Review: Even better than the first!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 17, 2014
Whoa, it took me a while to sit down and actually form coherent thoughts after finishing Tainted Pictures. First of all, I really enjoyed the first one but this book was even better! It just stuck us deeper into the mystery of who “the photographer” was which keeps you on the edge of your seat and second guessing everyone.  Second, that cliffhanger; that freaking cliffhanger was so incredibly BRUTAL! I’m chomping at the bits for the third book, and it hasn’t even been 24 hours since I finished the second one!Even though I was still second guessing Derrick a little bit (because let’s be real – who ISN’T a suspect in these types of books/movies?), the non-twisted side of my brain was really rooting for him. I really loved that he redeemed himself immensely, but even more that he had such a strong will to prove to Kate that he meant business. He wanted to be that man for her, be a pillar of strength, and I think Sarah really succeeded in doing that for this couple. What impressed me even further was what I saw his relationship with Kate doing for her as a person. As Snow pointed out, she used what happened to her and was becoming stronger in spite of it rather than using it as an excuse to wither away. I really admired this about Sarah’s portrayal of Kate because it is so aligned with how I tend to think. When something bad happens, you can either crumble or emerge stronger and Kate so forcefully did the latter. Yes, she struggles sometimes, but the overall message is the same.The first book had a lot leading up to the main conflict, then it happening, and dealing with the effects of it afterwards. This book, however, really focused on the case which meant that you were constantly on the edge of your seat. I was truly unable to put this book down because I just had to figure out where the next clue would lead. I often times felt like I was Detective Snow and just searching for that missing piece of the puzzle that would put everything together. I love that Sarah wrote Tainted Pictures in a way that kept you guessing, but it never seemed over the top dramatic. It so closely mirrored what I envision happening in a real life circumstance which pulls you into the characters even more. I’m anxious on pins and needles waiting for the third and final installment! Now that we know who did it, I have to find out how they get to her/him (see what I did there? No spoilers from me!) and how the lives of Kate and Derrick are forever altered.