What do you think?
Rate this book
Wyoming #1
Sinister
New York Times bestselling authors Lisa Jackson, Nancy Bush, and Rosalind Noonan unite their talents in this riveting novel of family secrets, obsession, and murder. . .
A Killer's Patience
Twenty years ago, a fire ravaged the Dillinger family's old homestead, killing Judd Dillinger and crippling his girlfriend. Most people blamed a serial arsonist who'd been seen around town. But strange things are happening in Prairie Creek, Wyoming, again.
Will Be Rewarded
Ira Dillinger, the family's wealthy patriarch, has summoned his children home for his upcoming wedding. Eldest son, Colton, and his siblings don't approve of their father's gold-digging bride-to-be. But someone is making his displeasure felt in terrifying ways, setting fires just like in the past. Only this time, there will be no survivors.
In Blood
As fear and distrust spread through Prairie Creek, soon all the Dillingers, and those closest to them, are targets--and suspects. A killer has been honing his skill, feeding his fury, and waiting for the moment when the Dillingers come home--to die. . .
A Killer's Patience
Twenty years ago, a fire ravaged the Dillinger family's old homestead, killing Judd Dillinger and crippling his girlfriend. Most people blamed a serial arsonist who'd been seen around town. But strange things are happening in Prairie Creek, Wyoming, again.
Will Be Rewarded
Ira Dillinger, the family's wealthy patriarch, has summoned his children home for his upcoming wedding. Eldest son, Colton, and his siblings don't approve of their father's gold-digging bride-to-be. But someone is making his displeasure felt in terrifying ways, setting fires just like in the past. Only this time, there will be no survivors.
In Blood
As fear and distrust spread through Prairie Creek, soon all the Dillingers, and those closest to them, are targets--and suspects. A killer has been honing his skill, feeding his fury, and waiting for the moment when the Dillingers come home--to die. . .
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2013
1495 people are currently reading
9329 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jackson
275 books9,707 followersLisa Jackson is the number-one New York Times bestselling author of over ninety-five novels, including the Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya Series, the Pescoli and Alvarez Series, the Savannah series, and numerous stand alone novels. She also is the co-author of One Last Breath, Last Girl Standing, and the Colony Series, written with her sister and bestselling author Nancy Bush, as well as the collaborative novels Sinister and Ominous, written with Nancy Bush and Rosalind Noonan. There are over thirty million copies of her novels in print and her writing has been translated into twenty languages.
Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.
Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.
Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
December 14, 2013
I applaud authors that take chances, and in this case we have three authors that have decided to color outside the lines. Rosalind Noonan and sisters Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush took collaboration to a whole new level by dividing SINISTER into parts and then each author seized a particular section(s) and made it her own. While author collaboration is not a new concept in the writing universe, this particular brand of teamwork has not been seen by these eyes, or if I did see it, I lived in a world of blissful ignorance (which can be a perfectly acceptable playground if you’re so inclined).
But that’s where my applause ends, and the criticism begins. If you’re going to trip and fall and possibly end up doing a face plant on an icy patch of sidewalk, you should at least do it in style. While these three ladies have earned style points on collaboration originality and character voice consistency, the style points ended as this romantic suspense novel took hold. The dialogue felt forced and sometimes trite; the romance was packaged a little too well and wrapped in a secondhand bow; the suspense needed an anticipation injection along with a tad more unease; and there were scenes where the moments felt erratic and jerky, because of the choice of viewpoint character.
While Ira, Hunter, and Sam certainly had personality, Renee, Ricki, Sabrina, and Delilah proved more fleshed out than their male counterparts. And I had trouble identifying with and getting behind any particular character, and not just because I’ve never been to Wyoming and have very limited experience with barns and horses and farms.
So, yeah, I’d been excited to see this one come, but in the end, I was rather glad to see this one go.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
But that’s where my applause ends, and the criticism begins. If you’re going to trip and fall and possibly end up doing a face plant on an icy patch of sidewalk, you should at least do it in style. While these three ladies have earned style points on collaboration originality and character voice consistency, the style points ended as this romantic suspense novel took hold. The dialogue felt forced and sometimes trite; the romance was packaged a little too well and wrapped in a secondhand bow; the suspense needed an anticipation injection along with a tad more unease; and there were scenes where the moments felt erratic and jerky, because of the choice of viewpoint character.
While Ira, Hunter, and Sam certainly had personality, Renee, Ricki, Sabrina, and Delilah proved more fleshed out than their male counterparts. And I had trouble identifying with and getting behind any particular character, and not just because I’ve never been to Wyoming and have very limited experience with barns and horses and farms.
So, yeah, I’d been excited to see this one come, but in the end, I was rather glad to see this one go.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
January 5, 2014
I didn't like it at all. I do like Lisa Jackson but not this. A caravan of stick figures populate the book which is formulaic chick lit trying to masquerade as mystery/suspense. Set in a hick area of Wyoming (yes, I know it is a hick state altogether), this is like Harlequin's sappy cowboy romances with guys named Colton, Buck, and Dirk screwing women who fall into bed at the drop of the hat just because some ex-lover who dumped them 20 years ago looks at them with yearning from his steel blue eyes while his muscular body glistens with sweat. Oh please. I am gagging just thinking about it.
In this story, papa Ira Dillinger, patriarch of the clan, has gotten over the death of his wife a few months earlier and is all ready to get married and bed down with a new Hee Haw Honey, this one being young enough to be his daughter. No body seems thrilled but here in Prairie Creek, there seems to be a fire bug problem (20 years earlier old Judd Dillinger was killed when an arsonist burned the house down) not to mention a creeper who is slaughtering and skinning animals for fun. Said weirdo is hoping to do in the whole family when they get there for Ira's wedding to his Hee Haw Honey. Before it was over, I was wishing I could set fire to the book with them (and the authors) all in it!
I don't recommend it to anyone who doesn't like what I just described. If you do, you'll be in hog heaven with this thing.
In this story, papa Ira Dillinger, patriarch of the clan, has gotten over the death of his wife a few months earlier and is all ready to get married and bed down with a new Hee Haw Honey, this one being young enough to be his daughter. No body seems thrilled but here in Prairie Creek, there seems to be a fire bug problem (20 years earlier old Judd Dillinger was killed when an arsonist burned the house down) not to mention a creeper who is slaughtering and skinning animals for fun. Said weirdo is hoping to do in the whole family when they get there for Ira's wedding to his Hee Haw Honey. Before it was over, I was wishing I could set fire to the book with them (and the authors) all in it!
I don't recommend it to anyone who doesn't like what I just described. If you do, you'll be in hog heaven with this thing.
May 9, 2014
I think I just accidentally read my first Harlequin Romance. Beefy cowboys, burly firemen, long lost romance, oh and some people died.
Almost too embarrassed to even count this swill.
Almost too embarrassed to even count this swill.
July 13, 2019
The cover of the book claimed this was the "Scariest Novel of the Year!". It must have been a very bad year for scary novels because this one fell flat for me. The opening chapter held so much promise and then this book digressed into a Harlequin romance novel. This one loved that one and now found one another again, then another loved and lost but found them again, and this repeats yet again. While not super descriptive I could have done without the detail of their sex scenes and it added nothing to the story except maybe they were "scared" they would get caught doing the wild thing in the barn. Yes, there were a few killings but really no detail to really give you the willies late at night. I actually found myself skimming some pages out of boredom. I kept waiting for this "scariest novel of the year" to have a jaw dropping finale, but alas, was once again disappointed. If you really want a book that will give you a gut check try Richard Laymons "Endless Night". I double checked my locks for weeks after reading that one. Sorry but could not recommend this offering by Lisa Jackson to anyone.
June 19, 2020
3.75 stars!
I really enjoyed this mystery by the three authors. I would have loved to have read more about the relationships that came out of the reunion of Dillinger family members and their home town.
I really enjoyed this mystery by the three authors. I would have loved to have read more about the relationships that came out of the reunion of Dillinger family members and their home town.
January 2, 2014
I received a free copy through Goodreads.
---
I would give it 2 stars.
I didn't know what to expect, especially with 3 authors collaborating in writing this book. Parts of it was good, parts of it was rushed and forgettable.
There was way too many characters introduced right away (I know the Dillinger family is extensive but come on), most of the characters are very one dimensional, the climax was very anti-climatic (really? I was hoping for something a lot more....like a shoot out or something dramatic) and most of the secrets/rumors were very clichéd (you know, so and so hooked up which may have resulted in a feud/fire, blah blah blah).
I am all for happy endings, but the ending to me was a snooze fest.
I have to admit, reading the thrills and thoughts of the killer got me shivering and chilled. However, to be honest the killer (aside from his cruel methods) really isn't that outstanding or impressionable once the story isn't narrated by him. Plus his reasoning for revenge was like whatever, not worthwhile to have carried the grudge for so long...then again someone else has been holding onto a grudge for a lot longer.
Overall, it's an OK read.
---
I would give it 2 stars.
I didn't know what to expect, especially with 3 authors collaborating in writing this book. Parts of it was good, parts of it was rushed and forgettable.
There was way too many characters introduced right away (I know the Dillinger family is extensive but come on), most of the characters are very one dimensional, the climax was very anti-climatic (really? I was hoping for something a lot more....like a shoot out or something dramatic) and most of the secrets/rumors were very clichéd (you know, so and so hooked up which may have resulted in a feud/fire, blah blah blah).
I am all for happy endings, but the ending to me was a snooze fest.
I have to admit, reading the thrills and thoughts of the killer got me shivering and chilled. However, to be honest the killer (aside from his cruel methods) really isn't that outstanding or impressionable once the story isn't narrated by him. Plus his reasoning for revenge was like whatever, not worthwhile to have carried the grudge for so long...then again someone else has been holding onto a grudge for a lot longer.
Overall, it's an OK read.
January 26, 2014
I liked this book. I do think it would have been better had they made it into a trilogy, so they could give more details and fill out the characters and plots. I didn't mind or notice the change in writers much, that was fine. I know I'd read more about these families!
May 5, 2017
TO much romance and sex for my mood.
July 17, 2018
“Sinister” an exciting tale that blends murder, mystery and romance opens with the disappearance of twenty-six -year old Amber Barstow from a bar in Prairie Creek, Wyoming, the case baffling Sheriff Sam Featherstone and his new deputy Ricki Dillinger until her body is found in a fire in the church where Ira Dillinger is days away from wedding gold digger Pilar Larson.
The mystery deepens when Judd Dillinger’s girlfriend rescued in a fire in the old homestead where he died years before is murdered, the corpse mutilated, and a tooth extracted. As fear and uncertainty ripples through Prairie Creek and the Dillinger siblings gather for their father’s wedding to a woman they resent, it becomes more and more evident that Ira and his family are being targeted.
Fast-paced and action-packed as fires and death unleash terror in the Wyoming town, intensity and suspense heighten when a blaze erupts in the foreman’s cabin and all exits are blocked when Ricki’s daughter tries to escape the inferno. Woven into the escalating the terror and tension are the added insights of the deranged killer whose fury is temporarily assuaged with each kill. Yet skillfully defusing the threat of violence are three romances as lost love is rekindled between Colton and the town’s vet Sabrina; the sheriff and his deputy; and a Kincaid and a Dillinger. With twists and turns as Ira and his family face another tragedy the plot progresses quickly and smoothly to an explosive ending.
For me what hampered the flow of the story was the absence of breaks between many scene/character changes, and the headings announcing a writer change. The plot was well-written and fluid in style, so the latter wasn’t required and the first I found disconcerting.
Creating tension and intrigue are a host of compelling characters like Colton Dillinger who owns a ranch in Montana but seems to be drifting since the loss of his wife and child in an accident. A man with a cocky grin who’s stubborn and determined he returns reluctantly to Wyoming for his father’s wedding to not only find he has a son by Pilar but to pursue a past love he thought lost. Dr. Sabrina Delaney is the strong-willed, steady and smart veterinarian who never stopped loving the oldest Dillinger sibling.
Among the other personalities that bring this story to life is irascible, influential and arrogant Ira Dillinger; the sensual opportunist Pilar Larson; level-headed and astute Sheriff Sam Featherstone; frank and perceptive Ricki Dillinger; the creative and wary Delilah Dillinger; and the handsome, incisive firefighter Hunter Kincaid who’s threatened after exposing the corruption in his department.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Sinister” with its thrilling and absorbing murder-mystery, captivating romances and and fascinating characters. I look forward to reading more by Lisa Jackson and her writing team.
The mystery deepens when Judd Dillinger’s girlfriend rescued in a fire in the old homestead where he died years before is murdered, the corpse mutilated, and a tooth extracted. As fear and uncertainty ripples through Prairie Creek and the Dillinger siblings gather for their father’s wedding to a woman they resent, it becomes more and more evident that Ira and his family are being targeted.
Fast-paced and action-packed as fires and death unleash terror in the Wyoming town, intensity and suspense heighten when a blaze erupts in the foreman’s cabin and all exits are blocked when Ricki’s daughter tries to escape the inferno. Woven into the escalating the terror and tension are the added insights of the deranged killer whose fury is temporarily assuaged with each kill. Yet skillfully defusing the threat of violence are three romances as lost love is rekindled between Colton and the town’s vet Sabrina; the sheriff and his deputy; and a Kincaid and a Dillinger. With twists and turns as Ira and his family face another tragedy the plot progresses quickly and smoothly to an explosive ending.
For me what hampered the flow of the story was the absence of breaks between many scene/character changes, and the headings announcing a writer change. The plot was well-written and fluid in style, so the latter wasn’t required and the first I found disconcerting.
Creating tension and intrigue are a host of compelling characters like Colton Dillinger who owns a ranch in Montana but seems to be drifting since the loss of his wife and child in an accident. A man with a cocky grin who’s stubborn and determined he returns reluctantly to Wyoming for his father’s wedding to not only find he has a son by Pilar but to pursue a past love he thought lost. Dr. Sabrina Delaney is the strong-willed, steady and smart veterinarian who never stopped loving the oldest Dillinger sibling.
Among the other personalities that bring this story to life is irascible, influential and arrogant Ira Dillinger; the sensual opportunist Pilar Larson; level-headed and astute Sheriff Sam Featherstone; frank and perceptive Ricki Dillinger; the creative and wary Delilah Dillinger; and the handsome, incisive firefighter Hunter Kincaid who’s threatened after exposing the corruption in his department.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Sinister” with its thrilling and absorbing murder-mystery, captivating romances and and fascinating characters. I look forward to reading more by Lisa Jackson and her writing team.
May 18, 2025
This book felt disjointed, and I’m not convinced the authors have ever spent any amount of time in small farming/ranching communities. I’ll have a more in depth review posted here after it goes live on the blog.
February 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ - kept my attention the whole way through but it was hard at times to follow so many characters.
April 26, 2025
had me at first but then too many characters...too many plotlines, it became ridiculous.
July 26, 2020
Ist book of this series and a great concept of Three Authors... However parts of the book to me was maybe prone to be for younger Adults.. However still a great read!!!
April 10, 2025
I read a lot of dumb books, but this one is spectacularly dumb.
It's barely a thriller, and the numerous "love story" side-plots are absurd. The characters are flat and unbelievable, but the casual internalized misogyny is what solidified this read at a single star.
It's barely a thriller, and the numerous "love story" side-plots are absurd. The characters are flat and unbelievable, but the casual internalized misogyny is what solidified this read at a single star.
May 22, 2017
Got this in cd form to listen to while doing housework etc. What a dumb book, I could hardly wait for it to be over, but I had to find out who the killer was. I thought it would be about evildoing in the supernatural or somesuch. I laughed out loud at the all the "turgid shaft" vignettes, those cowboys sure had a lot of sex in this book. Should have been classified as Romance Pulp, not Fiction
September 7, 2015
I have read a collaborative effort before, but each author had written 2 novella's each in a series, for a total of 4 titles, so each story was still the author's own. Sinister is a collaborative effort between 3 authors, who each write their own part to the story...so one story, three parts, written by 3 different people.
I must say that at first, I was not captivated, nor was I interested in what was going on. I was almost to the point to where I was wondering if I should give up on it and try something else, but kept listening! I am certainly glad that it did, because boy did this story grow on me! It is like a fine wine, it just got better with time.
There is a large cast of character's to keep up with, but once you get into the story a little bit, that gets easier! The Dillinger bunch is quite the family! They were wickedly entertaining and thouroughly creative! I think the characters were one of the best parts of the book!
The story was also a great one! It was a creative take and one that threw me for a loop! It's not your every day mystery! I loved that it had an element of romance to it, but not nearly enough that it took over the story!
The narrator was excellent and easy to follow. She kept me entertained throughout. I look forward to hearing more from her in the future!
I was skeptical at first, but ended up really enjoying this story! I'm glad that I stuck it out, because if I hadn't, I would have missed out on a great collaborative book! Very unique...very unique!!!
For a more in depth review, please visit my blog ChorleyChronicals!!
I must say that at first, I was not captivated, nor was I interested in what was going on. I was almost to the point to where I was wondering if I should give up on it and try something else, but kept listening! I am certainly glad that it did, because boy did this story grow on me! It is like a fine wine, it just got better with time.
There is a large cast of character's to keep up with, but once you get into the story a little bit, that gets easier! The Dillinger bunch is quite the family! They were wickedly entertaining and thouroughly creative! I think the characters were one of the best parts of the book!
The story was also a great one! It was a creative take and one that threw me for a loop! It's not your every day mystery! I loved that it had an element of romance to it, but not nearly enough that it took over the story!
The narrator was excellent and easy to follow. She kept me entertained throughout. I look forward to hearing more from her in the future!
I was skeptical at first, but ended up really enjoying this story! I'm glad that I stuck it out, because if I hadn't, I would have missed out on a great collaborative book! Very unique...very unique!!!
For a more in depth review, please visit my blog ChorleyChronicals!!
September 7, 2016
Les nouvelles présentes dans Sinister sont construites autour d’une intrigue commune afin de créer un roman complet, et c’est une idée que je trouve sympa quand elle est bien faite. Malheureusement ce n’est pas vraiment le cas ici. Il y a trop de personnages, trop de sous intrigues, et pour moi les histoires des couples et l’intrigue principale s'en retrouvent pas assez approfondies, trop rapides. Du coup je suis restée assez détachée des personnages et de l’ensemble du livre, et même la révélation du coupable m’a laissée plutôt indifférente. Dommage.
Avis complet
Avis complet
March 4, 2014
Really disappointed... lots of "I haven't seen you in 18 years, so let's jump into bed together!" and the ending felt rushed, and all the family feud drama just left me feeling meh about the whole book.
October 3, 2014
Yes, you CAN go home again. But that doesn't mean you should.
July 6, 2025
1.5 stars 🌕🌗🌑🌑🌑
3 romances in 1 by 3 authors
Genres, settings, categories, themes: romantic suspense (M/F), crime, drama, family epic, western romance harlequin style, novellas, Wyoming
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Cowboy
all about tropes here
POV: 3rd person
Series/Sequencing Style: 3 novellas tied together into 1 standalone book
Format: ebook
🔽🔽🔽
Overall ratings
Heat level: ♨🌶 2 or 3/5 sensual steam or spicy seduction ♨🌶
(from Ampersand’s guide to heat levels in romance novels – (0) sweet, (1) mild sizzle, (2) sensual steam, (3) spicy seduction, (4) red hot, (5) erotic)
~ Romantic connection #1 ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Cowboy
> Second Chance
> Single Father
He dumps her without a backwards glance, goes and impregnates a gold digger who goes on to get engaged to his father and only tells him about the kid 11 years later. He goes on to get married & have a kid, the wife & kid die in a accident. Now he’s back in town, dragged to this wedding, just to meet his 11 year old kid, and his former flame has never stopped loving him. And despite him having moved on without her, she apparently never did, and they pick up like no time went by? Rushed and contrived.
~ Romantic connection #2 ~ 2.5/5 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Best Friend's Sister / Brother's Best Friend
> Shared Past
> Workplace Romance: Boss (kind of)
The only tolerable romance of the 3, since these two didn’t ditch each other in the past, but still could have done with more development.
~ Romantic connection #3 ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Forbidden Romance
> Second Chance
They broke up because another girl gave him an alibi when he was supposed to be meeting her, so she assumed he cheated - he never dissuaded her of this, even though he was on his way to see her and never even saw the other girl who was nice enough to give him an alibi when his secret girlfriend didn’t. They go uh…15 or 20 years or something without clearing this up? Idk, a long time. And then it’s like oops I never cheated and they never stopped loving each other despite it all.
~ Characters ~ 2/5 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
~ Plot ~ 2/5 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
~ Pacing ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑 I feel like nothing happened until the 3rd story? Everything felt weirdly rushed and undeveloped, despite so many extra pages before the action.
~ Suspense ~ 1-2/5 🌕🌗🌑🌑🌑
~ Writing ~ 3/5 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
~ Reading enjoyability & fun ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑
~ Depth & tone (1 light & fun --> 5 more serious, addresses heavier topics?): 2 or 3
~ Angst level: ehh in their past, fairly high; in their present, fairly glossed over / forgotten
~ Sadness level: none-low
🔽🔽🔽
❗CW/Triggers:❗animal cruelty (mutilation of a coyote), cheating (lots of cheating all over the place, even if it isn't by the love interests), creepy sexual POV from killer, death of a loved one, estranged family relationships, ick (woman marrying the father also slept with the son who we are supposed to root for), misogyny, murder, rape, rape fantasies, semi-incest?, surprise parenthood,
🔽🔽🔽
📝 Review/Notes 📝
2 out of the 3 romances were fairly awful and the other wasn’t much better. While the men have moved on, the women never did, and as soon as their manly-man cowboy is back in town, they’re back together in a split second, never having fallen out of love. Lots of forced and trite connections, dialogue, etc. First 2 of the 3 felt like there was no real action or suspense and the conclusion was lackluster - no real strong climax.
See Terri Lynn's 1-star review.
🔽🔽🔽
🤠 Recommended for: eh maybe someone looking for harlequin cowboy novellas
3 romances in 1 by 3 authors
Genres, settings, categories, themes: romantic suspense (M/F), crime, drama, family epic, western romance harlequin style, novellas, Wyoming
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Cowboy
all about tropes here
POV: 3rd person
Series/Sequencing Style: 3 novellas tied together into 1 standalone book
Format: ebook
🔽🔽🔽
Overall ratings
Heat level: ♨🌶 2 or 3/5 sensual steam or spicy seduction ♨🌶
(from Ampersand’s guide to heat levels in romance novels – (0) sweet, (1) mild sizzle, (2) sensual steam, (3) spicy seduction, (4) red hot, (5) erotic)
~ Romantic connection #1 ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Cowboy
> Second Chance
> Single Father
He dumps her without a backwards glance, goes and impregnates a gold digger who goes on to get engaged to his father and only tells him about the kid 11 years later. He goes on to get married & have a kid, the wife & kid die in a accident. Now he’s back in town, dragged to this wedding, just to meet his 11 year old kid, and his former flame has never stopped loving him. And despite him having moved on without her, she apparently never did, and they pick up like no time went by? Rushed and contrived.
~ Romantic connection #2 ~ 2.5/5 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Best Friend's Sister / Brother's Best Friend
> Shared Past
> Workplace Romance: Boss (kind of)
The only tolerable romance of the 3, since these two didn’t ditch each other in the past, but still could have done with more development.
~ Romantic connection #3 ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Forbidden Romance
> Second Chance
They broke up because another girl gave him an alibi when he was supposed to be meeting her, so she assumed he cheated - he never dissuaded her of this, even though he was on his way to see her and never even saw the other girl who was nice enough to give him an alibi when his secret girlfriend didn’t. They go uh…15 or 20 years or something without clearing this up? Idk, a long time. And then it’s like oops I never cheated and they never stopped loving each other despite it all.
~ Characters ~ 2/5 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
~ Plot ~ 2/5 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
~ Pacing ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑 I feel like nothing happened until the 3rd story? Everything felt weirdly rushed and undeveloped, despite so many extra pages before the action.
~ Suspense ~ 1-2/5 🌕🌗🌑🌑🌑
~ Writing ~ 3/5 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
~ Reading enjoyability & fun ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑
~ Depth & tone (1 light & fun --> 5 more serious, addresses heavier topics?): 2 or 3
~ Angst level: ehh in their past, fairly high; in their present, fairly glossed over / forgotten
~ Sadness level: none-low
🔽🔽🔽
❗CW/Triggers:❗animal cruelty (mutilation of a coyote), cheating (lots of cheating all over the place, even if it isn't by the love interests), creepy sexual POV from killer, death of a loved one, estranged family relationships, ick (woman marrying the father also slept with the son who we are supposed to root for), misogyny, murder, rape, rape fantasies, semi-incest?, surprise parenthood,
🔽🔽🔽
📝 Review/Notes 📝
2 out of the 3 romances were fairly awful and the other wasn’t much better. While the men have moved on, the women never did, and as soon as their manly-man cowboy is back in town, they’re back together in a split second, never having fallen out of love. Lots of forced and trite connections, dialogue, etc. First 2 of the 3 felt like there was no real action or suspense and the conclusion was lackluster - no real strong climax.
See Terri Lynn's 1-star review.
🔽🔽🔽
🤠 Recommended for: eh maybe someone looking for harlequin cowboy novellas
July 19, 2022
Sinister is a novel revolving around a serial killer that plagues Prairie Creek and, more specifically, the Dillinger family.
** DISCLAIMER: This whole thing is going to pretty much be a spoiler. **
Just a fair warning to anyone willing to grab this for a read lower your expectations if you think it's going to be a thriller, murder mystery or horror. It won't be. Be more prepared for a romance novel about love rekindled, across three different couples, with a serial killer peeking through a window in the background.
** DISCLAIMER: This whole thing is going to pretty much be a spoiler. **
Just a fair warning to anyone willing to grab this for a read lower your expectations if you think it's going to be a thriller, murder mystery or horror. It won't be. Be more prepared for a romance novel about love rekindled, across three different couples, with a serial killer peeking through a window in the background.
August 4, 2017
Everyone is coming home for Ira's wedding to gold digger Pillar. Pillar is a piece of work she passed her son Rourke off as her husband Chad's, but after his death sued Colton (Ira's son) for paternity. So as you can imagine Ira's kids aren't too pleased with the match. And while the last thing Colton wants to do is attend his Baby Mama's wedding he does want the opportunity to get to know his son and reconnect with his former girlfriend and the local vet Sabrina.
The first hint of trouble is when Amber's body is found in the Church where Pillar and Ira are intending to marry when the church is set ablaze. Amber was just passing through on her way home with no local ties to the community so no one can imagine a motive for her death. But while everyone is at the fire Mia Collins is murdered. Mia once had an affair with Ira's brother Judd and Judd died in a fire at the old homestead when he was with Mia. After his death husband stealing Mia, sued Judd's family for child support as she gave birth to his daughter Kit shortly afterwards.
Ricki (Ira's daughter) is still mourning the loss of her Mother Rachel, but has started a new life with her daughter Brooke and has convinced Sam to hire her on as his deputy. She also plans to convince him that she wants more than friendship from him. When her daughter is trapped inside the burning house she has been living in she is even more determined to get to the bottom of the crimes that seem to be targeting her family. When Pillar is found died in her bedroom after being drugged and the room set on fire. Ricki starts to put two and two together when she remembers Brook's insistence about Georgina having it in for her after she knocked her down and Brook saw the contents of her purse, medicine and a gun.
Delilah is ready to renew her high school romance with Hunter (Georgina's son) but a displeased Georgina claims that Hunter is a by product of her affair with Ira years ago making him Delilah's brother. A talk with Ira reveals that the "affair" occurred years after Hunter was born and a DNA test reveals that the Major is indeed Hunter's father leaving Delilah and Hunter free to pursue their romance. Georgina is confronted with her obsession with Ira and arrested for Pillar and Judd's murder. Georgina mistakenly believed that it was Ira having an affair with Mia so she set fire to the homestead where they meet resulting in Judd's death.
When Delilah receives a message supposedly from Hunter she rushes to meet him at the old homestead only to discover that he is being held prisoner by the man everyone refers to as Black Hat (the cheif suspect in Amber and Mia's murder). She soon realizes that Black Hat is Judd's son Garth who resents the fact that Ira forgot about Judd's wife and their children while he supported Mia and her daughter Kit. Before Garth can kill Hunter and Delilah, Kit kills him.
The first hint of trouble is when Amber's body is found in the Church where Pillar and Ira are intending to marry when the church is set ablaze. Amber was just passing through on her way home with no local ties to the community so no one can imagine a motive for her death. But while everyone is at the fire Mia Collins is murdered. Mia once had an affair with Ira's brother Judd and Judd died in a fire at the old homestead when he was with Mia. After his death husband stealing Mia, sued Judd's family for child support as she gave birth to his daughter Kit shortly afterwards.
Ricki (Ira's daughter) is still mourning the loss of her Mother Rachel, but has started a new life with her daughter Brooke and has convinced Sam to hire her on as his deputy. She also plans to convince him that she wants more than friendship from him. When her daughter is trapped inside the burning house she has been living in she is even more determined to get to the bottom of the crimes that seem to be targeting her family. When Pillar is found died in her bedroom after being drugged and the room set on fire. Ricki starts to put two and two together when she remembers Brook's insistence about Georgina having it in for her after she knocked her down and Brook saw the contents of her purse, medicine and a gun.
Delilah is ready to renew her high school romance with Hunter (Georgina's son) but a displeased Georgina claims that Hunter is a by product of her affair with Ira years ago making him Delilah's brother. A talk with Ira reveals that the "affair" occurred years after Hunter was born and a DNA test reveals that the Major is indeed Hunter's father leaving Delilah and Hunter free to pursue their romance. Georgina is confronted with her obsession with Ira and arrested for Pillar and Judd's murder. Georgina mistakenly believed that it was Ira having an affair with Mia so she set fire to the homestead where they meet resulting in Judd's death.
When Delilah receives a message supposedly from Hunter she rushes to meet him at the old homestead only to discover that he is being held prisoner by the man everyone refers to as Black Hat (the cheif suspect in Amber and Mia's murder). She soon realizes that Black Hat is Judd's son Garth who resents the fact that Ira forgot about Judd's wife and their children while he supported Mia and her daughter Kit. Before Garth can kill Hunter and Delilah, Kit kills him.
July 24, 2018
With A death infused with from an arsonist fantasy, will become the cinder to the flames that will wreak havoc onto a family, in specific... The Dillingers. Ira Dillinger, a wealthy man well known on his side of Bucking D Wyoming, ran his family with off handing aloof, never straying too far from his desires where woman are involved. A string of affairs, some becoming rumors whispered by the locals. One such woman being Georgina, leading a violent streak to erupt in her for her fantasy of having him to her self. Bleak by obsession, she sets the fire killing Ira's new wife,one close to 30 years his junior, her body overdosed and lying in their bed, ablaze with her wedding dress on display for the groom's daughter and her lover to stumble into and discover. Delilah Dillinger and Hunter Kincaid, two kids who were falling in love between the fireflies and the deep suited hatred that ran through their bloodlines, neither could turn a blind eye to the other, even when childhood crushes should of been long erased. Colliding with a fire encroaching lust and unbridled love, the two begin their secret affair, hiding the truth from both their angered families, until a disgruntled Georgina Kincaid catches wind and tries like hell to tear the two apart. Calling it a love affair of incest, she fails in painting the picture of them being half siblings, claiming a doting Ira Dillinger, falling from his wife's sickly departure, needed a womanly calling once again for several months in time.
The lies tumbled down, as Sabrina, the local veterinarian begins her feelings for other son Colton Dillinger, once the two lovesick teenagers during the inferno that took the life of Colton's uncle, Ira's brother, Judd, during a heated romance hidden not so subtly from his wife to Mia, a woman gravely injured but the lone survivor of the blaze. Boring forth a child, belonging to Judd, Kit was a spirited child, one refusing to be tamed by her mother or the standards she was met to live by. Kit, living on the ranch and in-tuned to her sixth sense with animals, refuses to come home to her mother, even though she was still months away from obtaining the legal age of 18. Only her mother's murder at the hands of a brutal madman could rein her in, but only so far. As the fires spread closer to home, the very Church desired by Pillar for her and Ira's wedding, and the home of Brooke and her mother Ricki, set ablaze while the family was out of a routine d Sleigh Ride, attuned since before her mother Rachel's death.
It would take a small miracle to come out unscathed, something the strong willed Dillinger's were determined to fight for. As it all unraveled, a union betweent the two families would be discovered as Hunter and Delilah begin expecting the birth of their son (born in the second novel) Joshua. Sabrina and Colton as well desire a life beyound a summertime fling, and lean towards one another. While retired detective form New York Ricki catches the eye of Sam, the local sherrif. It would appear holy matrimony was blazing for the three new couples, while Ira sat rocked to the very core at the loss of his bride to be.
The lies tumbled down, as Sabrina, the local veterinarian begins her feelings for other son Colton Dillinger, once the two lovesick teenagers during the inferno that took the life of Colton's uncle, Ira's brother, Judd, during a heated romance hidden not so subtly from his wife to Mia, a woman gravely injured but the lone survivor of the blaze. Boring forth a child, belonging to Judd, Kit was a spirited child, one refusing to be tamed by her mother or the standards she was met to live by. Kit, living on the ranch and in-tuned to her sixth sense with animals, refuses to come home to her mother, even though she was still months away from obtaining the legal age of 18. Only her mother's murder at the hands of a brutal madman could rein her in, but only so far. As the fires spread closer to home, the very Church desired by Pillar for her and Ira's wedding, and the home of Brooke and her mother Ricki, set ablaze while the family was out of a routine d Sleigh Ride, attuned since before her mother Rachel's death.
It would take a small miracle to come out unscathed, something the strong willed Dillinger's were determined to fight for. As it all unraveled, a union betweent the two families would be discovered as Hunter and Delilah begin expecting the birth of their son (born in the second novel) Joshua. Sabrina and Colton as well desire a life beyound a summertime fling, and lean towards one another. While retired detective form New York Ricki catches the eye of Sam, the local sherrif. It would appear holy matrimony was blazing for the three new couples, while Ira sat rocked to the very core at the loss of his bride to be.
May 25, 2021
It’s Meh - SPOILERS
I don’t usually write reviews, but I’m writing this to save other people like me who like to have the spoilers before getting invested. I liked that there was quite a bit of story from the killer’s point of view, the only reason I finished the book.
1. Too many characters in an attempt to create mystery
2. The author tries hard to create plot twists, so they don’t come across fluid, but forced.
3. You pretty much have an idea who the killer is, but because of the onslaught of random people, you feel like the author is really trying to confuse you. And apparently everyone cheats on everyone.
4. What a rushed and boring ending. No real finale buildup, it was like...94% of the book was “it’s a mystery” and like 2 pages of the expected ending. VERY predictable ending.
Spoiler bits....
3 different teen romances that are long lost loves.... come on... eye rolling. All 3 sisters get their fairytale romance? Blechhh. Just over the top. A lot of skimming over the boring inner monologues because they were too identical.
Only one mildly interesting plot twist, lo and behold, the killer is pretending to be someone while he’s also a fairly obvious suspect. The second, only somewhat Ed surprising plot twist is that the rivalry between the two families is based on what...? Cheating spouses and not land after all.
Frankly, I do like authors that do more of the killers perspective since in almost all books, the cops viewpoint is tedious, but it just wasn’t worth it in this book.
I don’t usually write reviews, but I’m writing this to save other people like me who like to have the spoilers before getting invested. I liked that there was quite a bit of story from the killer’s point of view, the only reason I finished the book.
1. Too many characters in an attempt to create mystery
2. The author tries hard to create plot twists, so they don’t come across fluid, but forced.
3. You pretty much have an idea who the killer is, but because of the onslaught of random people, you feel like the author is really trying to confuse you. And apparently everyone cheats on everyone.
4. What a rushed and boring ending. No real finale buildup, it was like...94% of the book was “it’s a mystery” and like 2 pages of the expected ending. VERY predictable ending.
Spoiler bits....
3 different teen romances that are long lost loves.... come on... eye rolling. All 3 sisters get their fairytale romance? Blechhh. Just over the top. A lot of skimming over the boring inner monologues because they were too identical.
Only one mildly interesting plot twist, lo and behold, the killer is pretending to be someone while he’s also a fairly obvious suspect. The second, only somewhat Ed surprising plot twist is that the rivalry between the two families is based on what...? Cheating spouses and not land after all.
Frankly, I do like authors that do more of the killers perspective since in almost all books, the cops viewpoint is tedious, but it just wasn’t worth it in this book.
May 15, 2025
Wow. This novel was co-written by three authors, however, it was very evident this was three different authors. Besides the fact that they say this part was written by this author and so forth. The three parts did not flow well together at all. The voice obviously changed and it just did not feel right.
This novel seems to be presented more as a thriller, however, it felt like the authors were trying to make it more of a cowboy romance and then threw in some thriller type stuff. There were way too many storylines that were all way too interwoven that by the time we got to who the killer was...I had no idea who they were talking about. It was dumb.
The relationships in this book take the suspension of disbelief WAY TOO FAR. Why the hell are all these idiots still pining for high school sweethearts from 15-18 years before?!?! I mean, come on! And what's worse, is some are pining for the high school sweetheart....and had a whole ass spouse and other child! How is that fair to them!??!?! And apparently it's totally fine in this small town for father and son to have had the same lover? Gross. There were just so many blech things about the novel, beyond the atrocious writing and real lack of anything properly thriller-ish. This novel sounded interesting and thrilling and was a giant let down. Book club will be a fun discussion!
This novel seems to be presented more as a thriller, however, it felt like the authors were trying to make it more of a cowboy romance and then threw in some thriller type stuff. There were way too many storylines that were all way too interwoven that by the time we got to who the killer was...I had no idea who they were talking about. It was dumb.
The relationships in this book take the suspension of disbelief WAY TOO FAR. Why the hell are all these idiots still pining for high school sweethearts from 15-18 years before?!?! I mean, come on! And what's worse, is some are pining for the high school sweetheart....and had a whole ass spouse and other child! How is that fair to them!??!?! And apparently it's totally fine in this small town for father and son to have had the same lover? Gross. There were just so many blech things about the novel, beyond the atrocious writing and real lack of anything properly thriller-ish. This novel sounded interesting and thrilling and was a giant let down. Book club will be a fun discussion!
January 16, 2024
Overall I liked the book but the are a few things that really annoyed me about it. First, all of part one focused on Colton and Sabrina, and after that they just became background characters. What was the point of spending so much time on those two characters and then practically eliminating them from the rest of the book? And then Delilah and Hunter's romance was exactly like Colton and Sabrina's, like I was rereading part one again but had just renamed the characters. Why not just focus on one set of characters?
I also thought the epilogue was odd. After fires and mutilated bodies and murders and everything that happened, everyone seemed pretty awesome and happy. Maybe if it had been a few years later and everyone had been through some serious therapy it would make sense, but it was a week later and the characters were all just like, yay Christmas let's get married let's have babies! What?
I also thought the ending was kind of lackluster. The book overall was suspenseful but I feel like more could have been done to make the reveal of the killer more impactful.Too much time spent on developing romances for all the characters and not enough time on the backstory that would have made the reveal a) make more sense and b) more exciting.
I also thought the epilogue was odd. After fires and mutilated bodies and murders and everything that happened, everyone seemed pretty awesome and happy. Maybe if it had been a few years later and everyone had been through some serious therapy it would make sense, but it was a week later and the characters were all just like, yay Christmas let's get married let's have babies! What?
I also thought the ending was kind of lackluster. The book overall was suspenseful but I feel like more could have been done to make the reveal of the killer more impactful.Too much time spent on developing romances for all the characters and not enough time on the backstory that would have made the reveal a) make more sense and b) more exciting.
December 13, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
I am torn about how I feel about this book. It was not a bad book. I was really into. I definitely got a hint of whom the killer was prior to it was announced. However, at some point, I did feel like the story was being dragged out a bit. We are always getting the killer's perspective which added a bit of intrigue to the story. Contrariwise, it also made it seem as if he was not doing enough considering how much he sat around watching the family and pining after getting revenge against them. Further, I do agree with many of the reviews I have read that felt this was more of a romance book with a mystery killing added in. I also felt the final chapters by the third author were a bit rushed. I wish the ending had more detail. It was just getting good into the action and then just stopped. I was hoping the next book in the series would have more to do with this but the description does not seem to connect to this family. That is a bit disappointing. Overall, this book is not bad but it lacks something. I would recommend to people that love romance and want to test out a mystery thriller book.
I am torn about how I feel about this book. It was not a bad book. I was really into. I definitely got a hint of whom the killer was prior to it was announced. However, at some point, I did feel like the story was being dragged out a bit. We are always getting the killer's perspective which added a bit of intrigue to the story. Contrariwise, it also made it seem as if he was not doing enough considering how much he sat around watching the family and pining after getting revenge against them. Further, I do agree with many of the reviews I have read that felt this was more of a romance book with a mystery killing added in. I also felt the final chapters by the third author were a bit rushed. I wish the ending had more detail. It was just getting good into the action and then just stopped. I was hoping the next book in the series would have more to do with this but the description does not seem to connect to this family. That is a bit disappointing. Overall, this book is not bad but it lacks something. I would recommend to people that love romance and want to test out a mystery thriller book.
September 1, 2021
Ira Dillinger is head of the Dillinger family and engaged to Pilar, a gold-digger despised by Ira’s grown children. Mysterious fires have been set in several Dillinger homes and an old church. Ricki Dillinger is now a deputy working with Sheriff Sam Featherstone and thinks there are two arsonists. One could be the killer who has killed and skinned two women. All police have to go on is a tall man wearing a black Stetson and wearing black crocodile boots.
Ira's oldest son Colton came from Montana for his father's wedding and resumes his relationship with former girlfriend Dr. Sabrina Delaney, local veterinarian. He learns he has a son by Pilar and wants to have a relationship with his son.
Ricki is Ira's oldest daughter and her relationship with Sam is not all work. There's a lot of playing going on.
Hunter is the oldest son of Ira's neighbors Georgina and Major Kincaid. Ira's daughter Delilah is in town from California and they resume their romance even though Georgina is against it.
The killer is also a Dillinger but one who no one really knew.
Ira's oldest son Colton came from Montana for his father's wedding and resumes his relationship with former girlfriend Dr. Sabrina Delaney, local veterinarian. He learns he has a son by Pilar and wants to have a relationship with his son.
Ricki is Ira's oldest daughter and her relationship with Sam is not all work. There's a lot of playing going on.
Hunter is the oldest son of Ira's neighbors Georgina and Major Kincaid. Ira's daughter Delilah is in town from California and they resume their romance even though Georgina is against it.
The killer is also a Dillinger but one who no one really knew.
November 3, 2017
I really liked the story and the characters, my problem with this book and the reason I couldn't rate this higher is a few things. One a character called Kit and one called Katrina "Kat". Of the thousands of names you could have used = Kit and Kat - made me want to go the gas station for some chocolate. The other is having three writers write this story. Just when I thought the story with Colt and Sabrina were going to get going it switched to Rikki and Sam and then switched to Delilah and Hunter. If you are going to write 6 main characters like that - write a trilogy. This would have made an excellent trilogy. I am a sucker so I will read the other book in this series, and am completely expecting the same type of book. Might have to make sure I'm stocked up on Kit Kats before I start!
September 3, 2017
20 years ago the Dillinger Family had suffer terrible lose. A fire ravaged the old
homestead, killing Judd Dillinger and crippling his girlfriend. Most people blamed a serial arsonist who'd been seen around town. But now 20 years later strange things are happening in Prairie Creek, Wyoming, again. Ira Dillinger is the wralthy families patriarch is getting remarried and he has summoned his children home Eldest son, Colton, and his siblings don't approve of their father's bride-to-be. believing she is nothing but a gold digger because she is much younger. But someone is setting fires just like in the past. making his displeasure felt in terrifying ways, he is waiting for each Dillinger to come on and kill them all
homestead, killing Judd Dillinger and crippling his girlfriend. Most people blamed a serial arsonist who'd been seen around town. But now 20 years later strange things are happening in Prairie Creek, Wyoming, again. Ira Dillinger is the wralthy families patriarch is getting remarried and he has summoned his children home Eldest son, Colton, and his siblings don't approve of their father's bride-to-be. believing she is nothing but a gold digger because she is much younger. But someone is setting fires just like in the past. making his displeasure felt in terrifying ways, he is waiting for each Dillinger to come on and kill them all
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews