Minutes to Kill by Melinda Leigh

Minutes to Kill (Scarlet Falls, #2)

by Melinda Leigh

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.

After corporate attorney Hannah Barrett tries—and fails—to stop a kidnapping in Vegas, she can’t shake the haunting image of the terrified young girl she couldn’t save. She tells herself that a visit to her hometown in Scarlet Falls could be a welcome distraction. But soon, Hannah realizes the kidnappers have all the info they need to track her every move. And when chilling e-mails about the victim appear in her inbox, it’s frighteningly clear what happened in Vegas has followed her home.

Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.

Minutes to Kill is the pulse-racing second novel in bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s Scarlet Falls series.

Golden Leaf Award Finalist

Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award Winner

Reviewed by Stephanie on

4 of 5 stars

Share
This review was originally posted on Once Upon a Chapter




Anne from Books of My Heart and I decided to read Minutes to Kill by Melinda Leigh as a follow up buddy read to Hour of Need. Anne and I wanted to continue the series since we both enjoyed the first one so much!



There was a lot happening in Minutes to Kill by Melinda Leigh. Human trafficking was the biggest focus of the book. There are also a bunch of murders taking place in and around Scarlet Falls.



Hannah and Brody work together to try and figure out what's happening. I will say that Leigh tied all of the different threads throughout the story and made a pretty good ending. There is one plot line that I'm hoping gets resolution in the final book.



Hannah was definitely the aloof sibling in Hour of Need and I'm really glad I was able to get to know her better in Minutes to Kill. I definitely started to understand why she did the things that she did.



Brody's character was more interesting to me. Brody is a pretty level-headed man. The troubles in his past were sad to read about. There's no denying he's a good detective and a good man. It was great to see Ellie and Grant and all the kids again!



I cannot wait for Mac's book. We don't learn much about Mac in either of his siblings' books. I was glad that Hannah and Brody found a happily ever after that worked for them. I found Minutes to Kill by Melinda Leigh to be a very satisfactory read. This was a great addition to the series!

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 18 May, 2020: Finished reading
  • 18 May, 2020: Reviewed