Thanks once again to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this Arc.
Sheriff Bree Taggert is on a well person check when she stumbles onto the scene of two murder victims, one of those being someone she knows.
As the case unravels it becomes evident that someone is out to get Bree removed as Sheriff.
I flew through this book in a day, a great read. It helps to have read the previous books to understand the backstory and Bree’s relationship with the murder victim. Can’t wait for the next Bree story.

An adrenaline-pumping, cop procedural that I devoured over a four-hour flight journey.

When doing a well-being check on an elderly widow in her county, Sheriff Bree Taggert comes across a double homicide - the widow, Camilla Brown and her son Eugene Oscar - a corrupt deputy whom Bree had forced to resign from her department just a few months ago. As Bree and her team of deputies, along with criminal investigator, Matt Flynn race to solve the murder, she is also faced with a personal crisis. Someone has it out for Bree, sending her crude messages and threats, and trying to oust her from her position. Bree realizes that she can no longer ignore the threats when she becomes a suspect in Eugene's murder.

There was a lot going on in the story - Eugene's murder investigation, Matt and his dogs, Todd and Cady's potential romance, Bree's dynamics with her neice and nephew, the smear campaign against Bree, the missing case of chief deputy Todd Harvey, etc - but there was nary a dull moment throughout. Even though I had my doubts as I hopped from chapter to chapter, the author masterfully tied all these links together in a heart-pounding finale.

While this was your regular procedural drama, what stood out for me in this book were: 1) the dog rescue and training program by Matt and his sister Cady, and 2) the insight given into deepfakes and revenge porn - a heinous, malicious way to demoralise and humiliate women. And that final chase scene was simply too good.

Overall, a fast-paced, compelling read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The beginning of the book grips you as you see the world navigated by the killer and the book never looses that grip on you right until the very end. A page turning delight.

When Sheriff Bree Taggert is called to an isolated far to check on an elderly widow.sge instead stumbles upon the scene of a double homicide. One of which is the dead body of her former corrupt deputy Eugene Oscar. Who Bree recently uncovered his corrupt ways and forced out of the police department.

It is up to Bree and Matt to uncover what exactly has gone on in the isolated farm. But as they dig deeper into the troubling history of their form deputy Bree becomes the target of a sick and devious campaign which is set out to destroy not only her, but her reputation, her career, her family , her friends, her relationship with Matt and points Bree at being the prime suspect in the killings.

When Matt goes missing during the investigation Bree knows that she must be onto something and refusing to back down she is determined to find the true killer not only for herself but to save Matt's life.

A very well written book, that will grip you instantly and have you trying to piece all the puzzle pieces together as you try to uncover what has really gone on.

*Puedes encontrar esta reseña en español al final.*

This story begins in a shocking way: from the killer's point of view. We witness the crime around which it´s going to revolve the plot, and the author does it in such a way that she hooks you with amazing ease.
An outstanding beginning.

From this point on, we meet again with Bree, Matt and a whole cast of (by now) old acquaintances. I was really looking forward to seeing them again.

As always, Ms. Leigh writes suspense like no other. Despite the facts that (to me) there were too many “active fronts”, and that (as usual with this author) the family drama is always plenty present, I have not been able to stop reading with a certain eagerness. I needed, “needed” to know how it all was going to end. There had come a time when I almost forgot that a crime was being investigated. I was hooked on everything going on around it. That's how good this author is.

The romance, at this point, is more a travel companion than a protagonist. The relationship is fully established now and the author lets us glimpse another romance.

Perhaps the only downside is that the ending did not feel enough… categorical. I wanted to see Bree putting some characters “in their place”, but of course, that would go against the very essence of this heroine…

I have said it before and I´ll say it again: It doesn't make sense to start reading this series for this installment. They are so good and entertaining. Better start at the beginning.

***

Esta historia comienza por todo lo alto: desde el punto de vista del asesino. La autora nos hace testigos del crimen sobre el que va a girar toda la trama y lo hace de tal manera que te engancha con una facilidad pasmosa.
Un comienzo de 10.

A partir de ahí, volvemos a reencontrarnos con Bree, Matt y todo un elenco de ya viejos conocidos. Estaba deseando de volver a verlos, la verdad.

Como siempre, Ms. Leigh escribe el suspense como nadie. A pesar de que me ha parecido que había muchos frentes abiertos, y a pesar de que (como ya es habitual con esta autora) el drama familiar está siempre presente, no he podido dejar de leer con cierta ansia. Necesitaba, “necesitaba” saber cómo iba a acabar todo. Ha llegado un momento en el que casi olvidé que se estaba investigando un crimen. Estaba enganchada a todo lo que lo rodeaba. Así de buena es esta autora.

El romance ya a estas alturas es más un compañero de viaje que un protagonista. La relación está completamente asentada y la autora nos deja entrever otras relaciones.

Quizás la única pega es que el final me ha parecido poco tajante. Yo quería ver a Bree “poner en su sitio” a algunos de los personajes, pero claro, eso iría en contra de la propia esencia de la protagonista…

Lo he dicho con anterioridad y lo vuelvo a decir: No tiene sentido comenzar a leer esta serie por esta entrega. Es muy buena y muy entretenida. Mejor empezar por el principio.

Another fantastic addition in the Bree Taggert series. Bree and Matt face a lot of challenges as they investigate a double murder that includes a previous deputy. With the struggles of being a mom to her niece and nephew Bree struggles to find balance. When a deputy goes missing Bree and Matt will do anything to find him. Will they solve the murder? Will they find her deputy?

Really enjoy this series! Thank you netgalley for complimentary copy!
Highly recommended

Someone is out to get Sheriff Bree Taggert.and they won’t stop until they destroy her. It all starts with a double homicide and everyone knows that the ex deputy that was killed had a axe to grind with Bree. But who wanted him dead and why kill the old lady? There are some suspects that all seem to be hiding something but the focus is been taken away from the case as someone is out there sending fake videos that paint Bree in a bad light. Maybe it is time to walk away from the job as it is taking time away from the family & she is tired of hiding her relationship with Matt.
The race is on as one of her deputies has gone missing and it points to a group that will kill him if they don’t find him soon. Will Bree be able to solve the case & save her deputy? A good read. I love that Bree is a strong woman that cares deeply for the ones that are closet to her. She never gives up. Good to see her & Matt’s relationship progressing. I was lucky enough to receive a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

5 Plus Stars!!

This is hands down the best book in the series so far. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

Bree is investigating a double murder when things in her life get crazy out of hand. Matt is there helping her with the investigation. I love how there relationship has been progressing as they get closer.

“You’re determined to flaunt our relationship?” he asked. “Yep.” She rested her hand on his shoulder. “They can accept it or not. That’s on them. I won’t sacrifice one bit of our happiness I won’t sacrifice our future for anything, not even this job.”

I’m not gonna say to much and spoil the story. This story was non stop action and heart pounding tension.

The series continues with another smash hit!

Bree returns in Dead Against Her on her way to check on an elderly widow who lives on an isolated farm only to find a double murder.

Together with Matt she must find the killer soon or risk losing everything she cares about. In this electrifying novel, you will find a great storyline and well-crafted characters. You can't help but love some and hate some.

I love this series more and more. Bree is a fantastic character. Fierce and strong, she approaches her latest case with the dogged determination readers have come to appreciate. The twists kept me guessing. I was drawn in from the beginning and didn't see the resolution coming.
If the case wasn't enough, Bree's being threatened professionally and personally. In a disgusting manner that reflects real world issues. I was completely invested in this plot.
This one has a lot of changes for relationships. This reader loved them and I think other fans will be satisfied as well. There are guest appearances from two beloved characters from another series that are the icing on the cake.
I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. She's definitely on my must read list!

This was a real cool crime-fiction and I enjoyed every bit of it. Ashamed to admit that I haven’t read the first four books in the Bree Taggert series, not that it hampered my understanding of the characters or their backstory at all, but I at least know what I’ve missed and got to cover up.

Leigh cooks up a delicious murder/chase story which has several heart-stopping moments while also giving us a fair insight into the main characters’ minds. Bree Taggert stands out throughout the book - she makes an excellent protagonist with the right bit of confidence, hesitation, anger and warmth. She’s not perfect and that’s what makes her so relatable. Everyone else: Matt, Todd, Cady, Dana, Juarez, and even Jim were able to drill a hole in my heart with the roles they played.

I only wish there was more to the <i>Mastermind</i> - more to their story. The climax, even though well-written, left me wanting, like something was left out unexplained. I need a proper closure.

Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and Melinda Leigh for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date: May 17th, 2022.

4/5🌟.

TW: Murder, Goriness, Assault, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Sexually explicit threats.

PS: I loved the dogs! True heroes 🐶

Sheriff Bree Taggert's former deputy, who retired under less than stellar circumstances, is murdered along with his mother. Bree and her boyfriend, Matt, a former K-9 handler and now consultant to the department, investigate the murders. But someone is dead set against Bree, and threatening her reputation and with bodily harm. In the meantime, her chief deputy is put at risk. The mystery is intriguing, the suspense is high, and the story culminates in a thrilling and dangerous scene. The book is a real page-turner.

I received an ARC, and this is my voluntary review.

Another fabulous installment in this series. Bree has grown so much personally over the previous books and that becomes really evident in this book. Former deputy Eugene Oscar was a pain in the tail for Bree from the start. Now he’s dead and it’s up to Bree to find his murderer. She has to do it while dealing with intense harassment from an unknown source. Once again we are set upon a twisted trail and Bree will power through like she always does only this time she has the backing of family and friends. This story will grab your attention and not let go till way past the last page

Dead Against Her – Melinda Leigh

Sheriff Bree Taggert catches a call from a concerned individual regarding the well-being of his elderly neighbor. With her deputies busy on other calls, she opts to make the visit herself. Upon her arrival, a quick look around reveals things are quiet – a little too quiet, perhaps. As she enters the home, the smell hits her immediately, and she cringes, believing the old woman died alone of natural causes. But the sight she finds stops her short – two individuals, tied to chairs facing one another, and both have been shot. As she surveys the scene while waiting for Investigator Matt Flynn, she realizes that one of the victims is none other than Deputy Eugene Oscar, who was recently fired from the Sheriff’s Department because of Bree. The other is his elderly mother.

As the team processes the scene, Bree & Matt begin their investigation by notifying and interviewing remaining family members, including the former deputy’s uncle. He describes his nephew as a bit sketchy but has no ideas as to who might want Eugene, or his mother, dead. Additional interviews with Eugene’s former co-workers, yield little more, although they discover a possible connection to a group called the Hudson Footmen, a survivalist group.

Meanwhile, Bree has another headache to contend with. Someone is determinedly harassing her, this time with a picture and a lurid rape fantasy, detailing all they plan to do to her. Additionally, doctored pictures and video of Bree have been found on Oscar’s computer. During a press conference, she learns that the doctored video has been making the rounds, as a reporter comments on the film. Despite her assertions that they are fake, the story grows, with townspeople and reporters beginning to demand Bree’s resignation.

As Bree and her team work to solve the murders, the harassment escalates - then Todd, her Chief Deputy - goes missing. As the team pulls out all the stops to try and bring Todd home alive, Bee prays that they are not too late…

This book caught my attention from page one and I finished it in one sitting, because I just couldn’t put it down – it was just that good!! I love these characters and I’m delighted that it is a# 5 in a series! I’ll be ordering the remainder of the series as soon as this review is completed – I have no idea how I’ve missed Melinda Leigh’s work prior to this! Easily read as a standalone – but will leave you wanting for more, I promise!!

Available from your favorite bookseller on May 17th!

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley & Montlake in exchange for an objective review. Do you love to read?? Visit netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!

Another outstanding Bree Taggert book. There were a lot of twists and turns and a few grisly murders. The writing was great. The book flowed smoothly. I’m really hoping there will be a book 6. I just love these characters. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This is the fifth book in this series and I have loved each one. You can read this book as a stand alone but having the background history of the characters just makes it so much better. This story grabbed me from the start and I read this book the same day I got it. Melinda Leigh is an author who I can recommend to my customers and know they will enjoy her books

The story is finally available on NetGalley as of March, 1, 2022 and I read it in less than 36 hours. I enjoyed it that much .

Chapter One started off with a bang. Literally. From there on out, Sheriff Bree Taggert had her hands full.

My advice is if you haven't already read the first 4 stories in this series, start with Cross Her Heart. Each story has a rock-solid mystery with a good amount of suspense. The MCs slowly expand their relationships. You will understand Bree's strengths and why she's committed to her unusual family and job.

Bree was both gutsy and stubborn while solving the twisty mystery with the help of Sheriff Investigator and boyfriend Matt Flynn, her personal assistant Marge, Chief Deputy Todd and her loyal lawmen and women. Even the canine dogs elevated the plot.

I admit there were some nail-biting moments when I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Let's just say, 'nuf said.

Thank you to NetGalley, Melinda Leigh and Montlake for allowing me to read an arc in exchange for an honest review.

5* The hands down best of the series. Tackles a sensitive RL issue in a great way.

Whilst you don't have to read this series in order to be able to enjoy the standalone tales, it is best to, as you'll get to see Bree's charges growing up, Bree and Matt's romance progressing, how Greta is getting on, how Matt's sister's romance may be starting to take off, and appearances from characters of the Scarlett Falls series of tales as side characters (occasionally). And, because I'm pretty sure you'll be invested in all the characters, major and minor.

The tales don't pull their punches and this one starts with an on-page murder scene and it's well done so that you don't clock who's doing the killings. I suspected the killer's sex, from some of the words that were uttered, but I didn't expect their identity and in fact, ML introduced another character organically and with a good enough connection to the dead that I suspected them. All the way pretty much until the end and then ended up a bit flabbergasted at the reveal - but it worked.

The storyline didn't let up and I think it's probably the one with the most side arcs happening, especially with the social media shaming that happens, and which I felt was dealt with pretty realistically. Realistically and sadly, with judgement by females who could have and should have been supportive of one of their own - one of their own in more than one sense - and not with what felt like an element of glee. I only hope that we get to see more of the judge'r and that she gets some comeuppance in a future tale over her handling of things, as well as the journalist who sold out for sensationlism, a bit like Fox News in the US. And, yes, it's a US-based tale, so the conspiracy theorists stuff tied in well, as did the masses of people who chose to ignore the blatant lies in front of their eyes, and played the blame-and-shame and the uptight-morality game. A touch of the author's politics and feminism? Normally I don't love the former in tales, especially not in tales by the posse of UK MM authors who're Labour supporters, but here, knowing what the US was like under The Wotsit and the hate that's become so blatant and the lies that are being perpetuated by the few that the many uneducated and brainwashed believe, kudos to ML.

The tale marks changes in several relationships here, all for the better and I can't wait for more in this series. Yes, we may only be 3 months into 2022 but this is one of the few 5* tales I've read.

ARC courtesy of Montlake Romance and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.

Bree Taggert is caught between a rock and a hard place. In her new role as sheriff, she responds to a welfare check on an elderly resident and instead finds herself at a grisy double murder scene. One of the victims is the bent, former sheriff, Eugene Oscar, that Bree ousted from office. AS she and investigator Matt Flynn try to unmask a killer, they discover that Eugene had plenty of enemies who might want him dead. And one is doing his best to make sure Bree never uncovers the truth, by endangering her reputation, family and her life

Another great installment in this series. I just love the characters as well as the fast paced mysteries. Enough twists and turns in this one to keep it interesting. Though I suggest reading in order to get the most out of the background storylines, it stands along fine.

Sheriff Bree Taggert not only has to contend with the double homicide of a deputy she recently fired and his mother, but also someone out who is using sick and twisted videos to try and destroy her career and personal life.

You knew from the opening chapter inside the killers mind that this was going be one crazy ride and went even further into cray cray land than I expected. Another great addition to the series.