Member Reviews

Gripping from the first chapter. This amazing author takes you on a roller coaster of a suspense ride! Absolutely loved this book it had lots of suspense and intrigue. Awesome !

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Midnight Obsession by Melinda Leigh is a romance and general fiction (adult) read.
When a mysterious package lands on Louisa Hancock’s doorstep, the Philadelphia museum curator can hardly anticipate the nightmare that’s about to envelop her. The package is addressed to her father—an expert in Viking culture—and inside is a ninth-century sword, a chilling thank-you note, and photos of two dead bodies in a tableau evoking a Nordic funeral. The gruesome images match a recent crime scene. But before the police can investigate the killer’s connection to Louisa’s father, Ward Hancock vanishes.
This was a good read with good characters. A little slow in places but I managed to read it. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

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Melinda Leigh has crafted a great romantic suspense novel that will appeal to fans of Lisa Jackson, Nora Roberts and others.

The story is multi-layered, without being overly complicated or confusing.

The main storyline involves a ritual murder which recalls the warrior burials of the Vikings. When Louisa Hancock's father - an expert on Vikings - goes missing, Louisa and her boyfriend, Conor Sullivan, must race against the clock to figure out what's happening. At the same time, Conor and Louisa get wrapped up in a violent gang war, which may also tie into the Viking killer's plans.

I had not read the other books in the series but I didn't feel lost at all. The story does well as a standalone. There are references to old plot lines, but nothing is spoiled for those that want to go back and read the others.

The main mystery was pretty good - it's one of those "don't look away until the end," because it's not totally done until it's done. I like books like that, because they don't let you rest until you're done. You don't lose interest because it's all solved.

There's also a very creepy resolution- not to give anything away but it's really....twisted, blurring the line between victim and perpetrator/good and evil. It makes you think, which is good.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to revisiting some of these characters in future books. I will be picking up the others in this series.

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Melinda Leigh nails this follow-up! Conor and Louisa just make me happy. I love that they so different yet so right for each other. Louisa is trying to build a relationship with her father, but things go amok. Great interactions with Conor's family. Stellar.

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In Midnight Obsession by Melinda Leigh, Louisa survived a horrific event at the hands of a madman and is still struggling to move forward with her life. An obsessed killer soon pulls her into another nightmare when her father disappears after inexplicably receiving a frightening package. That is not all that's going on though...a young man her boyfriend Conor has been working with becomes a suspect in murder. From gang ties to Vikings, a swirling mix of suspense kept me wondering what the outcome could possibly be as Louisa and Conor work in their own way to find her father before it's too late.

Midnight Obsession has strong characters, and I loved the different POV's Melinda Leigh gives us throughout. Seeing things through a killer's eyes and 'hearing' his irrational thoughts put a very interesting and frightening perspective on the plot!

I really enjoyed the main characters, Louisa and Conor. Their relationship is well established, and the make a good fit together. I liked how they were together...no angst, no secrets, and all love and caring. They did what worked for them. This part of Midnight Obsession is not about romance, but about a well established relationship that will still have trials to go through. The big question was where their relationship would go from here. Having Louisa and Conor's perspectives provided great insight into their characters!

The main part of the plot, the suspenseful part, was as creepy as it was catchy! As things unravelled I thought I had a vague idea who might be the culprit, but Melinda Leigh kept me guessing right to the end.

Two police officers are strong secondary characters, and their involvement and side stories provided a lot of depth.

I liked how all the characters were connected and how the plot was drawn together with sub plots. It all worked well, and like real life nothing always goes as planned, but some things do.

Midnight Secrets is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone in my opinion as I read it. Readers who like suspense and strong relationships will enjoy Midnight Obsession!

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This book made me want to read the previous books in the series. Great writing, well connected plot.

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Melinda Leigh is an outstanding author. She manages to weave an intriguing story with many surprises, twists and turns throughout. This is the fourth book in the Midnight series. Like the other three, it is exceptional. The characters are believable and the storyline complex. It picks up with Conor and Louisa. Louisa is consulted on a ritualistic murder after her father receives a Viking axe from an unknown source. Her father is subsequently kidnapped.
It is a fantastic read.

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Great addition to an amazing series! Leigh writes compelling and gripping suspense that keeps you guessing! *netgalley

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I appreciate NetGalley and Montlake Romance for an ARC of this great book in exchange for my honest opinion. I enjoyed this next episode of Conor and Louisa. Just when they think they can move on with their lives and their growing love Louisa's father disappears after receiving an antique Viking sword. To complicate things their is someone out there killing innocent people plus a street gang that wants to kidnap a young man Louisa and Conor are trying to help. There are previous stories about Louisa and Conor and you will want to go find them and read them however, you don't have to before reading this one. It does refer to the others in this one and it will give you more history of the families but it's up to you, it's ok to read them later. Louisa panics she can't sit around and let two detectives search she has to search also. Conor can't let her out of his sight as it becomes apparent the killer wants her too. This book starts out a little slow but hang in there it's worth the ride. So many twists and turns evolve and take you on a faster journey and you will have some surprises along the way. Great writing style Melinda best yet!
I recommend this book!

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wow, what fantastic characters this story has. The story line was thrilling, full of suspense with lots of added romance. I just couldn't put it down till id finished the last page and then I was left wanting more and more. This is a fast paced story which will keep you reading long into the night. I just love this author and cant wait to read more from them in the future

Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

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Before Louisa and her father can go to the police with a package that showed up for her father with pictures of two dead bodies her father disappears. Now the police want to know what her and her father know about the deaths. Louisa and Connor must figure out what is going on and find her father before it's to late.

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Genre: Mystery, thriller
Stand-alone: Yes
Part of a Series: Yes - Book 4 of the Midnight Series
POV: Multiple - Conor, Luisa, Detective Ianelli, the Killer
Steam-level: Some warmth
5/5

This is the first book I've read from the Midnight series (even though it's book 4). In the beginning I felt a little lost, needing to learn the characters and their backstories. However I caught up quick and was able to get into the story. Once I started I could hardly put Midnight Obsession down. This mystery was so well written that it kept me guessing until the end and then some. Mysteries are one of my favorite genres but I've been avoiding them as I guess the killer pretty quickly. Every time I thought I figured it out Leigh would throw in yet another possible suspect or throw in another loop in her tangled web of mystery. The use of Viking death rituals was intriguing and smart. The theme throughout was resiliency and the ability to continue to move forward even as life punches you in the face. This book has it all - an intriguing mystery that keeps on giving, some one-liners that made me giggle out loud, a few tears, a little bit of sexiness, and reminders that life isn't always pretty.

I received this book for free from the author/publisher via NetGalley. I'm voluntarily giving an honest review.

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If you love a really great mystery, cozy or otherwise, then you should be racing to grab a copy of MIDNIGHT OBSESSION right away because it's well written, appropriately chilling and engrossing suspense that will leave you wanting more! I'm completely blown away by Ms. Leigh's writing and I've got to wonder what the research process is like when I read such a book that both creeps me out and leaves me in awe of the writer's skill.

Fresh off a case that came too close to ending her life, all Louisa Hancock wants is stop living in fear and for life to return to normal. Unfortunately for her, her wish is not going to be granted any time soon. Her boyfriend, Conor's mentees are on the run after being pressured to join a local gang and being named as the suspects in a ritualistic double murder. In the midst of this storm, a mysterious package is delivered for Louisa's father at her work location, which contains items identified as Viking in origin and linked to the murders currently under investigation. Then her father is kidnapped and the only common denominator is the murders.

How do the murders connect to the Louisa's father and the missing young men's issues with the gang? Another double murder alerts them to the fact that they have a serial killer on the loose and with the police overwhelmed with the non-stop crime spree, Louisa can't sit on the sidelines while her father is missing. Her involvement in the case only serves to put her on the killer's radar and soon Louisa is the ultimate prize in a game whose rules only a deranged mind knows.

Conor would love to shield Louisa from any and all issues, but he knows she's not the kind of woman to hide away when her expertise is needed and with her father and the boys missing, Louisa won't stop until she finds them. Conor is not one to sit on the sidelines either and their extension of a helping hand to a family in needs makes his family the target of the gang.

Vikings, gangs, murders, rituals - there is so much going on in this book and the skillful way Ms. Leigh ties all of this up is really amazing. The identity of the killer and the motive are not easily deciphered until the last page and there are no bread crumbs to provide any kind of clues but the end is an eye-opening moment where all those seemingly unconnected threads come together perfectly.

This book focuses more on suspense than romance, so an avid romance fan may not find this very enjoyable, but if you're like me and don't mind the minimal romantic elements, then you are certainly in for a really great time with this book. This is my first book in this series and I can say that I didn't have any issues for not reading it in order.

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Melinda Leigh can do no wrong. Midnight Obsession is a fast pace romantic suspense with a in dept story that keep readers hooked until the final page.
Melinda Leigh is able to pull readers in from page on keeping reader late into the night.
Midnight Obsession gives the reader an end no one expects.

Melinda Leigh books have passion, incredible stories, and characters readers will grow to love.

Advance Copy from Netgalley

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Louisa Hancock is no stranger to danger; she survived a serial killer’s obsession. Now she has a bright future ahead finding the love of her life, Conor, and reconnecting with her father, Ward. But just when she thinks everything in her life is finally calming down, a killer sends a disturbing package to her father. Seems this wacko is obsessed with Nordic death rituals, something Ward is a renowned expert on.

When her father goes missing Louisa and Connor will not rest until the find him. Louisa doesn’t want to lose her father now that she finally has him back in her life. Unfortunately, involving themselves sets Louisa on the killer’s radar, putting her in danger all over again. But Louisa is not helpless, and she has Conor on her side determined to keep her safe!

When I picked up Midnight Obsession I didn’t realize this was the second story featuring Louisa and Conor. They met and fell in love in the previous book all the while a serial killer had his sights set on Louisa. I guess she barely survived, but that experience made her stronger, more proactive in her safety, learning self-defense and boxing from Conor. Previous readers may appreciate Conor and Louisa’s romance a little more, but not by much. I connected with them as a couple pretty easily.

I was on edge for Louisa afraid she’d be victimized all over again since the killer fixated on her so quickly, but it became clear she wasn’t going to make it easy for him to snatch her. I was happy she wasn’t one of those characters that frustrate because of reckless, stupid decisions.

There’s another story line with the troubled teens both Conor and Louisa work with, and it combines with the murder investigation. Also, the two detectives from the previous installment reluctantly include Conor and Louisa in their investigation, and we get some interesting revelations about them. It sounds like a lot going on, but it was pretty much a straight forward and entertaining mystery.

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With the “Midnight Betrayal” we got a front row seat to the introduction of Dr. Louisa Hancock and her boyfriend Conor Sullivan, owner of a Philly sports bar along with his brothers. Just when both Louisa and Conor have put a traumatic past behind and have come together for a future, Louisa’s father Dr. Ward gets kidnapped by a delusional person living in the medieval mythology of warriors and deaths.

And just like that Conor and Louisa are drawn into an evil game of power and courage, gangs and deaths, warriors and age-old rituals. It also brings Conor and Louisa closer in their relationship as the events and circumstances give them an opportunity to build trust, honesty, protectiveness and support. As they try to decipher the ritual killings and hope to find Dr. Ward alive, neither Louisa nor Conor are far away from the shadow of death.

I loved the fact that “Midnight Obsession” can be read as a stand alone, yet it makes you want to read “Midnight Betrayal” and get to know Louisa and Conor. And this is by far Melinda’s best work. She did a brilliant job of weaving two plots with an outstanding conclusion and paying special attention developing the relationship between Louisa and Conor and bringing the family dynamics into the equation gave the story more depth and character. And throw in a touch of medieval history and rituals, giving the narration an added edge of primitiveness.

And as always, Melinda never lets on as to who might be the killer. Not until you reach the very last few pages and even then, she does an outstanding job on the final revelations, reiterating her writing and plotting authority.

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Really good easy quality reading. I highly recommend reading the others in the series, as each book contains characters from the previous books. Romance, suspense and quick page turning.

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

The Midnight Series is a tightly written and connected series. Reading in order is highly recommended. We have a family, the Sullivan's, who take care of their own. The plots are wonderfully written and the romance is sweet. "Midnight Obsession" is slow to start, but be sure to clear your schedule because as it hits the half way point, you won't want to put it down.

Louisa and Conor have barely recovered from the horror of Louisa being held by a murderer. Things are returning to normal. Louisa is trying to pick up the strings of her life and not live as if she is under constant threat. Unfortunately, life is not going to be normal any time soon. Her father Walt, a Viking scholar, receives a mysterious package and is then kidnapped. The kidnapper also has his sights on Louisa to be part of his transition to Valhalla.

With a serial killer on the loose, Walt being kidnapped and Louisa in this nasty's sights, Conor is being extra vigilante. He also has problems with a kid, Jordan, he is trying to mentor. Jordan is a suspect in the murders and his brother, Shawn, has gone into hiding from a gang and the police. Conor is a caring man and is trying to protect everyone. But the gang and the killer are going to try his abilities.

Actual rating: 3 1/2-stars

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What an amazing book! Conor and Louisa make such a great team. This story was very compelling and I found myself captivated through all the twists and turns. It was also great catching up with the rest of the Sullivan bunch. I love that the sub stories had such intricate plots and that they were all tied to the main storyline so well. I wish we could have more Conor/Louisa stories. Maybe we can have a Sullivan family catch up book? Or maybe Det. Jackson can have his own book?

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Melinda Leigh is one of my favorite authors, and Midnight Obsession did not disappoint.
As the fourth in the 'Midnight' series is was great to reconnect with familiar characters.
True to form, this book grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go.
I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the author's next offering.

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