After reading book 1 I thought Jo Larsen had the potential to become a series I’d look forward to reading, but that wasn’t the case with this book.
The main storyline is about a teenage girl who appears to have committed suicide, and it’s up to Jo and her partner Hank to look into what might have made her take her own life.
While this plot point was sad enough to read about, there was a second storyline regarding missing dogs, which at the beginning of the book seemed harmless enough, but midway through it turned sinister. And that is where any nice feelings for this book I might have had ended. Animal abuse is not something I want to be confronted with in a book, especially with no warning of it either in the blurb or at the beginning of the book. It was harsh and distressing read, especially if you’re a dog owner like myself.
I ended up skimming the last third of the book because of this and the animal abuse storyline is why I’ve brought down my review to 2.5 stars.
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ARC provided by NetGalley**

Before I read this book, I made sure to read the first in the series, Walk into Silence. Jo, a detective, Hank, her detective partner, and Alex. her medical examiner boyfriend, return in this book and what keeps me wanting to read about them is that these are good people...not perfect people but good people, with good hearts. I hope that there will be more books in this series.

Walk a Crooked Line is about a 15 year old girl who commits suicide and the detective partners, Jo and Hank, trying to figure out what led her to do so or if she was really murdered. There is another case they are working on that involves dogs being beaten and killed. I avoid reading books about animal abuse but I'd already read the first book and it was so good, I wanted to read the second book. The abuse is tied into the plot line so a necessary part of the book and the detectives want justice for the animals and their owners just as much as they want justice for the 15 year old girl.

Hopefully more books about Jo and the other characters will be coming in the future because I'll be sure to read them. I really didn't want to put this book down. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC.

Jo Larsen left the Dallas Police Department to become a detective in the small town of Plainfield, Texas. Jo and her partner, Hank Phelps, get called to a terrible scene in which a teenaged girl has jumped to her death from an old water tower. Although it's an apparent suicide, Jo is determined to find out what drove this beautiful young woman to make such a drastic and tragic decision.

"Walk a Crooked Line" is the second book in the Jo Larsen series. However, returning readers as well as newcomers can equally enjoy this book. Jo is a complex character with real problems and earns the respect of readers. Jo has a lot to deal with in her personal life. Her mother wasn't always there for her growing up, but now Jo's mother suffers from Alzheimer's and needs her help. Jo is tough, but vulnerable because of her past. She seeks justice for victims because she was once a victim herself.

In addition to the realistic characters, the plot of the book is relevant and something to which readers can relate . The story shows a sad twist to the ever increasing problem of cyber-bullying. The clues to what the victim was going through are there, but when the full truth of what happened is revealed, it is shocking and heartbreaking. The book also includes a sad and disturbing side-plot dealing with stolen dogs that is sometimes hard to read, but shows neither Jo nor Hank will give up on getting justice for crime victims, even four-legged ones.

"Walk a Crooked Line" is a well-written, compelling novel with a complicated main character who is easy to root for as she refuses to give up before she gets to the truth of her cases. I also like Jo's partnership with Hank and how well they work together. I read a lot of mysteries and procedurals, and the Jo Larsen series is becoming one of my favorites.

Thank you to the author and Thomas and Mercer for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Awww a Cliffhanger!

A great book dealing with interesting and timely topics ruined with a cliffhanger. Bummer. I won't be going on to the next book.

I must admit, Susan McBride is not a crime writer I have come across before but I was drawn to read this due to the synopsis and the cover art which is rather unique. This is the sequel to "Walk Into Silence" which was the first in the Jo Larsen series. With the first in the series being a #1 Kindle Bestseller and having liked the sound of the blurb I was pleased I was able to grab an ARC copy to read.

Detective Jo Larsen is first on the scene when the body of a teenager is found at the bottom of an old water tower. It appears to be a clear cut case of suicide. However, as Jo learns more about Kelly Amster she feels she needs to find out why a teen with her full life ahead of her would take her own life in such a way. Jo and partner, Hank Phelps, begin to delve deeper into the youngsters private life. Haunted by the memories of her own childhood, Jo digs deep into the shadowy corners of a seemingly tight-knit community—to uncover a devastating secret.

The story is heartbreaking and features themes that some readers may wish to avoid - namely, abuse, neglect and bullying. I found "Walk a Crooked Line" to be a very emotional and tough read but one I enjoyed a lot.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.