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Cassidy James Mysteries #3
3rd Degree
HAS AN INTRUDER VIOLATED YOUR HOME?
If someone has invaded your home and terrorized you, please call Cassidy James at 555-9113. No names necessary. Complete confidentiality assured. Don't let this terrible crime happen to someone else! Together we can stop him!!
Private Investigator Cassidy James suspected that the women of Cedar Hills were being systematically terrorized, but until she posted these flyers, no one knew to what extent. Now the truth is out, but with none of the victims willing to help her, how will she be able to stop this fiend—before he stops her?
As if her life weren't complicated enough, Cassidy's devastatingly beautiful and notoriously unfaithful ex, Erica Trinidad, has decided that the quickest way to the investigator's heart is through her bed. How can Cassidy convince her new girlfriend that she no longer wants Erica—when she can't quite convince herself?
If someone has invaded your home and terrorized you, please call Cassidy James at 555-9113. No names necessary. Complete confidentiality assured. Don't let this terrible crime happen to someone else! Together we can stop him!!
Private Investigator Cassidy James suspected that the women of Cedar Hills were being systematically terrorized, but until she posted these flyers, no one knew to what extent. Now the truth is out, but with none of the victims willing to help her, how will she be able to stop this fiend—before he stops her?
As if her life weren't complicated enough, Cassidy's devastatingly beautiful and notoriously unfaithful ex, Erica Trinidad, has decided that the quickest way to the investigator's heart is through her bed. How can Cassidy convince her new girlfriend that she no longer wants Erica—when she can't quite convince herself?
170 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 6, 2022
3 stars
Again decent, but not something that will stay with me for a long time.
Was invested more in the romantic part than the investigation, which tells me this one wasn't very interesting.
Because the romance wasn't that attention-consuming.
Even though Cass should really control her libido better.
But it was acceptable and the love-triangle resolved how I wanted.
Again decent, but not something that will stay with me for a long time.
Was invested more in the romantic part than the investigation, which tells me this one wasn't very interesting.
Because the romance wasn't that attention-consuming.
Even though Cass should really control her libido better.
But it was acceptable and the love-triangle resolved how I wanted.
May 10, 2021
In the third Cass Jones mystery she takes on a disturbing case - someone is invading women's homes, Tasing them, tieing them to their beds, and, while not raping them, scaring them so badly that they, to a woman, refuse to involve the police.
What's worse is that the masked intruder seems to know the women, this is no random attack.
Not for a second does Cass consider that putting up fliers and organising a newspaper article looking for information about the crimes, is akin to holding a sign above her head with flashing lights reading "Next Victim Here!"
One thing it brought back to mind was "Old Spice" (the particular smell associated with the attacker). I've never been one for aftershave, though my sisters supplied me with Old Spice, Brut, and one or two others whose names I have forgotten for birthdays and Christmas presents. I have no idea what I gave them in return, probably something equally thoughtless.
An oddity, at least to me, is Cass's strange relationship with psychologist Maggie Cassadine. "Somewhere between lovers and friends" as Cass puts it. Just because someone has a degree should not mean that you let their educated words confuse you. Maggie wants certainty with Cass, but Cass is at sea between Maggie, her current choice, and her former lover, Erica. Rather than work on their relationship Maggie demands proof - but how do you provide proof when you don't know just how you feel.
Chapter 12 is exceptionally odd. Either my copy of the book is corrupted or an entirely new character, Susie, suddenly, and without introduction, makes an impassioned speech against a proposed resort development at a community meeting. Who is Susie? I have re-read it several times and can't make sense of it.
The same chapter ramps up the emotion as woman after woman comes forward to reveal that they have been attacked in their homes. It's strong stuff, very "I am Spartacus"!
That night Susie Popps, finally identified, is murdered - this time there may be evidence to find the killer. It still begs the question - who is Susie Popps?
I've noted that in previous books the pacing tended to be rather slow until the end approaches - this is definitely not the case here.
3.5 Stars
What's worse is that the masked intruder seems to know the women, this is no random attack.
Not for a second does Cass consider that putting up fliers and organising a newspaper article looking for information about the crimes, is akin to holding a sign above her head with flashing lights reading "Next Victim Here!"
One thing it brought back to mind was "Old Spice" (the particular smell associated with the attacker). I've never been one for aftershave, though my sisters supplied me with Old Spice, Brut, and one or two others whose names I have forgotten for birthdays and Christmas presents. I have no idea what I gave them in return, probably something equally thoughtless.
An oddity, at least to me, is Cass's strange relationship with psychologist Maggie Cassadine. "Somewhere between lovers and friends" as Cass puts it. Just because someone has a degree should not mean that you let their educated words confuse you. Maggie wants certainty with Cass, but Cass is at sea between Maggie, her current choice, and her former lover, Erica. Rather than work on their relationship Maggie demands proof - but how do you provide proof when you don't know just how you feel.
Chapter 12 is exceptionally odd. Either my copy of the book is corrupted or an entirely new character, Susie, suddenly, and without introduction, makes an impassioned speech against a proposed resort development at a community meeting. Who is Susie? I have re-read it several times and can't make sense of it.
The same chapter ramps up the emotion as woman after woman comes forward to reveal that they have been attacked in their homes. It's strong stuff, very "I am Spartacus"!
That night Susie Popps, finally identified, is murdered - this time there may be evidence to find the killer. It still begs the question - who is Susie Popps?
I've noted that in previous books the pacing tended to be rather slow until the end approaches - this is definitely not the case here.
3.5 Stars
April 5, 2021
So here's the thing: so far I've read three books of Calloway's, all of them in this series. I haven't reviewed the previous ones because imo, the plots in these books are linear(so far). Meaning when I start a "Cassidy James" book, I may not know the plot, or the characters about to be introduced (hint hint) but I absolutely know what's going to happen.
Anyone who's about to read this book should absolutely read the previous two, even though the book may seem "standalone", the reader will benefit from the context especially when it comes to relationships.
I enjoyed these books, they were some of the lightest stuff I've read and I like that in books. Some of the characters are memorable, some not so much, but that's the way it is. The pacing is alright, I don't have anything to complain about there.
But... here's the other thing: there seems to be a 'try' at a plot twist here, I say try because imo that fails miserably. I saw the culprit the moment they were introduced, I'm not sure if that's done on purpose, or if it's -like I said- a failed attempt at a plot twist.
(Spoiler here, skip this paragraph if you haven't read): I also noticed that literally every criminal is someone introduced fairly recently, new guy in town, guy who we didn't see in the last book, that kind of stuff.
I'm about to start the fourth book in this series. Honestly, all this PI stuff is making me miss Micky from the Micky Knight series, I might read those at the same time and compare them.
Anyone who's about to read this book should absolutely read the previous two, even though the book may seem "standalone", the reader will benefit from the context especially when it comes to relationships.
I enjoyed these books, they were some of the lightest stuff I've read and I like that in books. Some of the characters are memorable, some not so much, but that's the way it is. The pacing is alright, I don't have anything to complain about there.
But... here's the other thing: there seems to be a 'try' at a plot twist here, I say try because imo that fails miserably. I saw the culprit the moment they were introduced, I'm not sure if that's done on purpose, or if it's -like I said- a failed attempt at a plot twist.
(Spoiler here, skip this paragraph if you haven't read): I also noticed that literally every criminal is someone introduced fairly recently, new guy in town, guy who we didn't see in the last book, that kind of stuff.
I'm about to start the fourth book in this series. Honestly, all this PI stuff is making me miss Micky from the Micky Knight series, I might read those at the same time and compare them.
June 12, 2026
I don't like cheaters, so Cass may have lost me here. I know it's to create drama and tension and to keep the romance element of these books alive, but it makes the protagonist hard to like.
Again a projection, a pattern.
I liked how it began and ended with the horses, and the limited amount of time Cass spent at gunpoint in this one.
Again a projection, a pattern.
I liked how it began and ended with the horses, and the limited amount of time Cass spent at gunpoint in this one.
July 30, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I liked the angst. I had an idea who the bad guy was from early on but a twist made me reevaluate that. And when we find out what the reason was for his behavior, I felt sorry for him. I liked the way it ended and was happy with the way Cassidy’s choice was revealed.
July 11, 2021
This was silly but made a lot more sense than some other Naiads I could name, can’t say that I would reject the others in the series if they appeared before me.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews