What do you think?
Rate this book
Mystery Lake #9
Vindictive
Two dead bodies, a past that’s haunting the present, and a woman not afraid to dig for the truth.
Charlotte Warwick is happy focusing on the company she and her sister started and leaving men as little more than a distant afterthought. Her last boyfriend did a doozy on her and although she knows she’ll recover, she’s in no rush. Not even when the sexy Noah Streak—AKA Mantis—walks into her life. The president of the local motorcycle club is the last man she should get involved with.
Noah has other ideas. Charlotte is way out of his league, but he’s never been a man afraid of a challenge. And when a summer outing leads to an opportunity to win her over, he’s not above using it to his advantage. Even if that chance rests on the fact that they discovered not one, but two bodies and a 150-year-old mystery. Unorthodox, sure, but he’ll take all the help he can get.
The past isn't content to stay in the past, though, and when it collides with a very recent crime, Charlotte and Noah find themselves caught in a tangle of greed, jealousy, and deceit. Turning to each other—trusting each other—may be the only way to survive.
Trigger warning
Like most, if not all, romantic suspense novels, mine contain elements of violence and often murder. In addition, as with this book, I include descriptions of events that happened in the past or “off page” that touch on topics such as domestic violence, violence against women, or violent homes. This book contains conversations between the characters who were victims of these particular traumas.
Charlotte Warwick is happy focusing on the company she and her sister started and leaving men as little more than a distant afterthought. Her last boyfriend did a doozy on her and although she knows she’ll recover, she’s in no rush. Not even when the sexy Noah Streak—AKA Mantis—walks into her life. The president of the local motorcycle club is the last man she should get involved with.
Noah has other ideas. Charlotte is way out of his league, but he’s never been a man afraid of a challenge. And when a summer outing leads to an opportunity to win her over, he’s not above using it to his advantage. Even if that chance rests on the fact that they discovered not one, but two bodies and a 150-year-old mystery. Unorthodox, sure, but he’ll take all the help he can get.
The past isn't content to stay in the past, though, and when it collides with a very recent crime, Charlotte and Noah find themselves caught in a tangle of greed, jealousy, and deceit. Turning to each other—trusting each other—may be the only way to survive.
Trigger warning
Like most, if not all, romantic suspense novels, mine contain elements of violence and often murder. In addition, as with this book, I include descriptions of events that happened in the past or “off page” that touch on topics such as domestic violence, violence against women, or violent homes. This book contains conversations between the characters who were victims of these particular traumas.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2024
64 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Tamsen Schultz
41 books348 followersTamsen Schultz is the author of several romantic suspense novels and American Kin (a short story published in Line Zero Magazine). In addition to being a writer, she has a background in the field of international conflict resolution, has co-founded a non-profit, and currently works in corporate America. Like most lawyers, she spends a disproportionate amount of time thinking (and writing) about what it might be like to do something else. She lives in Northern California in a house full of males including her husband, two sons, three cats, a dog, and a gender-neutral, but well-stocked, wine rack.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 9, 2024
Charley and Noah
This was another great book for the Mystery Lake series. It was mysterious and suspenseful. The romance was pretty light but it worked perfectly with the plot. There were so many villains to choose from, and I did not see the end coming until it happened. Charley and Noah were so well matched and the way they came together was great.
Noah did not make the greatest first impression on Charley. He was the president of a motorcycle club that primarily existed to help save people in abusive relationships, and all 15 members were former military. Noah didn’t have the greatest childhood and Charley was still recovering from her own abusive relationship in college, so it took awhile for both of them to open up and put their first judgments aside. Once Charley let Noah in, the romance part of the book was so fun. He was protective and possessive, but understood her trauma and made every concession to let Charley feel safe and in control.
The suspense and mystery were so fun. The treasure hunt brought Charley and Noah even closer together and introduced Noah’s motorcycle club brothers. I loved all the interactions between Charley and the motorcycle club. She built a relationship with Noah and understood that the motorcycle club was his family.
I loved how supportive the Warwick family was of Charley and Noah. The Warwicks were all wealthy, high ranking individuals but never let their economic status change how they treated people and that showed in the ways that Noah knew several of them.
This was a fast read. The addition of the Falcon’s Rest motorcycle club was interesting. I’m hoping there will be a spin off with the rest of the motorcycle club now because I loved every one of them, especially since there are only two Warwicks left to find their happily ever afters.
This was another great book for the Mystery Lake series. It was mysterious and suspenseful. The romance was pretty light but it worked perfectly with the plot. There were so many villains to choose from, and I did not see the end coming until it happened. Charley and Noah were so well matched and the way they came together was great.
Noah did not make the greatest first impression on Charley. He was the president of a motorcycle club that primarily existed to help save people in abusive relationships, and all 15 members were former military. Noah didn’t have the greatest childhood and Charley was still recovering from her own abusive relationship in college, so it took awhile for both of them to open up and put their first judgments aside. Once Charley let Noah in, the romance part of the book was so fun. He was protective and possessive, but understood her trauma and made every concession to let Charley feel safe and in control.
The suspense and mystery were so fun. The treasure hunt brought Charley and Noah even closer together and introduced Noah’s motorcycle club brothers. I loved all the interactions between Charley and the motorcycle club. She built a relationship with Noah and understood that the motorcycle club was his family.
I loved how supportive the Warwick family was of Charley and Noah. The Warwicks were all wealthy, high ranking individuals but never let their economic status change how they treated people and that showed in the ways that Noah knew several of them.
This was a fast read. The addition of the Falcon’s Rest motorcycle club was interesting. I’m hoping there will be a spin off with the rest of the motorcycle club now because I loved every one of them, especially since there are only two Warwicks left to find their happily ever afters.
April 7, 2024
The latest addition to the Mystery Lake series is another huge winner! Vindictive focuses on Charley as we get to know her and her backstory. She and Joey are great characters that I'd love to know IRL. The addition of a group of great guys that have formed a motorcycle club was a stroke of genius by the author! There is so much to unpack with those strongly disciplined, highly trained, hunks with huge hearts that I'm seriously hoping we'll see them in future books. I also want to know more about the rescuees, for want of a better word. I hope Ms. Schultz is reading this and making note of these "requests" - requests sort of similar to the ones made by The Godfather...LOL
As a plus to the above mentioned great stuff, there were red herrings, new babies, and the love of a huge happy family that has each other's backs, come what may. Of course we have to have the person we love to hate and boy, does he make himself known. Add in all those hunks with huge hearts and their heartbreaking backstories, and this is a book that will pretty much scream at you, "No, you are NOT putting me down." Well, at least that's what happened to me. I could not stand to leave it behind...
If you haven't started this series, what are you waiting for? If you have, definitely grab Vindictive as soon as possible! If you haven't yet started this series, pick up book 1 and you'll likely be one-clicking the rest as quickly as you can. Tamsen Schultz knows her way around a great romantic suspense novel and she proves that again in book 9 of the Mystery Lake series.
Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own, as always.
As a plus to the above mentioned great stuff, there were red herrings, new babies, and the love of a huge happy family that has each other's backs, come what may. Of course we have to have the person we love to hate and boy, does he make himself known. Add in all those hunks with huge hearts and their heartbreaking backstories, and this is a book that will pretty much scream at you, "No, you are NOT putting me down." Well, at least that's what happened to me. I could not stand to leave it behind...
If you haven't started this series, what are you waiting for? If you have, definitely grab Vindictive as soon as possible! If you haven't yet started this series, pick up book 1 and you'll likely be one-clicking the rest as quickly as you can. Tamsen Schultz knows her way around a great romantic suspense novel and she proves that again in book 9 of the Mystery Lake series.
Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own, as always.
April 4, 2024
Vindictive is the 9th book in the Mystery Lake series, which just keeps getting better and better. Be sure to clear your schedule before you start, because you won't be able to put this book down! As one of only two females in her generation, Charley is a strong-willed, self-reliant woman. Unshakable on the outside, but with hidden secrets making her vulnerable. Noah aka Mantis is the president of a motorcycle club, rough on the outside, but with a heart of gold on the inside, which translates into a need to help anyone in distress. An absolutely wonderful couple that has to go through plenty of nerve-wrecking events before arriving at their happy ending. There's instant attraction leading to steamy sexy times, tender and sweet moments but also mystery, murder and mayhem. Be aware that the subject of escaping and dealing with the trauma of domestic violence and abuse plays an important role, which might keep Vindicitive from being an easy-to-read story for some. It could be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the series in order because the whole Warwick clan makes appearances and knowing their stories will just make the experience richer. Charley's sister Joey's story is next and I can't wait!
I am fortunate to have received an advanced copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
I am fortunate to have received an advanced copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
April 27, 2024
Thank you for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Given that the Warwick family is so full of the male cousins, I expected the girls to be bolder and more adventurous than your average female. I was not disappointed. From the unusual introduction between the two main characters to the highly unusual mystery resolved at the end, Ms. Schultz keeps us turning those pages.
I have never been disappointed in one of Tamsen Schultz’s books. This one, however, made me lose sleep even when I swore, I would go to bed after just one more chapter.
Charlie and Mantis, (AKA Charlotte and Noah) are interesting people in their own right, but mix them together, throw in a number of mysterious happenings and his whole MC working together, and it is a recipe for chaos. However, it is an organized chaos that pulls you in and forces you to stay in the story until the very end.
I don’t believe in giving spoilers and the cover material will give you the basics, but I can tell you it is a great book with interesting characters and more than a few twists. A well-written book that will take you on a mysterious journey.
Given that the Warwick family is so full of the male cousins, I expected the girls to be bolder and more adventurous than your average female. I was not disappointed. From the unusual introduction between the two main characters to the highly unusual mystery resolved at the end, Ms. Schultz keeps us turning those pages.
I have never been disappointed in one of Tamsen Schultz’s books. This one, however, made me lose sleep even when I swore, I would go to bed after just one more chapter.
Charlie and Mantis, (AKA Charlotte and Noah) are interesting people in their own right, but mix them together, throw in a number of mysterious happenings and his whole MC working together, and it is a recipe for chaos. However, it is an organized chaos that pulls you in and forces you to stay in the story until the very end.
I don’t believe in giving spoilers and the cover material will give you the basics, but I can tell you it is a great book with interesting characters and more than a few twists. A well-written book that will take you on a mysterious journey.
April 15, 2024
I've read every one of the Mystery Lake series so far, and enjoyed them all. Vindictive, is another gripping and entertaining instalment. Unlike some of the other books in the series, this one feels almost lighter in some ways. It had a bit more of a romance feel, rather than the thriller that other books have been. That didn't detract in any way from my enjoyment though, it was a good new story to go with the others.
There is still a 'thriller' element to the story, with a hunt for long-lost treasure, an abusive ex-partner and a dead body all featured in this gripping read. These just helped to enhance this story of love that grows between Charlie Warwick and local biker Noah, (or Mantis, as he's also known).
This is a fantastic series and one that I'd highly recommend. You really don't have to have read the other books, or if you do, you can read them out of order. But really, why wouldn't you dip in and read the rest? They're all such good books!
There is still a 'thriller' element to the story, with a hunt for long-lost treasure, an abusive ex-partner and a dead body all featured in this gripping read. These just helped to enhance this story of love that grows between Charlie Warwick and local biker Noah, (or Mantis, as he's also known).
This is a fantastic series and one that I'd highly recommend. You really don't have to have read the other books, or if you do, you can read them out of order. But really, why wouldn't you dip in and read the rest? They're all such good books!
May 4, 2024
"Thank you for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own."
When Charlie is coming home from leading a group hike, she hears a shot and sees a man down, surrounded by bikers. As she has EMT training she stops to help.
The leader of the MC club, Mantis, is holding the man that's been shot. As they look at each other sparks fly.
Why was the man shot? What's going on with a stranger on a hiking trail that's been closed but is now clear? What was he looking for?
This is a great read, with unexpected turns and a great love story. I highly recommend it!
Can't wait for the next book in this series!
When Charlie is coming home from leading a group hike, she hears a shot and sees a man down, surrounded by bikers. As she has EMT training she stops to help.
The leader of the MC club, Mantis, is holding the man that's been shot. As they look at each other sparks fly.
Why was the man shot? What's going on with a stranger on a hiking trail that's been closed but is now clear? What was he looking for?
This is a great read, with unexpected turns and a great love story. I highly recommend it!
Can't wait for the next book in this series!
April 5, 2024
Another exciting visit to Mystery Lake. Charlie finds her significant other. Painful back stories. Interesting motorcycle group.Great variety of characters. Clever mysteries, old and new. I am eager to read about Joey and her adventures with Leo. These ladies are very capable and courageous with a family ready and willing to protect them whether they want protection or not. Page-turning story with a surprise or two along the way. I do skip the steamy scenes. Thanks to the author for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.
April 27, 2024
A Mystery Within a Mystery!
Sometimes mysteries are scary, sometimes funny, sometimes engaging, sometimes just plain mysterious. Tamsen Schultz’s next book Vindictive in her Mystery Lake series is all of the above. The action and characters were very engaging, keeping my interest from the first page to the last; and, I must admit, the end was a surprise! Definitely a good read, in fact the whole series is a great continuing family adventure.
Thank you for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Sometimes mysteries are scary, sometimes funny, sometimes engaging, sometimes just plain mysterious. Tamsen Schultz’s next book Vindictive in her Mystery Lake series is all of the above. The action and characters were very engaging, keeping my interest from the first page to the last; and, I must admit, the end was a surprise! Definitely a good read, in fact the whole series is a great continuing family adventure.
Thank you for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
April 27, 2024
This is another great Mystery Lake Series book. This is the ninth in the series. I have read them all. This book does not disappoint. The two main characters are Noah and Charlotte. Charlotte has had tramma in her past. Noah is so very patient as he tries to win her over. There is an old mystery that ties into their current situation. Loved the main characters and the story.
I was given a preview copy.
I was given a preview copy.
May 18, 2024
A definite must read book and series!!
As always, I absolutely loved this story! It's a unique, intriguing, humorous, and suspenseful series with many unexpected twists that will hook you from beginning to end. It's certainly not a story or series that you'll want to miss! I can't wait for the next release!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
As always, I absolutely loved this story! It's a unique, intriguing, humorous, and suspenseful series with many unexpected twists that will hook you from beginning to end. It's certainly not a story or series that you'll want to miss! I can't wait for the next release!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
May 25, 2024
READ THIS SERIES
Here is the thing, if you are new to this author I am not sure where to tell you to start. If you are new to this series, you CAN read just his book and not be lost. Truly, you will be able to follow along and will simply be left wanting to go back to read the rest of the series. You will want to live in this town. You will want to know these people. That is the power of this author. They are likeable, they are sexy, they are human. Read it.
Here is the thing, if you are new to this author I am not sure where to tell you to start. If you are new to this series, you CAN read just his book and not be lost. Truly, you will be able to follow along and will simply be left wanting to go back to read the rest of the series. You will want to live in this town. You will want to know these people. That is the power of this author. They are likeable, they are sexy, they are human. Read it.
April 27, 2024
Another great winner in the Mystery lake series and each is a standalone which is even better. I loved both Charlotte and Noah as they try to unsolve the mystery. The book is well written and kept me engaged until the end with a gripping tale. Totally love this series with the Warwick cousins. I received an ARC copy.
April 29, 2024
I was so excited for Charlotte's story and she and Noah did not disappoint. One of my favorite tropes, motorcycle clubs, is in this one and I just loved the addition! The mystery is full of suspense and action. The romance is hot and the couples chemistry is off the charts. I don't know how she does it, but this author gets better every book. I cannot recommend this series enough!
April 30, 2024
Book 9 in the Mystery Lake series has it all–action packed, mystery within a mystery, complex interesting characters and relationships, sass, sizzle and the warm community of Mystery Lake. Vindictive is another suspenseful and entertaining page turner that keeps you reading.
Thank you for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Thank you for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
May 9, 2024
Entertaining mystery
I love the characters in this book and this series. I love the closeness of all the extended family members. To be honest I didn't care for the mystery in this book very much compared to the other books in this series. The old mine, cache of gold stuff didn't hold my interest. It's a 4 star book for me.
I love the characters in this book and this series. I love the closeness of all the extended family members. To be honest I didn't care for the mystery in this book very much compared to the other books in this series. The old mine, cache of gold stuff didn't hold my interest. It's a 4 star book for me.
May 12, 2024
Charlotte is happy with her life as it is. She’s finally doing well after her heartbreaking past. Will she allow that to cloud her future. Unfortunately there’s danger and murder, how will she get through this new event. Not to be missed.
April 27, 2024
I loved this book. The craziness and dead bodies keep finding their way to Mystery Lake. This book is full of action and twists to keep you guessing.
May 10, 2024
Great as all the rest were. Looking forward to the next book. This is a series worth keeping.
May 11, 2024
Kindle
September 23, 2024
As an old lady, I did not appreciate the explicit sex descriptions, but I skipped over that chapter and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book. I love her characters and stories.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews