Review: Painted Walls by Megan Mitcham

Title: Painted Walls
Author: Megan Mitcham
Source: Author
Release Date: 10/6/2015
Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Deadly daddy-issues.

The Blood-Red Killer, America’s most notorious serial killer, tucked Supervisory Special Agent Ava Shepherd into bed every night with a bedtime story and a kiss on the cheek.

Thirty years after his apprehension, Ava—still running from his memory—becomes the prime suspect for a murder eerily similar to the ones her father committed all those years ago. Shattered by the accusation, Ava reluctantly accepts former flame Special Agent Kenneth Hunt's assistance in clearing her name. 

Kenneth is on the mend, and though their fling is ancient history, the bruises Ava left on his heart throb in her presence. He’ll help her, but she’ll have to play by his rules.

When the body count and undeniable heat rise, Ava must face the demons of her past and present—or be consumed by them

My Review:

Painted Walls is the second book in the Bureau series, and is as wonderful as the first.  Megan Mitcham has a way of bringing the suspenseful elements of her story to life in such a way that you are locking your doors and keeping the lights on as you read.

Painted walls pulls you right into the story from page one and keeps you entranced and guessing as the story moves on.  Though there were bits and pieces that led me to make certain guesses, not all of it came easily.  I was still suprised at some of the twists and turns and enjoyed that bit of shock.  I love when an author can keep me guessing and/or turn the tables on me.

Ava is such a strong female character, she took the bad parts of her past/history and used them as motivation to turn her life into the opposite of what was expected, but in doing that she shut herself off from good things too.  She was pretty easy to read, but you could see the changes happening to her internally as the story went on. It was not just a story about solving a crime, not just a romance, but a story of growth and change for one person as well.  Ava had to accept herself and love herself before she could move on to find any sort of relationship with others and to watch as these intrinsic changes took place was marvelling.

Keen was a fabulous character himself, at first he was hard for me to get a read on, but then his demeanor quickly changed and the real guy shown through and was amazing.  He owned his past mistakes, and realized he wasn't going to let things get in his way or stand down anymore.  He was take charge, but he also knew Ava enough to know when to push and when to back off to the side while still being protective.

The twists and turns this story takes are amazing and build suspense, heighten suspicions, and bring an ultimately amazing ending to the criminal case. Though full of heart stopping moments, and creepy things that made me question the noises I heard around me, there was also heartfelt endearing moments and a few giggles here and there which made for a well rounded story that wasn't focused too much on any one part, but instead worked it all together.

Painted Walls is a thrilling suspense story that will leave you with your heart pounding  and trying to catch your breath.  Another fabulous story, I look forward to more in the series and more from Mrs. Mitcham in general.