Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Lena Diaz – a Review

Take The Key and Lock Her Up
The Deadly Game series – Book #4
by Lena Diaz
Release Date: August 5, 2014

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Description:
Detective Emily O’Malley just stumbled upon a killer’s lair—and the remains of a woman he kept locked away for years. But this killer isn’t done yet. More women are missing, and all clues point to Devlin Buchanan—the man who seems to know just a little too much. Emily’s instincts are rarely wrong, and now they’re telling her this sexy, mysterious man is hiding something big …

As a trained assassin for EXIT Inc—a top-secret mercenary group posing as an international tour company—Devlin “Devil” Buchanan isn’t afraid to take justice into his own hands. But when the hot new detective on his trail gets too close to the organization and a contract is placed on her life, Devlin does the only thing he can: he turns rogue agent and kidnaps her to save her life.

With EXIT Inc closing in and passions running hot between them, Emily and Devlin must work together to find the missing women and clear both their names before time runs out … and the key to freedom is thrown away.



Review:

…here she was, once again forced to do what she did not do best – make life-and-death decisions under pressure.

When Emily’s own partner helps her pass the detective test, ensuring she’s off the streets, “to keep the public safe”, your faith in that person is rather shaky. A profound evolution is about to take place, my friends. True to her penchant for rich, intense storytelling, Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Lena Diaz will insert you into Emily’s head, gauge options in heady situations she confronts, and suffer through doubts that have lived for too long. This is my third Diaz thriller and she never ceases to wreak a little havoc in my life – the consequences of reading till the early hours! This is me not complaining. 🙂

When Emily tracks an abductor to a basement more akin to an abandoned prison, she falls prey to a diversionary tactic (he literally locked her inside a cell and got away with his victim), but Emily’s life (and fate) is irrevocably changed by Devlin “Devil” Buchanan (older brother of the swoon-worthy Matt from Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead – available here). Devlin’s presence isn’t immediately questioned at the crime scene, weird, but even more interesting is his lack of interest in the police investigation. Oh, he was happy to make Emily’s acquaintance (her unforgettable soft curves), but cooperating with law enforcement doesn’t appeal to his sense of civic duty. Still weird, right? Devlin’s a hard one to figure out (and very good at hiding things), but I remember him as a background character and Ms. Diaz just makes him irresistible here. His initial approach might be crude, but it’s soon tempered by genuine vulnerability and charm (it runs in the Buchanan family).

An incidental, but impactful discovery of a gruesome, years-old corpse where Emily was locked up seizes Devin and thickens the plot.

“Holy shit,” he whispered.

“Ditto.” She lowered her phone. “Who gets to tell Devlin Buchanan that this skeleton is what’s left of his mother?”

Far from a doting mother, Carolyn was the love of Devlin’s father’s life, even though she divorced him (and abandoned the whole family) when Devlin was only 13. The knowledge of Carolyn’s forced captivity suddenly changes impressions and throws the Buchanan men into upheaval; a loyal force to protect their father. To add fuel to the fire, the first victim saved relays she’s only one of three women who were kidnapped by the mad man. So much going on, right?! The case progresses and expands; infiltrates what once was safe. Emily is swept up by the emotions and swears to bring the fugitive to justice alongside Devlin to repay him for saving her own life. Maybe it’s time they shake hands and call it a day because Devlin’s methods of apprehending fall way outside the police scope:

If Devlin had talked, he would have used the term enforcer, his actual job title. Enforcer was somewhat synonymous with agent at one of the alphabet agencies like the CIA or FBI, but without the shackles of laws and political policies to tie him down. The assassin role was only part of what he did, and only when absolutely necessary.

I couldn’t even begin to explain the twists and connections linking Devlin and his family. It is marvelously layered and worst of all, a real threat. I wouldn’t dream of spoiling that for you let alone capsulize or tiptoe around key clues. That’s the thrill in thriller and it’s wicked! What I can expand upon is the building sexual tension that stays unexplored for far too long, IMO, lol. Undeterred, but mostly out of insane, implacable desire, Emily vows to maintain ethical standards in the midst of hot pursuit (and that has little to do with the perp!) I’m not downplaying the chemistry because Ms. Diaz delivers shivers, but the beauty lies in watching Emily and Devlin begin to trust one another, develop strong feelings for one another, and recognize that they’re stronger together.

“Maybe you’re right that I shouldn’t have forced you to come with me in the first place. And maybe I shouldn’t have locked you up. But I did what I thought I had to do at the time to keep you safe. If you come with me now, we can be a team, find the missing women together. That way I’ll be able to protect you from my enemies and you’ll be able to do what you want to do – solve the case. You won’t be my prisoner. But don’t ask me to leave you here to die, Em. I can’t do it. I won’t do it.”

There were moments, several in fact, where I found Emily to be downright inept and a liability to her profession. Be it inappropriate, illegal interrogation or brandishing her gun on unarmed Devlin, it really got under my skin. In all fairness, due to time constraints (constant attacks and a general reticence on his part), Devlin has only skimmed the surface of his job description to Emily. Based on opposite sides of the spectrum, I suppose it’s natural to form an opinion, but never was there a couple more in need of a sit-down than these two. Devlin’s brash confidence and/or lone wolf mentality was a bit off-putting, but when their disparities leveled, so went their judgments and an innate strength, possessed by both, rose to the occasion.  

Take the Key and Lock Her Up is a complex story made up of unfolding details, misinformation and transformation. While I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger (you don’t see frown-y faces of utter frustration), the story is not over. Is there a way to embrace HEA on the run? Please read this story and let me know your theories! Or better yet, can I get a spoiler, Ms. Diaz???

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author