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Blood Retribution
When Detective Brock Scanlin is called to assist Deputy Eve Cromwell in Lonewood Prairie, Wyoming, Brock assumes he will be sitting behind a desk counting the days. But when he arrives, he finds himself thrown immediately into a murder case and must face a hard-as-stone deputy. Can a frustrated young deputy and a brash detective find some way to work together to solve the case, or will it end in disaster?
- GenresMystery
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2024
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4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 18, 2024
K.D. McNiven hits a six again with her latest Detective Brock Scanlin thriller. I loved the interactions and the comradery shared by the two protagonists Brock and Eve in this book and now I am keen on reading the earlier books in the Detective Scanlin series. Even though I have a really crazy and hectic work and study schedule, I kept on wanting every night to come back to my beside and my Kindle Fire to read the progress of the case as mentioned in the novel ‘Blood Retribution’. I was actually looking for reasons to skip extra college and University library hours to attend to my Kindle.
Eve Cromwell has issues and reminds Detective Brock Scanlin of a person close to his heart. But her stumbling onto a decomposing unidentified body and being shot at as if she were a deer brings Scanlin from his place of recuperation from his alcohol addiction to the scene of the crime. What happens next is for you to find out; get your copy of this fast-paced thriller today!
I love detectives with empathy and a soft fatherly touch like Scanlin, which is very hard to find in the thrillers of the contemporary era. McNiven manages through her lucid prose and swift narration to surpass authors like the bestselling Peter James whose detective protagonists seem to not have sensitivity or don’t seem to be personable at all. Detective Scanlin is way different. He has the right touch of empathy and professionalism, and I loved the way he handled Eve’s alcoholic mother in the text. That puts McNiven’s writing style in the category of the epic thrillers of the 1970s and early 1980s but, with a contemporary setting to it obviously. Those of you who like your thrillers 1970s vintage style but with the themes centred around our everyday existence, look no further than K.D. McNiven’s latest title ‘Blood Retribution.’
I love the American Prairies and especially love to read thrillers based in this kind of a Western setting, especially during the hot and sultry summers of Mumbai, India. If you wish to read an amazing Prairie thriller, please choose McNiven. My favourite scene in this book was the ending, and the way Eve and Scanlin parted ways. It was a lovely touch to an adventure filled roller-coaster of a ride Prairie thriller.
McNiven gets 5 stars from me!
Eve Cromwell has issues and reminds Detective Brock Scanlin of a person close to his heart. But her stumbling onto a decomposing unidentified body and being shot at as if she were a deer brings Scanlin from his place of recuperation from his alcohol addiction to the scene of the crime. What happens next is for you to find out; get your copy of this fast-paced thriller today!
I love detectives with empathy and a soft fatherly touch like Scanlin, which is very hard to find in the thrillers of the contemporary era. McNiven manages through her lucid prose and swift narration to surpass authors like the bestselling Peter James whose detective protagonists seem to not have sensitivity or don’t seem to be personable at all. Detective Scanlin is way different. He has the right touch of empathy and professionalism, and I loved the way he handled Eve’s alcoholic mother in the text. That puts McNiven’s writing style in the category of the epic thrillers of the 1970s and early 1980s but, with a contemporary setting to it obviously. Those of you who like your thrillers 1970s vintage style but with the themes centred around our everyday existence, look no further than K.D. McNiven’s latest title ‘Blood Retribution.’
I love the American Prairies and especially love to read thrillers based in this kind of a Western setting, especially during the hot and sultry summers of Mumbai, India. If you wish to read an amazing Prairie thriller, please choose McNiven. My favourite scene in this book was the ending, and the way Eve and Scanlin parted ways. It was a lovely touch to an adventure filled roller-coaster of a ride Prairie thriller.
McNiven gets 5 stars from me!
March 22, 2024
(I read this in a print version!)
How I love to get hooked immediately into a mystery! K D McNiven’s 3rd Scanlin mystery, BLOOD RETRIBUTION, as well as a stand-alone thriller, captured my interest from word one on page one! McNiven is a terrific writer and I only wish her work as an author had a bigger audience—she deserves a huge one!
Not only does McNiven churn out a good story, but the author ensures her characters are interesting and well-rounded. I’ve read several of her other books but the writing in this one thoroughly charmed and intrigued me, which in my mind, elevated this novel! It's not just genre fiction because it encompasses so much more! This book has lovely passages and delightful descriptions. The way the author handled a deep sense of modern cowboy life in Wyoming—a state I love to travel through—was as near perfect as can be!
MSTERY READERS! Don’t miss this one!
McNiven—Kudos and super congratulations on a fine five-star novel!
How I love to get hooked immediately into a mystery! K D McNiven’s 3rd Scanlin mystery, BLOOD RETRIBUTION, as well as a stand-alone thriller, captured my interest from word one on page one! McNiven is a terrific writer and I only wish her work as an author had a bigger audience—she deserves a huge one!
Not only does McNiven churn out a good story, but the author ensures her characters are interesting and well-rounded. I’ve read several of her other books but the writing in this one thoroughly charmed and intrigued me, which in my mind, elevated this novel! It's not just genre fiction because it encompasses so much more! This book has lovely passages and delightful descriptions. The way the author handled a deep sense of modern cowboy life in Wyoming—a state I love to travel through—was as near perfect as can be!
MSTERY READERS! Don’t miss this one!
McNiven—Kudos and super congratulations on a fine five-star novel!
April 9, 2024
This is the second book I’ve read by author K.D. McNiven, but the first in the Detective Scanlin Series. I enjoyed Who Killed Lilly Paine? (Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles) so much, I decided to begin with the newest book in the series. I seamlessly slipped into the story, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Detective Brock Scanlin, a New Orlean’s detective with a past, is temporarily working with the sheriff in Bridgewater, Colorado until he can figure out his future. He is asked to fill in for a couple of weeks in the small town of Lonewood Prairie, Wyoming, helping a young, rookie deputy, Deputy Eve Cromwell, until the chief deputy, who walked out, can be replaced. For Scanlin, it sounds like a boring job in the middle of nowhere, but he soon finds out its way more than he bargained for. When he meets Deputy Cromwell, he sees a wet-behind the ears, defensive, and inexperienced partner who would like to kick him all the way back to where he came from. Eve sees a know-it-all, bigtime detective who’s trying to take over the biggest case of her life, a murder.
The action takes off at a brisk pace and doesn’t stop. Eve answers a seemingly routine call from a prairie rancher to investigate gunfire and poaching, which leads to the discovery of a dead body someone doesn’t want found and will go to great lengths to prevent its recovery. The plot is tightly woven with lots of twists and a few red herrings that kept me guessing. They quickly find the case is much more complex than they anticipated. Despite the rocky start between the detective and deputy, I enjoyed the relationship dynamic that developed between the season detective and the overzealous rookie as they settled into working the case together and garnering mutual respect. The detailed descriptions put me right into the hot, dry mouthed, dusty, open prairies of Wyoming, filled with livestock and cowboys. The subplots helped me understand more about these characters who were authentic, flawed, and likeable. I highly recommend this book to lovers of a mystery with plenty of action.
The action takes off at a brisk pace and doesn’t stop. Eve answers a seemingly routine call from a prairie rancher to investigate gunfire and poaching, which leads to the discovery of a dead body someone doesn’t want found and will go to great lengths to prevent its recovery. The plot is tightly woven with lots of twists and a few red herrings that kept me guessing. They quickly find the case is much more complex than they anticipated. Despite the rocky start between the detective and deputy, I enjoyed the relationship dynamic that developed between the season detective and the overzealous rookie as they settled into working the case together and garnering mutual respect. The detailed descriptions put me right into the hot, dry mouthed, dusty, open prairies of Wyoming, filled with livestock and cowboys. The subplots helped me understand more about these characters who were authentic, flawed, and likeable. I highly recommend this book to lovers of a mystery with plenty of action.
February 24, 2024
Author K.D. McNiven has written several engaging series including the Decker and Callie series, and Sam Carter Adventure series. All of these books feature fascinating characters with thrilling occupations. And now there is the Detective Brock Scanlin Files series. The third book in this compelling police procedural series is “Blood Retribution”.
“Retribution” means “punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act”. Hard to imagine that serious crimes like that could occur in Laramie Wyoming and the nearby town of Lonewood Pine. Detective Brock Scanlin is transferred to the sheriff’s department for two weeks. What seemed at first like a quiet stint for him in a small Wyoming town turned into murder and mayhem.
Detective Scanlin is paired with a young deputy, with one year’s experience, Eve Cromwell. Eve may be new, but when she faces a dangerous and life-threatening situation, she shows how tough she can be. Her investigation of possible poaching at a ranch quickly explodes into a major organized crime mission. When a total of four people are murdered, with few clues available, it’s Brock and Eve against local law enforcement and the DEA.
The police procedural part of the story punched plenty of action and excitement. But there’s another part to the book, too. Even though he wouldn’t want to be called this, Brock can be a real teddy bear. He was wonderful and kind when he supported Eve. He was a good listener with caring advice. “Get rid of some of that anger you’re toting around like a gym bag full of dumbbells.”
I kept thinking that Brock and Eve had solved the case, but the case kept getting away from them…for awhile. It sure made for suspenseful reading until the last pages when there was a very solid resolution of the case. What will happen to Brock Scanlin next?
I highly recommend this book. Thanks to the author for giving me an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
“Retribution” means “punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act”. Hard to imagine that serious crimes like that could occur in Laramie Wyoming and the nearby town of Lonewood Pine. Detective Brock Scanlin is transferred to the sheriff’s department for two weeks. What seemed at first like a quiet stint for him in a small Wyoming town turned into murder and mayhem.
Detective Scanlin is paired with a young deputy, with one year’s experience, Eve Cromwell. Eve may be new, but when she faces a dangerous and life-threatening situation, she shows how tough she can be. Her investigation of possible poaching at a ranch quickly explodes into a major organized crime mission. When a total of four people are murdered, with few clues available, it’s Brock and Eve against local law enforcement and the DEA.
The police procedural part of the story punched plenty of action and excitement. But there’s another part to the book, too. Even though he wouldn’t want to be called this, Brock can be a real teddy bear. He was wonderful and kind when he supported Eve. He was a good listener with caring advice. “Get rid of some of that anger you’re toting around like a gym bag full of dumbbells.”
I kept thinking that Brock and Eve had solved the case, but the case kept getting away from them…for awhile. It sure made for suspenseful reading until the last pages when there was a very solid resolution of the case. What will happen to Brock Scanlin next?
I highly recommend this book. Thanks to the author for giving me an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2024
Blood Retribution is an action packed, adrenaline pumping thriller that always keeps you on the edge of your seat. It starts off with an unlikely partnership between Brock Scanlin, a Detective temporarily based in Colorado and Deputy Eve Cromwell from Laramie, Wyoming.
Initially there is an element of mistrust and discomfort between the two but things soon get sorted out and despite the age difference it seems that Eve and Brock might not be so different from each other after all. They soon settle into an easy camaraderie trying their best to decode the host of brutal murders that only seem to be escalating.
KD McNiven is true to her reputation as a thriller virtuoso. The action never stops and the thrills keep coming as Brock and Eve deal with setbacks and snags. But do note it's not all action packed drama there is an element of emotions and vulnerabilities too as Eve and Brock deal with family frailties and past demons that haunt them.
You don't want to miss this one.
Initially there is an element of mistrust and discomfort between the two but things soon get sorted out and despite the age difference it seems that Eve and Brock might not be so different from each other after all. They soon settle into an easy camaraderie trying their best to decode the host of brutal murders that only seem to be escalating.
KD McNiven is true to her reputation as a thriller virtuoso. The action never stops and the thrills keep coming as Brock and Eve deal with setbacks and snags. But do note it's not all action packed drama there is an element of emotions and vulnerabilities too as Eve and Brock deal with family frailties and past demons that haunt them.
You don't want to miss this one.
March 25, 2024
I have read all three books, and have enjoyed all the books in the Det. Scanlin series.
The author does a great job creating flawed relatable characters.
The plot was full of unexpected twists and turns, making it a real page turner. Well done.
Perfect series to read if you like police procedural mysteries.
I look forward to the next one in the series.
*No Spoilers*
The author does a great job creating flawed relatable characters.
The plot was full of unexpected twists and turns, making it a real page turner. Well done.
Perfect series to read if you like police procedural mysteries.
I look forward to the next one in the series.
*No Spoilers*
April 16, 2024
Action packed
Full of fun and action. Blood Retribution is a mystery lover's dream novel. I personally loved the unexpected action hook when Eve fell down the slope. Ms McNiven is a perfect story teller. I could read more of her work and be very entertained.
Full of fun and action. Blood Retribution is a mystery lover's dream novel. I personally loved the unexpected action hook when Eve fell down the slope. Ms McNiven is a perfect story teller. I could read more of her work and be very entertained.
August 18, 2024
A good storyteller is someone who makes it easy for the reader to get lost in the world presented to them between the pages of a book. The prose is rich, the plot is enticing, and the characters have depth, personality, and the ability to create an emotional response from the reader. You become enveloped in the words on the page so deeply that it’s more of a visual experience rather than a reading experience within your mind. The author’s vision draws you in, causing you to close off everything else going on around you.
K.D. McNiven is a good storyteller. No, strike that—she’s a terrific storyteller. And that ability comes shining through in her latest Detective Scanlin novel, Blood Retribution. This is the third in the series and I believe it is her finest so far.
No spoilers here, since I believe the reader should discover the best parts of this story while reading it for themselves—
Scanlin is sent to Lonewood Prairie, Wyoming to assist Deputy Eve Cromwell after her partner walked off the job. He assumes it will be a quiet detail during his time in The Cowboy State, but soon finds himself embroiled in a baffling murder investigation. Scanlin’s been through tough cases before and finds his biggest challenge not in working the investigation, but in figuring out the best way to work with a hard-nosed, young, inexperienced deputy who trusts only herself. However, as time goes on, and the further into the investigation they get, a mutual trust develops between the young deputy and the more experienced Scanlin. Will that trust be enough to help solve a big-time murder case where the body count keeps escalating, or will their personal demons threaten to break that trust and jeopardize catching a killer?
What I really loved about this story is that it is much more than a detective murder mystery. Through McNiven’s rich characterizations of Eve Cromwell and Brock Scanlin, we get to see the darker side of their personalities. Their demons may be different, but they both gain insight from each other on how to confront them. While the storyline is well plotted out, it’s the characters that will hook you in and keep you turning the pages.
Blood Retribution is a solid murder mystery that is full of twists that will leave the reader guessing right up to the satisfying end. I am already looking forward to the next in this superb detective series.
K.D. McNiven is a good storyteller. No, strike that—she’s a terrific storyteller. And that ability comes shining through in her latest Detective Scanlin novel, Blood Retribution. This is the third in the series and I believe it is her finest so far.
No spoilers here, since I believe the reader should discover the best parts of this story while reading it for themselves—
Scanlin is sent to Lonewood Prairie, Wyoming to assist Deputy Eve Cromwell after her partner walked off the job. He assumes it will be a quiet detail during his time in The Cowboy State, but soon finds himself embroiled in a baffling murder investigation. Scanlin’s been through tough cases before and finds his biggest challenge not in working the investigation, but in figuring out the best way to work with a hard-nosed, young, inexperienced deputy who trusts only herself. However, as time goes on, and the further into the investigation they get, a mutual trust develops between the young deputy and the more experienced Scanlin. Will that trust be enough to help solve a big-time murder case where the body count keeps escalating, or will their personal demons threaten to break that trust and jeopardize catching a killer?
What I really loved about this story is that it is much more than a detective murder mystery. Through McNiven’s rich characterizations of Eve Cromwell and Brock Scanlin, we get to see the darker side of their personalities. Their demons may be different, but they both gain insight from each other on how to confront them. While the storyline is well plotted out, it’s the characters that will hook you in and keep you turning the pages.
Blood Retribution is a solid murder mystery that is full of twists that will leave the reader guessing right up to the satisfying end. I am already looking forward to the next in this superb detective series.
October 8, 2024
A rollercoaster ride.
A simple search lands Deputy Cromwell face to face with a dead man and then someone takes a cheap shot at her, but who knows if it was intended for her, or if it was just a hunter? When the Sheriff leaves Lonewood Prairie, WY for sunny Florida, and leaves her on her own to deal with a murder case, Detective Scanlin is sent to assist. The body count rises and the closer to the truth Detective Scanlin and Deputy Cromwell get, the more their lives become in jeopardy. The suspense increases when Agent Perry reveals his identity and then a surprise attack on Deputy Cromwell had me greedily devouring page after page.
The twists and turns are turbulent throughout this heart-racing thriller. Author K.D. McNiven’s sharp writing and pacing is like being on a rollercoaster, where you’re slowly climbing a high incline knowing your stomach is going to drop from beneath at any second, but you can’t wait for the next elevated pulse pounding experience.
A simple search lands Deputy Cromwell face to face with a dead man and then someone takes a cheap shot at her, but who knows if it was intended for her, or if it was just a hunter? When the Sheriff leaves Lonewood Prairie, WY for sunny Florida, and leaves her on her own to deal with a murder case, Detective Scanlin is sent to assist. The body count rises and the closer to the truth Detective Scanlin and Deputy Cromwell get, the more their lives become in jeopardy. The suspense increases when Agent Perry reveals his identity and then a surprise attack on Deputy Cromwell had me greedily devouring page after page.
The twists and turns are turbulent throughout this heart-racing thriller. Author K.D. McNiven’s sharp writing and pacing is like being on a rollercoaster, where you’re slowly climbing a high incline knowing your stomach is going to drop from beneath at any second, but you can’t wait for the next elevated pulse pounding experience.
November 25, 2024
A great plot with interesting characters!
Book 3 of the popular Detective Brock Scanlon series is a fine addition to the detective genre. In the beginning it is not at all certain that Detective Brock Scanlin will be able to work together with Deputy Eve Cromwell to solve the murder case that the story centers on, but somehow, they need to make it work—there’s too much at stake for them not to. I agree with other reviewers who have said they quickly got hooked on the story and all the twists and turns it takes until the case is solved. McNiven has a fine feeling for the English language, and her characters are well drawn and interesting. You won’t regret it if you add this novel to your library!
Book 3 of the popular Detective Brock Scanlon series is a fine addition to the detective genre. In the beginning it is not at all certain that Detective Brock Scanlin will be able to work together with Deputy Eve Cromwell to solve the murder case that the story centers on, but somehow, they need to make it work—there’s too much at stake for them not to. I agree with other reviewers who have said they quickly got hooked on the story and all the twists and turns it takes until the case is solved. McNiven has a fine feeling for the English language, and her characters are well drawn and interesting. You won’t regret it if you add this novel to your library!
February 15, 2025
K D McNiven is a new author to me and I’m pleased I’ve found her. I really enjoyed this book, the plot was good and the characters real. The story is clear and easy to follow - it seemed to me a little bit of escapism. If I stopped reading it for a short while and then returned, it was effortless to get right back into the story which is down to the skill of the writer. With some books, you end up turning back to refresh parts of the story, but not with Ms McNiven - she ensures the narrative flows. I found it to be a compelling read - I was keen to get to the end to see how it concluded! I’m now a firm convert to this author and have already recommended her to family and friends. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
July 11, 2024
"Blood Retribution" by K.D. McNiven is a captivating mystery that begins with Detective Brock Scanlin's assignment to the seemingly quiet Lonewood Prairie, Wyoming. Expecting a desk job, Brock is instead plunged into a murder investigation, working alongside the tough and determined Deputy Eve Cromwell. Their clashing personalities add tension as they navigate the complexities of the case. McNiven's well-paced plot and strong character development make this 252-page Kindle Edition a compelling read for mystery enthusiasts, exploring themes of cooperation, trust, and resilience in the face of adversity. Published in February 2024, it’s a standout in the genre.
June 21, 2024
Blood Retribution (Detective Scanlin Series Book 3), by K.D. Mcniven, is a great mystery with suspense and all the elements that make a page-turner. I haven't yet read the first two books in the series (this is a stand-alone book), but I will because the author knows how to tell a story and does a great job with character development. This is the second book I've read and enjoyed by this author (my first was Who Killed Lilly Paine, another five-star mystery).
If you like mysteries, I recommend this book and author.
If you like mysteries, I recommend this book and author.
September 19, 2024
A routine investigation into gunfire on a property leads to a murder investigation that terrorizes and scandalizes the community of Lonewood Prairie. Deputy Eve Cromwell and her temporary sidekick, Detective Brock Scanlin are thrown for a loop when more bodies are found, placing them in the path of a killer on the run.
Family dramas compound the investigation, making for tough decisions to be made. Will they uncover the clues to catch the killer before he strikes again? A page-turning mystery, highly recommended!
Family dramas compound the investigation, making for tough decisions to be made. Will they uncover the clues to catch the killer before he strikes again? A page-turning mystery, highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews