The Ones Before: Book One of the Discovery Trilogy (1)

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I enjoyed the author’s previous book: “Some days are dark” too much. She can create heart pounding, fast pacing, intriguing storylines with deceitful, unreliable characters. Madison gets more confused as she learns more about her fiancee’s past and Douglas family’s secrets. Are they capable to bury all the evidence against them? Could Helen tell the truth? Could caring, loving Cooper have another personality that he hides from Madison? Is she in danger by not cancelling her marriage plan? The myths have always been. They speak of an ancient people far advanced of where they are today. Yet, nothing has been found to show the Ones Before had ever existed, or lived sometime in the deep past. Still, those in the present time had to come from somewhere, why not the Ones Before? Whisper Falls is a fresh start for Madison and her fiancé, Cooper. But then Madison learns that Cooper's high-school girlfriend, Ceila had disappeared after a party. Three days later her body was found in the lake. Madison loves Cooper but she can't help wondering. She has to know the truth. But if she starts asking questions, what other secrets will be revealed? That's not the only crime he's been accused of. A girl he was dating in college disappeared and has never been found. The girl's mother tells Madison that she's sure that Cooper killed her.

I once broke up with a man by giving him a loaf of homemade bread. I also gave him a card, in which I apologised for things not working out. At the bottom, as a PS, I added, “My mum fancies you though, if you’d be interested.” I was, I think it’s fair to say, giving out some weird signals. Madison and her fiancee, Cooper, make a move to his hometown. She's more than happy .. his family has welcomed her, and Cooper has a future in running the family newspaper. I love mysteries/ thrillers that are set in a small town. This story is filled with suspense, family secrets, drama, and small-town gossip. It is mostly told from the perspective of Madison Sharpe who has moved to Whisper Falls with her fiancé, Cooper Douglas. Cooper belongs to the town's most prominent family and has returned to take over the family business. Madison is excited about this new chapter in her life; planning their wedding and turning their house into a home. But it doesn't take her very long to realize that Cooper hasn't been entirely honest with her about his past and he and his family are hiding many secrets.But the week after I arrive, one of Cooper’s classmates corners me at the store. She says that Cooper’s not fooling anybody. Everyone in town remembers what happened to Celia Gray… I didn’t know what I was investigating when I started reading, and that was when the author pulled the rug from under my feet as she brought in a new mystery but so well connected to the main plotline. This time the story formed around a powerful Douglas Family who are wealthy, controlling and one of the most powerful, respectful families of Whisper Falls! A small, beautiful, peaceful town has shaken to the core with the tragedy of young Celia’s death more than a decade ago. A few gossiping towners still point their finger at Cooper Douglas whose her boyfriend and the last person who saw her alive.

One of my favourite authors… Compelling… Kept me guessing. I read this in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down and I had to know the truth.” Book Candles Cats, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I found this to be an ok read. Cooper comes from a wealthy family and he brings his fiancée, Madison to his hometown of Whisper Falls to live. There is a mystery as to why Madison wanted to leave her job and friends in the city, but, when the secret is revealed it’s a bit of a let down. In fact, I found the whole book a tad formulaic and the writing style bland. Madison begins to doubt Cooper, thus upsetting any plans for a forever future with him. Meanwhile, someone in their lives now has ulterior motives, thus placing Madison's hopes and dreams for a long life with Cooper in jeopardy. Could Cooper have been responsible all those years before? Does she even know the man she is about to marry?Miranda has been a staff writer at a local newspaper and a secondary English teacher. When it comes to fiction, Miranda writes about complicated women, dark impulses and Southern settings. Well, this one was quite fast, gripping, nail biter, exciting, devouring at one bite and finishing at one sit kind of reading! Such an intriguing read!… a twist on the classical thriller. Recommend it and love it!” Camilla tra le Righe

It's not often I read a book in one day but I found this soon to be released book by Miranda Smith impossible to put down. Entertaining with enough mystery to keep the reader interested. Would recommend.

That’s what we do in Whisper. We choose our side and defend it to the death.” I roll my eyes again. Regina will take some getting used to, but there’s truth in what she says… This town certainly takes sides. I loved the small town setting and Regina’s cutting gossipy remarks about its inhabitants. I wonder if it was a little Easter egg of Mean girls using that name and if as a schoolgirl she had a burn book. This is a town divided on the guilt/innocence of Cooper’s involvement in Celia’s death. Storytelling and writing has always been F.D. Brant’s passion, but responsibilities took preference. And because of those responsibilities it took retiring to allow those passions to come to fruition. Since retiring he has written 8 books, and maintains a weekly eclectic blog, Words in the Wind. As things begin to unravel for Madison and Cooper, the tension in this book begins to be wound very tightly, thus making this to be quite a thrilling read. Actually, the story begins to take on a chilling effect as events of the past begin to clash with what is going on currently for the couple. So much so that I was completely thrown off. I loved that Madison did not take things at face value, even if it meant there was the possibility for her to discover things were not as they seemed. Jllon, the Head Keeper of the Past, hoped to put these myths to rest. Yet, other leaders have tried to either prove or disprove their existence - to no avail. They only found artifacts and writings that were of their own known past. The Ones Before were like the dust in the wind - seemingly existing in their consciousness, but having no real substance - disappearing when the winds ceased. So how does one begin, and where does one go to search . . . that is the question isn't it?