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A Killing in the Hills
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
Prosecuting attorney Bell Elkins and her estranged teenage daughter, Carla, try to protect their town and each other in the aftermath of a shocking triple murder committed by an unknown shooter whose identity is gradually realized by Carla.
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Susanita
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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This was relentlessly depressing, and I didn‘t find the ending to be particularly satisfying. On the other hand, it‘s a well paced story with relatable characters and some insightful descriptions. Solid pick but I won‘t carry on past this first book in the series.

I‘m getting close to finishing my personal #52mysteries reading challenge.

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Susanita
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Last week I got to a stopping point in this book then set it aside for longer than intended. Tonight I went to a free concert in a local park, where I sat and read and ate a yummy sandwich before it started.

Luckily, some friends arrived, and they had an extra chair I could use instead of sitting on this historic beach towel. Now I‘m back home chilling and reading.

#hyggehourreadathon

TheBookHippie Oh how lovely!!! 3mo
Reggie Sounds like a great night. 3mo
AllDebooks Sounds fun x 3mo
tpixie What a great night! 3mo
Chrissyreadit 💕💕💕 3mo
55 likes5 comments
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Susanita
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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I spent #hyggehourreadathon #withmystery plus milk & cookies (biscuits). The cup was my prize for completing the library‘s summer reading program, and the table was recycled. #aboutaboom

TheBookHippie 💚💚💚💚💚💚I love it all! 4mo
AllDebooks I'm all for upcycling furniture. It looks great 💚 4mo
Eggs Excellent arrangement 👌🏼 4mo
Chrissyreadit 💛perfection💛 4mo
57 likes4 comments
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BarbaraBB
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Pickpick

I read this book solely because I was in need for a book set in #WestVirginia for #ReadingUSA2019 but it turned out to be a decent thriller. At least as interesting is the description of the state. Desolate, depressing and forgotten, that‘s the way Keller writes about West Virginia. Drugs rule and the future seems very unpromising in the small town where the story takes place.

Librarybelle I need to read this one! 5y
squirrelbrain That‘s good news, that it turned out OK! 5y
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I saw your email! Thank you so much 😘 5y
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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BarbaraBB
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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#WeeklyForecast 49/19

A new month means another bit of Proust and I am reading the marvellous Red At the Bone. I am not sure what to read next. Another #1001books maybe or one of the ultimate ones for #ReadingUSA2019? Or the Korean thriller I just have been looking forward to?

I‘ll keep you posted of course!

I notice now that four of the five books pictured have a silhouette on their cover. What a coincidence!

Cinfhen Pretty photo 🥰lots of good options 5y
batsy I enjoyed The Good Son quite a bit, though enjoy seems the wrong word to use 😅 5y
rmaclean4 Loved Red At The Bone. It is a book that has really stayed with me. 5y
BarbaraBB @rmaclean4 I just finished it and loved it too! 5y
BarbaraBB @batsy I‘m so looking forward to that one! 5y
62 likes5 comments
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Pamwurtzler
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Pickpick

I‘m not doing so well at this challenge (and a few others), but here‘s #WestVirginia. I did like this book - the story was engrossing and the descriptions of the WV scenery were terrific. #ReadingUSA2019

squirrelbrain Sounds good - I can‘t remember if I still need WV or not - I‘ll have to check when I get home.... 5y
Hooked_on_books I liked this one, too! 5y
BarbaraBB I do need WV, thanks for the recommendation! 5y
Librarybelle Awesome! 5y
43 likes4 comments
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Book_Fairy_Mary
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Bailedbailed

I don't quit books. I just don't. I quit this one. Keller has a beautiful voice & is no doubt a talented writer, but this book frustrated me. 50% of the way through & she's still describing every little detail, telling the back story of every minor character, repeating herself over & over, yet the plot has gone NO WHERE! When I realized I'd given up & was merely skimming, I decided to bail.

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Book_Fairy_Mary
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Moving on to A Killing in the Hills by Julia Keller, a book set in my home state of WV.

17 likes1 stack add
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Amie
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Pickpick

I'm giving this a pick because I liked it in spite quite a few flaws. I think it's the tone and setting that I liked, and I was engrossed in the story even though the mystery was pretty weak. If you read it, be prepared to skim a bit when it gets too wordy and overdoes the similes. Also be prepared to feel depressed at the end. I'm really selling this one, aren't I?

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Lisas.Library
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Thank you so much @cathysaid for the books and the cat toys! I‘m so glad I won the giveaway (and surprises), I can‘t wait to read these books.

zzz You could almost miss the cat in this pic 😂🐈 6y
Slajaunie She(?) blends! 6y
TheBookStacker Pretty kitty! 6y
See All 7 Comments
Lisas.Library @Jen_is_always_reading ~ 😂 thank goodness for the little bit of black on him @Slajaunie ~ it‘s a boy. His name is Leo 💗 @TheBookStacker ~ Thank you :) 6y
Slajaunie His coloring in his face is unique and he is gorgeous! 6y
cathysaid Glad you received...the post office makes me a little nervous. Hi to Leo! 6y
Lisas.Library @Slajaunie ~ Thank you 😊 @cathysaid ~ 👍🏻 6y
116 likes7 comments
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GuiltyFeat
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Panpan

This was utterly horrible. Every paragraph felt like a sentence written in draft format, then written again in the longest form possible and then written one more time for luck. I'm not sure if the editor was supposed to choose, but they seem to have all made the final version. I have never been so exhausted by dreary, expository nonsense with every point hammered home with a wrecking ball. Manipulative, boring, repetitive and just plain shite.

Suet624 Ugh. 7y
emilyhaldi Lol, love this review 😆 7y
40 likes2 comments
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anygivenmemory
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
Mehso-so

Pretty good. Some of the WV stereotypes got to me. Especially since the author is from WV. Some of it spoke really accurate too though. The mystery itself was decent.

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cathysaid
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Pickpick

More between a pick and a so-so because I guessed "who-done-it" early on in the story (and trust me, it ain't 'cause I'm such a crack detective ? ). Murder, drugs and betrayal in the hills of a West Virginia town. Fast paced and entertaining but a bit formulaic and predictable. 3/5 ⭐️ #crime #debut

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Bookishgal71
Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Reading this for a book club at my local library...
"It was also an ugly place, a place riddled with violence – the special kind of violence that follows poverty, the way a mean dog slinks along behind its master."

TheWordJar This has been on my TBR since it came out. I always enjoyed her pieces in the Tribune. 7y
10 likes1 stack add1 comment
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miamorswife
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Pickpick

4/5 stars

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Hooked_on_books
Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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#augustphotochallenge day 26. For under hyped books, I would choose Julia Keller's Bell Elkins series. This is a great series with an interesting, flawed female protagonist and good supporting characters. I feel like the books are almost hard to find at times even though they are recent and that is a tragedy. I think Keller is tops!

MMenefee I second your post! Love this series. 8y
34 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Karenlovesbooks
Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Pickpick

#recommendsday Julia Keller's Bell Elkins series is very good! They offer a very realistic look at what is happening in small Appalachian towns. West Virginia has some beautiful places, but Bell Elkins has to deal with the crimes taking place in her mountains. I recommend reading the series in order. The picture is of the New River Gorge in December.

[DELETED] 2232195534 I love this series so much!! Agree with all you said and highly recommend it as well. Love Bell! 8y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CaseyDula
A Killing in the Hills | Julia Keller
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Pickpick

I love when I internally shout "I did not see that coming" at the end of a book. I thought I knew who the guilty person was and 30 pages till the end, I was completely flabbergasted! I will be picking up the next book in the series.

[DELETED] 2232195534 Yay!!! I've enjoyed all the books in the series! You guys try not to have too much fun without me tonight! 8y
4 likes1 comment