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Callahan & McLane #4
Targeted
All Detective Mason Callahan wanted was a quiet fishing trip with the guys—a chance to get away and unwind before Halloween.
Until he finds the body of his boss, Denny Schefte, near their remote Oregon cabin. Now all he wants is to catch the sadist who slit Denny’s throat and covered his face with a mask. Mason was the last person to see him alive and will stop at nothing to find his friend’s murderer.
When the FBI learns of the mask left at the scene, they realize they have a serial killer on their hands—one who is targeting cops. They assign the case to Special Agent Ava McLane, despite her engagement to Mason. Barely recovered from her own nearly fatal injury and her sister’s attempted suicide, Ava hopes she is ready to chase another killer.
But as she delves into the increasingly disturbing case, the killer may be closer than expected—dangerously close.
Until he finds the body of his boss, Denny Schefte, near their remote Oregon cabin. Now all he wants is to catch the sadist who slit Denny’s throat and covered his face with a mask. Mason was the last person to see him alive and will stop at nothing to find his friend’s murderer.
When the FBI learns of the mask left at the scene, they realize they have a serial killer on their hands—one who is targeting cops. They assign the case to Special Agent Ava McLane, despite her engagement to Mason. Barely recovered from her own nearly fatal injury and her sister’s attempted suicide, Ava hopes she is ready to chase another killer.
But as she delves into the increasingly disturbing case, the killer may be closer than expected—dangerously close.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2016
5664 people are currently reading
4164 people want to read
About the author
Kendra Elliot
39 books6,377 followersAn Amazon #1 selling author, Kendra Elliot has sold over 14 Million books and been on the WSJ best seller more than a dozen times.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 603 reviews
August 31, 2018
4.5 stars
Targeted is book 4 in the Callahan & McLane series, and probably my favorite so far.
FBI Special Agent Ava McLane and Detective Mason Callahan, are not only trying to maneuver their relationship and personal lives, they are trying to find a cop killer. With no suspects in sight, they killer is getting too close for comfort.
If you like police procedurals, I highly recommend this series. It is light in the romance department, like no sex scenes at all, but it worked for me because I thought it Ava & Mason’s relationship was very realistic.
I really enjoyed this one and I am thrilled that there is another book in the works. Plus, on the author’s website, it mentions that Ava’s partner, Zander, will get his own book. We do get to see more of him in Targeted and learn a little about his past, but I am greedy and want more.
Targeted is book 4 in the Callahan & McLane series, and probably my favorite so far.
FBI Special Agent Ava McLane and Detective Mason Callahan, are not only trying to maneuver their relationship and personal lives, they are trying to find a cop killer. With no suspects in sight, they killer is getting too close for comfort.
If you like police procedurals, I highly recommend this series. It is light in the romance department, like no sex scenes at all, but it worked for me because I thought it Ava & Mason’s relationship was very realistic.
I really enjoyed this one and I am thrilled that there is another book in the works. Plus, on the author’s website, it mentions that Ava’s partner, Zander, will get his own book. We do get to see more of him in Targeted and learn a little about his past, but I am greedy and want more.
October 28, 2016
3.5 stars for Targeted, a very slickly written novel from Kendra Elliot. The plot flows well but lacks that certain something that keeps me reading to the exclusion of everything else.
In defence of the book, this is #4 in a series, but I don't feel that I have missed anything that would have added to my enjoyment by not reading the previous 3 books.
It seems to all have started with the murder of Denny Schefte at a remote fishing cabin where he was on a trip with his buddies and workmates. But did it? It certainly didn't stop there.
Detective Mason Callahan was one of the people on that fishing trip and is determined to uncover the person responsible for his friend's murder. The case is assigned to Special Agent Ava McLane, despite the fact that she is engaged to Callahan.
More deaths follow, all with the same disturbing signature, and an earlier case, deemed at the time to be suicide, needs to be re-examined in the light of mounting evidence.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
In defence of the book, this is #4 in a series, but I don't feel that I have missed anything that would have added to my enjoyment by not reading the previous 3 books.
It seems to all have started with the murder of Denny Schefte at a remote fishing cabin where he was on a trip with his buddies and workmates. But did it? It certainly didn't stop there.
Detective Mason Callahan was one of the people on that fishing trip and is determined to uncover the person responsible for his friend's murder. The case is assigned to Special Agent Ava McLane, despite the fact that she is engaged to Callahan.
More deaths follow, all with the same disturbing signature, and an earlier case, deemed at the time to be suicide, needs to be re-examined in the light of mounting evidence.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
January 17, 2017
I enjoyed the first three in the series and this was no exception. I had to go back and read my reviews to see if there was any romance/sex in the previous books. I think there was. Nada in this one. But I didn't really care. I like Mason and Ava.
Mason and his buddies are on a fishing trip. Time for rest and relaxation but then one of the party ends up dead.
Kept me guessing to the end. Nice to meet other characters who might feature prominently in future books.
Set in Portland, which I hope to visit soon.
Gotta love those craft beers. Much nicer than pissy Budweiser, Heineken, Carling etc.
All books have been solid four stars and I am looking forward to the next installment.
Mason and his buddies are on a fishing trip. Time for rest and relaxation but then one of the party ends up dead.
Mason hoped his own death wouldn't leave stains for a stranger to remove. He'd rather die under a fir tree, his blood soaking into the earth.
Kept me guessing to the end. Nice to meet other characters who might feature prominently in future books.
Set in Portland, which I hope to visit soon.
For years they'd harassed their boss about his taste in beer when he lived in one of the craft beer capitals of the nation ...
Gotta love those craft beers. Much nicer than pissy Budweiser, Heineken, Carling etc.
All books have been solid four stars and I am looking forward to the next installment.
July 16, 2016
I would have given this more stars if not for the blatant disregard for police work. It was a huge plot hole I couldn't ignore. Thus a star off.
August 2, 2016
It's a very good thing Targeted was a great read because it would have sucked to have a terrible read on my birthday.
( In case you didn't get that, it's my birthday!!!PARTY HAAAARD!!)
I wasn't able to read the 3rd book of the series but that doesn't mean it lessens the wow factor of the book. Granted, there's some spoilers for the 3rd book but it really didn't bother me at all. Targeted is so much better than the 2nd book of the series (which I gave 3 stars).
I love how Elliot puts her readers on a suspense for such a long time. She didn't reveal any name or any thing that can lead the readers to guess who the murdering bastard is.
She also didn't dwell much on the romance part of the book which I am thankful. Some of authors in the romantic suspense/ thriller genre feels like it's a necessity to include sex scenes between the h and the H in order for it to appeal to the readers. I love how she highlights Ava and Mason's relationship (which is certainly #goals) but at the same time, she still manages to do it in a non-smutty way.
P.S: Don't get me wrong. I love smut. But when it comes to my thrillers and crime books, I want more blood and grit rather than the ooh and aaah.
May 6, 2021
Perfect! Loved this book so much! Intriguing case, huge character relationship development and interesting setup of another character and the next book. Cannot wait to continue!
January 1, 2022
Excellent fourth novel in the Callahan & McLane series. Kendra Elliott is a terrific mystery writer.
July 31, 2016
This is the 4th book in this series, but the first book in the series for me. I was a little worried about starting with book #4, but received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review...so I dived in.
The Callahan & McLane series feature Mason Callahan, a detective in the Portland Police Department and Special Agent Ava McLane with the FBI. In the first book they meet and develop a relationship and then their relationship continues to develop in the next books in the series. Each book has a standalone suspense plot that is the focus of the book. In book 4, Ava and Mason are trying to discover who is murdering law enforcement officers.
The story starts out strong as Mason discovers a fellow police officer and good friend murdered during a fishing vacation with other officers. The plot paces well as the investigation begins only to find a similarity to a recent suicide of an FBI officer. As they start looking closer at the two cases, another murder occurs and now they know they have a serial killer, but they don’t know what ties the cases together.
I really enjoyed the premise of the plot and thought it was well thought out and the characters (good and bad) were developed well. Suspense plots are one of the primary reasons I read and I definitely liked this one.
We also get to know each of the recurring characters a little bit more which I really liked. Mason and Ava show that communication in a relationship is important and you can’t just assume you know your partner. I thought this book had a really good mix of primary and supporting characters.
Do I recommend Targeted? Definitely, I really enjoyed this one.
The Callahan & McLane series feature Mason Callahan, a detective in the Portland Police Department and Special Agent Ava McLane with the FBI. In the first book they meet and develop a relationship and then their relationship continues to develop in the next books in the series. Each book has a standalone suspense plot that is the focus of the book. In book 4, Ava and Mason are trying to discover who is murdering law enforcement officers.
The story starts out strong as Mason discovers a fellow police officer and good friend murdered during a fishing vacation with other officers. The plot paces well as the investigation begins only to find a similarity to a recent suicide of an FBI officer. As they start looking closer at the two cases, another murder occurs and now they know they have a serial killer, but they don’t know what ties the cases together.
I really enjoyed the premise of the plot and thought it was well thought out and the characters (good and bad) were developed well. Suspense plots are one of the primary reasons I read and I definitely liked this one.
We also get to know each of the recurring characters a little bit more which I really liked. Mason and Ava show that communication in a relationship is important and you can’t just assume you know your partner. I thought this book had a really good mix of primary and supporting characters.
Do I recommend Targeted? Definitely, I really enjoyed this one.
June 6, 2016
ARC provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am enjoying the Callahan & McLane series immensely. In addition to a new mystery to solve with each book, you have the ongoing relationship of Ava and Mason and the problems that Ave has with the mental illness of her twin sister, Jayne. Kendra Elliot writes Ave and Mason as real people with real ongoing issues. Not your typical Romantic-Suspense series.
While on a fishing trip with his four OSP buddies, Mason discovery the body of his friend, Denny. The scene is set with a horror movie mask over Denny's face. As a witness, Mason can't take part in solving the case, like that is going to actually stop him.
When the particulars of Denny's murder turn up another case with a horror mask, this one the suicide of an FBI Agent, Ava is assigned to a Joint Tank Force. Two more bodies are found and a push is on to find a connection between the men as the murders just don't appear to be random attacks on law enforcement personal, but well planned and executed murders.
I am enjoying the Callahan & McLane series immensely. In addition to a new mystery to solve with each book, you have the ongoing relationship of Ava and Mason and the problems that Ave has with the mental illness of her twin sister, Jayne. Kendra Elliot writes Ave and Mason as real people with real ongoing issues. Not your typical Romantic-Suspense series.
While on a fishing trip with his four OSP buddies, Mason discovery the body of his friend, Denny. The scene is set with a horror movie mask over Denny's face. As a witness, Mason can't take part in solving the case, like that is going to actually stop him.
When the particulars of Denny's murder turn up another case with a horror mask, this one the suicide of an FBI Agent, Ava is assigned to a Joint Tank Force. Two more bodies are found and a push is on to find a connection between the men as the murders just don't appear to be random attacks on law enforcement personal, but well planned and executed murders.
July 15, 2024
4.5 Stars!!
Best of the series so far! The FBI are racing to find a serial killer that is targeting law enforcement.
As we got further into this series the cases have become more intense and the author has slowly found the right balance between the crime and personal lives of the main characters. I was very happy to see that Ava's evil sister is finally getting the help she needed.
Best of the series so far! The FBI are racing to find a serial killer that is targeting law enforcement.
As we got further into this series the cases have become more intense and the author has slowly found the right balance between the crime and personal lives of the main characters. I was very happy to see that Ava's evil sister is finally getting the help she needed.
June 24, 2016
The fourth book about Detective Mason Callahan and FBI special agent Ava McLane and these keep getting better and better. The case, this time, hits close to home as law enforcement officers are being targeted by a serial killer. The ongoing relationship between Mason and Ava is further developed while Ava continues to worry about her twin sister's mental health issues.
Addictive romantic suspense with the emphasis on suspense in this one. I love how each case they are working on has been different. There's none of the same old, same old here. This was real edge-of-your-seat stuff.
My personal plea: I would love for Zander to get a story with an HEA, pretty please, Ms. Elliot.
There was a different male narrator this time, which took me a bit by surprise. However, I absolutely love the dual narration with Amy Mc Fadden doing the female voices and Alexander Cedese the male. It makes the whole listening experience much more authentic.
Highly recommended series for romantic suspense fans, but should be read in order.
Addictive romantic suspense with the emphasis on suspense in this one. I love how each case they are working on has been different. There's none of the same old, same old here. This was real edge-of-your-seat stuff.
My personal plea: I would love for Zander to get a story with an HEA, pretty please, Ms. Elliot.
There was a different male narrator this time, which took me a bit by surprise. However, I absolutely love the dual narration with Amy Mc Fadden doing the female voices and Alexander Cedese the male. It makes the whole listening experience much more authentic.
Highly recommended series for romantic suspense fans, but should be read in order.
June 25, 2021
While on a fishing trip with his buddies, Mason Callahan discovers his boss, State Police Captain Denny Schefte, has been murdered. Denny's throat was slit; a Halloween mask was placed over his face. The FBI is called in to help the state police with the case. Special Agent Ava McLane is surprised when she is assigned the case since Mason is her fiancé and a witness to the crime. The recent suicide of an FBI agent is called to their attention. The agent was wearing a Halloween mask when he hung himself. Was it suicide or is someone targeting law enforcement?
This series just gets better and better. Ava has just returned to work after recovering from a gunshot wound from her last case. Along with working on the Task Force to catch a killer, Ava's twin sister, Jayne, is also causing her usual havoc in Ava's life. Mason is not allowed on the task force since he is a witness (and possible suspect) in Denny's murder. Of course, that isn't going to stop him from doing a little investigating on his own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a good mystery with outstanding characters. Mason and Ava grow with each book. The supporting characters are interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing them in future books. My rating: 5 Stars.
This series just gets better and better. Ava has just returned to work after recovering from a gunshot wound from her last case. Along with working on the Task Force to catch a killer, Ava's twin sister, Jayne, is also causing her usual havoc in Ava's life. Mason is not allowed on the task force since he is a witness (and possible suspect) in Denny's murder. Of course, that isn't going to stop him from doing a little investigating on his own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a good mystery with outstanding characters. Mason and Ava grow with each book. The supporting characters are interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing them in future books. My rating: 5 Stars.
December 11, 2016
Two-haiku review:
Cops are being killed
Must be connected, but how?
Twisted path to perp
Couldn't guess bad guy
Characters developing
Really like series
Cops are being killed
Must be connected, but how?
Twisted path to perp
Couldn't guess bad guy
Characters developing
Really like series
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May 24, 2020
4 stars!
The best in the series! The mystery was so well done: the opening scene was super intriguing and the way the case slowly developed only made things better. There was a lot of tension all around due to how the first murder connected to Mason and it was really interesting to see how things progressed. I really enjoyed, and was surprised by, the final reveal at the end.
I also really liked the amount of character development in this, especially on Ava's part! One of my issues with the series has been Ava's relationship with Jayne, so I loved how that was addressed in this novel. I finally felt like Ava learned to stand up for herself when it came to her sister and learned how to disconnect a bit so as to protect herself.
There were a few plot points and reveals that were kind of left up in the air? I didn't mind them all that much, aside from the Dad reveal--I feel like that needed to be fleshed out and solved since it was kind of a pretty huge deal?? But seeing as this was the final installment in the series, that will never happen. Still had a good time reading this!
The best in the series! The mystery was so well done: the opening scene was super intriguing and the way the case slowly developed only made things better. There was a lot of tension all around due to how the first murder connected to Mason and it was really interesting to see how things progressed. I really enjoyed, and was surprised by, the final reveal at the end.
I also really liked the amount of character development in this, especially on Ava's part! One of my issues with the series has been Ava's relationship with Jayne, so I loved how that was addressed in this novel. I finally felt like Ava learned to stand up for herself when it came to her sister and learned how to disconnect a bit so as to protect herself.
There were a few plot points and reveals that were kind of left up in the air? I didn't mind them all that much, aside from the Dad reveal--I feel like that needed to be fleshed out and solved since it was kind of a pretty huge deal?? But seeing as this was the final installment in the series, that will never happen. Still had a good time reading this!
August 19, 2018
Sufficiently mysterious and the family and relationship drama didn’t bother me. This one was better than the last. On a side note, Zander seriously needs to have a spin off series.
October 17, 2016
Another great read by Kendra Elliot. Cops are the target in this book also, but it's the male species this time. A red herring or two thrown in just for fun when you are trying to solve this serial killing. Male cops are the victims and are left with different "Hallowe'en" masks on them and a mysterious finger print thrown in!
The first "known" victim is found by Mason when a group of his fellow cop buddies are on a fishing vacation - just happens to be one of the buddies who is also their boss. This all happens within the first couple of pages, so really no spoiler here.
I encourage anyone who enjoys a fast paced, police procedural to read this series, you won't be disappointed.
5 stars and 2 thumbs up!
The first "known" victim is found by Mason when a group of his fellow cop buddies are on a fishing vacation - just happens to be one of the buddies who is also their boss. This all happens within the first couple of pages, so really no spoiler here.
I encourage anyone who enjoys a fast paced, police procedural to read this series, you won't be disappointed.
5 stars and 2 thumbs up!
March 14, 2022
After reading a few bullymances in a row, I decided it was time to read a mystery book and as I was undecided what to read, I picked up a Kendra Elliot as she never fails me as I find she is one of my favorite female mystery authors. Targeted is set during Halloween and brings out the love of Horror movies into this book. We are also reunited with the characters, Mason Callahan and Ava McLane. The story starts with Mason and three of his law enforcement buddies out camping when he wakes up the next morning and finds his captain Denny dead wearing a Pinhead mask. The book then jumps to Ava and her partner Zander (FBI) being called as the MO of the Halloween mask matches one of their previous agent’s murder as he was wearing a Freddy Krueger mask. As the book goes on, we have a couple of storylines from the main one of someone murdering law enforcement officers and if they don't catch them in time, Mason Callahan could be next on the list of targets. We have Ava's storyline with her twin sister Jayne and a potential father figure comes to light and then of course the underlying theme in the series of the upcoming wedding bells and planning for Ava and Mason as maybe Book #4 is the book where they will finally choose at least a venue or is Ava getting cold feet as her heart doesn't seem to be in the wedding planning mood? Find out in Targeted, book #4 of the Callahan and McLane mystery series by Kendra Elliot.
PS - I also enjoyed this one as we got reunited with other Kendra series characters like Dr. Trask, Dr. Rutledge, Mercy Kilpatrick, and Michael Brody/Chris Brody.
April 10, 2025
Kendra Elliot is a phenomenal mystery writer. Several of her series are at the top of my list of favorite crime procedurals. Between the Kilpatrick, McLane and Columbia River books, you’ll find some of the most slick and engaging stories!
I especially love how she writes women heroines which very few other crime writers usually get right. Reading these as a series just makes the experience better and better! That’s because the characters are developed expertly. I get fully invested in their story as much as I do with the crime. The way she writes a procedural makes me fly through her books unable to stop. Highly recommend!
4.5 stars🌟
I especially love how she writes women heroines which very few other crime writers usually get right. Reading these as a series just makes the experience better and better! That’s because the characters are developed expertly. I get fully invested in their story as much as I do with the crime. The way she writes a procedural makes me fly through her books unable to stop. Highly recommend!
4.5 stars🌟
January 25, 2018
Wondering if there would be a 5th book to really round out the somewhat way the story ended. I enjoyed the first three and the 4th did not create a big dent or climax other than Denny Schefte, the boss being killed at his fishing cabin in the woods. There was literally no romance/sex scenes in this one, although I thought it would have expounded on Zander hooking up with the wedding planner friend.
Callahan and McLane try to get their wedding plans in order but are stalled when a serial cop killer runs rampant disposing of police officers linked to a Boys & Girls Club. As it happens, Mason gets entangled in the middle of everything. Mason becomes one of the targeted individuals as the FBI and OSP go through the motion of trying to find out who is killing and why as he leaves his calling card of masks from well-known horror movie killers. All the characters are well written and played their parts although I thought it was a little eerie and almost crossing the line in one ofthe back stories of the mother and son.
Callahan and McLane try to get their wedding plans in order but are stalled when a serial cop killer runs rampant disposing of police officers linked to a Boys & Girls Club. As it happens, Mason gets entangled in the middle of everything. Mason becomes one of the targeted individuals as the FBI and OSP go through the motion of trying to find out who is killing and why as he leaves his calling card of masks from well-known horror movie killers. All the characters are well written and played their parts although I thought it was a little eerie and almost crossing the line in one ofthe back stories of the mother and son.
April 12, 2016
Tight suspense thriller that had me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out who was killing Oregon’s law enforcement. The author did a great job of keeping you guessing almost till the end along with some great murder scene descriptions (yes I’m morbid) with references to some of my favorite horror movies.
Throughout this series poor Ava has not had an easy time of it with the havoc her twin sister has wrecked all her life. I was happy to see that Ava is finally cutting the emotional cord and is working on healing from all the damage her sister has caused her. I’ve always personally related to some of what Ava’s gone through and was glad to see she is finally taking the steps needed to work on herself and realizing there is nothing she can do to change her sister. I love that Mason has stepped into the roll to be the buffer – first point of contact – on news about Jayne. His and Ava’s love for each other is strong and they are each other’s rock.
There was also great ensemble cast of characters in this book that all come together to try and find the killer. Each book I’m left with more characters I would love to see in future books. Another great story from this author and I look forward to what’s next.
Throughout this series poor Ava has not had an easy time of it with the havoc her twin sister has wrecked all her life. I was happy to see that Ava is finally cutting the emotional cord and is working on healing from all the damage her sister has caused her. I’ve always personally related to some of what Ava’s gone through and was glad to see she is finally taking the steps needed to work on herself and realizing there is nothing she can do to change her sister. I love that Mason has stepped into the roll to be the buffer – first point of contact – on news about Jayne. His and Ava’s love for each other is strong and they are each other’s rock.
There was also great ensemble cast of characters in this book that all come together to try and find the killer. Each book I’m left with more characters I would love to see in future books. Another great story from this author and I look forward to what’s next.
June 7, 2016
I have been reading Kendra since her first book, Hidden. She just keeps getting better! Mason and some of his detective friends have gone on a vacation together. One of the detectives is brutally murdered at the remote cabin where they are staying. His body is found with a Halloween mask on his face. Mason's fiancé Ava is brought in to help with the investigation. When another law enforcement officer is found murdered, also with a Halloween mask on, they realize they have a killer targeting law enforcement officers. Kendra does an excellent job of keeping the suspense throughout the book. She lets us hear the voice of the killer without revealing who it is. This book is extremely well written. You won't be able to stop turning the pages to see what will happen next. I can't wait for her next book. Thank you to net galley for an advanced copy for a fair and honest review.
November 25, 2016
Great read. A cop killer with a theatrical horror movie slant. Elliot continues to expand on the back stories on some of the secondary characters we've come to know in this series. Other than a few TSTL decisions by our favourite investigators to help make a thriller ending, this fast paced read was entertaining from beginning to end.
* I don't always read the acknowledgments by the author at the end of each read but got a kick out of her comment saying her readers had demanded she not injure Ava four books in a row.
I hope she comes back to this series and these characters. I feel like I am just getting to know them all and look forward to more investigations by Ava and Mason.
* I don't always read the acknowledgments by the author at the end of each read but got a kick out of her comment saying her readers had demanded she not injure Ava four books in a row.
I hope she comes back to this series and these characters. I feel like I am just getting to know them all and look forward to more investigations by Ava and Mason.
June 9, 2016
Can't wait for the next book.
I have been reading this series from the beginning, can't wait for the fifth book. Investigations of killer of cops, starting with captain outside of his cabin. Mason and Ava working together at the beginning, killer is very close to them and they even admire his work with troubled children. Ava's twin sister, and older man following Ava are the problem.
I have been reading this series from the beginning, can't wait for the fifth book. Investigations of killer of cops, starting with captain outside of his cabin. Mason and Ava working together at the beginning, killer is very close to them and they even admire his work with troubled children. Ava's twin sister, and older man following Ava are the problem.
May 17, 2016
Good FBI/Police mystery thriller…
This is the fourth book in the Callahan & McLane series that can be read as a stand-alone.
It wasn’t easy arranging identical time off for a group of detectives and their boss yet they managed to get away for a much needed relaxation fishing trip prior to Halloween. What they didn’t expect was to wake up one morning to find their boss murdered, his throat slit with a horror mask covering his face. Detective Mason Callahan was the last person to speak to him and the first person to find the corpse which puts him at the center of attention, a place he’s been before and doesn’t care to repeat, all he wants to do is track down the killer of his friend, it’s not long before he learns he seeks a serial killer.
Someone with a sadistic sense of humor is killing law enforcement officers, their deaths linked by the grotesque masks covering their faces reminiscent of horror movie characters. The FBI connects two deaths and assigns Special Agent Ava McLane to work the case even though she’s engaged to Mason, a fact that the upper echelon seems to be unaware of. Mason, considered a witness and a friend of the deceased should be barred from working the case but nothing will stop him from obtaining justice for his friend. Together with Ava they race to connect the dots but not before there is another death. Can these two stop the serial killer before another cop is murdered? Finding the connection between the murdered men is the key to finding the elusive killer who is not done yet.
This was a really good FBI/Police mystery thriller that captured my attention from the beginning and kept me turning the pages, trying to guess who the villain was until closer to the ending. There were many interesting characters and storyline twists to complicate the man hunt. I loved the relationship dynamics between Ava and Mason who I gather have been with each other for a while and in this book are engaged. The family drama for Ava carries over from previous books but I did not feel the lack of not having read them, enough information was disseminated as the story progressed on prior history. There were multiple points of view including that of the villain. I’ve never read this author before but look forward to reading more of her work.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
This is the fourth book in the Callahan & McLane series that can be read as a stand-alone.
It wasn’t easy arranging identical time off for a group of detectives and their boss yet they managed to get away for a much needed relaxation fishing trip prior to Halloween. What they didn’t expect was to wake up one morning to find their boss murdered, his throat slit with a horror mask covering his face. Detective Mason Callahan was the last person to speak to him and the first person to find the corpse which puts him at the center of attention, a place he’s been before and doesn’t care to repeat, all he wants to do is track down the killer of his friend, it’s not long before he learns he seeks a serial killer.
Someone with a sadistic sense of humor is killing law enforcement officers, their deaths linked by the grotesque masks covering their faces reminiscent of horror movie characters. The FBI connects two deaths and assigns Special Agent Ava McLane to work the case even though she’s engaged to Mason, a fact that the upper echelon seems to be unaware of. Mason, considered a witness and a friend of the deceased should be barred from working the case but nothing will stop him from obtaining justice for his friend. Together with Ava they race to connect the dots but not before there is another death. Can these two stop the serial killer before another cop is murdered? Finding the connection between the murdered men is the key to finding the elusive killer who is not done yet.
This was a really good FBI/Police mystery thriller that captured my attention from the beginning and kept me turning the pages, trying to guess who the villain was until closer to the ending. There were many interesting characters and storyline twists to complicate the man hunt. I loved the relationship dynamics between Ava and Mason who I gather have been with each other for a while and in this book are engaged. The family drama for Ava carries over from previous books but I did not feel the lack of not having read them, enough information was disseminated as the story progressed on prior history. There were multiple points of view including that of the villain. I’ve never read this author before but look forward to reading more of her work.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
September 12, 2019
Repetitive and aggravating
It seems that Miss Elliot decided to play up the suspense by having the characters do continuously stupid things. If you read the other books in the series, you know of all the adventures they have shared together. Then maybe you can answer why they continue to never text , call or inform anyone of where they are going or what they are doing when they are pursuing a lead in a case? Why is it that their minds seem to work slowly, even though they've been doing this investigating thing for years.? Spoiler... Why does Mason go out to the Killer's house by himself? Without texting or calling anyone? Especially, the woman he claims to love and have to look out for at every turn?! That is ridiculous. They just went through a mass murder situation a few months before this issue and now he just runs off all cowboy and pursues a lead with no backup... Even if it is just to investigate a question, he informed no one of where he was going. He is still a law enforcement officer. If the killer has been targeting men that participated in the program that he also participated in, then why does it even make sense to go somewhere without informing anyone of where they are? Also, when she starts to wonder where he is, no one seems to give a crap! Everyone is like where is Mason, oh I don't know, oh okay. There is no concern at all for the case that's going on... None of it seems to make sense to me.
I think I am just getting tired of Miss Elliot's stories. She did good at first, but considering she turns these out at such a fast rate, the creativity has lost its punch. So I will have to wait a while before I can get back into her books. Although I do like series books, like the Alex Cross series from Patterson or the in death series from Roberts, this just isn't working for me anymore. So as I end this series, I will say that the cases are good, and the suspense is just okay ; leaving much to be desired, and to a point they are enjoyable. But if you are looking for some true suspense that doesn't leave you scratching your head thinking, I could have figured that out, then reading all of these books back to back will only upset you.
It seems that Miss Elliot decided to play up the suspense by having the characters do continuously stupid things. If you read the other books in the series, you know of all the adventures they have shared together. Then maybe you can answer why they continue to never text , call or inform anyone of where they are going or what they are doing when they are pursuing a lead in a case? Why is it that their minds seem to work slowly, even though they've been doing this investigating thing for years.? Spoiler... Why does Mason go out to the Killer's house by himself? Without texting or calling anyone? Especially, the woman he claims to love and have to look out for at every turn?! That is ridiculous. They just went through a mass murder situation a few months before this issue and now he just runs off all cowboy and pursues a lead with no backup... Even if it is just to investigate a question, he informed no one of where he was going. He is still a law enforcement officer. If the killer has been targeting men that participated in the program that he also participated in, then why does it even make sense to go somewhere without informing anyone of where they are? Also, when she starts to wonder where he is, no one seems to give a crap! Everyone is like where is Mason, oh I don't know, oh okay. There is no concern at all for the case that's going on... None of it seems to make sense to me.
I think I am just getting tired of Miss Elliot's stories. She did good at first, but considering she turns these out at such a fast rate, the creativity has lost its punch. So I will have to wait a while before I can get back into her books. Although I do like series books, like the Alex Cross series from Patterson or the in death series from Roberts, this just isn't working for me anymore. So as I end this series, I will say that the cases are good, and the suspense is just okay ; leaving much to be desired, and to a point they are enjoyable. But if you are looking for some true suspense that doesn't leave you scratching your head thinking, I could have figured that out, then reading all of these books back to back will only upset you.
August 11, 2016
I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.
I've been with this series since the beginning. What attracted me was that it is a story about grown-ups being actual grown-ups, which has continued. Where we last left Ava she was broken, shattered even, and while the novel itself was complete we were nowhere near actual closure for Ava. It has been a long wait, but in the end totally worth it! As this is the 4th book in the series, I don't think I can write much without spoiling previous books, so readers beware.
Ava has been healing-physically and mentally, she's taken a crucial step back from her sister Jayne. While she is struggling to work out the details of her wedding, her relationship with Mason seems strong and secure.
The mystery though, dang it was twisty. Elliot has some kind of gift for flowing (there's no other word for it) through a twisty mystery. Cops are being murdered and we work through the search for connections with the cops, and it is fascinating. And her monsters, so sympathetic, and human, and...horrifying. This one was particularly creepy and sad.
We also get some more insight into Ava's life and mindset, and a big shock from her past pops up. That seems set for resolution in the next book and should make for interesting fodder. There was only one weird/off note for me, which I can't really say much about because it would be a major spoiler. It is just that there is an area of angst that didn't hit right for me. As I have completely harped on, these are grown-ups here, and there are some things that in my experience you just don't really flip-flop that much on. I don't know, that may just be my own personal baggage coming to the fore.
In any event it was a great installment and I look forward to the next one. I'll probably also take the jump to the spin-off Mercy Kilpatrick series.
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June 9, 2016
Terrific read..
I have no idea why Ms. Elliot doesn’t just kill Jayne off. She’s in every book and she lives to make Ava’s life a living hell. There will never be anything that can redeem the stupid girl and nothing that can ever make her likable. If a book were ever written where Jayne came around to being a decent person I would never read it, that’s how much I hate her. I’m at 50% of the book and I get irritated just hearing her name mentioned. I hope by the end of the book she’s dead.
I just love Ava and Mason, well, except in that last book. It just went on and on about Jayne being a b*tch and Ava spent the whole book stressing over her twin. This one is much better, inasmuch as Ava doesn’t have anything to do with Jayne, except for paying for the ungrateful witch to be in a high-class drug rehabilitation facility. And by the end of the book Jayne was about 3000 miles away, in Costa Rica. I was happy about the. AND I was surprised at who David turned out to be.
Actually, this was a really, really good book. I knew that the one kid who said he’d killed the cops didn’t BUT I couldn’t figure out how he knew what he knew if he didn’t do it. It did kind of leave you hangin’ for a while, until you figured out who the bad guy was.
Again, another book by Ms. Elliot where I did not skim one single page. I was saddened to hear Zander’s story about his wife. I liked the other characters, Duff, Steve, Ray, and Denny from the other books but who was murdered in this book, Nora was a great addition and it was nice seeing Euzent again.
So, no sex, some swearing and the F-bomb was dropped 27 times.
As to the narration: FABULOUS! Great male and female narrators doing the male and female voices makes the book really worth listening to. Amy McFadden and Alexander Cendese were both just awesome.
I have no idea why Ms. Elliot doesn’t just kill Jayne off. She’s in every book and she lives to make Ava’s life a living hell. There will never be anything that can redeem the stupid girl and nothing that can ever make her likable. If a book were ever written where Jayne came around to being a decent person I would never read it, that’s how much I hate her. I’m at 50% of the book and I get irritated just hearing her name mentioned. I hope by the end of the book she’s dead.
I just love Ava and Mason, well, except in that last book. It just went on and on about Jayne being a b*tch and Ava spent the whole book stressing over her twin. This one is much better, inasmuch as Ava doesn’t have anything to do with Jayne, except for paying for the ungrateful witch to be in a high-class drug rehabilitation facility. And by the end of the book Jayne was about 3000 miles away, in Costa Rica. I was happy about the. AND I was surprised at who David turned out to be.
Actually, this was a really, really good book. I knew that the one kid who said he’d killed the cops didn’t BUT I couldn’t figure out how he knew what he knew if he didn’t do it. It did kind of leave you hangin’ for a while, until you figured out who the bad guy was.
Again, another book by Ms. Elliot where I did not skim one single page. I was saddened to hear Zander’s story about his wife. I liked the other characters, Duff, Steve, Ray, and Denny from the other books but who was murdered in this book, Nora was a great addition and it was nice seeing Euzent again.
So, no sex, some swearing and the F-bomb was dropped 27 times.
As to the narration: FABULOUS! Great male and female narrators doing the male and female voices makes the book really worth listening to. Amy McFadden and Alexander Cendese were both just awesome.
October 28, 2016
"Mason read the names on the gravestones. DEE CAYED. WILL B. BACK. PAUL TERGEIST."
Another stellar contribution to the Callahan & McLane FBI murder/mystery procedurally series. Mason Callahan has gone on a fall fishing trip with four other detectives when he discovers his boss dead of a slit throat wearing a Pinhead mask. It's disturbingly similar to the recent hanging death of an FBI agent wearing a Freddy Krueger mask that had been ruled a suicide. As more cops are killed and posed in masks that suicided looks more like murder. Ava, and the FBI, draw the case but Mason is not content to stay a witness and digs in careless of the danger.
As a newly engaged couple Ava and Mason are trying to balance work and wedding planning but something is holding Ava back. Mason is twelve years older and says he's done with having children and Ava had never planned on any either. But what if she does want children? And Jayne Jayne Jayne the crazy twin who even in an expensive therapy center (nut house) that Ava is paying for Jayne is still causing trouble. She has continually scared me more than the killers in these books.
The FBI has twenty years of potential connections to go through to find the killer and the clock is ticking because the Behavior Science Unit believes this has all been a build up to Halloween.
I have loved every single Ava and Mason story and this is no different. I'm thrilled the author has promised more. Both this series and Bone Secrets, same world/characters, are worth reading though I'll admit Bone Secrets got to be a bit much for me.
- Enjoyed as a reread!
June 12, 2016
Ruthless serial murderer killing the law enforcement personnel, while Ava's twin sister is manipulating yet another set of doctors, and Mason is trying to figure out why Ava isn't ready to set the wedding date.
The suspense is tight, the investigation of the criminal behind the callous murders is intriguing, and keeps the reader on toes till nearly the end. I loved how the task force put the puzzle pieces together, the teamwork is commendable, and the crime scenes atrocious, each on their own way. The tension escalated through the story, until it comes too close to home. Really enjoyed the action and suspense part of the tale, even though it did seem to be progressing slowly at times.
The characters are interesting, but at times a little frustrating. There's a lot of inner inflection, from several different characters, and Mason and Ava are suppose to have this great relationship, but they are not communicating about some basic issues, like why not set the wedding date. I wish there would have been more development of their relationship in this story, now it seemed to just stay the same as before.
Ava twin sister, I didn't like her before, and I wish she would just go away, as I hope will be the consequence of the events in this story.
Innovative crime scenes, ghastly and cruel, action that involves the major players of the story. I hoped for more development with the characters and their relationships, but the grisly crimes saved the story, and held my interest through the book.
~ Four Spoons
The suspense is tight, the investigation of the criminal behind the callous murders is intriguing, and keeps the reader on toes till nearly the end. I loved how the task force put the puzzle pieces together, the teamwork is commendable, and the crime scenes atrocious, each on their own way. The tension escalated through the story, until it comes too close to home. Really enjoyed the action and suspense part of the tale, even though it did seem to be progressing slowly at times.
The characters are interesting, but at times a little frustrating. There's a lot of inner inflection, from several different characters, and Mason and Ava are suppose to have this great relationship, but they are not communicating about some basic issues, like why not set the wedding date. I wish there would have been more development of their relationship in this story, now it seemed to just stay the same as before.
Ava twin sister, I didn't like her before, and I wish she would just go away, as I hope will be the consequence of the events in this story.
Innovative crime scenes, ghastly and cruel, action that involves the major players of the story. I hoped for more development with the characters and their relationships, but the grisly crimes saved the story, and held my interest through the book.
~ Four Spoons
April 17, 2016
Detailed review to come. Good, with faults, so wasn't sure what to rate it. Looks like I'm gonna have to give up on the series. I am NOT one of the women who want to see her pregnant. Not all women want to see that and I wish it was not everywhere in these kinds of freakin books.
Recieved from NetGalley for my honest review.
The 4th book in this series by Kendra Elliot, a new-ish author who I've enjoyed just about every book of. Targeted was another great book in the series and I actually enjoyed it better than the 3rd one.
My only issue with this series is Ava's sister. I don't like her, at all. In the last book she was a big part of the book, a big part of the awfulness, and I didn't enjoy it. This one, she's not in it as much, but is still mentioned more than I would like. I really would love the series more if Ava would just wash her hands of her, it would make me respect her more.
The story was great and the killings were wild. No one could figure out what was going on and I was stumped too! I thought I guessed what was going on early on, but I didn't, so that was really good. It's just a really good series with great characters (minus the sister). I recommend this book and series to fans of Romantic Suspense, who enjoy their characters in law enforcement chasing after the bad guys! :)
Setting = A
Plot = A
Conflict = A+
Characters = A
Theme = A+
Recieved from NetGalley for my honest review.
The 4th book in this series by Kendra Elliot, a new-ish author who I've enjoyed just about every book of. Targeted was another great book in the series and I actually enjoyed it better than the 3rd one.
My only issue with this series is Ava's sister. I don't like her, at all. In the last book she was a big part of the book, a big part of the awfulness, and I didn't enjoy it. This one, she's not in it as much, but is still mentioned more than I would like. I really would love the series more if Ava would just wash her hands of her, it would make me respect her more.
The story was great and the killings were wild. No one could figure out what was going on and I was stumped too! I thought I guessed what was going on early on, but I didn't, so that was really good. It's just a really good series with great characters (minus the sister). I recommend this book and series to fans of Romantic Suspense, who enjoy their characters in law enforcement chasing after the bad guys! :)
Setting = A
Plot = A
Conflict = A+
Characters = A
Theme = A+
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