Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Dead Against Her by Melinda Leigh Series: Bree Taggert #5
Published by Montlake Romance on May 17, 2022
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 300
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently fired.
Working with criminal investigator Matt Flynn, Bree discovers that she isn’t the only one who had a troubling history with Eugene. But someone doesn’t want Bree digging up the past. She becomes the target of a stranger’s sick and devious campaign calculated to destroy her reputation, career, family, and new relationship with Matt. To make matters worse, she’s the prime suspect in Eugene’s murder.
Dead Against Her is another great book to the Bree Taggert series. I think the author’s skill in writing has advanced since her earlier series. The layers of things happening make for a more interesting story. Bree has a lot on her plate both professionally and personally.
There are murder investigations as expected in this police procedural series. It’s complicated by the fact one of the victims who was pushed into retirement by Bree, as he was one of the old corrupt regime. Bree does an excellent job of gathering information and handling it appropriately.
The press is on Bree personally both with the case, and some “fake news” which casts her in a bad light. It also causes trouble for her family. They also become aware of her relationship with Matt and try making that an issue. Things get so outrageous Bree hires Morgan Dane to represent her legally.
Bree continues to navigate her personal relationship with Matt. She also worries about her ability to parent as she goes through a rough patch with Luke. Her instincts are good and she is doing the right things. A brilliant solution comes out in the end because she has a great family unit. Her found family with Matt, her old partner Dana, her niece and nephew, and her brother Adam continues to grow and develop. I love how they are supporting each other.
I have also enjoyed the author’s Morgan Dane and Scarlet Falls series which are very loosely related to this one. They are earlier but do not need to be read first. I would read this series itself in order as they are excellent and both the world and relationships continue to develop. I look forward to the two new additions to the Bree Taggert series in 2023, Lie to Her and Catch Her Death, because I have loved every book in the series.
About Melinda Leigh
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A life-long lover of books, she started writing as a way to preserve her sanity while raising her kids. Over the next few years, she learned a few things about writing a book. The process was much more fun than analyzing financial statements, and she decided to turn her hobby into a career. Melinda’s debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. She is a RITA® Award Finalist and has earned three Daphne du Maurier Award nominations, two Silver Falchion Awards, and a Golden Leaf.
Melinda holds a 2nd degree belt in Kenpo Karate. She’s dabbled in Arnis stick fighting, studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and taught women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two kids, a couple of shelter dogs and two rescue cats who clearly run the show. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I can’t wait to get back to this series! Excellent review, Anne💜 I read the Scarlet Falls and Morgan Dane series first but I don’t think it makes much of a difference either.
Thank you Jonetta. I really love this series a lot, and overall I have really enjoyed this author, everything I have read of her work.
I loved how she has grown as a person and is doing so well with her made family even though there are hard times. I silently cheered when she brought Morgan in and Morgan went to town for her. I thought Matt’s sister and Morgan’s chief deputy were a fun pair. Can’t wait for the next installments. 🙂
I totally agree Sophia!
This author is on my list to read at some point. The book sounds good.
I have really enjoyed all her books very much. I do recommend starting at the beginning of any of her series because of the personal and career development of the characters.
I read Melinda Leigh in the past and liked her mysteries alright, but nothing that knocked my socks off. I like Kendra Elliott’s writing more. I should give her another try since you’ve mentioned her writing has improved from her earlier books. Glad it was a hit, Anne!
Interesting you pair these two authors together because I do in some ways also. They both write about the Pacific NW and have one series together. I would have said maybe I enjoy Melinda Leigh more but really it is especially this series I have liked particularly well.
I love Melinda Leigh’s Bree Taggert series! I’ve read them all except for this one, and I’ve got it on hold at my library, so hopefully I’ll get it soon. Great review! 🙂
Thank you K. I really love this series. The characters are putting together a “found” family in a way and that’s very heartwarming, particularly with the problems they have faced.
I’ll have to check out Melinda Leigh as I’ve never read anything by her.
I enjoy all her series and would recommend any of them. This one is the newest and my favorite. The setting and a few side characters are recognizable from other series.
I enjoy this author and need to pick this series up.
It is my favorite of her series. I really enjoy this one.
This series sounds so good. I really need to start reading it once I get some of my other series reads wrapped up.
It’s a favorite of mine.
I think I started this series but I need to continue now
I really have enjoyed these a lot.
I really need to read more of this author’s work.
I love it. Who knows how one ends up picking some things to read and some to pass. I definitely am on the mystery / thriller heavily these days though.