Review: If you hear her by Shiloh Walker

The Particulars:  Romantic Suspense, Ballantine, available in print and as e-book
The Source:  Purchased at Booksonboard
The Grade: A
The Blurb:
A CRY IN THE WOODS

The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.

Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.


The Review:
If you hear her have been on my To Buy list since it was released, but for  a number of reasons I didn't buy it until last week.  And I am glad I waited.  Oh, don't get me wrong. I loved this book in so many ways but let's start with the characters.  I loved the relationship between Ezra and Lena.  The attraction between Ezra and Lena is evident from the first time they meet.. I'll admit that for  a couple of chapters I wondered if they would end up together or not, since Ezra resisted the urge to call Lena.   His reasons for not calling her made sense.   Believe me. Then there are Law, with all his secrets. Which gives him trouble.  And Hope.. My heart went out for her. She has been through so many things.  
I also liked that not all characters were pleasant.  Some were just annoying ( like a certain deputy.).  And the murderer? Burr.  Honestly.   I get goosebumps just thinking about him.
 
Then there are the suspense.  The suspense is there from page one.  And it just increased. There isn't that many murders in the book, but  Ms. Walker uses a lot of small touches to ramp up the suspense.  And keep it there.  I liked how the murders affected the town.  The paranoia affect the whole city. The demands for an arrest. Kudos for the Sheriff department for not caving to the demands.    ( I could go on and on about it, but I wont, since that would stray into spoiler territory).

So.. What I didn't like.  This book is the first book in a trilogy.  As in, the story arc spans over three books.  Which means that even if Ezra and Lena get their happy ending, the suspense part isn't tied up.    No one in the book have an inkling who the killer is. Since book 2 is already out, and book 3 is coming soon this isn't a big thing.  But if I had bought it in November? I would have been really mad at Shiloh Walker.