Let me start by saying this book had me hooked from the first chapter. The cover art alone - that eerie cabin - made me pick it up, and A.J. Rivers' writing style kept me turning pages way past my bedtime.

The good: The story moves at a breakneck pace with cliffhangers at every chapter end. Emma Griffin makes for an interesting protagonist with her troubled past, and the small-town murder mystery setup is genuinely compelling. I particularly enjoyed how Rivers weaves in FBI procedural details while keeping the narrative accessible.

Now for the not-so-good: Some plot points strained credibility. As someone who's read dozens of crime novels, I raised an eyebrow at an FBI agent going unarmed into a potential serial killer situation. The insta-romance subplot felt rushed and unnecessary - I found myself skimming those sections to get back to the mystery.

The book's physical quality deserves praise. The larger 6x9 format with quality paper makes for comfortable reading, a nice change from cramped mass-market paperbacks. The font size and spacing are perfect for tired eyes.

While not perfect, I'd still recommend this to mystery lovers looking for a quick, entertaining read. Just be prepared to suspend disbelief at times. I've already downloaded the next book in the series - that's how addictive Rivers' storytelling can be.