Review: Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright

Molly and Cooper wake up together in a car in Vegas sporting brand new wedding rings. Apparently somehow the night before, they tied the knot. Cooper needs to get home, but Molly has no such issues. Recently fired and pretty much footloose, she tags along with Cooper under the understanding they will stay together until an annulment is filed. And it's best for her if the annulment is filed sooner rather than later. She has a major skeleton in her closet that she doesn't want people to find out about or they will change the way they look at her.

Meanwhile, they arrive in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Cooper brings her to his familial home. Dad isn't too thrilled with him bringing a Yankee into his house and family. Sister is happy for Cooper and Molly as are most people they meet. Molly receives some cryptic offers of help, if she needs it, from a couple of the townspeople.

Molly's background helps her to spot some skeletons in the family closet. These are skeletons that Cooper wasn't even aware existed. And as they are revealed to Molly, the danger increases for her especially, but for other family members as well.

Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright is a pretty suspenseful Southern Gothic tale. There is no supernatural, but there is definitely the odd character here and there and suspense as well as the setting for much of the novel being the southern family home.

I really liked the eccentric and helpful Miss Aurelia. And I absolutely didn't like Cooper's father. He's too manipulative among other things. My dislike for him, to me, means Ms. Wright wrote his character really well. Molly and Coop were both likable.

The book moves along at a good pace. Clues are revealed at an increasing speed as Molly puts things together as the book progresses.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's well written Southern Gothic. I enjoyed the mystery and the romance. The suspense and tension are done well. If you like romantic suspense or Southern Gothic, then you will probably enjoy this first novel.

Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright was published January 15th, 2019 from Bella Rosa Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.