Review: Night Sins by Tami Hoag

Title: Night Sins (Deer Lake, #1)
Author: Tami Hoag

Publication: December 1, 1995

Publisher: Bantam

Source: Purchased

Genre: Mystery, Romantic Thriller

Audience: 18 and up
Rating: 5 of 5 

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Goodreads Synopsis: A sensational New York Times bestseller and subject of a CBS-TV miniseries, Night Sins has confirmed Tami Hoag's reputation as the new modern master of suspense.

This gripping tale unfolds in a peaceful Minnesota town, where crime is something that just doesn't happen. But when a young boy disappears, it marks the beginning of a unspeakable nightmare. There are no witnesses, no clues, only a note, cleverly taunting, casually cruel. Has a cold-blooded kidnapper struck? Or is this the reawakening of a long-quiet serial killer? Now, a tough-minded investigator on her first, make-or-breakcase, and a local cop who fears that big city evils have invaded his small town, are hunting for a madman. Together, they must outsmart a killer who knows no bounds...and protect a town that may never feel safe again.

My Thoughts: This is a fast paced, white knuckled mystery that had me on the edge of my seat. Meagan O'Malley is out to prove that she is a good cop and the best person for the job. Not just good for a woman. Her first day on the job proves to be a doosie. Between difficulties with her housing, being late for appointments, and then add to that a kidnapping. Meagan does not come across well to this small town where no one trust the new resident. Meagan must learn to trust her instincts and the town's police chief in order to solve this case. 

Meagan O'Malley is a feisty, headstrong woman. She has worked many years in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension only to be passed up my less qualified men. She may have had to pull some underhanded cards to get her position in Deer Lake but she is the right person for the job. 

Mitch Holt is the Deer Lake Chief of Police. He is a single dad with a little baggage. He also happens to be very sexy. Mitch has worked in big cities before so working with a woman is no issue for him. He wants Meagan to listen to him as he knows this town the best. 

This was my first Tami Hoag book. It will not be my last. I absolutely loved this story. I could not put it down. I savored the thrill of the ride this story took me on. I never saw the kidnapper coming and was left catching flies when the kidnapper was revealed. The romance in the story was right target and just enough to keep the story flowing. If you like Romantic Thriller's this is a great book for you. My review of Guilty as Sin (Deer Lake, #2) to come soon. 

Audio Review: Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan

Title: Speak No Evil

Author: Allison Brennan

Narrator: Tim Lundeen

Publication: February 16, 2012

Publisher: Audible, Inc.

Source: Purchased

Genre: Romantic Thriller, Adult

Audience: 17 and up

Website|Amazon|Goodreads

Amazon Summary:

Silence is deadly.

The murder of eighteen-year-old Angie Vance was exceptionally vile–her mouth was sealed with glue, an obscenity was scrawled across her skin, and she was suffocated in a garbage bag. The killing seems personal, so police detective Carina Kincaid focuses her efforts on the victim’s much older ex-boyfriend, Steve Thomas. But without physical evidence, Carina can’t make a collar or a case. She also can’t stop Sheriff Nick Thomas, the prime suspect’s brother, from conducting his own unwelcome investigation. 

Though Nick is still scarred and unsteady from a recent confrontation with a serial killer, he’s determined to prove his brother’s innocence. But his confidence is shaken when he learns of Steve’s dark side, and when a friend of the murdered girl meets a similarly gruesome fate. With no time to lose, Carina and Nick work together to trap a psychopath, before another unlucky woman faces an unspeakable end.
Evil has spoken. Now see what it can do.

My Thoughts: Tim Lundeen does an excellent job narrating. His voice is smooth and sexy. He even adds a slight southern drawl when narrating things from Nick Thomas' point of view. Lundeen also does a good job of transitioning when narrating the female story line. His narration drew me into the story and kept my attention. This story is about a police detective’s efforts to stop a serial killer. 

Carina Kincaid and Nick Thomas are the main characters, along with the serial killer. I really like Carina. She is a strong woman and doesn't take anything off anyone. As a female detective you know she has her work cut out for her. Nick Thomas is a sexy Sheriff from Montana trying to clear his brother's name. I like that Nick is open minded and views the evidence along with his personal knowledge of his brother. Nick is there to stop a killer even if it happens to be his brother. 

This well written story grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go till the very end. The story was not predictable even thought once I got the profile of the killer I was able to identify him quickly. Though he is so carefully I had to keep listening to see if Carina would catch him. As with all great stories involving a hot Sheriff there's a romance bubbling to the surface.