River of Wrath

"A murder mystery that will delight mature teens and adults who can absorb both the emotional and investigative impact of this compelling story. Weis and Astor craft a powerful tale that moves from adult interests and perceptions to the narrower focus of a teen recovering from tragedy. Not only has everything changed since Leslie Moore's deal with the devil, but so has she. As physical threat and mental illness converge, the story probes not only the process of recovery and guilt, but a messed-up family's involvement in and motives for murder. Readers needn't have prior familiarity with book I to appreciate this continuation of Leslie's dilemmas--but they should. Together, the two books present an intense series of events that are intrinsically woven into Leslie's evolutionary process on many levels, questioning the evolution of heroes, psychopaths, and family connections that not only bind, but damage. The tension and revelations are well-done, making this a special recommendation for those interested in not just murder mysteries, but the underlying influences that create criminal psyches and victims alike." --Midwest Book Review
"Alexandrea Weis is one of the most talented authors around and, in a short time, her novels are destined to stand along with authors such as Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, Joyce Carol Oates, and Jeffery Deaver." --The Strand Magazine
"The story expands the deliciously murky world of St. Benedict's haunted abbey, the riverbanks where teens go to party, and most of all, the enigma that is the Devereaux family. This time, the family patriarch and town mogul Gage Devereaux takes center stage. An investigation into the sordid Devereaux family history positions St. Benedict as a modern-day Pottersville, with the very soul of the town resting on the combined efforts of Leslie and Sheriff Davis. Wounded by trauma and guilt, Leslie comes into her own as a teen sleuth that is tenacious, clever, and even dangerous. But the story's real heft is fueled by the layers of believable teen psychodrama at the book's core. A palpable angst coexists perfectly with the novel's underlying sexual tension. The Bottom Line: The dynamic duo of Weis and Astor make magic together. A rising body count, a dark pact among friends, and a wholly evocative world, propel this small-town mystery to epic heights. Highly recommended." --BestThrillers