Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn -a Review

Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn -a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
After more than a year of laying low, Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie are called back into action. They have enjoyed their rest, but the lack of excitement is starting to a professional killer can only take so many watercolor classes and yoga sessions before she gets the itch to get back in the game. When they receive a call from Naomi Ndiaye, the head of the elite assassin organization known as the Museum, they are ready tackle the greatest challenge of their careers.

Someone on the inside has compiled a list of important kills committed by Museum agents, all of them connected to a single, shadowy figure, an Eastern European gangster who rules her business empire with an iron fist and plays puppet master in international affairs. Naomi is convinced this criminal queen is bent upon revenge, killing off the agents who attempted to thwart her, and the aging quartet of killers is next.

Together the foursome embark on a wild ride across the globe on the double mission of rooting out the Museum’s mole and hunting down the gangster and her assassin. But their nemesis is unlike any they’ve faced before, and it will take all their experience and a whole lot of luck to get out of this mission alive.

 

 

 

Review:

Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn is the 2nd book in her Killers of a Certain Age series. Our heroines, Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie, have worked for the secret Museum, an elite private network of assassins for 40 years. This was a fun, exciting & and entertaining novel. I really enjoyed this story, as this book was even better then the first book.

The retired deadly women assassins are back. After more than a year of laying low & resting, the ladies (Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, Natalie) are called back into action. The head of the elite assassin organization (Museum), Naomi, recalls them as it seems that someone may be seeking revenge against those connected to the Museum and it is up to our ladies to the find answers. 

They meet together to find out who is out to kill them, and though they are in their 60’s, they are such a riot, and wonderful friends, having been together for 40 years. Their assignments can be bloody, cold, intense& exciting, but they are also witty/charming, as they also protect each other. These women are deadly assassins for their international organization that eliminated unsavory people in various governments. But they were now retired, and yet they still get called to return to work to help eliminate the leaders who have targeted them.

Kills Well with Others has a fun, action filled, humor, friendship and exciting mystery; with plenty of humor and snark.  Kills Well with Others was a fabulous fast and fun read; which was very well written by Deanna Raybourn.  If you enjoy mysteries, thrillers, crime, and women who are fantastic together as government assassins.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

Share

Dead Man’s List by Karen Rose – a Review

Dead Man’s List by Karen Rose – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

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

 

 

 

Share

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
As the wall is peeled back, everyone falls silent. Then they see her. The near-perfect remains of a young female, two jelly bangles and a neon necklace being the only clues to how long she had been hidden there. But who was she? And who could have possibly wanted to take such an innocent life?

When the body of girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. On arrival she meets FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos who explains that while negotiating a hostage incident moments before, a gun was fired. The bullet missed its target but exposed human remains.

The victim has been perfectly preserved, her jewellery and summer dress taking Amanda back to her own teenage years. DNA quickly confirms that the victim was taken over thirty years ago. Thinking about her own daughter, Amanda cannot imagine the devastation for the young girl’s family and vows to find the killer.

Amanda and her partner Trent determine the suspect behind the attempted shooting, Cameron Cofell, had a very clear reason for exacting revenge on the church’s priest. As they question the wider community, a neighbour reveals her long-held suspicions too. But when she is found murdered, Amanda knows this killer is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their dark secret from ever coming to light.

Soon the investigation takes Amanda and Trent to an abandoned farmhouse—a place that haunts Cameron’s nightmares—where they find a faded photograph that holds the mystery of another chilling cold case. But just how far back does this evil go, and how much will Amanda and Trent need to sacrifice to find the killer?

 

 

Review:

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold is the 13th book in her wonderful Detective Amanda Steele series. As I have noted previously, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another fantastic addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia

When a local priest is held captive in his church, a shot is fired, hitting a wall in the Woodbridge church, which exposed a body entombed. Detective Amanda Steel and her partner, Trent are called to the scene. Amanda meets FBI agent Sandra Vos, who was negotiating a hostage situation in the church. Sandra was willing to help Amanda and Trent, getting more information for their needs.

The DNA quickly confirms that the victim was kidnapped from an amusement park over thirty years ago, with the child being 8 years old.  Her body was entombed within the wall at the age of sixteen. Cameron Cofell was the one who threatened the priest, as he thought the church was abusive, but his parents were the ones who abused him. Cameron’s parents were killed in an accident a few years ago, and it was suspected that the parents were the ones who kidnapped the girl, and killed her 8 years later.

Amanda and Trent are deep in investigating the past and the present, as they will work long into the night to find the truths. Amanda and Trent go to an abandoned farmhouse, finding faded photos that that holds the mystery of who helped the parents kill the girl.

Amanda and Trent are a great team, and I like them together. Amanda is a great detective, very strong, independent, and always able to solve any case. She also worries about her daughter, Zoey, because she always busy on a case, and feeling guilty about those long days that her job entails.   

What follows is an exciting, fast paced, suspenseful, compelling, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was another fantastic thriller. Hidden Angels was a fabulous crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end. Hidden Angels was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

Share

COLD AS HELL (Haven’s Rock 3) by Kelley Armstrong -review

COLD AS HELL (Haven’s Rock 3) by Kelley Armstrong-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 18, 2025

Haven’s Rock is a sanctuary town hidden deep in the Yukon for those who need to disappear from the regular world. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are starting a family now that they’ve settled into their life here. As Casey nears the end of her pregnancy, she lets nothing, including her worried husband, stop her from investigating what happens in the forbidden forest outside the town of Haven’s Rock.

When one of the town’s residents is drugged and wanders too close to the edge of town, she’s dragged into the woods kicking and screaming. She’s saved in the nick of time, but the women of the town are alarmed. Casey and Eric investigate the assault just as a snowstorm hits Haven’s Rock, covering the forest. It’s there they find a frozen body, naked in the snow. With mixed accounts of the woman’s last movements, the two begin to question who they can trust—and who they can’t—in their seemingly safe haven.

••••

REVIEW: COLD AS HELL is the third instalment in Kelley Armstrong’s contemporary adult HAVEN’S ROCK mystery, thriller series set in the fictional town of Haven’s Rock, Yukon focusing on Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton. The HAVEN’S ROCK series is a spin off from the author’s ROCKTON series with several of the original series characters moving to Haven’s Rock.

SOME BACKGROUND: Rockton Yukon did not exist on any map, and the residents all had a questionable past, fake names and false histories. Most were once considered to be white collar crimes but with increasing regularity, hardened criminals have somehow paid their way into Rockton, seeking sanctuary against future prosecution, a safe place for two years before seeking asylum somewhere else. A serial killer destroyed the people and ultimately the town of Rockton Yukon, and with the help of some of their former friends and a big influx of cash, Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton, begin the task of building a new town, known as Haven’s Rock, a town that will expose our couple to more murders and questionable inhabitants.

Told from first person perspective (Casey Duncan) COLD AS HELL focuses on several happenings in Haven’s Rock. A drugging at the local bar finds a very pregnant Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton searching for a missing woman but when one woman is found, another is discovered dead, and the entire town begins to suspect everyone connected. Meanwhile Casey’s pregnancy reaches a critical point, and our heroine struggles between doing her job and protecting her unborn child, a struggle that becomes dangerous and deadly.

The world building follows several intersecting paths including the possibility of one of their own wreaking havoc on the town’s residents but not everyone is who they claim to be, and Casey and Eric will face down an enemy with deadly intent.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and questionable secondary and supporting characters, all of whom have a past. Accusations are made; threats are compounded with issues of trust-not everyone will survive.

COLD AS HELL is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, love and loss. The slow building story is dark, dramatic and edgy; the characters are determined, charismatic and energetic. Kelley Armstrong pulls the reader into a world of ice and cold, snow and blizzards-you can feel the temperature drop.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Murder at Haven’s Rock
The Boy Who Cried Bear

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads / WebsiteTwitterFacebookAmazon Author Page/

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers’ dismay. All efforts to make her produce “normal” stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She’s the author of the NYT-bestselling “Women of the Otherworld” paranormal suspense series and “Darkest Powers” young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

Share

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset―fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets―may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear―because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must―not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain―and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…

 

 

Review:

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb is the 60th book in this fantastic series.  Bonded in Death was one of the best in this series, as it was a terrific intense and exciting story that kept me unable to put the book down.  Fantastic.

Giovanni Rossi, who lives in Rome, received an urgent summons from an old friend to come to New York; when he landed and entered a waiting car, he is immediately gassed to death.  Giovanni was part of a secret organization consisting of 12 members during the urban wars (during the 2024-2026). The group, called The Twelve, were part of British intelligence, doing all they could to save people during the wars which included Summerset.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is on the Rossi case, as he was an elderly victim who had just arrived from Rome, and immediately killed.  Eve and Peabody investigate the murder, and when she arrives at home, Summerset sees her board, and is shocked; as he reveals that he knows the victim. Summerset explains that during the urban wars, he was part of The Twelve (helping save lives for the British); which has Eve examing the conflict in Europe in 2026. She learns quickly that the man who betrayed them, was sent to prison and in recent years, he died. There was is a cryptic message from the killer, who plans to find The Twelve and kill them.  Eve will discover that the Shark, had help to escape, and another victim’s ashes were buried instead.  We do to see more of Summerset and his backstory, as well as the remaining Twelve who were all brought to Roarke’s place to keep them protected.

Connor Potter, now using a fake name, is the evil killer, who makes plans to kill each of The Twelve (with Alice, Summerset’s wife, who was killed back in 2026, when she saved the others; as well as 3 more who already passed).  Connor was an evil killer, who is determined to set up traps to kill his former friends.

Dallas, Peabody, Roarke, and the entire team work long hours to try and find Potter, before he kills again. Roarke was able to remove a device that would have had three members of the Twelve, who attended a lunch (set up secretly by Potter); which led everyone hoping to catch him. But he managed to escape, and kidnapped a young boy, threatening his life; but as we get closer to the end, Eve does set up a trap, with all of her team to get him.

I loved how the four of the wonderful women who play a large part of this series (Eve, Peabody, Mira and Reo), get Potter to reveal his plans. Especially when he treated women as nothing, and his knowing he was being sent to Britian, but when he learned his life was going to be drastic change.  I loved it.

Bonded in Death was a terrific, emotional, mystery, spy thriller, that kept me unable to put the book down.  Bonded in Death was a fantastic read that brought family and friends together, as well as betrayal, greed, connections, justice, bonds and love. Once again, J.D. Robb gives another fantastic thriller, and I thought this was one of the best.  Bonded in Death was very well written by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts).

Reviewed by Barb

Copy Provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share

Carousels and Characters by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

Carousels and Characters by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

Amazon / Bookbub

 

Description:
This book club is whooshed right into the pages of a cozy mystery. The quirky group of brave members must solve the mystery and reach The End to get out of the book.

In each book of the series, they travel to a different world and meet paranormal characters. It could be shifters, fairies, genies, ghosts, or anything else! It’s so much fun, you’ll wish for a book club like this!

In this book journey, they travel to an enchanted amusement theme park. It’s a magical, wonderful place, but something is disturbing the park. Robberies are occurring from every ride. It began with little things, like props or costumes, but now the stakes are rising.

The book club has entered this story so that they can find out who is behind the thefts and stop the problem. Hopefully, they can do it before chaos strikes the entire theme park and closes it down, leaving hundreds of workers jobless and thousands of park visitors disappointed.

 

 

Review:

Carousels and Characters by Elizabeth Pantley is the 9th book in her wonderful Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a fun, enjoyable, lighthearted series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.

Paige chooses a book to travel to an enchanted amusement theme park, where the club is swept into the magical park. The workers in the park need help to figure out why there are robberies, and missing people.  Posing as park inspectors, they enter each of the attractions, to ask questions with the staff. The group tries to learn why, as each area is having issues; when one person disappears from one location, and turns up in another.  The group split up often, as they are determined to find the culprit.

While they have fun in the wonderful park, enjoying rides and all the food; but the group constantly gets thrown off, with a few red herrings and suspects. In a short time, they will begin to suspect the culprit, and the park leaders also help.

The group is always fun, as all of them are fantastic characters. I loved that Paige is now the leader, with Glo and Gee Gee staying in the previous book.  I also love Frank, who is always wonderful.  The rest of the team are all great characters, always finding clues along the way.

What follows is a another terrific, enchanting and fun addition to this series, that has all the members trying to find clues, as well as suspects. I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige leading the way. There were a few surprises along the way, which changes a few things at the end. Carousels and Characters was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied by Author

Share

RIVER’S EDGE (River Collins FBI Mystery Thriller 1) by Kate Gable

RIVER’S EDGE (River Collins FBI Mystery Thriller 1) by Kate Gable-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 22025

FBI Agent River Collins knows firsthand the terror of being taken. Twenty years after escaping her own abductor, she still carries the scars—and he was never caught. Now, in the quiet college town of Charlottesville, Virginia, two mothers have vanished on their way to pick up their children from school, leaving behind empty cars and unanswered questions.
While her sister enjoys the picture-perfect life River could never achieve—marriage, children, a beautiful home—River throws herself into the investigation, recognizing patterns that only someone with her traumatic past could see. But as the case intensifies, so do her nightmares, forcing River to confront the darkness she’s spent two decades trying to outrun.
With time running out for the missing women and her own past threatening to derail the investigation, River must decide if facing her demons will be the key to solving the case—or her ultimate undoing.

••••••

REVIEW: RIVER’S EDGE is the first instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary, adult RIVER COLLINS FBI mystery thriller series focusing on thirty four year old, FBI Agent Rebecca ‘River’ Collins.

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

Told from three first person perspectives including River Collins, RIVER’S EDGE follows in the wake of the abduction of two local women, stay at home mothers, with only their children’s school to connect them. Remembering her own kidnapping twenty years earlier, Agent River Collins struggles to face the possibilities of what is happening to the missing women. As River, and fellow Agent Emma Bertinelli begin a deep dive into the possible whereabouts of the missing women, a pattern begins to emerge, with the discovery of several other women missing in the surrounding area…but all is not well in the FBI office when one of their own suffers the ultimate betrayal.

Meanwhile, River’s sister Leslie is desperate to see River happily married, but the blind dates are failures, and only one man has caught the eye of our story line heroine.

The world building is familiar to fans of Kate Gable as there are many similarities with backstories and premises, including the betrayals directed at the heroine, and the people with whom she works.

RIVER’S EDGE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, friendships and relationships. The character driven premise is intriguing, dramatic and gripping; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Robert Archer Paranormal Mysteries by Ashley Gardner- Review

Robert Archer Paranormal Mysteries by Ashley Gardner- Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / Bookbub

 

Description:

A Matter of Honor Novella
Robert Archer, of the 26th Rifles, knows he’s betrayed his family’s trust by losing an artifact that gives the Archers stability and strength. If he already didn’t have enough troubles, one night he’s set upon and robbed, but rescued by an unlikely champion.

She is a night-slayer, one of the dangerous supernatural beings that hunt through the darker side of London for their prey. Once upon a time, Captain Archer did this night-slayer a good turn, and she has been watching over him, waiting for a chance to repay the debt.

Little does Captain Archer know how entwined his life has become with hers, and to what lengths she’ll go to show her gratitude.

Enter the alternate Regency England, where dangerous things prowl the darkness.

 

A Matter at New Year’s Novella
Robert Archer, returning home from a New Year’s gathering in 1823, stumbles upon a trio of were-beasts (shape-shifters) who can’t be up to much good. Only the aid of the lady night-slayer lets Robert reach home intact.

When the next morning, the body of a murdered man is found near the place Robert encountered the weres, he reasons they’ve hunted and killed the unfortunate gentleman.

To his shock, the were-beasts, who dress in the finest Bond Street attire, seek out Robert to enlist his help to prove their innocence. Robert embarks on the dangerous quest, which mires him in the secrets of the weres and teaches him new lessons about trust and treachery.

 

 

Review:

Robert Archer Paranormal Mysteries (A Matter of Honor / A Matter at New Year’s) by Ashley Gardner are two novellas that is listed separately below. 

A Matter of Honor
A Matter of Honor by Ashley Garder is the first book in this series. This is a paranormal story about two brothers, which is a very short story. Captain Robert Archer, the younger brother, lost an artifact which gives his family stability and strength.  His brother is slowly dying, as he knows that without the artifact, he may not survive. Robert is also affected, as he has became a drunken acholic, desperate to find the artifact.

A number of years ago, Robert helped a female night-slayer (supernatural beings-similiar to vampires), with giving her baby to a good family.  The night-slayer keeps an eye on him, always trying to help him, show her gratitude. She will learn who stole the artifact, and Robert’s brother will gain back his strength.  This was a short novella with paranormal, mystery and historical elements.

 

A Matter at New Year’s

A Matter at New Year’s is the 2nd book in this paranormal series, filled with historical mystery. The night-slayer continues to appear on occasion to help Robert, whenever he is in danger; especially as he oversees her adopted daughter, Anne. Robert is rescued by the night-slayer, when a trio of were-beasts (shape-shifters) put him in danger.  The following morning, a man was murdered, and the were-beasts fear they will be blamed for the murder.

They seek out Robert, to enlist his help to prove their innocence, and they know he has the night slayer as a friend.  Robert goes on a dangerous quest to discover more about the weres, and who really murdered the victim.  As we get closer to the end, Robert, with some of his friends, find out who killed the man; our nice night slayer manages to have the killer reveal the truth.  The weres are happy, and Robert is now considered a friend.  I really liked the ending, as the nameless night slayer visits Robert on New Year’s, bringing champagne.  Is there something in the future for them both? 

The Robert Archer Paranormal Mysteries is a Regency story, with mysteries and Paranormal beings.  Both books were very well written by Ashley Gardner.

 

 

Share