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Thea Kozak #6
Liberty or Death
Thea Kozak's sometimes rocky relationship with Maine state police detective Andre Lemieux has flourished. Now, on the day of their wedding, Thea receives awful news: Andre has been taken hostage by a militant militia group. Their terms: release one of their members from jail.
The State of Maine isn't interested in co-operating. Neither is the prisoner.
Taking the situation in-hand, Thea goes undercover in the town where she suspects Andre is hidden, and comes face-to-face with the most terrifying and ruthless adversaries of her life.
THE THEA KOZAK MYSTERY SERIES, in order
Chosen for Death
Death in a Funhouse Mirror
Death at the Wheel
An Educated Death
Death in Paradise
Liberty or Death
Stalking Death
Death Warmed Over
The State of Maine isn't interested in co-operating. Neither is the prisoner.
Taking the situation in-hand, Thea goes undercover in the town where she suspects Andre is hidden, and comes face-to-face with the most terrifying and ruthless adversaries of her life.
THE THEA KOZAK MYSTERY SERIES, in order
Chosen for Death
Death in a Funhouse Mirror
Death at the Wheel
An Educated Death
Death in Paradise
Liberty or Death
Stalking Death
Death Warmed Over
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2003
113 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Kate Flora
55 books127 followersKate Flora grew up on a chicken farm in Maine where the Friday afternoon trip to the library was the high point of her week. She dreamed of being able to create the kind of compelling, enchanting worlds of the books she disappeared into every week, but growing up in the era when “help wanted” ads were still sex-segregated, she felt her calling was to go to law school and get the job they told her she couldn’t have.
After law school, Kate worked in the Maine attorney general’s office, protecting battered kids, chasing deadbeat dads, and representing the Human Rights Commission. Those years taught her all a crime writer needs to know about the human propensity to commit horrible acts. After some years in private practice, she decided to give writing a serious try when she quit the law to stay at home for a few years with her young sons. That ‘serious try’ led to ten tenacious and hellacious years in the unpublished writer’s corner, followed, finally, by the sale of her Thea Kozak series.
Kate’s eighteen books will include eight Thea Kozak mysteries, five gritty Joe Burgess police procedurals, a suspense thriller (written under the name Katharine Clark), two true crime books, Death Dealer and Finding Amy (co-written with Joseph Loughlin, a Portland, Maine Deputy Police Chief), a Maine game warden's memoir, A Good Man with a Dog, co-written with Roger Guay, and a book about police shootings from the police point of view, Shots Fired: The misunderstandings, misconceptions, and myths about police shootings, co-written with Joseph K. Loughlin. Finding Amy was a 2007 Edgar nominee as well as a Maine Literary Award finalist, and has been optioned for a movie. Kate’s award-winning short stories have been widely anthologized and Redemption and And Grant You Peace, her third and fourth Joe Burgess mysteries, won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction.
Flora's fiction, nonfiction, and short fiction have been finalists for the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer Awards.
She is a founding member of the New England Crime Bake, the region's annual mystery conference, and the Maine Crime Wave. With two other crime writers, she started founded Level Best Books, where she worked as an editor and publisher for seven years. She served a term as international president of Sisters in Crime, an organization founded to promote awareness of women writers’ contributions to the mystery field. Currently, she teaches writing and does manuscript critiques for Grub Street in Boston.
She has two sons (one into film and the other into photovoltaics) two lovely daughters-in-law, an adorable eight-year-old grandson and five granddogs, Frances, Otis, Harvey, Oscar, and Daisy. When not conducting research for her novels and nonfiction—research that includes riding an ATV through the Canadian woods or hiding in a tick-infested field waiting to be found by search and rescue dogs—Kate can often be found in her garden, waging war against the woodchucks and her husband’s lawnmower, or in the kitchen, devising clever and devious ways to get the men in her life to eat their vegetables.
After law school, Kate worked in the Maine attorney general’s office, protecting battered kids, chasing deadbeat dads, and representing the Human Rights Commission. Those years taught her all a crime writer needs to know about the human propensity to commit horrible acts. After some years in private practice, she decided to give writing a serious try when she quit the law to stay at home for a few years with her young sons. That ‘serious try’ led to ten tenacious and hellacious years in the unpublished writer’s corner, followed, finally, by the sale of her Thea Kozak series.
Kate’s eighteen books will include eight Thea Kozak mysteries, five gritty Joe Burgess police procedurals, a suspense thriller (written under the name Katharine Clark), two true crime books, Death Dealer and Finding Amy (co-written with Joseph Loughlin, a Portland, Maine Deputy Police Chief), a Maine game warden's memoir, A Good Man with a Dog, co-written with Roger Guay, and a book about police shootings from the police point of view, Shots Fired: The misunderstandings, misconceptions, and myths about police shootings, co-written with Joseph K. Loughlin. Finding Amy was a 2007 Edgar nominee as well as a Maine Literary Award finalist, and has been optioned for a movie. Kate’s award-winning short stories have been widely anthologized and Redemption and And Grant You Peace, her third and fourth Joe Burgess mysteries, won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction.
Flora's fiction, nonfiction, and short fiction have been finalists for the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer Awards.
She is a founding member of the New England Crime Bake, the region's annual mystery conference, and the Maine Crime Wave. With two other crime writers, she started founded Level Best Books, where she worked as an editor and publisher for seven years. She served a term as international president of Sisters in Crime, an organization founded to promote awareness of women writers’ contributions to the mystery field. Currently, she teaches writing and does manuscript critiques for Grub Street in Boston.
She has two sons (one into film and the other into photovoltaics) two lovely daughters-in-law, an adorable eight-year-old grandson and five granddogs, Frances, Otis, Harvey, Oscar, and Daisy. When not conducting research for her novels and nonfiction—research that includes riding an ATV through the Canadian woods or hiding in a tick-infested field waiting to be found by search and rescue dogs—Kate can often be found in her garden, waging war against the woodchucks and her husband’s lawnmower, or in the kitchen, devising clever and devious ways to get the men in her life to eat their vegetables.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 24, 2017
Liberty or Death by Kate Flora
After her wedding day is rudely interrupted when militia types take the groom hostage, Thea works (WORKS! — harder than I ever could) as a waitress in a small town, looking for clues to Andre’s captivity.
This book is so scary-true in terms of current events that I checked the copyright date — 2003 — warnings go way back. I’m reading the series not in order as I usually would, rather in the order in which I manage to find copies of the books, and it’s working because Kate Flora is good with references that don’t give too much away and spoil suspense, a rare gift. I did hold off on starting another, as I had a storytelling engagement and wanted to maintain a light and hopeful mood . . . that finished, I’m diving back into suspense with this strong and capable woman fighting for justice (and forgetting to eat . . . something else I’m not likely to do).
Wisdom of Theadora:
“It had only taken four and half hours of hard physical work to put me back in touch with reality . . . all that thinking I usually did . . . reports . . . meetings . . . weren’t as essential to the running of the world as feeding people.”
“ . . . love was primitive. It was an incredibly powerful, deep-seated thing that wasn’t subject to rational control.”
“I’d never understand how someone’s manhood was enhanced by picking on weaker creatures.”
“Thea the human tow truck . . . finding people broken down on the road of life, and stopping to see if I can help.”
“It was as if the water somehow flowed right through me, washing away the poisons . . . leaving me renewed and refreshed. Alive again.” (reminds me of our aqua class ;-)
“Sit on your hands and let one person be abused, and next time, it may be your turn and no one will help you, either. Let people begin to control how you can think and act, and you’ve begun to abdicate your freedom.”
— it was time for women to start running the world. (and definitely not barefoot!)
After her wedding day is rudely interrupted when militia types take the groom hostage, Thea works (WORKS! — harder than I ever could) as a waitress in a small town, looking for clues to Andre’s captivity.
This book is so scary-true in terms of current events that I checked the copyright date — 2003 — warnings go way back. I’m reading the series not in order as I usually would, rather in the order in which I manage to find copies of the books, and it’s working because Kate Flora is good with references that don’t give too much away and spoil suspense, a rare gift. I did hold off on starting another, as I had a storytelling engagement and wanted to maintain a light and hopeful mood . . . that finished, I’m diving back into suspense with this strong and capable woman fighting for justice (and forgetting to eat . . . something else I’m not likely to do).
Wisdom of Theadora:
“It had only taken four and half hours of hard physical work to put me back in touch with reality . . . all that thinking I usually did . . . reports . . . meetings . . . weren’t as essential to the running of the world as feeding people.”
“ . . . love was primitive. It was an incredibly powerful, deep-seated thing that wasn’t subject to rational control.”
“I’d never understand how someone’s manhood was enhanced by picking on weaker creatures.”
“Thea the human tow truck . . . finding people broken down on the road of life, and stopping to see if I can help.”
“It was as if the water somehow flowed right through me, washing away the poisons . . . leaving me renewed and refreshed. Alive again.” (reminds me of our aqua class ;-)
“Sit on your hands and let one person be abused, and next time, it may be your turn and no one will help you, either. Let people begin to control how you can think and act, and you’ve begun to abdicate your freedom.”
— it was time for women to start running the world. (and definitely not barefoot!)
November 4, 2019
Educational consultant Thea is moments away from marrying Maine state homicide detective Andre Lemieux when he is kidnapped by a Maine militia group as a bartering tool for release of a political prisoner. Against the wishes of the Andre's colleagues, Thea goes to the backwater town of Merchantville, ME (fictitious) and goes undercover as a waitress, working overtime hoping to learn anything she can to help find and free Andre. What she learns is that the town is in the grips of a violent, arrogant, ultraconservative pastor and his similar cronies who suspect, berate, grope, threaten, intimidate, stalk, and attack her, partly because she's a woman (a pregnant woman) and they just enjoy treating women this way, and partly because they think she's a cop, which isn't too far off the mark. The women in the town tell her to stop asking questions and try to be invisible to avoid attracting the militia's attention. The novel is nerve-wracking, with Thea (and others) in danger constantly, but mainly for me because it's obvious, 16 years since the book was published, that there are many places and people in the U.S. just like those described: men (primarily) who are defined by their resentments, their sense of themselves as victims, their dual anti-women and anti-government stance, and who are psychopathically and indifferently cruel, a law unto themselves in their quest for male and white supremacy. The novel is well-written and complex, with various driving motives among many of the main characters (not all believe the complete militia doctrine), though how Thea survives on so little sleep, much less manages to be persistently energetic, is pretty unbelievable.
June 5, 2021
Thea Kozak, is a danger magnet. In book 6, of the Thea Kozak Series, Thea is pregnant. It's her wedding day. She is upstairs at her mother's house getting ready, when Thea receives news that Andre has been kidnapped.
The militant group want a prisoner released from jail, one of their members. The Maine State Police will not negotiate. So, Thea disguises herself as a waitress working in a diner. Again putting her skills into action to find where Andre has been taken.
This entertaining series is action packed with engaging characters to keep the reader turning the pages.
I received this book for free from ebook discovery. I voluntarily post the review. This is my honest review.
The militant group want a prisoner released from jail, one of their members. The Maine State Police will not negotiate. So, Thea disguises herself as a waitress working in a diner. Again putting her skills into action to find where Andre has been taken.
This entertaining series is action packed with engaging characters to keep the reader turning the pages.
I received this book for free from ebook discovery. I voluntarily post the review. This is my honest review.
March 8, 2019
Once again I can honestly say Liberty or Death is a great continuation in the Thea Kozak Mystery series. I am enjoying everything about the series so far. I think the thing I like the most about the series is the relationships between the characters.
The storyline this time centers around the kidnapping of Thea’s fiancé Andre on their wedding day. Thea gets involved in the investigation by going undercover. The story that follows is fast paced and quite thrilling.
“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
The storyline this time centers around the kidnapping of Thea’s fiancé Andre on their wedding day. Thea gets involved in the investigation by going undercover. The story that follows is fast paced and quite thrilling.
“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
February 13, 2019
As always, the story is very well written and with great characters, but the plot is a little lacking in this book. For a series, there is a great variety of situations, settings and plots, and that's very commendable. But this time I find the plot contrary to the main character's character (!) and not very flattering for the police.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
July 1, 2019
Thea is attracted to danger, and finding more than she can handle, and tears are always close to the surface. With Alex kidnapped, they are saying the militants took him, he was just in the wrong place. Trying to get information working as a waitress, and that is wearing her out fast, Wanting to find out where Alex is being held at. Another page turner and hope you find out soon. With her feet killing her, and pregnant, it’s almost too much for Thea.
January 29, 2022
Intense!
I so want my sister, a retired police officer, to read this book! Thea’s Dora persona is so well played as an “abused wife in the run” as her cover story. But as she wanders into the hotbed of angry militia in search of her kidnapped fiancee, a police officer who had been investigating the militia, she must dig deep to overcome naïveté and be courageous among an untrusting community hiding their secrets and fears.
I so want my sister, a retired police officer, to read this book! Thea’s Dora persona is so well played as an “abused wife in the run” as her cover story. But as she wanders into the hotbed of angry militia in search of her kidnapped fiancee, a police officer who had been investigating the militia, she must dig deep to overcome naïveté and be courageous among an untrusting community hiding their secrets and fears.
February 12, 2019
Starts on a wedding that is rudely interrupted by a kidnaping of the groom. What happens next is a race against time to find the groom. Love. A strong woman willing to do anything for love. I received this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
February 16, 2019
Thea is my kickass hero!!!
When her husband to be gets abducted on their wedding day, the world as she knows it drops away.
A well written story line that will make you think.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.
When her husband to be gets abducted on their wedding day, the world as she knows it drops away.
A well written story line that will make you think.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.
March 6, 2019
I love how Kate Flora kept the top villain until the end. These characters keep getting better. I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I am voluntarily posting this review. This is my honest review.
September 13, 2019
This book present Thea in a very poor light. Endangering every because she can’t get herself & her emotions under control. Which is contrary to the image of a woman in control of the situation & herself. She comes off as out-of-control 5-yr old. Not good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2019
This is one for the best books I've read lately. From the first page to the end it really good. I received this book from e book discovery and this is my honest review.
July 12, 2021
Thriller! The tension and fear never let up. Thea barrels into the lions' den, central to the investigation.
September 30, 2021
Disappointing, don’t want political garbage in my escape reading!
February 6, 2024
One of the best episodes, so far!
December 30, 2012
Thea is an unlikely person to end up in the middle of murders and conspiracies and violent crime and criminals, but she does. She is a strong and opinionated character. She says what she thinks and acts on her gut and her emotions with tenacity and courage in each of her books; this one is no exception (sort of)
The story deals with militia groups and fanatical violence in the name of constitutional rights and liberty with a group of anti government and anti police in a small town in Maine. Full of suspense in a fast paced thriller style, we spend the book learning more about Thea's strengths and human limitations.
The story deals with militia groups and fanatical violence in the name of constitutional rights and liberty with a group of anti government and anti police in a small town in Maine. Full of suspense in a fast paced thriller style, we spend the book learning more about Thea's strengths and human limitations.
February 14, 2013
Wow, and wow. Intense suspense. This is only the second of this series I have read. I liked the Death one just fine but this drew me in more.
March 20, 2013
Very intense and very frightening.
August 11, 2014
Excellent
October 12, 2007
Almost four stars...
August 31, 2012
Slow-moving and creepy.
May 26, 2018
Edge of my seat. Militia endanger the main character's significant other....
March 2, 2019
Poor Thea can’t seem to catch a break. On her wedding day the unthinkable happens and Andre isn’t just late he’s kidnapped! Thea concocts a plan to help yer winds up in more danger than she ever thought possible. Dangerous militias, kidnappings, undercover waitressing and more secrets than you can shake a stick at. Will Thea and Andre get the happily ever after they deserve? Pick up your copy and find out! I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews