This was a riveting listen! Where the Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan [Audiobook Review]

Abducted.
Terrorized.
Imprisoned.

At nineteen-years-old, college student Josie Stratton was kidnapped by a madman and held shackled for ten months in an abandoned warehouse before she finally escaped her hellish prison.

Eight years later, when the body of a young woman is found chained in the basement of a vacant house, Cincinnati Police Detective Zach Copeland is instantly reminded of the crime committed against Josie Stratton. Zach was just a rookie on the perimeter of that case, but he’s never forgotten the traumatized woman with the haunted eyes.

As more information emerges, the crimes take on an even more sinister similarity. But Josie’s attacker died by suicide. Does the city have a copycat on its hands? A killer who picked up where the original perpetrator left off? Or are they facing something far more insidious?

Josie has spent the last eight years attempting to get her life back on track, but now there’s a very real chance she could be the unknown suspect’s next target. As Zach vows to keep her safe, and Josie finds herself responding to him in a way she hasn’t responded to any man in almost a decade, the investigation takes on an even more complex edge of danger.

As past and present collide, Josie and Zach are thrust toward a shocking and chilling truth. A revelation that threatens not only Josie’s life, but everything she’s been fighting so desperately to reclaim.

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heat level: sensual

I was not ready when I decided to listen to Where the Blame Lies. This book is riveting and scary and had me in the seat of my pants! I am just amazed at what an amazing and strong character Josie is!

Before I start my review, I just want to let everyone know that this book has serious trigger warnings! While some of the scenes during Josie’s captivity, there are parts of her captivity that are so vivid and scary!

Where the Blame Lies is a book like no other I’ve read before. I usually avoid triggering books like this, but this time, I decided to dive in. I purposely did not read reviews for this book and I only read reviews that did not expand on the plot. I think it was an excellent idea on my part. I loved going in blind!

The story starts eight years later after Josie escaped captivity and there is a new crime very similar to hers. Where the Blame Lies has a lot of flashbacks, interspersed with the current timeline, which was a good break because the flashbacks are so vivid!

Where the Blame Lies really focuses on Josie and her journey. I love how her character was developed throughout the book. Initially, when we meet her, she is still unable to move on from her horrifying ordeal, but her journey was amazing to read.

The romance between Josie and Zach is not as developed as I want it to be. This book didn’t really focus on that as much, and surprisingly, I am okay with that. Josie’s journey was the highlight of this book and I am glad that it is.

Where the Blame Lies had me guessing until almost the end when the serial killer was revealed. There was another twist in the end that I was not expecting and that brought me to tears. I believe that made me give this book 5 stars!

Thoughts on the Audio

Where the Blame Lies is read by Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton. Both narrators were fantastic! I have listened to both narrators before and they are an amazing team. Their tones are perfect for the atmosphere of the book. I also didn’t have any problems following their narration.

Do you read books that are very triggering?

What is your favorite romantic suspense?