Bitter River

A Bell Elkins Novel, Book 2

By: Julia Keller

Narrated by: Shannon McManus

Phone calls before dawn are never good news. And when you're the county's prosecuting attorney, calls from the sheriff are rarely good news, either. So when Bell Elkins picks up the phone, she already knows she won't like what she's about to hear, but she's still not prepared for this: sixteen-year-old Lucinda Trimble's body has been found at the bottom of Bitter River. And Lucinda didn't drown - she was dead before her body ever hit the water. With a case like that, Bell knows the coming weeks are going to be tough. But that's not all Bell is coping with these days. Her daughter is now living with Bell's ex-husband, hours away. Sheriff Nick Fogelsong, one of Bell's closest friends, is behaving oddly. Furthermore, a face from her past has resurfaced for reasons Bell can't quite figure. Searching for the truth, both behind Lucinda's murder and behind her own complicated relationships, will lead Bell down a path that might put her very life at risk.

In Bitter River, Pulitzer Prize winner Julia Keller once again weaves a compelling, haunting mystery set against the stark beauty and extreme poverty of a small West Virginia mountain town.

©2013 Julia Keller (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Julia Keller is that rare talent who combines gripping suspense, a fabulous sense of place, and nuanced characters you can't wait to come back to." (Karin Slaughter)

It’s a thought-provoking story

I liked the character development and the editorial stance about the prejudice many have for the poor, rural residents of states such as West Virginia. The author is a champion of their worth as we all should be.

Great listen.

I really love this narrator and the story keeps me going right up to the end.

Gripping Suspense

This is book two in the Bell Elkins’ series. Bell is a West Virginia prosecutor for Raythune County who lives in Acker’s Gap. Sheriff Nick Fogelsong called to report the murder of 16 year old Lucinda Trimble whose body was found in a car in the Bitter River. Ike’s diner is blown up and a sniper shoots at Bell at the Courthouse, so the fun begins.

The book is well written, the plot is interesting with lots of twists and turns and lots of suspense. Keller provides lots of background material about West Virginia, its people and poverty. In fact, I think there is too much detail; some could be cut out to make the story tighter.

Keller is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. Shannon McManus does a good job narrating the book.

Liked the writing but not the story

I like the characters and place in this series, but I didn't like the spy / terrorist subtext in this story.