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Romantic Suspense #30
Buried Too Deep
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Rose comes another explosive novel in the New Orleans series, where some secrets are worth dying for—or killing to keep.
Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.
Employed as the nighttime security guard of Broussard Private Investigations, Phineas Bishop has been working through overwhelming PTSD episodes from his Army service while still utilizing his military skills. But when a violent break-in occurs at the office, the accusatory eyes of the NOPD glance to Phin, and he resolves to track down the intruder and clear his name.
Phin’s only lead and witness is Cora Winslow, a spirited librarian who also needs answers. Her father’s body has been discovered under a recently demolished building, murdered twenty-three years ago. So, who has been sending her the handwritten letters—written and signed by him—every year since she was five? Someone wants to keep Cora in the dark. And now, they’re coming for her.
As Cora’s bodyguard, Phin is surprised by his fondness for the woman’s fierce determination and research prowess. But New Orleans’s Garden District holds secrets as old as the streets themselves. With help from the entire Broussard P.I. team, Phin and Cora enter a labyrinth of fraud and homicide that threatens to bury them all.
Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.
Employed as the nighttime security guard of Broussard Private Investigations, Phineas Bishop has been working through overwhelming PTSD episodes from his Army service while still utilizing his military skills. But when a violent break-in occurs at the office, the accusatory eyes of the NOPD glance to Phin, and he resolves to track down the intruder and clear his name.
Phin’s only lead and witness is Cora Winslow, a spirited librarian who also needs answers. Her father’s body has been discovered under a recently demolished building, murdered twenty-three years ago. So, who has been sending her the handwritten letters—written and signed by him—every year since she was five? Someone wants to keep Cora in the dark. And now, they’re coming for her.
As Cora’s bodyguard, Phin is surprised by his fondness for the woman’s fierce determination and research prowess. But New Orleans’s Garden District holds secrets as old as the streets themselves. With help from the entire Broussard P.I. team, Phin and Cora enter a labyrinth of fraud and homicide that threatens to bury them all.
517 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2024
413 people are currently reading
14348 people want to read
About the author
Karen Rose
61 books5,451 followersOFFICIAL WEBSITE:
www.karenrosebooks.com
Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”
Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.
Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!
Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.
A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
www.karenrosebooks.com
Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”
Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.
Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!
Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.
A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
August 5, 2024
Once again Karen Rose hooked me with a stimulating prologue that grabbed my interest.
Buried Too Deep
is the third book in her New Orleans romantic suspense series. It combines the activities of a private security firm with a romance and plenty of action. Phineas “Phin” Bishop, the nighttime security guard at Broussard Private Investigations has been working through post traumatic stress disorder episodes from his Army service. As he and a friend approach the office, a violent break-in occurs.
The only lead is a witness, Cora Winslow, a librarian who wants answers after her father’s body was discovered during the demolishment of a building built twenty-three years ago when he disappeared. As Cora, Phin, and several members of his firm work to keep Cora safe, they start unraveling secrets that have been hidden for years.
Phin has a service dog named SodaPop, loves old houses, and is somewhat vulnerable. While he feels broken, he is healing. He is loyal, smart, good at home repairs, wants to be useful, and likes to read. Cora is great at research, knows a lot of trivia, is kind and intelligent, and has a dog named Blue. However, she’s lonely, and grieving over several recent deaths in the family. Both are likeable and relatable characters with depth. It was also great to visit with other members of the security firm and catch up on their lives.
The storyline is gripping and immediately engaged me. I was invested in finding the answers to the hidden secrets. The writing is fluid with a deeply involved plot and a great setting. The story builds momentum with twists and turns and is well-plotted. There were a few surprises along the way and an action-filled conclusion. The epilogue was emotional. Woven into the story are threads of trust, secrets, betrayal, family, friendship, murder, grief, romance, and much more.
Overall, this was suspenseful, intriguing, and entertaining novel with characters that had great chemistry, a splendid setting, and a story that kept me turning the pages rapidly. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Karen Rose provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be August 13, 2024.
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My 4.66 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
The only lead is a witness, Cora Winslow, a librarian who wants answers after her father’s body was discovered during the demolishment of a building built twenty-three years ago when he disappeared. As Cora, Phin, and several members of his firm work to keep Cora safe, they start unraveling secrets that have been hidden for years.
Phin has a service dog named SodaPop, loves old houses, and is somewhat vulnerable. While he feels broken, he is healing. He is loyal, smart, good at home repairs, wants to be useful, and likes to read. Cora is great at research, knows a lot of trivia, is kind and intelligent, and has a dog named Blue. However, she’s lonely, and grieving over several recent deaths in the family. Both are likeable and relatable characters with depth. It was also great to visit with other members of the security firm and catch up on their lives.
The storyline is gripping and immediately engaged me. I was invested in finding the answers to the hidden secrets. The writing is fluid with a deeply involved plot and a great setting. The story builds momentum with twists and turns and is well-plotted. There were a few surprises along the way and an action-filled conclusion. The epilogue was emotional. Woven into the story are threads of trust, secrets, betrayal, family, friendship, murder, grief, romance, and much more.
Overall, this was suspenseful, intriguing, and entertaining novel with characters that had great chemistry, a splendid setting, and a story that kept me turning the pages rapidly. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Karen Rose provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be August 13, 2024.
---------------------------------------
My 4.66 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
August 18, 2024
My interest in this book was also buried too deep, too deep to care
Dead in the water at 70%
This is the most boring book I have read in a very long time. It’s cliched, slow moving and flat as a Saskatchewan highway.
Both main characters are such weak, milquetoast and uninteresting sad sacks that I did not care if they ended up together or were brutally murdered by the villains.
The villains btw were one-dimensional and yawn inspiring.
This serves me right for picking up book #30 (!!!) in a series, however in my defence NetGalley does not list those details. This author is probably for people about forty years older than I am.
Also how is it possible that every single person in the book set in Louisiana was white and straight. I’ve come to expect at least a reasonable amount of diversity in my reads because that’s how the world actually looks.
Anyway I would rather eat a bowl a cold instant oatmeal in the plain flavour than read any more of this.
Thanks for the advanced copy NetGalley.
So I keep requesting Berkley arcs out of pettiness because they always reject me. But they approved this one. Is this what being foisted by your own petard feels like?
Anyway it still looks good so I’m hopeful. 😂
Dead in the water at 70%
This is the most boring book I have read in a very long time. It’s cliched, slow moving and flat as a Saskatchewan highway.
Both main characters are such weak, milquetoast and uninteresting sad sacks that I did not care if they ended up together or were brutally murdered by the villains.
The villains btw were one-dimensional and yawn inspiring.
This serves me right for picking up book #30 (!!!) in a series, however in my defence NetGalley does not list those details. This author is probably for people about forty years older than I am.
Also how is it possible that every single person in the book set in Louisiana was white and straight. I’ve come to expect at least a reasonable amount of diversity in my reads because that’s how the world actually looks.
Anyway I would rather eat a bowl a cold instant oatmeal in the plain flavour than read any more of this.
Thanks for the advanced copy NetGalley.
So I keep requesting Berkley arcs out of pettiness because they always reject me. But they approved this one. Is this what being foisted by your own petard feels like?
Anyway it still looks good so I’m hopeful. 😂
August 29, 2024
This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, psychological thriller. It has a likable, intelligent, strong and capable female protagonist, an engaging, wounded, male protagonist, murder, mystery, intrigue, suspense, supportive friends, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. This is the third entry in Ms. Rose's outstanding New Orleans series, and it contains characters from her wonderful Cincinnati series. It can be read as a stand alone, but it is even better when read in order.
August 13, 2024
Author Karen Rose returns to New Orleans in BURIED TOO DEEP, book three in the New Orleans series and book thirty in the Romance Suspense series. Rose's ability to keep plot lines unique and engaging after so many books is a testament to her expert ability to craft a highly entertaining and intriguing story with authentic characters readers enjoy time after time. Whether you're a series fan or a first timer, you can feel confident in picking this book up and settling in for an entertaining evening of reading as the author includes any needed backstory.
With his PTSD therapy dog, SodaPop, by his side, Phin Bishop pauses outside his employer's office, Broussard Private Investigations, an elite personal security firm, to settle his nerves. What if he's no longer welcome after ghosting them following his last bad episode? What if Burke refuses to allow him to return as a nighttime security guard? Before he can make a move, total chaos erupts with gunshots ringing out and a woman fleeing the office before Phin rushes inside to find Joy, a friend and colleague, lying on the floor bleeding out. Authorities arrive and Phin finds himself in handcuffs and jailed as a suspect in the attack. After his identity and status are verified by Burke Broussard and the rest of the gang, Phin is released and rejoins the firm with a vow to locate the mysterious woman and get justice for the recovering Joy. Locating Cora Winslow, a feisty librarian who's recently learned the skeletal remains unearthed beneath a demolished building is her father who disappeared twenty-three years ago but has continued sending her handwritten letters every year, is the first step. The second is finding out who forged the letters and why. After numerous break-ins at her house, Cora seeks help and protection from Broussard Private Investigations where she meets Phin, forming an immediate bond. Promising to keep her safe, Phin, Burke and the gang double down to solve the mystery of the letters and the motive behind the attacks. As the attraction between Phin and Cora grows, he fears jeopardizing the case and Cora's life if he can't control his PTSD. As the story progresses, the plot thickens, the threat increases and secrets begin leaking out. Time is running out as bodies pile up.
BURIED TOO DEEP is a multilayered, tautly plotted romance thriller set in the mysterious Garden District of NOLA lending an additional mysterious, secretive air to the story. It's unique in that, in addition to others, readers get the point of view of the villain meaning only the characters are in the dark as to who the evil perpetrator is. Rose remains true to her signature writing style by slowly building the foundation before steadily increasing the pace and suspense throughout while leaving tidbits of clues sprinkled throughout for characters and readers to discover. The plot line is complex, and the mystery of why Cora Winslow is targeted a well-guarded secret until the reveal near the end. The romance blossoming between Cora and Phin is heartwarming as they both work through personal issues from their respective pasts. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing many favorites from past books, but again, no worries if you're new to the series. Author Karen Rose fills in any blanks needed by readers to enjoy this book.
The action is swift, the tone dire and the stakes high in Rose's latest romance suspense thriller, BURIED TOO DEEP. Dark, deeply buried secrets are threatening someone's lifestyle, and it's up to Phin and the rest of the gang at Broussard Private Investigations to solve the mystery before more bodies pile up. A sweet side of romance helps balance the scales making this another great addition to the New Orleans Series. Highly recommended to fans of romance suspense, mysteries and suspense thrillers. Just remember . . . “Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.” (Quote from BURIED TOO DEEP by Author Karen Rose.)
Much appreciation to Berkley Publ. and Author Karen Rose for a gift copy of this title and for the book tour invitation. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. This title is available Aug. 13, 2024. My review is available in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
With his PTSD therapy dog, SodaPop, by his side, Phin Bishop pauses outside his employer's office, Broussard Private Investigations, an elite personal security firm, to settle his nerves. What if he's no longer welcome after ghosting them following his last bad episode? What if Burke refuses to allow him to return as a nighttime security guard? Before he can make a move, total chaos erupts with gunshots ringing out and a woman fleeing the office before Phin rushes inside to find Joy, a friend and colleague, lying on the floor bleeding out. Authorities arrive and Phin finds himself in handcuffs and jailed as a suspect in the attack. After his identity and status are verified by Burke Broussard and the rest of the gang, Phin is released and rejoins the firm with a vow to locate the mysterious woman and get justice for the recovering Joy. Locating Cora Winslow, a feisty librarian who's recently learned the skeletal remains unearthed beneath a demolished building is her father who disappeared twenty-three years ago but has continued sending her handwritten letters every year, is the first step. The second is finding out who forged the letters and why. After numerous break-ins at her house, Cora seeks help and protection from Broussard Private Investigations where she meets Phin, forming an immediate bond. Promising to keep her safe, Phin, Burke and the gang double down to solve the mystery of the letters and the motive behind the attacks. As the attraction between Phin and Cora grows, he fears jeopardizing the case and Cora's life if he can't control his PTSD. As the story progresses, the plot thickens, the threat increases and secrets begin leaking out. Time is running out as bodies pile up.
BURIED TOO DEEP is a multilayered, tautly plotted romance thriller set in the mysterious Garden District of NOLA lending an additional mysterious, secretive air to the story. It's unique in that, in addition to others, readers get the point of view of the villain meaning only the characters are in the dark as to who the evil perpetrator is. Rose remains true to her signature writing style by slowly building the foundation before steadily increasing the pace and suspense throughout while leaving tidbits of clues sprinkled throughout for characters and readers to discover. The plot line is complex, and the mystery of why Cora Winslow is targeted a well-guarded secret until the reveal near the end. The romance blossoming between Cora and Phin is heartwarming as they both work through personal issues from their respective pasts. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing many favorites from past books, but again, no worries if you're new to the series. Author Karen Rose fills in any blanks needed by readers to enjoy this book.
The action is swift, the tone dire and the stakes high in Rose's latest romance suspense thriller, BURIED TOO DEEP. Dark, deeply buried secrets are threatening someone's lifestyle, and it's up to Phin and the rest of the gang at Broussard Private Investigations to solve the mystery before more bodies pile up. A sweet side of romance helps balance the scales making this another great addition to the New Orleans Series. Highly recommended to fans of romance suspense, mysteries and suspense thrillers. Just remember . . . “Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.” (Quote from BURIED TOO DEEP by Author Karen Rose.)
