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LJ Bourne
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Lena Bourne
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Pretty Places: (E&M Investigations, Book 1) Kindle Edition

by LJ Bourne (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 266 ratings
A serial killer has gone undetected for almost two decades, but now the hunt is on in this gripping and suspenseful mystery novel by LJ Bourne.

The prettiest places hide the darkest secrets.

True crime writer Eva Lah has uncovered the trail of a ruthless serial killer. The problem is, she is the only one who knows he exists. The police have failed to connect the dots for years, and catching him is not something Eva can do alone.

But Eva never backs down when it comes to uncovering the truth and she won’t do it now. She enlists the help of an ex-lover, retired US Military Special Investigator Mark Novak. With Eva's determination and Mark's expertise, they may have a chance to finally give the victims a voice and bring the killer to justice.

But will they be able to put their past behind them and work together to solve this chilling mystery?

The clock is ticking and only one thing is certain: if they fail, the murderer will kill again.

A must read for fans of Melinda Leigh, Mary Stone and Kendra Elliot!

PRETTY PLACES kicks off a thrilling and suspenseful new female protagonist mystery series - E&M Investigations. A must read for fans of deep, intriguing puzzle mystery novels and whodunits that delve deep into the psyche and the whys. You don’t want to miss this one!

Note: This book was previously published under the name Lena Bourne.
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    E&M Investigations
  2. Print length
    364 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 25, 2021
  6. File size
    2.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08M9GBKM4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Waterside Dreams Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 25, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 364 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ E&M Investigations
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 266 ratings

About the authors

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  1. LJ Bourne

    LJ Bourne

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    LJ Bourne is the author of several gripping mystery and crime fiction novels. Her books transport you to vivid, life-like settings where you'll experience heart-pumping action and sinister twists with every turn of the page. With strong, fearless heroines and villains that would make even the toughest detective break a sweat, LJ's books are simply unputdownable.

    LJ lives a peaceful life surrounded by her family, cats and koi fish near a tranquil pond by a forest. It's in this idyllic setting that she finds the inspiration to craft her next captivating murder mystery. Though the biggest mystery could actually be why the stories she writes take such dark turns.

    Sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive previews of new books and stay updated on all new releases!

    See more on the author's page
  2. Lena Bourne

    Lena Bourne

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Lena Bourne is a USA Today Bestselling author of many romantic suspense and mystery novels. When she’s not coming up with a new love story or plotting the next perfect crime mystery, you can usually find her drinking coffee and catering to her elderly cat’s every whim.

    Sign up for Lena’s newsletter to receive exclusive sneak peaks at new books, special mailing-list-only offers and other goodies. Copy and paste this link to join: http://www.lenabourne.com/the-list/

    Connect with Lena online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lenabourneauthor

    Website: www.lenabourne.com

    Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LenaBourne

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
266 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the mystery storyline of this book, with one mentioning how it keeps readers guessing about the killer. Moreover, the book maintains readers' attention throughout and features great characters.

Select to learn more

SuspensefulReadabilityAttention spanCharacter development
7 customers mention "Suspenseful"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery storyline of the book, with one review noting how it keeps readers guessing about the killer and throws interesting twists into the plot.

"This is a new author for me. I could not put it down. Kept my attention the whole time...." Read more

"...She gives tantalizing clues along the way, but throws some interesting twists into the mix...." Read more

"I enjoyed the mystery storyline as well as the way the book was written from two perspectives...." Read more

"...this investigation into missing persons and killings keeps the reader guessing about the killer and the relationships among the investigators...." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an amazing read, with one mentioning how well the author engages the reader.

"...This is a MUST read!!!" Read more

"...I really liked Prequel #2 The Fairytale Killer. It was a great book, & I couldn't put it down...." Read more

"...I can’t stand Simon and Brian. See how the author draws you in? Very good, a must read." Read more

"...Excellent book!" Read more

4 customers mention "Attention span"4 positive0 negative

Customers say the book keeps their attention throughout, with one noting how it draws readers into the scene.

"This is a new author for me. I could not put it down. Kept my attention the whole time...." Read more

"This was a kind of story that keeps you riveted and wanted to turn pages just to see what's going to happen next both of the main characters Eva and..." Read more

"The author did a tremendous job of engaging the reader and holding their attention...." Read more

"The beginning is filled with descriptive writing that draws the reader into the scene...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning they could picture every character vividly.

"...Kept my attention the whole time. I could picture every character, feel every emotion, and loved the personalities of the main characters!..." Read more

"Eva and Mark are great characters multi faceted and bright. There love for each other enhances the story and the solution. Read it yourself." Read more

"...The characters were great and I’m looking forward to the next one in the series." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Marcia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is a new author for me. I could not put it down. Kept my attention the whole time. I could picture every character, feel every emotion, and loved the personalities of the main characters! This is a MUST read!!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jen B.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Eva and Mark and a Serial Killer...A Good Story!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2021
    Eva and Mark used to be a couple. Their relationship did not end well. Now they are living close to each other but separately. When Eva uncovers what she believes is evidence of a serial killer, she asks Mark to help her determine if she's right. Mark retired from the military and plans to never return to investigation work. As they chase down facts and evidence they have to dance through the minefield of their failed relationship. Will they figure out the case and find a way back to each other?

    I really enjoyed this story. Eva is smart and capable. Mark might be broken from his years investigating killers but he's not down for the count. Neither one of them has any desire to rekindle a relationship but they are both doggedly determined to solve cases when they are presented cases. I liked that Eva is back in her hometown and has connections with people and places where the story takes place. I thought the side characters were interesting and added to the story. I am looking forward to more about those characters in future stories.

    I never did exactly figure out how old Eva and Mark are. I like to know these sorts of things. Also, I'm interested in their family dynamics because Mark moved from the USA to Slovenia.

    I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a murder mystery with a little angst and a ton of fog (yes, I mean that literally). This has to be the foggiest place on earth!). This is a contemporary suspense novel with a side of romance. The story kind of sneaks up on you which was nice because it didn't feel like the author was trying too hard. The story is quiet and subtle in it's unraveling of the facts.

    I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Bridget K.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Places This Bood Did Not Have
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I read the Prequel #2 book first, not knowing there was Prequel #1. I really liked Prequel #2 The Fairytale Killer. It was a great book, & I couldn't put it down. I loved how good Mark & Eva were together, personally & professionally. They were a great team.

    Then I read this book & it made me so frustrated. It is set over three years after Mark & Eva broke up & have not spoken since. The reasoning the author gives is stupid, really flimsy & ridiculous.

    Eva has turned into a person I did not like or enjoy, a real b*tch. Mark, on the other hand, is still an honorable & great guy. He retired young from his military CID job due to burnout & PTSD.

    Eva is back in her home country & basically stumbles upon a body recovery from the river. She begins researching this & other related incidents & believes she has stumbled upon a serial killer.

    Somehow, she ends up taking the potential case to Mark, who by strange coincidence is also living in her home country & the country of his ancestors. It's not too far from Eva, an hour or so, I believe.

    There's too much angst for two people who are around 40 years old, in my opinion. Mark gets interested in what he believes is a serial killer. Eventually, they sort of join a team being created by an old school friend of Eva's.

    There are a lot of extremely unlikable characters in this book & I don't mean the killer. This serial killer is all over the place & not up to par. If the local police had a lick of sense or were even sober half the time, this case could have been solved 15 years ago. It's ridiculous how incompetent the police are in this country.

    The book is not great & I'm disappointed with the waste of my time. Maybe I'll try one more book. I don't know yet.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Carole D Hutchison
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was a kind of story that keeps you riveted and wanted to turn pages just to see what's going to happen next both of the main characters Eva and mark are interesting and challenging to each other and to the reader.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jacqueline
    4.0 out of 5 stars Slow Build Murder Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2021
    Eva is a True Crime writer looking fir her next story. She goes home to reset after years on the road traveling with book tours. As she is researching a possibility she comes across a crime scene and a comment from a bystander sparks her interest. Mark is a former love interest and investigator of a previous case that Eva wrote about. Simon, a childhood friend of Evas, is trying to convince Mark to join an investigative team. Using Evas theory of a serial killer spanning 20 years, they convince Mark to help out.

    This is a very cerebral book, very descriptive and full of internal conversations. It’s suspenseful in that there is no clear suspect and the team is running around chasing down leads. There is not much action until the end but it is well thought out. There is a side of romance to this story and although it is central to the story it really isn’t a traditional romance.

    I was looking for something different than my usual reads and this fit the bill. I did find myself putting it down and coming back several times just because of the lack of action but I was invested enough to want to finish it. It’s not necessary to read the pre-quells although the storyline is referenced several times.

    I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Philip Kuhn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Slovenian Mystery!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I had read nothing by Lena Bourne (surely a nom de plume) before this, but I will certainly look for her work in the future. She gives tantalizing clues along the way, but throws some interesting twists into the mix. I was a bit exasperated by the romance in the beginning, but found it all good in the end. Highly recommended!
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customerromantic-at-heart
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing story
    Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book was really well written. Lots of suspense and a great story. Wonderful insight into to Mark's thoughts and feelings, and great chemistry with Eva. Loved the previous 2 books also.
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  • ann.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good story.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book very much, not too long and kept my interest from beginning to the end. Some of the details were a bit too long or unnecessary but still a good read.
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  • Mazhaggis
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very engaging read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Another great read from this author. 5he storyline was at a good pace, kept me turning pages well into the small hours.
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  • EileenM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping from the first to the last
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    And surprises galore. Good character progression and excellent, twisting and turning, storyline. Already looking forward to book two in the series.
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  • Dread Pirate Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good tale, well told.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A well-paced hunt for a serial killer. I enjoyed this one.
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