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Lena Dane Mysteries #1
The Big Keep
Former Chicago cop Selena “Lena” Dane has been going through the motions at her private investigation agency for years now. But then Lena learns that she’s unexpectedly pregnant just as she takes on a heartbreaking new client: Nate Christianti, a fourteen-year-old boy in search of his biological father, Jason.
Jason’s disappearance isn’t as clear-cut as everyone had thought, and Lena will need to follow his path of destruction halfway across the country to find Nate some answers. Along the way, however, Lena attracts the attention of a killer who’s willing to stalk her all the way back to Chicago to make sure she drops Nate’s case.
To protect the boy, the baby, and herself, Lena must find the killer – or die trying.
Jason’s disappearance isn’t as clear-cut as everyone had thought, and Lena will need to follow his path of destruction halfway across the country to find Nate some answers. Along the way, however, Lena attracts the attention of a killer who’s willing to stalk her all the way back to Chicago to make sure she drops Nate’s case.
To protect the boy, the baby, and herself, Lena must find the killer – or die trying.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2014
69 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Melissa F. Olson
42 books1,738 followersMelissa F. Olson is a writer and film professor. Her work includes the comic ARCHAIC, the feminist horror novel The Other Frankenstein, and more than 20 urban fantasy novels and novellas, including the Scarlett Bernard series and the Boundary Magic novels. Her journalism and academic work has been published in The International Journal of Comic Art, the compilation Images of the Modern Vampire, Tor.com, and the Everyone's Gone to the Movies series.
Melissa has been a writing teacher, English professor, and TEDx presenter, but she now divides her time between writing and conventions, where she speaks about issues related to genre, feminism, writing, and parenting. Read more about her life and work at MFOlson.com.
Melissa has been a writing teacher, English professor, and TEDx presenter, but she now divides her time between writing and conventions, where she speaks about issues related to genre, feminism, writing, and parenting. Read more about her life and work at MFOlson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 9, 2016
3.25 stars
I am more familiar with Olson's urban fantasy stories. But I like her writing so I decided to try this one. I liked the mystery okay -- Lena's relationship with his young teenager client, Nate, was the highlight of this book for me. Nate's story, his reason of hiring Lena in the first place, was pretty heartbreaking. I felt so much for this kid and I was happy with how his story ended. So I loved Nate and Lena's father, most especially.
Lena herself, on the other hand ... well, I truly didn't know what to make of her. I was having a difficult time reading about her reaction of being pregnant, keeping it a secret from her husband, not taking care of her pregnancy (she seemed to dismissing it out right) ... I mean, I sort of understand later on why she reacted that way, but before reaching to that point, it was quite a mess to read. Then there was that moment where Toby . Truth be told, I wasn't even sure if her marriage would survive -- or that it would be a stronger union after everything.
It was quite uncomfortable reading most of the time :(. Luckily Nate, and his case saved the book in the end for me.
I am more familiar with Olson's urban fantasy stories. But I like her writing so I decided to try this one. I liked the mystery okay -- Lena's relationship with his young teenager client, Nate, was the highlight of this book for me. Nate's story, his reason of hiring Lena in the first place, was pretty heartbreaking. I felt so much for this kid and I was happy with how his story ended. So I loved Nate and Lena's father, most especially.
Lena herself, on the other hand ... well, I truly didn't know what to make of her. I was having a difficult time reading about her reaction of being pregnant, keeping it a secret from her husband, not taking care of her pregnancy (she seemed to dismissing it out right) ... I mean, I sort of understand later on why she reacted that way, but before reaching to that point, it was quite a mess to read. Then there was that moment where Toby . Truth be told, I wasn't even sure if her marriage would survive -- or that it would be a stronger union after everything.
It was quite uncomfortable reading most of the time :(. Luckily Nate, and his case saved the book in the end for me.
July 24, 2014
3 stars? 4 stars? I DON'T KNOW. This was an impulse read I grabbed one night after seeing it on Melissa Olson's newsletter. (I haven't written up the second yet, of course, but I'm still liking her Scarlett Bernard trilogy a lot, and the third is due out soon.) Things about it were really upsetting, although not because they have any meaning for my own life now. The main one is kind of huge, both for book and for me (not a spoiler really), and it's that Lena finds out that she's pregnant and doesn't tell her husband, though he very much wants to have kids. She's also an ex-cop, forced out because she took on a thoroughly bad and well-old-boy-system-protected cop early on, and she's tough and able to defend herself against a lot, but just might take more chances than are a great idea while pregnant. It takes quite a long time to figure out what happened in her past that's left her where she is, but as we're inside her head I trusted her (in a limited way) enough that I was pretty sure she wasn't just being a bit of a wagon for no good reason. Which made me dislike her sister quite a bit, and be unhappy with Lena's husband's reaction to the news, with which I'd have been totally sympathetic normally. It wasn't withholding info in an obnoxious way, but seemed more the result of how Lena'd been coping, or partially coping, over the years. Still, as married behaviour goes, it wasn't pretty, and it wasn't easy reading.
Meanwhile, Lena's trying to help Nate, whose case really *is* as heartbreaking as the blurb says, and that was a whole other can of buttons, as - nobody to take care of your kids and you're dying? Worst nightmare. I LOVED Lena's father though, and was pretty sure that he was going to continue being quietly supportive in the best kind of way, which he did. The mystery element was fine, although a bit swamped by all the emotional stuff going on, but all in all this *just* worked for me. I wouldn't be at all confident in recommending it to friends though.
Finally, more love to Olson for writing another great dog, and - avert your eyes if you want to keep up the suspense - not going THERE with heroic sacrifice or anything.
Meanwhile, Lena's trying to help Nate, whose case really *is* as heartbreaking as the blurb says, and that was a whole other can of buttons, as - nobody to take care of your kids and you're dying? Worst nightmare. I LOVED Lena's father though, and was pretty sure that he was going to continue being quietly supportive in the best kind of way, which he did. The mystery element was fine, although a bit swamped by all the emotional stuff going on, but all in all this *just* worked for me. I wouldn't be at all confident in recommending it to friends though.
Finally, more love to Olson for writing another great dog, and - avert your eyes if you want to keep up the suspense - not going THERE with heroic sacrifice or anything.
September 18, 2016
I'm pretty confused about my own reaction to The Big Keep, but then the book itself was somewhat confusing. It's some kind of women's lit dressed as mystery book. The story revolves around Lena and her reaction to being pregnant rather than the mystery. You hear about her, her family, her husband (and by the way I'm so team Cristina here, I hate emphasis on kids, ad no, not all women want them. She went overboard, no doubt, but her words on career were true, too).
The so-called mystery was really weak, there wasn't much ground work, and I am not sure if it made that much sense.
Still, I enjoyed reading TBK, even if my own eyebrows were often arched...as I said I'm confused ;)
As long as you are not a mystery/crime aficionado this book is not bad. Simply do not expect a murder/suspence/mystery. This is a book about a woman and her pregnancy. Well, mostly.
The so-called mystery was really weak, there wasn't much ground work, and I am not sure if it made that much sense.
Still, I enjoyed reading TBK, even if my own eyebrows were often arched...as I said I'm confused ;)
As long as you are not a mystery/crime aficionado this book is not bad. Simply do not expect a murder/suspence/mystery. This is a book about a woman and her pregnancy. Well, mostly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read a PI novel in ages. Also, that's the fist book of this author I've read. I'm sure that it won't be my last.
The Big Keep is an entertaining story that kept me interested from the first to the last page. I really liked the protagonist and all the other characters in the book. I also liked the humour very much. It made me laugh many times and that is a plus for me.
Melissa Olson has a natural writing style and the relationships between the characters were very believable. I also enjoyed the many references to movies, series, songs and comic books.
I would recommend this book as I had a good times reading it. I'll also read any other installments, as the ending made me feel that there'll be a next book, not that it didn't have closure.
I haven't read a PI novel in ages. Also, that's the fist book of this author I've read. I'm sure that it won't be my last.
The Big Keep is an entertaining story that kept me interested from the first to the last page. I really liked the protagonist and all the other characters in the book. I also liked the humour very much. It made me laugh many times and that is a plus for me.
Melissa Olson has a natural writing style and the relationships between the characters were very believable. I also enjoyed the many references to movies, series, songs and comic books.
I would recommend this book as I had a good times reading it. I'll also read any other installments, as the ending made me feel that there'll be a next book, not that it didn't have closure.
December 4, 2015
I love mysteries with a strong female protagonist. The cover alone on this book made me hopeful.
The Big Keep has all the elements of a grand contemporary mystery and Lena Dane is a fantastic heroine. I love her backstory, her family and the rough dynamic of her (and other women's) police job experience. Dane's relationships are touching and vividly well-drawn. Dane's relationship with her client takes preeminence over her love relationship on the page and we are rewarded with a nuanced, kind and respectful view. I loved this story and truly hope the author continues with the series.
A good book friend of mine was reading it and had me intrigued. I investigated and was delighted to see that the author was born and raised less than an hour from where I live in northern Wisconsin. I find all of this humorous as the friend reading the book is in Hawaii. Small world.
The Big Keep has all the elements of a grand contemporary mystery and Lena Dane is a fantastic heroine. I love her backstory, her family and the rough dynamic of her (and other women's) police job experience. Dane's relationships are touching and vividly well-drawn. Dane's relationship with her client takes preeminence over her love relationship on the page and we are rewarded with a nuanced, kind and respectful view. I loved this story and truly hope the author continues with the series.
A good book friend of mine was reading it and had me intrigued. I investigated and was delighted to see that the author was born and raised less than an hour from where I live in northern Wisconsin. I find all of this humorous as the friend reading the book is in Hawaii. Small world.
April 7, 2017
Melissa F. Olson has a knack for writing strong, compelling female protagonists and Selena Dane is certainly that. Smart, funny, resourceful, and more than capable of kicking some ass (even while pregnant!). It was interesting, and refreshing, to read a take on the "Private Dick" novel told from a female perspective. The central mystery in the plot was compelling enough to keep me interested and Lena's family drama and backstory flowed well with the plot, never once feeling like a distraction. I hope to read more of this character in the future.
January 5, 2015
Lena Dane is a private investigator, who finds out she’s pregnant, right around the same time she agrees to take on a case from a 14 year old boy looking for his biological father. It’s not a dangerous case, so there is no reason she shouldn’t take it. Right?
I really liked this book, but action wise it has a bit of a slow start, but it picks up about half-way through, enough so that I didn’t want to put it down. I’ve read the author’s Scarlett Bernard series, which has a paranormal aspect, and really enjoyed those books, which is what made me pick this one up. The writing is just as good and definitely worth reading.
As Lena gets further into the case of Nate’s missing father, she realizes there is more to this case than either of them thought. It isn’t just a simple case of finding Nate’s missing father. While investigating, she ruffles a few feathers, and puts herself and her unborn baby in danger as she tries to piece the puzzle together.
It was refreshing to read a book where the lead character is already in a relationship with the love of her life. There is no gushing, or agonizing triangle stuff. Of course they have their moments where things aren’t going so well, and there is a little bit of drama, but the story isn’t centered around the relationship.
The relationship dynamic is really between Lena and Nate, her 14 year old client. Nate’s mother died years ago and his step-father is dying of cancer. So Lena takes him under her wing and kind of becomes like an older sister. She wants to find his father desperately. If she doesn’t he’ll probably be put into foster care, and she can’t bear to see that happen. Which is why she doesn’t give up the case, even when it’s not safe anymore and even when her husband asks her to drop it.
While trying to solve the case, Lena goes through a lot of self doubt regarding the pregnancy. Would she have to change who she is? Get a different job? Or be a stay home mom? She spends a lot of time in denial about the pregnancy. Not that she doesn’t want a baby eventually, but the anxiety and inadequacy a woman feels when she finds out she’s going to be bringing a child into this world is legitimate. Why would she want to bring a child, a child she knows she can’t keep 100% safe, into this world? Especially given her career choice, which she is not ready to give up.
The book didn’t end the way I expected as far as the killer was concerned, which is good since I like a surprise.
I definitely recommend it and I hope there will be more books in the Lena Dane series.
I really liked this book, but action wise it has a bit of a slow start, but it picks up about half-way through, enough so that I didn’t want to put it down. I’ve read the author’s Scarlett Bernard series, which has a paranormal aspect, and really enjoyed those books, which is what made me pick this one up. The writing is just as good and definitely worth reading.
As Lena gets further into the case of Nate’s missing father, she realizes there is more to this case than either of them thought. It isn’t just a simple case of finding Nate’s missing father. While investigating, she ruffles a few feathers, and puts herself and her unborn baby in danger as she tries to piece the puzzle together.
It was refreshing to read a book where the lead character is already in a relationship with the love of her life. There is no gushing, or agonizing triangle stuff. Of course they have their moments where things aren’t going so well, and there is a little bit of drama, but the story isn’t centered around the relationship.
The relationship dynamic is really between Lena and Nate, her 14 year old client. Nate’s mother died years ago and his step-father is dying of cancer. So Lena takes him under her wing and kind of becomes like an older sister. She wants to find his father desperately. If she doesn’t he’ll probably be put into foster care, and she can’t bear to see that happen. Which is why she doesn’t give up the case, even when it’s not safe anymore and even when her husband asks her to drop it.
While trying to solve the case, Lena goes through a lot of self doubt regarding the pregnancy. Would she have to change who she is? Get a different job? Or be a stay home mom? She spends a lot of time in denial about the pregnancy. Not that she doesn’t want a baby eventually, but the anxiety and inadequacy a woman feels when she finds out she’s going to be bringing a child into this world is legitimate. Why would she want to bring a child, a child she knows she can’t keep 100% safe, into this world? Especially given her career choice, which she is not ready to give up.
The book didn’t end the way I expected as far as the killer was concerned, which is good since I like a surprise.
I definitely recommend it and I hope there will be more books in the Lena Dane series.
September 25, 2014
I give this book four out of five stars for depth of characters, an entertaining hard to put down read, and a plot that had my mind wrapped up in it when I wasn’t reading the book.
What I liked about the book:
1) The plot, In The Big Keep, the author drops you into Lena’s life and it is quirky and real in all the right ways. As a private investigator Lena takes on a missing person’s case that turns into something unanticipated. The mystery twists and turns, as does her personal life during the reunion of a tragedy that changed her life five years before.
2) The characters, I liked them all. From the protagonist to the minor characters, each one is brought to life in a way that is real and interesting. Olson has a talent for the subtleties and the natural flow of human interactions. This is apparent in the first chapter of the book, and it is not lost as the book progresses.
3) The dialog was sincere and related the relationships between the characters without the narrative ever having to do so. Each character had a unique and clear voice.
What I didn’t like about the book:
1) There were some things an editor should have caught. There were random typo’s throughout the work. Most glaring was the war’s a certain bad guy fought in did not correspond to the wars his bad guy partner fought in. There is a large gap in time between someone fighting three tours in Vietnam and three tours in Iraq. West Point graduates officers, not snipers. This might seem like a nit-picky detail to some, but these things matter a lot to others. It would be a shame for a paragraph to discredit the total work, which I happened to really enjoy. If the book is revised in the future I recommend just taking that paragraph out.
2) There were two scenes that hit hard against my wall of suspended disbelief. While I liked the scene where Lena faces one of her demons, it was a little far fetched for me. If she was going to do it, I don’t think she would have left her insurance box of evidence rolling around on his steps. I also don’t think she would have ever been granted access to a “notorious prisoner” in a federal facility. If she had I don’t think the conversation would have gone that well.
Lena Dane is one of the best female cop characters I have encountered. Ms. Olson you have won a new fan in me and I can’t thank you enough for bringing a real woman law enforcement professional to life.
What I liked about the book:
1) The plot, In The Big Keep, the author drops you into Lena’s life and it is quirky and real in all the right ways. As a private investigator Lena takes on a missing person’s case that turns into something unanticipated. The mystery twists and turns, as does her personal life during the reunion of a tragedy that changed her life five years before.
2) The characters, I liked them all. From the protagonist to the minor characters, each one is brought to life in a way that is real and interesting. Olson has a talent for the subtleties and the natural flow of human interactions. This is apparent in the first chapter of the book, and it is not lost as the book progresses.
3) The dialog was sincere and related the relationships between the characters without the narrative ever having to do so. Each character had a unique and clear voice.
What I didn’t like about the book:
1) There were some things an editor should have caught. There were random typo’s throughout the work. Most glaring was the war’s a certain bad guy fought in did not correspond to the wars his bad guy partner fought in. There is a large gap in time between someone fighting three tours in Vietnam and three tours in Iraq. West Point graduates officers, not snipers. This might seem like a nit-picky detail to some, but these things matter a lot to others. It would be a shame for a paragraph to discredit the total work, which I happened to really enjoy. If the book is revised in the future I recommend just taking that paragraph out.
2) There were two scenes that hit hard against my wall of suspended disbelief. While I liked the scene where Lena faces one of her demons, it was a little far fetched for me. If she was going to do it, I don’t think she would have left her insurance box of evidence rolling around on his steps. I also don’t think she would have ever been granted access to a “notorious prisoner” in a federal facility. If she had I don’t think the conversation would have gone that well.
Lena Dane is one of the best female cop characters I have encountered. Ms. Olson you have won a new fan in me and I can’t thank you enough for bringing a real woman law enforcement professional to life.
August 28, 2014
I'm a huge fan of Olson's Scarlett Bernard series so I snatched up The Big Keep just because Olson wrote it. I was not disappointed.
Lena is a P.I. She became one after leaving the police force because of a terrible tragedy. Her husband, Toby, as a show of support, also left the police force and became a lawyer.
At the beginning of the book Lena finds out she's pregnant. She doesn't feel very maternal and she fears she will have to stop doing the job she loves. So her solution is to keep it a secret from Toby for as long as possible.
Lena has a habit of getting too emotionally involved with her clients and her new one is no different. Nate is a fourteen year old boy desperate to find his biological father. Lena takes on the case and from there I was hooked in the search.
I loved all of the characters. Nate was a great kid, I probably would have gone above and beyond for him just as Lena did. I liked Lena's relationship with her dad and sister. Lena made me angry sometimes with the chances she took but it all worked out.
I loved the ending. There was a hint at more cases to come but this one was wrapped up nice and tidy. Well done!
Lena is a P.I. She became one after leaving the police force because of a terrible tragedy. Her husband, Toby, as a show of support, also left the police force and became a lawyer.
At the beginning of the book Lena finds out she's pregnant. She doesn't feel very maternal and she fears she will have to stop doing the job she loves. So her solution is to keep it a secret from Toby for as long as possible.
Lena has a habit of getting too emotionally involved with her clients and her new one is no different. Nate is a fourteen year old boy desperate to find his biological father. Lena takes on the case and from there I was hooked in the search.
I loved all of the characters. Nate was a great kid, I probably would have gone above and beyond for him just as Lena did. I liked Lena's relationship with her dad and sister. Lena made me angry sometimes with the chances she took but it all worked out.
I loved the ending. There was a hint at more cases to come but this one was wrapped up nice and tidy. Well done!
August 8, 2022
good plotting
This is a mystery where a pregnant private detective is looking into a 14-year-old’s father who abandoned him when he was young. The actual mystery is decent but I almost DNFed this book because I found some aspects very irritating. I have read and enjoyed other series by this author (Lexi and Scarlett) so I don’t know if this was an earlier effort before she became better at developing characters and less reliant on stereotypes or what.
The main character, Lena, has flaws, which is fine. She’s hard headed and somewhat immature and reckless. She is also presented as being good at her job, but I work with investigators frequently and everything she does is extremely sloppy. It feels like the author did minimal research on the career (enough to find out about databases but that’s about it) and never followed through to see how an investigator would actually approach a case. As a result Lena comes off as incompetent and succeeds mainly by luck, coincidence, and a little pavement pounding. It isn’t a mystery you can really solve along with her because she doesn’t so much gather clues as have them fall in her lap.
The book violates the rule “show, don’t tell” and to make it worse, what you’re told is often at odds with what is shown—like Lena presented as very good at her job when the evidence doesn’t support it. Lena says she has an amazing, caring husband—who then repeatedly is a complete jerk throughout the book, giving her ultimatums and the silent treatment. It’s an extremely unhealthy relationship and is presented as normal with him as the adult and Lena as the flawed one. Similarly her sister is pretty abusive but is presented as normal. Lena’s father is the only character I really liked. The kid is saintly to an unbelievable level. I’m all for flawed characters, but it needs to be developed so I don’t feel like I’m being gaslit
Finally, this is something that likely won’t bother others, but was the point I was very tempted to dnf—she claims prisoners are treated better and have better food than first class plane passengers. Give me a break. I’ve been in a lot of prisons and jails and being deprived of your liberty and family and at the whim of guards and wardens is not comparable to being asked to remain seated for a brief plane ride. And unless you consider bologna or peanut butter sandwiches the height of cuisine, inmates are not fed better than first class passengers. These false stereotypes are partly why America incarcerates at such an extremely high rate. I found it lazy and offensive and inappropriate in a book that claims to have a knowledgeable protagonist.
Overall the story was fine, but I won’t continue the series
This is a mystery where a pregnant private detective is looking into a 14-year-old’s father who abandoned him when he was young. The actual mystery is decent but I almost DNFed this book because I found some aspects very irritating. I have read and enjoyed other series by this author (Lexi and Scarlett) so I don’t know if this was an earlier effort before she became better at developing characters and less reliant on stereotypes or what.
The main character, Lena, has flaws, which is fine. She’s hard headed and somewhat immature and reckless. She is also presented as being good at her job, but I work with investigators frequently and everything she does is extremely sloppy. It feels like the author did minimal research on the career (enough to find out about databases but that’s about it) and never followed through to see how an investigator would actually approach a case. As a result Lena comes off as incompetent and succeeds mainly by luck, coincidence, and a little pavement pounding. It isn’t a mystery you can really solve along with her because she doesn’t so much gather clues as have them fall in her lap.
The book violates the rule “show, don’t tell” and to make it worse, what you’re told is often at odds with what is shown—like Lena presented as very good at her job when the evidence doesn’t support it. Lena says she has an amazing, caring husband—who then repeatedly is a complete jerk throughout the book, giving her ultimatums and the silent treatment. It’s an extremely unhealthy relationship and is presented as normal with him as the adult and Lena as the flawed one. Similarly her sister is pretty abusive but is presented as normal. Lena’s father is the only character I really liked. The kid is saintly to an unbelievable level. I’m all for flawed characters, but it needs to be developed so I don’t feel like I’m being gaslit
Finally, this is something that likely won’t bother others, but was the point I was very tempted to dnf—she claims prisoners are treated better and have better food than first class plane passengers. Give me a break. I’ve been in a lot of prisons and jails and being deprived of your liberty and family and at the whim of guards and wardens is not comparable to being asked to remain seated for a brief plane ride. And unless you consider bologna or peanut butter sandwiches the height of cuisine, inmates are not fed better than first class passengers. These false stereotypes are partly why America incarcerates at such an extremely high rate. I found it lazy and offensive and inappropriate in a book that claims to have a knowledgeable protagonist.
Overall the story was fine, but I won’t continue the series
October 1, 2017
I really liked this. I don't normally dig on mysteries, but I like Melissa F. Olson's supernatural series and so I figured I would give this a shot. I really enjoyed it. I like her female characters that are multi dimensional and Lena Dane is the best example. You can be feminine and hardcore, you can be a badass, but still a basket case. That's what is missing in many female lead action novels, but Lena delivers.
June 11, 2019
Loved this book
I was surprised to find a non supernatural book by Melissa Olson, but I loved it. I really hope she does a prequel ( unless there's already one I missed ?) with what happened with Cleary. I guess this was written a few years ago, and I've seen no mention of more Lena Dane. It's sad because it could be a wonderful new series. I am so glad I discovered Lena Dane Mystery(s)? Please write more.
I was surprised to find a non supernatural book by Melissa Olson, but I loved it. I really hope she does a prequel ( unless there's already one I missed ?) with what happened with Cleary. I guess this was written a few years ago, and I've seen no mention of more Lena Dane. It's sad because it could be a wonderful new series. I am so glad I discovered Lena Dane Mystery(s)? Please write more.
May 9, 2019
A fun mystery with a real woman
Loved a pregnant PI! Snarky and broken but with a heroe's heart. Needs a bit of clean up on double words in a few rare spots, but well written and a good read! Only 4 stars because I really disliked Toby the hubby. It all works but he was a jerk and didn't make sense to me sometimes.
Loved a pregnant PI! Snarky and broken but with a heroe's heart. Needs a bit of clean up on double words in a few rare spots, but well written and a good read! Only 4 stars because I really disliked Toby the hubby. It all works but he was a jerk and didn't make sense to me sometimes.
May 18, 2019
It was a fun mystery and a sweet story.
I really hope the author decides to keep moving forward with this series. It was a good mystery and a really sweet story line between Lena and Nate. I like the pregnant PI trying to figure out how to combine both of her worlds. I think a lot of women struggle with this when they become pregnant. It was a great read.
I really hope the author decides to keep moving forward with this series. It was a good mystery and a really sweet story line between Lena and Nate. I like the pregnant PI trying to figure out how to combine both of her worlds. I think a lot of women struggle with this when they become pregnant. It was a great read.
March 3, 2020
Excited book; great story and engaging characters
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've enjoyed Ms. Olson's supernatural books and thought I'd give this one a try. I liked this one even more. How about another Lena Dane story soon?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've enjoyed Ms. Olson's supernatural books and thought I'd give this one a try. I liked this one even more. How about another Lena Dane story soon?
March 16, 2020
I loved this book!
Great character development, and a kick was story about a woman not having to give up who she is to also be a great mom. I've been reading Olson's other books and enjoy them. But this one wins! I would have given 5 stars except there are some editing errors.
Great character development, and a kick was story about a woman not having to give up who she is to also be a great mom. I've been reading Olson's other books and enjoy them. But this one wins! I would have given 5 stars except there are some editing errors.
July 3, 2020
Great story
Wonder if she ever knew that in one part where she was talking to Nate that it switched from first person to third person with "Selena said...." that was rather disconcerting.
Wonder if she ever knew that in one part where she was talking to Nate that it switched from first person to third person with "Selena said...." that was rather disconcerting.
November 16, 2021
Well done
Gave it Five stars to encourage a sequel, would have been four if there were more to the series and a chance to get to know the main character after she moved on from expecting.
Gave it Five stars to encourage a sequel, would have been four if there were more to the series and a chance to get to know the main character after she moved on from expecting.
May 9, 2024
loved the complicated protagonist
I enjoyed Melissa Olson’s paranormal work but was really impressed with this female PI story. She does great stuff with both meeting and subverting genre conventions. Really looking forward to more!
I enjoyed Melissa Olson’s paranormal work but was really impressed with this female PI story. She does great stuff with both meeting and subverting genre conventions. Really looking forward to more!
August 7, 2017
Excellent read
Lena is just the right balance of bad assery and sentiment with the perfect supporting cast. Can't wait for the next one.
Lena is just the right balance of bad assery and sentiment with the perfect supporting cast. Can't wait for the next one.
September 3, 2019
I liked it
I enjoyed this book. I was entertained the whole way, and a happy ending. Another good one by Melissa Olson.
I enjoyed this book. I was entertained the whole way, and a happy ending. Another good one by Melissa Olson.
January 26, 2020
Straight task world detective mystery story, no urban fantasy like her other books I've been devouring, but I'd read about Lena Dane all day. Loved it!
August 31, 2020
She is a gem
Stumbled upon this author and couldn't be happier. Her characters are down to earth and you just want to hang out with them.
Stumbled upon this author and couldn't be happier. Her characters are down to earth and you just want to hang out with them.
December 15, 2020
I hope the writer decides to continue with additional stories involving this character.
July 20, 2022
light and entertaining with good characters
Olson makes you love or hate her characters, and even though this had no supernatural themes, it was still engaging.
Olson makes you love or hate her characters, and even though this had no supernatural themes, it was still engaging.
January 4, 2023
great read
I found the story refreshing and entertaining! I couldn’t stop until I finished it and then I had to go back and read the short that lead me to it!!
I found the story refreshing and entertaining! I couldn’t stop until I finished it and then I had to go back and read the short that lead me to it!!
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
May 9, 2017
A good read, loved the story!
This is a good read, and I really loved the story. So far Ive enjoy all of Ms Olson's books. I plan on following her work as long as I keep enjoying it.
YEP, I'm a fan!
This is a good read, and I really loved the story. So far Ive enjoy all of Ms Olson's books. I plan on following her work as long as I keep enjoying it.
YEP, I'm a fan!
November 23, 2014
Disclosure: I received a review copy form the author/publisher in exchange for a honest review.
I haven’t read a mystery or non-paranormal book in awhile, so it was a nice change when I picked up The Big Keep. The Big Keep is centered on Lena, an ex-cop turned Private Investigator after a horrible incident involving a team member on the police force. At the start of the novel, Lena discovers that she’s pregnant. But not wanting to quit working Lena keeps the pregnancy a secret from her husband Toby. Lena doesn’t think it’s much of a big deal as the case she ends up accepting involves helping a teenager, Nate find his biological father. No biggie right? What should have been a quick and easy case turns dangerous as Lena is stalked by an unknown person hell-bent on stopping Lena from finding Nate’s biological father.
The Big Keep started out a bit slow. It wasn’t till I was a few chapters in, that the book got my attention. As with cases, Lena had to research and dig to find Nate’s dad, Jason’s whereabouts. But once Lena got going and discovered more about Jason, that’s when all the action starts. I am a big fan of Olson’s Scarlett Bernard series, so it came as no surprise that I ended up loving these characters just as much. Olson has a way of creating very real and relatable characters that just leap off the pages; from the main characters to the secondary and tertiary characters…every single person was fully realized and developed. I really liked Lena, she’s definitely a tough chick that does what she wants and isn’t afraid to put others before herself (or her unborn child). When Lena works on her case, she isn’t just working to make money but she literally throws herself into it and takes every case personally like they were family.
While it’s admirable to be determined and brave (Lena working on Nate case regardless of someone pointy telling her to stop or they’ll go after her and her baby/the family). It was reckless and selfish at the same time. I didn’t like the fact that Lena didn’t tell Toby right off the bat she was pregnant, especially when she knew how much he’s dying to have kids. Yes, readers do find out the reasoning behind it and I understood the why. The reasoning is so traumatic for Lena, it’s still affecting her year(s ?) later. But I still couldn’t get over it. Lena knew what she was doing every time, not only is she putting herself in danger but that of her unborn child. I wasn’t cool with that. So every time Lena knowingly put herself in harms way, I just cringed while reading it which inadvertently pulls me from the story. Lena is very stubborn woman, and while I hoped she’d be more careful after the first dangerous situation, she wasn’t. Other than that, overall…Lena was a good-likeable heroine.
Bottom line The Big Keep was a very enjoyable read and I found myself liking it more than I expected; regardless of my little problem with Lena’s choices. The mystery was well done, so well, that when the big reveal came I was totally shocked. Let me just say I didn’t see that one coming! Love the story and the all the characters. Lena’s family is just too wonderful and adorable and Nate is such a smart and lovable kid. His story was all sorts of heart-breaking but everything turned out great in the end…yup, I was very happy with how it wrapped up (case and story wise). I highly recommend The Big Keep! If you’re a fan of Olson’s Scarlett Bernard series then you won’t want to miss this new series!
I haven’t read a mystery or non-paranormal book in awhile, so it was a nice change when I picked up The Big Keep. The Big Keep is centered on Lena, an ex-cop turned Private Investigator after a horrible incident involving a team member on the police force. At the start of the novel, Lena discovers that she’s pregnant. But not wanting to quit working Lena keeps the pregnancy a secret from her husband Toby. Lena doesn’t think it’s much of a big deal as the case she ends up accepting involves helping a teenager, Nate find his biological father. No biggie right? What should have been a quick and easy case turns dangerous as Lena is stalked by an unknown person hell-bent on stopping Lena from finding Nate’s biological father.
The Big Keep started out a bit slow. It wasn’t till I was a few chapters in, that the book got my attention. As with cases, Lena had to research and dig to find Nate’s dad, Jason’s whereabouts. But once Lena got going and discovered more about Jason, that’s when all the action starts. I am a big fan of Olson’s Scarlett Bernard series, so it came as no surprise that I ended up loving these characters just as much. Olson has a way of creating very real and relatable characters that just leap off the pages; from the main characters to the secondary and tertiary characters…every single person was fully realized and developed. I really liked Lena, she’s definitely a tough chick that does what she wants and isn’t afraid to put others before herself (or her unborn child). When Lena works on her case, she isn’t just working to make money but she literally throws herself into it and takes every case personally like they were family.
While it’s admirable to be determined and brave (Lena working on Nate case regardless of someone pointy telling her to stop or they’ll go after her and her baby/the family). It was reckless and selfish at the same time. I didn’t like the fact that Lena didn’t tell Toby right off the bat she was pregnant, especially when she knew how much he’s dying to have kids. Yes, readers do find out the reasoning behind it and I understood the why. The reasoning is so traumatic for Lena, it’s still affecting her year(s ?) later. But I still couldn’t get over it. Lena knew what she was doing every time, not only is she putting herself in danger but that of her unborn child. I wasn’t cool with that. So every time Lena knowingly put herself in harms way, I just cringed while reading it which inadvertently pulls me from the story. Lena is very stubborn woman, and while I hoped she’d be more careful after the first dangerous situation, she wasn’t. Other than that, overall…Lena was a good-likeable heroine.
Bottom line The Big Keep was a very enjoyable read and I found myself liking it more than I expected; regardless of my little problem with Lena’s choices. The mystery was well done, so well, that when the big reveal came I was totally shocked. Let me just say I didn’t see that one coming! Love the story and the all the characters. Lena’s family is just too wonderful and adorable and Nate is such a smart and lovable kid. His story was all sorts of heart-breaking but everything turned out great in the end…yup, I was very happy with how it wrapped up (case and story wise). I highly recommend The Big Keep! If you’re a fan of Olson’s Scarlett Bernard series then you won’t want to miss this new series!
July 18, 2016
In "The Big Keep" Melisa Olsen moves away from vampires,witches and werewolves to write a story about an ex-Chicgao cop turned Private Detective.
I knew from the first chapter, "Little Sticks of Destiny", that I would enjoy this book. The little sticks are pregnancy testing kits and the novel starts with Lena Dane staring at the recently peed-on stick in her hand that declares that it is her destiny is to become a mother in a few month's time. While she's still struggling to come up with a reaction to this information, she meets a potential new client: a teenage boy in search of his father. She takes on the case partly out of sympathy for the boy and partly to distract herself from her newly declared destiny.
I loved the originality of the opening. I can't remember ever having read a story opening with a PI finding she's pregnant. I loved the humour in the writing and in the dialogue, the fact that the characters are both real and likeable, the easy to read, natural writing style and the strong orientation towards relationships over plot.
The book more than lived up to my expectations.It is a book about what it means to be in a family. The characters are richly drawn and the relationships between them seem authentic. Lena Dane is a good PI but she isn't superhuman. She isn't even setting out to be a hero. Yet she is strong and brave and smart and has good taste in comics. I could believe in her as a cop. I could also see why she might doubt her own ability to be a mother. Olson has come up with a great female lead here: likeable, credible and still very much an individual with strengths and flaws to be explored.
Lena's father runs a comic book store and the book is filled with references to all kinds of comics and movies. As usual with Melissa Olson there's a well described dog character, which I take as a plus. The relationships between Lena and her sister and Lena and her husband are complicated and sometimes tense but the love she has for each of them is clear.
The plot is a good one. Olsen manages to broaden a simple missing person case into something much bigger and more dangerous without asking me to suspend disbelief and without making Lena into a passionate avenger who is too stubborn to stay out of harm's way. The twist and turns in the plot kept me guessing.
The best thing about the book is characters in it. That's a rare thing in a PI series. I hope Melissa Olsen can pull herself away from her urban fantasies (much as I love them) long enough to produce more Lena Dane novels.
I knew from the first chapter, "Little Sticks of Destiny", that I would enjoy this book. The little sticks are pregnancy testing kits and the novel starts with Lena Dane staring at the recently peed-on stick in her hand that declares that it is her destiny is to become a mother in a few month's time. While she's still struggling to come up with a reaction to this information, she meets a potential new client: a teenage boy in search of his father. She takes on the case partly out of sympathy for the boy and partly to distract herself from her newly declared destiny.
I loved the originality of the opening. I can't remember ever having read a story opening with a PI finding she's pregnant. I loved the humour in the writing and in the dialogue, the fact that the characters are both real and likeable, the easy to read, natural writing style and the strong orientation towards relationships over plot.
The book more than lived up to my expectations.It is a book about what it means to be in a family. The characters are richly drawn and the relationships between them seem authentic. Lena Dane is a good PI but she isn't superhuman. She isn't even setting out to be a hero. Yet she is strong and brave and smart and has good taste in comics. I could believe in her as a cop. I could also see why she might doubt her own ability to be a mother. Olson has come up with a great female lead here: likeable, credible and still very much an individual with strengths and flaws to be explored.
Lena's father runs a comic book store and the book is filled with references to all kinds of comics and movies. As usual with Melissa Olson there's a well described dog character, which I take as a plus. The relationships between Lena and her sister and Lena and her husband are complicated and sometimes tense but the love she has for each of them is clear.
The plot is a good one. Olsen manages to broaden a simple missing person case into something much bigger and more dangerous without asking me to suspend disbelief and without making Lena into a passionate avenger who is too stubborn to stay out of harm's way. The twist and turns in the plot kept me guessing.
The best thing about the book is characters in it. That's a rare thing in a PI series. I hope Melissa Olsen can pull herself away from her urban fantasies (much as I love them) long enough to produce more Lena Dane novels.
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