Checkmate

Caitlin Calloway Mystery #2

by Mavis Applewater

At long last, the sequel to Mavis's perennial favorite, The Brass Ring.

Detective Caitlin Calloway had busted her tail gathering evidence in a rash of killings. Just as she figured out the clues, the killer surprised her in the police parking garage, knocked her out, and drove away with her in her own car. Now she was digging her own grave, with no certainty that anyone even knew she was kidnapped.

Her wife wouldn't miss her right away. Dr. Jamie Jameson knew CC was deep into a case that made her late coming home most evenings. Besides, Jamie was doing late nights herself, standing in at the hospital for her boss who had been one of the killer's victims. CC couldn't count on her partner, Max Sampson, helping her. He was in the hospital recovering from an attack by the killer that put him out of commission. The pain in the ass Deputy Marshal Val Brown, who was panting after her sister, wasn't even still in town.

Would anyone show up to save her? Or would the killer get away with another murder and continue to escape the justice the victims deserved? CC's future looked very bleak. And very short.

Genres: Mystery, LGBT, Lesbian

412 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2014

About the author

Mavis Applewater, a Massachusetts native and Salem State Theatre graduate, began writing while working as a bartender in Cambridge. She is the author of seven novels, including The Brass Ring, Whispering Pines (a Goldie winner), and The Plaza, as well as four short story collections such as the Goldie Finalist Home For The Holidays. Her work blends romance, mystery, and erotica. Applewater lives in Massachusetts with her longtime partner, continuing to write novels, novellas, and thrillers with a devoted fanbase.

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute classic!
It was well written with some great characters -- a highly recommended series. (paperback!)

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I loved Checkmate. The second Caitlin Calloway mystery. Great combination of police procedure, family relationships and of course romance. Wish there were more Caitlin Calloway mysteries in the works.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. Don't get me wrong it's a good book. It's just the author introduced way too many characters in a single book. Also Sometimes the characters are referred by using the first names and sometimes last names which is very confusing.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this one 3.5 if I could. I liked the characters, I liked the plot, the murders were interesting, and there was some humor that made me chuckle a lot and laugh out loud more than once. I also liked the author's voice and writing style. The main characters, I thought, were pretty well done.

I had problems with the way the mystery played out though. I can't really say much about it without spoilers and I don't want to do ruin it for anyone.

All in all, I did very much enjoy the book and the characters. Which is why I rounded up.