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Justice/Mort Grant #2
The Red Hot Fix
A little more than a year after the Fixer killings, Detective Mort Grant of the Seattle PD once again has his hands full. In the last four months, seven men have been murdered in seedy pay-by-the-hour motels: first strangled, then tied with rope and set on a bed of crushed mothballs, with a red lipstick kiss planted on their foreheads. Speculation abounds that the killer is a prostitute who's turning her tricks into dead men. The press has taken to calling her Trixie. As Mort follows scant leads in the case, he can't help but feel continued guilt over his involvement with the Fixer. Though the public holds her up as a folk hero, a vigilante who seeks justice when the system fails, Mort cannot shake the fact that serious crimes have been committed. And though legend says she has vanished, Mort knows exactly where the Fixer is--and he's conspiring to keep her hidden. As Trixie strikes again, Mort suddenly finds himself and his family in the crosshairs. Because these new murders are not random, and their perpetrator is hell-bent on luring Mort into a sick and twisted game. If he's not careful, he's going to need Fixing.
288 pages, ebook
First published June 10, 2014
95 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
T.E. Woods
13 books183 followersT.E. Woods is a clinical psychologist and author living in Bayfield, WI. She is author of two series: The Justice Series (starring Lydia Corriger and Mort Grant) and The Hush Money Series (Starring Sydney Richardson). Her stand alone novel, The Wrong Sister, will be released on February 27, 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 25, 2016
I love The Fixer series! I was super excited to read this, the second instalment and follow up novel to The Fixer which I read and reviewed just recently giving it a raving five star review. I wanted more of The Fixer and here it is!
What's the book about?
What do you say, Morton Grant, Chief of Detectives? You got what it takes to find me? Show me a move. . . . Or I’ll have to show you one of mine.
A little more than a year after the Fixer killings, Detective Mort Grant of the Seattle PD once again has his hands full. In the last four months, seven men have been murdered in seedy pay-by-the-hour motels: first strangled, then tied with rope and set on a bed of crushed mothballs, with a red lipstick kiss planted on their foreheads. Speculation abounds that the killer is a prostitute who’s turning her tricks into dead men. The press has taken to calling her “Trixie.”
As Mort follows scant leads in the case, he can’t help but feel continued guilt over his involvement with the Fixer. Though the public holds her up as a folk hero, a vigilante who seeks justice when the system fails, Mort cannot shake the fact that serious crimes have been committed. And though legend says she has vanished, Mort knows exactly where the Fixer is—and he’s conspiring to keep her hidden.
As Trixie strikes again, Mort suddenly finds himself and his family in the crosshairs. Because these new murders are not random, and their perpetrator is hell-bent on luring Mort into a sick and twisted game. If he’s not careful, he’s going to need Fixing.
My Review:
There is a serial killer on the loose and Detective Morton "Mort" Grant is on the case, they know it's a woman, they know her MO, they have her DNA but they can't find her. And she's getting edgy, she wants Mort to step up his game and come to her and she's willing to do what it takes to get his attention.
The character of The Fixer is in hiding at the start of this novel, she has let her vigilante heart and body have a rest, Mort knows where she is, he's protecting her, he always has. As the book progresses The Fixer gets involved with a young girl quite by accident, meeting her in the library and the urge to help, to save, to do SOMETHING burns in The Fixer, will she take on another assignment to help?
Essentially the book has three story lines running alongside each other. There is the "Trixie" serial killer murder hunt that Mort is heading up. There is The Fixer and her focus on the young girl and what she decides to do. Then there is another story line surrounding high profile NBA players and the men who pull the strings from the top, the millionaires that think they can have who and what they want, where they want it.
I have to admit, I did not love this one quite as much as The Fixer mainly because The Fixer does not feature as strongly in this novel, I found the NBA story line boring at times and wanted it to move along. I felt the Trixie serial killer plus The Fixer's journey was enough, almost like the NBA stuff could have been left out. Buy hey, that's my opinion, it just didn't interest me that part very much.
I LOVED touching base with The Fixer again in this book and what goes on, one of the best characters I have related to in a novel this year, just brilliant, love it. I loved the pace and the plot as the hunt cranks up for "Trixie" as she starts to touch on Mort's personal life with threats and he's none too happy about that, she wants the attention you see? And she is going to get it whatever it takes.
Some very satisfying end results in this novel, and I read it over a couple of hours as I did the first book. I wish I could also give this second book five stars but just felt it lost some of the thrill that the first book had, possibly by combining too much into the one book and taking the focus away from the ultimate star of the series, The Fixer.
I am however willing, ready and able to read the next book from T.E. Woods, these are excellent reading for anybody, highly recommended. Phew! Great reading. I do recommend reading the first book The Fixer first as it builds a strong background story that would help this book be that much more enjoyable to readers.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What's the book about?
What do you say, Morton Grant, Chief of Detectives? You got what it takes to find me? Show me a move. . . . Or I’ll have to show you one of mine.
A little more than a year after the Fixer killings, Detective Mort Grant of the Seattle PD once again has his hands full. In the last four months, seven men have been murdered in seedy pay-by-the-hour motels: first strangled, then tied with rope and set on a bed of crushed mothballs, with a red lipstick kiss planted on their foreheads. Speculation abounds that the killer is a prostitute who’s turning her tricks into dead men. The press has taken to calling her “Trixie.”
As Mort follows scant leads in the case, he can’t help but feel continued guilt over his involvement with the Fixer. Though the public holds her up as a folk hero, a vigilante who seeks justice when the system fails, Mort cannot shake the fact that serious crimes have been committed. And though legend says she has vanished, Mort knows exactly where the Fixer is—and he’s conspiring to keep her hidden.
As Trixie strikes again, Mort suddenly finds himself and his family in the crosshairs. Because these new murders are not random, and their perpetrator is hell-bent on luring Mort into a sick and twisted game. If he’s not careful, he’s going to need Fixing.
My Review:
There is a serial killer on the loose and Detective Morton "Mort" Grant is on the case, they know it's a woman, they know her MO, they have her DNA but they can't find her. And she's getting edgy, she wants Mort to step up his game and come to her and she's willing to do what it takes to get his attention.
The character of The Fixer is in hiding at the start of this novel, she has let her vigilante heart and body have a rest, Mort knows where she is, he's protecting her, he always has. As the book progresses The Fixer gets involved with a young girl quite by accident, meeting her in the library and the urge to help, to save, to do SOMETHING burns in The Fixer, will she take on another assignment to help?
Essentially the book has three story lines running alongside each other. There is the "Trixie" serial killer murder hunt that Mort is heading up. There is The Fixer and her focus on the young girl and what she decides to do. Then there is another story line surrounding high profile NBA players and the men who pull the strings from the top, the millionaires that think they can have who and what they want, where they want it.
I have to admit, I did not love this one quite as much as The Fixer mainly because The Fixer does not feature as strongly in this novel, I found the NBA story line boring at times and wanted it to move along. I felt the Trixie serial killer plus The Fixer's journey was enough, almost like the NBA stuff could have been left out. Buy hey, that's my opinion, it just didn't interest me that part very much.
I LOVED touching base with The Fixer again in this book and what goes on, one of the best characters I have related to in a novel this year, just brilliant, love it. I loved the pace and the plot as the hunt cranks up for "Trixie" as she starts to touch on Mort's personal life with threats and he's none too happy about that, she wants the attention you see? And she is going to get it whatever it takes.
Some very satisfying end results in this novel, and I read it over a couple of hours as I did the first book. I wish I could also give this second book five stars but just felt it lost some of the thrill that the first book had, possibly by combining too much into the one book and taking the focus away from the ultimate star of the series, The Fixer.
I am however willing, ready and able to read the next book from T.E. Woods, these are excellent reading for anybody, highly recommended. Phew! Great reading. I do recommend reading the first book The Fixer first as it builds a strong background story that would help this book be that much more enjoyable to readers.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2014
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Net Galley. Thank you Net Galley and Random House for the opportunity.
I read the first book in this series, "The Fixer", and while this second novel can be read as a standalone, I would recommend that they be read in sequence to grasp a better understanding of the characters and the evolving story.
Most of us have witnessed wrong doings in our life, injustices, and wished things could be made right. In "The Fixer" we meet a vigilante, a righter of wrongs...but always invisible. Her assignments were specific, and she had been working at this job for six years. She was an assassin for hire.
Now in "The Red Hot Fix", we reunite with some of the same characters from the first novel. They included; Mort Grant, Chief of Detectives stationed out of Seattle Washington who was assigned to search for a serial killer, the press have taken to calling her "Trixie". Men have been murdered in pay-by-the-hour motels, strangled, tied up with rope, lying on a bed of mothballs, with a red lipstick kiss on the victim's foreheads. It was thought that the killer was a prostitute. But what kind of a prostitute becomes a Killer?
Mort is determined to solve the mystery, but can't help but feel guilty over his involvement with "The Fixer". And with the recent murders increasing, it soon becomes apparent that these new murders are not random. Trixie is luring him into her game to play with her set of rules.
This is a complex fast-paced plot with believable characters and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader fully entertained. I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy crime fiction.
I read the first book in this series, "The Fixer", and while this second novel can be read as a standalone, I would recommend that they be read in sequence to grasp a better understanding of the characters and the evolving story.
Most of us have witnessed wrong doings in our life, injustices, and wished things could be made right. In "The Fixer" we meet a vigilante, a righter of wrongs...but always invisible. Her assignments were specific, and she had been working at this job for six years. She was an assassin for hire.
Now in "The Red Hot Fix", we reunite with some of the same characters from the first novel. They included; Mort Grant, Chief of Detectives stationed out of Seattle Washington who was assigned to search for a serial killer, the press have taken to calling her "Trixie". Men have been murdered in pay-by-the-hour motels, strangled, tied up with rope, lying on a bed of mothballs, with a red lipstick kiss on the victim's foreheads. It was thought that the killer was a prostitute. But what kind of a prostitute becomes a Killer?
Mort is determined to solve the mystery, but can't help but feel guilty over his involvement with "The Fixer". And with the recent murders increasing, it soon becomes apparent that these new murders are not random. Trixie is luring him into her game to play with her set of rules.
This is a complex fast-paced plot with believable characters and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader fully entertained. I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy crime fiction.
July 23, 2015
I was given this book by Net Gallery in exchange for an honest review.
It is the 2nd book in the Mort Grant series by TE Wood and having now read all three books I found it the weakest.
I still enjoyed the book helped by the fact that I had read the others meant that the characters were all well developed and background knowledge was familiar to me. I have enjoyed this series and intend to continue reading both the series and other works by this author.
It is the 2nd book in the Mort Grant series by TE Wood and having now read all three books I found it the weakest.
I still enjoyed the book helped by the fact that I had read the others meant that the characters were all well developed and background knowledge was familiar to me. I have enjoyed this series and intend to continue reading both the series and other works by this author.
November 12, 2017
4.5 stars for the Audible version
I think I liked this even more than the first book in the series, which is very unusual for me. Usually I find the second book dips and I have to trudge through it on my way to the rest of the series -- definitely not this time! This is a dark and twisty thriller/mystery and I loved every second of it.
Woods does an excellent job of spinning this story; there are excellent subplots and, like in the first book in the series, The Fixer, there's a great cast of characters. She kept me guessing again until near the very end. I would have liked more of the parallel story following Lydia, but I'm not even sure the author could give me enough of her storylines, even if the novel centered on her alone.
Once again, Christina Delaine pulled me in and swept me away with her range of voices. Again, a few are a bit cartoony, but goodness, her voice for Mort makes up for that in spades! I was devastated when I realized there were actually 6 books in this series, but only 3 are available on Audible. I can't imagine reading this series instead of listening.
Devastation turned to ecstasy when I realized that books 4-6 will be released 1 per month over the next 3 months! Yay! The only problem left now is to decide whether to wait and binge the rest or to allow myself to indulge slowly as they're released -- decisions, decisions!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who likes good characters, a strong plot, and a tight mystery to unravel.
I think I liked this even more than the first book in the series, which is very unusual for me. Usually I find the second book dips and I have to trudge through it on my way to the rest of the series -- definitely not this time! This is a dark and twisty thriller/mystery and I loved every second of it.
Woods does an excellent job of spinning this story; there are excellent subplots and, like in the first book in the series, The Fixer, there's a great cast of characters. She kept me guessing again until near the very end. I would have liked more of the parallel story following Lydia, but I'm not even sure the author could give me enough of her storylines, even if the novel centered on her alone.
Once again, Christina Delaine pulled me in and swept me away with her range of voices. Again, a few are a bit cartoony, but goodness, her voice for Mort makes up for that in spades! I was devastated when I realized there were actually 6 books in this series, but only 3 are available on Audible. I can't imagine reading this series instead of listening.
Devastation turned to ecstasy when I realized that books 4-6 will be released 1 per month over the next 3 months! Yay! The only problem left now is to decide whether to wait and binge the rest or to allow myself to indulge slowly as they're released -- decisions, decisions!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who likes good characters, a strong plot, and a tight mystery to unravel.
August 19, 2017
I do really enjoy this series, and I love the covers, please don't change the covers... I hate it when you guys change your covers! review to come...:)
love, love, love this series and I love, love, love the covers!
When I finished the first book "The Fixer" I was on pins and needles waiting for this one and I have not been disappointed!
Morty, my pal Seattle Detective Mort Grant is back along with his friend the mysterious, loyal psychologist Lydia Corriger!
Mort is hot on the trail of a female serial killer who is known as Trixie. Johns are turning up dead with a red lipstick kiss on their foreheads in seedy motels all over town and no one has a clue as to how, why or who.
We are introduced to some great new characters, a wealthy couple, Reinhardt and Ingrid Vogel who own a sports team who play a part in this twisted and fun story. Mort's son Robbie makes a comeback, this is a sweet and wonderful relationship between father and son that gets a jolt in this story. Lydia is preoccupied with a young abused girl while mort finds his heart is not dead after all.
There are a few story lines going on in this the second book in this great and fast paced series. Personally I would read the first book in the series, "The Fixer" before this one to keep up but, it's not necessary to enjoy the book, and you will enjoy this book!
love, love, love this series and I love, love, love the covers!
When I finished the first book "The Fixer" I was on pins and needles waiting for this one and I have not been disappointed!
Morty, my pal Seattle Detective Mort Grant is back along with his friend the mysterious, loyal psychologist Lydia Corriger!
Mort is hot on the trail of a female serial killer who is known as Trixie. Johns are turning up dead with a red lipstick kiss on their foreheads in seedy motels all over town and no one has a clue as to how, why or who.
We are introduced to some great new characters, a wealthy couple, Reinhardt and Ingrid Vogel who own a sports team who play a part in this twisted and fun story. Mort's son Robbie makes a comeback, this is a sweet and wonderful relationship between father and son that gets a jolt in this story. Lydia is preoccupied with a young abused girl while mort finds his heart is not dead after all.
There are a few story lines going on in this the second book in this great and fast paced series. Personally I would read the first book in the series, "The Fixer" before this one to keep up but, it's not necessary to enjoy the book, and you will enjoy this book!
April 30, 2014
I received this book from publisher through Net Galley for review and I gotta say I really liked it a lot. This is the first time I have read this Author. The story flowed very well despite that there were a few separate stories running at one time. All of them pretty mysterious and very engaging. I could not put the book down.
So the premise of the story is that there is a serial killer that has been named Trixie. She is posing as a prostitute and she leaves her signature behind of a lipstick kiss to the forehead of her victims. Mort Grant is the detective of the case. Then an unexpected killing pops up that could not possibly be Trixie and Mort all of a sudden has a lot on his plate.
I loved the characters in this story. My favorites being mainly Mort, Lydia, Charlotte and of course Mort's team. I think they were developed beautifully. They were very believable and realistic. They were also pretty easy to connect to as well. There were several characters that you love to hate in this story as well. I think all stories need great villains to be successful.
The end of the story was really very intense for me and was high in 'shock value'. It was a little hard to read because I could literally feel what was going on. At that point I was totally immersed in the story. I also felt like this story was open for a sequel and I would definitely read it if and when it makes an appearance.
So the premise of the story is that there is a serial killer that has been named Trixie. She is posing as a prostitute and she leaves her signature behind of a lipstick kiss to the forehead of her victims. Mort Grant is the detective of the case. Then an unexpected killing pops up that could not possibly be Trixie and Mort all of a sudden has a lot on his plate.
I loved the characters in this story. My favorites being mainly Mort, Lydia, Charlotte and of course Mort's team. I think they were developed beautifully. They were very believable and realistic. They were also pretty easy to connect to as well. There were several characters that you love to hate in this story as well. I think all stories need great villains to be successful.
The end of the story was really very intense for me and was high in 'shock value'. It was a little hard to read because I could literally feel what was going on. At that point I was totally immersed in the story. I also felt like this story was open for a sequel and I would definitely read it if and when it makes an appearance.
July 24, 2017
This is a great series so far. Excellent Narration by Chrisine Delaine (audible review)
I am enjoying it a lot. I do find that it starts out a bit slow but then picks up and ends up to be a great psychological mystery.
I really like the characters of Mort and Lydia. The story line and plot are interesting and very intriguing.
If you like a good entertaining mystery you will like this series.
As for the narration. It is excellent. I think Christina Delaine does a fantastic job on all the voices in particular the men sound like men.
I am enjoying it a lot. I do find that it starts out a bit slow but then picks up and ends up to be a great psychological mystery.
I really like the characters of Mort and Lydia. The story line and plot are interesting and very intriguing.
If you like a good entertaining mystery you will like this series.
As for the narration. It is excellent. I think Christina Delaine does a fantastic job on all the voices in particular the men sound like men.
August 14, 2015
Enjoying this series. Great sexy brilliant lead women.
July 11, 2017
The follow-up story to T. E. Moore's The Fixer, this book picks up with the Seattle Chief of Detectives Mort Grant, who discovered (and ultimately freed) the justice killer of the first book. For the sake of those who haven't read the first book, I'll leave her name out of this discussion and we'll just call her "the fixer".
There's a new sadistic serial killer in town, a woman who hog ties her victims and slays them, leaving them on a bed of crushed mothballs. Because she seems to be an outraged prostitute killing her tricks the local press has dubbed her "Trixie".
Grant makes friends with the head of a group called Children Lost in Prostitution (CLIP) that works to support families that have lost a child to the world of drugs and prostitution. Having worked his career in homicide rather than vice, he hopes that he can gain some insights about the killer's motivations and personality. Things become complicated when a man is killed with some of the signs of the Trixie killer but the body is missing some details of her MO that have been kept from the press.
Meanwhile The Fixer is living alone. A man to whom she was attracted is now out of her life. She has mixed feelings of loneliness but is also sure that she doesn't want to ruin his life if she's exposed. During trips to the library she notices a little girl who seems to be skipping school. Dirty and dressed the same every day the little girl sits in the children's section reading. The Fixer finds out about the little girl, the daughter of a well-known local oddball. After befriending the little girl she discovers that the girl is being abused and may be on the market as a sex slave. Being The Fixer, it looks like she'll be taking justice into her own hands again.
As with the first book in the series, Woods fills his book with intriguing characters and fun dialogue. Grant and his partner have an excellent rapport and a teasing relationship, and there's a scene in which The Fixer stops two boys from picking on the little girl that made me laugh out loud. Even with the light touches Woods maintains plenty of scary moments as The Fixer begins to work on her confrontation and Grant discovers that the real Trixie killer may have kidnapped his son as an act of revenge.
Lots of action and tension without being turned into a bloodbath, the best of all worlds for the serial killer trope. I don't think you'd hit very many spoilers if you read the books out of order, but for full context it would really help to read The Fixer first. Anyone intrigued by the first book can pick up a five-book bundle containing the first five books in the series in a Kindle edition.
There's a new sadistic serial killer in town, a woman who hog ties her victims and slays them, leaving them on a bed of crushed mothballs. Because she seems to be an outraged prostitute killing her tricks the local press has dubbed her "Trixie".
Grant makes friends with the head of a group called Children Lost in Prostitution (CLIP) that works to support families that have lost a child to the world of drugs and prostitution. Having worked his career in homicide rather than vice, he hopes that he can gain some insights about the killer's motivations and personality. Things become complicated when a man is killed with some of the signs of the Trixie killer but the body is missing some details of her MO that have been kept from the press.
Meanwhile The Fixer is living alone. A man to whom she was attracted is now out of her life. She has mixed feelings of loneliness but is also sure that she doesn't want to ruin his life if she's exposed. During trips to the library she notices a little girl who seems to be skipping school. Dirty and dressed the same every day the little girl sits in the children's section reading. The Fixer finds out about the little girl, the daughter of a well-known local oddball. After befriending the little girl she discovers that the girl is being abused and may be on the market as a sex slave. Being The Fixer, it looks like she'll be taking justice into her own hands again.
As with the first book in the series, Woods fills his book with intriguing characters and fun dialogue. Grant and his partner have an excellent rapport and a teasing relationship, and there's a scene in which The Fixer stops two boys from picking on the little girl that made me laugh out loud. Even with the light touches Woods maintains plenty of scary moments as The Fixer begins to work on her confrontation and Grant discovers that the real Trixie killer may have kidnapped his son as an act of revenge.
Lots of action and tension without being turned into a bloodbath, the best of all worlds for the serial killer trope. I don't think you'd hit very many spoilers if you read the books out of order, but for full context it would really help to read The Fixer first. Anyone intrigued by the first book can pick up a five-book bundle containing the first five books in the series in a Kindle edition.
June 11, 2014
This was an easy book to read, and I really enjoyed it. I thought that it was very well written. I enjoy this author’s work. As the second book in a series it provided an excellent follow up to the author’s debut novel, ‘The Fixer’. This book was a definite page turner.
The plot was fast paced and crammed full of suspense, keeping me interested and invested right to the end. There were many clever and inventive twists and turns in the plot that kept me thinking the whole time, including false leads that took you off in the wrong direction.
The story continued the connection between Mort and Lydia, which had been solidified in the previous book. I enjoyed seeing how each of them attempted to develop relationships with prospective partners, given our knowledge of the secrets they were keeping, and the things that had happened in their pasts.
It was fascinating to see how the fixer had grown as a person and the creative manner in which she dealt with the situation that she found herself in. The themes were definitely of an adult nature, but were not treated in a tacky way. It seemed like this was almost two stories in one, with the strength of the main subplot.
The characters were very interesting and well established. They were developed further in this book, with a greater amount of back story revealed, especially regarding Mort and his past. It was also good to see that the members of Mort’s team, introduced in the first book were given larger roles to play in this one. We were able to get to know those characters that we had only a passing familiarity with.
The conclusion was surprising, with a great twist. I would recommend this book to thriller fans, that like a heavy dose of suspense and a plot that is not straightforward to unravel. Although the book can be read in its own right, I think it is beneficial to have read the first book in the series too.
This review is based on a complimentary copy.
The plot was fast paced and crammed full of suspense, keeping me interested and invested right to the end. There were many clever and inventive twists and turns in the plot that kept me thinking the whole time, including false leads that took you off in the wrong direction.
The story continued the connection between Mort and Lydia, which had been solidified in the previous book. I enjoyed seeing how each of them attempted to develop relationships with prospective partners, given our knowledge of the secrets they were keeping, and the things that had happened in their pasts.
It was fascinating to see how the fixer had grown as a person and the creative manner in which she dealt with the situation that she found herself in. The themes were definitely of an adult nature, but were not treated in a tacky way. It seemed like this was almost two stories in one, with the strength of the main subplot.
The characters were very interesting and well established. They were developed further in this book, with a greater amount of back story revealed, especially regarding Mort and his past. It was also good to see that the members of Mort’s team, introduced in the first book were given larger roles to play in this one. We were able to get to know those characters that we had only a passing familiarity with.
The conclusion was surprising, with a great twist. I would recommend this book to thriller fans, that like a heavy dose of suspense and a plot that is not straightforward to unravel. Although the book can be read in its own right, I think it is beneficial to have read the first book in the series too.
This review is based on a complimentary copy.
November 23, 2014
When I started reading “The Red Hot Fix” the thought occurred to me that it was just going to be a repeat of the first book in the series “The Fixer”. Even though I loved the “The Fixer” I felt “The Red Hot Fix” was going to be a disappointment. I could not have been more wrong! This book is definitely not a repeat of the first. It picks up the story where book one leaves off and once you get a few pages into this installment, it really takes off.
In “The Red Hot Fix” Lydia (the fixer) is back, along with Mort (the detective) and all the familiar characters. A serial killer, who has been dubbed “Trixie”, is on the loose killing men who frequent prostitutes. There are two or three other exciting threads that run through the story and engross the reader. What I at first thought was going to be a repeat of story one came alive with an exciting and page turning story of its own. I was surprised at every turn.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next installment in the series. I highly recommend this book.
I was provided a free copy of this book for review from Random House Publishing House – Alibi and Net Gallery. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review.
In “The Red Hot Fix” Lydia (the fixer) is back, along with Mort (the detective) and all the familiar characters. A serial killer, who has been dubbed “Trixie”, is on the loose killing men who frequent prostitutes. There are two or three other exciting threads that run through the story and engross the reader. What I at first thought was going to be a repeat of story one came alive with an exciting and page turning story of its own. I was surprised at every turn.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next installment in the series. I highly recommend this book.
I was provided a free copy of this book for review from Random House Publishing House – Alibi and Net Gallery. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review.
January 25, 2018
I loved The Fixer so why it took me so long to read the second book in the series is beyond me. This was just as exciting and the killer was a wee-bit cray-cray. AND I love the killer in The Fixer, who was also in this book, trying to save a 7 year old girl from being in her father's pornographic films and then selling her to the highest pervert. Loved the way The Fixer handled the whole thing. I think she and Mort are the best things going in these books. Two different stories going on at once.
This one was about a serial killer who strangled men in seedy motels and then posed them kneeling on mothballs. Weird, huh? Then the killing of a millionaire they tried to blame on the serial killer but Mort knew she didn’t do it. And Lydia saving Maizie. There was never a dull moment with either story.
It was another great read and I’m off to the next one since I’m lagging too far behind. If you like books about serial killers, with no sex in the book whatsoever, this book is for you. And what a great ending! I can’t wait to get to the next one.
The F-bomb was used 27 times.
As to the narrator: Christina Delaine did a great job on all the voices and with the emotions when she read.
This one was about a serial killer who strangled men in seedy motels and then posed them kneeling on mothballs. Weird, huh? Then the killing of a millionaire they tried to blame on the serial killer but Mort knew she didn’t do it. And Lydia saving Maizie. There was never a dull moment with either story.
It was another great read and I’m off to the next one since I’m lagging too far behind. If you like books about serial killers, with no sex in the book whatsoever, this book is for you. And what a great ending! I can’t wait to get to the next one.
The F-bomb was used 27 times.
As to the narrator: Christina Delaine did a great job on all the voices and with the emotions when she read.
June 5, 2014
I had not read the first book in this series, The Fixer. But this did not detract from my enjoyment of The Red Hot Fix because the Fixer plays a more minor role here. Detective Mort Grant is pursuing a serial killer who has become known as Trixie. Men are turning up dead in seedy motels presumably after an assignation with a prostitute. Seven "johns" have been killed and the pressure is on to find Trixie. Trixie leaves a lipstick kiss on the forehead of her victims but little else in the way of clues. There are two other plot lines, one involving Lydia the Fixer who is recovering from injuries sustained in the previous novel and who suspects that a young girl she encounters at the library is being abused. This leads to Lydia exposing a pornography ring. An unrelated plot involves business and basketball. Reinhart Vogel, owner of the Seattle basketball team, is murdered but by whom?
There is an interesting twist when the identity of Trixie is revealed.
This is a very well written novel and a great read. Now I must go back and read The Fixer.
Disclosure: My copy of this novel was provided by Netgalley.
There is an interesting twist when the identity of Trixie is revealed.
This is a very well written novel and a great read. Now I must go back and read The Fixer.
Disclosure: My copy of this novel was provided by Netgalley.
June 20, 2014
Detective Morton Grant is after a prostitute nicknamed Trixie, who is killing her johns and taunts him as she thinks she is smarter than him. Meanwhile, owner of the Seattle Wings, Reinheardt Vogel is murdered and is it another one of Trixie’s victims. Meanwhile the Fixer (from the first book in this series) befriends a young girl with horrendous problems of her own. Three separate plots make for a full story.
You don’t need to read the first book in this series (The Fixer) to enjoy this one. Although, the Fixer is part of one of the storylines, the main focus is on Detective Grant. Although, a little lost at first, because of the multiple story lines, I found this to be a fascinating story that develops quite well and to a fulfilling climax. The characters are well developed that you love or hate them. It moves fast and kept my absorbed throughout.
You don’t need to read the first book in this series (The Fixer) to enjoy this one. Although, the Fixer is part of one of the storylines, the main focus is on Detective Grant. Although, a little lost at first, because of the multiple story lines, I found this to be a fascinating story that develops quite well and to a fulfilling climax. The characters are well developed that you love or hate them. It moves fast and kept my absorbed throughout.
September 20, 2015
Oh man, I am so thrilled I got this book as well! The Fixer us back, along with do much more, a nonstop, page turning, thrilling ride of great writing, charters you will love, and others not so much. Plots, subplots, romance, drama and more, all in these pages. You'll not want to put it down!
June 1, 2014
Earlier this year I reviewed T.E. Woods' debut novel,
The Fixer
, and really enjoyed it for both its cleverly structured plot and its characters. After reviewing it I learned that book two was already slated for release on June 10th, so I hurried over to Netgalley and was stoked to be approved for an ARC of the second book, The Red Hot Fix. Having read it in a single night I can happily report that the sequel is even better than its predecessor. The problems I had with the first book didn't return in this one or where explained and I had some of the questions I was left with after finishing The Fixer answered.
If there is one thing that is important in a good crime series it's the characters. While it's of course important that the crime is well-plotted and interesting, for a series you need more than just an interesting murder, you need characters to love—characters to come back to and find out what happens to them next. And it is in the creating of a compelling main character surrounded by a wonderful team that Woods excels. Yes, the crime in The Red Hot Fix was wonderfully constructed as well – more on that later – but for me these books are all about Mort and associates. Mort is such a great, well-balanced character and while he has his crosses to bear, they don't define him. Where in the previous book Mort is still obviously grieving the loss of his wife, he's also coping and in this book he's even ready to consider the possibility of moving on with someone new. Woods handles this beautifully and I can't wait to see how this storyline will develop in the future.
The set up in The Red Hot Fix is a little different from that of The Fixer, as we get a number of extra points of views in addition to Mort and Lydia. Not only do we see snippets from Trixie, but we also have a story arc with several points of views dedicated to the Stinson-Vogel clan, their basketball team and other shenanigans. It confused me at first as I didn't know how this fit into the story, but once this got tied into the Trixie case, it tied in beautifully and I liked the way it was resolved. The one point of view that was a bit of an odd fit was Lydia's, though I loved her story line and her friendship with Mort. The way she befriends little Maizie and gains her trust was lovely, especially as it resonates with much of Lydia's past. I also liked that Woods lets us see Lydia's struggle in trying to disentangle herself from her Fixer persona, all the more stronger when she's faced with a situation that truly needs Fixing to save this precious little girl. This might also be the best point to mention that there are some possible triggers in the form of sexual violence, rape, and child abuse, make of that what you will. Lydia's eventual solution to the situation was amazing and it'll be interesting to see how Woods will develop Lydia's character, because she might become a modern caped crusader!
My niggles from the last time were solved. We finally get an explanation for everyone's unquestioning acceptance of Bruiser's ubiquitous presence and it's heart-breaking. It also gave me a new appreciation for Jimmy De Villa, whose character is deepened quite a lot in this book. Woods also toned down his advances on Micki Petty and has her push back when he goes too far, which I appreciated a lot, because I found the dynamic between them quite troubling in the previous book. Woods also reveals more about Mort's missing daughter and what happened with her and I hope she'll be even more present in future books.
The Red Hot Fix was a great second outing for Mort Grant and friends. Even if you've not read the previous book, the crime side of the book works really well as a standalone, from a character perspective however, I'd say this is certainly a book that should be read in sequence to be completely satisfying. I had a great time with The Red Hot Fix and I hope the next book will be announced soon. For readers who love well-plotted, character-driven crime the Justice novels are definitely worth checking out.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
If there is one thing that is important in a good crime series it's the characters. While it's of course important that the crime is well-plotted and interesting, for a series you need more than just an interesting murder, you need characters to love—characters to come back to and find out what happens to them next. And it is in the creating of a compelling main character surrounded by a wonderful team that Woods excels. Yes, the crime in The Red Hot Fix was wonderfully constructed as well – more on that later – but for me these books are all about Mort and associates. Mort is such a great, well-balanced character and while he has his crosses to bear, they don't define him. Where in the previous book Mort is still obviously grieving the loss of his wife, he's also coping and in this book he's even ready to consider the possibility of moving on with someone new. Woods handles this beautifully and I can't wait to see how this storyline will develop in the future.
The set up in The Red Hot Fix is a little different from that of The Fixer, as we get a number of extra points of views in addition to Mort and Lydia. Not only do we see snippets from Trixie, but we also have a story arc with several points of views dedicated to the Stinson-Vogel clan, their basketball team and other shenanigans. It confused me at first as I didn't know how this fit into the story, but once this got tied into the Trixie case, it tied in beautifully and I liked the way it was resolved. The one point of view that was a bit of an odd fit was Lydia's, though I loved her story line and her friendship with Mort. The way she befriends little Maizie and gains her trust was lovely, especially as it resonates with much of Lydia's past. I also liked that Woods lets us see Lydia's struggle in trying to disentangle herself from her Fixer persona, all the more stronger when she's faced with a situation that truly needs Fixing to save this precious little girl. This might also be the best point to mention that there are some possible triggers in the form of sexual violence, rape, and child abuse, make of that what you will. Lydia's eventual solution to the situation was amazing and it'll be interesting to see how Woods will develop Lydia's character, because she might become a modern caped crusader!
My niggles from the last time were solved. We finally get an explanation for everyone's unquestioning acceptance of Bruiser's ubiquitous presence and it's heart-breaking. It also gave me a new appreciation for Jimmy De Villa, whose character is deepened quite a lot in this book. Woods also toned down his advances on Micki Petty and has her push back when he goes too far, which I appreciated a lot, because I found the dynamic between them quite troubling in the previous book. Woods also reveals more about Mort's missing daughter and what happened with her and I hope she'll be even more present in future books.
The Red Hot Fix was a great second outing for Mort Grant and friends. Even if you've not read the previous book, the crime side of the book works really well as a standalone, from a character perspective however, I'd say this is certainly a book that should be read in sequence to be completely satisfying. I had a great time with The Red Hot Fix and I hope the next book will be announced soon. For readers who love well-plotted, character-driven crime the Justice novels are definitely worth checking out.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
June 4, 2014
The Red Hot Fix by T. E. Woods is the very highly recommended second book in the Justice series that began with The Fixer. shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/2014/02/...
Detective Mort Grant and psychologist Lydia Corriger are back! In this exciting second book three different story lines are being developed simultaneously.
Mort is trying to find a serial killer, a woman presumed to be a prostitute that the press has nicknamed Trixie. Trixie is killing Johns and leaving a red lipstick kiss on their foreheads. The body count is rising and Trixie is not leaving many clues.
We are also following Ingrid and Reinheardt Vogel, owners of the Seattle Wings basketball team. The team is in the playoffs, but the star player, LionEl, is giving the owners some headaches - but he may not be the only problem the Vogel's are experiencing.
While Lydia plays a lesser role in this book as she is recovering from injuries sustained in the first book, she does do some "fixing." She is especially tender and loving as she develops a relationship with a young girl, Maizie, who needs a caring adult friend.
Once again Woods does an excellent job developing her characters while keeping the plot engaging and interesting. This time Woods gives us additional character development to some characters we've met previously as well as several new characters. There is also more personal history of the characters shared, for example we learn more about Mort's daughter and Jimmy De Villa.
Woods own personal background as a clinical psychologist continues to give her keen insight into human behavior. She is able to describe her characters and their struggles and flaws, in such a way that they feel like real people. As I said previously, "They all come across as real people, flawed and wounded, but real."
The writing was also superb - again - and the story will keep you engaged right to the end. Woods again keeps the pace quick and allows suspense to build right up to the end.
In the past I've occasionally mentioned that a book is an "airplane book" meaning an engaging book that will hold your attention but you won't cry if you lose it or misplace it and miss the ending. After a recent marathon bout of traveling, I'm adding a new airplane rating: a "stuck overnight at the airport book" meaning this book will keep you up, awake, and entertained with minimum trips to find coffee or a distraction and you will cry if you misplace it and don't read the ending.
The Red Hot Fix is a "stuck overnight at the airport book." I can hardly wait for the next Justice/Fixer novel.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Random House for review purposes.
Detective Mort Grant and psychologist Lydia Corriger are back! In this exciting second book three different story lines are being developed simultaneously.
Mort is trying to find a serial killer, a woman presumed to be a prostitute that the press has nicknamed Trixie. Trixie is killing Johns and leaving a red lipstick kiss on their foreheads. The body count is rising and Trixie is not leaving many clues.
We are also following Ingrid and Reinheardt Vogel, owners of the Seattle Wings basketball team. The team is in the playoffs, but the star player, LionEl, is giving the owners some headaches - but he may not be the only problem the Vogel's are experiencing.
While Lydia plays a lesser role in this book as she is recovering from injuries sustained in the first book, she does do some "fixing." She is especially tender and loving as she develops a relationship with a young girl, Maizie, who needs a caring adult friend.
Once again Woods does an excellent job developing her characters while keeping the plot engaging and interesting. This time Woods gives us additional character development to some characters we've met previously as well as several new characters. There is also more personal history of the characters shared, for example we learn more about Mort's daughter and Jimmy De Villa.
Woods own personal background as a clinical psychologist continues to give her keen insight into human behavior. She is able to describe her characters and their struggles and flaws, in such a way that they feel like real people. As I said previously, "They all come across as real people, flawed and wounded, but real."
The writing was also superb - again - and the story will keep you engaged right to the end. Woods again keeps the pace quick and allows suspense to build right up to the end.
In the past I've occasionally mentioned that a book is an "airplane book" meaning an engaging book that will hold your attention but you won't cry if you lose it or misplace it and miss the ending. After a recent marathon bout of traveling, I'm adding a new airplane rating: a "stuck overnight at the airport book" meaning this book will keep you up, awake, and entertained with minimum trips to find coffee or a distraction and you will cry if you misplace it and don't read the ending.
The Red Hot Fix is a "stuck overnight at the airport book." I can hardly wait for the next Justice/Fixer novel.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Random House for review purposes.
May 10, 2014
The Red Hot Fix- A Justice Novel by T. E. Woods is a 2014 Random House Ablibi Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Justice series. I did not read the first book and I think it would be a good idea to read it before you start this one, but it's not absolutely necessary. The story picks up about a year after "The Fixer" killings. Mort is back in his element in the Seattle PD. Mort's son, Robbie, is hitting the big time after his true crime book hit the bestseller list and Hollywood has expressed interest in doing a movie based on his book. Mort still hasn't heard from his daughter and he is still grieving the death of his beloved wife, Edie.
"The Fixer" has had to start life over and just happens to run into a child pornography situation when she meets a young girl in the library. She and Mort are in communication with one another from time to time, each dealing with the fallout of what they went through previously and the guilt that comes with it, no matter how justified their actions were.
Now, Seattle is dealing with a female serial killer who is killing the prostitute's customers. But, when a prominent professional sports owner is murdered and the scene is staged to look like the "Trxie" murders, Mort has his hands full. On a personal note, Mort finds himself attracted to a woman named Charlotte and while one part of him wished to pursue his feelings, the other part of him can't let go of Edie's memory.
This crime novel has a lot going on all at once. A serial killer, a ruthless business man that has made lots of enemies, and a child porn investigation. Although there are many plotlines and the story of Trixie was really creepy and tense, I felt that too much time was spent on the professional sports team story. Much of this could have been cut down and we still could have gotten the big reveal that shocks Mort to the core. The set up for this part of the story dragged on for too long and then the outcome was little too predictable. The child porn investigation is carried out by "The Fixer" ( Lydia) and a young girl's life is a stake making the option for legitimate law enforcement and social services impossible. This part of the book is very disturbing and all too close to the truth. It will turn your stomach and infuriate you all at the same time. I enjoyed this thriller and plan to go back and see how all this got started with Mort and "The Fixer". Overall this one is a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
This is the second book in the Justice series. I did not read the first book and I think it would be a good idea to read it before you start this one, but it's not absolutely necessary. The story picks up about a year after "The Fixer" killings. Mort is back in his element in the Seattle PD. Mort's son, Robbie, is hitting the big time after his true crime book hit the bestseller list and Hollywood has expressed interest in doing a movie based on his book. Mort still hasn't heard from his daughter and he is still grieving the death of his beloved wife, Edie.
"The Fixer" has had to start life over and just happens to run into a child pornography situation when she meets a young girl in the library. She and Mort are in communication with one another from time to time, each dealing with the fallout of what they went through previously and the guilt that comes with it, no matter how justified their actions were.
Now, Seattle is dealing with a female serial killer who is killing the prostitute's customers. But, when a prominent professional sports owner is murdered and the scene is staged to look like the "Trxie" murders, Mort has his hands full. On a personal note, Mort finds himself attracted to a woman named Charlotte and while one part of him wished to pursue his feelings, the other part of him can't let go of Edie's memory.
This crime novel has a lot going on all at once. A serial killer, a ruthless business man that has made lots of enemies, and a child porn investigation. Although there are many plotlines and the story of Trixie was really creepy and tense, I felt that too much time was spent on the professional sports team story. Much of this could have been cut down and we still could have gotten the big reveal that shocks Mort to the core. The set up for this part of the story dragged on for too long and then the outcome was little too predictable. The child porn investigation is carried out by "The Fixer" ( Lydia) and a young girl's life is a stake making the option for legitimate law enforcement and social services impossible. This part of the book is very disturbing and all too close to the truth. It will turn your stomach and infuriate you all at the same time. I enjoyed this thriller and plan to go back and see how all this got started with Mort and "The Fixer". Overall this one is a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
May 21, 2014
The Fixer is Back
In this second novel in the Fixer series, Lydia, the fixer is recovering from serious injuries she received at the end of the first book. She has cut herself off from her former life, but she's still in touch with Mort Grant, the detective with the Seattle PD who saved her life at the end of the first book.
Mort is tracking a serial killer: a prostitute named Trixie who kills her Johns. She's very clever and leads are hard to come by.
Ingrid and Reinheardt Vogel own the Seattle Wings basketball team. The whole city is routing for the team to win the playoffs, but the owners are having trouble with their star player, LionEl.
Although the three separate threads come together for an ending that ties up all the loose ends, I was disappointed in the resolution of Mort's part of the novel because it didn't seem realistic. All three threads are interesting and relatively fast paced. It's easy to follow the different characters and keeps the story moving. However, if you find more than one story line distracting, you won't enjoy this book.
This story focuses primarily on Mort and the serial killer. Lydia has less of a role and doesn't use any of her Fixer talents until the very end although she becomes involved with exposing a child pornography ring. I found the Vogels interesting, but the basketball story has a very loose tie to the other threads, except as background, until the end.
All the characters are interesting and the plot is timely with the emphasis on basketball, serial killers, and in Lydia's case, child pornography. It's an enjoyable read.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
In this second novel in the Fixer series, Lydia, the fixer is recovering from serious injuries she received at the end of the first book. She has cut herself off from her former life, but she's still in touch with Mort Grant, the detective with the Seattle PD who saved her life at the end of the first book.
Mort is tracking a serial killer: a prostitute named Trixie who kills her Johns. She's very clever and leads are hard to come by.
Ingrid and Reinheardt Vogel own the Seattle Wings basketball team. The whole city is routing for the team to win the playoffs, but the owners are having trouble with their star player, LionEl.
Although the three separate threads come together for an ending that ties up all the loose ends, I was disappointed in the resolution of Mort's part of the novel because it didn't seem realistic. All three threads are interesting and relatively fast paced. It's easy to follow the different characters and keeps the story moving. However, if you find more than one story line distracting, you won't enjoy this book.
This story focuses primarily on Mort and the serial killer. Lydia has less of a role and doesn't use any of her Fixer talents until the very end although she becomes involved with exposing a child pornography ring. I found the Vogels interesting, but the basketball story has a very loose tie to the other threads, except as background, until the end.
All the characters are interesting and the plot is timely with the emphasis on basketball, serial killers, and in Lydia's case, child pornography. It's an enjoyable read.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
October 16, 2014
Because the killer is turning “tricks into corpses”, they’ve nicknamed her Trixie. Trixie is baiting and taunting Seattle PD Detective Morton (Mort) Grant with notes. She’s enjoying the press – enjoying the attention. She has a distinctive MO – her targets are strangled; tied with a rope; kneeling on crushed mothballs; and have a very red kiss placed on their forehead. Only some of these details are made known to the press. The Fixer (Lydia) from book 1 is also involved in this story, but she’s not working on the Trixie case with Mort. She has discovered a lonely little girl in the library. After talking to the librarian, Lydia discovers she spends almost every day in the library but very few days in school. She befriends Maizie Dunfield. Lydia gradually discovers that the child’s father is Maizie’s living nightmare.
The Red Hot Fix is definitely a dual story line. I kept waiting for the two stories to connect. They didn’t. However, I found that Mort’s investigation of Trixie and Lydia’s probing into Maizie’s situation to both be very thought-provoking. I actually had more of an interest in Lydia and Maizie’s story even though it was not primary. Some reviews say the books in this series can be read as standalones. I did, however, feel like I was missing valuable information by reading book two before book one. Not sure why I read out of order except that the blurb for The Red Hot Fix made me very curious. The characters were interesting and ‘real’ and I do plan to go back to the beginning of this series. I rated The Red Hot Fix at 4 out of 5.
http://www.fictionzeal.com/review-red...
The Red Hot Fix is definitely a dual story line. I kept waiting for the two stories to connect. They didn’t. However, I found that Mort’s investigation of Trixie and Lydia’s probing into Maizie’s situation to both be very thought-provoking. I actually had more of an interest in Lydia and Maizie’s story even though it was not primary. Some reviews say the books in this series can be read as standalones. I did, however, feel like I was missing valuable information by reading book two before book one. Not sure why I read out of order except that the blurb for The Red Hot Fix made me very curious. The characters were interesting and ‘real’ and I do plan to go back to the beginning of this series. I rated The Red Hot Fix at 4 out of 5.
http://www.fictionzeal.com/review-red...
July 8, 2014
Second in a series of novels following female assassin Lydia and her unlikely friend, a Seattle homicide detective. This book centers around Detective Mort Grant's hunt for a serial killer whose been strangling and trussing up johns all over the city. I have to start by saying T.E. Wood's truly has a fantastic style for writing mystery. The novel follows four viewpoints, which could easily become confusing but is deftly managed in Wood's hands. Once I became aware this was the second in a series I was concerned I would be missing something important in the appreciation of the story, but the author doled out just enough background to fill in the reader without drowning them in flashbacks or useless detail. Perhaps my favorite aspect of this author's style was the great reveal, that part in a mystery novel where everything becomes clear. As the novel progresses I love speculating, as I supposed most mystery readers do, as to who the killer might be; T.E. Wood's has a wonderful way of dragging out the reveal that allows you to fully enjoy the moment without annoying you as they shield the resolution just a tad bit longer. If you are a fan of mystery I highly recommend this series. My only regret is that I haven't read them in order and therefore the mystery of the first is a bit ruined. Still, Woods crafts such genuinely interesting characters and involving plot lines that I cannot wait to keep reading.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2016
Another fantastic read courtesy of this author, my only criticism being there's WAY too much NBA stuff featured. No doubt it doesn't bother American readers in the least but to those of us overseas it makes us glaze over !! A couple of times I started to and wanted to pack it in but because I know the main characters and like them a great deal I stuck with it and was pleased I did.
I did get a little irritated by quite a few apostrophes being misplaced, usually when plurals were used. Sometimes she has them right so a proofreading exercise really should've spotted the wrong ones. There were a couple of missing words as well.
I was so pleased to see Lydia still carries on with righting wrongs. Long may she continue and all credit to Mort for sticking by her and keeping her secrets. I enjoyed reading Bruiser's story although it was horribly sad...I liked this sentence too-"Micki's eyes were all business and her eyes were all friend". I wonder if Mort's new lady will make an appearance in the next story although personally I prefer his relationship with Lydia. She really needs to get back with Oliver though, I reckon ! I really liked little Maizie in this story as well. Looking forward to the third installment !!
I did get a little irritated by quite a few apostrophes being misplaced, usually when plurals were used. Sometimes she has them right so a proofreading exercise really should've spotted the wrong ones. There were a couple of missing words as well.
I was so pleased to see Lydia still carries on with righting wrongs. Long may she continue and all credit to Mort for sticking by her and keeping her secrets. I enjoyed reading Bruiser's story although it was horribly sad...I liked this sentence too-"Micki's eyes were all business and her eyes were all friend". I wonder if Mort's new lady will make an appearance in the next story although personally I prefer his relationship with Lydia. She really needs to get back with Oliver though, I reckon ! I really liked little Maizie in this story as well. Looking forward to the third installment !!
February 1, 2015
After gushing about The Fixer last Sunday, this week’s follow-up read was The Red Hot Fix, the second book in the trilogy by T.E. Woods. While The Fixer was fantastic, this one was a little less so, but I’d still recommend it. It was a fine read, and I’ve got to think it was tough for the author to crank out a second book as good as the first.
In this story, the main character has tried to break away from life-as-an-assassin, largely due to the fact that the chief of detectives knows her true identity. (While that sounds counter-intuitive, you need to read the first book in the series to understand why she’s not behind bars). She and the chief are now essentially on the same side, looking for a serial killer whose latest victim appears to be the owner of an NBA team. (But isn’t). As much as Miss-Former-Assassin tries to behave, she can’t escape her former world entirely, and justice once again is served.
Quick, fast-paced, but doesn’t keep you guessing quite as much as the prior book, The Red Hot Fix is another good one by T.E. Woods. Please let me know what you think, and if you’re a football fan, enjoy the game tonight. ‘Til next week, happy reading!
In this story, the main character has tried to break away from life-as-an-assassin, largely due to the fact that the chief of detectives knows her true identity. (While that sounds counter-intuitive, you need to read the first book in the series to understand why she’s not behind bars). She and the chief are now essentially on the same side, looking for a serial killer whose latest victim appears to be the owner of an NBA team. (But isn’t). As much as Miss-Former-Assassin tries to behave, she can’t escape her former world entirely, and justice once again is served.
Quick, fast-paced, but doesn’t keep you guessing quite as much as the prior book, The Red Hot Fix is another good one by T.E. Woods. Please let me know what you think, and if you’re a football fan, enjoy the game tonight. ‘Til next week, happy reading!
May 31, 2014
The Red Hot Fix: A Justice Novel by T. E. Woods is a tightly woven murder/suspense read. There is a serial killer on the loose, dubbed by the media as Trixie. Trixie has a habit of killing men involved with prostitutes, and her signature is a red lipstick kiss on their foreheads. Mort Grant is the detective assigned to find her and stop her. He, along with a team of detectives, have their work cut out for them and this is not an easy job to accomplish. Will they be successful or will the murders continue?
The characters are well developed and likable. They display many human traits and you can’t help but cheer for them, worry about them and care what happens to them. The suspense is carried on throughout the entire book and continues to build from the first to last page. There are many twists and turns found throughout the book and this was an added bonus.
I would recommend this book to mystery/suspense lovers and those who like a book that will keep you guessing. I have not read the first book in the series yet, but I plan on doing just that soon.
The characters are well developed and likable. They display many human traits and you can’t help but cheer for them, worry about them and care what happens to them. The suspense is carried on throughout the entire book and continues to build from the first to last page. There are many twists and turns found throughout the book and this was an added bonus.
I would recommend this book to mystery/suspense lovers and those who like a book that will keep you guessing. I have not read the first book in the series yet, but I plan on doing just that soon.
April 19, 2014
My View:
This series just gets better and better!
This is a complex plot with a series of stories neatly converging and culminating in the saving of a life – and that is a good life. I love the character Mort (that is Officer Grant to you); he is so reliable, courageous, smart and credible. I liked that his story took up a lot of the space in this narrative. And I enjoyed what seemed to be the subplot – the healing of The Fixer – whose skills are redirected to save a young girl and ultimately a close friend.
This writer is stepping up to meet my expectations in a great crime read – good character development, credible and likable characters, and ethical dilemmas with a good dash of crime and mayhem all wrapped up with a happy ending. I look forward to reading further books in this series.
PS
I really like the cover art on these publications.
This series just gets better and better!
This is a complex plot with a series of stories neatly converging and culminating in the saving of a life – and that is a good life. I love the character Mort (that is Officer Grant to you); he is so reliable, courageous, smart and credible. I liked that his story took up a lot of the space in this narrative. And I enjoyed what seemed to be the subplot – the healing of The Fixer – whose skills are redirected to save a young girl and ultimately a close friend.
This writer is stepping up to meet my expectations in a great crime read – good character development, credible and likable characters, and ethical dilemmas with a good dash of crime and mayhem all wrapped up with a happy ending. I look forward to reading further books in this series.
PS
I really like the cover art on these publications.
June 23, 2014
I read this right after read The Fix, book 1, because I was anxious to find out what would happen between The Fixer and Mort.
This story is about Trixie, a serial killer prostitute, who kills Johns. Mort and his son bond and try to solve the killings together. Meanwhile The Fixer is on a small island recovering from what happened at the end of The Fix. She finds a little girl in need of her help.
Like the first book, there are twists and I tried to figure out how things would end and I didn't do well at guessing on how either story line ended or the book itself (a good thing).
I liked the first book, but thought this one was even better. I am really intrigued to see how the author develops the relationship between The Fixer and Mort or doesn't.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This story is about Trixie, a serial killer prostitute, who kills Johns. Mort and his son bond and try to solve the killings together. Meanwhile The Fixer is on a small island recovering from what happened at the end of The Fix. She finds a little girl in need of her help.
Like the first book, there are twists and I tried to figure out how things would end and I didn't do well at guessing on how either story line ended or the book itself (a good thing).
I liked the first book, but thought this one was even better. I am really intrigued to see how the author develops the relationship between The Fixer and Mort or doesn't.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2015
Here is proof that giving a book away results in sales of other books in a series. Just finished the first book and bought this one so that I could continue reading for the rest of the day. Lydia Corriger, The Fixer, is back at it. Mort is mortified that he is letting her off without reporting who she is. Now, a bit of a stretch is Mort't son who "solves" crimes with his dad but from Denver and as a writer. We almost lost him in this story because he was "working the case"?????? I do/did love Mort's new woman friend but, of course, he is a tortured soul who still has not finished mourning his wife's death. The story of the little girl was so well told. Book 2 down and off to buy the last in the series.
June 10, 2014
The Red Hot Fix This book has elements of mystery, suspense and romance. The main plot concerns Mott Grant, Seattle homicide and his working to solve a serial killer of men who used prostitutes. There are other plots continuing through the story. The suspense was handle well and it was hard to put the book down. The plots were not meshed together well and it feels like you are reading different stories. The research on the Seattle area could have been better. The ending was unusual and interesting. It will surprise you.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review.
August 13, 2016
I loved this! I've been reading a lot of cozy mysteries, because the writers I used to turn to for suspenseful, hard-core, serial-killer mysteries have all been very disappointing lately. But now I have a new writer to follow.
I really like Mort Grant and his team, and I was SO relieved that the ending did not fall into a trap of stereotype. Great ending!
I wish I had read The Fixer. I think it's too late, now, as the answer to that mystery is one of the foundations of this book. But I won't miss any of Woods' mysteries to come.
[Review copy of book furnished by publisher through Netgalley.]
I really like Mort Grant and his team, and I was SO relieved that the ending did not fall into a trap of stereotype. Great ending!
I wish I had read The Fixer. I think it's too late, now, as the answer to that mystery is one of the foundations of this book. But I won't miss any of Woods' mysteries to come.
[Review copy of book furnished by publisher through Netgalley.]
June 5, 2014
Every once in a while I find a series that I get hooked on and the Justice series is one of those. We reviewed Book #1 from this crime/psychological thriller series, The Fixer, earlier this Spring (see review link at the end of this review) and Book #2, The Red Hot Fix, will be published next week. T.E. Woods is a clinical psychologist and she brings all of her training to the table in plotting out and developing the characters in these novels, which gives them a real edge and depth. If you’re into psychological thrillers or crime novels, or even just bad girls, then you’ll want to learn more about this series at http://popcornreads.com/?p=7407.
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