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Doyle & Acton #20
Murder in Preemption
Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle had recovered from the injuries she’d sustained when the marina balcony collapsed, but it was becoming more and more clear that there’d been quite a bit going on, whilst she’d been unconscious for a few days. For starters, there’d been some sort of donnybrook at the hospital, and as a result Acton had been placed on leave—not to mention that one of her nurses had disappeared.
But these troubling developments couldn’t hold a candle to the spectacle of Acton, behaving all mild-as-milk and seemingly content in his current role as househusband.
It appeared that Doyle had her own mystery to solve—what on earth had happened, so that the world had turned upside-down? And what could her husband—who’d never been mild-as-milk a day in his life—be up to?
But these troubling developments couldn’t hold a candle to the spectacle of Acton, behaving all mild-as-milk and seemingly content in his current role as househusband.
It appeared that Doyle had her own mystery to solve—what on earth had happened, so that the world had turned upside-down? And what could her husband—who’d never been mild-as-milk a day in his life—be up to?
- GenresMysteryContemporary
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2024
54 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Anne Cleeland
36 books473 followersAnne Cleeland writes a contemporary Scotland Yard mystery series that is featured in the Amazon top 100 best sellers. She also writes a historical series of stand-alone books set in the Regency period. A member of International Thriller Writers, The Historical Novel Society, and Mystery Writers of America, she lives in California and has four children. www.annecleeland.com; @annecleeland.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 5, 2024
“You can’t out dance the devil,” - Kathleen Doyle.
Murder in Preemption is another fantastic adventure in the Acton and Doyle series. The way Anne Cleeland builds slow-burning suspense, then hits the reader with breathtaking action is a revelation in this series, every time.
Acton and Doyle make this series shine but it’s the excellent secondary characters who give life to this world.
Reynolds is becoming my favorite hero and I adore Seamus Riordan, such a relief the young Irishman came to no harm, this time. It’s good he’s home in Dublin snug in his library job. How awesome two literary ghosts teamed up to save Seamus. Time and distance should cool the budding romance with Callie, but it’s too dangerous for Riordan to be involved with Acton’s dim-witted half-sister.
Beautifully executed and I mournfully await the next book in this exquisite series.
Murder in Preemption is another fantastic adventure in the Acton and Doyle series. The way Anne Cleeland builds slow-burning suspense, then hits the reader with breathtaking action is a revelation in this series, every time.
Acton and Doyle make this series shine but it’s the excellent secondary characters who give life to this world.
Reynolds is becoming my favorite hero and I adore Seamus Riordan, such a relief the young Irishman came to no harm, this time. It’s good he’s home in Dublin snug in his library job. How awesome two literary ghosts teamed up to save Seamus. Time and distance should cool the budding romance with Callie, but it’s too dangerous for Riordan to be involved with Acton’s dim-witted half-sister.
Beautifully executed and I mournfully await the next book in this exquisite series.
September 28, 2024
❤
I have not been feeling good for a while, due to an illness, so I was so happy to see a new Acton and Doyle. Kathleen recovering from her injuries from the balcony falling, and Acton being put on leave. We get to see more interaction between Acton and his boys. Kathleen is as delightful as always. She is concerned due to her husbands change in behavior. I can't help but still feel sorry for Acton. He tries so hard but is still so different. He and Kathleen have a small circle but they are very loyal. I laugh every time Reynolds and Kathleen have exchanges. Reynolds, no matter what Kathleen says, is so stiff upper lip but you can feel his affection for her.
The mystery as usual is a good one. It relates to her hospital stay. I love the visit to Trestles. Kathleen can't help but wonder what is her husband up to?.Just know that you will enjoy this book. It always lifts my spirits when I get a new Acton and Doyle book. I feel like I am among friends.
I have not been feeling good for a while, due to an illness, so I was so happy to see a new Acton and Doyle. Kathleen recovering from her injuries from the balcony falling, and Acton being put on leave. We get to see more interaction between Acton and his boys. Kathleen is as delightful as always. She is concerned due to her husbands change in behavior. I can't help but still feel sorry for Acton. He tries so hard but is still so different. He and Kathleen have a small circle but they are very loyal. I laugh every time Reynolds and Kathleen have exchanges. Reynolds, no matter what Kathleen says, is so stiff upper lip but you can feel his affection for her.
The mystery as usual is a good one. It relates to her hospital stay. I love the visit to Trestles. Kathleen can't help but wonder what is her husband up to?.Just know that you will enjoy this book. It always lifts my spirits when I get a new Acton and Doyle book. I feel like I am among friends.
September 28, 2024
Twists and Turns and More
As always Anne Cleeland delivers a twisted mystery with many surprises especially for our sassy heroine Doyle. Once again Doyle is super naturally tasked with solving attempted murders, her devious husband's plots, and a little bit of matchmaking. I love how one story is a foundation for or entangled with previous stories and characters grow with each story. You won't be disappointed I read it in one night because I could NOT put it down! Thank you Anne Cleeland for another excellent adventure for Acton and Doyle!
As always Anne Cleeland delivers a twisted mystery with many surprises especially for our sassy heroine Doyle. Once again Doyle is super naturally tasked with solving attempted murders, her devious husband's plots, and a little bit of matchmaking. I love how one story is a foundation for or entangled with previous stories and characters grow with each story. You won't be disappointed I read it in one night because I could NOT put it down! Thank you Anne Cleeland for another excellent adventure for Acton and Doyle!
October 3, 2024
The most amazing writer. Have read all her Doyle/Acton books.
She is very gifted superb dialog.
She is very gifted superb dialog.
July 1, 2025
The 20th entry to this enjoyable husband-and-wife mystery series. While you could probably enjoy this book as a standalone, the lives of Doyle and Acton progress through the series and references are made to previous events.
At the end of the last book Doyle had survived a fire, an explosion, almost drowning and a concussion, waking at her husband's ancestral home of Trestles. Her husband has a black eye, her friend Williams is wounded as well, and her husband is on administrative leave, awaiting a hearing...she missed a lot when she was unconscious.
Her husband attempting to smother and protect her in cottonwool, wants her "out of the line-of-fire" so to speak, so as any good detective worth her salt, she'll have to make an end run to get her questions answered.
At the end of the last book Doyle had survived a fire, an explosion, almost drowning and a concussion, waking at her husband's ancestral home of Trestles. Her husband has a black eye, her friend Williams is wounded as well, and her husband is on administrative leave, awaiting a hearing...she missed a lot when she was unconscious.
Her husband attempting to smother and protect her in cottonwool, wants her "out of the line-of-fire" so to speak, so as any good detective worth her salt, she'll have to make an end run to get her questions answered.
October 7, 2024
At it again
Pure Doyle and Acton. there might be a sense of Deja Vu - as we know all the characters, have repercussions and consequences from the previous book, with Doyle in the Dark figuring it all out. I preorder these books, read them in one sitting and immediately pass it on. As so many friends enjoy this series. I also have digital copies as well as the trades. I do reread them. I also really like most of the ghosts. But now I am puzzling out one of the Trinity Library ones. Hmmm.
Pure Doyle and Acton. there might be a sense of Deja Vu - as we know all the characters, have repercussions and consequences from the previous book, with Doyle in the Dark figuring it all out. I preorder these books, read them in one sitting and immediately pass it on. As so many friends enjoy this series. I also have digital copies as well as the trades. I do reread them. I also really like most of the ghosts. But now I am puzzling out one of the Trinity Library ones. Hmmm.
December 17, 2024
This was another great addition to the Doyle & Acton series. As always, Acton is knee-deep in plots and Doyle is quickly thwarting him. I love that Acton is a twisted dude, but is totally committed to his family. Doyle's fey gifts, ghosts, and an intriguing set of supporting characters make each read in this series interesting.
As soon as I finished this book, I was pining away for the next.
As soon as I finished this book, I was pining away for the next.
November 15, 2024
Anne Cleeland has a way of writing that allows me as the reader to get right inside the minds of the characters. It's as if they are in the room with me.
This series continues to be a delight with Acton planning his plans while Doyle does her best to keep up and prevent too much mayhem.
My only complaint is I read the books too quickly and then have to wait for the next installment.
This series continues to be a delight with Acton planning his plans while Doyle does her best to keep up and prevent too much mayhem.
My only complaint is I read the books too quickly and then have to wait for the next installment.
February 14, 2025
This book deals with Doyle almost drowning at the end of the last book. She was placed in a coma at the hospital to protect her from brain damage. Acton is furious.
He spent the rest of the book getting revenge on everyone involved in hurting his wife. We get a few sentences from Acton's point of view.
He spent the rest of the book getting revenge on everyone involved in hurting his wife. We get a few sentences from Acton's point of view.
October 5, 2024
a good entry in the series
I like this series. They are a reliable read. I am looking forward to when they have three kids. Nothing particularly special about this particular book.
I like this series. They are a reliable read. I am looking forward to when they have three kids. Nothing particularly special about this particular book.
October 6, 2024
A Continuation of the Previous Book
Cleveland continues with the events that were detailed in the previous book. This book makes no sense to read unless you've read it and preferably all the previous books in this series. I was a bit disappointed.
Cleveland continues with the events that were detailed in the previous book. This book makes no sense to read unless you've read it and preferably all the previous books in this series. I was a bit disappointed.
October 17, 2024
Always an enjoyable read with Acton and Doyle. She has been recovering at Trestles after a near fatal accident and is getting antsy. Finally they return to London and she is tasked to find out what actually happened when she was out and why is her husband suspended???
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October 9, 202410/3/2024, at a Holiday Inn in Paris
October 13, 2024
#20 in the series. Thank you. Love them all and looking forward to 20 more.
October 21, 2024
3.75 ***
December 5, 2024
another solid entry in the series. maybe need to reread them all this holiday season...
December 30, 2024
More fun and games with Acton and Doyle. Love this series
March 16, 2025
Love this series!
March 21, 2025
Loved it.
May 3, 2025
4.5 stars I enjoy this series
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews