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Dezeray Jackson examines the cold case of a 13-year-old girl from Fremont, NE. As details unfold, Dez is forced to confront her feelings about her sister's unsolved murder, manage her relationship with former lover, Patrick Murphy, and diffuse the tension he's creating with her current lover, Scott James. Things become more complicated when Dez begins receiving communication from a dead guy.

212 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2015

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About the author

Kori D. Miller

8 books13 followers
Here's the nitty-gritty: I write sinfully scandalous mysteries for adults, and create memorable adventures for young people. If you love Dr. Who, Sherlock, Star Trek, The Sneetches, Marvin the Martian, and Wonder Woman, then we should talk. I also love people-watching, and creating a storyline and dialogue for what I'm seeing. I'd be lying if I said that some of those experiences don't end up in my books. Tweet with me @koridmiller

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5 stars
13 (54%)
4 stars
6 (25%)
3 stars
4 (16%)
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1 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Nicole.
438 reviews115 followers
October 29, 2020
Loving Dez

This book was a little out of my norm, but it didn't disappoint me. I love the main character Dez. She's living life on her terms, and she's one hell of an investigator who can hold her own. Scott really surprised me!!! Wish it would've ended differently, but a good read for sure.
Profile Image for V.P. Smith.
Author 2 books4 followers
October 7, 2015
***I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an unbiased review***

I mainly read thriller/suspense/mysteries, expecting three things within the pages: true to life scenarios―with some suspension of disbelief expected―unanticipated twists and turns, and finally, a plot that challenges my mind as I read. Kori D. Miller’s HUSH accomplished all three, and I can honestly say it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to find that inside recently read books.

The book centers around Dezeray Jackson, a private investigator who is a strong, stubborn, and a take no BS kind of woman. As she takes on a pro bono case for Tamara Steele involving a cold case, something from her own past resurfaces. To further complicate matters, not only does she have to deal with Patrick Murphy, an ex-boyfriend also reemerging after a long absence, but as well as issues with her current, Scott James. She is well developed and relatable. The supporting characters were also relatable, fit their roles, and are well fleshed out.

The plot is highly original and upon reading the first chapter, I was immediately captivated. The author masterfully draws you into each scene with highly descriptive setups, and I was able to easily envision the surroundings as though I was there. The pages seemed like they turned themselves. This doesn’t happen often, however, I found myself aggravated when I had to put it down.

Think you have things figured out? Are you certain? Think again. Something will come up, forcing you to second-guess yourself. The editing, set up, and execution, thank the Gods, is fantastic―which seems to be rare lately―and was a breathe of fresh air.

There was only one thing disappointing within the book―and that was when I found myself on the last page and wanting more! Can’t wait for book 2 in the series.

In my opinion, give this book a read.
Profile Image for Jenni Wiltz.
Author 16 books17 followers
October 11, 2015
Hush by Kori D. Miller is a dective novel that feels like a throwback to the good old days of Hollywood film noir - it's about character and motivation, not explosions and ammo.
Dezeray Jackson is one tough cookie, but even better, she's a real person. She lets a hot slice of pizza sit for a minute to avoid burning her tongue and checks her jealousy of a well-manicured yard by admitting she's too cheap to pay a landscaper. She may have a weakness for the wrong guy at the wrong time, but it's probably because that guy cooked her a gourmet dinner. Based on the drool-inducing descriptions of food in this book, I don't blame her.

Dez must solve two cold-case murders: her sister, killed 17 years ago, and a high-school girl found dead in the woods a decade ago. She uses good old-fashioned detective work to get the job done - talking to people, playing pool with them, and observing their reactions. You know - how they did it in the good old days, before internet stalking became a viable tool for detectives.

The case involving her sister spirals out of Dez's grasp - there's a much bigger conspiracy going on, and it involves her ex-love, her current flame, and her ex-Marine father. There's meaty stuff for the next Dez mystery, and since it involves Murphy, her crush-worthy on-again-off-again boyfriend, the ladies are gonna want to stick around.

Overall, this story is grounded in rock-solid descriptions of places, food, pool strategy, and martial arts moves. It feels so real, which makes the violent parts all the more frightening - and for avid mystery readers, a fast, fun, enjoyable read.

**I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
157 reviews8 followers
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November 27, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I give it 4.5 stars. Interesting story and a very quick read. The kind of book you hated to put down always wanting to read 'just one more chapter.'Dezeray Jackson agrees to take on a cold case murder for Tamara Steele. The caase involves Tamara's friend Jessica Howard. She was murdered in 2005. Although police interviewed Tamara and her friends, Sylvia, Jose,Kane and Micah, plus Jessica's stepfather and a man named Jeff Teel. Although Jeff and the stepfather were suspected of the murder, there was not enough evidence to charge anyone and now the case is left unsolved. Dez begins asking a lot of questions but soon gets involved with trying to solve the murder case of her sister, which she keeps getting additional clues about from a supposed dead man named Alec Covington. Dez is also trying to sort out her feelings for current boyfriend Scott James and former boyfriend Patrick Murphy. Dez is a good detective though and keeps asking questions until she finds the answers. While searching for the answers, Alec ends up getting killed as do Sylvia and Bryant. The ending of the book leaves open the possibility of more Dezeray Jackson murder mysteries involving these same characters where we will learn more of their stories and also hopefully solve the murder of Dezeray's sister.
Profile Image for Joe Broadmeadow.
Author 20 books26 followers
January 4, 2016
Book Review: Hush by Kori Miller

Hush introduces us to Dezeray Jackson, a private investigator working in the Omaha, Nebraska area. There is a cold-case involving the death of a young girl. Jackson becomes involved at the request of a college student, criminal justice major, who is interning with a cold-case unit within the police department.
The author does a nice job of interweaving the main case with a case involving the murder of Jackson’s sister from several years ago.
The plot is complicated but the writing concise and well developed making it simple to follow the story yet adding the right amount of twists and turns to the plot. The use of colorful language adds to the character development, painting a clear picture of Jackson and the people she encounters.
The book is part of a series, so the story doesn’t come to a complete end. I often find these type of ending a bit disappointing but in this case it is handled well and leaves the reader satisfied with the book.
I found the book to be entertaining, interesting, and well- written. A good addition to anyone’s library.
492 reviews12 followers
March 18, 2016
I know that I am in the minority here. I did not love this book. Was there a Dezeray Jackson mystery before this one or is Hush the first of the series? The background of the main characters and the mystery of Savannah's death seemed to have been just thrown at me as if I already knew it. Maybe it will be resolved as the series continues, acting as a common thread to tie all the books together. Yes, there is a set up for a second book. I found a lot of the writing to be stilted and choppy. ALL the references to ALL the places in Nebraska got tiresome. I did not need to know ALL their addresses and how long it takes to get from one place to another. Dezeray at 5'2" must have one heck of a metabolism because she always seemed to be either hungry or eating. The plot, mystery and characters were all great. I just didn't like the execution.
Profile Image for Angela Winters.
59 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2016
Hush is about Dezeray Jackson P.I. Dezeray revisits a cold case of a young girl who was killed. Along with that, she also revisits the murder of her sister. Between managing her cases and trying to decide on a new love or an old love, Dezeray finds her plate full.

I loved Dezerary because she is a strong lead character. She is the kind of strong woman that you love to read about. The other characters in the book are also very relateable.

The book moved along smoothly with me being glued to the pages. Great book!! I can't wait to read more.
Profile Image for Johnny Walker.
Author 4 books79 followers
January 24, 2016
This book was a fun read, filled with both imaginative visuals and actual locations. Kori’s writing is dynamic and easy to follow, and the story has the right elements to keep a reader anxious to turn the page. The best part is; it isn’t predictable, and the ones you think may be ‘in on it’, aren’t the ones at all. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for other works by Tori.
Profile Image for Chelsey Mae.
174 reviews6 followers
November 18, 2015
I won this book in the giveaway (thank you so much!) I really enjoyed it and Dezeray reminds me a little of myself. Once I started it it was hard to put down. I can't wait for more in this series, I'm itching to find out what happens next!
Profile Image for Denise.
121 reviews4 followers
April 29, 2017
It's really great to read a P.I. story that the main character is a Black woman. I've read several years ago, but it seemed they faded away after awhile. If anyone out there can recommend more, please feel free to message me..LOL
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews