Brutal Justice: A Supernatural Crime Thriller

The Other Detective #4

by Heather G. Harris, Alyse Gibbs (Narrator)

Death has changed bodies… and justice is about to get personal.

A dead dryad on my medical examiner's lawn wasn't how this week was supposed to start. But when I discover the victim was merely the latest body worn by the Other realm's most notorious criminal, I realise this isn't just murder.

It's a possession.

Jude Jingo doesn't kill the usual way. He steals lives from the inside out, jumping from body to body and leaving corpses in his wake. And now he's wearing a face I recognise.

A face that's getting dangerously close to someone I care about.

Officially, I've been ordered to close the case. Unofficially? I'm digging deeper. Because when a vampyr tries to gut me in the street and whispers about "orders", I know this goes far beyond one dead dryad. Someone powerful wants this buried.

But I don't bury murder.

With my rookie partner covering my back, my bonded bird raising hell, and an ogre king who takes threats against me very personally, I'm stepping off the books to hunt a body-stealing killer hiding in plain sight.

If I'm wrong, I'll destroy an innocent man.

If I'm right, I'll have to stop a monster wearing borrowed skin… without killing the man trapped inside.

No pressure.

Immerse yourself in The Other Detective Series – perfect for fans of supernatural crime, featuring a fierce heroine, political intrigue, brutal magic, and a slow-burn romance.

Written in British English.

The Other Detective Series

Frustrated Justice – a prequel story Veiled Justice – Book 1 Mystic Justice – Book 2 Arcane Justice – Book 3 Brutal Justice – Book 4 Ruthless Justice – Book 5

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery, Magic, Romance, Vampires

Audible Audio

First published March 5, 2026

Reviews

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always in this series, we start with a murder. And this is a strange one, as the victim seems to be – literally – asking for it. More importantly, the victim is the dryad Ash Aspen, the body that shape-shifter Jude Jingo had been wearing and controlling. Additionally, the body was discovered on the lawn of Kate Potter, who is ME for Stacy’s team.
Stacy realises that a dead Aspen means Jingo has jumped into a new body – but whose? Loki, the caladrius, who had been imprisoned by Jingo, is understandably panicking.
Stacy and her team soon suspect who Jingo has now possessed and need to find a way of removing Jingo without harming his new host – not something that was thought possible.
Stacy finds out that her run-ins with Jingo have been going on for much longer than she had believed – and were more serious. A visit to Wraithmore prison gives her some much needed information.
A hit team seems to be gunning for Stacy – ordered by Jingo, the Domini or someone else? Krieg goes into full protection mode. He has gradually moved bits and pieces into Stacy’s flat, but as the Ogre King, can’t afford to move into a non-ogre den completely without relinquishing his title. He names her flat’s ghost Bob. Stacy had always considered Bob to be female. The truth is stranger that anyone would have thought.
The book ends with a kidnapping and (as expected) an almighty battle between the Domini, Jingo’s people and the ogres. Krieg shows why he is the Ogre King – and that beneath his romantic, handsome exterior is a blood-thirsty killer. Wait for his method of sending a message to Jingo.
I thought this was the last book in the series but there is still ‘Reckless Justice’ to come. October 2026 cannot come fast enough.
Highly recommended, yet again. I can’t get enough of the Other Realm books.

[Bigmommanina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Death has changed bodies… and justice is about to get personal.

A dead dryad on my medical examiner’s lawn wasn’t how this week was supposed to start. But when I discover the victim was merely the latest body worn by the Other realm’s most notorious criminal, I realise this isn’t just murder.

It’s a possession."



Must of been something in the Authorverse water last week as I had two ARC books that made me shout the last word written (followed by a few choice expletives 🫣) am fairly sure I have some kind of "hook/cliffhanger" trauma!

Heather G Harris continues to exceed my expectations with EVERY book! I've no idea how she does it, just when I get comfy BOOM plot twist!! & I'm not talking about the predictable "saw it coming two chapters ago" kind, more of the "can I make an excuse to miss this gala event to carry on reading" kind (Hubster was receiving an award so I couldn't miss it) the " got in at 2340 & finished the book around 0230" kind & now I have a book hangover kind!

Some people might see this review & think I'm being a smidge dramatic but I'm a voracious reader & hold HGH up there among my top five authors..... there is something amazing about the way her imagination works, the Otherverse may be urban fantasy but its written so well it could be real, You are so pulled into the lives & realities of these characters that you will be caught smirking, laughing, crying & swearing in public (also insuring your kindle against "accidental damage") The banter between characters is perfect 👌🏻 chefs kiss level with chapter 17....the sass was strong with that one 😉

Now I have to wait impatiently for my next fix

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently Stacy's story will now end in book #5 instead of the usual four that Harris gives to each arc in The Others universe. Which means this installment is the penultimate book.

And wow - Stacy finally gets some answers.

In this book Stacy discovers who was actually responsible for kidnapping and torturing her years ago, as well as who orchestrated her father's death. The culprit? The one and only Jude Jingo - the evil doppelganger Stacy previously encountered in the body of the dryad, Ash Aspen. That reveal alone makes this book feel like a major turning point in her story.

Not only that! Stacy also uncovers the real identity of the ghost hanging in her home. It's none other than the soul of her Dad!! Yes, her Dad's soul lingers to watch over her (although restricted to only her home!

Interestingly, there's not much new information about the Domini here. I'm starting to wonder if Harris is intentionally saving the deeper Domini arc for another series altogether. The organization's reach feels huge at this point - it has threads running through Amber's books, Lucy's books, and Stacy's.

So I'm very curious how Harris will wrap up Stacy's storyline. Will the final book focus mainly on Stacy confronting her personal nemesis now that she knows who it is? Or will it somehow tie into dismantling the Domini itself? Right now the Domini feels like a problem far bigger than one heroine can solve alone.

I suppose we'll find out in October 2026...

[Brijetta Goodwin`]

Another installment in a building story that started in previous books in the other realm series. Jingo hops body again but leave it at the door of a close colleague of Stacy. A lot of revelations are revealed about jingo being the one who kidnapped her and killer her father. Things get pretty heated towards the climax of the story as we see Stacy facing jingo and saving her friends. Now we get a cliffhanger that reveals that her father was apart of the domini an order that been the background villains since Lucy 1st trilogy. I wonder if jinx and Emory will return to fight against them too since they been absent for so long. Maybe the big showdown with them will happen with the return of the og main characters jinx and Emory. They fueled the anti crea group for their own benefit even if they don’t believe it. It’s a lot to unpack with how much they been pulling strings in the background. I look forward to the final book in Stacy and kreig story.

[Beatrice Lindström · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the ever loving fudge was that?! Okay, spoiler, (kind of), this book ends on a major freaking cliffhanger! And now I have to wait until freaking OCTOBER until I get to know what the heck is going on? seriously, October?! Okay, rant over. back to the review...
Stacy and Robbie are now engaged to be married. The doppelganger Juare front and center in this book and we get to know more about him, about the death of Stacy's dad and of the Domini that are after Stacy. There is of course a murder victim that is in the center of this whole mess and there are some major twists and turns that I couldn't imagine - political intrigue, powerplay and some good slow burn romance. Amber and Bastion also makes an appearance, which was nice!

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowwwww I'm speechless, at a loss for words complimenting Heather on this edition. The truths and nerve wrecking encounters, that came up in this edition had me giddy, going through the book like a hot knife through butter. The vile, thug of a Jude Jingo is in full force again, first jumping into Kate's new beau Troy, the Mer Prince. Stacey had an encounter with a vamp whom she killed and then through Amber's scrying and Bastian's resources, finds out was the heir apparent. Then Thackeray tells her to close the file officially as doppelganger are off limits. The visit to Wraithmore Prison had me chuckling when Ivan had to hand over his weapons. All I can say is, gird yourself for what's happening in this book and prepare for a few shockers especially towards the end.
I received an advanced review copy from the author and leave this review voluntary Thank you Heather this was brilliant

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when authors pull on all the strings they carefully placed throughout their series and everything comes together in an epic showdown!

In Brutal Justice, the romance aspect of the series isn’t at the forefront. And tbh, this makes the book even better — because we finally get all our questions answered about Stacy’s past, her father’s death, and the mystery surrounding doppelgängers! The only downside is that there are another seven months of waiting until the series finale is published.

[Marion Over · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute masterpiece

This series is just so good. I love the characters, the suspense and the sense of family that wraps around it all. Plus Loki and pigdog....
This is some of the best urban fantasy out there.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening was a bit intense so I skimmed through this one.

Lots of threads tied up but one more book to go!

[Stephaniec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending on a cliffy

I really didn't see that coming. We get a few revelations in this one. Next book in Oct is the last one

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

deliciously good

Ugh I just love these books and everything is coming together so perfectly! Absolutely a must read. I cannot wait for book 5!!

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh heck, I'm going to name Heather my prologue queen! So freaking tense and totally unexpected! What an awesome twist right from the onset! Already my heart was pounding, like NO this can't be happening!!! But, Heather likes to shock the socks off me and boy did she do it with this prologue. Intriguing from the git go... I was as trapped as Troy. The first half of the book was tense but the second half was so fraught with suspense and taut, a slight twang would have snapped it, and me, in half.

Detective Stacy Wise is my ultimate detective. She's super cool, super competent, super dedicated and super determined to get to the bottom of yet another murder. But this one almost fries her brain, it takes her places she'd rather not go to. Like her past trauma. Like Wraithmoor Prison. Geez, Stacy's heartbeat and mine were aligned during her visit to Wraithmoor, so freaking dramatic! Except for a rather comical scene involving copious amounts of weapons, like LOADS! I couldn't help chuckling. Ms Harris blends her humour in superbly, in the most dramatic situation, she manages to illicit a chuckle from me. But let me not jump ahead... This murder is on her friend's doorstep, literally, Kate, the ME, and the sweetest, kindest young woman on the planet. But what awaits her is a horror of notes! And not only must Stacy find a murderer, she needs to save a life, huge stakes indeed. Heather really upped the stakes in this book, I was writhing in all sorts of agony, for Kate, for Stacy, at the predicament they both found themselves in. Which leads to almost having to smother the investigation, higher ups and all, almost cutting them off at the knees, almost... But Stacy is about justice, she won't and can't let up, even when Thackeray acknowledges, 'the Other doesn’t run on justice, Wise. It runs on power, and you well know that. And power hates being made to look weak.’ Yes, you guessed it, the Domini are everywhere, dangerously so. Gunning for Stacy. The strength Stacy has, physical strength, yes, but it's her inner strength that shines like a light on a pitch black night. She is the epitome of a true survivor.

The immaculate way this author depicts her characters is beyond impressive. I love the realism of them, the emotions seeping and oozing from them and they're distinct, cut from a different cloth, likeable. And some not so likeable... Heck, for a brief moment in this series, a VERY brief moment, I even liked Jingo! No more! More like horror, because, this time, Jingo looked like he had the upper hand. I love Stacy's team, and Amber and Bastion are always a thrill when they appear, 2 very favourite characters of mine, but shoot, so many are! I loved seeing Amber's vulnerability, it shows her true, much hidden, but softer side. Bastion, a firm favourite, is the most gentle, caring, deadly assassin, his worth cannot be stated in mere words, he's just magnificent!

And now Stacy had to confront her worse nightmare, Vance Broadlake. And the confrontation is nothing as she'd expected. What she discovered is earthshattering, my mouth just gaped, and when she went to see another inmate, The entire prison visit is nothing like she anticipated it would be, just lots of blows to Stacy's gut, cracking her outward veneer. But she also discovered something vital...Oh dear lordie, that scene with Amber's dad! OMG hectic! The feels! Except, Ms Harris takes it even further in the feels department, this book was once again, brimming with exceptional moments of humour but overall, this was tense, this was dramatic, this was a slaying, explosive emotional read. This was BRILLIANT!!!! This author is really incredible in her storytelling abilities!

I'm trying to express how AMAZING this book is!!!! Not only was I fully immersed with excellent pacing, I fell in love even more with the wonderful Krieg (no surprise there!) A man who's willing to upend his entire life for the woman he loves, hell, talk about supportive!!! That's supremely hot! These 2, Stacy and Krieg, have a very special place in my heart.There were a few moments in this read that my eyes misted over, at one point, when Krieg showed his vulnerable side with Polly, and then with what Stacy learns, and again with Amber and her father, yes, a box of tissues was by my side for this read. What I particularly love is the way Stacy's team rally around her, I got weepy with one after the other showing up and supporting her, even Amber and Bastion climbed on board. Ms Harris does found family like none other...Awww and Loki, oh my goodness is that bird amazing! His cheeky demeanor is a front for his genuine love of Stacy, which he shows her time and again. The supporting cast is so cool, notably Ivan, with his fetish for weaponry and Hanson who I adored. I loved his casual stance and his cheeky tongue in cheek responses, even at the risk of Robbie's wrath. So too do I love the romance between Krieg and Stacy, upped a notch further in this book, it makes my toes curl and my tummy flutter from the beauty it exudes. It's a talent Ms Harris has, every one of her MSc are to die for gorgeous. Not so much in looks, there's definitely that, but in the complexity of them, their inner turmoil, their tortured souls. Grey characters of note, yet the love they are capable of fills my well to the brim!

As I was reading, as the revelations turned up as thick as molasses, my thoughts were, "Gee whiz Heather! Could you have made this story any more tense????" I think not! While I was excited, albeit a little scared, when Ms Harris started opening up Stacy's torture and past, we discover SO much, about Stacy, about Jingo, about, shoot, soooo much and so many! Omg it was excellently effectively dropped, especially when Ji-ho found her file, the emotions almost decimating me at how hard it hit. I loved how the author wound in Stacy's trauma and recollection of her horrific past into the fabric of the story, revealing more and more of the heinous deeds she endured, and, more importantly, by whom.... It's not the trauma part I loved, that was just very illuminating, it's her compassion and sense of right that's never off, that she still has the capacity to think rationally, even though her PTSD fears. All of which the author handles with realism, with great care, sensitively, without sugarcoating anything. The plot unfolds like a flower in bloom, beautifully, precisely, majestically. It honestly is so riveting! Then, when we get to THAT ending, my jaw dropped, and I sobbed when the identity of her resident ghost was exposed, OMG mind-blowing! EVERYTHING worked in this story, EVERYONE worked in this story! I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout, again....fast paced, action that dries your mouth, mystery, drama, tension, conspiracy, a deadly sect, and through it all, love, support and family is the overriding factor which resonates loudly, gloriously. Pounding heart, galloping horses through my veins, this book is Heather's best yet! For now...

[Kriss Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have yet to read a book by Heather G. Harris that I didn’t absolutely love, and this one was no exception. I’m completely obsessed with this world, and I’m so glad she’s writing one more book for Stacy.

I’m also really loving the romance, and I’m happy Stacy is finally starting to get some answers.

Overall, I gave this book 4.5⭐️

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Provided by Heather G Harris in exchange for honest review.

When Connection Inspector Stacy Wise is called to investigate the body of a dead dryad on her medical examiner colleague's lawn, she is shocked to see it is Ash Aspen - last known host of evil doppelganger Jude Jingo. She is working hard when her superior orders her to officially close the case - but unofficially, she's still digging. When a Vampyr tries to kill her - on "orders" - things get deeper. Could Jingo and the mysterious Domini be connected? And what does that mean when it comes to events from Stacy's past - and events yet to come?

Heather G Harris is a magnificent storyteller. Her Other Realm books have had me gripped for some time, but this book in particular has left me utterly stunned. Her ability to weave threads together across books not just from this particular series, but others in her back catalogue, and punch the needle through with a new twist that you will never see coming is frankly extraordinary. This book sees Stacy go through a LOT, particularly when it comes to confronting her past and discovering things that she would never have anticipated in the process. I don't wish to spoil a single thing, but the trauma she is forced to face again - with a new perspective and understanding - would be enough to floor anyone, let alone the further discoveries she makes as the plot progresses. Stacy though? Even with the little stumbles she makes, which she has the ability to recognise, accept and pivot from in order to achieve the best possible outcome, this woman is indomitable. She takes the kick and comes back up with her stance corrected. There is a moment where her colleagues discover the secrets of her past, and instead of collapsing under the weight of the reminder of her trauma, she chooses to highlight how you can survive and overcome, particularly poignant in the case of Ji-ho, who suffered a terrible ordeal in the previous book, and his path to healing.

Heather's ability to place plot threads so far in advance leads to the antagonist becoming a far more terrifying spectre in this instalment than he has been previously. Jude Jingo is an absolutely horrendous villain, utterly irredeemable, and I genuinely believe he will haunt my dreams for weeks to come. The secrets that spill in this book will leave you with your heart in your mouth and feeling sick to your stomach. He is tremendously well crafted and you are fascinated to see what he does next, at the same time as being repulsed and wanting nothing more than his comeuppance. Knowing there is a wait to find out what his next steps are will gnaw at me until the next book is released!

A big plus of the connected Other Realm book series' is the cameo of characters you've met and loved previously, and seeing the furtherance of their stories. Amber DeLea (the Other Witch series protagonist), and her mate Bastion feature in this one, and as always, Amber's snark is top tier.

It would be impossible to review this book without a note for High King Robbie Krieg and the depth of his love for Stacy. He will do anything to ensure her safety and her happiness, including baiting her into agreeing on a security detail by bartering something he would never have intended on - but he never makes her feel less than, instead acknowledging and highlighting how badass he thinks she is, whilst at the same time providing her with the safety and reassurance she needs to feel. And feel she does, in this book. Everyone needs a Krieg!

This book is intense, it is thrilling, it is terrifying - and I absolutely loved it! The incredible weaving of storylines and intrigue will stick with me for a very long time, and whilst I'm desperate to know what comes next for Stacy, I'm a little bit anxious too - because the villain is so heinous and Heather's plotting is so wonderfully enacted that there is absolutely no telling what horrors await her.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[Darin Roodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC Reader, all opinions are my own!**

Chief Inspector Stacy Wise is a chief inspector with the Cheshire Constabulary, the police force entrusted with the safety, security, and law enforcement of the ceremonial county of Cheshire in the northwest of England. She works hard, is functionally married to her job, and worries her mother constantly as she does her duty to protect the law-abiding citizens of Cheshire County.

Chief Inspector Wise has a secret, however. She is not just a DI for the Cheshire Constabulary; she is also a crossover CDI for the Connection. In fact, she’s the only one for several counties, meaning that where crimes are committed within the Other, she is literally the only one to call, and call they do. Worked a full shift already? That’s nice. Seeing double from the murder cases you’re actively working on? So what? If it’s Other-related, there’s no other CDI to solve the case.

A dead dryad on her friend’s lawn isn’t what Stacy was expecting at the end of her shift, especially since it’s the body that the nefarious criminal Jude Jingo has been trotting around in since the first installment of this series. He’s dangerous at best, generally deadly, and all about the power play. Add to that body swapping; this doppelganger is functionally immortal, and the hits just keep on coming. At least when he was in the dryad, Stacy knew who she was trying to catch; now, thanks to his murder=body switch move, she’s got no idea who he’s taken over… though she has some suspicions.

Ok, cool, the game is afoot…except Stacy is immediately ordered to bury it and forget it happened. The Connection doesn’t pursue doppelgangers because, like gryphons, they need to kill to survive (as far as anyone knows), but unlike gryphons, they could be anyone, and that would cause mass panic. It’s a really good thing Chief Inspector Stacy Wise has never been very good at burying the truth… ever.

Continuing the tradition of immediate success that the “Other Detective Series” has garnered so deservingly, “Brutal Justice” transports the reader into the streets of Cheshire County to get to know everyone’s favorite kickass crossover badass, Stacy Wise. “Brutal Justice” serves as the phenomenal fourth book of the series, and holy-cramoly, is it great! A fan-favorite from her supporting character roles in several of The Other Realm series by Heather G. Harris, Stacy now takes the stage in a long-awaited and fully deserved series of her own. Toss in the unparalleled narration of the amazingly talented Alyse Gibbs, and the audiobook enthusiast has everything to work with that the ebook reader has, maybe even more! With appearances by characters well-known and yet still mysterious to fans of The Other Realm series, this is the continuation of a series that definitely has me excited for the coming books! 10/10, an absolute MUST READ! Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this ebook and audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jude Jingo has plans and they don't include the dryad body he's been in. Finding a new body to inhabit now makes things much more difficult for Stacy. Not only does she now have to figure out what body he has taken over, she has to figure out how to get him out without killing the host as well. There's also the little problem of someone being out to kidnap her or worse and she's not sure if it's related to Jude Jingo, the Domini or someone else. So when she dusts the vampire who attacked her on the street, she's put on 48 hour leave and needs to find out what's going on before Jude can get to her friends.
I love Stacy's character. She's tough, smart, witty and practical. She's usually a by the book detective, but she has been learning there is definitely a grey area. We learn a lot about Stacy in this book, and we get the story behind her kidnapping and why she still gets nightmares. It really sheds a new light on how resilient she is. King Krieg/Robbie is as always right by her side, ready to threaten bodily harm to anyone intent on hurting her. But he is also there for her when she gets some realizations she wasn't expecting. We also get to see just how much her Unit 13 team respects her and cares for her when she is put on leave and suddenly a lot of the office ends up "sick".
This was another intense and amazing story. The trauma Stacy went through was horrific and you really feel bad for her as you read about what happened. When the other revelation was made, I am pretty sure I gasped in surprise and was so happy for Stacy when I got over the shock of it. Not a perfectly happy situation but for Stacy it's more than she could have dreamed of. This was another gritty and emotional read and I absolutely devoured this story in 24 hours. This has become one of my absolute favorite series and I am so glad this didn't turn out to be the last book for Stacy's series.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need matchsticks to prop my eyes open, after sitting up till 1:30am because I just COULD NOT put this book down. I’ll wear those eye bags and dark shadows with pride and zero regrets, because this book is more than worth it!

Opening with a bang, a murder sets a scene that hints motivations may be related to Stacy - this feels personal.

Jude Jingo has been in Stacy’s sights for a long time, but equally he has always seemed obsessed with her. Now things are really ramping up, as Stacy is determined to bring him to justice. Unfortunately, someone seems to be equally determined to stop her.

We learn more about Stacy’s kidnapping, her father and about the Domini in this book. It’s action packed, with the risk to Stacy and those around her ramped right up. Emotionally, it’s equally hard hitting, with Stacy having to confront past events, and deal with the impact the knowledge of them has on others. There are shocking revelations, one of which in particular is so touching. Amber and Bastian both have a part in this story and it’s one that shows the developing friendship between Stacy and Amber.

This book is an absolute roller coaster of a ride, with so much action, peril, devastating reveals and heartstring tugging, emotional scenes. On the flip side of this though, there are still laughs, plenty of snark and lots of Dr Pepper. There is also so much love surrounding Stacy, not just from Robbie and Loki, (who remains a star and who you will love more than ever) but also from her team and the strengthening bonds of friendship, respect and affection. Stacy has many more people on her side than she realises and they certainly show up for her.

Each book in this series has been even better than the last and the ending of this book leaves me chomping at the bit to get my hands on the next one.

[Anaïsu Anaïsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Detective Series has become my favorite work from Heather, and Brutal Justice: A Supernatural Crime Thriller is, without question, my standout of the series so far.

This installment is relentless in the best way. It is packed with emotional depth, sharp action, and revelations that genuinely shift the ground under the story. I came for the supernatural crime and the steady pull of an investigation, but what makes this series exceptional is everything that lives in the margins of the case. The quiet pauses. The messy honesty. The moments when Stacey is not just a detective pushing forward, but a person trying to carry the weight of what she sees, what she knows, and what she is responsible for.

I cannot get enough of Stacey’s world, especially her coworkers and Robbie’s ogres. They bring humor, loyalty, friction, and heart, and they make the story feel lived in rather than simply plotted. And when the book turns toward vulnerability, it hits even harder. Stacey, with her family, all of them, and yes, every single one of them, is one of the emotional anchors of the series. The same goes for the tenderness threaded through her relationships with her fiance and her team. Those scenes add texture and warmth, and they make the justice she fights for feel personal, not procedural.

Brutal Justice delivers on the thrills, but it also earns its feelings. It reminded me why I am so invested in Stacey’s journey, not only because I want to see her solve the case, but because I want to see her held, understood, and steady in the midst of the storm. I am genuinely thrilled we are getting another book. I cannot wait to watch her keep serving justice for those who have been wronged, and I am just as eager to see what comes next for her and Robbie.

For me, this was a full 10 out of 10.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling read this is! Five stars!

Rating: 5⭐️

Just outstanding. According to Harris, the author had originally intended Brutal Justice to become the finale for the series but this amazing character’s journey has become so complex and layered that one last novel was needed.

Harris with her goal of making this the penultimate narrative, fills this incredible story with so many shocking moments, absolutely stunning twists to the plot that makes sense once you see it but still makes the reader gasp in appreciation and shock that we didn’t see it coming.

This storyline brings Evie back to the trauma that set her on the path she’s taken in life, back to her kidnapping and torture.

Now she’s supported by Robbie, her fiancée and King of Orcs, her staff (and friends) through this journey.

It’s several investigations, and includes one of the most heinous criminals created, Jude Jingo.

The relationship between Robbie and Evie continues to be a very strong one, building on acknowledgement of their roles as well as their commitment towards each other. I love their dynamic.

Other crossover characters play important roles here as well, Amber and Bastion for example.

There’s thrilling, heartbreaking moments, scary battles, and shocking twists. None of which I’ll spoil. I hope no one else will either.

This and the characters are my favorites in this universe. I’ll be so sad when it’s over. But I still have one more novel to go.

What a thrilling read this is! Five stars!


Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Other Realm Universe: Should be read in order to understand the world and characters .Events and relationships build upon each other.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Provided by Heather G Harris in exchange for honest review.

Brutal Justice, book 4 in the Other Detective series, takes the suspense up a few notches. Although there still are some lighthearted moments, be aware that it is far more serious -- and includes far more introspection for Detective Inspector Stacy Wise, the titular detective.

When Stacy is called out to investigate a dead body found on medical examiner Kate's front lawn, Stacy is astounded to discover the body is that of dryad Ash Aspen, the most recent 'host' for the villainous doppelganger, Jude Jingo. Stacy always knew that Jingo was not to be trusted, but at least she knew where he was. Now that he's jumped bodies, where is he, who has he taken over (and can that person be saved), what is he up to and how complicated is it going to get?

It doesn't help that early on in this novel, she herself is attacked. She manages to defeat her enemy, but not before she learns that there seems to be a 'hit' out on her. Her PTSD from past trauma hits her hard, and we receive more information about her own backstory and her father. Whilst solving the crime, Stacy realises that she still has a lot to process from what she went through as a teenager.

Fortunately, her team support her, which is useful considering that political pressure closed the case early. That complication means that Stacy must investigate behind the scenes to discern what happened, why the body was left on her colleague's lawn and where Jingo is now.

There also are more developments regarding her relationship with Robbie Krieg, King of the Ogres, who, per usual, has her back. And it's to her benefit that he's there, considering that although Harris is known for her cliffhangers, be warned that this one is a bombshell. Stacy will need Krieg, and we'll want the next installment published as soon as humanly possible.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured in one sitting

This time it’s not so much a mystery of who committed murder, but why they did it and how they can possibly be stopped. There’s more focus and progress on the long-term plot arcs: what the deal with Stacy’s apartment ghosts is, the dangerous doppelgänger Jude Jingo, the Domini, the unsolved murder of Stacy’s father, Stacy’s past, etc.

This series continues to deliver tons of action, heart, sass, and laughs (even at the most serious times). There were several twists that had me literally jaw-dropping shocked, but made so much sense that I immediately wanted to reread the other books in light of the new information. The pacing is a bit faster, but character development isn’t neglected one bit.

Krieg’s ogres and Stacy’s coworkers continue to grow on me. Ivan (or ogre of a thousand weapons as I now call him) had my tearing up from laughter. It’s nice to see Channing come into his own a bit. Loki is sassy, hilarious and all-around awesome (as usual). Seeing Amber and Bastion pop up here and there is fun too (I love those guys).

Krieg and Stacy continue to have great Chemistry and I love seeing them build up their relationship. After two characters get together, so many other books stop developing the couple or give them nothing but relationship problems and angst. But, Heather simply keeps their relationship moving forward, growing stronger. I love that Krieg and Stacy will fight for each other without hesitation, but also trust each other enough to fight their own battles.

After the twists near the end, I’ll be going nuts waiting for the next book!

I read an eARC. My opinions are my own.

[Vannessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest book in this series was yet another fantastic read! I just loved it! I love Stacy Wise and her no nonsense attitude. I love Robbie Krieg and his willingness to protect Stacy at all costs, yet without smothering her independence. I love Loki and his deep love for Stacy as well.

In this one, we got lots of answers to questions, but a heap more questions too! This one revolves more around Jude Jingo and his latest escapades. I won't reveal anything more, but the major secret Stacy found out was exactly what I thought it might have been! Let's just say, he's a lot more than he initially comes across! A LOT more!

There was just so much going on in this one that I did not want to put it down. Finding out about Bob was a great twist as well - I definitely wasn't expecting that! And how Stacy managed to deal with all the cards was beyond me at times. I would have had a major meltdown if I had had to go through everything she had in this book! Even though it wasn't exactly a walk in the park for her, she managed to pick herself up and deal with things one at a time without breaking down! Such a strong, resilient character!

If you haven't started this series yet, then I highly recommend that you do so! It is a great read, with fantastic, well developed characters, intriguing and surprising plots and lots of mystery to keep you hanging on for the next one!

I received an ARC copy of this book through the author's ARC team, but this review is my own honest one! Thank you Heather for another fabulous, unputdownable read!

[M Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get enough of this series, and just when I think it's not possible to enjoy the books more, another brilliant addition is released and I find myself once again scrabbling for superlatives vivid enough to describe my absolute joy in reading about Stacy, Robbie and Loki.

I love the characters' innate strength and on the flip side, their willingness to show their damage and vulnerability to their friends. I love the found family evidenced in the Stacy's team and Robbie's den, plus the authenticity and genuine connection of the Wise family. I love the dedication each character shows to the pursuit of justice and the occassional wash of grey that colours their morals.

There could be no book without Heather G Harris' incomparable writing. This time she displays her incredible ability to articulate personal problems and offer solutions or comfort without negating peoples' feelings. Her gift of seeing into her characters' hearts - whether those hearts are blackened with hate or aching or bursting with love - elevates the connection I always feel upon turning that first page and engaging with her protagonists.

The aphorism I highlighted in Brutal Justice was " 'F¥ck, nothing should be gendered. Do what makes you happy.' ". I respect that message.

So, clearly I love this story and the Other Detective will always be at the top of my list of most reread series.

[Megsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOODNESS! So much of what I want to comment on would be spoilers Because now we're getting further into the overall arc and I'm just so excited!
I still adore Robbie and Stacy and having Stacys family's include him in news and dinners is just so lovely! Him being so protective and yet standing back and letting Stacy do her thing (but supported) is awesome, he's really so amazing!
Loki is such a sweet soul, he's always there for Stacy in his own little birdy way. He's also delightfully cheeky as usual.
Stacy's team and friends being there for her even off-books was so heartwarming, I love the group she's built around herself.
So many revelations! There's a lot I want to mention, and as it's spoilers I won't, but this book has been the most exciting yet! We learned so much about certain things past and present, and I'm really enjoying how the overall story arc is progressing!
This instalment took a bit of a turn from the usual whodunnit investigation since we really knew what was going on from the start (mostly). But it was more than satisfying with all the aforementioned revelations and story progression. It was also really cool learning a bit more about how doppelgangers work. But holy moly Jude is a real piece of work.
I can't wait for the next book, and I can't wait for the 'big bads' to be taken down a few pegs.

[JW USA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutal Justice Loses Its Investigative Edge


In Brutal Justice, the fourth instalment in Heather Harris’s Other Detectives series, Stacey remains firmly in her established role as Inspector—but this time, she’s operating off the books. Rather than a structured police investigation, the story centres on a far more personal, unofficial pursuit, which shifts the tone away from traditional detective work.

Instead of juggling multiple cases or following procedural leads, Stacey is singularly focused on one target: a long-standing, body-hopping serial killer
Jude Jingo. A supervillain, he’s been evading justice for decades by jumping from body to body, leaving a trail of victims behind him. The narrative is reduced to one mission, and much of the investigation is stumbling toward answers rather than methodical detective work.

Jingo is not just another criminal, but the man responsible for Stacey’s childhood kidnapping and torture. These revelations add, more introspective layer to the novel, tying her past trauma directly into the present conflict.

Robbie—Stacey’s fiancé and the king of the ogres—is present, but largely pushed into the background. Given how strong their dynamic has been in previous books, it’s disappointing that their relationship takes a back seat here. There are only brief glimpses of their connection, with little of the banter or chemistry.

The book also leans on some familiar genre frustrations. Stacey once again finds herself captured, only to escape through her own efforts, and the villain’s tendency toward explanation rather than leaving clues to be uncovered reduces the sense of genuine detective work. A stronger focus on investigation and deduction would have made the story more satisfying.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader here. As always, I provide honest feedback in return for an advance copy.

At this point in the series, Inspector Stacy Wise is starting to realize that there’s something out there that’s so big and so dangerous that it goes well beyond her dad’s unsolved murder and is now directly threatening her and her loved ones.

It starts with a murdered dryad, and then things get darker quite quickly. Her potential friend is threatened, her boss officially advises her to immediately close the case, and Jude Jingo is more than lurking. He’s an active threat and may not be working alone.

Thankfully Stacy has the support of her caladrius Loki (as long as she keeps him fed), her Unit 13 team (which loyally steps up to aid her in her time of need), her always loving family and friends, and of course, Ogre High King Robbie Krieg. Krieg really doesn’t like when Stacy is put in danger.

Heather G. Harris delivers another twisty and compelling police procedural tale set in the Other Realm, and it’s hard to put this tale down! Familiar characters Amber and Bastion also show up to support Stacy. This tale has a heck of a hook at the end, leaving the reader counting the days until November 2026 when the final book in the series is due to be released.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest installment in Stacy wise’s story is no slouch! It is full on from the first moment you open the book. At first, I wasn’t sure if this was going to be one of my favorites however, the further I got into the story, the more entraced I was! I finished it in about two hours. I love Stacy‘s dedication to the truth no matter what and her relationship with Loki. I cannot wait to see Stacy bring Jude to his knees and get retribution the old-fashioned way for everything he has inflicted upon her. Also, Robbie is amazing! His steadfast, unwavering devotion and his willingness to give up whatever would make her the most happy shows how in love with her he truly is. (and the fact that she says no because she loves him so much just proves how perfect they are for one another.) I am going to have to go back and reread to see if he is or was part of the Domini because I do not remember that, but I know his ancestor was from Lucy‘s books. I love all of heather’s books, but when I got to the last word of the book, I kept trying to turn the page for more! The realizations about her “ghost” and the bomb that was dropped at the end🤯. I need more!!

[Susan1566 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I expected this was a fantastic book. One major complaint though – the next book doesn’t come out until October.
Stacy is after the doppelganger, Jude Jingo, who has switched bodies again. This time to someone who is trying to get close to her friend Kate, after leaving the dead body of his previous host on her lawn. The Domini is also part of this book.
Officially she is told to close the case but to work on it unofficially.
Joined by her fiancé, Robbie, her bird Loke, co-workers, Amber de Luca and more, this book has some mystery, action, surprises, suspense and humour – Loki brings a lot to the book.
This is a fantastic book, fairly easy to read but not light. I loved every word.
In some ways this book actually reminds me of the In Death series by JD Robb (another good series) – he’s rich and powerful, very protective and talks to her in his native language, she’s a cop with a traumatic background and a determination to bring justice. There are a couple of other similarities.
I highly recommend this book and series as well as everything else Heather G Harris has written.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been in a major book slump so I was super excited when I saw this book was coming out! I love Heather’s stories so it was perfect timing and oh I loved it!!

Brutal Justice definitely kicks up a notch, we take a deeper dive into Stacy’s past and the mysteries that surround her. Stacy’s world is getting darker but she’s surrounded by the best people. This storyline had the potential to be quite heavy (and it still definitely has that kick) but Stacy’s found family bring so much light. Robbie’s probably one of my favourite MMCs ever. He’s a powerful dangerous man but he adores Stacy and her family and he wants the best for everyone around him. In the other Other Realm books, he definitely comes off as untouchable and so I love that we’re seeing this side of him.

I highly recommend this series and it definitely feels like all the other Other books have been leading up to this storyline. I’m really looking forward to seeing where we go next!

Favourite scene: Robbie offering to cook everyone waffles during a war meeting. 10/10.

[Kerensa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this six stars if I could! This series keeps raising the bar with every instalment, but this one took me completely by surprise—in the best possible way. Just when I thought we had settled into a familiar rhythm of “solve the murder while moving the character relationships forward,” this book threw an unexpected curveball.

This time, we got more of a focus on Stacy. The murder plot becomes the gateway to uncovering more about her past, her powers and her complicated history with her father. It was gripping, heartfelt, satisfying and surprising at times to see these pieces fall into place.
It was honestly so good that I didn’t even miss the heavier focus on her relationship with Robbie that we got in the previous book. ( I never thought I would say that!) We still got some beautifully emotive moments with Loki and her work team that added just the right touch of warmth.

As always, the writing is effortless and immersive—one of those narratives you fall into and don’t want to climb back out of. An absolutely fantastic read.