Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Description:
Tucking her daughter into her hospital bed, Gail sent up a silent prayer. Her daughter’s heart is failing and without this life-saving operation she will die. But soon her peace is shattered when a nurse races into the “Lock the doors, close the blinds. The hospital’s in lockdown. We have a shooter.”

When four attackers storm Founders Hospital, plunging it into an immediate lockdown, countless lives are at stake. As one of the FBI’s top negotiators, Special Agent Sandra Vos, is called in to bring the situation to a peaceful surrender.

Soon she discovers that the hostage takers have blocked the cell network and hospital phones are down. Every detail of the attack was meticulously planned. But why target a hospital?

Sandra’s strongest lead comes when they discover that one of the armed assailants forced themselves into a board meeting, taking their demands straight to the top. But with the attackers refusing to make contact and a little girl’s life hanging in the balance, Sandra needs to find the motive, fast.

When a shot rings out, it’s clear the hostage takers are prepared to kill to get what they want. But just when Sandra thinks all is lost, she discovers a link between them that reveals a very personal motive.

Sandra will need to use everything in her power to convince the hostage takers that this can end safely for everyone. But can she really meet their demands? And if not, how many lives will be lost?

 

 

 

Review:

Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold is the 2nd book in her Sandra Vos series.  Special agent Sandra Vos is a negotiator with the FBI, and she is sent with her partner, Brice Sutton to a hospital that has gone into a lockdown. A tense hostage situation at a Washington D.C. area hospital, and they realize there is no communication in or out of the hospital.  The hostage takers have blocked the network, and the internet and hospital phones are down as well. The tension ramps up as the hours tick by without resolution, the danger involving some of the antagonists.

Sandra is capable and strong, always calm in stressful situations, and has a fantastic memory. With four gunmen have the building in lockdown, Sandra faces her most harrowing challenge. She must determine to find a way to get communications back and try to talk to the main leader as the antagonists are hostile and angry.  Sandra also is concerned with a young child that will need a heart transplant in the later part of the day, and she fears the child will not be able to get help.

Every Last One was a suspenseful, tense, emotional, gripping, compelling thriller. The story points out so many situations, including anger, frustration, desperation, family, hostages, and danger. I love Sandra Vos, as she was a fantastic FBI agent. Every Last One was very well written by Carolyn Arnold.  Great story, which I suggest you read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

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Innocence Road by Laura Griffin – a Review

Innocence Road by Laura Griffin – a Review

 

Description:
Detective Leanne Everhart swore she’d never go back to her hometown near Marfa, Texas—but she returns when her brother needs her, only to find a town in need too, still torn apart by a decades-old crime.

Leanne Everhart knows women have something to fear in her artsy hometown, especially so if they’re not rich, white locals. Returning to town after her father’s death, she sees the ugliest sides of an area that draws people for its severe, untamed natural landscape.

While her department faces mounting backlash over a recent wrongful conviction in the long-ago murder case of a popular local teenager—which is now unsolved—Leanne is called to a fresh crime scene at the edge of the desert. A nameless woman was found murdered, with no clues as to her identity. As Leanne digs into the crime scene evidence, she grows convinced this latest murder case is linked with the local teenager’s murder. And to multiple cold cases, all unnamed female victims, that have all been shelved by her department without leads.

Now, with conflicted loyalties and without allies, Leanne must hunt down a serial killer, one who’s been preying on local women for two decades, growing bolder and more ruthless with every strike.

 

 

 

Review:

Innocence Road by Laura Griffin is a compelling story of small-town secrets, mystery, and cold cases.  Leanne Everhart has recently moved back to her hometown and joined the police department, where she is a detective. Leanne is smart, focused, determined and hard working; always seeking justice for victims. When another victim is murdered, Leanne is determined to pursue the clues pointing to a serial killer in her own hometown; especially with a still torn apart by decades-old crime.

Leanne uncovers some information that leads her to investigate possible cold cases during a 15-year period.  Her police chief continues to refuse her trying to prove her resources; with Leanne determined to solve the case on her own. She was made lead investigator on a recent death found in the desert. Leanne digs into the crime scene’s evidence; with multiple cold cases, all unnamed female victims, that have all been shelved by her department. Leanne gets some leads back 15 years ago, and begins to see that someone in their town is a serial killer, that has been going on for years. 

