Kiss of Death

by L.T. Vargus, Tim McBain

While a hurricane slams the tourist strewn coast, a killer runs amok in the storm. A group of vacationers are pinned down in the midst of the danger.

It was supposed to be Kaitlyn and Logan's wedding day. The hurricane was supposed to hit 90 miles south of here.

There's no safety in the storm.

The rain pours. The wind rips. The sea crashes up onto the land.

Water main? That broke.

Now floodwater gushes through the city streets. Gallons and gallons. Engulfing cars and surging up around the buildings.

Brickwork crumbles. Roofs get torn off.

And a killer walks among the devastation.

He takes advantage of the chaos. Finds his victims trapped like flies on sticky paper, penned in by the raging storm.

And he means to play with his new pets.

Yeah, you can run but you can't hide.

Kaitlyn and Logan and all of their wedding party find themselves cornered. Captured. Picked off one by one by both the hurricane and the psychopath.

And the storm only grows more fierce. The flood only gets higher. The killer only draws closer and closer.

They have to find a way out.

The books in the Shadows of Love series work as stand alone novels and can be read in any order. Grab Kiss of Death now!

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

596 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2025

About the author

Lex Vargus is the co-author of over 20 thriller and horror novels.

FIND LEX ON:
Amazon - Twitter - LTVargus.com

BOOKS BY LT VARGUS

The Violet Darger series



The Victor Loshak series


The Charlotte Winters series

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had plenty of action. A wedding party is trapped in a hurricane & there is a murderer on the loose! But, surprisingly, there were some big chunks of the book that I thought were kind of boring. This could just be due to my frame of mind right now because I normally love everything from these authors. I was just getting frustrated with the detailed descriptions of things like the specific foods they looted and all the cleaning supplies in the closet they hid in. There was still plenty of action that made up for the slow moments and plenty of surprises. I ended up liking the book but must admit to a bit of skimming.

[Becky Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting, but...

Kiss of Death is a good, fast paced, exciting read... if you can get past the eye rolling, cringy moments. I found that not too difficult because the story is unique and interesting and the writing itself is up to part for L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain. The murdery and thriller-y action all takes place during a wedding weekend that happens to coincide with a hurricane making landfall at that exact spot. Not only are the wedding party and local law enforcement dodging hurricane bullets, there's a murderer on the loose as well. My suspension of disbelief was stretched pretty thin trying to imagine all this outdoor action taking place during a hurricane and ensuing floods. Conversations, thoughtful reminiscing, walking around, etc. Wanting to finish the story kept me reading. It's a LONG book, and I'll admit that at times I was just determined to get done. Still, good book because of good writers. Not their best, but don't hold it against them.

[Mary Sue Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow

Vargus and McBain have outdone themselves with this one. I'm not usually at a loss for words, but this book has been the best book I've read of 2025, maybe ever. What a great storyline and an even greater cast of character's. I loved every minute of it. I read it in one sitting, at times holding my breath without realizing it. I had to keep reading to find who would be left at the end and how it would end for those who did. And wow is all I can say. Makes you wonder what I would do if ever I was caught in any of these circumstances and I can now say I have no clue but hope I could find the strength to make it through the way they do. 5 stars all day long. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Elizabeth Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense !!!

This book was really good and I would recommend it especially if you follow Tim McBain and LT Vargus. It starts out pretty quiet, but then it becomes so intense. I really did enjoy the book what I didn't enjoy was how long it was. I think that there was a way toon eliminate some of the chapters. It would've been fine. However, that is just my opinion. I really would recommend reading this. New k up all over the place. Grab a cup of coffee, then probably grab a diet soda and then you may or may not have a glass of wine. But the day is gone. And you will stay up late reading it. And you probably won't want to put it down. That's really how good it is.

[Dawn Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot of crazy, suspense and action. There was a lot of things going on in Kiss of Death. I found it hard to keep up with. In my opinion I found somethings too long and strung out. In my opinion there were a lot of things a little unrealistic. With that said I was entertained and wonder who was dying next. Overall I liked Kiss of Death. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy.

[Lynne D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was just OK.. waaaay too long. It was entertaining for awhile but frankly got old, completely over the top and everyone kept coming back to life against all odds- an easy fix for plot problems. I read the first book in this series and it had virtually no connection to this one except one common character. I’ve read other books by the author and I prefer them to this one. Not sure I’ll read any more of this series

[Geoff Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series of books

I typically don’t get involved in fiction that doesn’t include repeat characters, but I am a fan of these two so I gave the first two a chance. While there is a repeat character, he plays a small part in the end. As standalone books, these were absolutely amazing! Still love Darger and Loshak, but these two were a lot of fun to read. Looking forward to the next one!!!

[Aloma Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and exciting

Didn’t think I would like the story at first but then it became amazing. The author kept all the characters real and compelling. Their backgrounds all made sense. The plot line was so good that it kept your interest page after page. I could hardly put the book down once I got into it. Empathy for the characters and fascinated by the story. It’s a great read.

[Deborah Kline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gen Z book

I loved other books from these authors but I didn't like this one. I just didn't care for the characters. They seemed pretty immature (except for the detective) and the banter between them was obnoxious. The storyline was good but because of the characters, I found this book hard to finish.

[Jane & Roy Lashbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all their books. This one is book two of their new series and is my favorite so far. Great job L.T. And Tim. It’s a wedding weekend but a killer storm and a serial killer has other ideas. This book will grab you and not let you go until you find out how it will end. People will die but not who and how you think. So good!!!

[Mona Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy good!

I looked at the number of pages and said, "No way I'll make it through this." There was no trying to keep reading, just get through it. This book grabbed hold and didn't let go! I had a tough time stopping to eat and sleep. Yes! It's that good! Vargus and McBain know what they're doing. Read it! You'll be hooked with these two if you're not already.

[Edith Hinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Very Best


I read mysteries almost exclusively and yet have never read anything better than KISS OF DEATH. I was obsessed, reading as fast as I could, and staying up late. The various characters were intriguing and the author detailed their emotions as the plot progressed. The plot itself, with all the twists and turns, was superb.

[catherine l doss]

Horrible

I haven't been affected by a book in a while! The description of the ongoing hurricane was painfully real and relentless! Mix in a psychopath murderer and a few characters that made you want to drowned them, and you have a book that cannot be put down except to catch your breath.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This series has it all: suspense, fear, attacks from Mother Nature, glimmers of hope, all alongside a serial killer. That guy. Yikes. Great characters all around. If you like thrillers, this series is for you.

[Rick J Worley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but a bit slow

Like these books a lot but this one seemed to take a lot of time explaining unnecessary detail and spelling out analogies the reader would likely do themselves. Good number of twists and turns in the story.

[D. David Trujillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.suspenseful, vivid! Wanted to know what was coming next.

Could have done without so.much violence. Author can be somewhat wordy dragging out some scenes.
Hard to keep characters and relationships strsight

[L.Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Excellent Book by L.T. Vagus and Tim McBain

If you like murder, a plot that twists and turns, and add in a hurricane, then you will love the
book. This book does have Audible, and the narration is excellent!

[B.J. Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Thrilling and even touching at times. The twist of being trapped in a storm while fighting for your life from a killer as well was exceptionally thrilling. Chef's kiss. Just wonderful... in a very dark way.

[Kimberly Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

This was one of the most gripping edge of your seat books I’ve read in a while. It is a must read for those who like that sort of thing. I won’t put any spoilers in this review, but I loved it and couldn’t put it down.

[Scherrie Manes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engrossing...

detailed and reviting. Hits you in the face from the first page to the last page. You will not have time to blink or fidget. Make sure your doors and windows are locked and your phone is close by but turned off. You will not want any interruptions.

[Jacob Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! What a book!!!

This book was full of surprises and thrills and chills!!! I liked it very much. It was one of those that is hard to put down. I recommend it to anyone who likes books by James Patterson. To me, it wss that good.

[Sharon Shults · Rating 5 out of 5]

never a dull moment

Riveting from first page to last. Hard to keep up with all the stories. Great read. Can’t wait for the next one

[Kat Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t put down, thriller.

I could not put this book down. It grips you right from the start to the end. Kept me up half of the night to finish reading.

[Jeanne Volpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love their books. I have been a fan like forever. Refreshing, clean, suspenseful crime thrillers with a sharp sense of humor.

[Janet M. Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dramatic Nice

It was a good read. I enjoyed. Very descriptive. Exciting. I didn’t want to put the story down. Please read.

[Karen Wessel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost six hundred pages and it all takes place in one day. Good grief! Unbelievable all that happened to these people. Good read, but a tad (!) too long.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiss Of Death - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain's Kiss Of Death, sees a wedding party trapped by a raging storm, arguing among themselves while waiting for news of missing friends - as a deranged killer arrives.

A chilling, thrilling climax to a mounting number of dangers and bodies, lots of action and tension tight enough to shred your last nerve, Kiss Of Death has them in all spades.

Grab your copy today - then batten down the hatches while you read it!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiss of Death might be my favorite Vargus and McBain book yet! A serial killer on the loose during a hurricane = constant action and twists. I LOVED the characters in this one; there's a full cast of unique characters to root for and roll your eyes at. Five stars!

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome action-packed thriller!

About a month ago I read and reviewed Kiss of Death. Today I finished listening to the audiobook for Kiss of Death expertly narrated by Audrey Solara. My feelings about the book haven’t changed, and my original review of the story is included below this update.

I originally said I’d love to see this book as a movie. Well, listening to Audrey’s narration was as close as you can get without the video experience.

Audrey brought each character to life not only through individual voices, but she gave each of them personalities that made me wonder if I was listening to each character tell their own stories. Each of the characters’ attitudes and voices are still in front of mind. but I can remember listening to two of them, Tina, and Aunt Barb, and thinking these women are the kind of relatives you avoid at all costs.

eBook review from 6/24/25

Kiss of Death, the second book in the Shadows of Love series, is a roller coaster ride of action and suspense. I’ve read books where I wondered where the title came from or how it relates to the story I just read. But there is no question how the title relates to this book, it’s as if the angel of death showed up for a party of sorts.

The basic story of a wedding, a hurricane and a protentional serial killer is a match made for mayhem and lots of high anxiety inducing action. While I’ve read thirty-six books by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain before Kiss of Death, I honestly can’t remember one that got its hooks into me so deep and refused to let go. I mean, two days later and I’m still seeing several of the scenes from the book. I’d love to see this as a movie. If it were done just like the book, there would be no popcorn trips once it started.

If you enjoy a good murder mystery thriller you owe it to yourself to grab a copy of Kiss of Death and settle in for one of the wildest rollercoaster rides of mayhem in your life.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of Kiss of Death and chose to provide my review.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride! There aren't many good spots to put this book down. Kept me glued to the page.

For a bit, it reminded me of Adventures In Babysitting (with death). But, then it got crazy.

Can't wait for the next one!

Thanks to the authors for the ARC.