A homicide detective’s violent family history repeats itself in #1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s novel of murder, secrets, and retribution.
For more than twenty-five years, Philadelphia homicide detective Bree Taggert has tucked away the nightmarish childhood memories of her parents’ murder-suicide…Until her younger sister, Erin, is killed in a crime that echoes that tragic night: innocent witnesses and a stormy marriage that ended in gunfire. There’s just one chilling difference. Erin’s husband, Justin, has vanished.
Bree knows how explosive the line between love and hate can be, yet the evidence against her troubled brother-in-law isn’t adding up. Teaming up with Justin’s old friend, former sheriff’s investigator and K-9 handler Matt Flynn, Bree vows to uncover the secrets of her sister’s life and death, as she promised Erin’s children. But as her investigation unfolds, the danger hits close to home. Once again, Bree’s family is caught in a death grip. And this time, it could be fatal for her.
Melinda Leigh’s new Bree Taggert series, begins with Cross Her Heart. Bree is a Philadelphia homicide detective who returns to her hometown when her sister is murder. Bree’s trip home is a difficult one for her. It stirs up a lot of bad memories including her father murdering her mother; Bree’s separation from her siblings, and all the emotional baggage that follows the painful events. For me, one of the best aspects of a Melinda Leigh books is the setup in the prologue. In Cross Her Heart, the nerve-wracking prologue recaps Bree’s childhood. The tone and anxiety continue throughout the story.
Once in town, Bree can’t help but put herself into the middle of the investigation. She is “working” with Matt Flynn a former deputy and his retired K-9 dog. They start on opposite sides as Bree believes the murderer is Justin, Erin’s husband while Matt knows his best friend would not kill his wife. It is curious to see them work through their points of view.
This story is an excellent introduction to the characters of the series. Bree is an outstanding investigator. She follows the clues and brings the team with her. Matt is unsure of his future due to his injury, and his distrust of the sheriff department. Matt has tremendous investigative skills and Brody a wonderful his K-9 is a hit. There is a hint of a future relationship between Bree and Matt while the investigation remains the focal point throughout the story.
I love the way Bree steps up to help with Erin’s children. They are grieving and need the guidance of a strong adult to pull them through. Bree does an excellent job relating to the children. Her past experiences help her with her niece and nephew.
The support characters are excellent and add layers to the story. Bree’s friend, Dana, the Sheriff and his staff, and the various residents all contribute to the story and promise to enhance the future books. There are unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cross Her Heart. There is so much in this story and a promise for more in the future. A must read for mystery lovers.
5 STARS
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