Saving Chiara: Pax Taggart Book 0

by Anne Hagan

A former cop turned PI investigating a high-profile murder falls for the prime suspect—the same woman who stole her heart as a teen Mafia princess, then disappeared into Boston's criminal underworld.
When a prominent Providence businessman is found dead in an alley, all evidence points to Chiara Ciccone—daughter of a notorious Boston crime family. But for private investigator Pax Taggart, this case is anything but simple.

Chiara isn't just another client—she's the woman who awakened Pax's heart in their teenage years, before family loyalties tore them apart. Now, with Chiara behind bars for a murder she swears she didn't commit, Pax must navigate a maze of deadly secrets, corrupt police work, and her own rekindling feelings for a woman who lives in a world she left behind.

As Pax digs deeper, she uncovers a web of jealousy, revenge, and carefully crafted lies. With each prison visit, the spark between her and Chiara grows stronger, threatening to blur the lines between professional duty and personal desire. But in a case where nothing is as it seems, can Pax trust her heart without compromising her investigation?

Time is running out, and Pax must follow the evidence wherever it leads, even if it means losing Chiara forever, or risk everything—including her hard-won reputation—for a second chance at a first love.The Sapphic Suspense Nine Romantic Suspense Novels and NovellasThis curated collection brings together nine distinct voices in sapphic romantic suspense. Each book delivers a complete story of passion and peril, featuring protagonists who navigate both danger and desire. Several entries serve as gateways to forthcoming series, offering readers a first glimpse of worlds their creators will soon expand. From gritty city streets to seaside villages harboring secrets, these tales explore the exhilarating intersection of attraction and jeopardy. Each author introduces characters who've never appeared in their previous works, ensuring fresh terrain for both longtime fans and new readers.

Genres: Suspense, Mystery

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2025

About the author

Anne Hagan is the author of more than twenty works of fiction in the mystery, romance, and thriller genres. She writes of family, friends, love, murder, and mayhem in no particular order and often all in the same story. She’s a half owner of the weekly discount eBook newsletter, MyQueerSapphFic, the managing director of the non-profit, iReadIndies, a wife, parent, foster parent, and an Army veteran. She draws from all of those experiences when she writes because truth is often stranger than fiction.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
Pax Taggart is a former police officer in Boston and now works as a PI in Providence. A call from her first love Chiara Ciccone, a mafia princess from the Boston underworld, brings more excitement into her life than she would like. But because of their shared past, she can't refuse her old friend's request for help. Chiara is the suspect in the murder of a business man.

Firstly, can Pax untangle this whole damn complicated web of intrigue, revenge, greed and lies? Secondly, can she stay alive herself, if possible? And finally, thirdly, how will she deal with the feelings she still harbors for Chiara?

Pax and Chiara are both interesting characters. Chira tries to steer the family business in a legal direction and has to fight resistance from all sides, including her own family. She is torn between loyalty to her family and the urge to break out of the mafia swamp.

Pax and Chiara still have feelings for each other, but Pax has difficulty trusting Chiara completely. The more she finds out with the help of her contacts from police times, the more entangled the web becomes - but the more resistance and threats she receives, the more determined she becomes to solve the case.

The story is exciting and captivated me, and I am curious to see how the series will continue and what will become of Pax and Chiara. The only thing that bothered me a little was repetitive expressions.

This book is one of «The-Sapphic-Suspense-Collection», Nine Romantic Suspense Novels and Novellas

Thanks to the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. There was some repetitive, cliche phrasing that made the book slightly corny. The big problem though was the leaps in logic that made the story uncomfortable to follow. I can’t say hard to follow because it wasn’t that deep. Despite all that, it was still kinda fun. 2.5 stars

[Frances Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoyed the book I loved the characters the storyline was good But I can't feel that it ended not finished maybe it's in the next book I recommend this book

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both the two main characters are likable women, even though one, Chiara, is a mafiosa and in jail in the beginning of the novel. Pax is an ex-cop turned private investigator. When Chiara asks Pax to investigate and clear her name, Pax agrees, mostly because of their past history together. Pax is smart and dogged, with good connections in the police force and to others. She needs all her skills and contacts to resolve this mess. It looks like this may be a series, and if so, I look forward to the next.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m excited to read the Pax Taggart series. This introduction just wets the appetite for more action-packed crime thrillers from Hagan.

I received a free copy of this book, and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

[Rebecca MacAlister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad

Foxborough high school is 29 miles from downtown Boston. There is no way in all of creation, with the curvature of the Earth, that you would see the Boston skyline pulling out of the parking lot. Just saying.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I really like Hagan’s writing style. I need to get more into her work because this was pretty good! Not much to say about it. I liked the characters and the mystery was interesting. It’s a quick read and kept me entertained.

[Dawn McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed meeting Pax and Chiara and following their solving of the case. I'm looking forward to discovering what happens next.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

a former police officer meets bew challenges as a PI

lines are blurry, between past and present, love, hate and chaos.

working out a variety of possible second chances.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not worth it.

Very rushed, underdeveloped, and confusing. I got a headache trying to keep track of the "plot" and characters. Was not worth the time.