Minutes to Kill by Melinda Leigh – a Review

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Description:
After corporate attorney Hannah Barrett tries—and fails—to stop a kidnapping in Vegas, she can’t shake the haunting image of the terrified young girl she couldn’t save. She tells herself that a visit to her hometown in Scarlet Falls could be a welcome distraction. But soon, Hannah realizes the kidnappers have all the info they need to track her every move. And when chilling e-mails about the victim appear in her inbox, it’s frighteningly clear what happened in Vegas has followed her home.

Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.

Review:

What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas. That’s a thing, right? It’s supposed to be a thing.;) Not in the case of Hannah in Minutes to Kill, book 2 of Melinda Leigh’s Scarlett Falls series. Mottos aside, this is that age-old scenario where you try to do the right thing yet incur the wrath of an unseen, avenging villain who is gunning after you for getting involved. This is why people look away. In Minutes to Kill, Ms. Leigh scares you and motivates you in equal measure!

Hannah (Grant’s younger sister) is on her way to the airport when she intercepts a young girl’s escape for her life. She helps her without pause/concern for her own safety, “You know me. All leap, no look.”, but gets herself knocked out in the process. Miserable bastard got away with the girl…and Hannah’s purse. CHILLS, right?!

The assault occurs right before her return visit to Scarlett Falls, but Hannah doesn’t allow it to dampen the mood of the visit: Baby Faith is turning a year old. Grant and Ellie (our happy H/H from Hour of Need) are making a real home for the kids since the tragedy (Hour of Need review available here). All Hannah wants to do is surround herself in family (and maybe a certain Detective Brody McNamara who’s made himself invaluable to her brother’s case). A haunting email arrives in Hannah’s inbox, disrupting any attempt to decompress at home.

Clues don’t exactly pour in, but Brody is a professional, willing to keep Hannah safe at all costs, and, an attraction is simmering. The love story was slow to start, but Hannah functions conservatively. Brody knows he’s attracted, would like something to come of it, but keeps himself in check (such will power, ugh!) until Hannah meets him halfway.

Complex was the only word for Hannah. She was a puzzle he wanted to solve but not in any rush. He wanted to take his time and get to know all her layers.

With alternating POVs, Ms. Leigh outlines the revenge mission against Hannah and it’s just psychotic and unnerving, but oh so compelling. There wasn’t a boundary the bad guy wouldn’t cross to “take the edge off”; cutting a violent, cruel path towards his objective.

Melinda Leigh wrote a gritty, countdown thriller with striking details. The rhyme and reason of criminals is so thoroughly fleshed out, you’re begging for justice to be doled out! I’m a big fan of her storytelling; the balance between violence and romance is deftly executed and she keeps you hungry for more. My instincts tell me Mac (the youngest Barrett sibling) gets his voice next? Whatever she’s writing – I’m reading! You should do exactly the same. 😉

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author