Women are missing and dying in the Triangle area of North Carolina. One woman holds the key to why.
With the conclusion of the Y-Man murders nine months ago and her resignation from the FBI, Former Special Agent and Behavioral Analyst, Rainey Bell has finally found peace and contentment she never thought possible, even if she remains a bit paranoid. Her wariness is well-founded and justified when a monster from her past rears his demonic head.
Rainey has faced death and evil before – alone. Now it’s different – she has a family to protect, her own. Only Rainey can keep them alive. Or can she?
How did a girl from the Outer Banks of North Carolina end up writing contemporary women's fiction in Oklahoma? Well, there has to be a woman involved. Bradshaw began her writing career in 2010, after leaving Theatre and teaching. Since then, her novels ranging from the popular romance, Waking Up Gray, to the Lambda Literary Award Finalists, thriller Rainey Nights and mystery Molly: House on Fire, have remained among Amazon’s bestsellers in lesbian fiction. All of Bradshaw’s books, thus far, are set in her beloved home state of North Carolina. She was transplanted from the coast to the Heartland by the love of her life, an Oklahoma girl, with whom she celebrate twenty-five years in June 2013. They have a son, Jon, and share their home with two dogs and two cats.
4,5 stars Frankly I'm not a big fan of Katie (she's a bit too hot headed for my tastes), but I still love this book. The pacing of this thriller was on point, dare I say better than in the first book and even the romance part improved (in the first book I didn't like how quickly and issue-free it all happened, so it was fun reading about what happened when the rose-colored glasses dropped and real life came knocking).
I'm not a big fan of Criminal Minds - type mysteries, but this one was very well done. Ms Bradshaw is a skilled writer, and the narrator was a pleasant and versatile story teller. I'd say you can read or listen to this without reading book 1 first, but knowing how it all started will make this one more enjoyable.
Ok, I need Xanax! This was non-stop anxiety! Great writing, as usual, Ms. R.E. Bradshaw. And thanks for adding to my paranoia!
Decky did a wonderful job pulling the reader in. I think this sequel could be read without having read the first book, but it is best to read them in order. The characters are well developed, the plots and subplot move you to a satisfying end, all threads tied off properly.
I highly recommend the Rainey Mysteries to everyone.
Absolutely loved the dialogue and the relationships in this book. As sequels go it exceeded my expectations and they were very high. We reread this series many times.
The rushing of their relationship, children and the learning curve of the two was interesting. And having read the third book I can see the more positive effects their confrontations had on a more cohesive unit. But I still tended to yell that they were both in the wrong constantly and am glad in the following book they have a better handle on work and safety. But Finally we get to read more about Rainey's career and my was that eye opening. I found I focused more on the killers then the relationship of the two women in this book. It was just such a good crime that I had a couple of 'I know who it is' moments only to have it be a great reveal.
En el libro anterior, casi desde el principio se intuye quién es el asesino, pero ni Rainey ni el FBI para el que trabajó y que se dedican justo a perfilar se enteran. En este libro ocurre casi lo mismo, encuentran 2 mujeres lesbianas muertas, Rainey y Danny se preguntan cómo haría un HOMBRE para atraer a una lesbiana... Y más adelante, teniendo toda la historia de una persona, en la que hay banderas rojas por todos lados, hacen la vista gorda. Es una lástima porque todo el resto es interesante, pero es frustrante porque la protagonista y el FBI deberían ser más avispados.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Rainey Nights by R. E. Bradshaw is the fantastic second book in the Rainey Bell Series. It's been 9 months since the events in the first book in the series, Rainey Days, and Rainey is settling into her new life with Katie Meyers. She's hired extra help in her bail bondsman business so she can spend more time with Katie, they're building a new house, and talking of extending their family. Life is finally good.
Unfortunately, the past has a way of intruding and a series of murders, copying one of her previous FBI cases, brings danger back into her life. When it becomes obvious that the copycat is targeting her, she needs to find the strength to keep Katie safe and insulated from the darkness of her previous life. This isn't easy when you're dealing with a headstrong partner and Rainey will need to compromise and make adjustments to her life as she's forced to step back into a job she thought she'd left long ago.
Though Rainey and Katie's love is the backdrop to the story, Rainey Nights is at heart a thriller. We get a glimpse into the life Rainey led when she was with the FBI and the human depravity she had to deal with constantly, which helps to show exactly what she's trying to protect Katie from. Though there are some really brutal scenes, they fit in the context of the story to help show the evilness that Rainey knows lives in the world.
The mystery of just who the serial killer could be is well written. There are enough misleads to keep you guessing, yet enough establishment of who it is, that when it is revealed, it isn't totally out of left field. Normally I pick it out pretty early in the story, but Bradshaw had me going to right near the end.
Rainey and Katie's relationship is put to the test and both characters grow and compromise through the book, though I wanted to boot Katie in the behind a few times. All the supporting characters are back, Ernie, Mackie, Danny, Freddie, and others, and help to add their own charm to the story.
Rainey Nights is yet another well written book from Bradshaw. Although it could stand on it's own, having read the first book in the series would definitely add to your reading pleasure, as you'd have a greater understanding of the nuances of the behaviours and interactions of all the characters. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the Rainey Bell Series.
Rainey Bell is a former Special Agent and Behavioral Analyst with the FBI. She has just started to settle down after the conclusion of her last case and her retirement 9 months ago. Her and her girlfriend, Katie Meyers, are even planning on having a baby. That doesn't mean Rainey has let down her guard. Katie may think Rainey is extremely paranoid but Rainey's caution is needed when a serial killer from Rainey's past sets his eyes on revenge. Rainey has to set personal life aside to find and stop a new threat to her family well-being; this takes a toll on her and Katie's fast-moving relationship.
Rainey Nights is the second book in the Rainey Bell series. Rainey Days was the first and told of how a request from a friend brought Rainey back into the life of serial murderers and rapists, while also bringing Katie Meyers into her life. Katie has given Rainey a peace and happiness that she never believed she could experience. This thriller will continue their tale. Rainey Nights is a great story but does not end up being much of a suspense. It's pretty easy to figure out who the serial killer is but the tale still leaves you wanting more of Rainey and Katie. It will definitely lead you to reading the first in the series if you haven't already done so.
This book grabbed me from the first page and never let me go. I knew bad things were going to happen to good people – I just couldn’t figure out to whom and when. The main characters, Rainey and Katie, are in a new relationship and that’s hard enough without someone trying to kill you, too. Plus, they’re trying to figure out their careers, how to live together, planning a new house, trying to have a baby, and did I mention this is their first woman-to-woman relationship? Not much going on. I love Bradshaw’s writing style – it’s dialogue rich, has vivid scenery, and enough southern-sweet drawl to make you crave a fountain-drawn cherry Coca Cola. This is the sixth book of hers that I have devoured, and I hope she writes many, many more.
Bonus Points for Bradshaw – you get your money’s worth page-wise. This is a “big book” – not one of those skinny novellas you pay full price to read. I appreciate that Bradshaw doesn’t take shortcuts to tell the story fast rather than fully.
A serial killer on the loose, it’s up to the FBI Behavioural Analysis Unit to advise the police what sort of person they are looking for and where to focus their search.
Here Rainey Bell is working for the FBI before “Rainey Days” but then jumps to the present where she is settling down with Katie.
This is a much more complex thriller than “Rainey Days” and keeps Rainey and Katie constantly in danger, fighting for their lives. Yes, I did get out of bed to check the door bolts and window locks !!
I loved the way the relationship between Rainey and Katie develops, especially as the initial honeymoon glow wears off and the reality of their situation pulls on their commitment to each other.
Bradshaw also explores the tension between law enforcement officers and their families, could you live in a relationship where you never knew if your partner was going to come home ?
After the first brutal chapters, which detail a case Rainey was working on in the past, we're thrown back to the present, 9 months after the Y-man killer case. At first I was a bit afraid we were getting a story about domestic bliss and pregnancy angst, but the story kicks off into hyperdrive after Rainey gets involved in a case resembling much of the case we were introduced to.
A case that puts severe pressure on Rainey's and Katie's relationship and plans.
This was truly a thriller which kept me glued to the pages, as Rainey goes through hell keeping both her and Katie safe. You have to read about it yourself.
R.E. Bradshaw shows a detailed picture of the minds od psychopaths and the inner workings of the FBI.
I didn't see the end coming, but in all honesty, some of it felt a bit unnecessary. But the ride up to it was totally worth it.
I read both books Rainey Days and Rainey Nights… Thoroughly enjoy R.E. Bradshaw style of writing, I liked the characters and how their relationships developed. Katie Meyers and her need to cook and feed everyone is something I really related to, some of the best conversations take place in the kitchen… I particularly like that in Rainey Days. I would love more of Rainey Bell Special Agent, settling down to family life is a little too perfect for me in Rainey Nights… could be that I really want more of Rainey Bell Special Agent … but I have to say this was one scary book my senses where on hyper alert! Great writing, both books are on my all-time favourite bookshelf. Nice cover artwork!
I downloaded this book before I finished the first part of the Rainey Bell season. I was so hooked up, I didn't want to risk to be without internet access (I was on vacation at that time) and be without a new Rainey Bell book for a day. Like the first book, the second didn't disappoint me. Rainey and Katie are settling in, working on their relationship and plans for a family. Meanwhile somebody is killing in the triangle area and Rainey better has to find out who before she and her family are at risk too.
Read this at your own risk, keep the lights on and make sure your doors are all locked becuase what is written will scare you. The mystery is deep and the character development unfolds as the story progresses. Rainey Bell is my favorite FBI agent and is the everyday bad ass chick. The underlying love story is a bonus to the crime drama. Must read!
Another great book, that I couldn't put down. The plot in this one was not quite as obvious as in Rainey Days. I'm not sure Rainey could frustrate me more than she does, with all her training the woman listens to no one !!! Would love to see a book with a full cross over between Rainey/ Kate and Molly
Rainey Bell is back. Is another good mystery from Miss Bradshaw. The relationships from the previous book are familiar and comfortable. the story is gruesome and exciting. there is little sex but the relationship is loving. Good follow-up to first Rainey Bell book.
I liked the more indepth murder mystery in this book, with the triangle being the background. I hope there will be more Rainey in the future. Wonder how she will take care of triplets?
Again, R E Bradshaw is writing great lesbian fiction! This book couldn't be put down. Thanks to my friend who recommended her. Now reading her "the Girl Back Home."
like the first, i read this book almost in one sitting The Bradshaw has a talent at pulling the reader in. and getting extremely attached to the characters and their love story