What do you think?
Rate this book
A Kate Reilly Mystery #4
Red Flags
"Readers looking for a new amateur-sleuth series―especially those who find the car-racing frame intriguing―should definitely check out the Kate Reilly mysteries." ― Booklist When Kate Reilly arrives in Long Beach, California, a week ahead of the Grand Prix, she's immediately plunged into a new social scene―as well as a murder investigation. Her cousin Billy is found dead, with Kate's card in his pocket. The cops want to know why, and sponsors and race organizers―anxious to keep racing's image clean―want Kate to investigate. Doubting she can solve another murder, especially that of a relative she despised, Kate reluctantly agrees. At the same time, coaching an actress for a celebrity race brings Kate into the orbit of Hollywood's hottest bachelor. And then a local FBI agent takes notice of more than her driving and sleuthing skills. She goes from Sony Studios to Venice Beach and from Rodeo Drive to the Hollywood Hills, attending parties, power-shopping, and dodging unwelcome paparazzi. Kate's professional dreams are coming true. The upcoming Grand Prix is her first race with a new sponsor that's also funding an IndyCar test drive and a ride in next year's Indy 500―along with future possibilities in NASCAR. The downside? New sponsor Frame Savings is owned by her family, and its management, except her long-estranged father, is unfriendly to her...even rivalrous. On track, red flags fly to warn her of danger. Off track, Kate struggles to interpret warning signs and stay out of a killer's grasp. Kate Reilly Dead Man's Switch (Book 1) Braking Points (Book 2) Avoidable Contact (Book 3) Red Flags (Book 4) Kiss the Bricks (Book 5) Praise for the Kate Reilly "Read this book―but buckle in first. Believe me, you're in for a bumpy ride." ― WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER , New York Times bestselling author for Braking Points "This series always leaves me wanting more, so I cannot wait to keep reading and see what's next on the horizon for my fellow female racing driver!" ― PIPPA MANN , IndyCar driver for Avoidable Contact
- GenresMystery
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2016
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Tammy Kaehler
7 books47 followersWhen Tammy Kaehler discovered the racing world, she was hooked by the contrast between its top-dollar, high-drama competition, and friendly, family atmosphere. Mystery fans and racing insiders alike have praised her award-winning Kate Reilly Mystery Series (Dead Man’s Switch, Braking Points, Avoidable Contact, and Red Flags), and Tammy takes readers back behind the wheel in her fifth entry, Kiss The Bricks. She works as a freelance writer in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and many cars. Find out more at www.tammykaehler.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 12, 2016
You know that feeling when you are reading a series, or even just a new book by an author that you love and you are greatly anticipating the release of that book, but in the back of your mind you worry that you will be disappointed? I had that worry with this book because in my mind I had hyped it up and was so excited for the release that I couldn't imagine it would live up to the hype in my head. Well luckily for us all- it not only lived up to it- but it surpassed it. I dare say that Red Flags is the best book in the currently four book series to date. And with that I will say while this book could probably be read as a standalone you will find it a much richer reading experience to read the other three books in the series (Deadman's Switch, Braking Points, Avoidable Contact).
Now onto this book: Kate Reilly is a busy busy racer. She arrives in Long Beach for the Grand Prix of Long Beach busy- she is not just racing her car in the Sportscar event, but she is also coaching a celebrity driver in the pro-am race, and taking one of the steps towards her big dream- testing an Indycar in Fontana. Not to mention meeting with her two biggest sponsors- Frame Savings and Beaute. Yet the first thing we see of Kate in Long Beach? She is identifying the body of her despised cousin Billy who has Kate's hero card in his pocket at the time of his obvious murder. She vows that this time she will leave it to the authorities but of course she gets roped into investigating who might be responsible in this mystery that has more turns than a road course. I don't want to get too much into plot points with this book because I don't want to spoil anything...but as far as plot lines go I was guessing who was responsible from the beginning and who I thought killed Billy and who actually ended up killing Billy? I never suspected that person.
One of the things that made me fall in love with the Kate Reilly mysteries is that Kate Reilly is not just some badass female racer (which she is but would totally not admit to or believe), but Kate's best character quality is that she is fallible and completely human in all aspects of her life. She gets mad at things and regrets letting things get to her just like you and I do through our lives. She is easy to identify with because she is so believably human and female (at least in my experience).
Of course I would be lying if I didn't tell you that another reason I love the books is that I love the racing and the descriptions of the racing- again they are not just technically accurate but rich in detail with out being too cumbersome. I love it when Kate is on track and describing what is going on with her car and how it feels and what's going on in her head and on the track.
I also have to tell you- that there is a scene in which Kate drives down Mulholland Drive and all I will say is that it is so awesomely accurate. I love this scene because I have been on that road both during the day and at night and know that it's quite curvy so I can imagine exactly what Kate was seeing and experiencing during this drive- loved this part.
I am not a big fan of comparing authors because to me they are all different and their writing product has unique characteristics just like they do. Plus it reminds me of comparative literature essays in high school and college. But I couldn't help but think of the writing of another of my favorite mystery writers (and talk about apples and oranges when it comes to what they write) Sue Grafton when I read Red Flags. What you need to know is that I adore Sue Grafton and have read all of her books. I think it has to do with the way Kaehler's Kate and Grafton's Kinsey are both females in fairly male dominated fields (racing and private investigating) and both Kate and Kinsey are very easy for me to relate to and realistic characters overall. You get that in both author's books- that the character is in a male dominated field but it doesn't hit you over the head with it. It's there because it's those character's reality.
If you can't tell already I highly recommend this book- fiction lovers, mystery lovers and race fans all will get a thrill out of Tammy Kaehler's page turner. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review- this is the fourth book in a series and while you could likely read it as a stand alone I would HIGHLY suggest reading the whole series- starting with the first book.
Now onto this book: Kate Reilly is a busy busy racer. She arrives in Long Beach for the Grand Prix of Long Beach busy- she is not just racing her car in the Sportscar event, but she is also coaching a celebrity driver in the pro-am race, and taking one of the steps towards her big dream- testing an Indycar in Fontana. Not to mention meeting with her two biggest sponsors- Frame Savings and Beaute. Yet the first thing we see of Kate in Long Beach? She is identifying the body of her despised cousin Billy who has Kate's hero card in his pocket at the time of his obvious murder. She vows that this time she will leave it to the authorities but of course she gets roped into investigating who might be responsible in this mystery that has more turns than a road course. I don't want to get too much into plot points with this book because I don't want to spoil anything...but as far as plot lines go I was guessing who was responsible from the beginning and who I thought killed Billy and who actually ended up killing Billy? I never suspected that person.
One of the things that made me fall in love with the Kate Reilly mysteries is that Kate Reilly is not just some badass female racer (which she is but would totally not admit to or believe), but Kate's best character quality is that she is fallible and completely human in all aspects of her life. She gets mad at things and regrets letting things get to her just like you and I do through our lives. She is easy to identify with because she is so believably human and female (at least in my experience).
Of course I would be lying if I didn't tell you that another reason I love the books is that I love the racing and the descriptions of the racing- again they are not just technically accurate but rich in detail with out being too cumbersome. I love it when Kate is on track and describing what is going on with her car and how it feels and what's going on in her head and on the track.
I also have to tell you- that there is a scene in which Kate drives down Mulholland Drive and all I will say is that it is so awesomely accurate. I love this scene because I have been on that road both during the day and at night and know that it's quite curvy so I can imagine exactly what Kate was seeing and experiencing during this drive- loved this part.
I am not a big fan of comparing authors because to me they are all different and their writing product has unique characteristics just like they do. Plus it reminds me of comparative literature essays in high school and college. But I couldn't help but think of the writing of another of my favorite mystery writers (and talk about apples and oranges when it comes to what they write) Sue Grafton when I read Red Flags. What you need to know is that I adore Sue Grafton and have read all of her books. I think it has to do with the way Kaehler's Kate and Grafton's Kinsey are both females in fairly male dominated fields (racing and private investigating) and both Kate and Kinsey are very easy for me to relate to and realistic characters overall. You get that in both author's books- that the character is in a male dominated field but it doesn't hit you over the head with it. It's there because it's those character's reality.
If you can't tell already I highly recommend this book- fiction lovers, mystery lovers and race fans all will get a thrill out of Tammy Kaehler's page turner. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review- this is the fourth book in a series and while you could likely read it as a stand alone I would HIGHLY suggest reading the whole series- starting with the first book.
June 12, 2016
Tammy Kaehler's latest mystery, Red Flags, is a book that reminded me why I love reading so much. I have wanderlust in my soul but there is never enough money for me to travel to all the places on my bucket list. Well-written books, about places and worlds that I know nothing or little about, help fill the void.
While Red Flags didn't take me to an exotic locale, it did introduce me to the world of auto racing, which before reading it was as foreign to me as typewriters are to today's youth. Kate Reilly, the book's protagonist, is a race car driver who, with Kaehler's vibrant writing, took me for an adventurous ride around a high-wall oval track. I could hear the roar of the engine as Kate pulled the race car out of the pit, smell the rubber of its screeching tires, feel the vibrations of the vehicle as it gained speed, and imagine the tenseness in my arm muscles as Kate upshifted and downshifted on the curves.
This book also fulfilled my desire to read about strong women. I delighted in Kate's feminist fight to be treated as an equal in a man's world, but without so many of the opposite gender's macho traits. One of the things she does in the book is to ask breast cancer survivors to be her "Grid Girls" instead of the traditional pin-up types commonly used by her male competitors. And she goes out of her way to encourage other women in the racing field, instead of seeing them as only competitors.
But even while coming across as a strong woman, Kate also has her own demons to fight, just as most women do. They range from "Am I good enough?" to "Am I doing the right thing?" and she isn't always right in her conclusions. In addition, she battles with difficult career and family situations that slow her down. In other words, she's strong but human, and definitely not Wonder Woman, which makes her a realistic heroine.
And then there is the murder mystery to solve, the death of a disliked cousin, whose body is found with Kate's card and cell-phone number in his pocket at a track during a racing weekend—and on the first page of the book. No lollygagging in getting the mystery started here by Kaehler. While Kate wants nothing to do with helping find the killer, both family members and career associates pressure her to get involved for their own selfish reasons, and blackmail her into doing so.
There are also a couple of handsome men interested in Kate for readers who enjoy a bit of romance. Kate, however, manages to keep the book G-rated while pondering between the pair. Overall, I found the book an interesting read, although I wished I had read the others in the series first because Kaehler mentioned them and left me with unanswered questions. Red Flags is the fourth Kate Reilly mystery. I guess I will just have to put the other three on my reading wish list.
by Pat Bean
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
While Red Flags didn't take me to an exotic locale, it did introduce me to the world of auto racing, which before reading it was as foreign to me as typewriters are to today's youth. Kate Reilly, the book's protagonist, is a race car driver who, with Kaehler's vibrant writing, took me for an adventurous ride around a high-wall oval track. I could hear the roar of the engine as Kate pulled the race car out of the pit, smell the rubber of its screeching tires, feel the vibrations of the vehicle as it gained speed, and imagine the tenseness in my arm muscles as Kate upshifted and downshifted on the curves.
This book also fulfilled my desire to read about strong women. I delighted in Kate's feminist fight to be treated as an equal in a man's world, but without so many of the opposite gender's macho traits. One of the things she does in the book is to ask breast cancer survivors to be her "Grid Girls" instead of the traditional pin-up types commonly used by her male competitors. And she goes out of her way to encourage other women in the racing field, instead of seeing them as only competitors.
But even while coming across as a strong woman, Kate also has her own demons to fight, just as most women do. They range from "Am I good enough?" to "Am I doing the right thing?" and she isn't always right in her conclusions. In addition, she battles with difficult career and family situations that slow her down. In other words, she's strong but human, and definitely not Wonder Woman, which makes her a realistic heroine.
And then there is the murder mystery to solve, the death of a disliked cousin, whose body is found with Kate's card and cell-phone number in his pocket at a track during a racing weekend—and on the first page of the book. No lollygagging in getting the mystery started here by Kaehler. While Kate wants nothing to do with helping find the killer, both family members and career associates pressure her to get involved for their own selfish reasons, and blackmail her into doing so.
There are also a couple of handsome men interested in Kate for readers who enjoy a bit of romance. Kate, however, manages to keep the book G-rated while pondering between the pair. Overall, I found the book an interesting read, although I wished I had read the others in the series first because Kaehler mentioned them and left me with unanswered questions. Red Flags is the fourth Kate Reilly mystery. I guess I will just have to put the other three on my reading wish list.
by Pat Bean
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
May 12, 2017
A fast-paced mystery set in the world of race cars and racing, with some celebrities and bankers thrown in. A who-done-it, with a surprise ending. Not quite my thing, but good of its kind and a guaranteed page-turner.
September 3, 2018
Death at the racetrack
August 29, 2019
I sure hope Tammy Kaehler continues writing. Her Kate Riley racing series has so much action, adventure, and wonderful characters, all while giving you great insight into the world of racing.
Want to read
September 27, 20241.99 Fourth in series
February 10, 2020
Race car driver Kate Reilly finds herself in California for multiple reasons. Before she can even begin her official duties, the police ask her to identify a body since her card was in the victim’s pocket. Her hated cousin Billy has been murdered. The police ask her to make inquiries and find out what she can about Billy’s death. Kate agrees since the race organizers and sponsors want her to be sure racing’s name is kept clean.
A week before the Long Beach Grand Prix, Kate is coaching a celebrity driver who will race with other celebrity drivers the following week. Kate enjoys sharing her knowledge with the gorgeous movie star she is paired with. Kate also visits her on the set and finds herself attracted to Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor. The two date and are hounded by paparazzi, with Kate finding her photo in the tabloids the next day. Via her experiences in Hollywood, Kate learns more about how to handle to paparazzi and national media attention.
Kate also meets up with the FBI agent introduced in the last book – Avoiding Contact – and the two also go out to dinner. On the way to meet him, Kate is driving by the headquarters for Frame Savings, her father’s bank, and in the slow traffic watches a young woman douse herself with gasoline and begin lighting matches. Kate jumps out of her car and knocks them away before the woman can light the gas. As she does, the woman’s sister arrives, explaining to Kate the harassment her sister has put up with while working for Frame Savings only to be fired by the people Kate dislikes most – Billy, cousin Holden, his father, and her father’s brother Edward. Kate’s father is shocked to hear the allegations.
Kate runs into her father often as she goes from Sony Studios to Venice Beach to Rodeo Drive to the Hollywood Hills attending parties, shopping, and being treated to a spa experience. Kate also attends several sponsor meetings where she lines up a continuing contract with Beaute, the breast cancer Research Center, and Frame Savings as well. They sponsor an Indy car test drive, and all are in agreement that she will drive the Indy 500 the next year, followed by NASCAR. Kate is chosen to drive an Indy Lights car this race weekend since the original driver cannot get out of Europe.
Everything coalesces on race weekend as Kate drives the Corvette C7 race car number 28, drives the Indy Lights car, plus coaches her celebrity driver. Outside the track she reveals whom she feels murdered Billy, and soon discovers she was wrong when the actual killer sets their sights on Kate.
I felt this entry in the series was a big step forward for Tammy Kaehler’ writing. I found the multiple plotlines woven together at several venues enhanced the race commentary a great deal. Much of the time Kate was racing or pursuing her career and dreams in racing yet she has a personal life which she trusts the reader to share. RED FLAGS was a greatly enhanced story rounding out Kate’s full life.
Reviewed by Sandie Herron
A week before the Long Beach Grand Prix, Kate is coaching a celebrity driver who will race with other celebrity drivers the following week. Kate enjoys sharing her knowledge with the gorgeous movie star she is paired with. Kate also visits her on the set and finds herself attracted to Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor. The two date and are hounded by paparazzi, with Kate finding her photo in the tabloids the next day. Via her experiences in Hollywood, Kate learns more about how to handle to paparazzi and national media attention.
Kate also meets up with the FBI agent introduced in the last book – Avoiding Contact – and the two also go out to dinner. On the way to meet him, Kate is driving by the headquarters for Frame Savings, her father’s bank, and in the slow traffic watches a young woman douse herself with gasoline and begin lighting matches. Kate jumps out of her car and knocks them away before the woman can light the gas. As she does, the woman’s sister arrives, explaining to Kate the harassment her sister has put up with while working for Frame Savings only to be fired by the people Kate dislikes most – Billy, cousin Holden, his father, and her father’s brother Edward. Kate’s father is shocked to hear the allegations.
Kate runs into her father often as she goes from Sony Studios to Venice Beach to Rodeo Drive to the Hollywood Hills attending parties, shopping, and being treated to a spa experience. Kate also attends several sponsor meetings where she lines up a continuing contract with Beaute, the breast cancer Research Center, and Frame Savings as well. They sponsor an Indy car test drive, and all are in agreement that she will drive the Indy 500 the next year, followed by NASCAR. Kate is chosen to drive an Indy Lights car this race weekend since the original driver cannot get out of Europe.
Everything coalesces on race weekend as Kate drives the Corvette C7 race car number 28, drives the Indy Lights car, plus coaches her celebrity driver. Outside the track she reveals whom she feels murdered Billy, and soon discovers she was wrong when the actual killer sets their sights on Kate.
I felt this entry in the series was a big step forward for Tammy Kaehler’ writing. I found the multiple plotlines woven together at several venues enhanced the race commentary a great deal. Much of the time Kate was racing or pursuing her career and dreams in racing yet she has a personal life which she trusts the reader to share. RED FLAGS was a greatly enhanced story rounding out Kate’s full life.
Reviewed by Sandie Herron
June 5, 2016
Red Flags by Tammy Kaehler is absolutely thrilling! I finally found a novel that brings the popular event such as race racing to life. The way this tale is written, it's exciting and the most intriguing one I have read yet. Tammy Kaehler brilliantly brings readers car racing, murder, and a mystery. One young woman is tested on her dream career, family, and relationships. I found this tale super exciting, heated, and dangerous. The danger never stops when one is being targeted by everyone especially the sleuth...
Inside Red Flags, readers get to meet Kate Reilly. She's the one woman sleuth that will become everyone's new favorite. She loves car racing and solving mysteries. When Kate arrives to enter in for car racing...her least favorite cousin is found dead. Next thing she know...she's driving multiple cars and trying to solve a case. But the danger is real and just getting started. The press is not helping Kate Reilly's case or the load that she's already carrying on her shoulders. She finds out more things than she expected that involves her family and the world of racing. Then there are men who want her attention. Can Kate Reilly solve the case, juggle everything, and come out alive? Tammy Kaehler is talented in writing the best detective mystery ever. I was instantly taken into her world of fiction and never wanted to leave...Overall, I highly recommend Red Flags to readers everywhere.
Inside Red Flags, readers get to meet Kate Reilly. She's the one woman sleuth that will become everyone's new favorite. She loves car racing and solving mysteries. When Kate arrives to enter in for car racing...her least favorite cousin is found dead. Next thing she know...she's driving multiple cars and trying to solve a case. But the danger is real and just getting started. The press is not helping Kate Reilly's case or the load that she's already carrying on her shoulders. She finds out more things than she expected that involves her family and the world of racing. Then there are men who want her attention. Can Kate Reilly solve the case, juggle everything, and come out alive? Tammy Kaehler is talented in writing the best detective mystery ever. I was instantly taken into her world of fiction and never wanted to leave...Overall, I highly recommend Red Flags to readers everywhere.
December 15, 2015
This is my first book in this series; it will not be my last.
As a racing fan, and a particular fan of female racers—Danica Patrick notwithstanding—I’m amazed I haven’t heard of these novels before, featuring a female racer who’s always finding bodies or being asked to investigate murders. Those parts are okay, but what thoroughly impresses me are the racing scenes. This book takes place at my hometown (temporary) track, Long Beach, which I’ve photographed the last fifteen years, so I’m very familiar with it all and can say this author gets everything right.
First and foremost, I am loving Kate! She’s serious when it comes to racing, a bit of a goof with her friends, and insecure when it comes to all the guys chasing her. There’s plenty of snark opportunities for her in SoCal; she goes to the Troubador, walks on the beach—at least it wasn’t Malibu—and does other El Lay things, making it obvious the author is contemptuous of the City of Beautiful Angels.
This is one of those rare books I wish I could read again for the first time, especially the Fontana test scene. The only disappointment was the lack of description of the IndyLights race.
4.5 pushed up to 5/5
As a racing fan, and a particular fan of female racers—Danica Patrick notwithstanding—I’m amazed I haven’t heard of these novels before, featuring a female racer who’s always finding bodies or being asked to investigate murders. Those parts are okay, but what thoroughly impresses me are the racing scenes. This book takes place at my hometown (temporary) track, Long Beach, which I’ve photographed the last fifteen years, so I’m very familiar with it all and can say this author gets everything right.
First and foremost, I am loving Kate! She’s serious when it comes to racing, a bit of a goof with her friends, and insecure when it comes to all the guys chasing her. There’s plenty of snark opportunities for her in SoCal; she goes to the Troubador, walks on the beach—at least it wasn’t Malibu—and does other El Lay things, making it obvious the author is contemptuous of the City of Beautiful Angels.
This is one of those rare books I wish I could read again for the first time, especially the Fontana test scene. The only disappointment was the lack of description of the IndyLights race.
4.5 pushed up to 5/5
March 28, 2016
Once again Tammy Kaelher hits the top step of the podium with her latest work.
I was lucky enough to win an advance copy of "Red Flags" but even if I had not would have bought it as I'm a fan of the Kate Reilly books.
Thanks to a serious bout of the flu, I read the book in three sittings and loved every page. Tammy's books have a knack of making me not want to put them down and keep reading.
I enjoyed the pacing of the story and how it always kept me wondering what would happen next. As always I enjoyed the racing sections. The track descriptions from the driver's seat were awesome. As someone involved with motorsport for many years I appreciated the way the author explained the differences between the Corvette and the open wheel race cars at Long Beach.
Great work. Thoroughly recommended.
I was lucky enough to win an advance copy of "Red Flags" but even if I had not would have bought it as I'm a fan of the Kate Reilly books.
Thanks to a serious bout of the flu, I read the book in three sittings and loved every page. Tammy's books have a knack of making me not want to put them down and keep reading.
I enjoyed the pacing of the story and how it always kept me wondering what would happen next. As always I enjoyed the racing sections. The track descriptions from the driver's seat were awesome. As someone involved with motorsport for many years I appreciated the way the author explained the differences between the Corvette and the open wheel race cars at Long Beach.
Great work. Thoroughly recommended.
May 24, 2016
If you want to learn about the world of racing from the viewpoint of a young, competitive woman who also manages to solve a murder mystery and negotiate dealing with a less than loving extended family, this is the book for you. I knew nothing about the racing world and learned quite a bit. A fun, light read.
September 15, 2016
This is a really fun page-turner. Kate Reilly is an interesting, appealing character; the story keeps up a good pace, and you’ll learn a lot about car racing. (I didn’t think I’d be particularly interested in the car racing side of things, but Tammy writes about it so well that I was sucked in.) I finished this in two sittings—couldn’t put it down.
November 26, 2015
Kate Reilly, one of a very few female race car drivers, is drawn into the investigation of her cousin's murder. A solid mystery with the added bonus of offering the reader some fascinating insight into the world of motor sports.
Read
August 10, 2016racing cars, finding sponsors, hanging out with celebrities, getting to know her father, and searching for a murderer. Kate does it all
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews