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Kate Green #3
Close Call
In a hard-hitting thriller from the author of Lights Out and Dangerous Play, reporter Kate Green courts danger once again when the famous subject of her next story is kidnapped during the US Open.
With a hard-won Emmy now gracing her mantel, sports reporter and former Olympian Kate Green turns her energy to the action unfolding in Flushing Meadows. Working on a feature for her weekly TV show, she spotlights two of today’s biggest female tennis stars: the sunny up-and-comer and the brash veteran. But the project goes sideways when one turns up missing.
Following an interview with Kate, one player receives a sinister text with a disturbing photo of the other woman, bound and gagged. Kate calls on her estranged father, an NYPD detective, for help in launching a search. Although wary he’s hiding something, she’s not sure where else to turn.
Their investigation leads to the victim’s hometown—and a growing list of suspects. The kidnapper threatens to spill secrets that could destroy lives. Tangled up in a deadly web of deceit, Kate races to connect the dots and find the missing player…before it’s too late.
With a hard-won Emmy now gracing her mantel, sports reporter and former Olympian Kate Green turns her energy to the action unfolding in Flushing Meadows. Working on a feature for her weekly TV show, she spotlights two of today’s biggest female tennis stars: the sunny up-and-comer and the brash veteran. But the project goes sideways when one turns up missing.
Following an interview with Kate, one player receives a sinister text with a disturbing photo of the other woman, bound and gagged. Kate calls on her estranged father, an NYPD detective, for help in launching a search. Although wary he’s hiding something, she’s not sure where else to turn.
Their investigation leads to the victim’s hometown—and a growing list of suspects. The kidnapper threatens to spill secrets that could destroy lives. Tangled up in a deadly web of deceit, Kate races to connect the dots and find the missing player…before it’s too late.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
400 people are currently reading
9253 people want to read
About the author
Elise Hart Kipness
3 books268 followersElise Hart Kipness is a former television sports reporter turned thriller writer. Lights Out is based on her experience in the high-pressure, adrenaline-pumping world of live TV. Like her protagonist, she chased marquee athletes through the tunnels of Madison Square Garden and stood before glaring lights, reporting to national audiences.
In addition to reporting for Fox Sports Network, Elise was a news reporter at New York’s WNBC-TV, News 12 Long Island, and the Associated Press. She is currently co-president of Sisters in Crime Connecticut, as well as a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. Elise graduate from Brown University and lives in Connecticut with her family and three labradoodles.
In addition to reporting for Fox Sports Network, Elise was a news reporter at New York’s WNBC-TV, News 12 Long Island, and the Associated Press. She is currently co-president of Sisters in Crime Connecticut, as well as a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. Elise graduate from Brown University and lives in Connecticut with her family and three labradoodles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 3, 2025
Back with the third book in her Kate Green series, Elise Hart Kipness hit it out of the park (or should I say court) yet again with Close Call. From the fast pace to the layers of secrets within the multiple plot lines, there was no end to the thrills or the “WTF?!” twists. Coming out of left field but with a believable feel, most of the twists caught me out, and managed to shock me but good. Even better, there were a few eye-poppers that arrived right at the end. One of them, in fact, even had me shouting out loud as the revelation shifted everything I thought knew about the plot up to that point. Bravo, Ms. Kipness, it was a doozy of a book, and I loved every flawless word.
One thing I’ve grown to love with this dynamite series is the on-point characterizations. From Kate’s smart, savvy persona to her relatable friendship with her cameraman, Bill, they all felt like dear old friends. Well, except for the handful of unlikeable characters, that is. With plenty of individuals who I side-eyed with complete and utter suspicion, they made guessing the end nearly impossible. And while I did kind of predict one of the twists, the rest of them made up for it by the shocking conclusion. You see, the suspense-laden plot had no lack of surprises, and the last third of the book delivered them in spades. Needless to say, I raced through this novel as I yearned to learn all of the whos, whats, and whys.
All said and done, coming in at just 250 pages, this addictive novel was a quick, easy read. A crime thriller complete with depth to the plot thanks to Kate and Liam’s deepening family saga, I enjoyed seeing them working side-by-side yet again. Add in the fledgling romance and cat-and-mouse antics, and it’s no surprise at all that my colleagues at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been raving about this one for ages. I mean, who could resist a tale of kidnapping and murder that has a long list of suspects? So please go ahead and grab this one now. Just be sure to start with book one. After all, you won’t want to miss a minute with Kate. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
With a hard-won Emmy now gracing her mantel, sports reporter and former Olympian Kate Green turns her energy to the action unfolding in Flushing Meadows. Working on a feature for her weekly TV show, she spotlights two of today’s biggest female tennis stars: the sunny up-and-comer and the brash veteran. But the project goes sideways when one turns up missing.
Following an interview with Kate, one player receives a sinister text with a disturbing photo of the other woman, bound and gagged. Kate calls on her estranged father, an NYPD detective, for help in launching a search. Although wary he’s hiding something, she’s not sure where else to turn.
Their investigation leads to the victim’s hometown—and a growing list of suspects. The kidnapper threatens to spill secrets that could destroy lives. Tangled up in a deadly web of deceit, Kate races to connect the dots and find the missing player…before it’s too late.
Thank you to Elise Hart Kipness, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 19, 2025
Content warning: kidnapping, stalking, knife violence
One thing I’ve grown to love with this dynamite series is the on-point characterizations. From Kate’s smart, savvy persona to her relatable friendship with her cameraman, Bill, they all felt like dear old friends. Well, except for the handful of unlikeable characters, that is. With plenty of individuals who I side-eyed with complete and utter suspicion, they made guessing the end nearly impossible. And while I did kind of predict one of the twists, the rest of them made up for it by the shocking conclusion. You see, the suspense-laden plot had no lack of surprises, and the last third of the book delivered them in spades. Needless to say, I raced through this novel as I yearned to learn all of the whos, whats, and whys.
All said and done, coming in at just 250 pages, this addictive novel was a quick, easy read. A crime thriller complete with depth to the plot thanks to Kate and Liam’s deepening family saga, I enjoyed seeing them working side-by-side yet again. Add in the fledgling romance and cat-and-mouse antics, and it’s no surprise at all that my colleagues at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been raving about this one for ages. I mean, who could resist a tale of kidnapping and murder that has a long list of suspects? So please go ahead and grab this one now. Just be sure to start with book one. After all, you won’t want to miss a minute with Kate. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
With a hard-won Emmy now gracing her mantel, sports reporter and former Olympian Kate Green turns her energy to the action unfolding in Flushing Meadows. Working on a feature for her weekly TV show, she spotlights two of today’s biggest female tennis stars: the sunny up-and-comer and the brash veteran. But the project goes sideways when one turns up missing.
Following an interview with Kate, one player receives a sinister text with a disturbing photo of the other woman, bound and gagged. Kate calls on her estranged father, an NYPD detective, for help in launching a search. Although wary he’s hiding something, she’s not sure where else to turn.
Their investigation leads to the victim’s hometown—and a growing list of suspects. The kidnapper threatens to spill secrets that could destroy lives. Tangled up in a deadly web of deceit, Kate races to connect the dots and find the missing player…before it’s too late.
Thank you to Elise Hart Kipness, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 19, 2025
Content warning: kidnapping, stalking, knife violence
August 14, 2025
This is book 3 in the Kate Green series. I haven't read the others but still fully enjoyed this one. A tennis star at the US Open is kidnapped, and Kate, who is a sports reporter and was supposed to be interviewing there, works with her NYPD detective father, and the FBI to get to the bottom of the case. There is plenty of suspense in this story. I loved the sports and tennis aspects added to the mystery. There were many people that could have been responsible for the kidnapping and I loved trying to piece it together. This was a fast paced, easy read and I can't wait to read more in the series. A really well written mystery.
Thank you to the publisher, netgalley and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher, netgalley and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
August 19, 2025
HAPPY PUB DAY!
CLOSE CALL by Elise Hart Kipness
Audiobook ALC Review - Brilliance Audio
Thriller/Mystery
I don’t care for tennis, but Elise Hart Kipness could probably write about paint drying, and I’d still be first in line to get a copy of her new book! “Close Call” is the third book in her Kate Green series, and while you can read it as a standalone, I recommend starting with the first two. You’ll get the full picture of Kate, who’s smart, funny, and has a knack for landing herself in the middle of chaos.
This time around, Kate is covering the US Open when one of the biggest stars is kidnapped. Suddenly, her gig as a sports reporter turns into something closer to a high-stakes thriller. The opening is a little crowded with characters, but it didn’t take too long to get everyone straight.
Listening to the audiobook cranked up the tension. Every twist hit at the perfect moment, and I didn’t see the final reveals coming. There were some big shockers!
This series is fantastic and perfectly balanced. Sports drama meets mystery thriller; with a heroine you’d happily share a cocktail with. And you don’t need to know a thing about tennis to get hooked (that would be me🙋♀️).
Why pick it up:
Kate is a witty, relatable protagonist who refuses to sit on the sidelines
A kidnapping plot that plays out like a championship match
Twist after twist that will make you want to text someone the second you finish
Thanks to the author and Brilliance Audio for the gifted Audiobook provided via NetGalley. And thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse for introducing me to an excellent author that I wouldn’t have found on my own!
#CloseCall #EliseHartKipness #BrillianceAudio #NetGalley #CapCut #ThePulse #ThrillerBookLovers
Thriller Readers ~ Whodunit Vibes ~ Sports Thriller ~ Kidnapping ~ Greed ~ Tennis ~ US Open ~ Sports Reporter ~ Blow Your Mind Twists ~ Sports & Crime Crossover ~ Murder ~ Kate Green Series
CLOSE CALL by Elise Hart Kipness
Audiobook ALC Review - Brilliance Audio
Thriller/Mystery
I don’t care for tennis, but Elise Hart Kipness could probably write about paint drying, and I’d still be first in line to get a copy of her new book! “Close Call” is the third book in her Kate Green series, and while you can read it as a standalone, I recommend starting with the first two. You’ll get the full picture of Kate, who’s smart, funny, and has a knack for landing herself in the middle of chaos.
This time around, Kate is covering the US Open when one of the biggest stars is kidnapped. Suddenly, her gig as a sports reporter turns into something closer to a high-stakes thriller. The opening is a little crowded with characters, but it didn’t take too long to get everyone straight.
Listening to the audiobook cranked up the tension. Every twist hit at the perfect moment, and I didn’t see the final reveals coming. There were some big shockers!
This series is fantastic and perfectly balanced. Sports drama meets mystery thriller; with a heroine you’d happily share a cocktail with. And you don’t need to know a thing about tennis to get hooked (that would be me🙋♀️).
Why pick it up:
Kate is a witty, relatable protagonist who refuses to sit on the sidelines
A kidnapping plot that plays out like a championship match
Twist after twist that will make you want to text someone the second you finish
Thanks to the author and Brilliance Audio for the gifted Audiobook provided via NetGalley. And thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse for introducing me to an excellent author that I wouldn’t have found on my own!
#CloseCall #EliseHartKipness #BrillianceAudio #NetGalley #CapCut #ThePulse #ThrillerBookLovers
Thriller Readers ~ Whodunit Vibes ~ Sports Thriller ~ Kidnapping ~ Greed ~ Tennis ~ US Open ~ Sports Reporter ~ Blow Your Mind Twists ~ Sports & Crime Crossover ~ Murder ~ Kate Green Series
August 20, 2025
I absolutely devoured Close Call by Elise Hart Kipness. From the very first page, I was pulled into Kate Green’s world through her grit, her vulnerability, and her determination make her such a standout heroine. I loved how the story unfolded at the US Open, with all the high-stakes tension of professional tennis layered over a chilling kidnapping mystery. It felt fresh and original, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
What really struck me was the emotional depth and Kate’s complicated relationship with her father added such a human layer to the thriller plot. I found myself just as invested in their fragile, tender connection as I was in the suspense of finding the missing player. And oh, the twists! Every time I thought I had it figured out, Kipness threw in another surprise that had me racing to the next chapter.
This is one of those books that reminds me why I love thrillers: it’s fast-paced, smart, and emotionally rich. Elise Hart Kipness has quickly become an auto-buy author for me, and Kate Green is the kind of character I’ll happily follow anywhere.
What really struck me was the emotional depth and Kate’s complicated relationship with her father added such a human layer to the thriller plot. I found myself just as invested in their fragile, tender connection as I was in the suspense of finding the missing player. And oh, the twists! Every time I thought I had it figured out, Kipness threw in another surprise that had me racing to the next chapter.
This is one of those books that reminds me why I love thrillers: it’s fast-paced, smart, and emotionally rich. Elise Hart Kipness has quickly become an auto-buy author for me, and Kate Green is the kind of character I’ll happily follow anywhere.
August 20, 2025
This my third Elise Hart Kipness book, all featuring Kate Green, a sports reporter who, in Close Call, finds herself in the middle of the kidnapping of a major tennis star.
Kate Green is assigned to do feature stories of the two top U.S. Open tennis champions, one a veteran, and the other an up and coming teen prodigy.
Elise is masterful in the thriller genre and I’m always amazed at the twists and unexpected reveals.
I really enjoy the behind the scenes look at the sports reporter’s interviews and the day to day lives of the athletes.
But the best part of Kate Green is her love of coffee. I wonder why I’m always craving coffee whenever I read one of Elise’s books?
*Thanks so much to the author for the fun PR box, to Thomas Mercer, and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the ARC and for including me on the booktour!*
Kate Green is assigned to do feature stories of the two top U.S. Open tennis champions, one a veteran, and the other an up and coming teen prodigy.
Elise is masterful in the thriller genre and I’m always amazed at the twists and unexpected reveals.
I really enjoy the behind the scenes look at the sports reporter’s interviews and the day to day lives of the athletes.
But the best part of Kate Green is her love of coffee. I wonder why I’m always craving coffee whenever I read one of Elise’s books?
*Thanks so much to the author for the fun PR box, to Thomas Mercer, and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the ARC and for including me on the booktour!*
March 3, 2025
Elise Hart Kipness knows her sports, and her third explosive thriller about sports reporter Kate Green blends a chilling high-stakes kidnapping with the world of professional tennis. The disappearance of a female tennis star during the US Open leads Kate to collaborate with the FBI, her NYPD detective father, and the missing player’s biggest rival to connect a bizarre collection of clues. Kipness’s taut storytelling style will keep both series superfans and newcomers turning the pages, while the sharp-witted and uncompromising Kate will stick with them for a long time. Don’t miss this one!
July 27, 2025
The Kate Green Series is a Must-Read Thriller Gem
I was beyond excited to hear that Elise Hart Kipness released another installment in the Kate Green series—and it absolutely delivered!
This fast-paced, suspense-filled series follows Kate Green, a sharp and fearless sports reporter who somehow always finds herself at the center of the action. With every twist and turn, the story keeps you on edge, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, another surprise comes out of nowhere. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you flipping pages late into the night.
Elise’s writing style is so vivid and immersive, it’s easy to forget you’re reading at all. She brings the world—and Kate’s character—to life with effortless energy and intensity.
If you’re a fan of thrillers packed with mystery, action, and a strong female lead, this series should be at the top of your list. I highly recommend it to all my fellow thriller lovers!
Huge thanks to Elise Hart Kipness for the incredibly generous PR box and the gifted book. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I truly can’t wait for what’s next.
I was beyond excited to hear that Elise Hart Kipness released another installment in the Kate Green series—and it absolutely delivered!
This fast-paced, suspense-filled series follows Kate Green, a sharp and fearless sports reporter who somehow always finds herself at the center of the action. With every twist and turn, the story keeps you on edge, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, another surprise comes out of nowhere. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you flipping pages late into the night.
Elise’s writing style is so vivid and immersive, it’s easy to forget you’re reading at all. She brings the world—and Kate’s character—to life with effortless energy and intensity.
If you’re a fan of thrillers packed with mystery, action, and a strong female lead, this series should be at the top of your list. I highly recommend it to all my fellow thriller lovers!
Huge thanks to Elise Hart Kipness for the incredibly generous PR box and the gifted book. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I truly can’t wait for what’s next.
August 1, 2025
Another great one by Elise Hart Kipness. This is book 3 in the series but can stand on its own, although I have read them all. I have really enjoyed getting to know these characters, and I've enjoyed the underlying mystery that has flowed through all three books. Please don't let that mystery discourage you from picking up and starting with this book because it is a very small part of the overall story.
I am not a big sports fan(don't tell Elise😂) but I love the stories all the same. There are twists and turns, short chapters (the best) that are so propulsive. You can't stop reading.
I am not a big sports fan(don't tell Elise😂) but I love the stories all the same. There are twists and turns, short chapters (the best) that are so propulsive. You can't stop reading.
August 25, 2025
Close Call is a mystery that takes place in the professional tennis world. Everyone is in New York because it's the end of summer and the beginning of the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Kate Green is in New York to write a story on the 2 biggest female tennis players for a weekly tv show. She's a famous sports reporter who used to be an Olympic athlete so she has the respect of those she interviews. One of the women is young and just finding success while the other is a successful veteran player. As Kate is getting to know them, their coaches, and their families everything takes a turn when one of the girls goes missing.
Kate was the last to see the young woman the night before she went missing. She left a message for her team that she was pulling out of the tournament and needed some time. The timing seems off to Kate and those around the player. Why now? Why come to the tournament at all? While Kate is interviewing the other player, the player receives a text message that really upsets her. It's a photo of the other woman who is missing and she's bound and gagged. Why are they sending this photo to the other player? Someone has taken the woman so that she couldn't compete. Kate contacts her father who is an NYPD detective to get help with the case.
As the investigation grows, threats and demands are made by the kidnapper. Who would do this and why? The kidnapper seems to have information that will destroy the family if it gets out. As many people could be responsible you will have a hard time figuring this one out. I thought I knew who was behind it, but a big twist put me back to guessing again. Close Call is a fantastic thriller that I enjoyed reading, especially because it revolved around the U.S. Open which is just beginning now. If you love a good mystery, Close Call is out now. I rate Close Call 4 stars with a high recommendation. This book keeps you on your toes and just when you think you. have it figured out, you don't! I love hard to solve mysteries. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of Close Call in exchange for a fair review. #CloseCall
Kate was the last to see the young woman the night before she went missing. She left a message for her team that she was pulling out of the tournament and needed some time. The timing seems off to Kate and those around the player. Why now? Why come to the tournament at all? While Kate is interviewing the other player, the player receives a text message that really upsets her. It's a photo of the other woman who is missing and she's bound and gagged. Why are they sending this photo to the other player? Someone has taken the woman so that she couldn't compete. Kate contacts her father who is an NYPD detective to get help with the case.
As the investigation grows, threats and demands are made by the kidnapper. Who would do this and why? The kidnapper seems to have information that will destroy the family if it gets out. As many people could be responsible you will have a hard time figuring this one out. I thought I knew who was behind it, but a big twist put me back to guessing again. Close Call is a fantastic thriller that I enjoyed reading, especially because it revolved around the U.S. Open which is just beginning now. If you love a good mystery, Close Call is out now. I rate Close Call 4 stars with a high recommendation. This book keeps you on your toes and just when you think you. have it figured out, you don't! I love hard to solve mysteries. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of Close Call in exchange for a fair review. #CloseCall
September 3, 2025
A missing tennis star, a dangerous secret, and one reporter racing against time.
Close Call by Elise Hart Kipness follows sports reporter and former Olympian Kate Green as a high-profile tennis feature spirals into danger when one of the players vanishes. With the kidnapper threatening to expose devastating secrets, Kate teams up with her estranged detective father to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
I was so excited to dive into the third book in the Kate Green series, and it did not disappoint. Elise Hart Kipness has such a talent for blending the adrenaline of the sports world with the tension of a mystery, creating a fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked from the very first page. While this can absolutely be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the full series to appreciate Kate’s personal journey and growth. The stakes felt high right away, and I was completely invested in discovering what happened to Lucy.
I especially loved the return of Kate’s father, Detective Liam Green. Their strained father-daughter dynamic added an emotional layer to the mystery, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop alongside the case. The addition of new characters brought fresh energy to the story, and the tennis backdrop made this installment stand out in such an exciting way. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Kipness threw in twists that kept me guessing until the very end. This series continues to impress me, and I highly recommend checking this one out!
Chanté McCormick once again delivers a fantastic narration as Kate. She captures the urgency of the mystery while giving Kate’s voice authenticity and strength, making it easy to root for her as she works to untangle the case. Her performance pulled me even deeper into the story and kept me engaged from start to finish. If you’re an audiobook fan, this series is definitely worth adding to your listening queue.
Thank you Thomas and Mercer and Brilliance Publishing for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
Close Call by Elise Hart Kipness follows sports reporter and former Olympian Kate Green as a high-profile tennis feature spirals into danger when one of the players vanishes. With the kidnapper threatening to expose devastating secrets, Kate teams up with her estranged detective father to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
I was so excited to dive into the third book in the Kate Green series, and it did not disappoint. Elise Hart Kipness has such a talent for blending the adrenaline of the sports world with the tension of a mystery, creating a fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked from the very first page. While this can absolutely be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the full series to appreciate Kate’s personal journey and growth. The stakes felt high right away, and I was completely invested in discovering what happened to Lucy.
I especially loved the return of Kate’s father, Detective Liam Green. Their strained father-daughter dynamic added an emotional layer to the mystery, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop alongside the case. The addition of new characters brought fresh energy to the story, and the tennis backdrop made this installment stand out in such an exciting way. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Kipness threw in twists that kept me guessing until the very end. This series continues to impress me, and I highly recommend checking this one out!
Chanté McCormick once again delivers a fantastic narration as Kate. She captures the urgency of the mystery while giving Kate’s voice authenticity and strength, making it easy to root for her as she works to untangle the case. Her performance pulled me even deeper into the story and kept me engaged from start to finish. If you’re an audiobook fan, this series is definitely worth adding to your listening queue.
Thank you Thomas and Mercer and Brilliance Publishing for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2025
#ad much love for my advance copy @elisehartkipness #partner
& @thrillerbookloversthepulse #partner for the ALC
🎾🅲🅻🅾🆂🅴 🅲🅰🅻🅻🎾
ᴋᴀᴛᴇ ɢʀᴇᴇɴ, ʙᴏᴏᴋ 𝟥
ℍ𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕖𝕣, ℕ𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕒𝕞𝕖
Kate Green is back y’all! One of my most loved characters ever written. But this time she’s back investigating a kidnapping! Oof! One of my favorite tropes ever. Per usual, the story grips you from the start and keeps you fully entertained throughout.
Green is covering a story of two of the best tennis players to ever play, Lucy and Brynn. But things take a turn when Lucy goes missing and Brynn gets a text message of a picture showing Lucy bound and gagged. It’s a race to find her.
This might be my favorite Kate Green book ever! Seriously so GOOD! Who knew tennis could be so fun. 😉
𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖:
Kerry Washington Scandal - my fav ever!
Heather 💁🏼♀️
🎧: Also listened to the audiobook while following along and definitely loved this audiobook. Chanté McCormick is just as great as some of the greatest narrators. She has one of those voices that are just perfect for audiobooks. She brings Green to life and does it effortlessly. Can easily be listened to at 2x.
The writing is flawless, the characters vibrant, and the plot will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. One of the things - of the many - that Kipness does so well is keeping us on our toes. And keep us on our toes she does! Suspects galore.
Is this goodbye to Kate Green? 😭😱 Idk but whatever comes next you can guarantee I’ll be reading it.
✓ Short chapters
✓ Whodunit
✓ Kidnapping
✓ Fast-paced
✓ Suspenseful
& @thrillerbookloversthepulse #partner for the ALC
🎾🅲🅻🅾🆂🅴 🅲🅰🅻🅻🎾
ᴋᴀᴛᴇ ɢʀᴇᴇɴ, ʙᴏᴏᴋ 𝟥
ℍ𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕖𝕣, ℕ𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕒𝕞𝕖
Kate Green is back y’all! One of my most loved characters ever written. But this time she’s back investigating a kidnapping! Oof! One of my favorite tropes ever. Per usual, the story grips you from the start and keeps you fully entertained throughout.
Green is covering a story of two of the best tennis players to ever play, Lucy and Brynn. But things take a turn when Lucy goes missing and Brynn gets a text message of a picture showing Lucy bound and gagged. It’s a race to find her.
This might be my favorite Kate Green book ever! Seriously so GOOD! Who knew tennis could be so fun. 😉
𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖:
Kerry Washington Scandal - my fav ever!
Heather 💁🏼♀️
🎧: Also listened to the audiobook while following along and definitely loved this audiobook. Chanté McCormick is just as great as some of the greatest narrators. She has one of those voices that are just perfect for audiobooks. She brings Green to life and does it effortlessly. Can easily be listened to at 2x.
The writing is flawless, the characters vibrant, and the plot will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. One of the things - of the many - that Kipness does so well is keeping us on our toes. And keep us on our toes she does! Suspects galore.
Is this goodbye to Kate Green? 😭😱 Idk but whatever comes next you can guarantee I’ll be reading it.
✓ Short chapters
✓ Whodunit
✓ Kidnapping
✓ Fast-paced
✓ Suspenseful
July 21, 2025
This is book three in the Kate Green series. Please read the first two, Lights Out & Dangerous Play. They help with backstory on Kate, and tie things nicely together. You could read this one as a standalone, but if you want more insight into Kate’s investigation into her father, the other two help.
In this book, Kate is covering the US Open. We are fully submerged into women’s tennis. There is drama between two players, which dominates the story. But that becomes back drop when one of them goes missing. I was invested in the drama, and scandal, but when the kidnapping happens I was hooked on the thrills. Kate has a knack for getting caught up in investigations. She is so much more than a sports reporter.
I’m anxious for book four, and this one isn’t even out yet! lol Kate is one of those loveable, badass characters that you get invested in. I can’t wait to see what trouble she finds next.
In this book, Kate is covering the US Open. We are fully submerged into women’s tennis. There is drama between two players, which dominates the story. But that becomes back drop when one of them goes missing. I was invested in the drama, and scandal, but when the kidnapping happens I was hooked on the thrills. Kate has a knack for getting caught up in investigations. She is so much more than a sports reporter.
I’m anxious for book four, and this one isn’t even out yet! lol Kate is one of those loveable, badass characters that you get invested in. I can’t wait to see what trouble she finds next.
August 7, 2025
Be prepared to have your heart pounding and to be on the edge of your seat with this thriller read. If life didn’t interfere with read, this would have easily been a read in a single sitting book! I highly recommend this AMAZING thriller.
Yes it’s book 3 is the interconnected series but it can be read as a standalone, which is what I did! BUT… I can’t wait to read more of the books in this series.
If you like mystery/thrillers that have an arm chair detective vibe, you don’t want to miss this great thriller!
****Many thanks to Suzy’s Approved Book Tours, Elise Hart Kipness, and Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy.
Yes it’s book 3 is the interconnected series but it can be read as a standalone, which is what I did! BUT… I can’t wait to read more of the books in this series.
If you like mystery/thrillers that have an arm chair detective vibe, you don’t want to miss this great thriller!
****Many thanks to Suzy’s Approved Book Tours, Elise Hart Kipness, and Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy.
August 15, 2025
This is the 3rd book in the Kate Green series and it is SO good! I absolutely love this series and the author! This can be read as a standalone but I would highly suggest reading the series in order.
Kate Green, a sports reporter and former Olympian, has returned with an Emmy and is currently covering the US Open in Flushing Meadows. She is working on a feature, interviewing the two most prominent female tennis stars, the seasoned veteran and the rising star. Following an interview, one of them receives a disturbing text message, a photograph of the other bound and gagged. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Kate knows she must act to locate the kidnapped woman. She contacts her father, an NYPD detective, for assistance. The investigation leads them to the victim's hometown, where long forgotten secrets start to emerge. What exactly does the kidnapper want, and will they be able to find her before time runs out?
This series just keeps getting better! A behind-the-scenes look into the US Open. There's lots of drama, a kidnapping, and a murder. Not to mention the mystery of Kate's biological father, Liam. I was so drawn in by the immersive writing that I totally lost track of time! This book was fast-paced with an intriguing mystery. There was action, suspense, and everyone seemed to be a suspect. Kate Green is one of my very favorite book characters. She's a sports reporter who solves crime! This is seriously an addictive, gripping, twisty, unputdownable thriller. I HIGHLY recommend this one!🩷
Kate Green, a sports reporter and former Olympian, has returned with an Emmy and is currently covering the US Open in Flushing Meadows. She is working on a feature, interviewing the two most prominent female tennis stars, the seasoned veteran and the rising star. Following an interview, one of them receives a disturbing text message, a photograph of the other bound and gagged. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Kate knows she must act to locate the kidnapped woman. She contacts her father, an NYPD detective, for assistance. The investigation leads them to the victim's hometown, where long forgotten secrets start to emerge. What exactly does the kidnapper want, and will they be able to find her before time runs out?
This series just keeps getting better! A behind-the-scenes look into the US Open. There's lots of drama, a kidnapping, and a murder. Not to mention the mystery of Kate's biological father, Liam. I was so drawn in by the immersive writing that I totally lost track of time! This book was fast-paced with an intriguing mystery. There was action, suspense, and everyone seemed to be a suspect. Kate Green is one of my very favorite book characters. She's a sports reporter who solves crime! This is seriously an addictive, gripping, twisty, unputdownable thriller. I HIGHLY recommend this one!🩷
June 21, 2025
This is the third book of the series, and it didn't disappoint with its suspense, mystery, fast pace, and thriller elements. It can be read alone, but I recommend reading the previous book to understand the returning characters.
The story centers around the US Open, with Kate assigned to cover the tournament and interview one of the players for a documentary. However, when a player is kidnapped, she must call her estranged father, an NYPD detective. Time is running out, and secrets begin to emerge. This is a well-written story, with the sport as the main focus. I love the twist and the rush to find out what will happen at the end. If you love sports stories intertwined with mystery and suspense, this is for you—it releases on Aug 19.
Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher, for the eARC.
The story centers around the US Open, with Kate assigned to cover the tournament and interview one of the players for a documentary. However, when a player is kidnapped, she must call her estranged father, an NYPD detective. Time is running out, and secrets begin to emerge. This is a well-written story, with the sport as the main focus. I love the twist and the rush to find out what will happen at the end. If you love sports stories intertwined with mystery and suspense, this is for you—it releases on Aug 19.
Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher, for the eARC.
August 26, 2025
I was interested in this series as soon as I learned about it - thrillers whose main character, Kate Green, is a sports reporter.
Close Call focuses around the US Open, where a tennis star is kidnapped. It was easy to follow along with Chanté McCormick's narration, and the plot itself was pretty fast paced.
Because I jumped in to the series with book 3, I wasn't exactly engaged with a subplot involving Kate's estranged father. The backstory is mentioned - it's not that I was lost - I just wasn't really into that part of the book. I imagine that part was much more interesting to readers who've been waiting to learn more about him.
While not a standout favorite, I am likely to read more from this series in the future. I hope the other books include more sports!
Thank you to Brilliance Audio and Thomas & Mercer for free digital copies of this title for review.
Close Call focuses around the US Open, where a tennis star is kidnapped. It was easy to follow along with Chanté McCormick's narration, and the plot itself was pretty fast paced.
Because I jumped in to the series with book 3, I wasn't exactly engaged with a subplot involving Kate's estranged father. The backstory is mentioned - it's not that I was lost - I just wasn't really into that part of the book. I imagine that part was much more interesting to readers who've been waiting to learn more about him.
While not a standout favorite, I am likely to read more from this series in the future. I hope the other books include more sports!
Thank you to Brilliance Audio and Thomas & Mercer for free digital copies of this title for review.
July 10, 2025
Whenever I see that this author has a new book coming out I cannot wait to get a copy in my hands!! Her ability to write about a strong independent woman in a man’s world is everything to me!!
This is book three in the Kate Green series, I have read the other two and loved them! The story opens around the US Open and Kate is assigned to cover and interview. When she discovers a player is kidnapped she asks her father a NYPD detective to help. Working together they are determined to uncover secrets and which leads them back to the victims hometown and Kate is determined to solve the sinister mystery before it’s to late!
This is book three in the Kate Green series, I have read the other two and loved them! The story opens around the US Open and Kate is assigned to cover and interview. When she discovers a player is kidnapped she asks her father a NYPD detective to help. Working together they are determined to uncover secrets and which leads them back to the victims hometown and Kate is determined to solve the sinister mystery before it’s to late!
May 27, 2025
The third in this series, and once again Kate finds herself in the middle of a dangerous situation, when the tennis pro she is interviewing is kidnapped and held for ransom.
Kate teams up with her police officer father in order to find Lucy before its too late.
As always, this was a fast paced read, filled with plenty of tension, a whole host of suspects, and characters all hiding secrets.
I've really enjoyed this series so far. I hope there are more books to come.
Kate teams up with her police officer father in order to find Lucy before its too late.
As always, this was a fast paced read, filled with plenty of tension, a whole host of suspects, and characters all hiding secrets.
I've really enjoyed this series so far. I hope there are more books to come.
August 24, 2025
Torn between 4.5 and 5 🌟 As a tennis player, I loved everything about this book. Elise did a fantastic job describing the US Open and after going last year it was so fun to picture the facilities. Twists and turns galore in this mystery. Definitely give it a read!
I’ll be making sure to purchase and read her other two books.
I’ll be making sure to purchase and read her other two books.
July 9, 2025
Book 3 in the Kate Green series might be my favorite yet.
I love how these stories are rooted in the world of sports; this time, it’s all about tennis. Twisty, fast-paced, and full of strong female characters. A total page-turner!
I love how these stories are rooted in the world of sports; this time, it’s all about tennis. Twisty, fast-paced, and full of strong female characters. A total page-turner!
August 4, 2025
It’s crazy because although I’m not really a series girl or sports fan, I absolutely LOVE this series! This is the third book and I have devoured all three. Kate Green is a badass - - former Olympic athlete, intuitive journalist, loving mom and daughter and so much more. It’s always fun to catch up with her personally and professionally. Once again I was consumed cover to cover and the twists and turns kept me guessing.
September 21, 2025
4.5⭐️s Very well written easy to read book if time allows. It is based around tennis and the US Open so all tennis lovers will enjoy the storyline. Good mystery with a few twists. Enjoyable read and recommend.
August 12, 2025
This was an absolute page turner. I was sucked in from the start. I had no clue this was part of a series so I read it as a stand alone and was still able to truly enjoy it! Recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller and a sporty setting. Fun read! Thank you to netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC!
September 1, 2025
Went to author event 8/22/25. Third book in Tess Green series. Will read other two after.
September 4, 2025
Read 2025 - another good book within the Kate Green series. I like reading about her and what comes next for her.
In this book, Kate and her cameraman, Bill, are reporting on the US Open Tennis. By this time, Kate and her coworker, David, have broken up. Her twins, Nikki and Jackson, are off to college for their first year and Kate is focusing on her work. At the US Open, Kate is assigned to report on Lucy Bosco, an older tennis legend, and Brynn Cole, a new tennis superstar/ prodigy. Kate and Bill spend a day with Lucy in the town where she grew up, interviewing her, and going around town seeing Lucy's old stomping grounds. Lucy, usually a hard exterior, stand-offish type of woman starts to form a small bond with Kate. That night, when Kate is done reporting for the day - Lucy is supposed to go to dinner with her husband, Nico, but he blows her off so Kate goes to dinner with her instead. Lucy and Nico do not have the best marriage and it's obvious.
Sometime between leaving dinner with Kate and her opening match the next day, Lucy is kidnapped. Basically by the end - we find out that Lucy was kidnapped by Greggory Reese, Lucy's high school ex-boyfriend's brother. Greggory blamed Lucy for ruining Ian's (the brother) life. After high school, Lucy's tennis career took off. At the time, Brynn's father, Zane Cole was her coach. Zane told Lucy to either choose tennis or Ian. At that time, Ian had gone to prison for a drunk driving accident. But Lucy was pregnant... with Brynn. Who she gave up for adoption to her coach, Zane Cole and his wife, Alexis, who struggled to have a baby of their own. Lucy went off with her tennis while Ian rotted in prison - Greggory blamed Lucy for everything.
Kate Green worked closely with her father, Liam and the FBI to find Lucy. Kate worked with an FBI agent, Wade - by the end of the book, they're dating - pretty predictable that was going to happen.
Kate discovers Greggory kidnapped Lucy and was most likely keeping her in his pharmacy's cellar. Her and Wade go to the pharmacy and a struggle ensues between the three of them but Greggory is apprehended and eventually dies on his way to the hospital. Lucy is barely alive but taken to the hospital where she survives. At the hospital, she tells Kate that Lucy's husband, Nico, discovered it was Greggory who kidnapped his wife and instead of trying to save her - he approached Greggory and said he wouldn't turn him in if he spilt the ransom money with Nico. Greggory refused and didn't want Nico going to the cops about him, so Greggory killed Nico.
This story was a little predictable but some pretty good twists that I enjoyed. By the end, Liam finally tells Kate why he chose his job over his kids so many years prior. He got involved with a case with some extremely dangerous people and didn't want to put his family at risk. So he left and now that Kate knows, it puts a target on her back but finally knowing the truth brings her closer to her father.
In this book, Kate and her cameraman, Bill, are reporting on the US Open Tennis. By this time, Kate and her coworker, David, have broken up. Her twins, Nikki and Jackson, are off to college for their first year and Kate is focusing on her work. At the US Open, Kate is assigned to report on Lucy Bosco, an older tennis legend, and Brynn Cole, a new tennis superstar/ prodigy. Kate and Bill spend a day with Lucy in the town where she grew up, interviewing her, and going around town seeing Lucy's old stomping grounds. Lucy, usually a hard exterior, stand-offish type of woman starts to form a small bond with Kate. That night, when Kate is done reporting for the day - Lucy is supposed to go to dinner with her husband, Nico, but he blows her off so Kate goes to dinner with her instead. Lucy and Nico do not have the best marriage and it's obvious.
Sometime between leaving dinner with Kate and her opening match the next day, Lucy is kidnapped. Basically by the end - we find out that Lucy was kidnapped by Greggory Reese, Lucy's high school ex-boyfriend's brother. Greggory blamed Lucy for ruining Ian's (the brother) life. After high school, Lucy's tennis career took off. At the time, Brynn's father, Zane Cole was her coach. Zane told Lucy to either choose tennis or Ian. At that time, Ian had gone to prison for a drunk driving accident. But Lucy was pregnant... with Brynn. Who she gave up for adoption to her coach, Zane Cole and his wife, Alexis, who struggled to have a baby of their own. Lucy went off with her tennis while Ian rotted in prison - Greggory blamed Lucy for everything.
Kate Green worked closely with her father, Liam and the FBI to find Lucy. Kate worked with an FBI agent, Wade - by the end of the book, they're dating - pretty predictable that was going to happen.
Kate discovers Greggory kidnapped Lucy and was most likely keeping her in his pharmacy's cellar. Her and Wade go to the pharmacy and a struggle ensues between the three of them but Greggory is apprehended and eventually dies on his way to the hospital. Lucy is barely alive but taken to the hospital where she survives. At the hospital, she tells Kate that Lucy's husband, Nico, discovered it was Greggory who kidnapped his wife and instead of trying to save her - he approached Greggory and said he wouldn't turn him in if he spilt the ransom money with Nico. Greggory refused and didn't want Nico going to the cops about him, so Greggory killed Nico.
This story was a little predictable but some pretty good twists that I enjoyed. By the end, Liam finally tells Kate why he chose his job over his kids so many years prior. He got involved with a case with some extremely dangerous people and didn't want to put his family at risk. So he left and now that Kate knows, it puts a target on her back but finally knowing the truth brings her closer to her father.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2025
📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚
Close Call By Elise Hart Kipness
Publication Date: August 19, 2025
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A huge thank you to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-copy of this book! Everyone (including me!) at Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse is SUCH a fan of this series -- and this is my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
Kate Green, our favorite former-Olympian-turned-sports-reporter, is back for more amateur sleuthing in the world of sports! In Close Call, Elise Hart Kipness brings us a third installment of Kate's tenacious reporting from the sports world, where she somehow always seems to find herself in the midst of tension-filled mysteries while reporting on the biggest sports events of the day.
With its short chapters and fast-paced story-telling, this was a quick read that immersed me into the world of women's professional tennis and the US Open. This third installment seemed a little more sports-heavy and a little less mystery/thriller to me, but it may have just been the amount of interview dialogue between Kate and all those involved in the tight-knit circles of these tennis pros. Once the thriller storyline began, the pace picked up and my heart was pounding with the book's race against time.
Since each book's storyline is unique, I think you could read this book as a standalone. Given that this is the third book in the series, however, there are references to previous storylines that you won't fully understand without reading the first two books first. And honestly, it's such a great series that I highly recommend reading all of the books anyway, so you might as well start with Book One!!
Personally, I love Kate's amateur sleuthing skills and the way the author writes the police & FBI procedural portions of the book! The backdrop of sporting events in each book is a fun change from your typical thriller, and Kate's personality always shines in this series. If you haven't yet acquainted yourself with this crime fiction series, I highly recommend adding these books to your TBR!
#CloseCall #EliseHartKipness #AmazonPublishing #thrillerbookloversthepulse #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #eARC #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #crimefiction #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs
Close Call By Elise Hart Kipness
Publication Date: August 19, 2025
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A huge thank you to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-copy of this book! Everyone (including me!) at Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse is SUCH a fan of this series -- and this is my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
Kate Green, our favorite former-Olympian-turned-sports-reporter, is back for more amateur sleuthing in the world of sports! In Close Call, Elise Hart Kipness brings us a third installment of Kate's tenacious reporting from the sports world, where she somehow always seems to find herself in the midst of tension-filled mysteries while reporting on the biggest sports events of the day.
With its short chapters and fast-paced story-telling, this was a quick read that immersed me into the world of women's professional tennis and the US Open. This third installment seemed a little more sports-heavy and a little less mystery/thriller to me, but it may have just been the amount of interview dialogue between Kate and all those involved in the tight-knit circles of these tennis pros. Once the thriller storyline began, the pace picked up and my heart was pounding with the book's race against time.
Since each book's storyline is unique, I think you could read this book as a standalone. Given that this is the third book in the series, however, there are references to previous storylines that you won't fully understand without reading the first two books first. And honestly, it's such a great series that I highly recommend reading all of the books anyway, so you might as well start with Book One!!
Personally, I love Kate's amateur sleuthing skills and the way the author writes the police & FBI procedural portions of the book! The backdrop of sporting events in each book is a fun change from your typical thriller, and Kate's personality always shines in this series. If you haven't yet acquainted yourself with this crime fiction series, I highly recommend adding these books to your TBR!
#CloseCall #EliseHartKipness #AmazonPublishing #thrillerbookloversthepulse #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #eARC #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #crimefiction #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs
October 23, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audio format.
🎾 🎾
In Close Call, Elise Hart Kipness serves up a taut, high-stakes thriller that blends the adrenaline of elite sports with the emotional complexity of family estrangement and personal reinvention. This third installment in the Kate Green series finds the Emmy-winning sports reporter—and former Olympian—embroiled in a kidnapping case that unfolds during the U.S. Open, where ambition, fame, and danger collide on and off the court.
🧩 Kate Green is covering two tennis stars—one a rising ingénue, the other a brash veteran—when one vanishes and the other receives a chilling photo: her rival bound and gagged. Kipness wastes no time plunging readers into a mystery that’s as psychological as it is procedural. The stakes escalate when Kate enlists her estranged father, an NYPD detective, to help unravel the case. Their uneasy alliance adds emotional depth to a plot that’s already brimming with tension.
🎙️ Chanté McCormick’s performance elevates the audiobook experience. Her narration captures Kate’s grit, vulnerability, and sharp instincts, while deftly voicing a cast of characters that range from calculating suspects to emotionally wounded allies. McCormick’s pacing mirrors the story’s urgency, and her tonal shifts reflect the psychological undercurrents that ripple beneath the surface.
💡 What makes Close Call more than just a sports thriller is its exploration of identity—how fame can distort it, how trauma can reshape it, and how truth can reclaim it. Kipness threads these themes through Kate’s personal journey, especially in her fraught relationship with her father and her evolving sense of purpose beyond the spotlight.
📚 This is a thriller with heart. Elise Hart Kipness delivers a compelling mystery that’s as much about solving a crime as it is about confronting the past. With McCormick’s stellar narration, Close Call becomes a full-bodied experience—perfect for fans of character-driven suspense, sports drama, and emotionally intelligent storytelling.
🎾 🎾
In Close Call, Elise Hart Kipness serves up a taut, high-stakes thriller that blends the adrenaline of elite sports with the emotional complexity of family estrangement and personal reinvention. This third installment in the Kate Green series finds the Emmy-winning sports reporter—and former Olympian—embroiled in a kidnapping case that unfolds during the U.S. Open, where ambition, fame, and danger collide on and off the court.
🧩 Kate Green is covering two tennis stars—one a rising ingénue, the other a brash veteran—when one vanishes and the other receives a chilling photo: her rival bound and gagged. Kipness wastes no time plunging readers into a mystery that’s as psychological as it is procedural. The stakes escalate when Kate enlists her estranged father, an NYPD detective, to help unravel the case. Their uneasy alliance adds emotional depth to a plot that’s already brimming with tension.
🎙️ Chanté McCormick’s performance elevates the audiobook experience. Her narration captures Kate’s grit, vulnerability, and sharp instincts, while deftly voicing a cast of characters that range from calculating suspects to emotionally wounded allies. McCormick’s pacing mirrors the story’s urgency, and her tonal shifts reflect the psychological undercurrents that ripple beneath the surface.
💡 What makes Close Call more than just a sports thriller is its exploration of identity—how fame can distort it, how trauma can reshape it, and how truth can reclaim it. Kipness threads these themes through Kate’s personal journey, especially in her fraught relationship with her father and her evolving sense of purpose beyond the spotlight.
📚 This is a thriller with heart. Elise Hart Kipness delivers a compelling mystery that’s as much about solving a crime as it is about confronting the past. With McCormick’s stellar narration, Close Call becomes a full-bodied experience—perfect for fans of character-driven suspense, sports drama, and emotionally intelligent storytelling.
October 5, 2025
4.5 stars
I read the first book in the Kate Green series last year, the second book last month, and with this book, I’m now caught up. So now, Elise Hart Kipness, the ball is in your court! (Pun intended.)
Sports reporter Kate Green is now the co-anchor of a weekly TV show. She also has an Emmy under her belt. Her current assignment is to cover the U.S. Open, with particular focus on two American tennis stars—Lucy Bosco, the 10-time Grand Slam champion, who doesn’t suffer fools gladly and isn’t ready to quit yet, and 17-year-old Brynn Cole, whose bubbly personality is exceeded only by her talent on the court.
Tennis fans all over the world are waiting for the showdown between Lucy and Brynn. But it’s not going to happen, because inexplicably, Lucy pulls out before her first match.
Well, that’s the story, at least. It turns out Lucy gets kidnapped, and Brynn receives a picture of Lucy, bruised and tied up, and she’s told if she goes to the police, Lucy will die. And Brynn isn’t out of danger either.
The list of suspects is a mile long, and Kate helps the police with their investigation. It appears the kidnapper also has their eye on Kate, and despite her father’s pleas to stay out of the case, Kate felt a connection with Lucy because of her own sports background. Will they identify the perpetrator before it’s too late?
Kate is such a great character. She’s a fantastic reporter, which means she throws herself into the search for the truth, but she’s not superhuman. She’s flawed, and even a little petty. (Aren’t we all?) I’m a huge tennis fan so this really appealed to me, but it’s a terrific series even if you don’t like sports!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
I read the first book in the Kate Green series last year, the second book last month, and with this book, I’m now caught up. So now, Elise Hart Kipness, the ball is in your court! (Pun intended.)
Sports reporter Kate Green is now the co-anchor of a weekly TV show. She also has an Emmy under her belt. Her current assignment is to cover the U.S. Open, with particular focus on two American tennis stars—Lucy Bosco, the 10-time Grand Slam champion, who doesn’t suffer fools gladly and isn’t ready to quit yet, and 17-year-old Brynn Cole, whose bubbly personality is exceeded only by her talent on the court.
Tennis fans all over the world are waiting for the showdown between Lucy and Brynn. But it’s not going to happen, because inexplicably, Lucy pulls out before her first match.
Well, that’s the story, at least. It turns out Lucy gets kidnapped, and Brynn receives a picture of Lucy, bruised and tied up, and she’s told if she goes to the police, Lucy will die. And Brynn isn’t out of danger either.
The list of suspects is a mile long, and Kate helps the police with their investigation. It appears the kidnapper also has their eye on Kate, and despite her father’s pleas to stay out of the case, Kate felt a connection with Lucy because of her own sports background. Will they identify the perpetrator before it’s too late?
Kate is such a great character. She’s a fantastic reporter, which means she throws herself into the search for the truth, but she’s not superhuman. She’s flawed, and even a little petty. (Aren’t we all?) I’m a huge tennis fan so this really appealed to me, but it’s a terrific series even if you don’t like sports!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
August 12, 2025
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
📚 love this series
💨 are looking for a quick read
🎾 like to play tennis
🕵🏻♀️ want to be a detective
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
With a hard-won Emmy now gracing her mantel, sports reporter and former Olympian Kate Green turns her energy to the action unfolding in Flushing Meadows. Working on a feature for her weekly TV show, she spotlights two of today’s biggest female tennis stars: the sunny up-and-comer and the brash veteran. But the project goes sideways when one turns up missing.
Following an interview with Kate, one player receives a sinister text with a disturbing photo of the other woman, bound and gagged. Kate calls on her estranged father, an NYPD detective, for help in launching a search. Although wary he’s hiding something, she’s not sure where else to turn.
Their investigation leads to the victim’s hometown—and a growing list of suspects. The kidnapper threatens to spill secrets that could destroy lives. Tangled up in a deadly web of deceit, Kate races to connect the dots and find the missing player…before it’s too late.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
Though I haven’t read the previous books in this series, it can be read as a standalone, which I always appreciate when coming into a new series. Kate is a reporter who works with her father to solve the crime, and I was invested every step of the way. There are so many twists and turns that you simply never see coming, which I love to see! The story is also fairly short, which makes for a nice quick read. I don’t see a lot of books that center around sports, so I enjoyed this new to me aspect. I will definitely be reading the previous books in this series!
📚 love this series
💨 are looking for a quick read
🎾 like to play tennis
🕵🏻♀️ want to be a detective
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
With a hard-won Emmy now gracing her mantel, sports reporter and former Olympian Kate Green turns her energy to the action unfolding in Flushing Meadows. Working on a feature for her weekly TV show, she spotlights two of today’s biggest female tennis stars: the sunny up-and-comer and the brash veteran. But the project goes sideways when one turns up missing.
Following an interview with Kate, one player receives a sinister text with a disturbing photo of the other woman, bound and gagged. Kate calls on her estranged father, an NYPD detective, for help in launching a search. Although wary he’s hiding something, she’s not sure where else to turn.
Their investigation leads to the victim’s hometown—and a growing list of suspects. The kidnapper threatens to spill secrets that could destroy lives. Tangled up in a deadly web of deceit, Kate races to connect the dots and find the missing player…before it’s too late.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
Though I haven’t read the previous books in this series, it can be read as a standalone, which I always appreciate when coming into a new series. Kate is a reporter who works with her father to solve the crime, and I was invested every step of the way. There are so many twists and turns that you simply never see coming, which I love to see! The story is also fairly short, which makes for a nice quick read. I don’t see a lot of books that center around sports, so I enjoyed this new to me aspect. I will definitely be reading the previous books in this series!
November 8, 2025
Word on the street is that we won't be getting another Kate Green after this one, and I'm so sad! The author is doing another series now. I'm gonna cry! Well, here goes my last KG review:
Close Call hits all the right notes for a suspense lover. Set against the high-stakes backdrop of the US Open, this installment delivers a smart, twisty mystery with emotional depth and nonstop momentum. Emmy-winning sports reporter Kate Green finds herself in the middle of a shocking kidnapping that quickly spirals into something much bigger — and far more personal.
The pacing is pitch-perfect, with short chapters and escalating tension that make this a true one-sit read (or listen). Kate’s evolving relationship with her estranged father adds a strong emotional core, grounding the action with heart and complexity. Elise Hart Kipness threads those layers together seamlessly, balancing personal stakes with a gripping investigation.
Even if you don’t follow tennis, the setting is immersive and vivid, and the character dynamics keep the tension high. This series only gets better, and Close Call proves why Kate Green is a standout heroine in the mystery genre. A must-read for fans of smart, character-driven thrillers with a sharp edge. I might go back a re-listen to the whole series and start looking for another sports-focused heroine. I never thought I'd like this sports angle, but I found out otherwise with Kate Green.
Close Call hits all the right notes for a suspense lover. Set against the high-stakes backdrop of the US Open, this installment delivers a smart, twisty mystery with emotional depth and nonstop momentum. Emmy-winning sports reporter Kate Green finds herself in the middle of a shocking kidnapping that quickly spirals into something much bigger — and far more personal.
The pacing is pitch-perfect, with short chapters and escalating tension that make this a true one-sit read (or listen). Kate’s evolving relationship with her estranged father adds a strong emotional core, grounding the action with heart and complexity. Elise Hart Kipness threads those layers together seamlessly, balancing personal stakes with a gripping investigation.
Even if you don’t follow tennis, the setting is immersive and vivid, and the character dynamics keep the tension high. This series only gets better, and Close Call proves why Kate Green is a standout heroine in the mystery genre. A must-read for fans of smart, character-driven thrillers with a sharp edge. I might go back a re-listen to the whole series and start looking for another sports-focused heroine. I never thought I'd like this sports angle, but I found out otherwise with Kate Green.
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