In book one of the Lilah Love launch duet, meet Lilah Love, the politically incorrect FBI agent who says what no one else dares and fears her dark side is a little too dark. Note: this book ends in a cliffhanger and continues in Murder Girl. The story…As an FBI profiler, it’s Lilah Love’s job to think like a killer. And she is very good at her job. When a series of murders surface—the victims … murders surface—the victims all stripped naked and shot in the head—Lilah’s instincts tell her it’s the work of an assassin, not a serial killer. But when the case takes her back to her hometown in the Hamptons and a mysterious but unmistakable connection to her own life, all her assumptions are shaken to the core.
Thrust into a troubled past she’s tried to shut the door on, Lilah’s back in the town where her father is mayor, her brother is police chief, and she has an intimate history with the local crime lord’s son, Kane Mendez. The two share a devastating secret, and only Kane understands Lilah’s own darkest impulses. As more corpses surface, so does a series of anonymous notes to Lilah, threatening to expose her. Is the killer someone in her own circle? And is she the next target?
The Lilah Love series:
Book One: Murder Notes (Murder Duet #1)
Book Two: Murder Girl (Murder Duet #2)
Book Three: Love Me Dead (Umbrella Man Duet #1)
Book Four: Love Kills (Umbrella Man Duet #2)
Book Five: Bloody Vows (Wedding Duet #1)
Book Six: Blood Love (Wedding Duet #2)
more
“The devil is in the details.”
Being a Criminal Minds addict and an armchair profiler I enjoyed the hell out of reading Murder Notes. The story is told in Lilah’s POV, and there’s no denying she’s badass. But she’s also damaged. Her demons are chasing her and her nightmares are worse than the bloody crime scenes she works as an FBI profiler. In true Lisa Renee Jones style, she weaves a web of secrets and lies leading to an epic finale that we can only imagine in these early stages. As she lays the groundwork and introduces the players my imagination is going wild and my excitement is out of control as I anticipate what is coming next.
Lilah has been away from her hometown for two years. She’s running from her past and keeping herself occupied with solving cases. Not even her co-workers understand her ability to get into the heads of the killers to analyze their behavior and read between the lines. There’s only one person who has ever understood her, and she left him behind. She left everyone behind. She doesn’t want anyone asking questions or reminding her of what happened.
Kane is her past, but he doesn’t stay there once her job takes her back to her hometown. You’d think that their two years away from each other would make them strangers, but it doesn’t. They still know each other’s secrets and have the ability to speak without words. She tells him she hates him. But even I know she’s lying.
Of course, I want all my questions answered NOW! But I knew going in that the author would tease me within an inch of my life and leave me hanging. She’s known for doing that, and the fact that I come back for more every time proves that she’s damn good at it, and that I’ll keep doing it. I can’t wait to go back to “Otherland” with Lilah Love when Murder Girl is released. The line forms here…
I enjoyed this murder mystery, certainly more than some of her others. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I’ve given it a 4.5* rating. Because of the graphic violence and other, this is NOT for the under 18 readers. Even I, a 64 year old grandmother had some problems with this. I do say that this has a big cliff hanger at the end. Lots of snarky talk and plenty of action in this and it will keep pulling you into the story. Darn that cliffhander.
couldn’t wait to start the next in the series
4.5 stars
Murder Notes is a fast-paced, action-filled suspense / mystery / romance with a kick-ass heroine, and a lot of men who think they know better.
Murder Notes starts with a nightmare from Lilah’s past, only to propel both her and the reader to the present. With several execution-style murders. The dead do not appear to have anything in common – maybe apart from the fact that Lilah is the one who profiles their cases. In order to dig deeper, Lilah has to go to the one place she has no inclination of visiting again. Home in the Hamptons. To her father, her brother, and other people she really does not want to see.
Both the mystery and the suspense parts of Murder Notes are extremely well done, and I felt my heart beat faster, as I moved to the edge of my seat. There are some very strong trust issues in this story, and I am still wondering if Lilah is trusting the right people. And also if she’s trying to blame the right or the wrong people.
Well written, Murder Notes has a perfect balance of introspection, murder scenes, police work and great suspense. I’m very sad I have to wait until July to get my hands on the second book in this series.
NOOOOOOO!!!
One of the best starts this year to a new Romantic Suspense series with fantastic characters and Lisa left me hanging!
MURDER NOTES (Lilah Love, #1) by Lisa Renee Jones had me quickly turning the pages and falling into the story to the exclusion of all else. Lilah Love is an FBI profiler with an extremely abrasive personality, foul mouth and a secret that could destroy her career. Also, she loves, but refuses to allow it, the gorgeous head of a multinational conglomerate, Kane Mendez, that when run by his father was more of an illegal Mexican cartel than corporation.
When Lilah starts looking into a series of murders, which she believes are assassinations, they lead her back to her hometown in the Hamptons. What becomes apparent to Lilah is that all the murders lead to a secret from her past that she believes was only between herself and Kane Mendez, her former lover. As the body count increases, so do taunting notes from the person who has been hiring the assassin. Lilah has to work this case without exposing her past, while catching a killer who may be from her own family or circle of friends.
Lilah Love, who calls herself “Murder Girl” is the type of character that I love to follow. An FBI profiler, but with a secret in her past that could destroy her future. She loves the “F” word and is confrontational, but she also loves to be a woman who dresses in designer clothes and loves her family. The sexual heat that flies between Lilah and Kane could spark a wild fire in a snow storm. I cannot wait to get the next book in this series! You need to read this book yourself and get ready for the next one, too.
Thanks very much to Montlake Romance and Net Galley for allowing me to review this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I am anxiously awaiting more!
Lilah Love is an amazing FBI Agent. I love the twist that the murders she is currently investigating send her back to her home town. She has to deal with the murders, a stalker, an ex-lover, an ex-best friend, and relatives that all have secrets. That is a lot for any person to deal with and somehow she manages juggle it all while still doing her job. I like that she didn’t let her life get distracted. With each twist and turn she became more focused on the job she has to do.
There were a few times while reading that I was confused on what was happening. I felt like there was a lot going on, like too much, and the story lines didn’t always seem to meld together. A couple times I had to read part of the chapter again to figure out who she was talking to, about, or around. I quickly caught up and found myself devouring each page, needing to know who was killing these people, who was stalking Lilah, and what was going to happen with her family.
Murder Notes is the first book in the Lilah Love series and ends in a cliffhanger. There is no finished ending which means I am now excited for book two to come out.
MURDER NOTES is the first instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult LILAH LOVE romantic, suspense thriller series focusing on FBI profiler Lilah Love. A series of murders, all fitting the same MO and assassin style shooting finds our heroine jetting across the country towards the rich and famous, and a past she can’t soon forget. The Hamptons were once our heroine’s pride and joy but murderous demons and the death of her beloved mother forced Lilah away from her family and the man she once loved. Now that her brother is police chief, and her father is schmoozing the political elite, Lilah Love must tread carefully where others refuse to go but in doing so begins to unravel a close connection to everyone she knows. As more bodies begin to pile up, so too do the threatening ‘notes’ that speak of a past, she was hoping to forget.
MURDER NOTES is a story of suspense; a thrilling roller coaster ride of suspects and victims, friends and enemies, the Mexican Cartel, family secrets and too many lies. No one is talking; everyone is suspect; clues and evidence are altered as our heroine struggles to uncover the truth. Lisa Renee Jones pushes the boundaries of expectation and uncertainty leaving the reader with the disquietude of apprehension and anxiety. The romance aspect is limited but our heroine does reconnect with the man she once loved, a dangerous man whose connections run deep. MURDER NOTES is a detailed, complex and heart pounding thriller that ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
I don’t know where to begin with this review. I kind of just want to say it was AMAZING so go forth and read it ASAP (or rather in March, when it’s published *lol*). I can’t believe I was so late to the game with this author. Every single book I have read since I discovered her (four) have been outstanding and this one was no different in that respect. I have no idea how the author expects me to just sit here patiently waiting for book two??
So deets…this wasn’t really a romance book. I wouldn’t even say it was a romantic suspense book. More a thriller with some romantic undertones. So don’t go into it expecting some hot sex. There is really only one sex scene, and it was very tame. The romance reader in me struggled with this and one other issue (Samantha). I think it’s hard sometimes when you read a lot of romance to separate expectations. Especially when the book has some romantic undertones. I am not even sure if that makes sense, but “I” wanted more sex and I could have done without the whole “Samantha” scenario. <--- that's the romance reader talking. Both were small issues that genuinely shouldn't have bothered me but like I said I struggled to separate my feelings in this case, so they did. That said, I found this one to be fantastically well written and well paced. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. I LOVE all things serial killer, profiling, criminal minds, etc. I eat TV shows like that up by the spoonful and this book would make a fabulous TV series for sure. The plot was intricate and full of twists and turns. The author does an excellent job of laying the groundwork for what I can only assume will be an epic and far-reaching conspiracy. There is a full cast of characters that make up this book. Each one intriguing. Each one mysterious. Each one potentially hiding secrets. My mind is a bit of a muddle trying to figure out who is doing what and why. Who is dirty? Who isn't? Some I loved. Some I hated. Some remain a mystery waiting to be exposed. Kane I LOVED. Who doesn't love a smokin' hot bad boy? But what is he hiding? Can he be trusted? Lilah I ADORED. I struggle with alpha heroines A LOT but Lilah just worked for me on every level. She was strong. She was feisty. She was funny. She was badass. But she was also vulnerable especially when it came to Kane. The only man that has ever understood her. Last, we were left with a decent cliffhanger that will make you want to hunt down this author and force her to give you book two tout suite! All in all, this was a fantastic first book in a series I am sure will blow a lot of readers right out of the water. Therefore yours truly will give this one two HUGE thumbs up.
This the first book in the “Lilah Love” series by author Lisa Renee Jones. I have read several books by this author and have not been disappointed; this book is no different. I felt this was a good mystery story with a lot going on. I found myself in the shower trying to figure things out. As with some of Ms Jones books she leaves us on a cliffhanger, you know the head smacking, yelling “NO!” kind. When I first read the heroines name I was glad I had already swallowed my coffee. The author defiantly gave us something to smile about with that, the other characters didn’t let it go either. Lilah is no wilting flower; her job alone should say that much about her, she is an FBI profiler. Her job has her working at different hours of the day and her latest murder scene has taken her back home to the Hamptons; where secrets and her ex-lover, and family are. So much is going on with this story and her investigation that it keeps you thinking about it, like I said even in the shower. I look forward to seeing how Lilah deals with her past secrets, her ex-lover, her previously ex-lover, her family, and not to mention solving the murders on top of it all. Again, I really enjoyed this book, it was well written with great character development. The murder mystery, the dialog between characters and the heroines monologue was well done. Can’t wait to see the twists the author will be putting in the next book!
***I voluntarily reviewed this ARC from Montlake Romance for an honest review via NetGalley, this is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the author, Publishers or NetGalley in anyway.*** Thank you!
5 star review of Murder Notes (Lilah Love #1) by Lisa Renee Jones
Lisa Renee Jones is a new author to me and I will certainly be looking into her other books as soon as time allows. There is a cliff hanger at the end, so be warned.
Two of my favourite types of reads together romance (although there is not a lot of this in Murder Notes) and murder mystery, what more could I ask for? I’m not to sure where to start with this review as I do not want to give any spoilers away. u2002
Lilah Love is an FBI profiler and is used to dealing with the seedier side of life. When a string of murders takes Lilah back to her home town, her past rises up to smack her right in the face. Is this the work of a serial killer or an assassin? Will her haunted and dark past be brought to light?
Danger lurks at every corner and when Lilah anonymous notes start arriving, Lilah is concerned that the killer may be closer to her than she thinks. Will she become the next victim?
There were so many plots twists that I was kept guessing and I needed to concentrate to ensure I didn’t loose track and to me that is the sign of a great book that has drawn you right in to the storyline.
The intrigue, suspense, danger and secrets had me riveted from the first chapter until the last, I was absolutely hooked and feel that this is one of the best examples of romantic suspense I have read in a long time.
Murder Notes is the first book of a series and as it’s now common to find in books series this story ends in a cliffhanger. It is, however, entertaining, has a lot of twists and turns, and makes the main character, Lilah, face her past (which is not easy to do!). The story gets your attention from the beginning and the stalking and mystery just add up to the end. It´s easy and fast reading.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest review.
FBI profiler Lilah Love is on the hunt for an assassin. The case takes her back to her home town and the memories and people she left behind. The further into the case she gets, the more it centers around her and a terrible secret.
This is an action packed story where our heroine hardly gets time to draw a breath. She has no idea who to trust or who the bad guys are.
I was really enjoying this book until it ended without finishing the story. Obviously it’s a serial and that disappointed me.
Lilah Love is an FBI profiler. Several murders in LA are under her scrutiny and her boss sends her to her home town in New York to look for additional clues. Our author tells a twisted tale of family rivalry and twisted love, as she gathers clues. Sex is a part of the story, but not a major part, although I skipped 3 pages of erotic script. The book ends very abruptly, leaving the reader wanting to know what happens next.
It is intriguing and you want to find the killer but I could do with less F words even though it’s part of the lead character. I didn’t like the cliffhanger ending but I still bought the next book to see who the killer is.
FBI Profiler Lailah Love ran away from her past only to be sucked back in when a case leads her back home. Taunted by anonymous notes and a trail of corpses, she rushes against time to find the killer while trying to prevent a past secret from being exposed.
Overall I enjoyed this book. The main character is gritty and endearing at the same time. There is a bit too much eluding to “the secret” and not enough reveals related to it. So when the secret is finally revealed it’s a bit anticlimactic. The end also leaves something to be desired. A cliffhanger ending can be good, but in this case there is no resolution for the case at hand. It would have been better if at least something had been resolved and leave it open for the next chapter in the case. This does seem like it will be a good series though and I am very curious on what happens next. So if you don’t mind unresolved cliffhanger endings then I would recommend it.
Fasten your seatbelt and prepare for a wild ride. The action and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat. The attraction between Lilah and Kane just sizzles. I loved the badass personality of Lilah that is balanced out with her hints of femininity. She is a hunter that enjoys her vintage Louis Vuitton wardrobe. I loved how she acknowledges that she does better with dead people than with the living as there are some days that I can relate. There are lots of twists in this story with all the different characters and potential suspects (even family members) only for it all to end with a cliff hanger! Can’t wait to start book 2, Murder Girl.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
Terrible book.
The excessive use of the f word turns the reader off. There was no reason for the word to be used constantly as it added nothing to the story.
There wasn’t much of a story and there were too many meaningless paragraphs.
Don’t waste your time on this book. It isn’t worth it.
This author is someone I’ve checked out before and thought I’d look at again. Boy am I glad I did! And let me just say that this woman is the queen of cliffhangers! The story is full of suspense, action and intrigue and truly captured my interest the entire time. I’m glad I got the first few books to get started! #murdernotes #netgalley
Did not like this book. Character was just nasty and I did not finish reading book. Only my opinion.
I don’t know why I waited so long to read this one. I love this author and wasn’t sure about this storyline and kept putting it off. So I had a few days free to read it and now I wonder why I waited.
This story is filled with suspense that will take you back to before Lilah became an F.B.I. profiler and I think it is why she became one. She is trying to figure out her past and the nightmares she is having are really her life. The one she lived through all those years ago.
Now in the present and she has a case where the victims are being executed and left naked in places where they will be found quickly. Seems that whoever is killing these people is trying to get to her because they know that she is the one the F.B.I. will send.
Will Lilah find out who is killing these people? Can she figure out her nightmares before someone gets to her?
As I said, I love this author and I can not wait to start the next book. I have to find out what happens next. This book is not for the faint at heart or anyone who doesn’t like seeing the “f” word. Other than that, I highly recommend this suspenseful story and l look forward to reading more.