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Shana Merchant #4
The Kind to Kill
A missing tourist spells trouble for Senior Investigator Shana Merchant in this page-turning twisty mystery set in an atmospheric island community with a small-town vibe.
Former NYPD detective Shana Merchant is a skilled Senior Investigator keeping New York's beautiful Thousand Islands community safe. She's a loving partner. A strong woman. A survivor.
She's also bound by blood to a serial killer. And after months of concealing the truth from the world as she hunted Blake Bram down, her secret is finally out.
Shana just wants to get on with her life and win back her community's trust. But as Alexandria Bay fills up with tourists in advance of the annual festival known as Pirate Days, a visitor goes missing, and the case threatens to destroy not just the celebrations, but what remains of Shana's reputation.
Shana's not to blame for the killer in her family, but people are starting to whisper that she attracts trouble. That A-Bay was safer before she arrived. And as the investigation deepens, Shana starts to fear that they may be right.
Because while Bram is gone, he is far from forgotten.
The Shana Merchant novels are a brilliant blend of chilling psychological thriller and gripping police procedural, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Thousand Islands.
Former NYPD detective Shana Merchant is a skilled Senior Investigator keeping New York's beautiful Thousand Islands community safe. She's a loving partner. A strong woman. A survivor.
She's also bound by blood to a serial killer. And after months of concealing the truth from the world as she hunted Blake Bram down, her secret is finally out.
Shana just wants to get on with her life and win back her community's trust. But as Alexandria Bay fills up with tourists in advance of the annual festival known as Pirate Days, a visitor goes missing, and the case threatens to destroy not just the celebrations, but what remains of Shana's reputation.
Shana's not to blame for the killer in her family, but people are starting to whisper that she attracts trouble. That A-Bay was safer before she arrived. And as the investigation deepens, Shana starts to fear that they may be right.
Because while Bram is gone, he is far from forgotten.
The Shana Merchant novels are a brilliant blend of chilling psychological thriller and gripping police procedural, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Thousand Islands.
256 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2022
45 people are currently reading
4380 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Wegert
8 books674 followersTessa Wegert is the critically acclaimed author of the Shana Merchant mysteries, as well as the North Country series. Her books have received numerous starred reviews and have been featured on PBS and NPR Radio. A former journalist and copywriter, Tessa grew up in Quebec and now lives with her husband and children in Connecticut, where she co-founded Sisters in Crime CT and serves on the board of International Thriller Writers (ITW).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
November 28, 2022
To begin--this is a series that you need to read in order. There's an ongoing thread that will make very little sense if you jump in with a later book, you need the progression. That's not to say you won't get what is going on, but it sure won't have the impact unless you've traveled the long road with Shana up until this point.
We move through two story threads in this book. One, Shana is dealing with some repercussions after Bram's death with her family, her community, and the family members of one of his other victims. People aren't quick to let things go. Two, a man in town reports his wife missing and Shana and her team need to find out what happened to her. Does it have some connection to Shana's past?
I liked this installment better than the third one. I felt like it had more surprises and the mystery case kept my interest. The ending made me a little teary! I'm not sure if this series will continue or not, but there's always more to explore with a police procedural crew even though we've now left the serial killer angle behind.
I do wish this series had better covers. I like the first one, but the rest are not eye-catching and don't really represent the storylines very well, especially this latest one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
We move through two story threads in this book. One, Shana is dealing with some repercussions after Bram's death with her family, her community, and the family members of one of his other victims. People aren't quick to let things go. Two, a man in town reports his wife missing and Shana and her team need to find out what happened to her. Does it have some connection to Shana's past?
I liked this installment better than the third one. I felt like it had more surprises and the mystery case kept my interest. The ending made me a little teary! I'm not sure if this series will continue or not, but there's always more to explore with a police procedural crew even though we've now left the serial killer angle behind.
I do wish this series had better covers. I like the first one, but the rest are not eye-catching and don't really represent the storylines very well, especially this latest one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 11, 2022
Thank you Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
SYNOPSIS
Shana Merchant is just tryna live her life when a visitor goes busy on the eve of Pirate Day – a huge tourist event for the A-Bay. But as she digs deeper and connections are surfaced, Merchant wonders if she'll ever be rid of her bad reputation.
MY OPINION
Did I read books 1-3? No lmao. Did this impact my ability to understand the overarching storylines? No. I'm a seasoned vet at jumping in mid/end of series.
Anyways, I'm having a hard time rating this because I don't think the book was bad at all, it just simply was not for me. The writing was great, the storyline juicy. But I felt like I was taking the 30-minute scenic route to get somewhere that would take me 5 mins if I cut through some back alleys. I think this literary "stroll" would be better suited for people with the patience to meander through the text to get to the action.
A lot of time is spent on backstories and sceneries. Usually I enjoy character building, but once again, this was like watching an arthritic 90-yr-old put together a dollhouse. You can't blame them for being slow, and the dollhouse is beautiful in the end, but I am a greasy toddler who wants to slam that shit together in about 5 mis. I know nothing I'm saying is making sense... BUT THIS IS MY TRUTH LOL.
Ultimately I wouldn't advise someone NOT to read this, but you've been warned: this is a SLOW burn.
PROS AND CONS:
Pros: interesting case, writing quality is great
Cons: very, very slow burn, a lot of scenic details, a lot of inner dialogue and lamenting
SYNOPSIS
Shana Merchant is just tryna live her life when a visitor goes busy on the eve of Pirate Day – a huge tourist event for the A-Bay. But as she digs deeper and connections are surfaced, Merchant wonders if she'll ever be rid of her bad reputation.
MY OPINION
Did I read books 1-3? No lmao. Did this impact my ability to understand the overarching storylines? No. I'm a seasoned vet at jumping in mid/end of series.
Anyways, I'm having a hard time rating this because I don't think the book was bad at all, it just simply was not for me. The writing was great, the storyline juicy. But I felt like I was taking the 30-minute scenic route to get somewhere that would take me 5 mins if I cut through some back alleys. I think this literary "stroll" would be better suited for people with the patience to meander through the text to get to the action.
A lot of time is spent on backstories and sceneries. Usually I enjoy character building, but once again, this was like watching an arthritic 90-yr-old put together a dollhouse. You can't blame them for being slow, and the dollhouse is beautiful in the end, but I am a greasy toddler who wants to slam that shit together in about 5 mis. I know nothing I'm saying is making sense... BUT THIS IS MY TRUTH LOL.
Ultimately I wouldn't advise someone NOT to read this, but you've been warned: this is a SLOW burn.
PROS AND CONS:
Pros: interesting case, writing quality is great
Cons: very, very slow burn, a lot of scenic details, a lot of inner dialogue and lamenting
December 4, 2024
The Kind to Kill is the 4th-book in Tessa Wegert's Crime Fiction/Police Procedural series, Shana Merchant.
If you are unfamiliar, these books follow Senior Investigator, Shana Merchant, who at the start of the series transferred from the NYPD to the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York. She does this after a horrendous run-in with a serial killer.
Initially, Shana is looking for a slower pace then her NYPD position. Alas, it seems murder and mayhem follow her everywhere she goes.
I definitely recommend starting at the beginning of this series and working your way through. Although, like many Adult Mystery, or Police Procedural series, you can read any of the books as standalones, or start anywhere along the line, I feel like this series has the greatest impact if you begin with book one, Death in the Family.
In this installment, it's mid-summer and Alexandria Bay is gearing up for their popular Pirate Days event. The town floods with tourists eagerly anticipating the fun-filled annual festival.
Shana is still reeling from the events at the conclusion of book three, but she is hoping things will settle down soon enough. Maybe the Pirate Days are just what the community needs to distract their attention away from her and the high profile Blake Bram case for a bit.
Unfortunately, when a tourist named Rebecca, visiting the area with her husband, mysteriously disappears, Shana and her team realize this isn't going to be a normal, relaxed community event.
Their resulting investigation could put a dark cloud directly over Pirate Days, a fact members of the local government aren't too happy about. Shana refuses to back down though. Time is of the essence here and they need to find Rebecca; community reputation be damned.
As the investigation digs in, Shana begins to realize a lot of the evidence is reminiscent of the serial killer murders in New York she was involved in. Is it mere coincidence, or has someone targeted the area, targeted Shana, on purpose?
Does A-Bay have a full-fledged copy-cat on their hands?
As with the earlier books, I really enjoyed this one. Wegert has done a great job building out Shana's character and backstory. In fact, it is a central theme throughout all the books in the series.
The beginning of this had a bit of a slow start for me. There was quite a bit of exploration of the community outlook and others opinions of Shana, her connection to Blake Bram and whether or not she had a culpability in his crimes.
For me, we sort of dug into that side of the story a bit too much at the beginning of this, when I would have preferred the focus to be more on the investigation into Rebecca's disappearance.
With this being said, once the investigation does really get underway, I was hooked. I'm hooked into Shana's personal story as well, don't get me wrong, it just felt a little uneven there in the beginning.
The intensity of the case continues to build throughout the book, as more people get involved, including the complicated family of one of Shana's team members. There were some clever red herrings placed throughout and I enjoyed guessing at what the final outcome would be.
Spoiler Alert: I didn't guess correctly!
I'm so excited by the ending of this one. Nice set-up, Wegert! I cannot wait for the next book. Already! It's true, I'm totally invested in this series.
Thank you to the publisher, Severn House, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
If you are unfamiliar, these books follow Senior Investigator, Shana Merchant, who at the start of the series transferred from the NYPD to the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York. She does this after a horrendous run-in with a serial killer.
Initially, Shana is looking for a slower pace then her NYPD position. Alas, it seems murder and mayhem follow her everywhere she goes.
I definitely recommend starting at the beginning of this series and working your way through. Although, like many Adult Mystery, or Police Procedural series, you can read any of the books as standalones, or start anywhere along the line, I feel like this series has the greatest impact if you begin with book one, Death in the Family.
In this installment, it's mid-summer and Alexandria Bay is gearing up for their popular Pirate Days event. The town floods with tourists eagerly anticipating the fun-filled annual festival.
Shana is still reeling from the events at the conclusion of book three, but she is hoping things will settle down soon enough. Maybe the Pirate Days are just what the community needs to distract their attention away from her and the high profile Blake Bram case for a bit.
Unfortunately, when a tourist named Rebecca, visiting the area with her husband, mysteriously disappears, Shana and her team realize this isn't going to be a normal, relaxed community event.
Their resulting investigation could put a dark cloud directly over Pirate Days, a fact members of the local government aren't too happy about. Shana refuses to back down though. Time is of the essence here and they need to find Rebecca; community reputation be damned.
As the investigation digs in, Shana begins to realize a lot of the evidence is reminiscent of the serial killer murders in New York she was involved in. Is it mere coincidence, or has someone targeted the area, targeted Shana, on purpose?
Does A-Bay have a full-fledged copy-cat on their hands?
As with the earlier books, I really enjoyed this one. Wegert has done a great job building out Shana's character and backstory. In fact, it is a central theme throughout all the books in the series.
The beginning of this had a bit of a slow start for me. There was quite a bit of exploration of the community outlook and others opinions of Shana, her connection to Blake Bram and whether or not she had a culpability in his crimes.
For me, we sort of dug into that side of the story a bit too much at the beginning of this, when I would have preferred the focus to be more on the investigation into Rebecca's disappearance.
With this being said, once the investigation does really get underway, I was hooked. I'm hooked into Shana's personal story as well, don't get me wrong, it just felt a little uneven there in the beginning.
The intensity of the case continues to build throughout the book, as more people get involved, including the complicated family of one of Shana's team members. There were some clever red herrings placed throughout and I enjoyed guessing at what the final outcome would be.
Spoiler Alert: I didn't guess correctly!
I'm so excited by the ending of this one. Nice set-up, Wegert! I cannot wait for the next book. Already! It's true, I'm totally invested in this series.
Thank you to the publisher, Severn House, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
January 5, 2023
Oh, how I love the Shana Merchant series. The Kind to Kill is its fourth installment.
About the book and series: “A missing tourist spells trouble for Senior Investigator Shana Merchant in this page-turning twisty mystery set in an atmospheric island community with a small-town vibe.
The Shana Merchant novels are a brilliant blend of chilling psychological thriller and gripping police procedural, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Thousand Islands. A perfect pick for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley and Louise Penny.”
I often share when a series installment can be read as a standalone because I’m not the best of series readers and sometimes jump right in. I think Shana Merchant’s story is the opposite. You simply have to read it in order to fully understand and invest in the story arc.
Shana is trying to move forward from her past and all the rumors and speculation about her. Living and working in a small town makes that hard. She’s also called to investigate a missing wife. I always enjoy the atmosphere in these stories, and the complex dynamics between the characters is hard to miss. So much good push and pull. The mystery had me riveted.
Overall, a solid addition to the series and one I loved just as much as the others.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
About the book and series: “A missing tourist spells trouble for Senior Investigator Shana Merchant in this page-turning twisty mystery set in an atmospheric island community with a small-town vibe.
The Shana Merchant novels are a brilliant blend of chilling psychological thriller and gripping police procedural, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Thousand Islands. A perfect pick for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley and Louise Penny.”
I often share when a series installment can be read as a standalone because I’m not the best of series readers and sometimes jump right in. I think Shana Merchant’s story is the opposite. You simply have to read it in order to fully understand and invest in the story arc.
Shana is trying to move forward from her past and all the rumors and speculation about her. Living and working in a small town makes that hard. She’s also called to investigate a missing wife. I always enjoy the atmosphere in these stories, and the complex dynamics between the characters is hard to miss. So much good push and pull. The mystery had me riveted.
Overall, a solid addition to the series and one I loved just as much as the others.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
May 25, 2023
A year ago, Shana Merchant left the NYPD to resettle in the picturesque Thousand Islands region of upstate New York. Hoping to embrace the slow lifestyle of a small town, she became an investigator for the New York State Police and looked forward to dealing with minor crimes instead of the hardened homicides she’d seen in New York City.
One year later, however, Shana has finally managed to stop the elusive serial killer Blake Bram in his tracks. Now that he’s dead, Shana’s secrets are out in the open. Secrets that she kept from friends and family hoping to keep them safe. Now all she wants to do is rebuild the trust between those she holds dear and move on from the past.
Little does Shana know, however, that Alexandria Bay is about to be overrun by tourists with the start of the popular Pirate Days celebration. But before people flood the town, a woman goes missing, alarming the still raw locals. Who was she and what has happened her? Will Shana manage to stop yet another death in their idyllic town? Or is it already to late?
The longer she remains missing, the more the disquieted townspeople begin to talk. For trouble seems to follow Shana and they fear that the town that they love will become smirched by the ever-present crime. It certainly was safer before she moved to the area. But as the investigation into the woman’s disappearance grows, what comes to light brings about a stunning revelation. Because, while Bram is dead, his name and crimes are far from forgotten. In fact, for one person, they’re all that matter.
I should probably no longer be surprised by my outright love for one of Tessa Wegert’s Shana Merchant books, but nevertheless The Kind to K!ll was so utterly perfect that it shocked the heck out of me. As always, it was stocked full of perfectly built suspense that culminated in not one but TWO epic showdowns! All of which easily made this fourth book in the series my favorite by far.
But on top of all of that, Wegert somehow magically managed to add a healthy dose of emotion to the pages. Between Shana’s doubts about herself to the pain she continues to suffer with thanks to Bram and the secrets she has kept, I could feel her pain deeply. Something you don’t often come across in a thriller/police procedural (because these books are a deft combo of both).
Now onto the plot. Yet another rocketing game of cat-and-mouse, this fast-paced storyline took me on an unguessable rollercoaster ride. With a plethora of red herrings and an equally high number of twists and turns, I kept waiting for the shoe to drop on who was behind it all. Let me tell you, not for an instant would I have ever guessed who that was (and I think I’m a pretty good armchair sleuth too). And I just love when I encounter a brilliant plot that leaves me fooled hook, line, and sinker.
Ultimately, this one had me from hello. Because between the beautiful, evocative language and the truly stunning setting, there simply wasn’t a fault to be found. After all, the entire thing had an atmospheric and chilling edge that rivaled any steadfast thriller and that’s nearly unheard of in crime fiction (at least for me). So if you haven’t tried picking up this truly first-class series yet, let this review be your call to arms. Now I must sit and wait impatiently for book five to come out. At least, I really, really hope there’s yet more fun to be had with Senior Investigator Merchant. Please tell me there is, Ms. Wegert? Please?!? Rating of 5+ stars.
Trigger warning: alcoholism, infertility, assault, infidelity, controlling relationship, being held hostage
One year later, however, Shana has finally managed to stop the elusive serial killer Blake Bram in his tracks. Now that he’s dead, Shana’s secrets are out in the open. Secrets that she kept from friends and family hoping to keep them safe. Now all she wants to do is rebuild the trust between those she holds dear and move on from the past.
Little does Shana know, however, that Alexandria Bay is about to be overrun by tourists with the start of the popular Pirate Days celebration. But before people flood the town, a woman goes missing, alarming the still raw locals. Who was she and what has happened her? Will Shana manage to stop yet another death in their idyllic town? Or is it already to late?
The longer she remains missing, the more the disquieted townspeople begin to talk. For trouble seems to follow Shana and they fear that the town that they love will become smirched by the ever-present crime. It certainly was safer before she moved to the area. But as the investigation into the woman’s disappearance grows, what comes to light brings about a stunning revelation. Because, while Bram is dead, his name and crimes are far from forgotten. In fact, for one person, they’re all that matter.
I should probably no longer be surprised by my outright love for one of Tessa Wegert’s Shana Merchant books, but nevertheless The Kind to K!ll was so utterly perfect that it shocked the heck out of me. As always, it was stocked full of perfectly built suspense that culminated in not one but TWO epic showdowns! All of which easily made this fourth book in the series my favorite by far.
But on top of all of that, Wegert somehow magically managed to add a healthy dose of emotion to the pages. Between Shana’s doubts about herself to the pain she continues to suffer with thanks to Bram and the secrets she has kept, I could feel her pain deeply. Something you don’t often come across in a thriller/police procedural (because these books are a deft combo of both).
Now onto the plot. Yet another rocketing game of cat-and-mouse, this fast-paced storyline took me on an unguessable rollercoaster ride. With a plethora of red herrings and an equally high number of twists and turns, I kept waiting for the shoe to drop on who was behind it all. Let me tell you, not for an instant would I have ever guessed who that was (and I think I’m a pretty good armchair sleuth too). And I just love when I encounter a brilliant plot that leaves me fooled hook, line, and sinker.
Ultimately, this one had me from hello. Because between the beautiful, evocative language and the truly stunning setting, there simply wasn’t a fault to be found. After all, the entire thing had an atmospheric and chilling edge that rivaled any steadfast thriller and that’s nearly unheard of in crime fiction (at least for me). So if you haven’t tried picking up this truly first-class series yet, let this review be your call to arms. Now I must sit and wait impatiently for book five to come out. At least, I really, really hope there’s yet more fun to be had with Senior Investigator Merchant. Please tell me there is, Ms. Wegert? Please?!? Rating of 5+ stars.
Trigger warning: alcoholism, infertility, assault, infidelity, controlling relationship, being held hostage
November 26, 2022
What a fun ride!!! I LOVE this series and once again TW has kept me on the edge of my seat with this outstanding fourth novel!!! Former NYPD detective Shana Merchant now a Sr. Investigator is on the trail of a possible Blake Bram copy cat after a female visitor goes missing during her towns annual Pirate Days. But it makes you wonder after seeing similarities to her previous case.. is there a much bigger prize their targeting.. could Shana be in life-threatening danger once again?!?
In the last book we find out the true identity of Bram Stoker which puts Shana at odds with the community. After finding the missing woman’s body, a game of cat and mouse ensues.. but will Shana be able to overcome her own insecurities in time to catch her perpetrator.
This was so fast paced. The atmospheric setting and the intensity of the characters emotions/reactions to one another was spot on pulling me in completely. And the red-herrings were the cherry on top.. as nothing is as it seems until the VERY END! What a fantastic eye-popping, spine-tingling mystery (TW’s notable for) that kept me on my toes guessing. Another great addition to this series!!! 5 stars — Pub. 12/6/22
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In the last book we find out the true identity of Bram Stoker which puts Shana at odds with the community. After finding the missing woman’s body, a game of cat and mouse ensues.. but will Shana be able to overcome her own insecurities in time to catch her perpetrator.
This was so fast paced. The atmospheric setting and the intensity of the characters emotions/reactions to one another was spot on pulling me in completely. And the red-herrings were the cherry on top.. as nothing is as it seems until the VERY END! What a fantastic eye-popping, spine-tingling mystery (TW’s notable for) that kept me on my toes guessing. Another great addition to this series!!! 5 stars — Pub. 12/6/22
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 5, 2022
The Kind to Kill is number 4 in the Shana Merchant series. ❤️ While this can definitely be read as a stand-alone… the series is so good you really should go back and read them all!! 🖤 This is my very FAVORITE series!
Okay first off… someone in this book will definitely be buying their own gifts 🎁… because they have been very bad! 😉 They are definitely The Kind to Kill… and well that doesn’t make santa 🎅 very happy…🤨
SHANA is back!! Who doesn’t love a character that escaped being held captive by a serial killer…🤷♀️ Pretty impressive right?! Except this tough as nails detective is getting a bit unnerved when she is seeing a much too familiar pattern of… murder…unfolding..🤐
Dead ☠️ Girls Don’t Lie…🤔…Is there a copycat killer on the loose? My book bestie @diagnosisbookaholic and I buddy read this. I blew up his messages with.. oh I know who did it… oh no wait.. it’s really this person…😂.. Wrong… wrong.. wrong..🙄 I NEVER guessed who it was…🖤but I sure tried..
Can we talk about that ending?!! Oh wait we can’t! 😂🤫🤐🤐🤐 I really hope we are going to see another in this series!! I need to know how this ending pans out! 🤔
5 killer stars!! I continue to love where this series takes us!! Fast short chapters… lots of suspects.. PERFECT!! 👏👏
I received a gifted copy to review
Okay first off… someone in this book will definitely be buying their own gifts 🎁… because they have been very bad! 😉 They are definitely The Kind to Kill… and well that doesn’t make santa 🎅 very happy…🤨
SHANA is back!! Who doesn’t love a character that escaped being held captive by a serial killer…🤷♀️ Pretty impressive right?! Except this tough as nails detective is getting a bit unnerved when she is seeing a much too familiar pattern of… murder…unfolding..🤐
Dead ☠️ Girls Don’t Lie…🤔…Is there a copycat killer on the loose? My book bestie @diagnosisbookaholic and I buddy read this. I blew up his messages with.. oh I know who did it… oh no wait.. it’s really this person…😂.. Wrong… wrong.. wrong..🙄 I NEVER guessed who it was…🖤but I sure tried..
Can we talk about that ending?!! Oh wait we can’t! 😂🤫🤐🤐🤐 I really hope we are going to see another in this series!! I need to know how this ending pans out! 🤔
5 killer stars!! I continue to love where this series takes us!! Fast short chapters… lots of suspects.. PERFECT!! 👏👏
I received a gifted copy to review
December 2, 2022
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Don’t you love it when a series keeps getting better and better?
I am so glad that Tessa Wegert has written her fourth book in the Shana Merchant series!! This has become one of my favorite series, and Shana is a phenomenal character. She’s a badass but she’s really vulnerable as a result of all she’s been through in dealing with a serial killer and the fallout when their identity was revealed.
A senior police investigator in the Thousand Islands in upstate New York, she’s hoping that the chaos will die down now that the killer’s case is finished. But the national publicity surrounding it—and Shana’s role—continues to rile up the community, and many call her fitness for duty into question.
In the heat of summer, the famous Pirate Days festival is about to bring thousands of people to the area, giving local businesses a much-needed boost. But when a visitor disappears after an argument with her husband, another murder is the last thing the community needs—or Shana, for that matter. Because the feeling that the community was safer before Shana arrived is starting to grow—and she’s not sure they’re wrong.
I kept the plot a bit vague because while you can read this as a stand-alone, it’s even better if you start with the first book in the series, Death in the Family . These books are mysteries and psychological thrillers with some fantastic character development, even a little romance.
Hope the series keeps on going! Thanks so much to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Severn House, and NetGalley for inviting me on the tour and providing an advance copy of the book. This publishes 12/6. Don’t miss it!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Don’t you love it when a series keeps getting better and better?
I am so glad that Tessa Wegert has written her fourth book in the Shana Merchant series!! This has become one of my favorite series, and Shana is a phenomenal character. She’s a badass but she’s really vulnerable as a result of all she’s been through in dealing with a serial killer and the fallout when their identity was revealed.
A senior police investigator in the Thousand Islands in upstate New York, she’s hoping that the chaos will die down now that the killer’s case is finished. But the national publicity surrounding it—and Shana’s role—continues to rile up the community, and many call her fitness for duty into question.
In the heat of summer, the famous Pirate Days festival is about to bring thousands of people to the area, giving local businesses a much-needed boost. But when a visitor disappears after an argument with her husband, another murder is the last thing the community needs—or Shana, for that matter. Because the feeling that the community was safer before Shana arrived is starting to grow—and she’s not sure they’re wrong.
I kept the plot a bit vague because while you can read this as a stand-alone, it’s even better if you start with the first book in the series, Death in the Family . These books are mysteries and psychological thrillers with some fantastic character development, even a little romance.
Hope the series keeps on going! Thanks so much to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Severn House, and NetGalley for inviting me on the tour and providing an advance copy of the book. This publishes 12/6. Don’t miss it!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
October 31, 2022
Thank you so much to Severn House and Tessa Wegert for the next book in the fantastic Shana Merchant series! I love this series so much, and I’m thankful that it continued with this book! This book was about a missing woman in the quiet community of A-bay. Crime seems to follow Shana, and even after her serial killer cousin is gone, his memory lives on. It looks like he has a copycat, someone who looked up to Blake Bram and wants Shana to know it. As the town gears up for Pirate Days, a missing tourist is just the beginning.
Thoughts: This book is about the complexity of families and how their actions leave behind a big reaction in their wake. The characters in this book are so well written and have so much emotion going on behind the scenes. Shana is still an amazing main character, but learning about the supporting characters was also intriguing and kept me reading. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I’m happy I read her other books as well!
The idea of a copycat was was eerie, and the mystery was interesting, but the main part of the book was how the characters interacted and related to each other. The setting of the Thousand Islands is fun and the Pirate Days holiday is a great image and a fun part of the story. I love Wegert’s writing, and this book was no exception. I did guess the ending, but it was satisfying nonetheless. 4-stars!
Thoughts: This book is about the complexity of families and how their actions leave behind a big reaction in their wake. The characters in this book are so well written and have so much emotion going on behind the scenes. Shana is still an amazing main character, but learning about the supporting characters was also intriguing and kept me reading. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I’m happy I read her other books as well!
The idea of a copycat was was eerie, and the mystery was interesting, but the main part of the book was how the characters interacted and related to each other. The setting of the Thousand Islands is fun and the Pirate Days holiday is a great image and a fun part of the story. I love Wegert’s writing, and this book was no exception. I did guess the ending, but it was satisfying nonetheless. 4-stars!
December 6, 2022
I have really enjoyed this series. I love a good suspense read this one was done so well I read this book in no time. I hated to see it come to an end. After the first 3 books in this series, I could not wait to read this one.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
December 14, 2022
Maybe 3.5?
Ugh, I'm so disappointed. This is one of my favorite series. This is going to be a really weird review for me to write. So here is a disclaimer, I am not trying to bash the author or the series. I love and respect both. What follows is just my opinion. But this is what was going through my mind as I read the book:
The fourth installment of the Shana Merchant series seemed out of place with the other three. I have no knowledge to back this up, but I'm wondering if the series was supposed to wrap up after book 3 and then a book 4 came about after that and the author had to try and use all her talent possible (she did a valiant job) in keeping this series alive, when it very much seem like it ended after the third book. The first 50-60% was very watered down and rehashed a lot, but I didn't feel like I really learned anything new about events that were already covered in Book 1 & 2. It was just a lot of running around to various places, a lot of dialogue that didn't seem to move the plot much and then we got to the reveal of this major plot point and I just thought, really? Clearly, I'm in the minority, everyone seems to think this book is as great as the others, but I can't get past the lackluster first half. I think the book ended well and things came together, but it just took too long for me to get to that point. I feel awful, but this was not on par with the other three.
Will continue to support this author and her books in the future, and as much as it pains me to write a less than 4.5/5 star review, I have to be honest. This book was a headscratcher for me. Sorry!
Review Date: 12/14/2022
Publication Date: 12/06/2022
Ugh, I'm so disappointed. This is one of my favorite series. This is going to be a really weird review for me to write. So here is a disclaimer, I am not trying to bash the author or the series. I love and respect both. What follows is just my opinion. But this is what was going through my mind as I read the book:
The fourth installment of the Shana Merchant series seemed out of place with the other three. I have no knowledge to back this up, but I'm wondering if the series was supposed to wrap up after book 3 and then a book 4 came about after that and the author had to try and use all her talent possible (she did a valiant job) in keeping this series alive, when it very much seem like it ended after the third book. The first 50-60% was very watered down and rehashed a lot, but I didn't feel like I really learned anything new about events that were already covered in Book 1 & 2. It was just a lot of running around to various places, a lot of dialogue that didn't seem to move the plot much and then we got to the reveal of this major plot point and I just thought, really? Clearly, I'm in the minority, everyone seems to think this book is as great as the others, but I can't get past the lackluster first half. I think the book ended well and things came together, but it just took too long for me to get to that point. I feel awful, but this was not on par with the other three.
Will continue to support this author and her books in the future, and as much as it pains me to write a less than 4.5/5 star review, I have to be honest. This book was a headscratcher for me. Sorry!
Review Date: 12/14/2022
Publication Date: 12/06/2022
September 15, 2022
Many thanks to Severn House, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Kind to Kill.
Former NYPD detective Shana Merchant is a skilled Senior Investigator. She wants to get past the fact that she's bound by blood to a serial killer and just do her job keeping New York's beautiful Thousand Islands community safe as Alexandria Bay fills up with tourists in advance of the annual festival known as Pirate Days.
"...There are two families involved in every crime: the victim’s, and the killer’s." That is not only true but it's a big part of The Kind to Kill." Shana is such a great character, and she has so much heart. The writing is compelling and atmospheric. (I felt myself sweating as I read about the characters sweating in the heat!) And I absolutely love Tim!!
Ms. Wegert is a talented writer who keeps me coming back for more. I'm looking forward to #5!!
Former NYPD detective Shana Merchant is a skilled Senior Investigator. She wants to get past the fact that she's bound by blood to a serial killer and just do her job keeping New York's beautiful Thousand Islands community safe as Alexandria Bay fills up with tourists in advance of the annual festival known as Pirate Days.
"...There are two families involved in every crime: the victim’s, and the killer’s." That is not only true but it's a big part of The Kind to Kill." Shana is such a great character, and she has so much heart. The writing is compelling and atmospheric. (I felt myself sweating as I read about the characters sweating in the heat!) And I absolutely love Tim!!
Ms. Wegert is a talented writer who keeps me coming back for more. I'm looking forward to #5!!
September 3, 2022
Another fabulous novel by the author and I love these characters!
Now Senior Investigator, Shana Merchant is back. She survived the hands of the notorious serial killer, Blake Bram and her secret about him is out, which leads to divisions in peoples attitude towards her, including her family. She wants to forget the past and move on but as the story goes on, it is clear not everyone is going to let her.
As Alexandria Bay fills up for the Pirate Days festival, a visitor goes missing and the case threatens to destroy the celebrations, along with her relationships. The cases aren't as straightforward as they initially appear as the mystery unfolds.
The story in this series always pulls me in but it's the characters that keep me turning the pages. There were more twists and we see Shana's life in tatters after the revelation about Bram and while he is gone, he is certainly not forgotten in this one. I cannot wait for more in this series, highly recommend.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Severn House for this gifted review copy.
Now Senior Investigator, Shana Merchant is back. She survived the hands of the notorious serial killer, Blake Bram and her secret about him is out, which leads to divisions in peoples attitude towards her, including her family. She wants to forget the past and move on but as the story goes on, it is clear not everyone is going to let her.
As Alexandria Bay fills up for the Pirate Days festival, a visitor goes missing and the case threatens to destroy the celebrations, along with her relationships. The cases aren't as straightforward as they initially appear as the mystery unfolds.
The story in this series always pulls me in but it's the characters that keep me turning the pages. There were more twists and we see Shana's life in tatters after the revelation about Bram and while he is gone, he is certainly not forgotten in this one. I cannot wait for more in this series, highly recommend.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Severn House for this gifted review copy.
November 18, 2022
I've said it before and I'll say it again, a perfectly binge worthy police procedural series!
For those of you who guessed the ending, hats off to you! I was completely blindsided... which I LOVE!! I need that moment of WOAH! WHAT!? LET ME READ THAT AGAIN!
My two cents, read the books in order. You really get the full history, a feel for the characters and ALL the twists!
While I recognize The Kind To Kill isn't officially out in the world until December ... I am deeply craving a 5th installment RIGHT NOW! Is there one coming in 2023? I require more Shana Merchant in my life!! :)
Huge thanks to Tessa Wegert, Suzy Approved Book Tours and Severn House for my gifted copy.
For those of you who guessed the ending, hats off to you! I was completely blindsided... which I LOVE!! I need that moment of WOAH! WHAT!? LET ME READ THAT AGAIN!
My two cents, read the books in order. You really get the full history, a feel for the characters and ALL the twists!
While I recognize The Kind To Kill isn't officially out in the world until December ... I am deeply craving a 5th installment RIGHT NOW! Is there one coming in 2023? I require more Shana Merchant in my life!! :)
Huge thanks to Tessa Wegert, Suzy Approved Book Tours and Severn House for my gifted copy.
November 30, 2022
Can I just tell you how much I love the Shana Merchant Series. It has everything that I am looking for in a book/series. Strong characters that make you care and want to get to know them. An amazing setting in the Thousand Island region of upstate New York. The University of Vermont is mentioned, my alma mater. A solid plot that makes you plunge right in and figure out what is going on. A little bit of romance thrown in. Along with some questionable family members. All of this comes together for one phenomenal read, that I completely devoured. Pages were flying, family was ignored, and I was fully engulfed in all things Merchant.
Shana is still trying to come to terms with who and what her cousin Bram did while he was still alive. He was a serial killer that she finally uncovered and killed to save more lives. All the while trying to deal with the fact that this man was her best friend, her cousin, and was trying to find her in every one of his victims. Talk about family drama! Shana is working a new case; a woman has gone missing after having a very public fight with her husband. As the police begin to dig deeper it looks as though they have a copycat on their hands. Will Shana be able to uncover who is behind the disappearance before it is too late?
I highly recommend this series. Tessa Wegert does an astounding job of keeping you at the edge of your seat. New twists and turns flying at you as you try to uncover who is behind it all. Thank you to Tessa Wegert, Severn House, and Books Forward for gifting me this copy.
Shana is still trying to come to terms with who and what her cousin Bram did while he was still alive. He was a serial killer that she finally uncovered and killed to save more lives. All the while trying to deal with the fact that this man was her best friend, her cousin, and was trying to find her in every one of his victims. Talk about family drama! Shana is working a new case; a woman has gone missing after having a very public fight with her husband. As the police begin to dig deeper it looks as though they have a copycat on their hands. Will Shana be able to uncover who is behind the disappearance before it is too late?
I highly recommend this series. Tessa Wegert does an astounding job of keeping you at the edge of your seat. New twists and turns flying at you as you try to uncover who is behind it all. Thank you to Tessa Wegert, Severn House, and Books Forward for gifting me this copy.
January 4, 2023
TITLE: THE KIND TO KILL
AUTHOR: @tessawegert
PUB DATE: 12.06.2022 Now Available
Atmospheric
Twisty Mystery
I have been dying to get my hands on the next Shana Merchant series. This series just keeps getting better and better, and now with book 4, The Kind To Kill is finally out in the world.
The series could be read as a stand alone, but to get the full story on Shana Merchant’s past, abduction, and connection with a serial killer, this series is one to binge. If you enjoy reading small town atmospheric settings, a locked room mystery, with razor sharp plotting, intricate police procedural, with characters that are complex, compelling, and addictive to read, then this one is for you.
The Shana Merchant Series
#DeathInTheFamily 02.18.2020
#TheDeadSeason 12.08.2020
#deadwind 04.05.2022
#TheKindToKill 12.06.2022
AUTHOR: @tessawegert
PUB DATE: 12.06.2022 Now Available
Atmospheric
Twisty Mystery
I have been dying to get my hands on the next Shana Merchant series. This series just keeps getting better and better, and now with book 4, The Kind To Kill is finally out in the world.
The series could be read as a stand alone, but to get the full story on Shana Merchant’s past, abduction, and connection with a serial killer, this series is one to binge. If you enjoy reading small town atmospheric settings, a locked room mystery, with razor sharp plotting, intricate police procedural, with characters that are complex, compelling, and addictive to read, then this one is for you.
The Shana Merchant Series
#DeathInTheFamily 02.18.2020
#TheDeadSeason 12.08.2020
#deadwind 04.05.2022
#TheKindToKill 12.06.2022
December 8, 2024
I'm such a fan of the Shana Merchant series and this is another great installment. Full review to follow.
December 20, 2022
4.5 stars rounded to 5 for GR.
“𝙀𝙫𝙞𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨; 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝, 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙠𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙟𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙨. 𝙄𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙄𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩, 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙙.”
The Kind to Kill is the 4th book in Shana Merchant series. This book takes place 2 years after the last book in the series. It’s once again told in first person from Shana’s POV. This book is both plot and character driven which I love. This book took place during pirate week in Alexandria Bay which is my absolutely favorite time to visit A-Bay 🏴☠️
Once again, Tessa Wegert did not disappoint with this book!! Let me start by saying once again that I LOVE Shana Merchant. I started this series a while back and I’ve been anxiously waiting for this once I heard Tessa got signed on for 2 more books for Shana! Yes, that means there will be a book 5 😮😉 it typical Wegert fashion, this is a fast paced book that will have you thinking you figured it all out but then bam more twists. I looooved the ending and it was something I’ve been rooting for very early on in the series. I highly recommend you check this series out! Now I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book as I’m not ready to let Shana go yet.
“𝙀𝙫𝙞𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨; 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝, 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙠𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙟𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙨. 𝙄𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙄𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩, 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙙.”
The Kind to Kill is the 4th book in Shana Merchant series. This book takes place 2 years after the last book in the series. It’s once again told in first person from Shana’s POV. This book is both plot and character driven which I love. This book took place during pirate week in Alexandria Bay which is my absolutely favorite time to visit A-Bay 🏴☠️
Once again, Tessa Wegert did not disappoint with this book!! Let me start by saying once again that I LOVE Shana Merchant. I started this series a while back and I’ve been anxiously waiting for this once I heard Tessa got signed on for 2 more books for Shana! Yes, that means there will be a book 5 😮😉 it typical Wegert fashion, this is a fast paced book that will have you thinking you figured it all out but then bam more twists. I looooved the ending and it was something I’ve been rooting for very early on in the series. I highly recommend you check this series out! Now I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book as I’m not ready to let Shana go yet.
December 8, 2022
Thank you #SuzyApprovedBookTours #partner, for the advanced copy of The Kind to Kill in exchange for my honest review.
This is the fourth book in Tessa Wegert’s Shana Merchant series and let me just say this series is one of my favorites! I love that each book is better than the last. It really is the perfect combination of police-procedural and psychological thriller…and I cannot read them fast enough!
While this book totally could be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the series as a whole. Yes, there is a self-contained case for Shana and her team to solve, but this one in particular relies heavily on the continuing thread that was started in the first book and has been building ever since. This thread really is a crucial part of the current case and while the author does give a bit of the backstory for those who are new to the series and haven’t yet read the previous books, you will have a much richer reading experience if you have. But maybe if this is your first time reading a Shana Merchant book, it will leave you eager to go back to the beginning!
What I really loved about this particular installment was the continued character development that we still get, even at book four. Seeing Shana recover from her PTSD and how it has affected her has really made this series and takes center stage here. The idea that a copycat is looming wreaks havoc on Shana, especially knowing that Bram is gone. Why would someone be doing this and is it at all connected to Shana?
This book kept me glued to the pages and was easily a binge-worthy read. I had so many theories as to who might be behind things, and it wasn’t until right before the reveal that I started to figure it out. That in no way detracted from my enjoyment – it only enhanced it because I had to know the why! So many good twists and turns and red herring to really keep you on your toes, and I loved that even with a serial killer we still get a look at the psychology of things. This is just such a well-crafted story, and I cannot recommend it enough! If you love a good cat and mouse game, where nothing is as it seems, this one is definitely for you!
I do hope this isn’t the last of this series…I need more Shana, especially with that ending!
You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/
This is the fourth book in Tessa Wegert’s Shana Merchant series and let me just say this series is one of my favorites! I love that each book is better than the last. It really is the perfect combination of police-procedural and psychological thriller…and I cannot read them fast enough!
While this book totally could be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the series as a whole. Yes, there is a self-contained case for Shana and her team to solve, but this one in particular relies heavily on the continuing thread that was started in the first book and has been building ever since. This thread really is a crucial part of the current case and while the author does give a bit of the backstory for those who are new to the series and haven’t yet read the previous books, you will have a much richer reading experience if you have. But maybe if this is your first time reading a Shana Merchant book, it will leave you eager to go back to the beginning!
What I really loved about this particular installment was the continued character development that we still get, even at book four. Seeing Shana recover from her PTSD and how it has affected her has really made this series and takes center stage here. The idea that a copycat is looming wreaks havoc on Shana, especially knowing that Bram is gone. Why would someone be doing this and is it at all connected to Shana?
This book kept me glued to the pages and was easily a binge-worthy read. I had so many theories as to who might be behind things, and it wasn’t until right before the reveal that I started to figure it out. That in no way detracted from my enjoyment – it only enhanced it because I had to know the why! So many good twists and turns and red herring to really keep you on your toes, and I loved that even with a serial killer we still get a look at the psychology of things. This is just such a well-crafted story, and I cannot recommend it enough! If you love a good cat and mouse game, where nothing is as it seems, this one is definitely for you!
I do hope this isn’t the last of this series…I need more Shana, especially with that ending!
You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/
December 12, 2022
There’s not a better feeling than when a new book of one of your favorite series comes out. And if it’s one you’re buddy reading with your book bestie since the first installment…even better!
The Kind To Kill is book four in the Shana Merchant series. Even though you could read this as a stand-alone, I strongly recommend starting at the beginning as Shana’s past and personal background play such a heavy role in all the books. I think knowing about it is key to fully understand her character and truly enjoy every aspect of this story.
Alexandria Bay is gearing up for their most important event of the year, Pirate Days Festival. The town is teeming with tourists so, when a woman visiting disappears, authorities aren’t too happy about it, as it could ruin the whole event. They want the case closed quickly , but Shana and her team soon start to realize there’s evidence tying up this disappearance with the serial killer murders she was involved with in the past. Is there a copy-cat in town?
As with the previous books in the series, Shana is the main star here. The character is really well developed and all the character building the author has been doing since the first book really allows the reader to comprehend where she’s coming from and why she acts as she does, especially when it comes to her romantic life. The first part of this book was more of a slow burn as it dug into the aftermath of the events that happened at the end of book three and how those affected Shana. At first I didn’t understand why it was focusing so much on this, as I thought we were already done with that storyline but, as the pattern within the new case started to be revealed, everything made sense.
Once the story focused on the investigation I was completely hooked. As the case got more and more complicated all my theories went up in the air and, once again, I didn’t guess the culprit.
Lots of red-herrings and misdirection had me completely fooled, although there were some cleverly placed clues throughout the pages. The outcome was really surprising as it did not crossed my mind at all.
I don’t know if there will be a book five in the series, but after that ending…IT BETTER BE!
Another fantastic buddy read with my friend @itsallaboutthethrill. I’m sure one day we’ll guess the killer correctly…or not!
Thanks to Tessa Wegert, NetGalley and Severn House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Kind To Kill is book four in the Shana Merchant series. Even though you could read this as a stand-alone, I strongly recommend starting at the beginning as Shana’s past and personal background play such a heavy role in all the books. I think knowing about it is key to fully understand her character and truly enjoy every aspect of this story.
Alexandria Bay is gearing up for their most important event of the year, Pirate Days Festival. The town is teeming with tourists so, when a woman visiting disappears, authorities aren’t too happy about it, as it could ruin the whole event. They want the case closed quickly , but Shana and her team soon start to realize there’s evidence tying up this disappearance with the serial killer murders she was involved with in the past. Is there a copy-cat in town?
As with the previous books in the series, Shana is the main star here. The character is really well developed and all the character building the author has been doing since the first book really allows the reader to comprehend where she’s coming from and why she acts as she does, especially when it comes to her romantic life. The first part of this book was more of a slow burn as it dug into the aftermath of the events that happened at the end of book three and how those affected Shana. At first I didn’t understand why it was focusing so much on this, as I thought we were already done with that storyline but, as the pattern within the new case started to be revealed, everything made sense.
Once the story focused on the investigation I was completely hooked. As the case got more and more complicated all my theories went up in the air and, once again, I didn’t guess the culprit.
Lots of red-herrings and misdirection had me completely fooled, although there were some cleverly placed clues throughout the pages. The outcome was really surprising as it did not crossed my mind at all.
I don’t know if there will be a book five in the series, but after that ending…IT BETTER BE!
Another fantastic buddy read with my friend @itsallaboutthethrill. I’m sure one day we’ll guess the killer correctly…or not!
Thanks to Tessa Wegert, NetGalley and Severn House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2024
This is quickly becoming a favorite series of mine, and I want to take my time reading these but at the same time cannot get caught up fast enough. These are not books that can be read as standalone (I mean I guess you could but you’d probably be lost and why would you want to do that?) so I do recommend reading these in order. They are just fantastic, especially if you like procedurals, and I’m really enjoying the audio for this series also.
December 11, 2022
Tessa Wegert, the author of “The Kind to Kill,” has written a captivating and intense novel. This is the fourth Shana Merchant Novel and can be read as a stand-alone. It would be better to read the other books in the series. This is my favorite book in the series, and I read it in one sitting. The genres for this novel are mystery, thriller, psychological thriller, and suspense. The timeline for this story is set in the author’s present and goes to the past regarding the characters or events. The author vividly describes her dark and dramatic characters as complex and complicated. It is up to the reader to determine which characters can be suspect or “the kind to kill.” There are secrets, betrayals, danger, threats, and murder. Many of the characters could be suspects.
The protagonist of this story, Shana Merchant, is now a senior investigator in New York. Shanna had been the victim of a serial killer obsessed with her. The serial killer turned out to be someone very close to Shana and blood-related. This serial killer caused many deaths. The killer is dead, but some of the community blames Shana for the crimes. Some relatives of the victims come to the small town and threaten Shana. All Shana wants is to move on with her life.
In a small town in New York, there is a missing tourist. When the body is found, Shana and the Police Department work overtime to find the killer. There are twists and turns and obstacles. Shana is trying to find the murderer and the motive. At the same time, Shana wants the community to trust her. I enjoyed this action-packed thriller and highly recommend it.
The protagonist of this story, Shana Merchant, is now a senior investigator in New York. Shanna had been the victim of a serial killer obsessed with her. The serial killer turned out to be someone very close to Shana and blood-related. This serial killer caused many deaths. The killer is dead, but some of the community blames Shana for the crimes. Some relatives of the victims come to the small town and threaten Shana. All Shana wants is to move on with her life.
In a small town in New York, there is a missing tourist. When the body is found, Shana and the Police Department work overtime to find the killer. There are twists and turns and obstacles. Shana is trying to find the murderer and the motive. At the same time, Shana wants the community to trust her. I enjoyed this action-packed thriller and highly recommend it.
October 9, 2022
I continue to be impressed with Wegert's writing and what she has been able to do with her two main characters: The PTSD recovering Detective Shana Merchant and Merchant's captor: Blake Bram. In The Kind to Kill, Bram has a very large presence while not actually making a single appearance! This character arc is outstanding and is what has hooked me on this series! With that being said, I do think that this series is better read in order, so if you're interested, start with Death in the Family (and you won't be disappointed, it's one of my favorite books!).
As for Shana Merchant, I love seeing how she continues to recover from PTSD and grow as a human and a Detective. Her work on the copycat killings over Pirate's Day weekend in Alexandria Bay was entertaining and insightful. For a novel that isn't overly long, I am impressed with how much Wegert has packed into these pages. She not only wrote a compelling murder mystery, but she added in a lot of humanity, psychology, and nuances of life, people, relationships, and the twisted mind of a serial killer. The ending of this one had a great twist that I did not see coming but should have! There were just enough clues dropped along the way that I can't believe I missed them, but isn't that exactly the point! Such a fun read and I can't recommend this series enough!
I received a free digital copy of The Kind To Kill from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
As for Shana Merchant, I love seeing how she continues to recover from PTSD and grow as a human and a Detective. Her work on the copycat killings over Pirate's Day weekend in Alexandria Bay was entertaining and insightful. For a novel that isn't overly long, I am impressed with how much Wegert has packed into these pages. She not only wrote a compelling murder mystery, but she added in a lot of humanity, psychology, and nuances of life, people, relationships, and the twisted mind of a serial killer. The ending of this one had a great twist that I did not see coming but should have! There were just enough clues dropped along the way that I can't believe I missed them, but isn't that exactly the point! Such a fun read and I can't recommend this series enough!
I received a free digital copy of The Kind To Kill from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
December 20, 2022
I love a series that gets better with each installment!
In this, the fourth book in the series, Shana Merchant is dealing with the backlash of being related to a serial killer. Articles are being written, the gossip is in high gear and trouble and death seems to follow her wherever she goes. Just as the small town of Alexandria Bay prepares for their big annual summer event, Pirate Days, Shana gets the call that a woman has gone missing. When it's discovered that another woman in a neighboring town has been found dead and from what appears to have the now dead serial killers MO, things switch into high gear as it seems there may be a copycat killer on the loose.
Although this can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, I recommend you to start with Death In The Family and continue from there. The character development throughout is superb and it only gets richer as the series progresses. This story is the perfect mix of police procedural and psychological thriller. The tension builds with every twist and turn and there are many possibilities as to who the killer is. I was highly satisfied by the reveal and ending as I had guessed wrong but it made perfect sense. All I can say is if you aren't reading this series yet, what are you waiting for?
Thank you to the author, Severn House and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
In this, the fourth book in the series, Shana Merchant is dealing with the backlash of being related to a serial killer. Articles are being written, the gossip is in high gear and trouble and death seems to follow her wherever she goes. Just as the small town of Alexandria Bay prepares for their big annual summer event, Pirate Days, Shana gets the call that a woman has gone missing. When it's discovered that another woman in a neighboring town has been found dead and from what appears to have the now dead serial killers MO, things switch into high gear as it seems there may be a copycat killer on the loose.
Although this can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, I recommend you to start with Death In The Family and continue from there. The character development throughout is superb and it only gets richer as the series progresses. This story is the perfect mix of police procedural and psychological thriller. The tension builds with every twist and turn and there are many possibilities as to who the killer is. I was highly satisfied by the reveal and ending as I had guessed wrong but it made perfect sense. All I can say is if you aren't reading this series yet, what are you waiting for?
Thank you to the author, Severn House and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
December 5, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ Rounded up here!
Shana Merchant is back!
This is my first time reading this series and if you can believe it, it’s perfect as a stand alone! 👏🏻👏🏻
The Kind To Kill is the 4th installment here and I’m over here wondering why in the world I haven’t read these sooner?! I will be frantically hunting the first three down for sure.
My thoughts:
I LOVED this book. Part procedural and part personal Shana is the perfect MC and I was devouring every word here.
Throw in some serial killer action and a touch of romance and family drama and I’m a fan for life. If you haven’t read this series yet - you ARE missing out. The writing pulled me in and the there’s non stop action.
This IS my kind of series! I urge you to pick it up and start reading, you won’t be able to put it down.
I’m over here waiting for the next book but in the meantime I’ll be catching up with the first three!
Shana Merchant is back!
This is my first time reading this series and if you can believe it, it’s perfect as a stand alone! 👏🏻👏🏻
The Kind To Kill is the 4th installment here and I’m over here wondering why in the world I haven’t read these sooner?! I will be frantically hunting the first three down for sure.
My thoughts:
I LOVED this book. Part procedural and part personal Shana is the perfect MC and I was devouring every word here.
Throw in some serial killer action and a touch of romance and family drama and I’m a fan for life. If you haven’t read this series yet - you ARE missing out. The writing pulled me in and the there’s non stop action.
This IS my kind of series! I urge you to pick it up and start reading, you won’t be able to put it down.
I’m over here waiting for the next book but in the meantime I’ll be catching up with the first three!
December 5, 2022
Book Review✨
THE KIND TO KILL by @tessawegert
Pub date: 12.6.22
Book 4 in the Shana Merchant series proved to be no less sensational than the previous installments, even with Blake Bram dead and gone.
Because while he might be dead, he’s far from gone in the minds of A-Bay residents. As much as Shana wants to shed her association with her serial killer cousin, locals just won’t let her. There’s even an op ed about how the area has become less safe since she took over the police department.
Her new relationship with Tim Wellington is such a positive thing but trying to balance it is proving difficult for Shana who wants to be taken seriously.
When a tourist goes missing and is then found murdered, the town is on edge. With the serial killer gone the only square peg is Shana Merchant, who seems to bring death with her.
To tackle this new threat Shana depends on the support and respect of her department.
Is it a copy cat killer? Or a new foe all together…
I freakin’ loved the ending on this one. Even though I kind of missed the Blake Bram element, Wegert built up such a compelling story I couldn’t stop turning pages yet again. This can read pretty well as a standalone, however I am far more invested because I’ve read the other books, all of which I highly recommend!
THE KIND TO KILL by @tessawegert
Pub date: 12.6.22
Book 4 in the Shana Merchant series proved to be no less sensational than the previous installments, even with Blake Bram dead and gone.
Because while he might be dead, he’s far from gone in the minds of A-Bay residents. As much as Shana wants to shed her association with her serial killer cousin, locals just won’t let her. There’s even an op ed about how the area has become less safe since she took over the police department.
Her new relationship with Tim Wellington is such a positive thing but trying to balance it is proving difficult for Shana who wants to be taken seriously.
When a tourist goes missing and is then found murdered, the town is on edge. With the serial killer gone the only square peg is Shana Merchant, who seems to bring death with her.
To tackle this new threat Shana depends on the support and respect of her department.
Is it a copy cat killer? Or a new foe all together…
I freakin’ loved the ending on this one. Even though I kind of missed the Blake Bram element, Wegert built up such a compelling story I couldn’t stop turning pages yet again. This can read pretty well as a standalone, however I am far more invested because I’ve read the other books, all of which I highly recommend!
November 14, 2022
The Kind to Kill is the 4th book and begins months after Shana’s secret, that she’s bound by blood to a serial killer, is out in the world. While dealing with personal trauma and guilt, the community is filling up with tourists for an annual festival when a visitor goes missing. As the investigation deepens, Shana finds herself surrounded by local gossip and unwanted attention which threatens to destroy her reputation and the case.
Great writing, smaller town setting, atmospheric and on the slow burn side, this series has been a pleasure to read. Shana is a great character and I love following her on her journey 💕. While this could be read as a stand alone, these are best read in order to get the full story and history of the characters. And all the books are totally worth it!
Great writing, smaller town setting, atmospheric and on the slow burn side, this series has been a pleasure to read. Shana is a great character and I love following her on her journey 💕. While this could be read as a stand alone, these are best read in order to get the full story and history of the characters. And all the books are totally worth it!
May 6, 2023
According to Tessa Wegert’s newsletter, the deadline for Shana #5 is fast approaching. And longtime Shana Merchant fans including myself can’t wait.
As I look back at the 4 previous books, including the latest, THE KIND TO KILL (Severn House, December 6, 2022), I marvel at Wegert’s ability to keep us coming back to deeply troubled yet consummate professional former NYPD detective, Shana Merchant.
Now a BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation) Senior Investigator in the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York, particularly gorgeous Alexandria Bay (our beloved ‘A-Bay’), a place like no other that lies in direct contrast to what Shana left in New York City.
… but Shana’s mind is preconditioned to expect murder and mayhem.
And the word was out about serial killer Blake Bram. “What he’d done here. Who he was.”
Who he’d been to Shana.
Like the scar that cuts a swath through Shana’s freckled skin from her ear to the corner of her mouth, there’s no concealing the fact Bram was her cousin.
Bram met his end in DEAD WIND (Shana #3) and I always look forward to Wegert’s seamless transitions; her skill in updating the reader: mention of the Sinclairs; Death in the Family (Shana #1); a nod to Aunt Fe, and Shana’s cousins including one Abe Skilton, DEAD SEASON (Shana #2), “… and then there was the recent murder of Hope Oberon,” DEAD WIND.
It was Shana who watched her cousin fall. It is Shana’s name that’s being dragged through the mud.
Violent crime divided families and the wounds inflicted on Shana’s family were deep. The kind that wouldn’t heal easily.
“The kind that left a scar.”
But time heals all wounds, right?
“The climate around here – it’s changed.”
In 4 days however, A-Bay will fill up with visitors from across the northeast, “barrel-chested dads in baseball caps and raucous couples in their twenties clogging the streets of the town.”
They’re here for Pirate Days and the merchants of A-Bay need it to be bigger than ever. “The money we’ve spent on advertising would make your head spin.”
But a woman goes missing.
Right in the midst of reputations being rebuilt – the town’s as well as Shana’s.
But the specter of Bram runs long and this crime is closer to Shana than even she knows.
“I can’t believe we’re back here.”
Wegert had a lot of work to do with THE KIND TO KLL. With Bram, who’d become as forceful a character as Shana, gone, what’s left for Shana? How does Wegert create an environment as oddly dynastic; one that ingratiates the reader to get past the weirdly compelling yet satiating dysfunctional family dynamic that keeps bringing us back?
As expected, Wegert succeeds mightily, infusing the impact of social media and our desire to “go viral,” as well as knowing cultural nods; to Peter Benchley, and one Mayor Vaughn.
Shana has found her people. But will she ever find peace?
“It was on the eighth day that I decided to kill him.”
It’s funny how trouble seems to follow you everywhere you go.
As I look back at the 4 previous books, including the latest, THE KIND TO KILL (Severn House, December 6, 2022), I marvel at Wegert’s ability to keep us coming back to deeply troubled yet consummate professional former NYPD detective, Shana Merchant.
Now a BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation) Senior Investigator in the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York, particularly gorgeous Alexandria Bay (our beloved ‘A-Bay’), a place like no other that lies in direct contrast to what Shana left in New York City.
… but Shana’s mind is preconditioned to expect murder and mayhem.
And the word was out about serial killer Blake Bram. “What he’d done here. Who he was.”
Who he’d been to Shana.
Like the scar that cuts a swath through Shana’s freckled skin from her ear to the corner of her mouth, there’s no concealing the fact Bram was her cousin.
Bram met his end in DEAD WIND (Shana #3) and I always look forward to Wegert’s seamless transitions; her skill in updating the reader: mention of the Sinclairs; Death in the Family (Shana #1); a nod to Aunt Fe, and Shana’s cousins including one Abe Skilton, DEAD SEASON (Shana #2), “… and then there was the recent murder of Hope Oberon,” DEAD WIND.
It was Shana who watched her cousin fall. It is Shana’s name that’s being dragged through the mud.
Violent crime divided families and the wounds inflicted on Shana’s family were deep. The kind that wouldn’t heal easily.
“The kind that left a scar.”
But time heals all wounds, right?
“The climate around here – it’s changed.”
In 4 days however, A-Bay will fill up with visitors from across the northeast, “barrel-chested dads in baseball caps and raucous couples in their twenties clogging the streets of the town.”
They’re here for Pirate Days and the merchants of A-Bay need it to be bigger than ever. “The money we’ve spent on advertising would make your head spin.”
But a woman goes missing.
Right in the midst of reputations being rebuilt – the town’s as well as Shana’s.
But the specter of Bram runs long and this crime is closer to Shana than even she knows.
“I can’t believe we’re back here.”
Wegert had a lot of work to do with THE KIND TO KLL. With Bram, who’d become as forceful a character as Shana, gone, what’s left for Shana? How does Wegert create an environment as oddly dynastic; one that ingratiates the reader to get past the weirdly compelling yet satiating dysfunctional family dynamic that keeps bringing us back?
As expected, Wegert succeeds mightily, infusing the impact of social media and our desire to “go viral,” as well as knowing cultural nods; to Peter Benchley, and one Mayor Vaughn.
Shana has found her people. But will she ever find peace?
“It was on the eighth day that I decided to kill him.”
It’s funny how trouble seems to follow you everywhere you go.
October 13, 2022
A tourist goes missing during a summer festival celebrating a notorious pirate in the picturesque town of Alexandria Bay in New York State. The fourth installment of Tessa Wegert’s Shana Merchant Novels finds the New York State police detective still trying to fit in to her new community. In town less than a year, she’s investigated more serious crimes than the area had seen in many years. And it seems someone in town blames Shana for that increase in crime, and the bad press coverage that comes with it.
Desperate to make this year’s Pirate Days a financial success, news of the disappearance sends townspeople into finger-pointing and worse. Shana, who is also reeling from family conflicts, tries to keep the investigation on track while fighting off her detractors.
As she and her team race to find the missing tourist, another missing person case from a different jurisdiction raises the specter of a copycat serial killer just as hordes of visitors arrive in costume to celebrate Pirate Days.
Wegert is at the top of her game. Her writing is evocative, and her plot is tight, taking the reader on a sweaty ride through the heat of the real-world August festival with twists that leave the reader guessing until the end. And the best part is that Wegert has crafted a strong female detective, who happens to be the boss, and is so engaging I always miss hanging out with her when I finish one of the books.
Desperate to make this year’s Pirate Days a financial success, news of the disappearance sends townspeople into finger-pointing and worse. Shana, who is also reeling from family conflicts, tries to keep the investigation on track while fighting off her detractors.
As she and her team race to find the missing tourist, another missing person case from a different jurisdiction raises the specter of a copycat serial killer just as hordes of visitors arrive in costume to celebrate Pirate Days.
Wegert is at the top of her game. Her writing is evocative, and her plot is tight, taking the reader on a sweaty ride through the heat of the real-world August festival with twists that leave the reader guessing until the end. And the best part is that Wegert has crafted a strong female detective, who happens to be the boss, and is so engaging I always miss hanging out with her when I finish one of the books.
December 8, 2022
I LOVE this mystery series that mixes police procedure with a strong main character, Senior Investigator Shana Merchant.
It’s summer in A-Bay and Shana is being stalked by the wife and brother in law of a NYPD patrol officer killed while trying to help Shana escape from serial killer, Blake Bram, two years ago.
While it’s the Pirate Days festival in town, there is also a new killer in the area that may be a copy cat killer of Bram.
In book four, Shana not only must solve the murders, but come to grips with being a violent crime survivor and handling the notoriety that comes with it.
Besides the mystery itself being a perfect blend of twisty and dramatic, what really hit home with me being a huge fan of all things true crime is the lasting impact of the crimes on both the families of the victims’ and the killers’.
You could read this as a stand alone as the mystery in this book is self contained, but I think a lot of the intense background on Shana and Bram would be lost if you read this book without reading the first three.
It’s summer in A-Bay and Shana is being stalked by the wife and brother in law of a NYPD patrol officer killed while trying to help Shana escape from serial killer, Blake Bram, two years ago.
While it’s the Pirate Days festival in town, there is also a new killer in the area that may be a copy cat killer of Bram.
In book four, Shana not only must solve the murders, but come to grips with being a violent crime survivor and handling the notoriety that comes with it.
Besides the mystery itself being a perfect blend of twisty and dramatic, what really hit home with me being a huge fan of all things true crime is the lasting impact of the crimes on both the families of the victims’ and the killers’.
You could read this as a stand alone as the mystery in this book is self contained, but I think a lot of the intense background on Shana and Bram would be lost if you read this book without reading the first three.
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