“Sometimes the victim, sometimes the perpetrator? None of us are one or the other. We’re all both to different degrees.”
Where the Blame Lies is set in the town of Cincinnati and focuses on the main character, Josie. When Josie was in college, she was kidnapped and held hostage; shackled in an abandoned warehouse for ten months before she escaped. Now, eight years later, someone is kidnapping young girls and holding them hostage the same way Josie was. A copycat who may be making her his next target. But how can that be when Josie’s assailant committed suicide shortly after she escaped? With Detective Zach Copeland on case, Josie sees that nothing is at it seems and they are forced to face a chilling and shocking truth.
Mia Sheridan is one of my favorite authors. She writes the most realistic stories that pull at your heartstrings. The first book I read from her was Archer’s Voice and it remains one of my top 5 favorite books of all time. I had no doubt that her latest release would be an amazing read.
Josie was a strong female lead from the start. I loved her attitude and wished I had a fraction of her tenacity. After ten months of being tormented, she found one thing that kept her strong, and managed to escaped. She refused to let her life end in that abandoned warehouse. I rooted for her throughout the whole book. Zach was a good compliment to Josie. He was what every romantic male lead should be in a story. I liked that the romance between Josie and Zach was subtle, but at times forward. I didn’t think a romance was needed in this book, honestly. I believe Where the Blame Lies would’ve stood just as strong solely as a thriller. But I didn’t mind it.
The plot moved quickly, even with all the flashback chapters. I liked that Sheridan alternated between the past and the present. It helped not give away all the clues at once. I loved that multiple suspects were planted throughout the story. I had almost everyone on my list of suspects! Sheridan keeps you guessing, and she keeps the chill factor pretty high.
However, I felt the twist at the end was a bit weak. I didn’t think the cause merited the effect. But at the same time, the foundation of it was strong. And I really don’t know how to feel about the ending as a whole. It was sort of left open…I guess?
Where the Blame Lies is a dark and sad story. It was well written and I would recommend it to anyone searching for a mystery or thriller.
**Trigger warning: this book has strong themes such as kidnapping, rape, suicide and violence. **
MY RATING: 4 STARS
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