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 … 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.
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Cross Her Heart was an amazing start to a new suspense series with an engaging plot and an excellent main character.
For twenty-five years, Philadelphia homicide detective Bree Taggert has tried to forget her parents’ murder-suicide, an event that put an end to her childhood. But when her younger sister Erin is killed in a violent crime, that proves impossible. And to make matters worse, Erin’s husband, Justin, has vanished. To discover what happened to her sister, Bree teams up with former sheriff’s investigator Matt Flynn. But the more Bree digs into the crime, the more apparent it becomes that someone wants Bree to stop and will do anything to make her.
Bree is an amazing main character and I enjoyed her from the start. She’s a smart, capable, and determined individual. Her determination to find out what happened to her sister was admirable and I liked how loyal she was to her family. With her sister’s death, Bree finds herself the guardian of her sister’s two children which presents a lot of challenges. I liked how Bree handled the kids’ grief and that she let them decide their next steps on their own timetables. The relationship between the three is solid. Bree’s partner at Philly homicide, Dana, is a great character and I really like the dynamic in their friendship. That Dana came to help Bree take care of the kids and find out what happened to Erin really spoke volumes about the depth of their friendship. Bree’s partner in her investigation, Matt, is a great character and I liked how well the two worked together. In this first installment in the series, there’s only the hint at a romance to come between the pair but I’m interested to see how that relationship develops.
Erin’s death is shocking and initially her husband Justin looks good as a suspect. As Bree and Matt look into the pair’s lives though, it becomes clear something is going on and that maybe Justin isn’t as guilty as he first appears. During the course of the investigation, Bree and Matt work closely with the sheriff’s department although both sides do withhold information. Officially Bree can’t be involved in the case as the victim is family, but I liked that the head investigator clearly knew she would look into the case anyway and tried to exchange information where possible. Throughout the book we get chapters from the point of view of the killer which I liked as it helped provide background on why Erin was killed. The end of the book is very fast-paced with a ton of action and overall I was happy with the way everything wrapped up.
Overall Cross Her Heart was a fantastic read and I’m excited to continue on with the series when the next book, See Her Die, releases later this year.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
This was a wonderful mystery/thriller. The characters were very well developed and likable throughout. The characters are not without their scars, but they are courageous enough to work through them and grow. I loved the fact that Bree’s flaw was so impactful for her being able to do her job, and how she was forced to work through that problem with the help of her romantic interest. Ms. Leigh managed to fool me on who was the crook until at least 3/4 of the way through. That was no mean feat. A great read, as always, from Melinda Leigh!
It was a pretty good book. Parents are killed sister and brother were too young to remember oldest daughter ends up a cop sister.
The background, storyline, and very likable main characters gripped me very quickly and it’s a definite that I’ll read the entire series!
I was immediately drawn into this story and didn’t want to put it down! Bree Taggert is a Philadelphia police detective with a traumatic past. The book opens with Bree getting a voicemail from her sister who sounds anxious. When Bree can’t get a hold of her, she decides to go to Grey’s Hollow to see her and try to help, but when she gets there it’s too late. Bree is a strong female character that also is able to show her emotions. Matt, the other main character in the book, is a former police officer that was injured in the line of duty. They team up to try to solve the mystery and also keep Bree’s family safe. I liked the direction that their friendship took and how well they worked together. I also liked the supporting characters. The story was engaging and is definitely a must-read.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
When Detective Bree Taggert receives a call from her younger sister asking for help, she knows she must go back to her hometown and face her fears. Upon arrival she learns her sister has been murdered and she wonders if it is history repeating itself.
Aided by her sister’s ex-husband’s best friend, a very helpful deputy sheriff and a station secretary that knows everyone and everything she sets out to find her sister’s killer.
A very well written story which not only exposes the killer via twists and turns but also sees Bree develop herself and face old fears. Her character growth from the beginning to the end is astounding and she becomes a much nicer and more likable character at the end.
Wow, what a great start to a series. Even though this is a new series you feel like you have known these characters forever. This book takes off from the beginning and doesn’t stop until the last page. I was sucked into a world of suspense and mystery. I loved it. I look forward to the next one.
This is a quick, can’t put it down type of book full of interesting characters, lots of action, and a good twist at the end.
This first book in a new series by Melinda Leigh introduces us to Detective Bree Taggert, a homicide detective from Philadelphia who is the product of a very violent childhood. After her father killed her mother and himself, Bree and her two siblings were separated — her younger sister and brother to live with their grandparents; Bree to live with another relative. Now, as a well-respected member of the Philadelphia Police Department, Bree is trying to protect and serve the most vulnerable, putting away the murderers for their crimes. After a panicked phone call from her younger sister, Erin, Bree rushes to her hometown, a place with too many bad memories, only to find that Erin has been murdered. Not only must she deal with the shock of her sister’s death, but Bree must now be guardian to her nephew & niece. Pairing-up with a former police officer (now sidelined from a gun shot wound that severely damaged his shooting hand) who is the friend of Erin’s estranged husband, the two of them assist the interim Deputy in finding the one responsible for the murder. With some budding romance between them, their shared task but with slightly differ motives. He wants to prove his friend didn’t kill Erin, and Bree wants to bring the perp to justice. This exciting and suspenseful book will make you want to learn more about Bree’s future. Unfortunately, you will need to wait until September 2020 for the next installment.
I’ve never read a book by Melinda Leigh before this one, now I want to read every book in her backlist. The description of the book is what intrigued me from the start, plus I like that it is the first in a new series. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a page-turner that I couldn’t put down. It was fantastic from the beginning until the end. I fell in love with all the leading characters and can not wait to follow them into their next case. A review copy was provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the author, the book, or the content of my review. Thank you for the opportunity to be introduced to a new to me author. I’m ready for the next book in the series.
I love Leigh! Never go wrong with one of her books.
I greatly enjoyed this police procedural-cum-character study of a capable homicide detective facing a wrenching personal situation. Leigh’s prose is dry and crisp, fitting for the type of book, but the multi-varied characters bring the story to life. She doesn’t disappoint in the scattering of red herrings/suspects throughout, but the character’s greatest threats are internal demons. The various plot and character history loose ends are superbly tied up and the lead characters are set up for the series. Bravo for Melinda Leigh.
Cross Her Heart is about a family, two sisters and a brother, who’s father killed their mother in a fit of rage.
Twenty-five years later Bree Taggart, now a Philadelphia homicide detective, sister Erin is murdered. Erin’s husband Justin is the main suspect.
Bree teams up with Justin’s old friend, a former sheriff’s investigator who is also a K-9 handler Matt Flynn. Matt does not believe that Justin would kill his wife, Bree is more skeptical but is determined to find Justin as he is missing.
There is also the problem of what happens to Erin’s two children, Does Bree get custody or their father, who is not a reliable person, has never been part of the kids’ lives.
This story is the first in a series. A book that is easy to read, suspenseful enough to keep the reader interested. Believable characters and a great plot. I totally enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next one by Melinda Leigh!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Cross Her Heart is the first book in a new series by Melinda Leigh. It features Bree Taggert – homicide detective and Matt Flynn former investigator for the sheriff’s department in her hometown.
Bree never thought she’d return to her hometown but one call from her sister and she’s right back where her nightmare started. There’s lots of secrets in this book and Bree is determined to uproot them.
She finds herself with a new partner – not out of choice – but out of necessity. Her sister was found murdered and her brother in law is missing. Bree’s niece and nephew are hanging in the wind, so to speak. Bree is the only family that can takeover but that means uprooting her rising career in the city.
Bree would do anything to help avenge her sister’s death and that means finding the killer. What a ride that will be! There’s lots of wild goose chases in this book and it all tied in but was somewhat distracting from the main path. Bree didn’t let it derail her though. She’s determined to find the killer.
You might not see it coming either – the killer. There’s several hints but it’s up to you wether or not you find them! That’s always the fun part for me. Did I get it right? Of course. 🙂
Leigh brings readers a new suspense series with a strong female lead in Bree Taggert. With well written characters moving the story along at a fast clip, readers will find it hard to put down.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the contemporary romantic suspense genre.
Bree Taggert is a homicide detective in Philadelphia. One afternoon she receives a panicked voicemail from her younger sister Erin indicating that she is in trouble. When Erin doesn’t answer her phone, Bree rushes back to her hometown. There she finds her dead sister’s body in the home of her ex-husband.
This murder brings back memories of Bree’s parents who died in a murder-suicide when she was young. This led to an unhappy childhood and the need to escape from her roots. She wasn’t close to her sister and barely knew her niece and nephew. In spite of their sad history, Bree decides to help with the investigation. While examining differing leads she puts herself in danger and is never certain who she can trust.
Cross Her Heart is the first book in a new series by Melinda Leigh. This novel is an engaging mystery with interesting characters and unexpected twists. I am looking forward to the next book.
Melinda Leigh is a new author for me and I don’t know why I haven’t found her before now. This book was a roller coaster ride that I couldn’t put down until the end. I’m happy to see that this is book 1 of a new series because Bree Taggrt is a character that I want to read about again. She’s a kickass homicide investigator who has a lot of empathy for everyone around her.
Bree Taggert is a Philadelphia homicide detective working on a case when she receives a text from her sister asking for help. Bree, her sister Erin and her brother Adam all had a violent upbringing because they knew that their Dad beat their mother until it all ended with a murder suicide that changed their lives forever. As Bree drives 5 hours to her sister – which is also the town she grew up that is full of bad memories . When she arrives, she finds out that her sister is dead. The police are convinced that the murderer is Erin’s husband Justin and Bree agrees until she meets Matt, Justin’s best friend, a former police officer, who is convinced that Justin is innocent. The problem is that Justin has disappeared and they need to find him to solve this crime.
Bree and Matt decide to wok together to try to find Justin but they soon become aware that there is someone out there who wants to keep Bree from finding out the answers and his secrets put Bree into great danger.
I loved the characters in Cross her Heart especially Bree. The plot slowly unravels and will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out who killed Erin. I am thrilled that this is the first book in a new series and look forward to spending more time with these characters.
The course of Bree Taggert’s life was set the night her father murdered her mother while Bree tried desperately to protect her younger siblings. A Philly homicide detective, she spends her life hunting down men like her father and finding justice for their victims.
Now Bree’s sister has been murdered, and she has to go back to the small town where she grew up to take care of her niece and nephew… and find justice for her sister. Her brother in law is missing, accused of the murder, but Bree can’t shake the sense that there’s more to the crime… particularly since Matt, former K9 handler and best friend of the missing man, is also looking into the case.
Bree and Matt make a fantastic team, and this is an absolutely stellar start to a new series. Bree has her flaws, but she’s an incredibly strong character who it’s easy to empathize with, and I was delighted to see she got her just rewards at the end of the book in the form of a job offer that suited her talents. A romance with Matt wasn’t more than hinted at, but she was in no emotional condition for one and the ending leaves things open for them as a couple.
I honestly can’t think of the last time I was so excited to read the second book in a series. This is genuinely excellent and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Bree, Matt and the found family they’re gathering around them. Five stars for a fantastic read!
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest
It was a great book!
Bree is still trying to cope with the muder-suicide of her parents.
Now, her sistes Erin seems to have suffered the same fate.
Now Bree needs to find the truth.
The characters + storytelling were very captivating
It has all the ingredients that you need for an awesome book!
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Melinda Leigh is a MUST read author for me. Cross Her Heart is the first book in her new series featuring Bree Taggert.
It grabs you at the first. Bree is a Homicide Detective in Philadelphia. At the age of 8, her father murdered her mother and then himself leaving, Bree, Erin, her younger sister and Adam, her baby brother, orphans. Erin leaves Bree a voice message. Unable to reach her, Bree heads home. Once there she finds her sister has been murdered.
The characters are believable. Leigh gave the characters issues and problems that anyone can relate too. Even when the story slowed down, not that it did this much, I was still glued to the book. Leigh kept my attention throughout the whole book. I can’t wait to read more about Bree Taggert and the others of Grey’s Hollow.
Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for the copy.