Leanne gets help from Izzy, a forensic photographer.  She also gets help from Duncan from another county. She has known him since their academy days in Houston, and he continues to be her sounding board and confident. 

Innocence Road is an exciting mystery thriller, with so much tense action from start to finish.   I loved Leanne, as she was a fantastic heroine.  Innocence Road was so very well written by Laura Griffin.  She is one of my go to authors, who writes fantastic mysteries. I suggest you read Innocence Road.

Reviewed by Barb

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Knife in the Back by Karen Rose – a Review

Knife in the Back by Karen Rose – a Review

 

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Description:
Officer Naomi Cranston was framed for stealing cocaine from the evidence locker and coerced—through threats to her young son—into not fighting the charges. After five years in prison, she has tried to put the ordeal behind her, but the crooks who framed her have returned, this time demanding she move drugs along with her flower shop’s deliveries. They threaten her son once again, but this time she’s not capitulating quietly. She hires Broussard Investigations to protect her and her son, to prove her innocence, and to put the real bad guys away.

As a former cop, Burke Broussard is well aware of the corruption in the New Orleans police department. He had always believed Naomi Cranston to be guilty and isn’t inclined to take her case. Until he sits down to listen to her side of things. Until he sees her tortured innocence written all over her beautiful face…

A relationship born amid an investigation is a fragile thing. Will it survive the danger and the threats? Will it survive the truth?

 

 

Review:

Knife in the Back by Karen Rose is the 4th book in her fantastic New Orleans series, which is part of her Romance Suspense mysteries. We meet Naomi Cranston, a former police officer, who was framed for a crime she did not commit, stealing drugs. She served 5 years in prison, and due to a technicality, she was released a year ago.  The same criminals who framed her, want to use her again, and Naomi refuses to back down, when she hopes to have Broussard Investigations help clear her name and protect her son, Everett.

Burke Broussard, a former cop, who owns Broussard Investigations, knows how deep police corruption runs in New Orleans. At first, he refuses to take her case, but when he listens to her that she was framed, and he changes his mind and takes her case.  In a short time, almost all of Burke’s employee’s children have been attempted to be kidnapped, and they all move into Burke’s, house (mansion) protecting each of them. They must find out who was behind Naomi’s prison term, and find out why those evil people who had her framed, are still trying to get her.  Who is the ringleader? The entire Broussard PI team will work together, which includes Burke, Molly, Val, Antoine, Andre and others who are part of the team. I really like how Burke and Naomi slowly began to have strong feelings for each other, as the chemistry between them was awesome.  I loved all the Broussard found family members, who were so great together.  Naomi’s mother also stayed in Burke’s place, giving her support; and in time Everett will discover that his mother was really innocent; having been brainwashed by his father. Her best friend, Sylvi, supported Naomi knowing she was innocent.

What follows is an intriguing, intense, exciting, and edge of your seat suspense story line that had me holding my breath so many times.  This story was very tense from all the way through, especially with the evil villains constantly killing off many innocent people.  As we raced to the wild climax, I prayed for the for the survival of all the good people, and the demise of the main villains. Their was a major twist later in the book, which Burke was in danger.  Knife in the Back was an emotional, thriller with fast-paced investigation with shocking twists, corruption, and high stakes danger. 

Knife in the Back was very well written by Karen Rose, which was an intense thriller, with non- stop action all the way.  As I have said before, Karen Rose never fails to give us an amazing fantastic well written thriller that is intense, always on the edge, with fantastic characters, evil villains and a wonderful family you care for. If you love suspense, with a touch of romance and a thriller all the way, then look no further then Karen Rose.

Reviewed by Barb

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Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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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

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

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

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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

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See How They Hide by Allison Brennan – a Review

See How They Hide by Allison Brennan – a Review

 

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Description:
No matter how far you run, some pasts never let you go…

Two people were murdered—at the exact same time, in the same gruesome manner, bodies covered in the same red poppies…but on opposite sides of the country.

With Detective Kara Quinn investigating in Oregon and Special Agent Matt Costa in Virginia, the Mobile Response Team digs deep to uncover more about each victim. What is the link between the two, and why were they targeted?

Yet their search unearths more questions than answers—until they meet Riley Pierce, the only person still alive who might be able to help them find the killers.

Soon, it becomes clear this case is nothing like they’ve seen before as their investigation leads them to the hallowed grounds of Havenwood—an eerily beautiful place rooted in a terrifying past.

As more bodies turn up, all tied to the same community, Kara and Matt are desperate to piece the puzzle together before Havenwood’s leader sacrifices everything to keep her secrets buried.

 

 

 

Review:

See How They Hide by Allison Brennan is the 6th book in her wonderful Quinn & CostaThriller series.  I love the Quinn and Costa series, as it is always very exciting and intense. Detective Kara Quinn and Special Agent Matt Costa are the leads, with them part of the FBI Mobile Response Team (MRT).

Two people are found murdered in the same time period, with Kara in Oregon and Matt in Virginia, with both finding red poppies on the dead.  Kara and her partner Michael, investigate the murder of Jane Merrifield; Matt and his agent, Sloane are investigating the murder of Robert Benson. They begin to try to uncover the link between the two cases, which have similar findings.  In a short time, it is suspected that who ever is behind the murders, are part of a cult; as more victims are found.  The search reveals more questions, until they meet Riley Pierce, the only person still alive that could help them.  

Riley Pierce grew up in Havenwood, a commune started by her grandmother, where people could live a much simpler life. When Riley gets older, she discovers that her mother, Calliope has taken control, not allowing anyone to leave Havenwood, or they will die. Riley escapes to Paris, to study; but when she finds out her best friend, Jane was murdered; she returns secretly to the states, and is devasted that a few other friends (who had escaped) were also murdered.  Kara meets Riley, and learns all she can about where and who run Havenwood; they both bond, and Riley will help reveal the information that might help them break the case.   

The suspense rises throughout the investigation, as Matt gets himself kidnapped.  Kara, Michael and the rest of the FBI/MRT team, are determined to find Matt, and save Riley (who her mother wants her back). The last ¼ of the story was a nail-biting end, filled with suspense, intrigue, intense, with a number of twists.

See How They Hide was a captivating thriller, that was a fantastic chiller, with a wild ending.  I was happy that Riley’s part ended well, with her having a very good conclusion. Allison Brennan gives us another fabulous exciting thriller. See How They Hide was another terrific addition to this wonderful series.

Reviewed by Barb

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Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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The girl’s lifeless body lies next to a scattered bouquet of crimson roses, the petals around her head like tiny pools of blood. Gripped in her hand is the note that came with the flowers, sent by someone who wanted her dead.

When champion figure skater Michaela Glover returns to her hometown of Woodbridge for a special performance, Detective Amanda Steele is part of the cheering crowds. But when Michaela is discovered dead in her dressing room after the show, Amanda is the first to investigate the shocking scene.

There is no sign of foul play, and the room is overflowing with flowers from Michaela’s adoring fans. But Amanda’s heart stops at the sight of a few roses tied with black ribbon and a note that reads “You’ll be sorry”. And when forensic tests reveal the ribbon was laced in something Michaela was deathly allergic to, Amanda is certain this is cold-blooded murder.

Desperate for a lead, Amanda dives into Michaela’s life to find out who could possibly want this sweet girl dead. She soon discovers that despite having a glittering future ahead of her, Michaela had a troubled past, and was surrounded by people jealous of her success.

When someone close to Michaela is discovered brutally murdered, Amanda is terrified there could be yet more innocent victims to follow. Can she uncover the twisted killer’s identity before they strike again?

 

 

Review:

Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold is the 12th book in her 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 great addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia. Amanda is enjoying an ice-skating show with her daughter, Zoey, and her friend Patty; who is the aunt of local ice-skating celebrity Michaela Glover. After the show, they head to visit Michaela, and when no on opens the door, Amanda steps in to discover that she has been murdered.

There is no sign of foul play, but Amanda notices a bunch of roses, tied with a black ribbon and a note saying “You’ll Be Sorry”. Amanda calls her partner, Trent to come to the rink, and together they begin to dig into Michaela’s life, and who would murder her. Forensics discovers that Michaela was allergic to peanuts, which caused her death; someone added the nuts into her drink, and watched her die.

Amanda and Trent become buried in a complicated case with multiple suspects; as they learn more about Michaela’s trouble past. The further they investigate, there are themes of jealousy, manipulations, anger, grief, money and death. A short time after, Michaela’s agent was also found murdered.  Amanda and Trent find information on the agent’s phone about being blackmailed. The deeper they follow the suspects and clues; it becomes apparent that Michaela was not close to her family, other than her aunt Patty.  Amanda begins to put pressure on members of Michaela’s family to find the truths.

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. Amanda worries about her daughter, Zoey, because she always busy on a case.  Her relationship with Logan, begins to cause problems, especially with her always busy solving crimes.  I also enjoy the various police team that we get to see in coming up with important clues.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a fantastic thriller. To say too much more would be spoilers.  Her Deadly Rose was a fantastic crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. It was a compelling, engrossing, intricate suspenseful plot. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end.  Her Deadly Rose was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author; as I am loving this series. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed  by Barb

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

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

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Description:
On a hot August night, Lt. Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, speed through the streets of Manhattan to the Down and Dirty club, where a joyful, boisterous pre-wedding girls’ night out has turned into a murder scene. One of the brides lies in a pool of blood, garroted in a private room where she was preparing a surprise for her fiancée—two scrimped and saved-for tickets to Hawaii.

Despite the dozens of people present, useful witnesses are hard to come by. It all brings back some bad memories for Eve. In her uniform days, she’d suffered an assault in the very same room—but she’d been able to fight back and survive. She’d gotten justice. And now she needs to provide some for poor young Erin.

Eve knows that the level of violence and the apparent premeditation involved suggest a volatile mix of hidden, heated passion and ice-cold calculation. This is a crime that can be countered only by hard detective work and relentless dedication—and Eve will not stop until she finds the killer who destroyed this couple’s dreams before the honeymoon even began…

 

 

Review:

Passions in Death by J.D. Robb is the 59th book in her fantastic Eve Dallas series.  I have noted previously that I am a huge fan of this wonderful series, having read every book and novellas. I also love Eve and Roarke, who I still consider the best literary couple. Passions in Death was another fantastic addition to this series.  I will never have enough of this series, and marvel how Robb continues to give us fascinating stories at 59 books later.

The story begins at the Down & Dirty Club, where a pre-wedding bachelorette party are dancing and drinking the night away, celebrating two women’s upcoming nuptials. Shauna Hunnicut and Erin Albright are getting married in a few days. Erin slips away to a private room to fix up a special surprise for their honeymoon; where she ended up being murdered, lying in a pool of blood, having been garroted.

Eve is called, with Roarke accompanying her to the Down and Dirty club, as someone has been murdered.  This was also a memory from Eve’s past, as it was the same room when she was attacked the night before her wedding to Roarke. With Eve and Peabody on the case, the evidence looks like a premediated murder from someone possibly close to Erin and Shauna. Eve begins to investigate all of their close circle of friends. Who within the group is the killer?  In a short time, Eve will lean toward two suspects who are clear suspects, with both having unhappy and angry pasts.

It was great to see many of the wonderful secondary characters, besides Roarke; Peabody, McNabb, Mavis, Bella, Summerset, Feeney, and of course Galahad. As always, I love Roarke, as he was many times with Dallas during interviews.  They are an amazing couple.

What follows is an intense, exciting, non-stop action filled race to find out who the real killer was; with edge of your seat suspense. To say too much more would be spoilers, and this is too great of a story to ruin it for you. 

Passions in Death was a compelling, captivating, horrifying thriller from start to finish. J.D. Robb once again gives us another masterpiece to this wonderful series, which I hope keeps on rolling for many years to come. Passions in Death is another masterpiece to this amazing series, which is always so very well written by J.D. Robb.

Reviewed by Barb

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