The Kill Box

Jamie Sinclair #3

by Nichole Christoff

In an intense thriller that’s perfect for fans of Lee Child or Lisa Gardner, security specialist and PI Jamie Sinclair tackles a cold case that could cost her the one person who means the most to her.

Hardworking Jamie Sinclair can’t wait for the weekend. She plans to be off the clock and on the road to wine country with handsome military police officer Adam Barrett. But when a strung-out soldier takes an innocent woman hostage and forces his way into Jamie’s bedroom, everything changes. Jamie’s never seen the soldier before. But he’s no stranger to Barrett—and with one word he persuades Barrett to pack a duffel and leave Jamie in the lurch.

Jamie cannot fathom why Barrett would abandon her without explanation. But as the consequences of an unsolved crime threaten to catch up with him, a late-night phone call sends Jamie racing to Barrett’s hometown in upstate New York. In a tinderbox of shattered trust and long-buried secrets, Jamie must fight to uncover the truth about what really occurred one terrible night twenty years ago. And the secrets she discovers deep in Barrett’s past not only threaten their future together—they just might get her killed.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Romance, Crime, Military Fiction

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2015

About the author

Nichole Christoff is a writer, broadcaster, and military spouse who owes Jane Austen, James Thurber, and Raymond Chandler for her taste in fiction.

She's also the award-winning author of the 6-book Jamie Sinclair series, including The Kill Shot, a Daphne du Maurier Award Finalist, and The Kill Box, a Library Journal "Best Books 2015" pick.

When Nichole isn't at her desk working on her latest novel or teaching genre writing at a midwestern university, she's out in the woods with her ornery English Pointer.

Nic loves to connect with students, writers' groups, and readers' groups just like yours. You can invite her to your meeting, classroom, or conference to chat about writing, books, Jamie, and more.

Find Nichole online at www.nicholechristoff.com where you can sign-up for her free seasonal newsletter, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NicholeChristoff, on Twitter at @NicChristoff, on Instagram @nicchristoff, or drop her a note at nic@nicholechristoff.com.

Reviews

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley.com, Nichole Christoff and Random House Publishing Group - Alibi for the advance copy for my review.

Third in a series (KILL SHOT, KILL LIST), this book reunited Private Investigator Jamie Sinclair and Marc Sandoval, DEA Agent, and Lieutenant Colonel Adam Barrett.

In an intense thriller that’s perfect for fans of Lee Child or Lisa Gardner, security specialist and PI Jamie Sinclair tackles a cold case that could cost her the one person who means the most to her.

Hardworking Jamie Sinclair can’t wait for the weekend. She plans to be off the clock and on the road to wine country with handsome military police officer Adam Barrett. But when a strung-out soldier takes an innocent woman hostage and forces his way into Jamie’s bedroom, everything changes. Jamie’s never seen the soldier before. But he’s no stranger to Barrett—and with one word he persuades Barrett to pack a duffel and leave Jamie in the lurch.

Jamie cannot fathom why Barrett would abandon her without explanation. But as the consequences of an unsolved crime threaten to catch up with him, a late-night phone call sends Jamie racing to Barrett’s hometown in upstate New York. In a tinderbox of shattered trust and long-buried secrets, Jamie must fight to uncover the truth about what really occurred one terrible night twenty years ago. And the secrets she discovers deep in Barrett’s past not only threaten their future together—they just might get her killed.

Well paced thriller/mystery, my first by this author, although third in the series as mentioned before, but can be read as a standalone. Did like the main character, a strong woman, but thankfully not a super human, just an ordinary woman with intelligence and independence.

I partly guessed right, but this did take away the evenly paced thriller, with three/four great main characters. Maybe now I should read 1 and 2 in the series.

A likeable four stars from me.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and I’ve been lucky enough to read and review the earlier two. Whilst this book may be read as a standalone, I suspect that readers will benefit from having read the earlier two novels as so many things are continuing from events, relationships and actions occurring in them.

Once more this is a superbly written story which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from the very beginning, a real page turner that keeps the reader enthralled with revelations happening throughout but the most critical being saved to towards the end!

Again, there are murders, double dealing, secrets to be revealed and it is filled with suspense. A roller coaster ride with plenty of surprises en route - keep your eyes open, you’re never quite certain what will happen next! A superb example of romantic suspense written by a true master of the genre and a story and series I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who likes suspense filled thrillers with a hint of romance.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for this, an honest review.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in a series (KILL SHOT, KILL LIST), this book reunited Private Investigator Jamie Sinclair and Marc Sandoval, DEA Agent, and Lieutenant Colonel Adam Barrett.

While this one was okay as a stand-alone, I found myself wishing I had read the series from the beginning. There are tidbits here and there and I really want to know what I've missed.... mainly in learning how the three protagonists met and came together.

Jamie and Adam are mutually attracted to each other until a man breaks into her house, orders Adam to come with him, and Adam leaves, telling Jamie this was a friend who needed help. When a call comes from Adam's grandmother asking for help, Jamie is on her way.

This is Romantic Suspense at its best. The suspense surrounds the DEA's being in the same small town because it is rumored that drugs are being shipped in and them out to the larger cities surrounding. Throw in a couple of murders trying to pass off as suicides and local law enforcement who seem bent on buying the lies and the action just goes on and on. And when Adam tells Jamie, it's over between them, she only has one ally .. Marc.

I liked all the characters, especially Adam's grandmother. It's exactly how I would picture my own.

There's lot of mutual attraction, flirting, a kiss here and there, and of course, a broken heart. That's the extent of the romance.

I am definitely going to get my hands on the first two books in the series and then re-read this one. This was a very enjoyable read for me.

My thanks to NetGalley / Random House Publishing Group - Alibi for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read, lots of twists and turns and even a red herring or two thrown in.

4 stars

[Debbie Oxier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book from Net Galley. It is the first book by this author I've read and I wish now I'd read the previous books in the series first. Even so, this was a winner for me. Kept my attention throughout the book, didn't reveal what was actually going on until the end, and had characters I really liked and could relate to.

Jamie Sinclair was a private investigator. She's independent, hard working, and a fighter, never letting circumstances get the best of her. When the book opens, she's just finishing up a case, working closely with a handsome DEA agent named Marc. While the man appears interested in her, she's already got someone waiting for her at home. Adam Barrett is military, injured, and recuperating at her house. He'd been there for her when she needed help, now she's returning the favor. While their relationship was more than that of friends, it hadn't gotten physical, a fact Jaimie was sure would change once Adam got his cast off the next day. That evening, however, someone breaks into Jamie's house, claims someone named Eric needs Adam's help, and before Jamie has time to blink, Adam packs his bag and disappears.

Jamie is devastated. She doesn't have a clue as to what is going on and Adam isn't returning her texts, nor has he called her. When the phone finally does ring it's Adam's grandmother who asks Jamie to help her grandson, who is now in jail. Calling herself crazy for helping a man who walked away from her, she nevertheless packs a bag and rushes off to save the day.

What she isn't prepared for is the fact Adam was once suspected of beating and raping a fourteen year old. Now he's once again embroiled in the past and people are being killed because of it. When Jaimie, herself, is attacked, Adam tells her to go home, making her believe it's over between them, but Jaimie' s not budging until she finds out the truth. When her favorite DEA agent, Marc, arrives on the scene it's clear something more is going on than the incident from Adam's past.

This one kept me turning the pages, wanting to know what was going on and it kept me in the dark until the end. I got frustrated with Adam a couple of times for not letting Jamie in although he was only trying to protect her. I thought there could have been a little more romantic interaction between them during the course of the story. Other than that I really enjoyed it. I'd like to go back and read the other books in the series.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. Towards the end, I think the author was seriously running out of people to kill though. Seemed like people were being murdered everywhere. I'm exaggerating, but it did seem that way. HA!

One thing I did not get was the fact that this Adam guy had just spent the last seven months recuperating at Jamie's house in Washington, D.C. Then he's visited in the middle of the night by this Vance guy and told that Eric needs him. Then he's like "Jamie who?". The only time he really notices the fact she's around is when someone else is hitting on her.

The writing and action in the book was good, but I couldn't stand the way this guy treated her and she kept hanging around. Apparently since this was book 3 in the series and he was a veteran he must have had some brain damage doing his duty. That's the only reason I could think why this woman would let this man treat her this way. I'm sure I would have enjoyed the book a whole lot more if I hadn't spent most of it want to slap this dude.

I tried to overlook him and the story got a lot better for me. It actually was a very good story. I knew Hayley's downfall was borrowing Jamie's coat. Of course, as well as many murders, there were many suspects. There was even a 20 year old cold case that gets solved as well. There was definitely a lot of action going on and it definitely kept me interested. Several times, I had to yell and tell this Jamie girl "no, don't go there". Of course, she didn't listen. HA! I do recommend this book if you can over that eejit Adam.

Thanks Alibi and Net Galley for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of Nichole Christoff’s, in the Jamie Sinclair series, that I have read. I received an uncorrected proof copy in eBook format from the publisher through NetGalley, in return for an honest review. I liked this story even more than I did the Kill Shot. So I guess that makes it 4 ½ stars. I believe the reason I liked this one better is because it was personal. This story revolves around Adam Barrett, a sergeant with the army MP’s and Jamie’s boyfriend. We learn a little more about Adam’s family background and a meet his grandmother. In fact, Mrs. Barrett hires Jamie to bail Adam out of jail. How’s that for a shocker… The story takes us to Fallowfield, a small town in upstate NY, and we meet the people that Adam grew up with and attended school with. There is a dark side to all of this that Adam doesn’t want to tell Jamie about. He wants to send her on her way and remove her from all the negativity that surrounds him and an unsolved rape/suicide. Jamie, on the other hand, doesn’t see it his way and stays to try and get to the truth.

[CL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a page turner from one twist to the next and just when you think you might know who did it there’s a new turn of events. This was romantic suspense at it’s best. Jamie and Adam have a kinda relationship that is not quite a relationship but on the budding cusp of one. As Adam is recuperating at Jamie’s house after being injured during their last job together a man breaks in and persuades Adam to leave with him without any explanation to Jamie. He falls off the grid retuning no texts or phone calls. Jamie follows him to his hometown of Fallowfield when his grandmother calls and asks for her help after Adam has been jailed. Jamie is convinced things are not what they seem and she is going to get to the bottom of these secrets from Adams past. Great Read!! I would like to thank the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

This one kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way. Now that I’ve finished, the feel of the book reminds me of a small-town romance, if it were written by a horror writer. It’s not that there is horror per se, but that everything about small town stories and small town romances has been twisted to minus 11. Something like that.

This is the third story in the Jamie Sinclair series. While it probably helps a bit with background if you’ve read the first two, The Kill List and The Kill Shot, it isn’t strictly necessary. The Kill Box takes place in a completely different setting and under totally different circumstances than the first two books. In Jamie’s head space we see enough of her background to know where she’s coming from and why she acts the way she does.

We don’t see in Adam Barrett’s headspace at all, but then, neither does Jamie. This is her story and her perspective on events. And since she is pretty much a fish out of water during this story, we get introduced to all the players the same way that she does.

Jamie is a private investigator and security specialist, so when a man breaks into her condo holding her housekeeper at gunpoint, she knows exactly how to get the situation under control. But the results completely throw her.

Army MP Lieutenant Colonel Adam Barrett, who has been recovering from a multiply broken leg in her DC condo, leaves with the assailant. While still wearing a cast on one leg from toes to crotch. The crazy dude is one of Adam’s high school pals, and his message to Adam is that one of their best friends is in big trouble back home.

So Adam hobbles off, leaving Jamie emotionally wounded and terribly confused. Also frustrated as hell, since Adam’s buddy interrupted what was supposed to have been their long-awaited first night together.

Jamie and Adam have had really lousy luck in their attempts at a relationship. They met while she was investigating his commanding officer, who also happened to be her ex (The Kill List) and he broke his leg protecting her after her Father-the-Senator sent them both to Europe on a secret mission where Senator-Daddy needed plausible deniability (The Kill Shot).

Their relationship should be over. And it nearly is at multiple points in this story. But when Jamie gets a call from Adam’s grandmother, asking Jamie to come to Adam’s hometown of Fallowfield, NY and get him out of jail, Jamie jumps into her car and takes off for upstate New York apple country.

Adam doesn’t want Jamie’s help. He doesn’t even want Jamie’s presence, to the point where he breaks up with her rather than letting her any further into the mess that is Adam’s home town. But his grandmother, Miranda, wants Jamie to stay and get to the bottom of that mess. Jamie is all too willing to help Adam in spite of himself. And she can’t resist the possibility of solving a mystery.

Twenty years ago, a 14-year-old girl was raped and murdered. Everyone in town believes that then-18-year-old Adam Barrett committed the crime but was never punished. Jamie is sure that the murderer is still out there, and that she can fix all of Adam’s problems if she can just figure out who that murderer really is.

She doesn’t count on a new string of murders, a new witch hunt for Adam, and someone who has a deadly desire to add Jamie to his list of victims. Or that her hunt for a killer will run smack into an undercover DEA investigation of small town drug trafficking, with Fallowfield at its center.

So many big crimes, all in the same little place. Is it too much of a coincidence to think that they are all connected?

Escape Rating A-: Some ARCs are better than other. I mean in the sense of typos and other stray oddities. This ARC had more of those types of problems than the usual. However, the story was so riveting that I was able to completely ignore the typos and be completely immersed in the story. I couldn’t put this down and I was reading at any moment possible just to find out what happened.

This is a story where the small town hides a multitude of secrets. And where a multitude of seemingly minor misdeeds gets covered up because no one wants to rock the boat with their neighbors. Everyone’s ties to everyone else run deep.

That’s the problem at the heart of this case, both the long ago death and the current string of murders. Everyone involved grew up together, went to high school together, and now forms the backbone of the town together. And when Adam returns to Fallowfield, he seems to slip right back into his old patterns from way back when, and they are not all good ones.

But because Adam used to be so close to everyone else, he can’t see their problems or the way that they have changed. And he can’t take off the blinders that prevent him from seeing that one or more of his friends is not completely on the up and up.

Jamie’s job is to recognize patterns. And she’s an outsider. She starts to put the pieces together, and someone wants to make sure that she leaves or dies before she completes her investigation.

And Adam is an idiot. I say this in the best alpha hero tradition. Adam doesn’t want Jamie involved in his old shit, he feels horribly guilty about things that happened long ago, even though he isn’t responsible, and her wants her far away so that she won’t think less of him. He falls into that infuriating tradition of pushing her away for her own good, without asking her what she wants. I’ll admit that this isn’t my favorite trope.

But in spite of, and admittedly sometimes because of, Adam’s continuing to push Jamie away, I could help but be caught up in Jamie’s desperate search to figure out whodunnit way back when, and who was continuing to do it, and why they were doing it, right now.

And when she finally puts the pieces together, the result is downright explosive.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For this series so far I've been rooting for Jamie and Barrett as a couple and finally at the start it seemed like something was going to happen. So imagine my surprise as things changed fast, so fast that I think I have whiplash and after finishing this book I'm not sure that I even like Barrett. I sort of understand why he left Jamie, but what I didn't understand is why he was such as ass to her when she showed up to help him. I might have been able to forgive him had it happened once, but no it was time and time again and out and out lied to Jamie. The lying was funny in a way as at one point in the book Barrett asked Jamie to stop lying to him, her come back was great, but I wished she had called him out on his own lying.

When everything came out it was crazy at who was behind things and why, along with those that were complicit in helping cover things out. This small town had a big cancer, one they should be glad is gone how.

I really hope that we get to see more of the DEA agent that showed up. He brought some great comic relief and I think would be a better match for Jamie.

[Elena Hartwell]

Fun, engaging story. Strong female protagonist. You can enjoy this without reading 1 and 2 first, but it will probably make you want to go back to the beginning.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review and rated this 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

A military cop with dark secrets, a private investigator in love with him and a twenty year old unsolved rape take center stage in The Kill Box by Nichole Christoff, the third Jamie Sinclair novel. Set in the colorful countryside of upstate New York, Ms. Christoff takes us on a thrilling adventure as Jamie Sinclair puts her life on the line for Adam Barrett, the man who has had her back through several adventures and occupies her romantic dreams. If you like colorful characters, small town drama, action and adventure with a touch of romance, then you’re going to want to pick up a copy of this book.

Finishing her latest case, Jamie Sinclair can’t wait to get home to her houseguest and townhouse. Finally free to spend time with Adam Barrett, a military cop wounded saving her life, and planning to get to know him up close and personal, Jamie is shocked when a man, who appears to be strung out, takes Adam’s private nurse hostage and breaks into her house. When Adam agrees to help the man save a mutual friend and takes off without explanation, Jamie finds herself alone and unsure about the man she thought she knew. And when she gets a call from his grandmother asking her to help him, Jamie has to decide just how far she’s willing to go to save Adam from events in his past that could end up burying them both.

Ms. Christoff does a good job as she continues to develop both Jamie and Adam’s characters. A fan of both of them, I have to admit that I was a little surprised by Adam’s behavior at the start of this installment; he was more of an alpha-hole than an alpha-hero like he’s been in the previous two installments. He’s got unresolved emotional issues from his childhood that threaten to destroy the man Jamie knows. I continued to root for Jamie as she stood her ground and didn’t let his stubbornness get in the way of doing what she needed to do, stand by her man. Continuing to prove that a smart woman with good training is as capable, if not more, than a man at conducting investigations, Jamie is like a dog with a bone as she tackles small town secrets and deals with a body count that begins to rise just as she hits town.

The mystery of Adam’s past, who raped a 14 year old girl over twenty years ago, and who is killing people now is very well done. The story takes several twists and turns and Jamie finds herself in danger more than once! As if Jamie’s hands aren’t already full, Ms. Christoff ups the ante by bringing the DEA into the picture as they investigate the small town and its connection to illegal drugs. And adding a touch of romantic tension, the head DEA agent just happens to have the hots for Jamie, who he’s worked with before.

Will Jamie discover who is framed Adam twenty years ago for a crime he didn’t commit? Will she and Adam survive her investigation into the past? And what will happen to their almost relationship when the investigation is complete? You’ll have to read The Kill Box to find out, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Jamie gets into next.

[HornFan2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley.com, Nichole Christoff and Random House Publishing Group - Alibi for the advance copy for my review and I also purchased this one from amazon.com.

Totally enjoyed this one, it's the 3rd book in the Jamie Sinclair series. Even having a touch of romance in it didn't scare me away from 'the Kill Box'.

I really liked Nicole Christoff's writing style, you have a PI, multiple Police agencies, a cold case, an intertwining storyline, have the Military involved, along with it's Veterans, with a touch of romance, full of twists and turns, multiple red herrings and a fast fly by the seat of your pants read.

One were even though I had the eventually bad guys on my shortlist of whodunit, she still kept my interest to want too finish this one. Glad I did, already have the first two Jamie Sinclair books to look forward to reading.

I liked the Jamie Sinclair character, she's tough, smart, no fear, someone you would want as a friend verse as an enemy and doesn't give up.

LT. Col. Adam Barrett and Marc Sandoval DEA agent are two likable characters, relatable to and make the story all that better.

I do feel that Christoff has that knack for creating interesting characters, likable ones, that add to the storyline and even the bad guys are realistically done.

Definitely worth it to read.

[Scott Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable novel, featuring private investigator Jamie Sinclair, military cop Adam Barrett and unsolved twenty year old rape mystery that someone is attempting to frame Adam for. Jamie has just finished a case and is returning home, looking forward to spending some quality time with the recuperating Mr. Barrett injured in their previous novel together. But someone turns up and is hustling Barrett out of Jamie's place, arguing that he is needed to rescue an old buddy.

Shortly after Jamie gets a phone call from Barrett's grandmother who says that Adam is in trouble and needs her help. Jamie packs her gear and heads off to the small town of Fallowfield where she becomes entwined in unravelling a mystery from the past and modern day killers.

[Anne Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a much better book than #02 in the series in just about every way: better plot, better characters and much better writing. Christoff had dropped many of clichés that were so annoying previously: the glasses and Barrett’s boxers body. Well, she does mention them, but not nearly as often. She also likes to have a second love interest for our heroine, which is also getting rather repetitive. This book, however, was much more enjoyable and so gripping that I read it in one go. Now to my next read in the series!

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery good read!!:)

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary from Goodreads:

"Hardworking Jamie Sinclair can’t wait for the weekend. She plans to be off the clock and on the road to wine country with handsome military police officer Adam Barrett. But when a strung-out soldier takes an innocent woman hostage and forces his way into Jamie’s bedroom, everything changes. Jamie’s never seen the soldier before. But he’s no stranger to Barrett—and with one word he persuades Barrett to pack a duffel and leave Jamie in the lurch.

Jamie cannot fathom why Barrett would abandon her without explanation. But as the consequences of an unsolved crime threaten to catch up with him, a late-night phone call sends Jamie racing to Barrett’s hometown in upstate New York. In a tinderbox of shattered trust and long-buried secrets, Jamie must fight to uncover the truth about what really occurred one terrible night twenty years ago. And the secrets she discovers deep in Barrett’s past not only threaten their future together—they just might get her killed."

My Thoughts:

Three books in and this series has secured a spot as one of my favorite mystery series. Every book reminds me of why I love this series so much and this book was no different. In fact, it somehow languished on my kindle unread for an obscene amount of time for no other reason then I didn't realize it was there. Yes, I find that to be just as ridiculous as it sounds. Anyways, the 4th book was up on NetGalley and after requesting it I realized I had never read this one. So I had to get started on it right away because how could I not?? I think that this book may be my favorite of the series so far. While every book has been both intense and suspenseful, this book really allowed for me as the reader to understand Jamie more. I loved, loved, loved that we got to see a different side of her in this book. One that focused a bit more on her emotions and feelings for Adam Barrett. I just felt like this was a turning point book in this series for Jamie, and I loved this book all the more because of it.

One of the things that this author does best with these books is creates mysteries with a military edge to them. With each book I have learned something different about the military and how it works, which just makes this series stand out for me. For instance, in this book I learned about what a kill box is which is a term that I had never even heard of before. It is so interesting and I love that about these books. I also really love Jamie's character at this point. She isn't perfect and struggles with getting close to others. But it is these imperfections that make her come to life in the pages of these novels. I loved how this book put her through a ton of emotional turmoil. It made me want to read as fast as I could to see how it would all end. I always feel like I've been through a whirlwind when finishing a book in this series. They are all that fast paced and intense. I have to force myself to slow down at certain points so I don't miss anything. The ending of this book was perfect in my opinion and I am very excited to move on to book four in the near future!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am a huge fan of this series! I think readers would be better off to start with the first book and read them in order but you definitely don't have to. This book would stand quite well by itself in my opinion. It wasn't perfect (I managed to figure out the bad guy early on) but it was the emotional connection that really made this book stand out for me. And as I spent the rest of the book trying to figure out if I was right or wrong.....well I really can't even complain about that. I would highly recommend this series to other mystery readers!

Bottom Line: My favorite book in this series so far!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

[Dan Curnutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank the publisher and Net Galley for making a copy of this book available to me for a pre-read and review.

The book will be released on October 20, 2015, you can go out to Amazon and pre-order it is you like.

This is the third book in the Jaime Sinclair, Private Investigator, series. I think each of the books has gotten better as the series progresses.

In this case we start with Jaime Sinclair and Lt. Colonel Adam Barrett at her home in the Washington D.C. area. Lt. Colonel Barrett is still recovering from a broken leg that he sustained in the last book. Jaime has been taking care of him. Their relationship, well, it’s still complicated. They care for each other, but they have not yet plunged into the sexual side of things, for which I give the author great credit for keeping their relationship away from that entanglement at this time.

With just a couple of days to go before Adam gets the cast off his leg an old friend of his from home, Vance McCabe, shows up. His entrance is a bit different in that he comes holding Jaime’s housekeeper hostage with a gun to her head until Adam agrees to go with him back to their hometown to save a friend, Eric Wentz, from committing suicide.

Adam leaves and Jaime has no idea what is happening. Then Adams grandmother calls to ask Jaime to come to Fallowfield to bail Adam out of jail and make sure he is doing OK.

This starts a chain of events that will lead to old secrets, old loves, old hatreds and a murder to come to the surface. In all of this Adam doesn’t look too good. Especially when Jaime finds that he has been drinking and brawling and even punched out his old friend Luke who is now the town Sheriff.

Now as Jaime shows up things really start to unravel. First there are a couple of hikers found dead. Then Adam’s friend Eric commits suicide, or is it murder. Then more death and rumors of drug trafficking start to surface. Then Marc Sandoval, the DEA agent from Jaime’s last adventure shows up in town, undercover.

So, what is going on? Who is on a killing spree? Why does it seem that Adam is at the center of it all? And further, why is Adam telling Jaime that they should call it quits and she should leave town?

Through 260 pages of thrills, mystery, death, drugs and old history you will find that you are constantly wanting more, constantly second guessing everything and then you find yourself believing that you have it all figured out, when low and behold, nope, it was totally different that you thought, or at least sufficiently different that you can’t believe how the story ends.

This truly was a great piece of writing and one that I totally loved. Now I can’t wait for the next Jaime Sinclair novel.

Enjoy!

[Diana Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley.

Kill Box is a Thriller by Nichole Christoff. Today we’re starting with the description:

Hardworking Jamie Sinclair can’t wait for the weekend. She plans to be off the clock and on the road to wine country with kill boxhandsome military police officer Adam Barrett. But when a strung-out soldier takes an innocent woman hostage and forces his way into Jamie’s bedroom, everything changes. Jamie’s never seen the soldier before. But he’s no stranger to Barrett—and with one word he persuades Barrett to pack a duffel and leave Jamie in the lurch.

Jamie cannot fathom why Barrett would abandon her without explanation. But as the consequences of an unsolved crime threaten to catch up with him, a late-night phone call sends Jamie racing to Barrett’s hometown in upstate New York. In a tinderbox of shattered trust and long-buried secrets, Jamie must fight to uncover the truth about what really occurred one terrible night twenty years ago. And the secrets she discovers deep in Barrett’s past not only threaten their future together—they just might get her killed.



I did enjoy this book for the most part, though I stumbled over some things. First, When Barret’s buddy pulls his stunt and Barret disappears, Jamie forgives and forgets that for the most part. I’m just not sure that she would. That seems to be a significant relationship problem. It doesn’t bear a lot onto to the overall story, but it did bother me throughout. The other thing that bothered me for a long time (though the thread finally came back in) was the beginning bit. Jamie is involved in a police operation, and after, she comes home to the hostage scene described in the beginning. That initial scene seems to be important, then simply vanishes from memory. It seems to have no purpose. Eventually it came back, which was nice, but until it did, it bothered me.

I also didn’t like the resolution. The bad guy. The murderer made sense. But I had a little bit of trouble buying the conspirator and mastermind of the uncovered drug operation. That all seemed to come out of the blue and again, I just had a hard time buying it.

However, I really liked the way Christoff built the mystery and revealed the clues. I liked the various characters in the town and the difficulties between Barrett and Jamie. I also like the complications from the old murder and the town’s law enforcement. I did like Jamie as a character, and Barrett grew on me as more of his past was revealed. I could see why he didn’t open up very quickly.

I enjoyed the book. I thought it was a good read overall. The ending was a bit disappointing, but I’ll definitely pick up another book of Christoff’s.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nichole Christoff in her new book, “The Kill Box” Book Three in the Jamie Sinclair series published by Alibi gives us another adventure with Jamie Sinclair.

From the back cover: In an intense thriller that’s perfect for fans of Lee Child or Lisa Gardner, security specialist and PI Jamie Sinclair tackles a cold case that could cost her the one person who means the most to her.

Hardworking Jamie Sinclair can’t wait for the weekend. She plans to be off the clock and on the road to wine country with handsome military police officer Adam Barrett. But when a strung-out soldier takes an innocent woman hostage and forces his way into Jamie’s bedroom, everything changes. Jamie’s never seen the soldier before. But he’s no stranger to Barrett—and with one word he persuades Barrett to pack a duffel and leave Jamie in the lurch.

Jamie cannot fathom why Barrett would abandon her without explanation. But as the consequences of an unsolved crime threaten to catch up with him, a late-night phone call sends Jamie racing to Barrett’s hometown in upstate New York. In a tinderbox of shattered trust and long-buried secrets, Jamie must fight to uncover the truth about what really occurred one terrible night twenty years ago. And the secrets she discovers deep in Barrett’s past not only threaten their future together—they just might get her killed.

I have always liked the idea of solving a cold case. I suppose, to my mind, that it brings about a sense of closure and justice. This time around Jamie gets involved, among other things, with a twenty year old cold case. People are getting murdered and there are those that will go to great lengths to keep this case unsolved. Then there is also the search for the drug dealers and their supply of drugs in the big cities. “The Kill Box” will keep you guessing as to what is going on. There is plenty of action, suspense and a fair amount of thrills within these pages. What I recommend is you take the phone off the hook, go to the bathroom, then make a big bucket of popcorn to hold you because you will want to finish this book in one reading. I like Jamie Sinclair and I am so looking forward to her next adventure.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Enchanted Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Hectaizani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the third in a series featuring the same characters. While this book was great as a stand alone I do wish I'd read the two previous novels first to get more information on how the characters met and to better understand their interactions. Besides the story was so good it's a shame I didn't take in all of it.

I'd classify this book as romantic suspense. The romance involves private investigator Jamie and Adam, a Lieutenant Colonel, with DEA agent Marc on the sidelines. Marc is hoping for a triangle, Jamie only has eyes for Adam.

When the book begins Adam is busy recuperating at Jamie's house. He is recovering from wounds he received on their last mission together. Things are heating up when suddenly a strange man breaks into Jamie's house and demands that Adam come with him. Just like that Adam turns cold, packs up his stuff and leaves. Jamie can't figure out what happened, he won't return her calls, and she has no idea where Adam ran off to until Adam's grandmother calls and asks her to come to his hometown and get him out of jail.

When she arrives in the tiny little town of Fallowfield the suspense comes into play. The strange man is an old friend of Adam's from high school. He insists that one of Adam's old friends is in danger, but there is no evidence of that until the "suicide" is discovered. Even though the rest of the town, including the police force, is convinced that the victim killed himself, Jamie knows better. Then Marc turns up, hot on the trail of drug runners. Now Jamie is completely certain she isn't wrong, something is going on in Fallowfield. Throw in a 20 year old mystery that has the townspeople looking askance at Adam and Jamie has her hands full, juggling two men, restoring Adam's reputation, and rounding up the bad guys.

I was confused by the relationship between Adam and Jamie. At first he was interested, then he dropped her like a hot potato. She spends the rest of the story chasing after him. She loves him, he blows her off. She pines after him, he gets jealous when she talks to Marc, then blows her off again. Referencing my earlier comments about not having read the first two books, I wonder if I'm missing something. Because if it was me, well, let's just say, Marc seemed like a really hot alternative. Even if Adam was trying to protect Jamie from his past, and the issues going on in his present, it made him come off as a jerk, not a gallant.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Jamie Sinclair series and probably my favorite and I think a good improvement to the second book. In this book, Jamie's love interest Adam Barrett, has been staying with her (small spoiler if you have not read the previous books) for the past six weeks while his leg, broken in the last book, heals. They are getting closer although still not physically, and maybe not as close as Jamie thinks when a strung-out friend of Adam shows up and Adam leaves with him--with no explanation to Jamie. (This couple has the worst timing in the world when it comes to their relationship.) Jamie gets a call from Adam's grandmother asking for help as Adam is in jail. Jamie heads for Adam's hometown in rural, upstate New York to help him but not only is he in a lot of trouble, he wants nothing to do with her and wants her to leave. Jamie refuses of course, and it seems that Adam's long-held secrets are not staying buried in the past and are in fact bringing grave danger to the present.

I liked Jamie more in this book and Adam much less--his behavior towards her (even if for a "good" reason) was pretty nasty. I really liked the new potential romantic rival for Jamie--a sexy DEA agent--hopefully he will be back in future books to tempt her. Very happy that by my count the repeated descriptions of Jamie's "square-framed geeky/nerdy/brainiac glasses" and Adam's "boxer's build" were at a minimum during this book--just two each. (Read my reviews of the first two books.) ;-) Still a few questionable actions/decisions on Jamie's part that concern me as she is considered a 'security expert'--and again I found myself yelling at her for something pretty obvious. Still, the action was fast-paced, the premise engaging, this book garnered an extra star from me compared to the last one, and I will keep reading the series.


Note: I received an ARC copy of this eBook from the publisher via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the simplest terms, a kill box is a strike zone. To the soldier, sailor, airman, or marine, it's his designated target area. The warfighter bore the responsibility for eliminating threats within his kill box...where killers killed with impunity.

PI Jamie Sinclair is no stranger to the military. The daughter of military, the ex-wife of military and now girlfriend to Adam Barrett military that is about to go AWOL. Adam is taken at gun point back to his home town in Fallowfield by a childhood friend. Sinclair follows him at the request of Barrett's grandmother asking for help. Once in Fallowfield, Barrett keeps Jamie at arms length saying that the his past that includes the death of a 14 year old girl and her surviving brother's struggle with drugs is a problem he must face alone. As Sinclair investigates and a possible drug ring comes up, warnings are issued along with several of Barrett's friends ending up dead. The nice little town of Fallowfield is holding secrets that started with the death of 14 year old girl to years later a drug problem with the town's servicemen.

Sinclair must decide if the accusations that Barrett is facing are credible and how she can help the man that she has discovered that she has fallen hard for. Will it be enough to save him?

A crime mystery that has many different facets going on....the accusation of rape, drug abuse, murder, suicide, and the well being of our military and how it all came together to bring down a drug ring. Sinclair is likeable and determined, someone that you would want on your side.

A Special Thank You to Random House Publishing, Alibi, and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Annabel Krantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kill Box by Nichole Christoff is the third book in the Jamie Sinclair series. I reviewed the first and second books, The Kill List and The Kill Shot, earlier this year, but this book was definitely my favourite so far.

In The Kill Box, tough cookie Jamie Sinclair shows her soft side, racing (unwanted) to the rescue of Adam, who we got to know in previous books. Adam is less the knight in shining armour in this instalment, and is more like the damsel in distress - thankfully Jamie puts up with his rubbish and sees it for what it is - insecurity, after a tragedy from his past resurfaces. Jamie takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of a decades old murder, but before she can make much headway, bodies start dropping left and right. With some strange small town acquaintances and a keen DEA agent, along with Adam's adorable granny, she manages to find the truth.

I think this was my favourite book in the series so far because it had the deepest mystery and the best character development. Jamie showed her softer side, and we learned that there was more to Adam than just being the perfect jarhead. The secondary characters were really interesting, and (although my awesome deductive mind was suspicious of one of the bad guys from the start) there was plenty to keep me guessing! I read the whole book in a sitting - which is a testament to the book in itself, as I'm so tired these days that long stints of reading are far and few between!

The book can be read as a stand alone mystery, but readers would definitely benefit from the backstory of Jamie's career, and Adam and Jamie's relationship, as both are developed during this book. Plus, the first two books are pretty good, so why not check them out?!

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Sinclair, a private investigator and Adam Barnett (a military police officer) have plans to spend the weekend in wine country…until a strung-out soldier, Vance McCabe, forces his way into her home taking Adam’s private nurse, Mrs. Montgomery, as hostage. Although Jamie has never seen this man before Adam knows him well. When Vance says one word to Adam, he packs his duffle bag leaving Jamie to wonder what just happened. Three days after Adam leaves with Vance, Jamie receives a phone call from Miranda Barrett, Adam’s grandmother, begging her to come to Fallowfield and help her grandson…because he is in jail.

Although this is the third book in the Jamie Sinclair series, you do not need to read the other two in order to understand this book, however you will want to go back and read them. This is a fast-paced novel that will capture your attention from the first page. The twists, turns and suspense will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat with bated breath to the very end. If you love suspense-filled novels this will be a must-read. Although the plot has a gripping story line and the characters are well developed it didn’t quite seem to be a thriller to me. However it was a great book and I for one can’t wait for the next in the series. In my opinion, what was not to love about this book…it has romance, suspense and intrigue…along with a grandmother you can’t keep from falling in love with.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this eBook by the publisher, Random House Publishing Group-Alibi , through NetGalley blogger program for review. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I compensated for my review. The opinions in this review are my own.

[Sparkymom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie is on a new case, and this one might just be the most important one she's ever worked. For the past seven months, Jamie and Adam Barrett have been together, and although they haven't spent a lot of time discussing their feelings, they both seem to know they are ready to take their relationship to a more serious level...until Adam deserts Jamie with no explanation. Jamie's attempts to contact Adam are unsuccessful until she receives a call from his grandmother asking for Jamie's help on his behalf. Despite feeling betrayed by him, her heart won't let her leave him in the lurch. She agrees to help and finds herself on the road to Adam's hometown. Unfortunately, things are not what they seem when she arrives. Adam is in deep trouble legally and professionally. Though Jamie is likely the only person who can help him, he is hateful to her and turns her away at every opportunity. He continually tries to get her to leave, but Jamie is not a quitter. Secrets long held by Adam try to change Jamie's opinion of who he is, and a killer no one knew existed is active again with Jamie in the crosshairs.

This story follows many ups and downs in Jamie's relationship with Adam, and also introduced a new and interesting DEA agent named Marc into her life. The suspense I love about the series was in full swing, and in my opinion, this series just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait to see what's in store for Jamie next!

I appreciate Net Galley saving me some wait time in catching up with these characters by providing me with a copy for review.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Alibi for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.

Jamie Sinclair is Christoff's PI/Security Specialist, aka a badass woman. This is the third book with Sinclair fighting for justice but the first book I've read. I'll be backtracking and reading the other two for sure.
Disclaimer: I don't believe that real life is anything like these kick ass women that I love to read about. Heck, I don't think real life is as exciting and adventure filled as any book makes it out to be. But it doesn't stop me from reading the fiction and loving the fiction, or rather the idea of justice happening.
Jamie Sinclair follows a trail that leads from her home in D.C. to rural New York. In attempting to talk some sense into her soldier boyfriend she stumbles on to a 20 year old cold case that has connections and ties to many people in the town, including her boyfriend. Determined to find out the truth about the crime from 20 years ago, Jamie sets off a chain of events that keep tumbling down like a domino train. But when the events stop knocking into one another will the truth be exposed finally or will it just be a dead end?
Christoff is a strong author. She writes good characters, has interesting crimes for her PI to solve, and develops the stories at just the right pace. She's only written this series so far featuring Sinclair and they are only available by eBook but now that I have read this one I am willing to hunt down numbers 1 and 2 and keep up with the series as long as Christoff writes it.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given an electronic copy by Random House Publishing Group: Alibi and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

The Kill Box is the third book in the series featuring Private Investigator Jamie Sinclair. With the successful completion of an undercover operation, Jamie goes home to Lieutenant Colonel Adam Barrett, whom she met on a previous mission. Being injured while saving her life, Adam agrees to convalesce at her house. With a promising relationship between them, everything grinds to a halt when an old high school friend demands Adam's help. Three days later...

Having not read the other books in the series did not seem to matter, as enough of the backstory is told at the beginning. The biggest problem that I had with The Kill Box were the multiple errors: misspellings, as well as synonyms written attached to each other, as if the writer was deciding between them and forgot to remove one. All errors should have been fixed by spell check software and hopefully a good editing will be sufficient. It does take away from the flow of the novel, which was already paced on the slower side. Adam's past history is the focus of this book, so it really does not provide much character development for Jamie. I had high hopes for The Kill Box, but would put this into the not so memorable category.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kill Box is the third book in the Jamie Sinclair mystery/suspense series. It is a very well written, full length novel.

Jamie's military officer boyfriend, Adam, has been on leave and recuperating from his recent injuries at her home in D.C. When a childhood friend of his shows up saying that he needs help, Adam goes AWOL and returns to his childhood home in the countryside. Jamie follows and soon finds herself investigating several recent murders, and a twenty year old murder in which Adam was a suspect.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced plot and the colorful characters. Jamie is one of my favorite book heroines; her professional competence and strength is nicely complimented by a vulnerable personal side.

While The Kill Box can be read as a standalone, I think it is better to read the series in order. The book ends in a HFN and no cliffhanger.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

[Tanya Brough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kill Box -- Nichole Christoff
 
Welcome back, Jamie Sinclair!
We've all come to know Jamie, a private eye turned security specialist, from ''The Kill List" and "The Kill Shot".
In "The Kill Box", Jamie she is once again the centre of action.
After her marriage ended, she is seeing Adam Barrett, an officer in the military police.
They were about to set off for a lost weekend, when a soldier takes a woman hostage. Jamie doesn't know him, but he sure knows Adam.
Funny -- Jamie also thought she knew Adam. But soon a whole host of secrets are unveiled and Jamie has to fight to keep her own life afloat.
I'm glad I read the first two Jamie Sinclair books. To see how the character (and writing) grew from then until this book, is quite astonishing.
Nichole Christoff paints such a vivid picture in virtually every scene, that the book plays almost like a movie or TV-show.
The twists and turns of ''The Kill Box" make for compulsive reading.
Bring on the next one!