ONCE, SHE GOT AWAY The body lying on a cold steel slab bears all the hallmarks of the Chicago Butcher. There’s a cruel slash across her throat, deep enough to sever the carotid artery, and a small crescent carved into her right breast. Her delicate features are painfully familiar to Ash Marcel, once a rising star in the Chicago PD. But though the victim resembles his former fiancée, Remi Walsh, … Remi Walsh, he knows it’s not her.
BUT THIS TIME
Though Remi escaped a serial killer five years ago, her father died trying to save her. Grief and guilt caused her to pull away from the man she loved. Now Ash is back in her life, insisting that Remi is still in danger.
IT’S A DEAD END . . .
Someone is targeting women who look just like Remi. With or without a badge, Ash intends to unmask the Butcher. But the killer isn’t playing games any longer. He’s moving in, ready to finish what he started, and prove there’s nothing more terrifying than a killer’s obsession . . .
Praise for Pretend You’re Safe
“Alexandra Ivy gives readers a nice balance of romance and suspense in her fast-paced,
well-plotted novel.”
—Kat Martin, New York Times bestselling author
“A satisfying mystery . . . Ivy’s clever foreshadowing keeps the tension high throughout this
fast-moving tale, and the romance sizzles.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A pulse-raising romantic thriller.”
—BookPage
more
Someone is targeting women who look like Remi. Remi was Ash’s fiancé five years ago until the Chicago Butcher destroyed both of their lives. The return of the Butcher not only reminded her that she was in constant danger, it had ripped open the wounds of her father’s death.
The Marcel brothers return in book 4 with Ash and Jax investigating a cold case from five years ago on the Chicago Butcher. Ash was once a Chicago police officer until the Chicago Butcher destroyed what was left of his career. No longer a detective Ash returned home after Jax alerted him to a dead’s woman’s body which looked like Remi’s. While his skills as a detective are rusty he no doubt is determined to close this Chicago Butcher case once and for all.
Overall:
The transitions between paragraphs within chapters wasn’t smooth. One minute I’m reading about Ash and Remi in one paragraph then I’m reading about the Butcher in the next with no indicators. Kinda confusing trying to decipher who is communicating.
The rekindling of a relationship with his ex fiancé was sweet and enduring, a nice mix to go along with detective work. A little business with pleasure is always fun. However, this second chance romance had me questioning whether book 1 or 2 was devoted to them because several references are made regarding their past relationship of which I would like to understand.
With this being book 4 in the series I came in at a disadvantage having read book 3 but not books 1 and 2. Everytime this book mentioned Ash and Remi I felt like I missed a book dedicated to their relationship. I’m not sure if the story was intended this way or not. Yet, these books can be read as a stand-alone. However, I’m not convinced that’s a good idea with prior characters being mentioned in previous books.
With Ash’s arrival and the fear of the Butchers return the story held a nice balance between the two topics. Although I did prefer the paragraphs with the scenes regarding the Butcher. I thought it was clever how the author took the guess work out of each suspect by proving Ash’s theories which coincidently coincided with my hunches.
It’s good but not epic by any means. I like trying to piece together the clues even though they are few and far between. The romantic relationship between Ash and Remi is a nice distraction from the detective work, yet it is a distraction from the detective work. It was a double edge sword.
Every character seemed to behave suspiciously making it difficult to pinpoint who the killer was. The nature of detective work is finding hundreds of promising leads that fizzle out before finding the one that doesn’t fizzle. These scenes are what carry the story…need more of that.
The ending was both shocking and not so shocking. I kinda suspected who the butcher was although I wasn’t certain about the reasoning. The reasoning was more shocking than revealing who the butcher was.
The Intended Victim (The Agency #4) by Alexandra Ivy
Loved this book and this series… this is Jax and Remi’s story…and what a story it is.. full of angst, terror, some laughs, some tears, steamy stuff, mystery and when I though I had it figured out … then I was sure I was wrong. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time… Great job Alexandra Ivy.
As with the previous three books in the Agency series, I really enjoyed The Intended Victim. This story follows Ash and Remi as they try to solve the case of a serial killer. Remi survived an attack years ago, but the killer comes back with a vengeance. Throughout the story, I had thoughts about who the killer was but did not get confirmation until the end. I like how the author writes snippets from the killer and the victim’s points of view as well as the main characters. I also like how the author tends to do a healthy balance of suspense and romance in her stories. There is plenty of mystery but the romance does not seem forced or an afterthought as it does in some books.
Ash and Remi’s story is one of reconnected love who of course, gets their happy ending. Ash is Nate’s (from book 3) brother and we meet another brother named, Jax. I imagine we will see him in a future book. The Agency is a loosely connected series. They could all be read as stand-alone books.
Jax lost his partner, who was also going to be his father-in-law, and the love of his life to the Chicago Butcher five years ago. Now the Butcher is back and Jax is determined to keep Remi safe and to convince her to give them another chance. As Jax and Remi close in on the Butcher, they are surprised at where the trail leads.
Holy cow what a story. I really enjoyed the fourth installment in The Agency series. I found Remi and Ash’s story to be full of twists, turns and suspense. I found the storyline to be interesting and well thought out. The cast of characters are so real you feel and emotional connection to them. I did think this story was a little too long and found the story dragging at times, but I don’t think it took away from the story.
I am mostly used to reading this author in a different genre but I have since come to the conclusion this author has the ability to create magic with words no matter what genre she writes. This one caught my attention right away. You have Ash and Remi with others that will have this mystery that becomes more deadly as time goes on. This will also intertwine with them having a shot at a second chance which you will root for as you go along. The victims are unnerving with as they re open and go through things you too will try and do your guesses. What comes out as time goes on will only when the time comes for the reveal that you will be thrown for a loop. I was shocked but also digging it because I love when I am fooled. I could read more of her books of this nature.
A page turner. Enjoyable read.
The Agency #4, A standalone, the main characters in this one is brother to the main character in the previous book but that is where the connection ends. Ash Marcel was a Chicago PD Detective until his partner mysteriously disappeared, with the amount of blood left at the scene they all assumed he was dead, and his relationship to his partner’s daughter/fiancee ended, now he’s a professor. Five years ago Chicago was plagued by a serial killer the press named The Butcher, but after an unsuccessful attack on Remi Walsh and the disappearance/death of her father the murders stopped. Remi was never the same after that. Now, five years later Ash’s brother Chicago PD Detective Jax Marcel walks into this classroom telling him The Butcher is back and Remi is dead, only it’s not Remi she just looks almost identical to her.
Ash knows it’s only a matter of time before The Butcher goes after Remi again and figures he’s the best person to protect her. Not just because she’s in danger and she’s the daughter of his old partner but because he still loves her. Remi still loves Ash also but she’s worried things won’t go back to the way they were. As Ash and Remi dig into the old files and try to figure out what they missed all those years ago Jax investigates the recent murders.
Overall, it was a great read. It was an intense and interesting read with a good mystery and a nice second chance romance. I really liked Ash and Remi they are a good pair. I do hope Jax is next to get his own story.
This book is a definite page-turner. This storyline kept me guessing until close to the end. Along the way I cheered on the hero former Chicago detective Ash Marcel as he stood firm in protecting his former fiance Remi Walsh who narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Chicago Butcher five years previously. The Chicago Butcher is back and Remi seems to be a target once again. There’s plenty of action and suspense and the plot runs smoothly. I really enjoyed this story. Author Alexandra Ivy did an excellent job telling this story.
This is book 4 in the Agency series and it can absolutely be read as a stand alone! In it we meet Remi and Ash. Ash is a former police officer who has been drawn back to Chicago when his brother comes to tell him that his former fiance’s body is in the morgue. But when he gets there, he realizes that this woman looks like her but it isn’t her. And that a serial killer is back at work again. Remi escaped from a serial killer years ago but when she did, she lost everything that ever meant anything to her at the same time. And now Ash is back in her life vowing to protect her while also trying to find the person that is responsible for everything.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I was drawn in right from the start and didn’t want to put it down because I wanted to know more. Towards the end it seemed a little rushed to me (which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5) but on a whole I definitely liked it! Remi and Ash are two characters that you can’t help but like and want to see come out happy in the end. And I liked Ash’s brother as well (and wouldn’t mind a story with him!). There was definitely a twist to it that I didn’t see coming at all!! Who I thought it was, definitely wasn’t! And that made me like it even more! Another great read in this series!
This was a great story about a love not forgotten. Remi didn’t have a great last five years. Ash tried but she just shut everyone down. Now five year laters The Butcher is back and so is Ash to claim his woman. Well I didn’t see that coming. I really thought The Butcher was someone else. This book is a good suspense, romance and spicy bits.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
The Intended Victim had me biting my nails, listening for rustling behind me and gasping for breath. The second chance romance was well done, it did not smother the pages. The relationship was reignited and steamy in the right context. A plus in my book. I love a book where the plot is enhanced with a great relationship, but does not exist because of one. This starts of with a murder and pretty much goes full steam. I had thoughts of oh know, not them, and it wasn’t. I was wrong on the butcher, thank goodness, but it was still a jaw dropping moment. Excellent suspense, excellent mystery, and still brought to light some of the troubles of today. I loved, loved, loved this book. A true 5 stars, more if I could. Thank you Alexandra Ivy, NetGalley, Kensington Books/Zebra for the arc. I voluntarily leave this review. All thought and opinions are my own and unsolicited.
THE INTENDED VICTIM is the fourth instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult THE AGENCY romantic suspense series. This is former Chicago police detective / college professor Ashland ‘Ash’ Marcel, and youth center counselor Remi Walsh’s story line. THE INTENDED VICTIM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Remi and Ash) and first person (killer) THE INTENDED VICTIM follows in the wake of the possible return of a serial killer. Five years earlier Remi Walsh was the intended victim of a serial killer known as The Butcher but Remi’s call to her father, police officer Gage Walsh, resulted in the death of her father, and Remi with no memory of what happened that day. Fast forward to the present, wherein a series of murders where all of the victims have been surgically altered to look like Remi Walsh, pull Ash Marcel, Remi’s former fiancé into the investigation. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Ash and Remi, and the potential fall-out as the killer hits too close to home.
Ash Marcel was destroyed the day Remi Walsh walked out of his life but Remi struggled in the aftermath of the death of her father, the attack on her life, and Ash Marcel’s obsession with finding the killer. Ash Marcel had never stopped loving our story line heroine and a change in careers meant pulling away from the life that he loved.
The relationship between Remi and Ash is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people torn apart by death and destruction, and brought together by memories from the past. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Remi’s mother Liza, and Ash’s brother Detective Jax Marcel. There is a large list of suspects who are questioned yet remain a person of interest.
THE INTENDED VICTIM is a romantic suspense thriller; a story of betrayal and obsession; family, friends, jealousy and madness. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are colorful and dynamic; the romance is seductive and captivating.
This murder mystery will leave you gasping. I felt so bad for Remi and Ash as the murder of her father and the attempted murder of Remi five years ago shattered their lives. But now the murderer is back and more brazen than before. Remi’s life is on the line and so is Ash’s heart. This story kept me flipping pages and the identity of the murderer just floored me. This book is part of a series but can be read standalone just fine.
A really good book that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the very end.
This second chance love story is the back drop of a serial killer storyline. Someone is killing women who look like Remi. After escaping the killer’s clutches five years ago, it looks as if he is back to finish the job.
Both Rem an Ashley have been living in limbo for five years. Although they’ve moved on professionally, personally, they are stagnate. After the killings start up again the are forced to confront both the past and their feelings for each other.
The love story is more about reconnecting and trusting each other with the truth, no matter how painful. Both Ash and Remi were so traumatized by events in the past, they couldn’t open up to each other the way they needed to.
The killer storyline had so many hints, I’m mad at myself for not figuring it out sooner. I was on the right track, just got on the wrong train.
You will enjoy this story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
Ash is coming back to Chicago to help his brother save the woman Ash loves from a killer. Remi Walsh is the object of The Chicago Butcher who had killed her father 5 years ago and she survived. Ash was Remi’s fiancé but after her father died she pushed Ash away in hopes to save him but he’s back determined to save Remi if the Butcher doesn’t kill him first.
This story was full of mystery and danger with a second chance thrown in and perfect if you want just a little romance with your danger.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
THE INTENDED VICTIM (The Agency Book #4) By Alexandra Ivy
I did not realize this was a 4th in the series book, and it is certainly a stand alone as well. I will be looking up the others in the series. I have always known when I pick up a book from Alexandra Ivy I will enjoy it. She consistently writes a very satisfying story. I very much enjoyed this romantic suspense with a second chance romance. This is a suspense, filled with intrigue, mystery, chemistry and great characters. The ending was one that I did not see coming. This is a 5 star story.
Another winner by Alexandra Ivy. This is a must-read series (you really do need to read it from the beginning)!
Thank you #netgalley and #kensingtonbooks for the eARC.
A really great read. Kept me reading until the end to see who the serial killer was. This one is the 4th book in the series and it is still going strong. In this one Ash Marcel is looking at the return of a serial killer that is killing women that look like his ex fiancé. Trying to keep Remi safe while uncovering who the killer is gives us plenty of ups and downs and very twisted plot throughout. I really enjoyed it. looking forward to another one
I’ve truly enjoyed previous stories in this series as the author who I usually associate with paranormal stories really pushes the boundaries. This time it’s a second chance romance set amidst what appears to be the reappearance of a Chicago serial killer. When Remi was attacked five years ago her father was apparently also the killers victim but as Remi has no memory of that night she cannot say exactly what happened or indeed where her father’s body is ! The stress, strain and sheer grief drove her and Ash apart but when a body is found that’s been surgically altered to look like Remi there’s no way Ash won’t be by her side.
For this reader second chance romance is never really a trope I enjoy and sadly this lacked that special something in the romance department. I think I just didn’t understand exactly why Ash left town, changed career and just gave up on the woman he apparently loves so much ! I actually could understand how devastated Remi was although when Ash comes back to Chicago there was sadly a lack of tension between the couple which I would expect. The killer was unfortunately not that believable although I do applaud the author for her originality and I hope when we get Jax’s book that I can rate it much higher.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair