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QR Code Killer
February 2, 2012
Murder.
Mayhem.
Suspense.
Romance.
Zeus is a crazed killer who uses QR Codes to taunt the cop hot on his trail.
Mad Dog Weber, a tough-as-nails member of the Seattle police force, is willing to do whatever it
takes to bring Zeus down. Despite her best intentions, Maddie (Mad Dog) falls in love with her dad's hired hand, putting them both in danger.
Erik Moore is running from his past and trying to avoid the future when he finds himself falling in love with his boss' daughter. Unknowingly, he puts himself right in the path of the QR Code Killer as he struggles to keep Maddie safe.
From the waterfront of Seattle to the rolling hills of wheat and vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley, suspense and romance fly around every twist and turn.
Murder.
Mayhem.
Suspense.
Romance.
Zeus is a crazed killer who uses QR Codes to taunt the cop hot on his trail.
Mad Dog Weber, a tough-as-nails member of the Seattle police force, is willing to do whatever it
takes to bring Zeus down. Despite her best intentions, Maddie (Mad Dog) falls in love with her dad's hired hand, putting them both in danger.
Erik Moore is running from his past and trying to avoid the future when he finds himself falling in love with his boss' daughter. Unknowingly, he puts himself right in the path of the QR Code Killer as he struggles to keep Maddie safe.
From the waterfront of Seattle to the rolling hills of wheat and vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley, suspense and romance fly around every twist and turn.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2012
109 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Shanna Hatfield
162 books1,314 followersA hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor.
In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.
To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield
In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.
To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 5, 2023
QR Killer by Shanna Hatfield is one very powerful romantic-suspense book, it held my attention from the very first page to the last paragraph.
Question is can you figure out who the
QR Killer is, before he is revealed?
The romance between Maddie and Erik is so enduring, compassionate, and heartfelt, plus the suspense is addictive, QR Killer delivers on both.
So if you are looking for a romantic-suspense book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend this book. One of the best romantic-suspense books I have read this year.
When it comes to making her readers happy and feeling satisfied Shanna knows how to write that kind of story.
Question is can you figure out who the
QR Killer is, before he is revealed?
The romance between Maddie and Erik is so enduring, compassionate, and heartfelt, plus the suspense is addictive, QR Killer delivers on both.
So if you are looking for a romantic-suspense book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend this book. One of the best romantic-suspense books I have read this year.
When it comes to making her readers happy and feeling satisfied Shanna knows how to write that kind of story.
January 21, 2013
This book was not what expected. It was a mystery and a romance novel combined into one. The book was still entertaining to read and even had a surprise ending. The storyline was very easy to follow which made it an easy read.
April 25, 2012
Written by my friend Shanna. I liked the plot. The overall feel was more romance than suspense. A quick read.
December 8, 2018
QR Code Killer was definitely a long way from the genre I normally read but read it I must. I know anything written by Shanna Hatfield is always absolutely splendid. This book grabs ones attention on the first page and holds til the last page. This book had me on the edge of my seat. I was trying to figure out who the killer was right along with Mad Dog and I actually had figured who he was. Shanna Hatfield is one talented author she can write a story that will stay on the mind long after the book has been closed
January 6, 2022
This was a much different different book than all the other I've read by Shanna. I honestly didn't even realize it was written by Shanna Hatfield until I finished the book. There was definitely a plot twist but I enjoyed it!
August 2, 2022
QR Killer
Shanna Hatfield did it again! A lovely story filled with action, suspense and romace. Lovely characters that make one wants to keep on reading until you have finished the whole story.
Shanna Hatfield did it again! A lovely story filled with action, suspense and romace. Lovely characters that make one wants to keep on reading until you have finished the whole story.
November 2, 2025
**bonk** Ouch! **bonk** Ouch! **bonk** Ouch!
That is the sound of the book hitting me over the head with the extremely obvious clues until I was dizzy but the dumb as dirt, brilliant detective couldn't figure out who the killer was until the very end.
Let me first say, this is the first heterosexual romance I've read in awhile. I had read several mediocre M/M romances in a row and was ready for something different. I bought this by accident because of a marketing ploy that probably shot Hatfield in the foot: The blurb is very careful not to mention the gender of Mad Dog. I, like probably the majority of people, did not read it carefully and made an assumption that Mad Dog was male. This mean to me that this was a M/M thriller.
The reality is that Mad Dog is female and this is a M/F romance. Now the audience for a book about two men chasing a killer is not the same audience as for a het romance thriller.
But I read it anyway because Mad Dog is a strong, intelligent, capable cop. She copes with loss and a challenging case very well. Oh wait, then the story starts.
Mad Dog ends up back home on a very non-Washington State type of farm. I mean, people are constantly being offered mint iced sweet tea. That is so Southern and so not Northwest. She's hanging around doing nothing for a long time while all the men are working hard. When danger erupts, the other woman gets sent away, but the men stay. At one point a strong woman comes for a couple of days and helps but then she is sent away, too.
When Mad Dog is introduced, we're told that "she wasn't going to pursue a career typical for most females." And what would that be? Does she mean a career that tends to have a lot of women or that women gravitate to? The way it's written just sounds like she's something really special because she decided to become a cop, like it's a freaky thing. Following that sentence is this one: "She was good at analyical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning." Now, that sounds to me that she was smart so she needed a non-female type job. At another point she pretends she can't shoot in order to get a man to come closer to her and show her how. To her credit, she doesn't let the ruse last more than an hour or two, but still, ewwwwww.
As I said before, the solution is obvious, but Mad Dog is an idiot as are all the people working on the case. I had a good idea who the killer was in Chapter .
The same formulaic stuff was here but it was different from the M/M romances I usually read. Not only don't the two main characters sleep together, they don't do anything more than kiss. At one point, he finds out she has a mole on her backside (it comes up in the case). He asks to see it and she says, "What kind of girl do you think I am?" The mole is "very low" on her back. Not her butt, on her back. This is a homicide detective--she's seen it all. This is a homicide detective from Seattle--one of the most liberal cities in the country with one of the lowest marriage rates and highest in other sins because there aren't that many religious conservatives here.
She's supposed to be driven, hence the "mad dog" nickname, but she goes to her family's farm to recuperate? Really? What homicide detective whose been working on the same case for three years, who has a personal stake in it, who was not ordered off the case, would go home a 4 hour drive away to hang out for the entire summer? One of the things she sets out to do when she gets there is
That is the sound of the book hitting me over the head with the extremely obvious clues until I was dizzy but the dumb as dirt, brilliant detective couldn't figure out who the killer was until the very end.
Let me first say, this is the first heterosexual romance I've read in awhile. I had read several mediocre M/M romances in a row and was ready for something different. I bought this by accident because of a marketing ploy that probably shot Hatfield in the foot: The blurb is very careful not to mention the gender of Mad Dog. I, like probably the majority of people, did not read it carefully and made an assumption that Mad Dog was male. This mean to me that this was a M/M thriller.
The reality is that Mad Dog is female and this is a M/F romance. Now the audience for a book about two men chasing a killer is not the same audience as for a het romance thriller.
But I read it anyway because Mad Dog is a strong, intelligent, capable cop. She copes with loss and a challenging case very well. Oh wait, then the story starts.
Mad Dog ends up back home on a very non-Washington State type of farm. I mean, people are constantly being offered mint iced sweet tea. That is so Southern and so not Northwest. She's hanging around doing nothing for a long time while all the men are working hard. When danger erupts, the other woman gets sent away, but the men stay. At one point a strong woman comes for a couple of days and helps but then she is sent away, too.
When Mad Dog is introduced, we're told that "she wasn't going to pursue a career typical for most females." And what would that be? Does she mean a career that tends to have a lot of women or that women gravitate to? The way it's written just sounds like she's something really special because she decided to become a cop, like it's a freaky thing. Following that sentence is this one: "She was good at analyical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning." Now, that sounds to me that she was smart so she needed a non-female type job. At another point she pretends she can't shoot in order to get a man to come closer to her and show her how. To her credit, she doesn't let the ruse last more than an hour or two, but still, ewwwwww.
As I said before, the solution is obvious, but Mad Dog is an idiot as are all the people working on the case. I had a good idea who the killer was in Chapter .
The same formulaic stuff was here but it was different from the M/M romances I usually read. Not only don't the two main characters sleep together, they don't do anything more than kiss. At one point, he finds out she has a mole on her backside (it comes up in the case). He asks to see it and she says, "What kind of girl do you think I am?" The mole is "very low" on her back. Not her butt, on her back. This is a homicide detective--she's seen it all. This is a homicide detective from Seattle--one of the most liberal cities in the country with one of the lowest marriage rates and highest in other sins because there aren't that many religious conservatives here.
She's supposed to be driven, hence the "mad dog" nickname, but she goes to her family's farm to recuperate? Really? What homicide detective whose been working on the same case for three years, who has a personal stake in it, who was not ordered off the case, would go home a 4 hour drive away to hang out for the entire summer? One of the things she sets out to do when she gets there is
December 17, 2018
Good mystery. I did guess the identity of the killer fairly early in the book, but that didn't take away from the story any. Sweet romance too.
August 2, 2020
Very good
Different from the other books. Really a surprise ending. It was a change from the western. Would like to read more by Shanna Hatfield like this
Different from the other books. Really a surprise ending. It was a change from the western. Would like to read more by Shanna Hatfield like this
March 1, 2022
Good suspense story. I was on edge and had to keep reading to find out what would happen next.
I liked the suspenseful aspect more than the romance.
I liked the suspenseful aspect more than the romance.
April 25, 2024
Surprisingly good
I didn’t realize Shanna wrote suspense. She did a great job of keeping my attention without the book becoming too unrealistic. The end had a nice twist as well.
I didn’t realize Shanna wrote suspense. She did a great job of keeping my attention without the book becoming too unrealistic. The end had a nice twist as well.
April 25, 2020
Mystery is different but I do like a mystery so awesome job on this. Cannot miss this read, I am sure that you will laugh and cry, but even produce some anger at this low life who is bringing pain.
September 12, 2021
I found this book for free on Amazon via the author's newsletter; this is my honest review
-Good suspense, good family values, and nice romance. I really liked the ending.
-I figured out Zeus a bit early in the book but it didn't really matter.
-Watch out for some gruesome details and images that won't leave your brains even when the book is finished.
-Fast-paced from the start. Funny sometimes but really sad at other moments. Hard to put down.
-My only problem was how the author defined Erik. Single with no attachments. He's actually a widower with a broken heart.
-Good suspense, good family values, and nice romance. I really liked the ending.
-I figured out Zeus a bit early in the book but it didn't really matter.
-Watch out for some gruesome details and images that won't leave your brains even when the book is finished.
-Fast-paced from the start. Funny sometimes but really sad at other moments. Hard to put down.
-My only problem was how the author defined Erik. Single with no attachments. He's actually a widower with a broken heart.
October 29, 2025
"The QR Killer" is an interesting mystery with some romance woven into the story. I am not a romance fan but this book is well done. I was more interested in the mystery of Zeus anyway. 😀 If you are looking for a good fast read, look no further.
February 12, 2013
Taken from my Amazon review:
New to Shanna Hatfield's work, I admit I was a bit suspicious of a free book - but on the other hand, hey, free book! I would up being glad that I picked it up.
Romance is also a genre that is generally outside of my purview, so I wasn't entirely certain as to what to expect. However, what I found was an enjoyable and distinct cast, and an intriguing mystery that I had only barely solved before it was officially unveiled. I believe this was the author's intent, however, to create a moment of "wait, could it be- nooo, but- it is!", which is much more satisfying than a "pulled from a hat" sort of reveal.
My one quibble was with the main love interest's characterization - whereas Maddie was well-rounded, with her good points and bad, strengths and faults, Erik seemed to be more or less the perfect man. While I am told that this is something of a staple of the genre, I would have preferred to see a less romantic and more human side to him, as even his struggle in moving past his loss is more of a "pro" to his romantic character.
Aside from that minor issue, I found the characters quite believable and interesting. The plot was well-paced, making the payoff of the ending that much more worthwhile. If the romance genre is your cup of tea, I would definitely recommend Ms. Hatfield's work and "QR Code Killer" in particular.
New to Shanna Hatfield's work, I admit I was a bit suspicious of a free book - but on the other hand, hey, free book! I would up being glad that I picked it up.
Romance is also a genre that is generally outside of my purview, so I wasn't entirely certain as to what to expect. However, what I found was an enjoyable and distinct cast, and an intriguing mystery that I had only barely solved before it was officially unveiled. I believe this was the author's intent, however, to create a moment of "wait, could it be- nooo, but- it is!", which is much more satisfying than a "pulled from a hat" sort of reveal.
My one quibble was with the main love interest's characterization - whereas Maddie was well-rounded, with her good points and bad, strengths and faults, Erik seemed to be more or less the perfect man. While I am told that this is something of a staple of the genre, I would have preferred to see a less romantic and more human side to him, as even his struggle in moving past his loss is more of a "pro" to his romantic character.
Aside from that minor issue, I found the characters quite believable and interesting. The plot was well-paced, making the payoff of the ending that much more worthwhile. If the romance genre is your cup of tea, I would definitely recommend Ms. Hatfield's work and "QR Code Killer" in particular.
September 11, 2024
A Seattle police detective, Madelyn "Mad Dog" Weber, has been trying to capture a killer for three years. Zeus seems to have a personal vendetta against Maddie, threatening her with QR codes sent in the mail. In their last run-in, Zeus stabbed her in the shoulder. Maddie is now home on the family farm in Walla Walla to recuperate for the summer.
After the death of his wife and unborn child, Erik Moore couldn't stay on his farm. Erik rented it out and has traveled for the last two years installing wind turbines. When the Webers ask him to stay on and help with their place, Erik is ready to stop running and give himself time to think about returning home.
As Maddie and Erik grow close and she begins receiving phone calls and codes from Zeus at the farm, Maddie feels the need to confide in Erik for his safety. Erik refuses to leave. Instead, he stays to help Maddie solve the mystery of who Zeus is and stop his killing spree.
QR Code Killer is a romantic suspense novel by Shanna Hatfield. While it is very different from the author's sweet and fun romances, I did enjoy Maddie and Erik's love story.
I purchased a Kindle copy of this book.
After the death of his wife and unborn child, Erik Moore couldn't stay on his farm. Erik rented it out and has traveled for the last two years installing wind turbines. When the Webers ask him to stay on and help with their place, Erik is ready to stop running and give himself time to think about returning home.
As Maddie and Erik grow close and she begins receiving phone calls and codes from Zeus at the farm, Maddie feels the need to confide in Erik for his safety. Erik refuses to leave. Instead, he stays to help Maddie solve the mystery of who Zeus is and stop his killing spree.
QR Code Killer is a romantic suspense novel by Shanna Hatfield. While it is very different from the author's sweet and fun romances, I did enjoy Maddie and Erik's love story.
I purchased a Kindle copy of this book.
February 28, 2014
The QR Cod Killer was a reasonably well-written book but in a lot of situations I felt the author had stretched the ability to believe in what she'd written until it was a rather taut string stretched over a very long distance. The situations the Detective, Mad Dog Weber found herself in (and yes, that' is correct. Mad Dog is a woman!)asked for a suspension of belief I just wasn't capable of. The killer scenario was well-written and the suspense was kept moving along at a reasonable speed, but some of the things Mad Dog was allowed to, and chose to do seem at odds with everything I know about being a member of the police force. She just seemed to have way too much latitude in decision making, and it seemed someone would have reined her in much earlier in the peace. As to the decision to keep her family in the dark about the serial killer, then to have them attacked by said serial killer didn't seem to make a lot of sense to me. However, as I said above, it is reasonably well-written - I suggest you take a look for yourself and make up your own mind.
July 1, 2013
"QR Code Killer" by Shanna Hatfield is a great read. It is about a rather personal feud between young police officer Mad Dog / Maddie Weber and a killer named Zeus. In a action packed opening sequence Maddie loses one of her colleagues as she tries to catch a key witness to locate Zeus. The ensuing cat and mouse game between Zeus and Maddie becomes personal, as does the relationship between Maddie and Eric, the man her father hired to protect her.
Eric is a man with a past, which gives him enough depth to make his connection with Maddie believable and a good sub-plot for the story, so we do not have to rely just on action for entertainment.
This is fast paced and enjoyable.
Eric is a man with a past, which gives him enough depth to make his connection with Maddie believable and a good sub-plot for the story, so we do not have to rely just on action for entertainment.
This is fast paced and enjoyable.
November 6, 2013
Probably a 3.5 rating.
This is a book about a young cop--Maddie--who is trying to catch a drug dealer, killer--Zeus. There is romance, suspence, murder, family relations, etc. It was a clean romance, and I appreciate that.
I really enjoyed the book, but there was a little too much violence for me. Also, I felt the author gave a few too many clues, and I was able to figure out who Zeus was before the brilliant detectives were able to.
This is a book about a young cop--Maddie--who is trying to catch a drug dealer, killer--Zeus. There is romance, suspence, murder, family relations, etc. It was a clean romance, and I appreciate that.
I really enjoyed the book, but there was a little too much violence for me. Also, I felt the author gave a few too many clues, and I was able to figure out who Zeus was before the brilliant detectives were able to.
May 17, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and it had a bad-ass female cop with a nickname of Mad Dog. The QR code part was not a big part of the story, and that was fine. It served its purpose, but it wasn't something that had to make or break the story.
There was happiness, sadness, death and love in this story, and it didn't seem like it was all that far fetched.
There was happiness, sadness, death and love in this story, and it didn't seem like it was all that far fetched.
September 5, 2015
This book is a double edge sword. I knew who it was from the beginning or close to anyway. That part was frustrating. However, having said that, I kept going just because if was on a friends que. It turned out to be a pretty good read. I'm not sure if the person was suppose to be obvious or not but it was to me. Other than that it was an interesting read that kept me going.
October 15, 2015
This book was pretty creative but, there are so many obvious things and moments where it stretches possibilities for events that it was a little struggle to continue reading. I'm not upset with it though as it's not a bad book and all.
November 10, 2014
Recommend for the Suspense!
What a good mystery and suspense, with romance intertwined to keep it from being too stressful, by one of my favorite authors. Well written with a wonderful cast of characters and story line. A clean romance. JudyE
What a good mystery and suspense, with romance intertwined to keep it from being too stressful, by one of my favorite authors. Well written with a wonderful cast of characters and story line. A clean romance. JudyE
September 25, 2016
While this was a likable story, this suffered in comparison to a romantic suspense novel I read just before this (by Janice Cantore). I normally love everything that Ms Hatfield writes, but I am not sure I am sold on her romantic suspense.
November 15, 2012
Excellent book. Fast paced, and a page turner. Oh yeah, nice twist at the end.
March 20, 2013
Started reading this not expecting much, turned out to be really really good!
July 20, 2013
It was a decent book. I enjoyed reading it. Not really what I thought it was going to be like but was a good fast read.
August 11, 2013
I really liked the mixture of suspense with a little romance.
May 6, 2016
This was a wonderfully surprising book with just the right amount and combination of mystery, intrigue, suspense, action, and sweet romance. I definitely recommend reading it!
January 24, 2016
Is a great book to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews