Kill Count

Detective Marcy Kendrick #4

by Theo Baxter

Stop the killer. Or become his next victim…

LAPD detective Marcy Kendrick and her partner, Angel Reyes, are called to investigate the brutal sex murder of an up-and-coming starlet.

A calling card has been left at the crime scene. This was the work of a professional, Alejandro ‘El Gato’ Gómez, an infamous drug lord who has evaded LA police for over a decade.

Gómez has a right-hand man, a mysterious assassin known as El Mariachi de los Muertos. The assassin, for reasons unknown, is on a murderous rampage across LA. The bodies are piling up.

But why?

As Marcy soon discovers, El Gato has secrets. But drug lords don’t want their secrets to become public knowledge.

Especially not these secrets…

The race is on. Have Marcy and Angel got what it takes to stop El Gato and his right-hand man? Or will they themselves end up in the assassin’s crosshairs?

Kill Count - book 4 in the thrilling series featuring Detective Marcy Kendrick.

Genres: Thriller, Suspense

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2024

Reviews

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baxter hit gold when he started the Marcy Kendrick series!! They are all good with this one being no exception. I’ve become so invested in these characters and keep rooting for Angel to get his wish! The killers in this book are interesting, and I was secretly hoping nothing would go bad for one of them! Wow! Read them all in order! Now! I can’t wait for the next installment!! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Shauntelle (myglamorousreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series surrounding the life of Detective Marcy Kendrick is phenomenal! I love everything about her character. The time that Baxter has spent developing her character is definitely noticeable. I feel that I have truly gotten to know her, and I find myself rooting for her in every book. While this book 4 in the series can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first 3 books. You will fall in love with Marcy Kendrick too! The books just get better and better.

In true fashion to it’s predecessors, Kill Count is full of action, drama, and twists. We continue to follow Marcy and her partner, Angel, as they fight to solve cases. What I love is that we get glimpses into both of their personal lives as well. Baxter has written this book with descriptive writing and great storytelling that keeps you turning the pages. The plot develops at a fast pace, and I was fully engrossed the whole way through. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series and crossing my fingers that Angel’s wish is granted one day!

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kill Count. Theo Baxter. This book was surprisingly good. Thank you to the writer for wrapping up such an amazing ending. The ending was so entertaining and exciting that I really didn’t want the book to end.
Marcy the FMC was outstanding. She keeps her head on her shoulders and runs her team with efficiency, integrity and intelligence. Her partner Angel has her back no matter what. There’s some questionable scenes between the two, but with their professionalism their ability to keep it in check, and keep their focus on catching a maniac killer. Frank is Marcy’s love interest and he’s their for her 24/7. Now that’s a boyfriend to have.
The story is a fast pace that keeps the intensity at a medium level. The twist and surprise certainly catch you off guard. And the villains are scary. I enjoyed the book. My experience from reading this book definitely put this writer on my radar.
I give this book two snaps and a— Valerie… “hmh”. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! #KillCount #TheoBaxter #Goodreads #Netgally

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kill Count - book 4 in the thrilling series featuring Detective Marcy Kendrick.

These books just keep getting better and better, this time we see Marcy and Angel getting involved in rather dangerous waters with hitmen and drug cartel boss

Another brutal killing gets the pair called into investigate this time though they cross paths with a narcotic office who has been investigating the killer for some years.

Lots of twists and suspense, plus returning characters including Marcy’s ex who seems to be getting more unhinged than ever.

I think this one is my favourite so far but I love them all a great boxset of police crime thrillers.

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Kill Count" by Theo Baxter, readers are thrust into the heart-pounding world of LAPD detective Marcy Kendrick as she grapples with the brutal murder of a rising starlet. Baxter masterfully crafts a gripping narrative that combines the grit of police procedural with the adrenaline of a high-stakes thriller. As Marcy and her partner, Angel Reyes, delve deeper into the investigation, they find themselves ensnared in a deadly game orchestrated by the infamous drug lord Alejandro ‘El Gato’ Gómez and his enigmatic right-hand man, El Mariachi de los Muertos.

The character of Marcy Kendrick emerges as a formidable and complex protagonist, driven by a relentless pursuit of justice in the face of mounting danger. Baxter deftly navigates Marcy's inner turmoil as she grapples with the weight of her past and the challenges of the present. As the body count rises and the stakes escalate, Marcy is forced to confront her own demons while racing against time to unravel the secrets of El Gato and his deadly accomplice.

The pulse-pounding action and intricate plot twists keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Baxter expertly ratchets up the tension with each new revelation, leading to a gripping climax that will leave readers breathless. From the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles to the corridors of power, "Kill Count" is a relentless thrill ride that explores the dark corners of human nature and the lengths to which one will go to protect their secrets.

"Kill Count" is a riveting and exhilarating read that will appeal to fans of gritty crime fiction and pulse-pounding thrillers. With its compelling characters, breakneck pace, and spine-tingling suspense, Theo Baxter delivers a masterclass in storytelling that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Detective Marcy Kendrick series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a thriller after finding a few books I tried were DNFS. I find when this happens it means that I need something gritty to sink my teeth into and what better than a thriller featuring an assassin? Kill Count by Theo Baxter is the fourth book in the series, but it was written in a way where you can like I did read this as a standalone and still understand the series as this book does feature past characters e.g Marcy's ex who has been threatening her and we can see that he lost his job on the squad and he blames Marcy for it. I have to admit parts of this book were frustrating especially the pairing up with the vice detective Veronica as she has been on the case of the Cartel for the past decade and hasn't gotten close to catching them when she gets close her informants are killed. There weren't things adding up with the case where Veronica was concerned and it does come out why in the end but if this was real life, she would have been fired or at least told to stop drinking on the job as she was an alcoholic as well. Her character frustrated me, whereas I loved Marcy, and if I wanted someone to solve my crime or a murder, it would be Marcy as she had this good nature and genuineness about her character too. If you love assassin thrillers, drug cartels, and US crime fiction, then check out Kill Count by Theo Baxter. A thriller that will keep you interested right to the very last page.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Title: Kill Count
Series: Detective Marcy Kendrick Book #4
Author: Theo Baxter
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller- True Crime
Pub Date: June 16, 2024
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Page: 289

LAPD Detective Marcy Kendrick and her partner, Detective Angel Reyes, are called to investigate the brutal sex murder of an up-and-coming starlet.
It appears this was the work of Alejandro ‘El Gato’ Gómez, a drug Barron who has been trouble for the LA police for over ten years. Plus there seems to be a Vice squad detective is working with them. (I wasn’t shocked when we found out who was the corrupt person on the police force.)

This is the fourth in this series but my first. I have to admit I am not big into true crime and the plot seems somewhat basic. I was curious about the relationships.
I immediately liked Marcy but didn’t ‘get’ Angel’s jealously of Frank her new guy. Angel has a girlfriend so I wondered if he was being protective of her. I then thought should Frank be trusted?
True all this has nothing to do with the ‘real’ bad guys; but I did like getting to know March and Angel better.

Want to thank NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 16, 2024.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop the killer. Or become his next victim…

LAPD detective Marcy Kendrick and her partner, Angel Reyes, are called to investigate the brutal sex murder of an up-and-coming starlet.

A calling card has been left at the crime scene. This was the work of a professional, Alejandro ‘El Gato’ Gómez, an infamous drug lord who has evaded LA police for over a decade.

Gómez has a right-hand man, a mysterious assassin known as El Mariachi de los Muertos. The assassin, for reasons unknown, is on a murderous rampage across LA. The bodies are piling up.

But why?

As Marcy soon discovers, El Gato has secrets. But drug lords don’t want their secrets to become public knowledge.

Especially not these secrets…

The race is on. Have Marcy and Angel got what it takes to stop El Gato and his right-hand man? Or will they themselves end up in the assassin’s crosshairs?

What a great read this was.
Wonderful well written story line and plot.
Characters that have been well fleshed out and drag you into the story straight away.
Couldn't put it down and can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommended reading highly.

I received an advanced copy of the novel and this is my honest voluntary review.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Det. Marcy Kendrick is in the thick of things. As is her partner Det. Angel Reyes. Marcy's ex-husband, Jordan is still making things hard for her and it gets worse before it gets better. This time around there is a literal hitman out there named El Vibora aka the Viper and he is working for El Gato, and they are scary guys. A cop from Vice makes herself annoying to Marcy and Angel and they have to work with her, Det. Burnett, who has been chasing El Gato for about 10 years now. I love Marcy and Angel but I understand why they can't be together and Frank is good to Marcy and Callie is to Angel. Things get scarier for a while and I chewed on my nails and cursed under my breath and muttered while reading. There are a lot of funny things in the book that made me giggle, laugh, etc. I love this series and I can't wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a gripping and intense read. I’ve been following the Marcy Kendrick series from the start. Kill Count is fast-paced, full of twists, and kept me guessing right up to the end.

In this book, Marcy and her partner Angel are pulled into a high-stakes case involving the brutal s*x murder of a young actress. What starts as a single crime quickly spirals into something much bigger, with links to a dangerous drug cartel and a killer who’s always one step ahead. The tension builds with every chapter.

Marcy continues to be such a strong and layered character. She’s smart, determined, and always pushing forward, even when things get personal. I also really enjoy her dynamic with Angel—they make a great team, and their loyalty to each other adds a lot of heart to the story.

The writing is sharp and the pacing never lets up. I loved how the story balanced action with character development, and the final chapters had me completely hooked.

[TheLisaD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story starts with a dead adult entertainment star but she was killed by a lethal dose of drugs and so our detectives Marcy and Angel are on the case and then we have another body with the same motive. As if that wasn’t enough there is a shady detective who is drinking all the time and late most days as well as a mole and corruption on the inside because our killer keeps getting to things before the cops can or suddenly they will see things in the paper/news that only the station knew. So now Marcy and Angel are racing to find out who all is corrupt and find this killer. I loved the way we got different perspectives and one of those being the assassin. This wasn’t just an everything works out story it had a lot more to it and I think was really well written.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detectives Marcy Kendrick and Angel Reyes are called in to investigate the murder of a porn star.
There is a card left at the scene, and a vice cop, Valerie Burnett claims it is her case, as the card denotes that a King Drug lord, El Gato has something to do with the killing.


Meanwhile, Marcy's ex husband is harassing her and threatening her.

I enjoyed this twisty police procedural. It had plenty of action and lots of twists and nifty detective work as well.

I was a little irritated at Angel's jealousy over Marcy, and I hope that in future books he can overcome the jealousy.

4/5 stars

Thamks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read this book

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in a terrific series. I'm really glad that so far the books are coming pretty quickly. As usual, I found this to be a page-turner and any time I had to put it down,I was keen to return to it as soon as possible.

This time Marcy and Angel have to contend with a drug baron who has hired an assassin to murder some people who were blackmailing him, and have a Vice squad detective working with them in a joint operation. Marcy also has some personal trouble following her. I found Angel to be quite annoying in this book but things seem to be turning around by the end. Hopefully the next book follows quickly.

[Ganesh Subramanian · Rating 2 out of 5]

A typical crime thriller that follows the usual path of a murder investigation by a supercop. The investigation brings to light a hired assassin hired by a mob leader and how he was brought to book. Conveniently the assassin escapes from the prison paying off the guards. The book also touches upon the corruption in the police force and how the mob is able to carry on and prosper bribing the police official. However, the story focuses more on the life of the super cop and her interactions with her new boyfriend as well as her work partner rather than on the story. On the whole a disappointing book.

[Krupa Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kill Count by Theo Baxter is a gripping thriller that plunges readers into the dark underworld of LA's crime scene. LAPD detective Marcy Kendrick and her partner, Angel Reyes, face a formidable foe in Alejandro ‘El Gato’ Gómez, a drug lord whose infamous assassin, El Mariachi de los Muertos, leaves a trail of bodies. The novel's fast-paced narrative and intricate plot twists keep readers on edge as Marcy and Angel race against time to uncover Gómez's secrets and stop the killing spree. Baxter masterfully blends suspense and action, making Kill Count a compelling read for thriller enthusiasts.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4th book in the series has Marcy assigned to find a drug lord who has baffled the LAPD for a decade. Could there be some "rats" within the department?
"Marcy Kendrick and her partner, Angel Reyes, are called to investigate the brutal sex murder of an up-and-coming starlet.
A calling card has been left at the crime scene. This was the work of a professional, Alejandro ‘El Gato’ Gómez, an infamous drug lord who has evaded LA police for over a decade.
Gómez has a right-hand man, a mysterious assassin known as El Mariachi de los Muertos. The assassin, for reasons unknown, is on a murderous rampage across LA. The bodies are piling up." synopsis copied

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrilling book staring LAPD detective Marcy Kendrick. Hunting a paid assassin who is working with a drug lord is proving challenging for Marcy and her partner Angel. The story is a page turner, with a few extra smaller plots occurring to add to the excitement. I really enjoy Marcy's character although I felt she was a little slow in figuring out Valerie's intentions. Overall the book was entertaining and suspenseful.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I get a new book by Theo I always make sure I have enough time to finish the book because I know I won’t be able to put it down until I have read every word.
Oh my goodness this one had me on the edge of my seat from the start. Not only were we dealing with the serial killer but corruption in the police department and of course the escalating behavior of Marcy’s ex. Holy moly what a roller coaster ride this one was. Loved every harrowing minute.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Zooloo's Book Tours for my copy of this book! The fourth instalment in the Marcy Kendrick series has a slightly different approach - in this one, we know who the perps are the whole time. I liked it being a bit different and seeing how the author kept the writing exciting without a whodunnit - it really worked for me. I was also glad to see another woman in the force, and one with her own storyline too! There were also some changes that made me very relieved in this book, and without spoiling it too much... Brasswell.

[Reads lotsa stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whose counting? A gripping murder mystery from the start. Multiple characters that are easily recognizable and several characters with unknown identities make this chase exciting. There are twists you don’t see coming and others that you just know in your gut the way they will turn. This was the first book read by the author but won’t be the last as he crafts a very easy to read tale. Even with characters you would much rather hate, they are written so well the pages fly by to the next reveal.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kill Count has a good plot, it's fast-paced, full of action and well-written, and once I started reading it I could not stop. Marcy is faced with tough decisions as she'll be possibly be going against her peers again in order to discover who El Vibora and El Gato are, and hers and Angel's life might be under threat because of their decisions. Great entertainment!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcy and Angel are back in the fourth book. I’m hooked and hope to read many more stories in this thrilling series. Good characters, a nice writing style, twists, ... What else do you need? Theo Baxter is becoming one of my favorite authors. I guess it’s time to read his other novels too.
I received an advance review copy for free and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read in the Marcy Kendrick series, set in LA. The characterisation is developing nicely, although Angel is becoming a bit annoying with his jealousy over Marcy. That aside, I like the plotting, the twists and there is no shortage of action in another well written book by the author. What will be next for Marcy, I wonder? Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. It was suspenseful, well written, there was a lot of detail that helped to see the story as I read it. Not only was Marcy on the trail of a killer she also had to deal with a stalker in her own life. She played both rolls well and kept herself focused. She was a badass character for sure. This book is a most definite must read.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I'm drawn into Marcy and Angel's case like a moth to a flame they always get the most interesting ones. I enjoy trying to fit the puzzles pieces together along side of these two detectives as little pieces here and there are discovered and are placed together however there seems to be a missing piece and I can't wait for the next book.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A drug king pin with an assassin on his payroll. Detectives Kendrick and Reyes are the lead detectives on the case. Police and high officials on the drug cartel's payroll. A leak in the department makes the investigation very difficult. A really well written novel that captured my interest from the beginning.

[Alvara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story to add to the Detective Marcy series. Marcy is on the hunt for a drug and needs to unravel the mystery before his appointed hitman takes out all possible witnesses. With multiple pov, you delve into the different perspectives on both sides of the law. Fast paced story with twists and turns.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! The world building and writing are amazing. I Love the Marcy Kendrick stories, and find it difficult to put them down before finishing them. For best experience read in order. I Love Them!!! No Spoilers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dream Home by T. Baxter is the author's latest thriller. A masterpiece in human behavior, flaws.
Ashlyn and Mason are married for some time and are about to move into their dream home. Ashlyn Can't wait to expand their family, raise their children here. But some dreams just don't come true.
A twisty talethat gets Ashlyn inthe hands of a bad man, leaves one of them not alive, in general nothing is as it seems. Twisty and full of turns that had me in suspense till the last page, I loved reading this thriller.

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fab from beginning to end and I’ll definitely be reading more of the books in this series!
Marcy is a kick ass cop, a no nonsense straight down the line woman and I loved her. Her partner Angel is just as cool. Their chemistry was awesome, Angel has feelings for her and she’s attracted to him but both know it can’t happen.
The hunt for El Gato was filled with twists,turns, betrayal and corruption and I highly recommend it for crime thriller lovers!