Ok so LRJ is my go to suspense author and this is no different. There is not as much romance and although there are strong Alpha males the star of the show is Lilah Love, a take no prisoners FBI profiler! So, there are a series of murders which are directly tied to Lilah’s past. She also has a stalker-ish person sending her messages. So, while trying to solve the murders and keep off the radar of her stalker she is also dealing with some serious family drama.

I love the depth and detail in these stories. I am secretly in love with Kane. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2. We are left with so many questions in book 1. I can hardly put in to words how amazing this story is without spoiling all the fabulous twists!

Hero 5 | Heroine 5 | Steam 5 | Plot 5 | Overall 5 Stars
Suspense | Dual POV | MF | on the edge of my seat | part of a series | twist and turns
#MSBB

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book which was provided via Netgalley. OMG! I am a big fan of Lisa Renee Jones and have read several of her books. This one by far is the most intense and thrilling of them all. It is a bout an FBI profiler named Lilah Love who who is being brought into look into a series of murders that somehow seem as if they may be connected to her past. There is a lot of mystery surrounding how and why murders both in her current home of Los Angeles and her hometown in the Hamptons are connected. Just so happens her brother is the police chief there and her father is the mayor. Not to mention Kane, her ex and the man who knows what happened in her past still lives there as well. She must find a way to solve these murders without tipping off the person or persons as she tries to put the pieces together and not reveal her secrets. There seem to be so many players involved. She not only has her brother and father who want her to leave the murder cases to them, she wonders where two woman she grew up with have to do with what is going on along with her brother's friend, a detective on the force. Kane seems to play a part in the mystery of the murders, though she doesn't know how he fits in and deep down believes he is not responsible. Lilah and Kane have a deep connection and Kane wants to protect her from anything that could occur. And what about the notes she is receiving? What are they all about and who is sending them? How does what happened to her in the past tie into what is happening now? This may not be the standard romance, mystery and lighter story you may be use to from Ms Jones, but it is definitely one series you will be glad you read. I can not wait to read what happens next in this fascinating and awesome story about love, scandal, murder, mystery and intrigue!

This book is unlike other Lisa Renee Jones stories i have read. The under current of danger and death coming from the killer creeps through this novel, and add in the fact our female lead is a "good guy" but also with some secrets of her own, it gives the feel that you cannot trust any character even the "good" ones. I really liked it when we delved back into Lilah's past and learnt even more about her, and i really liked Kane his addition added something new to the story, that i was not expecting. A very good crime story, with a side of romance that also keeps you intrigued and guessing what will happen to the characters and in which direction the story could go with each chapter

I’m a huge fan of suspenseful thrillers, especially ones where readers see the case and all of its complicated parts through the eyes of one of the agents responsible for bringing the criminal to justice, so when I read that Lisa Renee Jones’ newest release, MURDER NOTES, was about an FBI Profiler on the hunt for a serial killer, I knew this was a story I would love; these kinds of books keep readers actively engaged because as clues are uncovered and potential criminals/killers are interviewed, we take notes on each new character, each piece of information uncovered, each lie told, and each truth revealed.

Right from the start, Lisa Renee Jones thrusts readers into the middle of a case that is so complex and so layered that it’s, at times, difficult for the heroine, FBI Profiler, Lilah Love, to keep everything straight, but that’s expected for a case of this magnitude and the varying scenarios that exist. And then, when the leads and the information start to direct Lilah towards an extremely familiar area, the things that added up before, don’t quite back sense anymore and she’s left reeling due to the potential of what it all could mean in direct relation to her own life.

I do have to caution romance readers, a bit, because MURDER NOTES does NOT focus on the heroine’s love life or the potential for one…don’t get me wrong, there are traces of romance in the story line, but the plot is not driven by love…it’s driven by murder…by the need to catch this serial killer and/or the man who hired this assassin/killer. And I have to say as a lover of romance, this story is perfect the way it is. I wouldn’t want its focus to be swayed from what’s most important and because Lilah Love is in the thick of it, she doesn’t really have time for anything else. She’s consumed by the case…by the details they’ve acquired so far…by the real possibility that it’s someone closer to her than she thinks.

Lilah Love is a kickass heroine who understands the gravity of her profession, especially now that it seems like her personal and professional lives have begun to crash into each other. I definitely would portray Lilah as an alpha woman, and while that title could be construed as a negative quality – Lilah owns her strength, her feistiness, and her intelligence, which makes her the perfect woman to bring down this killer.

Lisa Renee Jones did a great job in providing readers with a solid foundation in regards to the case and who Lilah Love is, and while MURDER NOTES does end in a cliffhanger, I feel like it’s the perfect stopping point to build up the suspense and the intrigue surrounding the case and the fact that all evidence points to Love’s hometown being part of the puzzle. I also have to say that I’m rather fascinated by Kane Mendez and the secret that only he knows about Lilah. I’m hoping that book two provides readers with further insight into what these two had together and how they might potentially fit into the dynamics of the case.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Lilah understands her dreams, even if she doesn't want to. The nightmare is actually her reality, even if she doesn't remember it clearly. She only knows that she was attacked, a man is dead, and she and Kane are the only ones who know the truth. Or are they?

She thought she had left this all behind, until a series of murders has led her back home, to the place she ran away from shortly after the attack that sent her spinning out of control. She doesn't know who to trust. Her former best friend, who is now married to one of the cops who works for her brother? Or her father, whose interest in running for public office has him making new friends with some of the seedier crime families in New York?

All Lilah knows is that someone knows her secret and they are willing to kill to get her attention.

I can't wait for book two.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Thriller
Triggers: Attempted rape, murder, stalking, Cliffhanger

This is a fast-paced thriller with a lot going on. Lilah is a great profiler. Despite her family and personal history of befriending someone with mob ties, she left it all behind to pursue her dream – she is now an FBI agent. She is darn good at her job and despite having some difficulty with the local police, her boss has her back.

But when similar MOs show up across state lines, she has to travel back to her hometown where her secrets have been buried. What awaits her is a strange cat and mouse game – one where you are definitely unsure who is playing.

You have Lilah's family: brother and father who we are given different impressions of – although I must say that her father is downright unpleasant. Her brother, well, he seems a little clueless.

Then you have her past lover, Kane. He is an enigma all in himself. He wants Lilah back and they share a deep secret that is mentioned time and time again.

The book leads you to a cliffhanger ending, so I think that readers should be aware. But I hope that it will lead to a conclusion that will leave me breathless. You're almost to the pinnacle of the story and that's where you're left hanging. The dynamic between the two main characters is complex, deliberately provocative, and intense. I can't wait to read more.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Firstly, it needs to be said that Lilah Love is an amazing woman. Strong, intelligent, beautiful, cunning, and brilliant at her job as an FBI profiler. When she returns home to the Hamptons from LA to investigate a series of murders, she discovers that her family and former lover are likely mixed up with the murders.

This was such an exciting book. I just loved following Lilah as she tries to uncover what is actually going on. I wanted her to tear down all the people who were being obstructive and difficult and who clearly think they are smarter than she is. I was desperate to see her beat them all.

This story has so many twists and turns. I’m not sure who Lilah should be trusting, and my ideas about the truth of what is actually going on and why kept changing. This story kept me on my toes. Murder Notes is a fantastic start to a brand new series from Ms. Jones and I can’t wait for the next instalment to see what happens next. I hope the wait isn’t too long.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars rounded up... because it is just that good!

Ms. Jones is a very talented author and this slight shift from romance with mystery on the side, to really the other way around is very successful. Don't get me wrong, this is a very sexually charged novel, with more intrigue and issues of a romantic nature than can be rightfully fathomed, but the mystery is wonderful.

Lilah is a wonderful lead and along with all her courage, intelligence, and bravado, we also get to see the vulnerable side of her too. I loved the scenes where she forces herself to be sensible... but not scared. She is fabulous as an FBI agent, as an ex-lover, and as a daughter. She also tells us her story in such a refreshingly honest way. And the fun that people have with her name... she is the most patient woman I know on that score!

There are many other important figures, although Kane has to be the most notable. We will have to wait and see how the series continues to work out whether he is a feature for now or forever, but he is deliciously dark, mysterious, and clearly Lilah is an important person in his life, somehow.

It does end on a bit of a cliff (but not in too stressful a manner, thank goodness!), but there are a few pages at the beginning of the next book which just give you a degree of 'phew' to make it all feel okay. I must admit I generally don't read forward, but in this case, it was an imperative.

Very keen to see what happens next in this fabulously written and very exciting new series.

This is a great book; this is the first book in the Lilah Love series and is written by Lisa Renee Jones.This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

This novel had a frantic quality that I found disconcerting. The story is complex covering many years, there are many protagonists going under several names each and I spent more time backtracking to figure out what was happening now than I did moving forward. It is possible that reading the first five of this series would even it out, but as stand alone I didn't find it entertaining.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Lisa Renee Jones and Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

Murder Notes introduces unconventional FBI profiler Lilah Love as she returns to her hometown to catch a killer. The start of Lisa Renee Jones's new series is dark with a touch levity in the form of Lilah's sassy attitude. Lilah's unfiltered voice keeps the story interesting and moving into the unknown.

Lilah is a young and super successful profiler. In most of the profiler stories I've read the profilers are made from a chip on the shoulder, something in their past inspired them, or instincts that serve well in the field. In this case, Lilah has more than a chip on her shoulder and the trauma she's dealing with is an extraordinary conversation starter. She's tasked with linking cases in California to an breaking case in the Hamptons, the place where she left behind family and an ex that presses all her buttons. Everyone else thinks their culprit is a serial killer. Only Lilah believes they're looking for an assassin. Only she knows that the cases are definitely linked, and the common factor is herself.

Murder Notes is an exciting read created by a tangled web of secrets and lies. By the end it isn't even close to being unraveled! I love the way the story continuously builds whether from Lilah finding clues about what's going on, or from her family and so-called friends revealing that they're not as predictable as Lilah assumed. Lilah is a demanding, fierce character who may not be likable to every reader, but her frankness is certainly refreshing. The trauma she hasn't dealt with dogs her every step, especially now that someone might know her secrets.

This fast-paced novel will keep you up reading late into the night, and it's worth every minute of lost sleep! That feeling you get when you're eager to solve a mystery follows you right up until the end and then, it's over. Lisa Renee Jones ends Murder Notes with a nice, tidy hook to keep you coming back for more! I'm extremely excited for Murder Girl, the next Lilah Love story!
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

Murder Notes is the first in a brand new duet by Lisa Renee Jones, it’s full of intrigue, deception and more mysteries than Lilah can through her hated Louis Vuitton’s at. The bodies are piling up and a mysterious antagonist who likes to taunt the FBI profiler Lilah Love is keeping her up all night.
Lilah has been sent by her boss back to her home state of New York to investigate a murder that suspiciously matches ones being investigated in L.A where she lives and works. On arrival in New York, Lilah discovers yet another murder has been committed. This one in the Hamptons where she grew up.
Nothing in these cases is easy or straightforward, just like Lilah’s life, before and after she left the small community she called home.
This is an edge of your seat story filled with violence, dark secrets and even darker lovers. Men like Kane Mendez, the head of a drug cartel who wants to clean up his father’s legacy and have legitimate businesses.
Lilah and Mendez had a forbidden love affair until she had her own secret from her past, one that she shares with a Kane. This is a secret so bad, she has horrifying nightmares about a certain night in her past. We’re given glimpses with each one, slowly piecing together the events and the catastrophic conclusion that chased her from the Hamptons to L.A where she has hidden for two years.
Now, she’s back and is trapped on all sides by varying agencies. Her father and brother are one. Kane is another. Then there’s the murderer, but is he a paid assassin or just a crazy guy that knows too much?
There’s just some much going on with this full on thriller. I have to warn you lovers of Lisa’s previous books and romance in general. This is not a generic romantic suspense. Yeah, there’s some romantic history and sexual tension between Lilah and Kane. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the one and only tryst wasn’t what we’ve come to expect.
We just have a massive amount of events happening one after the other. They’re timed well enough so it’s not like a barrage that you can’t process. We get to sort through all this along with Lilah, and I have a few theories myself which I have to keep close to my chest.
Nearly everyone we met could be a potential culprit, from Kane to people close to Lilah. People she once thought were friends. Everyone seems to be hiding something or have a hidden agenda. Even Lilah’s dad is not telling her what she needs to know.
Lilah is a strong-willed determined and cool character. She’s downright tenacious, strong-willed and determined and she needs to be. She’s got so much on her plate. This is a single POV story told by Lilah, we sadly don’t get insights into Kane’s thoughts, which is probably a deliberate ploy by Lisa to keep us on our toes.
Kane is dark, dangerous and sexy as all hell. I loved him as much as I did Lilah. He’s flawed just as she is. They make a great couple even if they don’t get to be much of one here.
I really, really loved this story even with the lack of hot hanky panky. The story drags you in and keeps you there, turning page after page until the end and then… Well, we just have to wait until Murder Girl releases to find out what happens next and GAAHHHH!!!! I can’t take the wait. I need the conclusion to this story and I need it now.

This is Book 1 in the Lilah Love series. And it does end in a cliffhanger so be warned right up front. Lilah is a profiler for the FBI and she's on the hunt for a murderer who might be a serial murderer or he/she could be more than that. It leads her back to her hometown where she hasn't been since she left town two years earlier. Her family is the law in the town and her ex is the local bad boy who happens to be the head of the mafia in town. Plus he's so hot and a billionaire. This is more a suspense mystery than it is a love story. If you like solving murder mysteries then you will love this one. It will keep you on your toes as you try to figure out who the murderer is.

Wow, what a book! Just be warned this book ends on a Cliff-Hanger. I loved this book. It was good thriller/mystery. So many secrets in this book. I swear everyone has a secret including Liliah. The question for Liliah is who is telling her the most truth and who is trying to get her to look some where else. The more you read this book the more secrets and lies that come up or are questioned. I can't believe I have to wait until July to read the next book, that is so far away.

3.5 Stars, Rounded

Intrigued by a new series from Lisa Renee Jones, Lilah Love popped up to fill that promise. Lilah is a profiler for the FBI, and a string of murders that stretch across the country will test her skills and her courage. She’s driven and intelligent, with a knack for out-thinking suspects using her experience and training to stay one step ahead. She’s moved on from her family and their expectations: raised in privilege she’s taken a big leap away, and truly never was interested in returning.

But, this current case is raising red flags and a trip back to the Hamptons where she grew up just may be needed. If only the anonymous threats, and the worries that the trail will lead her to her ex and the only man she ever loved: Kane Mendez, son of a major crime boss. Of course, when you add in her own connections to the town’s management; her father the mayor, her brother the Police Chief and, of course, the connection to the illegal crime boss’s son. There are plenty of worries in her return, and even more secrets that she wants to forget.

Full of secrets, tension and more twists than should be allowed, the story ends on a cliffhanger with many elements yet to sort out. Trademark LRJ writing: the secrets and tensions all play into the action, as questions about Lilah, the killer and her own hidden past are asked, with answers coming in dribs and drabs, each bringing forward more questions and possible solutions to the mystery. A clever start for the first in a series, sure to please fans of the author who are not daunted by the wait to have the cliffhanger resolved.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

The first book in the new Lilah Love series satisfies my current thirst for romantic suspense novels.

When the FBI director requests Agent Lilah Love fly to New York to investigate a possible link between her current case in L.A. and one they are investigating in her home town, she's not happy. With a police chief brother leading the case, her job as an FBI profiler to bound to be more complicated than necessary in the small NY town. When her arrival coincides with the discovery of a newly dead body, rumours begin to circulate when beguiling Kane Mendez, the son of the deceased local crime lord, appears at the crime scene. Lilah begins looking for a link between the two cases. However, news of her temporary residency spreads fast in the small town, and she becomes the target of a stalker too. With evidence to suggest the two are connected, it becomes clear the people she loves are not what who she thought they were.

Within the narrative, many twists are revealed but all information presented is easy to follow. In addition, just when you get ideas about who may be responsible or the mastermind of the crimes, new potential suspects are disclosed. There's scarcely a dull moment in this fast-paced novel. It's easy to become embroiled and fully invested in this fascinating story as it unfolds.

I loved Lilah's straight-talking, no-nonsense attitude to both her work and life generally. She's definitely not a conventional heroine. A rough diamond, her only concession is make-up. Lilah's feisty yet vulnerable as secrets from her past haunt her. Uncovering truths about people in her inner circle, her list of people to trust is diminishing...fast.

Overall, this is definitely one of my favourite novels I've read so far in 2018 and hope the continuing series keeps up the same pace. The author has crafted a compelling and thrilling mystery with engaging protagonists and secondary characters. I can't wait for the subsequent instalments.

***arc generously received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***

Murder Notes was definitely not the usual read from Lisa Renee Jones.
Murder Notes was more of a suspense , thriller than a suspense romance that I have become accustom to from Jones' books.
Murder Notes was a very excellent read with many twists and turns making you ask " What's Next?!?" With the book two not coming out until the summer, this book will definitely be on my summer reading list in preparation for the book two release.

I have to say each book of Lisa Renee Jones I read is better than the last one and Murder Notes is no exception. Ms Jones has knocked this one out of the part with her suspense-filled story that had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning.

Lilah Love (gotta love her name) hasn't been home in two years. Happy with her life in Los Angeles as an FBI profiler she has no desire to go home nor really be close to anyone. When a case falls in her lap that threatens to expose the secrets that leads her back to New York and the small town she grew up in she knows she cant hide any longer. Facing her family and the man she loves and hates she is finally forced to face her past.

I first have to say this probably the most complicated story from Ms Jones - there are a lot of moving pieces that I found both fascinating and spellbinding. Told completely from Lilah's POV we dont get to see all her secrets up front - they come when she is ready to divulge them and I loved that. The secrets that are being kept from her is where the real mystery lies - with the people she thought she could trust hiding things from her. We also get to meet Kane the man she has loved but as walked away from. Their relationship is complicated, to say the least. There is a cliffhanger so be prepared but thankfully we dont have to wait long for the next book in the Lilah Love series.

Ok so I haven't picked up a mystery/thriller in a while I think. It was a nice pallet cleanser reading this 1st book in a duet. I loved the buildup in the book that made me want to continue to read. I will say towards the end I got a tiny bit lost and that a lot of characters names were thrown out about suspects and relationships etc. So my advice is pay attention closely to those details. Ending ends on cliffhanger but not too long to wait (4 months) for the final book in the duet.

The crime and suspense plot is brilliantly written and utterly captivating, the mystery is solid. Lisa Renee Jones’ writing always draws me in from the first page. This book was different from the other book I’ve read of hers, so far this story is more a thriller than a romantic suspense, in my opinion. The suspense-crime plot is complex and well-thought-out. The heroine, Special Agent Lylah Love is badass, sassy and fierce, I loved her. She is a top FBI profiler investigating a series of murders with some common points. The killer seems to have a connection to her past in the Hamptons, as the daughter of a prominent family.

Kane Mendez took over his family business empire with ties to crime families, after his father was murdered. Kane and Lylah were lovers, they share a secret and made a vow of silence. Following the bloody trail of a murderer, Lylah is back in her family house and has her own demons to deal with. She tries to avoid meeting Kane, but he still affects her deeply and appears to be her knight in shining armor when she ends up being stalked and targeted by the assassin. I really liked them both, they work well together and they are loyal to each other.

The author knows how to weave a fast-paced story that will keep you captivated and guessing. There were so many suspects, my head was spinning! The book ended on a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the next part of Lilah and Kane’s story.

I swear Lisa Renee Jones is the queen of inciting internal riots, paranoia, and conspiracy theories. I have never been able to read a single books of hers without being thrown into a torrent of craziness. Murder Notes is no exception.

Always thought out and clearly on a magic carpet ride of guilty and innocence, it's always questionable whether you are even close to a clue. One of my favorite things about her books is that you never see it coming. Oh sure, you can guess some things but in the end...you never had a damn clue.

Murder Notes is a new story. It's the start of something big. It's exciting and it's sneaky. What you assume will be a slow build is actually falling into the middle of a huge mess. Lilah Love is an agent with edge. She's snarky and hell bent on getting her answers. She's driven and she has plenty to hide. It's a delicate and dangerous line she's trying to walk. I eagerly await how this will play out!!!

reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood

DNF at 25%... just wasn't working for me at all... Didn't connect with the characters or story and it felt undeveloped ad rushed.

I was ecstatic to receive a copy from Netgalley, this book is the beginning of something magical. Jones sets up the series with a strong minded, yet fragile, heroine who can roll with the punches and give it ten times harder. Lilah is profiling a possible serial killer/assassin while returning to the scene of her own secrets, and deciphering relationships within her family. The way clues are woven together but even more left out has me biting my nails. Heads up though, there's a slight cliffhanger. Not exactly the jaw dropping kind but the kind that will keep you eager for the sequel.