Kill for a Million

Rivalries #3

by Janet Dailey

For one prestigious Texas ranching family still reeling from the murder of their powerful patriarch, the aftershocks continue amid the most prized reining event of the year —and so does the infighting and scandalous romance from legendary author Janet Dailey!

Frank Culhane’s murder remains unsolved while his widow, Lila, is still battling to keep her beloved ranch from the grasp of his embittered first wife and grown children. As for arresting Frank’s killer, time is running out for Detective Sam Rafferty to prove himself and save his career, and for his number one suspect—and Lila’s lover—Culhane ranch manager Roper McKenna, to prove his innocence. Both men are staking their fates on the outcome of the imminent reining event of the the Run for a Million.

Roper’s dream of riding in Run for a Million is finally coming true. And for his struggling family, the million-dollar prize will mean everything. He’ll be competing on borrowed stallion Fire Dance, with Lila’s legendary stallion, One in a Million, as one of his backups. For now, only winning matters. But suddenly, even that is in jeopardy . . .

On the road, a huge semi almost sideswipes Roper’s truck and horse trailer. He just manages to save the rig from rolling, but the horses are severely shaken. Was it an accident, or an attempt to sabotage Roper—or to kill Lila, who was supposed to have accompanied him?

Meanwhile, others are in turmoil of their own. There’s Sam’s clandestine affair with Lila’s pampered stepdaughter—and murder suspect—Jasmine; dangerous information Jasmine has about her mother; and a long-buried secret Roper’s sister harbors that could explode the Culhane dynasty. Then there is the sole witness to Frank’s murder—a witness who can’t speak, but may have a one in a million chance at revealing the truth . . .

Genres: Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Published April 28, 2026

About the author

Janet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.

Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.

She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.

Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.

Reviews

[Laura]

While I enjoyed the overall mystery, I did find myself confusing some of the characters in the book. I'm not sure if that's due to not reading the previous books or there were just too many characters for me to keep track. I felt like it was the latter for me.
When a family member gets greedy, this one shows the lengths that people will go to inherit the money. Perfect for readers who enjoy horse races, greed, murder attempts, and romance.

A very special thanks to TLC Book Tours + author for the gifted copy.

[Janet]

An absolute page turner! Highly recommend this book! Goodreads win!

[Joan Peiffer]

3.5 stars. I love reading western books so anything with cowboys and horses I usually enjoy. This was a quick read.

[Thomas George Phillips]

Since Ms. Dailey died a few years ago, her Mysteries are not up to her standards. Since Ms. Dailey's death, her books have been written by various ghost writers.

[RxReads]

I really enjoyed this one! There’s a lot going on with the unsolved murder, family drama, secrets, romance, and the big Run for a Million competition, but it all kept me interested. I especially liked following Roper as he prepares for the event while still dealing with being a murder suspect and trying to figure out who might be targeting him. The ranch and horse competition setting added something different to the mystery, and there were enough twists and suspicious characters to keep me guessing. The family drama gets pretty messy too, which made it even more entertaining. A good mix of mystery, suspense, romance, and Western atmosphere that kept me turning the pages.

[Mary]

Third in a trilogy Texas horse story

[Anne-Marie Chandler]

I loved this rivalries series: romance, horses training for competition, murder investigation, Texas locale close to Wichita Falls and Las Vegas; illegitimacy, rich landowner/horse farm, and underdog.

This novel is the 3rd rivalries novel and many questions were answered yet I feel that there could be another novel to further some loose ends!

I’m not discussing the plot as you can get that from the blurb on the book flap or on Libby.

Read all three if you love westerns and thrillers with a romantic element. I want a follow-up 10 year of these characters

Ms Dailey has another series that has intrigued me so I’m on to that world: Calder Brand - 5 novels.

She has penned 20 western Xmas novels!!

****I did not know that the copyright for 2026 is “by Revocable Trust Created by Jimmy Dean Dailey and Mary Sue Dailey Dated December 22, 2016”
Ms Dailey died December 14, 2013.

I do hope that there are more novels that she left notes, outlines, and cover illustrations for!

[Hsiau Wei]

This book is about high-stakes competition, family loyalty, and a gripping search for justice. In the third instalment of the Rivalries series, the Culhane family reunites as lingering questions from earlier books finally come to the forefront especially the mystery surrounding Frank Culhane’s murder. At the same time, the prestigious Run for a Million competition raises the tension, blending ambition, danger, and romance into a fast-paced story.

Janet Dailey skillfully balances suspense and heartfelt relationships, creating a narrative that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The mystery unfolds alongside emotional character arcs, giving the story both urgency and warmth. Fans of the series will appreciate how the plot threads from previous books come together, while new readers can still enjoy the novel as a standalone.

The western setting, with its rodeos, horses, and cowboy lifestyle, adds excitement and authenticity, making the stakes feel vivid and real. Romance weaves naturally through the suspense, offering tender moments amid the drama. Compelling, entertaining, and difficult to put down, this novel delivers a satisfying blend of mystery and western romance.

[Kristi]

“’What happened to him was in no way his fault.’ ‘It’s almost never the horse’s fault…’ ‘It’s usually the humans who deserve the blame.’”

For one prestigious Texas ranching family still reeling from the murder of their powerful patriarch, the aftershocks continue amid the most prized reining event of the year —and so does the infighting and scandalous romance from legendary author Janet Dailey!

4.5 stars! Oooh man I really enjoyed this. What a suspenseful, page flipping ride this was. This had the most over the top dramatic family squabbles, murder and mayhem, and sprinkled in was the majestic creature that is a horse. I could not get enough!

This is Rivalries book 3 and while I do feel that I was missing some backstory not having read the first two that in no way hindered my enjoyment of the story. This would make a fantastic miniseries!

Thank you to @kensingtonbooks, @btc_books, and @tlcbooktours for the gifted copy.

[Rachel Floyd]

Kill for a Million by Janet Dailey was a satisfying wrap-up to the mystery surrounding the Culhane murder. The reveal of the killer genuinely surprised me, which always makes a mystery more enjoyable.

I have to admit, I was never a fan of Darrin—he came across as a spoiled brat from start to finish. On the brighter side, I loved seeing Jasmine, Cheyenne, and Roper find some happiness by the end. It added a nice emotional balance to the story.

Overall, this was an engaging and surprising read that kept me invested until the final reveal.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley

[Nancy Abbott]

Kill for a Million

Good story. Enjoyed the mystery and family drama. Wish there were more in the series. Characters are very complex which is more than expected.

[Jane Everett]

The last book #3 in (Rivalries) Good series to read!

[Beverly Moore]

One of the best books I’ve ever read

It has everything to make it good, suspense, caring, love, and written well I like the characters and the people, everything was very moving and passionate

[Tracy]

Grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me engaged so much I didn’t want to put it down! Romance, suspense, cowboys, and love at almost first sight…great summer read. You won’t be disappointed!

[Ronald House]

I didn’t want to stop reading this. book!!

I have read all of Janet Dailey’s books dating back several years! This trilogy kept me mesmerized! I didn’t want to stop reading. I neglected my housework so I could keep reading!! I stayed up late reading in bed!!

[Cindy]

Murder mystery of a powerful Texas man from a large ranch family

[Janet Pritchard]

Great twist at the end.

[Murr]

I always figure out the killer. Not this time! Loved being surprised

[Barb Ramstad]

Excellent

All of Robyn's books were excellent as always. I have read many of her books and enjoyed them all.
They have kept me intrigued right to the end.

[Michelle Hathorn]

The book didn’t disappoint. It kept you guessing throughout and a surprising finale. It was worth waiting for after reading 1 and 2. You need to read them first to get the full story.

[Raoul Jerome]

Good plot, good character development, easy to understand.

[Katy Lovejoy]

Very dark but I actually liked it

[Jeanette B.]

Great finale. Tied up loose ends. Had interesting twists that were definitely unexpected! I was happy that the romance continued for the three main couples.

[Debra Gaynor]

Kill For A Million
Janet Daily
ISBN
Publisher
Large Print
Paperback
Hardback
Audio
Ebook
Debra Gaynor
Debg121254@gmail.com
Kill For A Million
Janet Daily
Roper McKenna is the primary suspect in the murder of Frank Culhane. Frank’s wife Lila is fighting to keep her ranch from the grubby hands of Frank’s first wife and children. Roper is the manager of the Culhane ranch and Lila’s lover. Detective Sam Rafferty is investigating the murder; this case could make or break his career.
Roper and his sister Cheynne load up two beautiful horses and take to the road for a competition. On the way there a run in with a semi-truck brings emotional damage to one of the horses. Borrow stallion Fire Dance becomes violent; there is no way the horse can compete. One in a Million was to be the backup but now everything depends on him. Roper needs to win the competition’s million-dollar prize. The semi-truck sideswiped the truck and horse trailer it was obvious it was on purpose. Were they trying to sabotage the competition or was it attempted murder.
There are several side plots in this tale. Sam is in love with Lila’s stepdaughter, Jasmine. Roper’s mother comes to the competition although she hates Las Vegas. She attempts to rule her family with an iron fist. The woman is very religious. Cheyenne has a secret she has protected for a long time. There was a witness to the murder, but he can’t talk. The families in the this take are very dysfunctional.
This is the third book in the Kill For a Million series. I have not read the other books but this one stands alone. I enjoyed this tale. The romances were well done, especially Cheyenne’s. I also enjoyed reading about the horses. Fans of author Janet Daily will be excited to read Kill For a Million.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

[Lesley Goldthorpe]

Kill for a Million was a fun throwback suspense read that reminded me why Janet Dailey could tell such an entertaining story. It's packed with greed, deception, and plenty of people who have their own reasons for chasing a fortune. Everyone seems to have something to hide, which kept me guessing about who could actually be trusted.
What I liked most was how quickly the story pulled me in. The mystery unfolds at a nice pace, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, another secret came to light. It's not filled with over-the-top twists, but it has enough surprises to keep the pages turning.
The characters aren't always likable, but that actually worked for me. Their ambition and questionable choices heightened the tension, and it was interesting to watch everything unravel as the stakes rose.
Since this is an older thriller, it definitely has a different feel than a lot of today's fast-paced suspense novels. The pacing is a little slower, and there's more focus on building the story and the characters before the big reveals. If you go in expecting that, it's an enjoyable ride.

[Sophie]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I picked this up as an audiobook ARC because I wanted to try something a bit different and see if this genre was for me… and unfortunately, I think I’ve learned it’s probably not 😅

That said, I can still appreciate what the book was doing. It’s got a mix of murder mystery, family drama, romance, and a strong ranch/horse setting, which will definitely work for the right reader. There’s a lot going on, with multiple storylines and characters, and I was still able to follow along without having read the previous books in the series.

For me though, I just didn’t fully connect with it. The story felt a bit busy at times and I struggled to really get invested in the characters or the outcome. Nothing was bad, it just wasn’t something that hooked me in the way I’d hoped.

Overall, I can see the appeal — especially if you enjoy this style of story — but it just wasn’t the right fit for me personally.

[Nancy]

Kill For A Million by Janet Dailey was a fabulous book. The characters and situations are so well written it kept me glued to the story. The narrator read the story so perfectly that I was able to feel, hear and see everything that was happening.
This is the third book in the Rivalries series. The mixture of family, love, family drama and all along who was guilty of killing Frank Culhane.
The rodeos and horses play a big part in the story and is following the parts is wonderful.
I found myself deep in the story and enjoyed every part of it. I recommend this book and you can read it as a standalone but to get the first two in the series will leave you glad you read them all.
Thank you NetGalley, Janet Dailey and Kensington Publishing for the audiobook of Kill for a Million. This is my personal review.

[Angela]

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

In book three of the Rivalries series, Janet Dailey has brought together all the moving part of the first two. While all the novels stand alone, this one answers the rest of the questions. We join the Culhane family and the supporting characters as they work to find out who killed Frank Culhane and compete in the Run for a Million.

This novel has it all. Romance and suspense in equal measure for the avid reader of both genres. Highly recommend if you like cowboys, romance, horses and rodeos. I was unable to put it down and was reading late into the night. As for what comes next for Janet Dailey fans, I am unsure, but I will be waiting.

[Jodi]

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity. This is part of a series in which I Have not read but was able to follow the flow of the story but for the best reading experience I would recommend reading the whole series. It had everything, romance, suspense, and family drama. It definitely put the dysfunctional in dysfunctional family. Texas strong focusing on a ranch family and the horsees as well as a murder and investigation for a flavor.. This has it all and will have the reader flipping through pages to find the ending. Definitely pick this one up if you love some horses with some suspense.

[Tammy Billington]

3.5⭐️Cowboy/Cowgirl rodeo mystery and romance…This book has all the things. Frank Culhane is murdered and the FBI is trying to review and find evidence to make an arrest. Set in the rodeo scene of a rodeo cutting million dollar competition in Vegas you’ll find yourself working through the clues to find out who is guilty. Then a plane goes down and another person bites the dust.

This book is the 3rd book in the series, but I enjoyed it as a stand alone. This one was definitely a page turner, and I enjoyed the story.

I received an advance copy from Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you @Kensingtonbooks and @janetdailey for the opportunity to read this book.