Bitter Truth

C.J. Carmichael

Feb 2018 · Tule Publishing

About this ebook

 Bitter Truth (Book 2 of Bitter Root Mysteries)
Murder in a small town is always personal.

In the isolated ranching community of Lost Trails, Montana, Lacy Stillman, a rich elderly rancher has died of a heart attack in her own bed. What could be more normal than that? As Zak Waller, dispatcher with the local Sheriff’s Office, joins the town in mourning the loss of the community matriarch, some disquieting information makes Zak wonder if Lacy’s death was not what it seemed. 

Meanwhile, Zak's friend Tiff Masterson is overwhelmed by her mother’s escalating mental breakdown and her aunt’s stubborn denial of the problem. Tiff assumes the root of the problem is the death of her brother and father sixteen years ago. But the real atrocity goes back much further than that. When the truth is revealed in a shocking twist, Tiff’s world is turned completely upside down. The ramifications affect many of the most prominent citizens and provide the missing clue to Lacy Stillman’s murder.


Perfect for fans of the British television film Broadchurch.

Ratings and reviews

Small town secrets come to the forefront in this fascinating second book of the Bitter Root mysteries. Lacy Stillman, a 91-year-old rancher woman has been found dead in her bed by one of her sons. Evidently she died of a heart attack even though a doctor's visit the day before pronounced her as very healthy. She has been the town's leading citizen and the whole town is in mourning. Zak Waller, the police dispatcher who should be a deputy, has some information that may shed a different light on Lucy's death. (Book Blurb) Zak's friend Tiff Masterson is overwhelmed by her mother’s escalating mental breakdown and her aunt’s stubborn denial of the problem. Tiff assumes the root of the problem is the death of her brother and father sixteen years ago. But the real atrocity goes back much further than that. When the truth is revealed in a shocking twist, Tiff’s world is turned completely upside down. The ramifications affect many of the most prominent citizens and provide the missing clue to Lacy Stillman’s murder. Bitter Truth is the second of a 3-book series. Although this is easily read as a stand alone, I would highly recommend reading them in order. The characters are fascinating. I love how a small community can come together ... to either hide secrets or reveal them. The family dynamics are guaranteed to keep the reader turning pages. There's a wealth of town residents that bear watching. It's fairly fast-paced and every page is a twist, a turn, a surprise. There's no cliff hanger, but a hint of what is to come next. This is definitely an enjoyable mystery. Many thanks to the author / Tule Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

An awesome read full of secrets and lies that the bitter truth will come out in the end. Not what you expect in a little town of Lost Trails, Montana, when they find the town matriarch, Lacy Stillman dead in her bed from a presumed heart attack. Zach, the town dispatcher for the local sheriff office wonders if there is more to the death of Lacy. Tiff, has returned home to help with the care of her mother with her aunt but soon family secrets to come out , as someone is forcing Tiff to leave town. A great cast of characters that I was fully engaged with. Lots of family drama. Plus , I'm rooting for a few budding romances that are developing. This is the second book in the series, that can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend that you read the first book too.

It's been many a year since I have read a true mystery and this is a true mystery written by an author that I have read her romance books. WOW she blew my mind away with this book. I did not know what to think when I started reading this and yes this is the second book in a series (you bet your bootie I have already picked up book 1 Bitter Roots...little bit backwards) but once I got into it I simply could not stop reading. I have no idea what Montana does to me but it seems to draw me in and grab me. This town is Lost Trails and it does have some people that have some backwoods thinking. Kind of like some i know from home in Tennessee. This is a well written story that had me in in from the start. I could see with my minds out the lay of the land, the ranch, the sheriff and dispatcher Zak.I am headed to read the first book in this series before the third book comes out. Because it will be time for a complete re-read of the first 2...of course. So if you like a good, well written mystery with a touch of heat this is the book for you.