Cross Her Heart (Bree Taggert, #1)

by Melinda Leigh

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 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.

• ISBN10: 1542006945
• ISBN13: 9781542006941
• Publish Date: 17 March 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Montlake
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 332
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

I've been reading more thriller and crime novels recently but with Cross Her Heart, I've surprisingly come back to my favourite genre; Romantic Suspense and new to me author Melinda Leigh.

After overcoming the tragedy during her childhood, homicide detective Bree Taggart's life is again turned upside down after her sister Erin's murder. The circumstances surrounding the death mirror those of the nightmare she lived through as a child. With her brother-in-law Justin, the prime suspect missing, Bree's determined to track him down to seek justice for her sister. When Justin's best friend turns up looking for him, he's convinced he is innocent. So as an ex-sheriff's investigator and K9 handler, he joins forces with Bree to find him…

When Matt Flynn learns about the murder of his best friend Justin's wife, he doesn't believe he's guilty even though the victim's sister believes he is. As both he and Bree Taggart are looking for the same man, they agree to join forces. Neither agrees the local sheriff's department will conduct a fair investigation, so will they be able to prove Justin is innocent or is he the murderer?

Both the protagonists have haunting backgrounds, a common link that binds them in the same way their law enforcement training does. I like the dynamic of them both operating "under the radar" and the mutual respect and trust they gain with each other. This creates a firm foundation to further develop their relationship as the series progresses. Unfamiliar with the writing style, I quickly found myself fully immersed within this fast-paced and exciting narrative. There's a perfect balance between action and emotions as the plot unfolds leaving a satisfying conclusion to the case and a glimpse of where the series is heading. 

One surprise is the lack of romance within the narrative, but subtle hints suggest the protagonists "like" each other. It's a start of what I hope is a slow-burn relationship and will, therefore, be eagerly awaiting future Bree Taggart instalments. 

***arc generously received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***