Bad Seeds by Mary Monroe

Bad Seeds by Mary Monroe
Book 6 of A Lexington, Alabama Novel
Publisher: Dafina
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

The daughter of a hardworking restaurant owner, Louise Brooks always sees the best in people—and in helping them no matter how difficult her own life gets. She’s lived through tragic loss and working in the family business, even after enduring a failed marriage and raising a child. So she’s delighted when she finds a best friend in Della Thornton, a woman struggling with bad breaks and unlucky romances. Many years later, when Louise’s father and her prosperous second husband pass away, Louise takes Della in and gives her a role in the restaurant as it grows more successful than ever . . .

Louise is now convinced lasting love is not in the cards for her—until she runs into handsome Malcolm Purdy. He’s everything she could want—outgoing, charming, and attentive. Soon they become engaged. And although Louise is dismayed that Della and Malcolm hate each other from the start, she does her best to keep the peace between the two people she cares about and trusts the most . . .

But a chance encounter from the past shows Louise that neither Della nor Malcolm is quite who they say they are—and their deceit runs deeper and deadlier than she imagined. With her illusions in ruins, how far will she go to see justice served? And will her final shocking move cost her more than she’s willing to lose?

Mary Monroe returns to the scandal-filled streets of Lexington, Alabama, with Bad Seeds, a gripping tale of envy and betrayal. The story follows Louise Brooks, a generous businesswoman who has weathered personal tragedy only to find herself ensnared in a web of deceit.
Monroe remains a master of character development. Louise is kind and giving but when those around her aren’t who they appear to be, she knows how to adapt. I appreciated how Monroe transformed Louise from a warm-hearted daughter and friend to a woman driven by her circumstances. I was definitely cheering her on. The historical backdrop of Lexington is always, rich with drama, and suspense that fans have come to crave. Monroe’s creativity shines, providing a shocking conclusion that I didn’t see coming.

If you are familiar with Mary’s writing, you know she takes her time to lay down essential details, giving her readers a full picture. While I sometimes find this frustrating with other authors, I am a fan of Mary’s writing style. While the storytelling is top-tier, there are moments where the pacing drags. However, I enjoyed following the breadcrumbs, engaging in the character development, and getting acquainted with the era and townsfolk. I always look forward to Mary’s endings, as her storytelling keeps you guessing and never disappoints. With her talent for storytelling, you may not know how it’ll end, I just know it’ll be a strong ending where her creativity consistently impresses.

This was a very good read and a fantastic addition to the Lexington series. To be honest, I enjoyed her previous book slightly more, but Bad Seeds still stands as a testament to Monroe’s talent for creating depth and dimension in her characters. Even though it’s a standalone, it carries that familiar energy that makes this world so addictive. If you’re a fan of historical suspense and strong female leads, this is a journey worth taking.