What do you think?
Rate this book
Crime & Defense #2
The Best Defense
Business and pleasure don’t mix, especially when the business is murder.
When Aimee Howard, successful boutique real estate broker and socialite, is visited by a team of federal agents looking to arrest her wayward niece, she hires the best defense money can buy. But Aimee begins to question her confidence in the law firm when she learns they’ve hired a disgraced former police detective to take the lead.
Homicide detective Skye Keaton’s shortcuts in the name of justice have finally tipped the scales in the wrong direction. She’s lost her job, her pride, and the respect of her family and friends. When an old friend trusts her with a simple task—find a young woman in hiding—she’s happy to have the work even though the client is a bossy former debutante who wants to micromanage her every move.
Skye reluctantly decides to let Aimee close to the investigation so she can manage Aimee’s expectations, but their professional proximity quickly takes a turn toward passion. Despite their best defenses, as they work together to regain what they’ve lost, both women find the magnetic attraction that develops between them hard to resist.
When Aimee Howard, successful boutique real estate broker and socialite, is visited by a team of federal agents looking to arrest her wayward niece, she hires the best defense money can buy. But Aimee begins to question her confidence in the law firm when she learns they’ve hired a disgraced former police detective to take the lead.
Homicide detective Skye Keaton’s shortcuts in the name of justice have finally tipped the scales in the wrong direction. She’s lost her job, her pride, and the respect of her family and friends. When an old friend trusts her with a simple task—find a young woman in hiding—she’s happy to have the work even though the client is a bossy former debutante who wants to micromanage her every move.
Skye reluctantly decides to let Aimee close to the investigation so she can manage Aimee’s expectations, but their professional proximity quickly takes a turn toward passion. Despite their best defenses, as they work together to regain what they’ve lost, both women find the magnetic attraction that develops between them hard to resist.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Carsen Taite
51 books294 followersCarsen Taite's goal as an author is to spin plot lines as interesting as the cases she encountered in her career as a criminal defense lawyer. She is the award-winning author of a dozen novels and numerous short stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 27, 2017
This was fun, and I loved Aimee and Skye's relationship. The mystery wasn't mysterious, but it was an interesting plot. The only thing with the lack of mystery is that I did find myself wondering how Skye managed to be a detective when she completely failed to spot the obvious. And then didn't read the papers that they went to get and would have confirmed it. I still loved it!
July 8, 2017
Not as good as 'It should be a Crime', which shares some of the same characters as this book, but a good story just the same. I did find Skye's character to be a bit unlikable but it's good to see a story with flawed people in it. This is my second book read by Taite and I can't wait to read more.
September 11, 2022
Well paced and entertaining, but the romance was unconvincing. I feel it would have been better if it ended as a HFN rather than a HEA, too many unresolved issues were glossed over for that ending.
July 18, 2011
The Best Defense is Carsen Taite's (www.carsentaite.com) fifth novel and gives us another wonderful romance that's woven with a mystery/crime storyline. We were introduced to Sky Keaton as a minor character in one of Taite's previous novels, It Should Be A Crime, and in The Best Defense she has a starring role.
Homicide detective Skye Keaton has devoted her life to the job, and when she's forced to resign, she doesn't know what to do with herself. Devastated that her future looks to be a life as a security guard, she jumps at the chance to do some investigative work for her ex partner Parker. If she can find a missing university student, Nicki, it will lead to more work with Parker's law firm and a possible new career as a PI. If only she can survive her encounters with the Nicki's interfering and incredibly beautiful aunt.
Aimee Howard is shocked when her home and work is invaded by a team of federal agents looking for her niece. Hiring a law firm to help deal with the situation, she's dismayed by their choice of investigator. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, she insists on being part of the investigation, whether Skye wants her help or not.
I really liked the various cameo appearances from characters out of previous books. It's not something that will leave you confused if you haven't read them, but if you have, it's a charming touch. The main characters start off on the wrong foot, so there's lots of fiery clashes as they're thrown together, especially with the underlying passion that's there from the start. Unfortunately, I did pretty much guess fairly early in the book why and how Nicki had disappeared, but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I've really enjoyed all of Taite's previous books and this one was no exception. The Best Defense is a wonderful addition to my library that I look forward to re-reading.
Homicide detective Skye Keaton has devoted her life to the job, and when she's forced to resign, she doesn't know what to do with herself. Devastated that her future looks to be a life as a security guard, she jumps at the chance to do some investigative work for her ex partner Parker. If she can find a missing university student, Nicki, it will lead to more work with Parker's law firm and a possible new career as a PI. If only she can survive her encounters with the Nicki's interfering and incredibly beautiful aunt.
Aimee Howard is shocked when her home and work is invaded by a team of federal agents looking for her niece. Hiring a law firm to help deal with the situation, she's dismayed by their choice of investigator. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, she insists on being part of the investigation, whether Skye wants her help or not.
I really liked the various cameo appearances from characters out of previous books. It's not something that will leave you confused if you haven't read them, but if you have, it's a charming touch. The main characters start off on the wrong foot, so there's lots of fiery clashes as they're thrown together, especially with the underlying passion that's there from the start. Unfortunately, I did pretty much guess fairly early in the book why and how Nicki had disappeared, but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I've really enjoyed all of Taite's previous books and this one was no exception. The Best Defense is a wonderful addition to my library that I look forward to re-reading.
October 7, 2024
4/5
Based on what I've heard about this book,I thought I was gonna hate this book or something. And maybe it was the fact that I was preparing myself for some downfall of boredom ,or something else but for some reasons it happens the opposite.
I'm ready to debate about how I loved this book much more than I loved the first one.The flaws and the slowburn is a combination that always burned me.
Based on what I've heard about this book,I thought I was gonna hate this book or something. And maybe it was the fact that I was preparing myself for some downfall of boredom ,or something else but for some reasons it happens the opposite.
I'm ready to debate about how I loved this book much more than I loved the first one.The flaws and the slowburn is a combination that always burned me.
July 26, 2011
When Aimee Howard, successful boutique real estate broker and socialite, is visited by a team of federal agents looking to arrest her wayward niece, she hires the best defense money can buy. But Aimee begins to question her confidence in the law firm when she learns they’ve hired a disgraced former police detective to take the lead.
Homicide detective Skye Keaton’s shortcuts in the name of justice have finally tipped the scales in the wrong direction. She’s lost her job, her pride, and the respect of her family and friends. When an old friend trusts her with a simple task—find a young woman in hiding—she’s happy to have the work even though the client is a bossy former debutante who wants to micromanage her every move.
This author just keeps getting better with each book. Carsen Taite's day job as a defense attorney and her careful research lend authenticity as she gives readers a deep look into the criminal justice system. The icing on the cake is her talent for writing well-developed characters that stick with you.
A good read, this book should satisfy both mystery and romance lovers.
Homicide detective Skye Keaton’s shortcuts in the name of justice have finally tipped the scales in the wrong direction. She’s lost her job, her pride, and the respect of her family and friends. When an old friend trusts her with a simple task—find a young woman in hiding—she’s happy to have the work even though the client is a bossy former debutante who wants to micromanage her every move.
This author just keeps getting better with each book. Carsen Taite's day job as a defense attorney and her careful research lend authenticity as she gives readers a deep look into the criminal justice system. The icing on the cake is her talent for writing well-developed characters that stick with you.
A good read, this book should satisfy both mystery and romance lovers.
July 29, 2011
Skye Keaton, who was a secondary character in a previous novel, is a homicide detective forced to resign after what happened in It Should Be a Crime and ends up taking a PI job to track down a missing girl who may have become involved in a militia group and is also being searched for by several government agencies. Of course, there's the missing girl's aunt - wealthy businesswoman Aimee Howard - who keeps inserting herself into the investigation and ratcheting up the romance factor. The focus of the story is the seach for the missing girl with the development of a romance between Sky and Aimee as they search. I like Taite's work (really enjoyed It Should be Crime) and her newest novel seems even stronger in the plotting and characters.
There's a few instances that I question how ineffective a joint task force for FBI, ICE and ATF would be in finding important clues or tracking down previous addresses - but I'll forgive it as there wouldn't have been a story if they didn't find the info before the feds.
Definitely Recommended.
There's a few instances that I question how ineffective a joint task force for FBI, ICE and ATF would be in finding important clues or tracking down previous addresses - but I'll forgive it as there wouldn't have been a story if they didn't find the info before the feds.
Definitely Recommended.
November 11, 2020
I had been looking forward to reading this book partly because I've been seeing Aimee, the realtor making a cameo everywhere. She's Mac and Jordon's best friend and had one date with Morgan. Skye is Parker's former partner and we saw glimpses of her in "It Should Be A Crime" and was interested to see what the real Skye could be.
This book started out alright... until Aimee snd Skye locked eyes for the first time at the bar during Aimee's birthday. Then all went downhill and became so disappointing - the romance between them was so draggy. There was also a real lack of chemistry between Skye and Aimee throughout the book so much so that when Aimee said "i love you" to Skye, it almost came out as absurd.
The only saving grace was that we could still see Morgan and Parker here and there.
This book started out alright... until Aimee snd Skye locked eyes for the first time at the bar during Aimee's birthday. Then all went downhill and became so disappointing - the romance between them was so draggy. There was also a real lack of chemistry between Skye and Aimee throughout the book so much so that when Aimee said "i love you" to Skye, it almost came out as absurd.
The only saving grace was that we could still see Morgan and Parker here and there.
January 4, 2016
This was a really fun read and I loved seeing Parker and Morgan again from It Should Be a Crime.
December 25, 2019
A bit boring in some parts especially the beginnings but the characters were few and somewhat memorable and the story gradually built up to a nice action romance
September 15, 2017
The contents and detail are the focus and the romance complements it.
I like the facts that the author rights individual stories and the book is very interesting on its own. Series writing becomes very boring.
All the women are professional and sex is not the major focus.
I like the facts that the author rights individual stories and the book is very interesting on its own. Series writing becomes very boring.
All the women are professional and sex is not the major focus.
December 21, 2024
This was a crazy tale. I loved the interaction with the characters.
March 1, 2013
When Aimee Howard, successful boutique real estate broker and socialite, is visited by a team of federal agents looking to arrest her wayward niece, she hires the best defense money can buy. But Aimee begins to question her confidence in the law firm when she learns they’ve hired a disgraced former police detective to take the lead.
Homicide detective Skye Keaton’s shortcuts in the name of justice have finally tipped the scales in the wrong direction. She’s lost her job, her pride, and the respect of her family and friends. When an old friend trusts her with a simple task—find a young woman in hiding—she’s happy to have the work even though the client is a bossy former debutante who wants to micromanage her every move.
Skye reluctantly decides to let Aimee close to the investigation so she can manage Aimee’s expectations, but their professional proximity quickly takes a turn toward passion. Despite their best defenses, as they work together to regain what they’ve lost, both women find the magnetic attraction that develops between them hard to resist.
Homicide detective Skye Keaton’s shortcuts in the name of justice have finally tipped the scales in the wrong direction. She’s lost her job, her pride, and the respect of her family and friends. When an old friend trusts her with a simple task—find a young woman in hiding—she’s happy to have the work even though the client is a bossy former debutante who wants to micromanage her every move.
Skye reluctantly decides to let Aimee close to the investigation so she can manage Aimee’s expectations, but their professional proximity quickly takes a turn toward passion. Despite their best defenses, as they work together to regain what they’ve lost, both women find the magnetic attraction that develops between them hard to resist.
April 2, 2013
More like 2.5. First Carson Taite I've read, not necessarily the last.
Fine book for a commute, but overall too many things that bugged me. I got bored half way through when I had figured out the ending even though the pace picked up some at that point. I didn't really skip parts but maybe didn't read everything very carefully until speed really picked up towards the very end and hte book had me again.
As so often, I would have liked to have seen a less abrupt ending, because I would like to see how these characters make their future work. There's so many things they have to 'work out', and as they are aware of them, it would have been good to see.
Fine book for a commute, but overall too many things that bugged me. I got bored half way through when I had figured out the ending even though the pace picked up some at that point. I didn't really skip parts but maybe didn't read everything very carefully until speed really picked up towards the very end and hte book had me again.
As so often, I would have liked to have seen a less abrupt ending, because I would like to see how these characters make their future work. There's so many things they have to 'work out', and as they are aware of them, it would have been good to see.
May 8, 2016
Don't know what to say.....
I don't know what to say. I been reading so many books lately and then doing reviews on them. I can tell you is I loved to see the characters who have had a rough time end up with a happy ending. Thank you for another happy ending.
I don't know what to say. I been reading so many books lately and then doing reviews on them. I can tell you is I loved to see the characters who have had a rough time end up with a happy ending. Thank you for another happy ending.
April 21, 2014
loved the cat and mouse games between the main characters. the search was funny, annoying and cute at times.
April 30, 2015
Crazy story to think that things like that still exist and maybe even to this day. Amazing story they went throw a lot and the ending could have been a little more stretch out but t was a good book
May 14, 2016
Loved it
Thus was a great story. I loved that it dwelt with the investigation side of things more than the romance side.
Thus was a great story. I loved that it dwelt with the investigation side of things more than the romance side.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews