Painted Walls

Bureau #2

by Megan Mitcham

Deadly daddy-issues.

The Blood-Red Killer, America’s most notorious serial killer, tucked Supervisory Special Agent Ava Shepherd into bed every night with a bedtime story and a kiss on the cheek.

Thirty years after his apprehension, Ava—still running from his memory—becomes the prime suspect for a murder eerily similar to the ones her father committed all those years ago. Shattered by the accusation, Ava reluctantly accepts former flame Special Agent Kenneth Hunt's assistance in clearing her name.

Kenneth is on the mend, and though their fling is ancient history, the bruises Ava left on his heart throb in her presence. He’ll help her, but she’ll have to play by his rules.

When the body count and undeniable heat rise, Ava must face the demons of her past and present—or be consumed by them.

Genres: Romantic Suspense

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2015

About the author

Megan Mitcham is a USA Today bestselling author who pens sizzling suspense novels that whisk you across the globe, wedge your heart in your throat, make your hands sweat and your skin tingle. Check out her special forces heroes in the Base Branch Series. If you like the darker side of suspense, try her Bureau Series.

Website: www.meganmitcham.com

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Reviews

[Krystin | TheF*ckingTwist · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book Blog | Bookstagram

DNF @ 32%

While I like the premise - an FBI agent who is the daughter of a ruthless serial killer is accused of new murders that copycat her father - the execution reads goofy and sexed-up and I wasn't expecting that. There was so much talk about masturbating and sex and pussies and nipples and every other fucking thing and then the lawyers are like wrestling in the police station hallway over the MC. It's not dark, it's childish, clearly meant to elevate the romantic/erotic side of the plot. Not my thing.

[Judes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently realized I have a great liking for Suspense-Mystery-Romance Novels and I cannot get enough of Ms Mitcham's style and penchant for a good heart thumping story that has you so tied up in knots or so on edge at the utter horror and evil that walks through some people's minds it is truly amazing and horrific at the same time.

This novel took us into the realm of ... Can a serial killer be an average family man? Can he or she love and feel or does he have to be only a twisted so and so?? What are the children like who come from such a damaged mind like??? and Are they all destined to be like the parent(s)????

This author explored these questions and I find her argument realistic and believable as Ava (our h) is from such a family structure where her father is this prolific serial killer and her mother (THANK HEAVENS) is normal and was able to give her a better balance of understanding right from wrong so she was able to turn it around and become a top notch profiler for the FBI and head her field.
Unfortunately we are also privy to her ghosts, which we can only but expect, as she is stigmatised and despised by ignorant, fearful people. The damage that happens to such young growing minds is so sad and this book, while it was, as all Ms Mitcham's books, completely wall to wall action and drama from a copycat killer to romantic second chances and even crazy twists that came out of nowhere and blindsided you... it centered on the gradual curve a 'child come adult', born into this unwarranted life forgives herself and faces her demons and is able to love.

I totally get her confused self coming to terms with the fact that she hates and loves her serial killer father as we all do love our parents for the sole purpose of who they are and it is inborn in us to love them especially when they have not abused us or even shown any ability to hurt us personally. As we learn right from wrong that is where the boundary lies and where we become opposites. Yet the heart will love whom it loves, it just does this very cautiously in the aftermath of such a devastating blow to mind and understanding what, where and whom we come from.

I loved where we meet this happy, loving family man and his beautiful wife and child, only to be spun 360 to realise this man is the notorious serial killer who drains women's blood and use it as paint on the wall behind their death bed. WOW!!! What a mind spasm!!
We jump forward to a scarred child-now-woman who exists rather than lives. Who trusts no one and is afraid to so she pushes her lover away. The storyline is woven so intricately with Ava's growth and her issues and the fight she goes through daily and Keen, BTW one of the sweetest book BF who is forever there for her and loves her unconditionally, all boiled together with this sudden emergence of a copycat trying to frame her for current murders with the same MO as her father's.

For me this particular journey was not as compact/full as the previous book or other series Base Branch. I also found the book just ended abruptly as I have gotten accustomed to a small wiff of the upcoming direction for the next journey... but alas it was not as smoothly done to my mind.
The secondary characters were rather interesting especially Mason and Lara as well as Annie, yet we are left wanting to know a bit more of them and why they do certain things within the story. Even Lara's partner Gray who was weeping at the hospital, a bit confusing why a grown FBI agent is reduced to tears in full view of everyone ??

All that said... IT IS Megan Mitcham and you will get way more than most in this nail biting, heart thumping, quirky as hell in parts with great characters as well as twists with turns and loops and last but not least a writing style, which I thoroughly enjoy, as we go through each story that leaves us wanting more and more and more!

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review which I have done and all words and opinions are solely mine.

[N. Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exciting story. It's gripping, suspenseful and I couldn't put it down. It was addicting. If you enjoy suspense, you'll love this book. I'm so afraid to give something away, so I'm not going into too much detail!

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painted Walls is the second book in the Bureau series, and is as wonderful as the first. Megan Mitcham has a way of bringing the suspenseful elements of her story to life in such a way that you are locking your doors and keeping the lights on as you read.

Painted walls pulls you right into the story from page one and keeps you entranced and guessing as the story moves on. Though there were bits and pieces that led me to make certain guesses, not all of it came easily. I was still suprised at some of the twists and turns and enjoyed that bit of shock. I love when an author can keep me guessing and/or turn the tables on me.

Ava is such a strong female character, she took the bad parts of her past/history and used them as motivation to turn her life into the opposite of what was expected, but in doing that she shut herself off from good things too. She was pretty easy to read, but you could see the changes happening to her internally as the story went on. It was not just a story about solving a crime, not just a romance, but a story of growth and change for one person as well. Ava had to accept herself and love herself before she could move on to find any sort of relationship with others and to watch as these intrinsic changes took place was marvelling.

Keen was a fabulous character himself, at first he was hard for me to get a read on, but then his demeanor quickly changed and the real guy shown through and was amazing. He owned his past mistakes, and realized he wasn't going to let things get in his way or stand down anymore. He was take charge, but he also knew Ava enough to know when to push and when to back off to the side while still being protective.

The twists and turns this story takes are amazing and build suspense, heighten suspicions, and bring an ultimately amazing ending to the criminal case. Though full of heart stopping moments, and creepy things that made me question the noises I heard around me, there was also heartfelt endearing moments and a few giggles here and there which made for a well rounded story that wasn't focused too much on any one part, but instead worked it all together.

Painted Walls is a thrilling suspense story that will leave you with your heart pounding and trying to catch your breath. Another fabulous story, I look forward to more in the series and more from Mrs. Mitcham in general.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read an electronic copy of Painted Walls. This is my honest opinion of the book.

The Blood Red Killer had been terrorizing the community by killing young women, draining them of blood and using it to paint a wall in their homes. After the killer was tried and convicted, his wife and daughter changed their identities and tried to live new lives. The daughter, Ava, grew up to become a Special Agent for the FBI at the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crimes. When Ava is accused of a horrible crime, she has no choice but to go back to where it all began. The truths that Ava and her ex Keen uncover are so much worse than they imagined. Will the pair be able to stop the killer before he takes down Ava for good?

I liked the suspense and the thriller portions of this book, but I was not really all that impressed with the romance aspect. Painted Walls had the potential to be a full on scary police procedural thriller, but the author decided that the main characters needed a little time to explore their relationship. Being chased by a killer is evidentially not enough of a thrill for them, I suppose. There was a good ending twist, but I kept going back to the fact that the romance had not fit in with the serious nature of the rest of the book. With a little bit of editing, Painted Walls could stand besides other suspense thrillers. Readers who like romantic suspense will probably enjoy Painted Walls, but it was just an average read for me.

[Mignon Mykel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one wasn't as gripping, in my opinion, as FOR ALL TO SEE, but perhaps I simply had higher expectations for Keen and Ava. When we left off in FATS, we get a bit of a hint toward why Ava chose the Bureau, but nothing was truly elaborated. In PAINTED WALLS, we actually go back a little bit, pre-wedding (therefore, pre-epilogue) and get a bit more of Ava and Keen's story.

This was a lovely second chance romance. Ava broke things off with Keen years ago, but both have had a hard time moving on. Ava's secrets and scars are something she keeps closely hidden, but as her past starts coming to haunt her... as hard as she tries to keep Keen away, he keeps pushing to help.

One of the things that I wasn't sure was a plus or a minus on Keen's part was how friendly he was with Ava. Ava, Keen, and Nate have been friend's since "forever" and as such, Keen and Ava retain a teasing friendship -- even with Ava trying to keep away from the man she still loves. Keen is still playful and teasing with Ava, and at times it was if the past relationship these two had wasn't even something that had happened.

Regardless.... I loved that even though Ava could handle her own -- something Keen was aware of and supportive of -- Keen still had his protective nature and wanted to shield her from further hurts. These two were enjoyable to read, even if the story at times felt a bit slow.\

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a serial killer as your parent would no doubt warp you in one way or another no matter how strong you might be. Ava Shepherd, Ruby Hardy at birth, was loved by her father. He loved her and her mother never ever planning to hurt them. That said, James Red Hardy was a notorious serial killer who had to spill blood to breathe freely, and he did a lot of blood spilling!

Ava grew up but fought every step of the way to overcome her origins. She chose hiding from the legacy of her father by fighting fiends and locking them in prison. She gave up the love of her life, Kenneth “Keen” Hunter, and tore his heart out of his chest. They have avoided one another for a decade – romantic embers are banked but not dead.

The story – well – a copycat appears on the scene setting Ava up as the murderer. There are several murders, intense moments, twists and turns, family gatherings, friendships shared, some romance, injuries sustained and a rather surprising exposure or two toward the end of the book.

This is a standalone book although I wouldn’t mind reading the first book in the series. I thought that perhaps Beaumont and Ava would be next to have their stories told in the series but it seems Ford is up next. Who is Ford? Ava’s sibling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the copy of this book to read for an honest review. I plan to read more of Ms Mitcham’s work whenever I find it!

4.5 Stars

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is definitely some romance in Painted Walls... but it is more of a suspense/thriller. I didn't read the first book in the Bereau series, but this is absolutely a stand-alone story, so no worries if you haven't read the first book (For All To See).

I loved the way the story developed. Starting out with Ava as a child, and her mother discovering her father is a serial killer... and then moving to 30 years later. Ava has worked her whole life to remove herself from who she came from. To suddenly be under suspicion for a series of murders (copied from her father) just blows her life apart. I don't know how children of serial killer, or people wrongfully accused of murder, keep their sanity. I think I would be a ball in the corner under either circumstance. But Ava? She's this strong, brilliant special agent. While she does have her human breakdowns... Keen (Kenneth) seems to be able to get her to put her head on straight. They really are perfect for each other... and learning of their past relationship fit really well through the story.

It will be interesting to see where the story goes next... because it was definitely left with a lead-in for a next book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of Painted Walls from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
I absolutely loved Painted Walls and I can honestly say the second book in this series was as good as the first if not better. I thought Ava was an awesome character and I loved her story.
Who would not love having a serial killer for a father and some sicko trying to frame you for murders that resemble his? That is what happens to Ava who is an FBI profiler in this book. Coming to her rescue and to tring to help prove her innocence is her ex- boyfriend and the man whose heart she broke her long-time friend Keen. Throughout the book while Ava and Keen race to prove her innocence and the body count rises these two people who still hold a lot of past baggage also have to fight to see it they still have a relationship worth salvaging.
This book is full of surprises and I was not able to put it down. I can't wait for the third book to come out. Needless to say Painted Walls gets five out of five stars.

[LaVida Brisco - One Last Page Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy Dearest

***ARC provided in exchange for honest review***

This was a thrilling and suspenseful read from beginning to end. What do you do when your father is one of the most prolific serial killers in the world. You become a FBI special agent and try to erase the past by putting away bad guys, well that's what Ava does. Until she accused of murders similar to that of her father and have to eventually accept help from her former flame and fellow FBI agent Kenneth. Kenneth who's still reeling from the heartbreak Ava had previously caused will still do anything to help Ava even at the cost of his heart. The characters in this book are intriguing and the storyline is straight out of Criminal Minds and when you finally get to the who, what, and why your mind is so far into the book that you wouldn't have guessed. That's what makes this a great romantic suspense book and you should definitely pick up your copy.

[Lynn Mullan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd of the Bureau series, and it's even better than the 1st book.
The title 'Painted Walls' sounds innocent enough...until you realise it's about the 'Blood Red Killer'.
Ava is a sassy heroine, who works for the FBI. Hunky hero Keen, a good friend of Nathan (book #1) is connected to Ava's past. When the killings of years ago start up again, and items framing Ava are left at the scene, it's up to Keen to help Ava find out who is doing the killings. This book is full of suspense, action, and intrigue from the get-go, and it doesn't falter at all throughout the plotline. Great characterisation, superb plot, it keeps you guessing until the end.
Excellent read!

[2OCC Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspense of this book had you hooked..

From the very first page I was hooked, I couldn't put it down..

So many twist and turns. I really didn't know what was going to happen next.

Ava and Kenneth, there relationship was messy, They couldn't admit how they felt so they got hurt, 10 years later, they finally get it right.!!

Hardly any romance, But at least the storyline and suspense was good

[Heike · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review**

Painted Walls by Megan Mitcham
Book 2 in the Bureau series
Standalone in a series
4 Stars

I love romantic-suspense;
Painted Walls is even better as book 1. A twisted FBI story what will catch your attention from the first page.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story line

I really like the story lines by this author, but I could REALLY do without the GRAPHIC PLAY BY PLAY sex scenes!! It's one thing to have a romantic twist...these are X-RATED!!That's so not necessary for a great storyline!!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I won this book on Netgalley for my honest opinion*

I whole hardheartedly give this book 5 stars. I could not put this book down. I had it sitting on my phone for a while and I wish I had read it sooner! The dialogue is wonderful. The banter makes you laugh out loud. And Keen, hold still my heart. He is one of my new book boyfriends. He is a top contender. I am huge fun of second chance romance. The way Mitcham dealt with their relationship, I fell in love with.

The book was real and heartfelt. Pick this book up and read! I will most definitely be on the lookout for more of Megan Mitcham's books from now on.

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of her best books. Lot of twists and turns. Lot of suspense. Proves your rotten father can hurt you in many ways but you can in the end overcome it. Needed more background on Keen’s life.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received a copy through netgalley in exchange for an honest review

When I requested for a copy of this book, I had no idea how the book would turn out. But, after reading it, and I can say that I would definitely love to read more by Megan Mitcham!

I loved Ava's story. The book was very mysterious from the beginning and had me at the edge of my seat for most of the time. I am a huge fan of suspense/thrillers, so this book totally worked for me and I fininished it in one sitting. The writing is great and addictive, I couldn't put it down before finishing the whole story!

I also like how Ava's character was developed throughout the book. Every chapter made me like her even more. Another character I loved most was of Keen. How could I not like him? He was amazing and also very understanding.

The story unfolded in a great way and kept me intrigued throught the book. After reading this book, I am really looking forward to read more by the author.

[Raelene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the second book because of the FBI and serial killer theme. I was however disappointed that the author felt it necessary to devote so many pages to sex scenes, which in this readers opinion , took away from the book, adding nothing to the plot. I get the hero and heroine in this book found each other again, but to many detailed pages in their sex detracts from the story line. To bad, otherwise this is a very good, edge of your seat book. I gave it only 3 stars due to the unnecessary sexual content.