One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery – a Review

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery – a Review

 

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Description:
Please don’t come home for Christmas…

Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.

But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months.

As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.

 

 

Review:

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery is another one of her wonderful Christmas stories.  We meet Julie Parker, who owns a towing company and has two adult children; as well as a boyfriend, who happens to be 12 years younger than her.  With Christmas coming, Julie is looking forward to spending time with Heath, with her grown up kids making their own plans; but everything is about to change.

Julie’s ex-husband passed away a year ago, and both Nick and Dana have decided to cancel their plans, and instead get the entire family together, to honor their decease father. Nick, who is married to Blair, were planning on going on their belated honeymoon, but Blair is willing to cancel till the spring. Nick has another secret, which he isn’t planning on telling his mom, just yet; he does not want to take over the towing business. Dana, Nick’s sister, is unhappy, because her ex-boyfriend, Axel, whom she is in love with, constantly dumps her, and has done it again. Both Nick and Dana tell their mom they prefer to spend the Christmas holiday at the family’s huge cabin, in memory of their late father, which Julie agrees.  Julie is concerned, as she dreads the reaction from Dana and Nick, when they meet Heath, but when they arrive, they were perfectly fine getting to know Heath. 

The family meets at the cabin, where they will gather for 10 days; as the guest list continues to grow.  Nick and Blair, Dana, Heath and his two young kids, Blair’s mother Gwen (who was a terrible mother to her over the years), Blair’s uncle Peter, Huxley, co-worker friend, Heath’s ex-wife Tiffany, comes a bit later, when her boyfriend dumped her, and Axel, makes a later visit when he was hurt.  I actually enjoyed meeting all the family/friends/coworkers, who were all so wonderful. 

One Big Happy Family was a wonderful delightful story that made for a fun merry Christmas, even with some complications along the way.  The story was so much fun, with a lot of humor, a bit wild and crazy, some drama, and even chaos.  I loved everything about this enjoyable holiday story line.  One Big Happy Family was so very well written by Susan Mallery.  I suggest you read, One Big Happy Family, as you can never go wrong reading anything by Susan Mallery.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Romance Line (Love & Hockey 2) by Lauren Blakely-review

🩷The Romance Line (Love & Hockey 2) by Lauren Blakely-review🩷

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 2,2024

he first rule of handling PR for a hockey team? Never hook up with a player.

That shouldn’t be a problem since the last man on earth I want to give an image makeover to is our goalie. He’s infuriatingly hot, famously grumpy and lives to spar with me after every game.

But shining up his rough edges is my path to landing the promotion I desperately need, so I grit my teeth and do my job. No matter how hard he makes it (especially with that sexy smirk and cool blue eyes.) As we travel from pose-with-a-pet photo opps to cuddle-a-kitten fundraisers, we bicker like it’s foreplay.

Turns out it is.

Because as I get to know the man behind the broody iceman exterior, it’s me that melts – right into his arms as he devastates me with a kiss that turns into the hottest, most forbidden night of my life.

Only once turns into every night as Max shows me how much he wants to take care of me. His possessive touch makes me feel adored for the first time in my life.

But the man is entirely off limits and I can’t risk my job for more of those soul-deep kisses.

Because the only thing worse than hooking up with a player is falling head over heels for him.

•••••

REVIEW:THE ROMANCE LINE is the second instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult LOVE AND HOCKEY erotic, hockey romance series set in the author’s MY HOCKEY ROMANCE world. This is Seattle Sea Dogs goalie Max Lambert, and PR agent Everly Rosewood’s story line. THE ROMANCE LINE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Max and Everly) THE ROMANCE LINE follows the building romance and forbidden relationship between our story line couple. Seattle Sea Dogs’ goalie Max Lambert’s popularity with the media and fans is tanking, and the Sea Dogs have assigned their PR agent Everly Rosewood to refine and rebuild Max’s reputation but Max has been struggling in the face of a previous betrayal, and is reluctant to reveal the private side of his life. With the help of Everly, Max’s popularity begins to rise but their attraction to one another forces our couple to keep secrets their burgeoning relationship. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Max and Everly, and the potential fall-out when Max discovers Everly is in line for a promotion, and Max may be her ticket upwards.

The world building follows several paths including the revival of Max Lambert’s ‘likeability quotient’; Everly’s battle to prove Max is worthy of a second chance; the secrets Everly hides from most of the people in her life; and the return of Max’s ex who may or may not be looking for a second chance.

The relationship between Max and Everly is one of the forbidden. Max and Everly work for the same organization, and in this, there is an unwritten rule about fraternizing with fellow employees. Keeping their relationship a secret is difficult when the media wants to match Max with someone else. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and eager secondary and supporting characters including several of Max’s teammates; Everly’s co-workers, as well as her best friends; media influencers, journalists and television programmers and executives.

THE ROMANCE LINE is a story of secrets, betrayal, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is slow building, thought provoking and inviting; the romance is spicy and seductive; the characters are sassy and spirited but the appearance of Max’s ex is more of a red-herring as it goes nowhere, fast.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE BOYFRIEND GOAL

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

“Just let me walk you to the door.””Fine,” she says, her palms raised in surrender.

I set my hand on her back again. A slight shiver seems to run through her when I touch her. I try not to let that go to my head. Or my dick.

But as we go, I spread my fingers wider across the silk of her shirt. Press a little harder. Rub a little more. Curl my thumb around her waist. Register every hitch of her breath.

By the time we’re at the top of the steps, my hand feels too right on her back to let go. “I’m not sure I have made my point, Everly.”

She turns to me, facing me, so I have to drop my hand from her back. Her gaze is wary but intrigued, her eyes flickering with questions. “What’s your point exactly?”

“Like I said earlier, if this was a date I’d walk you to the door.”

“But it’s not. You keep telling me it’s not.” It’s like she’s trying to catch me on a technicality, or maybe to push me into admitting something. She doesn’t make a move to go inside. Her gaze is locked on mine, and the air is charged between us. It crackles with anticipation.

“You’re right. It’s not,” I say, weighing how far I’ll go. What it’ll cost me.

She rolls her lips together, then breathes out, like she’s centering herself. “And you did it anyway.”

“True,” I say. Like I could do anything else with her. I couldn’t have stopped myself from showing up at The Spotted Zebra tonight if I’d tried. I couldn’t have resisted driving her home. I couldn’t have refrained from walking her up her steps. Now we’re standing in the warm October air, the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, the ocean hugging us. And I’m not walking away—not with her closer than she’s ever been. I look at her lush mouth one more time, then her gorgeous eyes. “And if this were a date I’d kiss you at the door.”

She’s quiet, but her lips curve up. “That’s not what you said at the restaurant.”

Wait. I’m confused now. “That is what I said,” I point out.

She crosses her arms, shaking her head, but she’s smiling and it’s flirty. Inviting. “No, Max. You said you’d devastate me with a kiss.”

And that’s it. That’s enough. Just f*&k it. F*&k everything. “I guess I’d better start.”

 


 

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

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Forced Protector (Rogue Protectors 6) by Victoria Paige-review

Forced Protector (Rogue Protectors 6) by Victoria Paige-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 1, 2024

A grumpy princess. A laid-back Navy SEAL. A road trip. What could go wrong?

Thala Targen is known as the ice princess.
Sister to the Queen of Venusstea, she is a general in the royal guard and the next in line to the throne.
After an attempt on the queen’s life makes Thala a suspect, she goes on the run in the city of Los Angeles.
Forced in proximity with a mysterious agent—or a possible kidnapper—she soon finds the man’s easygoing personality grating on her last nerve.
But she needs him to prove her innocence.

Hank Bristow is known as the unruffled one.
Quick to smile, a nomad by nature, he goes rogue on instinct.
An instinct that has him rescuing a prickly princess from a fiery death.
Regrets may come later, but he’s looking forward to pulling that stick out of her royal a$$.

However, he soon discovers there’s more to Thala underneath that ice.
And he can’t wait to show her there’s more to life than being a princess.
Unfortunately, his heart didn’t get the memo that the princess wasn’t his to keep.

•••••

REVIEW:FORCED PROTECTOR is the sixth instalment in Victoria Paige’s contemporary, adult ROGUE PROTECTORS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of current and former US Navy SEALs, CIA Operatives and law enforcement. This is thirty-six year old, former CIA operative turned security specialist Hank Bristow aka Holden Buchanan, and twenty-nine year old, Royal Guard General / princess Thala Targen’s story line. FORCED PROTECTOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. For fans of Paige, there is a slight cross-over and mention of the characters from the SCORNED FATE series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hank and Thala) FORCED PROTECTOR follows in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Venusstea’s Queen Amadea Targen on US soil. Queen Amadea and Princess Thala were in the US for the screening of a film featuring a segment of their country’s history but an attempt on both of their lives finds Queen Amadea whisked to places unknown, and Princess Thala under the protection of our story line hero. Enter former CIA operative Hank Bristow, the man with whom Thala will fall in love. Someone is targeting our story line heroine, and when their whereabouts are continually compromised, Hank and Thala suspect a mole, someone on the inside taking aim at the royal siblings. Meanwhile, hiding out at his family winery, Hank must come to terms with the numerous attempts to purchase the vineyard, a vineyard that has been in the family for years but betrayal from within begins to focus on someone close. With the help of his former operatives, Hank begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Venusstea Royal family.

The world building follows several pathways including the assassination attempts against Thala and Amadea; a political and international nightmare for power and natural resources; the endeavor of outsiders to take control of the Buchanan winery; and a Royal family at odds with history, culture and laws of succession.

The relationship between Thala and Hank begins acrimoniously. Thala is a general in the Royal Guard, and as such believes she is capable of handling her own protection. Hank is determined to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love but the threats against her life are difficult to stop when they are coming from more than one possible direction. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are numerous and dynamic: Hank’s cousin Christian, Uncle Edgar; Thala’s sister Amadea, her bodyguard Ramsay; as well as Hank’s teammates and fellow security specialists, several of whom we met in the previous story line. The requisite evil has many faces.

FORCED PROTECTOR is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, greed and obsession, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The premise is detailed, intriguing and dramatic; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are determined, and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book five THE WIFE ASSIGNMENT

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Victoria Paige writes smart, edgy, seductive romance.

Her heroes are badass alpha males and her smart, strong-willed heroines can hold their own against a bossy hero. Her books are sexually explicit and may contain dark themes, morally ambiguous choices, and disturbing situations as she injects realism into her stories and gives them her own twist.

Victoria lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and playful German Shepherd Dog, Loki.

Sign Up for Victoria’s newsletter HERE

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The House at Watch Hill (Watch Hill) by Karen M Moning-dual review

The House at Watch Hill (Watch Hill Trilogy 1) by Karen M Moning-dual review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 1, 2024

Zo Grey is reeling from the sudden death of her mother when she receives a surprising call from an attorney in Divinity, Louisiana, with the news she has been left an inheritance by a distant relative, the terms of which he will only discuss in person. Destitute and alone, with nothing left to lose, Zo heads to Divinity and discovers she is the sole beneficiary of a huge fortune and a monstrosity of a house that sits ominously at the peak of Watch Hill—but she must live in it, alone, for three years before the house, or the money, is hers.

Met with this irresistible opportunity to finally build a future for herself, Zo puts aside her misgivings about the foreboding Gothic mansion and the strange circumstances, and moves in, where she is quickly met by a red-eyed Stygian owl and an impossibly sexy Scottish groundskeeper.

Her new home is full of countless secrets and mystifying riddles, with doors that go nowhere, others that are impossible to open, and a turret into which there is no visible means of ingress. And the townspeople are odd…

What Zo doesn’t yet know is that her own roots lie in this very house and that in order to discover her true identity and awaken her dormant powers, she will have to face off against sinister forces she doesn’t quite comprehend—or risk being consumed by them.

•••••

Sandy’s review:THE HOUSE AT WATCH HILL is the first instalment in Karen Marie Moning’s contemporary, adult WATCH HILL dark, paranormal trilogy focusing on twenty-four year old Zo Grey and the residents of Divinity Louisiana.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person (Zo and Alisdair) using present day, journal entries, and personal letters THE HOUSE AT WATCH HILL follows in the wake of the death of two members of Zo’s family: Zo’s mother Joanna Grey, as well as a distant relative Juniper Cameron. As the sole living heir to her great aunt Juniper’s bloodline Zo Grey is invited to Divinity, Louisiana where she will discover that she is descended from a long line of powerful beings, and as such, the latest target of the townsfolk of Divinity but Zo has yet to come into her powers, powers that our heroine will struggle to control. From dark and light witches, and a warm vampire witch, Zo will come face to face with an uncertain future when the town takes aim at our story line heroine.

The world building focuses on Zo Grey’s foray into a world she knew nothing about. Hidden most of her life, always on the run with her ailing mother, Zo will soon discover, with the help of her best friend Este Hunter, and a haunting grimoire , the truth is much more heart breaking and anger-inducing than she could have ever imagined. Zo is a strong-willed, young woman whose life is changing rapidly.

There is a large ensemble cast of magical, powerful and determined secondary and supporting characters all of whom has varying degrees of magic and power. We are introduced attorney James Balfour, groundskeeper Devlin Blackstone, Rufus the owl, and Kellan. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE HOUSE AT WATCH HILL is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and manipulation, magic and mayhem, family and friendships. The premise is captivating, enchanting and dramatic; the characters are magical and powerful. There are two men vying for Zo’s attention but their true intention may be something more nefarious than a one-night stand. THE HOUSE AT WATCH HILL ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

________

Barb’s Review: The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning is the first book in her new Watch Hill Trilogy. We meet Zo Grey, who is 24 years old, and grieving the sudden death of her mother; and seriously in debt, with multiple jobs. She receives a surprising phone call from an attorney in Divinity, Louisiana, as she has been left an inheritance by an unknown relative (she never knew), Juniper Cameron. Zo decides to drive to Divinity to meet the attorney, James Balfour, to learn about the inheritance.   She discovers that she is the sole beneficiary of a huge fortune, as well as a gothic manor house, built on Watch Hill. There are some terms; she must live in the house for three years, she will be paid 1 million dollars for the first and second years, and at the end of the three years, she will inherit 140 million, including all assets from Juniper Cameron.  The attorney, James Balfour, becomes her right-hand man, who will protect her against the many townsfolks who do not accept her.   

Zo learns more about the witch coven, who are part of Divinity, which has a dark history, with warring clans, and powerful enemies, which also include witches, covens, vampires, shapeshifters; and a ongoing battle between light and dark magic.  Kovan, is a 13-witch family with 169 members.  Zo is expected to become the leader, once she learns everything, including the magical powers that continue to increase.  Zo will need to get experience and training to fight her enemies.  Will she survive, as the witch clans will do anything to kill her.

Zo has been through a lot, especially waiting for the 7 days and nights until she is allowed to open a letter from Juniper, explaining her responsibilities, the town history, and more about her magical powers. Zo learns the secrets within the house, which will awaken her dormant powers. She will have to face off against sinister forces in Divinity that are determined to stop her from reaching her powerful potential. Zo finds herself lusting after Devlin, the Scottish groundskeeper, who also wants to protect her from evil.  I really did like James Balfour, Devlin and Rufus, the owl.

The House on Watch Hill is a fabulous dark fantasy, with a bit of mystery, danger, romance, sex, magic story line. It was very exciting as we get close to the end, which does end with a cliff-hanger.  The House at Watch Hill was so very well written by Karen Marie Moning.  I can’t Wait for the next book in this trilogy. 

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A Grim Reapers Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara-Review

A Grim Reapers Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara-Review


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Description:
Sometimes it takes working with the dead to start living.

Kathy Valence is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex’s baby. She’s also a modern-day grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), but frankly that’s the easiest part of her life right now. Or at least it was, until her latest client’s soul goes missing.

When she finally tracks down seventeen-year-old Conner Ortiz, he angrily denies he died of natural causes, despite what his file says. He insists that someone at S.C.Y.T.H.E. murdered him, and he demands Kathy find out who and why.

Kathy has only forty-five days to figure out what happened to Conner and help him move on before the boy’s soul is doomed to roam the Earth as a ghost forever. She’s forced to rely on the help of her retired mentor, her almost ex-husband—and some sneaky moves by Conner himself. This is the wildest case of her career. . .and one wrong move could cost Kathy her job, not to mention her life.

 

 

Review:

A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxi Dara is an exciting paranormal story.  We meet Kathy Valence, who is 42years old, and in the midst of a divorce, even though her husband, Simon is thrilled that she is pregnant.  She is a modern-day grim reaper, who works for SCYTHE (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences (souls)). Her job is to collect a newly deceased person’s soul for processing to the afterlife; she is very successful at her job.

Kathy is assigned to case number 507032, who is known as Conner Ortiz, who was killed.  Conner is 17 years old, and Kathy cannot find him.  When she eventually discovers him, he tells her that he was murdered by someone wearing a SCYTHE badge. Connor at first was hostile, but in time, he was willing to work closely with Kathy, and find out who murdered him. Kathy’s mentor Jo, as well as her ex-Simon will also help her find out what is going on in the SCYTHE offices. Time is of essence, as Connor has a 45 day window, where if he doesn’t make it, his soul would be doomed to roam the Earth as a ghost forever.

I really liked Kathy, as well as Simon, who was very much still in love with Kathy, especially now that she was pregnant.  Her mentor Jo, was also lots of fun.  Kathy and Connor did become close, as she was determined to find a way to save him. They are racing against the clock, with Kathy, Jo, Simon and Connor investigate those who may be from the SCYTHE people; as she uncovers clues that could reveal what is happening.  I do not want to give any more information, as it could ruin the story for you. 

What follows is an exciting tense climax, with a few twists and turns along the way.  A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer was a fun story, with some humor, mystery, suspense and a bit of romance.  A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer was very well written by Maxi Dara.  As noted, this was a fun enjoyable story line, which I suggest you read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

                                  438 Melrose Court

I tapped the address in my file with the lid of the pen I’d been chewing on. Beside the front door of the sandy beige new build, swirly metal numerals confirmed my location. Four three eight. Weird. Definitely the right number, but this was all wrong. I turned from the house and glanced down the manicured lawn to the street sign across the road. It promised in no uncertain terms that this was Melrose Court, just as it was supposed to be. I shut my file with a defeated sigh and went back in through the open door a second time.

“Hello?” I called yet again as I stomped through the kitchen. It was a kitchen that belonged on a show about kitchens more than in somebody’s house: clean and white and open-concept, leading out into the high-ceilinged living room beyond. The “after” on a home renovation show. Not even a spoon in the sink or a crumb on the countertops. Which made the body sprawled across the tiled floor look even more out of place.

Now, slap a corpse on the floor of my dingy apartment kitchen and you wouldn’t bat an eye, at least in my line of work. But in a place like this, a dead body really spoils the ambience.

I rounded the island and reopened my file.

Case # 507032

Conner Mateo Ortiz

Age: 17

Cause of death: Seizure

Time to Collect: 4:30 p.m.

“Conner?” My voice ricocheted off the stainless steel and marble surrounding me. I crouched by the body and attempted to hover in a squat, but my left knee protested my weight with a defiant pop, and I wobbled forward. “Nope, nope, nope,” I muttered to myself, “no falling on bodies today. Not after last time.” I lowered myself to my steadily widening bum by 507032’s head. His rich brown locks fell over one closed eye, a spattering of freckles on his nose. I sighed, one hand at my stomach. Poor kid. He looked younger than his age lying there, long lashes pressed above bronze cheeks still full with the last remnants of baby fat. I’d found his basement bedroom not ten minutes earlier; a gallery of posters and mess and potential. It always felt wrong when they were young. Like their bodies should still have some life left in them. But of course, they didn’t. That’s why I was there.

Still, he was going to make me late, and the last man to make me late was the very reason I needed to get back to the office and then on my way home on time.

“Conner?” I tried again. Nothing. The house shuddered at my voice and fell still.

My phone vibrated in my back trouser pocket and I nearly puked, though I wasn’t entirely sure the two were related. I scrambled for the phone and hauled myself to my feet.

Simon. He got the table for six thirty instead of seven. Of course he did. Shit. If we weren’t already in the middle of a divorce, I’d consider filing over this.

This wasn’t the way it normally worked-the way it always worked. Death, for all its unpredictability and unknowns, was remarkably routine on my end. It was one of the things I loved most about my job. Someone under my department’s jurisdiction dies, I get the paperwork, carry out the collection, write up a report for Stu, and am on the couch watching Family Feud with a bowl of canned tomato soup by five thirty. That’s how it was, how it always had been for the six years I’d been a Collections Agent with S.C.Y.T.H.E. But somehow today was different. Case 507032 was different.

I glanced back over the boy. My client files were always pared down to need-to-know information, and in my position, there isn’t much I need to know. But it seemed clear enough from the body-long-limbed and dressed in faded jeans and a gray hoodie-that aside from his family’s apparent wealth, 507032 was your average, unremarkable teenaged boy. So the question was, why wasn’t he here?

I did a second tour through the house, Conner Ortiz’s name bouncing back to me in my own voice from the high ceilings of every starkly furnished room. By the time I’d circled back into the kitchen, it was after five.

“Conner,” I said into the definitively empty house, “I’m sorry.”

I closed my file for the last time and left 438 Melrose Court.

Excerpted from A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara Copyright © 2024 by Maxie Dara. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

 

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