Talking to Strangers by Fiona Barton

Elise King is back in this second book set in Ebbing. 

Elise is officially back at work, investigating the murder of Karen Simmons, a local woman killed on Valentine's Day. As it turns out, the list of suspects isn't a short one. Simmons was active on dating apps and the assumption is that one of those dates is the killer. 

Meanwhile, reporter Kiki Nunn is certain this story can make her career. Her involvement in the investigation complicates things for Elise and puts Kiki directly in the killer's sights. 

This was a great follow up to Local Gone Missing. In fact, I think I liked this one even more with the addition of Kiki. Though I did want more of Elise's nosy parker neighbor :)

As with Local Gone Missing, Talking to Strangers alternates POVs and introduces some additional Ebbing residents. It can work as a standalone or an intro to the series but you'd be missing out on the already explored layers of Ebbing.

I again had the chance to listen to this one on audio and enjoyed it very much. Gabrielle Glaister and Jayne Entwistle return alongside Steve West. Fabulous jobs all around to the narrators!

Barton's pacing is fabulous here. The chapters are short in the "just one more chapter" vein. I binged this one!

I absolutely recommend this series to fans of small town thrillers. Barton's Ebbing is full of quirky residents who continue to become embroiled in drama and CRIME!

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Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton

Fiona Barton kicks off a new series with Local Gone Missing. 

Elise King has been on medical leave while recovering from treatment and surgery for breast cancer, which means she has a lot of time to watch neighborhood happenings. 

Some of the latest things rocking her small town include a massive upcoming music festival some believe will make Ebbing a destination and others believe will corrupt the town. When Charlie Perry goes missing in the aftermath of the festival, the latter are certain they were right all along. But the missing man has secrets and enemies, all of which could be the reason behind his disappearance. 

The Elise King series starts with a bang! This is the kind of procedural series that I love, one that focuses on a wide range of characters rather than just the series namesake. 

Chapters in this one alternate between different POVs, giving the reader insight not only into Elise's observations but others' as well. It makes the story much more full and rounded while also giving the reader a chance to get to know the quirky cast that makes up Ebbing!

I had the chance to listen to this one on audio and I loved it! Narrators Gabrielle Glaister, Jayne Entwistle, and Nicholas Guy Smith do a fabulous job bringing the characters to life. It made it an easy and compelling listen that I binged—because I had to know what happened!

The book does introduce a lot of characters and sub plots. It also bounces from past to present throughout. It's a book that definitely demands more attention—don't read it in small bursts or while distracted!—in order to keep all of the timelines and POVs straight. That said, I think going in with this knowledge helps some!

I quite enjoyed this! I think reading it and book 2 back to back was a benefit as I was able to fully immerse in the town of Ebbing and its characters much easier. (And going in knowing I was going to get more of the town and Elise didn't hurt either.)

Fans of Louise Penny and Deborah Crombie will love this one!

Order a copy from Bookshop.org.