Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Knife in the Back by Karen Rose Series: Romantic Suspense #32, New Orleans #4
Published by Berkley on August 12, 2025
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 528
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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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…
I love the Romantic Suspense series. I’ve read them all. I started the series with the first Cincinnati book, with Faith and Deacon. It was actually #16 overall. Then I went back and read the previous 15 books. I would not jump into this in the middle of the series. One could start at the beginning of a city since those stories connect well, and they seem to be labelled on Goodreads.
Burke Broussard has been in all the New Orleans stories, a foundation with his ex-Marine, ex-cop and current private investigator skills. He has helped and supported all of them. He isn’t inclined to help what he sees as a dirty cop though. His staff and friends force him to hear her out, and Naomi makes it clear her only interest is in protecting her innocent son being threatened.
They both have plenty of experience with corrupt cops on the force, which is why Burke ended up leaving. Naomi didn’t make a fuss when she was convicted because they would hurt her son. Now Naomi has been released from prison due to a problem with the evidence.
Burke starts protecting her son. Naomi’s ex testified against her at the trial and it becomes clear he’s a piece of work with his new younger wife, 2 littles with a third on the way. The people who want Naomi back in prison start after all of Burke’s team and their kids.
Knife in the Back is a suspenseful story because children are in danger. It becomes clear the bad guys aren’t just into drugs but also trafficking children. They all end up at Burke’s large home in order to protect them and so the team can investigate. Naomi plans to be in on the investigation and shows she has great cop skills and instincts.
I enjoyed the romance between Burke and Naomi, although it seemed a bit quick. That happens in this genre with proximity and heightened emotions. They are a good match. The main bad guy became clear to me before the end which is unusual. I loved how Burke’s team has become more like a family than just friends. There was danger and excitement all the way through! I couldn’t put this one down.
About Karen Rose
Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn’t concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”
Her debut suspense novel, DON’T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Her novels, I’M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America’s RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.
A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
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:
- 25-COYER
This sounds very tense and exciting! I’m glad you loved this so much.
Karen Rose is a wonderful romantic suspense writer. She’s never miss for me.
I’m so behind in this wonderful series. Glad to see your five stars, Anne, as it means it’s still a great one💜
They all seem like good ones. She is such a talented writer.
This sounds like a great romantic suspense novel which is a genre I really love. Obviously I need to check out more of Rose’s books. Great review!
Thanks. I would just start at any city start if you don’t want to start at the very beginning. They are awesome.
Oooooo nice romantic suspense!! I need to read one for the challenge.
Hers are the best.
I love this series and that Burke is finally getting his story. I didn’t grab this for review because I was already full up, but I will get to it. Great review, Anne!
Thanks Sophia. I was surprised to find Burke as the main character. He’s been such a strong backdrop and I’m glad he was the one here.
I love this series, too! I’ll be starting this one soon. Happy to see you loved it!
Karen Rose is just excellent in character and world development with a cracking pace.
Wonderful review. Everything I have read by this author, I have enjoyed. I hope to tackle these eventually.
Thank you. She’s prolific but also extremely talented.
I love Karen Rose. I just got this from the library, can’t wait to get started.
yes, Karen Rose is the gold standard for romantic suspense. She creates such great characters with excellent plot and world building.
I feel like the New Orleans setting of this would have me wondering if I had been to any of the places. Glad you’re still enjoying this author’s books. Great review!
She really does amazing character and world development with excellent plots.