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J.J. Graves Mystery #4.5
Dirty Deeds
JJ and Jack are finally on their honeymoon, but a ritualistic murder and secrets that have been kept for more than half a century interrupt their wedded bliss.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2015
461 people are currently reading
768 people want to read
About the author
Liliana Hart
204 books3,295 followersLiliana Hart spent five years teaching music in the public education system. She molded America’s youth, busted kids for smoking pot in the restrooms, and broke up illicit affairs behind the stage on a regular basis. (Liliana’s Addison Holmes Mystery Series, about a small town teacher who gets into a whole lot of trouble, is somewhat autobiographical, but she won’t confess to which parts).
Liliana began reading romance novels with all her new found free time, and when she ran out of things to read, she decided to write her own novels. The result was a 150,000 word thriller—a dazzling adventure—where the heroine was a thirty-year-old virgin assassin (Yes, you read that right). She couldn’t imagine why people weren’t knocking down her door to read it, but she persevered and began writing a second book. She finally got the hang of things, and eventually learned that losing one’s virginity wasn’t all that romantic after all. All of her books involve some kind of suspense (she just can't help herself), laughter, and a lot of steamy sex.
Since the failure of her first attempt, Liliana’s books have won awards such as: The Daphne Du Maurier, The Suzannah, The Linda Howard Award of Excellence, The Maggie, and many others. Her affiliations include Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.
Liliana loves to cook, and is addicted to reading, Internet Boggle, kickboxing, and Bones. She lives in a big, rambling house in Texas with a couple of cats to keep her company. She loves to get emails from readers.
Enjoy the Adventures!
Liliana began reading romance novels with all her new found free time, and when she ran out of things to read, she decided to write her own novels. The result was a 150,000 word thriller—a dazzling adventure—where the heroine was a thirty-year-old virgin assassin (Yes, you read that right). She couldn’t imagine why people weren’t knocking down her door to read it, but she persevered and began writing a second book. She finally got the hang of things, and eventually learned that losing one’s virginity wasn’t all that romantic after all. All of her books involve some kind of suspense (she just can't help herself), laughter, and a lot of steamy sex.
Since the failure of her first attempt, Liliana’s books have won awards such as: The Daphne Du Maurier, The Suzannah, The Linda Howard Award of Excellence, The Maggie, and many others. Her affiliations include Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.
Liliana loves to cook, and is addicted to reading, Internet Boggle, kickboxing, and Bones. She lives in a big, rambling house in Texas with a couple of cats to keep her company. She loves to get emails from readers.
Enjoy the Adventures!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
June 26, 2020
4 stars
This one is novella length - Jack and JJ are on their honeymoon and trouble finds them there too. Interesting case - although a little light because of length - but good. I gave it 4 stars because of the epilogue - had a smile on my face. I wonder if epilogues will be a thing for the rest of the series because the last one and this one are good.
Own in: The J.J. Graves Mysteries Box Set 2: A J.J. Graves Mystery
This book is novella length originally numbered as 4.5. In the box set and on other sites, this one is book 5
This one is novella length - Jack and JJ are on their honeymoon and trouble finds them there too. Interesting case - although a little light because of length - but good. I gave it 4 stars because of the epilogue - had a smile on my face. I wonder if epilogues will be a thing for the rest of the series because the last one and this one are good.
Own in: The J.J. Graves Mysteries Box Set 2: A J.J. Graves Mystery
This book is novella length originally numbered as 4.5. In the box set and on other sites, this one is book 5
August 29, 2021
Seneler önce Martı bu seriyi basıyordu ama sonra tabi ki yarım bıraktı. Ben de orijinalinden okurum diye düşünüp listeme almıştım ama yıllar geçti tabi. Seriyi bıraktığımda bu 4.5 hikayesi vardı, şimdi 10 kitabı geçmiş bile. Normal kitapları da çok uzun olmadığından kısa sürede okunan, akıcı kurguları olan kitaplardı hep. Ana karakterler de ilgi çekici. Seriyi tekrardan takip listeme alıyorum.
August 21, 2015
This novella by Liliana Hart was such a nice treat! Yes! J.J. Graves is back and on her honeymoon with Jack! It took them a while to get there but Jack was a patient man and J.J. finally saw the light! A tiny island looked like the perfect place for them to get away from it all but it seemed that death had a different plan for them. The local law comes knocking on their cabana door looking for their help when the body of a prominent man is found behind the local church. Who would kill a man just a week away from his one hundredth birthday? And why? The surprising answer will knock your socks off!
Fast paced and yes, it is a novella so it is short and does leave you wanting more, but such a fun ride! Now I can't wait for the next book!
Fast paced and yes, it is a novella so it is short and does leave you wanting more, but such a fun ride! Now I can't wait for the next book!
January 28, 2021
The J.J. Graves series is delightful. I enjoy J.J.'s sense of humor, her banter with her now husband, Jack, and how well they work together. J.J. and Jack are on their honeymoon. A murder has been committed on their honeymoon island, and the one-person police department is unable to handle this type of crime. J.J. and Jack are asked to investigate, and investigate they do. Jack brilliantly solves the case in record time, but not without help from his FBI friend Carver back home. It's a short book, but the hangover is long.
May 10, 2019
I'm so happy I got to read about J.J. and Jack's honeymoon. If you know these two characters, their honeymoon was one for the books. It had a good amount of sexy times. But of course, the couple was on another case. It seems like the case was going to be solvable... Yet it wasn't going to be really closed. There were so many secrets on the island that Jack and J.J. was on for their honeymoon. There ain't nothing like a little R& R and some death.
November 20, 2019
3 Stars
On J.J. and Jack's honeymoon they are asked by the local police to help find out what happened to their 99 y/o islander. Without the proper equipment and with help from their FBI friend, Ben, they find out who he is and have a good idea why someone killed him.
This was an okay story. Although it's listed as book #5, it's more like a #4.5 novella. If I hadn't read this book I wouldn't have missed anything.
On J.J. and Jack's honeymoon they are asked by the local police to help find out what happened to their 99 y/o islander. Without the proper equipment and with help from their FBI friend, Ben, they find out who he is and have a good idea why someone killed him.
This was an okay story. Although it's listed as book #5, it's more like a #4.5 novella. If I hadn't read this book I wouldn't have missed anything.
April 20, 2016
Since I 've read the whole series, I'll do one review for all the books! :)
Dirty Little Secrets (J.J. Graves Mystery #1) - rating: 4 stars
A solid mystery, but I didn't like all that much the heroine, J.J.
She obviously had some issues, but she was also annoying. She's been friend with Jake her whole life, but she was blind to his obvious infatuation with her. She admits to being against any kind of involvment, but as soon as Brody comes in her life she's in love (and in bed) with him!!! It's a big no, no for me...
Jake was much more consistent. I liked him. He's sweet and tender and so very patient with J.J.
The mystery is interesting and the villain very bad indeed!
A Dirty Shame (J.J. Graves Mystery #2) - rating: 5 stars
These books cannot be read as stand alone! I would recommand to read them in order to better understand the background story!
Here we get to know better what happened with J.J.'s parents.
Also J.J. come out as a better person. She's much more complex and interesting and even if the town is still strongly against her, I came to accept her behaviour because I could understand her better.
Her story with Jake is progressing slowly and she starts to accept the fact that Jake loved her his whole life.
The crime is really heinous, but it just adds to the appeal of the story in contraposition to the cute and funny parts and the hotness of J.J. and Jake relationship!
Ah, don't be surprised with the surprise at the end that gives you an almost cliffhanger feeling! ;)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel (J.J. Graves Mystery #3) - rating: 5 stars
J.J. and Jake's relationship had definitely progressed! Here the hotness level is very, very high! ;)
Here we get to discover more about Jake's past and what happened when he was part of thee SWAT team. And also a little bit more about J.J.'s one too.
There's also an appearance of Jake's ex wich brings out some problems with J.J.'s and Jake's ongoing story.
The mystery is still interesting and well done. The tiny, teeny problem is that Bloody Mary is described as a peacefull town, with a low crime rate, but reading these books I didn't have this sensation - all the contrary!
Down and Dirty (J.J. Graves Mystery #4) - rating: 4 stars
J.J. and Jake are to be married and they're preparing their wedding.
Their relationship here is a little bit too cheesy for me. Still nice, don't get me wrong, but I prefered how it was before...
I had the feeling that here the mystery/crime is left behind the wedding preparations. Many pages are spent describing them.
The (in)famous flesh-drives and J.J.'s father make an appearance, the're a murder, but this, though enjoyable, was on the lighter side...
Dirty Deeds (J.J. Graves Mystery #5) - rating: 4 stars
Here we're with them on thier honeymoon and, as expected, they end involved with a murder. This book reminded me of Bone's episode. :)
The mistery was really interesting and the epilogue more so! I appreciated how the book ended and how the mystery has been resolved, otherwise the 4 stars would be 3.
Dirty Little Secrets (J.J. Graves Mystery #1) - rating: 4 stars
A solid mystery, but I didn't like all that much the heroine, J.J.
She obviously had some issues, but she was also annoying. She's been friend with Jake her whole life, but she was blind to his obvious infatuation with her. She admits to being against any kind of involvment, but as soon as Brody comes in her life she's in love (and in bed) with him!!! It's a big no, no for me...
Jake was much more consistent. I liked him. He's sweet and tender and so very patient with J.J.
The mystery is interesting and the villain very bad indeed!
A Dirty Shame (J.J. Graves Mystery #2) - rating: 5 stars
These books cannot be read as stand alone! I would recommand to read them in order to better understand the background story!
Here we get to know better what happened with J.J.'s parents.
Also J.J. come out as a better person. She's much more complex and interesting and even if the town is still strongly against her, I came to accept her behaviour because I could understand her better.
Her story with Jake is progressing slowly and she starts to accept the fact that Jake loved her his whole life.
The crime is really heinous, but it just adds to the appeal of the story in contraposition to the cute and funny parts and the hotness of J.J. and Jake relationship!
Ah, don't be surprised with the surprise at the end that gives you an almost cliffhanger feeling! ;)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel (J.J. Graves Mystery #3) - rating: 5 stars
J.J. and Jake's relationship had definitely progressed! Here the hotness level is very, very high! ;)
Here we get to discover more about Jake's past and what happened when he was part of thee SWAT team. And also a little bit more about J.J.'s one too.
There's also an appearance of Jake's ex wich brings out some problems with J.J.'s and Jake's ongoing story.
The mystery is still interesting and well done. The tiny, teeny problem is that Bloody Mary is described as a peacefull town, with a low crime rate, but reading these books I didn't have this sensation - all the contrary!
Down and Dirty (J.J. Graves Mystery #4) - rating: 4 stars
J.J. and Jake are to be married and they're preparing their wedding.
Their relationship here is a little bit too cheesy for me. Still nice, don't get me wrong, but I prefered how it was before...
I had the feeling that here the mystery/crime is left behind the wedding preparations. Many pages are spent describing them.
The (in)famous flesh-drives and J.J.'s father make an appearance, the're a murder, but this, though enjoyable, was on the lighter side...
Dirty Deeds (J.J. Graves Mystery #5) - rating: 4 stars
Here we're with them on thier honeymoon and, as expected, they end involved with a murder. This book reminded me of Bone's episode. :)
The mistery was really interesting and the epilogue more so! I appreciated how the book ended and how the mystery has been resolved, otherwise the 4 stars would be 3.
March 30, 2019
Great JJ graves Short story
I liked this because it was short and to the point. It is a welcome unusual departure from the typical JJ Graves novel.
I liked this because it was short and to the point. It is a welcome unusual departure from the typical JJ Graves novel.
August 27, 2015
I love this series!
October 18, 2023
Dirty Deeds by Liliana Hart
Challenging, dark, funny, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0 ⭐
Since this was a novella, it was plot focused.
Jaye and Jack are on their Honeymoon, and of course...someone ends up dead on the very SMALL island that they are vacationing on. AND, of course...Jack and Jaye lend their hands...to help our the locals.
In doing so...they've ended up in a HUGE problem.
Poignant tale, but also...one that makes the reader question how they feel about the reveal at the end. Not everyone will fall on the same side. Really enjoyed, but again...it was just TOO short for my tastes.
Challenging, dark, funny, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0 ⭐
Since this was a novella, it was plot focused.
Jaye and Jack are on their Honeymoon, and of course...someone ends up dead on the very SMALL island that they are vacationing on. AND, of course...Jack and Jaye lend their hands...to help our the locals.
In doing so...they've ended up in a HUGE problem.
Poignant tale, but also...one that makes the reader question how they feel about the reveal at the end. Not everyone will fall on the same side. Really enjoyed, but again...it was just TOO short for my tastes.
September 6, 2023
Dirty Deeds on Books On Track
RTC
Previous books:
✦ Down and Dirty (J.J. Graves Mystery, #4) ~ ★★★★ (31/07/2023)
✦ Dirty Rotten Scoundrel (J.J. Graves Mystery #3) ~ ★★★★ (31/07/2023)
✦ A Dirty Shame (J.J. Graves Mystery, #2) ~ ★★★★ (30/07/2023)
✦ Dirty Little Secrets (J.J. Graves Mystery, #1) ~ ★★★★ (30/07/2023)
March 7, 2020
If you like this series, I'd skip this one. Apparently, "novella" equals slipshod work. This could've been a good story, but it was handled sloppily. The storyline felt rushed, and everything just magically falls into place. The characters don't ring as true as they do in other installments of the series.
For the love all that is holy, get a decent editor! The entire series has been riddled with grammatical errors, which I've try to overlook because the content has been good. This one takes the cake. Random words that make no sense. Renaming a "character"... Ben's computer is NOT named Miranda. You don't use apostrophes to make words plural!
Ugh.
For the love all that is holy, get a decent editor! The entire series has been riddled with grammatical errors, which I've try to overlook because the content has been good. This one takes the cake. Random words that make no sense. Renaming a "character"... Ben's computer is NOT named Miranda. You don't use apostrophes to make words plural!
Ugh.
February 11, 2021
OK, I put this on the mystery shelf because I had to do so. Mercifully short with simple vocabulary.
This IMO is a poor book. Written to make some publishing deadline. Terrible. Constant 1940s-style, cute, bantering over and over between the newlyweds. I read the earlier of the series but have since been spoiled by real mystery authors. This seems like a sideline cash cow for Hart targeted at people in their mid-to-late teen years. Absolutely will not read another. Life is short, books are many. I do not recommend this in the least.
This IMO is a poor book. Written to make some publishing deadline. Terrible. Constant 1940s-style, cute, bantering over and over between the newlyweds. I read the earlier of the series but have since been spoiled by real mystery authors. This seems like a sideline cash cow for Hart targeted at people in their mid-to-late teen years. Absolutely will not read another. Life is short, books are many. I do not recommend this in the least.
July 21, 2023
"Dirty Deeds" is a long short story, or a short novella concerning Jaye and Jacks' honeymoon on a small Caribbean island.
Energetic and almost continuous bouts of sex are interrupted when the local policeman (it's a very small island!) asks them to help investigate the murder of a man just a week short of his 100th birthday.
I didn't find it particularly interesting - the underlying theme concerns justice or retribution - and, frankly, the big reveal at the end isn't even remotely believable.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
Energetic and almost continuous bouts of sex are interrupted when the local policeman (it's a very small island!) asks them to help investigate the murder of a man just a week short of his 100th birthday.
I didn't find it particularly interesting - the underlying theme concerns justice or retribution - and, frankly, the big reveal at the end isn't even remotely believable.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
October 6, 2017
Rushed and slipshod
I love the main characters. Glad that they are married and enjoying some well deserved happiness. All the new characters are one dimensional and underdeveloped. Whole story seemed rushed. Several grammatical and spelling mistakes. What is up with getting Ben's laptop name wrong ???
I love the main characters. Glad that they are married and enjoying some well deserved happiness. All the new characters are one dimensional and underdeveloped. Whole story seemed rushed. Several grammatical and spelling mistakes. What is up with getting Ben's laptop name wrong ???
May 31, 2018
A nice glimpse into Jaye's and Jack's honeymoon. The story about the murder was nice but a bit predictable. As soon as I read about the date Leon came to the island, I knew what this was about and I was right. However, I love this couple and how their bond grow stronger with every book so this was a nice and cute novella, an easy read. 4 stars
October 26, 2018
For a short story, this was clever and had some depth. On their honeymoon, Jack and Jaye are asked to look into a murder. Of course.
A man who’s just shy of his hundredth birthday is stabbed with a special knife, and it involves the whole tiny island to get to the bottom of it.
Really enjoyed the ethical conundrum, and some fun between the honeymooners.
KU
A man who’s just shy of his hundredth birthday is stabbed with a special knife, and it involves the whole tiny island to get to the bottom of it.
Really enjoyed the ethical conundrum, and some fun between the honeymooners.
KU
March 2, 2020
This is a novella, I really like the characters (although there are a lot of players) but I wish the author was more attentive to details she uses in one book but changes in the next.
Jaye and Joe are on their honeymoon and murder finds them there. Can they determine “who dun it” without technology and modern tools?
Jaye and Joe are on their honeymoon and murder finds them there. Can they determine “who dun it” without technology and modern tools?
February 13, 2021
Reading these subsequent books is like an extension of the first book. They go directly from one book to the other without skipping a beat and these last two were under 100 pages so it seems even more as just reading the same book.
Unable to download next one so I will let go for a little while but I feel like I'm not finished with the whole story yet.......
Unable to download next one so I will let go for a little while but I feel like I'm not finished with the whole story yet.......
October 30, 2022
So far I’ve enjoyed this series. It’s entertaining and easy to read. The story lines are quick and interesting. This book threw me off because the author changed a detail from the previous books to this one. Ben Carver has referred to his laptop as Matilda up this book where the author changed it to Miranda with no explanation. Not a fan.
January 2, 2017
A short and rather shallow read. Definitely not a stand alone, as the characters were not filled out. The previous four books in this series were excellent. The frequent grammar mistakes and typos were disconcerting.
June 12, 2017
Interesting read.
I had enjoyed the other books in this series. I really liked Doctor Graves in both cases. The love between her and the sheriff was awesome. Didn't foresee the end. Good Read.
I had enjoyed the other books in this series. I really liked Doctor Graves in both cases. The love between her and the sheriff was awesome. Didn't foresee the end. Good Read.
July 28, 2018
Jack and JJ are on their honeymoon a beautiful beach and murder . Cute story with an interesting killer. Lots of interesting people with intrigue. I so enjoyed this and looking forward to the next book
April 1, 2019
Still good but too short
Ms. Hart has a real knack for a good story and I would have given this one another five stars as I have the rest of her books if it hadn’t been a short story. Hence, I didn’t feel I got my money’s worth and therefore only four stars.
Ms. Hart has a real knack for a good story and I would have given this one another five stars as I have the rest of her books if it hadn’t been a short story. Hence, I didn’t feel I got my money’s worth and therefore only four stars.
May 11, 2020
To short
I was looking forward to a nice long read, what did I get? It wasnt that. The idea was very well thought out to bad it was rushed in the end. This had the makings of another four Stars, it just fell short.
I was looking forward to a nice long read, what did I get? It wasnt that. The idea was very well thought out to bad it was rushed in the end. This had the makings of another four Stars, it just fell short.
May 11, 2020
I didn't realize it was going to be such a short story. I didn't mind the story line. It was actually a good 'who dunit' but I wish it was more developed it was very rushed. And it would have been nice to have the honeymooners get another vacation that the reader was apart of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2021
Disappointed in lack of complexity to story. I thought more detail should have been made with the island's surroundings. Also, development of the victim's background. Disappointed. I've purchased the entire set for my Kindle. I hope the remaining books compare more with the first couple of stories.
March 10, 2021
Reading the series
Reminds me of J.D Robb's series, but more light hearted. I am impressed at the authors mind with coming up with the scenarios they get into. The name of the town is strange
Reminds me of J.D Robb's series, but more light hearted. I am impressed at the authors mind with coming up with the scenarios they get into. The name of the town is strange
April 28, 2021
Jaye and Jack Honeymoon
This is an entertaining storyline, about them on their honeymoon, and of course a murder happens and the small town has only one officer, who is not equipped with investigations of murder.
This is an entertaining storyline, about them on their honeymoon, and of course a murder happens and the small town has only one officer, who is not equipped with investigations of murder.
May 6, 2022
A short , quick read. Not my favorite of the series. A little too much talk about their sexual escapades. And, the killer was identified with really no clues as to how they figured it out. I’ll finish the series; but, I sure hope the next books get the focus back on the murder & mystery
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews