Following the brutal murders of Jade Kelly and Gina Elliot, newly promoted DI Dylan Monroe is assigned to work the case, alongside DS Layla Monahan.As the body count rapidly rises—each slaying more savage than the last—it soon becomes clear the butchered and mutilated victims have one thing in common—they are all male to female transsexuals.With time against them, Dylan is forced to go undercover … forced to go undercover in the only place that provides a link to the victims—Dorothy’s, a well-known drag and cabaret bar in the heart of Liverpool.
Avaline Saddlebags is a gripping, often amusing, psychological thriller with an astonishing twist that will take your breath away… change can be DEADLY!
more
Having devoured this book with relish, I’m convinced that Newbound & Brown have launched a new era in crime writing. The character of DI Dylan Monroe is cutting edge & refreshingly realistic. The co-authorship is amazing & it’s impossible to tell that the plot & camaraderie between characters has been penned by two different writers. The subject matter, a serial killer targeting the transgender community, is undoubtedly one that some might find controversial but for me it works incredibly well. Here’s to hoping that the authors come up with book two in the series very quickly!
YOU GUYS. Why are you reading my review when you could be reading Avaline Saddlebags right now? Explain. I need to know…because you are missing out on a FANTASTIC novel. GO. Go read it.
Okay, fine. I’ll review it, but then you need to promise me you’ll go read it. Spoiler alert: this was a 5 star read for me.
I’ve never read a book like Avaline Saddlebags. A book full of murders and revenge that had me laughing so hard, my stomach hurt. These authors really know how to mix humor with a murder investigation that keeps this book shining all the way through. Have I convinced you yet? Seriously, this is incredible.
Netta Newbound and Marcus Brown have penned a novel that is definitely in the running for my favorite of the year. I love the humor, and I love that the plot was still intriguing. The characters were believable and well-rounded. Really, everything about this book is perfect and I can’t give you any flaws.
Alright, enough – GO READ THIS BOOK. Highly, highly recommended!!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with BOTBS Blog Tours. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
I have to start by saying that I’m a huge admirer of this author’s work. The Watcher is still one of my favourite books of all time.
This was an interesting investigation from the outset when all the victims are from a ‘special community’ DI Dylan Monroe is newly promoted and is still finding his feet when his partner, who is going through personal issues, rings in sick.
With team members short Dylan is tasked with doing something above and beyond the line of duty to catch a killer who doesn’t show any signs of abating.
A cracking read, I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment in this exciting new series.
WOW!! I absolutely LOVED THIS, its my first book by these two authors.
I was hooked from the start, never wanted to put it down.
I loved the banter between the characters, it gave this story the right balance of laughter, and suspense.
It had me thinking hard to work out who the killer was, I did think I knew who it was but it wasn’t them!!
By the time you read and find out who the killer is!! I am sure you will be saying!! ” I never ever expected that person”
Absolutely brillant, extremely well written..
Had me laughing one minute, then on the edge of my seat the next.
I will definitely be reading more by these two authors.
I highly recommend this book!
Newly promoted DI Dylan Monroe takes over a case from his ex colleague that has retired and is trying to solve the murders that have been happening in the transgender community. He has to go undercover as a drag queen (Avaline Saddlebags). I’ve got to say I really loved Dylan and although in parts it’s a little gruesome you also have funny bits that make you lol. The story flows really well and you wouldn’t know where one author wrote and the other one took over. An exceptional read and although not a genre I normally read the cover and the blurb had me intrigued. Will definitely be reading more.
Wow. What a thriller. This is the first book I have read by Netta Newbound and Marcus Brown and it will not be the last. When a cops go and becomes a drag queen because of all the murders it will have you on 5e edge of your seat. I thought I knew who was doing all the killings but was I surprised. You will have to read this excellent book. Enjoy
Absolutely brilliant!!!!!
I couldn’t wait for this book to be released and it exceeded my expectations tenfold!
It was so exciting and funny, I laughed out loud so many times….and the labour scene was hilarious!!!
The humour and banter throughout with the most amazing characters, is a perfect balance to the atrocities weaving through this story which was also gruesome and so sad in places…..highlighting issues which are unfortunately, still taboo for many.
Convinced I knew who the killer was, I couldn’t wait to finish the book, but shocked beyond belief with the outcome!! I highly recommend this amazing story and can’t wait to read more from DI Avaline Saddlebags! But don’t take my word for it…..go and read it…….
From the start the cover caught my attention and I had to know what was going on between the pages.
Immediately I was drawn into this story. The suspense and mystery behind the gruesome killings hit within the first few chapters. Who is killing these women? What are the police going to do about it? How many more victims will there be before the killer is caught? My need for answers grew with each page I turned. The story flows so well, I found myself reading until well past my bedtime, only to pick it up again when I woke up the next morning.
I love the bits of humor woven into the story. I’ve become invested in these relatable characters and pulled into their lives.
The climax is exactly what I wanted. The kind which makes you want to go back and reread immediately to see what you missed.
These authors did a fabulous job of keeping me on the edge of my seat, and completely fooling me about who the killer was.
I highly recommend Avaline Saddlebags and truly hope there will be more in this thrilling series.
I absolutely loved this thriller! This story flowed so well I could not tell that it was a co-write. I adored Dylan Monroe right from the start. He had such a sense of loyalty, honor and team work and I can’t forget the willingness to do whatever it took to find out who was doing all the killing. His interactions with Roy were hilarious at times and the delivery scene with Bella you do not want to miss. I was very impressed with the mix of suspense, mystery and humor throughout the entire book. It was so well written that I could imagine sitting in the bar for the show or at a station desk. There was one scene in particular that gave me chills. And I dare you to try to guess who the guilty party is. Every time I was sure I knew who had done it, the next twist hit me and I had to rethink everything. I found out who it was at the same time as the wonderful Dylan. THAT is an accomplishment in itself. I highly recommend this book and am anxiously the next installment.
If you love a good mystery mixed with humor and some murders thrown in, then this is the book for you. Our hero DI Dylan Monroe goes undercover in the transgender to discover who is killing these woman. This book holds many twists and turns and the ending was a total shocker. Make sure you pick up a copy of this book by Netta Newbound and Marcus Brown they did a totally excellent job. I love these characters and would love to see this become a series. I would highly recommend this book and if I could give it more than 5 stars I would.
Male-to-female transgenders are being targeted by a serial killer. Each murder is more brutal, more savage than the one before … and the body count is rising.
Newly promoted DI Dylan Monroe and his temporary partner, DS Layla Monahan have been charged with solving these crimes… pronto.
Monroe finds himself in the position of going undercover to audition as a drag queen in a well-known cabaret bar where the victims were known to visit. Will he be able to find the killer … or will he be the next victim?
It seems the book is more geared to the trans- community and doesn’t really concentrate on the crimes until later. There is much humor involved; at times I found myself chuckling out loud. No spoilers .. but I will say the conversation on choosing a name for Monroe’s undercover activity had me in stitches.
I can visualize the characters perfectly, as they are defined so clearly. My favorite secondary character is Roy. Everyone needs a Roy in their circle of friends.
The ending was astonishing and totally unexpected. Best ending I’ve read in a while!
Many thanks to the authors / Special ARC Group (FB) for the advanced digital copy of AVALINE SADDLEBAGS. Read and reviewed voluntarily, the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Marcus and Netta had me held captive right from the very start with this Gruesome, Murder Mystery. Pulling me into the story, as DI Dylan Monroe and his team try to find a link to the brutally murdered Transsexuals, all of whom are regulars at Dorothy’s. I was kept guessing to who may have done it, only to be totally floored with the twist I didn’t see coming….. OMG!!!!!
The humour through out the story kept it real and made me fall in love with some of the characters, especially Roy and Dylan/Avaline Saddlebags.
Absolutely brilliant and I’m so excited to see that this will be part of a series.
I highly recommend this book I loved it…..
Everything about Avaline Saddlebag was unique, the beautiful cover, the well written storyline and the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this murder mystery, it delivered a little bit of everything from suspense, drama, humour and then added some emotional tugging at the heart strings. It was thought provoking and I found myself looking at things from a different perspective.
Roaming the streets is a murderer, the victims are transgender and whoever is responsible is not leaving a trail of evidence. All of the victims were regulars at Dorothy’s, a club with a drag queen performance. DI Dylan Monroe is leading the investigation, with a limited team who suggest he go undercover as a drag queen. He’s just been given a promotion, his partners on maternity leave and he has to earn the respect of his team. Whilst he excels in his new position, he’s not so confident about touting his stuff in a pair of high heels, whilst lip syncing. Dylan finds friendship in those he never thought he would.
Murders are never an easy pill to swallow. When DI Dylan Monroe investigates the second death within the transgender community, he goes into overdrive with a clock ticking against him and his team to catch a serial murder out to destroy innocent targets. What Monroe soon uncovers opens him up before a world he understood, but now he becomes an active participant in order to bring peace back to the community.
Netta Newbound and Marcus Brown nail this mystery to the wall in their debut co-write. They infuse suspense, realism, humor, and a trail of red herrings along the path of uncovering the cold-hearted truth. The combined styles of Newbound and Brown complement one another with an infusion of wholesome and grit within the talented cast of characters they develop throughout the work. A fantastic mystery solved.