Hannah Barrett is on a business trip in Las Vegas, having dinner and drinks with her boss and clients at a club on the Strip. As she’s leaving, a young girl pleads for her help in the parking lot while being chased by a man. She intervenes and things get violent with him escaping, taking the girl but not before crashing Hannah’s car. She’s slightly injured and is sidelined from work for the moment, recuperating in Scarlet Falls. In the meantime, the man she confronted has her purse with all of her data and vows to exact revenge because she did a lot of damage to him, especially his ego.
This was a brutal story involving human trafficking and a lot of violence against women so be forewarned. It’s harrowing but probably is very close to the reality of the crimes. Additionally, the Neanderthal that comes after Hannah brings his psychopathic brother with him to Scarlet Falls and they both leave a stain on the town. In the meantime, Hannah is being helped by Brody McNamara, the detective who helped the family when brother Lee and his wife were murdered. Fearful that the traffickers are coming after her, he keeps a close watch and the attraction that had been brewing develops in full force.
While I enjoyed the story, it’s more mystery & suspense with a romantic element, which I prefer. Hannah and Brody make a great couple but it’s all about the underlying threat of the traffickers from start to finish. She was a formidable character, too, who took care of herself and sometimes Brody! I found it hard to stop listening, despite the narrator’s challenges with the male voices. She tells the story really well but the secondary male voice interpretations were awful. I just powered through those moments because I enjoyed everything else about her performance. I’m really enjoying this series and am looking forward to the final book in this trilogy.
Book Info
- Release Date: June 30, 2015
- Series: Scarlet Falls #2
- Narrator: Cris Dukeheart
- Audio Length: 10 hours, 4 minutes
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Blue Mood Café 
I remember this one being more violent than others. I enjoyed this trilogy though. It was the one that got me hooked on Melinda Leigh books. Great review Jonetta.
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Thank you, Carla💜 I thought it extremely, cruelly violent and had to consider it was consistent with the topic. There were parts that just broke my heart.
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Sounds lie a difficult book to read. Excellent review as always, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 Yes, this was a tough one.
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Fab review! sounds like a tough listen!
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Thanks, Nicki💜 Very tough.
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I really enjoyed this series. I also prefer the mystery suspense with a romantic element. Fabulous review!
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Thank you, Anne💜 I’m happy this one is turning out so well.
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I really appreciate your review, Jonetta. I think I want to read this one. I’m not sure I can listen to the audio if it is very violent. For some reason I can read violence easier than listening (in some cases). Do you think this could be read as a stand alone or better to read the first book first?
Great review!!
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Thank you, Deanna💜
While both characters were introduced in the first book, they weren’t the main focus at all, Brody having an extremely minor presence. It reads well as a standalone and what you would miss from the first book is what brings Hannah to Scarlet Falls and her family’s dynamics. Otherwise, I think you’d enjoy it as much as I did.
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Thanks, Jonetta! I’m adding it for sure!
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I think I have the first one (hour of needs??) or something like that kicking about my TBR pile somewhere.
Fab review! 🙂
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Thank you, Jules💜 Yes, the first book is Hour of Need. I reviewed it here, too.
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Sometimes the male voices drive me bonkers! Fab review, Jonetta! I love how you reviewed this and the Kendra Elliott close to each other because I read my first two from them close to each other. I know you have read many, many from them both. Such great authors. ❤️
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Thanks, Jennifer💜 Female narrators need not make huge voice adjustments to accommodate gender! It’s just not necessary and this is an ideal example of what not to do.
I know Elliot and Leigh have collaborated and they write similarly. I haven’t read much by Leigh (this is the third book) but have finished the series by Elliot. I do have many of their books on my shelf.
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That makes sense- I think I get the two of them confused because I associate them with each other somehow. You are so right about the voice adjustments. The narrator who does the gravelly voice for men? I actually had to switch back to the book only because it hurt my ears to hear that voice quality, knowing it was intentional.
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It’s funny…I confuse the two, also!
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