Much appreciation to Berkley Publ. and Author Karen Rose for a gift copy of this title and for the book tour invitation. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. This title is available Aug. 13, 2024. My review is available in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
July 28, 2024
I am super thankful that I was able to read the first and second story in the series although you really don’t have to. Rose does a wonderful job blending in prior story parts so that you don’t feel left out and you get that cohesive experience. I recommend reading at least the second book because it was perfect too.
This plot was great. She has the best pacing in her stories, and even though her books are massive, they go quickly because she has it down to science.
The pages are flying. The story is tight and interesting. The characters are phenomenal and I love the budding romance between the two main characters.
We’re dealing with PTSD and the compassion and chemistry between these two are just beautiful. Plus, we get the added bonus of SodaPop, the K9, who is also a fabulous character.
I can’t say enough good things about the story. It is definitely a page-turner. Twists are coming from all over the place that you really don’t see or expect.
This series has been addictive and Buried Too Deep is another intriguing addition to it and I can’t wait to read more by Rose.
~~~~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/buried-too-d...
This plot was great. She has the best pacing in her stories, and even though her books are massive, they go quickly because she has it down to science.
The pages are flying. The story is tight and interesting. The characters are phenomenal and I love the budding romance between the two main characters.
We’re dealing with PTSD and the compassion and chemistry between these two are just beautiful. Plus, we get the added bonus of SodaPop, the K9, who is also a fabulous character.
I can’t say enough good things about the story. It is definitely a page-turner. Twists are coming from all over the place that you really don’t see or expect.
This series has been addictive and Buried Too Deep is another intriguing addition to it and I can’t wait to read more by Rose.
~~~~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/buried-too-d...
September 6, 2024
Thank you Karen Rose for returning to us!!!!!!!
She’s been my favorite author for over 20 years with Cincinnati being my favorite series along with Scarlett being my fave character.
This book is about her twin Phin and we have waited a very long time to read his story !!!
I loved the mystery within the mystery and the puzzles and codes. I loved interweaving details and how people have so much more to them.
Every story I developed. Every character gets my heart or my anger or some sort of emotion.
An my emotions are on OVERLOAD. I’m a mush so I cried lots of tears of happiness and I all felt the loss for other situations/people.
I’m so so so happy I took my time reading this one because I will remember it for a long time.
She’s been my favorite author for over 20 years with Cincinnati being my favorite series along with Scarlett being my fave character.
This book is about her twin Phin and we have waited a very long time to read his story !!!
I loved the mystery within the mystery and the puzzles and codes. I loved interweaving details and how people have so much more to them.
Every story I developed. Every character gets my heart or my anger or some sort of emotion.
An my emotions are on OVERLOAD. I’m a mush so I cried lots of tears of happiness and I all felt the loss for other situations/people.
I’m so so so happy I took my time reading this one because I will remember it for a long time.
March 24, 2024
Sometimes there is just an author, series, or even a title that draws me to a book, and reading the blurb is unnecessary. So, right when I was ready to write this book review, I noticed how many times I highlighted this phrase on my Kindle device - Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead. As it turns out, this phrase is the most appropriate tagline for this third book in Karen Rose's New Orleans series.
Broussard Private Investigations is an elite personal security firm, and the firm's bodyguards offer the best of protection. For Phineas Bishop, his story is a bit different. Suffering greatly from PTSD, the Broussard team really looks out for Phin. When an office break-in occurs and Phineas becomes the NOPD's prime suspect. Not only does Phin want to clear his name, but he also is determined to find the perpetrator. This is what leads to Phin's meeting and helping to protect Cora Winslow, a town librarian.
As it turns out, Phin is not the only one in need for answers. In fact, Cora's father went missing over two decades ago, and it is only when his body is discovered, that it is more than apparent that it was a case of murder. This shocks Cora to her core because she had been receiving yearly handwritten letters from her father ever since his disappearance. Yet the body that was found is indeed that of Cora's father. So, who had written her all of those letters. And why has the discovery of her father's body placed Cora's very life in danger? Despite his PTSD, Phin is one of the bodyguards set in place to keep Cora safe.
Buried Too Deep just might have been my favorite of the Karen Rose books I have read so far. Although reading about PTSD is never easy, Phin and his relationship with his relatively new service dog SodaPop was utterly heartwarming. Any time I read a book when an officer has a K-9 partner or as in this case, a service dog, I am drawn much more deeply into the story. But of course the relationship between Phin and SodaPop is not the only relationship in this book. There is the growing attraction between Phin and Cora that really completed the story, especially when her compassion and empathy came into play.
Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Broussard Private Investigations is an elite personal security firm, and the firm's bodyguards offer the best of protection. For Phineas Bishop, his story is a bit different. Suffering greatly from PTSD, the Broussard team really looks out for Phin. When an office break-in occurs and Phineas becomes the NOPD's prime suspect. Not only does Phin want to clear his name, but he also is determined to find the perpetrator. This is what leads to Phin's meeting and helping to protect Cora Winslow, a town librarian.
As it turns out, Phin is not the only one in need for answers. In fact, Cora's father went missing over two decades ago, and it is only when his body is discovered, that it is more than apparent that it was a case of murder. This shocks Cora to her core because she had been receiving yearly handwritten letters from her father ever since his disappearance. Yet the body that was found is indeed that of Cora's father. So, who had written her all of those letters. And why has the discovery of her father's body placed Cora's very life in danger? Despite his PTSD, Phin is one of the bodyguards set in place to keep Cora safe.
Buried Too Deep just might have been my favorite of the Karen Rose books I have read so far. Although reading about PTSD is never easy, Phin and his relationship with his relatively new service dog SodaPop was utterly heartwarming. Any time I read a book when an officer has a K-9 partner or as in this case, a service dog, I am drawn much more deeply into the story. But of course the relationship between Phin and SodaPop is not the only relationship in this book. There is the growing attraction between Phin and Cora that really completed the story, especially when her compassion and empathy came into play.
Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 23, 2024
As always with a Karen Rose book you get a highly structured plot with lots of sub-plots that make it a real ball of yarn to untangle. You get a romance, this time between two people who are looking for a purpose. And a lot of bodies! There were a few plot holes and inconsistencies, but nothing to worry overly much about.
Phin Bishop is a supporting character from Alone In the Dark from the Cincinati Series. I love how Rose circles back to tell the stories of some of her minor characters. That she is an awesome writer is evidenced by the fact that I remember these characters from reading the books years ago.
Phin has PTSD and it has been a long, torturous road for him. He left his family in Cincinati and hasn't had any contact with them in five years. The move to New Orleans was good for him, but it wasn't until six weeks ago that he spiraled and ran that he got the ongoing support he needed in the form of SodaPop, a therapy dog.
Cora Winslow is a damsel in distress, but Phin Bishop isn't exactly your typical knight in shining armor. This is a really interesting paring for hero and heroine. Each have issues and lots of baggage and I'm not a fan of this pairing. Another thing I'm not a fan of is knowing the baddie up front. I prefer to keep them hidden and see if I can guess who they are. This plot went in a lot of different directions and had us guessing as to the motives, if not the actual baddie.
Phin Bishop is a supporting character from Alone In the Dark from the Cincinati Series. I love how Rose circles back to tell the stories of some of her minor characters. That she is an awesome writer is evidenced by the fact that I remember these characters from reading the books years ago.
Phin has PTSD and it has been a long, torturous road for him. He left his family in Cincinati and hasn't had any contact with them in five years. The move to New Orleans was good for him, but it wasn't until six weeks ago that he spiraled and ran that he got the ongoing support he needed in the form of SodaPop, a therapy dog.
Cora Winslow is a damsel in distress, but Phin Bishop isn't exactly your typical knight in shining armor. This is a really interesting paring for hero and heroine. Each have issues and lots of baggage and I'm not a fan of this pairing. Another thing I'm not a fan of is knowing the baddie up front. I prefer to keep them hidden and see if I can guess who they are. This plot went in a lot of different directions and had us guessing as to the motives, if not the actual baddie.
September 3, 2024
I believe this is the third book in the New Orleans series, though I’ve yet to read the first two books, this one could be a standalone.
I’ve read a few of Karen Rose’ books, and anyone who knows this author’s work, knows they are in for a bumpy, thrill of a ride. With lots of plot twists and turns, this book is no different.
Jack Elliott disappeared 23 years ago, and when his body is found, his daughter Cora-Jane finally finds out what kind of man he was. This makes Cora-Jane a target of some ne’er do well’s, and she enlists the help of the Broussard Investigation Agency, where she meets Phin Bishop, a PI who has been on sick leave with PTSD.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to the author, Headline, and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve read a few of Karen Rose’ books, and anyone who knows this author’s work, knows they are in for a bumpy, thrill of a ride. With lots of plot twists and turns, this book is no different.
Jack Elliott disappeared 23 years ago, and when his body is found, his daughter Cora-Jane finally finds out what kind of man he was. This makes Cora-Jane a target of some ne’er do well’s, and she enlists the help of the Broussard Investigation Agency, where she meets Phin Bishop, a PI who has been on sick leave with PTSD.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to the author, Headline, and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 26, 2025
As usual, the writing drew me in and even through the more technical details of the investigation, I was very invested. The best parts were every time Cora reminded everyone that she was a librarian and knew things. Cora ended up being a very valuable part of solving the mystery and I liked that. The ways she helped to ground Phin (along with his dog Sodapop) and help him feel like it's possible to have a normal life were so touching. Cora and Phin connected right away and fell into a close relationship that later developed into more, but I can't say that they had super strong chemistry. The truth of the story unfurled slowly, but at just the right pace. Even though this book is part of a much bigger series, it stands well on its own. I can highly recommend this entire series if you like romantic suspense.
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August 19, 2024
4.5
My favorite entry in the series! I was so endeared to Phin and Cora's perspectives from the beginning. They were such interesting and complex characters and I had quite a lot of fun reading about them here.
Their relationship was super cute! I liked the slow burn of it and how openly communicative and supportive they were. We already knew Phin had been going through so much and it was lovely to have him talk about his struggles with the characters. Cora also had been through her fair share of pain and that was a point of connection between her and Phin, but done so in a way that they were able to help each other heal.
The mystery plot was also very intriguing! I found myself surprised at the religious element, but that fit so well with the overall arc--I'm usually not at all a fan of that in fiction and yet! Karen Rose managed to capture my attention with the way she developed that particularly plot point throughout the book. I did guess most of the twists and turns; that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story and/or the more tense moments when secrets came to light.
The epilogue was also so damn sweet and the perfect way to wrap up Cora and Phin's story!
My favorite entry in the series! I was so endeared to Phin and Cora's perspectives from the beginning. They were such interesting and complex characters and I had quite a lot of fun reading about them here.
Their relationship was super cute! I liked the slow burn of it and how openly communicative and supportive they were. We already knew Phin had been going through so much and it was lovely to have him talk about his struggles with the characters. Cora also had been through her fair share of pain and that was a point of connection between her and Phin, but done so in a way that they were able to help each other heal.
The mystery plot was also very intriguing! I found myself surprised at the religious element, but that fit so well with the overall arc--I'm usually not at all a fan of that in fiction and yet! Karen Rose managed to capture my attention with the way she developed that particularly plot point throughout the book. I did guess most of the twists and turns; that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story and/or the more tense moments when secrets came to light.
The epilogue was also so damn sweet and the perfect way to wrap up Cora and Phin's story!
February 3, 2025
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Stepping into a Karen Rose world is like getting a warm hug. I can always trust her to write a great and intricate mystery with great suspense and action, paired with a low angst romance. It’s my literal kryptonite.
It’s not a secret that I am deep in my MM romance era. I’ll reread my favorite MF romance books occasionally, but there’s not many who make me want to read any new ones. Karen Rose is probably one of two.
The thing I probably appreciate most is that her MMCs are allowed to be vulnerable. They often have to lean on the FMC emotionally, and there’s never any toxic masculinity. They’re allowed to struggle and cry. The FMCs are always badass in their own way too, but never in the ‘she’s not like other girls’ way. She can be flawed, feminine and be struggling too. I’m probably over-explaining, but I really appreciate that.
I love books with service dogs, and I thought Phineas’ PTSD was well written. None of that toxic ‘pushing through’ the disability.
I love that we always get the villain’s POV. It’s never any mystery *who* did it, just how the characters will figure it out.
Sadly no quotes as I listened to the audio and it’s not in KU.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Mental illness rep
Romantic suspense
Past trauma
Security guard
PTSD
Size difference
Service dog
Found family
Military veteran
Solving a mystery
Age gap (9 years)
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Gun violence
On-page murder
CPR on injured SC
PTSD & flashbacks
Panic attacks
Grief
Death of sibling (past, cancer)
Close family deaths (past)
Mention of suicide (bad guy’s spouse, past, off page)
Mentions of domestic abuse (minor SC)
Details of past homelessness
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of injuroes sustained during military deployment
Some details of dismembered military squad (past)
Brief mention of rape (family member, past, no details)
Brief mention of suicide attempt (family member, past, few details)
MC injured on page (gunshot wound)
Death of SC
MC hospitalized
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multi
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/F
Main characters’ age: 28 and 37
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 525
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
Stepping into a Karen Rose world is like getting a warm hug. I can always trust her to write a great and intricate mystery with great suspense and action, paired with a low angst romance. It’s my literal kryptonite.
It’s not a secret that I am deep in my MM romance era. I’ll reread my favorite MF romance books occasionally, but there’s not many who make me want to read any new ones. Karen Rose is probably one of two.
The thing I probably appreciate most is that her MMCs are allowed to be vulnerable. They often have to lean on the FMC emotionally, and there’s never any toxic masculinity. They’re allowed to struggle and cry. The FMCs are always badass in their own way too, but never in the ‘she’s not like other girls’ way. She can be flawed, feminine and be struggling too. I’m probably over-explaining, but I really appreciate that.
I love books with service dogs, and I thought Phineas’ PTSD was well written. None of that toxic ‘pushing through’ the disability.
I love that we always get the villain’s POV. It’s never any mystery *who* did it, just how the characters will figure it out.
Sadly no quotes as I listened to the audio and it’s not in KU.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Mental illness rep
Romantic suspense
Past trauma
Security guard
PTSD
Size difference
Service dog
Found family
Military veteran
Solving a mystery
Age gap (9 years)
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Gun violence
On-page murder
CPR on injured SC
PTSD & flashbacks
Panic attacks
Grief
Death of sibling (past, cancer)
Close family deaths (past)
Mention of suicide (bad guy’s spouse, past, off page)
Mentions of domestic abuse (minor SC)
Details of past homelessness
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of injuroes sustained during military deployment
Some details of dismembered military squad (past)
Brief mention of rape (family member, past, no details)
Brief mention of suicide attempt (family member, past, few details)
MC injured on page (gunshot wound)
Death of SC
MC hospitalized
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multi
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/F
Main characters’ age: 28 and 37
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 525
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
August 17, 2024
Phin has just returned to his job at Broussard Investigations after the last case brought out his PTSD enough that he had to escape to a safe haven and decompress. Unfortunately, his first day back is dramatic with a shooting at the office that leaves one of the members gravely injured. Phin witnesses Cora, the librarian seeking Broussard Investigations’ assistance, fleeing the scene and is eager to find out why.
Cora has just discovered her father didn’t leave them like she thought he did but was murdered twenty-three years earlier. Who’s been writing the letters supposedly penned by her father then? She’s seeking help from Broussard’s when she’s ambushed.
I was eager to find out why someone was targeting Cora now. I enjoyed seeing Phin and his cute service dog, Soda Pop, help with the investigation. They scour the attic of the family’s historic home (sounded wonderful!) for clues about her father and what he was up to. Phin felt bad about his setbacks triggered by the events of the past book, but his help was invaluable to Broussard’s team and to Cora. The attraction between Cora and Phin was quick, but understandable since things were amplified by the intense situation Phin and Cora were thrown into.
Buried Too Deep captured my attention right away, as most Karen Rose’s mysteries do! The identity of one of the bad guys was known, pretty much from the start, but there was another involved that I had to puzzle over. I raced through the pages quickly! Definite recommend for fans of high action romantic suspense/crime procedurals!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the Berkley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cora has just discovered her father didn’t leave them like she thought he did but was murdered twenty-three years earlier. Who’s been writing the letters supposedly penned by her father then? She’s seeking help from Broussard’s when she’s ambushed.
I was eager to find out why someone was targeting Cora now. I enjoyed seeing Phin and his cute service dog, Soda Pop, help with the investigation. They scour the attic of the family’s historic home (sounded wonderful!) for clues about her father and what he was up to. Phin felt bad about his setbacks triggered by the events of the past book, but his help was invaluable to Broussard’s team and to Cora. The attraction between Cora and Phin was quick, but understandable since things were amplified by the intense situation Phin and Cora were thrown into.
Buried Too Deep captured my attention right away, as most Karen Rose’s mysteries do! The identity of one of the bad guys was known, pretty much from the start, but there was another involved that I had to puzzle over. I raced through the pages quickly! Definite recommend for fans of high action romantic suspense/crime procedurals!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the Berkley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 19, 2025
Found out that the fourth book in the New Orleans series is out later this year and suddenly realized I never read this one, the third, Buried Too Deep! Major fail on my part BUT understandable because I’m trying to catch up on ALL of Karen Rose’s many romantic suspense books. Some, like this one, can be read as standalones but they do contain crossover/continuing characters and story that are obviously enriched when read in order.
This new romantic thriller set in New Orleans felt much more straightforward than the previous two. It’s still tense and filled with dangers around every corner, with dark and despicable villains, but there wasn’t as much built up suspense. It followed a pretty straight line, plot wise. Cora is digging into the ghosts of her past and their secrets, which is what drove the book. But there were new characters to examine and side-eye as well as cameos and the return of great secondary characters.
As for Phin and Cora’s romance, they are adorable together. It’s a little too insta, with very little nuance despite Phin’s psychological struggles, but it’s also great to see him find someone who equally needs and supports him. It’s a great pairing.
Overall, I love these long thrillers. Can’t get enough, especially on audio. Highly recommend.
CW: Gun Violence, Murder, PTSD, Assault
* I received a free audiobook from the publisher
This new romantic thriller set in New Orleans felt much more straightforward than the previous two. It’s still tense and filled with dangers around every corner, with dark and despicable villains, but there wasn’t as much built up suspense. It followed a pretty straight line, plot wise. Cora is digging into the ghosts of her past and their secrets, which is what drove the book. But there were new characters to examine and side-eye as well as cameos and the return of great secondary characters.
As for Phin and Cora’s romance, they are adorable together. It’s a little too insta, with very little nuance despite Phin’s psychological struggles, but it’s also great to see him find someone who equally needs and supports him. It’s a great pairing.
Overall, I love these long thrillers. Can’t get enough, especially on audio. Highly recommend.
CW: Gun Violence, Murder, PTSD, Assault
* I received a free audiobook from the publisher
August 13, 2024
This one starts off pretty slow and picks up as the story goes on, about halfway in. Having not read the other books in the series, I wonder if there’s some backstory I was missing at first to really appreciate the story. It’s certainly able to be read alone, but, I found myself taking a longer time to care about the characters.
Overall, a good romantic suspense read. But I wasn’t blown away.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Overall, a good romantic suspense read. But I wasn’t blown away.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
March 8, 2025
DNF 47% missed the suspense, more like a boring romance.
I really tried to like it, but I couldn’t bring myself to read more about Phin and Cora, they were dull and I missed the suspense.
I really tried to like it, but I couldn’t bring myself to read more about Phin and Cora, they were dull and I missed the suspense.
September 4, 2024
Life was complicated enough suffering from PTSD, but getting pinned by the police for a break-in sets a man on a path of investigation straight into the dark shadows of an even older crime. Karen Rose’s New Orlean’s series has been captivating from the beginning and I love the focus around the Broussard Investigations and security firm. The series only seems to get stronger as I go.
Buried Too Deep is the third of the New Orleans sub-series and thirtieth in the Romantic Suspense series overall. While one could get away with reading it out of order, I did enjoy having the background and world of Broussard’s people and the overall situation with New Orlean’s backdrop from the previous books.
Phin Bishop is struggling, but he’s working through his PTSD and the Broussard Security family is behind him a hundred percent. When there is a break in and he gets tagged for it by the NOPD, they support him and he is determined to clear his name. His investigation leads him to Cora, a librarian.
Cora’s dad disappeared twenty years before, but bones being identified as him has just turned up. One might think this is a good thing and would bring closure, but no… cue the creepy music. See, Cora’s been getting an annual letter from her dad even while those bones definitively ID’d as him have been moldering in the ground. So, whose been sending her the letters? And, why is she suddenly in danger after the bones are found? Cora wants answers and with Phin on her bodyguard team with his new K-9 companion, Soda Pop (love the name)- they will dive in and discovered a dark cover up.
I was very taken with Phin’s character and his connection to his work friends, his companion dog, and his growing romance with Cora. As usual, Karen Rose did her research and portrayed PTSD as an ongoing, realistic struggle. I loved Cora and Phin together and how much she was all in and supportive. They were both smart about their investigating and I appreciated the balance of their building relationship and the tension of the suspense side of the plot.
The story had Phin and Cora both getting large swaths of the narration, but also the villain’s perspective which doesn’t give away as much as you’d think.
All in all, an abso-fab entry in a fantastic series. Romantic suspense and thriller romance fans who like good police procedural and some grit with a good balance of the romance and action should definitely give these a go.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 8.28.24.
Buried Too Deep is the third of the New Orleans sub-series and thirtieth in the Romantic Suspense series overall. While one could get away with reading it out of order, I did enjoy having the background and world of Broussard’s people and the overall situation with New Orlean’s backdrop from the previous books.
Phin Bishop is struggling, but he’s working through his PTSD and the Broussard Security family is behind him a hundred percent. When there is a break in and he gets tagged for it by the NOPD, they support him and he is determined to clear his name. His investigation leads him to Cora, a librarian.
Cora’s dad disappeared twenty years before, but bones being identified as him has just turned up. One might think this is a good thing and would bring closure, but no… cue the creepy music. See, Cora’s been getting an annual letter from her dad even while those bones definitively ID’d as him have been moldering in the ground. So, whose been sending her the letters? And, why is she suddenly in danger after the bones are found? Cora wants answers and with Phin on her bodyguard team with his new K-9 companion, Soda Pop (love the name)- they will dive in and discovered a dark cover up.
I was very taken with Phin’s character and his connection to his work friends, his companion dog, and his growing romance with Cora. As usual, Karen Rose did her research and portrayed PTSD as an ongoing, realistic struggle. I loved Cora and Phin together and how much she was all in and supportive. They were both smart about their investigating and I appreciated the balance of their building relationship and the tension of the suspense side of the plot.
The story had Phin and Cora both getting large swaths of the narration, but also the villain’s perspective which doesn’t give away as much as you’d think.
All in all, an abso-fab entry in a fantastic series. Romantic suspense and thriller romance fans who like good police procedural and some grit with a good balance of the romance and action should definitely give these a go.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 8.28.24.
June 27, 2025
Ho fatto tardi per finire questo libro... Come al solito, tante pagine che si girano con piacere. La suspense è buona anche se sappiamo fin dall'inizio chi è il cattivo (o il gran manovratore). Mi piace il cast di personaggi e qui ce ne sono alcuni appartenenti a un'altra serie, quella ambientata a Cincinnati: ho già un paio di libri, quindi devo decidermi a leggerla.
December 28, 2024
I realized as I was reading this reviewer's copy that there seemed to be a lot of characters with backstories. Sure enough this is the third book in a series, and the author has written multiple series in which these characters appear. It's not bad stuff, but it's kind of like other series that I've used when there's nothing new that I really love to read. Good as a fill in, but not much more.
March 1, 2024
The description of this book on Goodreads does not give it justice to be honest. There are a few reasons that I chose a 4 star rating instead of a 5 star rating. First off, based off of the description of the book I absolutely would pick this up and buy it. I think the description is a little over the top for what it actually is.
That being said, it is not a terrible read. I really did LIKE the book. Phin is the MMC and is suffering from PTSD after going into the military at the age of 18 while depressed. During his stint in the military he experiences an unspeakable trauma. This led to extreme PTSD symptoms. He is finally on the mend when he returns to the Broussard office where he was working before his most recent stint of PTSD. When he arrives there has been a shooting and he is initially fingered by the police. Phin sets out to clear his name, working with Broussard to find the real culprit.
During this time they meet Cora Winslow. She was believed to be the target at the shooting of the office. She was bringing letters in to have them looked at and find who had written them. This leads to a deep dive into her past, and family secrets that have been buried and forgotten about for years.
During this time Phin and Cora develop a strong connection as they are both broken in their own separate ways. They stick together and develop a relationship. During this time, Cora is under protection from the PI's of the Broussard office. She experiences a break in, and stalking. They do not know who the stalker is.
During the book you also get to read from the point of view of a preacher and his grandson who also have secrets hiding in their family closet. Sage, the grandson, discovers many things about his grandfather during the book, and ultimately has to decide who has his loyalty.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
The author, Karen Rose, does a wonderful job of building the characters and plot. I did not get lost during the book at all, and was able to keep up with the multiple POVs. The reason I am not rating this 5 stars is because it took forever to pull me in. The first half of the book was very slow as it was mostly setting the scene/character building. I understand that this has to occur, but it was very slow.
About mid-novel it picks up the pace quite a bit, and I couldn't put it down. This is a thriller that I would definitely recommend to friends and family, but it is not something that I would re-read. If you are considering it, I say "pick it up!". It is worth the read for sure, it's just not as pulse pounding as I would have liked it to be, and I feel like the description is partly to blame for that. I wanted more than it gave. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future!
That being said, it is not a terrible read. I really did LIKE the book. Phin is the MMC and is suffering from PTSD after going into the military at the age of 18 while depressed. During his stint in the military he experiences an unspeakable trauma. This led to extreme PTSD symptoms. He is finally on the mend when he returns to the Broussard office where he was working before his most recent stint of PTSD. When he arrives there has been a shooting and he is initially fingered by the police. Phin sets out to clear his name, working with Broussard to find the real culprit.
During this time they meet Cora Winslow. She was believed to be the target at the shooting of the office. She was bringing letters in to have them looked at and find who had written them. This leads to a deep dive into her past, and family secrets that have been buried and forgotten about for years.
During this time Phin and Cora develop a strong connection as they are both broken in their own separate ways. They stick together and develop a relationship. During this time, Cora is under protection from the PI's of the Broussard office. She experiences a break in, and stalking. They do not know who the stalker is.
During the book you also get to read from the point of view of a preacher and his grandson who also have secrets hiding in their family closet. Sage, the grandson, discovers many things about his grandfather during the book, and ultimately has to decide who has his loyalty.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
The author, Karen Rose, does a wonderful job of building the characters and plot. I did not get lost during the book at all, and was able to keep up with the multiple POVs. The reason I am not rating this 5 stars is because it took forever to pull me in. The first half of the book was very slow as it was mostly setting the scene/character building. I understand that this has to occur, but it was very slow.
About mid-novel it picks up the pace quite a bit, and I couldn't put it down. This is a thriller that I would definitely recommend to friends and family, but it is not something that I would re-read. If you are considering it, I say "pick it up!". It is worth the read for sure, it's just not as pulse pounding as I would have liked it to be, and I feel like the description is partly to blame for that. I wanted more than it gave. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future!
January 12, 2025
Yet again, I've found my love of Karen Rose diminished a bit more (although it was better than the last book).
Rose's earliest books (Die for Me, Scream for Me, etc) were brilliant - fast paced and I was glued to them. Now, all the characters keep doing the same things - everyone has a service dog, everyone knits (ok, not in this book), it's been a million years since the main pair had sex (at least then did - once - in this book!). Even the villains didn't really want to be villains this time.
Rose's earliest books (Die for Me, Scream for Me, etc) were brilliant - fast paced and I was glued to them. Now, all the characters keep doing the same things - everyone has a service dog, everyone knits (ok, not in this book), it's been a million years since the main pair had sex (at least then did - once - in this book!). Even the villains didn't really want to be villains this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
I’m normally a huge fan of this author. But this book didn’t snag my attention and the dialogue was wildly cheesy which is unusual for a Karen rose book. She typically writes very realistic dialogue! I was super bored. I had it for a week and Around the 55% mark, I’d been reading so slowly that the library expired the rental and I didn’t bother trying to borrow it again. Just wasn’t for me
April 28, 2024
Cora has-been looking for her father for many years. When she learns what happened, she goes to a detective agency for assistance. With Phin's help she learns her father was a completely different person. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read her next one.
August 28, 2024
It saddens me to say that I didn’t love this one. I never really connected with Phin and Cora as a couple. Can’t love everything.
March 1, 2024
The description of this book on Goodreads does not give it justice to be honest. There are a few reasons that I chose a 4 star rating instead of a 5 star rating. First off, based off of the description of the book I absolutely would pick this up and buy it. I think the description is a little over the top for what it actually is.
That being said, it is not a terrible read. I really did LIKE the book. Phin is the MMC and is suffering from PTSD after going into the military at the age of 18 while depressed. During his stint in the military he experiences an unspeakable trauma. This led to extreme PTSD symptoms. He is finally on the mend when he returns to the Broussard office where he was working before his most recent stint of PTSD. When he arrives there has been a shooting and he is initially fingered by the police. Phin sets out to clear his name, working with Broussard to find the real culprit.
During this time they meet Cora Winslow. She was believed to be the target at the shooting of the office. She was bringing letters in to have them looked at and find who had written them. This leads to a deep dive into her past, and family secrets that have been buried and forgotten about for years.
During this time Phin and Cora develop a strong connection as they are both broken in their own separate ways. They stick together and develop a relationship. During this time, Cora is under protection from the PI's of the Broussard office. She experiences a break in, and stalking. They do not know who the stalker is.
During the book you also get to read from the point of view of a preacher and his grandson who also have secrets hiding in their family closet. Sage, the grandson, discovers many things about his grandfather during the book, and ultimately has to decide who has his loyalty.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
The author, Karen Rose, does a wonderful job of building the characters and plot. I did not get lost during the book at all, and was able to keep up with the multiple POVs. The reason I am not rating this 5 stars is because it took forever to pull me in. The first half of the book was very slow as it was mostly setting the scene/character building. I understand that this has to occur, but it was very slow.
About mid-novel it picks up the pace quite a bit, and I couldn't put it down. This is a thriller that I would definitely recommend to friends and family, but it is not something that I would re-read. If you are considering it, I say "pick it up!". It is worth the read for sure, it's just not as pulse pounding as I would have liked it to be, and I feel like the description is partly to blame for that. I wanted more than it gave. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future!
That being said, it is not a terrible read. I really did LIKE the book. Phin is the MMC and is suffering from PTSD after going into the military at the age of 18 while depressed. During his stint in the military he experiences an unspeakable trauma. This led to extreme PTSD symptoms. He is finally on the mend when he returns to the Broussard office where he was working before his most recent stint of PTSD. When he arrives there has been a shooting and he is initially fingered by the police. Phin sets out to clear his name, working with Broussard to find the real culprit.
During this time they meet Cora Winslow. She was believed to be the target at the shooting of the office. She was bringing letters in to have them looked at and find who had written them. This leads to a deep dive into her past, and family secrets that have been buried and forgotten about for years.
During this time Phin and Cora develop a strong connection as they are both broken in their own separate ways. They stick together and develop a relationship. During this time, Cora is under protection from the PI's of the Broussard office. She experiences a break in, and stalking. They do not know who the stalker is.
During the book you also get to read from the point of view of a preacher and his grandson who also have secrets hiding in their family closet. Sage, the grandson, discovers many things about his grandfather during the book, and ultimately has to decide who has his loyalty.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
The author, Karen Rose, does a wonderful job of building the characters and plot. I did not get lost during the book at all, and was able to keep up with the multiple POVs. The reason I am not rating this 5 stars is because it took forever to pull me in. The first half of the book was very slow as it was mostly setting the scene/character building. I understand that this has to occur, but it was very slow.
About mid-novel it picks up the pace quite a bit, and I couldn't put it down. This is a thriller that I would definitely recommend to friends and family, but it is not something that I would re-read. If you are considering it, I say "pick it up!". It is worth the read for sure, it's just not as pulse pounding as I would have liked it to be, and I feel like the description is partly to blame for that. I wanted more than it gave. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future!
November 24, 2024
Time taken to read - in and out over a week
Pages - 517
Publisher - Headline
Source - Netgalley and bought copy
Blurb from Goodreads
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Rose comes another explosive novel in the New Orleans series, where some secrets are worth dying for—or killing to keep.
Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.
Employed as the nighttime security guard of Broussard Private Investigations, Phineas Bishop has been working through overwhelming PTSD episodes from his Army service while still utilizing his military skills. But when a violent break-in occurs at the office, the accusatory eyes of the NOPD glance to Phin, and he resolves to track down the intruder and clear his name.
Phin’s only lead and witness is Cora Winslow, a spirited librarian who also needs answers. Her father’s body has been discovered under a recently demolished building, murdered twenty-three years ago. So, who has been sending her the handwritten letters—written and signed by him—every year since she was five? Someone wants to keep Cora in the dark. And now, they’re coming for her.
As Cora’s bodyguard, Phin is surprised by his fondness for the woman’s fierce determination and research prowess. But New Orleans’s Garden District holds secrets as old as the streets themselves. With help from the entire Broussard P.I. team, Phin and Cora enter a labyrinth of fraud and homicide that threatens to bury them all.
My Review
The book opens with a shooting/execution then flips forward to present day Phineas Bishop is recovering/dealing with PTSD - working security at Broussard Private Investigations. When Cora J Winslow comes into the office needing help, her father has been found dead, died over 20 years ago however Cora has been getting letters from him all this time. The police aren't interested and soon Cora is being hunted and targeted but she doesn't know why. Phineas becomes her bodyguard, the squad take on her case and starts digging, what could be driving someone to hunt Cora and what is it she has that they want?
As with Rose books we always have a bit of spice, this one only has a little less than I remember from the others but still if you haven't read her before this is your heads up, there is some spice! We split between Cora and co and the bad guy so as the reader we are clued in a bit to what is going down.
This is book 3 of the New Orleans series, I don't know if I have read the previous ones and if I have it has been a while so you can absolutely read it as a standalone. There are themes and scenes with behaviours relating to PTSD and the long lasting/reaching affects it has, not only on the individual but their loved ones and daily life.
I do enjoy Rose books and I like how we have characters that have been in other series or maybe I am just thinking of the previous book(s), I need to check my blog/Goodreads, 4/5.
Pages - 517
Publisher - Headline
Source - Netgalley and bought copy
Blurb from Goodreads
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Rose comes another explosive novel in the New Orleans series, where some secrets are worth dying for—or killing to keep.
Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.
Employed as the nighttime security guard of Broussard Private Investigations, Phineas Bishop has been working through overwhelming PTSD episodes from his Army service while still utilizing his military skills. But when a violent break-in occurs at the office, the accusatory eyes of the NOPD glance to Phin, and he resolves to track down the intruder and clear his name.
Phin’s only lead and witness is Cora Winslow, a spirited librarian who also needs answers. Her father’s body has been discovered under a recently demolished building, murdered twenty-three years ago. So, who has been sending her the handwritten letters—written and signed by him—every year since she was five? Someone wants to keep Cora in the dark. And now, they’re coming for her.
As Cora’s bodyguard, Phin is surprised by his fondness for the woman’s fierce determination and research prowess. But New Orleans’s Garden District holds secrets as old as the streets themselves. With help from the entire Broussard P.I. team, Phin and Cora enter a labyrinth of fraud and homicide that threatens to bury them all.
My Review
The book opens with a shooting/execution then flips forward to present day Phineas Bishop is recovering/dealing with PTSD - working security at Broussard Private Investigations. When Cora J Winslow comes into the office needing help, her father has been found dead, died over 20 years ago however Cora has been getting letters from him all this time. The police aren't interested and soon Cora is being hunted and targeted but she doesn't know why. Phineas becomes her bodyguard, the squad take on her case and starts digging, what could be driving someone to hunt Cora and what is it she has that they want?
As with Rose books we always have a bit of spice, this one only has a little less than I remember from the others but still if you haven't read her before this is your heads up, there is some spice! We split between Cora and co and the bad guy so as the reader we are clued in a bit to what is going down.
This is book 3 of the New Orleans series, I don't know if I have read the previous ones and if I have it has been a while so you can absolutely read it as a standalone. There are themes and scenes with behaviours relating to PTSD and the long lasting/reaching affects it has, not only on the individual but their loved ones and daily life.
I do enjoy Rose books and I like how we have characters that have been in other series or maybe I am just thinking of the previous book(s), I need to check my blog/Goodreads, 4/5.
August 10, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book
oh man where to start with this high octane book that kept me reading right to the end so that i could see what happened and cry.... its the stuff of legends
phin is back... hes about to enter the establishment of Broussard Private Investigations when a woman comes tearing out of the place running away... the shots that followed are what galvanised phin into action.... he knew that only joy was in there and may need help.... even though phin himself was recovering from ptsd and had a service dog with him....
what he found nearly sent phin over the edge.... also the fact that the police thought he was a suspect and that burke who ran the place also looked at him suspiciously... didnt help his nerves
but things were going to get very messy before anything could be undone....
very high octane paced book with plenty of action and misdirection... and that ending had me in tears... loved it
oh man where to start with this high octane book that kept me reading right to the end so that i could see what happened and cry.... its the stuff of legends
phin is back... hes about to enter the establishment of Broussard Private Investigations when a woman comes tearing out of the place running away... the shots that followed are what galvanised phin into action.... he knew that only joy was in there and may need help.... even though phin himself was recovering from ptsd and had a service dog with him....
what he found nearly sent phin over the edge.... also the fact that the police thought he was a suspect and that burke who ran the place also looked at him suspiciously... didnt help his nerves
but things were going to get very messy before anything could be undone....
very high octane paced book with plenty of action and misdirection... and that ending had me in tears... loved it
April 8, 2025
This was a really good story. I enjoyed it a lot.
I've read one other book by this author and enjoyed it as well. She crafts a well-conceived, complex and interconnecting plot with criss-crossing sub-plots, twisty double-blinds and suspenseful and action-packed components.
The characters here are also complex, but interesting, smart and likable. Everyone in this story really grabbed my attention and made me care about what happened to them.
The story was filled with action and danger and excitement. Normally I don't read really long books, but this author writes so well and makes her stories to easy to read that I didn't mind that this was over 500 pages. The time flew and I enjoyed every moment I spent with this story and these characters.
I've read one other book by this author and enjoyed it as well. She crafts a well-conceived, complex and interconnecting plot with criss-crossing sub-plots, twisty double-blinds and suspenseful and action-packed components.
The characters here are also complex, but interesting, smart and likable. Everyone in this story really grabbed my attention and made me care about what happened to them.
The story was filled with action and danger and excitement. Normally I don't read really long books, but this author writes so well and makes her stories to easy to read that I didn't mind that this was over 500 pages. The time flew and I enjoyed every moment I spent with this story and these characters.
September 2, 2024
I love Karen Rose, but this one wasn’t my favorite. The bad guys didn’t seem bad enough, and the romance fell a little flat for me. I had a harder time getting into the story, but the last quarter of the book was action packed as usual!
October 5, 2024
Enjoyed this one, can be read as a standalone story but better if you read the series.
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