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Samantha Rialto #1
January Kills Me
USA Today BestsellerSamantha Rialto, a recently divorced, defensively snarky middle school music teacher, has taken up surveillance photography as a way to fill the gaps in her educator’s salary. As the daughter of the former Chief of Police it seemed like a reasonable choice for a side job. That is until a particularly cold week in January when Sam finds herself entangled in a mystery involving dead people, copious amounts of cash and a nutty Tai Chi enthusiast.In a deserted alley two people are murdered and Sam is the only witness. Ben Parker, the detective assigned to the case, is not happy to see her again. A year ago his former partner, Harry Rialto – Sam’s ex-husband – killed a fellow cop in a bar brawl, single handedly tarnishing the local police reputation. Sam never spoke about how Harry treated her while they were married and she isn’t going to start now, even though Ben’s questions about the alley crime scene and her inability to answer them bring up old frustrations and ignite a surprising (and inconvenient) attraction.Before long, Sam finds herself outfitted with a wire at dinner, nearly run over by a car, and shot at by a trained sniper. Her carefully constructed existence, post-divorce, begins to crumble as the widow of one of the victims refuses to leave her alone, her ex-husband begins stalking her and Ben’s sexy crime fighting skills cause a mild anxiety attack. When key evidence shows up linking Samantha to the murders, things become much more sinister. With the help of her best friend Maxie, Sam will tap into reserves of inner strength left scarce after her wrenching divorce and will have to use more than her considerable wit to stay alive.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
56 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Evan Katy
7 books62 followersEvan Katy was born and raised in Southern California. True to her roots she frequently visits Disneyland with her children, loves the Dodgers, and relaxes to the sound of ocean waves. She is currently busy writing the continuing adventures of Samantha Rialto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 14, 2012
Very sophomoric, with poor development of characters, and a potentially exciting plot ruined by too much repetitive behavior, and too much sarcasm by the characters. The ending is not to be believed, but unfortunately you have to read the entire novel to "get it". Fortunately, I only wasted two days reading this, as it is an easy read. Unfortunately, I could have spent those same two days doing something more productive.
November 29, 2011
It took less than two pages and I was in love with Samantha Rialto and this book. Many times I found myself I was laughing so hard and loud my children came in just to make sure I was ok. Everyone says they find a book that they can't put down, but don't literally mean they couldn't put it down. I have to say this book I REALLY couldn't put down. I stayed up reading it and found myself in the middle of the night purchasing the second book in the series because I couldn't get enough.
Sam is a music teacher who has taken up surveillance photography to help make ends meet after her nasty divorce from an abusing cop-killing husband. The sad fact is that her husband was a cop at the time he killed a fellow officer, and he was drunk. Even sadder was the fact that Sam let him leave the house drunk, in order to keep from getting a beating, and many other officers blame her just as much as him. All this doesn't help when the cheating husband Sam is following for a client winds up dead while she is on the scene. In comes hot and hunky Ben Parker, Sam's ex-husband's ex-partner. Sam feels he hates her, but soon discovers quite to the contrary as she finds herself knee deep in this mess he becomes very overprotective of her. Who wouldn't want Mr. Hot as their protector? I know I would. Now Sam and Ben go up and down on a crazy roller coaster ride that has so many twists and curves that you will never guess what is coming next. Add in one hell-on-wheels best friend, Maxie, who likes violence a little too much, and you get one hell of a good read.
Sam is a music teacher who has taken up surveillance photography to help make ends meet after her nasty divorce from an abusing cop-killing husband. The sad fact is that her husband was a cop at the time he killed a fellow officer, and he was drunk. Even sadder was the fact that Sam let him leave the house drunk, in order to keep from getting a beating, and many other officers blame her just as much as him. All this doesn't help when the cheating husband Sam is following for a client winds up dead while she is on the scene. In comes hot and hunky Ben Parker, Sam's ex-husband's ex-partner. Sam feels he hates her, but soon discovers quite to the contrary as she finds herself knee deep in this mess he becomes very overprotective of her. Who wouldn't want Mr. Hot as their protector? I know I would. Now Sam and Ben go up and down on a crazy roller coaster ride that has so many twists and curves that you will never guess what is coming next. Add in one hell-on-wheels best friend, Maxie, who likes violence a little too much, and you get one hell of a good read.
November 27, 2011
January Kills Me by Evan Katy was a real find on Kindle at a low price. Samantha Rialto, middle school music teacher, is trying to pick up some extra cash after her divorce from her abusive ex-cop husband. She decides to employ her photographic skills by following cheating husbands and providing evidence to the wives. After witnessing the murder of a client's husband and his paid "date", she finds herself in a whole lot of trouble and on the run from the killer, who now wants her dead.
Samantha is a very endearing and funny, if klutzy, heroine. She is surrounded by a well drawn cast of eccentric characters including her ex-husband's former partner, who had no idea that she had been abused. Several murders and hair-raising scrapes later, the killers came as a complete surprise to me! I have already downloaded the second book in this series.
Samantha is a very endearing and funny, if klutzy, heroine. She is surrounded by a well drawn cast of eccentric characters including her ex-husband's former partner, who had no idea that she had been abused. Several murders and hair-raising scrapes later, the killers came as a complete surprise to me! I have already downloaded the second book in this series.
December 28, 2011
If this is the first in a series of monthly murder mysteries, I'm in. The characters are well developed, the story line has enough changes to keep the reader guessing, and the language is well written. That the main character is a middle school music teacher is another hook for me. I read it in two days, and enjoyed every moment. The question now is whether I read the February book right away or whether I'll save it until early February ...
October 21, 2011
What a fun read. Looking forward to the next book!
February 23, 2019
I have waited soooo long to reconnect with samantha rialto!! Re-reading first three ( January, February, March) then on to more by Evan Katy , whom I adore! She & c.j. Box are my new favorite authors!!!!
I have waited soooo long to reconnect with samantha rialto!! Re-reading first three ( January, February, March) then on to more by Evan Katy , whom I adore! She & c.j. Box are my new favorite authors!!!!
I have waited soooo long to reconnect with samantha rialto!! Re-reading first three ( January, February, March) then on to more by Evan Katy , whom I adore! She & c.j. Box are my new favorite authors!!!!
August 5, 2017
Maybe I'll be generous and say 2.5. I liked it at times. The characters had potential but they never seemed to really develop. Some scenes just went on for too long such as Sam trying to get out of a chair at Maxie's. The mystery could have been solved sooner also. Even though there were twists I wasn't on the edge of my seat, more like all right get it over with.
October 20, 2017
An interesting comedic mystery
So I love the plot and idea of the book but Sam was just okay for me. She just was too much of a bumbling stumbling mess. I can see being that way some of the time but not constantly. I love her friend Maxie and Ben seems okay but very wishy washy.
So I love the plot and idea of the book but Sam was just okay for me. She just was too much of a bumbling stumbling mess. I can see being that way some of the time but not constantly. I love her friend Maxie and Ben seems okay but very wishy washy.
November 5, 2023
January Kills Me
If it wasn't for bad luck she'd have no luck at all. How a simp!e assignment blew up so huge that there was no way I could conclude the ending. I'm not a mystery buff but this was interesting.
If it wasn't for bad luck she'd have no luck at all. How a simp!e assignment blew up so huge that there was no way I could conclude the ending. I'm not a mystery buff but this was interesting.
August 13, 2020
A new "gotta read more of her" book!
Really really enjoyed this. Good exciting story line. Good rounded characters. Fast paced! I'm on to the next one about February!
Really really enjoyed this. Good exciting story line. Good rounded characters. Fast paced! I'm on to the next one about February!
January 14, 2014
Samantha Rialto, middle school music teacher, is trying to pick up some extra cash after her divorce from her abusive ex-cop husband. She has a fear of moths and tries hard to do the right thing but ends up making a mess of everything. She decides to employ her photographic skills by following cheating husbands and providing evidence to the wives. After witnessing the murder of a client's husband and his paid "date", she finds herself in a whole lot of trouble and on the run from the killer, who now wants her dead.
Evan Katy created a loveable and funny heroine who is surrounded by a cast people who could be your best friends. Sam find herself in the middle of a mystery she wants nothing to do with but can't get away from because the Killer seems to be attacking everyone she knows or cares about. Ben Parker Sam's ex Husbands partner cares for Sam but never asked the right questions when her ex-husband drunkenly killed another cop and now are forced together and he is asking the right questions causing Sam to tell him the truth about what happened to her marriage. Ben finds himself drawn to Sam hoping to keep her safe and possible romance.
Sam has an inner monolog that seems to be vocalized causing the reader to laugh out loud and enjoy the funny places Sam finds herself.
Their is a romance triangle but its more fun to read causing for some good laughs.
Maxie Sam's best friend is every girls best friend and someone you want by you side though thick and thin. She is a strong person who keep Sam sane when she feels she is losing her mind and well protect Sam at all cost. Maxie brilliant but also very feisty and wants nothing more than to kick someone butt to prove she is scary.
As I finished the book I was excited to find there were two more and I quickly bought them and enjoy reading them from beginning and end and can't wait to see what happens next to Sam, Maxie, Ben and the rest of the cast who you can't help but fall in love with.
This book is a laugh out loud fun read with dark moments that are lighten with humor. The reader will find themselves reading this book over and over again. The reader will never guess who the murder(s) are until the end of the book and even than she keeps you guessing until the last page. I couldn't put this book down even if I wanted to because it drew me in from the first chapter with the attack of the moth to the very end.
The book is .99 one kindle Amazon and well worth it and more.
Evan Katy created a loveable and funny heroine who is surrounded by a cast people who could be your best friends. Sam find herself in the middle of a mystery she wants nothing to do with but can't get away from because the Killer seems to be attacking everyone she knows or cares about. Ben Parker Sam's ex Husbands partner cares for Sam but never asked the right questions when her ex-husband drunkenly killed another cop and now are forced together and he is asking the right questions causing Sam to tell him the truth about what happened to her marriage. Ben finds himself drawn to Sam hoping to keep her safe and possible romance.
Sam has an inner monolog that seems to be vocalized causing the reader to laugh out loud and enjoy the funny places Sam finds herself.
Their is a romance triangle but its more fun to read causing for some good laughs.
Maxie Sam's best friend is every girls best friend and someone you want by you side though thick and thin. She is a strong person who keep Sam sane when she feels she is losing her mind and well protect Sam at all cost. Maxie brilliant but also very feisty and wants nothing more than to kick someone butt to prove she is scary.
As I finished the book I was excited to find there were two more and I quickly bought them and enjoy reading them from beginning and end and can't wait to see what happens next to Sam, Maxie, Ben and the rest of the cast who you can't help but fall in love with.
This book is a laugh out loud fun read with dark moments that are lighten with humor. The reader will find themselves reading this book over and over again. The reader will never guess who the murder(s) are until the end of the book and even than she keeps you guessing until the last page. I couldn't put this book down even if I wanted to because it drew me in from the first chapter with the attack of the moth to the very end.
The book is .99 one kindle Amazon and well worth it and more.
May 12, 2014
I had this book recommended to me as an alternative to Stephanie Plum. Unfortunately, while I liked the main character at first, she quickly became bothersome. I loved her issues with her ex-husband. It was heartbreaking and sad, and I just wanted to hug her. The mystery was okay, but not well crafted -- when she's trying to remember who might be upset at her, she remembers everyone BUT THE VERY OBVIOUS PERSON! She doesn't even dismiss her. She just doesn't remember until it's made obvious.
Normally, this would get 3 stars, but the following points reduced it to 2 points.
- She is too much of a victim, and constantly the damsel in distress. She freaks out, has histrionics one moment, and the next is "I'm a strong independent woman." TOO much is too much. Which leads us to our next point...
- She often suffers from the Too Stupid to Live syndrome and it made me groan.
- The police was rather permissive about having her involved in the crime. Yes, she's known to them, but still.
- All the important breakthroughs are given to her via someone else. Most of the time, she's reactive and not active, and doesn't find anything particularly important. The few meaningful discoveries she makes are most out of luck and are forced in (really? A vault hidden in a closet and the police missed it? Really!?)
- Everybody loves her. She's constantly drooled on, even students HIT on her. Really?
Normally, this would get 3 stars, but the following points reduced it to 2 points.
- She is too much of a victim, and constantly the damsel in distress. She freaks out, has histrionics one moment, and the next is "I'm a strong independent woman." TOO much is too much. Which leads us to our next point...
- She often suffers from the Too Stupid to Live syndrome and it made me groan.
- The police was rather permissive about having her involved in the crime. Yes, she's known to them, but still.
- All the important breakthroughs are given to her via someone else. Most of the time, she's reactive and not active, and doesn't find anything particularly important. The few meaningful discoveries she makes are most out of luck and are forced in (really? A vault hidden in a closet and the police missed it? Really!?)
- Everybody loves her. She's constantly drooled on, even students HIT on her. Really?
March 15, 2014
I tried really hard to finish this book, but I just could not stand it any longer. The story is so beyond unbelievable it is laughable. There are so many errors in the writing, for instance in one case the author wrote tine instead of time. If it was just that one or two I could overlook it, but it happened often. Then there is the plot, no cop would let a civilian into a crime scene, touch evidence, and walk around on their own! To make matters worse the main detective keeps flirting with her, and kissing her. The romance part would not have bothered me so much if Samantha was not so immature. She is always thinking things yet says them out loud, smacks her head, says blah blah blah, and is always talking about how hot Ben is at the most inappropriate times. I got 70% of the way through this and jut gave up. I could finish the rest quickly, but I just do not care who did what, or how anyone ended up. This has to be the worst mystery novel I have ever read, and I love mysteries.
November 25, 2011
"January Kills Me" is about a middle school music teacher whose side job involves playing a snoop. She takes pictures of husbands having affairs, people stealing old lady's paintings, the kind of thing. Several notes:
1. The protagonist was charmingly funny at the start but her clumsiness and constant hysteria wore on really quickly.
2. Sam keeps "thinking" stuff, only she isn't thinking them but rather saying them out loud each time. I can understand this happening once or twice, but, come on.
3. She's allowed to be way too involved with the case.
4. The villain is unbelievable.
5. Sam reminds me of those horror movie girls who act too stupid to live. She will feel right at home in those movies.
6. Maxie is funny.
The book is not terrible. Sam is funny, for the most part, and I like Ben.
1. The protagonist was charmingly funny at the start but her clumsiness and constant hysteria wore on really quickly.
2. Sam keeps "thinking" stuff, only she isn't thinking them but rather saying them out loud each time. I can understand this happening once or twice, but, come on.
3. She's allowed to be way too involved with the case.
4. The villain is unbelievable.
5. Sam reminds me of those horror movie girls who act too stupid to live. She will feel right at home in those movies.
6. Maxie is funny.
The book is not terrible. Sam is funny, for the most part, and I like Ben.
October 11, 2011
Samantha Rialto isn't an intentional investigator - she's just a middle school music teacher...sort of. She takes photographs on the side for extra money and this time it leads to quite an adventure with murder in the middle of it all. Evan Katy spins a great tale and you really like Samantha. She's vulnerable, but strong without being obnoxiously in your face, like a lot of fictional women P.I.'s. There's murder, a scary ex-husband, a handsome police detective, a quirky friend and all kinds of good story in this book. Very, very much enjoyed it and immediately downloaded the next book in this "monthly" series.
January 10, 2013
There was a lot going on in JANUARY KILLS ME, mystery, adventure, comedy, relationships and a touch of romance - but not too much as there is the ex-husband on the scene. The story was fast paced, plausible and had humor even amongst the edge of the seat stuff. Samantha is not a stupid woman but is definitely stubborn and not one to take things lying down. At great risk to life and limb, and ably supported by her ex-military best friend Maxie and her ex-husbands partner Ben Samantha solves the mystery of who killed the cheating husband and why. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to read it, JANUARY KILLS ME is entertaining and fun with an edge.
January 30, 2012
Absolutely a fun read! Perfect one to dive into after I re-read One for the Money. Mystery, murder, mayhem, romance and disaster! Three cheers to author Evan Katy... I can't wait to sink my teeth into A Bomb in February. Simply a pleasure to read plus this title had me giggling out loud! I loved that!
July 3, 2013
I heard about this book from a Stephanie Plum group. I thought it was worth checking out. After the first chapter I was hooked. It took me only a day from start to end to finish the book.
I did get rather confused with the over simplified names of the characters. They all kind of just gelled together (Harry, Bob, Maxie, Doug, Susie, etc). Every time they mentioned someone other than Sam or Maxie, I had to think who the hell is this.
All and all it was a pretty good book, a lot of LOL moments. No Stephanie Plum, but still a very good light hearted read.
I did get rather confused with the over simplified names of the characters. They all kind of just gelled together (Harry, Bob, Maxie, Doug, Susie, etc). Every time they mentioned someone other than Sam or Maxie, I had to think who the hell is this.
All and all it was a pretty good book, a lot of LOL moments. No Stephanie Plum, but still a very good light hearted read.
February 1, 2014
Samantha Rialto is not your typical middle school music teacher. To earn extra money, she takes surveillance photos for clients, until the night she is taking her photos and two people are killed. It causes Samantha to interact with her ex husband's partner, Ben Parker. Sparks fly between them as they try to uncover who killed an unfaithful man and his daughter. And, how Samantha is involved without knowing why. The characters are amusing and quirky. As they slowly uncover the truth about the people murdered and the murderer.
December 28, 2012
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and the character of Sam Rialto. The author wrote her with the right amount of hilarious insights worthy of a woman in her stinky position. I loved her inner banter as she observes how sexy Ben is or the dangerous situations she is in...spot on with my inner dialogue! I look forward to leading the discussion on this one and hearing how others reacted to the story.
November 4, 2011
Another cheap/free Kindle download. Once again, consider the rating within the genre, which is the double whammy of "amateur female sleuth" and "romantic thriller". (Otherwise this would barely be a 3.)
Not as fluffy as yer typical amateur female sleuth book. I'd probably read another if it were cheap enough or lying around.
Update: couldn't live with the 4 stars, downgraded to 3.
Not as fluffy as yer typical amateur female sleuth book. I'd probably read another if it were cheap enough or lying around.
Update: couldn't live with the 4 stars, downgraded to 3.
December 1, 2011
Very cute book! I will definitely be buying more of Katy's books. I hope Sam keeps snooping past February!
Overall, the book is a light, amusing read. It read fast. There were a lot of characters that were reasonably well developed. The plot had twists in it, so while predictable in some areas, I did get a curveball a couple of time. Evan Katy will be on my list of authors to repurchase.
Overall, the book is a light, amusing read. It read fast. There were a lot of characters that were reasonably well developed. The plot had twists in it, so while predictable in some areas, I did get a curveball a couple of time. Evan Katy will be on my list of authors to repurchase.
December 30, 2011
I really liked this book, and found the main character to be very well written and believable. However, the mystery itself was not wrapped up well- I found myself poking all sorts of holes in the explanations, and felt like some basic questions were never really answered.
I have already bought the sequel, so liked it enough to give the author another try.
I have already bought the sequel, so liked it enough to give the author another try.
November 22, 2011
Picked this up as another el-cheapo Kindle book. Very cute book, predictable and fluffy but definitely cute and with some funny moments. The main character was funny, likeable, and realistic, which I liked, but definitely the storyline and outcome were predictable.
December 14, 2011
This was a great story. It was fun, suspensful, kept you guessing and almost completely clean. Evan slipped a few swear words in that for me detracted from the story. They are the only reason I rated it 4 stars instead of 5.
June 19, 2012
Very good book. A bunch of plot twists and turns that kept me interested right until the end. It had a little bit of everything for everyone including action, mystery, love story, etc.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone interested in mysteries.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone interested in mysteries.
January 13, 2013
Actual Rating: ***1/2
There was almost too much going on in this story, but I really liked these characters and look forward to reading more in this series.
And the extra 1/2* was simply because this book was the one that finally got me out of my New Year's reading slump!
There was almost too much going on in this story, but I really liked these characters and look forward to reading more in this series.
And the extra 1/2* was simply because this book was the one that finally got me out of my New Year's reading slump!
February 28, 2013
The book gets better after you get used to the flippant, catty sense of humor the main character has, a school teacher who moonlights as a photographer. There is romance thrown in for excitement, and a believable plot. It's a good book to read to pass the winter nights.
January 21, 2014
Great book
this was a good read, not too intense but kept you interested. Reminded me a little of Stephanie Plum, somehow Samantha was always in the wrong place at the right time, very funny! Can't wait to read the next installment.
this was a good read, not too intense but kept you interested. Reminded me a little of Stephanie Plum, somehow Samantha was always in the wrong place at the right time, very funny! Can't wait to read the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews