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saintlybernard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I really enjoyed this even though I'd read the second book in the series first so I knew Sam was a 'good guy' . It flowed well making it quick to read & it did keep me guessing until the final third. I look forward to the third in the series coming out next year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
bettinab's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
An excellent book. I had already read the follow-up book before grabbing this one. McKittrick and Reeves are very likable protagonists and the author develops the characters nicely and with nuance. The police-psychologist pairing is great, and more unique compared to the more frequent police-lawyer pairing. The crime story itself was a pageturner too. I read a lot of crime/thrillers and it's difficult to completely shock me with a twist - but the one here I really didn't see coming. The marketing as "romantic crime" is a little odd as there's quite little romance in this (or the subsequent) book but I don't mind that at all - as a crime/police procedural, it is well written and I look forward to reading more stories with Kit and Sam.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence
allisonderose's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
i think i could fall in love with a romantic suspense/thriller series because it is usually the ultimate slow burn. this book seems to set up for that (though the reviews of book two seem mixed on the romance development front). fun easy thriller, satisfies the true crime urge (aka criminal minds obsession). i do wish that more books about these two were out so i could see the relationship play out, but i liked a lot of the characters here. fun! just wish it gave a little more romance since it is technically romantic thriller and not just plain thriller. but maybe it’s a long game kinda thing…. super slow burn over the course of years
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape
katemc7's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was my first Karen Rose book. It is so crazy to me that some authors can have this many books out! While all of these are a part of the romantic suspense series- they seem to be broken down into duologies or trilogies. This is the first one of the San Diego mini series if you will and involves Detective Kit McKittrick and Sam Reeves. Both of these main characters have some major trauma that they continue to deal with which added to the story. This was more of a thriller with the hint of the possibility of something. I think I am going to start categorizing suspense with romance and then romantic suspense for my own sake LOL.
Detective McKittrick and her partner are working a string of murders that have been going on for 20 years. This killer has continued to evade the police and has left calling cards that only the police know about. This time they have gotten an anonymous tip about a body that will be found. When they run down the anonymous tip, they run into Sam Reeves who is a psychologist for criminals. Kit and her partner have a hard time not thinking Sam is a suspect and so of course he is taken into custody. The whole time though Kit is trying to trust her gut and not acknowledge that there is an attraction between her and Sam. She is too scared to explore it.
Sam turns out not to be the killer and when he asks if he can help he is told no. He however decides that he is going to do his own investigation. See people feel comfortable talking with him- he may be able to get them to open up in a way that the police cant. Which is exactly how he finds himself finding more evidence on this killer than the police have found. He finds himself liking working with Kit. He likes meeting her family and learning about her tragic past. He wants to explore what could happen between them.
They end up finding the killer together, who I did not see coming at all. They have a moment together that is captured via the newspapers for all to see. Kit's partner has decided to retire. There is too much change happening for her. She does not want to open up her heart because people leave her. However, Sam is a patient man. He is willing to wait which leads us to book 2!! Which is out very soon. I am hoping we get the romance arc we all want and that there is some spice! Please let there be spice LOL.
Detective McKittrick and her partner are working a string of murders that have been going on for 20 years. This killer has continued to evade the police and has left calling cards that only the police know about. This time they have gotten an anonymous tip about a body that will be found. When they run down the anonymous tip, they run into Sam Reeves who is a psychologist for criminals. Kit and her partner have a hard time not thinking Sam is a suspect and so of course he is taken into custody. The whole time though Kit is trying to trust her gut and not acknowledge that there is an attraction between her and Sam. She is too scared to explore it.
Sam turns out not to be the killer and when he asks if he can help he is told no. He however decides that he is going to do his own investigation. See people feel comfortable talking with him- he may be able to get them to open up in a way that the police cant. Which is exactly how he finds himself finding more evidence on this killer than the police have found. He finds himself liking working with Kit. He likes meeting her family and learning about her tragic past. He wants to explore what could happen between them.
They end up finding the killer together, who I did not see coming at all. They have a moment together that is captured via the newspapers for all to see. Kit's partner has decided to retire. There is too much change happening for her. She does not want to open up her heart because people leave her. However, Sam is a patient man. He is willing to wait which leads us to book 2!! Which is out very soon. I am hoping we get the romance arc we all want and that there is some spice! Please let there be spice LOL.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
brynhayes's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
titaniumtammy's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose is an intricately woven & clever mystery full of twists & turns sure to keep everyone second guessing their sleuthing skills until the end!
Cold Blooded Liar follows Detective Kit McKittrick as she investigates the cold case & brutal doings of a decade long serial killer while she tries to heal from her past tragedies & experiences growing up as a foster kid. This case sets her on the path of psychologist, Dr. Sam Reeves when he places an anonymous tip about the potential location of a body, which he received knowledge of from his patient who is a pathological liar. The twisted web of multiple crimes will take you on a rollercoaster as the mystery slowly unravels.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author & even though it’s part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone & I can happily say this won’t be the last because I throughly enjoyed this book! This book enraptured me to the point I couldn’t put it down because I had to know what happened.
It was extremely detailed & I appreciated how you experienced the investigation in real time, including the different avenues the various information took the case on. I felt like a backseat detective that was trying to solve the case. Even though you witnessed the numerous leads being run down, it never dulled or slowed from its’ quick pace, which was wonderful.
I really enjoyed the multitude of characters along with their relationships, their chemistry & their backgrounds. I immediately connected with them & felt the emotional tug of my heart to their stories. I am so curious about this unresolved side story though. I would love to read more in this world & figure out that other mystery!
This was a fantastic, yet twisted mystery with enough heart & a small dash of romance that created such a captivating story & is one I highly recommend!
Massive thanks to Berkley Publishing for the free arc, which I volunteered read & reviewed.
Trigger Warnings: This book mentions &/or contains murder, violence, rape & kidnapping.
Cold Blooded Liar follows Detective Kit McKittrick as she investigates the cold case & brutal doings of a decade long serial killer while she tries to heal from her past tragedies & experiences growing up as a foster kid. This case sets her on the path of psychologist, Dr. Sam Reeves when he places an anonymous tip about the potential location of a body, which he received knowledge of from his patient who is a pathological liar. The twisted web of multiple crimes will take you on a rollercoaster as the mystery slowly unravels.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author & even though it’s part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone & I can happily say this won’t be the last because I throughly enjoyed this book! This book enraptured me to the point I couldn’t put it down because I had to know what happened.
It was extremely detailed & I appreciated how you experienced the investigation in real time, including the different avenues the various information took the case on. I felt like a backseat detective that was trying to solve the case. Even though you witnessed the numerous leads being run down, it never dulled or slowed from its’ quick pace, which was wonderful.
I really enjoyed the multitude of characters along with their relationships, their chemistry & their backgrounds. I immediately connected with them & felt the emotional tug of my heart to their stories. I am so curious about this unresolved side story though. I would love to read more in this world & figure out that other mystery!
This was a fantastic, yet twisted mystery with enough heart & a small dash of romance that created such a captivating story & is one I highly recommend!
Massive thanks to Berkley Publishing for the free arc, which I volunteered read & reviewed.
Trigger Warnings: This book mentions &/or contains murder, violence, rape & kidnapping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and Kidnapping
merlinscove's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Car accident
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