Format: Kindle Unlimited
Release Date: May 17, 2022
Publisher: Montlake
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Mystery / Suspense
Sheriff Bree Taggert’s downfall is part of a killer’s cunning design in author Melinda Leigh’s novel of murder, lies, and revenge.
Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently fired.
Working with criminal investigator Matt Flynn, Bree discovers that she isn’t the only one who had a troubling history with Eugene. But someone doesn’t want Bree digging up the past. She becomes the target of a stranger’s sick and devious campaign calculated to destroy her reputation, career, family, and new relationship with Matt. To make matters worse, she’s the prime suspect in Eugene’s murder.
When her chief deputy goes missing while investigating the case, Bree refuses to back down. She won’t let him become the next victim. His life and her future depend on finding a killer nursing a vengeful rage.
Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently fired.
Working with criminal investigator Matt Flynn, Bree discovers that she isn’t the only one who had a troubling history with Eugene. But someone doesn’t want Bree digging up the past. She becomes the target of a stranger’s sick and devious campaign calculated to destroy her reputation, career, family, and new relationship with Matt. To make matters worse, she’s the prime suspect in Eugene’s murder.
When her chief deputy goes missing while investigating the case, Bree refuses to back down. She won’t let him become the next victim. His life and her future depend on finding a killer nursing a vengeful rage.
Melinda Leigh's Dead Against Her is the Fifth installment in the author's Bree Taggart series. The story begins when Sheriff Bree Taggert responds to a wellness check at an isolated farm, expecting to find an elderly widow in need of assistance. Instead, she discovers a brutal double homicide, one victim being Eugene Oscar, a corrupt former deputy she recently tried to fire from her department. As Bree teams up with criminal investigator Matt Flynn—her professional partner and romantic interest—she uncovers a tangled history of grudges tied to Eugene.
However, the investigation takes a darker turn when Bree becomes the target of a vicious campaign to ruin her reputation, career, and personal life, complete with fabricated evidence and media scrutiny. Bree’s battle against deepfake videos, misogynistic attacks, and biased media mirrors contemporary struggles, handled with nuance rather than heavy-handedness. The inclusion of an anti-government group, the Hudson Huntsmen, adds another layer of relevance, though it’s explored lightly to keep the focus on the mystery.
When a key ally goes missing, Bree’s determination is tested as she fights to clear her name, protect her loved ones, and catch a killer driven by vengeance. The central murder mystery is layered with subplots—Bree’s smear campaign, her deputy’s disappearance, and her evolving relationships—creating a high-stakes atmosphere. Bree Taggert remains a standout protagonist—resilient, flawed, and deeply human. Her backstory, including an abusive childhood and the responsibility of raising her late sister’s children, adds emotional weight to her decisions.
Bree’s growth is evident as she leans more on Matt, softening her “hard-as-nails” exterior without losing her strength. Matt Flynn complements her as a steady, supportive partner, and their romance, while secondary, feels authentic and understated, avoiding genre clichés. Supporting characters, like Chief Deputy Todd Harvey, Deputy Laurie Collins, who might be the next K-9 officer, Bree’s adopted niece and nephew, and Bree's former partner, retired Detective Dana Romano, enrich the story, with the dogs—Brody the ex-K9 and Ladybug the rescue—stealing scenes as fan favorites.
It is with great happiness that I can honestly say that I am fully caught up on reading this entire series! YAY!!!
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