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Anna Curtis #4
A Good Killing
Former federal prosecutor and critically acclaimed author Allison Leotta’s spellbinding thriller follows prosecutor Anna Curtis as she heads home to Michigan to defend her sister in a case that will bring her to her knees.
Newly single after calling off her wedding, sex-crimes prosecutor Anna Curtis is summoned home to Michigan when her old high school coach—a hometown hero—is killed in a fiery car crash. But Anna isn’t there to prosecute a crime, she’s home to support her innocent sister, Jody, who has been wrongfully accused of the coach’s murder.
But maybe Jody isn’t so innocent after all? The police are convinced that Jody was having an affair with the married coach and killed him out of jealousy. As Anna investigates with the help of her childhood friend Cooper Bolden—an Afghan War veteran with a secret of his own—she slowly peels back the facade of her all-American hometown and discovers that no one is telling the truth about the coach, not even the people she thought she knew best.
When the town rallies against them, threatening not just Jody’s liberty but both sisters’ lives, Anna resolves to do everything she can to save her sister and defend the only family she has left.
In her best book yet, Leotta, “a highly entertaining storyteller” (George Pelecanos), explores the limits of vigilante justice, the bonds of sisterhood, and the value of the truth.
Newly single after calling off her wedding, sex-crimes prosecutor Anna Curtis is summoned home to Michigan when her old high school coach—a hometown hero—is killed in a fiery car crash. But Anna isn’t there to prosecute a crime, she’s home to support her innocent sister, Jody, who has been wrongfully accused of the coach’s murder.
But maybe Jody isn’t so innocent after all? The police are convinced that Jody was having an affair with the married coach and killed him out of jealousy. As Anna investigates with the help of her childhood friend Cooper Bolden—an Afghan War veteran with a secret of his own—she slowly peels back the facade of her all-American hometown and discovers that no one is telling the truth about the coach, not even the people she thought she knew best.
When the town rallies against them, threatening not just Jody’s liberty but both sisters’ lives, Anna resolves to do everything she can to save her sister and defend the only family she has left.
In her best book yet, Leotta, “a highly entertaining storyteller” (George Pelecanos), explores the limits of vigilante justice, the bonds of sisterhood, and the value of the truth.
301 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2015
96 people are currently reading
2484 people want to read
About the author
Allison Leotta
11 books421 followersFor twelve years, I was a federal prosecutor in Washington, DC, where I specialized in prosecuting sex crimes, domestic violence, and crimes against children.
I started writing because I saw heartbreaking tragedies, acts of shocking evil, and vulnerable victims every day - but also moments of real heroism, true love, and healing. Given the stories I witnessed, the rich cast of characters I worked with, and my lifelong love of fiction, I had to write a book.
I wanted to create a story that would both entertain and teach about the way the criminal justice system works—and doesn’t work. I focused on a nightmare shared by domestic-violence prosecutors: losing a case and setting free an abuser who eventually kills his victim. I wanted to explore why so many women stay with boyfriends who hurt them. And I wanted to create a strong, smart female prosecutor who would empathize with her witnesses because she shared some of their experiences – but whose romantic life would suffer from those same experiences.
Law of Attraction was written in the spaces of my life between prosecuting and mommying. I started writing while I was pregnant with my first son. I would wake up at 5:00 a.m. and write for a couple of hours before heading to work. I wrote at night and on weekends. After my son was born, I wrote during his naps and after bedtime. Now, the sound of a softly snoring baby triggers a Pavlovian response in me to start typing.
In 2010, Simon & Schuster published LAW OF ATTRACTION. The Washington Post called it “a racy legal thriller, taking on a still-taboo subject.” Suspense Magazine named it one of the best books of the year, and Library Journal gave it a starred review, calling it "riveting."
The sequel, DISCRETION, will be published this July, and is available for pre-order.
I also blog about what TV crime shows get right and wrong, from my perspective as a real sex-crimes prosecutor. The ABA named my blog, the Prime-Time Crime Review, one of the best legal blogs in America.
I went to Michigan State University and Harvard Law School. Now I live in Maryland with my two sons and my husband, Michael.
I started writing because I saw heartbreaking tragedies, acts of shocking evil, and vulnerable victims every day - but also moments of real heroism, true love, and healing. Given the stories I witnessed, the rich cast of characters I worked with, and my lifelong love of fiction, I had to write a book.
I wanted to create a story that would both entertain and teach about the way the criminal justice system works—and doesn’t work. I focused on a nightmare shared by domestic-violence prosecutors: losing a case and setting free an abuser who eventually kills his victim. I wanted to explore why so many women stay with boyfriends who hurt them. And I wanted to create a strong, smart female prosecutor who would empathize with her witnesses because she shared some of their experiences – but whose romantic life would suffer from those same experiences.
Law of Attraction was written in the spaces of my life between prosecuting and mommying. I started writing while I was pregnant with my first son. I would wake up at 5:00 a.m. and write for a couple of hours before heading to work. I wrote at night and on weekends. After my son was born, I wrote during his naps and after bedtime. Now, the sound of a softly snoring baby triggers a Pavlovian response in me to start typing.
In 2010, Simon & Schuster published LAW OF ATTRACTION. The Washington Post called it “a racy legal thriller, taking on a still-taboo subject.” Suspense Magazine named it one of the best books of the year, and Library Journal gave it a starred review, calling it "riveting."
The sequel, DISCRETION, will be published this July, and is available for pre-order.
I also blog about what TV crime shows get right and wrong, from my perspective as a real sex-crimes prosecutor. The ABA named my blog, the Prime-Time Crime Review, one of the best legal blogs in America.
I went to Michigan State University and Harvard Law School. Now I live in Maryland with my two sons and my husband, Michael.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
October 9, 2015
The Anna Curtis series was pretty much love at first site for me, and I haven't lost a bit of that feeling throughout the entire series! I find that I love this series more and more with each book!
I find myself totally engulfed in the writing of Allison Leotta! I thoroughly enjoy that with each new book comes a totally different set of problems for Anna to figure out! I also like that she provides enough of a back drop that even if it's been awhile since you've read the previous book, you can pick up the newest book without any sense of being lost! I think that Leotta has a unique ability to write mystery books, as she's a former Prosecutor and has the know-how to adequately write and accurate depiction of what would really being happening if the book were real-life!
Anna Curtis is such a great character! She is a fierce, independent woman who has no fear of what's to come! She has a no-nonsense attitude and doesn't let anything scare or away nor will she back down from something she believes in! I think her character is part of what I love so much about this series! I find myself living vicariously through Anna Curtis!!!
Speak of the Devil left me heartbroken for Anna, so I was really interested to see where A Good Killing would take us! It was a breath of fresh air to remove Anna from DC and her heartbreak, and to see her step outside of her usual Prosecutorial role, and to step into the Defense Attorney role to protect her beloved sister!
A Good Killing will lead you through a series of emotions, from heartbreak, to vulnerable characters, to shocking acts that will leave you guessing clear to the end of the book! This book will peak your interest from the very beginning to the last word, so make sure you don't miss out on Allison Leotta's latest and greatest creation! You won't be sorry!!!!
For a more in depth review, please visit my blog, ChorleyChronicals!!!!
I find myself totally engulfed in the writing of Allison Leotta! I thoroughly enjoy that with each new book comes a totally different set of problems for Anna to figure out! I also like that she provides enough of a back drop that even if it's been awhile since you've read the previous book, you can pick up the newest book without any sense of being lost! I think that Leotta has a unique ability to write mystery books, as she's a former Prosecutor and has the know-how to adequately write and accurate depiction of what would really being happening if the book were real-life!
Anna Curtis is such a great character! She is a fierce, independent woman who has no fear of what's to come! She has a no-nonsense attitude and doesn't let anything scare or away nor will she back down from something she believes in! I think her character is part of what I love so much about this series! I find myself living vicariously through Anna Curtis!!!
Speak of the Devil left me heartbroken for Anna, so I was really interested to see where A Good Killing would take us! It was a breath of fresh air to remove Anna from DC and her heartbreak, and to see her step outside of her usual Prosecutorial role, and to step into the Defense Attorney role to protect her beloved sister!
A Good Killing will lead you through a series of emotions, from heartbreak, to vulnerable characters, to shocking acts that will leave you guessing clear to the end of the book! This book will peak your interest from the very beginning to the last word, so make sure you don't miss out on Allison Leotta's latest and greatest creation! You won't be sorry!!!!
For a more in depth review, please visit my blog, ChorleyChronicals!!!!
June 4, 2015
A GOOD KILLING
Allison Leotta
This is a new author for me despite it being the fourth in the series. It is an appealing thriller that examines the bonds of sisterhood, a local hero with feet of clay, old friendships, and an intricate plot.
Anna Curtis is a sex crimes prosecutor in Washington D.C. who rushes back to her home town of Detroit to defend her sister on a first degree murder charge of the well liked football coach. The trial begins with a judge who is connected to the coach and the locals who look at the coach as the town’s hero hence no one is telling the truth. With the help of a childhood friend, an Afghan war veteran Anna is determined to break the code of silence and prove her sister not guilty.
A very good book that was well written with very good character development, and I will read more of her books.
Allison Leotta
This is a new author for me despite it being the fourth in the series. It is an appealing thriller that examines the bonds of sisterhood, a local hero with feet of clay, old friendships, and an intricate plot.
Anna Curtis is a sex crimes prosecutor in Washington D.C. who rushes back to her home town of Detroit to defend her sister on a first degree murder charge of the well liked football coach. The trial begins with a judge who is connected to the coach and the locals who look at the coach as the town’s hero hence no one is telling the truth. With the help of a childhood friend, an Afghan war veteran Anna is determined to break the code of silence and prove her sister not guilty.
A very good book that was well written with very good character development, and I will read more of her books.
July 24, 2015
I received this one as a Goodreads First Read Give-Away. Many thanks!
This is the 4th in a series featuring Anna Curtis, a state prosecutor in Michigan. I read the first one, but not the 2nd or 3rd. This one does well as a stand-alone, but there's a lot of background that makes it important to go back to the beginning.
Anna calls off her wedding and the following day she gets a call from her sister Jody's friend who states that Jody is in trouble and Anna needs to come. Since timing is everything, and she's just finished a big case and she doesn't want to deal with her ex at the moment, off she goes.
Arriving at Jody's she is surprised that Jody is being accused of murder ... of a much loved high school coach. With the help of an old old friend, Anna takes on her sister's case and investigates, especially as Jody will say nothing more than she didn't do it.
Every other chapter or so we hear Jody's words ... going back 10 years... and what has actually aspired in all that time to lead up to the coach's death. The ending may surprise you.
Sisterly love is a fragile thing. To what lengths would you go to save your sister?
Book is very well written, characters are finely drawn, and most of them, while irritating at times, are actually very likeable with redeeming qualities. I do think I'm going back to read the ones I've missed.... and watch for what comes next.
This is the 4th in a series featuring Anna Curtis, a state prosecutor in Michigan. I read the first one, but not the 2nd or 3rd. This one does well as a stand-alone, but there's a lot of background that makes it important to go back to the beginning.
Anna calls off her wedding and the following day she gets a call from her sister Jody's friend who states that Jody is in trouble and Anna needs to come. Since timing is everything, and she's just finished a big case and she doesn't want to deal with her ex at the moment, off she goes.
Arriving at Jody's she is surprised that Jody is being accused of murder ... of a much loved high school coach. With the help of an old old friend, Anna takes on her sister's case and investigates, especially as Jody will say nothing more than she didn't do it.
Every other chapter or so we hear Jody's words ... going back 10 years... and what has actually aspired in all that time to lead up to the coach's death. The ending may surprise you.
Sisterly love is a fragile thing. To what lengths would you go to save your sister?
Book is very well written, characters are finely drawn, and most of them, while irritating at times, are actually very likeable with redeeming qualities. I do think I'm going back to read the ones I've missed.... and watch for what comes next.
January 8, 2015
“A Good Killing” by Allison Leotta, published by Touchstone Books.
Category – Mystery/Thriller Publication Date – May 12, 2015
Anna Curtis, a sex-crime prosecutor in Washington, has just called off her imminent wedding due to her fiancés unfaithfulness. This, however, is small potatoes as she finds out that her sister in Michigan has just been arrested for murder.
Her sister, Jody, has been accused of murdering the very well liked football coach, Owen Fowler. It seems that his corvette hit the stadium and was consumed in flames. The flames were so hot that little remained of the car or Owen. When the body was examined it was found that the actual cause of death was blunt trauma to the head well before the fiery crash. Jody becomes a prime suspect due to her questionable relationship with Owen and the fact that some incriminating evidence is found at her home. Although a prosecutor, Anna becomes a defense lawyer to represent her sister. Anna finds that her sister is not keen on her coming to her defense and puts restrictions on her handling the case. Anna finds help in a high school friend, Cooper Bolden, who is an Afghan Vet that was injured in an IED explosion. Anna also finds her life complicated when she discovers that she still loves her fiancé in Washington but also finds herself falling in love with Cooper.
The trial starts badly for Anna when she is faced with a judge who has connections with Owen Fowler but refuses to recuse himself from the case. She is also fighting a battle with the locals who held Owen as a local hero. It is only after some revealing facts about Own that Anna makes a valiant attempt to save her now pregnant sister from jail.
An excellent read with an Agatha Christie twist, think “Murder on the
Orient Express”. There is some sexual content and strong language in the book.
Category – Mystery/Thriller Publication Date – May 12, 2015
Anna Curtis, a sex-crime prosecutor in Washington, has just called off her imminent wedding due to her fiancés unfaithfulness. This, however, is small potatoes as she finds out that her sister in Michigan has just been arrested for murder.
Her sister, Jody, has been accused of murdering the very well liked football coach, Owen Fowler. It seems that his corvette hit the stadium and was consumed in flames. The flames were so hot that little remained of the car or Owen. When the body was examined it was found that the actual cause of death was blunt trauma to the head well before the fiery crash. Jody becomes a prime suspect due to her questionable relationship with Owen and the fact that some incriminating evidence is found at her home. Although a prosecutor, Anna becomes a defense lawyer to represent her sister. Anna finds that her sister is not keen on her coming to her defense and puts restrictions on her handling the case. Anna finds help in a high school friend, Cooper Bolden, who is an Afghan Vet that was injured in an IED explosion. Anna also finds her life complicated when she discovers that she still loves her fiancé in Washington but also finds herself falling in love with Cooper.
The trial starts badly for Anna when she is faced with a judge who has connections with Owen Fowler but refuses to recuse himself from the case. She is also fighting a battle with the locals who held Owen as a local hero. It is only after some revealing facts about Own that Anna makes a valiant attempt to save her now pregnant sister from jail.
An excellent read with an Agatha Christie twist, think “Murder on the
Orient Express”. There is some sexual content and strong language in the book.
September 28, 2020
3.9 stars
Another great book by an author who cleverly weaves a fight for justice with the story of sisters Anna and Jody. When Jody is accused of murdering the local football 🏈 coach, Anna steps in to defend her and finds out that there is a mountain 🏔 of secrets, bribes and crimes waiting to be untangled.
This story also deals with rape, and to a lesser degree, cyber bullying. The author also calls attention to the backlog of rape kits that sit unprocessed amid budget cuts. Per the author, visit www.endthebackkog.com to learn more about this very real problem.
Another great book by an author who cleverly weaves a fight for justice with the story of sisters Anna and Jody. When Jody is accused of murdering the local football 🏈 coach, Anna steps in to defend her and finds out that there is a mountain 🏔 of secrets, bribes and crimes waiting to be untangled.
This story also deals with rape, and to a lesser degree, cyber bullying. The author also calls attention to the backlog of rape kits that sit unprocessed amid budget cuts. Per the author, visit www.endthebackkog.com to learn more about this very real problem.
May 10, 2015
I received a copy of this title from NetGalley. It does not impact my review.
Where has this series been all my life!? When I requested this book from NetGalley, I was not aware that it was #4 in a series. That always kind of bums me out when I realize it after the fact because I hate jumping into an established series without reading the preceding books. However, this felt like it could have been a first in a series. While there were mentions of events from previous books, the prior characters were minor ones in this installment and I didn’t feel lost at all. That said, I’m still definitely going back to read the first three books in this series.
Anna is a DC prosecutor who goes to her small hometown in Michigan when she gets a call that her sister, Jody, may be in trouble. She’s happy to go since she has just called off her engagement. When she returns home she finds that the well-loved high school football coach has died in what appears to be a car crash. However, the police believe the crash was staged and that it was done by Jody, who was the last person he was seen with. Anna decides to stay in Michigan and defend her sister, with the help of her old friend Cooper. While Anna whole-heartedly believes her sister is innocent, Jody’s evasiveness to all of Anna’s questions, as well as the mounting evidence against her, begins to make Anna doubt.
I really enjoyed A Good Killing. The story was told in 3rd Person POV with alternating chapters giving Jody’s 1st person account to Anna of the past events leading up to Owen’s murder. I’m a sucker for alternate timelines and multiple POVs so I really loved the writing. I thought the characters were well developed and mostly very likable. I was very invested in the possible relationship between Anna and Cooper and enjoyed seeing their friendship develop throughout the book. The synopsis suggests that Cooper has a secret and I really don’t have any idea what it’s referring to. He was so completely wonderful that there were times that I thought he might be too wonderful and became suspicious of him. I would suggest ignoring that little phrase referring to him having a secret before reading.
Overall, A Good Killing was a very well-written, well paced, and well done mystery. The plot had a lot of layers and I enjoyed seeing them getting fleshed out, even as some of it horrified me. The characters were well-developed and likable and I look forward to finding out what happens to them next. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of mystery/crime books and I’m going to begin the series from the start.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
Where has this series been all my life!? When I requested this book from NetGalley, I was not aware that it was #4 in a series. That always kind of bums me out when I realize it after the fact because I hate jumping into an established series without reading the preceding books. However, this felt like it could have been a first in a series. While there were mentions of events from previous books, the prior characters were minor ones in this installment and I didn’t feel lost at all. That said, I’m still definitely going back to read the first three books in this series.
Anna is a DC prosecutor who goes to her small hometown in Michigan when she gets a call that her sister, Jody, may be in trouble. She’s happy to go since she has just called off her engagement. When she returns home she finds that the well-loved high school football coach has died in what appears to be a car crash. However, the police believe the crash was staged and that it was done by Jody, who was the last person he was seen with. Anna decides to stay in Michigan and defend her sister, with the help of her old friend Cooper. While Anna whole-heartedly believes her sister is innocent, Jody’s evasiveness to all of Anna’s questions, as well as the mounting evidence against her, begins to make Anna doubt.
I really enjoyed A Good Killing. The story was told in 3rd Person POV with alternating chapters giving Jody’s 1st person account to Anna of the past events leading up to Owen’s murder. I’m a sucker for alternate timelines and multiple POVs so I really loved the writing. I thought the characters were well developed and mostly very likable. I was very invested in the possible relationship between Anna and Cooper and enjoyed seeing their friendship develop throughout the book. The synopsis suggests that Cooper has a secret and I really don’t have any idea what it’s referring to. He was so completely wonderful that there were times that I thought he might be too wonderful and became suspicious of him. I would suggest ignoring that little phrase referring to him having a secret before reading.
Overall, A Good Killing was a very well-written, well paced, and well done mystery. The plot had a lot of layers and I enjoyed seeing them getting fleshed out, even as some of it horrified me. The characters were well-developed and likable and I look forward to finding out what happens to them next. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of mystery/crime books and I’m going to begin the series from the start.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
February 20, 2020
"I’m not saying it’s impossible. It happens every day. But for normal people who have lived their whole lives as law-abiding citizens, trying to be polite and well-mannered, respectful of their elders and kind to animals, good listeners and good employees; for people who use their turn signals, and hurry to get to work on. time, leave tips for their letter carrier, and put dollars in the Salvation Army’s red bucket, hoping to make the world a little better— killing another human being is not an easy thing.”
― Allison Leotta, A Good Killing
I first gave this 3 stars but honestly it is better then that. So four stars it is.
The main plot involves two sisters, one of whom is suspected of killing her old school athletic coach. The second sister is an attorney and decides to defend her sister at trial.
This was a very well written book that I read on vacation so I had to read really fast to finish it . I liked it though.
It starts off kind of slow and I almost gave up on it. But I am glad I didn't because the book becomes alot darker and more emotional then I'd thought it was going to be.
It combines two genres..the legal thriller and domestic thriller. Since I like both, this seemed a good pick and it was.
SPOILERS:
The motive for the killing was a shocker. This book becomes really intense in a way I did not expect. It is an emotional read but very well done.
― Allison Leotta, A Good Killing
I first gave this 3 stars but honestly it is better then that. So four stars it is.
The main plot involves two sisters, one of whom is suspected of killing her old school athletic coach. The second sister is an attorney and decides to defend her sister at trial.
This was a very well written book that I read on vacation so I had to read really fast to finish it . I liked it though.
It starts off kind of slow and I almost gave up on it. But I am glad I didn't because the book becomes alot darker and more emotional then I'd thought it was going to be.
It combines two genres..the legal thriller and domestic thriller. Since I like both, this seemed a good pick and it was.
SPOILERS:
The motive for the killing was a shocker. This book becomes really intense in a way I did not expect. It is an emotional read but very well done.
September 19, 2015
I've been reading Ms. Leotta's novels since she wrote Law of Attraction. A Good Killing is her fourth. Ms. Leotta's writing makes clear her substantial prosecutorial credentials in the area of crimes against women. During the four novels, I've enjoyed watching the protagonist, Anna Curtis, grow from a newbie sex crimes prosecutor to a confident and savvy lawyer. This novel is a fresh take on Anna's experience--she is now a defense attorney in a different jurisdiction (Michigan). Ms. Leotta introduced Anna's relationship with her sister, Jody, in her first novel. A Good Killing develops that problematic relationship as Anna defends her sister, who has been charged with murdering a beloved and powerful town resident. Jody's not the easiest client--she withholds information crucial to her defense. The reasons do not become clear until the end of the novel. There are twists and turns to keep a reader flipping pages. The end is a surprise. I enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading Ms. Leotta's next one.
November 25, 2015
Perhaps because I had no expectations, I really enjoyed this crime/suspense/mystery novel. The story is told from the point of view of two sisters--one accused of the murder of the smalltown hero, the other a DC prosecutor who comes home to defend her sister. Since I have spent some time in the greater Detroit area, I enjoyed the various settings there. Because of the Dennis Hastert case here in Illinois, the story of an entire town supporting its sports hero seems timely. Perhaps I just enjoyed the fact that the characters were well written and strongly motivated. This was a compelling read; I will seek out other books by this author.
March 31, 2024
4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this legal thriller about a lawyer defending her sister who is charged with murder. This story navigates the small town gossip mill and the desire to protect a beloved high school coach at all costs.
There are two timelines that swap back and forth, with the present being the most talked about.
It also has a satisfying ending!
I thoroughly enjoyed this legal thriller about a lawyer defending her sister who is charged with murder. This story navigates the small town gossip mill and the desire to protect a beloved high school coach at all costs.
There are two timelines that swap back and forth, with the present being the most talked about.
It also has a satisfying ending!
February 22, 2021
A first read/listen of Alison Leotta books for me and it will
Not be the last. Loved the storyline and the characters. I was guessing who was the killer throughout and was totally wrong with the result in the end 😆 What a surprise!
Not be the last. Loved the storyline and the characters. I was guessing who was the killer throughout and was totally wrong with the result in the end 😆 What a surprise!
November 8, 2018
I know I started the series with this one but I caught on quickly and really enjoyed it. Makes me want to go back and read the other three and continue with the ones following.
June 24, 2022
It's too bad the author hates her hometown of Detroit. She could not let a chapter go by without taking potshots. I would not trade Detroit for DC for a million bucks.
January 12, 2024
Easy read/little romance
February 16, 2019
This was published in 2015 and it already feels dated?? It seems like it was written for a very specific time and it's already kind of... irrelevant.
The plot and characters were fine but certainly nothing great. Nothing surprised me. It had rape and pedophilia which was terrible to read about.
Some of the character choices felt clunky and the way the author introduced them or their opinions on things felt... awkward.
Overall, I didnt like it. But I've definitely read worse.
The plot and characters were fine but certainly nothing great. Nothing surprised me. It had rape and pedophilia which was terrible to read about.
Some of the character choices felt clunky and the way the author introduced them or their opinions on things felt... awkward.
Overall, I didnt like it. But I've definitely read worse.
October 16, 2018
Anna Curtis is a prosecutor in Washington D.C. and doesn’t spend much time back in her hometown of Holly Grove. But when a beloved high school coach, Owen Fowler, dies unexpectedly and her sister, Jody, is the prime suspect in his untimely death, Anna is brought back home.
Anna isn’t sure why Jody is being investigated, since the car crash appeared to be an accident due to drunk-driving. But Jody and Owen were having an affair and she was the last person to see him alive. The townspeople are making Jody out to be a homewrecker, but Anna knows her sister. She couldn’t have killed someone she cares so much about, right?
With the help of her high school friend, Cooper, an Army war vet, Anna investigates the events leading up to Owen’s death and Jody’s possible involvement. But she deeper she looks, the more she realizes that Holly Grove’s beloved coach wasn’t as squeaky clean as everyone made him out to be, and people weren’t being forthcoming about his secrets. Why would the town’s residents cover up his secrets? Anna wasn’t prepared to find out the answer. Things definitely aren’t as simple in her hometown as she once thought and she needs to uncover the truth now before her sister’s life is ruined forever.
Allison Leotta’s A Good Killing is the fourth installment in the Anna Curtis series, but the first book I’ve read by this author. Even though I started reading part-way into the series, I wasn’t confused. This could be a standalone, which is nice. A Good Killing is a psychological suspense alternating between Anna’s perspective and Jody’s story being told to her sister. This book manages to pack in a lot of secrets and history in 300-pages and definitely doesn’t lack in the suspense department. The more you learn about the Holly Grove residents, the more you realize the town is anything but simple. I thoroughly enjoyed this read; the characters, the suspense and the underlying romance sucked me in. I also really enjoyed the court proceedings, which felt like an episode of Law & Order. This book was fast and easy to consume all at once. I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series. 5/5 stars.
Anna isn’t sure why Jody is being investigated, since the car crash appeared to be an accident due to drunk-driving. But Jody and Owen were having an affair and she was the last person to see him alive. The townspeople are making Jody out to be a homewrecker, but Anna knows her sister. She couldn’t have killed someone she cares so much about, right?
With the help of her high school friend, Cooper, an Army war vet, Anna investigates the events leading up to Owen’s death and Jody’s possible involvement. But she deeper she looks, the more she realizes that Holly Grove’s beloved coach wasn’t as squeaky clean as everyone made him out to be, and people weren’t being forthcoming about his secrets. Why would the town’s residents cover up his secrets? Anna wasn’t prepared to find out the answer. Things definitely aren’t as simple in her hometown as she once thought and she needs to uncover the truth now before her sister’s life is ruined forever.
Allison Leotta’s A Good Killing is the fourth installment in the Anna Curtis series, but the first book I’ve read by this author. Even though I started reading part-way into the series, I wasn’t confused. This could be a standalone, which is nice. A Good Killing is a psychological suspense alternating between Anna’s perspective and Jody’s story being told to her sister. This book manages to pack in a lot of secrets and history in 300-pages and definitely doesn’t lack in the suspense department. The more you learn about the Holly Grove residents, the more you realize the town is anything but simple. I thoroughly enjoyed this read; the characters, the suspense and the underlying romance sucked me in. I also really enjoyed the court proceedings, which felt like an episode of Law & Order. This book was fast and easy to consume all at once. I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series. 5/5 stars.
April 14, 2018
I did not realize this was the 4th book of a series but you can read it as a standalone. I started this book and could not put it down. It had me right from the beginning.
Newly single after calling off her wedding, sex-crimes prosecutor Anna Curtis is summoned home to Michigan when her old high school coach—a hometown hero—is killed in a fiery car crash. But Anna isn’t there to prosecute a crime, she’s home to support her innocent sister, Jody, who has been wrongfully accused of the coach’s murder.
A story of a small town coach who is loved by everyone but has a dirty little secret and how the cops and DA don't want to get their hands dirty and brush things aside and cover up. I had an idea of what happened and why but it went even deeper than I thought. I highly recommend this book.
Newly single after calling off her wedding, sex-crimes prosecutor Anna Curtis is summoned home to Michigan when her old high school coach—a hometown hero—is killed in a fiery car crash. But Anna isn’t there to prosecute a crime, she’s home to support her innocent sister, Jody, who has been wrongfully accused of the coach’s murder.
A story of a small town coach who is loved by everyone but has a dirty little secret and how the cops and DA don't want to get their hands dirty and brush things aside and cover up. I had an idea of what happened and why but it went even deeper than I thought. I highly recommend this book.
February 28, 2015
I received "A Good Killing" from NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.
This was my first time reading an Allison Leotta novel, but I had heard her compared to a female John Grisham. Seeing as J. Grisham crime novels are one of my guilty pleasures, I happily settled into "A Good Killing". The story is told in dual narrators: Jody and Anna, sisters. Jody is being accused of murder, and Anna, a prosecutor comes home after a broken engagement to defend her sister.
The story was quick moving, suspenseful, and intricately weaved. The details unfolded slowly, but just fast enough to keep you enthralled and wanting more.
This was my first time reading an Allison Leotta novel, but I had heard her compared to a female John Grisham. Seeing as J. Grisham crime novels are one of my guilty pleasures, I happily settled into "A Good Killing". The story is told in dual narrators: Jody and Anna, sisters. Jody is being accused of murder, and Anna, a prosecutor comes home after a broken engagement to defend her sister.
The story was quick moving, suspenseful, and intricately weaved. The details unfolded slowly, but just fast enough to keep you enthralled and wanting more.
September 26, 2018
Although this book is part of a series, it was given to me as a gift by someone who knows I love to read. I didn't realize the story was part of a series until after the fact I had read the whole thing. With that being said, you don't have to read the first 3 books to enjoy this one. It's a story on it's own - the only thing you would really learn from the first few books is who Anna Curtis is - a prosecutor. This story had me SUCKED IN for 24 hours. I read it in one. day. Didn't sleep either. Every page in this book keeps you on your toes. Who killed the beloved high school coach? Was it Anna's sister who is known to have loved the coach so much? Or...
February 5, 2017
given to me by another girl on my abroad program, I read this book pretty quickly while traveling. while this was definitely a page turner, I was not too impressed with Leotta's way with words. She clearly is well versed in the judicial system in America and does a great job of highlighting the flaws of the system in relation to sexual assault through Jody's story. but I found the prose pretty juvenile and bland. it was an especially riveting read toward the end with lots of plot twists, but prolly would not recommend to a friend as a RLY GOOD BOOK WOW u know.
May 9, 2017
Wow. . . I am not sure it would be possible for the author to say any more negative things about Michigan. She must have put down Detroit and the Flint area 100 times. Yes, Detroit is largely abandoned in many areas. Yes, Flint and it's surrounding areas have seen more robust times. But Meijer is not the best and only place for socializing, and Michigan cannot be judged by the two worst areas in the state. Michigan is beautiful and most of the state is vibrant.
Shame on you for the unfair digs on a wonderful state.
Shame on you for the unfair digs on a wonderful state.
May 28, 2015
This is a different kind of case for prosecutor Anna Curtiss. Instead of prosecuting criminals in Washington D.C. she is defending her sister against a murder charge in Detroit. Problem is she is accused of killing the beloved coach that everyone in town worships. How can Anna ever hope to win this case when everyone including the jury and the judge are out to make sure Jody never sees the light of day.
October 13, 2015
I have no clue how this review was never posted. I wrote it mnths ago.
This is a great book. The characters are perfectly created. The dialogue doesn't seemed forced or lacking. There were parts of the story that really had my heart thumping right along with the characters.
I love the bond between Anna and Jody. They are sisters and have an amazing relationship with each other. When Jody gets in legal trouble, it is up to Anna to help her find her way out of the mess.
This is a great book. The characters are perfectly created. The dialogue doesn't seemed forced or lacking. There were parts of the story that really had my heart thumping right along with the characters.
I love the bond between Anna and Jody. They are sisters and have an amazing relationship with each other. When Jody gets in legal trouble, it is up to Anna to help her find her way out of the mess.
September 2, 2015
A very good read full of suspense. A book you don't want to put down. Anna Curtis a prosecutor in D.C. goes home to support her sister who has
been wrongfully accused of murdering the high school coach. A fast paced tale with a lot of twists, suspense, thrills, secrets, and a supercharged
trial all within a small town in Michigan. Enjoy!
been wrongfully accused of murdering the high school coach. A fast paced tale with a lot of twists, suspense, thrills, secrets, and a supercharged
trial all within a small town in Michigan. Enjoy!
June 25, 2024
I wish this book had trigger warnings attached to it. So TW for: Grooming, rape of a minor, serial rapist. While the book doesn't go into graphic detail there is enough that if you are sensitive to that it could make you uncomfortable.
That being said I did enjoy the book especially the ending.
That being said I did enjoy the book especially the ending.
May 10, 2015
I couldn't put this book down!! Amazing, suspenseful, disturbing, heartbreaking...
It was fantastic.
It was fantastic.
March 2, 2015
A great legal thriller! I'm adding her other books to my list.
June 8, 2015
Loved the book! Can't wait to see what is in store for next one.
May 5, 2015
Allison Leotta delivers another can't-put-down, fast-paced thriller. A must read for anyone who loves mysteries or suspense. Enthralling characters and intricate plot from a master storyteller.
October 17, 2015
It got better as it moved along. Did not care for the writer's writing style.
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