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Nikki Hunter #2
Murder Over Cocktails
Private Investigator Nicoli “Nikki” Hunter, has recovered from a near fatal encounter with a multiple murderer, and is happy to get back to her regular bar and restaurant surveillance jobs. Unfortunately, the universe has other plans. One evening, (as she’s acting as a decoy/victim to attract a bartender bent on sexual harassment), Jack “The Cat” McGuire pulls up an adjacent bar stool and tells her a story that will alter the course of her life.
Murder Over Cocktails is the second mystery featuring PI Nikki Hunter, a thirty-six-year-old gun-toting brainy beauty who excels at getting into other people’s business. Hunter's office is in a marina complex in Redwood City, California, where she also lives aboard a forty-six foot Cheoy Lee sailboat.
Jack McGuire is a professional cat burglar who stumbled upon videotapes of five gruesome murders while robbing the killer’s house. In Murder Over Cocktails, Nikki divides her time between the complexities of her regular surveillance work and Jack’s case. He can’t go to the police for obvious reasons and, after their chance meeting in a bar, he hires Nikki hoping she can find a way to stop the predator before more lives are lost.
At Nikki’s urging Jack returns to the killer’s home, steals and copies the tapes, and brings them to her office. Seeing the horror first hand, Nikki commits herself to stopping the monster who is responsible.
Initially Nikki attempts to enlist the aid of her sometimes significant other, Redwood City Homicide Detective Bill Anderson, but he’s a by-the-book kind of cop, unwilling to break the rules, even for Nikki. So without any help from Bill or the police, Nikki must once again play the decoy/victim, this time putting her life on the line to catch a sadistic serial killer in the act.
Murder Over Cocktails is the second mystery featuring PI Nikki Hunter, a thirty-six-year-old gun-toting brainy beauty who excels at getting into other people’s business. Hunter's office is in a marina complex in Redwood City, California, where she also lives aboard a forty-six foot Cheoy Lee sailboat.
Jack McGuire is a professional cat burglar who stumbled upon videotapes of five gruesome murders while robbing the killer’s house. In Murder Over Cocktails, Nikki divides her time between the complexities of her regular surveillance work and Jack’s case. He can’t go to the police for obvious reasons and, after their chance meeting in a bar, he hires Nikki hoping she can find a way to stop the predator before more lives are lost.
At Nikki’s urging Jack returns to the killer’s home, steals and copies the tapes, and brings them to her office. Seeing the horror first hand, Nikki commits herself to stopping the monster who is responsible.
Initially Nikki attempts to enlist the aid of her sometimes significant other, Redwood City Homicide Detective Bill Anderson, but he’s a by-the-book kind of cop, unwilling to break the rules, even for Nikki. So without any help from Bill or the police, Nikki must once again play the decoy/victim, this time putting her life on the line to catch a sadistic serial killer in the act.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2015
394 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Skopin
9 books62 followersAward winning author, Nancy Skopin, is a native of California who currently lives on the Oregon coast with her husband, Max Ferry, and their dog, Turq. An avid student of human nature, Nancy is happiest spending her days imagining the best, and the worst, that we are capable of, and translating those ideas into her Nikki Hunter mystery novels.
As does her central character, Nikki, Nancy lived aboard a yacht in the San
Francisco Bay Area for thirteen years, though she has recently settled on solid ground.
While researching her quirky serial killer mystery series she worked for two years with a private investigator, learning the intricacies of the business and, specifically, the art of bar and restaurant “mystery shopping.”
As does her central character, Nikki, Nancy lived aboard a yacht in the San
Francisco Bay Area for thirteen years, though she has recently settled on solid ground.
While researching her quirky serial killer mystery series she worked for two years with a private investigator, learning the intricacies of the business and, specifically, the art of bar and restaurant “mystery shopping.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
dnf
January 5, 2020DNF at 28%
I have this habit of spoiling what will ultimately happen with the romance aspect of mystery series, and when I don't really like what I find out I give up on the whole series.
So, I'm just going to pass on the rest of this series. This book just wasn't my cuppa anyway. I don't enjoy suspense and this one was different than the first in that we KNOW whodunnit the whole time.
Anyway, can't really say much against the book or series, it just wasn't for me.
I have this habit of spoiling what will ultimately happen with the romance aspect of mystery series, and when I don't really like what I find out I give up on the whole series.
So, I'm just going to pass on the rest of this series. This book just wasn't my cuppa anyway. I don't enjoy suspense and this one was different than the first in that we KNOW whodunnit the whole time.
Anyway, can't really say much against the book or series, it just wasn't for me.
October 17, 2018
Lies, half truths and a Web of secrets
Another great read. A bit more bite than a normal cozy with a heroine that might actually not make it out of the situation she finds herself in.
When she is hired to bring a serial killer to justice, she has several problems. The first is that the person hiring her is a professional burglar and the second is that although he viewed the tapes of the killings e obtained them by unorthodox means. Her boyfriend is unable to help as not only is it out of his jurisdiction but the evidence is still at the house and he's got nothing to work on the get a warrant. Can she, her client and BFF work around these problems and bring the killer in. A case of playing to the killer leads her to shoot for her own life. Now charged with murder she has to find something to bring the evidence to light. Especially as the murder weapon is missing and someone seems bent on making her pay.
Another great read. A bit more bite than a normal cozy with a heroine that might actually not make it out of the situation she finds herself in.
When she is hired to bring a serial killer to justice, she has several problems. The first is that the person hiring her is a professional burglar and the second is that although he viewed the tapes of the killings e obtained them by unorthodox means. Her boyfriend is unable to help as not only is it out of his jurisdiction but the evidence is still at the house and he's got nothing to work on the get a warrant. Can she, her client and BFF work around these problems and bring the killer in. A case of playing to the killer leads her to shoot for her own life. Now charged with murder she has to find something to bring the evidence to light. Especially as the murder weapon is missing and someone seems bent on making her pay.
July 4, 2019
This is a well written book with believable characters and a plot that both excites and entertains. There were enough twists, turns and read herrings for any crime officianado. A great book which I thoroughly enjoyed.
April 22, 2019
Ugly Murder
I will never know how or where authors come up with some of these scenarios, but this one has some bizarre ones. It is well written with believable characters. I enjoyed reading it.
I will never know how or where authors come up with some of these scenarios, but this one has some bizarre ones. It is well written with believable characters. I enjoyed reading it.
August 9, 2019
Really good mystery
I saw one of the twists coming - but certainly not the other one!
Very well written and the main and sub characters are well developed. It is a wonderful author that can pull you into the story and make you care what happens!
I saw one of the twists coming - but certainly not the other one!
Very well written and the main and sub characters are well developed. It is a wonderful author that can pull you into the story and make you care what happens!
August 2, 2020
Interesting second in series.
Some weird twists of plot that didn’t quite make sense in terms of believability, but seemed to make sense as part of the story. I’m hoping it was really just to develop the characters for the subsequent books.
Some weird twists of plot that didn’t quite make sense in terms of believability, but seemed to make sense as part of the story. I’m hoping it was really just to develop the characters for the subsequent books.
August 25, 2023
Nikki is alright, overall. The premise is ok, but really, little league takes on the MLB of powerful depraved murderers? I've read too much of cop doesn't bother to take gun with him, etc, but the level of danger here for a not-my-job thing is absurd. Does Nikki also ride bikes off cliffs to see if it works?
Have you ever had a real estate agent take your word, that Nikki hasn't even given, btw, that you have $8mm to buy a house? And then make an offer? Insane. Never. (This is at 60% through the story.)
It was well written and had some of the important factors been more believable, I'd put this maybe at 4.5. (Yes, I finished it, I try to do that.) The level of absurd doesn't increase, so if you are ok to suspend belief, you can finish it, too.
[I've put maybe 30 reviews on Amazon and they suddenly decided I'm not qualified to do so. I'm guessing because my reviews are honest and average between 4 and 4.5. I feel an obligation to readers to give them a clue and wouldn't mind not taking my time if Amazon's Goodreads also stops my reviews.]
Have you ever had a real estate agent take your word, that Nikki hasn't even given, btw, that you have $8mm to buy a house? And then make an offer? Insane. Never. (This is at 60% through the story.)
It was well written and had some of the important factors been more believable, I'd put this maybe at 4.5. (Yes, I finished it, I try to do that.) The level of absurd doesn't increase, so if you are ok to suspend belief, you can finish it, too.
[I've put maybe 30 reviews on Amazon and they suddenly decided I'm not qualified to do so. I'm guessing because my reviews are honest and average between 4 and 4.5. I feel an obligation to readers to give them a clue and wouldn't mind not taking my time if Amazon's Goodreads also stops my reviews.]
February 24, 2022
free ebook
i LOVE this series
nikki the pi does food surveillance in restaurants to catch bad employees. she lives on a boat in n calif
nikki got a client who was a burglar. he found videos when he broke into a womans house and she had been killing other women and taping it.
nikki found no other way other than setting herself up to get killed to catch the woman. she shot the woman as she tried to stab her with the knife she always used but by the time the police got there, the knife had disappeared.
her friend Elisabeth and the burglar, who turned out to be the murders brother, got together and became a couple in later books (wish i could have read them in order).
this one was a little gruesome, but still good. i could follow the whole thing, which i hate when some books get so mixed up....but not this series!
i LOVE this series
nikki the pi does food surveillance in restaurants to catch bad employees. she lives on a boat in n calif
nikki got a client who was a burglar. he found videos when he broke into a womans house and she had been killing other women and taping it.
nikki found no other way other than setting herself up to get killed to catch the woman. she shot the woman as she tried to stab her with the knife she always used but by the time the police got there, the knife had disappeared.
her friend Elisabeth and the burglar, who turned out to be the murders brother, got together and became a couple in later books (wish i could have read them in order).
this one was a little gruesome, but still good. i could follow the whole thing, which i hate when some books get so mixed up....but not this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2020
Nikki is hard at work with one of her surveys when a red headed male sits down on one side, the other side another obviously drunk male is trying to pick up Nikki. The redheaded male says something which stops the drunk, he then starts up a conversation with Nikki. The redhead is Patrick who tells Nikki a horrifying tale of multiple murders, which greatly sparks her interest. Nikki confers with Patrick to meet up the next morning for more details. The story continues to explain the actions that transpire to prove what Patrick explained is truth and not fiction...very daring, subtle murderer, totally not what I expected. There is action, thrills, suspense, a little romance and an awesome ending to this story....I was immersed from start to finish on this book.
October 27, 2018
Murder Over Cocktails, Nikki Hunter Mysteries, Book 2
by Nancy Skopin
Once again, Skopin delivers a first rate mystery with lots of action, plot twists and turns, lots of interesting and fully fleshed characters, danger galore, and tops it off with a bit of romance for both Nikki and her best friend. Add to that more backstory into the characters, crisp dialogue, letter perfect proofing and editing, and, of course, NO cliffhanger ending and you have a perfect read.
Can Nikki stop a serial killer without getting herself or anyone she cares about killed? Can she do what needs doing without destroying friendships and her new romance?
Wonderful read.
by Nancy Skopin
Once again, Skopin delivers a first rate mystery with lots of action, plot twists and turns, lots of interesting and fully fleshed characters, danger galore, and tops it off with a bit of romance for both Nikki and her best friend. Add to that more backstory into the characters, crisp dialogue, letter perfect proofing and editing, and, of course, NO cliffhanger ending and you have a perfect read.
Can Nikki stop a serial killer without getting herself or anyone she cares about killed? Can she do what needs doing without destroying friendships and her new romance?
Wonderful read.
November 13, 2021
Outstanding!
I've got into the habit of reading at least the first two in a new-to-me series before I write a review. I feel like it gives me real insight into the writer, the characters, and the storylines to come.
Skopin is no slouch! Her characters jump off the page and become your buddies - or your enemies, it all depends - and she puts them through their paces in intrigue and suspense the likes of which I have neither seen nor imagined before. And I read a lot of mysteries! The plot twists never stop, the red herrings fool ya every time.
I'm happy there are a few to catch up with in this series, looking forward to some great reading.
I've got into the habit of reading at least the first two in a new-to-me series before I write a review. I feel like it gives me real insight into the writer, the characters, and the storylines to come.
Skopin is no slouch! Her characters jump off the page and become your buddies - or your enemies, it all depends - and she puts them through their paces in intrigue and suspense the likes of which I have neither seen nor imagined before. And I read a lot of mysteries! The plot twists never stop, the red herrings fool ya every time.
I'm happy there are a few to catch up with in this series, looking forward to some great reading.
May 6, 2019
I am not reading these books in order so eagerly started this one as it introduces a character I wondered about in later books. The story is a bit edgier than some of the later ones but nonetheless helps us to understand the protagonist a bit better. It is a good series, I have a couple more to find. A good read about a detective/PI in a different setting, you end up knowing her friends, lover, her job, and some interesting restaurant observations thrown into the mix. Read on.
By the way I read very quickly and think this would be a 2-3 read normally.
By the way I read very quickly and think this would be a 2-3 read normally.
February 12, 2020
Nikki Hunted
You won't be able to put it down nor will you see what's coming next or after that or after that again. I'ts so crafty and brazen again and again. The caracters are vibrant and challenging life along the way even with Nikki's bold outlook on life nothing could prepare her for what her latest client wants Nikki to achieve. I know you're ready to aquier a copy and start enjoying " Murder Over Cocktails " as much as I have 😎🤔😮😐🤔🙄Kat
You won't be able to put it down nor will you see what's coming next or after that or after that again. I'ts so crafty and brazen again and again. The caracters are vibrant and challenging life along the way even with Nikki's bold outlook on life nothing could prepare her for what her latest client wants Nikki to achieve. I know you're ready to aquier a copy and start enjoying " Murder Over Cocktails " as much as I have 😎🤔😮😐🤔🙄Kat
August 2, 2020
A great read!
I enjoyed this book though I realized it was a familiar P.I. about whom I had already read a sequel! Usually that would bother me, but I appreciated the wonderfully developed characters and enjoyed getting more background about them, as well as enjoying the storyline in Murder Over Cocktails.
I was not disappointed. I will be looking for the first novel in the series and hoping for more than 3.
I enjoyed this book though I realized it was a familiar P.I. about whom I had already read a sequel! Usually that would bother me, but I appreciated the wonderfully developed characters and enjoyed getting more background about them, as well as enjoying the storyline in Murder Over Cocktails.
I was not disappointed. I will be looking for the first novel in the series and hoping for more than 3.
August 13, 2018
Nikki gets a new case, from Jack, also known as the cat burglar. Left the items, after he watched two of them. Wondering if the said items could be taken, and what she is doing stop. A devious plot, that gets Nikki caught up in, her boyfriend, a cop, not his district. So, he can’t help her, will she survive this case. It is a tense, thriller, that will keep you reading to the end.
December 6, 2018
Compelling. With insight into the villain's thoughts, the reader is drawn into a bizarre game. Some of the surprises weren't really. But the twist at the end made me go "what???" Didn't see that one coming. As this series progresses, the reader learns more about Nikki and why she is what she is. On to book 3.
May 3, 2019
An exciting, unpredictable murder mystery! Nikki is at it again! Only this time she is the one facing murder charges! A serial murderer has to be stopped! How far will she go to prevent another murder? Who set her up? Whom wants her dead? Who is Jack? Can he be trusted? Many surprises, secrets, betrayal, and unexpected twists and turns awaits you! How will it end?
September 3, 2019
Murder Over Cocktails
It was a good read. The first one I had read by this author. It was well written and edited. Interesting characters and plot. I just couldn’t get interested in the story or the characters. I think the potential is there for a good series just not for me. I will try another book in the series though.
It was a good read. The first one I had read by this author. It was well written and edited. Interesting characters and plot. I just couldn’t get interested in the story or the characters. I think the potential is there for a good series just not for me. I will try another book in the series though.
April 14, 2021
Our heroine is a PI who doesn't back out of dangerous situations. This one situation, in particular, involves a woman serial killer. She has the proof but when she finally does get her chance, things go wrong and she becomes the main suspect.
A real thriller! Modestly speaking, I discovered who the real murderer was before the PI!!!
A real thriller! Modestly speaking, I discovered who the real murderer was before the PI!!!
November 1, 2022
OMG, what a twisted storyline this is!! I couldn’t put the book down I was so engrossed in it and I had to know what was gonna happen. I have to say it threw me for a loop I was not expecting that. And I love it when I can be surprised!! The story was well written and conceived and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the next book!!
January 2, 2019
Fantastic read!
The author leads you into the mystery just like you are living the experience! I loved the book! The setting was perfect and you felt the scenery. I would recommend this book to any mystery readers. This is the kind of writing that stays with you for awhile.
The author leads you into the mystery just like you are living the experience! I loved the book! The setting was perfect and you felt the scenery. I would recommend this book to any mystery readers. This is the kind of writing that stays with you for awhile.
May 11, 2019
GOOD BOOK!
Nikki is a woman I could see becoming a good friend. She works as a PI and she finds herself involved in a crazy case!
The characters are believable and interesting. Can she solve this case AND survive in the process? Read it and see!
Nikki is a woman I could see becoming a good friend. She works as a PI and she finds herself involved in a crazy case!
The characters are believable and interesting. Can she solve this case AND survive in the process? Read it and see!
September 9, 2019
Nice murder mystery
Nikki does it again. Catches the killer and this time it's personal. Love the boat life she leads. Can you imagine being a PI without that sense of safety you don't really have living on a boat?
Nikki does it again. Catches the killer and this time it's personal. Love the boat life she leads. Can you imagine being a PI without that sense of safety you don't really have living on a boat?
December 6, 2019
Love these books
I enjoy murder mysteries and I am really pleased to have discovered Nikki Hunter. The story lines are good and the characters engaging. Nancy Skopin is now on my list of authors who do not disappoint.
I enjoy murder mysteries and I am really pleased to have discovered Nikki Hunter. The story lines are good and the characters engaging. Nancy Skopin is now on my list of authors who do not disappoint.
March 8, 2020
Nikki PI
In this second book Nikki helps a thief catch a murderer. This is a wonderful series, with great characters and storyline, add in humor and you have a entertaining reading! Awesome series!
In this second book Nikki helps a thief catch a murderer. This is a wonderful series, with great characters and storyline, add in humor and you have a entertaining reading! Awesome series!
February 24, 2021
Great police thriller
This book kept you guessing until the end. Lots of twist and turns. Loved the main character Jack even though he was a criminal. Loved Nikki too.Can't wait to read the next book.
This book kept you guessing until the end. Lots of twist and turns. Loved the main character Jack even though he was a criminal. Loved Nikki too.Can't wait to read the next book.
January 21, 2022
Enjoy the story
Really enjoy that Nikki Hunter is not a whiny wannabe detective. She is a professional PI and knows that she is needed especially when conventional police hands are tied. I also like that her policeman boyfriend is not portrayed as an idiot.
Really enjoy that Nikki Hunter is not a whiny wannabe detective. She is a professional PI and knows that she is needed especially when conventional police hands are tied. I also like that her policeman boyfriend is not portrayed as an idiot.
January 27, 2022
Incredibly Good Author
This 2nd book in the Nikki Hunter series was as good or better than the first. Nicoli is smart and intuitive. Her friends are an eclectic bunch but fine, well-rounded and interesting in their own right. Looking forward to #3.
This 2nd book in the Nikki Hunter series was as good or better than the first. Nicoli is smart and intuitive. Her friends are an eclectic bunch but fine, well-rounded and interesting in their own right. Looking forward to #3.
August 15, 2022
Spine tingling!
Pretty gruesome murders, don't care for the graphic stuff but...the rest of the story was fun when I wasn't biting my nails. Figured out the mystery before the end too!
Pretty gruesome murders, don't care for the graphic stuff but...the rest of the story was fun when I wasn't biting my nails. Figured out the mystery before the end too!
July 28, 2023
Good Read
I enjoyed this book. I really like the main character and was happy to not be able to figure out what the ending was going to be. I suspected Jack but didn’t figure it out correctly.
I enjoyed this book. I really like the main character and was happy to not be able to figure out what the ending was going to be. I suspected Jack but didn’t figure it out correctly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews