Philadelphia Detective Bree Taggert transferred to the Homicide Division two days ago and is paired with veteran Detective Dana Romano who may not be sociable but is a skilled, smart investigator. They’re called to her second death but this time it’s not a suicide. It’s definitely a homicide and the victim is James Tyson, murdered in his car. Things become much more complicated when they learn that his five-year old daughter Lena was supposed to have been with him.
I’ve already read the first book in this series so I was thrilled when I learned this prequel was coming! I wanted to learn more about her early partnership with Dana Romano and her start as a homicide detective. The case was interesting but the dynamics between the two detectives were even more compelling. I listened to the story and continue to enjoy the narrator’s performance and style. She nailed both characters and her pacing was perfect. This was short but accomplished a lot in that time, enough to whet my appetite for the moment and also be antsy to keep going. I’m going to love this series!
Book Info
- Release Date: December 7, 2021
- Series: Bree Taggert #.5
- Narrator: Christina Traister
- Audio Length: 1 hour, 12 minutes
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Listen to a Sample!
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Excerpt
The medical examiner pulled out of the Ford’s interior. “No rigor yet. Livor mortis isn’t fixed yet either. Cold would slow decomp, but he’s relatively fresh. Died very early this morning.” He closed his eyes and his jowly face screwed up as he did the mental math. “Six to eight hours ago, roughly between midnight and two a.m.”
Which matched the times on the surveillance video. “Detective Romano?” Reilly called. “CSU is here.”
As soon as the ME removed the body, the crime scene unit would take over.
“Do we have a next of kin for the victim?” Romano asked.
Reilly nodded. “He’s married to Kelly Tyson.”
“Let’s go notify Mrs. Tyson.” Romano turned back toward their vehicle. Once behind the wheel, she rubbed her palms together, then pulled a pair of leather gloves from her pocket and tugged them on.
In the passenger seat, Bree blew on her freezing hands. Romano peeled away from the curb.
“Wasn’t a robbery.” Bree rolled the facts around in her head. “They left cash in Tyson’s wallet. Also, they didn’t take the car. Drug deal gone sour?”
“We have no idea what happened, other than a guy got shot.”
“You don’t like any of those theories?” Bree asked.
Romano shot her a direct look. “I like evidence, not theories.”
Giveaway
$20 Amazon Gift Card and One Digital Copy of Her Second Death
Interview with the Author
Detective Bree Taggert is one of your most popular characters. What is it about her that makes readers come back for more of her story?
Bree is strong and smart, but she’s also flawed and vulnerable. She begins the series as an excellent homicide detective but personally empty. A horrific childhood tragedy distanced Bree from her family and made her a loner. Her sister’s murder triggers the desire to change that. Bree takes on her sister’s case—and her sister’s kids. Bree sees her own childhood reflected in her niece and nephew and is determined not to let them grow up as damaged as she is. In order to do that, she needs to make herself vulnerable. In accepting responsibility for the children, she starts her own road to healing.
I believe readers want to root for her. They want to see her overcome her violent backstory. She often does what is right, not what is easy or comfortable. In each book, she not only solves a murder, she also makes a small step toward healing, with readers cheering her on.
You have published five books in this series so far, but in Her Second Death you write a prequel story. What made you want to show Bree on one of her first homicide cases?
I wanted to show the evolution of Bree’s professional life before she begins her personal journey. She is a complex character, and I’ve enjoyed exploring all aspects of her development.
In Her Second Death, Bree is assigned to investigate a violent crime. Tell readers a bit about the case and how she and her new partner Dana Romano work to find the killer.
Bree begins the story as a brand-new homicide detective. She and partner investigate the crime in the usual fashion, but Bree brings her own past to the table. She provides unique insight that helps her solve the case.
Bree finds a personal connection to this crime almost immediately. What effect does her own early family tragedy have on her handling a missing child case?
The case immediately strikes a familiar—and disturbing–cord in Bree. But she can’t allow her personal discomfort to interfere with the investigation. She’ll have to relive her past to solve the case.
What is next for Bree?
The next Bree Taggert novel, Dead Against Her, will be released in May. In it, Bree will need to face a more recent demon, the murder of a former deputy with whom she has a personal disagreement. When she took over the job of sheriff, Bree inherited some misogynist deputies from the previous, corrupt sheriff. In Dead Against Her, this conflict comes to an explosive and violent head.
About the Author
#1 Amazon Charts and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. Melinda’s debut novel, She Can Run, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. She’s garnered numerous writing awards, including two RITA nominations. Her other novels include She Can Tell, She Can Scream, She Can Hide, and She Can Kill in the She Can series; Midnight Exposure, Midnight Sacrifice, Midnight Betrayal, and Midnight Obsession in the Midnight novels; Hour of Need, Minutes to Kill, and Seconds to Live in the Scarlet Falls series; Say You’re Sorry, Her Last Goodbye, Bones Don’t Lie, What I’ve Done, Secrets Never Die, and Save Your Breath in the Morgan Dane series; and the Bree Taggert novels, Cross Her Heart, See Her Die, Drown Her Sorrows, and Right Behind Her. She holds a second-degree black belt in Kenpo karate, has taught women’s self-defense, and lives in a messy house with her family and a small herd of rescue pets.
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(Thanks to the author and Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
I love these little tidbit stories and I’m intrigued by the two detectives. Excellent review, Jo!
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Thank you, Tessa💜 The series began with these two having been together for years. I loved going back and seeing their early start.
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This looks really good!
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Oh, Jacob, this needs to be on your list!
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I’ve read the whole series and loved it and finished this last night. The first book was amazing and they continue to be favorites of mine. I’m on the tour next week.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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This was voted as a series group read in one of my GR groups so I’m having to wait😬 I’m envious that you’re up to date.
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Another wonderful series (so far) and another great review! (always)
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 I couldn’t be happier with this one.
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i would love to hear this on audible. Adding this, JO
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Hope you enjoy, Shalini💜
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