Dead Man’s List by Karen Rose – a Review
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Description:
On a long-anticipated second date with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves—right as things are getting steamy—Kit stumbles across the mutilated body of a local San Diego politician. The politician is loved by many of his constituents but is hated and reviled by many more. That the suspect list is long is no surprise to anyone, but exactly who ends up on it stuns Kit and her team.
As the SDPD reveal the victim’s sinister dealings, Kit and Sam are forced to navigate the lawless world of the city’s most rich and powerful citizens to find answers. But time is rapidly running out, with their sources of information dropping like flies as the killer methodically eliminates loose ends—and anyone else who stands in the way.
Review:
Dead Man’s List by Karen Rose is the 3rd book in her terrific The San Diego Case Files. San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick returns, as she is a fantastic detective. Kit is finally planning a second date with Sam Reeves (psychologist), as she still dreads her anticipated date. Sam and Kit hike with their dogs in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and unfortunately, they discover a dead body. Immediately, both Kit and Sam recognize who the dead man is; Brooks Munro, a well known local politician/councilman who was reviled by many. The vicious wounds all over his body, make it clear that he was murdered.
Kit and her partner, Connor, know that the list of possible suspects will be big, especially after they discover that Munro was blackmailing people. After they find a list of the names of the victims that Munro was blackmailing, which had a number of powerful and influential people; that increased how many people who they needed to interview.
When more dead bodies continue to be found, both Kit and Connor realize that the killer is ruthlessly tying up loose end. Conner was able to get his mother’s gossip information (she is rich and attends parties), and together Kit and Connor review all the possible candidates that Munro blackmailed. Sam, who was also a civilian police consultant, helped both Kit and Connor.
Kit had a difficult childhood, until she moved into the home of foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick, whom they adopted. But Harlan and Betsy always provided love to many foster kids, whom Kit became close to. She did lose a sister, whose murder was never solved, which continued to haunt her. Also, two other sisters had past problems: with Rita dealing with an upcoming trial, where her mother was murdered, and she was raped. Akiko was contacted by someone claiming to have information about her birth mother, which Kit will help find the truth. All of this will probably be part of the next book.
I really loved Kit, who was awesome, and I got a kick out of Connor, who was also great. Sam and Kit slowly began to realize that they both felt strongly to each other: as he was always so sweet and patient to her. I expect in the next book, more about Sam and Kit.
Dead Man’s List was a great suspenseful, great plot, mystery, crime, police procedurals, and addicting story. Dead Man’s List was so very well written by Karen Rose, which is no surprise, as she writs fantastic stories. I suggest you read the San Diego Case Files, as it was great.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher