I was expecting this book to be a thriller and dark but in fact it was a very interesting look at how a murder was solved. I thought I had solved who.the murderer was at one point but then there would be a twist and I would be left questioning it all again.
I enjoyed the storyline and would definitely read more from this author.

As with the first book in this series, the romance is extremely slow burn, very unlike Karen Rose’s previous books, so if the equal mix of romance and suspense is what you really want, this particular series won’t give you that. What it will still give you is the other things Karen’s books are known for, such as a fast paced story with lots of suspense, twists and turns, and so many great characters with plenty of depth.

Personally, whilst I love the normal style of romance and suspense, I understand why it needed a slightly different approach with these characters. Kit needed the time and gentle approach, and who better to give her that than Dr Sam Reeves. Gosh that man is so kind and thoughtful! I loved the way he was so respectful of Kit and her feelings. He never tried to press or rush her (although plenty of other characters were trying their best to play matchmaker). I really hope there will be another book in this series so we see how their story will play out.

Another amazing story with plenty of suspense, well worth a read!

4.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Headline, for my advanced reader copy of the book. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.

Having read a previous book about Detective Kit McKitrick, I was pleased to receive “Cheater” as a review copy.
Kit is called in to investigate the murder of an elderly resident of Shady Oaks Retirement Village. When it transpires that the victim is an ex cop, Kit is determined to solve the killing, despite a distinct lack of clues including no cctv of the time it happened. When another murder occurs which seems to be connected, she is in a race against time to work out who the perpetrator is before something else happens
Dr Sam Reeves, a police psychologist consultant also volunteers at the facility and was friendly with the victim so he is particularly devastated by the death. However Kit is not happy to see him as she still has feelings for him and has been keeping him at arms length, despite their obvious attraction to each other.
This is part murder mystery and part romance and I think it is pretty successful in both aspects of the plot. I like both genres so it was a perfect book for me.
It took a while for Kit to work out what was going on but gradually she puts the clues together. I really enjoyed reading about Kit and her background story, how she was adopted and the loss of her sister which was described in the earlier book and revisited in “Cheater”
I liked the compassion of both Kit and Sam, shown particularly well in their encounter with two young runaway girls. This is definitely a series I want to read more of and I will be looking out for the next one when it comes along. Definitely a recommended read!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Somehow I was expecting this book to be dark and scary, but in fact it was a very interesting look at how a murder was solved. The lead detective, Kit, is investigating a murder within Shady Oaks retirement home, a very upmarket place for elderly retirees. There is a romantic interest with Dr Sam Reeves, but Kit tends to shy away from him. There was so much detail provided that I felt as though a phrase in the book was very apt....'Too many puzzle pieces'.
Despite the mass of detail I followed the plot and the people involved, and enjoyed trying to guess who the murderer would be.
Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.

I didn't hugely enjoy this book - it wasn't suspenseful enough for me and I found it rather slow throughout. It probably didn't help that it's the second book in a series and I haven't read the first one.

Also, it is called a romantic suspense, but I found the romance rather lacking.

Finding the dead body of their friend sends a continuing care facility into tale spin. Detectives find out the dead man is a retired homicide lieutenant. Blackmail, murder and theft are at the heart of the killing spree. Unpicking the reasons and the suspects leads to several motives.
A thoroughly enjoyable book that will keep you guessing.
Definitely going to be looking out for more books by Karen Rose

A fab crime thriller set in a retirement home, combined with a story of a foster family and the intricacies that come with the family dynamics. The retirement home residents characters were relatable and believable and despite the murders sounded like the kind of place I would like to retire. With regards the murder storyline, I had guessed the culprit quite early on so found myself wanting them to figure it out and end the story, i would recommend this to others that are a fan of Karen Rose.

A most unusual story of the murder of an 80 year retired cop living in a retirement village. The lady detective assigned to the case and her partner are interesting characters. Her, streetwise from a unique background able to liaise with her partner with a look and a wink. The village has 300 inmates divided into independent, as was the victim, or dementia, disabled or bed ridden. With suitable care provided according. A complex case involving embezzlement, larceny infidelity greed and murder, somehow seemly an inside job. Meanwhile is the story of a Dr colleague although kept at arm’s length is gently wooing the lady detective to win her love.

This wasn’t what I was expecting at all - Karen Rose is an author who has something about her, this felt like it was phoned in. Disappointing

I have enjoyed the Kit series and look forward to seeing what happens next. . Plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Great story telling as always from this author. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

This is a clever, intricately woven story with interesting and diverse characters. Detective Kit is called to investigate a death at a retirement home. It transpires that the victim is Ex job and that always gets the investigators moving. Kit is a hardened trauma survivor who has tragic personal circumstances, Kitty Cat with claws, when it comes to her love interest who she has been avoiding but is thrown back into his path as the investigation at the Shady Oaks retirement home escalates, more victims, who is behind it? And no one is safe, can Kit and Sam get to the bottom of what is happening before it is too late? I really enjoyed this addictive and compelling read.

cheater
A tight detective story which centres around a high end retirement facility. The story begins as two detectives, Kit Mckittrick and her partner, are called to the complex when one of the residents are found with a knife sticking out of his body. Very quickly it is established that he was an ex detective who after retiring early felt the courage to come out and get married to his male partner. Unfortunately bodies start to appear and their deaths are anything but from natural causes.
It is left to the two detectives and the trusted psychologist Dr Sam to solve the murders before others are targeted.
The plot surrounds greed, get rich schemes and the taboo subject of stealing from the elderly and vulnerable. No one is above suspicion as there are plenty of motives. There is also an interesting subplot as Kit and Sam dance around each other as they decide whether or not to pursue a relationship.
I read this as a Standalone and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this.

I really enjoyed Cheater (Romantic Suspense Crime Mystery Thriller - The San Diego Case Files kindle edition by Karen Rose) Although I did find it long drawn out at 447 pages but it was really worth the read.

Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and her team including her love interest Sam a Forensic Psychologist who helps put together the broken links in the chain leading up to catching who was responsible for the murders of residents at Shady Oaks retirement home.

There are many suspects in the mix and Kit and her team need to garner evidence in this cat and mouse chase which is very exciting as the story unfolds revealing a barracuda.

Their lives are at risk as hidden secrets come to the surface and a detrimental piece of information is the final piece of the jigsaw in solving the crimes.

I loved the strong family bond that Kit has with her foster parents and her foster Father affectionately calls her Kitty Cat so sweet.

A good story, but much too long. Better editing would help. The characters are fine, but the whole thing is just a bit too sugar-sweet.

From the beginning of this one I could tell that this was not the first book featuring these characters, and as it turns out this is book 2. The first one is Cold Blooded Liar and was released last year. I think reading that book would help with getting a better grip on the character dynamics in this one.

The romance element was extremely frustrating,using a trope to keep them apart that I really just don’t like. The murder mystery was interesting though, if a little too easy to piece together. From about 40-50% of the way through I was making predictions that turned out to be right

Overall I thought this was a good read and I will definitely read more from the author.

There has been a murder in an exclusive San Diego retirement community. Frankie Flynn has been found with a carving knife in his chest.

Detective Kit McKittrick attends with her partner Connor and discovers that she recognises the victim as a ex Homicide Lieutenant.

When the Head of Security goes missing,she realises this case is going to be more complex than she thought

A rip roaring murder mystery from Karen Rose

I would like to thank Netgalley and Headline Publishing for the chance to read and review this book

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for my copy of Cheater by Karen Rose
This is the second book in the Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick series, when Frank Flynn a retired detective from the San Diego Police Department is murdered at the Shady Oaks retirement centre where he now resided, his room ransacked and no clue as to motive Kit will need all her skills to find the answers.

2.5/5 stars.

I had to look back on my reviews because I remember reading the first book in this series but didn’t remember anything else about it.
I see now that because it was my first Karen Rose ever had no expectations & wanted to see where it’d go.

After reading this 2nd book in the series my opinion is not quite great.
Like many others have already pointed out, it’s too slow and it has hardly any romance going on.

The suspense wasn’t suspensing. It was convoluted for no reason at all while also being extremely predictable at the same time.
It was definitely not one of those books that you can’t close up to go to sleep. I was sleeping fine the entire time. And the romance was a weird mixture of 3rd grade feelings along with a ton of meddling people.

Probably would try to read the next instalment of the series but if it’ll continue on the same path it’d be the last.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for the digital ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to try a new author to me.
Overall an OK read. Overlong and could do with a serious edit. Kit's adopted parents are eligible for cannonisation as we speak. Family gatherings were dull and boring and happened too frequently. Nursing home/elderly care residents murders have been done before and much better. Kit and Sam's romance felt very adolescent and like they were still at secondary school.
Very slow paced and the murderer was pretty obvious from very early on. That's not always a bad thing, see Columbo but in this case you just keep thinking, are you really not seeing what I'm seeing
An OK by the pool book

Karen Rose does it again, a compelling book that keeps on giving.
I thought I had it worked out half way through who was the culprit, but so many red herrings. A nursing home, fraud, murder, innocence and love, this book has it all.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.