Determined to get her mother the healthcare she needs, drop dead gorgeous Spirit Westcott works as a stripper, not caring a jot that it cements her reputation as the village bad girl. But when Spirit falls foul of John Cooper, the newest member of the notorious Zeta Cartel, she loses her job. Furious, Spirit confronts Coop–only to discover his secret drug lab. When Coop decides to save her, by … disappearing her and keeping her captive, Spirit is less than impressed. However, she quickly learns that Coop has an even deadlier secret, and one that may drag her into the abyss.
When dangerous, single-minded John Cooper learns his best friend was murdered, he resolves to exact bloody vengeance. The knowledge that his prey is a Zeta, one of Mexico’s most dangerous cartels, doesn’t stop him. Coop joins the organisation, only to discover that finding his prey won’t be easy. To his annoyance, sexy Spirit Westcott is also a spanner in the works. After embarrassing him in public, Coop suddenly finds himself saddled with an unwanted captive, and her cat. Then, just as things couldn’t get worse, a killer takes aim at the village girls. As Coop is drawn further into the cartel, he is forced to make decisions that may cost him his life–and that of his love.
Ruthless Sinner is a gripping tale of vengeance, murder, cartel violence and finding love in the darkest of times. It is the sixth novel in the Zeta Cartel series and can be read as a standalone.
more
Thank you so much Cecile for recommending me this book. I enjoyed being lost in this dangerous crimnal world.
A stripper and a chemist menaced in the dark world of criminals. My first read from this author and it was the best read. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books from the series once I tackle and stop getting distracted from the other reads. Ruthless Sinner was of two people looking out to fulfill terminus. It’s a tightly woven tale which carries violence.
Coop’s happy life changed drastically when his parents were murdered and he was sold as a slave to abusive miners. Along with him his best friend Thando was taken, both of them worked for the years until they finally broke free. But fate was cruel. Thando was killed which was disguised as accident and Coop has made it a mission to discover the murderer. His search for the murderer led him to Zeta Cartel, a mob gang, in London. There he works for them as a specialized chemist of drugs in a well set up lab with the intention of finding Thando’s murderer. His lab was later discovered by a stripper, which complicates his mission. Instead of killing her he chains her in his bedroom, protecting both of them from unwanted questions.
Spirit was an epitome of sassyness holding a large heart of forgiving people and not able to hold grudges. She shoulders a lot of responsibilities. Being a stripper wasn’t easy with all the taunt, bullying and degradation she had to face. But to keep her sick mother in a caring home with good facilities she needs money. Meeting Coop in the low point of her life was a blessing not that she knows. Life becomes unstable.
Both the hero and heroine has flaws. Spirit’s reputation is in tatters for she is a stripper and the villagers are not kind to that profession but Coop manages to stich them up. Coop was loyal and protective, he looses his coolness whenever anyone badmouths Spirit. Spirit’s ability to stay positive after all the things happened/happening in life was boundless. What I liked mostly about this book is the language. I’m not expert in English (English is my second language) but I can figure out the difference in American and British English and wowza I’m impressed by the dialogues created here, speacially Spirit’s side of British English. The writing was so good that I could hear the characters conversations loud.
I think I guessed the Toturer by 60% into the book. The conversation between Coop and Rip confirmed my suspicion. Rip’s conversation in figuring and describing the killer was facinating to me. I know I must be crazy. The conversation was trembling and beyond perversion; you’ll know when you get to that part.
The crime/thriller element compliments the romance. I love the culture and language used in this book. This book leans on the dark erotic side and is suspenseful.
Spirit is definitely full of just that, a tough cookie of a heroine who, even when life kicks her down, paints on a happy face and thinks of others. Coop is a mystery wrapped up in an enigma, all parceled up in one gorgeous package. Both of them have secrets, both of them have known suffering, both of them are loners, used to coping on their own.
When Coop first met Spirit he really didn’t impress me, he wouldn’t take a polite no and then took offence when she stretched the truth to fob him off. It took a loooooong time but Coop did eventually realise just how wrong he had been, but not until Spirit has suffered through a few fraught encounters, and a lot more, with him.
I don’t want to say too much due to spoilers, so I’ll stick with how much I loved these characters. We get glimpses of old favourites, from previous books, though this story could very easily be read standalone. Neither of the main protagonists are perfect, they both have made mistakes but equally they are incredibly loyal people. The chemistry between them felt very natural, meaning it was incredibly easy to believe in the developing relationship.
The romance between Spirit and Coop is only one element of the book. There are also a couple of different mystery elements and plenty of action filled plot that add up to one really great read. Ruthless Sinner is quite a long book, allowing plenty of time to fully develop both the characters and the story line. It was the perfect balance, so that nothing felt rushed but at the same time it didn’t drag either.
I sort of guessed who the bad guy was, though it was more of a hunch. I wasn’t totally convinced it was definitely that person, for a while, and I did waver over other suspects too. The suspense element was really well written through the story and the big “show down” was unexpected, twisty and amazing. I loved how it drew in previous elements of the story, how it sort of drew a line under things and allowed a fresh start of sorts.
Elements of the book are pretty thought provoking, Coop is a “chemist” who cooks up drugs for the cartel to sell, he kills other bad guys and makes no apologies for that. Spirit, with no qualifications and in need of money, spent a brief period as a sex worker and she seemed to be the more judged for that past. She had done nothing to harm anyone, but was a pariah in her community. Looked down on, disregarded as trash, yet she had the most caring and forgiving soul. In real life I really wouldn’t want to know a Coop, because drugs to ruin lives, but (a) this is fiction and (b) in all other aspects he was a very honorable man. He drove himself into the ground to try and ensure the safety of local women. He was also loyal to those who had earned his trust and respect. We can be pretty quick to judge and in some ways this is a case of ‘let he who is without sin cast the first stone’.
TL;DR
In summary this is an action packed, well written, steamy mafia romance with two great main characters and a fantastic plot. Highly recommended.
The fact that the Zetas are on iTunes is a good excuse to re-read the series,because i adore the Zetas!
https://books.apple.com/nl/book/ruthless-sinner/id1545727446
This is the final story,a story that made a lasting impression the first time i read it,and still manages to touch my soul.
A story of surviving hell,and coming out stronger.
A story of having a bad rep,but being able to stand above that.
A story of recognizing the beauty in the ugly.
A story of fighting for what is right,and of fighting for the one you love.
And a story of defeating evil,together.
A beautiful story!
AJ Adams’ Zeta Cartel is back with a vengeance,and i love it!London branche is expanding business and needs new blood.
But it has to be someone that understands chemistry.
Their kind of chemistry…..
Seeing your parents murdered in front of you,and being forced to work as a kid in a South African goldmine with your best friend after that,it does something to you.
Getting out alive,with the kids you worked with,is a miracle.
Or very clever(and ruthless) planning…..
Making a good living with those friends afterwards is a well deserved reward.
Until it all goes horribly wrong,and you’re the only one still alive.
Coop took his revenge,and the ones responsible for the deaths of his “brothers” are dead.
That is to say,most of them.
The one that was responsible for his best friend Thando’s death is still out there,and all he knows is that it’s a Zeta…
Hearing they need a chemist is a lucky coincidence,and getting hired on his terms means he can start the search from the inside.
Only problem is,the Zeta’s he meets all have alibis.
And to make matters worse,he likes them….
Adding to this mix comes another “problem” and it’s of the female kind.
Spirit has been the girl with a bad rep in Beauview for a very long time.
But she won’t let Beauview win,no way!
She has a job at Glitters as a stripper,and she’s good at it.
She enjoys developing new dance routines and seeing the costumers enjoy them.
It also pays the bills for the care her mother needs….
When Coop and Spirit meet,they like eachother.
Problem is,she’s at work and when she turns down his offer,he takes it the wrong way.
When she loses her job because of him,she is pissed!
He had no right and she is going to tell him exactly what she thinks of him!
Storming into his house was a very bad idea,though….
Being forced to spend time with him shows her there’s more to this man than she thought.
Having her in his house shows him there’s more to this girl than just a lying,shallow stripper….
Searching for Thando’s killer,dealing with Spirit ánd a hostile village,working in his lab,starting to feel guilty towards those generous and welcoming Zeta’s,it gets a bit much.
So when a serial killer starts leaving bodies near his house,he’s very grateful the Zeta’s step in to help.
This story….it held me hostage.
From page one until the very last word.
I laughed and cried,i held my breath and braced for the worst.
I loved Coop and i adored Spirit.
They were both scarred by life but still managed to see the good things.
He was so protective,and she was so sweet.
Showing her she was beautiful,inside and out.
Soothing him when he needed it.
Wow! This finale is Ms Adams Zeta Cartel packed a PUNCH for me in several ways.
There’s delicious vengence & revenge, a dark & horrifying serial killer, a brave heroine determined to care for her mother no matter how or what, a stalwart anti-H who WILL find who murdered his best friend from childhood & the ice cold Zeta Cartel members who value loyalty & money above all else.
Coop (anti-H) is the main character is this one, along with Spirit (h).
The plot & action centers in the small English town in which Spirit was born & has lived her entire life. Viciously & unrelentingly castigated since her teens due to an attack no one believes happened to her, Spirit struggles daily to earn enough money to pay for her mother’s care in a quality care facility without any assistance. The only way open to her since the town has blackballed her ability to obtain other more preferable employment is by stripping at the local nightclub newly acquired by the London branch of the Zeta Cartel.
And Coop, sure his lifelong friend’s death was murder by a Zeta is enraged & determined to find & kill the responsible Zeta member who did so, no matter how high up that guilty party is in the cartel. But that requires he be a part of the cartel in order to search for the perpetrator. And thus he joins them as a chemist, renowned for his ‘products’ to ‘cook’ the Zeta’s recipes as well as his own for the cartel.
This one is INTENSE & loaded to the brim with action, sizzle, hidden agendas, danger, death & on the edge of your seat suspense. As well as possible romance between a hard hearted lethal anti-H & a heroine who despite the slings & arrows of a flat out nasty town populace manages to keep her head & pride high.
IMO, there is just NO PLACE in this book where it is a good place to stop. None.
And when the tortured bodies of women begin to proliferate the woods & river of the small town & the local police are either too lazy or budget constrained to research & hunt the killer, the Zeta Cartel is determined the serial killer WILL be found & punished.
For the reader familiar with Ms. Adams Zeta Cartel, for those wanting action, danger, suspense that keeps you on tenterhooks, wanting sizzle & romance, a beautifully detailed wonderfully complex plot & characters, for action that makes you bite your lip & asp: Read this one.
I thoroughly truly enjoyed it!
*4.5 stars*
Pulls no punches….
Wow, did this story happily slam me right back into the twisted world of the Zetas! Coop was focused and successful as he embraced the darker side of life with open arms. His past meant his future was what he made it and no one was going to stand in his way. He would do whatever it took and that covered a whole heck of a lot… Smart, cunning, he was going to be challenged from a surprise encounter. What happened when Spirit crossed his path, threw a huge spanner into everything. Dangerously so…
It didn’t matter though. There was just something about her which quickly meant all that he was would be at risk. At the end of the day, he couldn’t find a reason to regret it, even as both their futures were now in jeopardy…
Before you start, read those warnings! Adult themes, no holds barred violent scenes so vivid it was impossible not to feel it all. Did I squirm on occasion? Definitely, but it didn’t stop me reading at a furious pace, eager to find out what twisty turn was next. A mix of harsh darkness and unexpected (to the lovers) romance created a love story hard to comprehend but easy to imagine…
*Reviewed for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty
“Ruthless Sinner” is the 6th fantastic page turner in the riveting world of the Zeta Cartel. Despite the darkness, violence, murder and a serial killer, there is romance and suspense that kept me glued to my seat on this wild roller-coaster ride that I did not want to put down when I had to! I love the unique plot, the attention to detail & the well defined H/h, Coop & Spirit as well as the dialogue that makes this a must read for all adult 18+ fans of fiction!
Ruthless Sinner by AJ Adams
A Zeta Cartel Novel #6
Compelling story that left me flipping pages as quickly as possible as I eagerly read each word to find out what would happen next. I love this author’s glimpse into a life I would never personally enter but thoroughly enjoy hearing about and enjoying vicariously.
With a gritty beginning I was hooked as I met Coop and those he was with. I was grateful he survived and then managed to thrive as he moved forward in life. Meeting Spirit was interesting…a “naughty” girl with a heart of gold and, in the end, a perfect partner for Coop just as he was for her.
What I liked:
* The unflinching look at child slave labor
* Coop: strong, silent, lethal, scarred and yet still able to care and see his own version of right and wrong
* Spirit: strong, resilient, positive, caring – despite what happened in her life
* Seeing old friends from the Zeta Cartel
* Rip’s look-see to help Coop and the Zeta team find The Torturer
* That there were few hints prior to the unveiling of The Torturer’s identity
* Being reminded that no matter what a person may suffer it does not have to define them
* Realizing how resilient some people truly are
* That love can thrive in the darkest times
* That the bad guys were dealt with
* Pretty much all of it…
What I did not like:
* The treatment of Spirit by more than one person in the story
* The treatment of Cooper, Thando and those he was with in the beginning
* Having to say goodbye at the end of the book
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
A.J Adams you did it again.
As soon as I started reading about the Zetas. I was back there, in their world.
This is the story of Coop and Spirit.
Coop had the worst possible experience as a child. My heart bled for him.
Spirit has also had a rough ride from the people in her village. Unfounded it broke my heart.
Add the Zetas to the mix. You get one hell of a book. I wanted to finish to get all my unanswered questions but didn’t want it to end.
It was so good to hear from previous characters. Lots more scope for another book? Yes please.
I have to confess I read this twice because I loved it so much. I fell in love with Spirit with her sassy sexiness and her forgiving ways. I was a little envious of her ability to not hold grudges and live in the moment outlook. I cried when she backs out of a blind date because she realizes someone doesn’t think she is good enough. When she meets Coop, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hug him or drop-kick him. I decided I liked him. He was loyal, protective, and wasn’t apologetic for who he was. I had to laugh at his inability to be subtle, trying to find out Thando’s killer, because he is so contained and focused. I liked the Zetas with their fierce loyalty and different abilities, and I hope each of them has their own story.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
Ruthless Sinner is the 6th book in the Zetas Series. This is Spirit Westcott and John Cooper’s story.
Coop is after revenge and joins the Zeta Cartel as their chemist as he makes designer drugs and starts hunting for the person that murdered his best friend.
Spirit has a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders and when she is fired because of “Coop”. She goes to give him a piece of her mind and gets a lot more than she bargained for. She witnesses Coop working in his secret drug lab. He decides not to kill her. So, he makes her disappear and then holds her captive. Spirit has spirit and I love that spirit!
I know that this is a dark story but I didn’t feel that it is as dark as some of the other Zeta books. Or maybe I am just a little screwed up and it is really dark. There certainly is a dark theme to this book.
Ruthless Sinner kept me on the edge of my seat and I had to find out what was happening next. I read this book in 1 go since I couldn’t put the book down! I can’t wait to see what is next for AJ Adams because I will be in that virtual line to buy that book!