I cheer every time a new Bree Taggert book is published. Bree is a strong main character who doesn’t hesitate to protect those around her. I love this series and am really enjoying her growth and how her story is progressing. I love how we get a mystery, but we also get her relationship with Matt, the kids, and her other family members. This cannot be read as a standalone, so do yourself a favor and read the previous 3. You won't regret it.

Loved it!!! I lobe the Bree Taggert series. The story kept me guessing until the vey end. It was a great mystery/thriller. There were so many twists and turns and this investigation definitely hit close to home for Bree. It was interesting and sad to finally learn more about her father and what went on when Bree was a child. She had a scary childhood and is fortunate to have turned out so well. Actually, she's lucky to be alive after learning what kind of monster she had as a father. She is a wonderful aunt to her niece and nephew and would do anything for them. I wasn't sure who was behind everything and was suspicious of several people. I was shocked when everything came together and the killer was revealed. Who knew people could be so evil??? It was great seeing Sharp again. Matt and Bree are perfect for each other and I hope their relationship keeps progressing in the right direction. Once again was Brody was a hero. Excited to see Greta become part of the police force. Bree has definitely come a long way with dogs.

Definitely recommend the book and the previous ones in the series. I can't wait to see what's next for Bree. I'm sure there will be murders for her to investigate. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Montlake through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the chance to read Right behind her by Melinda Leigh. This is book 4 of the Sheriff Bree Taggert series and it keeps getting better. Back when I first approached book 1, Cross her heart I noticed that it was set in the same world as her earlier series which made me a bit nervous...would it matter? I crossed my fingers and dived in and I was so glad I did. I was quickly immersed in this series, and had no trouble following the story. Once I have more time, I will of course read her earlier books!.
Years ago Sheriff Bree Taggert’s father killed her mother, then himself. Now Bree and her younger brother, Adam, find human bones on the grounds of their abandoned family farm. The remains are those of a man and a woman, both murdered in the same horrible way. Bree must deal with the investigation, and revisit that brutal night she has spent years trying to forget when her father becomes the most likely suspect. Can Bree finally put the past behind her before someone else is killed?
I really enjoy this series, but I do recommend reading the books in order. Luckily there are at least two more books to come!

As much as I wanted to read this I put it off because I just knew that Bree would get on my nerves... within just a few sentences there she was on my nerves... what I HATE most about Bree is her crazy unnecessary guilt that she indulges in constantly that’s just plain annoying and her worst trait cause it’s like her personality trait she takes responsibility for everything especially when it’s nothing that she could have controlled... your siblings are not your responsibility... also Adam is incredibly selfish to let his curiosity about the past matter more than his sister’s actual trauma over what happened... I was annoyed early on in this book and unsurprised by how this trip down bad memory lane was going to go... first rang of the day and we are only in chapter 2 this does not bode well...

So this time around during this trip down bad memory lane takes a detour with an intruder and then the discovery of old bones shakes some skeletons from ye olde proverbial closet... who killed these people? Is there any connection to Bree’s family? With the tragic violent past that’s left it’s marks on her she thinks it’s possible...

I like a good mystery but honestly I find Bree annoying I’m the last one I thought maybe she was getting through some of her various issues but she’s still rather annoying. I get it people have problems and I guess to some people having excessive flaws makes a character seem more human but in Bree she’s just annoying. Blah blah guilt blah blah I failed my sister blah blah my brother blah blah these kids I don’t actually take care of blah blah job blah blah boyfriend I barely acknowledge blah and don’t forget her fear of dogs and her guilt for I don’t know the grass being green and the sky being blue. Bree is exhausting. Also I somehow just don’t find her the right fit for her job...

Sadly the mystery wasn’t even that good and the whole romance between Bree and Matt that’s always been a one-sided side-note was suddenly treated like it was a thing when really it kinda isn’t and never was. Bree just has too many issues and seems like this whole case was one big conflict of interest I mean bodies on her family’s farm that were buried when her family lived there? That her father could have been involved with? It wasn’t terrible but I think I’m kind of over this series and all of Bree’s problems that have to come up constantly.

Another piece to the puzzle that makes Bree Taggert a tortured soul. Going more in depth into her family and childhood; her father and mother’s death. Definitely read the other books in the series before this! As always Melinda has twists and turns keeping us enthralled until the end! Thank you Melinda and Netgalley for the ARC

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Mystery

Bree is reliving the past again. Only this time, it's right up in her face and in the face of the people she loves most. She knew returning to their old house was a mistake. There were too many memories and too much pain, but she wanted to support her brother. Now, she wishes she could take it back.

In this fast-paced mystery, you're uncovering years of murder, a plot that only can be hidden for so long now that bodies are associated with it, and the killer who's willing to do anything to keep their secret hidden.

You'll see this small town's underbelly at its worst. Leigh creates a high stress situation among everyone who's involved, but she also sends in hints of what might have happened.

I really enjoyed following the nuggets as they were divulged. Leigh leads you along with crumb after crumb and in the end, you breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe now Bree and her family can have some peace.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
The fourth instalment of the Bree Taggert series sees Bree returning to her family farm, 27 years after her father killed her mother only to discover human remains buried on the property. We then follow Bree as she investigates the 30-year-old murders that likely involved her father.

I really enjoyed the police investigation and watching Bree and her team as they identify the remains and try to work out who killed the victims and why. I found the story engaging and I liked that it wasn’t immediately obvious who the killer was. As well as the mystery, we get to see Bree’s romance with Matt take a few new steps, and it was good to see Bree’s life coming settled both professionally and personally.

RIGHT BEHIND HER is another interesting crime story mixed with a little bit of life and love for Bree. I have to say there were a few scenes that really got my heart pumping and had me on the edge of my seat. This is a really good series and I’m looking forward to more books from Bree. RIGHT BEHIND HER gets a solid four stars from me.

This is my second Bree Taggert book, and it was just as twisty and messed-up as the prior book. There are a lot of characters to keep straight; I'm glad they included the dogs in the story. It's a fast-paced story with a satisfactory resolution.

This is the 4th book in the Bree Taggert series. You could read it as a stand alone but you would miss some really fantastic books. Melinda Leigh has some seriously good books in her back library, Bree Taggert is just one character in a cast of strong, damaged women who have taken their pain and put it to use against those who would hurt others. Bree's storyline started with her father's murder of her mother. Intrigued? Hold on, her story is so very well plotted that you'd recognize her on the street.
Right Behind Her finds Bree investigating bodies found buried on the farm where Bree's father committed his crime. And the questions pile up from there. This one is so good I'm getting goose bumps as I try not to give away the story. Read it fast, then read again. It is that good!!!!

Book 4 in the Bree Taggert series is a painful revisit to Bree. The story pushes readers into finding the heart and soul of a dark story. Bree faces more heart along with painful memories that will keep readers hooked and ready for book in this can't miss series.

Melinda Leigh is able to bring to life the characters that live in her head. The characters become part of a family that readers didn't know they wanted but can't live without knowing what will happen next.

Melinda Leigh is able to wrap romance, suspense, family, life and death into a perfect series that readers will never get enough of.

Thank you to publisher for the advance copy of Right Behind Her!

Another great addition to the Bree Taggert series. Fast-paced, well-written. Love the characters. These books can be read as stand alones but I don’t recommend it. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you #netgalley and #montlake for the eARC.

Wow that was totally crazy. This is the best book in this series so far.
Bree’s past has really come back to haunt her. Fast paced with obstacles around every corner preventing her from solving this 30 year old murder. We find out about Bree’s childhood and the trauma she went through.
Matt is the most patient man.

He wanted what his parents had—a lifetime of connection and friendship—but he understood most people never found anything even close.

We also get a little progress in the romance department and find out why she’s so hesitant to love.

She rested her head on his chest. “I’m not used to needing someone. Not this way.”

I just love this ongoing series and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Right Behind Her is the 4th in Melinda Leigh's Bree Taggert series. I love just about everything I have read by her and typically give her books 5 stars...this book is no different. It begins with a 30 year old murder and the discovery of a shallow grave containing 2 victims on Bree's old family farm. The same place where Bree's father murdered her mother before apparently killing himself when she was 8 years old. During the investigation Bree is forced to remember more about the events of that night, things she had forced her young mind to forget. Melinda Leigh expertly weaves together current events with the crimes of the past and brings everything to a surprising conclusion.
After the murder of her sister she has assumed custody of her niece and nephew, and they are beginning to put that pain behind them. Bree is settling into a life that includes these children that she loves, she's also growing closer to Matt and is building a strong work team that she trusts. It has been a pleasure watching Bree break from her painful past and embrace her new life. I look forward to the next book.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I Love Sheriff Bree, and Matt was the perfect complement to her badass attitude. It took a flash from the past to spot their relationship in the spotlight. When human bones were recovered on the sheriff’s family property, the past came rushing in uninvited. It brought with it two dead bodies, discovered buried on their property, and just like that, the truth surrounding the past events of thirty-plus years ago began unfolding. Through it all, Sheriff Bree stood tall, even when faced with corruption within her office. When her niece was kidnapped, she forged ahead with the strong arm of the law behind her with bullets flying in her wake.
Melinda Leigh’s books are truly captivating and must have.

I was provided an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is the fourth book in the Bree Taggert series, and it is another five star book from Melinda Leigh. In this series, Bree Taggert has become the guardian of her niece and nephew after their mother, her sister, was murdered. Bree has become the sheriff of the small town that she grew up in after moving back there to raise her niece and nephew. Bree has struggled in coming to terms with her horrible childhood and the fact that her abusive father murdered her mother.

Bree's past raises its ugly head again in this book when remains are found on her childhood home's property, which her brother now owns. She must solve the 30 year old murders, along with some current attempted murders. Bree is assisted with her investigating by Matt, and she grows closer to him.

This series is a great combination of mystery, family life, and romance. I recommend that they be read in order because the character development throughout the series plays a big part in the enjoyment of the books. Melinda Leigh always delivers a great read!

If I had to name my favorite book series, I would have to put this one at the top. From the very first page of the first book I knew I would love this series and here I am on book four still loving every second of them.

Right Behind Her picks up soon after the end of book 3 and begins with the discovery of two bodies on the old family farm. Are they related to Bree's father or are they new? As Bree gets drawn into the case she begins to uncover answers from her past but are these answers bringing danger to her present.

I could not put this one down! While I did figure some of the twists out, I still enjoyed this book so much! I will be recommending this one to everyone I know.

The Taggert farm has been abandoned for years until Sheriff Bree Taggert’s brother purchases the farm where her father killed their mother and took his own life. Now two bodies, a man and a woman, have been found in a shallow grave on the farm. Bree and her team begin the search for evidence, hoping that the investigation doesn’t once again expose her family’s painful past. Over the years she and Matt Flynn, a civilian investigator and former sheriff’s deputy, have developed a closeness that has finally given her someone she can lean on and trust. After discovering video of the night the woman disappeared, several suspects are identified and questioned. When her eight-year-old niece is threatened, it is a warning to Bree to stop her investigation. However, this makes Bree even more determined to find the killer. If you enjoy a book with a strong female character who as a child saved her siblings from certain death, then this is the series for you. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Bree’s past has made her who she is but until she deals with it she can’t move forward and she has a lot in her life to move forward to. In Right Behind Her Bree is going to be forced into confronting her past and if she survives embracing her future. Like the others in this series there is an interesting case to be solved and various personalities to be dealt with. I really enjoy this series and loved this installment. Heartily recommend.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2021/09/09/right-behind-her-by-melinda-leigh/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

4.5 hearts

I have loved every book in this <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/266188-bree-taggert" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Bree Taggert</strong></em></a> series.  I have also enjoyed the author's <em><strong>Morgan Dane</strong></em> and <em><strong>Scarlet Falls</strong></em> 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.

We get murders and missing persons and everything seems to tie in to Bree's family history from 30 years ago.  She has been busy with her new family and new job plus who wants to dig up painful old memories?  But now Bree has to face things from her past she would rather forget.

The people involved seem to be either the top or bottom of society and it seems strange they would be connected in the same cases. You wouldn't think they would associate with each other, but the upper crust has more dishonesty and criminals than one would suspect.  Bree and Matt work the cases with good strategy and careful reasoning from the evidence.

There are some new things happening in Bree's team. She has hired some additional deputies, and some are women.  She has some of the legacy team who is still dragging their feet to cooperate with her.  But there are also those who appreciate her hard work and integrity.  They stand for her when her family is targeted. Bree also has to navigate the politics in getting funding for her department.

Bree manages to also grow personally. Her relationship with Matt is progressing. She is learning to work with dogs and calm her fears by learning how to be with them.  She makes great efforts to connect and spend time with the children.    Her brother Adam wants to know more about their parents, especially their mother. She tries to share memories with him but it is very difficult for her.  Dana continues to provide support and great food.

I will always be happy to read more. These characters matter to me. We even saw an old friend from another series, Lincoln Sharp who provided some evidence from an old case.  I enjoy the police procedural aspects.  Coming up next is <strong>Dead Against Her</strong> in May 2022., which I'll definitely be reading!

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Another solid mystery and a not apparent baddie. This case is a 30 year old murder and has Bree questioning everything she experienced as an 8 year old. the story delves deeply into who Bree's father was and those people who surrounded him. It gives us readers a lot of insight into the psyche of an abused child and makes Bree the adult a lot more relatable.

Bree Taggert's life is finally achieving some balance. The kids are coming out of their mourning for their mother and beginning to resume normal activities. Bree is getting in deeper and deeper with hottie Matt. The Sheriff's office has five new deputies and beginning to function almost normally. But, all that comes to a sudden standstill when bones are discovered on the old abandoned Taggert farm. It was murder and the bodies were buried in a shallow grave.

As Bree investigated the identities of the victims and how they came to be buried on the Taggert farm 30 years ago, she has to confront the very real possibility that her deceased father was the murderer. But, there is someone in the present who is very much alive that is concerned enough about the investigation that he would kidnap Bree's niece in an effort to make her back off the investigation.

Sheriff Taggert is forced to confront her own past when remains are found at her parent's house and it looks like her abusive father might be the killer. Let's start out right away acknowledging that in the real world, Bree would not have been involved in the investigation in any manner. However, that wouldn't make for a very exciting book. I liked that she was able to work through a lot of her childhood trauma in this book and I think she will move forward stronger and more willing to welcome others (ie: Matt) into her life. As is the case with most of the books I've read from this author, I appreciate the balance of mystery with romance, since we all know I am not a fan of the later. I also like the solid steps made in Bree's professional life. It feels like this is almost a coming of age series, even though the main character is an adult. Maybe it is more of a coming into your own series? I look forward to seeing where Bree goes next.