enjoy.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )