The White Picket Fence

Romantic Suspense #30.5

by Karen Rose

Tino Ciccotelli is a sketch artist who discovers his newest client, a victim of a vicious assault, is his former high school art teacher. He is devastated to see her injuries and determined to help the police catch her attacker, but he must also deal with the return of her niece, his first love who left him when their lives were just beginning.

Charlotte Walsh has always regretted leaving Tino, her fear of being stuck in marriage like her parents driving her away from Tino and his dreams of a house with a white picket fence. Her life did not play out as she'd expected and, after an assault by a stalker, has returned to Philadelphia, only to have her aunt targeted for violence.
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Now she and Tino must work together to find the man who left her aunt for dead, but soon realize the killer's true target is much closer than they think.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Crime, Suspense, Thriller, Second Chance

180 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2024

About the author

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
www.karenrosebooks.com

Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”

Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.

Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!

Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.

A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.

Reviews

[iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small book from kindle,
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, quick and easy going .
Small chapters and great characters. Doesn’t need sex to try and make it stand out .
Btw I’m not a prude!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, well-written, romantic suspense novella. It is fast paced with a strong and capable, resourceful female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, a heartwarming, second chance romance, and a satisfying conclusion. It is an excellent addition to Ms. Rose's Philadelphia/Atlanta series, and it can be read as a stand alone. Her loyal readers will appreciate the appearance of characters from her previous novels.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a road not taken plot. The heroine decided she wanted adventure so left the hero after high school and went to school on the other side of the country. Bad things happened to her that wouldn't have happened if she had stayed. I have got to say that Karen Rose can pack a lot into a novella length book. Second chance romance and baffling mystery, the only thing missing is the double-digit body count.

Charlotte Walsh is back in her hometown, Philadelphia, PA, because things went very wrong both in her personal life and her professional life. She came home to regroup and care for her aging aunt. She settles into her new place and restarts her life as a restaurant critic, only to have her life upended by violence again when her aunt is brutally assaulted.

Tino Ciccotelli's line of work puts him in contact with people during the absolute worst times in their lives. His skill as a highly sought after sketch artist has him in demand across the country. When he is called to the local hospital, he is surprised to find his high school art teacher is the victim and shocked to find her niece there with her.

This meeting between Charlotte and Tino brought home to both of them that they have unfinished business even after 24 years, but they are both determined to find the person who assaulted Charlotte's aunt. During their investigation they discover that this case is much more than a brutal assault and that Charlotte's life may also be in danger.

[Fatima Rezigui · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't explain how happy i get when old characters are mentioned! Even though it's a novella with less than 200 pages long, the impact of the crimes and obsession of the killer are horrendous!

Tino is a police sketch artist, he is first mentioned in "Die for me" he is the brother of the lead detective Vito in that book! back then, he did help a lot and took care of Sophie well! i like him, especially the way he and Sophie are together!

Charlotte is strong, after what happened to her, she sure is strong! She and Tino used to date in high school, they broke up and then met after 24 years! I love how sweet and selfless yet smart she is!

The story is that Charlotte's aunt was attacked and Tino is taking the sketch of the perpetrator, he and Charlie start talking and then they figure out that whoever hurt the aunt wants Charlotte!

Karen Rose is the queen of disturbing criminals! The perp here is obsessed with Charlie since high school and and killed many people to get to her!

Favourite scene is the way Charlie made the pepper spray to save herself! that was super badass

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review summary: Another excellent read from Rose

I’m a BIG Karen Rose fan – so when I saw she had a new novella coming out (that realistically is the length of some novels), I knew I was going to read it.

White Picket Fence is a great read –it showcases why Rose is so good (excellent crime procedural with some romance) with a great throwback to characters from her earlier books. Not only does Rose engross you with an intriguing story, but it’s nice to revisit old characters and get closure. She always chooses complex and sickening crimes, but does them in a way that isn’t too triggering.

I hope Rose continues with these novellas – they’re not only a great excuse to reread her old books, but showcase her writing is captivating whether its for a 700 page book or at 180 pages.

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
The White Picket Fence returns readers to Philadelphia and the Ciccotelli family for a story featuring one of my favourite secondary characters Tino Ciccotelli. Who nine years ago helped his brother Vito catch notorious serial killer Simon Vartanian in Die For Me.

And since then Tino has made a name for himself as a successful sketch artist travelling around the country working with police forces and the FBI helping victims of crimes to potentially identify their attackers.

But now he's back home after his latest successful case and is urgently required to help someone he knows well. His old art teacher Mrs Johnson. Who is recovering in hospital after being severely beaten in her own home.

So Tino is more determined than ever to create a sketch that will catch her attacker no matter how long it takes. What he doesn't expect is to bump into Charlotte Walsh, his first love and the woman who pretty much ruined him for all others.

Yet, she is far from the girl who walked away from him twenty-four years ago, and Tino knows there is a lot more to her story than she's saying and believes the attack on her aunt may not have been random especially when Charlotte tells Tino about her stalker hell.

And with a nice mix of suspense and romance and a few familiar faces. This was a novella that I absolutely devoured, and I'm so pleased that more stories featuring some of the more memorable secondary characters are planned. And I can't wait to see who is next. This has also made me want to read Vito's story again!! 😂

I would happily recommend!

[Klare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Karen Rose story. This one featuring Tino Ciccotelli & Charlotte Walsh as the main characters. It’s fast paced and I read it in two sittings.

[Charlene Gaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Rose is one of my favorite authors. Her books never disappoint. I love how each book stands on its own but the characters' lives intertwine which is another reason why going back in time a bit to learn more about Tino was so enjoyable.

[Melody Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may have been a small book but it was outstanding to read

[Smriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed. Didn't have the pull , not enough mystery and suspense and danger. Emotions were nice and so were characters. But I expected more.

[Holly Cotterill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been Karen's biggest fan but this one feels like she's asked someone else to write it. It's very rushed and half the length of a normal book.

[Barb Lie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The White Picket Fence by Karen Rose is a novella based on her romance suspense series (30.5). An old favorite returns, Tino Ciccotelli; who is a sketch artist, passionately dedicated to helping victims identify those who were assaulted. Tino returns to Philadelphia, to help a former high school art teacher who was brutally beaten; together Tino and the teacher are able to draw what she remembers. Tino is also faced with seeing his former girlfriend, watching over her aunt; she was his first love, who left him 17 years ago.

Charlotte Walsh has never forgotten Tino, and always regretted leaving him; which was due to her family and wanting to be free. Charlotte was very close to her aunt, and she is devasted by the assault by an unknown stalker. Charlie was a food critic, and one day she gave a bad review, which led her to be assaulted; the attacker was sent to jail. Her life was difficult, especially with her continued damage of her attack; now she worries about her aunt.

Tino and Charlie slowly begin have feelings again, but they both try to keep it at a distant, since there is someone out there who is determined to find Charlie. Tino will get his brother, Vito (a detective) to help find out who is behind the threat against Charlie. They learn that the man who attacked Charlie a few years ago, was murdered in prison. This leads to another person who is killing those close to Charlie; some one from the past, who will stop at nothing to kidnap her. Tino was determined to protect Charlie at any cost, despite Vito trying to keep him from getting involved. Will Tino save Charlie?

I really liked Tino and Charlie together, and hoped they would find a way to start again. It was also very nice to see Vito and Sophie again, as they were wonderful together. As we get closer to the end, all hell breaks out, as both Tino and Charlie’s life is in danger, with a twisted killer on the loose. The White Picket Fence was a terrific read, that had us holding our breath. The White Picket Fence was so very well written by Karen Rose. This was a fast paced and exciting thriller, which I suggest you read.

Barb
The Reading Cafe

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 Stars

The White Picket Fence is Book #30.5 in The Romantic Suspense Universe (Philadelphia/Atlanta Book #3.5) by Karen Rose. This series includes the Chicago, Philadelphia/Atlanta, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Sacramento, New Orleans, and San Diego series books.
It is an intricately woven collection of interconnected thrillers that blend high-stakes crime investigations with emotion, and slow-burn romance. This shared ‘universe’ approach – where each book focuses on a different couple – (yet) has characters, cities, and cases which overlap, creating a rich tapestry of relationships and storylines that reward long-time readers, as well as those looking for worthy binge reading fodder. It’s best read in the publication order for maximum impact, but each book can be read as a standalone without feeling like you are missing anything or getting ‘lost’.
Ms. Rose’s writing is immersive, and she excels at balancing pulse-pounding danger with tender, human moments, making you care as much about the characters’ emotional healing as you do about catching the villain. Her antagonists are chillingly believable, and the investigative details feel authentic without bogging down the pace.
If you enjoy crime thrillers with a strong emotional core, the Romantic Suspense Universe is sure to please. But, be warned, expect late nights, racing hearts, and characters you’ll think about long after the last page.
Happy Reading…

[Addy'z ~ Booksrrr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una historia muy corta pero que logra abordar y plantear de buena manera su historia, dándole sentido a la pareja y haciéndola muy linda.

Si bien la historia sobre el acosador pudo resultar más interesante al darle más tiempo y desarrollo, logra cerrar bien en el corto espacio que tiene para contar (cantidad de páginas).

En cuanto a la pareja me hubiera gustado también ver más sobre ellos, pero al ser una historia corta logra acertar en comoanejar a sus personajes y lo que ellos cuentan y sienten.

Por supuesto que se siente que pudo tener más contenido tanto por el caso criminal que los empuja a volver a reencontrarse, pero sobre todo por su historia pasada. Al final es un ok en el buen sentido.

Dos cosas nada que ver, 1 me di cuenta que he leído y tengo varios libros por leer de esta saga así que trataré de ir al principio, pero son demasiados 😖 y 2 es agradable leer a personajes de casi 40 años.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been too long since I read the early books in this series. But it's great having the stories of some of the side characters. I'm thrilled the author has written this and plans to write more of these. I read easily all in one sitting.

Tino is a police sketch artist and his brother Vito is a homicide lieutenant. Die For Me #7 is the story of Vito and Sophie.

Tino sees his high school sweetheart for the first time in 24 years as he works with her aunt to try to identify the man who beat her. The aunt was an art teacher who encouraged Tino in the past and has a better eye for details than regular victims.

Charlie had left Tino after graduation because she wanted to be free of the smaller town and see the world. Instead, she had several misfortunes, although she realized quickly she had made a mistake.

Tino has always been a great guy and here he shows his kindness and support for the woman who left him.

COYER April Mystery RAT

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Rose never fails to bring her books to life -- and this novella takes readers back years ago when we first met Tino Ciccotelli. The present story reunites Tino with his high school girlfriend -- the one who got away. Both are in their early forties now and a lot of water has passed under the bridge in both their lives.

The novella is a topnotch fast-paced suspense-filled conclusion to his and Charli's tortured pasts. If you've read Rose's books, you know to expect twists, turns and intense scenes from start to finish that will definitely bring on gasps and shocks. Also, there are re-visits and updates from characters who previously had starring roles in Rose's older books.

And a bit of good news that more novellas are coming from previous characters as well. Yippee!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. I don't think Karen Rose has ever written a bad book, at least in my opinion. Although I'm not going to lie, I would have loved this as a full length novel.

This actually pulled off what a lot of other novellas don't, in my opinion. It gave a pretty full story in a short amount of pages. Of course I would have loved more, but this really summed up the past history and the current relationship. I don't feel like anything was left out.

Ms Rose was able in a short amount of time tell that history and bring them together in the current time without leaving anything out. The progression made sense.

[NotTheTea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐



👩🏼‍🍳🏡I started this book cause it's short and I don't wanna take any chance with boring books cause I'm on brink of a reader's block and have to finish reading goal😖 I trust Karen rose BUT 😑 I don't think I remember Tino and kinda didn't like the blurb.


👩🏼‍🍳🏡Artist, okay....I think I am vaguely rememberi his character, sister tess, her book is on my tbr.


👩🏼‍🍳🏡I hope there's more to Charlotte leaving him thn just adventure.


👩🏼‍🍳🏡Not the Ai 😑


👩🏼‍🍳🏡Can we not hash out the past when we're in verge of solving the mystery?


👩🏼‍🍳🏡Hmmm......I did not dread the read which is enough rn. And it was a novella so🤷‍♀️

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute, condensed story.

I loved seeing Vito, and especially Sophie, again. Sophie will always be my favourite Karen Rose character, so whenever she’s mentioned I get stupidly giddy!

The story was good, and well written - could it have benefitted from being longer? Yes. It might have stopped it feeling quite as cliche as it does, at times. But that’s bound to happen in a story as short as this!

Loved it! I hope more get released as a paperback soon, it’s such a cool idea to go back to older characters and give them a mini story! How awesome that there are so many characters in this universe that we’re spoiled for choice!

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of history here with these characters. I was surprised that Tino and Charlie were able to be civil at the start. But with things being what they were, they were forced to talk and from there talk more in depth with the past and what each wanted from the present.

It sucked what they figured out and why so many people were hurt or worse, but at least now the threat is gone and Tino and Charlie can live their lives. You know they won't be leaving any of those behind that were affected.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely surprise to return to Philadelphia and the Ciccotelli clan who we first met in Die for Me.

Tino Ciccotelli, the artistic brother, is still helping older brother Vito as a sketch artist. One day he is called to the hospital to interview a patient; his old art teacher and Aunt of his first love, Charlie.

It becomes apparent that her Aunt’s attack and 3 other murders in the neighbourhood have a single common denominator; Charlie!
Can Tino, Charlie and the rest of the Ciccotelli family find the murderer before anyone else is hurt?

Read on …… and enjoy

[Ann C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Karen Rose's books and enjoyed everyone of them. She is probably the only author that I don't complain about the long length of her books. This book, however, was short. At least by her standards.

This book was a joy to read. It was fun to revisit some of her older characters.

[Christine Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

I loved this book and was hooked from page one. It’s a great second chance at love. Charlotte (Charlie) has broken Tino’s heart when they were 18. She’s returned home, but has a stalker. She still trusts him and he’s trying to not open his heart. But they’ve always loved each other. Thankfully they finally get their happy ever after.

[Suzanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and easy reading story, Karen Rose is one of my favourite authors, and this novella has helped me start reading again after a bit of a reader's block. Whilst novellas aren't my favourite style of writing to read, I'll read anything by this author. It is nice that some of the "filler characters" of the series' books are getting their own stories told.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a pleasure to read a book and really enjoy it. Loved the Tino Ciccotelli and family catch up. This might be only a novella but it's a well written, nail biting one. I liked how Tino did not observe the "rules" set out by Vito in the final take down. Charlotte was a lovely person and sure had been through a lot.

[Cc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her books have gotten too insta love, there must be some tension for me to enjoy. The whole fantasy world of the too good hero, the amazing understanding heroine......yuck, it's like that slimey goo stuff you can't get off. And really, who wants to feel like they're gooey when reading a sex scene? The hero's just a shade too beta, and innocent even at 35? I think he's 35. I felt like I needed to explain where things were......... Well written, as usual, but my tastes have changed. So the 3 stars are for the writing.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I’d been hoping that Tino would get his own story since the first time he appeared. It was worth the wait. Charlie and Tino obviously belong together. It was also great to catch up with Vito and Sophie.

[Lorraine Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by the fabulous Karen Rose, read all her books, best author out there, can never wait for the next one, I'm too impatient, love all her books, totally amazing and fabulous author

[Vivian Byfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

As always another gripping read from this author. Great storytelling with full enjoyable characters. Always a treat to read one of this authors book and this one delivered, the pages turned themselves.

[Gary Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as always

Great to go back to the Ciccotelli characters especially to get more from Tino. Feel like I need to re-read that group of books again.

Fantastic storyline, just a shame it wasn't a normal length book with more time to bring the characters details through.